#acknowledgements for helping me find a big version of this go to:

[fecklesheckleshacklesschmeckles]

However weird and idiotic the setup of the shot looks, I still like the subject to look and feel their best. - Matt Crockett, photographer

[a-d-nox]

pac/pap: your 2026 self's advice for 2025

take what resonates leave what doesn't - nothing is 100% for you because these aren't personalized so please no angry comments or dms about what i am saying not being a good fit for you or that you "don't claim" just keep scrolling if that is the case. be kind, self reflect, and have fun.

last pac/pap: creature feature: ghost - longing and lingering

return to the masterlist of pap/pac posts

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

pile one

allow yourself to be curious and have new beginnings. your 2026 self urges you to explore the opportunities that ignite your passion and creativity in 2025. trust the process and remain open to learning. small steps will set you up for big transformations.

focus on finding emotional fulfillment and building meaningful relationships. your 2026 self encourages you to cherish and nurture your connections in 2025 - this will be a year where love, family, and/or community brings you immense joy. don’t take any moments for granted...

celebrate your milestones, no matter how small. your future self reminds you that 2025 will bring accomplishments and reasons to feel proud. take time to acknowledge your hard work and enjoy life’s moments of stability and harmony. whether it’s a literal homecoming or a metaphorical one, find peace in your achievements.

let go of past disappointments. your future self acknowledges that 2025 will come with emotional challenges, but advises you to not dwell on losses/mistakes. look for the silver lining in difficult situations and shift your focus to what you can still build and/or salvage. healing is key to moving forward.

balance celebration with responsibility. your 2026 self may be warning against overindulgence or leaning too heavily on social distractions. evaluate your friendships and avoid gossip / superficial connections. focus on meaningful interactions and prioritize your personal growth.

pile two

prioritize balance and adaptability. your 2026 self reminds you that 2025 will be a year of juggling multiple responsibilities, whether in work, personal life, and/or both. time management and knowing when to set boundaries is crucial. stay flexible and focus on what truly matters - don’t stretch yourself too thin.

reconnect with your inner wisdom. your future self cautions that in 2025, you may feel disconnected from your intuition / inner truth. perhaps you’ll rely too much on external validation or suppress your instincts. make time for introspection and trust the quiet, subtle messages within you. avoid ignoring red flags, both in yourself and others.

break free from limiting beliefs. your 2026 self acknowledges that you may feel stuck or trapped in 2025, but reminds you that much of this is mental. the power to free yourself lies within - often you are the thing that stops you from feeling free. whether fear, self-doubt, and/or external pressures - and start taking steps to regain control. small acts of courage can dissolve large barriers.

seek structure and wisdom. your future self advises you to lean into tradition, mentorship, and/or a belief system in 2025 to ground yourself. perhaps this means returning to foundational practices, getting guidance from a teacher, and/or establishing a more disciplined approach to life. ensure you’re not blindly following authority either; question what aligns with your values.

embrace endings as a path to renewal. your 2026 self reminds you that while some parts of 2025 may feel difficult or final, these endings are paving the way for new beginnings. release what no longer serves you, even if it’s painful. trust that you’re shedding what’s necessary to step into a stronger, wiser version of yourself.

pile three

take control and stay determined. your 2026 self encourages you to approach 2025 with focus and willpower. even when obstacles arise, remind yourself of your goals and push forward. balance your emotions and logic to maintain control over your direction. success will come when you stay disciplined and driven.

reevaluate what truly makes you happy. your future self warns that in 2025, you may find yourself chasing goals that don’t align with your authentic desires. reflect on what “wish fulfillment” means to you and avoid settling for superficial happiness. true satisfaction comes from within, not from external validation.

proceed with caution and assess risks. your 2026 self advises you to be mindful of impulsive decisions in 2025. while new beginnings are on the horizon, take the time to plan and evaluate. avoid leaping into situations without considering potential consequences. trust in fresh starts but approach them with care.

let go of resistance to change. your future self sees that 2025 may challenge your ability to release old patterns or beliefs. if you find yourself feeling stuck, it’s likely because you’re resisting a necessary shift in perspective. surrender to the process, even if it feels uncomfortable. true growth comes from seeing things in a new light.

seize new opportunities for stability and growth. your 2026 self celebrates the tangible opportunities coming your way in 2025. whether it’s a career, financial, and/or personal project, there is a fresh start with the potential for long-term success. stay grounded, work hard, and nurture this new beginning - it has the power to flourish.

[sleepy-grav3]

We Became Heroes Because You Didn't

The Justice League don't specialize in much. If you ask them, they'd say otherwise. Unless they're one of the Bats, because they acknowledge that, especially with magic. They hate it, but they have connections and will at least ask for more details to deal with the situation at hand. Though they'll need proof.

That's the thing really. Proof. Because how are you going to get proof of something if everything gets repaired by the end? Or maybe you're the villain here according to the public. Or maybe everything you say is just plain crazy that nobody even knows what's going on from the start!

It was only when another group was formed when everything became clear. They were frowned upon, unknown, spoke nonsense, and never asked for help. They were the survivors that played hero. They were the shadowed version of the Justice League.

They were Justice League: Dark

A fanfic (or multiple small ones grouped together?) that isn't really about them joining forces, but more about the discovery of more dangerous territory that's being handled by kids/teens. Lift some weight for these kids. They really want a safe net by now in their hero careers.

Like- maybe a few of these wouldn't be the JL's fault. Maybe it was the government (at least for the US). Like Danny Phantom and Gravity Falls mentions the government, maybe they blocked off those regions from outside connections.

I feel like it would be funny if maybe Constantine just ends up collecting kids like Batman with his.

They're just kids! Itty bitty toddlers. It's supposed to be our job to take care o' that shit, ain't it?

And JLD now has a bunch of young professionals cause what the fuck, kid. Why do you know this??? Ya know? Maybe the JL just randomly finds these things, calls Constantine after Zatanna fails to know wtf is going on, and he just calls over a kid. Or a group of them.

JL: We need a professional, why is there a child here?

Constantine: Cause even when you fuckers ignored their calls for help, they still at least try to help where they can

JL: We never-

Constantine: Shut your traps! School's in session

*Child tries to explain*

JL: You have to be kidding me. ___ doesn't exist.

Constantine: Oh bloody hell-

Child: And they wonder why they get more attention than us.

idk, I just like the idea of Constantine being a father for OP characters and desperately want a Young Justice League: Dark. I read a couple of Danny and/or Billy being adopted by him, but the cravings... And if it's a whole big crossover thing, that would be great. Tag me if you see or write about something like this. I wanna read too :)

Don't put too much hope in me writing it though, I'm seriously bad at continuing/finishing stuff. But if I do, I'll edit this post with links to whatever I write.

[dandelioncasey]

(I need everyone to know that this entire ramble was inspired by the last few paragraphs because I am a petty bitch who loves a callback - it's never gonna happen but honestly this concept is living in my brain rent free and I might just write another six versions of this lmao)

Okay so picture this:

Eddie comes back to LA and so Buck moves out to give Christopher his home back (Eddie doesn't notice that Buck never says where he's going, he just gives him a week to clear out so that Christopher will have somewhere to sleep, but it's fine, he's just got a lot on his mind, right? He definitely cares, right?)

And so Buck, with his bad credit and nobody willing to rent to him, ends up sleeping in the Jeep (not acknowledging the truck, he still has the Jeep to me), or in a shitty pay-per-night motel type situation (but he tries to avoid that and he definitely never leaves his stuff there, not that he has much anymore - he left most of what he bought for the house for Chris and Eddie, and it's fine, really, where would he put it anyway?)

He starts withdrawing from the team, both because he's embarrassed about his situation and because some tiny part of him is angry that none of them ever asked - they know Eddie's back in the house on South Bedford Street, so they must've figured it out all on their own, look at Buck being an adult, he'll be fine, right??? We're all just glad you're back!

Time passes and that anger is getting louder and harder to ignore. Buck mostly just hangs out with Ravi on shift and then goes 'home' (to his Jeep) alone. He showers at the station or in crappy motels, he cooks too-big meals with Bobby's recipes (which nobody will eat) so he can maybe sneak some of the leftovers (he has money but nowhere to cook, but Bobby's lasagne is just as good cold, right?), he signs up for every extra shift he can, not for the money but because he doesn't want to be alone

Nobody has noticed his housing issues except for Eddie complaining once that he keeps accidentally getting some of Buck's post (it's not an accident, you took his home and left him with nowhere to go and no postal address, you didn't even say thank you to the man who wrecked his credit for you before you handed down a verbal notice period)

One night, as Buck is sleeping in the back of the Jeep, he gets carjacked, someone drives off in his car with him still groggy in the back, he wakes up fully to the sound of police sirens and he manages to sit up, but this startles the driver and the Jeep ends up balanced on the edge of a cliff

Now in precarious situations like this, air rescue is the only safe option, and who should show up but Tommy and the 217? (because as we all know, there's all of three cops, two firehouses, and one helicopter pilot in all of Los Angeles), and the medics get the driver out and then they notice Buck in the back (nobody knew he was there, he couldn't get to his phone)

They try to set up a way to get him out without tipping the car forward and over the edge, but Buck just tells them to go, it's fine, nobody will notice anyway. And then the radio that one of the rescuers is carrying crackles, and he hears Tommy's voice telling him that 'i'd notice, Evan, I always notice you'

They get Buck out, and the Jeep falls, and Buck is just empty (that's all he had left, everything was in his Jeep and now that's gone too), and Tommy is the first person in months to ask Buck if he's okay rather than just assuming he is because clearly trying to help others means you're over losing the only good father you've ever known, right?

More time passes, nobody except Ravi has noticed that Buck's Jeep is a different colour (and model), or that he filed a change of address, or that he's smiling more and cooking less, they're all supporting each other and everyone thinks Buck is talking to somebody else so it never comes up

Eventually we come to a mirror of Buck finding out about the party and the job offer from El Paso from Ravi, instead of from anyone who should have told him - Ravi asks Hen and Chim when they're arriving at the party that's happening during their four days off

Party? What party, did we forget someone's birthday again? Well, it's a housewarming party for Buck, because he's been crashing with Tommy and Tommy finally agreed to let him pay into the mortgage, so it's officially their house now

Obviously everyone is shocked by this - did you know they were dating again? Why didn't he ask for help moving? Buck shows up and Hen, Chim, and Eddie start throwing these questions at him, and he just blinks at them and says that he didn't want to make it all about him, because they're all busy and grieving and suchlike

What do you mean, make it all about you, of course you moving is all about you! Awkward glance at Eddie, and Buck explains that he didn't really have much that needed moving anyway, certainly nothing that he needed help with

Ravi mentions that Buck moved out of Eddie's house (it wasn't Eddie's it was his but none of you noticed why didn't any of you NOTICE??) months ago and just moved in with Tommy last month after 'the whole Jeep thing' (what happened to the Jeep, it's right there? No, that's a different Jeep, it's not even the same colour!),

And someone (probably Hen lbr) finally notices that hey, that math ain't mathing, and it all comes out that not only did Eddie kick out his so-called best friend without so much as a thank you but also nowhere would rent to Buck with his credit in such a state so he was homeless for months and nearly died and NONE OF YOU NOTICED

I just love the parallel of Buck finding out about Eddie's job offer through hearing about the barbecue to celebrate it and the rest of the 118 finding out about what Eddie did and what Buck has been through by hearing about a housewarming party, and both times it's because the rest of the team are supporting and talking to each other and not Buck (who has been told over and over that his help isn't wanted)

[lovingdabeessss]

Thank you for pointing out yang also helps blake out when she needs help or to chill, recency bias has the fandom thinking it's only ever going to be blake helping yang when the core of their relationship is "they protect each other" when one falls down the other picks her up and vice versa honestly amazing how healthy their relationship is

Thank you!!! I love when people think I do a good job talking about them

I thought it was important to bring up just because how HUGE yang reassuring Blake is

(this isn’t to downplay what Blake is to yang i just can’t talk about 2 things because then I’ll never stop talking)

It’s a big part of their relationship and dynamic and both of their characters and development especially in the beginning

It means a lot to who yang is as a person and who she is in context to Blake

Like I want to do nothing else but acknowledge just how important meeting and being with yang was for Blake

Blake just got out of a relationship that was incredibly manipulative and toxic

But the only reason she got OUT of it was because the person doing that to her was hurting OTHER people, it clearly took Blake a much longer time to realize what he did to HER was wrong

And then she teamed up with yang, a girl who’s so patient and supportive and kind to her and expects literally NOTHING in return

And it’s very important to me that I think that she started acting like that BEFORE she started to have a crush on Blake in any way

Yang did that because it’s what she could tell Blake needed, and that’s just the kind of person she is

Blake needed reassurance, she needed to believe she was more then just a dark void, that she deserved better then what she got and that’s what yang was for her

Nothing to do with romance or anything else, flat out just: Blake needed someone to do that and yang excelled in it

And there’s so many examples

Like:

Blakes drawing her abusive ex in a notebook yang sees but Blake clearly doesn’t want to talk about it? Yang lets it go, doesn’t ask any questions

Blake puts herself down when they talk about their motivations for being here? Yang says “you’re not the kind of person to run from a fight”!

Blake has a fight with Elon musk jr Weiss and reveals she was part of a group that while having a long history of being a group for fighting for faunas rights has recently started killing innocent people (under new leadership) and then she RUNS? Yang “abandonment issues” xiao long literally just looks for her, she isn’t mad her team partner left without a word, she doesn’t so much as mumble about the secrets or the white fang thing, she doesn’t comment on how it must make her feel to be abandoned like that, she even defends her to Weiss repeatedly

When they find her and Blake admits to something SO personal and big for her, to decide to go after and try and right the wrongs of the white fang and figure out what’s going on, yang supports her, casually and sweetly, like there should never be any doubt on what she was going to do, yangs just happy Blake’s expressing her wants

NOT EVEN MENTIONING BURNING THE CANDLE WHICH WAS A WHOLE THING ALL ABOUT THIS PART ABOUT THEM

Yang helped Blake immeasurably on her road to recovery

And I’m not saying that Ruby and Weiss and sun weren’t important too!!! They absolutely were!! Weiss and sun actually serve 2 different versions of the same thing Blake needed, and we all know why Ruby’s important relationship for Blake to have, I’m just saying all of them COMBINED couldn’t get Blake to stop destroying herself after several attempts and it took yang 1 conversation max AND got her to additionally go to the dance with a single sentence

Yang probably did the best job 1 person can do to help out someone going through something this huge and difficult

However Blake was going through a LOT mental illness is a big thing especially with all the trauma and just how fucking long she was in that situation for

A lot of things were conditioned into her and they worked really hard but new trauma tends to bring up old bad habits

As amazing of a job yang did at being there for someone who’s so traumatized

she was still just one person and Blake needed the bigger support system of her family to get to the healthy place she needed to be at to truly be the healthy person she is now

and to truly be the healthy person she’d need to be to be a healthy significant other for yang

but I doubt she could’ve even gotten to the point of willingly going back home without yangs help

Something I should probably make a different post about tho is

The point of “we’re protecting each other” is that they’re NOW loving each other by working together

Before they wanted to protect each other but they were working separately, they weren’t communicating about it and to a certain extent they weren’t respecting each other about it

That’s the POINT of it

It’s shown in how they fight Adam

The first time it’s Yang protects Blake and then it’s Blake protects yang

The second time they’re doing it together at the same time

That’s why it works

Also btw yeah I totally get the frustration, the bumblebee relationship is so awesome and so nuanced and amazing and people aren’t always gonna remember to express they’re cannon complexities

Even down to the simplest “we’re protecting each other” or the entire point of the song “all that matters”

Such is the nature of fandom

Anyway the reason for the recent bias is probably cause a lot of the more obvious helping each other and comforting each other things have been yang to Blake

And people have recently realized there’s a LOT that yang needs to be talked to about

So they’re making up for it in fandom

As fandom works

And it makes people occasionally forget just how prominent yang helping Blake is or just forget to mention it

[alphajocklover]

Hey, um, I'm a really tall, really skinny gay guy. People have always told me that I could be really athletic if I wanted to, but no matter how much I eat I always stay thin and lanky. I guess it's just my metabolism. Could you help me beef up?

Maybe I just don't have the mindset for it

So, no matter what, even though you desperately want to, you can’t seem to put on any muscle. Trust me when I tell you that you’re not alone. There are tons of people who look at their body and wish they were different, and there are just as many who do what they can to change and find it's just not enough. That's part of why transformation blogs exist after all. The fantasy of getting your dream body without all the hassle. Some people say that those who have trouble doing this just need to work harder, or are lazy, but usually it has more to do with genetics and metabolism than anything else. Getting a body like the ones in my post is possible without magic and reality warping apps, but it is very difficult and not possible for everyone. So, your request brings up an interesting idea: what would happen if I changed you mentally and left your body alone? Would the right mindset really change that much? Well, let's see.

It shouldn’t be hard to change you mentally. I won’t even go into how. Maybe I used some magic, or nano bots, or something else from my increasingly large collection of jock transformation methods. Honestly the how isn’t really important to this experiment. It’s what happens next that we want to focus on. Because now, mentally, you’re a jock. I didn’t entirely rewrite your identity, so you’re still you, just a jock version of yourself. You’re dumber, simpler. You love sports and working out, and obsess about getting massive muscles. You’re the stereotypical jock… except you're skinny as a bean pole. The new you can’t just accept that of course. He wants to be huge. He works out like crazy, follows all the tips, takes every supplement and tries every protein powder he can find, all to chase the version of you he knows he can be. So… does it work? Does the new you get a jock body? The answer is fairly boring: kind of. An increased dedication to exercise and a passion for it is sure to make a big difference, and you end up putting on dozens of pounds of muscle, but since I didn’t change your body, you still have to deal with the genetics life has dealt you. You get huge, but you don’t get as big as some of the other gym goers. You’re a jock, but you’re not inhumanly massive. You’re definitely a total stud, but it takes quite some time for you to get where you want to be. I’m not knocking hard work and dedication, but they’re not the only factors and it’s ok to acknowledge that. You may never get as big as you dream… but that's not really why you do it anymore. You’re a jock now, and a real jock doesn’t just workout because they wanna look good, they do it because they love it! Because it’s their passion! That passion and dedication will take you very far, farther than people get on just good genetics. You may never be the biggest guy in the gym, but you’ll get big and enjoy every second of getting bigger.

Of course, that's coming at it from a more grounded viewpoint, and we’re not here to be grounded are we? You want to live out your jock fantasy, and as thanks for letting me do this little experiment with you, I’ll give your muscles an extra little boost! Looks like you will be the biggest guy in the gym after all! With both the right mindset and the perfect body, you’re going to end up a jock bro god. Hope you enjoy it bro! You're gonna have guys throwing themselves at you after this.

[crazycat010]

What am I even doing?!

Of Shadows and Stardust MASTERLIST

GOJO SATORU X READER part 2

Warnings: mentions of death, fatal car accident, alcohol abuse, slight child abuse, hitting, solitude and loneliness, reader being basically split in half between their normal version and sorcerer version, running away from home, (mostly from memories or brief references).

Word count= 3K+ words

Once again, you were woken up at the first lights by her grumbling. What was the matter with her? Ever since you’d encountered the Second-grade curses a few days ago she had been restless, muttering and blabbering mindlessly in your own mind, making it impossible to concentrate on anything and causing you the worst migraines ever.

“What the heck?! Just Shut up! I’m trying to get all the sleep I lost because of you!” You thought, yelling at her in her mind, frustrated.

“I know what we must do. I figured out a way to solve this problem!” She muttered.

“What problem? What are you talking about?” You started getting out of your bed and preparing a nice warm shower. Perhaps that would ease your senses and bring a little comfort in these painful days.

“You know what I’m referring to, ungrateful child!” She scoffed loudly. “The curses started arriving in masses at the Tokyo Central Elementary School just as you became a teacher there and started going there regularly. It’s a pattern that has been following you  ever since we came in contact…”

“What’s your point?” You asked, utterly confused and completely stressed out by the whole situation. Realization however, was starting to kick in, and soon sadness followed, filling your soul like water in an empty glass.

“You and I both know it’s not a coincidence. You can try to fake it as much as you want, but we’re the problem. We always have been. Wherever we go, we attract curses, like light attracts moths. We both have known for the longest time, but you’ve decided to ignore it. Now that we’ve gotten stronger, we need to take action and do something about it!” She explained. It made sense.

Besides, you’d always known, deep down, you just had never actually acknowledged it.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!” You screamed out loud. You already knew the answer, it was just to painful to admit. How were you supposed to live like that?

“We need to escape, find somewhere quiet and without any people around. We’re threats to all living life.”

“Talk for yourself.” You said, getting under the boiling hot jet of water, trying to suppress all the emotions that were hitting you all at once.

You thought about how you’d gotten to know her.

Turbato pacis, that’s how you referred to her. It meant ‘disturber of the peace’ in Latin, the Ancient language your mother had forced you to learn during high school.

You’d never given your mother enough credit for keeping your family together while working three jobs and taking care of both you and your father for god knows how long, not until it was too late and didn’t matter anymore, anyways.

Something about you had always been different. You remember how you used to win every single street fight you got your stinky ass into with the big mouth of yours. You always wanted to help the defenseless, those whom people chose to tear the eyes away from.That’s how your mother had raised you: a brave warrior that helped the poor, wether it was with food, sweet words, hugs, or punches. You felt kind of like Robin Hood, the main character of your favorite tale. Ever since you’d been first read the story to, you’d been amazed and greatly impressed by the grand gestures of such noble-hearted and gentle man, a kind soul who stole what others didn’t need and, instead of keeping the bounties for his own poor self, he gave them away to those in need, aiding his people in any way possible.

That’s what you dreamt of becoming, a beacon of light in the surrounding darkness, justice in a pool of misery and mischiefs. However, life had many surprises prepared for you, leading you through one bad situation after the other.

Even though you never lost, you always ended up patched up by your furious mother, mad at you for your reckless behavior. You couldn’t help but pick fights with people bigger and stronger than you, which did indeed mean their downfall, but also a broken nose for you, if not worse.

You’d always fought injustice, like your mother had wanted, until the most unjust event happened to the two of you.

You were chatting mindlessly, probably about school, an ice cream in one hand and the other holding your mother, who was skillfully managing to eat her own creamy delight while balancing in her arms three shopping bags and that small black full of scratches leathery backpack of hers, where she kept her most useful belongings, alongside some money and tissues for her daughter. Your father was right behind you, busy checking business stuff on his phone. You waited patiently at the crossroad before the traffic light became green, and then you started crossing the road, as you would normally do.

Nonetheless, it was no normal or ordinary day that one, on which your mother ad been able to convince you to go shopping with her, bribing you with food.

A drunk man had decided he wanted to go outside too that random Thursday evening, and thought, why not have a ride on his new car as well?

Too much liquor in his body, he hadn’t even noticed his pants were missing, so how could he have seen the traffic light turn red at the crossroad? The last thing he saw before ascending to the skies to his long-lost mother were two women, or at least one woman and one woman-to-be, crossing the same road as the one his was driving one, before all went down.

You didn’t have the time to realize it as your mother threw herself on your small figure in a useless attempt to keep you out of harm’s way. You should have died as well, that day, but fate seemed to have other things planned for you.

The car crash was chaotically, to say the least, and it ended with the new red car crashed on a nearby secular tree, two unrecognizable bodies shattered in the middle.

Nevertheless, one of them was the driver’s, as you’d somehow and jumped your way out of the crash.The aftermath was a mix of sorrow, grief and anger driven actions, compelled mostly by your father, who had watched the whole scene unfold right under his very nose, unable to think or react.

You didn’t understand how you’d saved yourself, too shocked from all the events to even try to think hat maybe, there was a connection behind all the mysterious stunts you always pulled whenever danger came your way.

That was until she actually came out, Y/n 2.0, another way you called her.

Out of everyone, understandably, your father was the most stressed out one. He moved frantically, spending his days pacing the living room with a never-ending bottle of beer in his left hand and a picture of your mother in his right one. He couldn’t rest, eat or drink, just like you. However, being the innocent child you were, you didn’t understand what was happening, simply wanting your dada back from crazy-land.

You tried to tell him to calm down, tried to get him to sit down and have dinner with you, but before you knew it, he had dropped the picture of your mother, taken a big gulp of that golden liquid, a small amount of which fell in small droplets on his chin, and swung his big calloused hand aimed for your cheek.

You closed your eyes, preparing yourself for the hit, but it never came. Trembling, you opened your eyes to see your father’s eyes wide open in a mix of surprise and alcohol-driven rage and madness. While you covered your face with one hand, the other firmly gripped your father’s forearm, preventing a rather harsh hit.

Panicking, you quickly let go of him and ran upstairs to your bedroom, locking yourself inside and heading to the little sink to wash your face.

As you rinsed it thoroughly and then proceeded to dry it with a dirty cloth. As you did that, you couldn’t help but notice the reflection in the mirror. It was you, as usual, but the ‘other Y/n’ had black eyes, the darkest bag under her eyes and black and green tattoos, that resembled strange figures and terrorizing snakes. Her black hair had stripes of a flashy bright green in it and she wore a black long robe with green and silver accessories, very different from your worn out beige school uniform and plain black hair.

As if it couldn’t get any weirder, the reflection started talking to you.

“Hello Y/n.” It said, with the calmest tone.

You screeched in surprise, not knowing what to do, but still kept your eyes on the mirror, as you tried to learn more about her.

As you were about to discover, she’d always been a part of you, ever since you were born. However, until then, you’d always had control over her, or as she’d say, she kept quiet and didn’t interfere with your life. Nevertheless, she was still a part of your life, helping you during fights for example, but never completely taking over your body. When the incident with your mother had happened, she’s sensed your turmoil and knew something was about happen and she’d have to help you. That’s why she intervened during your fight with your father, and had now completely detached herself from you in order to protect you, leading to the creation of two Y/ns, as one could call it. She tried to reason with you that you couldn’t stay there anymore, and being the sweet and pure kid you were, you agreed, not taking the risk of hurting anybody.

That was the night you escaped, with a small backpack and a picture of your family in hand.

You didn’t know what you were to do, but perhaps that’s what made it so exciting, the thrill of a new adventure.

In time, you learned to co-exist with Enchantress, the name you usually used for her because of the power she held. She taught you all you knew about curses, and you tried to teach her about life in the real human world, whenever you could get her to listen. You became each other’s best friend, unable to rely on anybody else or trust the mere strangers that popped into your life.

After you’d gotten into a good university and found a way to live freely without the need of your father’s or any other tutor’s presence, Enchantress stepped aside, letting you live your life at its fullest. She still talked to you and entertained you with her snarky comments, but she’d actually intervened, until a few days ago…

You felt the water becoming cold and knew you had to get out of here, not only of the shower obviously, but you had to leave your job and go somewhere isolated and safe, for everybody’s sake.

That day, after spending some time in school and enjoying your last hours with your students, you resigned from your job without explanations, and started packing your bags as soon as you came back home.

What you didn’t expect that day, was a visitor, much less Gojo Satoru himself knocking at your door and seven p.m. in the evening.

“Helloooo…” He cheered, but frowned and gave you a confused look upon noticing the scattered bags all around your apartment.

“Are you moving out?” 

“Hello to you too Satoru.” You said calmly, going back to stack the brown boxes one on top of the other.

He kept his frown, urging you to answer his question.

“And yes, I am moving. I should be gone by tomorrow afternoon.”

He gave you a saddened look, and only after a while you understood its meaning.

“Oh gosh, I forgot to tell you! Sorry Gojo, ehm-I mean Satoru. I really wanted to call you but I didn’t have the time. It was a pretty fast decision, if you know what I mean.” You tried to explain to the white-haired man.

“Don’t worry, I figured you must’ve been busy. But why are you moving out? And where would you be going anyways? I thought you really liked it here…” He said, looking around your apartment.

He’d visited you a couple of days after you’d first met and you’d told him about how you’d just moved in a couple of months ago and really enjoyed your new home and job.

“I did, it’s just…” You stopped yourself before you could say anything else. You couldn’t lie to a sorcerer! He’d detect it right away and then you would be in big trouble. You had to avoid talking about the reason for which you were leaving. “It’s complicated, really. And besides, there is no real matter. It just feels like I don’t belong here…” That part was true. Ever since you’d run away from your home, you felt like  you didn’t fit in anywhere, and all the dangers you’d faced had only made you stronger and perhaps gave you some trust issues, and now you constantly felt alone and unwanted, though it was a minor thing, considering your real issues- Cough-cough-Enchantress-.

“What if you come teach at Jujutsu High?” He asked.

What?! He wasn’t possibly proposing to…huh?

“I mean, the kids already have teachers for sorcery stuff and everything, but there’s a lack of more…How can I say?…normal subjects? Like, they don’t know anything about Maths, History, literature, science or any of that stuff, but I know it could be really important if they don’t become actual Sorcerers or even if…I mean, they could really use a teacher like you.” He said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

Surprisingly enough, you thought about it. You knew you had to get out of the city, but wherever you went, you had to get a job to survive, or you’d have to go back to the way you were as a runaway teenager, which were years you only wanted to forget about.

Besides, at the High School you’d be protected from curses and evil sorcerers and you wouldn’t bring more danger or trouble than the ones all of the students would ordinarily face.

“Don’t you dare!” Enchantress, ever the party crusher seethed. “We’ve already made this decision! We’re heading to a small village in the country where we won’t bring danger to ourselves or anybody else. Besides, you’d be living with sorcerer, which means they would find out about us sooner or later, whether you like it or not, and I’m 100% sure they won’t like us. I heard stories about people killed for this! For being like you! You can’t do this, the risk is too great, as you would put it, the cons are way more than the pros.” She tried to reason with you, though you tried to keep your mind open to every possibility.

You hadn’t made a final decision yet, so why not try?

Besides, Gojo seemed like a pretty chill guy, so after getting on friendly terms, you could tell him about your situation and you were sure that, with his kind nature, he’d help you (he did say he liked you, and you didn’t want to use his feelings against him, but, they sure would help!).

“I…have to think about it…” You told him, not giving a definite answer.

“I understand. I don’t want to put too much pressure on you, but I think you’d be a great fit for the kids and everyone there will love you. Besides, it’s a very friendly and chill environment, so you’d get used to it pretty quickly. In addition, you wouldn’t have to worry about food or a place to stay, since all of us teachers and students live in buildings on the High School grounds.”

You nodded in thought, but he began speaking once again: “Anyways, I got the feeling you’ll move out regardless, so why don’t you let me help you gather all these boxes and then we can go eat something?”

“Yeah sure, thanks.” You answered. A new feeling entered your heart, a feeling of fondness, happiness mixed with something else you couldn’t quite put your finger on. You had finally found a friend you could trust, so why not? Why not try to be part of something bigger, be part…of a family again.

You felt your eyes begin to tear up and, without any warning, you threw yourself in Gojo’s arms. He didn’t ask you anything or question your motives, keeping you latched onto him as tight as possible.

As soon as you felt better, you muttered with a cracked voice, in between soft sobs and hiccups: “Thank you, for everything.”

With a hopeful gleam in his eyes, he said, making circles on your back with his long fingers to soothe you and ease your nerves: “Does this mean you’ll come teach at my school?”

You simply nodded, your mind (mostly Enchantress though) screaming at you to not do it, but for once, you didn’t listen to her. For the first time in a very long time, you followed your heart, that pleaded you for a chance to be part of a family that truly loved you, regardless of who you were or what you did. You were finally free, and it felt like a weight was lifted from your shoulders as you detached yourself from Gojo, who stood in front of you with that recognizable beam of joy in his eyes. It reminded you that you weren’t in this alone, and even thought you’d just met him, he would help you throughout every step of your journey, your trustworthy friend. On this journey, you’d probably make mistakes and things would probably go wrong many times, but that didn’t matter. For the first time, you thought about what you wanted, without over caring about the consequences of your choices on other people: it was your life dammit!

Heart full of hope and joy, you felt ready ready to start this new unexpected chapter of your life!

Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it. You're welcome to come check out my account and my other posts and/or make requests :) (MASTERLIST) Do NOT plagiarize this or any of my content.

Love you guys! See you soon!😘

Written by crazycat010 © 2025 crazycat010

[strniohoeee]

idk what to ask but something super angst enemies to lovers with matt

Disregard(Matt’s Version)

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: Matt and Y/N hate each other. However one night at a party things take an ugly turn, and Matt’s there to help her. Feelings are expressed but are these feelings mutual? 🌷

Warning⚠️: None really some guy tries to take advantage of reader.

Song for the imagine: R U Mine?- Arctic Monkeys

And satisfaction feels like a distant memory

And I can’t help myself

All I ever wanna say is “are you mine?”

“You at a party with Matt? How’s that going to work” my friend asked me over the phone laughing

“It’s going to work because I hate him, and I will be far away from him duhh” I said raking through my closet looking for an outfit

“I just don’t know how you can hang out with him and his brothers when yall can’t stand one another” she said

“Well Nicks my friend mostly sadly and Chris is cool, but Matt’s just always there” I said huffing when I couldn’t find the shirt I wanted

“Why don’t you and Nick just hang out” she responded

“I mean we have, but they are always together. I’ve learned to just not acknowledge him” I said laughing

“Man I don’t know how you’ve been sticking it out this long” she said to me

“He was at his worse in high school, so if I got over that I can get over anything” I responded back

“Mmm that’s true he was an annoying little shit” she said giggling

“He really was, and he was such a dick” I said rolling my eyes

“He was, but I’m gonna let you go girl. I know you have to prepare for this party, and I’m about to head out with my man on a date” she said to me

“Alright girl I love you, and have fun I’ll talk to you soon” I responded

“Love you too, and have fun as well” she responded

I hung up and finished looking through my closet for another outfit.

“FINALLYYYY” I said as I found the shirt I’ve been hunting for

To be honest I’m not too sure why my hate for Matt was still there. I’ve been friends with Nick for 5 years now, and although Matt was an asshole in school I couldn’t stop my hate towards him.

He just was always there, and swore he was hot shit. He wanted to be cool and mysterious so badly and it annoyed the shit out of me.

I agreed when Chris called him “tough” because it was true. He acted like this big bad guy, and like he was too good for everybody. Hated it and I hated him

Initially I really liked him, but he destroyed all of that when we were in high school. It haunted me daily…..man fuck Matt

I finished getting ready and decided to Uber over to the triplets house since Nick wanted us to carpool

I headed into their house and walked up to nicks room

“Nickkkk” I said as I walked in and hugged him

“Heyyy” he said pulling away

“Excited for tonight?” I asked him as I sat on his bed

“Very! I haven’t been to a party in a while” he said looking in his closet

“Oh my gosh sameeee” I said

“Should I wear a pink shirt or a black shirt?” He asked

“Mmmmm pink, that color looks good on you” I said back

“I was thinking the same” he said laughing

Suddenly Chris and Matt barged into his room

“YOOO” Chris yelled coming in

“Hey” I said smiling at him

“Stop fucking screaming like a bafoon” Nick said

“Uhhh who brought the negative Nancy” Chris said rolling his eyes

Nick just rolled his eyes at Chris as he finished getting ready in his bathroom

“Nick I have a question” I said getting up

“What’s up?” He asked

“Do you have my perfume I left here a while back” I asked

“Mmm I should, might be in my top drawer” he said

“Yeah you might want to mask that smell” Matt said laughing

“Ew….youre not funny” I said giving him a dirty look

“Yeah and youre ugly” he said making an ugly face

“You act like a two year old” I said not even looking at him

“Alright children enough” Chris said rolling his eyes

“I’m going to wait downstairs, I’m not going to allow Matt to ruin my night” I said after I sprayed myself with perfume and leaving Nicks room

About 10 minutes later they all came down and we decided to head out. Matt drove us to this influencers house who they knew and we headed in

“Alright guys don’t get too wild and try not to fight anyone” Nick said

“Got it” we said laughing

We walked in and started to say hi to the people we knew. I headed into the kitchen to make myself a drink because this was going to be a long night.

I was sitting in the kitchen sipping on my drink while people watching when I saw someone from the corner of my eye.

“Hey” he said, I looked over at him smiling as I swallowed my drink

“Hi” I said properly

“I’m Grey, but most people call me G” he said sticking his hand out for me to shake

“I’m Y/N” I said shaking his hand

“Are you here alone?” He asked as he began to make himself a drink

“Oh no I’m here with some friends, but we branched off” I said to him

“Oh nice yeah I did the same. I think my friends with some girl or some shit” he said shaking his head

“Ahh yes the classic party hook up” I said

“So cliche right” he said laughing

I went to answer but Matt walked into the kitchen clearing his throat and shoving in between us to get a Pepsi

“Oh uh am I interrupting something?” Matt asked looking between Grey and I

“No, go away Matt” I said sighing

“Cant I get a drink?” He said cheering my cup and giving me a shit eating grin

“I’m going to uhhh I’m going to head out” Grey said before walking off

“You fucking dick” I said punching Matt

“I came to get a drink” he said shrugging his shoulders

“You’re such a fucking asshole I hate you” I said finishing my drink and going to make another one

“Not sure why you hate me” he said scoffing

“Tuh- you’re not sure?” I said grabbing a coke to mix with Malibu

“Mmm no not really” he said shaking his head

“Oh well let me jog your memory shall I? You were an absolute piece of shit in high school. You called me every terrible name under the sun. You turned our whole grade against me. Let’s not forget that so-called prank you pulled on me. Calling me telling me you liked me when you knew I liked you asking me out and then telling me it was a joke and that you truly hated me. Oh not to mention you recorded it and sent it to the whole fucking school. You humiliated me in front of everyone” I said mixing my drink

“It wasn’t that serious, you know. I was hanging around asshole guys and I thought it was cool” he said nonchalantly

“You’re still the same way though” I said scoffing

“I’m really not” he said

“You are Matt….you are. I don’t know what I ever did to you, but I know I don’t deserve this shit” I responded

“Oh don’t act innocent you weren’t a saint” he said

“Yeah maybe in high school I got you back a few times but nothing compared to the shit you out, and that was high school were 21 now” I responded

“I have my reasons and you have yours” he said

I looked at him and scoffed…what is he even saying

“Grow up Matt” I said lifting off the counter to walk away

“Right back at you” he said shaking his head

“And stay the fuck out of my way” I said shoving past him

I walked off angrily and decided to look for Grey because I really needed to take my mind off of Matt. He was making my blood boil and my head spin

I saw Grey sitting on a couch scrolling through his phone

“Hey stranger” I said walking up to him

“Oh Heyy Y/N” he said smiling and locking his phone to put it away

“Sorry about that back there he can be a bit annoying” I said sitting next to him

“Ex boyfriend drama?” He asked

“Oh god no. Rival since high school” I said laughing

“Damn since high school” he said

“Yeah” I responded taking a seat next to him

Grey and I had been talking on the couch for a while. His fingers and hands often becoming loose and touching me. Nothing that made me uncomfortable, but it was certainly strange.

Unbeknown to Y/N Matt was watching her and Grey the whole time. He had a weird feeling about him, but couldn’t put his finger on it. He didn’t like that Grey was touching her, but she didn’t seem bothered so he stood back.

“Hey want to head up to a room I can’t really hear you” Grey asked nicely

“Ummm yeah sure” I said

“Nothing weird I promise” he said laughing

“Oh no worries” I said laughing and getting up to follow him

Matt was sitting as he watched them get up and head to the stairs. His ears perking up at this…..something was telling him to follow them.

Slowly Matt got up following behind them at a good distance. Listening in on their convo as best as he could. Didn’t seem strange, but he still wanted to make sure Y/N was okay.

Grey and Y/N had walked into a room shutting the door behind them, and Matt stood a few feet behind. He didn’t want to listen in, but he also wanted to make sure nothing weird was about to go down

“So tell me more about you” Grey said as we both sat on the bed

“Mmm well I’ve been living here for a while now, I’m originally from Boston” I said scanning my brain for more things to say

“Nice nice” he said staring at me

“I’m not sure what else to say” I said giggling

But Grey didn’t say anything he just stared at me….it started to bother me

“Is there something on my face?” I asked getting nervous

“Oh uh no sorry you’re just gorgeous” he said

“Oh thank you” I said looking down

At first coming up here seemed like a good idea, but now I’m worried he got the wrong picture. I did not want anything to do with this man other than a possible friendship. This was started to bug me out

Suddenly he started to lean in, I jumped up

“Oh no no that’s not why I came up here” I said backing away

“Oh? Well then why did you come up here” he asked shocked

“Umm because I thought you wanted to hear me better not try to kiss me” I said looking at him weirdly

“Well one kiss wouldn’t hurt” he said getting up

“No I’m good” I said nodding my head at him

“Just one come on” he said in a sleazy way

“And I said no. No is a full sentence” I said getting upset

“Stop being a tease already” he said

“I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, but I do not want to kiss you” I said

He came closer and I backed away banging into a table against the wall

“Back away” I said

On the other side Matt heard the muffled conversations and the scuffling going on between two people, but he didn’t know what was going on.

“Please stop” I said pushing him off of me as we struggled against the table causing some things to fall

“Come on baby” he said getting upset

“FUCK OFF” I yelled pushing him off and grabbing the front door

My eyes surprised me when I made eye contact with Matt who was standing infront of the door

“Matt?” I asked confused

“What’s going on?” He said looking behind me into the room

“Nothing” I said pushing him back trying to get him to leave

“Your little bitch is a tease” Grey said to Matt

“She’s not a bitch, and if she said no then it’s no” Matt said looking the dude up and down

“She doesn’t want you either, so don’t try to be Superman” he said scoffing

“Fuck you. I’m being a decent human being respect her” Matt said

“What are you going to do about huh?” He said laughing at Matt

“Come on stop” I said trying to pull Matt away

“No” he said pushing my hand away

“You’re a piece of shit” Matt said walking towards Grey

“Don’t care” he said still laughing

Matt looked at him before punching him in the jaw

“MATT WHAT THE FUCK” I yelled out

They both started to scuffle around throwing punches

“Stop it” I said trying to pull Matt away

Matt hit the guy again in the nose causing him to stumble backwards

“When a woman tells you no that means no” he said backing away from Grey

“Matt we have to go now” I said pulling him away

Matt and I ran down the stairs and to his car

“Are you okay?” He asked me as we got in the car

“Yeah I’m fine” I said bluntly

“What a sick fuck” he said turning his car on

“Why do you care?” I asked

“Well I got a bad vibe from him okay, and I just didn’t want you to get hurt” he said as he pulled off

“Matt caring about me” I asked

“I don’t care about you…..I just didn’t want some creep to take advantage” he said scoffing

“Mm don’t care about me sureeeee” I said sitting back in my chair

“I don’t fucking like you okay Y/N” he said getting upset

“Feelings mutual I could’ve handled my own” I said

“Didn’t seem like it” he said

“I had it” I said getting upset with him

“You’re so stubborn” he said

“And so are you” I said

“Just stop okay” he said gripping the steering wheel tighter

“Stop what? Just take me home and shut up” I said rolling my eyes

“You’re such a bitch I try and help you and this is what I get” he said

“Stop the car” I said bluntly

“No” he said

“Matthew stop the fucking car now” I said

Matt looked over at me and pulled over. I hopped out and began to walk

“What the fuck are you doing?” He asked

“Shut the fuck up” I said continuing to walk

Matt hopped out the car following behind me

“Get in the car now” he said sternly

“You’re not my dad, go away” I said shooing him

“I’m not asking you again. Get in the car now” he said trailing closer to me

“GO AWAY” I yelled at him

Matt ran a little faster and grabbed my arm pulling me to turn around

“IM NOT LEAVING YOU HERE STOP BEING STUBBORN AND GET IN THE CAR” he yelled at me

“Let go of me” I said pulling my arm away from him harshly

“Get in the car. I know you hate me. I get that, but get in the car. I’ll take you home and I’ll never bother you again” he said

“Matt no I’m not going anywhere with you” I said

“Stop being so stubborn holy shit” he said pulling at his hair

“No one told you to save me, no one told you to take me home and no one told you to follow me out here. You don’t like me so go away” I said turning around to keep walking

“Yeah I don’t like you because…..because I love you” he said

I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around to face him

“What?” I asked

“I love you okay” he said shaking his head

“No no you’re not doing this. After all these years of being a piece of shit you’re not about to pull this I love you card” I said pointing at him

“I’ve been a horrible person I know, but I truly didn’t know how to express myself. And i know these words probably mean nothing. But I want you to know I can’t do this anymore. I can’t hide my true feelings by pretending to be mean to you. When I saw you and that guy I got so jealous because that….that should be me” he said

“I don’t know what to say to you” I said shaking my head

“That’s okay. Just get back in the car, let me take you home. And you don’t have to see me ever again” he responded

“Matt I… I don’t know what to say because I love you too. I have loved you since high school, and I masked these feelings with hatred because it was the easiest thing to do” I said

“I’m sorry, okay. I never meant to hurt you the way I did” he said

“I don’t know if I can accept that apology right now. You hurt me badly” I told him

“I get that, but just let me take you home and we can talk about it tomorrow” he said

“Ok” I responded in a whisper

I got back into Matt’s car and he drove me home. The whole ride was silent. My thoughts racing in my head about what he told me….did he really love me?

Matt got to my apartment complex and walked me to my apartment door

“Thanks Matt” I said looking at him

“Oh yeah no worries can’t have you walking alone at night” he said

“No. I mean for everything tonight thank you” I said smiling

“Oh yeah. Of course” he said smiling back

“Ummm I really like you, and you did hurt me, but I want to work this out” I said

“Yeah yeah I do too” he said looking at my eyes

“Well goodnight Matt” I responded opening my door

“Can I have a hug?” He asked shyly

I smiled at this and pulled him in for a hug, kissing him on the cheek

“I appreciate you truly for tonight” I said smiling weakly

He nodded his head at me

“I’ll call” he said

“I’ll answer” I responded

And with that I walked into my apartment locking the door behind me.

Matt drove back to pick up his brothers. Once he was home he laid in bed smiling to himself.

I can’t wait to hear her voice again.

The End

I hope you enjoyed this one I love yall sooo much omgg🥹🖤🖤

-J💅🏽

[bitchiswild]

20th Century Girl

Rosé x F! Reader

Warnings: if you know you know.

Word Count: 10k

A/n: 20th century girl but Rosé version

Requested

𓇢𓆸

"Jennie, isn't that just your heart condition?" I gently teased, knowing her heart condition often played tricks on her. She chuckled softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and a hint of embarrassment. "I mean, it's the reason you're going to the States for your surgery, right?" I continued, hoping to lighten the moment with a touch of humor.

She nodded, acknowledging the truth in my words. "Yeah, yeah, I know," she replied, waving off my comment with a smile. "But seriously, this girl, she's different. It's not just my heart acting up this time."

I raised an eyebrow, recalling her similar excitement over an animated character not long ago. "Come on, Jennie," I teased, nudging her playfully. "Remember when you went on and on about that animated character stealing your heart?"

She blushed, laughing at the memory. "Okay, okay, fine. But this time, it's real, I swear!" Her expression turned earnest as she explained, "There's something about her, the way she smiles, the way she talks... I don't know, it's like she lights up the room whenever she's around."

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Despite her playful crushes and her health challenges, Jennie always managed to find something or someone to bring joy into her life. "Well, if she makes your heart beat faster in a good way, then maybe she's worth the butterflies," I said, giving her a supportive nod.

We both knew that Jennie's upcoming surgery was a big deal, and her positive attitude towards life was admirable. If this girl at her mom's shop could bring even a moment of happiness amidst the impending surgery, then maybe she was indeed something special.

Jennie's plea caught me off guard. Her urgency and earnestness were impossible to ignore. Gripping my shoulders with a mix of desperation and excitement, she pleaded, "Rosie! She goes to our school, I need your help to get as much detail on her as you can. While I'm in New York, send me updates on her, email me everything, mail me pictures—just get me those information while I'm overseas."

Her intensity made it clear this wasn't just a passing crush. "Okay, while you're overseas, I'll gather as much info on her as I can," I assured her, feeling the weight of her trust and friendship. I'd do anything for Jennie, especially if it meant bringing her some happiness, even if she was miles away.

"Thank you! Her name is Lisa Manoban, it was on the blazer she was wearing. Find her and get me those information," she said, her tone resolute and determined.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her determination. "Okay, okay, now go pack. Your flight is tomorrow," I urged gently, trying to steer her focus back to the impending trip. Jennie's squeal of excitement filled the room as she hurriedly packed for her journey to the States for her heart surgery.

The contrast between her urgency to know more about Lisa Manoban and her excitement for the surgery was both amusing and heartwarming. Jennie's determination to find out more about this girl before her surgery showcased the depths of her emotions and her unwavering spirit. As she packed, her excitement for both the unknown of the surgery and the possibility of uncovering details about Lisa fueled her energy, making her radiate an unusual mix of nerves and joy.

Rushing out of my house in a frenzy, I barely caught a word of my mom's breakfast suggestion before bolting towards the bus stop. As I dashed, the familiar sight of the bus pulling away sent me into a panicked sprint. "Wait! Wait! Mr. bus driver, wait!" I hollered, desperately trying to catch his attention. Miraculously, the bus halted, allowing me to clamber aboard.

Breathless and flustered, I made my way toward the back, my attempt to secure a seat interrupted by the driver's sudden acceleration. Before I could grab onto anything, I found myself stumbling, careening directly into someone's lap. Mortified, I scrambled up, apologizing profusely. But before I could regain my balance, the driver took off again, causing a repeat of my embarrassing tumble onto the same person's lap.

"Hey! Can you slow down?!" I shouted, frustration seeping into my voice, aimed at the determined driver. Just then, the girl whose lap I kept falling into offered her seat. Grateful and slightly flustered, I accepted, taking a moment to glance up and finally catch her name on the tag—Lisa Manoban.

A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as realization dawned. "I have found you," I thought to myself, a mix of astonishment and determination flooding through me. Here she was, the very person Jennie had been so fervently seeking details about, sitting right in front of me on the bus.

As I settled into the seat Lisa offered, my mind raced with possibilities. Jennie's request suddenly felt more real and pressing than ever. I had stumbled upon the key to unlocking information about Lisa, and it seemed the universe had conspired to bring us together in this unexpected moment. With a sense of excitement tinged with nerves, I prepared myself for the mission Jennie had entrusted to me.

With determination, I attempted to get closer to Y/n, Lisa's best friend, hoping to gather more intel for Jennie. Armed with my trusty notebook, I initiated my quest for information. "Favorite song?" I inquired, pen poised to capture every detail.

"Love Wave to Earth," Y/n responded, still engrossed in her camcorder, seemingly capturing every passing moment.

"College major?" I prodded further, eager to delve deeper into the specifics.

"Theater and film," came Y/n's swift reply, her attention still divided between me and the camera.

My thoughts wandered as I scribbled down notes. "Ah, so she wants to be famous. She does have the face for it," I mused aloud, jotting down the information.

Y/n's response caught me off guard. "No, I just like cameras," she clarified, her focus now solely on me.

I halted mid-writing, staring at her in disbelief, then let out an exasperated sigh. "Hey! This isn't about you! I'm asking about Lisa! Ugh, now we've got to start over," I scolded, slapping her arm in frustration before flipping to a fresh page in my notebook.

Rolling my eyes, I refocused, determined to extract the right details about Lisa this time around.

The arcade buzzed with excitement until chaos erupted unexpectedly. A sudden shout about a fight sent everyone scrambling out, curiosity getting the better of us. As we reached the scene, there stood Lisa, restrained by another girl gripping her shirt fiercely.

"You messed with the wrong girl, don't talk to my girl," the agitated girl spat out, her anger palpable.

"Kate, stop! I was the one who started it, okay? You know you're embarrassing me right now?"Kate’s girlfriend intervened, attempting to defuse the escalating situation.

Lisa, composed despite the tension, calmly placed her hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. "It's okay, I'm sorry. But there are so many people other than this girl right here. Just date better girls," she said gently before turning to walk away.

Kate's fury intensified. "What the hell did you say?" she yelled after Lisa, her anger boiling over. Lisa, undeterred, continued walking, seemingly unbothered by the brewing conflict.

But the situation escalated further as Kate grabbed a bottle, poised to strike Lisa. Reacting instinctively, I rushed in, kicking the bottle out of her hand, causing it to shatter against the wall. Kate's friends, fueled by anger, lunged forward, ready to retaliate.

Y/n, quick on her feet, grabbed nearby soda cans, using them as a makeshift deterrent. Despite her efforts, their aggression didn't wane. We knew it was time to leave, so we hurriedly made our escape, running from the escalating confrontation.

The adrenaline and chaos left us breathless as we fled the scene, grateful to have avoided any serious altercation. The unexpected turn of events at the arcade added an unexpected edge to our day of fun, leaving us reeling from the adrenaline rush and thankful to have avoided further trouble.

Adrenaline still pumping, I couldn't contain my frustration at Lisa's seeming disregard for her safety. "Hey! Are you insane?! You need to be careful or you'll get yourself killed!" I yelled, my worry for her safety fueling my outburst.

Y/n, always the caring one, intervened with concern in her voice. "Are you okay?" she asked, her gaze shifting down towards my feet. Following her glance, I noticed a bruise forming on my ankle, a stark reminder of the chaos we'd just escaped.

I let out a resigned sigh, realizing I'd need to get it checked out at the hospital. The day had taken an unexpected turn from a fun arcade outing to a chaotic mess, and now, a potential trip to the hospital was looming over us. As annoyed as I was about the situation, my concern for both Lisa's recklessness and my own injury weighed heavily on my mind.

The day took an unexpected turn when Lisa pulled up on her motorcycle, interrupting our plans. Amidst my friends' giggles and playful nudges, I found myself reluctantly getting on the bike with her. Unfortunately, our ride was short-lived as the motorcycle sputtered and died, leaving us stranded. Lisa had to call for a truck to pick us up, causing me to miss my broadcasting commitment.

As we traveled back, my stomach growled loudly, betraying my hunger. Lisa suggested grabbing a bite to eat, and we ended up at a restaurant where, to my surprise, Y/n was working. Lisa apologized for making Y/n wait and guided me to a table. Guilt washed over me for inconveniencing Y/n, who had been patiently waiting for us.

We ordered food, and I dove into the meal voraciously while Lisa watched me with a smile. Mid-bite, her unexpected declaration stunned me into silence. "Let's date," she said with a serene confidence that left me speechless. ‘This wasn't part of the plan.’ "You think I'm great? No, no, you can't think that!" I panicked, spilling out a stream of self-deprecating ramblings about my habits and quirks.

Realizing how much I had revealed, embarrassment washed over me, and I abruptly stood up, apologizing before hastily leaving, forgetting my crutch in the rush. My mind raced with confusion and panic, leaving me grappling with the unexpected and overwhelming situation as I hurriedly made my exit.

Sitting at the park, the realization struck that I had left my crutches behind in the whirlwind of the restaurant encounter. Unexpectedly, Y/n appeared, rushing towards me with the crutches in hand. She handed them to me and then, in a kind gesture, assisted in tending to my ankle.

Her question about Lisa caught me off guard. "I thought you had a crush on Lisa?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her expression.

"No, I don't... just interested," I responded, trying to clarify the distinction in my mind.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Y/n pressed further, seeking clarification.

"It's not the same. It's totally different. It's not liking," I insisted, struggling to articulate the nuanced difference.

Y/n's next question took me by surprise. "Then what is liking?" As she glanced up at me, her face illuminated by the soft light, I felt my heart quicken its pace. Her genuine curiosity seemed to stir something within me, leaving me momentarily breathless.

After wrapping my ankle, Y/n advised, "You're all good. Try standing up. Next time, fight with your fists. Good night, Chaeyoung," she said with a cute smile before leaving, leaving me standing there, stunned and processing the significance of our moment together.

Her departure left me with a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Y/n's presence had a way of stirring something deeper within me, leaving me contemplating the subtleties of our connection and the impact of our interactions.

The school trip was underway, and amidst the picture-taking, a vendor's enthusiastic shouts about heart-healthy drinks caught my attention. Intrigued, I approached him, intending to buy one. However, as I fumbled for money, I realized I was short on cash. Just as I turned to ask my friends for help, Lisa stepped in and paid for the drink without hesitation.

As the vendor handed me the drink, Lisa's teasing words caught me off guard. "When we start dating, are you going to let me hear you sing with your farts?" The crowd's noise faded away, my heart racing at her unexpected comment.

Reacting impulsively, I yanked her away from the crowd, frustration and embarrassment fueling my reaction. "Are you insane?! In front of everyone?!" I admonished her, trying to contain my emotions.

But her response only added to my confusion. "You asked for my pager; only my family knows my pager. You also said you'd love me to death," she retorted, her words creating more chaos in my mind.

"You think I'm in love with you? I don't even know what you're talking about! Now give me back my juice!" I demanded, trying to retrieve the drink as our conversation spiraled into an unexpected and bewildering exchange. The situation had escalated so quickly, leaving me reeling from the unexpected turn of events and Lisa's puzzling remarks.

The conversation with Lisa had taken an unexpected turn, and her question lingered in the air. "So we're not dating?" she asked, her tone edged with uncertainty.

My head shook almost instinctively, trying to dispel the confusion and frustration clouding my thoughts. "God, you're driving me nuts. We are only classmates. Okay? Classmates!" I clarified, hoping to put an end to any misinterpretation.

"Okay, we can be classmates," she replied in a teasing tone, her response laced with a hint of mischief. Despite my attempt to assert boundaries, Lisa's playful response hinted at her continued willingness to dance around the idea, leaving me with a mix of exasperation and amusement at her persistence. The dynamic between us seemed to hover between confusion and playful banter, making it increasingly challenging to decipher the true nature of our interactions.

The girls had smuggled alcohol on the school trip, hidden from the vigilant eyes of the teachers. When bedtime arrived, we pretended to be asleep as the teacher made his rounds to check on us. Eventually, when the coast was clear, we seized the opportunity to gather our bags and retrieve the concealed alcohol.

Discontent murmurs about the acquired drinks circulated among us. "This sucks," one girl complained about the taste, echoed by another's comment about its bitterness. Then, my friend Jisoo proposed using the juice I had bought earlier.

"No, it's for my parents," I hesitated, unwilling to sacrifice the gift intended for my family.

"It's okay, we'll just buy another one if anything," another girl reassured me, rationalizing the substitution.

Despite my initial reluctance, Jisoo took the bottle and decided to mix it with the other drinks. To my surprise, the concoction turned out surprisingly good, and soon, we found ourselves immersed in the night, enjoying the blended drink and the camaraderie it fostered among us. As we laughed and shared stories, the evening unfolded into an unexpected and memorable moment, fueled by the spirit of friendship and shared adventures.

The haze of alcohol clouded our judgment, and our plans to continue drinking hit a snag when someone from the top floor snatched our bag of drinks. Frustration surged through me, amplified by the intoxication. "Hey! Those are ours!" I shouted at the culprits from upstairs, my anger bubbling to the surface.

"Thanks for the drinks!" they jeered back, taunting us as they took off with our bag.

Enraged and fueled by alcohol-induced bravado, I stormed off to confront them and reclaim our drinks. "Chaeyoung, it's okay," Jisoo tried to calm me down, but my determination overshadowed any attempts to dissuade me.

"No, it's not okay. I'm getting our drinks back," I slurred, my flushed face and muddled words evidence of the effects of the alcohol. Despite my inebriated state, I was resolute and driven to retrieve what was rightfully ours, fueled by a mix of indignation and determination.

As I banged on the door, frustration boiling over, I couldn't help but demand, "Open up! I know you're in there!" My voice carried through the corridor, disregarding Jisoo's worried pleas to keep quiet and how its the wrong room. "Hey! Open the door!" I continued, my determination overshadowing any caution.

When Y/n appeared behind the door, her presence struck me even through the alcohol haze. "Chaeyoung?" she questioned, her confusion evident as I stood there, caught in a daze, mesmerized by her ethereal beauty, even in her casual attire.

Jisoo's urgent warnings about the approaching teacher pierced through my foggy mind. "Chaeyoung! The teacher is coming!" she shouted in a panicked whisper before closing the door abruptly, leaving me locked out and still lost in the moment with Y/n.

Amidst the chaos, Y/n acted quickly, dragging me to a nearby linen closet to hide from the teacher. However, my mind remained fixated on Y/n's presence, even as the teacher's voice echoed down the hallway, demanding answers that he wouldn't find, leaving me concealed in the closet, my thoughts lingering on the unexpected encounter with Y/n.

The tense moment lingered as Y/n and I stood face to face. In that fleeting instant, every feature of hers seemed to radiate with an unmatched beauty. Her nose, her eyes, her lips—everything about her exuded a captivating allure that was hard to ignore. Even as the teacher walked away, our gaze remained locked, a silent admiration passing between us.

"Are you drunk?" Her whisper barely reached my ears amidst the haze that clouded my mind. I remained in a daze, lost in the spell of the moment. My hand moved instinctively, cupping her face gently as I struggled to articulate the whirlwind of emotions flooding through me.

"This isn't good. I—I think I'm starting to like you," I confessed in a hushed tone, the weight of my admission hanging in the air. Overwhelmed by the mixture of feelings and the influence of the alcohol, I groaned softly, burying my face against her chest, seeking solace in the sudden rush of emotions that had overtaken me. The unexpected confession left me vulnerable, grappling with the magnitude of what I had just revealed in my intoxicated state.

The morning after our night of excessive drinking left everyone feeling the weight of their hangovers, myself included. I woke up with no recollection of the previous night's events, a haze clouding my memory. The teacher's announcement that we were tasked with cleaning the beach elicited groans from everyone, but we complied nonetheless.

While collecting trash near a large rock, I found my gaze drawn to Y/n, capturing the beauty of the water through her lens. The way she focused on the details around her never failed to captivate me. Her simple actions had a way of making my heart skip a beat.

Lost in observing Y/n, I was startled by Lisa's sudden appearance behind me. "Hi, classmate!" she greeted me teasingly, her presence pulling me from my reverie. Irritated by her interruption, I groaned in response, wishing for a moment of peace.

Lisa, ever perceptive, caught on to where my attention had been directed. "You like Y/n, no wonder why you classmate-zoned me," she remarked, raising her eyebrows in a teasing manner, playfully alluding to my apparent preference for Y/n's company over hers. Her teasing jab left me flustered, caught between annoyance and an internal struggle to navigate the complexities of my feelings.

It seemed like Lisa had orchestrated the moment to take a picture with Y/n and me. As she shouted to get Y/n's attention, guiding me towards her, my heart skipped a beat when Y/n smiled at me with her captivating smile. Wanting to express my gratitude, I mentioned, "Thanks for the drink earlier."

"Not a problem," she replied kindly, setting up the camera while instructing us to adjust our positions. Following her directions, I moved slightly to the left, but when Lisa encroached on my personal space, I instinctively nudged her away. "Back off," I retorted, feeling protective of my comfort zone.

Rolling her eyes at my response, Lisa complied, and Y/n, after setting the timer, swiftly joined us. As we posed for the picture, ready with peace signs, Lisa once again encroached on my space, causing me to gasp in surprise just as the camera captured the moment.

I made a mental note to send the photo to Jennie once we returned home. Surprisingly, after this trip, Lisa, Y/n, and I had grown closer, perhaps due to the shared experiences and moments we had during our time together.

Working at my father's store became a routine, a familiar space where I often found solace. But one day, my mundane routine was interrupted by Y/n's unexpected appearance. With a joyful expression, she ran up to me, sharing her news about landing a job across from my father's store. Her excitement was palpable, but I tried to mask my own delight at the prospect of seeing her more often.

Every day became an opportunity to steal glances at Y/n as she worked. I'd catch her looking over at me whenever she could, and those stolen moments felt like a treasure. Her presence was captivating, and seeing her in her work uniform only added to her charm. She was undeniably cute, and her effortless grace made every mundane task seem like a scene from a film.

I tried my best not to reveal my growing crush on her, but every stolen glance, every accidental meeting of our eyes, only deepened my admiration for her. The prospect of being in close proximity, seeing her every day, brought a mix of excitement and nervousness that I kept hidden beneath a calm exterior. Yet, inside, my heart raced with the anticipation of the moments we would share across the stores.

Sending updates about Lisa to Jennie became a consistent part of my routine, a way to keep her in the loop despite the distance between us. The anticipation of her return grew day by day, as I longed for her presence, missing our moments together. I yearned to share everything that had unfolded, especially my newfound crush on Y/n, but I held back, choosing to wait until Jennie was back.

The ache of missing my best friend lingered, and while the temptation to confide in her about Y/n was strong, I decided to keep it to myself for the time being. It felt like a weighty secret, something precious that I wanted to share only when Jennie was physically there, so we could talk face to face. There was an unspoken understanding between us, and I wanted to wait for that moment to unfold naturally.

In the meantime, the updates I sent about Lisa were my way of keeping Jennie involved in the happenings of our lives. I hoped that when Jennie returned, we could catch up on everything together, including the new feelings that had emerged. The anticipation of her homecoming and the prospect of sharing these personal revelations with her made each passing day feel like an eternity, but I held on to the excitement of our eventual reunion.

The night had settled in, and the streets grew quiet as the stores closed. In an attempt to catch Y/n's attention, I coerced my sister into playing badminton with me, and it worked like a charm. Y/n joined us, bearing ice cream, and the three of us sat on a bench in front of my store, enjoying the sweet treat. But my sister's presence inadvertently obstructed my attempts to spend time alone with my crush, so I gently urged her to head back inside.

Y/n chuckled at the situation, questioning, "What's wrong with her wanting to eat more ice cream?" I explained with a smile, "If you have little siblings, you'll understand."

"I do," she replied, her smile carrying a hint of understanding. Surprised, I expressed my desire to meet her siblings someday. "Really? I want to meet them one day," I said, filled with curiosity.

"That makes two of us," Y/n replied, her expression hinting at a deeper sentiment. Suddenly, her tone shifted, revealing a heartfelt confession. "My little brother is in New Zealand. When our parents split up, Mom kept him there while Dad kept me in Seoul."

Her revelation left me staring at her with empathy, understanding the weight of her words. Before I could respond, Y/n changed the subject, asking if I liked fruit and motioning for me to follow her. Intrigued and slightly puzzled, I stood up and followed her lead as she guided us towards a nearby home, curiosity piqued about what she had in mind.

Arriving at the plum tree, I was awestruck by its grandeur, adorned with an abundance of ripe fruit. I couldn't contain my excitement and dashed towards the tree, eager to savor as many plums as possible. As I indulged, relishing the fruit, Y/n took out her camera, capturing the moment, recording my enthusiasm.

Sitting on a nearby bench, we engaged in conversation, sharing stories and laughter. In a moment of connection, our gaze lingered, and there was a subtle shift as Y/n began to lean closer. Feeling a surge of anticipation, I was about to close the gap between us when suddenly, a plum fell from the tree and landed squarely on my head.

The unexpected interruption startled both of us, and instead of a tender moment, we found ourselves bursting into fits of laughter. The absurdity of the situation, coupled with the sheer randomness of a plum interrupting a potentially tender moment, broke the tension, and we couldn't help but share a genuine, lighthearted moment together. The laughter echoed under the plum tree, turning what could have been a moment of closeness into a memory filled with shared amusement.

The walk home with Y/n, the basket of fruit nestled between us, felt like a serene journey. I cherished every moment of her company, reveling in the ease of our conversation and the shared warmth between us. As we reached my place, I gathered the courage to ask her if she wanted to go to the movies with me.

Before I could finish my sentence or backtrack in nervous rambling, I turned to leave, but Y/n gently clasped my hand, halting my movement. I turned back to face her, and in a sudden, unexpected moment, she leaned in and planted a quick, soft peck on my lips. The unexpectedness of the gesture made me gasp, my heart racing at the sudden intimacy.

"I would love to go to the movies with you" she said with a shy smile, her words adding to the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside me. Still in shock from the sudden kiss, I struggled to find my words, barely managing to stammer out a response.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," I managed to say, my mind still reeling from the surprise kiss as Y/n started her journey back home, leaving me standing there, a mix of shock, excitement, and a newfound anticipation for our upcoming movie date.

Excitement coursed through me as I raced to my room, eager to spill the details to Jennie about everything that had unfolded with Y/n. The next morning, as I rummaged through my wardrobe in search of the perfect outfit for the impending date, frustration gripped me. I felt disheartened by the lack of cute clothes in my collection, so I made the impromptu decision to go shopping.

As I emerged with a bag of newly purchased clothes, Lisa appeared seemingly out of thin air, her signature grin lighting up her face. "What's up, classmate!" she greeted me cheerfully, her curiosity piqued by the bag in my hand. "Whatchu got there?" she inquired, attempting to sneak a peek at my new acquisitions.

"It's just clothes, idiot," I retorted, trying to keep the contents of my bag hidden. However, Lisa persisted, playfully tugging at the bag. In a momentary distraction, she diverted my attention by exclaiming a greeting to someone across from us. Curious, I turned to see who she was addressing, unwittingly giving Lisa the chance to swipe the bag from my grasp.

"Hey! Give it back!" I protested, feeling a surge of annoyance at her playful antics. But instead of returning the bag, Lisa suggested we go and grab ice cream, skillfully guiding me toward the ice cream parlor where Y/n worked. Despite my frustration, I found myself reluctantly following her lead, wondering what game she was playing at and what her intentions were involving Y/n in our plans.

The atmosphere at the ice cream parlor was tense, with both Y/n and Lisa vying for my attention, albeit solely focused on the ice cream. Lost in the moment, I glanced around the store, only to spot Jennie through the glass window, tears streaming down her face at the sight of me. My heart raced, and I immediately stood up, calling out her name in a mix of surprise and joy. "Jennie!"

Sobbing uncontrollably, we rushed toward each other, embracing tightly as tears continued to flow. "Chaeyoung!" she sobbed, echoing my sentiments. The overwhelming rush of emotions hit us both as we clung to each other, seeking solace in our reunion. "I miss you," I cried out, my voice choked with emotion.

"I miss you too," she responded through her tears, the depth of our bond palpable in our embrace. The entire store seemed to halt, eyes fixated on our emotional reunion, including Y/n and Lisa, who observed the heartfelt moment.

Struggling to catch my breath amid the tears, I turned to Y/n and Lisa, tears still streaming down my face, and managed to introduce Jennie between hiccups. "T-This is J-Jennie, M-My Best F-Friend. Say hi," I stuttered. Both Y/n and Lisa offered a wave to Jennie, who, amidst her own hiccups and tear-wiping, managed a soft "Hi." The overwhelming mix of emotions in that moment, from joy to sorrow to relief, made it a scene etched into all of our memories.

"My surgery was a success!" Jennie beamed with joy, radiating relief and happiness. "Let me hear your heart!" I exclaimed eagerly, filled with anticipation.

I gently rested my ear on her chest, listening intently to the rhythmic beats. "It's beautiful. It definitely sounds stronger," I praised, overwhelmed with happiness at the sound of her healthier heartbeat. The relief and joy in that moment, knowing that Jennie was recovering well, filled the room with a sense of gratitude and hope for the future.

"Oh, wow," Jennie exclaimed, her excitement evident. "You know, I thought I was going to have a heart attack at the sight of Lisa. I didn't think I would see her so soon!" Her hand rested on her chest, emphasizing her excitement. "She looked so good in her uniform," she sighed out dreamily.

"Uniform?" I questioned, puzzled by Jennie's description, since Y/n was the only one in a uniform.

"Yeah! When did she start working there? You left that part out," Jennie playfully complained, nudging me about the missing details.

"Oh! That's Y/n! Lisa is the other girl," I clarified, assuming Jennie had mixed up the names.

"No, the one in the uniform was Lisa," Jennie corrected me confidently.

"Huh?" I was thoroughly confused.

"What? Here, let me show you," Jennie said, reaching for a photo of us at the beach to prove her point.

As she opened the picture, I saw Y/n, Lisa, and me. But what caught me off guard was the heart drawn around Y/n, emphasizing that Jennie's crush was on Y/n, not Lisa. Shock coursed through me as I realized I had misunderstood everything. I, too, had a crush on Y/n. It felt like everything I knew was suddenly upside down.

Jennie burst into laughter, noticing my stunned expression. "Don't tell me you've been following and getting details about the wrong person," she teased, finding the whole situation incredibly amusing.

For days, I grappled with the realization of my mistake. I felt distraught and conflicted, trying to come to terms with the fact that I had developed feelings for Jennie's crush. It was a situation filled with complexities, and I knew I couldn't let my own feelings interfere with Jennie's happiness.

Deciding to push my feelings aside became a resolution born out of necessity. I made a conscious choice to prioritize Jennie's feelings and happiness over mine. I was determined to support her in pursuing Y/n, even if it meant setting aside my own emotions.

It wasn't an easy decision, and there were moments when my feelings resurfaced, causing inner turmoil. But for the sake of my friendship with Jennie, I resolved to bury those emotions and focus solely on being there for her. I was willing to sacrifice my own feelings and desires to ensure Jennie's happiness, even if it meant pushing my own emotions to the sidelines.

The day of the movie date with Y/n arrived, but I made a conscious decision not to go. Instead, I asked Jennie to go in my place and explain to Y/n that I had a family matter to attend to. Surprisingly, Jennie agreed eagerly, thrilled at the opportunity to spend time with Y/n.

Later that night, Jennie returned from her time with Y/n while I had ended up spending time with Lisa. Jennie, excited and energetic, suggested staying over. It didn't take her long to notice something was off. "You're hiding something from me," she began, and my heart raced with anxiety.

"You like Lisa, huh?" she teased, and my mind raced to find a way to explain without revealing the truth. "Oh my god, we can go on a double date!" she exclaimed, clearly enthusiastic about the idea.

"No, no, I don't like Lisa like that," I insisted, trying to divert her attention, but Jennie simply brushed it off, her mind already racing with plans.

"Hey, tell me more about Y/n," she giggled, changing the subject. Caught off guard, I stammered, "Huh? Oh, I don't know," trying to play off the situation and avoid talking about Y/n too much to avoid revealing my true feelings for her.

The pressure from Jennie's expectations weighed heavily on me. "I-I don't know," I stammered, feeling the weight of my conflicting emotions. Just then, my pager beeped, signaling a message. I excused myself, telling Jennie I'd be right back, and hurried to the house phone.

Upon checking the message, I was stunned to find it was from Y/n, asking me to call her. Panic surged within me, and I hastily put the phone down, trying to compose myself. Jennie, noticing my unease, inquired about the call. I brushed it off, claiming it was nobody important, trying to hide the truth to avoid further questions.

As the night settled in and I laid in bed with Jennie, sleep eluded me. Thoughts of Y/n inundated my mind, causing a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Unable to shake off the desire to talk to Y/n, I made a decision. I quietly slipped out of bed, leaving Jennie sleeping, and made my way to the pay phone outside my house, intending to return Y/n's call.

The nervousness crept in as Y/n's voice answered the call. "Hey, it's me, Chaeyoung," I replied, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

"What took you so long? I've been trying to reach you for a while," Y/n teased, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Oh-uh, what number is this?" I asked nervously, trying to hide my uncertainty. Suddenly, the coin from the pay phone slipped, adding to my flustered state.

"Are you at a pay phone right now?" Y/n asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.

"Huh?" I was puzzled by her line of questioning. "The payphone in front of your house?" she continued.

"Yeah, I am. Why?" I asked, glancing around in confusion.

"Count to 10," Y/n instructed. Confused by her request, I hesitated before complying. "Wait!" she chuckled. "Slow down," she urged.

Perplexed but following her instructions, I began to count slower, scanning my surroundings. Finally, I spotted Y/n running toward me, out of breath but with a charming smile that always seemed to make my heart race. As much as I felt drawn to her, I knew I had to suppress my feelings for the sake of Jennie.

Sitting together on a nearby bench, Y/n handed me a phone, a symbol of connection between us. Her smile, as always, was bright and welcoming. She began talking, sharing anecdotes about Jennie's tales of my past, how I supposedly used to get into fights, expressing her relief that things had changed since then. Her words were gentle, filled with warmth and understanding.

“Y/n,” I started, feeling a weight settling in my chest. “I didn't show up to the movies for a reason,” I confessed, bracing myself for what would come next.

Confused, Y/n inquired, “What do you mean?” Her innocent curiosity only made the situation more painful for me. I felt my heart shatter as I struggled to voice my truth. “I'm sorry, I've made a mistake. I don't have those kind of feelings for you. I'm sorry if you misunderstood,” I choked out, rising from the bench, my heart heavy with sorrow.

Y/n reached for my arm, desperation in her voice, “Chaeyoung—” But I couldn't bear to face her reaction. “I have to go,” I cut her off abruptly, running off into the rain, the downpour mirroring the turmoil within me.

Leaving Y/n behind, standing alone in the rain, was a pang of regret that seared through me, but I couldn't face her disappointment and hurt. The heaviness in my chest matched the weight of the decision I had made, to protect Jennie's feelings at the cost of my own and Y/n's heartbreak.

Little did I know Y/n had a letter for me. That i never got to read.

Chaeyoung,

I find myself penning down these words because saying them face to face felt too overwhelming. Do you remember the first time I laid eyes on you? It was in your father's store, and you dashed out in a rush. I couldn't help but chuckle; you were so endearing, so effortlessly charming. Since that moment, every time I caught sight of you, a smile would automatically grace my face. You brought joy into my life, Chaeyoung. A kind of happiness I had never experienced before.

Your unpredictable nature fascinated me. I loved the way you made life seem so full of unexpected moments. At times, I found myself feeling a pang of jealousy over the time you spent with Lisa, wondering if you felt the same way about her as you did about me. But then there were moments when you'd do or say something that made my heart flutter, making me believe that maybe you felt something for me too.

That night when you were intoxicated, you confessed something so personal, something that affirmed what I had been feeling all along. You revealed your emotions, but in your drunken haze, you forgot all about it. I often wondered if you mistook me for Lisa, or if you truly meant what you said.

Now, circumstances have me heading back to New Zealand, but know this, Chaeyoung: I'd return to you in a heartbeat. I've developed feelings for you, deep and sincere. I hope you remember that moment, that you realize the depth of my feelings for you. Even though we might be apart, my heart remains with you.

Yours sincerely,

Y/n

The rain poured relentlessly, drenching everything in its path, including the heartfelt letter Y/n had penned for Chaeyoung.Tthe paper slipped from her hand, spiraling down in the rain. Each word, each sentiment she had poured onto that paper was now blurring and dissolving in the downpour.

Y/n trudged through the rain-soaked streets, her heart weighed down not only by the storm but also by the unspoken feelings she had finally expressed in that letter. Every step echoed her silent longing, her unspoken words left behind, mingling with the raindrops. The letter, the one piece of her heart she wished Chaeyoung could have held.

As she walked home, the raindrops merged with her tears, an indistinguishable mix of water and sorrow, a poignant echo of her unshared emotions that now dispersed into the night.

As school resumed, an undeniable air of awkwardness lingered between Y/n and me. Despite being partners in the broadcasting club, our interactions were marked by a palpable tension. However, we pushed through, determined to fulfill our responsibilities.

We diligently worked on our project, completing the filming part and needing only the editing phase. Y/n mentioned that the editing machine we had access to was outdated, which would likely slow down the process. That's when Jennie unexpectedly appeared, greeting us cheerfully.

"Hey guys," Jennie chimed in, breaking the slightly tense atmosphere.

Returning the greeting, I turned to Y/n, asking, "Are we finished with the filming?"

"Yeah, we just need to edit it. But the editing machine we have is pretty old, so it might take a while," Y/n replied, a hint of concern in her voice.

Jennie immediately perked up at the mention of the outdated equipment. "I know someone who has the latest editing machine. Should I give them a call?" she suggested eagerly, sensing an opportunity to assist.

Y/n and I exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging that a better editing setup would significantly speed up our progress. Without hesitation, we agreed, and soon enough, we found ourselves on our way to another city, ready to access the advanced editing tools and put the finishing touches on our project.

Jennie's excitement was contagious as she announced the unexpected surprise—tickets to the nearby amusement park. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. Her request, however, caught me off guard.

"Could you help me get some alone time with Y/n? I want to confess to her," Jennie asked, a mix of hope and uncertainty in her voice.

Internally, conflicting emotions swirled within me. My own feelings for Y/n lingered, causing a twinge of heartache. Yet, witnessing Jennie's earnestness and her desire for happiness pushed me to set my emotions aside. Despite the ache, I resolved to support my friend wholeheartedly.

Putting on a supportive smile, I agreed, "Of course, I'll help you with that. I want to see you happy."

Suppressing my own feelings, I masked the discomfort and focused on planning ways for Jennie to have her moment with Y/n at the amusement park. I knew that despite my emotions, Jennie's happiness was what truly mattered, and I was determined to make her confession a success.

It was a bittersweet day at the amusement park. I stayed close to Lisa, subtly helping Jennie get moments alone with Y/n. Despite the thrill and excitement surrounding us, my focus was on ensuring Jennie's chance to confess her feelings.

When the time came to ride attractions, Jennie's recent surgery made her opt for the non-thrill rides. Feeling guilty, she urged me to enjoy the park, but I chose to stick by her side, not wanting her to feel left out.

Unexpectedly, Y/n rushed up to us in line, expressing her desire to ride with me. The situation took me by surprise, but I agreed, puzzled by the sudden turn of events. I sensed Lisa's disappointment as she knew Y/n's inclination towards me, but she graciously accepted the change, understanding the dynamics at play.

Y/n and I boarded the ride together, leaving Lisa behind. Confusion and mixed emotions swirled within me, but in that moment, I decided to focus on the present, enjoying the ride while trying to decipher the unspoken sentiments between Y/n and me.

The day at the amusement park unfolded with a mix of emotions. I stuck close to Lisa, subtly facilitating Jennie's moments with Y/n whenever possible. Despite Jennie's assurance, I refrained from thrill rides to accommodate her post-surgery condition.

As we wandered through the park, Jennie encouraged me to enjoy myself, feeling guilty for my sacrifice. I hesitated at first but eventually relented, deciding to join Lisa on a nearby roller coaster. Little did I know, Y/n unexpectedly approached us, expressing her intention to ride alongside me.

Confused but not wanting to cause any fuss, I agreed to ride with Y/n, oblivious to the underlying reason. Lisa, aware of Y/n's feelings for me, rolled her eyes but complied, understanding the situation better than I did. Together, Y/n and I boarded the roller coaster, unaware of the emotional undercurrents surrounding us.

It was a whirlwind of emotions during that roller coaster ride. Unaware of Y/n's fear of heights, I noticed her distress as she hyperventilated. Concerned, I questioned her, and she admitted her fear, yet she chose to face it just to be with me. As the ride approached its towering drop, Y/n's grip tightened on my hand.

In the adrenaline rush of the drop, amidst the wind whipping around us, Y/n's confession pierced through the chaos. "I LIKE YOU CHAEYOUNG!" Her words echoed in the rush of the descent, leaving me stunned and speechless.

The roller coaster's twists and turns mirrored the tumult in my heart. Y/n's confession, amidst her fear and vulnerability, hit me profoundly. I was taken aback, my mind racing as the ride continued its thrilling journey.

The roller coaster ride was exhilarating, the adrenaline rushing through us as the coaster zipped along the tracks. Meanwhile, Lisa and Jennie engaged in conversation nearby. Jennie, perplexed by Y/n's choice to ride despite her fear of heights, sought clarification from Lisa.

Lisa, in a moment of candor, disclosed the truth to Jennie. She revealed that Y/n's decision to join me on the ride wasn't merely about conquering her fear of heights but stemmed from mutual feelings between Y/n and me. The words hung in the air, unraveling the unsuspecting revelation to Jennie, and her world suddenly felt like it was crashing down around her.

The shocking revelation left Jennie speechless, her mind struggling to process the unexpected revelation about Y/n's feelings for me. The amusement park's cheerful atmosphere seemed to fade away, replaced by an unsettling tension, as the truth dawned on Jennie, altering her perspective on the situation.

The conversation with Y/n felt like a whirlwind of emotions, each word chipping away at my heart. Hearing about Y/n's imminent departure to New Zealand felt like a punch in the gut, yet I strived to mask my own sorrow.

"You're leaving?" I queried, trying to maintain a calm façade.

"Yeah, I'm moving back to New Zealand," Y/n confirmed, the weight of her words sinking in.

Internally, my heart clenched painfully at the thought of losing Y/n and the uncertainty of whether we'd ever meet again. Despite the turmoil within, I held onto a composed exterior. "That's wonderful," I replied, attempting to conceal the ache in my voice.

Y/n seemed taken aback by my response, sensing a disconnect between my words and my true feelings. "Oh, really? Do you think so?" she asked, her hurt evident.

Struggling to maintain my composure, I nodded. "You miss your brother, and now you get to see him again," I said, trying to rationalize the situation.

"I thought you'd be sad because I'm leaving. But that's good. Thank you for everything, Chaeyoung," Y/n uttered sadly, sensing the emotional distance between us.

Despite my inner turmoil and the sadness welling within, I couldn't bring myself to express my true feelings, choosing instead to put on a brave face for Y/n's departure. The ache in my heart was a silent burden I carried as I bid farewell to someone who had left an indelible mark on me.

The night air hung heavy with emotions as Jennie and I walked, the weight of Y/n's departure pressing down on me. I offered to get some food, trying to distract Jennie from her evident distress. But then she stopped abruptly, and her expression turned grave.

"You have something to tell me," Jennie stated, her voice heavy with sorrow. My heart skipped a beat, realizing she had figured it out.

"Huh?" I stammered, feeling the world come crashing down.

"You have feelings for Y/n. You like her," Jennie declared, tears welling up in her eyes.

I struggled to find the right words. "I-I don't like her anymore. I'm over her," I insisted, attempting to downplay my emotions.

"Why didn't you tell me? You've been keeping this from me this whole time!" Jennie cried out, her voice quivering with hurt.

My own frustration and guilt bubbled up. "I didn't know how to handle it. But I did it for you!" I argued, my voice tinged with desperation.

Jennie's disbelief was palpable. "You made me look like a fool! And yet you say this was all for me? Or were you just doing it to make yourself feel better?" she accused, her voice breaking.

I felt the weight of my decisions crush me. "Jennie, I... I didn't want my feelings over some girl to ruin our friendship," I confessed, tears streaming down my face.

"Some girl? Because of you, we're in this situation," Jennie yelled, her words a mix of anger and pain. Then, her tone softened. "Even though I like Y/n, I would give her up in a heartbeat if it meant preserving our friendship. You're the person I care about the most, Chaeyoung."

Her words cut deep, a stark reminder of the consequences of my actions. "I know you always take care of me because I'm ill, but it's not something I need from you. I need a friend, not a nurse," Jennie stated firmly before turning and walking away, leaving me in the middle of the street, consumed by my own tears and regrets.

It was a painful period after the fallout with Jennie. Despite my attempts to reach out, her reluctance to speak to me remained steadfast. Even at school, the distance between us was palpable.

In an unexpected turn, Jennie stumbled upon an old email I had written, pouring out my feelings for Y/n. Strangely, instead of escalating the situation, she decided to help me. Taking matters into her own hands, Jennie arranged a meeting with Y/n.

They sat down together, Jennie with a resolve to advocate for my feelings. She began by painting a picture of my devotion to her, highlighting the lengths I went to put her feelings above mine. Jennie cleverly framed it in a way that emphasized my loyalty to her as a friend.

She then shifted the conversation to my feelings for Y/n, revealing the truth about my emotions. Jennie emphasized that I had been untruthful when I claimed I didn't like Y/n. Instead, she explained how my selfless intentions had led to this unfortunate misunderstanding.

It was an unexpected turn of events, Jennie, despite her own feelings for Y/n, chose to prioritize our friendship. She made an effort to bridge the gap that had formed between Y/n and me due to my misguided attempts to protect our friendship. Yet, it was uncertain how Y/n would react to this revelation.

Y/n arrived at my house, a sense of urgency in her actions as she hoped to have a conversation before her departure the following morning. She waited patiently, yet expectantly, outside my home, hoping for a chance to talk.

Throughout the night, she called repeatedly, trying to reach me, her voice resonating with concern and anticipation. Each ring was a plea for connection, a yearning to bridge the gap between us before she had to leave.

Unfortunately, I wasn't available as my family was dealing with a medical emergency involving my sister. We were at the hospital, consumed by the urgent situation, unaware of Y/n's presence outside our home. Despite her persistent efforts to reach out, I remained inaccessible, unintentionally causing Y/n to wait fruitlessly.

It was a missed opportunity, one that left Y/n standing alone in the dark, her hopes of a conversation slowly fading away as the night wore on.

The morning arrived, and I went about my day, completely unaware of the events that unfolded between Y/n and Jennie. The tension between Jennie and me remained palpable, with communication between us still at a bare minimum.

Suddenly, an unexpected event took place at school that altered the course of our interactions. Jennie, resorting to a drastic measure to capture my attention, feigned passing out. In an instant, panic set in as I rushed to her side, immediately lifting her and hurrying her to the nurse's office.

As I carried her, fearing the worst, Jennie finally disclosed that it was a ploy to get my attention, to spark a conversation and restore our communication. Relieved yet flustered by the situation, I tried to comprehend Jennie's actions and the lengths she went to just to reestablish a connection with me.

It was an unexpected turn of events when Jennie orchestrated a situation to push me towards Y/n. After the ruse of her passing out, she urged me to not let Y/n leave. I was baffled by her insistence and her unexpected support for a potential connection between Y/n and me.

Rushing outside, I found Lisa waiting with a motorcycle, seemingly prepared for a ride. “I guess I'm a driver now,” Lisa quipped with an eye roll. Without hesitation, I hopped on the motorcycle as she revved the engine, ready to head towards Y/n.

The wind blew past us as Lisa maneuvered through the streets, and my mind raced with thoughts about what awaited me at my destination. The urgency in Jennie's voice lingered in my mind, her encouragement to not let this moment slip away.

As we neared Y/n's departure point, I felt a surge of nervousness and determination. The engine roared, but inside, I was grappling with conflicting emotions, unsure of what awaited me and what I truly wanted to say to Y/n.

In a heart-wrenching moment, I finally spotted Y/n amidst the bustling train station. Tears streamed down my face as I staggered towards her, barely able to catch my breath. “Y/n!” I cried out, my voice cracking with emotion. She turned, startled and concerned, as I struggled to articulate my apologies.

Through teary eyes, I poured out my regrets. “I was devastated when you said you were leaving for New Zealand. I pretended to be okay; I'm sorry for everything,” I choked out, overcome with emotions. Y/n's response was unexpected yet filled with warmth, making my heart stutter and laugh through the tears.

“Why are you apologizing? Just admit you like me,” Y/n whispered softly, her words a revelation that both lifted my spirit and filled me with nervousness. "Chaeyoung, when I'm with you, I'm genuinely happy. I like you, Chaeyoung!" she confessed, her smile bittersweet amidst the farewell.

Feeling overwhelmed, my words struggled to find their way out. “I like you too,” I managed to say softly, but Y/n teased playfully, pretending not to hear. With the train about to depart, I summoned all my courage and declared loudly, "I like you too! I really, really like you too!" Y/n's laughter filled the air as she embraced me tightly and left a tender kiss on my cheek.

As the train's announcement echoed through the station, Y/n wiped away my tears, promising she would return. I nodded in agreement, but as the train doors began to close, our hearts ached with the impending separation. We exchanged our goodbyes, our eyes locked, both yearning for the moment not to arrive.

With the train gradually pulling away, Y/n's sobs resonated in the distance as she watched me fade away, while I mirrored her sorrow, watching her slip further from my sight. Our hearts tangled in that fleeting moment, our unspoken pledges lingering in the air as we were forced apart, each carrying the other’s sentiments in our hearts, painfully separated by the distance that grew between us.

The days following Y/n's departure were filled with bittersweet moments. We continued our constant communication through emails, sharing our dreams, hopes, and promises to see each other again. You always reassured me, urging me to wait patiently for you return, and I solemnly vowed to wait, cherishing the connection we had.

However, the emails eventually stopped arriving, leaving me puzzled and hurt. At first, I was consumed by anger and resentment, feeling abandoned and forgotten. I began to imagine that maybe you chose to sever our connection deliberately. In my mind, I convinced myself that it was easier to assume you were dead, as it lessened the pain of feeling deserted.

Yet, fate had a cruel twist. It wasn’t just a misunderstanding or a cessation of contact—you actually had passed away. Learning of this devastating truth shattered my heart. The immense regret I felt was overwhelming; I realized that my assumptions and misplaced anger could have deprived me of the chance to say a proper goodbye.

In those moments of despair, your brother reached out, delivering the gut-wrenching news. His revelation pierced through the walls of my resentment, shattering the facade I had created to protect myself. Gratitude and sorrow washed over me simultaneously—thankfulness for your impact on my life and immense grief for their untimely departure.

I felt an ache, a sense of loss, and an immense emptiness. your departure wasn’t just a goodbye; it was a departure of a source of joy, a beacon of hope, and an irreplaceable connection. The realization that I could have harbored bitterness against them forever haunted me.

Thank you, Y/n, for the joy you brought into my life, for the memories we shared, and the lessons you imparted, even beyond your time. You were a beacon of happiness, and your absence weighs heavy on my heart. I'll hold onto the happiness you gifted me, cherishing it always, until we meet again someday.

𓇢𓆸

[northlight14]

While I’m a big fan of the “Von Karma being a piece of shit mentor and father figure to Edgeworth” concept and there is definitely some truth to those statements, I also wanna address the fact that it is canon that Von Karma was a good mentor to Edgeworth and growing up in that household wasn’t as horrific as it may seem at first glance. Frankly if it was, Edgeworth wouldn’t have been manipulated like he was.

Now just taking that into consideration, that makes the moment Edgeworth finds out what actually happened to his dad so much more heartbreaking. When mini Miles lost his dad, that was his world taken from him. He didn’t have any other relatives to go to and no direction in life. Then in steps a man who he knew his father respected to some degree, offering him a home and guidance, teaching mini Miles everything he knows and inspiring him. The ruthless God of prosecutors himself helping Edgeworth build himself up again.

Then he finds out that the one man who stepped in, the one he was willing to follow, was the very same man who caused his suffering in the first place. Not only that, but he’s spent so long following his teachings, that he himself has essentially become just another version of the man who caused his suffering. And to add fuel to the fire, that father figure clearly knew of Edgeworth’s survivors guilt and PTSD and used it against him and went as far as to frame him for murder.

It is honestly a wonder to me how Edgeworth didn’t completely break down right then and there in the courtroom. Von Karmas betrayal of Edgeworth is definitely talked about a lot in the fandom but the added context of what isn’t shown in the game or anime just makes it all the more heartbreaking

Edit: doing an edit on this post cuz I feel like I didn’t communicate what I wanted the best I could. My bad, y’all. This isn’t me saying that there wasn’t abuse at play. There was. Manfred was very obviously emotionally neglectful of Edgeworth and Franziska and instilled a perfectionist complex in both of them. That much is clear by the way Edgeworth speaks with him in a strictly business like manner. But I think it’s important to acknowledge that while Manfred was a shitty father figure, he still showed Edgeworth some form of kindness over the years. (I also believe that it has been confirmed that he was a good mentor to Miles but if I’m wrong about that let me know). We see that in the anime in particular where it’s shown he favoured Miles over Franziska. And also that’s how abuse works. The abuser will show kindness to their victim because otherwise they can’t manipulate the victim as easily. Manfred isn’t a good person but I think it’s important to look at his relationship with Edgeworth with a bit of nuance. Miles knew Manfred wouldn’t show him mercy in the court room because he knows how important his win record is. That doesn’t take away from the fact that he showed Edgeworth some form of kindness over the years. In my opinion, it just makes the whole situation more tragic

[aliciavance4228]

I've stumbled across this "Did Odysseus cheat on his wife?" debate very often at this point. I quess what pisses me off the most is when people always bring up Circe and Calypso into discussion in order to prove that he cheated on Penelope, despite the fact that in both cases we're talking here about rape and/or dubious consent.

I said that before in previous posts and I will say it again: Ancient Greece was a patriarchal society, and Odysseus benefits himself from the Patriarchy both as a man and as a king. But even this sort of power and priviledge cannot always help him, and Calypso and Circe are here to prove him that. He finds himself in the posture of a person who isn't capable of refusing someone and is forced by his circumstances to have sexual intercourse wheter he wants it or not; a posture that in his society is usually applied either to slaves or women. And this is where, I suppose, the subject becomes more complicated, since we have our modern understanding and values overlapping with ancient, patriarchal principles and mentalities. Who knows, maybe back in Ancient Greece when the Odyssey firstly became public the abuse of the character was acknowledged, but it was perceived in a caricaturistic, satirical manner, similarly with how even nowdays sexual assault towards men is sometimes presented as funny, and rarely taken seriously.

I find it more plausible that dude would've slept with his slaves, considering the fact that back then this wasn't considered cheating and there were few to no restrictions for men when it came to who they were sleeping with. But using Circe and Calypso as proof that he cheated on Penelope is where I cross the line. Not because I negate the fact that Odysseus is equally a product and a perpetrator of the Patriarchy or because I think that he's a silly babygirl who did nothing wrong like some people out there (😒), but because in these cases he was a victim of SA, just how anyone else can be a victim of it no matter their gender. Similarly, I'm going to emphasize the fact that both Circe and Calypso were abusers to him and I'm not going to excuse nor erase their actions just because they're women.

I myself have my own personal complaints when it comes to Odysseus and I'm not exactly a big fan of him, yet one can be aware of the fact that someone can be a horrible person and/or commit hardly honorable actions and still experience traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse. Toxicity and abusiveness have no gender and that is something more people have to learn.

Also, before someone out there comments something like "But he had children with them in some versions." - that's just basic biology.

[cookinguptales]

*spins the meta wheel* yeah okay, let's talk about Nandor.

One of the things that's always fascinated me most about his character is the way he desperately wants change but also seems to be more terrified of it than all the other characters put together. He talks about wanting things to be different a lot, but he always sabotages anything that might really materially change his life.

Like -- this quest for love. He talks about how much he wants a partner, he wants his life to change, but what do we actually see? In s3 and the beginning of s4, he's just consistently going after women who don't really want him instead of spending time developing the relationships he already has. He dips into shallow relationship after shallow relationship because the real relationships, the ones that might actually change his life, terrify him. The best/worst of these is probably the cult dedicated to literally living in a fantasy version of the past, which like. Not really helping him beat those afraid-of-change allegations.

(You can learn all the 80s and 90s songs you want, Nandor, we both know only Guillermo is exposing you to modern pop culture! And yeah, there's more than one metaphor there...)

And then in s4, he decides he wants a wife, so he chooses one in the most haphazard way possible and makes both of their lives miserable. He is constantly changing her to make her easier for him to deal with without actually changing his life, and then he gets rid of her when he's fed up with the monster that he's created.

His whole thing with the Djinn is that he's constantly asking him to change things -- and then change them back. He wastes so many wishes on things like Marwa. I want this. No, that. No, that. No, put it all back to the way it was originally.

He does this over and over and over, and nothing seems to perturb him more than finding out that things have changed when he wasn't looking. (See: his difficulty accepting that Laszlo is creating relationships with other people, his spiraling over the big bang, etc.)

So... how does this pertain to Guillermo?

Guillermo's frustrated with Nandor at the end of s4 because Nandor likes the status quo. Things are different, are constantly changing, but Nandor refuses to acknowledge any of that. (He even mentions off-hand that he forgets Guillermo is a slayer sometimes.) Guillermo has always worked for them all under the promise of change, so you could see why this would freak him out a little. He's realizing that things will never change with Nandor because Nandor won't let them. He's so scared of change that he just straight-up ignores it and hopes it will go away -- when he's not actively trying to stop it.

Nandor, who has been making and breaking plans with an almost manic frenzy for the entire season, is finally calm at the end of s4. Why? Because he thinks that everything has gone back to normal. Marwa is gone. Freddie is gone. Guillermo is no longer talking about leaving. Those are the important ones for him, but then Colin Robinson also returns and the house is set to rights, too, so like... why should he worry?

He has no idea what he's already lost. That's what's making me crazy. He doesn't know that he's already lost everything that matters to him. But I think he suspects.

The thing is, Nandor throws himself into his books and his self-help and everything else because I think he can tell, at least on a subconscious level, that things have changed. Indelibly. He knows that Guillermo has changed, and that's probably the one kind of change that scares him more than anything else.

But despite the fact that Nandor can tell that something is up, he still keeps insisting that it's no big deal. It must be some small perceived slight or something. It can't be a huge change that Guillermo is keeping from him. No, no, he already figured that out. He managed to reel Guillermo back in with the wedding scheme. He doesn't have to worry about Guillermo straying again.

:')

He's afraid of losing Guillermo to change, so he prevents change and ignores what he can't prevent. He doesn't realize that that's exactly what's driving Guillermo away. That it's already driven Guillermo away. Nandor's put the idea of Guillermo's transformation up on a shelf, nice to look at occasionally but not a thing he really has to interact with. The theoretical option for change is there, but he doesn't have to worry about it actually affecting his life.

As always, he's attracted to it, but it also scares him. He'll make a glitter portrait of a vampiric Guillermo at his side, but he can't seem to fully get his head (and heart) around the reality of giving Guillermo that kind of power and freedom.

He's afraid that giving Guillermo that kind of power/freedom will change their relationship further, when he's finally gotten it the way he (thinks he) likes it, and he's even more afraid that if Guillermo's leash is taken off, he'll run. He spent all of s4 trying to keep Guillermo from running, but he still seems to believe down deep that he'll do it.

And... he wasn't wrong. Guillermo did go elsewhere to get his bite. But Nandor is very much the one who drove him to do it. I think that's the tragic thing, isn't it? He was so afraid of his relationship with Guillermo changing that he forced Guillermo's hand, which caused the exact kind of change that he was most afraid of. Guillermo distancing himself, Guillermo leaving, Guillermo -- well, cuckolding him, really.

I think it's fixable, but Guillermo's not the only person who's going to need to eat dirt here. He may have been the one who "cheated", from the vampires' POV, but Nandor wasn't upholding his end of the deal, either. And he's going to have to acknowledge the way Guillermo has grown and changed throughout the course of the series, stop regressing to calling him his familiar, and apologize for his own inaction. It may not be the vampiric way, but it certainly would not be the first time Nandor has thrown away vampiric customs for Guillermo.

Nandor, friend, you gotta sit back and learn to embrace change. You gotta enter the 21st century. You gotta allow your relationship with Guillermo to grow organically.

Because Guillermo's gonna change one way or another, and it's really your decision whether or not he leaves you behind. :')

[theprincientist]

Why you should have a life plan

And How to Build One

The easiest way to find yourself living a life you don’t like is by not having any plans.

Most people live day by day without a plan, not realising that days add into months, and months add into years.

“If you don’t have a schedule, you will get scheduled into someone else’s plan.”

Nothing more than an appendix without ever truly knowing what you like or want.

Take the time to write a life plan.

A life plan is not a fixed schedule.

It is a tool to help you live your life and make better decisions according to the best version of yourself, and say no to things outside of that journey.

Planning gives you an idea of what you hope to accomplish.

You have to sit down and have a real conversation with yourself to clarify your priorities.

Ask yourself, what do you want from life outside of the expectations of your parents, siblings and lovers?

You will get real with your current reality and acknowledge where you are and what is not working.

And work with what you have to do better.

Let me point out a common mistake when planning and a solution.

The mistake: Setting too many goals with unrealistic expectations and no action plan.

When most people decide to change their lives, they want to change everything.

And all at once.

It starts with something like:

“I will exercise every day, and read a book a month. I will eat healthily and save money. I will wake up 2 hours earlier. No more TV. I will start a skincare routine and drink more water.”

Unfortunately, this mindset proves to be ineffective and draining very quickly.

You will give up most of these goals within 2-3 months and feel like a failure."You are not a failure, you’re just rushing."

There is a limit as to how many new habits you can implement at once.

And without a realistic action plan and a time limit for each goal, you will not be successful.

One Strategy: Use Smart Goals.

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

– Specific: The goal you set should be specific, and you shouldn’t be able to misinterpret or confuse it.

– Measurable: The goal should allow you to track your progress.

– Attainable: The goal needs to be realistic.

– Relevant: A relevant goal relates to your values, dreams, and ambitions

– Time-bound: There needs to be a target date for completion, such as four months or one year.

Strategy example for self-improvement: How to apply it in your life

Step 1: Make a list of the things you wish to improve and decide how long they should take:

Take into account the following areas of your life: work, education, relationships, finances, physical health, and mental health.

Order your list in order of priority in each category.

Choose 1 item from each category and work on it.

When doing the list, think about how and where you wish to be in the future. The goals should be in line with that.

Example: A year from now:

I wish to have a new job that pays 50% more (always be specific with details and numbers) in the tech area. – Work

I want to spend more time with my family every other weekend at dinner.

I want to make 2 new friends to go dancing – (define the when, where and duration of activities). – Relationships

Have a 1500$ saving. – Finances

Eat a piece of fruit every day. – Physical health

Spend a maximum of 2 hours on social media. – Mental Health

Step 2: Separate tasks into microgoals.

Micro goals are the small steps you have to take before achieving a big goal.

For example, in the work area would be:

Save as much as you can to quit your job in peace.

Decide what position you want to apply for.

Rewrite your resume according to the position you want.

Find companies you wish to work for.

Improve your resume by learning new skills.

Apply for jobs.

Step 3: Schedule time realistically.

If you only have 30 minutes a week to spend with your family, then don’t go for dinner.

Call them for coffee instead, or choose an activity outside the house.

Step 4: Be consistent

Don’t punish yourself when you forget or choose not to do something important.

Compliment yourself regularly when you do things right.

If you forget to do something, simply start again as soon as possible.

Don’t beat yourself up.

Apply the strategy.

Adjust it to you.

From my blog: 10 Free Things You Can Do To Improve Your Life

[zahri-melitor]

Today in Tim and Damian parallels that they have obviously never discussed: Robin #12 (2021) and Nightwing #139 (1996).

Damian takes a sample of Lazarus resin to Alfred’s grave, contemplating resurrecting him.

But I can fix that.

Obviously, Damian doesn’t go through with it, and struggles with a hallucination of a dark version of himself.

Talia shows up to find Damian.

"Why didn’t you resurrect him?"

"I’ve seen what the Lazarus Pits do to people. You, me, Ra’s, Mother Soul…they put something dark inside you...I wouldn’t curse Alfred to that. It wouldn’t really be him."

And while this is a lovely sentiment, it’s hysterical, as you’re at LEAST the third of your siblings to struggle with this, Damian. Maybe you could talk to them and they might have had some support and insight???

Because, of course, Tim struggled with this the last time we were playing ‘is Ra’s dead’ as a storyline, during Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul.

"Dick...in a world where Jason Todd can come back...then why can't my dad...?" "Tim...I..where does it stop, right? What about your mom, then? My mom and dad? Bruce's...?" "I get the argument...sure...you can't bring back one if you're not willing to bring back everyone. And you can't bring back everyone, so...don't start with one. But in that case--since you know you can't stop all crime...then why bother stopping any at all? Why do what we do then? Sometimes, looking at the 'big picture' can paralyze you, right?"

And so of course famously Tim goes down to the Lazarus Pit and dips out three test-tubes of fluid. Dick tries to talk him out of it.

"Maybe...but you'll always be asking yourself, 'is this really my friend? What about his soul, Tim? How do you bring that back once it's gone...?" "The pit restores that too!" "Yeah...you're right...why don't we go ask Ra's how his soul is doing...?"

Same beats. Same concern over whether the person you get back will be the same. And of course...Tim can't go through with it.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing. I let you make the choice for yourself...because I knew you'd make the right one."

Or, Damian, you could have spoken to your beloved big brother, Dick, who you remember ACTUALLY ATTEMPTING TO RESURRECT BRUCE. As you were there for the fallout. (Well, stuck at home recovering but you got to fight the resurrected zombie clone)

Dick's massive hypocrisy in Batman and Robin #7 (2009) where he doesn't stop to question what they might get back.

"So when we located a potential Lazarus Pit, maybe the last one in the world, what choice did I have? If someone gave you a chance, no matter how small, of bringing back someone you loved. You'd have to take it...wouldn't you?"

Actually no, you didn't have to Dick, you talked Tim out of it only two years earlier, but it's different because it's Bruce for you this time.

"No, it's him. He's always cheated death. It has to be him."

(Spoilers: it's absoutely not)

But I am glad to see that Damian reaches for exactly the same solution and comes to basically the same conclusion that Tim came to over why he shouldn't actually resurrect his beloved family members. (Dick's bad example should have helped him, if Williamson was actually going to acknowledge the parallels he just drew up here. Sadly however...)

Brothers. They're more alike than they like to think.

[zafirosspretty]

Zafiro's guide to stop bedrotting.

- From someone with ADHD.

Ever had a specially bad breakup? You failed a test? Your face just had a horrible break-out?

These are all reasons you might find yourself brainrotting and falling deeper/into in depression. But I can tell you what personally helps me.

HOW CAN I IMMEDIATELY STOP?

Short answer is... You can't. You can't just suddenly stop feeling like crap and get your life together no matter how good you feel but that doesn't mean you have to stay miserable forever. Everything is a journey, a process.

GIVE ME THE STEPS!! NOW!!

FIRST: I need you to stop doom-scrolling, seriously. Scrolling through tik-toks endlessly is not going to make you feel better specially when you just keep finding yourself comparing yourself to the people on your screen. Everyone has bad days sometimes.

SECOND: Now, I know you feel like crap right now so I will not be asking you to make your bed. Instead, go get yourself a snack. When was the last time you ate something?

THIRD: brush your teeth, take a shower, try to empty your thoughts as you feel the water hit against your skin. It's a good cleansing method.

WHILST CLEANSING: Don't try to usher the bad thoughts out right away. Instead linger on them, reflect on them, acknowledge they are bad and give yourself the reason as to why. Slowly let the thoughts leave your mind like raindrops leave a cloud. Take as long as you need on this step.

FOURTH: Go back to your room, play the happiest playlist you have and listen to it. Listening to sad music like mitski will only make you feel worse, so don't. If you don't have a playlist like that at the moment you can simply play the radio, or maybe even blast a 2000's mix. Or maybe just listen to Ayesha erotica, she's one singer that makes me feel cunty.O r maybe something like this:

(STEP FIVE AND SIX ARE ACTUALLY INTERCHANGEABLE, DO WHICHEVER YOU PREFER FIRST)

FIFTH: Do your skincare, facemasks, watch a movie or two. Journal, draw something up, do a hobby. Don't forget you still need to take care of yourself both mentally and physically.

SIXTH: Now, you don't need to go out or whatever. BUT I find that if I dress up as cute as possible I always feel better and get a big shot of ego. So I want you to dress up like you are going to the club and are planning to make everyone's jaws drop. Dress yourself, do your makeup, your hair, everything as if you are about to go out and meet the love of your life. I just want you to dress like what will make you feel like the best version of yourself.

FINALE: With this, it's basically over. Now I want you to get some Vitamin D. With this I mean you can either take vitamins, eat something with it or step outside and get a bit of sun. This will make you feel better in the long run as you now try to go off and do your chores or hobbies.

I hope this is able to help whoever comes across this! Take in mind I'm not a professional or whatever and this is basically just what works for me. Change this method up as much as you need for it to benefit you.

- zp

[lofan]

Saw the "time lord victorious" moment again and it made me think about something.

You all say that Master would be incredibly happy (and hot) if he saw how Doctor goes bonkers and finally decides to take power. Simm? Absolutely. But what about Delgado and Ainley for us, Classic enjoyers?

Delgado also would be very gleeful, he always wanted Doctor to acknowledge how powerful they both are, to rule together, to share the universe if you like. He would have jumped to the opportunity to have darker Doctor if only so they can be equals.

But Ainley? Fandom doesn't like his version of Master as much as Delgado's(and it's a SHAME, he has so much going on if you just stop for a moment and think about it) but he actually MET corrupted evil version of the Doctor. And he didn't like him at all. Enough to willingly go and out of his free will help Six on a trial. "The Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, a composite of yet every dark thought"

Of course Master made an excuse "he denied me the pleasure to kill you myself" but the way he talks about him? He's scared of this Doctor. He need his Doctor's help to take him down. He understands that he shouldn't be like that. For him Doctor is this pathetic philanthropist, someone smart and innocent and naive but this bad boy? Big NO. Master met him, saw how dark he is and decided that he may be evil but this? Nope, thank you.

And this moment here is vital for Ainley's Master. His Master knows that he can't be what Doctor wants him to be, and he ALSO prefers Doc the way he is. His main purpose is no longer to "conquer the universe and share it with Doctor" but just to play with him for a little longer. To threat to kill him, but in the end try to save even if it goes against his next evil plan. To remind him that he IS his equal, the only one who KNOWS him completely. It's his final life and he understands that this is the end, sooner or later, if he doesn't find a way to obtain new regenerations. And he wants to share it with doctor in only way they can - playing mind games, running around with threats and shaky alliances.

Bonus: Doctor here is very sceptical. Like come on man, you had every chance to kill him since Castrovalva and just... didn't. Who are you trying to fool?