#I think a lot of learners trying to get quick results do a lot of intensive study

[rigelmejo]

A guide to intensive and extensive study activities

So I've tended to study 2 ways: either cramming a lot of explicit intensive study to understand something I could not understand before, or just extensively reading/watching things I understand the main idea of and guessing unknown stuff from context.

I'm going to discuss the usefulness of intensive activities, and extensive activities. And maybe what kind of person would prefer which, which type will help with what goals.

Intensive study: great for quickly increasing things you are 'vaguely familiar' with extremely fast, great for reviewing things in a focused way so you do a lot of reviews and end up learning something to the 'recognize and understand' point quicker. For me, the point at which I 'fully learn to instantly understand' words/grammar is still the same amount of time encountering words whether I do intensive or extensive study. But intensive study speeds up the words becoming 'vaguely familiar' and 'recognize and understand' to me.

When might intensive study be useful? Here are some examples:

You want to speak quickly for a trip, so you intensively study a bunch of phrases for travel and things you might say on that trip. So you go through a phrasebook and read everything, to get some vague familiarity if people say those phrases to you later in travel. You repeat a lot of phrases out loud, repeatedly, over a few weeks, to get yourself to 'recognize and understand' them if people say them to you and hopefully to make it possible for you to say them on the trip.

You want to study for a test. Reading the vocabulary list and the grammar points repeatedly before a test, looking up anything unknown that you think will be on the test, will give you at least a 'vague familiarity' so you can guess some things, and hopefully a 'recognize and understand' level with the words so you can understand what's being asked on the test and respond to some degree.

You want to watch a specific show in the target language. Intensively watching a few episodes, looking up every unknown word for say 8 episodes, will quickly give you a 'vague familiarity' with the most common words in the show. Then continuing to look up those 'vaguely familiar' words as they come up again and again, or studying an anki deck with those words, will eventually make you 'recognize and understand' them. At which point, it becomes easier to 'recognize and understand' the main idea of the entire show's episodes. Then you can spend the rest of your time extensively watching (no word lookups) and guessing other new words from context from that main idea you understand.

You want to read a specific book in the target language. Same idea as the show - you intensively look up every unknown word in the first several chapters. Then you keep looking up unknown words, or you study an anki deck of those unknown words, and you eventually get a 'vague familiarity' with many of those words. Then you 'recognize and understand' many of the words, and can start to extensively read (not need word lookups) to guess the meaning of the unknown parts. This is a great way to learn new words when reading - to pick a new novel, look up all the unknown key words you need to understand the main idea, then keep looking those words up until you 'recognize and understand' them. Then the rest of the author's books become easier, and books written with similar types of words. Eventually extensive reading becomes possible, reading without needing to look anything up to follow the main idea. At which point you can build up 'fully learn to instantly understand' skills.

You're studying a language like Japanese or Chinese and want to read characters. Intensively studying anki flashcards, or a textbook, or a list, of radicals and then characters and common words, will make a decent chunk of characters 'vaguely familiar' to you in a short amount of time (less than years). Then you can keep reading (like graded readers and textbooks or flashcards with sentences) and looking up characters regularly until you fully learn to 'recognize and understand' them. Then as you continue engaging with the language, you'll eventually just 'fully know and instantly understand' more and more characters. I think a lot of Japanese learners cram study anki flashcards (or at least I cram studied lol) for characters, because having at least a 'vague familiarity' makes the characters quicker to get to that point of 'recognize and understand.' You already have a memory of the character, from a flashcard or textbook or website where you initially intensively studied it, so the next several times you run into it you are just building up more memories to attach to the characters. The more memories attach to that first memory, the more you understand it. So if you build a bunch of initial memories of characters with intensive study, it's much easier to recognize the character again in a textbook or graded reader or immersion and be reviewing the character instead of learning it brand new (whether you review by looking up what it means again until you remember, or understand it from context).

Studying grammar of a language unfamiliar to your own. Like the characters example above, if you study grammar ahead of time with explicit explanations, then when you run across grammar again in the language - you already have an initial memory to attach the new example to. That initial memory of the grammar point you read about, is your 'vague familiarity' and each time you run across the grammar point in a book or show or conversation you recognize 'ah it's this X point, I should look it up again because I don't remember how it works.' You remember the grammar point EXISTS because you studied it before. That alone makes it easier to identify in the future, even if you'll need to keep looking it up, or keep understanding the grammar point in context, to finally 'recognize and understand' it easily. And then to eventually 'fully learn and instantly understand' it.

Intensive study, which for the intents of this discussion is any time you look up explicit explanations of things in the language or translations, is really good for building a 'vague familiarity' and 'initial memory' of something you're trying to learn. Once you have an initial memory then it becomes easier to recognize that same language piece again in the future, and easier to attach a memory of it's meaning to the existing initial memory (whether the new memory of meaning is you looking up translations/explanations Again or you understanding the meaning through context). If you know something Exists, it's easier to recognize and pay attention to, and eventually remember the meaning of. Intensive study is great for learning certain aspects of a language exist and getting your mind to pay attention to those aspects.

Intensive study is also great if you want to 'recognize and understand' something quickly. NOT necessarily understand it well, there will still be a lot of ambiguity, but understand it QUICKLY. It's like if I told you the word blue and showed you a picture of turquoise stone as your initial memory, and then you watched shows where people said 'blue' a lot about things that were NOT turquoise color. You'd vaguely know the word 'blue' has to do with turquoise stone, and that would maybe help you guess 'blue' is a color or stone, and then over time you'd keep looking 'blue' up and seeing the definitions and example sentences, you'd keep seeing 'blue' said in the show in different context, and eventually understand it's a broad range of color. Your initial vague familiarity with 'blue' was that it was a color or stone, or related to those, and then that would be enough to help you guess the meaning of 'blue' with the context you kept seeing it in, and with the examples/definitions you kept seeing for it. Language learning is like this, translations are not one to one. You get a vague familiarity but it will take a WHILE to recognize and understand what it actually means, it will take seeing it in different contexts and seeing different explanations until the word finally clicks for you fully. Then more exposure for it to be understood 'instantly' without thought. Well intensive study of say 2000 common words, means when you go into a show you have at LEAST a vague guess of what a majority of the words you hear might mean. And you have an initial memory of those 2000 words, to start attaching the meaning of the new contexts you see those words used in. Intensive study of 2000 words in anki can be great for prepping to read, or to watch a show, because even a 'vague familiarity' is useful. It is more context to rely on, to attach memories to.

I think a lot of Chinese and Japanese learners study 2000+ words in anki before watching shows, because even a vague familiarity gives them something to attach more meaning and context to over time. With a language with a lot of cognates to your own, like me knowing English and learning French, a lot of the cognates do that work of providing additional context I can use to guess unknown words. With Chinese, once you know a certain amount of hanzi, the hanzi provide that additional context to guess the meaning of new words, and radicals give some initial memory to use to build up the meaning of new hanzi in your head. But in the beginning, knowing zero characters, you've got few cognates to rely on, no common roots or word endings to English, studying intensively gives you some 'vague familiarity' information in your head to start tying memories to.

Intensive study is a great way to get a lot of initial vague familiarity with lots of words or grammar, fast. If you keep looking up words repeatedly, or keep doing anki reviews/textbook reviews/list reviews regularly, it also gets words into your 'recognize and understand' level quicker since you're regularly reviewing/running into those words again and again. You still get long term 'fully know and instantly understand' of words just as fast as extensive learning - it takes repeated exposure of many contexts many times. But the initial part can be sped up, and you can control WHAT you are initially vaguely familiar with, with intensive study of the material you choose.

Extensive study, which for the purpose of this discussion will just be engaging with anything you understand the main idea of, and can guess/infer other thing's meanings from the context of that main idea.

Extensive study is great for improving comprehension SPEED. It's great for improving ability to understand the language without tools. It's great for improving confidence in using the language. It's great for practicing understanding and using the language the way you would in real situations, when there's nothing to help you.

Extensive reading builds reading speed, and reading comfort. It is necessary to build reading fluency (including in your native language). You will never read fast if you never practice reading without looking things up. You will never develop the skill of inferring meaning from context, a skill often used in reading, if you look up every single unknown thing. These are necessary skills.

Extensive listening builds up the speed at which you understand words/grammar, how 'instantly' you can understand what you've learned to 'recognize and understand.' Until you listen to things spoken at native speed, things spoken with normal amounts of slurring and normal accent variations, you will not have any practice understanding the language in regular conversational use. You have to practice understanding language as it is actually spoken, to get better at understanding the language spoken in Real Time as it's Actually Spoken. And again, like reading, extensive listening builds up the skill of inferring the meaning of unknown parts when listening. Which is a skill you have to develop. Some people will say certain words weird, have hard accents to understand, speak super quickly, say a word you don't know, and you need to develop skills to cope with those situations when there is no ability to ask them to repeat themselves and no ability to look something up.

Imagine being 4 years old again in your native language, and hearing the news for adults - you don't remember this probably, but the news for adults used a lot of words you didn't know and country names you didn't know, and you might have heard your parents discuss the news with each other and tried your best to follow what they said but couldn't. I remember it wasn't until I was 9 that I felt I could understand the news on TV, or my parents discussing the news. Well conversations in the target language are like that - some will be easier to understand sooner, like conversations about what to eat. Some will be harder to understand for a longer amount of time, and you need to develop strategies to infer what meaning you can, to ask people to rephrase things and explain, to judge what areas of language you Can Understand better versus worse so you know what to work on.

Extensive reading and extensive listening help you build the skills to understand in your target language, that you use in your native language every day. Over time these skills will make understanding the target language quicker for you, more intuitive, and more comfortable.

Extensive speaking with other people, or texting with other people, can help you develop the skills to talk about the things you want to even if you don't know a word. Say I couldn't remember the word melancholic in english, I might say "Today's weather is so - like heavy, it makes me feel sad.' and express the similar intent to me trying to say "today's weather is making me feel melancholic'. You learn different ways to express what you mean, when you can't look things up. (You can look things up, intensively, if you're trying to build up what you can say into more things). You need the skill to be able to communicate, even if imperfectly, in situations where looking things up isn't possible or easy. Practicing communicating with no tools allows you to learn how to do that.

Extensive listening, reading, speaking is also great if: you like learning primarily through guessing from context/by doing activities, if you can find material you understand the main idea of. Such as comprehensible input lessons on youtube (designed for the main idea to be understood from visuals), or nature method textbooks (designed for main idea to be understood using images and cognates to English), or graded readers (designed to be main idea understandable if you know the number of common words the graded reader recommends/have the language level the graded reader recommends such as A2/N2/HSK3), or a tutor who is tailoring their speech to a level you understand (while also saying some new words/grammar each session). I love learning from context, and learning by doing the activity I want to be able to do. So I love these kinds of resources. With French, after 1 semester class and reading a 1000 common words list, I pretty much exclusively used these kinds of resources until I could extensively read regular novels. With Chinese and Japanese, I did more intensive study at the beginning, and I used graded readers, manga, manhua, to extensively read as soon as possible. I love learning from context.

If you find learning from context-only to be intensely FRUSTRATING, then I would recommend avoiding materials made to be extensively studied, except when you're specifically trying to practice listening/reading comprehension and tolerance for ambiguity, trying to develop the skill of guessing from context (because you will need that skill eventually). I'd recommend picking extensive learning materials where you know as much as possible of what's in it - since you do not like ambiguity or guessing from context, you'll want to make what's unknown just a small part of the material that only happens once every 5 minutes or so. I also recommend using things with parallel translations for a while before diving into just-target-language stuff: things like bilingual texts, learner podcasts that include english explanations, and language/target language audio sentences like Glossika or pimsleur. Those study materials with translations will be easier for you to tolerate, so you can practice understanding then Check the translations for if you successfully understood/guessed, and help you work your way toward eventually some target-language-only materials to extensively practice with.

If you find learning from explanations intensely FRUSTRATING, and enjoy learning from context much more? I would recommend looking up materials that are more suited to extensive study: 'comprehensible input lessons' with a lot of visuals to provide context, graded readers, learner podcasts for the language level you're at (A1, A2 etc), especially learner podcasts that primarily stay in the target language, tutors that will use pictures and speak with mostly words you know (and introduce some new stuff to you regularly), and engaging with anything you understand the main idea of.

Visual materials will be easier for you to understand the main idea of, and the visuals will provide more context - so cartoons for toddlers where the visuals are directly related to what's being said, cartoons for 5-10 year old kids, comics for children and comics about daily life topics, shows and video games you know the plot of already (so you have context to guess what's going on and what words might mean what). Later, reading novels and listening to audiobooks of things you already know the plot of. Reading nonfiction and news can be easier too, because if you already know the nonfiction topic well then you can guess what more unknown words mean, with news you can see a lot of proper names and places and if you're familiar with the news already then you know what should be going on and can guess what the unknown words mean.

Intensive and Extensive activities can be used at any point, to develop most skills. They're both useful. Some people heavily rely on one type more than the other, and that's fine. Do what you like doing, what you can get yourself to do that helps your goals. I just felt like writing this because it can be useful to see where these activities can help.

[spotaus]

Timeless AU Sans and Asriel! 🫡

I was going to color them but I'm mildly afraid my roommate will come back and I am not about to try and explain... this. So, temporarily take these sketches!

With a bonus full-family wip! (I need to make Gaster smaller/thinner but y'know--)

In this au, Gaster isn't killed in the core accident, and so he's present for the major tragedies that would normally follow his death. And subsequently is able to fix some of the problems! One being Asriel's death and transformation into Flowey.

Gaster, who was working on making a monster from almost scratch (his soul was too weak to form another soul but he wanted a kid and yadda yadda), successfully created Sans. After a bit of studying Sans' growth, Gaster was practically able to revive Asriel. Asriel is older than Sans by a few years as his 'death' made him miss a few.

And during this process, Gaster also managed to rizz up Asgore by complete accident. They'd always been close, even before the war, but Asgore was to be king, and he was already betroathed to Tori at birth, so Gaster was content being by Asgore's side as a friend. Buttttttt Toriel leaving for the ruins in her grief left the door wide-open for Asgore to finally make a move on Gaster. They never officially marry, but literally everyone outside the ruins is aware that the two are together.

Asriel remembers very little of his death, but he remembers Chara, and he remembers the surface. Asgore and Gaster don't hide the fact that Asriel died from him, and one day Azzy got up the courage to ask Gaster if he could bring back Chara too. Gaster hadn't even thought about it, but he figured that without Chara's body he wouldn't be able to revive them in any meaningful way. Azzy doesn't give up hope, but he doesn't bother Gaster about it anymore.

Azzy is a gentle soul, shy and playful. He's not used to being an older sibling, and he misses his mom, but he likes his new family too. He often trips and falls, resulting in the bandaid scattered on his body, and he loves to farm just like Asgore, so he usually wears overalls.

Sans is Gaster's oldest son by magic-line. He's punny, a prankster, and the more confident between himself and Asriel. If they're out of their element, Sans is the one to forge through the path and laugh while doing it! Gaster can't get him to wear shoes ("You and Dad and Azzy don't, so why should I?" Is usually his rebuttle. No one can really argue it.) So he's usually seen only wearing socks.

Papyrus (who is only a few scribbles in Gaster's arms rn) is the youngest and doesn't really get the same chances as Sans and Azzy do as older kids, but he'll grow to be the most rambunctious of all of them. I think Papy is self-conscious when he's young (what if he's not good enough? Sans is so good at science stuff like Papa, and Asriel is a great prince like Dad, so where does that leave him?) But he ends up training in combat with Asriel before meeting Undyne and deciding he wants to be part of the royal guard! (That way he can protect his 1 hp brother and his Princely brother!) Undyne and him are quick friends.

Actually, since I'm on a role: Asriel keeps studying and learning from his dad on how to be a prince. Honestly, he likes what Sans and his Pops are up to a lot more, but he doesn't mind being Future King. (He sneaks into the lab to watch the two do their studies whenever he can.) Meanwhile Sans works with Gaster in the labs! He's a fast learner and loves the work, but everyone can see just how much more natural he is with social science. He understands the political theory Asriel tells him and Sans can dissect exactly wtf it means and why Asriel has to react the way he does. Sans still ends up being the Judge, but largely keeps his focuses to the Lab with his pops abd Alphys. And Papy is certainly Great. He ends up as co-captain of the Royal Guard. He's not quite as personable as Undyne, but he sure is committed, and has direct ties to the royal family. More often than not, when he's not doing his rounds or helping with training, he's Azzy's personal guard.

And yes, this does mean incoming 20-ish Asriel, 19-ish Sans, and 17-ish Paps designs are incoming eventually! Asgore and Gaster get to see their sons grow up!!!

[drarry-is-totally-cannon]

Drarry & The Goblet of Fire: 4th Year Rewrite

Chapter 8 ~ The Quidditch World Cup

Harry arrives with the water, having only sloshed a bit onto his jeans, which he counts as a win. Outside the deceptively small tent, Mr. Weasly struggles with a pack of matches. At least twenty of the small sticks lie discarded and broken at his feet, still, he shows no signs of frustration, merely curiosity.

Taking pity, Harry heads over to him, setting his pail carefully down.

"Would you like me to show you, Mr Weasley?"

Ron's father nods enthusiastically, "Oh, yes. I'm no Molly, but I'd like to have something passable on the table before we head over to the arena."

Harry chuckles. Arthur Weasley talks about his wife as if he fell in love with her yesterday. Harry can't even remember Aunt Petunia saying anything about Uncle Vernon at all.

Harry doesn't bother asking him to just use the perfectly good fireplace inside the tent. He already heard him scolding Fred and George for trying to open the windows. "We must appear as muggle-like as possible." He reminded them, despite the blatant magic that fills the air around them.

"Well, it takes a bit of practice, but what you've got to do is . . ."

-

A quick learner, Mr. Weasley gets the fire started in only three more tries. Harry carefully stores the matches in his pocket, safe from Mr. Weasley's innocent destruction.

"Where should I put this?" he asks, gesturing to the pail.

"Oh, right, Ginny told me you were fetching water. You were gone a while you didn't get lost did you?"

"Oh, no. I was with Dean and Seamus."

"Good, yes, I saw Mr. Finnigan earlier. Poor man, he said he was used to all this, but these things are a bit much for anyone. He seemed alright though. He may be a muggle, but he's still Irish. Ah, right, just leave the water here, Molly packed ingredients for soup. 'Said there's no way I can mess that up. Ron and Hermione have gone to get souvenirs, you probably find them at one of the stands."

"Thanks." Harry nods and runs off again, not missing Percy telling some poor little girl and her nana off for shooting fireworks. Something about the statute of secrecy.

"All this noise? How can anyone work? Of course, Mr. Crouch is having no trouble, I must strive to be like him. I cannot be late with this report!"

-

It's easy to spot the cart of Bulgaria merchandise even through the mass of tents. The whole thing sparkles red.

"Hey!" Harry greets his friends, causing Hermione to jump. 

"Harry! Where have you been? We haven't seen you since we got here." She frets over his glasses, still askew from ducking and dodging sparklers. 

"And what are you wearing?" Ron asks, aghast. he'd been eyeing the Bulgaria scarves.

"Oh, never mind that we were looking for you." Hermione continues to fret, sounding an awful lot like Mrs. Weasley, while Ron glares at Harry's gaudy Irish pride-wear. Truth be told, he'd forgotten he still had it on.

"I was just getting water for the soup." It's part of the truth. "Seamus gave me this, I didn't exactly want to say no. The Irish are scary when they're excited."

This distracts them. "Soup?" Ron's face pales slightly, "You mean, dad's cooking?"

"Yeah, is that bad or something? He said he wasn't that good but . . .?"

"Be afraid Harry, be very afraid."

-

The soup went mostly untouched, which was probably a good thing seeing as it was an odd green-ish colour despite containing only carrots, beef and potatoes and some herbs, nothing that should've resulted in that colour. In Harry's opinion, it even slightly resembled the polyjuice that he, Hermione and Ron had brewed only a year and a half ago. He thinks Hermione saw it too because she exchanged a glance with Ron as he passed her the salad.

Only Fred was brave enough to try it after a dare from his twin and younger sister. He's looking a little green now, but he braves the steep arena steps without complaint.

Behind them, Harry, Ron, and Hermione munch on the snacks Harry and Hermione bought from the souvenir cart, hiding them behind their backs when Mr Weasley looks back to ensure they're still following.

As they reach the next landing a new group of wizards join them. With their neat black clothing and nearly white hair, there is no mistaking them.

"Bloody Malfoy," Ron grumbles through a mouthful of Crowley's Crackle N' Pop Crisps.

The elder Malfoys don't seem to hear Narcissa and Lucius chatting superficially with Mr. Weasley, but the youngest turns around, sneering.

"Yes, Weasley."

"Sod off, Malfoy," Rons says, words still slightly muffled.

Draco just laughs, a high and sharp sound, and turns around without a word. If Harry hadn't been watching him so closely he would've missed the wink and slightest nod of his head towards a lower platform.

The group starts walking again, and both Ron and Hermione look expectantly at Harry, usually, he would've said something to Darco by now, some insult or another, but after hearing Mr. Malfoy in the woods, the words don't come easily. Certainly, they're there, he knows in his head exactly what to say. 'Yeah, sod off, you slimy git!' but it seems so unnecessary a response to what was barely an insult.

Still, it would seem weird if he, a boy known for standing up for his friends, did nothing so he mutters "Arse." just loud enough for Draco to hear but not his parents.

A moment later, as they reach the Minister's box, Harry hears the quietest whisper, "Like my arse, do you, Potter?" The continuation of their joke from earlier makes Harry nearly choke on his crisps with laughter. 

"You fucking wish, Malfoy," he says, the laughter disguising his words just enough. The adults give him funny looks.

"Enjoying yourself, Mr. Potter." Minister Fudge says amicably.

Harry sputters, trying to compose himself. "Oh, er, yes. This is such a wonderful event that you and Mr. Bagman have put together."

The Weasleys and Draco glance at him, the statement is clearly out of character, but both the minister and the Head of the Magical Games and Sports Department are pleased with the flattery.

"Indeed. May the best team win." Bagman cheers, but it isn't hard to tell who he's cheering for. Fudge seems to notice this as well, as he quickly tugs Bagman's flashing team scarf off, trying to maintain composure.

"Take that thing off, Ludo. We're supposed to be impartial." he hisses, before returning to his chat with the Irish minister.

"Hey, it was a gift from him." Bagman points carelessly to the Bulgarian Minister sitting a few seats over, making conversation with Lucius Malfoy. "How was I to tell him I can't take it? He doesn't speak a word of English."

Harry looks behind him to find that the Weasley boys have already scattered around to the railing, preoccupied with the omnioculars Harry bought for himself and Ron. Hermione, meanwhile, is in an odd position.

She sits on her knees, backward on one of the chairs, looking down between the rows.

Understandably curious, Harry walks over. "Hermione, what are you doing?"

"This is Winky," Hermione says, clearly distressed.

"Winky? What the hell is a 'Winky'?"

-

The green fireworks are brilliant, but no one is looking at them anymore. Everyone's eyes have been drawn down towards the field where about ten women dance. They're majestic, supernatural, extraterrestrial, and Harry has no earthly idea why but they remind him of Draco. Maybe it's their dazzling white blonde hair or the elegance with which they move. He can't think of the reason. He can't think much of anything right now.

The next thing he registers is a hand grabbing his wrist and pulling him away and down a set of stairs. He wants to protest. He doesn't want to stop watching the dancing women. He feels like were he to do so, something horrible would happen though he can't think of what.

As he's pulled, Harry turns back for a second and sees the other young men in a similar trance-like state, while the older gentleman politely looks away. He sees Hermione, unphased and still trying to console the drunken elf as she covers her large ears against the chants.

He whines when the dancing women disappear from his sight entirely.

A slender finger flicks his nose and the warm fuzzy feeling dissolves, or rather fades, not gone just diminished. 

"Oh, stop drooling, Potter. You're surrounded by much prettier girls every day." Draco, it seems, hasn't missed a beat, his tone is sarcastic as usual.

Absently, Harry notes that the resemblance between Draco and the women has increased in the dark spot under the stairs. His hair seems to glow, lighting the small space. But it's only for a second, and then it's gone. 

'Probably just all the arena's lighting charms anyway.'

Harry rolls his shoulders and stands up. He hadn't realised how slouched over he'd been, watching the women. He feels a little sick from the trance like he'd been drugged. His head swims and he grabs onto the closet thing he can find which is, of course, Draco Malfoy.

Draco blushes. Harry doesn't notice. 

"'The actual bloody fuck was that? What are those things? I was about to . . ." Harry searches for the right words, sifting through the memories tinted by the fuzzy glow, "Jump off the railing or something. Thanks for getting me out of there." He can still hardly believe what he'd been about to do.

"Yes, and I just saved your life, Potter, now you owe me now. You were acting like even more of an idiot than usual."

'Like I wouldn't do anything for you.'

"Obviously." Harry grits his teeth, embarrassed about his reaction. He risks a glance back at the women, but they look entirely different now, snarling, with bony wings piercing through their backs like Renaissance paintings of fallen angels. The fuzzy feeling is gone, replaced by disgust. 

Yet even now, it makes Harry uneasy, like they're something that could be used to distract the masses during an attack. But of course, thoughts like that are merely a side effect of constantly being hunted. Still, Harry jabs an accusatory thumb at the bird-like creatures and asks, "What. The hell. Are they?"

Draco looks almost like he wants to laugh, but then thinks better of it, seadying Harry and explaining calmly. "They're Veela."

"And Veela are?" Harry prompts, a little angry, though he's not sure why. Every other male and a few females were doing just the same as him, all heart eyes and open mouths.

"Veela are one of the few hundred species of humanoid magical creatures. Most of the time they appear as beautiful people, but their true form is that." Draco frowns down at the screeching creatures. "It comes out whenever they get angry or are preparing to attack prey. Don't worry they won't attack now, they're just throwing a tantrum."

"You can understand them?" Harry asks.

Draco ignores the question, pressing on with his textbook-like explanation, "They also go by the name 'Sirens' or 'Harpies'. They're the less prevalent but more violent cousins of the Water Sirens, also known as Merpeople. They're also somewhat connected to the fae evolutionary line. Some live in forests, some live in coastal areas, and some are nomadic. No matter where they live, they enchant prey, lure them, and then go in for the kill. Bulgaria's mascots are female, so they didn't work on me. Obviously."

Harry rolls his eyes, "Let me guess, I was in the hospital wing when we learnt this?"

Draco laughs, "No." then he hesitates, "Actually I only so much because they're part of our family history." He doesn't continue, looking suddenly wary.

"Oh, did your family like to fight with them for land or something?" Harry asks, thinking that this is something Hermione would find more fascinating, or perhaps distressing given her reaction to Winky's treatment.

Draco looks slightly offended, "Who do you think we are, Harry, some band of pillaging thieves."

" . . . Well, we are British."

Draco cocks his head, not understanding the reference to muggle museums that Harry had been dragged to on the occasions Mrs. Fig couldn't take him.

"No, the Malfoy family has always had excellent relationships with magical creatures. Actually . . . my mother is half Veela." He waits, studying Harry's face, waiting for him to make an expression of disgust like he what he gave the creatures earlier.

But Harry is silent, a thoughtful look on his face. He doesn't know what to think, but he knows that it must have taken a lot for Draco to tell him this, to reveal that the supporting pillar of his superiority complex is a lie.

Maybe Harry should feel like his world has been shaken by this revelation, he doesn't know. All he knows is that his first thought is 'That's really cool.' even though that's lame if you're older than 10.

'Potter actually taking time to consider something? This is bad, bad, bad.' Draco can feel himself beginning to shake.

But all Harry says is, "So you're not a pureblood?"

". . . Yes." The words are nearly inaudible amidst the cheers and jeers of the rabid audience around them. After a second Draco speaks up again. "Father doesn't talk about it. Mother doesn't do much either. Mother doesn't have the same mother as her sister. Her father had a short relationship with the Veela who would become her mother when he was in France for his travels. But the Veela didn't want a child or a family, she was a nomadic forest dweller, a friend of the fae, so she left my mother in the care of my Grandad, who was heartbroken. I've never met my mother's mother, but at least Grandad's wife is nice. Mother says it's important to know about your history so we visit Grandad in France a lot. Dad doesn't come." The last part is said quietly.

Harry has the sudden urge to hug Draco but doubts that Draco would enjoy that even if the boy looks sadder than he's ever seen. He does nothing for a moment, then, "I'm sorry."

"I don't need your pity, Golden Boy." The words lack vitriol, and then gathering his composure, Draco finishes his explanation. "Since Veela are so rare, they don't get talked about much. They're sort of controversial. It's kind of a 'Wizards leave them alone and they leave wizards alone' thing."

"Oh, good to know, I guess?" Harry eyes the hissing creatures as ministry officers escort them from the field. They go less than willingly.

"There isn't too much known about them, and they like it that way. Most wizards, unless they're researchers, never meet one. Professor Quirrel told us he did, but . . ."

Both boys snort.

"Yeah, he probably wasn't the most reliable, after all, he had a lot going on in his head."

With the terrible pun, they descend fully into ache-inducing laughter, not noticing the players of both teams racing onto the field for introductions.

The boys turn to watch the ceremony silently.

Even with the deafening noise, it's still too quiet. Harry's ears ring.

"Have you ever been to a game like this?" It's a stupid question. 'Of course, he has. What's wrong with you?' Harry mentally smacks himself.

Draco doesn't look at him like he's stupid, or scoff, surprisingly. He just nods. "Yes. I sit somewhere in a box like the ministers by myself while Father schmoozes."

'That's sad.' Harry thinks, watching Ireland's chasers without really seeing them. It's getting too loud again, and the feeling of foreboding is back.

"Can you tell me about them? The games, I mean." 'Anything, really. Just to fill the silence, just to make this ringing stop.'

Draco nods and launches off into the story of the latest Magpie's game he attended. His words are coloured with rare smiles. And Harry watches him, taking every one of those smiles in as if he'll never see it again. Maybe he won't.

'He looks so different.'

And when Harry looks away, back to the game he so loves, allowing Draco's voice to blend into the background, it's Draco's turn to stare.

'He never looks at me for long. Like it hurts him to stay in one place for more than a few minutes. Is that because of He-who-must-not-be-named?' He sighs.

Meanwhile, Harry is more than a little annoyed with himself, for paying so little attention to his favourite game when this is probably his one chance to go to an event like this. He barely notices when Draco passes him a pair of Omnoculars he brought from home. He takes them wordlessly.

Events like these are regular occurrences for Draco so he takes this opportunity to stare at Harry unabashedly.

'He's so still now, focused. Merlin, he's something when he concentrates. Summer holiday almost made me forget. But more than anything, he looks at peace, content, and happy. I could never make him look like that, not when the last war drags behind my name like one of Mother's capes. I don't even know what Mother and Father's part in it was and yet that is all he'll ever see when he looks at me. Should I ask him? Would he tell me?'

-

The boys watch in silence for a while longer. Harry watching the field and Dracow watching Harry. But it isn't long before they get talking again, at first about the plays and then about home, or in Harry's case, the Burrow, and then about school.

Harry stops himself just as he almost mentions Sirius. He wants to, so badly he wants to, he's never wanted to tell anyone about his secret so much before. 

'The Malfoy's are related to the Blacks, right?' Harry remembers seeing the two names together when he was searching for Nicholas Flammel in first year. 'That would make Sirius, Draco's cousin. He wouldn't rat out his own cousin, would he? But then there's Snape . . . that complicates things. The Malfoys are close with Snape who hates my father, and Professor Lupin and probably anyone who knew them. Does that carry over? I know they'd hate my muggle-born mother, or at least Mr Malfoy would, but Sirius is a pureblood. No, better safe than sorry. Even if Draco wouldn't snitch his father might force him to, and then the ministry would catch Sirius.'

With Harry's hesitation, the conversation comes back to the topic both boys have been avoiding. How could it not when thoughts of Voldemort swirl violently in both of their heads?

Draco's face darkens. "Harry . . ." He says his first name hesitantly, worriedly, so different from the affectionate 'Potter' that's become a nickname.

Shyness isn't a trait Harry has seen in the Slytherin boy since he first approached him in the Library in second year. It looks wrong on him. Harry looks up, meeting grey eyes with his own green ones. Hoping to stare as intensely as Draco does, though he doubts he will succeed.

"Yes, Draco." Whatever it is Harry just wants him to just spit it out instead of fumbling around the bush. The feeling of bad things on the horizon has Harry on edge, he doesn't want to waste time

"H-has your scar been hurting, or anything like that?" Draco looks down as he says it.

"What?"

"You heard me." Draco snaps, then softer, the desperation he's worked so hard to hide leaking into his tone, "Please don't make me ask again."

"Oh, okay. . . . Yes. How did you know?"

"It's just that you mentioned last year that it hurt whenever He-who-must-not-be-named was near."

"Yeah, I did say that." There's something in Draco's voice that has Harry on edge. He's heard him jealous, annoyed, angry, smug, joyous, but never like this, never so devastatingly afraid.

"Have you noticed anything off lately . . . like any signs?" The question is vague, and they both know it.

"Signs? Like on the road? You know I'm only 14, I can't drive yet, not that the Dursleys would let me." The sass is only meant to fill the silence. The words dissolve into the thick air, almost as if they were never said.

"It's just that . . . I . . ." He stops, opening and closing his mouth a few times only for no sound to come out. The air is thick enough with sparklers and shouts to wrap itself around you and squeeze the air right from your lungs.

"Look, Draco, whatever it is, you can say it to me. I've gotten great at keeping secrets, and if it's about Voldemort I need to know!"

Draco flinches at the name, at Harry's sudden intensity, but nods, exhaling heavily, "I think something is going on, a-and I-I think it has something to do with my father."

Harry's eyes widened. "Your father?" But it isn't hard for him to believe. He saw how easily he'd slipped that book into Ginny's caldron that day, even if he hadn't noticed the practised motions at first. But Draco is his friend, he doesn't want him to have an evil father, impossible as it may be for him to do anything about it.

Draco's lip trembles. He knows it too. He didn't see the slip happen, but he heard whispers at home about the monster deep in the bowels of the castle, heard enough to slip the page to Hermione in the library. He knows, even if he wishes he didn't, even if he wishes he could unhear everything and be happy again like when he was younger. He knows, and as much as anyone would like there's no way he can't.

"Yes." He doesn't continue, not trusting himself to hold it together. He curses the weakness internally.

Harry waits, trying as best he can to tamp down the reflexes that tell Draco to spit it out and listen patiently. When he sees that words are failing him he decides to go first.

"You know, I've been having this dream, but it doesn't feel like a dream." It's the first time he's told anyone, "It feels like I'm really there, like somehow I'm seeing something through someone else's eyes, but I have no idea whose, and no idea why. The dreams are different every night, but they always have the same few things. A snake, and this man who looks about a half step up from complete madness. And they're plotting to kill someone . . . I think they're plotting to kill me."

Draco's looking at him now, focused and thoughtful, calming down. 'Good. I don't like seeing him so worked up, it's wrong.' So Harry continues.

"The latest one was an old house. The Riddle Estate, his estate . . ."

-

When Harry finishes Draco doesn't look calm. He looks even more panicked before, hands gripping the railing so hard his knuckles turn white. He pushes it down, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, calming himself before he speaks.

"So you think that he's back." He doesn't even want to say it aloud.

"I don't know what to think. I thought he was gone in the first year, then his diary came back, but the diary was destroyed so he shouldn't be able to, and yet . . ."

Darco nods, looking out at the crowd. 'All those people, thousands of people . . .' He tries to imagine the size of the crowd with all the muggle-borns, and half-bloods gone. It doesn't look good.

"Father has been talking about an event to happen at school this year, but there have been . . . other things as well." He can't look at Harry.

"Other things?" Harry has to prompt Draco again. It's like he can't make himself say the words like he's too afraid that will make it all real.

"He's had these people over."

"What people?" Oddly, as Draco keeps talking Harry grows more patient, not less, maybe because he can see the other boy fraying at the edges, a singular thought eating at him.

'I knew my father wasn't a kind man, but is he an evil one?'

"I- I don't know but they all wear these big black cloaks, like dementors. They go to the basement and lock the door, but I can hear them through the vent in my room. The things they talk about, Harry . . ." It's the second time today he's used Harry's first name, only about the third time ever. "Horrible things. Making Hogwarts more selective is one thing, but torture is-" a sob cuts him off, "I- I think my father is a murderer . . . I think he's one of them! And I think they're planning to do something tonight!" 

Draco crumples in on himself. Normally he looks older than Harry, so much more mature, and polished, but now he's just a 14-year-old boy who doesn't want a monster for a father. He might like to play at it with his friends, but he doesn't want anything to do with real evil.

Harry is deeply confused. "One of whom, Malfoy? Do what?" He feels the slightest bit awkward using Draco's surname after Draco hadn't used his.

"Death Eaters, Potter, Death Eaters. Don't tell me you don't know!" He sobs again, distraught, face buried in his hands.

Harry doesn't know. He doesn't know what Death Eaters are. He doesn't know what to do with the sobbing boy at his feet.

"I don't." he says stupidly, feeling less like 'The Chosen One' than ever. He's said a lot of stupid things today. 'Another pattern.' he thinks bitterly.

This only makes Draco sob harder. "They're his followers, Harry. Who else would they be!?" The words are thick under the tears. Harry doesn't need any more clarification. The dream invades his mind again, the gardener once again falling at his feet, eyes still wide in shock from whatever reptilian creature he saw in that chair before his untimely death.

Struggling to blink away the green, Harry kneels down, levelling with Draco. Normally he's the paranoid one, and Ron is assuring him that nobody is trying to kill him. "Uh, look, Mal- er Dr- Malfoy, thanks for telling me, but even if he is a Death eater, Voldemort is dead, there'd be no point in trying to follow a dead guy. . . . And this event has got loads of security, like everywhere. There's no way anything could happen." It isn't comforting, and Harry knows it. He doesn't even believe what he's just said, after all, Hogwarts is the most protected place in England and Voldemort already got in once.

Obviously, Draco isn't comforted, but neither boy needs to mention that, so he just sinks further into himself. Then after a while, Draco looks up, his face like a small child, "Are you going to tell anyone?"

He should. He knows it. But with Draco looking at him so desperately he can only ask, "Do you want me to?"

Draco shakes his head, then nods, "I don't know."

'He's still Draco's father. Would it be better to have an evil father than no father at all? I'll never know, but we shouldn't rush into this. His father is a respected member of the Ministry, an accusation would likely be dismissed unless there was heaps of proof. I doubt some suspicious meeting would get it.' Harry feels as if he's been momentarily possessed by Hermione with how much careful thinking he's done today.

'What would Hermione do? Hermione would want to give someone the benefit of the doubt. She'd gather as much evidence as she could, analyse it, and then make a conclusion. The Scientific Method. But if there really is to be some sort of attack tonight, then we haven't got much time. And with the way Mr. Malfoy looked at Draco earlier . . . like if he couldn't be useful he shouldn't exist at all. I didn't like it. Having him spy would be definatley dangerous.' He doesn't know exactly why or exactly when the thought of Draco getting hurt became so utterly off the table, the same as Ron or Hermione.

"Okay, erm, I believe you. But let's just take this slow. We need proof. And he's still your dad, so-"

"I know that!" The words are supposed to sound biting, Harry thinks, but Draco's voice is too broken.

Before Harry registers his movement he's against Draco, arms encircling the crying boy, pulling him closer, as if only Harry's arms could keep him safe. 

Draco freezes, then leans into it. They stay like that for a while, neither of them knowing how to end the contact without seeing the awkward look that must surely be on the other's face. Eventually, they do separate, both blushing, and both ignoring it. Wordlessly, Harry helps the still-stiff Draco back to his feet.

Footsteps behind them make both boys freeze like deer in headlights, but it's just an old woman and a young girl.

'Aren't they who Percy was yelling at earlier?'

"Oh, no need to stop on my account," she assures them as she walks by, smiling sweetly as she lets her granddaughter lead them back to their seats.

At this, the boys spring apart, as if having just touched hot metal.

"Sorry." Harry offers dumbly. "It's just Hermione, she likes to be hugged when she's upset, and Ron always hugs Hermione and me so I thought- Whatever."

Draco nods but gives no more response.

The two don't touch again, standing an awkward distance, too close for enemies but not close enough for friends. Strangers.

[rosurie]

⚡️and 💛!

⚡ - Your favorite Person of Interest or Non-Love Interest.

It is a very..VERY close race between Ivory Wraith and Niki. With IW, I just love the reincarnation/soultie trope that pc has going on with the Wraith. plus ANYTHING that adds a horror element immediately makes me start kicking my feet and giggling. with Niki..I just love a character who will act so nonchalant while doing shit that's definitely sexual in some manner [like when you do the café photoshoots]. AND NIKI'S JUST LIKE SO CALMING TO ME AND I JUST AAAA I LOVE A STOIC CHARACTER 🥰. also Harper gets an honorable mention for being a loser ♡

💛 - Weaknesses and strength your pc has.

Damsel

weaknesses: she's very physically weak. she has pretty strong legs but weak baby arms so if you apprehend her legs she's basically SOL until Noé comes to save her ass. she's a try-hard, which has results that can be good, but can also spiral into her needing to be the best at whatever she does even if it's detrimental to her. also she's extremely sensitive to drugs of any kind.

strengths: she's a very smart and sneaky girl, so she knows a lot about most everyone. she's also a great smooth talker! she's able to talk her way out of lots of situations. she's very reliable, when she says she'll do something [for someone she likes anyways], she gets it done [this is the afformentioned good result of her being a try-hard].

Noé

weaknesses: he'll tell you he has none because he is a god amongst men who cannot be swayed by anything and he's a brick wall of a guy. however, Damsel is his biggest weakness. he's so overly protective of her that she could be used as a boon. also @/koiifiishy's Sai is another weakness. he let's Sai get away with more than most because of how easily Sai bends to his will so he doesn't play when it comes to people messing with him.

strengths: he's quite literally huge. so fighting is no problem for him. he's also surrounded by an eerie and off putting coldness which he counts as a strength because it keeps weirdos away. plus he's very good at fooling the senses. he's charismatic despite his cold aura so it's usually quite easy for him to lure people in when he wants to.

Tamayo

weaknesses: she has a hard time telling people no and has a VERY low sense of self worth. like practically non-existent self esteem, she views herself as an object to be used sexually or violently. she's also almost always on the verge of a psychological break that she has to be consistently pulled back from.

strengths: she's genuinely a very sweet and polite girl beneath all the mania. she's also a very quick learner if you teach her something once, you never have to do it again because her memory is photographic.

Tomoe

weakness: Tomoe is so singularly focused on their own pleasure that they disregard everything else so they can be reckless to a dangerous degree [hence the overdose mentioned in the last ask]. he also doesn't think before he speaks and so he often gets into trouble. despite not being interested in dating, they do want the object of their interest to be primarily focused on them: they're a hypocrite.

strengths: girl idk. he's very street smart. if you ever need advice on where to get anything, he knows where to find it. you ever strapped for cash? he can help you find a way to get some. they're also very bubbly and outgoing! if you want to make friends easily, weasel your way into Tomoe's life.

[skyland2703]

📂+ Jungle Fury, Time Force and hmmm I guess any ranger(Well mainly Casey and Nate)

Casey: HE ACTUALLY DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO COOK. He can't even make coffee. If casey starts cooking, Fran brings out fire extinguishers.

But Casey is a quick learner. He does learn easily, and he DOES eventually learn to bake pizzas and do all sorts of artistry on it, learning from the one and only RJ, and experiments in all ways he can, and would custom make pizzas for customers, throwing anything and everything in the craziest combinations, catering to the customer's preferences (even more than regular pizzerias do)

And it works out so well that RJ actually puts a dish on the menu under the name of "Casey's Pizzas of Love" and these are his experimental pizzas, where no two pizzas can taste the same~

Nate: Nate secretly loves watching BL kdramas. You could sneak into his room at three in the morning, and find him curled up in his pjs with pillows, and all sorts of snacks, and binging any kdrama he can get his hands on.

He introduces Steel to the kdramas too, and uuuhhhhhh Steel picks up a lot of matchmaking tips from the kdramas, and also develops a taste for drama and... romantic things... and keeps setting Nate up with people he thinks he has a crush on~

And I’m gonna pick Wes and Eric from Time Force~

Wes and Eric: Wes loves baking, we all know that, but do you know what else we know? Eric loves eating Wes's baked goods. Eric is really conscious about his health, and wouldn't eat any junk food, generally, of course, but he just can't control himself when it comes to wes's cakes, or cookies, or cupcakes.

As a result... the time force team ends up running out of cookies every once in two days. Wes would put his choco chip cookies in the jar for the team to enjoy over the days, and the next morning, they're all gone. Nobody could understand who was eating them secretly— Eric wouldn't admit it, obviously— and the blame eventually lands up on Trip, who profusely expresses that he has had nothing to do with the cookies... follows Jen and Lucas's detective agency, trying to figure out who indeed stole the cookies........

Send “📂 + Character” for a random yet completely useless headcanon I have

[definitelynotapossum]

Battle Scarring

You can find this fic, and many more, on my ao3!

_______________________

An arrow whizzed through the air, striking the hay bale target with a distinct "thwack" before it fizzled with a slight crack of electricity, then stopped.

Zelda had wanted to learn how to use the shock arrows properly since, as Link learned the first time he used them, firing them wrong can result in the user becoming just as damaged as the target. That, and she felt like they were the type she should use. She found she had a knack for the electrically charged arrows, and they made her think of Urbosa.

Link had worried about her using such destructive ammo when she was still new to the bow, but he was able to craft a shock arrow that was far less devastating for her to start with. He watched her pull another from her quiver and load it. "You're a quick learner. Last week, it would have hit the pond." He pointed at the small body of water that was just behind the target.

Zelda shook her head at the memory. "Goddesses… all those poor fish. Serves me right for forgetting that electricity conducts rather well in water."

"It happens." He flinched slightly at the sound of another charged arrow hitting its mark, and crackling with electricity. "I promise you whatever mistakes you'll make with that thing will be nothing compared to what I managed to do with mine."

"Have you forgotten I kept watch?" She giggled. "I saw some of the ludicrous things you managed with those bomb arrows of yours. I'm surprised you came out of it all unscathed."

"Mostly." He pulled up his right sleeve and pointed at a small patch of skin that was warped and hairless compared to the rest of his arm. "That's what happens when you mix up your bomb arrows with your regular ones, then fire at close range. Kind of surprised this is all I walked away with."

Zelda sat the bow down in the plush grass, and walked over to him, looking at his arm. "I'm shocked your eyebrows didn't come off with it. I remember that fight. You were trying to dispatch a bokoblin, right?"

"Yep." Link cringed at the realization that she had seen that. Of all the things she had seen him do, it had to be that. 

The encounter had originally terrified her, but now she did her best not to laugh whenever she thought of it. She could still perfectly recall Link's high-pitched screams of terror. "You scared me to death, you know. Still do. I've probably got gray hairs from keeping watch over you." She placed a finger on the scar, feeling the formed ridges. "How have you walked away alive from most of these instances?"

" Most ." The memory of the guardian's laser gnawed at him before he shook it away. "Experience, pure luck, and a lot of healing elixirs."

"And plenty of calls to Mipha's power, I'm sure."

"I'm sure she's getting sick of saving my ass."

"Goddesses, I miss that woman." Zelda took another arrow from the quiver and set her sights back on the target. One final shot before resting. She fired and watched as the arrow hit the small, central dot in the center of the target. Bullseye. "What other scars have you collected from your various… excursions?"

"Misadventures?" Link corrected.

"Scuffles, if you will."

He had to think for a moment. Sure, there was no shortage of scars on his body, but he had forgotten the stories behind most of them. After a while, all the bokoblin bites and lynel scratches just blended together. He thought about the prominent one on his left eyebrow, which sliced right through it. "Got this one swimming with Sidon, one day."

Zelda raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah. He had me on his back, and I thought it would be funny to try and stand up. You know, like a surfboard. I guess…"

Zelda sheathed the bow, biting back a grin. "I think I missed this one. Do tell."

Link lowered his head, and his ears twitched, slightly abashed. "I… slipped off of him and got sent careening right into a rock. Got knocked out cold and he had to fish me out of the water." He blushed slightly. It wasn't one of his finest moments. The red hue deepened when he heard Zelda snort. "I could have been concussed, you know!"

"Nothing your brain hasn't already been through I'm sure."

"Hey-!"

"And this one?" She said, pointing to a cut in his ear. She used the tip of her finger to trace it slightly, and it made his ear twitch.

"Careful, it's sensitive." He perked them slightly. "Hate that one. Yiga scar. I was fighting one and his blade just barely scathed me, but I was left with… this. Makes it harder to hear out that side." The blade had taken out a sizable notch in his ear. Hylian ears were designed in such a way that they could hear the slightest movements. "Now I mostly just rely on my sight, and gut instinct."

Zelda's own ears mimicked his movements: a habit that had grown on her since the calamity. "I… definitely don't remember that one. I would have tried to help. Somehow."

He could see her slight frown. She probably couldn't have stopped it even if she wanted to, but, Zelda being Zelda, of course, she would still feel guilty. "Hey, It's alright. Just another scar. Believe me, there's worse and better." He said, pulling the collar of his shirt down slightly, exposing yet another blemish, and he started to talk about a lynel that had caught him off guard while he was riding away from the stables.

She learned very quickly that he was absolutely riddled with scars. She must have been busy when most of these happened because only a few of them jogged any memories. What had he gotten into? "My word… There are so many! How did I miss all of these?"

Link pulled his shirt back down over his torso, covering himself, and all the little imperfections, back up. Zelda mourned the loss. "You were pretty busy, you know, saving the kingdom and whatnot. I'm not the only one with scars. You got your fair share too." He gestured at her thigh. Beneath her pants, Link knew of a large mark she had earned when she launched herself between him and a bokoblin's mace. She couldn't walk for a week, and it had barely missed a major artery.

"That I did, but mine pale in comparison. You've been through… so much." She lightly grazed her hand over the covered mark on her thigh, the memory burning in her mind. Link had scolded her for what felt like hours for charging to his rescue like that. No matter. She would gladly do it again.

Link took a few tentative steps closer, close enough to catch her hand in a gentle cradle, rubbing his fingers along the back of it. "We both have. No more one than the other." Feeling bold, he brought her hand up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles, making her smile and blush. "We've come a long way, princess."

"That we have, Hero."

It was more than just the physical and mental scarring. Link was Link, he had always had his fighting spirit, but after Ganon's defeat, Zelda had accompanied him on pretty much every journey, hike, and battle he had gotten into. Though she was more than winded after the first few, she quickly learned to keep up. She had mastered her way with a sword, even finding her own technique, and was more than skilled with her power, now that she had a hundred years of usage on it. She was turning into a knight of sorts too.

It was more than her skills. Her body had changed too. Her physique closely matched that of Links, she just wasn't as skinny, and scars were starting to make themselves plenty. Hell, she had a new one forming on her calf from falling off her horse a week ago, and her hair was cut short, something she did immediately after a Yiga clan member had yanked her to the ground by her long ponytail. He had nearly sliced her in half while she lay there. 

Her hand still in his, he gently pulled her towards a nearby tree, its orange, and amber-colored leaves just beginning to fall. A telltale sign of the season's change. He spun her around slowly before placing his other hand on her waist, bringing her close. A little trick he had learned a hundred years back, waltzing in the ballroom. She admits that was the first time he had, literally and figuratively, swept her off her feet. "You were once a princess without a single scrape on your body. I'd call you fit to be a warrior now, or the most beautiful knight I've ever seen."

She giggled, still pressing close. "Only because of you. You kept me safe all those years ago. You still do. Though, I don't think I'd quite recognize myself now. All bruises, bumps, and muscles."

Link had let go at this point, stretching his arms as far as they could go, then leaning back against the tree's rough-barked trunk. "Man, what would that young princess in Hyrule Castle think if she saw you?" He said, referencing a young, less experienced Zelda.

"I think she'd faint."

"In terror or joy?"

She leaned back with him. "Both, and you? What would that little countryside farm boy think of you?"

"Oh, he would drop dead ." They both laughed at that. "The Princess' royal knight, hero of Hyrule, and I can talk now? He wouldn't believe it."

It was true. Before the Calamity, Link was best known by his fellow knights for being unusually silent. Even the princess had commented on it a few times before she had grown fond of him. " You never even chirp. You can't always let your sword speak for you, you know. Part of being in the royal family is having quick wit, and a sharp tongue."

"Like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly." Zelda took a seat under the tree, with the ground covered in once near-extinct silent princesses. She patted the dirt next to her, silently asking Link to sit next to her. "You've come a long way, hero. You should be proud, and I think it should be commended. If I could see to it that a ceremony be held, I would. I guess my praise will have to do for now."

Link smiled. "Your praise is more than enough."

"Yeah? Guess I'll have to say it more often."

"We should both be commended. I mean… look at you."

"Look at me." She copied, gesturing to her body.

"Oh, I am." He punctuated it with a cheeky wink.

"Ugh, you are truly awful." She gave him a light biff to his arm. "If only my father could see me now. I look like I could lift a bull, I probably could, and if he heard my profanity now, he'd fucking gasp too." That earned a chuckle from Link, but he watched solemnly as her smile faded, and she looked at something on the distant horizon. "I feel like I've lost half of what makes me a princess."

Lost it? She seemed more like a Princess now than she ever was. Fit to be queen, if Link could have a say in it. "Zelda." The sudden change in tone made her tense. "You are still very much a princess to me. You haven't lost a single bit of your charm or beauty, and if anything, I'd say you've gained a whole lot more."

"You think so?" Her eyes were still focused on the distant hills.

Aiming to shake her from her downcast state, he silently scooted up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist, making her squeal in surprise. He pulled her back into his body, and placed little, feather-light kisses along her neck, making her chuckle and sigh. "I do think that, Zel."

"Zel…" she turned and cupped his face in her hand. "Now there's a name I haven't heard in… a long time."

"You'll hear it more. I promise. I remembered how much you liked it." Lifting his head, he saw that the sky had begun to take on a slight pinkish glow. Night was on its way and, as much as he'd like to stay right there, all night, a snug, shared bedroll in their tent was much more enticing. "Sun's setting, love. Wanna get a move on?" He held out a hand for her to take, and pulled her up off the ground.

"Alright, but I choose where we set up camp this time." She began collecting their things and went to pull her used arrows out of the hay bale.

"What? What was so bad about last time?"

That earned him an eye roll. "You may be used to sleeping on sharp rocks, but I'd at least like a nice patch of grass under the tent. With my luck, you'd stick us over a mud puddle."

Link gestured defeated, though he would admit he was used to just picking random spots and setting up camp. Zelda had a much better sense of comfort than he did. Good thing she was royalty. "Alright. Alright, I'll get the horse."

He returned a few minutes later with a blood bay stallion in tow. Zelda took her time tying everything snug onto the saddle before she took his hand, and he lifted her up with him. 

She wrapped her hands around his waist, leaning into him. "Let's go, Hero." 

"As you wish." With a click and a light boot to its side, the horse reared slightly, and they sped off toward the forest, leaving their cozy little archery spot behind.

[valyrfia]

“16 How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Share one of them?” For the fic writers asks!!! curious to see what else you’re currently thinking up :))

The number of ideas I'm nurturing changes every day to be honest! I gain some from listening to music, driving around my town, interactions with people, anything really. And then I lose them when I start writing a lot of the time or compile two separate ideas together etc. So in terms of number of ideas have made it out of that stage and actually into the deep plotting/writing stage: about 8. A fair few of these are Lestappen Week fics!

The piece of work I think I'm the most excited about right now is the fic I'm desperately trying to get done for tonight, my Lestappen Week Day 2 fic (a day late). It's a soulmate AU and heavily inspired by Amor Fati, a fic I read as a teenager and has haunted by brain ever since. It's a soulmate AU where nothing special happens when you meet your soulmate, you just have some sort of words or symbol on your wrist and you're just kind of suppose to....figure it out. I do love a good old-fashioned soulmate AU don't get me wrong, but I also love stories where despite all circumstances, the characters choose each other regardless. I think that's why I loved Amor Fati, and why I wanted to pay homage in a Lestappen flavour. My fic is entitled For Rarely Man Escapes His Destiny and I'll include a snippet below the cut. I'm really trying to get this on ao3 tonight so keep an eye out!

Max fights him back the only way he knows how, risky manoeuvres on-track and biting words off-track that earn them both more than a few warnings from the adults around. Slowly, they learn though, Max can feel the buzzing of Charles’s kart behind him, an inescapable sound that he knows how to counter. Charles though is an infuriatingly quick learner. He learns Max back, knows when to trail him, learns the chinks in his armour. The way Max goes wide on corners, his temper, quick to anger, all of them Charles puts his finger on and pushes, resulting in many more close calls than Max would’ve liked. 

The rest of the season continues as such, the two of them learning a complex choreography impossible to explain. When Max tries, coming back from Italy, his father’s mood turns black and sour, much like the multiplying clouds outside the windshield. 

“Don’t talk about him,” he warns, his face heavyset in a scowl. “That’s how he’s gotten inside your head in the first place. He’s another competitor, nothing more.”

The words sit ready on the end of Max’s tongue vexed, “He’s reckless and I have to deal with this all the time, will probably have to forever since his godfather’s already in Formula 1 so he’s basically destined to get a seat-”

Jos slams on the brakes, indicating in towards a rest stop. “No one’s destined but you Max,” he says, his words are mild, but his face is turning more and more red. “The words don’t lie.”

Max doesn’t see the warning signs though, pushes on, “They lied for you and Mamma.”

Jos leaves him alone at that rest stop, when Sophie comes to pick him up hours later in the pitch black, he spends the whole way back to Belgium staring out the window, the words on his wrist searing.

[domxmarvel]

Avengers Preference-FTM

3 Year Masterlist    

Prompt: Pride month  FTM!Reader

Warnings: Mentions of periods,top scars,brief mention of dead name

Loki

There was gonna be a huge ball at the palace. Loki had dragged you along,you weren't a big fan of parties you couldn't remember the last time you'd be to one. Of course Loki wouldn't let you anywhere near the ballroom without the right attire,he had gone through his entire closet. Picking a couple outfits and setting them to the side.

"Alright,take your clothes off" You froze,you hadn't told him yet. "Y/N?" 

"Loki there's something I have to tell you"

"If you're embarrassed I promise I won't look"

"It's not that,although I appreciate it. It's actually my scars,no one has seen them yet. And I haven't even told you that I'm"He reached out putting his hand on top of yours.

"Y/N it's okay believe me I understand and you don't have to say it until you want. Now try these on" He got up and turned his back to you. 

"Loki you can look,but how did you know?" He turned to face you.

"I'm not exactly clueless on these things" You knew exactly what Loki was referring to,what everyone else called 'lady Loki' who was beautiful and you were always supportive of who Loki was. "Now come we can't be late"

***

Walking into the ballroom,your arms entwined. A few people stared but they didn't last long. Suddenly a woman walked up to you. Before she had a chance to say anything Loki greeted her.

"Hello mother,I'd like to introduce you to Y/N. My,what is it that midgardians say?" He thought for a moment "Boyfriend" He blurted out. She turned to face you,smiling.

Dr.Strange

Training was longer today,the ancient one had put you in charge of training Stephen. Begin one of the best helped a lot,Stephen was a quick learner and you couldn't be happier with how far he'd come in a short time. Since you spent so much time together you were naturally close,which resulted in you developing a crush on him. 

He managed to knock you to the ground,but quickly knelt down.

"Y/N are you okay?"He asked. You could feel your binder digging into your ribs,it was getting hard to breathe. 

"I'm fine" He helped you up. "That's enough for today" You walked back to your room,quickly taking off your binder. Taking a few deep breaths,suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Y/N" 

"Yes?" You opened the door slightly,not enough for him to see much.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay" He pushed the door slightly. "I was worried since you were wearing your binder for a long time" He pushed the door open and walked in.

"You knew?" He just nodded. 

"I just want you to know that I don't think of you any differently" Moving closer you kissed his cheek.

"Thank you" He smiled at you "But don't think I'll go easier on you"

Bucky

Bucky was curled up on the bed,he was shirtless and you could see his scars. Before you realize you started tracing them with your finger,you felt him shiver. He moved onto his side and you moved to lay down,putting your arm around him. You felt a bigger scar just near his abs,you moved to sit up. Bucky rolled over onto his back,letting you see the scar more clearly.

"Where's this from?" You asked without thinking. 

"It's a long story" 

"Sorry I didn't mean to"

"It's okay,I'm actually surprised it took you so long to ask about any of them" He sat up,his back against the headboard.

“Well you never asked about mine”He had seen your scars a few times,but he never said anything.

“I just thought you didn’t want to talk about it. But now that you brought it up how did you get those?” 

“They’re from my top surgery”You explained,before you could say anything else he pulled you into a hug. You kissed his cheek,he took off his dog tags putting them on you instead. You didn’t ask,you just kissed him again.

Peter parker/Spider-man

Peter was one of the first people you came out to,you had been friends for years. He had been there for you through your transition. Today you were going to get top surgery and Peter came with you. 

“So how do you feel?”

“Like a weight has been lifted off my chest”He laughed,putting his hand on your arm. “Thank you for coming with me”

“Anytime”

After a few hours you were let out,Peter insisted that you stay with him while you were recovering. You were watching a movie when Peter suddenly asked.

“Y/N do you wanna go out with me sometime?”His face was completely red as he avoided your eyes. 

“I’d love to”You leaned forward,pressing your lips onto his cheek.

Tony Stark/Iron man

You rushed down to the lab.

“Tony!”You quickly ran into his arms,crying.

“Y/N,what’s wrong? What happened?”He asked,panicked. Picking up your phone you showed him the article,he took your phone as you continued crying. You knew what you were getting into when you started dating Tony,but you never expected that someone would go as far as to out your birth name. “Y/N,I’m so sorry. I promise you they won’t get away with this” He held you until you calmed down,his hands rubbing your back.

“What now?”You asked.

“I have an idea but you’ll need to be there with me”

Since it was pride month,the news of your outing was met with support from the community. Along with a lot of criticism to the reporters and news outlets. You felt a lot better knowing that you weren’t the only one upset. Although Tony still wanted to go through with his plan and so did you. You were both going to a pride parade,he had draped a flag over your shoulders like a cape. And painting the flags on your cheeks. You couldn’t be happier standing there with Tony,just being confident in who you are.

Natasha romanoff/Black widow

You knew today was gonna be terrible,you got your period and everything was awful. Thankfully there weren’t any emergencies today,which meant you could stay in bed all day. You were mindlessly scrolling on your phone,when Natasha walked in.

“Hey feeling any better?”She asked,rummaging through the paper bag she was holding. “I brought some stuff that might help”

“I feel better,thank you”You gave her a quick kiss. 

“Now move over”She laughed,climbing in beside you.You wrapped your arm around her. “So you wanna watch a movie or something?”

“Only if we can cuddle”

“Sure as long as you don’t fall asleep on me”She laughed,grabbing the remote.

Hela

No one dared say anything to you,since you were dating the goddess of death. Hela was extremely proud of you and would show you off like you were her treasure. Which you secretly loved,the way she talked about you was enough to make you blush like crazy. Today just wasn’t a good day for you,your dysphoria had been acting up worse that usual. You avoided mirrors and any type of reflective surface,not wanting to see your reflection. Hela was in the throne room as you made your way in;she looked you up and down,she quickly gestured to one of the guards. They left as soon as you reached the throne. 

“Something bothering you?”She stood up,taking your hand in hers.

“No,I'm fine.”You lied,avoiding her eyes. 

“Y/N please don’t lie to me,i can tell that you’re not fine”You walked out to the balcony behind the throne,with Hela following you. You leaned over the balcony,looking over Asgard. 

"What do you think they'd say?" Hela stood beside you,a confused look on her face. "About me? If they knew"

"They wouldn't,no one would dare say anything about my king. And if they did they'd have to deal with me" She pulled you closer,kissing you as your hands wrapped around her.

Shuri

Shuri had called you telling you to come to the lab,she had said that she was working on something for you. But didn’t tell you what it was. As you walked in you noticed that it was surprisingly empty,looking around you only saw Shuri. 

“There you are!”She stood up,pulling you along to a table. “When you told me you're transgender I did some research into binders and I remembered hearing you complain that they're uncomfortable,and I didn't want that"

You pulled her close,kissing her cheek. It warmed your heart that she did,even though she didn’t have to. She smiled at you. “As I was saying,I didn’t want you to be in pain all the time. So i did what i do best” She said clearly proud of herself,she handed you a binder. The material of it felt a lot softer though.

“Do you want me to try it on now?”

“If you want to”Her tone made it obvious that she wanted you to wear it. She turned around letting you take your shirt off,your binder was difficult to take off and got stuck. You turned away from Shuri.

“Shuri,could you help me?”

“Of course”You felt her hands on your back,pulling your binder over your head. “I can promise that you won’t have to worry about that with mine”You couldn’t see but you knew that she was smirking. You put on the one she made,she was right it was way more comfortable than a regular one. It wasn’t too tight but it still made your chest look flat.

“Shuri you can look now” She turned to face you,smiling.

“Looks like I got the size perfectly. How do you feel?”

“A lot more comfortable than my old one”You joked.

“It’s not too tight is it? It’s not affecting your breathing?”She asked,carefully touching it, avoiding your chest directly and only touching your sides.

“It’s incredible Shuri,you practically did the impossible”You reassured her,giving her a kiss.

M’baku

It was just a normal day,nothing was really going on. So you just walked up to the throne room,finding M’baku sitting on the throne. When he saw you,he gestured for you to come over. He immediately pulled you into his lap.

“Did you sleep well,my prince?” You chuckled,putting your arm around his shoulders. He kissed you,putting his arm around your waist. 

“I love it when you call me that.”You moved to kiss his jaw down to his neck,he laughed. Last night was incredible,it was the first time you had sex with him. You were thinking about it,when suddenly you noticed that the room was empty. He put his hand on your thigh

“How do you feel? I wasn’t too rough was I?”He asked,and you quickly kissed him.

“Not at all. Last night was amazing”He smiled,clearly proud of himself. “Can you call me that again?”

“Call you what?”He asked,you blushed avoiding his eyes. “My prince”You buried your head into his neck.

T’challa

Your relationship had been a secret,while T’challa’s father was the king. But when he became king,nothing could stop him. Both Shuri and his mother were proud,Shrui was the only person who knew before he became king. She was always there for both of you. You were happy with T’challa,but you were scared of what the people would say. Not that they dared since he was the king,but you still thought about it. You were laying in bed with him next to you.

“Do you think the people of wakanda hate me?”He instantly bolted up.

“What are you talking about,darling? No one would say that”

“They don’t have to”You got up walking towards the window,he followed you. “I mean they probably think it’s already bad enough that you’re dating a man,let alone that I’m trans. And don’t even get me started on the whole heir to the throne problem” He immediately looked concerned and worried,you had never seen him like this. 

“Y/N you know that I love you,I don't care what anyone says. Or traditions all i care about is the man i love and that’s you. I want you to stay with me,for as long as I’m king no one will ever disrespect you and get away with it. Y/N will you marry me?”You froze,you had a feeling he was gonna ask you but not like this not now,although your answer was still the same.

“Yes I will”

[ddarker-dreams]

What would moving in with the yan genshin characters be like? I can imagine scaramouche forcing us to be his house wife while childe will be the house wife himself. But overall who is the most acceptable character to move in with?

gonna be rating this scale from best to worst. as always, even the "best" is still a very unhealthy relationship, i'm just using those words since they're easy to understand hjtrkmegr so here we go ...

zhongli - zhongli’s a weird one in the sense he likes seeing you out and about in liyue. it’s endearing for him to happen upon you assisting qiqi with her chores or giving xingqui pointers on his latest work. gives this old man lots of warm fuzzies, like awe, darling is doing their little darling thing, how cute. while you are stuck with him, you’re not outright confined to staying in a house all day so long as you don’t try anything stupid. zhongli wants to experience the beauty of his nation with you by his side. that’d be difficult to do if you were always indoors, thus a contract was born: you are to stay within the confines of liyue lest you be punished by the lord of geo himself. trying to flee him in liyue is pointless since he’s the one who practically carved it into existence. the rocks and mountains themselves bow to him, heeding his every command. to sum up, just don’t try it. you do have a curfew though — no staying out after dark without him. he gets lonely if he’s home without you. 

diluc - diluc is the most inclined to let you do your thing. there are safety precautions for sure, some of which can feel almost insulting at times (like not being allowed to use knives, meat and such is cut up for you, but other than that, you can do as you please. you wake up and go to bed whenever you want. the west wing of the manor is yours to explore, and there’s plenty to look at. a gallery room filled with paintings, a ballroom, a conservatory, libraries with every book you could ever think of and more... lots to do. diluc operates in a way where you won’t see him unless you want to, since he tries to avoid agitating you. when he’s home, you can find him in his office, and he’ll drop just about anything he’s doing if you initiate conversation. all he wants you to do is be happy (as much as you can be in captivity), and healthy.

childe - childe is similar to zhongli where he enjoys watching you go to-and-fro but for very different reasons. zhongli leaves you be whereas childe always interferes with things. you’re living with anxiety, constantly glancing over your shoulder in case childe may be tailing you. if he is and doesn’t want you to know, there’s no point in doing this, you won’t be finding him. you also aren’t allowed to roam an entire nation. whatever city you’re in is as far as you can go without having childe by your side. a few fatui agents trail behind you in case you want to buy things, or at least that’s the reason they tell you they’re there; you know the truth. childe wants to stop you from fully escaping. he also has times for you to be back home, though that’s subject to change, since he has a chaotic schedule. he’ll take care of most house things out of habit but has an odd fixation on watching you cook. the two of you end up cooking together often as a result. he adores watching you chop things up, trying oh so hard not to look in his direction, clearly weighing the prospects of stabbing him. childe finds it cute. 

albedo - albedo is around you a fair amount. he’s an early riser, up hours before you are, tending to various things for the day ahead. he makes sure you eight hours and maybe a little extra on weekends. he cooks a majority of your meals, and while you’d have to give pointers on seasoning to avoid constantly eating bland food, he’s a quick learner. albedo keeps the area you live in tidy. the one room that’s a mess is his office, with papers and half open books strewn about. what you find the most irritating about living with albedo (aside from the fact you don’t want to be there to begin with), is how he sneaks up on you. you swear you need to put bells on him or something because this man moves like a ghost. you’ll be reading a book, then all of a sudden, albedo is there, making you jump out of your skin. no matter how many times you beg him to walk louder or something, he never does it. he murmured something about your hypothalamus and jotted down notes. 

kaeya - kaeya is the definition of a lazy roommate. while he’s not a downright slob, he forgets to put stuff back where it needs to be, and you have to remind him to do basic chores. he’ll listen to you on maybe the third warning. he bothers you the most after getting him from a long day of work, wanting to bask in every ounce of your attention. say goodbye to whatever you were doing because he’ll throw it out the window if you start ignoring him. his favorite thing to do is picking your brain. kaeya is excellent at getting people to talk, so you’ll be subject to verbal poking and prodding for his entertainment. you end up conversing with him for hours, a fact he’s smug about. 

scaramouche - this man is living in a mindset from like four centuries ago. he expects his spouse to maintain his estate since that’s what he observed noble couple’s doing during his time as a wanderer. so you’re coerced into marrying him, brought to this big house, then given a checklist of things to do. a true romantic. he also likes that if you’re busy, you won’t have time to plot against him. idle hands are the devil's workshop and all that. if you run out of stuff to do, he’ll make things up on the spot. there is an exception to this. when he’s home, he expects, no, demands, your undivided attention. that visit from a diplomat he claimed to be of the utmost importance earlier? forget about it, that person isn’t worth the effort, who cares. come give him attention instead or he starts brooding. there’s a tangible aura of darkness that clings to him if you’re not acknowledging him enough. 

kazuha - maybe it’s not that bad if you like to travel, but he is constantly on the go, so even if you’re a fan of traveling, chances are you’ll get tired of it by month number five. you’ll be sleeping under the stars (with his arms secured tightly around you to “keep you warm” in the colder seasons), or in a cabin on a rocking boat. here’s to hoping you don’t get seasick because it’ll be hell if you have that and a clingy kazuha to contend with. don’t even think about sneaking off on a rowboat, his senses are unfairly sharp, he’ll wake up at the slightest change in air from you getting up. if you complain about having sore muscles from sleeping on an uncomfortable bed he’s willing to massage you though. for hours. every grievance you have about your living conditions he finds a way to calmly brush aside, coming up with a solution fast enough. 

xiao - xiao is the least adept with understanding your needs (both physical and emotional), from anyone listed here. it’s not that he isn’t trying, he’s putting in more effort than he would for any other mortal, it’s just that nuances are lost on him. he’ll get you most things you want if you can give a good reason for needing them though. you have to have lots of patience to get things through to him. xiao doesn’t require the same things you do, so there’s almost no sign he was ever there if he’s not present. no personal belongings or anything. it’s kinda creepy. if you were to ever point this out to him, he wouldn’t have much of a reaction, but would start leaving trinkets around hoping it’d fix the problem.

[lonelyridesinecto-one]

A Date w/ The Right Guy

Egon Spengler • She/Her Pronouns • ANGST/SFW • GB!Reader (GB - Ghostbuster)

“What? Like…a date?”

“I’m confused if you’re more surprised that I asked you, or the general idea somebody asked you out” Peter smirks towering over Y/N propped against the door as she moved to lean against the other side of the frame.

“Fine Venkman. I’d love to”

“Great, tomorrow I’ll come get yea at 7?”

“I don’t live anywhere exciting yknow Pete” Y/N laughs slipping away from him as his gasp for a response only made her laugh more.

“You live here!” He yells and waited for her to leave the barn entirely before quickly running upstairs into the kitchen where the rest of the guys reside. “Okay guess who has a date with our quick learner Y/N”

“Egon?” Ray questions making Winston choke on his drink as Egon elbows him for exploiting that. But Peter clearly didn’t care nor waited for his own guessing game.

“This guy” Peter smirks proud of himself while pointing toward himself as Ray and Winston shared an exchange before turning to Egon for a response. But the doctor just ignored it for the moment. “Wow guys love the rousing support”

“We’ll it’s a date. A social construct between two adults that happen almost every day. And since we are in New York, there’s a lot of desperate people”

“Love to know I’m in that group”

The four quickly turned to the door showing Y/N entering the kitchen as she didn’t seem annoyed and or upset by the comment. She was a little desperate to be back in the dating world, she was just a bit upset that it’s Peter. She expected someone else to get their head out of their ass to ask her out.

“I’ll be in the lab if you need me for anything more” Y/N says after grabbing herself a cup of coffee and leaving the room.

Ray gave Egon a quick glance to find him embarrassed for saying such out loud. He didn’t think Y/N would come in or take it personally. Not that she didn’t entirely, but still. As Ray got up to go do something real quick, Peter took his seat and started to tell the two what he plans on doing which only infuriated Egon.

Y/N was checking the capacity and levels for the containment unit when Ray came into the lab.

“You’re stupid”

“Compared to the rest of you maybe. But my masters degree is still a masters. What did I do this time Ray?” She states as she logs down the information she collected.

“How would you agree to a date with Venkman when you like Spengs?”

“Did Spengler make the effort to ask me out?” Damn it Ray. “Peter wouldn’t be my first choice either, Ray. And I…I don’t want to prepare for the worse or go all out because I know how he is when a certain woman calls him during the day but I want to be taken out. Feel like somebody wants me. Just this once” Y/N frowns setting the clipboard down and trying her hardest not to cry in front of Ray but it happened anyway. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to pine over a guy that you’ve loved since university? And I don’t mean when we were professors, I’m talking when we were students—that met in that paranormal club you made. I…Ugh. It’s pointless to get worked up about it” she states wiping away her tears as she groans out of annoyance over herself.

“Y/N…I know Peter isn’t your first choice, but you’re like a sister to me. I don’t want the guy hurting you in any way”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t” Y/N got the last word in when the alarm went off for an urgent bust of course. “Welp. Duty calls”

———

Y/N trails behind Ray and Peter as they arrive to the library to handle whatever this man said he saw. She carried her camera close lighting up to see Egon as they snuck up behind his distracted self. Peter of course messing with him and slamming a book on the desk to startle the poor guy. Resulting in her smacking Venkman upside the head.

“Ow!”

“Shh!” Several people told Peter.

•

“Okay I’ve got a plan”

“Should you tell us or oh—“ Y/N slowly follows. “We’re just conducting”

Inching closer to the aberration, Ray being Ray suddenly yells “Get her!” Resulting in the you guessed it—the aberration scaring the four and without thinking or realizing, Egon pushed back instantly grabbing Y/N’s hand before booking it out of the library.

———

As the night rolls into the next day, Y/N having the only room to herself at the firehouse-sat across her vanity touching up her make up as she suddenly felt anxious. Peter is okay and all, not the type to push anything…more like make it seem like it was your decision. But she couldn’t stop thinking about how he is about a certain someone.

Then the phone started ringing, and Y/N quickly answered.

“Y/N speaking” Y/N picked up one of her few lipsticks before smiling. “Hi Dana, how are you?”

“I don’t understand what was wrong with that guy” Ray sighs stepping out of Ecto-1 covered in slime.

“I would’ve thought that from the countless times of you coming up with the “go get them” plan, that the probability of it happening again would be low.” Egon sighs taking his glasses off annoyed at the amount of slime that got on them. “So, Chinese?”

“Hmm. Yeah why not, let’s get this crap off first”

“I’ll take care of the trap, then clean up”

“Alright. The usual?” Ray questions as Egon nods while retrieving the trap from the back of Ecto.

As Egon headed down to the lab to clean out the trap, he spotted Y/N sitting on the couch reading one of her books. Thought she was going out with Venkman…He thought as he continued to stare into the back of her head before realizing what he came down there for.

“Evening, Y/N”

Y/N slowly turned around finding the doctor covered in slime as she couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped from her.

“You look like you had fun, Spengler”

“I wouldn’t exactly say it was fun to be slimed on what’s supposed to be an easy job” He sighs putting the trap in the containment slot as Y/N set her book down along with the tea she had gotten earlier while getting ready, then rising from the couch heading toward Egon.

Egon waited for the light to change as he watches Y/N slowly approach him. She was gorgeous. Even if the little lady wore ankle black converse with her short red dress. He preferred her without make up like what he normally sees every day but god was she an artist with many talents.

“When is Peter coming to pick you up?”

“Mm. Unfortunately, Doctor, I was stood up for an old flame” She says as she gently removes his glasses to clean off the slime that stuck to them with a nearby towel. “He didn’t have the balls to tell me himself, instead…I received a call from a rather excited Dana but don’t tell her I told you that she admitted to being excited to see Venkman”

“I promise you I won’t…but wow. Aren’t I the lucky one to see you in what he was going to receive” Egon froze when Y/N rose on her tippy toes to gently return his glasses back to where they belong.

“If I thought about it a second time Egon, I would’ve thought you liked little ol’ me” She smiles and before she could even think of the next sentence is when Egon caresses her cheek causing her complexion to redden.

“You shouldn’t have to waste the time put into your look, just to hang around the firehouse. Give me a moment to get un-slimed and meet me by Ecto-1” Egon states not taking no for an answer as he goes to get cleaned up after pulling the empty trap out.

Y/N did what he said and waited against Ecto-1 for Egon when Ray came down with a grin on his face.

“What are you in on?”

“Hey! I didn’t know Egon was going to ask you. He told me about Peter and I’m sorry about it. But shortly after he told me what he did and trust me. The man is just as nervous as you are! Now if you’ll excuse me…spring rolls have my name on them” Ray leaves the firehouse to get his dinner and not shortly after, Egon came downstairs.

The man always looked good in a suit, but now feels different. Even if neither has established if this were a date yet. God she hopes it is.

“So…what’s on the agenda for tonight? Drinks?”

“You deserve much more than lousy drinks at a bar, I have a plan if you’re willing to let me take the lead”

“Of course, Dr. Spengler”

“Egon. Please…I love it when you call me Egon” The boldness made himself blush as Y/N hasn’t stopped since he told her he was taking her out.

———

“I’m studying quite a few things. Columbia is only adding to my doctorates” Egon tells Y/N as she walks on the edge of the fountain while he trails on the ground talking more about his studies.

“Do you think there’s such thing as ghost dogs? Cats!…Uhm. Fish?” Y/N questions as Egon laughs a bit shrugging to the question. “Mm. I think floating ghost fish would be a personal nightmare of mine”

“I believe that would be pretty rad, if they weren’t attacking one for revenge purposes” Egon states, finally sitting down as Y/N moves to the left side of him to sit. “The poor cats”

“What you think cats are their only enemy?”

“Would you like me to put in your head about a giant orca ghost coming? Or a blue whale”

“Nope. Nope! Shut up” She playfully pushes him to stop as Egon couldn’t help but laugh.

———

“Stop making fun of me! That bust was A NIGHTMARE!”

“At least your theory now exists. Quite surprising to see them chasing the poor lady’s house cat” Egon smiles, simply enjoying that laugh of hers. “Venkman could’ve done a better job at containment instead of letting you get surrounded by harmless phantom cichlids”

“Harmless is an understatement” Y/N sighs embarrassed to be terrified of ghost fish covering her face a second before resting her hand on the table, that Egon hesitantly tries to hold her hand.

The two sat for a moment in comfortable silence while conversation happened around them in the semi crowded. Then the smallest gesture of Y/N hooking her pinky with Egon’s. Nothing too crazy, but just enough to make them both comfortable.

“Do you…Uhm” Egon cleared his throat as the distress tried not to express itself with how nervous he was starting to get. His confidence was dying down but so was his anxiety when Y/N slowly but surely takes his hand into hers gently rubbing circles with her thumb.

“Hm?”

“Sorry, you make me nervous…a-and not in a bad way I must note that immediately but I’ve wanted this for the longest time and thought I lost my chances when Venkman asked you out” Egon admits as Y/N couldn’t help her face heat up to his words.

“I didn’t want Venkman asking me out to be honest with you…I was a little desperate and a bit of a fool of myself”

“Now why would you say that?”

“I should’ve just. Bucked up and asked you out myself instead of dealing with rejection of an asshole like Venkman” She frowns. “It’s not worth being upset over when what I’ve wanted since Colombia is happening right now”

“We both know Venkman is a wild card when it comes to his dating life. Of course it stings to be rejected overall, I was terrified of such. Have been since…well if we are admitting to things I believe it’s appropriate to also agree that I also had feelings for you since our Colombia days.”

“Guess everything is coming out in the open now isn’t it?” Y/N slowly brought back that smile of hers as Egon squeezes her hand gently before rising slightly and taking a chance to press his lips against hers.

Y/N didn’t pull away or have any signs of doing so. She brought her free hand to rest on his cheek as she continues to kiss the man she’s been wanting to kiss since forever. Egon parts from her for air as he brought his chair closer to her so he could lean into her a second time more comfortably. Soft and sweet was all he thought as he went in a second time as Y/N couldn’t help but say “Finally” as they parted once again.

“Well…Took us long enough”

“Certainly”

[rigelmejo]

So I've been mulling over a few ideas. It involves ALG (automatic language growth) related ideas, Comprehensible Input (as in the actual lessons designed to be visually understandable) ideas, and massive immersion approach ideas (Refold is like this - mass amounts of content you personally find comprehensible enough to follow the main ideas at least).

Now, there's learners who study one of those approaches may personally feel their method is the best (or the only one) that will provide the results they desire. If that's how a learner feels, cool, continue with what you're doing, if I end up failing miserably and sucking it's no big deal. I imagine a learner doing one of the other methods above may feel similarly to you, but thinking their approach is the only 'best' one. I'm not trying to argue about which is best. I think they're all good 'enough' approaches, and that's how I'm mulling over the things I've been thinking about. That's all I care about, is a method 'good enough' to get some X result eventually?

And I think all 3 of the methods I mention above, do eventually get learners to the result of: understand spoken language quickly/without much lag time trying to parse what was said and feel it is understandable pretty naturally like one's own native language (so: do not need to remember the translations in your head). This is the idea I want to look into: why do these 3 methods all eventually help with understanding spoken language quickly/automatically (as in - like your native language in terms of understanding).

The common thread between the 3 study methods is, of course, a lot of exposure to content the learner comprehends (in some way) in the target language they are studying. I think this is probably the part that's eventually resulting in understanding spoken target language quickly/automatically. And that would make sense, as a textbook learner or classroom learner with a teacher who does production drills (like many English classes for people in some Europe schools growing up, or college classes for foreign languages in the US), if that learner ALSO watches TV or plays video games or reads (immerses in content they understand the main idea of) then after a certain amount of months or years the learner finds they DO understand the language they studied quite quickly/automatically. So no matter what initial study method a learner uses, to get to A2 or B2 etc, to get to the point of 'automatically understands' spoken language as it's heard, a lot of content you comprehend in the language is going to get you to that point.

(I say spoken language, but this is true of reading the language too - it's just ALG and CI methods do not focus on reading early on, so for the sake of discussing what I'm mulling over I'm just going to exclude automatic/quick understanding of reading for now. I know a classroom textbook/drill learner, will eventually get that quick-understanding if they engage enough with comprehendible materials, because I studied with textbook/drills/word lists and then read a lot, and eventually reading felt as 'easy' as my native language English. I know the quick-understanding of speaking eventually comes, even if you do the MIA and do many SRS flashcards initially and many word-translation lookups, because eventually my Chinese listening felt like listening to my native language English when I watched Chinese dramas - if I understand the words, I don't think of a translation, I just understand what they mean. So presumably, this process will continue to improve, and I'll think of translations of 'newly learned' words less and less until I just immediately Understand without the translation-in-my-head lag. Right now there's rarely a lag where I think about a word's meaning after hearing it when I watch dramas, unless it's a drama in a new genre, and I only notice that lag when I listen to audiobooks and audiodramas and some words I automatically-quickly understand while others I consciously think of the translation. So in summary: I know that simply getting more input you personally comprehend the main idea of, if you studied with a textbook or MIA flashcard/anki/word-lookups method too, does eventually get you to quick-automatic understanding of what you hear.)

ALG and CI methods are considered quite valuable (of many reasons, this is only one) because the learner picks up new words only using the target language and visual cues. So they don't have word-translation meanings in their head (for the most part a learner will attach a word to an image in their head without their native language as translation, but occasionally a learner might mess up and consciously make some guesses of yondeimasu meaning the word 'reading' in their native language, that they can't stop themselves from thinking). So, hopefully, using ALG or CI method, a learner will get to the point of hearing a word in the target language and quickly-automatically understanding that word FASTER than with other methods. I think that is probably true.

I think the trade off may be, that learning with a textbook or MIA (flashcards/anki/word translations) or any other explicit-study-tool that provides translations of things you learn, would provide quicker introduction to more words and grammar concepts. With an explicit study method that has you look up translations, or read explanations in your native language, you learn that X words/grammar EXISTS in the target language faster. But your mind will understand those X words slower, translating in your head until you learn the word quite well (have seen it several times or more in the context of real usage like a life situation, a conversation, a show, a novel, an audio story like a podcast or audiobook, a news article etc), only after you've run into the word in real contexts several times will recognition of the word become quick-automatic. Same with grammar - you'll take longer to recognize and understand a grammar point you studied, until you encounter it in actual situations several times. (By several, I'm going by the 4-20, usually around ~12, amount I've seen in some articles as the times required to see a new word when reading to remember it in any language you are reading in... which is a number I've found to be quite true for me, some words take me only 4 run-ins to remember easily while others take a decent amount more times).

Now the benefit, of studying explicitly with translations at first, is that when you DO start immersing with content you find comprehensible: you understand a LOT (it's just your understanding takes longer because of the mental translation, so you often have to pause or re-watch/re-listen or slow down your pace or ask people to repeat or explain). So you can pick from a variety of material you comprehend, and over time as you KEEP immersing, that speed of understanding will get faster and faster until it feels as quick as your native language. The annoying (to me) part, is just putting in the time until that happens. Since at first, you will feel like you should understand all that stuff you studied FASTER when you run into it, but you don't.

The benefits of ALG and CI are pretty clear: if you immerse in comprehensible material from day 1, then you will understand each word you've learned quickly-automatically pretty soon after you first learn it. There is no delay period where you recognize a word like yonde-imasu but it takes 5 seconds to recognize it until you've run into it several times, instead you'll hear yonde-imasu and immediately understand from the beginning. You'll know the speaker is discussing reading in some way, immediately and quickly, without translation in your head. The down side, I think, may be this: since you gain quick-understanding of each words as you learn it, you unfortunately may get initial familiarity to less words per day. By this I mean that a learner using a textbook/app/wordlist with translations could do an initial familiarity study of 100 words today, then immerse in content for 6 days and run into those 100 words several times and learn a decent amount of them (maybe 75) that week, then learn the next 25 while they immerse in content the next week while also studying another 100 words and picking up 75 more words (in addition to the 25) from immersing that next week.

A person studying only CI or ALG lessons may find the teacher's week's worth of lessons only contains 100 new words, and the learner did not pick up and remember each of the new words that week. The learner will EVENTUALLY run into those 100 new words in the next several weeks of lessons enough to finally learn them (because learning is just going to take running into each new word several times in actual context - which ALG and CI lessons provide, whereas if you study with anki you'll need to immerse in content for that several-times of exposure). I think over the long term of months, an ALG or CI learner will get enough repetitive exposure of words to learn a decent amount of words. At least, provided the lesson's teacher DOES repeat words, and DOES bring up words from prior lessons into their upper level lessons (because if a teacher does NOT repeat words used before then there's a serious issue and students will lack the repetition in new contexts needed to learn the words).

The downside comes in that a explicit translation-lookup learner can jump into content for native speakers faster, potentially. And pick new words to study explicitly from that content (by looking new words up). And if they cram study, like me, an explicit translation-lookup learner can cram study 1000 words in a week as their initial word exposure. Then go immerse the next week, and have the potential to learn 750 words the next few weeks instead of just a few hundred. (This is all numbers I'm throwing out for example's sake). Now in the long run? I think over 6 months the CI/ALG learner, and the explicit-translation learner also immersing in comprehensible content, will both learn roughly the same number of new words in 6 months. Provided they do their target language activities roughly the same amount of study hours.

But I think the explicit-translation learner is going to have less of a limit on what they can immerse in and comprehend the main idea of. They'll be able to immerse with content with more unique words, because while their understanding is slow-delayed, they are still understanding (it will just feel harder/like more effort until they encounter the new words enough for understanding to become quick-automatic). The ALG/CI learner, who's only learned words in their lessons, is going to understand material at their vocabulary level quickly-automatically (they'll never have the initial slow-delayed understanding explicit-translation learners have), but if the ALG/CI learner goes to content with many words they don't know, they'll have NO idea what the unknown words mean (versus the explicit-translation learner who may already have the initial word familiarity in their mind as something to help them figure out what that word means FASTER over time, and to help them guess what other totally unknown words in the content mean).

I do think that over time, so over months or a year, the vocabulary for both types of learners will end up similar if they study for similar amounts of time and their learning material (explicit-translation source of vocabulary like a textbook or anki deck, or CI/ALG lessons) introduces similar amounts of new words. So the real choice is just: does a learner want to immerse in content for native speakers quicker (but with delayed-understanding speed at first which will make them tired/fatigued quicker), or does the learner want to have quick-automatic understanding faster but wait to immerse in content for natives until their quick-automatic vocabulary grows to a few thousand (they can immerse in content for native speakers sooner but will feel fatigued when encountering many totally new words).

The way I see it... once either type of learner has eventually learned 2000-5000 words (it's going to depend on the specific learner for how much common word vocabulary they feel they need to feel comfortable immersing with content made for native speakers), if they learn new words simply by guessing from context then they'll see a continued vocabulary increase at a similar rate and the quick-automatic understanding for those words happen after several encounters of the new words. Assuming they immerse for the same amount of hours. (An explicit-translation learner could keep looking up word translations, of course, but at some point they'll find that unnecessary and simply learn new words from context... like they did in their own native language, and at that point they'll be learning similarly to ALG/CI learners with the same kind of content for native speakers). From what I've seen of ALG/CI materials like Dreaming Spanish youtube, it looks like they aim for ~5000 vocabulary words learned before suggesting learners can immerse in come content for native speakers and keep learning from that. For explicit-translation learners (such as people who did MIA, or classes), that 5000 words known number seems to be fair. As a lot of MIA learners stop feeling the need to look up words around then, and learners who took many levels of classes (such as to B2 in college) may have studied around that amount of vocabulary. (I put the lower limit on 2000 words because I certainly stopped looking up French words around then, and just read and watched French at that point, and picking up new words from context only went fine at that point. With Chinese, at 2000 words I could stop looking up new words and just guess from context sometimes... but if I picked more difficult stuff, I felt it was hard enough that I kept looking up new words around half the time, so while a 2000 word vocabulary you know may be enough to just keep learning from context alone... you may find it exhausting, depending on who you are, so I do think the 5000 word goal for learning from native speaker content context only is probably a good goal to aim for).

Summary of thoughts (what a way to put this lol): I think the ability to quick-automatically understand words you've learned the meaning of (either from explicit translation lookup or contextual clues in visuals and surrounding words), happens from exposure to the word several times in context. That exposure to the word several times in context, is in comprehensible content you can understand the main idea of (so in either content for native speakers that you personally can follow the main idea of, or in lessons/conversations that give you visual and other cues to make the main idea clear). So basically: eventually, you engage with content you understand the main idea of without aid. You do that for a decent chunk of study time, and over that time, the words become quick-automatic to understand. Whatever way you initially familiarize yourself with new words (translations etc or an initial situation with context clues to grasp the word's meaning), you'll need to see them in some kind of understandable context several more times to become able to quickly-understand those words. And that's the goal, ultimately, understand a lot of words (to grasp the main idea of things) AND to quickly-automatically understand so you can grasp things as quickly as in your native language.

(an entirely different can of worms would be the idea of looking into if automatic-quick speaking happens easier for ALG/CI learners, or for explicit-translation learners, but I'm only concerned with when the point of quick-automatic Understanding of what's said happens. And for understanding, both kinds of learners eventually do get quick-automatic understanding provided they do some immersion of comprehensible content with context that provides repeated exposure of words they learned).

Other notes: 5000 words known seems to be the point when both a lot of explicit-translation learners and ALG/CI learners start learning new words from content made for native speakers (with no learner tools like teachers giving visual cues, no word-translations, needed) and find the activity doable (not super exhausting). A person could probably start this process earlier, as some parts of content for native speakers may be comprehensible enough to learn new words from context, but for some learners the amount of incomprehensible-portions may exhaust them. If you enjoy immersing in content for native speakers, I do think it's possible to do it earlier (without relying on word lookups, only context and guessing), it just depends on the content you pick and your personal tolerance level (the speed of new words learned may also be slower... since you comprehend less portions).

I'm currently quite curious what the speed and success rate of learning new words to quick-automatic understanding would be for learners who go for content for native speakers quite soon, and do minimal word lookups (so they use immersion content NOT made for learners, unlike ALG/CI, and they don't look up words, unlike explicit-translation learners). I think most learners, on purpose (for obvious reasons), usually at least cram study a few hundred common words (in a textbook or Anki etc), or study some CI/ALG lessons (to learn some basics), before jumping right into "I'll learn by watching shows/listening to people/reading, guessing meaning from context, and looking nothing up!" But there's a few people that just jump in, and the many people who jump in early I'd be curious to find out the progress they made and how their experience went. (I did this with Spanish... cram studied 1000 ish words, and just jumped into reading, I'm still very much a beginner in that I don't think it's easy by far lol... but the cognates with French, the grammar summary I cram read once, the 1000 words I had a basic familarity with, all that adds up to finding guessing new words by reading or watching shows to be doable... exhausting, but possible. The reddit post I shared yesterday, the person who studied Spanish also jumped into immersion quite fast, and only looked up words later, which was interesting to read about).

[brighteststar707]

Hii! I love your writing!

I saw you opened your promts! Can you please do Saeyoung and MC going for a ice skating trip!

I'm a short INFJ !!😊

Thank you in advance!

Hi! Thank you for your request!

Saeyoung has always liked the idea of ice skating. It’s something he used to avoid, since seeing the happy families and the festive atmosphere was always to much for him. However, now he’s eager to join in on the fun with his reunited family.

I like to think that he’s a figure skating fan who likes to watch a lot of videos of performances. As a result, he’s convinced that it can’t be that hard to keep your balance on the ice. He must have learned something from all those videos, right?

Well, he takes one (overconfident) step out onto the ice and almost immediately slips. He's not quickly discouraged, though, and hangs onto the ledge while he tries to regain his balance and not fall over again. If you know how to skate, this is your chance to show off and tease him. Either way, you wait for him and help him if you can. With you cheering him on, he quickly manages to rejoin you.

Saeyoung is nothing if not a quick learner. After a slow skate round the rink, with him holding onto you and the ledge for balance, he starts to get the hang of it. Before long, his confidence is restored, and he’s teasing you about becoming the next Olympic star. If you’re not so comfortable on the ice, he will hold his hands out to you and help you gain your balance. He thinks it’s super cute to be able to skate together, hand in hand. Lean on him if you need to, he won’t let you fall. 

You alternate between trying out new tricks and slowing down to skate together like the other couples. He even tries lifting you once, but it doesn’t end well. You end up clutching each other, laughing hysterically and trying not to fall over. He can’t remember the last time he had this much fun.

[mirai-studies-languages]

How to practice listening in a foreign language

Hi! Listening is a tough skill to improve, but I’ve found myself gradually improving as time has gone on, so I thought I would try to offer some advice to anybody who needs it. I think the key to improving your listening is increasing your vocabulary, and practice. I’m basing this mostly on my French (B2) and Spanish (A2/B1) studies.

Figure out what you should listen to! It is important to listen to something that is at your level. For complete beginners, just focus on your textbook exercises and beginners podcasts like Innovative Languages, LingQ and Coffee Break Languages (I highly recommend these by the way). For less difficult languages like French and Spanish (or whatever is close to the languages you speak), you might want to try watching a few Easy Languages videos, since they use topic specific vocabulary. I don’t really recommend this for languages that are very different from the languages you speak though, since it might just be confusing. For upper beginners, you can focus on watching short YouTube videos on topics that interest you (for example in Spanish, I watch a lot of YouTube videos about language learning). You can also try listening to learners podcasts. There are also a lot of YouTube videos out there made for learners that are only in your target language for beginners, like the Innovative Languages YouTube accounts. Just look up “[Target language] beginners listening practice” and something will probably come up. You could also watch children’s shows because of the simplistic language. For intermediate learners, it might be time to start properly dipping your toes into native material. TV shows, podcasts and films are good, but if you don’t like them, then there is a wealth of listening resources to be found on YouTube. Make sure to avoid anything that uses jargon or outdated language, like historical dramas and videos about science. The radios and comedy skits are great for learning informal language (e.g. Cyprien for French). For lower intermediate learners, I would recommend to also focus most of your attention on intermediate podcasts (e.g. For French: InnerFrench and Piece Of French are really good). You should be able to understand about half of it, and as you continue learning French this will increase. I’d say you are at an upper intermediate level once you can understand pretty much everything that is said in these podcasts and videos, and can also understand a fair amount of native material. For advanced learners, historical dramas and university lectures might be good for this. You might also want to look into content for more difficult dialects (unless you are only focusing on one). Just listen to anything and everything that challenges you, and you will start to improve over time. Across all levels, song lyrics are good too!

Read and listen at the same time! Audiobooks and subtitles are the best for this. Make sure you are actually listening instead of just reading. This improves both your listening and your reading skills!

Dictate what you are listening to! Try to write down everything that has been said word for word, and make sure you get the grammar correct too. Once you have finished, compare it to the actual transcription or subtitles and make corrections. Maybe memorise any new vocabulary, and review any grammar points you got wrong.

Shadow! This basically means repeat what is said after it is said. This improves listening AND pronunciation! 

Research how pronunciation changes! When I say this, I basically mean explore how pronunciation changes in the spoken version of a language when compared to the proper version of the language. Read articles with examples on informal and spoken language, and the way syllables will meld together or be shortened. You might want to memorise the most common slang too. Also, for languages with complex politeness levels like Japanese, research that too. Make sure you look out for these in whatever you are listening to, and make sure you listen widely in both informal and formal versions of your target language.

When you learn topic specific vocabulary, listen to content made about that topic! If you learn vocabulary related to the beach, then watch a beach movie. If you learn vocabulary about furniture, watch those DIY videos on YouTube. Learn topic specific vocabulary, and then put it into practice! You will find a wealth of vocabulary resources on this site alone. At first, learn the most important topics, then gradually expand to more niche ones when you become more advanced.

Listen without any help at first! For me, I will get a short YouTube video and listen to it without any help. Then, I will watch it again with subtitles (in my target language), and will pause to turn any unknown words into flashcards. I will go through those flashcards and memorise them. Finally, I will listen to the video again, and again, until I can catch and understand every word. This takes time, but it gets good results. 

Summarize what you just listened to! I would suggest doing this before looking at a transcription or subtitles. Try listening to audio and write a quick summary of what you were told, and then look at the transcription to see how accurate you were.

Replay the audio until you can understand everything! This is especially important for upper intermediate learners, because their goal is to understand everything. If you don’t know a word, then memorise it, and listen again! As time goes on, you will be able to understand everything better.

Adjust the speed of the audio! For beginners and lower intermediate learners, you can make it slower in order to understand it better. For upper intermediate and advanced learners, I recommend speeding it up. The faster it is, the easier you will later find normal native speed.

Just keep listening to your target language! The sounds of a language is something that takes a long time to get used to. You just need to keep on listening, and keep on practicing, and eventually you will start to improve. Listen to your target language whenever you have free time, and over time it will start to pay off. You’ll find that the speed that used to intimidate you will just sound normal, and as your vocabulary increases, so will your listening ability.

Thanks for reading this post! I hope it was useful!

[lunar-wandering]

horseback

okay so. i may have fallen down the rabbit hole and made. an OC to ship with Wukong and Macaque-

and. i might have been encouraged and written. an entire fanfic of. Wukong teaching her how to ride a horse for fun. (and also Macaque is here too)

so uh. take....this self-indulgent stuff i guess???

i havent actually ridden a horse in like 5 years hdfkjdlkfjlsksd

---

"Could you teach me how to ride a horse?" Sel asked- and proceeded to nearly choke on her own breath laughing at the expression that came over Wukong's face. "What's with that look?"

"...I'm trying to figure out if you're making fun of me or not." Wukong said, leaning back on his cloud. "Why, exactly, are you asking me how to ride a horse?"

"Because you're the only one around here, and you're the only person I know of who has some horse experience." Sel said, before adding, "No offense intended."

"....I mean...I do know how to ride." Wukong sat up straight, pulling a bag of peach chips out of nowhere (and really, where had he gotten those, Sel had thought she and Macaque had hidden all of them during their last prank war- he better not be eating his own hair again-) and munching on them as he thought. "Why the sudden interest? Did you watch a horse movie or something?"

"I'm a selkie, Wukong." Sel leveled the Monkey King with a flat stare. "I don't exactly encounter land animals much, of course I'm curious about it."

"...You did watch a horse movie, didn't you."

"It was the only thing on TV at the time-"

-

A week later, and the both of them stood in a clearing, beside a brown appaloosa horse, Sel softly running a hand down it's neck, quietly in awe at the texture of it's fur. Wukong gave her a small smile before jumping right into the plan of the day; teaching a selkie how to ride a horse.

"Right, so first you gotta learn how to mount the horse-" Wukong took one of his hairs, creating a small step stool with it. "Since this is your first time we'll use a step stool to give you an extra boost."

"Couldn't you just lift me up?" Sel asked, getting up onto the step stool anyways.

"You want to be able to ride even when I'm not around, don't you?" Wukong asked, "It's not really that hard anyways- well, this would be easier if we had a saddle-"

"Once again, you could just magic up a saddle."

"If you can ride bareback you can ride a saddle." Wukong insisted.

"Oh, so it's like the whole driving thing- if you can drive a manual you can drive an automatic." Sel said, a smirk on her face. Wukong just looked confused.

"...I....don't know what you're talking about."

"...Wait do you not know how to dri-"

"Moving on!" Wukong interrupted, backflipping onto his cloud so that he was the same height as Sel. "Now, you can grab onto the horse's hair if you want, just try not to tug, okay? Place your hand here- yes like that- now jump up and over in one smooth motion."

"Not a very detailed explanation I see...." Sel did, but still, through some means, she managed to do get up and onto the horse.

"Alright, good- you're a little bit too far forwards though." Wukong said, and Sel scooched back a little. "Perfect- alright, now you've just gotta sit up straight!"

The glare Sel gave him was downright lethal.

"....I wasn't told there'd be posture involved here." She said, attempting to straighten her back, not doing the very best job of it.

"It's necessary- look okay, just. Raise your shoulders." Wukong said, "Now push them back to just slightly behind your ears and set them down."

Sel followed his instructions- and she had to admit, she felt a lot more comfortable on the horse now than she had before.

"Think you're ready to try moving?" Wukong asked, creating a pair of reins, as well as a long rope to lead the horse with. "Here, you've gotta hold the reins like this-"

He softly put his own hands over top of hers, and Sel smiled, holding back her want to comment on the close contact as he gently moved her hands into the right position. She'd had practice- she'd long since started tuning out how close Wukong tended to get to her. She'd never considered herself as being touchstarved, and still didn't think she was now, but the Monkey King definitely was, and she found herself feeling almost...saddened whenever he would seem to rein himself in, pulling out of hugs and leaning away from contact he had initiated, as though he was afraid she would start to dislike it. (The result of a bad experience, or the result of 500 years by himself? Sel had no idea.) Still though, she decided to welcome any form of contact with welcome arms.

Wukong must've noticed her smile though, as she could just barely see the hints of a blush on his face as he pulled his hands away.

"Uh- okay, so um, now that you've got the grip right, it's time to try moving." He said, hopping off of his cloud to stand on the ground, holding the lead in his hands. "Just- follow the horse's movements, okay? She's a pretty easy ride, not as bumpy as some horses, but you'll still want to try and move with the rhythm of the horse, okay?"

"...Okay." Sel said, and Wukong started walking, clicking his tone to cue the horse into walking as well. It was a little...weird at first, but after a bit, Sel found that she was starting to get used to it.

...She did have one question though.

"Where did you even find a horse this obedient anyways?" Sel asked, "Surely she's not wild."

"Ah- no." Wukong didn't look back at her, nor did he stop walking, and Sel couldn't help but sense that the Monkey King seemed...almost sheepish. "I- stole her from a nearby stable-"

"You what-"

"It's fine! I'm going to bring her back!" He quickly added, "The people who work there know me- it's fine."

Sel had the sneaking suspicion that it was probably not fine, but kept quiet.

-

"So am I a bonafide horse rider now?" Sel asked, after two days of Wukong helping her.

"Psh, not really." Wukong said, "I mean, you are learning rather quick, but you can't be genuinely called a true horse rider until you've fallen off your horse at least like, ten times."

"Okay???" Sel confusedly started leaning to the side, intent on sliding off. Upon seeing this, Wukong dropped the lead, the horse stopping in it's tracks immediately, as Wukong rushed to grab onto Sel's wrist, preventing her from tipping to the side.

"Not like that." He hissed, keeping his grip steady around her wrist, only letting go once Sel had righted herself. "It has to be a natural, accidental fall, the kinda thing that just happens over the years."

"..Oh." Sel said, "...It would've been nice for you to lead with that."

"I didn't think I'd have to!"

-

"Well, she's certainly picked up on this quick." Macaque said, standing beside Wukong, the two of them watching has Sel rode the horse across the field. Over the course of two weeks, she'd managed to work up to a trot (she hadn't gotten to the point of attempting a canter), and could now ride without Wukong leading the horse.

"She's a fast learner." Wukong said, "Unlike you- don't think I've forgotten how you refused to let me teach you how to ride."

"I just didn't think it was important, that's all." Macaque leaned away from Wukong slightly, noting a recognizable glint in his eyes. "...And it's still not important, I don't really need to ride at all-"

"Hey, Sel- could you come here for a moment?!" Wukong yelled, and Macaque, realizing that the other was up to something, turned around, trying to get away. He was stopped as Wukong grabbed hold of his wrist using his tail, with a surprisingly tight grip. Sel slowed the horse to a stop in front of them.

"What's up?" She asked, either not noticing or purposefully ignoring how Macaque was struggling to get out his wrist out of Wukong's grip. Wukong summoned his cloud, stepping up onto it, pulling Macaque along with him.

"I'm gonna need you to scooch back just a bit." Wukong said, and as soon as Sel had followed through- "Perfect."

He grabbed Macaque by the waist (and Macaque would firmly deny squeaking, but both Wukong and Sel knew what they had heard), lifted him up, and safely deposited him on the horse, in front of Sel. For her part, Sel immediately adjusted, wrapping her arms around Macaque to keep her hold on the reins, smirking a little at how she could feel Macaque stiffen. She couldn't see his face, but from how tense his back was (as well as the shade of pink his six ears were turning), she could gander a guess. Wukong, who was now back on the ground, holding the lead he had just created, could see the other monkey's expression though, and he outright laughed at it.

"Man- Sel, you should see his face!" He giggled, seemingly ignorant to the fact that if he was in Macaque's position he'd probably react the same way. Sel rolled her eyes.

"I don't need to see his face." She said, "I can tell by his ears just fine!"

That comment seemed to smack Macaque out of whatever stupor he'd seemingly fallen into, as in one blink, his six ears had turned back into two, the pink colour vanishing with them. Sel couldn't contain her "aw..." of disappointment, she honestly liked seeing Macaque with his glamours down. (It had taken a long time for him to even be comfortable enough to be around her with his glamours down.....she knew how much trust he was giving to her when he did so. It made her heart feel warm and fluttery on the inside- and she knew Wukong also felt the same way whenever he spied the shadow monkey with his glamours down. Still though, she couldn't fault him for putting them back up now though.)

"I hate you." Macaque hissed, and even though she couldn't see his face, Sel could just sense the glare he was giving Wukong. "I hate you both so much."

Despite what he said though, he made no attempt at getting off of the horse, staying perfectly still.

"Heh, sure, we'll pretend any of us believe that." Wukong said, and, ignoring Macaque's indignant sputtering, he turned, clicking his tongue and starting to walk, leading the horse behind him. Macaque startled, slightly off balance, and Sel pressed her arms into his a little more, to keep him from falling off.

"Relax." Sel whispered, "Neither of us will let you fall."

"Unless it's funny, of course." Wukong added, and Sel had the feeling that if her arms weren't on either side of Macaque, he would slide off the horse just to tackle Wukong.

As it was, he stayed in his position, perfectly silent.

Sel, sensing that Macaque probably wasn't really in the mood for conversation (he was probably still recovering from the shock of how he ended up in this position to be honest), let herself start daydreaming, knowing that Wukong could easily lead the horse without her needing to steer. Wukong, not willing to let there be total silence, started humming a tune that Sel couldn't quite recognize, but was still pleasant.

The moment ended as Wukong suddenly froze, the horse obediently stopping with him. Sel jolted out of her daydream from the sudden lack of movement, feeling Macaque do the same.

"...Ah." Wukong said, turning to face the both of them with a nervous smile. "Um. Sorry but uh- I may have just remembered that I. Think I promised to train with MK today?"

Macaque snorted, while Sel pulled out her phone, checking her calendar.

"...You were meant to start training with him about ten minutes ago." She said, "If you hurry up, you can probably explain it away as just having been busy with the monkeys."

Without another word, Wukong was gone, Sel feeling a slight breeze rustle her hair in the Monkey King's wake.

For a moment, both Sel and Macaque remained sitting on the horse, staring at the spot Wukong had just been standing in.

"...Sel?" Macaque asked.

"Yeah?"

"....I don't know how to get down."

[delu-jean]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐔𝐩 𝐓𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮

(Jea x fem!/reader) -> Angst -> 4.2k 

XII > XIV

You and Reiner picked some flowers. They lay in one of the baskets you brought. They sat beautifully, making you reminisce the night Jean had given you that violet. Though these flowers were a lot larger, and the hue was more vibrant, the meaning behind that violet shone brighter than those characteristics combined. You grinned at such a thought, while Reiner kept on climbing the tree. 

You felt bad since you weren’t helping him gather the apples. Someone needed to hold the basket, making sure they didn’t touch the ground. Since the tree was becoming more barren as the years passed, the less fruit it would bear. So, you had to make sure no apples went to waste. Still, watching him do all of that hard work made you feel guilty. He reassured you (before), saying that it was better for him to actually do something right (since he trampled a lot of plants when picking flowers). So you let him be. Watching as each fruit fell. 

“It’s been a while...do you remember this place, Y/n?” 

“Of course I do…” you then gazed at the scenery in front of you. Being reminded of that one moment, that last moment you had felt such peace in Marely. The moment where Bertholdt had scurried to get you, the moment where you never thought that things would take such a turn. 

You looked at Reiner to see the guilt which struck him. Not only that, but the guilt then crept onto you. That peace was one which could never come back, along with Bertholdt himself. You felt burdened to say the least. Knowing how his best friend had died, yet not being allowed to tell him (since Jean’s cover would blow). It saddened you knowing how much weight was on his shoulders. Never knowing what had truly happened, but instead, escaping with survivor’s guilt. 

“Ah, two coming!” 

“Got it!” you caught them in your basket. Time passed as more apples stacked. He then decided to break the silence once again. 

“Do you ever wish that we could be kids again?” 

“Of course I do,” he nods in agreement. 

“If I could change one thing...just one of the many things in our childhood...it would be the fate we held in the military. Wishing things could have been different, and that you all could’ve been here,” you noticed how he didn’t say “we,” but instead said “you.” That meant he had wished you were all here, but not necessarily himself. You were going to question him, until he spoke yet again. 

“For Bertholdt to see such a sight. To see how grown the both of us have become, and...to see his family...just once more. Maybe even confess to Annie if he had the guts to,” you saw the pained expression he had which made you feel the same. 

“Bertholdt would be happy for us, especially since we’ve grown so much with the time given.” 

---

“Yeah...I guess so,” he then picked the last of the apples and came down. In the process, one of the better apples fell, cracking with the contact of the ground. Funny enough, it reminded you of Bertholdt. Since he unfortunately was one, if not, the sweetest apple. One who just had to fall far from the tree above.  

You both stepped into your house. Feeling tired as your arms limped, along with Reiner’s. You started to look around, wanting to see if Jean was at home. Lurking through the bedroom, and even checking your closet. Unfortunately (for you) he wasn’t. It’s almost as if he was gone with the wind. You felt a little bummed as Reiner stepped into the kitchen. Placing the baskets down, and washing his hands (readying himself for the session yet to come). He then asked you in a loud tone, hoping you would hear. 

“What are you doing Y/n?” 

“Oh, I’m looking for a pot!” you shouted back. 

“In your bedroom?” 

“Haha, yeah,” you were still feeling upset...but then remembered that you were the person who told him to leave (secretly regretting it qwq). 

You then walked over to Reiner, ready to help him make the pie. You both washed the apples, peeled, and chopped them. Reiner was a little klutzy with the knife, handling it like a weapon in battle. You found it quite funny, and guided his hands. Hoping he wouldn’t cut himself. To your surprise he didn’t, and ended up seasoning the fruit with different spices, sugars, and ingredients. When that was done, you put him in charge of kneading the crust. You (of course) mixed and measured the ingredients, and after doing so, told him to be gentle with the dough. Hoping his rough hands would maintain, and not ruin such a delicacy. 

You started to heat the filling as you monitored him from afar. He really was a quick learner, yet still needed to work on some of his skills. You wondered how Jean would’ve made the pie. If he would’ve added his own flare, or crust designs. Just thinking about it made you excited, hoping you both could someday. Reiner then started to roll, and place the crust. You both then finished your tasks. Thrilled with the results of your hard work. 

“Phew, thanks for your help Reiner.” 

“No problem. That was...a lot harder than I thought it would be.” 

“Mhm...oh yeah! I left some filling here for you. I tasted it and thought it wasn’t sweet enough, but I kept it that way since you know...Bertholdt preferred ‘natural’ sugars,” you smirked as Reiner tried a spoonful. 

“Haha, yup. Reminds me of Bertholdt. Also it's really tasty.” 

“That’s good! Okay, let’s put it away now,” you put both the filling, and crust away. Letting both rest separately so you could bake them tomorrow (before meeting the families). 

“I’ll pop it in the oven before leaving.” 

“Sounds good. Thanks for letting me help...or contribute at least. Sorry if I was a nuisance.” 

“Haha no, thanks for helping in general. Two pairs of hands are better than one, and you gave loads of help,” he then smiled, slipping his coat and shoes on. 

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” 

“No, I insist. I’ll come instead. You’ve been walking me home a LOT as of recently. Let me come get ya instead,” he seemed hesitant when you answered. Not sure as to why, you tried asking hoping you could hear his reasons. But instead he pestered you, insisting on grabbing you instead. Now you could understand Jean (in some way). Not being able to understand him directly...was making you feel frustrated. Not only that, but you weren’t able to understand why he was acting like that. 

Regardless, you eventually gave it. Though you found it suspicious, you decided to say no more. Not wanting to add tension, and instead, respecting his choice. 

“Okay fine. Get me near ten-ish?” 

---

“Alright, sounds good.” 

You got up, did your morning routine, got dressed, and had a filling meal. Each year, you and Reiner didn’t wear anything formal. Rather, you both stuck with a simple semi-formal outfit (didn’t want to be too formal, nor too casual). You never wore the same clothing, but rather, switched it up while trying to stay coordinated. This year, you decided to match in white, and beige. You wore a dress shirt, your sleeves puffed, filled with lace, two ribbons (on each side), a beige skirt which reached your legs, and a straw hat. While Reiner wore a beige cardigan, beige slacks, a dress shirt, along with a fleece vest. Though it was a semi-hot day, it was hotter than cold. So he decided to hold his cardigan for the majority of the time. He also brought a black leather watch, and a brown fedora (type of hat). You decided not to go all out since you wanted your interactions to seem civil. Nothing up top to make the families feel comfortable. 

You first went to the Galliard’s. Porco was home and didn’t seem happy with Reiner being there. Though there was some awkward tension, Reiner did his best to ignore any dirty glances. Trying to remember this visit wasn’t about Porco, but instead, Marcel. 

“You know, Marcel was a boy with less aspirations for himself, but instead for the people around him,” Mr. Galliard stated. 

Last night, Jean didn’t make his way back. You were a tad sad. Not being able to sleep with him there...felt unnatural. You really didn’t feel at ease in your own home. Constantly wondering where he was, if he was okay, or if he really had business. You honestly weren’t sure, but regardless, tried sleeping since today was important. 

“I never saw my son as a child, rather, the embodiment of an adult. One with the thoughts, and responsibility of a grown man. I felt, and still do feel guilty though...he never got the chance to be one. To experience the childhood he should have.” 

“Mhm,” you nodded after he said that. 

“I truly regret not making him live the life of a child, and it pains me that he was instead forced to be an adult,” his wife then put a hand on her husband’s. Giving him a stare out of grief, yet relief as she then eyed the both of you. 

“If my son had seen where you both are, he would be proud. He would be amazed with the work you both put in, and know that we are as well. We’ve seen the work Reiner puts in with Porco, doing his best to serve Marley with their titans. Along with you, Y/n. As you encourage and guide the Eldians to be the best they can. Both in the battlefield, and themselves personally. We truly are indebted, and hope you two will continue in the work you do for as long as possible.” 

“Ah I see, I’m glad our efforts have paid off. I have to agree though, Marcel truly was a great person-” 

“Tch,” Porco snarled as his mother then elbowed him. Reiner then continued to talk. Telling the three about the gift chosen, how you both thought it would suit Marcel, and who he was. Not just a comrade, but a dear friend as well. The pendant shone beautifully, and had a glint just like Marcel’s. The framing around the jewel caved around like it was a crown. Smooth, and precise edges, along with a clean finishing. The back also had an engraving of his name, along with leather straps which could detach. Framed in the box it came with and accompanied by two letters. 

“You can read them whenever you would like. Although, I do recommend doing so when alone,” you told them, and then made your way to the door. Porco decided to escort you out. Though both you, and Reiner expected a cold gesture, he instead gave you an unexpected one. 

“Thanks...for the gift. It means a lot.” 

---

“Yes of course, no need to thank us,” Reiner responded for the door to then shut. 

You both went to Annie’s house, hoping her father would be home. To your dismay...he wasn’t there...like always (on that day specifically). You tried knocking the door yet again, but to your “shock,” there’s no response. You see...on this day specifically, he refused to see either of you. He knew that your gestures were filled with good intent, but just...couldn’t bring himself to do it. He would always see you both whenever else, knowing that the topic wouldn’t arise. 

“Let’s get going...Mrs. Hoover is expecting us.” 

---

“Got it...Y/n.” 

Still, it saddened you to say the least. The poor man was so hurt, and he couldn’t bring up the topic. Though you wanted to console him, even with the time given, it seemed like it wasn’t going to happen. You placed the box on his doorstep, leaving a note telling him of the gift, and why you chose it. Hoping he would keep it with him, and store it safely. 

“Ah Y/n, Reiner! I haven’t seen you both in a while! Come, come inside!” Bertholdt’s mother said, for the both of you to enter their house. Pulling out chairs while her husband did the same. His father then started to brew tea, while the three of you (Reiner, you, and Mrs. Hoover) sat down. 

“How have you been?” 

“And I as well,” Mr. Hoover then placed the tea. The two lovers smiled at each other, and then sat beside one another. You were glad they weren’t in tears, nor upset. His parents (surprisingly) seemed to have taken his death unexpectedly. Not as something light hearted, nor sympathetic, but rather...very “well” in your opinion. They mourned when you had returned with no trail of Bertholdt, but got themselves together. Making good of his passing instead of sulking. 

Reiner then pulled out the basket of apples, handing it to them. While you showed the bouquet full of flowers. You also held the pie in your hands while his mother went to grab a vase. 

“It looks lovely Y/n, I’m assuming you used the apples?”

“Oh, I’ve been well,” you responded. 

“Yes ma'am. Bertholdt’s favourite.”

“Speaking of my dear son, my one and only child… Oh how he loved such delicacies. I wish I made him more when he was with us. Not only that, but he was one himself, and I wished we would’ve handled him with more care. Being more fragile with such a thing….” 

You see, his parents were really invested into the whole “Honorary Marleyin,” and “warrior candidate” events. They just wanted their son to exceed, and to know that he could go above and beyond. But in said process, instead of doing that...it gave the opposite effect. Making him feel less if anything. He knew they loved him, but their encouragement...seemed more discouraging to Bertholdt if anything. Disregarding his feelings, and thoughts to the opposition, convincing him that he was strong enough and could do it. 

Never considering his doubts, nor fears. Instead, brushing them off and telling him he could excel. There was no comfort whatsoever, instead, expectations and tension which were burdened to him...and him alone. 

“That was probably why he was so timid...because of how we treated him…. I truly do regret such a thing, but I was relieved to hear how he was a great and loving person to the both of you. Even if we didn’t get what “we wanted” from him, he received the things that he wanted for himself. Pushing himself to his limits, and persevering...without us.” 

“Yes, he truly was an amazing person. The closest friend I’ve ever had,” Reiner said with a sincere tone. The father then stepped in, saying: 

“Bertholdt would’ve loved to see how you both had grown to be so mature, understanding, and great in general.” 

“Since he loved you both so dearly, he also would’ve been glad at the decision you two are making, about becoming one. Also, congratulations on that. I hope you both have the happiest of times while you can. Though, I won’t lie, I wished Y/n were the one to marry Bertholdt (she said jokingly). But even so, I’m happy for both of you. Reiner, you’ve got yourself one lucky lady, and Y/n, you a lucky man.” 

“Yeah...I guess so,” Reiner responded. 

---

You then thought to yourself. Would Bertholdt actually be content with the engagement? Though his mother had thought “yes,” you had thought “no.” He probably would’ve opposed, saying that the marriage would’ve been pointless, and unsettling. That being the case, his opinion gave you yet another reason for your opposition. 

You both were done for the day, and were relieved for that. You were glad that two out of the three were there, liked the gifts given, and that you were able to show respect towards your comrades. So being that, you both were now walking. Yes, your destination would be home, but you weren’t sure as to what detours would be made. Both you and Reiner actually. One thing you were sure about, was that the man beside you seemed frustrated. Even though he should've relaxed since your tasks had just finished. 

“Y/n, I don’t want to assume...but…were you the person who might’ve leaked things?” 

“Oh...no. It wouldn’t make sense for me to, in all honesty…” 

But then at the same time, she might’ve assumed so because of how long you were taking. Thinking you must’ve made a decision (by now) and just didn’t want to be vocal about it. Of course, that wasn’t the case and you made it clear to Reiner. He then decided to switch up the conversation, trying to avert from the unwanted thought. 

“I forgot to ask, but were you able to get home safely that night?” 

“Oh, yeah.” 

“That means...oh gosh,” that’s when you both realized that the only person who could’ve, and would’ve done so...was his mother. You also remembered what Alexandra said, about his mother being ecstatic about the engagement. That point secured your thoughts. She was probably very excited, and had no malicious intent involved. She just wanted the best for her son, and you as well (thinking Reiner was the best for you). Regardless, it kind of annoyed you. Especially since you hadn’t made the decision, and she inferred you had instead of asking/confirming. 

“That’s good.”

“And you?” 

“Yeah, I did. I walked Gabi home first, then made my way.” 

“Ahh I see,” yout both walked further for him to ask:

“Where were you the morning after? I thought you’d be at HQ, like you always are.” 

“Ah well…” you couldn’t tell him about Jean, so instead, told him about Alexandra. 

“Well, a friend of mine came over. We caught up and….” you couldn’t say that you were talking about him (his looks to be more specific), so instead, brought up the first few things which came to mind. 

“She um, congratulated me.”

“Oh really?” he seemed glad and you went on. 

“Not only that, but that most of the town knows…and that your mother seems ecstatic.”

“Oh no…” You then saw a burdensome look on his face. 

“Haha yeah. She also asked if I had a wedding dress, or ring. Which I found kind of funny-” He immediately cut in. 

“So what was your response?” 

“That I have neither.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Hm?...the real question is, what do you mean Reiner?” you then stared at the gentleman, awaiting for his answer. 

“Oh...it’s just that...you do have one.” 

“What?..” 

“Not a dress of course, but a ring.” 

He then Proceeded to tell you that he did have one ready. He felt guilty knowing that you had told her “no.” He thought that maybe you had felt bad, being that your answer was “no,” even though he did have one prepared. After all, ladies did take marriage as a big deal. And even though it was one out of friendship, he didn’t want to make you feel left out. Being considerate of such a big event. 

Though you could’ve (and most likely would’ve) married someone after Reiner, it still was your first wedding. And your first anything should always be taken seriously. 

“If I knew you were going to be bombarded with the other ladies bothering you...I would’ve given it sooner,” he fished a box out of his pocket, and handed it to you. 

You then opened it to see a fairly modest design. It was a simple gold band. One with a centered jewel in an oval shape. There were also two other smaller stones which accompanied the ring, and the band sat in a black, velvet box. It was a very beautiful ring, and Reiner could tell you liked it (based on how you sat in awe). He was glad he got such a ring, knowing how simple you could be, and that it seemed to suit your personality. 

“I’m sorry for not being able to get you better, but I hope that it’ll be enough for you to show other ladies. And hopefully...you don’t feel the need to humble yourself when with others,” you could feel the sincerity coming from him, and were thankful. But...you ultimately just...couldn’t accept such a gesture. 

“I’m sorry Reiner...but I can’t accept this.” 

“Oh, why is that?” 

“I just...can’t,” he then took the hint, and instead asked: 

“Is it because you aren’t sure yet?” you then nodded, not giving him anymore context. He also did the same. Nodding and letting you be. 

“But I insist...you should keep it.”

“Oh, really? And why is that?” 

“Well haha, my mother will pester me less. But of course, only if you want. If not, I can take it back. I understand your decisions, and will respect them for when you’re ready.” 

---

“You know what...sure, why not,” you didn’t want to be rude, and you also wanted to be less of a burden.

 After receiving the box, Reiner does what he thinks is best. He shields you from others on your walk through town. Although they found his gestures quite adorable, he thought the opposite, but was glad there was no attention regarding the ring. Covering the box made you tense less, and his efforts were greatly appreciated. He understood the townspeople's intentions, but didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.  

“Hey reiner...when it comes to deciding, how much time do you think I have?” 

“According to what my mother said...maybe a couple months. That is...if you want to have a um...child of course. If not, really whenever. As long as I don’t die,” he chuckled and you nod, laughing yourself. 

“I see, well...I’ll be sure to relay my decision whenever.” 

You took notice of how tired Reiner was. His eyes drowsy, posture limp, and in general, was very out of energy. You decided to halt, stopping in front of him. Making his pace lessen as you stood still. 

“Why do you look so tired? I know it’s not because of any drills,” you laughed as he looked to the side. 

“Don’t worry too much about it...it’s nothing.” 

“Yeah, of course.”

“Come on Reiner...tell me! I feel like I play a part in it…. I’m not sure as to what, but yeah,” he then looked back at you. Though he contemplated his thoughts, he decided to be honest. 

“Okay fine. As of recently, I've been pushed around by my mother, a couple elders, along with the civilians, and troops in general. Meeting whenever my mother arranged things, taking the time to accept gifts, being congratulated, and having conversations even when I don’t have the time. Though it should be fun, it’s really not. Especially when the warriors are on my ass for being late, and then I show up to meetings with a bunch of gifts. At first they were okay with everything, but as time progressed, they were uh...pissed with my appearances.” 

You felt bad. Your delay was really taking a toll on Reiner, yet you felt like you couldn’t give him your answer. The pressure was immense, you would be letting people down, and the Braun’s would be in an awkward (gossip-ish) position after your rejection. But then again, you didn’t want to marry him anymore. You had Jean now, plus, Reiner was only doing his best  since he wanted to make things right. Being your friend, trying to help build a future that might satisfy you when he’s gone. Imagining you living alone without benefits he could’ve provided, made him feel guilty. He already put you through so much, and although this wasn’t a huge step to redemption, it was one skid closer. 

But honestly, you cared less (for the marriage, not his efforts). If you said no, the entire thing would be off his plate. Yet...you felt bad seeing how much effort he put in. You saying no would mean all of that effort being drawn to waste. You then decided to ask him what he would do with both responses. Towards both rejection, and the acceptance of his proposal. 

“Reiner...what would you do if I said yes?” 

“To my proposal?”

“Mhm.”

“Well I would marry you,” he smirked at such an obvious question. Not making fun of you, rather, just pointing out the obvious. 

“Oh...yeah haha. Anything else though?” 

“Maybe have a child...I mean of course, like I said...it’s up to you” seemed embarrassed to bring up the subject, which made you laugh. 

“Okay...then what would you do if I said no?” 

“Honestly I’m not sure, but, if that’s what will make you happy, so be it. If you want to love someone else, I won't stop you. If you want to love yourself, and you alone, I will support you. No matter what you do...I just want to be a good friend is all. Make up for all I’ve done.” 

Just through that, you saw how serious Reiner was when taking this path to redemption. Though, not in the way you would have both envisioned, he was truly trying his best. Being a good friend, and doing his best to get you what, and where you needed to go. You were very touched by his sincerity, and words in general. Reiner was truly a great friend. Though questionable at times, and it would take time for you to wholeheartedly trust him, he was getting there. And would probably at one point. 

“Thanks Reiner.” 

“No need to. I’m content either way, so it’s really up to you.” 

XII > XIV

[aomine-ryo]

Headcanons: GOM + Kagami with their S/O who wants to learn to play basketball

Kuroko

He’s surprised at first but he gets really happy when you tell him that you want to learn

“I probably can’t teach you much practically, but I’m here to support you every step of the way.”

He’s a very patient teacher so you never felt any pressure when you messed up a shot, though he did reward you with a quick peck on the lips every now and then whenever you succeeded

The two of you got to spend more time together practicing which made Kuroko extremely happy

He’d often ask Aida, Aomine and a few other people for some tips on helping you get better and he often went out of his way to get permission for the two of you to practice in the school gym together

When you told him after his practice that you got into the school’s basketball team, Kuroko is over the moon, glad that his shared love of basketball with his s/o managed to produce results as he enveloped you in a tight hug followed by several kisses

He didn’t even care that the rest of his team was watching, he was just so proud of you, and he made sure to tell you over a celebratory dinner date

Kagami

“Are you serious?” he asks you when you tell him, unable to believe that you, someone who had never shown interest in sports before, were telling him that you wanted to play basketball

After watching a bunch of Kagami’s matches, you felt the urge to play as well

Hearing this, Kagami immediately got fired up and decided to help teach you

He didn’t know how to explain things well, so the two of you played lots of one-on-ones and he would stop and correct you whenever you did something wrong

“Y/N, do a dunk!”

“Kagami, I’m 5’3.”

Nevertheless, he insisted that you tried it, and of course, you only just grazed the bottom of the net

Kagami was always smiling during practice

Izuki told him that teaching you was the perfect time to make some moves on you, and it took him a while to finally muster the courage to do something like that

He tried to wrap his arms around you and teach you to shoot, but you ended up hitting his face with the ball accidentally

You made sure to shower him with hugs and kisses as a thank you for his teaching, which made him even happier to be sharing his passion with someone he loved

Kise

Kise was so excited that you wanted to learn basketball that he was practically skipping around the court when you told him after his practice

“My Y/N-cchi is gonna be the bestest basketball player there is!”

“I don’t think ‘bestest’ is a word—”

Unlike Kagami, Kise was very smooth when he wanted to make a move on you

He’d often give you small kisses on your neck whenever he was behind you to correct your shooting or defensive form

Kise was always full of energy and made sure to motivate you every time

When you tried out for the team and got accepted, Kise practically burst with joy

He did make sure to gloat about it though, to the point where everyone that Kise was close to would hear about you being on the team at least five times

“When you make it to the NBA, remember to tell the interviewers that I taught you to play, okay Y/N-cchi?”

You couldn’t help but giggle at your boyfriend’s adorable confidence, and you didn’t want his efforts to go to waste so you did your best

Kise would watch all your games, even the practice ones, and he’d be cheering so loudly that he’d get told off at almost every game

He couldn’t help it, he was just proud of you

Midorima

Midorima wasn’t very expressive in terms of emotions like excitement, so you telling him that you wanted him to teach you basketball didn’t exactly gain a big reaction from him

“Oh really? Sure, sounds good.” Pure monotone

However, the second he got home, he came up with an entire training regimen for you, which took him hours, though he wouldn’t admit it

Midorima wasn’t one to make sly moves on you during practices, even though Takao kept telling him to do so

So you often took initiative through random hugs and kisses on his cheek while he explained something to you

No matter how many times you do it, he’d always be flustered and begin to stutter

He would lecture you about it though, even though he liked it

“Y/N, I’m trying to teach you, have some control.”

“Sorry, Coach.” (He insisted you call him coach)

His training was pretty tough to be honest, but you expected nothing less from someone who pours his heart into everything he does

It was no surprise that you got into the team after his intense training

However, when you told him he gave you the biggest hug followed by kisses all over your face

“I knew you could do it,” he smiled.

“Thank you, Shintaro.”

Aomine

Aomine thought you were joking when you told him that you wanted to learn basketball

But when he realised you were serious, he immediately got fired up

He definitely wasn’t going to take it easy on you while he taught you though

He’d tease you from time to time when you’d mess something up, but that was often followed by him going all soft and correcting you with no regard for personal space

There were many times where this would lead to a mini-makeout session because he just couldn’t help it

Once you were familiar with the basics, he would almost only play one-on-ones with you, which was awfully frustrating because he’d beat you every time

Whenever he’d notice you getting frustrated, he’d stop the game and begin explaining what you’re doing wrong

Every once in a while you’d break through his defense and score, which would make you so happy that it made Aomine want to let you score all the time

But he didn’t, because he knew that you’d notice immediately and get mad

You were a quick learner, and you were a bit athletic too, so it was no surprise that practicing with Aomine incredibly increased your skill

You were not only put on the basketball team, but you were also on the starting lineup

When you told Aomine, he pulled you into a hug with a large smile spread across his otherwise grumpy face

He didn’t hesitate to kiss you as well

“That’s my Y/N!” He grinned triumphantly.

“It’s all thanks to you, Daiki.”

“Well, duh, I’m an amazing teacher.”

Murasakibara

“But why would you want to do that? It’s so tiring.”

“I thought it would be nice to learn, considering that it’s all you do,” you told him.

After some convincing, he agreed to teaching you to play

He was a pretty laid back teacher, though his explanations weren’t exactly the best

“Shooting is easy, see,”

He would proceed to do a dunk like it was nothing

“Atsushi, I’m a beginner and you’re also twice my height, I can’t just do that.”

He’d eventually teach you how to shoot though, and he’d wrap his long arms around you

Whenever he’d do that, he’d get distracted and just begin to hug you

“This is tiring, can’t we just cuddle all day?” He mumbled

His teaching was very slow paced because he’d constantly be distracted

One of his exercises was for you to steal the ball from him, where he just teased you by holding the ball high up where you couldn’t reach

He did end up having a lot of fun with you, even though he didn’t admit it

So when you told him that he didn’t have to teach you anymore because you got into the team, he got clingy and sad

“No I want to play with you more, Y/N-chin.”

“Weren’t you always complaining how it was tiring?”

“Yeah, but I still liked being with you,” he pouted as he wrapped his arms around you

So he continued to play with you every now and then when you didn’t have practice

He’d always go to your games, without fail, and he’d even bring your favourite snacks with him, which he’d give you afterwords

He’d even skip practice if the times of your games overlapped with it

He’s your #1 supporter no matter what

Akashi

He would be over the moon when you tell him that you want him to teach you

He’d get the keys to the gym so that the two of you can play together after his practice

An extremely good and efficient teacher, so it was easy for you to get a hang of things quickly

Akashi is incredibly smooth when he wants to make a move on you

He didn’t do it too often, because he didn’t want to distract you too much

But when he’d be correcting your form from behind you, he’d get really close to you and whisper in your ear, “like this”

You’d feel tingles down your spine, and he’d kiss your neck

And he’d just go back to explaining as if nothing even happened

It was no surprise that you made the team after Akashi teaching you

He still became really happy when you told him that he immediately pulled you in close and kissed you

You could feel his smile against your lips and it was adorable

“I’m proud of you, Y/N,” he said softly as he pulled away

He took you out for a nice dinner to celebrate

The two of you would often stay back at school for a bit longer to practice together even after you got on the team because you still wanted him to teach you more

You also enjoyed spending so much time with him, and there was no doubt he felt the same