#Once More Fom the Beginning

[darklingichor]

Once More Fom the Beginning, by Wendy Bertsch

I wish I liked this one more than I did. The way it was billed was a retelling of the old testament from the perspective of the women. This seems like a good premise for a chuckle or two. However, what it is is basically a sumerizatuon of the old testament with modern language showing all the men to be dicks and maybe a headshake or an eye roll from the women every now and again.

I mean, if I wanted to read the Old Testament, I would have, nothing was added to it by having everyone talking like they're 20 somethings in the western world. I mean, there was no humor, unless the humor was supposed to *be* the fact that they were talking like that and the woman stood around rolling their eyes.

I felt like this book really wanted to be like The Twisted Tales of Shakespeare where the humor comes from puns and playing with context and sentence structure.

It wasn't. Look, The Old Testement can read like a bonkers game of mad libs if you look at it right, and nothing was stopping the author from playing with the madness.

There could have been stories about how while the men were yelling and stabbing and talking to burning bushes, the women were behind the scenes trying to orchestrate a different plan and maybe the differences in their plan and the men's plan accounts for why some stuff doesn't make sense.

Or, maybe play with the stories a little.

Like:

The tower of Babel was just supposed to be a multilevel market place, designed to save space. They got it up pretty high, but people started arguing about branding and store fonts and whether one person should collect the rent or perhaps they should figure out a different solution, and then one day, during a particularly contentious discussion about who could actually own the space at the bottom (First for foot traffic) and who could be at the top (tourist spot, clearly) when Benjamin the fine foods merchent was arguing that he should have the top spot because people would be hungry by time they got there; while Jemima the goat merchant was insisting he should be at the top, because, the goats will end up there anyway ("I mean, c'mon Ben, you've met a goat!"). And while Ben was making the case that just because a goat could climb to the top doesn't mean they should ("Having everyone *below* goats? It's an open concept plan Jem, that could only end badly").

And all the shareholders put in their two cents, no one was watching when, running late Oppidiah, owner of the perposed ice cream and paint mixing emporium ( There were health concerns here which is why he was on thin ice as it was) tied his donkey to one of the support struts and ran inside. Now, the donkey was annoyed because the entire way Oppi was singing 1000 skins of wine on the wall and as migraine inducing as that song was, the jerk stopped at two. TWO! The least he could have done was finish! So, the donkey disregarded his tether and decided he was just going to leave the irritating little man behind. He began to walk away. Now, this was long before building inspectors and structural integrity rules. The whole structure creaked if someone sneezed too hard, if we're honest. So, it didn't take much for the support to pop free and send the whole thing tumbling down.

The reason that everyone ended up speaking different languages because everyone was pissed off at everyone else. Yeah Oppi tied the donkey up, but whose idea was it to allow for anyone to just walk up and mess with a building under construction? Why wasn't there a fence? Talk to Mickiel, the fence builder who wanted to be on three! Well, no one was paying him for labor and materials to assist in construction. Who was in charge if contracts? Oh don't even talk to Abrial, he's the one who brought in Oppi to begin with! All of them left in a huff, and refused to speak with each other ever again, they each taught their families a code with which they could talk shit about the others right in front of them and eventually each family became mutually unintelligable to each other. Also,this is why we call a donkey and ass, because that animal was a, in fact, an ass.

See? Just be a little silly. Instead, this book was just boring.

[awrkive]

[TEASER] THE LOVE PROGNOSIS (m) — JJK.

for as long as you can remember, you’ve always been a hopeless romantic.

the girl who’s always dreamt of cheesy encounters with her soulmate, grand love declarations, and a cute little beach wedding to boot. the kind of girl who thought her high school jock boyfriend would make good on his promise of keeping contact until college. that girl who thought the guy she met at 19 at some sleazy frat party wanted more than just sex. the girl who thought that her boyfriend at 21 would finally be The One after he introduced her to his parents on New Year’s Eve. you’re the kind of girl who thought that it was smart to get a boyfriend in her first year of med school and get proposed to in fourth year.

but reality pretty much slaps you hard right on the face, because love, unfortunately, doesn’t come grand — it’s simple and it’s quiet, but it is quite painful, especially when the love that you’ve been seeking for all your adult life has just been right under your nose all this time.

PAIRING jungkook x female reader // mingyu x female reader

GENRE r18+ (fluff, angst, smut) MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

WORD COUNT 1.2k words for this teaser but the fic currently is at 22k words (heavily unedited). the final estimate is around 30-35k 🤓

WARNINGS/MISC medical!au, roommates!au, surgeon!jk, surgeon!reader (they are both 4th year residents and are co-workers), corporate lawyer!mingyu, oc and jk are bffs since med school but their love language is fighting each other <3, jk and mingyu are bffs during undergrad, jk sluts it out quite often😞, hopeless romantic!oc, weddings and engagement themes, the angst is a bit extreme (medium level tbh) on this one, it’s the… yearning? one sided-love?, the surgeons gang: jk, oc, nayeon, doyeon, taehyung <3, multiple sex scenes (will specify once the fic comes out), i personally have only acquired a degree on Bingewatching Grey’s Anatomy so my medical knowledge is.. you see.. greys anatomy 💔 BUT! i did a lot of research for this pls dont crucify me. the full list of warnings will be indicated when the full fic comes out 🙏🏼 anyways warnings particularly for this teaser: drunk oc, implied alcohol consumption, germaphobe jk lol

NOTES hello awrkive nation!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wanted to do something for jk’s birthday this september and this is what i came up with 😭 i am so soooo so incredibly excited to announce this fic to you guys 😵‍💫 ive been working on this on and off since the last week of july and its currently at 20k words so its coming along really well 🫂 its gonna be a HUGEE HUGEEE fic since its estimated to be around 30k words which will be a first for me hehe <3 pls look forward to it and REPLY TO THE COMMENT SECTION IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE TAGLIST (pls do not send an ask for taglist request 🫶🏼) LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK!!!!! I WANNA HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS <33333

[ TLP MOODBOARD ]

READ FULL FIC HERE ❗

“Hey, swing me.”

You tell Jungkook, situating yourself more comfortably on the wooden platform attached to the chains.

“A dollar per minute.” He says, standing up from his own seat and placing himself behind you.

“I thought you hate capitalism? What is this?”

“This is forced labor.” Jungkook says with a groan that you think is a feigned exasperation, since you begin to feel movement right after it.

“You broke my hairdryer the other day. Consider this your compensation.” You look up at him to give him a smarmy smile.

Fom where you’re seated, you realize just how… big his presence is. It’s not the looming, ominous type, though – it’s quite the opposite. When Jungkook surrounds you, you find a bit of comfort in it. A huge one if you want to be honest to yourself.

“And I already bought you a new one. We’re even.” Jungkook squints his eyes at you.

You laugh.

“You’re gonna borrow and break it again.”

He visibly winces. “Touché.”

Jungkook swings you while you talk about your day, just like usual. He asks you about your laparoscopy that kept you from having lunch with the rest of your friends at the hospital earlier that day, about your new scrub cap, and you gossip a little about the new lab tech having a crush on the scrub nurse you both know.

For all his complaints earlier, Jungkook seemingly doesn’t seem to mind having swung you for the past ten minutes now. He’s relaxed and gentle with his movements, and his voice is quaint and soft as he talks to you.

But then you start to feel bad for him so you tell him to stop, standing up from the swing.

“Okay, your turn.”

Jungkook gives you a big grin.

“Nice.”

You chuckle at his enthusiasm when he sits on the swing chair this time around. But when you attempt a push, he barely moves, prompting him to laugh.

“What weak ass push was that?” He says incredulously, looking at you.

You jut your bottom lip out. “You’re heavy and I’m drunk.”

The second time you push him is more forceful but then Jungkook voices out a complaint after the third, fourth, and every single time you do it. You roll your eyes at his tantrums, but then suddenly, you think of a much better idea.

You push him off the swing with all your remaining strength even though your body feels like jelly from all the alcohol you consumed an hour ago.

“What the fuck, __?”

You burst out in boisterous laughter at Jungkook’s state, his hands and knees planted on the ground. He then sits on it, clapping his palms together to get rid of some dust that gathered on his skin.

Without thinking too much about it, you make quick steps over to his direction and situate yourself beside him.

Jungkook looks at you, confused, but you only give him a grin.

“Let’s lie on the ground.”

“What? No!” Jungkook immediately opposes it. As you expected.

You scrunch your face. “Oh! Look at me! I’m Jeon Jungkook and I’m a germaphobe and I’m afraid of dirt!” You say, intentionally making your voice a pitch higher.

Jungkook deadpans. “Pathogens can kill your cells’ metabolic machinery, so, yeah? I’m afraid of dirt.”

You roll your eyes at him and while he goes off about how they can also cause a toxic massive immune reaction, you push his chest forcefully which catches him off guard, prompting him to lay on the ground. Before he can say anything, you take his arm out to spread beside you and you use it to rest your head on.

Jungkook stops his rambling after that.

“See, shut up.” You say, backhanding him slightly on the chest. You fix your gaze at the skies. “The sky is beautiful tonight. Worry about your pathogens next time.”

Jungkook chuckles, and you feel the vibration of his body as he does so, being so close to him. As you peer up to look at him, you see him folding his other arm to lie his head on it.

You smile, going back to looking at the sky.

“This is like in The Notebook.” Jungkook says after a beat of silence.

“Right?” You grin. “And with the pathogens, too.” You tease.

Jungkook laughs, pinching your arm in his reach. “God, shut up about your pathogens.”

You chuckle at the irony.

“That’s me,” you point upwards, referring to a big twinkling light in the sky. Then, you move your finger towards the star beside it. “And then that’s you, ‘cause I’m a bigger star than you.”

You feel Jungkook look at you from his position. “You are so drunk.”

That causes you to giggle, clutching your stomach because you can’t stop laughing at pretty much everything tonight.

“I feel like I'm not anymore. My head just feels like it’s floating but no, definitely not drunk.”

“Whatever you say.” Jungkook says, chest vibrating from laughing at you.

“Hm. Race you to sleep, Jungkook.” You snuggle on his armpit. As you do, you smell a waft of your water lily springs body wash from Bath and Body Works. “Can you stop using my body wash?”

“What?” You can hear Jungkook say, but as he calls your name and more, his voice starts fading. “__? Hey, don’t sleep on me.”

You hum, eyes still closed.

“__, hey!” Jungkook grazes your arms. You can feel your head moving as Jungkook starts to sit, guiding your back to sit upright. He calls you again, gently tapping your cheek to wake you up.

The truth is, you’re really sleepy, but not so much that you can’t hear him anymore or move on your own.

Jungkook gives up trying to wake you up, though, convinced by your acting. Soon, he goes over in front of you, reaching for your arms and placing them around his neck.

“Just put your legs around me, yeah?” He whispers against your hair once you’re glued against his back.

You hum, intending it to sound like a mumble so Jungkook thinks you don’t actually understand.

Jungkook fixes your legs around him, standing up, bouncing a little to get you nice and snug in his back. You smile at the prospect of a piggyback ride.

“I know you’re awake, silly,” He says suddenly, his voice painted with amusement.

You stifle your laughter against his neck, breaking your supposed to be convincing act.

“Race you to the car, Kook.” you whisper into his ear.

Jungkook scoffs, but he doesn’t say anything more until you reach his car. He wears your seatbelt for you, though, and tells you to drink more water from his tumbler.

You fall asleep easily mid-drive.

In the morning, you wake up with a banging headache, your eyes catching the sight of a post-it note on your desk with one tab of Advil.

morning/afternoon stinky i made porridge before i left for my shift just heat it up again when you wake up

ps: your medical bill from my personal care will be discussed later when i get back home. no friends discount allowed

— your angelic friend, kookie

You chuckle at the (annoyingly elaborate) sketch of an angry bunny on the side.

© 𝐀𝐖𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐕𝐄 2024. all rights reserved. copying, editing, reposting and translating any of my works are not allowed.

[queenimmadolla]

Maybe could you write a dad Eddie x reader fic where penny wants to have a baby of her own so she can be a mom like reader

You were cuddled up to Eddie’s side on the couch, your toddler playing with her toys on the floor and your newborn curled in your arms, his face nuzzled against your bare breast as he nursed.

  The TV was on, but you and Eddie had long forgone your horror and dark fantasy movies for child friendly films and shows like Sesame Street, which was currently displayed on the screen. It was far from your favorite thing to watch, for either of you, your daughter was entranced with reruns of the show, and had a special love for Kermit and Elmo.

  “I’m telling you, there is no way they’re just roommates.” Eddie remarked with a scoff, during the Bert and Ernie segment.

  “They so are! I mean, the romantic tension is obviously present but neither has acted on it yet. Ernie’s too oblivious to do anything about it, probably thinks it’s only one-sided, and if Ernie’s not showing his interest, Bert’s not gonna make a move.” You countered, sinking further into Eddie’s side. His arm was around your shoulders, hand stroking along your forearm before latching onto his son’s tiny sock covered toes and giving them a gentle wiggle to which baby Wayne curled his feet further into his body, depriving his father of access to his toes. It didn’t distract the little glutton from the task at hand, your baby just mouthed a little at your nipple, head moving around until it was in place before latching once more.

  Eddie chuckled at that, watching with affection as his baby continued to stare up at you with wide eyes while he nursed, before his gaze moved back to the characters in question.

  “Sweetheart, they are clearly in a domestic partnership, they’ve just grown very comfortable around each other. We don’t need to see their affection to know they’re in a relationship.”

  “They sleep in separate beds, Eds.”

  “Okay, you got me there.”

  Penny chose then to get up from the floor, rushing over with the baby doll you’d gotten for her when you’d told her you were pregnant. She leaned against Eddie’s leg, resting her head on his thigh and letting him stroke over her curls before she pushed herself up and held the doll out to you.

  “Is that your baby doll?” You asked, assuming she was trying to show it off and she nodded, continuing to extend it and you realized she was trying to give it to you.

  “Hew you go, mama.”

  You made sure your actual baby was secure against you, glancing down to meet his unwavering stare as he ate, satisfied grunts sounding from him every so often, before you took the doll into your free hand, “Oh, you want me to hold…her?”

  You didn’t know what gender it was supposed to be, you’d heard Penny change it constantly.

  “Uh huh!” She nodded, grabbing onto Eddie’s knee and using it to sway back and forth. Sounded simple enough, you could play along, “She’s hungwy.”

  “You want to hand me her bottle then?” You could see the toy baby bottle, it had come included with, on the floor where Penny had previously been playing.

  “No, you has to feed the babies.” Penny released her dad’s knee to poke at her chest with both index fingers. “Fom wight hew.”

  You could hear and feel Eddie choke beside you, trying to muffle his laughter as you realized your toddler wanted you to breastfeed her doll.

  “Oh. Um.” You tried to think of a way to get out of it, casting Eddie a glare when you caught sight of his wide smirk from your peripheral vision. “Brother is eating right now.”

  “Udda one.” She pointed at your freed up, covered boob rather than the one your son’s wispy curl covered head was blocking for her.

  Damn it, Penny was beginning to become too self aware.

  Reluctantly, and very awkwardly, you held the baby doll’s plastic head against your other breast as Eddie literally started shaking against you. He might as well have just laughed outright with all the wheezing he was doing. Even Penny was casting him a few side-eyes.

  You turned your head towards him, eyes narrowing as Eddie continued to try to muffle his amusement behind a fist, face turning red with his effort but not even his fist was large enough to conceal the grin at your expense.

  Penny, however, looked like the cat who got the cream, happy you were once again complying with her demands. 

  You thought you’d be able to put the doll down once she went back to the toys, no luck, she’d apparently come over with the intention of watching you ‘feed’ her baby. So for like seven entire awkward minutes, you held the doll to your boob, its plastic face pressed against it, while she stared at you and Eddie suffocated on his amusement. The reason he didn’t just openly laugh at you was because he knew Penny would get mad at him. He could tell this wasn’t a game to her and if he laughed at something she didn’t intend to be funny, he’d have an angry toddler on his hands.

  Then you’d be the one laughing. 

  Mercifully, Penny eventually grew bored of watching you and reached up for the doll, which you were all too happy to give back. “You want to burp her?”

  The answer to that was no. Penny adjusted the baby doll in her hands until its face was smashed to her chest. It was half her size, but her motive was clear as she beamed up at you.

  She was imitating you.

  “Look! I A MAMA, LIKE MAMA!”

[yeehawbvby]

When the Moon Fell in Love With the Sun | Ch. 3

March x F!Farmer

Rating: Mature/Explicit (eventual smut)

Chapter Summary: March walks the farmer home from the inn somewhat early, so she invites him in for some coffee c:

Author’s Note: Prefacing this chapter with: I have no idea if tech like TVs and stuff exist in FoM but let’s just pretend 😌

Table of Contents + Work Summary

Check it out on ao3!

Prev | Next

It was March who wound up forfeiting, after… all that. 

After sharing a grilled cheese, a loaded baked potato, and a large pint glass of water with December, and after enduring some quiet teasing from Ryis about showing her — in March’s own unfortunate words — some finger action, he set out with the farmer to walk her home.

Although the snow of winter was long gone, the rain had died down to a drizzle, and the spring perennials were beginning to blossom around town, there was still a harsh chill that night. The two were practically glued together, bumping elbows and hips as they used each other’s body heat to keep warm.

December noticed the way that, as she grew increasingly lucid thanks to the greasy food in her belly and crisp air on her face, her earlier pains began to come back. It reminded her that not only did she wake up feeling horrid, but she then spent the day pushing herself to her limits, and topped it off with what was basically poison. Real smart.

She knew it wouldn’t stop her from doing this all over again some other time, though. 

“Why didn’t you bring a jacket?” she asked, ending the comfortable silence in hopes to distract herself.

“Didn’t think I’d need it.”

December inspected her torso, taking note of how baggy her own jacket was on her. Hm…

“Wanna share mine?”

March stopped walking and raised a brow. “In what world would we both fit into that thing?”

Halting in front of him, December explained, “It’s big on me, it might work.” She slipped it off and handed it to March. “Try it on.”

March frowned as he observed the goosebumps that prickled her arms before equipping the garment. To December’s dismay, he had this victory over her. 

She truly forgot how buff he was sometimes. The sight of him wearing her jacket and threatening to tear it at the seams was just as amusing as it was frazzling. “Oh.”

March tried to remove it, but stopped at the feeling of the black denim clinging to his biceps for dear life. He sighed, and almost looked pitiful as he went on, “I don’t know if I can get this off.”

December had to stifle a laugh. “It was worth a shot, I guess.”

Carefully, she tugged at the left sleeve while March twisted a little to his right, giving the jacket enough leeway to get his arm out. He then freed the other with much more ease and draped the jacket over his friend’s thick, white ponytail.

She tilted her head forward to let the fabric fall into her arms before swiftly putting it back on. As much as she enjoyed the cold, at times like this where she was a little tipsy, beyond sore, and very sleepy, all she wanted was to bundle up in a pile of blankets by the fire. Maybe she’d do just that when she arrived home.

The two of them fell silent again as they continued their journey, perfectly content with just listening to the flow of the river and their soles against the pavement. Once they reached the dirt path, they began taking turns kicking a rock along with them; and after they lost sight of it in the grass, March tentatively wrapped an arm around December’s shoulders. 

Her heart raced as she looked up at the blacksmith, curious if he’d say anything about it. He got defensive as soon as he felt her stare on him. 

“You shiver too much,” he claimed.

She hadn’t been shivering at all. But upon seeing the faint blush on his cheeks and smelling the residual sweetness of their drinks on his breath, she decided to let him have this one, smiling and allowing herself to cozy up to his side. It was a little hard to walk this way, but neither of them paid mind to it.

A few more minutes passed before they approached the door. It was only nine, so December figured it couldn’t hurt to ask, “Wanna hang out a little longer?”

March’s first impulse was to question her, “And do what?” He mentally slapped himself in the face for how abrasive it came out. 

The farmer, unaffected, shrugged. “I can make coffee, or something.” Shifting on her feet and looking down at them, she added, “Maybe we could watch a movie… or something? Play games? I dunno.”

She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous about this, considering the night they had — and after spending the entire day together, no less. Maybe she was worried she’d come off as clingy or annoying. Maybe she feared that he would get the wrong impression, assuming what most people would if a girl had invited them inside after an evening of drinking together.

“I mean, it’s fine if you don’t want to,” December backtracked. “I just thought I’d— oh.”

She cut herself off as March opted to keep his mouth shut, nudging her aside with a smirk that flustered her and opening the door before she could.

Cool.

March had been to the farm, but never for leisure. He’d stopped by once to drop off December’s jacket after she’d left it in the smithy, and a few times to drop off mail, but this was his first time entering the home’s interior. He didn’t know what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with the smell of her woodsy, citrusy air freshener.

Aside from the bathroom and coat closet to his immediate left, the house was entirely open-concept, each “room“ sectioned off with furniture. Her small, L-shaped kitchen resided along the far left corner of the room, with two bookshelves filled with books and trophies serving as a right-hand wall for it. After following December’s lead to remove his shoes by the entrance, he made his way further in, and noticed a makeshift breakfast nook in the corner of the kitchen.

Her unmade queen-sized bed was in the corner to the right of the door, with a dresser and shelving covered in plants separating it from the living area. In that space was a large, grey brick fireplace that matched the accent wall it rested against. Her tv was backed with frosty blue LEDs and mounted to the right wall, with an entertainment station below it homing a gaming console, video games, and DVDs. Finally, against the bookcases was a loveseat, with an end table between its arm and the wall.

Beside the console table and her dresser was a small pet bed, by the breakfast nook were some tiny bowls, and next to the couch and nearest bookcase sat a cat tree; and while March noticed these things, and as if on cue, he was greeted by a short-haired tuxedo cat — with thumbs! — rubbing itself against his leg.

He was ecstatic.

Feeling a little self-conscious while March took in the sights around him, December noted, “It feels like you’re judging me.” 

As he crouched down to pet Goose, he answered with surprising earnestness, “Not at all. It’s really nice in here, actually.”

“Oh! Thanks,” December smiled after tossing her jacket onto the bed. Pulling a pair of sweatpants out of her drawers, she told him, “Um, I’m gonna go change real quick.” Walking to the bathroom, she added, “Get comfy. O-or don’t.” She paused for a moment, then breathed, “Whatever.”

She closed the door behind her and once again wondered why she was so antsy. She’d had plenty of people over since moving to Mistria, and she’d been to plenty of people’s houses. Hell, she’d been in March’s home just as much as Celine’s. And sure, the bulk of it doubled as a shop and showroom, but if he ever invited her into his kitchen or his bedroom, she probably wouldn’t think twice about it. 

So why did this feel like a big deal? 

Oooh, how scary, a hot man is hanging out with her! At night! In her house! All alone!

Like, what?

While December splashed her face with cold water and worried that she was being creepy or weird, March wasn’t even considering it. He could tell she was nervous, and he didn’t know why she was, but he found it cute; it was rare he got to be on the other side, usually being the one who turns into a stuttering mess under certain varieties of social pressure.

The blacksmith, while giving Goose some chin scratches, read the tag next to his collar’s bell. He huffed a laugh out through his nose at the idea of December naming one animal after another. Was it just Goose, or did she do this for all of them? Did she have a cow named Dog? A goose named Cat? Did she even name her livestock?

When he made a move to sit on the couch, Goose followed him, climbing into his lap the moment he sat down. March was glad December wasn’t like Hayden, keeping an ”outdoor” animal in her home. He was even happier that Goose wasn’t nearly as bossy as Henrietta. The sheer audacity of that chicken never ceased to haunt him… 

Coming out of the bathroom with comfier pants and a new sense of determination to simply ignore her racing mind and heart palpitations, December made her way into the kitchen. 

“Alright,” she offered, opening a cabinet, “I’ve got tea, hot cocoa, coffee..?”

“I’m pretty torn between coffee and hot chocolate, to be honest.”

“How about a mocha then?”

March peeked at her over the shorter book shelf. Glaring and raising a brow, he asked, “Can I trust you to make a good one?”

December stared at him deadpan for a moment before getting started, ignoring the question with a stubborn “Hm.”

As March watched his host work, he began imagining what it would be like to experience this regularly. To come here and share warm drinks, and maybe even stay over, after hanging out at the inn. To wake up with December, to help her out in the fields, to pour her a coffee or make her breakfast while she got ready for the day.

That scared him. He blamed his thoughts on the minuscule bits of alcohol left in his system and turned back around. “Mind if I start a fire?” he asked, wanting a distraction.

“Go ahead,” December nodded — even if he couldn’t see her — while pulling some milk from the fridge. “I was gonna anyway.”

Shortly after that, as the smell of coffee and smoke began wafting through the house, March began to feel almost unreasonably cozy. He let himself sink into the couch, and eventually lay down, hugging the cat to his belly.

December was surprised to see that he’d dozed off when she made her way over to him. In her eyes, he was basically a big, grumpy cat. Letting his guard down enough to fall asleep had to have been a sign of trust, or at least comfort, in her. 

It was an honor, really. 

She couldn’t help the grin that crept up on her lips while she observed him for a moment. She’d never seen him so calm. Of course, when he was drunk she had the privilege of his softened features, and smile lines rather than deep creases along his brow. But to see him sober and so at peace was strange — in a good way, of course. It was nice.

It didn’t stop her from being a menace, though.

She had half a mind to wake him up gently, but opted to just knock his knee with hers instead. “Hey.” Another nudge. “Hey, sleepyhead.” 

March barely even registered that he conked out as his eyes blinked open, his eyebrows shooting up. ”Oh.” He leaned up on his hands slowly until Goose jumped down from his perch atop him, leaving the two of them alone while he relocated to December’s bed. “Shit.”

“Good thing you have this,” December said, handing him his mocha once he sat up fully.

He scooted over to make room for her, claiming the spot by the end table while December sat next to the cat tree, her knees to her chest and her matching beverage in her grasp around them. 

Before the two of them knew it, they were lost in conversation. Playful bickering about December’s brewing skills after March’s first sip (which he refused to admit was delicious) turned into reminiscing on their childhoods. March foolishly drank his first coffee black at age nine and spat it out instinctively, dirtying his pants and the tablecloth in front of him; meanwhile, December hadn’t tried it until she was 17 only because her parents said it would stunt her growth, just to wind up being 5’2” (and three-quarters, she emphasized) anyway.

That led into her telling him more about her snowboarding days: for example, how she was only semi-pro, so she wasn’t very well-known, but she was still able to make a living off it. March learned that December sucks at skiing, she can’t skateboard, and she busted her face the first time she rode a bike without help and refused to get back on one ever since. It’s a miracle she was even semi-pro, March thought, given how clumsy she is.

He voiced that opinion. December flipped him the bird.

She then learned that March broke his first bone by dropping a hammer on his foot and breaking a toe during one of his first ever smithing lessons. His second break was only a month later by hammering his index finger. His parents were reluctant to keep teaching him the craft, but Olric convinced them otherwise.

Discussion about minor injuries and fractures segwayed into December telling March about her accident and its resulting impact on her body. She hadn’t even told Celine the specifics yet. It was something she inexplicably never felt comfortable to share. But something about the night growing older, and the way March was listening so intently, and how he was growing so much more earnest with each new word he uttered, had her feeling safe enough to give him those little bits and pieces that she often kept to herself.

For March, December putting all this trust in him despite how cruel he’d once been was more than enough for him to offer some knowledge of his own inner workings in return. To tell her secrets only he and sometimes his brother knew. 

To feel comfortable rather than cagey as they grew physically closer, too; their shoulders touching after they’d abandoned their empty cups on the end table, and their bodies slumping against each other’s before completely melting together, as their arms overlapped and their thumbs brushed; as March rested his cheek atop December’s head while hers squished against his shoulder, her left dimple disappearing into his skin for safe keeping with each smile and laugh.

As they both slowly realized that, this entire time, they’d simply talked. They paid no mind to the means of entertainment around them because they had settled onto a narrow path of banter, confessions and stories — sans the distraction offered by the forge, or the courage granted by booze — that neither of them were willing to stray from.

[frodothefair]

꧁ Chapter 35 - Little Ellie ꧂

READ ON AO3┃READ FROM THE BEGINNING

SUMMARY : Frodo comes back from the war, and finds love and healing with Sam’s sweet younger sister. (J.R.R. Tolkien meets Jane Austen.)

CHAPTER SUMMARY :  Frodo and Marigold fall in love with little Elanor Gamgee. After the Gamgees depart, the master and mistress of Bag End settle into their new life, but more surprises are still in store.

PAIRING : Frodo/Marigold Gamgee (Sam’s sister in canon), Frodo/Sam (secondary) GENRES : hurt/comfort, sickfic, whump, angst, slow burn romance, slice of life WARNINGS : PTSD RATING : M┃WORD COUNT : 5.9 k chapter, 204 k total A/N : There is a brief passage with spicy material. Per usual, the spicy parts are marked with asterisks. Also, I am slowly working on FOM: the second edition. Chapters 1-16.5 are new and improved, if anyone fancies a reread. 

EXCERPT :

In the days that followed little Elanor’s birth, Bag End was animated with a festive, thrilling hubbub. It began soon after, when Legolas and Gimli were ready to take their leave, and began to say goodbye early in the morning, but did not finish until sundown. The elf busied himself in bidding cordial farewell to a long line of hobbit women, all of whom insisted that they were close friends of Marigold and Rosie, and many of whom returned to the line more than once. Gimli, either oblivious or habituated to this ritual, whiled away the hours listing dwarrow gifts that he felt were best suited to the little hobbit, and promised to send them as soon as the duo returned to the Glittering Caves.

TAGS : @konartiste@bumblingbriars@meluiloth@hippodameia

@from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras@invisiblewashboard @niamhcinnoir

@emmanuellececchi@sustinentiae-spei@luna–nyx @dilettantefeminist

[inalandofsadclowns]

Jin Guangyao and Wei Wuxian’s lives mirror each other so perfectly actually. They are basically the same person until their corresponding downfalls. And after their deaths we only get to see how WWX grows as a person, but if the story went on longer, we would arguably find some further similarities. And I’ll get to that later, just bear with me.

Starting from their births, here are some of the parallels that jump to mind at once:

Both spent their early childhoods in poor conditions.

Both grew into talented cultivators in the clan of their mother’s acquaintance.

Both had a father figure of questionable relation to them: Jiang Fengmian was rumored to be WWX’s actual father, while JGY’s place at the Lanling Jin had been questioned, because for all anyone knew, JGY could have been a random bastard with no actual relation to Jin Guangshan.

Both had a ‘fierce’ stepmother who despised them. The husband of the stepmother was afraid of her in both cases.

Each had a brother – the lawful child of the parental figures – whom they outshined.

Both played a role in their parental figures’ deaths (clearly very different roles though).

Both WWX and JGY develop their closest bonds with one of the Twin Jades of Lan.

This is where the parallels just get so blatantly obvious. Also it’s Madam Lan and Qinheng-Jun's relationship which both Wangxian and Xiyao mirror. The Lan in question’s beloved person fucks up bad. At the end QHJ, LWJ and LXC, in the following order: saves Madam Lan’s life, tries to save WWX but fails, takes JGY’s life himself. As a final result, the Lan boys close themselves away from society.

As a result of Mo Xuanyu summoning WWX, him and JGY even became blood-relatives.

And I’m sure there’s even more of these.

Of course, as I mentioned, we only have WWX/JGY parallels until the point of their deaths. Up to that point, both their stories are sad and tragic. Though JGY had accumulated his mistakes for much longer than WWX, and accordingly, he had a much higher mountain to blunder down from, which gained him a more painful death.

Following this pattern of similarities between the two, I imagine JGY would be back eventually. Since he became a fierce corpse in canon, he’d go on living the same way as Wen Ning.

And then the parallels would continue – to a certain point.

When WWX thinks back to his past life, he notes that he used to be quite arrogant. I think JGY would have the same realization.

WWX managed to shape his tragedy into a happy ending, because he got a second chance at life, in which he accepted his past mistakes and learned to grow fom them. And that is the important stage of character development, one which JGY did not live to make. (Likewise, WWX did not get to live it either pre-Qiongqi Road, but he is the central character of the novel, therefore his second chance has been told.) When JGY has repented he’d come back, too, probably as a fierce corpse, then he could finally begin his redemption arc, and technically go through a similar character development as WWX: accept the mistakes, grow from them.

WWX’s philosophy of the single plank bridge was a reoccurring element. First he used the phrase at Burial Mounds while he lived with the Wen Clan remnants, then post-Qiongqi Road LWJ brings it up, quoting WWX, when they were fleeing from Carp Tower. Wangxian end up living according to this philosophy, leaving the politics and their previous lifestyles in the cultivation world behind for a quiet and peaceful life together while wandering through narrow paths and single plank bridges. WWX’s character arc comes to an end.

This should be the point in the story, where JGY and WWX’s parallelled roads finally separate.

An unbothered life with LWJ is exactly the lifestyle that fits both WWX and LWJ’s personalities. JGY’s endgame, on the other hand, would not be a retreated life with LXC: cultivating and night hunting, just the two of them, for the rest of their days. JGY was born a leader. A politician. You see, apart from the misdeeds guided by arrogance, he did a hell of a good job with Lanling. He eliminated his father’s corrupt regime, increased the public welfare and safety by his policies and the watchtowers. This IS what he was supposed to do.

Lan Xichen was not cut out to be a lone cultivator, either. He’s sociable, he’s a kind, self-conscious leader of his clan, he loves being clan leader.

JGY and LXC were a team, and as a team, the two were able to move mountains. They were practically what the concept of sworn brothers was made for. This is simply a dynamic that one is born to have with another.

And so, this – a team, sworn brothers, an alliance between two prominent clans – is what they shall continue to be for a completed character arc. Pointing at how there is no right or wrong answer when one must choose the crowded broad road or the narrow path. The core is to choose the one which fits, the one which lets one become complete.

[russilton]

I know it is an ever changing game, but how optimistic are you for better performance out of the W14? The recent upgrades seem to have improved it, and streets are saying more are coming. We have two awesome drivers and I really hope they get the chance to win this season.

Bit of a boring answer, but its true: I’m cautiously optimistic!

Look, I do think Toto is speaking with an… unsupported hubris that we are gonna be right on the RedBull’s ass at Silverstone - BUT - he knows more than I do, and as a fan I’d rather assume nothing and be pleasantly surprised, than assume shit is going to be perfect.

But God do I want it. You, me, and even Lewis said it himself, we have the strongest team on the grid, and the pair of them amply proved last year that when given a car that’s close to or just a little behind Max, they can out drive the RedBull’s handily. Shit Lewis has been proving that since 2021. Additionally, now that the wind tunnel penalty is going to begin taking a toll on RB, and Aston being second in may will demote them slightly too, we have a slight handicap to give us a leg up to catch them and maybe get into the magic zone.

With it, we have Jallison back on the car on track every week (and he is as, if not MORE, talented than Newey), Rosie is back on strategy and our race strats have been doing way better (our quali strat… not so much, but thats a little more hubris I think). We aren’t exactly in a w11 gods of the sport place, but damn we’re looking alright.

Our most pressing needs are finding out how to get those tires warm in a sustainable way, developing the floor, and helping George find his place in the car. He’s not in a bad place by ANY means, don’t get me wrong, he’s doing incredibly well, and Spain proved his talent once again- but he’s clearly a touch wobbly with the new upgrade where Lewis has found his stride (Monaco, Spain, Montreal all had some big slippy mistakes from George).

This isn’t his failing honestly- ALLLLL of last year Lewis really struggled to fall in sync with the car, even up to Monaco this year he was saying he just couldn’t connect- now he can and George is the one who’s a little off his centre of gravity. But George is so very very good at adapting to cars he isn’t comfortable in (see: all of Williams), so I’m confident he’s going to get it soon. And Lewis being comfy is a boon, when he’s got a stable footing he makes magic on the track, and thats just info he’s going to pass down to George.

I don’t think the championship is on the cards even slightly- and honestly I would rather see Max win every race than Aston if not us. Max winning it all will make FOM and the FIA panic because no competition isn’t profitable, suddenly Red Bull will catch it in the knees like they kept doing to merc to try and create artificial competition- but if we keep improving on this track OR RB really fuck it, we could be on the cards for a win. And I fuckin’ need a Lewis win so bad. Especially at Silverstone. Could you imagine a Lewis - George 1-2 at Silverstone? I think I would cry till it flooded my fucking house.

That all turned ramble- sorry I haven’t had many asks recently, I guess I was stopped up with meta and you caught the flow.

TLDR: too soon to call, but we have all the tools to try.

[byakuren100]

In the Night Chapter 1

The day started to derail the momment B spilled her coffee and tripped going up the stairs fom her room. The car that was driving hazardly to her younger sisters was almost at where they were standing at the edge of ther drivew1ay. B had a chance to push them out of the way and then as they say get hit by a big ton truck and die but, it was not quick B chest felt heavy and felt hot like a fire pocker was stabbed and was sitting there burning.

There was a rigging in B ear as she heard muffled shout and felt tiny hands touch her face and move her to be on her back. Then nothing it went all black.

________________________

B felt a light hit her face and looked up suprised that she did not feel pain or that burning pressure on her che-

'Wait...' B Thinks as she looked down not seing her 42D insted a flat as cann be chest leading to abs-.

'What the Fuck'. B thinks as sh- he looks down at a male body, the bottom was in grey sweat pants. Looking around to ignore the not female body she , sorry he sees he is in a dorm room? Noooooo

Not High school again he already finished it and was in the process of finishing Graphic design degree.

Looking around the room B found a backpacka and laptop. There was a studen ID in the backpack backpocket. Looking at the smirk and the clear green eyes that was unfamiliar to B who was used to seeing brown eyes and long brown hair was a wake up call like no other.

Looking more into the back pack he found balck hair dye and makeup.

" The hell is going on." His chicago accent that she- he always tries to hide shines throught. Looking more at the name B shudders and slowly begins to cry.

Noah D. Crowne.

As in the top five rich families in gotham. Jesus take the damn wheel. Looking at the name had a shudder going down from the crown of her head to the toes. The name was the name of a character he came up with in his past life, a low level grunt trash that bullied the weak and lord got his ass handed to him by Damien Wayne . Then shot and killed by some thugs at a feild trip.

No no no no. This is not okay the now Noah is not ready. He was a suburban baby not a big city bo sh-he is not prepared to deal with this monster of a Gotham city. Nope.

Nope.

Okayy mabey its not that its----- the damn letter A is on the id. Well it could be worse. At least if noah tell people to fuck off they listen. Looking at his phone on his side table he sees his sleek phone in green case. Looking throught the Contact page

Uncle Adam

Office

Secretary

That is so sad. Noah is remembering his story that his parents were killed by the joker and his uncle as Defacto CEO till he is 18. His uncle Adam Crowne was exiled from his family beacase he came out and wanted to study fashion and toy making. So Noah gave him the chance.

Since then his uncle has been working together with him to expand their company amd such.

HIs uncle Adam is pretty much the only adult that Noah had after his parents died he was the only one that believed a 9 year old could run a company.

Anyways he also get the big fall from the wayne family beacuse of course they are all in it.

Okay Noah open up a notebook and begins writing.

Plan A

1. Become a Nobody.

2. Blend in and live the yolo life.

Plan B

1.Become a crime kingpin

2.Meet Red Hood (who is fiiinneee)

Plan A seems like the one with less work. There was also something that bothered Noah why was there hair dye.

20 minutes later...........

'Okay'. Name thinks that was something that was a fan theory but, looking at the mirror reflection of the joker is not okay the makeup and the hair dye washed off looking at green eyes pale skin looks like a carbon copy of the joker and the once peachy skin was pasty pale almost white screen.

''Fuck me." Noah says as he throws his hands up and goes to bed. There is to much for today .

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

[mybrainsworldsblog]

Nimrodel Learns of Thranduil

Nimrodel had just returned from her evening walk and was preparing her campfire when Frida, her great Wolf friend, approached. Nimrodel was delighted to see Frida. It has been several days since her last visit.

“Frida! How wonderful to see you! Will you join me by the fire this evening? I will not make the flames too high, I do know you do not prefer that…” As Frida approached, Nimrodel could see that Frida’s demeanor was weary. “What is this burden that you carry? Are all things well in the forest this evening?”

“Greetings, Nimrodel, I do come with news.” Frida padded over and sat before Nimrodel ears perked, golden eyes glowing. “There is a very special visitor of King Amroth approaching the forest. He comes with members of the court, guards, and a small army unit, although they do not seem to be preparing for battle.” 

“Do you know who these visitors are to Amroth?”

“Their fathers fought and died together in the terrible Battle of Dagorlad during the War of the Last Alliance while battling Sauron. It is said that the same great sorrow from that time hangs heavy in their hearts, and the light in their eyes grow dark when they look to the south, ever fearful of a return of such evil. They are haunted by such loss and reign accordingly. The Elvenking that approaches is named Thranduil son of Oropher and he rules the lands of Mirkwood.”

“Mirkwood?” Nimrodel wrinkled her nose. Mirkwood sounded like a terrible place.

“Thranduil’s homelands and story are linked to your own, Nimrodel. It is time you must learn of these things so that you may be prepared for the days ahead. Trouble is brewing in the world beyond the forest once more.” Frida motioned for Nimrodel to sit. Once Nimrodel was settled on a nearby patch of moss Frida continued, “Mirkwood was once called Greenwood the Great. There was a time when the forest formed the vast primeval woodland which covered most of Middle-earth during the Years of the Trees. Greenwood and Lothlórien may have even connected across the Anduin. The Eldar Elves passed through these lands on their journey to Valinor and it was first populated by the Nandor who were unwilling to cross the Misty Mountains. The mountains were said to be even more treacherous in those days. The Nandor Elves settled in the wooded valleys of the river Anduin. They grew in numbers and were joined by wandering Avari, becoming known as Silvan or Wood-elves. This is your lineage, Nimrodel.

“In the Second Age, the Sinda prince, Oropher, left Lindon to Greenwood where he was taken by the Silvan Elves as their Lord. Not all have resisted the newcomers as you have. The Silven Elves of Greenwood took the Sindarian language and in turn the new Sindarian lord delighted in many Silven customs, eagar as they were to return to a simpler time. Oropher built his halls at Amon Lanc in the southern forest and was accepted as the leader of the Wood-elves of Greenwood, later the Elves of Mirkwood, forming the Woodland Realm.

“At the beginning of the Third Age, Thranduil replaced Oropher as king of the Woodland Realm. The the Silvan population of Greenwood was devastated during the Battle of Dagorlad and became concentrated in the hills then known as Emyn Duir. Apparitions of the dead still linger at a terrible place called the Dead Marshes. Is is a similar story to Amroth’s rise to power in Lothlórien. Same story, different forest regions.

“At the beginning of the second millennium of the Third Age, an enigmatic being came to Amon Lanc in the south of Greenwood the Great. There, he built the stronghold known as Dol Guldur and was knowns as the Necromancer, who was indeed revealed to be Sauron. Fom his fortress tower a shadow of nightshade began to spread across the woodlands so that the Elves began to refer to Greenwood as Mirkwood- the forest under nightshade. Thranduil led his people north, away from the darkness, and built an underground fortress to protect his people. That is where he lives today.”

“How terrible,” Nimrodel felt a newfound sorrow for Amroth and all the people who live to experience such things. It is not right, she thought to herself. Not right at all. She did not know Thranduil, but she thought he should be able to live where he wishes instead of being forced to migrate to escape evil that would hurt those he cares for. She could understand the urge to want to flee instead of fight back an evil that comes back time and again, bring more destruction each time. Nimrodel began to understand that Sauron’s darkness will continue to spread and that there are people who have been fighting his evil back for longer than she even imagined. 

“Frida…do you think the darkness would have spread here already if it were not for the sacrifice of Elves like Amroth and Thranduil…” Nimrodel’s sat up straight up. Her heart filled with ice as she realized the full scope of the monstrous loss over ages to countless beings that should have been enjoying sunrises and swimming with friends in clean waters. She saw real scorched earth war in her mind for the first time and was nearly rendered unconscious from the pain. “So many have given their lives so that we may enjoy ours- completely unaware.” Nimrodel was filled with shame for hating the Sindar newcomers. While she protested and bask in her carefree life, they lived with unimaginable horror. Death and things that were infinitely worse. Nimrodel had not really considered death before. Not on such a horrendous scale. To think, Nimrodel had thought King Amroth and his kind the terrorists. They were instead defending faultless creatures of the world. Sauron and his forces were the only enemy. Nimrodel placed her face in her hands and cried for a long time.

Frida watched Nimrodel make connections based on this new information. Her heart broke for the loss Nimrodel’s innocence and she was sorry that she was responsible for that, even if she was just the messenger of such terrible news, but Frida had wanted Nimrodel to know who this approaching stranger was in the scheme of things. For some reason, Frida felt this was an urgent matter but could not reason why. Perhaps time would tell.

If it were up to Frida, their days would be spent curled up by waterside discussing the serious business of shapes in clouds. She wined and curled beside Nimrodel to comfort her. Nimrodel buried herself in Frida’s soft grey and white fur and allowed the tears to flow. After a long time, Nimrodel’s sobs began to break and then recede. They sat with each other and with their pain, feeling the entirety of it, hardening themself to the anguish, and honoring those who have suffered for quite some time before they continued. 

“Thank you for telling me this. You are right, I should not hide from important matters of the world any longer. I am seeing that the world is bigger than this forest and I should care when others are hurting. I would want others to come to my aid if it were me or my friends that were hurting.”

Frida loved Nimrodel for this and said so by touching her forehead to Nimrodel’s. 

“How long until the Elvenking arrives?”

“He will be here by tomorrow’s nightfall.”

“So soon?”

“He is not a threat. Not that we think. I just wanted you to be aware that he may cross your path and who he is.”

“Thank you, Frida. You are a good friend.”

Nimrodel experienced the first real nightmares of her life that night. Not even Frida nor any other members of the pack could calm her sleep. Shadows crept like smoke monsters through the trees killing every living thing in their path. Innocent creatures rendered wretched cried out for help to no avail. Giant spiders made themself at home in pockets of forests that once flushed with life. Deep below the earth, a monstrous inferno awoke and folk flee in every direction across the lands. Nimrodel tossed and whimpered drawing concern from the woodland creatures so that they called for the Great White Wolf, Haun to stand watch, which he did, and the nightmares continued.

The next morning, Nimrodel awoke with sunshine on her face but her heart was still filled with darkness. Her hair and skin were both grimy from sweat and thrashing about in her sleep. Frida helped her bathe in the clear waters and instructed the squirrel-folk to pick her favorite nuts and berries. The animals were keen to help and before long fox, badger, and even a young bear all joined forces with the goal of cheering Nimrodel. Frida encouraged her to set her trepidation aside for the time being and prepare for the coming of the Elvenking. There was time for worry and that time has not come yet. Nimrodel was eventually able to do a decent job of this and the forest creatures rejoiced when they saw her bathed, fed, and laughing at their antics once more despite herself.

Evening soon came and Nimrodel noticed that the woodland creatures had grown quiet. She looked around nervously for an explanation. The birds had stopped singing. Nimrodel looked to Frida.

"Nimrodel, The Elvenking approaches."

*The writing is mine. The artwork is not.

*Just starting out here. I welcome your constructive feedback. I hope you have as much fun reading it and I did writing it.

[f1]

FIA announce new management structure with Steve Nielsen joining as Sporting Director

F1 Sporting Director Steve Nielsen is leaving the organisation to take up a similar position with the sport’s governing body, the FIA, it was announced on Wednesday. Nielsen joined F1 in 2017, having previously carried out sporting roles for a host of teams including Lotus, Tyrrell, Honda, Benetton, Arrows, Renault and Williams, with his Formula 1 career beginning in the 1980s. READ MORE: 10 things to be excited for as F1 gears up for 24 races and 6 Sprints in 2023 On Wednesday, the FIA confirmed a reshuffle of their F1 structure for 2023 following a transitional period, which sees Nikolas Tombazis become Single-Seater Director, with new Sporting Director Nielsen reporting to him. Meanwhile, Tim Goss – once of McLaren – takes on the Technical Director role previously held by Tombazis, with Federico Lodi named Financial Director and former Sporting Director François Sicard named Strategy & Operations Director. Nielsen is one of the most experienced members of the F1 paddock Offering his comments on the move, F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “I want to thank Steve Nielsen for his hard work and dedication over the past five years at Formula 1. “He is a highly respected professional in our sport, and we fully support his move to the FIA. His skills and experience in Formula 1 will assist the FIA in its ongoing efforts to improve their operations during race weekends.” READ MORE: From cutting curfews to grid penalties – 10 rule changes you need to know about for the 2023 F1 season Nielsen added: “I have spent my professional life working for many teams and organisations in Formula 1, and cannot wait to engage with another new chapter with the FIA. “I’d like to thank both the President and Stefano Domenicali for their trust in me, and I understand and appreciate the unique challenges that come with being the regulator. Nielsen’s new FIA role is one of several changes at the governing body “Having worked closely with a number of people in the Federation over the years, I’m looking forward to tackling those challenges that lie ahead with them. “Formula 1 is in a great place at the moment, and it’s our responsibility to ensure the future health of the sport that is at the heart of everything we do.” PERSONALITY TEST: Which F1 driver should you support in 2023? Explaining the process behind the changes, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We have dedicated a lot of time and effort to making significant, informed changes to our Formula 1 team to create the right structure with the right people to oversee the future regulation of the sport. “By developing and empowering people within our organisation, as well as bringing in expertise and experience from the outside, I am confident that we are in the best position possible to move forward together with our partners at FOM and the Formula 1 teams.” via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

[sofreddie]

A Happy Accident (1/2)

Summary: Dean returns from a hunt gone wrong and can't face the night alone.

Characters: Alpha!Dean x Omega!Reader

ABO BINGO: Unexpected Heat

Warnings: A/B/O Dynamics, Heat, Smut (Unprotected Sex, Oral Sex, Knotting), Fluff, Angst

Word Count: 1,881

A/N: For @spnabobingo.

Dean sighed as he stood in the War Room of the Bunker. He watched Sam silently disappear down the corridor to his room. They were beyond tired, the hunt having drained them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Dean sucked his teeth before forcing his feet towards his own room. Bags and everything else could wait until later. It took what little energy he had left to hold himself together, to not sob over the events of that day.

They had tracked down the monster and taken them out, which would normally be a cause for celebration. But they couldn't save the victim. She was an Omega, and she looked far too similar to the Omega down the hall.

Y/N had been hunting with them for a couple years. At this point she was pack. Dean had often entertained ideas of more with Y/N. But he worried he couldn't be a good Alpha, and he didn't want to disrupt the good thing they all had going.

But seeing the Omega on the hunt changed things. How much she resembled Y/N. The too familiar Y/E/C eyes staring back at him, devoid of life. It broke something deep inside of him, amplifying the guilt and pain he already felt from a hunt gone wrong.

As he reached his door, he paused, gripping the handle tightly. He was scared, if he were being honest. Scared to be alone, with only his tumultuous thoughts to keep him company.

He turned his head, glancing a few doors down the hallway and sighing. He released the handle and made his way down the hall, stopping in front of another door. Y/N's door.

He took a deep breath and knocked lightly before opening the door slowly. Even if she was asleep, he had to just see her. To know she was okay.

As he peeked inside, he saw she was awake, the dim light fom the bedside lamp illuminating her. She was sat against the headboard, a book in her hands. Once her eyes landed on him, she closed the book and set it on the night table.

"Dean?" her tone conveyed her worry. Dean stepped inside, closing the door behind himself, "Is everything alright? Did something happen on the hunt?"

She made to move from the bed but Dean shook his head. The silence drew out between them as they stared at each other. Y/N then threw back the covers on the other side of the bed, silently inviting him to join her.

They'd shared hugs in moments where it was needed, but they'd never shared a bed. Y/N could see whatever it was weighing down on Dean, making him look so vulnerable. She was pretty sure he didn't want to be alone, knowing he must have really needed the comfort if he came to her.

Dean crawled into the bed beside her, lifting the blankets and lowering them back down over his body as he settled. Y/N drew him into her arms, his head tucked under her chin as she soothed him.

His arms wrapped tightly around her, breathing deeply of her scent.

By the time she was stirring awake in the morning, her dose of suppressants from the night before had worn off. She knew her heat would be coming over the next few days. Sleeping against a strong and virile Alpha had allowed her heat to begin clawing to the surface ahead of schedule and despite the medication in her system.

Dean was still happily dosing, his breath puffing out against her sternum, playing against the light sheen of sweat and sendling chills through her.

Feeling the shiver brought Dean awake. He groaned, his head turning to allow his nose to brush against the hollow of her throat. Y/N swallowed hard, hearing Dean inhale. The deep, vibrating groan that followed had her clenching her thighs.

She quickly jumped from the bed, shocking Dean to wakefulness with the sudden movement. She smiled apologetically at him as she shuffled to her dresser. Locating her suppressants and taking an extra dose for good measure, she turned to Dean bashfully.

"Sorry about that," she shuffled, tucking her hair behind her ear, "I didn't realize sleeping next to an Alpha would, uh…" she felt awkward. She tried so hard over the years to keep the Omega side of her out of mind for the brothers. She didn't want to risk her home, her family.

"You're in heat," Dean stated with a furrowed brow, shifting on the bed and sniffing the air more carefully.

"It wasn't due for a few days. I thought with the suppressants I'd be fine."

Dean slowly moved from the bed, his gaze still locked on Y/N. He appeared like a stalking predator as he approached her, his muscles rippling with movement.

She was still with shock as he stopped before her, his pupils dialated as his Alpha became prominent. He cupped her cheek with one large hand and her eyes fluttered closed at the contact.

"Smell so good, 'Mega," Dean's gravelly tone only enticing her Omega further. He lowered his head to her neck, scenting her properly for the first time. Her aroma was rich and thick and spicy with hints of sweet undertones. Dean suddenly thought of a glass of good whiskey in front of a fire in a cabin in the forest.

"Dean," Y/N's hands clung to him, his body pressed to hers as he greedily filled himself with her scent. He could hear the plea in her tone.

He couldn't go back now, even if he wanted to.

"Need you, 'Mega," he pleaded, his eyes still dark. But the sadness from last night seeped in, making her heart ache.

"Need you too, Alpha," she agreed and Dean groaned, diving in to capture her lips in a heated and long-overdue kiss.

They fell into the bed in their original spots, neither of them willing to part far from the other. Y/N assumed Dean would be full Alpha, frenzied and needy. Instead, he was calculated, passionate, and patient. He took his time kissing her breathless, tasting of her mouth, hands gripping and feeling along her body, adding fuel to the fire her heat was causing.

Her own wandering hands grew impatient. Dean broke the kiss, gently pushing her to her back as he laid atop her, slotting between her parted thighs. She was caged in by him in the best of ways, surrounded by Alpha. Her Omega mewled, causing a small smirk to tug at the corner of his mouth.

She returned his gaze, a silence between them that was filled with unspoken words and intense feelings. At least, that's what she felt in that moment. She wasn't sure if he felt it too. Her hand raised of its own accord, her fingertips ghosting over his cheekbones, her eyes following the details.

He took her hand in his, holding her gaze as he gently kissed the tips of each of her fingers. He entwined his hand with hers as he laid it back against the sheets, diving in for another kiss.

She relaxed into him, her Omega submitting, making the Alpha moan in approval. The mere sound of him had her involuntarily bucking against him, searching for more.

The Alpha obliged, slowly removing each piece of her sweat and slick drenched clothing, nipping and licking at each new inch of flesh exposed. By the time he settled his head between her thighs, she was embarrassingly close to cumming.

He managed to key her up, hold her on that precipice for what seemed like an eternity as he took his time exploring her folds with his mouth. When he finally pushed her over the edge, her mind went black and vision white as she screamed out her pleasure, writhing against his mouth.

He lapped up all she had to give, the slick steadily pouring out of her. He hummed and kissed her pussy lightly, before kissing his way up her body, stopping to suck light marks. By the time he reached her lips, she was trembling and desperately ready for more.

She soon realized he was still dressed, his clothes scratchy against her sensitive and hot skin. She moved to sit up, Dean following, his confusion dissipating as she tugged at his clothes. They worked together until he was bare. Y/N placed on hand on his chest, guiding him to lay on his back. He went willingly, his hands finding her sides and pulling her down against him.

They both sighed in relief as skin met skin. Y/N buried her nose into his neck, scenting him deeply and unashamedly, taking lungfuls of him into her to sear into her brain forever. She wasn't sure if she'd ever get this chance again and she wanted to remember everything in exquisite detail.

She shifted, prepared to worship his body with her mouth. He stopped her, cupping her cheek with one hand, the other on her hip. He brought their mouths together as he moved her, rutting his cock through her folds.

She gasped as the tip hit her clit directly, sending a jolt of pleasure through her. Lifting her hips and holding his gaze, she slowly sunk down onto him until there was no more to take. She paused, her eyes fluttering closed, feeling full in the most pleasing and erotic of ways.

Dean's eyes devoured her, taking in the tiniest of details as she adjusted to him. Her skin was flushed, glistening with sweat, her muscles twitching and rippling randomly throughout her body. She looked divine.

When her eyes opened, she leaned down over Dean, holding his gaze as she began to slowly move her hips. His hands roamed all over her, exploring and holding her close as they found a rhythm together. When he shifted his hips and found her spot, she moaned wantonly.

The Alpha could hold off no longer as he swiftly rolled them so that he was on top and in control. He bit his bottom lip before thrusting hard, directly into her g-spot. She gasped harshly, her hands flying to his shoulders, her eyes wide and on him.

He gave that small hint of a smirk once more, then dug in his knees, starting a punishing pace that was unrelenting to her most sensitive spots, his knot already beginning to expand.

She wondered if this was it, the moment she became claimed. It felt like it, the consistent flow of emotions ebbing between them as they connected on the most intimate of levels.

As his knot popped, she wailed her release, turning her head to expose her neck to him. As she came down from her high, she could feel him kissing her gland, scenting her once more. But the bite never came.

When his knot released, he pulled from her with a groan, plopping onto the bed beside her. She didn't know what to think. She was cum-drunk, still trying to catch her breath and calm her heart.

Dean brought her into his arms, holding her much the same as she held him the night before. Her emotions were all over the place. Maybe it was her heat. Maybe after her suppressants had time to kick in and she'd had a good nap, she'd feel differently. Maybe he'd feel differently too.

PART 2

Forevers:

@sis-tafics

@lyarr24

@calaofnoldor

@hobby27

@spnbaby-67

@fangirlxwritesx67

@jarpad24

@flamencodiva

@flashxspn

Dean Winchester:

@akshi8278

@jerkbitchidjitassbutt

@slamminmine

@idreamofdeanie

@charred-angelwings

@deandreamernp

@laycblack

[woahajimes]

Something that might have gone right over our heads when talking about Gotham is that there must have been a lot of stray pets. Dogs, mostly. Cats were always important to Gotham, dogs were sent to the streets. The dogs on the streets, they were seen by anyone with a scent for authority, and they were ‘sent to sleep’. Simple, painless, as they’d tell you.

Until Robin came along. This Robin did not have even a miniscule sense of patience when it came to the harm caused to the dogs on the streets. He would make it his one and only priority, and Batman’s opinions wouldn’t make a difference. 

What Robin felt like a slap on the face, was that this had been occurring for as long as Gotham had been standing. It filled Robin with anger, yet guilt as well. He had rarely thought about the dogs of the streets, he felt selfish. He had always taken a small pride in his ‘living in the present’, in the way he worried about the now and not the next. Now, he wasn’t sure. It was self-centered of him, he had been too concentrated in himself, and not in those that mattered. 

Robin became restless, reckless. He skipped patrols, he wasn’t at Batman’s side. Slowly, the dark knight was alone, as he once was, before the first Robin came along. He noticed this of course, the Batman. His patience would run short, he'd chastise Robin.

"I needed you last night. You weren’t there. Why?"

Robin ignored him. He didn’t owe explanations to a man dressed as a teletubbie. The Batman let this pass, yet the next times he wasn't so patient.

This is how a stronger discomfort began to grow between the two heroes. Robin wouldn’t dare tell the Batman about how he spent his time, because then he’d be asked to stop, that there are more important matters than the stray dogs of Gotham. 

It was rebelry, the Batman would tell himself. His previous partner wouldn’t be as reckless as this, the problems they had that assimilated this situation, they’d pass in a week, tops. This deal with the current Robin was now on for months. Robin always skipping practice, his head was always somewhere else. Not that it affected much of his imput in crime-fighting. Robin was all about strength and channel. Justice, if the Batman dared say so himself. 

Months passed, Robin became distant. More focused in whatever life he had outside Batman’s eyesight. Greatest detective and everything, he respected his trainee’s privacy. 

It was at a robbery that Robin lost his pace. His mind was out, he was pulling punches, hesitant with everything. Batman had to deal with them, as if he didn’t have a partner to begin with. That was a final for him, Robin had never been so... distraught. So out of the game. He’d have to talk to him about this once he got home. From wherever he was. 

Robin didn’t go home that night, and Batman had to go look for him. He had an idea of where to find him.

The Batman found Robin by the gargoyle he’d always be at, back when things were nice. His head was leaning onto the carved stone, limp, hopeless. 

Batman stood behind Robin. He cleared his throat. “Robin, we need to talk.” 

Robin only shook his head, Batman heard a faint ‘no’. 

Batman had never been a man to deeply understnad children, especially not teenagers, yet he tried nonetheless. He walked forward, sat beside Robin, took his cowl off. “Jason?” 

Robin kept shaking his head, in denial of something Bruce couldn’t understand. He peeled his domino mask fom his face, wiped his eyes roughly. He was crying, Bruce noticed that now. 

“I couldn’t save them.” Jason squeaked. He was trying not to cry any harder. He wiped his eyes again, with the back of his hand. 

Bruce put a hand around Jason’s shoulder. He had a somewhat idea of what he could be talking about, he didn’t know anything for sure. Again, it was all about privacy. 

It was an awkward hug, the one that Bruce attepmted to give his son. Jason didn’t seem to care. He didn’t wrap his arms around Bruce, but that was fine by him. Bruce felt like saying ‘it’s gonna be okay’ would be an exaggeration of things. 

“I couldn’t save them,” Jason cried on Bruce’s shoulder. “I couldn’t save any of them.” 

[prydon]

If you don't wanna do all the evens (or if you do and want additions): 18, 25, and 27 for the weird writing ask game?

safuisahf you’re so valid for asking for all the evens but i think i’ll just do these for now and then maybe go back to doing all of them if i don’t get to answer a lot of the others!! 

leaving 18 for last because it’s long, so--

25. What is a weird, hyper-specific detail you know about one of your characters that is completely irrelevant to the story?

i honestly don't have many of these, most of my thoughts end up getting worked into a story at one point or another lol. i was about to put one about mag, but then i realized it’s gonna be mentioned in the next chapter of FOM, sooo..... *zips lips*

27. Who is the most stressful character you’ve ever written? Why?

"stressful" is an interesting word.... there aren't many characters i consider stressful to write. even a character as shitty as mag, i kinda enjoy writing. and if a character stresses me out, i probably won't write about them a lot. some of the ones i find more Difficult to write, though, are probably.... mick (bc he's funny and i'm not funny) and any OC i write into a fic (bc it's entirely on me to make them likeable/memorable to the readers, who have no backlog of feelings towards them for me to fall back on)

18. Choose a passage from your writing. Tell me about the backstory of this moment. How you came up with it, how it changed from start to end. Spicy addition: Questioner provides the passage.

i'll do you one better: i'll give you a passage that doesn't exist anymore, from the first draft of separate but syncopated, and then explain how/why it changed lol. this is how nureyev and his first love marquis originally met, with some bits cut for brevity:

When Nureyev runs into a band of rebels talking animatedly around a fire in the slums after a few weeks of petty thefts, he tries to turn up his nose at them. Don’t they realize it’s pointless? Whatever they’re fighting for, they won’t obtain it. Or if they do, they’ll treat the new downtrodden just as badly as they once were treated as soon as they have power.

[...] As it turns out, one of them has stood up and positioned himself on top of a crate. He has auburn hair and sparkling eyes, and everyone has stopped to look at him, as though mesmerized in his wake. They know this man, trust him--perhaps he’s their boss. He doesn’t look much older than Nureyev, but he’s got the air of a leader.

“From the beginning of time, there’ve been have and have-nots,” the man says, and his voice is rich and loud. “There have always been people like us. Always been hungry, always been downtrodden. We have nothing, and yet they still take from us. Take and take and take. For what? And why? Why do they deserve it? Why should we starve while they eat?”

All the rebels cheer, throwing up their hands.

“Tell me!” the man yells. “Why should we starve while they eat?”

The question becomes a chant, ringing through the night air. The words are simple, nothing revolutionary. Yet the sparkle in the man’s eyes has become a flame, and there’s spit flying from his mouth as he shouts, silhouetted by the planet’s moons. His passion and rage are so familiar. Nureyev remembers a time only a few years ago when he’d been filled with that same rage, before his life once more became nothing more than a bid for survival.

He thinks he’s hidden in the shadows, outside the reach of the fire’s light, but then the rebel leader’s eyes fix on him and he stiffens.

“Who do we have here?” the man says, stepping down from the crate and strolling lazily past his underlings, who have fallen into a tense silence. He stops right in front of him. He’s at least a few inches shorter than Nureyev, but somehow Nureyev still feels like he’s being loomed over. “A voyeur?”

[...]

The man laughs. “I’m Marquis Prouvaire,” he says. “Marq, to some.”

“Herzog. Ken Herzog.” Nureyev comes up with it on the spot, and it’s no Marquis Prouvaire, but it’ll have to do.

Marquis smiles. “Welcome to the rebellion, Ken.”

xxx

so yeah, if you’re familiar with SBS this should look VERY different lol. their entire way of meeting is way more simple and boring, without the drama of marquis saving nureyev from falling into the gases, and his revolutionary ranting is more general instead of specifically being about the discrepancy between the under and over cities. that’s because in the first draft of SBS, daksha was a completely normal planet. it wasn’t a gas giant, the under and over cities didn’t exist, and so neither did the anti-grav devices. as soon as i did that world-building work, i was able to make this section Way more unique and interesting.

the lines marquis says are actually taken, near-verbatim, from lines mag says in the original drafts of angel of brahma. that was an intentional parallel, obviously, if maybe a little weirdly freudian in retrospect lol.

speaking of, you’ll notice marquis introduces himself as marq. he was originally going to be primarily called marq (because that sounds more normal and makes the royalty vibe of his name more subtle), but then i realized it was too close to mag and the parallels between him and mag were strong enough already :’D 

i always knew he’d be a revolutionary leader, though! that bit was important to me, given nureyev’s attraction to moral outrage and past as a revolutionary, himself.

[twsted-simp-writer]

Yandere!Vil Schoenheit | eyes on me

WARNING: Noncon/Dubcon, Kidnapping, Mind break, Manipulation, Gouging out eyes, Sensory Deprivation, Threats

IF YOU ARE EASILY DISTURBED WITH THEMES LIKE THIS, SKIP THIS POST

How did it become this way? Here you were in the arms of the man you once loved, who broke your heart, laying motionless as he whispered sweet nothings in your ears, brushing your hair. It all started from a simple infatuation yet it ended up to this... 

It was a pleasant normal morning in Night Raven College. With you attending your classes as usual and hang out with your friends. As you were mindlessly stroll down the hall, you bumped into someone's chest. 

Glancing up, you saw the male with blond hair with purple streaks at the ends of his hair. With wide eyes, your heart raced as blood rush up to your cheeks. It was Vil Schoenheit, Pomefiore's Dorm Leader and one of the handsome males in this academy. 

He gaze down at you with piercing cold eyes. You bowed and utter your apology while he just huffed and walked passed you. Raising your head, your gaze linger on his retreating form, admiring him. Clasping your hands together on your chest, swooning. You had always liked the well-known Pomefiore dorm leader. Your gaze would always be on him every time he appears in your field of vision. You were also active on MagiCam, following his every updates. Knowing he was out of your league yet you remain hopeful for him to acknowledge you, even once. 

Your friends who were part from another dorm doubted that the Vil Schoenheit would ever notice you. With him being a famous model, actor, etc., he would definitely choose to focus on his job and studies. But if there is someone that catches his eyes, that person will definitely be on par with him. Beautiful, graceful, and talented. 

At their words, you felt your confidence sinking. Their words made sense. Vil was popular and he had lots of fans.  He'll definitely focus more on his career than be in a relationship. He was like the perfect specimen the heavens created while you were just normal. You definitely have no chance. 

Noticing your mood, they glance at each other, feeling bad before comforting you as they begin giving advise about love. The one who you think you would end up with may someone just passing by in your life. They also explain that what you feel towards him was just obsession. But they still encourage you to confess to him so you can sort out these feelings and fully understand it. 

Unbeknownst to you, you already had caught his eye ever since the entrance ceremony. He didn't knew the reason why you caught his attention. You were nothing special. Plain, average in terms of looks, just that one person in the crowd. He first find it irritating that you were always there everywhere he goes. In the end, he'll ignore it as he focuses more on important things. 

Few days later, you gathered all courage to confess. Before the class started, you pleaded your friend and seatmate, Epel Felmier to gave it to their dorm leader.  You became acquainted with Epel when he became your partner in an activity in History. After spending time and talking suring class, you knew more about him. How he wished he was sorted in Savanaclaw but he ended up in Pomefiore. 

At first, Epel was hesitant to accept it. He assumes that Vil will ignore love letters or directly reject them. But in the end, he took it fom your hands. He warned you to not expect too much and end up getting hurt. You nod understanding what may happen. 

Once the day was over, Epel returned to his dorm and arrived at the Pomefiore dorm's lounge. Luckily, Vil was just sitting on the dorm head's seat as he converse with Rook, who stood beside him

Excusing himself, Epel called their dorm leader's attention. "Vil-san... A friend of mine wants to give you a letter..." Epel said as he stretch out his hands holding a small envelope. The two leaders glanced at one another before Vil motioned Rook to take the letter and give it to him. 

"Thank you, little apple." Rook said with a smile as he took the envelope from Epel's hands. He handed it to Vil's outstretched hand. Epel soon left to go back to his room. 

The fair male inspected the envelop before he gently tore it open as to not destroy the letter inside. Taking out the content inside, it was a folded paper. It was normal for him to gets lots of letters everyday. Letters which stated their admiration to him, their hatred towards him, requests, advises for skincare and just some plain greetings. 

He unfold the paper to see a neat yet simple handwriting. From the writing itself, he could tell it was from a girl. A short poem was written inside. 

Always wandering inside my thoughts, keeping me awake every night. 

Your eyes shined as if it was the pink amethyst itself, gazing onto my own. 

Your hair fluttered in the wind, soft as silk as if at the slightest touch, it would easily break. 

Please meet me at (random place), on (random time & day) for me to express my feelings. I will wait for you... 

- Y/N L/N

His eyes widened slightly seeing the familiar name and sign at the bottom. It was you who sent this letter to him. Strangely his heart raced as he read your letter. He'll admit he never thought you had way with words. With lingering gaze on your name, there was a certain glint in it. 

Rook observed Vil's reaction closely. He noticed a small change in his expression and was curious of the letter. He asked about it while the handsome just brushed it off and started another topic. The model fold it and hid it in his pocket. He'll think about what to do with this letter once he return to his room. 

The promised day has arrived. The whole day, your mind was wondering to Vil instead of the lessons. Epel had to elbow you everytime to get your attention. Muttering a small sorry, you turn your gaze at the board. Your heart was beating and your hands were shaky. How you wanted this to be over and get over with it. 

After classes, you immediately head to the place you wrote at the letter. Seeing he was still not there, you sigh in relief. You sat down at the bench and admire the orange sunset sky. 

Immersed on the view, you didn't notice Vil has arrived. Hearing someone clearing their throat, you twitch and turn to see the one you were waiting for. 

met you at the place you mentioned. You stood there with your head down, fiddling with tour fingers. Taking a deep breath, you raise your head and confessed to him. 

His heart was beating so fast when heard your confession for him. In contrast to his feelings, he rejected you harshly. Making comments of your appearance, your habits and naive assumptions. Your world somehow stopped once those words were spoke. Your body felt numb, your eyes wide and hands cold. 

Oh, how the look on your face devastated him. Yet at the outside, his gaze was cold as ice. He didn't have a choice, he has an image to uphold. If people were to see you with him, an ordinary girl who doesn't stand out, it would be terrible... 

Turning around, he walked away never looking back. His ears picked up the slight sound of your cry. He wanted to stop and turn back to comfort you and apologize, but he didn't. His body never stopped. He could already see your furrowed eyebrows and eyes that held a glint of sadness and heartbreak as tears stain your cheeks. It had already happened. There was no use of crying over spilled milk. 

Weeks has passed after the confession, you stopped following him and realized it was just an obsession. You admired him because of his looks and confused it with love. Yet it still hurts that he had to point out your insecurities and mocked them. 

Your friends comforted you later that day. They jokingly added they will hook you up with someone they know but of course you rejected. Thanks to that, your heart felt lighter as you began to appreciate yourself more and decided to focus more on loving yourself, studying and spend time with your friends. 

His gaze would follow your every move. You were acting normal as if the confession didn't happen in the first place. This somehow disappointed him. He was expecting to see you downhearted for the next few days, only to see you laughing happily with your friends. With clenched fists, he tries to fade out your voice as he ate his meal. 

As you ate, a spiky haired male with heart patch on his left eye, approached you. Your friends were wiggling their eyebrows with a teasing look while you just rolled your eyes before talking to the male.

He was Ace Trappola. He was an acquaintance of yours. You met him when you were looking for the direction of Mister S's Mystery Shop. You don't want to admit it but you were terrible when it comes to directions. Thanks to him, you managed to buy the things you need on time before it closed. 

Unnoticed to you, a certain young man was seething inside as he watch you interact with that guy. Seeing that smile of yours was directed to that man, his heart burned with jealousy and rage. Finishing his food and put the tray at the station, he strolled out of the cafeteria in anger. 

Out of all the guys in Night Raven College, why that guy! Why not him? He was the epitome of perfection. In looks, in intellect, in almost everything. He froze when he realized what he had thought. He held his head. What was happening to him? He didn't even know the reason he was feeling like this. Was is because of your confession? Or the fact you already move on from him and has another guy after you? 

Clenching his fist, a dark smirk crawl onto his lips as he walk back to the dorm. Upon arriving, he called Rook to have a talk. The self-proclaimed hunter of love's eyes widened but hesitantly nodded. Still shaken of what the male ordered him, he concluded Vil has gone mad. Leaving the young man all alone, with malicious plan brewing in his mind. 

Something was unsettling to you. The fact that almost the population of the academy was staring at you, as you ate. It felt suffocating and uncomfortable. You were definitely not used to the attention. Even Epel who sat beside you was quiet. The Pomefiore dorm leader who rejected you harshly, suddenly sat beside you and began to talk as if you were friends since Day One.

You would hesitantly answer to his questions as you meekly eat finish your food as fast as you can. The handsome male noticed this. He will observe your every little movement and drink it all. It was so strange and the fact your friends were not here today really felt off. 

"I-I need to go, Vil-senpai. My next class is about to begin..." and made an excuse to escape him. He already knew of your schedule with the help of Epel being your classmate.

Vil sent your purple haired friend a knowing look. Epel hesitantly nodded as he stood from his seat and followed you. Pleased to himself, he mentally praised Rook's work of doing the deed without any trouble. Now an obstacle is off the trail and the last event was to be done. 

"I'm hungry..." You whined quietly as you and Epel were the last ones to left the classroom. There were almost no students left in the hallway as the others were back in their dorms. 

Hearing your whine, Epel took out an apple sealed in a small plastic and gave it to you which you gratefully accepted since you were starving. As you bit on your apple, he had a guilty look on his face which confused you. 

"I'm sorry..." He muttered as he held his other arm, his gaze down at the ground. "I'm really sorry...!" His voice cracked in the end. 

Clicking sound of heels echoed throughout the silent corridor. You turned to see Vil, standing there looking handsome as before. 

Seeing a dark smirk crawl onto his lips, you knew something was wrong. Your head became lightheaded as your vision blurred and slowly dimmed accompanied with an ear splitting noise which made you cover your ears. 

Loosing the sensation of your legs, you fell to the ground. Strangely, you didn't feel any pain at the impact of your fall. You were still conscious seeing a blurry figure coming closer. Before you knew it, Vil carried you away with Epel following behind his head hanging down. 

Conjuring up a paralyzing potion with a mixture of sleeping effects was a piece of cake for Vil being as student of Pomefiore and dedicated in studying potions since he was little and researching potions that further improve his beauty.

Setting your numb and now unconscious body to the bed, he then took out the rope he had asked Rook to buy for him, tying your arms and ankles close to your body. 

Days have passed nearly a week, no one noticed you and your friends' disappearances except some of your friends outside your circle, who was about to notify this to the Headmaster. Vil, who was one step ahead, intervened and swiftly disposed them. 

When you gained your consciousness, you found yourself in a totally unfamiliar room. It was filled with various lavish furniture and lots of stuffed toys. With all of these, a person would feel happy yet it gave you creeps. There were no windows, the decorations didn't give her the welcoming feeling nor sense of warmth. 

"I'm glad you're finally awake, dear." A painfully familiar voice spoke beside you, you turned to see Vil sitting from the chair beside the bed, watching you with a blank look. A shiver ran down your spine meeting his gaze. As you were about to sat up, you noticed your arms were bound, even your feet. 

Anxious, you slowly glanced at the quiet male. "Vil-senpai...? Why am I here?" You softly asked, your feelings betraying you. You tried to hide it but you were scared. 

"I have to say, I am very disappointed in you, (Y/N)." He stood from his seat and walked towards your form. Your heart was beating so fast as he came nearer. Your eyes was shaky as you stare at him. He stoop down and held your chin tightly. 

"Why... I thought you love me?" You could sense a tone of betrayal in his tone which made you confused. 

After a few seconds, he parted leaving a string of saliva between your tongues. Seeing your tears, he wiped them with his thumb and began caressing your eyes. The thought of you looking at someone other than him, made him sick in the stomach. 

"I... I..." You couldn't form words to answer him. Why was he acting like this? Wasn't he the one who rejected you?

Seeing your form, he assumed you already moved on from him. The thought of it angered him to the core. He leaned down and kissed your lips. It was forceful, full of rage and lust. Tears were welling up and it finally fell from your eyes as Vil continued to abused your lips. 

"Your eyes... How could I just realize it now...?" He muttered as he gaze them. He finally knew what made him so attracted to you. It was your beautiful eyes. A dark sinister move entered his mind. 

If he were to pluck out your eyes, you wouldn't be staring at others. It would be just him. Only him. He would find a way to preserve your eyes. Casting a spell, you were forced to a deep slumber. Vil left your prison and went straight to the library.

Sensory Deprivation. This subject caught his interest while he was searching for books in the library. He had read a topic related to this and found it quite useful. Depriving someone's senses. 

You were gagged and blind folded as your body was tied to the bed. At night, Vil visited the clinic to take the medicinal tool kit. Lying about his headache, the old nurse told him to just take the pill at the shelf she pointed at since she had business to attend to. He swiftly got what he wanted. 

As you were in deep slumber, he spread out the tools and wore the surgical gloves. Opening your eyelids, he took the scalpel to pluck out your eyes and used the tweezers to take them out. He set them at the tray. Lots of blood stained the bed and your cheeks. It was as if you had cried blood. He took the needle and stitched out your eyelids close. 

Wiping the blood of your face and cleaning the tools, he returned the medicinal tool kit and disposed the bloodied gloves. He casted a magic barrier around you so that you couldn't hear a thing. Even a single pin drop. He preserved your eyes and put them in a jewelry box.

The days went as you regained consciousness and realized your eyes were taken out, your eyelids were sewed and you were gagged. Vil would visit you to see how you were doing. He would be the one to clean your body, dress you up even feed you. He'll use this opportunity to slowly corrupt your mind and do things he wanted. He was patient molding you 'till all you can think of was him. Him alone. 

There will be times he'll snap during the first few weeks when you misbehave, rejecting his every touch. He ends up punishing you every time with threats of taking you. It definitely shut you up but your shaky form betrayed your fear. 

Feeling bad as he heard your sobs, he spoke up. "I'm here, darling." Hearing his voice, you felt relieved. Following the source of his voice, you landed on his awaiting arms.

A few months has passed since then, he sat on your bed watching his beloved struggling to find him.

"Vil, where are you?" You pitifully cried out as you stretch out your arms around as to feel him. The male was pleased. He had successfully broke you. His research back at the library pay off. You were finally dependent on him. Feeling hopeless, helpless, lonely without his presence, his every touch, everything. 

Vil wrapped his arms around you and pulled you closer to him. You rest your face close to his neck as he ran his hand through your hair. You wore the black short negligee he himself had bought for you which perfectly fit your figure. 

"Such a good girl."

With a dark smile, he untangle the bandage and kissed your healed sewed up eyelids then your lips.

His gaze landed on the small jeweled box at the shelf, which contained your preserved eyes that will only look at him for eternity. 

[nextwarden]

Webtoons are good for the soul [Long post] [but worth it] [hopefully]

Bit of a long one (for a change...), sorry.

I haven’t read that many that’s a lie but here are my favs!

Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe [ongoing - every Sunday]

or when Hades met Persephone. It’s a love story, fluffy yet deep and sad at times. Very well told and with incredible art (as you can see from the cover ci-dessus), in a pastel/watercolour fluid style, as is the storytelling. It has compelling characters, character growth, love, funny moments, and basically the best you could ask from a romantic story. And it had enough material to get you through good number of hours of reading before you have to break down every sunday in wait of the following week like the rest of us.

mah-hart-mah-sole/10

Love Advice From the Great Duke of Hell by unfins [ongoing - every Friday]

Paul is in love with a cute girl who works in a café nearby. But Paul is shy and can’t work out how to go ask her out. So Paul does what anyone would do and summons one of the Great Dukes of Hell in order to get better at fumbling his sentences and blushing at beautiful maidens. It’s about discovery of one’s true self and how getting deep into shenanigans will lead you to find so much more. Also, sister. (You’ll understand when you get there.)

It’s funny but also compelling and serious but still incredibly funny. I don’t think I’ve laughed as much reading any other webtoon and yet the story is also really cool. It strikes a perfect balance, or near perfect. The expressions and the action scenes are just incredible too.

chenandeler bong/10

Suitor Armor by Purpah [ongoing - every Friday]

In a land with magic and war between humans and fairies, Lucia is the princess’s lady in waiting and her only goal in life at the moment is to get her Lady to have the wedding she wishes for and deserves. But then she gets a flower from a magic armor and everything changes. Also, she’s a fairy.

It’s well drawn, characters all seem unique, varied and personnality-driven. The art style is beautiful. It’s also deeper than what I expected, with inklings of different types and levels of drama.

Alright, I’ll say it, it feels like a ‘promising new Lore Olympus’. By which I mean not to compare but simply to say I felt as taken by the story as I did with L.O.

Modeus/10

Facing the Sun by ArtbyTesslyn [ongoing]

Aarya reaserches the intricacies of dobotics and artificial intelligence with her companion robot Liza who's expiration is long everdue. Things change with a hardware update. One can’t live without the other, and neither can the other.

It’s dark but beautiful, both in the art and in the story. The sci-fi elements aren’t overwhelming and pieces of lore bring begin to pain a picture over time. It’s a slow burn but oh lord! if it isn’t going to be blazing hot...

I Robot/10

Spellbound by Ronce [ongoing]

Eglantine joins a new highschool midyear and finds herself paired with a refractarian roommate. She does her best to fit in to her new school despite not conforming to all the expectations that others might have of her. Or of her strange but likeable roommate.

It’s a cute and queer little romance, very underrated in my opinion. The art is wonderful, it’s black and white in the beginning and starts having touches of colour here and there before going full blown coloured, and I didn’t even realize it had until many chapters into it... The characters all all diverse and interesting. Also did I forget to say it’s set in France and it’s a wizarding school? Because it is!

conseiller principal d’éducation/10

180 Angel by King Katbird [ongoing]

Chloe is an angel, she lives in Heaven and goes to school in the hopes of becoming a delivery angel one day! However her plan are compromised by her inability to do anything well except halo manipulation. Even flying is not easy for her. But a fateful meeting with a reaper sends her on a trip to Hell and back which changes her. Or is it that she had always been different?

It may not seem much from the banner but I tried it and I got hooke. The art is great and still improves over time, the plot takes a bit of time to set in - I’m still not sure it’s fully set in yet - but it’s worth it, and the characters are visually deep. It sometimes jumps weirdly between scenes or sequences but not so much it completely loses you.

LAMP/10

Letters on the Wall by JaelynGs [ongoing]

Tara comes back fom spain after a five years abroad to find things have changed and others haven’t, to her equal pleasure and dismay. This is how she and her friends deal with these old relatioships that they are now reviving.

Everything doesn’t go smoothly despite each and every character deserving them to. The art is good to begin with and manages to improve over time, as well as the storytelling. Where it might have been a bit hectic before, it smoothes over time. It was for the longest time the only reason I would stalk Webtoons everyday to see if there was any updates. Also each chapter has a colour in the name and that’s just cool!

If Da Yomanville Gang [see below] got me to come to Webtoons, this sealed the deal for me to stay. [And then there was Lore Olympus.]/10

Not So Shoujo Love Story by Curryuku [ongoing - every Tuesday]

Rei Chan-chan loves Hansum, the chin chin chinny goodest looking student, more than she loves her shoujo manga. But gorgeous Hannah is in her way and won’t seem to let her get her way with him. Why is that? Well, gaybe there’s a secret hidden behind her motives? Read it to find out...

It’s funny, it’s cute, and it’s so, so stupid. I love them all. It’s dumb but so much fun to read. There aren’t that many chapters yet but enough to get into it. Also, sisters. (You’ll understand when you get there. Bis) So this is what the spring of youth feels like, huh...

chips/10

Always Human by walkingnorth [completed]

Sunati, a young engineer in training, fan of all those mods you can add to change your appearance, meets Austen, a beautiful yet modless girl who she’s been admiring from afar for a while now. She thinks the girl’s beautiful, but sdly she’s refused when she asks her out on a date, and for rather good reasons.

Now watch as they gravitate around each other and how it influences them both.

It’s a slow-burn quite realistic lesbian sci-fi story about finding love and accepting oneself and others in the midst of life and all it brings upon us. It’s cute, it’s fluffy, and it’s heartwarming despite broaching serious subjects - in a good way -, and it’s finished so you can read the whole thing! (It has enough chapters to give you a few hours of reading)

hay fever sucks/10

Da Yomanville Gang by Jason King [ongoing - every Tuesday]

Layla moved recently, to get away from a dose of angst she didn’t want to have to deal with. She meets new people, fun and friendly people, but it seems the angst can’t quite seem to leave her alone. Alone is what she’s not to deal with it anymore, however.

This is the one, long before Lore Olympus, which brought bme over to Webtoons. It’s not the best drawn, not the most compelling, but the strong point and what made me love it - beyond Layla’s chara design - is the depth of most of the characters, how not all good is good and all bad is bad, and reality often lies in the middle - and how they evolve over the course of the story. Definitely worth a read.

wheelbarrow/10

Love Bot by Chase Keels and Miranda Mundt [ongoing - every Sunday]

In the near future - the year is (Blade Runner) 2049 - technology has advanced enough to creat pseudo-artificial intelligence and thus lovebots. Xada mods and repairs those emotionnaly intelligent robots for a living. What brings this story about is him toying with a less-than-friendly client’s bot so much so that he finds himself in quite a pickle when the bot ‘wakes up’.

It seems to be BL. Let it be BL, please! The art is very nice, the story feels dark but the pitch give way to many interesting possibilities, and, well, the characters are quite nice to look at, I’ll admit... Also, angst. I don’t always enjoy it but when I do, I do.

Not many chapters but it’s getting there.

i’ll let you bot my love/10

Mage & Demon Queen by Color_LES [ongoing - every Thusday]

Malori is the best and the most promising mage student at her school. Aided by Cerik, her best friend and swordsman party member, she attempts to conquer the last floor of the demon tower, reigned over by the ferocious Velverosa, the demon queen, whose defeat will bring glory and richess to those who defeat her. But all is not quite as it seems and, what is that, might it be a crush I see over there? Oh, wait, no, that’s just our protagonist getting squished by the weight of her love...

Once again, it’s fun and stupid (a pattern? noooo) but it’s worth a read.

LES/10

Down to Earth by Pookie Senpai [ongoing - every Tuesday]

Kade live alone and depressed in spite of fleeting relatioships since his big breakup, content with simply going by life while he works in retail. One day, an alien crashes into his backyard. Zaida’s an alien but she’s cute, seems innocent, is unfamiliar with everything, so he agrees to help. Thus begins a slice of life story of them roommating in his appartment until, maybe, one of them crashes into the other’s heart?

It’s cute, heartwarming, and I sort f relate with the main character. Although I don’t know if’d prefer a cute alien, a dragon or a stalking neighbour... [that’s an inside joke, I’ll explain if I ever make a list of the good yamete onii-chan! I’ve been reading] It’s a slow burn with enough depth to hook you up. Some characters are still uncertain in my eyes but that makes me curious.

loner/10

The Remarried Empress by Alphatart / Sumpul [ongoing - every Wednesday and Sunday]

Navier Ellie Trovi is an empress. Perfect and perfectly content in every way with her life until the day a mistress enters her husband’s life. Things sort of go downhill from there. Or do they? For she also learns about herself and what she might actually want out of life to be happy. Breaking the status quo might be the way.

It feels like one of those poor quality isekai comics or manga in which the MC is brought back to a time where she has the power to change her life and decides for emancipation and revenge, but it’s not. It’s more ‘yolo’ and had interesting characters, especially the MC - no pushover - and a slow-burn plot. Don’t expect to see the flash-forward in the first chapter quite yet, but come to experience the whole affaire in detail and in the most satisfying of ways! Also the art is cool!

divorce/10

Muted by Miranda Mundt [ongoing - every Friday]

On her 21st birthday, Camille fails the ritual to become a full-fledged witch and is isolated from what remains of her old and successful family. This leads to her discovering truths about herself and her powers that will change her and those around her.

By the same author as Love Bot. I haven’t read the whole thing yet but the designs are good, the plot is interesting, the characters have depth and personnality, it has witches, magic, romance [I guess, still unsure of the details though], a bit of angst, and it’s set in Louisianna. All good points.

plant magic/10

Cursed Princess Club by LambCat [ongoing - every Monday]

Gwendolyn and her sisters, each a princess in their own right, are set to be betrothed to three princes of a neighbouring country after living all their lives happy and sheltered with their father and brother. Unfortunately, Gwendolyn is not like her sisters - and brother, for that matter - in that her beauty is... less than conventionnal. Devastated by what outsiders think of her she escapes into the forest and meets kindred spirits in the form of the Cursed Princess Club - non-gendered, they also have that one prince there! - and it might just help her grow into the confident woman she is destined to become.

I clicked for the funny hahas ‘because she’s ugly’ and cursed princess trope, I stayed for the genuine laughs and smiles and the heartwarming good nature of most of te characters. Also, haha, funny characters are funny. So, yeah, I started this with a bias - still haven’t caught up yet - and have been seduced by this lesser known webtoon. Don’t let the visuals fool you, it’s really good!

respect wahmen/10

Andy Bass by KenneDuck / Gia [ongoing - every Friday]

Andy Bass is our average highschool girl. Litterally. She’s half human, half fish, a real mermaid but vertically. That leads to less-than-friendly looks and reactions from others. However, the arrival of a new, and frankly very cute, transfer student might change all that.

Haven’t read it all yet, not that there are many chapters out, but it feel fun and promising. Also, physically imperfect characters are best characters. Down with the reign of beauty and up with 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔪𝔲𝔫𝔦𝔰𝔪!

Chin Hansum 2.0/10

For the Sake of Sita by Haga [completed]

A medical student passionately falls in love with a fallen goddess during his volunteer abroad in Nepal, and he desperately tries to fight off destiny to save his love. [the actual summary]

Okay, I’ll be honest: I haven’t quite read that one yet. I’m guilty of only having looked at the beginning and the end to see if it seemed worth it and, oh my gorsh! it does. The art is beautiful, the story seems sad yet beautiful too (I had tears reading the last chapters without knowing much of the rest) and it’s short, so jump on it!

[I’ll probably come back to that later when I’ve actually read it completely]/10

Us Right Now by yurineseventeen [ongoing]

Rina's long-term girlfriend, Noa, decides to run away from home. Rina has limited time to find her.

Not much more to say other than it’s sweet and it feels real. I like the beginning, haven’t read the rest yet, but will definitely soon.

keep going/10

New Normal: Class 8 by Youngpaka [ongoing - every Sunday]

Dongwoon has a big head. It does not make life easy. But what if he wasn’t alone being so... different? He discovers it is the case when he joins his new school a special class full of people who are different. Things get weird fast but also better and fun.

I haven’t read this in a long time, it’s on my list though. But until the moment I stopped at least, it was fun, funny, and interesting. It’s slice-of-life comedy, often ligthearted and stupid, sometimes more serious, but globally a pleasure to read.

sensei/10

The Witch and The Bull by Moonsia [ongoing - every Thursday]

Tan's job as the King's royal advisor has nothing to do with his hatred for witches, but it does make him a prime target for a curse that turns him into a BULL! The only way to undo this hex is to rely on the beautiful witch, Aro. Can her kindness turn his feelings around, and break this spell? [the actual summary]

There are two bulls and they have to ask it questions to know which is the real bull? I dunno, I haven’t read this one... But it’s been recommnded by @berigolote​ so it’s worth a try I guess? She did recommend Lore Olympus to me, so it’s on my list anyway.

to try/10

The Right Knight and Our Days in Lumain by buttersphere [completed & ongoing]

A fun short comic about a play on the ‘knight comes to fight dragon to save princess in her tower’ trope and it’s sequel. The sequel is not finished yet (seems on hiatus) but they are worth the read for cute, funny, fluffy knight and dragon/witch romance and grumpy princesses.

need more/10

NetOL by Forever9Nine [completed]

A slice of life comic about a veeery shy cat-girl (not literally) falling in love with a warm-tempered bookshop employee ( and NOT her colleague), and all the shenanigans that ensue. It’s short, it’s fun, and it’s cute. What more to ask?

oh wow sports/10

Susuhara is a Demon by Soya S. Holm [ongoing]

The usual romance storyof perfectly perfect girl meets absolutely bazongers delinquent and reluctantly carries her unconscious ass to her appartment to help her after witnessing a gang fight between multiple idiots and her (future) idiot and saving her from a knife attack by bashing the last standing dude with a wooden shop sign. Legend says there’s a demon in K-city, I still am unsure of whom it might be.

fun/10

It Stems From Love by Soya S. Holm [competed]

A short story about a girl who loves flowers and finds herself unexpectedly coughing them up dramatically whenever she’s jealous of those around her crush. It’s short, it’s cute, a bit dark at times, but definitely worth a read!

bouquet final/10

Lesbiampires by fabarts [ongoing]

So, yeah, lesbian vampires. Nuffin’ ta add.

Well, anyway, it’s cute, it’s funny, it’s serious too, it makes me root for antihero type characters who actually murder people for fun (but in a fun and respectful way, I swear!) because, well, love./10

Perfect Harmony by bluebloodtanuki [ongoing]

An Overwatch fan-comic about Symmetra and her disaster roommates.

I don’t play Overatch but I like the lore and got dragged into fanfiction and shipping (by myself, mind you), so a fan-comic about similar dynamics AND it’s funny? Gimme.

Roadhog & Junkrat best duo/10

Love Doesn’t Talk by Ann [completed?]

A misunderstanding is fine. Two? Hmmm. Three? Surely that’s fate, no?

A cute love story unfolding before your eyes with no dialogue, only pretty pictures. I’m not actually sure it’s completed but even if it isn’t, the ending doesn’t feel disappointing in the least.

no words/10

AntiSTALKER by VOKIVORMOK [ongoing - every Thursday]

Humans, vampires and werewolves all cohabitate in this freaky highschool, despite tensions between the three races. A bittersweet yet fun love story between a fake stalker and his amnesiac prey...

Eugene wants Kira’s heart, she wants his head.

who?/10

Kiss It Goodbye by Ticcytx [ongoing]

Two lesbians in love recount to their drunk friends the story of how they met. It’s fun and cute, both in story and in art.

delinquent x prim&proper/10

Avril and the Divine Being by Charlie Genmor [ongoing]

Avril is a waitress, Cat is a reccuring client. Feeling blossom before they even exchange words and when they finally do, embarassment ensues.

I got hooked by the art style for this one and I have yet to be disappointed. Not many chapters but keep it close.

sunny/10

Sunflower by EtoileKonijn [ongoing]

Wednesday, an art student, meets Sophie, a friend of a friend. Feelings ensue. It’s beginning to have a good number of chapters (even if they are short) and it feels like it’s actually the slowest burn of them all. Very much worth a read though, for the art style especially.

cute/10

It Takes Two by love_of_pi [ongoing]

Common art style: imperfect but improving. Classic story: normal girl meets famous girl by accident and leave a great first impression. Shenanigans and romance ensue. However the tints of drama, the fun interaction between characters, and the smooth plot make it worth it.

Honolulu latte/10

A Mild Flavor by Ru-rin [ongoing]

A slice of life of different couples. One with a compromised relationship and bittersweet reflections of the past, and the other which is hidden from plain sight, at different times if life. It is not perfect but it managed to worm its way into my heart nonetheless.

tasty/10

The Greenhouse by Viesallon [ongoing]

Another one I haven’t read, but from the extracts I’ve seen the art is compelling, the story seems worth it - definitely deserves the drama tag it seems - and I keep it on my shortlist until I have time to read it.

supernatural/10

My Masochistic Boss by Arisas_Art [ongoing]

Debuting goth writer meets hellish boss of editing company about her new book. Disagreement and tensions ensue. It starts with a slap and might very well end in bed, stay tuned!

This one rebooted recently and the art is soooo beautiful, moreso than before is I may say.

sexy/10

Still Alive by Comic Kat19 [ongoing]

Half-zombie girl meets emo boy, baby ensues.

After the zombie apocalypse, they have to survive, and despite their differences, maybe together is better?

This I classify in the ‘Yuuutsu-kun to Succubus-san‘ category: a somewhat rough art style that I have come to love and enjoy greatly. Also the story is fun.

cat creature/10

The Biggest of Treasures by Aixn [ongoing]

That smile, that damn smile. It’s what got me to try and it got me to stay. The art style is beautiful and the chara designs is too. The plot? Not much to say yet, but cuteness is enough.

bright/10

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

And there you go for now. These are my picks. I haven’t read everything on Webtoon, I haven’t even read everything I’ve subscribed to, but if I had to recommend anything I have tasted, here it is.

Sorry if I missed any you deem worthy; feel free to harass me and mock my lack of culture by flaunting your own.

Maybe more later, in the mean time: keep scrolling, scrub!

PART II

[mercurypilgrim]

You haven't actually posted the touch-starved starters (yet), but I thought you might not mind me asking something fom that list, anyway... ❝ could we cuddle, like, platonically? ❞ for Ven/anyone but Quinn

Touch starved starters? I don’t think I’ve seen this yet! :O

Anyway, I decided to go with Jaesa, because Ven and she are close in a completely platonic way. ^_^

 ------

“I’m afraid we have to go.” Jaesa says, regretful.

Her mother and father look like they’re about to protest.

She glances to Ven’fir, who looks ridiculous sitting on the little sofa that’s decorated with a fussy throw. He’s not a giant, but even out of armour he’s tall and solid enough to seem squashed in the small house.

Rain beats against the windows, driving and relentless.

Her parents seem content enough. They’re not overly pleased about the weather or the change in circumstances but living in the Empire isn’t much different from living at their station on Alderaan, save for the need to remember an umbrella. Living as servants on Alderaan is akin to living as a lowly citizen of the Empire, she supposes. At least they are free, and Ven’fir saw that they found work as soon as they could. They smile more, now. They’re less tired.

Ven’fir had sponsored them as soon as he could, and Jaesa had never been so thankful to find out that Ven’fir’s Master had completely overlooked them once they were no longer useful.

Her parents cast nervous, polite eyes on her Master, their gazes lingering on the lightsabers at his belt and the way his eyes, bright Sith amber, reflect the lights.

Jaesa had asked him to come, and he’d smiled and agreed to drop in after running some errands in the Citadel.

Now though, they need to go.

She stands, and her mother hesitates when she brushes non-existent lint from Jaesa’s robes.

They’re afraid of her. Only a little, but she can sense it. It’s horrible, and she wants to ask them why. She wants to scream at them and run to their arms and-

She can’t do any of that.

She smiles, tells them she loves them, and watches as they shy away from her Master as he bids them goodbye.

The walk to the speeder is tense and quiet.

When they board the Fury, she feels Ven’fir touch her shoulder, incongruously gentle for someone capable of wreaking the kind of destruction she had borne witness to.

“Jaesa?” he asks, voice soft. He’s usually so loud, so it’s strange to hear his voice so quiet.

She turns and meets his eyes, seeing their concern.

It’s as if a dam breaks, and she can feel a lump grow in her throat.

“I-“ she managed, but she can’t get the words out. “I shouldn’t-“

Her cheeks are wet, and she can’t stop the tears no matter how much she blinks so she hides her face behind her hair as she wipes at her eyes.

“Oh, Jaesa.”

Ven’fir steps close and she has denials on her tongue when he pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her just tight enough to be encompassing.

He’s warm and solid, and she cries into his chest as he keeps her close, one hand gently stroking her hair.

He makes soothing noises as she cries, and she crawls into the safety he offers. He’s so physically affectionate with Vette and Quinn, and she often wishes she could have that too. She doesn’t remember the last time she’d had a hug. Thinking on it now, he’d probably been waiting for her to make the first move so he didn’t spook her.

“I should be happy for them,” she sobs, hiccups interrupting her words. “I don’t even know why I’m crying.”

He gives her a little squeeze, and she clings tighter.

His shirt is wet by now, but she doesn’t care.

“I’m sorry,” she starts, and he makes a disapproving noise.

“Nope,” he says, and she feels the vibration of his voice through her jaw. “You have no need to be sorry. Let it all out.”

This prompts a fresh wave of tears, and she drags in breath like it’s her last.

“Th-they’re scared of me.” She manages, “I-I-“

He soothes her, letting her cling to him. Eventually he manoeuvres them to one of the blocky sofas and sits them down.

She thinks about pulling away from embarrassment but can’t bring herself to fight when he gently pulls her close again.

She cries into his shoulder, gradually stemming her tears.

“I never thought I’d see them again,” she whispers, “But now that I have… I’m not the Jaesa they want.”

“If they didn’t want you in their lives,” Ven’fir murmurs, steady and low, “They wouldn’t have answered your holo. You’re different now and they’re old. Old people hate different stuff.”

He startles a laugh out of her, and she wipes her eyes, wanting to stay this warm forever.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-“

He smiles, fond.

“None of that, now.” He murmurs, his shirt damp from her tears and the lines beginning to settle around his eyes giving him a kind look. He’s got such a duality she can’t bear to miss anything.

She loves him so much.

“You’re my apprentice,” he says, and the word feels pleasantly heavy. “You’re an amazing, beautiful woman.” He pauses, cracking a grin. “And I’m not just saying that because your eyeliner is always so perfect, either.”

She can’t help but smile, but he’s not done.

“You’re powerful, smart, and you’re growing every day.” He says, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “They’ll come around. You’ve got time with them now, after all.”

She nods, and a swell of emotion puts a lump in her throat. He laughs softly when she hugs him again, and he presses a kiss to the top of her head, fond. The physical affection is taking her breath away, and it makes her tear up again.

“Can we stay here for a bit?” she asks, her cheeks burning. She needs to the comfort. “Please?”

She can hear the smile in his voice when he responds.

“Of course.”