#The bit I find weird though is the discouragement of relationships and the description of sex as “meaningless”

[ocean--grey]

I watch Holoship for the first time in ages today, and I forgot how aspec the holocrew are :)

[psychosistr]

Steelbeak fankid- Valentino

Behold, my Steelbeak OC fankid! Art by @thefriendlyfour​ , full bio below the cut!

Physical Description: A young American-curl breed of cat with the breed’s signature curled-back ears and a medium-thick coat of black fur across his lanky body- minus a white heart-shaped spot on his torso which is usually hidden by his clothes- and is still a bit short for his age, with the tops of his ears stopping just below Steelbeak’s chest. Lost his tail when he was little, so he only has a small stump left of it until he gets adopted and his dad has Dr.Rose Gold make a prosthetic one for him that’s made of steel like his dad’s beak. Has amber colored eyes that, when paired with his breed’s curled back ears, tend to make him look like a devil when he grins or laughs maliciously.

Outfit: He’ll never admit it out loud, but he admires his dad’s sense of style and tries to mimic him while still making it his own. Wears a white button-up shirt with whitish-silver buttons and three-quarter style sleeves, a red western-style bow tie, a red vest with silver buttons that’s left mostly open with a small grey paw print pattern along the button holes and a larger paw print on the back, a black leather belt with a silver buckle, and black slacks with a white waistband that blends in with his shirt and pockets lined with silver studs.

Gender: Demiboy that usually goes by male pronouns because it’s easier for others to understand, but appreciates it when others ask him if/acknowledge when he prefers using other pronouns.

Sexual Orientation: Still figuring it out since he’s young, but so far has a preference for boys given a few of his past crushes.

Age: 14

Nicknames: Val, Stumpy, Devil Cat, King, Fluffy.

Val is his preferred nickname and what most people end up calling him.

The middle three are names used by his gang and their enemies.

Stumpy= Mean-spirited nickname regarding his missing tail.

Devil Cat= How people see him when he’s grinning and showing off his sharp teeth with his fiery eyes and curled ears that look like devil horns.

King= His title within his gang and what most of his underlings call him.

Fluffy= Used exclusively by Steelbeak and he knows Valentino hates it.

Real Name: Valentino was given his name after being adopted by Steelbeak and, as far as he’s concerned, that is his real name.

Had another name he was called while in foster care, but refuses to say what it was and would refuse to answer to it if anyone ever called him that.

Background:

Abandoned as an infant and found in a cardboard box in an alleyway in the middle of winter- he was very sick from it and his survival was questionable for several weeks following his rescue.

Spent his early years in and out of foster homes and orphanages all over St Canard. This gave him a pretty cynical view about people in general after a while since they always ended up giving him back for being a “problem child” or he’d run away because he didn’t like the way he was treated.

The “problem child” comments were from him doing things like taking stuff, hoarding food, not obeying orders, and questioning authority.

The times he’d run away ranged from him finding the people annoying to cases of actual neglect or abuse-the worst experience being when his tail was purposefully slammed in a door and he wasn’t taken to the doctor until it was beyond saving and had to be amputated off.

No one ever believed him about the incident since he was the “problem child”.

Despite his personal experiences, he knows there are good foster homes and orphanages out there- he just ended up dealing with the worst of the worst in St Canard.

By the time he was eleven, he’d had enough of being caught in the city’s toxic foster care system and ran away to start a life for himself on the streets.

Ended up forming a gang with other kids and teenagers he’d met from his time in foster care, quickly taking the lead-role since he was smart for his age and good at coordinating/planning raids, pickpocketing without getting caught, memorizing police patrol routes, dividing loot appropriately, and intimidating others into listening to him.

The gang was called “The Broken Pawns”, with the higher-ranking members all having chess-related titles- he was the King.

One day, his gang executed a raid on a store that turned out to be a secret SHUSH base and they unknowingly stole some boxes containing flash-drives/SD-cards full of confidential files. They didn’t know this, though, and were extremely confused about why they suddenly had a bunch of men in suits chasing them down.

While running away, he ended up bumping into Steelbeak. The chief officer was confused about why SHUSH would target a kid, but got roped into a fight with them to avoid getting caught himself. After fighting them off, he questioned the kid and figured he must have stumbled onto something REALLY valuable to SHUSH and wanted to get his hands on it.

The kid wasn’t a fool, though, and worked out a deal with Steelbeak: His gang had a protocol when chased by higher-up authorities after a raid that involved them splitting up and remaining separated with no contact for a while to avoid everyone getting caught, so it would take a few weeks for them to get all of the boxes that were taken from the SHUSH base together again. The kid wasn’t very good at fighting on his own, so Steelbeak would protect him while they waited for the rest of the boxes to arrive at his base and he’d stay at Steelbeak’s home so Steelbeak could make sure the kid didn’t try to run away or double-cross him. Once he got what he wanted from the boxes the gang stole, Steelbeak would let them keep any other valuables and he’d part ways with the kid once he got his share.

Steelbeak agreed to the terms of the deal, though he originally planned to just double-cross or ditch the kid after he got what he wanted and either take everything or let SHUSH take him. After a while, though, he found himself getting attached to the kid because he reminded him so much of himself at that age- scrappy, conniving, clever, distrusting of others, and one heck of a pickpocket.

After a few weeks of living together, teaching the kid things like cooking, saving him a few times, and just general bonding with him, Steelbeak decided he liked the kid and wanted to keep him around and the kid, oddly, felt the same- it was weird for him to have an adult that treated him with respect without trying to change him or discourage him from doing stuff like stealing or lying. They talked it over and Steelbeak ended up adopting him, naming the kid Valentino after his deceased father.

Current Status: Lives with Steelbeak and attends school during weekdays while still running his gang after school and on the weekends when he doesn’t have plans with his dad.

Personality:

Valentino generally has a cynical and antisocial attitude towards most people, usually finding them boring or annoying. However, he can grow to like certain people if they show him respect and don’t try to control or change him- like his gang or his dad. Those people are the ones he’ll generally be more relaxed around and make jokes with or try to protect when there’s danger.

As a leader for his gang, he’s cool under pressure and won’t freak out even when there’s a gun being held to his head while also being cruel and calculating enough to know how to make others listen to him- a baseball bat to the head or clawing out someone’s eye usually does the trick.

A bit of a kleptomaniac and opportunist, Val will take advantage of any possible opportunity to steal something from, frame, and/or con someone for whatever he can get out of them.

This part of his personality doesn’t apply to people he actually likes, but he WILL still try to swipe stuff from them in a joking way.

Example of this is him constantly trying to take Steelbeak’s wallet and the two of them laughing about it every time he gets caught or almost gets away with it.

Interesting Bonus Facts:

Val’s had terrible problems with his balance and equilibrium ever since he lost his tail as a kid. He can still walk and run okay, but if he needs to make sharp turns or move quickly in different directions he tends to fall over. He’s gotten good at getting up quickly afterwards, but it makes it hard to do stuff like fight and dodge attacks.

This is slowly remedied after getting his prosthetic tail from Dr.Rose Gold and receiving combat lessons from Steelbeak.

Because the only white spot on his body is usually covered by his clothes, most people think he’s just a black cat and that he’s bad luck, resulting in general distrust and contributing to people classifying him as a “problem child”.

Has a loving but cheeky relationship with his dad- they like being sarcastic with each other and saying playfully mean things, but they know it’s all in good fun and they love each other a lot.

Val knows his dad will always support him and have his back if anyone actually tries to insult or hurt him, but Steelbeak still respects Val’s independence and pride so he allows him to handle things his way first and only steps in when it’s an emergency or if his son asks him to help traumatize someone.

Doesn’t really have a favorite weapon when fighting since he’s still learning how to fight, but in a pinch he has a tendency to bring out his claws and go for the eyes.

Enjoys messing with adults/older teens that think they’re better than him by saying something very intelligent and/or scary for a kid that makes them do a double-take and ask him to repeat himself but he just looks at them “innocently” and acts like he didn’t say anything.

“If I slashed your radial artery, it would only take you 90 seconds to die in a pool of your own blood…hm? What? No, I didn’t say anything.”

I personally enjoy imagining that Steelbeak adopted Val a few years after the canon timeline for Darkwing Duck, so Valentino and Gosalyn are about the same age and go to the same private school (it’s one of the better ones in town and Steelbeak wanted his boy to have a good education since he never got one).

The first time Steelbeak comes to a parent-teacher conference, he gets jumped in the hallway by an irritated Darkwing Duck who thinks he’s there to cause trouble or corrupt the youths of the school. He has a hard time believing that Steelbeak’s just there to meet his son’s teachers, even after Val comes out into the hall to find out what’s taking him so long (he thought Valentino was being threatened or coerced until the kid nailed him in the stomach with his backpack full of textbooks). While Darkwing argues with Steelbeak, Valentino manages to swipe his wallet and reveals Darkwing’s secret identity (“Oh, you’re Gosalyn’s dad?”). The two adults agree to a (reluctant) truce when attending school functions to keep their kids from getting suspended or expelled.

This leads to many awkward/tense but funny interactions between Drake Mallard and Steelbeak’s civilian identity “Pauly” where they constantly try to one-up and insult each other while being forced to interact within the socially-regulated confines of school events and PTA meetings.

Example: Parents are asked to contribute to a school bake-sale. Drake makes cookies that are very popular at first, but then Steelbeak shows up with something fancier like lemon-meringue cupcakes with real toasted marshmallow meringue on top and he just smirks while Drake’s seething over being dethroned as the best baker in the PTA.

Valentino and Gosalyn aren’t exactly friends, but they do think it’s funny watching their dads constantly look like they’re one step away from killing each other while arguing over whether or not a new school regulation should be implemented or not.

They run scams together sometimes for quick cash and respect each other’s skills at conning suckers out of their money.

Also, they tend to sympathize with each other since they were both orphans who ended up being the “unwanted kid” until being found and adopted by their respective dads, so they’ll stick up for each other if someone tries teasing the other for being adopted or not looking like their dads.

[ddaenghoney]

chapter sixteen

masterlist link in blog description.

As a successful songwriter, you want nothing more than the acknowledgment that the chart-topping musical pieces are your own creations. But contracts, relationships, and the difficulty of facing the stakes involved head on, keep your mouth shut until pressure builds too much.

Pairing(s): Park Jimin x Y/N, Min Yoongi x Y/N

disclaimer: any characters depicted do not represent the actual personality of the respected idol in real life.

Series warning(s)/genre(s): Chapter-based written fic, Slow-burn relationship(s), Fake-dating, Unrequited love, Songwriter/producer!oc, idol!Jimin, idol/songwriter/producer!Yoongi, friends with benefits, drama, romance, smut, angst, fluff (updated as needed)

Chapter warning(s): mentions of anxiety/nervousness. Yoongi going through quite a bit ) :

Word count: 5826

if you enjoy please, please let me know!

“Wow, it didn’t take you long to get here.” Yoongi says as he steps back to open the door wider. You nod your head, entering inside,

“I was already in the car with Jin, and there’s not really much traffic right now.” You rub your hands together, paying particular attention to let your thumbs meddle with the individual fingers. The front door shuts with a click and an electronic beep to indicate it’s properly secure. Your eyes remain fixed towards the floor, mulling over the different things he could want to tell you.

“Were you going somewhere with him after seeing him and Namjoon at the cafe?” Yoongi’s voice is normal, a casual inquisitiveness like he hadn’t mentioned a conversation that needs to happen not even half an hour earlier. His hand finds your back with a tiny nudge to lead you towards the couch just like the day before and any other time you’ve ended up at his place for one reason or another. Despite the multitude of armchairs framing the living space, it’s been natural to sit beside one another as you do now.

“Yeah,” You say then recall that uncomfortable situation to cause you and Seokjin to leave Namjoon’s cafe. Part of you still wants to settle in the idea that the three of you were making incorrect assumptions. The first group, and then the second set of patrons were simply going in to drink coffee or have pastries. Ultimately it’s speculation, and you could just be overthinking the popularity of your name after a night of music exposure. “He was just giving me a ride.”

Yoongi watches the words appear to flutter uncertainly from your lips, like they attempt to cover a larger picture. He frowns slightly, then catches sight of balling hands on your lap. Without consideration for anything besides a clearer understanding of whatever is troubling you, Yoongi moves a few inches closer so that he can reach an intersect your focused sightline. He doesn’t surprise from your shoulders shrugging in surprise, instead smiling gently as your restless grip changes to take a delicate hold on his hand.

Your stare finally finds his own, and Yoongi thinks about the comments from the internet. You told him you wanted to wait until the evening to check any yourself, but maybe you had like he had. “What’s wrong?”

Your brows furrow, lips pouting in disbelief of his question, “You said you needed to talk to me so I’m nervous about it.” Without hesitation or tact you speak up, then clamp your lips shut. Squeezing his hand within the confines of your own, you sigh in embarrassment, unaware of Yoongi’s eyes widening in realization. “That sounded kind of harsh how I said it. But I just,” You shrug and pull your legs up onto the couch to better face him, “It’s not even three in the afternoon and you’re back home, Yoon.”

“Oh, yeah,” He blurts out, then nods slowly. You nearly snort in amusement with how he seems to have forgotten the tone of his voice in the phone call, but smother it as he uses his free hand to rub the arch of his shoulder and neck. “Yeah, I know it’s weird.” He narrows his eyes towards the sight of your connecting hands, though entirely unfocused on it. “I do have something to say, I just didn’t figure out how to say it before you got here.”

“Did Yerin end up getting really upset with you?” Yoongi bites his lip at the question, causing you to worry about the severity of the decision to release. If he is going to have a difficult time at SoundWave now, you would like to take back clicking the button, even if he said he was aware of the risks. Yoongi shouldn’t be the person facing the brunt of whatever repercussions there are.

“SoundWave is dropping me from the company.”

Your lips part, taking the sentence into your head. Yoongi doesn’t speak further, eyes simply staring towards your hands holding his, where he grips onto you the reason for this is all.

Language escapes your mind, unable to think of a response to his words. If you were called straight away for the company to tell you they’re cutting the contract short and firing you, if you were called in so they can slam paperwork for some sort of contrived lawsuit, if they took action against you for what happened, you can understand that. You expected the force of Yerin’s voice nailing your nerves while she tells you every reason why you made the wrong choice.

But Yerin firing Yoongi wasn’t a consideration.

She could’ve got rid of you months ago when the initial photographs of you and Yoongi leaked and she acknowledged the hidden affair between you and Jimin, but all along she never did. Despite the constant prodding into the company like you meant to make it burst, you were reprimanded through words wherever you expected a tearing of your contract in half.

“Why,” Yoongi looks up at your cracking mumble, finding your eyes contorted in confusion and complete regret. He goes to speak, feeling your hands tremble around his as you shake your head, “She can’t do that-” You cut your own voice off as you consider the fact that she has every right to, and you watch Yoongi bite his lip frowning. “I’m sorry.” His eyes narrow, following your figure as you stand from the couch, “This is my fault- I’ll go talk to her, I’m sorry-”

“It’s not your fault.” Yoongi reaches for your wrist while he pursues your distraught path, “Y/N, I told you that I thought about it before-”

“Did you think she’d fire you!” You turn as you ask, frowning. Yoongi’s lips shut, tightening, and you believe the tremble in his soft grip on your wrist exists, but it’s largely masked by your own surging emotions rumbling in your veins. “Yoongi, you can’t lose your job, you don’t deserve that. You’ve worked for everything.”

“You have too.” Yoongi’s voice rings with conviction, willing you to stay silent as he fumbles through other sentences swarming in his thoughts. Shaking his head, Yoongi sighs, taking a moment to admit, “I didn’t think she’d do that.”

With how much his title contributes to the company, why would either of you ever thought they would fire him for this. Even in your head, the punishment for helping you release music was comparably minor to this reality. You anticipated articles ripping you to shreds for him letting you feature in his works by only being his girlfriend. You thought Yerin would force him to remove the tracks and take away his allowance of independently posting music.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

“She’s not going to change her mind, angel.” Yoongi watches your hands clench, knowing you feel entirely helpless and unsure of how to go about assisting him. He doesn’t think it’s worth it for you to be so upset-- that this is simply a plausible repercussion, and one that isn’t your fault. Involving yourself between him and Yerin wouldn’t do anything, perhaps even serving to cause public scrutiny for you if SoundWave takes louder measures.

A year earlier, Yoongi wondered what stopped him from helping Hoseok during the scandal. His own fear felt like tape over his mouth, discouraging any means to speak favorably to the press about Hoseok whose reputation was crushed in a matter of weeks from lies and misconceptions fed into the public. All the while Yoongi let it go on, offering only an ear to spill worries and stresses, but no voice to give aid.

“Yoon, I’m so sorry.” Hearing your frail voice, Yoongi remembers offering help. In a small voice, maybe one he hoped Hoseok wouldn’t hear, but did. Only to be met with him telling Yoongi not to. “I shouldn’t have let this happen.”

“They shouldn’t have done any of this to us.” Yoongi says immediately, recalling Yerin’s short speech earlier to him that day. He knew that it wouldn’t be good news, he already prepared for that from the moment the secretary called him on his commute to say that Yerin needed to speak to him immediately.

“You made the choice for this.” She said after Yoongi questioned why. In his stupor, he thought he heard her wrong, never thinking that she would fire him from the first sentence. “I don’t need the liability of you acting on your own like this. Your platform is too big for you to make ridiculous, impulsive decisions. And considering the online reception of those songs, it’s only natural that something had to be done. None of them went over well where fans are concerned. The amount of backlash you’re going to receive is reason enough, but I know that you won’t stop here. I can’t have someone like you in this company.”

“I never wanted any of this, Y/N.”

Ice infects his words, though spoken quietly. Weakly does his hand remain on your wrist, resembling something closer to resigning conviction, and it brings your heart to an even pace. Despite your previous racing thoughts screaming at you to go to SoundWave and fight for him to get his job back, in the sentence Yoongi brings everything to a painful lull.

Little time is needed to understand that his words aren’t directed at an anger towards being fired, but something deeper that you know is familiar. From small glances before. You can recall the tour Yerin gave him around the company building so many months ago and the stoic expression that seemed to be following motions, the time you asked him if he enjoys SoundWave just to be met with mostly silence until he could verbalize a doubtful yes. In front of cameras Yoongi’s eyes were always avoiding looking directly, dodging away like what he couldn’t show himself properly.

You shrug his hand off of you as you take a step towards him, adjusting your arm so that your palm cups his cheek. Angling his face towards your gently, Yoongi’s eyes look collected with moisture, but absent of release. Jaw tightened, then more so as he frowns down at your concern twinkling irises. “Yoon.”

The softness of your voice sends his ribcage into a shudder, unable to allow himself words for risk they’ll end up exhaling words he’s never felt like he should say. Your thumb strokes gently, so soothingly warm against his stinging skin. He lets his hands find purchase on your waist as you perk onto your toes to leave a tiny kiss on beside his lips, like a feathering promise. Silently waiting however long you’ll need to.

“I’ve never been me in front of everyone, angel,” His voice takes time on his words, like his subconscious grips onto them tightly until they’re ripped away by the invitation of your comfort. “My other company and SoundWave,” He sighs, squeezing your waist as he finds himself weakening. Yoongi has so much, he shouldn’t be upset about such a simple thing like reputation.

“Yoongi,” His eyes flicker back towards yours, seeing them present, focused. “You can tell me.”

Compared to you whose every means to be acknowledged has been constantly subdued since your entry into the music industry, Yoongi thinks it’s almost ridiculous for him to complain to you. Despite his own allowance of you telling him your troubles, he doesn’t feel like he should be allowed to talk to you about things that would’ve been changeable if he simply acted on his own accord like what people expect of him. But it’s fabrication to be unsociable and distant for the persona that grew from the debut album into an unleavable image.

Hoseok did what he wanted for himself, always maintaining his truly positive attitude and letting every fan see him as he is. Even in the midst of handling the scandal of his relationship with Seulgi, and allowing her to fabricate a clean escape that left Hoseok dealing with the brunt of misconceptions, he still did it all freely. Perhaps now he would’ve reacted differently, but Hoseok’s actions have always been his own despite what people could think, and that’s simply why he’s able to start again.

“I just feel like I’m some sort of puppet.” Yoongi believes his voice to sound hollow, more so than he intended. With it spoken, he already feels like it should be pulled back and hidden away. With how much freedom he was given to produce his music that suited the brand, and release a few independently conceptualized songs now and again without permission, Yoongi realizes that he was given the most to work with.

For you, Hoseok, and even Jimin your creative inputs were disregarded entirely. For Yoongi it was always just a distance between himself and the public; something meant to appear unattainable. He speaks quieter, without realizing the words escape, “I’m not ever supposed to be me.”

Your chest stings as his drifting focus leads away from you. Something so consuming about his words go so far as to even mesh into Yoongi’s voice, and he’s in your touch but you feel like you’re not a presence for whatever problems are further within his somber admissions. From his cheek, your hand falls away to settle on his shoulder, squeezing bits of warmth that snap his stare back to you.

“You’ve always been you to me.” The sentiment outwardly appears small, but the conviction amidst your gentle voice resonates deeply in Yoongi’s chest. With his eyes widening so slightly he finds himself in silence, for some reason baffled by your statement, because certainly how the two of you interacted very initially could have led incorrect assumptions of who he is.

“Yeah, but I don’t have to be SUGA around you.” Yoongi says, recalling the simplistic intention of releasing music as an idol years ago. “Ever since debut everyone always picked how I’m supposed to act and look on their own,” He sighs, reaching to rub his head and then tugging some of the locks, “Even my hair,” There’s a passing scoff as his voice grows spiteful, “It’s been blonde since my debut-- more than five years, and I’ve never been able to get anyone to let me change it.”

His rambling falters as he realizes the ridiculousness of it all. Yoongi’s arm drops back to his side, and he sighs softly, head shaking, “I shouldn’t be saying this, angel, I’m sorry. You probably think it’s whiny,” He mumbles with a remorseful twinge, and you shake your head immediately, trying to speak in opposition to the idea but Yoongi goes on to finish, “I never thought about how much I hate pretending to be something until right now.”

“Yoongi,” Your grip on his shoulder shakes him slightly as your voice trickles out fervently for his ears to tune into. “It’s not wrong for you to feel bad about this-- if I never met you I would’ve been played by your management team too, but what people see of you in media isn’t you,” You frown, wondering if any of this makes any sense. “And you can be mad about that, Yoon, really. You didn’t want to be any of that-- I know you. I know it hurts having to follow along with everything without say, you can be mad about it. It’s okay to be.”

“I have everything else though-- they let me make my own music and everything, how am I supposed to be ungrateful about that one thing--” Yoongi grits his teeth as the retort sounded closer to an exclamation, but it’s infuriating in his mind. Escaping as frustration in blurring irises. “Why should I be complaining when you have it worse?”

Your thumbs acknowledge the tears before Yoongi’s senses do. In a startle his shoulders tense at the tiny brush to relieve his cheeks of trickling he desperately wishes would cease now that he realizes it escapes his eyes. Blinking tightly does nothing but expel more, and his jaw feels so pressured from clamming shut. “Yoon, if something hurts it hurts. Your problems aren’t less than mine.”

Yoongi wants to combat the claim, but your slight smile stops him. Empathetically bright like a small flame. He remains silent, as tension abandons his shoulders and similar words he’s said to you play through his mind. Tightening his lips together cause a new glistening trail from his eyes as remnants of the emotional flood drain away. Yoongi tugs you closer to him, arms encircle your waist to hug you as you settle your hands to rub soothingly through his hair.

“I know it’s just me saying this, but I think it’d be really hard to never be yourself in front of the world, Yoon.” You tell him while Yoongi’s face buries against your shoulder, hidden away but kept protectively close within your embrace. “You don’t have to keep it all in.”

Carefully, Yoongi’s arms tighten, clinging in a way to your person and all the safety it feels to dispel into him. He remains static as the tears in his eyes evaporate from the calmness of silence and a chance to recollect himself, yet feel much more relieving. Your fingertips seemingly perpetual massage against his scalp, and the stable feeling of you within his arms act as a constant, bringing back the equilibrium so everything feels manageable.

“I really don’t want you to go and talk to Yerin about my job, angel.” Yoongi murmurs after a small eternity of comforting quiet. As he pulls away only enough to look at you, he sees your expression changed into the slightest of dissatisfaction with his words. Realizing you clearly planned to say whatever you could, Yoongi smiles gently, face a little puffy from the tears. “I’m certain she won’t change her mind anyways.”

“But-” You start and immediately grow silent. Despite what he’s said, you can’t stop feeling responsible, and like you should be trying to help fix what Yoongi lost. However, the delay in the conversation let logic enter your head again and you know he’s right. Trying to get back in would be practically useless.

In the midst of your contemplation, Yoongi’s lips find yours in a short kiss, surprising your focus back to him. Leaving only a few centimeters of space, he speaks, “I’ll figure something out. Maybe this’ll be for the best.” Your immediate squeeze on his shoulder makes him momentarily puzzled, wondering if the last sentence sparked worry, but Yoongi doesn’t worry long as you very assertively reply,

“We’ll figure something out.” Subdued determined sparkles in your eyes, causing Yoongi’s head to imperceptibly nod as he registers the intention of paraphrasing his sentence with a different pronoun. Involving yourself into this matter. Yoongi’s lips curl upwards. “Whatever happens, at least you’ll be able to do it however you want, babe.”

“Babe?” He repeats, smile growing wider while your mouth shuts and your eyes avert. Finding an inkling of embarrassment in your pout as he points out the term of endearment you make a grumbling whine that Yoongi chuckles at. “Sorry, it was just cute.” He explains only serving to earn a glare from your growing flustered expression, “You’re right, angel. I don’t know what’ll happen, but we get to pick it all now.”

With the severity of the situation drifting in the ambiance, you both find further conversation puzzling. In favor of allowing your mind to wander, your rosy pigments simply fade as the question of what to do now perpetuates itself in the forefront of attention. By the way Yoongi rests is forehead back on your shoulder, and his fingers lock with each other as he holds you, you’re sure that despite both of your best intentions to remain positive, it’s difficult to do so.

The two of you have been cast aside from the backing of a company, and with the songs released only a day earlier, surely the loss of good reputation in the public hasn’t peaked yet. You haven’t even found the will to look through comments on the released tracks, and with everything going how it is, you’re not sure how you’ll be able to convince yourself to.

“Were you and Jin going to do something together earlier?”

“What?” You blink, then shove the thoughts in your head aside to recall the rest of the events that day. “Oh,” You shake your head as Yongi stands upright once more, letting his hands fall away from you. “No, we were just driving from Namjoon’s place.”

Yoongi’s eyebrows furrow in pure confusion, “Just to drive around?”

At the memory of the situation in the cafe your voice falters in your throat. Not that you were unwilling to speak to Yoongi about the issue, but to begin with you weren’t certain if the three of you had overreacted, and with the added news from SoundWave you wanted to ignore that topic altogether. The last thing you wanted to give Yoongi was another thing to worry about, but when you recall the camera flash and the undeniable act of following you from the subway station, your hands curl from the thought.

“Well, not exactly,” Trusting the instinct in your heartbeat, you finally sigh, rubbing your hands together as you decide to tell him. You imagine despite the worry, Yoongi would want to know. “When the three of us were talking in the cafe like usual there was a group of a few kids-- I guess teenagers, that took a picture with the flash on and Seokjin called them out about it because he thought they were taking a picture of me.” Unable to look up at him as you recount the moment, you simply go on so as not to allow the residual discomfort of it all to make you go quiet. “And there was another table of people about the same age that had come in while we were all talking, and Joon was worried that they were all there to follow me, and,” You shrug. A strong waver that you’re acting overly sensitive brushes through your spine. “Jin and I left because of it… In case other people showed up. I don’t know if they were all really there for me though.”

“Angel,” You glance timidly up to Yoongi as he continues speaking softly, “You’re okay?”

“Yeah,” You say perhaps too quickly. Definitely too fast. Yoongi’s eyebrows crease, clearly bothered by what you just described. “I really don’t know if it was anything bad.” You eventually mumble.

“If you’re nervous like this, I think it gave you a bad feeling too, sweetie.” Yoongi cups your jaw, gently bringing your eyes back to his. “It does sound like they were there for you like Jin and Namjoon thought, to be honest with you.”

You sigh, squeezing your hands together.

“Hey,” He frowns, noticing the contorting signs of anxiousness invading your face. “Sweetie, it’s okay-”

“You think it’s going to get worse than today?” You ask in a small voice. Yoongi’s mouth closes, and the silent answer is enough for you to nod, “Okay,” A longer inhale feeds into your lungs and you let it settle there for passing seconds then release in a slow exhale. “Okay. I’ll have to get used to it then.” A false positivity tries to make itself real in your words.

“I’ll be with you too.” Yoongi says as his hands strays to brush hair from your face. “Not that it’s the biggest comfort,” He chuckles softly before you interrupt his doubting laughter by pressing your lips against his. Your hands tug his shoulders closer, deepening the kiss into lasting moments as Yoongi’s fingertips find your hips to grip onto.

“It’s actually the best comfort.” You murmur between breaths, letting the words collide against his rosy lips. “Thank you.”

Yoongi hums a reciprocation as you smile, then simply leans his head back to kiss you again. His hands travel up along your sides and down in smooth rubbing motions, while you allow your arms to cascade loosely around his neck. When there’s a need for oxygen do your lips part, to take in small breaths and Yoongi abandons your lips in favor of fluttering, sweet kisses along your cheek, erupting enamored giggles from you peacefully.

“I’m glad we were forced to date each other.”

“Shut up,” You laugh at the way light-hearted voice he speaks with. “You hated me.”

“Didn’t.” Yoongi shakes his head though he’s chuckling while randomly arranging more dotting ministrations all over your face in a languid manner that you feel no need to hinder. “I hated Yerin treating us however, but we don’t have to think about her anymore.”

“That actually sounds wonderful.” You admit with a growing grin. Yoongi smiles as he pulls his head away to look at you properly. “That’s the best thing that could’ve been said today.”

“Yeah?” He chuckles, then squeezes your waist with a growing, endeared flurry filling his chest as you kiss his lips softly, in a simple manner. You nod smiling sincerely up at him, looking so much brighter than minutes earlier. More settled, Yoongi thinks, though he knows this isn’t the end of worries concerning everything going on. But it feels a little easier to face now. “Are you free the rest of the day?”

“Yeah. Should we go search for part-time jobs?” You tilt your head with the joke, and Yoongi rolls his eyes. “I’m free though. I’d actually really like to just be with you, if you are too.”

Yoongi smiles, biting his lip as he’s sure he’ll become visibly enamored by your sweet tone. He kisses you before you’re able to tease him about the flustering expression. “Maybe you won’t want to after hearing where I’m going to ask you to join me at.”

---

“Are you regretting it now?” Yoongi smiles as he turns the chair to look at you as you sit on a bench beside the hair styling station. With one of his caps propped atop your head, and another cap and his cardigan in a bundle on your lap, you shake your head, smiling at the appearance of his hair completely sectioned off in bunches. Having been wrapped neatly in tin foil, you know this is entering into the latter portion of the impromptu hair appointment having already spent close to two hours in the conditioning treatment phase.

“No, because we’re going to eat after this so I have the love of my life to look forward to.” You search your pocket for your phone to memorialize the appearance as Yoongi whines knowingly,

“Don’t take pictures; I look like an android.”

“More like an alien, babe.” You grin as you snap a series of pictures, while Yoongi starts the shoot with a scowl that turns into a wide unamused smile when you pout at him for cooperation. “Aw, you’re adorable.”

“I’m going to take pictures of you scarfing down food.” He mutters to himself, as he turns the chair back towards the mirror. Yoongi examines the situation atop his head as the dye works to make itself permanent over the locks of blonde hair he’s had for the majority of his adult life. Sitting there he feels a build up of anticipation for the end result, an excitement mixed with a doubtful wonder about if he would look familiar after returning his hair to its natural color.

Glancing back towards you, he finds your cheeks puffed in concentration as you click around rampantly on your phone. Probably adding ridiculous filters or stickers to the pictures of him you just took. Yoongi smiles, finding it both amazing and strange that he’s grown so close to you throughout the passing year. Warmed at the prospect of the change he’s gone through so far, despite the uncertainty of what’s to come.

Where the year prior he felt incapable of acting completely as he wants, now Yoongi feels encouraged by you to do what he wants in the way that you’re also trying your best to change your life back into your own control.

“Oh, Joon’s calling me,” You say out of surprise by the screen changing suddenly on your phone.

“It’s sort of loud in here, why don’t you talk to him in the lobby?” Yoongi offers while the barrage of hair dryers and chatter in the evening portion of the business day reigns on. You nod, standing up and clutching his items against your chest as you begin to walk off, “Sweetie, you can just leave my stuff there,” Yoongi chuckles as you only become aware of his clothing as he’s brought it to your attention. Laughing bashfully you neatly plop the items,

“Right, I wasn’t thinking.” You admit sheepishly before gently prodding your fingertip into his cheek when he begins to grin. “Be right back.”

After your leave, Yoongi reaches to the messy countertop below the mirror for his own phone. Knowing he’s left it on silent all day along with not checking up on any notifications, he isn’t surprised to find a multitude of alerts in a line on the lock screen. Dismissing the majority of social media ones, he instead opens the text thread that he left alone earlier after saying he’ll text back later in the evening.

Hoseok, 2:24pm: Get back to me whenever you feel able. I know it’s hard to deal with, but I’m always here, bro.

Yoongi, 6:35pm: I’m doing the impulsive haircut route.

Hoseok, 6:37pm: Please tell me you’re doing a glamorous pink color?

Yoongi laughs, looking up as his stylist walks over from down the aisle. Peeking carefully beneath the tin foil to check the coloring, he works silently while Yoongi responds.

Yoongi, 6:40pm: Not this time, sorry. Also, I’m sure you’re worried and I really have no clue what I’m going to do yet, but I’m okay.

“It looks ready to go,” The stylist nods to himself, and begins to remove a bunch of tin foil one by one. “I’m usually touching up your roots, so I was pretty surprised when you wanted the exact opposite this time.”

“Yeah,” Yoongi says as he hears the crinkling of the shiny metallic papers that propel his heart into an excited beat. “I like it this way a lot more than the blonde.”

“Sure it’s not your girlfriend isn’t the one who does?” He asks with no ill-will, just a smile at the joking banter while he looks at the dark locks heavy with the dye. Yoongi take a moment to respond as he also catches the stark difference of color being revealed atop his head.

“No, I don’t think she’s ever seen me with black hair.” Yoongi says without focus, while thinking more about the ease of maintaining his hair now that he won’t have to come in every other week to bleach his roots. Without any of the tinfoil obscuring his view, he finds himself biting his lip as his cold locks of hair weigh down on his scalp, only now needing a rinse and dry to fully reveal what the new style of his natural hair will look like.

“Well, let’s give her a nice surprise then. Follow me back to get it shampooed and conditioned.”

“Namjoon,” You roll your eyes at your friend whining through the receiver about a customer that just walked out leaving their drink mostly untouched. “I’m sure the drink tastes fine, dude.”

“They just left it though,” He gripes on, muttering incomprehensibly as you assume he cleans up the remnants. “This is the best-selling drink right now-”

“Joon, you said you wanted to tell me something,” You laugh as you rub your face, back leaning against a wall beside the check-in counter for the salon.

“Oh, right.” You shake your head at the fact his voice sounds entirely surprised that he forgot the entire reason for calling you while he spent the last twenty minutes complaining about customers throughout the day. “Some other kids came in awhile after you and Jin left-- well maybe they were more like teenagers.” You bite your lip so as not to laugh at the similar rambling he does like you had. “But anyways, they definitely came in hoping to spot you. They were asking me if I was friends with you.”

“Oh, yeah?” Your grip on the phone tightens as you think about the other groups following you for pictures and now even this one came in to directly search for you.

“Yeah, they wanted to know because they wanted me to tell you that they really liked the music you and Yoongi made together.” Your grip lessens as his words enter your ear. With a surprised stupor you let him continue right along. “They’re big fans of Yoongi, but they think you did a really good job on the music. They were saying it’s probably hard considering all the other stuff being said on the internet.”

“Really?”

Namjoon remains quiet, smiling gently at the utterly shocked tone of your voice. Knowing the day you’ve had has likely been full of stressful news, he also feels better about things as he recounts the information to you. “Yeah, they were really sincere about it.”

Even after ending the phone call you find yourself stunned silent from the opposite news that you anticipated from Namjoon as he first started to tell you about the fans. With a smile growing at the potential for others to have similar perspectives, you feel lighter. This isn’t the ideal scenario to play out for releasing music, but you’ll take the good out of it in stride. It’s the best thing to do after all.

“Angel,” Your shoulders startle from your thoughts as Yoongi’s voice calls out to you from the side. You turn your head as he walks over. “Your phonecall took forever-”

“Whoa,” Your mouth stays open wide as your eyes go straight to the dark hair atop his head. Turning on your heel in surprise as you continue to take in the new style, you find it to be so different. Obviously it would be, but the fact that you couldn’t properly imagine his hair like this until seeing it as you stand there leaves you in awe. “Yoon, it looks so nice.”

“You think so?” You become aware of his voice’s timidness, clearly still in suspense on what your verdict would be on the style. Yoongi’s eyes meet yours when you finally look towards them from his black hair. He feels his chest tighten as you smile up at him and nod your head.

“I like it a lot.”

Yoongi’s lips curl in satisfaction, his heart swelling even more so as you take the step closer so you can reach up to immerse your fingers in the fluffy, night-like hair. Unable to contain the swift kiss on your lips that lasts only a moment because of location, Yoongi’s mouth grows into a grin as he states peacefully, “Me too.”

if you enjoy please, please let me know via ask, comment, rb with tags– however ! i’d just really appreciate feedback 🥺 i hope you enjoy the series, i’m working really hard on it! : )

tag list (send an ask to be added): @jaiuneamesolitaiire​ @tsvkino-usagi​@xionysus​​ @baebyjoonie​ @honeyoongles​ @betysotelo18​

[sassycassie-s-series]

All My Fault 33

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): DC, BatFam - Damian Wayne/Batman

Rating: PG-11/T- (for violence)

Notes: (Masterlist) This one jumps around a bit. Hopefully it’s not too difficult to follow.

Tag List (Open): @batboys-and-other-messes @welovegroot @probsjosh  @spooder-moon @lostredrobin @haylo4ever @na-n-na @rachelmorganroth  @reclusive-chicken-nugget​ 

Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13, Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 16, Ch 17, Ch 18, Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 22, Ch 23, Ch 24, Ch 25, Ch 26, Ch 27, Ch 28, Ch 29, Ch 30, Ch 31, Ch 32

^^^^^

“So, what do we do, Damian?” I asked quietly as Damian and I sat in my room on the floor across from each other. Jon had left to go home to Metropolis so we were alone to have our private discussion.

Damian reached across the distance between us and took one of my hands in both of his. “I want to be with you more than I’ve ever wanted to be with anyone else. However I don’t believe we should go public with any sort of romantic relationship immediately. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, you’ve been back nearly two weeks less than you have actually been in this future, which would make it seem as though you haven’t been back long enough to be in a romantic relationship—perhaps.”

“What about Bruce?”

Damian’s eyes dropped to our hands. “He returns from Metropolis tomorrow,” Damian said. “As I said earlier, he could look between the two of us and make an accurate estimate of what we’ve done while he was gone if he believed we had something to hide. I can tell him that we’ve fallen in love and intend to pursue a relationship—”

“No,” I interrupted. “Let… let me tell him.”

“Nora?” Damian asked, using my name instead of why?

I sighed. “If I tell him he might… freak out less. You know what I mean? Like, if I say I don’t want to go back to the past and explain why… I doubt he’d drop his coffee.”

I set my other hand on top of Damian’s hand holding my other one. I looked up and met his eyes.

“I love you, Damian Wayne. Strange as our situation is, it’s true.”

He gave me the widest and most genuine smile I’d ever seen from him—or either blood Wayne for that matter. “I love you as well, Nora McCloud.” He leaned forward. I closed the distance and pressed our lips together.

It was a far less heated kiss than the night before. Instead it was simple and tender, full of softer emotions than passion.

Damian pulled away first. “I believe you’re correct. You informing Father would be far safer.” He squeezed my hand. “And in a few weeks—perhaps even a month—we will announce that Nora McCloud and Damian Wayne are officially together.”

I snorted. “Press can finally have their field day about us,” I said.

Damian bounced an eyebrow. “S’pose so,” he agreed.

I smirked. “Let them,” I said.

Damian tutted. “Tt. Alright then.”

“But in private, are we officially together now?”

“Only if you agree to be.”

“I do. Heartily.”

We both snickered.

^^^^^

WHAM! My foot connected to the mugger’s chest—and I was fairly certain I heard a rib separate from his sternum. Yowch.

“Batman’s smitten,” Jason said in the open channel. Tonight it was all of us out on patrol except Tim, who volunteered to be on monitor duty. Dick and Jason had told Cass and Tim that Damian and I were in love and semi-officially a couple while we were in private.

I glanced around to see Damian standing on top of a building that made up one of the walls of the alley I was in, looking down at me. Even from my distance below I could see him grinning. I smiled back at him, whacked the mugger again and effectively knocked him out, and nodded to the man he’d been trying to steal from. “Are you alright, sir?” I asked.

He nodded.

“GCPD is on its way,” Damian supplied to me.

“The cops will be here soon,” I said to the man. “They’ll take your statement.” As I spoke I tied up the mugger. “He’ll be out for at least an hour.”

“Are you leaving?” the man asked me, looking a bit spooked by the mugger.

I gave him a smile. “Not if you don’t want me to,” I said, rocking back and forth on my heels. I realized how that could sound if taken the wrong way and quickly amended, “Not if you feel unsafe alone here with this man.” I didn’t need this guy hitting on me or trying any funny business when Damian was literally only a few stories above me. That being said, most of the creeps and misogynists in this city knew that trying anything rude with a girl in a mask and body armor—Batgirl, the Spoiler, Orphan, Batwoman, Cloudburst, and any visiting female heroes—was a recipe for getting several bones broken and sometimes a verbal smack-down.

Didn’t always discourage them from trying, but I’d dislocated eight shoulders and paralyzed three sets vocal chords in the first two years of being Cloudburst and had since lost track of injuries I’d dealt to creeps who grabbed my backside or hands or other places or made disgusting comments.

As it was, this guy didn’t say anything rude or try to touch me.

I touched my comm-link. “By the way, Hood?” I said.

“Yes Cloudy?” Jason asked.

“Shut up,” I said.

I heard lots of snickering from the rest of the Bat-family.

After a few minutes of waiting, the cops came. Once they turned up, the mugging victim thanked me. I nodded and shot a grappling hook to the roof, whizzing out of sight. Once I swung onto the same rooftop as Damian, I felt his arm ensnare my waist and pull me closer to him. He tapped his comms to mute his microphone and smirked at me. “That was attractive,” he whispered.

I snickered and muted my mic too.

He leaned closer.

I put my hand between our lips before he could kiss me. “Batman and Cloudburst can’t be together, Damian,” I said quietly.

He closed his eyes and sighed with complaint. “Why not?”

“Because as far as civilians are concerned, Cloudburst is still between five and ten years older than Batman. That would be weird. And the coincidence of Nora McCloud returning only a week-and-a-half after Cloudburst can be ignored and forgotten. But Cloudburst and Batman getting caught kissing on a rooftop a month before Damian Wayne and Nora McCloud announce that they’re together is downright suspicious,” I said. “Especially coupled with Cloudburst and Nora’s reappearances.”

Damian pursed his lips and stared at me, his green eyes glinting through the eye holes of his cowl. “Alright,” he relented. “Batman and Cloudburst have a professional relationship.”

“You can kiss me in uniform when we get back to the Batcave,” I said quietly.

^^^^^

“Their mics are muted,” Jason remarked to Dick, Tim, and Cass on a private channel. “I can see them talking through my scope but I can’t hear them.”

“What do you mean, ‘scope’?” Dick asked. “Hood, you don’t have a sniper rifle, do you?”

Jason hesitated. “… No?”

“Hood!” Dick protested.

“Hey, wingding! Now is not the time! They’re being lovey-dovey and you’re complaining about me?!” Jason snapped.

“Okay. So their mics are muted so we can’t hear them. What do you mean, lovey-dovey?” Tim asked, interrupting the argument.

“Well Damian’s got his arm around her waist and she just stopped him from kissing her. She’s got this goofy type of lovestruck grin on her face and Damian is grinning. Grinning,” Jason told the others.

Tim and Dick both “Wow”ed Jason’s description.

“Who wants to bet twenty bucks on how long they date before Damian proposes?” Jason asked.

“Me!” Dick and Tim said at the same time.

“I will too,” Cass added.

“I bet six months and under,” Dick said.

“Whoa. Cutting that one fine, eh?” Tim wondered.

“Well it’s not entirely unheard of—especially if both parties know each other well before becoming a couple,” Dick said, a shrug in his voice.

“Which they don’t,” Jason deadpanned.

“Shut up,” Dick retorted. “Sure they do. Cloudy probably knows Damian better than anyone except B, Alfred, and maybe me. Heaven knows she put forth the effort to do so.”

“Mm,” Jason grunted, unconvinced.

“I will bet six months to a year,” Cass said.

“Hmm. A year to two years,” Tim put in.

“Then I guess I bet two years or any amount longer,” Jason said.

Dick scoffed. “Oh please. I know them. Marriage is an important concept to Cloudy and Damian was raised with the League of Assassins where I'm relatively positive arranged marriages for political reasons aren’t uncommon. I doubt they’ll date that long before getting married.”

“Well twenty bucks says we’ll see, then, hmm?” Jason challenged.

“Guess so,” Dick agreed.

“Yup,” Tim said.

“Yes,” Cass added.

^^^^^

“By the way, we should probably sleep in separate rooms when we get back tonight,” I said. “Because Bruce will be back in the morning and I don’t want to have to edit more security camera footage.” I’d already told Damian that Jason and Dick had taken care of the night before’s recordings. “Plus I don’t know when he’ll be back and I don’t want him to come check on you and find us, y’know, in bed together.”

Damian thought for a moment, still holding me close. “You are… correct. We should probably stay in our own rooms anyway, for as much as we can help it. As though we’re a couple who does not live together yet,” he said.

I nodded. “I agree,” I said.

Damian let me go with a little smirk and jerked his head toward the highest buildings in Gotham. “Let’s go finish this patrol,” he said.

I smiled. “Sounds good,” I agreed. He squeezed my hand before letting go. We took off running over the rooftop and leapt off the side at the same time, unmuting our comms as we went. My hair streamed behind me in the wind as we swung off toward the deeper parts of Gotham. I whooped. I’d never get tired of this.

^^^^^

Damian and I climbed out the Batmobile, beating everyone else back to the Batcave. Except Tim. Who was no longer sitting at the bat-computer and probably up in the shower. Damian and I met at the front hood of the car. Damian rested his hands on my waist, tugging me gently closer. My hands found his shoulders. “May I give you a kiss goodnight, my darling?” Damian asked.

I smiled. “You absolutely may,” I replied.

Damian bent down and pressed his lips to mine. I felt a small grin in his lips. “Everything will be alright,” he breathed when our lips parted but our foreheads rested together. “No matter how Father reacts. Everything will be alright.”

“I know,” I said. “I trust this. I trust you.” My hands slid up from his shoulders and around the back of his neck, my fingers sliding over the short hair on the back of his head.

“I would wait forever to be with you.”

“I would too. But let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” I tilted my head forward and kissed his cheek.

—

Next

[fallen029]

Weird

“I bet you thought that Mirajane would be here.”

Laxus blinked. Once. Twice. Then shrugged his shoulders.

“I mean,” he began slowly, hands in his jeans, rocking back on his feet some as he stared with a blank expression into the eyes of Lisanna Strauss, “you told me to come to the storage room at three, ‘cause your older sister wanted to speak with me. So yeah, I’d say I was.”

“Well, jokes on you!”

Again, he blinked. Just once. Rocked on his feet instead of shrugged. The blank expression was much the same though.

“I mean,” he went on, sounding bored, “not much of a joke. At most, just a lie. I’m assuming. Unless- Is Mira behind that box over there?”

Lisanna didn’t even glance over at it as she continued to beam victoriously up into the slayer’s eyes.

“Nope,” she sang, popping the latter half of the word on the tip of her tongue.

“Great.” He turned that time, on his heels, headed right back for the door. “See ya.”

“Wait!” Annoyed now, Lisanna moved to grab his arm. “Where are you going?”

Laxus only frowned down at her. “Back to the fucking bar. And don’t fucking lie about your sister needing me again.”

“Why? ‘cause it plays at your love-struck heartstrings?”

“No.” And he shrugged her off then. “Because I’m an important mage, Lisanna. I don’t have time for whatever stupid things normally take place in this bar.”

“You were drinking with the Thunder Legion.”

“I’m way too far above you, Lisanna, for you to judge my actions.”

“Your ego, maybe, but-”

“Don’t,” he warned once more with a glare, “pull this shit again.”

“But don’t you wanna hear why I asked you to-”

“No.”

“Laxus- Hey, come back! If you don’t then...I’ll tell Mira that you’re being a massive bully to me. She won’t like that. At all.”

“I don’t,” he grumbled over his shoulder, “care.”

And bleh, Laxus had to be the worst guy in the whole hall for her sister to fall in love with.  

See, Lisanna, like most other people, was immediately weary over the idea of her sister and the slayer dating. For obvious reasons. Even removed from the basic ones, such as guild relationships turning nasty when they inevitably fell apart, worsened still by the fact Mira and Laxus were two of their top wizards and Fairy Tail couldn’t stand to lose either, but also because, well, Laxus was super weird.

“He’s not...super weird,” Lucy hummed some when the pair discussed the guild’s most recent dramatic happening. “Just… I mean, it depends on your definition of super.”

“He fits my description,” Lisanna assured her and the blonde hummed because she was trying to keep an open mind about all this (and she also wasn’t completely certain the Thunder Legion weren’t lurking around, waiting to beat anyone up that shared their discouraging thoughts about their idol).

This hardly bothered the youngest Strauss, however, as she found herself voicing this same thing to the Thunder Legion themselves, one day when she was filling in at the bar for her sister as Mirajane took off early, on a date with Laxus. Bleh.

“He is not super weird,” Freed defended, sounding much more forceful on the topic than Lucy had been. “At all.”

“Eh, I dunno about that one,” Bickslow snickered, tongue dangling from his mouth as his babies floated all about. “We’re all a little bit weird, yeah? And the boss, oh, man, the boss is, like, twelve times as great as the rest of us. The better the person, the weirder the person.”

“Can’t be right.” Evergreen hardly glanced up from filing her nails though she did nod at her glass as Lisanna went around the table, offering refills. “Because you’re not much of a person at all, Bickslow. And you’re the weirdest one alive.”

“Cut me deep, yeah?” He pretended to sniffle, the man did, as his babies moaned. “Maybe I’m special.”

“Oh, you’re plenty special.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Ever?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“Laxus,” Freed spoke over his two counterparts bickering, “is not weird, Lisanna. If anything, and do not take this the wrong way, your sister...well...”

“Oh, yeah, she’s major weird.” Lisanna hardly cared for that portion of things. “But in the right ways. Unlike Laxus.”

It felt like that should be the standard response of most people. And it pretty much was, as she waded her way through drinking, not nearly as much of course, with Cana one day, who found Laxus to be super-duper weird (or maybe she was just slurring her words again…) and even sitting in through a round of cards with Macao and Wakaba, though they might have just been kind of jealous.

Which was weird in it’s own right.

“What would Mirajane even want with a weirdo like that?” Happy huffed as she and him sat in the grass together one day, not lifting a single finger to help Natsu as struggled with his fishing pole, down by the stream, wrangling in a super big fish for their lunch. The other slayer hadn’t said that he thought Laxus was weird, mostly because Lisanna didn’t want to mention Laxus’ name too loudly around him, for fear she’d have to listen to him gripe about wanting a fight with him. Happy’s endorsement to her opinion was enough. He even insisted some then, the Exceed did, “Mirajane needs a real man!”

The realest men of all real men had his own apprehensions when it came to Mirajane’s new love interest, but still, Elfman told it as true to his youngest sister as he could.

“Don’t really matter, how weird we think he is,” Elfman sighed one night over the poor attempt at dinner the pair of them had attempted to make as Mirajane, instead of being around to either cook it for them or bring them something home from the hall, was out with the slayer in question. Staring pitifully at his plate of burnt meatloaf, he remarked, “There’s only one person who’s opinion matters. And she’s the biggest man I know!”

Lisanna figured Laxus didn’t agree much, with the end of that, but she did find one day, as she laid in her older sister’s bed one night, following a successful date, both giggling and giddy, just how much Mirajane actually found Laxus to be, well…

“Oh, he’s the weirdest man you’ve ever met,” Mirajane agreed after Lisanna, once her giggles died down, found herself voicing this opinion to her older sister only to find it completely founded in fact. “He, like, obsessively shines his boots. Or has one of the Thunder Legion do it. And he insists on going out on his motorcycle, at least once a month, even though he gets violently motion sick from it. And he’s very serious about his hair- It’s kind of annoying, actually. Vain about it, almost. And-”

“Then why do you like him?”

There.

That was it.

The bunt version, at least.

Lisanna had never found it in her to just flat out question her sister on this, not in the few months this had all been developing and it would be rude, really, for her to list to others just why Laxus was all wrong for her sister. So she didn’t. She tried to draw it out of them.

It never worked.

But it was on Mira.

Mira could go on forever about how ‘weird’ Laxus was. But she only smiled when her sister stopped her from doing this with a question.

“That’s a completely different thing, Lisanna. Why I like him.” Mira hummed some, as they laid beside one another, her staring up at her ceiling and her younger sister, off to her side, only staring up at her. “There’s a lot of reasons, actually.”

And it wasn't about what Mirajane listed. Some of the reasons felt generic and just part of that early relationship bliss. Some were deeper, maybe, and more meaningful. But they all blurred together, regardless, as what stood out to Lisanna instead was her sister’s tone of voice. It wasn’t familiar, really, to Lisanna, even though what they were doing at the moment, giggling about guys, certainly was.

No.

When Mirajane spoke about Laxus, really, truly, spoke about Laxus, well…

“I just,” Lisanna griped that day, down in the basement storage room, where Laxus was annoyed, thinking she’d drug him off down there to, well, really he wasn’t sure what she was doing, but if Mira wasn’t even in on it, then he wanted out of there and fast, “called you down here to tell you something. And you’re never alone, at the hall. Or when you are, you put your headphones in and mean mug everyone and that’s kind of rude, you know, and you should really-”

“What,” he griped, tone harsh and heavy, but still, he paused as he spoke, on the basement steps, “did you want to say to me? Lisanna?”

“Just that…I like that you’re with my sister. A lot. Because...I think that she really likes you. Even though you’re super weird. And… Just don’t hurt her, you know?” Blushing some, as she meant for this all to go in a much more lighthearted direction when she tricked him into speaking with her, Lisanna kicked at the ground then as she added, “And also, you know, if you ever wanted to hang out with me, say, by the stream? On Thursday afternoons? When Natsu isn’t out on a job? That wouldn’t be inconspicuous and certainly wouldn’t be a trap to get you to fight him or anything-”

“Didn’t ask for your bless, kid, about your sister and me.” Still, Laxus was just standing there, midway up the stairs. Sighing some, his shoulders fell and his tone fell back to the void one as he glanced over his shoulder, down there at her. “And beside, I’m not the fucking weirdo.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re the one trickin’ guys into comin’ down to the dank basement with ya. Masquerade with guys as your sister a lot, do ya?”

“Shut up, Laxus! You big jerk!”

She stuck her tongue out at him as the slayer merely snorted and started up the stairs once more, leaving her alone, down in the basement, alone.

But feeling better, at least.

Not nearly as good as she did, however, the following weak as, this time, Happy and Natsu found it better to bicker amongst themselves as she sat, bored, holding the fishing pole and hoping for a bite.

It was swift, the change in air. It went from a light, breezy, lazy spring afternoon to suddenly a static filled air and she heard it before she saw it. The loud crack of thunder as a lightning bolt raced through the air, strike Natsu, who had no time or wherewithal to ready himself as, only moments before, he’d definitely been wining his argument with his little buddy.

Happy yelled as Lisanna expressed surprise, but Natsu only fell to the ground, twitching as electricity bounced off his body, all his hairs standing on end.

“Laxus!” Happy cried out as, not struck and yet frightened, he dove for Lisanna’s protection as she only jumped to her feet, watching as he came then, from out of the shadows, walking passed them, headed deeper into the forest.

“Passin’ through,” he remarked simply and, from the pack on his back, it was clear he was headed for a new job. “Then I see you weirdos here, mucking up Magnolia’s best fishin’ spot-”

“Weirdos?” Happy growled some, from the safety of Lisanna’s arms. “You’re the the weird one, Lax-”

“What ya say, cat?” And he paused then, the blond slayer, just to glare over at them as, finally, Natsu’s twitching stopped.

Nothing. At all. But as Happy coward with fear, Lisanna, slowly, began to smile, raising one hand to wave at Laxus.

“He’ll really appreciate it,” she assured the older man who only snorted, hiking his bag further up his shoulder as he kept on, deeper into the forest. “Thanks, Laxus!”

He didn’t tell her not to mention it.

He felt like it was heavily implied.

[hogwartswnw]

Week Of 29/9/19 /// WW Post

What with events, dances and wholesome romance, we've got a fair bit to get through today, so let's get into it!

~

Officially Dating and a Secret Past~!

(Submitted by Jules!)

Character Name: Tatiana 'Ana' Alexin

Character House: Slytherin

Other Characters Involved: Augustine Deveraux

Channel: #entrance-hall #village #madam-puddifoots

Timeline: This happened during the Hogsmeade weekend, not long after the incident where Ana sprained her ankle.

At last, they finally had their "date." Though it was more of a way for Ana to return the favors that she owed Augustine, it proved to be enjoyable for the both of them after finally acknowledging their attraction for one another. The "date" started awkwardly for Ana, who never went on dates before and had no idea how to act around the more experienced Augustine. They originally planned to have coffee at Madam Puddifoots but after seeing the bright pink decorations, both decided to just buy the drinks and cakes and enjoy them elsewhere in a picnic of sorts.

While enjoying their snacks, they started to get to know more about each other. Awkward questions were asked: What did Augustine want from her? Were they considered dating? Who was he (as a person)? Eventually, these questions led to the boy finally asking Ana if she wanted to be his girlfriend, a role which she shyly accepted. Giving him her trust, she opened up about her sad past, something which she never did before. It led her to tears and to Augustine trying to comfort her.

Halfway through, Augustine mentioned his missing silver box, the one that he was anxiously looking for at the dungeons that fateful day. From his description, Ana confessed to finding it at the underground chamber. Unfortunately, she forgot that she still had it in her bag and accidentally dropped the box, causing the contents (pieces of torn and burnt muggle photos) to spill on the picnic blanket. Augustine, seeing that Ana, a Pureblood, wasn't repulsed by the muggle objects, finally revealed his half-blood background and showed her his muggle mother's patched picture. Seeing a rare side of him, Ana was moved and felt even more connected with Augustine.

Ana was about to ask for more questions but Augustine teasingly suggested a "Truth or Dare" to make it more fun. Before they could start the game though, it suddenly rained heavily, which ended their picnic and had them scrambling for shelter.

IRP Public Knowledge: They held hands as they walked from the Great Hall to Hogsmeade village and Madam Puddifoots. Anyone who were present in those locations could've seen them.

~

WHEW! That was a long one, but onto the next post!

~

A wholesome reunion~!

(Submitted by Classy!)

Character Name: Gale Landgrave

Your Character House: Ravenclaw!!

Other Characters Involved: Flora Deniau-

Channel: #empty-classroom

Timeline: Over the weekend

Summary: Gale was quite sad after their breakup and so was flora. He found her in the classroom and decided to try and talk things over to see how she was feeling. Turns out she missed him as much as he missed her. One thing lead to another and they were practically emitting happiness. As they continued to have wholesome Funtime together. Words, kisses, and hugs were exchanged. Finally to cap it all off. Gale asked flora out on a date! They planned on meeting at the room of requirement to Gale’s delight. He finally gets to spend some quality time with his special girl once again! Let’s see how it goes! High pitched girl squeal!

IRP Knowledge: Gale hasn’t told anyone, idk about Flora. Anyone who might’ve walked past might’ve seen them because they were all over each other most of the time.

~

Same Classy, same. Who doesn't love wholesome romance? Onto the next one!

~

Bittersweet Advice~!

(Submitted by Miriam!)

Character Name: Kaithlin Lyander

Your Character House: Hufflepuff

Other Characters Involved: Christian W., Art Huntington

Channel: #black-lake, #aux-comc-class, #first-floor-corridors

Timeline: A few weeks before the break until this weekend.

Summary: In her third year, Kaithlin met Art and became friends with him. She already knew Christian, though she didn't like him too much, but she soon found out that the two were dating. Kaithlin realized that Art had his doubts about their relationship, because Christian never told him what he realy felt. Kaithlin decided to confront Christian about it, because she had been in the same situation as Art and it had ended bad for her. She told Christian to tell Art what he felt for once, before it would be too late. That happened before the summerbreak and eventhough Christian had told her he would do it, she realizes he hadn't done it after the summer break. But, eventually Art told her Christian confessed about his feelings. Though Kaithlin has some conflict with Christian herself, she is very happy to hear he finally did what she advised him to do.

IRP Public Knowledge: The only ones who know about this whole thing are Kaithlin, Art and Christian.

~

There's a lot of romance in the server, isn't there folks? Whelp, onwards and upwards!

~

New Experiences~!

(Submitted by Madi!)

Character Name: Axel Durnhollow

Your Character House: Ravenclaw

Other Characters Involved: Lucien A.

Channel: #r-dancing-hall #the-clock-tower

Timeline: Started this Monday

Summary: Axel was nervous about going to the Ravenclaw dance and was discouraged because she didn't have a date. However, she ran into Lucien and they had a conversation. Well, it was more of a shouting match, but she asked him to go with her, so it was a success. Axel was SUPER excited to go to the dance, and while she wasn't so excited about Lucien, he turned out to be nice. He showed her how to dance and she enjoyed the new experience. Although they're technically still there, that'll probably be all of it.

IRP Public Knowledge: Really just anyone who saw them at the dance or in the clock tower.

~

Finally, something non-romantic! There's friendships here too, everyone! XD

~

Level Up~!

(Submitted by Lizhi!)

Character Name: Jasmine Ze Liau

Your Character House: Ravenclaw

Channel: #greenhouses

Timeline: Since the beginning of the term

Summary: Jasmine is training to be an animagus! She began the Mandrake Leaf Cycle at the beginning of the term, and had it in from full moon to full moon. She has begun her partial transformations, and is currently on Level 2 I believe.

IRP Public Knowledge: Nobody knows, unless a roommate of Jasmine found a Mandrake Leaf in the trash.

~

Hold on tight, Jasmine! You've only got a little longer to go before you can transform!

~

An Awkward Encounter~!

(Submitted by Madi!)

Character Name: Axel Durnhollow

Your Character House: Ravenclaw

Other Characters Involved: Alex Lévêque

Channel: #tapestry-corridor

Timeline: Saturday, 9/21

Summary: Axel was pacing and reading her book when she tripped. She fell to the ground and felt extremely embarrassed, but was very thankful that the hallway had been empty. As turned out, it wasn’t empty, and instead, someone had been sitting in the corner reading. They sat and had a conversation about books and Metamorphagi (yes that’s a word). Eventually, the conversation lulled and there was an awkward silence. Axel quickly made her leave, hoping to avoid anything too weird.

IRP Knowledge: They weren’t too hidden, so really anyone trying to listen would hear them.

~

Whew, that was awkward! Onto a breath of fresh air, everyone!

~

Wholesome Quidditch Romance~!

(Submitted by LunaMoonie!)

Character Name: Lena Wolfbane

Your Character House: Ravenclaw

Other Characters Involved: Gavin Landgrave

Channel: #quidditch-pitch #astronomy-tower

Timeline: During the weekend

Summary: Gavin and Lena found each other in the astronomy tower, where Gavin wrapped his arms around her and held her. Lena suggested flying in their broomsticks for a bit, so he swooped her up and carried Lena to the quidditch pitch. They shared a broom, which Gavin flew first. In the excitement, they both stood up on the broom, Lena doing more effortlessly than Gavin. They switched sides so now Lena was flying the broom, and did some loops in the air, hoping not to drop Gavin (luckily she didn’t). Once they’d stopped looping and were just floating mid-air, Gavin started saying sweet things to Lena. She decided to trick him a little, and pretended she didn’t feel the same way he felt. Seeing Gavin hurt though made her feel ashamed, as she flew the broom back to the ground. Once the broom was back in its place, Gavin and Lena decided to forget that little trick and exchanged kisses, sweet words (mostly by Gavin) and holding her in his arms. Now Lena is asleep in his arms, in some minutes of wholesomeness.

IRP Knowledge: Anyone who was passing by who might’ve saw them being together flying or just being wholesome.

~

Even they admit they're being wholesome!

~

Wholesome Cowards~!

(Submitted by Miriam!)

Character Name: Arthur Jones

Your Character House: Gryfindor

Other Characters Involved: Minhee Hyeseong

Channel: #courtyard , #g-common-room, #astronomy-tower, #training-grounds

Timeline: A few weeks until today

Summary: At the week of the picknick event, Arthur found Minhee together with Kaithlin. They went down to the training grounds, where he ate some of the food. After blurting out to Minhee that she was cute, he quickly left the fields, because he was ashamed. A few days later, Minhee found him and she ended up confessing her feelings to him. Now, they have been dating for a few weeks, both, feeling happier then they have ever felt and finally not feeling alone anymore.

IRP Public Knowledge: Kaithlin was there at the picknick when he blurted out that Minhee was cute. But she doesn't know about the fact that they are now dating. The only one who does know about the dating for sure is Christian. But anyone who has seen the two of them together, might suspect they are dating, because they are sometimes kissing in public.

~

WHEW!

Okay everyone, I think that's everything for my first week!

Thanks for sticking around and being patient with me!

I also might do server themed shitposts since that's what I'm probably known for at this point skdksndjs

Have a good day, ladies, lords and non-binary royalty!

Love ya!

Queen 👑

[ygboysygbby]

Under Your Spell

Bobby/Kim Jiwon Scenario

Request: 14 with kim bobby pleaseeee

Prompt: You, a wizard in training, accidentally casted a love spell on your ex and it worked. Oh, and he already has a girlfriend.

Being a witch was not quite your forté. First year of entering the wizard school, you were already discouraged with how hard the lessons were. If not for your parents, you would be happy to just go to a normal school, moreover, there was something that you desperately wanted to avoid in this school. Someone, in this case.

Bobby Kim, your childhood friend, but also your ex, who was a year older than you, went to this exact school. You had been trying your best to avoid him for a good year, but your luck decided to play on you. You were together for almost a year, before you decided to break up with him. The reason of your split was because you kept seeing him being distant and you didn’t know why. You decided to end things, and he didn’t even protest or complain when you said so, you thought it was the right thing to do.

The past year had been quite hard for you since you were so used to living with him around you, after all, you were friends since you were six. Even though you missed him badly, you didn’t want to be around him anymore. If that was what he wanted, a distance, you were glad to give him that. In your mind, you were no match for him anyway.

All you wanted was just to pass at least the minimum grade. Going to library became a habit of yours after school. As much as you hated it, you did not want to disappoint your parents. You were reading this one spell book bundle, when someone greeted from behind. You knew that voice, oh boy, you knew it too well. Taking a deep breath, you decided to brace yourself. It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway.

“I didn’t know you decided to enroll here...”

“H-Hey, Bobby!” You awkwardly grinned and waved your hand.

“It’s been a long year, huh... Enjoying your school life?”

“It’s... it’s a bit challenging, I guess...”

“Knowing you.” He chuckled.

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?!”

“I mean—“

“Bobby, I have the book already let’s— oh...” A girl with long black locks suddenly came into the scene. “I believe we haven’t met before?”

“Uh, hi...” You awkwardly offered your hand. “Y/N, I’m Bobby’s childhood friend.”

“Jennifer, I’m his girlfriend.” She smiled widely before grabbing your hand. “Nice to meet you. It’s weird how Bobby never told me anything about you though...”

That’s because I’m not even worth telling about. “Really...” You decided to shrug it off.

“Anyway, we gotta go now.” Bobby cut off the conversation. He seemed uncomfortable for unknown reason.

“Ah, okay. I’ll see ya later then...”

“Bye!” The girl waved before they both walked out from the library.

He already got himself a girlfriend, huh... Deep down, you knew you could not forget him. Even though he just heartlessly agreed to end your relationship without any question, and you were hurt by it, you knew deep down you still had feelings for him, and you felt like a complete idiot for still thinking this way.

**

You could not sleep.

The event happened in the library made you restless. It was already 11 at night and you got classes to attend tomorrow, but for some reason, Bobby’s face kept appearing in your mind, haunting you like a ghost.

You kept tossing and turning, but no use, you still couldn’t bring yourself to sleep. Sighing in defeat, you quietly got up from your bed, carefully trying not to wake up your roommate, and grabbed the spell book that you borrowed from the library. Bringing the book with you, you went to the lobby of the dormitory, as you decided to not waste your energy. If your brain wanted to stay up, at least you were using it to perfect your skills.

When you arrived, a familiar figure was already there, alone by himself. He was looking through the window, as if he was full with thoughts himself. Guess you really picked the wrong time and place to clear your thoughts. This would certainly corrupted your mind even more.

But you kinda missed him.

“Bobby?” 

“Ah, hey...” The guy smiled. It was weak, and you forgot how much you hated seeing him without his perfect smile.

“Something bothering you? You could tell me, I mean... I’m your friend, ain’t I? If you still think that way, that is...”

“Nothing for you to worry about.” He smiled again, but he wasn’t fooling anybody. You knew he was lying.

“Uh... How about you help me with spells? After all, you’re probably way better than me with this kinda thing!” You said, trying to lighten up the mood. “Like this! I never understand how to do this properly!”

Bobby sat down on the sofa with you. “This? Levitation spell?”

“Yep.”

“I can teach you that. Did you bring your wand though?”

“Good thing it’s my new bookmark!” You laughed as you took out your wand from the book.

“Really this girl...” He chuckled. He then grabbed your hand to guide you. “You gotta move your hand like this,” He spoke as he moved your hand along. “Remember to say the spell first.

“O-Okay! Let me give it a try!” You thanked God for nighttime and poorly dimmed lobby, because you were blushing like crazy.

“Try it on me.” The lad said with a smug smile on his face.

Taking a deep breath, you took the book closer to you and read the spell, doing exactly as you were told. You closed your eyes right after performing the spell, afraid of the nonexistent outcome. When you opened your eyes, to your disappointment, Bobby did not levitate.

“What did I do wrong?” You asked.

“Nothing, you are perfect...”

“What?!”

Bobby looked up to you, a hint of reddish shine appeared on his eyes for a couple of seconds, before it went back to normal. He then smiled at you in a quite weird manner. Terrified, you quickly looked back to the spell book. But how can I casted the wrong spell when I read— oh... OH MY LORD.

Right below the Levitation spell, Love spell, containing the exact spell that you just casted. The description listed:

A high level spell that is very dangerous. Could only be performed by those who have trained in years. Beginners can easily perform one, only if the target is willing to be casted a spell on. Though the effect will not be quite the same and the spell will wear off naturally in 3-5 days of time. See page XCIV for Love Potion.

You took back your gratefulness for nighttime and poorly dimmed lobby, because God, you just casted a damn love spell to your ex.

“What’s wrong, love? You look like you’ve seen a ghost...” The bewitched guy said.

“Goodness gracious, how am I supposed to explain this to his girlfriend??? They don’t even teach about love spell until the final term...” You sighed in defeat. “I’m doomed.”

Bobby suddenly grabbed your cheek, startling you. “Why are you ignoring me, love?”

You shoved his hand away. “As much as I’d love for you to do that, please, stay away from me until I find a solution.”

“Stay away from you? How can I possibly live without you, my love?”

You groaned. “Just go to your room right now and I���ll meet you again tomorrow.”

“Promise?”

“Ugh... sure!”

The effort for studying and clearing out your mind definitely turned into dust. Instead, you just created a huge disaster. But you need to get some rest first, without a clear head, you wouldn’t be able to solve the problem.

**

You barely slept. With your eye-bags and books, you forced yourself to attend your class. Much to your horror, you saw Bobby, who already waited for you in front of your classroom. You rolled your eyes. Why must life be so cruel?

“Love, you’re finally here!” Bobby muttered with excitement.

“Bobby, you need to go to your class now, and please lower your voice when we talk in public!”

“Ah... sorry!” The guy whispered. “From now on I’m going to talk this way to you.”

You shook your head in disbelief. “Just go to your class now!”

“Anything for you, love!” He said, still whispering.

Right after your class, you immediately went to library to search for more information regarded to your issue. Three to five days was definitely too long for you and Bobby had a girlfriend. You were not planning to destroy any relationship, neither his, or yours with the public.

Some books said that you can give the hate potion for people under the influence of love spell. The two spells neutralize each other, so it would cancel out the effect and would not give the effect of a hate potion, but in order to make a hate potion, you need an eagle egg. There was no way in hell for you to even get one of those.

You kept searching and scanning through the books, but nothing. You wanted so badly to just go and ask one of the professors, but that could also risk you of getting suspended. Because, of course, the no-spells-outside-class-unless-you-have-graduated rule, that students broke anyway.

Frustrated, you decided to leave the library for some fresh air. The school garden seemed to be the closest place, so you went there. Five minutes into just breathing in and out, your misfortune finally caught up. Bobby found you, yet again.

“There you are, love! I’ve been looking for you.” He said. Surprisingly, still whispering.

“Have you met Jennifer today?”

“Uh, my classmate?” He asked and sat down next to you.

You rolled your eyes. Apparently he completely forgot his status. “Yes, your... classmate.”

“Her friend told me that she isn’t feeling well today, so she’s staying in her dorm. Just a minor headache though. I don’t see the point why I need that information...” The guy wondered innocently.

You facepalmed. “Bobby, you gotta text her, ask her if she’s okay.”

“Why?”

“She’s your girlfriend!” You groaned. “I’m so sorry, this wouldn’t happen if I wasn’t being so stupid...”

“She’s my girlfriend? How? My heart only belongs to you...” He looked straight into your eyes, almost letting you drowned for a good second.

“No, Bobby, you love her!” You grabbed his shoulders. “I...” You couldn’t finish your words. It was hard when your heart was basically fighting your logic. You looked down to your feet and sighed.

“Is there something wrong, love?”

“Of course!” You said, holding up the tears. “You! You’re not suppose to have feelings for me!”

“Is loving a person a wrong thing?” He suddenly leaned on your shoulder.

His sudden move took you by surprise. “H-Hey! Don’t—“

“I don’t think it’s wrong.”

You sighed. “Yeah, it isn’t...”

**

You were getting ready for bed. Putting your pajamas and socks on, you got on the bed. You closed your eyes, sighing in stress. Should you just let him being like that for five days? It sounded cruel to you, but you really couldn’t lie that a small part of you were a tad bit happy. Even though he didn’t behave like he would normally do, hearing him calling you so lovingly, it sounded somewhat pleasant, and you hated yourself for it.

KNOCK KNOCK

“Nina? Are you inviting someone over?” You called your roommate.

“Uh... actually, I forgot to tell you...”

“What is it now...” You glared.

“This guy name Bobby kinda asked me—“

“I can’t believe you...” You rolled your eyes as you stormed to answer the door.

“Hey.” The guy said with his oh-so innocent face.

Damn, he looks hot with that bed hair and loose t-shirt... You smacked your cheeks, bringing yourself back to reality. No! You quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him inside your room. “What are you doing here?!”

“I just missed you...”

“Lord help me...” You groaned.

“So, he’s your boyfriend?” Your roommate asked casually.

“No!” You sighed. “He’s my... friend, and I kinda accidentally casted a love spell on him.”

“Whoa, you’re in serious trouble...”

“I know, right? And he already has a girlfriend too...” You sighed.

“Dude! You’re so dead!” Your roommate laughed.

“You’re enjoying this way too much.” You rolled your eyes at her.

Bobby, who apparently heard all of your conversation loud and clear, finally opened his mouth. “I’m under the influence of a love spell?”

“Yes.” You said sternly.

“I don’t understand... I really do love you.”

“Exactly, and you shouldn’t be.”

Bobby didn’t reply to your words. He looked both sad and disappointed.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, alright?” You sighed. “I’m gonna get you out of this spell as soon as possible, and I’ll tell your girlfriend, hopefully she’ll understand. If all things fail, the spell will wear off naturally in three to five days, so you should be okay...”

“But don’t you think it’s strange?” Nina suddenly said. “They always say that people who’s under the influence of love spell or potion tend to be aggressive or possessive, basically it’s not the same when you actually love someone, they showed lust instead of love... And I don’t see that in this guy.”

“You haven’t seen anyone under a love spell, have you?” You asked.

“True, but—“

“Well, maybe you know nothing. You can’t always trust people’s words!”

“Uh, I think you gotta check on your guy, he’s been silent for quite a while.” Your roommate pointed at Bobby.

The guy just stood quietly while fidgeting his fingers. His expression still looked sad and honestly, it broke your heart to see him like this, even though you knew he was under the influence of a spell.

“Bobby, I’m sorry if I disappoint you...” You sighed. It really felt like you were babysitting.

“So, in three to five days, I’ll lose my feelings for you?” He looked at you, his eyes were teary.

“Those feelings you feel are far from true. I know this is hard for you to understand, but trust me...” You looked away. “I care about you, you know.”

“You sure you didn’t cast him the spell on purpose? Cause you seem like you genuinely care about this guy...” Nina snickered.

“He’s my childhood friend, geez!”

“Sure.” The girl giggled.

“I’m gonna take him back to his dorm. It could get ugly if someone caught him alone, ‘cause he’ll probably say it’s because of me and stuff...” You took Bobby’s hand. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Okay, lover girl.” She teased.

The whole walk to the his dorm was silent. You asked him his dorm room and he quietly answered. His voice sounded so low and sad, it hurt you. It had been such a long time since you saw him with this kind of expression, even though you knew his feelings were not real, it brought back some memories from the past, the ones that you really did not want to recall.

“We are here... Now go to sleep, okay? Promise me you’ll at least text Jennifer later, alright?”

The guy looked away for a second, before speaking up. “Can this man be selfish for a while?” He suddenly asked.

“Bobby, just go to—”

It happened so quickly. He cupped your face and just kissed you. You were too shocked to even move, Bobby also stayed still for a while, before he started to move his lips and so do you. You had your hands on his hair, and his moved to your hips, pulling you up slightly. You wanted so badly to shove him away, but secretly, your heart needed this. For a moment, it felt like you were the one who was under a spell. One dangerous spell.

“We shouldn’t be doing this...” You said, as you finally let go of him.

Your eyes widened when you saw the same reddish shine on his eyes. The same one that appeared after you casted the spell on him. Just right after it disappeared, you saw Bobby’s eyes turned different, as if he was alive again.

“What— why are you here? Why are we here?”

“Bobby? Is it really you? Do you feel anything weird maybe? I don’t know, something about me, perhaps?”

“What about you?”

“Oh, thank all the gods!” You threw your hands in the air. “I’ll tell you more tomorrow, just go get some rest. Oh, and your girlfriend had a headache this morning, it’d be great for you to check on her...”

“If you say so...” The guy looked at you suspiciously. “You better tell me what’s going on tomorrow!”

Your chest, it felt stuffed. You should be relieved now that you somehow got him off the spell, but you felt incomplete. Not only by how the spell just broke out of the blue right after the two of you kissed, but also that... the two of you kissed.

So the next day after school, you went to the library again. This time, instead of looking for a way to broke a spell, you researched more on the love spell topic instead, which you completely forgot in the first place, because you were way too focused on finding a way out.

The first few informations you got, only contained things you already knew, which was how love spells would not work on someone who was already in love, how love spells could only be performed by high ranked witches or wizards, and some new informations that had no beneficial for you. But then, something caught your eye.

Love spell could still be casted on someone who’s already in love with the giver, but has doubts or does not realize so. The effect would be different to a normal person under the influence of a love spell, as they come as more sincere, rather than aggressive and lustful. However, the spell would wear off immediately if the giver and the person lock their lips. 

You gasped in shock. “But there’s no way he’s still...”

I kinda think this one needs a part two? no? let me know if you guys want part two of this! :D

[jaerie]

11/11/11

I was tagged by @phd-mama and @allwaswell16 and @chloehl10 so this is more like 33/11/11 hahaha  I got a little carried away with this but I love answering stuff like this

Answer 11 questions, come up with 11 more, tag 11 people.

1. Tell me, do you like music on when you write?? 

No, I have to have silence.  Or, you know, normal household noises.  When I was in high school I listened to music with the tv on while doing my homework but now.... I think it’s moreso because I periodically close my eyes and visualize the scene or really throw myself into the character to get the emotions right and the music just takes away from that.  I also hear music in a really complex way which I won’t explain here because this is about writing, but yea, it’s too much stimulation

2. Are you someone who plots everything out before you write it?

Absolutely not.  I can count on my fingers the number of times I’ve actually plotted something for a fic in this fandom.  I’m definitely a fly by the seat of my pants kind of writer.  I generally have somewhere the fic is going, but I usually let the characters steer so sometimes it vectors off someplace I never expected it to go.  That’s how so many of my better fics have gone.  I did have to plot out As We Were, As We Are extensively because wow complex precise true to life timelines, but that’s really the only one I’ve actually done a real one for. 

3. Do you write in chronological order?

Most of the time, yes.  Occassionally I’ll jump down and write or start a scene that either inspired the whole fic or that I want to get down before I forget it, but I usually write from start to finish.  

4. Do you like to eat while writing?

hahahahaha usually no.  But only because I’ll get distracted and like.... not write.... 

5. Is there a trope you love?

I am a sucker for fake/pretend relationships.  It’s so obviously one of the most predictable storylines but I’ll read every one of them.  I don’t know why.  The misunderstanding angst of it... I don’t know! 

6. Have you written it? (See 5)

I don’t... think so... Is that bad I don’t remember?  But I don’t think I have 

7. Is there a trope you hate?

I can’t really do the sugar baby/daddy scenario... there are a few cases where it’s worked but in general, no.  

8. Have you written it? (See 7)

I think there is a little bit of it in a couple maybe?  And someone asked me to write one that’s still in my maybe pile... so I might.  

9. Can you read your main ship with other pairings?

Depends.  Usually yes because if it’s a pairing I don’t like I just kind of generically gloss over it in my mind a bit?  Or imagine the same description but not that exact person?  But there aren’t really a lot of absolute nos for me and it’s usually related to me not like that PERSON rather than the ship (taylor swift for example, have to really speed through fics with her in parts BUT like I said, it’s easy for me to imagine a likeness that’s not HER specifically. Idk).  If it’s well written then it’s worth getting through it, if it’s not well written, I probably wouldn’t finish it anyway.  

10. What’s a solid NO GO for you?

I don’t have many and most of them even have exceptions so I don’t know what a solid no is until I see a tag that’s a solid no??  And they’re the usual general niche things?  (scat, watersports, idk those things)  Hardcore bdsm-type is a no for me (but there have been some exceptions).  MOST things that are nos for me like daddy kink, I can still read the fic, I just kind of... speed through those parts?  I don’t really have any actual triggers...  I don’t really read a lot of girl direction if they’re both girls.  Which is a weird complicated issue for me because I WRITE IT.  And there are some good ones out there that I have read but in general...?  idk it’s weird and probably has a lot to do with me being sdpofijapsdgjoidsjfosdj about words for vagina rather than it actually being girls.  But to be fair it took me years to be comfortable writing cock and dick without blushing and running off.  I don’t know, it’s something about reading it that it usually isn’t my first choice.  That was a long complicated answer just to say “not really”

11. Do you have a signature move, aka, let’s say for no particular reason, just because, coming in pants?

oh my god.  Yes.  Probably.  I can’t think off of the top of my head but I definitely find myself returning to the same phrasing or words or actions.  Especially when it comes to abo and knotting.  

1. What’s your favourite fic you’ve ever written, and why?

Sisterwives and As We Were, As We Are I think because they are the two I put the most into.  Plotting, planning, emotions, etc. 

2. Pick three words that you think describe your works overall.

Problematic (lol), intense/emotional, sexual. 

3. How long does it take you to write a fic?

Varies.  I’ve written 20k+ in 24 hours and I’ve written 5k in a month.  Really depends on what I’m working on and my emotional state of stress.  

4. What’s the hardest thing about writing?

For me?  Fluff and filler.  And English.  I’ve fallen into a pattern of writing that probably has a lot of errors in tense.  But... it is what it is.  

5. Do you listen to music or anything while you write? What’s normal for you when you write?

I answered this one in depth above 

6. How do you come up with titles for your fics?

I have this terrible thing where I just name a fic and run and then regret it and want to change it once it’s already posted hahahahaha There are a handful that I’ve named after Hanson lyrics just because I think it’s funny... but most of the time there is no rhyme or reason to it.  

7. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a new writer?

Just keep writing.  Because it’s easy to get discouraged about kudos and attention.  Kudos and attention does NOT equal quality.  It’s still something that I struggle with letting go, but as a new writer it’s more difficult not to see that as a failure.  But my first fics in this fandom still have some pretty low kudos counts and my fics in other fandoms have as few as FIVE kudos.  Five.  I think they’re great fics, but I’m just not as known in that fandom/there aren’t as many readers.  For example, I wrote this AWESOME Brokeback Mountain fic for the Hanson fandom and it has only 15 kudos.  

8.  How important do you think tags are when you are publishing a fic?

*gets up on soapbox* Tags are the most important part of publishing a fic.  I am a firm believer that anyone can write anything the want as long as it is properly tagged.  Proper tagging is the writer’s only responsibility to the reader.  If those are in place, what follows doesn’t have to be tailored to anyone.  

9. Do you write for fests/exchanges? If so, do you enjoy them? If not, why not?!

I have mixed feelings about this.  I used to write for both.  Now I exclusively write for fests and I’m selective about the ones I participate in.  Why?  Well for one, deadlines.  I’ve made the mistake too many times of overcommitting and then nothing felt right and I was stessed about it and just... not good.  As for exchanges... I’ve been burned in the past?  By dropouts and such?  Or by the giftee not liking or never reading the fic?  Or by me needing to drop out for mental health reasons but not because I was writing FOR someone?  I’ve done a handful of pinch hits since I swore off exchanges, but they’re too much anxiety for me personally.  (I have had some good experiences with exchanges though!! Not all of them were bad!!)

10. Which work of yours are you most proud of and why?

As We Were, As We Are..... because.... DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH FRICKIN RESEARCH I DID FOR THAT FIC!? ALL WHILE WRITING IT DURING NANO?!?!  I put soooooooo much into that fic that I’m sad it didn’t get much attention.  It was written for the Alex exchange so Harry is written as Alex so that’s probably why.  Some people have a big problem if fics aren’t written a certain way.  I don’t know.  I was really sad about that though.  I LIVED in WWII for months with that fic and it will always be special to me.  I’ve even thought about putting more work into into it to have it published somewhere.  I know it’s not like... classic 1D fic quality or whatever but I think the bones of it are strong enough.  I don’t know, I’m probably delusional. haha but I still like it

11. What’s next for you?

Oh man.  Well.  I said I was going to stop writing for this fandom.  But then this rush of support came in and then I started to feel really spiteful and thought that I’d keep going just because of that... and I feel like I’m only just now gaining a following for my fics that keeps me motivated enough to keep improving... soooo I’ve committed to a few fests coming out this fall.  I am also participating in Wordplay going on right now.  The first fic comes out tomorrow I think.  I also have some Sisterwives timestamps.  

1. What fic have you written that you wish everyone would read?

dunkirk fic and sisterwives probably 

2. What’s your favorite character you’ve ever written?

hahahahaha harry from one of my yet to be published sekret fics hahahahaha but I really love so many of them like shifter harry

3. What’s your most popular fic and why do you think it’s your most popular?

By Kudos?  Where Do We Go Now.  And I have no idea.  Because I always have to click to even remember which one it is.  And it was written so fast and I remember not liking where it went but just hit publish because it was a pinch hit... I honestly have no idea.  Someone please give me insight on this because i have no idea.  

4. What’s one of your favorite fan fics that you haven’t written?

I kind of answered this above but I’ll also say The Wilds because it wrote so fast.  I wrote the whole thing in under 24 hours

5. What is your current WIP about?

Ummmmm Some of them are going to be posted on anon I think?  So I’ll just say Thor Harry

6. What is a fic that you hope to write someday?

siiiiigghhhhhhhh my Almost Famous au

7. Do you read fics from other fandoms? Which ones?

I read a lot of Thorki... and random fandoms.  I love to read a lot of fucked up shit just for the shock value of it?? I don’t know, I’m weird like that.  So I started branching out to general tag searches so I’ve read stuff from tons of fandoms that I don’t even know what they are.  I think Supernatural is one I frequent a lot because they have some real fucked up fics. 

8. What author or book has influenced you as a writer?

Sooooo There was a writer that really sparked my creativity back when I was in a different fandom.  But then they disappeared from that fandom and I ran into them as a popular figure in the 1D fandom but they’re kind of hated in the fandom now?? so I won’t say their name.  BUT in the other fandom, they had this fic that I still go back and read to this day every once in a while.  It was intense, a lil fucked up, and just... yeah.  The kind that sticks with you.  

9. What’s one of your favorite books from when you were a child?

Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Which I reread a few years ago and ??? idk I was a weird child.  I mean I didn’t think it was a BAD book

10. What’s an au/trope that you thought you didn’t like until you read one and loved it?

Harry Potter AUs?   haha I’m sure there are more than that because there have been a LOT I didn’t think I’d enjoy and then I loved... OH THE TIME TRAVELER AU.  I don’t remember why but I didn’t read that foreeeeever because I didn’t think it was my thing.

11. Choose one: angst or fluff?

angst.  this isn’t even a question.  

Wow.  I probably spent too much time on that.  If you’ve made it this far, kudos for sticking in there through my ramblings.  

Let’s see.  

1. What is the most problematic concept in one of your fics?

2. Mpreg. Yey or ney and why.

3. What aspect of a fic can you write but not read? 

4. What aspect of a fic can you read but not write? 

5. What fic is your most popular? 

6. Is it a fic that surprises you or is it one you wish was not as popular?

7. Is there an exchange/fest that you didn’t write for that you wish you would have?

8. Do you write in any other fandoms? 

9. What was the first fandom you started writing for? 

10. Do you write other pairings other than your main? 

11. What projects are on the back burner?  

Omg this was so hard.  um.... @tragic---love @wendydarlingfics @reminiscingintherain ummmmmm omg tagging people gives me such anxiety bc i feel like i’m annoying. its a struggle.   back at cha @chloehl10

[taeheyhey]

Hi! I have so much to say! This is gonna be like 80 asks long lol. I've said it a few times and I have to say it again, Close to Normal is the absolute best! But I read that on AO3 months ago when I was to impatient to wait for you to release it on here haha. So, it's been a while since I read your stuff. But I just read your newish other two stories on here, and OMG? God your writing is so good! I'm so impressed! I have read so much fanfic in between Close to Normal and now (tbc)

1/8 Asdfgfdsdadhssff!! Hi sweetie, I wasn’t sure how best to do this to make sure I fully express how much your kind words have meant to me, but I’m gonna try my best, so here goes: When I decided to begin releasing CtN on here I was a little nervous, it had done well on AO3 and I was very surprised, but there were just bits I wanted to tidy up and edit a little when I reposted it on tumblr. I know you have been very supportive and lovely to me since very early on and I am so grateful to you for that...

2/8 Well, your fic was the first multi-chaptered one I ever read, which inspired me to read others, which I also thank you for that, but I have read like literally probably over 100 fan fics since then like 3 months ago. Your writing is still some of the best writing I have ever read. You give just enough detail to set the scene, just enough dialogue, everything about it is amazing. I'm so in awe of just the way you structure your sentences, pepper in vocab(?) words. (tbc) 

I think sometimes huge multi-chaptered fics can be a little daunting, both in the reading and the writing, I feel incredibly honoured that you took a chance with mine! There is some absolutely breath-taking fiction out there and for you to be so sweet about mine is indescribably touching, thank you so much.

3/8 Idk I'm just amazed and I needed to gush about this for a bit. I've also attempted fanfic since I first read your stuff, so I have a much better appreciation. Things I struggle with you succeed so seemingly effortlessly (although I now understand and I am sure it is very hard for you). Thanks for putting so much work in and writing these wonderful stories. (tbc cuz imma have an ask for each of those other writings lol)

I hope you continue to write if it is something that makes you happy! It took me a long time to start writing again, after not doing it for years, and even now I don’t get anywhere enough time to dedicate to it as I would like to! I’m a little obsessive when it comes to writing my stories, I spend half of my time googling “synonyms for eyes” before realising for the umpteenth time that there really aren’t any! A lot of the time the things I am proudest of writing is stuff that just comes out when I get in a bit of a zone and the old writing-trance kicks in (but “wonderful”?! – my dear you are far far too lovely!) 

4/8 Okay so Tell 'Em You're My Lady is so great!!! Hoseok is such a whole ass cutie in this. Also I love how you portrayed Jin! I knew just from your description of him that her bf was gonna be him. It was so accurate! The interactions in general are so cute. I love that her ex's girl interacted with her in the bathroom, and their whole little girls looking out for girls situation. I've read fics similar to this plot but this still seemed so unique. Hobi is my wrecker so my heart is just like ♥

So this Hobi fic was just stuck in my head and I don’t even know where it came from. It was the first time I had tried a one-shot and I just really wanted to make it a little bit of fun! I was very surprised by the response it got!! Kind of still playing around with ideas for a follow-up to this but have a few more pressing ones to get to first! I think it’s really important to show girls supporting one another and this was the best way I could think to do it! I have had some real life-affirming interactions in the ladies restrooms as well! Also, Hoseok became my temporary wrecker when I wrote this, but Jin is my usual bias-wrecker so I am over the moon you liked my portrayal of him!

5/8 Okay Please Pull Me In was such a whirlwind for me! Deep in my heart I really hope that her and Tae end up together. The timing ughhhh. Regardless I'm happy that she left that relationship. Talk about toxic. Idk tho Rebecca seems like a sweet girl tho. Ugh Tae and her are just so cute with their sandwich shop times. Clearly they would be so good together. Maybe she ends up with JK? Idk but this one was also just so well written. I never catch myself skipping parts or losing track of what's (tbc)

It was a whirlwind for me too!! BELIEVE me! As the person who requested it wanted angst and a bit of heartbreak, I wrote it in a way where it could be left as is, while still having a part 2 in mind. I usually try and not write anyone who is an outright “baddie”, but honestly Paul is such a tremendous douche! I don’t want to give too much away but I really hope you like the end, and I really hope to get it uploaded by the end of the week – but I’ve been wrong before!!

6/8 going on. I really liked it even though the ending hurt meee. Anyways!! I feel like I'm awful at leaving feedback, but I really wanted to take extra time to leave you some hopefully really good feedback. I know you feel like Close to Normal hasn't been doing as well lately cuz of notes and stuff, but PLEASE don't be discouraged!! I tell you 100% sincerely that you're amazing as hell at it. Like write a book and I will buy the hell out of it! (If you're even interested in this as a career) (tbc)

How could you think you are awful at feedback?? It is honestly so sweet of you to do this, and I am endlessly grateful for you! I felt sort of awkward expressing my insecurities about the decrease in notes, because honestly, that isn’t at all what I enjoy about writing and posting on here. It’s interacting with wonderful people like you who like the same things I do! It’s my favourite way to fangirl!! I can’t express how encouraging and motivating your generous words are – as long as I can write more stuff that you enjoy, I will be ludicrously happy!

7/8 Okay so this has been so long I am so sorry!!! I briefly mentioned this but I have you to thank for introducing me to this whole world and I couldn't be happier for it. Real talk fanfic made me realize how shitty of a relationship I was in and I may not have ever left without it. (as weird as that sounds) (it seriously changed my life) Close to Normal will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart. Not just for introducing me to this, but just for being so good. Shit I need to do one more ask jeez

(Please don’t apologise sweetie – I literally teared-up when I read these!) I feel incredibly honoured to have been your introduction to the world of fanfic, and for it to have had such a positive influence in your life! I don’t think it sounds weird, I have been positively influenced many times by words I have read, both fictional and factual. Most of all it’s wonderful that you were able to get yourself out of a crappy situation – whatever the impetus for that may have been – but to think that I might have contributed to that in some way is unbelievably humbling. (The way you ended this ask has me s c r e a m i n g though!!)

8/8 Last one I promise!!! But idk I just find it super funny that what I imagined in my head for meeting Taehyung is pretty similar to Close to Normal. Like he is in a hotel separate from the others, but in mine I'm getting snacks at the vending machine when he comes up to do the same lol. Just thought it was a funny coincidence!!! Anyways thanks for coming for my TED talk. Love you and your writing always ♥

I said it a few times before but I tried really REALLY hard to keep an element of realism – no matter how small – when I wrote CtN, and I am so so glad you were able to relate to it in that way! It’s a whole lot of wish fulfilment from my side I can tell you that!!

I sincerely cannot say thank you enough times to express how truly grateful I am that you took so much time to do this. I have been walking around with the hugest grin on my face all day! I hope more than anything that I have done your amazingly generous comments justice with my responses. I am really overwhelmed with gratitude...thank you so much, you are an absolute sweetheart!! Lots of love, Ally ♥♥♥♥♥

[dracodormit-blog]

Hi. I was wondering if you could write a story about Harry and Draco keeping their relationship secret but their friends eventually find out. Hermione takes it well. But Blaise and Ron just freak out. Something like that.?!❤

HIM

When Hermione first suggests to Harry that he could try dating over a dating app, he fully disagrees with her. But as days pass by and he finds himself lying in his big bed, feeling lonely and shivering from cold, Hermione’s idea suddenly sounds appealing. Every time he sits behind his laptop and stares at the home page of the dating app Hermione mentioned, Harry somehow becomes discouraged and closes it down.

It’s been three years since he had gone on a date and the relationship with Ginny during school was the last real relationship Harry had. So, when he goes to Sunday lunches at the Burrow, Harry always feels a bit left out and alone. Everyone seems so happy and in love and Harry finds himself realising how lonely he really is.

On a particular Sunday evening, just a couple of hours after their weekly lunch, Harry gathers his courage and registers to the muggle dating app. There are some wizard apps that are quite popular lately, but Harry wants to try with muggle at first. He just wants to see how this works and if he’ll actually meet someone who would interest him.

But what Harry does not expect, is to find a certain blond man using the same muggle app for finding a date as well. When Draco’s image flashes in front of Harry’s eyes as one of the suggestions that the app seems to find appropriate considering Harry’s descriptions, Harry pauses and actually considers it. It’s been a while since they’ve come across each other on the streets but Harry does know that the man does quite a lot of redeeming work and is not the same annoying git anymore. He helps Hermione’s department in the Ministry sometimes and Hermione seems to have a good work-related friendship with Draco.

Shrugging, Harry clicks on Draco’s profile and sends him a request. He does not expect much of it because it is Malfoy after all and Harry isn’t quite sure what Draco thinks of him. As he scrolls through the photos that Draco added on his profile, Harry notices that the man changed quite a bit. The years have treated Draco well and he turned out very handsome. Harry gulps and turns off the computer immediately, deciding to check it in the morning to see if Draco responded.

“Harry,” Draco murmurs against Harry’s lips and then pulls back. Harry is smiling blissfully and looking at him with those bright green eyes that make Draco’s heart skip a bit every time. Draco smiles as well and gently caresses Harry’s cheek.

“Draco,” Harry responds and pulls him back into a passionate kiss. Thanks to Hermione’s dating app suggestion, they’ve been secretly dating for the last three months. And if you ask Harry, he will happily respond that these three months have been filled with some of the happiest moments in his life. Draco would immediately agree, of course. Harry’s and Draco’s friends have also noticed that something has changed but neither Harry nor Draco are ready to tell their friends they’re seeing each other. They both worry how others will react because they still have some difference to settle. That’s why most of the dates were set either at Harry’s or Draco’s apartment or they would go out to muggle London.

Pulling back from the kiss, Draco once again lets out Harry’s name. Harry raises his eyebrow and waits for Draco to continue. “What is it?”“Well… I’ve been thinking. You know how we were both invited to that annual Christmas Gala at the Ministry?” Draco starts and suddenly looks a bit nervous. With Harry working as an Auror and Draco’s consulting job with plenty of the Ministry departments, they were both indeed invited to the Gala.

“Yes, I recall receiving an invitation,” Harry responds, not entirely sure where Draco is going with this.“Well, are you planning on going?” Draco wants to ask something else but stops himself because they haven’t really discussed when they would start dating publicly. He somehow doubts Harry is ready for that.

Nodding, Harry replies: “Yeah, I always go with Hermione and Ron.”“Oh…” Draco sighs. He has received the invitation every year but never really gone because public parties like this Gala aren’t really his thing. This year Draco has considered attending though. He thought of asking Harry to be his date but that isn’t happening probably.

“Why?” Harry questions but Draco just shakes his head.“It’s nothing, forget it.” “Okay…” Harry drawls, unsure of what just happened. Draco notices the uncertainty in Harry’s eyes and pulls him closer so they tumble onto Draco’s sofa. That distracts Harry and soon the weird conversation is forgotten.

“Where’s your date, Harry?” Hermione asks as Ron and Harry each take a glass of champagne from the enchanted platter. Plenty of familiar faces enter the ballroom where the annual Christmas Gala is held and Harry tries not to look for a man with blond hair.

“I don’t have a date,” Harry replies as his heart clenches a bit at the thought of taking Draco with him. Draco hasn’t actually told Harry if he’s also attending the Gala and truthfully Harry was kind of afraid of asking him after the conversation they had a couple of weeks ago.

“I just thought…” Hermione responds, a bit confused of why Harry hasn’t yet introduced his new boyfriend to them. Everyone noticed how happy he has been lately and they soon figured out why. Yet Hermione still hasn’t figured out who Harry is actually dating.

“You thought what?” Harry asks and then his breath catches as Draco steps into the room, with Blaise next to him. They seem to be talking about something and Blaise is laughing. Jealousy surges through Harry as he noticed the way Blaise is holding Draco’s elbow. ‘That’s supposed to be me,’ Harry says to himself and gulps. He hasn’t really realised how much Draco actually means to him and suddenly all he wants to do is kiss the handsome, blond man. The light blue robes look very good against Draco’s pale skin and his silver eyes seem to shine brighter than usually, Harry notices.

“Harry?” Hermione waves her hand in front of Harry’s face and wakes him up from his daze. “Hmm?” Harry mumbles and focuses back on Ron and Hermione. “Are you okay? We’ve been trying to get your attention for the last minute.” Ron looks at his best friend and can’t figure out what distracted him so much. But Hermione is much more observant than her husband and she immediately realises what is going on. She grins and waves to Draco.

“Hey, Draco! I didn’t know you’re coming today,” she exclaims happily and pulls him into a friendly hug as Draco and Blaise approach them. Draco hesitantly returns the hug and pats her back.

“It was a last-minute decision, really.” Draco answers and pulls back from the hug. He turns to Ron and Harry. “Weasley, Potter.” He greets and tries not to look at Harry for too long. It feels weird to call Harry by his last name after the last few months of dating him.

“Malfoy,” Ron greets back coldly. Harry doesn’t say anything but just stares at his boyfriend who is pretending not to really know him as much as he actually does.

“How’s work?” Draco asks as he turns back to Hermione. She quickly launches into explaining about her recent project while the other three men stand there and look at each other awkwardly. Ron looks confused about the whole situation, Blaise is quietly sipping the champagne and Harry is trying to figure out why Draco is acting so coldly.

After a couple of minutes Harry finally grows tired of watching Draco talk to Hermione and ignoring Harry. He gathers the courage and decides that being with Draco in public is more important than other people’s opinion.“Draco,” he calls out and a surprised Draco turns to him. Hermione smiles as she notices the way they exchange glances.

“Yes?” Draco asks, playing dumb. He isn’t upset with Harry but he is aware that Harry acts impulsively, meaning Draco can take advantage of his boyfriend’s trait.

“Oh, bloody hell,” Harry mutters, steps closer and presses his lips against Draco. Frozen in shock, Draco needs a second to react but soon he puts his hands on Harry’s waist and pulls him closer, deepening the kiss. People start to whisper among themselves but the most surprised seem Blaise and Ron. Hermione is just smiling gently and Ron shots her a dirty look to which she just laughs.

“What was that for?” Draco asks as he pulls back from the kiss and leans his forehead against Harry’s.

Harry shrugs and grins. Pink tint colours his cheeks as he gives an unexpected answer (of you can call that an answer). “I love you.”

Draco’s eyes widen as he definitely doesn’t expect to hear those words just yet. But he does whisper them back gently.

“Oi!” Ron bursts their happy bubble as he exclaims angrily. They look at the red-faced Ron who immediately demands some answers. Blaise also chips in his part of angry words before Hermione shushes them both.

“We’ve kind of been dating for the last four months…” Harry answers to one of Ron’s questions. Draco settles next to him, keeping his right hand tightly wrapped around Harry’s waist.

“But…” Blaise splutters. “Why Potter? I thought you hated him! I mean…” Draco laughs and shakes his head. “Hate him? That’s impossible. I love him,” Draco responds in a light tone that makes Harry go red as a tomato. But he shifts his body a bit so he is leaning against Draco and hugs him.

“Hermione?” Ron turns to his wife in hopes of getting some support. “What? I think it’s nice that the boys found each other,” she answers and grins. Harry grins back. “Thanks, ‘Mione.”

“So… this is really happening?” Ron whines and Harry nods.“Yes, it is.”Blaise groans and starts stalking the enchanted platter for another round of champagne. Ron follows him and minutes later they are both seated at the bar, angrily discussing the relationship between their best friends. Hermione laughs as she sees her husband so upset and then finds another co-worker to talk to.

And then there are Harry and Draco, wrapped into each other’s arms as they slowly dance on the dance floor among other couples. They are both smiling stupidly and whispering sweet words to each other. To Harry, everything seems just perfect.

Dear Anon, I hope this is what you’ve been looking for! Thank you for prompting me.

Also a huge thanks to @janabutterfly for supporting my work!

My writing

[sugamacchiato]

more of the same

Pairing: Yoongi/Jin

Summary: A snapshot of the beggining of Yoongi and Seokjin’s relationship.

Word count: 2,169

Genre: Prequel/College!AU

Warnings: none?

a/n: this was originally written to go in part 3 of two lefts don’t make a right...but three do (which you can find here here & here) but I didn’t think it fit so I cut it orz but i loved this scene so much I couldn’t delete it so, yeah, I made it the prequel. It’s has some rough edges and is a little choppy at the end but I oddly think it turned out okay.

Half the world didn’t think Yoongi and Seokjin would make it past six months of dating. “Seokjin’s a bossy spitfire and Yoongi’s a grumpy perfectionist, how long do you think before they’ll be at each other’s throats?” the couple would hear them whisper behind their backs. It bothered Yoongi but Seokjin was oddly unaffected by it. Yoongi hated he was so insecure but Seokjin would never make him feel less. “I like you,” Seokjin would declare. “I know you’re a good guy so who cares what they think?” It didn’t really matter that Yoongi sometimes had trouble expressing his feelings properly since Seokjin never expected him to. Seokjin always seemed to recognize how Yoongi felt anyway and never asked anything from him. He was also overly forward and bold in letting Yoongi know how much he liked him so Yoongi’s doubts were always easily chased away despite the annoying gossip.

Truthfully, through those basic descriptions people saw them as it was understandable why they didn’t think Yoongi and Seokjin would work. Even at face value they made little sense. Seokjin was tall, handsome, with twinkles in his eyes while Yoongi was small and always looked perpetually unimpressed. Even Yoongi’s first impression of Seokjin hadn’t been the most favorable. They had met at Yoongi’s freshman orientation. Seokjin was the upperclassman that had been assigned to Yoongi’s tour group and even though he never spoke to Seokjin directly, Yoongi did walk away slightly vexed from the elder’s obnoxious laugh.

Yoongi later learned to find Seokjin’s ridiculous sense of humor charming (though even to this day he rarely admits it out loud) but that first day Yoongi found it difficult to not roll his eyes or groan periodically as Seokjin led the group on a tour of the campus and seemed physically unable to pass up the opportunity to make some joke or pun of the names of buildings. Despite earning only meager half-laughs from the unimpressed freshman Seokjin didn’t let that  discourage him and even if half the time it was just him manically laughing at his own jokes he didn’t let up once. Yoongi admits, he was impressed with his shamelessness but it still didn’t mean the elder wasn’t annoying.

After that first day Yoongi would see Seokjin around campus every so often but other than a quick double take, because let’s be honest—Seokjin is hot as fuck, Yoongi just kept walking by. It wasn’t until the following year that Seokjin TA’ed Yoongi’s intro to marketing class that they actually started talking. Unfortunately for Yoongi (or so he thought at the time) Seokjin had taken an extra liking to picking on him and randomly calling on him to participate. Seokjin wasn’t a dick about singling him out exactly. Yoongi knew he was pushing him more because Yoongi offered a lot of relevant discourse to whatever topic they were on, but as a general rule Yoongi prefered to just keep his head down and do his work in class.

Seokjin is an unabashed flirt by nature and Yoongi refused to accept that no matter how different the demeanor of Seokjin’s flirting with him in comparison to the rest of the students, Seokjin was trying to tell him anything. Yoongi was mortified when he finally realized he had a crush on the guy.

He had made the mistake of arriving early to class one day (Yoongi has always refused to admit he was already smitten by that point but that’s another story) and got stuck with Seokjin alone for a good 15 minutes. They had drafts of a project to turn in so Yoongi didn’t really think much when Seokjin suggested he look over Yoongi’s draft before class. However, Yoongi in no way expected Seokjin to awkwardly hover next to his desk as he read Yoongi’s work and then lean over next to him, arm-to-arm, to make notes and suggestions. The other side of his desk was closed off and Yoongi swore Seokjin leaned in when Yoongi tried to put distance between them. Yoongi was trapped. He sat there helplessly knowing he could do nothing to stop the blush he felt creeping up his neck. Yoongi still has no memory of what the hell Seokjin even said to him because he was so hyper aware of every shift in Seokjin’s arm against his. It also didn’t help that Yoongi got super weird and refused to look over at Seokjin every time he turned his head to make eye contact. Yoongi could hear the smile on his face and it irritated him but he didn’t trust himself to not say something embarrassing. Seokjin has somehow always had the ability to render Yoongi completely stupid, a skill that he abuses even after so many years.

Yoongi hated how he was almost disappointed when Seokjin finally put an appropriate amount of distance between them as soon as other students started filtering into the classroom but he knew he was so screwed. Yoongi can only assume he looked as flustered as he felt the entire hour because Seokjin did him the favor of not making him join that day’s discussion.

After that Yoongi never arrived early again and was always the first one to bolt out the door as soon as the hour was up. Seokjin would still pick on Yoongi to participate and Yoongi did the best he could to brush off suggestive comments and ignore pointed stares because he didn’t trust his judgement since there was a high probability he was just being delusional.

On the last day of the semester Seokjin asked Yoongi to stay behind to talk to him. Yoongi still laughs because he remembers praying to every star in the galaxy for the floor to open up and swallow him whole. No matter how much he begged his heart to please please please slow down, he felt it speed up even more as he helplessly watched the rest of his classmates leave the room.

At the time Yoongi was way too smitten so he felt like he was on pins and needles when Seokjin sat down in the desk in front of his, facing Yoongi. Looking back Yoongi thinks the whole thing was rather sleazy and often makes fun of Seokjin for having preyed on a sweet, innocent underclassmen (“Innocent? Pfft! Yah! Min Yoongi, stop telling lies! You were far from innocent!” he always protests).

Seokjin was anything but subtle in his confession. “I like you Min Yoongi,” he had said so matter-of-factly that Yoongi didn’t quite compute that it was an actual confession he was receiving. “Now that I’m not your teacher anymore there is nothing stopping me from asking you out. So… do you want to go out with me?”

Blinking awkwardly at Seokjin as he sat there expectantly waiting for Yoongi’s answer definitely wasn’t one of Min Yoongi’s smoothest moments. It was likely only about a minute he sat there gaping but it felt much longer. Yoongi later learned that Seokjin had been holding his breath and that despite his confident attitude he was still nervous.

“Umm,” Yoongi started, thoughts still racing through his head and unsure of what he wanted to say. Well he wanted to say yes but his mouth betrayed him. “Why?”

Of all the possible reactions Seokjin could have given he pouted. Seokjin pouted! Bottom lip jutted out and puppy dog eyes glistening. Yoongi expected him to say something along the line of “why not?” as in, “why not? I have nothing better to do” or “why not? I have nothing to lose,” but Seokjin surprised him.

“You’re cute,” he started, he was looking directly at Yoongi which made him squirm a little. “And I think you’re sweet. I bullied you all semester and you never waivered. You’re smart. I never caught you off guard with any question. You carry yourself with a sort of harsh vibe but one little knock and that facade comes falling down and you turn into a pink bumbling mess. You pout when you talk and honestly I find that so adorable I can’t stand it.” Yoongi felt his heart in his throat but Seokjin was smiling. “And if I’m being totally honest here I’ve had a mini crush on you since orientation last year. I thought you were hot.”

“You remember that?” Yoongi asked, surprised he found his voice.

“Yeah, I do. You stood in the back and were annoyed with all my jokes,” he says with a small laugh. “After that I’d see you around campus and stared at you until you were out of sight. All my friends made so much fun of me for my crush on you. I wanted to ask you out before but I didn’t think you liked me… or possibly even remembered me.”

Yoongi really didn’t want to believe what he was hearing was true, he wanted so bad to think Seokjin was lying. How could someone like Seokjin have a crush on someone like Yoongi? But there was something that didn’t let Yoongi be his usual destructive self and made him accept what he was hearing was actually how Seokjin felt. Seokjin was being so real with him and even though he appeared confident there was still that little bit of hesitation that drove Yoongi kind of mad.

“When I saw your name on the class list I kinda had a panic attack. I wasn’t totally sure it was you since, who knows, there may have been another Min Yoongi. But it was you and… yeah. You know the rest.”

“You picked on me for the whole semester because you liked me?” Yoongi asks, finally a little more relaxed. “Isn’t that a little… grade school?”

Seokjin smiled again. Yoongi decides right then and there he likes pulling smiles out of Seokjin. “Hey! It wasn’t just because of that,” he protested. “Well, maybe at first I picked on you because I just wanted to hear you talk and, okay yeah, I was being a bit creepy because I wanted to hear your voice but then after I realized you had a lot of good opinions that I felt would make the class better. So, yeah… I picked on you.”

Yoongi’s ears were burning. Not only did Seokjin just admit he liked Yoongi’s voice, but he smiling even wider and Yoongi felt like swooning. But he still had to keep some semblance of composure.

“So what do you say?” Seokjin says after a moment. “Do you want to go out with me? It’s not just me right? I wasn’t sure at first but I think you might like me too… so what do you say?”

Seokjin had his heart on his sleeve and Yoongi never expected such a confession. He was at a loss for words but there was a telltale feeling in his gut.

“Yeah. Yeah I’d like that.” Yoongi’s really proud that his voice didn’t stutter because his heart was pounding a thousand beats a minute. “I like you a lot too.” He hadn’t given his mouth permission to say that last bit, it had just slipped out, but he’s glad it did because Seokjin’s looking at him with that annoying glimmer in his eye that Yoongi still pretends to be annoyed at. Looking back, the moment Yoongi remembers most is the one right after Yoongi had accepted to go out with him. It was like Yoongi had handed him the world and Yoongi was sure there was no one more beautiful. Yoongi’s pretty sure that’s the moment he fell in love with Seokjin. He didn’t realize it until much later when Seokjin was dropping him off at his dorm, they had just gone to see a weird French film Seokjin insisted on. Even though Yoongi had dozed off through parts of the first half, the second half was really quite good so coming back they were both in a really good mood. It wasn’t until they were at Yoongi’s door that Yoongi realized he really didn’t want Seokjin to go. Not just leave him that night, he wanted to be around Seokjin all the time. Yoongi invited him into his dorm and before the night was over Yoongi inadvertently blurted out that they should live together next semester. The rest of their story was history.

They had been together for 12 years that year. Most couples had ups and downs, but contrary to what everyone had told them they had made it. They’ve lived in a blissful sort of harmony that Yoongi never really imagined he’d have,

Yoongi was shy which made him hard to get to know. He had some rough edges that most people didn’t bother looking past so he was constantly being misjudged. Seokjin always had a way of not just seeing past all of that but also making Yoongi feel more at home than with anyone or anywhere else. He’s not sure what their future holds for them… but if it’s more of what they’ve already had for so long, Yoongi can’t wait for it.

[taebabysbirthday]

Zach Gage Views of iPhones iOS

Computer programmer Zach Gage has released some great iOS apps. We catch up with him and ask about his work, his life and programming in general.

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I’m an artist and a video games developer, and I live in NYC! I'm very lucky in that my day job is doing those things independently. I've been working with computers my whole life. I hooked up our first computer (a Mac LC) when I was six they were pretty easy to hook up. In college, I moved away from programming and pursued more traditional arts (painting, photography, drawing, design), and then after finishing up there I got back into programming through art.

I started making conceptual artworks, digital sculptures, websites, one of the first twitter bots and an iOS sound toy called SynthPond which led me to doing iOS development and reignited my interest in game design. I still do art and games, and see them as stemming from the same creative process. In fact, I just released my latest piece, a conceptual game about Twitter. It's called Twitter Teaches Typing.

Q: How did you get started?

A: I got started in games design with a program called HyperCard when I was seven or eight. It didn't have any programming elements, but you could draw scenes and link them to each other with buttons, so I could make rudimentary point-and-click adventure games. Soon after that I moved onto Apple's Cocoa (which is different to what cocoa is now). It was a very cool visual programming language that was eventually spun off as Stagecast Creator, and is now wholly defunct. When I was in middle school, I went to computer camp where I learned BASIC and then C++. I can't recall my first program, but the first thing I sold commercially was a puzzle platforming game called Escape From Pluto. I sold exactly one copy to one of my friends through a website that let you put games up for sale way back before the year 2000.

Q: What do you think the iOS app store has brought to programming and software sales?

A: I don't think the App Store has really made programming much easier, although learning to program is definitely easier these days. Things like www.processing. org are on the forefront of this. The App Store has definitely made software sales quite a bit easier though, especially for one-man shops like mine. Being able to get started selling things without needing to figure out credit card processing and country-specific taxes, especially in foreign countries, is a huge deal also, being able to see your game or app on a professional store is pretty exciting for people just getting started. When I grew up you had to go to computer stores (which basically don't exist anymore) to get software. I think if I'd been able to sell my little games in boxes on shelves at the store and had been able to tell relatives and friends “Check out my new game! It's at the store”, that would have been extremely cool to me.

For a while, the App Store made marketing easier as well, which was a huge boon to me. Apple still helps significantly with PR if you can manage to get featured, but I think getting above the noise to get the attention of Apple (or anyone) has become a lot harder as the number of apps releasing every day has skyrocketed. I still think Apple does a great job finding small new games, but there's just so much out there. At this point, to get above that initial noise, you kind of need to have your PR together right off the bat or you need to be well networked to people who can help promote you.

Q: You have some pretty zany apps in your collection, such as Really Bad Chess, and Ridiculous Fishing. Where do you get your ideas from?

A: I think about games a lot, and ideas come naturally all the time. Often I have more ideas than I know what to do with, but I like to make quick prototypes of anything that seems like it might be good. I probably discard nine out of ten prototypes, but occasionally something will click and I'll build it out further.

I feel like ideas are important, but ultimately pretty cheap. Most of the difference between something great and something awful is how you put it together. I’ve had so many ideas that sat on a shelf for years because I lacked the core component that would make them amazing. Usually it’s something right under my nose! Ideas are like weird magical universes, and games are just one tiny corner of that universe that's interesting. The real work is in finding those corners, and then figuring out how to share them with people.

Q: What’s your favourite app you’ve written, and why?

A: I don't play favourites with my work. I love them all equally while I'm building them, and find them all utterly exhausting afterwards. I guess if I was forced to choose, Really Bad Chess might be my favourite. It's not often that you get to turn a 1,500-year-old game upside down with such a simple change. I think my games surprise me in terms of how deep and interesting they are when I'm prototyping them (that surprise is the key thing I look for), but Really Bad Chess went much deeper than that. I didn't expect it to transform the experience of learning chess the way it did.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start app programming?

A: I don't think our ideas should be led by technology. We live in an amazing future time where we're surrounded by these incredible devices all the time and they inspire us and awe us with their power, but ideas built around "what if I had an app that did..." or "imagine a VR game where..." are almost never fruitful. They rely too much on their relationship to technology to be deep. What makes great ideas great is how they build deep connections into our lives.

Someone with very little experience should first think only about the best way to get into programming, because learning programming (any kind of programming) is the gateway to turning your ideas into actual things, and until you've done that, you can't even understand what it means to really even have an idea for a program. I think www.processing.org or https://p5js.org are great places to learn to program. If you're interested in making games, YoYo Games' Gamemaker (www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker) is great, and so is Twine (http://twinery.org). Another pretty good option is to use a html5/javascript library like Phaser (https://phaser.io). The common thread amongst these tools is not only are they designed to be easy to use and accessible but they all have strong communities where you can get help and share your creations. Gamemaker games can compile for iOS, and Twine runs as a website or can be wrapped with something like PhoneGap to run as an app, and Phaser has a whole suite of methods for using touch controls and running as a website (or as an app through something like PhoneGap). None of these programs require having a Mac or an iOS device to start, although you'll need both later (along with an Apple Developer Account) to compile and submit games to the App Store. If you’re dead set on starting with iOS programming proper, I'd recommend having a modern iPhone and a Mac of some kind. Most people use phones instead of iPads and I think you should set your sights as small as possible and only design a game or app for one type of device. iPads and iPhones have pretty drastically different use-cases and you don't want to fall into a trap of having to support a bunch of extra features just to include all devices or the trap of not putting your best foot forward by just releasing something that’s universal but isn't really a great experience. Swift is a fine starting language, but having to learn a professional IDE (Xcode) can be a real struggle for a beginner.

Q: What pitfalls are there when getting an app on the App Store?

A: There’s about a million pitfalls and a billion things it takes to make something successful. If you're looking for a career in this space, the most important thing you can do is have patience. It took me three years and six games and each game I built did worse than the previous one. Years ago I asked around with other successful indies and three years seemed to be the minimum amount of time it took people and that was when getting attention was much easier, so the biggest pitfall is quitting your day job before you have a successful app.

Don't quit your day job. I don't say this as a discouragement, but as advice. You need a revenue stream to maintain your sanity and be relaxed enough to learn the things you need to learn and to make sure you continue to enjoy undertaking this long and arduous process. You need to be able to take risks without the failures destroying you. While I was getting started, I did freelance ad work.

There's so much to learn and everything is constantly changing and shifting under your feet. How do I turn this idea into a real thing? How do provisioning profiles work? How do I understand crash reports? How can I navigate all the strange idiosyncrasies of the app submission process? How do I reach out to journalists and bloggers? How do I network without coming off like a jerk? How do I promote myself without coming off like a jerk? How do I promote myself in a way that feels comfortable to me? How do I amass a fan-base? How much should I charge? How do I build in-app purchases that feel fair? How do I design good screenshots or write a great description? What makes a good name and icon? How do I pitch an idea or story? Who is my audience? What makes my work meaningful? How do I work with ad networks? How do I support the GDPR? What analytics should I use? How do I use analytics? How do I support my work over the long-term? How do I stay sane reading reviews and responding to bug reports? This is just a tiny selection of the kinds of things you'll have to figure out to get a foothold in this industry and the answers to all of these questions are ever-changing, personally variable and bring up many more questions. It sounds scary, but it's not so bad if you take it one thing at a time, but that means giving yourself the kind of environment where you have the space to screw up and the stressfree time to learn slowly. This means releasing many things and not relying on your apps for survival. Successes never come out of the blue, and even the ones that got really lucky are never the first things someone tried. Make sure you give yourself space to try and fail and learn over and over again and make sure that kind of process is the sort of thing that will energise you and give you joy. I hope that wasn't too depressing, but I think pragmatism is important in this line of work. I honestly love this hectic and ridiculous environment, as someone doing risky things; it really benefits me to work in a space where risk is required to find success.

Q: How has the App Store changed over the years?

A: The App Store is ever-changing, so it's hard to pinpoint one thing. I'm not sure anything at all is the same as it was at the outset. The main language people code in has changed. Most of the APIs have shifted. Device screen sizes, resolutions and aspect ratios are different. The design of the App Store and the way games and apps are promoted has changed several times. There are significantly more apps coming out every day than there were at the start. The ecosystem around the App Store has seen the birth and death of many sites and communities. Working with Apple has changed significantly as Apple's priorities have shifted, allocating more resources to the App Store and developers. Communicating with users and managing reviews has changed a lot too. I don't do much differently due to the crowded market. My goal has always been to promote gaming literacy and critical thought to the new communities of players that have shown up since the advent of mobile gaming, and that means that I don't just make games that are approachable to these players, it also means pitching stories to non-gaming or non-tech focused websites and publications. Surprisingly, these markets haven't actually gotten a lot more crowded even though public interest in video games has gone up significantly, so actually the PR part of my work hasn't changed as much as you would expect.

Q: What Apps from other developers are currently taking up your spare time?

A: About a month ago I finished DR. MEEP, which I really loved. I've recently got back into Pokemon GO. The app they made for the Apple Watch is amazing! I've also been playing some Holedown. On the App side of things I use Dark Sky, Fantastical and Reeder, amongst all the standard stuff (Kindle, Audible, Twitch, etc.

A: My wife and I still play Ascension all the time. I also love 868-Hack, Mario Run, A Dark Room, Eliss Infinity, Canabalt, Hook Champ, Threes, Sword & Sworcery, 7 Little Words, King Cashing, Windosill, Super Hexagon, Lost Cities, Blackbar, Boson X, Kero Blaster, VVVVVV, Desert Golfing, Crossy Road, Stellar Smooch, Reigns, and Florence.

Q: What is your development process?

A: I make about forty prototypes a year. Around four to eight of those are good. What I'm looking for with a prototype is for it to be more interesting than I initially thought it would be. Then I try to make some quick design decisions to build upon whatever aspect of them was surprising and interesting. If I'm successful, I usually get a little game that can hold my attention for ten to twenty hours. Maybe two or three of those initial prototypes makes it this far a year. At that point, I need to figure out how to build upon the game again, turning it from something that's fun for ten to twenty hours into something that is fun ideally, forever. Usually only one game makes it that far each year, but also one of the twenty or so prototypes I have kicking around from previous years rears its ugly head and I get an idea that works for it. This tends to result in about two new games a year. I'm basically constantly bailing water out of my boat, but the water is games and every time I get halfway through emptying the boat, I get some other idea that I have to work on right at that moment. It's pretty exhausting, but I feel like if I don't get these games out it's a disservice to the work and the ideas that went into them.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Right now I have a number of promising prototypes going that I don't want to talk about publicly yet and I'm taking some time to revisit my older games that are still on the App Store to update them and add some significant new features.

Heres his iphone buying guide 2019

[universeinform-blog]

Five tips for updating your LinkedIn profile

New Post has been published on https://universeinform.com/2017/03/13/five-tips-for-updating-your-linkedin-profile/

Five tips for updating your LinkedIn profile

An updated LinkedIn profile is vital in case you need to develop your non-public or enterprise emblem. No matter whether or not you’re the CEO of a multinational company or seeking to get your startup observed, LinkedIn is an appropriate device that will help you achieve your professional desires.

From crafting a lovely summary to promoting your skills, we’ve compiled a tick list that will help you make your LinkedIn profile your first-class personal branding device.

Use the suitable profile photograph

Your picture must convey your power, charisma, and passion and if you could show yourself in action portraying your soft competencies, not anything like it. Attempt to make sure it’s far clean, pleasant, and ‘expert looking’. in case you aren’t positive what which means, take a go searching to look what your colleagues and enterprise experts are sporting and fit that.

Convey your primary details updated

Having previous statistics on LinkedIn and updating your fundamental information most effective whilst you’re seeking out a process trade displays badly on you. Use your headline to now, not best spotlight your modern position and corporation however additionally your know-how and awards in case you’ve received any.

Make yourself visible via telling everybody who you are, what you do, and why they need to hook up with you. Write a high-quality precis

Why Do Humans Delete Their On-line Courting Profiles

Online Relationship sites which include OkCupid can be a first-rate place to meet someone new, however, every now and then matters show up that cause Human beings to delete their profiles. Whether it changed into simply too much-perceived creepiness or a fashionable loss of responses, it may be irritating to log in with the goal of contacting a specific member, handiest to discover that they are not there.

The Pinnacle Ten Motives to Delete a Courting Profile

1.) The principle reason Human beings delete their Relationship profile is due to the fact they have met a person. Lots of these Human beings truly just conceal their profiles, although, in case they become needing them again.

2.) Some Humans cite receiving messages from too many People that they think of as weirdos as a motive for deleting their profile.

3.) At the flip facet of variety two, A few Human beings will delete their profile due to the fact they are no longer getting responses from each person, regardless of if they may be weird or not.

four.) An awful Courting experience with every other website member will send A few People trying to find the delete profile option.

5.) If the cost of a Courting website outweighs the benefits that a member is receiving, then they’re probably to delete their profile. Unfastened websites like OkCupid are a very good desire for those who have left different sites because of cost issues.

6.) Searching a Relationship web page on a normal basis without finding an amazing healthy can be discouraging, and this could cause People to delete their profiles.

  Do You already know Why a LinkedIn Profile Topics on your Career

Searching out a new task, and developing lengthy-term career potentialities, is hugely different than it was even a few years ago – and one of the most crucial ridings up-to-date is the accelerated reliance upon online application paperwork and expert social networking websites.

Up-to-date the method of applying for a process as it was once and how it’s far now. Evidently, the time while you will print out a resume replica and mail it updated a capacity agency is long past or is at least up to date tally rare incidence, and that is essentially due updated the use of electronic submissions and the capability updated for a few positions by way of e-mail.

Along with those modifications within the method of submitting a resume are techniques used by employers up-to-date ability new hires. it’s far very common now for employers up-to-date the digital footprint of a candidate,

Which includes viewing all handy social media profiles. At the same time as candidates up to date constantly be careful approximately what is published on these public sorts of websites, there may be one professional networking internet site that can be leveraged by means of all of us as a means of enhancing their profession improvement or job search – and this is the use of a LinkedIn profile.

The speak is authentic as properly. If a person is actively developing their profession and does not have a LinkedIn profile, or has a profile that is poorly evolved, it could result in a ignored possibility.

At the same time as candidates up to date constantly be careful approximately what is published on these public sorts of websites, there may be one professional networking internet site that can be leveraged by means of all of us as a means of enhancing their profession improvement or job search – and this is the use of a LinkedIn profile. The speak is authentic as properly. If a person is actively developing their profession and does not have a LinkedIn profile, or has a profile that is poorly evolved, it could result in a ignored possibility.

The Energy and potential of a LinkedIn Profile

If you do not have a LinkedIn profile now, the most crucial fact updated up to date apprehend is that up to date have an awful lot extra ability than list all of your jobs – both preceding and modern-day. there’s up-to-date section that permits you up to date offer a summary of your professional highlights,

Abilities, accomplishments, and transferable abilities. You could also list tasks, courses, instructional achievements, expert pastimes, and expert agencies. whilst a profile is created, there are organized sections which might be clean up to date study and the sections can be organized up-to-date personal professional preferences.

A LinkedIn profile creates a visual representation of your profession and up to date update establishes a high quality (or poor) professional up-to-date of you up-to-date ability employers.

The Electricity of a LinkedIn profile comes from its ability updated no longer simplest generate hobby in you as a potential candidate, it is able updated entice updated the eye of recruiters – even if you have not submitted a resume updated the agency they constitute. it’s far turning inundated common now for recruiters up to date updated LinkedIn up-to-date upon pastimes and key phrases,

And locate capability candidates up to date touch about open and upcoming positions. What strengthens the Electricity and ability of the profile is that it confirms what you have got indexed up to date resume. there is a well-known belief that Even as a person might also beautify their resume, they’re more likely not up to date do that with a publicly on hand online profile. Of course, this isn’t up to date nation that a LinkedIn profile guarantees accuracy; however, it allows up-to-date promote posting

Ability Pitfalls and Troubles for a LinkedIn Profile

There are apparent Troubles which can arise with the usage of a LinkedIn profile and people problems are up-to-date what I see when I overview current resumes – and includes poorly written sentences and paragraphs, At the side of mistakes in spelling and grammar. Similarly, many resumes are written as job descriptions and when that same approach is used updated create a profile, it may be effortlessly omitted.

That is why I take an ability set up-to-date method up-to-date writing and that I propose the same strategy be used for creating a profile, mainly up-to-date That is going updated your capability profession possibilities.

Prescription Glasses – Importance of Updating Your Glasses

When you have prescription glasses, it is crucial that you hold them up to date. Your eyes will now not usually live the same in their competencies. Even though this would be ideal, it’s far an inconvenience you ought to accept. Fortuitously, via ensuring your glasses are in particular made of your very own eyes, you can decrease the inconvenience this reasons.

The best manner to do that is through making regular visits to the physician to check in case your glasses are nevertheless suitable for you to use. But, that is essential enough that it’s miles worth the hassle to do.

If you use old glasses that are not up to date, your capability to the characteristic in daily existence will without a doubt go through for it. As an example, your capability to read small text will in all likelihood go to pot. If you have the slightest little bit of hassle analyzing small text, it can be the fault of your modern-day set of prescription glasses. Luckily, you may clear up this problem without difficulty by way of having your glasses and prescription up to date.

If you pick out to put off this essential project, there are numerous activities that you may now not be able to do as easily. As an instance, studying the newspaper will become too tough to do for lengthy periods. Further, you may no longer be capable of loosening up with a good e-book as without problems or read small textual content on a PC screen.

In addition to problems studying, you could additionally have problems riding If you do not hold your prescription glasses up to date. in case your eyes change in any respect once you get your old prescription glasses, you’ll be able to consciousness your eyes on close or some distance away gadgets much less effortlessly.

Obviously, this can make you much less capable of reacting to dangers on the road. Due to the fact using is an important a part of staying unbiased, it’s miles critical which you maintain your prescription updated.