#I'll jaw more about these themes later

[isfjmel-phleg]

I love the letter pages in the back of many 1990s comics, not only because of the glimpse it gives us of fan reactions, but also because it often gave editors and writers an outlet for their passion for the stories they were telling, and you can really tell when a lot of thought and love went into a book.

For instance, here's Brian Augustyn, editor of The Ray 1994, on the themes of that series:

I'll let you in on a little secret: THE RAY is not a book about superhero battles, or stopping world-beating villains, or even about time travel. It has that stuff and more, but it isn't about that stuff. THE RAY is about a boy trying to get his father's approval. That's it.

And he's right. Ray's relationship with his father (as well as his family in general) is at the heart of the narrative. Even if the two of them are never quite reconciled. Ray also has to face how he has the potential to become like his father, how easy it is for him to become something that he hates, something that compromises his morals and priorities. And in the end, he'll need to make right what his father did wrong.

Augustyn also provides a less serious discussion of the themes through a conversation he had with the series' writer Christopher Priest.

So, Jim Owsley [i.e. Priest] says to me, "Ray Terrill wants to buy a refrigerator, but doesn't know how to interact with the real world. So what does he do, where does he go? This is what THE RAY is all about." I say, "Wait, I thought THE RAY was a comic about nothing..." After a pause fraught with scorn and pity Jim say, "Heh. That's Seinfeld." Jim's the only guy I know who says, "Heh," exactly like that Hawk guy on TV's Spenser for Hire and for that reason alone, I tend to listen a bit harder. Jim continued, "Seinfeld is a television show about nothing, THE RAY is a comic book about something--about a guy who needs to buy a refrigerator." Because I figured I owed him one, I say, "Oh, there's a great idea...but aren't we going to wind up competing for an audience with all those Image comics about guys buying refrigerators--you know, Deathfridge: Harvest Gold and Deathfridge: Avocado, like that?" Again that dramatic, drippingly disdainful pause, then Jim says, "Ah...funny. No, you're not following me. That's what the book is about, but that's not what it's about." Summoning a heaping dollop of disdain of my own I say, "Oh, that's much clearer, thanks." Perhaps feeling a tiny bit defensive now, Jim says, "I mean, that's what it's about in concept; the adolescent coming of age in a troubled modern world, having to deal with all the baggage of dysfunctional family life, you know. The readers will really identify." I say, "So will everyone here at the office, great. So, okay, if that's what THE RAY is about, what's it...about?" Again with the pity, Jim says, "It's about everything else that happens when he goes to get his fridge." I say, "You mean...?" Jim says, "Right...lots of fight scenes!" I say, "Cool!"

There actually is never a scene in the series in which Ray actively tries to purchase a refrigerator, something his squalid studio apartment conspicuously lacks, but his need for a refrigerator is a running theme throughout the series. It typifies the adulting struggles that ground the series; Ray is a nineteen-year-old with zero real-world experience having to live on his own for the first time, and it's quite a struggle. As liberating as his powers are in many ways, being The Ray doesn't pay the bills and provide for food and household needs. He may be a superhero, but the sum total of his furniture is currently a bed, a card table, and a folding chair.

So far will he go to get that refrigerator, metaphorically? At what cost? He does eventually get one--but it comes with an apartment that comes with a job in a company run by Vandal Savage. Ray in a desperate situation is willing to sell out for the help of someone extremely morally questionable, but is it worth it?

Spoilers: by the end of the series...he still has no refrigerator.

[demonslayerunhinged]

Unhinged analysis - Sanemi

Why's Sanemi so aggro? (Part 1)

Sanemi is one of the most controversial characters in Demon Slayer and the most misunderstood, along with Obanai. People in the fandom just take him at face value, and it is a disservice to his character. You don't have to love him, but at least try to understand him, his background and how it all contributes to his behavior. So this is a character analysis on, in my opinion, the coolest motherfucker in Demon Slayer. Lesssgoooo!

His introduction

Sanemi's Hashira intro remains one of my favorite in the series. This is because we're fed so much information about him in such a short time.

The first thing we see are the W7s, the uniform belts around his shins, instead of the standard kyahan that other characters wear.

Then we see his back, his white haori which tells us nothing about his breathing style. At least with the others we can make an estimated guess at theirs. The only decoration is the kanji 殺(kill). Which is interesting because it's in the same position as the 滅(destroy) that we see on the backs of other slayer's uniforms.

Then we hear his voice for the first time. His speech is similar to that of a Yakuza member. I'll explain more later.

We then get the first glimpse of our man.

We notice a bunch of things. One is the fact that he's holding Nezuko's box with one hand, which tells us yea, this dude is strong as fuck. Then we see that his uniform is open at the chest, indicating a lack of care for his safety. We see the scars which lets us know that this guy has been through some shit, and he still keeps his chest open??? Nah.

Then we finally see his face and woah! The scary jagged scars, wild hair and bloodshot eyes combined with his rude way of speaking. We come to the conclusion: Oh my God! This guy's a crackhead!

Only kidding! But we can tell that this guy is not to be messed with and from the Jaws music that plays in the background and his signature Hashira theme, we also know that he's going to be trouble for our protagonist.

So let's break it down further with the first aspect of his introduction.

His haori, the kanjis, and their significance

Destruction has a certain impersonal feeling to it, like you destroy bad things not because you want to, but because you have to. Within the context of Demon Slayer, it's no different, the slayers have to destroy the demons because they are a blight on the world and there are no personal feelings about it. We can see it from the way Giyuu almost killed Nezuko, the way he killed Rui, the way Shinobu and Kanao almost killed Nezuko, and the way Zenitsu and Inosuke also killed demons.

Even in this episode where the Hashiras are introduced, their plans to execute Tanjiro and Nezuko show no personal feelings towards the situation, no maliciousness, and no hate. Nezuko is a demon she has to be killed. Tanjiro was harboring a demon so he has to be killed too and something tells me this isn't the first time they had to deal with a situation like this.

Kill, on the other hand, is very much personal and malicious in its intent. It doesn't matter if the target is bad for the world or not. What matters is that the killer thinks they're bad, and that alone is a justification to eliminate them. It's not about duty, it's a want spurred on by hatred, and Sanemi is full of hatred. We can see it from the sadistic way he stabs Nezuko, and the way he laughs at Tanjiro’s pain. Even when he wanted to test Nezuko with his blood, he gives her more unnecessary stabs instead of just simply opening the box.

Honestly, just by the kanji alone, I would’ve been surprised if he didn’t stab Nezuko. A demon can save baby orphans and kittens and sweet little old ladies from a burning building, and Sanemi will still gut the motherfucker.

Then there’s the color of his haori. The haoris, or absence of haoris, of the other characters (excluding Muichiro and Mitsuri) reveal information about their heritage, past, beliefs, and other aspects of their identity that extend beyond their role as Demon Slayers.

Sanemi has no heritage like Rengoku. We’re not given anything that tells us about his past like Giyuu. The kanji for Kill on his haori is in the same position as the Destroy on the standard uniform because, for Sanemi, being a Demon Slayer or more specifically a killer of demons IS his identity. It’s all he cares about, his entire life and the core of his existence. He has a one-track mind, and Kill Demons is the only song playing on a loop.

He doesn’t have time for anything he deems ‘frivolous’, has no special variation to his uniform aside from the fact that he keeps the chest open, and the uniform belts he wears around his legs are probably faster to put on than the standard kyahan.

So from his haori and kyahan alone we can tell that this guy is very strong, very wild and very dangerous.

Extra note: While doing research for this post, I also noticed that Sanemi’s haori is similar to the shirt he wore as a child, which could indicate how much his childhood affected him and how it led to his hatred of demons. Instead of the sleeve stripes, there is now the Kill kanji on the back.

Now let's move onto the other aspect of his introduction

His way of speaking

This part is based on my little understanding of the Japanese language and the research I did. So please don't attack me!

Sanemi kinda speaks like a thug or a Yakuza member. It isn't really noticeable in the English subtitles, but he uses particles and sentence endings that are typically used by men and can come across as rude, unrefined, and uneducated.

He doesn't use honorifics (unless speaking to the Master) when talking to people, even his fellow Hashiras.

He uses sentence endings such as ぜ (ze), ぞ (-zo), な (-na), か (-ka), かよ (-kayo) and だな (-da na) that make his questions and statements sound commanding, rough and forceful.

Not only that, but he often uses words such as:

"Urusee!" - a rough and rude way of saying "Urusai"

"Temee" - a rude way of saying you.

"Ore" - a very informal pronoun for "I"

Sanemi's way of speaking bears a teeny tiny resemblance to the Kansai dialect, which is like the Southern accent in the US. Kansai people are stereotyped as being uneducated, stupid, loud and aggressive.

That's why Tanjiro(bestest boy ❤) was shocked when Sanemi switched up real quick as he was speaking to the Master.

His default manner of speaking, even when it's to those who he likes or is okay with, is rough, forceful, aggressive and sometimes confrontational. It tells us about his personality and most importantly his upbringing or lack thereof.

I'll be going into his background in the Part 2 of this post, I'll also talk about how all these aspects makes our boy act the way he does.

In Conclusion, to be continued?

[daysofyellowroses]

steak

carmen berzatto x reader | 3.8k | tw: pregnancy, implied smut, general nonsense

“I need a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yes. A favor.”

You were already beginning to regret asking, watching Carmy swivel in his chair and ponder the request. Or he was staring into space, it wasn't clear.

“Alright,” He nodded after a moment. “What is it?”

You took a deep breath, bracing yourself. It would have been easier to ask him to murder someone than what you were about to.

“It turns out that I am responsible for making 30 cupcakes for this Saturday and I could use some guidance.”

“I see,” Carmy nodded, pointing the spoon in his hand at you. “and what else? Sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, stop me when I get the right one.”

You let out a sigh.

“And..three trays of sandwiches. And mini quiches, egg rolls, a crudités platter and a cake.”

“Okay,” Carmy sat up a little, lightly tapping the spoon against his cheek. “Just..a couple of questions.”

You walked closer to the desk, leaning against it and giving Carmy a nod. “Fire away.”

“First, why are you responsible for all of that?”

“Because apparently I promised my best friend if she ever got pregnant I would plan the entire baby shower.”

“Uh-huh. Why?”

“Because I was very, very intoxicated at her bachelorette party.”

He smirked a little, and you rolled your eyes with a small smile.

“Noted. Second question,”

“Third,” You interjected, holding up three fingers. “Technically.”

“Third question, is there a theme to this party?”

“No, of course not,” You frowned, folding your arms. “Themes are for kid's birthday parties and epic novels.”

“Hm, I thought so.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“It just doesn't seem very..you know,” Carmy set the spoon down in his lap before interlocking his hands. “cohesive, I guess.”

You rested your hand on the desk, lightly tapping your nails on the surface.

“I'm willing to ignore that remark if you help me.”

“Alright, fourth question..why do I have to help you?”

You thought about it for a moment, working out your best angle to get him on board.

“Well..because I love my best friend and I want to give her an amazing experience, it's basically free publicity for the new restaurant, and we're..you know,” You gestured between yourself and Carmy with a grin. “We're friends. We're close. We kissed that time.”

“Yeah, yeah we did,” Carmy nodded, looking down for a moment before looking up with a smile. “When we were like..six? I don't see what that has to do with me adding to my already hectic schedule.”

“I would just really appreciate your help, even just a little guidance,” You smiled, holding your hands up. “What is the point of having a world-class chef as a friend if he doesn't help you out occasionally..”

“I promise to think about it,” Carmy nodded, picking his spoon back up and pointing at you. “Can you cook anything more advanced than french toast?”

“Depends on your definition of advanced,” You shrugged, pushing off the desk. “I look forward to your decision, I know you'll make the right one.”

“Get out of here,” Carmy rolled his eyes with a small smile. “I'll text you.”

You were heading to the front door when you bumped into Richie, who was carrying a box he promptly dropped on the nearest plastic-covered surface when he saw you, wiping his hands.

“Hey. What brings you here?”

“Me?” You gestured to yourself as you walked closer to Richie. “I just..I thought it was time. To declare my undying love for you.”

“Hm,” Richie nodded, rubbing his jaw before stepping closer to you and touching your shoulder. “I gotta be honest, I thought you'd never do it. Vegas wedding?”

“Vegas wedding,” You nodded with a grin. “Bye fuck-face.”

“See you later darling.”

It was the following afternoon when you got a very simple text from Carmy, relief flooding you as you read it.

‘Fine. Address?’

Opening your front door and seeing Carmen Berzatto standing on the other side was something you hadn't experienced for a long time, but it was a welcome return.

“Come on in, everything is set up in the kitchen,” You smiled, holding the door open and frowning slightly as you saw a worn grocery store bag in Carmy's hand. “Did you bring stuff when I told you that you didn't need to?”

“Sure did,” Carmy nodded, gesturing to his shoes. “Off? On?”

“Whatever you're comfortable with,” You waved your hand, gesturing to the bag. “I got everything, you really didn't need to waste your money on..liquid potassium or whatever, the food is not going to be anything too complicated.”

Carmy raised a brow as he slipped off his shoes. “You do know I'm a chef, not a mad scientist, right?”

“Oh shut up,” You sighed as he laughed, leading him into the kitchen.

“The fuck is liquid potassium anyway?”

“Here we are,” You spun around to face Carmy, gesturing to your humble kitchen, the dining table covered in various ingredients, in no particular order. “I really appreciate your help, I know you're busy.”

“It's fine,” Carm nodded, walking over to the table and setting the bag on the floor before picking up things on the table and inspecting them. “I'm not uh..I'm not needed, today.”

“Well I need you,” You grinned, walking over to the table. “The plan is I prepare everything today, then tomorrow I just have to heat up, and serve.”

“Organized, I like it,” Carmy nodded, looking over to you. “Where exactly do I fit in all this?”

“You..are my assistant for the day. Executive assistant, really.”

You gestured to the bag on the floor. “Show me what you got.”

An hour later, your kitchen was a whole lot messier, but progress was going well. Carmy had the patience of a saint, calmly explaining how everything was done. You were surprised how quickly you were picking up what he taught you, usually you got halfway through a YouTube cooking tutorial and gave up, ordering takeout instead.

“Okay, what's next on the list?” You asked, sprinkling herbs onto the egg roll pastry before wiping your hands. “I still can't believe you made me write a fucking list.”

“You needed the list,” Carmy grinned, reaching for the slip of paper. “Trust me. Okay, once you've finished those we can..almost cross off all the savory, just crudités but that's pretty simple. I can show you how to make dips, if you want.”

“Thought you'd never ask,” You grinned, flicking a loose crumb of pastry at him. “the vegetables are in the..”

You looked up for a minute, trying to think.

“Bottom of the fridge,” Carmy supplied, gently touching your back as he passed you to get to the fridge. “got them.”

You rolled up the pastry under your hands, setting it aside with the other egg rolls that had been prepared.

“So how has it been, being back?” You asked, going to rinse your hands. “I feel like I never asked you properly.”

“It's..fine, yeah,” Carmy replied, his head in the fridge when you glanced over to him. “Hasn't changed, much, well..you know. Never thought I'd end up back here.”

“At least you got out,” You shrugged, drying your hands before moving back to the counter. “How was New York? Incredible?”

“Incredible,” Carmy repeated, coming back to join you and reaching for a bowl. “Hand me that cucumber, please?”

“I need to visit one day,” You sighed, reaching for the cucumber and handing it over. “It's like..it's just there, I can go anytime, but I don't..I will, though.”

“Mm,” Carmy nodded. “You can pour greek yogurt into a bowl if you want.”

“On it,” You smiled, going to get a bowl. “I feel like such a domestic goddess right now, I gotta say. I never really cook. Not like this.”

“Are you enjoying it?” Carmy asked, not looking up from cutting up the cucumber. “I know cutting up vegetables isn't exactly an adrenaline rush.”

“I am enjoying it,” You got a bowl and went to set it on the counter, standing by Carmy. “It's relaxing. I'm not thinking about anything except the next step. I don't have to worry about anything except what I add next.”

“Lemon,” Carmy gestured to the yellow fruit over on the table. “Worry over.”

You smiled as you spooned the yogurt into the bowl, glancing over to Carmy. “You wanna know a secret?”

“Is it..that you're actually a serial killer who kills your victims by liquid potassium poisoning?”

“Oh shut the fuck up,” You groaned, going to grab the lemons as Carmy laughed and shook his head.

“Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. What's this other secret?”

“No, I'm not telling you now,” You sighed, taking the lemons back to the counter. “If you're just gonna be an ass.”

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry,” Carm murmured softly, gently nudging you. “Please tell me.”

“It's a world exclusive secret,” You grinned, walking over to the table and picking up your bag from one of the chairs. “Only three people will now know..”

You reached into your bag, pulling out a clean white envelope.

“Time to see if we need to use the pink or blue food dye.”

“What do you mean?” Carmy looked over to you. “Like a..gender reveal? That's still a thing?”

“I know it's a little cheesy,” You shrugged, looking down at the envelope. “But my best friend is just really excited to have this baby, she wants to know everything she can. So she gave me this,” You held up the envelope. “And I get to whip up some frosting.”

“So, what's it gonna be?” Carmy asked as you walked back over.

“Let's see,” You opened the envelope slowly, feeling Carmy's eyes on you. “Ah..not what I expected.”

You handed the paper over to Carmy as you picked up a lemon. “There's gonna be a little kid running around that looks like her..crazy.”

“Nice, though,” Carmy shrugged, setting the paper aside. “You know, if you..if you're someone that wants that.”

“Mm,” You nodded, taking a knife to cut the lemon. “She has, for a long time. I was so excited for her when she told me. Then I went and agreed to do all this, because..”

“You were drunk?” Carmy supplied.

“Yes, that,” You laughed, shaking your head. “It's not going that bad though, right? Everything is under control.”

“True, but uh..” You looked up as you felt Carmy's hand on your arm, looking down and finding yourself staring at his tattoos.

“You might want to cut the lemons, not your fingers.”

“What? Shit,” You frowned as you looked back to your hands, a trickle of blood appearing. “Spoke too soon.”

“It's okay,” Carmy led you to the sink. “just wash it off, have you got band-aids?”

“Uh..yeah, I think so,” You nodded, running the water. “in the bathroom cabinet.”

“Okay, wait here.”

A few minutes later you were leaning against the counter watching Carmy apply a band-aid to your finger with the precision of a surgeon.

“I can't remember the last time someone put a band-aid on me,” You murmured softly. “Thanks.”

“Don't mention it,” Carm looked up, his hand still holding yours. “I'm an expert at it.”

“So I see,” You smiled, inspecting your finger. “Excellent work. I'll be sure and recommend you.”

“I might need the extra work,” He sighed. “We're getting close to the deadline and it just feels like we're not progressing.”

“Hey,” You gently squeezed his hand. “Stressing out won't change anything except to make everything harder. Just keep going, do what you need to do, and then on the tiny, tiny, chance it doesn't work out you have a career lined up as a professional band-aider. You can patch up my victims.”

Carmy was quiet for a moment before he laughed, really laughed, and you felt a weight slip off your shoulders.

After a moment a comfortable silence fell over the two of you, your eyes held on each other.

“I‐”

“I should actually be going,” Carmy spoke before you could finish. “I just remembered I need to call this guy about the..”

“Okay,” You nodded, clearing your throat. “I can..I can handle the rest. Don't let me keep you if you're in a rush.”

You could see the guilt in Carm’s eyes, choosing to look away.

“I'm sorry to leave you in the middle of all this.”

“Don't be sorry,” You shrugged, looking down to your bandaged finger. “It's my responsibility, I got it. Thank you for your help.”

Carmen gave you a nod and you mustered up a smile in return, watching him leave.

A couple of hours later, the sun had set and your kitchen lights were bright as you flicked some cupcake batter off your fingers. When you heard a knock at the door you looked up, pausing for a minute before grabbing a cloth to wipe your hands.

“Coming, hang on.” You called, setting the cloth aside and heading to the door.

It wasn't a total surprise to see Carmen on the other side.

“Hey,” He said after a moment. “Can I come in?”

“Of course,” You stood aside, holding the door open. “Come on in.”

You watched him as he took a deep breath, hand clutching the zip of his jacket.

“So, about earlier, I-”

“I know,” You smiled, holding up your hand. “It was a lot. It was fun, and..domestic, and kind of intense, and that's a lot. I get it.”

“Yeah,” Carmy breathed, nodding sofly. “But..I'd still like to help you out, if you'll let me.”

“Then get your shoes off and get in the kitchen,” You smiled. “I'm just starting the cupcakes. Assistance is definitely needed.”

Half an hour and a lot of batter later, the cupcakes were in the oven, and the daunting prospect of the cake stood in front of you.

“Do I really need to make a cake and cupcake?” You mused, looking at the messy counter. “It feels excessive.”

“You're making the cake,” Carm nudged you gently. “Show me what you've learned.”

“Prepare to be amazed,” You grinned. “For better or worse.”

You cleared some space on the counter and glanced over to Carmy for a moment with a raised brow. “Hold still, you got batter in your hair.”

You gently moved your hand to carefully remove the fleck of batter.

“Would I be out of line to suggest you might be overdue for a haircut?”

Carmy laughed softly and shook his head, ruffling his messy curls.

“It's on a list, somewhere. I'll get round to it eventually.”

“I could do it,” You suggested, looking back to the counter and taking a clean bowl. “I know my way around a pair of scissors.”

“Really?”

“Really really,” You nodded, reaching for the flour. “you help me with this cake, I'll make you look like a new man.”

“Deal.”

Once the cupcakes were out of the oven and the cake was in, you sent Carmy off to wash his hair in your shower, leaning against the counter when he was gone and taking a deep breath. You reached for the note that your best friend had given you, smiling as you read over it.

When Carm came back into the kitchen, you felt your heart race a little. He was dressed the same of course but his damp hair was slicked back, and he had a warm, clean scent that still had a musk to it that was really doing it for you.

“The cake will be a while, I checked,” You smiled. “Skewered it like a pro. Take a seat, let's get you fixed up.”

“Are you going to skewer me?” Carmy asked, raising a brow as he sat on the chair you'd moved up by the counter. “I'm a little intrigued.”

“You'll see,” You grinned, picking up the blue towel you'd grabbed when Carmy was in the shower. “Be on your best behavior just in case.”

“Yes ma'am.”

“Alright,” You draped the towel around Carmy's shoulders, adjusting it a little before picking up the scissors and a comb. “Let's see what we can do. Head down, please.”

“About earlier,” Carmy began, and you felt a knot twist in your stomach. “I..I just want to apologize, I shouldn't have just left like that.”

“It's okay,” You murmured softly, gently combing his hair and holding the ends between your fingers. “Like I said, I get it.”

“No, it's..it's complicated,” Carmy sighed. “Because..I don't want you to think that I didn't enjoy being domestic and having fun with you, because I did, and I think you're great, I really..I really like you and it just freaked me the fuck out a little.”

“Like when we were six,” You smiled softly, gently snipping his hair. “And I kissed you. You freaked out and left me alone in that treehouse. I was devastated.”

“Hey I didn't expect it,” Carm shrugged. “You didn't give me a heads up.”

“I'm giving you one now,” You grinned, lightly tapping his head with the comb. “Head up, please.”

“Why did you do it?” Carm asked, soft curiosity in his voice.”I mean, why did you..why me?”

“You weren't like the other boys in our class,” You shrugged, gently sweeping the comb through Carmy's hair. “And you weren't like Richie or your brother. You were just..Carmy. I always thought about you. I liked that you were doing your own thing. Tilt your head sideways, please..thanks.”

He stayed quiet while you cut his hair so you kept talking.

“I don't think I really had a crush on you or anything back then, I just liked you. Then as we got older I started seeing you differently but I never acted on it because I didn't think you were interested. We never really hung out much, for all I knew you were a major dick. Then,you were gone and I tried to forget you..head down, please.”

“What do you think now?”

You thought about it for a moment, holding the comb in Carmy's hair.

“I think..you've actually got really great hair.”

“That so?”

“Oh yeah,” You nodded. “I mean usually it looks like a bird should be nesting in it so anything is an improvement.”

He laughed slightly and you felt your shoulders drop a little.

“I also think,” You murmured softly, slowly closing the scissors on the ends of his hair. “Those tattoos on your hands are really doing it for me.”

“Yeah?

“Big time.”

A silence hung over you as you continued the haircut, trying to keep your hands steady.

“Just because I freaked out doesn't mean that I don't..that I haven't been thinking about you.”

“Yeah?” You mused, lightly brushing some hair off the towel.

“Big time. But..” Carmy let out a sigh, clearing his throat. “I'm really not..an expert at the whole relationship thing. I'm not even a novice, I'm like..a nightmare. I can't do the flowers and dates and meeting the parents and all that like..I know I should want all that and maybe I do but..something just stops me and I can't..I can't do it.”

You slowly walked around to stand in front of Carmy, meeting his eyes as you glanced down.

“Head up, please.”

You focused your attention on his hair, feeling the nervous energy radiating from him.

“First of all, you know my parents. So that's not relevant. Second of all..I'm not saying that I want a relationship because I don't even know if I do. But..I wouldn't mind having someone I hang out with, watching movies and talking shit and eating takeout and figuring out if we want to be more but it's okay because we're still good how we are. And I could see you being that person.”

You took a step back, tilting your head slightly.

“All done.”

“Good,” Carmy nodded, standing up and stepping closer to you, his hands reaching out to touch your face and leaning in close til you felt like you couldn't breathe. “You can check the cake.”

You let out a frustrated sigh before laughing and moving your hands to grip the towel around Carmy's shoulders.

“You're definitely a major dick.”

You pulled him in for a kiss, feeling a rush shoot through you. When you pulled back you thought your heart was on fire.

“Wow, you've really improved,” You grinned. “I'm impressed.”

“You don't know the half of it.” Carmy grinned, pulling you back in for another kiss.

He wasn't lying, as you discovered when he put you up on the counter and feasted on you til you cried.

You had wasted no time, pulling him right down onto the kitchen floor to show what you'd learned too.

The next day, when you watched your best friend cut into the cake and scream with joy as layers of pink and blue sponge were revealed, you made a silent vow to volunteer your services more often.

[wannabanghwang]

~Pillowtalk

was fighting demons for 2 months over whether or not to post this cause it’s kinda unfinished

Summary : hyunjin and Felix are models, and when they come over after a shoot a messy, hot threesome ensues followed by a whole bunch of fun sex related pillow talk that I loved writing (self indulgent)

Word count : 4.7k

Warnings : substance use, sex under the influence, unprotected sex, blowjobs, handjobs, all the jobs, bunch of dirty talk, mlm themes yup

Without further a due…

You were already a little drunk when you sent Hyunjin the message, two wine glasses deep as you hit send.

“Do you guys wanna come by my place after your shoot?”

You drag your hand through your long dark hair, letting your head fall back against the couch as the strap of your white silk slip slides down your shoulder. You tilt your head to look out the tall window of your apartment. The final few remnants of sunlight cling to the sky as the night creeps in. The sky is a blueish gray and there’s a slight chill in the air that makes you shiver as your phone dings.

“sure thing. want us to bring a line or two?” The reply reads. You smile slightly as you type.

“Pretty please if you can.”

“got u ;) see u soon lix says hi.” You smile, dropping your phone on the couch next to you. It was far from a habit, the drugs, but those two had a way of loosening you up every so often. They were much more accustomed to it than you, using it as a way to cope with their restrictive diets and packed schedules. When Felix texted you that they were on their way, a familiar nervous excitement filled your body. Them coming over was hardly new, but it never failed to make you jittery in anticipation. A while later you hear Felix’s rhythmic knock on your door. You grin, jumping up off the couch to let them in.

“Hi.” You say coyly as they step inside.

“Hi.” Hyunjin smirks, kissing your cheek as he snakes a hand around your waist.

You giggle, leaning into his touch.

“I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long.” Felix says, sliding his shoes off.

“Of course not.” You reply, using the moment to really take them in. The sharp lines of Hyunjins features and jaw. His long, jet black hair was tied half up, strands falling perfectly to frame his face. He wears a sheer black button up, adorned with lacy roses, complimenting his milky white skin. Felix looked so opposite, everything about him soft and angelic. The dusting of freckles across his pale cheeks, his white blonde hair and big brown eyes. He’s wearing a light green cashmere sweater that makes him look like a fairy. They trail behind you as you walk into the living room, dropping onto the floor next to the glass coffee table. Hyunjin across from you on the couch while Felix moves to sit next to you on the carpet. Hyunjin pulls a little baggie full of white powder from his pocket, shaking the contents around with a grin before tipping them onto the table.

“Hey google, play room on spotify.” Felix half shouts, having been around enough to have his voice connected to your sound system. A slow, sensual song starts to echo from the surrounding speakers.

“Setting the mood huh?” Hyunjin grins, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Felix as he leans over his spread legs, reaching out his hand. Felix wordlessly hands him his black card, which he then uses to cut even lines for each of you. Hyunjin leans forward, dropping to his knees and tugging his hair back as he snorts his line. He grunts, throwing his head back and pinching his nose to prevent it from bleeding.

“Fuck.” He curses, shaking his head before sitting back down on the couch with a lazy grin.

“God, I'll never get tired of watching you do that.” You say, ogling him shamelessly, your jaw wide.

“Makes two of us.” Felix agrees, neither of you taking your eyes off Hyunjin who smiles at the praise, sinking back into the couch as he spreads his legs further.

“You two are so cute.” He coos, his eyes sparkling as they gloss over.

Felix’s hand rubs up and down your back as you take yours, whimpering a little when you finish, harshly wiping your nose.

“Agh.” You shake your head, scrunching your face, far less accustomed to the practice than the men before you. Felix giggles, leaning down in turn to snort his. He wipes his nose, grinning as he looks at you, his gaze flickering shamelessly to your plump pink lips. You grin, knowing exactly what he wants, more than happy to give it to him. Your fingers find his chin, bringing him ever so slightly forward enough for your lips to meet. You part your lips, eagerly letting his tongue explore your mouth. He pulls you forward so you’re on top of him straddling his lap, your knees digging into the soft carpet on either side of his thighs. The warm feeling inside you feels like it’s bubbling as you start subconsciously grinding against the growing tent in his tight pants.

“Okay now.” Hyunjin rolls his eyes, getting up from the couch. “You two done yet or what?” He grins, cocking his head in the direction of your bedroom. You quickly rise from Felix’s lap, hopping onto his back as he stands. He carries you to your room, your legs locked tightly around his waist, one of your hands linked to Hyunjins, who follows closely behind as you giggle. Felix drops you on the bed, rolling on top of you, your laughter echoing in the clouded daze. Hyunjin looms, standing at the edge of the bed, watching you guys with an amused expression. You playfully stick your foot out, pressing it against the semi forming in his pants. He grins down as Felix shuffles to sit on the edge of the bed in front of Hyunjin, eye to eye with the bulge in his pants. You follow suit quickly, sitting behind Felix, wrapping your arm around his waist as you softly slide your fingers underneath his sweater. Felix reaches up to slowly undo Hyunjins belt, letting it hang with a click. Hyunjin finishes the job, sliding it off in one smooth motion, letting it fall to the floor with a clink. Felix starts to unzip his pants before Hyunjins hand finds his head, stopping him.

“Take this off.” He breathes, a cool, sultry air in his tone as he tugs on Felix’s sweater. You help him pull it over his head, letting it fall to the floor, discarded alongside Hyunjins belt. You leave sweet kisses on the warm skin of his back and up his neck as he shivers. When he gets Hyunjins pants undone, he carefully undoes each button of his shirt, the loose, sheer material flowing at his sides. Felix’s hands wander shamelessly over the milky skin of Hyunjins toned, slim abdomen. He licks a stripe below Hyunjins navel with a grin as his fingers slip into his waistband. Hyunjins stomach flexes subconsciously as he grips Felix’s hair with a grunt. Felix tugs his boxers down enough for his cock to spring free, hitting his stomach. Precum beads at the tip, spilling onto his soft skin. Your mouth waters a little at the sight of him. Hyunjins cock is just like him, long, slim and way prettier than it needs to be. Unable to resist, you sit up on your high knees, reaching over Felix’s shoulder to grab hold of his length. His slender eyes stay narrowed as he watches you squeeze him, pumping him up and down slowly as before using your thumb to gather the precum from his tip. His lips part in awe as he watches you suck the sticky substance from your fingers with a smirk, returning to sit behind Felix.

“That was so fucking hot,” he grins, “you gonna do better than that Lix?” He teases, his thumb

tracing the blonde boy’s lips.

“He wishes, he can’t suck dick for shit.” You tease, poking Felix in the side.

“You can’t be talking, you have the worst gag reflex I’ve ever seen!” He retorts, turning his head to face you, laughing.

“It’s not even that bad.” You retort, rolling your eyes. “What do you think? It’s usually your dick anyway.” You say, turning your attention to Hyunjin as you raise your eyebrows suggestively.

“I dunno…maybe I need a memory refresher first…” he smirks teasingly, cupping Felix’s jaw to put himself in his mouth.

He groans, sliding slowly into Felix’s mouth, tangling his fingers in his blonde hair. You take this as a sign to start kissing Felix’s neck, your nails raking up and down his abdomen. You drag open mouthed kisses along his shoulders and back, your hand trailing to find the bulge in his pants.

“Off.” You mumble, tugging on the waistband as you suck in his neck. He pulls his head back briefly, releasing Hyunjin’s cock with a wet pop as it hits his stomach. You help Felix out of his pants and boxers quickly, leaving them to pool around one of his ankles as he sits back down.

“Why am I the naked one right now?” He questions, an innocent smile in his voice.

“We like you like this!” You giggle, pressing a kiss to his pink cheek.

“Yes we do.” Hyunjin smirks, his eyes raking up and down Felix’s body, who blushes further, the tips of his ears turning pink. Felix’s hand finds Hyunjins thigh, kneading the hard muscle as he licks a stripe up Hyunjins length. Meanwhile, you drag your hand down Felix’s abs, grabbing hold of his length. He groans around Hyunjins cock, who in turn mumbles a string of strangled curse words. You start to stroke him slowly, using his precum as lube. The following few minutes are a filthy mess of sounds. A mixture of groans, curse words and wet sounds fill the room, mingling with the slow, sensual music playing in the background. Felix pulls his head back, lulling it against your shoulder. A string of saliva connects his swollen pink lips to the tip of Hyunjins cock.

“Gonna cum, ‘s okay, don’t stop.” He mumbles, his eyes falling closed as he presses his face into your neck.

You keep your strokes steady, squeezing him every so often at the tip. He spreads his legs further, leaning up against you. You and Hyunjin make eye contact, smirking as he whines. You feel him twitch in your hand as a breathy “fuck” leaves his throat. White ropes of cum paint his belly and your hand, all three of your eyes falling to the rapid rise and fall of his stomach. You fall back onto the bed, pulling Felix with you. He’s panting as he sits up onto his elbows, opening his eyes. You stick your finger into a puddle of the cum coating his stomach, swirling it around.

“Ah fuck.” He says, shaking his head with a grin on his face.

“Lix, sit up against the bed frame.” Hyunjin says, gesturing towards it. He obeys shuffling backwards until his back hits the wood, stacking a few pillows behind him for comfort. Hyunjin walks around the side of the bed until he’s standing next to you and Felix before shedding his pants and boxers.

“You have such a cute butt.” You say, grinning as you watch him in the closet mirror behind him.

“I do not have a cute butt!” He says, shuffling to avoid being in the reflection.

“You totally have a cute butt.” You reach out to give it a smack but he catches your wrist in his hand, ruffling your hair.

“Shhh.” He grins, rolling his eyes in reply.

“C'mon take this off.” He says, tugging at the material of your silk slip. You pull it over your head, the chilly air hitting your bare skin. Hyunjin strokes his thumb over your hard nipple, cupping your breasts with his big hands.

“Those too.” He adds, looking at your lacy underwear. Hyunjin climbs over, joining Felix in the middle of the bed. He settles in between his legs on his knees with his back pressed to Felix’s chest.

“Cmere.” He smirks, raising his eyebrows as he taps his inner thigh between his spread legs. The fact that he’s still wearing the sheer, lacy black button up is ridiculously sexy for some reason. One side is hanging off his shoulder, the fabric pooling around his soft pale skin. His cock is flushed and rock hard against his belly, drooling precum onto the skin. You eagerly crawl over, your knees on either side of their thighs, hovering over Hyunjin’s cock. You kiss him first, his mouth opening to welcome your tongue immediately. Kissing Hyunjin is different from kissing Felix. Felix is gentle, it’s sweet and soft. Kissing Hyunjin is dirty, it’s a messy blur of lips and tongue, your salivas mixing as he bites your bottom lip. You grind down against his cock, the pressure feels delicious against your clit. You pull away from the kiss, tilting your head over his shoulder to kiss Felix. Hyunjins lips find your neck as you do this, whispering into your ear.

“Mm good girl, use me,” he purrs, his big hands finding your waist, helping you move against him. You moan into the kiss with Felix, pulling away and letting your head drop against Hyunjins bare shoulder.

“Can you cum like this before you ride me?” He whispers, sin laden in his tone.

You whimper a small “mhm” in response, grinding your hips desperately against his cock.

You wouldn’t normally be able to come like this, at least not this quickly, but something about the drugs in your system intensified every single nerve inside you, making you hornier and more desperate than you would ever be otherwise. He rolls his agile hips against you in time with your own needy thrusts. You feel the familiar heat pooling between your legs as you move against him faster, whining with each thrust.

“Fuck, ‘m cumming,” you whimper in his ear, your mouth wide open in ecstasy, drooling a little onto the warm skin of Hyunjins shoulder.

When your orgasm hits you it hits you hard, you’re panting, mumbling words that vaguely sound like Hyunjins name. He pulls you flush against him while he helps you ride out your high. You collapse against his chest, your sweaty skin sticking together as you try to calm your ragged breathing. You sit back, pressing your hands to his bare chest as you flip your hair back over your head.

“You’re so fucking hot it’s stupid.” You smile breathlessly, gazing in awe at Hyunjin. He smiles, looking down.

One thing you loved about Hyunjin was that he knew how desirable he was, but he didn’t let it get to his head. He carried himself with an air of casual confidence that was just so attractive. He simply owns the sexual power he knows he has. When he wants something, he doesn’t just know how to get it, he knows how to make you want to give it to him. Hyunjin reaches back to caress Felix’s head, who peppers kisses against his neck and jaw in return. You sit up, grabbing hold of his length with one hand, the other on his half clothed shoulder to steady yourself. You align him with your entrance, slowly sinking down onto his cock. He curses followed by a shallow grunt, letting his head fall back against Felix’s shoulder. You start to ride him slowly and shallowly, still trying to get used to his size inside of you. Fucking Hyunjin is also different from fucking Felix. Fucking Felix is usually slow, intimate and careful. Hyunjin on the other hand…

You two have a history. A long one. One full of breakups, arguments, parties, hookups, drugs, drunk texts and a whole lot of sex. You know each other's bodies better than you know your own at this point, your body endlessly receptive to Hyunjins touch. His eyes are glued to the spot where your bodies are joined, watching his length disappear inside of you over and over. His big hand comes to grip your waist tightly, guiding you up and down. The other finds your thigh, stroking it softly in tune with your movements. He rolls his hips expertly, his cock hitting that perfect one spot again and again as you ride him. You’re moaning, tangling your fingers in his hair as you kiss and bite his neck, trying to get as close as humanly possible. It’s dirty, your skin is sticky with cum and sweat, your hair is a mess, there are hands all over your bodies, Hyunjins, yours, Felix’s, grasping at every inch of bare skin. Hyunjin gazes up at you with big, fucked out doe eyes. A smirk finds his lips as he drags his tongue slowly over his teeth. He takes the hand holding your thigh and grabs one of yours off his shoulder, bringing it down to rest on your tummy. He pushes your hand down as he fucks into you, willing himself

deeper.

“Can you feel me here baby? Feel all of me?” He questions teasingly as you gasp, moaning.

“Yes, so,” you breathe, “fucking big.” You whine.

He’s hitting that one spot so deep inside of you it almost hurts, but the ache feels so good.

“I’m gonna cum.” Hyunjin groans breathlessly, letting his head fall back against Felix’s shoulder, who purrs, dragging his fingers up and down the sweaty skin of Hyunjin’s abs.

“You gonna let me cum inside you pretty? Hm?” He says, his eyes meeting yours as he lifts his head slightly.

All you can do is nod and mumble in response, moving against him faster and faster as you chase your high.

“Mmm,” he half chuckles. “That’s my girl.”

“Just like that, just like that, don't stop.” You mumble over and over.

A few more thrusts and Hyunjin is gripping your waist, holding you down as he fucks into you. You can feel the warm spurts of his release inside you as he shudders, cursing and groaning while Felix kisses his neck. You’re all breathing hard as Hyunjin slowly loosens his grip on your waist, the marks from his fingers sure to leave faint bruises. He laughs a breathy laugh as you sit up onto your high knees, sliding off of him as his softening cock lies flush against his belly. You flop down onto the bed, crawling to settle in between them both. For a few moments you all lay panting side by side. The room smells like sex and Hyunjins fingers toy with the stickiness between your legs. You push up onto your elbows, leaning down to either side to softly plant a kiss on either boy's shoulders before lying back down between them.

“I wanna hear some stories.” You say matter of factly, your eyes on the ceiling.

“What kind of stories?” Felix asks.

“Sex stories. Funny ones, hot ones, embarrassing ones…up to you guys.” you reply.

“Hmm.” Felix mumbles, adjusting himself to rest on his hands behind his head.

“I need a prompt first.” Says Hyunjin.

“Okay, the best orgasm you've ever had.” You reply after a brief moment of thought.

“That’s so hard,” Hyunjin says, contemplating. “That one time, after I cut my hair, like the undercut,” he starts. “When I came home and surprised you with it you sucked me off for like an hour and wouldn’t let me cum, but when you finally did I was convinced I actually saw heaven.”

“Oh my god I remember that, that was like, one of the sexiest hairstyles you’ve ever had.” You reply fondly, tucking a long black strand behind his ear. “This ones pretty sexy too, I will say.”

He grins, reaching over you to poke Felix in the side. “What about you Lix?” He questions.

“To be honest I think it was the first time I ever tried coke, after that one half naked shoot with the blue curtain fabric thing.” He chuckles, pointing to Hyunjin who also laughs at the memory.

“We went to this party after a shoot and one of the other models ended up coming back with Hyunjin and I to our room. She cut a few lines and those two did them no problem and then they looked at me kinda like “what are you waiting for” and I had to tell them I’d never tried it. My nose started bleeding and I was so embarrassed, but Hyunjin just wiped it off while she went down on me. I was so disoriented but it felt so good and I came so hard.” Felix blushes, wincing slightly as he smiles.

“We ended up fucking while Lix just kind of sat at the table half watching half knocked out.” Hyunjin giggles, ruffling the blonde boy's hair.

“What about you?” Felix says, turning his attention to you.

“Hmm,” you say, mulling it over in your head. “I went on a trip for two weeks with my girl friends and I didn’t touch myself once the entire time, so when I got back he went down on me for ages, I think I came three times.” You blush, shyly covering your face as Hyunjin laughs.

His fingers paint shapes on your belly with his own cum, collecting it from between your thighs before trailing it up and over your navel.

“How did you two even start the whole threesome thing together?” You question curiously, “I can’t believe I’ve never asked this before.” You add, kind of shocked.

“Welll…” Felix starts, trailing off with a laugh as him and Hyunjin make eye contact.

Hyunjin winces slightly, rubbing his eyes. “It’s kind of a long story.”

“Like a long one.” Felix adds.

“It’s okay, we’ve got time.” You shrug. “Plus, I wanna hear it now.”

“Okay, well in highschool we were pretty close, we danced under the same company for years and we hung out sometimes.” Felix starts. “I kind of had a crush on him cause like…well, look at him.” He adds, grinning as you both turn to look at Hyunjin who smiles as a blush creeps up his cheeks.

“But at that time I wasn’t even entirely sure of my own sexuality, let alone Hyunjins, and every time we talked he’d be on about some girl he was hooking up with or seeing, so I kinda figured there was no chance there.” Felix continues, looking between you both.

“I was kind of a slut in highschool.” Hyunjin deadpans, looking at you before Felix continues.

“But this one night he slept over at my house cause my parents were out of town and we got talking while we smoked a joint. We were sitting on the roof outside of my room and he asked me if I’d ever kissed a guy, I said yes and then asked him if he ever had. He said no, but he would, which kinda took me by surprise. The next time I passed him the joint he blew smoke into my mouth and then kissed me and to this day it was one of the hottest fucking things someone’s ever done to me.” Felix smirks, looking at Hyunjin who chastely kisses his knuckles as he winks.

“That story is both so cute and so sexy. I'm intrigued, do tell me more.” You say, grinning as you cuddle up to Hyunjin, both of your eyes on Felix.

“High School was a little wild, but it was tame compared to Uni.” Hyunjin begins, continuing the story. “I was also kind of a slut in Uni. Especially first year.” He adds, making Felix laugh.

“We kind of just experimented a lot.” Felix adds, shrugging.

“Then in Uni, I had this girl over in my dorm cause I thought Lix wouldn’t be back until later, but he walked in at like 10 pm cause some girl spilled her drink on him and he had to change. It was actually her idea, she asked me if I thought he’d wanna join and I said it had never occurred to me but sure. I called down the hall and was like “Yo come here!” Hyunjin laughs, throwing his head back.

Before he can continue, Felix interjects. “Just to reiterate that is actually what he said.” He says with a wide eyed smile, reaching his hand over at Hyunjin as he speaks.

“That is the least sexy proposition I’ve maybe ever heard?” You say teasingly, laughing alongside them both.

“You and me both.” Felix grins, rolling his eyes as he continues the story. “I went into his room to see what he wanted and this girl was literally on her knees in front of him and he just casually goes “come here” so I was like…okay.” He says, shrugging with a small laugh. “We kissed for a bit and then, well I dunno, I was kinda drunk to be honest but we all fucked around for awhile until she left. Then we kinda just started doing it from time to time, usually after parties until he introduced me to you.” He finishes with a wink and a gentle poke to your side.

“My pretty girl.” Hyunjin grins, planting a kiss on your forehead.

“I have one,” Felix continues, sitting up onto his elbows. “What’s the story of your first time?”

This makes Hyunjin laugh and you cringe at the memory.

“It was so bad.” You whine, dragging your hands over your face. “I was in highschool, I think I was 15 and I lost it to my first real boyfriend. He came over one day while my parents weren’t home and we were messing around and he asked if I wanted to have sex and I was like sure. It hurt like a bitch and he came in like 30 seconds and then asked me if I finished. I didn’t.” You say rolling your eyes and sighing as you flop back down.

Felix laughs. “Having sex in highschool makes you feel so grown up and mature until you get older and realize how bad the sex you were having actually was.”

This makes you and Hyunjin both laugh. “Cheers to that.” He replies, throwing his head back.

“I lost mine to my pre calc tutor when I was in like grade eleven. She was two years older than me and to be honest it was great.” Hyunjin says, grinning as he wiggles his eyebrows. “I was on the verge of failing because I was practicing so much I didn’t have time for most of my schoolwork. I also just hated my pre calc teacher. They got me a tutor from one of the colleges and she was smoking hot. My grades actually did get better after a few sessions but I honestly only remember the one where she asked me if I’d ever gotten head and I said yes and then she asked me if I had ever had sex and I said no. She asked me if I wanted to and being the sixteen year old boy I was, I said yes. It was awesome, no regrets, great first time.”

You laugh and roll your eyes. “I wonder if she thought it was as great as you did.” Which makes Felix chuckle.

“Definitely not.” Hyunjin grins, folding his arms behind his head. “This is fun, give us more.”

“Hm, okay,” you think, “what’s a kink you have or something that turns you on?”

“How much time do you have?” Hyunjin jokes, cocking his eyebrow.

“I like getting my hair pulled.” Felix says, grinning.

“Mmmm.” Hyunjin hums in agreement. “Hurts so good.”

“I think seeing and feeling the bulge when we fuck is the hottest thing in the universe, like it makes me wanna cum on the spot.” You whine, twirling a lock of Hyunjins hair as you look back and forth between them.

“I like that too, sometimes I actually have to try not to cum on the spot.” Hyunjin replies, grinning. “I’m kind of into recording now? I’ve jerked off to the video of you giving me head at least 10 times. It's amazing.” He winks at you. “Guys, let's make a sex tape. Please.” He whines, wiggling his eyebrows at Felix.

“With what?” He raises his eyebrows, amused.

“I have an old camcorder.” Hyunjin grins as Felix rolls his eyes.

“I dunno…sounds pretty adventurous.” He replies teasingly, his eyebrows raised.

“Being in front of a camera is hardly adventurous for either of you.” You snort

“Ok but fucking in front of one is.” Felix retorts, playfully smacking you on the shoulder.

“I’ll bring it next time we come over.” Hyunjin winks, pressing a kiss to your forehead and then to Felix’s shoulder.

[kirain]

I made a seven-day poll asking what everyone wanted me to write for a BG3 short story, but I don't think I have to wait to know "Gale summoning Tara" will win by a landslide. That said, I promise to also write a short for whichever theme comes in second, if people are still interested. In the meantime, I give you Gale summoning Tara!

Partly inspired by @ah-jiing's gorgeous art.

The boy clung to his mother's skirt, hiding behind her, his cheeks stained with tears. Elminster looked at him, then at the state of the house. An unconscious mephit lay withered in the corner, surrounded by scorch marks. The carpet; what was left of it, had taken the brunt of the damage, but the entire living room was trashed beyond repair—and it was perfect. The boy had potential if he could summon such a creature on his own, and with no formal training besides.

"Impressive," Elminster chuckled, scratching his beard. "Most university students struggle to summon mephits. It's not easy to pull them out of Eberron, especially if they don't want to leave."

"Impressive?!" the father yelled, causing the boy to flinch. "This is the fourth time his 'magic' has caused irreparable damage! No more!" He turned to his son, his eyes burning. "I never should've let your mother buy you those fanciful books. Later today, when I get home from work, I'm gathering every single one and tossing them in the ocean!"

The boy gasped, horrified. "No!"

"Don't you 'no' me." He raised his hand, threateningly. "I'm done paying for your mistakes. Every time you ruin something in this house, it costs me a bloody fortune! I ought to—!"

"That's enough, Alexis," the mother said, sternly. "I did far worse when I was in my teens. He's barely eight summers old. He just needs a mentor."

"No, Morena. He needs to stop. He needs a hobby. He needs friends!"

"That's what I was trying to do!" the boy cried. Elminster shifted as the parents fell silent. "I was trying ... I was trying to summon a tressym!"

"Not this again." The father sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance, as well as exhaustion. "I already told you, no pets! This house is already in shambles. We don't need an animal to add to it."

"Alexis, you're being unfair. You expect him to stay inside all day, learning about your trade, and then wonder why he doesn't have any friends."

"He doesn't have any friends because the other children around here are scared of him. Have you forgotten what he did to that girl?!"

The boy whimpered, the memory invading his thoughts. Once again, the parents fell silent, the mother giving her husband a disapproving glare. After a moment, she knelt down with a warm smile and ran her thumb across her son's cheek.

"Gale, sweetheart, go to your room for a bit. Can you do that for me?"

The boy hesitated, holding his mother's hand against his face, grateful for the comfort. His eyes twitched, then welled with tears. Elminster watched patiently, taking note of their bond. He could sense the mother's affinity for magic, but the father displayed no such talent. Rather, an obvious aversion to it. The realisation made him scoff. It was always a mystery to him, why one with knowledge of the arcane would settle for the most mundane of partners, but he held his tongue. He was there for one reason, and that reason was breaking down in front of him.

"Gale," the mother repeated. "It's alright, sweetheart." She pulled him into a merciful hug. "It's alright. I know you didn't mean it."

"I'm sorry..." he muttered, melting in her embrace. "I'm sorry, mommy. Please don't take my books away."

"Shh, we're not going to take your books away.

The father lurched forward. "Morena, I just said—!"

"We're not going to take your books away," she snapped. "Now please, go to your room. I'll bring you some lunch come noon."

The boy pulled away, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. He sniffed quietly, his jaw tense as he tried to compose himself. As he stepped around his mother, he leaned away from his father, but looked up at Elminster with a brief gaze of shame and curiosity. He had no idea who the old man was or why he was there, but he was too upset to ask. Instead, he dashed to his room, slamming the door behind him.

"Morena, I know you mean well, but you coddle that boy."

"I don't want to hear it, Alexis. He's your son, but you've made absolutely no attempt to share his interests."

"Maybe that's because I don't want to get my eyebrows singed off. I'm not like you. I can't just shield myself from his outbursts."

"They're not 'outbursts'. You act as though he's some kind of delinquent. I've never seen him use magic in a moment of anger, not even when the neighbourhood children push him around. Most of the time his spells are harmless, and you're wrong to focus so heavily on his mistakes."

"You're wrong to brush them aside. Mistakes like these get people killed! The housekeeper damn near pissed herself when she walked in on that ... that thing! I don't think she's coming back!"

"She overreacted. If she hadn't started screaming, the mephit wouldn't have panicked."

"The mephit?! Morena, she had every right to 'overreact'. Most people don't come face to face with fiends everyday!"

"It's not a fiend, Alexis, it's an elemental. Loyal to the one who summoned it." With a grunt, she snapped her fingers, and the motionless creature disappeared in a puff of smoke. "There. I've sent it home. No harm done."

"No harm—?" He stared at the now empty space, then groaned, defeated. "Morena, this is getting out of hand. I can't keep doing this. I-I can't support this. I have to put my foot down. No more books, no more magic."

"It's not a choice, Alexis. I've never seen a child with such keen aptitude for magic. It's like it's in his blood. Either we teach him how to harness it or it'll boil over."

"Don't. Don't even try it. I'm no fool, Morena. He's not a sorcerer. This isn't wild magic. It's not spilling out of him like a sieve. He can stop any time we choose to make him."

Elminster cleared his throat, loudly.

"Oh, yes. Forgive us," Morena sighed. "I had hoped to welcome you under ... merrier circumstances."

"Fear not." He waved his hand, jauntily. "This isn't the first mess I've walked in on when it comes to gifted children, and I doubt it will be the last."

"Gifted?" The father squeaked. "Gifted?!"

"Indeed. You'd admonish your son when you should be praising him. As I said earlier, most university students fail to summon a mephit." He turned his attention to the mother. "Did I hear you rightly? He's only eight?"

"Yes, and only just. By a few weeks."

"Incredible."

"I know," she giggled. "I could hardly believe it when the housekeeper came running to me about a 'winged beast' setting fire to the parlor."

"Have you both lost your senses?!" the father interjected. "Morena, who is this man?"

She caught her breath, pushing her pride for her son aside. "This is Elminster Aumar. Remember? I told you he'd be visiting us today. He wrote to me a tenday ago, asking about Gale. It seems word of our little wizard has reached beyond Waterdeep."

"Do not call him that!" The man hissed. "He's not a wizard, he's a boy. A normal boy. I told you, this ends today. No more books, no more spells, no more fiends or bats or whatever you want to call them. No more magic! He'll be an artisan like me and he'll like it. You just have to stop filling his head with nonsense." He pointed to Elminster. "And you—" He went to speak, his tone harsh, but he paused and collected himself, if only to save face. "I'm sorry you travelled all this way from ... wherever you're from, but I'm afraid your services are no longer needed."

"How dare you," Morena whispered, her voice low but laced with fury. "When you married me, you knew this was a possibility. We talked about it. You were fine with it."

"That was before he started tormenting little girls with necromancy!" He let out a long, winded breath. "Morena, this isn't right. You said it yourself, magic like this is beyond a child's comprehension. He shouldn't even be able to—!"

"If I may inquire?" Elminster asked, careful not to incense the father further. "I'm here because I know, better than most, how difficult it can be to raise a Weave-touched child. I can see the strain it's putting on you, and as a neutral party, I can attest you both make valid points. So please, tell me about the necromancy, and let's try to keep a level head. This is about your son, after all. About his future. If you'll accept it, I'm willing to share my expertise."

The parents exchanged glances, then looked away from each other, embarrassed. The father, without a word, walked away and leaned against the wall, his eyes falling to the cinders on the floor. Elminster could tell he was at his wits' end, but he felt very little sympathy. His desire to stifle such beautiful talent, to hold magic in such low regard—it was an affront to Mystra herself.

"He wasn't trying to 'torment' anyone," the mother chimed. "He was just trying to help."

"Tell me what happened."

"There's a girl who lives a few doors down from us. Loria. She had a songbird she kept in her room, but somehow it got out of its cage and flew into a window outside. As I'm sure you can imagine, the impact broke its neck. When Gale found her, she was weeping in the street, holding the poor thing in her hands. He only ... he only wanted to help. To make her feel better."

"Enough," Elminster said, sensing the woman's mouthing distress. "I understand."

"No you don't!" the father barked. "When he brought that thing back, its limbs twisted in every direction, squawking like it was in pain. He wounded that poor girl more than the bird's death ever could have."

"You're overlooking the fact that it was all well intentioned," Morena argued. "And magic like that is practically impossible for a child his age. It's a miracle he managed to reanimated it at all."

"That doesn't excuse it!"

"I didn't say it did! If we just teach him when and where it's acceptable to use magic, as well as how to perfect his skills—"

"Morena!"

"Magic is part of him!" she screeched, clenching her fists. "You need to accept that!"

"I'm afraid she's right," Elminster added. "Gale may not be a sorcerer, but the Weave has called to him. It has plans for him. Mystra has plans for him."

The father paled, his anger waning in an instant. "The goddess?"

"Yes. Taking his books, depriving him of proper study, it won't placate him. Magic flows through him like molten lava, and lava cannot be tamed. I know the toll this has taken on you, but your son is no mere boy. Not anymore."

"Is that so? Then what exactly is he?"

Elminster smiled. "A prodigy."

-----

Gale paced about his room, gripping his hair as his chest heaved. He couldn't figure out where he went wrong. He didn't mispronounce any of the words, and the mephit, though not what he intended to summon, was peaceful until the housekeeper tried to smack it with a broom.

In a fit of emotions, he dropped to the floor and buried his head in his knees, squeezing them tightly. He didn't want to be alone anymore, and he hated his father's cruelty, but maybe he was right. Images of Loria screaming over her bird flashed in his mind, the guilt overwhelming him. First her, then the housekeeper. He never wanted to hurt anyone, he only wanted a friend.

"Why didn't it work?" he sobbed, his nails digging into his trousers. "Is it me? Tressyms only come to the pure of heart, so maybe I'm just not..."

He wept, for a long time. When he lifted his head, his eyes were swollen and heavy, his mouth sore. With a sniffle, he wiped his nose, then looked to his dresser; to the small ornate jar sat on the far corner. Though he felt too numb to stand, he forced himself to his feet and retrieved it, and then he shook it back and forth, rattling the coins inside.

"That was mother's favourite carpet..." He popped the lid and poured the coins onto the dresser. "Not much, but better than nothing, I guess."

With a pained frown, he began separating each coin by value, counting what was there. It was the least he could do, he thought, to make up for his blunder. He truly loved magic, but he never wanted to hurt anyone with it; least of all the people who cared for him the most.

"One hundred and twenty," he said, mournfully. "That carpet ... cost seventeen times that." He gulped, staving off another rush of tears. "So much for our vacation to Neverwinter. Looks like I ruined that, too."

With one swift motion, he swept the coins back into the jar, then moved to take it to his mother, hoping it would make an apt apology. Before reaching the door; however, he gasped, his body freezing. His eyes widened, his back arching as he dropped the jar to the floor.

"Never ... winter?"

A sudden burst of clarity. Of inspiration. He ran to his bookshelf and grabbed a large, leather bestiary from the lineup. As big as his torso, he struggled to lift it, but dragged it to his bed with a determined limp, then dropped it on the mattress.

"That old man said mephits come from Eberron. So maybe ... maybe my spell was too expansive. I need to narrow it down."

For several minutes, he flipped through the pages, tracing the sentences with his finger. Finally, he came across the passage that answered his prayers, and he grinned.

Most tressyms hail from the warm, temperate lands of Faerûn, and are most commonly seen in northern Cormyr, particularly in the village of Eveningstar.

"This is it!"

With renewed vigor, he wrenched up the rug in the middle of his room, revealing a large casting circle painted on the floor; a seven-pointed star surrounded by glyphs. His excitement brimming, he grabbed a quill and wrote 'Neverwinter' in the northern triangle, then tossed it aside and positioned himself in the center. All the mayhem of that morning and the consequences it incurred seemed to fade as he took a deep, calming breath.

"I can do this. I can do this."

Slowly, he clapped his hands together, his mind fixated on what he wanted most. As the magic swirled inside him, ready to serve, his hair stood on end, but not out of fear. Exhilaration. He couldn't help but smile as he closed his eyes and chanted the words, "Ah-Thran Mystra-Ryl Kantrach-Ao."

Immediately, the scent of rosewater filled the air, tickling his nose and tongue. It was sweet and welcoming, a sensation he'd grown to crave on an almost daily basis. It made him feel safe. Seen. As streams of azure and violet whirled around him, he lifted his hands above his head and faced the ceiling.

"Ang'alor ko malo fynndo Virr e'etu fem'molij!"

A gust of wind erupted through the room, so powerful it sent several objects flying through the air, but Gale held strong, his arms shaking as a mass of bright colours exploded from his fingertips. His arms shook, the deluge of dancing lights twisting from a shapeless husk into something more familiar. Then, he heard a soft mew in the distance, causing him to gasp. He'd opened a rift, and before long a small feather blew though and brushed against his cheek.

"My word!" a feminine voice echoed. "This is most irregular. Who is—?"

An abrupt and blinding flash, then a weight that nearly brought Gale to his knees. He winced, blinking rapidly to regain his senses—and when he did, his eyes fell upon the face of a cat, which he unknowingly cradled in his arms, her paws pushing against his chest. In that moment, words failed him, his mouth hanging open in a daze.

"I say, who are you?" the creature asked, her ears twitching.

She wasn't angry or frightened, merely confused, but a quick glance around her esoteric surroundings answered in kind. The room was teeming with books, knickknacks, and artefacts that only one type of person would keep, and she knew that type of person well. Stretching her wings, she shuffled in the boy's arms, making herself more comfortable.

"I see. A young wizard, are you?" She peered up at him, her bright eyes studying his face. "Hmm. Very young, it seems. Well then, that explains why you summoned me. You need a firm hand, yes? I'll warn you now, child, I expect you to take your studies seriously. I'll not abide laziness." She pulled back a bit, licking her paw. "And I trust I'll receive a steady intake of fish and pigeons? They're my favourite, I'll have you know. Well, after beholder, but I don't expect you to fetch something so dangerous on my behalf. In fact, I forbid it."

"I..." Gale's brow furrowed, his eyes gleaming.

"My name is Tara, by the bye. Perhaps I should've opened with that. Though you've neglected to tell me your name." She tilted her head, gesturing for a response, but the boy said nothing. "I see I have my work cut out for me. Manners, young man. Manners. So, what should I call you? Mister—?"

"I—I..."

"Yes? Speak clearly, dear. My hearing may be sharp, but mumbles are indecipherable, even for a tressym."

He couldn't contain his smile as he pulled the beast into a tight but careful hug, which was met with the faintest sound of purring.

"I did it!"

[wowa-bublord]

How do you decide how to stylize the characters you draw? If it's okay to ask.

totally okay to ask! but kind of a hard question because I have so many designs BAHBGFHDJKS!! I'll use my zack design as an example since I draw him the most... and I want an excuse to talk about my process BAHABGFH

the first thing is obviously to get references haha. with Zack thats really easy cos he has 500 designs, I did some studies to figure out how to draw him, what aspects I liked and what things I didn't like! I don't have the studies anymore cos i lost them (bubby lost media) so heres my recreation vvvv

the thing I liked the most were the sharper, bigger eyes of the cutscene zack, the harder jaw of the remake older zack, and the bigger eyebrows of the younger remake zack >:3 so I slap them all together into my design !!

some other stuff misc stuff I took from some design are the darker skin from the og crisis core, and the big ol mane he's depicted with in his first designs!

BOOM first pass design

once I have my first design, I just slowly decide what parts I want to emphasis and exaggerate :) for zack, I like to really push his hair and his eyes. I like to make his visuals very expressive because I see him as a character who isn't very good at verbalizing his emotion, having him physically readable makes writing comics with him easier despite this. (In canon he actually has a tendency to completely turn around or hide his face when he cries! You can see this when Angeal dies, he hides his face behind the sword, later faces away from aerith in the church when he cries, and then at the end during the final meal he turns away from them again. Just a little zack fact.) I also like to push triangular shapes in his design to give him a sort of super hero vibe. Triangle eyes, triangle body type, triangle hair, that sorta thing. Triangles are the strongest shape, so they give him a sort of immovable vibe, however triangles in character designs are also often used for villains because they convey a sharpness and unpredictability. That's why I use them in my sephiroth design a lot too LOL, parallels. I also tend to push the wolf/dog theme a lot with him, with the sharp teeth, big fur hair, and puppy dog ear bangs in his younger design. Mostly because. yea duh Zack The Puppy BAHBVGFHD but also to mirror Sephiroths own theme of dehumanization. Zack is a person second and an attack dog first to ShinRa. Sephiroth the hero and Zack the puppy..... ive got a lot of thoughts but idk how to say them i just hope it comes out in my drawings at all thats what its all about LMAO

Some other things I try to add are visual parallels I give him to my sephiroth design, with a low nose, sharper jaw, big shoulder pauldrons and a triangle body type. It's more obvious from how I draw their side profiles tho hehe

And that's how I got to my current Zack design!! sorry for the ramble, thanks for giving me an excuse to talk about my art FWWHWH character design is a big passion of mine yippee!!

[writingsbymo-mo]

Mine Always

Bonten!Rindou x F!Reader

Rating: Mature

Contains: pregnancy, mild sexual themes, language

Contains spoilers for the Tenjiku arc

Note: she/her pronouns are used when referring to your past self at times...and in the little bonus at the end. Keep that in mind before reading 💕

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"Welcome home, Rindou!" You beamed, planting a kiss on his lips, "did you miss me?" You had a long day sorting through files for Koko. With you being a few months pregnant, you were stuck doing office work for Bonten, not that you minded. Field work was always more enjoyable, especially after many adrenaline induced escapades with Rindou that led to your current situation.

Rindou smiled into the kiss, sneaking a few on the shell of your ear. "Why wouldn't I miss my beautiful pregnant wife?" He cooed, picking you up in his arms. "Come on, it's been a long day for both of us. Let's get some rest."

The city lights illuminated the space just enough to reach the comfort of your shared bed. Gently, he lowered you onto the silk sheets, tucking you in. He's been doing this often the moment your little bump began to show and honestly, you loved it. The bed creaked under his weight as he joined you under the covers. He rolled onto his side, gazing at you fondly, gently wrapping his arms around your form until your back was pressed to his chest. "Can't believe we've been together for over ten years now. And now, we have a little Haitani on the way." His warm hand began rubbing small circles onto your bump as he pressed kisses into the back of your neck.

You gasped, moving your head to give him more access to your neck as a thought came to you. "I wonder how our past selves would react to us now, you know? I mean, you used to have the biggest crush on me according to Ran before we started dating." Rindou scoffed, "of course he told you that...sigh...though he is part of the reason we're here now."

"Aww," you cooed, placing your hand over his, "I guess I'll have to thank him later. Still, I think you'd have the cutest reactions if your past self knew you fucked a baby into me." You giggled as he shook his head with a chuckle. "Alright love, let's go to sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Yeah, goodnight Rin."

"Goodnight love," he whispered and kissed your neck.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

You awaken to a shrill scream piercing your ears. "Who the fuck are you? How did you get in here? GET OUT!!!!"

You rubbed your eyes and sat up immediately, confused as to what is happening. You fell asleep next to Rindou like always so who is this? Then it hit you, where is he.....

Frantically, you search the room only to find....familiarity? It was your old bedroom. The walls lined with posters of your favorite bands and movies, your computer with your cd tower next to it with a few cases placed at your desk you were given to by Rindou not long after you started dating. You smiled, remembering how excited he was giving you his first copy of remixes and originals to you, wanting your honest feedback after listening to it. It was something you always cherished even into your present time. You couldn't help the soft smile forming on your face as you reminisced your memories with him.

"HEY! Are you even listening?! GET THE FUCK OUT!!!"

You snapped out of your thoughts, staring wide-eyed at your past self fuming, holding a bat you used to have before it snapped in half during a fight. Somehow, you stayed calm, sighing as you got a better look at your past self. "I almost forgot I dyed my hair neon pink and blue with a black under color...Ran and Rindou were right though. It was a good look for me," mumbled to yourself, or so you thought. Your younger self clutched the bat tighter, closer to her chest. "H-how...how...what??? What do you mean by "me"?"

You quietly laughed and smiled, "it's just as I said. I am you just about ten years from now."

Her jaw dropped, "so...if you're me...then who knocks me up in the future?" She said as she points to your visible bump.

"You want to know?" She nods at you while your hand caresses your stomach, rubbing it fondly. "Rindou did."

"Y-you mean...we—

"Yes, we fucked."

A huge blush spread across her face. She stepped towards the bed, grabbed the nearest pillow and squealed into it, "ohmygodohmygodohmygod!"

'How cute!' You thought, giggling to yourself. She lifted her head so only her eyes were visible, "is he, you know...big?" You almost choked on your spit, "y-yeah...he's quite thick. The best I've ever had." Then it dawned on you. 'Did Rindou get transported here too? If so, is he at his old place? But what if he isn't?'

"Shit, I'm going to be late!" She jumped to the closet, throwing on her Tenjiku uniform, grabbing her trusty bat then turning her head to you with a smirk, "you coming or not?"

"You know it!" And maybe, just maybe he'll also be there.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The sun shone bright in the sky as you left Yokohama Station with your past self leading the way. 'Must be one of the executive's meetings before our major battle with Toman,' You concurred given the information gathered from your past self.

A few twists and turns down streets and alleyways, the two of you made it to the abandoned warehouse where the meeting would take place. "It's the same as I remember." The floors were covered in dirt and broken glass, mainly by the windows. More people in red coats arrived shortly after your arrival: Mochi, Shion, Koko, Hanma, Kisaki, and Muto. One of them approached you, eyeing your figure as he licked his lips.

"Oi, Rindou's girl, who's the pregnant babe?"

"Shut it Hanma, she's taken!" Your past self barked. "Besides, she's me."

"The fuck?!" Hanma, Shion, and Mochi yelled in unison. Koko squinted in confusion, clearly thinking the same thing while Muto furrowed his brows. Kisaki stood quietly, unwavered yet bothered by the circumstances. They all stared at you, then at your other self, then back to you. "Well, they both look the same to me," stated Mochi. Shion scoffed, "the pregnant one is clearly better looking."

"I heard that!" Your past self yelled, clenching her fists, stomping towards Shion who shrunk back. You held your arm out in front of her, glaring at him. "I may be pregnant but I can still take you in a fight, Shion. Say that to me again, I dare you," glowered. He held his hands up, laughing nervously to himself. "So then future Rindou's girl, did he knock you up or—"

"I did."

Everyone shifted to the new voice. He stepped forward, hands in his suit pockets with his usual annoyed expression as two young men in black Tenjiku uniforms followed behind him. "Rindou!" You beamed. Your eyes watered a little as you ran to him, jumping in his arms. "I missed you sweetheart," he smiled, pulling you in a tight hug and peppered kisses on your forehead as though he was afraid to lose you again.

"R-Rindou?!" The members of Tenjiku exclaimed, eyes wide with their jaws to the floor.

Ran and past Rindou strolled over to you, the older one placing a hand on your shoulder. "I'm going to be an uncle," he smiled. "Yeah, in ten years," stated your Rindou as he rolled his eyes. "Still, I will be an uncle."

The Rindou from the past couldn't stop himself from looking at his girlfriend to you and your baby bump. Rosey pink filled his cheeks, knowing what he or his future self did with you. "Don't worry yourself too much. Just make sure to take good care of her when the time comes," you winked at him. The tips of his ears turned crimson as he looked away, taking his glasses off to clean them. "Don't tease him too much, love. You know how I was then." You giggled and booped his nose, "and you're still like that Rin-Rin."

"So, I heard we have some unexpected guests joining us. Thanks for the call, Ran"

All members of Tenjiku dropped silent, paying respects to their leader.

"I-Izana..." your eyes began to water as your heart swelled. Of course, he'd still be here. The Toman battle hasn't arrived yet

"Congratulations you two," Izana smiles, "the weather is lovely today, isn't it?"

You nodded, "it's good to see you again."

Kakuchou stood beside Izana, softly gazing at you and Rindou. "It's good to see you're still together."

Seeing everybody filled you and Rindou with joy. You shed a few tears as his thumb wiped them away. "I know we just got here, but we should find a way to get home. No telling what shit is going down with us gone." You sighed, defeated then nodded. He's right. Even if we stay, we don't belong in this time. "Do you know how?" He shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I've heard some of Sanzu's strange mumbling during his highs about time travel...and if I'm right, I need to be behind you."

"You're leaving already? But you just got here..." your past self cried, tackling you into a hug. "At least let me say goodbye first!" You smile, returning it. "Take care of that baby, you hear?" She sniffs. "Don't worry, we will."

Younger Rindou approaches the two of you, unable to look you in the eyes. He awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, still bushing from earlier. "Don't worry, I'll take care of her. And take care of our future child...plea—oof—" Ran drapes an arm over his shoulder and pulls him down with him to reach your eye level. "Take care of yourself and be good to my little nephew when he's born Rin-Rin!" Rindou rolls his eyes, "it's not like yourself from the future doesn't say that every single day," he retorts, though he can't help but smile. Ran nudges his brother under his arm, "and you better take care of your girl."

"Bye you two!"

"See you soon?!"

"Don't make too many crotch goblins!"

You both laughed at the last one.

It was time to go. A heavy sigh escaped you. Rindou circled behind you, wrapping his arms around your waste and nuzzling your neck. "I love you," he muttered, leaving a light peck on your nape.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Light was swallowed in an instant as you found yourself under the covers of familiar silky sheets. You yawned, stretching your limbs with a grunt. 'Was that all a dream? It felt too real.'

A set of arms pulled you closer. You squeaked as he kissed your neck. "Rindou!" You whined. "Shhhh, go back to sleep love," he whispered into your skin, sliding a hand down to caress your stomach. "So it was a dream? Shit...," you covered your face with your hands as sorrow washed over you.

"A dream?"

You nodded.

"When we saw our past selves and all of Tenjiku again?"

You tensed as your eyes popped open. "It wasn't a dream?! Oh thank god I'm not crazy," you sighed in relief.

Rindou shifted, straddling over you, beaming down at you like he's viewing the finest piece of art. He trails kisses from your Bonten tattoo over your right breast up to your lips, smiling with every smooch. "To prove it, I'm going to take good care of you and our baby."

"I know you will Rin."

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Rindou awakens with a hard punch to the gut. "Cough, cough...the fuck was that for love?!" He sits up, ready to find you angry at him for whatever reason, but was met with a familiar face with a set of round glasses scowling at him.

"You better fucking get out if you know what's good for you. Or you won't be seeing this "love" of yours ever again!" He yelled.

Yawn "Rindou, keep it down! I need to get my nap in before the meeting—the fuck?! Why are there two of you in here...?"

Younger Rindou snapped his head at his older self, pulling up the sleeve of his shirt to see a matching tattoo only his brother and himself have. "What...the...hell?!!" His eyes widened, completely stunned. Never in his life did he ever think this to happen. This was something that only happens in movies.

Rindou clutched his abdomen, hissing from his younger self's gut punch. "Ok, here's the deal. I don't know how or why I got here. All I know is I need some painkillers and to get back to my pregnant wife."

"Wait...I-I'm married?" He gasped, stumbling in his steps.

"You're married and your wife is pregnant?!!"

Rindou nodded and crossed his arms. "Been with her for over ten years. You'll know who she is when you see her."

Ran's grumpy demeanor vanished at the whole revelation. He rushed over and squeezed Rindou in his arms. "I can't believe I'll be an uncle one day!"

Younger Rindou stood in the corner, thinking about who his future wife is considering he knows her. "Wait...is it—"

"Yes, it's her. She's the best woman a man could have."

"Well Rin-Rin, I was right to nudge you two together."

"Shut up Ran..."

[smutinlove]

Hello! I hope you are doing well.

I just read the rules for requests post and I wonder if I can send one. Hopefully, this is alright... Would you mind if the reader was non-binary? Not sure I can ask that so I'll leave it to you.

I kinda really wanted to read Jason and reader being best friends, and reader and Jason going to an amusement park with other friends. Whether friends and bestie/reader know about Jason's identity as Red Hood is up to you.

Reader wants to go to the haunted house attraction, but since they're easily frightened, they always avoid going on one. But they really want to have the experience someday, because even though it's scary, other people seem to have fun.

Maybe Jason sees that and decides to drag Reader and their friends inside, and they all have a grand time, because Jason is scarier than the actors. 😆

—hope i did this right!

•non-binary reader. (i really hope i did this right otherwise im cooked)

•no use of y/n, she/her, he/him for the reader (if there is let me know!!!)

•i've never been to an amusement park so idk if i got any of the amusement park shit right

The scars on his face and arms had slowly started to fade, but they were still there. It showcased what Jason Todd, your best friend had, been through.

He had died and then was reborn, shocking you especially. And later on, you found out about his identity as Red Hood. But that didn't matter. Today is supposed to be a fun day full of adventure and excitement.

The sun hit Jason's face, causing him to blink rapidly. "Idiot," you muttered. He rolled his eyes playfully. "Whatever," he said, digging into your bag of popcorn while your friends laughed.

You and the others continued to stroll around the amusement park. As you and your friends went deeper into the park, you noticed a giant medieval-themed haunted house with a sign that read, "FREE FOR TWO HOURS!"

You wanted to go. But it looked terrifying. There was a man dressed up as Dracula taking pictures with tourists outside the haunted house. He looked terrifying.

You gulped as you tried to lead Jason and your friends away from it. But then Jason uttered the most jaw-dropping words ever. "Hey, there's a haunted house! Let's go," Jason said. He grabbed your hand and led you and the others right to it.

Jason opened the door and motioned for you and your friends to go. "Scared, Todd?" you challenged. "We'll see." He winked and went in after you.

The interior of the haunted house was scarier than the exterior. There were cobwebs everywhere. It was dark, and there was only one way. Straight.

There was a curtain. Jason, being the brave soul he was, slid the curtain. Someone dressed up as a skeleton jumped up and screamed in Jason's face.

Jason stared at the "skeleton," totally confused, before chuckling. "Funny," he said. The "skeleton" gulped. Jason pushed past the skeleton, venturing further into the haunted house. You and the rest of your friends followed behind him; some were already terrified but also trying not to laugh.

As you, Jason, and the others ventured further, the walls became more closed in, making you feel trapped. You heard a creak and gasped. The lights started flickering. Jason laughed.

"A little trick. I bet a fake spider or a vampire will pop out any second now!" Jason declared, running a hand through his hair. You and the others murmured "okays" and "whatevers."

And sure enough, when Jason turned a corner, you heard a scream and rushed in front. Jason stood there, laughing as the man dressed as a zombie fumbled to get up, and he looked terrified of Jason. Soon, you and the others burst into fits of laughter.

───── ❝ authors note ❞ ─────

yayy

it's not my best work

it's been sitting in my drafts for a week or something but oh well

anyway it's pretty obvious that i've never been to a haunted house or an amusement park... #poor

[jaemmphilia]

★ 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘸𝘰: 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺

★ kinktober 2023 - masterlist ★ includes: mark lee ★ warnings: explicit themes, roleplaying a fake scenario, established relationship, this is written as a roleplay scenario (does that make sense)

Your knuckles lightly knock against the dark, wooden door in front of you. You have no idea why your boss, Mark, called you into his office so suddenly. You feel your hands become increasingly sweaty as you wait for him to say you can enter the office. You adjust the collar of your wine colored button-up when you hear the voice of your boss telling you to come in.

You take a deep breath in as you open the door. You exhale and look at the man sitting at the desk, glasses perched low on the bridge of his strong nose.

"Ah, I see you got my request for your presence," Mark says, his hand setting down the pen he was writing with just before you came in. You simply nod your head. He motions for you to sit down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. You comply, choosing to sit in the one on your left for no particular reason.

"What did you need from me, sir?" you question him, sitting up straight in the chair. You try to appear less nervous than you actually feel on the inside. You wipe your sweaty hands on your black slacks, hoping Mark doesn't see.

"I wanted to talk to you about something you might be interested in," Mark starts, taking off his glasses and placing them on the desk. You take in his appearance: jet black hair slicked back, all of his facial features on display for you. His skin is flawless, not a single blemish present. "I want to promote you to my personal secretary."

Your eyes go wide and you think you probably look stupid, so you blink a couple times to fix your face. You ponder the words that came out of Mark's mouth before you open your mouth to speak, "I hope you don't mind my overstepping, but do you not already have a secretary?"

Mark just smiles at you, taking no offense to your informal question. "I did, but she unfortunately had to drop the position due to... certain circumstances."

You tilt your head as you look at him. Certain circumstances? That seems ominous, you can't help but wonder what happened.

"But, that isn't the point. If you choose to agree to the new position, there will be a increase in pay for you." Mark says, which catches your attention. "Be aware, there are certain attributes that I look for in a secretary."

Now he's back to confusing you. Why can't he just get to the point and stop dancing around?

"What kind of attributes?"

Mark's eyes become dark as he stares into your own [ec] eyes. You feel your stomach twist as he stares at you, his gaze unwavering. You feel your cock jolt in your slacks.

"You have to be my personal little toy whenever I ask you to be." Mark says, his chin resting on his clasped hands as his eyes travel from your face down to your lap.

Your jaw goes slack as you take in his words. Isn't it a little... taboo for a work environment? You toy with your lip, weighing your options. You could stay with your regular desk job in a cramped cubicle, or you could be making more money by sleeping with your boss. It sounds crazy but you're definitely leaning towards that pay increase. Throwing all rationale out of the window, you reply:

"I'll do it."

Later that day, Mark calls you back into his office and orders to lock the door. You do as he says and you want to question him about it, but refrain from doing so. Then you realize that he probably wants to... get it on with you.

Mark has rid himself of his jacket, leaving him in a tight white button down. He also has the first two buttons undone, with his striped tie is loosened around his neck. You can't help but ogle his neck and collarbone, taking in his sandy-toned tan skin.

"I called you in here because I need a distraction before I leave for a meeting. You don't mind helping me out, do you?" Mark asks, standing from his chair and making his way around the desk to stand behind you. You feel his strong hands on your shoulders, your skin warming up under his touch.

Feeling bold from his touch, you speak, "What do you want me to do, sir?"

Mark lets out a chuckle, his hands moving to undo some of the buttons on your shirt. "Just sit there and look cute like you always do." Mark says and you don't register that he's whispering in your ear until you feel your skin pebbling with goosebumps.

Mark's hands find their way inside your shirt, his bare hands carefully caressing your bare skin. His fingertips are a little cold, which makes you shiver. His fingers graze over your nipples and you let out a breathy moan. Mark circles your nipples with his fingers as he begins placing soft pecks on the back of your neck. You move your head to the side, giving the man more space to kiss.

Mark stands in front of you, his crotch is level with your face and you can see how hard he is in his tight pants. You begin to unbuckle his belt, and Mark makes no moves to stop you. You look up at him as you pull his hard cock out of his pants and boxers. You give him a few short strokes before you wrap your lips around his cockhead, your eyes not looking away from him. You take your time sucking him off, not wanting to gag and embarrass yourself.

You take him deeper in your throat, your hands gripping at his thighs as you bob your head back and forth. Mark's hand is tangled in your hair, his head leaning to the side as he tries to keep his eyes open to watch every second of you sucking him off. He groans deeply, the familiar feeling in his stomach becoming stronger the more you suck.

Mark pulls you off his cock before he spills into your mouth. He's never gotten head like that before, he's very impressed.

Mark quickly pulls you to your feet, his lips crashing against yours. He licks inside your mouth, becoming addicted to the way you taste. You let him take control, allowing him to mold you however he wants like a blob of clay. Mark hastily moves papers off his desk, and he bends you over it. You save him the struggle and you remove your belt, tugging your pants down to your ankles.

Mark rubs your ass, giving you a experimental smack, making you jerk forward with a sharp gasp. Mark spits onto his pointer finger and he spreads your cheeks, then he slips his finger inside your entrance. He works you open with that finger before he adds his middle finger. He spreads his fingers inside you, listening to you whine below him, your knees buckling as you struggle to hold yourself up.

"I'm going to put it in, let me know if it's too much for you." Mark says, lining his cock up with your entrance, One of his hands holds your hip, his thumb lightly drawing shapes on the skin. He slips his cock in halfway and you already feel like you could explode. You bite your forearm to keep from screaming Mark's name, you don't want to get caught in such a compromising state, though you know the door is locked.

"Are you doing alright, babe?" Mark asks, starting to thrust his hips inside you. You let out a whine and nod your head, not really trusting your voice at the moment.

"Words, babe. Use your words like a good boy." Mark demands, his voice rough as he plants a smack on your ass again. You jolt again, feeling tears of pleasure springing in your eyes.

"Yes, sir..." You say, voice shaky as drool dribbles down your chin. Mark can tell you're fucked out, your brain turning to mush as the seconds go on. He just picks up the pace, his hips snapping forward and back.

"Such a tight ass, babe. You keep sucking me in, shit." Mark says with a groan, his hips beginning to stutter as he gets close to his release.

You can't hold back anymore and you feel yourself spilling onto the floor, a pool of translucent white pooling by your feet.

Mark thrusts a few more times before he pulls out and pumps himself until he cums on your back. He pants and tries not to fall. He takes a second to regroup, then he cleans you up with a tissue. He helps you get your clothes back on and situated, and he pulls you into his arms.

"Yooo, that was hella fun!" Mark says, breaking character. You never understand how he could be so chipper after sex. You wish you could do that, but you always feel sleepy.

You lay against Mark's body and smile lazily. "I told you roleplaying is fun, you were so hesitant about it."

Mark shrugs and leads you out of the office room and into your shared bedroom. He begins to strip as he talks to you, "I was afraid to break character! I almost laughed a few times!"

You shake your head at him and begin to strip as well. "You did just fine, Mark. I was a little impressed."

"Can we do it again? You know, continue the story?" Mark asks, walking into the bathroom to start up a shower.

"I don't see why not." You reply, following after him.

[moonchildstyles]

announcement/sneak peek

happy spooky season everyone!!

ive never had the time to do something like this, but ive finally timed it all right and I'll be posting a halloween/spooky centered fic for this season! and, for the first time ever, I'm trying out a mini-series kind of format! if its something ppl like and interact with ill def consider doing this more!

anywayyyyyyyy, starting next friday, the 13th, on patreon I will begin posting my new mini-series called Oleander for early access! two weeks later on friday, the 27th, tumblr will begin the story!

it's a three part mini series with darker themes and ideas than ive ever worked with before! i don't usually spoil too much of the stories but ! this is another vamp h story!! very different from my previous vamp h though!!!

this will be my last big piece of writing for the year before I go on my break, and I'm so excited for you guys to get to read it and get to know this new story!

under the cut, I have a sneak peek attached! I also have a Pinterest board you can look at if you want to get a feel for the story!

—————

She hadn't misremembered, it appeared. His eyes really were almost black, just barely tinted a forest green—if the forest in question was being spotted in the pitch of night, only a sliver of the moon and stars above allowing any clarification.

Her heart jumped in her throat, running faster than it had any reason to when their eyes met. She forced herself to swallow it down.

"Sorry, sir," she muttered, unable to pull her gaze away from his even if she instinctively wanted to look anywhere else. "Did you find all you were looking for?" 

"I did, yes." His voice was a lulling rumble, rounded and heady as if the goal was to lure her nearer. If not for the table separating them, she would have fallen for it.

Offering a quiet smile, she gave him a polite nod. 

No other words were exchange, as per usual for his visits. The Count wasn't much for conversation and idle chatter like the rest of the village. Instead, she could feel him watching her as she counted up his herbs and the price of each bundle. 

He was buying the same ones he always did: winter savory (he switched to chamomile when out of season), tobacco, and lavender. 

The buds together created a confusing scent, adding to the mishmash of what the apothecary already was. She couldn't imagine that he would put these three together in any space of that castle, the mixture too aggressive. 

Though she tired her best to concentrate on only the herbs, (Y/N) was too aware of the static of his presence. She wondered what he thought when he came down to the village, what he thought when he interacted with people like her. He was always so stoic. He never gave anything away, though that didn't stop the village gossip from running wild about him.

Swallowing around her dry throat, heartbeat bubbling against her ribs, she matched his gaze. The pricing for his bounty came out on buzzing lips, "Sixteen shillings please, sir." 

He didn't bat an eyelash at the price despite it being the biggest single purchase her father's apothecary would see until the next time he ventured down. Instead, he looked at her with his dark eyes and a tic in his jaw. He was unbearably handsome, made of cut edges and smooth planes, but he always looked at her as if he were angry and working to bury it down. She could never figure out why or what exactly made his nostrils flare or his jaw tight when he spoke to her, but she hoped she wasn't the only one he reacted to like this. 

His hands moved quickly, pulling out a small pouch of tinkling coins before he plucked out the exact amount for her. For a moment, she could see bank notes tucked inside the pouch as well. While she wasn't surprised that someone like him would have that kind of wealth, she had never seen it before with her own eyes. 

Passing off the change to her, his pale fingers grazed her open palm. Goosebumps immediately raised across her skin, his touch feeling as if he had been standing in the dawn's dew for hours, allowing the chill to cling to his skin and leach away all hope for warmth. The graze was quick, barely a heartbeat long, but she swore she could feel the lingering touch for moments after. Maybe he really did have a hard time navigating the village when the fog was this thick, having traveled in winding route and wrong turns for so long he still hadn't been able to heat up even after spending time in the shop. 

Flicking her gaze up to his on instinct, she saw he was looking at swatches of skin exposed from her dress, eyeing the goosebumps he had plucked up on accident. 

(Y/N) cleared her throat, nothing more than a reminder to herself to keep professional and not to gawk at the man. She placed the change in the small cup underneath the collection counter before reaching for his herbs of choice. A length of twine was used to tie up the bundle, ensuring he didn't lose anything on his way back home. 

"Thank you," he muttered once she passed them back, their skin no longer grain this time. 

"Have a pleasant journey back home," she chirped, her voice decidedly pleasant against the bubbling she was feeling inside, "Stay warm." 

The Count didn't give any kind of reaction to her before he was leaving the shop in a flourish. Taking advantage of the window at her disposal, she watched as he ventured out into the fog. The mist mingled around him, making him appear as if he were a ghost, one with the Earth-bound clouds. She was only vague aware of the way her body heat ticked up some now that he had left. 

Though she could hear the sound of footsteps descending the stairs that led up to their home a floor above, (Y/N)'s head was outside the shop and away from her father. She didn't turn even when she could tell he had made it to the landing. He was used to it by now, she knew. Her head was always miles away as far as he was concerned—thinking too big for the village and that was only going to hurt her in the long run. 

The air around her shifted, telling her that her father was just behind her, likely watching to see what had caught her attention this time. 

"Is that Harry?" he grumbled, spitting out the name while dismissing the faux-title since they were alone. 

Her father didn't much like the Count—Harry, as he bitterly spat out. (Y/N) was never sure what had set off her father's distaste for the man, just knowing that he thought him to be something of a boogeyman against the village. He didn't even go to church, her father regularly complained. What kind of man was he if he couldn't even bother to trudge down from his palace to spend some time with God, even if it was in the presence of commoners? 

(Y/N) never really minded. Though she'd never tell her father, church was boring. She couldn't blame Harry—the Count, whatever she was supposed to call him—for skipping out. Especially with the peeks a the castle she could garner if she trekked through the woods far enough. She wouldn't want to leave that place for anything. 

Nonetheless, (Y/N) answered with a soft, "Yes." Her eyes were still locked on the form of him she could barely make out through the mist. 

A grunt of disapproval left her father's lips. She didn't have to look at him to know that he had his arms crossed over his chest. "Are you okay?" 

It was when he settled a hand on her shoulder that she snapped out of her staring. 

"Yes, I'm well," she answered as placidly as possible when she turned to face him. She didn't want to show just how affected she was by the Count. Her father would do more than just grunt and disapprove if he knew just how drawn to the man as she was. 

He peered through the window, his eyes surely finding the one dark figure filtering through the fog. His brows slanted into harsh slashes over his eyes. "I want you to come and find me when he comes in from now on. I don't want him talking with you, anymore." 

Her fingertips buzzed at the new instructions, matching the kickstart to her heartbeats. As much as she heard her father's concerns, and had listened in to all the of the stories and webs spun about this man, those did little to deter her interest in Harry or quell the bubbling in her chest every time she saw him step inside the apothecary. 

"I can handle him, father," she countered, trying to sound as uninterested as possible while attempting to hold her ground, "We barely talk when he comes in, anyway." 

The creases between his brows only deepened when he matched her gaze. "I do not want you becoming one of his victims, (Y/N)."

—————

[sneakydraws]

Ok so! As per the wishes of @chernychnyi and others and also myself, here's a little analysis/rant about the boreo front bottoms lyricstuck thing I did. Because of tumblrs 30 image limit I had to fuse some of the frames and also couldn't fit in the unused frames I really wanted to mention - so those will get plonked down in a separate post I think. Ok let's roll

To begin with, the pov - I didn't exactly plan ahead on this regard, I kind of just listened to the song and experienced visions of tgf scenes to go along with the lyrics, but once I picked this project back up after half a year of letting it sit in my procreate files I definitely saw a sort of narrative form around it. Most of what I had was very much from Boris's pov and about Theo. The tone was sort of protective, sort of desperate, sort of penitent, sort of possessive? I'll elaborate on it later but I basically ended up exploring a lot of the ambiguous or unhealthy elements of the boreo dynamic, and realising that when I was maybe 70% done made me lean more purposefully into that angle in the remaining frames. So for example in this frame, even though they're both indisputably wiry and broke down, I choose to make this about Theo because Boris is the worldly, knowledgeable survivor to Theo's harrowed newcomer. There's a fragility to Theo that's less visible, and maybe less present, in Boris.

Like in this line, which has a great air of warning or instruction to it, like the singer is trying to brace their friend for what's to come. I actually struggled hardcore with this frame! Because I knew I wanted this image of Theo reaching toward the surface of the pool, but it arguably made more sense in the "jaws theme song on repeat" lyric (since it's Boris pulling Theo down)... I ended up sticking it here because I wasn't sure what else to replace it with but I think it's kind of a happy mistake because it right off the start showcases the dichotomy in Boris and Theo's relationship and its more toxic aspects - Boris pulling Theo down visually in one frame, but promising to help him swim in the lyrics in the next.

I don't think it came through so well but I wanted the previous panel to have a bright sun streaming light through Theo's fingers, and the blazing desert sun in this frame to echo that - the sun as the element of danger, Boris's opposite. The positioning of light as danger and shade as safety is a trope I sometimes drift towards in queer narratives and it definitely goes back to that heartbeat short film I didn't even like that much...

Maybe my all time favourite scene to depict with teenage boreo - Boris dragging a dead drunk Theo off the street... I love it because it's so rarely we see Boris be the responsible one, the one doing what's Supposed to be done

I really wish I'd had the time and the motivation to spruce this up really well because in some points I envisioned really clearly the kind of transition I'd want to have... I would have loved for the camera to swoosh down and do a little overshoot into this frame, so some of the dynamic of the punch is carried into the visuals. Oh well! Apparently this line (like the song itself) is actually about heroine usage, but here it's Larry and Theo - I feel like a snakebite is an apt metaphor for this punch, with its sheer unexpectedness

The nightmare comfort is a must have of course... I was kind of afraid I was repeating myself with how often I use this kind of scene with this exact framing ahahaha

Massively difficult shot to pull off because I wanted the distortion to be prominent and for Boris and Theo to be really small in the frame but for it to still be mostly readable!! Anyway this is their weird drunken hookups, which I think fit this line not because secret teenage hookups are inherently evil or anything but like. I do think the way they're never ever addressed and the shame associated with them in Theo's narration give them a definite air of unhealthiness. A red flag... A warning sign, if you will

I actually think at one point the drunken teenage sex went here, with the undertone being that Boris realises there's something wrong about it but doesn't stop anyway? But that's kind of muddled, and the much more obvious choice is the theft of the painting. And the "amount to take/reasons to take more" plays well with Boris's habit of stealing random shit from Theo already before moving on to the big fish

The reunion! I play Boris as catching on well to the inauthenticity and comphetness (as well as comp-normie-ness) of Theo's little life - and reminiscing, I suppose, on how unsurprising it is that he'd end up pulled in this direction, trying to run away from the trauma and shame of his real self. There's also a little guilt here on Boris's part, a little bit of a feeling of culpability - carried over from the theft of the painting and the never-addressed sex, and echoed in a second in the guilt or regret of letting Theo leave like he did, betrayed and deceived.

This line maybe doesn't ring one hundred percent true because neither of Theo's Vegas guardians really gave enough of a shit about him to "pray he would change", but they do judge and shame him occasionally for his weakness, his trauma and so on, so I think it works. And (although I had to push this line onto Boris's frame simply to have an excuse to show his face) they "close their eyes" to Theo's real self and the sheer horror of his experiences... Hm

Of course Theo cuts his own hair and sends himself away before anyone else can but you know. Too perfect of a fit

Definitely my favourite and cleverest moment - theo "stops by Boris's house", i.e.by their common home, the night he escapes... Boris begs him to stay (another day so he can get the painting)... And the omitting of "I love you but" from Theo's written dialogue, with the massive conspicuous gap in the word bubble, was something I thought of early on. The unsaid "I love you"? Too fucking good not to exploit. And NGL it feels good to be like ooohoho I'm not just matching visuals to existing lyrics, I'm manipulating them to fit my own narrative and engaging in a dialogue with the lyrics or whatever... Hehe

This is the scene where Boris announces he'll run away and Theo immediately says he'll come with. But the important thing to note is that I found out about different shoelacing techniques and made Boris ladder lace his jungle boots

This and the previous lyric, although the visuals show two different scenes, both relate to Theo's apprehension about how following Boris around will surely lead to no good, especially without a plan. Boris through the lyrics is saying don't worry about it, we'll figure something out!

Umm so I drew this with lighting speed as I was editing the whole thing lollll I totally forgot about the instrumental parts and just how LONG they were... I needed something to fill up the space ahahaha. But it's vaguely supposed to hark back to the scene after Mr pavlikovsky beats up Boris, what with the bottle of vodka and the bloody nose and the unconcerned laughter

The pool frolic! Very appropriate. We've got the obligatory moon cameo, and I made sure the pool and the sky were the same stark shade of black so it feels like boris and Theo are hanging between two equally real worlds, plunging into the starry night...

I just remembered that Boris's bracelets pop in and out of existence a lot ahahaha oops! But this is of course essentially the same scene as the "it's gonna look like mud" lyric, only more literal this time. Admittedly this lyric is moreso from Theo's pov, which is a bit out of place here although I do play around with the pov a little later

One of the first frames I'd envisioned I think! I mean come on. And a great example of how the singer really emphasises certain words, so I punch them up a bit by capitalising them

This was actually a struggle because Boris is such an action oriented character - the stupid shit he says doesn't actually have that many consequences! But eventually I thought it would be fitting to show one of the scenes where a semi malicious joke or a mostly innocuous remark activates Theo's internalised homophobia - i ended up going with his comment about Hobies letter.

More timeskip normieness! The spark and look of Theo's I consider artificial, like the flash of the cameras poised to capture the kiss between the engaged couple's, and the look hidden behind the anime shine of Theo's glasses... I could have spent more time showing that but I'll be honest this was one of the last lines I had to illustrate and I was getting impatient. The "I will not be brave" was a tricky one - I kind of wanted it to relate to Boris's selfishness maybe, in taking Theo away from his fiancée? Like, he will not do the noble thing by stepping away and instead Will try to drag Theo back into his life... Though that itself is motivated by a sort of penitent guilt

Again, Boris trying to find a space for Theo in his life - maybe Theo can work for him! Or with him! Anything, god, just forgive me!

I'm a little annoyed because I remember having a good idea for these lines and then I forgot it!! But with this I ended up gesturing vaguely to some reasons why Boris acts like he does - taking control of the life seemingly subject to his dad's whims and work travel, rebelling by imitating his father's worst habits - something something the paradoxical repulsion towards his father and need to imitate or one-up or outdo him...

For a while these lines were both on Boris's back as he stands in front of Hobie's shop. Then I ended up splitting them in two, but they're the same theme - Boris taking responsibility for his actions and trying to atone for his betrayal of Theo. First by tracking the painting down and coming, drenched, to inform Theo of his progress (that scene is one of my favourites between theo and Boris actually) and then by desperately running after the boy when it seems he might carry it off and destroy it forever (another favourite because it showcases Boris's desperation to earn back Theo's trust).

Also, didn't fit it here but the second instrumental section has Theo's face on it - to make a set with the earlier Boris drawing, and they're opposites because Boris's eyes aren't visible while Theo's are the only part of his face visible, and Theo's worried frown suggests that he sees through Boris's jolliness somewhat, and also! It signals a switch to Theo's pov for the final few lines!

Another line that leapt out at me from the beginning - xandra's ominous yet oddly romantic prediction that Theo will follow Boris wherever, even to a prison cell. This is actually kind of funny because initially I thought a twin sized mattress was a mattress for two - and I connected this to xandra's belief that Boris and Theo will always be a set of two, connected at the hip. It wasn't until I googled the lyrics and read the genius annotations that i realized it was the exact opposite - but luckily for me, the connection still kind of works? Maybe not so well for this panel but for the next two for sure:

Like, my initial thought was that they were both cursed to sleep on a two-person mattress alone, with an empty space next to them - but the literal half-empty double bed can also work as a metaphorical single bed, so... Win? And of course there's complicated messaging going on because, like, their sharing a bed is simultaneously something too adult for their teenaged friendship and something from their childhood to haunt them into adulthood, causing them to never "graduate" into a typical adult relationship no matter how hard Theo tries... And the "somebody's attic or basement" fits in with Theo settling in to weltys bedroom... And of course Boris sleeping in Theo's bed after xabdra takes pity on him, an idea I'd touched on before... Not to mention the "let's go home" "home?" "My place. Whatever" exchange that I loooooooooooveeeeeee

And the final frames! I had to consult @frozenladybug for some storyboarding help because while I knew what theme I wanted I couldn't think of a scene... The idea is that Theo will forever be haunted by his past - hence the nightmares - but that now Boris is there to support him, happy end. Flb came up with the "standing by the window" idea which I love because!!! First of all, dawn is breaking, which signals the end of the troubled night but also brings forth the antagonistic sun - almost as a symbol of the night of Boris and Theo's early relationship, dark and dangerous but full of an odd camaraderie and haunted by the Boriscoded moon, ending. But what comes after that night is a different relationship, with its own challenges but maybe changed for the better... And in this scene Boris comforts Theo by physical contact and a cup of tea (hehe) instead of the desperate clutch of their early years - less intense and physical but maybe healthier and less codependent? I'm kind of freestyling but there's something there. I had thoughts during this project about how Boris calming Theo after his nightmares is almost more parental than romantic and how it allows Theo to cling to boris one-sidedly and how it might change with time... Idk, some personal musings played a part as well and it's definitely a reach but that's what was on my mind. Either way, happy bittersweet boreo ending and lemme go and make that rejected drawings post real quick now

[xxlady-lunaxx]

Sweet talk | {SabiGiyuu}

Theme: Fluff!

Note: Somewhat mutual agreement that they're dating (SabiGiyuu!) 

Choose their ages it's just mindless fluff activity no actual sense of time tbh

or AU lmao.. i just realized this could be a modern AU or a regular AU or anything you put your mind to- 

And this is short i'm sorry :'> i got stuck half way thru

Giyuu lay quietly on his futon, his eyes fluttering open every now and then, watching Sabito as they lay together in the room, their simple presence soothing their bodies and minds.

Sabito wasn't tired at all and ran his hand through the tangled mess of Giyuu's hair every so now and then in a gentle motion. 

"Giyuu?"

"Yes, Sabito?" Giyuu said, almost instantly though his voice was quite placid and drowsy.

"You're really cute when you're tired," Sabito said, not really thinking about what he was saying. His hand slipped down to Giyuu's jaw, stroking his cheek in slow motions.

Giyuu smiled at him. "I love you, Sabito."

"Hm...mhm, you're always cute though," he continued, moving closer and resting his forehead against Giyuu's. 

"Am I?" Giyuu asked, his eyes fluttering close again.

Sabito nodded, placing a gentle kiss on his boyfriend's jaw, hovering over his lips. "Very. I don't know how I managed to get myself such an adorable boyfriend," he teased.

Giyuu closed the distance between them, kissing him slowly and deliberately. When he pulled away, he opened his eyes, meeting Sabito's gaze. "Mmhm, but I have a hot boyfriend," he said, giggling. 

"...I do too!" Sabito said, huffing.

"No, you said yours was cute!" Giyuu pointed out.

"Well, he's also hot!" 

"He's not!" he protested.

Sabito kissed him then, pulling back a couple seconds later. "You are, Giyuu," he murmured. "Very."

Giyuu pouted but didn't say anything other, sleep clouding back into his mind.

"You should rest," Sabito said, noticing.

"I wanna talk with you more, Sabit...o," Giyuu mumbled, his eyes fluttering open then shutting again.

"We can talk in the morning, go to sleep," he said, kissing Giyuu's forehead, his hand entangling in the dark locks of Giyuu's hair. 

"Mm..." Giyuu moved, his arms wrapping around Sabito's waist. He buried his head in his boyfriend's chest, nuzzling him gently.

Sabito smiled, patting the other affectionately. "Love you, Giyuu," he said quietly.

"Love you too," Giyuu said, his voice muffled by Sabito's chest.

The room lapsed into silence—a comfortable one, though—and Sabito held onto Giyuu protectively, listening to the soft sound of their breathing as Giyuu drifted off to sleep.

A couple minutes later, Giyuu's breathing slowed in sign that he'd fallen asleep. Sabito was drifting off as well, his hand swimming through the tangled black locks of Giyuu's hair in comforting motions, his eyes fluttering close.

"I love you so much, Giyuu," Sabito whispered into Giyuu's embrace. "You're wonderful and amazing and I want to spend my whole life with you. I just... care for you so much. You're the best person I've ever met and I wish I could keep you for myself always, never share you with anyone. But I want you to be happy. I want you to live your best life and I'll do anything to protect you from anything making it otherwise." 

He went quiet again, opening his eyes and kissing Giyuu's forehead gently again. "I wish I could tell you just how much I love you," he murmured, closing his eyes again and letting himself drift off to sleep.

{Word count: 664}

I was using this LMAO 😭 I just used random things from this to write the fluff BC IT'S SO FREAKING CUTE ARHGH

[phr3ia]

Love Game (Toji Fushiguro x Fem!Reader) [Chapter 25 : Confession]

(A/N : This is your theme song with Toji)

"What the hell, Toji?!" you groaned, covering your eyes with your pillow as Toji's loud knocks on the door rudely interrupted your much-needed sleep. "Why are you waking me up on my day off?"

Toji peeked through the crack in the door, smirking. "Wanted to wake you up for brunch, lazy bones." he said, his voice teasing.

You squinted at him, your vision blurry. "You're an asshole, you know that?" you grumbled, sitting up in bed, disheveled hair and a mess of blankets around you.

"You look like you've been run over by a truck, but hey, brunch is on me, so get dressed and let's go." Toji said, smirking.

"I need more time, Toji. I need to take a shower first." you said, rubbing your eyes.

Toji rolled his eyes, "Come on, you just need to wash your face and brush your teeth, and you'll be ready to go. You're not that bad." he said, his tone dismissive.

"I look like shit, Toji. Why would you want to parade me out in public looking like this?" you asked, gesturing to your rumpled appearance.

Toji's eyes roamed over you, and he gave you a once-over. "Nah, you look fine. Besides, you're beautiful as hell, no matter what you look like." he said with a cheeky grin.

Your cheeks instantly flushed red, heat creeping up your neck as you looked away from his gaze. "Don't act all nice and sweet out of nowhere, Toji," you said with a roll of your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment.

"Get a move on, Y/N. I'm not waiting all day for you to get ready." He said, throwing your towel at you before pushing you towards the bathroom. "Ten minutes, and I mean it. I'm not joking around."

You huffed, but obeyed, entering the bathroom and shutting the door behind you. You heard Toji's footsteps moving away, muttering something about giving you some privacy.

[8 minutes later]

You emerged from your bedroom, smoothing out your dress, feeling surprisingly confident. Toji's jaw dropped, his eyes wide as they roamed over you.

"Wow, you put an effort into looking good for me today, didn't you? And you even took a shower!" he said, his tone teasing. "You're usually a slob when you're not working. I'm impressed. "

"I'm not dressing up for you, Toji." You shot back defensively, crossing your arms.

"Sure, sure. Just admit it, you look good, and you know it." Toji just grinned, grabbing your wrist and pulling you along with him.

You playfully tried to struggle, but he held on firmly, leading you to his car. "Wait, where are we going?" You asked once you were settled in the passenger seat.

"I'm taking you to an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Dogenzaka. I hear they have a great brunch buffet, so we're gonna pig out today." Toji replied, starting the engine.

You rolled your eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "You're such a glutton, Toji."

He winked at you, revving up the car, and driving off towards the promised land of food. "And you need to eat more." He retorted, laughing, clearly enjoying the banter.

As soon as you stepped into the restaurant, your eyes widened, your pupils dilating at the sight of the endless array of food in front of you. "Toji, this place is a dream come true!" you exclaimed, your voice full of excitement.

Toji chuckled, watching your reaction. "Looks like I made the right call bringing you here, huh?" He said, patting you on the back.

You were like a kid in a candy shop, grabbing foods like fried rice, sausages, eggs, pancakes, and fruits, stacking them onto your plate. Toji watched you, raising an eyebrow.

Toji laughed, shaking his head. "Slow down, you're gonna get indigestion." He warned, watching you fill your plate with various dishes.

You glanced at him, your cheeks flushed, but you couldn't help but smirk. "I'll be fine, Toji. I can handle it." you said, biting into a juicy slice of watermelon, the juice dripping down your chin.

Toji shook his head, grinning. "You're something else..." he said, taking a seat beside you, grabbing a plate for himself. "But I guess that's part of your charm." Toji quietly thought to himself, staring at you with a smile.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"Man, that was delicious. Thanks for bringing me here, Toji." you said, giving him a grateful smile.

"Anytime, Y/N." Toji replied, "So, any plans for the rest of the day?"

You tilted your head, thinking for a moment. "Not really, just gonna relax at home. But I'm bored. How about you? Do you have any missions lined up?"

Toji shook his head, "Nope. Nothing scheduled for today. I'm free as a bird."

"Well, since you're free, how about we go to the arcade?" you asked, your eyes sparkling with excitement. "I haven't been there in forever. I bet you're good at fighting games, right?"

Toji almost choked on his water at the suddenness of your invitation, his face flushing a deep shade of red. In his mind, he imagined the scenario playing out, and yes, it did seem like you'd be mistaken for a couple if you went to the arcade together.

He managed to recover and wiped his mouth, smiling sheepishly. "Arcade? Sounds like a plan. I'm pretty good at fighting games. I can teach you some tips if you're interested." Toji replied, trying to play it cool.

You grabbed Toji's hand and started pulling him along, your excitement getting the better of you. "C'mon, let's go! I want to play Street Fighter!"

Toji, on the other hand, felt like he swallowed a swarm of butterflies. His heart was racing, and his palms were sweating. He felt like a teenager on a date, but he tried to act as if nothing was happening.

You led Toji to the arcade, still holding his hand. "This place looks fun!" you exclaimed, your eyes wide and bright, taking in the sights and sounds around you.

"Alright, Toji. Let's see how good you are. Chun-Li vs Ryu. On!" you said, selecting your character.

Toji grinned. "Watch and learn, Y/N." he said, starting the match.

At first, the match was close, but Toji's character seemed to have a knack for dodging your attacks. After several rounds, you were losing, and your frustration began to show.

"Damn it, Toji! How are you so good at this?! I'm going to beat you next time!" you exclaimed, slamming the joystick with a huff.

Despite losing, the two of you continued to play, taking turns and having a blast. You even tried your hand at other games, from rhythm games to shooting games, and Toji was surprisingly good at them all.

"Man, I never knew you were this skilled in gaming, Toji." you commented, leaning against the machine, exhausted from all the playing.

"Well, I do have a lot of downtime between jobs, so I fill it up by playing these games." he explained, giving you a mischievous smile. "Plus, I'm competitive by nature, so I tend to practice a lot."

After a long day of gaming, Toji suggested a break, and the two of you stepped outside, the cool breeze hitting your faces. You followed him, intrigued by the sudden change. As you walked further, you found yourself at a seaside boardwalk.

"Toji, where are we going?" you asked, your curiosity piqued.

Toji grinned, pointing to a small ice cream shop. "Let's get ice cream, and we'll watch the sunset from the bench over there." he said, nodding towards a secluded area with benches.

You smiled, agreeing. Then a few minutes later, you sat down next to Toji.

"Thank you. This is a nice way to end our day." you said, taking a bite of your ice cream.

"No problem. It's always nice to enjoy the sunset." he replied, gazing at the horizon.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" you asked, gesturing to the sky as the sun slowly disappeared below the horizon.

Toji nodded, his gaze shifting from the sunset to meet yours. "Yes, it's beautiful." he whispered, staring at you.

You felt your heartbeat quicken, and your cheeks grew hot. You looked away, breaking the intense stare.

"So, um, thanks for today, Toji. You made my day." You said, trying to change the subject and break the tension.

Toji's eyes lingered on you for a moment before he looked away, "No problem. I'm glad I could make you smile today." He replied.

You smiled, relieved that the mood had eased. "I owe you one, Toji. For the brunch and the arcade. Next time, I'll return the favor."

Toji chuckled, "Next time, I'll expect a spa day, okay?" He teased, trying to lighten the atmosphere as he finished his ice cream.

You laughed "You know what, Toji? You're starting to creep me out. Did you see God or something? You're being way too nice today. It's a little unsettling." You said, trying to joke around. "I mean, it's not meant to offend you or anything. I'm just saying, you're usually not this kind."

"Why? Are you getting butterflies whenever I treat you nicely?" He asked, teasing you, making sure to emphasize each word.

You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment. "No, I'm not getting butterflies. I'm just surprised, that's all. Usually, you're too busy being an annoying dickhead to care about anyone's feelings."

Toji couldn't help but laugh at your comment, his eyes crinkling at the edges. He leaned in, gently tousling your hair before pulling back, "Well, I'm not an annoying dickhead all the time. Sometimes I can be a nice guy too, you know."

You pouted, but you couldn't help but snicker. "You're still an annoying dickhead most of the time, but I'll give you this, Toji. Today, you redeemed yourself a little." You said, crossing your arms, but your tone held a fondness that betrayed your words.

"Mission accomplished." Toji said, giving you a thumbs up. "Now, I'll go back to being an annoying dickhead tomorrow. You've been warned." He teased.

"Whatever." you said, dismissing his threat with a wave of your hand. But after a pause, curiosity got the best of you, and you turned to face him. "Seriously, why are you being so nice to me lately, Toji?"

Toji hesitated for a moment, his expression serious. "Do you really want to know why?" he asked, looking directly into your eyes.

You considered his question for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

He let out a breath, looking away before meeting your gaze again. "Are you sure?"

You nodded again. "Yes, I am."

Toji's voice was soft, but his words hit you like a ton of bricks. "I like you, Y/N." He said, his gaze fixed on yours.

You blushed bright red, stunned by his confession. Your mind raced, trying to process his words. "What... what did you just say?" You stuttered, looking away, embarrassed.

Toji shrugged, standing up from the bench, his hands shoved into his pockets. "I said I like you, Y/N. Does that need clarification?" He asked, trying to sound casual.

You looked back at him, your cheeks still burning. "You... You like me, Toji? Like... romantically?" You asked, your voice barely audible.

Toji nodded, "Yes. Romantically. And it has been a while already." he admitted, avoiding eye contact.

You stared at him, trying to wrap your head around his confession. "Wow... I don't know what to say."

"One month. Give me one month, and I'll make you fall in love with me." he said, locking eyes with yours.

Your blush deepened, but you shifted your gaze, trying to deny it. "I'm never going to fall in love with you." you insisted, feeling nervous.

"Alright. I'll change that." he said confidently.

Toji turned around, glancing at you over his shoulder. "Let's go home. It's getting late." he said, trying to break the tension.

Once you arrived at your apartment, Toji helped you out of the car, being the gentleman he claimed to be. You thanked him, moving past him to unlock your door.

You spent the entire night tossing and turning, your mind reeling from Toji's confession. You couldn't believe he liked you, and you couldn't believe that you, in turn, felt butterflies in your stomach at the idea.

In the end, you fell asleep, dreaming of a future where you were happily in love with a certain Sorcerer Killer.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

End Of Chapter 25 🥀....

@meowforluv @miizuzu @geniejunn @scorpiosugar @barelylivingirl

[gingerjolover]

due to recent events a vampire themed halloween fic may be necessary .

vampy!jo coming up for the baby!

For the bit(e)! Jo Maskin x fem!reader

Jo insisted they couldn't spend another minute in the sailor's outfit. Despite your reassurance and saying "but you look so cute!" and even adding a tally under the "you rule" section on the whiteboard, Jo was determined to find another costume.

"The party is at 9 tonight," you say incredulously, looking at the digital clock above the stove, reading 1:30 p.m. "Babygirl, it's Halloween weekend in LA, I'm sure I can find something," Jo says cockily, grabbing their keys, smacking a wet kiss on your cheek and a pinch on your ass before walking out the door.

It's quite a few hours since Jo left, you hear the excited barks of your dog, their nails tapping on the tile floor as Jo calls into the house. "Where are you doll?"

"In the kitchen? Why?" you ask, putting the dish you were washing down in the sink.

"Whatever you're doing, close your eyes...safely," Jo calls out, sounding unsure.

You can't help but giggle at your partner's antics. "Okay, they're closed."

You hear shuffling, bags crinkling, and a few thuds as they hit the kitchen table. Without warning, Jo comes up behind you, warm hands sliding across your lower abdomen, settling on your hips before kissing your neck softly, pressing a slow peck to your jaw. "Keep them closed, okay?" Jo asks, kissing your ear quickly.

"Mhm," you nod, leaning back into Jo. Jo pulls away slightly, head leaving your shoulder before it returns a second later. Josette nuzzles their nose up the side of your neck, pecking your shoulder quickly before you feel a chomp, thick plastic pinching your skin.

"Ow! Josie, what the fuck was tha-" you exclaim, turning around to see your partner with fake vampire teeth in their mouth. Jo watches your face go from slightly hurt to shocked to confused, then to unimpressed.

"A vampire? Seriously?" you say, laughing slightly as you lean back against the sink and cross your arms.

Jo furrows their eyebrows, ripping the teeth from the mouth, spit going with it. "Ew," you laugh, wiping their mouth with your thumb.

"What's wrong with vampires?" they ask, eyes wide. You hold in a laugh, Jo looking legitimately offended.

"There's nothign wrong with...don't give me that look," you say squeezing the meat of Jo's cheek. "You were just talking some big game before you left, I thought you'd be something more...unique," you shrug, watching Jo's eyes widen more, pushing your hand away.

"How dare you? I'll have you know I have a unique spin on this," Jo says, stepping closer to you.

"Oh yeah? What is that?"

"I am the vampire, and you... are my vampire bride," Jo says excitedly, running to the bags and grabbing the veil, ripping it out of the packaging, and fixing it on your hair. They take a good look at you before stepping towards you, one arm snaking around your waist, pulling you into them. Your bodies are flush as they hold you, your lower back still against the sink.

"Vampire bride?" you ask, unimpressed. You watch Jo's eyes widen again, their smile growing before they kiss your cheek, face hiding in your neck.

"What's so special about a vampire bri-?" you start to speak, cut off by Jo's mouth, lightly sucking your neck. "What was that baby?" Jo asks. You can feel them smirking against your skin as they kiss and lick the expanse of your neck, one bicep around your waist, their other hand on your cheek, holding your head to give them access to your neck.

"I was um...just saying...there's nothing... special," you are cut off by your own moan, Jo sucking a hickey into your skin. Their teeth sink in, tongue lapping at the small bite mark, your skin already darkening.

"Babe you can't just do that, we are going out tonight," you whine, hand in Jo's hair, trying to pull them out of the crook between your neck and shoulder.

"This is part of the costume, babe, gotta mark you up," Jo moans against you, biting your shoulder before sucking another hickey into your skin.

"What?"

"Oh come on, the vampire is marking their vampire bride, it makes perfect sense!" Jo murmurs, kissing your lips softly, eyes sultry and mischievous.

"You just wanted an excuse to give me hickeys; what are you, 15?"

"I'm sick of putting them where no one can see them," Jo winks, hands sliding down to your ass, one hand gripping a thigh and hiking it up onto their hip. "C'mon, please indulge me... do it for the bit! How funny would it be? I'm wearing these fake ass teeth, but your neck is all bruised..." Jo all but whines softly, kissing up and down your jaw. Jo looks at the clock on the stove, "It's 4:30 now...think of all the accessories I could put on your neck before we need to get dressed if we go to bed right now," they murmur, rubbing you through your jeans.

"I have work on Monday!" you remind Jo, pushing hair out of their eyes.

"I'll be careful," Jo promises with a murmur, eyes shining as they flicker back and forth between yours and your lips.

"Fine," you mutter, rolling your eyes and fighting back a smile.

"Okay take your shirt off," Jo says excitedly, eyes widening again as their fingers reach for the hem. "I was thinking you could wear your white bodysuit... your chest needs some accessories too..."

[symphonybracket]

YouTube links: Tchaikovsky 6, Dvořák 9

Comments:

Dvořák 9

I know it's gonna get nominated a hundred times, but I have listened to it four times in a row in the past week so I gotta mention it. Exquisite bliss from first to last note.

it slays <3

When I heard the first movement for the first time, I was GRINNING LIKE AN IDIOT because of how much I loved it. LIKE THIS IS SO YUMMY (link opens to the timestamp)

it's got everything. the interplay between minor and major. themes from the early movements that come back in the finale. the most iconic english horn solo in all of classical music. dvorak wrote it while traveling across the US and was directly inspired not only by his native czech/bohemian soundscapes but the musical languages he heard from black and native americans. there's a tuba part but it only plays for like five measures. fantastic orchestrations, making full use of all the different colors of the orchestra. the start of the finale sounds kinda like jaws. it is physically impossible for me to feel upset while i'm listening to it it's the first symphony i ever played in orchestra and i'm so normal about it that i want to get that EH solo tattooed on my art and also i wrote a paper about it for a university music history class and i got an A on it so it should definitely win the bracket or i'll cry

Tchaikovsky 6

Everyone bangs on about the 4th movement but it's the 3rd movement that really hits

tchaik 6 is what i would listen to if i had an hour to live

the 5/4 movement of the tchaik lives rent free in my mind and i think about it every day

It’s beyond gorgeous. The melodies soar, the orchestra swells, and you just need to lie down for a while after listening to it. It’s Romanticism at its zenith. You want to weep and sigh, and it’s impossible to listen to it without literally feeling something.

Symphony No. 6, titled “Pathétique”, was Tchaikovsky’s final symphony. It is an intensely emotional piece, and to many scholars demonstrates the emotional turmoil that characterized much of Tchaikovsky’s life. He died about a week after its premiere, a fact which leads many scholars to debate about whether the content of the piece itself reflects the possibility that he may have committed suicide. The title itself is often translated to mean “impassioned suffering”, although this was most likely a later addition by Modest and not actually part of Tchaikovsky’s vision. Given these facts, many scholars interpret this piece to be about death and suffering. However, this piece can also be seen to represent life and all its contrasting moments. This interpretation is more holistic and inclusive of all of the moments captured in this piece, and also serves to break down the common narrative of Tchaikovsky as a tragic figure.

More comments about Tchaikovsky 6 below the cut (length warning):

Scholarship surrounding Tchaikovsky’s music tends to focus heavily on the ways his confliction over his homoerotic desires appears in his writing. However, his personal letters reveal a much more balanced understanding of himself that goes beyond the common narrative. In one letter written to Modest describing a new relationship with another man, he writes: “I awoke today with a feeling of unknown happiness and with a complete absence of that emotional sobriety that used to make me repent in the morning for having gone too far the day before.” Many of the letters he wrote regarding his relationships demonstrate no shame and no anguish beyond what can be expected of a man living in a homophobic society. It is important to take this information into account when listening to a piece such as this one that has been discussed so frequently, and to understand it beyond the turmoil and strife that it is seen to represent. Like many of Tchaikovsky’s works, this symphony displays a range of human emotions. It is not only representative of tragedy and “impassioned suffering”; it is a depiction of what it is like to live. It is also interesting to note that this piece is used as a signifier of queer desire in the novel "Maurice" by E.M. Forster, a novel also notable for its radical portrayal of a queer man who gets a happy ending. Much to think about there.

The first movement begins with a lone bassoon soloist playing a plaintive minor melody, which later comes back in the strings. As the movement progresses, it grows in intensity and texture. More instruments are added, and the music becomes more frantic, building and building towards the dramatic trumpet fanfare. Throughout this piece, Tchaikovsky continues to make significant use of contrasting dynamics and melodies, reflecting the emotions he hopes to convey through the music. Dramatic, tumultuous sections are interspersed with pastoral woodwind melodies, and the angry brass fanfares give way to a quiet ending.

The second movement is reminiscent of a waltz, and uses the strings and woodwinds more than the brass to achieve its floating melodies. The dynamics ebb and flow to build tension, but this movement never reaches the same levels of anguish that the previous movement does. Tchaikovsky makes use of pizzicato in the strings to convey a lighter, more cheerful mood, and features the upper woodwinds prominently. He also repeats themes frequently, giving the audience something familiar to listen out for as the movement progresses.

The third movement begins with frantic energy in the strings and woodwinds. As more instruments join the rush of music, the underlying eight note accompaniment does not let up, continuing the vivacious beginning through the whole movement. Instruments pass the melodies between each other and engage in conversations across the orchestra. Like the first movement, the brass play a prominent role in creating dramatic climaxes in the music, as well as supporting the march-like conclusion. Conductor Myung-Whun Chung describes the deceptively dramatic ending as, “one of the greatest, most thrilling, but most empty of victories in musical history,” observing that this movement has the energetic finality of a final movement. The reversal of having the true finale be a slower movement represents a shift away from the “Beethovian model of light over darkness” common in most other symphonies of this time period.

As mentioned before, ending on a movement with a slow tempo was a significant shift away from the standard of the time. This innovation inspired many other future composers to use the same technique, most notably Mahler in his Ninth Symphony. The quiet beginning builds up towards a chaotic rush of fast runs throughout the orchestra, only to stop abruptly and continue in halting, cautious bursts of melody. The movement continues with this cycle of rushing up to a climax and backing away as the movement progresses. Tchaikovsky highlights the horns in this movement, giving them both angry, blaring notes which cut through the string melodies and the flowing, lyrical lines that are passed throughout the orchestra. As the piece ends, the instruments fall away until all that is left are steady repeated notes in the basses, bringing this lament of a movement to an understated close.

[jinhsiimain]

Character Impressions

My first impressions + later opinions on the characters

The Goddess she's so freaking pretty!! I actually squealed when I saw her, she's jaw dropping gorgeous. Pls come back miss and don't pull an unknown genshin god on me ☹

Rover - more had hopes for a short haired girl mc but she had to join the rat tail gang :/ amnesia is definitely kind of a boring plot device but I'll roll with it.

Yangyang love her voice, reminds me of Qiqi, cute design - don't really know what role she's playing in the story yet other than like our guide but if she's just that I wouldn't mind having a calm one. she acted a little sus about baizhi and us I guess?? and her role??

I love her connection to the wind via her aero affinity (?) and would love to find more about it as well! She's part of the Midnight rangers.

Chixia she's cute too, her design bugs me a bit cuz of the hair and the weird jacket I guess? she's definitely kind of paimon (sorry for the references but like yeah) food and stuff but she seems to take her job as a ranger(?) seriously!!

Baizhi miss elegant + mysterious. Definitely like her calm aura as well, she's from the academy which I'm really interested in. she knows something and I wanna be in on it too.

Jinhsi ♡ girl appeared out of nowhere and stole my heart, asked me out on a date and vanished for 3 days I'm super interested, miss magistrate looks majestic as fuck. (the reason I like her design so much might me cuz she reminds me a little of firefly)

Sanhua another majestic woman I'm in paradise. her eye thing is so fucking cool I want to know more about her as well. She's suspicious too, obviously, but that's just adding to the suspense. if big plot device why 4 star ☹ (could say the same about the rest of the cast so far 😭)

Jinhsi sent her to watch over us.

Mortefi bro has a funky name. at first I was like nahhh but he's kind and I wanna know what his deal is as well.

Jianxin Girl also appeared out of nowhere. the reason I knew her name is cuz i looked at the gacha beforehand. She looks super cool, love her ying/yang/monk theme. massive xianyun/shenhe vibes I think?

She's super kind and I want her to be more involved in the plot.

Scar Okay Scar seems to be the bad guy. He's a little insane and knows too much about our backstory?? And he's got long ass nails. I want to trust him with the lore dumps but he seems really dangerous. His Elysium ability is super cool.

Spiderlily themed girl Scar's companion of same (?) power level. Love her design and voice, hope to meet her again soon.

Jiyan The current general of the midnight rangers, he fought with us at the Norfall Barrens. At first I didn't really like his design but now I think it's neat. He is kind and looks out for us.

Encore ♡ A member of the Black Shores. If sweetness was a person, it would be encore. She is adorable and silly, I love her so much. Her design is adorable and I can't wait to see her again! She's so energetic and loud in the best way and her dynamic with Aalto makes me smile.

Calcharo ~ It appears we haven't met yet

Aalto A member of the Black Shores. This guy I swear to god. At first I thought he would be another Sampo to me because I could not see myself liking him at all, but he is genuinely such a sweet guy??? Like I said, the dynamic with Encore is everything to me and might be my favourite duo so far even. His design is also really cool and he's got such a pretty face, I adore his eyes.

Danjin ~ It appears we haven't met yet

Lingyang ~ It appears we haven't met yet

Taoqi A security overseer? I don't remember her title, sorry- Her design, like almost everyone is really pretty although her jiggle physics are somewhat concerning. We haven't seen much of her yet which is sad but I hope we see more in future updates. Her voice is gentle and I love her vibe although she doesn't stand out to me much (yet).

Verina A botanist. She loves plants and is friends with that one granny and seems to know Encore as well. She is a free spirit and eager to help. Her design might be one of my favorites yet - her dress with the hood, the twintails, flowers and legwarmers are just perfect.

Yinlin ~ It appears we haven't met yet

Yuanwu I don't have much to say about him other than that he's goofy and we've barely seen him ;-;

Camellya ♡ MISS ???? GIRL? ??? I am afraid I will like her more than Jinhsi - She's so ahhh HER DESIGN IS EVERYTHING LIKE SHE'S ADORABLE BUT ACTS SO IDK OKAY I love her already. GIVE ME MORE ♡