#I leave 'this' up to your interpretation >.>

[sillystringedrat]

OOO I love this interpretation!!! I don’t often go thru the space fae tag!

To add to this, like fae in folklore, humans would also be one of the WORST races to anger. All of a sudden there are thousands of tiny engineering failures when previously the ship had worked just fine. Navigational systems seem correct, until you realize you’re lost in a sea of identical surroundings. You go into the kitchens, only to find it overrun by invasive bugs and pests when you thought they all died a while ago. Tiny little things that add up, either strategic and slow destruction or a total system failure that’ll leave you stranded in space—and to the rest of the universe, lost to time. There are stories of crews who have horribly angered their little engineers, their last known signals rapidly nearing black holes or crashing through atmospheres of death worlds. And that’s if you’re lucky. Most who’ve felt their wrath simply just… Vanish. As if they’ve never existed. Their names wiped off records.

Do your due diligence, and never forget their offerings.

Humans entering space and realizing we are so small. We are mice compared to these giant races with their advanced machinery and technologies and experiences beyond us- except that we're humans. And our engineers dive into the new tech and once we learn the principles we also soon realize how Inefficient everything is. Their "microchips" are the size of cars, their storage drives are basically buildings, and they somehow store less data than ours. So, human companies take advantage, and tech starts rolling out. Massive and there's a lot of wasted space so that it can be managed with larger hands/pincers/claws/tentacles, but also so much more efficient than anything the galaxy has seen before.

Human technicians start hopping ships and upkeeping the general maintenance, the stuff that most aliens put off or don't notice because they never access the crevices of their ships. As human companies become more popular and lead the tech world in everything from warp cores to game stations ("it's so compact! How are the graphics so good?" Says a 60' tall grimbleback, holding a new VR headset that has all of its components included because it's so BIG by our tech standards), soon many things have accessibility ports for humans to be able to use as well. This means that these shiprats hoping ship to ship cause such a huge improvement in everything running smoothly, and there's a huge downtick in pests on ships because those "pests" are not only big enough and aggressive enough to bite a pitbull or a person in half, they're invasive to so many planets and humans hate nothing more than dog killing planet overrunning monsters.

All the while, from the Aliens perspective, humans are an elusive race that don't fraternize much with them. You almost never see a human as most places aren't exactly safe for the little things to run around in. They do export so much stuff though, and the custodial staff at the Central Galactic Outpost insists that there's more humans around than any other race if you just know where to look.

And sure it's somewhat known that some of the little daredevils hop ships and help out in exchange for room and board, usually without permission, but that can't be that common, can it?

Maybe your ship is running better this cycle ever since you stopped at the last station, that just means that tuneup was better than you thought. And maybe for some reason that program you were working on last night is finished when you wake up, but you're so tired maybe you finished it before you passed out. Somehow that faulty light in the galley has fixed itself as well, which is odd, but maybe the Engineer finally got to it. You'd know if there was someone else on your ship.

Right?

... You leave a little bowl of berries out as a thank you, just in case. You're not sure what humans like but you've heard they have a sweet tooth.

[crispy-bonnie]

this one in particular is about three characters i tried to get the love route for (except for washford), but failed to because god dammit i said something wrong i guess.

not really very spoilery, but i will add the tag and add a cut upon request if needed

picture this: you've accidentally got some of the dateables to hate you. you didn't mean to, but they do anyway, under the impression that you're just a piece of shit and that you hurt them intentionally. of course, you still have other items who are friends with you! some are even lovers, so you are pretty alright!

however, while you're doing some quests for others, you'd be forced to talk to the ones who hate you. every time you go up to one, they jab at you, berate you; they do anything to make you feel hurt... and you do.

so what do you do? of course, you stop interacting with them entirely. you don't even bother trying, seeing as no matter what you do to be civil, they do nothing but bash on you. you figure that talking to them just hurts more, both you and them, so you leave them to their solitude.

you need clothes to wash but washford hates you? that's fine; you can just take dirk on a trip to the laundromat.

does your floor need a quick vacuuming but hoove can't help but make salty remarks? well, you got yourself a broom (plus dolly would appreciate if you tried to preserve the dust a little bit more).

did your power go out during a storm and you know you're not welcome at the breaker box? you have a friend of yours come over to fix the power, or you just resort to using your phone; you're not picky.

it becomes a routine for you to avoid them, and they're bored out of their mind. hoove hasn't gone out to see everyone in a while, washford doesn't have anything to base his mournful poems off of anymore, and the breaker box seems to be relatively static (considering that the regulars have been too busy making plans with you to even think about visiting). it sucks, and it's starting to drive them crazy.

now what happens next? it's really up to the imagination. i personally can't think of anything that would be a good ending for this, but y'all can drop some ideas in my inbox or write up your own interpretation.

[yan-randomfandom]

Yandere!Huntrix Imagines

[separate] 2nd POV, but feel free to interpret however!

🪻— Rumi

"Don't leave. Don't leave!"

Rumi is pathetically, incredibly dependent. Just subtle. Like the rest of her shame, she buries her feelings, with the raw hope they never rise to the surface. She doesn't exactly have a good support system (Celine). Rumi has to resort to believing the problem will go away if she keeps singing.

But, I guess... if someone did know about her patterns before the reveal, then everything is much more noticeable. She comes to you to breathe. To let go of fear, to let go of her burdens... maybe she's become too attached.

Because you know. You understand. You don't judge, you don't stare—you smile and send reassurance her way. Accepting her for who she is. Rumi feels safe and loved.

Even your touches against her patterned skin don't feel forced nor appeasing. She melts in the gentle contact, closing her eyes, relishing in how genuine your affection is.

However, you distract her too.

She can't sleep. You're not with her. Why aren't you with her? The only one who knows about her predicament—gone from her sight. Demons can reach you without her knowing. She can't protect you if she can't see you.

So, Rumi worries. Worries and worries and worries. She has to text you every moment of the day, especially night, expecting a reply back from you within 10 minutes max.

If you don't reply, she'll genuinely lose it and invite you to her home (permanently). To protect you, of course.

She'd never forgive herself if another demon got to your soul. That's hers.

🌻 — Zoey

"You're too much, and not enough."

Zoey has an unhealthy need to please everyone, even if it costs her herself. The majority of her life, she never felt like she belonged. She has to calculate every decision—choose the right one that will make everyone happy.

Well, maybe the 'everyone' doesn't include her, she thinks constantly. Think about the others first. This is where her darling comes in.

You keep asking what she wants. What she needs. What she wishes. She watches you, patient and understanding, not having violent reactions in her reluctant choices. Suddenly, her affection goes deeper from the surface level, and into your very soul.

But, uh, maybe what you're trying to go for goes the opposite way.

Zoey's too eager. She wants to please you so bad, like you did for her. A favor for a favor, maybe?

She'd casually ask you what you like. Casually ask your preferences — for example, if your love language is quality time, bet. She'll drop everything and spend more time with you. Even if it costs inconvenience, because you matter most, she violently needs to make you happy.

In most cases, she seems perfectly normal. But only because it's what you need at the moment. She's fitting in easily with your wants and needs, her desperation swept fully under the rug.

Zoey simply has to make sure you never want to leave.

🌷 — Mira

"I don't get to have a family."

Mira's the type to overthink, but also technically not? Overly blunt, short fused, highly aggressive... her words, not mine. All she wanted was to be free, to be herself. She had to leave her own family and find her own path—which led her to you.

Maybe you complement her personality well. Or even the opposite, she sees too much of herself in you. Either way, you can't hide anything from her; she can read you from a mile away. Perhaps that's what got her so intrigued by you.

She has self-awareness. Maybe a little too much, in fact—why does she feel so aggravated when you're talking to another person? Is she jealous or something? This has to be one of the pettiest reason ever to get worked up over.

Perhaps thinking about it too much is a bad idea. Now she's stuck, obsessively in her mind, on this version of you.

Is it a version she made up of you, though? You look at her like she's flawless, you smile at her like she's the most important thing in the world, and you understand her like no one has ever dared before.

She hasn't gotten this much attention from people with her own blood. The affection is so nice, so addicting, so validating—it feels too good to be true.

It shouldn't hurt to indulge a little more, right?

— in Bobby's words, I LOVE MY GIRLS !!! 🗣️🗣️‼️‼️

[lovelylonelinesssvt]

Back To You-Jeon Wonwoo

Pairing: idol!Wonwoo/friend!Reader

Word Count: 10k

Genre: friends to lovers, fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, denial of feelings, idiots in love, slooow burn, some suggestive smut

Summary: What happens when the universe suddenly wants to test your friendship? Your feelings? Are you two mature enough to talk to be strong? Is this just young naïve love between best friends? What happens when there’s no communication between you and Wonwoo?

Misunderstandings, overthinking, hiding feelings, not thinking straight, denying the truth and even joking about it will test you; Not to mention being far from each other  changes everything. Perspectives and feelings are on the line. Wonwoo is your best friend, but being best friends with an idol is a lot harder than it seems and even harder if you work with him and enter the chaotic world where SVT exists.

“I never thought the universe, God or whoever that is above us will be so against me”

General warnings: explicit language, sort of insults, mentions of death, grieving, nicknames (Sun, babe, weirdo, baby, Pea) accident, mentions of blood, temporally memory loss, drinking, sexually suggestive situations, sexual tension, friendly bullying/teasing and a very hurt not thinking straight and mean Wonwoo for a little bit but apologizes later.

SPECIFIC WARNINGS for this chapter: The mention of Wonwoo’s mom passing away and I mean no disrespect about it. May she rest in peace, I am not assuming this is how Wonwoo would react or feel. I mean no disrespect to him or to his family about that topic.

This fic will be divided into chapters

Big shout out to Luna (@belovedgyu) who motivated me to try and post this. Thank you!

2014

“So, this is goodbye?”

“For now, but I’m pretty sure we’ll see each other again” You said smiling with tears in your eyes “at least I know I will see you on TV and all over the internet and the music shows”

“You don’t know that Sun, I might not even debut” Wonwoo said, he certainly didn’t know what his future looked like, and it was a gamble whether he was going to debut or not

“You will Won, I know you will”

“You’re going to be back, right?” he asked with hope in his eyes, it was going to be the first time both of you were going to be apart for long

“Of course! You’re not getting rid of me that easy Wonwoo”

“I’m going to miss you Sun” Wonwoo said looking down. Suddenly, his phone started to ring loudly “damn it”

“Take it, it might be important”

“No, you’re more important” he declined the call looking back at you and smiled “I really want you to be happy Sun”

“I want you to be happy Woo” you said, now more than ever you were feeling the weight of what it meant to go abroad. You were not only leaving your family, but you were also leaving your best friend. You sighed and whispered looking down “I love you Woo”

“Sun?” he lifted your chin and looked straight into your eyes and whispered “I love you too”

You stared at each other smiling, a bittersweet love you were exchanged that day, leaving to your own interpretation of those three powerful words.

Out of all days it held a special meaning, you were leaving Korea to study abroad and Wonwoo was training and fighting hard to debut and that left no other but a sad goodbye that both of you hoped it wasn’t for long.

One last hug held too many emotions, too many words left unsaid and just a promise remained

“Promise you’re my Sun”

“Promise you’re my Woo”

May 2015

At the small stage, 13 boys were all lined up, a few cameras pointed at them while listening carefully to the instructions.

All of them turned to face the back of the stage which slowly started to lift a curtain revealing the people behind waiting to approach them, all the tension in the stage lifted and was filled with almost too many emotions, all 13 boys’ parents were there walking to them holding a small black box, cries and laughter filled the stage, every single one hugged their relatives. Each one placed a ring on the pinky finger of each member

“I’m proud of you”

“you’ve done well my baby”

“Good job son”

“I love you”

Every single sentence hit the right spot for each member considering how hard they’ve worked these years and everything paid off. Finally, they will have their debut as a group.

After an hour, the shooting of this special gathering consisting of family giving the members their respective group ring and a small performance ended, and the boys were allowed to leave and be with their family for the day and everyone decided to get dinner together filling the entire restaurant.

“Wonwoo?”

“mom” a woman with black hair and a white cap hugged him tightly, she held his face and smiled

Wonwoo took her hand and with his father next to her walked with the rest outside the building

“Someone has a gift for you as well” Wonwoo looked at his mother confused; he was about to speak when a voice behind him made him freeze on the spot

“Hi, Woo” a sweet, soft, melodic for him and almost like a whisper spoke, Wonwoo turned around and confirmed what he hoped he would find.

Standing there with a smile, the sweet smile he knew all too well, you were holding your hands behind you, your long hair falling on one side, wearing a simple but graceful light-yellow outfit fitted right for you, making you look just like he remembered you. Wonwoo smiled and he thought how this day was now the best day ever.

“Sun!” he ran to hug you lifting you up and immediately burying his face on your shoulder, he missed this and he missed you “my Sun!” he didn’t want to let go.

“Hey! my Woo made it” you whispered “I’m proud of you” after letting you go; you handed him a small black box. You smiled and Wonwoo could see how your cheeks were now slightly red “this is for you”

Wonwoo grinned and carefully with a big smile he opened it and there was a silver necklace with a music note and a sunflower. He gasped and immediately hugged you before he leaned back to kiss your cheek surprising you

“Thank you, Sun I love it!”

You smiled with rose cheeks, you were glad he liked it because you were scared it was too much or maybe too girly for him, but this was special, it had something that represented you.

You flew all the way back to Korea just for him, luckily you had your fare savings. You definitely had to be here as his best friend you couldn’t miss this day.

“Thank you, Sun. Come on you have to see the members again!” he grabbed her hand, but she stopped him “What?”

“I can’t be here for long Won, I actually ditched school to come here, and I already spent one whole day on a plane, totally worth it though” you giggled remembering her little white lie to skip school which oddly enough your mom agreed to back your story up. But soon that giggle faded remembering you just had mere hours to spend with your best friend “My flight leaves past midnight”

“But you just got here” he sighed defeated “how long do I have with you?”

“About 5 or 6 hours I think” Wonwoo looked at you then back at the restaurant across the street where the rest of the group was “we can go there for a little while, I really want to see them again, but I want at least 2 hours, you know just us before I have to leave to the airport”

“Definitely!” his eyes light up “come on!” you giggled because he looked like the small 6-year-old kid when you two met, even though he was a full-grown teenager now.

3 hours passed way too fast, you saw how everyone was so different from each other but also the same even if that does not make sense. It was so chaotic and full of energy, and it was exactly what Wonwoo needs in his life, and he fits so well. You were happy to see him comfortably in the group.

After a little while of catching up, or trying to catch up with everyone, Wonwoo and his parents knew it was time to leave.

You stood up and everyone looked back at you, you felt weird but tried to shake it off.

“Everyone, it was nice to meet you all, thank you for meeting me and I hope everything goes well from now on. Congratulations on the debut, I will be supporting you. Please take care of Wonwoo, fighting!” you bowed, and the members cheered and bowed back.

Wonwoo felt how suddenly all his energy was drained out and the realization of you leaving hit him like a bucket of cold water.

“Go son, we’ll wait here” Wonwoo’s mother patted his back, and you walked to her

“Thank you for picking me up and helping me” she bowed twice “I hope to see you soon”

“It was lovely to see you again dear, please take care and keep in touch” she smiled as she touched her cheek “aigoo my pretty girl”

“Love you eomoni” you smiled and bowed one last time, you looked at Wonwoo’s father and bowed “love you abeoji”

“Take care and be safe” he replied patting her head smiling “bring us something next time”

“Definitely”

You and Wonwoo walked out of the restaurant and looked at each other and like he was reading your mind, Wonwoo smiled and grabbed your hand

“There’s a convenience store around the corner that sells homemade chocolate muffins and cookies, they’re pretty great” Wonwoo exclaimed leading the way “not like the ones my mom bakes, but close enough” and both chuckled

“Ohhh! your mom makes the best chocolate muffins ever!”

Two hours passed by faster than you would’ve liked, between laughter, and updates on what happened in those 7 months apart. Now it was time, that painful part both of you dreaded since you saw each other again today.

A taxi stopped right in front of them, Wonwoo looked at the ground and suddenly he was speechless just like you. Holding your tears, it was now your turn to lift Wonwoo’s face and make him look at you.

“I knew you would debut; you have done amazing Woo. I know how hard you’ve worked” she smiled “you are so talented and I’m so very proud of you. I will be supporting you from abroad always until I come back, but you have to promise me some—"

“I will never forget you” Wonwoo said softly, and you smiled trying to hold back your tears. You hugged Wonwoo tightly not wanting to let go. You heard him whisper “I love you” three words she wanted to say so badly, but she knew she would break down if she does.

“You’re my Woo”

“you’re my Sun”

Closing the door of the taxi you and Wonwoo waved each other goodbye for now, as soon as both were completely out of sight of the other, tears flooded, and a bittersweet memory was once again tattooed in their hearts.

Both tried to reassure yourselves that, this wasn’t a goodbye, and you will be back soon, he won’t forget you

You two were best friends and that’s like forever, right?

 

2019

Time and distance really test every relationship, no matter how close or how far you are, it really is a way to see and test the bond two people have, including family.

As the time passed since 2015, you and Wonwoo had trouble having the time to talk but somehow managed it on your terms. It was complicated because of all the activities that filled his and your time, he had to work with new music, comebacks every 3 or 5 moths including promotions after promotions every comeback.

You tried to focus on your studies, originally pouring yourself on studying law, but then changing your opinion in the middle of the semester.

You found yourself, which was good, but the sudden change made you stay another 3 years due to the start over. You didn’t know you had more abilities than memorizing things which you thought was enough to study law, you liked it but it wasn’t until one of your teachers pointed out your extreme sense or organization but also full creativity, styling and when you were helping your roommate with some projects it made you question yourself and soon you made your choice.

Changing careers was such a dramatic turn, but you liked it, your family had doubts about it at first but supported it with the simple condition of you coming back home, they felt anxious and lonely without one of their daughters and your sister was missing her partner in crime at family gatherings.

Wonwoo? You didn’t truly know.

This was a full consequence of your choice because that made it even harder to keep in touch with Wonwoo. His schedule and yours were barely aligned, you made it work for a while, calls and video calls were a must every day, teasing him and the members about their hairstyles and wardrobe were your daily dose of fun and home.

The amount of mutual disrespect and banter on several calls had you laughing, wishing to be there and kick some of their asses.

Through the years— for a little while—you and Wonwoo found a rhythm, and the video calls were a must almost daily. It worked pretty great so far.

Updates on his schedule, you ranting about how sometimes you regret leaving but Wonwoo cheered for you. Wonwoo would get shy the moment you showed him you brought merch and how a very illegal shop had printed a pillow with seventeen’s faces, and you got one of him and Mingyu; he was not happy about it— not about the pillow with his face— he didn’t like that you had Mingyu’s pillow.

Wonwoo didn’t exactly know why though.

The calls were good, both of you were happy, you missed each other but it was working.

However, that changed.

With time one video call a day turned to be 2 a week, then 1 call every two weeks to 1 every month, then the calls turned into only texts, suddenly a call every few months was a win for both of you and soon those calls ended for a long period of time, the texts were there but somehow only to know if either of you were “good”

You thought constantly about him every time you opened YouTube, or any social media. You always cheered him up and without a beat buying and streaming SVT.

He often thought about you, he wanted to be more available but since seventeen started to get more recognition, his schedules and demanding perfection in every comeback, made it increasingly difficult to keep up with you.

You promised to always support him, and you always will even if the timing is never in your favor, even if you think you’re drifting apart and even if his life was supposed to thrive without you for now.

May 2021

“Wonwoo, what do you think?” a voice brought him back to the meeting the group were having with the managers and the representatives of PLEDIS

“I’m sorry about what?”

“The contract, are you okay with the contract? Would you like to add something, or do you disagree? The rest already shared their opinion, what do you think? Manager Jung asked trying to get his attention, Wonwoo thought about it deeply and had just one thought in mind, surprising everyone he replied.

“Will the dating ban be removed?”

“Dating?” Seungcheol asked surprised, out of all members, Wonwoo was one of the least to ask something related to that issue.

“Yes, will that rule be removed?”

“Well, it’s been over 5 years now, but we will have to be careful on how we address everything considering how your image as a single idol is more desirable and sells more and having a partner…” manager Jung paused for a second holding his pen looking at Wonwoo, then at the rest of the group “look I’m not dumb,  I know some of you have already dated or are in a relationship right know, don’t deny it”

“No, we won’t deny it, but you have to agree that regardless of our relationship status we’ve done a pretty great job at hiding it and still giving it all for the team” Seungcheol spoke

“I know, I’m not saying it as a bad thing, I’m just letting you know we are well aware of everything that is going on among our groups” Manager sighed “the dating ban will be removed yes, but I will repeat myself, the way we address the situation is what matters, the way we announce the relationship has to be dealt with caution”

“Okay then, I’m fine with the terms”

“I must warn you all just like I’ve done it in the past with all of the artist, the dating ban might be removed, but that doesn’t mean we will support any wrong doings, such as partying, dating several partners, relationship issues such as rumors regarding who you date” Manager sighed “basically all we want is for you to be responsible, because all of those issues will not only affect you as individuals, it will affect the group and the status you’ve build not to mention the company and that will not be tolerated”

“We already know that. You made that pretty clear when my dating scandal came out” Jeonghan sighed and rolled his eyes

“That’s another issue we tried to—"

“No, you didn’t defend us, you didn’t defend me and that left no choice but to excuse myself for something that it wasn’t even true”

“You know that wasn’t me Jeonghan” Manager Jung rubbed his temples “that was out of my hands”

“It wasn’t, you just choose to not fight for him” Seungcheol rolled his eyes and took a deep breath “look all we ask from the company and from you is to support and help us in any case, not to take advantage of the situation”

“You know I’m on your side; I’m always on your side” they all knew that

“We know” Jeonghan sighed looking up “we just don’t want to go through that again”

“Specially not now, we’re starting to gain the popularity we have tried to get since debut” Woozi finally spoke after a few minutes “listen, we will renew the contract, but you seriously must keep your word, about being on our side and prove it to us. You owe us that much after everything”

“I will, but you have to help me here too, we just ask for responsibility” Manager looked at everyone “look as far as you guys don’t make a mess, create or fuel rumors and scandals we can all live a happily ever after with rainbows” Manager smiled while doing an imaginary rainbow above his head causing the members to chuckle at his tactics.

Despite the drama and issues, they have experienced these 5 years with PLEDIS, and the now Hybe issue, Manager Jang was truly an advocate for them, even if he made mistakes by not protecting them like he should, or like the company should, he was Seventeen’s support and he was their fan.

“you have a very strange way to try to lift up the mood hyung” Seungcheol chuckled shaking his head “So, to wrap this up, all of us agree on the terms of the contract as well to the warnings made from Manager Jung?” he said while standing up with all the members attention “if you have something to say do it now”

“It feels like what they say at weddings ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’ but with the contract” Seokmin said trying to fake a voice and then let out a chuckle followed by a snort from Mingyu who was sitting next to him.

“Seriously?” Woozi rolled his eyes trying not to laugh and Seungcheol sighed

“Focus” Seungcheol raised his voice a bit and looked at everyone who nodded their heads meaning they agreed on everything they talked or at least most of it “it’s settled then”

The moment the meeting ended everyone left to carry on their plans. Wonwoo just needed a moment alone at home.

Seungcheol walked to Wonwoo and Mingyu who were about to get into the van who will drive them back to the dorm

“Wonwoo, is there something…” Seungcheol sighed not sure how to ask him“are you seeing someone?”

“No, I just remembered that rule that’s all” he shrugged and Seungcheol looked at him a little longer trying to figure out if he should push him to tell the truth or wait for him, so he chose the latest since it wasn’t the place or the moment to ask more about this.  It was obvious something was bothering him about this special topic but knew better than to push Wonwoo, he has his own time and way to open up.

“Okay then, be safe see you guys tomorrow” Seungcheol waved at Mingyu who was already inside putting his seatbelt on

“See you later hyung” Wonwoo said closing the door and putting on his seatbelt, sighing he leaned back and closed his eyes.

Even with his eyes closed he could feel Mingyu’s eyes on him “stop staring”

“What is it Hyung?” Mingyu asked, tilting his head as Wonwoo sighed, it took him a minute to gather strength to open his eyes and look back at him. “it’s her, isn’t it?”

Mingyu always saw right through him. From the start, both had a connection that even if they have different personalities, the bond they created made it almost impossible to lie to each other and to not know if something is bothering them.

And Mingyu saw what he feared the most in Wonwoo’s eyes since he asked that question to the manager, sadness and heartbreak.

“It’s been too long since we last talked” he sighed

**All Seventeen members Renewed their contract under PLEDIS Entertainment**

Back to December 2019

You finally had a tiny break from your studies, taking it as your opportunity to visit your parents, God you were way too absorbed on getting good grades, and the fact you changed careers to start over a new one took more of your time than you expected. Not only to visit and talk to your parents, but to talk to Wonwoo as well, and that was frustrating, even though you both finally found a common day and talked two days ago for almost 3 hours.

Now you were hoping everything would go according to plan. You were going to make a surprise visit, only your sister Nari knew about this little surprise. With music on full blast, you started to pack your bags.

Those plans were cancelled and ruined.

Somehow fire was catching in your building and fast.

You had little to no time to think or act, you had been dragged out of the building by your neighbor, Jae? Jake? Josh? You didn’t remember his name but he helped you. Saved you.

Saved you, but you lost so much there.

“Pea!!” you heard a girl yell your name. turning around you saw a girl running along with other people “oh my god! Pea, are you ok?”

“Nana!” both of you hugged each other, the moment you hugged her tears finally came like a tidal wave “our apartment Nana”

“Are you ok? Are you hurt?” she hugged you tightly with worry in her eyes “I don’t care about our stuff right now Pea, are you hurt?”

“I’m ok”

“That’s good.” Hannah looked at Jae who was talking to the phone, both exchanged a look and he nodded

“I have to go, I’ll see you around” he said to you now avoiding Hanna’s stare

“Thank you again”

The fire subsided slowly, firetruck’s sirens, firemen yelling and all the people surrounding the building left you speechless. The fire that spread to your apartment consuming everything on its path, leaving you and Hanna with almost nothing but ashes. How did this fucking happen? Why?

Everything you planned was gone. Everything inside that dorm was burning. Your plans to leave and visit your parents, to visit Wonwoo and to finally catch up with him, were all gone.

You saw how successful he’s been with his group, and you wanted to know everything, you wanted to tell him everything you’ve been doing and how your new career was making you happy and how you were planning to go back home soon, but all of that fell apart by flames.

After all the chaos was controlled, you could breath just a little.

It really was a bit comforting and painful to know some things were saved, you kept thinking how you lost two things you actually cared about.

A painting your grandma made, for you especially, a cherry blossom tree and a path with a tiny girl walking by, she was supposed to be you. Grandma said it would look pretty in your apartment and that you would have something of her with you. She gave it to you before you left, and she passed away.

The second thing you treasured the most was the first SVT album they released, Wonwoo sent it to you the moment they got their hands on the hard copies. The whole group signed it with a couple of jokes and some of them, more like Seokmin, Mingyu Seungkwan and Chan wrote a couple of times “Noona this is for you” knowing damn well you hated them calling you Noona.

What made it so special besides being the first album and everyone signing it, was the letter Wonwoo wrote, dedicated to you.

*.*.*.*.*.*

“You didn’t open it, right?”

“No Woo, I haven’t” you giggled throwing your bag and coat on your bed while holding your phone

You were on a call with Wonwoo, you didn’t know what time it was in Korea and you were worried it was too late there, but Wonwoo kept insisting to call once you got the package he sent.

“Now you can open it”

“Oh, I didn’t know I had to ask for your approval to open MY package”

“I sent it”

“I know” you rolled your eyes and picked it up while sitting on your bed

It was light, and it didn’t sound much, but something moved definitely

“What is it?”

“Just open it Sun” he laughed “wait! Turn the camera on, I want to see you”

“Okay but I don’t get to see you? How’s that fair?”

“Come on Sun today was lazy day, I didn’t even shave, I have spots and my hair is a mess”

“I’ve seen worse Jeon Wonwoo”

“Just turn the camera on Sun” you sighed as you finally turned it

You weren’t really a fan of video calls; a slightly low-quality video call made you question your beauty often. Nothing compared to Wonwoo who in 144p still looked like a young model even in this awkward teenager phase

“Okay, can I open it now?” you said a little bit frustrated as you settled the phone on the bed at a reasonable angle to capture your face and the package “please turn your camera on, I also want to see you”

“Fine” he turned it on, and you froze for a second before letting the most obnoxious snort and laugh ever “I knew it”

“Wow, Woo what happened?! Did a tornado hit you?”

“Open it Sun”

You smiled and chuckled opening the package, you started to complain about how tight and well glued the tape was around the box until you finally saw it

A silver with blue box, the cover had a logo and at the bottom in blue and white letters “17 Carat” seventeen 1rst mini-Album

You felt your heartbeat going faster that you thought it was going to burst, it looked so pretty, shiny and with all their signatures, little words of thank you and “Noona’s” written specially to annoy you but also in a way to show you their affection.

“Wonwoo” you let out in a whisper; it looked pretty and real oh so real.

“Open it” you could hear his voice was soft like he wanted to cry too

You did, now you noticed the moment you pulled out everything, that it had all the members photocards, both versions and that made you laugh a little

“it’s so…” you tilted your head and smiled bigger “you look cute here” you said lifting his photocard

“I’m not a fan of the bow though” he chuckled

“Oh my god!” you laughed a little too laud “Chan looks adorable! Oh, my I just saw the other set!”

You kept telling him how everyone looked good, how you found Soonyoung cute while holding the bow and how you wanted to tease Mingyu about his pose and how you envied Jeonghan’s hair

“you’ve talked about everyone but me” Wonwoo was almost pouting at this point. He wouldn’t say it directly, but the only opinion he cared and wanted to hear was his parents, his brother and yours.

“You want my honest opinion?”

“Yes”

“You look good, it is a bit awkward, but good”

“Awkward?”

“Yes” you giggled “you look good don’t get me wrong, but it’s new and it’s the first time I see you in something so, professional. I know you from before all this and I don’t know. But I do know that it suits you” you tilted your head with a smile “looks like you know how to pose”

“Is there something else?”

“Oh, a bag, wait what is this?” You took a tiny yellow bag, you felt it was something small, opening it you pulled out a necklace, a music note and a microphone. You smiled and chuckled, your eyes already tearing up

“It’s beautiful Woo” you couldn’t stop looking at it

It was silver, just like the one you gave him, this time the microphone represents him. You didn’t need him to tell you anything else about it, you knew it was something he wanted to give you so you two could have something from each other.

“Now, we match” smiling he raised his eyebrows “is that all in there?”

“I think so” you checked again and there it was, a small piece of paper folded in half “Oh! wait there’s something else”

“Read it, not out loud but yeah read it”

“Dear Sun

This is the first copy, I managed to pull my charm and ask for all the photocards to be in this one, I made everyone sign it, so I hope you like it.

Thank you, you’ve been supportive always. This album and so many more, if we do make it big, will be dedicated to you because you’re my Sun. I still think this is not real and I doubt myself, but you believe in me and that’s always enough.

This necklace is for you so you can have something of me with you, cherish it like I do

Thank you, my Sun”

“Wonwoo” you whispered trying to whip away the tears, the feeling of warmth filling your chest and how your heart swelled was a weird but nice feeling

“That’s for you, I just wanted…” he chuckled trying to hold his own tears, it all felt too personal, too emotional. How could it not be, you are his best friend “I wanted to say thank you”

*.*.*.*.*.

You remembered it clearly, vividly. Because it was the first time you realized how Wonwoo had a certain effect on you, but you still thought it was a friend thing.

The memory of that day, and the idea of losing all that hurt you in more ways than you thought it would.

They were saved.

The painting was kind of ruined, a couple of burns on the side and smoke ruined the soft pink colors of the tree. The album was also ruined on the sides, but it wasn’t much, and you finally cried.

It was all too much, losing your apartment and 80% of your things, and somehow you didn’t lose two of your most precious gifts.

“This is going to be hell”

You knew this was the beginning of so many things to solve, and it was not going to be easy.

The worst part? You didn’t had a way to contact him.

March 2020

“you’re all gloomy again” Mingyu sat beside Wonwoo taking a break from the practice, handing Wonwoo a bottle of water and sighed “still nothing?”

“Nothing” Wonwoo leaned back taking a sip “Gyu, it’s been months”

He thought you were busy with exams or projects, with your internship or something related to your career, it was the most common issue when you couldn’t call back.

He wasn’t that free either, but between comebacks, practice, recording songs and videos his time was too reduced and his schedule wasn’t helping.

The thing that bothered him was that no matter the time at least one text was delivered to each other, and now you don’t even text.

“it’s probably Uni or work, you know how hard it is to balance it all” Mingyu was always trying to be positive and look for the bright side and find the answer, Wonwoo appreciated it though.

“Right, Uni” Wonwoo sighed and looked to him “I don’t know if I should be worried or angry”

“Angry?” Mingyu scoffed, “you can be angry, but I think you shouldn’t be. I mean her life might be as chaotic as ours”

“Well, then I’m worried this covid thing is not helping either”

“I see a gloomy Wonwoo” Seokmin walked, more like danced towards Mingyu and Wonwoo “what can we do to cheer up a gloomy Woo” he kept dancing

Wonwoo just stared at him and for a moment he actually forgot he had them, he had the members and amongst his worries, he managed to smile and laugh at Seokmin’s tactics.

He forgot for a minute, but that was the issue only for a minute. He was thankful, somehow, Seokmin knew how to make him smile, he always knew how.

Just then, his day went from bloomy to bloomy and busy. It wasn’t like he forgot completely, but the whole group activities had him busy, occupied.

Most of the time he was distracted because it didn’t take you more than a month to reply to him, but now? Over 3 months and nothing.

He tried to convince himself that soon you will call. Soon you will tell him what’s going on and how Uni and work are doing.

Soon you will ask to know what he’s been working on, what song he’s writing, how his music shows have been, how many wins they got or how do the shows, going seventeen and tour are like.

Soon he will see you and he will be complete again

Soon.

You tried to reach out, so many times.

Tried to get his phone again but you couldn’t, you tried social media but come on, millions of followers and you knew he wouldn’t be able to see you.

You tried.

“Are you kidding me? Of course not!” Wonwoo was sitting in Jihoon’s studio reading the lyrics for the next song when Manager Jang walked through the door

“what’s up with him?” Jihoon turned his chair to look at Bumzu and Wonwoo sensing the tension the moment Manager Jang walked in

“I don’t care what she says, you know what we dealt with before, don’t give her any information you hear me?”

Wonwoo, Bumzu and Jihoon looked at each other but waited until manager Jang hung up

“what’s going on hyung?” Jihoon was the first to ask

“it’s nothing”

“Speak, if it has something to do with us, we deserve to know” Jihoon said with a more serious tone

“it’s a sasaeng probably” Manager Jang sighed “she’s trying to get information but we’re handling it”

“a sasaeng again?” Wonwoo leaned in placing the sheets down “the same one that tried to get in touch with Seungkwan?”

Manager Jang hesitated, he didn’t know if he should answer any more questions, he doesn’t want to worry them. They all need to focus on music right now.

“We don’t know yet” he sighed “but stay focused and don’t worry too much, I’m dealing with it”

“Yeah well” Jihoon rolled his eyes and tried to focus again on the rack

“Thank you hyung” Wonwoo was a bit on edge but thankful to actually see manager Jang dealing with whatever this was

“No problem, now focus and give us a banger”

“Always do” Jihoon raised an eyebrow and with a chuckle he kept testing the track

Wonwoo just smiled and kept trying to learn his part, but the more he read it the more he remembered how he also helped with this song, and why he wrote it

More like, to who

“Hyung” Jihoon said almost in a whisper, Wonwoo frowned and looked up, Jihoon looked at him a little bit worried but soft understanding that he didn’t need to say much

“You never call me hyung” Wonwoo chuckled looking down again, he could feel his stare

“Just when I’m worried”

“I know you are” he looked back up and leaned back on the couch “everyone is, but I’m fine”

“you’re not” Jihoon got up from his chair to sit next to him “you often forget how similar we are”

Wonwoo knows. Both feel and think often the same, and there are only 3 people who can actually know what’s going on with Wonwoo before he even knows.

Mingyu, Jihoon and you.

“Right, I keep forgetting” Wonwoo chuckled shaking his head while holding the sheets of the lyrics

“Are you sure you don’t want credits for this song?”

“I’m sure”

“What about the other one?”

“None of them, I’ll tell you if I change my mind”

“Hyung, you’ve helped me with a lot of songs, yet you barely want any credit for them”

“I don’t want…”

“You don’t want her to know”

Wonwoo just looked down, he helped writing songs, but he knew you were listening, and that made him chose not to give any hints that it was him who wrote them, because that meant to confirm that the reason for those lyrics, those feelings… That all of it was about you.

A full year passed and the more you tried the more you failed to get in touch with him, you even tried to send messages through social media, but it was no use.

He’s not ready for it.

Life apparently had other plans and issues, you had to deal with things way out of your control. Every minute of every day that you had to spend in that hospital —because of the damn covid— you thought of him.

When you got out you had to find a job and it was so hard during this pandemic, but your mind always thought of him, what he was doing, how he was doing.

It killed you not being able to contact him.

The universe really was against you for a while, everything that happened you felt was completely unnecessary. You knew you were strong but there was no need to test you like this.

What hurt the most was that it was little compared to the next test the universe would have in store for you and Wonwoo.

Something wasn’t right and you felt it, right in your gut. A really annoying ache in your chest, and a feeling of uncertainty that something was wrong.

Hanna saw it, how often you would be quiet holding your necklace distracted trying to act like you were actually paying attention to her.

“Pea, are you okay?”

“Yes, yeah why?”

“Alright, tell me what I just said” Hanna crossed her arms looking at you squinting her eyes, serious and almost offended that she was rambling for 5 minutes and you probably didn’t listen a thing she said

“You were telling me about Jay and how he was flirting with someone else when he clearly was interested in you at that party last month” you said while smiling at Hanna who rolled her eyes.

“Fine, you were listening” with a sigh her smile fell, and worry started to show. You knew what that meant “but your mind is not entirely here”

“No, it isn’t”

“Is this about Wonwoo?”

“Something is not right Nana” you were still holding and playing with your necklace shaped as a mic with a music note “and I can’t even get a hold of him. Nana I’m trying I really am”

“Pea, you know how this works, how idols work“ Hanna held your hand trying to give you some sort of comfort

“I know, I’m just worried” taking a deep breath you tried to shake your thoughts for a minute. Right now, Hanna needed a friend who listens to her rant, not some zombie.

Wonwoo was sitting on his parents’ couch, waiting for them to be ready and go out to eat since Wonwoo was on his tiny break. He was playing games with Bohyuk on his phone. His mind was somewhere else –with you— like always.

Taking breaths won’t stop you from feeling something is wrong, and now you’re feeling heavy and worried.

“We’re ready let’s go” Wonwoo’s father walked out his room with a smile to take his wallet from the side table.

Wonwoo’s mother came out a few seconds later with a soft blue dress, and a side braid laying down by her shoulder. She smiled but something was wrong and Wonwoo felt it.

His mother didn’t make it to the door, she fell right there in the hallway, she was so weak she couldn’t stand. She was burning up and she looked pale, she tried to say something, but she was too weak.

“let’s go” his mother’s voice was soft

Wonwoo was scared holding her telling her everything was going to be okay even if he wasn’t sure about that.

In an instant everything shifted, everything started to fall apart piece by piece and Wonwoo didn’t know how to stop it.

It took a little while for everything to be okay with his mother, she was weak and had health complications, but doctors assured them that it would be fine, she was going to be fine.

He wanted to believe them, but something wasn’t right.

His life was more chaotic now, pretending everything was okay, filming, recording and going to some events, shows and photoshoots distracted him for a little bit.

That didn’t last, at night everything came to him, overwhelming situations, worries and memories.

Everything was starting to be too much. Pretending to be okay on camera and sometimes off camera in front of the members, but inside there were a lot of things bothering him, worrying him.

Not knowing how you were was one of those things.

Life has a strange way of reuniting people, neither you nor Wonwoo were expecting the way you were going to meet again, and how you met again was twisted.

 

April 2022

“it’s sunny today” Wonwoo whispered looking outside the window, it was way too early in the morning, but he could see the leaves on the trees moving to the soft breeze, a beautiful day outside.

“My dear” a weak voice called him, as he turned around and his mother was looking at him, she was on her hospital bed, her eyes looked way too tired, her face was pale, more than usual, she looked weak but even in that state, she looked beautiful, Wonwoo’s mother always looked beautiful.

“Mom, try to rest” Wonwoo sat down on the chair next to her bed, she smiled weakly at her son and held up her hand waiting for him to take it

“My dear, remember what we talked a few months ago?” she said her soft voice sending a painfully memory “about life and happiness?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“My son, I want you to be happy”

“Mom, please”

“Woo, I’m proud of what you’ve done, what you’ve achieved it’s fantastic. I knew my son was talented, I always knew that” she smiled “I want you to be happy, music and the group makes you happy, but outside of that I want you to live fully. Happiness is about the moments you cherish with those around you. To build memories and to connect with them. It’s very rare to find a person who will… how do you guys say nowadays? ‘Match your freak?’ I heard Gyu say that one day” both chuckled at that, tears forming in Wonwoo’s eyes while listening to her, she was saying goodbye, and he knew that

“But it’s true, you find the people who will be a perfect match for you, who will make you happy, laugh even cry. They make you feel everything all at once, and the bond you create with them is unbreakable”

“Mom why are you telling me this?” a tear rolled down Wonwoo’s cheek while holding her hand and all she did was smile, her eyes filling with tears

“Because I want you to cherish those around you and the moments you live. I want you to live a fully happy life, I want to see my son happy” she squeezed his hand and now a tear rolled down her cheek “I know it’s been so long dear, but I know you will see each other again, just like old days, and I want you to promise me that no matter what, the bond you two created won’t break”

“Mom…” he knew exactly who she was referring to, and Wonwoo’s heart ached at the thought of you

 Bittersweet memory of his best friend but also a stranger? It has been too long since he last heard about her. A year ago, he saw her parents at the airport, but Wonwoo couldn't reach out to them, the airport was filled with fans and cameras all pointing at him and the members, it was impossible.

“I know what you’re thinking my dear” she squeezed his hand “I do believe god pulls out some very annoying stunts, but I also think that what we love never leaves us, it just gets lost sometimes, but always comes back” she smiled “she will come back”

A part of Wonwoo wanted to believe her, that his Sun would come back and be friends again, so much happened, so many things he wanted to share with you, so many things Wonwoo wanted to know about your new life. He wanted you to come back to him, but it’s been so long that he doesn’t even know if that girl is still there if you, his Sun was still there.

“My dear?”

“Yeah?”

“I want you to go home and bring some pictures, this room is seriously way too plain” she made a disgusted face “makes me feel sicker than I already am” she looked around, even if it had a few flowers, it did look boring

“Which ones?”

“The ones I have up on the wall next to the tv” she looked up scratching her chin “oh and bring me the beige knitted blanket please, I’m cold here” she smiled at Wonwoo, nodding he picked up his bag and the mask ready to leave. He went closer to her to place a kiss on her forehead.

“I’ll be back in 20 minutes” as he walked to the door Wonwoo looked back and she smiled at him “do you want something else?” she looked at the window and then back at Wonwoo, her eyes were all glossy and smiled widely

“I want you to be happy, that’s all” she waved at me and chuckled “I love you my dear!”

“I love you too mom” Wonwoo waved and walked out of the room putting on the mask

As he walked to the car something about him leaving the hospital felt weird. Wonwoo felt something was not right. That talk with his mom made him feel way too many things and he was now more anxious because, why does it feel like a goodbye?

As soon as Wonwoo arrived at his parents’ house and got out of the car his phone rang. Wonwoo’s first thought was Mingyu, he had slept at his parents’ house and forgot to help him with his “happy birthday” set for his live like he always does.

Mingyu knows Wonwoo was with my mother but that wouldn’t stop him from sulking because he didn’t call, clingy as he is, that sulking will last all day.

Wonwoo though he was lucky if he could find a way to stop him, sulking Mingyu is terrifying.

*Bohyuk Calling*

At that moment, Wonwoo knew what the call was about. He felt the blood in his veins run cold and a sudden breeze sent shivers all over his body. Wonwoo felt pain in his chest and the air leaving his lungs.

With fear of what Bohyuk might say, Wonwoo answered the call and what he predicted was right.

“Hyung…” Bohyuk spoke softly before his voice cracked and Wonwoo heard him sob, no words can describe the pain he felt right then and there. She was gone, she left and in that moment a part of Wonwoo also faded away with her. His last moments with her talking about happiness, that was her goodbye, she wanted him to be happy.

He can’t be, he thinks he won’t be.

If his mother’s not here, if you’re not here then, how can Wonwoo be happy?

How is Wonwoo supposed to be happy if his mother left him too now?

You walked back to your apartment juggling between holding your bag, the iPad and a cup of coffee.

You had 2 free hours before leaving to go back to S.R. for the last photoshoot you were helping styling for and then you finally get to rest for a month and a half, well not exactly rest you have to pack all your stuff since finally after you graduated your father got an opportunity to get you a job at some agency in Korea.

The pay is a bit better than what S.R. offered you once you told them you were leaving. It was fun working there but you wanted to go back home, and live the hectic life of Seoul, you wanted to go back to your parents, to your sister and maybe back to him.

Damn it’s been so long.

“Pea!” Hanna shouted and she walked, more like ran to you, while you were still struggling to open the door “Have you seen uhm twitter or something today?” she asked, but her voice and the way she looked at you made you feel something was off. She looked worried, it was like she didn’t know if she should ask

“No, I just got back I was talking to the principal about my documents” you said opening the door with her help “why? what happened?”

Both entered the apartment you let out a deep breath as you placed everything on the small couch and pulled your phone out of your pocket

“I just think…” she sighed and looked down at her phone frowning, not knowing what to say while staring at you.

Confused and scared now, you opened twitter, and it took you a while to process what you saw as the first tweet.

PLEDIS Announcement of seventeen went viral, a published text that made your body go numb, your heart stopped, and you felt like going deaf your legs gave in and felt yourself fall on the bed vision blurry and felling dizzy.

“Hello.

This is PLEDIS Entertainment SEVENTEEN member WONWOO’s mother passed away this morning from an illness. WONWOO is currently at the funeral hall, and the funeral will be held with family and close friends.

We ask for your kind consideration and support so that WONWOO can have a period of mourning with his family.

May she rest in peace.”

“No, no no… eomoni”

Your heart broke down and you didn’t know what to do, all you could feel was pain in your chest and not only for you because eomoni Jeon was an angel and always so sweet to you.

You loved her, but your thoughts went to him right away, to Wonwoo. You felt pain thinking about what he felt and that’s when you lost it. Crying, you tried to hold yourself until you felt a pair of arms hold you, Hana.

You almost forgot she was there. You were glad she was, so you let yourself fall into her embrace, her soft touch and calming words helped but just a little. Your heart ached, not only for how you felt, but for him. Your best friend, your Woo is hurting, and you are miles away from him. That’s when it hit you and you pulled away from Hana

“I need to go” You got up and whipped your tears frantically, searching for your suitcase to pack whatever you had to go back. You weren’t thinking straight.

Tears were falling nonstop, and you felt like your head was going to explode. You were looking frantically at what to pack in your bag.

Overwhelmed, in pain and dizzy, your mind was trying to process what happened, but your body was not listening, you couldn’t stop pacing back and forth until Hanna stopped you

“Pea, stop” she said as she held your arms, you didn’t notice until then, your whole body was shaking “Pea calm down”

“No, I have to be there” you sobbed again shaking your head even though you felt dizzy “Nana I have to go to him… my.. he’s my…” you looked down feeling tears falling over and over “he is hurting”

“I’m so sorry Pea but you can’t leave yet. Remember you need the documents from the University, and they have them by next week”

“Nana, I need to be there!”

“I know honey” she sighed trying to get your attention “I hate to be like this, but you need to think about money right now. With you moving back in three weeks the expenses are on the roof, and you know that. I’m sorry Pea, but I don’t think you can make it today”

Hanna couldn’t help her friend, just like you couldn’t help yours. You can’t be with Wonwoo and all you can feel is pain thinking how you can’t be there for him right now.

“you’re going to be there in two weeks; you can see him then”

Somehow that comforted you, but just a little. You still felt like you should be there, you should be by his side right by this second, not here.

It wasn’t fair, your heart ached for him. The sorrow, the loss he’s feeling, you just wished you could reach out somehow.

You felt more tears come, that woman was amazing and she had a huge heart. Her smile could light the entire room, the spark in her eyes made you feel warm inside.

She had an incredible personality; such a kind woman and you will always remember the first time you saw her.

She was walking with a 6-year-old Wonwoo holding her hand, you even remember her exact outfit, a blue blouse with white flowers and white jeans with stains right on her knees. You could tell she kneeled just a few minutes ago, her long black hair tied and landing on her right shoulder with a white scrunchie.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

She looked at you as you were sitting in a chair right outside the pharmacy waiting for your mom, she was working there and she didn’t know her clumsy daughter fell but at that moment you didn’t want to disturb her, so you just waited outside

“Hello dear” she smiled at you and saw her eyes look at your dirty hands mixed with a bit of blood “oh my! Are you okay? Need help?”

“Thank you, I am okay I’m going to wait for my mom, thank you ma’am” you bowed to her

“Oh, are you sure?” smiling sweetly at you, she then looked through the glass “dear, stay here with her while I buy the bandages, I think you two have something in common right now” she chuckled and made Wonwoo walk shyly to you “This is my son Wonwoo” smiling she left to enter the pharmacy, and you giggled at Wonwoo who looked like a lost puppy.

“Hi! My name is y/n I am 6 soon to be 7 years old”

“Oh uhm… I am Wonwoo, I am 6 years old” he looked at the ground and then he saw your hands “oh! I fell too” weirdly excited he showed his knee; a very visible and bigger scratch than what you had on your hands.

In that moment you giggled at how excited he was that both were hurt, his mother walked out with bandages and two ice cream she kneeled and gave each a cone.

Smiling she began to treat Wonwoo’s wounds and after she was done, she turned to you and carefully helped to clean your hands

“what’s your name dear?” her voice was soft and sweet and gentle, just like her touch, she was being careful and calm

“Her name is y/n” Wonwoo exclaimed, making you giggle. His mom smiled because he didn’t pronounce your name right

“No, dear you said it wrong” Wonwoo tilted his head, he looked at you for a few seconds and mumbled trying to catch on how to pronounce your name, he suddenly gave up and smiled at you

“you’re wearing yellow like the sun so I’m calling you Sun” he said proudly making you giggle

“What a pretty name” Wonwoo’s mom smiled after she finished cleaning and covering your wounds ”and you are very pretty dear, there all done”

“You didn’t have to do it but thank you ma’am” You bowed

“Your mom told me to help you, plus it looked like it hurt really bad” You just nodded trying not to cry, it was just a fall but back then it hurt a lot, as she got up you saw your mom walk to you thanking Wonwoo’s mom for everything and in a matter of minutes, they both already had each other phone numbers.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*

In that moment Wonwoo’s mother made you feel better. Her kindness and motherly approach to you was truly sweet, 6-year-old you were fascinated by her and her beauty, you thought only your mother was pretty but that woman with just that simple interaction stole a part of your heart, another big part was stolen by a 6-year-old boy with black hair and a cute gummy smile. That boy turned out to be your best friend, all thanks to his mother who kept in touch with yours.

That’s what you will mis the most, she brought you two together and the simple idea of not being able to see her hurt like hell, you won’t be able to share with her your new achievement, to share with her how it was living in London.

It’s almost as if you lost your second mother.

Now you didn’t know what was supposed to happen, your heart was broken, and you were worried, you wanted, no you needed to see Wonwoo, but you had to wait

Waiting was painful, for you and for him, and the more you waited the more complicated things were turning and this pain was far from over.

Ella x

[theodorenmyth]

Hey, can we get a part 2 to three threads of love like basically them js trying to get him to accept their soulmate thing and like their progress thanks

Three Threads of Love II.

Pairings ; Theodore Nott x M!Reader x Mattheo Riddle

Summary ; Despite your best efforts to deny the sudden, magical connection tying you to both Mattheo and Theodore—already soulmates in their own right—you spiral into a dramatic whirlwind of hoodie-hiding, pouty “hmph”s, jealousy-fueled meltdowns, and increasingly flustered encounters, until your vulnerable heart betrays you and you end up nestled between Theodore’s legs with Mattheo asleep on your chest in the Slytherin common room, accidentally proving that maybe… just maybe… the threads of fate got it right.

A/N ; OH MY GAAWWDD, TYY FOR REQUESTING 😋🫶 This is my first fanfic in over a month soplease pleaseee enjoy 🥀💔(I got a writing block, so sorry if my writing seems different)

Warnings ; nothing, just PUREEEE fluff, y/n being a dramatic lil cutie, jealousy

Word count ; 5k+

You were going to die.

Not in the fun, dramatic “woe is me, the universe has betrayed me!” way.

You meant actual death.

Cardiac arrest.

Heart giving out.

Soul leaving your fucking body right here in Transfiguration class.

Why?

Because you’d made the grave mistake—the stupid, irredeemable mistake—of saying the words:

“Yeah… you can sit with me. But like, only in class.”

You had thought—naively—that such a statement would create a respectable emotional boundary. You had thought Mattheo and Theodore might interpret it as a tentative, hesitant olive branch. A slow start. Something manageable.

You had not accounted for Mattheo Riddle sitting down beside you and promptly draping an arm along the back of your chair like he was already engraving your initials together into a tree.

You had not anticipated Theodore Nott taking the other seat, silent and cool and terrifyingly calm, like he didn’t plan to leave it for the next fifty years.

And you absolutely, completely, entirely did not prepare for being sandwiched between both of them, stuck in the middle of what could only be described as a soulmate chokehold.

Your heart was beating out a war drum rhythm against your ribs. You were trying your best to appear casual. Normal. Unbothered.

You were also sweating, twitching like a cursed clock hand, and bouncing your leg under the desk like your knee was on a sugar high.

Totally fine.

This was fine.

“I’m fine,” you whispered.

Mattheo leaned closer. “You say that, but your leg’s vibrating like it’s possessed.”

“I always bounce my leg.”

“You didn’t last week.”

“I do it when I’m deep in thought,” you hissed, scribbling violently on your parchment.

Theodore, from your left, tilted his head slightly. “What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Shut up,” you blurted, voice cracking.

You could feel your ears heating up. Your cheeks were so hot they could have been used to toast bread. Maybe even grill cheese. A full meal.

The worst part?

They were both acting completely normal.

Mattheo slouched in his seat, stretching his legs out, his fingers tapping lazily against the desk as he smiled to himself. Meanwhile, Theodore had his arms crossed, looking focused, but every now and then, his eyes flicked toward you like he was secretly watching you combust for fun.

You tried to copy Cedric’s signature unimpressed face.

You failed.

You looked like a constipated owl.

Professor McGonagall began the lesson, waving her wand and revealing a complicated diagram of animal transfiguration on the board.

You attempted to take notes. Tried being the key word.

Because Mattheo’s knee bumped yours under the desk.

And you, in your infinite grace, made a sound. A high-pitched, choked-off squeak that made the Ravenclaw girl three seats away glance over.

Mattheo blinked innocently. “Did I scare you?”

“No,” you lied through your teeth. “I just… sneezed.”

“That wasn’t a sneeze,” Theodore murmured.

“That was my soul screaming,” you muttered. “In case you didn’t notice, this is a high-stress situation.”

Mattheo chuckled under his breath. “You’re making it one.”

“Maybe don’t lean in like that,” you grumbled, eyes glued to your parchment.

“I’m just sitting,” he said innocently, though his arm was still behind your chair, knuckles lightly brushing your shoulder every few seconds.

You tried not to react. You were not going to be flustered again. You’d sworn it.

No more squeaking.

No more panicking.

You could be chill.

You were chill incarnate.

You—

Your hand brushed Theodore’s.

Your breath caught.

It was accidental, stupid, meaningless. You both reached for the same inkpot and your pinkies touched.

You nearly threw yourself out the window.

Your entire soul detonated.

Theodore paused.

Then, deliberately, he brushed his fingers against yours again.

You physically levitated.

“Y/N?” he asked, calm as ever, “You okay?”

You didn’t trust your voice.

You nodded instead, violently, like a bobblehead having a meltdown.

Mattheo snorted.

“You’re blushing,” Theodore noted, clearly amused.

“I’m not blushing,” you croaked. “It’s the lighting.”

“We’re underground,” Mattheo said. “There is no lighting.”

“I’m having a fever,” you said desperately. “It’s contagious. Both of you should leave.”

Mattheo leaned closer, his lips inches from your ear. “If you wanted us to touch you, sweetheart, you could’ve just asked.”

You dropped your quill.

You bent to grab it and stayed down there for a few seconds longer than necessary, just to escape the humiliation.

When you came back up, your hair was a mess, your face was even redder, and Mattheo was watching you like you were his favorite kind of entertainment.

“You good?” he asked, all too smug.

You cleared your throat. “Perfect. Couldn’t be better. So good, actually. Best day of my life.”

Theodore, ever the quiet menace, slid your parchment closer to himself, his fingers brushing your hand again—just briefly.

You twitched.

“You spelled ‘transfiguration’ wrong,” he added casually.

“I’m under duress.”

“It’s endearing.”

You hated them.

You hated how calm they were. How effortless. How they were clearly enjoying the living hell out of watching you unravel.

But the worst part?

You were fucking beginning to like it.

Just a little.

Just enough to notice how nice Mattheo’s cologne smelled up close. How his stupid shoulder fit perfectly against yours. How Theodore’s voice dropped an octave when he spoke directly to you. How his hand lingered just a second longer than it should have.

Your eyes darted between them.

Mattheo was pretending to study the board. Theodore had his chin resting on his hand, watching you from the corner of his eye.

You tried to exhale.

It came out as a high-pitched wheeze.

Class ended far too slowly and far too quickly at the same time. You were still twitching. Still blushing. Still struggling to look either of them in the eye without combusting.

As the rest of the students packed up, Mattheo leaned toward you. “So… same seat tomorrow?”

You stared at him like he’d grown another head. “We’ll see,” you said, hoping it sounded mysterious instead of desperate.

Theodore brushed your hand again as he passed you your quill. “Thanks for letting us sit. We missed being close.”

You blinked. Swallowed. Nodded stiffly.

Mattheo winked. “Try not to miss us too much before dinner.”

You held it together.

You did.

Until they walked out.

Then you slammed your head against your desk and muttered, “I am doomed.”

From across the room, Cedric stuck his head in the door and called, “I heard everything. You’re adorable. But also doomed.”

You flipped him off without looking up.

The next day . .

You were not jealous.

You weren’t.

You were... mildly concerned.

Vaguely observant.

A loyal classmate paying attention to the integrity of the potion-making environment and the distracting volume of the laughter being aimed directly at Mattheo’s damn face.

You were absolutely not staring at the way that sixth-year Slytherin girl leaned over his desk like she was trying to crawl into his lap. You didn’t notice the way her laugh dragged out a half second too long, or how she touched his arm as if she had any business whatsoever being within his personal space.

No. You weren’t paying attention to any of that.

Even though your quill had stopped moving.

Even though your jaw was tight.

Even though your eyes had narrowed into little slits of murderous intent.

You were just... hyper-fixated.

Totally calm.

Just studying Mattheo’s immediate radius like it was cursed. That was normal. That was healthy.

The girl tossed her hair over her shoulder—twice—and gave him what could only be described as a look that belonged in the restricted section of the library.

"Your eyes are just so intense," she cooed.

You immediately looked down at your cauldron before you said something insane like, “Thanks, they’re also MY soulmate’s eyes, you tragic broomstick.”

Mattheo just smiled a little and went back to grinding the knotgrass like nothing was happening, like he was completely unbothered by her flirting or your rapid descent into psychological crisis.

You clenched your jaw and poked at your potion so aggressively it sizzled too fast and turned an ominous shade of purple.

It didn’t matter that he wasn’t flirting back.

It didn’t matter that he hadn’t looked at her more than once.

What mattered was: she thought she could try.

She thought she had a chance.

She didn’t see the green streak in your hair or the mark on your soul.

You weren’t possessive. You just believed in justice.

And then, as if the universe had declared this to be your villain origin story, it happened again.

Across the room, Theodore was flipping through his notes, calm and quiet as always, when a seventh-year Ravenclaw girl waltzed up to him like she was auditioning for the lead role in “Obliviate My Dignity, I Love You.”

“Oh, Theodore,” she said sweetly, brushing imaginary lint off his shoulder, “I was wondering if you could help me with Ancient Runes sometime this week? I always get so confused with those complicated little symbols, and you’re just so smart...”

You couldn’t breathe.

You weren’t even blinking anymore.

Your hands were clenched so tightly around your quill that you felt the tip snap with a pathetic crack.

Your parchment was shaking.

She giggled.

GIGGLED.

A FUCKING HEHE.

And Theodore—stoic, poised, elegant Theodore—just gave a nod, polite and distant, like nothing about this warranted your complete emotional combustion.

You wanted to scream.

You wanted to shove your book across the room and shriek, “BACK OFF YOU WHORE, HE BELONGS TO ME!”

Instead, you sat there.

Frozen.

Fuming.

You calmly (violently) stuffed your books into your bag, slammed your cauldron shut, and stormed out of the classroom like your robe was on fire and your dignity was the smoke trailing behind you.

Neither Mattheo nor Theodore even had time to say anything.

Because you were already gone.

Like a jealous little storm cloud with anger issues and the emotional stability of a cursed kitten.

────────────────

Ten minutes later, you were back in the Hufflepuff common room, violently offended by existence, draped across the nearest armchair like a Victorian maiden who’d just learned her engagement had been broken off.

Face buried deep in the cushions, body twisted at an angle no healer would ever recommend, you let out a groan so dramatic it echoed through the room.

“She touched his arm,” you hissed into the pillow. “She touched him, Cedric. With her hand. Like she was entitled to it. Like that arm hadn’t been claimed by fate and magic and whatever divine thread ties me to my terrible, irritating soulmate—”

Cedric, several feet away at the chessboard, didn’t even glance up. “You’ve said that three times already.”

“Because it bears repeating!” you shouted, flipping onto your back and throwing one arm over your eyes like the sky was falling. “Mattheo SMILED. And not a polite smile. Not a disinterested, dismissive, ‘please leave me alone’ smile. A pretty one! He did that sharp little side-smirk! You know the one!”

Ernie peeked up from the couch, confused but intrigued. “The side-smirk?”

“The one where his lip curls like he knows you’ll sell your soul for him!” you cried, flailing your hands in the air. “And then—THEN—he leaned back in his seat and let her talk to him for a whole minute.”

Cedric moved his knight, muttering, “A whole minute. Scandalous.”

You sat up straight, wild-eyed and flushed. “It WAS! And she twirled her hair, Cedric. Hair twirling. In front of me. She twirled, giggled, and tucked it behind her ear like she was in some tragic romance story. I don’t even twirl my hair and I’m adorable!”

“That’s true,” Susan chimed in from beside Ernie, flipping through a book but watching you with far too much amusement. “You pout and dramatic sigh. Much more your brand.”

“And don’t even get me started on Theodore,” you seethed, sinking back into your chair and pulling a throw blanket over your head like you were entering mourning. “Some Ravenclaw girl just happened to need help with Ancient Runes and just happened to sit next to him and just happened to giggle like a deranged fairy when he said a single word.”

Ernie blinked. “Was it a helpful word?”

“IT WAS ‘SURE!’” you wailed. “She asked if he could help her and he said ‘sure’ like it meant nothing. Like she wasn’t plotting to seduce him right there on the table!”

Cedric, still not looking up, asked, “Did he actually flirt back?”

You paused. “No.. but he breathed near her! And he tolerated her existence!”

Susan burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re so far gone it’s embarrassing.”

You huffed, cheeks puffing out furiously. “I’m not jealous.”

“Uh-huh,” Ernie said gently, holding in a grin.

“I’m not!” you insisted, wrapping the blanket around yourself like a burrito of righteous fury. “I’m just...being observant.”

“Sure you are.”

“I’m observing the threats to my peace.”

Susan leaned closer, eyes glinting with mischief. “The way you puff your cheeks out when you're mad is so cute.”

You let out a muffled “hmph” and turned your back to all of them, nose in the air, face flushed, cheeks round and puffed out like a hamster that had been denied snacks and emotional validation.

Cedric glanced up finally and sighed. “Y/N, just admit you’re jealous and we can move on.”

“I am NOT JEALOUS,” you snapped, not turning around. “I am concerned. For the sanctity of our soulmate bond!”

Susan cackled. “Classic.”

────────────────

Later that day, in the library. .

You had chosen the most secluded table in the entire back corner of the library—the one hidden behind towering bookcases and suspiciously dusty shelves no one touched since 1873. It was your fortress of petty.

Textbooks? Open.

Quill? Sharp.

Eyes? Squinted in betrayal.

Arms crossed so tightly you were ninety percent sure your own ribs were bruised. You weren’t writing anything, or reading, or even pretending to. You were just... sulking.

And the moment you saw Mattheo and Theodore enter the library, your back went straight like a puppet on strings.

They saw you instantly, of course. How could they not? You were exuding the kind of dramatic storm cloud energy that could ruin a vacation.

You did not wave.

You did not smile.

You made direct eye contact for half a second, then turned your head so fast your neck cracked, flipping open your Transfiguration book like it had personally saved your life.

You heard them approach—heard the way Mattheo’s boots tapped lightly on the floor, how Theodore moved without making a sound at all.

And then—without so much as asking—Mattheo slid into the seat beside you like he owned it, which in hindsight, he probably assumed he did.

Theodore took the chair across from you, looking unbothered and elegant as always, like he was about to read a 600-page poetry anthology out loud in a dead language.

You didn’t look at them.

You refused.

Instead, you stared at the page in front of you with the intensity of someone trying to set it on fire through sheer spite.

A beat of silence.

Two.

Then—

“You’ve said ‘hmph’ six times in the last two minutes,” Theodore said, tone as flat and dry as the dusty library air.

You stiffened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mattheo, already lounging with one arm slung lazily over the back of your chair, leaned in with an amused smile. “You also sighed dramatically four times. Adjusted your posture five. And glared at Theodore when he looked at his watch.”

“I was admiring his watch,” you said, still not making eye contact. “It’s ugly.”

“I gave it to him,” Mattheo replied smoothly.

You blinked. “Exactly.”

Theodore raised a brow. “You pouted at your inkpot.”

“I was—” You faltered. “It insulted me first.”

Mattheo grinned. “Did it, now?”

“...Yes.”

“You also whispered ‘traitor’ to your quill when it rolled off the table.”

You turned a page in your book so aggressively it might’ve developed trauma. “It deserved it.”

Theodore tilted his head ever so slightly, resting his chin on one hand while the other idly traced circles on the wooden table. “You've been avoiding eye contact.”

“I’ve been making eye contact with this table,” you said.

“The table is not your soulmate.”

“Neither are you!” you snapped automatically, then immediately flushed when you realized what you just said.

Mattheo’s smile widened. “You sure about that, sweetheart?”

You sucked in a breath through your nose and gave a sharp little “hmph.” Then another. Then one more for good measure.

Mattheo leaned closer, chin nearly resting on your shoulder now, his voice far too amused for your liking. “Are you jealous?”

You blinked rapidly at your book. “No.”

“You’re vibrating.”

“I’m cold.”

“It’s boiling in here,” Theodore replied, still cool and unreadable.

“I have poor circulation,” you snapped.

Mattheo laughed. “You’re blushing.”

“It’s a blood pressure issue!”

Theodore’s eyes twinkled, the faintest curl of a smirk forming at the corner of his lips. “It’s alright, Y/N. We think it’s cute.”

“I am not cute,” you said, cheeks growing impossibly warmer. “I am threatening.”

Mattheo hummed like he was considering it. “You are threatening. In a ‘tiny, furious owl with separation anxiety’ kind of way.”

You stood abruptly, practically knocking over your chair as you stuffed your book into your bag with a vengeance. “I’m going to study somewhere else.”

Mattheo blinked up at you. “Why?”

Theodore looked entirely unbothered. “So you can complain to Cedric again?”

You froze.

Your hand paused halfway into your bag.

“You heard that?” you asked, voice cracking like a dry twig.

Mattheo grinned. “You shrieked loud enough to rattle the common room walls.”

You stared at them, utterly horrified. “I hate both of you.”

“You’ll learn to love us eventually,” Mattheo said, smug.

You let out another “hmph,” turned on your heel, and stormed off down the aisle of books, cheeks puffed out, stomping like a pissed-off puffskein that had been denied a cuddle.

They watched you go in silence for a few seconds.

Mattheo leaned back in his seat, arms folded behind his head, utterly content.

Theodore finally allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk.

“He’s going to be unbearable about this for weeks.”

Theodore nodded slowly, fingers steepled. “And we’re going to enjoy every second of it.”

You were sulking again.

Not in the usual way—not with puffed-out cheeks and dramatic sighs and stomping footsteps that echoed through every hallway. No, this was... quieter.

More dangerous.

Because this time, they were the ones avoiding you.

You hadn’t seen Mattheo or Theodore in two whole days.

Two.

Whole.

FUCKING.

Days.

A whole 48-hours.

No shared glances in the corridors. No smug grins across the Great Hall. No teasing banter about your latest emotional meltdown. Not even a sarcastic comment about your twitchy hands or how cute you looked when you were furious.

It was maddening.

Worse—they were doing it on purpose.

Cedric confirmed it that morning while tying his tie with the energy of someone emotionally drained by your 4 a.m. ranting.

“Yeah, I saw them near the Slytherin table yesterday,” he’d muttered around a yawn. “Mattheo looked over at you and smirked. Then walked in the opposite direction.”

You gasped so hard you choked on your own toast.

“They’re teasing me,” you croaked, dramatic and betrayed. “They’re emotionally waterboarding me.”

Cedric didn’t even blink. “You’ve used that phrase three times this week.”

“Well it keeps being true!”

Now it was evening, and you were curled up in your usual chair in the Hufflepuff common room, staring blankly at your book without turning a single page. Every few minutes, you let out the world’s smallest “hmph,” followed by another.

Susan was mid-essay nearby when she finally caved.

"Y/N," she said softly, "please find them before you kill yourself. You radiate the energy of an abandoned Victorian orphan."

You opened your mouth to argue—then closed it again.

Because she was right.

You were tired of pretending you didn’t care. Tired of pretending their absence wasn’t suffocating. Tired of pretending like you didn’t miss them so much it hurt.

So you stood up.

Tossed your quill onto the table.

And mumbled, “I’ll be right back.”

────────────────

The Slytherin common room was quiet when you walked in, your eyes scanning the space as you clutched the sleeves of your hoodie. Your footstep echoed softly against the stone floor, the low hum of the fire crackling in the background. You had expected to arrive before them, maybe have a second to collect your thoughts, but instead—

There they were.

Mattheo and Theodore, already settled on the floor in front of the large emerald velvet couch, backs leaned against it like it was their personal throne. Theodore was calmly flipping through a book, legs stretched out long in front of him, posture perfect even in relaxation. And Mattheo… Mattheo was sitting right next to Theodore, his hand gently playing with his fingers, his entire body relaxed and comfortably close, with his head tilted back to rest on Theodore’s shoulder.

He wasn’t even pretending not to be clingy about it.

You stopped in your tracks, shoulders stiffening slightly, and let out a tiny "hmph.”

Neither of them moved.

But Mattheo’s lips twitched like he was fighting back a grin.

You took a step closer, narrowing your eyes as you walked slowly toward them, arms crossed over your chest. “So this is what you two do when you’re not harassing me.”

Mattheo opened one eye, still lazily resting against Theodore’s shoulder. “Define ‘harass,’ sweetheart.”

“You were ignoring me for two days.”

“You call that ignoring?” he replied smoothly, his hand reaching up to play with the string of Theodore’s hoodie. “We were giving you space. You looked flustered.”

“I’m always flustered!” you shot back. “You don’t just leave me to—process emotions! Like some wounded Victorian maiden in a tower!”

Theodore finally looked up from his book, staring at you with an annoyingly calm gaze. “You missed us.”

Your cheeks heated instantly. “I missed your chaotic aura.*l That’s all.”

Mattheo leaned into Theodore a little more, clearly enjoying himself. “You stomped out of Charms class like someone had insulted your kneazle.”

“I don’t even own a kneazle.”

“You do now. His name is Denial.”

You gasped. “You jerk!”

Another small “hmph.” left your lips as you dramatically turned your face to the side, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing your blush. Your eyes flicked back to the pair of them, curled up like puzzle pieces, fitting together with years of comfort and silent communication.

And the worst part? You wanted in. You wanted that warmth. That safety. That closeness.

Your feet moved before your pride could stop them.

“I’m sitting there,” you mumbled, pointing vaguely between Theodore’s legs.

Theodore blinked. “Here?”

“No. In the void, Theodore. Yes, there.”

You walked over before they could say anything else, and Theodore wordlessly shifted his legs slightly apart to make room. You turned around and slowly—very slowly—sat down between his legs, your back against his chest, his knees bracketing your sides. His arms didn’t move to touch you, but they hovered nearby, like he was waiting for permission.

Your breath hitched slightly. You didn’t stop him.

The warmth of his body behind you made your heart flutter in the most irritatingly tender way. And then—

Mattheo moved too.

Without warning, he scooted in—right in front of you, between your crossed legs, his knees on either side of your thighs, his back pressed gently to your chest. But instead of just sitting there, like a normal person might, he leaned his entire weight forward, turned himself sideways, and flopped his head down directly onto your chest.

You yelped.

Your soul left your body.

“Mattheo—!”

“Shhh,” he hummed. “You’re comfortable.”

“I’m not a mattress!”

“You’re my mattress now,” he mumbled smugly, nuzzling closer, one arm draping over your waist like he belonged there.

Theodore let out a faint sigh behind you. “He did this to me earlier.”

“He’s heavy,” you complained, even as your hands awkwardly hovered near Mattheo’s shoulders, not quite sure if you should push him off or hold him tighter.

“Strong chest,” Mattheo muttered into your hoodie. “Perfect pillow.”

“Your flirting is criminally effective and I hate you.”

From behind, you felt Theodore rest his chin lightly on your shoulder, his breath warm against your skin. “You’re not pushing him off.”

“I’m contemplating murder,” you whispered.

“You’re stroking his hair.”

You froze.

Your hand had—without your permission—found its way into Mattheo’s curls and had started absently running through them. You immediately stopped, yanking your fingers away like you touched a hot cauldron.

“I didn’t mean to!”

Mattheo just hummed, too cozy to care. “Don’t stop…”

You groaned and thudded your head back against Theodore’s shoulder. “You two are infuriating.”

“You love it,” Theodore murmured, his voice so low and soft it made you shiver.

You didn’t reply.

But you didn’t move, either.

You even let out a little, content sigh.

Ten minutes passed by like a flash.

You were so warm.

So unbelievably, stupidly warm. Enveloped in an ocean of blankets, stolen body heat, and the barely-there sound of Mattheo's breath against your chest. The faint scent of his cologne—cinnamon and something darker—lingered on his robes and wafted up each time he shifted. It wrapped around you like a sleep spell.

Theodore’s arms were loosely encircling your waist, steady and grounding. He wasn’t doing anything—just holding you. But every so often, his fingers brushed against the soft fabric of your hoodie, tracing idle lines like he was memorizing the shape of you in silence.

One of them was gently rubbing your back.

The other had their fingers wrapped loosely around the string of your hoodie, tugging it every now and then like a bored cat playing with yarn. You had no idea who was doing what anymore.

You didn’t care.

You just let yourself sink into it.

Let the low, familiar rumble of their breathing pull you into that fuzzy place between awake and asleep. Let the quiet flicker of firelight on your closed eyelids lull you deeper. Let go of all the petty “hmphs,” all the jealousy, the biting comments and sulking. For a moment—just one—you weren’t overthinking everything. You weren’t pretending to hate them. You weren’t caught in the terrifying realization that two soulmates had already found each other and somehow, impossibly, also found you.

You were just… here.

Warm.

Held.

Wanted.

A breath shuddered out of you and your muscles softened completely, sinking further into Theodore’s lap like you were meant to be there. Mattheo let out a soft hum at the sound, his cheek now smushed lazily over your sternum. You felt the vibration in your chest, and your fingers—completely of their own accord—moved to rest gently in his hair.

The softest curls.

So warm.

So—

“Mm’not jealous,” you mumbled, half-asleep. “You’re jealous…”

Theodore let out a quiet laugh through his nose.

Mattheo snorted against you. “Sure, darling.”

But you were already gone. Lips parted. Breathing even. One hand tangled in Mattheo’s hair, the other limp near Theodore’s wrist. Your cheeks were flushed, soft lashes resting against the tops of your cheeks, the same cheeks that puffed out earlier when you were pouting your entire soul away in the common room.

You looked like peace personified. Like something breakable and beautiful.

Theodore glanced down and carefully adjusted your hoodie so it wasn’t bunching too tightly at your neck. His fingers grazed your jaw briefly, like he couldn’t help himself. Like it would’ve been a crime not to touch you gently while you were this still.

Mattheo looked up at him, voice low. “He’s still blushing.”

Theodore nodded, barely audible. “Even in his sleep.”

Neither of them moved.

They didn’t want to.

They didn’t dare.

This was the first time you'd let them hold you like this.

The first time you'd come willingly, nervously, but trustingly. It wasn't dramatic or loud or laced with teasing comebacks.

It was soft.

Vulnerable.

The moment felt sacred.

And that was the exact moment all hell broke loose.

The common room door creaked open—quietly at first, then all at once.

Lorenzo was the first to enter, holding a butterbeer and mid-sentence with Pansy. “And I told her, if she thinks she can just hex a boy into dating her—” He froze.

Right behind him, Pansy dropped her chocolate frog. Astoria’s gasp could probably be heard by the Bloody Baron. Draco walked into her back and nearly dropped his whole cauldron cake.

Blaise stopped chewing entirely.

All five of them stared.

On the couch in front of the fireplace, the three of you were an aesthetic tragedy waiting to happen.

You, dead asleep, face tucked into Mattheo’s hair, hand still curled in Theodore’s jumper. Mattheo, content and borderline purring on your chest. Theodore, holding both of you like a quietly smug piece of artwork.

“I am—” Astoria began, eyes wide.

“—actually going to cry,” Pansy whispered, hand over her heart.

Draco blinked like a man who had just seen the moon turn into a puppy. “They’re all cuddled up like baby ducklings.”

Lorenzo let out a laugh that shook his whole chest. “That’s it. That’s the moment. Draco. Camera. Now.”

Draco, bless his chaotic soul, grinned. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

He whipped out the shiny black Muggle camera from his robe like he was drawing a wand. It beeped. Whirred.

Mattheo stirred slightly, but didn’t open his eyes.

“You’re gonna get caught,” Blaise warned softly, though his smirk was already forming.

“Oh, it’s worth it,” Pansy whispered, biting her knuckle.

Draco leaned in, camera poised. “Smile, lovebirds…”

The flash went off.

Mattheo’s eyes cracked open—just barely.

“You take one more photo,” he murmured groggily, “and I’m cursing your shoes to scream every time you walk.”

“I’ll risk it,” Pansy whispered back, already gesturing for another shot.

Theodore opened one eye and spoke with deadly calm. “All of you are insufferable.”

“But he’s BLUSHING in his sleep,” Astoria hissed gleefully.

Mattheo cracked a sleepy smile. “He really is.”

You stirred slightly, letting out a soft snore before snuggling deeper between them.

And the camera flashed again.

[sastrology]

SATURN: “WHAT DO I REACH FOR?”

SATURN IN THE NATAL CHART: HOUSES 6 - 12 (part two)

disclaimer: The sign, aspects, progressions, saturn return, etc will all play a part in a full interpretation. Where Saturn lives is important and all, but how does it interact with others? What pesky planets are transiting and causing more strife?

Saturn takes any house it occupies and adds a layer of struggle with the hope at the end that your hard work will be rewarded with a greater understanding of whichever house it is in.

SATURN IN THE SIXTH HOUSE: “TO FIND HARMONY”

Routine to some people might have them turning their heads, exasperated by the mundanity of it all. This is not typically the case for Saturn here. In fact, Saturn can feel quite at home in the 6th house. These people are your traditional hard workers, who don’t mind the nitty gritty of hard work. While the 10th house is looking ahead, they’re here getting things done.

They have a strong loyalty and discipline when it comes to work. So much so, they might often view others as lazy. It can be hard to empathize with individuals who don’t value the same traits of hard work and dedication.

Saturn here doesn’t need excitement everyday to wake up and get something done, when they see something that needs done they do it, no questions asked. There’s often a misconception that these people love to work, it’s not love, it’s dedication. These people often gravitate towards careers that involve long hours, and helping others or animals. Perfectionism and resentment will be the main struggles. They’ll often feel like because they’re always working, their personality often feels lost in translation. Health issues due to overworking can be seen here, on the job injuries, physical strain to the ligaments in the legs and back.

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: With the retrograde, energy turns inward, delaying 6th house gratification and creating self-doubt. There may be an imbalance between overworking and underworking, and a dislike of authority/boss figures that can cause problems. Afflicted, these individuals often struggle with traditional jobs, routines, health, and debt in a more apparent matter.

SATURN IN THE SEVENTH HOUSE: “TO FIND SOMETHING THAT LASTS”

Partnerships for an individual with a natal 7th house Saturn are throughout and taken seriously. These are people who strive for companionship, but not with just anyone. They value a partner who is mature and level headed, which can make the early years of dating quite difficult, in fact they’ll have a knack for picking the wrong people in the beginning. This can bring a lot of tumultuous relationships that Saturn will try to endure or save, despite knowing that it isn’t a good fit due to them naturally having low romantic self esteem.

However, once they find the right person, they are fully committed and dedicated for the long term. For them, divorce is an absolute last resort and can be profoundly painful, as they value commitment and loyalty above all else.

Possible issues with the urinary tract, uterus, kidneys.

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: For someone with an afflicted natal 7th house Saturn, they’ll tend to struggle for the sake of things to keep a partnership going. While even the direct can be guilty of this, it’s much more pronounced with the afflicted individuals. They’re likely to go through possibly several marriages, or marriages filled with battles leaving them drained. These are people who crave and fear love deeply, which may create an anxious avoidant attachment style depending on what it’s aspecting.

side note: the type to have a villain for decades. the 7th house can show open enemies + saturns influence on time.

The (R ) here might not date often at all. While the direct may find themselves encountering relationships that leave them scratching their head, the retrograde person might fear relationships entirely because of past events. Possibly not dating until they are much older. If they do date they’ll likely struggle with commitment until they are older and additionally expressing their emotions may be a challenge. (especially with an afflicted moon/venus!)

SATURN IN THE EIGHTH HOUSE: “TO FIND MY SAFETY”

Individuals with Saturn in the eighth house feel it acutely. Why? Well it’s due to the fact that the eighth house is known as a house of transformation while Saturn wants to endure it.

The individual can come off as cynical and jaded, often having a more stoic/negative outlook on the 8th house traditional themes. Intimacy, even if positively aspected, can be viewed with a layer of doubt. These are people who are unlikely to have multiple partners, as they need to have a deep intimate connection in order to perform sexually. However it can be a challenge to reach that level with just anyone, so they may patiently wait for the right person to come along. Positive aspects here shine by giving the individual a lot of inner strength. A potentially long life as well due to the natural death/rebirth phenomena associated with the 8th house. They’ll like to stay in control of their own finances, and usually manage it well if other aspects allow for it.

Feeling safe is important to them, which could show a natural affinity for enforcing the law.

ex: Lawyer, Police Officers, Surveillance positions.

These people are often long time collectors of something. Whether that be a mysterious coin collection, or your great uncle who’s been documenting Bigfoot for the last 25 years.

*Saturns return is very challenging here! The crisis that Saturn bubbles to the surface can be life changing*

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: Afflicted, we can see an individual who is more likely to struggle with taxes, or inheritance issues. Strong detachment to issues about intimacy and death. Possible issues with the genitals.

Retrograde individuals take all the 8th house issues and internalize them. Intimacy issues will take longer to overcome, often until the individual reaches their Saturn return

SATURN IN THE NINTH HOUSE: “TO FIND MEANING”

Saturn here gives an individual a devoted, philosophical nature. These are people who fiercely believe in what they believe. Often this shows up religiously, but not always. The 9th house can be a fun, paradoxical house, but Saturn wants to pump the brakes and slow things down. Similar to the 5th house, we see a person who has a hard time letting themselves enjoy adventures.

If they enjoy travel, there could be delays getting there. This placement makes me think of Eren from AOT. If you know, you know.

Saturn here can take two paths. On one path, the individual is dedicated to their education, possibly graduating early. The other path, they struggle or detach. Both paths love learning new things, but it manifests can differ.

Due to the 9th houses mutable modality, it makes it harder to pin down.

Often the individual is interested in many different things as Saturn makes a good and loyal student. They will love asking the “why?” questions.

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: Afflicted, the individual will struggle with self esteem issues pertaining to a general competency. They may struggle to understand other cultures, morals, and religions and fall into a tunnel vision perspective. If they grew up in a religious family, they may question things without outwardly rebelling like Mars.

Retrograde individuals may face constant obstructions. Finishing school, traveling, etc. The sign here really comes into play. Aries, would add a layer of impulsivity and brashness.

SATURN IN THE TENTH HOUSE: “TO FIND THE TOP OF THE LADDER”

Saturn in the tenth house individuals usually govern a level of respect. They’re seen as hard-working individuals, with a thirst for more. These people know that to get what they want, they’ll have to work for it.

But, it can take awhile.

These people like to feel in control and have a tendency to dislike anything that takes the wheel from them. Which makes for a self sufficient person, but with a tendency to want to be the “boss” so to speak. Being a leader can feel natural to them, but that doesn’t mean they love the limelight.

However, these individuals are more likely to deal with the public, which raises its only levels of scrutiny. They’ll often have a hard time making jokes in the workplace. They often grow up in controlled/strict environments and can have a tendency to bring that into situations. Due to the level of seriousness they project, it can make it difficult for others who don’t know them personally to see anything else.

Ex: Aaron Hotchner from Criminal Minds.

While they shoot for the top no matter what career they choose, they’re more likely to gravitate towards careers that offer a level of “prestige” to them and intelligence. ex: Doctors, researchers, and scientists

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: Retrograde here deals with intense frustration. They want to reach their ambitions, but Saturn is causing them delays. Afflicted, is more pronounced externally. Similar to the 6th house, authority/boss figures can cause problems. The community/public might cast unfair opinions onto you.

SATURN IN THE ELEVENTH HOUSE: “TO FIND MY PEOPLE”

These are the friends in the group bringing structure to the hangout. The people that would be voted the mother/father figure in a group of friends. People feel like they can rely on them and that they’ll stick around.

These people prefer a tighter social circle, filled with people who understand them. Superficial connections will hold no meaning to them. By extension, they may not care much about social media.

As children, they likely had issues with relating to their peers. Maybe they came off too serious or too wise for other children, so friendships felt a bit awkward and flat. Naturally, they fit in with kids older than them.

It can feel as though they have to work just to belong

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: Retrograde can feel a bit more alienated and struggle with isolation. They value their alone time, but fear the loneliness that comes with it. The 11th house wants to bring people together, but Saturn says they can do it alone. Afflicted, there’s a higher chance of feeling numb combined with issues planning long-term goals. They may often feel they lack a support system from friends and the community.

SATURN IN THE TWELFTH HOUSE: “TO FIND MY LOST DREAMS”

Saturn in the 12th house takes a practical planet and then twists it and says, “Are you sure?” Positively aspected, it can feel as though Saturn is a lighthouse in a fog. While they will still struggle with a lot of the twelfth house themes, they’re able to step back a bit more and subconsciously analyze.

As a child they repressed their dreams, either subconsciously or due to an external factor. As adults, they may struggle to remember them. These are individuals who need a lot of alone time, and a lot of introspection. They may struggle with letting go.

Saturns influence here makes it hard to discern what they want, but they know they want it very badly. Often, these people have hidden talents but they can drive themselves crazy trying to find out what it is.

They will yearn for places that don’t exist, for times that never happened, and experiences they will never have.

Unforeseen circumstances occurring is more frequent than they’d like, as is the tendency to get wound into a secret. There biggest enemy though, is themselves. These people often battle a lot of unseen demons, and are more prone to insomnia and nightmares.

RETROGRADE/AFFLICTED: Retrograde individuals often impose a lot of self-restrictions on themselves, needlessly. Therefore reaching their dreams feels impossible. Isolation but 2x. To them, everything feels temporary, and nothing lasts. They may ruminate in negative feelings, and struggle with depression. Afflicted they likely struggle with self-discipline and expressing themselves correctly. Imprisonment is not unlikely.

As always, I am not a professional, please take this with a grain of salt! these are based on my observations, research, and books.

[manicrouge]

Simon x gn!reader: Til' the Greenery Grows

tw: hurt and comfort, angst, discussion of death, set after the events of mw3 (boo), happy ending

To be put to bed in such a manner, to be rested beneath the trees, for the last thing the eyes to see to be the greenery which will consume - he thought of it all often, especially when, with the twist of one hand, all that remained of a comrade, a loyal friend, drifted into the wind.

He told you that it wasn't how things were meant to be, that, if he had it his way, it would've been him, the one who took the bullet, all for the sake of Johnny being the one to hold him, to set him free.

'Some fucken sacrifice it was,' he sneered, hand clutching a glass of whiskey. The dimples in his cheeks greeted you, the darkness of the kitchen leaving them to appear like wounds in his face. 'The bastards still out there, and he's dead.'

You sat by silently, watching him from the other side of the table, hands wrapped around yourself, wearing one of Simon's sweaters. 'It shoulda been me.'

'Don't say that,' you whispered, looking at him, 'please, please, never ever say that.'

He startled at the sound of the weakness in your voice, narrowed eyes growing wide. The glass of whiskey hit the table with a clunk.

'I- I know you're upset, Si', and what happened is horrible. But... I hate it when you talk like this.'

The concept of care was foreign to him, so your vulnerability seemed to be an utter shot in the dark for you knew, realistically, he hadn't the slightest clue of how to interpret it, let alone process it. So, when he was silent, you continued in the hopes of making it easier to digest.

'I love you. I don't want you to die - I don't want anything bad to happen to you, even, well, even if you think you deserve it.'

'You're just bein' nice.'

'I'm being honest,' you said firmly, clenching your fists, 'do you think I wanna have to put you in the ground? That I wanna pick out the flowers, the clothes? Any of that? Because I don't,' you admitted, eyes stinging, 'bad things happen to everyone, but I don't ever want them to happen to you and you talkin' like this is only going to bring them.'

You reached out to take hold of his hand, pressing your lips atop of it, 'I never wanna wake up alone, a- and when you die, I wanna be there with you, in the ground.' A tear rolled down your cheek and you snivelled, 'so please, please stop saying these things.'

'Marry me,' said Simon.

Your heart stopped and you stared at him wide eyed. He pushed the glass of whiskey to the side, taking hold of your hands firmly.

'What?'

'You heard me,' he said, eyes not moving from yours, 'marry me.'

'Are you being serious?'

'Wouldn't lie about somethin' like this,' he said, 'say yes, an' I'll never say anything like that again. You have my word, love.'

The emotional whiplash left you half disorenatated as a burst of excitement spread through your chest. You couldn't speak, so you answered his proposal with a chain of nods, bottom lip wobbling as you almost leapt across the table, pressing your lips against his.

[mirrorologist]

God Is the Mind, and We Are the Mirrors

When I read the Bible, I don't just see a religious document. I see a coded map of human consciousness. A guide to the inner world, about what happens inside us every day as we navigate belief, doubt, identity, and awareness.

The line that we are made in the image of God has always stood out to me. From a psychological lens, this phrase isn't about our physical form. It's about our structure. Our ability to imagine, to reflect, to create. We are built with the same creative intelligence that designed the ecosystems and the stars. That same creative mind lives within us, and through us. Not as a poetic express, but literally.

The brain is wired for pattern recognition, memory, and story. The subconscious does not filter for truth or logic. It receives what we give it, especially when repetition and emotion are involved. That means your beliefs, whether inherited or chosen, shape how you perceive reality and how you respond to it.

Your imagination is not a fantasy, it is a neurological event. When you vividly imagine something, your brain responds as if it's real. It lights up similar pathways as it would during lived experience. This is why fear can feel so physical, even if nothing is happening, and why hope and vision, when held with focus, can begin to rewire your behavior and outcomes.

This is the foundation of manifestation. It's not a mystical exception to science. It works because your inner world influences your actions, your nervous system, your expectations, and how you interpret the world around you.

The Bible's stories reflect this inner journey. Eden represents a clear, undistorted state of mind. No shame, no doubt, just presence. The serpent is the first intrusive thought. The idea that you are not already whole, that something outside of you needs to be chased.

Egypt, in the Bible, represents mental slavery. A state of limitation, survival mode, and external control. The Exodus is about coming out of that. Not geographically, but psychologically. Leaving behind the old identity that says "I can't" or "I'm not enough" and walking into a mindset of sovereignty.

The story of the golden calf is another powerful metaphor. After being led out of Egypt, out of that state of mental bondage, the people panic when Moses disappears up the mountain. In his absence, they build an idol out of gold and start worshiping it. Psychologically, this reflects what happens when we doubt our inner connection. When the path feels uncertain or when the results are not instant, the mind looks for something external to cling to. The golden calf represents the tendency to return to old patterns, to seek validation or power outside of ourselves even after we have had a taste of freedom. It shows how easily fear can lead us to recreate the very systems we have outgrown. True transformation requires trust in the unseen, patience with the process, and the willingness to stay present even when the ego wants to grasp for something familiar.

Jesus embodies the awakened mind. He taught that the Kingdom of God is within. Not in a faraway place, not in a temple, but already inside you. When he performed healings, he didn’t say "I did this." He said, "Your faith made you well." Because belief alters the body. It shifts the mind. It realigns us with the part of us that never forgot.

One of my favorite examples reflecting these beliefs is in Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. Behind the figure of God is a flowing red cloak. If you look closely, the shape of that cloak is an anatomically accurate outline of the human brain. God is not floating on a cloud, God is emerging from the mind. Whether Michelangelo knew that or not, the image speaks loudly. Consciousness is the source and creation flows from within.

We are creators. We influence life at the level of awareness. We hold the brush when it comes to how we see ourselves, what we accept as true, and what we emotionally invest in. The subconscious organizes itself around these inputs.

This is why your beliefs matter, this is why your imagination matters. You are not just a passive observer, you are participating, and you are shaping. Your nervous system responds to your thoughts, your habits come from your assumptions, and your life reflects your focus.

We are not fragments of God in the way a piece of a whole is incomplete. We are each expressions of the whole. The same consciousness, localized. Different voices, same source. That is why what you believe about others is reflected in you. That is why compassion is wisdom, and judgment is blindness. You are always talking to yourself in another form.

To know God is to recognize your own capacity to create, to choose, to reflect. God is not watching from afar. God is the breath behind your thoughts, the silence beneath your doubts, the awareness that has never left you. Not for a moment.

[nightbornfeyre]

Headcanons? Love them. Seriously.

But let’s not confuse them with canon.

If you want your interpretation to actually hold weight,

back it up with the text—and the author’s intent.

That’s how you argue.

That’s how you read.

Canon vs. Headcanon.

Even the author draws the line.

In an interview, SJM was asked:

> “Who won the snowball fight in ACOSF?”

“None of this is canon because I haven’t written it down. Because this might change once I write it. But the way I picture it... Rhys and Azriel were so mad at each other during the snowball fight that they were putting ice and rocks in the snowballs... and then throwing at each other with all of their strength. They were just like beating the sht out of each other. And then they threw a snowball at the same time and knocked each other out—leaving a smiley, stupid Cassian. The winner.”

Canon is written: Headcanon is imagined—even by the author.

If the author herself doesn’t consider her own thoughts to be canon until they’re written, who are you to act like yours are untouchable truth?

They can be valid to you, sure. But the moment they go beyond what’s actually in the text, they stop being objective.

Maybe your interpretation means something to you,but don’t expect everyone else to treat it like it’s fact.

This fandom really needs to understand that.

full offense, i do not give a fuck about what is off page. if it is not explicitly written in the text, it is not canon. it is your opinion, your interpretation, your imagination, but it is. not. canon. you do not read a book and interpret it by making things up in your head. you read and interpret based on the text. the acotar fandom as a whole needs to get a grip, because it really does come to a point when you're having a discussion with someone and they start saying "i think", like girl, who gives a fuck about what you think? 😭 if what you think isn't in the books, then it is just your thoughts!! your thoughts aren't canon!!!

[conclaveconfessions]

In this fandom, including here on this Tumblr blog, I’ve seen some people discussing the book’s ending versus the film’s. And it seems to divide opinions quite a bit. So I wanted to share my own take:

When I finished the book, I gasped out loud. It definitely hits the nerve more than the film does. The critique of the Catholic Church’s flaws and of gender roles is much more explicit. The complexity of Benitez as a character, and his gender identity is almost completely removed.

Like another Anon said, I’d really love to know where Harris got that idea from, whether he had that ending in mind from the start, came up with it along the way, or after interviewing real-life cardinals in the Vatican.

On one hand, I found the ending strangely abrupt and a bit too vague. I was left with a feeling of “Seriously? That’s it? You’re not even going to elaborate a little further?”

And I thought Lomeli’s acceptance was uncannily way too quick, anyone in that situation would’ve questioned more.

On the other hand, I know this is a sensitive topic, I understand that it’s not okay to be too invasive when it comes to intersex people and their bodies, so I kinda get why Harris approached it that way. (Although the book itself kind of encourages that, so... I don’t know.)

I’ve seen some people in this fandom say that Benitez’s intersexuality is the same in both the book and the film, just explained differently. You’re free to have your own headcanons and interpret it however you like, but probably not.

The film’s original script had some elements from the book, like the razor, the cassock scene, Benitez saying that if he were elected it would be "a disaster for the Church," and the line about him being born in a place where boys were preferred over girls. But they were probably removed to avoid leaving any room for ambiguity for the audience.

The film kept the line about how life in the seminary was modest, so you could interpret that his body was slightly different from other man, but that’s about it.

Also, if that were the case, film Benitez would definitely **need** to tell Thomas about that detail, otherwise he’d be straight up omitting.

That said, in **my opinion**, the film’s ending works way better from a narrative and storytelling perspective. As a final twist, it’s effective because it’s straight to the point. After the initial shock, the audience "gets it". There’s no need for further backstory explanation, and no doubts about how it was possible, which gives the moment more impact, despite being much "safer" than the book.

What would y'all think of the film if it had ended the same way as the book?

~

[necesito-mas-cafe]

Ooh ok. I have a suggestion for your current Addams!Stone fic. I know the most recent chapter was Rob locking Stone in a freezer, so idk why he would attempt extreme temperatures again but maybe like… the AC for the lab is broken? Or they’re just stuck somewhere really hot? And through a series of hilarious misunderstandings they’re BOTH being subject to this mild torture and Stone takes it as Rob finally being ready to be vulnerable with him, while Rob is just like. Why would I subject MYSELF to this??? What is wrong with you??? And then Stones like… guess I shouldn’t have brought it up he went defensive on me again 😔. Lol. (-)

Chapter 5 already published!

[Underground Laboratory – 06:06 p.m.]

Robotnik (Experiment Note #14.5)

Objective: Induce voluntary resignation in Subject Stone without direct violence, so Walters doesn’t reduce my funding.

*Also: Ruin digitally the life of that priest who called me paranoid.

Method: Ignore subject’s presence under unexpected adverse conditions and show him he’s unwelcome.

Preliminary results: I’m melting. Stone hasn’t left.

==

Stone walked into the lab as professional as ever, as if we weren’t on the verge of spontaneous nuclear meltdown.

His shirt, perfectly pressed.

His stupid spotless blazer.

Hair intact, glossy, not a drop of sweat ruining his presentation.

An office demon with unshakable manners.

“Doctor.”

Robotnik, in contrast, looked like a pickled version of himself: black shirt clinging to his torso, hair damp across his forehead, sweat pouring down his temple like his brain was trying to escape.

Robotnik ignored him.

“Doctor,” Stone repeated, a little closer this time, with that calm voice.

Robotnik turned away. He wouldn’t greet him. He wouldn’t fall into his trap.

Stone, of course, smiled as if the heat-drenched tension in the room was the most romantic thing in the world.

“Doctor, I bring you the physical report on the number of allen screws, counted one by one, that you asked me for.” He said it with that same kind, measured tone Robotnik was beginning to hate—because it made his stomach twist in what was definitely hatred. Obviously.

Silence. Robotnik didn’t even look at him. Just muttered “…leave it there.”

Stone obeyed. But instead of leaving, he stepped closer to the desk.

“Ventilation system still down?” he asked, as if the other weren’t swimming in his own sweat.

Robotnik clenched his teeth. His lab coat already had damp stains down the back. The environment was like being trapped in a lukewarm fish tank filled with hot coffee and disappointment.

Stone didn’t leave. Of course he didn’t.

“Need help with the system?”

Robotnik’s jaw tightened.

“Can you by any chance control the weather with your emotions, Stone!?” Sarcasm dripping from his tongue like sweat from his neck.

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was being so obvious. Strange for someone to notice so quickly. I thought I was being discreet with my... emotions.”

Robotnik leaned against the console, feeling part of his brain short-circuit.

Does Stone possess a thermic field with emotional effects? Is he a human microclimate generator of hostile affection?

Robotnik stood upright with a jolt.

“THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF YOU!”

Stone looked at him with a mixture of wonder and pity. His eyes lowered gently.

“…Oh.”

Robotnik hissed like a furious kettle.

“AND IT’S NOT ABOUT EMOTIONS! IT’S ABOUT YOUR MOLECULARLY IMPROBABLE PRESENCE!”

“Right, right... I see,” said Stone, looking down and nodding very slowly, as if he’d just been emotionally rejected.

“…He’s not ready to talk about this yet,” he murmured to himself. “He’s shutting down again.”

And then he smiled—with that infinite sweetness of a romantic martyr.

As if they’d just had a fight over jealousy, not because one of them believed the other was a physical anomaly needing to be exorcised.

Robotnik, oblivious to all this interpretation, threw a wrench at the floor and cursed in five languages.

Experiment Note #14.5 – Robotnik

Emotional State: HOT! NO, THE BAD KIND! SCORCHING! BOILING! A PERSONAL HELL IN THE SHAPE OF A LAB COAT!

Stone did not flinch. Not a drop of sweat. NOT ONE. Stayed calm, warm, polite. WHAT DO YOU FEEL, YOU SUITED STONE??? WHAT KIND OF PROCESSOR MAKES YOU THINK THIS IS ROMANCE???

I no longer know if I’m testing the subject… or if he’s the one testing me.

I’m sweaty and furious and no one takes me seriously and this man looks at me like I’m some kind of emotional sunset!

Next step: Reevaluate my entire life. Throw lab coat into fusion reactor and start a new civilization. Find a working fan.

Excerpt from Stone’s Personal Diary

«The Doctor avoids words, but not actions. Though it saddens me not to speak openly about our shared feelings, I’ve come to realize that the Doctor’s love language is purely practical—actions before words. So, starting today, I’ve decided to take a more active role in our mutual courtship. I can’t wait.»

[pinkcheesecake7]

I can’t take criticism on Mel seriously because most of it is done by jayviks who say she’s pretty and call it a day then act like they love her😭. Like sorry, I’m not taking you seriously when your account is filled with only jayvik and you only talk about Mel to objectify her and seem like you don’t hate “the female character that gets in the way” that’s simply not enough. A lot of these hardcore “Mel is a manipulator” people are very obviously biased lmfao. “Jayce dumped her” except that never happened? They talked and then he left and fucking died lol, one important thing to remember is that these are CHARACTERS and there is writing behind them. What I’m saying is that they were handled poorly by the writers and they never actually “broke up” or should I say he never “dumped her🤓” they just.. had a thoughtful conversation and it was never brought up again. I feel like yall only say he “dumped her” so it fits the shitty narrative that Jayce dumped Mel for Viktor which is NOT true and literally never will be. You guys literally call her an “independent black woman who doesn’t need a man” except in different wording to make her seem unlovable. Yes, she doesn’t need a man but she WANTS a man. Stop acting like you actually want her to be independent, you just want to get her out of the way but also still seem like you’re an “”ally””.

[brightbeautifulthings]

This is a super fun theory, thanks for posting this!

As for JOI's interest in Gately, I don't know that you have to justify that for your theory. We may not know why he's interested, but it's right there in the text that he is. The wraith tries to communicate with Gately possibly more than any other character. It's possible it's by convenience-- since Gately is bedbound and forced to experience every excruciating moment of time, the wraith by nature will have the best chance of actually getting through to him.

But I do have some theories as to why he's interested in Gately specifically and not any random patient, and they're centered on Gately's connections to people JOI does care about, namely Joelle and Hal. Gately and Joelle are close through Ennet House, and there's plenty of evidence that JOI at least found her interesting/talented/worthy of filming, so Gately may have come across his radar through her. Hal also visits Ennet House eventually to seek treatment where he meets Johnette, so there's another possible intersection with Gately there.

And I do think it's mostly about Gately's connection with Hal. They don't meet on the page, but we know they meet at some point in the future when Gately leaves the hospital and they dig up JOI's head (I interpret that scene as a real memory, but it's by no means a given), and that scene might actually be more important than most anything that does happen on page. It could be about saving Hal from the Entertainment or whatever has happened to him by Chapter 1, or it could be about how desperate JOI is to communicate with his son in any meaningful way. Don Gately is an avenue to both of those ends.

Again, maybe it's just that Gately is the most convenient or the only one that's actually a success (we know JOI is also trying to communicate at ETA by moving things around, sealing poor Stice to the window, etc.), but--maybe thanks to the wraith--Hal's and Gately's arcs do intersect at some point.

The theory that James Orin Incandenza is the in-universe author of Infinite Jest

I've heard this mentioned, but never really talked about, and also it's hard to find any people circulating this idea online, so here's a couple reasons why I believe this: -One of the only times we hear the author reference themselves is in a place directly related to fathers and sons (Footnote 268, after the section chronicling the incestuous relationship between Matthew Pemulis and his father: "Where was Mrs. Pemulis all this time, late at night, with dear old Da P. shaking Matty 'awake' until his teeth rattled and little Micky curled up against the far wall, shell-breathing, silent as death, is what I'd want to know."). So either this is David Foster Wallace, breaking the fourth wall (meh, not really a favorite of his, he does it in Westward and he isn't a huge fan of that story, also wouldn't he know where she was if he wrote the thing?), some character neither seen now referenced to in the text who somehow has all this information (highly unlikely, seems ham-fisted and dumb), or it's a character that we DO know who has access to all of this information

-While the above was what first got me thinking about this, this one was what kept me thiking: JOI named FIVE of his works "Infinite Jest." It's clearly a name he's fond of... (also the name "David" has a VI, which is six in Roman numerals. That's not anything, I just think it's cute)

-There are no experiences relayed to the reader that take place before the death of JOI that JOI is not in: the scenes of the professional conversationalist, Avril's premature delivery of Mario, the conversation between JOI and his father

-he is incapable of any form of communication other than the use of words — while his preferred art form is film, he can no longer operate a video camera, so his art now takes the form of text

-his big monologue to Gately is about the importance of figurants: things and people that would never get attention in a traditional narrative, the people who exist towards the edges. As the wonderfully named @pissmd points out, Infinite Jest is a novel whose events exist entirely around a main narrative — a story that ends right as the quote-unquote real story is about to begin. To quote them, it is a novel about figurants, yes, but the novel itself is a figurant, kind of

-Wallace gives a fair amount of time to explaining how wraiths work, suggesting it is in some way important. They can move incredibly quickly and peer inside people's minds, both of which would explain how the author knows everything that's happening in the character's heads and how it can elaborate on multiple things happening in rapid succession

-I also think it makes sense on a subtextual level! Wallace talks a lot about writers (specifically fiction writers, which, Incandenza being a screenwriter, applies to him) as a species of oglers, so Incandenza being someone who has to apply an enormous amount of mental effort to be seen, much less understood, by others is kind of an ideal writer, in his eyes.

The biggest problem this idea has, I think, is the narrative interest in Don Gately. The interest in Hal, Orin, Pemulis, Mario, Madame Psychosis, even Marathe and Steeply, kind of, makes sense, but I have no earthly idea why the wraith would follow Gately before he gets involved with Madame Psychosis. Maybe my Wallace-heads can help explain this one for ol' anthrax of effervescence.

Let me know if you think of any rebuttals to this! I'm sure I've missed some big stuff, both for and against this theory. Take care of yourselves, gang!

[gomzdrawfr]

Mermay, but make it about NikPrice

a/n: mcd (?), abrupt ending, bit of eyestrain in some of the panels

special thanks to @karlachismylife @jgvfhl @on-a-lucky-tide for the inspo and vibes :3

References used:

[deliriousblue]

THE HEART KILLERS (2024) + tropes prior art by @hurlumerlu

+ bonus:

[nerdyechidna]

*reply contains spoilers for Sandman S2* I agree with your interpretation! I too think it's probably those thoughts that were going through the show writers' minds. That Dream being after all imperfect is still in the grasp of old habits despite trying to change, and that Destruction's search needed to be sigh fast-tracked.

I'm of the camp that revisions to the original, especially for conversion/budget/limitation reasons, or even if to improve on the original, are ok! And honestly, this streamlined plot, for all that it sacrifices a lot of my favourite scenes, works surprisingly well. But I also feel that it's gotten a bit too functional. For example Dream deciding to march to hell immediately upon talking to Death about Nada - no contemplation, no sinking realization. The emotional u-turn/slapping scene in the dining room. The sense is very strong that these scenes are purely there to move the story along. Again, I understand that there were time constraints.

I would have loved to have decision/transition points breathe a little. Let the characters just be themselves for a moment. Wistfully, I imagine a version where after Nada emerges from her convalescence, she has a more bittersweet and emotional reunion with Dream. Dream tries harder with his apology. He is a more nuanced version of imperfect and he talks about how he still, even now, struggles with anger and resentment even though he knows it's wrong. Showing deeper reflection, he tries to apologize for that too. Nada can flare up and her anger can escalate further as well. She was horribly wronged. And realistically, after ten thousand years of hate and suffering, both sides, especially Nada, need to get things off their chest and to the other.

Somewhere after that, when they simmer down, they can talk about the good times. How their ahem consummation rocked the world and made everyone feel all lovey-and-dovey and romantic. That would bring back some of the magic to this series and it transitions nicely into Dream talking about their future.

The writers can still get the same ending/transition. Nada wants to live her own life, Dream is filled with longing and conflict but ultimately he allows her to leave without badgering her. He then goes on to accompany Delirium, knowing Nada will never return but simply being unwilling to let go. He can kid himself that he's going to watch over Nada from a distance because the world is different now, that fate may still bring them together, that kind of thing. In fact he does talk about fate line in the next episode.

Aahh. I think I'm just nitpicking. I love the series and the characters to bits and I just want justice to be done to them.

Like I'm loving the acting and how visually stunning. Everything. Is. But some direction changes are just abrupt, no? One minute Dream works declares war on Hell to retrieve Nada, the next he's unable/unwilling to properly apologize? Even threatens her again??