#J-Hope Jubilation

[bts-polls]

D-9 until the J-Hope Jubilation

LAST CALL: Do you have a preference regarding fanart?

[afaimscorner]

Liste der 97 besten X-Comics-Charaktere

Rogue (Anna Marie LeBeau) (1981)

Kitty Pryde (Shadowkat) (1980)

Gambit (Remy LeBeau) (1990)

Laura Kinney (Wolverine) (2004)

Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) (1967)

Dani Moonstar (Mirage) (1982)

Illyana Rasputin (Magik) (1975)

Magneto (Max Eisenhart) (1963)

Alex Summers (Havok) (1969)

Jean Grey (Phoenix) (1963)

Scott Summers (Cylops) (1963)

Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) (1982)

Lorna Dane (Polaris) (1968)

Doug Ramsey (Cypher) (1984)

Storm (Ororo Munroe) (1975)

Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner) (1975)

Banshee (Sean Cassidy) (1967)

 Siryn (Theresa Rourke) (1981)

Cannonball (Sam Guthrie) (1982)

Sunspot (Roberto DaCosta) (1982)

Rictor (Julio Esteban Richter) (1987)

Northstar (Jean Paul Beaubier) (1979)

Husk (Paige Guthrie) (1986)

Blink (Exiles) (Clarice Ferguson) (1994)

Multiple Man (Jamie Madrox) (1974)

Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) (1964)

Rachel Summers (Askani) (1981)

Mimic (Exiles) (Calvin Rankin) (2001)

Hellion (Julian Keller) (2003)

Elixir (Josh Foley) (2003)

Mercury (Cessily Kincaid) (2003)

Warren Worthington III (Archangel) (1963)

Iceman (Bobby Drake) (1963)

Logan (Wolverine, James Howlett) (1974)

Tabby (Tabitha Smith, Boom Boom) (1985)

Karma (Shi’an McCoy) (1980)

M (Monet St. Croix) (1994)

Alison Blair (Dazzler) (1980)

Strong Guy (Guido Carosella) (1985)

Juggernaut (Cain Marko) (1965)

Nocturne (T. J. Wagner) (2001)

Betsy Braddock (Captain Britain) (1976)

Brian Braddock (Captain Avalon) (1976)

Mystique (Raven Darkholm) (1978)

Maddie Pryor (Goblin Queen) (1983)

Madison Jeffries (1983)

Jay Guthrie (Icarus) (1984)

Lila Cheney (1984)

Rusty Collins (1986)

Skids (Sally Belvins) (1986)

Domino (Neena Thurman) (1992)

Nate Grey (X-Man) (1995)

Pete Wisdom (1995)

Dust (Sooraya Qadir)(2002)

Noriko Ashida (Surge) (2004)

Heather Mac Daniel Hudson (Sasquatch) (Exiles) (2002)

Quentin Quire (Kid Omega) (2003)

Laurie Collins (Wallflower) (2003)

Santo Vaccarro (Rockslide) (2003)

Pixie (Meggan Gwyn) (2004)

Amor (Hisako Ichiki) (2004)

Layla Miller (2006)

Gabby Kinney (Scout) ((2015)

Hope Summers (2007)

Magma (Amara Aquilla) (1983)

Warlock (1984)

Mindee Cuckoo (2001)

Longshot (1985)

Chamber (Jonathan Starsmore) (1994)

Destiny (Irene Adler) (1981)

Empath (Manuel Alfonzo Rodrigo de la Rocha)(1984)

Emma Frost (White Queen) (1980)

Cecilia Reyes (1997)

Callisto (1983)

Caliban (1981)

Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) (1964)

Snowbird (Naya Eason) (1979)

Oya (Idie Okonkwo) 2010)

Vulcan (Gabriel Summer) (2006)

Eva Bell (2012)

Goldballs (Fabio Medina, Egg) (2013)

Christopher Summers (Corsair) (1977)

Hepzibah (1977)

Moira MacTaggert (1975)

Mac (James Hudson, Guardian) (1978)

Heather McDonalds (Nemesis) (1980)

Aurora (Jeanne Marie Beaubier) (1979)

Daken (Akihiro, Fang) (2006)

Eyeboy (Trevor Hawkins) (2012)

Phoebe Cuckoo (2001)

Celeste Cuckoo (2001)

Trance (Hope Abbot) (2005)

Deadpool (Wade Wilson) (1991)

Gabriel Cohuelo (Velocidad) (2010)

Blindfold (Ruth Aldine) (2005)

Sabretooth (AoA) (Viktor Creed) (1994)

Jubilee (Jubilation Lee) (1989)

[it-was-written-in-the-stars]

◇Dorian Havilliard x Reader◇

♡A song for those who weep♡

Chapter one ○ ● ○

Warning(s): contains mild spoilers for Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

Summary: After spending close to a year travelling across kingdoms and venturing into uncharted terrain in hopes of forgetting about your unrequited love, you find yourself back in the Glass Palace. The time you had spent journeying had done little to mend your broken heart. Perhaps facing your problem instead of running away will prove to be the solution to your anguish?

Word count: 1166

[the characters featured in this story do not belong to me]

♡♡♡

He gazed at them as they danced under the night veiled sky, they were illuminated by the moon which loomed overhead. She twirled and moved as seamlessly as a needle diving into silk. She had pealed away from his embrace only to waltz into the outstretched arms belonging to his best friend. As though moving from one dance partner to the next. The girl's hair was a river of sunlight, coiled back to sway between her shoulderblades. A beauteous smile curled onto her radiant face. She was positively glowing as her gaze melted into the deep brown eyes of the captain of the guard. It had once been him who she had danced with, he recalled with a somber sigh. Those jubilant smiles had once been reserved for him.

But now it was he who stood on the side lines. It was now he who watched on, his heart a woeful pile of shattered glass.

Dorian reluctantly tore his gaze away from Celeana and Chaol, to Nehemia who bestowed him with a tight, yet reassuring nod. "I think it's time you let them venture off on a journey of their own" She mused, offering him a sad smile. He let out another long sigh before pressing his lips into a thin line. He pivoted away from the balcony, away from the two lovers who had discovered solace in each other's arms.

◇◇◇

Your heart resembled a persistent drum, pounding feverishly as you neared the Glass Palace which overlooked the bustling city of Adarlan. The chill breeze did little to soothe your nerves as you strode in, nodding your thanks to the guards stationed at the palace entrance.

Quite some time had passed since you last plodded through the extravagant hallways of the Palace. Bile rose to your throat as memories you had frantically attempted to staunch began to resurface, spilling out of you like blood from a fresh wound. Every crevice reeked of recollections, of sleepless nights spent curled up beside the Crown Prince, both of you lost in a gripping novel, of hours spent plodding through the palace gardens. Truth is, you had decided to travel through the lands in hopes of forgetting the unrequited love you had suffered through within the Glass Palace walls. You vividly recalled the gorgeous golden haired assassin who had sauntered into your life and had stolen the heart of the Crown Prince. Of Dorian.

A tranquil melody reverberated down the winding corridor, resonating from where you presumed was the ostentatious ballroom. That could only mean one thing, yet another party being hosted by the infamous King of Adarlan. Organised primarily to bestow his son with courting options. If only the King had known that his beloved son had his gaze set on the prized champion. A sigh escapes your lips as you near the chambers you had once occupied- before you had fled. You curse yourself for having done so. For despite traversing kingdoms far and wide, you had not found the necessary ingredients to mend that gaping hole in your heart.

"Y/n?" A voice from behind you rasps, provoking a flinch out of you. You pivot on your heel, your gaze colliding with the bewitching sapphire blue eyes of the Crown Prince. Surprise marred his features. Surprise and a patent sense of relief. "I- you're back".

A smile blooms on your face, resembling a beauteous flower which blossoms under the kiss of spring. "I am". Your eyes hungrily gobble up his features, as though shaped by the gods themselves.

He takes a step closer, hesitant. His gaze refusing to leave you, as though he were afraid that if he did look away, you would vanish. Guilt embeds itself within you at that. You had vanished. You had left without a parting word.

"Do you- not have a ball to attend?" You ask, referring to the symphony resonating from the ballroom. He lets out a long sigh, casting a sideways glance towards the source of the tunes. "I'm actually in the process of running away from my persistent suitors". A sheepish grin stretches across his face. "Do you fancy escaping with me?" He asks. Heat rushes to your face as you gaze at him, your Crown Prince. A wave of nostalgia hits you with an unspeakable force, pulling you into the sea of sorrow. You are struck by the familiarity of it. "We could go to my chambers?" You suggest, tilting your head in the direction of your old rooms.

◇◇◇

"Did you find it?" He asks, leaning against the doorframe, his crown askew. You look up, eyebrows quirked upwards. "Find what?" You ask, scanning through the leather bound journals that had been piled upon your four poster bed. You were seated beside this lovely stack, your slippered feet buried in the floccose rug which provided a reprieve from the otherwise cold wooden floors. "What you were looking for" Dorian muses, cocking his head to the side, the gesture akin to a dog.

You pause, gaze snapping back to him. You had fled, hoping to fill that empty void Dorian had once occupied. Somewhere along your friendship, you had fallen hopelessly in love with him. You had been selfish to have expected him to return these feelings. But you had foolishly clung onto an unwise hope that he did. That was until you had walked in on him, his lips pressed against Celeana's. You shut away the memory.

"No" you reply, turning away from him, attempting to conceal the look of pure, undiluted anguish that conquered your face.

Dorian pushes away from the doorframe, aiming towards the bed which he reaches in four powerful strides. "You never told me what it was that you were searching for" He states, settling down beside you.

"It doesn't matter anymore- it was foolish" you respond, brushing off the question. Your fingers effluer the spine of one of the books, a deep burnished brown. You pull it out, feeling yourself fall deeper into that pit of despair as your eyes glean the title. A song for those who weep. One of the many novels Dorian had read to you, before you had parted.

The prince peers over your shoulder, acutely aware of how your shoulders had caved in. The moment feels oddly intimate, his breath fanning your ear and neck. "I seem to have forgotten that tale, would you mind refreshing my memory?" He asks, his tone teasing as his grin broadens. Your breathing turns shallow as you desperately try to hide the heat which had rushed to your face. You push away, rising from where you had been seated. You take a steadying breath before turning back to face him.

"I could summarise it for you- but perhaps a better option would be for us to read it again" you muse, quirking an eyebrow at his amused expression. "We could meet in the library, and this time- I'll be the one reading".

His answering smile is nothing short of devious. "I've missed you".

[musicarenagh]

Mick J. Clark's "Hey Mu-Cha-Cha": A Samba of Regret Mick J. Clark’s “Hey Mu-Cha-Cha” is what happens if you mix regret with samba in a blender and pour it all over your heart. Not literally, of course – unless your heart prefers its sorrow with a side of maracas. There's a surprising jubilance here, a kind of carnival heartbreak: the sound of laughing while crying into your cocktail at a beachside bar, feeling the rhythm but not quite able to join in without that someone special. It sparks a contradiction thicker than marmalade on toast. https://open.spotify.com/track/5CX9rznRHfzPuZQ6eBflvt?si=_MPo4BiJQgWnciQskzuBZQ Here we have Mick J. Clark, elbows-deep in that "I really screwed up" kind of reflection. They were "too cool," but isn’t that just the problem? Coolness is overrated when the cost is the warmth of another person leaving. The song's drums tap out this recurring plea: stay, dance with me, let’s pretend the world can be a mambo again. The dancing—it’s not about feet moving, is it? You know that. It's about energy, connection, fumbling back to where things made sense, where love felt like sipping an iced drink on a sunny day—not yesterday's iced drink, now warm, left out too long. [caption id="attachment_57439" align="alignnone" width="916"] Mick J. Clark's "Hey Mu-Cha-Cha": A Samba of Regret[/caption] Clark throws laced threads of summer and longing over each other like those musicians who try to weave a tapestry but only have one hand at a time free. The tension between dance and loss paints a picture larger than the actual sum of guitar strings and echo. There's something almost cinematic about the way the regret bubbles through the fun, the way that samba rhythm keeps kicking even when the heart slumps. Is the plea believable? Sure, but that doesn’t mean the dance is guaranteed. Mick J. Clark is stuck but still clinging to the beat anyway, hoping the reconnection happens before the music fades. Follow Mick J. Clark on Website, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

[trendingonlinelive]

Swift Recovery: Tracker Connect and PT Tactical Unit Team Up to Retrieve Hijacked Toyota Hilux

Date: 23 January 2024 In a harrowing incident earlier this afternoon, a white Toyota Hilux fell victim to a hijacking at the J section intersection. Three armed gunmen confronted the driver and his crewmen before making a swift escape into Umlazi. Quick thinking on the part of the vehicle owner involved activating Tracker Connect and reaching out to the PT Tactical unit for assistance. The urgency stemmed from a past encounter with hijackers a year ago, where the very same van was successfully recovered by the PT Tactical team. With the tracking device engaged, the joint efforts of Tracker Connect and the PT Tactical unit set in motion a pursuit to reclaim the stolen vehicle. Following a determined pursuit, the white Toyota Hilux was located behind a house in Umlazi. However, the jubilation of the recovery was tempered by the discovery that the vehicle's interior had been fully stripped, and part of its branding signage removed. Units Involved in the Operation: - Tracker Connect - PT Tactical Unit - Bhekithemba SAPS The collaborative effort of these units once again highlights the importance of a swift and coordinated response in such critical situations. The resilience of the PT Tactical unit, coupled with the advanced tracking capabilities of Tracker Connect, played a pivotal role in the successful recovery of the hijacked Toyota Hilux. While the incident resulted in the unfortunate stripping of the vehicle's interior, the collective actions of these dedicated units exemplify a proactive approach towards combating crime and ensuring the safety of the community. The owner's quick actions and the efficient collaboration between Tracker Connect, PT Tactical, and Bhekithemba SAPS serve as a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against criminal activities on our streets. Read the full article

[denimbex1986]

'Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” were set to be the biggest movies of the year before they even hit theaters. After an inconsistent start to the year, the same-day release of “Barbenheimer” on July 21 made history. Their combined $1.8 billion success comes after three years of cinematic purgatory as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many films were released in theaters and streaming platforms simultaneously, which did little to curb the cataclysmic drop in box office performance compared to pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, in the wake of a historic calamity, millions of people worldwide flocked to theaters to see an infamous physicist cope with the triumph and tragedy of his era-defining invention, and the world’s most popular doll be driven to confront and finally welcome the onset of her humanity.

Two initially opposing films have become interwoven into a cultural phenomenon that has the potential to change how we ourselves view and respond to change that affects us both as individuals and as a society. “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are two very different sides of the same thematic coin, and are reflections of how we as a collective conscience cope with the calamities of our modern day. Rather than being a vehicle of escapism, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” as a unit illustrate the consequences of either accepting or denying change, what it means to suffer while conforming to society’s expectations and both how and how not to respond to the many trials and tribulations life throws at us. The combination of these themes make “Barbenheimer” a potent vehicle for social commentary that has broad implications for modern society, specifically regarding technological innovation and its impacts.

As far as the coin is concerned, “Oppenheimer” is certainly the blackened, oxidized and grimy side of the coin. “Oppenheimer” paints the picture of a man who becomes overwhelmed in despair over his actions and the many years he takes to make peace with himself. The naive world of theoretical physics and hypothetical daydreams becomes inescapably intertwined with the cold, hard reality of winning a world war. At its center is J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy, “Peaky Blinders”). The optimism and carefree nature of his young adult life is turned to ash just as quickly as the two cities he is indirectly responsible for leveling. Throughout the film, we see how little and large atomic explosions tear at the fabric of his mental health and life, until he is finally broken in the flash of an enormous mushroom cloud. Surrounded by jubilation, all Oppenheimer can see in his mind’s eye is the searing light and instantaneous devastation of the explosion. In the years after the war’s end, he is more undead than alive, a shell of himself who doesn’t resist the condemnation and the degradation of the very government that entrusted him the leadership of the Manhattan Project.

While director Christopher Nolan makes no mistake in illustrating the categorical deconstruction of a human being, he no less falters in allowing the audience to see the hope in the despair. A chronicle of a man who lived in an era dominated by war and who played a major role in defining the 20th century is no less pertinent in the 21st. In a present world which seems dominated by atomic bombs of bad news, “Oppenheimer” teaches us that letting go of hope only leads to more despair, and that one must find peace with what led to this depression in order to return to happiness. In the same vein, the advent of new technology can never be solely positive or negative. While the atomic bomb had an incredibly negative impact, its underlying technology spurred on major scientific developments in several important fields vital to our understanding of life itself.

Conversely, Barbieland’s side of the coin is unnaturally pristine and, quite literally, plastic. As shown in the film’s marketing, this line rings true: “If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you … If you love Barbie, this movie is for you.” “Barbie” offered a superficial view into the identity crisis of its titular character. Nonetheless, “Barbie” was a pertinent, visually-striking commentary on the Barbieland-esque world of social media, traditional gender roles and body standards. Director Greta Gerwig’s usual feminist commentary permeates the movie, with the Barbie-dominated utopia providing a stark contrast to the male-dominated “Real World,” as depicted in the movie. While both worlds incorporate an element of fantasy, Gerwig uses this dichotomy to highlight the inherent disparities in a system which values one gender over another, regardless of which gender is on top. This all undercuts Barbie (Margot Robbie, “Babylon”) grappling with her new, increasingly human and constantly less perfect identity. After numerous setbacks and pitfalls, Barbie finally comes to terms with the fact that her imperfections are worth cherishing, and that they are what make her truly unique and human.

Although it is sometimes difficult to see through the movie’s glossy pink exterior, just like “Oppenheimer,” The overall message conveyed by “Barbie” is one that is extremely important, one that tells women and girls of the need to value their own identities, given the state of today’s cultural landscape. Our generation’s very own atomic bomb, the internet, has revolutionized how we as a generation interact with our world. First conceived for military purposes in the 1960s, computational developments over the next several decades laid the foundation for its now near unfathomable expanses and fundamental importance to modern society. Key to the internet’s cultural relevance is social media. For roughly 70% of Americans, social media sites have become a regular part of their daily routine, despite the majority maintaining that social media has a negative impact on society. This sentiment is by no means untrue, especially when it comes to young people. Connected to the meteoric rise of social media over the past decade, the past 15 years have seen steady increases in the onset of suicides among individuals between the ages of 10 and 24. Emergency room visits for self-inflicted injuries among ages 10 to 19 have risen sharply among young women. While not exclusively linked to social media, among primarily young teens, there is a distinct correlation between life satisfaction and social media use.

While “Barbie” is just a film, the personal struggle of an individual such as Barbie, who by social media standards is perfect, is precisely the narrative that is often neglected when browsing social media, or when discussing the real-life Barbie doll herself. In an era in which people, particularly young people, are held to impossibly high standards, it becomes increasingly important to deprecate such unrealistic expectations and place a more positive emphasis on the unique imperfections of individuals, which are precisely what make them human. While “Barbie” itself can by no means solve the youth mental health crisis created by social media, it can at the very least bring greater attention to the issue and motivate a shift in the narrative. Considering its box office success, it’s clearly raising awareness, if nothing else.

Audiences have grown tired of the traditional summer blockbuster. It can be seen with the underwhelming performance of once wildly successful franchises, and with the simultaneous success of films such as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” The success of both movies amid an ongoing writers’ and actors’ strike gives Hollywood the perfect opportunity to shift its strategy by bringing innovation back into the fold. Filmgoers are hungry for something that will challenge their expectations and perhaps even motivate them to become passionate about an issue they otherwise wouldn’t have recognized. The power of “Barbenheimer” is fleeting, yet the message it carries and the cultural phenomenon it represents will ensure it remains a staple in cinematic history. For the industry itself, stories that push the envelope of what can be expected from a moviegoing experience and leave audiences with something to reflect on after it’s over are now the zeitgeist.'

[0613magazine]

200821 Grammy

BTS Talk Inspiration Behind "Dynamite," New 2020 Album, Gratitude For ARMY & More

The joyful, new 2020 BTS song "Dynamite," included on the album 'Be,' is the pop superstars' first-ever English-language track and was especially crafted to bring encouragement and positive energy to listeners.

Today, Aug. 21, after several weeks of teasers, K-pop superstars BTS have released their first English language track, "Dynamite," a jubilant disco-tinged bop meant to inspire joy and hope during these difficult times.

"[The inspiration for] it all began from this: even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do. As for us, we found freedom and happiness in singing and dancing. This song goes to the ones who need encouragement. We hope people feel energized when listening to the song," the chart-topping band recently told GRAMMY.com.

Even in such an unprecedented year of turmoil and slowdown for the entertainment industry (and virtually everyone), BTS have been able to maintain their stance at the top of the global pop landscape. After having to cancel their massive 2020 Map Of The Soul World Tour, the South Korean group, already having a super engaged online presence with their huge ARMY of dedicated fans, got creative and delivered a lively, colorful—and wildly successful—pay-to-view virtual concert, BANG BANG CON: THE LIVE, in June.

This year, the loveable pop stars also led by example of what it means to be a positive force in the world, using their platform for good in many ways. In June, along with their South Korean management company, Big Hit Entertainment, they donated $1 million to Crew Nation to support out-of-work concert crews and $1 million to the Black Lives Matter Foundation. (Just 24 hours later, the BTS ARMY matched the donation by raising more than $1 million.) They also stood in solidarity with the Black community with a simple yet powerful Tweet that made their stance against racism clear.

And, of course, they've also been busy working on new music, delivering "Stay Gold" and their fourth Japanese album, MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ~The Journey~, in June and July, respectively. Now, with "Dynamite," we get the first taste of the forthcoming new album they've been focused on crafting.

To hear more about "Dynamite," the upcoming project, the ARMY and other BTS 2020 highlights, we checked in with the dynamic septet (consisting of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook) over email. Read on to hear more from BTS.

What was the inspiration behind your new song, "Dynamite"? What do you hope listeners feel when they hear it?

BTS: It all began from this: even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do. As for us, we found freedom and happiness in singing and dancing. This song goes to the ones who need encouragement. We hope people feel energized when listening to the song.

"Dynamite" is your first song sung/rapped fully in English--how did you prepare for the recording and who wrote the lyrics?

BTS: It was a new challenge for us as well. The lyrics, which are exactly what we wanted to say to our listeners, were written by David Stewart and Jessica Agombar. At the first try, it sounded fresh and perfect as it is in English, and throughout the whole process of recording, we've strived to get the message delivered flawlessly in English. 

Can you tell us more about the new album you've said is coming later this year? What kind of sounds and themes are you exploring on this project?

BTS: We're currently working on a new album and sharing the process with our fans via livestream. Each member's input has been significant for this particular one, so we're kind of doing everything we've wanted to try. It's slated for later this year and more details are coming soon.

In February, Map Of The Soul: 7 became your fourth album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with your highest first-week numbers yet. What does the success of this album mean to you?

BTS: We cannot be thankful enough to our fans. They made this possible.

You've all released music as solo artists—what does it feel like working on your individual projects versus BTS? What's the biggest thing you've each learned from your solo projects?

RM: It feels like I have two completely different identities. Working as BTS, I have to be considerate of others, but at times it also means I just have to do my part well and the rest will roll. When working individually, I definitely have more freedom but less of the sense of comfort and belonging I can feel when working with the other BTS members.

Jin: I can do whatever I want when I work alone, whereas we all need to be on the same page on concepts, melodies and lyrics for a collective project.

SUGA: [For me,] there's not much of a difference in terms of process. It's just really encouraging to have my team by my side and work together on a BTS album.

j-hope: I get to know about my shortcomings from a solo project. We have many people participating in our team projects, including producers. But a solo project is a direct result of the planning and execution done by myself, which helps me better understand feedback from the public—those are valuable takeaways.

Jimin: I focus more on my personal thoughts when I work alone, whereas working together allows me to contemplate more on the things we experience as a team. I also believe that solo projects are additional activities enabled by BTS.

V: I'm currently working on my own mixtape and I must admit there's a lot of pressure. I think there's more to think about compared to group projects. 

Jung Kook: I don't think I can call myself a solo artist yet since I'm short of many things. I really need to improve. I'll keep listening and making music until I'm able to come up with something on my own. 

Your virtual BANG BANG CON show was a huge success—what did it feel like to all of you to connect to the ARMY in this way? Do you think you'll plan another one?

BTS: We were so happy to be performing for our fans. Yes, we did miss their loud cheers, but we gave it our all thanks to the love sent by our fans from near and far. We're actually holding another show in October called "BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" and this time it will be both virtual and offline. We're so excited and thrilled to finally meet our fans in person.

As a group, you've stood in solidarity with Black Lives Matter on Twitter and with a generous donation in partnership with Big Hit. As non-Black allies, why is it important for the group to speak out and join the Black community in solidarity?

BTS: We think our Twitter message speaks for itself. We stand against racial discrimination and condemn violence. We all have the right to be respected. It doesn't matter whether we are non-Black or not. 

What's next on the horizon for BTS?

BTS: As we mentioned, we have a show in October and an album coming later this year. And we have lots of things prepared surrounding "Dynamite," so everyone better keep their eyes on the ball!

Source: Grammy

[santandreas]

Epiphany

https://christ-our-hope-community.net/2023/01/

It appears that the feast of the Epiphany, which was held in the East and in certain Western Churches before it was observed in Rome, was originally a celebration of the nativity. For those churches where it was observed, January 6 was the equivalent of Christmas (December 25) in the Roman Church. The feast was first celebrated in Rome in the second part of the sixth century, and it later evolved into the festival’s complement and, in a sense, its crown. Epiphany translates to manifestation. The manifestation of our Lord to the entire world is what the Church commemorates now; after being revealed to the Bethlehem shepherds, He is revealed to the Magi who have journeyed from the East to adore Him. The Magi represent the first fruits of the Gentiles, according to Christian legend. All the Earth’s Peoples follow in their trail and the Epiphany, therefore, confirms the salvation of all peoples. St. Leo makes this point brilliantly in a sermon read at Matins, where he illustrates how the Magi’s devotion marks the birth of the Christian faith at a time when the vast majority of the pagan population is travelling to follow the star that calls it to seek its Saviour. That is also the explanation behind the great prophecy from Isaias that is read during the first nocturn at Matins and the Epistle of the Mass according to the liturgy. The Church returns to the idea of universal redemption when she sings the antiphon to the Magnificat at 2nd Vespers, interpreting the words to describe her own union with Christ as symbolised by the wedding feast at Cana and her children’s baptism as foreshadowed by Christ’s baptism in the Jordan. Epiphany was once an alternative day for formal baptisms. Again, from another source – The solemnity of the Epiphany is observed on January 6 or, if the episcopal conference so decides, on a Sunday between January 2 and January 8., The child Messiah is made known as the world’s light. The adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ, and the wedding feast at Cana are three mysteries that are included in this solemnity, as the antiphon for the Magnificat at Second Vespers reminds us. Extra candles and/or lamps may be placed around the sanctuary and in other parts of the church to honour Christ revealed as the Light of the Gentiles (Ceremonial of Bishops) It is usual to substitute the three Magi and their gifts for the shepherds’ representations at the crib. —Msgr. Peter J. Elliott, author of Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Ignatius Press.] Scripture Commentary ‌ Matthew 2:1–12 is the source of the feast’s gospel. The main characters of today’s Epiphany celebration are the Magi. They were pagan people who had no knowledge of the Jewish people’s true God. But that real God made known to them that the Jewish King he had prophesied had indeed come. A prince was born as foretold. When they arrived in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah they expected, of course, to find the city and the entire country in jubilation. Instead, they found suspicion and hatred in the reigning king—a hatred which shortly turned to murder The religious leaders were knowledgeable about their past history but completely uninterested in the present and the future. These officials must have understood that the Magi were adamant about the truth revealed to them since they would not have travelled so far on a “fool’s errand.” They also knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Despite this, they never considered accompanying the Magi to Bethlehem. These were the same officials that, despite his miracles, refused to accept his claim that he was not only the promised Messiah but also the real Son of God. These were men who rejected him because he had mercy on sinners and spoke of a future life. What they wanted from their Messiah was political power and earthly freedom and prosperity. Like Herod, they ended with murder—the crucifixion of the “King of the Jews.” The mediocre leaders of God’s Chosen People were not much worse than the pagan king. Let us choose to make the Magi our models, to follow them to Bethlehem and offer Christ all that we have and are. —Adapted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O’Sullivan, O.F.M. Paraphrased www.catholicculture.org. (n.d.). The Epiphany of the Lord – January 08, 2023 – Liturgical Calendar. [online] Available at: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2023-01-08 [Accessed 4 Jan. 2023]. Image from Wikipedia public (1902). Journey of the Magi. [JEPG] Available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Journey_of_the_Magi.jpg [Accessed 4 Jan. 2023].

[bookishfeylin]

Black Fantasy TBR Part 1

It's taking so long to compile all my books that I might as well release my tbr one portion at a time. This isn't really that organized, but here's the first part of my fantasy (and a little bit of scifi) tbr listed out for people who are curious and/or want to see more fantasy books with Black protagonists:

The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton

Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Abengoni: First Calling by Charles R. Saunders

Across the Broken Tide by Lakase Cousino

Iron Cast by Destiny Soria

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

Kingdom of Feathers by Deborah Grace White

Priestess of nKu by Milton J Davis

Promise of Shadows by Justina Ireland

The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Queen of Zazzau by J.S. Emuakpor

Elysium by Nora Sakavic

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

Dream Country by Ashaye Brown

The Reluctant Sacrifice by Kerr-Ann Dempster

She Steals Justice by J. Clark

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

The Hope of Aferi: The Wolf Queen by Cerece Rennie Murphy

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

The Blazing Star by Imani Josey

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne Brown

Bones to the Wind by Tatiana Obey

Treachery of Water by Angela J. Ford

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

Beautiful Nightmare by L.C. Son

Conquest by Celeste Harte

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin

Magic Dark, Magic Divine by A.J. Locke

Shadow's Dissident by Ariel Paiement

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi

Mirage by Somaiya Daud

A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A. Cole

This was mostly stand-alones and duologies, so the next part of my tbr should be mostly trilogies and longer series.

[writerpeach]

Downpour

fromis_9 Jisun x Male Reader

8595 words

Categories: smut, mommy kink, oral

---

Read on AFF

Read on AO3

masterlist

Thirty-percent chance of precipitation today.

The loud squeak of windshield wipers working their hardest proved the contrary, trying to keep up with the furious rain pounding your car. Weather forecasts were always full of shit, you’d probably have a better chance winning the lottery than them correctly predicting the weather.

Another crack of lightning lit up the obscured road, being trailed by a deafening roar of thunder that made your heart race. You’d never seen the skies so dark, so gloomy, so angry as if Mother Nature was enacting revenge on some poor soul.

Guided only by taillights it became harder to see much of anything, keeping your distance in between impatient cars. The right choice was made as cars sped by, splashing your windows and ruining visibility further as if they had forgotten they were on oil-slicked streets and not the Daytona 500.

You still had a good thirty minutes left to your place, normally no less than a five-minute drive in usual circumstances as the harsh storm showed no signs of letting up.

More lightning struck in the distance as the rain continued punishing the highway, thunder roaring enough to vibrate the windows, demanding its presence be known

“Thirty percent my ass,” you mumbled to yourself, cursing the idea of men and women in suits fabricating lies and getting paid to do so. You just hoped it didn’t hail, you would be home soon safe and sound with a cup of hot tea in your hands snuggled under the blankets.

The thunder grew louder, and you felt you were tempting fate at this point by continuing on, but consequences be damned, you felt no need to pull out.

Right before you were about to make your exit off the freeway, a stranded car caught your eye pulled off to the side of the road. The hood popped, blinkers flashing and you could barely make out the outline of someone waving desperately for help to anyone to no avail.

Traffic was light in this part of town, especially at night. Maybe it was too dark, maybe people didn’t care or both. You couldn’t just pass by without offering assistance, pulling behind them and shutting the engine off.

You grabbed your umbrella out of the backseat, pulled the hood of your jacket up over your head as you stepped out of the car. You were immediately bombarded by cold rain as you opened your umbrella as a shield to deflect it, heading towards the troubled car.

“Need any help?” you asked, as you approached the stranger, umbrella in hand. The owner of said car was a young woman, wearing a thin jacket that did little to protect from the rain, and you couldn’t tell if she had tears on her cheeks naturally or from the rain.

“Y-yes, thank you so much for stopping!” she said, suppressing a sniffle as you were able to clearly see her face, the rain doing its damndest to cover her beautiful features up.

“I-I don’t know anything about cars, it just stopped working. I tried to call for help but my battery died. I just filled the tank this morning, I don’t know what’s wrong with it.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know much either. Let’s get you out of the rain and I’ll see if I can call a mechanic.”

“T-thank you!” the woman graciously said, keeping your umbrella hovering over her head, trying to keep her from getting even more soaked.

“You must be freezing, I have a blanket in the backseat of my car if you don’t mind sitting in it.”

“N-not at all, thank you!” she said, as you led the way, opening up one of the back doors to allow her passage as she carefully stepped inside, taking a seat next to the window. You closed the door as the shivering woman wrapped herself in the thick blanket you kept back there for emergencies, heading behind the steering wheel and caught your first serious glance of the beautiful woman in the rear-view mirror.

Doing a quick search on your phone it took three different shops before any picked up, the result being unsatisfying.

“Are you doing okay?” you asked, as you looked over your shoulder at the beautiful stranger, her expression much more jubilant in nature now.

“Y-yes, thank you so much for saving me.”

“It was no problem. They said it would be at least an hour before they can send a tow truck to come pick up your car. They’re all backed up. I’m sure other places will be the same.“

“That’s understandable,” she said with an audible sigh.

“Is there somewhere I can take you?” you asked, vicious thunder rudely interrupting the conversation.

“Maybe we should wait out the storm?” she suggested, tilting her head to the side as you could see her nervous expression, her lips quivering.

“That’s not a bad idea.”

The woman sitting in your backseat flashed an innocent warm smile for the first time as a sense of relief overcame her, releasing a deep breath as she relaxed into the seat.

“It’s really coming down still. Would you mind keeping me company back here?” she shyly asked, patting the seat next to her. The rain crashed against the roof harshly, droplets sounding like a golf ball being slammed against the protective roof.

“Sure thing,” you said, crawling over the center console towards the back seat, smacking your head on the ceiling as you took the middle seat next to her.

“Are you okay?” she asked, giggling cutely as you rubbed the top of your head, checking for any bumps but the only thing hurt was your dignity.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

You fumbled in the dark, turning on the dome light to shatter the darkness as you both flinched, regretful that you didn’t give a warning beforehand.

“Sounds like you’re having a bad day,” you said, stating the obvious.

“You could say that,” she shyly said, her charming voice light and airy as she tucked strands of light blonde hair behind her ears.

“Thank you again.”

“Of course.”

“I was so worried when my car broke down, I didn’t know what to do,” she said, her arms still discernibly shivering.

“You’re safe now. Are you still cold? I can turn the heater on.”

She shook her head politely. “I think I just need to take this wet jacket off,” she said, removing it from her body as you took it from her, placing it on the empty seat next to you.

“That’s better.”

When she was in the right position you caught a glimpse of cleavage, but you tried not to stare.

The attractive blonde had on a simple white top underneath with a thin gold necklace that resembled more of a bra than a shirt as she adjusted the straps. Her pretty shoulders were exposed and didn’t have on more than a pair of jean shorts. It wasn’t that surprising why she was a bit chilly.

“You know...I’ve heard that huddling together is a good way to keep warm.”

“Is it?” you asked, feigning ignorance as you admired the color in her pupils.

“It’s worth a shot,” she replied, making her way over to your side as she climbed your lap. She left the blanket on the seat and avoided making the same mistake you did, clearly losing the height advantage you made it easier.

Her legs wrapped around your waist as you could feel the body heat rising already as she got comfortable.

“Is it helping?” you asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” she coyly said, pressing her body closer against yours, her breasts pressing against your chest.

“I’m feeling pretty warm myself now,” you said, looking into her gaze. She had the most beautiful eyes you had ever seen, just one look made you liable to get lost in them.

“I wouldn’t want you to overheat now…” she said, abruptly grabbing on the collar of your shirt and gently tugging on it, pulling it up and over your head as you lifted your arms to assist her.

“What about now?”

“I think I’m feeling much better.”

“Good,” she replied.

“You’re so pretty.”

She blushed, her cheeks helping warm the rest of her body. “Thank you. I think we can still do better,” she said, searching for the dome light and turning it off, leaving the car cloaked in almost complete darkness. Only scattered lightning strikes assisted in lighting up her features.

“What's your name?” you asked. She hesitated for a moment placing a hand on your shoulder and began tracing your bare chest with her fingertip.

Without saying another word she traced random patterns, moving from your neck down your abdomen, her touch tantalizing your senses. She moved back up to your chest as she formed the letter “J”, picking her finger up as she proceeded to write her name on your bare skin.

“...I”

“...S”

“...U”, she traced one more letter as you put them all together, her fingernail digging into your chest just enough to not cause any pain.

“...N”

“Your name is Jisun?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

Her cheeks reddened again. ”Thank you. For everything. You’re really sweet.”

Jisun caught you by surprise, her small hands cupping your face as she leaned inward. The next fit of lighting struck perfectly, lighting up the back seat as her warm lips pressed up against yours, earning your first taste.

Her lips were impossibly soft, she tasted like a sweetened version of the rain, an addicting sample that you needed more of.

“Without you I’d still be stuck in the rain. Let me pay you back.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Jisun. You really don’t have to do anything.”

“But I want to. You’re my savior.”

You shook your head repeatedly. “I’m not, I would have done it for anybody.”

“I’m glad you did it for me then,” she said, kissing your lips again with more passion, more fire behind her gaze. “Let me do something for you. Anything, please?”

Her offer wasn’t necessary, but it would have been rude to refuse her generosity. You noticed at that moment you couldn’t tear your eyes away from her chest, even in the dim moonlight shining through.

“Can you take this top off?” you reluctantly asked, hoping you wouldn’t get a slap in the face in return.

“Of course. I meant anything,” she said without any delay, lifting her top up and over her head, flinging it behind her as it landed in the passenger seat. Her clothed breasts look so large and inviting, her skin soft and immaculate you just wanted to caress every inch of her.

Jisun didn’t waste time as your eyes roamed her body, dismounting your lap long enough to peel her jean shorts down her wide hips.

“Won’t need those anymore,” she smirked, leaving herself exposed in a cute set of white bra and panties. Her breasts were pushed up perfectly, and you didn’t know whether to stare at her surprisingly thick thighs or her bottomless cleavage.

“You have a really nice body, Jisun.”

Her charming eyes were intense and mesmerizing as she held her sweet gaze on you. “You can see more of it if you’d like.”

“Please,” you said, as soon as your syllable finished Jisun reached behind her back to unhook her bra, divesting it into the darkness as it landed on the rear dash, freeing her beautiful full breasts.

You grew speechless as you stared at Jisun’s newly exposed chest, her breasts such a perfect shape with beautiful cherry pink nipples, stiffening already either in part to the weather or her arousal, you didn’t care which.

“Can I touch you, Jisun?” you cautiously asked, instantly met with an approving nod.

“Please do.”

Not wasting a precious second you grabbed her hips, her skin warm to the touch and silky soft as you explored her body, touching her stomach and stopping just below her wonderful breasts, waiting for her blessing.

“Put your hands all over me,” she pleaded, the necessary invitation you craved as you cupped her warm breasts, delicious flesh in your fingertips as you felt the weight in your hands. Your pants tightened as you ran both thumbs over opposing pretty nipples.

Jisun moaned softly and closed her eyes for a second, trying to hide the desire in them.

“They’re sensitive,” she whined cutely, and you wanted to test that out as you pinched her nipples, rolling them between your fingers and sucked on the one closest to your mouth.

You felt Jisun’s hips buck as your lips latched on to the beautiful bud, applying firm pressure as you slurped gently on it, swirling your tongue around it and earning more beautiful moans that were drowned out by the still obnoxious thunderstorm.

Switching breasts you suckled them hungrily, devouring her tits and starving for more. Her wide eyes filled with pleasure as her nipples grew swollen and doused in saliva. You gave her sensitive tips a brief respite, licking in between her breasts, tasting the sweat that had formed which did little to quench your thirst as you kept your face buried in her cleavage.

You were content to stay there until the dawn broke, smothering yourself with her perfect breasts, but held back as you wanted to explore more of her body, kissing her collarbone and neck in several places, only to be met with more sensual moans.

More kisses, more places to touch, her deliciously soft skin being peppered with your lips, kissing wherever you could as you rested your hands on her back, keeping her small frame close to you.

You returned to her delicious lips, drinking in the intoxicating taste of Jisun as soft kisses grew more heated, hands wandering everywhere in the dark and desperate to touch naked flesh.

Jisun came up for air, gasping lightly as she angled her head into the crook of your neck, sucking on it with much fervor, living her lipstick stains on your flushed skin.

“I want you,” Jisun whispered seductively in your ear, nibbling on your lower earlobe while a hand found your crotch, cupping your bulge wantonly.

“I want you inside me,” she said, licking the side of your neck as her seductive gaze met yours, impossible to look away and you’d do anything she asked at that moment.

“I want you more,” you replied, kissing her breasts as she lifted herself off your lap just enough to slip her panties off, as you unbuttoned your pants, yanking them down to your ankles along with your boxers and you’ve never been so thankful to be freed of clothes.

Jisun took her place back on your naked lap, straddling you tightly as she grabbed your stiffening shaft, stroking you from base to tip slowly.

“Do you think anyone will see us?” she asked, running her slim fingers around your length with a delicate grip as you throbbed, another abrupt roar of thunder that startled you both as you caressed her cheek in reassurance.

“I wouldn’t care if they did,” you said, Jisun flashing a smile in agreement.

Jisun lined her inviting entrance with your shaft, carefully positioning herself and elevated her body. She took an audible deep breath as she pushed her hips down and sank down onto your cock, the tip penetrating her and sending a flood of pleasure as you both moaned together.

“F-fuck…”

Jisun leaned in as her hands wrapped around the nape of your neck, taking a second to adjust and began to take a ride on your stiff throbbing cock. One look in her sensual eyes heightened your arousal and her hips moved, stretching her out ever so gently.

The rain had finally calmed down, no longer causing alarm but now a calming presence, adding a beautiful soundtrack to what was happening in your steamy backseat. Jisun moved her naked body in a slow, precise rhythm, savoring every time your shaft left her pussy, anticipating the next stroke inside her.

Jisun was incredibly tight as was expected but not like this. Her pussy was so warm and wet, smothering your shaft as she impaled herself with half your length, taking in the pleasure one step at a time. With each ride she released a steady stream of erotic moans, her voice an orgasm in itself.

“You feel really good inside me,” she whispered in your ear, insisting on keeping her cute voice low as if she were your own personal sexual ASMR, every syllable of honey shooting tingles up your spine.

“Not as good as you feel around my cock,” you replied, placing your hands on her soft buttcheeks, squeezing the soft flesh she grew drunk with pleasure.

Jisun quickened her movements, taking more of you into her tight pussy as her wet lips gripped your cock tightly, demanding you stay inside her for as long as she wanted. She bounced her juicy ass on your crotch as your hands moved to the front of her torso, squeezing her breasts again as your shaft became covered in her slick juices.

“Suck my tits more,” she demanded, grabbing the back of your head and pressing her flawless breasts into your face, suffocating you with her delicious mounds. You stuck your tongue out and licked what warm skin you could, released from the confines of her flesh after several seconds as you took her sensitive nubs into your mouth, stimulating them endlessly with your lips and tongue.

“Just like that, fuck,” Jisun moaned, bouncing on your cock harder as you planted sloppy kisses on her breasts, palming and messily suckling on them as if Jisun’s voluptuous soft breasts were a top-notch meal and you had an insatiable appetite for them.

You did everything you could to Jisun’s tits, licking and slurping on her delicious nipples, teasing them with your tongue, biting them, devouring every inch of her breasts. She grew wetter with every movement, and you took a break from the buffet that was her chest, relaxing into the seat once more.

“How does that feel? Do you like when I ride your cock?” Jisun asked, keeping up the pace with every rock of her hips. Your arms spread wide and rested on the back dash as you watched her amazing breasts endlessly bouncing, unable to take your eyes anywhere else.

“It feels so good,” you said, your body feeling weightless, every sensation in your body being amplified as Jisun bounced and bounced with a limitless amount of energy. Her demeanor had changed tenfold since you met her, the stranded girl worried to no end now had lust-clouded eyes, full of wanton need and moaning easily into your ears.

“I want to make you cum. I want to keep riding your cock until you finish inside me.”

Jisun didn’t let you respond as she smothered your lips with her own, furiously bouncing on your cock as she grabbed your wrists and placed your hands on her breasts, helping you squeeze them as the loud smack of flesh against flesh filled the car.

“Play with my nipples. I’m so close, I want to cum on your cock.”

You did as instructed, wanting to fulfill any desires Jisun had as you pinched both of her hard nipples, tugging at them, teasing them with your fingertips, rolling them in between your fingers and doing anything to give her the stimulation she was desperate for.

“That’s it, please don’t stop. I’m going to cum on your cock so hard, oh god!”

Jisun’s tight dripping pussy clamped down hard around your cock, pulsating in random waves to validate her words. Her plump cheeks smacked against your lap, arms tightly wrapping around your neck as her breasts smashed against your chest, breathlessly moaning directly into your ears.

“Cum for me, Jisun.”

It wasn’t that she needed permission, but your beckoning words gave her an extra boost she needed, sending her over the edge. Her mouth agape as her head snapped back, toes curling and her breathing shallowed, holding on to your body as if she were going to collapse otherwise as her warm pussy pulsated rapidly as slick dripped out between her thighs.

Jisun’s half-lidded eyes grew heavy, closing them tightly for several moments as her intense climax washed over her like a hurricane, every ounce of pleasure hitting her all at once as she rode it out, gyrating her wide hips in slow lazy circles.

The fatigue set in as Jisun slowly opened her eyes, and as she came down from such an intense high you noticed the windows had fogged up considerably, only adding to the erotic atmosphere.

Jisun struggled to speak at first, still dealing with the aftermath of her climax as she took in several deep breaths, causing her chest to heave up and down which only aroused you even more.

“Your turn,” she said breathlessly, resting her head on your shoulder, catching her breath.

Jisun looked up at you, still in her post-orgasm haze and stared longingly into your eyes, sweetly whispering three words.

“Cum inside me.”

There was no better offer than that. Jisun did her best to move her hips, but you did the rest of the work, gripping her waist and thrusted frantically as sweat dripped down your brow.

You knew you weren’t going to last much longer, matching her slow and steady rhythm and driving yourself deep into her tight warm cunt.

“J-Jisun...I’m going to cum…” you moaned, the tightness in your core being impossible to ignore. She placed her hands on either side of your neck, her face a hair's breadth away as your impending orgasm grew closer and closer.

“It’s okay, fill me. Please, cum for me, give me everything.”

Just like before, her words were the trigger to your own climax, and with the last bit of thrusts you buried your shaft deep inside her heavenly pussy as you erupted. You grunted and groaned as your throbbing cock emptied into her, filling her to the brim with your thick, creamy load, her tight walls milking every drop out of you.

You fired everything you had into her body until your balls were drained, feeling just as breathless as Jisun did moments ago, gasping for air as she rested her pretty head on your warm chest.

Neither of you said a word for some time, communicating only in tired gasps and pants until you broke the silence.

“I think it stopped raining finally. Do you want me to try to call someone again?”

Jisun shook her head weakly. “It can wait until morning. The streets might be flooded, who knows how long it will take them.”

Her fingers ran through strands of your hair, playing with it lazily, “You can take me back home if you don’t mind. It’s not that far from here, I was on the way there before my car died.”

“Of course. Just tell me where to take you.”

“Let me get my things real quick,” Jisun said, almost forgetting that you still had your cock inside her.

“I guess I should get dressed first,” she giggled, as she dismounted herself from your shaft, her pussy leaking your hot load down her thighs.

“Fuck, you came a lot,” she said with a proud smirk as she slipped her top back on to cover herself up, not bothering with underwear as she pulled her jeans back up.

“I don’t exactly have anything to clean up with, sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I like the way it feels dripping inside of me,” she said, cautiously exiting the car. You got dressed yourself and moved to the driver’s seat, taking note of how the rain was thankfully now barely a sprinkle.

Jisun grabbed her purse, turning her hazard lights off and locked the door, slamming her car hood shut as she entered the passenger seat of your car, pulling down the visor to look at herself in the mirror.

“I’ve never had sex in a car before,” Jisun said, putting her seatbelt on as the engine purred to life.

“Me neither. First time for everything I guess?”

“Definitely.”

“Where to?”

Jisun punched her address into your GPS, and you looked behind you as you carefully pulled back onto the highway.

Her place wasn’t that far off, closer to your apartment than was expected as you pulled into a driveway, lights flashing onto a door with the number 009.

“Here we are, safe and sound.”

“Thank you,” Jisun said, and you couldn’t help notice the way the seatbelt rested in between her large breasts, making them appear even bigger and more noticeable.

“...You’re coming inside, aren’t you?” Jisun said, resting her hand on your thigh. “I won’t murder you. I promise,” she added.

“Well in that case...” you said, Jisun giggled cutely. You both stepped out of the car at the same time, letting her lead the way.

“I have roommates, but they’re not going to be here until the morning. We have this whole place to ourselves,” she said, keying in the number to her electronic lock as it magically opened.

Her place was smaller than expected as you slipped your shoes off and placed them in the entryway, next to several different pairs in different colors.

“How many roommates do you have?”

“Just a couple. Most of those are mine,” she responded, placing her shoes next to the pile.

You took a step onto the wooden floor that led into the living room, Jisun gesturing to take a seat on the couch centered in the room, small and cream-colored with tufted upholstery. Lounging back in the seat you were greeted with a surprising amount of comfort, trying not to hit your leg on the wooden coffee table in front, coming up to about your knees.

Jisun briefly panicked, noticing a leftover container of ramen and a can of orange fanta were left on the table as she quickly scooped them up and disposed of them.

“Sorry, my roommates are a bit of a slob.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Would you like some tea?” she asked, heading towards the rather small kitchen that doubled as a laundry room.

“Sure, I’d love some.”

“What kind would you like?”

“There’s more than one kind?”

Jisun chuckled as she opened a cupboard that she was barely able to reach filled with different colored boxes.

“Let’s see, we have blueberry, raspberry, ginseng, sleepytime, green tea, green tea with lemon, green tea with lemon and honey, ginger with honey, ginger without honey, vanilla almond, white truffle and... earl grey.“

“...I think you made some of those up,” you said, cocking your head to the side.

“How about raspberry?”

“Raspberry sounds great.”

Jisun grabbed a red box out of the cupboard, shutting the door and grabbed two black mugs, placing them on the counter as she poured water in an electric kettle.

“Shouldn’t take too long,” she said, settling down on the couch next to you and crossing her legs. You couldn’t help but notice that without the security of a bra her nipples were poking through her top, not that it wasn’t anything you hadn’t seen moments ago, but it did spark a fire in your loins.

“Are you hungry? I can whip something up real quick, I’m a really good cook.”

“I wish I was. I had a big dinner before the drive home.”

“Oh, okay,” Jisun said, disappointed. “I hope it was delicious.”

“It was, but you taste better,” you smugly said.

Jisun couldn’t help but laugh at your cheesy compliment, as there was an awkward moment of silence for two people who just had sex in a backseat.

“So, Jisun…” you said, struggling to come up with anything to say to break the tension. “This is a nice place.”

“Thank you. It’s small but cozy, and the rent is really cheap. There’s three of us here so I can afford to just work part-time right now.”

“What do you do if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Not at all. I’m a…” Jisun hesitated for a second, shyly smiling.

“I’m an erotic model.”

Jisun tried to hold back a giggle, failing miserably as she covered her mouth with her palm.

“Oh really?” you said. “So I’m not the only person who has seen you naked?”

“Sorry to break it to you. It’s not always nude though, sometimes it's lingerie or swimsuits, but I definitely don’t have my clothes on for most of the shoots.”

“You certainly have the body for it.”

Jisun blushed. “My roommate got me the job, she does the same thing. I wasn’t so sure about it at first, but then I realized then that my large breasts could work to my advantage, and it pays really well.”

Your thoughts raced of Jisun in various nude poses, baring herself for the world to see. It was at that moment that a loud beep came from the kitchen, signaling that tea was ready to be made.

“Be right back,” she said, heading to the kitchen to prepare the tea and came back right away.

“So, what about you?” Jisun asked as she sat back down.

“I’m a photographer. I haven’t been lucky enough to shoot erotic models though,” you said.

“How fun. Maybe someday you can take nude pictures of me.”

You could only dream of such a thing.

Another beep as Jisun excused herself, returning with two mugs of freshly brewed raspberry tea, handing you one, the delicious room flooding the room before you had your first sip.

“Careful, it’s hot.”

True to her word it was, but no less delicious, the aroma wafting and hitting your nostrils as you tasted it.

“Do you like being a model?”

“I love it,” she said without hesitation. “I love my body, I’m confident enough to stand in front of a mirror naked and be proud of what I see. I get to show the world that, have fun, and get paid to do it.”

“I’d love to see your work.”

“I’ve got some copies around here somewhere,” she said, bringing her mug to her lips and taking a loud sip.

“But I’ve got a better idea. I’ll be right back.”

Jisun headed out of the living room, bare feet walking up the black spiral staircase that led up to an unexplored area. You were left in silence, sipping on piping hot tea that warmed your throat as you waited for her return.

Not long after, Jisun came back into frame, standing at the top of the staircase in a very sheer black robe, loosely tightened that did little if anything to cover up her voluptuous body. She took slow purposeful steps down the staircase, her slender legs exposed through a slit in the robe as she took her time in making her way back down.

When her feet stepped off the last step she straightened her back, placing her hands on her hips and presented herself. You could see her breasts desperate to be freed once more, sporting more deadly cleavage as her small tight body was the perfect package of sexy and cuteness.

“Wow,” you said, your mind going blank as you were at a loss for words, putting your mug down on the coffee table.

“What do you think? This is what I wore for my last shoot,” she shyly said as she spun around, letting you see the glimpse of her bountiful backside.

“I think I need to see more,” you said, smirking as you tried not to salivate over her yummy body.

Jisun beamed in response, loosening the belt on her robe and letting it fall off her shoulders as it fell to the ground. She took a few steps towards you, letting you feast your eyes on the lacy pastel pink lingerie she had changed into, displaying all her delicious curves for you.

“You look so sexy, Jisun,” you said, as she sat back down on your lap, and you couldn’t take your gaze off her for a second, wrapping your hands around her waist.

“I really need to thank you again,” she warmly said, planting a kiss on your forehead.

Jisun stalled her words before continuing, placing her steaming mug next to your own.

“You took such good care of me,” Jisun said, initiating the kiss once more and pressing herself against you until both of your bodies were flat on the couch, your feet almost hanging off the edge.

“Hurry up and take this off,” she requested, pulling on your shirt, and you rushed to lift it off your body, tossing it on the ground. Jisun planted her soft lips down your body, starting with your neck, leaving a trail of kisses down your chest and your abdomen as she began unzipping your pants.

“I didn’t get a chance to suck your cock in the car,” she said, dragging your pants and underwear down to your ankles, resting a hand on your thigh as she pumped your shaft slowly.

“Mommy wants to take care of you now,” she said, staring into your eyes as she gave smooth delicate strokes from base to tip, working every inch of your throbbing shaft.

“Mommy?” you repeated.

“You’ll call me that won’t you, baby? It’ll really turn me on.”

“Of course, mommy,” you said, not hesitating for a second. Jisun’s eyes brightened and her heart skipped a beat as she laid down flat on her stomach, spreading your legs wide and rubbed your thighs.

Jisun puckered her lips and kissed the very tip of your cockhead, swirling her tongue around it, swiping against your leaking slit.

“Mommy...wants...to...pay...you...back,” she said, planting a wet kiss on your shaft after every word, smacking her lips against your flesh, leaving her wet mouth everywhere.

“You’re going to feel so good after I’m done with you, baby.”

Jisun gave your balls a tender squeeze, licking your shaft from base to tip, long delicate strokes of her tongue painting your cock as she explored every inch.

“Mommy can’t wait to make you cum again.”

The frantic licks around your shaft lowered, Jisun licking up and down your balls as she kissed her way back up, making sure not an inch of your shaft was left without feeling her soft lips.

Jisun knew you were more than ready, eager lips sliding alongside both sides of your needy shaft, running her tongue all over. When she reached your swollen head her soft lips wrapped around your shaft, sucking your tip gently as her cheeks hollowed, causing a gasp to leave your mouth.

She focused all of her attention on pleasuring you, moving just past your tip as it disappeared into her warm mouth, sucking on your shaft at her own deliberate pace.

“Fuck, mommy,” you said as Jisun began to bob her head up and down, lips sliding down halfway to your base and coming back up as her wet tongue played with the underside of your throbbing shaft.

Jisun’s dreamy eyes were etched onto yours, lifting her feet up into the air as she fondled your balls, gently massaging them as her mouth went as deep as she could, swallowing up every inch.

“That feels so good, mommy,” you moaned, feeling your shaft being coated in her warm saliva, as her slow pace continued, demonstrating she was no slouch when it came to her oral skills.

“I can tell. Mommy loves hearing you moan.”

Jisun took her sweet time, building you up slowly as you experienced a paroxysm of intense pleasure. Her warm wet mouth surrounded your throbbing needy shaft as she sucked every inch from base to tip, gently sliding up, and moving back down in smooth, carefully timed strokes.

You felt so many sensations throughout your body, unable to focus on any individual one as you stared up at the high ceiling for a moment, taking your eyes away from the oral assault between your thighs.

Your ears were filled with the wet sounds of Jisun slurping on your shaft, her tongue swirling around as her hands were kept busy, one hand resting on your thigh as her nails gently scratched your skin while the other caressed and played with your balls, making sure you were feeling as good as possible.

“M-mommy…” you whined, returning your focus to Jisun intensely pleasuring you, regretting looking back down at your crotch as it was quickly becoming too much to take.

Jisun didn’t back down, her delicious soft lips sliding down your length effortlessly, keeping those sparkling eyes on you and driving you absolutely insane, sucking off every inch of hard flesh as she caused endless moans from your mouth.

Your gasps and moans were music to Jisun’s ears as she parked her mouth at the end of your base for several seconds, tongue swirling in random patterns and you’re not sure how you didn’t immediately explode then and there.

She withdrew slowly but not without a few additional slurps, stroking your shaft gingerly as sat back up to her knees, positioning herself on the inside of your spread legs.

“You like mommy’s big tits, don’t you?” she asked, not that she didn’t already know the answer as she adjusted her lacy bra, making her breasts bounce.

“I love them, mommy.”

“Good,” she replied, taking your wet hard cock and sliding it under the fabric of her bra, trapped it between her soft pillowy breasts, causing your breath to get caught in your throat as you moaned loudly.

“H-holy fuck, mommy.”

Jisun didn’t say a word as her lips curled, spitting in between her cleavage repeatedly as she used her breasts to give devastating pleasure, grinding her chest against your shaft and causing friction.

Your shaft was being squeezed tightly by warm flesh as Jisun took you between her beautiful tits, just the sight of it overwhelming your senses. Her breasts felt so good as your shaft was sliding in and out of her delicious cleavage, aiding in lubrication by her saliva to keep the friction smooth as could be.

Jisun grabbed her breasts and squeezed them tighter, wrapping the delicate mounds of flesh around every inch of your throbbing shaft as you could only lie against the couch helpless, watching your shaft disappearing in the warm soft cavern of her amazing breasts.

“M-mommy I can’t take much more,” you cried out, feeling powerless to do anything but give in to her.

“It’s okay, baby. Mommy doesn’t want you to hold back, fuck these big tits until you explode. Can you do that for me, baby?”

“Y-yes, mommy.”

JIsun gave a bright expression on her features as your shaft was bombarded by so many sensations, warm suffocating flesh squeezing and massaging as you were thrusted into her cleavage, unable to escape her delicious large mounds as that aching feeling in your core snuck up again.

“M-mommy, I’m gonna cum!” you breathlessly said, Jisun’s bouncing breasts doing everything they could to send you over the edge.

“Cum for mommy.”

You couldn’t take anymore, with just a handful more pumps in between her large breasts you exploded, throbbing inside her cleavage and sent spurts of thick cum everywhere, landing on her delicious breasts and collarbone as you painted her body as she looked down proudly at you.

You felt your senses being attacked all at once as Jisun’s soft tits milked your cock, squeezing out every drop as your thick semen stained her skin, making sure you were granted as much pleasure as could take.

Your orgasm continued for several moments as Jisun freed your cock from her pillowy confines and stroked it, causing an uncontrollable twitch as she stroked it gently.

“You made such a mess all over mommy,” she said, rubbing your cum into her skin as it glistened, running a thumb against the sensitive underside of your cock as your whole body shook.

You caught your breath as you were able to come back down from your high still feeling the effects of your intense orgasm lingering through your body.

“You’re still hard, baby,” Jisun said, carefully working her fingers around your sensitive shaft.

“It’s because you turn me on so much, mommy.”

Jisun shyly smiled. “Good, that just means I get to drain your balls one more time. Let’s move to the bedroom.”

Jisun lifted herself off your body, helping you off the couch as she took you by the hand and led you up the dark spiral stairs into a nearby room that was unoccupied.

Her bedroom was cute and small, not unlike Jisun herself. Capturing the room’s focal point was a comfortable looking large bed, dark purple sheets with matching purple walls and light pink curtains that were drawn open, letting the moonlight in.

You didn’t have much time to admire the rest of the room as Jisun led you by your cock to the bed, and quicker than a hiccup she had unhooked her bra and slipped her panties off, lifting herself onto her mattress.

She scooted back onto the pillows, spreading her legs wide and letting you see the delicious pink flesh waiting for you as she flashed the most inviting eyes as she made a come-hither motion with her finger.

“Mommy wants to feel you inside again. Come fuck me.”

You never liked to keep a woman waiting, scurrying onto the bed between her spread legs, knees pressed firmly into her mattress. Gripping your shaft strongly you didn’t dawdle as you lined yourself up with Jisun’s heat, taking note of how wet her pink pussy had gotten as you slipped a finger inside her for just a second.

“Mommy is so wet,” you said, sucking the delicious juices off your finger.

“You should do something about that then, shouldn’t you, baby?”

You answered by pressing the swollen tip of your shaft inside her warmth, followed by the rest of you as Jisun was filled with hard flesh again, not having the patience to tease her.

Her beautiful moans filled the air, the slick lips of her tight cunt desperately clung to your shaft as you quickly formed a rhythm, gazing down at her body as her eyes were needy and thirsty for more.

You planned to do just that, grabbing her wonderful thighs and wrapping your arms around them as you bottomed her out with every thrust.

“Just like that, baby. Mommy likes it deep.”

Jisun lifted her arms up over her head, resting them onto her stack of pillows and letting you see an even better view of her breasts bouncing with every thrust. The pleasure was intense as your hips moved faster, Jisun’s delicious juices lubricating every inch of your hard shaft as you slid in and out of her warm hole with ease, feeling breathless as you fucked the cute busty woman.

“You fuck mommy so well, you like my pussy that much?” Jisun asked as you felt the need to increase your speed even more, endlessly thrusting balls deep in her tight petite frame.

“Y-yes, mommy, so fucking much...”

“That’s what I like to hear, baby. Keep fucking mommy just like this.”

Jisun’s honey voice instructing you just what to do escalated your arousal levels, putting you into an orgasmic trance as you kept her filled to the hilt, savoring the incredible warmth and wetness that never left your shaft.

“You feel so good, mommy,” you moaned, every inch of your sensitive shaft being squeezed by hot dripping flesh as you kept the fluid movements going, fucking Jisun’s tight perfect body as you began to feel the sweat misting on her flushed skin.

“Harder, baby. Can you make me cum again?” Jisun asked, biting her lip as you immediately gave in to her wishes, pistoning your hips in a way that made them smack against her luscious thighs, causing them to ripple.

“Of course, mommy.”

Your hands swapped from her thighs to her delicious waist, gripping her warm skin as you looked into her gorgeous features, increasing your pace even more and driving your shaft inside her from tip to base, loving the erotic stream of moans that escaped her sultry lips.

“Fuck, baby, you’re doing such a good job. Don’t stop, I’m almost there,” she said, squeezing her breasts as she pinched her nipples and it seemed the additional stimulation was her favorite way to climax.

“Cum for me, mommy, please cum for me,” you pleaded, watching the wonderful lustful expression on her face. It didn’t take much longer, every thrust inside her warm pussy causing her walls to pulsate harshly and in no time flat you had made her reach her peak again.

“Mommy’s gonna cum!” Jisun cried out, her back arching off the bed as she gripped the sheets with one hand, playing with her sensitive nipples with the other. Her toes curled into the mattress as she screamed with pleasure, soaking your shaft and the sheets underneath as she came even harder than her first orgasm in the car, the intensity running through her body as she struggled to see straight.

You kept the motions going through every last second of her strong orgasm, feeling her shaking in your arms as you didn’t stop fucking her for a second, dangerously close to following behind her.

“F-fuck, baby,” Jisun gasped out, eyes glazed over as she was able to regain her senses.

“You made mommy feel so good,” she said, struggling to breathe properly as her eyes closed for a moment, feeling lost in euphoria as she came down gracefully.

Her walls had squeezed your shaft so tightly, as if they were trying to steal your load early from your shaft as her thighs trembled in time with the aftershocks of her body. Your pace had lowered during Jisun’s climax, but you were ready to kick it back in full speed, giving the deepest strokes you could handle.

“Are you going to cum for mommy again? I can feel you throbbing so much.”

“Y-yes, mommy,” you said, feeling light-headed as your hands roamed bare skin, leaning forward to capture her plentiful breasts in your palms.

“Cum inside mommy. I don’t want it anywhere else,” she demanded, as your hips increased the range of motion, thrusting wantonly inside her dripping hot cunt, chasing your climax.

“Cum for me, baby. Cum inside me, fill me with another thick load. Please, baby, cum for mommy.”

Jisun’s thick thighs wrapped around your waist, letting you know that pulling out was not an option, not that you ever would have done so otherwise. Your thrusts sped up with more frequency, moving as fast and deep inside her warm inviting pussy as possible.

Your face was close enough to hers for your noses to touch, and you gave one her more chaste kiss as you felt that aching in your core that crept up on you, staring into each other's eyes and trying to extend your pleasure for as long as possible.

“Mommy, I’m cumming!” you cried out, as Jisun squeezed her thighs around your body tighter, making sure you were going to give her every drop.

You couldn’t even count the number of thrusts it took before you erupted, throbbing wildly into Jisun as you began filling her up, sending your warm cum into the depths of her pretty pussy, her soft walls seizing every spurt out of your shaft.

It was your third orgasm of the night and yet was the strongest one, each shot of cum deposited in Jisun accompanied desperate moans as you emptied your balls inside her, trying to fuck your creamy load as deep as it would go.

“You feel so warm, you came so much for mommy,” Jisun said, caressing the side of your face, her tired eyes still locked onto you.”

She still had her legs locked tight around you, refusing to let go and you were just as eager to stay in this position forever, your shaft drowning in the combined juices of each other.

Jisun made sure your balls were drained inside her fully before she loosened the grip of her, causing your twitching shaft to depart from her pussy. She lifted her legs and pressed them together to give you the most optimum view as your load leaked out of her pussy, dripping out little by little as she played with her creamy splayed lips.

Still trying to catch her breath Jisun pressed two fingers into her semen-soaked pussy, into the deepest part as she collected the mess you left inside her, bringing it to her lips and sucking them clean.

“You taste so good, baby,” she said, gesturing you to come over as you collapsed onto her sweaty body, using her breasts as the perfect pillow.

You rested on her body for several moments in silence, neither of you saying a word as you were able to feel her chest heaving, equally exhausted.

“Do you want to shower with me before we go for round three?”

“R-round three? I can barely move-”

“Jisun-unnie! We’re back home, we brought back chicken!”

“Shit!” Jisun muttered under her breath, staring at you like a deer caught in headlights as she found herself in a state of panic.

“They came home early?”

“Seems so, they certainly picked the worst time. I’ve never brought anybody home before.”

“Well...maybe we should take that shower now,” you suggested, as Jisun bowed her head in agreement.

“Good idea, it’s down the hall. Come on.”

The two of you scrambled down the hallway, entering a door on the left just in time as Jisun locked it tightly. She managed to turn the water on just in time as two women could be heard climbing up the staircase, stepping onto the second floor.

“Jisun-unnie?” one called out, curiously looking around the second floor. The lights in Jisun’s room were still on, clothes scattered around the floor that left a trail of evidence.

“Unnie should really learn to put up her clothes,” one of the women said, picking up one of the discarded garments and inspecting it.

“This isn’t her shirt.”

“I don’t think she wears boxers either,” the other woman said as she furrowed her brow.

The two women exchanged confused glances that turned into surprise, putting together the pieces one by one.

“She also never showers at night,” one woman said as they looked around the room.

“I didn’t see her car in the driveway when we pulled in...”

It didn’t take a detective to figure out what was going on, exchanging playful smirks on their faces.

“We should probably leave them alone…”

“But I wanna know who got in unnie’s pants!” one of them whined, a little too loud for comfort that could be heard through the shower. You and Jisun nervously stared at each other under the hot water, trying not to say a word.

“It’s not polite to be nosy, let’s give them some privacy.”

The two women headed back down the stairway, making their way down into the kitchen

“I think they went back downstairs,” you said, staring at Jisun’s soaped-up naked body.

“Are you sure?”

“No, but I don’t hear them talking anymore. Your walls are really thin.”

“Tell me about it. I had to buy a quieter vibrator, learned that the hard way,” Jisun said, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

“But now that we’ve gotten a little privacy…how about you fuck me against this wall? Think you can go again?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you the same thing?”

Jisun smirked devilishly, spinning carefully on her heels as she took up position behind the nearest glass pane.

“Don’t keep mommy waiting.”

[instruth]

A STIR OF MEMORIES

Celebrating the break of dawn

that brings hope and gratitude.

A new day, a new life, living the life.

The morning begins with a greeting

from the soft sound of fluttering wings,

and sweet charming smiles of blossoms,

with a toast of intoxicating dew.

It's a day of joy and jubilation.

Suddenly!

An emergence of the day's disruption,

triggering, hacking and delivering

the hideous fear from days of old.

And as memory stirs,

the crumbling begins.

Emotions surf in swinging moods,

cruel mercy with an accusing finger,

deliberately distorting truth and facts,

conveniently quoting out of context.

Discouragement and Doubt creep in

bringing the sinful twins, Deceit and Fear

causing a rejection of honorable duties

by imposing a sentence of unworthiness

to upload dis-ease and devastation.

Arousing the plaintive cry of complaints:

"My body is the battlefield of the gods,

between good and evil,

each attempting to take possession

in the midst of conflict and strife,

of being torn apart, unceasingly.

Goodness lain sick to the bone.”

As strong heart sinks to its low,

the probing mind goes into a spin

Emergence of a melodious voice,

softer than a whisper,

silently, quietly, clearly repeating,

prompting, reciting as in a prayer.

"O Lord, help me not to lose heart

in the midst of all this turbulence

but to bear my cross and persevere

that I may be able to

CELEBRATE my struggle and strife,

as I stagger in the tortuous pursuit

for true meaning and purpose in life.

I know you hear this prayer, O Lord,

and so I believe you will answer me.

For if you cannot help me, who can?

If you do not help me, who will?

Teach me, tell me,

show me, love me,

deliver me, O Lord.

Lend me your ears.

Give me a voice.”

in my brokenness

emerges a prayer of God

with enduring hope

©Johnny J P Lee

4 April 2022

HAIBUN(Prose / Haiku 5-7-5)

Photo Credit J. P. Lee

[bts-polls]

D-1 until the J-Hope Jubilation

LAST CALL: Which is your most preferred facial feature of Hoseok?

[rosa-qiangwei]

Spotify Wrapped: Rosa edition

this is purely a (self-indulgent) headcanon, hope yall enjoy! <3

Rosa's Spotify Wrapped >:D

Most Played Artist:

Yukika

0.05 percent of Yukika's top listeners. Spent a total of 27,450 minutes of listening to Cherries Jubiles

Song that Rosa had on repeat:

Cherries Jubiles by Yukika

Rosa's top songs:

Top song of the year: Cherries Jubiles by Yukika

BEcause by Dreamcatcher

Weekend by Taeyeon

Glassy by Jo Yuri

Siren by Sunmi

Audio Aura:

Rosa's Top Genres:

Electro pop

Indie Rock

Dancepop

K-POP

J-POP

-------

A: So, how do you feel?

"I did already tell you all that I listen to a lot of City Pop and Yukika... but this still feels a little embarrassing to reveal."

"A-anyways! My Spotify Wrapped does not define me! I was not the same person I was in the last 6 months!"

[maybedefinitely404]

Day 17: Royality

@tsshipmonth2020 (does this still count so late?)

What’s that? Ly creating content? Unbelievable. (I have writer’s block, leave me alooone /j)

Thanks to @marshymoop for suggestions and encouragment when making this bad boy! Love ya <3

Day 17 - Everyone has heterochromia, one eye is your natural color the other is your soulmate’s natural color. Once you meet all eyes return to natural color. 

Content warnings: food/drink mention, alcohol, mentions of hangover, vampires, referring to drinking blood as “eating”, non-explicit blood drinking, being chased. 

Word count: 6.9k

THE CITY OF DEWMORE WELCOMES YOU

Patton tapped his fingers on the steering wheel excitedly, nearly vibrating as he passed the weathered sign. Beyond it, beckoning him forward, stood a forest more densely packed and darker than he’d ever had the pleasure of exploring, the achingly tall pine trees swaying minutely in the breeze, their tips barely visible through the blanket of fog. Just imagining what could be held within those depths made his leg bounce; forgotten, moss-drenched stone paths, broken stumps of fallen trees that hadn’t made a sound upon impact, patches of mushrooms scattered in the shadows, and whispering creeks. It was the perfect way to spend his spring break, and one his photography teacher had wholeheartedly encouraged him to take. If he hadn’t had so many midterms to mark, Patton was almost sure the man would have tried to join him. 

Almost an anxious tic at this point, he ran his free hand over the photography bag in his passenger seat, as if to make sure it hadn’t disappeared in the three minutes since he’d last checked. The thing was his prized possession, given to him by the very same photography professor at his university. It had been the elder’s own, before he got his newest camera, and gifted the whole set to his favorite (but don’t tell the others) students. It was full of perfectly kept lenses and two miniature tripods, extra batteries and memory cards, speedlights, and most importantly, the camera tucked safely into the biggest pouch. It was more expensive than Patton would ever have dreamt to buy, so it was truly a gift he’d never forget. Now it was up to him to finally take some shots worthy of the thing. 

The forests continued to grow denser and thicker until, in almost a shocking snap, they disappeared to reveal a quaint city that he hadn’t quite expected. The first few buildings he passed looked like they may have stood there for hundreds of years, weather worn and faded. Their signs were either scratched to nothingness or blaringly new, shining metal names standing out against an ancient backdrop. He was looking for a motel, figuring there had to be one, even in a town of less than two thousand people. His backup plan was to just sleep in his car. He’d brought his sleeping back and extra blankets, so it wasn’t a huge concern, but he’d still prefer a bed. But whenever he’d tried finding anything online, he’d come up blank. 

A fog still covered the town, and though it created an air of calm and mystery that Patton was itching to capture, he also knew the area was surrounded by towering mountains that he also desired so badly. To his right, the buildings stopped abruptly, revealing a grey beach, all rocks and no sand, criss crossed with logs, opening to a dark lake. The other side wasn’t visible through the mist. 

The further he drove, he realized the buildings weren’t improving in their modernity, just giving way to more and more old infrastructure. One stood out, a grocery store, it’s lights piercing through the evening dim. Patton didn’t get a look inside before he passed, once again surrounded antique houses and shops, a post office to his left, and a tavern just across from that. A sign above the door read “Vacancy” in peeling white letters, and that was all the enticing Patton needed to pull his car into the gravel parking lot in front of the building. There was only one other vehicle there, a matte red pickup truck that he parked next to, and what appeared to only be three more parking spots. From the high placed windows, a soft orange light bled, and a round of raucous laughter filtered through the cracked open door. Patton smiled. The photographer inside him was going to have a field day here. 

He stepped up the concrete steps and ruffled his hair with one hand so it covered his eye, heaving a sigh in hopes to calm his nervous butterflies, and pulled the door open. 

All at once, the chatter inside died, and Patton internally shrank as every face in the tavern turned to look at the newcomer. There was a moment of tense silence as he tried his best for a smile and met the gaze of the men scrutinizing him, drinks forgotten on high wooden tables, jubilance halted. Patton waited with baited breath, for someone to do something, why were they all just staring, when a voice spoke from behind the bar.

“Don’t worry about them, sweetheart. We don’t get a lot of new people around here.”

And the lull was broken as suddenly as it started, the men now ignoring him in favor of joking over mugs of fizzing ale. Patton swallowed thickly and turned to the voice, shoving his quivering hands into his pockets and shaking his head again to assure the curls were safely covering his eye. As usual. 

The man standing before him, leaning on the bar with an easy smile, was almost enough to take Patton’s breath away. If he were a religious man, he’d go so far as to call him heavenly. Eyes as dark as the depths of the surrounding forests, auburn hair pushed back from his face in what he could only think to describe as an intentional bedhead. His skin was too flawless, teeth just a couple shades too white, everything perfect in a way that was almost…

Patton couldn’t put his finger on it. 

“What can I get you, newbie?”

“Uhm-” Patton took a cleansing breath and sat at one of the barstools, all of them empty seeing as the crowd seemed more drawn to the tables in the center of the room, “I don’t come to bars that often. I don’t know.”

The bartender hummed, pushing up his already rolled up white sleeves and giving Patton a once over, almost investigating him. “You drink?”

“I… I guess.”

“Been on the road for a while, tired?”

“Do I look that exhausted?” Patton breathed a laugh, suddenly aching to pop his spine. He’d been driving since before dawn for the past three days, barely hunkering down for a decent sleep before he was off again. He’d been really excited to get here, plus he didn’t want to waste more of his meager break driving. 

“I got just what you need, darling.” With a wink, the bartender straightened up and pulled down a series of bottles, cracking his knuckles with flourish before measuring them into a silver canister. “So what brings you to Dewmore?”

“I’m a photographer,” Patton said, “Or, a photography student. Down in Florida.”

The man whistled as he shoveled ice cubes into the mix, “Long drive for some pictures.”

“I’m… dedicated,” Patton laughed, scratching at his neck nervously. “My prof recommended it, said it might be a nice place to spend my break.”

“I assume you’re looking for a place to stay then, as well?” He plopped a cap on the canister and began to shake it above his shoulder, grinning widely, “These guys are always just like, ‘Gimme a beer’ this, ‘Gimme a beer’ that. It’s great to actually make fun drinks again.” With hands flying too fast for Patton to process, he grabbed a glass, popped the lid of the shaker, and poured the deep orange drink, tossing on a green sprig and sliding the drink over. “Enjoy.”

Patton took a cautious sip of the drink and had to fight not to sigh, the refreshing taste a welcome relief after three days of gas station Gatorade and hotel sink water. He could barely taste any alcohol, more focused on the ice cold sweet tartness at the back of his tongue. The bartender looked pleased, huffing a satisfied laugh and beginning to put away his bottles. He was taking another sip, satisfied with the backdrop of joyous chatter and clinking glasses, when he remembered why he’d come in. 

“Yes, I am. Uhm, looking for a place to stay, that is.”

The bartender looked at him over his shoulder, “We haven’t had visitors in… a while, at least. You’ve pretty much got your pick of the rooms.”

“Do you have anything facing the water?” He took another sip, the photo possibilities already flowing through his mind. One through the window, just far back enough to catch the flow of the curtains and the chipped wood of the window ledge, a monochromatic lakeshore in the bottom third, a barely visible mountain looming ahead… 

“Sure thing, sweetheart. Let me just finish this up, and I’ll get you on the ledger.”

“Patton.” He downed the rest of the drink and rested his elbow on the counter, chin in his palm, an easy smile playing on his lips. 

“Hm?”

“My name’s Patton.” 

“I’m Roman.” Tossing the towel over his shoulder, Roman gave him another wink before disappearing into the back room, coming back moments later with a thick black book. He was already thumbing through the pages, finally landing on the one he wanted, and spun a pen between his fingers.

“What’s your last name, sweetheart?” 

Patton spelled it out for him, and was surprised when the man clapped the book shut after the final letter. “That’s all you need?”

“Yup.”

“No… ID, or anything?” It was at that moment when it occurred to Patton that, although he was legal, his baby face often prompted bouncers and servers back home to ask for identification. Roman hadn’t even blinked before serving him.

“Got anything to hide?” 

“Uhm… no, I-”

“Good enough for me. It’s not like we’re a high traffic tourist spot. I don’t think we’ve had anyone take a room in, like, two years, and who knows how many before that. Frankly, I wouldn’t care if you were on the run for murder. Don’t kill me, and we’re solid.”

Patton blanched, unable to tell if the man was being sarcastic. Finally his expression cracked into a smirk and he brandished a key towards Patton, dangling it by the ring. “I’m messing with you. I mean, don’t kill me, that’s legit. Here you go, cutie. Let me know if you need anything.”

With that, he sashayed away with a tray of beers (when on Earth had he filled those?), and the men whooped loudly, startling Patton. 

“Easy, boys,” Roman purred, beginning to round the tables, and Patton hopped off the bar stool to get his things from his car. He couldn’t wait to pass out in bed with the knowledge that he could sleep in however late he wanted. 

-0-0-0-

But apparently sleep didn’t have the same ideas as him, because even after he was in comfortable clothes and tucked into the covers, he continued to toss and turn. Maybe it was the concept of being alone in a strange town, or the full moon shining through the thin curtains, or just plain excitement, but he suddenly felt wider awake then he had since he started this trip. 

There was a soft rattling somewhere across the room and, with begrudging acceptance that he wasn’t going to sleep any time soon, fumbled his glasses on to search for the offending sound. With a grumble, he threw off the blankets and padded across the room to the window and tossed back the curtains, giving the moon a scalding glare for shining so darn brightly. It was the window, fitted loosely in its frame, being shook by the gentle wind that was causing the noise. Patton gave it an experimental tug, followed by a more forceful yank, and found it didn’t budge down at all. Instead, it continued to rattle mockingly, in what sounded almost like whispered giggles as he crossed his arms across his chest. 

Fine. He turned his attention to the scenic view before him, letting out a minute shudder as a small gust of wind blew through his thin pajama shirt. Moonlit waves crashed against the rocky shore, tossing up silver spray against the dark backdrop of the forest. Patton took a breath, feeling an overwhelming sense of peace just staring at the silent town, the stone spires rising above the forest-

Wait, what?

Patton blinked sharply a couple times, leaning forward until his nose bumped the window and squinting through the glass. Those… things... definitely looked like manmade objects- the shape made it impossible for them to be natural- but you’d think he’d remember something that looked like a castle directly outside his window. In fact, he’d spent a significant amount of time upon first entering the room just admiring the view, and a castle one hundred percent would have been on his radar. Oh, if the thing was abandoned, imagine the photo opportunities, and even if it wasn’t he could totally just get some of the outside-

Yeah, there was no way he was sleeping now.

Before he’d even processed what he was doing, he’d slipped out of his pajamas and hurriedly pulled on the outfit he’d laid out on the desk chair, because there was no way he was digging through his suitcase to scrounge out more clothes. He threw a beige sweater over his white shirt, however, remembering the chill the night had brought and, after he’d adequate tucked them into his slacks, he threw his camera bag over his shoulder and trotted down the stairs.

Unsurprisingly, the first floor tavern was empty of all customers, overhead lights traded for softer electric lamps on the walls and the illuminated sign above the bar, where Roman was wiping down the counter, seemingly unbothered by the late hour. 

“Can’t sleep, sweetheart?” The bartender called out without turning around, tossing his rag across the counter and into a full soapy bucket behind the bar. 

“Uh, yeah, something like that,” Patton responded, shaking his bangs so they covered his eye. “I think I’m just too excited to start getting shots.”

“Mmm, you and me both.” He waggled his eyebrows and pulled a bottle of what looked like whiskey off the shelf. “What’s your poison?”

Patton snorted but shook his head, patting his camera bag, “I want to go out, and it’s probably not smart to drink before going out in a strange town at night.”

Roman shrugged before pouring himself a shot and downing it in one smooth motion.

“You’re allowed to drink on the job?”

The bartender hummed, replacing the bottle and locking the cabinet presumably for the night, “Once my tavern is empty, I consider myself off the clock. And I’m my own boss, so I hereby give myself the night off. I have a coffee machine in the back room, one of those Keurigs, if you want something fancy. Hasn’t been used in ages, but I’m sure if you wanted something, I-”

“No, it’s okay. Really.” Patton ducked his head and messed with his shirt, making sure the white collar stood above the neck of his sweater. He made his way over to the bar and took the same stool as before, leaning on the counter as Roman dumped out the dirty cleaning water into the sink. The clock above the bar, barely illuminated enough to see, revealed it was just after midnight. “Are there any old structures, like churches or anything, in the forest?”

Roman tilted his head, giving Patton a look over his shoulder he couldn’t quite understand. 

“There’s nothing there besides wolves and ticks, sweetheart,” he said slowly with an almost condescending smile, “Why? Hoping the little town in the middle of nowhere has a mystery?” He rinsed out the bucket and placed it in the cabinet under the sink.

Patton shrugged, scratching at his temple, “I saw something outside of my window.”

“Like a tree?” The rag was rinsed as well and draped over the faucet.

“No, definitely not.” He tried not to feel too offended that Roman was clearly teasing him, but he was certain what he’d seen hadn’t been a tree. They were too tall, too angular, and too symmetrically placed for that.

“Pattycake, I grew up hunting with my dad and partying in those woods, and I would know if something were there.” 

“Are you sure?” Patton implored, “There’s definitely something man made, could it be, like, an old castle, or something?”

There was a moment of silence between the two as Roman continued to look at Patton like he was crazy, the barest hints of an impish grin tugging at his lips, before he sucked in a sharp breath; as if he realized something. 

On a dime, Roman’s expression contorted into one of anger, eyes alight with fury as he leaned into Patton’s space. As he spoke, his voice almost reverberated, like a choir speaking in unison.

“There is nothing in those woods, Patton. Understand? Don’t go wandering into places you don’t belong, or you won’t like what you find.”

Patton reared back from the forceful words, hand coming up subconsciously to readjust the hair on his face. Roman leaned just a tad closer, growling out a warning, “Got it, sweetheart?” The electric lamps on the walls, once creating such a homey, soft environment, suddenly flickered and Patton flinched, whipping around to face the large room as it seemed to strobe under the malfunctioning lights. Goosebumps spread across his arms as the flashing grew faster and his hand clamped over the back of his neck when a shiver raced up his spine.

“What’s going on? Why are-”

And then the lights went out completely, an eerie quiet settling over the tavern. Roman was silent. Was he even still in the room? Could he have left so quickly? The only sound in the empty room were Patton’s shaky breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth, as he fought down a scream. He wasn’t a fan of the dark.

A single street light barely shone through the window, too dim to even light up the tables near the glass, and Patton turned to focus on it. In through the nose, out through the mouth. In… out… in… out-

A silhouette appeared in the window. 

The lights were back to their original gleam before he could even open his mouth to scream, filling the room with a dull hum as if nothing had even happened. Blinking rapidly, Patton took a calming breath (it’s just old lights, it’s just old lights, relax) and swiveled back in his chair to find that Roman was smiling at him innocently, cleaning out a glass with a rag.

“Everything alright, sweetheart?”

“Didn’t you see that?” Patton asked incredulously.

“See what?”  The bartender placed the glass into the last space in a row of them, giving Patton that same condescending grin as before. 

Patton sighed and lifted his glasses to rub his eyes tiredly, shaking his head. “I think travelling for so long has me seeing things.” Careful as ever, in the same fashion he’d so masterfully perfected in elementary school, he shook his head to cover his eye- his stupid, left, ‘soulmate’ eye- before removing his hands and letting his glasses fall back into place. 

Other kids won’t like it, sweetie. I don’t think the teachers will either.

I know you can’t help it, my love. If I could take this burden from you, I would. But this is yours to handle until… well, you know.

I don’t know why, Patton. You’ll find them someday. And then you’ll understand. 

“Why do you do your hair like that?”

“Hmm?” Patton blinked.

Roman smirked, leaning casually on the counter in front of Patton, “Covering half of your face like that. You shouldn’t, you know. You’re a stunner.” With that, he reached forward, intent on moving that hair out of his face.

No.

“NO!” Patton yelled, stumbling off the barstool just as Roman’s hand made contact with his face. He ducked his head, roughly scraping his hair back in place with shaking hands, but the damage was done. A single cute guy compliments him and he forgets the habit he’s built up for years? How could he be so stupid-

“Everything alright? I’m sorry for scaring you, sweetheart.”

Was it possible he hadn’t seen it? Maybe Patton had moved fast enough, maybe the bartender had been too surprised to get a good look, maybe everything was fine. Roman didn’t seem horrified, or at all perturbed. Instead, he just looked… worried. 

Either way, after that reaction, Patton was aching to be left alone to stew in his embarrassment. His rented room held nothing for him that he wanted, and sleep felt farther than ever, so his only choice was outside. The promises of a maybe-crumbling ancient building, illuminated by a full moon, were far more tempting than anything inside had to offer. 

“Actually,” Patton said nervously, “A coffee would be great.”

Roman squinted at him, biting on the inside of his cheek before huffing a breathy laugh through his nose. “Alright, darling. Give me just a second to dust off the Keurig.”

The moment he disappeared behind the door to the backroom, Patton tightened his hold on the camera bag and sprinted from the tavern, into the grips of the cool night.

-0-0-0-

What would he say when he got back to the tavern? Would Roman make him leave the inn? Had he crossed a line he hadn’t known existed; would he have to cut his trip early because he couldn’t help his curiosity? Was bothering the only innkeeper in town really the smartest decision to make?

All wonderful questions that Patton wished he’d considered before running.

But if he did have to leave, and if this was his last night in this delightful and equally terrifying little town, he was going to make the most of it. At least, that’s what he’d thought he would do as he’d left the few city lights behind and treading deeper into the forest. He had a flashlight with him, thank goodness, so he wasn’t completely screwed, and he’d already gotten a few great shots. He stayed in the areas that the full moon could still shine through the trees, and some of the clouds had rolled away, so he was having the time of his life working with silhouettes against the star filled sky (thanks to the little to no light pollution Dewmore offered). 

The more prominent thought in his mind, however, were the spires steadily growing closer above the treeline. He couldn’t understand what Roman had been talking about. How could anyone living in this town not see whatever he was walking towards? 

(Admittedly, curiosity was also a huge reason he was chasing something he’d been warned to avoid. He’d never been that great at impulse control.)

It had to be nearly two in the morning when he came to an incline; a steep path constructed entirely of rocks fist-sized and larger. At the top, Patton could just barely see what looked to be the back of the castle, and he bounced slightly on his toes in excitement. He couldn’t tell from this distance the state it was in, or if it was possible anyone still lived there, but dang it if he wasn’t going to give it a go before he left. He’d walked all this way, after all.

The first few steps up the hill were the loudest thing he’d heard since he’d started his midnight adventure, and he cringed as they dropped away under his feet, knocking against each other as they fell to the ground.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Patton spun around, his flashlight slipping out of his hands. It rolled down between the rocks, casting split second light beams in every direction as it bounced towards the source of the voice, and stopped dead in the middle between the two of them. It settled on an indent created by Patton’s steps, aimed at the newcomer. Patton breathed a sigh of relief.

“Roman, goodness gracious! You scared the bejesus out of me,” Patton laid a hand on his chest and let out a huge gust of air. Roman didn’t move, and for the first time he noticed the absolute glare the bartender was giving him. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uhm… sorry about the… leaving. Thing. Are you mad?”

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Well, apparently they weren’t going to talk about it. “Oh- I’m sorry, is this private property? I didn’t see any signs, I’m- Wait, but look, Roman! See, that’s what I was talking-”

“You. Shouldn’t. Be. Here.”

Patton blinked at the harshness in his words, taken aback. How was this the same easy going bartender that he’d met earlier tonight? Whatever was beyond this hill, though, Roman obviously wasn’t going to allow Patton to see. Maybe it was dangerous, or something? Either way, he couldn’t deny his disappointment.  “Yeah. I’m sorry, I’ll leave-”          

“How did you get here?”

“I… um, walked?”

“No!” Roman hissed, finally stepping forward and plucking up the flashlight from the ground, “You shouldn’t be able to see the castle, or go near it, how the hell did you get here?!”

Before he could answer, the other man froze, whipping around as if he’d heard a noise from his left. And then Patton blinked, and Roman was in front of him, pulling him back down to solid ground. He dragged him by the arm to a fallen tree that was propped up against its own splintered stump, leaving it angled just a few feet off the ground.

“How did you- You were just over there, how-”

“Get down!”

“What?”

“Get. Down!” Roman shoved his shoulders and Patton had no choice but to collapse, blending into a pile of ferns beneath the bend of the tree. “Take off the backpack, put it in front of you. It blends in better than you do.” He yanked off the dark green camera bag as he spoke, situating it in front of Patton. “Don’t move, don’t make a sound, don’t fucking breathe, Patton, I swear.” The flashlight flicked off and thumped to the ground as Roman walked away, leaving him standing in the pale moonlight. Patton debated reaching for the flashlight, but that would mean exposing himself from the foliage he was tucked in and under, and Roman had seemed really scared. 

There was a rustle in the underbrush in front of Roman, and the photographer shoved his fist into his mouth before he could gasp. 

“Roman, it’s so nice to see you back home. It’s been far too long.”

“It’s been hardly a month, mother.”

The woman that emerged from the tree’s shadows wore a black cloak, nearly blending into the forest around her as the fabric swirled hypnotically by her ankles with each step. Silver embroidery made up the tight bodice and strung together the corset front, meeting at the bottom in an intricate knot and trailing almost down to the earth in two strands. How her intricate updo had stayed intact through a walk in the forest, Patton couldn’t understand. 

However, if this was Roman’s mother, he did understand where he got his looks. The only word that came to his mind was ethereal; all smooth pale skin, those same impossibly dark eyes, red lips curved in a constant, easy smile. She was beautiful, but she was terrifying, and Patton backed up more into his fern hiding spot. 

She lifted her flared sleeves towards Roman as she stepped into the moonlit opening and he pulled her hands towards himself, kissing both of her cheeks before releasing her. 

“A month is too long, darling,” She purred, letting the back of her hand trail down his cheek. “I don’t understand why you find it necessary to stay amongst those humans when you could be with your family.”

“Because I want more than just… lounging, and talking with my brothers. Do you have to bring this up every time I visit?” Despite his slightly aggravated tone, he leaned into her touch. 

“When you’re older, you’ll look back at these choices with embarrassment and resentment.”

“Maybe.” 

“I just don’t want you to blame me when you do.”

“I could never, I promise.”

She sighed heavily, “They miss you, Roman. We all do.”

“Which is why I’m here, mom. You act as if I’ve been gone a millenia.” 

“Worrying is what a mother does best,” She smiled fondly, tapping his cheek with her finger, “You’re home, darling. Drop the glamor? It must be tiring keeping it up constantly.”

There was a moment of hesitation, where Patton couldn’t help but tense up along with the man in front of him. Then the air shifted, like it had been holding a breath it could finally let out, and though there was nothing different that Patton could see from Roman’s back, a certain jolt of fear hit him out of nowhere. 

“There’s my boy.” The woman drew him in for a proper hug, one hand reaching around his back to rest on his head. She pressed a kiss to his hair when he wrapped his arms around her in turn. Suddenly her nose wrinkled and she pulled away, holding his shoulders at arm’s length. “Dearest, you smell like humans again.”

Roman chuckled, but there was a new quiver in his voice. “The only flaw in being surrounded by them so often. Let me change, and I’ll come meet you for dinner.”

She didn’t move, eyes narrowing as she watched his face. “No… it’s not you.”

“What? What else could it possibly-”

“There’s a human here.” Her voice was utterly calm, but she pushed Roman behind her resolutely. “There must be.”

“What?!” 

A low growl filled the air, and it took Patton a few moments to realize the sound was originating from her. She stepped past Roman, her dress flowing soundlessly along with her as she glared into the woods around them. 

Her eyes flashed red.

Once again, Patton shoved his fist into his mouth to hide a scream. That same alien jolt of fear returned as she moved closer to him, seemingly zeroing in on his location. 

“Mother, come now. You’re being silly. Humans can't even come near here, remember? You made sure of that yourself!”

Patton tore his eyes away from the advancing woman and his breath caught in his throat. Roman had followed his mother, trying to placate her gently with a hand on her arm, and in doing so, had turned towards Patton’s hiding spot.

When Patton opened his eyes shortly after being born, he was taken away from his mother, despite his parent’s strong objections and his wails. He was returned hours later, much to their relief. On his birth certificate, his right eye was labeled blue. His left eye, the side usually taken by the natural color of his soulmate’s, was labeled ‘Defective’.

When he was set to start school at six years old, his mother sat him down on his bed and taught him how to properly cover his left eye with his hair. They’d grown it out enough to do so. Patton had asked why it was necessary, and subsequently learned the truth that not all people were as accepting and loving as his parents. 

When he was ten, he returned home from school crying. He dropped into his mother’s arms and she held him until his sobs turned to sniffles, until he could explain between sharp breaths that a bully at school had revealed Patton’s eye while trying to force him into a fight, and… well, his classmates hadn’t taken it well. Those who weren’t downright afraid of him, refused to eat or sit with him anymore. But it wasn’t fair. He couldn’t help it!

His eye was labeled ‘Defective’, because never before had the doctor’s seen a child born with a red eye. Not the pale color that came with pinkeye, or an allergic reaction, but the iris itself was such a bold, blood red color that it had left the team scrambling for any record of such an incident. They were left with more questions than answers. But the world had yet to understand how soulmates worked in the first place, so they chalked it up to another universal mystery.

Every day for as long as he could remember, Patton had stared into a mirror first thing in the morning, greeted with calm, airy blue on one side, and fiery, almost electric red on the other. 

So it was jarring to see such a sight, yet reversed, on another person. But as Roman tugged again on his mother’s arm, there was no denying it; the man’s own color was a gleaming ruby, and the other was Patton’s very own blue. 

“Mother, look,” Roman blurted out, scooping up the discarded flashlight from the forest floor, “This is a human tool. I’m sure this is what you’re smelling.”

She ripped the device from his hand, shaking it in his face, “That is still far too close to home, Roman! Humans have been here, and I guarantee they are still nearby.”

“And you don’t know how many there are, Mom!” Roman insisted, taking her hands. “It doesn’t matter how they got here, or why they did,” A slow grin spread across his face, highlighting a pair of glinting fangs, “Why don’t you gather the family, and we can find them together? I can’t even remember the last time I really ate.”

The woman was satiated by this answer, though she still cast the forest cautious looks. “Stay put, Roman. We’ll be back shortly.” Her nose wrinkled again. “Along with a change of clothes for you.”

And then she was gone, the only remaining trace being the tiny cloud of dust she’d left behind. Roman was calm for a moment, making sure she was really gone, before his demeanor dropped. The cocky smirk was gone, and he no longer held the confidence he’d had, either as a bartender or in the presence of his mother. 

“We don’t have a lot of time, c’mon! Let’s go!” He crouched before the log, extending his hand to Patton.

“What the hell are you?!” Patton shrieked. Interesting, that those were the first words from his jumble of thoughts that came out.

“Oh, come on, do you really need to ask? I’m pretty sure you already know!” 

And yeah, Patton was pretty sure he knew. He wasn’t an idiot. He’d had a teen Twilight phase, so of course the obvious answer was there. It just… it wasn’t possible. His brain was scrambling for any kind of other solution, anything that made sense, but it all kept circling to the same answer. 

The cute bartender at the inn was a vampire. 

… 

Okay then.

Next problem.

“I… yeah. I think I got it.”

“Good! Now let’s go!” Roman grabbed Patton’s hand and yanked, effectively pulling him from his hiding place and nearly tearing the arm from it’s socket. Patton stumbled from the sudden movement and tripped on his camera bag, yelping as he crashed into Roman’s chest. 

The vampire’s hands instantly wrapped around his waist, steadying him as he found his footing. 

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m all good, I just-”

Roman was much taller than he’d thought; that was the initial thought that came to mind as he looked up at the man holding him. The second was, well, the fact that his jaw had dropped open upon seeing Patton’s eyes, and for the first time since they’d met, the guy was completely speechless. 

Patton felt his left eye began to tingle as they shifted into its own natural color. He ignored it.

“You really didn’t see it? At the bar?” Patton whispered.

“No, you moved too fast,” Roman murmured, bringing a hand up to Patton’s cheek. “You… you’re my-”

He must have sensed something, or heard something that was too quiet for Patton’s ears, because his head whipped towards the castle. 

“We need to go. Now.” Roman intertwined their fingers and pulled him into a run towards the town.

“Wait, no! My bag!” He tugged hard to try and get his hand free, but he was truly no match for Roman.

“Not important right now, sweetheart!”

 Without the aid of his flashlight, and enveloped by the darkness of the forest, Patton was totally blind, relying only on Roman’s grip to keep him from falling. Branches hit his face and roots reached up to trip him, but every time he stumbled, the hand tightened and pulled him back upright. 

A howl cut through the air. 

“What now, werewolves?!” Patton shrieked.

“Don’t be ridiculous, werewolves aren’t real!” Roman scoffed, “They’re normal wolves! What, you think just because we’re vampires, we’re unable to have pets?”

“Is this really a conversation we should be having at this exact moment?!” Patton shot back.

“You’re right, you’re right, okay.”

The howls were growing closer, and it was clear by Roman’s increased pace that this wasn’t about to be a friendly reunion.

“Can we outrun them?!”

“I take it you’ve never met a wolf!” 

Patton looked up at him desperately, already struggling to keep up the conversation and keep up with Roman. 

“I thought vampires had… like, super speed!”

“I wouldn’t be able to go for long, especially carrying you. Jump!”

Patton leapt blindly, feeling the side of a fallen log scrape the toes of his shoes. The landing was rough, sparks of pain shooting up his legs, but he was quickly pulled back upright. 

“I don’t have the energy! I haven’t eaten in months!”

There were more yowls, definitely closer this time, followed by the sound of multiple animals fighting, barely louder than a voice shouting (presumably) at the racket. Whether it was the wolves having a spat, or a prey animal that had gotten in the way of the hunt, Patton didn’t know. It drew out a small whimper from him either way.

He didn’t want to be next. 

“Do you trust me?” Roman suddenly gasped, holding his hand firmer. 

“What?!”

“Do. You. Trust. Me?!”

Patton didn’t exactly think he had a choice right now. His feet were aching, his lungs were burning, and he wasn’t sure he could run another minute without his legs giving out. “I- Yeah! Sure!”

“Good enough,” Roman grunted bitterly, screeching to a halt, and using his grip on the other’s arm to stop him too. Before Patton could even bring himself to complain, or scream at him, or just incoherently yell, the vampire was drawing him to his chest, puppeting his arms so they were around his shoulders.

“Hold on.”

Obediently, Patton tightened the grip. “Why-”

And then there was a sharp pain in his neck, and his eyes widened. The sting almost immediately morphed into a pleasant warmth, the distant howling being replaced by a faint humming, the buzzing of his own mind calming, becoming numb until the only thought in his head was Roman, Roman, Roman- 

He could feel Roman’s hand on his head, not restricting it, but cupping the back of it so he could lean against him as he stared up at the night sky, the full moon, and the slow blurring of the tops of the pine trees. His other arm was wrapped around his waist tightly, holding him up, and Patton was beyond grateful for the support as his legs began to turn to jelly. The last thing Patton felt was the vampire scooping up his legs and his head being cradled against the soft material of Roman’s shirt. 

Then everything went dark. 

-0-0-0-

Patton woke up slowly, squinting against the harsh sunlight streaming through his window. He dropped an arm across his eyes lazily, letting out a low groan at his pounding headache. There were voices downstairs in the tavern, and what sounded like dishes clanging, and he wondered if somehow this place was also a restaurant. How on earth could anybody run an establishment like that? It’s like the place never slept-

A wave of nausea pooled in his gut due to the speed of which he sat up but that wasn’t important, not right now. He flung his blankets back and… oh. He was dressed in his pajamas. Last he could remember, in the woods, running with Roman, he’d been in day clothes, in the sweater and shirt that was now draped on a chair across the room. His camera bag was... on the desk. His shoes were by the door, dirt free.

He raised his finger tips to his neck, expecting to feel a raised scab, or scar, any sign that he’d been bitten. There was nothing. 

He swung his legs over the sides of the beds and immediately shut his eyes, fighting off an explosion of dizziness induced sparks that shot across his vision. It sure felt as if he’d lost some blood. As much as he didn’t want to believe he had a hangover from one drink, that could also be an explanation. He’d always been a bit of a lightweight.

A dream. Was it all just… a dream?

A feeling of disappointment washed over him and he sighed, running his hands up through his hair. Something soft snagged on his fingers and he carefully detangled it from the curls, pulling it out curiously. He blinked at the fern leaf between his finger tips. That definitely hadn’t happened between his car, the tavern, or the room... So- 

He sucked in a breath sharply as his eyes locked with the mirror’s reflection in front of him, every thought coming to a halt.

Because staring back, for the first time ever, were two perfectly blue eyes.

I have a bunch of world building ideas that weren’t included in this fic, shoot me an ask if you have any lore questions!

General taglist:

@max-is-tired

@private-snippers

@joylessnightsky

[bangtan]

BTS Talk Inspiration Behind "Dynamite," New Album, Gratitude For ARMY & More

"Even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do," the South Korean superstars tell GRAMMY.com

Today, Aug. 21, after several weeks of teasers, K-pop superstars BTS have released their first English language track, "Dynamite," a jubilant disco-tinged bop meant to inspire joy and hope during these difficult times. "[The inspiration for] it all began from this: even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do. As for us, we found freedom and happiness in singing and dancing. This song goes to the ones who need encouragement. We hope people feel energized when listening to the song," the chart-topping band recently told GRAMMY.com. Even in such an unprecedented year of turmoil and slowdown for the entertainment industry (and virtually everyone), BTS have been able to maintain their stance at the top of the global pop landscape. After having to cancel their massive 2020 Map Of The Soul World Tour, the South Korean group, already having a super engaged online presence with their huge ARMY of dedicated fans, got creative and delivered a lively, colorful—and wildly successful—pay-to-view virtual concert, BANG BANG CON: THE LIVE, in June. This year, the loveable pop stars also led by example of what it means to be a positive force in the world, using their platform for good in many ways. In June, along with their South Korean management company, Big Hit Entertainment, they donated $1 million to Crew Nation to support out-of-work concert crews and $1 million to the Black Lives Matter Foundation. (Just 24 hours later, the BTS ARMY matched the donation by raising more than $1 million.) They also stood in solidarity with the Black community with a simple yet powerful Tweet that made their stance against racism clear. And, of course, they've also been busy working on new music, delivering "Stay Gold" and their fourth Japanese album, MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ~The Journey~, in June and July, respectively. Now, with "Dynamite," we get the first taste of the forthcoming new album they've been focused on crafting. To hear more about "Dynamite," the upcoming project, the ARMY and other BTS 2020 highlights, we checked in with the dynamic septet (consisting of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook) over email. Read on to hear more from BTS.

What was the inspiration behind your new song, "Dynamite"? What do you hope listeners feel when they hear it?

BTS: It all began from this: even in the midst of hardships, we must focus on what we can do. As for us, we found freedom and happiness in singing and dancing. This song goes to the ones who need encouragement. We hope people feel energized when listening to the song.

"Dynamite" is your first song sung/rapped fully in English--how did you prepare for the recording and who wrote the lyrics?

BTS:: It was a new challenge for us as well. The lyrics, which are exactly what we wanted to say to our listeners, were written by David Stewart and Jessica Agombar. At the first try, it sounded fresh and perfect as it is in English, and throughout the whole process of recording, we've strived to get the message delivered flawlessly in English.

Can you tell us more about the new album you've said is coming later this year? What kind of sounds and themes are you exploring on this project?

BTS: We're currently working on a new album and sharing the process with our fans via livestream. Each member's input has been significant for this particular one, so we're kind of doing everything we've wanted to try. It's slated for later this year and more details are coming soon.

In February, Map Of The Soul: 7 became your fourth album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with your highest first-week numbers yet. What does the success of this album mean to you?

BTS: We cannot be thankful enough to our fans. They made this possible.

You've all released music as solo artists—what does it feel like working on your individual projects versus BTS? What's the biggest thing you've each learned from your solo projects?

RM: It feels like I have two completely different identities. Working as BTS, I have to be considerate of others, but at times it also means I just have to do my part well and the rest will roll. When working individually, I definitely have more freedom but less of the sense of comfort and belonging I can feel when working with the other BTS members. Jin: I can do whatever I want when I work alone, whereas we all need to be on the same page on concepts, melodies and lyrics for a collective project. SUGA: [For me,] there's not much of a difference in terms of process. It's just really encouraging to have my team by my side and work together on a BTS album. j-hope: I get to know about my shortcomings from a solo project. We have many people participating in our team projects, including producers. But a solo project is a direct result of the planning and execution done by myself, which helps me better understand feedback from the public—those are valuable takeaways. Jimin: I focus more on my personal thoughts when I work alone, whereas working together allows me to contemplate more on the things we experience as a team. I also believe that solo projects are additional activities enabled by BTS. V: I'm currently working on my own mixtape and I must admit there's a lot of pressure. I think there's more to think about compared to group projects. Jungkook: I don't think I can call myself a solo artist yet since I'm short of many things. I really need to improve. I'll keep listening and making music until I'm able to come up with something on my own.

Your virtual BANG BANG CON show was a huge success—what did it feel like to all of you to connect to the ARMY in this way? Do you think you'll plan another one?

BTS: We were so happy to be performing for our fans. Yes, we did miss their loud cheers, but we gave it our all thanks to the love sent by our fans from near and far. We're actually holding another show in October called "BTS MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" and this time it will be both virtual and offline. We're so excited and thrilled to finally meet our fans in person.

As a group, you've stood in solidarity with Black Lives Matter on Twitter and with a generous donation in partnership with Big Hit. As non-Black allies, why is it important for the group to speak out and join the Black community in solidarity?

BTS: We think our Twitter message speaks for itself. We stand against racial discrimination and condemn violence. We all have the right to be respected. It doesn't matter whether we are non-Black or not.

What's next on the horizon for BTS?

BTS: As we mentioned, we have a show in October and an album coming later this year. And we have lots of things prepared surrounding "Dynamite," so everyone better keep their eyes on the ball!

[twstismymuse]

Hello hello!!

Alrighty so this piece right here is based off this J-drama I watched called Homeroom! It’s really funny and honestly so crazy, I definitely recommend!!!

{Title: Her Knight In Shining Armor}

{Pairing: Aoi Cho x Yandere Dire Crowley}

{Summary: It’s weird how trouble seems to follow Aoi wherever she goes, but thankfully Headmaster Crowley is always there to save her!}

{Warnings: Yandere, Toxic mindset, One sided obsession towards a student}

———————————————————————

“Alright alright, settle down everyone!” Professor Trein barked at his rowdy students. “We’re going to go over the reading I assigned last night so I sincerely hope you all completed it dutifully!”

“Maaaan, I didn’t even open the textbook,” Ace whined, sinking into his seat in an effort to hide from Trein’s stern glare.

“I did!!” Deuce beamed, smoothing out his paper and straightening his spine.

“Tch, what a goody two shoes-”

“Quiet! Now then, our first question-”

“Yoohoo!” All heads turned toward an unmistakable masked face that was currently sticking through the doorway of the classroom.

“Headmaster Crowley? This is certainly a surprise.”

“Ah, it’s a surprise check in! It’s normal for a supervisor to want to see what his lively students are learning in class!”

“Yes but this is visit seems rather impromptu-”

“Oh don’t mind me! I’ll be as quiet as a mouse! You won’t even know I’m here, Mozus!! Everyone! Make sure to pay close attention to your teacher, yes?”

Trein sighed, not really having a choice in the matter, “Very well then. We’re currently reviewing the reading I assigned last night of pages 54-60 of the textbook.”

“Ah, excellent! Carry on please,” Headmaster Crowley stepped back dutifully and with a snap of his fingers, conjured up a simple wooden chair and took a seat in front of the blackboard much to the awe of the students.

“Whoa…”

“He didn’t even use a magic pen for that spell!!”

“Yes yes, we’re all aware our headmaster is a distinguished and very powerful magician,” Trein stated, a hand stroking Lucius’s fur absentmindedly. “We have more pressing matters to take care of, starting with question one…”

Turning towards the blackboard, Trein grabbed a piece of chalk and read along with each word he wrote down. Facing the students again, he asked, “Are there any brave volunteers who wish to come up and attempt to write the answer for us all to see?”

No one came forward.

“No one? Hm, most disappointing. I suppose I’ll have to call someone then.” Scanning the sea of nervous faces, his eyes landed on one magicless student who was avoiding his gaze.

“Miss Cho! You’re one of my best students in this class. Why don’t you come up?”

“Ah, is that so? I’m pleased to see that you’ve adjusted to student life here! I would so love to see what you’ve learned!” Headmaster Crowley encouraged.

Yet Aoi didn’t make a move to stand up.

“Psst, Aoi, get up there! What are you waiting for?!” Grim hissed, nudging the girl roughly.

“Cho? I hope you have a good reason for keeping us waiting.”

Aoi kept her head bowed, struggling to keep her cool as she stammered, “P-professor Trein, Headm-master, I’m really s-sorry but...I…I can’t get ou-out of my seat.”

“What? Whatever do you mean-”

“They did it again, Headmaster Crowley!” Deuce cried out. The man leapt out of his seat and ran to the row the prefect was seated in, the girl trying her hardest to stand up yet it seemed as though her legs had melded with the cushioned pew.

Upon closer inspection, Headmaster Crowley bellowed, “An adhesive charm! Outrageous! To use this on another student for impure reasons is simply unforgivable! Don’t any of you have any shame, targeting a prefect like this??” He kneeled next to Aoi and muttered a quick spell under his breath. “There! Try getting up now Aoi.”

Aoi cautiously got up, breathing out a sigh of relief upon finding she wasn’t stuck anymore.

“Thank you so much, Headmaster!”

“Of course!” Turning to the rest of the class, his glowing yellow eyes narrowed behind his mask. “I am deeply ashamed of you all! If the culprit is in this room, stand up and reveal yourself!”

Murmurs rose among the male students, but no one made a move to follow Crowley’s orders.

“I see...Mozus!”

“H-Headmaster?”

“Please dismiss Aoi Cho from this class! This is a serious issue that can’t be ignored!”

“Yes, yes of course!” 

Crowley faced Aoi again, taking her by the hand, “Come with me Prefect. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“B-but Headmaster-”

Ignoring her protests, Crowley began leading Aoi out of the classroom, Grim hopping onto the ground and following behind, “Wait up, Aoi!! I’m coming too-”

Whirling around, Crowley held out an open palm, causing Grim to stop in his tracks. “It pleases me to see that you care for the prefect, yet this matter only concerns her. You must stay in class.”

“Eh?! But Aoi-”

“I’m sorry but you must stay behind! Come along now, Aoi.”

“O-ok!! Sorry Grim, I’ll meet back up with you at lunch!”

“AOI!!”

🕸🕸🕸

“Now tell me, how many times has it been now?” Crowley questioned, taking a seat behind his desk inside the Headmaster’s office. Aoi fidgeted in her seat, feeling like a little kid awaiting the principal’s verdict.

“W-well...I’d say that was the third time this week.”

“Just this week?!”

“Yeah…”

“And there was the incidents in your Potions and Flying class...Do you have any clue who could be doing this to you? Anyone who could have a vendetta against you?”

“N-no...there’s no one I can think of.” 

“I see…”

“Um...Headmaster?”

“Yes?”

“I...um...I just want to thank you for all the times you’ve helped me. I’m really sorry for all the trouble I keep getting into, I don’t mean to cause any problems but...I just don’t know why this keeps happening to me. I-” Her eyes began tearing up as she inhaled sharply, shoulders trembling.

“Aoi…” Noticing the state the poor girl was in, Crowley stood up from his chair and walked around to kneel down on one knee before her. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he pulled her into his chest, then wrapping his arms around the prefect as he cooed softly.

“Aoi. Do not be afraid. I merely want to protect you. It’s awful that anyone would do this to someone as sweet as you yet I assure you that I am here for you. This isn’t your fault, not one bit. Please, don’t hesitate to come to me when they target you again. As long as you are in Twisted Wonderland, I will watch over you and keep you safe.”

Struggling not to bawl like a baby in front of an adult, Aoi returned the hug and quietly smiled to herself, “Th-thank you, Headmaster. That...that really means a lot.”

Pulling back, he grinned,“But of course! After all, it’s-”

“Because you are so kind, right?”

Crowley paused, his mouth gaping open then bursting out into jubilant laughter, “Why yes! Haha, you already know me so well, prefect!”

“Pfft, only cause that’s like basically your catchphrase!” Aoi giggled, her unease from before forgotten. 

“There we are! You look much better when you’re smiling like this!” Crowley exclaimed, enjoying the sight of pink dusting her cheeks and how she averted her eyes. 

How cute...

“Well, I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time,” He remarked, rising up from the floor and flashing the girl a warm smile. “You can go to your lunch period now.”

“R-right!” Aoi hurriedly stood up, politely bowing her head and heading towards the door.

“Ah, Prefect!” Crowley called out just as Aoi had one foot out of the room.

“Yeah?” 

“Do take care to remember what I said.”

Blinking once before responding with a bright grin, “Yes, sir!” The door slammed shut behind the girl. Crowley waited for a moment before returning to sit at his desk, taking his feathered quill out of its inkwell.

It was a good thing he made sure that the adhesive charm wouldn’t be too strong when he cast it before Aoi’s Magical History lesson. He never wanted to harm his dearest student, heavens no! All it took were a few nudges here and there in her classes, and he was able to finally get through to her. Oh the sight of her tears and her radiant smile was simply beautiful! To think he’d lived for so long without knowing what true beauty looked like!

All in due time, he reminded himself, quill scratching against parchment paper. He had to be patient. Honestly, what did she expect? A magicless human girl, all alone in an unfamiliar world, helpless with no one to turn to when a hidden enemy reared its ugly head.

However, she had nothing to fear. He’d never let any harm come to his little songbird, he’d keep her safe inside his academy. 

He’d make sure to be her sworn protector, her knight in shining armor. 

It’s because he was so kind, after all.