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twinklejones · 3 months ago

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drunk on you, literally

synopsis park sunghoon is the leader of a rebellion and he kidnapped the king's daughter, you, and, as expected of a leader, he is very serious, controlled and reliable, but what no one knows is how weak sunghoon is against alcohol, so so what could happen if he eats a sweet with a slightly different taste?

starring enhypen's park sunghoon genres just fluff warnings sunghoon is a big loser in this one (my favorite); cute down bad wrapped around yn's finger, honestly; english is not my first language sorry for any mistakes

wc 990

it's my first time writing something and posting so, hope you like it!

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the feast was lively, with the members of the rebellion laughing and swapping stories around a long makeshift table. simple yet flavorful dishes filled the air with a welcoming aroma, and the soft candlelight made everything seem more intimate. everyone was finally enjoying peace after winning a battle against the king's soldiers.

you had your reasons for hating sunghoon and the whole rebellion situation against your father and his antics, but over time you've learned that not everything is as it seems...

park sunghoon seemed the most relaxed person in the place, something that didn’t go unnoticed by you

he ate some sweets from a wood platter that was passed hand to hand a while ago, but he didn’t notice someone yelling "watch out for these, the liquor is strong" in the midst of all the talk, laughter and music

you didn't think much of it

minutes later, you noticed something weird with his posture

— sunghoon, are you okay? — you asked, patting his shoulder lightly

— yes, your highness — he replied, but his voice was slightly slurred and weak. you observed him, his body slowly swaying from side to side. it really was a strong liquor he ate, but did he really got tipsy just from that tiny amount?!

he suddenly stood up, startling you and some people around, and started walking towards his room, but his steps were less steady than usual. in a second you also stood up, apologizing for leaving so early to no one in particular

— let’s go to your room. you need to rest — you said softly, placing your hand in his arm and back, trying not to attract too much attention.

— no, i’m fine — sunghoon murmured, but contrary to his words he didn't resist being guided out of the hall

in the middle of the torch-lit corridor, sunghoon stumbled over his own feet, but managed to balance himself by leaning on the wall behind you, not realizing that he pressed your body between him and the wall in the process.

sunghoon could feel his eyes getting heavier and heavier. he wanted to sleep so badly...

you chuckled. even though you could feel the heat radiating from sunghoon's strong, tall body, his behavior was very amusing. it wasn't every day that you got to see the rebellion leader behave in such a... vulnerable way. rosy cheeks, brows furrowed and a very bad sense of direction. very sweet

after a few minutes trying to balance a large part of sunghoon's big body on yours, you managed to reach his room.

— did you know those sweets had alcohol in them? — you asked as you untied his boot as he sat on the bed

sunghoon looked at you, very confused eyes with a playful spark that was very rare to see.

his lips formed a small smile, showing his sharp canines for a brief moment

it was like a blow to the stomach. you didn't know that the man in front of you, the one who kidnapped you and made you see all the barbarity of the kingdom you father ruled, could smile so breathtakingly beautiful

— maybe? — he replied, lifting an eyebrow

nothing but silence and admiration came out of you. has your heart just skipped a beat?

sunghoon scratched the back of his neck and started watching as you lowered your head and began to untie his boots. the alcohol unfortunately let your red ears go unnoticed, but there are evils that come to the good; if sunghoon had been sober and had witnessed this reaction from you, the rebellion wouldn't have a leader in the morning

you finished untying his boots and asked him t lay down, to which he readily complied, but as soon as you looked up to him, you noticed dazed eyes roaming your face

— you seem hot

you got closer, lightly touching his forehead

you couldn't see how sunghoon gripped the bed sheet as if it was the last hope of world peace, trying to control his own emotions. sunghoon looked away

— i'm... i'm fine, yn — he murmured, but his strained voice betrayed him. you tried to not let the butterflies explode inside of you because of your name slipping through his glazed... beautiful... lips, but this task proved impossible

sunghoon fiddled with the ring on his finger, spinning it frantically while trying to stay sane. you snorted

— maybe spinning this ring on your finger is making you even more nervous, want to take it off? — you said, trying to dissipate the tension that has formed between you two (didn't do a good job, apparently)

sunghoon chuckled softly, but remained silent for a few seconds

— it’s not the ring, yn.

he looked up to you once again, beautiful, desperate, eyes... you stopped breathing for a moment (along with your heart)

— it's you.

sunghoon's confession took you by surprise, more than the attacks by your own father's soldiers in the middle of the night against the rebels.

he was so readily admitting that your presence affected him as much as his affected yours. so all that tension you felt so many times... wasn't it just you? oh, you needed fresh air

meanwhile sunghoon took a few seconds to realize that he had admitted his own feelings for you. he was done for — the silence was so loud

safe to say that you were both a blushing mess; you got up and rushed towards the door, face red and hot as ever, as you jabbered "good night, I'm goint to head back, maybe they'll need me to clean up the hall, haha, what a night" while sunghoon hid under the covers, mumbling "yes, of course, thanks, god bless you" and other nonsenses

before you could close the door, though, sunghoon peeked out from under the blanket and you caught a glimpse of his always pale face, now a deep shade of red

— good night... my princess

neither of you slept very well that night.

#enhypen #park sunghoon #fluff #enhypen fluff #enhypen x reader #sunghoon #cute #drabble #first work!#i just wanted to make something cute

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hannieween · 5 months ago

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the soulkeeper’s betrayal — prologue

When Jun realizes that something has gone awry in his kingdom, he has no choice but to ask for help from his estranged wife. Though not without paying a price.

› pairings: wen junhui x female reader › aus: hades jun, king jun, exes to lovers, husband jun › genres: angst, fantasy, fluff, smut (18+) [none in this part] › word count: 661 words

› this fic is part of the greek gods collab ✧

» read more

no warnings apply in this part

› prologue, the journey

The morning felt stale under a colorless sky, announcing a cold and cloudy day ahead. A soft whooshing sound preceded the breeze that swept through the forest, rustling the leaves of the timber trees.

The leaves had begun to turn a vibrant shade of yellow, the King noticed. As he gazed at the land before him, he felt the urge to bend down and pick up the leaves that had begun to blow around his feet in the wind, creating a soft, crumpled blanket on the ground.

He paused for a moment, aware that the wind was whispering something from afar. It carried with it the distant, melodic calls of phoebes, their voices echoing through the crisp air of the morning.

Junhui tilted his head forward, allowing the cool breeze to brush and sweep between his eyelashes as he closed his eyes. With a gentle, respectful gesture, he bowed to the wind, feeling its whispers in his brown hair.

The earth would gradually grow barren and lose the sweetness of spring. This was familiar to him; he had witnessed the signs time and time again. Yet this time it carried a significant weight—it meant that you were on your way here, it meant that you were coming home for the very first time since you had met.

With a deep, steadying breath, he straightened his neck, feeling the anticipation rising within him, he felt an exhilarating rush of energy coursing through him. Slowly, he opened his eyes to the land stretching before him.

Paradise. Where the sunlight seems almost tangible, it rises but never reaches its zenith. Colorful waves of grass stretch far and wide, dotted with small mounds of tiny white flowers, inviting anyone to rest their head on them.

This place was beautiful. At least this side of his kingdom was tranquil and robust with color. The birds choose to seek shelter and sleep here. It is where the souls who were granted peace would grow quiet and witness the king of the lands spend his mornings.

The place reminded him of a long-lost childhood. The music from the phoebes, the cold but gentle breeze. He wanted to run, he wanted to become one with the wind and not feel anything at all.

But alas, the dread came.

“What are you doing here, Clotho?” he asked, his voice was low and raspy from not speaking to anyone in what felt like months.

“It is time. Must follow tradition,” she said with a gentle tone, but Junhui knew better. He knew she was pressing on the importance of your arrival there. One of the Fates, only doing her work, but vague as to how to be tactful.

“I am aware of that. Thank you,” he replied, turning to face her, turning his back on the land.

Her pale face looked stricken with worry and embarrassment as she lowered her eyes to the ground. “Forgive me.”

Jun raised his gaze to the silvery sky, trying not to roll his eyes. “You have nothing to apologize for,” he said coldly. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Clotho frowned. Those around him saw his apathy, and they took it as a sign that he was grieving his break-up with you. They were right; his heart was heavy with sorrow, even if he refused to show it. Beneath the surface, a storm of grief raged within him, slowly consuming him, even if he wore a mask of calm.

You came into his life in the most devastating way imaginable. Like a merciless wave, washing away everything that preceded you, leaving only you. Your arrival was not only abrupt, but it was like a shock that altered the course of his existence, forcing him to deal with the remains of the things you made him feel.

But then he lost you, all because of a lie. Now, as autumn slowly awakened, you were coming to him; it was time to make amends.

Only if you let him.

› author's note: heeeey (❁´◡`❁)

this is the prologue to a one shot i have planned to release on november 16th!

this is kind of a challenge for me because i never write detailed descriptions of places. i hope you like this one-shot. hehe

toodles!

support me on ko-fi? 🥹🩵

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aspenmissing · 10 days ago

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ʀᴇꜱᴏɴᴀɴᴄᴇ

ꜱɪʟᴄᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ (ꜰᴇᴀᴛ. ᴊɪɴx) || ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ || 1782 ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ || ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: ᴏᴏᴄ ꜱɪʟᴄᴏ, ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ?

ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀ: @curious-kittens-ocs ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘᴀᴛɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴍʏ ᴅᴇᴀʀ! ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛ. ɪ ᴅᴏ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ᴛʜɪꜱ! <3 <3

ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ | ꜱɪʟᴄᴏ | ᴊɪɴx

Silco sat at his desk, fingers pressing into his temples as the relentless bass from below rattled the very foundations of his office. The whiskey in his glass trembled, tiny ripples distorting his reflection in the amber liquid. The pounding beat was an unwelcome intruder, a cacophony of chaos infiltrating the space he carefully curated for control and quiet contemplation.

It had been going on for hours. The deep, gut-punching basslines, the erratic synths, the way the sound seemed to climb the very walls of the Last Drop like an invasive weed, choking out the silence he so valued. He prided himself on patience, on his ability to endure discomfort when necessary, but this? This was bordering on insufferable. Every vibration felt like a personal offense, each reverberation through the floorboards a taunt.

With a sharp exhale, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

It was nights like these that tested him—when the Last Drop ceased to be an empire and instead became an overgrown playground for reckless indulgence. And the conductor of this particular madness? Y/N. Her music choices had only grown more insufferable, the bass vibrating through his very bones like some cruel experiment in torture. The masses below revelled in the chaos, blind to the finer aspects of power, of order. They did not see how quickly a kingdom could crumble when left to the whims of unchecked, reckless energy.

The door creaked open without a knock, and Silco barely lifted his gaze. He already knew who it was.

Jinx sauntered in, her signature wild grin plastered across her face. She bobbed her head in perfect rhythm with the thundering bass, twirling one of her blue braids absentmindedly as she leaned against the desk. She was the very embodiment of everything that grated against his carefully structured existence—spontaneous, erratic, untethered. And yet, despite the headache pounding behind his eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to reprimand her.

“Ohhh, this is a good one,” she chirped, tapping her fingers against the wood in sync with the beat. “I mean, c’mon, it’s got that deep ‘boom-boom’ that just hits right here.” She pounded a fist against her chest for emphasis, her grin widening.

Silco barely resisted the urge to groan. “Jinx—”

“You’re welcome, by the way,” she cut in, plopping herself onto the edge of his desk without a care. “I told Y/N to crank it up tonight. Figured the Drop needed a little extra juice. I mean, you always say we should keep the people happy, right?”

Silco finally looked up, narrowing his good eye at her. “The objective is to maintain control, not succumb to reckless anarchy.”

Jinx snickered, wiggling her fingers in a ghostly manner. “Ooooooh, scary dictator talk. You sound like a fancy old man who’s mad that kids these days have fun.”

Silco rubbed his temple again. “It’s not fun. It’s an assault on the senses.”

Jinx pouted dramatically, slumping forward and resting her chin in her palms. “Oh no, poor ol’ dad can’t handle a little bass. Want me to knit you a little pair of earmuffs? Orrrrr, maybe you could, I don’t know, just enjoy it for once? Shake that fancy ass of yours to the beat?”

His expression remained flat, unimpressed. “I am not—”

“Oh, but you could,” she sing-songed, kicking her feet playfully. “Just picture it, Silco! You, out there, right in the middle of the dance floor, just—” She flailed her arms wildly, mimicking some exaggerated version of a clubgoer lost in the music.

He closed his eyes briefly, inhaling deeply through his nose. “Jinx.”

“—Oh! Or what about that little snap-step thing I saw some of the bar guys doing?” She hopped down from the desk and did a wildly uncoordinated shuffle across the office, punctuated by finger guns. “Tadaaaa~”

Silco exhaled sharply, tilting his head back as though praying for patience from gods he did not believe in.

Jinx only grinned wider. “I mean, I’d pay money to see it. But, y’know, that’d probably make you explode from sheer old-man rage, huh?”

Before he could reprimand her, a particularly aggressive beat drop sent a violent vibration through the floor, making the whiskey glass rattle audibly. Silco’s fingers flexed against the armrests of his chair, his grip tightening.

Jinx cackled. “Ohhh, that one was nice. Felt it in my bones.”

Silco let out a slow, controlled breath and stood, smoothing his vest as he made his way to the record player in the corner. His fingers hovered over a particular record, his expression unreadable as he carefully placed it onto the turntable.

If Y/N insisted on turning his club into a war zone of sound, then she could deal with the consequences.

“I assume you’ll be sending her a ‘sternly worded’ letter?” Jinx teased, waggling her eyebrows.

Silco turned a slow, pointed glare on her. “She’ll be receiving a lesson.”

Jinx grinned wide. “Oooooh, I like the sound of that.”

The bass still throbbed in Y/N’s chest as she climbed the steps to Silco’s office, the heat of the Last Drop’s energy still buzzing under her skin. The crowd had pulsed like a living thing beneath her hands, the music bending to her will, building and breaking in waves that sent the patrons into a frenzy. It was intoxicating—the power of it, the way she could make them lose themselves in the rhythm. But now, as she neared the heavy door at the top of the stairs, the rush of the night gave way to something else entirely.

Anticipation curled in her stomach. She knew exactly why she’d been summoned. Silco, ever the arbiter of control and refinement, had likely been seething in his office, ears under siege from the bass that had rattled the very floorboards beneath him. She could picture it—his fingers pressed to his temple, his glass of whiskey trembling on the desk as the vibrations invaded his carefully maintained space. And she? She had been the source of that invasion.

She rolled her shoulders back, shaking off the remnants of adrenaline. She wasn’t about to slink in like a guilty child. She had filled the Drop with life tonight, had given its people something to lose themselves in, and if Silco couldn’t handle a little bit of raw energy, well—that was his problem.

The door clicked shut behind her as she stepped inside, the deep thrum of the club below now muffled to little more than a distant heartbeat. The air in here was different—cooler, still, thick with the scent of cigar smoke and aged whiskey. It was a stark contrast to the chaos below, a world apart. Silco stood by the record player, his sharp features cast in the dim glow of his desk lamp and the bleeding neon that slipped through the blinds. A glass of amber liquid swirled lazily in his hand as he regarded her with an expression that was impossible to read.

“You have a talent for disruption,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “I presume you find that amusing.”

Y/N smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “Keeps the place alive, doesn’t it?”

Silco exhaled slowly, setting his glass down with deliberate care. “There’s a difference between life and chaos, Y/N. A difference you seem determined to ignore.”

She scoffed, crossing her arms. “And let me guess, you think your ancient records have more soul than a packed dance floor?”

He tilted his head, his gaze unblinking. “I think they require a finer ear. Something you clearly lack.”

A sharp retort sat on her tongue, but before she could let it fly, he reached for the record player, placing the needle down with practiced precision. The moment it touched vinyl, a swell of orchestral strings rose into the air—smooth, deliberate, like liquid gold seeping through the cracks in the silence. The contrast was stark. It stripped away the sharp edges of her beats, the raw, pulsing energy of her set, and replaced them with something… controlled. Something rich, something—

She hated to admit it—beautiful.

Her fingers twitched at her sides. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, but there was something about the melody that pulled at her, demanding to be felt. It was slow, winding, carefully composed—so unlike the wild unpredictability of the beats she mixed.

Silco’s lips curved into something knowing. “Music isn’t just about volume, Y/N. It’s about the spaces between the notes. The anticipation.” He stepped toward her, extending a gloved hand. “Feel it.”

She hesitated, glancing at his outstretched palm. “What, you want to dance?”

His expression didn’t waver. “Consider it a lesson.”

A challenge, then.

Her fingers brushed his as she took his hand, warmth meeting cool leather. His grip was firm but not forceful, guiding rather than demanding. He led her in a slow, measured step, the classical melody dictating their movements. It was nothing like the feverish pulse of the club below. This was control, precision—Silco in every sense of the word.

His body moved with a grace she hadn’t expected, every step deliberate. Y/N found herself focusing, attuning to the way the music guided them, the way he dictated the rhythm with the slightest shift of his weight. It was maddening, in a way—being so completely at his mercy in something as simple as a dance.

“You feel it now?” he murmured, voice low, like he already knew the answer.

She swallowed, glancing up at him. “It’s… different.”

His fingers flexed around hers, just enough to remind her that he was leading. “Perhaps you’ll learn to appreciate a more refined taste, given time.”

She huffed a quiet laugh, tilting her head. “Or maybe you’ll learn to loosen up and enjoy the noise.”

His lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close. “Unlikely.”

They danced for longer than she expected, the music stretching out between them, pulling them further from the world outside. The neon glow from the blinds painted streaks of red and blue across his sharp features, casting shadows in the hollows of his cheekbones.

Y/N wasn’t sure when the song changed, when one track faded into another. All she knew was that she was still moving with him, still following his lead. His touch was deceptively gentle, fingers brushing the inside of her wrist as he guided her through another step.

The music swelled, and for a moment, she let herself fall into it. No club crowd, no pounding bass—just the quiet, intricate dance between them.

She wasn’t sure who was testing who anymore.

The record spun, the music filled the silence, and for once, neither of them fought it.

#Arcane #arcane fandom #arcane fluff #silco x reader #silco x you #silco x y/n

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mariokartinthisbitch · 4 months ago

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Hobie’s Moving Castle

Howls Moving Castle AU! Hobie Brown x F!Reader

1.2k Words

Tags: Strangers to more?, brief monster mention, reader is in a situation for a minute, but nothing happens

Please do not copy my work, if found you will be reported.

A/N: This is my first proper upload. Hobie Brown 🤝🏾 Howl Jenkins Pendragon. Please leave any feedback, it is appreciated! (Still considering making this a series) if you enjoy this, please reblog and like if you enjoy!

Parade music blared as you sewed tiny beads into intricate patterns for the Countess’s dress for the kingdom’s next ball. Your coworkers giggled and gossiped to one another as they collected their bags, leaving messes of fabrics, beads, and bandages on their workstations for their lunch break.

“[Name]!” a voice called out, causing you to turn around and face your boss. " It's time for lunch. Would you like to join us?”

“Oh, thank you, Ma’am, but I shouldn’t.” You declined politely, “I’m near done with Countess Ludwig’s dress, and once I’m finished, I’m done for the week.”

“Right, you are. Maybe next time, dear.” She said kindly, giving you a wave until your coworkers ran to the window.

“Oh my goddess! It can’t be!” One piped up.

“It has to be! It’s Hobie’s Ship!” Said another.

You popped up in surprise, running to the window in your workstation to see a sizeable, opulent ship with structures piled atop it and steam puffing out of it. Gaudy and a sight many may detest, it was creatively his own. Perfect for someone on the run, but attention-grabbing to tease the King. No one knew what the elusive wizard looked like or even if he was a shapeshifter to make it easier for him to steal women’s hearts and make them disappear from the public eye.

“What is he doing so close to the kingdom? Is he trying to get arrested?!” A third chimed in. “Seems the mist has covered it…”

“Ladies! Enough with the gossip.” Your boss called, despite curiously peering out the window. “But…let’s be safe and stick together as we lunch.”

As they filed out one by one, you caught the whispers the girls told to one another. Only one caught your attention as you stood in the doorway.

“Did you hear about Lady Mosley?” One whispered. “They say he ate her heart right up. That’s why no one’s seen her.”

You were never one to take gossip at face value, but the thought of losing your heart made a sweat drop down your spine.

Once alone, you tried to focus on your work to finish the countess’s dress, but your mind still wandered. Losing your heart…Would you die? Would you lose all feelings and emotions? Would you feel lighter having not to care?

It was clear that no work would be done while you were in this state of mind. You sighed, taking off your apron and grabbing your bag. You could at least take the time to see an old friend, right?

Flipping the sign to ‘Out To Lunch,’ you made your way through civilians and soldiers' droves. You still couldn’t understand how something as brutal as war could be celebrated, but maybe it wasn’t for you to understand. You turned a corner, taking a shortcut despite a feeling in your gut telling you to take the long way. You continued to walk the shadowed path until you bumped into some hard.

“You lost, pretty thing?” A soldier asked condescendingly, smirking down at you.

“She looks lost to me.” A fellow soldier said, coming up beside him. “And she’s a cute one.”

“What? I’m not lost. Please move—.” You said, trying to move past them, but they blocked your path.

“Should’ve just let me handle her. She would’ve met you later. You scare all the girls.” The first said with a playful scowl.

“I think she’s prettier when she’s scared.” His friend piped up. “What’ll it be, Honey?”

“Leave me alone!” You called out firmly as they tried to get closer.

“Ah, my precious Dove.” A deep voice came behind you, and a deep brown hand held your shoulder. You had me worried. I thought I’d never find you.”

“Who the hell are you?” One guard barked at the stranger who took the mantle to be your protector. The second guard tried to size him up. “Not so slick now, are you, Pretty Boy?”

The man beside you chuckled, the sound deep in his chest, yet smooth like a lake after it has stormed. “Oh, I’m plenty slick, but you won’t get to see anymore.”

He raised two fingers before the guards stood at command as you gasped and watched them both waddle like the toy soldiers your boss’s son played with when he came to the shop.

You turned your eyes to your hero to thank him, but you were speechless because he could’ve easily been the prettiest man you’d ever seen. He was an outsider, as anyone could recognize him from a mile away. His striking face had piercings over his eyebrows, his full lips, and his intense nose. His heterochromatic eyes enchanted and intimidated you as airs of rebellion and magic surrounded him. It was only amplified with his checkered blue and red jacket embroidered with beads that looked like shooting stars covering a loose white shirt and dark blue pants.

You gulped, opening your mouth, “Than–”

“Not yet.” He smiled, “I’ll escort you wherever you need to go.”

“Oh…Oh! Just to the bakery. I promise I’ll be okay alone,” you said, frantically waving your hands.

He laughed, “Wasn’t exactly an offer, Dove.” You tilted your head before he leaned over and whispered. “I’m in a bit of trouble with some followers. Are you up to help?”

You were surprised at this development, but he just saved you from an uncomfortable situation that could’ve gone south quickly. You nodded and adjusted your positions with your arm linked underneath his. Causally walking through the alleys, you heard strange warped sounds behind the both of you. Going to turn your head, he squeezed your arm.

“Don’t acknowledge them. They get faster when you do.” He instructed as you glued your eyes forward only to see a brick wall. You released a startled gasp as more appeared in front of the both of you. The man dashed you both into a break in the alleys as the monsters got closer and closer as the two of you approached the dead end. You shut your eyes until a hand wrapped around your waist and grabbed your hand. “Hold on tight.”

Your eyes shot open as you became weightless, floating into the sky over the parade with your savior. Everyone was becoming smaller beneath the two of you.

“Now, flyin’s just like walkin’,” he assured you, “Just straighten your legs and pretend the wind is the road.”

Obeying his instructions, you walked across the sky in shock. With a broken sigh and a smile, you flew atop your kingdom, going from rooftop to rooftop. Watching the children run in games of tag, men and women dancing, and balloons flying past you higher into the sky. He turned to you with a smirk, “You’re a natural.”

Eventually, you reached the veranda, and he gently twirled you on the ground while he remained on the railing, still holding onto your hand.

“I’ll draw them away from here, but wait for a while until you leave here.”

Still mesmerized, you smiled softly at him, “‘Kay.” was all you could manage as his hand slipped from yours.

“That’s my girl.” He smirked before jumping off the railing and floating quickly into the parade. Snapping out of your trance, you ran to the railing to find him amongst the crowd, but you couldn't see him.

Of course, he had to be a shapeshifter!

#across the spiderverse #atsv #hobie brown #hobie x reader #hobie brown x reader #atsv spiderpunk #spider punk #atsv hobie #atsv x reader #hobie spiderverse #howls moving castle #howls moving castle x ATSV #atsv fanfiction #hobie fanfic #hobie my beloved #hobie x y/n

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inkievoid · 1 year ago

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The Prettiest Fairy Princess

ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴅᴏᴍᴇꜱᴛɪᴄ ʟᴇᴏɴ ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ. ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ.

"C'mon mommy!" Your little girl drags you to the living room, just having finished set up a "stage", 2 dining room chairs, an old pink sheet and construction paper with a background of a castle on a hill drawn in markers and crayons taped just above the sheet. It's for one of her performances she likes putting on now and again after writing her funny little stories.

Soon you're sat in the middle of the couch between her stuffed animals. Strawbeary, her large pink bear, to your right and her Bluey toy to your left. Soon a folded pieces of paper is put into the audiences hands, a crudely drawing fairy with a crown on it's head and a jumbled mess of 'The Fairy Princess' in sparkly gel pen. With enough glitter glue around the edges to choke someone to death.

"What's this?" You ask, your little one turning, now wearing what looks like mascara as a fake mustache. That old makeup you gave her really made her plays costume department thrive by the looks of it.

"It's a paybill!" She happily squeals, handing Bluey her paper.

"Playbill." You hear your husband correct her from the other room, you look into the hall wondering why he isn't being subjected to the audience like usual.

"A playbill!" She corrects herself, looking at you then back to the stage. Walking over she pushing her box of toys behind the curtain and grabs her fathers work jacket from the armchair near by. Putting it on and pushing the sleeves up to her little elbows as it swallows her. Crawling back behind the curtain her arm comes up, using Leon's flashlight and flicking it.

That's usually intermission... but God she really thought of everything.

Soon the room is filled with the sound of her ballet practice music from her room.

Ahhh, Leon must be a stage technician this time.

You hear your little one clear her throat, her tiny hand peaking above the sheet with a stuffed bunny in her hand.

"There once was a family of fairies that ruled a kingdom!" The bunny bounces slightly, fluffy ears wiggling as he's tousled around, her voice stretching with exaggeration. "In a kingdom of magical creatures! All happily living their lives as they could."

The bunny disappears, a Ken doll on a flip flop with a cotton ball pillow and tissue blanket appearing.

"But sadly, not everyone in the kingdom was doing well. The king was sick and the next heir needed to take the throne quickly before the king died. Because every marriage in the kingdom needed a royals blessing." Ken gets dropped to the floor with a clatter as the bunny appears again, the smile on your face only growing wider. Stifling a laugh as she continues.

"But there was a problem. No one in the kingdom wanted to marry the princess in line for the throne because she was different than any of the other fairy princesses..." Silence falls over the room for a few seconds. You hear shuffling, your daughters head poking out from behind the curtain towards the hall.

"Daddy, that's where you come in!" She harshly whispers before moving back into place.

"Sorry!" Settling in she repeats her line again.

"But there was a problem. No one in the kingdom wanted to marry the princess in line for the throne because she was different than any of the other fairy princesses."

You hear foot steps as your attention turns to the hall doorway as your husband steps through. You swallow your bottom lip, covering your mouth with your hand as you lean on your knees.

"oh my god..."

There Leon stood, your daughters bright white fairy wings on his back, straps stretched out way too far on him, the brightest pink lipstick you use to own smeared across his mouth and her princess tiara from a tea set she was given as a gift on his head. You desperately want to laugh at him but you can't. It would upset your daughter or worse... Make her cry.

You don't want to make your daughter cry.

"She was too tall for the other fairies to want to marry her!" You pull your hand from your mouth, gaining your control again. You mouth an 'I love you ' to Leon as he crosses his arms, not irritated but unamused, making the straps somehow stretch more against his shoulders. Your attention turns back to the bunny narrating the play.

"So the princess was sad and everyday she'd go to the pond not far from her castle. And sit with her only friend." The bunny dips down, being replaced by a frog plush, starting to bounce as your daughter spoke.

"Oh princess, why are you so sad?" Leon turns towards the frog, trying to put on his most delicate voice possible.

"No one wants to marry me frog. I just want someone to love me and... Help me protect my kingdom!" You let out a tiny giggle at his line stumble. He definitely wouldn't be winning a Tony anytime soon.

"I know what you need!" The frog sways energetically as he looks around. "I know of a place where you can have your wish granted."

The frog disappears and the bunnies back.

"So the fairy princess followed the frogs instructions to a wishing well in the middle of the woods. There she took out a coin, held it tight and threw it into the well while wishing for what she wanted most." Leon fished into his jeans and pulled out what looked like a button, tossing it behind the curtain.

"As she threw the coin a short handsome man came from the trees." Your daughter moves, fixing her fathers jacket back in place as she came to the front of the curtain.

"Who are you?" Says the very pretty fairy princess. Your daughter look up at Leon, face scrunched in what you guessed was supposed to be an angry expression.

"I'm the giant of this forest! What're you doing near my home!? Aren't you the kings daughter?" She asserts her voice to try sounding like a grown man but just ends up sounding like she's choking on something. You can't help but let out a tiny laugh and thankfully she's too busy with line delivery she doesn't seem to notice.

"I am the kings daughter! And you're a giant? But you're so small?" Leon glances down at his daughter, covering his own mouth as he tries keeping composure. She stomps her feet, readying herself to deliver her next line.

"Everyone says that I'm too small! I wish I could be bigger and show everyone home good I am."

"But I think you're perfectly fine the way you are. You're actually very handsome." Leon crouches down to her level, smiling at him as her eyes gleamed.

"And you're very beautiful madam. Would you like to be my wife?" Leon gasps excitedly, playing along with her enthusiasm. He always loved seeing his little girl look so excited.

"I'm not too tall for you?" The giant wraps his arms around the princess, hugging her tightly as he's hoisted into her arms. Leon carries her into the hallway and you raise your hands, about to clap when she rushes back in behind the curtain. Hoisting the bunny up.

"And so the giant and the fairy princess got married. Saving her kingdom and getting her fathers approval. Everyone lived happily ever after until the king died. The End!"

You start clapping as you stand up from the couch, your daughter coming out to take a bow, Leon coming back around the corner. He takes a little bow even before you get to your kids level.

"Honey, that was so good! Thank you for front row seats." She's jumping excitedly and smiles even wider when there's a knock at the door.

"Uncle Chris!" She screams running out of the living room. Leon freezes, staring at you while you stand.

"Chris is here?!" You look at him with a smirk.

"The boys are sleeping over tonight... Did you not remember?" Leon shakes his head starting to make a break for the hall.

"Uh, uh! I already texted Chris and he wants to see his nieces show... I didn't know you were gonna be in it though." You snort, covering your mouth as Leon looks at the hallway mirror and seems himself.

"Oh my God..." He looks mortified, knowing he's never gonna hear the end of this.

"Don't be so upset. At least you're the prettiest fairy princess in the whole house~"

#leon kennedy x reader #leon s kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x fem reader #leon s kennedy #🏡 domestic life with leon kennedy #resident evil x reader #🌿 ivy writes

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neomujinjja · 27 days ago

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Getting the Inside Scoop

Pairing: Prince! Yunho x Princess! reader

Length: 2,057 words Genre: fluff(?)

Synopsis: Tini, who just happens to be a journalist, is certain that the relationship between Yunho & Y/N is fake. The prince and princess might have fooled the rest of the kingdom but Tini is sure that they know the truth. The couple's bond has to differ behind closed doors, and Tini is determined to prove it. And they might just be right or are they?

Warnings: outsider pov, oc characters, female reader, undercover character, spying/ slightly voyeristic character, illegal filming, invasion of privacy, yunho & reader are the focus w/o being the focus

Note: i wrote parts of this late at night & without my glasses; i tried my best to catch any spelling mistakes but no promises

pinterest board

── ⋆⋅ ಇ ⋅⋆ ─── ⋆⋅ ಇ ⋅⋆ ─── ⋆⋅ ಇ⋅⋆ ──

Tini watched as Yunho and Y/N waved to the televised crowd. The two stood together with no space between them as the tall male's arm rested around the other's waist. "There's no way that they're like that in real life," they scoffed into their drink. Their roommate, Tia, turned to them in disbelief.

"But they're always like that in public. Why would it be fake?" she asked with her eyes studying the couple on the screen.

"Exactly, that's why! We always see them being intimate with one another; not to mention no one seems to talk bad about their relationship. Don't you think it's suspicious? I'm sure they're faking it," Tini exclaimed before turning to her roommate with an intense gaze.

"Well, it's not like someone would necessarily talk negatively about them. Lest you want to be harassed by their supporters online," Power, another roommate, chimed in.

"Plus they're like Prince Charming and a Barbie Princess brought to real life; what's more compatible than that?" Tia piled on to Power's comment. Tini huffed with an eye roll, they were certain that the 'power couple' were putting on an act.

"I'll prove it. You guys and everyone else will have no choice but to face it when I do," Tini stated, more determined now to reveal the false couple.

"And how exactly are you planning on doing that?" Power asked, lifting their attention away from their phone.

"I'm sure there's a position available that'd allow for me to get close enough," Tini mused aloud, shrugging their shoulders carelessly. Tia shook her head in exasperation before asking the obvious question.

"Is there a reason to why can't you stick to your actual job? And I don't know actually interview them?"

"Because they'd, of course, lie about their relationship in a public interview. But they might be more upfront if they're unsuspecting so this has to be an undercover job," They replied as if the answer was plain. Both of Tini's roommates rolled their eyes with a sigh of annoyance. But the journalist didn't pay them any attention rather focusing on the TV where Y/N was giggling as Yunho leaned down to whisper to them.

❀‿‿‿‿‿‿‿❀

Tini hurried their pace, struggling to keep up with the supervisor. His long legs made it a difficult job. "You'll be responsible for looking after the rooms on the second floor's West Wing. It's not too extensive, it consists of mainly guest rooms along with a drawing room, music room, and conseveraty," The older male explained as he led Tini towards a set of grand stairs. "I'll give you a tour and explain the standards of cleanliness we expect. Then you'll shadow another employee for a week before being expected to work without intensive help," he continued without sparing a glance backward at them.

"And what about the East Wing? What's on that side?"

The male stopped, now abruptly turning to face Tini. It was miraculous that neither of them had slipped at the sharp pause on the stairs. His eyes scrutinized them in silence before he spoke again. "What's on the East Wing is of none of your concern. Your area of responsibility is the second floor West Wing; the rest of the house should not matter to you." His words came out harsh and cold as he stared daggers at Tini.

"Now, Seonghwa, there's no need to be so rude to our new hire for being curious. The East Wing is mine and Yunho's private space; we'd prefer it if you'd stick to maintaining just the west side for us" a soft and elegant voice spoke up from the landing for what Tini assumed to be the second floor. The pair raised their head to see Y/N leaning over the railing in amusement, a gentle smile on her face. They were wearing a slim-fitting A-line dress, different from the bigger flared dress she wore in public. Y/N commanded the same respectable energy in her casual outfit as she did in her fancier ones; and Tini would have been enamored by the female if they didn't focus on her words. 'Does that mean no one was allowed on that side? Why would a loving couple need an entire hall to themselves?' they thought to themselves. It was likely Yunho and Y/N shared separate spaces but they needed to investigate to be certain.

"You're correct, Your Highness. My delivery was rather unbecoming of me," Seonghwa spoke, facing the woman before turning to Tini once again. They watched as Seonghwa's jaw tightened but regardless he made an effort to apologize to them in front of Y/N. "Is there anything I could assist you with, Your Highness?" the male asked, returning his attention back to the princess on the top of the stairs.

"Yes, if you don't mind going in my stead, I was actually on my way to bother Wooyoung for some refreshments. Don't worry, I'll keep them company," Y/ N stated and Tini could see why she was highly regarded by those who worked with her. Despite the respectable air that Y/N carried, she treated the people around her as if they were her equals. However one would think the royal would be more cautious towards newcomers given her status in life. It piqued Tini's curiosity; how could a princess be so certain that someone wouldn't try endangering her?

"Very well."

Tini hugged the guardrail closer, allowing for the head servant to pass them. They watched as Y/N gestured for them to join her on the landing. This was exactly the opportunity that Tini needed, perchance the royal couple would be forthcoming with their staff.

"Could I ask for your name? It would be rather rude of me to continue to address you in such a general way."

"Tini, your highness." Tini wasn't used to the formal way of speaking that Seonghwa and Y/N seemed to have mastered. They hoped that they wouldn't offend Y/N in this conversation but Tini wasn't going to let this chance go to waste. "What's it like? Being in such a loving marriage with Prince Yunho, I mean" they asked. Y/N seemed taken aback by the question but her face quickly morphed into a love-struck expression.

"It's truly like those in the children's stories we've all grown up with. I could not ask for a better husband than Yunho," the female said with a sigh. There was an endearing smile on her face as she messed with the lone ring on her finger. "I've been honestly blessed to experience the type of love that Yunho gives me," she continued. Tini stared as Y/N resembled an image of a shy schoolgirl as she spoke of her husband. While they still wanted proof, their stance wavered at the woman's words and actions. It wasn't the way Tini had expected a fake couple to speak of one another.

"That sounds nice, I'd hope to have a smidge of the love that your relationship has," Tini mentioned with a polite smile despite the unwant for personal romantic relations. Y/N's smile grew larger as she nodded her head vigorously.

"Yes, I wish the same for you and many others. There's no beating the happiness one has when in a healthy loving relationship, be it familial, platonic, or romantic." Their conversation was interrupted as Seonghwa and another man joined them. "Well, allow me to depart first. I do hope to see you around, Tini," Y/N said with another smile before walking off to the mysterious East Wing, the new male following behind her. So that hall wasn't completely off-limits and it seemed Tini might have an unexpected in.

❀‿‿‿‿‿‿‿❀

Tini didn't see either counterpart of the royal couple until 3 weeks later. They stopped at the slightly jarred entrance, watching as the couple seemed to be in deep conversation. This was the perfect opportunity. Would they act differently if they believed that there were no eyes watching them? The two were huddled close together but their angle of sitting obstructed some of Tini's view. But they continued watching as nothing happened between the husband and wife. Tini huffed in frustration before knocking at the room's door. The couple jumped apart, sliding ever so apart on the sofa, as they turned their attention to Tini.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your highnesses, but do you need this room any longer?" they asked crassly, bowing to showcase their regertfulness.

"Oh, Tini, Hello. Ba-" Y/N paused to cough, her hand coming to rest on her chest. "Yunho, this is the new hire I was informing you about," Y/N stated, smiling over the couch at the undercover journalist. Tini stayed silent, observing as Yunho inspected his wife before turning to regard them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tini," he said, giving them a head nod in greeting. "Y/N had informed me of your interesting inquisitiveness," Yunho continued with a laugh as the mentioned female lightly smacked him on the arm with a pout. Tini could see how they managed to convince the entire kingdom of their love; the royal couple acted very naturally with each other. At this moment, they didn't differ from an average couple that Tini would encounter.

"I apologize if my question came across as rude, I didn't mean for it to come out that way," Tini spoke up, bringing the duo's focus back to them.

"No need, it was not taken as such," Y/N reassured them, her sunny disposure returning as she did.

"Although, I would advice working on your word choice for the future. It would be best to do so, so as to not offend any of our potential guests," Yunho suggested as he stood. His hand reached out for Y/N's, allowing for her to join him as well. "But let us not stop you from working, please resume your cleaning." The royal couple left at the male's words, hands still grasped in one another's as they did.

❀‿‿‿‿‿‿‿❀

This was Tini's big break. They finally snuck into the East Wing. It had been rather easy as the space wasn't actually guarded; the royal couple instead trusted their staff to not enter without permission. The naivety of the duo, despite their status in life, continued to puzzle the journalist. But Tini wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. They would take the moment to properly snoop into Yunho and Y/N's most private space. The pair's living arrangement would be the pièce de résistance that would prove Tini to be correct. Turning on their camera, they began walking down the hallway. Hung on the walls, to Tini's astonishment, was Yunho and Y/N's wedding photos; they were able to recognize the outfits from the articles detailing the event. Oddly, none of the photos displayed in frames were ones that Tini had seen in magazines before. Though even odder, this was the only place in the royal's home where photos were hung. Tini walked further, peeking their head and camera into doors they came across. So far, they'd found a game room, a personal gym, and a library. No sign of separate bedrooms or living spaces, and luckily no sign of either Y/N or Yunho.

"You're staring, you know?" They heard Y/N's voice, and curiosity getting the better of them, they decided to follow where the sound came. Tini tried peering into the crack of the door, but the small crack wasn't big enough for them to properly see in. Sticking in their camera, Tini was able to see the expanse of the bedroom alongside the couple. Yunho laid with his head across Y/N's lap, her hand gently fussing with his hair. "You're staring as well," he replied back but neither moved to look away.

"Hmm, I like looking at my husband's face."

"Is that so?" the male readjusted himself, propping up onto his elbow and twisting to face Y/N. She nodded as both she and Yunho lessened the gap between themselves.

"Yes, very much so," the female answered with a cheeky smile on her face. Yunho chuckled before kissing the smile off of Y/N's face. Her hands came up to cradle the man's face, giggles escaping from her mouth as their lips separated before joining once again. Tini backed away from the door, leaning against the wall in shock. Luckily the blissfully kissing couple was unaware of their presence outside of the room.

#kpop #kpop x reader #kpop x poc reader #neomujinjja #kpop imagines #kpop fluff #ateez imagines #jeong yunho #yunho #ateez yunho #yunho x reader #yunho imagines #ateez x reader #ateez fluff #yunho fluff

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takenbypeter · 16 days ago

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My Blond Pretty Princess

Benjamin Poindexter x reader

Words: 595

A/N: got this after someone commented that Dex was their blond pretty princess in one of my posts and idk if they wanna be tagged but I thought it was adorable to call him that

Did Dex love the idea of you going with your friends to a club all by yourself? No. But did he know that it would be wrong to do anything to stop you? Yes. And while his original plan was to go with you, (just to make sure you were safe), work had to thwart his way. Fortunately he had just about finished up when his phone rang.

Your contact photo filled his screen and he paused instantly thinking the worst. Without getting too ahead of himself he picked up the phone, hearing the sound of muffled music and cars in the background. Then came your voice, “Dex!” He moved away from his phone as you practically shouted in his ear. “I miss you! I’m not having any fun without you!”

Dex’s smile grew crooked as he relished in the fact that you wanted him there. Someone missed him. And not just someone. You. “Are you still there?”

“I’m sitting outside on the curb.”

“I’ll be there soon,” is all he said before he took off. It didn’t take long for Dex to reach you. And as soon as he pulled up sure enough there you were perched on the curb.

Putting the car hazard lights on he got out and opened the passenger side before kneeling to your side.

“Hey,” he said and your head slowly turned towards him. Your eyes widened in excitement at the sight of Dex as a smile spread along your face. “Hey.”

“Are you okay? Can you stand?”

You nodded, your head began to feel heavy while you started to push yourself up off the ground. “I’m only a tiny bit tipsy but I’m fine.” Is what you said but your swaying movements that prompted him to grab your waist, proved otherwise.

With one hand around you he walks you to the car and gently sat you in the passenger seat. Only after making sure all your limbs were inside, he shut the door then joined on the other side.

The car ride home was surprisingly quiet on your end. In fact Dex was the one pulling the conversation from you.

“Did you have fun?” The question was genuine.

You shrugged, your eyes closed while your head lay against the headrest. “It was alright at first but then it just got boring, and then some people tried to join our group but I wasn’t really about that. I didn’t really want to be there with anyone except you.”

Dex’s cheeks rose at knowing that you felt the way he constantly felt. You fell quiet again but he noticed your head turn to his direction.

He kept his eyes on the road in front but could see you staring at him from his peripheral.

“What is it?”

“Do you know you’re my pretty princess?”

Dex tried his best to contain his laugh but your slurred words genuinely caught him off guard.

“I thought I was a knight in shining armor.”

“Sometimes but you’re my princess…you know why?” You waste no time in sharing the answer with him. “Cause a princess protects her kingdom and keeps it in order. She helps her people but she also needs help from a knight. That’s just like you. You protect me but sometimes you need help too.”

“So does that make you the knight?”

“Absolutely,” your word drifted off as you faced forward again and rested your head back as sleep was beginning to catch up with you.

“My blond pretty princess,” were your last words as you drifted off into la la land.

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kathlare · 4 months ago

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a song apart

Lando Norris x Amelie Dayman

Summary: Lando attends Amelie’s sold-out concert in London, drawn by curiosity and unresolved emotions. As he watches her command the stage with raw talent and vulnerability, the performance stirs feelings he thought he had buried.

Wordcount: 0.8 k

Warnings: just fluff

full masterlist // request over here!

July 2nd, 2023 - London, United Kingdom

The crowd at Hyde Park in London roared as the lights dimmed, their excitement palpable. Amelie’s emails i can’t send tour had been a massive success, with every show sold out, and tonight was no different. Fans held up their phones, their flashlight apps creating a sea of tiny stars as they waited for the star of the night. Lando Norris pulled the hood of his sweatshirt further over his head, adjusting the cap underneath for extra cover. His heart thudded in his chest—not from the noise of the crowd, but from the sheer weight of what he was doing.

What the fuck am I doing here?

That question had been circling his mind since he walked into the venue, slipping past fans unnoticed thanks to the discreet VIP entrance. He had told himself he was just curious. It had been months since he’d last seen Amelie, and even longer since they’d spoken. The idea of seeing her perform live, doing what she loved, had nagged at him until he gave in. But now, standing in the private viewing area, safely away from prying eyes, he wasn’t sure curiosity was the only reason he was here.

The crowd erupted as Amelie took the stage, her voice cutting through the din as she launched into emails i can’t send, the title track of her album. She had always been magnetic, but on that stage, she was electric.

Lando felt his chest tighten as her voice rang out, raw and emotional, hitting every note with precision and passion. He had always known she could sing; hell, he’d heard her hum melodies during their late-night gaming sessions back in 2020. But seeing her like this, commanding the attention of thousands of people, was something else entirely.

She moved seamlessly into Read Your Mind, her voice light and teasing, before transitioning to the sharp, cutting lyrics of Feather. Lando couldn’t help but smile at how her performance reflected the complexity of who she was—playful, vulnerable, and razor-sharp, all at once. The audience screamed the lyrics back at her, their adoration filling the arena.

Lando stayed hidden in the shadows, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the railing. He didn’t sing along, didn’t cheer. He just watched. Watched the way she grinned at the crowd, the way she closed her eyes during the slower songs, completely lost in the music. It was a side of her he hadn’t seen before, and it hit him harder than he expected.

The set transitioned into Already Over, and Lando felt like the air had been knocked out of him. The lyrics were hauntingly familiar, like she was recounting their own story—half-finished, unresolved, and full of questions they never asked each other. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay rooted in place.

—I like my bed, but it likes you, too How am I supposed to leave you now that you're already over?—

The words echoed in his mind, and for a moment, he wondered if she was thinking about him when she wrote that song. Probably not, he told himself. She had moved on, just like he had—or at least, he thought he had. But seeing her now, hearing her voice carry those emotions, made him question everything.

As the show went on, Lando found himself increasingly restless. He’d come here to see her, to satisfy some inexplicable urge, but the longer he stayed, the more conflicted he felt. Watching her sing things i wish you said was the breaking point. The lyrics were so raw, so painfully honest, that he couldn’t help but feel like she was speaking directly to him.

—I saw you met somebody and I'm jealous as hell. That I can't even stomach loving somebody else—

Fuck.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, his pulse racing. Why the hell had he come here? To torture himself? To dredge up feelings he had buried months ago? He didn’t have answers, only the nagging realization that being here had been a mistake.

As Amelie transitioned into how many things, her voice achingly soft, Lando made his decision. He slipped out of the viewing area and headed toward the exit, keeping his head down. The music followed him as he moved through the backstage corridors, her voice growing fainter with each step.

He left before the show ended, before the inevitable encore. But her voice stayed with him, lingering in his mind long after he stepped out into the cool London night.

By the time he got back to his car, parked discreetly far from the venue, he was questioning everything. Why he had gone. Why it still hurt. And most of all, why he couldn’t seem to let her go, even after all this time.

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saoney · 3 months ago

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Skyfall .𖥔 ݁ ˖

⭑ Satoru Gojo + [Fem! Reader] .ᐟ

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 Eldoria was built on lies and blood. [Y/N], the sheltered princess, lived her life unaware of the sins her parents committed to secure their kingdom’s golden age. But the ghosts of the past do not rest. Satoru Gojo, the last survivor of a kingdom destroyed by Eldoria’s greed, returns with a vengeance. When the night of his conquest leaves [Y/N] orphaned and her kingdom in ruins, Satoru spares her life—but only to make her his captive bride. In a world of betrayal, power, and obsession, can love bloom in the shadow of vengeance? Or will the weight of their broken kingdoms destroy them both?

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐬 Dark Romance, Drama, Historical Fantasy, Revenge, Tragedy, Slow Burn

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 Graphic Violence, Death of Loved Ones, Emotional and Physical Abuse Themes, Forced Marriage, Power Imbalance, Themes of Revenge and Obsession, Psychological Manipulation, Trauma and PTSD Representation, Mature Themes

🔖 masterlist

Chapter 1: An Eye for an Eye

The kingdom of Eldoria shimmered beneath the midday sun, its white stone walls gleaming like polished pearls. Golden banners bearing the royal crest fluttered in the gentle breeze, announcing to all that this was no ordinary day. It was a day of celebration—the [Y/N Age] birthday of Princess [Y/N], the beloved jewel of Eldoria.

The marketplace buzzed with excitement. Merchants called out their wares, offering trinkets and sweets crafted in honor of the princess’s special day. Children ran through the cobblestone streets, their laughter mingling with the music played by wandering minstrels. Flowers of every hue adorned the archways, filling the air with a heady perfume that seemed to embody the joy of the kingdom.

In the grand palace atop the hill, the King and Queen were a picture of regal pride. King Takeshi, with his imposing stature and kind, weathered face, stood at the head of the banquet hall, overseeing the preparations for the evening’s feast. Beside him, Queen Sakura, her emerald-green gown flowing like liquid silk, directed the servants with the grace of someone who had long mastered the art of ruling a kingdom with both strength and compassion.

“More lilies on the table,” Sakura said to a nearby servant, her tone gentle but firm. “They’re her favorite.”

Takeshi chuckled, placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “If we keep going like this, the entire palace will be a garden by the time she arrives.”

Sakura turned to him with a smile that spoke of decades of partnership. “Our daughter deserves the very best, Takeshi. Let her have her garden for today.”

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

In her chamber, [Y/N] stood before a tall mirror, her reflection framed by the soft glow of sunlight streaming through the window. She wore a gown of pale gold, the fabric catching the light with every movement. Her long, dark hair was braided intricately, studded with tiny pearls that shimmered like stars.

Her handmaiden, Mira, fussed over the final touches, adjusting the delicate necklace that rested on [Y/N]’s collarbone. “You look like a dream, Your Highness,” Mira said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

[Y/N]’s cheeks flushed, and she let out a soft laugh. “It’s just another birthday, Mira.”

“Not just any birthday,” Mira corrected. “The whole kingdom is celebrating you today. They love you, Princess. We all do.”

[Y/N] turned to the window, gazing out at the bustling city below. Her heart swelled at the sight of her people’s joy, the very same joy her parents had worked tirelessly to protect and nurture.

“I only hope I can live up to their expectations,” she murmured.

“You will,” Mira said with certainty, not once her admiration towards the princess waver. “You already have.”

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the palace courtyard transformed into a wonderland of light and sound. Lanterns hung from every tree, their golden glow casting a magical ambiance over the gathering. Long tables were laden with an array of dishes—roasted meats, honey-glazed pastries, and fruits so vibrant they seemed plucked from a dream. Goblets of sparkling cider clinked together as laughter filled the air.

[Y/N] sat at the head of the grand table beside her parents, her face radiant with happiness. Her father raised a toast, his voice booming with pride.

“To Princess [Y/N],” Takeshi declared, “the light of our lives and the future of Eldoria!”

The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the courtyard. [Y/N] felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she raised her own goblet, smiling at the faces that had gathered to celebrate her.

Midway through the feast, a group of children approached the royal table, their tiny hands clutching garlands of flowers they had woven themselves. The youngest, a girl no older than seven, stepped forward hesitantly, her wide eyes fixed on [Y/N].

“Princess [Y/N],” the girl said, her voice trembling with both fear and excitement, “happy birthday. We made these for you.”

[Y/N] knelt to their level, her smile warm and genuine. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the garlands with care. “They’re beautiful. Just like all of you.”

The children beamed, their nervousness fading. Another girl, slightly older, spoke up. “When we grow up, we want to be just like you, Princess. Kind and beautiful.”

[Y/N]’s heart swelled with emotion. “You are already beautiful,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “And if you keep kindness in your hearts, you’ll be even more than you dream of.”

The children giggled, their faces alight with joy, before running back into the crowd. [Y/N] watched them go, her chest tight with a mix of love and responsibility.

As the night wore on, the celebration showed no signs of slowing. Music played, couples danced, and laughter rang out into the cool night air. [Y/N] felt as though the world was wrapped in a cocoon of light and warmth, untouched by anything dark or cruel.

But beyond the glow of the lanterns, the shadows of the night stretched long and deep. And far away, an army marched under the cover of darkness, their purpose as unyielding as the steel of their blades.

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

The peace of Eldoria shattered like fragile glass under the weight of a nightmare. While the kingdom celebrated, unaware of the looming threat, shadows crept closer—an army of vengeance cloaked in the night.

The attack began with terrifying precision. Arrows lit with fire streaked across the sky, igniting the city’s gates and towers. Explosions rocked the walls of the once-impenetrable fortress, and screams of panic replaced the joyful music of the festivities.

Satoru Gojo’s forces swept through Eldoria like a relentless storm, sparing no one in their path. The guards, caught off guard and drunk from the celebrations, scrambled to organize a defense, but it was futile. Satoru had planned every detail, exploiting the kingdom’s arrogance and overconfidence.

In the throne room, King Takeshi and Queen Sakura received the news with dread. The royal guards burst into the hall, their faces pale and weapons drawn.

“My King, the city is under attack!” one guard shouted.

Takeshi rose from his seat, his commanding presence faltering for the first time in years. “How is this possible? Eldoria’s walls have never been breached!”

“It’s… it’s an army, Your Majesty,” the guard stammered. “Led by… by Satoru Gojo.”

Sakura gasped, her hand flying to her chest. The name was a ghost from their past, a shadow of the sins they thought buried.

Takeshi turned to his wife, his face grim. “Take [Y/N] to safety. Now.”

“No,” Sakura said firmly, tears pooling in her eyes. “Not without you.”

“We don’t have time to argue,” Takeshi snapped. “She’s our daughter, Sakura. If we fall, she must survive.”

The queen nodded, swallowing her grief. She summoned two trusted servants and gripped her daughter’s shoulders, her emerald eyes searching [Y/N]’s face.

“You must go,” Sakura said, her voice trembling but resolute. “Do not look back, no matter what happens.”

“Mother, Father—what’s happening?” [Y/N]’s voice quivered with fear, her gaze darting between them. “I don’t understand!”

“There’s no time to explain,” Takeshi said, pulling her into a brief but fierce embrace. “Just know that we love you more than anything.”

The throne room doors burst open with a thunderous crash, shards of wood scattering across the marble floor. Satoru Gojo entered, flanked by his soldiers, his presence a storm that sucked all warmth from the room. The gilded splendor of Eldoria’s throne room now felt suffocating, as if even the air recoiled from his fury.

Takeshi rose to his full height, his sword in hand, his face a mask of grim determination. “Satoru Gojo,” he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hand. “You dare invade my kingdom?”

“Your kingdom,” Satoru echoed, his tone a venomous mockery. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Takeshi with an intensity that made even the guards falter. “You speak as though you’ve forgotten the blood spilled to build it. My people’s blood.”

Sakura stepped forward, her voice trembling but firm. “We gave you mercy, Satoru. We could have done worse.”

“Mercy?” Satoru barked, his laughter sharp and bitter. “You razed my home, butchered my family, and called it mercy? No, Queen Sakura. Tonight, I show you what true mercy looks like.”

With that, he unsheathed his blade, the sound like a serpent’s hiss.

The clash was immediate and brutal. Takeshi charged first, his sword aimed straight for Satoru’s heart. Satoru sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid, almost graceful. Their blades met in a violent symphony of steel, sparks flying with every strike.

“You’ve grown old, Takeshi,” Satoru sneered, his voice laced with disdain. “And weak.”

Takeshi’s strikes grew desperate, his swings fueled by fury and fear. Sakura joined the fray, her dagger slicing through the air as she aimed for Satoru’s side. He caught her wrist mid-thrust, his grip ironclad.

“You fight well for a queen,” he said mockingly, his voice low. “But not well enough.”

With a savage twist, he disarmed her, sending the dagger clattering across the floor. Takeshi lunged again, but Satoru parried with a brutal counterstrike that sent the king stumbling.

“You stole everything from me!” Satoru roared, his voice cracking with raw emotion. “My family. My home. My future!”

With one final, devastating blow, he drove his blade through Takeshi’s chest. The king’s gasp was a guttural sound, his body collapsing to the floor. Sakura let out a piercing scream, her grief palpable as she knelt beside her fallen husband.

Tears streaked her face as she turned to Satoru, her voice breaking. “You monster… You’ll pay for this.”

Satoru’s gaze softened for a fleeting moment—a flicker of hesitation, almost imperceptible. Then it hardened again. “Not before you do.”

With a cold, calculated strike, he ended her life. The queen fell beside her king, their blood pooling together on the marble floor.

“Find the princess,” Satoru commanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “Bring her to me.”

Suguru Geto nodded, his loyalty unwavering. But deep down, he feels and immense satisfaction as Eldoria falls into shamble. “It will be done.”

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

The echoes of battle still roared outside the palace walls as [Y/N] stumbled through the labyrinthine passages beneath the throne room. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her legs trembling with every step. The distant sound of screams and clashing steel filled her ears, a horrifying symphony of chaos.

“Why?” she whispered to herself, her voice choked with tears. “What is happening?”

The once-familiar corridors now felt like a maze, every shadow a potential threat. Her mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of terror and confusion. She clutched the edges of her gown, lifting it as she ran, the hem already stained with soot and blood.

She thought of her parents, of her mother’s trembling hands as she pushed her toward the secret passage. “Go, [Y/N]. Don’t look back.” But she had looked back. She had seen the terror in her father’s eyes, the way he gripped his sword as if it were the only thing keeping him upright.

The guards found her before she could escape. Their heavy footsteps echoed like drumbeats, and their shadows loomed over her before their hands did. She screamed, her voice raw and hoarse, thrashing against their grip.

“Let me go!” she cried, her nails clawing at their arms. “Please, let me go!”

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. They dragged her back to the throne room, her heels scraping against the marble, leaving faint streaks behind.

The throne room was drenched in the stench of death and fire. The once-grand marble floor, now smeared with blood and ash, bore the marks of a kingdom’s final battle. Flames danced along the shredded remains of Eldoria’s banners, casting eerie shadows on the ruined walls.

Satoru Gojo stood at the center of the devastation, his piercing blue eyes cold and unyielding. In his hand, he gripped the bloodied hilt of his sword, its tip resting against the cracked crest of Eldoria carved into the marble. The bodies of King Takeshi and Queen Sakura lay crumpled before the throne, their faces frozen in expressions of defiance even in death.

“Bring her here,” Satoru commanded, his voice a sharp, merciless blade.

[Y/N] was dragged into the room, her delicate frame barely able to hold itself upright as the soldiers flung her onto the bloodstained floor. Her golden hair spilled across her face as she gasped, her body trembling from the cold reality sinking into her bones.

Her wide emerald eyes darted around, desperate to make sense of the chaos. Then they found them—her parents.

“No,” she choked out, her voice barely above a whisper. She scrambled forward on her hands and knees, her fingers trembling as they reached for the lifeless forms of her mother and father.

“No! Mama! Papa!” she screamed, the sound raw and piercing as it echoed through the ruined hall.

Satoru stepped closer, his boots crushing glass and debris beneath their weight. He grabbed her by the arm, yanking her to her feet with little regard for her struggle.

“Look at them,” he ordered, his voice a venomous snarl. He twisted her toward the lifeless bodies. “Look at the price they’ve paid for their sins.”

“No!” [Y/N] shrieked, trying to turn away, to shut out the sight. But Satoru’s iron grip held her firm, forcing her to confront the horror before her.

“They loved you, didn’t they?” he hissed, his voice dripping with scorn. “So much that they thought their lies and their tyranny wouldn’t catch up to them. But love doesn’t erase blood spilled in greed.”

Her knees buckled, but he held her upright, dragging her closer to the throne where their blood pooled. “You think they were heroes,” he spat, his fury unrelenting. “They weren’t. They were thieves, murderers who cloaked themselves in righteousness. They stole everything from me—my family, my home, my people.”

Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head vehemently. “They weren’t like that! You’re lying! They were good—”

“Good?” Satoru cut her off, his laugh harsh and bitter. He leaned closer, his face mere inches from hers. “Do you know what it feels like to watch your parents die while your home burns around you? To hear the screams of your people as they’re slaughtered?”

Her sobs grew louder, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as she trembled in his grip. “I didn’t know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t know any of it…”

“And that makes you innocent?” he growled, shaking her slightly as his rage flared. “You were their legacy. Their pride. Their perfect little princess. And now you’ll carry their sins.”

He shoved her down with brutal force, and she collapsed onto the marble floor, her cries echoing through the room.

[Y/N] raised her tear-streaked face, her eyes blazing despite her fear. “Then kill me,” she said, her voice breaking but filled with defiance. “Kill me and let this end.”

Satoru stared at her, his jaw tightening. “You think death is the end?” he said coldly, his lips curling into a sneer. “No. Death is a release you don’t deserve.”

He straightened, towering over her trembling form. His voice boomed through the hall, leaving no room for doubt.

“You will live,” he declared, his tone filled with ruthless finality. “You will suffer. You will know what it means to lose everything. You will be my wife—not as a queen, but as a prisoner. A tool for my revenge.”

[Y/N]’s breath caught, her eyes widening in horror. “No… you can’t…”

“I can. And I will,” Satoru said, his gaze icy and unrelenting. “Take her to the dungeons. Prepare for the wedding.”

As she was dragged away, her desperate cries filled the air, but Satoru didn’t flinch. His resolve was ironclad, his vengeance complete. Yet, as he turned to the throne, the ache in his chest deepened. The throne was his, the kingdom had fallen, but the weight of his fury burned hotter than ever.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Satoru muttered the ancient proverb under his breath as he starred at the downfall of Eldoria yet his mind was elsewhere. Replaying the events of that fateful night over and over. The crack of gunfire. His parents’ cry, cut short. The spray of blood, shockingly bright against the moonlit snow.

He had made a vow then, kneeling in that crimson slush. A promise sealed in blood and grief. And now, after years of meticulous planning, the time had finally come to fulfill it.

⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖

[Y/N]’s cries echoed down the dim, narrow corridor as she was dragged away, her steps faltering as the weight of her despair crushed her spirit. The iron grip of Satoru’s men was unyielding, and the golden hem of her once-pristine gown trailed behind her, smeared with soot and blood.

Back in the shattered throne room, silence lingered like a curse over the court of Eldoria. The remaining nobles—those who had survived the massacre—stood frozen, their faces pale with fear. Among them were aging advisors, loyal knights stripped of their swords, and trembling maids clutching the remnants of their courage.

Satoru, towering over them, his icy gaze sharp as a blade, raised his hand to command their attention. His voice was calm, yet the power it carried was absolute. “Eldoria is mine,” he began, each word falling like a hammer blow. “Its throne, its lands, and its people—all belong to me now. Your king and queen have paid the price for their sins.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. Then, with a cruel smirk tugging at his lips, he turned to Suguru, who stood nearby with a confident and unwavering demeanor. “But there remains one final stain on this land that must be cleansed. Atonement requires sacrifice.”

The nobles exchanged wary glances, the growing tension almost unbearable. Whispers of rebellion flared among the younger knights, but an icy glare from Suguru silenced them all.

Satoru continued, his tone laced with venom. “Princess [Y/N], the last of Eldoria’s wretched lineage, will atone for the sins of her bloodline in the only way fitting.” His voice grew louder, carrying authority and cruelty in equal measure. “She will marry me.”

Gasps rippled through the room like a storm, horror etched onto every face. The princess—their beloved [Y/N]—forced to marry the man who had torn their world apart?

One noble, braver—or perhaps more foolish—than the rest, stepped forward, his trembling voice barely audible. “My lord, surely… surely you do not mean this. The princess is innocent—”

“Innocent?” Satoru’s laughter rang out, sharp and biting, as he descended the steps of the dais. His piercing gaze locked onto the man, who visibly withered under the weight of it. “Innocence does not absolve her of the blood in her veins. She bears the mark of her parents’ greed. Their sins will be her burden to carry.”

Satoru’s hand clenched into a fist as his tone grew colder. “And through her suffering, the stain they left on this world will be erased.”

Suguru stepped forward then, his voice calm but lethal. “She is no longer your princess,” he declared, his hand resting purposefully on the hilt of his sword. “She is the bride of your king. Speak against this, and you speak against your ruler.”

The murmurs of protest died instantly. Fear gripped the room like a vice, choking out any hope of rebellion.

Satoru turned back to the trembling crowd, his next words cutting through the air like ice. “The wedding will be held under the crimson moon—an omen befitting the union of blood and vengeance. Eldoria will bear witness to its new queen's sacrifice.”

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allwaswell16 · 4 months ago

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A fic rec of One Direction fics that involve characters using sign language as requested in this ask. You can find my other fic recs here. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments. Happy reading!

- Louis / Harry -

💜 All About Us by LHStylinson

(G, 137k, kid fic) Throughout the night and protests from their daughter, Louis and Harry reminisce about how they met and overtime share their story with the boy that seems to look at their daughter the same way Louis once and still looks at Harry.

💜 All Your Dreams Are On Their Way by @1diamondinthesun

(NR, 73k, Caribbean) Louis Tomlinson is a grieving author with a deadline. Harry Styles is afraid to realize his potential. The Caribbean is the perfect place to dream bigger.

💜 Shout It From The Rooftops by therogueskimo / @bravetemptation

(M, 70k, PTSD) Plagued by memories of the worst day of his life, Louis Tomlinson feels like he’s constantly living in darkness. Harry Styles might just be the person to bring him back to the light.

💜 Dog got your Tongue? by seducedbycurls

(NR, 50k, dog walker Louis) Person a spills coffee on person b when they trip AU

💜 Two Hearts Drawn Together by Chelsea Frew / @chelsea-frew

(E, 46k, famous/not famous) Louis Tomlinson is 1/3 of a world-famous boy band. Harry Styles is a deaf university student. When they meet each other at a book signing, they experience an instant connection.

💜 It Feels Different When You’re With Me by Rearviewdreamer / @all-these-larrythings

(M, 45k, deaf Louis) Harry fell in love with sign language as a kid. He never imagined the first love of his life would lead him straight to his second.

💜 You Came Just Like A Flower In My Darkest Hour by graceling_in_a_suit

(T, 44k, fantasy) Harry had spent a thousand years as the king of a false kingdom, no one but his empty-minded subjects to distract him from his loneliness. Then, he saw a stranger in a mirror to another world.

💜 Quiet People Have the Loudest Minds by @2tiedships2

(M, 38k, omegaverse) the one where Louis is a nonverbal omega who has accepted the fact that he will never find an alpha that will treat him as an equal. On the other hand, he’s never met anyone like Harry.

💜 Stargazer Louis by thecheshirepussycat / @the-cheshire-pussy-cat

(T, 36k, high school) Louis has been deaf ever since a he was a little kid. Some of his only comforts now are the colors and fragrances of flowers. Harry could care less about flowers and prefers the beautiful melodies of his music.

💜 A Life Turned Upside Down by Chelsea Frew / @chelsea-frew

(E, 29k, exes) Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson were madly in love from the moment they met. Their contracts would not, however, allow them to publicly announce their love. Forced to take part in stunts, they persevered. Until one stunt became too much, and Harry left.

💜 Is it a sign? by bluegreenish / @greenblueish

(E, 25k, omegaverse) the one where Harry meets a certain handsome alpha at his sister's wedding and learns that speaking verbally doesn't have to be the only means of communication.

💜 Whipped Cream by @writingstylinson

(T, 24k, pining) Harry is a deaf photographer in charge of taking Lottie's wedding pictures. Louis is determined for Harry to be his plus one.

💜 Don't Act Like It's a Bad Thing to Fall in Love by nightwideopen / @themarshalstale

(G, 23k, high school) Louis was born blind, completely blind, leaving him with nothing but the absolute blackness that his lack of vision produces. Harry, on the other hand, is deaf. No sound can be registered by the two tiny ears his rowdy, chocolate curls obscure so well.

💜 Never Too Late by dimpled_halo / @comebackassholes

(M, 18k, kid fic) Just having come out of the closet and recovering from vocal surgery, famous recording artist Harry Styles needs to get away from LA to work on new music needing to prove to his label that his career isn't over.

💜 Worth a Thousand Words by TheIfInLife / @larryismyotpuniverse

(NR, 7k, high school) Harry went deaf at 5 years old and Louis just wants the chance be heard.

💜 Fingers Crossed by Moriartied

(T, 5k, uni) Harry's been deaf since he was born. Louis is newly graduated after studying sign language, and Harry hires him to translate for all the classes he'll be attending.

💜 The power of Silence by WordsOfHeart

(T, 1k, mpreg) an AU where Harry is mute and pregnant and Louis is the best boyfriend he could possibly be.

💜 My Hands, Your Hands by croisblue / @forwhatiam

(G, 1k, canon divergence) It was something of a joke within Louis’ fandom that he never carried his own luggage. The theories were never too serious, mostly leaning towards him being too much of a princess to do it himself.

- Rare Pairs -

💜 say it out loud by ieatravioli

(M, 25k, Zayn/Liam) Liam has a younger sister who is deaf and he meets Zayn; an alumni from his sister's school. Zayn has just found out that he's qualified to receive a Cochlear implant and decides to go through with the procedure.

💜 Whiteboard by lostinsanity

(T, 5k, Zayn/Niall) Niall’s a musician, Zayn’s an artist. Music and art are their lives, respectively. And the story shouldn't be much more complicated from there. But it is, because Zayn is deaf.

#weekly recs #ficrec #1dficlibrary #1dsquad #Larry fanfic #Larry fanfiction #1dficvillage

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scalefeathers · 8 months ago

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Thinking once again about how Nobuo Uematsu and Masayoshi Soken are both completely amazing composers but in completely opposite directions let me explain

Disclaimer I am not a music theorist; most of music theory is black fucking magic to me. I barely know what a chord is and the circle of fifths makes me quake as though before an Elder God. I just really like both of their works and sometimes I have thoughts about things. Also this is all just my opinion, it's fine if you don't agree, etc.

So: Uematsu is first and foremost, in my opinion, an absolute master of melody. I believe it's what makes his work so iconic and makes so many of his pieces so instantly recognizable. The Final Fantasy theme, the chocobo theme, Dancing Mad, Vamo'alla Flamenco, fucking One-Winged Angel--Just from seeing those names, you've probably got one playing in your head already. You could start humming it right now. Maybe you are already.

And it makes perfect sense when you consider the era he was working in, because back in the 8-bit and 16-bit era, the melody was all you had. When you have such a tiny amount of storage space to work with, you can really play only one, maybe two notes at a time. You can't do anything that's layered, because you only have one layer to work with. I think that's why so much video game music from that era is so memorable and iconic. It's not just because you played so much Street Fighter II when you were a kid that the music is indelibly seared into your brain (though that probably doesn't hurt); it's also because Yoko Shimomura wrote really solid melodies that had nothing else competing for your aural attention (apart from the in-game sound effects, which are probably also seared into your memory). (Yoko Shimomura, btw, also composed the music for Final Fantasy XV, the entire Kingdom Hearts series, and like 50 other games over the past 40 years, another fucking icon).

But back to Uematsu: like I said, melodic genius. Even when his work is upscaled into full orchestral arrangements, that core melody is always front and center. And his affinity for melody makes even more sense when you consider that before he got into video game composing, he was writing commercial jingles. (Younger folks may not be aware, but there was a time when practically every product had to have its own theme song, and the best ones were short, snappy, and instantly memorable--and for that, again, you need a strong, simple melody. Ba da ba ba ba, I'm lovin' it.)

Compare: Soken. Soken only started at Square 12 years after Uematsu, which isn't that long in human terms (to me at least, cos I'm old), but it is a long fuckin' time in video game years. By the time he started composing for games, there was so much more you could do with game music in terms of layering, complexity, and sound, and you can tell from his work that he takes full advantage of that. His work is complex and dense, a rich layer cake of themes and motifs, all beautifully merging and weaving together, often to extraordinary effect.

And again, if you look at his pre-music career, it makes a lot of sense that he'd have that approach to music, because he first got into the games industry as a sound designer; I believe that he is the sound director for all the FFXIV expansions, as well as being the composer. So of course he'd be very aware of not just how a sound (or piece of music) works on its own, but of how it fits into the greater whole, and of how to layer and balance lots of different sounds to create something greater than the sum of its parts. And of course it makes sense that he'd bring that approach to his compositions as well.

As a consequence of this approach, though, his music often lacks the memorable melodies that characterize Uematsu's work. Like, I ground (grinded?) Dun Scaith a lot the last time it was on the Mogstone rotation, I know all the boss themes extremely well and can recognize each of them instantly. But if you asked me right now to hum one? I don't think I could. (This isn't a deficiency, to be clear; music doesn't need a prominent core melody in order to be good.)

And that's also not to say that all his music lacks iconic melodies. His vocal tracks, pretty much by definition, have to put a single melody front and center; and then on top of that (or rather, behind it), you have all that trademark Soken richness and depth. Which is probably also why his vocal tracks go so fucking hard.

I think that's also why, out of all the expansions, I like Heavensward's music the best. Most of Heavensward's score is written by Soken, but the main theme is Uematsu's, and you may notice it's basically a tasting menu of like 5 or 6 excellent, very recognizable melodies, one right after the other. And basically every piece on the Heavensward soundtrack incorporates one or more of these melodies. So it really does give you the best of both worlds, and gives the overall score a cohesion that I don't see as much with the other expansions.

TL;DR, Uematsu and Soken are both amazing composers with very different and complimentary styles that reflect their differing backgrounds and the different eras of games in which they have worked and I just think that's neat.

#masayoshi soken #nobuo uematsu #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #final fantasy #rambling into the void #music #music theory #video game music #yoko shimomura

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