#I'm genuinely interested in having other POVs

[usedtobecooler]

the sinclairs' new neighbour arrives out of the blue on a random friday night in may and subsequently becomes the object of eddie munson's desires.

tw: explicit sexual content, 18+ minors dni. virgin!eddie, oral male receiving, eddie's pov. pathetic amounts of pining. no use of y/n.

you've been around after every hellfire meeting for a month now, waiting with legs crossed and swinging from a fold-out table as you sit patiently for them to wrap it up, and fuck if you're not the most distracting thing eddie munson has ever laid eyes on.

you join in on the end-of-game conversations every week, a genuine little interest in the lilt of your voice as you ask questions and join in with the banter, which usually consisted of ribbing mike wheeler for being a little shit.

and, eddie's not dumb, okay? he knows you're only here because you're picking up the sinclair siblings every week, taking a bit of the load off steve harrington, who's been designated chauffeur for a year now, much to his own dismay.

but, sometimes, he thinks you maybe like being here and spending late friday evenings in their presence. and it's a nice little delusion for eddie to live in until he's home and safely tucked under his sheets, thinking of your cute laugh and your flirty smile when he slides a hand under his sleep shorts.

he's only a man. a pervert of a man, absolutely. but he'll feed into his delusions and feed into his daydreams, because it's not hurting anybody but himself in the confines of his room.

things are shadowy and hazy this particular friday, and eddie sure as shit is not on his game. he's stuttering and fumbling over his words, which wheeler is using to his advantage like the dickhead he is, mocking eddie with every fuck up with that stupid fucking face he makes.

eddie calls it a day earlier than usual because his head just isn't in the game damnit, and henderson claps him on the back on his way out, giving him this sincere smile which eddie kind of hates because dustin usually takes every opportunity to add himself into their shithead-ery.

oh god, he was worse than he thought. he needs to hang his hat up and give his job over to zombie boy byers immediately.

eddie doesn't get out of his head quick enough to realise that harrington arrived and left with all of the kids in tow, the sinclairs included.

so when you arrive at the door a half hour later, a confused look on your face, eddie's face fucking falls.

"damn, did harrington want his old job back that badly he kidnapped my kids?" you laugh quietly, all sincerity and jokes as you look around the empty room, eyes landing on eddie with a sparkle.

"it's my fault, i let everybody go early and i-" eddie groans, putting his hands on his hips then dropping them to his sides, "i didn't think. sorry, sweetheart."

sweetheart. why'd he fucking say that? someone needs to get the shotgun and put him down like old yeller.

eddie makes himself busy by packing away all his stuff, pointedly not looking in your direction because he's an idiot piece of shit, and who knows what other mess will come out of his mouth if he keeps letting himself look at you.

"you seem stressed, eddie," you observe quietly, a statement. you cross your arms behind your back, fingertips linking together, "is there anything i can do to help?"

eddie lets out this little self-deprecating laugh, a mirthless smile on his features, "unless you stop showing up here, no, there's nothing you can do."

a hurt look flashes across your face momentarily before it disappears again, masked over with a confused furrow of your brows, "oh. i'm sorry, have i done something wrong?"

eddie's fucking this up. he's a fucking idiot, who apparently can't talk to any girl who isn't ronnie or little erica sinclair.

"just, y'know, consuming my brain so much that i can't focus on anything else lately, so." eddie admits, deflated as he slumps into his chair and rolls his neck until he's looking up at the ceiling. his throat clicks audibly, dry and scratchy.

"oh." you say again, a relieved sigh escaping you as you kick a leg out to bash his shin lightly with the toe of your boot, "why didn't you say something? that's- that's okay. lucas kind of figured, he told me your moon eyes were annoying him."

eddie's kicking them all out. hellfire will be no more. he's sick of these damn kids.

he covers his face with his hands, rubbing against his two day stubble with calloused fingertips. a useless groan escaping him, "sorry, i wasn't trying to be obvious. girls don't. hmm."

eddie stops himself with a grunt, trying to narrowly escape the word vomit that threatens to spill out. he's nervously jiggling his leg, the chains on his jeans clattering together obnoxiously loud in the otherwise quiet room.

he feels your presence enter his orbit, the soft press of your hand on his knee stopping the motion of his jerky leg.

"don't be so nervous," you scold playfully, voice light like you're trying to hide a smile, "i'm not anybody to be nervous around. i like that you noticed me, that i'm somebody you're interested in."

eddie's hands fall away from his face at that, and he blinks blearily, head lolling until he catches sight of you crouched down in front of him, staring up with these gorgeous eyes that eddie just wants to get lost in.

"really?" he asks dumbly, brain short-circuiting at the sight of you knelt down like this in front of him, his stupid mind wandering into filthy territory.

"really." you nod, smiling up at him with this thousand-watt thing that he's sure could power the whole of hawkins, "i'm interested, too. in case i wasn't being obvious enough by hanging around here willingly every week."

you weren't obvious at all. not at all. or maybe you were and eddie's just a fucking moron.

"can i help relieve some of that stress now?" you ask, head tilted to the side in question, "i'm only down here anyway."

eddie's brain melts out of his ears, he's pretty sure. his tombstone is sure to say here lies eddie munson, killed by the insinuation of a blowjob.

"oh, you don't have to- you really don't have to, ha, your hands are on me, fuck-"

the conversation kind of fades out after that, and you're all action dropping from your deep squat to thud your knees against the floor softly.

and you're so pretty on your knees for him, eyelashes fluttering across the apples of your cheeks that are flushed and warm. eddie practically melts into his chair as you paw at his jeans, fluid motions and featherlight touches like you've done this before, and god he doesn't want to think about that right now, that you've done this for other guys before him. not when you're laid out below him and nudging in between his spread legs with pursed lips, spitting over the flushed head of his dick to dampen it further.

"you should- you should know i've never done this bef- fuck, fuck," eddie stutters over his words, fingers clawing into the arms of the chair when you begin mouthing hot and wet over the leaking slit that continues weeping pathetically with every lave of your tongue.

he tried, okay? he tried to tell you, but he's a weak man and - and you're fucking looking at him with these pretty, knowing eyes like you had a clue from the beginning, and fuck was it really that obvious?

he clenches his eyes shut, trying to will away the images of a neon sign over his head that scream eddie munson, adult virgin.

you start off slow and savouring, lapping at him with these kitten licks and mouthing down the bulging vein on the underside. eddie thinks he's delirious, because he's surely imagining the way you're inhaling the musky scent of him, moaning prettily as you do.

"mm, fuck," eddie groans quietly, hips shakily punching up when you finally sink down over the head of his cock properly with your lips wrapped tightly around your teeth, the wet heat of your mouth enveloping him in a way that makes him feel fucking insane.

he didn't know it would feel like this. his brain is gonna explode, scanners style.

your hand reaches blindly for his, guiding his fingers to slide into your hair, and his eyes fly open to meet yours, a pretty haze covering your orbs as you nod slightly to give him the go-ahead to curl his fingers.

"ha, you're gonna fucking kill me," eddie murmurs, but he's gently pulling ever so slightly from the root at the base of your skull, because he may be a virgin but he's not fucking clueless, right? he's read enough skin mags to know how to pull hair properly.

you whimper high pitched and your eyes finally flutter closed, letting eddie move you up and down with his firm hand as you alternate between sucking and drooling all over his length.

he's aware that he's looking at you like he's in love, okay? he can't help it. you're literally sucking the soul out of him, moaning around his girth and running your tongue over him like he's the best thing you've ever tasted. like he said before, he's weak.

"you- you're so good at this, oh my god," eddie's eyes roll back into his head when your free hand runs from where it's gripping the meat of his thigh to slide between his obscenely wide legs and cup his balls, rolling and squeezing them between your fingers.

the room is filled with the whining, high-pitched noises that eddie's really trying his best to hold in at risk of sounding like an absolutely pitiful virgin, and the wet noises of your mouth working over his cock, the slick slide of your fist jerking off what you can't quite reach.

eddie's stomach clenches, and holy fuck this is over too quick, but he can't find it in himself to be embarrassed because, because-

"i'm coming, you're making me come, holy fuck-" eddie's words die with a groan that sounds breathy and pathetic even in his own ears, his fingers burying so tight in your hair and pulling as he arches in on himself and jerks his hips in aborted little thrusts. he feels the plush of your lips brush against the wild, untamed curls at the base of his cock and he lets out a weak grunt, feels his length throb and spurt out another weak dribble of come at the sensation.

he's so delirious when he finally comes to that he's all but dragging you up from where your knees have to be aching on the floor, dragging you into his lap, and fuck sake his soft cock is still out and covered in spit and come and-

your mouth is on his in a hot press of lips and teeth and tongue, eddie's so out of his element here but the taste of his own spend on your tongue is as addictive as it is mildly disgusting.

"you got a mattress in the back of that van of yours?" you mumble between kisses, smiling into it.

"mhm, yup, a-ha," eddie nods wildly as he chases your mouth with his own, "i think i need some more stress relief. i hear burying your face between a pretty things legs helps."

eddie definitely does feel like he's dying when your thighs wrap around his ears and lock him in face-first.

and what a way to go that is.

[willosword]

kit, jentry and the art of misunderstanding

this is basically just a really long post going over kit and jentry's interactions in eps 8 and 9 bc i've seen some people feel like their characterization took a sharp turn ("they made kit act like an incel", "they made jentry reject him just because he's a demon", etc), when i thought both their actions were perfectly understandable and a pretty natural evolution of their not-relationship. i think the key thing to remember when watching these scenes is that both characters have very different assumptions about the current status of their relationship, partly because they were never able to sit down and define it in the first place.

kit thinks he and jentry are functionally together, that any hesitation on jentry's part is the result of some fixable fault of his own, while jentry thinks they were never a thing to begin with, and especially not now after kit betrayed her trust.

so this is where the trouble really begins, tho i think even earlier in this conversation is when they started to be on different pages. up until this point, kit had been hoping she'd forgive him, and was taken aback when she said she wasn't looking for apologies. then she started reiterating her belief in his soul and relating to the feeling of being trapped with a life defined by someone else

jentry pov: even though i'm feeling deeply betrayed, kit doesn't deserve to be under anyone's thumb. we'll help each other out and then we'll part ways amicably. that'll make things right.

kit pov: hold up. 'make things right'? as in... make up? as in... a relationship is still on the table? :D

jentry pov: after the powers are gone there'll be nothing tying kit to me, and nothing tying either of us to mr cheng. he'll be free to move on and choose whatever new life he wants.

kit pov: she said 'you and me' like we're a pair! so she still wants to be with me after all :D we're reconnecting!!

so this is when kit starts getting possessive. there's definitely good old fashioned jealousy at play, but i also think kit was genuinely under the impression that he and jentry were reconnecting, and that jentry should have no reason to be interested in michael at this point.

back at school he's genuinely confused, because he has no idea jentry isn't into him anymore. he helped her get rid of the powers and made up with her, so now they should be back in business. he did the mum thing that's apparently a romantic gesture jentry likes, so shouldn't she be happy about it? look how thoughtful he's being!

jentry pov: ohhh shoot, he doesn't get that i don't wanna be with him anymore. i can't deal with any more stressful demon stuff......... how do i put this nicely...

kit pov: yep haha ^_^ no more powers, yay! it's like what you said back at my house! now that you don't have the powers nothing is getting in the way of our relationship anymore, like mr cheng and gugu's game. peace and love on planet earth <3

jentry pov: i need to let this dude down as GENTLY AS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE. i want to word this in a way that SCREAMS "you're an okay dude, just not what I personally want out of a relationship right now" because I know he has issues with his sense of identity. so i will focus on how the relationship itself can't be normal. this will hopefully take the brunt of rejection off him as an individual and lay the blame at the feet of unfortunate circumstances

kit pov: ohhhh so she WANTS to be in a relationship with me but i'm not acting normal enough

jentry pov: ok thank god. he gets that i don't want us to be together AND he took it gracefully.

kit pov: so she's saying we can be together... once i start acting more normal? that's slightly upsetting. but totally doable :)

jentry pov: i will now pursue michael since i've cleared things up with kit ^_^ yaaayyy

kit pov: what the hell??? i'm trying to be normal for her???? like she ASKED me to?? but now she's flirting with michael out of nowhere???

jentry pov: THIS CREEPY ASS DUDE KEEPS STALKING ME AFTER I TOLD HIM IM NOT INTERESTED

kit pov: i am doing Normal Displays of Normal Human Affection like she literally asked me to >:( ok well not literally but she INSINUATED

from his pov, she's not even giving him a chance to "correct" his behavior before she runs off with someone else, toying with his emotions. he's trying to "out-normal" michael to win her back, but it's frustrating and terrifying bc if there's one thing he Can Not handle it's rejection

jentry pov: this guy obviously can't take a gentle let-down, so I need to be more blunt about this. he stalked me, lied to me, tried to kill me. how can he NOT see why i don't want to be around him anymore? what the heck is his problem?? how much meaner do i need to be about this before he finally leaves me alone???

kit pov: ok, so the mask is coming off now. she said i was more human than i thought, that a soul is made up of the decisions you make, who you choose to be. but i didn't choose to be centuries old, i didn't choose to drain qi, those are all intrinsic parts of my demonic existence. was all that talk a lie? do i not have a soul after all? am i not human enough for her? was she just trying to spare my feelings this whole time?

jentry pov: he's so creepy and possessive, i hate this, why can't he just take no for an answer!!? (<- objectively true btw)

kit pov: she's avoiding the question, so she means 'yes' and is too proud to say it. she doesn't like me because i'm a demon, and if i was a normal human, we'd be together right now

so of course he gets so upset he punches the lockers. it's not extreme or out of character, he thinks everything jentry told him about his humanity was a lie. that there IS something inherently wrong with him that nothing but the acquisition of a soul could fix. that he's back to square one, that mr cheng was right, that no one could possibly love him in his natural state. that he is, inherently, down to his core, a monster.

but at least this time, he doesn't have to kill jentry to get what she he wants (because it was never really about her. he never prioritized her happiness. everything he did to change 'for' her was always about desperately maintaining the sense of human connection he craved)

[resident-idiot-simp]

Laura and Wade father daughter relationship but the X-Men POV

Laura was new at the school and had caught a lot of people's attention. She was their late Logan's daughter which alone got her a lot of attention. Then add in how good she was at fighting? Well lots of people had been interested.

She was behind on schooling because of her life and subsequent time in the void. She had made it clear that was the only reason she was there in the first place. She would have gone anywhere else but the mansion was the safest bet for many reasons.

She had control over her powers sure but not so much her instincts. She was to put it nicely.....rabid.

Now most of the time she was fine if not slightly off-putting but other times it was bad. She was far worse then Logan ever was and they had to wonder if this is what Logan was like when he was younger.

She didn't have a handle on her instincts in the way he had and it was night and day comparing the two. Small thing set her off be that quick movement that triggered either growling or a prey drive. The growling and snarling was one thing, but the prey drive was a complete other.

Every time it had been triggered so far she had snapped herself out of it quickly but it still worried the others.

One day however had seemingly changed it all. Deadpool was at the mansion. Now usually you could run him off relatively easily however it was getting harder and harder to do that.

He had been sticking around Laura and thanks to eavesdropping it became clear why. He had (somehow) got himself into a parental role with her. Everyone had been dubious at that to say the least.

It was one of the days Deadpool had been hanging about when Laura had her prey drive activated. The difference was this time she didn't snap out of it. Needless to say they were all spooked because no one was sure what to do.

Surprisingly they didn't need to worry because Deadpool had appeared out of seemingly nowhere, took in the situation and laughed. "Look at the scary kitten." He crooned.

He then got her attention and started slowly backing away with a visible smile under the mask. "That's right Kit hunt me the experienced Wolverine ranger instead." He cooed.

The others watched on in shock as Deadpool slowly brought Laura away from everyone before turning on his heel and sprinting to a door that led outside. Laura gave chase a moment later claws unceiving as the launched herself after him.

The others followed after unable to sate their curiosity. Deadpool was in the back courtyard dodging away from Laura lunging at him. He was quite and seemingly able to predict her attacks all while he laughed.

Eventually she snagged him and managed to grapple him to the ground claws sinking into his chest pinning him to the ground. He just let it happen not putting up much of a fight. Even dramatically pretending to have died all while Laura perched atop of him.

She was panting with exertion while Deadpool just let her be. Eventually she blinked back to herself and retracted her claws. "You feel better?" Deadpool asked and it surprisingly wasn't in a joking or sarcastic tone. No he sounded genuine.

Laura huffed nodding her head before going to flop down onto him but Deadpool stopped her. "Not that I'm opposed but you don't want blood on you clothes." Laura sighed, "Your right." She grumbled getting up and offering out a hand to him.

"I usually am." Deadpool shot back easily grin audible as he took the offered hand and was pulled back up. He cupped Laura's face with a hand as he forced her to make eye contact with him.

"Laura." He said and she shrunk in on herself but Deadpool just continued, "You have got to tell us if you need to let of steam. I know you can't always help it, but you can end up hurting others. Hunting me and your Papá is fine but not everyone can play as hard as us."

Laura sighs, "I know I'm sorry I didn't realize it was getting bad." Deadpool shakes his head slightly before shaking Laura's head with his hand softly like one would do to a dog. "I know and I'm not mad promise, but now you'll have an easier time figuring out when you let off yeah?" He asked.

Laura smiled up at him, "Yeah thanks Pop." She thanks the man softly and he just pulls her into his side avoiding the blood. "Good girl now get going I know you have another class." With that he lets her go and they make their way back inside.

All the others can do with stare because when did Wade Wilson become someone with such capability to be a father? As Deadpool watched her run to make it to her next class he just shook his head fondly.

Scott couldn't help but speak, "You're... good with her." He observed. Wade just tilted his head in acknowledgment, "Sure she's not much different from kids I normally deal with." He answers easily tone...somber.

"What do you mean normally deal with?" Scott asked confused, "The kids who ordered hits I've gotten pretty good at dealing with them. Kids desperate and unsure of what to do." Deadpool answers with a shrug like the mear idea of him doing hits for kids wasn't absurd.

The group's confusion and apprehension must have been evident as he explained without being asked. "Usually not a serious as you're thinking. Abusive homes, stalkers, bullies. Things where they won't get help from any outside source that's worth a shit."

"What do you mean there are plenty of the people they can tell besides... you." The last part was tacked on with slight disgust from Jean. Deadpool turned to face her, "Yes because obviously I was their first choice. I mean why wouldn't anyone else do anything? I know I told other people when I was being beaten as a child and It definitely worked." His tone was obnoxiously upbeat and his sarcasm clear.

The others shifted awkwardly after that statement, "Lord forbid I do objectively good things and help kids out of shit situations." A beat then, "Laura never really had anyone and is worse off then most others combined. I don't completely understand but I get pretty damn close. I didn't become this beautiful for no reason after all."

The others shared glances unsure of what to say if anything. It wasn't necessary however as Deadpool continued like he always did.

"I've always wanted a kid you know?"

Dead silence.

"And what do you know I finally have one. Not made from me sure, but what does that matter? All I care about is not doing wrong by her and giving her the life she deserves."

None of the X-Men were sure how to respond to that.

(slightly changed and edited version here for AO3)

[missinconsistent]

The Haikyuu movie is *the* Kenma movie, and I'm living for it. I won't get too into spoilers pertaining to the match, but I will talk about some things in the movie, so if you want to go in blind then stop reading here and go watch the movie!!

I did not expect the movie to explore Kenma and Kuroo's friendship as much as it did, and I love it so much (I didn't read the manga, btw so this was such a surprise). The series already shared quite a lot of flashbacks to their childhood and them playing volleyball together. But, it was always framed in a way that Kuroo kinda dragged Kenma along into playing volleyball with him. I never really expected these childhood flashbacks to mean any more than that. The movie really explored *why* Kenma played volleyball thanks to Kuroo. It really emphasized how important playing volleyball *with* Kuroo meant to him.

Like the scene back to the summer camp when Kenma is thinking he'd rather not play volleyball over playing a video game or watching volleyball, but then Kuroo calls his name and reaches his hand out is just so sweet. Especially considering that Kenma is most likely thinking how this is Kuroo's final year.

I am obsessed with how Kenma's friendly rivalry with Hinata actually parallels his friendship with Kuroo through flashbacks. With Kuroo being the friend that got him to play volleyball, and Hinata being the friend and rival that really pushed Kenma to take a match seriously, and see how fun it can be.

And idk if my take is different, but I really like how Kenma doesn't have a Tsukishima arc. The match doesn't make him fall in love with volleyball, but it just makes him realize that even if he doesn't love the sport, he loves a good and interesting match with his friends. He doesn't care about nationals. He just likes playing against Hinata, in particular (imo). But I think that's what makes the match between them so damn investing.

It's so refreshing to see the movie mostly revolve around Kenma's pov and see this character break out of his shell and push himself. To decode Hinata in an attempt to beat him and have his expectations blown away. Seeing this competitive, smug, and serious side of him is such fan service and I love it lol.

The scene when the match plays out from Kenma's eyes is so (chef's kiss). It's a bit nauseating, but it genuinely is my favourite moment in the movie. The way Kenma's eyes are on the ball before darting across the court, glancing over at his teammates and opponents, and back to the ball again. When it even shows Kenma taking a fall, Lev checking up on him, and Kenma just shouts to focus on the ball, I was just floored with how well it immerses you in the match. It just really has you on the edge of your seat, and quite literally puts you in Kenma's head to know this guy who is seemingly indifferent to volleyball, in that moment, is having the time of his life.

It's such a good climactic moment that's so different from other concluding matches from the series prior. It's not about big final builds up to the final strike, or block, or whatever move the characters are doing. It's just about being in the moment. About Kenma being in the moment. And it's such a brilliant and unique way to end the match.

[wonyowonyo]

Realize (J. Wonyoung X M! Reader)

Hello, Wonyo_Wonyo here. I've came back from the depths of the pitiful reality, and returned with a new oneshot. Kinda lost my touch though, but I hope you all enjoy this one.I'll probably try to drop more stories soon, If I get the motivation to do it. Feel free to drop some suggestions too.

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3RD PERSON POV

Y/N had always been captivated by Wonyoung. Her elegance, her wit, the way she carried herself—it was all mesmerizing. From the moment he first saw her at the university's annual charity gala, he knew he had to get to know her better. She was wearing a stunning silver dress that made her stand out from the crowd, her long, dark hair cascading down her back in soft waves. She moved with a grace and confidence that drew everyone's attention, but it was the kindness in her eyes when she spoke to others that truly caught Y/N's heart.

The first time they spoke was during one of their shared classes. Y/N mustered up the courage to approach her after a particularly challenging lecture on quantum mechanics. As he gathered his books and steeled himself for rejection, he noticed Wonyoung struggling to fit her notes into her already overflowing bag. He saw his chance and seized it.

"Hey, do you need some help with that?" Y/N asked, offering her a friendly smile.

Wonyoung looked up, surprise flashing in her eyes before she returned his smile. "Oh, thank you. That would be great. My bag seems to have a mind of its own."

Y/N chuckled and helped her organize her things. As they walked out of the lecture hall together, they found themselves engaged in a lively conversation about the class. Wonyoung was not only beautiful but also incredibly intelligent. She had a way of explaining complex concepts that made them seem almost simple.

"Quantum mechanics is a nightmare," Y/N said, shaking his head. "I don't know how you make it look so easy."

Wonyoung laughed, a light, melodic sound. "It's not easy, trust me. I just enjoy the challenge."

From that day on, Y/N made it a point to be around her as much as possible. He offered to study together, grabbed coffee after classes, and even joined the same student clubs. Wonyoung seemed to enjoy his company, always smiling when she saw him and engaging in their conversations with genuine interest.

However, every time Y/N tried to take things to the next level, she would pull back just enough to keep him at arm's length. She would thank him for the flowers he sent with a sweet message but never agree to a date. He'd ask her out, and she'd say she was busy but then give him a lingering look that kept his hopes up. It was a dance that went on for months, with Y/N pouring his heart into every gesture and Wonyoung playing hard to get.

One particularly frustrating evening, Y/N decided to make a grand gesture. He had learned that Wonyoung loved classical music, so he managed to get two tickets to a highly sought-after concert in town. Nervously, he approached her after class.

"Wonyoung, I know you're busy, but I got us tickets to the Philharmonic concert this Friday. I thought it would be something you'd enjoy," Y/N said, hope shining in his eyes.

Wonyoung's expression softened, and for a moment, Y/N thought she would say yes. But then, her smile faltered. "Oh, Y/N, that's so sweet of you, but I already have plans with some friends. I'm really sorry."

Y/N's heart sank. "No worries. Maybe another time?"

"Maybe," Wonyoung replied, her tone unconvincing.

Y/N's initial attempts to win Wonyoung's heart were met with mixed signals that left him in a constant state of hope and frustration. He decided to take a more direct approach and invited her to a popular café on campus known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious pastries.

"Wonyoung, I was thinking we could grab some coffee after class. There's a new café that opened up, and I hear their pastries are amazing," Y/N suggested, his voice filled with optimism.

Wonyoung's eyes twinkled with interest, but her response was hesitant. "That sounds nice, but I already have plans with my study group. Maybe another time?"

Y/N's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Sure, another time then."

Despite the setbacks, Y/N refused to give up. He learned that Wonyoung loved literature, so he spent hours in the library researching her favorite authors and genres. One day, he surprised her with a beautifully bound copy of a classic novel she had mentioned in passing.

"I thought you might like this," Y/N said, handing her the book.

Wonyoung's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Oh my gosh, Y/N, this is one of my favorites! Thank you so much!"

Her genuine appreciation gave Y/N a glimmer of hope, but as soon as he tried to suggest they read it together, she quickly changed the subject.

"Maybe we can discuss it over coffee?" Y/N ventured.

Wonyoung's smile turned apologetic. "I'd love to, but I have a meeting with my project group. How about a rain check?"

Y/N's heart sank, but he nodded. "Of course, a rain check."

As weeks turned into months, Y/N's efforts intensified. He attended every event she mentioned, from art exhibitions to charity runs. He even signed up for a cooking class she was taking, hoping to spend more time with her.

During the cooking class, they worked side by side, preparing a complex dish together. Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as they created something delicious together.

"This is really fun, Y/N," Wonyoung said, her eyes sparkling as they tasted their creation.

Y/N smiled, his heart swelling with joy. "It is. Maybe we could cook together more often?"

Wonyoung's expression turned thoughtful. "Maybe. We'll see."

Despite the fleeting moments of connection, Wonyoung continued to keep Y/N at a distance. He found himself questioning his every move, wondering if he was doing something wrong or if she simply wasn't interested.

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One evening, after another unsuccessful attempt to ask her out, Y/N found himself sitting alone in the campus garden, his heart heavy with doubt. His best friend, Sungjae, found him there and sat down beside him.

"Hey, man. You look like you could use a friend," Sungjae said, his tone sympathetic.

Y/N sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what to do, Sungjae. I've tried everything to show Wonyoung how much I care about her, but she keeps pulling away."

Sungjae patted his shoulder. "Maybe she just needs more time. Or maybe she's scared to let someone in."

Y/N nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at him. "I just wish I knew how she really felt."

------------------------------------------------------------

Despite her mixed signals, Y/N persisted. He attended every event she mentioned she was interested in, made sure to remember the little things she liked, and always tried to be there for her when she needed someone to talk to. But eventually, the constant back-and-forth took its toll. He was tired of the uncertainty, the feeling that he was always one step behind. So, one day, he decided to stop. He stopped sending flowers, stopped asking her out, stopped trying to win her over. It was time to move on.

Wonyoung noticed the change immediately. At first, she thought it was a phase, that he'd bounce back with renewed determination. But as days turned into weeks, the realization hit her—she missed him. She missed his efforts, his thoughtfulness, the way he made her feel special. The absence of his attention left a void she hadn't anticipated.

One evening, as Y/N was packing up his things at the end of a long day, Wonyoung appeared. She looked different—nervous, unsure. It was a stark contrast to her usual confident self.

"Can we talk?" she asked softly.

Y/N nodded, motioning for her to sit down. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his with a vulnerability he hadn't seen before.

"I've been thinking a lot," she began. "About us, about everything you've done for me. I guess I didn't realize how much it meant to me until you stopped."

Y/N listened, his heart pounding. This was the moment he'd been waiting for, but now that it was here, he felt a mix of emotions.

"I was scared," she admitted. "Scared of how much I was starting to care about you. But now, I know that I don't want to lose you."

Y/N took her hand in his, a smile spreading across his face. "Wonyoung, I've always been here. I'm glad you finally realized what you want."

She squeezed his hand, a look of determination in her eyes. "I do. And if you're still willing, I want to give us a real chance."

Y/N nodded, the joy in his heart undeniable. "I've always been willing."

------------------------------------------------------------

The following weeks were a whirlwind of new experiences and deeper connections. Wonyoung, true to her word, was committed to making things work between them. She made an effort to spend more time with Y/N, to open up about her fears and dreams, and to show him how much she appreciated everything he had done for her.

One weekend, Wonyoung suggested a trip to the countryside. It was a spontaneous idea, something she had always wanted to do but never found the right moment for. Y/N agreed, eager to explore new places with her and create lasting memories.

The drive to the countryside was filled with laughter and music. Wonyoung sang along to her favorite songs, her voice filling the car with warmth. Y/N couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. As they drove through winding roads surrounded by lush greenery, he realized how much he had grown to love her.

When they arrived at their destination, a charming bed-and-breakfast nestled in a picturesque village, Wonyoung's excitement was contagious. They spent the days exploring the village, hiking through scenic trails, and enjoying each other's company. In the evenings, they sat by the fireplace, sharing stories and dreams.

One night, as they both lay on a blanket under the starry sky, Wonyoung turned to Y/N, her eyes reflecting the moonlight.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" Y/N asked, turning to face her.

"For not giving up on me," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "For being patient, for caring so much. I never realized how lucky I was until now."

------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------

Y/N reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I never gave up because I believed in us. And I'm glad you do too now."

Wonyoung smiled, leaning in to kiss him. It was a gentle, tender kiss, filled with promises of a future together. In that moment, Y/N knew that everything he had gone through was worth it. The chase, the uncertainty, the heartache—it all led to this beautiful realization.

As he held her in his arms, he felt a sense of peace and happiness. He had finally found what he was looking for, and it was more than he had ever imagined.

Back at university, their relationship continued to grow. They became the couple everyone admired, not because of grand gestures, but because of the genuine love and respect they had for each other. They supported each other's goals, celebrated each other's successes, and comforted each other during difficult times.

Wonyoung's friends noticed the change in her. She seemed happier, more at ease. They saw how much she cared about Y/N, how she went out of her way to make him feel loved. It wasn't just the little gifts or the surprise visits; it was the way she looked at him, the way she spoke about him. It was clear to everyone that she had fallen deeply in love with him.

------------------------------------------------------------

One day, as they were walking together on campus, Wonyoung stopped and turned to Y/N. There was a seriousness in her eyes that made his heart skip a beat.

"There's something I need to tell you," she said, taking a deep breath.

Y/N nodded, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Wonyoung hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've been offered an internship abroad. It's an incredible opportunity, but it means I'll be away for a year."

Y/N's heart sank at the thought of being apart from her for so long. He knew how important this internship was for her career, but the idea of not seeing her every day was painful.

"I don't want to leave you," she continued, her voice trembling. "But this is something I've worked so hard for. I don't know what to do."

Y/N took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "Wonyoung, this is your dream. You have to go. We'll make it work, no matter what. I believe in us."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him tightly. "I don't deserve you," she whispered.

"You deserve everything, Wonyoung," he replied, holding her close. "And I'll be right here, waiting for you."

The months that followed were challenging, but Y/N and Wonyoung found ways to stay connected. They talked every day,

sharing their experiences and supporting each other from afar. The distance was hard, but it also made them appreciate each other even more.

Wonyoung thrived in her internship, gaining valuable experience and making important connections. She often spoke about how much she missed Y/N, but she also expressed how grateful she was for his unwavering support.

As the year drew to a close, they both counted down the days until they would be reunited. The anticipation was almost unbearable, but it also filled them with excitement. Y/N planned a special celebration for her return, wanting to show her just how much he had missed her.

When the day finally arrived, Y/N stood at the airport, his heart pounding with anticipation. As soon as he saw Wonyoung walking towards him, all the months of separation melted away. She ran into his arms, and he held her tightly, never wanting to let go.

"I'm home," she whispered, tears of joy streaming down her face.

------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------

"Welcome home," he replied, kissing her softly. "I've missed you so much."

The experiences they both had during that year apart strengthened their bond even further. They realized that love wasn't just about being together all the time, but about supporting each other's dreams and growing together, even when apart.

Wonyoung's return brought a renewed sense of purpose and excitement to their relationship. They made a promise to each other to never take their time together for granted and to cherish every moment they had. The weeks following her return were filled with joyful reunions, long conversations, and a deepening of their connection.

------------------------------------------------------------

One evening, Y/N and Wonyoung found themselves sitting on a park bench, the sunset casting a warm glow over them. Wonyoung rested her head on Y/N's shoulder, a contented smile on her face.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Y/N asked, his voice soft.

Wonyoung nodded, her eyes closed. "Of course, I do. It was at the charity gala. You were so nervous when you approached me."

Y/N chuckled, reminiscing. "I was terrified. But I knew I had to talk to you. There was something about you that just drew me in."

Wonyoung looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection. "I'm glad you did. You changed my life, Y/N."

"You changed mine too," Y/N replied, kissing her forehead.

As the months went by, Y/N and Wonyoung continued to support each other's aspirations. They attended each other's events, celebrated milestones, and were there for each other during challenges. Their relationship was built on a foundation of trust, respect, and a deep understanding of one another.

One day, Y/N received an exciting opportunity. A renowned research institution offered him a position to lead a groundbreaking project. It was a dream come true, but it also meant he would have to move to another city for a year. When he shared the news with Wonyoung, he saw a mix of emotions in her eyes—pride, excitement, and a hint of sadness.

"This is an incredible opportunity, Y/N," Wonyoung said, her voice steady. "You have to take it. It's your dream."

Y/N took her hands in his, searching her eyes. "But what about us? I don't want to be away from you again."

Wonyoung smiled, her eyes shining with determination. "We've done this before, and we can do it again. We both have dreams to chase, and we'll always find our way back to each other."

Her words filled Y/N with hope and reassurance. They had faced challenges before and come out stronger. He knew that with Wonyoung by his side, they could overcome anything.

As Y/N prepared for his move, they made a promise to stay connected and support each other through this new chapter of their lives. They spent their remaining days together creating memories, exploring new places, and deepening their bond. They knew that distance could never weaken their love.

The night before Y/N's departure, they sat on the rooftop of their favorite building, looking out at the city lights. Wonyoung leaned into him, her head resting on his chest.

"Promise me something," she said softly.

"Anything," Y/N replied, holding her close.

"Promise me that no matter where life takes us, we'll always find our way back to each other," Wonyoung whispered.

Y/N kissed the top of her head, his heart swelling with love. "I promise. Always."

------------------------------------------------------------

The year apart was challenging, but Y/N and Wonyoung stayed true to their promise. They talked every day, sharing their successes and supporting each other through the tough times. The distance only strengthened their love and commitment.

Y/N's project was a resounding success, and he returned with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the future. Wonyoung greeted him at the airport, her smile brighter than ever. They embraced, tears of joy streaming down their faces.

"I'm so proud of you," Wonyoung said, her voice filled with emotion.

"I'm proud of us," Y/N replied, holding her tightly.

Their love story was one of perseverance, trust, and unwavering support. They had faced challenges and come out stronger, their bond unbreakable. Together, they knew they could achieve anything.

As they walked hand in hand out of the airport, ready to face whatever the future held, they knew one thing for certain—no matter where life took them, they would always find their way back to each other. Their love was a journey, and they were ready to embrace every moment of it, together.

------------------------------------------------------------

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[stonedficz]

✰ star shaped ✰

ch. 1 ❛ talk about being roux ❜

schlatt x streamer!reader

ch. 2 / ch. 3 / ch. 4

A/n: this is it. title is a pun. ENJOYYYYY‼️‼️‼️‼️

Most of my publishes will include music. Music is a HUGE part of writing for me, as it helps me set the tone for my work. If able, please listen as you read!

you were a whore for him. parasocially, of course.

Spending the past 4 years of your life obsessing over someone online was the most entertainment you could find besides trying to pass your college classes.

You had been a fan for years - literally, since 2020. You weren't there for the start of Schlatt's career, but by God, you wish you could've been. He gave you some inspiration to livestream/vlog stream just for fun. You had seen almost every video as soon as it released, every live, everything. Now, you just wanted to be like the big angry guy you watched videos of on your laptop, but better.

Maybe it was your college aspirations, the lack of support from your family, or something else - no matter what it was, you were here. 5 followers on twitch in.

Despite the lack of viewers, you continued streaming happily. You were meal prepping for the next week of work and school to try and save money. It just so happened to be a good content idea as well.

"So, if you look here," you patiently looked and pointed down at your frying pan, showing the camera and 3 viewers your pov. "- the roux is starting to burn. I'm gonna have to take it off the heat and try to add some more milk to fix the flavor. I don't have any more garlic powder so I can't remake it unfortunately." you frowned as you set the pan on a different eye, gently adding more milk. Your eyes flickered down to the chat on your phone.

"whats a roux"

A heavy sigh left your mouth, you had been at this for 2 hours. Streaming, that is. Now you didn't have the patience to answer questions. Then you saw a notification.

BigGuy is live now! Streaming: fixing my minecraft house

"Alright my friends, I think it's time for me to go." you smiled at the camera and waved. "The roux needs my whole attention, so I'll see you 3 later!" God, you were a terrible liar. You hit end stream pretty abruptly, immediately clicking on the notification.

"Hey guys, thanks for joining in," Schlatt breathed as he sat in his chair, turning side to side. He just looked at his screen blankly for a few minutes, occasionally making comments. TTS hadn't started yet but you were anxious to get your message in first. Anything to get his attention.

"Remember, TTS starts at 25 you broke bitches. I don't wanna hear about it being too expensive. Postcards are 50! Let's see what's in the mailbo-" He was cut off by the normal loud TTS voice.

"hi handsome! good to see you on again! I finished up my stream right when you started. have a good time <3 - cookkizkill" you typed in at light speed. Somehow, someway, the past 5 streams you had made it in as the first TTS donation. Pure luck.

"Oh God, not you again you little fuck. How do you manage to get the FIRST TTS in every damn time??? Competitive ass bitch. But thank you anyways.” he yelled and laughed, opening up his mailbox in the game. It didn't matter that he made fun of you - that was his persona, it didn't mean much. All you cared about was being seen. God, you were obsessed.

It went further than this. You GENUINELY were interested in Schlatt - you didn't even know his name. You were the obsessive, love-at-first-sight type. You still thought about a sweet boy from a coffee shop when you were in your junior year. Once you liked something, you had to have it. Unfortunately, millions of other people felt the same. Yuck. So.. now it was this. You sent donos, dm’ed him, everything you could to kindly, gently, and hopefully get him to put you on his channel. That was the boost you needed. Socially, and egotistically.

The dream: meet schlatt. Didn’t matter if it was in New York, at a meet n greet he would never do, or for media.

You knew you wouldn’t make it big enough to quit your job - you didn’t want to, you just wanted to be able to show the internet your life. You wanted others to find community.

—

You continued to watch the stream, he was playing Minecraft, drinking, the usual. Messages were flooding in. Soon enough though, it was 10 pm, and he was about done.

-POV: Schlatt. 7:03 pm-

“Ahh fuck,” he sighed, sipping on a glass of whiskey. “What’s up fuckers? Welcome to the stream, welcome,” he nodded and chuckled as he watched the people and chats flood in. “Remember, TTS starts at 25 you broke bitches. I don't wanna hear about it being too expensive. Postcards are 50! Let's see what's in the mailbo-“ he was cut off by the first TTS donation. It was the same person from the past few streams. Somehow, they managed ro get first dono more than twice in a row. “Lucky fuck.” He muttered under his breath.

“hi handsome! good to see you on again! I finished up my stream right when you started. have a good time <3 - cookkizkill"

"Oh God, not you again you little fuck. How do you manage to get the FIRST TTS in every damn time??? Competitive ass bitch. But thank you anyways.” He yelled and chuckled - rubbing the thin beard on his chin and his mutton chops for comedic effect. He knew a lot of people wanted him, lusted over him, loved him - but he couldn’t help but smile when people gave him a normal compliment. It felt good to be talked to like normal. Normal normal normal. He knew he wasn’t that, but it didn’t matter, being a star always had it’s perks.

“Alright, guys, lets get in. Fuck all of you shaming my house. FUCK YOU.” He yelled, furrowing his brows in faux anger.

—

3 hours had passed. Schlatt ended up building a new house, opening letters, and getting spammed with donations. God, that felt good. ‘Money, money, money, bitch.’ He thought to himself.

“Alright guys,” he let his tongue swirl in his jaw. “I’m fucking plastered. I’m done for tonight. Hope you enjoyed!” His cheeky smile flooded thousands of screens as he ended the live.

“Motherfucker.. jambo, i’m so fucking tired.” He complained, letting Jambo jump into his lap. His hands grazed over his fur as he headbutted schlatt. He yawned, sipping the last of his glass of whiskey. Jambo jumped down, awaiting their bedtime routine. “Moowwww!” Schlatt looked down at him.

“Alright, alright. I’m not feeding you again though.” Schlatt shut out all the lights in his office, slowly making his way into his bedroom, then his bathroom. He got onto insta when he was done getting ready for bed.

“Shiit, that’s a nice ass car.” He muttered to himself, scrolling. His thumbs grazed the screen hesitantly.

“I wonder..”

Every now and then, he would look at his message requests to see the ridiculous things people sent him. Family photos, death threats, achievements, etc. Every week though, there was the same username. “cookkizkill” managed to catch his eye. She never harassed him. Belittled him. Judged. Spammed. Begged. Nothing. She was overly normal in how she messaged him - and by God, she did it everywhere. Though, no matter what she sent, she said thank you, and wished him the best. Odd. Peculiar. Weird.

“Hmph.” His brows furrowed. He was intrigued. He looked at her messages frequently, never replying. If he replied to one, everyone would expect him to.

He opened the chat request.

cookkizkill

hi handsome! i finally hit 5 twitch followers. yesterday i hit 200 subs on yt. thank you for being a great influence!! i know i wont be huge, but I’m thankful i get a chance to share my life with people. thank you for your stream today! i hope to be on one with you sometime <3

5 minutes ago

[accept request?]

Click.

—————

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Yet Another Dead Boy Detective Fic Rec List

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

I've been having so much fun with these, so I've decided to make another! See above for links to my other fic rec lists. ♥️

Like We're Gonna Die Young (Again) by RoseGanymede95

The latest installment in the superb Codependency World Cup series has the boys attend a nefarious house party and grapple with old frenemies, 90s fashion and temporary amnesia. Also fleshes out their achingly sad backstories, but compensates with the triumphant return of Pierre the rabbit.

When I Picture You by Gruoch

Charles gets braceleted by the Cat King instead of Edwin and receives his heart's desire... being alive again. This author has a special gift for taking fun sounding premises and turning the angst up to 11. So excellent.

young blood (never get chained) by ghostinthelibrary

University AU in which half-demon Charles intervenes in Edwin's ritual sacrifice and inadvertently binds their souls together... I'm genuinely obsessed with this AU, it has so much potential for tons of delicious tropes. Human!Edwin getting a crash course in supernatural shenanigans! Soulmate vibes!Found Family! Demon lore! What's not to love??

Ghosts and Monsters by justafandomfollower

Charles is also sacrificed and the boys meet in Hell! Fantastic premise and executed really well. I loved Masterful Edwin taking charge and protecting Charles while inwardly despairing. Highly recommended.

back to back they faced each other by ShanaStoryteller

The Night Nurse has a theory about how Charles was able to rescue Edwin from Hell so quickly... I'm genuinely shocked I haven't recced this one already. Sorry guys, I forgor. Anyway, this has interesting "Guardian" (angel?) lore, great meta and we even get some temporary amnesia as a treat.

boyfriend jacket by skadii

5+1 times Edwin borrowed Charles' jacket. The characterisation is on point, and it has some great OCs (Kyle the snarky seeing-eye cat!) and really sweet payneland moments. Plus Charles' jacket doing its most to annoy the Cat King.

Looking Like the Sunrise by letters_of_stars

Edwin thinks he's cursed so he and Crystal must team up to solve the case of his Mysterious and Suddenly Appearing Rizz. Funny and sweet friendship fic with some quality Edwin-Crystal bonding and discussions of trauma.

The Case of the Anonymous Confession by Mayarenerose

College AU featuring Charles posting an 'anonymous' online confession about his complicated feelings for his bestie. The closet is glass, but Edwin is oblivious and Crystal is in pain. Cute and funny epistolary social media fic done really well.

the middle of something wonderful by KiaraSayre

Does what it says on the tin and gives us a trope salad of cosy vignettes, including a time loop, temporary amnesia, sudden corporality and Crystal and Edwin trying to get a good grade in Party. Wholesome.

My heart is like a haunted house (series) by halffulljampot

Charles (unknowingly) befriends the ghost of Edwin's mother and constantly gushes to her about his amazing best friend/boyfriend. Beatrice is a great OC and it's just nice (though extra tragic) to read a fic in which Edwin had loving parents. Read it for Family Feels and wholesome intergenerational friendship.

the first rule of fight club by e_va

The boys are captured by an evil underground fighting ring. The fic is from Charles' PoV, so the prospect of having to fight Edwin was especially stomach-churning. Still, we get Edwin being a badass and a brilliant surprise cameo I don't want to spoil.

The Case of The... by sophisticatedyet

Edwin borrows Niko's negligee and Charles' brain breaks. There's also a case and giant squids, but Charles' Distracted By The Sexy crisis is the main (hilarious) event.

in those heavy days when love became an act of defiance by aletterinthenameofsanity, JUBE514

Daemon AU and first meeting fic! Loved the worldbuilding, insightful character work and lovely use of Greek mythology. Honestly, this fandom needs more daemon AUs.

spinning around and around in an ocean of grief (your ladder came down to the sea) by Ingi

Prequel to DontOffendTheBees' excellent College AU, expanding on the boys being alive and in school together. Also has its own prequel about their first meeting from Edwin's point of view. This one, though, is a Charles' Bisexual Journey/Feelings Realization fic. So lovely.

head in the clouds but my gravity's centered by shadowquill17

Face Touching: The Fic. I just love non-sexual intimacy in fics and this one is so tender. I also love Accidental Kissing and Feelings Realization so my cup runneth over.

i don't want to rest in peace by handwrittenhello

Different First Meeting fic featuring Poltergeist Charles! Loved the concept, even though it made me sad.

the great snogging debacle of '95 by thatgayprince

Edwin disguises himself as a girl and Charles starts and then defers a sexuality crisis for 30 years. Funny, steamy and emotional.

a beautiful day to say goodbye by ofstitches

The agency take on the case of a depressed house. This is another bittersweet Edwin backstory fic with discussions of grief.

Smitten in the Stacks by cordelianoir

Adorable prequel to lolotr's equally adorable library AU. Meet cute featuring (platonically married) Dad!Charles crushing on the hot librarian who leads Children's Storytime.

Jenny Green: Butcher, Hot Mess, Reluctant Queer Elder by Money_Maker

Jenny-centric fic! The focus is on Jenny and her financial, mental and emotional struggles post-canon, but mentoring Edwin through his queer self-discovery becomes a big part of that. This turns into a really sweet friendship, plus Found Family Feels and some fun outsider PoV of the boys' dynamic.

I've always got more recs so watch this space! ❤️

[a-big-apple]

if someone's trying to really beef up a character's voice, what advice would you have for them (in general or in TLT in particular)? what are some major voice missteps you've seen esp given your extremely thorough reading of the series👀

jeej u always ask the most interesting questions!! i feel like in general, for me, i'm pretty good with remembering and recognizing voices (like, how they actually sound) and good at remembering iconic lines. so when i'm trying to write a specific pov, i'll sometimes revisit examples of the tone i'm going for by watching bits if it's a show, or listening to bits of the audiobooks for TLT, and then as i'm writing and editing i'll kind of read everything back to myself in that character's voice.

but that's a particular skill i have that may not be more broadly useful, so...in general, some of the things that stand out to me are vocabulary, register (like how formal or informal), and demeanor.

so for example, gideon has a really large vocabulary, and she uses big and/or obscure words for specific effect, usually to needle harrow, but not as much in everyday speech. she's also often crude, and she'll use slang, and she uses humor to defuse and disguise rather than speaking seriously very often, so when she's being honest and frank it has a big effect. her internal monologue isn't very formal, and neither is her speech most of the time, but the formality might increase when she's kiriona, for instance!

whereas harrow speaks very formally and precisely, might not use as many contractions (almost everybody uses contractions in normal speech and it sticks out when someone doesn't, this is a bugaboo of mine, but harrow does genuinely sometimes go super formal), and uses her own big vocabulary in her regular dialogue a lot more often. she's used to oratory, she's the leader of a religious order, she's pretty good at stringing together a speech whether it's intended to inspire or to tear somebody down.

then you've got somebody like camilla, who doesn't speak much but has a very dry humor when she does, and is more likely to truncate or leave off unnecessary words, making her come off kind of brusque. she waits to talk until she has something necessary or important to say, but she knows how to tease. she's fairly informal, but she can slide into an academic register very easily, and she almost always calls everyone, even palamedes, by their title instead of their name.

sentence structure can come into this too, for narration from a particular pov! gideon is observant but also sometimes misses things or doesn't have all the information, her narration might include more questions or commentary to herself. harrow is intellectual and scheming and sometimes super unsure, so she might have longer and more convoluted sentence structure in her narration. cam is super straightforward, so her narration might be full of observations and thoughts and feelings that she keeps to herself, but with more short sentences, a more clipped rhythm that matches her speaking style.

other things that can sometimes rub me wrong or stick out are endearments and nicknames! there are some characters who will make up names for people and keep using them (gideon) and some who will almost always use a respectful title or name (cam) and some people who throw endearments at everyone willy nilly (cytherea and augustine come to mind). if a character has a canon endearment or set of endearments that they default to, or specific ones for specific people, it really helps keep the voice in character to keep using those. harrow uses beloved for alecto, and it means something when that transfers to gideon in fic in place of griddle, or just her name. pyrrha uses kiddie, and six million other things, but only with nona and later a bit with kiriona. ianthe and coronabeth both flirt with nicknames that the objects of their attention either despise or don't seem to allow from anyone else (harry, jody, millie). gideon uses all her wild thesaurus superlatives for harrow, but when it's a crisis moment and she's showing her heart, she uses honey.

this is just my personal pet peeve i think, but love/baby/babe are SO overused as defaults, when there are so many good opportunities to either use something that the character does say in canon, or find something unique that fits the character and the relationship in the fic. and imo, these should always be used sparingly and for specific emotional effect, unless you've got a character like pyrrha who i think always uses nicknames for nona. (frankly, griddle is very cute but harrow doesn't actually use it as much as fic wants her to)

so i guess, tl;dr advice is to relisten/rewatch/reread the voice of the character you're trying to get into, and think about the way they say things and the way they present themself, and take note of any quirks they have that can be put to good use later!

[panelshowsource]

That Robbie Williams post reminded me something I heard a few days ago: I was listening to a podcast, and they discussed who the most famous British people are who are not known to Americans, like the discourse about Robbie Williams when his film came out. I'm British, so I would be interested in your opinion as an American. Who do you think is the most famous British person that very few Americans know?

this is such a fun question!

i feel like my answer 10–15 years ago may be different to now! like, in 2005, it wouldn't have been crazy to say michael barrymore, you know? so i'm going to try and compromise by sticking to my pov as a mid 90s baby and young millennial

i thought long and hard......and......i'm gonna say......ant and dec. that's my final answer. they have been such a constant in the british television industry for 30+ years that every single person of every single age demographic has at some point encountered them, and they're still quite in demand and relevant. i get that these days people may prefer to see claudia winkleman, alison hammond, whatever, this isn't a convo about being beloved but about being FAMOUS—and does anyone in the uk not know ant and dec? because i cannot impress upon you how unknown they are in the states, like absolute and complete nobodies i'm sorry 😭 i genuinely think the only way an american would have come across them is from a viral BGT clip, and even then ant and dec are not the focus of those clips so they just don't register at all. isn't that wild?

my other top contendor was noel edmonds (+ mr blobby), but i felt like he was too much of a throwback since he's pretty irrelevant now. still, if i'm doing my top 5–10, he'd still be in it, and i'd also mention terry wogan, parky, des o'connor, phil and holly (many americans will know the "if my grandmother had wheels she would have been a bike" clip but have no idea where it's from or who the people in it are, so imo it doesn't count as 'knowing' them cuz it's nothing more than a meme), peter kay, lee evans, and a fictional character like phil mitchell, pat butcher, or delboy. i am sorry to agree that take that members like robbie williams and gary barlow certainly qualify as well!

i do understand sports can be a major blindspot for americans — especially football (soccer), snooker, and darts — but there are enough americans who will follow these sports that i don't think the relevant figures win over some of the other people i listed. like, bobby charlton, wayne rooney, ronnie o'sullivan, dennis taylor, eric bristow, i could go on—very unknown in the united states overall, yes, but well known by the select few americans who care about these things. that said, the disparity in the fame a top footballer experiences in the uk vs here is probably the biggest disparity in this whole convo

i didn't really get into politicians (and by extension someone like david dimbleby or moira stuart?), feels like a cheat code to this game

i hope that was fun for any of my british followers to read! hahahaha i genuinely could name so many people because of course british news, entertainment, and sports are a unique culture that does not cross over nearly as much as we assume it does! but these are the people who seem to me to be the most widely recognised in the uk who i guarantee you no americans know

[serpentface]

What do Brakul and Janeys see in each other?

(I wrote some of this in quasi-character voice/pov on impulse (in brackets), though don't take it as actual dialogue. They wouldn't outright say most of this.)

WHAT JANEYS SEES IN BRAKUL:

-[He is just objectively beautiful. There's no way around it, this is just a material fact. He has the prettiest brown eyes and a cute gap in his teeth and he's 6'2'' and he's big and strong and hairy and well endowed (balls) and sooo virile and 6'2''. This is the ideal male body at peak performance so it's just inevitable to be wildly, painfully attracted to it. There's probably tons of other people who want to shove their face into his armpits.]

[But they don't get to.]

-Janeys is significantly more at ease with him than almost anyone else. He doesn't feel such an acute need to posture and put on performances, or as devastating shame when the performance 'fails'. The psychological factors that motivate this to begin with don't just like, magically go away, but they're much less acute. He feels like he can just Exist around him. It's nice.

-Thinks he's a really funny, smart and interesting person general. Very pleasant to talk and amicably argue with. Janeys finds a lot of things he never would have given a shit about suddenly very interesting because it's coming from him. Like 'yeah he's not EDUCATED per se but he has a fascinating repository of knowledge about like, cheesemaking and birds and freakish snow vampires and the many nuances of highland seasonal transhumance.'

-Janeys sees a lot of things in Brakul that he finds lacking in himself, and experiences a sense of being more complete, better, stronger, via this partnership (somewhat literally, sharing blood Is sharing spirit). He feels genuinely more confident around him, not just in his typical "I'm Confident that my family name and Odonii bloodkin status can force some deference out of you" way but like legit confidence. Not the healthiest way to develop self esteem and not put to the best uses but it is what it is.

-Matches his freak and exceeds it in strange and compelling ways

-Meshes Fairly well with his clingy attachment style (it causes friction sometimes though) and meets his substantial needs for physical affection and casual intimacy (at least in private).

-[He's a really, really, really good kisser]

-[He is my closest and most trusted friend, my brother. He's like how the most florid love poets describe their wives, except if a wife was a man and wasn't someone you had to marry. No one has ever loved a man like I have. No one has shared a spirit like I have. The concept of life without him is no longer imaginable, he is carved into my very skin, he's in my veins, mouth, hands. He is my natural compliment and easiest companion. My beloved, my heart, my blood, my other face.]

-[He's 6'2'']

---

WHAT BRAKUL SEES IN JANEYS:

-[He's very good looking, in kind of a subtle way. Like you don't necessarily notice at first, but he's got this sort of... sturdy yet gracile handsomeness to him? Like a deer, or a small to mid-sized bird of prey. Except attractive and a man. Very attractive. He has such a nice smile and the most gorgeous legs, and a cute little trail of hair up his stomach. Nice hands. And feet. Sturdy. Lovely hair. His eyes are just kind of scary but, otherwise.]

-[He's actually soooo nice when you get to know him. He is one of the sweetest and most caring people I've ever met, actually.]

[Sure he's kind of an asshole. To most people. On most occasions. But have you considered that THEIR vibes are, very often, simply bad and offputting, and maybe it's sometimes their faults for being irritating? Yeah. Think a little.]

-Brakul distinctly likes being one of few people Janeys likes and one of much fewer that he actually chills out around. He likes that he gets to see sides of him that are almost completely reserved for himself. He feels special.

-Overall sees him as someone who is often difficult and frustrating but ultimately deeply lovable. He finds him to be very caring, admirably loyal, genuine, and funny. Good to talk to, and good to sit in comfortable silence with. He sees him as a very different person but someone who compliments him well. Natural choice of companion.

-Has a generally realistic outlook on Janeys' abilities but considers him to be more capable than most people think and fairly talented in some respects. He would note him as skilled with the spear, pretty decent with the lyre, a good dancer and very beautiful singer.

-He absolutely likes that one of Janeys' 'love languages' is giving him gifts. He loves being the spoiled male wife of a nobleman. He was made for this shit. The gift-giving on Janeys' part initially made him nervous (on the presumption that it was indebting or otherwise transactional) but he is LONG since over it.

[Everyone was always saying, "Brakul you're kinda lazy and annoying, you lost all your mother's cattle in a really pathetic way, you strained the alliances between multiple clans to a breaking point by being a fuckup, you abandoned your firstborn," etc etc but look at me now. I'm so loved and I have 200 cattle and 12 khait and eat meat every day of my life.]

-Doesn't Fully match his freak, but does where it matters most. Sub/switch masochist for a dom/switch sadomasochist. Peace and love.

-Easily flustered in a way he finds cute/hot.

-Really likes his intense and earnest enthusiasm for physical affection/intimacy. The other people Brakul has had romantic/sexual experiences with in the past have been substantially less touchy-feely, and he prefers being able to show affection this way. Expressing this shit verbally can be difficult (with or without having to translate), it always feels a little insufficient. Lengthy and complicated sessions of making out/cutting each other/blood consumption/frotting/doing weird shit with cum/still vaguely sexual wound cleaning with vinegar/cuddling/etc have turned out to feel like a more comprehensive form of romantic expression. And not a lot of people are into that kinda thing, so this is pretty special.

-[He makes me happy. Sometimes I'll look at him while he's asleep or just sitting next to me or whatever, and still get hit with that new love, 'I'm going to throw up but in a good way' feeling, even after all this time. I'm glad to have found him. I'm glad to share my life with him. I'm glad we belong to each other. I've never found an adequate describe it, 'brother' is easy but completely wrong. It just is what it is. I love him.]

-[He does some crazy shit with his mouth]

[elodieunderglass]

I am absolutely wild and feral over HDM (legit like, daemons fit SO well. I'm watching dunmeshi wondering where Laios' dog went) and super curious if you do plan a sequel or other fics following this AU??

(In reference to the His Dark Materials / Dungeon Meshi fusion fic)

thank you so much for this question I love this question god!!!! Thank you thank you thank you

God sorry about HDM being delayed, I’m going through hell over it at the moment. It’s meant to end a little after the dragon, then a timeskip epilogue, with special coding so that you can read it two different ways, depending on whether you want spoilers for the manga/season 2. (My idea is that you’ll click a button to reveal/hide it, and the spoiler-free epilogue will be like found poetry.)

Firstly, if you or anyone else would like to take the concepts/characters in His Delicious Materials forward for themselves, you must do this. You don’t need my permission (but I’d love a link! so I can read, scream, reblog, comment, link to it, etc. there is also the “inspired by” setting on ao3 so we can link works directly to HDM, forming a collection for anyone who reads one and wants more.) I don’t own any of it! We are all just having fun! YOU can be the sequel you want to see in the world! If your heart feels a way forward, then follow your heart!! A daemon AU is really about revealing character and I find them really inspiring, like adding a whole engine to a story idea.

If I were to write something to follow up, I do know what the sequel WOULD be! It would be a sort of Discworld novel about the slow social revolution occurring in the half-foots as a chain reaction to Bee settling as a weasel, all occurring behind Chilchuck’s oblivious and unhelpful back. Pushed into a sort of bottleneck of sparrow- and mouse-souls, and marginalised to the very edges of society, half-foots are precarious and endangered. Chilchuck is mostly eating a ham sandwich unhelpfully in the foreground, and at the end of the story looks back and sees to his bewilderment that his people have found a way forward (they don’t have a Shire or a Chosen One, but they do have a goddamn functional worker’s union and their own collective dignity.) kind of Discworld-commentary-comedy, kind of a loving argument with Tolkien, kind of Sharpe hostile-and-awkward-protagonist-POV-doesn’t-know-and-wouldn’t-believe-that-his-men-genuinely-love-him, kind of about the experience of parenting, and kind of gently warmly political BUT FUNNY so it would be ok. but feel it would be too much of a stretch of people’s patience and the original materials’s intentions to call it fanfic. Too many OCs needed to carry the weight, too little reference to the other Dungeon Meshi characters, almost too little “payoff” for what would be a full 70k word work. So maybe to let the story breathe, it would be better worked up as original fiction?

(Plus, that is actually an actual novel: if people write their own novels and manga about orc coffeeshops and dnd parties, I could just write my own too: wait but how do you know if you should?)

Anyway, that is an entirely separate kettle of weasels and my own cross to bear! If your heart cries out for a sequel the best way to manifest it in the world is to write it!

If you feel that A Weasel Heart In Defiance feels like it would scratch that itch, here is a bit that is mildly relevant to Dungeon Meshi, which is Chilchuck and Bee starting to work away from home while the girls were still small. You’ll probably see what I mean from it.

About seven of the village children, including his own three, had a snake in a wooden bucket. They didn't look up.

The reappearance of a random guy who functioned mostly as a postal service and occasionally shouted at them about bedtime - in a way that could be easily blanked out if something more interesting was happening - simply could not be expected to compete for attention with a snake in a bucket.

Chilchuck could recognise this on some level, but as his own children ignored him, he felt very hot and angry, in a way that he had never wanted to feel about children, especially his.

Bee, also rigidly pissed off, growled, "Easy, boss."

This was where Chilchuck did the only thing so far that he was proud of, in this day. He did not start shouting, even though his temper was going something like What the fuck, kids, but worse. He stopped, took a minute, and remembered he'd had this whole thing where he'd wanted his kids to love him. He rubbed his nose, said, "Remind me," and his daemon reminded him: "What do we want them to actually do?"

And he said, "The bare minimum fucking acknowledgement would be nice."

And Bee said, "Have we explained that to them? Do they know?"

So Chilchuck and Bee, hot and tired and cross and still on the job apparently, sat down on the ground with the kids and looked in the bucket. The snake, poor bastard, looked very limp and tired. Chilchuck could relate.

After a while, Chilchuck said, "Girls?"

Or more accurately, something like, "Girls! Girls. Meifleurpatti-I mean Puck-PUCK. Listen up. Mei! Fleur, I'm talking - thanks Fleur - Puck. (Ryeland, stop the baby.) PUCK. Mei, Fleur, Puck - PUCK, eyes on me - thanks, Ryeland - PUCK. EYES," which condensed in parent-speak to a single roar of "Girls!"

When he had them more or less listening, he remembered to set his voice to the more singsong cadence one used for children, instead off the deeper version of his natural voice that he used for shouting at the top of his abilities at tall people; making the choice to be patient and gentle, or at least pretend to be someone who was; and in this manner he said reasonably, "Now, your dad's been away for a very long time and missed you all very much. What do you say? What do you say when your dad comes home?"

Six children stared at him blankly, and the baby toppled gently into the bucket. He fished it out, stuck it sideways under his arm, allowed the snake to escape in the confusion, acknowledged someone's grievously injured finger, stopped Fleur from pinching, took out his pocket handkerchief and wiped Puck's nose in essentially one continuous motion.

To be completely fair, now that he'd let go of the initial anger, he could see that the kids had absolutely no idea what he'd wanted of them. Kids had practically no social instincts at the best of times. Chilchuck coming home was remarkable, sure, but beyond their influence; how were they supposed to react? What do you say to a comet? What do you say to a hailstorm? What do you say when daddy comes home?

He repeated the question, as the children had universally drawn blanks and devolved into staring vacantly.

"Good morning, Daddy!" A child chirped helpfully, setting off the rest in an automatic drone of "good morning, Daddy," in the strangely universal dreary tone of all children saying that.

"So close, Fernwise! Is it morning? What else do we think?"

Bee, fighting for order among the kit-daemons, was simultaneously washing Fleurtom's daemon, Pantoufle's, face; receiving a long rambling report of a grievance from three incoherent witnesses; and minding the baby's chick-daemon; up to her ears in parenting. She said, around a mouthful of Pan, "Speed it up, boss, you're losing them."

"Where are your spots, Daddy?" Pan asked him. He was in the form of a young ferret and scrabbled against his mother's grip on his scruff.

"My what?"

"Your freckles," Bee said grimly, and seeing he'd been temporarily disarmed - and being a valiant beast in her way - charged in to her human's defense, "Is that nice, Pan? We don't want to make people feel bad about their looks, do we?"

"Yes we do," said Fleur.

"Fleur! We've just - we haven't seen much of the sun, that's all," said Bee, taking charge, the best and most loyal soul a man could have. "They'll come back, and they're not spots."

"Mei has spots."

"Freckles."

"Grimbob has spots."

"Yes, and you shouldn't notice," Bee said. "Think of Grimbob's feelings."

"I do, I think he feels spotty."

"I'm thirsty," Puck said flatly.

"Stick to the point, kids," Chilchuck said, recovering from the fact that his usual face was apparently indistinguishable to children from Grimbob's, who had been taking puberty hard. This was surprisingly difficult to do.

Ryeland, a mildly bright spark who was older than the Chils girls, connected two dots and suddenly roared "WELCOME HOME DADDY," so six children all repeated that automatically, and Fleur added sunnily, "I missed you Daddy!"

And just as a very small piece of Chilchuck's heart was finally allowed to melt, she added, equally sunnily, "Mei didn't."

"I did a little," Meijack said vaguely.

"That's great kids, well done, we got there in the end," Chilchuck said. "Remember it for next time, okay? It makes Daddy feel better about his stupid life. Now, next time, let's remember that it's traditional to do a hug."

He realised his mistake instantly, as six children and their daemons all bore him - and the baby he'd forgotten he was holding - to the ground.

___________

[lefteagleblizzard]

𝔙𝔯𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔶 𝔰𝔲𝔭𝔭𝔬𝔯𝔱

Mike munroe x male reader

A request that I received from a really nice person here on tumblr: a small idea I liked for a fic if you like the idea as well. Nothing too big, just a fic about Reader and Chris being brothers and constantly nagging each other about their crushes on Ashley and Mike.

I expanded the request a bit, sorry if I went overboard with it. Hope you enjoyed it.

Tags: set before the event of the game. Male reader. He/him pronouns are used towards the reader. Chris and the reader are brothers. Some very quick shifts of pov between characters. Jealousy. Mike and Jess/ Emily are not together in this. Friends to lovers. Mike is a flirt.

ℳ𝒶𝓈𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉

Words count: 4000

Can also be found on wattpad and ao3

For anyone interested, I took inspiration from this clue that you can find while playing as Chris.

The music thumps in the background, a mix of bass-heavy beats and voices blending into a dull roar. You and Chris sit at a small, round table near the back, well out of the action but with a good view of everyone mingling.

"So," Chris says, taking a long, dramatic sip. "You actually spent the whole night staring at Mike. Dude, seriously, you're lucky your eyes didn't burn a hole in the back of his head."

You scoff, leaning back in your chair with a mock sigh. "Like you're any better. When are you actually gonna talk to Ashley? She's cool, she's cute, she's well, out of your league but hey, a guy can dream.”

"Hey, I do talk to her," Chris retorts, feigning offense.

"Uh-huh," you say, raising an eyebrow. "It’s a lot if you can manage to squeak out a sentence before turning red.”

Chris chuckles, crossing his arms. "Fine. Why don't you go up to Mike and tell him what you think? 'Hey, by the way, I've been thinking about how perfect your jawline is all night!’ I'm sure that'll go over great." He did a horrible interpretation of your voice to mock you even further.

You roll your eyes, feeling your cheeks flush just a bit. "First of all, I would never phrase it like that. And second, at least I actually know things about him beyond his favorite book."

"Oh, really? Let's see who knows more about their crush. No cheating. No wimping out. Winner gets bragging rights." Chris leans forward, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Bragging rights? How about you admit I'm objectively hotter than you when I win?" you echoed, folding your arms.

"Sure. Whatever fantasy helps you sleep at night," Chris said, grinning as he dramatically cracked his knuckles. “I'll go first since I know you're just dying to hear all the juicy Ashley knowledge."

You chuckle. "Go with your in-depth research, Sherlock."

Chris clears his throat, sitting up straighter. "Fine. For starters, her favorite color is purple."

You make a face, unimpressed. "That's it? You think knowing her favorite color makes you the expert here?"

"Let me finish, smartass. She loves thriller movies. She also has this little habit of chewing on her nails when she's nervous."

You raise an eyebrow, genuinely impressed but unwilling to give him the satisfaction. "Okay, okay, not bad. But that's kid stuff. Let me show you how it's done."

Chris rolls his eyes, clearly not expecting much. "Alright, hotshot. Give me your best Mike trivia."

You sit forward, lowering your voice like you're letting him in on a secret. You have always been good at noticing things. Maybe it was a result of growing up with Chris and when it came to Mike Munroe, your crush, the small things were more than just interesting, they were revealing.

For one, every morning, without fail, he was up before the sun. He’d go for a quick run to stay in shape. You’d always catch glimpses of him at college heading back to his room in a tank top, earbuds in, eyes focused ahead and glimpses of sweat on his forehead.

He had this tough, confident exterior. He wasn’t loud like some of the others in the group. He had a way of using humor to deflect, to keep people from getting too close. You saw it when he’d brush off any talk about specific topics.

And then there were his tastes.

He likes his coffee black. Pretends it's macho. He had a surprising amount of nostalgia in his preferences. You couldn’t forget the time you’ve talked together casually on the lodge, his face lighting up as he talked about his love for old action movies.

Chris raises an eyebrow. "Alright. Maybe you’re better equipped than me. But, let's be real, you wouldn't even know where to start."

"Better than starting with nothing," you counter. "Besides, I could charm him if I wanted to."

Chris raises an eyebrow. "What would you even say?"

You grin, leaning in like you're revealing a grand plan. "I'd just walk up and ask him about his football season. Mention that time he scored the winning touchdown. You instead are hopeless"

Chris nods, pretending to take you seriously. "Oh, sure, because that'll definitely make him swoon. Hopeless? Me?" Chris laughs, leaning back with a smirk. "At least I don't have to worry about being mistaken for a stalker."

You both burst into laughter. For all the banter, you know neither of you would really judge the other for these harmless crushes. It's what makes the night so much fun.

From across the room, you caught sight of Ashley standing awkwardly near a table stacked with half-empty snack bowls and crumpled napkins. She shifted from foot to foot, clearly trying to blend into the background.

"Hey, Romeo. This is your chance," you said, leaning closer and nudging Chris with your elbow.

Chris snapped out of his trance, his head swiveling toward Ashley. His brows furrowed slightly, the corners of his mouth tugging upward in amusement before settling back into a more thoughtful expression.

Chris groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "What am I supposed to do? Walk up and make everything even more embarrassing?"

"News flash: she knows you're a loser," but she clearly likes you anyway. Stop overthinking it. Just go talk to her. Be romantic for once. She loves that whole 'awkward and sincere' thing you've got going on."

"First of all," Chris said, pointing a finger at you, "I'm not awkward. I'm, uh, charmingly self-aware. Second, what if I say something dumb? Or worse, nothing at all? I can't just walk up to her and-"

"You're a coward," you interrupted, shaking your head in mock disappointment.

"Yep," he said, popping the "p" and lifting his cup in mock toast.

You were scanning the room until your gaze landed on Mike Munroe.

He was leaning casually against the wall, drink in hand, chatting with a girl you vaguely recognized from English class. His tuxedo fit him perfectly, tailored in all the right places, the dark fabric catching the light just enough to highlight his athletic build. The black foulard tied loosely around his neck was an elegant touch, a little different from the usual bow ties and neckties most guys wore. His hair was perfectly tousled, like he hadn't even tried but still managed to look effortlessly handsome.

You felt your chest tighten. For a moment, your imagination betrayed you, painting a picture of Mike turning toward you, smiling like he did when he told one of his dumb jokes when he got elected class president. You could almost hear his laugh, warm and inviting, as if it were just for you. But reality snapped back into focus when the girl he was talking to leaned closer.

"Mike would never look twice at me like that." You mumble more to yourself without thinking, unable to keep the disappointment from your voice.

Chris, placed a hand on your shoulder. His touch was light but reassuring. "Don't do that to yourself. You're a catch. If Mike doesn't see that, he's an idiot."

You looked up at him, grateful but unconvinced. Chris stood up, brushing imaginary lint off his jacket. "I'm getting us drinks. Let's make it through the rest of this night together, yeah?"

You nodded, watching as he made his way to the bar. You glance around, your gaze landing once more on Ashley and an idea strikes you. Chris is now far away from your position. It’s your chance to do something.

You stride over to her, flashing a friendly smile, keeping your movements casual so you wouldn't startle her. Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed you, but she relaxed as you softly took her arm.

"Hey," you said, grinning playfully as you gently guided her away from the corner.

Ashley laughed, the sound light and genuine. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice tinged with amusement but no resistance as you led her toward your table.

"Come on, you can't let Chris and I have all the fun sitting in the corner judging everyone." you replied, glancing over your shoulder with a mock-serious expression.

"That's what you two have been doing all night? Very productive." She scanned the place as you reached the table and she managed to spot Chris at the bar, meticulously mixing something with an unusual level of focus. But then her gaze shifted, catching Mike watching the two of you.

Jaw set, lips pressed into a firm line, eyes tracked the way you gently tugged Ashley along. His gaze lingered on your hand before flicking back up to your face. Lips pressed together in a faint, almost imperceptible scowl, as though something about the sight of the two of you together unsettled him. There was a slight tension in his posture, the way his shoulders seemed just a bit too stiff for someone casually enjoying a party.

Chris returned with two drinks in hand. "Okay, I've done it," he announced dramatically. "The ultimate drink. If you don't like it, I'm never speaking to you ag-" He cut himself off mid-sentence when he saw Ashley sitting at the table, smiling up at him.

"I... uh..." Chris stammered, turning an impressive shade of pink.

"You made this for me?” Ashley asked sweetly, taking the drink from his hand before he could respond. “Thank you, Mr. Bartender."

Chris blinks and he lets out a nervous laugh, giving you a quick glare as he hands the drink to Ashley.

She giggles, taking a sip and you watch as Chris visibly relaxes. They share a smile and there's a warm, unspoken understanding between them, a quiet moment that you can't help but feel a bit envious of.

The music shifts, slowing into a softer, more romantic melody. Couples move onto the dance floor, swaying together in a slow embrace. Ashley’s eyes light up as she turns to Chris, her cheeks flushed with a faint rosy tint from the slight inebriation she feels. "Come on, Chris," she says, tugging at his hand. "Want to go there for a bit?"

Chris's eyes dart to you, searching your face for reassurance, his expression almost apologetic. He's asking, without words, if you'll be okay.

You manage a smile, giving him a nod.

Chris lets out a laugh, his tension melting away as he lets Ashley pull him onto the dance floor. They disappear into the crowd, leaving you alone at the table. You watch them go, feeling a bittersweet pang in your chest as you take in the sight of them together, laughing and smiling, fitting together so effortlessly. Chris fumbling his way through the first few steps before finding his rhythm.

They looked so happy.

And you were here instead, alone at the table, your thoughts inevitably drifting back to Mike.

Chris feels his heart race as he stands on the dance floor, his hands resting lightly on Ashley's waist, her arms draped over his shoulders as they sway to the gentle rhythm of the music. Her gaze meets his every so often, a smile warm and genuine, making him feel like the only person in the room.

"I didn't know you had these moves." she teases, her eyes twinkling.

Chris chuckles, shaking his head. "Oh, trust me, I don't. I'm just doing my best not to crush your toes."

Ashley laughs, her grip tightening on his shoulders as she rolls her eyes. "You're doing just fine. I don't mind if you, you know, relax a little."

"Relax? Yeah, I can... I can do that," he says, voice faltering as he tries to ease into the rhythm, matching her movements as the song continues.

His focus wavers after a while, gaze drifting over her shoulder as he catches sight of his brother sitting across the room at one of the tables with Matt nearby.

There's something off about the way you're holding yourself. You're smiling, sure, even laughing at something Matt is saying, but Chris can tell that the smile doesn't quite reach your eyes. It's the kind of forced expression he's seen on you before, usually when you're trying to act like everything's fine when it really isn't.

Matt, on the other hand, seems entirely oblivious, leaning in a bit too close, his face lit up with that typical over-eager grin. He's almost leaning into your personal space as he chats away, looking way too thrilled to have your undivided attention, his eyes never leaving yours. The proximity feels a bit too familiar, too comfortable, with his arm casually resting on the back of your chair.

Chris feels a pang of protectiveness twist in his gut. He glances around the room, half-expecting Emily to appear and pull Matt back to the dance floor, but there's no sign of her. Instead, he spots her on the far side of the room, tipsy and laughing as she spins around with some stranger she's apparently mistaken for Matt. She's caught up in the music, oblivious to the fact that her boyfriend is practically glued to your side.

Ashley notices his distraction, her gaze softening as she studies him. "Chris?" she asks, her voice gentle, bringing him back to the moment. "Is everything okay?"

He blinks, snapping his attention back to her, guilt creeping in as he realizes he's been distracted. "Yeah, yeah, sorry," he says, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Just... got a lot on my mind."

Ashley smiles, tilting her head as she searches his face. "You sure? You can tell me, you know."

Chris hesitates, glancing around the room one more time. His gaze lands on Mike, who's slow-dancing with the girl in glittering dress. She's leaning against him, her head resting on his chest, but Mike's attention isn't on her.

His eyes are locked in your direction, his brow furrowed and his jaw set in a subtle scowl that's hard to miss. There's a tension in his gaze as he watches you and Matt together. There's a faint scowl tugging at his mouth, a subtle clenching of his jaw that makes it look like he's holding back the urge to step in but doesn't quite know how to act on it. His brows are drawn together and his eyes flick between you and Matt with a guarded intensity.

Chris frowns, glancing back at you. It's clear now that something is brewing beneath the surface, something he doesn't fully understand but can sense all the same. He looks down at Ashley, his expression softening as he makes up his mind.

"Hey, Ash?" he asks quietly, feeling a bit awkward but determined. "Would you mind helping me out with something real quick? I, uh... I owe someone a favor.”

You were mid-laugh at something Matt had said about his latest sports practice when a shadow loomed over the table. You looked up to find Mike standing there, holding his drink loosely in one hand and the other casually tucked in his pocket.

"Hey, Matt," Mike said, his tone light but carrying a subtle edge like he's asking for a favor he already expects to be granted. "Mind if I steal him for a bit?"

Matt's smile falters, and he glances at you, a bit reluctant, as if he doesn't quite want to let go of the moment he's carved out. "Uh... well, we were just-"

"Looks like Emily's about to make out with that guy," Mike interrupted, tilting his head toward the dance floor. "You might wanna handle that before it gets messy."

Matt whipped his head around, his face paling slightly as he spotted Emily drunkenly giggling and leaning far too close to the stranger. "Shit," he muttered, scrambling to his feet. "I'll, uh, catch you later." he says to you, giving you a quick nod before he disappears into the crowd.

"Yeah, sure," Mike said smoothly, his smirk widening as Matt hurried off. You glance back at him just in time to catch a wicked grin flash across his face as he watches Matt weave his way toward Emily.

He turns back to you and without a moment's hesitation, he slides into Matt's now-empty chair, shifting it even closer to yours with an obnoxiously loud scrap of wood against the floor. He dropped into the seat with a satisfied sigh. His arm resting along the back of your chair but soon sliding fully around your shoulders, pulling you closer to him.

The warmth of his body, the faint scent of his cologne, earthy with a hint of spice, made your thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. From this close, you could see every detail of his face: the light beard perfectly trimmed along his jaw, the sharp angle of his cheekbones, the infuriatingly perfect way his smirk tugged at one corner of his mouth. He was leaning into his persona, that cocky, playful charm cranked up to eleven and it was doing things to your brain you weren't sure you were ready to admit.

"Well, this is cozy," Mike said, his voice low and smooth. "Didn't think Matt was ever gonna leave. Guy's got some stamina for talking, huh?"

You blinked, struggling to form words. "Uh, yeah. He's chatty"

Mike chuckled, the sound warm and teasing "Chatty? That's the nicest way to put it. Bet he's been boring you to death, huh?"

"Not entirely," you said, though your voice was far too shaky to be convincing. "He's enthusiastic."

Mike raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying how flustered you were. "You're too nice, you know that? If I had to sit through more than five minutes of that guy's rambling, I'd be asleep in my chair."

You laughed, though it came out a little too breathy. "Maybe I'm just better at pretending to be interested."

"Pretending, huh?" Mike's smirk widened. "So, what about me? Are you pretending to enjoy this little moment we're having?"

Your brain short-circuited. "I... I mean, no. I-uh... you're not boring. Definitely not boring."

"Good to know," Mike said, his voice dipping slightly as he leaned in just a fraction closer. "I'd hate to think I was putting you to sleep."

"You're not," you managed to say, your face burning.

Mike grinned, clearly reveling in your flustered state. "You're cute when you're nervous, you know that?"

“I’m not nervous,” you said quickly, though your gaze flickered away from his, betraying you.

“Sure you’re not,” Mike murmured, his fingers brushing just a little too close against your shoulder, the touch lingering for a beat longer than necessary. “What were you and Matt talking about? You looked a little bored." His tone was smooth but there was a faint edge to it now, like he was testing the air.

You noticed the subtle shift in his expression. His jaw tightening just slightly, his eyes narrowing for a fraction of a second as if he didn’t quite like the idea of you and Matt sharing a private moment.

You shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Just sport stuff and his latest victory for his team. He was just being friendly,” you added, trying to sound indifferent.

You didn’t miss the slight tightening of his jaw, the way his eyes flickered just briefly toward the ground before locking onto yours again.

Mike’s lips quirked into a knowing smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, he looked real friendly.” The smirk that followed didn’t help, pulling at the corner of his mouth as if he was more amused than you thought he should be.

You raised an eyebrow, narrowing your eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

For a moment, Mike just stared at you, his expression unreadable. “Nothing,” he said too quickly, the innocence in his voice so forced that you could almost feel the tension cracking around him. The grin stretched wider, like a challenge. “Just saying, if I didn’t know better, I’d think Matt was hitting on you.”

Your breath caught in your throat and a flush of heat spread across your cheeks. You tried to play it off, but there was no denying the way your heart stuttered in your chest. “He wasn’t,” you said quickly, your voice coming out a little more defensively than you intended.

"Either way. Figured I'd come over and I don't know... make the night more interesting for you. Prom only happens once, right? Gotta make the most of it. Besides—” His voice softens, his gaze locking onto yours with a sincerity that takes you off guard. "—I've been waiting for an excuse to spend some time with you."

You swallow, feeling the heat rise to your face as his words sink in. "You have?"

"Yeah," he murmurs, his thumb grazing your shoulder in a slow, deliberate motion. "I mean, I could've come over sooner but you were busy with your brother. Then you were with Matt and I figured, maybe it's time I got a little selfish."

The intensity in his gaze makes it hard to breathe and for a moment, all you can do is stare at him, caught between disbelief and exhilaration. "I... didn't think you noticed me like that," you admit, your voice barely above a whisper.

Mike's grin softens, his hand moving from your shoulder to gently rest on your waist, pulling you even closer. "I notice a lot more than you think," he murmurs, his voice low and husky. "Like how you always look away when you think I'm watching, or how you get that little crease in your forehead when you're trying not to smile too much."

Mike makes a silent note to himself to later thank Chris for the insights he’d shared minutes ago.

You laugh, feeling both embarrassed and overjoyed. "Okay, now you're just showing off."

He chuckles, his arm tightening around your waist as he dips his head a bit closer, his voice a soft murmur. "Can't help it. You’ve got me so close to losing it and you don’t even realize it." His fingers press gently into your side.

“Dance with me,” he murmurs, his voice low and laced with a tenderness that surprises you. There’s a quiet intensity in his eyes, a vulnerability that makes your heart race. “Let me be the happiest guy in this place tonight.”

You feel your pulse race at the invitation, your mind whirling with both excitement and uncertainty. "What about that girl you were with?" you ask, your voice quiet and hesitant, unable to stop yourself from wondering.

Mike's smirk returns, his hold on your waist tightening slightly as he leans in, his voice a soft, almost possessive murmur. "She's not you. You’re the only one I can’t get out of my head.” His voice is rough, coated in something darker.

You meet his gaze, feeling your breath hitch as you search his face, trying to process the weight of his words.

He takes his chance to lean in, his lips brushing softly against yours in a kiss that leaves your heart racing. His lips crashing into yours with a desperate urgency that leaves you reeling. His hand slides around your waist, fingers tightening as he pulls you against him. The heat of his body sears through your clothes, and his thumb traces a slow, deliberate line along your cheek, sending jolts of pleasure straight to your core.

When he finally pulls back, his lips are swollen, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, that familiar cocky edge in his eyes. His eyes burn with that familiar, dangerous gleam-a challenge, a promise. His breath is ragged, as if he's barely holding back.

"Still up for that dance? Because I've got this new boyfriend I'd really like to show off." he whispers, his voice low and teasing. His breath brushes your skin, sending a shiver down your spine. He looks at you with that trademark mischievous grin, the one that could melt anyone’s defenses.

A rush of warmth floods your chest at his words, a mixture of giddiness and disbelief. Your heart skips, caught between the sweetness of the moment and the thrill of his presence. The corners of your mouth twitch up as you meet his gaze, and though you can barely keep your composure, you nod.

Mike's grin widens and as he takes your hand, guiding you to the dance floor, you feel as if you're floating, lost in the warmth of his gaze and the excitement of being his.

Note: if you liked this, please leave a comment. I love reading them <3

[the--last-great-american-dynasty]

OATHBOUND SPOILERS

I'M NOT KIDDING. I NEED TO GET OUT MY THOUGHTS SO THIS IS SERIOUS SPOILER TERRITORY. READ WITH CAUTION.

yeah, so Oathbound was... insane. and absolutely fucking incredible. Tracy somehow managed to exceed my very high expectations and left me wanting for the fourth book as quick as possible.

for one. literally the prologue made me cry. when Bree woke up without anyone left in her mind??? i was just devastated. i genuinely can't think of a much worse fate than to suddenly just lose the memory of the people you love.

and then suddenly we get a William pov. guys i SCREAMED when I saw we were getting that. William is legitimately one of my favorite characters and a whole fucking pov from him??? i could not have asked for more. i do wish we got more of his pov towards the end, but like, this book is already 640 pages so i get it. him and Lark are such a duo too. they spent basically this entire book together and i loved the conflict between them but also the very clear attraction. "and if Larkin Douglas happens to be the most alluring cambion i've ever met, well, that might just be due to our proximity." William. babe. and when Lark called William sweetheart??? i LOST it.

the Mariah pov took me utterly off guard. i could never have guessed we'd get to see her side but i LOVED it. her and Valec's relationship is the sweetest. Valec clearly cares for her so much and their family is just really sweet in general. i'm still so nervous for Alice and so so sad that she still isn't awake. that's a death that would hurt me. but Mariah honestly pulled through in so many ways this book and it was so good to see more of her. also my girl is POWERFUL. i knew when she put the heart on that some shit would go down, but DAMN. my girl held back Mikael himself. fucking POWERHOUSE.

i wasn't super shocked at the Natasia pov but it was so interesting. it was very interesting to see her as a mother above all else and how much love and guilt she feels towards Sel. she was also... not the personality i was expecting? i guess i thought she'd be more like Sel? i'm not really sure tbh. but i was just WAITING for her to find out that Bree was the real Scion of Arthur and it did not disappoint. i really want her and Faye's relationship to be expanded on. and, of course, more of her with Erebus and Sel.

speaking of Sel... well, i'm actually gonna wait till the end for him

Nick Davis again proved himself to be literally one of the best characters. dude... he's just so good. like he's so smart and so protective and just so so kind and loving the entire time. he's also an impulsive idiot with a savior complex, but it's neither here nor there. i had no idea what his game was for the curia and i fear he played everyone. i was also SO glad William and Lark both stepped up to join him. but my boy is just so impulsive and the thing with the Morgaines was, uh, not his best move, i gotta say. also his power. my god, he is immensely powerful. and it's so interesting to watch it play out. His ability to literally unwind aether is, like, insane. it's so interesting that Lancelot and Arthur had their own oath built in, binding Nick and Bree together even more. speaking of, i had thoroughly missed him and Bree's relationship in Bloodmarked and this book did NOT disappoint. when I realized that Bree and Zoe, Mariah, and Nick were all going to end up at Penumbra, I was on the edge of my fucking seat. i immediately knew that he was the other thief and when he finally realized it was Bree i almost cried. especially because he just immediately understood her loss. Erebus had held over Bree's head the threat that people would be angry that she'd forgotten them, but Nick just understood immediately. and he was just so good to her. the playing at fiancés thing was hilarious and Tracy gave us the one bed trope!!! one of my favorites!!!! the tension between then was so thick and i was just waiting for it to come to a head. and my god did it not disappoint. this definitely ended up being the steamiest of her books (nothing explicit but still steamy). then, of course, you can't really not mention the communions and Nick's confessions. his unending love for Bree is just so beautiful. he even knew about Bree and Sel for the most part and just still was never angry at her. the fucking shadow crown piece in his chest was dumb as hell, but he did still looking out for Bree and I just can't fault my guy for that.

Bree... my beautiful, powerful Bree. so much of her story is just so tragic but my girl just kept pulling through. i think it was Valec that said that so many people with fractured souls are led astray from their path, and yet Bree continued on. she continued to fight for the people she loved, even when she didn't remember them. she is so good and lovely and such a character. also i LOVED her with the twins. we obviously saw a lot more of Zoe than Elijah, but i really loved their relationship development. Bree and Zoe's relationship was so sweet and they cared so much for each other. (also Zoe is a trans femme cambion??? like slay???) their humanity really shown through above all else, and Zoe's care for Bree and the rootcrafters was so sweet. i really hope we see them again in the next book. i'm not ready to let them go. and Bree, in the words of Valec, is a fucking powerhouse. when she first made that barrier around her with Erebus, i knew we were entering a different level of power. she leveled up so hard. it was incredible watching gain power and when she fucking broke down Erebus' ward??? incredible. not to mention literally fucking chaining Daeza, like damn. she had some intense character development in this book and really came into herself. and as much as the loss of memory hurt me... i also know that Bree developed so much because of it. watching her just not know anyone was so painful for me though. speaking of, her reunion with her dad? i literally burst into tears. honestly, her reaction made me really miss my dad (i haven't seen him in a couple months). also her continued relationship with the rootcrafters was also incredibly important to me and i'm so glad that they had such a heavy play in this. they are also clearly a very important part of this story and i'm so glad that this continues to be acknowledged and used. i also did not see souls coming into play with this. the shattering of her soul, Valec's less than pleasant reaction, the scar tissue, the missing piece... god, there was just so many layers.

the end of this book was intense. like super duper intense. the confrontation with Erebus. the end of their bargain. and their entrapment of the fucking Shadow King (shout out to my girl Mariah, again pulling through). Bree basically forcibly getting back her missing piece of soul and the memories returning. Erebus crawling away like a baby. dude got fucked up.

and this, of course, brings me to Sel. oh, my boy, i mourn for him so much. i miss the character we had in Bloodmarked with ever inch of my being. this is not how i thought we would see his character go. i just assumed that we'd get him back from his demonia and god. his character was so interesting but so painful because of the loss of the Sel we know and love. and we just... never got him back. when i saw the line "...because Selwyn Kane is dead" i honestly almost had a mental breakdown. i sobbed so hard and couldn't believe it... and then, of course, he wasn't dead. but the Shadow King's son. and now the heir of Bree's bloodmark.... damnnnnn, i did not see that coming at all. granted, i did have my suspicions about the relationship between Erebus and Natasia. i kinda figured it was more. but i guess i never expected for that to mean that Sel was his son. which means that Sel is has much more demon blood than anyone expected. which changes so much. god.

i haven't given up on him. nor have i given up on the Sel-Bree-Nick relationship. there were still hints throughout, of Sel and Nick's relationship, of Bree and Sel's. i really want to have faith that the Sel we knew can return. but i honestly fear that we've lost him completely now because of his claim on the shadow crown.

this book was everything i could have wanted and more. i laughed and cried and was literally so stressed out for so much of it but i'm 100% going to be rereading it again soon to absorb more of it. and Tracy... not to like pressure you, but PLEASE, i am BEGGING for the fourth book to come out quickly. i'm not sure i'll survive another two years without more answers.

⚔️💙💜❤️⚔️

[kelpweedkelpweedingkelpweeds]

Reading analysis about Cal while screaming into the void known as an empty room and here to publish my unneeded thoughts about my blorbo.

Cal deserved more screen time, he deserved more chapters of his POV and honestly VA did him so dirty 😔

Because our dear RQ characters are definitely unreliable narrators, the reader’s perception of characters is based on their own POVs and how other characters perceive them. Unfortunately, every character describes Cal as a lovesick puppy, a mopey matchstick, a dense moron and everything in between. It's not that these are wrong, they're part of his character, but these are incredibly surface level traits which leads to the general perception of Cal’s character being superficial, bland and boring. It seems like his only purpose in the story is to be Mare’s love interest because Maven betrayed her.

However, he has a whole lot of untapped potential. My man did not get betrayed by Mare, betrayed by his brother, find out his mother was murdered buy Elara, get forced to kill his own father, lose everything he had and got sentenced to execution all in 1 day for people to call him boring. Honestly, when I listed it out like that, I truly realised how crazy the whole situation was. Within the span of a day he lost any form of stability he had even known in his life, and found out that one if not the closest person to him (maven) was a lie. If that isn't traumatic, I really wouldn't like to hear whatever other definition of trauma there is out there. I think the only reason we very much overlook Cal's trauma is because 1. It happened in real time, 2. He's no longer a child, 3. We didn't see it from his POV and 4. In this scene he and his father are technically the "bad guys".

Here's the thing though, he has never talked about it. Not once. Never. The closest we ever saw this man to losing his mind was when he was planning the Corros prison break. He'd never mentioned this trauma from any POV, not even his own. Maven told Mare about how Elara messed up everything in his brain, and how he never recovered from it. For Cal, we never found out how he dealt with it and how close to the brink of insanity he was. If he ever just felt like exploding and destroying everything. Nobody except Mare ever asked him if he was ok. He had every right to go mad. But he didn't. Some miraculous way, Cal managed to maintain some semblance of sanity and that is unimaginable mental strength like holy shit.

Another way too glossed over plot point was why he chose the crown over mare in the epilogue of KC. This one I get genuinely frustrated over sometimes because there were so many reasons for him to make that decision. I know many people have talked about this before but I'm just going to repeat it 1. It's the best political move in the situation. Cal isn't stupid, no matter how many people seem to think he is. He knows better than to let the place of King open for anyone to snatch up and that it was the only way the Silvers and the Scarlet Guard would ever work together. 2. To him it's his moral obligation. Cal's loyalty and sense of duty is a huge part of his character. All his life he's been told it's his responsibility, his destiny to become king and serve the people. Not only that, the crown is his family's legacy and considering the fact that he was the one to behead his own father Cal likely feels even more morally obligated to become king. The words he said to Mare, "I love you and I want you more than anything else in this world". He uses the word "want", but how can a want, a desire ever compare to what he believes is a need, an obligation? It's not that he didn't love mare enough like Evangeline suggested, or that he fell prey to the power's lure like Mare insinuated in the epilogue. He did what he full heartedly believed was right, and unfortunately this was barely touched upon in war storm which made me want to tear my hair out.

This yap session is nearly done, just hold on a bit longer. The last thing that DEFINITELY should have gotten more words was his ultimate decision to abdicate. All we got was him reading Coriane's diary, Evangeline telling him "if it's not too late for me, it's not too late for you" and then the decision. WHERE'S THE IN-BETWEEN THOUGHT PROCESS? He read through Coriane's diary and realised that she wanted her son to have a different life, and of course he probably had some thoughts about it. Considering how he knew the Scarlet Guard and Montfort weren't with him, how he still loved Mare, perhaps realizing what his life could have been with an alive mother was what tipped him over the edge. Perhaps it was loyalty to his mother he never had the chance to know, loyalty to the little of her forever bound in a gold-covered book, buried in the graveyard known as time. Maybe he asked Julian who seemed to want him to reconsider his decision as king, but we'll never know because it wasn't written 😭😭😭

Cal is incredibly kind, loyal, warm, passionate, motivated, and indecisive, and I love that about him. His story could have been a tragedy, a prodigy put on a pedestal that had everything and was forced to be everything, reduced to nothing in an instant. But it wasn't. He found love in a girl that took everything from him, and rebuilt himself a far better life from the ashes of nothing. Normally the circle between characters I like and characters I respect rarely overlap, but somehow this 6'3 adorable ass dork stuck himself straight in both and this is why I will defend what his character is and could have been. Thank you for attending my Tedtalk, it's literally all my thoughts about this man exploding into text and falling onto a Tumblr post.

This is me getting distracted from writing Fated god send help I just can't stay on track

Funny story I wanted to copy this essay into a document for fun just to see how many words and guess who highlighted a portion of it and clicked space by accident. Hahaha (that whole thing was 1000 words btw I need to learn to shut up)

[lunarnu]

"Believe me now?"

----

Gojo x Reader || Royal AU

In which... Gojo is a (semi) secret prince, however reader doesn't believe the rumours

Warnings/Tags: Fluff, Slight angst, major character death, crack??? probably very OOC (idk I can't write to save my life), historically inaccurate (I ALSO don't know anything :D !), your typical royal au fic, no curse au, reader's gender is not specified, second person pov, there's a really lovely old lady in this, don't ask where the plot went (I can't find it either), not proof-read at all

Word count: 3.9k+

Main Masterlist

----

"Is it true?" You ask, curiously, as you sit on the lush green field with him. It's late. The moon hanging over the both of you as you as you bathe in each other's company. It was peaceful, quiet moments like these that you really relished in. Mostly because he was with you. ...Not that he was the quietest person you'd ever met.

"Would it matter?" He wore his typical grin. He was challenging you, as he often was. You knew it didn't, but of course anyone would be curious in this situation.

Hearing rumours that your best friend was some prince from another kingdom, who had run away to neglect his responsibilities for a quick holiday that lasted several years now, was a little unbelievable. But, if your best friend was Satoru Gojo...it didn't seem like too much of a stretch. It was the possibility - the chance - that had pushed you to ask. Honestly, you hadn't been expecting much of a clearer response than the one he had given you anyways.

"Nah. Not really. Just wondering" You answered with a sigh as you turned to him. He had been making a flower crown out of the daisies he was plucking from the ground. His cheeky smile never faltered. He turned his focus towards you, before speaking up again.

"You don't seriously believe all that nonsense though, do you?" He continued to test you, challenge you. It must've been his favourite thing to do at this point.

"Ehh..not really. But nothing's too unbelievable when it comes to you. I'm going to assume that means the claims are false then?" You concluded with yet another sigh, sharing your thoughts on the matter.

He laughed, finally completing the flower crown and placing it gently over your head. "If it wouldn't change anything, why does it matter?" Still refusing to give you a clear answer, though you didn't have much of a choice but to accept it.

"It doesn't" You simply responded.

"Then..why do you seem so disappointed? Hm?" He cocked his head to the side, placing a hand on your cheek, which you subconsciously leaned into. "I'm not disappointed" You defended. "I'm just getting sick of your vague answers" You rolled your eyes, bringing your hand up over his one that remained gently holding your face. He chuckled at that, letting his hand slide off your skin.

"How could you ever get sick of me?" He was very aware that he had you wrapped around his finger, and he was certainly not afraid to use it to his advantage. You let out an exasperated sigh. Sigh, sigh, sigh - all you felt was exhaustion around him. But not really. His energy was contagious, infecting you more often than not, but it was hard to keep up in the later hours of the night. However, it was endless for him.

"Not sick of you, sick of your responses. There's a difference" You pointed out as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, giving his forehead a little flick. Just hard enough to sting.

"Ah, not sick of me? Hm? Am I just that...interesting? Entertaining? Irresistible?" He leaned in, not knowing what 'personal space' meant - clearly. He had a teasing lilt in his voice. Seriously? This guy..

You didn't have anything to say to that. You were left speechless. Instead: you just laughed, distracting him, so you could give him a hard kick in the leg. He brought his leg up, clutching it for a bit as he cursed under his breath. He sucked in a sharp breath and gave you a glare before putting his leg back down. This pulled a genuine laugh from you, and at least that made him smile too. Even if you didn't really notice it.

You spent the rest of the evening like this until you eventually fell asleep - on his shoulder. He adjusted his position for your comfort as you slept, still looking ahead at the scenery, admiring the night sky as he took in your presence and the weight of your body against his. He listened to your soft breathing as it evened out, the quiet sounds of the wildlife settling in for the night, and the sway of trees and grass created by the wind.

---

"Satoru?" You called, sleepily, as the morning light woke you. You had instantly realised he wasn't there as you found yourself leaning against a fence. Strange. He usually was still sleeping like a log when you woke up after your long nightly chats. But he wasn't anywhere to be found. Maybe he went home?

You got up to your feet, sore from the awkward sleeping position, but you trudged over to his house anyways: only to not get an answer. Okay, now it was getting really weird. Maybe he just went out to buy some things at the market?

That's when you turned in the sound of some commotion. A crowd had gathered on the path a little way down. A horse-drawn carriage sat on the cobblestone path in the middle of the crowd of townsfolk.

You made your way over trying to get a look too. Okay, so maybe you were a little nosy...

The royal crest from a neighbouring kingdom was placed on both doors on either side of the carriage in a shining, gleaming gold. The carriage itself was a nice, pure white just like the horses that pulled it along. A well-dressed man sat at the front, holding onto the reigns as he seemed to be preparing himself to leave. The curtains on the inside were drawn, the velvet material concealed any view of who was inside the vehicle.

What was a royal from another kingdom doing here anyways? You decided to tell Gojo about seeing such a thing later when you met up with him again. You began to walk away once the crowd dispersed to let the carriage make its departure. Just then as the carriage passed you, someone peered out, opening the curtain a little to take a peek. You caught a flash of white, snapping your head back around with widened eyes only managing to catch the sight of the material swishing shut, concealing who was inside once more.

You got chills just from feeling their glance - whoever it was.

--

As the sun began to set and you still hadn't found Gojo, you decided it would be best to just wait at the usual spot. So you sat on the field where you usually did. Where he was usually beside you..but he seemed to be running a little late today. You found the daisy flower crown there. It must've slipped off whilst you were sleeping yesterday. You had forgotten all about it for a while, too consumed with the task of trying to find Gojo. You picked up the delicate chain, inspected it. You didn't have much better to do as you waited anyways, right? It was a little squished but still in relatively good condition and each link was still intact. Not bad work...

You placed it back down beside you where Gojo would normally sit. You thought back to the conversation you had with him before he had placed it on your head.

Then you thought back to the carriage you saw. What crest did that kingdom belong to again? You were sure it was familiar in some way. Could it be?...

But Gojo had dismissed those rumours last night. Though, he wasn't known to be entirely truthful anyways, and it wasn't like he answered properly. Had someone come to finally drag him back? No... Surely, he wouldn't have left without at least a goodbye. Maybe it was for him, but he was still here. He had to be. He hadn't said goodbye, hadn't left you with any inspiring messages, or stupid jokes, or any clue where this kingdom of his even was. Ridiculous. He wasn't gone. No. He wasn't.

So, you waited. And waited. And waited even more. Until eventually you fell asleep waiting.

You were awoken by a kind old lady who lived opposite you. She blocked the sun's rays with her body as she stood over you, giving you a slight poke with a long stick. "Is this thing even still alive?.." You heard her mutter as she continued to gently prod at you a couple times. What the hell?... You sat up, letting your eyes adjust as you stared up at her. "Ah" You saw her slowly smile as she realised you were, indeed, alive.

"Can I help you, madam?" You asked, raising a slight eyebrow, bringing a hand up over your face to shield your eyes from the bright morning light. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just a little worried for you, dear. You were simply laying there like the fish my late husband used to bring home - dead" Well... alright.. "His name was-" You didn't hear much else, blocking her out. You were sure she meant well, it's just you realised she was just as eccentric and random as a certain someone else you knew. Who still hadn't stopped by. Not a sign or clue or anything from him. You weren't sure where she was in her story but you interrupted anyways.

"Sorry to interrupt, madam, but have you happened to have seen Satoru recently?" You asked, still trying to remain polite. She hadn't done anything wrong after all. "Ahh...that young man? Why yes, I think I did" She seemed to try to recall something. "That was it. I'm fairly certain the last time I saw him was when he got into the carriage. It was a rather lovely vehicle and the horses seemed to be such gentle creatures. Back when my husband was alive-" The old woman started going on again.

However, you were already on your feet. You thanked her as you ran by, sprinting off to his house just to check once more that he wasn't at home. You needed to know if this woman was serious. No way. There was totally no way.

Empty.

That's it. He was really gone. You slumped down sitting by the front of his home, leaning against the door. Well, he had gone home, in a way. Just...not this one.

Before you even realised it a tear had begun making its way down your cheek. You quickly wiped it away. Crying over an idiot? Were you just as stupid or what? But why? Why did it hurt? Why was there this lingering ache in your chest that you just couldn't seem to shake off? How frustrating. How could he just leave like this? Leave you in this state? Your heart felt like it was being slowly squeezed and crushed, compressed under the grasp of a strong hand. It clawed deep inside you, scratching at all your deepest emotions and yanking them towards the surface.

That's when you began to sob. Why did you care? Yeah, he was your best friend or whatever. Or at least he was supposed to be. He was supposed to be the one that understood you when you couldn't even understand yourself, like in times like this. He was your constant support, your rock, no matter what. Now it was missing - a part of you was also missing. You felt small. So unbelievably small. And he wasn't there to lift you up.

"Unbelievable!" You yelled out as you laughed, tears staining your face as you wept, feeling every inch of the immense pain that was inflicted on you.

"When I next see Satoru Gojo... he's a dead man" You grumbled under your breath as you composed yourself and brushed yourself off. You got back up and turned to leave to head back to your own home, already sick of being in front of his, not before giving his a good kick though. Your breath was still shaky, but you had mostly calmed down. You'd get over it eventually. You hoped.

---

A few months had passed by and you eventually started getting back on track. Your routine had changed now that he wasn't around to fill in parts of your day, but you were beginning to get accustomed to this life too.

You were helping that old lady from before with watering her flowers in the basket that hung outside just below her window. The sun shone down on you as you focused on the job you had volunteered to take on (to give yourself some more to do). She droned on about stories of her deceased husband again and you pretended to be interested and listening, which she seemed more than happy with even when you answered "mhm" when she had jokingly asked if you thought he should've kicked the bucket sooner.

Just as you were about to move on to another set of flowers a young boy had run down the street, almost tripping over his own feet face first in front of you as he waved a letter in the air. "For you, miss" He grinned up at you, handing it to you with both hands, before scurrying away again.

The envelope was sealed with wax. With the same royal crest you had seen on the carriage that day. You absent-mindedly traced a finger over it, before it actually set in your mind that it that it was the crest. When you realised you stopped for a second and wasted no time in ripping the envelope open to pull out the letter.

You scanned over the words, not really taking them in at all. Then you obviously noticed you weren't actually reading it and started again. This time with the lady peering over your shoulder to catch a glimpse. "Ooh, how exciting" She smiled and giggled as she had somehow managed to finish reading before you had.

The letter was an invitation to a royal event in the next kingdom over, ruled by the Gojo Clan.

-

'Hey, so all the fancy, formal invitations have already been sent out! Sorry! However, I wanted to invite you anyways. Personally, of course.

Anyways, come visit me! We're hosting an event over here because they think I need to get married or something and I had originally run away to avoid it but they forced me back. (Whoopsies!) Something, something being important or whatever they were saying. What a boring bunch, huh? So, we're basically hosting a party or something, right? And they're serving free food. You should seriously stop by. Stop by. I'm telling you you have to come.

See you there!'

-

The details were added below and with a bunch of random doodles and scribbles.

Your grip on the paper tightened. The audacity. How could he disappear without saying anything and then send a letter months later? The little smiley face drawn in the corner near your thumb seemed to just be laughing at you and it was not helping. It was crushed under your grip.

"Do you think you'll attend?" The woman, whose presence you had already forgotten as you were absorbed in reading the letter, spoke up, making you jump a little.

"I mean...I was invited, right? But I don't know. I feel like I'd be far too out of place. Spending my evening surrounded by stuck up, wealthy nobles, that are just chasing more money, doesn't seem like an ideal use of my time" You pondered for a while. You were a little curious about this event though and it had been a while since you had last seen him, even if he was currently getting really under your skin. "Heyy..." You were a little suspicious of this, having a new realisation. "Isn't this also isn't this like every cringe romance novel ever?- This has to be a set up-"

"You know what my husband would've said if he was alive-"

"Alright, I'll go!" You gave in, not needing to hear another fifteen hour long story. The old woman simply chuckled, a kind smile on her face as she placed her hand gently on your shoulder. And honestly? That made you smile too.

---

Your outfit was uncomfortable as you struggled to move as freely as you usually would. It was nice of that old lady to buy it for you, so you promised you'd wear it with pride, but seriously? Did formal attire have to be so restrictive? More importantly.. since when were your neighbours secretly crazy rich?!

You decided not to think about it too much..maybe it was her husband's life insurance-

You walked up the fancy stairs to this massive palace, nearly falling on your face no less than eight times. You had been collected by a carriage that was sent specifically for you and you didn't really know how to feel about it. But you weren't sure how you'd get here without it. When you got to the top of the steps someone was checking people on some list. Wow, a really fancy event then.. I mean, it seemed that way in the letter but Gojo had just passed it off as a party so you subconsciously toned it down in your mind too. That little-

"Name?" The man in front asked. Before you could answer, out burst the man himself: Satoru Gojo. He immediately swung his arm around you, sending you flying forwards a little. "No worries here! This one's with me" He clicked his tongue and winked at the guy who was verifying guests. Even this guy seemed sick to death of Gojo.

It was strange seeing him again. He was dressed...nice. Much nicer than when he was living in the village. Expensive. Gojo hurried you into the building, a hand on your back as he ushered you through the grand doors.

"So... The rumours were true?" You asked as he walked you into the building. He didn't answer, and as you observed his face from the side you could see the wide grin that was etched onto his face.

As you walked into the main room you were met with a magnificent sight. Everything was polished and set up perfectly. Crystal dishes, a wide and expensive selection of different foods, marble floors, a chandelier, silver cutlery that you could see your reflection in, people dressed in grand dresses and suits. It wasn't anything like you were used to.

A few of the noble ladies swarmed him as he stepped into the room as he flirted with them and sent them off squealing. No wonder his ego is the same size as this palace. You rolled your eyes, turning away.

Gojo gestured to the room, "Do you believe them now?" He asked cheekily, already knowing what your response would be. "Nope" You answered sarcastically.

"Do I have to tell you directly, hmm?~" He faced you now, one hand held yours as the other tilted your chin up to look at him.

"I'm this kingdom's prince"

"Really?"

Just on cue another woman approached him, "Prince Gojo, would you consider-" She was silenced as she walked straight into the hand he lifted, her face getting smooshed in his palm, make-up ruined - silencing her. She scurried away, taking her heavy dress with her, clearly embarrassed.

"Believe me now?"

He cocked his head as he smirked. You couldn't help but burst out laughing as he lowered his hand, smiling at the sight of you unable to contain your laughter.

Nothing had changed.

All eyes were on you as you laughed. To them, it was ridiculous to think you could laugh so freely in the presence of royalty. But you were comfortable with him, just as he was with you. You hadn't even realised. You didn't need to. Because the look in one pair of eyes overpowered the rest of them.

-----

As the night went on you actually enjoyed yourself. You thought you'd be out of place and it would be awkward. And you were totally out of place but Gojo never left your side. He had a hand on you somehow all night. You were only acutely aware of it as often it would be so subtle. His touch made you feel welcomed, like you belonged.

Then, the main event came.

It was time for Gojo to choose a "suitor". They called him up to the front and he dragged you up with him by the arm. You were really confused for a moment. He had an arm around your waist as he pulled you into his side. You were struggling to balance, grumbling the entire time he was giving his speech.

He scanned the crowd, trying to pick someone out. You could see the sea of colourfully dressed people look and wait, all with hopeful looks on their faces. He raised an arm to point, his hand moving over the room only to land on you.

He then turned back to the crowd. "You all are a really dull bunch of people" He sighed, seemingly disappointed, running a hand through his pure, white hair. "I'm choosing this one" He gave you a little shake making you dizzy.

Someone, another member of the Gojo Clan family you assumed, stepped up. "What have you got to offer? If this is to be successful, both families should benefit. Tell me..what has your family got that we can benefit from here?" Great. You felt like you were not just put on the spot, but viciously thrown out of a moving bullet train and dumped there by the lorry that you happened to have been flung into. "Err-" You didn't have anything to offer. You're just some poor, random from another kingdom. "My family sells wheat to the local bakery?.." You didn't think that would cut it.

Gojo was the only one laughing. But he laughed loud enough for everyone. The rest of them just blinked at you in disgust and disbelief. "Perfect!" Gojo exclaimed, physically sweeping you off your feet. What was actually happening?-

"Absolutely not!-" The other royal began, but he was quickly interrupted by a woman. Your eyes widened in shock. It was the old woman that was still clinging onto her long departed husband. How many people in that village were secretly a part of all this?! Your head was spinning at this point. You felt like the plot here was rapidly being lost. "Of course! I approve of this arrangement" She nodded, walking up to the front with a smile on her face.

"Grandma!" Gojo dropped you, his arms held out to embrace the old woman, leaving you on the floor. You got up, watching the scene, now even more confused. That old woman was his grandma?! "If you're his grandma what were you doing being my neighbour forever?!" You asked, totally baffled. "It was for the plot, my dear" She spoke gently.

"Right..." You were lost. You couldn't be found at this point.

The man who had opposed before had now shut up. It seemed "grandma" over here had more of a say. "Well that settles it then" The old lady decided with a kind expression. "Welcome to the family" She extended her hand to you and shook it. Firm handshake. Nice. You were surprised but you just decided to go along with it.

Wait. "Wait...." You were finally processing. "I am sorry??? What?! Welcome to the huh?! When did I agree to marry him??" You pointed at the snickering Gojo, who was looking like the idiot he always was.

----

*(This part is genuinely just crack, not plot relevant at all (credit to a friend for this part))

"What did I miss?" This random man just rose from the shiny, marble floor in front of everyone.

"Oh my-" Gojo's grandma gasped, a hand coming over her mouth. She was so surprised and far too old for a scare like that. She seemed to struggle for a bit...

Wait...was she having a heart attack?! Now? You panicked unsure of what to do. You crouched beside her as she slowly began to collapse. "Are you alright?!" Obviously she wasn't alright, you idiot. "That's...my husband" She reached out to the man that had risen from the floor.

THAT WAS THE HUSBAND??!

And then all of a sudden there was a musical number and everyone started singing and dancing, waving their top hats and clicking their heels-

Were you actually going crazy? You swear you're actually seeing and hearing things now.

The old, now dying, woman then started levitating in the air as the ensemble surrounded her. The synchronization was actually really impressive-

*(I lied this didn't happen)

-------

A/N: I HOPE YOU ENJOYED 😋 I actually liked writing this closer to the end. I did not have any clue what was happening. I really just lost it 😭 NANAMI IS NEXT SO NANAMI ENJOYERS WATCH OUT 😈

Ty for reading whatever this was 😚

[swottydoodler]

POV: Draco forgets who he is for a moment and one of the first things he does is fall in love with Hermione, despite what his housemates say about her. On the other hand, Theo thinks it'll be a good idea to encourage Draco to ask her out. So he does😗😗

She hears him before she sees him. By now she knows what he sounds like, but today seems different.

Turning to face the sleazy ferret, she's surprised when met by a bouquet of roses.

Behind is—even more shocking—a blushing Draco Malfoy.

"H-hello," he stutters and her brain short-circuits. "Forgive my intrusion, but I was wondering if-if I could have you with me?"

What?

"What?" She voices faintly, though he still hears.

"S-sorry, I mean— It's just... you're really... pretty, and I wanted to know if you'd want to be with me—"

Hermione stops listening. Around them, people watch, not for the spectacle, but to poke fun at her. Laughing at how, for once, a boy is actually interested in her.

And not just any boy. Draco Pureblood Malfoy.

At that, she snaps. The blush she acquired when he called her pretty turned to one of embarrassment and increased in shade because instead of growing angry, she tears up in sorrow.

Malfoy had gone too far.

"...would you mind accompanying me on a stroll," is what she hears next right before she finds her voice.

"Can you stop?" Each of her words crack and Malfoy's loving smile and flowers drop at the sight of her tears.

Then he comes near. Nearer than he ever did.

"I'm sorry!” He rushes to apologise. His arms are open like he wants to hug her. "I didn't mean to offend! I-I—"

No other explanation follows but he sounds as if he feels her pain and genuinely wants her to stop crying.

She scoffs inwardly. He was getting too good at lying.

Seeing as she's been shamed enough, and not wanting to cry in front of an audience, she pushes Malfoy to the side and runs, ignoring the sea of teasing "Ooooh"s by the crowd and the blonde git's pleas for her to wait.