#I totally strategically placed my hand… for reasons

[theladyofshalott1989]

[chibinasuu]

Drunken Shenanigans | Zoro x Reader

Part of the Thousand Sunny Slice-of-Life Series

Find the other parts with the rest of the Straw Hats here

Summary: You and Zoro raid Sanji’s wine cabinet after running out of sake on a night of drinking Word count: 1.7k Tags: one-shot, pure fluff, domestic bliss onboard the sunny, platonic straw hat pirates x reader, main pairing could be interpreted as platonic or romantic, no use of y/n, GN but written with F!Reader in mind, goth family crumbs, spoilers for sabaody/3D2Y i guess

Roronoa Zoro never needed a reason to indulge in a good bottle of sake. 

Tonight, he had simply gazed outside the window after dinner with his arms crossed, then nodded in satisfaction before declaring that it was a “fine night for a drink.” 

You agreed that it was, indeed, a lovely night, before deciding to join Zoro. Franky and Robin seemed to have thought the same, and followed you outside. 

Franky brought out a low table to the Sunny’s lawn deck. A small coal burner was placed strategically underneath it, providing warmth and comfort amid the chilly night.

The cyborg had a huge mug of beer in one hand, whilst the archeologist was nursing a half-empty glass of wine. You and Zoro have been passing a tall bottle of sake back and forth between you, not even bothering with a glass.

The four of you were five rounds-deep into the classic card game of Old Maid when you all collectively decided that this round should be the last one of the night, as it was getting late. 

Robin had then quickly won the game, and was now sitting back leisurely with no cards left on her hand. Franky slapped down the last of his matching cards on the table next, claiming second place with a victorious “SUUPEERR!!” 

The game went on with just you and Zoro until finally, one last card remained on your hand – meaning you only needed to correctly guess which one of Zoro’s two cards would be a match to yours, in order to win. You locked eyes with Zoro, trying to gauge his reaction as he presented his cards for you to pick. His face did not give away a single thing, determined not to be the loser of the night’s closing round. 

After a moment of hesitation, you quickly pulled the card on the left and flipped it towards you. You let out a triumphant whoop as you set the card face up on the table alongside its match that you already have on hand. Zoro groaned in frustration and tossed down his sole remaining card, which of course, contained the dreaded “Old Maid”. Franky, Robin, and you bursted into laughter at Zoro’s defeat – it was his fourth time in last place out of the total five rounds you played that night, despite the game being largely based on chance.

It was well past midnight when the four of you gathered all of the discarded cards from the table, neatly stacking them and stowing away the deck inside its worn-out box. Robin and Franky decided to retire to bed, but you and Zoro, unwilling to turn in just yet on such a beautiful night, opted to stay outside a little bit longer. 

You took the bottle of sake from Zoro’s grip and tilted it to take a sip, but not a single drop fell on your tongue. You glared accusingly at the green-haired man, who only shrugged and said, “My bad. Didn’t realize I drained it.” 

You sighed and flopped down on your back, gazing at the sky full of stars. Zoro soon followed suit, laying with one arm beneath his head. 

The two of you were quiet for a while as you laid side-by-side, shoulders barely touching. Your face was warm from the alcohol, contrasting with the cool night air. 

The gentle crash of the waves was the only sound audible in the darkness, until Zoro abruptly sat up and said, “I still feel like drinking.” 

You chuckled in disbelief, “Seriously?”

He stood up and offered his hand to you in response, “C’mon. You don’t need to drink more if you don’t want to. Just stay up with me for a bit.”

You accepted his outstretched hand, and he pulled you up to your feet. You were hit with a bout of dizziness at the sudden movement and stumbled forward, but Zoro’s strong arms readily steadied you.

He started walking towards the kitchen when you stopped him, an idea popping into your head. Your lips lifted up into a mischievous smirk as you told him, “That’s not where Sanji keeps the good alcohol.”

“Now, we’re talking.” Zoro answered with a sly grin of his own, never wanting to miss a chance to piss off the cook, “Lead the way.”

The lounge was awash with blue light from the giant aquarium that occupied most of the room’s curved wall. The main mast of the ship protruded from the center of the space, extending up to the ceiling. A cabinet was carved into the wood, and you opened the doors to see a variety of wines lined up neatly inside.

“Bingo!” You said with a winning smile, reaching for the first bottle that caught your attention. 

You know Sanji wouldn't be happy with you and Zoro – big emphasis on Zoro – messing with his wine stash, but you figured that was a problem for sober you to handle tomorrow.

You looked at the writings on the bottle's label, but your muddled brain couldn’t seem to comprehend the words and you struggled to sound them out, “Ithy– Ithursbur–” 

“Ithürzburger Stein?” Zoro supplied – in perfect pronunciation no less – then said in disgust, “Not that one. Way too dry.” 

Your eyebrows shot up to the sky as you gave him a questioning look. Since when did the Straw Hats’ sake-loving swordsman give a shit about wine?

Zoro’s face, already flushed from the sake earlier, turned a deeper red that reached the tips of his ears. 

“Uh.. Mihawk loved wine.” He offered vaguely as an explanation. 

You readied two stemmed glasses as Zoro went through the wine cabinet, scanning each label until he finally found a bottle that he seemed to be satisfied with. 

You rummaged through the drawers in search of a corkscrew, to no success. 

“Aw, come on,” You sighed in disappointment, “what kind of bar doesn’t have a bottle opener?” 

You figured someone must have misplaced the item, and was about to go search for it in the kitchen when Zoro uttered, “No need.” 

He suddenly unsheathed one of his swords, and held the wine bottle at an angle. Before your mind could catch up to what he was planning to do, Zoro dramatically proclaimed, “One sword style,” as he took a deep breath, then swung his sword towards the bottle.

Your hand flew to your mouth to contain your gasp of surprise as the rim and cork of the bottle was cleanly separated from its body and flew across the room, thankfully landing safely on the plush couch instead of smashing into a million pieces on the floor. 

A second passed, then two. Zoro silently sheathed his sword. 

And maybe it was the booze getting to your head, but you couldn’t suppress the uncontrollable giggle that bubbled out of you after his sudden theatrical display of skills. 

“Well, that’s one way to open a bottle.” You said in between your laughter, “Did Hawk-Eye teach you how to do that?”  

“I just watched and learned.” Zoro smiled smugly as he examined the smooth cut on the bottle. “Not bad,” he decided, clearly proud of his handiwork. 

He poured out the dark red wine into the two glasses you already prepared, and offered one to you. 

You thanked him, then picked a random spot on the long sofa that ringed around the lounge. Zoro followed and relaxed into the seat next to you, legs wide and one arm rested over the couch behind you. He swirled his glass carefully, brought it up to his nose for a sniff, before finally taking an appreciative sip. 

You watched him attentively for a long minute, before finding the courage to ask, “Tell me more about him?”

Zoro understood who you were referring to without needing further clarification. He was silent for a beat, before starting in a low tone, “He… was strong. And a great mentor.” 

The Straw Hats had exchanged stories with each other about what went on in the two years that you were all separated, although you noticed that Zoro never seemed to go into much detail about his time at Kuraigana Island, and even less so about his mysterious host. 

Zoro took another sip of his wine after responding to your question, and you thought that he would just leave it at that. 

It came as a surprise to you when he opened his mouth again hesitantly, and started talking. 

He talked about the island itself, as well as its inhabitants. From the rabid Humandrills that he challenged everyday, to the “annoying ghost girl” that followed him around everywhere. You recalled meeting the pink-haired girl briefly at Sabaody Archipelago, and at that time, you could feel that she had definitely grown on Zoro, despite his display of contempt towards her. 

Most of all, Zoro talked about his teacher. Mainly about the rigorous lessons he gave, but also about the legendary swordsman’s passion for wine, his surprisingly delicious cooking, and his unexpected penchant for gardening. 

Zoro did not tell you the story of how he lost his left eye, and you did not push for an explanation. Everyone in the crew had been respecting his silence on that matter, knowing that Zoro would tell you all in his own time about what truly happened, whenever he’s ready to talk about it. 

You talked well into the wee hours of the morning, even after the wine ran dry. You couldn’t tell exactly when, but a deep sleep eventually took over you. 

You were woken up with a start, when several hours later, Sanji found you both sound asleep on the sofa — your head on top of Zoro’s shoulder, and his head on top of yours. 

“You shitty Mosshead!!” Sanji’s voice rang out sharply when he saw the empty bottle of his favorite wine discarded on the floor.

Zoro looked disoriented for a second as he woke up, but his lips slowly formed into a smirk when he eventually grasped the situation. He got up and cracked his knuckles in anticipation of his imminent daily squabble with the cook. 

You sighed and got up too. You definitely couldn’t handle their bickering so early in the morning, especially with the pounding headache from your night of drinking. You patted Zoro’s arm, leaving him to deal with Sanji’s wrath, as you made your escape from the room. 

You just hoped Sanji wouldn't find out that the whole thing was your damn idea in the first place.

a/n: my personal headcannon is that zoro is secretly a wine connoisseur after spending two years with mihawk. the trick zoro did with the wine bottle in this fic is based on a real-life champagne-opening technique called sabrage - which is cool as heck btw - and i like to think mihawk opens his wine that way all the time.

Find the other parts with the rest of the Straw Hats here

[anonymousewrites]

A Not-So-Disastrous Romance (Book 2) Chapter Twenty-One

Saiki Kusuo x Reader

Chapter Twenty-One: Culture Festival

Summary: Saiki's class has to put together an event, and, sure enough, he gets dragged in. By Teruhashi. Yare yare.

            “Today, we need to choose two representatives to be our class organizers for the culture festival,” said the teacher of Saiki and (Y/N)’s class.

            “What?” said everyone, pretending like they were shocked they still had to choose reps (when none of them had wanted to do it or volunteered). To be fair, Hairo and a girl named Kasai had volunteered the previous year, and it was thought they’d do so again.

            “Oh, by the way,” continued their teacher. “Hairo and Kasai did it last year, so two people besides them.”

            Everyone fell silent and refused to move. If they weren’t doing it again, it fell to the rest of the class that didn’t want to volunteer. If they spoke or moved or did anything to draw attention to themselves, they could accidentally be chosen as an organizer.

            “Any volunteers?” said the teacher.

            No one moved.

            She sighed. “Class Rep, I leave it to you.” She walked out of the room, and Hairo stepped up to address his classmates.

            “As class representative, I’ll lead the discussion,” he said, smiling. “I’ll ask again, is no one willing to volunteer? In that case, we will draw straws.”

            “Sure, whatever,” said Miko. She was the first to speak, but, after all, this was strategic. If it was drawing straws, her abilities gave her an edge.

            Saiki also approved of this strategy for the same reason—he could get out of work.

            “I’m opposed.” Mera raised her hand and spoke firmly. “I won’t draw straws. Is that okay?” Everyone had the same thought, but none of them could voice it. Not to mention, Mera had a trump card. “My family is very poor, and I work six part-time jobs. I drew the short straw of life. You can’t ask me to do that again.”

            What a blow, thought (Y/N). No one could ask her to volunteer after that.

            And thus began the excuses. Everyone had to one-up the other to create scenarios and reasons they absolutely couldn’t be asked to volunteer and organize the culture festival. Saiki glanced at (Y/N). They were still quiet, watching the events unfold with a little smile. No one was even paying attention to them.

            They might have the best strategy of all, thought Saiki.

            “What about you, Saiko?” sighed Hairo.

            “I’m included in this ridiculous fight as well?” scoffed Saiko.

            “If you don’t have plans, we will ask you to draw a straw,” said Hairo.

            “Is that so? Then I refuse,” said Saiko coldly. “I’m not organizing a festival for these plebes. There must be a ton of you who want to do it, right?” He placed a bundle of cash—his solution to everything—on his desk. “Here’s one million yen. I’ll give this to someone who volunteers.”

            Accepting this money means abandoning one’s pride, thought Saiki.

            Which, of course, half the class did, clamoring and yelling for the money.

            “I’ll do it.” Kuboyasu faced Saiko. Everyone backed off from Kuboyasu, still an intimidating, if nice, boy.

            “You’re after money, too?” said Saiko, smirking as Kuboyasu took the money.

            “No.” Kuboyasu tossed the money to the side. “Things won’t go your way just because you’re rich. Hairo, I’ll do it.”

            (Y/N) smiled to himself. So far, the most honorable had been Kuboyasu.

            Kuboyasu is so totally cool! Most of the class had just fallen head-over-heels for him.

            Less of a chance of me being picked now, thought Saiki with satisfaction.

            “Alright, that’s one representative. We still need a second,” said Hairo.

            Silence.

            “I’ll do it if it’s alright.” Teruhashi rose from her seat in her golden glory. Volunteering would earn everyone’s respect, and she had been waiting for the opportunity to say she would do it when it gained the most respect.

            Why do I feel like she has more up her sleeve? Saiki searched her thoughts, but it was too late.

            “That’s Kuboyasu and Teruhashi. Are there any objections?” said Hairo.

            Instantly, most of the boys in the class began shouting—there were most certainly objections. Due to Teruhashi being so loved, everyone wanted to be the one to work with her—and if not decided well, it would become an all-out war.

            “Everyone, settle down!” said Hairo. He tore up a piece of paper and wrote down words on it. “We’ll decide randomly.” He tossed the names into a box. “Here are all the other names in the class. Teruhashi, you pick.”

            Yare yare. Here is the problem: she has the Heavens on her side.

            Teruhashi pulled out a name. “Saiki,” she announced.

            I always draw the shortest straw.

            (Y/N) cast him a sympathetic smile.

            Saiki sighed and got up from his desk. This was going to be a big ball of trouble, he just knew it.

            “Alright,” said Teruhashi, standing at the board with Saiki. “Please raise your hand if you have any ideas.”

            “How about a maze?” suggested one person.

            “Oh, a maze?” Teruhashi kept her smile on, but she didn’t have a large reaction. She was waiting for the right idea.

            “A coffee shop!” said another classmate.

            “A coffee shop.”

            “Fifty thousand paper cranes!” said Hairo.

            “Others?” said Teruhashi.

            “How about a play?” said a nervous boy.

            “Idiot, we couldn’t—” began other boys.

            “Wow, a play!” Teruhashi’s smile grew wider. “Sounds fun!” Precisely what she’d been waiting for.

            “Let’s do a play!” cheered everyone.

            She won again, thought Saiki.

            I’m curious to see what they’ll decide on, thought (Y/N). Hopefully nothing too romance-based—like Romeo and Juliet (even if a tragedy)—because Teruhashi would make poor Saiki star with her.

l

            And so, Saiki was stuck in the library with Teruhashi going through the scripts the school had to decide on a play. She was excited for all the time they’d have to spend together working on the play and all the chances to get Saiki to say “oh, wow” she’d have.

            “Hey, I bought this earlier,” said Teruhashi, holding up a notebook. “It will be useful to write down our ideas.”

            Yare yare, thought Saiki, sitting down. He’d have to intervene somehow.

            “Do you think our classmates will want to see a drama, a musical, or a romance?” said Teruhashi.

            Definitely not a musical. Most of them can’t sing. Saiki just shrugged.

            “I think an exciting drama would be good,” said Teruhashi. I can’t seem too eager for romance. But we will have romance.

            No thank you unless it’s with (Y/N).

            “Oh, there’s Romeo and Juliet,” said Teruhashi, writing it down. “Everyone loves Shakespeare, and it’s a dramatic tragedy.”

            “Overdone,” said Saiki. way too cliché even for his show.

            “They would be expecting it,” said Teruhashi, deflating. Then, she brightened. “Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy and very underrated.”

            “(Y/N) likes that play,” said Saiki before he could stop himself.

            Teruhashi paused. “They do?” He brought them up? I mean, they’re friends, but���

            Oh, no. Saiki had no choice but to respond and nod.

            Teruhashi frowned inwardly and tried to plaster on a pleased face. “Saiki, do you, um…” She panicked. “If we do Much Ado About Nothing, who should be Benedick and Beatrice?” If he had to suggest someone, would that mean he likes them? Or would he choose a friend for it be easier? Would he choose (Y/N)? Would that mean he likes them? She deflated slightly. She was torn in her feelings—she was used to boys liking her, and she was still interested in Saiki and the way he treated her so normally, but if Saiki liked (Y/N), her friend, how would she feel? She had noticed them, how close they were, how Saiki was so…natural around them and actually seemed to enjoy himself with them.

            I don’t want to lose (Y/N) as a friend.

            Saiki glanced at Teruhashi in surprise at the thought. For so long, Teruhashi had only thought about herself and her own feelings, so for her thought to be about losing her friendship and not about losing Saiki was new.

            Actually…it weas a good thought. (Y/N) had been worrying about losing a friendship when their relationship with Saiki came out, but this was promising. It wasn’t perfect yet, Teruhashi was still interested in Saiki and hadn’t really gotten into the thought that Saiki could like someone else, but at least it was there and wasn’t followed with anger towards (Y/N).

            Who would have thought something good would come of this? thought Saiki.

            “Hey, Kokomi, hey, Kusuo.”

            Before Saiki had to respond to the question, Saiki and Teruhashi looked over to find (Y/N), Nendou, Kuboyasu, and Kaidou standing in the library.

            “Why are you here?” asked Teruhashi in surprise (also embarrassment since she had been about to ask questions about Saiki and relationships).

            “We wanted to help out so you two don’t have to do everything on your own,” said (Y/N), smiling. They were being honest—they didn’t want to leave everything on the shoulders of two people. However, they also had an ulterior motive—they didn’t want Saiki to feel stuck with Teruhashi flirting with him for too long.

            Saiki smiled as he saw them. (Y/N) was the best. I love them.

            “The more the merrier, right?” said Kaidou.

            “Can we help decide roles?” said Kuboyasu.

            “Wow, thanks,” said Teruhashi, putting on her perfect smile. Why did you have to come?! She cleared her throat and sat down with everyone around the table. “I was thinking the best choice is a Grimm’s fairy tale or Shakespeare, something classic.”

            “I heard another class is doing a play, too,” said Kuboyasu. “The Wizard of Oz.”

            “Really? Then we have to avoid that,” said Teruhashi.

            “Shakespeare would be difficult in so short a time,” said (Y/N). “Even if I do love it.”

            “How about Momotaro?” said Nendou.

            “That’s for little kids,” said Kuboyasu.

            “By the way, isn’t Urashima Taro a terrible story?” said Kaidou, frowning. “Urashima Taro saves a turtle and is welcome at the castle. This part is fine. But he realizes that the days he spends at the castle were actually centuries in the real world. And he opens the souvenir and instantly becomes an old man! That’s too much! What a horrible fate!”

            “Well, they did tell him not to open the box,” pointed out Kuboyasu.

            “Anyone would open it!” argued Kaidou. “That’s the only thing he could think of. Why didn’t the princess or turtle explain anything?”

            “That’s true,” said Teruhashi. “That reminds me of other fairy tales. There are so many that I wonder why they couldn’t have gone differently.”

            Kuboyasu nodded. “People don’t explain anything and make weird decisions.”

            “Yes, there are a lot of stories that need fixing,” said Kaidou.

            “Well, historically, people believe fairy tales came from two places: adults telling one another stories and then people writing them and trying to give them lessons,” said (Y/N). “So a lot were just dramas told to make life more interesting when working or to teach people lessons about life—they served a purpose as entertainment or teaching instead of just being stories.”

            Everyone stared at them.

            “Where did you learn that?” said Saiki. He hadn’t expected that.

            “I took a class on fairy tales,” said (Y/N), smiling. “We read different versions of stories and learned where they came from and how they changed.”

            “That’s it!” said Kaidou excitedly. “We can change the stories! We can take the stories and rewrite them how we want to. Then, we can perform it at the cultural festival.”

            That’s a surprisingly normal idea for us, thought Saiki.

            “What a brilliant idea!” shouted Kuboyasu and Teruhashi.

            It’s not a brilliant idea, everyone does that. As Kuboyasu, Teruhashi, Kaidou, and Nendou began to talk, Saiki rose and took (Y/N)’s arm. He turned himself and them invisible as he backed away from the table, no one noticing their leave.

            “How about a modern Momotaro?” said Kuboyasu.

            “That’s been done,” observed Saiki quietly to (Y/N), and they smothered a little laugh.

            “Or writing it from the villain’s perspective?” said Teruhashi.

            “That’s also been done.”

            “Among the ones we talked about, the most flawed—” said Kaidou.

            “Yes, it’s got to be,” agreed Kuboyasu.

            “It’s famous, too!’ said Teruhashi.

            All three and Nendou pointed at a single book. “Alright, our play will be a remake of Urashima Taro!”

            “It’s been done.”

            The door of the library shut, and (Y/N) almost started laughing as they returned to visibility with Saiki. “At least they’re having fun.”

            “At least it has minimal romance,” sighed Saiki.

            “It’s not like Kokomi would choose you for the romance,” said (Y/N).

            “Are we talking about the same girl?”

            “She’d figure that if she asked you she’d cause a riot among the other boys,” said (Y/N). “She has to choose someone the other boys won’t mess with.”

            “…Huh. Good point,” said Saiki.

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[roses-for-rosalyn]

i desperately need dealer!ellie and her sweet girlfriend (who is also totally a stoner (;). maybe if reader went out of town for a while and ran out of weed, so she got some off of a dealer/from a dispensary in that town. then reader gets home and ellie would be (mostly jokingly) horrified by the weed that wasn't hers, and so on :3

(sorry if this does not make sense, english is not my first language and i've never done an ask before so im a bit nervous :])

Rahhh what an amazing idea!! I'm so honored I was your first ask, also don't be nervous to approach my account this is a safe space for anyone darling 💕 Sorry it took so long to respond!!

the people who like my Ellie content come 'ere, this is a treat for you.

word count: 3.7 k

minors dni (please bro)

cw: sprinkle of fluff (haven't had a productive therapy session in a loong time), mutual masterbation sort of, neck kissing, drug use 🍃, established relationship, dealer! Ellie, strap on use (r! receiving), teasing, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, no use of y/n (lmk if I missed anything)

You stand before a familiar rust colored door, contemplating for a moment before you rap your knuckles against the hardwood. You were visiting your girlfriend for the first time in a few weeks–which felt more like a few months. You had gone back home to visit family for a while, and to meet up with some old friends. Naturally being with family was incredibly stressful and you were relieved to be able to return to your girlfriend for multiple reasons: 1) she has weed 2) you were extremely sexually frustrated after being without her for a few weeks 3) you simply missed her company (which you would never explicitly admit to her considering she was a pain in the ass half the time). You had been texting Ellie every day and she never failed to turn the conversation from something wholesome into something incredibly dirty. You would go from talking about your day to shaking, nervous hands trying to type a response without dropping your phone. She could have you aching for her in mere moments simply by stringing together a strategic set of words. It was truly a gift, an oddly specific gift that you were incredibly grateful for when you were separated from her. 

You had told her almost everything about your visit. You failed to mention that being with family got so stressful you met up with your old plug from highschool. You only bought like three prerolls, but for some odd reason you felt like you were being unfaithful to your drug dealer girlfriend. It was something so incredibly silly, but the action just felt…weird. She enjoyed being possessive a lot of the time, mostly because it was fun for her (particularly in bed). Someone might flirt with you at a bar and she would take you home and not let you come until you had said you were hers over and over and over. A combination of nerves and excitement invaded your body every time you thought about telling her. You would imagine her reaction and an ache would immediately grow between your legs. But then another side of you wondered if it might actually bother her, and maybe she wouldn’t react that way. It was a gamble and you were unsure if you felt like risking it. 

The sound of the door opening disrupts your train of thought. As soon as you see Ellie’s face your worries dissolve, you leap towards her, wrap your arms around her tightly and kiss her. You were both smiling so hard your teeth gently knocked together. You lean back, taking her in, you had missed her perfectly placed freckles and familiar green eyes. You kiss her again and again and again, pecking your lips against hers. She moves away from your lips, cups your face and plants gentle kisses on your forehead, cheeks and nose. You giggle and scrunch up your face at the feeling, your cheeks starting to warm. 

She breaks away and rests her forehead against yours, “Hi.” she says breathlessly.

“Hi.” you reply, giggling. “I missed you.” 

“I know, I’m an incredibly amazing person to spend time with, anyone with a brain would miss me.” She smirks, almost challenging you to retaliate. 

Your eyes narrow,  “you know what?’ You scoff, ‘I know you missed me,” a grin forms on your face before you continue, “In fact I have proof of exactly how much you missed me right in my phone.” You lean in, whispering in her ear, “And if you don’t admit it we won’t do anything we talked about while I was away.” 

Ellie smiles, “Ok, Ok I missed you,” she looks down, “you and your perfect tits.” You pull away from her and playfully slap her on the shoulder, poorly pretending to be offended–your giggling gave you away. you could tell she meant it when she said she missed you because she was looking at you with such adoration in her eyes you think you might explode. 

Ellie finally walks away from you to close and lock the door before gently grabbing you by the hand to lead you to the couch. Her hand is so warm and familiar, you squeeze it softly, savoring the feeling. 

She looks back at you, mischief in her eyes “Wanna smoke?” she asks. 

“God, I thought you’d never ask.” You smile, giddy as ever. You eagerly sit down on the couch next to her, close enough so the sides of your thighs touch. You were more needy than usual and Ellie took notice. 

Your eyes move to the coffee table which has various weed related objects strewn about. Ellie had clearly been smoking a bit before you had gotten here. You watch her hands as she leans over the coffee table and begins to expertly roll and pack a joint with her slender fingers. You get lost in her movements, studying the way her hands move so carefully and purposefully. 

She finishes rolling the joint and offers it to you with both her hands, head bowed as if she was bestowing a wondrous gift to you. You giggle at her amusing antics and gently take the blunt from her hands, pinching it between your thumb and pointer finger. Ellie is quick to grab the lighter off the coffee table as you bring it to your lips. You wait for her to burn the tapered end off before wrapping your lips around it and deeply inhaling. Thick smoke fills your mouth, flows into your throat and lungs. The feeling is warm and familiar, ever since you started dating Ellie, smoking stopped burning and started feeling more tingly. It was a sort of comforting feeling- knowing your body would eventually relax and your thoughts would become muted. Your eyes instinctively close as you breathe out, a smile forming on your lips. 

“Wow, you really missed smoking huh?” Ellie laughs at your dramatic display. 

“Well I didn’t exactly go completely without it, but I missed your shit, this is actually good.” You look down, sigh and take another small hit. You offer the joint back to Ellie and look up at her, trying to read her expression. Her appearance doesn’t give anything away as she takes it from you and takes a long hit. Her eyes stay on yours as she exhales, all you can do is stare back, your eyes frantically searching hers for any hint of anger or jealousy. 

“Where’d you get the other shit from?” Her tone is completely flat. “Wasn’t from me was it?” she pinches her eyebrows together, trying to recall if she sent you off with anything. 

“No, no. I got really stressed and I was desperate for any type of relief sooo I messaged my old plug from highschool.” You let out a short laugh. Ellie hands the spliff back to you calmly.

“Was it any good?” She tilts her head and watches as you take a long hit before answering.

“Pretty good, but nothing compared to your shit babe.” You smile as you exhale and hand the joint back to her. She takes it and puts it out, her expression remaining scarily blank. She was obviously planning something in that brain of hers. 

She hums and nods looking down at the coffee table. She sits up and finally looks at you, pats your thigh and mumbles “come ‘ere.” You do as she says and adjust yourself so you're straddling her. “Cheating on your drug dealer who is also your girlfriend huh?” She shakes her head, “Bad idea.” Her expression turns into a wicked smirk. 

You laugh “No I-” 

She interrupts, “Uh, uh, I don’t want to hear any excuses.” 

“But I-”

“You’ll have to make it up to me princess.” Her voice lowers, a suggestive tone lacing it. The way she said it, dominance dripping from her words sent butterflies straight to your cunt. 

“Whatever you want, Ellie.” you say in your most submissive voice, hoping it will convince her to take mercy on you. You know she’s gonna make you ache tonight one way or another. She smirks and kisses you. She opens up your mouth with her tongue, the kiss this time was different; it was hungrier, her tongue roughly massages against yours and she groans at the feeling. You move your hands down to the hem of her sweatshirt and tug. You break away for a moment to throw her sweatshirt across the room leaving her in a white tank top. She grabs the hem of your t-shirt and does the same, leaving you bare for her. 

You hadn’t worn a bra in anticipation for tonight and it definitely paid off. Ellie wasn’t expecting it and stared for a moment, your nipples beginning to harden from being exposed to the cool air in her apartment. You can’t help but giggle at her ogling, but the giggle is quickly cut off once she latches her mouth onto your sensitive nipple. Her warm tongue swirls around your hard bud and you gasp at the feeling, threading your fingers into her hair. She brings up one of her hands to begin playing with the other breast, pinching and rolling your nipple between her thumb and index finger. The feeling was even more intense from the weed, her actions sent arousal straight to your cunt. She takes her time, licking and sucking until she’s satisfied. You're a panting mess after mere moments, mumbling breathless obscenities as she has her way with you. She moves to the other nipple and you have begun grinding against her to try and relieve the ache that had now grown painful between your legs. She removes her mouth, before moving up your body. She kisses along your clavicle taking her time, sucking and licking as she moves. She made her way to your neck and latched on to the sensitive skin causing you to moan. She is slow and methodical, purposefully trying to mark you up. You didn’t mind, you kind of liked the bruises she would leave behind. Your heightened senses deliciously exaggerate the feeling of her warm tongue on your skin, while also making the ache in your cunt almost unbearable considering everything was sensitive. 

“Ellie please.” you whimper, wanting her to do anything to satiate your sore cunt. 

“Please what, Princess?” She asks between kisses. 

“Ellie” you whine out, frustrated beyond belief. She hums and grabs your thighs, wrapping them around her waist, then your arms to wrap them around her neck before standing up and walking you both to the bedroom. She continues teasing you with her tongue, touching you everywhere, but where you need her. She lowers you down to sit on the edge of the bed and you break away from her to back into the middle and lay down. She raises her eyebrows at your eagerness, but crawls on top of you and kisses you, her tongue intertwining with yours, her leg in between yours rising higher and higher… before she pulls back. You frown and tilt your head in confusion.

Ellie smirks and raises her eyebrows, “Oh, you thought I was gonna make this easy?” She lets out a dry laugh at your desperation. She finds it cute, but not cute enough to give in and give you what you want. 

“But I just got back-” 

“And what did you do while you were gone?” She tilts her head questioning you. “You gave me a reason to make this difficult for you,” she answers her own question before leaning in so close you can feel her breath tickle the shell of your ear and whispers, “And you know how much I love an excuse to make things difficult for you.” The bass of her voice invertebrates through your body sending tingles down your spine. 

“F-fine,” You try to sound confident, but she has you in pieces underneath her. “What do you want?” At your question Ellie sits up kneeling over you.

“Get up.” You sit up slowly as she gets off the bed and you follow. You stand in front of her, chest heaving from arousal, eyes shining with desperation and Ellie almost scraps her whole plan for the night. She grabs the hem of your shorts and gently lowers them past your hips, letting them slip to the floor. She does the same with your underwear, all the while you stand still, allowing her to have her way with you. Ellie unbuttons her jeans and lowers them to the floor, her tank top following. You can’t help but stare, her sports bra doesn’t do much to conceal her hardened nipples, her toned abs and arms practically made you drool. She rests her hands on your hips and takes a moment to admire your bare body. “So beautiful, baby.” Ellie breathes out before planting a gentle kiss to your shoulder. You smile at her and she smiles back, then she walks towards the head of the bed, grabbing one of the pillows and putting it in the middle of the bed. You're confused until she gestures for you to sit on the bed. Oh. 

You crawl on to the bed and straddle the pillow, facing the head of the bed. Ellie moves to the top of the bed, gently grabs your hips and encourages you to lower down on to the pillow, you put your hands on top of hers and start to sink down. Once your sensitive clit contacts the soft fabric of the pillow you let out a small gasp. Subconsciously, you start rocking back and forth on the pillow, so needy and overstimulated you couldn’t hold back anymore. Your eyes start to close from the delicious pressure on your clit.

“That’s it princess, just like that.” You let out a little whine and continue rutting against the pillow, chasing relief. After a moment you realized the pillow wasn’t going to be enough, you needed more. You move your hand from Ellies and start to bring it down between your legs. She grabs your hand and tuts “uh, uh you’re going to move just like this,” She nods to you, “until I say. Not any faster, not any slower.” 

“But-” 

“You didn’t seem to want me enough,” She shrugs, “so I’m gonna make you need me.” You let out a quiet moan at her words. She was intoxicating when she was like this, you loved it and hated it at the same time. 

Ellie lets go of your hips and you do as she says, keeping a steady rhythm against the pillow. Once she watches you for a moment she leans back onto the pillows one leg bent, the other straightened out in front of her. And she just…watches, staring you right in the eyes, she doesn’t plan on touching you or helping you in any way. Fine if she was going to watch, you were going to give her a show. A show good enough to get her to give in–hopefully. You begin letting out little whines and gasps as you move fluidly against the pillow. You maintain eye contact as you let your moans build, your clit being teased from the fabric. She groans “Keep moving just like that Princess.” Your eyes follow Ellie’s hand as it slowly starts to move between her legs, palming at her clothed cunt. 

The action immediately sent a wave of arousal to your needy pussy. “Ffuck, Ellie.” you whine out, letting your head fall back and eyes close. Your moans grow a little louder, pleasure slowly building in your stomach. You look back at Ellie, her chest is heaving as her hand moves a little faster against the fabric of her underwear. She is looking down, watching you fuck the pillow, both of you longing for the pillow to be Ellie. You decide to boldly move one of your hands to your breast, cupping and massaging the soft skin. She doesn’t protest, only watches you in awe. You could tell she was on the verge of giving in. You start moving your fingers around your nipple teasing the sensitive bud, before pinching  and rolling it between your fingers. You moan loudly at the sensation and begin to move faster against the pillow. Ellie gets up quickly and grabs her strap from the night stand. You let out a sigh and halt your motions, feeling relief flow through your body. 

Ellie looks back at you “Did I say you could stop?” 

“N-no but-” You stop talking once Ellie tilts her head, silently challenging you. You start moving again, whining a little bit at the feeling of your sore clit rubbing against the soft fabric. You watch as Ellie adjusts the harness. Taking her time to secure it, you would almost be pissed off if you had any room for any emotion besides complete and utter desperation. 

Finally Ellie moves behind you on the bed, she caresses your shoulders, moving her hands up and down and kisses the side of your neck. You are still desperately humping the pillow as she said, waiting desperately for her to say the word. “Ellie please.” The desperation in your voice is pathetic, but you were reduced to a puddle from her literal torture. 

“Come and then I’ll let you stop.” She whispers in your ear.

“Ellie I can’t, it’s not enough I need more please.” She moves her hands to your breasts and begins cupping and massaging the tender skin. Once she starts teasing your overstimulated nipples your head falls back on her shoulder and you moan her name. She starts sucking and kissing your neck and that was all you needed. The pleasure in your stomach finally started to build to a peak. You start rutting your hips faster, chasing your high. 

“Come for me baby.” Ellie breathes into your ear. At her words your orgasm hits you, your pleasure coming to a satisfying peak after the relentless teasing. You buck against the pillow over and over, riding out your climax. “Good girl.” Ellie says as she continues teasing your nipples. When you start to come down Ellie immediately guides you so your upper body is laying against the bed, still straddling the pillow. She grabs the pillow and puts it underneath your hips, giving her a perfect view of your swollen, dripping cunt. You suddenly feel her fingers running up your slit, gathering your arousal, before shoving two fingers inside your soaked cunt. You gasp at the sudden intrusion, tightening around her fingers. “So perfect for me baby.” Ellie says before starting to move her fingers, curling them up against that perfect spongy spot inside of you. You moan as she moves her fingers in and out of you perfectly. She removes her fingers from you and you feel her begin to guide it against your soaked pussy, nudging your clit as she moves her hips forward. You moan into the sheets as she moves her hips back and forth a few times, grazing your clit each time. The strap was coated in your juices after mere moments. You were almost dripping down your thighs, clenching around nothing as Ellie teased you. She massaged the silicone cock, coating it with your arousal, before teasing your entrance with the very tip. You groan as it stretches your tight cunt. She moves slowly, opening you up with the thick black cock. 

“Oh god.” you moan as she moves deeper into you. 

“Relax for me baby. You can take it.” Ellie assures you. You relax, allowing her to sink all the way into your tight cunt. You whimper as she bottoms out, feeling a painfully pleasurable pressure in your pussy. She grabs your wrists and holds them together with one hand and places the other on your hip. She starts to fuck you mercilessly, not giving you any time to adjust, forcing a pathetic “fuckfuckfuck.” out of your swollen lips. Ellie begins grunting at every thrust from the effort, but keeps her pace. The harness was rubbing against her clit perfectly, her ache being soothed as well as yours. 

“God I fuckin missed this pussy baby, missed using you however I wanted like this.” You moan at her words, you loved it when she used you however she wanted. “Such a good girl for me.” She begins moving faster, getting lost in her pleasure. She uses her grip on your wrists to pull her cock deeper into you, causing you to moan at every thrust. Ellie could tell you were already close.

“You can come as many times as you want, princess, but I’m not stopping until I’m done.” You started to come undone, your orgasm ripping through you as Ellie fucks you through it. Waves of pleasure wash over you and you moan so loudly, you are sure the neighbors heard, hell maybe the whole neighborhood. You start to come down, but Ellie doesn’t let up, you whine as she continues to pound into your overstimulated cunt. You whine out her name and she reaches under you to lift you upwards, your body flush against hers. She slowly moves her hand down your stomach, you can tell what she’s doing “Ellie I can’t-” 

She pauses, “You can take it, give me one more baby.” You nod and she moves her hand to your clit and starts rubbing it in small controlled circles. She uses her other hand to tease your nipples and you’re already close again, muttering obscenities and letting your head rest on her shoulder. Ellie begins panting and moaning in your ear as she thrusts into you, reaching her high as well. Her hips start moving sloppily and she breathes out “Come for me.” before coming undone herself. You let go, your moans syncing with Ellie’s as her thrusts become slower and less controlled. Your body completely submerges into your pleasure, your hips rocking back into Ellie’s mindlessly. You can barely hold yourself up any more as pleasure washes over you. Ellie holds you against her as you lose your strength. She pulls out of you slowly and lowers you down to sit on your knees as she removes the strap, throwing it to the side. You turn around to face her and smile lazily, she smiles back and kisses you softly. She lowers you onto the bed as she continues kissing you. You collapse into the soft pillows, every bone in your body giving out. 

“I missed you.” You barely manage to whisper.

“I missed you too.”

[aha-chuu]

Natlan Act II Spoilers

So we get to see the fight between Capitano and Mavuika, thankfully (I remember Hoyo robbing us of Dainsleif vs Abyss Twin before). I just wanted to share my thoughts on it a little because it's kinda wacky?

So obviously the fight itself is sick as fuck, and Capitano and Mavuika match each other blow for blow. Then Mavuika lands a hit and Capitano retreats (with aide). Pretty solidly this is a win for Mavuika, but Kinich expresses afterwards that they were quite evenly matched. This is something Hoyo emphasises, presumably for two reasons: 1) maintain the stakes, and 2) keep up Capitano hype.

Because here's the thing. Harbinger losses - especially outright losses - aren't that common. Just look at all the gnoses they've gotten. What's a lot more common is this thread of harbingers "losing the battle but winning the war".

Discounting Mondstadt for being sort of short and tutorial esque, every other region plays with this.

In Liyue, we defeat Childe, he summons Osial, we defeat Osial, but Signora planned all that anyway.

In Inazuma, Scara defeats us, we defeat Signora, but that Scara defeat left him with the gnosis.

In Sumeru, Dottore fakes a retreat to lead us into a false sense of security! We may defeat Scara-mech, but Dottore is around the corner with sleeping gas and his own deal to get two gnoses.

In Fontaine... In Fontaine we're kind of working with the Fatui the whole time, so this really only applies to Childe losing to the oratrice and then the narwhal but that still helping Arlecchino anyway.

The point of all that was to demonstrate this trend. But, there's a secondary link between all of those events - the way the Fatui come out on top each time is through a scheme. We have about 50/50 (ha) odds across all these actual fights, but the Fatui have their 100% win streak via trickery and bargaining.

The Natlan archon quest establishes that Capitano won't use these methods. It is a divergence from most other harbinger characterisations.

Capitano flat out refuses to attack Mavuika while she is weakened, preferring a fair fight. This is not a strategic choice, for one, but he is also still injured - waiting for Mavuika to regain her power would place Capitano at the disadvantage.

This combination of factors does do a good job of setting up Capitano as a character, but it leaves some weaknesses in establishing him as an antagonist. We're used to harbingers essentially having plot armour when it comes to gnosis hunting, via the trusty method of "oh well all that was their plan all along" and a hand off off screen. In this quest, Hoyo pretty much cuts that option off: Capitano's attempt on the gnosis is too brazen, his ideology too steadfast. But since he loses against Mavuika in a fair fight, Hoyo risks lowering the stakes. If Capitano couldn't beat Mavuika already, there's no way he will beat her when injured and refusing to attack while she's vulnerable. So why should we be worried about whatever "threat" he poses?

Hoyo brush this aside a little by having Kinich claim they're pretty evenly matched, implying Mavuika won more by chance than totally overpowering Capitano. It's also not unlikely that another harbinger will show up later and take over gnosis duty. But Capitano is No1... Is he really just here to show off how strong Mavuika is? And exactly how is Mavuika so strong?

According to Nahida, the top three harbingers are archon level powerful. She claimed to have no chance in a fight against Dottore, who is no2. Ofc, her combat strength is pretty low, whereas Mavuika's is obviously much higher.

Raiden was strong enough to incinerate Signora in one slash. With that context, Capitano putting up any fight against Mavuika seems impressive.

Narratively, there is no way to do a satisfying rematch with the current set up. Which makes me think that Hoyo aren't planning on a rematch at all - but a team up.

The event that took place in Act I can be broken down into three stages:

Group contest (Kachina & Mualani vs everyone else)

Solo fights (Kachina vs Mualani)

Actual war (group vs Abyss)

I think that this sequence will end up being representative of the Natlan plot, and more specifically reflect the dynamic between Capitano and Mavuika.

What if, 500 years ago, Capitano was part of Mavuika's group. Not necessarily in the big war against the abyss, even, perhaps before that. It would explain his ties to the Natlan of the past, at the very least.

Then the present: Capitano fighting Mavuika for the right to change Natlan's "rules", just a few days after the pilgrimage competitors used the same arena to battle each other for the right to protect Natlan against the abyss. Those "rules" he spoke about we know to be the methods and rituals that slow down the abyssal assault. That makes Capitano and Mavuika's duel also to decide who can protect Natlan from the abyss.

The future: team up. Maybe aligning with Mualani and Kachina, Capitano could appear to rescue Mavuika later on, despite losing to her in the arena. This doesn't mean they'd be besties like the girls are, rather that these same general actions could take place, regardless of individual motivation.

I just can't see another satisfying route with what we currently have

[dumjokes]

RONIN BEAUFORT X READER

||ONE-SHOT||

Mostly in his POV, Sorry if I got his character wrong!! They/them pronouns are used!

A typical afternoon with Ronin is awesome. cuddling in bed with one another after he comes back from work and killing, eating lunch and dinner together, watching TV and just enjoying each other's company, but today isn't a normal afternoon for either of you, Ronin is on his day off and hes obviously going to spend it with you.

"Nooooo-!" They exclaim with a whine to him as he cackles not taking what they want to do seriously.

"Darling! Come on it's not that serious-" He starts before cackling more, adding a wonky hairstyle on the stick figure. Which was supposed to be a drawing of his Darling, his fallen angel, his writer, his artist, his Y/n. Sadly it doesn't look like them, it looks like a crude drawing a 5 year old would give their parents after preschool.

“I'm stressed over making you look good to be met with that! ” They whine to him pointing to the masterpiece they've made of him comparing it to his stick figure of them.

"Y/n, it's not that bad, hm? Why do I need to draw a picture when you and your pretty aorta is right in front of me?" He murmurs smirking hand already outstretched and caressing their face like they're the most precious thing in the world. Even though he could totally kill them. He wouldn't though, they're too precious too kind, too sweet and all his.

"....." They look flustered leaning into his touch, practically stunned from the sudden attention before melting into it like a lovesick puppy. Lookin' at him like he's a nightmare gone right after too many boring days alone, staring at the pitch black of his eyes, the same eyes that only shine for them, he's their devil, their antichrist, their killer, their Ronin.

"Look at the time darling! Seems like it's almost time for bed?" His hand moves from their face to lift them up. "ACK-" they screeched, practically stunned as he lifted them up bridal style carrying them back to their room, a king sized mattress, pink sheets, a fluffy pillow, and an army of stuffed animals are strategically placed (thrown) on the bed. Their collection of items and trinkets proudly displayed on one wall while another has his antichrist devilish decor.

He plops them onto the bed right onto the pillow, then sitting on the side of the bed, watching their still flustered face. "Darling... Y/nnn..." He gets closer whispering into their ear seeing them get more flustered before leaning back and laughing at them. Before tackling them with a hug, tickling them till they turn red in the face for a different reason.

"Look at my precious lover's smile! Your face is so pretty like always," he stops tickling them before rubbing their throat with his thumb, almost lost in thought, his actions weren't threatening his touch was too light to be threatening. "What?" They questioned looking at him with concern, the concern is not from fear mostly curiosity, their eyes shining at him like the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky. Like he's their Earth. Needed, wanted, loved possibly to a fucked up amount.

"Nothing, darling! I just don't wanna go to work. Especially since I have a pretty thing like you around at home waiting for me." He murmurs, nuzzling his nose against theirs in a nose-to-nose kiss before, giving them a proper kiss and laying fully on top of them. Not letting them move.

"You're trapped now!" He cackles, snuggling his face against their neck not moving at all. Tangling his legs with theirs for added security so they don't leave but he knows they wouldn't, he feels their breathing slow, their arms wrapping around him and when their fully asleep, snoring, but peaceful he dozes off too, listening to their breathing and their heartbeat that only beats for him.

[jozor-johai]

I noticed a little subplot happening in the background of ADWD, and I’m wondering if anyone has any theories on where this is going. I have my own theory, which I'll explain in full at the end, but is essentially this: I think that GRRM is placing these Dothraki khalasars strategically along the Rhoyne and telling us about them in ADWD so that if Dany commands the loyalty of the entire Dothraki in TWOW, she'll already have loyal armies in place right by the Free Cities, rather than having to wait transport troops anywhere—even though the Dothraki aren't a threat now, the Dothraki will be in place to attack the Free Cities while the Free Cities have sent all their armies to fight Dany's forces at Meereen.

I'll explain my reasoning, and where I think GRRM is putting the pieces into place here—under the cut, since it's a slightly long post with maps.

We first hear of Dothraki along the Rhoyne in ADWD Tyrion III:

“Griff means to strike downriver the instant we are back. News has been coming upriver, none of it good. Dothraki have been seen north of Dagger Lake, outriders from old Motho’s khalasar, and Khal Zekko is not far behind him, moving through the Forest of Qohor.” The fat man made a rude noise. “Zekko visits Qohor every three or four years. The Qohorik give him a sack of gold and he turns east again. As for Motho, his men are near as old as he is, and there are fewer every year. The threat is—” “—Khal Pono,” Haldon finished. “Motho and Zekko flee from him, if the tales are true. The last reports had Pono near the headwaters of the Selhoru with a khalasar of thirty thousand. Griff does not want to risk being caught up in the crossing if Pono should decide to risk the Rhoyne.”

As a reminder, Dagger Lake is where the Rhoyne in the east meets the Qhoyne in the west to make the full-force Rhoyne that we know and love.

Illyrio dismisses any reason to be concerned with these particular Dothraki, and perhaps he is right. But we do get our first preview into the concerns of Khal Pono, and the premise of Dothraki along the Rhoyne. Are they doing to be placated by gifts, like Illyrio says? Or is something different afoot?

Next we get an update in Tyrion VI, by Selhorys.

Haldon Halfmaester explained. “On the way down from the Sorrows to Selhorys, we thrice glimpsed riders moving south along the river’s eastern shore. Dothraki. Once they were so close we could hear the bells tinkling in their braids, and sometimes at night their fires could be seen beyond the eastern hills. We passed warships as well, Volantene river galleys crammed with slave soldiers. The triarchs fear an attack upon Selhorys, plainly.”

Another reminder for geography, Selhorys is significantly south from Dagger Lake. Like, further than King’s Landing is from the Trident. Once again, we have this concern: will Khal Pono cross the Rhoyne for Selhorys?

That concern is brought up again in Tyrion VI:

“Three,” Qavo allowed, “against thrice three thousand enemies. Grazdan mo Eraz was not the only envoy sent out from the Yellow City. When the Wise Masters move against Meereen, the legions of New Ghis will fight beside them. Tolosi. Elyrians. Even the Dothraki.” “You have Dothraki outside your own gates,” Haldon said. “Khal Pono.” Qavo waved a pale hand in dismissal. “The horselords come, we give them gifts, the horselords go.” He moved his catapult again, closed his hand around Tyrion’s alabaster dragon, removed it from the board.

As predicted by Haldon in Tyrion III, here is Khal Pono across from Selhorys. We hear that Qavo is unconcerned with Khal Pono, despite Haldon’s concerns.

This might be a bit of a meta opinion, but whenever someone is as flippant as Qavo is being here, expect them to be wrong. They definitely aren’t going to go away with gifts, Qavo is totally jinxing it—that’s my prediction.

Then we get another update later on, in The Lost Lord:

Haldon’s horses did not please him. “Were these the best that you could find?” he complained to the Halfmaester. “They were,” said Haldon, in an irritated tone, “and you had best not ask what they cost us. With Dothraki across the river, half the populace of Volon Therys has decided they would sooner be elsewhere, so horseflesh grows more expensive every day.”

By this point, they’re in Volon Therys, which is only barely outside of Volantis—think roughly the distance between King’s Landing and Duskendale, for comparison. And here, too, there are Dothraki on the other side of the river. Are these the same Dothraki, are they traveling south at the same pace as Tyrion/JonCon? Or is this yet another khalasar? We haven’t heard any update from Qohor, and this is the first time that we’ve unexpectedly encountered a khalasar—are they here to meet with the Volantenes about Meereen, like Dany’s advisors fear? Or are they here for another reason? Is it possible that Illyrio and Qavo are wrong?

The last update we get is in ADWD Victarion, when he captures a ship from Myr heading for New Ghis and Yunkai:

Sailing out of Myr, the Dove brought them no fresh news of Meereen or Daenerys, only stale reports of Dothraki horsemen along the Rhoyne, the Golden Company upon the march, and others things Victarion already knew.

Unfortunately, this is stale news for both Victarion and we the readers—this is like a snapshot back to Tyrion II/III, when the Golden Company broke its contract and started marching east, and when we first heard about the Dothraki on the Rhoyne in my first quote.

However, despite this being a snapshot back in time to old news, I wonder about GRRM’s choice to include this again so close to end of the book—is this a reminder for the readers about these Dothraki on the Rhoyne? We’ve learned why the Golden Company marching ended up being important, could this passage from Victarion be a reminder of these tidbits of news because they will continue to matter moving forward?

I am doubly interested because it’s in this same book, in the very midst of all this talk of Dothraki on the Rhoyne, that we hear the tale of a previous time the Dothraki came. This is back in ADWD Tyrion IV, between the reports of Motho and Zekko on Dagger Lake and before the talk with Qavo about Pono. I’ve bolded the relevant sections, because it’s long, but left the rest for context.

“The war left the Disputed Lands a waste, and freed Lys and Myr from the yoke. The tigers suffered other defeats as well. The fleet they sent to reclaim Valyria vanished in the Smoking Sea. Qohor and Norvos broke their power on the Rhoyne when the fire galleys fought on Dagger Lake. Out of the east came the Dothraki, driving smallfolk from their hovels and nobles from their estates, until only grass and ruins remained from the forest of Qohor to the headwaters of the Selhoru. After a century of war, Volantis found herself broken, bankrupt, and depopulated. It was then that the elephants rose up. They have held sway ever since. Some years the tigers elect a triarch, and some years they do not, but never more than one, so the elephants have ruled the city for three hundred years.”

Maybe this wasn’t just to set the stage for the Volantene elections, but to remind us that the Dothraki can come out of the east to wreak havoc…. when the Free Cities are weak. And boy, is Volantis looking undefended right now: the Golden Company is gone to Westeros, other sellsword companies have gone to Meereen, the Volantenes have sent their fleets to Meereen.

Before I continue, here’s a map of the locations of the Dothraki khalasars along the Rhoyne:

Why we should care

We can be almost certain that Dany has to return to Vaes Dothrak to visit the Dosh Khaleen. Though we don’t know for sure if Khal Jhaqo’s forces are going to outpower Dany and Drogon, Dany is already envisioning the future where she returns to Vaes Dothrak when she sees Jhaqo’s outrider at the end of ADWD:

One rider, and alone. A scout. He was one who rode before the khalasar to find the game and the good green grass, and sniff out foes wherever they might hide. If he found her there, he would kill her, rape her, or enslave her. At best, he would send her back to the crones of the dosh khaleen, where good khaleesi were supposed to go when their khals had died.

Of course, we ought to already have known this from Dany’s vision in the House of the Undying:

Beneath the Mother of Mountains, a line of naked crones crept from a great lake and knelt shivering before her, their grey heads bowed.

If Dany was truly seeing her future—and I believe she was—then we know we will inevitably be seeing her return to Vaes Dothrak to accept the homage of the Dosh Khaleen.

However, this creates a bigger problem: we need Dany to get to Westeros, and potentially have time to also reach both Volantis and Pentos (though whether or not Dany will actually go either of those places is purely speculation, however well-founded). Vaes Dothrak is in the entirely opposite direction from where she is now—that would be heading east, away from Westeros, not closer to her end goal.

For some readers, this isn’t a concern: we might trust Quaithe, who reminds Dany that:

To reach the west, you must go east. To go forward you must go back, and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow.

Some readers, though, wonder about the time and ability for TWOW to contain this storyline within its time. GRRM is realistic about how long travel time takes, which is great for the realism, but presents immense logistic problems.

Dany doesn’t need to worry about the time it takes to travel long distances as mucha as she used to—if she can begin to control Drogon, she can fly around at will. However, that’s only her; if Dany does gain the allegiance of the Dothraki at Vaes Dothrak, how can she actually leverage that in a meaningful way when they’re constrained to horseback? While the AGOT timeline is largely unclear, we can use Dany’s pregnancy to at least be sure it takes months to get from one side of the Dothraki Sea (in Dany III) to Vaes Dothrak (in Dany IV). Does Dany have months to mobilize Dothraki from one side of the Sea to the other?

With the Dothraki along the Rhoyne, though, she doesn’t need to wait for anyone to ride across the sea. Conveniently, they’re already there. If there’s some way to send a message that the Dosh Khaleen have decreed that the Dothraki will follow Dany, that she is the Stallion Who Mounts the World, then she has a ready-made army just waiting for her word to cross the Rhoyne after all, and take the Free Cities. Then Dany can fly over there on her own and just meet them.

I know we’re all looking forward to Dany taking Volantis, so I don’t want to propose something too contrary, but how about this: sicne we’ve been hearing all through ADWD that there are a ton of Dothraki already in place, conveniently for story purposes, ready to accept their regular gifts… or perhaps ready to act if, for example, word came that the Stallion Who Mounts The World has come after all. That might speed things up a bit. We know Volantis is only weakly defended, we know there are Dothraki outside of Selhorys, Qohor, and Volon Therys. Dany has spent five books searching for home and finding one among the people she’s freed. Maybe this is how she makes sure it’s the Volantene slavers who don’t have a home to go back to this time.

[satanic-fruitcake]

hello hello GUESS who just got to the ugly truth in his farscape rewatch again!! (me fave episode yippeee) i notice something new every time i watch it, so i thought i’d finally compile all my observations!

Aeryn’s Version Of Events

She views Zhaan as indecisive and a total pushover. “i’ll need to meditate on this”, “well i don’t know who to believe!”

Aside from Zhaan she has the most merciful view of Crais. it’s fairly obvious, and just as obvious why, we all know. but it felt like a disservice not to at least mention it. The whole thing is a real testament to how far she’s come.

Zhaan’s Version of Events

She’s the only one besides Stark who explicitly lies to their faces, and i find it so so compelling. you go girl. she’s such a shitty priest <3

Zhaan portrays John as an indecisive pushover, almost childlike in his inability to form his own opinion.

She characterises everyone as so ridiculously passive and it’s hilarious. even Crais, which is interesting. “the Plokavians are going to have great difficulty believing that was an accident!” LMAOO

She’s also SUCH an ass-kisser. “the Plokavians are strong believers in truth and justice 😇” okay girl.

Related to this she also has herself, instead of Stark, be the one who explains the Plokavians to the others, demonstrating her tendency to paint herself as smarter and wiser than she really is, and to not really listen to those around her.

She goes to the very unnecessary effort to describe the made up scene where she and Stark admire the Plokavian ship and hold hands. it’s really cute. and a really funny attempt at painting Stark as peaceful and non-threatening.

Stark’s Version of Events

Noticeably shorter than the others but i’m obsessed with him so of course i’ve noticed the tiny subtle little details. for example. he characterises not just Crais, but everyone as slightly colder than they really are, demonstrating how little he really knows the Moya crew in comparison to how well they know each other. He doesn’t even have a cute little moment of remembering Zhaan fondly.

He’s the only one who doesn’t paint himself as the leader. (yes, they all do it, or at least paint themself as the most rational, most just aren’t as obnoxious about it as D’argo.) he has a very black and white view of the situation. John is the hero whose opinions everyone has time for, and Crais is the villain. Stark paints himself as a mere observer on the sidelines. i think it’s a mix of the following: 1) a result of a lifetime of slavery, being unimportant and ignored, and 2) a manipulation tactic, a defence mechanism, much like his strategic mad outbursts.

His admiration of John is very obvious.

Even the camera work is telling. his memory includes a lot of close ups to character’s faces, and when it cuts to him, his eyes are darting around between them all. he’s studying their micro-expressions.

D’argo’s Version of Events

It’s hard to say anything about this beyond it’s just really really funny. his version of John is such a yes-man. he has the most explicit I Am The Leader vibe because of course he does.

Zhaan’s “violence would not solve the problem” is such a simplified portrayal of her character, her worldview, the advise she often gives. 3 possible reasons for this off the top of my head: 1) he doesn’t really listen when she talks. 2) he listens, but he doesn’t understand. 3) he just wants this to be simple. he wants this to be over so he can get out of here and find his son, so he’s glossing over things.

His characterisation of Stark is very funny. totally unhinged and pathetic. more on this at the end.

and finally:

Crichton’s Version of Events

The closest to the unbiased truth. maybe. who knows. you decide.

Right from the start, he places himself behind Crais. no one else puts him there.

Now that i’m rewatching it as i’m writing this, he doesn’t paint himself as much of a leader either. he paints the Moya crew as a united front, up until Stark approaches the console.

No one else but John remembers Zhaan being the one to say “you mean your control.” in response to Crais claiming Talyn would be even more aggressive without his guidance. she’s a bit passive aggressive about it as well. regardless of wether she really says it, it’s such an interesting little moment to me, how John sees this cold version of her, likely because he was only one who saw firsthand how she killed her lover in Rhapsody in Blue. he understands her capacity for pragmatism, even cruelty, better than anyone i think.

Whether his story contains bias and inconsistencies, his characterisation of Crais as surprisingly reasonable proves he’s making a clear effort to be as objective as he can.

“PLOKAVOIDS”

This really is my favourite farscape episode, i love it so much. and i think it’s because, although not obvious at first glance, it’s clearly the first Stark Episode, (like I,ET is the first John Episode and Rhapsody In Blue is the first Zhaan Episode) A defining trait of Stark’s is that he’s a character who is very at the mercy (scrutiny) of other’s (mis)conceptions of him. his line about outsiders thinking his people don’t feel, but it’s only that they don’t always show. his defence mechanism being acting crazy or more incompetent than he is. (his prey animal swag has enchanted me body and soul) everyone’s lack of trust in him. this episode lays the groundwork for all of that. i once saw a review shitting on this episode for bringing back a guy no one cares about and then sacrificing him expecting the audience to care about him despite not having given him time to become likeable. it’s a valid point, but i think this is the episode that makes you care about him, or at least form your opinion.

thanks for reading!!

[thyme-in-a-bubble]

sirius black x reader— reader and sirius in an established relationship playfully tipsy flirting at a party when sirius leads the reader to the basement bathroom and at first the reader is like sirius black what is wrong with you but nonetheless the reader cannot resist and a not-so-quickie ensues. reader and sirius strategically leave after a very drunk james knocks on the door to pee and sirius and reader go about their night dancing with each other with flushed cheeks— they might even leave a little early

(sorry this is just a few thoughts, nothing fancy, I just couldn't sleep and this request got me thinking...)

please, this is him to a tee! he would totally seduce you like a fucking siren, even if you'd given him the old warning of no funny business, when alcohol got involved, he simply couldn't stop himself and you just couldn't resist. how could you? he would just stand there staring at you and only you, blocking the rest of the party out completely. although, it's when you dance and he stays back that he gets enough... just watching you move your hips like that and your tits bounce to the rhythm was too much for his cock not to take over and drag you down into the basement bathroom (the basement because you know, that way people can't hear the noises he wants you to make for him)

but James, fucking James suddenly tries to get in and nearly rips the door handle off from how he's yanking at it. you of course immediately get ripped out of the real-life wet dream that Sirius had put you in, try and push him back as he's got you balanced on the sink with his tongue down your throat.

occupied! is all he calls out to his persistent friend, barely removing his lips from yours to do so.

Sirius? mate, let me in, i need to take a leak!

just go away, James! his friend's presence wasn't gonna stop his hands from travelling up your skirt...

seriously, give me one good reason as to why you can’t open this door right now. because my wasted brain can only come up with one thing-

but while James is going off on the other side off the door, Sirius places a hand on your cheek and whispers to you sweetly, don’t answer him baby, just stay right here with me… trying to convince you to stay, trying his best to get you back to where he had you just a few moments ago, so rilled up that you'd slap him clean across his face if he didn't make you cum in the next few minutes.

y/n? you in there, sweetheart?

and although Sirius shook his head wildly and mouthed for you to stay quiet, you timidly giggled …hi James

i fucking knew it, you freaks! well done padfoot! well fucking done!

shut up and leave us alone! Sirius barks at his friend's wolf whistles, though you grab the opportunity and hop off the sink, no, babe, come on, don’t go! we were just getting started! 

[ombrathefurry]

how do you generally design characters/choose color pallets?

whenever I try and create a good color pallet they always end up clashing and looking absolutely awful

i've tried using websites but they always end up being very bland, so i'm turning to the expert lol

the only character i've created that I actually. like. is the one that's just a black freaking tiger with rainbow glowing stripes, but that's because monochrome with color pops just always is flawless </3

Expert what expert

I'm by no means any expert, but I'm really happy you think my designs are appealing enough for you to ask me this!!

I ALWAYS try to come up with a character concept or idea for who they are before I start designing. Because of this, you see a lot of my designs turning out to be designed very strategically, with their features actually having proper functions and reasons to be there

This is why I have such a hard time with gifted designs. I don't know how to make them work without a background or concept I can really connect to properly.

For specific character designs, I usually think of and flesh out a basic idea in my head. Depending on how lucky I end up being, I can imagine every detail right off the bat. Other times, I have to put some work into it and experiment a little.

Here's an example of me working out a character design WIP right now

Development of Mr. V

Some characters just pop into my head exactly the way they are, like how Samuel did

Cogsworth too

Some of my characters come from dreams, too, and I just immediately sketch out my interpretation of the idea I'd had

Peter came from a dream about a white rabbit with a weird face killing a nuclear family's father leaving the mother and child alone with no idea what happened (it was disturbing, (there are more disturbing details,) which is why I made peter very unsettling)

Butch came from a dream that had something to do with fake peppino from pizza tower running around the It Steals maze area throwing cleavers at whoever he ran into

Dreams are a GREAT place to come up with character concepts

They give you a very solid ground before you start designing

One of my guidelines for creating characters is that they should be instantly recognizable as their own character. What are their special features? What defines them? What features would I keep if I were to draw them at the bare minimum detail? What parts of the design would make the character unrecognizable without them?

For example, Reena without her yellow.

Queen without her shadows.

You see this rule pop up a lot online, though mostly focusing on the idea of the silhouette of a character standing out from the others.

While I think it's a good option for when it comes to developing designs, I don't like worrying about it too much. I try to create the individual features of the character rather than immediately think about the silhouette.

All things considered, you're also totally allowed to break the rules to achieve something else. For example, Saleem and Minnow have identical silhouettes because I wanted them to give an uncannily similar vibe. Some characters who were derived off of others through dreams I might have had have very similar silhouettes as a nod to their origins, though have very differentiated individual features.

I look to various other artists and designers I like for feature ideas when I'm super stuck (usually when my ideas are more abstract)

for example, scrawl came from a very abstract dream and literally didn't have a face (they were just a bunch of hands and looked a little bit like a black void worm from Rainworld)

I took inspiration from Fooffle's Space AU Warren for his face, Sir Needle's sona's ears for his hair, and gave him this sweater from a random thing I found on Pinterest that I liked

Bennet (and the rest of the caravan gang) came from a dream about various different individuals riding on a wagon - Bennet specifically in the dream was Uncle Ben who runs The Urban Rescue Ranch. I ended up giving him the name Bennet in reference to this, as well as Uncle Ben's broad shoulders, muscular build and curly hair.

Queen's entire existence is inspired off of the protagonist from Bendy and the Dark Revival. As a nod to this, I gave her a partially monochrome color scheme with some accents. Queen's shadow face was inspired off of this specific fanart of Caesar from The Mandela catalogues.

(I can't find the source for the life of me sobs)

Mr. V was inspired off of Itward from Fran Bow, as well as Pastra's sona Clyde the veldigun. I gave him Itward's large hat and formal attire, and Clyde's long limbs and striped patterns. I also gave him deep halloween colors as a nod to both inspiration's aesthetics.

My biggest thing about features is there has to be a REASON why they have these features, but that's just personal preference (and there doesn't have to be a good reason, or even a reason at all every single time)

okay now for the main part of the ask (I've been stalling)

Sorry if this is disappointing, I don't have a process for picking colors that work together

It's a lot of trial and error, and some characters I've even stalled making profile pictures for because I don't know what to color them as.

to me, you can pick any color you want. It's actually very impressive to think about how many colors you could use.

I'll try to explain what I do know about the placement of colors, though. It doesn't matter what colors you use, but in my opinion, the placement of these colors is what really matters in designs.

Depending on how many colors I'm planning on giving the design, I like to split them up into parts. Primary coloration (1,) which takes up most of the design, secondary coloration (2,) which takes up less of the design but still a good amount, (Sometimes I have more, tertiary, quaternary, whatever, that take up about an equivalent ratio of the design as secondary,) and accent colors (3.)

Similar colors can also be grouped together in these sectors. For example, all the purple in this character would be primary, the greys secondary, and the oranges the accents.

For Chakra, his purples would be primary, all the bright colors of the wounds secondary, and his outstanding eyes accents.

Each sector should be different and differentiable from one another!

Divide your character up into sectors for coloration. Decide what colors go where. Sometimes it takes a bit of shuffling to find what works for you. Adding inbetween colors to branch the gaps between your selected colors can help tie things together, too.

To me, instead of WHAT colors you use, it all comes down to how you USE those colors.

Cordis is mainly dark colored, primary, with their secondary rainbow colors and their accented white features. Even with rather bright colors in their palette, they still come off as a dark gloomy character because of the placement/ratio of those colors.

Monarch has very clashing colors, though when separated and balanced out, they appear harmonious and work together.

Anyways that turned further into a rant about character design than anything else

I hope this helped :D

[cruyuu]

Last chapter leaked and is so, so bad

Hi anon.

I've actually skipped looking at leaks this time (and would do so in the future) because I've wanted to experience one chapter in its entirety and not just have it vaguely translated. Besides, I started to really hate how popularized leak culture is in this fandom. It's gotten so bad to the point that some people don't even read chapters, they just read leaks and that's it.

I understand why you might think it's bad. I also think so. There's two chapters left and, as a fan of the story, I dislike the direction of everything. It feels rushed and forced... it isn't fulfilling at all. I'm happy for those who do think it's good but for me it's a hard miss. Landings in shonen usually aren't pretty though so I'm used to it. (and even though there are two chapters left it still wouldn't change much really.)

As a Yuuji fan though, oh am I having fun lol.

I'm going to put the rest behind the cut (which is my opinion on this chapter).

We get explanations because of course we do. There were many fans who disapproved and called bs on the way the entire Sukuna fight was handled. I have to admit that even though I do think what Gege wrote makes sense, it still feels overtly complicated and just a tad plot convenient how everything played out perfectly. It's all just... I don't know. Too much explanation and little to do with imagination. I'm not a child so I don't need a chapter dedicated to spelling out little things that could've easily been mentioned at an according time (like during the battle).

Still... the way the powers work here in this story does require you to really sit and think and do require block after block of text. This is the one part that I never liked about jjk because explanations like these make character-oriented moments feel less alive and make all of them behave like a bunch of dolls because one moment you'll see them talking but the next panel you're met with a whole class on jujutsu. It was always bizarre to me how little interaction there was between characters... hell if you take away the class sessions, they rarely have moments where they talk amongst themselves for themselves instead of giving a lesson on jujutsu or strategizing. It's admittedly a bit strange but oh well... it is what it is ig.

There's a reason (aside from certain characters being hot) why jjk's tag on ao3 has a lot of works. Some people take what we know and expand on it in a far less Gege-way by having characters interact with each other. I have grown to like more characters in fics way more so than in canon. In canon, only a handful of characters get my love and I'm sad to admit that those that do (such as Maki and Higuruma), quickly slip out of that loving spot and now I can't really feel as happy as I did about them before.

On that note, I haven't felt anything when Higuruma showed up alive. Yep lmfao. I used to feel for this man a lot and he is one of my top 3 (aside from Yuuji and Sukuna) but... I can't say I am happy that he's back. Now his sword disappearing in Yuuji's hand is for nothing and him clearly dying in front of Yuuji was for nothing. I still do love him and can't really dislike him (absolutely not) but canon... man the story really is kicking me in the butt when it comes to execution because ever since 265, the story had been a literal mindfuck. When I think I have a sense of where it is going to go, it goes a total opposite direction (and usually the one that doesn't really fit the vibes of the previous chapter). To me... the story's now all over the place which is contradictory because everything is being spoonfed to the readers and everything is "fine and dandy".

I still will complain because Shibuya arc had me thinking that I'd be reading something different (like CSM did) but then... here we are. There are practically no real consequences (aside from Gojo) in the Sukuna battle but at this point I wouldn't be surprised if he, too, gets a pass and gets resurrected. I would love nothing more than to read a shonen where the dead don't come back and where there's actual troubling consequences but then that wouldn't really be a shonen but would be a different genre all together (a seinen) so... yeah. I'm not going to count in Megumi's sister (because she's barely even a character) nor reincarnated cursed spirits (because we couldn't really even invest ourselves in them before they were gone) so you could say the only real casualty of the whole vs. Sukuna (aside from the Merger which wasn't even a real threat since Kenjaku wasn't even that intent on that plan in the end) is my time.

I'm just joking ofc, but I hope you get my point. It's not rewarding, not fulfilling and definitely not a good conclusion for someone who could barely even invest themselves into other characters. I still can't give a fuck about Yuta, or Kusakabe, or Panda. I feel just as stone-faced as Nobara and Yuuji did during the latter half of 268 when Megumi joined them. It's all so... whatever. (and it's kinda hilarious to me because the fandom is losing their minds and meanwhile the characters are lowkey behaving like dolls lol)

Still for those who did enjoy this and do love how everything is unraveling and so on and so forth, good for them. I'm just stating my opinion. Some might get the impression that I would love for jjk to be a tragedy, and tbh, I would not but I really would've loved if Gege, as an author, made me care about the side characters more. Instead the side characters to me feel like empty husks and I attached myself to Yuuji because his development seemed interesting only for it all to amount to weird ass interaction with the entire cast and back to being benched. He's literally playing spectator now in this chapter and yeah... it's really disappointing.

Again, two chapters left and this is where we're at. Lol.

I don't want to be a killjoy but yeah. It's not all so bad really but it is frustrating how little there is about the world and in general how many things have been shelved in favor of what we got now. Instead of seeing these interactions (which was just recycled "ok so this happened which wasn't explained") we could've gotten explanations regarding Yuuji's linage, his talk with Gojo, or for that matter, had character behave a little less like npc's in a video game that repeat the same dialogue when you come up to talk with them.

What this chapter did reveal which was also funny (said with anger btw) to me is this:

So Yuuji's "gloves" weren't really a cool feature that came from swallowing his half-brothers but by mr. Chosen One himself. Le big sigh.

Okay so... the Yuta glaze. No offense to people that like him but since when did he develop this much that he overshadowed everyone (even the King of Curses) in the end? Not only is his plan this successful but turns out that without him, everything would've failed.

I'm just straight up baffled at the amount of attention he's getting because last time I checked he wasn't the one who brought back the literal threat of the series and had absolutely no connections with the secondary antagonist (Kenjaku). Instead of the supposed main character who never had gotten the spotlight in his own fucking story (which is just proving those haters right atp because truly what the actual hell is jjk about? Everyone but Yuuji.) to get something that belongs to him... Nope. None of that.

If you thought this was an actual serious story then well... jokes on you. This panel is actually lowkey hilarious but because I really had grown fond of the story I just find it frustrating.

Yeah I... I don't know what to say really but Gege really disappointed me with this. I'm not much hopeful for the future (because the writing does feel quite cheap) and therefore will stop treating jjk like I did before. Does this mean that I hate it? No. I'm just disappointed.

I will keep my head up for like two chapters more since I'm curious what else can happen but then will definitely move on. Not from the characters tho who (luckily) can exist outside of canon. Yuuji and Sukuna will always be my babies and others are still there in my heart even though I'm very much so frustrated with the story.

So yeah... there you go. I probably might skip answering asks regarding the chapters in the future bc I really don't care anymore. If Yuuji's linage get addressed (which is the only thing I care about atp bc everything else is starting to annoy me) I might be okayish with whatever the hell we get as the ending.

[skzhocomments]

In the Dark - Choi Minho SHINee Fanfic - Chapter 7 - When our lips touch

General masterlist

Story masterlist - please consult it for the summary of the story, trigger warnings etc.

Wattpad | AO3

Chapter 6 | Chapter 8

---

Chapter 7 - When our lips touch

chapter word count: ~5.1k words

~Minho’s POV~

“Yes, baby, just like that.” I spoke, watching her bounce up and down on my dick, her round breasts moving in unison with the rest of her body, her hair doing little to nothing to cover her nipples from my sight.

She was so fucking beautiful and hot, her face contorted in pure bliss, and she was reaching her high.

“Fuck, Minho, you’re the best.” She leaned down and pressed her lips against my mouth, and I kissed her, starting to move my hips to create more momentum between us. She moaned into my mouth, then quickly moved on to sucking my neck.

“God, you’re so tight for me, baby. Why are you clenching around me so hard, hm?” I praised her, and I was so, so close to cumming.

I continued fucking my way inside of her while she became a moaning mess, and I hugged her body against mine, to keep her as close as possible.

“I love you, I love you.” I spoke, burying my dick inside her just as I cummed hard. “Flame- no, Jieun, you are so-”

~

Jieun?

I opened my eyes, shocked, looking confused around my room and feeling my pants uncomfortably wet and sticky.

A… wet dream?

Fucking hell.

I did the unthinkable again. I imagined Flame – whose body I got to know so well – as Jieun. Again.

And I dreamed about fucking her.

And I fucking ejaculated in my sleep, thinking of Jieun – Nari’s teacher.

How messed up in the head was I?

Why?

Why?

Was it because she ended up spending the night here and we drank and talked so intimately until 5 AM?

Even so, that’s not normal. It’s not appropriate to have these thoughts about her.

Fucking hell.

Looking at the clock, it was 10 AM. Late, by my standards. Nari’s been up for probably 3 hours now, but like the good child she was, she didn’t come to wake me up.

Get your shit together, Minho.

I told myself, then got up and hopped in the shower, trying to wash my sinful thoughts away. I couldn’t keep thinking of fucking Jieun when thinking about Flame. They were separate people, and it wasn’t right.

Yes. I need to stop this, before I do or say something stupid to make Jieun uncomfortable.

~

~Jieun’s POV~

Agh, what the fuck. I groaned, feeling the biggest headache throbbing right in my temples.

Opening my eyes and sitting up on the bed, I massaged the painful spots in my head and tried to stretch a bit, letting out a big yawn.

Memories from last night came flooding in, and I quickly figured out that I was still in Minho’s house and that I drank way too much, which resulted in this freaking migraine.

I didn’t have anything with me – my phone, my keys, my bag; all of these were in the living room, so I had no idea what time it was, but even without a clock, I knew that I far outstayed my welcome.

I should’ve left last night instead of drinking with Nari’s dad. It didn’t feel like such a bad idea to stay the night in the kitchen when Minho looked at me with such sparkly eyes, they made me melt; it didn’t feel like such a bad idea under the dim lights on the couch in the living room with two bottles of wine and a full glass in my hand. It didn’t feel like such a bad idea yesterday.

But today, under the daylight, it was totally inappropriate. There was no reason for me to actually stay and sleep, or drink with Nari’s dad until 5 AM and talk and talk and talk.

Why am I still here?

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Getting up from the bed, I headed towards the bathroom connected to the guest room and washed my face.

Next to the sink stood a utility cart where a towel, a new toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as all sorts of skin care products, and even feminine hygiene products were placed strategically.

I haven’t noticed them yesterday when I took a shower in here, but I was grateful for them nonetheless, so I picked the toothbrush and tore its packaging, then I brushed my teeth and got rid of all the alcohol taste still present in my mouth after a night of drinking.

I grabbed my clothes from the rack and changed from Minho’s clothes, then I exited the guest room and started walking towards the living room.

Sounds of cartoons could be heard coming from it, and when I entered the room, Nari was sprawled over the floor drawing something in coloured pencils, while something was playing on the TV.

“Oh, you’re awake?” Minho spoke, and only then did I notice him on the couch, manspreading while reading something on his phone.

“Yes. Good morning.” I smiled and waved at Nari, who looked at me for a few moments.

“Good morning? Miss Park, it’s 2. Are you normally this lazy?” She asked bluntly, as children do.

2 PM?!

My mouth fell open, which didn’t go unnoticed by Minho, who quickly intervened.

“Nari, that’s not nice to say, she was tired after taking care of you the whole day.”

“Wait a minute-” I started speaking “is it really 2 PM? Oh God, why didn’t you wake me up?” I turned to Minho upset, a large frown on my face.

“Why would I? It’s Sunday. Sleep in as much as you’d like.”

“But-”

“Daddy, I’m hungryyyyy.” Nari stood up and jumped on the sofa all of a sudden, pouting.

“Oh, what should we eat?”

“I waaaaaant… pancakes!”

“For lunch?” Minho chuckled. “That’s not-”

“Pancakes! Pancakes! Pancakes! Pancakes!” Nari started jumping up and down, making me laugh. She was so evidently spoiled, but not in an annoying way most children are. She was cute.

Minho rolled his eyes.

“We can’t have pancakes, because daddy can’t cook them.” He shrugged, and Nari stuck out her tongue at him, then came to me and jumped on my legs.

“Miss Park, can you make pancakes? Pleaaaaaseeeeeee.” She started pleading with me, and I just looked at Minho who watched us amused, as if he were watching a cute moment on a TV show.

“I-”

“PLEAAAASEEEE.” Nari started again, and watching her big, round eyes looking at me so hopeful, I gave in.

Those fucking eyes she got from her dad, I swear.

“Fine. Let’s make some pancakes. But as a dessert. You have to eat a real meal for lunch first.” I put my hands on my hips and waited for her approval, which she was quick to give.

She seemed happy with this outcome.

We headed towards the kitchen, and I pulled out a few ingredients we had left over from yesterday, and I cooked some chicken with mashed potatoes for the three of us and tried not to think about me still being here, even if I had no reason to be. Even if I should’ve left last night as soon as Minho got home from work.

We made small talk, and my migraine was almost gone after eating and getting hydrated properly, but the strange feeling in my chest made it hard to breathe. It felt like I was choking and in desperate need of air, that just didn’t get to my lungs. Sitting like this at the kitchen table – the three of us – brought a small sense of normality and I couldn’t help but think that from the outside, we must’ve looked like a happy family.

Inappropriate.

When we were done cleaning up after lunch, I showed Nari how to beat the eggs for the pancakes, then I let her pour in the flour and the milk, letting her mix the batter herself. I wasn’t sure if she would be ready to use the stove as well, but under my supervision, I let her pour the pancake mix in the pan from a ladle, and she seemed very excited.

“Do you like cooking?” I asked her, waiting for the pancake we just poured to harden up enough to turn it over.

“Yes! It’s so fun!” She jumped, and Minho chuckled seeing her. He then looked right in my eyes and smiled so brightly, my heart skipped a beat.

Inappropriate.

I decided that no longer looking at him was the logical solution, otherwise who knows what this stupid heart of mine would make me do next?

~

“Miss Park, can you stay for dinner too?”

“Nari, I’m sure she has a lot to do at home as well. She already played with you a lot today, didn’t she?” Minho petted her hair.

We finished eating the pancakes and cleaning up about one hour earlier, after which Nari wanted us to paint together, and I couldn’t say no.

“But I want us to make food again.” She pouted, small tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

“We will do it again another time, okay?” I smiled and tried to stop Nari from starting to cry.

“Besides, we have to visit grandma and will eat with her anyway, did you forget?” Minho continued, noticing Nari’s dejected face. At the mention of her grandma, however, her eyes lit up.

“Okay…” She nodded.

“You should go get changed, grandma is waiting for us.” Minho instructed her, and Nari nodded, then left.

“So, should we drop you home?” Minho turned his attention to me.

“If you’re going to the hospital… is it alright if I come with you? I could visit my grandmother as well…” I pondered.

“Why not?” Minho smiled. “Listen, Jieun, about yesterday…”

“Hm?”

“Thank you so much for taking care of Nari, and for today as well. She looked like she had a lot of fun with you, and I’m truly grateful.”

“Oh, no worries. You don’t have to thank me for anything. I had fun as well.”

I returned his smile, then we continued talking until Nari came back from her room.

~

“Hey grandma.” I opened the door to her hospital room and stuck my head in, a large grin on my face. “I brought you some pancakes!”

“Oh, Jieun!” She smiled and urged me to come in the room. She was sitting on the bed, watching TV.

“Is this a new drama?” I asked, pointing out to the show while sitting down next to her bed in the visitor’s chair.

“Yes, it’s so captivating! Uhm, Jieun?”

“Yes?” I looked at her after placing the pancakes on her food tray.

“Didn’t you go home yesterday?” She tilted her head confused, looking at my clothes.

Oh, fucking hell, I didn’t think she would notice.

“Uhm… I did.” I lied, and grandma saw right through me. She raised me, after all.

“Silly girl, did you meet someone? When were you going to tell me?”

“It’s nothing like that, it’s just-”

“MISS PARK!!!” The door flew open, and Nari ran inside, jumping right on my lap.

“Oh, my! Who should you be, little princess?” My grandmother smiled brightly, admiring Nari’s long hair and large eyes.

“My name is Choi Nari, I’m 8 and I like painting.”

“Is that so? What a cute girl you are!” Grandma cooed. “Would you like some pancakes?”

“Are these the pancakes we made together, Miss Park?” Nari asked innocently, and Grandma threw me a sharp look I knew I couldn’t ignore for long, moment when Minho entered the room as well.

“Nari, I told you so many times to stop running away- Jieun?” He saw me, then he rubbed his forehead. “I’m so sorry for this, she did it again.”

“But I knew Miss Park was going to be in this room and I forgot to hug her goodbye!” Nari whined.

“There, there, you hugged me.” I chuckled.

“We are truly sorry for intruding on the time with your granddaughter. My name is Choi Minho, and this is my daughter, Nari.” Minho bowed to my grandmother, and she waved her hand around.

“The more the merrier! Look how lively this place became! Now, young man, you’d better explain why my granddaughter didn’t go home last night.” Grandma smiled, but it was one of those smiles that made you cower in fear, which Minho caught on quickly.

“Grandma, I told you it wasn’t like that! Minho had to work and asked me to take care of Nari, who’s one of my students!” I explained quickly, but grandma was still sceptical, and looked slightly disappointed.

“Is that so?” She replied unconvinced, but still dropped it.

Minho excused himself and grabbed Nari from my lap, and I dreaded being alone with grandma, because I just knew she was going to start asking questions.

“Who is he?” She started as soon as Minho left the room. “He’s so handsome! Where did you meet him, at school? When have you began dating?”

“Oh my God!” I whined. “It’s NOT like that!!! For the millionth time! He’s just Nari’s dad, that’s all!”

“Is he single?” Grandma nudged my elbow.

“I see you’re feeling well today. Well enough to annoy your granddaughter.” I spat out, and both of us started laughing.

“His daughter is so cute! I remember when you were that age! You were cuter, though!”

“You only say that because we are related.” I chuckled.

“And because you’re my precious baby.” Grandma smiled fondly. “These pancakes are really good.”

“Thank you! It’s your recipe, but they don’t taste as good as yours. You should hurry up and get better so you can cook for me.” I pouted.

“It’s the universal recipe, dear, and they taste the same. But how come you want to live with this old hag? You should start making plans to live with that handsome lad! What was his name again, Minho?”

“Grandma… what will I do with you?” I sighed and shook my head.

“But even if you end up adopting another woman’s child, I still want some grandbabies from you!” She ignored me completely and kept living her fantasy.

“Oh my, do you have a fever?” I pouted. “You’re only spewing bullsh -OUCH!” I shouted, after grandma hit my hand with her fork.

“Don’t talk like that!” She scolded me, and I chuckled. “Should I wash your mouth with soap?”

“So, you could hear me!” I spat out, and grandma threw me a look.

“Is it that wrong for me to want you to raise a baby?”

“Okay, okay. You want grandbabies? You better focus on getting healthy so you can take care of them!” I laughed, and grandma smiled.

~

On Wednesday, just as I dropped Nari off to her Art School, a notification on my phone caught my eye.

In the Dark – 1 new request

---

CHARISMA – personal form

THINGS I ENJOY: Flame!!! I am so so sorry for Saturday, something unexpected came up and I couldn’t come meet you. Also, I know this is super short notice, and I wouldn’t blame you if you wouldn’t be able to make it in 2 hours from now (though I wish you would!). Unfortunately, we will no longer be able to meet on Saturdays, but I’d like to see you Mon-Fri 6:45-7:45 if you have time and want to as well, of course. Let me know.

THINGS I DON’T WANT TO DO: just the usual

CONDOM / NO CONDOM: no condom

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: -

---

Reading his form felt like a weight got lifted off my shoulders. He had something urgent to take care of, that’s why he cancelled on Saturday.

But still… he wants us to meet every day?

Wow.

Thinking of it, Charisma’s been spending thousands on me in the past month since we’ve started seeing each other.

How much money does this dude have?

Life must be good for him.

Easier than mine, at least.

---

FLAME – personal form

THINGS I ENJOY: No problem, Charisma. It’s quite ironic actually, something ended up coming up on my side as well so we probably wouldn’t have been able to meet anyway. So funny! I’d love to see you every day, I’m free during that time, so you can book anytime on short notice, and I’ll be there. <3

THINGS I DON’T WANT TO DO: -

CONDOM / NO CONDOM: no condom

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: I know it’s cold outside, and I can technically wear turtlenecks only, and don’t get me wrong, I love it when you kiss my neck, I’m going crazy for it, but still could you maybe be a bit more… careful when it comes to leaving marks on my neck and chest?

---

After sending the form, I went home and took a long shower, then I used the perfume I usually put on whenever I meet Charisma, making sure to put it on my ankles as well, just in case my legs end up on his shoulders. Of course, a different one from the perfume I use on a day-to-day basis, just to minimize the chances of someone ever recognising it.

Well, the perfume consideration was not exactly aimed towards Charisma, since it was impossible for me to know someone like him in real life. People that afford spending thousands on a prostitute in a single month are not people that usually frequent the social circles I can be part of.

Minho seems to have some money, though. I thought, remembering the place he lives in with Nari, and his profession.

But still, I doubt he has that much money, otherwise why would he have chosen a public school for Nari? Even after the bullying scandal, he would’ve definitely sent her to a better, expensive private school, or even hire teachers to homeschool her.

Whatever, how much money Minho makes is none of my business.

I put on some lacy lingerie and warm clothes on top, thinking that I’d rather dress a bit more appropriately for the weather outside, since the wind was getting colder and colder, while still maintaining a sexy element that would be fun to touch and imagine.

I reached the building and entered the room like I usually do, and I took off all my clothes, keeping on the red lingerie and waiting on the bed until Charisma got here.

It’s only been a week and a half since I last saw him, but it felt like a lifetime ago, and I was growing more impatient by the minute.

For some reason unknown to me, my heart began picking up the pace and I felt… nervous.

Why would I, though? He’s just a man that pays me, and there’s nothing between us…

Speaking of, I haven’t been thinking about Charisma at all while spending time with Minho… of course, leaving aside their similarities which were… a bit uncanny.

Wait.

Did I seriously think that spending time with Minho took my mind off Charisma?

Jieun, don’t be fucking stupid, please.

Minho is just Nari’s dad. I can’t possibly say I enjoyed drinking wine with him at 3AM on a Saturday to the point of forgetting about the other man that makes my heart skip.

Wait – did I just think of Charisma as ‘the other man’?

Something is definitely wrong with me.

He’s just a faceless man that pays me for sex.

I shook my head, wanting to let go of all these useless thoughts, when the click of the door signalled me that Charisma finally got here, so I stood up and headed towards the middle of the room to wait for him, like always.

~

~Minho’s POV~

After a week and a half, I was finally meeting Flame again.

I missed her.

Perhaps it was weird to say so, since I didn’t know who she was, but you can’t control your feelings, can you?

I was surprised to see a response form from her so quickly, and even more so that she accepted to meet me on such short notice.

Reading her form carefully, my heart first skipped a beat at ‘I’d love to see you every day.’

Of course, this could just be her being excited to get a bigger paycheck for the time being, but still, I wanted to believe that this was not necessarily the case, and she was genuinely excited as well.

Then, reading further down, reaching the Special Requirements column, I almost let out a laugh.

--

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: I know it’s cold outside, and I can technically wear turtlenecks only, and don’t get me wrong, I love it when you kiss my neck, I’m going crazy for it, but still could you maybe be a bit more… careful when it comes to leaving marks on my neck and chest?

--

Damn, she’s cute. I smiled, and to any outsider, I must’ve looked crazy, grinning to myself like that.

So, she doesn’t mind marks anywhere else, hm?

Her phrasing was funny. What type of person was Flame, anyway?

My mind wandered off to the hickeys on Jieun’s body, and I chuckled to myself again, before thinking that remembering those spots on Nari’s teacher was not appropriate and that I should stop thinking about her already.

Anyways, I accepted Flame’s form as well and went home to shower. Thankfully, Ye-Jun and Jinki offered to take Nari from her art classes and watch her until 20:00 from Mon-Fri until this album is out, and I can go back to my usual working hours.

Right now, I head to work directly after dropping her off at school in the morning, and then I finish at 18:20 – which is 20 minutes too late for me to be the one who picks her up from the art school.

On Monday and Tuesday, I headed to Jinki’s place directly after work to grab Nari home, but both she and Jiho were so whiny they only got to spend 30 minutes together, that Ye-Jun suggested I just come by and take Nari before the girls have to head to bed – at 7:45-8.

This means that I now have almost 2 hours for myself from the minute I leave work until I go to Jinki’s to take Nari back home – so why not book Flame for those times? A good lay is not only a nice workout, but also a stress relief after such busy days.

Why not?

~

Reaching the building and the room assigned for today’s meeting, I entered the hallway as usual, and breathed in a few times before opening the main room’s door.

Darkness surrounded me, just as it did so many times before, and the sweet smell in the air invaded my nostrils, making me almost dizzy. Flame was wearing the same perfume as she usually did, and I couldn’t wait to see – well, actually, to touch – her clothes today to see what she decided to wear.

In the middle of the room, there she was, waiting for me.

She reached her hands to cup my cheeks and ‘kissed’ me, just like last time, her thumbs firmly on my lips to make sure I wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

I was so far from that, though. I wanted to grab her hands away and kiss her and put my tongue down her throat so badly, and these urges were getting stronger and stronger each time I would meet her.

What’s bad is they were this strong when Jieun spent the night, and-

Why am I thinking about her again?

I moved my hands on Flame’s body and, reaching her sides, I let out a “Hmmm” unconsciously, then I slightly chuckled.

She.was.just.in.her.lingerie.

She never waited for me like this before. Did she do it because we only had one hour to spend together?

What colour was it? Her favourite, red? Or maybe something else? Black? I bet it would look good either way.

Feeling her up, the lingerie was made of lace, and I could only imagine how beautifully it hugged her body.

But what need was there for it? I unclasped her bra and felt her tits with my hands, and Flame chuckled lowly as well.

It felt like she was asking me Did you miss me that much? mockingly, and she was right. I fucking missed her and I missed fucking her.

She followed through and helped me out of my clothes, and then we made our way towards the bed. I laid her down and pressed a kiss between her breasts, and then I moved downwards, taking down her lace panties and kissing her pussy slowly.

She moaned sweetly, just as she always does whenever I touch her. Damn, did she like it that much?

After eating her out for a bit, though, she pressed her hand on my head, making me stop, and pushed me away.

Huh?

I was confused, but she was quick to guide me on my back, and she attached her mouth to my crotch instantly, deep throating me at once. She took me by surprise for sure, her mouth working flawlessly on my length while one of her hands massaged my balls, and it was so difficult to not bust right then.

Still, it was like she was reading my mind, for not even one minute later, her legs straddled me, and she let herself fall down my dick, taking me in fully. She firstly moved slow, pressing her body against mine and kissing my neck, as my hands moved to her butt, squeezing it.

After getting used to me, she sat up, her movements on top of me quicker, and she started bouncing up and down my length. I felt her every move, and I wanted to feel her body too, so I let my hands roam on her until I reached her breasts, and then – I got another déjà vu feeling.

This felt just like my dream, only this time I wasn’t able to see anything; I was left imagining how Flame looked on top of me, and my mind was filled with Jieun from my dream bouncing on me, and her perfectly rounded breasts, and how she rolled her head back and the way her face contorted in pleasure, and I could only imagine that Flame looked exactly the same, and I don’t know what overcame me, but I stood up, still inside her, and grabbed her face, and I kissed her, but it wasn’t enough, so I kissed her again, and again, and again, and fuck, was she sweet. Her tongue against mine felt just right, her lips were perfect, and the way her moans got lost in my mouth as I began thrusting into her made me simply lose it all, and I never came so hard.

~

I am insane. I shook my head, my hands on the wheel.

I was parked a few meters away from the bus stop where I met Jieun dressed as Flame so many nights ago.

I needed to know if it was her. I was going crazy.

Of course, she wasn’t wearing anything I could see this time, but if she happened to come to this same bus stop an hour after meeting me…

… then Flame was Jieun.

And that meant I just kissed Jieun during the best sex I’ve ever had my entire life.

It was crazy. I was definitely crazy.

But I needed to know. Badly.

I must’ve had a couple loose screws up there, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted Flame to be Jieun. 

Thinking about it, it was not impossible for them to be the same person. Too many coincidences were piling up, and dreaming about Jieun when she slept over felt like a slap in the face telling me to wake up to reality and stop being blind. That late hour in the same neighbourhood, her clothes that night at the bus stop, her perfume – the same one that Flame used today, all the hickeys she had everywhere and Flame asking me to be more careful around her neck so as to not leave as many marks… it started getting easier to accept that I might’ve been the one to have caused them on Jieun’s body as well, even though it was insane to think I’ve been fucking Nari’s teacher for so many weeks straight without knowing it.

I needed to know if that was the case, so I called Jinki and let him know I was going to be a bit late today, and I waited…

and waited…

and waited… 

And before I knew it, more than 2 hours had passed, and Jieun never came to the bus stop, nor did any other girl at least resembling her.

I let out a sigh.

Why did I feel… slightly disappointed?

---

MEETING REVIEW FORM by Charisma

Rate Flame from 1 to 5 (lowest to highest): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Were all your special requirements fulfilled? (Leave empty if not applicable): I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, and I’m sorry for confusing you and kissing you. I just… I don’t know what came over me. The only thing I know is that I want to do it again.

What did you enjoy? -

What should be improved? -

Would you like to tip Flame? (Any amount you write will automatically be deducted from your Card after submitting this form. Leave empty if you don’t wish to tip your host): 300$

Thank you for using our service!

---

MEETING REVIEW FORM by Flame

Rate the interaction with the customer from 1 to 5 (lowest to highest): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Did the customer fulfil your special requirements? -

Tip received – 300$: I was honestly taken by surprise, but it was a pleasant surprise, and damn, does your mouth fit on mine so well. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow either. We have two more days this week, don’t we? Stay healthy.

---

~Jieun’s POV~

What… did just happen?

I opened my eyes in surprise, as Charisma’s lips fell on top of mine in a fevered kiss.

Our first.

We continued having sex and the time to go eventually came; after all, an hour passes by quickly, especially when you’re having a good time.

I left the building sometime later and ordered a Taxi like I usually do, even if it wasn’t that late and I could’ve still caught the bus. However, walking towards the bus stop and waiting in the cold felt unnecessary now that Charisma wanted to meet me daily, which meant I had a lot of money on top of what was needed for my grandmother’s hospital bills, so why not take advantage of it while it lasts and go back home in the comfort of a warm car?

But still, my heart didn’t halt for even a moment, even long after getting home and slipping under the covers in bed. Ever since his lips touched mine, my ribcage became a ground for fireworks, and my chest felt too tight to contain my heart, that was beating so fast, it felt like I ran a marathon.

It was ironic, really. I had sex with Charisma so many times, we slept next to each other even, but still, this…  I couldn't believe it, and I caught myself touching my lips with my fingertips again and again, as if to check if the feeling is still there, if it truly happened. This kiss felt more intimate than everything else we’ve been doing,

It felt real.

He kissed me.

His lips were on mine – multiple times, and I couldn’t forget the way they felt. It felt like my mouth no longer belonged to me, and now that I was alone, something was missing from on top of my lips.

I wanted to get that feeling back so badly, so reading his form and seeing that he felt the same brought so many butterflies to my stomach, I wasn’t even sure if I’ve ever felt this way before.

---

Chapter 6 | Chapter 8

[aurora-313]

Zangetsu for the ask meme (Either)

Zangetsu

How I feel about this character: Chaotic gremlin who would've gotten on with early series Ichigo like a house on fire, totally being each other's worst (best! :D ) enablers. But in reality, done so completely dirty. You finally get the recognition, love and affection that you're rightly owed as your master's blade... but with the caveat you now have to permanently live with the gaslighting parasitic asshole who drive that wedge between you and your master in the first place. What a cold slap in the face.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Sode No Shirayuki.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Ichigo.

My unpopular opinion about this character Don't really have one? I guess I was disappointed/irritated at the reveal at the time when the manga was released week to week (hand in hand with my distain of Ichigo being a Quincy) but its grown on me.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon. Could he get a fucking apology from Ichigo please?! Or a proper onscreen reconciliation where they speak or anything that showed his opinion about his new living situation? Acknowledgement that what the Yhwach fragment did to him was deeply fucked up?

Yhwach fragment:

How I feel about this character Lying parasitic bastard who gaslit and manipulated Ichigo into hating his own soul for years on end. 99% sure he's the mechanism of Auswählen. Also the reason why I consider 'The Blade Is Me' to be bullshit.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: None.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: None.

My unpopular opinion about this character I don't see him as part of Ichigo. I see him as a foreign parasite, the blood curse Yhwach perpetuated among the Quincy to ensure all their powers return to him upon their death (or his whims). He should've followed through on his intended purpose of killing Ichigo and been expelled, destroyed by Zangetsu acting in Ichigo's defence, cementing the point of Zangetsu forever being Ichigo's true protector. While forever freeing Ichigo from having his powers sapped by Auswahlen, making him the first Quincy in eons to be freed from under Yhwach's thumb.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon. Contradictory to that above - I don't think he should've been a Quincy at all. My personal distain for Ichigo's quincy heritage aside, I think he should've been the manifestation of Ichigo's pure logic and strategic thinking. When Ichigo went through the shattered shaft, his zanpakutou suffered that too, making it just as unstable as Ichigo was until he managed to pull the Shinigami powers out. As for why its a middle-aged man, its as if Ichigo's own soul is going 'oh... oh shit, yeah, get this kid a decent parental figure. With White Zangetsu being Ichigo's pure instincts and blood lust, only when accepting the two together would Ichigo fully recover his true zanpakutou spirit. Aka the Arrancarified Tensa Zangetsu we see in the dangai.

[queer-ragnelle]

would you mind sharing your thoughts on Arthur Rex? No pressure at all!

hi anon! i would love to!!

TL;DR author thomas berger had a lot of prejudice coming through in this book at random times which will undoubtedly make this unpalatable for some readers. completely valid reason to skip this one. but if you can get past that, the characterization is interesting! i'll indicate some of favorite aspects (with spoilers) below a cut.

right off the bat i think berger gets huge props for his balanced characterization almost across the board. aside from some of his super villains who love evil for the sake of evil (morgan le fay, sir melaegant, sir gromer, sir mordred) everyone has good & bad qualities that work in tandem to create an engaging story arc.

autism be damned by boy arthur can work a kingdom! lovable weirdo from page one. picky eater, sleeps with the windows open in winter, incapable of reading emotions, blind to social cues, infodumps to whomever will listen. which leads to the fascinating handling of his seduction at the hands of his sister morgause. here arthur is a 20yo virgin (nothing wrong with that, just older than he's usually depicted at this stage which i found unique). he's oblivious to morgause's wile e coyote attempts to kill him for her husband lot as arthur gives her a tour of the castle & talks non-stop about random stuff she doesn't care about. yet...she's wooed by his adorable naivety & they have consensual sex in ignorance of their relation. however, once arthur learns of this, he's so humiliated & disgusted with himself, that he refuses to set foot in that castle again, & after falling in love with guinevere & marrying her, he stays in her castle for her own familiarity & his comfort. he's then haunted for the rest of the book by that one night & it influences his decisions forever after, eventually costing him that strategical mind which made him a good king in the first place. i found that arthur's love for guinevere was very sweet if complicated. after his tercel kills her canary, he fills a room with countless new ones in golden cages, but she's not content. it really highlights arthur's fatal flaw, that he's high-effort, yet the encounter with morgause emotionally stunted him forever, & he lacks the emotional intelligence necessary to connect with his wife. i also like how arthur handled gawain's killing of pellinore. arthur beats gawain up (lol) & yells at him that his own father (uther) was a bad guy & all he can do himself is be a better man, & gawain should be trying to be better than lot, not worse. he forces him to shake hands with lamorak & they're friends after that. 10/10 no notes all my blorbos kiss & make up. infodumping to morgause:

this then brings me to gawain who i adore in this book. he has it all. he's a total slut right from his introduction when he's not immediately available to meet the king bc he's "jousting a maiden..." he loves his brothers dearly, he's (eventually) loyal to arthur, great friends with kay & lancelot, he goes through the green knight adventure, & then eventually meets & settles down with ragnelle which was so sweet i got cavities. he has a bunch of kids with her & gets to die in her arms at the end (weeping). the narrative is generous to gawain regarding his anger toward lancelot as well which i liked. by that i mean it indicates that if either of them knew guinevere was in danger besieged by mordred, they would have dropped their fight at once to help her, but they had no idea, so they fought to gawain's death. gawain's ghost then comes to arthur flanked by his polycule of angels who are glad to have his virile prowess in heaven (no lie that is the rationale it's awesome). overall i thought he was great, very few books manage to give him a satisfying arc & this did! wedding to ragnelle:

my boy kay gets to be his best self here. right from his childhood he was dissatisfied with his humble life in wales, so when the opportunity to be seneschal for arthur arises, he puts his whole pussy into it. lots of beautiful description of banquets he makes, the whole process of his management in the kitchen as well as surrounding fields, orchards, etc to make it all happen. he even baked & decorated gawain/ragnelle's fancy wedding cake it's adorable. when meleagant kidnaps guinevere, kay had been serving the women at the time & was overcome, so he heads out immediately after her & ends up in prison beside her, where they comfort one another through the bars (makes me a little insane, their friendship was so good). the relationship with beaumains is also well-developed here, & kay is skeptical of beaumains but not outright cruel to him, & eventually warms up to him as gareth is friendly & willing to work. optimal outcome! this kay isn't as great as cherith baldry's, but he's pretty damn good considering the horrors out there. fighting meleagant:

a complex/nuanced agravaine??? more likely than you think...i adore him. funny & brooding & jealous & kind of a dummy lol but what i find compelling is that some of his dislike for lancelot stems from the fact gawain was arthur's first knight & his recognition as such is eclipsed by lancelot in both the king's eyes but gawain's own as well. agravaine even expresses that he feels as if gawain loves lancelot more than him...ouch?? he's fiercely loyal to arthur & he's appointed as guinevere's personal guard for many years. this further explains his obsession with lancelot, as it's literally his job to keep her safe/protect her honor, & an affair threatens that. later, mordred is finally old enough to come to court, agravaine is the only unmarried brother so he gets to bunk with him, & he's so excited about it bc he's been lonely since the other 3 moved in with their wives (hello??? sob??). he's got a close loving relationship with arthur which is of utmost importance to me. in the end it's mordred who manipulates agravaine into cornering lancelot. but it almost doesn't work bc agravaine is so hopelessly in love that, on seeing lancelot in his night clothes, completely loses his train of thought & lancelot smoothly talks him out of it. flawless. uncle & nephew relationship:

overall this book is deeply flawed. berger makes endless asides to mention gender essentialism, race, sexuality. it's inexcusable. but he got the characterization of my faves so right & he's dead now so i'm not giving him any publicity or money by discussing the aspects i did like. overall i do think it's worth a read.

[lightning24680]

Arlecchino Head-canons!

Hi everyone! So Arlecchino....I love her, she's so well designed and I love her character story so far and dialogue. I'm super excited to see more of her honestly! So of course I came up with some personal head-canons of mine for her. I'd love to hear other people's head-canons about her too if anyone would like to add theirs!! Well have a good night/day/whatever time-zone you’re in and enjoy! Lightning24680~

I see her as asexual and celibate for a lot of reasons

1) She’s a Fatui Harbinger who is running an orphanage and is dedicated to preventing Fontaine’s prophecy from coming to fruition, when is she gonna have the time to be fucking someone?

2) Her attitude is so focused on her goals and sex honestly seems like something I could see her viewing as beneath her or not worth her time, why would she indulge in “pleasure” with someone else when she could be furthering her plans to keep her homeland from drowning

As cold as she seems at first glance I’m honestly super intrigued by her character because besides Childe (debatable point yk since he’s mentioned world domination but I can go on abt that for hours) she’s the only Fatui Harbinger we’ve seen who seems to care about a goal larger than themselves that ACTUALLY benefits people they either care about or their nation

Her goal isn’t self-centered or from what we’ve seen so far I wouldn’t say it is

I personally think her character has SO MANY possibilities, I’m super excited by her and can’t wait for more of her lore

By her design and how we saw her interact with Furina, she seems like she takes very good care of herself and puts effort into looking presentable and intimidating, I’d guess that she’s practiced a long time in keeping a calm yet passive aggressive attitude and facade 

Almost like Lyney and Lynette she’s a good actor, she has a good poker face

She only engages in small talk when she feels like it could gain her either an advantage or it helps her in a strategic way, otherwise I see her as someone who’s very straight to the point and a “don’t waste my time with insignificant things” kinda person

I find her as a put together person she plans out what she’s gonna say like I pointed out earlier she’s strategic. Arlecchino knows that words can get you places just as much as action, she’s careful because she wants to efficiently get her way and nothing less will do

I can totally see her as a perfectionist but strangely also as an improviser. Yes, she’d LOVE if everything went according to plan and she expects her agents and “children” to carry out her plans accordingly. However she also accepts that sometimes things will not always go your way plan and she’s perfectly prepared to deal with any situation that doesn’t turn out how she’s planned

I haven’t decided yet whether I could see her being a fan of theatrics and operas, because on one hand I can see her appreciating the dramatics that go into a planned performance and personality, I could see her respecting actors and magicians doing their stunts and tricking/ manipulating the audience into believing what the actor/ magician wants them to see or believe

Yet at the same time I can see her being very against the dramatics and theatrics not only because of Furina’s attitude but because she would consider it “too over the top” or silly and that the people involved in such things might not take anything seriously, excluding Lyney and Lynette

[ndostairlyrium]

Uuuh I wanna contribute to the prosthetic arm topic too!!

It takes months (almost years) of research and testing before Ankh manages to craft a decent new arm, which is totally not functional as a limb per se but it's more of an aid if she's on a mission and needs stability in combat. Also it helps her regain confidence in her skills since she has to drop bow and arrows - can't really hold a weapon she can't feel the weight of.

Emotionally speaking, archery was something fundamental in her life, a talent that took years to be perfected. She feels a sense of emptiness, as if she has lost her identity and can't contribute to the world as an individual anymore. Working on the arm along with Dagna and Three Eyes helps her to cope with such a traumatic loss but like, even if she consumes herself on this task night and day she can't help but feel like she has no reason to do so. Most days she focuses on the new task to avoid to explore her feelings, so she overworks herself to the point she can't connect properly with her surroundings. She was sure she would die after walking through the last Eluvian at the Winter Palace, consequently sometimes she asks herself if that fate would have been better than living without what made her her. Luckily she has a strong support system, people that really appreciate her character outside what good she can provide to the world. Just like her new project, her mental health after Trespasser is a work in progress, basically.

Once she can grip to her resolve, she just starts to develop her ideas further. At first the arm is a regular prosthesis with two runes placed on the joints, to help her hold on objects, then it starts to become something more complex.

What she manages to do:

The arm is functional in a sense that it can be directed to move accordingly to the situation. There are buttons to push and levers to click if she wants to perform certain movements. It's like playing an instrument, using shoulder movements and the aid of her main hand to keep it in place whenever in need.

What she doesn't manage to do:

Handshakes, caresses and other gestures connected to physical touch don't seem to perform properly. Which is normal, considering a big portion of her arm is not linked to the brain. As I mentioned above, some movements can be performed only because of a complex system of levers, buttons and body movements that can symulate a realistic arm movements but the more Ankh goes further with the development, the more she starts to put aside what's realistic and shifts to functionality. You can see her perform strange dances from time to time so she could find a good balance, or just to bend the new arm to a certain degree.

About materials:

Since plastic and silicone aren't available materials and the ones already existing are heavy to say the least, it was hard to balance the arm in relation to Ankh's body weights system. This problem was partially solved by enchanting strategic points - the elbow and the shoulder in this case - as to make the structure less overwhelming and more manoeuvrable. The only catch is that a mechanical arm is still heavier than a regular arm, even if it's something not perceivable. The weight has still an impact on her body, so she has to be super careful to prevent overexhaustion. The part connected to the skin is composed by three different layers, one for elasticity, one for durability, and the other for comfort between skin and the hard layers. My math is terrible but I think it could be approximately 3-5 cm of thickness. The problem here is that the lighter the materials are, the more the arm is prone to damages. The structure in itself is designed to be practical for a very agile person - it has to be lighter - consequently it tends to malfunction from time to time because of sudden hits - or an overuse during reckless parkouring, knowing her << I'm not convinced about the harness' design but she definitely wears one to keep the arm in place, with a sewn on sleeve to make what's left of the arm feel comfortable with all that weight on.

She tends to wear it often, and she modifies it constantly, so to be prepared always if some asses need to be beaten <3 but also it improves her overall confidence.