#I'll skip tagging the characters as that feels like a bit of a stretch

[realitys-ex]

Now, Everyone can agree that the Fullmetal Alchemist Manga is a banger (I assume both animes are too, but I haven't watched 'em so no comment).

What a bunch of people don't know is that the artist/writer Hiromu Arakawa has written 2 other original works (one is complete the other is ongoing.

Silver Spoon: About a kid from Tokyo who, to get away from the demands of his parents/the stress of academia, attends a Farming School in the middle of nowhere where he is p.much the only one without a farming background. Hilarity, character development, etc. ensues.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm: A dude is raised in a mountain village, farming, hunting. etc. Until one day a fucking helicopter comes out of nowhere, his village is 50% slaughtered, turns out that the village existed for the sole purpose of breeding him and his sister, and it is not the 1400s anymore. Oh and Demons are a thing. Violence, humour, character development, etc. ensue. (This one is ongoing)

Now they are both 10/10, and I highly reccomend reading them both But that is not the point of this post.

She has drawn hundreds, if not thousands of faces at this point, so it is no surprise that you will see some repeats between the mangas.

BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW JARRING IT IS TO SEE EITHER INCARNATION OF GREED, HIS CREW, OR ROY FUCKING MUSTANG HANGING OUT IN A SCHOOL TALKING ABOUT COW BREEDS?

REALLY FUCKING JARRING! (somewhat less jarring to see them in tactical gear murdering people, or speaking with demons, cause that feels slightly in character)

Anyway, that aside, if you liked her worldbuilding, realism, in depth characters, approach to romance, etc. I do really reccomend them both.

(She also did another one entitled 'The Heroic Legend of Arslan' but as I haven't read it yet and it is a collaboration, I didn't mention it above)

[redroomroaving]

2024 Writing Retrospective

Thank you for the tag @tavyliasin, I'll try!

What's been your biggest learning point this past year?

I learnt a lesson in over filling my plate. I've always had eyes bigger than my belly, quote my mother, and that apparently applies to my creative output too. I overstretch myself in many ways in life because I get frustrated by my limitations, but you'd think that after so very many opportunities to learn this lesson I actually would?

All of which is to say; it's ok for some stuff to just be ideas. My desperate need to make things exist is a good thing, but in moderation. I ended the year with way too many WIPS, and that was a problem.

How has your writing developed this past year?

I've learnt a lot about myself; the things I'm excited about writing, and the things I'm not. I learnt how to write smut! Then I practiced and got more confident in it. I've practised character voices and how to reflect alternative POVs not just in the way a character speaks but how they think; how I structure sentences, how I alternate observations and internal monologues. I've also come to take more risks and lean harder into following the stories as they go, and letting myself roll with the consequences. Now I just need to learn how to be like, organised - to plot and outline - that sort of thing.

Bad writing habits?

A zillion. Writing out of order; skipping to the good part. Not ending sentences when I should. Repetition. Starting things and then not finishing them.

Constantly going on about lilts in peoples chests.

Oh, and all the untitled documents and the general disaster that is my creative process. I called myself a bunch of monkeys with minaiture cymbals in a washing machine back in like March and I'm sorry to say that's NOT GOTTEN BETTER.

Favorite thing you wrote?

'Sufferer, I shall', which probably will remain the best thing I write. All downhill from there, baby.

'Conductor, Ringmaster' is shortly behind, because it's been so much fun to write and lets me stretch my legs a lot, creatively.

(More recently, I'm also really fond of my Bor x Geraldus one shot Stoke the Fire, which I found a very comforting thing to write.)

Biggest win?

Finishing my longfic 'The Harper & The Tower', my Rolan x Geraldus fic that is, to be honest, really an 150k monument to Harper Geraldus because I adore him and wanted to write him a big happy love story that explored his character, his history, his relationships. I'm proud that I achieved a lot of what I set out to with that story, and hope people enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Goals for the new year?

Finish some darn WIPS, especially 'Conductor, Ringmaster' and 'The Red Harp'. Write more Lae'zel. Write more women, full stop.

Get Bor at least 10 fics on Ao3.

Go outside more, be happier and healthier. Worry less about expectations and meeting them. Remember I write things, selfishly, because I want to write them, and it's ok that I don't always feel I fit in with what it feels like the fandom wants.

I pride myself in my love for the characters, and my belief in their love, as being what I pour into my work. It's a strength, not a weakness; and if I don't love it, I don't need to write it, because that feeling wont be there either. That's ok.

Your favorite words of the year, aka the words you check each chapter for, making sure you didn't repeat them 788 times?

Oooh so many. Lilt. Blush. Bright. Now. Stop saying 'now' so much, damn, people get that it's happening presently.

What are you excited for in the new year?

Working on some collaborations I've been plotting! Finishing some things! Spending more time on The Red Harp and Boraldus.

Getting married; living a bit. Hopefully having better health than 2024.

That sort of thing.

No pressure tags for @librivore42 @lizziemajestic @lemonsrosesandlavender and @ankhegs-in-my-salad

[queenrogah]

𝐈𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 ― part one.

₊˚⊹ᰔ summary: Two childhood best friends who both shared their young love that is truly so unforgettable, but then their friendship was separated by unforeseen circumstances. After 20 years, they saw each other again in a summer getaway from a mutual friend of theirs. What would happen in that whole week of the getaway?

₊˚⊹ᰔ pairing: song kang x OC x rowoon

₊˚⊹ᰔ tags: fluff, angst, forgotten childhood memories

₊˚⊹ᰔ word count: 4.6k

₊˚⊹ᰔ a/n: ahh its so good to be back here again after 5 years of not updating my masterlist hehe. in this series, i didn't use song kang's or rowoon's name, instead i made up names for all of the characters, kinda feels like a whole kdrama series. this part is just fluffy and a bit angsty at the end. so, enjoy reading!

₊˚⊹ᰔ cast names: song kang as LEE HOJUN, rowoon as KANG TAEHA, and wi hajoon as HWANG DOHYUN

𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 →

Fate.

Years ago, I believed solely in fate. Where there is someone who is writing my own life, and that someone who is writing is making sure that I'm happy. How I have my parents, my friends and most importantly, my best friend.

Fate brought us together when my father's childhood friend unexpectedly lived just beside our house. He also has his own family and they would set us up on a play date whenever they have the time.

He introduced himself as Lee Hojun, and he's two years older than me. We were just 5 and 7 years old when we first exchanged our names. The play dates lasted until I turned 9 and he's 11, and our time together suddenly felt a bit different.

Puppy love. That's how everyone describes it.

My feelings for Hojun back then were indescribable. I always think that we should get married already. We were adorable. Those cute interactions made my heart skip a beat for the first time—and I want to experience it for much longer.

Well, I told you earlier I believed solely in fate? What happened next made me forget about fate.

Hojun's family moved to Australia just a month after I confessed to him. And he doesn't know when they will come back home because his mother has been calling Australia their new home.

Fate?

That doesn't exist in my life anymore.

SUMMER OF 2025

“Don't forget your art project to be completed in three days” I announced through the classroom as I watched my 5th grade homeroom class pack their bags and get ready to go home for the day.

“Yes teacher” some of them said in unison, others just nod and smile.

It has been my dream to become a teacher since I was little—from acting like a teacher to finally being a real teacher. I'm grateful that I entered a job that made me smile whenever I start my day.

Even though it gets hectic.

Finals week is happening next week and those are the days where students and teachers are busy and at the same time—thinking about the summer break.

When the last student finally left the classroom, my head automatically rested on my table, catching sleep for a bit. Just a few minutes later, I didn't know someone came inside my classroom and felt their finger poking on my cheek.

“Miss Eunji…it's already 5 in the afternoon” I heard that familiar voice and saw it's Taeha, the music teacher in this school and also the work crush of most teachers here. He really is good-looking.

Me and Kang Taeha had been friends since college and that's the part where other teachers are jealous about—my closeness with Taeha.

We also share one apartment, since it's affordable, and when they found that out—his admirers were scowling at me again.

I groaned and stretched out my arms, “You should go ahead, or else I'll hear their scowls at me again. They irritate me now” I said to him.

Taeha laughed, “Who cares? Besides, I think you need a helping hand” He looked over the mountain of activity sheets that I needed to check and record back home.

I playfully rolled my eyes at him, “Fine” I stood up from my chair and fixed my things. I'm so glad it's finally the weekend—but our weekends are still full of work.

I stared at the activity sheets and closed my eyes as I took a deep intake, “I love my job, I love my job” I mumbled to myself.

I put the papers neatly in a box and as I'm about to lift it, Taeha beat me to it and that made him stand so close beside me, smelling that faint masculine cologne and his veiny and surprisingly huge arms on display since he rolled up his sleeves.

“Helping hand…remember?” His voice came out deep since he's too close to me.

A faint blush appeared on my cheek and took a step back away from him, “Okay, helping hand. Let's go” I nervously laughed and took my things.

I can hear Taeha chuckling behind me and that made me blush even more.

“Hey, remember Hwang Dohyun back in college—” I abruptly stopped in my tracks when I saw Taeha without any shirt on and only wearing those loose gray sweatpants that are so tempting to look at while he’s watching some random series.

“Why is he being like this nowadays?! Did he start working out? Is he feeling confident?” I am fighting my inner demons right now.

“Hwang Dohyun? I just received a text from him.” Taeha responded to my unfinished sentence earlier. I saw him give me a questioning look because I am just standing here, clutching my towel that I used after taking a shower earlier, “Why…are you standing there?”

“Oh! Me too! That’s what I’m going to ask.” I shake off the inappropriate thoughts and take a seat on the sofa where he is—but I’m keeping a distance from him, or else he will see me flip out.

“It’s been years since we last saw each other and I’m surprised to hear an update from him.” Taeha smiled and put his arms up behind his head, causing his biceps to flex a bit.

“Fuck. Can he stop?!” I mentally screamed.

I try to regain my composure, “And that update is…he’s getting married.” I chuckled.

That made me think of most of my friends getting married, already married, and settled with their own family. People have been saying that my age is the perfect time to get married and start a family, but fate is not on my side anymore—since that time. So I’m ignoring those stereotypes and just live where the wind might take me.

“He mentioned that instead of having those typical bachelor’s parties where they go club hopping, he will just use their family summer cabin and spend a week with his friends.” Taeha said while looking at Dohyun’s message.

“Seven days means there will be seven different summer activities that we will be doing?.” I asked.

Taeha shrugged, “Maybe? And I hope so, because I really miss those summer activities we did in elementary school before.”

I smiled on the ground and reminisced about those times, “Yeah, I do too.”

My smile faded away when he entered my thoughts again, causing me to sigh deeply.

“What’s wrong Eunji?” Taeha asked and felt him scoot close to me. Feeling the heat of his exposed torso dangerously close to mine.

“What's wrong? You're all shirtless and shit is what's wrong. Put on a damn shirt.” I slapped my towel at him and stood up from the sofa, getting ready to go and enjoy my sleep.

“It's warm here!” He hollered from the living room.

“Then turn off the heater!” I argued back and entered my room, leaning my back against the door.

Damn you Kang Taeha.

Time really passes by so fast and I'm glad finals week is coming to an end. I kept remembering Dohyun's summer getaway so that I just have the motivation to check every exam papers and projects that my classes have passed. When the school bell finally rang, a wide smile appeared on my face upon seeing the students get all excited for their summer break. With just two and a half months, I'm sure they will make the most out of it.

“Have a great summer, teacher!” One of my students came over to greet me.

“Have a great summer too!” I grinned, then I was surprised when my student suddenly gave me a pretty shell bracelet, “Oh! Is it for me?”

The student nods while showing that adorable smile. I immediately put on the bracelet and my heart swells when they hugged me again before waving goodbye to me. I admired the bracelet once more and soon I was interrupted with someone knocking on the door.

“Come in.” I said.

Of course it's Taeha.

“Miss Eunji,” Taeha always calls me whenever we're here in school and I think it's cute hearing it from him, “We have a small get-together with the other teachers in the faculty room.”

“Oh okay, I'll be right there.” I nodded and started tidying everything I accomplished today. I also applied some lip gloss and powder to make myself presentable.

Then I just realized that Taeha is still here, leaning on the door frame with his gaze at me.

My brows furrowed, “What are you still doing here? You go ahead.” I tried to shoo him away.

“We'll go there together.” He smiled.

I rolled my eyes, “And cause a whispering scene between your admirers again? You go ahead.”

Taeha soon found himself walking towards me and took my bag from my table.

“Hey!” I tried to get my bag from him, but our height difference is hindering me.

“Come on, let's go, you look pretty already.” He said and that made me look at him again, not realizing my cheeks are blushing again.

I huffed out in disbelief, “Fine. I'll just turn the AC off here.”

I tidy up the classroom and turn off everything that's plugged in before leaving the room with Taeha still holding my bag. I was about to tell him something but a phone call interrupted me.

“It's from my bag,” I told Taeha and he gave me my bag, pulling out my phone to see it's Dohyun calling me, “Oh, it's Dohyun.”

I pressed the button to receive the call and I'm surprised it's actually a video call.

“Eunji! Hello!” I saw Dohyun's contagious smile again.

“Dohyun! It's been a while! Taeha is also here with me.” I showed Taeha in the video call as they greeted each other too.

“Since both of you are now on this call, I'm sure you're both aware of my bachelor's party slash summer getaway that is happening on sunday.” Of course, me and Taeha nodded on what Dohyun said.

“Yeah, and congratulations too on your upcoming wedding!” I greeted and Taeha did the same.

Dohyun grinned, “Thank you guys. I'm kinda skeptical about contacting you and Taeha because it's been years since we saw each other, maybe you won't remember me anymore.” He chuckled.

I giggled on what Dohyun said, “What do you mean we won't forget you? You literally saved our last semester in college before.”

“You're the reason we have this degree!” Taeha buts in.

I watched Dohyun laugh so hard and probably remember the time back in college where we literally begged on our knees for his review notes for us to pass our exams. Me and Taeha were so crazy to pass with flying colors, and Dohyun is actually a smart student that we met. He is our guardian angel.

“This is why I really missed you both. Your craziness as a duo in college made me feel so belonged, even though I'm older.” Dohyun sighed, “Anyways, I'll see you guys this sunday and you will be also meeting my other friends. Hope that's okay.”

“Yes of course, see you this sunday! And, will there be a motif for our outfits?” I genuinely asked.

“Nah, any outfit is fine, as long as it's comfortable. See you guys! I'm hanging up now.” Dohyun waves goodbye on the video call as we waved back before he ended the call.

I sighed deeply and returned my phone inside my bag again, “Can't believe we will be spending a week in the woods.”

Taeha tried to uplift my mood because he knows I'm a bit nervous when it comes to the woods, “Relax, I'm sure the place where the cabin is would be nice. With those lake views and everything.” He patted my shoulder.

“I hope so.”

Sunday finally came and I am blankly staring at my two luggage that is filled with my things for the next seven days in the woods. I brought some insect repellant, sunblock and other necessities to make the getaway problem-free. We are just waiting for the driver to drive us to the address that Dohyun gave. He mentioned that he got us a shuttle together with his other friends for us to get to the cabin. I'm overthinking again that it would be a bit awkward to be in the same vehicle with some strangers.

I heard footsteps behind me and saw Taeha wearing a baby blue billowy shirt together with a denim three-fourths. He looks very summery, compared to mine that it's just a plain yellow sundress.

“Ready to go?” Taeha asked while locking our apartment.

“Yeah…I think.” I put up a small smile.

I was taken aback when Taeha suddenly cupped my cheeks and squashed it lightly, “I swear you'll be fine. I'm here for you if you got scared in the woods.”

I took his hands off my cheeks, “You promised that, and don't play pranks on me in the woods or else I'm gonna leave you back there.”

I immediately took my luggages and began walking in the hallway towards the elevator.

“Hey! Wait for me!” I heard him scrambling behind me as I snickered a laugh.

“The driver should be any second now, keep up slowpoke!” I hollered through the hallway of the apartment building and hoped our neighbors wouldn't be annoyed.

We took the elevator and just in time the driver notified us that they are now in front of the building. Taeha helped me put my things in the trunk and now we finally leave the apartment complex.

On our way to the place where the shuttle is, it is full of interesting stories. Taeha mentioned he was once a boy scout in his elementary years and he always has awards whenever they have their tasks, almost as if he's assuring me that I'm in good hands when we stay in the cabin. The driver also added that there's a beautiful lake where the cabin should be because someone he knew also owns a cabin around that place and he saw how beautiful the view is outside.

What they said made me calmer and now full of anticipation of what the cabin would look like—of course with Dohyun's wealth and status, I'm very sure it would be so beautiful.

We finally reached the place and immediately saw a shuttle service waiting by the bus stop. We took our things and said our thanks to the driver as he drove off.

“Oh wow, this shuttle service is…expensive.”

Right before me and Taeha is a white colored shuttle service that almost looks like a whole bus. We made our way towards the man waiting by the car.

“Excuse me, is this the shuttle service provided by Hwang Dohyun?” I asked the man.

“Oh! Yes! Can I ask your names?” He asked as he took out a list from the pocket of his jacket.

“It's Kim Eunji and Kang Taeha.” I said with a warm smile on my face.

Me and Taeha waited patiently as he went through the list and noticed his face lit up, “There you both are miss Kim Eunji and mister Kang Taeha. Let me help you store things inside the shuttle's compartment.”

“Thank you so much.” I thanked him as we also helped put our things inside.

When we are now good to go, we enter the shuttle and our eyes widen to see how cool it is inside. The seats are probably so comfortable, there are small TVs on the seats and a champagne corner? This shuttle has everything.

“This freaking looks like a first class seat in an airplane, holy shit.” I muttered to Taeha since I saw there are now people inside who are chatting with each other.

“Let's find our seat now.” Taeha ushered me towards the seats that are close to the front since he doesn't like to be that far behind a bus.

When he settled, I sat down on this comfortable chair and felt like I'm just about to pass out to sleep on how freaking comfortable it is. I just want to stay there, I'm already content with this damn shuttle service.

After a few minutes, more people came and now the man and also I think is the driver now entered the half-filled shuttle service.

“Good morning everyone, I am Hongchul and I will be your driver today. We will be having a 3-hour drive to the Hwang's family cabin. Mister Dohyun actually gave all of you some snacks and other necessities in the box that is just under your seats. If you have problems or emergencies during the trip, press the button that is beside the TV and just stay your concerns through its speaker. Have a great day everyone.” Hongchul bowed at us and now got ready to drive.

My face is making a very weird look because of what I'm feeling right now. Taeha noticed that I'm making a face now and that sent him from stifling a laugh.

“What the hell is that face?” He covered his mouth.

“It feels so new as a person who only lives an average life. I can't believe we have a friend like Dohyun who is literally wealthy like a president.” I chuckled and soon took the box that Hongchul mentioned earlier. I opened to see some chips, biscuits and a juice to help with our hunger during the trip.

What I'm shocked about is that there's a jacket inside too and summer necessities like sunblock and some sunglasses. Dohyun really planned everything for this special week, and that made me think how many weeks or even months that he planned this. That made me even more grateful to be one of his friends.

The 3-hour drive went by smoothly as we now entered some secluded place that is surrounded by woods. I'm glad it's not one of those places that is too deep within the foliage but this place seems light. During the trip, we actually met one of Dohyun's friends named Yoobin. She's one of Dohyun's closest friends way back in high school and she's so extroverted that she introduced herself to everyone in the vehicle. We can't help but also socialize with everyone in the shuttle. I noticed this woman who is a bit silent and just wearing her headphones while looking at the view. Of course I just ignored her or else she'll be annoyed that I interrupted her quiet time.

After a few minutes, we are now surprised by the cabin. Words can't explain how beautiful the cabin is, how it was standing between the trees and the lake just in front of it. It's like this place came from a storybook.

“The cabin is so beautiful.” I said in pure admiration.

“Told you it would be beautiful.” Taeha added.

“I overthink too much.”

Taeha snorted, “Yeah you do.”

When the shuttle service parked beside the cabin, Hongchul; the driver, now helped us leave the vehicle and unload our things from the compartment. My eyes are not leaving on how beautiful the cabin is.

“Welcome everyone to my family cabin!”

My eyes widened to hear that voice and finally saw Dohyun walking out from the cabin with that same warm smile on his face. All of us greeted him and took turns hugging and greeting the man of hour—or week?

When we exchanged glances, Dohyun's smile widened even more as he saw me running towards him and gave him the biggest hug. Taeha also entered and now turned into a group hug.

“Oh Taeha and Eunji! I'm so glad you're both here! Thank you for making the time.” Dohyun said as we broke our hug.

“Anything for our dear friend, who is close to being a married man.” I nudged his side as he laughed.

“So when's the wedding?” Taeha asked Dohyun.

“It will be happening next month already. Me and Haewon have been together for 6 years now and she's the love of my life. Both of our families are so supportive that this wedding should already be happening. I just proposed to her two months ago, and now the ceremony is now happening in a month.” Dohyun shared this story that made us look like some smiling freaks.

“I'm so happy for you Dohyun, and thank you for planning all of this. So don't worry, this summer getaway will be amazing.” I said to Dohyun.

“Of course it will be amazing, and speaking of amazing, can I have the attention of everyone,” Dohyun stood on the porch of the cabin, “Through the seven days, we will be having different activities to make our summer getaway the vacation of your lives. For this day, we will be barbecuing some food and just a simple campfire.”

I glanced at the large space between the cabin and the lake to see a grill and the campfire already laid out. But first, Dohyun said about our rooms, me and Taeha picked the room that is on the second floor and the window has the perfect view of the lake.

I threw myself on the large mattress and indulged how soft and comfortable this bed is.

“I hope I won't sleep in because of how soft this bed is.” I chuckled and prop myself up to see Taeha also enjoying his own bed.

“Me too,” Taeha agreed, “It's like we booked in a five-star hotel but for free.”

When we finally settled our things inside our designated room. We went back outside the cabin to see most of the guests are having fun in the lake. They were kayaking, skipping rocks and just relaxing. I caught in my peripheral vision the quiet woman during the whole trip talking to Dohyun and sharing some laughs. I didn’t notice how pretty and tall she is. She looked like a model or some sort.

But I just mind my own business and told Taeha that we should have a skipping rock competition.

After several rocks were thrown in the water, of course, Taeha won.

“Why are you so good at everything?” I grumbled and crossed my arms together like some kid that lost in a game.

“At least you also skipped three rocks.” Taeha tried to console me.

“But you skipped ten.”

Taeha chortled, “You’re so adorable.”

My eyes widened on what he said and that made my cheeks blush again.

“A-anyways, let’s just relax on the bean bags by the campfire.” My words stammered as I quickly went my way towards the bean bag and sat on it comfortably.

Taeha has been making me blush for weeks now and I don’t think this is a good sign for our friendship that lasted for years. And when I let my feelings overcome me, maybe it’ll be like that moment again—where someone would just leave me behind. I breathe in the fresh air and close my eyes to what I’ve been thinking again.

I didn’t realize that I already took a nap—with the help of this comfortable bean bag. While everyone is making the most of the beautiful scenery of the lake and the cabin, here I am, passed out.

Smoke. Such indulgent smoke.

My eyes slowly opened to see it's already sunset and the others are now grilling some delicious meat and preparing other foods. How long was I out?

I stretched out my arms and legs before getting up from the bean bag that I comfortably slept on.

“You're finally awake, we finally started preparing for our dinner. I really didn't want to wake you up, you're so comfortable sleeping on the bean bag.” Taeha came walking towards me with a drink in his hand.

I look at the drink he handed me over to see it's iced tea. I took a sip and it was the most refreshing drink for the summer.

“Thank you for the drink, and yeah…I didn't realize I passed out already. I still have to catch more sleep.” I put up a small smile.

Taeha sighed and soon showed me his hand, “Come, let's go with the others.”

I held his hand in caution as we went towards the table where everyone is socializing. Me and Taeha sat down and saw Yoobin; the one we talked to during the trip.

“Taeha! Eunji! Hi!.” She waved at us and we greeted back. Yoobin also introduced her other friends, adding more stories and random things in our interesting conversation.

“Did y'all notice Haesoo being overly quiet since we arrived here?” Sunhee whispered to us.

My brows furrowed, “Who's Haesoo?” I genuinely asked since I still haven't known everyone on this trip.

Yoobin discreetly pointed behind me, I took a peek to see the same quiet woman who was talking to the other groups, “Her. That's Choi Haesoo.”

“She's Dohyun's friend who he met when he was working in Australia before.” Sunhee added.

“Dohyun worked in Australia? I didn't know that.” Taeha was taken aback.

“Yeah, he worked in a company as part of the marketing team. He also met his soon-to-be wife in Australia.” Yoobin explained further.

I nodded when I got that new information, “Wow, that's why he has a bit of an accent.” I chuckled.

We all stifled a laugh, “Yeah, he does.” Yoobin agreed.

We all ended the gossip when we saw Dohyun coming towards our table and joined us here, “How are y'all liking the day so far?” He asked with that contagious smile again.

We're loving it. The cabin is beautiful. This place is amazing. We're thankful you planned this. We all said those words in unison.

“Actually, I want to introduce myself to Haesoo since I remember we used to be in the same university.” Yoobin suggested to Dohyun.

Dohyun scooted closer to us, “She's not in the mood and I think she's pissed at me.”

All of us at this table were surprised.

“What happened?” Sunhee asked.

“Well,” Dohyun chuckled, “I actually invited his ex over. The one she dated for four years when we're still working in Australia.”

So that's why she's not that excited during the trip. But I respect her since she still agreed to come just for her friendship with Dohyun.

I was about to ask Dohyun something, we heard a car engine approaching the cabin. I looked over to see a black Range Rover and soon parked beside the shuttle service we used earlier. Who arrived so late?

“Fuck,” Dohyun cursed and stood up from his seat.

“Who's that?” Yoobin asked. Also has that bewildered look on her face.

The Range Rover car opened and revealed the person inside. Since it's a bit dark where the parking space is, I don't have a clear look on their face. All I know is that they're tall—very tall.

“Speaking of the devil, that's the person I've been talking about…” Dohyun said.

When they are now walking towards our direction. My heart stopped when the light shone down his face. All of the memories, either good or bad ones, played in my mind. My balled up my fists, trying to hide what I'm feeling right now.

“Is that…” Sunhee's lips curled to a smirk.

“Oh my god he's the ex.” Yoobin covered her mouth.

“The ex that Haesoo still has feelings for,” Dohyun added and that made Yoobin and Sunhee gasp but enjoying the drama.

Dohyun soon approached him and gave him a friendly hug, “Everyone, meet Lee Hojun. One of my friends from Australia.”

My frozen self watches Hojun politely bow, “Good evening everyone, sorry for being late.” He apologized.

That's Lee Hojun. The Lee Hojun I've known since I was little, the one that I spent my whole childhood with, the one who I shared my feelings with, and the one who left me behind.

After 20 years…I finally saw his face.

Is fate doing this all over again?

𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 →

[sofreddie]

Scent from Above 2

Summary: The morning after.

Characters: Alpha!Jensen x Omega!Fan!Reader

ABO BINGO: Daisies/Fresh Bread/Pine

Word Count: 1,672

Warnings: A/B/O Dynamics, Scenting, Scent Bond, Smut (Use of condoms, Knotting), Mentions of Marking/Claiming/Mating, Fluff

A/N: Attention thirsty bitches...get your cups ready. : ) Each part of this series will feature an @spnabobingo square.

PART 1

Jensen woke with a groan and a stretch. As he moved, he felt another warm body beside him. He cracked open his eyes, seeing Y/N in his arms, neither of them having moved from the night before. He wasn't sure what to do as he watched her sleeping.

Should he wake her?

Should he try to crawl from the bed and let her sleep?

He quickly remembered that she was in heat as she shifted to her back. Her scent struck him, drawing him in once more, his nose drifting to the scent gland in her neck.

He breathed deeply of her, musing on her scent. There was something flowery, like daisies. Something warm and rich, like fresh-baked bread. He breathed deeply once more, catching the earthy undertones of pine. Each layer brought on a feeling of home and warmth and familiarity.

After a few minutes, he decided that maybe he was being a little creepy, and maybe he should try to occupy himself until she's ready to wake. So he carefully removed himself from the bed and ordered breakfast via room service, not thinking it wise for them to be apart or in public in their conditions.

Jensen took a quick shower and dressed in a t-shirt and track pants just in time for the food to arrive. As he removed the lids and the aromas filled the space, Y/N stirred awake.

"Good morning," Jensen beamed at her as she shuffled into the main seating area of the suite.

"Morning," she blushed at him, running her fingers through her tangled hair. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her and he silently reminded himself it was only the beginning.

"Are you hungry?" he offered, gesturing to the cart, "I didn't know what you liked, so I got a little of everything."

She smiled warmly at him, "Could I take a quick shower first?" she asked, noting he already had. He nodded and silently guided her to the bathroom, watching as the door closed behind her.

He was absolutely not going to think about her naked and wet behind that door.

As he heard the shower turn on, he realized she didn't have a change of clothes with her. He quickly dug through his suitcase, finding another simple t-shirt and pants. He went to the bathroom and knocked on the door lightly, but there was no response. He took a deep breath and cracked the door open just enough to place the clothes on the counter before quickly shutting it again.

Jensen had started digging into the food by the time she came out. Her hair was down and damp, her face free of the makeup she had been wearing. His clothes draped her frame and the Alpha in him felt proudly possessive.

"Thanks for the clothes," she said as she sat on the couch with a respectable distance between them. She was nervous, not sure what to expect, and distracted herself with breakfast, "I'm in another room here," she explained, "Just a few floors down."

"What room? I'll have them send up your stuff."

"What? No," she protested, "I'm perfectly capable of getting my own things."

"It's not such a good idea to go anywhere," he began hesitantly, "And I'm not really sure I could handle it if you did," he added bashfully.

She was surprised. As she showered she thought about the events of the night before. How could she not? She was sure he would politely tell her it was a mistake, it was his rut, anything really to back out of it. But here he was, seemingly still sure.

They ate in relative silence, exchanging smiles and giggles between bites of food. They were both trying to ignore the fact that their biologies were ramping up once more, their urges becoming prevalent.

"Come here," Jensen softly spoke as he tugged at her. She went willingly, letting him guide her to straddle his lap on the couch. He buried his nose in her neck once more, humming in satisfaction as he took his fill of her. She scented him in turn, slowly allowing herself to believe it was real.

He placed a wet kiss on her neck, making her moan. He did it once more, teasing the tip of his tongue and her hips involuntarily ground down against his.

He was so very hard and so very there.

A moan slipped past his lips and Y/N shuttered. It was the most erotic sound she'd ever heard and she felt a swell of pride at being the one to bring it from him. She did it again, slowly and more purposefully this time, teasing them both.

"You want that, Omega?" he breathily asked as he ground up against her core, his hands squeezing her hips.

"So much, Alpha," she replied, before kissing him hard. Jensen responded eagerly, opening his mouth for her as she introduced her tongue. He moaned again, her hips now steadily working against him.

Their clothes were quickly shed, each piece being thrown without care as they bared themselves to one another.

"Condom?" she asked bashfully as she ran her fingers through his hair.

Jensen blindly retrieved one, his face buried in Y/N's breasts as he licked and sucked at her supple flesh. He held it up to show her, still preoccupied. She chuckled and took it from him, opening it with her teeth.

"Wait," he said, finally lifting his head from her chest to meet her eyes after she rolled the condom down his shaft, "Don't you want me to-" his fingers strayed to her core and she shook her head adamantly.

"No," she breathed, "Just you."

She shifted her hips and sunk down on his length with a long moan. His arms wrapped around her back, holding her tightly to him. The breath was punched out of him. She surprised him, he wasn't ready. But at the same time, he was so fucking ready.

Hell, he was ready to take her and claim her in the alleyway last night.

After they both adjusted, he loosened his hold, keeping his arms securely around her. She pulled back to look into his eyes as she began to move, sliding slowly up and down. Her jaw dropped open, the sensation of his thick girth pushing and stretching against her walls amazingly perfect.

Jensen almost couldn't stand the intensity, the intimacy of her gaze. This was quickly becoming the sappiest moment of his life and he couldn't complain one bit.

"J-Jay," she breathed out, adjusting her hips to a new angle and pressing her chest against his. His eyes fluttered closed at the sound of her calling his name. He groaned and went straight for her neck. After a good long scent, he opened his mouth, licking a line before clamping his lips down to suck a dark mark.

She cried out, her hips jerking, and he thrust up in response, sucking harder.

"D-don't claim me," she stuttered, riding him hard for the both of them.

"Not this time," he reluctantly agreed with a smirk.

He wanted to. God did he want to. He knew she was his and he was hers. But he also knew that she needed time to adjust. That she wasn't ready. That she wanted it but hadn't fully let herself believe it. He'd give her all the time she needed.

She panted as she rode him and he thrust up into her. He couldn't get the angle or speed that he wanted. And he wanted to be deeper. With a frustrated snarl, he wrapped his arms around her and dropped her on her back on the couch swiftly, still buried inside her.

She gasped and he plunged hard, knocking her body up the couch a few inches.

"Yes!" she cried out desperately, her nails digging into his shoulders. He growled and gave her all he had, riding them hard through their highs.

His knot popped and his teeth ached as his eyes locked onto her pulse beating rapidly beneath the taut skin of her neck. Feeling himself lose control, he turned his head, biting down into the couch cushion and growling as he emptied himself into the condom.

His teeth didn't release the pillow until his body calmed and he felt the urge pass. He immediately buried his face in her neck, lapping against the dark purple mark he'd left earlier, his mind letting him pretend it was his claim.

They spent the next few days in much the same fashion until her heat and his rut had finally passed.

"Stay just one more night with me?" he asked as she came out of the bathroom in her own clothes. Jensen ended up having her things delivered after all, "My flight's pretty early in the morning. But we can spend one more night," he pleaded, his hands on her waist as she shouldered her Winchester Bros. branded weekend bag.

He didn't miss the opportunity to playfully rib her over it either.

"I can't, Jay," she pouted. She had quickly adopted the nickname for him and he was thrilled with how comfortable she grew around him in such a short amount of time. He did his best all weekend to show - and say - just how much he wanted her and how sure about them he was.

"If you let me claim you we could take Mate Leave," he grinned.

She playfully slapped his shoulder and scolded him, "I just want both of us to be totally sure before making such a permanent commitment," she said for the umpteenth time that weekend.

"Next time then," he joked, wiggling his brows, "I stole one of your shirts, FYI," he added, blushing, "I think I'd go insane if I didn't have your scent around me."

"I guess that's okay," she said, "'Cause I took one of yours too," she looked to the ground bashfully. He laughed before cupping her face and kissing her hard.

"We'll find a way to see each other soon," he promised.

PART 3

Forevers:

@sis-tafics

@lyarr24

@calaofnoldor

@hobby27

@spnbaby-67

@fangirlxwritesx67

RPF:

@smoothdogsgirl

JENSEN TAGS:

@akshi8278

@jerkbitchidjitassbutt

@slamminmine

@deanjensenficsandart

@woodworthti666

@charred-angelwings

[commodorecliche]

I'll be honest I'm not into He Tian/ Mo since so much of it from early on has been very physically abusive and i get that most of the fandom disregards that as "boys will be boys" but for me personally it's not an appealing relationship. But honestly you do you @ the people who are into that. I'm just gonna stay 10 miles away from it.

like... my biggest issue isn’t even that it’s such a toxic relationship (and let’s be honest here, it is toxic and unhealthy as it stands right now). my real issue is how so many fans reacts to the ship and say that clearly unhealthy behavior is cute and romantic. 

(buckle up kids, this post got long. i ramble a lot about them as characters and their relationship and their motivations) If you wanna skip all that, just read the last like... paragraph. 

like there’s literally nothing wrong with shipping and enjoying a toxic ship. nothing at all wrong with that. we are allowed to like things that are less than pure. we all have things that we like that are wrong/dark/problematique/whatever. but at the same time, i think it’s important that we are able to recognize that toxicity and not romanticize it just because we personally like it. i think it’s important to go “hey, I like this ship. It’s not healthy right now, it’s pretty toxic, maybe it won’t be in the future, maybe it will improve. but I recognize right now that it is unhealthy, and I still like it. and that’s okay.”

again, there’s nothing wrong with that!! human beings like dark things. it’s just how we are. but just because someone likes horror movies doesn’t mean it’s okay to go out and murder people. it’s important to go “wow, i love this fictional murderer! but i know that murder is still wrong.” just like we, as a fandom should say “hey, i love this fictional ship! but i know that they’re dysfunctional, toxic, and very unhealthy right now!”

but this fandom doesn’t really do that. in fact, it would seem that many aggressively don’t do that. many in this fandom will be outright rude to anyone who dares to say that tia/nshan’s behavior isn’t cute/romantic, will argue aggressively with anyone who says that mo is obviously uncomfortable and not just blushing cause of ‘gay panic’ or whatever. and that’s really unfortunate. because like i said, just because something is unhealthy doesn’t mean you can’t like it??

every single unhealthy, toxic, abusive thing he tian does to mo is seen by many fans as “cute” and just he tian “showing how much he cares”. mo’s constant discomfort at the things he tian does is, at best, ignored, and at worst, misconstrued. for example: a while back someone posted a picture set of the times mo was “blushing” because of he tian - but really it was just a picture collage of all the times that he tian has done something weird/unwanted/creepy and has made mo aggressively uncomfortable. 

and the things that are abusive (like the physical violence) just get swept under the rug by many fans. like, holy hell, he tian threw mo off of a bridge and into a creek. and the fandom just kind of ignores it and INSTEAD decides to focus on the panels after that scene in which he tian jumps down into the water and lifts mo out of the water as if it’s the cutest thing in the world he could’ve done. nevermind that he tian literally threw him off a bridge. he tian going down to ‘help’ mo doesn’t change the fact that he tian was the one who threw him off the bridge in the first place. (and let’s be clear of the reason why he tian threw mo off a bridge: it was because mo threw his phone and bag into the water. but the reason mo threw he tian’s phone and bag was because he tian had tons of creepy photos that he had secretly taken of mo. that’s not cute. that’s creepy and stalkerish. it’s a huge invasion of privacy to just take tons of secret photos of someone and mo is visibly unnerved by it. no wonder mo threw his phone and bag off the bridge! if it were a girl that he tian had done that to?? he would have been CRUCIFIED by fans. but because it’s two guys, somehow it’s cute now? 

my point is that... he tian and mo have a lot of problems. a LOT. but the fandom just doesn’t want to acknowledge it, opting instead to pretend that this relationship is okay and good as it stands right now. and what really sucks about that is that because of the fact that they are so dysfunctional right now, that means that they, as characters, have a huge opportunity for growth. they’re in a pretty bad place right now, but that means that they can only really go up. but we need to recognize that we’re sitting at the bottom of the barrel right now with this ship. and this fandom needs to recognize that they have to grow out of what they currently are in order to ever progress into something better.

there’s nothing wrong with liking this ship. i want to emphasize that again. because seriously, i mean that. i like tia/nshan. i have high hopes for the ship (even though OX continues to disappoint me. always one step forward, ten steps back with their progress it seems. that gets extremely frustrating when you think some progress has been made in their relationship and it just reverts back to toxicity but i digress). but i recognize that just because i personally like this ship and want them to eventually be happy/normal, that doesn’t mean the ship is without problems. it’s got loads of problems. and i’m just not sure why so many fans elect to ignore that fact? it’s shocking to me what this fandom will call cute or romantic. and maybe that’s my age speaking. i know many fans of this manhua are younger and just might not realize that this unhealthy behavior and not “cute” and don’t realize that this behavior will eventually have to stop if he tian and mo are ever to become something healthy.

now for some character analysis that no one asked for but that i am gunna type up anyway: 

right now, he tian and mo are 15-16 years old. they’re bratty, angry teenagers dealing with a lot of crap in their lives and neither of them have really had... great role models or easy lives that would lead to them being well-adjusted human beings. i think, given those circumstances, some of the unhealthy behavior they show makes sense. a lot of it can, i think, be chalked up to 1) their age and 2) their backgrounds. 

he tian is aggressively (and i mean AGGRESSIVELY) possessive and protective and i think it stems from the fact that he grew up learning that if you wanted something and wanted to keep it safe, you had to physically demand it and cling to it. but at the same time, he tian also grew up rich. let’s be real here: he’s spoiled. and he’s very accustomed to getting what he wants. it’s not a stretch to see that mentality extend to people he wants. and what he wants right now is mo. and he just kind of... does whatever he wants and whatever he thinks is necessary in order to exert control over mo and keep him close by. because he wants him, he wants to “protect” him (in his own weird way). and so he goes about showing this heavy affection in an extremely unhealthy and abusive way, complete with unwanted sexual advances, stalker tendencies, physical aggression, and manipulative behavior. i think... he believes his motivations to be good (because in his head he definitely cares for mo and wants to help him), but the way he goes about it is literally awful. again, if this were a girl instead of mo, we’d all be telling her to RUN. 

mo is a little harder to peg just because we still only know snippets of his past. but obviously, he’s had an absent father, he has had to become extremely self-reliant, has never wanted to depend on anyone or “owe” anyone anything. he was ostracized by his classmates when he was young: after going through an extremely traumatic experience (the restaurant scene, and then his father going to jail), his classmates branded him “bad” and not someone who could be trusted. mo then found friendship in the only place he could - with the other outcasts, and fell into the gang. every friendship mo has ever had has been toxic and physically aggressive and controlling. i mean, fuck, she li stuck dirty, dull thumbtacks into his earlobes as punishment for him standing up for another gang member. mo seems like he’s aching to have an actual sense of Self. he tian is... just another ‘friend’ who’s hurtful to him and is controlling over him. not to mention, we have no idea about mo’s sexuality. he obviously seems to have some deep rooted self-hatred and homophobia (the kid freaked out about getting a shot at the hospital in his buttcheek for god’s sake and then had a nightmare in which bullies at school said sexually aggressive things to him because he got a shot in his buttcheek). but at the same time he’s also obviously got some kind of... weird... i don’t know how to say it because it’s not affection, but... perhaps fascination with he tian. i’m not sure. because in his dream, he tian is the one that comforts him. and later on we see that mo even goes to help and ‘comfort’ he tian when he’s having nightmares too. but he’s also still aggressively uncomfortable with the things he tian does around him and the things he tian forces upon him. 

it’s just... it’s complicated.

and because of that, right now you can’t say that their relationship and the things they do to each other are cute... or happy... or well-adjusted... or even a relationship. right now, really all we have is a deeply dysfunctional acquaintanceship that is being progressed by... control and manipulation. and yes, i have high hopes that... mo will find his sense of self and will discover what he feels and what he wants. and i have high hopes that he tian will realize how he’s behaving and will come to understand that the things he does are not... good or kind... especially to someone you supposedly like and want to protect. and i mean, maybe we’re seeing a little bit of that? i mean, in the last couple chapters, we saw mo willingly asking he tian for a pair of black studs, that’s a pretty big forward motion, and mo being willing to tag along with he tian to go get them. he tian didn’t force him to climb the wall and skip class (definitely a departure from his usually forcefulness), mo went willingly. so... maybe right now we’re seeing a little development. but... like i said, OX tends to go... one step forward and ten steps back with them, and i’m afraid that the next time we see them interacting it’s going to be something violent or forceful or insulting or stalkerish. so, i just don’t know. 

but... really the long and short of it is that i wish more fans would look at tia/nshan and say “i like this ship but i recognize that it’s not healthy currently”. because that’s the truth.