#Old Man Rom

[favficbirthdays]

Happy Birthday

Rom (20th February)

Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

[mischievous-thunder]

Wade and his kitty princess

[chrysoula]

Felt-chan's Bedsharing Experiment

Felt woke up in the dark, instantly alert as the texture of the midnight silence changed. It was a trait she’d developed growing up in the capital’s slums. She no longer slept in such dangerous places, but it was still a useful ability.

“Reinhard?” 

He stepped from the darkness into the patch of starlight shining through her open curtains. “Yes, I’m here.”

“Why?” Her voice was very even.

He hesitated before saying, “I felt anxious and wanted to check on you. I didn’t expect you to wake up.”

Felt eyed him. He was dressed in black and dark blue, rather than his pajamas or the lighter casual clothes she’d last seen him in. Clothes for sneaking out at night. Then she sighed. “Did you have a bad dream again?”

“My lady… you’ve noticed?”

“Of course I noticed. Who do you think I am? Now, get over here.”

Slowly, he approached her big bed. Felt used to wonder why the rich always seemed to think sleeping in a big bed was a status symbol, but now she could suddenly see the point. She scooted back from the warm hollow left by her body and pointed at it. “Lie down.”

“Lady Felt!” Shock flickered over his face, but Felt wasn’t in the mood to savor it.

“What’s the problem? It’s a big bed. I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with you, but I’m pretty sure if we’re in the same bed, you’ll stop worrying I’ve run away or something for a few hours and get some rest.” She narrowed her eyes. “You do keep insisting you’re not a pervert, right?”

He gave her that detestable wan smile. “I do.” He considered a moment and then exhaled lightly. “I see. You may be right. But this isn’t a sustainable solution, my lady.”

Felt snorted. “Damn straight. But it’s a solution that lets me get back to sleep as soon as possible. Besides, you’ll think better once you’ve had some sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow.”

Reinhard’s eyes widened and he looked stricken as he realized what he’d done. “My deepest apologies, Lady Felt. I’ve allowed my own troubles to—”

“Reinhard! If you don’t shut up and lie down right now, I’m gonna get pissed off.”

Once again, the knight contemplated, before sitting down, trailing his fingers down the indention where she’d been.

Felt, who had moved to the cold side of the bed for the stupid Sword Saint, watched him sourly and then flopped over before lifting herself up enough to swipe her own pillow and shove the fresh one where Reinhard would rest his head. 

He glanced at her and smiled in that other way he had, the way that made her happy and angry at the same time. But then he stretched out on the bed, as if her pillow swap had reassured him somehow, so Felt decided she could tolerate it.

He turned just slightly toward her, tucking his far hand under his head with the smile lingering in his eyes, but saying nothing. Even in the darkness, she could see the impossible blue of his eyes.

Felt scowled. “Close your eyes. Go to sleep.”

Obediently, he closed his eyes, although obviously forcing himself to sleep was impossible. It didn’t matter, anyhow. Even without his vision, he could sense everything about her that mattered right now: her breathing, her heartbeat, her warmth…

Felt could see the exact moment he fell asleep. The hint of a smile faded from his face, but no furrowed brow replaced it. His relaxed face was so rarely seen that Felt considered it unnatural, and got pissed off all over again.

Then she considered why she was pissed off and her shoulders slumped. This time she was in the wrong, and she knew it without having to lose an argument with him first. Knowing what she did about his life, and what she did about people, she couldn’t blame him for giving the world so many hollow smiles. But she liked all of his other expressions so much more. Or at least, sometimes when she saw them she wasn’t quite as angry at him as usual.

“Sorry, Reinhard,” she whispered under her breath.

Without waking enough to lose that relaxed expression, Reinhard stirred and his hand moved, capturing her wrist before she realized what was happening. Her teeth clicked together in an angry, incredulous grin as her eyes widened. (I give you a hand and you take an arm, huh? Just like always…)

But she didn’t pull away. He’d release her immediately if she woke him, but it would be way too much trouble to calm him down and get him to rest again. Besides, it wasn’t so bad to sleep once more beside somebody she trusted…

Felt, too, fell asleep.

Reinhard opened his eyes in darkness, and tried to reassemble the facts that led him to his current position.

Ah. He must have fallen asleep after Lady Felt’s gracious act of comfort.

Only… He couldn’t quite recall how exactly she’d ended up spooned against his chest, with both of his arms around her. He felt quite certain she wouldn’t have voluntarily positioned herself that way, so had he forced her…? But no. If he’d done anything like that, she would have complained loudly, and he would have woken up instantly. 

Then it must have happened gradually and accidentally. He’d long since stopped seeing even violent physical contact from his mistress as something to automatically avoid, so it didn’t puzzle him that he’d been able to continue sleeping through the tossing and turning required to…

Oh. He realized that not only was she holding the hand attached to his arm underneath her (or perhaps he was holding hers), but his upper arm, draped over her abdomen, rested on the bare skin revealed by her rucked up pajama top. Of course, her favorite clothing revealed most of her abdomen as well, so he’d had plenty of opportunity to visually inspect her stomach, but he’d never imagined touching it like this. And she was so warm, and the smell of her hair was… comfortable.

He hummed silently to himself. (This really is quite intimate and inappropriate. That’s a problem. But…) 

Reinhard wasn’t sure if he could extricate himself without waking his mistress. If he could, that might erase the issue. There was no need to distress her, after all. But he knew how much that sort of consideration would anger her, and more importantly, it violated Reinhard’s integrity to pretend they hadn’t ended up sleeping together so entangled.

That being decided, he stayed how he was. She would discover their position when she woke naturally, just as he had, and no doubt she would rightfully punish him. So he felt (as he sometimes did) that if he was going to do the time, he might as well do the crime.

His troubling, adorable mistress really was rubbing off on him.

The thought made him unreasonably happy, and he smiled to himself as he once again drifted off to sleep.

Felt woke up in the gray light of dawn with the echo of a gasp, a giggle, and the click of a door echoing in her ears. After evaluating her situation for a moment, she determined her exact physical positioning, which she didn’t actually hate, and also that her twin chamberlains probably knew Reinhard had spent the night in her bed.

Well. First things first, because she certainly wasn’t going to sort this out alone, and she also wasn’t going to act like it hadn’t happened. Her stupid perfect knight was far too comfortable to snuggle against, for one thing.

Her voice harsh and commanding, she said, “Reinhard. Wake up but, and I mean this, do not move.”

His fingers twitched against her revealed stomach, which didn’t quite tickle, and then he said softly, “All right. I’m awake.”

She could feel his breath stirring her hair, and tried to pull her thoughts together. “I give you a hand and you take an arm, just like always…. is what I’d like to say, except I’m not ready to be cold yet.”

“All right,” he said peaceably. “It is rather chilly.” His fingers twitched again, searing trails of sensation against her skin.

Felt frowned. “Aren’t you going to lecture me about how inappropriate this is?”

“I felt that went without saying in this circumstance, my lady. Flam and Grassis have already drawn incorrect conclusions, but they won’t gossip, and I can correct them later.”

“Huh,” she said, taken aback. “I guess you got some serious sleep.”

“Yes, I was untroubled by bad dreams. Thank you for your generosity.”

“Hmph,” Felt said, and then, since she had nothing she was ready to argue with him about, closed her eyes again to doze a bit longer.

It didn’t quite work. Closing her eyes just focused her attention on his hand, and every slight move of his fingers sent tingles through her whole body.

After a few moments, Reinhard said, “Ah. I can’t exactly call it gossiping, but Flam and Grassis are congratulating Rom on acquiring a fine grandson-in-law.”

Felt opened her eyes. “Never mind what they’re doing, it’s what you’re doing that’s bothering me! Are you just eavesdropping all the time, you creepy bastard?”

His fingers stopped moving before she explained what exactly bothered her, but began to move again as he said mildly, “I ignore what doesn’t concern me.”

Felt realized in a flash that the movement of his fingers against her skin was entirely intentional, and her temper rose as she wondered if he was petting her like she was a foxette. Maybe it was time to get back to kicking him and teasing him for being a pervert.

(Nah.) It was really hard to stay mad at him right at that moment, maybe because everything felt so nice. "What's Old Man Rom saying, anyhow?"

"He's cautioning them against assumptions that may embarrass them later. He's a good man." His nose touched her hair. "Lady Felt, as much as I'm enjoying this, it might be best if we separate and ready ourselves to face what may be a trying day."

"Not yet," said Felt stubbornly,  not releasing the hand she still held. "We still have to talk about what's keeping you up all night.”

She could hear how startled he was as he said, "Like this?"

"Exactly like this. I don't have to look at your stupid pretty face, and you don't have to fret about me running away. Not that I know why you suddenly are, after so much time. So spill your guts, Reinhard."

His palm flattened against her stomach as his arm tightened. "I know very well you'd never run from the responsibilities you've taken on. I only wish I could be so confident of my ability to keep you safe.”

Felt closed one eye at this. “That why you keep sneaking out at night? Doesn’t make sense, Reinhard.”

“Forgive me. I’ve found that… saving others, even in little ways, can sometimes quiet my troubled heart for a time.”

“Yeah, okay, I can see that. Makes sense after all.” Felt nodded to herself and thought for a bit. “You know, I’m surprised you’re staying like I said. You usually ignore my orders when you don’t approve of them, so I guess you must really be enjoying this.”

“I was not lying when I said as much a little while ago. And very little would change at this point were I to disobey you. But I dare say I’m just as surprised that you’re allowing this.”

“Yeah, well, Old Man Rom says I’m too big to sleep beside him any more.”

Reinhard hummed thoughtfully. “I didn’t know that.”

“Not that we slept quite like this,” added Felt, annoyed. “I just used to sleep on his chest all the time, ever since I was a baby.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said, and his hand relaxed enough to start drawing light circles against her skin again.

(Hey, what the hell does that mean?) But Felt bit the demand back, because she wasn’t sure she wanted an answer. Instead she said, “So what do you need to get rid of the bad dreams for good?” Then, unable to stop herself, she added acidly, “Maybe we can get you a foxette kit.”

He pressed his head against hers enough that his voice was muffled as he said, “I think that would be very cruel to the foxette.”

Felt snorted and almost rolled over to face him, just stopping herself. “It would be the happiest foxette in the world and you know it, you dumbass.”

He said nothing, which wasn’t a denial. Then he said, “Although I don’t quite understand why you think a foxette would help.”

“Doesn’t have to be a foxette.” Felt’s slender shoulders tightened in an awkward shrug. “Something warm you can cuddle and pet. Maybe anything would do.” 

His fingers kept moving even as he said, “My lady, I’m hurt that you think I could replace you so easily.”

She squeezed his other hand. “I’m not a foxette, okay? Not a foxette!”

“No, you are not,” he agreed. “You are such a lovely young lady that I cannot bring myself to stop touching you at the moment. It’s quite a dilemma, and I already regret burdening you with my ineptitude.”

Felt sighed, but her shoulders relaxed a little. “So you don’t think a foxette would help.”

His nose was in her hair again. “Would you like a kit, my lady?”

From anybody else that might have been some kind of innuendo, but Felt knew Reinhard well enough to recognize a sincerity she definitely had to nip in the bud before she ended up with another pain-in-the-butt underfoot. She scoffed. “Me? Hell no. Foxettes are nothing but rivals for the best food.”

Bits of her hair moved against his mouth as he mused, “The twins have a birthday soon. Maybe they’d like a foxette. Or perhaps one for each?”

Exasperated, Felt said, “If you want a foxette, just get a foxette, Reinhard. But only one.”

He lifted his head a little, so that his voice came more clearly. “It’s not so much that I want a pet so much as your suggestion struck a chord. Whether or not any individual member wants it, my intuition tells me the camp needs a foxette.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” And then, because she really did know Reinhard well, added, “Just one! I’m serious! This camp isn’t big enough for two foxettes.”

And then, because she could learn from the past, she demanded, “Reinhard, do you already have some abandoned kits you’ve stashed somewhere?” Although she could hardly believe it possible, coincidence did favor Reinhard in exactly this way when he wanted it to.

He responded only to her surge of physical tension. “Are you ready to rise and face the day?” His weight shifted as if he was about to slide away.

“No!” shouted Felt, in a swelter of panic and confusion and hurt. “I will never forgive you if you if you’ve been manipulating me this way, you bastard!”

He froze. “Lady Felt… That has not been my intention, I swear, but the circumstances—”

Felt squeezed his hand as hard as she could. “If it’s not your aim, then don’t go running away as soon as I ask, dumbass.”

He relaxed once more. “My lady, that grip would be quite painful for anybody else.”

“Sure, but you can take it just fine.” Felt mashed his fingers a bit more before giving up on getting any other reaction from him. “Well?”

“Ah. While it’s true that I did recently rescue some abandoned kits, I was planning on rehoming them without bringing them to your attention… until you made me imagine the addition of one (or perhaps two) to our household.”

“And that has nothing to do with how you’ve been cuddling up to me and rubbing my belly, is that what you’re claiming?”

Without any hesitation he said, “I couldn’t say. I woke like this; it’s not impossible that I dreamt of baby animals and grew confused by your proximity. But I can say that I’ve barely touched the kits as of yet. I only checked their health before putting them in a basket, after which I delivered them to Marian the midwife, who agreed to temporarily foster them while I found them new homes.”

Then, meditatively, he said, “But it’s also true I’ve never cuddled this close to another human before. Well, not since I was a young child myself. I do recall that we had a large dog when I was around eight—”

"That's it!" Felt finally had enough, and jumped in his arms, spinning to face him and grabbing him by his shirt front. The fact that he released her hand in time for her to spin freely was just fuel to the flames. “You bastard, you didn’t just take my arm, you took the whole bed! Which one of us is the mistress and which one the dog, huh? Tell me that!”

His arms closed back around her as he met her gaze with his radiant blue eyes, their heads on the same pillow. He was smiling broadly in the face of her wrath. “Normally I would protest such a term, but I’m happy to be of service to my lady in whatever way she requires.”

“You really shouldn’t be smirking like that when somebody’s calling you a dog, you know?” She shook his shirt back and forth, but couldn’t budge him. 

Instead of answering, one of his hands slipped under the back of her pajama top, tickling her back a little.

Warningly, she said, “You know, I’m in a great position to bring you a whole world of hurt, unless you’re immune to that too.” She shifted a knee meaningfully.

His hand stilled, but stayed against her skin. But the faint remainder of his earlier smile remained in his eyes as he said, “I assure you, it would hurt as much as you imagine. But I’ve already accepted that I will face harsh consequences for the liberties I’ve taken.”

Felt eyed him sourly. “Did you now. Way to take all the fun out of it, dumbass.” Reinhard _letting_ her hit him wasn’t satisfying at all.

Then an idea occurred to her and she grinned, her fang showing. When his eyes narrowed, which she recognized from her long-ago run of failed escape attempts before she’d joined the Royal Selection, she said, “No no, Reinhard. You said you’d take whatever I dish out, right?”

[dailykugisaki]

Day 260 | id in alt

Got tired and wanted to doodle Kugisaki in the fit I got on when I was helpin somebody do a boss.

[fictionadventurer]

wowww I just watched Love Strikes Twice and it was actually wonderful! It was sweet and funny and I could really see the couple’s teamliness and what Maggie’s mom told her about finding “the one” (or there not being a One) was kind of just what I needed to hear right now. I’m so glad you told me about it <3

I'm so thrilled you loved it! Recommending Hallmark movies is dangerous because low expectations can skew my idea of what's "good", so it's a relief to know my instincts weren't totally off.

I actually rewatched this movie about a week before you sent this, and I was thrilled to find that it held up. It's so sweet and funny, and yes, the teamliness! They felt like a real couple! I realized that the reason this feels more real than most Hallmark romances is that they let the guy be dorky. There's a scene where she tells him, "I know you have a thing [edit: she means a phobia/disgust] about wearing other people's clothes", and it's just a funny little detail that you'd see in a real person, not in a wish-fulfillment Hallmark guy. That kind of thing informs all the characters, and it's great.

And yes! The speech about "the one" was one of my favorite moments on rewatch. It's exactly what I think about the subject--"true love" is about choosing to love the person you've made a commitment to--and I wish more romance films in general (not just Hallmark ones) would recognize this.

[fareehaandspaniards]

[autumnrory]

the time traveler's wife feels like such a great concept but like. you made it so creepy

[dogtccth]

Teaser for the penguin dropped today D: it looks so good.

[intertexts-moving]

ahaha this is so fucking baller dude

[mischievous-thunder]

Initially, the only people who didn't know how far gone Logan and Wade were for each other were Logan and Wade themselves. Neither of them knew why there was a shift in their hearts or what to do with all of the raw emotions. So, they did the only thing they thought were good at. They fought their heart out.

The exact moment Wade realised that he was madly in love with Logan and would do anything for him was the very moment Logan had the exact same realisation. The moment Wade went inside to destroy the Time Ripper alone was when Logan felt completely lost. He used all of his power to get inside and be right by Wade's side.

The urgency in their tone and expressions, the way they tried so hard to sound casual to mask their true feelings and failed miserably, the way they were instantaneously ready to sacrifice themselves to save the other one point to the fact that their love is otherworldly. At this point saving the world and saving the other person became synonymous as they'd already become each other's entire world.

They didn't just save the world. The two broken men saved each other. After that, Wade had to introduce his new boyfriend and their dog to Althea. Oddly enough, domesticity does suit them exceptionally well.

[katyspersonal]

WASN’T THAT MICO COMIC GOOD?? Did you see the little hints about Rom in the first two parts? I loved that so much and it fits so well with our ideas about them being siblings. I’m so obsessed with the idea that Rom ascended unexpectedly and left Micolash behind, which sort of sent him spiraling into further madness. If I remember right, you have different ideas, but the sibling thing is mutual!! Idk, there’s something so natural feeling about. Kos choosing Rom and Mico being left in the dust, only to go crazy trying to play catch up. I love these characters.

And unhinged madman Micolash is the best. It was so nice to see him in character <3

That comic with Micolash going full psycho mode on a poor Choir member is just...

I mean there was also the sheer agony of seeing that comic was made in 2016, I feel like Micolash is hardly ever portrayed that way anymore. Maybe Rom decided to also hide the secret of his depraved, mad personality from humanity for a good measure so now everyone blissfully sees him as the cutest blorbo that isn't dangerous at all? heheh; /lh

Also YES for the siblings headcanon club! I honestly just came up with it based on this line:

It felt like it had to be them based on various tiny things! Each Brain Fluid has different description, and this particular one drops from a female just-head patient guarded by the black Church Doctor doctor! However it doesn't feel for me like THEY are the mysterious brother and sister, since black doctors are lower rank and I feel someone that discovered Arcane has to be the white doctors rank. Lore does say that black ones dispose of "failures" but the white ones are who experiment! Besides, that head calls for Maria for a comfort which is odd if her brother is RIGHT here?

My latest idea on how the things happened came from not knowing in canon where did OoK's umbilical cord go! So here is the timeline:

🎀 Byrgenwerth obtains OoK's cord after Fishing Hamlet massacre, along with other things, Willem is unsure of how to make the best use of it but intends to investigate its features

🎀 Rom casually goes, 'Wait but if we don't know, why won't we ask his mother? o:' and nobody has a heart to tell her Kos was murdered and cord wasn't "just found laying somewhere" (Caryll attempts to say something but the whole class gives him killer glare). However, this exact question gives Micolash an idea, as the only one who figured by now that every single thing Rom says, even if naive/dumb one, tends to be worth of considering (fate foreshadowing much?)

🎀 He steals the cord and has a hunch to call Rom with him to attempt a ritual of beckoning spirit of Kos with it, trying his hardest to ensure her he wants no harm but instead to advance humanity in the way no such terrible thing can happen again

💦 Kos blesses Rom with eyes, thus making her 'Patient Zero' brain fluids of which could be used to transmit to other people with the water; Micolash gets no eyes but weird telepathic connection with her - similar to Willem/Ebrietas, Izzy/Fauna and... whatever strange thing went down between Ludwig, Laurence and Flora. Being the will of a Great One in mortal world is the closest analogy I could give.

(I have an idea that after this point the eyes of siblings change from brown to arcane blue... Because Micolash's face data oddly has brown eyes, but his cut-scene model has blue)

💦 Willem is angry when he discovers the insane plan the two pulled, but can't deny that despite being crazy it was genius. (Except he fucking can because Micolash is cursed with never having his contributions acknowledged). But this encounter is not only the root for Research Hall antics, but also for Laurence learning that grieving Great One moms can be beckoned by a child's cord!

💦 Research Hall gets a different formal leader in stand of Willem however in actuality everything there is manipulated by Micolash from the shadows, Insight-granting brain fluids found within Rom's spinal cord quickly become mass distributed and created in large quantity (of course at the expense of other humans), but instead of true progress, it seems like patients are merely suffering witnessing horrors of the Deep Sea. Micolash is THE cruel mad doctor everyone is terrified to get under treatment of, always yelling at patients for being 'useless cowards' upon failure after failure to reach deeper into Sea and giving them more 'water' than they could handle (and always using Adeline as a model patient example -_-)

💦 Some patients discover the alternative - ones reaching for cursed Amygdalae knowledge become Gardens of Eyes (to later to be taken in Byrgenwerth), others discovering the 'stars' to give Blacksky Eyes and some live to become Living Failures. However...

sjdsahdsgs no, no, sorry, but seriously tho, Maria was soon to suspect that something is wrong and the "progress" with the Sea doesn't seem to be... a good faith, to say the least. That was true; Micolash knows just what Kos wants, remember? Hunter's Nightmare is meant for HUNTERS, yet patients, innocent victims, are there too! And that was Micolash's fault; during his procedures, he'd ensure that combining their sheer terror with arcane would make them good fundament to ensure the creation of the Nightmare, as Kos was weak and her wish alone was not enough. (not saying he didn't still genuinely wish to learn more about the Sea from them...)

💦 Maria begs Brador to get a word out for her because Healing Church would LISTEN to him, and it works out in the end. Micolash is striped of his influence, along the lines of the Church re-purposing itself to seek the abandoned Ebrietas and focusing on the 'stars' for good, much to Micolash's resentment.

☄️ Speaking of resentment! His envy and bitterness towards Rom were increasing, largely based off the fact that Kos chose her as knowledge-bearer, not him. Around this time, he was to take the pain and anger about his failures out on her, rejecting her as a sister, calling her names, asking why Kos picked him as the one to ruin human lives and not Rom because 'you did just fine having ruined MINE!' and so on.. She never was ready to hear something like this from the brother that she was looking for her entire life and idealised. That caused Rom's attempted s*icide by downing way too much liquid, and she had another communion with Kos - never knowing whether it was just a dream or she did go somewhere that day. It was attempt of Kos to truly adopt her as a child upon her pain of 'no longer having family', that Rom rejected because she was unwilling to abandon humanity without even trying to help them against the mess they got themselves into. However, that still gave Rom absolutely unique Insight and properties (and gave her those strange tails).

☄️ Micolash was able to restore his presence and status in Healing Church's 'nerds' faction (that was only Choir by that time) by presenting Rom and her new abilities! Like 'look, I can not only ruin patients, but give them skills none of you can dream about, right? :)' . Rom became the head of the Choir, and the best way to communicate with Ebrietas, especially since Caryll was gone by then.

☄️ Rom's precedent also became an inspiration for the Choir to use little orphaned children to beckon the hearing ear of the Great Ones the best! She had intellectual disability* making her as naive as a child, and just like Micolash, she was an orphan herself. So like... why not use people with the same features, right? Pure naive mind, combined with yearning for a parent.

🕷️ In uncertain time, Rom reconnected with Patches and was able to seek selling herself to Amygdalae - ensuring her association as a 'Spider' despite connection to all three kinds of the divine. It was done under encouragement of Micolash, as Amygdalae knew the secrets most forbidden, all about immortality, splitting soul and body, true nature of the 'Moon' behind the 'Stars', and much more.

🕷️ Micolash would eventually separate from the Choir and have his own faction, researching the forbidden and knowledge basically opposing the 'stars'! Some left with him, like our friends Damian or Iosefka! Depending on the timeline, Edgar would either fake leaving the Choir with him to be the secret agent, or only appear later after Mico's leaving and...

🕷️ Rom, however, would stay in touch with him - especially through various reflective surfaces. And because she could use bodies of water to hide things, when Choir provided her a whole giant puddle in where Altar of Grief is now. She would secretly help, down to coordinating his cultists to be undetected, helping him with directions and... reviving body of Queen Yharnam (and Mergo that got fused with her womb, an actual thing happening irl). So the cord of her (eternally) infant could be taken...

And... this is where I get lost. x) No, honestly. I am not sure how she became a true Great One. Since Altar of Grief has her petrified body but we fight her in the lake (astral) and dungeons (physical), I presume she has the same body-soul split as Queen Yharnam, but... how?

I have this scene in my head where Fauxsefka discovers all the lies, secrets and twists Rom was pulling all along, and how she was helping Micolash all along, and how there is now a perpetual ritual to beckon Bloodmoon that was obscured. Naturally she exposes her before everyone, asks her how much Rom truly knew and said nothing, calls her a twisted monster (with only Julie getting defensive). And Rom is not able to explain her motivations, or how she had to play the slow game because Choir people were not ready for harsh truth about the world, nor they had the same approach as Micolash.. She just cannot deliver her point at all, and both ascends and soon turns into stone out of raw panic and despair. She was willing to escape the uncomfortable situation, and she is an idiot god that doesn't realise the extent of her powers, so... this happens. It'd put a permanent tension between Fauxsefka and Julie, that will only truly break later when they have to work together upon return to Byrgenwerth. Also Micolash would probably comment how undergoing something as extreme as becoming a god for a 'dumb' reason was a very Rom thing to do, ahaha.

But yeah, for all I know it could be something else? I just gotta agree with Micolash here - it IS a her thing to do, to accomplish something incredible without trying over a very humane reason.

And I totally agree that he was jealous. And... well, I guess he also did resent her for rejecting Kos' offer. She rejected something Micolash wants above everything else (being Kos' surrogate baby) for the sake of something he has nothing but disdain for (the humanity). He had to hate her, we know this much </3 On the other hand, it is things like this that make me slightly regret picking the siblings idea, because can you even comprehend how much drama it'd contain as a romantic ship, and how satisfying the happy alternative would be?

But heyyyyy, the story makes sense, right? This is kind of more important! Because I do not have feelings, only logic, right- right...? sighhhhhh

Anyways, you didn't really ask for this, but the ask felt prompting enough, so here are my thoughts on the timeline and the story! Would like to hear yours!

[lanihaluki]

fyrus little mermaid au but I put everything in the tags bc rom spoilers

[hitsuyou-fukaketsu]

Im about to read something great

[tortademaracuya]

I want to play heartgold but last time i opened it the pokedex buttons displayed double and stacked on top of each other and i felt like i was two steps away from getting a mayor error

[jolikmc-stuff]

Hi, I was looking for your previous version of the patch of fixer upper, the prior to 1.0.5. My pcb has an eeprom and you patch changes the save to sram type. thanks in advance

Greetings, joaco!

I have good news. I've created a GitHub repository which has every released version of every ROM hack I've shared with the public! You can find Rockman Mega World Fixer Upper v1.0.3 here, specifically.

Thank you for your interest in my ROM hacks!

[sparklingchim]

game on 02 | jjk

pairing: jungkook x reader

word count: 2.9k

genre: footballer!jungkook, fake dating, f2l

rating: 18+

warnings: lots of smoochies !! 🤭, their first kiss <3, umm mentions of jk's infamous threesome again 😔, koo talks abt taking girls in missionary what can i say he is a man

summary: jungkook and you practice acting for the cameras. kissing him feels more right than you anticipated.

a/n: yayy chapter 2 is here!!!! <3 writing this was truly saur much fun n i hope u have fun reading too !!! 😋

read chappie one here

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"Just kiss me."

"Hold on a second."

"We really need to practise this."

"I know, just give me a minute."

You scoot away from Jungkook on the couch. You were sitting so close, almost about to kiss him actually, but his intense, doe-eyed gaze made you pause, needing a grounding breath.

You’ve never been this close to his face, and somehow, you can’t seem to cross the invisible line that keeps you from just pressing your mouth on his. Jungkook’s your friend, after all. You’ve known him since he was five and once saw him get his head stuck at school, so of course it’s weird.

You press your lips together in an attempt to focus, and lean in again, but once your eyes meet his, a smile urges on your mouth.

"Oh my god." Jungkook’s frustrated sigh cuts the air. "This can’t already be doomed to failure because of a simple kiss."

"It’s not! I just need to mentally prepare myself."

"I feel...offended? Kinda?" Jungkook weaves his fingers through his hair. "I’ve never had to convince someone to kiss me."

"It’s not you. I promise!" you say, reaching for his knee. "Under any other circumstance, if we weren’t friends, I’d love to kiss you. You’re hot and cute, but the situation we’re in makes me feel so stupid. It’s absurd."

Jungkook cringes when you call him cute and removes your hand off his knee.

Yesterday, when Jungkook showed up unannounced, it took him full ten minutes to convince you he wasn’t pulling a prank on you.

Who would believe their friend begging you to fake date them? It’s ridiculous. Only happens in the fictional world.

But then Jungkook showed you the pap picture that was circulating online. The comments and gossip were nasty and you knew he was caught up in a deep mess.

In the photo, Jungkook was surrounded by two girls, his arms draped casually around their waists as they stumbled out of the club, a half-full drink lazily held in his hand. His hair was a tousled mess, likely from the girls running their fingers through it, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a small peek into his defined chest. It was bold, provocative — definitely not the ideal image of a responsible twenty-year-old football rookie.

Probably the worst pap pic you’ve seen of him so far. And the worst timing too.

"You were wasted," you commented, staring at the article he was showing you on his phone.

"And I had so much fun last night." His voice was tinged with frustration, like a child whose favourite toy had just been snatched away. "But then I woke up to this picture, and a flood of missed calls and texts." He rubbed his hands over his face, exhaling sharply. "They just had to ruin it for me."

Noticing your raised eyebrow, Jungkook quickly backtracked. "No, I know it’s my fault too. I shouldn’t have done this right before the World Cup, especially after what I promised. I just hate how everything turns into such a big deal, just because... well, just because I’m me."

The idea of fake dating Jungkook had seemed absurd, something out of a rom-com rather than real life. But the more he explained the pressure he was under, the more you understood why he needed this.

Jungkook was your best friend, and if kissing him in public could save his career, why not help him?

While you got ready for meeting his manager, stepping out of your comfy, rotting-at-home clothes, which consisted of little shorts and an oversized t-shirt (you think it’s actually Jungkook’s, but you’re not quite sure since it’s been in your closet for years now), and slipping into a casual, more presentable outfit, Jungkook busied himself fixing your laundry machine.

Jungkook’s manager knows you well – his entire team does. You are known as Jungkook’s close friend and had been spotted with him on multiple occasions.

Taesung greeted you warmly, though surprise flickered across his face when Jungkook introduced you as the solution to the fake dating plan.

You felt Taesung’s gaze assessing you, weighing your suitability for the role. Jungkook’s PR agent mirrored his scepticism, tilting her head in doubt. They exchanged uncertain glances, which made you nervous, but Jungkook was determined. Jungkook wasn’t Jungkook if he didn’t get what he wanted. With a few persuasive words and his usual charm, he quickly won Taesung over, who sighed and leaned back in his chair, conceding defeat.

"We need to establish the narrative from the start," Taesung said seriously. "The media will dig into your background, and they’ll want to know if there’s anyone else in the picture. So, to be clear, you’re officially single. No boyfriend, no complicated past relationships that could surface. We don’t need any messy stories."

You assured them that there was none. Multiple times. No angry exes, no secret relationships – your personal life was as drama-free as it could get.

Taesung slid a document across the desk.

"This ensures that whatever happens, no details of this arrangement-"

Jungkook’s hand shot out, halting the paper. "No," he said firmly. "She doesn’t need to sign anything."

"Jungkook, it’s just a formality," Jiwoo began, but Jungkook insisted.

"I trust ___. She’s not just anybody. She’s my best friend. If she says she won’t talk, she won’t talk. The NDA isn’t necessary."

"It’s okay," you assured him gently.

Jungkook shook his head. "No, this is ridiculous. You’re not signing a stupid contract."

After more arguing, his manager eventually relented.

Jiwoo outlined the plan in more detail with Taesung – public appearances, social media posts, carefully orchestrated moments that would sell the story to the public. You felt a bit intimidated by the pressure, but you’d get used to it. After all, this arrangement is only for a few months – just until his management can announce that you’d mutually decided to break up on good terms.

But you both need to practise before stepping in front of the cameras.

Which leads you to this moment, a day later, sitting on your couch trying to practice how to act like a couple. And it’s not going well at all.

"Okay, let’s start from the basics then," Jungkook suggests. He rises to his feet, offering you his hand. "Hold my hand."

You gingerly accept his hand, standing up as well.

"See, don’t we look cute?" Jungkook drags you to the mirror. "Or maybe – let’s intertwine our fingers. I think that would look better." He holds your interlaced hands up between the two of you, a satisfied grin plastered on his face. "So cute, right?"

A giggle bubbles in your throat. "You act like you’ve never had a girlfriend."

"Well, it has been a while," he admits, the slightest sulk on his lips. "I’m too busy for relationships." He swings your hands. "The only times I ever hold a girl’s hand is in missionary, above their head when-"

"Jungkook," you interrupt quickly before he can delve any deeper into the story. You give him a mock glare, but there’s no hiding the amusement dancing in your eyes. "Didn’t we both agree on only talking about your bed stories after I’ve had at least one bottle of soju – preferably two, so I can mentally brace myself?"

You love him, you really do, but you don’t want to hear about his bed stories, unless you’re the slightest bit tipsy at first.

"Oh, yeah." He shakes his head apologetically. "Forgot about that."

"Wait, maybe that’s what we should do!" you exclaim as an idea pops into your mind. Your hand slips out of his, and you take a step toward the kitchen. "I think there are a few bottles of soju in the fridge."

"We’re not getting drunk to build up the courage to kiss," he insists. "We shouldn’t need alcohol to pretend we’re into each other."

Jungkook pulls you closer to him, and you stumble slightly, but his hand instinctively moves to the small of your back, steadying you.

"Fine," you sigh dramatically, hand on his chest. "Was just an idea to make this easier for us." The fabric of his shirt is extremely soft and your fingers glide over it.

"I mean, it’s not like we’re complete strangers. And they know it too. We’ve been through enough to pull this off without breaking a sweat."

He’s is right. The public knows you’re one of Jungkook’s closest friends. It wouldn’t be totally unbelievable that you two might have fallen in love.

After all, you’ve always been comfortable with each other —hugging, cuddling during movie nights, play-fight over silly things just to annoy each other. You’ve shared quiet moments, like when you’d fall asleep on his shoulder after a long day or when he’d run his fingers through your hair absentmindedly while you talked. There were times when Jungkook was exhausted and crashed at your place, your fingers gently scratching his head as he slept peacefully. You’ve kissed each other’s cheeks in thanks without hesitation.

Jungkook’s touch isn’t foreign to you.

And still, the thought of acting like you’re in love when you’re not feels strange. Sure, you’ve always been physically close, but this was different. This time, every gesture would be for an audience, every touch would carry a different meaning. It wasn’t just casual anymore.

"I guess," you reply, fiddling with the hem of his oversized t-shirt, avoiding his gaze for a moment. "I think it’s just weird to be this close for show."

Jungkook watches you for a moment, his eyes softening as he considers your words. "Yeah," he murmurs. "But it’s not like we’re faking the friendship part. The rest...we’ll figure out." His fingers clasp your hip, the pads of his fingers gently digging into your flesh. "Don’t think about it too much," he says. "When we have our first public appearance as a couple, pretend like the cameras aren’t there, act nonchalant. Just... y’know. You and me."

You pout, an involuntarily frustrated grumble leaving your lips as you drop your forehead on his chest.

"I hope I’ll do well under all the attention."

You’ve dealt with your fair share of noisy people trying to pry into your relationship with Jungkook, but so far, it’s been somewhat manageable.

"Just you and me," Jungkook repeats, his tone softer and more assured this time. "Nothing can happen to you when I’m there."

You glance up at him, taking in the gentle lines of his face.

"Maybe you should’ve hired a girl that can deal well with attention," you voice your thoughts.

"No." Jungkook’s immediate response rolls off harshly on his tongue. "You were my first thought. I wouldn’t have done this with anyone else but you."

"I was your first choice?" Giddiness makes your face shine.

"Yeah. I don’t think I would’ve felt comfortable with anyone but you."

"Be honest, you just really wanna kiss me."

You stand on your tippy toes, a silly smile spreading across your face.

Jungkook cocks his head to the side, a teasing glint buried in his eyes.

"I think you do."

With a surge of confidence, you take a small step closer, your heart beating a little faster as you close the gap between you and Jungkook. Your lips meet in a gentle, fleeting touch. The contact only lasts for a moment before you pull back, your eyes searching his for a reaction.

"That was a smooch. Not a kiss."

You frown upon hearing him complain.

"What, you want to make out with me in public?"

Jungkook sniffs a laugh. "No, but maybe a little more than how fifth graders kiss."

"You’re a kissing expert now?" you quip back, narrowing your eyes at him.

Jungkook leans in slightly. "I just know what I like."

The challenge in his voice sparks something in you. "Then show me how you like it."

His gaze drops to your lips, and a flutter of excitement spreads in your tummy. It’s unexpected and thrilling and it catches you off guard.

Jungkook’s hand, which had been resting on your back, slowly glides up, his fingers curling around the side of your face, his thumb brushing delicately against your cheekbone.

Your breath hitches as he leans in. His lips meet yours again, but this time there’s more weight behind the contact – still soft, but deeper, more intentional. His lips move slowly and there’s a warmth to it, a tenderness that makes your heart race even as the kiss remains gentle. He tilts his head slightly, deepening the connection just enough to make you melt into him.

The teasing atmosphere lingers in the back of your mind, but for now, it’s pushed aside by the gentle pressure of his lips on yours.

Kissing Jungkook doesn’t feel weird – which makes it a little weird.

When you both finally pull back, it’s gradual. You can feel his breath, warm and steady, mingling with your own.

"Like that," he whispers, his voice barely audible, yet it sends a shiver down your spine. "You’re a good kisser."

You pull back completely. "Excuse me?" you say. "You were doubting my kissing abilities?"

"No, not at all!" Jungkook shakes his head, amusement crinkling his eyes as he gazes at your sulky face. "You’re just a very good kisser. Like, super gentle and smooth."

Heat crawls up your cheeks. You ignore the flush of warmth and keep your composure. "Have you been using the lip balm I got you? Your lips are soft."

"I know, right? Not chapped at all anymore."

He traces two fingers along his bottom lip and your eyes follow the motion, finding yourself inexplicably drawn to his lips.

"Are we done practising?"

"Do you think we looked natural?" Jungkook’s hand slips into yours once more. While he is focused on the mirror, adjusting the way your bodies fit together – tugging you closer, alternating between holding your hand and interlacing your fingers – your mind is still replaying the memory of the tender press of his lips. "For me, it felt pretty natural. Not awkward at all. What do you think?"

It’s the simplicity with which he says it that draws a short laugh out of you.

The sound grabs his attention. "What?"

"You’re just...extremely serious about this. I don’t think they’ll analyse the way we hold hands, Kook."

"But that’s their favourite thing to do," Jungkook replies. "The gossip mills love analysing every step you take, where your eyes wander, who you smile at." A note of bitterness threads through his words.

He’s been playing pro for just two years and has fallen victim to greedy people intruding on his life so many times already. Former friends who leaked private conversations, acquaintances who turned their brief interactions into tabloid fodder, even strangers who felt entitled to a piece of him just because he was in the public eye.

Jungkook searched for solace and silence at your place many times, trying to escape the madness. In the quiet of your dorm, breathing felt easier.

You never asked questions, never pried. In a world where everyone seemed out to get something from him, you just let him be, offering him the comfort of your presence without demanding anything in return.

"People were just criticising this dude – ah, who was it again?" Jungkook stares at the ceiling, raking through his thoughts. "I can’t remember his name, but this guy was getting called out for choosing the booth seat while making his girlfriend sit in the aisle seat."

"The aisle seat? Come on, it’s an unwritten rule that-" You fall silent once you catch Jungkook’s pointed expression. "I mean, yeah. It’s definitely wrong to make a big deal about it. Maybe she prefers sitting there," you shrug.

"But do you see what I mean?" he asks. "Whether you intend to or not, you’re always judging what others do. And that judgement only intensifies when it involves a celebrity."

"Ah, when did you become so famous Jeon Jungkook?" You sigh, looking down at your linked hands.

"I know, right? Two years ago, no one would’ve cared if I had a threesome." He shakes his head in disbelief. "And now I am being punished for it—kicked off the national team, and my best friend has to save me by fake dating me."

"I feel like this would make a good movie," you giggle.

“We have to practise hard, then," he says.

You pull your phone from your pocket. "What if we film ourselves kissing so we can monitor it better?" You set up your phone on a nearby shelf and position yourselves in front of the camera. "Don’t engaged couples do this? I feel like we’re practising for our wedding kiss."

"Oh, butterflies."

"Huh?" You stare at the way he holds his hand against his tummy.

"You just told me you want to marry me. That gave me butterflies."

You slap his arm. "Stop being silly, we have a whole nation to fool that we’re in love."

~

Hang outs with Jungkook often end with the two of you lounging on the couch, snacks scattered everywhere, and a movie playing on the TV.

"Next one?" Jungkook asks from his spot beside you, inching closer with his pleading doe eyes.

You try to push him away by the, but he doesn’t budge.

"I need to study. Like, for real." You had warned him before starting the movie, agreeing to watch only one, but he still tried his luck.

He holds up one finger. "Just one."

You push him off your body, and this time he allows it, his back slumping against the couch. The grumble of complaint in his throat gets muffled by his pursed lips.

"You’re smart. The material is probably set in your brain anyway. No need to revise anything."

You scoff at his bratty words.

"So you won’t ever need to ditch hangouts for football practice because you’re already so good at it?"

"Well, no." He drags the word out, brows furrowed as he considers your question, trying to come up with a reasonable answer. "But I know you don’t need to study as much as you do. You’re just naturally smart."

"I wish, but I ace my exams because I study as much as I do."

"Aish," Jungkook mutters, standing up from the couch and stretching his limbs. His toned tummy peeks out from under his lifted shirt.

"Karina will be home soon anyway," you say. "And I’m not ready to play pretend in front of her yet." The thought of confessing to your roommate that Jungkook is now your boyfriend makes you shudder.

It was one of the conditions that made you briefly reconsider if you could really pull this off or if Jungkook should find another girl. You didn’t just have to act in front of the cameras – everyone had to believe that you and Jungkook are a couple, including your friends and family. You dread the day you have to tell your parents.

You know they once secretly hoped Jungkook would become your boyfriend when you were older, but as he became famous and the public started scrutinising his every move, your parents grew wary of his wild, reckless side.

You follow Jungkook to the door.

"You think she’ll believe us?"

"I dunno," you shrug. "Not sure if she’ll buy it. She’ll probably be suspicious since I’ve never talked about you in that way when we gossip, but I think we’ve practised enough to at least make it look like we love each other."

Jungkook nods and hugs you briefly. "We’ll figure it out." He steps out of your apartment, typing on his phone. "My manager sent me details about our first public appearance." He scans the text, but quickly looks up at you again with an annoyed frown. "Ah, so many words. I’ll just forward you the messages." With a sweet smile and a quick wave, he starts to leave, but you tug at the back of his shirt.

You cup his face, pulling him down to you, and plant a kiss on his lips.

"You’re my boyfriend now. Act like it."