#It's Friday Night Play Time At Swerve's!

[petitelepus]

MORE MINIMUS PLEEEEEEASE

"I knew I'd find you here." You said as you stepped into Ultra Magnus' or as you knew him, Minimus Ambus' habsuite that worked as his own personal office also.

The Magnus armor rested at the corner of the room and Minimus was busting his aft with paperwork.

The Autobot lifted his crimson gaze from the datapad on his hand and looked at you, "Where else would I be?"

"It's Friday, I don't know, like, having some fun?"

"I don't do f- f-"

"After all this time and you still can't say it properly?" You grinned mischievously as you sauntered over to his work desk and pushed couple datapads aside so you could sit by the edge of his desk.

The minibot was no doubt about to object to you sitting on his desk, but you gently placed your finger over his lips and grinned, "Should I show you some fun time?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Follow me and I'll show you. You and me can team up together."

That was an odd way to put it? Minimus swallowed but sighed in defeat and put the datapad down. You were all smiles, knowing that you two would no doubt have some fun.

Or so he thought.

"EAT MY DUST!" Whirl cackled as his Dry Bones character speeded past everyone else. For a mech with claws, he was damn good at Mario Kart.

"Hold up there Whirlie bird!" You laughed, "I just got a Blue Shell!"

"You wouldn't dare!"

"GET DUNKED ON!" You shouted as you activated Blue Shell and that weapon speeded through everyone else and exploded right on Whirl's character.

"THIS IS BULLSHIT!" The blue copter shouted as you speeded past him with your Daisy, but despite getting nuked, Whirl came in second place.

Other members of your group, like Tailgate, Drift, Rewind, and Chromedome managed to finish also, leaving poor Minimus last with his Luigi.

"This is your idea of fun?" He asked as he looked at you and you quickly pecked his cheek when others weren't looking.

"Just hold on, we are about to play Just Dance!"

"I'm gonna beat you!" Whirl shouted and you cackled, "Bring it chicken leg!"

[thefearedashantis]

Dirty Laundry and Brown Sugar Oats

Pairing: Sirius Black x SAHM! Reader (stay at home mom)

Summary: You’ve had a very busy weekend

Word count: 1.5K

Warning: skipping meals

This weekend had been one from hell. Filled with celebratory moments, but from hell none the less. It started on Friday morning with the primary schools’ spring production. Claire’s class was participating with a little dance routine. Lots of classroom mothers were signing up to assist with corralling the children throughout the day and your youngest daughter had begged you too as well. In her own words “all you do is stay home anyway”.

You weren’t sure what to do with Emmerson at first but Lily had offered to watch him for a few hours, claiming it a perfect opportunity for he and Harry to have a play date. You were extremely grateful. He wouldn’t cause her any trouble. The only person he fussed with was you.

From eight in the morning to five in the evening you were swimming in kindergarteners. Bathroom trains, fixing hair, changing into costumes, breaking up arguments, forcing a quick nap time, practice, and then comforting the snifflers once the performance actually started. The ones that attempted to leap from the stage in a wash of tears, grabby hands extended.

Then Amelia had her spelling bee on Saturday morning. As soon as you'd gotten back with Claire, cleaned her up and made dinner you were off to test Lia on her words. She wouldn’t allow you to stop until she was free of mistakes and hesitance. She didn’t win, but she was abundantly proud of herself for giving it a shot. As were you and Sirius.

Emmy had his doctor’s appointment that same afternoon for some blood testing. He'd been falling ill a lot recently and you thought it couldn't hurt to do a full check up to see if everything was alright. A fresh scratch now pulsed under your eye as evidence of his struggle. And then from there you had to rush to get Lia to her soccer practice, take Claire to ballet and run a few errands around town. You'd spent that night tailoring some of Sirius formal shirts for a few meetings he had coming up in the week.

Sunday morning Remus as well as Lily, James and Harry came over for breakfast. You’d gone all out in preparation. The downside being once you were done you had no interest in the spread of food you’d prepared.

Now it was Sunday evening, the sun only just beginning to dip below the horizon. You’d just managed to get Emmy fed and settled to watch a few minutes of Tv. Lia is at the counter finishing up some homework and Claire is crowding you. Swerving around your legs, just as high as she’d been all weekend on excitement. Every second of every day from the moment she opened her eyes to the moment she closed them it was just demands that you stop whatever you were doing to watch her. For her to perform the same sequence of moves you’d watched her do on stage as if you hadn’t been paying attention then. And again, the other thousands of times she'd done it since.

She bumps herself into your legs from behind sending you stumbling.

“Mom you aren’t watching!”

The laundry basket in your hand tips, bulging with the dirty clothes you’d been putting off washing. A jumble of socks falls from it to the tiled floor. It takes everything in you not to snap, instead closing your eyes for a beat, breathing in and out before bending to reach for them. When you’re suddenly hit with the feeling of the ground shifting. Your vision blurs and your heart gives a painful stutter. An overwhelming ringing pingpongs between your ears and your mind grates to a halt. Where were you? What had you been doing a second ago?

Small hands press into your back. You’ve sat on the ground. The plastic of the basket still slippery in your hold where it rests atop your extended legs. You feel hot. Your stomach is cramping.

A shadow falls across you from above. You force your wavering gaze up to meet Lia’s face leaned over the countertop, frowning and squinting at you. “Mom?”

Claire screams, much too close your ears, her fist pounding into your spine. “You have to watch me! Look! Look!”

“Claire, stop it!” Lia scolds. She hops down from the stool and comes around to stand in front of you. You stare straight ahead at her blue sleep shorts before she squats down to grab at your face.

“Mommy?”

The haze over your mind begins to clear when she squishes at your cheeks gently “I’m fine sweets.” Resting the basket to the side you cover her hands with your own, struggling to swallow around your dry mouth “Just lost my balance there”

Claire mashes her chin into your shoulder, pressing her own cheek against both of your hands “You’re so clumsy sometimes.”

Lia’s still frowning; her eyes a little glassy. She watches you for another beat before bolting upright “I’m going to get dad.”

You pull her back to you in a panic “No! Lia I’m fine.”

Sirius was outside doing some yardwork. Things you’d been asking him to get to for months now. That’s where he’d spent most of his weekend and it made you feel like a bit of a nag. You don’t want to bother him anymore. Especially not for something so minor.

Lia jerks her hand from yours, sprinting for the front door shouting for Sirius.

In the meantime, you shift yourself slowly to rest your back against the cabinets. The effort of it has you breaking a small sweat. Your hands shake as you set the laundry aside.

“Are you sick?��� Claire asks, collecting the dropped socks and plopping them into the basket. She presses her hand to your forehead checking for warmth.

“No Clair bear.” But she won’t take that as an answer of course so before she can scuttle off in search of the thermometer you redirect her attention. “Do you think Emmy would like to watch your performance?”

Her eyes light up “You’re right! I haven’t shown him yet.” She leaves you behind, completely forgotten, in search of your youngest. Seated on his playmat in the living room and occupied by the puppets moving across the television screen.

Time seems to jump between a long blink to rest your eyes and reopening them to find Sirius kneeled in front of you. Hair tied up atop his head, collar of his shirt dark and dampened. A smudge of dirt slashes across his cheek. A calm smile spreading his lips. “Are you cozy down here love?”

You roll your eyes at him. “You smell sweaty.”

“Lia, can you get mom a glass of water please?” You hadn’t even noticed her hanging back in the archway, standing so still and quiet with her hands clasped together. She goes without a word.

“Do you feel dizzy?”

“I can’t get up.” You’d plummet right back down to the ground if you tried.

Lia returns with your water. Sirius takes it from her with a small thank you before cupping your chin. With nimble fingers he tilts your head back slightly, pressing the chilled glass to your cracked lips. “Drink, slowly” He waits for you to down half the glass before setting it aside, watching you intently.

“What did you guys have for lunch? Maybe it didn’t agree with you.”

“We had peanut butter and jelly. Mom didn’t eat any though.” Lia answers 

“And you didn’t have any breakfast this morning my love. Did you eat at all today?”

In fact, you couldn’t remember the last time something of substance passed your lips, food or drink. When your days edged more on the hectic side, you’d sometimes forget they were necessities. A horrible habit you never managed to break.

Sirius reads this in your expression. He frowns disapprovingly at you. “When was the last time you ate something? Not random scraps, a whole meal”

“Breakfast Friday morning” and even that had only been a slice of buttered toast. You were running solely on the clementine you’d swiped from one of Claires classmates, a handful of nuts, and a half cup of tea somewhere else in there.   

“Is she going to be alright?” Lia has sat herself beside you, picking at her fingers anxiously as her eyes rack your body from head to toe. You feel a tinge of shame run through you then. To cause her such worry with your bad habits.

Sirius removes one of the rings from his finger and slides it onto one of hers. It’s far too big but it provides a nice distraction as she spins it absentmindedly around the digit. “Mom hasn’t been nourishing her body properly but she’ll be right as rain once we get some food into her.”

“Are you ready to get up?” he asks you.  

“No” you answer honestly. The room is still spinning.

Smiling reassuringly, he instead makes whispered conversation with Lia, asking what they should feed you. “Something light to not upset her stomach”

“That special ginger tea she gave me when i was sick last week.” 

“What else?”

“Brown sugar oats?” She glances at you for approval “You love oats. With some honey on top?”

“Delicious. Why don’t you go fill the kettle while I help mom to the table.” 

Once she’s gone Sirius turns back to you. He runs his hands up and down your bare legs, refusing to meet your gaze now. “Trying to give me a heart attack, are you?” he grumbles “Lia came outside frantic and I was sure the worst had happened” he pinches you on the thigh. Not particularly hard but enough to convey his upset.  

“Ow”

He soothes it with a kiss “You have to stop skipping meals like that. You have to stay strong and healthy so we can be together until we’re old and gray and Claire ships us off to a retirement home.” 

A laugh startles out of you “Lia would definitely let me live with her. Emmy might be kind enough to house you.”

The laughter dies, a cloud of seriousness rolling in to dampen it.

“Promise me” He must really be fed up with you.

“I’ve been working on it. Time just slipped through my hands this weekend.”

“Promise me” he pushes again.

You sigh, feigning annoyance at the dramatics you so enjoy when he forcibly links your pinky fingers together “I promise.”

“Great!” It’s slow going, but he gets you up off the floor and to the counter “Lia how about we cut up some fruit to go with that?”  

[theswanqu33nsblog]

Let's get in the back of your cop car, officer!

Warnings: mention of p and v, kind of agressive, sex in public, very vulgar language.

Whatever and it didn't matter, you were in the back seat of the car of a police officer, or rather good-for-nothing Colin Zabel, a detective who hasn't had a case since...he was almost murdered in Easttown. And you knew that whenever he arrested you you would get out the next day, or that maybe it would be your last day enjoying your freedom.

It was late Friday night, Colin had arrested you because you accidentally (not actually) stole a perfume from a hidden store in the city, you thought there were no cameras but oh surprise! Detective Zabel always had the area monitored. So you were in the back seat, and a safety gate so you wouldn't try to attack Colin while he was driving, singing some stupid song from the 80s.

"ya' know, you should have known that I'm everywhere y/n" Colin said as the radio continued playing the music in the background, while one of his free hands was tapping his knee to the rhythm of the song. "I mean, I think I've counted the number of times I've arrested you this last month."

Colin laughed, thinking it was a great joke, perhaps to impress you or perhaps to make you understand that behind that tough detective facade (which he was not) existed a good and funny man... although it always went wrong.

"i could care less" You said rolling your eyes and looking in the rearview mirror where he saw you, he chuckled and raised his eyebrows.

"yeah, i already know that..." Colin said, taking even a slower route to the station, somehow he enjoyed talking to your snarky and sass attitude. "Hey you know, the other day..." he started to speak but you interrupted him again.

"i said, i literally don't care" You repeated, looking at him again, he raised his hands in surrender while his feet controlled the pedals of the car, and in his failed attempt at being a good person he almost ran over a cat, causing him to put his hands on the wheel and swerve the poor little animal.

"You should relax your temper a little, you know? I'm just trying to do my job," He said as he got back to driving well and then clenched his jaw a little. After a while, he felt a slight discomfort in his pelvis informing him that he couldn't hold back the urge to pee. So, parking the car on the side of the road and turning off the engine, he looked at you and then said "I'll get off for a few seconds...I have to make a call, don't get out of the car or you know what's happening to you."

He looked at you for a few seconds and when he saw that you nodded, confused that you had paid attention, he got out of the car, closing the door behind him, he left but then he came back looking at you through the window, which made you raise your eyebrow. "I'm sorry, making sure you listen to me."

He smiled and then went behind a tree, while you tried to see what he was doing there, because clearly, not a call, because the idiot left his phone in the car. Colin unbuckled his seatbelt a little quickly, not being able to resist the urge to pee, this would have been easier if he were going to a gas station but he couldn't risk you running away and getting a quick taxi, at least here in the middle of the nowhere. Everything would be difficult for you to escape. Then he unbuttoned his pants, lowering the zipper, and then lightly pulled down his boxers, taking out his member and taking it with both hands, looking for some direction to point to to pee, well, if he peed in the tree he would be like a dog and he doesn't want to mark territory...that would be strange. Meanwhile, you, amid all the movement he made in that tree, were able to see what he was doing, just his ass on full display and that was enough for you to smile and try to contain your laughter.

Finally determined, Colin began to pee in the grass, moving his hips and drawing a smile in the dirt with his urine, then he frowned when he realized what he was doing and looked away concentrating on peeing. You kept watching what he did, a slight movement and that was enough to steal a glimpse of his dick, to be honest you always wondered what he was hiding under those black pants every time he arrested you, So when he moved, you could see enough, a good sized dick and veins decorated it, Colin's hand squeezing it as he shook it after he finished peeing, how could such a stupid action turn you on in seconds? Maybe it was because you were ovulating and starved for sex and it didn't even matter if it was casual. Colin fastened his pants and belt, wiping his hands on his pants and running back to the car, sitting in the passenger seat and closing the door behind him, breaking you out of your thoughts.

"Damn it's...hot out there" he said letting out a sigh, the smell of his perfume again invading the police car.

"You were peeing right?" you asked even though it was already obvious, he was going to ask you how you knew but you interrupted him "you left your phone here."

"yea' right"

He let out a light laugh and then both stayed silent, he looked at you in the rearview mirror, although in fact he was looking at your breasts in that long-sleeved shirt you were wearing, weren't you wearing a bra? Damn, your nipples were noticeable, something that made his pants start to tighten. He cleared his throat, putting his fist to his mouth and then said. "I uh.."

"You have a big cock" you said, being completely honest, you loved intimidating people although you didn't know exactly when, he looked at you with a wtf face trying to process that.

"alright, thanks....???" He said, with a light blush on his cheeks, then he ran his veined hand over his forehead and hair, pulling it a little with his fingers and then he said. "Hey, I've never understood why girls don't wear bras under their shirts, is it fashion or...?"

When you heard that, you didn't hesitate to laugh, sure sure, he had seen your tits.

"it's comfy" you smirked, and then it occurred to you to shake your breasts, making his eyes open completely, and then he would turn around to see you in full display. He lightly licked his lips watching your breasts bounce when you finished doing that, then looked into your eyes swallowing quickly.

"why did you..." He trailed off

"because it's sexy, isn't it?" you said, speaking softly, and leaning into the protection that separated both from back seats to front seats, your face close to his between the holes.

He just didn't think, he just nodded, it had been a long time since a girl had acted that way around him, in fact, since his fiancée abandoned him at the last minute. "How can you know if I like that? or if someone is okay with doing that in front of an officer" he asked you, looking at you between the holes, speaking softly and with a thick voice.

"All men love that" You whispered with a slight smile, looking at his lap he noticed a tent forming in his pants, great. The only thing missing was being turned on by a girl that he had to take to lock up that night.

He just, got out of the driver's seat, took out his keys opening the door where you were, almost pushing you aside roughly so he could get in back there, then he closed the door and put the keys in his vest. He looked at you, and sighed saying. "It's sexier to do it when you're handcuffed."

You could only smile at that, feeling your belly tingle and your panties slowly getting wet at that, looking at him closer, you could notice his prominent jaw, those fucking brown eyes looking at you as if he wanted to take you as fast as possible. He quickly laid you down on the back seat, getting on top of you, and kissing you slowly on the neck, shit it felt so perfectly good that if you had your hands free you would undress yourself in front of him. His hands slowly caressing your hips, and slowly entering your shirt while you couldn't do anything but close your eyes and gasp wishing you could touch him again.

"shhh" you felt the soft tickle of his breath in your ear, making you bite your lip in anticipation, as then his perfect nose slid over your cheek to your lips, and then slowly kissing your bottom lip, his hands moving up inside your shirt. until he touched the curves of your breasts without a bra, squeezing them from below while he kissed you. Two fingers of his right hand, touching your nipples and squeezing and twisting them hard, pulling on them as you let out a small moan that made him smirk. "Are you wet already?" He looked into your eyes, while he squeezed your breasts, biting his lip, and with his knees, pushing your legs to the sides of him so that you were spread open, just as you could have wished before. Who wouldn't...

"Do you have condoms?" You asked, even though you knew the guy probably got no sex, you didn't want to risk any sexually transmitted diseases, he frowned, removing his hands from your breasts and said.

"Do I look like I'm carrying a whole package of condoms?" He asked and then let out a laugh. He looked at the car windows hoping that no one would pass by or a person would come out of nowhere. And it was almost time to open the gift, his fingers undoing his belt while you noticed the sexy veins in his hands and forearms, damn man how sexy he was. After that, he took your handcuffed wrists, and put them above your head so that you were not in the way, finally, lowering his pants a little followed by his boxers, which you could see were black Calvin Klein ones.

It was no surprise, this man gave off the aroma of Calvin Klein, he was just so perfect. His veined hand pulling out his good sized cock, with two veins adorning the length, he gave it a pair of pumps while with the other hand, he lifted your skirt a little, and pushed your lace panties aside. His thumb rubbing circles on your clit making you gasp with desire, he then said. "Shit...you're so wet" The sound of his voice was so sexy that you probably felt yourself slipping into the seat of his car, he continued to rub your clit making you wetter while with his other hand he continued jerking off his cock to make it harder, which was throbbing of need to be inside you, on the other hand, he remained strong enough not to sink into you so quickly.

His finger slid over your pussy slit, expanding your juices as your legs trembled looking at him, slowly grinding your hips, he brought his hand to his mouth, licking the tips of his three middle fingers, and spitting a little, then brought them back to your pussy and rub more.

"Holy fuck! You are torturing me Zabel, just fuck me" You let out a moan, he just let out a playful giggle, and leaned towards you, biting your earlobe, and finally, you felt the tip of his cock rubbing up and down your slit, and his hand that was now free, He took your leg, lifting it on his hip and pressing his fingers into it, slowly pushing his tip into you making you moan, and pulling it out again, finally, he pushed himself inside you all the way, touching the depths of you. He grunted leaned his forehead on your neck and whispered.

"fuckkk, you're so damn tight," he whispered, then his other hand took your other leg, placing it on his hip as well and squeezing your thighs with his fingers, slowly, moving his hips back and forth, while you moaned close to his ear.

"yes...ghhh...Zabel" You moaned slowly as your arms tried to go towards his neck to hug him, but releasing your thigh he aggressively pushed your cuffed arms back against the car door, and put his hand on your thigh again, fucking you a little faster than how it started.

"Don't touch me" he said, as he gasped, you felt his cock was completely hard inside you, his balls slapping against your ass as he ground himself a little and started to fuck you faster, you could hear the sounds of skin slapping or clapping. in the silence of the car, while your moans increased and his gasps the same.

"yes...yes...just like that, please zabel..."

Your moans ran through his ears, while he bit his lip and his cockhead brushed hard against your hilt, resting his forehead more on the small hollow of your neck, you moaned more and more. His hand, slowly spanking you, sliding up and down your thigh, as you tried to push yourself further into him.

"fuck i think im gonna...fucking cum" He whispered shakily, while his hips hit your pelvis hard making you moan even more than before, feeling a strange sensation of wanting to come without anticipation, you wanted to touch him but surely he would refuse so you preferred to hold on to the roof of the car, squeezing your legs. on the sides of him. His cock slid back and forth inside you, making you gasp and drip on the seat, the mixture of juices began to form when his cock was filled with your white liquid and with one last thrust, perhaps very strong, he came inside you. of you, pressing his pelvis hard against yours to make sure your pussy swallows every residue of his semen, your womb totally infested with him, damn, you even wanted to get pregnant by him so you could tie him to you and have him fuck you like this fucking time.

Gasping, he raised his head looking into your eyes, sliding out of you and shaking his cock to release the last liquid into your vagina, then he pulled up his boxers and buttoned his pants. "Now, let's go, you must be locked up tonight"

As if the little moment of sex you had was going to change the fact that you had to go to fucking jail that fucking night. "What if I give you a blowjob?"

He smiled as he adjusted your panties and skirt and lowering your cuffed wrists he said "Then make sure you keep that mouth shut for when you leave tomorrow, I need a good good morning blowjob."

He got out of the back seat, closing the door and returned to the driver's seat, while you took care of sitting down properly, although as if once again your pussy felt the need for him, with your forehead sweating and panting you said. "Oh shit, you're a son of a bitch," you muttered.

He looked at you in the rearview mirror as he took the car out from where he parked it and told you, "but you moaned so well for me, didn't ya, doll?"

[raspberrybesitos]

Deja Vú | javier peña x f!reader

Series masterlist | Main masterlist

Chapter 3 - I don’t want no substitute

Rating: 18+ MDNI

Chapter summary: You finally go on your date with Chris. What you don’t expect, or rather who, to see there are Javier and Cassandra. Tension grows as the night goes on. Things finally boil over after a confrontation with Javier and Cassandra. Confessions arise as you and Javier are forced to face the music.

Chapter warnings: angst, confessions of love, arguing, idiots in love, unprotected PIV (wrap it up y’all), fingering, spanking, face riding, oral (f receiving), subspace, hint of ass play, creampie, possessive!Javi, jealous!Javi, (soft)dom!Javi, hella pet names, fluff, pillowtalk, reader speaks and understands Spanish, reader is female and has hair Javi can pull but has no other physical descriptions, no mention of hair type/skin color/body type, NO USE OF Y/N, translations available at end.

Word count: ~8.6k (whew sorry y’all)

A/N: it’s finally here! thank y’all so much for the love and support on this mini series! i grew up watching so many novelas and just love the messiness of them all. this truly is a love letter to them. i had tons of fun writing this! Javi will return! can’t promise he won’t be dumb in the future, but he’s here to stay 🫶🏼 not beta'd, all mistakes are my own.

Divider by @saradika

The week goes by fairly smoothly after that fateful Tuesday, occupying your mind with books, novelas, and your date with Chris. You’ve only seen Javi in passing in the hall a few times this week, and all those times the two of you have completely avoided each other. Swerving around each other, or one of you staying behind to avoid the other. Javi grumbles something under his breath every time he sees you though, something he never did until the day he sent you flowers. Thank god you haven’t seen Cassandra, though.

It’s finally the big day: Friday. You wake up in a good mood for the first time this week, until you see the clock. You’re late for work. Springing out of bed, you rush to get ready. You throw some bread in the toaster and hurry to get dressed. Running back into the kitchen, you scarf down the toast and pick up the orange you’d bought earlier in the week - the one Chris gave you. You stuff it into your purse and slip on your sneakers. Grabbing your keys, you sprint to work.

Thankfully, your shift flies by in a flash and you’re able to leave on time. With 4 hours before you have to meet with Chris, that’s more than enough time to get ready. With a spring in your step, you walk home giddy with anticipation for later tonight. You unlock the entrance and rush up the stairs, your feet quickly carrying you to your apartment. Flinging the door open, you kick off your shoes and waltz into the bathroom. You take a quick shower, wanting to wash away the work day and freshen up.

You take your time getting ready, your records playing throughout your home. Applying your makeup, you pat on foundation and some mascara. Rummaging in your drawer, you find your favorite lipstick and swipe it on. Your lips glisten, looking absolutely delicious. You’re sure Chris will kiss you at the end of the night. Fixing up your hair, you open your closet and remove the red satin dress from the hanger. You slip it on and can’t help but do a twirl in the mirror, feeling sexy for the first time in a while. You throw on your usual jewelry and spritz on your favorite perfume, smelling delicious enough to devour. Running back into the kitchen, you grab the paper with the restaurant name and address and go to tuck it into your purse.

Soon enough, you glance at the clock and see you have to meet Chris in 20 minutes. You slip on your heels, and step out of your apartment. Locking the door, you gingerly walk down the stairs and make your way out of the building. Walking half way down the street, you pull the slip of paper out of your piece and go over it one more time as you hail a taxi. 

One of the yellow cars pulls up next to you and you hop inside. The driver asks where to and you give him the name and address. He sets off on the journey and tells you it’s about a 10 minute drive. Thanking him, you gaze out the window. As you get closer to the restaurant, you pass by the embassy. Chills run down your spine, not having thought about Javi the entire day. Of course he would pop into your head 5 minutes before meeting your date.

Fidgeting with your nails and the zipper on your purse, you hold your breath the remainder of the car ride. At least he’s going out with Cassandra tonight, so you won’t be seeing him. The reminder forms a pit in your stomach, but also fills you with gratitude as you thank whatever god is out there that he won’t be running through your mind tonight.

The driver pulls up in front of the restaurant, it’s more upscale than you had anticipated and nerves bubble in your belly. You exit the taxi, thanking the driver. The nerves dissipate once you catch a glimpse of Chris, who’s standing outside the restaurant with his hands shoved into his pants pockets. He spots you and waves, jogging to meet you halfway. “Hey, pretty lady,” he greets you, giving you a polite, warm hug. “Hi, handsome,” you say, smiling as you pull back from his embrace. He holds his hand in yours and drinks you in.

“Wow. You look… stunning,” he nearly whispers, as he twirls you around. You giggle at his reaction, the way he shows you off. You feel good, appreciated, wanted. “Thank you, I was hoping you’d like the dress,” your voice timid as you toy with his fingers. “Like it? I love it,” he says, pulling you flushed against his chest. The energy shifts and tension rises as you two lock eyes, until a honk pulls the two of you out of the trance making the two of you pull back.

Chris clears his throat and holds his hand out for you. “Shall we?” Another giggle streams from your lips. “Yes, we shall,” you tell him as you weave your fingers together. He leads you inside the restaurant and to the host’s table. Chris gives the waiter his name - you’re taken aback by his Spanish speaking abilities, grinning and tucking away that information for later.

The waiter leads the two of you to your table. Chris pulls your chair out for you. “Thank you,” you say, giving him a small smile. He smiles back and his eyes twinkle. You soak him in as he settles in his chair opposite of you. He’s handsome and polite, and has a lot going for him. He’s funny, smart, driven - so what’s the harm in giving him a chance?

The small talk between the two of you is easy. Almost as easy as it is with Javi. No - no. You shut down any further thoughts of him immediately. 

“So, how was your day?” You ask Chris. He tells you about his day, prompting your next question. “What do you do for work?” You ask as he wraps up his previous answer. “Oh, I work for the government,” he says, his answer being very vague. You quirk your brows, and smirk at him. “Is that how you know Spanish?” He chuckles at your question. “It is actually! Learned some before I moved here and just picked up more as I adapted to working and living here.” You hum at his answer, sipping your drink. “So you work for the government. What exactly do you do?” You ask before going in for another sip. “Well, I can’t exactly get into the specifics, but I work at the embassy,” he says. You choke on your drink, coughing as you try to catch your breath.

“Are you alright?” Chris asks, grabbing your hand and sliding your glass of water towards you. You nod, as your breathing levels out. “I’m okay,” you lie. Your blood feels frigid at the mention of the embassy.

There’s no fucking way he knows Javi. That just can’t be possible.

You sip your water, before speaking. “I was just really impressed,” you say in between chuckles. “That’s awesome that you work there! How has work been?”

Chris enthusiastically answers your question, you feign interest as you try to refocus your mind on the conversation. As Chris drones on about something that happened at work, something catches your eye from behind him. Your breath hitches and your jaw goes slack ever so slightly, taking in the scene in front of you. Javi stands there, looking handsome as ever with his aviators perched on his nose. Cassandra dressed in red, as his large hand rests on her hip. Chris catches your change in demeanor. 

“Is everything alright?”’ He asks, reaching to place a gentle touch on your forearm. That snaps you out of it, startling as your eyes widen. “What? Oh, yeah, sorry. Thought I saw someone I knew for a second,” you huff. 

Chris turns to look behind him, a smile lighting up his face. “Oh speaking of work, that’s my boss right over there - the guy with the sunglasses, standing next to the woman in the red dress.”

Your eyes bug out of your head. “That’s your boss?” He nods, “yup, that’s Javier. We both work at the embassy together.” he whispers, in fear of being heard. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” you mumble, gaze falling to the floor. “What was that?” 

Your head snaps up, trying your best to act surprised. “You’ve gotta be kidding me, that’s so impressive that you get to work alongside him! You didn’t tell me you were DEA,” you squeak, feigning interest in the conversation. “How do you know he’s DEA?” Chris asks. “Huh?” “How do you know he’s DEA? I didn’t say anything about what department we work in,” he says flatly.

You freeze, feeling flustered as you try to come up with an answer. “Oh… uh, w-well, I mean, wasn’t he in a bunch of n-newspapers last year? Right? I, uh, kinda figured. Just put two and two together,” you lie, trailing off the end.

It’s silent at the table, you and Chris just staring at each other. You hope he can’t see through your facade. You wipe your sweaty palms on your dress and fidget with your fingers. Chris clears his throat and takes a sip of his drink.

“Yeah, you’re right. He was,” he says with a small smile. You can’t gauge his reaction, making your palms even sweatier.

Moving on from the awkward moment, Chris resumes his enthusiastically retelling of his workday. You silently breathe out a sigh of relief, grateful to be moving on from that subject. You feel a little guilty for not focusing on him, your eyes continuously glancing over at Javi.

Javi looks over to the side as he waits for the waiter to seat them, looking around the restaurant in the meantime, holding Cassandra, his date. He does a double take as he spots you, not believing his eyes. His brows scrunch together, a scowl now plastering his face with his breathing growing ragged. 

Cassandra spins around in his hold. “Estás bien, Javi? Qué pasa?” His head whips around to meet her gaze. “Nada, Cassandra. Estoy bien. Me pareció ver a alguien que conozco,” he grits, trying his best to stay composed.

He never thought you’d stoop so low to go out with someone else, let alone one of his colleagues.

The waiter leads Javi and Cassandra to a table not too far from where you and Chris are sitting. You hold your breath, hoping Chris can’t sense your discomfort. With Chris’ back turned to him, Javi shoots Chris a death glare as he walks to the table, a hand on Cassandra’s waist. Cassandra stares daggers into your skull, surely you’d be dead if looks could kill.

Surprisingly, dinner goes by rather quickly, thanks to the three drinks you’ve had to calm your nerves. You learn that Chris is working on the Cali case, working directly alongside Javi. The third drink starts to take its toll on you, needing to break the seal. “I’m so sorry, I’m just gonna run to the restroom really fast. If you’ll excuse me,” you tell Chris, scraping your chair back and against the floor. “Of course, no problem,” he says nodding as you rise to your feet.

Unaware of your surroundings and fiddling with the straps on your purse, someone bumps into you. “Lo siento!” You say and look up to apologize to who you ran into. You make direct eye contact with Cassandra. The air is stolen from your lungs. Cassandra stares daggers into your skull, surely you’d be dead if looks could kill. “Disculpe,” she says coldly. Aggressively shoving her shoulder into yours, she walks past you and back to Javi at their table. Dumbstruck at her aggression, you turn back, mouth gaping wide. Javi catches your gaze in his, his eyes blown wide. Usually you’re able to tell what he’s thinking, but for the first time ever, you’re unable to read him.

Scoffing in disbelief, you stomp into the restroom and lock yourself in a stall. Tears sting your eyes as you fight them back. What the fuck was that about? How dare Cassandra treat you this way, who does she think she is? You did nothing to deserve that type of treatment. And if Javi saw that interaction, then fuck him for thinking that’s even remotely warranted.

Swiftly using the restroom and washing your hands, you touch up your lipstick that’s worn off throughout the night in the mirror. You let out a deep sigh as you toss it back in your bag, unaware that you were even holding your breath. Ready to go home, you trudge back out into the restaurant. Fighting the urge to steal a glance at Javi and Cassandra, relief floods you as you see they’re nowhere to be found. You waltz back to your table, the burning desire to go home still courses throughout your body.

Taking a seat across from Chris, you flash him a polite smile. He picks up on your discomfort, seeing right through your facade. “Are you okay? Did something happen?” You feel guilty for lying to him, but you just want to get the hell out of here. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just not feeling well, think the drinks gave me a headache,” you politely tell him through a tight smile. “Oh, I’m sorry, do you need anything?” His kindness deflates you more. “Actually, would it be alright if we get the check? I’m so sorry, I didn’t intend to cut our date short,” you tell him, genuinely apologetic.

“Yeah, sure. Don’t feel bad, shit happens. No worries, beautiful,” he reassuringly says as he grabs for your hand across the table and gives it a squeeze, making you smile. He flags the waiter down for the check, and the two of you wait in awkward silence. Thankfully, the waiter reappears shortly after and Chris covers the bill. The two of you rise from your seats, with Chris extending his hand out to you. You gladly accept and he guides you to the exit.

As he leads you out, your heart sinks as you spot Javi and Cassandra at the bar. You’re going to have to walk past them in order to leave, it’s inevitable. Ducking your head down, you cautiously walk through the crowd of the building with Chris in front of you. He stops in his tracks, causing you to stumble into him. He turns to steady you. “Sorry,” he mutters as he reaches for your hand again.

“Javier!” Chris shouts, waving to the man. Javi snaps his neck towards the two of you, rage quickly flashing in his eyes and it disappears just as fast. His jaw clenches as Chris walks the two of you over, your heart beating out of your chest.

“Hey, Feistl. Didn’t expect to see you here. Celebrating Gilberto’s capture?” Javi speaks through his clenched teeth. Cassandra is silently glaring at you from Javi’s side. “No, actually, I’m here on a date. This is my boss, Javier, the guy we were talking about earlier. Javier, this is my date,” Chris says, bringing you forward. Javi raises his brow at Chris’ words and you wish the Earth would open up and swallow you whole in this very moment. “Hi,” you shyly say, giving the pair your name and a polite wave, pretending you don’t know who these people are.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Javier,” he says, extending his hand out to go along with the act. “This is Cassandra,” he says as he lets your hand go. Chris cordially greets her, and vice versa. 

“Hola Cassandra, mucho gusto,” you say as you attempt to shake her hand. She just squeezes your hand in a vice grip, crushing it briefly before pulling away. “Hola,” is all she mutters. The energy between you four is tense, silence lingering despite being in a packed restaurant.

Picking up on the energy shift, Chris breaks the silence. “Well, it was nice seeing you, boss. See ya on Monday,” he says. You’re extremely grateful that he knows how to read a room. “Yeah. See you Monday. Bye, Feistl,” Javi grits. “Bye, Javi,” you tell him. “Bye,” Javi spitting your name and bidding you goodbye, like venom on his tongue. You don’t even bother to say anything to Cassandra as Chris bids her goodbye and leads you two out the restaurant.

You know Chris can sense something is wrong, your hand is so clammy in his that you yank it away as soon as the air of the warm night hits you. Taken aback by your sudden hastiness, he gives you a moment to breathe as you wipe your hands on your dress and fiddle with your purse.

“You okay?” Chris asks, grounding you back in reality. “Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine…” you unconvincingly tell him, not meeting his eyes while you rummage through your purse for your keys.

“You ready?” He asks after a beat. Your gaze snaps up to meet his, uncertainty evident in his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’m ready,” you sigh. He doesn’t reach for your hand this time, instead offers you his arm, which you mindlessly accept as he leads you to his truck. He opens the door for you and flashes you a smile. He’s such a gentleman it hurts.

He jogs around to the driver’s side and hops in, twisting the key in the ignition. “Where am I taking you?” He kindly, and quietly asks. You give him your address and apologetically smile at him. The radio plays over the silence which lingers throughout the truck. He keeps both hands on the wheel as the awkward tension builds. The drive could not be fast enough.

Chris pulls up to your building, and kills the ignition. Bounding to your side, he opens the door and holds it open for you as you step out. “Thank you.” He just nods. Fuck.

He walks you to your door, his hands shoved in his pockets. The walk is short and silent, full of awkward tension. You hadn’t expected to see Javi on your date, let alone out with Cassandra. Despite your efforts, you couldn’t shake him out of your head, not after your interaction with Cassandra on your way to the restroom. Chris had picked up on your aloofness once you returned from the bathroom. He’s a detective, of course he knows when something’s up.

“Well, this is me,” you say pointing to your door. Javi cracks his door open across from you, peering into the hall. He pauses to take in the sight in front of him. He can’t believe what he’s seeing. “I’m sorry for cutting it short. This was not what I meant when I said maybe we’d end up back at my place,” you tell him. He smiles for the first time in what feels like eternity.

“Don’t worry, beautiful. I’d rather you feel 100% when we’re together,” he says, unsure if there’s another layer to his words - a shady double entendre. As if he can peek inside your mind, he quickly reassures you. “I truly did enjoy your company though. I’d love to see you again sometime, once you’re feeling better… if you’d let me,” Chris says. 

Glancing to the side, you unexpectedly spot Javi. You thought he would still be on his date. You keep your composure this time though and smile at Chris. “Sure, I’ll let you know,” glancing to the side again, making eye contact with Javi. Chris leans in for a good night kiss, but you don’t feel right doing that to him. You dodge him, opting for a kiss on the cheek instead. Pulling back, you give him a meek smile. “Call me,” he says, embarrassed and flushed red. You nod. “Good night.” 

He doesn’t notice Javi hiding behind the door as he walks away, never bothering to glance to the side. You watch Chris walk away and turn to go inside, until you see that Javi is standing in the hall now, in front of his door. Looking directly at him, you still - the tension so palpable, it needs to be cut with a hacksaw.

Javi’s nostrils flare as his chest heaves. His neck and face flushed red with his eyes blown wide and black. He looks almost unrecognizable. You narrow your eyes and shoot daggers at him.

His jaw clenches as he turns to go inside his apartment. You can’t help, but scoff and roll your eyes. He freezes in place, whipping around to look at you. “Is there something you’d like to say, cariño?” He bites, you’re taken aback by his coldness. You don’t let him see that though and straighten before turning to him. “Nope. Have a good night, Javier,” you say, spinning around to turn in for the night.

You shut the door before he can answer, huffing out a deep breath you didn’t know you were holding, and lean against it. What a long fucking night. Padding into the bathroom, you remove your makeup and sigh into your towel. You stare at yourself in the mirror and bite back tears.

Shaking your head, you will yourself to not cry - refusing to shed tears for him. You walk out of the bathroom and into your room to change into a pair of thin sleep shorts and a tank top. Sauntering into the kitchen, you grab a glass from one of the cabinets. Opening the fridge, you reach for the open bottle of wine.

You fill your glass to the brim and chug half of it, slamming down the glass on the countertop. You drag your feet towards the living room, plopping down on the couch. Your head hangs in your hands as you curl into a ball.

“Javi!” You perk up at the sound of a woman calling his name. You move to press your ear against the thin wall that separates yours and Javi’s apartments. “Sí, Javi, sí!” Your brain is short-circuiting as you hear her moan Javi’s name. You can’t help but let your jaw fall open. Shocked that he’d be so bold to rub this in your face. Tears of anger and heartache well in your eyes. You attempt to storm off until you hear your name.

A man screaming your name - Javi screaming your name. Everything goes silent. Your ears are ringing and your body is hot, flooding with emotions as your head spins. There’s no way any of this is happening.

Suddenly, you hear shuffling and shouting from the hallway. Running to peer out of the small peephole at the top of your front door, your jaw drops again at the scene playing out in front of you. Cassandra, from that day, is fixing her clothes while screaming at a shirtless Javi in the hallway.

“Quien es ella, Javi?! Eh?! Esta su vecina?! O su puta?!” Cassandra screams, pushing him back a bit. “Ella es mi vecina y ya, Cassandra! Nada mas! Ven aqui, por favor!” Javi pleads. Rage courses through your body as he tells her you’re just his neighbor. You yank your door open, inserting yourself in the conversation since you’re the topic of it.

“No estoy solo tu vecina, Javier y lo sabes!” You bite, unable to stop yourself. The two of them whip their heads to you. “We’ll do this later,” Javi shouts in your direction. You stomp over to him before you realize your feet are moving.

“No, estamos haciendo esto ahora,” you tell him, gritting your teeth. Cassandra snaps her neck to look at you, burning a hole through the middle of your skull. “Te lo estas jodiendo eh?” She yells. “Sí, y por que te importa?” Javi’s eyes go wide at your blunt response. “No me importa con quien este jodiendo, pero quiero que me llaman con el nombre correcto. No soy una de tus putas, Javier,” she shouts.

“Cassandra, ya por favor! Y ella no es puta. Deja de llamarla asi,” Javi sighs. “Por que la defiendes eh? Ella es tu novia? No habria aceptado salir si hubiera sabido que tenias una novia,” Cassandra yells. “No, ella no es mi novia. Solo mi amiga y vecina. Deja de gritar,” Javi calmly says, attempting to de-escalate the situation. 

“Si ella no es tu novia, entonces por que te gritaste su nombre en la cama? Eh?” Javi’s attempt fails as Cassandra shouts. “No se, Cassandra! Pero lo siento. En realidad.” It’s quiet as Javi’s words settle in.

“Deberias haberla llamado en su lugar. Ella te gusta mas de yo,” Cassandra grits as she storms off, shaking with rage as embarrassed tears pool in her eyes.

The air is silent, thick with tension as you stand in front of Javi and his door.

“Really? I’m just your neighbor?” You spit through your gritted teeth, breaking the silence as your nostrils flare. “I only said that to calm her down,” Javi says. “What else did you tell her about me huh?!” Taking a step forward, inching closer to him. “What the hell are you talking about?!”

“Don’t act like you didn’t talk shit about me to her, Javier! Why else would she be so rude to me?!” He stands there, stunned and offended. “I would never say anything bad about you! How could you even think that?! I told her that you’re my best friend and neighbor, and that you’re very special to me,” he explains defensively. “Then why was she such a bitch to me then, Javier?!”

“I don’t know! I don’t know, cariño, but I wish you had told me! Otherwise, I would’ve stopped talking to her the minute I found out she treated you so cruelly,” Javi explains, sounding sincere.

“Would you really?!” You shout. “Yes! Why is that so hard to understand?!” 

A lump in your throat forms along with the next words on the tip of your tongue. “Because you lied!” You yell, swatting his chest, not caring that you’re causing a scene.

He grabs your wrists to stop you, forcing your gaze to meet his. “When did I lie?! I’d never lie to you,” he says firmly as he looks into your eyes. Your throat burns as the lump in your throat grows bigger, tears stinging your eyes. “When did I lie to you, cariño?” He asks softly. “You said you weren’t seeing anyone else,” you whisper. “I wasn’t.” You roll your eyes, your tears nearing the edge. “Until Cassandra,” her name tastes bitter in your mouth.

“You said you weren’t seeing anyone else either and then I see you on a date with my fucking coworker, at that. You don’t have the right to be mad at me for seeing Cassandra,” he says firmly.

You burst into sarcastic, maniacal laughter. “What’s so funny?” He lets your wrists go as you throw your head back while laughing, stray tears escaping down your cheeks. “You do not get to throw that in my face!” You laugh bitterly. “Why?! You shut me out the whole goddamn week because I asked out someone else!” He barks, making you groan. “God, Javi! You’re so infuriating!” 

“Says you, who went out with my coworker to spite me!” You roll your eyes at his pettiness. “You think I knew he was your coworker?!” You screech. He scoffs, his chest flushed red. “Yes! Why else would you go out with him?” He yells, jealousy coursing through his veins. “I don’t have to explain myself to you! You’re the one who asked out Cassandra after telling me you weren’t seeing anyone else!”

“You asked me and I told you the truth. I only asked Cassandra out after you said we could still see other people,” he rasps. “So am I not enough for you?! Why did you go out with Cassandra?! Huh?!” 

“Of course you’re enough for me! More than enough!” His words send more tears spilling from your eyes. “Then why did you go out with Cassandra?!” You shout through your tears, voice hoarse and raw from yelling. 

Javier’s heaving fills the heavy silence as his nostrils flare. “I think you know why, carino…” he rasps. “I don’t. We’re grown adults, Javier. Use your words,” you demand, growing more impatient by the second.

“I didn’t want to fuck up our friendship! I want you so bad it hurts, baby. You don’t deserve someone like me, cariño. Someone who’s fucked up and damaged, someone who’s done horrible fucking things for his own personal gain. You deserve better.” An endless stream of tears pours from your eyes again as you take in his words. “You don’t get to decide what I do and don’t deserve, even if you think it’s for the best. That’s my decision to make.”

“I never want to see the people I love get hurt, and I just know I would hurt you. I’m not a good person and you’re so good, baby. So good. And I could feel myself falling more and more in love with you every time I saw you, even when we were just spending time together. It’s why I pulled away and asked Cassandra out. To move on, to not get you involved in my shit.” 

Your eyes bug out of your head. “You’re in love with me?” You ask, your voice hushed. “Of course I’m in love with you, cariño,” he huffs in disbelief without hesitation. “I’m in love with you too,” you whisper through your tears. “You shouldn’t be. You should be with a good guy, someone like Chris, someone with a good head on his shoulders. I already burden you with so much in our friendship, I can’t do that to you if we were together, bebita,” he whispers, head hanging low. You cup his face in his hands, forcing him to look at you.

“Hey. You are not a burden. You’re my favorite person ever, and I’m always going to be here for you, because I love you. I’m in love with you, Javier. I want you - not Chris, not anyone else. You.”

He doesn’t say anything, only sighing at your words. Worry builds in your stomach, nerves setting in. Without warning, he mirrors your actions and cups your face with his large, rough hands and draws you into him. Your lips crash into each other’s. The kiss is ravenous and desperate - the first real kiss the two of you share. It’s heavy and messy, but so full of love and lust as teeth clash together. You moan as Javi sucks your tongue in between his lips.

Your hands roam to the back of his neck, pulling at the hair on his nape. He groans, pressing his hard, clothed cock into you. He moves his hands from your face to your waist, grinding against you. Completely forgetting that the two of you are still in the hallway. Javi fumbles with the door knob, never letting you go as he struggles to get the door open. The two of you stumble inside his apartment as the door flings open.

He shuts the door as he carefully, but hurriedly guides you inside. He leads you down the hall towards his bedroom, all without breaking the kiss. You finally pull back right before you reach the bedroom door, gasping for air as your lips glisten with spit. Javi doesn’t relent though, peppering kisses all along your neck and nipping at your chin. You moan, fighting to keep your eyes open at his intoxicating touch.

“Why’d you go out with Chris, baby? Hmm?” He asks, placing another kiss on your lips. You hum into his mouth. “Were you trying to make me jealous? Is that it?” He asks in between kisses. You nod in response. “Mmm mm. Like you told me earlier. Use your words, bebita,” he rasps, nipping at your chin. “Yes, Javi. Saw you with Cassandra, got so mad and Chris asked me out. Knew it’d make you mad if you saw us together,” you gasp as he moves to suck on your neck.

“Did you know we worked together?” He asks into your skin. “Mmm mm, no, Javi. Just a coincidence. I promise, baby.” He smiles at your words, fuzziness filling his chest. “Well your plan worked, baby. Pissed me the fuck off seeing him touching what’s mine,” he growls before crashing his lips back onto yours. You moan into the kiss, his words sending a flurry of butterflies to your tummy, and a wave of arousal to your core. Clenching around nothing at his words, you can feel your slick pool in your panties.

He flings the bedroom door open, the two of you tumbling inside with your lips still molded to one another’s. Javi walks you to the bed, your knees hitting the edge. You fall onto the plush mattress, the kiss having been broken. Panting in anticipation, you catch Javi’s gaze. His eyes are black, blown wide with lust and there’s a small glint in his eye - a glint of love.

You spread your legs, welcoming him into the space. He grunts as he dives on top of you, hungrily kissing you again. Javi teasingly fiddles with the hem of your thin sleep shorts, your nipples already taut against the sheer fabric of your tank top. Cupping your sex in one of his large hands, you moan at the sensation.

“You want me here, querida? Huh?” He growls into your mouth as he feels the wet patch that’s formed on your panties and soaked through your shorts. “Yes, Javi. Need you, Javi, missed you so much,” you keen under him, your eyes heavy and glazed over. “Missed you so much too, bebita,” he says, lips grazing over yours. “Can feel how wet you are, bebita. This all for me? Tell me who it’s all for, baby.”

“Yes, all for you, Javi. It’s all for you,” you moan. “That’s right. All for me. Not for Chris, right?” He snarls against your lips, as he takes off the tank top that covers your chest. He sucks a nipple into his mouth. Your eyes fly open, inhaling a sharp gasp at the feeling. A new wave of arousal shoots straight to your aching cunt. He grunts as he bites your nipple, silently telling you to answer his question.

You gulp, mustering the strength to answer him. “All for you, only you. Not anyone else. Yours, it’s yours. I’m yours,” you babble as he latches his mouth onto your other mound, humming in delight at your answer with his lips wrapped around your nipple.

He pulls up for air, looking into your eyes as he sucks two of his fingers into his mouth. You whine as you watch him. “That’s right, baby. Mine. You’re all mine,” he growls as he releases his fingers from his mouth. Without warning, he shoves them into your soaked cunt. Your hips buck up into them, him pushing them down with his free hand and pinning you in place.

A stream of high-pitched moans tumble from your lips as he hooks his longer, thick fingers into your g-spot with every stroke. He groans as you clench around his fingers, leaning in to sink his teeth into your neck. “Feels so fu-fucking good, Ja-Javi,” you whine. He hums as he delicately soothes the bite with his tongue. He works his way up your neck and nibbles on your earlobe.

“I know you’re close, bebita. Come on. Damelo, bebita. Cum all over my fingers, want you to make a mess on them,” he rasps in your ear, eliciting another whine from you. His fingers continue to brush against your g-spot as he moves his thumb to your clit, stroking it. You gasp, clenching hard around his fingers as he strokes your clit. Suddenly, you tumble off the cliff and plummet into your orgasm. Your cunt gushes all over Javi’s hand, making a mess on the sheets. He groans as he feels your slick run down his fingers and onto his arm, spotting the puddle forming underneath you.

“Fuck, baby. Good fuckin’ girl,” he huskily whispers in your ear as he helps you ride out the waves of your high. You convulse underneath him, hips bucking uncontrollably. Your clit puffy and swollen as he continues to gingerly stroke it. He removes his fingers from your soaked cunt, sucking them into his mouth. He moans at the taste, feeling heady as you see him relish in your taste. Mindlessly grinding his clothed cock against your exposed cunt, the both of you groan at the friction.

You hurriedly fumble with the button on Javi’s jeans, clumsily pulling them down and setting his cock free of the confines of his tight jeans. He pulls back and shucks them off completely, you both now fully stark naked in the dim light of his bedroom. Thankful for the light breeze that travels through the open window, your hair begins to stick to the back of your neck as you lay on the plush mattress.

Drinking him in as he towers over you at the edge of the bed, your mouth salivates as you catch sight of his angry, red cock - his tip leaking dribbles of precum. Eager to taste him, you rise to your knees and crawl to him. A small smirk grows on his lips as he feels your hands roam up and down his body, lingering around his thighs. “Que estas haciendo, querida?” Javi rasps quietly, his lips ghosting over yours. Your hand slowly makes its way down to his cock. “Nada, papi. No puedo tocar lo que es mio?” You tease, grasping his cock in your hand, gathering precum on your hand as you run your hand along his hard length.

A gasp escapes Javi, groaning as he’s taken by surprise by the sudden sensation, by your words. A fire ignites deep within Javi, a primal urge rising to the surface. He swats your hand away, as he steadies his breathing. You giggle as you suck the precum off your fingers, having dribbled into your hand as you palmed Javi. You hum at the taste - salty, musky, a hint of bitterness. He growls at the taunting show you put on for him, grabbing you by the waist and tossing you back on the bed, eliciting a yelp from you. Gripping your hips, he flips you on all fours.

Fully on display for him now, Javi parts your legs with his knee. You collapse deeper into the mattress, balancing yourself on your forearms. “Don’t be a brat now, baby. Sabes qué les pasa a las mocosas cuando se portan mal?” He asks from behind you. Slick pools in between your thighs at his words. “Sí papi, por eso estoy actuando como una mocosa,” you courageously tell him.

This is a new side of Javi, one you’ve never seen before. A possessive, animalistic side you’ve managed to unlock tonight. A sudden delicious smack strikes your ass, moaning at the stinging sensation as it sends a tingle to your core.

His large, rough hands roam around your ass, soothing the spot where he struck you. A thick finger teases your tight, puckered hole. Gasping as Javi swirls circles around the ring, more slick seeping from your folds.

“Brats get fucked in the ass. Wanna get fucked here, baby?” He says, one of his fingers prodding at your hole. You furiously nod, Javi amused by your eagerness. “Of course you’d let me fuck this hole, querida. You’d let me fuck all your holes, wouldn’t you, baby?” He asks, placing a kiss near where his hand teases your hole.

Whining at his teasing, your cunt clenches around nothing as you imagine Javi filling you up, owning every hole of yours. An abrupt smack to your ass pulls you from your thoughts. “Yes, Javi! Let you do whatever you want to me, baby. I’m yours,” you whimper. He chuckles, soothing the spot where he had struck you.

“Another time, baby. Right now, I need to taste you, bebita,” he murmurs huskily. He moves underneath you, positioning his face right at your entrance. He inhales sharply at your scent, your pheromones intoxicating him, like a drug.

“Want you to ride my face, bebita,” he snarls, the warmth from his breath ghosting over your lips and sending a shiver down your spine. The air is stolen from your lungs, nerves setting in as the energy shifts in the room. You push yourself up to your knees and peer down to look at where Javi is situated.

Sudden self-consciousness setting in. “Javi, we’ve never done that before,” you tell him, trailing off at the end. As if he can read your mind, he presses a soft kiss to your thigh. “You could never hurt me, bebita, if that’s what you’re thinking. And if I suffocate from eating your pussy, then I’ll die a happy man. Come on, baby. Let me make you feel good. It’s the least I can do for being a dumbass this past week,” he says. “Well when you put it that way…” you joke, a small smile displaying on your lips. He presses a light, playful tap to the side of your thigh, evoking a laugh from you. He chuckles as he litters gentle kisses to your inner thighs, his mustache eliciting more laughter from you as it tickles your skin.

“Wanna make you feel good, baby,” he whispers as he kisses your core, actively avoiding your clit and your folds. “Mmmm, fuck, Javi, you always makes me feel so good,” you sigh as you wiggle around trying to settle yourself on top of his face without putting all your weight on him.

He senses your apprehension and grips your hips, settling you onto his face. His strong nose nudges your clit, making you moan. “Sit this pretty pussy on my face, hermosa. Wanna taste you,” he mumbles, his voice muffled against your sex.

He licks a long stripe up your folds, a broken moan escaping you as your hips jerk forward. The strength you were using to ghost over his face has disappeared, completely settling yourself onto him and squeezing his head with your thighs as he fucks his tongue into your entrance.

Javi moans into you, the feeling of having all of you on top of him causes more precum to drip from the slit of his head. He makes his way to your clit, flicking it relentlessly before he sucks it into his mouth. You whine at the way his plush lips wrap around your swollen bud, sloppily grinding into his face as you begin to chase your high. He releases your clit and prods his tongue in and out of you again.

Whatever self-consciousness you had earlier has vanished. The only thing on your mind right now is Javi, Javi, Javi.

Bouncing on his face, you ride his tongue as his nose nudges your clit. The combination of his nose, his mouth, his sounds - it’s all too much. Javi lets out a guttural groan as he feels you clench around his tongue. Sloppily making his way to your clit, he finishes you off the second he sucks your bud back into his mouth.

Your vision goes spotty as flashes of white burst from the corners of your eyes as black spots float all around you. A choked out cry burns from within your throat as you ride out your orgasm onto Javi’s face. He wastes no drop of your release, lapping and slurping the absurd amount of slick that continuously flows from your used cunt. Your legs shake as your strength diminishes, struggling to hold yourself up. Collapsing forward a bit, you land on your forearms and shove your face into the mattress as you twitch on top of Javi, who’s still drinking you up.

Your breathing is ragged and unsteady, small gasps falling from your parted lips. Javi places tender kisses to your mound, giving your used clit some relief. He carefully lifts your lower half of him as he wriggles out from underneath you and gently places you back on the bed, laying you completely flat on your stomach now. Your body relaxes as you come down from your high.

You feel the bed dip behind you as Javi kneels behind you and presses his bare body against yours. His leaking cock smearing precum on your ass as he gently caresses your arms, peppering kisses to the nape of your neck.

“So good for me, querida. Always so good, baby,” he whispers in your ear before pressing a kiss to your sweaty cheek. Still reeling from your second orgasm, the feeling of his hard cock against your ass has you mewling under him again. He flips you over, still propped up on his knees as he crashes his lips onto yours. Javi grinds his cock onto your sex and lightly brushes over your sensitive clit. “Javi,” you mewl, pulling back as tears well in your eyes.

“Fucking love the sounds you make for me, bebita. So fucking sexy, love that I’m the only who gets to hear them, only one who can get them out of you,” he babbles. You can’t help the moan that bubbles over, his words spur you on as you moan into his mouth.

“More, Javi, more. Please, baby. Need you,” you plead into his mouth as you grind against him, meeting his strokes halfway. “What do you need, bebita, eh? Que necesitas?” He teasingly asks. “You, Javi! Need you, your big cock, baby. Need you to fill me up,” you huff out frustratedly. A smirk plasters his face.

“I got you, querida, don’t worry,” he murmurs. He reaches for his nightstand, opening the drawer and fumbling around for a condom. “Wait,” you say, stopping him. He pauses, brows scrunched in a concerned scowl. “I’ve been on the pill for a while now, and if you’re clean… maybe we don’t gotta use one,” you meekly whisper, barely audible as you grow timid at your words.

He softens, flashing a boyish grin at you. “I’m clean, querida. Ca- she was the only person I technically slept with since we started our agreement and I used protection. I’ll only do this if you’re sure though,” he explains. It’s your turn to flash him a shy smile.

“I want this, Javi. I wanna feel all of you. Wanna feel what’s mine,” you mutter. A flip switches inside Javi. He slams the drawer shut and is back on you in seconds, his lips ferociously capturing yours in another heated kiss.

Pants fill the air as he prods your entrance with his angry, red tip. He enters your weeping cunt in one swift motion, gliding in easily with the combination of his precum and your slick. An obscene squelch rings in the air.

The two of you moan loudly into each other’s mouths. The familiar delicious sting sets in despite being prepped for him. He’s so big that he kisses your cervix in one thrust. “S-so fucking big, hah, Javi. Always f-feel so f-fucking good, baby,” you cry out. “Fuck, bebita! Feel so fucking good, letting me fuck you raw,” he grumbles, his pace slowly picking up as he crashes into your g-spot with each stroke.

He’s so deep it feels like he’s in your stomach.

He grabs your thighs, hiking them up and pulls you even closer - if that’s possible. He throws your legs over both his shoulders, pushing him in deeper than before. You scream at the new angle - the newfound pleasure. A fire simmers in your belly, waiting to explode.

Yes, the two of you have hooked up before, but this time is different - better. You love each other - are in love with each other. The thought sends a wave of slick dripping from your cunt.

Catching a glimpse of him, you lock eyes with each other as he relentlessly thrusts into you. He strokes your g-spot with every move.

“So fucking gorgeous, all fucking mine. Mine, baby, you’re mine,” he grits. “Yours, Javi. All yours, I love you, Javi,” you keen, gasping for air as he brings you closer to the edge.

He moans at your words, throwing his head back as he feels your orgasm approaching. “I love you, baby. God, I fucking love you, never letting you go ever again,” he heaves. You wail at his words as they fan the flames that burn in your tummy, clenching as tears stream from your eyes.

“Let go for me, querida. I got you, amor. Let go, baby,” he mutters as he delivers one particularly hard, sloppy punch to your g-spot. A sob escapes you as you’re launched into a pit of darkness, body and mind feeling fuzzy as your soul floats around somewhere. All that rings through the air is just Javi. His face, his words, him. A sensation you can’t explain, simply just Javi.

A loud, guttural groan brings you back down to Earth. Javi chases his release as you return to reality.

“Querida, where do you want me?” He hastily asks as he sloppily thrusts into you. The high of your orgasm still lingering, making you mildly incoherent and extremely sensitive. “Baby, I’m close. Where do you want me?”

“Inside, Javi. Inside,” you groan. That’s all it takes for him to coat your fluttering walls with his release, you moan as you feel his warm load fill you up. He snaps his hips into yours, groaning with each stroke. He peppers gentle kisses to your calves as he softens inside you, his hair stuck to his forehead.

Ragged breathing fills the air, along with the smell of cum and sweat. He sets your legs down and groans as he pulls out of you, while you pliably lay there - your whole body having turned into jelly. Leaning down, he settles himself on top of you and captures your lips in a gentle kiss. You trace circles on his back as you mold your lips to his. Breaking the kiss, he rests his sticky forehead on top of yours.

“Hi,” he whispers. “Hi,” you repeat, a dopey smile adorning your face. “You went somewhere, didn’t you?” Your brows scrunch in confusion, opening your mouth to ask for clarification until he beats you to it.

“Right when you finished, you went somewhere. Never seen you so happy before,” he quietly rasps. A sheepish smile makes its way onto your face. “I did. It was like I was floating, but I don’t know where. All I know is that you were the only thing on my mind,” you timidly whisper. He breaks out into a huge toothy grin.

“Oh yeah? The only thing on your mind, huh?” He smugly asks. You playfully swat his shoulder. “You just got back on my good side, don’t ruin it again, Javi,” you tease, but Javi’s demeanor noticeably shifts. His smile disappears and his gaze is avoidant.

“Hey,” you frown. “I’m just joking, baby. I’m sorry.” He shakes his head, looking away at the wall. “No, it’s not okay. I’m sorry, baby. Shouldn’t have done what I did. Was stupid of me to do instead of just talking about things,” he mutters.

You cup his cheeks. “Hey. I also could’ve done better too. I should’ve just tried talking to you about what was bothering me instead of pushing you away.”

“But you had every right to push me away,” he says. You shake your head this time. “I was the one who said we could see other people just because I was scared to be rejected. I definitely should’ve just communicated with you,” you explain, your gaze looking at the corner of the ceiling, avoiding his gaze now.

“What I did was still fucked up though. I had a feeling I knew why you asked me and I did that any way all because I was scared. I’d have never rejected you if you told me what I know now.” His words cause a smile to breakout onto your face. “I know that now, but I just wish we would’ve set some rules or at least talked about these things earlier in the year when we first started seeing each other.”

Silence settles amongst you two, both of you unsure what to say. “We were pretty stupid, weren’t we, querida?” Javi asks, breaking the silence as you two lock eyes. You burst into a fit of giggles, eliciting a belly laugh from Javi. “We were, but going forward, let’s agree to just talk to each other about anything and everything, including things that are bothering us. Okay?” You say cupping his cheeks.

“Okay. Agreed,” he sigh. Flashing him a tired smile on your face, your eyes flit to his lips as he flashes you his million dollar smile. He leans in and firmly, but tenderly presses his lips against yours.

“I love you, querida,” he whispers, his lips ghosting over yours. “I love you too,” you say, smiling into the kiss.

Translations:

Me parecio ver a agluien que conozco - I thought I saw someone I knew

Disculpe - excuse me

Quien es ella, Javi?! Eh?! Esta su vecina?! O su puta?! - Who is she, Javi? Your neighbor or your bitch?!

Ella es mi vecina y ya, Cassandra! Nada mas! Ven aqui, por favor! - She's my neighbor and that's it, Cassandra, nothing more! Come here, please!

No estoy solo tu vecina, Javier y lo sabes - I'm not just your neighbor Javier and you know it.

No, estamos haciendo esto ahora - No, we're doing this now

Te lo estas jodiendo eh? - You guys are fucking huh?

Sí, y por que te importa? - Yes and why do you care?

No me importa con quien este jodiendo, pero quiero que me llaman con el nombre correcto. No soy una de tus putas, Javier - I don't care who he fucks, I just want to be called the right names. I'm not one of your whores, Javier

Cassandra, ya por favor! Y ella no es puta. Deja de llamarla asi - Enough, please! And she’s not a whore, stop calling her that

Por que la defiendes eh? Ella es tu novia? No habria aceptado salir si hubiera sabido que tenias una novia - Why are you defending her? Is she your girlfriend? I never would’ve agreed to go out with you if I knew you had a girlfriend

No, ella no es mi novia. Solo mi amiga y vecina. Deja de gritar - No she’s not my girlfriend. She’s only my friend and my neighbor. Stop yelling

Si ella no es tu novia, entonces por que te gritaste su nombre en la cama? - If she’s not your girlfriend then why did you yell her name in bed?

No se, Cassandra! Pero lo siento. En realidad - I don’t know Cassandra but I’m sorry. Really

Deberías haberla llamado en su lugar. Ella te gusta mas de yo - You should’ve called her instead. You like her more than me

Que estas haciendo, querida - What are you doing?

Nada, papi. No puedo tocar lo que es mio? - Nothing, daddy. I can’t touch what’s mine?

Sabes qué les pasa a las mocosas cuando se portan mal? - You know what happens to brats when they misbehave?

Sí papi, por eso estoy actuando como una mocosa - Yes, papi, that’s why I’m acting like a brat

Que necesitas? - What do you need?

and that’s the end of my first ever series! this was very fun to write, all the drama was so indulgent to write! thank you to everyone for following along and supporting my mini series! 🩷

this isn’t the end of Deja Vú, these two will return! 🫶🏼

tag list: @undrthelights @gracieheartsspedro @jenispunk @nostalxgic @mandoisapunk @party-hearses @bastardmandennis @tinygarbage @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @daydreamingmiller @javierpena-inatacvest @chaotic-mystery @amanitacowboy @factualfic @pascalpvnk @joeldjarin @kirsteng42 @pedrohoe04 @callmecath1 @sydneyinacoma @persephone-girl @suagmiller @honey-dip-24 @lizlil @thevoiceinyourheadx @harriedandharassed @xthejazzdalorianx @antifragilejpn @evangelinemedici @innerpersonunknown @vickie5446

[axel-skz]

You’re not funny…

A/N: I feel not tired at all and kind of nauseous. I think I’m severely dehydrated but drinking the water gives me even more nausea so… tf do I do? Write a fanfic and ignore my problems. I did not proof read it and It’s not a literary masterpiece so please, lower your expectations lol (shuffled my stray kids playlist and we got thunderous this time ;) for our boys thunderous dance moves (I mean that was terrible but I wanna play a song for every fic now so, yeah lol))

Summary: Minho is expecting a nice weekend together that he needed very much but you’re planning to play a prank.

Minho x Gender neutral reader

Minho had been getting frustrated very fast lately. Getting burnt out a lot because this comeback had been so demanding. He could see all the work coming too because they had been told, they were going on tour.

Now he was agitated because he was working all the time and he couldn’t spend time with his loved ones.

He knew what would make him feel better though. Spending time with you. All he was looking forward to all week was a whole weekend with you.

What he didn’t know was that the perfect storm was brewing. At the time where he wanted nothing but affection fhe most, you had the plan to play a prank on him.

You would try your best to swerve anytime he wanted a kiss or a hug. You had seen it on tiktok a lot recently and you just really wanted to try it out.

Horrible timing honestly but you had no idea.

He had called on monday and you would both be spending the weekend together. He hadn’t told you about the tour either because he hadn’t got the chance to. You would never be playing this prank if you knew.

Friday afternoon, he arrives. You hear him knocking on your door and instantly, you ready yourself. Usually you would run to him in the most dramatic way possible and give him a hug. He acted like he hated it but it made him feel wanted.

While he thought about how much he needed that hug, you were making sure you wouldn’t do it. As you opened the door, he stood there for what felt like a century, expecting the hug. You looked st him with confusion.

‘You good?’ You asked with a puzzled look.

‘You usually hug me when you open the door,’ he also looked extremely confused.

‘Oh, you hate it so I thought I wouldn’t do it. Come in,’ you smiled at him. As he walked in, you took the things he was carrying. It was your way of busying yourself.

He let out a sigh as he sat on the sofa, ‘I’m so tired. I could barely sleep yesterday.’

‘Aww, that’s sad. Have you had a hard time sleeping for a while or just last night?’ You came back after putting his bag in your room.

He looked at you and you could see how tired he was, ‘all week. So much work and I just don’t even want to think about it. It’s early as hell but can we watch a movie and take a nap?’

Code for watch something and cuddle. He wasn’t one to just outright ask for physical contact so you had gotten use to recognising when he wanted it and how he asked.

‘Of course we can do that,’ you smiled at him and set up everything for a movie.

You got some sweets and popcorn with the softest blankets. You picked a feel good movie that you both really liked and started to get settled. You played the movie and sat down on the floor.

He was surprised, ‘why are you on the floor? There’s plenty of room on the sofa.’

‘You should stretch out and get comfy. It’ll be easier to fall asleep. I have some work I need to do so I’ll sit here and do it when you fall asleep,’ you said while feigning interest in the movie.

It’s like you could feel him pouting. And he was.

‘Could you not do the work tomorrow?’

‘I’m sorry, my love. It’s urgent. I need to get it in by the end of the day.’

‘S’okay…’ he covered himself in blankets and got comfortable. He didn’t let it show just how hurt he was by it.

He fell asleep after a little while. He woke up a couple hours later and you had nodded off while working on the floor. Your brief was on the table and he looked at it.

He tried to help you with your work sometimes because you liked his opinions on it. As he read through it, he noticed it wasn’t due for another two weeks. That hurt him again because he didn’t understand why you lied.

He moved back and laid back down. He didn’t know how long he stared at the cieling before you woke up. He pretended to sleep when you got up to check on him. You picked up your stuff after you fixed the blanket so it was covering him properly.

After that, you started cooking for dinner. He took a little while before he got up. He acted groggy as he walked into kitchen. You heard him shuffle in and it was so hard not to hug him when he looked so cute with the wayward hair and the puffy cheeks.

‘Sleep well?’ You asked as you moved to the fridge.

‘Mhm, something about this place helps me sleep,’ he smiled.

‘Pff- you’re so sweet,’ you giggled a bit as you gave him some juice.

‘I was talking about your sofa and the tv but whatever helps you sleep at night.’

You playfully glared at him, ‘they’re mine and they help you so ultimately, it’s all me.’

You began washing some extra pots as you let him know what you were cooking and that it was almost done. You felt him get up and walk over. As he got closer, you quickly put what you were washing down and moved away to the stove.

A look of hurt and confusion flashed on his face for a second but it was gone as fast as it came. He followed to look at the food but kept a little distance. He didn’t understand at all what was going on.

You guys set the table up and ate your meal.

He was extremely silent the whole time and it was a very awkward 25 minutes. He offered to do the dishes and as he grabbed the last one, he leaned in to kiss you out of habit as he said thank you. You swerved and this seemed to be his breaking point.

He froze for a moment but then put the plate down and kneeled next to you. He took your hands in his and he looked into your eyes.

‘Y/N, what have I done? I don’t remember doing anything to hurt you and that may also be bad but whatever it is, I’m sorry. Please just tell me and let me fix it,’ he looked so torn up inside and it hurt your heart to see him like that.

And then you broke. (Because you would be a menace to society if you didn’t finally tell him what was going on)

‘I’M SO SORRY! Hold on… I’ll explain,’ You pulled him off the floor and took him over to the sofa. You both sat down. ‘It was such a stupid idea but I saw this prank on tik tok and I wanted to do it.’

The sad look on his face hurt your soul, ‘so you don’t hate me?’

‘God no! I could never!’ You leaned forward and gave him a hug. ‘I’m so sorry! It was a stupid idea!’

He hugged you back in an instant. You were basically in his lap, his face hidden in your neck. ‘Can we just stay like this for a while?’

You nodded and hugged him harder, ‘Can I turn off the kitchen light first?’

‘I’ll pay your electricity bill.’

‘I was kidding,’ you smiled.

‘Someone has to tell you, you’re not funny,’ you could feel him smirk.

‘So mean and hurtful, for what reason?!’ You jokingly sniffled.

‘Feel my pain,’ he laughed.

‘If it makes you feel better, fine,’ you hugged him a little tighter. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘S’okay. I’m just glad it was a prank.’

‘I love you most.’

‘I love you even more’

A/N: I’m thinking of a part two for this. I dont know. Cus I mentioned a tour so maybe it’s worth playing that out a bit. Lemme know what you think.

Please like and reblog and submit your prompts/requests :)

I’m writing anything that comes to mind right now so suggestions would be great.

[I’ve tried to look over it but if there’s anything that isn’t gender neutral about the reader, lemme know and I’ll fix it]

The following parts will probably not come and this was made as a stand alone story. If you’re still wanting to continue reading after this, go for it :) I just wanted to warn you cus if I were you, Id want someone to warn me.

Part 2

[maditalksmusic]

All Things Go NYC (Day 2) at Forest Hills Stadium

This past Sunday, September 29, I had the pleasure of attending the second day of the All Things Go music festival at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. It wasn’t a planned trip, but thanks to Chappell Roan dropping out of the festival on the Friday morning prior, ticket prices plummeted. In the span of 30 minutes, they went from $300-$400 to $75, and it was too good of a deal to pass up. Given the state of the weather the day I attended the festival, I didn’t know if it was even going to be worth having gone, but leaving that night, I couldn’t have been more grateful for the experience. 

It certainly would’ve been more comfortable if it hadn’t been raining all day long at an outdoor venue and I wasn’t soaked to the bone and my hands weren’t completely numb by the end of the night, but honestly the dreary conditions curated the perfect vibe for the lineup. Saturday had been a more energetic set of artists, far more pop-centric than Sunday with sets including sapphic pop-rock band MUNA and newfound lesbian pop icon Reneè Rapp. Sunday, on the other hand, was a lot closer to a dark folk-rock festival with artists you’d listen to speeding down backroads during a thunderstorm or sobbing your eyes out over your latest breakup, wondering what you ever could’ve done to bring what feels like the end of the world upon yourself. I had to leave before the final headliner, Janelle Monáe, took the stage, because regrettably, it was a school night. However, I was able to see the rest of the day’s lineup - Annie DiRusso, Indigo De Souza, Mannequin Pussy, Maisie Peters, Julien Baker, and Ethel Cain. 

Lineup banner on the exterior of Forest Hills Stadium, shot by me

Annie DiRusso was a name I was previously unfamiliar with, but I found myself thoroughly impressed with her set. She kicked the afternoon off perfectly, donning a bright yellow poncho on stage in solidarity with the already drenched crowd. Her highly autobiographical style of songwriting lent itself well to audience engagement as she gave us pieces of different stories that inspired each song, many aspects of which hit extremely close to home for a lot of the audience. Most of her upbeat ‘bedroom-rock’ songs focused on DiRusso’s run-ins with classic coming-of-age experiences, uniting everyone in the crowd from the sixteen-year-olds there with their moms to the fifty-year-old (mostly lesbian) couples thrilled to see such a wonderfully queer festival lineup. 

Setlist: 

Don’t Swerve

Legs

Nine Months

Wet

Next up was Indigo De Souza, who I’ve known for a while as she’s based in Asheville, North Carolina, about an hour and a half from my hometown. This was my first time seeing her live, but I have friends back home who have been to shows of hers and usually, she’s quite lively and her energy is infectious. After her set at All Things Go, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the stadium. Hurricane Helene hit western NC the day prior, and it caused absolutely devastating damage, especially in Asheville. Just before De Souza took the stage, she received the news that her entire home had been destroyed in the storm - her house, everything she owned, her piano - gone. Her performance was among the most raw I’ve ever seen, every single lyric hit like an emotional avalanche. Through most of the songs, her eyes stayed closed and she stayed still at the microphone, simply letting the music pour out of her. It was the most moving set of the day, I think. Before she left the stage, she shared a number of resources that people can utilize to help aid those who were deeply affected by Hurricane Helene in Appalachia specifically, making a point to use her platform for good. I’m still in awe of the fact that she managed to drag herself out there and play so gorgeously in the wake of such a disaster, which goes to show just how powerful of an artist she is. 

Setlist:

Be My Love 

Staying Busy 

Wasting Your Time

You Can Be Mean

Love Transcends

be like the water

shit together

Younger & Dumber

Indigo De Souza during her set at All Things Go NYC, shot by me

Following Indigo De Souza’s intense set came a very different sort of energy from a four-piece female-fronted rock band called Mannequin Pussy, with front woman and lead singer Marisa Dabice, Kaleen Reading on drums, Colins Regisford on bass guitar, and Maxine Steen on guitar. I’d heard a couple of their songs before, but I hadn’t done a deep dive on their discography. After their performance, I was completely sold. The group is heavily reminiscent of bands from the 90s Riot Grrrl scene - the resemblance in energy to the Bikini Kill concert I was at a few weeks ago was incredible. Before Dabice even began singing, I thought to myself, huh… she reminds me a lot of Kathleen Hanna. I don’t know that an outdoor stadium was the best venue for them, but they put on a good show nonetheless. It was the only heavier rock set of the festival, and it was clear that a lot of the audience wasn’t necessarily jiving with it (but, that was the same group that was still mad about Chappell Roan dropping out of the lineup last minute for mental health reasons because she was the only artist they even bought the ticket for, so it was unsurprising). It was so refreshing to see the same sort of sentiments that drove the Riot Grrrl movement still present in modern rock music - not in the sense that the world is still rife with problems that are being felt especially deeply by women and queer people at the moment, but refreshing in the sense that there’s still groups out there that are genuinely passionate about using their platform to spur change in any way possible. 

Setlist:

Sometimes

Loud Bark

I Got Heaven

Of Her

Aching

OK? OK! OK? OK!

Romantic

Following Mannequin Pussy was the only non-queer pop artist of the day, Maisie Peters. Peters is currently touring with Conan Gray on the Found Heaven Tour and has gained a lot of recognition for her recent opening act in London for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. I’m not a huge Maisie Peters fan generally… I won’t go out of my way to listen to her music. You won’t find me searching it up on Spotify, but maybe I won’t skip a song if it pops up in some sort of generated playlist from time to time. I was quite frankly shocked by how much I enjoyed her performance at All Things Go. When she came on, I was probably the least enthusiastic one in my section, but a few songs in I was jamming along, leaning into her bright and whimsical songs telling the stories of her past romantic ventures, for the most part. I still maintain my stance that Maisie Peters comes across as a teenage carbon copy of Sabrina Carpenter (especially with the bangs… the resemblance is undeniable) despite only being one year younger than Carpenter at age 24. But, I’ll admit it - her music is fun. She’s got a stage presence that feels sort of like what I imagine the experience of chewing bright pink bubblegum at a neon-lit roller rink with your friends singing along to the latest radio pop hits feels like. She grabs the audience and holds onto it until she’s completely out of sight, and most importantly, she leaves you at least a little happier than you were before. 

Setlist:

You’re Just a Boy (And I’m Kinda the Man)

Body Better

Love Him I Don’t

John Hughes Movie

Not Another Rockstar

Holding Out for a Hero (Bonnie Tyler cover)

The Band and I

Villain

The Last One

There It Goes

History of Man

Lost the Breakup

Crowd during Maisie Peters' set at All Things Go NYC, shot by me

The anticipation for Julien Baker’s set was palpable. The night prior, MUNA had brought out Lucy Dacus for Phoebe Bridgers’ verse in their hit song “Silk Chiffon”. Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus formed a supergroup called Boygenius back in 2018, and have released two EPs as well as a full studio album together. Phoebe Bridgers is still by far the most well-known of the three, but with the massive success of their debut album The Record last year, which won the Grammys for Best Alternative Album, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance (the latter two both for the track “Not Strong Enough”), both Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker saw an increase in the popularity of their solo work. Given Dacus’ appearance with MUNA, almost everyone was expecting an on-stage appearance from her during Baker’s set as well since they do have music together as Boygenius. While she didn’t join Julien Baker on stage, Lucy Dacus was spotted watching her set along with Phoebe Bridgers, huddled together under a cream-colored umbrella, supporting their best friend like a pair of proud parents still flabbergasted by their child’s sheer talent. Baker’s set was what could only be described as a religious experience for me. Maybe 30 seconds into her first song, I had tears rolling down my cheeks. I’m not one to form those creepy parasocial relationships with artists and pretend I know them personally, which is usually what puts people to tears that soon into a show. I found Julien Baker’s music at a really difficult point in my life, and ever since I’ve had an incredibly strong emotional attachment to her songs. Her music helped me pull through some of my toughest times, and to this day I have to be careful about when I listen to her because doing so conjures up such intense emotions for me. When she started singing, all of those feelings came cascading to the surface, and I couldn’t hold back the sobs thinking back on the last few years and how grateful I am to be in such a wonderful place now. Time felt frozen in that moment, it was just me and the music in this emotional vortex, swirling around and around until she left the stage.

Setlist:

Over

Appointments

Ringside

Red Door

Happy to Be Here

Favor

Tokyo

Sprained Ankle

Bloodshot

Even

Claws in Your Back

Hardline

Julien Baker during her set at All Things Go NYC, shot by me

After Julien Baker, some water, and the most mediocre $9 french fries I’ve ever consumed, I felt like I was in heaven. Which is an interesting place to be going into an Ethel Cain show, given the intricate religious-trauma-ridden, toxic-relationship-turns-cannibalism lore behind her first and only (very much concept) album, Preacher’s Daughter. Ethel Cain is the stage name and character identity developed by Hayden Silas Andehӧnia. Her ambient contemporary folk-rock music is like nothing else out there right now - I’ve never heard a concept album that tells such a detailed story with each song. The interpretations of each song are left up to the listener’s experience and their decision on whether or not to put the time in to do their research, but it’s impossible not to feel as if you’re witnessing a scene from a movie go down in your mind when you hear her music. When you close your eyes and let the song wash over you, basking in her richly haunting vocals and the perfectly minimal but just maximal enough instrumentation, you can feel the dry heat of Alabama, the sunburn on your neck sitting in the bleachers at a football game, the crushing weight of the church on your shoulders with every decision you make. Every note is a pull between the pounding of a heart pushing hot red blood through a body pulsing with vitality and the ice cold remnants of a mutilated corpse. It’s feeling like there must be a God, or at the very least some sort of outside force of the universe, but looking at the state of the world and thinking to yourself it would be impossible for any kind of holy being to allow anyone to have to suffer the way they do. By the end of Ethel Cain’s set, it was pitch-black outside, everything hurt, my skirt was completely ripped, and I was once again shivering under my three layers of soaked clothing, ready for any kind of respite. I can’t imagine a better way to have experienced it. 

Setlist:

Dust Bowl

A House in Nebraska

Family Tree

Thoroughfare

Crush

Punish 

August Underground

Gibson Girl

Bette Davis Eyes (Jackie DeShanon cover)

American Teenager

During Ethel Cain's set at All Things Go NYC, shot by me

[g0ttal0ve101]

Trust

Prompt: Comfort

Ship: Caria

Note: hahaha you thought you were safe caria? no. no one is safe from the angst. tw: mentions of sa

████████████████████

Carl and Mia were inseparable. When he would play videogames, she’d be laying in his lap watching. When she was working on a car, he’d be retrieving tools for her. When they walked together, they held hands. When they were eating, the one who finished first would wait for their counterpart. When they were getting ready for bed, they’d borrow each other’s pajamas. Everyone saw it. Everyone recognized it. No one was bothered by it. But when they were alone, there was a new story to be told. A story not so innocent and sweet and cute to observe.

That night was like many of the others they shared before. Mia decided to take Carl on a spin in her washed up car, breaking all sorts of speed limit laws on her way around Woodlyn City. Their swerving and screeching down the road was more humorous than scary now that he knew just how well Mia had control over her vehicle. Surprisingly enough, she had never gotten into an accident once. And even if she did, it would have been the other driver’s fault. She was articulate with the wheel and even better with the pedals. While Carl was nervous at the beginning of their relationship, he finally learned to sit back and enjoy the show.

And as per usual, they stopped at a fast food place to get some soda to mix in with their alcohol they smuggled out of the house, parking in a deserted parking lot to hang out and kick back.

Laying out on the truck bed, the two had brought some pillows and blankets to sit comfortably on and ‘star gaze.’ Being tipsy and looking up at the night sky was a while different level of euphoria that either of them could explain.

“It’s nice out, huh?” Carl hummed, entwining his fingers with hers. She turned her head away from the stars to gaze into his pretty green ones. It was a much better view anyway. “Hot and sticky.”

Mia scoffed. “Carl, what the hell is wrong with you?”

“Haha! I meant humid.”

“Sure you did.”

Moving closer to her, he let out a little giggle of excitement. It was evident by the shine on his face that he was somewhat intoxicated. Mia smiled a little before planting her palm on his forehead and pushing him away softly. “What’re you doing, dumbass?”

With a low ring of laughter, he stroked her face with the back of his hand. Something had sparked into his eyes that Mia recognized almost instantly. A pit of eagerness and excess heat piled up in her stomach. He just looked at her. Considering the fact he was so tipsy, there was a chance he was retracing his eyes over her because he couldn’t process his visions very well. That was okay. Mia was still sober enough to identify what he wanted.

“Hey, my eyes are up here.” Mia snapped in his face with a sly grin, teasing him even though he had only glanced at her chest.

Carl peered to the side with a scrunched up smile, making his cheeks appear to be extra rosy and round. Suddenly, a change of behavior struck. Instead of waiting for Mia to make the first move like he always did, he lurched over her figure, blocking the star’s view from her eyes. He still didn’t say anything. Maybe he was too afraid to. That was okay. She understood what he meant whenever he connected his lips onto her skin.

Everything was fine. Everything played out just as it usually did. Mia was having fun, Carl was having a blast, but most importantly, neither of them had any sort of reason to hold back. Almost.

Something changed inside her whenever Carl slid his hand up her shirt. It wasn’t the first time he’s ever done this - In fact, he did it quite often on Friday nights like this - and it had never felt wrong before. Mia liked it whenever he took charge for a short while. It made it even more exciting whenever she completely bulldozed his confidence by dominating him instead. But this was different. Carl wasn’t different, his intentions weren’t astray, but she had a wrenching gut feeling start accumulating inside. Her lips remained sealed. The storm of emotion only grew.

Feeling as though time was going in frame to frame motion, Mia tried piecing together what was wrong. One of his hands cradled her hips, the other caressing her stomach under the fabric, his lips lowering to her chest that was fully clothed. (For now.) He wasn’t doing anything wrong. She liked it whenever he did this. And yet, a horrific amount of dread overcame her whenever he tried to take it a step further.

“Carl,” her voice was raspy enough to hide the emotion underlying beneath her words. “Carl, stop.”

That was the end of that. Carl pulled away faster than a blink of an eye, completely removing all physical contact from her body. She suddenly felt a lot worse. The terrified expression spread across his face felt like a ton of bricks that weighted onto her shoulders.

Suddenly it hit her.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered, inching further away now that he was denied. “I’m really sorry, Mia. I-I’m fucked up right now. I should’ve-!”

“No, it’s not you.” Mia assured him with a weak grin. She pulled her tank top straps back over her shoulders littered in hickeys, trying to regain a sense of her emotions before saying something she might regret later. “I…I just…not here. Not in a vehicle…”

Vehicle. While he didn’t quite understand the boundary, he respected and engraved it in his mind for all eternity. Never would he ever try to put the moves on her in - or rather on in this case - a vehicle again.

“Okay. I won’t do it again.” He stammered out, picking at his sleeves while trying to calm down. He couldn’t help but still blame himself. He should’ve known better than touching up his girlfriend like that. He should’ve thought it through. He should’ve said something before doing it. Blow after blow struck him in the heart for something he can’t undo.

The silence was deafening. Carl wasn’t sure what else to say except a hundred more apologies, let alone resume the night as if nothing happened. He violated her. It was a gross thought but initially what happened in his mind. Like some pervert, he just grabbed her up because he was thinking with the wrong head.

Before his thoughts could totally spiral, her voice interjected itself into his mind. “Stop that,” she grasped his hand and pulled it away from picking at his scabs. However, she saw that he had already started bleeding a little from underneath the purple fabric. A sigh fell from her lips. “It’s not your fault. Hey, look at me. It’s not your fault.”

Carl couldn’t bear to look her in the eye. “It is my fault. I-I should’ve asked before-!”

“Do I ask to fuck your brains out? Huh?” Mia asked in a playful manner, trying to lighten the solemn mood. Her calloused hand reached his cheek and attempted to lift it upward to look into her eyes. Despite the attempt, he still refused to lock eye contact. “Carl Alexander, may I please fuck your brains out? Tell me when I’ve ever said that.”

“…You haven’t.”

“Exactly! So, what makes it so wrong that you didn’t ask? I never said you had to. Last time we fucked, did you ask? No. Before that, did you ask? No. Even before that, did you ask? No! So, you didn’t do anything wrong by not asking this time.” Mia moved closer to him, wanting to feel his touch again. His hands remained glued to his lap. “Please stop making that face. You’re okay.”

And yet, it didn’t shake. Carl remained still and silent, trying his hardest not to cry. He hated doing that in front of his girlfriend. Especially since he was the one who violated her. She should be the one crying, not him.

“Baby…” Mia’s voice suddenly got a hundred times lighter than before, her tough front shattering into a bunch of pieces. She saw the tears welling in his eyes, knowing how much this meant to him. It was such a beautiful thing to know that he loved her so dearly, but such a scary thing too. Mia had never experienced love such as this. “Look. I’ll tell you the truth, okay?”

Under her demand, he finally interlocked his green eyes with hers. She smiled softly and held both his hands into her own. The physical connection was rekindled in mere moments.

“Whenever…” Her voice wobbled a bit whenever recalling the memory she had fought endlessly to put from her mind. With a deep breath, she reformed her sentence. “Whenever I was younger, my brother would teach me how to fix cars. I would give him the equipment he needed, sit with him and talk to him, y’know just bullshitting around ‘cause I didn’t wanna be inside with my parents. But that’s a whole other story, haha. Well, my brother wasn’t dumb. He knew that our parents never checked in on us, especially whenever we were working on a car…” Her voice drifted again, preparing herself to say the hard truth. Her throat was entangled by barbed wire as she spoke once more. “…Heh, it’s sorta dumb to look back on it now. I could’ve just ran away or tore his fucking face off but…I just sat there and let him…do whatever he wanted. Then again, I was like, what, six? Seven? I was a dumbass.”

Carl held a hand to his mouth and choked back on his tears. Mia could only stare in disbelief that someone would care so much about something that happened that long ago.

“H-Hey! Hey, that was supposed to make you feel better! Shit, Carl. I’m sorry.” Mia embraced him tightly, rubbing his back to console him. It somewhat worked as his tears streamed down his cheeks and onto her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I thought that would make you feel less guilty about it.”

“M-Mia…” Carl clutched onto her tank top with a sniffle, trying his hardest to snuff out the terrible thought. He couldn’t imagine how she felt having to deal with it for all these years. “I…I promise I’ll never let that happen again. You h-have my word.”

“I’m not worried about that-!”

“I-I won’t let that happen ever again!” Carl sobbed in a mixture of being drunk and being devastated. “Never ever…! Never…”

With a lighthearted sigh, she stroked his hair and with a gentle voice responded. “I trust you, mi amor. I trust you.”

After wiping away his tears, the two got inside the truck and drove back home, prepared to get drunker and forget this even happened.

[geometropolis]

grt3D episode 8: friends… to the end

it was time for trapezoid and pentagon’s nightly walk through the calm, dark forest edging the competition grounds; the air was still and brisk. the two had just left their cabin when a voice startled them.

“hey… can i join you?”

trapezoid looked back to see octagon in the doorway. “you want to go on a walk with us?”

“...yeah.”

“is that okay, pentagon?”

pentagon beamed. “yeah! of course!!!”

trapezoid smiled as well. “we’d love to have you, octagon. i’m glad you’re, you know, putting yourself out there…”

octagon glanced away. “don’t make a big deal out of it or anything,” she huffed. “it’s just a walk…”

“if you say so…!”

“what’s this about a walk?” hexagon piped up. “oh, didn’t expect to see you up so late, octagon. aren’t you usually tired in the morning?”

“it’s nothing,” octagon said behind clenched teeth. “i’m just joining trapezoid and pentagon on their walk. it’s nothing.”

“oh! …can i come too?”

so the four shapes left their cabin in the dead of night to traverse the forest together. it was cold out, but none of them felt it as it nipped at them; after all, they were all holding hands.

“have i ever told you the story of that one time i got kicked out of summer camp?” trapezoid asked as the group entered the woods.

“yes,” octagon said.

“but tell it again!” pentagon jumped in excitement.

“okay. so it was, what, ten years ago? i was going to the camp just south of geometropolis, i think it was called camp vertex or something. anyway i had an awesome, crazy counselor, his name was nonagon.”

“how was he crazy?” hexagon asked, knowing the answer. 

“well, one time nonagon almost lost our bunk in a museum, and one time he told us this story about how he went illegally ziplining somewhere? and every friday he would wear a ridiculous costume and dance around camp. he was insane, i have no idea how he didn’t get fired… so anyway, one day our bunk was supposed to have a scheduled activity, but the staff for it never showed up, so we were sitting around doing absolutely nothing. nonagon and the other counselor were supposed to come up with an activity for us to do in the meantime, but instead we just sat around.”

“so what did you do?” pentagon asked, grinning.

“well i had to go to the bathroom, so nonagon took me around to one of the buildings. and y’know, there was this golf cart sitting right outside with the key still in it. so i go to the bathroom and i come out, and nonagon’s like, “somebody left this key in the golf cart. anybody could just ride it.” and he winked at me! and y’know i was young and an absolute idiot so of course that seemed like the most awesome, crazy thing i could possibly do. so i got in the golf cart and started riding it around!”

pentagon giggled.

“what happened next?” octagon asked.

“so this thing was going all over the place, cuz i had no idea how to drive! it was swerving all over and guess what? i crashed it right into the camp director’s office!”

pentagon and hexagon burst into laughter. 

“oh my goodness,” octagon gasped, chuckling incredulously. she had heard this story before, yet it was just as unbelievable as the first time.

“so yeah, i was never able to go there again. but when they asked, i didn’t rat out nonagon – i just couldn’t! – so they never found out his part to play in that whole thing… i think he might be the camp director now, actually…”

“you didn’t tell us that before!” octagon laughed. “what the heck???”

helvetica kept on walking, the chill of the night kept away by the warmth of their banter.

“y’know, that reminds me of the time my principal at school caught me stealing mathematicookies from her office,” hexagon added.

“oh, so you were a little trouble-maker too!” trapezoid teased.

“was not!”

“you two should really not be so proud of yourselves.” octagon rolled her eyes affectionately. “pentagon’s gonna get ideas.”

“i’m gonna drive my teacher’s car into her classroom and steal all the snacks she hides from us!” pentagon cackled. “and when i get expelled i’ll say it was hexagon and trapezoid’s idea!!!”

“noooooo!!!!” trapezoid and hexagon both cried, before bursting into laughter themselves.

soon enough, trapezoid decided to head back to the cabin.

“we aren’t gonna walk longer?” pentagon asked.

“i don’t want octagon to lose too much sleep.”

“hey, it’s fine if you keep walking,” octagon replied. “i can just go back myself.”

“nope!” trapezoid said. “it’s too dark for you to go back alone. we’ll go together.”

“hey, i can go back with octagon,” hexagon offered. “the two of you can continue walking.”

“are you sure that’s fine?”

“of course.”

so hexagon accompanied octagon out of the forest and back to their warm and cozy cabin.

“just for the record,” hexagon pointed out as she sat in bed and strummed her ukulele, “i was a well-behaved kid. that cookie-stealing incident was a one-time thing.”

“sure.” octagon smirked.

“what, and you were a perfectly sweet little girl? i doubt it.”

octagon rolled her eyes and smiled. “so, um… what can you play on the ukulele?”

“i thought you’d never ask…” hexagon took a breath, grinned, and began to sing in a dramatic voice. “i swear i did not play hooky, i just want to eat a cookie~!”

octagon chuckled and continued hexagon’s song. “i am a girl who’s oh-so sweet, but i just want a little treat~!”

“not bad!” hexagon started strumming again. “please don’t take a lookie, inside your jar of cookies~!”

“for if you did you’d see that i have had a bite to eat~!”

the two collapsed in laughter.

“we should start a band,” hexagon said, lying down. “it’ll be called ‘the cookie criminals’.”

“‘the sweet stealers’.”

“‘the dessert delinquents’!”

octagon giggled and shook her head. “y’know what we should do? go to bed, for primes’ sake.”

“okay… good night, sweet girl…!”

“good night, cookie thief…”

…

square left his cabin early and went to the field; möbius strip was already there.

“i’m ready to be eliminated,” square said. “i know it’s me.”

möbius didn’t say anything. instead, he just waited for origin to appear.

“GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!” möbius screamed, waking the rest of the contestants up. “LET’S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“you seem to get louder every day, sir,” origin noted.

“aw, very kind of you to say so. OKAY,” he began, once the contestants had arrived, “IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER MEMBER OF GROUP TWO TO BE ELIMINATED…”

hexagon was busy showing her and octagon’s new song on the ukulele to trapezoid and pentagon, who found it hilarious. 

“STOP LAUGHING, YOU CRETINS!!!!!! I SAID IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER MEMBER OF GROUP TWO TO BE ELIMINATED…”

square stood with his hands on his hips. “enough with the fanfare, we all know it’s gonna be me. i made my team lose, after all.”

rectangle and triangle looked uneasy.

“AAAAAAAND THE NEXT ELIMINATED CONTESTANT IS RECTANGLE!”

“what?” all three members of group two gasped in unison.

rectangle started to tremble. “no. no. no. no! this can’t be it!” 

“rectangle.” square’s voice was faint. “oh my primes, rectangle!”

“this isn’t r-real, there has to be a mistake!” rectangle was crying now.

“LET’S GO, TWINKLE.” origin began to buzz with a sigh. triangle stared on in horror.

“rectangle, i’m so sorry,” square choked out. “i’m so sorry. i’m so sorry.”

rectangle stuck to origin. “square…” and he was gone.

“my brother…”

“AND THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS!” möbius announced. “ANOTHER ELIMINATION FRAUGHT WITH INTENSE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS!!!”

square glanced at triangle with wide eyes.

“ANOTHER CONTESTANT WRONGED BY THEIR FRIENDS BECAUSE OF A SILLY COMPETITION!!!!! ISN’T IT INCREDIBLE?”

triangle’s eyes widened as well. she inhaled sharply and fell to her knees.

origin reappeared with his camera lens after a few minutes of tense silence. 

“TODAY’S CHALLENGE IS A QUIET CONTEST. THE FIRST TEAM TO TALK IS UP FOR ELIMINATION. GO!”

heptagon and parallelogram found it easy enough to stay quiet; they had nothing to talk about. the two sat still, with heptagon staring at parallelogram, as he often did. parallelogram was looking over at group two.

square and triangle were dead silent. neither had moved an inch since rectangle’s sudden elimination. 

droplet walked over to star and sat next to him; she furrowed her brow and curled her legs up. star took a brief glance at her and looked away.

everything’s fine, he thought. droplet’s fine.

the members of helvetica were already condensed in a little group, and they were all busy thinking about the previous night’s misadventures. hexagon was miming the chords she had played on her ukulele.

“UGH, THIS IS SO BORING,” möbius groaned. “CAN YOU ALL PUT A LITTLE MORE LIFE IN YOUR SILENCE?”

“i can talk to you if you want,” origin suggested. “it’s good that they’re taking the challenge seriously.”

“sure, but i want ENTERTAINMENT! INTRIGUE!! DRAMA!!!”

“well, you did decide to host a reality show of all things. i guess i shouldn’t be too surprised…”

“whatever. what do you have to talk about?”

“well… the contestants in the paradox are doing quite well, sir. they don’t mind it there at all, i’d say.”

“good. how have they thought of the latest… happenings?”

“oh, in the challenges? they’ve found everything very… interesting to watch.”

“i see.”

origin glowed a bit. “they’ve started to form a little family in there. they are really getting along well!”

“darn…” möbius muttered.

“what?”

“nothing…”

“i think rectangle’s gonna do fine there, even if it takes a little while for him to settle. he’ll get to reunite with his friend circle, after all.”

“yeah, okay. whatever.” möbius clearly did not want to talk about this any further.

droplet was still curled up. star closed his eyes.

she never said anything was upsetting her today, so there’s nothing upsetting her. droplet’s fine, star. she’s fine. don’t worry over nothing.

then he felt shuddering. his eyes sprang open and he looked over to see droplet crying.

this isn’t nothing.

star looked at her and patted droplet’s hand. she looked up at him, her eyes shiny with tears. he smiled slightly at her, and she smiled slightly back; her smile quickly fell away into a frown. star continued to pat her hand…

“THIS IS INFURIATING!” möbius yelled. “I’M LEAVING. TWINKLE, KEEP AN EYE ON THE CONTESTANTS AND TELL ME WHO LOSES.”

“on it, sir!”

and with that, möbius left.

heptagon continued to stare at parallelogram. 

parallelogram had been looking at the other teams, when he finally turned back to notice heptagon’s gawking. 

he opened his mouth to yell when heptagon hit him in the face.

parallelogram blinked in shock and indignation, but softened. he smiled sheepishly.

“golly, you all are very good at this,” origin said. “hm…” he approached triangle and square. “hey, are you two okay?”

neither responded; neither even acknowledged origin’s presence.

“okay, i don’t really know what i was expecting…”

hexagon waved to origin; he came over. 

“yes?”

hexagon pointed to her ukulele and shrugged.

“oh, i guess you’re allowed to play that. it isn’t talking or anything.”

hexagon smiled, gave him a thumbs up, and strummed.

she began to play the chords to the cookie criminal song, and her teammates nodded along, grinning.

“for if you did you’d see that i have had a bite to eat~!” octagon sang with a chuckle. pentagon laughed as well.

“AAAAAND HELVETICA LOSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” möbius yelled, reappearing. 

octagon’s breath caught. “...oh my primes. no no no no no no no NO NO NO NO–”

now one of them was going to be eliminated. now helvetica was going to lose somebody.

“let’s–” hexagon started in a strained voice, “let’s go back to the cabin.”

trapezoid took her hand and pentagon’s. “octagon… are you coming?”

but octagon said nothing. 

the other three left without her.

heptagon was about to go back to his team cabin as well, when parallelogram said his name.

“hey, heptagon. thanks for hitting me back there… we almost lost cuz of me.”

heptagon’s eyes were teary. “o-of course.”

“but geez, dude! you gotta stop looking at me like that…”

star and droplet stood up.

“i see something’s been getting you down,” star murmured.

droplet sighed. “i just miss heart and rhombus…”

“me too… well, the competition won’t last forever. we’ll see them at some point.”

droplet smiled. “i guess you’re right. thanks, star.”

origin returned to triangle and square. “well, now that you two are allowed to talk… are you okay?”

square shook himself and stared at origin. “what do you think? my brother’s gone.”

“i’m sure he’s fine. he’s with your friend circle after all–”

“SHUT UP ABOUT CIRCLE!” triangle yelled. “i know i’ve been horrible, you don’t have to rub it in!”

and with that she stormed off. 

…

“hey, circle…”

“hey, rectangle.”

it had been a while since the two friends had seen each other. or had it? it had only been a few days, and yet it felt like forever…

“sorry about your elimination,” circle continued. “i know you really wanted to win.”

“yeah… but square thought this whole show was so terrible that he was willing to risk everything for the chance to be eliminated…”

“well…” kite pointed out, “this show has caused some… undue tension, to say the least.”

i guess she’s right, rectangle thought. because of this show i’ve argued with triangle practically every day, not to mention square – i never used to fight with square.

“but that tension can’t just come out of nowhere,” oval noted. “can it?”

“it certainly d-didn’t with star and i,” heart said. “our problems had been going on for years, it’s just that they only came to a head because of the show.”

“so what, are you saying that our friendship was never meant to last?” rectangle countered. “were we doomed from the start to end up hating each other?”

circle winced. “let’s just watch the challenge, okay?”

they proceeded to find it incredibly boring. möbius wasn’t wrong about everything…

“helvetica’s gonna mess up, aren’t they,” rhombus muttered. “they always look like they’re about to laugh.”

“i kinda hope they don’t,” heart murmured. “it’s comforting having the one team whose members don’t constantly scream at each other.”

“it’s bound to happen eventually.”

rectangle sighed as the camera panned over to square and triangle, who were frozen still in horror. should i take pride in the fact that they care more about my elimination than circle’s?

he glanced over at circle, who was frowning.

no. no i shouldn’t.

“heptagon seems very keen on not losing all of a sudden,” oval pointed out. “funny.”

“well, that’s kind of my fault,” kite said. “i’m just glad parry’s taking it as well as he is.”

“they’re all changing in one way or another.”

eventually, as rhombus predicted, helvetica lost.

“i know i’ve been wrong about a lot of things but sometimes being touchy-feely does genuinely make you more likely to lose,” rhombus said.

“and often the opposite is true,” rectangle muttered bitterly.

origin soon reappeared. “everyone’s favorite team finally lost… i’ll be sad to bring any of them here tomorrow.”

“just tell möbius there isn’t enough room in here,” oval suggested. “then you won’t have to.”

“but there’s always enough room in here! this place goes on forever!!!”

“darn.”

“even the one good team has gone sour…” kite said. “i feel like there really is something wrong here.”

“or something wrong with all of us,” heart mumbled.

“it’s a competition show!” origin said. “you shouldn’t feel bad about wanting to win or not wanting to win or whatever. that’s just how it goes.”

“but if it turns us into volatile, impulsive, over-competitive jerks?” rectangle cried. “or cold, mean, self-centered ones? is that ‘just how it goes’?”

“listen, rectangle–”

“i’m happy helvetica lost, because it shows that they actually enjoy each other’s company! i’m happy somebody here has the guts to actually be friends with people instead of treating them like garbage!”

“but what’s gonna happen now?” rhombus countered. “are the members of helvetica still gonna care about each other that much after this? after octagon made one of them get eliminated? they want to win, rectangle. there’s nothing immaculate about that.”

“so we should just accept it then? that this challenge is corrupting all of us? that being wronged by our friends because of a silly competition is normal and okay and great? is it always gonna end like this, where we all want each other dead?”

“ENOUGH!” circle yelled and sighed. “...listen. friendships end sometimes, but they don’t always have to. they certainly don’t have to end like this. triangle and square don’t have to be jerks. it’s their choice how they treat us. we weren’t wrong to be friends with them.”

“then what’s going to happen to helvetica?”

“i don’t know. it’s up to them to decide.”

[sciencestyled]

Holding a Quantum Cat by its Schrödinger's Tail: A Ride Through the Microcosmic Madness

Hey there, you intrepid souls of the internet! Strap yourselves in and hold onto your beanie hats because we’re about to serve up something that’ll make your neurons do backflips. Remember those times in science class when your teacher mentioned quantum mechanics and everyone’s eyes glazed over? Well, forget that snoozefest because we're about to reintroduce you to quantum mechanics in a way that's as far from boring as the Earth is from the edge of the observable universe (which is, FYI, pretty darn far).

We’ve all heard of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, right? Classic tale of one man with two wildly different personalities – the proper, buttoned-up Dr. Jekyll and his unhinged alter-ego, Mr. Hyde. Now, imagine these two hosting a TV show about quantum mechanics. Sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen? More like the most bizarrely enlightening crash course in the microcosmic universe you'll ever witness!

First up, Dr. Jekyll will swoon over atoms like they’re delicate flowers in an English garden – with protons playing the part of the noble knights, and electrons as these flittering, unpredictable creatures that you just can’t pin down (literally). He’s all about the poise and eloquence, painting a picture of the atomic world that’s more like a Renaissance painting than a high school textbook diagram.

But wait, there’s more! Just when you think you’re wading through a Victorian novel, in bursts Mr. Hyde – tearing down the fancy language and giving it to you straight. He sees atoms more like a rowdy bar on a Friday night, with electrons as the shady characters slipping through your fingers just when you think you've caught them.

And oh boy, when they get to wave-particle duality, it’s like a comedy show. Dr. Jekyll waxes poetic about particles being waves and waves being particles, in a manner most scholars and romantics would appreciate. But Mr. Hyde? He compares it to a drunkard staggering home, sometimes walking straight like a normal person (particle), and sometimes swerving like a snake (wave).

But wait, there's a plot twist! Just when you think it can't get wackier, they start talking about quantum entanglement. Picture this: Dr. Jekyll eloquently describes it as a mystical connection transcending space and time, like star-crossed lovers' hearts beating in unison across galaxies. Enter Mr. Hyde, scoffing at that notion, likening it instead to gossipy neighbors who can’t help but mirror each other’s dramatic reactions.

As we wind down this wild ride, we confront the infamous Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. Dr. Jekyll will likely get all philosophical about it, musing on the nature of reality and our place in the universe. Hyde? He’ll probably just grumble about how it’s as impossible as taking a clear photo of a running squirrel on your first try.

So, there you have it, folks. If your brain’s not buzzing like a bee after this, check if you’re still awake. It's quantum mechanics narrated by the most unexpected duo since peanut butter met jelly. And just between us – it’s a way more thrilling story than anything about apples falling on people’s heads. Tune in, geek out, and who knows – you might just end up loving quantum mechanics more than cat videos on the internet. Maybe.

[lunetual]

ur tmi in the tags of the game reblog JDJGHB pls go get some mandarins (for dessert . is it a special occasion?) anyways must know abt 10, 37, 39 <3

omg la;ksjdf;lkasjdf i literally went to go get mandarins....... the teeny kishu ones that rachel showed us last week.... (tysm @takatamashi...) ty for dropping by hehe i love friday night slumber parties !!

10. song to most likely make you crash your car while driving or get pulled over for speeding omg..... definitely energetic by wanna one..... make me feel so high !!! *swerves lanes* this is actually like. a joke amongst the girlies that i cannot play energetic in the car when i'm driving them without them fearing for their lives lk;asdjflkadsf

37. if you were an idol and didnt have to worry about skill, would you rather be a dancer, rapper, or singer? hehe ofc i would be a singer i would simply be That Member who's always humming always singing absentmindedly!

39. is there a group and/or song you would like to promote right now? if so, what is it? hiiii everyone please tune in to the monstas cb this week <3 do it for me <333 also if u are a survival show girlie (gn) please consider my son whom i raised myself (with ina) park gunwook to be one of your picks on boys planet. thank u for your time *gets off soapbox*

[ireceived-p8250000]

January 26-February 1, 2014

Sunday, January 26

Hollmae and I got home at 2 AM. My parents were already asleep, but they knew where we had been. They were getting used to my late nights out. We woke up late, around 9 AM. My brother, Marvin, arrived but just chatted with my parents. My mom asked him to let the driving practice go for today since we were tired from the concert. We went down for breakfast, but I decided to go ahead with the practice. We left at 11 AM, with Hollmae in the backseat. She was extra flirty, but my brother didn't respond much as he was focused on my swerves. He taught me how to park. We finished at 3 PM because I needed to rest. Hollmae went home, and I did some designing before sleeping.

Monday, January 27

I felt exhausted and hadn’t had much rest. I woke up at 5 AM to rush my homework. I attended classes, and Walt approached me to play violin with Charlene during Valentine's Day. I agreed.

Tuesday, January 28

Had Spanish class and then went to school early to catch brunch with Mansoor at McDonald's Insular. We rarely spend time together, so he made the effort. We did some research for SocPsych.

Wednesday, January 29

Physics is getting difficult. Mansoor and I spent our break times together. Since the Physics lab is near CTE, I would sometimes see Sir Apollo again. I tried to avoid him as much as possible. We did more research for Psych Assessment.

Thursday, January 30

Spanish class, then a painting project for Humanities. During my break, I sought out gouache paints, feeling like I was losing touch with my art skills. Biochem was good; I like it, but the heavy science load makes it tough to find time to study. I considered quitting my job for a while.

Friday, January 31

In the morning, I talked to my mother about quitting my job to concentrate on studying. She offered to pay for my Spanish classes if it was making me too tired, emphasizing that my studies were the priority. I talked to Yael about it, and he said I could submit one assignment per week on a part-time basis.

I received my salary of 35k, adding to my 70k, bringing my total to 105k. I paid 12k for the entire Spanish class until April, setting me back to 93k. I bought groceries and paid for the internet.

Saturday, February 1

Our classes went well. I had to paint for my Humanities class. It's a new month, and I'm determined to find a better balance between my studies, work, and personal life.

[alx-magazine]

A bad Xmas 🎄🎁

Twas the night before Christmas, where all hell broke loose. Angry families, frightened children, Santa is drunk and nobody understands why he's acting that way; Seriously, what is going on here ?

Zombie Claus by Psychostick is blasting from the rusted brown van that is speeding and swerving recklessly throughout the suburbs.

How did we get here huh ? Chaos and dismay on Christmas eve.

Well, let me introduce myself; My name is Nick but they call me dick for short. Father's don't approve of me, teachers dread the period I'm in, my family is a wacky bunch but at least we love each other... That's not always the reality for some. My best friend Phil, well let's just say that the sound of beer bottles crashing on the wall is all too familiar. When things go sour at home, he comes over to crash on our couch for a bit.

My family isn't big on Christmas but we still put up a tree every year, slap on some ornaments and call it a season. Phil on the other hand never does anything for Christmas; until we were about 13 at least.

Decemberism by Man overboard starts playing as we flash back in time.

8th grade year, Phil was an obnoxious yet bright eyed lad, he always dreaded this time of year, although that was until he met Lisa.

Lisa was a prissy Christian girl who was friends with the prettiest girls in school. You see, Phil and I, we were rather estranged from said crowd. We didn't care about church, we reeked of pepperoni pizza, we had big mouths, tough attitudes, ripped up clothing, and greasy ass spiked hair.

Although that didn't seem to stop Lisa from making her way to our table at lunch, joyfully commenting on the way we looked, as if she was observing extraterrestrial beings that just landed on Earth.

Lisa and Phil, such an unexpected pairing they were that year, and her friends went out of their way to embarrass Phil in front of her as much as possible.

Scoffs "and we are the jerks.", Phil mutters under his breath as he is covered in chocolate milk and spaghetti in front of the whole cafeteria.

Lisa was a kind girl, she didn't let that see him any different, and she even told her friends to knock it off, even if they just brushed her aside and laughed it off.

Christmas time came around and Lisa in attempt to impress Phil, invited him to sneak into her home the Friday night before Christmas break. She lived on the other side of the hill where all the big houses were,and he skated all the way over there to see her. They had their first kiss underneath the Christmas tree, it was rather lovely until it was interrupted by her dad.

Lisa's dad was flaming pissed at the fact that his daughter not only snuck a boy into their home, but that the boy was "hellish and rotten, why would you bring a boy like that into our home..." Blah blah blah, the angry father keeps bitchin'. Long story short, Lisa's father made her transfer to an all girls catholic school the following semester and so on. He never saw her again.

Sympathy 4 the Grinch by 100 gecs begins playing as Phil and I speed down the hill on our skateboards.

And that's where our Christmas tradition began, Phil just about had it. He came up to me manically after that night all excited about his new plans. Spray paint cans spill out of his stinky, ripped up backpack, I already knew what he had in store.

Now we are nearing 17, it's that time of year again. The past years of mischief were rather juvenile, since it's our last year of school, we thought we'd step it up a notch.

We started off by going around the neighborhood at night, unplugging all the lights, egging a few houses, leaving small brown bags of dog shit on fire at doorsteps, ah a good way to start the season.

This year we had more people joining us. Our friends Ricky, Dex the wreck, and Sid the sick fuck. We are a full team this year, and we have a lot more than stupid, kiddy pranks in store.

Coal in my stockings by backyard superman is playing as we are throwing snow at each other in excitement for our devious plans.

We proceeded to head on over to Ricky's basement to partake in our very own favorite Christmas tree, with a large, cheesy pepperoni pizza to devour as we are overtaken by the munchies. Phil lets out a loud burp as he throws a 40oz beer bottle at the wall.

I get up aggressively and yell out "SERIOUSLY THOUGH GUYS, WHAT THE FUCK IS UP THIS YEAR!!?"

Dex joins in, chest bumping me, saying, "WHATCHU GOT IN MIND FOO ?!"

Twas the night before Crushmas by Vulvodynia starts playing and we all began moshing in Ricky's basement.

Ricky get's up with a revelation, "GUYS, THAT'S JUST IT!"

We all hurdle up into my rusty van and start heading our way over the hill to the oh so jolly suburban neighborhood to go caroling.

Oh the perfect white picket fences, and the friendly faces, homes decorated like gingerbread houses. As we speed through the street of this cookie cutter neighborhood, Phil rolls down the window for Sid to moon the old, white man getting his mail. "DID YA SEE THAT MOTHAFUCKA !?" Sid yelled as we were all dying of laughter, Ricky continues the joke by saying, "Mothafucka look like the shocked Pikachu meme."

We begin caroling by singing our Christmas favorite, 🎶 "It's Christmas in Hollywood, Santa's back up in the hood, so meet me under the mistletoe let's fuckkk." 🎶

A few door slams later...

We start caroling at this house with a 5 y/o son and 3 y/o daughter, in which we sang our other favorite, "Merry crushmas". Let's just say the kids weren't too happy and neither were the parents. Both kids sobbing with fright and their father ready to swing at us with a baseball bat. After a few more door slams, angry parents, gun pulls, and crying kids, we decided to hit the mall.

Kidnap the sandy claws by Korn starts playing on the stereo as we're swerving recklessly on the way to the mall.

We have to a pay a visit to our special friend, the mall Santa.

So we took some pictures with the mall Santa of course; with our distressed black clothing, crazy hair, corpse paint, and heavy chains, making rotten faces. Dex has brought a fancy glass bottle of eggnog, and while it is eggnog, there is one special ingredient.

"Well hey Santa, I know you're one that usually gives us presents, but we thought we'd give back this year.", Dex tells him in a soft, compassionate tone.

Dex hands him a beautifully wrapped glass bottle of eggnog, with a bow on it. Santa looks quite pleased with our gift, he chuckles and says, "Ho ho ho, now that was very kind of you guys, most certainly didn't have to.", He proceeds to open up the bottle, and take a sip.

Look, we all know that behind the red suit, Santa is just some big ol' regular Joe, like our dads, just putting on a uniform, doing what he gotta do to bring home the goods.

"Hmm, what did you boys put in here huh, ?, You guys think I'm stupid??" , Santa says in a stern tone...

We all look slightly frightened at Santa who looks like he's about to take off his hat and whoop our ass.

El santa by Salo Venegas starts playing as Santa chugs down the bottle and lets out a big Hispanic squeel.

He bursts out laughing, and says, "...You son of a bitch, how did you guys know that this is all a Mothafucka needed. Now I kinda wanna get out of here, what about you guys !??"

The whole line of parents and kids looking appalled as a drunk mall Santa, screams out "Ho ho, fuckin ho, how about we get out of here and get some hoes!"

We escort him out of the mall before the mall cops do, and we all hurdle back into my rusty van and rush away. Now that we've kidnapped Santa, we are headed to his house, or so he says...

We pull up to this janky-lookin' house, falling apart, with some tough dudes sitting on the porch, chain smoking, and blasting some aggressive rap music.

"This where you live Santa?", I ask him.

Santa tells us, "Wait out here, I'm about to go make it snow."

As we're waiting patiently, Santa comes back out with a brick and once he's back in the van, he tells us, "I've got us a little present, now I'll take half of this to myself, and I gift you guys the other half, do with it what you will, but to get this party started, how about some lines !"

Well, we're kids after all, so we're all just sitting here, nervously chuckling and slightly frightened as none of us ever dared to try a lil bit of white; I guess this is Santa's idea of a white Christmas. Phil of course decides to say, "Fuck it! Why not ? Merry fucking Christmas guys!!", As he snorts a fat ass line, his first time??

Sid joins in as well, the rest of us decline the offer, although I guess we have a free half brick ??

It was all fun and games until Santa started tweaking on us, he's a grown ass man and we just gotta drop him off somewhere.

"Santa, where the fuck do you live? My parents are definitely gonna say something, so come on, let's take yo ass home.",

Santa tweakin' mad, he refused to let us know where he lives, so we just drive back to the mall and throw his ass out the van. We decided to let him keep the whole brick to himself and just drive away like we didn't just go on that whole little detour.

The sun has came down, my boys and I are pumped up, ready to head back to Ricky's basement to just laugh about the day we had and chill.

Holiday by turnstile is blasting off our speakers as we speed on home at night.

As we returned to Ricky's basement, we just had a good toke, some good laughs, and well looks like Santa is on the news, let's just hope he doesn't remember who we are.

Now it's Christmas morning, the neighborhood is a mess, the town has been stricken with chaos and mischievous deeds, for that was our way of spreading the holiday cheer, sincerely, for you, from me. Merry fuckin' Christmas 🎄!

Christmas tree on fire by Tom Heinl is playing as the scene of snowy homes with crooked Christmas lights hanging off the roofs, and knocked over festive decor is slowly zooming and fading away.

-Alex M.

[indigos-shits-and-giggles]

I posted 13,257 times in 2022

That's 13,244 more posts than 2021!

939 posts created (7%)

12,318 posts reblogged (93%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@thenewborndeity

@the-spaced-out-ace

@warriorblood1

@parotcardsroxy

@figged-newtons

I tagged 2,934 of my posts in 2022

#team starkid - 439 posts

#hatchetfield - 423 posts

#save for later - 265 posts

#not starkid related - 251 posts

#nightmare time - 197 posts

#fanart - 167 posts

#tgwdlm - 164 posts

#my art - 160 posts

#ash :] - 136 posts

#black friday - 124 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#that part in undertale in waterfall with the blue castle in the distance and the quiet sound of rain as you and the weird kid you befriended

I sent 2 gifts in 2022

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Can I just say the use of motifs and background music in the non-musical-number parts in the Hatchetfield shows are fucking amazing? Like just from a few piano notes the audience can either end up laughing or (more likely), bawling their eyes out. The main examples I can think of off the top of my head is

- Ethan's death in Black Friday, with the reprise of Califor-M.I.A

- That part in Jane's a Car where Jane crashes into Becky Barnes and the whole "Crash, bang, Jane" melody now growing panicky and terror stricken

- America's Great Again playing whenever General MacNacmera enters a room in Black Friday

- That part in Hatchetfield Ape Man where Professor Hidgens is talking about Working Boys and that in-between melody that I'll just call "the pitch theme" that's the speaking transition part from Show Stoppin Number to Working Boys.

If anyone sees this, reblog with more, we gotta make a list. Or, heck, let's also use a specific tag, #motifs in hatchetfield.

204 notes - Posted January 21, 2022

#4

Here's an idea: Opposite!Paul TGWDLM AU where he actually LIKES musicals

Basically The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals would have the same general plot, except it's a silent film and the people who are infected are forced to literally never speak. It'd start out as a musical, hell, Paul'd even sing an "I Want" song, and there'd even be background music, but by the end of Act 1 it'd have gone completely and utterly silent.

211 notes - Posted February 17, 2022

#3

Little headcanon that everyone in Hatchetfield notices that one in every five or so people they meet looks almost exactly like them and they just don't care.

Like Alice will be going to Beanies with Bill and run into Zoey and they'll just kind of look at eachother and shrug like "Yup, just a normal day in Hatchetfield."

You aren't a Hatchetfield resident until you run into at least one person who looks vaguely similar to you!

212 notes - Posted March 14, 2022

#2

grrr i hate social studies id rather be listening to a musical set after the 2nd world war about gay spies who are now enemies or the little mermaid in space with alien bugs and evil sunglasses guy who's smoking pot. or maybe that one that symbolizes consumerism with a fuckin furry little monster. or that one with the family of farmers shitting themselves to death.

/j

214 notes - Posted May 2, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Twisted has so many serious lyrics that have no right being this good

Like, here's just a bunch off the top of my head thAT BREAK MY HEART-

"SCIENCE SAYS YOU'RE DEAD AND GONE FOREVER... REASON SAYS I'M TALKING TO THE AIR, BUT SOMETHING IN MY HEART, SOME SECRET HIDDEN PART, ILLOGICALLY INSISTS THAT YOU ARE THERE... SOMEWHEEERRREEEE-" Heartbreaking, beautiful, incredibly depressing. Dylan Saunders is over here ripping my heart in two.

"How will they tell my story? How will they tell my tale? Will anybody even care?!" Openly sobbing at the callback to A Thousand And One Nights

"The question then is whether 'tis nobler in the mind to be well-liked but ineffectual, or moral but maligned." Yes, the musical where there's a character who everyone thinks fucked a tiger is referencing Hamlet and it is fuckin' beautiful

"THE ROAD AHEAD MAY TWIST, BUT I WILL NEVER SWERVE, I'LL GIVE THEM ALL THE UNSUNG ANTIHERO THEY DESERVE!!!!!!!" Just epic, beautiful, kind of bittersweet, but such a powerful line delivered just beautifully

"You are kind, and that's enough." "You're a diamond in the rough.." *muffled sobbing*

In conclusion: Yes, I cried during Twisted, yes I'm gonna go relisten to it right now, don't judge me

278 notes - Posted April 26, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[trueshellz]

Sex Trip: Getou

Warnings: softdom!Getou, dancing, kissing, massage (m receiving), Maki being a troll, prostitution mentioned, handjob, fingering, lap sitting, female reader, scratching and marking, bdsm club setting, spanking and flogging mentioned, traffic light system, inexperienced reader

Summary: You work at a sex club as a bartender with your best friend, one night your whole life changes with Suguru walks in with a proposition.

A/N: I had this song on repeat and it kind of wrote itself. It might get a Part 2 since I had to stop myself writing or it would have been so, so long.

Part of @httptamaki Shuffle Collab

It was your usual Friday evening, the lights in the club low and drinks flowing freely as inhibitions lay bare and open. Glancing around, you watched couples in various stages of undress and play, spanking and rope play, wax play and whipping going on on the main stages. You could see the owner showing someone around, nothing new since all applicants had to be screened before they could become a full member. Various security and background checks, a tour and contract in place before they could take a playmate.

"Hey there, little one."

"Hey, Mr Gojou."

You rolled your eyes with a small smile, waving at the owner as he approached the bar, sliding his favourite drink across to him before wiping the counter down. The white haired man tipped you generously, sipping his drink as he made small talk with the prospective candidate. Your attention suddenly stolen as you watched him turn to face you, onyx eyes staring at you as his gaze flickered up and down quickly, his hair tied back in a half bun leaving some long tendrils draped across his shoulders. A dark suit covering broad shoulders, dark shirt and tie stretched across a wide chest and you could see the glimpse of cufflinks and a fancy watch when he readjusted his clothing. You felt your face heat when you met his eyes again, a small grin curving his lips as he tipped an imaginary hat at you before walking away.

"He's hot!"

You jumped, gaze snapping to your best friend before covering her mouth and shushing her. His dark green hair styled perfectly, fishnet tights and shorts accentuating her perk ass and small waist. You felt her body shake as she laughed again, wrestling herself from you before pouring the drinks. She readjusted her glasses before reaching behind you and pouring some drinks, popping a cherry in her mouth as she laughed again.

"Maki, please."

"What? You were eyefucking him so hard, I got pregnant."

"I was not!"

"Uh huh. Of course."

Throwing the dishrag at her as she walked away, tray precariously balanced on her hand as she swerved in and out, you couldn't help but cast your mind back to the dark haired mystery man...

A week passed, your work busy as usual especially on the last themed night, angels and devils, you remembered how many wings and devil horns you had found around the club during clean up. You had forgotten about the mystery man until a tray was held out to you, looking up to see a sharply dressed gentleman holding it. His hair slicked back, glasses perched on his nose and white gloves on his hands.

"Erm..."

"My employer would like your company."

"I don't-"

"He's willing to reimburse you heavily."

You frowned, the hand reaching for the note suddenly pulled back as you glared at him.

"I'm not for sale or a prostitute."

"Pardon me, ma'am. My intention was not to offend. My employer would like to pay for your time since you would be away from your job."

"How much are we saying, pal?"

Head whipping around as Maki approached, planting herself on the bar as she, without a hesitation, grabbed the note from the tray and opened it. Her eyes scanning the page, widening when she got half way down before holding it out to you.

"Five grand, girly. You could do with that cash to pay off your loans."

"I don't know."

"Mr Getou would like an answer by tomorrow evening. If you agree, please fill out the questionnaire attached and wear a red scarf."

You barely had time to process what he said before he turned and left, paperwork still in your hand as you glanced at your best friend. Her eyebrows waggling suggestively, mouth curved into a wide grin before grabbing the sheets from you.

"Gimme that!"

"Oh my god! It's a sex survey! The club one. Ooh! Kinky."

"Shut up!"

"Can I help you fill it out?"

"What? No!"

"How do you feel about figging? Ooh. I'm gonna tick 'yes' for all of them."

"Maki, give it back!"

You glanced at the mirror in the staffroom three times, hand adjusting and readjusting the scarf around your wrist as you frowned. Your usual black jeans and black top, hair pinned into place and ankle boots as per the club uniform. You fixed your hair again, nervous suddenly as you looked at the survey you filled out this morning before your shift. After wrestling it away from Maki, you had decided to fill it at home where you could research everything before you signed it. Eyes glancing at the watch, you made your way to the club and waited at the bar as instructed, hand fiddling with the red scarf the whole time. You could see Maki moving around, being more than happy to cover your shift, waving back at her when she threw an exaggerated wink your way. Black shoes in your peripheral vision first, gazing up to see dark trousers and a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Veins on the toned arms, no watch this time and hair in a bun, dark eyes crinkled as he smiled at you. One hand reaching out for yours, waiting and watching patiently, until what felt like minutes later you took it. Letting yourself be guided through the club to one of the private rooms upstairs, Mr Getou was being slow so you could keep up.

"Take a seat, sweetheart."

His voice washed over you, husky and confident as he sat down in one of the chairs, lounging back and resting his arm behind him as you stood awkwardly to the side. Your eyes dancing around the room taking in the various implements and tools, all new and unknown to you, before landing back on him. Something must have shown on your gace because he was smiling again.

"Why do you work here, sweetheart?"

You shrugged. "It's safe. There's security and strict protocol. Safer than some of the places my friends work at. And Mr Gojou is a good boss."

"Did you fill out the questionnaire?"

Nodding, you held it out to him while trying not to touch him, fingers on the edge of the paper barely in his personal space as he took it. Returning back to your position, almost two meters away from him as he scanned your selection. He showed no indication of his emotions, no nod or smile, simply pocketing it before he looked around the room.

"Wouldn't you like to sit down?"

"Am I allowed to?"

"Of course."

Choosing a seat opposite him, you sat down and leaned back before remembering what you had read about subs, sitting up and placing your hands on your knees quickly. Your eyes glancing at the floor in confusion, should you be sat there instead? Again, you must have given it away because you heard him chuckle a little.

"I don't want a sub, sweetheart. You're perfect as you are."

"What do I call you?"

"What would you like to call me? Sir? Master? Daddy?"

"Not daddy. Maybe sir?"

"How about we start with my name, Suguru. When you're more confident, then we can move to sir OK?" He waited until you nodded before continuing. "Tell me about the club's traffic light system."

"Red means stop. Yellow means slow down or I'm nearing my limit. Green means I'm ok, you can continue."

"What if I ignore your safeword?"

Your eyes widened, scooting back into the sofa before you glanced at the door in worry. "I tell the monitors and you would have your membership revoked permanently."

"Good. I would never do that. Ever. I will always listen to your safewords, ok?"

You didn't realise how tense you were until he said that, nodding as he suddenly stood up and held his hand out to you. You watched as he fiddled with his phone, a low song coming to play as he threw the phone on the sofa next to you and pulled you up close to him. You could smell his aftershave, the faint smell of liquor and mint on his breath, warm hands as they held your waist and rocked you side to side. Taking one hand, you couldn't help but laugh as he spun you out and then in, holding your waist gently as he turned you. Your back to his chest, rocking side to side before spinning you again, nearly tripping on the carpet until he pulled you back.

"I'm not good at this, sorry Suguru."

"Neither am I, sweetheart."

The music changed, speeding up and making you flustered as he started moving faster. Guiding you around the room seamlessly, he was obviously lying about being a bad dancer, feet moving in time with the beat until three songs had passed and you were out of breath. Your initial worries evaporated as you both flopped down onto the sofa, your body sweaty and hair plastered to your neck. Gratefully accepting the bottled water he gave you, taking a sip and smiling when he looked at you with a grin, the feeling suddenly disappearing when you glanced at the time.

"What's wrong?"

"I thought... I mean... the quiz and-"

His hand reaching to tuck your hair back, a small kiss on the back of your hand before he pulled you up and untying the red scarf from your wrist. You watched as he pocketed it, tucking it into his shirt before fixing his hair. His hand reaching for yours as he walked you to the exit, glancing down at you before placing a small kiss on your head and whispering to you.

"There's more to this than sex, trust me."

A week had passed when you saw Suguru again, his gaze meeting yours across the room when he entered. Your red scarf tucked into his jacket like a pocket square, not being able to prevent the smile on your face as you walked over to him and took his offered arm. You made small talk as he guided you to the room, asking about your week and how you had been and in turn you did the same. The music suddenly drowned out as the door closed behind you, the room dim and cosy as he guided you to sit next to him this time.

"Can I kiss you?"

Your gaze flickered to his lips, your tongue coming out to wet your own as you nodded. His hand caressing your lower lip with his thumb before leaning in, his lips softly touching yours as if asking for permission. Small pecks getting longer each time until your hand held his shirt, pulling him close to you. Eyes drifting shut as you felt his hand cup your jaw and kiss you for longer this time, pulling away to look at you.

"Tap me twice to stop ok?"

Nodding, you gasped when he pulled you closer, hand holding your waist as he licked into your mouth and groaned. Your own hands threading through his dark locks, pulling the elastic out and feeling it run through your hands. Your back hitting the sofa when he pushed you, body looming over yours as he held himself there, mouths still joined as he deepend the kiss and sucked your tongue into his. Your tapped his shoulder twice when it got too much, gasping for air when he stopped and moved back a little.

"You OK, sweetheart?"

Nodding, you ran a finger across his exposed collarbone and down to the open neck of his shirt. Watching, eyes wide as he started to unbutton it and moved your hand to touch him lower. His skin warm and hard under your hand, bronzed body toned and fit as you explored the planes of his chest.

"Shall I...?"

You let your words trail off as you gestured to your clothing, shocked when he shook his head and pulled you to sit on his lap. Your legs either side of yours as he held you, the shirt he wore now hanging off his shoulders from your wandering hands.

"No. This is for you. I don't need anything in return."

"But-"

A finger on your lips stopped you, his mouth covering yours again as he started off slow and soft. Hands resting on your calves as he let you take control, body vibrating when your hands began moving down his body again and down his sternum. The only contact was his thumb rubbing circles into your ankle, no wandering or groping hands or rough handling, no spanking or caning like you had seen. You pulled away to look at him, frowning when you suddenly thought about your time with him.

"Why don't you do anything like the other doms do?"

"Like what?"

"Spank me or flog me. I don't understand."

Thumb rubbing your lips, the one making small circles on your ankle still moving as he shook his head at you. "There's more to BDSM than spanking and shit like that. If I wanted someone for that, I would have asked for that."

"But-"

"Stop thinking about other people and what they do."

"But you're getting nothing out of this."

"Said who?"

"Me. You're not getting sex or-"

"When did I say I wanted sex? I asked for your company."

You paused, his words ringing true with you. "I wanna do something for you too." Your hands reached for the fly of his trousers, fingers running along the zip where you could feel the hard line of his dick pressed against it. Your hand quickly removed, the palm kissed as he rested it back on your lap.

"Not that. Not yet."

You couldn't help but sigh, frowning when you tried again only to have the same reaction, your hand placed back on your lap with a kiss to your palm. You really wanted to do something for him, something he would enjoy, looking around the room and seeing some scented body oils, an idea forming in your head.

"What about a massage?" He shook his head. "Shoulders and back only, I promise." You waited until he nodded before moving off his lap and grabbing some oils, sniffing each one before walking over to see him laying on his front, a sheet tucked into the back of his trousers to protect them. You kneeled next to him and poured a small amount in your hands, warming it up before gently rubbing it into his skin, watching it shine in th dim light and fade as you rubbed it in. A low groan from his mouth as you worked over his shoulder, thumbs massaging the knots there until he felt loose. You felt his thumb on your ankle again, small circles rubbing there as you continued, stopping only when he said so. His sleepy eyes meeting yours, a small smile as he thumbed your lip and whispered a 'thank you'.

To say you were confused was an understatement.

A text message a day before you were scheduled to meet him asking you to wear a skirt confused you, looking in the mirror as you zipped it up and pulled on your boots. The money he gave you each week was helping pay your bills, some being spent on clothes while the rest was put into your savings for an emergency. You decided to get off a little early and wait in your usual room, eyes darting between the door and the clock as his usual time came and went, worry gnawing into your stomach with each passing minute until the door suddenly opened and his apologetic face came into view.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. My meeting ran over and my battery died."

"It's ok."

"No, it's not, but thank you for being so sweet."

You gasped when he held a small bouquet of flowers out to you, vibrant colours of various types and smelling so pretty. Thanking him, you accepted the small kiss on your palm before placing the flowers to the side, sitting next to him as he shrugged off his jacket and loosened his tie. Taking your hand again as he tugged you to his lap, humming in approval when he saw the skirt you wore. His gaze held yours as he trailed a finger up from your ankle to thigh, moving back down and over your knee gently before moving to the other side. Suguru waited for you to nod before placing his hand on your thigh, sitting up to kiss you again while his hand massaged your supple flesh and reached back to caress your ass. You couldn't stop the small gasp as his warm hand landed there, fingers running under the seam of your underwear before moving to the front and over the juncture of your thighs.

"Still OK?"

Nodding again, you held his face as your mouths met again, tongue pushing past his lips as his thumb reached under your underwear and moved through your slick folds. A gasp leaving your mouth when he gathered the slick there and started rubbing your clit, small circles at first until you keened and widened your legs for more. Hips canting to get more friction, your head dropping back when he pressed one finger inside you slowly.

"I need a colour, sweetheart."

"Green. Please don't stop."

Another finger added, curling them inside you and swallowing the moans leaving your mouth. Your hands reaching under his shirt and roaming over the expanse of his back, nails scratching the soft skin as he moved his thick fingers inside you. The heel of his hand pressed against your clit, the friction making your hips stutter and twitch as he moved against your g-spot.

"Gonna cum, sweetheart? Hmm? I can feel you clenching so pretty around my fingers."

Nodding, you gasped into his mouth as your orgasm washed over you, hands gripping his shoulders as you felt yourself gush around his fingers. Small gasps when he kept fucking you through it, you could feel the wetness against your thighs and sticking to your underwear when he pulled out. His fingers glistening with your juices, sticky strings between the webs of his fingers as he brought them to his mouth and licked them clean. You could feel your core pulse as his tongue moved to lick them clean, looking like he was enjoying a decadent dessert instead of your juices. Your hand reaching for his trousers again, preempting his refusal again but being shocked when he let you loosen his belt and unloop it. Belt clanging as you pulled it out, hands moving to undo the zipper and tug his boxer under his balls.

"Hands only, ok sweetheart?"

You met his gaze, confused. "You don't want me to suck you?"

"I would love nothing more, but not now. Not tonight."

His hand wrapping around yours as he grasped his dick, the skin warm and hard under your fingers. His balls heavy and swollen, dick not overly long but thick and curved upwards towards his stomach. Your thumb running over the bulbous head to gather the precum before licking it clean, his dark eyes darkening further as he watched you wrap your tongue around your thumb.

"Payback huh?"

You giggled, nodding when he smiled and trailed his hand between your legs again. Gasping when his fingers moved between your swollen folds again, rubbing in time with your hand moving up and down his dick. Your wrist twisting with each upward motion, you watched as Suguru shrugged his shirt off and let it fall onto the floor, eyes widening when you saw the scratches that you had left on his chest.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I like 'em."

Kissing you again, Suguru's hips bucked up as you moved your hands faster, thumb swirling around the head and using the precum as lube to help ease the way. You were surrounded with him, his thick fingers pressing between your legs and over your clit while his tongue licked and sucked down the column of your neck. A groan as he held your hand in place, warm liquid coating your bodies as he came. His eyes screwed shut, head leaning on your chest as his legs twitched and trembled. You couldn't help but rub around the tip again, giggling when he hissed and stopped you, lips meeting yours in a quick peck before leaning back with a smile.

Yep, still utterly confused.

Part 2 HERE

[signedaiko]

So, i've kinda been hyper fixed on spider-man recently, and I had a real cool idea! what if human!reader (mtmte, oneshot) is obsessed with the series as well, fave character is otto (just search him on google if you don't know who he is.) maybe the reader asks brainstorm to make them the same actuators he has? pretty please 🥺 👉👈

I kinda wanna see how some of the bots would react to the actuators in the oneshot if you do it

haha from SHARK

[Lost Light & Reader]

The reader is Human Female | MTMTE based | Platonic

Recommended Song - One More Time - Daft Punk

It had been a very, very long time since you were able to watch some new, up-to-date media from your homeworld. It was hard to get considering the plethora of horrible things you might bring to earth if you tried to visit. But Swerve got this one for you. It was exceptional, considering you grew up watching the Spider-Man all the time. It was a little hard to think that you went from wishing you were more like a hero to being the hero after so many years. You had to wait until Friday for movie night, but it was so worth the wait! Just an hour ago it had finished! You would have gone to Brainstorm's lab sooner if you didn't interest yourself in a lengthy conversation about the movie itself with several attendees. A particular character piqued your interest, the one with the mechanical arms...actuators are what he called them! While Dr. Otto was more than morally gray, you still wanted to take a bit of inspiration from his design. You even sketched out a little design for them, something more your style for the scientist to use as reference. " Brainstorm? You there...? " You didn't bother knocking, strolling right into his well-lit laboratory to see if he was busy or not. The white and aqua bot turned to face you, holding a blow torch and what looked to be a fuel pump in each respective servo. It looked like he was just tempering with it. " Ah! I see you've come to marvel at my wonders? " Seemed he already had a hint about what you would ask considering his very 'clever' pun. The bot set down his instruments and shuffled closer, lifting you up to his desk before snatching your drawing from your hands- nearly ripping it in the process. Seems you wouldn't even have to ask; he was already standing in front of his workbench scribbling down some ideas as to how he might get them together. " Allow me to get your measurements, and then come back in an hour and 20 minutes. " When you came back at the exact time he stated, he seemed to be lounging around doing nothing. " I thought you said you'd have them done by now? " " Hm? Oh- yeah. I just wanted the extra minutes to take a catnap. It's over here. " Brainstorm played a smirk behind his mask at your gaping mouth. You shouldn't be surprised; he was constantly such a show-off. It took a couple minutes to get set up. It sat perfectly into the curve of your back, where a few cords were taped down to your body. The idea was that you could move them based on reflexes and thoughts by getting used to the muscle movements. And they worked beautifully. They were slimmer than in the movie, a matte black finish with your favourite colour shining through the lights. It was absolutely gorgeous. " Test them! " Brainstorm cut in from the silence, causing you to turn around in fear. You heard a loud thwack! Before the bot grabbed his face in pain. Your eyes were wide; the arm had just decked him! It worked!! " Oh! Thank you, Brainstorm!! Thank you, thank you!! You are a GENIUS! "Your hands laid flat on his cheeks, nuzzling your head into his mask. He seemed content enough with your praises and shooed you off into the halls. ~~~~~~~~~ It took a few minutes to adjust. Considering you were given no instructions or prior knowledge as to what movements and thoughts did what, you just had to feel it out. Soon you were using them to extend and open doors, then to help you walk, and eventually, you could move them in the same way Otto did in the movies! With some minor reaction time delays. Perhaps if you spent more time with them, your reaction time would adjust. It didn't take long for someone to walk into your testing. " Y/N? Are you okay? " You turned sharply to be met with Tailgate, who didn't seem alarmed by your new appendages. " Oh! Yeah, totally! I'm fantastic, actually! " You smiled, using one of the claws to pat his head jokingly, to which he swatted it away. " I didn't know humans could do this! You should come to show everyone! I was trying to invite you to Swerves since there's a bit of a party going on... " Instinctively

Tailgate went to pick you up and help you there, but you only launched forwards with him, keeping up pace due to the actuators. " We don't! Brainstorm made them for me, like the ones from the movie? " " Ahhh...I see! " This time, Tailgate had to pick up his own speed to match your pace, amazed at how quickly you adapted. You chatted about the movie, and he asked you some questions about the earth in turn. It was strange to think how little context they had for you and your home. You supposed it went the other way as well. For the first time in forever, you could open the door yourself. Tailgate thanked you for holding it open for you and instant found his way to Cyclonus, leaving you at the entrance. It wasn't really a party, just another end-of-the-week boom. " Since when did we decide to start matching? " Whirl was the first to call out to you from his spot, and you approached quickly as to pass all the optics now laid on you. Gasps of awe followed when your feet didn't even touch the ground. " What? Are you jealous of my claws now? " A teasing smile tugged its way to your lips, to which whirl squinted with his optic. " Absolutely, consider yourself lucky it's envy and not hatred " You knew he was joking, but a few nearby didn't think so. Those two included Chromedome and, of course, Rewind. Chromedome sat between you and Whirl while Rewind traced his servo along one of your actuators. " Talk about quick! I'm glad you liked the movie!" The minibot's optics smiled. You couldn't help but agree, nodding in return while using one of the free arms to poke his side. Many who watched came closer, curious about the contraption and how it worked. While you were bombarded about what you would use them for, a particular bot sat at the other side of the bar, recording the audio. Brainstorm was buzzing listening to the praises. He supposed he should use some of your ideas more often. For a second, your eyes met him, to which he gave a quick wink. Not even a chance rang by for you to react as more mechs closed in to bombard you further. You'd have to thank him more later.

—————-

Author Note - AYY SHARK!! Sorry, this is so late! I hope it still sparks joy :) I love Dr. Otto, so this was very amusing. Also!! U get ur own tag too

Word Count - 1,161

[alluringjae]

until dawn - ljn

part I | part II

⤑ summary: basic number one rule of the museum is not to touch the art. but no one told jeno that falling for one of them isn’t allowed either.

⤑ pairing: jeno x female reader

⤑ word count: 14k

⤑ genre: fluff, humor, angst | broke architecture major!jeno, historical figure!reader, college!au

⤑ warnings: jaemin mentions onlyfans as a joke, references to actual historical figures (some try to flirt with jeno lol) and literature, explicit language

⤑ author’s note: wow, i’ve had this idea for almost two years! this one was inspired by one of my favorite childhood movies, night at the museum. it definitely required a lot of research and brainstorming, and finally i brought it to life! it was so fun to play around with the characters, and even if majority of them are real people, this is all still fiction.

i also wanna mention one of my moots, marge for enlightening me about her life as an architecture major.

⤑ taglist: @renjunniehome​ (dm me if you want to be added) 

⤑ leave me some feedback, constructive criticism or hellos!

Dormitory rent was another thing to worry about aside from the inflated university tuition per semester. Although he’s lucky to have his parents backing him up already on it, paying the monthly rent for his dorm was the remaining objective on Jeno’s list.

Plus, money for food. The man was a heavy eater, following the whole “gym is life” mantra.

Splitting it already with two of his dorm mates turned best friends, Renjun and Jaemin, his plate felt lighter. But the question still lies: where on earth was he going to get the money?

He’s practically checked out every available part-timing job in university and anywhere near campus. Barista at the same café Jaemin works at, teaching assistant for an art school for kids, convenience store cashier, library assistant, all taken in a heartbeat. The burden of his friends paying his debt these past months took a toll on him, almost to the point he almost considered making an Onlyfans.

“Yah, just find something else! Part-timers are in demand right now!” Renjun intensely closed his laptop before his older friend gets any suggestive thoughts.

“I mean, you didn’t work out your body to look the way it is for nothing.” Jaemin pitched otherwise, lifting the front back up. “When do you want to start filming? Loads of chicks would dig a piece of you!”

The contradicting opinions of his friends were like the devil and angel debating on his shoulders. Useless, he gave this worry a rest and returned to drawing new plates. A common thing when you’re an architecture major. Those deadlines were nearing. Looks like he’ll pull another all-nighter again.

Good thing most of his classes were late in the morning until 6 pm.

As if someone from above heard his petition, Jeno saw a help wanted sign posted on the bulletin board outside of the university museum. He initially went there to document some artwork and architecture models from Greek and Roman times, further analyzing how they’re still apparent in modern buildings.

The sign explained the need for one part-timer from any college to cover the night shift of the museum due to the current night guard’s full semester absence. He only had to come in 3x a week, choosing his days since he was still a student. Even the pay was above average, considering that most part-timers never go beyond midnight. Jeno would, on the other hand, always staying for his projects or gaming with the boys. Drinking sometimes during late-night Fridays with his entire college crew.

The pay would leave him a load of extra cash for himself, thus he sent an application to the museum office right before he left. A week later, while he was out with the boys, he got a text from the office that they wanted to meet him again for a final interview first thing on Monday.

Perhaps it was having architecture as his course and a healthy physique that landed him the part-timer position. Mainly, the latter because guards required strong endurance and fighting skills when worse comes to worst. It would start at 9 pm until 6 am the following day, and there was a designated uniform of it too. Blue blazer with matching trousers, white dress top, and loafers.

Aside from the typical museum etiquette the head director instructed him about, there was an unofficial list of tips written on paper given from the night guard on leave when the director handed you over his box of office-related things.

Only read at the night guard office once you’re the remaining staff left.

He did as he was told like an obedient son, flipping the succeeding page.

 To my temporary replacement,

This part-timing job is nothing regular than the other jobs. You’ll witness things as you’ve never imagined them to be, almost like witchcraft. You’ll be lost and maybe frightened, or that’s how I felt the first time because no one led me through it all those years ago. Lucky for you, I made this small guide on how to properly take care of the place that the other staff doesn’t know about.

Before you proceed, I request you take a 5-minute stroll around the lobby first to understand what I’m talking about. After such, go back to the office or somewhere quiet then browse through the guide as quickly as you could.

Art is timeless here, so they need to be taken care of.

Good luck!

 Park Sanghoon

Night Guard on Leave

 Nothing could’ve prepared Jeno for what’s to come once he unlocked the office door. They say that art brings so much color to our life, allowing us to feel all sorts of emotions in a glimpse. But no one ever interpreted art to be literally alive and walking in the halls.

Behold, random wax figures and marble sculptures that he’s seen in the past roamed the hallways, as well as the paintings were interacting with each other side by side. Even the standee of a puppy from the entrance played fetch with one of those sculptures. He swore he looked like Hermes the messenger god from his arrow headpiece and sandals.

It made more sense why the guard on leave explained his feelings during the first day because it resembled Jeno’s. But unlike that guard, Jeno sucked it up. No one ever does well on the first day, even if others say otherwise. The first day was a learning experience, so he collected his thoughts even though the goosebumps triggered his body during that one rotation.

There was an indoor garden, already locked by the day guard earlier. The only room without any art piece, where students lounge to study the plants or relax in nature.

The sculptures section ahead, showcasing various fictional figures specifically from Greek mythology, chattered away about family drama and beliefs. The sculptures of Hades and Zeus, according to their title plate, argued relentlessly about power while Athena always intervened by shouting or even throwing arrows or daggers to any of the lightbulbs there.

That was one rule in the guide, but Jeno didn’t know yet until he came inside the room and swerved the attention of the arguing duo.

“Well, what do we have here?” Zeus, in the center, straightened his posture on his throne to present himself in a more regal way. “Are you perhaps the temporary replacement of Sir Sanghoon?”

“Sir Sanghoon’s stand-in is rather good looking, don’t you think?” Hera mused, stepping down from her throne beside Zeus to take a closer look at the taller male. Her cold fingers trailed his jaw until his chest, where his heart was beating intensely. She even pinched his toned bicep, mouthing wow.

“Truly handsome you are, my dear. So full of life, please introduce yourself to us.”

While Jeno introduced himself to everyone in that room, he answered any sorts of questions they had for him too. From his age, educational background, hobbies, Aphrodite just had to ask him if he had a girlfriend because he was that handsome.

“Nope, I’m single. With my degree in architecture, the requirements are so heavy I can’t even try dating.”

Mentioning his degree excited the gods, telling him how their people created and designed all these temples to house them and perform rituals. They loved it so much. This was a copy-paste of what Jeno learned from his history classes, and for a first, he’s hearing the perspective of the Greek gods.

Mind-boggling that he hasn’t fully freaked out yet. That’s what Athena anticipated when Sanghoon told her about his short leave, putting her in charge of everyone for the meantime while the replacement settled down.

The college museum was built during the late 70s as a gift from one of the alumni. It was for the purpose to preserve history and educate college students outside the classroom. The Greek mythology exhibit was the oldest one, making Athena have more seniority. Over her stay, she’s seen every new guard lose their senses during the first night. Some not even returning for a second night. She got used to every outcome, and so far, only 8 people lasted after the first night. A couple of students in the 70s and 80s, Sanghoon in the 90s, and now Jeno was one of them.

“Jeno, aren’t you terrified by us? You just got a job in a museum that comes to life every night, and it’s not a normal thing.”

“Well, I’m still shaken up about it. But it’s my first night, and it’s when I learn everything about the place from head to toe. Plus, I really need the money.”

“Money for what? But you’re young, a student even!”

“Yes, I am. However, I do pay for the rent in my dorm. So, this job is like my first big responsibility, and I want to perform well.”

Athena commended his sense of authority, capable of leading himself. She noticed how well-spoken and poised he is, respecting and listening to everything the gods and goddesses said even if they were nonsense. She never liked to compromise with her power, taking a while to like Sanghoon back in the day. Though Jeno looked like a natural leader on his first night. If he could take care of himself well, he’s skilled to take care of the rest in the museum as well.

Plus she had full control on the nights he won’t be there, especially the weekend.

With his potential, Athena mentored him the entire night about the gist of the entire museum. Every upcoming leader needs an intelligent mentor, right? She was naturally gifted with worthy leadership skills, managing Jeno like her own child.

Athena explained how the museum came to life, which was through a royal golden plate from the Oriental room. It was a gift from a popular sorceress in China to an affluent family from the Han dynasty, who wished them a long life after she was saved from invaders due to them. The plate preserved over time, becoming an artifact. Its power remained immortal, mutating to bring life wherever it goes. In this case, the museum since its arrival in the late 70s as well.

“That’s why the Oriental room must be locked always so no one could touch or break the plate.”

After she ordered Jeno to lock the mentioned room, alongside the Foreign Art Exhibit Room which he checked out for his class, she led him to the best view of the entire museum. Center of the second floor, where stairs were on both sides. Jeno marveled at the vivacious atmosphere, witnessing actual art living, breathing, and enjoying themselves.

“Unreal, right?” She leaned in the railing, scanning through the chatty paintings.

Jeno also leaned down, deep in thought and wonder. “Absolutely, Athena. How come no one knows about this? Art coming to life? It’ll invite more students to the museum.”

“That goes against a golden rule as a night guard in this museum.” She replied bluntly. “The life that goes on inside this museum at night must remain a secret to the public.”

Jeno predicted this kind of response, having watched too many films where anything supernatural mustn’t be revealed. Although he liked the advantage of knowing something this powerful, he’d never abuse it.

Athena’s intellect was beyond the world, seamlessly reading Jeno’s expression and what he was thinking. He had good intentions even if he’s a bit mischievous. She needed to keep a keen eye on him, but for now, he needed to explore on his own.

“Anyways, Sanghoon still left out some other details. So if you have any questions, I’ll be at my exhibit trying to shut my father and my uncle up again.”

“Can you not use any weapons to do so?”

“Can’t make any promises, Jeno.” She slyly cracked her knuckles and neck as if she was fighting another battle.

Jeno was silently left with himself, finally browsing through Sanghoon’s guide while seated in one of the museum benches.

It consisted of 25 rules, wherein the first two rules consisted of locking up. One, for the doors and gates of the museum, so no art piece could escape. If they do, they will turn into dust when the sun is out according to Athena. Two, locking the Oriental and Foreign Art Rooms, which was already done.

Rule #5: Let Mochi the puppy from the lobby tag along with you; feed him treats if you have any.

On cue, the little guy barked from the corridor and raced to his side. Jeno carried him, babying him for a little and letting him lick his face a few times before putting him back down. He’s surely going to the pet store first thing in the morning with the museum allowance the director gave him.

Since he was on the second floor, he read and followed the rules that fit in before returning downstairs. On the other side of the floor were the wax figures exhibitions: one for prominent men in history while the other for prominent women. Well, more people to get acquainted with.

It’s the exchange of gasps and profanities he received when he chose the latter room. Seeing their faces, these were women he’s learned in school and online. Now in the (fake) flesh. Except for one girl he’s never heard of, unbothered in her corner sketching her life away in a sketchpad. But before he could check who she was, a suggestive touch on his arm distracted him.

“My, oh my, Hera wasn’t lying when she said that the new night guard was a fine specimen.” By her dark blue eyeshadow and eyeliner with the snake-like crown, Cleopatra studied him like he was one of the most renowned art pieces. Even patting his chest, abdomen, and arms with both her hand, Jeno caught a suggestive glint in her eyes and a smirk across her red lips.

Rule #13: Reject Cleopatra’s seductive advances at all costs.

“Goodness, Cleopatra. It’s only his first night, and you’re scaring him.” With her accent, round eyes, and a chic formal outfit, she carried a posh aura while unhesitatingly scolding the Queen of the Nile.

“Come on now, Diana. He’s stunning, who wouldn’t go after him?” If no one knew her, you’re not reading up on your world history. She’s said to have been a lovely and intelligent woman, gone so soon. Jeno definitely understood why after she detached Cleopatra’s raging hands off him.

Rule #14: Treat Princess Diana and Hera like your own parent.

“Your highness.” Jeno nodded at her out of respect, only making her chuckle uncontrollably.

“No need to address me like that, love. Now, come here.” She widened her arms for Jeno, hugging him amiably. He sensed her motherly warmth, accepting such a gesture. “You remind me so much of my youngest son, Harry. Welcome to the night shift of the museum, love.”

Similar to the Greek mythology exhibit, he introduced himself and responded to any questions that the women wax figures may have. Good for him, they weren’t crossing any borders and kept him at ease.

“A student like you working at night to pay rent?” Katherine Johnson, an African-American NASA mathematician whose calculations led to the success of a lot of famous spaceflights, cannot believe her ears. Students must only focus on school, nothing else. “What about your studies, boy?”

Rule #15: Engage in academic discussions with Katherine Johnson whenever you can.

“Most of my classes are in the afternoon, Miss Katherine. So I’ll sleep in the entire morning later and study during my breaks.”

“Mr. Jeno, what do you like to do outside of work?” Anne Frank, a German-Dutch teenager whose revolutionary diary that documented her life in hiding from the Nazis gained popularity worldwide after publication dreamily asked from her section of the exhibit. Her life was robbed of greatness merely because of her religion and war.

Rule #16: Bring delicious food or gifts to Anne Frank.

“Well, I like to bike with my friends, exercise, and draw whatever comes into mind!”

Everyone he’s met so far acquired pleasure in knowing about who he was and his passion for architecture, ridding the “freaking out” phase Athena assumed he had. Yet not everyone in this exhibit bothered to give him a shot.

Jeno’s attention from Anne talking about her crush towards Peter van Daan, a teenage boy who lived with her, switched to the section beside her, where an unacquainted figure was zealously sketching as if something was due to the following day. It reflected how he’d look when he’s cramming one of his plates due to first thing in the morning. While he properly excused himself, he quietly gazed at the way this woman scrunched her eyebrows when she erased something then drew it again. She was someone he’s never seen or heard before, reading the information plate in front of him about her.

 (Y/N) (Y/L/N), Explorer and Author. (1854-1900)

 Wealthy women in the Victorian Era only served one purpose in society: marry a man from a prestigious family, have his children and join whatever interests they have. However, for (Y/N), she wasn’t going to conform to those standards.

Born into the affluent house of (Y/L/N), she was the youngest of 8 children. She was said to be the kindest and sweetest sibling out of everyone, not capable of hurting anyone or anything. She said it herself that she can’t throw away a dying flower because it’s too painful. While 5 of her older brothers were sent to school, she stayed at home with her 2 older sisters Cecilia and Amelia where she learned how to play the piano and take voice lessons from impressive teachers. Due to the huge age gaps between them (12 and 8 respectively), she never felt close with them. She was only closest to the 6th and 7th siblings, her twin brothers Benjamin and Liam whom she only had a 2-year gap. She was also best friends with one of the scullery maids her age, Lily, because she found her amusing that than the boring rich girls her mother forced to interact with.

The moment it bothered her that she wanted to live a more meaningful life was when Amelia got married. She was 12 years old at the time, and it left her as the last unwed daughter in the family. Badly did she want to revolt, which she gradually did. Instead of practicing piano, she’d sneak in to read every book in her father’s office. She secretly studied the notes of her older brothers from school and even dressed as a boy numerously thanks to Benjamin and Liam to join their classes or field trips.

This was her routine up until the age of 18 when she stomped her foot down and expressed to her parents that she wasn’t going to let Victorian society dictate her. The night before her parents were bound to send her to her great aunt’s home down South to sort her out, she successfully snuck out her house thanks to Lily, Benjamin, and Liam. It’s another good thing that she saved a lot of money for that moment.

Off she went across Europe first, then sailed to America and even parts of Asia. Initially under the name Lilibe, coined from picking the first two letters of her brothers and best friend, she documented her days and nights through her journals and sketches. Over time, she sent them to her brothers for publication. It started the franchise, “The Adventures of the Young and Free Lilibe”. There are 10 books under it.

She learned French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean by herself as she made friends from those places. It was rare of someone like her to be fluent in Oriental languages, surprising locals every time she spoke to them. She was the only explorer to vividly describe life in different Asian lands in English, talking about their history and culture. With her accurate drawings of diverse citizens and their daily lives, it educated a lot of those living back home in Europe about them rather than speaking lowly of them.

In Seoul did she stayed the longest until her death from pneumonia at the young age of 46.

In her posthumous work, Finding Me, did she reveal her real identity, dedicating it to her parents whom she apologized and expressed her love for them despite everything that occurred between them. She talked about the last years of her life in Seoul, how locals were so nice and inviting to her, and how she adopted kids instead of having her own through the years.

“It’s not because I never found love in men. It’s more like I found love in doing things I’m passionate about. Traveling, learning new cultures, it outweighed the human need of romance.”

Due to her thrill in taking risks and embarking on wondrous adventures, it brought inspiration to a lot of young girls pressured to marry at that time to pursue what they really want.

 A remarkable background you had, Jeno contemplated. How come no one discussed her in his classes?

You kept brushing the bangs of your hair back as it fell repeatedly. But you got irritated instantly because it sabotaged your drive, you brought out a hairpin from her desk and attached it on both sides. But when you shifted your angle of focus, the corner of your eye locked with Jeno’s attentive gaze.

He didn’t flinch, even he should’ve. He wasn’t one to linger his look on anyone’s physical appearances, but your story and the passion on your face as you sketched mesmerized him. He was charmed, to say the least.

“Uhm, hello there?” You broke the silence due to your uneasiness about it. What’s his deal?

Jeno bowed, reintroducing himself to you. As soon as his presence settled in the room when Cleopatra attempted to hit on him, you could’ve cared less. Though this man was a first for you, a first in a long time as all guards would feel intimidated by you during the first night. Even your sharp tongue didn’t faze him. “Staring is rude, sir. Didn’t your mother teach you manners?”

“She did,” He wandered through the exterior of your section, by the fence that separated you and him. Not breaking eye contact, his eyes turned into moon crescents as he smirked with trouble. “Though she also told me to appreciate the art too.”

Snorts noisily exhaled from Cleopatra, who took the center section of the exhibit, succeeded by Princess Diana’s whispered gasps and Katherine’s side-eyeing Anne beside her while she taught her math. That was an odd way a guard conversed with you, but Jeno was merely doing what the rules stated. Partly, he was impressed with his cheesy pick-up line, partly embarrassed because he’s never spoken like this to anyone.

Rule #17: Act playfully around (Y/N) (Y/L/N) to break the tension; she’s a harsh one.

There was irony between the information he read about your life versus the wax model. Even when you faced sexism and ran away according to your history, never were you impolite to anyone in your life. You couldn’t even kill a lurking fly when it roams around your food! It showed Jeno a possibility that as much as you’re just a wax version of someone famous in the past, maybe the external environment around you had a heavy influence too.

“You fool!” His confidence exasperated you, urging you to persistently throw balls of paper with your failed sketches at him. No one dared to talk to you like that, most especially a night guard. “Take that for your comment!”

If you thought he’d scram away and act repentant, you were proven wrong. His reflexes were parallel to a spider, capturing every single paper ball without fail. Up and down his body went, one arm held on to them and no more were left on your part. Never a single defeat during the first meeting in years, but that seemed to alter now.

“Give up already, Ms. (Y/L/N)?” Jeno remarked vibrantly as he discarded your mess in the trash bin behind him. If he managed to get everyone to like him tonight, he wanted to make sure to have you onboard too.

Whatever agenda he had, you weren’t up for it. You’d treat him the same way you usually treated Sanghoon for the past 20 something years: cold and ignorant. From your stool, you left your comfortable position to come face to face with this man. He better be grateful for that barrier in between you, or else you would’ve caused mayhem.

“Never in your wildest dreams, Mr. Lee.” Your mouth gave a half-smile, clenching on the bars to liberate your annoyance. Before you could fend back, that’s when Princess Diana intervened between your heated dialogue.

“Oh heavens, children!” She stood by the barrier, mostly to protect the newbie Jeno with her body. “(Y/N), he just wanted to know you. Must you be so cross?”

This Princess Diana embodied all the traits the real one had: soft-spoken, intelligent, and protective. She’s gotten so used to your gradual temper, staying on standby whenever anyone tried to mess with you. Even if it was harmless, you could get so mean!

“Diana, he was mocking me! Saying such a sleazy phrase as if to amuse me, ha! Not a chance, I hate people like that.”

“Not us women though; you just despise men in general.”

“And you’re absolutely right!” With a smug smile, you greedily rejoiced. “Anyways, escort this disgrace out. I’m not in the mood to get angry when I have a lot of inspiration on mind right now.”

While you resumed your sketching to let go of that extra steam, Jeno was left with Diana who apologized on your behalf. Your pride was too high to do that, and as the motherly figure among them, she always took care of things in your exhibit.

“I’m so sorry for that, Jeno. She’s not really like this, but I know how much you tried your best. It was quite a fresh spectacle honestly.”

Whatever was responsible for your abrasiveness, Jeno yearned to know. He couldn’t understand who you were yet even knowing your life story. All he wanted was to get along with everyone. It was the key to successfully maintain his job for the next 6 months.

“How can I make her come around then?”

A demanding question that no one had a solid answer to. Diana recalled how much Sanghoon didn’t let your dislike for him get to him, maintaining a respectful boundary in between each other after his past attempts. Though with Jeno, observing how he riled you up and your focus entirely on him, she hasn’t seen anything like it since the 80s.

There was something in Jeno that may just get you to warm up and return to your kind nature.

“Aside from acting playful, as Sanghoon recommended, I can think of two ways, love.” By the doors of her exhibit, where Jeno was already waltzing the corridor to visit other rooms, she suggested smartly. “One, argue back to her opinions. She hates whenever anyone tries to get her way, but boy, you’re just as wise as her. No one was brave enough to peeve on her until you came.”

“How about the second way?”

“Do your research, love. Aside from libraries, you have those small technology devices that allow you to search up anything.” She tousled Jeno’s brown locks as if it were her actual son’s. Some habits just don’t die when you do.

“Brush up on your history, Jeno. Not only will it help you with (Y/N), but it’ll serve purposefully with the other art pieces here.”

Boy, he was ready to crash in his bed for a few hours after all those interactions. His introverted nature required to be revitalized.

Towards the last hours of his shift, the art pieces who’ve strolled in the first floor lessened his plate by not leaving any major clutter behind. As if she listened to him, Athena didn’t break any lightbulbs too.

His main highlight would be meeting the men of the historical male section, who flaunted a more humorous ambiance. Freddie Mercury from Queen insisted he drink a glass of his wine and to bring more wine next time, which he denied since it would against Sanghoon’s rules. King Sejong the Great and Martin Luther King Jr. argued back and forth over the most random things (pineapple on pizza specifically), while Steve Jobs mediated whenever one crossed the line. Meanwhile, William Shakespeare was too preoccupied in his writing and speaking to himself about his books, wondering how to improve them.

During one of his breaks today, he multitasked drawing a new plate with his research on every art piece to know them better. He started with the exhibit of sculptures of the Greek gods and goddesses, which were Zeus, Hera, Hades, Athena, Hermes, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Artemis, Dionysus, and Circe. They weren’t the complete roster because the rest were in other museums across the globe, as said by Athena before sunrise. The majority of them he knew what they were in charge of, but the rest were foggy to his knowledge. Typing away and jotting notes down, he started downloading his favorite jazz songs too.

Rule # 4: Play jazz music to the paintings on the first floor so they can relax and dance within their frames.

Circe is a minor goddess, the daughter of the sun god Helios. She’s recognized for her versatility in incantations and herbs, capable of transforming people into animals. From Jeno’s perspective, she’s mostly within her space with her journals and magic wand, trying new spells or combinations of herbs. For the latter, he had to keep a closer eye on.

Rule #9: Don’t let Circe, god of potions, into the Oriental Room to get plants and herbs.

He discovered that Dionysus is the god of wine, happiness, and theatre. That’s why every god in the exhibit had full wine glasses during their gathering. It also added up why Freddie Mercury always comes to him when his bottles run empty, though he mustn’t go overboard.

Rule #18: Make sure Freddie Mercury doesn’t get too drunk from the wine of Dionysus; he might make numerous scenes if he does.

After his lone studying session, he took a short trip to the pet and convenience stores to buy food. He got a dumbfounded look from Jaemin back in the dorm room, who was studying for one of his quizzes in Biology in a couple of hours.

“Woah what’s with this stash? Is it for yourself or something?”

“The museum surprisingly has a lot of tasks needed to be done at night. And no, not from my wallet but the allowance they gave me before you get a heart attack.” Jeno plopped on his solo bed, covering his face with a pillow.

“Thank God.” A relaxed sigh escaped Jaemin’s lips, taking back his balled-up fists meant for his roommate. “I think I would’ve stormed that boring museum if they made your broke ass spend a cent.”

“Boring?” Jeno removed the cushion hastily, eyeing his busy and coffee-high roommate. The scent of black coffee from his mug spread in the room, assuming that this upcoming test was testing his roommate’s patience again.

Not even trying to look at Jeno while reviewing his handwritten notes, Jaemin continued giving his opinion. “Museum culture is dead, Jeno. Not everyone has the time to roam around one, plus people can always look up the artifacts online these days.”

People were entitled to their own opinions on numerous things, though Jeno begged to differ with his roommate’s. Especially after witnessing the magic of the night shift, you shouldn’t merely judge a book by its cover. In this case, you shouldn’t judge an artwork or art piece merely on its history and legacy.

Maybe because his roommate was in the science department, he thought this way. A lot of art students regularly visit the museum both for fun and for their classes, and Jeno was one of them. Though he was too sleepy to explain his side, he let it slide for now and snoozed throughout the late afternoon.

An hour before the start of his shift, Jeno promenaded the emptying museum to inspect anything else he might’ve missed out on from last night. There were two areas according to his rotation, both in the first floor.

One was the Diorama Room. Divided into 4 sections, highlighting some of the well-known ancient civilizations in world history. Ancient Egypt and Ancient China to your left, Ancient Rome and Ancient Maya to your right. They acted as if they were the actual people during those times, giving Jeno a laugh when they cracked jokes in between. Such tiny figures, yet the rule for them said otherwise.

Rule # 7: The small figurines in the Diorama Room are feisty, so make sure they don’t fight with one another again.

The remaining room left was the Theater Room. He’s never been here, though his art friends have for film festivals held by the university.

The interior of it was set to look like an actual cinema place you’d see in a mall. There was a mini lobby with a few posters of iconic films over the years. Singin’ in the Rain, Back to the Future, Titanic, those were some framed and hung on the wall. There were two other doors there: one leading to the chairs and the other where the movie projector was. The latter room was pretty riveting, wherein you can choose to watch old short films through an 88mm film projector or switch to a cd player for the newer releases.

Back to those posters, they weren’t an exception to the magic and a simple rule was left for Jeno to do.

Rule # 10: Chatter with the movie posters in the lobby of the Theater Room; they love meeting new faces.

Since there wasn’t anyone checking out the Art Rooms on the second floor, he closed them. Though as he was about to lock the Oriental Room, the ravishing plants around the royal plant appealed his interest. Said to hold magical properties from his research, Jeno was reminded of another rule to keep in mind for later.

Rule # 3: The fake flowers in the Oriental Room come to life too at night, so when no one is lurking, water it diligently.

Instead of lounging at Sanghoon’s office first, he brought his important items to the front desk of the lobby and continued sketching his plate. He wanted to watch the art come back alive with his two eyes. Usually, he’d have coffee when he does his work, but due to another crucial rule in the guide, he’d rather not take the risk.

Rule # 6: The lobby room can get rowdy, so keep any drinks away from important items.

On the dot, the cries and yawns from the art pieces around him reverberated. Closing his sketchpad, his night guard mode was on. Connecting his laptop on the aux cord of the museum speakers, he tapped play on his playlist of jazz music that’ll last for the entire shift duration. As the first notes flooded the entire vicinity, sounds of joy left the lips of each painting. Some were humming, dancing, and even singing along.

“You can never go wrong with Frank Sinatra!”

“This Jeno lad really did the heavens’ work quick!”

Having the sense of accomplishment on his sleeve, the small barks of his fluffy pal reached closer to him. As he kneeled to find him, he was only taken by surprise as Mochi excitedly jumped on him. Tumbling over, Jeno chuckled innocently as Mochi licked his face numerously. This puppy was friendly, easily liking everyone at first sight. He wasn’t as choosy like Daegal, the puppy of his friend Chenle studying Business Management.

Once he composed himself and cradling the dog like his own, he fed him a dog treat from the desk.

“Good boy, Mochi!” He rubbed his fur while the puppy happily munched on it, ready to fulfill more of his duties.

He skipped the Greek mythology exhibit since Athena was doing a good job not letting anyone go overboard with their powers, though he’ll check in again in a few hours. He met the posters of the theater room, who were celebrities he grew up watching on tv. Sanghoon was right; they were the kinder group in the entire museum because they were more laidback.

On to the second floor, all the female wax figures lounged by the male section due to another lecture from Shakespeare. Although the guide informed him that most of the time it could get boring, this lecture was more stimulating. On his platform, he elaborated with conviction the lines of one of his famous books, Romeo and Juliet. A must-read book back in his high school days, there’s no way Jeno could’ve missed that out.

From the looks of it, Jeno perceived that Shakespeare was performing spoken word poetry due to him reading only Romeo’s lines while Cleopatra read Juliet’s beside him. This kind of show was one of the sources of entertainment to these figures, so Jeno leaned by the side of the door to listen. After all, the famous author of it was a few feet away. Cleopatra channeled such a naïve character to her ability, absentmindedly saying as she clutched her chest.

“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.”

“Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?”

“'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose-”

The flow of an engaged Cleopatra was abrupted by the loud yell from Shakespeare in front, specifically to an amused Jeno. “Jeno, my boy! Welcome back!”

Such an announcement diverted everyone’s attention to the back, some running to Jeno to give their respective greetings. It’s rare for everyone to feel at ease with a new guard, taking them weeks to approach them due to the intimidation. Though Jeno’s bright presence felt welcoming, so they accepted it. Perhaps it’s because of his youth, it reminded them of theirs too.

Shakespeare highly requested (or forced) Jeno to take his part as Romeo, intrigued to watch someone younger read his lines. Since most of the male wax figures were aged, it never satisfied Shakespeare so he jumped on this opportunity as quickly as he could. With the roaring cheers from the other figures, Jeno might as well give it a try. It wasn’t like his friends were here to clown him like they usually would if he did something humiliating.

Jeno shockingly liked this activity as he wasn’t much of a performer on stage, but someone who does the behind-the-scenes of it. He realized as he read the lines from the book Shakespeare asked him to follow along with why people held university-wide spoken word shows a few times per semester. He was no actor, but it’s delightful to have tried it at least once in his life.

“O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?” As if the edge of the platform was the balcony of Juliet (or Cleopatra rather), he knelt as he ardently spoke his lines. He’s emphasizing this rush of uncontrollable desire for her, rambling whatever he would do to get the girl.

“What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?” Cleopatra questioned from her chair, inching closer to the young boy. Even outside character will she attempt to charm Jeno, but Jeno was quick to catch it and kept his distance.

“The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.”

“I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, and yet I would it were to give again.”

“Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?”

“But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.”

Everyone was condensed by their top-notch acting, as if this was the actual play unfolding before them. Jeno wasn’t so sure how he got himself in character without preparation, yet he felt what his character felt. He comprehended the material a lot better now than when he was still in high school.

However, there was always that one killjoy to ruin the heartfelt mood.

“How dumb is it to say that you’re in love after the first glance?” You opposed, putting the spotlight on you. This book was said to be a classic in literature, but as you matured physically and mentally, you could no longer agree with it. “Isn’t love the same thing that killed Romeo and Juliet in the end?”

Remembering what Princess Diana told him, he wasn’t going to let this pass. He wanted to give a piece of his mind too, caring less if the show must be paused. “Love is an emotion we don’t ask to feel. It’ll come to us when we least expect it, even when the timing of it can be crucial.”

“Of all the people Juliet could’ve gone for, it just had to be the enemy.” In all the years you’ve been brought to life, no one dared to test your opinions because they were aware of your intelligence, from the streets to the books. When someone bark, you’d bite back. Hard. “With all due respect, I love your works, Shakespeare. Yet the fate you’ve given these two at a young age was grave, could’ve you given them a better outcome or another character to love instead?”

“Giving them extra characters to love won’t address the horrific life fact that love can be dangerous. Regardless of what status you’re in, you can’t stop the attraction towards someone. The heart wants what it wants.” Jeno pressed his hand to his chest, pumping it a bit. Unknown to you and him, the audience found more entertainment in your argument. Anne, who was munching on the popcorn Jeno gave her earlier, passed the snack to Katherine who just couldn’t stop watching.

If this man wanted a challenge, you’re all ears. Who was he to compete with you? Was he not intelligent to know who you are?

“So are you insinuating that we just go with the flow? Be a slave to our emotions too and let them dictate our next motives?”

“Slave is such a strong word to use, (Y/N). But it’s not like we can’t choose who want to love because we actually can. In this case, Romeo chose Juliet and vice versa.”

“But what happens if the person you choose doesn’t choose you in return?”

“At least you tried your best, right? It’ll hurt like hell though, but it won’t last forever.” From his kneeling position, Jeno strutted his way with confidence. Trying not to let it mess with you, your extreme stare at him as if they’ll shoot lasers. Inches away from you, Jeno declared. “Love always has risks, that’s a given. Romeo and Juliet still tried and followed their hearts despite the downfall. But it was a needed downfall to get the message across.”

“No one would be that foolish to risk their lives for love though, right? Life is so precious, why would they do such a thing?”

“Even if they knew what their lives were without each other, they still preferred living a life where they were both in the picture. Therefore, they tried all they could that time because the regret of not doing anything at all carries a heavier burden.”

Whenever anyone argued with you, their debating points they spat back would further piss you off because most of the time, it never made sense. Back when this rude man told you to go home and be a wife in your earlier years of exploring, you civilly told him to fuck off, kicking his balls because he cornered you in an alley. For the first time, a man who tried to challenge you actually made sense. Was it because he lived in a modern time, where minds were more open? Because of the amount of sexism you faced in the past, you’ve turned a blind eye to the current period.

But your high pride maintained, not submitting into anything he said. “I still think it’s stupid to risk your life for love. There’s no such thing as having only one true love anyways, and you have to be alive to see it.”

“Fair point, but again, the feeling of regret and carrying it your entire life doesn’t fade easily. It’ll make you reflect on the what-ifs, and it’s heart-wrenching.” Jeno digressed, walking around you in circles. He’s intentionally trying to drive you mad, but he could care less. He wanted someone to put you in your place and open your mindset. “The question stands: would you rather try and go for it even knowing its risks or regret not even trying for the rest of your existence? Quite ironic for me to ask you that, don’t you think?”

Past the information board, Jeno researched more of your life history online. Your whole life was grounded on risks, from breaking the standards of your society, leaving your family and home country, to fending yourself from disrespectful men. Rather than living the original life expected from you, you chose not to because it didn’t make you happy. Such a risktaker he knew you are, but with the topic of love, he wondered why you were on a fence with it. Though some records stated you’ve had rendezvouses with a few men in your journeys, love was never in the equation. The single life was what you chose and you were more than satisfied, plus your adopted kids filled that supposed void anyways.

This man may have studied your history, but so much he still doesn’t know. Information that never made the books because you chose not to write or tell anyone about it. Aside from the discomfort growing in your chest, everyone else felt the awkward tension when you were lost for words.

Never been defeated in an argument, until tonight. Your mind lost its drive and willpower.

“Touché, Lee Jeno.” Indeed, his name you’re acquainted with. Numerously passed around in your exhibit, mostly from the lips of Cleopatra, who’d fantasize all the graphic things she would do to him. Too much information, least of your interest. “Please excuse me. I’d like to work on my sketches to ease my mind.”

As you quietly exited the room, an all too familiar sculpture leaned against the railings overseeing one side of the museum. Just like you, she hated accepting defeat or compromises. She always rooted for you to win. With a faint chuckle, “Facing a loss for the first time, I see.”

“Don’t even lecture me about it, Athena. I’m still fired up, and I need to relax.”

“Jeno is a different breed, isn’t he?” She stuck to your side, strolling wherever your feet led you.

“Different as in he’s a man? Yes. What else is there to it?”

“Men these days aren’t as trashy as those back in the day though. Shouldn’t you give him a chance?”

“Last time I did, it destroyed my heart. I’m not allowing myself to let men in even as a friend, Athena.”

She knew exactly what you were referring to, not touching on it further. No way will you let heartbreak or disappointment from men bother you. Even Sanghoon’s sweet company took a while to tolerate. You really needed to sketch this out on your pad right now, excusing yourself from Athena’s presence. Isolation wasn’t new to you; it’s what’s protecting your entire being. Immortal as you are, you had to recover from the past pain so the next decades won’t feel as brash.

You hoped to return to your old self when you were a fresh new figure in the 70s. So naïve, only proud of your accomplishments, and purely happy.

While Jeno continued to finish his scene in respect to Shakespeare, he received a standing ovation for his mini-show. Cleopatra didn’t expect such talent from him, growing fonder of the younger male. Whether she seduces him or not, he was never afraid to try new things and she liked that about him.

“Bravo, love!” Princess Diana praised, clapping at him.

Although Jeno appreciated all this positive attention, his thoughts bounced back to your and your stance on love. The debate earlier was just out of being playful, interested to hear your opinions. Though, he’s worried that he might’ve offended you. It may have been time to finally witness something like that, but then again, he was sure he touched something personal to you. No matter how you tried to fight it off, your eyes can’t lie. Staring down at him, there was pain beneath it. Your eyebrows scrunched to the center, thinking deeply yet remained utterly speechless.

A win he didn’t feel good about.

“It’s time she encountered something new in the years she’s been here. Give her some space tonight, then try again to reach out to her. Kindly this time; I’m not in the mood for another brawl that could end up like the Greek gods’ past fights downstairs.”

These clever words shared by Katherine loitered his mind for the rest of the night, eventually going back to finishing his current plate since everyone was behaving well. As great it is to get the approval of the majority, he tried brainstorming ways to make you like him too.

He understood the whole “men are trash” concept in today’s modern society, but if he could prove it wrong to at least one person, it would be you. Whatever is holding you back, he only hoped that you’d let it go. Questionably unsure as to why he was so persevering, he concluded that it was so he could perform his job better as the night guard. Set higher standards than Sanghoon even.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Weeks passed, and his attempts continued to be unsuccessful.

The capability for you to ignore his efforts remained strong, whether he was pestering you over small things or debating with you again about anything. Life, books, morals, the two of you always head butt each other. Anything good he did, you searched for a flaw in it. Whatever acts he’s tried and continued trying, not one flinch from you ever.

Even if that’s his state with you, his job no longer felt stressful nor strenuous. He’d try to sleep more on days he was off-duty. Although the fatigue of staying beyond his usual sleeping time was inevitable, he compromised to take a nap lasting an hour or two when the art pieces weren’t acting frisky.

Plus, there have been multiple times they adapted to any alterations so his physical well-being wouldn’t fall sick. Per order of Princess Diana and Hera, who by instinct became his motherly figures here, only wanting what’s best for the kids.

He became accustomed to everything that went on at night, discovering things on his own without Sanghoon’s guide. Anne talked about how much she missed biking in her neighborhood, so one night, Jeno snuck his bike inside and let her use it around the first floor. With proper monitoring so none of the paintings would be unbothered or pieces wouldn’t tumble.

Hermes the messenger god was fluent in every language possible, so every so often, Jeno would freely speak to him in Korean because sometimes he felt he could explode by the amount of English he used every night. Bilingual things, you know. He knew you were multilingual too, but for obvious reasons, he couldn’t converse with you.

Because Jeno was heavily favored, that should’ve been enough to push through his night shifts before the end of the semester. In addition to that, the hourly rate was above the average of whatever Jaemin or Renjun was earning. For the past 2 months, Jeno paid upfront first, even paying back all his debts. It almost made Renjun want to switch jobs with him.

“Trust me, Renjun. You don’t want it, being the lowkey scaredy cat you are.”

Work no longer felt like work, and that’s what everyone aspired to feel. Nevertheless, he tended to worry over you mid-shift, glancing at you from his side view. Sketching, reading, and writing were your default actions. No matter how many times he said to himself not to let your dislike for him affect him, it’d always backfire.

Why were you so cold?

What made you lose your fire from all the research he did about your lively personality?

When morning arrived and he gathered his stuff, you’d be the last thing he’ll check on. Frozen in your standing pose, smiling as you held a book and a pencil, he detected how fake it was. Bystanders would only assume your happiness was from your achievements, though Jeno’s gut firmly pried that something grand overpowered that happiness. And definitely, not in a good way.

Out of all the art pieces, he investigated on you the most. Skimming through every material in the library, endless searching on the net, even asking professors from the History department thanks to Renjun, he did whatever he could. People may already think he was obsessed with who you are, but only little did they know.

Another plate was done and submitted, and he promised himself to look you up one last time before surrendering. For someone who’s rarely given up on a challenge, this one was really out of his control. Maybe he should follow Sanghoon’s footsteps now.

You lived centuries before him, and there’s limited material of you left. Rather than learning of your adventures again, he dug through what things you liked over your life. Maybe by giving one of them, it’ll lessen the tension from a 100 to 99. Maybe you preferred gifts over words, he’ll never know until he tried.

Boom.

According to one of your journal entries, there’s a fond liking you’ve acquired for lavender roses from Benjamin and Liam when they visited you in Paris in secret because of how much you missed them. It went both ways, praying your family ties could be recovered.

It’s a good thing he needed to refill his stock of items for the art pieces so he could pass by the flower store a few blocks away from his dorm. That night, without further words, he graciously offered you a fresh lavender rose in between your new sketching session.

“I may not know exactly why you’re spiritless around me, but with this rose, I hope we could work something out.”

Your frigid face of disdain, keeping your chin high and squinting your eyes with judgment, began to crumble down.  Of all things as a peace offering, he gave you that? Then again, it’s not like he knew that an item you liked so much became something you’ve grown to hate and why so. No history books could teach him that.

Vulnerability was a normal thing, yet feared by many. Once one uncovered your weak spot, they could harm you. You still couldn’t trust Jeno fully, not willing to show your helplessness nor were you ever going to tell him. Hidden from his knowledge, everyone else including Sanghoon were familiarized as to why this kind of flower tormented you.

You sprinted like thunder out the exhibit room to wherever it’s private to control your senses. You may not have a physical heart, but your emotions were just as actual as a human’s. You needed to regulate your panting breath. In the past decades, you’ve not shed a singular tear but the cycle broke when they streamed out your miserable eyes like a flowing river. Quiet sobs, an empty corner near the fire exit was where your wobbly legs faltered, the painful memories of the past replayed in your head. Once beautiful, but now an agonizing reminder of what could’ve been.

Katherine, Cleopatra, and Anne were swift on their feet to hunt you down, anxious of what you may do next. Seeing or the mention of these flowers still affected you despairingly. Sanghoon must’ve forgotten to write them down, or perhaps he didn’t know either about this fact during all the years he’s worked there.

It’s one of the biggest secrets of his museum. By the clueless face Jeno had with his eyebrows raised, mouth, and small eyes slightly open, he repeatedly asked what he did wrong and adding that he never meant to harm you. Indeed, they knew that yet what occurred involved a secret in the list of museum secrets. Confidential only between art pieces according to Athena, none of the male wax figures spoke a word, only pitying the boy.

“I wasn’t here yet that time, but they said that it was once beautiful, but now it’s a rough period.” With hesitation, Princess Diana chose to reveal it to rid Jeno’s misery. She didn’t mind having to argue about it with Athena later on, as this may further affect the two of you later on.

“A long time ago in the early ‘80s, there was a night guard around your age named Junmyeon. Also, a college student, trying to make ends meet. He did it for 3 years until he graduated. Though within his stay, not only was he such a delight to everyone, he broke a golden rule in the guide. I believe you do know the guide much more now, Jeno?”

“Yes, I do, Princess Diana. Memorized it even, but which one specifically?” Jeno’s desperate eyes pleaded, only hoping for the best and to fix what he messed up.

“You can form friendships with the art pieces, but nothing more.” Princess Diana replied bitterly. “Junmyeon was an aspiring painter, a different path from his business-oriented family. He was seen as the black sheep. She resonated with him, sharing the burden and lifting it by doing whatever fun they could in the museum. In time, they both fell in love with each other; they were each other’s first loves.”

“Why must something beautiful like love be broken? It’s not like you can control it. That golden rule makes no sense.”

“It does, unfortunately. Wax figures like me cannot age, while humans like you can. None of them could accept the reality, always pushing it away. Until Junmyeon’s last week in university, he broke it off with her unexpectedly. From there, (Y/N) was heartbroken for decades. With heartbreak, giving the cold shoulder and bitterness followed. Then with the lavender rose you gave that she used to love became a flower that she associated with Junmyeon too because he gave her one almost every night for those past 3 years.”

Things finally added up, and the guilt in Jeno’s gut expanded. His major lightbulb moment was a major failure.

“Has Junmyeon ever returned to try and win her back?”

“Well, there was one time he did come back for an art exhibition for his paintings in the 2000s. I was already here, then he had a woman around his shoulder with an adolescent boy holding his hand. He roamed around our exhibit and kept gawking at (Y/N). We may be asleep, but we remember the conversations exchanged in the room. So, his son then asked him if he knew who she was.”

“What did he respond?” Jeno attentively listened, on the edge of such a hurtful tale.

“He knew her name, praising her for historical achievements. However, nothing as a former friend or lover. From what I predict, he ingested one of Circe’s potions.”

“But I thought Circe isn’t allowed to make potions for actual consumption. She’s not even allowed to enter the Oriental Art Room.” Jeno pointed out, overwhelmed at the puzzling past. Princess Diana was mindful that she had to stop spreading too much information, so she had to end her discussion with the lost boy.

“There are a lot of secrets about this museum, Jeno. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal to you to protect our peace.”

With due respect, Jeno quit his follow-up questions and concerns. The only thing he wished to do was mend his relationship with you. As vague as to where you even stood in the first place, he unintentionally crossed a line due to his selfish intention to befriend you.

“What can I do now, Princess Diana? You know I’d never push her buttons like that, even if I’m a whimsical person.”

“Oh, my boy.” Princess Diana soothed, holding both her hand on his sweaty palm and cupping his cheek. “For the meantime, give her space. No taunting for a while, and just observe her from a distance. Though do not fret the slightest; I’m sure she’ll be okay again.”

During that interval, you were hunched on the wall, bawling and weeping like the wound was brand new again. While Katherine and Anne stood by your side, on the lookout for anyone who’d be spying on you, Cleopatra knelt in front of you as your infinite tears gushed down.

“My dear,” She tried to wipe some of them while holding your hand. “It’s been years, and Jeno didn’t know a single thing. He didn’t mean to do it.”

“I don’t care, Cleopatra! He should’ve stopped trying to socialize with me because I won’t ever live down my experience with Junmyeon.”

“As if crying like this will bring Junmyeon back to your life,” Cleopatra exclaimed, holding in her temper. Acquainted with heartbreak, it’s awful that it changed you entirely, but you should’ve found a way to heal. Throughout your attitude change, it’s mostly you in pain, not those you inflict it to. “My dear, I love you a lot. But this Jeno boy is different, and you know it.”

“He’s still a nightguard, for Christ’s sake, Cleopatra.”

“You shouldn’t generalize that all night guards are bad just because of one encounter that occurred at the wrong time.” Brushing some strands stuck by your wet visage, she professed to you bluntly. “You’re never going to know how good Jeno is unless you slowly open up again, (Y/N). Not forcing you the slightest, but healing started once you’ve acknowledged the past and move on from it.”

“But I’m scared, Cleopatra.” You restlessly admitted, hunching even more against the wall. Your poor, metaphorical heart could only take so much. You barely expressed sorrow towards others as you always held a strong exterior, only letting it out alone. Not holding back anymore, Cleopatra brought you in for a hug. The last time she did that was the first night after Junmyeon left, calming your intensified emotions so you wouldn’t do anything dumb that night. No violence, just pure sorrow.

“My dear, it’s alright.” She whispered while stroking your back upwards. “But you’re a risktaker; that’s how people remember you. Now, you must challenge yourself to move on from things that didn’t work out. Because once you do, it’ll put your heart and mind at ease.”

“Do you think I’ll be okay again?”

“Yes, you will be, my dear. You are not alone, and never will be.”

Acting like the dutiful son he always was, Jeno distanced from you.

He still cracked jokes, chatted with the art pieces, and followed the rules, yet never did he utter anything to you. You’ve proudly anticipated it since day one, not wanting him up in your business or teasing you ever. But this time, it felt odd.

On nights he didn’t report, you’ve unconsciously wondered what he may have been up to. A job like this at his age was just as Sanghoon once said: nothing in the regular.

Was he with his friends?

Was he resting well?

From the moment you chose to let go of your limitations and old thoughts, it included your grudge against past guards. Asking for forgiveness to Sanghoon when he returns was on the top of your list, however, that’ll take a while to happen. In the start, you’re baffled as to why he no longer picked on you like every night he’s been present. Somehow, it became a habit you’ve gotten used to, having so many comebacks planned to fend yourself. But you didn’t want to concede to it, maintaining what was left of your pride since that breakdown.

While on the subject, you suspected if anyone told him anything that night because that also indicated the last time he reached out to you. By anything, it would be your unwritten past with Junmyeon. A part of yourself in the museum that you didn’t want to disperse like rapid-fire again. It would be the last thing you wanted Jeno to know.

To your misfortune, Princess Diana came clean due to your growing concern over it. Although your attitude changed and people got used to it, you could only blame yourself that you were responsible for Jeno’s change.

“All he wanted was to understand and enlighten us with his likable presence. Then with you, you were his challenge because of your high walls. Out of everyone, he tried to learn everything about you. From my observation, whenever he has a goal, he’s determined to achieve it.”

“But I’m trying to be better now, Diana. Why did he stop?”

“He may have determination, but he knows where the boundaries lie.” Princess Diana patted the side of your arm, giving you a half-grin. “It hurt him when he hurt you, even if it was accidental. So he opted to give you space; that way, you could catch a breather and he wouldn’t harm you anymore. It was what you wanted from the start anyways, right?”

A hard pill to swallow, though it was a fact. It’s just that now, you’re slowly willing to release yourself from the dark. It’s been decades, and more to come. Nothing can move on unless you do.

“Where is he, Princess Diana?”

Just as she predicted right on the edge, Diana completed the grin on her face and led you to the entrance of your exhibit. She may be younger than you, but you’re reverted in your twenties while she remained in her mid-thirties. Gaping the wide museum from the railing, starting from the painting exhibit in the lobby to across the other side of the museum, Diana spotted the black hair of the boy in the Foreign Art Room.

“Over there.”

Observing where her eyes focused, you caught a glimpse of a recognizable side profile. The owner’s eyes were completely taken by whatever he was drawing on the fold-up desk he brought out from the storage room. By the tedious action of his right hand going up and down, you’ve gotten so used to his part-time identity as the night guard to entirely dismiss his current status as a university student.

Architecture specifically as he first introduced himself to you. The same path your oldest brother, Christopher, worked in. The look of tenacity Jeno presented as his eyebrows continuously scrunched, his crescent orbs hastily spied his work for any unnecessary details and his veiny hands brushed his already messy hair, you were profoundly reminded of Christopher when he was designing his possible future house. You were 8 years old, and he was 22, who just got married. He explained how many floors it’ll have, what rooms to put and what extra furniture he’ll place to make it feel more at home.

Seeing how exceptional his art skills were, you started to sketch like him. With flowers first, it turned into bedrooms and sceneries of your neighborhood. You felt your shoulders rise in accomplishment when you were able to accurately draw people. As much as you credited Benjamin and Liam the most in your works, it’ll only be within yourself to know that you also held a soft spot for Christopher.

Excusing yourself to Princess Diana, you bravely yet quietly ventured into the Foreign Art Room. Hiding first from one of the cement columns, you resumed watching him sketch. Instead of a pencil, he used a black pen with a tip as thin as a pencil. Your assumptions would be it was for a class, basing it on him informing everybody earlier that he’ll be inactive for the remaining hours of his shift to focus on his midterm requirements. That must be difficult to balance, yet he still does everything expected from him. Maybe the second cup of iced coffee beside him stimulated his bones and mind, letting his imagination free.

Through the limited space, you tiptoed whilst holding the side of the column to make up his work. There were 2 and a half rectangular shapes stacked on top of each other, the third one he was still tracing. A sign encrypted with tiny written words you couldn’t decipher, the beauty and modernity of Jeno’s plate cannot go unappreciated.

“That’s absolutely beautiful.”

Sweet words you didn’t think would bounce back in the room, Jeno’s pace ceased whilst you hid again. Art pieces capable of walking weren’t allowed here, he locked the door even beforehand! Or he thought as he was rushing to get his work done because one of his terror professors moved up the deadline to tomorrow morning. Not even 25% finished, he petitioned for everyone’s cooperation just for tonight.

He used up his 2 days of not having the night shift for other projects, and not wanting to ruin his perfect attendance, he proceeded to show up.

The voices from the foreign paintings around him hushed for him out of respect. So possibly someone snuck in, his head looking around for intruders. But only did he quit it when he saw your blurry reflection leaning against the column. The glass windows slightly mirror back what it sees, without you knowing that.

Not to mention, the small bit of your lilac dress was left out. Of all people, it was you?

“Do my eyes deceive me or is Miss (Y/N) (Y/L/N) inside when she’s not allowed so?”

To break the killing tension, he tested the waves with an innocent taunt. Never did you reach out to him, so least to say he was entertained whilst keeping his distance.

Fixing your proud stance, you responded in a low baritone voice you used to persuade numerous men in her adventures. “Uhm no, I don’t know who she is.”

As intelligent as you were, Jeno was a few steps farther than you this time. Educated about the risky ways you’d get around and one of them was changing the pitch of your voice, he heartily laughed at your unsuccessful attempt.

“Okay don’t lie, (Y/N). I can see a trail of your dress and your cloak. Oh, your reflection too.”

Damn, you peeked a little to realize that he was correct. Hauling your dress back in to readjust your outfit, you pushed your hair back before appearing to him. Though when you did such, you didn’t suppose that he was practically beside you the entire time. Bumping into his towering stance of 5’10 while the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up, your proud posture loosened up. He even discarded his blazer. A few more inches, he could’ve cornered you on the column if you didn’t take another step back.

Has he always been this tall or were you so used to your boots having high heels under? Oh wait, maybe because you wore flats this time because it’s making your toes sore. Your head bowed from struggling to maintain eye contact with him, your palms caressing your cheeks that suddenly heated up. Clearing your throat, you straightened your back again like nothing happened.

Jeno thought otherwise, shrugging his shoulders as he chuckled. He’s never seen you get shy, not that it was a bad thing either. The temptation to play around it more was there, but he was running out of time for his assignment.

“Come in. I’ll let you off the hook this time.” His arms opened up, allowing you access to such a wonderful exhibit. Paintings from different European periods, miniature versions of famous infrastructures inside glass containers, and replicas of Greek columns in the front entrance, no wonder it’s important to protect them all.

“Are you sure?” Watching him return to his spot, which was a bench in the center of the exhibit with a table in front, it didn’t process that you were gawking at his toned back. His broad shoulders and the evident muscles in his arms while he stretched, your eyes were speedy to look away when he tried to take a glance at you.

“I don’t think the paintings here and I mind.” Sitting down again, he tapped the vacant space beside him. “Feel free to watch me draw if you want to.”

Settling by his side, he recommenced where he left off. Now with a closer view of his piece, it did look like a building as you thought. He was sketching the remaining outline of the 3rd floor of this hypothetical place, continuously checking his ruler to monitor if the lines were consistent. Able to pick up on the words of the sign beside the building, you wowed with one hand on your lips.

“You’re redrawing Seoul National University Museum of Art?”

“One of my plate assignments was to visualize a renovation of a certain place, so I chose the museum.”

“Why so?”

“Well,” Jeno shook his pen so the ink could come out. “This entire place comes to life with the royal plate, so I think we should expand the space and bring in more art pieces to life if we add another extra floor. A rooftop area for visitors and events would be fun. And definitely, we should modernize the exterior and interior a bit because it looks outdated personally. That’s also what my friends think too.”

Noticing the minor details of his plate whilst removing any unnecessary pens so it wouldn’t smudge, “Huh, I quite agree with you.”

For the first time since his night shift, you, (Y/N) (Y/L/N), came into an agreement with him. He became so accustomed to clashing opinions that now, you had no contrasting points to make at all. A good change perhaps was what he’s witnessing.

“Woah, who are you agreeing with me and where’s (Y/N)?” He creased his brows whilst locking eye contact with you. This time, you didn’t wince away and just nudged him on his shoulder to get back to work.

“Hush, Jeno. Isn’t that due later? Get to work, I’ll roam around here for the meantime.”

After decades in this museum, you’re enlightened with the foreign paintings in which some you’ve heard of in your younger years and some that were created beyond your time. The Birth of Venus, Liberty Leading the People, Girl with a Pearl Earring, there’s an advantage of learning about their stories that humans couldn’t interpret. Logical that this section must be off-limits because these pieces were extra special, yet there’s so much more than what meets the eye.

There’s peace in silence while you wandered around, though it doesn’t hinder only at the art. Jeno hasn’t uttered a word since he got back to drawing, and once you asked him what’s doing now, still no answer back. Odd, he’s constantly awa-

Oh, my. You must’ve jinxed it.

Your eyes laid on Jeno leaning forward on his desk with his arms serving as his pillow, resting his head sideways. Soft snores and minimal movement in his upper body to shake the growing cold temperature of the room, he was sleeping like a log.

Putting into perspective, he hasn’t acquired enough rest specifically this past 2 weeks. The endless number of plates due making him work extra during his shift rather than sleeping in the slightest, exhaustion must be an understatement. Coffee no longer pushed him to his maximum for this week even.

But this was the path he chose, and it’ll have its challenges. Still, if you could relieve the stress in any way, you would. This would be one of the ways to repay for all the rudeness you’ve passed on him. Scurrying to his side, placing the plate on the side with his other things. You returned the caps of his open pens so they don’t spill. They must be expensive, recalling how Jeno shared the cons of being an architecture major to Princess Diana. One was the pens needed for sketching, and any tiny damages to them meant buying them again.

With his watch on clear display, he only had 2 hours left until his shift was done. Then, 4 hours until his plate assignment was done, and his current plate was far from done.

The blunt impulse to wake him up slithered your mind, though his calm state deflected your duty. As if you were on board a ship again for your explorations, you paid attention to the view with a relaxed mindset.

Lee Jeno specifically was the view.

His coffee-stained lips were parted and his sharp nose breathing in and out at a relaxing pace, he must be dreaming a happy moment the way half his lips curved into a smile. If he’s resting well, then you too would be calm.

Because of your past disinterest in him, only at this moment did you observe how sharp his jawline was and the cuts on his arms he sought refuge in. No matter how many times you tried to deny Hera’s compliments of him on the side, you couldn’t.

Lee Jeno embodied attractive features; both physical and emotional.

Back to his plate, it’ll put him at a disadvantage if he submitted the way it looked before he passed out. But you remembered all those extra details he mentioned and wanted to add to this project. Being an explorer, you documented all your ventures through words or drawings. You’re fast to adjust to anything new too.

For all the good he’s done for everyone, he only deserved some help in return.

Your version of help was sketching the remaining details of this plate, using other pens for more emphasis. It’s a risk also, but no way could you turn a blind eye on Jeno this time.

Around 5:30 am, Jeno’s eyes blinked open due to a brightening light from the outside. Stretching his limbs, he finds a velvet cloak wrapped around him like a blanket. But before he could question it, he pulled his arm in to see the time on his watch.

“Fuck!” He cursed, realizing that his so-called 10-minute snooze break aborted.

“Oh my, you’re awake!” From his frazzled state, there you were. So put together yet active, some strands of your hair falling down your face even with your hair up in a ponytail. “How was your sleep?”

This whole time he could’ve been woken up, yet you chose not to. You’re aware of his deadline, yet you let him rest entirely. He could’ve burst out in stress, yet he didn’t. You and he may have started on the wrong foot, yet it’s impossible of you to do such an evil thing. He’ll just have to tolerate the outcome later today.

“Refreshing. I really needed it.” Packing his things in his bag and closing the table, you trailed along as he exited with you. Locking up, he has 30 minutes left to accomplish the cleaning. A long good morning indeed.

But his worry of that vanished when you admitted that you had it all covered.

“Everyone helped out in cleaning, plus there are no damages made either.” From your hand, you returned one of his keys that was on his guard blazer. “I double-checked the Oriental Room and locked the doors again.”

“Why are you suddenly so nice to me, (Y/N)?” He questioned with confusion, wearing his blazer again and patting away any creases. He placed your cloak over you again like a true gentleman.

Without a word, you simply invited him to walk you back to your exhibit as parts of the sun began to rise. As you returned to your section, your fellow figures readying themselves to pose again,

“It’s my way to apologize for my very rude first impression and the succeeding moments after. I was too cooped up in my past that I was too afraid to let humans in again, night guards in particular.” You admitted, removing your cloak and placing behind your chair like always. “I’m so sorry, Jeno. Everyone was right about you and your kind heart.”

“About time.” Cleopatra’s sultry voice cut in, laying on her day bed.

Before you had the chance to flip off, Jeno mediated swiftly. With a gentle smile, “No worries about it. I’m just happy you’re okay, after all you’ve been through.”

“Can we start over then?”

“Absolutely.” With his free hand, he brought it out. No matter what kind of introductions, shaking one’s hand was the best way to start a friendship. “Good evening. I’m Lee Jeno, the new museum night guard.”

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N), explorer and author.” Sighing at his humor, you still replied by shaking his hand. “And I believe you’re mistaken, Lee Jeno. It’s a good morning.”

Seconds after, you imitated your typical pose and smile. Only now, the latter was more genuine. Finally, a fresh start to end your agony.

Once the sun fully revealed itself, every figure including yourself froze back to sleep. Something Jeno wished to catch up on if it weren’t for his damn plate. He was so screwed, already contemplating his next steps if he does fail this class. The possibility of getting delayed in all aspects, he dreaded it already.

Heading back to his dorm, where both his roommates completely passed out from soju on the couch, he sat by his work desk and turned on his night lamp for more light since the sun wasn’t strong enough yet.

With another cup of coffee, he cracked the joints of his knuckles and laid out his pens. He had 2 hours left to submit this plate, and at most he should accomplish 50% of his initial plan. However, he didn’t anticipate such a gorgeous outcome when he brought out his plate.

Picture perfect of every detail he desired, even adding a rooftop area with that he’d love to have if ever the museum does go under renovation one day. Rather than setting the plate during the day, it was at night as the skies were dark and bright specks of yellow inside the building symbolized light.

So much for wasting coffee, he’ll just give it to Jaemin when he wakes up later. Below the final product, a note written in cursive was stuck on it.

 I knew you wanted to get this specific plate done, but you mustn’t compromise your sleep for it. It’s your inhumane professor’s fault!

To make up for my faults, I wanted to help you out. I paid extra attention to the details you spoke highly about, so I only hoped that I interpreted it correctly. It’s risky, but as someone who researched so much about me, would you be surprised that I did such a thing?

PS: Get back to sleep. I’m quite sure your desk is laid out the same way in the Foreign Art Room.

Respectfully,

(Y/N)

 Turning off his lamp, Jeno jumped the covers of his bed to continue his lost sleep. Without an ounce of care that he hasn’t changed into cleaner clothes, he’s relieved that he won’t flunk his class.

Most of all, he’s relieved that you’ve melted the ice in you and allowed kindness to come in. Jeno may never understand how hard that must’ve been for you, yet he raved you for it.

“Oh, (Y/N) (Y/L/N). Surprise is an understatement when it comes to you.”