#Ricky Deeming

[mezzmerizedbyrichard]

Ricky Deeming ~ George Gently: Gently Go Man (2007)

[lifewithaview]

Richard Armitage in Inspector George Gently (2007) Gently Go Man

S1E0

After his wife Isabella is killed by a hit-and-run driver, Inspector George Gently considers retiring. But when Johnny, a member of a biker gang in the North East, is also run over and Gently hears that Webster, whom he believes to have killed Isabella, is in the area, he travels North to investigate, teaming up with ambitious young sergeant John Bacchus. Aware that local inspector Setters is probably corrupt and involved in the assault on his informant China Mates, Gently realises that he and Webster are actually both investigating the same crime as Webster is Johnny's father. The two men finally meet for a confrontation with the real murderer.

*Discussing homosexual offences, Gently says the Labour Party had promised to decriminalise them if elected. Actually they never did, the 1967 Sexual Offences Act was a private members bill (not a government bill) introduced by the Earl of Arran, and almost a copy of the bill he first proposed in 1961.

[fizzyxcustard]

Leather…. Nom. 😍

Richard Armitage’s Characters in Words : Leather

Inspector George Gently : Ricky Deeming

Robin Hood BBC : Sir Guy of Gisborne

Spooks : Lucas North

Strike Back : John Porter

[jlbilu]

I recently came slightly back to the hell of a ruckus fandoms are (that's why I'm selective, picky, brief, catelous, and less enthusiast than years ago). But since I've been re-watching or remembering certain Armitage works recently, every single OFC that has come to my mind (if so) (and if I've dare to even think about create one) share the same Face Claim: Katie McGrath.

Explain that, Iker Jiménez.

[commiepinkofag]

‘Weeding’

Uncovering the Cover-up: How Republican Pennridge School Board Directors Secretly Banned Books

Darren Laustsen | May 28, 2024

Pennridge School District engaged in a massive two-year cover-up of a secret book-banning campaign initiated by two sitting Republican school board directors hellbent on unilaterally purging books without any due process, community input, oversight, or accountability.  According to a sworn Attestation from new Superintendent Angelo Berrios, Ricki Chaikin and Jordan Blomgren ordered school staff to remove books from the library that they had unilaterally deemed were inappropriate. More so, during legal battles over a Right-to-Know request, Pennridge’s law firm, Eckert Seamans, fought to circumvent the state’s Open Records laws and conceal book removals from the public. The scheme involved illegally-doctored public records, the concealment of book removals under fake student accounts, and the eventual disposal of targeted books under the false pretense of librarian “weeding.” …

[starhoppin]

pick a picture; who is your soulmate

pile 1 -> pile 2 -> pile 3

disclaimer: this is a general reading! these messages may not fit everyone. please take what resonates and leave the rest.

「 pile one 」

[personality] queen of swords, queen of pentacles rv, ten of pentacles this person is very intellectual. in fact they might tend to overanalyze and overthink things/events/situations that have happened in their life. this can be a burden for them. however, i'm also seeing that they're a bit of a dreamer. specifically, they're someone who struggles with grounding themselves in the present. they may have a lot of ideas that they want to put out into the world, but they have a difficult time turning their fantasies/ideas into something tangible. they're driven and optimistic. they're someone who always views the cup as "half full" rather than half empty. they know that as long as they work towards their true desires, they will be able to obtain them.

[appearance] long dark hair (both men and women), distinct nose (specifically large noses), strong jawline, might like to wear jewelry (specifically necklaces - may like to layer them), native or asian descent.

[love language] the mapmaker of destiny, gaia's garden i'm getting for some that your soulmate may be into art - specifically painting or drawing? they might like to give you those types of gifts. they might also like to give you flowers. consequently, their main love language might be gift-giving.

[potential zodiac signs] lots of fire sign energy - specifically aries as well as leo placements. i'm also getting strong pisces energy. they might also have gemini placements.

[songs that may resonate] f*kin' perfect - p!nk, mr. loverman - ricky montgomery, falling - chase atlantic

「 pile two 」

[personality] eight of cups, death (cb: six of swords), page of cups this person is a dreamer - some might describe them as someone with their "head in the clouds." i'm getting the image of them thinking of something happy, but when someone asks them what they're smiling about, they just shake their head and say never mind. they have innocent/puppy/golden retriever energy. they're like a bundle of sunshine. i wouldn't be surprised if this was someone with a lot of friends or was described as the life of the party. however, this person might have a fear of change or asking for help. they may seem they're strong and independent, but they might feel the need to do everything by themselves.

[appearance] for some, their soulmate may dress in a boho aesthetic? your soulmate may have either dark hair or blond (like i'm getting either they have super dark hair, or super blond- almost white hair. nothing really in between). if they're a guy, they may have facial hair.

[love language] the lady of the gift, the horse king rv this person's love language is definitely gift-giving. i'm not seeing anything in particular, but i'm getting that they'll buy things that they think you will like on a whim. literally like anything that reminds them of you. also their love language could be acts of service. they will want to spoil you - which, in their mind, means giving you "the princess treatment." this is the kind of person who will open the car door for you, cook you dinner to make your day easier, etc.

[potential zodiac signs] lots of water sign energy - specifically scorpio; however, they may also be a cancer. i'm also getting heavy aries energy. they might have some aquarius placements too.

[songs that may resonate] golden hour - jvke, once upon a december - liz callaway, battlefield - svrcina

「 pile three 」

[personality] king of swords, knight of swords, nine of wands your soulmate is very logical. when it comes to a decision of any kind, they carefully weigh the facts beforehand. when they have to make a choice, they're very practical - meaning they might go against their true desires if they deem that route "illogical." this person values fairness and truth above all else. this person may be a bit rigid when it comes to their plans. they like having control and may get frustrated when their plans go astray or things don't unfold exactly how they planned. they may take on more than they can handle because they're eager to get to their end goal. they may struggle with burnout - specifically because they tend to ignore signs that they should rest. however, their dedication and resiliency translates into your love life in a positive way; this is the type of person who will refuse to give up on you (both in terms of pursuing you in the beginning and throughout your relationship). they will always want to work through problems and they aren't the type to brush things under the rug.

[appearance] if your soulmate is a man, they may have dark hair as well as facial hair. if they're a woman, they have long hair - blonde or reddish. they may also like to experiment with makeup - such as trying out different looks or they may like to wear unique eye makeup. in general, they may like to wear hats.

[love language] the lady of the gift, the hawk prince this person loves to give gifts - in particular, things that you may be eyeing. if you look at something while you're out shopping but put it back, they will make a mental note to go back and buy it. they pay attention to what you like/dislike because they want to give you thoughtful gifts that show that they care.

[potential zodiac signs] heavy water sign energy - specifically pisces and cancer. some air sign energy as well - particularly libra. they may also have some aries placements.

[songs that may resonate] enchanted - taylor swift, slow dancing in the dark - joji, dive - ed sheeran

tarot decks used in this reading: cirque du tarot & wisdom of the hidden realms oracle cards

[imujings]

pass the aux! | mini event [CLOSED]

hi all <3 thank you so so so much for 100 followers!! i'm extremely grateful that so many ppl like my work skdjskjfg :') to celebrate i’ll be opening requests for a milestone mini event!

to participate, go ahead and queue a song that reminds you of a seventeen member, and i’ll write something according to the vibes, lyrics + overall meaning of the song!

i.e. -> "valentine by laufey reminds me of jun!" / "i love the song pretty boy by the neighborhood + my bias is woozi!" / "bite me by enhypen with mingyu..."

DISCLAIMER -> what i write can end up containing any of the following as i deem fit: suggestive content, angst, fluff. i do not write pure smut! please queue songs at your own discretion! you have been warned.

so, what are you waiting for? i'm passing the aux to you to play your favorite tunes!

up next in queue…

puppy princess by hot freaks, ft. VERNON talk talk by charli xcx, ft. VERNON slut! by taylor swift, ft. S.COUPS work song by hozier, ft. HOSHI you make my dreams (come true) by daryl hall & john oates, ft. SEUNGKWAN what kind of future by WOOZI i like me better by lauv, ft. HOSHI call it what you want by taylor swift, ft. DINO saw you in a dream by the japanese house, ft. THE8 line without a hook by ricky montgomery, ft. JUN juno by sabrina carpenter, ft. SEUNGKWAN in love by alex g, ft. JUN hey stephen by taylor swift, ft. S.COUPS but i like you by boynextdoor, ft. JUN bags by clairo, ft. JEONGHAN 2 soon by keshi, ft. MINGYU snooze by agust d, ft. WOOZI mr. perfectly fine by taylor swift, ft. JOSHUA about you by the 1975, ft. MINGYU while you were sleeping by laufey, ft. JEONGHAN light a flame by seventeen, ft. WONWOO blue by yung kai, ft. DOKYEOM like the movies by laufey, ft. WONWOO

important: please be patient with me and reqs,,, i'll do my absolute best to get as many out as i can but life is a little silly sometimes (● ˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾ always take care and may good music find you!

[127luvr]

our season ✮⋆˙ᝰ.ᐟ

shen ricky x (mute) male reader

in which ricky is convinced he has no soulmate.

four is an important age for any growing child. at four you are learning to read and write. at four you are learning to socialize with other children your age outside of your parents' constant watch. at four you are still struggling to tie your own shoes without the help of an adult. at four, in this world, it was the first you heard of soulmates.

for ricky it was his first year of private education. being away from his parents had proven to be difficult at first, but he adjusted accordingly. even at a young age he was a charismatic, charming every boy and every girl he encountered. he was never alienated for not having a soulmate mark like the rest--at least--not at this age.

he never questioned it. there were reports of many others not getting their soulmate's words until many years later. he felt he was surrounded by all the love he needed, regardless of whether or not the universe granted him a soulmate. he was never without someone who cared for him.

for you, it was different. you had little to no memory of your time as a four year old. you had trouble recalling your youth--your years before becoming an adult. you learned to be independent from a very young age. learning to fend for yourself before any of your classmates. it was a given--after all--having to navigate the world by communicating through your hands or the letters on your phone rather than speaking aloud was difficult.

but you weren't four years old anymore. and although the pain still sticks with you--you hadn't been the neglected child in your home for years. no longer ashamed of being alive--but still not comfortable enough in your own skin to be able to communicate with your own voice. it was a double-edged sword.

you never got the soulmate speech from your parents. you remember one day suddenly having a plethora of apologies appear on your arm in perfect cursive handwriting. your first attempt at scrubbing it off deeming unsuccessful. the words were more prominent against your irritated, red skin. 'hey, i'm so sorry, are you okay?' you wore them like a curse, hiding them no matter where you went. you can't remember the last time someone apologized to you, but it didn't bother you anymore. the world was harsh--cold against anyone who didn't conform to societal norms.

it had been some time since you moved away from your hometown. somewhere more diverse, where they didn't look at you weird for coming in with your order already written in your notes app. you moved to a place where they offered sign language as a course in university. something you never thought you'd see in your life, having been holed up in a small town full of people who only thought about themselves.

it was refreshing.

sitting in the quaint coffee shop where you had become a regular. you look over the screen of your laptop every now and again, watching new faces appear every couple of hours. you loved hearing the buzz of people, picking up on conversations between friends as they walked past your table cautiously. some gave you polite smiles, recognizing you from campus. others sat at the tables surrounding you, their fingers hovering over their keyboards as their eyes scan the words on their screens.

you shut your laptop. stretching your arms out in front of you as quietly as you could. the sleeve of your shirt coming up towards your elbow as you do so. you catch a glimpse of the words on your left forearm, the letters still as perfect as the day they appeared. but you swore they were lighter. a deep shade of brown instead of the jet black you remember them being.

you pay it no mind, shaking your head to yourself as you gather your things to leave. you never bothered to learn about soulmates, tuning it out when it was brought up in study groups. it wasn't something you could avoid forever, but living in ignorance for as long as you have had you deluded into thinking the day would never come.

the bell on top of the door rings as you push your chair in. the sudden noise startling you into looking up.

he's almost as tall as the door frame. with bright blonde hair that barely reaches his shoulders. he is adorned in all black from head to toe--black button up tucked into his black slacks--a branded belt accentuating his waist. the moment passes in slow motion. with the light from the afternoon sun shining behind him as he steps through the threshold. he looks angelic--otherworldly, even.

but you snap out of it, walking towards the counter to ask for a refill before you walk out of the shop.

you stand in line a few feet behind him, admiring his broad shoulders and long legs in the process. you've never seen anyone like him before. not around campus, and definitely never in the cafe you're standing in. he screams elegance--with the branded wallet and platinum card he pulls out of his pocket to pay. he has a strange pull to him.

ricky is no stranger to having all eyes on him wherever he goes. but you're different. he feels your eyes burning holes into his skin as you stand behind him. he feels your presence. the way you mindlessly tap your fingers on your thighs as a distraction as you wait for him to get his drink and leave. but he keeps his posture straight, only engaging in conversation with the barista when he has to.

you hear a small thank you come from him, his soft voice startling you as it contrasted greatly from the way he was dressed. you pull your eyes off of him as soon as he bows his head, swallowing hard when you see his shoes turn to you. you take a step forward, not taking into account how close your bodies were.

ricky takes a step towards your direction simultaneously, trying to get a sip before walking out.

but he's unsure of how his drink ended up on the floor. too busy staring at your wide eyes and dropped mouth to notice the way his coffee stained the bottom of your pants an odd shade of brown. he doesn't even take into account the way the line behind the two of you grows more and more impatient with each second that passes.

his heart threatens to jump out of his chest, his composure finally giving into your fervent gaze, "hey, i'm so sorry, are you okay?"

your arms come up immediately, your (f/c) tote bag sliding off your shoulder as you struggle to sign. but his question sounds familiar. it stings at your arm, the cursive letters now golden under your long sleeve as you roll it up to relieve the pinching. you eyes shift from ricky's face to your arm, heat spreading from your face all the way down to your chest.

his large hands pull you to the side, standing beside you to look at your arm. his eyebrows furrow as he pulls his own sleeves up to his elbows, showing you blank milky wrists. but he can feel your pull, as if you were both attached by an invisible string. regardless of how bizarre the situation was, ricky was already planning a future with you in his mind. he hadn't even heard you speak a word but he was enthralled. enchanted by your charming sense of style and eccentric (h/c) hair.

"i'm ricky."

your hands move before you can form a coherent sentence in your mind, i'm y/n.

and suddenly everything clicks for ricky. for once, he is grateful he learned sign language instead of a language he'll never get to use. and he smiles at you, a smile that over time will only be reserved for you.

[neil-perrys-suicidal-tendencies]

INTRO POST <3

last updated - 26/1/25 (added letterboxd) fic recs , my fic

BASICS- ABOUT ME: I'm Lisa Avenir (love nicknames, especially Lise or Liz, be creative, I don't mind). You can also call me Alex :D I'm an asexual genderqueer(non-binary) lesbian and I use they/she pronouns (prefer they). I'm Indian and a minor so keep the latter part in mind. I'm also bilingual/multilingual I love receiving asks even though I may take some time to answer them sometimes. I love talking to people here but only dm me we are mutuals :) my old intro post because I'm emotionally attached to it DNI- the basics, I don't want any assholes in here.

FANDOMS: This list will keep on changing- Most Active in: Dead Poets Society, BBC Sherlock, My Chemical Romance, Gravity Falls, Dead Boy Detectives Occasionally post: A Little Life, House Md, Chappell Roan, Derry Girls, Bunny I also reblog a lot of silly stuff, lgbtquia+ stuff and sometimes things concerning my mental health.

LINKS SIDE BLOGS: @i-think-im-breaking-down-again - more personal blog @cappuccino-circa-capillaries -hopecore posts @a-bitch-can-write-poetry - poetry and web weaving reblogs, will post my original work if I ever get the courage @honestly-im-honest- silly stuff @edwinpayneshomosexualtendencies - dbda side blog MEDIA: Pinterest Spotify Storygraph stats.fm letterboxd TAGS: #yapping the days away - yaps #my art - my art #rewatching bbc sherlock - block this if you can, this is me experiencing a psychological breakdown #asksss, #moot asks, #anon asks - asks related stuff If you send asks often, I probably have a special tag just for you #affirmations - hopecore posts #normal thoughts, #unfortunately that's me - unhealthy thoughts #silly stuff, #hellsite, #hellsite heritage - tumblr being silly #politically correct opinions - anything which i deem is correct and debated

INTERESTS- MUSIC: My music taste is that of a straight white teenage girl, a cottagecore lesbian, her emo girlfriend and an Indian dad. 🪶Genre - Indie, Indie pop, Rock, Alt-Indie, Basic white girl pop, Pop-rock, Pop-punk, Folk, Old Bollywood, Male manipulator, Female Manipulator, Lesbian Manipulator, ghazal, anything that slaps 🪶Artists - Chappel Roan, Ricky Montgomery, Flower Face, Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, Hozier, Phoebe Bridgers, Girl in Red, Clario, Conan Gray, Hank Green, Sabrina Carpenter, Hayley Williams, Joji, Indila, Adele. Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjit Singh, Muhammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle etc etc 🪶Bands - Wallows, Florence and the Machine, Sir Chloe, Hole, The Smiths, Paramore, Beach House, The Jayhawks, The Neighborhood, Fun Guns, Cage The Elephant, Arctic Monkeys, Chase Atlantic, Radiohead, My Chemical Romance. 🪶Albums(favourites) - evermore, folklore, The Black Parade, Danger Days, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, Montgomery Ricky, Depression Cherry, Lungs, Superache, Emails I can't send frwd:, Hozier, Ceremonials, Riot!, AM, Party Flavors, I am the Dog, Punisher, Rainy Day Music, Petals for Armour, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Social Cues, Melophobia, Live through this, Ultraviolence, Born to Die(The Paradise Edition), Nothing Happens, Baby Teeth, Fever Dreams, The Shark in your Water, Lilt by Hikes, Get up and Move by Fun Guns, Sour

BOOKS- 🪶Genre - Dark, War pieces, Dystopias, Young Adult, Depressing, Dark Academia, Classics, Psychological Thriller. 🪶Ride or Die - The Book Thief, The Perks Of Being a Wallflower, MAUS, Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, All the Bright Places, The Midnight Library, The Handmaid's Tale, The Diary of a Young Girl, A Little Life, The Boy In The Stripped Pajamas, Circe, Before the coffee gets cold, Sharp Objects, The Martian, The DaVinci Code, Bunny, The Emperor of All Maladies, Turtles all the way down, And Then There Were None, The Picture of Dorian Grey, The Catcher in The Rye, No Longer Human, Grandpa's Great Escape, Wild Bird, The Giver. 🪶Honorable Mentions from my TBR - If We Were Villains, The Secret History, 1984, To Kill A Mockingbird, Six Of Crows, Lord of the Flies, Piranesi, Lessons in Chemistry, Crime and Punishment, How it Feels to Float, Orbiting Jupiter, Normal People, Fahrenheit 451, The Myth of Sisyphus, Lessons in Chemistry, Slaughterhouse-five, Dark Matter. 🪶Poets - Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth. Sappho,

MOVIES- Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, Lady Bird, Whiplash, Booksmart, Black Swan, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, Forrest Gump, Duck Duck Goose SERIES- BBC Sherlock, Orange Is The New Black, HBO's Chernobyl(This was my 1st hyperfixation and it lasted for more than 2 years. At its prime I knew how to run several types of reactors and was known for nuclear energy. I almost got outed coz of his ha) Brooklyn99, Dead Boy Detectives, Heartstopper, Derry Girls, Modern Family, Just Add Magic, House md?

FACTS- 🪶Only Child 🪶Also a really lonely child 🪶I love any form of Noodles Soup 🪶I have a huge crush on Maya Hawke 🪶I love biology and anatomy 🪶I need psychological help /srs 🪶I have brown ass basic eyes 🪶My vocabulary might be good but I can't spell for shit. 🪶I'm touch starved but touch aversed. Yes, we exist. 🪶I'm a nerd fighter 🪶I love dissecting song lyrics 🪶My aesthetic is dark academia, witchcore and sickly victorian child dying of the plague core 🪶I am a hyper-organized clean freak (it get crippling) 🪶I have multiple BFRBs since childhood 🪶I have these sneeze attacks on a daily basis where I sneeze like 15 times over the course of 3 minutes 🪶 My 2025 resolution is to count my sneezes and my body has abruptly stopped sneezes since Jan 1st. HOBBIES- 🪶Reading 🪶Writing poetry or songs 🪶Listening to Music 🪶The Universe 🪶Literature 🪶making little collages on PowerPoint

MOOTS APPRICIATION!!!! @lv3buzzz, @noctilucaa(even in deactivation, star will be my wife), @wilsons-three-legged-siamese, @yourfavvgal, @1mlostnow, @arrr-im-a-dead-poet, @perksofbeingpoet, @mighthavebeenmurder, @take-me-to-the-rooftop15, @poetsinnyc, @joonof1989, @deadcrowcalling, @pingunaa, @xxcherryberriezxx @burgundykicks (text me if you would like your name to be removed <3333 )

-🪶 divider

[sincerely-astra]

Ricky Potts x enby reader headcanons?

☁️Ricky Potts x Enby Reader☁️

Look, he’s not trying to be rude, but he can practically smell the outcast coming off you-

Uranium is one of the least accepting places on the planet, so your being even slightly different from their cookie-cutter ideals was bound to make you an outcast.

But luckily, so was he.

As was probably obvious, you guys meet when you are inevitably forced into the choir. The guidance counselor was convinced you just needed some extracurricular activities to keep your mind off sin. (Aka literally just being enby-)

And as a new member of a choir meant to go into competition in a short amount of time, Father Marcus and Ocean didn't really know what to do with you...

You might be able to learn all the music and choreography in time for the competition, but they also really didn't want to risk the chance that you couldn't and hurt their chance at winning.

And thus, that is how you get stuck on the sidelines with Ricky playing the recorder while he plays the tambourine. Thrilling as you can imagine.

You both weren't friends right away, you said hi to each other to be polite and you helped him every so often if he needed it, but nothing too much to warrant a close friendship. Yet, you both were content with that, especially when in a choir with some more than eccentric people, you both found comfort in each other's presence.

That all being said, Ricky was quick to notice that something was off about you... He wasn't even sure what started him down this path, it might have been the way you wore your uniform, the way your hair was done, or any other assortment of things, but he knew you were different than anyone else he'd met at St. Cassian. He would be lying if he said that didn't interest him as well.

He wasn't going to push you of course and he wasn't even sure if you knew sign or would bother listening to his AAC device in the first place, but there would always be these times during choir practice when he would glance at you and observe your behavior, curious as to what lies underneath the front you have carefully put up.

Uranium wasn't accepting, you know this, Ricky knows this, it was a well-known fact to everyone living there even if they didn't bother trying to change it. Being nonbinary was obviously in the group of attributes people in Uranium didn't see as "normal" or "as things should be," if people knew that you identified as nonbinary, it would be pretty much a death sentence to a lifetime of bullying, mocking, and every other cruel act these people can think of.

It was unheard of, a thing no one talked about but was deemed by pretty much everything as despicable and unwelcomed.

So, one can see why you would not be so open to sharing your identity with just about everyone.

Moving past the intolerable place that is Uranium, Ricky, a couple of days after meeting you, was quick to realize you both share math and history together. You both sat pretty far from one another, so that's probably why he didn't notice, but once he did he passed you a note before your math class started to ask if you wanted to sit next to each other. Yes, it was a strategy to see if he could find out what was up with you, but he also just thought you seemed nice.

Seeing as you had no friends in those classes, you said yes, much to Ricky's delight.

You would sit together for your shared courses and would gradually start talking, passing each other notes (since you didn't quite know sign yet and Ricky can't use his communication device during class) complaining about the material or the teachers, random doodles Ricky drew, and sometimes, miraculously, actual questions about the work being given.

You both actually work really well as a duo, your energies just match perfectly, and even if Ricky has yet to know your gender identity, he is always super accommodating to whatever is making you uncomfortable.

Ricky is literally the yapper of the century, I'm not even joking. You think Ocean or Noel talk a lot? Then you are not ready for the whirlwind that is Richard Potts.

Seriously, others dismiss him a lot since he's disabled and is mute, but once getting to know him, he will be saying the most out-of-pocket things at the most random of times... The amount of weird Star Trek references this boy can fit into his everyday vocab is insane.

Ricky will allow you, and actively encourages, you to put stickers on his crutches. His favorite ones are the kinds that show off your interests since it gives him more insight into you.

His parents are so sweet to you and will be taking a good chunk of your time when you come over, much to Ricky's dismay. You get to actually learn some of their sign language too! Ricky tries to insist that you don't need to do that because he's aware it isn't traditional ASL or LSQ and it won't have any practical use outside of his immediate family, but you aren't having it.

There will be moments where you feel comfortable enough with Ricky to share bits of your identity, not the full story yet, but like your preferences with titles (Ex. Mr, Ms, Mx, etc.) or your preferences in clothing that might not correlate with your agab, just little tidbits that help steer him in the right direction.

He is your number one supporter even if he doesn't know what he's supporting!

He might figure it out sooner or later though..., not that he'd out you or anything, if he does find out you're nonbinary, he would 100% wait for you to come out before saying anything.

When it comes to coming out, whenever you decide to do it, Ricky is very supportive. He is also very helpful with your nerves before actually coming out to him, he reassures you everything will be fine and he could never think any less of you from what you are about to tell him.

He doesn't hide how happy he is you told him such sensitive information, it means you trust him and he doesn't ever want to break that! You are his best friend and he wants to be your safe space like you are for him.

As stated earlier, he would never out you to anyone and he is very good at keeping your identity as under wraps as you want. If you want to be out and proud, he supports you completely and will be with you throughout the whole process, if you want to just keep it on the down low, then he's fine with that too.

The only thing you would have to worry about if you're keeping your identity a secret is that Ricky will get defensive if anyone is being a jerk unknowingly from time to time, but of course, people tend to ignore him so there's not much to worry about there-

Ricky definitely isn't wealthy, but if there's ever anything you need to feel more comfortable with your identity, then be ready for that to be in your hands by a maximum of 3 days.

He likes to show you all his nonbinary Zolar OCs, most of which are inspired by you. (What do you mean his love interest looks strangely like you? Whaaattttt-)

You have also inspired him to look more into LGBTQIA+ himself since he wants to be inclusive and he won't deny that some of the identities he's seeing feel like something he personally would use.

Richard Potts falls in love fast... He's had many crushes, most of which he falls out of love with quickly for numerous reasons.

So he thought it would be the same situation with you, that he would have a small crush on you for a while and then it would go away and you could return to being friends! All's well that ends well.

It will all be over soon and he won't be thinking about how his hands lingering on yours for a bit too long.

He won't think of how nice your voice sounds, or the way you style your hair, or your laugh, or-

...Well..., this has lasted longer than he thought it would.

There was a very good while where Ricky was actually in denial about his feelings, he didn't want to mess up your friendship just for his fickle feelings. This one was just taking more time because he likes you so much, yeah, that's what it is.

...

He likes you so, so much.

Getting over the initial hump of denial, Ricky did try and subtly see if the feeling was mutual. His way of seeing was to tactfully flirt every now and again, giving a variety of different compliments and suggesting more hangouts, whatever he could think of.

What he hadn't accounted for was that he already pretty much acted this way to you- Albeit, in a nonromantic connotation. But this means you literally picked up on zero of his advances and he is a little too uncomfortable to go any further than that...

It literally felt like agony to keep "flirting" with you (if you can even call it that anymore) only for you to just smile and thank him for being so nice...

Ricky is gonna start begging at this point.

He loves you so much, please understand that him holding your hand for longer than 5 seconds is an act of his devotion and love and not just something friends do, PLEASE-

It's all fine though, since you are the one confessing after all.

Wait, you're confessing?-

Ricky's jaw was practically hanging open as he listened to you confess your feelings, flowers in hand, blush on your cheeks, the whole nine yards.

He couldn't even let you get done with your confession before he blurted out breathlessly, "...I love you." Words he has never meant more in his entire life... He really, truly loves you for everything that you are.

After he got home and into his room after you both became lovers, he was literally so freaking giddy and had to stop himself from trying to spam text you.

He swears he's not usually so clingy, but even after a few months of dating him, his face still lights up whenever you say you love him.

You surely know a good bit of ASL and his family's sign language by now, but he still enjoys getting to teach you more complicated terms and watching you try to memorize new sentences. It's the bare minimum, but you both are also in Uranium, so he is beyond grateful to have someone his age to talk to.

Ricky really likes to play with your hair, he doesn't even know why, he just finds it cathartic to run his hands through it while you both watch a movie or something.

Ricky is so sassy with your bullies, I swear. He's learned it all from Noel.

He also likes to just draw the nonbinary flag on pretty much everything, from his own drawings to homework, pretty much everywhere you look in his room, there will be a ton of tiny nonbinary flags he drew.

It reminds him of you and he can never get enough of you.

Don't think your room is safe either, the nonbinary flags will be everywhere if Ricky has anything to say about it.

It's all because he loves you though.

A/N: God, I need to catch up on my requests, I’m so sorry. :(

[galacticseonghwa]

será una noche inolvidable - y/n profiles

Y/N and her squad

Y/N is a big people lover, she will drop everything to help anyone in need. she loves learning new things and especially loves being brought along to ricky and jisung's sprints. 90% of the time she says things without thinking and will get called out by her friends for it. she's very accepting to feedback and will always try and take it on board.

now even though renjun is an art major he may as well have taken a double bachelor in sarcasm and bitch, that man loves being a little shit to his friends. the moment someone talks about someone he cares about greatly, he will fight tooth and nail to defend them. he has a goofy little crush on y/n but isn't caught up in it too much.

the third youngest in the friend group, jisung. he's in both y/n and chenle's inner circle. he loves joking around with his closest friends, but he's also very serious when it comes to school life, he's the first person anyone in the friend group goes to for hw help. he very much still loves anything space. he loves riding with chenle but doesn't take it as seriously.

ricky almost quite literally thoroughly dislikes anyone who isn't his friend and makes it known. he's very mean but very caring to those he deems as family. he's a rich little shit who doesn't care about how much things cost, he will buy you that one diamond bracelet you told renjun was pretty 3 years ago. he's y/n's ride-or-die and loves her more than anything.

the one and only canadian, matthew. he's a very goofy little goober and loves showcasing his funny side to his friends. although he might come across as a dumbass, he's actually very smart especially when he applies himself to the subject. he's very strictly ricky's only passenger/backpack princess, only matthew is allowed on ricky's bike and he makes sure everyone knows. he loves physical contact and to anyone outside his friend group, it could be taken the wrong way.

previous | masterlist | chenle profiles

TAGLIST — (open!) @sinisxtea @injunnie-lemon

[watermel0ns-dumb-cringe]

Okay SINCE I DID A YAP SESSION ANALYSIS ON CONNIE. IM DOING ONE FOR PENNY/JANE. buckle up this might be a tad longer since I'm obsessed with funky lil tragic girls that are doomed to the dramatic irony of their worst fears

Okay. So. Jane/Penny IMMEDIATELY sets up the overall undertone of the musical during Karnak's Dream Of Life. I was admittedly a tad confused upon first seeing it— especially with how it seemed to be brushed off for a good 15 first minutes of the musical. Then- woah. Holy shit. Jane appearing from behind the curtains out of basically nowhere as the "mystery contestant" gave me chills. Her tone as a character is so vastly contrast to the others in such a surreal and unnerving way that you can't help but be so intrigued but wary. Especially with how, like— so many characters similar to her that I've seen tend to be villianized a lot. But- no. She's- she feels more- human. To me, at least. That's the irony of it, huh? She doesn't know who she is. She walks with only the lingering regret & guilt of mourning a distant memory that she might never get back. Cursed to a fate that's admittedly horrifying when you think about it; all without knowing or remembering what she did to deserve such fate. Jane- DEFINITELY has some catholic guilt themeing going on, and it's fun to speculate all the religious undertones and details of her character!

She's just- so interesting to me. I deadass had to pause the musical and stare at my screen for a few minutes after TBOJD just so I could like- take it all in. Since it REALLY. REALLY. Hit close to home for me, as someone who's very much struggled and even temporarily lost their sense of identity, often being deemed forgettable by most— or just straight up cast out and alienated. Being formerly religious and deathly afraid of messing things up and ending up in the bad place was just the cherry on top!

Jane is. Such a complex character to me, ESPECIALLY if you bring (Legoland)Penny into the mix, viewing them as the same person. There's so much dramatic irony and slight foreshadowing in both shows that only deepens her as a character.

She's definitely not dumb or anything, that's for sure. She seems to be pretty damn smart! Guess it runs in the family, lol.

But like- being forgotten by almost everyone, well aware of the horrible fate you've been condemned to. Confused and lost, yet simultaneously an empty shell of someone who used to be "human." Now just. Only viewed as a creepy, unfeeling empty "doll." Not knowing how to properly express your emotions and desperately trying to connect with others, seeking that warmth of familiarity that deep down you know you'll NEVER get back. Nothing is waiting for you after the smoke clears. You've been abandoned by everything you currently know, including "god" itself. Swallowed up whole by time itself like you never even existed. You just want to go home. You just want to feel something— anything. You just want someone to treat you like a person and tell you who you are.

It's. So heartbreaking once you realize some of the implications and slight foreshadowing placed in Legoland. Penny says something about how she was afraid that nobody would notice if she died. There's multiple references to decapitation. Both Karnak & Ricky repeat lines that Penny’s said in the Legoland script. There's so many little details about her and it's just JRHRGSHAHAKJSEGGAJA/vvpos

SPEAKING OF LEGOLAND & PENNY!!

She. Probably harbors a lot of guilt, going off of all the implications & themeing around her in both LL AND RTC. Penny's shoved around a lot from what we know— even to the point of people burning her backpacks & having to avoid the stairs entirely just so she doesn't get shoved down them, risking breaking something. Yeah, she DEFINITELY has her flaws; but that's honestly what made me connect with her. Even without the flaws, I very deeply related to her as well, just as I did with her inevitable future "self." (If you believe in the LL! Penny = RTC! Penny/Jane Doe thing like I do!!) How she just- kinda attaches herself to her interests & the whole lashing out and fucking MAIMING A GROWN MAN reminded me of myself a lot. (I have not maimed anybody for the record. But I did lash out at other kids and have actually hurt them before. Not severely, but- I'm definitely not proud of it. I had BAD. anger & mood issues.)

OH. And then you discover Ezra's existence!! Which. Makes shit a LOT worse! Adds a lot more potential with how you see Jane Doe as well, along with a LOT of potential for Ezra's character as well. UUGauahah it's always the doomed siblings that get me I totally haven't cried over this damned trope before multiple times wdym

But yeah! There's. So many intricate details about everything— the themeing, the implications, hell- even in the character design & NAMES‼️‼️ (The last name being LAMB is just. Really ironic to me. Lamb to the slaughter,,)

RGRHJSSGHD THERES SO MUCH DRAMATIC IRONY ESPECIALLY WITH THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN TOWN THING IAAGKKFK AND ALL THE DETAILS WITH SYMBOLISM I AM NOT NORMAL ABOUT ALL THE DETAILS THEY PUT IN THIS GOD FORESAKEN SHOW SOMEBODYHELPM

so yeah uh I'm. Not normal about Jane/Penny in the slightest! You can definitely tell the Lambs are my favorites JSHSHSSHSJ (Connie's also one of my favorites if you can't tell sHES SO SILLY AND DESERVES SO MUCH LOVE TOO AIAYSGSUIAK)

Everyone in this fucking musical deserves better you can't change my mind (excluding the carnie. That fucker can go die in a ditch <3)

[s1ater]

god, forgive me.

part three of n/a.

ricky rocks. i always forget to update this story even though it's my favorite plot tbh

kathaholics 🦵

finn guess who we just fucking found

sab god himself?

josh we were a little more luckier than that

enya luckier than god?

enya can't wait to hear this

josh the bitch who lit stacy on fire

finn she's coming to smoke with us

sab oh great, another deadbeat to add to our group

josh how could you say that, chicago is a national treasure

josh she did what no one else could do

sab josh, she basically committed arson

finn no, we weren't lucky enough for that

finn more like, third degree burns

josh arson would be like if stacy had just completely disintegrated

josh which sadly did not even come close to happening

"these two jackasses would get themselves expelled if they ever talk like this in public."

"what do you mean?" enya snorts, "they talk like this all the time in public. neither of them have a filtered thought to save them."

louis watches the continuation string of messages between finn and josh dogging on stacy golifolk feed through his screen within their groupchat to no end. he lied in the back of their rec room on an old dusty chair while sabrina and enya continued to discuss how stupid their two friends were.

"louis, you ready to go soon?"

louis perked his head up to sabrina's inquiry, finding both of them looking at him now.

"what?"

"the graveyard," she nodded, "ditching school... remember?"

louis dips his head back as if suddenly being hit with recollection, “oh yeah, uh… no.”

“no?” sabrina is on her knees know, hanging off the back of the couch as she looks at him in surprisal.

“yeah, you seemed to have heard me correctly.”

“okay, no need to be rude about it, blockhead,” enya barges in, looking widely distasteful to his disinterest. “you’re the one who wanted to go.”

“and now i don’t.”

enya rolls her eyes before mumbling, “fucking cunt,” then turning back around to sit normally on the orange couch both her and sab were on. sab still watched him, more with confusion than annoyance that enya was hunkering.

“what’s up with you?”

kathaholics 🦵

josh yo, wtm

josh i got my bag and we already hopped the fence, so the rest of you fuckers better be on the way

sab looks up from her phone as he still scanned josh's messages, “so, you going or not?”

louis feels a strain of annoyance in his chest and a flash of heat flare upon his face; anger. for some reason, he felt a large amount of annoyance and irritation with sabrina still talking to him even after his rejection. he felt this a lot lately, and not just with sabrina, but right now she was putting the cherry on top of increasing his bad mood.

“fuck off, sabrina.”

**

“do you fuckers have no sense of time?”

“relax fuck face, you act like your mental watch is so good.”

“when weed’s involved, it’s immaculate.”

enya gave a hefty sigh before swinging her bag onto her designated seat. she then looked up, analyzing the three sets of red eyes before her, she smirks, “well, well, well, if it isn’t the woman of the hour.”

“my fellow candle stick holder.”

sabrina rolls her eyes as you and enya lean toward one another to shake hands, and you’re just beaming with a thin pressed smile of amusement. she couldn’t believe this was happening.

“ladies, take a seat. you know where you belong,” josh extends his arms out to the dusty old cushions that filled the area across from him

the graveyard was an old abandoned boys school from the 1950s that was never tore down, but rather left for catholic delinquents to discover and deem as there smoke spot. the five of them currently sat in a rusty old school bus that was cleared of most its seats and replaced with scruffy old couch cushions, bean bags, and really anything to provide comfort.

you were beyond amazed at the craftsmanship when your two new friends pulled you into what was the perfect smoke spot. your urge to spark up had increased immediately upon the sight, cutting your tour short and landing all three of you on the couch shoved all the way to the back.

“aye, where is louis at?”

“his cunt ass decided he didn’t want to come,” the sour tone of enya's voice suddenly covered every part of the bus, making everyone look up to her.

you were quick to catch onto the look josh and finn share over you despite being in your high state. her tone was very sobering and somehow you felt ten times more aware of everything all because of her clear distaste for this louis boy.

“fuck, why is that?”

“fuck if i know, louis has a fuckin’ stick up his ass lately.”

“isn’t that right.”

“sorry, who are we talking about?” your face screws up while you pass on the blunt you had to finn, looking between each of them subtly.

“louis partridge,” finn inhales “brown hair, brown eyes, and apparently a recent stick inputted into his ass.”

“such a clear decipher, almost like you didn’t just describe every walking fuck in our school,” enya rolls her eyes at finn and the vague features he offered, then looking to you. "he's the same year as us, was going to be top boy."

her provided information wasn't anymore of a help either.

"what?" however, a burst of energy seized through the group upon the relevance of it.

"lou was going to be top boy?" sabrina's posture was pulled straight as the rest of them, looking for clarification from enya--all she does is shrug.

"no wonder louis has been such a prick lately. he has to start fulfilling the roll," finn chuckles to himself, slowly starting to slouch back down. "too good for us."

"hey, whatever man, good for him," josh lightly taps finn, "maybe we'll finally get coed bathrooms and cig breaks like we've been petitioning for since first year sense we know someone on the board now."

"you guys are disgusting," enya rolls her eyes.

"what, you think they won't go for the dart breaks between class?"

you think enya's eyes are about to fall out of her head by the amount of eye rolls she's had in the past five minutes. you suppress your snicker as she looks at them with a dead stare.

"yeah, good luck with that one," she readjusts herself. "louis doesn't seem to give a damn about us, let alone your first year petitions."

"cmon, en, it was just one thing. he was only pissy because of coming down off of whatever josh gave him this morning," sabrina's voice lightens in defense of him, pushing enya further in annoyance.

"it wasn't just one thing. he's been a dick for the past couple of months. you can't tell me he hasn't when we're the ones who always have to deal with it because these two dimwits are too high half the time to even speak," her pointer finger jabs in your general direction in reference to both finn and josh who seemed shocked to her accusation. "tell me you didn't forget just because you've known him for so long."

there are hints of more spite that intertwined within the sentence, and you wonder why.

"well, I have known him for a long time."

"we all have, sab, but I don't forget his bitch fits because of it."

"oh, cmon, enya, don't you think you're being kinda harsh?" josh motions mindlessly with the hand that isn't propped behind his head. "you're just still pressed about him throwing out your booze stash."

"yeah, and you would be too if it was your pot."

"yeah, well at least I'm smart enough to not bring it around him when he's asked you not to," he takes a hit, his nonchalantness pissing her off. "plus, you're the one who put it in his room."

"suck me off," she grumbles, finally throwing herself into the cushions as if finally giving up. "he shouldn't be friends with alcoholics when he doesn't want to become one himself."

silence, but you still wonder;

"who's louis again?"

@aliyahsutherland @ioveisabel @multifandom-obsessed @cryinginsanity @rebbyr @cc13723things @heyitsmeimdead @thehuntress09 @black-rose-29 @rrosecar @instabull @rudypankowisdaddy @lukewearingbeanies @kiramdd @kitkat-mini @spencybear @w0nderr @deadbeatbarb @phantompogues @i-love-scott-mccall @greengarsstuff @rowena-ravenclaws-diadem @felixulvr @demigirl-with-problems @whoreforpsychopaths @mxsmwndr @andrewgarfields-girlfriend @xivilivix @morganaah @eichenhouseproperty @alliechickens @moonlighy @ancientimes @thelaststraw3 @i44nishi @iluvt4ylorswift @liltimmyst @falcvns @alexxavicry @grxcisxhy-wp @esposadomd

[winwintea]

the last dance - huang renjun

PAIRING ▸ painter!huang renjun x fem!reader 

GENRES ▸ romance, fluff, angst, lots of angst, supernatural, wayyy too much angst

WARNINGS ▸ angst. and character death

SUMMARY ▸ [part of the last love series!] you've fallen in love with the gentle painter, renjun. though the locals call you a witch, renjun doesn't seem to care. but that all changes when they come to kill you. no matter how much pain it causes, you'll never regret falling in love with him.

WORD COUNT ▸3.7k (not proofread 😭)

AUTHOR’S NOTE ▸ suffer

PROLOGUE | MASTERLIST

Something feels quite warm… it was an unusually comforting warmth, and it lay right beside you. You opened your eyes- “Renjun?” The source of the warmth was the human Renjun, who was lying next to you in bed. Strange. What is he doing asleep in your room? And yet, all your questions and concerns disappeared when you looked at his sleeping face. He was as beautiful as an angel. Renjun had more than an angel’s good looks. He had the heart of one too. 

You recalled your first real conversation, just a few days after he’d arrived here. There had been an accident in the stables with one of our horses. Renjun was going to be trampled. You’d pushed him out of the way. He carried your bruised and broken body inside, apologizing all the while… “Oh, god…! Oh, miss, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for you to get hurt! I should have gotten out of the way…!” 

You felt so bad seeing Renjun blame himself, that before you knew it you were saying, “It’s all right. You mustn’t fear for me. I’m what they call… a witch.”

“A witch?” “See for yourself. My wounds…they’re gone.” You gestured towards your arms, displaying them for him to see.

“So, you can… cast magic?”

“...Not exactly. Humans are quick to label all they deem as frightening witches, but my true title is an eterni.”

“‘Frightening?’” “Yes. Those who know of us and this place fear it and refuse to talk about it. It’s all quite silly, when you pause to think!” I tried to laugh it off in an attempt to lighten the mood, but Renjun looked serious.

“You don’t have to smile if it makes you sad. You don’t have to lock away your emotions. That forced smile doesn’t look right on you. And they shouldn’t call you such awful names. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a person, just like me. And a nice one, too.” “But I’m not like you, I’m a-” “Your wounds may heal fast, but did they hurt when you got them?” 

His point resonated with me. You’d never had a human care so much. The ice that had formed around your heart after so much pain and betrayal began to melt with his words. Could you… trust him? “See, Y/n? There’s nothing separating you and me. Nothing that I care about.” After that, you and Renjun began to spend more time together. To the exclusion of the other men Ricky had brought. That didn’t mean you expected to see him in your bed! Just then, Renjun stirred… “..mmhm..Good…morning… huh? Y/n? What are you doing in my bed?” “I’m afraid you’re in my bed, Renjun.” “...I am…?” Renjun sat up and looked around in shock. “... I woke up thirsty in the middle of the night and went to the kitchen for some water. I guess I ended up in your room. Sorry, I still don’t know this place well!” He was even charming when he was guilty. Renjun truly seemed descended from the angels. “Do not apologize. You were warm, so I was rather happy to have you in bed with me.” “Um.. you were?” “I mean, it’s not the fact that you were in bed with me that made me happy! It was-” Actually, there’s nothing incorrect about what you said. It DID make you happy. You couldn’t seem to explain it right. 

Renjun leaned forward in bed, looking at you. “Are you saying I’m like a dog?” “A dog?” “Yeah. Like you felt happy because it was just like sleeping with a big, warm dog?” 

Of course it wasn’t the same. Because Renjun, I’ve fallen in love with you…

You’d fallen in love with the man who smiled at you and told you, you were the same. He had let you feel what you’d never felt before. But you’d decided not to tell this to Renjun. For you were soon to leave this world… “There’s nothing to fear. I don’t think of you as a dog. Although, you are a bit like a puppy.” “Wait, so now I’m a smaller dog…?” “I simply mean that you’re cute. Now, you will want breakfast, of course. And after that, you’re going to paint, aren’t you?” He smiled and nodded. Truly, you couldn’t bear to darken such a bright smile with your grim fate.

—

Changing into his artist’s apron, Renjun set up his easel in the garden. He got to work quickly and quietly, the mark of a professional. Renjun’s profession was painter. He specialized in portraits.

“Now that the underlying sketch is complete, you’re going to add in the color-?” “That’s right. This is actually my favorite part of the job. Though it’s the most challenging.” In one hand, he held his palette, thick dollops of paint creating a cascade of colors. 

While pretending to read, you surreptitiously watched Renjun at work. You had once asked him why he chose portraiture of all subjects. Renjun told you that he wanted to capture the emotions of his subjects in the moment. How they lived, not just the way they looked. You could see yourself spending an eternity with someone as wonderful as him. But that was wrong for him. His life and his work was so passionately mortal. Renjun captured what was everlasting. You could not take away what he was. “...Yep, it’s time for a break.” “Renjun, may I ask you something?” He shook his head and nodded, “I was hoping you could promise me something. Once the full moon comes, the gate will open and you’ll be free to leave the mansion.” Renjun nodded again, curiosity in his dark almond eyes. “When that happens, I want you to paint as many portraits as possible. To capture as many smiles on your canvas as you can.”

His voice was soft when he spoke again, “All right. I promise. But first, can you tell me something in exchange?” Those beautiful eyes of his suddenly became clouded, “Why did your butler bring us here in the first place? What did you need?” It was the question you’d most feared. “I’ve just been thinking. You haven’t tried to attack anyone, so… why?”

He was right in that he was brought here for a purpose. Renjun and the others had been brought here for you to turn into lesser eterni to continue the line… and save your life. But you had rebelled against that notion and chosen to fade away instead of sharing a fate you found worse than death… “There was no reason, not really! You see, it has been Ricky and me alone for so long now. It seems Ricky got the silly notion that I might want more company. That I would feel lonely now for the first time in centuries! It’s unfathomable, don’t you think?” “Well, I can’t say, since I haven’t lived even a fraction of your lifetime, but I don’t think loneliness is something you get used to. I think you can feel it at any time. And that you can’t easily ignore it.” Renjun spoke to your soul. His paintings could reveal someone’s true self; his words had the same power. “Hey, Y/n? After the gate opens and we’re let out, is it possible to come back? Could I come back and see you?” He wanted to come back here? Your heart ached with a desire to say yes… but you will be gone as soon as he leaves. “That would be a terrible idea. What if you got trapped here for another month? You should spend that time painting!” “I’ll find the time. I’ll make it work.”

“You really can’t. You mustn’t.” Renjun wasn’t satisfied but he didn’t argue, “Hmm. If I can’t… then tell me what I can do to help you now, before I leave.” How could he be so kind? If you could request one thing of Renjun… “Would you dance with me before the full moon has taken it’s place in the sky?” “You want me to dance with you?” “Yes. I used to love dancing, but I’ve lost anyone to dance with a long, long time ago. How does that sound?” “Of course I’ll dance with you. I might need some time to practice if I’m going to be any good at it. Can you wait a little?” You nodded, feigning a smile.

I’m sorry, Renjun. It’s true that I love dancing and dreamed of sharing a dance with the one I love.

Pureblood eterni stop aging past a certain point, which is why we can never stay in one place else we can be caught. And so you’d never sought out love, with a human or eterni. You could not risk them suffering the horrendous fate of your family. Please allow me this selfish wish. A last memory of you that I can carry with me until the end…

—

Ricky tended to the front gardens, though his heart was not in it. “Hmm? That is most curious.” There appeared to be a stake planted just outside the gate. Attached to it was a sign. “...This…is not good!” Ricky’s cries were unfortunately heard by Renjun who had happened to be nearby, “Hey, Ricky. What’s that sig-” Renjun stopped and read it for himself. The sign read: “The occupants of this cursed residence have been found guilty of witchcraft and will be punished with death.” “‘Witchcraft’? They must mean Y/n.” “How did you know madame has-?” “Early on, she told me she’d been called a witch before.” “My lady has done nothing wrong-! Some years ago, I..I had encouraged her to visit the city. But there was an accident. She saved people with no thought to her own safety, but when they saw her wounds heal rapidly, they called her a witch.” “She’s always sacrificing herself to help others.” Renjun’s gaze fell, his voice soft. “Ricky, have you gotten these kinds of notices before? Any threatening letters?” “No. Not since we hid ourselves away. This is all my fault. Because I trapped the five of you here, they’ve come to kill us..” Ricky, normally calm and collected, was shaken to his core; steel eyes now pale with fright. “The gates will open on the full moon. If they storm the mansion, there is nothing we can do. Oh, Madame, what have I done?” “Ricky, it’s going to be all right. If they do come, I’ll talk to them. Once they know we’re all right they’ll understand. I won’t let them kill Y/n or you. Listen, you had some reason for bringing us here, right? Some reason important enough to risk being discovered?” Ricky was startled out of his thoughts, though any words died on his tongue, “If you don’t want to say what it is, that’s okay. Let me say something instead… I’ll help you protect Y/n. No matter what. So don’t worry. I’ll be all right.” Ricky said nothing as Renjun continued on, “First let’s make sure the others don’t find out about this, especially Y/n, okay?” Renjun moved some vines to disguise the view of the sign from their side of the gate, “It hurt her enough to be called a witch. I don’t want her to have to know about this.” “Why do you care so much for madame?” “I guess I only have one answer to that… I love her. So of course I want to protect her.” Renjun spoke, his voice strong and true. “Sir Renjun, I must-” “What is it Ricky?” “If you are indeed… in love with the Madame, then I feel as if I must tell you something. Though my lady forbid me to speak of it, on the night of the full moon she will…” —

The final days passed frighteningly fast. At last, the full moon began to reveal it’s pale form beyond the horizon. You can feel it. Somehow, you know when the moon reaches it’s final point, your end will come. You changed into a dress suitable for dancing and waited for Renjun’s arrival. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Y/n.” “Renjun!” He met you on the balcony, stunning in his suit and his angelic smile. “You look especially beautiful tonight. Of course, you always look pretty.” “You think so?” “Yeah. I mean, I think you already know I’m no good at lying.” “I had some idea. Thank you, Renjun.” Renjun turned his hand up and held it out, “Will you give me this dance, my lady?”

You’d danced with stylishly dressed partners. Renjun, wearing the jacket he arrived in and a touch of moonlight, outshone them all. “...It would be my pleasure.” I lay my hand in his and we took our first steps together. There was no orchestra playing for us. There were no chandeliers, just the moon above. But you would rather be dancing here, than in the grandest dance hall. You had not expected your last night to end in such a pleasant way. With this as your final memory, you could happily turn to ash. Or so you told yourself. “Renjun, the gate will be opening any moment. It may already be open, in fact.” Renjun said nothing. Perhaps he was looking for the words to say goodbye? “Do not worry. There’s nothing you need to say. Though before you go, I wish to thank-” “Don’t say thank you like you’re saying goodbye.” His voice was still ringing in your ears when you realized Renjun was now holding you tight. “Renjun? Wh-what is it?” “I promise I won’t let you die.” “...W-what do you…?” “Ricky told me that if you don’t let a human drink your blood by tonight, you’ll turn to ash.” The peaceful lie you had created shattered. So it had come to this. “But then they become an eterni. And you’d rather disappear yourself, than do that to someone. Right?” There was nothing to say. He was right. “I don’t want you to disappear, Y/n. Won’t you let me drink your blood instead?” The arms that held me and the voice that pled with me were all shaking. “Renjun, I cannot do that.” “Why not?” He broke from me, his gaze pained. “Look at me, Y/n.”

Suddenly there were shouts from below. Angry shouts. They were getting louder. You leaned over the balcony to look out into the garden; you were shocked by what you saw. A crowd of humans were spilling through the open gates and into the mansion grounds. “...They’re here.” “Who are they? What is going on?” “It’s nothing. I’ll be right back. Please, promise me you’ll stay here.” He smiled as if to calm me, but Renjun raced down the stairs with frightening urgency. It obviously wasn’t nothing! You looked back at the townspeople outside your home. Torches and weapons–both real and improvised–held high. That mob. You had seen their kind before. You could not let Renjun go out there alone. No sooner had you exited into the foyer, you saw them coming in through the front door. They had taken Ricky. “Release the men you’ve taken prisoner and bring out the witch!” “I’ve been trying to tell you, we’ve already released them! As for the madame, I am afraid I cannot let you in to see her!” “He lies! I’m sure they’ve already killed them! MONSTERS! You and your devil’s mistress will pay with your lives!” Their cries for vengeance rose louder until they were furious and uncontrollable. They grabbed Ricky, restrained and shoved him, attempting to push him through the crowd at the door and outside. Five men go missing from the village. Of course they would come searching. And now, they’re here to kill us. I needed to do something, but fear–memories of my family’s brutal slaughter–froze me to the spot. Until I heard a voice. “She’s not a witch!” “Is that… Renjun? It’s you! You’re alive?!” “Yes, I’m alive! And she didn’t kill the others either! That’s why I won’t let you kill her!” You wanted to call out to him. They wouldn’t listen. “She’s bewitched you! Renjun, wake up! Remember who you are! You’re human!” Another added, “W-what if it’s too late? Where’s the witch? She may be speaking through him!” “No! Listen to me. I haven’t been bewitched and I’m not being controlled! Everyone, please. Let them both go. Put down your weapons so we can all talk.” “Renjun. All right. We can talk… just prove to us it’s still you. First, show us where the witch is-” Renjun was growing more and more annoyed at his peers, “Are you listening to me? She’s not a witch! I won’t let you see her until you understand.” “D-do you hear that? He’s protecting her! He’s become her familiar! It’s too late for him. Kill him! Then we kill the witch!” Two men grabbed him, one on each side. Another readied his weapon. You ran towards them. “Renjun!” Faster than a human could, you reached him; you threw your arms around him; you felt the blade that was meant for him piece you through. Over the fire and pain in my body, I heard a kind voice say, “Your wounds may heal fast, but did they hurt when you got them?” “Y/n…?” You opened your eyes and there was Renjun. Then he stared, stunned at his hand, red with crimson blood. “Your hand… you’re not hurt… are you?” “No. Y-you’re hurt… you’re b-bleeding… Why? I told you to stay there!” “I couldn’t… let you face them… alone…” Renjun looked in horror as the blood kept spreading. Your wounds were not healing this time. Your body had already reached its limits. Renjun turned his attention to the townsfolk as he shouted angrily, “Do you see now? Do you see what you’ve done? LOOK AT HER! She’s not a witch! Would a witch sacrifice herself to protect a human? W-would a witch-...?! …Get out. All of you, get out! Go! And never hurt this poor woman again!” What magic Renjun had used, I did not know. But his tears… an angel’s tears, had doused their murderous rage. Distantly, so distantly now, I heard the crowd disperse. When I opened my eyes, only Renjun and Ricky remained. “M-my lady, I will fetch some water! Give me… Just a moment and soon you will be-...” “No, Ricky… It is already time. Besides, I wish for you to stay.”

“Madame… this is all my fault.” Renjun on the other hand was equally as distressed as Ricky was, maybe even a little bit more, “Why? Why couldn’t I protect you? After I swore to keep you safe, I couldn’t!” “My dearest Renjun… You have protected me from more than you can possibly know…” He looked ready to cry. And so I took his hand and guided it to my heart. “You saved my heart from my fear…” “Your heart?”

“Do you remember…telling me nothing separated us…? And when you defended me just now.” I heard the quiet approach of death like the fall of sand from an hourglass. “It was thanks to you. I was able to save the ones important to me…I couldn’t die happier.” “Y/n…”

Thank you, Renjun, for descending from heaven to give me peace before the end. 

You could not see him anymore. But you could feel his hand. You squeezed it. “R-Renjun…?” “What is it Y/n?” You felt him lean in close.

“I was happy for the time we spent together… I loved watching you paint. P-please, will you paint more…? Will you show… everyone… your beautiful art..?” “Don’t go… Don’t go, Y/n…!” “I love you.” Those words softly escaped your lips as quick as your breath left.

“Y/n? Y/n, open your eyes. Open your eyes and look at me once more…” Moonlight seemed to emanate from your still features, until your body broke apart and dispersed into drifting ash. Only the memory of your smile was left now. Not the smile of a witch or human, but of an angel… — Though it felt as if life itself might stop for those who lost Y/n, time continued on. A few months after that night, Ricky carried a bouquet of sunflowers to lay on the grave memorializing Y/n. It was Renjun who had arranged for her ashes to be buried here. And today… “Sir Renjun, is that you?” “Hey Ricky. I had a strange feeling I might run into you here today.” “But of course. This is where my lady rests. And I swore to serve her faithfully until death. But what brings you here…?” “I’ve been painting another portrait. It’s just about finished. Would you like to see it?” Renjun set the portrait upon the easel. Ricky covered his mouth with his hands. But his eyes-he could not look away. For etched on the canvas was Y/n, smiling at him with her gentle smile. Renjun closed his eyes and recalled the words he’d shared with Y/n, not so long ago… “Renjun, may I ask you something? I was hoping you could promise me something. Once the full moon comes, the gate will open and you’ll be free to leave the mansion.” He realized then that she might have always known this was how it would end. “When that happens, I want you to paint as many portraits as possible. To capture as many smiles on your canvas as you can.”

Renjun turned to look at Ricky again, “I promised Y/n I’d paint portraits and make lots of people happy. And I will. But before I got started on that, well, there was one portrait I had to paint first. It’s the portrait of the person I wanted to bring a smile to the most.” “I believe madame must surely be watching you and smiling right now. Just like she is in your painting…” Renjun looked at her image and smiled back, tears in his eyes. The last thing to do was give it a title. “A promise to your smile.”

[macs-garage]

[A video plays.]

Booker: Mac. You're shit at this.

They stand side by side in a designer's dream kitchen, lovingly crafted by the man currently struggling to mix dough.

Mac: Yeah well, I'd pay to watch you install a catalytic converter into a mech that should have been discontinued long before they were even in existence. Beth-Anne owes me a favor for that fucking thing.

Booker leans closer, settling a hand on Mac's hip and notching his chin on the man's shoulder.

Booker: You're doing great, baby.

Mac's ears go scarlet, and he huffs irritably. It only serves to make Booker smirk as he reaches over, placing his hand over Mac's where it holds the spoon.

Booker: Like this. Press it against the side of the bowl, smear it slightly so it blends, scrape and do it again.

Mac: Why the hell are we doing it analog? Didn't you buy all this fancy shit for a reason?

There's a frown. Booker leans in and bites Mac on the shoulder, hard enough to make him yelp.

Booker: Stop bitching. You're not being judged. You're being taught. You're in the kitchen with your husband, not the demon who helped spawn you.

Mac snorts. Strangely, his husband's scolding makes his shoulders drop, his muscles relaxing. Ever so slightly, he pushes back. Affectionate and apologetic.

Mac: Sorry. Why're we doing this analog?

He begins stirring again. Booker watches him until he deems it worthy, then takes the bowl back. The oven is already preheated.

Booker: It's better this way. I can't always hear when the mixer's fucked. Especially if I'm being distracted.

He pinches Mac's backside pointedly, making his husband squeak and whirl, flustered.

Grinning sharply, he walks past.

Booker: You're so cute when you're flustered.

Mac scoffs, but follows.

Mac: Fuck off.

With slow precision, Booker walks him through the steps. Occasionally, Mac messes up and glances at Booker, only to relax when his husband calmly corrects the mistake.

The cookies go in the oven, and Booker wraps his arms around Mac, kissing the top of his head.

Booker: You did well. Didn't even set the kitchen on fire.

Pressing his face into his husband's shoulder, Mac sighs.

Mac: He's still gonna throw em out.

Booker: If he does I'll use his intestines as our Christmas garland. Preferably while he's still alive and attached.

Snorting, Mac holds him tighter.

Mac: Please don't. You'll scare her, and she's still getting used to us.

There's a warm, rumbling laugh, one that starts from the gut before spreading to Booker's whole body.

Booker: Perhaps. I claim no responsibility for any actions of violence against him. But you know you can't befriend everyone.

Mac's shoulders droop, and he sags into Booker, his hands gripping the expensive fabric of his shirt tight.

Mac: I...I know. Maybe it's just left over from before everything. Dad- Arson used to say "anyone's who's not a friend is your enemy, and at least friends will do you the favor of stabbing you from the front".

Booker: And then he tried to kill you. Several times. Many times.

There's a wry smile on Mac's face.

Mac: Him and my sisters both. Ironically, Mother's the only one who hasn't, and she's the worst of them all.

???: Adrian? Ricky?

Mac and Booker: In here.

They look at each other and grin, then other to the doors that lead to the living room. The pair untangles.

???: What smells good?

Mac: Cookies.

Booker: We've made extra. They're snickerdoodles. There's also ginger snaps cooling on the counter.

???: What are those?

Mac exchanges glances with his husband, then looks back over. He smiles.

Mac: Why don't you come try them out?

[bernkastel11]

Roise: I just saw 3 Children sneaked into the Adult's Building's kitchen

Anthony: You mean Dough, Saucer and Tricky? Yeah I saw them too

Roise: What? No. Their names were Doug, Shaun and Ricky

Roise: You can make a mastermind scheme but not remembering 3 Children's names correctly? I'm not their team leaders and I still know their names right

Anthony: I give them nicknames when I deem them not important enough

Roise: Well you're shit at nicknames, I came up with better nicknames when I was a teacher to 2 of those kids