#Milady 3000

[gootie]

I got a copy of Milady 3000 by Magnus, AKA Roberto Raviola from a seller on Etsy for a decent price. It's a scifi-fantasy tale of a sexy space pirate drawn with a mix of realism and whimsy in Raviola's smooth, crisp style. The words are in French but the story is easy to follow by the pictures alone.

[potnialabyrinthoio95]

Quando Netflix voleva fare una serie live-action di genere space opera con personaggi femminili intriganti e d'azione e tematiche queer, invece di cercare di fare il reboot di "Cowboy bepop" avrebbe dovuto curare l'adattamento del fumetto "Milady nel 3000" perché sia la protagonista sia le altre donne presenti nella storia sono competenti, intelligenti e toste, Milady è bisessuale e due storie sono incentrate su un suo incontro galante segreto con un gigolò e sul dover svolgere una missione confidenziale con una sua vecchia fiamma di sesso femminile e l'amore non corrisposto dell'androide Uèr per Milady lo rende la versione maschile dell'archetipo "la tragica fanciulla non corrisposta".

When Netflix wanted to make a space opera live-action series with intriguing action women and queer elements, instead of trying to make the reboot of "Cowboy bepop" it should have adapted the italian comic "Milady nel 3000" by Magnus because both the protagonist and other women in the story are competent, smart and badass, Milady is bisexual and two stories are about, respectively, a secret amorous meeting with a gigolo and doing a confidential mission along a former female lover and the unrequited love of the android Uèr for Milady makes him the gender-inverted version of the trope "tragic unrequited maiden".

Art by Roberto Raviola

[trumpkinhotboy]

I'll keep an eye on you - III

pairing: jacob black x reader

genre: as always for this series, a mix of fluff and angst

warnings: curse words here and there?

word count: about 3000

a/n: It's finally here babes !!!!! this beautiful little series i love so so much🥺Thank you so much for your patience and all the lovin you have been giving to this little series of mine, it means the world to me<3

part I part II

A month had passed.

Slowly, you were healing from the horrible ordeal you had been through. Jake still came to sleep at your house almost every night. You kept up that routine for a few weeks, but after a while, you asked to try it alone. Even if he reluctantly agreed, he knew you needed to do this. So he promised to stay close the first night, ready to come in if you needed him. As it turns out, you were okay, and as days went by, you no longer needed him to keep watch hidden in the trees beside your house. Slowly, you were able to sleep all alone in your bed. You were incredibly proud of it, even if you missed having Jacob's warm body lying next to you at night.

You never spoke again of that night you confessed how everything gnawed at you. You thought about it often but never found the right time to discuss it. Since he hadn't mentioned it, you allowed it to go without answers for longer. You knew you'd end up getting to the bottom of it anyway.

The crisp autumn air ruffled your hair as you headed to the Reservation in your rusty truck, window pulled down, and music blasting, at least as much as your poor speakers could muster. You were incredibly excited to see everyone, and the prospect of hearing legends about the Quileutes made you tremble with excitement. You couldn't help but feel honored to be invited to these tribe gatherings. There weren't many outsiders allowed to hear the old tales.

You hadn't even parked your car when you saw Jacob's humongous form jogging for you. As always, a bright smile illuminated his tan face. And as always, you felt your knees wobble when you realized you were the recipient of such a beautiful thing. "Y/n! Over here!" He signaled for you to bring your truck closer to the backyard. Groaning, your truck obliged, and as soon as you shifted in park, your friend opened the door with a hand lifted for you to climb down. "Milady," he joked as his big hand engulfed yours.

Without letting go, he guided you to the rest of the tribe already gathered behind his little house. Some of the boys were working on making a big fire, and you were delighted to smell some delicious burgers being cooked over on the BBQ. Emily was busy ordering Sam and Paul around as she laid out plate after plate of delicious-looking food on a nearby table. You couldn't help a smile when you saw her swat Paul on the shoulder for not checking the patties often enough, and made a mental note to go and say hi to your friend as Jake pulled you in the opposite direction.

You reached the sitting area where Jacob's father and a few others were gathered, idly talking. You couldn't ignore the funny looks Quil and Jared kept giving you as you approached the little group. They whispered to each other, giggling like little gossips before Jake gave them the darkest look you'd ever seen to shut them up. You ignored their odd behaviour but couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going on.

Before you could ask anyone about it, Paul announced the food was ready, and slowly the small crowd went over to fill their plates. After filling up yours with more food than you could ever ingest, Jake guided you to his friends with one hand on the small of your back. Its iridescent presence you could never ignore made shivers run down your spine. Small touches like this one were becoming more and more familiar between the two of you. Even so, you didn’t think you would ever get used to the delicious warmth it always spread in your body.

You all sat around the fire, eating merrily the food Emily prepared and as you joked with everyone, you were once again surprised by how comfortable you felt around them all. How natural it felt for you to be with them. To sit by Jake's side, his thigh pressed against yours as if any space between your bodies was intolerable.

You were caught in a conversation with Seth, the sound of laughter and excited conversation filling your ears. Jake’s presence by your side made you feel so content and safe. Until one minute you were laughing with Seth, and the next you felt Jacob getting up. "Everything okay?" you asked. You didn't hear what was said but were aware that he was talking with Quil and that their tone had gotten heated before abruptly stopping.

"Yeah, just gonna get something to drink." he curtly answered.

You gave him a quick smile, knowing by the expression on his face he was not okay. Which was later confirmed by the way he sat next to you but kept a very noticeable distance. You didn't comment on it, not wanting to make a scene, but when you focused on your plate again hunger had completely left you.

"Hey, don't mind him, Y/n. Quil's an idiot," whispered Seth.

You looked at him with question marks in your eyes. "Oh, sorry, I thought you heard what he said. Uhm, he just said something about how you and Jake acted like a couple."

You turned your head in Jake's direction, but despite your pointed stare, his eyes would not drift in your direction. You analyzed the distance between the two of you, feeling a sharp pain in your heart. That would explain Quil and Jared’s odd behaviour earlier and the death stare Jacob had given them. You had thought it was simply because he didn’t want them to tease you. Now, you had the sinking feeling his reaction was due to another reason completely.

The night merrily carried on until late, the elders had gone home and it was only the pack and you left around the fire. The joyous heat had simmered to hot embers, encouraging you to scoot closer, chasing the warmth.

Jake kept looking over at you, an ounce of worry in his dark eyes. He was still far away, not making eye contact or talking with you. Your frustration at his distant behaviour had only grown during the night but when he suddenly signaled for you to follow him and walked towards his car you followed without hesitation. You looked at him open the door, fetching something on his seat, and back out. He walked closer and handed you his coat.

"I saw you shivering. Thought you could use this." His tone was low and even here, alone and away from the group he avoided your eyes. You stared at the piece of clothing in your hands, more confused than you'd ever been. A petty part of you, angry at him for acting so distant wanted to refuse and walk away. But the part of you that was freezing its ass off couldn't refuse the perspective of more warmth.

You wrapped it around your shoulders as you looked at him. "So this is what this is about. You only wanted to give me this?" His failure to answer only made you sigh deeper with annoyance. "I'm so confused, Jake." You didn't have to add anything, from the way he looked at you and the sigh he let out, you knew he knew. "You've been acting so weird but keep behaving like nothing's going on. Tonight, I mean, what is that? I come here, you look happy to see me. Then suddenly Quil says some dumb shit and you get as far away from me as possible. What's up with that? Are you ashamed? Is that what this is?"

He sharply looked up from the ground. An animal light fired up his eyes. "I would and will never feel ashamed of being with you. Never."

"Then what's going on? Tell me. Ever since that night, you've been acting differently."

You had reached a new level of intimacy in your friendship that night a month ago. You both shared private information, deciding to trust and rely on each other. But that night, there were also a lot of secrets still kept.

"Y/n I- I can't."

"Can't what? Jake, tell me. I can weather it. Whatever it is."

His body shook under the intensity. He seemed to be fighting his whole self to get the words out. Then it clicked. You remembered a year ago when you'd seen him in such a state. When he started his transformation, Sam had forbidden him from telling you. You only discovered his secret when you infiltrated his house and found him half wolf, half human in the most terrifying process you had ever seen. Your blood started boiling in your veins.

"Are you fucking kidding me? This, again?" You turned to look at the people gathered around the fire a few meters away. Your gaze zoomed in on its target. Sam, laughing with Emily sitting at his side. "I'm done with this."

You stormed over to the bonfire and planted yourself in front of the leader. Sam looked up at you with a laid-back smile which quickly disappeared when he noticed you were fuming with rage.

"Y/n, is everything okay?" he carefully asked, then he looked back at Jacob running up behind you. A shadow passed in his gaze.

"You know what's wrong. You're doing it again. This is the thing I hate the most about your powers, Sam. Taking away someone's right to talk is wrong. Especially when it puts him in pain." You pointed to Jake, not taking your eyes away from Sam. You heard Jacob mumbling for you to calm down and let it go, but ignored him. "This needs to end."

"Y/n..." he started. You noticed the complete silence surrounding you and the tense look he kept giving Jacob.

Sam was an honest guy. He was a great leader who always took responsibility and ownership of his actions. The fact that he wasn't saying anything wasn't like him at all. He had never tried to deny the orders he gave in the past. Realization shook your core as you felt a deep sadness pierce your stomach. "You're not the one who asked Jake not to tell me anything." You turned to look at your friend, the truth written on his face. "You asked him."

His failure to answer was the only confirmation you needed. A storm of thoughts and emotions took control of your senses. Dread, dismay and then burning rage took hold of your brain. "Why." The simple word sounded harsh and rough coming from your mouth.

"Y/n, please let it go," he begged in a whisper.

"This is so dramatic for nothing. I don't get what's the big deal and why he would ever ask that," you heard someone mumble. Everyone turned to look at Quil, who froze under the sudden weight of the attention. "What? It's the truth. There's no reason he should ever want to hide that Y/n's..."

Faster than your human senses could comprehend Jacob had pounced on his friend. Throwing him off the seat he was in, he trapped him on the ground. Even if Quil was also a werewolf, there was no way he could ever fight Jacob off right now.

"You shut the fuck up. This has nothing to do with you." Jacob's voice sounded poisonous. Immediately, the other members got to their feet, ready to pull them apart. Jacob seemed like he was taller and meaner. Long gone was the sunshiney smile you loved so much. At that moment, he was more wolf than human. "This is my business. She is my business and no one else."

Everybody looked at the ground, no one would cross eyes with you. The sound of his voice when he uttered these words, the way his body seemed to be angled to protect you even if he was a few feet away. You had seen this behavior before and had observed it a thousand times in Sam's behavior toward Emily or in Paul's toward Rachel. Another realization hit you like the impact of a collision between two asteroids.

Your eyes were fixed on Jacob’s back, still turned to you. Even then, you could feel it. You always knew. Some part of you always knew. That bond between the two of you was stronger than just love or friendship. It was destined, you were two parts of the same soul.

You staggered, feeling light-headed, when a gentle touch at your elbow stabilized you. Emily stood beside you, helping you stay collected and brushing your back with comforting strokes.

"Breathe Y/n." You barely heard her but listened to her words. Fresh air filled your lungs and steadied you. You looked back at Jacob who had immediately released Quil when he saw your reaction. Worry was written on his face. You hoped he could read the fury written on yours.

You walked up to him and stopped when you were barely inches away. For the first time that night, Jacob looked thrown off. You searched his eyes before you started screaming. "YOU IDIOT?? WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT ME TO KNOW I'M YOUR IMPRINT? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TRY AND FORBID ME TO KNOW THAT." You stepped back, and turned on yourself, grabbing at your hair like a mad woman. "I can't BELIEVE you hid that from me. I can't believe you tried to do that. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH ME? Is this what it is? You don't want to be with me? The thought of being with me was so abhorrent that you asked your leader to FORBID you from telling me?"

Your eyes filled to the brim with angry tears as you confronted him. He chuckled, a dry thing, devoid of any real amusement. "How can you even say that? Now I am an asshole for wanting you to have a choice? For wanting you not to feel obliged to be with me because of some ancient wolf thing? For wanting you to have a choice to escape this life you would have with me?" His eyes were feverish, a particular kind of pain shining in them.

"What- what do you even mean?"

"After what happened to you, I didn't want you to feel tied to me, the reason you were almost killed. That's something I can never change Y/n. Danger and threat will follow me wherever I go." His shoulders slumped miserably. "It's not fair of me to profit from the imprinting process to have you with me. To have you be with someone like me."

There was no sound except for the singing crickets in the night and the sound of the fire softly dying out.

"Jake..." His words extinguished any fire in your chest. You understood better than anyone else the feeling of wanting to protect someone you cared about. You delicately took his face in your hands, "Jacob Black. I want you to understand this and get it through your thick skull. That was not your fault. None of this is. No matter what happened, I... I wouldn't change it. The night of the incident, I remember how happy I was walking to you and the rest of the pack." At that, you looked with love and respect at all the members still surrounding you.

"You can't say that," he whispered painfully, tears in his chocolate eyes. You exhaled and forced his chin up so he'd look at you. "I mean it. I knew you were at Emily's and I know I would still make the same choice of walking over there to be with you. There are no other possible options for me when it comes to you. I need to be where you are."

The atmosphere changed and the other members took it as their exit signal and left you two under the stars. A soft light illuminated his eyes as he looked at you. "How could you ever think I wouldn't want to be with you?" You felt his hands warm your cold cheeks. "Are you really that blind? It's always been you, Y/n. You've changed the trajectory of my life from the moment I laid eyes on you. Even before the wolf stuff, I always knew you were the one for me. I love you Y/n."

A warm fuzzy feeling spread from your head to your toes as you listened to the soft timber of his voice in the cold night. Nothing else mattered at that moment, it was only you and him and the confession he just shared with you.

"So you asked Sam to forbid you from telling me so I could have a choice?"

He nodded, "I didn't trust myself to keep the secret, I can't keep anything from you. If you want to be with me, I want it to be because you... love me, not because you feel you have to respect some ancient wolf thing ritual." You heard his hesitation to utter the word love. Even after all the time you had spent together, doubt and fear still had their claws embedded in his brain.

"You say I must be blind not to have seen your feelings for me, but I'd say you aren't better. Ever since we were kids, it has always been you. The boy who made mud pies with me. My best friend. The person who supported me through everything. The man. The werewolf. You, in all your forms, Jacob. I am yours, and I think I have always been."

He let out a shaky breath, his dark eyes transfixed on your face, his hands limp at his side. He nervously licked his lips, "Can I kiss you?"

You nodded imperceptibly, the rhythm of your own heart accelerating as he bent down. You felt his soft breath fan over your lips and waited patiently until his plush lips met yours. This new contact solidified something inside of your chest, the bond connecting the two of you seemed to tighten, a clear presence you couldn’t ignore anymore. You melted completely into his embrace when his strong arms wrapped around your body, holding you up as your knees wobbled under the intensity of the moment.

You were home. You had found him. Your forever.

Your Jacob.

-

taglist: @tgarrett26 @twilightlover2007 @butterclove

[ember-amber]

I fucking did it. It's done.

I have beat the dlc final boss """legit""". No summons, no shields, only the most powerful claymore build in existance (cragblade, charged attack talisman and tear, twohanded talisman, 3000 damage one charged attack) and rolling(there is exactly one attack to jump in this fight).

I was having brainfog the whole day and decided to go back to my quality Milady character, which was stuck in that boss. Halfway through the attempts I figured that this thin little piss sword was not gonna cut it and went to get a real weapon.

Now that I have experienced this boss' entire moveset with no filters, I can say with certainty, it's shit. Just because I could completely invalidate it with a mimic tear or a big shield if I wanted doesn't make it well designed, I beat everything else in this dlc with just a well built milady, a VERY good weapon. It was just this prick that I had to pull out an atomic bomb for.

Overall 7.5/10 dlc with this boss alone removing 2 points. I really enjoyed going through everything else(except Rellana but I'm learning her slowly)

[disorganizedkitten]

Moving Places

Miraculous Ladybug | 2019 | 2,838 | Ao3 | @chimpukampu and @ZiriO

Adrien Agreste and Marinette Agreste, parents of 3, are finally moving to a bigger home. That forces them to reckon with a heap of stuff that's been collecting and gathering dust over the years. Things get a little... funny and fluffy.

“Adrien, We’ve been through this a thousand times. We need to trim things down this once. We’re not taking everything!”

Yes, that’s how moving homes usually happens, but it’s always a reason for a little bit of bickering, but some endearing moments included too. Adrien and Marinette Agreste, parents for 3, have been waiting for this for a long while now, and yet…

Their kwamis hovered about with amused looks, Plagg more so than Tikki, wondering what might get unearthed.

The boxes rattled as Adrien moved them about. A slight puff of dust bloomed from one as it was opened, giving the air a very mild acrid smell.

“I think we haven’t opened these up since the last time we moved, if not the time before! Isn’t that a hint, Adrien?”

“Mari, we are not touching my Ladybug collection! Look, it’s a collector’s edition!”

Adrien brushed off some of the dust and pressed the button on the doll.

“Time to de-evilize!” a high-pitched voice emanated from it as Adrien smiled. “See? It still works!”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Can I try too?” Marinette snickered. “Time to de-evilize!” She called in a theatrical fashion. “So, who did it better?”

Adrien’s smile widened into a full-fledged grin.

“Hey, I never said I didn’t have the single-issue real thing in my collection” he cooed.

“Oh do you now?”

“I could show you but then we’d never get any packing done.” He jested and then his face went a bit more serious. This turned their attention to the heap of stuff still waiting for them to sort through.

“Fine.” She grumbled at the missed opportunity. “But the monopoly box goes. That one was a mistake.”

They looked at a miraculous-themed monopoly board. A cheapskate producer named Zag somehow convinced them this was a good idea. By the time he started to leak pictures to the press, it was hard for them to stop it. It was a good thing that Chloe found them a legal loophole and used her family’s clout to threaten him to a halt. But they did have the box to remember that one.

“How on earth did he convince us to do such a silly thing?”

“The guy had charm and a good deal of luck.”

“Mari, do you think it’s the power of-”

“Adrien Agreste, don’t you dare!”

“You practically walked into that one, milady… “

“If only I could toss away all your puns at that.” She sighed.

“Actually, you sort of did last time, don’t you remember?”

“Please don’t remind me. I was horrified. A notebook full of lame puns!”

“You can’t get them out of my head though.”

“If your lips are busy they can’t throw puns around, you know.” she winked and he smiled back at her.

We are never going to get any packing done like that…

---

A quick kiss later, they were back to sorting stuff.

“What’s that? Is that Emma’s first pacifier?” She said as she examined one.

“Oh yeah. I keep hoping we can still use it. That girl won’t shut up!” He jested.

“Out it goes! Our girl is all grown up now, maybe it’s time someone else would grow up too!”

“Hey, it’s always good to have a reminder of us growing up. After all, we have 3 kids and you still don’t look a day over 3000.”

“Now you know why I’m so much wiser than you.” She retorted. “Now let’s get back to packing, you… adorable goober of a flirt, you.”

She gave him another quick kiss. He earned that one too. They both looked at the next item.

“A solitaire thinking challenge? Aren’t our kids too old for that?”

“Well, there was a time when you couldn't think straight around me. And you were adorable.”

“Adrien Agreste, If I had known this was going to haunt me all through our marriage… I’d do it all again.” She chuckled. “Anyway, what the hell is this?”

They both looked at a box full of a random assortment of seemingly useless stuff.

“I’m… saving this for Emma? Kidding, I have no idea what’s exactly in it. There’s only one way to find out.”

They cautiously opened the box, looking at a mix of extremely oddball items, scratching their heads at each one trying to figure out what’s it doing there.

“A gecko-shaped pendant? What’s that doing here?”

“Emma made one on art class.”

“And we’re keeping this… why?” She gave him a stare over it.

“It’s… uhh… we can play pretend it’s a real miraculous?” He suggested half-jokingly, only to be met with Marinette’s stern look as she discarded it into the trash.

“She made A ladybug themed brooch?”

“She’s a big fan, you know…”

“I can understand that, but why are we keeping it?”

“Uhh…”

Marinette threw that one into the box marked “for cataclysm”.

“A lego toy welding machine? Who had this stupid idea?”

“It’s Max… and he’s smart so maybe it was a smar-okay it really was a stupid idea, she never even opened it. Too bad Alix never stopped him!”

“That can go to the donations pile. Next!”

“What’s a map of Jerusalem doing here?”

“Geography class, I guess?”

“But how’s that a souvenir when we’ve never even been there?”

Marinette crumpled the thing into a ball and threw it to the trash.

“An ad for a Louvre exhibition from 2015? So useless.”

“We could sell it on eBay...”

Marinette rolled her eyes.

“God, sometimes the things you say actually make me prefer a pun. And that’s a major achievement, Mr. Agreste!”

She sighed as she went on.

“An aimee mann CD? Do we even have anything that can play these things?”

“No, we don’t…”

“Donations pile. Next?”

“A defunct Wacom pad… you said you were going to get it fixed like what, 2 years ago?”

“I still plan on… okay you can throw this.”

Marinette had fond memories of that one, she used it to do quite a bit of sketching, and yet even she couldn’t but admit that no, she wasn’t going to get that one fixed. She then moved on to the next item.

“Okay… what the hell is this?”

They both examined a pink rod with a heart-shaped fake gem on top.

“Oh, I brought this back from Japan to Emma. I think it appeared in some anime or something.”

“I am letting you bring too much trash in, and that’s the result… sometimes I am just way too nice with you.”

“It’s my kitten face, bugaboo. It’s irresistible. Besides, she actually used that one on Halloween!”

A stern look and Adrien threw the thing into the Cataclysm box. Marinette then examined the next item.

“A dream catcher? Oh yes, I remember now. You bought this for me after I told you what was my nightmare in ‘sandboy’!”

“Oh, what fond memories that one brings…”

Adrien had a sly smile on his face as he started to play-act his part.

“Marinette… the prettiest and the smartest one of all is Chloe…”

“Now there's the holder I know,” Plagg snarked. “So good to have you back.”

“My god… what a mistake that was…” Marinette gently touched her palm to her forehead at her husband’s act as she came up with the retort.

“Do I have to remind you I can play-act your nightmare too?”

That did the trick, snapping him back.

“Please don’t do that… You’re the lady of my dreams, bugaboo! I even have a ring to prove it now.”

“Adrien, flattery is going to get you… actually, going to get you good things. Keep up at that.”

They exchanged yet another quick kiss.

Adrien eyed another box, around the size of an A4 page. As he reached out to grab it, he heard his wife squeak a ‘No’ at him.

“What, Mari, what’s in that one?”

She turned slightly pink, reminding him for a moment of that blushing teenager from Francois Dupont college that he ended up marrying.

“Uhhh… umm…”

He carefully opened it. The first page had a drawing of Marinette wearing a grey superhero costume with a pink skip-rope and pink hair ribbon, with the caption “Mousinette”.

“Ha, so you drew yourself as the Mouse superheroine! That’s…”

She lost her blush by now. She wasn’t a teenager anymore, after all.

“Yes, that’s… ?” She urged him to complete his sentence.

“That would have been real hot, sweetie. I’d pay to see you dressed up in Halloween like that!”

“In that case…” She said as she put her finger thoughtfully at her chin, “... a dinner out for two, as your payment?”

“You know I would have done it anyway after we finish packing, right?”

“I know you well enough by now, dear husband.” She smiled and booped his nose affectionately.

“Well, I should certainly hope so.” He grinned, thumbing the edges of the pages. “So….how much of this sketchbook did you fill, again?”

“I usually fill all the pages, why?” Her eyes narrowed, regret and the sudden thought that maybe she needed more than a dinner out as payment starting to creep over her.

“Mind if I keep looking?”

“Adrien, we are never going to get done at this rate!”

“Yes, but how often do I get to look through your old art?” The kitten eyes made a swift comeback, leaving Marinette groaning in disgust.

“Fine, but you get five minutes!” Which was enough to sate his curiosity, or at least she hoped.

“So why did I never see this cute bee costume on you? Or this amazing Ladybug-themed dress?” He pouted, though that was nothing compared to the look on his face when he came across a sketch of her as Chat Noir, with a massive ribbon for the tail.

“No. Don’t even ask, I won’t make it. That ribbon is a joke, and the peplum look went out of style years ago!”

“Marinette!” He was sulking now, pouting as he lifted the sketch.

“Absolutely not, besides, there’s no way I could put the pawprints on the gloves and shoes, it’d look ridiculous at my age!” He still sulked, but she shook her head anyway. Somebody had to put their foot down, or they’d never get anywhere.

Which, yeah that was normal. Downsizing to move always took forever. How did they even end up with this much stuff?

“You looked at my art, now we need to go through one of your boxes.” Marinette decreed, grabbing a box with the label ‘Adrien’. She unfolded the flaps and sighed. “We can’t get rid of these, pass me the next one.”

“What are they?” Adrien set down the sketchbook, a drawing of a Tiger holder displayed, to peek over her shoulder. “We were supposed to put those on the mantel ages ago, weren’t we?”

“I think so.” Marinette pulled a fencing trophy out of the box, turning it over in her hands. “I completely forgot we had these.”

“Think we’ll be able to put them up at the new house?”

“If there’s not space, maybe we can add in a few shelves? Emma’s going to start competing with Akari soon, if they continue at this rate.”

“Purr-fect idea, as always, M’lady.” Adrien draped himself over her shoulder batting his eyelashes at her.

“Okay, where’s the tape? I should relabel this one so we don’t forget again.”

Adrien pulled himself off her, scooping the masking tape and marker up and depositing them in her lap. “While you do that, I’m going to go through this one.” Adrien moved a few feet away, dragging the box back with him. “Are assignments important enough to be kept again?”

“Which assignments?”

“Cat breeds.”

Marinette groaned. “That wasn’t an assignment, Adrien, that was from you trying to bribe Chloe into getting Hugo a cat for Christmas.”

“Oh yeah. Can we keep it?”

Marinette shot him her most deadpan look. Adrien replied with puppy-dog eyes. Marinette sighed. “Fine. Toss it into the maybe pile.”

“Yes!”

“Moving on, have you found the box with the photo albums yet?”

“Not yet, I’ll get to them. When we have a break.”

“Why?”

“Chloe and Emma baby pictures.”

Marinette stifled a laugh. “Yeah, okay.” She glanced back into her current box. “I found Emma’s old EAH dolls, do you think she’ll still want them?”

“No idea.”

“Into the maybe pile, we can check with her later.”

“Good idea.”

Silence for a moment, and then Adrien snorted.

“What did you find?”

Adrien leaned back to look at Marinette, smirking. “Remember your crush?”

Marinette pouted. “You already teased me about that today. Is it still not old?”

“Not when all the memorabilia right here.”

“Not when the- Oh!” Marinette shrieked, scrambling over to him. “You found them! Finally! I seriously thought Master Fu had taken them.” She smiled brightly.

“Why would Master Fu take them?”

Marinette blushed scarlet. “Alya didn’t tell you. Of course not. Okay. Um, actually. Oh dear it’s kind of embarrassing. Why is it embarrassing? It wasn’t when I told Alya and Master Fu. Maybe it’s because it’s you. Oh boy. Okay so-” Marinette’s rambling died off in a whine as she buried her face in her hands. “It’s only embarrassing because it’s you. It was actually really smart at the time. Uh, move the top hundred or so.”

Adrien blinked at her reply, before turning back to the box. “What did you do?” he asked slowly, gathering up photos and slowly moving them out stack by stack. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” Marinette peeked over her fingers. “No one ever looked under that stuff, so it was the safest place to hide my research.”

“You never fail to amaze me,” Adrien snorted. “Using your crush to protect your identity? Constant multitasking at its’ best.”

“It was multistorage actually.” she tapped her head. “One track mind.”

They carefully dug through the box a little more, pages upon pages of translations and coded information sitting at the bottom, with cardboard dividers in between the layers. They pulled another set off, and Marinette promptly collapsed backwards, laughing.

“Are these the Kwami-sitting dolls?” Adrien asked, pulling the Pollen and Plagg ones out of the box.

“Those are the Kwami-sitting dolls,” Marinette confirmed, wheezing.

Marinette’s foot snagged something pointy, and when she stepped back to inspect the object, she grimaced “Adrien Chat Noir Agreste, bring your ass in here!”

“What is it M’ - whoa!” he stopped momentarily while schooling a dumbfounded look “What is that doing here?”

“You tell me,” she snarled as she spread out a big tarp of an old Gabriel perfume ad.

“Well, you said that you love fashion, and you want to update your ‘mini’” he made an air quote there “Adrien shrine -”

“Adrien!”

“Radiant,” the blond uttered dramatically as he reenacted his commercial ad “Carefree...Dreamy…”

Before he could finish the line, his wife hurled the incriminating poster and hit him squarely to the face.

‘ Why did I marry that man-child? ’ Marinette muttered to herself as she returned to her work, trying not to mind her crying husband, then paused when she saw another familiar banner.

“Why is this thing still here?”

“I swear to Plagg this is the only tarp that I saved... Oh. Oh, that .”

It was an old banner with a logo of a fencing team and quote in bold letters ‘ Excel and Power Pointe ’

“I thought Louis threw this?”

“He thought he threw it,” he smirked toothily as he walked towards his wife and snatched it from her hands “He didn’t know that his Papa saved it.”

Marinette gave him a beady look “You know that Louis will throw that again, right?”

“Not if we keep it.” Adrien retorted cheekily.

She rolled her eyes indignantly “C’mon, Kitty. This is just a dumb cheering banner you made for Louis’ fencing tournament, and he really hates it so much he had to knock his opponents in a short record time because he didn’t want to see that banner waving on his sight!”

“That’s more the reason why we have to keep it!”

“You’re just keeping this because of the pun!”

“That’s because it’s a good pun!”

“No, it’s not!”

“Will you two just stop this marital fight?” Plagg hovered above their faces, scowling “You’re both adults, for Kwami’s sake, not a toddler!”

“What Plagg was saying,” Tikki added with a smile “That you two were shouting so loud the neighbors heard your bickerings.”

The couple blushed furiously and apologetically resumed to their task.

Soon they had finished with the last box, and after repacking it - There was nothing in there they would have actually gotten rid of, they went through it for memories and to kill time - went back to work on the other boxes. Thankfully there weren’t that many that had been abandoned for the four years since they last moved.

They Lapsed into silence for a little bit, each finding their own boxes of miscellaneous things to go through. Occasional laughs, or questions, broke the silence, but for the most part it was just that. Silence as they prepared for a huge change that was to come.

[potnialabyrinthoio95]

Concordo in peno con questa recensione e ammetto che tra le due grandi opere che fondono i generi space opera e planetary romance, "Milady nel 3000" e "I briganti", preferisco la prima alla seconda. Vorrei tanto che fosse più nota sia in Italia sia all'estero.

FANTAITALIA - MILADY 3000 un fumetto di fantascienza di MAGNUS

FANTAITALIA – MILADY 3000 un fumetto di fantascienza di MAGNUS

Amando la fantascienza, ho sempre considerato Milady 3000 uno dei migliori lavori di Magnus. In realtà questa breve saga sembra non fosse particolarmente nelle corde del grande disegnatore e, in generale, passa sempre in secondo piano rispetto ad altre sue opere. MILADY 3000 – MAGNUS Le nerissime e claustrofobiche tavole di Magnus non hanno eguali nell’immaginare delle avventure spaziali. Al…

[doriangray1789]

Pijamalarım ve ben sevgililer gününün içindeyiz… çıkışında bu şekili alırız

Neden mi?

SEVGİLİLER GÜNÜ İNDEPENDENCE DAY 14 ŞUBAT

standart miladi yılın standart bi günü.. o günün dünden ( yani bugün) ya da yarından (15 Şubat) bi farkı olmayacak… kapitalizm size sol omuzunuzdan -al al al al şeklinde seslenmiyorsa standart bi şekilde geçirilmesi tavsiye edilir. bilinenin tersine tanrıya bakire kurban etme günü filan da degildir. Zaten bu gibi günlerin bi kutsiyeti eksik ama illa kurban edildiyse de derileri Türk Hava Kurumuna verilmesi milli menfaatimiz icabıdır…

Evlenince hayata bakış açım her daim bu gğn gibi olduğu için 😁 karşılıklı hediye vb aktiviteler yıla yayıldığı için benim için bşr anlamda, gün özelinde INDEPENDENCE DAY dir…

ticari bi patlamadır o gün… ülkelerdeki gül ve müzik kutusu stokları hızla azaltılırken, gül fiyatlarının 5 kat artması da hiç şaşırtıcı değildir. nedense sevgililer sevgilerini o güne endekslerler sanki, gidip gül yada fender gitar alıp, "bunu sana aldım" diye gelenlere diğer günlerde pek rastlanmaz… demek ki insanı "sevgi günü" için bile şartlandırmak ve iteklemek gereklidir.

çoğu kişi sevgisini, sevdiğine itiraf etmek için illa da bu günü bekler ve fakat, o gün geldiğinde de sevdiği, bi başkasını sevdiğini itiraf etmiş olar da vardır. Abazya eyaletinin belediye başkanlığına aday olsa alacak potansiyele sahip erkekler arasında da "abii sevgililer günün kutlu olsun.. ühü..ühü" muabbeti çevirilirken, sevgilisini kaybetmiş kızlar arasında da yine benzer şekilde "sevgililer günün kutlu olsun helbüke, 3000 yıl önce sevdiğin bi çocuk wardı, onu aradın mı" gibi geyikler döner.

bazı kişilerin ise, sevgililer gününde bir sürü kişiye hediye verip, o bi sürü kişiyi seviyormuş gözükmesi de genelde holdinglerin yapmacık yöneticileri arasında meşhur bşr davranıştır

“ulan maaşa zam vermedik neyse al hepsine bir Gül ya koklarlar ya da koklarlar bide Güler yüz bu seneyi böyle atlatalım”

Bazısı da çiçeğini alır sevgilisi sandığı kişiyi arar -eee ben bu günü seninle geçirmeyi planlıyorsum ama… +bilmem ki başkasına sözüm var..

işte bu kaosun içinden çıkamayan ve hediyeleri elinde patlayan o kimseler artık normal değildir ve sokaktaki tüm sevgililere gıcık olur.. kedi katilleride böyle tiplerdir ha…

günlere anlam yüklemek güzel bi hadisedir.. gönül ister ki hiç bi gün anlamsız olmasın…sevgililer gününde birileri kesinlikle "her gün sevgililer günü olsa keşke" teması kurmaya çalışırken aynı imâ diğer önemli gün ve haftalarda da sarfedilir…olsun, anlamlıdır…“herkesi anlamınızdan öperim…”

Öte yandan, hediye aldı mı ? almadı mı?aldıysa ne aldı? Yoksa unuttu mu? Aldığı şey ya ucuzsa! Seveceğim bişey mi? Gibi gereksiz kaygılar kıskançlıklarla sevgilileri birbirine düşürebilen bir gün de olabilir.sevdiğin bugün mü aklina geldi bre dangalak evladım.Buluşmaların bir kısmı da İşte bu merak nedeniyledir.yani kendisine alınan hediyeyi merak eder..arkadaşına alınan hediyeyle kıyaslar ve sonra kıyas sevgilisinin sevgisine gelir

bana bunu mu layık gördün 🥴 +😳 aslında hayır ama dükkan kapalıydı🤥

( yazım yanlışları düzeltilmemiştir )

[sunshine-gumdrop]

As the group approached the large mud puddle on the country road leading to Samuel and Ina's engagement party, Ellie halted, eyeing the obstacle with dismay.

"Seriously?" Ellie groaned, looking down at her shoes in despair. "These are 3000 quid worth. There is no way I'm risking them in that mud."

Leon, ever the pragmatist, scanned the area for a workaround. "We can walk around it, on the side. It's not ideal, but it's better than—"

"No, I am not doing that," Ellie interrupted, her tone firm. The rest of the group exchanged glances, the tension palpable.

Sally, sensing a brewing storm, gave Jarek a knowing look, which he returned with a shrug, as if to say, "What can you do?"

Leon let out a heavy, exaggerated sigh, his patience thinning. "Ellie, come on. It's just a bit of mud. We'll clean your shoes after."

Ellie crossed her arms, unmoved. "These shoes cost more than your car, Leon. I'm not taking any chances."

At an impasse, Leon finally conceded. Without another word, he stepped behind Ellie, hoisted her onto his shoulder with a grunt, and began wading through the puddle. "Fine, but you owe me," he mumbled, half-irritated, half-amused.

From behind, Jarek chuckled at the scene before kneeling in front of Sandy. "Milady, may I offer a piggyback ride across this treacherous terrain?" he asked, his tone laced with mock solemnity.

Sandy laughed, hopping onto his back. "Why, thank you, kind sir. How chivalrous of you," she played along, thoroughly enjoying the moment.

As Leon trudged through the mud, Ellie couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation dawning on her. "This is ridiculous," she said, though her annoyance had faded, replaced by affection for Leon's willingness to accommodate her.

Reaching the other side, Leon set Ellie down on the porch, where Jarek, still carrying Sandy, joined them.

Ellie took her shoes, rolling her eyes but smiling. "Thank you, Leon. I guess I really owe you."

[brenoleme]

Milady 3000 @tai.editora #hq #historiasemquadrinhos #Magnus #Milady #Milady3000 #Taieditora #gibi https://www.instagram.com/p/CbtrWGns2FU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[potnialabyrinthoio95]

E' sempre una gioia vedere riconosciuta la grandezza di Magnus e la bellezza di "Milady nel 3000" all'estero.

I recently discovered the art of Roberto Raviola, AKA Magnus (1939-96). Thanks for that Tumblr! I love his clean lines. His blacks are super smooth. He was a master of establishing mood by laying down some heavy ink. His precision is something I aspire to. I had seen one of his comics Necron in Heavy Metal, probably just an ad. I was too young to understand it, it’s pretty horny, but I remember the art standing out. Raviola worked on just about every genre you could imagine in his native Italy. Funny stuff, cowboys, fantasy, science fiction… you name it. Much of his work is adults only but he brings a lot of whimsical humor to the stories. I’m trying to track down Milady 3000, his sword and planet epic about a countess, Colonel Paulina Zumo and her adventures in a Flash Gordon style future world of the year 3000. 

[the-iron-orchid]

BOOK V: THE HIEROPHANT

Chapter 1: The Key (~3000 words)

Warnings: semi-nonconsensual touching, innuendo

back to table of contents

This morning is my own - at least until the announcement in the square, and the square is not far from my shop. Over my breakfast, Portia reminds me that the Palace’s fleet of carriages is at my disposal; she herself has business in the Market before the announcement, if I would like to ride with her. Of course, I accept.

We chat idly as I change into the ensemble that Nadia has allotted for today, suitable for meeting with the courtiers. The top, skirt, and drape of the lehenga choli are all heavily embroidered in silver, as are the shoes, and with Portia’s help I am once again armored for the day ahead with cosmetics, scent, and matching jewelry.

I mutter, perhaps ungraciously, that I feel like Milady’s dress-up doll, and Portia laughs. But truly, there is no harm in it; I have the sense that Nadia wishes me to feel connected to our shared culture. And when will I ever get the chance to wear such things again?

The city below is blanketed in a thick morning fog, and the carriage driver must keep a cautious pace. Still, it is much faster than walking all the way to Center City. We disembark at the Market, where we part ways - Portia to her business, and I to mine. I walk the short distance to my shop briskly, impatient for the humble, familiar, comforting surroundings of home, however briefly.

Ascending the steps, I lay my hand upon the door, speaking the words that will release the wards. The sigils glow, then die away. I key the physical locks and push the door open, inhaling the familiar scent of herbs and resins -

And find myself face-to-face - or rather, face-to-chest - with Julian Devorak.

We both freeze, his single eye staring down at me in shock. He manages to break his immobility first, striking a pose and grinning broadly.

“Oh, well, hello there. Fancy seeing you.”

“In my shop?” I retort. “Where I live?”

The cockiness vanishes from his face as color rises in it. “Er, well. I was, uh, you know, in the neighborhood, and, um…” His eye travels over me in an unmistakable fashion. “And you look marvelous! Splendid! Fantastic. ...I’ll stop wringing my hands.”

He does not stop wringing his hands.

For an instant, I consider calling the guards - but only for an instant. For one, they may think I am aiding him. For another… I’m not so sure he is what they say he is. Regardless, we cannot stand here in my doorway, fog or no fog.

I give him a short, sharp shove, surprising him so much that he simply stumbles backward into the shop as I close the door behind me, advancing on him before he can recover.

“How do you keep getting in here?” I demand, jabbing his chest with my forefinger for emphasis. “I lock and ward this place so tightly that a fly shouldn’t be able to sneak in here, much less...” I gesticulate, indicating his general sizeableness.

His expression falls, his shoulders slumping. “You’re right,” he sighs. “Unless, of course... I have a key.” He reaches into an inner pocket of his greatcoat, producing it. “But I won’t be needing it anymore.” His lips press themselves together. “That much I can promise.”

I compare the key to my own keyring; it’s a copy of the key to the back room.

It still doesn’t explain how he can pass the wards.

“How did you get this?” The question is short, sharp, and irritable… but so am I.

“You don’t, uh…? Oh. Ahem.” Pinkness starts to creep up his neckline again. “Let’s just say… I needed to make a few house calls. After hours.” The grin returns, curling the corners of his mouth.

House calls? To the shop? When? Was it when I was too incapacitated to remember? I don’t recall Asra ever being ill…

Oh. It all clicks together in my head like tumblers in a lock.

“I see,” I say frostily, pocketing the extra key. “And now? What do I have here that you could possibly want?”

The color at his neckline abruptly blooms up into his face again. “Want? Why, I’m not after anything, what would I be - oh, I hope you don’t think I’m a thief.” His eye narrows. “I may be many things… but not that.”

His expression of innocence slandered is rather spoiled by the smirk that creeps up over it. “But don’t just take my word for it.” He doffs his greatcoat with a flourish, swiftly unbuttoning his jacket and stripping it off his torso, leaving him in the open-front shirt I’ve seen once before. He extends his arms in a theatrical gesture of submission. “Search me,” he demands. “If you find anything of yours, I’ll show myself to the nearest garrison and they can put me in stocks.”

For a long moment, I just stare at him. “Go on,” he urges. “Search as thoroughly as you like.” As if to underscore this, he spreads open the shirt, baring more of his chest and belly, before returning to his elaborate attitude of presentation.

He’s trying to gain the upper hand by embarrassing me; I’m not about to permit that. Whatever game he is trying to play with me... I am determined to win.

“Fine. I will.”

His eye widens in apparent startlement; clearly he did not expect this. But even a mouse will bite when cornered.

“Well, you’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” he purrs, but I am not to be deterred by this, or by the suggestive look he gives me. “Don’t be shy... I promise to behave.”

“You had better.” I allow a flicker of arcane energy to briefly crackle along my left hand, a warning.

I step closer, putting as much authority into my bearing as I can. I have to reach up to pat down his arms in their billowing sleeves and leather gloves; my head does not quite reach the level of his shoulder. His body is peculiarly cool through the thin fabric of his shirt. Perhaps that is how he runs around in so much clothing at the height of summer without breaking a sweat.

I feel the musculature of his arm bunch under my hands as he flexes it, apparently for my benefit.

“Mmm, such lovely little hands. You don’t have to be gentle with me, you know… I like it rough.” He gives a rakish smile. “Maybe take a few liberties with my person, hmmm?”

I do not dignify this with a response, merely proceeding to the other arm.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve really seen you up close in the light. You’re quite a sight, aren’t you?” I feel his free hand at the small of my back, attempting to pull me against him.

Reflexively, I slap the hand away. “Stop that,” I snap, unthinking.

For an instant, I think that maybe I’ve gone too far. Then I notice the deepening blush across his high cheekbones, a darkening of his eye as he looks down at me.

Pressing this advantage, I slip my hands right under his loose shirt, running them down his slim torso. The pulse in his throat jumps visibly, thrumming quickly. But as I move toward his waist, he twists aside with a strangled sound - and the uncanny dexterity he’s displayed twice before.

“Nonono, not there!” he cries, then flushes with seeming embarrassment. “I, er... I’m afraid that I’m terribly ticklish.” He gives a sheepish chuckle. “You, uh, you won’t tell anyone, will you? It can be our little secret.” With a single visible eye, I cannot tell if he is trying to wink at me.

Tiring of the little games, I push him back against the counter. (He wants rough? He can have it.) “For the last time, hold still.”

To my surprise, he flushes clear down his chest, his teeth catching his lower lip. His eye watches me with intense interest. 

“I had no idea you were so… hands-on,” he says. “How bold of you. What if someone walks in?”

“Did I say you could speak?”

“...no.”

“Then don’t. Turn around and keep your hands on the counter.” My tone brooks no contradiction; he complies instantly. It is… extremely satisfying to me, in a way I don’t fully understand.

But it’s clear that he likes being ordered around, the tips of his ears now flushing brightly, his body trembling slightly under my hands as I continue my search.

“And after all… you broke into my shop. I’m not the one who has to worry about being seen.”

“Oh, er... yes, I suppose so…”

He is so tall that his hips are not far below the level of my own chest, making it very easy for me to run my hands over them. He makes a strange little sound. He has small, flat pockets sewn into the front of his trousers, and here I stop, encountering something hard and flat.

“Ah... don’t worry about that.”

It’s a small folding knife, concealed in the pocket. Not much of a threat; my knife for gathering herbs is bigger.

Julian turns his head to look back at me over his shoulder. “But I am happy to see you. I could show you just how happy, if you like.” He raises his eyebrows suggestively.

Through his ridiculous attempts to discommode me, I sense a deep, nervous tension in him, in the way he cannot seem to keep himself still. Something about it calls to something in me, though I do not know what it is or where this thing came from. 

I give his nearest flank a light, insolent slap, telling him to turn round once more. Once again, he obeys… though his face is now very red, and over the short distance between us, I can feel a certain amount of warmth radiating from him.

I step back, and his body betrays him with a small sway in my direction, as if magnetized, before he catches himself. Whatever game he thought he was going to play with me, I have clearly won.

“Now tell me what you were looking for. I’m not going to ask you again.”

His throat works as he swallows hard, visibly trying to collect himself before answering. 

“I was… looking for answers,” he says quietly, a tremor in his voice. “But I found nothing. That’s why I can promise... not to trouble you again.”

“I’m not sure I believe that. But I believe the rest.”

“I - you do?”

“Yes.”

He shakes his head. “Never take anyone at their word, lit - Jinana.” He swiftly corrects himself at my warning glance. “Least of all me.” The incorrigible grin resurfaces. “But I do hope you’re satisfied with what you found. I would just hate to leave you... wanting.” His eye flicks over me again in that flirtatious way.

I roll my eyes at him. “Get out of here. If I find you in here one more time, see if I don’t summon a demon to chase you all the way back to South End.”

His jaw drops. “You can do that?”

“Break in again and find out.”

Julian gives me a narrow look, unsure whether or not he should believe me; I return it levelly. He spreads his gloved fingers in a placatory fashion, then makes a big show of putting his jacket and coat back on, like some sort of reverse strip-tease.

“Well, you’re a busy person, I’m sure, so I’ll just... be on my way and leave you in peace, shall I?”

“You do that.”

He gives me a wide berth as he passes, careful not to make contact. Perhaps he is afraid he won’t be able to maintain his composure, such as it is. Perhaps he truly has taken something, and has it hidden in his coat. After all, he is still smirking.

It doesn’t actually matter. I was able to track the man himself with my magic once before, I can absolutely track anything he has taken from me.

But before he can make good on his exit, the door swings open, revealing Portia. She stares in open-mouthed shock, even as Julian freezes in mid-stride.

“Ilya?!”

The single word is loaded with more emotion than one heart can possibly bear. She launches herself over the threshold, directly at Julian, not seeing me at all.

“Ilya, is it really you?” Tears choke her voice as she clutches at Julian’s jacket, then reaches up to take his face between her hands. She is visibly shaking, and Julian’s eye blinks rapidly with water.

His voice is rough as he answers: “It’s me, Pasha.”

Portia’s lip trembles as she struggles to get the words out. “You - you - You absolute bastard! What are you even doing here out in the open? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Oooooh, you’re such an idiot!”

Her grip on the sides of his face becomes a grip on his ears, tugging him downward.

“You’ve grown up strong, haven’t you?” Julian winces. “I’m... sorry I wasn’t there to see it.”

“Oh, I’ll show you sorry, you…” Portia lapses into another language briefly. It doesn’t sound like a term of endearment. She lets go of Julian’s burning-red ears and takes hold of his collar in a double grip, dragging him out the door. 

“Jinana!” she calls, sniffling, “I’ll catch up with you at the square!” And with that, she unceremoniously drags the doctor down the steps and into the nearby alleyway. All the while he is flapping ineffectually, like a snared bird. 

The last thing I hear is a muffled, “Pasha, language!”

I close the door behind myself once more, slumping against it. What was any of that about?

A letter to his sister, unsent.

I haven’t seen her since she was, oh, maybe this high…

Portia’s look of horror when Nadia spoke of the doctor’s execution.

The doctor can’t be the only suspect we have, right?

Ruddy curls, pale skin. Though all the rest differs - the one short and stoutly built, the other tall and lean - one could see a resemblance, if one were looking for it.

The Chariot hurtles forward at breakneck speed, but I am not at the reins. I am only dragged deeper and deeper into a dark, churning sea of intrigue and secrets.

And then there is whatever it was that just happened between Julian and myself. 

I acted without thought, in response to cues I was not consciously aware of. This has happened to me before; sometimes it has triggered an episode, a crisis of body and brain. Other times… I have simply done things. The sound of the tabla drum in certain songs may cause my feet to move, to stamp lightly in a particular way, my arms to lift and my hands to flow into motion - stiffly at first, and then with increasing assurance as I set conscious thought aside, allowing my body to take over.

There are times Asra has returned to find me singing absently to myself in the shop or the kitchen, songs I do not recall learning. And though he smiles, though he says he loves to hear me sing, a brief tear or two may escape, water from amethysts.

I must assume that these are the skills of my old self, resurging in response to… what? I do not know. And I do not know why these things which cause Heron to rejoice may cause Asra to weep.

But this… this was something else, something that moves through me like a leviathan through deep waters, and when it surfaces, it is not to be denied.

Something about Julian draws it to the surface, despite the danger, or perhaps because of it.

I suppose I could explain it all away as a simple desire for control, born of having very little of it. Swept along by external forces and events, why wouldn’t I seize the opportunity to feel more in control of things?

But I cannot stop thinking of how good it felt to be so quickly obeyed, without question… no, it was far more than that.

It felt correct, in a way that very few things do.

I recall the strange vision by the fortune-teller’s tent, Asra’s coy glance as I beheld my own hand lifting his chin.

I don’t know what to do with this information; more and more, I wish that Heron were here. 

But life goes on. I head up to the roof to check up on my ragtag collection of plants. They do not seem the worse for wear. In fact, the sprouting bean plant is even growing its first true leaves. I water them all, pausing to admire the bees that have come to drink from the wildflowers, their wondrous little jointed limbs combing up the pollen that dusts their fuzzy bodies golden.

Descending into the shop again, I gather the things I came here for - the material components of certain spells, a few of my own journals. Even when Asra is gone from here, some relics of him remain - clothing, books, magical items. The faint scent of oudh clings to them, and in his absence, it is mildly comforting.

I seek a particular book of his, one that speaks of the Arcana… but though I hunt throughout the shop and the living space above, it is nowhere to be found. Perhaps Asra has taken it with him, in his own magical bag that holds far more than it seems. After all, he has left the deck with me.

Eventually, the distant single chime of the half hour tells me that my time is up. I will have to ask Asra about the book the next time I see him… or when I speak with him by other means.

I secure the shop once more, wards and all, and I begin making my way to the town square for the big announcement.

Never keep the Countess waiting.

[jokertrap-ran]

(光与夜之恋 Light and Night) Jesse’s Tea Break SMS: The Sleep Early Challenge [早睡挑战] Translation

*Light and Night Masterlist | Jesse’s Personal Masterlist *Join my Light & Night Discord (＾▽＾)~ ♪ *Jesse’s tag will be #For Night, For Belief

“It’s such fine sunny weather out; perfect for us to sit here together“

❖☆————— ⊹ For Night, For Belief⊹ —————★❖

Jesse: “Supervise Them to complete the 30-Day Sleep Early Challenge”? Why'd you send this to me?

MC: Because you always stay up at night...

Jesse: You too! Didn’t you also shoot me a “good night” only to continue staying up?

Jesse: Believe me! I will print a print-out of “3000 Reasons why it’s bad to Stay Up All Night” now and plug it on your front door!

MC: No. I’ve stayed up a couple of nights to rush work, only to end up being unable to sleep at night now even if I’ve got nothing on.

Jesse (Voice): Haa~ Your company’s terrifying. Not like me. All I do is for my heart to ache for milady’s suffering…

Jesse: /Sob

Jesse: ↑ Just kidding.

Jesse: Shall we do the Sleep Early Challenge together? Punishment Game for anyone who drops out mid-way!

MC: May I ask what the punishment is?

Jesse: Hmm… I haven’t thought of one yet.

Jesse: But this decision’s gonna fall on your shoulders if you can outlast me!

[every1studio]

SERIES: “stages of love: everything happens for a reason” [ateez: ???]

genre: FLUFF + ANGST + DRAMA + EXTRA EXTRA LONG

ficstyle: bulletpoints + series [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [END]

prompt: inspired by “I Love You 3000″ by Stephanie Poetri + “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith/John Legend + “All In My Head” by Tori Kelly + “Should’ve Been Us” Tori Kelly + “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran + “Little Do You Know” by Alex & Sierra + “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars 

note: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT I GOT FROM THIS SERIES AND I HOPE YOU CAN SUPPORT MY FUTURE WORKS + PLEASE LISTEN TO THESE SONGS AS YOU READ THIS 

your life was finally starting to come together after that party

you cut Yunho away from your life as Wooyoung came into your life 

Wooyoung was the perfect boyfriend anyone could ever ask for 

although there were times you felt like you weren’t enough for him, he made you feel like you were the only one that mattered in the world

he was your curtain you could hide behind when you were nervous or shy 

and he was someone who hyped you up when you wanted to step out and be adventurous 

he knew your likes and dislikes but always gave you the chance to try something new 

little did you know, so did San 

San knew just about everything that Wooyoung knew about you 

but the only difference was, Wooyoung was the one holding your hand and he wasn’t 

San was quietly cleaning the cups as he watched you and Wooyoung having a lovey-dovey conversation on your break 

it was all of your last year of college; you still worked with San at his cafe, you also signed into a well-known music label as a producer by the end of your sophomore year and you had been dating Wooyoung since the party at the end of your freshman year

you told you only had small strokes of luck but you had been happy for a long time, you could hardly believe it 

Wooyoung caught you staring at him for too long as he was trying to explain to you his plan after college

he couldn’t help but burst into heart-shaped bubbles 

he gently pushes your forehead with his finger, “stop looking at me like that, or I’ll fall in love with you”

you pouted when he interrupted your daydreams with your future with him, “too bad..”

you leaned to squish his face, “you already are”

San couldn’t even look at the sight of you together; he was always “too busy” with the cafe to bother with you guys 

would check up on you and hear about all the perfect things about Wooyoung but since then, he hasn’t been too close with you

because he knew if he did, he would fall for you harder and harder 

San tried dating after you and Wooyoung became official 

he tried to forget about you that way

he tried to give his dates his undivided attention

but the moment he’d see your silhouette, he would fall for you all over again 

for a while, he kept his free time to a minimum to work at the cafe; so that would force him to keep some distance from you

he started to hire more people so that you could focus on school and spend least time with him

but every time you’d see him, you wanted to catch up and make plans with him

how could he say no?

“hey San!” you called over to his table 

“what’s up?” he answered with his signature smile 

“Wooyoung was wondering if you wanted to go to the summer festival with us tonight!” Wooyoung nodded at your suggestion 

San massage the back of his neck, “I don’t know... it’s been pretty busy with the cafe and a lot of workers wanna go so I don’t have anyone to cover tonight’s shifts..”

you sulked at his answer and Wooyoung rubbed your hands to ensure that it was okay

“would you like us to help you out?” Wooyoung asked

San hated Wooyoung

he hated how nice he was 

he hated how well he treated you

he hated how he made you happy

but those were the reasons for your smiles

and he couldn’t hate your smiles

“it’s okay! you two go out and have fun.. if the festival is still going on by the time the shop closes, I’ll let you know,” San tried hard to give you a genuine smile, “besides.. I have a date so maybe we can do a double date..” 

he lied so that you wouldn’t suspect him of anything 

you got super excited to see your best friend go on a date and to have you see him in action got you excited 

Wooyoung smiled as he saw a resemblance between you and a puppy

“he said “maybe,” don’t get your hopes up too high” he laughed

Wooyoung got up, “well I gotta go head over to my last class of the day..”

you got over to his side to give him a kiss on the cheek, but he purposely move so that you’d kiss his lips instead

you blushed as you looked up at him

“see you later, cutie~” he blooped your nose 

“bye~” you softly mumbled 

he walked backwards as if he couldn’t get his eyes off of you until he made it to the door

he winked before he left the cafe and you could feel butterflies fill up your stomach 

even though you’ve been with him for basically four years now, he still made you feel like everyday was a first date 

just like that, you went back to work

you didn’t think about anything but going to the festival with Wooyoung 

San saw how giddy you were

“Y/N?”

the way your hair turned and fell back in place when you turned to his call

he wanted to kiss you right then and there but he shook that thought away

one would’ve that after four years, San’s attraction towards you would falter

but it never did, not once 

even after you dated Wooyoung, or dated other girls  

“you can leave early to get ready for tonight.. you have like 30 minutes of your shift left anyways..”

you ran up and hugged him, “you’re the best boss and bestest friend ever!”

you ruffled his hair and grabbed your bag, “see you later!!”

the bell of the door chimed as you dashed out

“yeah.. see you later...” 

you put on an outfit you were planning to wear along with the perfume Wooyoung got you for your one year anniversary 

you couldn’t hide your excitement 

you got a text from Wooyoung saying that he was outside waiting for you 

you were too excited you didn’t see Yunho as you past by him down the staircase 

since the party, Yunho hasn’t tried to talk to you 

the bags under his eyes sunk in and they were always there no matter how much rest he got 

he didn’t want to ruin your mood with him being around; so he did everything he could to stay clear out of your sight 

he constantly looks at the pictures he has of you; especially the one you knew you had the matching one of

but you had that picture frame faced down and replaced with one with Wooyoung

that night, he broke up with Aurora, he told her that she deserved someone that could love her for her and help her to become a better person

to his surprise, she agreed to the breakup and both of them parted ways

Yunho hasn’t dated since 

a lot as happen since then, he told Mingi about the incident during their late night calls

Mingi was so mad with him, he stopped talking to him for a straight month 

Mingi entrusted Yunho to you yet he let some other guy swept you off of your feet 

Mingi yelled at him; saying, that he worked so hard to move back to Korea for you, that he had you in his head while he was dealing his hard times at home, that he thought he was doing the right thing by making you “happy” and for what?

to have him fuck up; Mingi told Yunho that Yunho did make you happy at a point in time yet he was the one that took it away, of course you weren’t going to stay unhappy and miserable 

at that moment after you past Yunho, Mingi called, “I’m coming back to Korea. you better clean up your act and tell her.. it’s been 4 years, man. If you don’t do it, I will..”

Yunho ended the call and ran his cold fingers through his hair, “easier said than done...”

you saw Wooyoung was waiting by his car with a bouquet of sunflowers tied with a beautiful, black satin ribbon that matched your outfit

“you shouldn’t have...” you reached for them

but he pulled them back, “what if I just got them for myself and I wanted to show them off to you?”

you crossed your arms and exhaled as you walked past to the passenger side of the door 

he smiled through his rolled eyes as he wrapped his arms around to give you a back hug as he presented the bouquet

“you honestly can’t throw a little fit like that, princess.. I was just joking around~” 

you were suppose to be pouting; but you couldn’t throw his addicting scent of his go-to cologne through his tight embrace

you grabbed the flowers and turned around to loop your arms through him

“you can’t go all romantic on me like that or I’ll fall in love with you”

Wooyoung smirks as he pulls you in closer to open the door behind you, “too late for that isn’t it, princess?” 

he bloops you on the nose end the conversation and guides you to your seat, “milady?”

“thank you~”

how could this boy fill you up with heart-shaped bubbles inside?

you didn’t know the festival was going to be this crowded; finals were a couple weeks away so you figured everyone wanted to relax before the storm of stress hits 

Wooyoung was already holding your hand as he held out his other one

“what?” you questioned

“your bag,” Wooyoung always held you bag, he didn’t care about what people would think if they saw him alone with your bag 

you tried to hide your smile when he said, “can’t have my princess lifting even a finger now”

“okay. chill, prince charming~”

Wooyoung was listing the things he wanted to do but made sure that the ferris wheel was the last thing you guys would do before leaving 

you were listening attentively to what he was saying until your stomach growled quite loudly despite of the loud festivities 

he chuckles as he pulls you closer to him, “did I just hear your stomach growl?”

“maybe..” your face was growing a light flush of pink

Wooyoung shrugs his shoulders as he nods, “well since you’re not that hungry, we’re just gonna past the frozen custard and churros stand-”

“WAIT I’M ACTUALLY HUNGRY!” you pouted as you swung his arm back and forth 

without another word, Wooyoung makes his way to the stand and has you wait for him by the table area near the water front

right around that time you saw Yeosang

although you haven’t talked to Seonghwa after you two broke up, you frequently talked to Yeosang whenever you saw him when you went to the campus bookstore that he worked in 

but you knew that, where ever Yeosang was, Seonghwa was closeby

those two were inseparable

Yeosang saw how awkward it still was between you and Seonghwa, “I’m gonna go get churros!”

“wait Yeo..sang..” Seonghwa tried to call out to his friend but he already left

Yeosang ran to wait in line with Wooyoung; points back at you and Seonghwa and Wooyoung gives a nod of confirmation

you wondered how Wooyoung knew everyone; trying to ignore the fact that you were standing there with your ex you haven’t spoken to since freshman year 

...

there was a moment of awkward silence; you were fiddling with the frayed strings of your skirt and Seonghwa was scuffing the ground with the bottom of his shoes

“you.. you look nice today...” Seonghwa tries to break the ice

you nodded without looking at him, “thanks...”

“um.. so I know it’s been a while.. but I want to apologize..” 

that got your attention; so you looked up to hear him out 

he missed those eyes, that face.. you

“I was a stupid, selfish freshman.. I know that I shouldn’t have done the things that I did and I know you deserve the world.. and I can see that you’re so much more happier now and it makes me happy to see you being with someone who can treat you better than I ever could and I want to say sorry for all the pain I caused and-”

you started to chuckle, “do you even breath? that’s a lot of “and’s” in one sentence”

he gives you a small smile, “will I ever be forgiven?”

“I never loathed you, Seonghwa. I just wanted to hear your side after all these years. honestly, if you apologized to me our freshman year, probably wouldn’t hear anything you had to say.. but I had a lot of time to think and reflect on what happened. I want to believe that everything happens for a reason.. the reason might not be the one we want it to be. but here we are..”

Seonghwa started to get nervous, for what reason, even he didn’t know what he was feeling inside, “so.. we’re good? we can move on from this, as friends?”

you stuck out your hand for him to take, “as friends”

he’ll take that offer over the selfish ex-boyfriend as he takes your hand

you both stood there for a moment until you felt a heavy arm on your shoulders; the familiar scent of Versace Dylan Blue cologne

Wooyoung gently pulled you hand back from Seonghwa’s, “holding on a little too long there, buddy..”

Yeosang comes back and nudges the cup of frozen custard topped with bite-sized churros to him, “everything good?”

Seonghwa nods as he takes a bite, “got everything off of my chest.. well, we’ll see you two around!”

Seonghwa pushes Yeosang in a different direction; the boys wave goodbye to you and you wave back, happy knowing that you got some closure from that old relationship

“did you get everything off of your chest too?” Wooyoung knew all about your previous boy problems; he was a good listener and a better advice giver

you nodded; re-latching yourself onto his arm

Wooyoung heard the sound of some guitar tuning and tugged you along, “I think there’s a performance going on!”

you quickly saw who was on stage, it was Jongho

“this is my first public performance and I’m really nervous. so before I start, I just want to give a special thanks..” it was like Jongho sensed that you were there when he made eye contact with you 

“a special thanks to my role model and my senior, you all probably know her, Miss. Y/N,” he formally gestures his hands over to you and everyone just looks at you 

although you were slightly shy, you didn’t look at anyone else but Jongho as you gave him a thumbs up

“Y/N, really helped me write my first song and it is my first time performing it, she also taught me a lot about singing techniques and music producing.. so I want to dedicate this song to her..”

to make his statement less of a confession, he adds in, “her and her boyfriend because they are such a power couple and I aspire to have a relationship like them one day..”

people started giggling at his statement; saying stuff like how cute he was and how thoughtful he was 

Wooyoung chimes in with the crowd, “he’s a good kid”

Jongho sings his song as he thinks about how lucky he was to be signed into the same label as you, without any prior knowledge of you signing with any company

he wanted to be a singer as you wanted to be a producer; so he didn’t see you as often as he saw the other trainees

but every time that he did see you, he took every chance he got to talk to you about composing and lyric writing and just everything about producing makeup 

his love for you is a love of respect; not in anyway romantic 

you could feel his love through his song and you nearly cried

“he’s gotten so good at singing...” you mumbled as you were about to have tears fall from your eyes 

Wooyoung holds onto your hands a little tighter, “thanks to the best teacher anyone could ask for~” 

you smiled even after he finished the performance and disappeared backstage 

Wooyoung saw a Shoot-The-Duck booth as you were gushing about Jongho’s performance 

before he could say anything about going over to the booth, you saw a HUGE Gudetama plushie that had a crown on it’s head that you REALLY wanted and pointed to it

“BABE-” 

“I gotchu..” you both walk over to it when you notice that person in charge of the booth was Hongjoong

he was flirting with a girl that was trying to get a plushy without playing the game; but he was being stern at the same time 

“sorry, sweetheart.. I wouldn’t get paid if I did that..”

Hongjoong was still as beautiful as ever; even though he was probably just eye candy from the start 

when the girl walks away, Hongjoong’s fell onto you 

“trying to win the lady over here some plushies?” he hugs a Sanrio plushy, “I got some pretty good ones but because it’s sucha high quality set on display.. it’s gonna be pretty hard to score even the little one”

Wooyoung just nods as he hands a ticket over to Hongjoong, “I’ll try anyways..”

Hongjoong loads the toy rifle with 10 tiny rubber bullets, “shoot away~”

you stand back with Hongjoong to let Wooyoung do this thing

“how are things going lately?” you asked him; you both were classmates in a lot of classes through the four years of college, so small talk was normal

“I got a girl now. she’s not as amazing as you, but you could say I’m pretty lucky to have her,” he showcases that oh-so-lovely smile at you,“she’s got flaws but it’s only been a month now.. I can say she’s a pretty hairy gal..”

you gave him a jokingly-extra surprised face, “way to call out a flaw on a girl, what’s her name?”

“her name is Luna~” he shows you the lockscreen on his phone

it was a picture of him and his husky/corgi puppy 

you couldn’t help but laugh, “she’s a keeper”

“excuse me, sir. could I get my lady her gift now?” Wooyoung shoves himself in between you and Hongjoong 

you both looked over at the shelf with the fallen king Gudetama on the ground

Hongjoong smiles as he collects the gift and gives it to you, “Wooyoung’s a lucky guy~”

you answered back when Wooyoung took the plushy from you, “I’m actually the lucky one here~”

“see you later, man” Wooyoung says to Hongjoong 

you finally got to experience the rest of the festival with a lighter heart 

at the corner of your eye, you swore you saw Mingi and Yunho but you didn’t get a chance to confirm when Wooyoung interrupted you

“babe, lets go to the ferris wheel~”

you smiled back at him to let him lead the way 

you tried to look back to where you thought you saw them, but they weren’t there 

you were waiting in line with Wooyoung when he told you he had to go to the bathroom

Mingi shakes Yunho from behind the pole; he whispers loudly, “HE’S LEAVING TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. GO! I’LL DISTRACT HIM IF HE FINISHES QUICKLY!”

Mingi shoves Yunho towards your direction and awkwardly walks quickly into Wooyoung’s direction

“Yunho?” you called out to him

he looks back at you and then Mingi, “y-yeah..”

“are you here with Mingi? I thought I saw him earlier..” you mumbled as you looked around Yunho; ignoring the fact that this was the first time you were talking to Yunho since the party 

“Mingi had to go to the bathroom,” Yunho mumbled as he shoved his hands into his pockets; slightly upset that you were more interested in seeing Mingi than him

but then again, he wasn’t surprised by your reaction to him

“you two ready to go on?” the ferris wheel operator asked

you looked for Wooyoung but he couldn’t get back into line; Mingi was with him

Mingi yelled, “just go on with Y/N, I’ll go on with my buddy, Wooyoung here!”

Wooyoung really did make friends everywhere he went

you looked at Wooyoung for some indication that he might say no, but just shooed you to go on without him 

you awkwardly went into the carriage with king Gudetama and Yunho 

“I hope this was a good idea,” Wooyoung murmurs to Mingi

Mingi slings his arm around Wooyoung, “Yunho’s got 30 minute to make it up to her.. have a little faith”

the first 5 minutes were just you two breathing the awkward air as the carriage slowly raised up into the air

the whole time Yunho just thought about how he wanted to be the one you went home with every night, the only laying next to you with his arms around you..the one to love you through and through 

you took the time to look around the campus; spotting all the places you’ve been to and all the streets you walked on 

you saw San’s cafe; all the lights were off

you hoped to see him after this awkward carriage ride to tell him all about your day and to see his date 

“Y/N..” Yunho broke the silence 

“hmm..” you didn’t look at him; you couldn’t 

“I..”

“I don’t want to hear an apology.. I just want to know the truth..” you mumbled 

it was different getting an apology from Seonghwa versus getting one with Yunho

Yunho was a part of your past, a ghost of your present, and a thought of your future 

he told you about how he confronted Aurora and how she was filled with hatred towards you; how she controlled him, how she was going to hurt herself if Yunho ever left her, and how she forbade him to tell you about the situation and to never ever talk to you

you must admit that would’ve been a sticky situation to deal with

but it wasn’t enough to mend the relationship you two used to have

you couldn’t say anything when he finished telling you EVERYTHING about how you two fell apart before the party

all of this took an additional 10 minutes of him rambling trying to get you to understand why he did the things he did 

taking your silence as a sign that wasn’t enough, he continued 

“I miss you..” you could hear his voice breaking apart

you couldn’t help but feel choked up by his voice; you clenched your plushy tighter 

“you don’t get to do that to me..” your voice was breaking even though you forced yourself not to 

but when you looked up at him, tears fell from your face, “you can’t expect me to wait for you throughout my childhood, basically thinking that you were dead.. then coming back into my life only to have it break apart because you thought I deserved better?”

Yunho didn’t know what to say but he wanted to respond to you

you cut him off as you shook your shake 

“I loved you... I didn’t care if it made me happy or anything.. I just wanted to be with you.. that made me happy. didn’t I show you that? was it real or was it all in my head?” 

the awkward air in the carriage became humid with tears and sniffling gasps for air to push away the lumps in your throats 

“you never said-”

“actions speak louder than words, Yunho!”

“but actions without words are confusing! I don’t know everything! I can’t read minds, Y/N!”

he exhaled sharply to calm himself down and you did the same

you were selfish, but you thought that you had the right to be after all that Yunho has done

“nothing I say now can take away what I did to you four years ago, Y/N.. but I really do love you and care for you still to this day.. you’ll always be apart of me even if I’m not in yours..” 

you agreed, nothing he said could take away the pain you felt but hopefully, one day, you both can move on from this 

“I do appreciate Wooyoung being the one caring for you though.. you two look so great together..” you could feel the sincerity in his voice

you wished he could’ve said the same about you two four years ago; that it should’ve been you two instead

and like that the 30 minute ferris wheel ride was over

Wooyoung and Mingi decided not to go on the ferris wheel and waited for you and Yunho instead

Wooyoung came up to you as the operator opened to door for you and Yunho

“you okay, princess?” he notices your slightly puffy eyes

“yeah we had a deep conversation but I think all is well now..” you manage to say

Yunho was so relieved to hear that, he didn’t notice Wooyoung getting on one knee in front of you

“Y/N...”

your eyes widened as you started to shake in pure astonishment 

“Woo- baby.. you..wha-what are you...” you couldn’t even form a sentence properly

“I was going to do this in the carriage of the ferris wheel so this will have to do,” Wooyoung pulls out a sapphire velvet ringbox and lifts it open

everyone around you could see the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen

it looked like something the Great Gatsby would’ve proposed to Daisy with 

“you mean the world to me.. and I would do anything in the world to have you by my side.. so would you take the chance to rule the world with me as my queen?” Wooyoung looks at you through his slightly long bangs;  you could tell there was none of his usually teasing demeanor in sight

“Y/N.. will you marry me?”

San dropped the bouquet of baby’s breath he got for you; the first bouquet he’s ever bought for a girl, his first love

the girl who made him feel what love was for the first time

San was going to confess to you; more so just tell you how much you meant to him, how you were the most important person in the world to him, how you were the one his wishing star told him to meet 

but he was too late.. one year? two years? three years? four? 

he should’ve told you about his feelings for you when he walked you to the train tracks that one sunset four years ago 

he never used those chances that he could’ve had with you; all for the reason that things between you two could never be the same

and now, fate was sealed, you two would never be the same 

San runs past you as you were congratulated by everyone around you

Yunho clenches his jaw as he smiles for you; he saw this coming but not this soon

Mingi swallows the lump in his throat as he ruffles your hair, “she’s all grown up now.. the band would be so happy to see their baby sister in one of her happiest moments of life”

everything was happening so fast; you could feel the world spinning around you

but when San briskly walks past you, the spinning came to a stop

you kisses Wooyoung as you told him you’d be right back

you ran after him as you called out to him

he couldn’t hear you; you tried your best to get as close to him as possible 

San thought he was hearing things when he could hear you call his name louder and louder

he turns and sees you chasing after him

he immediately stops and lets you catch your breath  

“why didn’t you say hi or anything?” you huffed and puffed

San grabbed your hand and placed it on his heart

he was falling out of his usually calm state and started to show more of his real self; he wasn’t okay, he was heartbroken, he’s been heartbroken

“even though you just ran, why does my heart feel like it’s my heart is beating faster than yours?” you were confused at what he was trying to say

“San.. are you oka-”

“NO! I’M NOT!”

you’ve never heard him yell or raise his voice

“I’ve been by your side for so long.. I knew you never saw me the way I saw you. I ignored it. I tried to move on. I thought my actions would be loud enough for you to hear.. but why do you keep on making my heart beat so fast for? why do..”

San looks up at you with his glossy-coated eyes, “why do I love you?”

your mouth opened in shocked; San? you?

you could recall having deja vu when you said the same thing to Yunho

San felt his hand placed around the ring that Wooyoung proposed to you with and let go of it

“I tried to be “just friends,” but you know what? everything happens for a reason right? I’m sorry, pretend this never happened..” San smiles through his visible tears

“San..” you reached for him but he stepped back 

“congratulations Y/N... Wooyoung is one lucky guy...”

San runs as soon as he saw Wooyoung run up behind you, “babe, is everything okay?”

all you wanted to do was cry into his chest

Wooyoung didn’t question anything after he saw you breakdown

Yunho happens to find a bouquet of baby’s breath on the ground near the ferris wheel waiting area, “what’s a perfectly good bouquet doing on the ground?” 

he finds a card written inside

he recognized the handwriting and signature, it was his current roommate’s, San’s

it said everything that San had just told you

he chuckles as he stares up into the setting sun-colored clouds, “there’s really no one in this world like Y/N...” 

[FAST-FORWARD TO ONE YEAR AFTER YOU ALL GRADUATE]

it was your wedding day

you never thought that your scrapbook of your ideal wedding from high school would in handy

everything was perfectly the way you would’ve thought royalties would have their weddings 

and your dress?

it was specifically designed for you by Hongjoong who graduated as a fashion designer 

“are you sure you don’t wanna ditch this wedding and runaway with me?” Hongjoong joked as he made the final touches to your dress 

“I think I love my soon-to-be husband too much for that. sorry Hongjoong~” you have him a just-as-joking face of condolence

the hair and makeup crew came in for their final touches as well

Hongjoong dramatically bows, “I’ll see you at the alter, my sweets”

“yeah in your dreams~” you smiled at him 

you chatted with the crew when you saw Yunho walk in baring a little bag

“Yunho!” you slapped him on the arm, “what are you doing in here!?”

everything was how it used to be with Yunho; minus the romantic aspect 

he gave you a sincere smile as he hands you the bag, “thought you’d look better than you already do with these”

you rolled your eyes as you opened them; it was a pair of stunning earrings

“you shouldn’t have..” you pouted at him

he shrugs with his lips curved to the skies, “just putting the cherry on top for your special day~”

you thanked Yunho with a hug; he envelopes you like a teddy bear and kisses your head

he wishes that time would stop right there; hoping that it would be like how it used to be

but time stops for no one and he walks out the door just like that

“SURPRISE!”

Mingi comes in shortly after with the band, recording your reaction, “I THOUGHT YOU GUYS COULDN’T MAKE IT!!”

they all came in to give you a group hug; Mingi didn’t even join because 1) he was behind the camera and 2) he was just in awe to see how beautiful you were clad in white 

“thanks for coming.. it means so so much to me..”

“and you mean so so much to us. of course we would come, silly goose..” the bassist of the band pinches your cheeks and the others laugh

Mingi could’ve had a chance with you if he wasn’t so insecure in himself; he was so love in with you it scared to and made him back away 

but this was fine

because he convinced himself that you wouldn’t be this happy if you were with him a long time ago 

Jongho came in with a big flower sign from the company and gifted you and Wooyoung with a song he wrote; you had invited him as the spotlight singer for your wedding and Jongho couldn’t say no to that

Yeosang and Seonghwa came in to greet you as well, they were your flower boys because honestly you and Wooyoung didn’t think of that until last minute; frankly speaking all the other ladies who attended the wedding probably wouldn’t mind seeing some flower-looking flower boys

everyone had left the room when San was leaning by the door 

he saw you in your element; fiddling with the earrings that got caught in your veil

he doesn’t say anything when he walks over to help you

“San?” you were surprise to even see him

he’s turned into an acquaintance the after day he confessed to you

even when you tried to make conversations with him, he’d answer them bluntly and go back to whatever he was doing

you thought lost your best friend; he never made time for you anymore after that incident 

but something in your heart told you that it was more than just that

you haven’t seen him since you graduated

you sent him an invite but even you were skeptical that he wouldn’t come

he looks different now

he dyed his hair blonde and it was pushed back 

he wore a simple light grey suit; formal enough to be worn at a wedding but it was a pretty casual look compared to everyone else

“I didn’t think you were going to come..”

“why wouldn’t I?” his voice was softer and deeper than you remembered, “my best friend is getting married.. I wouldn’t miss it for the world..”

you knew how hard it must’ve been for him

but since he slowly detached himself from your life, it’s been hard on you too

you truly missed him

you didn’t know what to say; there were so many emotions running through your head and heart 

“I got you something. could you lift up your veil?”

you did as he asked and you could see his face ever so clearly

was he always this handsome?

when San made eye contact with you, he remembers all the feelings he tried to push away since he confessed to you

he places a necklace around your neck; it was dainty and it had yours and Wooyoung’s initials on strung onto the chain with diamonds in between each letter

“think of it as your final paycheck..” 

there it was

his signature smile 

his hands left the clasp of the necklace and you wanted to grab his hands

but you didn’t

“you look beautiful, Y/N.. you truly are one of a kind...” San shoves his hands in his pockets and left the room 

what moments lead up to this?

what feelings did you have bottled up inside?

what lies were you feeding yourself?

what lies were you feeding to others?

you couldn’t help but cry as you frantically get up to run

Wooyoung turned his head as he saw the beautiful sight of you

“Y/N, you know it’s bad luck to see each other before the wed- are you crying? babe what’s wrong?”

how could you tell Wooyoung you loved him when you loved someone else?

you wanted to tell yourself that that person that made you second guess yourself on your wedding day was the same person you thought you told yourself that you could never be interested in them

but Wooyoung saw through you

he knew everything

he knew the moment he met you for the first time; accompanied by San

he knew the moment he saw how you interacted with San

if anything, he was also convincing himself that there wasn’t anything there 

Yunho gave Wooyoung the bouquet of baby’s breath right after your encounter with San; he read the card 

Wooyoung always lived his life honestly but wanted to be selfish for once in his life

Wooyoung reached for your left ring finger and gently took off the ring, “everything happens for a reason, right?”

you felt so sorry towards Wooyoung; he didn’t deserve this

but he wiped your tears as if he could read your mind and kissed your forehead, “I’ll give up the world for you. even if I’m not going to be apart of your world, you’ll always be in mine.. I don’t think I’ll love anyone as much as I love you... but!”

he flips your veil, “you need to be with the one you truly love.. that would make me the happiest man in the world..”

“Wooyoung...” you gave him one last bittersweet kiss

he reaches into his pocket and hands you his card

“people are going to ask a lot of questions about this.. I think you should hide for a while.. I got this..”

he gently pushes you to the door; not giving you time to protest

“go to him... go to San..”

you cried as you looked at Wooyoung who was standing there by him lonesomeness 

you turned and ran; because if you stayed for a second longer, you wouldn’t have the heart to leave him the way you just did

Wooyoung cried for the first time in his life as he clenched the ring he thought would promise you happiness 

you ran

heels tacking against the marbled floor

you didn’t care that guests were coming into the venue; you had to find San

you saw his figure getting into his car

you knew you had no chance to catch up to him in your heels

so you through them away and ran to him 

but you stopped when you saw a silhouette of another woman wiping his tears

he grabs her hands and kisses her forehead

then he kisses her lips

you were seeing things?

the car backed up to exit the venue

that was when everything was as clear as it could’ve got

San was with someone else; he was crying in someone else’s arms 

she was someone that was going to mend his broken heart from you 

he looks out the window one last time; praying that you’ll have a happily ever after

that was when he saw you; face covered in tears dress slightly tattered from the gravel on the ground 

that sight of you like that would be ingrained in his head forever

he wanted to stop the car

he wanted to run to you

but he had no courage to

because if he did, he would never let you go 

so he let the car sped away from the venue, from you

Wooyoung saw all of this happen from the window of his room and ran to where you were

guilt washed over you

how could you ever love someone without feeling like you were the caused of all the misfortune of love around you ever again?

you weren’t mad at anyone but yourself

you felt a warm embrace; the scent of a familiar Versace Dylan Blue cologne

you never thought you smelled this scent ever again

you thought this scent would leave you forever

“I’m sorry.. Wooyoung, I’m so sorry..” you chanted 

you knew he was crying before you felt pellets of tears fall onto your veil

he carried you back into the venue

“we don’t have to do the wedding if you don’t want to... you don’t have to be with me-”

you shook your head to shake out the tears and any other second doubts you had in your mind, “please don’t let me go.. ever again...” 

at this point, neither one of you knew who was the selfish one in this moment

Hongjoong shooed Wooyoung away to fix your dress while the hair and makeup crew dragged him out 

the wedding went on like how it was planned

you and Wooyoung were the only one who knew of what happened and it was slowly pushed to the farther-most corner of your minds

time is foe enemy but time is also a foe

what did you regret?

what would you give to turn the clock back in time?

would you have said those unspoken words?

Hongjoong would’ve

Yunho would’ve

Mingi would’ve

Jongho?

Yeosang?

Seonghwa?

San?

even Wooyoung? 

everything happens for a reason; you knew that

but not everyone knows what the reason is

the reason could be happiness

the reason could be anger 

the reason could be guilt

the reason could be an answer

but the reason could be a question

END

I FINISHED THIS AT 7AM PST LOL. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT! I WILL BE CONTINUING WRITING REQUESTS. THIS SERIES WAS A JOURNEY AND NOW IT’S OVER. 

[ masterlist + guidelines ]

[encemomentamontreal]

Mise à jour de la discographie personnelle: Ajouts depuis 2016: -Menteur (CD) (2017-04-28) -L’Amour est sans pitié (LP) (2016-03-16, RSD) -Le monde est à pleurer (single) (2016-06-02) -Le Dôme (LP) (2016-11-03) -Porn Flakes (2017-04-28) -Mexico (LP) (2016-03-16, RSD) -Mille excuses Milady (LP) (2016-04-22) -À paradis city (CD Noël) (2015-12-18) -À paradis city (LP) (2016-04-29) I Les débuts (1989-1991): -Menteur (1989) -Mr. Jean Leloup et la sale affaire (1990) -L’amour est sans pitié (1991) II Le monstre de la chanson québécoise (1996-1998): -Le dôme (1996) -I lost my baby (1996) -Le monde est à pleurer (1996) -Drinking in L.A. remixes (1996) (Bran Van 3000) -Glee (CAN, 1997; USA, 1998) (Bran Van 3000) -Les fourmis (1998) III Mort annoncée (2001-2005): -Discosis (2001) (Bran Van 3000) -Astounded (2001) (Bran Van 3000) -La vallée des réputations, version 1 (2002) -La vallée des réputations, version 2 (2002) -Café Méliès (2003) (Collectif) -Exit (2004) -Porn Flakes (2005) (Collectif) -Le trashy saloon (2005) (Anik Jean) -Je joue de la guitare, 1985-2003 (2005) IV Retour du Roi Ponpon? (2006-2007): -Mexico (2006) -Rosé (2006) (Bran Van 3000) -Le Zoo, hommage à Jean-Claude Lauzon (2007) V The Dare To Care Years (2009-2015): -Mille excuses Milady (2009) -The last assassins EP (2011) -The last assassins LP (2001) -À paradis city (2015)

---

© En Ce Moment à Montréal, 2017-05-03 ... Qu’est-ce qu’il manquerait? Les cassettes audio pour Menteur et pour l’Amour est sans pitié. Et les disques vinyle de Les Fourmis et La Vallée des Réputations, si c’est pour être fait. Le saint Graal, maintenant, c’est Johnny Go (vinyl). Get me that and I’d be happy.

[zapcamon]

"Broken" Matt Hardy: Matthew Hardington? No, my name is Damascus & I'm over 3000 YEARS OLD! My Vessel is a Human Being called Matthew Hardy, that found the Essence known as Me yeeeeeeesssss! What is your precious & DELIGHTFUL Name by the way Milady? :D ((*Smiles* Pro Wrestler is technically a TV Character not per say your Reallife Version(it's like using Characters from Animes/Cartoons etc.), so I would say using a Pro Wrestler as RP is Okay in my Book heh ^_^ ))

...

sir if u call me “milady” one more time i am going to ask you to turn ur location on 

[agathethepower25]

Endgame spoilers

- There are several things that pissed me off in Endgame. And there are a lot of things that I reaaaally enjoyed. 

Things that pissed me off:

- Natasha’s funeral ? Hello ? Where ?

- Professor Hulk was way too chill. That scen with the selfie ? Way too awkward. Bruce was shy and clumsy. Hulk was pure strenght and anger. Professor Hulk is just a chill strong guy. Not interesting. Also, why didn’t we see his transformation ? We had Bruce and Hulk, and poof, suddenly there is Professor Hulk...

- In GOTG, we learn that only extremely powerful people can hold an Infnity stone. And as much as I LOVE Clint, I’m not really sure that he is an extremely strong being...

- The Gauntlet was made by this giant dwarf to be a device that could hold the six Infinity stones. It was a very special artefact, made by aliens who are specialists. And you are telling me that Tony Stark, regular human, can build by himself a Gauntlet and hold SIX infinty stones that almost destroyed Professor Hulk’s arm ?

- Thor’s depression being mocked. Depression is sth serious and should be taken seriously.

- All the women teaming up to protect Peter. It was way too cliche and we didn’t need that scene. We already know that women in the MCU are powerful. It was just to please feminists.

- Are you seriously telling me that without that rat, nothing would have happened ? The Russos actually said that it was the “true hero of the movie”. I think this shows how much they thought this movie was just a big joke.

- Why is Sam the new Captain America and not Bucky ? Steve knows Buck for a longer time than Sam. Apparently it’s because of the comics, but let me remind you that in the comics, Steve dies in Civil War...

Things that made me happy:

- Natasha’s developement as a character. There is no more red on your ledger, milady. You wiped it out.

- CLINT EXISTS

- Steve is WORTHY

- I am Iron Man *tries not to sob*

- I love you 3000 *sobs*

- Avengers... Assemble

- LOKI

- I can do this all day. Yeah I know...

- Hail Hydra

- Thanos losing to Scarlet Witch. Also “you took everything from me”

- Tony got to hug both his father and his son before he died

- Stan Lee. Just Stan Lee. Thank you