#Step 3: He plays the song of the stars and it doesn't work. He looks at the crest again and sees the drawing of the sea.

[lutiaslayton]

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva

ＰＡＲＴ　１５

〚ＦＩＲＳＴ〛〚ＰＲＥＶ〛〚ＮＥＸＴ〛

Disclaimer: This is a fan-translation for the Japan-exclusive novellisation of the movie Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva. The original novel was written by Aya Matsui under the supervision of Akihiro Hino, and belongs to Level-5.

This translation only aims to be a pleasant read for non-Japanese fans, nothing more: I made a few deliberate changes while translating in order to get the writing style closer to what is usually found in English fanfictions, as the Japanese storytelling can sometimes be different than what we are used to.

☆ Melina Whistler

Yes…

I could remember it clearly.

The unparalleled sense of fear, of entrapment and desolation, when I was sent into the body of someone else…

I looked for a place to hide, but there was nowhere to.

Everything was cold… I could hardly breathe.

I couldn’t stay here! Please, someone let me out!

I screamed desperately, but no one could hear me.

I kept pleading to someone I couldn’t see.

Please, I don’t want to stay here either. But I can’t leave. I have to stay here…

“Melina—Is that you, Melina?”

I had heard a familiar voice.

I could hear… or rather, I could feel it.

I couldn’t see her, but I knew that Janice was close by.

“Janice…?”

“Melina! This is incredible. I can’t believe you are so close to me…”

“I’m sorry, Janice! I shouldn’t be here. I’ll disappear right now… Somehow, I’ll find a way to do that!”

“No, you can’t!”

“Janice!?”

“I’ve just found you again… Do you realise how much I missed you? How much I missed my best friend while you were gone…”

“But, Janice…”

“It’s okay, Melina… I can’t let you go on like this.”

Suddenly, I had felt something shifting.

The sense of fear and desolation disappeared…

“Janice!”

Her voice was moving away.

“This isn’t just for you. This is also for me. Melina, you may not understand, but the grief and suffering of those left behind is so strong…”

I know, Janice…

I had felt Papa’s grief and pain even after I had lost my body…

“You have to understand, Melina. Losing my best friend not once, but twice, would surely break my heart…”

Before I knew it, I was slowly becoming familiar with Janice’s body, as if guided by the waves of the sea.

I had been spoiled by her heartfelt friendship…

At that moment…

The sound of slow clapping brought me back to reality.

It was Descole. The man who had used Papa’s love for me to draw him into his evil ways…

“Excellent. I did not realise that the memory copying had been successful… So congratulations, Whistler, you’ve achieved your goal.”

It was no wonder that you hadn’t noticed, Descole. Someone like you would never understand Janice’s kindness, or the nobility of sacrificing oneself in order to keep others alive.

“Oh, oh my God…”

Poor Papa… He was completely confused.

I looked straight into his eyes. Papa… I needed him to understand my feelings.

“At some point, I started to realise that this was wrong. I can’t live my life at the expense of my friend.”

I told him my honest thoughts.

“It was you who wrote to me, wasn’t it?”

Professor Layton…

I… No, we both wrote that letter. Janice’s voice had become inaudible to me, but our hearts were still communicating.

“It was the right choice to choose you, Professor. I thought you would be able to stop Papa… Just like I wanted him to stop.”

Isn’t that right, Janice?

It was just as you told me before.

“There is no puzzle that Professor Layton can’t solve, Melina.”

“I can’t stay in her body forever… But as long as this device exists, Papa will continue to copy my memories.”

“Melina…”

Papa’s eyes… They were looking at me, not at Janice.

“I had heard a lot about the Professor from Janice. She admired you so much…”

I’m sorry, Janice… I said it.

As soon as you gave me your life, I had realised how much the professor meant to you…

When I first met him on the Crown Petone, I made my most cherished memories. The times when he solved puzzles… That time when we were talking on the beach… That time when we were riding that makeshift helicopter that we had built… I was never alone.

Papa’s voice was trembling.

“Melina, I… This was all for you…”

“Thank you, Papa… I appreciate how you feel. But, please… These horrendous things have to stop now.”

“I just couldn’t accept a life without my beloved daughter… So I…”

At that moment— The whole room was struck by a tremendous quake.

“Professor, the ceiling!”

With a roar, the ceiling above us was split in two, as we all stood under it in stunned shock.

Then Descole took my arm.

“Melina!”

In a flash, Descole ran up the stairs leading to the Detragan and set me down.

A pack of wolves popped out and surrounded everyone. They all let out a terrifying howl then stood menacingly, ready to pounce on anyone at any moment.

“What are you doing, Descole!?”

“I needed Melina’s memories to achieve my true goal,” he replied coldly, standing right next to me.

“Your true goal…?” Papa asked in confusion.

I was with him on this one… I had no idea what this was about either. What could he possibly need my memories for? What could that mean?

Descole twirled his cloak and pointed to the ceiling.

“The resurrection of Ambrosia!”

The ceiling was painted with the Ambrosian crest… The Kingdom of Immortality.

“It all started when I discovered their coat of arms in its entirety…”

Descole turned to the professor and sent him a condescending look.

“Layton, what do you think these symbols mean?”

The coat of arms had a design reminiscent of a king and queen, surrounded by a vast number of lines, dots and jagged patterns…

The professor soon gasped in realisation. “…It’s a music sheet!”

“Correct. A music sheet, written in the Ambrosian way.”

Descole walked over to the Detragan and reached for a sheet music.

“In other words, the coat of arms is inscribed with the first key required to open the door to Ambrosia: a song that could be called ‘A Song of the Stars.’”

“A ‘Song of the Stars’…!?” Luke repeated incredulously.

“The second key is you, Melina.”

I could not believe my ears. “Me… the second key?”

The resurrection of Ambrosia, keys to open a door… I did not understand.

“The first key alone was not enough to revive Ambrosia. This was when I realised that the crest also hinted at the existence of a second key…”

The professor instantly resonated. “The ‘Song of the Sea’!”

Descole slowly took my hand with an icy smile. His grip was just as cold as his face.

“The stars, and the sea. When the two melodies are combined, Ambrosia will be revived.”

“I didn’t realise… that he was after the kingdom itself,” Papa slowly shook his head in shame.

“Alas, by the time the puzzle of the crest had been solved… The only person who had an accurate memory of the second key could no longer sing…”

So that was what this was all about.

The ‘Song of the Sea’… It was the song that the sea around Ambrosia had taught me.

Ever since we had moved to this island so I could recuperate from my illness, I had spent every day gazing out at it. Walking along the beach, or standing on my balcony, with the feeling of the sea breeze embracing me…

It wasn’t long before I had become aware of the melody that the sea was bringing me.

The wind, blowing past the reefs jutting out from the shore, would sing the same song to me every day. The waves breaking onto the shore would add to the music, creating a pleasant harmony, like a small ensemble.

Soon, I had unconsciously began to hum that very beautiful and somewhat nostalgic melody. When the sea and the song were joined together, it had given me a sense of heartfelt sincerity. It was soothing… and it made me happy, as I felt surrounded by a shower of invisible music.

Descole put his hand on one of the Detragan’s levers.

“Even though some memories were left behind… I wanted a perfect copy, more than Whistler did!”

He pulled the lever. Immediately after, the staircase exploded and bright lights flashed on the wall.

The smoke from the explosion blocked my view.

　⇚　　　　　　　⇛

[riality-check]

tw for mentions of substance abuse (part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7)

ao3

Steve Harrington has been awake for fifty four hours. With luck, he'll be able to eke out another eighteen. Three days seems to be the sweet spot, even if he only makes it there half the time and, of that half, it only works half the time.

It's better than nothing.

Maybe four days is the sweet spot. Ninety six is close to one hundred, and that seems like a good omen.

Omens don't really matter though. What matters is staying awake.

So, Steve chugs his coffee and walks into the conference room. Coffee isn't enough, not nearly, but it'll do until he gets desperate enough to take something.

He really does try to only take them when he's desperate. It's easier that way, to just do it when he feels like he needs to rather than measuring dosages and remembering times. Hours start to blur around hour forty of being awake.

He walks in, sits down in the chair closest to the door, and is met with a withering glare from Eddie Munson.

Listen. Steve isn't happy about this either, but at least he doesn't look like he stepped in dog shit on the way here. Then again, Steve doesn't have the luxury of ever looking truly unhappy.

Eddie is a rock star. Mean is part of his brand, while mean is the antithesis to Steve's.

Whatever.

"Are you kidding me?" Eddie says, still staring at him, but Steve knows he's not who he's asking.

"He's the best person for the job," Chrissy, Eddie's manager, says.

"We don't need him."

Someone taps Steve's left shoulder. He turns to see Jeff, the lead singer of Corroded Coffin, give him a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you, Steve," he says, and Steve shakes his proffered hand.

"Happy to help," he says, and it's only half a lie.

The drummer and the bassist - Steve would probably be able to remember their names if he wasn't so exhausted - wave their hellos from a few seats away.

"Hi, Steve," Chrissy says.

He takes another swig of his coffee and gives her a little wave in response.

"We don't need a pop singer to write lyrics for us," Eddie says, still not letting this go.

"Yes, you do," Steve says. He sets his coffee cup down on the table and opens the folder he brought with him. "I read through the lyrics of every one of your songs."

"You didn't even listen to them?"

"Would have taken too much time."

That's a lie. Listening, even with the lengthy guitar solos, probably would have taken less time. But Steve needs something to fill the hours when he's supposed to be asleep, and reading, that slow process with its ample, awakening frustration, is the perfect thing.

"You became so much less interesting after your first album," he says. "Every one of your songs talks about the same thing. Conquering evil, killing demons, blah blah blah."

"That's what's in right now," Eddie snaps.

Out of the corner of his eye, Steve catches the drummer and Chrissy make the same motion. They pinch the bridges of their noses, clearly frustrated.

Steve sees why Chrissy wanted to talk to him.

"It is," he concedes. "But I also read the lyrics of every song by the bands with top ten hits. They don't talk about it nearly as much. They sing about other stuff. And they don't use an F major chord in every one of their songs."

"We don't-"

"We kinda do, Eddie," the bassist pipes up. "I'm a little sick of playing F."

Eddie takes a breath. Steve takes the opportunity to take a pill.

He found a way to make it less obvious for people who have something to say about it. Steve will take one from his pocket, yawn, cover his mouth, and swallow it dry. Easy peasy. They don't notice, he doesn't have to deal with people who don't get it making comments.

Except when he does, this time, Eddie narrows his eyes. Like he knows what he's doing.

Steve doesn't like that look.

"Have you read my stuff?" He won't ask if Eddie has listened to any of it. He knows the answer is no, if he keeps bringing up genre like that really means anything.

Eddie doesn't respond. He keeps those narrowed eyes trained on Steve and stays silent.

"Didn't think so," he says, and he slides over the thick stack of papers Robin stapled together for him last night. "Here's everything. Read it. Tell me if you like it. I'm only helping you if you give a shit. This goes two ways, and I don't want to waste my time if you think I'm wasting yours."

Eddie doesn't take the stack, but the drummer, sitting next to him, tugs them closer. "Thanks."

"Let me know tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Jeff says, eyebrows raised.

Steve forgets that most people don't actually take advantage of their twenty four hours.

"End of the week," he says instead, and he relaxes when Jeff does.

The drummer starts flipping through the pages while the bassist looks over his shoulder.

"Need anything else from me?" Steve asks Chrissy.

"I don't think so," she says. "I'll call you back to set up a time for Saturday."

He's amazed by the fact that someone as sweet as her works with someone as pretentious as Eddie.

"Sounds good," he says, and he walks out, trying to ignore the feeling of Eddie's eyes on him as he goes through the door.

It only halfway works.

The pill should kick in soon, within a half hour, maybe shorter because of the coffee. Maybe he'll write something. Maybe he'll work on the piano melody he's been tinkering with for the past week. Maybe he'll read the latest book Robin picked up from the library, something interesting enough to be worth the frustration of the moving letters, something that will still fill the time.

He'll make it to seventy two hours. Then he'll crash because his body is a worthless piece of shit, and he hopes this is the half of the time when he doesn't have any goddamn nightmares.

Maybe he should pop another pill, just in case.

[memoirsofasim]

Ep 3: In a pickle

A few days had passed since the party. But Lily had been thinking only of one thing and every time she did think of it, her heart fluttered.

She packed up a slice of her favorite cake into a paper bag and slipped on some shoes.

With a spring in her step she walked over to Clyde's apartment. Her heart was beating faster than normal and she was feeling nervous.

Clyde was already awake practicing at the old piano in his bedroom. He'd been playing for maybe 10 minutes when he heard a knock at his front door.

'Hi! Um...how are you? I brought you some cake!' she blurted out.

Clyde starred blankly at her. 'So I baked a cake for myself and thought you might like a piece. It's Matcha Green Tea cake. It's really good for your health, well except maybe for the sugar in it but I used natural sugar....' Lily's voice trailed off. Clyde stood there thinking how adorable she was.

'Come on in,' he said stepping aside.

Clyde opened up the paper bag, lifted out the piece of cake and sat down to eat it. This would be his breakfast before he headed of to work this morning.

Lily sat down at the keyboard and ran her fingers loosely across the keys. 'My sister plays the piano,' she said. 'She had lessons when she was teenager. She even performed a few concerts.'

'It's a hard skill to master,' Clyde said getting up and walking over to his bar. He started making a Juice on the Rocks to wash away the bitterness from the cake.

'My sister was a natural at it, she was a natural at a lot of things. Not me though, all I've got is my comedy skill! I mean, who doesn't like to laugh?!

Clyde smiled. 'Comedy is a great skill to have,' he said then skulled his Juice on the Rocks.

'So I gotta head off to work now, but thanks for the cake.' Clyde said.

'Oh, yeah me too! I mean, I've got to go to work too.' Lily replied walking towards the front door. She could feel his eyes on her.

'Guess I'll see you ya later,' Clyde said casually walking behind her while glancing down at her black skirt.

Later that afternoon...

Ozzy returned from work feeling famished. After grabbing some chicken skewers from his fridge he threw them on the grill and waited impatiently for them to cook.

Lily had returned from work and joined Ozzy on the outdoor couch.

'What do you mean you don't like pickles!' She wailed. 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe you don't like pickles! I love them!'

'Hey, I got nothing against them but they just make my stomach churn' Ozzy replied.

'I get ya man,' Clyde said who had recently joined them after also returning from work . 'Seriously, they can be weird.'

After the three of them finished eating they followed Clyde into his apartment where he played a new song he learned at work that day. Once Clyde had finished Ozzy then left to clean up the dishes outside.

Clyde put his guitar away in his bedroom and walked towards the bathroom. When he opened the bathroom door he got the biggest surprise of his life.

Lily was naked splashing about in Clyde's bathtub. He was speechless. He thought she had left the same time as Ozzy. He slowly backed away towards the bathroom door trying to slip out quietly.

Rosalie was in good spirits this evening, she got promoted today and earned a raise. She couldn't wait to tell her parents the news, mainly to show them that she really could make it on her own with out their inheritance.

Rosalie was sitting on the edge of the pool moving her legs in and out of the water when she saw Clyde walk over.

'Mind if I join you?' he asked already in the process of sitting down beside her.

'Not at all,' she replied.

'I got a promotion today,' she said.

'Congrats! So you write books right?' he asked.

'Yes, I'm an author. Obviously not famous, yet, but one day and then my parents will finally understand.' She stretched her arms out and leaned back, looking up at the evening sky.

'You got some beef with the parents too, huh? Mine never approved of becoming a musician, but I did it anyway.' Clyde starred back at Rosalie thinking this chick was all class and she probably came from money too.

'We're young adults, who do they think they are to try to control our lives,' Rosalie said.

'It's definitely a control thing, but they really have none as soon as we age up. Don't let it get ya down, just go out do ya thing.' Clyde replied.

Suddenly Rosalie let out a loud burp. She felt so embarrassed and could feel her cheeks flush. From the taste in her mouth she knew it was from the pickled sandwich she ate earlier, which was after the serving of Ozzy's chicken skewers.

Clyde laughed. 'All good, better out than in, eh?'

'Anyway, I gotta get some guitar practice in before bed. Catch ya round,' Clyde said getting up.

'I suppose it is getting late. Enjoy the rest of your night,' Rosalie replied.

'You too,' Clyde called back, already walking towards his apartment door.

Rosalie watched Clyde enter into his apartment and waited until he closed the front door. Then finally relaxing, she let out a very loud fart. The relief was instant. She had been holding it in the whole time she was talking with Clyde. Those damn pickles. She might have to lay off them for a while.

Note: This was probably one of the funniest gameplays I've had in a while. Clyde leaves his door unlocked so anyone can enter and well look what happened! 😳 Ozzy confessed a secret to nosy Lily while they were eating and it was that he hates pickles. It even came up in his profile after he told her. 🥒🤢 I love that Rosalie has the slob trait yet she always looks so polished. 😆

[moodymisty]

Hi. I love your fanfic's, especially Star Wars. ♥️ Can you write something with Tech with the prompt: "Forgive my unkindness, but you are very pleasant to look at." Where Tech sees the reader who just got out of the bath in her room in just her panties, singing a dance song. She sees him and maybe this could end in a make out session? xoxo

Author's Note: Aww thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my stuff! It's been awhile since I've written for Tech, so let's give this a shot, I hope this is close enough to your prompt :3

Summary: Tech accidentally walks in on you putting on a show for one in the refresher, and decides to stay for a minute.

Relationships: Tech/Fem!Reader

Warnings: Lewd but not full NSFW, Making out, Tech is a suave nerd,

Word Count: 1261

It's a miracle in the first place that Tech managed to get the hot water working for the Marauder's refresher again, considering circumstances. He has so many repairs to work on at any one time and with hot water not being necessary for life, the lot of you have been used to bathing in frigid water for a decent bit now.

Getting another mechanic in GAR to fix it would be completely fruitless; For the previous reason, as well as that GAR's rare amount of mechanics are always either off base or trying to solving any myriad of other technical issues. Many of them wouldn't even look at a submitted request like that unless they were bored and just off lunch break.

Needless to say you're eager to get use out of it, having dipped into the refresher once the Batch all left for some mandatory training drills. They don't need them, but it's entertainment you guess, as well as the fact that GAR considers them mandatory for every clone.

It's not as if you don't trust them to be in the ship while you shower, it's more so that bathing is your one time to really relax and unwind; So you're eager to do so without various clanking and shouting in the background.

Your datapad on the tiny counter plays some random music you've collected over the years, the words just barely audible above the noise of the water spraying onto your body and the metal walls of the shower stall. You'd love to use your much larger shower at home, but you're stuck with this for the time being. It could be worse, all things considered. With no one around there's no concerns about anyone hearing your enthusiastic singing, belting along to lyrics and mumbling the words you can't remember fast enough. It's fun; You really needed this after all of the high-wire stress that's been going on.

With your hair finally clean however there isn't much reason to remain in the shower any longer lest you waste water, so you turn it off and step out. You had set out some fresh clothes to change into before getting in, grabbing a towel and drying off before slipping on your top and underwear. Your hair is still slopping wet even after giving it a quick tussle with the towel, and you elect to let it air dry while you work on drying off your legs.

The entire time you sing along to the next song that pops on, distracted by the much more easily heard music now that the water is turned off. You shuffle along with the music the best you can while trying not to slip,

It's at this point you realize you hadn't locked the door, as it slides open while you're half bent over. The music is still playing as Tech looks up from the datapad in his hands, realizing you're barely clothed; Hair still dripping water. Judging by the quiet he's the only one back from drills. He doesn't say anything for a moment, lips closed but eyebrows raised in the slightest hint of surprise.

Standing back upright you lean your hip into the small counter, looking up at Tech standing in the doorway.

"Need something?"

Tech is tall enough to the point that his head is almost brushing against the top of the door at his full height, though it's not as if the Marauder's core shell was designed with premium comfort and stretching room in mind. He pushes up the left side of his goggles with his hand before finally speaking up. Your foot is still tapping to the beat as he does.

"Forgive my leering, but you are very pleasant to look at. I, hadn't expected to find you here."

You'd perhaps be a bit more miffed about him walking in, if he wasn't so fucking cute.

Taking a step to fully enter the refresher he still holds his datapad in his right hand, while the left reaches up and cups gently around your jaw. You can feel the rough fabric of his glove against your skin, thumb gently brushing against your cheek. Your eyes gently close in anticipation of what's to come. Tilting your head upward he quickly leans in to press his lips against yours, googles pressing awkwardly into your skin. You don't mind, but Tech uses his other hand to push them onto his forehead anyways; Just to make things easier.

It allows you to kiss him even more deeply, arms wrapping around his shoulders- fingers tangling in the short hair at the nape of his neck. His free hand lays in the dip of the middle of your back, fingers brushing against the top of your ass. It pushes your hips against his own, as his tongue brushes against your bottom lip.

You moan into his mouth as he takes the tiniest step closer to you, feeling his breath against your face as he only parts to take the shortest, quickest breath.

To think only a short while ago he'd confessed to not really knowing how to kiss- How quick a learner he is.

Pulling away from your lips with a soft pop you can feel the heat on his skin, hand still just above your ass.

"I do have to return to the others."

You pull back and glare at him, kiss swollen lips the main focus of his eyes as you scold him.

"You come in here and kiss me like that only to tell me you're leaving again?" Tech's face is his normal neutral expression, though from so long of being near him you can see the smug satisfaction in his eyes and coating his voice.

This isn't the first time he's left you high and not dry, so to speak. He seems to find the idea of you pining for him while he's unattainable to be enjoyable. The both of you haven't even been in a relationship for that long, and you can already count multiple times he's grasped your thigh or waist, leaning over your shoulder to help you, knowing that those sorts of things turn you on- only to walk off.

Infuriating bastard.

You're suddenly well aware of your half dressed state again, as Tech pulls his goggles back into place and covering the marks they always leave. He leans down to press a bit more chaste kiss to the corner of your mouth, your eyes fluttering closed; But when you attempt to deepen it, he pulls away and you whine.

"I am assuming since you've finished with your shower, you're going to join us?" You cross your arms.

"I don't know. Maybe." It's hard not to smile, while being a bit of a brat that he won't shrug off his brothers just for a moment after riling you up like that. He can see right through it either way.

"That's not going to get me to stay, if that is your plan." You roll your eyes, and pick your pants up off the counter.

"I'll be there in a minute. Right behind you." Gently removing his hand from you back, it brushes along your side in a way you don't know if intentional or not. He then walks off with little fanfare, leaving you to start slipping on your pants with the door still open. With one hand you to turn off the music that had been playing the entire time. You don't know if he's still in the ship when you mumble while tugging on your pants:

"Fucking tease..."

[britt-kageryuu]

Just Dance VOD 2

Description: Blue is jealous the Dees' Hips Don't Lie.

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

Leo and Donnie are once again playing Just Dance, Mikey joins every now and then, but he's working on something in the kitchen that needs his attention.

Donnie had updated their Just Dance playlist to have the newer songs, and they were going through alot of them.

They started with some BTS, Ariana Grande, a slightly odd moment with Payphone where they fought over who would be which Coach.

Then they hit a bit of a snag with the way the newer songs were displayed.

Leo had to take a break after a few of the newer songs, "I have never felt motion sickness before, but some of the fast moving backgrounds are kinda disorienting."

"I admit that if it were not for fact that I am focused on the Coachs, I too would be a bit thrown off." Donnie admits while scrolling through the song list to find the ones they're looking for, "While you take a break I will be doing a mini marathon of Shakira songs." They say as they select finish setting up a custom marathon mode.

"I will attempt that after you finish. Just keep track of your score." Leo says while stretched out on the couch that they moved into the studio.

The next 20 minutes feature Donnie dancing to Hips Don't Lie, Waka Waka, and Whenever Wherever.

Many were mesmerized by Donnie shaking their hips, and dancing in a way that almost looked like the model was broken. They got MegaStar on all three.

Then Leo stepped up to perform the same songs, only to be noticeably more stiff compared to Donnie. So while he did get MegaStar his scores were not as high as Donnies.

A muttering of, "Stupid Softshell flexibility." could be heard, followed by Donnie throwing a pillow at Leo.

Mikey joined them for a couple songs that had 3 or more different dancers, before hopping back into the kitchen.

They soon brought back the heels for a few songs where the Coachs wear them, such as Toxic, Starships, and POP/STARS where Mikey unsteadily joined in heels when he doesn't have practice wearing them.

The last songs they performed for the stream were Ghostbusters, and some of the dance battle mode.

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

Masterpost

I was watch videos for the newest Just Dance game, and couldn't stop thinking of the Disaster Twins performing some songs.

[mac-lilly]

BTTMW4 recap

Well, here we go ...

General

As most of you heard, last year's con, BTTMW2, with 14 guests was a fucked-up fiasco. This one ... wasn't anywhere near as bad.

(Though, tbf, there was no way for a con to be worse than last year's edition. Even the DI staff said that.)

There was better communication and fewer delays. And the cast didn't look like they were about to keel over any second.

There were even actual JATP panels! On both days! With all of the cast being present! All the time! And they actually got to talk about their show and other projects.

After three years, there wasn't much new information. The cast talking about the props they received (in Owen's case: stole) from the set was the most interesting thing.

Though Charlie talking about how he got sent to community theater bc he kept playing air guitar at his hockey games was so freaking adorable. And it felt so Luke.

The party ... and the "JATP concert"

So, while BTTMW4 was a fantastic experience in general, the party was a huge disappointment.

We already had a bad start. One of my friends is in a wheelchair, and the main access to the room was via a few steps. What kind of genius idea was this, DI?! It took them quite a few minutes to figure out how to get her down to the room. On the way back, I followed her. It was like an escape game.

So, yeah, not the ideal start.

And it didn't get much better. After last year's experience, I stayed away from the food. As cute as it looked, I wasn't keen on getting a Sunset Curve experience again.

Now the "JATP concert"

Well, it wasn't a "JATP concert". It was mostly Madi performing her own music. The closest we got to a JATP concert was her singing along to "Stand Tall" - the song was playing while the cast entered the room.

It was obvious that the guys didn't want to get on stage and sing. That's absolutely understandable. But then DI shouldn't have advertised it as a JATP concert. There were people who paid €220 for this party just to see the JATP concert. I'd be fuming if I had paid for that. (Please, don't get me wrong. Madi has an amazing voice. Unfortunately, her music doesn't do it any justice. And the terrible playback made it worse.)

So, anyway, yeah, not a good concert. The party got slightly better after the concert. Brenna D'Amico saved the party by getting on stage and doing group karaoke with the fans.

Random thoughts and occurrences:

Owen saying that this year was the first time he didn't get a gift for Nikolaus was heartbreaking

Owen with his giant emotional support candy cane - adorkable

The Chowen meeting room was exactly as messed up as a friend and I predicted - two independent conversations in one room: The French fans chatting with Charlie and the rest of us talking to Owen in English. (How the French girls actually understood Charlie's archaic French - no clue. Magic.)

I got nervous when I gave Charlie his ghosties. He squeezed the bag, noticed the content was squishy, and asked if he should keep his dog away from it ... RIP Ghosties - they'll be Koa's snack.

The ones who actually looked into their bags (Sacha, Madi & Owen) said they liked the ghosties.

We got a video message from Kenny, saying he's working on some theatre productions. (I really hope he didn't ditch us bc of Zac's star on the Walk of Fame, though.)

The hotel charged €14 for a footlong sandwich. WTF?! I didn't buy one, but I kinda want to know what was on this sandwich. €14 ... even at overpriced train station shops, I get 3 sandwiches for the same price. The hotel was pretty fancy, though.

Today is Bart Johnson's (Coach Bolton) birthday. At the closing ceremony, right after DI said again that it would be the last con, he got a birthday cake, and he was asked to make a wish. So he said: "BTTMW5"! The faces of the DI bosses were priceless.

Honestly, it looks like DI might cave and do another edition. But who knows.

Fun fact: While my souvenir is COVID, all my friends got influenza. WTF?!

There are probably more things to talk about, but my brain is too foggy to come up with more stuff. So that's what you get for now.

[chaoslifeforme]

I hunger for even more Coco Last.

How did they react when Baxter went NC at the end of step 3?

You are literally my favourite person. <3 Small trigger warning far a reference of disordered eating in paragraph 4 (not including this little blurb, I put an asterisk before and after it), you can just skip that one if you want.

So Coco knew Baxter wasn't up for staying dating and they accepted that. Like full on just let him go wishing him the best. They have way too much pride to ask someone for something not freely offered. (If anything he should have bagged them to keep in contact). They didn't so much as ask to be friends or send him a single message. They are a big fan of the ephemeral, the temporary, un repeatable, beautiful experiences. To them Baxter was ephemeral, a show that would go on forever changed, but never to return. It was wonderful and painful.

This doesn't mean they weren't in love with him, but they're of the mind that it was their decision that hurt them. They are the ones to blame for their pain because they agreed to temporary knowing full well they'd love him forever actually. There were lots of tearful performances of "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift, "I knew you were trouble" (also Taylor Swift), and even "Enchanted" (They're a Swiftie) on the hill behind their house. They had outfits (plural) mimicking every look from those songs music videos. They would sing, dance, and cry (like the artsy crying where tears run down their cheeks but their makeup stays perfect and their face serene) while playing guitar for the instrumentals. Eventually after all their family and friends beg them to add another song in the rotation, they add "Teardrops on my guitar" (still Taylor) to the performance rotation.

Of course, they didn't let any of this slow their career. They live and breathe for performance, they were always doing at least one show/movie. They also posted several original songs on YouTube (that they gave the rights for to Lee after their acting career became lucrative). Their original song videos also had them singing dancing, playing the guitar, and changing outfits at least three times. They were always working and performing, they even went on tour at one point.

*Unfortunately, this was unsustainable. They frequently forgot to eat and became dangerously underweight. To the point that shopping in the kids section still meant baggy clothes. It was not being big enough to fit their favourite designer's new dress (that was made specifically for their second Oscar appearance based on measurements from their first apperance) that made Coco begin the arduous process of working to eat regularly again. It made them feel really ugly, and even looking at food was too much for them at points. They were really lucky that Cove was living with them, because while their family supported them mentally, Cove was there physically. (Jude and Scott, were the best at maintaining regular contact considering their experience with long distance dating). He learned to cook to help them. And when looking at food made them cry and puke (this frequently happened after they gained the courage to start baking again, they don't know when they stopped), Cove was happy to make the food disappear (after helping them recover a bit and being sent away). When Baxter finds out about all this after they start dating again, he totally tries to blame himself and Coco shuts that down with a vengeance. Reasons their schedule out so well Baxter is both impressed and afraid for them. He asks what he can do to help and Coco jokes it's good he got better at cooking.. Jokes on them, the food is so good they gain 15 pounds within three months of dating him.*

By the time they meet Baxter again at 25 for Jude and Scott's wedding. They are two years recovered from all of that (It definitely had nothing to do with Baxter and everything to do with their insatiable hunger to be a star). They are happy, but they still love Baxter. They think the wedding could not be in better hands. Once Coco finds out Baxter still cares them (at Xake, the bakery), they decide not to let him go. (Their impatience also wins out and they confess after the wedding clean up). Also, they totally quote one of the songs they wrote about Baxter in their confession (before they ask him out using his words minus the temporary stuff).

Baxter was also their first crush, first (and only) kiss, first (and only) ex, so they love to flex how they are dating their first crush. And sometimes joke about how their ex regretted breaking up so badly he agreed to date them again because they are the best (Baxter can't disagree). Coco also had a reputation in Hollywood for being a prude because of all the rumors about them rejecting people (the rumors are true) except they are free with their affections for Baxter so everyone's like ???. And also jealous, Coco loves making people jealous with their handsome boyfriend, consequently there are many videos released with the two dancing.

[write-away-miss]

Children's Theatre 3

(Fictional Scenario)

Mae did Every Little Step Productions' camps for 9 years. That's nearly a decade.

Her first show was the Wizard of Oz. She'd never acted before, and had only ever sung for fun. She loved TV, she loved movies, she loved dress up. Her mother thought that theatre camp was the most logical thing to send her kid to. It made sense, Mae was all over the place, theatre camp would let her channel all of that.

Mae got Dorothy. Her first ever role, she was the lead. Director Jim knew she was something special. Director Joe was happy to have a kid who was so excited to do theatre; to do anything for that matter.

This is when it started. Everything that Mae says is wrong with her started with the Wizard of Oz.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a staple in Mae's family. She'd grown up singing it with her Grandpa, she sang it in the shower, she could even play it on her Grandpa's ukulele. So when she sang it at the first rehearsal for Director Jim, the only thing he said was "That was beautiful, but it doesn't work."

Director Jim, in his expertise of the Wizard of Oz, knew that Dorothy was a bumpkin, she was a little farm girl from Kansas. Mae was singing this song like herself, a girl with a big personality from Los Angeles. This wouldn't do, she had to learn to act like this character. She has to take this seriously.

Mae was 8 years old.

Director Joe leaned over to Jim, and whispered "Jim, this is supposed to be fun for the kids." Director Jim shook his head and looked over and Joe.

"Well, the show has to be good, doesn't it?"

And it was that day when both Mae and Director Joe learned something. Joe learned that there wasn't stopping Jim when he wanted something. He saw the potential in little Mae. He didn't see that she was a literal child. Joe learned at this moment that nothing would be the same.

Mae learned that the show being good was top priority. She had to sound good, look good, and be perfect. She was 8 years old when she understood that theatre, singing, dancing, acting, it was no longer something to do for fun. It was a job she had to do. People were depending on her to be great.

Director Jim never saw that shift in Mae so early on. He was just grateful that his shows started getting better. Director Jim would never admit this, but he started holding all the kids to a higher standard now. Because Mae could do what he wanted so well and so easily, every kid had to do the same.

Mae never saw how she became the standard. She was too caught up in topping herself every time.

For the next 9 years, Mae would be in at least 3 Steps shows a year. She'd play every notable role in any notable children's theatre show. Sandy in Grease, Eponine in Les Mis, Fiona in Shrek. Then she started to look older in middle school. Mae matured really early, and her body seemed to catch up to her in 6th grade.

Mae was the oldest 14 year old you'd have ever met.

But, God, was she good.

She did the Witch in Into the Woods, and made such good choices, Director Jim was surprised. He didn't congratulate Mae at the end of the show, but he gave himself a pat on the back for creating the next biggest star. All Director Jim told Mae was "Great job tonight, but the rap could be cleaner."

Mae wasn't numb yet to that, all of Director Jim's notes.

Eventually, Mae graduated high school. And she decided to go to college for musical theatre.

She had learned to ignore that ache inside her that hurt to perform. She didn't notice how unapproachable she had become. She never saw how insane the standards she held herself to were. She never saw how she started holding everyone to that standard. She was good at one thing, and that was musical theatre. She had pursue that, because the last 9 years of struggle and hard work couldn't have been for nothing.

And she thought, it was better to be an exhausted high-achiever than have nothing going for her. She'd rather be burnt out than struggle to keep up. With how ahead she was, she created slack for her to slip up. She rarely did, but that was space to screw up, if she would ever need it.

Freshman year of college was hard. She couldn't describe it at all. It just went by in a flash. She soon found out how much of her personality was fabricated. How much of her felt fake, and how much of it was made to please others. She would crackle and pop under the pressure that kept bubbling up.

She went on auto-pilot all year, and none of it meant anything to her. Musical theatre was a job now. It wasn't a passion, like she used to tell people. It was a job she'd been slowly chipping away at for years.

And then the open call came. A new show on Broadway called Rise of the Butterfly was opening, and the lead was perfect for Mae. It was an emotional piece, and pretty much a biography of the composer. The writer of the show, Tammi Tao, was one of Mae's favorites. Tammi was a mixed asian woman, just like Mae. Tammi had been through the hardships of pressure, and had grown famous from all her hard work. Mae knew she was born to play this role.

Mae got through the open call, the callbacks, the third callbacks, and was even invited to a work session. She was so close, she could tell. And for once in her life, she felt so young. She didn't feel like she was blazing a trail, or the first to arrive, or anything. She was in the footsteps of giants. She was this close to giants.

On her final round, Tammi Tao herself was in the room. She was lovely to Mae. Complimented her outfit, told her how lovely her voice was, and how wonderful she was to have in the room.

But Mae never heard from them again. Another girl was cast in the musical. Rise of the Butterfly opened, and got rave reviews, and may people loved it.

Mae couldn't get back in the swing of things anymore. She couldn't pay attention in class, she couldn't bring herself to care about dancing, or acting, and worst of all, she couldn't sing. She didn't care.

She'd worked so hard, and it didn't matter. She had done something wrong. They were lying to her face, Tammi didn't really like her that much. Mae was the problem.

Mae finished her Freshman year of college with a mask on. She packed up her dorm, and returned home. She was numb. Nothing meant anything. She just wasn't good enough. She wasn't special. She didn't mean anything. She was just like anyone else, and she wasn't good enough to mean anything.

That summer, Mae needed to return to where she started. She had to find when she didn't feel like this. This wasn't healthy, she knew it. She had to go back, and fix where this started.

So that summer, Mae returned to Every Little Step Productions as an Alumni counsellor. Mae was now an Alummie.

[moonshinemusings]

TF 141 + friends during Christmas headcanons (with s/o included) (Pt.2)

Warnings: none

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you enjoy these <3

Alejandro Vargas

• Doesn't like the cold, if he could he'd stay inside until it turned warmer again

• He thinks snow is beautiful, but only when he doesn't get any on himself or his stuff. Loves watching it snowing from inside the house though

• Despite that, one of his favourite holidays is still Christmas, because family means everything to him and every year he can celebrate with everyone he loves

• Traditions mean a lot to him, so that's another big factor

• He's a talented cook, so most of the food will be either put on the table by him, or he's going to encourage you to help him/make your own traditional dishes so you can enjoy both

• One of his love languages is also cooking for you, so it's beneficial for the both of you lol

• He's cheeky and likes hanging mistletoes over doors, hoping you two will step under them at the same time

• Likes lighting candles - even scented ones - while bunking down with blankets and reading, listening to soft Christmas music or just relaxing together after a long day

• You can't help but tease him when he puts on multiple layers before going out because he looks bulkier than usual, but somehow he pulls even that look off

• Has an angelic voice when he sings Christmas songs, and when he softly plays his guitar while humming them.. that's truly heavenly

• He's willing to wear silly hats, deer antlers or ugly sweaters even to work, but they always tease him

• That's fine though, he just makes everyone wear something silly too

• He also has matching sweaters with Rudy (like the ones with half of a deer on each or something similar)

• He always makes sure his brothers can get home to celebrate the holidays with their families. Usually him and Rudy are the only ones left at base during the last few days with a few stand-bye guys

• The festive mood around the base is never prohibited because he knows the men will still focus on their jobs at hand. He lets them hang ornaments, make small decorations and joke around

• They also have a small plastic tree that they put up in the main quarters every year. As Colonel, he gets to put the star on the top every time without fail

• He pays attention to either leave small gifts for his men or let them get away with more than usual and let them off the hook more

• Family celebrations include: meeting a bunch of relatives (many kids too), swapping meaningful presents, trying traditional dishes and drinking home made liquor and similar alcoholic drinks

• His family is really welcoming, but if you don't want to spend Christmas with them that's okay with him

• He might get upset about that at first, but eventually he's going to understand if you reason with him

• His presents are never something big in physical means, but they are always very thoughtful and heartwarming. Some examples include real silver earrings, matching scarves with your initials sewn on them (you got the A.V. one and he got yours), your favourite choice of drink with a new parfume you liked at the shop etc.

• He doesn't expect anything in return, but if he gets something he's really going to cherish it

• His lips tend to get chapped during the cold weather, so you should give him a nice flavoured chapstick. He's going to use it 100% and you will have the luck to see his lips all plump and soft, tasting like fruits or something similarly pleasant

• He loves Christmas fairs and will always make time to go and enjoy them, preferably with you by his side (and with some hot drinks)

• Don't make him watch shitty movies because he's going to complain the entire time and it won't be a good experience

• There are a few movies he likes though, because they always watch them as a family tradition

--- ☃ ---

Rodolfo Parra

• Constant victim of Rudolf jokes, especially from Soap

• He swears he has seen Santa when he was like 5 and he never forgot about it

• Him and Alejandro usually write cards for their brothers and sometimes even their families

• He likes giving several smaller gifts rather than a big one. They are always leading up to the most important one, like following the calendar you will get 5 presents every day before Christmas, then one on that day

• Often gets emotional when receiving them though, it always makes him feel loved and appreciated

• They always celebrate together with Alejandro and their families, they have been since they were little. He won't get mad if you don't want to spend these days with them, but he's going to miss you from next to him

• Doesn't trust candles because they are a fire hazard, but he likes Christmas lights

• A pro at wrapping presents, he usually even signs them with a little heart following his name. He always finds adorable wrapping papers too

• He likes matching clothes, so naturally he's going to wear ugly sweaters with you. Bonus points if you find ones that are actually cute

• Makes gingerbread cookies of everyone on the team and gets all pouty when they get their head chomped off (khm Alejandro)

• He's a good cook, so at Christmas he's usually in the kitchen making dishes. He's more than happy to let you help and introduce you to his favourite meals

• Like the sneaky little shit he is, he's going to sneak small notes everywhere and watch you have various reactions. They will containt Christmas themed jokes or pick up lines and all of them are going to be horrible. They will be things like "I must be a snowflake, because I’ve fallen for you" or "What happens when Santa Claus gets stuck in a chimney? He gets Claustrophobia!"

• Loves cheesy Christmas songs and movies, even the really bad ones. He likes romantic movies and the holidays, so those two combined can make him really happy

• He still puts his boots out all the time because he forgets himself. It's adorable how bashful he becomes about it when he realizes though

• Will play with you in the snow, but he's usually the one to pay attention and warn you when you two are starting to get soaked and too cold

--- ☃ ---

König

• One of his favourite seasons is winter. He's used to the cold since he grew up in a generally chilly country so it never bothers him too much. It even reminds him of fond memories and his home

• Loves winter sports like ice skaing and skiing, altough he's not the best at them. He enjoys them though, falling down and everything

• He is the type to just sit and watch the snow falling for hours. He loves being buried under warm blankets, preferably with you in his arms while you two watch the snow and tell stories to each other

• König is generally warm, like a personal furnace, so cuddling with him is always amazing. But it's even better during winter, when you two are outside and you can just snuggle into his side to keep you warm

• He grew up with a lot of traditions and he'd be very happy to introduce you to them if yours aren't the same

• His family is pretty small, but they are really welcoming. If you decide to join him during the holidays, he's going to be overjoyed

• Often he forgets himself and stays outside for too long, usually without the proper clothing. His hands become freezing cold, his nose and face get a red tint and his lips turn a lighter shade. He looks cute like that, especially when he gets inside and realizes how cold he really is

• Always makes sure you get a present that you will like. He's stressing over the right one for weeks before Christmas, and only calms truly down when you reassure him that you love it when he gives it to you

• He gets really emotional if you gift him something in return. It's a further indication that you appreciate and love him and he's going to be overflown with positive emotions

• Loves hot chocolate, especially if you put marshmallows in it and cinnamon on top

• Now that I mentioned it, he loves everything that's cinnamon flavoured. He's also a big fan of Christmas candy

• He's going to wear a Santa hat around the house 24/7, but he will switch to deer antlers if you ask him to

• Loves cooking together with you. He's pretty good in the kitchen, and being able to cook with you gives him all the domestic feelings

• You can bet if you have a pet, he's going to spoil them and give them presents too

• It's laughable how easily he can reach the top of the Christmas tree, so you never have to worry about putting the star up

• Similar with the lights and mistletoes

• He gets super shy when you two end up under a mistletoe. His face gets all red and he stutters over words, but always gives you a sweet kiss

• Speaking of, kisses that taste like cinnamon and Christmas candy.. yeah <3

• He loves decorating, and often gets so into it, that you have to remind him that he's going to have to take them off when the holiday is over too. He always gets embarrassed, but you don't mind

• He likes seeing the city with all the lights up and such, but he'd rather stay at home with you, enjoying the holidays just the two of you. He doesn't like crowds anyways

• Every year you two take a picture of you at Christmas night, all dressed up with the tree in the background. All of these get put into frames and they all stand on top of the fireplace

--- ☃ ---

Alex

• The type of guy to find something positive in everything, so he enjoys the cold and snow to an extent

• Absolutely demolishes you in snowball fights, you have no chance of winning, only if he lets you

• He gets cold easily though, so you will see him wearing multiple layers with beanies and scarves on top

• He always acts like it doesn't bother him, but it's hilarious seeing him freezing and still being stubborn

• He doesn't really have traditions, only a few things other people do too (decorating the tree etc.)

• He's glad to join you in celebrating though, he loves seeing you happy and he'd do anything to bring you joy

• Cheesy presents that always come from his heart, even if they seem silly at first

• He's a little clumsy in the kitchen, but he'd love to assist you in cooking or to help with anything he can

• He adores Christmas cookies and sweets, if you don't pay attention he's going to eat them the very day you made them

• Willing to wear silly sweaters and similar for you, but only because the others can't see. He doesn't want to listen to all the teasing, even though he'd do the same to them

• He will sit down with you to watch bad Christmas movies, but he's going to constantly make fun of it and make you laugh. Honestly, he's going to be way funnier than whatever movie you're watching

• He likes sitting on the porch with a hot drink, having you by his side, just quietly existing together. He appreciates the calm moments the holiday day offs give him with you

• Sing cheesy Christmas songs to him please, he's going to get shy and bashful. After he gets through that, he's going to sing to you too though, putting how whole heart into it

• Somehow he always gets dumb ornaments to put on the tree (a dinosaur for example)

• They often get together during these times with Farah and he'd love to have you by his side

--- ☃ ---

Farah Karim

• It doesn't get too cold where she lives and snow is also rare. If you take her to your home country and there is snow, she's going to be mesmerized though

• She's not the best cook, but when it comes to baking she's a pro. She always decorates gingerbread cookies in a really cute way too

• She likes singing Christmas songs with you, dancing in the kitchen while making the dishes

• She's good at giving heartfelt presents, even when sometimes she doubts herself about it

• You two totally have matching PJs, at least one pair if not more

• The holidays are for family, and she'd be happy to invite you to their gatherings

• You two often end up slightly drunk on the couch while criticising bad movies and just having the time of your lives

• She just overall enjoys spending time with you, the holiday vibes are just a bonus really

--- ☃ ---

If you don't like the holidays (personal reasons or otherwise) or don't have anyone to spend them with, all of these guys are more than willing to be by your side. They are happy to take you to their family gatherings or to their teams, and they would never force you to celebrate something you wouldn't want to. They will always make sure you are comfortable with their ideas and their top priority will be your happiness :)

[blorbocedes]

Hi blorbie!! The new Taylor Swift songs that screams brocedes is here:

1. Anti Hero- Nico's Song

"I have this thing where I get older, but just never wiser

Midnights become my afternoons

When my depression works the graveyard shift

All of the people I've ghosted stand there in the room

I should not be left to my own devices

They come with prices and vices, I end up in crisis"

This part speaks about Nico's mental health especially in 2016 and how he ended up getting hyper focused on winning and putting everything else on the back burner.

"I wake up screaming from dreaming

One day I'll watch as you're leaving

'Cause you got tired of my scheming"

This is about Lewis and Nico and how their mind games Olympics eventually led to the break down of their friendship.

"It's me

Hi

I'm the problem, it's me

At teatime

Everybody agrees"

This bit speaks about how the f1 fandom vilified Nico and places all the blame on him instead of admitting both him and Lewis are equally to blame

"It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero"

Just generally fits Nico because he is THE anti Hero ❤️‍🔥

2. You're on your own kid- Lewis's song

"Summer went away, still the yearning stays"

Refers to the iconic Greek summer vacation

"It’s okay, we��re the best of friends

Anyway

I hear it in your voice, you’re smokin’ with your boys

I touch my phone as it fits your face

I didn’t choose this town, I dream of getting out

There’s just one who could make me stay

All my days"

Lewis moved to Nico his best friend's hometown and I honestly believe if they were still on good terms he'd spend a lot more time in Monaco than he does now

"I gave my blood, spending tears more or less

I hosted parties and starved my body

Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss

The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money

My friends brung home, don’t know what to say

I looked around in a blood-soaked gown

And I saw something they can’t take away

‘Cause there were pages turned

With the bridges burned

Everything you lose is a step you take

So make the friendship bracelets

Take the moment and taste it

You got no reason to be afraid"

This describes the lifestyle Lewis has been leading post break up and also the image he's been projecting to everyone around. He says he doesn't care but he cares so much.

"You’re on your own, kid

Yeah, you can face this

You’re on your own, kid

You always have been"

If there was a phrase to describe what Lewis has probably been repeating to himself since the brocedes break up then this is it.

3. Mastermind- the brocedes reconciliation song

"Once upon a time, the planets and the fates

And all the stars aligned

You and I ended up in the same room

At the same time

And the touch of a hand lit the fuse

Of a chain reaction of countermoves

To assess the equation of you

Checkmate, I couldn't lose

What if I told you none of it was accidental?

And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me

I laid the groundwork and then, just like clockwork

The dominoes cascading in the line

What if I told you I'm the mastermind?

And now you're mine

It was all by design"

This is the only way brocedes will reunite. This monologue could be from either of their POV because both of them are capable of pulling off something like this.

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

Strategy sets the scene for the tale

I'm the wind and I'm free, flowing sails

In the liquor of our cocktails"

They are both mind games experts and plan EVERYTHING out. Also I know these two must love to drink supper fancy and expensive cocktails

"No one wanted to play with me as a little kid

So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since

To make them love me and make it seem effortless

Is this the first time I feel the need to confess?

And I swear, I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian 'cause I care"

Talks about their generally friendless childhood except for each other and how they used the media in the war against each other. Also refers to how things only got so toxic because of how much they cared about each other.

"So I told you none of it was accidental

And the first night that you saw me, nothing was gonna stop me

I laid the groundwork and then, saw a wild smirk

On your face, you knew the entire time

You knew that I'm a mastermind

And now you're mine

Yeah, all you did was smile

'Cause I'm a mastermind"

They know each other too well ti not have already known that the other was trying to "manipulate" them into falling back in love all along. They knew and they were turned on by it.

oh hello! thank you thank you I'm actually gonna finish my work and listen to the album so thank you for this important scholarship I will keep in mind as I listen!!!!!! anti hero is totally Nico ❤️

[aerimomo-mellon]

Skz as Boyfriends!

Paring~ SKZ x Reader

Genre~ informative lol

A/N~ yep it was requested! Enjoy 친구 <3

warnings? none. (idk mention of bed related things haha)

SKZ M☁List II Main M☁List

시장……..

✿ Bangchan

We all know this guy and you all have read enough of him I think, to know what imma say. (But for special purposes why not..)

This guy is really really serious about relationships and you are probably the one because he just can’t help loving everything about you.

The fact that he is yours even with all the responsibilities and work he has as a leader and idol is a miracle itself. Therefore consider yourself LUCKY to have the most caring and loving man anyone could have.

Dates- He likes movies hence movie nights and date to the theater are often. If not then he likes taking you to a sports event or the beach cause yeah. ( that vibesssssss you know? )

PDA = 3/10 why?, because as mentioned earlier he is responsible for many important things and he doesn’t want to have any misunderstandings about you and dislikes hate in general. That 30% I gave him was because he would only do PDA if really needed.

In Bed things? Umm not often actually but once in a while yes WHILE he would like it I’m sorry I mean LOVE it..

Con? Yep time! Sorry girl but that time you need, it’s hard for him to fulfill every time.

Cute extra info- Doesn’t mention it but secretly likes when you poke his dimple and say he’s cute.

✿ Minho

There are these majority conceptions, as I said majority but not all cause there are stays who know that he is a sweet guy deep deep down.😉

If you’re his s/o he will give every bit of him to you and expects the same for you. I would categorize him as a boyfriend wo acts like a mom lol. It maybe hard to digest that information but trust me this feeling I have from my gut I can say that he is also very caring. Although he might not say things like I will be there whenever you need me or even I miss you, care for you, but he doesn't need to say this anyway. As action speak more than words our Minho is the same.

Dates- He likes to balance it between what you like and what he likes as well. If you are a new couple he straight up asks what you prefer. Plus point he likes to take you to cat café if you like cats too.

PDA = 0.5/10 why? honestly speaking this guy literally hates to express his feelings. That .5 is literally him agreeing that he is yours and that's it. (when someone asks that is)

In Bed things? I personally think it depends on his mood and not yours. Yup. Somedays he wants you a lot and somedays he likes his space. I'm not saying he hates cuddling but more than that on days he is either tired or stressed he likes to keep that little limit to what happens next.

Con? Attention... you would literally take his cats away from him to get his attention.

Cute extra info- likes it when you call him and yourself Appa and Eomma to his cats.

✿ Changbin

Changbin being the puff/ strong guy(sorry that sounded disturbed lol) We all know how babied he likes to be.

Him as a boyfriend is just very natural, I mean from the way he takes you on a fancy date to even putting nail polish on your left hands. Everything is very genuine and he loves it. The Boyfriend to always apologize first.

I find him as someone to take attraction and the next step which is relationship very seriously. ( the person to be very calculative, it can beat Chan honestly..)Knowing that he is afraid to hurt people in any kind of way, to hurt you even as an accident breaks his heart.

Dates- Our Dwaekki loves taking you on dates with loads of food or snacks. A typical Korean restaurant or even food stalls, he loves seeing you eat than to be broken when you might have some kind of sickness due to eating problems.

PDA = 5/10 why? Because he likes your opinion. He is okay with either if you insist on a particular one but slightly leans on less public knowing. Holding hands and probably hugging you wouldn't be a huge problem for him.

In Bed things? he loves it anytime honestly... if he is horney he is getting what he wants and when you are same goes to you.. you'll get what you want..

Cons? Too much aegyo which makes you do things you don’t necessarily want to. (Stay blessed)

Cute extra info- Praise him! (x100) loves it when you say things like " my boyfriend is so strong.." or even " those arms mmm..."

✿ Hyunjin

I mean do I need to say how into he is with this??? Damn this man is the most prepared man a girl could have. The type to know everything about relationships... from trending couple fashion to even special not important but cute couple events..( that he probably found randomly scrolling through google)

He knows your anniversary, birthday, your moms birthday, dads and basically your whole family knows him too. He also keeps track of your monthly cycle too cause he likes being responsible for you..

He is the type to get jealous very easily BUT wont admit it when you ask. Likes to braid your hair while learning from YouTube.. Likes to buy you so many colorful cute hair accessories. (loves your hair..)

Dates- we all know this guy is fancy so he likes fancy dates but he can also be the complete opposite.. Fancy~ maybe to a art restaurant or even on a fancy boat cause why not.. Normally though~ likes to take you to an art museum or at night to take you on the roof for star gazing..

PDA = 2/10 why? I've probably given hints on my fictions with Hyunjin about this in particular. He prefers keeping this in private and that 20% is with his members (barely)

In Bed things? This guy couldn’t be more romantic lol. Loves being prepared for this buys every thing you both need… and yeah loves it.

Cons? He buys Kammi more hair clips than you sorry….

Cute extra info- likes when you get mad when he cut his hair lol. I apologize to all the stays I know he is cute every time but that long hair just hits different….

✿ Jisung

The craziest boyfriend you could have and will only have. You would low key love your relationship with this man I’m telling ya…

You two would have so much fun like toddlers. He is honestly the cutest, funniest, talented etc.. man you get all in one.. ahaha..

Likes to buy you the most stupid things that actually works for a daily living..( that thing he bought to watch on his phone while laying down 😵)

likes to joke around and talk to you a lot.. gurll listen to him he loves it. He likes to value your problems as well so listens to you too.

Dates- likes to watch anime so you two usually have this anime night cuddle sessions but if he were to plan something outside he would prefer to take you to the amusement part lol.

PDA = 8/10 why? honestly he likes showing you off cause he is fond of you. Basically doesn't care what others think... his parents know you, members, friends outside the group, and stays know you exist lol.. 20% i kept for a reason because he doesn't like it when things get out of handle so he wont do anything to the extent..

In bed things? yes he likes it but that turns up into a tickle fight or even a complete cringe but cute moment..

Cons? He might be very sensitive leading to him being upset and you having to apologize...

Cute extra info- loves it when you kiss his cheeks or just play with them in general..

✿ Felix

I had to bring this up at some point lol.. stays probably know the video where he says his clothes are boyfriend material lol...and yes i agree hands down!

A boyfriend material in his own way ahaha.. i mean we all know he loves to be cared for and loved. That Bangchan! spoiled little youngbok.. i personally feel or think two ways. Either he likes being cared for by you or he takes care for you since now he gets to be the older one..

Felix likes speaking in English so if you know English he would speak both languages as well. Likes to give you blowjobs cause he fell in love with you lol..

Dates- Shopping malls, window shopping, UNO on a picnic lol all these are his favs and so are yours .. Personally speaking he likes to take you to places where he can take lots of pictures of you..

PDA = 4/10 why? I don't know haha yup its just a feeling where I'm in between of two opposite thoughts.. I fell like he shows you to his members and family but not more than that.. (Olivia is most likely to love you)

In bed things? Likes being pampered and loves it when you lead.. happens pretty often actually..

Cons? yes! he like being touchy and so do you but he does it too much which beats ya.. and jealous really easily! and he lets you know that..

cute extra info- compliment him on his freckles and he will blush literally a tomato 🍅..

✿ Seungmin

Sweet really sweet.. he is the typical Korean boyfriend you'll get haha even better than that.

He just likes to talk to you or even look at you all day and keep that puppy smile on him.. The type to sing you a song to sleep or whenever you ask him to. likes to hear you sing too.. attempts to make you laugh but ends up, giving up.

He likes kissing your eyes when they are closed.. or when you just fell asleep after the song likes to give your eyes quick pecks..

Dates- He likes walks and that's why you go on evening walks and return when it's dark.. likes holding your hands. He likes grocery shopping with you, takes you to the rooftop to talk about life and its shitty problems.. Basically effortless things that make your relationship happy for what it is.

PDA = 1/10 why? I mean do I need to tell you this? he is like Minho but just a little bit more obvious.. Prefers to express his love when you two are alone..(that's it)

In bed things? umm yes but no.. i mean he gives in to your begs but I feel like Seungmin is just too into cute cuddling and these things are only when he is very desperate ..

Cons? not much but maybe ignoring you when you ask if he can buy you ice Cream for the fifty-sixth time..(but gives in anyway)

Cute extra info- He likes when he sees you in his clothes.. but doesn't say it and acts like he doesn't..

✿ Jeongin

Baby, baby, Baby..... he is our baby boyyyy but his savage ass towards his Hyungs just breaks it all hahaha…

Jk he is actually really cute, caring, sweet and likes to be protective. It may not suit him but yes he likes scolding people if done wrong to you..

You might be older or younger honestly he doesn’t care.. he is very respectful to you either way. He loves you and is very shy too which you find cute.

Dates- Asks you for your opinion or his Hyungs. He still is very inexperienced so he doesn’t know but sometimes likes it when you two spend time on the swings of some random park with fruit juice 🧃..

PDA = 0/10 why? Cause no no no no not even to his members haha he is just too shy and likes to keep his relationship in its own boundaries.

In bed things? Nope please! I’m sorry stays but I just can’t with Jeongin… (no further details he is just so precious to me)

Cons? He understands very late.. like you trying to say you want to cuddle, kiss etc.. without words he won’t get it. Just fucking be straight forward with our baby.

Cute extra info- honestly everything is cute about him so I can’t fit it here sorry… stays use your imagination here…

끝…

[rafescoke]

hi ! i'm obsessed with your work ! <333 can i request a rafe cameron x reader

the reader is always there for rafe when he's sick or in trouble but rafe doesn't really show any reaction or gratitude from the reader's affection - but when reader goes sick (or nosebleed) he immediately begins to worry/make sure reader is okay. basically fluff !

August ; Cupcake! Rafe Cameron

masterlist

Read Cupcake if you haven't before you start this fic!

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x reader

Summary: In which Rafe cares more for the girl he likes rather than himself.

Warnings: Extreme fluff! Mentions of alcohols and drugs, Rafe Cameron being a complete sweetheart

A/N: After a week full of nothing but angst I've decided to give y'all what y'all have been screaming for; fluff. Thank you for all the love over my stories, I love you more than anything else in the world <3

p.s, I'm so sorry @blank-velvet if this isn't what you had in mind :(

"Hello, beautiful."

(Y/N) rolls her eyes, giving him a side smile as she locks her front door. "You're late today."

Rafe pouts, pulling her into a hug as he breathes into her scent. She doesn't smell like cupcakes anymore, thank god, because he can't take another few hours of flashbacks of him whisking the batter.

Turns out, the children's home becomes a fortnight habit for the both of them. They would bring so many cupcakes for the kids and spend the new 2 hours chatting and playing games.

Rafe hates to admit this, having to show the soft side of his, but he likes it. Every single bit of it; children telling him he's the best person in the world and how they like his frosting over (Y/N)'s because his were more 'unique'.

"Are you thinking of another girl?" (Y/N) teases, poking him by his side. Rafe looks down to her height with a shocked expression and shakes his head.

"Never."

"Yuck," she replies, but she's smiling. She keeps her hands in his, loving the way his fingers are wrapped around hers. His metal rings knock against hers, and she can feel the slight tightening every time the light turns red.

She wishes she can assure him that she'll never leave his side, no matter what happens. She knows how hard his life is for him, dealing with his family and his addiction, and she swears to be in his life until he's okay.

"I don't want you to leave once I'm okay."

"I don't mean it that way, Rafe. I'm just saying that if you decide to find anyone else after this whole bullshit ends, I'll be fine."

Rafe shook his head, "I don't want anyone else, (Y/N)."

"Now you're thinking of a guy," Rafe rolls his eyes playfully, turning into a corner before stopping directly before a fancy restaurant (Y/N) can't roll her tongue to call it. He steps out, helping her to her feet, and proceeds to give his car keys to the butler.

"You don't have to pay 30 dollars for valet parking," (Y/N) rolls her eyes. "I'm perfectly fine with walking a long distance, you know."

"Not in that heels," Rafe answers, pointing to her pink mules. "You'll get your dress dirty too."

Rafe escorts her to their table by the beach with her arms in his, and the couple never looked so beautiful. Rafe's hair is left messy today, since (Y/N) likes it that way, and anything that (Y/N) likes, Rafe will try to obey.

"We can eat at Fraiser's and I'll be happy, Rafe. This is too much."

Fraiser's is Obx's famous burger shop located in The Cut, and sometimes even the kooks would come down to the other side of the island to enjoy the food.

(Y/N) stares at the beach, hearing its calming waves and turns to Rafe. He's still admiring the view, his lips pulled into a charming smile, and (Y/N) has the urge to kiss him.

"I want to," he says. "I'm glad we met."

The candle burns brightly by the side of their table as he gazes into her eyes, feeling himself getting lost in them. Her (E/C) eyes are mesmerizing, and it had struck him.

"Stop. You're getting all mushy mushy."

The dinner is perfect. To (Y/N)'s surprise, Rafe had requested her favorite song to be played by the band earlier. When the starting melody to August by Taylor Swift starts playing, she's basically gaping at Rafe.

"Shut up! You did not!" she hits him on his arms as he laughs.

"I thought you'd like it," he shrugs, stuffing his mouth with the garlic bread. "Do you like it?"

"Are you crazy? I love it, Rafe!"

Before Rafe can process his mind to what she just said, she pulls him into a hug from the other side of the table, and the other diners glance at the sudden sound of a chair scraping against the wooden floor and clanking of cutleries.

Rafe relaxes, "You're embarrassing us."

She pulls away, her face red, but Rafe holds her tightly.

"It's okay. I like it. Embarrass us even more, please."

(Y/N) feels like she's in heaven, soaring high above the clouds with Rafe by her side. Her life can't be more perfect; being in a close relationship with the boy he likes, doing so many things together she feels like they were married already.

Keyword: close relationship. He never proposes her to be his girlfriend, and she's too afraid to bring it up.

But whatever they're having now; she loves it. More than anything else in the world.

"Let's go to the beach."

"Okay," she giggles, gathering her clutch and her forgotten shoes somewhere under the table. She feels like leaving them, but the heels were one of the many presents from Rafe a few weeks ago, and she intends to keep them until the day she dies.

She stops, placing the clutch against his chest. "Have you paid?"

Rafe looks up to her, "Nah."

"Go pay."

"No."

"Rafe!" she widens her eyes, closing her mouth with her hands. "They'll catch us!"

"Not if we act like we've paid. Come on, they know me. They wouldn't suspect me of fleeing before paying."

She bites her lips nervously, but her heart is thumping wildly against her chest. Fleeing away from paying is never on her bucket list, but she always likes watching these kinds of scenes on the big screen.

"Okay. Fine."

"Okay, sweet. Come on."

He pulls her hands in his as he walks towards the exit. The waiter close to them bows, giving them his thank you, and when (Y/N) feels like they're safe, a loud voice from behind them shouts.

"Sir! Madam! Have you paid?"

(Y/N)'s grip around Rafe's hands tighten, but Rafe is a natural at lying. She wonders if he ever lied to her before.

"We have, a few minutes ago. This is a very bad moment for me and my wife, we are catching a flight back to Paris in an hour and you're wasting our time."

(Y/N) looks at him, gawking. His wife?

(Y/N) isn't sure if his lie would get them out of this situation, because his fake British accent does not sound anywhere near British and no English couple would spend their summer in a place like Obx.

The manager, (Y/N) assumes takes a step back, bowing down to them. When he looks up at them, he still has the curious glint in his eyes.

"Can I get your name?"

There's a long silence between them, and (Y/N)'s getting more and more nervous. "Coke." she blurts before she can stop herself.

"Coke?"

"That's her nickname, right, my love? It's not coke, my dear, it's Cookie," Rafe sighs and turns back to the manager. "I'm sorry. She had had a few drinks tonight."

"Sir," the same waiter that had muttered his thanks to them says, standing beside the stern manager. "They haven't paid."

"Run!" Rafe exclaims, running towards the exit with (Y/N) in his trail. There are shouts behind them, but they don't stop, running for dear life until the music from the band playing sounds a distance away.

Eventually, the gravel turns into sand, and they stop running. (Y/N) is the first one to laugh, throwing her head back and pulling him into a hug.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you, Rafe, that's the best thing that has ever happened in my life!" she exclaims, placing her arms around his neck. The adrenaline from before is still flowing at a fast pace, and she never felt more alive.

Rafe smiles, catching his breath. He let her in his arms, smoothing her locks and lifting her slightly from the ground.

"Let's go in the water!" she says excitedly, pulling him towards the waves.

The cold saltwater pools around their ankles as they stand in the water, intertwining their fingers. (Y/N) looks up at him, watching as he stares at the darkness ahead.

She looks in the direction he's gawking at and sees the silhouette of a huge boat somewhere in the distance.

"What's wrong?" she asks, tugging at his hands.

"Someday, (Y/N), I'll bring you around the world."

She smiles. Always the charmer, that one.

"Rafe!" She suddenly shouts, bending down and letting the water soak her dress. "Something bit me!"

Rafe snaps back to reality, holding her in place and trying to find the mysterious creature in the water. Can a piranha get this far?

"I don't see-"

(Y/N) cuts him off by splashing the water at him, and he steps back with a shock.

"You'll regret doing that."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I'm not feeling anything."

"Get ready."

"For what?"

Rafe splashes her with a larger amount of water and uses the stalling time as she gasps and tries to get away from him by pulling her down into the water.

"This," he laughs, watching as she screams playfully. She's between his legs now as they sit peacefully, letting the water soak their expensive clothes.

"I'm sorry I'm ruining the dress you bought for me."

"It's okay. It's just Dior. Besides, I'll probably ruin it by-"

"Later," she cuts him off, placing her pointer on his lips to silence him. "Let's just watch the ocean."

And Rafe obliges.

A walk back to your home doesn't take long when you're in love. (Y/N) has Rafe's hands in hers, swaying them back and forth as they skip back to her apartment.

"I'm not going to be responsible for your car if it goes missing, Rafe."

He smiles, "It's okay. I have insurance."

She's on cloud nine; singing along to August and letting Rafe twirl her around under the night sky full of twinkling stars.

"I love this," she whispers, stopping midway. "Thank you, Rafe."

"For what?"

"Being the best."

He kisses her cheeks in response, "Always."

Just before they can continue their walk back to her apartment, a familiar blue mustang pulls up beside her, and Rafe pulls her to his other side in reflex.

He waits until the car window pulls down, revealing a half-drunk boy with his black hair messily slicked back.

(Y/N)'s breath hitches, and she pulls Rafe closer to her.

"What do you want?" Rafe sighs. "Can't you leave her alone?"

"Rafe," she whispers, pulling him in alarm. Out of all the time in the world, her ex-boyfriend decides to surprise them after a good night full of good memories.

Jack ignores Rafe and stares at (Y/N), smiling in a taunting way. "Hey, (Y/N), why are you all wet?"

"Rafe," she pulls him again.

"Come on, I'm just asking," he laughs. "I thought you liked getting wet."

"Fuck off," Rafe says, gritting his teeth. His chest heaves with every breath he takes, and he longs for the moment to connect his fist with his smug face.

"Aw, come on Rafe, you used to be so fun," Jack fakes pout, sighing. "Now you're all up in her ass. Does she feed you bone?"

Rafe steps forward, but (Y/N) quickly pulls him back.

"Does she beg you to go to the some children's shit too?"

Rafe stalks forward again before (Y/N) can help it, and launches Jack's car door open. He topples over from leaning over and not wearing the seatbelt, and Rafe uses the chance to throw him on the road.

"Wanna talk shit again, asshole?" Rafe yells, pushing him as he staggers backward. Jack clutches onto his chest, holding a hand up and moving backward.

(Y/N) cries, waiting for Rafe to come back. As Rafe turns away to go with her, Jack takes the free time to bring him down to the road again and throws a punch against his face.

"Jack! Let him go, please!"

Rafe groans, feeling his bones cracking, but he's too fueled by the snickering Jack had made toward (Y/N). He turns him over and continues his punches against the thrashing boy.

(Y/N) pulls Rafe's arms, not wanting him to get hurt, but the pull is so strong that when he finally lets go of Jack, she topples backward and falls straight on her bottom.

He gushes out beside her, "You're okay? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you!"

Jack scatters into his car again, muttering a curse word under his breath and saying something along the lines of 'I'll get back at you, Cameron' before speeding off into the night.

(Y/N) groans, rubbing her legs and turns to Rafe. She gasps, holding his face in her hands. "Oh my god! Your nose, Rafe!"

Rafe grunts, pushing her hands away. "I'm fine. It's just a nosebleed. You scraped your thighs!"

"Just the side of them," she mumbles, glancing at the ripped part of her used-to-be beautiful midnight blue dress. "Let me see your nose."

"No."

"Please."

He sighs and lets her examine his broken nose. His eyes are red, and (Y/N)'s sure there's some kind of a broken blood vessel in there, and there are bruises starting to form under his eyes.

To compare with her pain, Rafe is a hundred times worse.

"Jesus Christ, we have to get you to the hospital."

"No!" Rafe exclaims, pulling her hands away from his place. "No, please. I hate hospitals, you know I do. Let's just get home."

(Y/N) sighs, knowing there's no way she can win this fight against Rafe and helps him to his feet. She staggers backward, feeling the sudden pain coursing through her from the gash on her side.

"Oh god, you're losing so much blood."

"No, I'm not. I'm perfectly fine. It's just a scratch," she bites her lips.

"Let me carry you." he stops her.

"No! You're an idiot. If anything, I'm the one who's supposed to carry you," she rolls her eyes and turns to look at him again. "Rafe, you're crying blood. Let's get to the hospital."

"I'm not, I just drink too much red wine."

"It doesn't work that way. Please, Rafe? I'll be there with you the whole time."

Rafe sighs, and after a long time of thinking and weighing his options, he nods.

"If they start telling me to open my clothes, I'll head out. I will only remove my clothes from you tonight."

He can still joke around at a time like this?

(Y/N) bites her lips, "You will do exactly what the doctor says."

"You're my doctor," he shrugs. "Be my doctor?"

(Y/N) decides, with Rafe limping beside her, walking towards the hospital will be the stupidest idea ever. She orders an Uber, and before the driver can ask why they're booking to go to the hospital at 11p.m. on a Friday, he speeds away when he sees the sight of Rafe.

"It's not too late to just go home," Rafe mumbles against her neck. Her hair tickles his nose, but he likes it like that.

He feels safe. Protected.

"We're not sleeping in my apartment tonight."

"Can I still make love to you in the hospital?"

"We'll think about it."

(Y/N) pays the driver, muttering her thanks, and attends to a groaning Rafe again. One of his eyes is shut, and the other is fighting its best to stay awake.

The EMTs grab a wheelchair for Rafe as soon as she pulls him in through the automatic door, and when (Y/N) finally lets go of him, he shouts over the loud orders of the workers.

"She needs to stay with me or I'll die!"

One of the technicians looks at (Y/N), and she sighs. "I'm sorry. We got into a fight, and I think he's just not thinking straight right now."

She nods and asks (Y/N) to wait for him in the waiting room.

Half an hour later, with a coffee from the 24 hours cafeteria near the emergency room in her hands, the doctor finally calls for her attention. She stands up, her dress sticking to her bloody wound, and she winces from the pain.

"Why didn't you tell us!" the doctor sighs, pulling her into the same room he brought Rafe in. Rafe isn't in there, and (Y/N) can't help but search around.

"He's okay. He's sleeping. He's suffering from subconjunctival hemorrhage. It's nothing serious, really, but we decided to keep him under our watch for one day."

(Y/N) nods, slightly relieved, and let the doctor removes her skirt so he can take a better look at her wound.

He clicks his tongue, "What's your name?"

"(Y/N)."

"Okay, (Y/N), we called for your boyfriend's parents and they'll be here in an hour. Do you have any parents I can contact?"

"I'm okay. I'm not suffering from any hemorrhage."

The doctor sighs, "I know. But you just confessed to being in a fight, so I have to get the parents involved. It's protocol."

Fuck.

(Y/N) mumbles out her brother's phone number, and she hopes against hope he's out with his friends and getting drunk so that she wouldn't have to face her family.

"Okay. Do you want to see your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend. But yes, I want to see Rafe."

(Y/N) holds out his hands as she sits beside his sleeping form. She smiles, grazing her fingers across his soft skin as he breathes peacefully.

"I'm awake now."

She pulls her hands away, gasping slightly at his tired voice.

"Come on, hold me again."

She rolls her eyes, but her fingers are around his again. "We look so corny."

"I know. Wanna know something cornier?"

"What?"

"Take that thing out of my pocket. No, not that, that's my dick, (Y/N), my pocket, yes, yes, take that box out."

(Y/N) holds out the small box in her hands, letting the white light from above illuminate the box. Her face is still red at the mention of accidentally touching his private part, but she's more intrigued by the box now.

"Open it," he says softly.

(Y/N) hesitates, and pops the box open. She gasps, having a small diamond glinting back at her.

"Do you like it?"

"You did not, Rafe, oh my god."

"Wear it. Wait, fuck, I messed it up. Wait, wait, let me just-" he sighs, trying to sit up, but (Y/N) stops him midway. "Would you like to be my girlfriend, (Y/N)?"

She looks up at him, her eyes teary now, because God, no one has ever done this to her.

"Would you?"

"Of course, asshole, even when you're asking me in the middle of your deathbed."

He smiles, "Okay. Now you can put the ring on."

She slides the ring on her ring finger, holding her hand up and admiring the way the ring compliments her hands.

She loves it. More than anything.

"Oh, and they called Ward and Rose. I'm sorry it's going to be your first time being my girlfriend and meeting them."

She laughs, leaning over him and placing a longing kiss on his lips. He kisses her back, feeling so much better now he can walk out of this hospital.

"You're like a princess. Nursing me back to health. None of these Harvard graduate doctors can compare to you."

"Urgh, shut up," she rolls her eyes. "Now you're pushing it."

-

@okayshoto @joselyn001 @onceuponateenagetrash @dyingsleeping @iwannabeapogue @meaganjm @rafesobxs @flossy2929 @unfortunatekiwitrash @scottybitch @asimpwriter @amaya124 @tommy-tommo @thatshithurted8 @fallincindy @marvelwhor3 @rafeswh0ree @kookap @supernaturallydc-blog @blank-velvet @alaniskauany @kiiim8 @witchywrter @kaitlyn2907 @heyimflo @overcookedpastasause @tsukkiswifeey @spidey-d00d @anonymousobxfan @gotmeinloveagain @chicagoblackhawkslover96 @lexi-writes @classydragonthingknight @belongtoyou-u @badbussylol @savannah-elliott @angelreyesgirl100 @haterpenny @beehappyyy @alwaysclassyeagle @maybankslut @kayleea122 @clearbolts @lovelyxtom @christianaevans @jemimah-b99 @opierdalacz @dangerdolns @wildflowerliv @classygirlything21 @pogueslandia @alwaysclassyeagle @rottenstyx @wxn-drlst

[thenightlymartini]

Headcanons on being burnt out. Specifically on SK cause I like projecting onto him? Love your works, btw<3

Aw, thank you! I know how you feel; past few months have made me want to ignore everything and want to do my hobbies, but then my hobbies become chores and I end up just starring at tik-toks or my ceiling. Sometimes I'm so burnt out that I end up repeating one song on my computer and not realize 2 hours have gone by because I'm starring at nothing and not doing anything because doing something is too much.

I'm also going to add how their significant others in each relationship would deal with the situation as well as when both are burnt out at the same time. Just because I love supportive partners and like to explore the possibility.

(Also long post ahead)

Kimchiburger: Okay, so South Korea tries to not look like he is burnt out when he is well beyond that point. He tends to keep thinking he needs to push himself or he can go longer just so he can attempt to look like a flourishing country and compete with his neighbors, China and Japan. In reality, he is constantly stressed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but hides it all with a smile saying this is expected from a bustling nation with growing popularity, or that this is all just part of the stepping stone path to his goal. America has long since figured out the signs of when he is pushing himself too far, since South Korea is very much like himself, but often can't make him take a break since the Korean is very insistent or he isn't able to be around him when it does happen due to country obligations. When South Korea finally caves, he often just stares at nothing and even the smallest of things become too much to even think about, much less do. He winds up staying in bed starring at the ceiling, unable to will himself to get up out of bed or even to give a damn about anything. On his own he is prone to missing or skipping meals entirely and neglecting basic needs if someone else doesn't intervene.

In that regard, America can help. He views the burn out as a chance to let South Korea have a day off. If South Korea wants to stay in bed, that is fine, he won't push him. Instead, he will play soft music or Zen sounds just to let the other relax, even turning on a comedy, usually nothing overwhelming or doesn't require someone to pay attention extensively. He will even serve meals in bed, just to make sure the other at least has something, and will be willing to feed him himself if South Korea is bad enough where he can't even bother to lift a utensil. He lets South Korea not bother with a shower for one day and will let him skip his ridiculous skin care routine, but after that he tries to coax him into his routine again a little at a time. He views it as a chance to show South Korea that he doesn't have to be Mr. Perfect all the time and just be himself.

Conversely, when America suffers from burn out, he tends to express it by being overwhelmed. I view his burn out resulting more from the anxiety of his people and government actions, as well as the façade he feels he has to keep up in front of other nations due to his youth, inexperience, and general reputation. In other words, he is essentially one bad day away from complete burn out almost 24/7. One of the few reasons he doesn't half the time is because he either has South Korea at his side or he has just enough down time to himself that he is able to have a self-care day once in a while.

When he does express the signs of burn out, South Korea makes him take a step back from being America and just be Alfred for a day. That means leave paperwork alone, lend an ear if something someone said bothered him at a meeting, and just take a day to just be human for once.

On the days when both of them are burnt out at the same time? It gets kind of amusing and awkward at the same time, since what typically treats America's burn out is usually not able to be provided by South Korea if he is burnt out. The perfect middle? They both lounge in bed in their own worlds. They don't even have to cuddle. America will scroll through tik-toks and show South Korea a funny one on occasion, but each are just content to just exist at the moment. During the times when they are away from each other, they will start face timing, but half the time they aren't even talking, just having an open line if needed is enough for them while they wallow or stare at nothing in particular.

Rusnk: Honestly, Russia kind of goes with the flow in the sense that he's up the creek without a paddle and either can't fight the current or knows fighting will just make it harder. Considering the episodes and comics where he interacts with his bosses or has to follow his boss' orders, he clearly would have reservations or not want to do something, but he has to regardless. This leads to his burn out resulting from feeling like he is incapable of choosing for himself and always running on a treadmill; not really going anywhere and not getting closer to the goal. His symptoms are more of the jaded variety mixed with headaches that won't go away no matter how much pain medication he takes. He begins to lack empathy and care for the world around him. Really the only thing that helps pull him out of this slump is even just the thought of North Korea and his love for him, since he will remember that he has made his own choices and he can be in charge of his own self.

North Korea is almost always on burn out, I feel. Considering his country's condition and political problems, he's always just emotionally done with everything. He can't be compelled to give a fuck half the time, despite being compassionate, at least about his people, deep down. He just feels he really has no control, much like Russia. Add on any global conflicts or issues, and it's no wonder that he is snippy most of the time. He also has the extra problem of insomnia, so he is both tired and burnt out. Again, it really is mostly the comfort of knowing his love for Russia is returned and he is still in a relationship despite everything that pulls him back. It's one of the few choices he has been able to make on his own.

Both these two together more or less cancels out the majority of the burn out, since just having each other and the knowledge that they have made choices of their own is usually enough. They are just extremely exhausted and tend to be more laid back as a result.

Commieburger: So, America gets overwhelmed from outside forces and the façade he has to maintain, and North Korea tends to lack empathy and care, on top of his usual insomnia and paranoia due to his political situation and government actions. How do these two interact when the other, or both, are burnt out?

If North Korea hadn't built a relationship with America, he would have mocked him for crying over "petty" problems or make fun of him. However, he had fallen in love with the blond "idiot", and he can't bring himself to do that. He actually will get worried, since he knows America, despite his go-lucky nature, is a lot more sensitive and insecure that he lets on. He does not like when America gets burnt out because that light he adores is almost snuffed out. He can't help with the actual work, since they are supposed to be in a secret relationship and that would be hard to explain why North Korea is reprimanding Congress for giving America too much work and to get their shit together, but he does help with management and timing breaks. During those breaks, he expresses a lot of his affection in actions because he knows that America practically becomes putty in his hands and gets distracted very easily; making meals or snacks, small tokens of affection like kisses on the temple, hand holding, hand on the shoulder, and cheek strokes with the just the right amount of eye contact makes America melt and completely forget he was burnt out to begin with.

During the times North Korea is burnt out, America has a 50-50 shot of either the Korean just lacking care or being much more snippier than usual. His way of dealing with it is similar to North Korea in the reverse situation, as in lots of affection through actions, particularly food since that is always 100% effective, and just being attentive to the other's moods. Some days he is able to add physical touch and others he knows to back off and not press. He can't help with the actual problems, but he is there to coax him through the process and talk if he really needs to.

When they are both burnt out, there's actually a lot of impulsive decisions being made. Like, all North Korea's burn out adds is either a lack of regard for responsibility, or just suggesting something with unintended aggression. These guys, once one of them, usually North Korea, suggests just to completely disregard work and go do something for themselves, like absolutely anything, they both will do just that. Lots of impromptu dates have occurred do to burn out, as well as some irresponsible behavior that may lead to some regrets later.

[cryptiql]

riptide

pairing: dabi/m!reader

warnings: smoking, some mildly suggestive flashbacks + detailed descriptions of drowning. as always, please do not read forward if any of the listed warnings might trigger you in any way, and stay safe <3

words: 4.9k

a/n: welcome to the sequel of smoke signals. perish :)

dabi made a mistake. the knowledge sits in the bottom of his stomach like a lump of lead; his innards twisting into a knot whenever the memory of you crosses the expanse of his sleep deprived mind. the burns under his eyes might as well be bags, but they aren't large enough to bear the weight of his guilt. it isn't much better sitting on his shoulders, but the repercussions of pain are what keep him from letting it go, and that's exactly what he wants. no—it's what he deserves. he deserves the feeling like his head is going to burst; the ache in his spine from too many hours spent hunched over himself with a bottle clutched between his shaking hands; the burning intensity from overuse of his quirk. the extra inches of marred skin serve as reminders of what he did, but it's not half as satisfying when the pain doesn't last.

he wants to scratch at the wounds until they ooze that bitter garnet liquid; until he's suffocated by the metallic scent and forced to endure as the taste of blood engraves itself on his tongue when he chokes on it. he wants to suffer—the slower the better—because not even the strongest alcohol can cleanse his sins, nor the stench of his regret.

dabi made a mistake. it won't be the last time, he's able to admit, because his ego is too shriveled from the lack of your warmth, and his heart yearns for the passion of your kiss that still lingers on his lips. when the loft echoes with fragments of the city's ambience, drowning him in an incessant racket, he longs for the lighthouse. this place is infested with selfish ingrates, scuttling about in search of the next outcast to torment, and it makes him wish he still had that safe space at the shore. your siren song was a drug to put him at ease, and now he is without it, and the withdrawal has taken effect.

he knew this would come to pass. dabi overdosed on your love; your affection; your everything; all while watching the consequences unravel at a snail's pace, almost as if he were being teased by the inevitable end. he let it happen. he did this to himself, so he won't shake his hands at the sky, cursing gods he doesn't know exist; as if they would concern themselves with the faults of men like him.

he knew this would happen.

but then, so did you. you had to have known by the empty space in your bed where he used to lay; by the dates that kept getting postponed and the meaningless promises made to make up for them; by the shortage of visits, even just to say "hello" before he dropped from the face of the earth once more. if this were true, it meant that you were suffering just the same—nay, more than him, by forcing yourself into a state of compliance whenever he told you it was time for him to go. dabi could pretend like he didn't see your fingers twitching; resisting the urge to reach out for him; just as he could pretend like the rivulets of tears on your cheeks did not exist, though they begged to be swept away by him. god, he wants to hold your face again, noses brushing together and your dreamy sighs melding with his raspy laughter.

he had told himself that you wouldn't deter him from his goal, but even that seems like a pipe dream now. he feels like an underachiever, chasing a future that can't be set in stone when he already had you, which should have been enough. dabi realizes that the flames of his own passionate desire for freedom have burned you in the process, and it hurts more than he can put into words. you were always better with words, he reminisces, tracing the coffee stained parchment sitting in his pocket.

dabi has long since stopped reading the letters you sent, but he still carries them with him wherever he goes. they anchor him to both earth and sky; the reality that he's lost you, threatening to swallow him from under his feet; and the hope that he'll find you again, one day, after all this is over. "and just what do you think you're doing?"

you can see his reflection in the stove's glass sheen, his mouth drawn up into a devious smirk as he leans on the bedroom doorframe, clad in nothing but his briefs from the previous night. the purplish burns scaling his collarbone and abdomen give him a roguish look that—if you possessed no self-restraint—would normally have you lunging at him like a starved beast. you manage to smirk back at him, subtly shaking your hips while opening the stove door to pull out the doughy mound of bread inside. to your delight, you hear him grumble something not-so family-friendly before he snakes his arms around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest. you had never once thought that the feeling of staples against your skin would feel so good, but now you can hardly imagine being without it, and you immediately melt into dabi's touch.

he breathes softly in your ear, chuckling when you flinch in response, goosebumps stippling your flesh. by the way your cheeks puff out in embarrassment, he should take that as a sign to stop, but fuck, your pouting is just too cute for him to resist, especially when your worship-able body is basking in the afterglow of dusk. you keen when dabi starts peppering your shoulder blades with kisses, but nearly dropping the pan causes your senses to return, and you whisper a plea. luckily, he appears to be in a merciful mood, because he relents his onslaught of affection to rest his chin in the crook of your neck.

when he finally notices what you're making, he can't help but squeeze you tighter.

"is that a cake?"

you turn to give him a peck on the nose, which is rewarded with a halfhearted snap of his teeth just millimeters from your mouth.

"that'd be right. though, i'm astonished you know which way is up after last night." your sing-song tone of voice spurs him to squeeze your thigh, and you would have shooed him away if not for how much you liked it. dabi murmurs something unintelligible, the vibrations shooting straight down your spine, and proceeds to remove himself from you in order to better observe the baked delicacy.

"mm. what's it for?" he asks, discretely swiping a bit of the pink colored icing from the bowl to his right. sweet, but not sickeningly so.

you are none the wiser when dipping a spatula into the contents and smoothing it over the cake, a soft smile playing at your lips.

"you never told me when your birthday is, so i'm taking a wild guess. figured i'd whip this up as a surprise, but you woke up earlier than i suspected." dabi swears that his heart is about to burst from behind his ribcage, and all because you're too goddamn perfect. you may as well be a priceless work of art in museum that he's been prohibited from touching. however, the fading marks on your skin signify that he's done more than just touch, and he takes pride in the fact you can't seem to move further than two steps in any direction without faltering.

"i know angel food cake is your favorite—" dabi silences you with a kiss; bruising and passionate; and takes the spatula from your hand, blindly setting it aside on the counter. your protests are short-winded as he lifts you from your behind before promptly turning the oven off and spinning on his heel. he's memorized these halls well enough to not bump into anything during his trek back to the bedroom. you pull away, albeit with a hint of reluctance, just to glare at him.

"what about the—" dabi kisses you again, and while you don't seem too happy about being interrupted twice in a row, the shared heat between your bodies distracts you from being upset.

"you're off by about two months, doll. besides, i think i'd much rather have you as a late birthday treat."

dabi clenches his jaw at the memory, his knuckles whitening with how tenaciously he grips the tattered fabric of his jeans. the league's new base is just as rundown and close to crumbling as he feels, but his despair is masked by the rage that overpowers it. why couldn't you have been a normal couple? why couldn't dabi have grown up with a father who loved him; with a quirk that didn't gradually destroy him and without the resulting scars that made him a hideous monster in the eyes of all who saw him? why couldn't he be as beautiful on the inside as you said he was on the outside? why couldn't he just be happy, after all this time?

why? why? why?

dabi finds his answer hidden in the ashen battleground strewn with rubble and remnants of burnt remains. he finds it in the fear of his victims' expressions before the snare of death claims them in a flourish of blue inferno. it's written there in bold, ichor dripping from his fingers as they smear the message with red.

the privilege of living a normal life is, and always will be, beyond his reach. murder does not warrant mercy, and the only person willing to give it to him is miles away, still desperate for him to come back.

as fate would have it, you and dabi lived worlds apart, but you still look at the same sunset; the same array of stars forming constellations that told stories of your life shared together. they replay in his head like a record stuck on repeat, and only when the song ends does he find himself back in the clutches of his childhood trauma, rather than your embrace.

"dabi? dabi!" his trademark scowl automatically takes place when a finger prods and pulls at his cheek, the familiar voice of twice shaking him from his deep contemplation. jin has been so unfortunate as to suffer minor scorches from the ravenette's flames, on account of him being too bothersome at the wrong moments, and so he instantly backs away at the first indication of danger brewing in the air around him. with how on edge he's felt lately, he really should have gone on a walk to relieve some stress, but the looming knowledge that he can't go to the lighthouse would only ruin the trip.

dabi is fully prepared to smack jin's hand away until he sees what he's holding. he'd recognize that handwriting anywhere, and even without it, the scent of saltwater and freshly baked bread clings to the paper, altering him of yet another one of your efforts to communicate with him. dabi feigns indifference towards the object; quite the contrary to his thinning patience as twice waves it above his head excitedly.

"you've got mail! who's is from? probably a useless nobody! or maybe a secret admirer? but who would admire you?"

to his dismay, the commotion has grabbed toga's attention, and she veers over to their location with a giddy grin on her face. she all but drapes herself over dabi as he snatches the letter from jin, and it doesn't help his struggle when she clings to him like a koala. after a bout of kicking and shoving, he manages to break free of her grasp, grimacing at her lengthy, high-pitched whines of disapproval.

"and can you believe hawks was the one to deliver it? i didn't take him for a carrier bird. . ."

dabi doesn't hear the rest, nor does he intent to, because he's already making his way to the nearest exit with haggard breaths. whoever calls out for him and whatever they say are the last of his concerns right now, and they're abruptly cut off when he slams the door behind him. the summer heat wills beads of sweat to paint his forehead, but he soon finds comfort under the shade of a tree, cicadas buzzing noisily overhead. he would sooner keel over and die than thank the birdbrain hero for catering to him—and by extension, you—but now that the note is there, begging to be read, he can't help but feel some sort of gratitude.

"i need you to do something for me."

the bristles of hawks' feather hover over dabi's pulse in a threatening manner, but he feels no more in peril than he would at the cruelty of a baby chick. he knows the number two hero won't harm him, at least not without regretting it later, and this is the perfect time to use that to his advantage. hawks narrows his eyes at him, nose wrinkling in accord.

"why would i do anything for you after that stunt you pulled?" he snarls, and dabi almost has to laugh at the drastic switch in personality. the way he presents himself to the public is a true contrast compared to the persona only he and the league have had the pleasure of seeing.

"because if you don't, everyone will know you've been fraternizing with the enemy, and we wouldn't want number two falling off his high pedestal, now would we?"

this time, dabi audibly laughs when hawks' guise wavers. the other grits his teeth, slowly withdrawing the feather and allowing it to fall limp at his side. he revels in his victory, short though it be, and reaches into his pocket to procure a letter marked with your name and address. putting your location at the disposal of a hero isn't something he's proud of doing, but it's all he has left, and he doesn't have the resolve to tell you directly.

coward, his conscious mocks as he holds it out for hawks to take. the winged man stares at it with befuddlement, his movements stalling here and there when he seizes the paper between his thumb and pointer finger. dabi tuts lightly but menacingly, yanking hawks towards him by the wrist and igniting his quirk to leave a faint mark there.

"you're gonna deliver this for me, no questions asked. don't you dare open it."

despite the clear uncertainty, hawks took heed of the ominous demand and carried it out later that night. he had not expected a young man with tear-stained cheeks to greet him at the door, much less the endless babble of 'thank you's as you took the letter with shaking hands.

dabi hadn't wished for you to send one back, but the ongoing stream of them was considered fair, after he'd left without much of a trace. still, he had promised himself that he would never read them, for fear of it opening the wound inflicted by having to say goodbye.

dabi can't understand the sudden change of mind for the life of him, and yet, he finds that he doesn't care whether it opposes every rule he set to keep you safe—to keep himself safe. he tears open the envelope and slumps against the tree trunk, bark and leather grating together as he hesitantly unfolds the parchment, briefly shutting his eyes as a last act of resistance to the helpless cry from within; longing for the familiarity of your poetic words. instead of the delicate precision that was to be anticipated, dabi stared down at your messy scrawl, a carnal fear rising from within and causing his throat to clamp up. the memories begin to flash at a faster rate, like an old-timey picture film. dabi has just finished putting the kettle on to boil when hears the floorboards creak, followed by the sound of your slippers shuffling across the floor. he snickers, remembering that the only pair you have is the one he bought you; a well worn match that looks oddly like cloud bunnies. you've made sure to exemplify how much you love the gift by wearing them around the house on rainy or lazy days, all paired with a wistful smile. this morning is no different as you worm your way under dabi's hold and press your face into his chest, a satisfied groan escaping you when he cards his fingers through your hair and scratches the scalp.

the robe you wear is half-hanging from your shoulders, which makes for an enticing view from where dabi stands, but he simply kisses the crown of your head and continues waiting for the pot to simmer.

"did you hear that noise?" you slur, just barely discernable over the kettle's shrieking. dabi quirks a brow in question as you rub the leftover grogginess from your eyes, tiredly nodding at the back window.

"little past midnight, i think. coulda sworn i heard somethin' rifling around in the trash." dabi squints at this new information while eyeing your appearance. the dark circles and intermittent yawning indicate a lack of sleep, and if he weren't there to keep you steady, you might collapse onto the floor as a snoring heap. if it really disturbed him, he should have woken me up, he thinks, pulling you closer with an ever-deepening frown. you snuggle up to him as if it's second nature, sleepily giggling away when his digits stray too close to your side.

"s'probably raccoons, but if you're worried, i can stay longer just to make sure." you look up at him with nothing short of pure, unbridled adoration, cupping his face and squishing it gently, to your own entertainment. after a moment of consideration, you shake your head.

"nah, you're probably right."

the feeling hits dabi like a tidal wave, dragging him below the raging surface; far below where the light of day cannot touch. it suffocates him and brings rise to the sickening taste of bile on his tongue, but he doesn't have time to spare in throwing it all up, so he swallows it. withered patches of grass crunch under his feet as he peels himself from the tree and breaks into a dash, sparing your letter the flames fueled by his anguish as to let it drift in the breeze, the single sentence written on it already engraved in his mind.

it wasn't raccoons.

dabi doesn't care what shigaraki will have to say about this when he gets back. the only thing he cares about is that you'll still be alive to say anything to him when he reaches you, and that whoever has invaded your home is willing to die for what they've done, or what they're currently doing, and fuck—he isn't even sure if this is you calling for help or not, but he can't risk being right.

the distance between the base and the lighthouse feels lightyears apart, yet simultaneously at arms length when dabi is running at speeds he hasn't ever been able to achieve before. if he stumbles at any point during his sprint, or if he happens to bump into an unsuspecting civilian on the street, he doesn't notice. the resonant thumping of his own heartbeat is all that he can hear as he thanks the gods for the flow of traffic being so spaced out, otherwise it would be near impossible for him to reach you in time.

in time for what? he has to ask. dabi doesn't even want to think about the repercussions, but the scenarios arrive in rivulets despite the mental trapeze he goes through to push them down, and they only continue to grow into oceans; darker, colder and harboring thoughts too gruesome for even someone of his caliber to handle. he won't realize until much later that he'd forgotten to put on his disguise, but the way people ogle at him with fear and disgust does not suppress the need to protect you.

even now, he can sense the pressure building behind his eyes, though it's more painful that it used to be. dabi hasn't cried in months, and it shows by how unabating the rivers of blood trickle from his skin grafts, despite his feverish attempts to stop them. look at yourself, holding together by a thread and weeping in public like a child whose lost his mother in the crowd. it wouldn't have come to this if he had stayed.

something shifts in the scenery; a distinct line drawn between the city and its neighboring countryside; but it makes no difference to the impending peril that looms ahead. the closer he gets, the sooner he'll find you waiting for him, dead or alive. dabi staggers, his breath hitching at the thought, as well as the harsh sting of pain that erupts when his knee collides with the gravel below. he pushes himself forward in little time, a strangled yell ripping his throat raw as his vision settles on the top of the lighthouse, peeking over the hillside. you have to be there—you just have to. he isn't done with you yet, and you're sure as hell not done with him.

the earth is damp beneath his feet, and it soaks through the canvas of his shoes whilst he darts past the boulevard and onto your property, crying out to you. surely, you must hear him. surely—

dabi practically hurls himself at the front door, his blood running cold when it opens for him effortlessly and swings ajar to reveal the living room, upturned and scattered with broken bits and pieces of furniture. there's no sign of you or whoever did this. the oakwood flooring groans under his weight as he barrels down the hall, peering into every room, beneath your bed and any other place where you could be hiding. nothing. his search ends in vain at the front doorstep, where he stands hunched over and dry heaving. no, no, no. you can't be gone.

"y/n!" he shouts. his only response is the crashing of waves against the shore and the incessant cawing of seagulls. for a moment, dabi forgets how to breathe, and then the ability returns to him; his legs aching horribly as he rushes to the beach. the arrangement of rocks is sporadic at first, but they gradually form large clumps the further he carries on, urging him to squeeze between the narrower openings. it comes with some difficulty, but at last he is able to hobble onto the sandy coast and rest his sights upon the vast sea. he can recall when seeing its murky blue sea would have put him at ease, but now it only causes his senses to be clouded with distress.

"y/n!" the once calm ripples rise into rolling billows that drench the shoreline in frothy heaps of algae, wreckage and blood. it curls and disbands within the ocean to pollute its cerulean hues with ones of scarlet red, and just like that, dabi's heart sinks like the titanic. he'll never forget the sight of you, face-down in the water; your favorite shirt slashed to shreds, clinging to your body as nothing more than a tattered mess. dabi wades into the water until it reaches his ankles, completely numb to its freezing temperature as he sinks down to hoist you up. he rests you on his thighs and presses his lips onto yours with urgency, shortly pulling back so that he can thrust his palms upon your chest and push. he doesn't care to remember how many times he repeats this, but when he finally sits back on his haunches to release a stifled curse, the feeling of dread has only just begun to take control.

you've never looked so pale.

a guttural sob wrenches itself past his grinding teeth as more tears arise, dappling your cheeks like raindrops. it wracks his body and sends forth a surge of agony to course through his veins. dabi cups your face with a shaking hand, the other secured around your waist while he kisses you, his erratic pleas falling upon deaf ears.

"come back. . .come back." his bawling ceases to end, no matter the abrasive pain blossoming in his gullet.

"c'mon, doll. where's that sweet voice of yours?" his thumb strokes your bottom lip as though beckoning you to speak. when nothing follows, he makes a pathetic sniveling sound mixed with something broken; a blubber or whine, he does not know. the burden of your lifeless form causes the reality to set in; a dagger piercing his insides and twisting as to drag the most blood-curdling screams from him.

dabi loved you, and he wishes he had the strength to say it when you were still there. it was only within the presence of his own demons that he was able to utter his affections; curled into himself and waiting for a reply that would never come, carried on the wind that bit his skin. he loved you because you held him like a child when his father hadn't even the heart to acknowledge him as his own. you spoke his name—his real name—as though the blood on his hands was not there; like you had washed it away yourself through acts of tenderness that he did not deserve.

and now you're gone.

you're gone, and—

dabi's entire body jolts with a start, a familiar heat dancing across the grafts of his marred skin. a faint blue glow radiates from his fists, which are tightly fastened the weighted blanket that lays crumpled atop his legs. he lets go with a shuttering gasp, observing the black smudges that reside where his flames once were, then blinking owlishly at his surroundings. the room is shrouded in darkness, all save for the bedside table to the left of him that is dimly lit by a flickering oil lamp. that, and the spaces illuminated by the moon's brilliance, showering the floor with multicolored spots as it glistens through the stained glass window. something slots into place, but all it does is send dabi's mind into overdrive.

where is he? where are you? are you really dead? everything hurts.

his nails drag down the length of his arms, seeking some sort of comfort in the pain that blooms there. it doesn't last long, however, when the bed suddenly dips, and a soothing warmth is placed on the small of his back.

"touya?" you croak, your words lingering with the remnants of sleep. dabi—no—touya, swears that he could cry again, right then and there. his eyes flit over your torso, where several scars in varying sizes have desecrated the skin. as he idly traces the pink lines, one final memory surfaces from the depths of his subconscious. him, desperately pounding your sternum; the last threads of denial snapping in tune; and you, coughing and spewing both curses and whatever seawater that had clogged up your lungs. touya held you in that same position for hours, listening as your ragged wheezing turned into hiccupping sobs. hauling you inside had been no easy feat, and having to hear your muffled groans while he stitched you up by the crackling hearth was no better, but the evening after had been pleasant.

you could not recollect the face of the intruder, and with such little information to go off of, touya was left to wallow in self-loathing for love he had almost lost. no amount of therapy could prevent the following nightmares and panic attacks, but in time, the rekindling of your relationship was proved successful, and dabi was prepared to repay you for the moments where you consoled him.

it wasn't just a dream. it had all happened, and yet here you were, alive and well.

a pensive look crosses your features when you note how quiet touya is, and you take it as a sign to break the tension with a tried-and-true method from the past. he doesn't resist as you coo softly, pulling him under the covers and wrapping yourself around him, a garbled tune fleeing from past your lips before you press them to his shoulder. you trail the faintest of butterfly kisses along his neck, his jaw, his cheeks and so on. the anxiety coiled in touya's chest starts to untangle, leaving him as a trembling bundle of nerves in your arms as you shush him, your nimble fingers carting through his hair.

if he weren't so tired, he would have laughed at how the tables have turned; with you cradling him in the way he's so used to doing. still, not even he can deny that it feels nice to be held like this.

"s'alright sweetheart. i'm here. . ." you whisper, and the effect is instantaneous. touya stills as he inhales the scent of buttercream and fresh pine that wafts into the bedroom, his eyelids fluttering shut. all he can hope for is that your presence will drive away any nightmares that foreshadow his well-needed rest, and that when he wakes up in the morning, you'll still be at his side.

dabi made a mistake, and thousands more will come to pass, because underneath the grit and grime that makes up his callous exterior, there is a human being; struggling to survive and struggling to please, just as much as the next. but he'll never leave you again. he had promised you as such with the band of gold now encircling your ring finger, and as long as he lives, he'll never break it.

[proudahgase-exol]

The love I lost PT 3 ( not happy ending for Jaebum )

Jaebum x reader x Jinyoung (B1A4)

Summary: Jaebum doesn’t love reader any more and they brake up but after a long line Jaebum sees y/n again with her new boyfriend how happened to be the same man who introduce them. And Jaebum just smiles seeing her happy even if it brakes him.

song / lyrics translation

It has been almost 5 months since jaebum and I broke up and it’s haves been the best 5 months of my life yes I cry at first I loved Jaebum a lot but I realize that I was not truly happy with him he changed a lot from being a sweet boyfriend to constantly calling me names and making me feel like I couldn’t leave without him he made me look like I was nothing next to him like I didn’t deserve to be loved my him but now I'm happy in a relationship with the perfect man.

*Flash back*

“Jaebum plese cut the bulshit now I know that you don't love me I can't look you in the eyes and see the love you had for me and your kisses don't taste the same” I said walking around pissed “ you know what no I don't love you I stopped loving you for awhile now” he told me with an annoyed tone “why didn't you said anything why didn't you told me sooner” I said as I turn to look at him “ I was trying to love you I was trying to be happy with you” he replied as he sat down in the couch. “ Well see, that didn't work out and let me tell you something. LIm Jaebum love is not about trying” I said, more angry than I was.

“ yeah I know it doesn't feel the same when we make love any more. The spark is gone and I guess that is my fault”, Jay replied as he rubbed his eyes. “ Yeah, trying to forget all the fights and all the times we avoid the problems, has been our biggest mistake and the wounds we have won't heal overnight either” I told him and he got up and started to scream at me once again. “ I tried to do everything I could but I'm not happy anymore, can't you understand that?” he asked, getting up and yelling in my face. “ Oh I understand this to perfection but if this relationship is over just let me know please don't make it worse,'' I said, getting away from him. “ I still remember the day I meet you and your smile after saying yes I kissed you and I was in the stars I had so little and I offered you everything I had we been together for years and now we are two strangers again” I said as i sat down in the kitchen stool

“ I still remember our rounds on top of the tableand the bathroom, movie nights and dinner for two but those days are over'' Jay said sounding somewhat upset “all your I love yous now days sound wired it change in you voice”, I said well playing with my fingers. “And here I I’m like a dumb ass believing everything we told each other but i guess it time to say goodbye” I said well finally letting my tears fall. “I know i'm at fault but that doesn't matter anymore, I’m giving your heart acki know it's in pieces but I know you can glue it back step by step i'll let you leave in peace For your sake, for my sake we both know that this love thing ends in drama and if I see you with another i'll smile at you What hating after what I have lived?.”Jay said finally walling out of the apartment

*End of flashback*

Now that I'm in a relationship with JInyoung, I have been so happy with everything. Jinyoung is the perfect boyfriend that every girl will want in a man. The day he asked me to be his girlfriend I thought he was joking because our friendship has been all about pranks and jokes but by the way he looked at me I knew he was being serious and after living with him for 5 months I developed a crush on him and now I'm happily in a relationship. Jinyoung has made me so happy in the small period of our relationship. He has helped me move on from my last relationship and has made me stronger than I was before.

Today Jinyoung invited me to go to a theme park for our date and I was so excited for this date since it's been so long that I haven't gone to a theme park. Once I was done getting ready I went to the car where Jinyoung was waiting for me. When we got to the theme park we payed for the parking and the bracelets that let us get to the rides faster, than we wasl around for a little then we started to get on the rides than after hours of getting from ride to ride we made our way to the ferris wheel well we went to the top slowly we held hands since I was a little scared of heights. Being around Jinyoung is so nice and calm. I feel at ease with him. When it was time to go home we picked up food then we went home.

One we were home we rated and watched a movie but we were making out instead of focusing on the movie. Jinyoung kisses taste sweet and his lips were soft and plump different from Jaebum's. His hands also fit perfectly in mine. After the movie was over we cleaned up and went to sleep.

—

Today I went out to the museum tring to have a good time with my friends and at first I did until everyone was talking about their partners and I saw the one person I didn't expect to see again. I saw y/n standing in front of a painting than a tall guy came and told her hand kissing the top of her head as she look up at him and smiled than he reach down to kiss her lips and i saw how happy she looked with him her smile reached her eyes and she blushed this new guy did know how to make her happy than i saw his face and it was the one and only Jung Jinyoung. As I walked away I smiled down to the floor knowing that She was in a happy healthy relationship with a guy who truly loves her.

When I got home I realized that I had her and I hurt but to the point it broke her and now I’m here seating on my couch with phone in hand see articles of y/n and Jung Jinyoung we’re they announce their relationship to the public and seeing the comments they all love them together and I wish I was Jinyoung I wish I was in his shoes but I’m to late.

When I was coming home from the studio it started to rain and I saw them once again smiling well dancing in the rain like two little kids in love and I feel so alone and so jealous how I wish I could punch his face and tell him that y/n doesn't love him that she loves me but I have to Accept that she doesn’t love me and will never love me again.

Every time I see them I blame jinyoung for stealing my girl when I reality I was the one that lost her for my stupidity thinking that I didn’t loved her that I was not in love with here but seeing them like that it pisses me if I wish I could turn time back but I can’t. And it’s true what people say. You don’t know what you have till you lose it.

Now I want to go up to him and tell him that I hate him for having what was mine although the one to blame is me. That today I consider him an enemy. And I believe that I was only one that she will only love so stupid and now his the owner and I’m the loser. I was convinced that she was gonna be the one, but no one chooses who to love.

Now I’m starting to think that I lost you, that in truth I no longer have you. All I want is to Close my eyes and start again.she showed me how to love and I still hurt her. I remember when I stopped giving her roses and usted i give her fights. I even called her ugly when she was beautiful. That's why I just smile at her every time I see her knowing that she’s with a man that will give her roses instead of fights call her beau Inter of ugly because that what she deserves and not the pain and the insults i give her now I regret everything not knowing why I did everything to hurt her.

I wish her the best and happiness even if it’s not with me. She was a good teacher she thought me that love isn’t a game and I see that now.

[cimmunist]

I did Cimmerian, now it's time for Clef! Like before, the one on the left is my main interpretation and the one I use in mine and my friend's, @bluethepearldiver, AU Gods and Pawns. The one on the right is the @ask-dr-cimmerian version. I put a more detailed overview under the cut, feel free to skip the blog version if you don't want spoilers.

GaP/Main interpretation of Clef:

Species: Immortal human (in most of the versions of the AU)

Age: Unspecified, really fucking old

Gender/orientation: Doesn't use labels, but if I have to specify he's non-binary, on the acearo spectrum and mostly prefers men

Pronouns: Any, prefers he/they

Ethnicity/nationality: Middle eastern, comes from Eden

Job: Department Head of training and development, an O5 or field agent in some of the versions of the AU

Appearance: 5'7'' plus size man, though weight fluctuates during the story, as he forgets to eat during a lot of stress. Two eyes, right is green, left is blue and hazel. Has sharp teeth, covered in scars, the biggest one being the x shaped scar on his chest, later on, gets a snake-shaped scar carved into his right arm. Naturally black/dark brown hair that's greying, uses his reality-bending to make it blonde because he's too lazy to dye it. Always carries around a star-shaped pin.

Personality & health:

Outgoing, charming loudmouth

Lies quite a lot, likes to tell clearly exacerbated stories (people just got used to it)

Cheerful and easily excitable

A huge bastard, loves to tease his friends and coworkers

Not afraid to speak his mind when needed, can be quite abrasive

Avoids confrontation when it comes to personal matters

Doesn't get angry easily, but when he does he gets quiet and stern

Will never cry in public, usually just in private or in front of people he trusts

Struggles a lot with PTSD (which is a problem when you can literally bend reality around you) and later on depression

Relationships:

Love interests: Bright, Kondraki and Cimmerian

Exes: Lilly (abusive + a God, bad combination), Kushim (friend's oc)

Friends: Aaron/Administrator/O5-1A (work acquaintance), Joseph Tamlin (brief old friend), Etienne Baudelaire (old friend, friend's oc), Lilith (best friend), Sophia Light (close-ish work friend), Maveth (friend, oc), Dory (old friend, oc), Lucy (old friend), Raphael (old friend)

Family: Brother to Eve/O5-1B and Kineret (oc, deceased), brother-in-law to Adam, uncle to a bunch of kids including Abel/076 and Cain/073. Had a daughter, Rut, with Kushim and a daughter, Meri, with Lilly.

Trivia:

Mostly known for two things: his great distaste and disrespect to gods, and his talent to almost dying but somehow getting away still alive (lovingly called a cockroach by the grim reaper for it)

Has literally fought gods 3 different times and survived, this list keeps on growing, somebody stop this man

Favourite hobby is probably annoying the death itself

How his immortality works: after he dies his body heals and he comes back to life

Loosely followed the 4231 canon, with some big changes to fit his backstory

Deathly afraid of deep water and drowning (ironic for an immortal)

Literally considered a Saint in one of the religions? Absolutely despises that fact

Real name is Abishai, but doesn't mind going by Abby or any of his many, many nicknames

Actually physically fought Adam Bright before, wouldn't mind doing it again

Very close with his sister

His other sister, Kineret, died saving him. He has major survivor guilt over it.

Actually helped create the foundation, since his sister is the founder, but dipped almost immediately after and started working for the GOC

Rejoined many years later, in exchange for protecting Meri and letting him see her from time to time

Meri was born around the time ancient rome still existed and he was actually able to raise her, they're very close

Met Jack sometime in the 1920s-30s, he was Clef's first real friend in the Foundation

Actually the reason Kondraki got recruited

Contrary to popular belief, he can play on his ukulele very well and can write songs, he just chooses not to

Knows a lot of languages

Both a reality bender and a reality anchor, unable to be affected by other reality benders

Actually is a lot more powerful reality bender than he lets on

Got his X shaped scar on the chest from Lilly

Used to travel a lot and didn't liked to be tied to one spot

Blog version of Clef:

Species: Nephilim, half-human half-angel

Age: 98, looks ~40

Gender: Non-binary/genderqueer

Orientation: Oriented aroace/ ace demi-homoromantic

Pronouns: Any

Ethnicity/nationality: Mixed middle eastern, raised in Cornwall

Job: Liaison for the Ethics Committee

Appearance: 5'5'' plus-sized man. Has three eyes, one right green one, two left ones, one blue one hazel. Has sharp teeth, is covered in scars, the biggest one being an x shaped scar on his chest. Has burn scars on his feet. Has naturally black/dark brown hair, dyes it a lighter colour. He usually keeps his hair in a braid. Flowers grow out of his hair.

Personality & health:

The loud, annoying yet charming bastard of the ethics committee

Has generally a laid back, jokester personality

Very devoted to his family and friends

Not the type to get mad easily, when he does get angry he just gets quiet and stern

Never cries in public, just in private

Little bastard man, loves teasing his coworkers and husband

Struggles a lot with PTSD and paranoid delusions, but is slowly doing better

Relationships:

Love interests: Cimmerian, later on Bright and Iceberg

Ex: Lilly

Friends: Kondraki (old friend), Bright (old friend), Tiffany Okely (work friend)

Family: Bastard child of an angel, raised as an only child of a single mother. Had Epon with Lilly, later on, had an "accident" named Melody with his husband, adopted a step-parent role to Cimmerian's older daughters May and Eliza

Trivia:

Roughly follows the events of 4231

Raised Epon for the first few months to year's of their life before they were found to be anomalous and forcibly taken from him

Regularly checks up on his kid and leaves her small gifts

Semi-omniscient, ever since he was born he could just see and know things others couldn't. Perfectly aware of the fact Cimmerian is a demigod, even before their husband finds out himself. Uses his omniscience to check up on Epon and make sure they're okay.

Used to be very close with Bright before Cimmeriam swooped in and stole the man, slowly rebuilding that relationship

Cannot play the ukulele for the life of his and has no intentions of ever learning

Had a lot of bucket and cowboy hats but gave them all to Melody

Cimmerian made the mistake of allowing them to pick out Melody's clothes when they were little, now they have Clef's sense of style, oh no

Is afraid of water, shouting and slamming things is a major trigger of theirs, they also dislike deer and antlers for obvious reasons

Suffers from chronic scar pain in her legs

They have exactly 0 respect for any of the o5s

One of their hobbies is gardening

Pretty much majority of their scars were caused by Lilly

Alto Clef is their chosen name and god help you if you deadname them

Loves cats, they're her favourite animal

The platonic marriage with Cinmerian was their idea

Child of 001 /J