#also i finally have a tracking tag! yay

[edbluemel]

𖤓˚𓅆𓇢𓆸 navigation ⋆.˚𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋⋆☾

☼𓋼𓍊 𓆏𖧧 hi I'm caitlyn! ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ -ོ 𓅰

☆ tracking: #usercaitlyns

☆ links:

my blogs

my creations

navigation

series by episode/character/etc

blogroll

tagged in

media tracker (still working on this)

☆ castlegc:

my most absolute beloveds who changed my life forever and mean the entire world to me (genuinely can't thank you all enough for being the best people in my life ILYILYILY !!!):

♡ @charliexspring ♡ @ellaxlopez ♡ @elliewlliams ♡ @gaygentdanvrs ♡ @jemmaasimmons ♡ @laffertys ♡ @laurenxgerman ♡ @leojfitz ♡ @mauraeyk ♡ @mazykeen ♡ @richcrdcastle ♡ @salvatoreselena ♡ @trixiedeckerstar ♡ @twelverriver ♡ @useragarfield ♡ @useryoumna ♡ @violet-bridgerton ♡ @youkilledpetunia ♡

☆ mutuals: also here

If we’re moots, ILY (even if we’ve never talked!!) p.s please don’t be scared to message me whenever, I don’t bite. We can be awkward together akdjfjjd!!! I wanna hear about the things you love or whatever you wanna scream/fan girl about or how your day’s going or literally anything you want to tell me!! I care and I want to listen !! ♡ anyways thanks so much for following me and I’m glad we somehow found each other on this hellsite! Muah!! Sending a big hug your way besties!!!

@28goldens @amalgamads-aneacc @ashleyyroses @bestofcastle @biathecreature @chippythedog @calia-lynn @charliexspring @daomaikeng @delphines @dreamersdivingheadfirst @dxnny-art @esmealux @elliewlliams @evenasyoungastheyare @greenforestworshipper @ghost-roads @haroldsmoon @huggieshalo @holyshit @horancover @harrysmaison @handgf @harrysputa @icarusinterlude @justthinkingaboutlouis @lululawrence @lebesyej @laurenxgerman @lassos-welton @leojfitz @laffertys @laurens-german @lavenderberries @larriescompass @lucy-mclean @mauraeyk @mayasbishop @morningstaraurora @mazykeen @moon-sun-thyme @niallonlyknows @pearlblue2 @pocketsized-healer @pop-punklouis @sason-judeikis @suesheroll @salvatoreselena @stedelasso @sneaky-salty-bitch @stayprettyandsmile @starrynightniall @sunshineysprinkles @sharpesjoy @softcherubhips @seeleybooth @sunmoonandrainbows @sthabit @sunsmile-lou @tomlinshires @thelarrielouie @trixiedeckerstar @toherlover @useryoumna @useragarfield @violet-bridgerton @welllbeafineline @wecantalktomorrow @wendersfive @youkilledpetunia @zourried

*if you're on this list and confused why I tagged you it's bc you follow one of my sideblogs lmao

☆ about me:

pronouns: she/her

animal & nature lover, directioner since 2011 (ot5), biologist and photographer by day - fangirl blogger at all other times, scorpio

music: love pop, rock, lofi, really just anything tbh, I'm literally always listening to music ALWAYS

shows: castle, lucifer, obx, ted lasso, young royals, virgin river, sex education, psych, adow, heartstopper, bridgerton, & sooo many more

movies: the little mermaid, anyone but you, pride & prejudice, sleeping with other people, la la land, the greatest showman, shazam, narnia, barbie & a ton more

watch list/to read list: NEVER ENDING (but listen...I am always open to suggestions...honestly please send me reccs I would absolutely love to hear what you guys have to say/what you're currently into)

drafts/queue: also never ending (the struggle is soooo real being in so many fandoms afsjjgk)

I’d love to make more friends on here, please say hi! I'd love to talk & make new friends (although I suck at replying quickly akjdfl but I def still wanna chat w you)

[verareids]

nights like these - spencer reid x gn!reader

spencer gets back from a rough case and reader comforts him. tags/cws: hurt/comfort, use of 'y/n', gn!reader, fluffy angst, mention of case involving kids but no details wc: 1008 a/n: Definitely not my favourite fic I've ever written and I haven't written anything in a while but it is my first Spencer fic so yay! Also, I was picturing late season 3/ season 4 Reid but it doesn't really matter. also posted on ao3

When the jet lands in Quantico at 12:47am Spencer is exhausted. After a truly grueling case he couldn’t even bring himself to read on the flight home. He’d just sat staring out the window. Kids. It’s always the cases involving kids that will fuck you up the most. JJ and Morgan have both tried their hand at comforting him and received a concerning lack of response. The rest of the team had been able to get some rest. Spencer hadn’t been so lucky. Every time he’d close his eyes he’d see their faces, hear their screams. Morgan stands up on the other side of the booth and the sudden motion pulls Spencer out of deep thought. He grabs his bag and prepares to get up when Emily shuffles past him, squeezing his shoulder on the way. The team clambers out of the jet and ends up in the bullpen, getting their things in order before they’re able to go home. Spencer walks out though the doors, heading for the elevator when the sound of JJ’s voice brings him to a halt.

“Reid…” JJ steps in front of him. “You heading home?” Spencer stops and stares at her incredulously.

“Yeah?” His tone showing only a hint of irritation. JJ looks back up at him, choosing to brush past his attitude.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Her concerned stare feels as though it’s piercing right through him and suddenly he can’t quite meet her eyes.

“I’m sure. I’ll see you tomorrow, JJ.” He walks past her towards the elevator, pressing the button when her voice stops him in his tracks again.

“Spencer, just…” JJ’s voice trails off as he turns to look back at her, she tilts her head sympathetically. “I know you don’t want to talk right now but… try to talk to (y/n) at least, don’t bottle it all up.” He forms a tight-lipped smile and nods.

“I will, thanks.” He replies slightly dismissively and turns to step into the elevator as the doors open and shut behind him. 

Spencer walks through the parking lot faster than usual, wanting nothing more than to just get home. Maybe he’d find you waiting for him there, sitting on the couch with a book, or maybe watching a movie. He’d sit down next to you and let you run your fingers through his hair, scratch his scalp, kiss his face, make all of the horrible images fade away. However, when he does get home, there is only silence. The lights are off, save for one lamp you had left on so that it wouldn’t be too dark for him. Spencer hangs his bag on a hook and removes his converse, placing them neatly by the front door. He tries to keep the sound of his footsteps light as he moves to turn off the lamp. 

Once he finally enters the bedroom he finds you there, sleeping ever so peacefully. He lets out a long, shaky sigh, looking over at the digital alarm on the bedside table, 1:40am, of course you’re not still awake. Quiet as he can, he removes his work clothes and gets ready for bed. When he lays down beside you he rolls onto his side to look at your face. All of the emotions he’s worked so hard to hold back over the last few days come flooding back with stinging eyes and a lump in his throat that he can’t force away. He studies your face, your quiet, relaxed form and decides he shouldn’t wake you. You have work in the morning – you both do – and it wouldn’t be wise to disturb your sleep to burden you with his work problems, although he knew it to be much deeper than that. Spencer exhales a shaky breath and resigns to closing his eyes and willing himself to sleep. He’s moments away from slipping into unconsciousness when a soft hand delicately brushes the side of his face.

“Spence?” He allows his eyes to flutter open at the sound of your voice and meets your drowsy, half shut eyes – his breath catching in his throat at the sight. When your lips stretch into an adoring smile he notices the stinging feeling in his eyes come back full force. “When did you get back?” You ask while your thumb runs a gentle line under his bottom lip causing him to bite it softly.

“Only five minutes ago.” Spencer replies with a shakiness he doesn’t bother to hope you won’t notice. Nothing ever gets past you. As expected, he watches as a subtle frown takes over your features.

“Bad?” You ask. A simple question, yet his eyes still well up when he nods in response. You don’t ask if he wants to talk about it, you know he doesn’t. “What do you need?’ Your hand moves again, this time to brush back a strand of hair that had fallen over his sullen face.

“You.” The way his voice cracks breaks your heart. You pull him into your chest and he rests his head there. When you run your fingers through his hair you feel his strong hands clutching the back of your shirt, pressing your body against his as close as possible. Tears stain your clothing as he breathes shakily against you.

This is the hardest part of Spencer’s job. Over the years he has developed an incredible ability to compartmentalize. He is generally pretty skilled at separating work from personal life. With a job like his you can’t afford to bring it home with you, but even with that mindset, there’s no way to stop it from getting to you occasionally. Nights like these are inevitable. You continue to thread your fingers through his curls as you feel him getting heavier against you as he slowly drifts to sleep. Staring straight up at the ceiling you can only hope that your presence will help keep the nightmares at bay. You whisper comforting words into his ear while you lay silently praying that tomorrow will be kinder to him.

[anto-pops]

A Torrid Arrangement - Sebastian Sallow x Female! Reader

Summary: You and Sebastian have had a 'friends-with-benefits' dynamic going on for close to a year now, and the more time passes, the harder it is for him to hide his true feelings for you. It's an unbearable kind of torment, but he forces himself to grin and bear it anyway to preserve the integrity of his... situation-ship with you. That is, until the metaphorical floodgates finally open up.

Alternatively summarized as gratuitous FWB smut with lots of playful banter sprinkled in

This came from the depths of my fever-induced brain so if its all over the place, I apologize. But YAY MORE SMUT !!

Word Count: 8.6k

Warnings: 18+, aged up characters, explicit sexual content, lots of hickies

Full fic can be found here on Ao3 with more informative tags, as per usual :))

Sebastian knew it was going to be one of those days before he was even fully conscious. 

He jolted awake from an extremely graphic wet dream at the ass crack of dawn, hard and sweaty and tangled in the sheets, already reaching beside himself for the body that had just been pressed against his own. The dream had been so real– so incredibly vivid– that he swore he could still taste the familiar, salty skin on the tip of his tongue. He’d been so fucking close too; buried deep between soft thighs, clinging tight with every fiber of his being when reality had come and butt its ugly, unwelcome head in. 

With a ragged, disappointed groan, Sebastian let his head fall back against his pillow and dragged his hands down his flushed face, graciously allowing himself a few minutes to sort himself out. 

This was far from the first wet dream he’d had about you, and he was certain it wouldn’t be the last. Hell– you gave Sebastian’s thirsty subconscious plenty of material to work with every time you came around to ‘relieve stress’. Being long-standing fuck buddies with you granted him that lucious priviledge. Sebastian knew damn well how good you felt holding onto him, what you sounded like when you were about to come, what your heated, sweat-slick skin tasted like. 

He also knew how fucking cute you could be— especially when you were sprawled across his bed in his dorm with a textbook open beneath you to sneakily segue from studying together to fooling around. He knew how badly he wanted to spread you out across his sheets and make you moan for hours– to worship your perfect body slowly and sweetly with his hands and his mouth. 

It was barely past dawn and Sebastian already knew he was going to be tracking you down at some point today to act on his urges. As always, he would be hiding his monstrous crush under a thick layer of casual booty call. 

—

Whenever Sebastian woke up like this– nerves stretched paper thin over a desperate craving for intimacy– dueling was one of the few things that helped him clear his head and get his shit together. He wasn’t exactly a morning person, and he was even less of a people person at such a ripe, early hour, but he’d still left the confines of his dorm to make the trek to the Crossed Wands courtyard. 

There were no students in this area of the castle at this time, which just meant he would be making do with the practice dummies for a few hours until his blood cooled within his veins. Spell after spell fired from his wand and struck hard and true against the wooden figurines that lined the walls, the sound echoing off the Clock Tower walls and drowning out his incessant, horny thoughts. 

Thoughts that revolved too much around how nice your thighs would look with dark imprints of his teeth all over them. 

Biting the inside of his cheek, Sebastian unleashed a particularly aggressive Confringo charm in a bid to expel his sinful train of thought. The dummy erupted in an explosion of wooden bits and flaming embers, and as it collapsed to the stone floor in a mangled heap, the brunet realized that there was in fact one other person on school grounds awake– and they just so happened to be walking right towards him. 

He could practically hear fate howling with laughter at his expense when he dimly registered that not only did he know this lone survivor, it was against all probability none other than you, because why the fuck not. 

You were stomping through the outer courtyard with a few textbooks clutched tight in your white-knuckled grip, looking equal parts distracted and deliciously disheveled from a distance. Your mind had to be as scattered as his was, because you clearly didn’t notice Sebastian or the on fire training dummy as you strode through the open clock tower gate. He did his best to play it cool when you finally made eye contact with him, trying exceptionally hard to not look like he’d just jacked off to the way dream-you squirmed under him not twenty minutes prior. 

“Hey, you,” Sebastian called out smoothly when your hurried pace slowed down at the sight of him. You shook your head as though to clear it, squinting at him harder as you evenly stalked up to him, and your frown became more and more apparent the closer you got. Everything about your demeanor screamed ‘wild Graphorn, do not approach’, but Sebastian had never been great at following directions. 

You raked one of your hands through your wild hair as you finally came to stop a few feet away, panting slightly as you stared up at him as though you weren’t entirely sure he was real. “Sebastian?” 

The man in question cocked a brow at you, giving you a quick once over. Your hair was definitely mussed more than usual, a few stray strands falling over your forehead while others stuck up on one side– as if you’d been combing your fingers through it all night. There was no missing the mildly insane glint in your bloodshot eyes, and you were slightly paler than normal. Sebastian was also pretty sure you’d been wearing the same blouse yesterday, if the tiny stain on the collar was any indication. 

If you didn’t look so damned grumpy, Sebastian would swear he’d just caught you in the middle of a walk of shame. The mere idea sent a sharp pang of jealousy straight through his core, and he had to bite his tongue to stifle the snide comment that threatened to fall from his lips. He failed, opting to instead poke the metaphorical bruise and deal with the throbbing ache doing so would bring him. 

“Someone didn’t go to her dorm last night,” he snickered, aiming a crooked grin down at you. “Congrats on getting lucky.” 

Normally he would expect you to just roll your eyes and punch him in the shoulder before ribbing him back. But as Sebastian watched your eyes widen at the same time your face flushed several different shades of red, he couldn’t help but wonder if poking the metaphorical Graphorn before the sun was even fully up was a good idea. 

“I was not getting lucky,” you hissed at him, one eye twitching. Sebastian raised his hands in mock surrender before sticking his wand back in his pocket, awkwardly shifting on his feet for a moment as you huffed out an agitated sigh. “I’ve been getting fucked for the last twelve hours by Professor Sharp’s assignment– fifteen pages on the origin and uses of Wiggenweld. I’m not even sure if most of what I’ve written comes off as real English, so don’t fucking chuckle at me about getting lucky, you ass.” 

Sebastian just stared at you silently, watching you fume. He’d pulled plenty of all-nighters with you before, so he knew full well that after a certain amount of sleep deprivation and stress, you had a tendency to lose your shit in addition to your filter. “Ah,” he mumbled as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, only hesitating for a second. 

After all, he just so happened to know exactly how you liked to relieve your stress. 

He licked his lips quickly before he said, “You, uh… kinda look like you could stand to get lucky, huh?” 

Your nostrils flared slightly as you squinted up at him for a long minute instead of responding. It might have looked like a murderous face to anyone else, but Sebastian knew better, and he could practically hear the gears in your head clanking together as you weighed the offer. 

“…I mean, if you’re not doing anything else,” you finally muttered, your tense shoulders dropping a smidge. 

He gestured loosely to the demolished pile of wood on the ground. “I’m not anymore,” came his fluid reply, and before you could take note of the smoking remnants of the training dummy, Sebastian’s hand was grasping yours tight as he tugged you along behind him. You blearily blinked the fatigue from your eyes as you fell into step beside him, and the brunet tried his very best not to let on how extremely pleased he was.

—

Halfway to Sebastian’s dorm, you’d interrupted his hurried pace and directed him to the Room of Requirement in an attempt to avoid any awkward run-ins with his roommates. The absolute last thing you wanted to deal with on top of your Potion’s related irritation was prying eyes, and you already knew the Slytherin dorms would be chock full of those. 

Upon entering the more private space atop the Astronomy Tower, you threw aside your textbooks on the lone side table next to the double doors and spun around to yank Sebastian into a frantic, needy kiss. Your nails dug into his firm shoulders as you swiftly pulled him down to your level, and he allowed you to grind your hips against his steadily growing erection as his own fingers dug into the small of your back. 

“H-Hey, hold on,” Sebastian wheezed out when you pulled away to tug at his belt, and his hands dropped to your waist to hold you at arms length so he could look you over again. As the two of you had trekked up to the Room, you’d begun to look more and more exhausted— too out of it to even gripe about the endless staircase that never failed to draw complaints from you. “Are you sure you’re up for this right now? You look like death.” 

You snorted and rolled your tired eyes, pursing your lips in blatant disapproval. “Nagging, Sebastian? Really? I thought we were past this.” 

“I’m not nagging,” he grumbled. “I’m just saying, you kinda look like you need a nap more than you need a quick fuck.” 

Tutting disdainfully, your hands fell away from his belt as you crossed your arms over your chest. “I was just starting to loosen up. See if I ever relax around your ass again,” you retorted drily, tilting your head back to blink up at the ceiling. “The assignment is due before lunch today. If I sleep now, I’m not waking up until tomorrow. I can’t sleep yet.”

Sebastian tilted his head with a thoughtful frown, mirroring your stance by crossing his arms over his own chest. “What if I wake you up?” 

You shook your head dutifully, although you were sorely tempted by the idea. “Trust me, I can feel the impending coma. I can’t risk it.”

“Want me to turn your paper in for you?”

Another mournful shake of your head. “You know Sharp, he’s as stern as they come. I’m positive he wouldn’t take it from you– and I’m sure he’d give you detention for trying. It’s fine, I just need to tough it out for a few more hours. Think you can help with that?” 

“Shit, yeah,” he relented, fighting the urge to bury his face in your messy head of hair. Instead he opted for uncrossing his arms to run his hands up your shoulders to gently squeeze at the tense muscles there, and you sighed at the delightful shiver that danced up your spine from the action. “I’m really not trying to kill you, though. Are you sure you’re good for this?” 

You snorted again, shaking your head slightly, and the tension in your upper body began seeping away under Sebastian’s warm palms. “Are you always this sweet to your fuck buddies?” The brunet could feel himself flushing at the statement, but before he could respond, you were muttering, “It’s really weird coming from you.” 

“Hey–”

“Just shut up and fuck me already,” you barked over Sebastian’s protest, pulling away from him to head further into the massive space towards the modest bedroom in the corner. The adjacent room had never disappeared after your first hook-up here with your longtime companion, and its constant existence since then had served as an odd reminder of your arrangement with the man. 

If you weren’t so stiff and weird from exhaustion, Sebastian could honestly convince himself that you were embarrassed or something. For now, though, he simply chalked your jaded nature up to your lack of a filter and stalked after you– totally not obsessing over the fact that you’d just called him sweet. 

You’d been undoing the buttons on your shirt as you walked, and as soon as you made it inside the bedroom, you stripped the material off completely and discarded it in the corner of the room. Your skirt quickly followed, and all the while Sebastian was forcing himself not to think about how nice dream-you’s skin had looked tangled in his dream-sheets. 

Sebastian stood in the doorway as he began unbuttoning his own shirt, shucking the attire off of his shoulders before moving down to his belt. The metal clink of the buckle was enough to draw your attention, and you fell back onto the mattress and scooted up towards the pillows without taking your eyes off him. The eager look in your fatigued eyes was enough to spur Sebastian onward quicker, and before long he was dressed in only his briefs as he prowled towards the bed with a predatory glint in his eyes. 

The way you were sprawled atop the sheets with your arms resting above your head was a sight Sebastian vowed to commit to memory for as long as he lived. You were clearly giving him free reign over your body, and his mouth ran dry at the realization that you were wholly handing control over to him. He swallowed thickly and moved to straddle your hips, leaning over you on his forearms so he could better slot your lips together, and after a few tentative pecks, his boldness started to grow. You sighed and tilted your chin into Sebastian’s kisses, parting your lips invitingly as you melted into the cool, satin sheets beneath you. 

With as tired and as boneless as you were, it seemed like you might actually be patient for once, and the thought had Sebastian’s heart fluttering excitedly. More often than not, he was so susceptible to your impatience and intensity that he always found himself getting swept up in your urgency when the two of you did this. Not that he didn’t love it; the dire, rough pace he’d always settle into with you, all gasping moans and tightly-gripped hands and frantic, needy thrusts– he absolutely loved it. It kept him hooked and craving more, even when you were both panting and sated. This, though…

Having you give up the lead and just relax for him was like a literal wet dream come to life. 

Tangling your tongues with a low moan, Sebastian leaned into you slightly, his hands shifting to rub slowly up your sides until his deft fingers slipped under your arched back to unhook your bra. It fell away like nothing, and you moaned against his lips when the pads of his thumbs came to graze over your pert nipples. Your sleep-deprived loopiness had to be contagious, because Sebastian pulled away from your lips to mouth hotly against your ear, “I dreamt about you last night.” 

He didn’t get the chance to feel weird about admitting it. You chuckled warmly, your kiss-swollen lips curving into a crooked, amused smile. “Oh yeah?” 

“Yeah,” he murmured, pausing to suck gently at your earlobe while his thumbs idly traced the outline of your ribs. He brushed his lips down the angle of your jaw, exhaling shakily when you leaned your head aside to freely offer him the wonderfully sensitive expanse of your neck. Sebastian lightly dragged his teeth down the soft, heated skin, then flicked his tongue over the faded imprint of the last hickey he’d left there. It was barely noticeable now. 

You shivered at the feeling, your fingers twisting in the sheets above your head before you sighed contentedly. “Was I pulling my hair out about Potions?”

“Fuck no.” He nipped at the faint bruise before pressing a hot, open-mouthed kiss to your pulse, sucking just enough to briefly tease you. “I had you under me like this,” he continued softly, pitching his voice low and nuzzling into your ear again, purposely aiming to press your buttons and work you into a needy frenzy. He felt your breath hitch more than he heard it, and as a sly grin broke out across his face, Sebastian slipped his fingers up your chest to pinch at your nipples once again. “I was fucking you nice and slow, making you feel so good…”

Moaning softly, you arched up into Sebastian’s hands, worrying your bottom lip between your teeth as he teased and flicked the sensitive nubs into stiff peaks. Your hips inadvertently rocked up against his as you desperately sought friction in the area you wanted it most. “Sounds like you’ve already got a game plan, huh?”

He sat back on his heels to look down at you as he shrugged. “If you’re up to it,”

“Just don’t let me fall asleep,” you mused, your hooded eyes trailing down Sebastian’s tanned, freckled chest to his dark briefs, halting when you caught sight of his cock straining against the cotton material. The sight had you licking your lips and fidgeting slightly before you blinked back up at him. “This paper is worth a quarter of my grade.” 

“I won’t. Merlin– you worry too much.” Sitting upright with an amused shake of his head, Sebastian rolled off of you to sidle down the mattress so he was kneeled comfortably between your outstretched legs. Your hands fell to your thin underwear, ready to peel them away to get a move on with things, but Sebastian swatted away your appendages quickly. With a half-hearted scowl, you relinquished control, allowing your arms to rest above your head again as you once more bared yourself to the larger man. 

Sebastian groaned softly at the sight, continuing where you’d left off by slipping his fingers under the waistband of your undergarments before tugging the damp fabric away from your aching center. You lifted your knees to assist him, and in one swift motion he had discarded the soiled attire over his shoulder, taking care to drag his eyes down the supple curve of your waist before settling on your glistening folds. 

“Damn, darling,” he moaned earnestly. “You look so fucking perfect like this.” You huffed softly as you hooked your legs around Sebastian’s hips to tug him closer, and he hummed at the same time he looped one of his hands under your thigh to hold you to him as he rocked against your slick core. The friction was tantamount to perfection, but you craved more, and Sebastian knew it too. 

Before you could open your mouth to complain, the freckled man ducked to press hot, wet kisses down the line of your throat, sucking and biting as he made his way down your shoulder past your collarbone. As he mouthed down your chest, he paused to tease one of your perked nipples gently between his teeth, and a pang of arousal shot through him when you arched and moaned under him. It was pure bliss– and your eyes rolled shut as your hips pressed up insistently. Sebastian ground his hips into yours for as long as he could manage before he had to scoot back to continue further, but he made up for it by dragging his nails deliciously down your thighs before he’d settled between your outstretched legs. 

You made such a pretty picture spread out in the lush, satin sheets this way; with your hands fisted in the covers above your head, your legs spread on either side of him, and the lustful gaze you pinned him with, Sebastian was half convinced he’d fallen back asleep this morning and was still dreaming. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to watch your body react to his touch, so he smiled as he dipped his head to drag the flat of his tongue up your wet folds, and the way your breath stuttered in your throat was far more enticing than it had any right to be. You attempted to push yourself up onto your elbows to watch– entirely enthralled with how Sebastian looked between your thighs– but then he took your clit between his lips and sucked, and you were pulling the sheets into your clenched fists and falling back against the pillows with a ragged moan.

Sebastian continued to toy with you that way for far too long for comfort– holding you hostage in some combined purgatory of bliss and torment as he sucked and lapped at your center. It was far too easy to reduce you to a pile of brainless mush given your fatigued, overly-sensitive state, and he was all too curious to discover how many new things you would let him get away with before you got impatient and started begging. 

With gentle, attentive hands, Sebastian coaxed you into raising one of your knees up so he could throw your leg over his shoulder, instantly coiling his strong arms under your waist to hold you firmly to his unrelenting mouth. His stomach flipped at how easily you relaxed for him, and you proceeded to fight your boneless nature so you could sit up and watch him with lust-dark, hazy eyes. Sebastian loved the attention– thrived on it, really– and he broke away from your overwhelmingly wet heat to pepper chaste kisses along the smooth hollow of your leg. You were already breathing heavier– your fingers twitching around handfuls of fabric– and when Sebastian moaned and slipped his tongue out in-between kisses to lightly run the tip along soft, sensitive skin, your breath caught audibly in your chest before you shuddered out a shaky sigh. 

When he first sank his teeth into the heated flesh midway up your inner thigh, he did so gently, but your hips still jerked at the sensation, and you couldn’t stop the wanton moan that slipped through your parted lips. “Fuck, Sebastian–” you groaned, your voice laced with obvious desire. You dug the heel of your foot into the middle of his back, silently imploring him to give you more, because the feeling of him marking you somewhere so sensitive was too fucking good. 

Sebastian flashed you a smug grin as he pulled away, but not before planting a lingering kiss along the faint imprints of his teeth. The gesture was warm and promising– as was the way his hand squeezed your waist before letting the leg over his shoulder fall back against the mattress. He moved to splay his hands over your hips, your thighs resting comfortably over his arms, but he let them stay spread open rather than using his grip to pull you around like he usually would. 

As his thumbs trailed gently along the curves of your hip bones, Sebastian leaned back down to brush another warm kiss along your inner thigh, humming at the way your muscles tensed slightly. He nuzzled up higher, then parted his lips against the soft skin to bite again, and this time he sucked steadily with the intent of leaving a dark, lasting mark there too. You moaned softly, your hips rocking up at the sensation, and as Sebastian worked yet another brand into your skin, your breath shifted into quiet panting as your hands twisted in the sheets. 

Satisfied with the deep purple of the bruise and the light imprint of his teeth around it, Sebastian pulled away and dragged the flat of his tongue over his brand soothingly, breathing a low groan as he did so. He admired it for a moment longer before he mouthed wetly up your leg further, his dark, messy curls brushing against the join of your thigh. 

He nuzzled closer to begin working another mark there, and the sharp sting of his lips and his teeth had you gasping– bending your free thigh up to let it fall to the side in a bid to give Sebastian all the room he wanted to keep going. He moaned encouragingly, squeezing your hips once again as you lifted them up for more, and he dragged his tongue up along the soft hollow of your thigh as his brow furrowed in concentration. 

“S-Sebastian,” you gasped, trembling under the brunet’s affection. The shaky insistence to your voice caught his attention, so he leaned up enough to look at you as he licked his lips and pet your hips soothingly. Swallowing heavily, you opened your eyes and shivered, meeting his gaze almost shyly before you murmured, “I-I don’t– I don’t usually like slow stuff.” 

Sebastian shifted up onto his elbows, idly drawing his palms back and forth over your flushed skin. His expression showed nothing but concern as he asked, “Do you want to stop?” 

You shook your head quickly, scooting your hips minutely towards him. “N-No, no– this is fine. Good, even, I… I like this.” 

Tilting his head to the side, Sebastian tried unsuccessfully to figure out what was happening, then cautiously asked, “Are you okay?” 

“Yes,” you answered firmly, leaving no room for doubt. You fidgeted for a few seconds, squirming under the obvious care Sebastian was showing for you until you eventually took a breath and relented. “I like this. A lot.” The freckled man only cocked a brow at you in confusion, but before he could move to crawl over you again, you huffed and flopped back against the mattress. “I like you leaving marks on me, too.” 

He mulled that over in his brain for a long moment, squinting slightly. “Okay…?” 

“You fucking ass,” you wheezed out, your breath akin to an overwhelmed laugh. “It’s because it’s you, Sebastian, Merlin’s beard– I like you.”

Pressing his lips into a thin line, Sebastian stared up at you again and carefully replied, “Thanks?” 

“Nevermind, I hate you,” you grumbled, slinging an arm over your face. “Forget I said anything.” 

“No– hold on–” he sputtered before sitting up straight, his arms sliding out from under your thighs. You appeared to be disgruntled by the change, but you didn’t come out from hiding to complain. “I mean– we’ve been fucking for like a year. I’d hope to the Gods you can stand me by now.” 

You groaned from beneath the safety of your arm shield, “I cannot believe I have to spell this out for you. I’ve been fucking you for like a year because I like you, you moonmind. Like, romantically. Very much into you, whether we’re fucking or not.”

With an uncomfortably loud click, Sebastian understood.

“Oh!” His eyes damn near popped out of his skull, his heart doing some insane acrobatics in his chest, but all of that took a backseat to the blissful realization that he wasn’t the only one with a big, gross crush. “Oh, shit, okay,” he sputtered, raking his hands through his hair. “Wow, okay. Fuck, sorry– I was totally involved in the hickey thing, my brain wasn’t on. Wow.” 

“Merlin’s balls,” you groused, already trying to roll away from Sebastian’s wildly embarrassing presence. “I should not have said anything.”

“No!” Sebastian scrambled up the bed to brace himself on his hands above you, caging you between his arms while his heart hammered away against his sternum. “No, no no, you definitely should have said something, darling– shit.” He paused to try and coax you into coming out of hiding, but when you resisted him firmly, he didn’t push it. Instead, he chewed the inside of his cheek and tried to get his racing thoughts in order so he wouldn’t blurt out something completely idiotic. 

“I am like, ridiculously in love with you.” 

Completely idiotic. 

You froze under him momentarily before peering up at him over your elbow, your wide-eyed stare bordering on horrified. Cursing under his breath, Sebastian buried his hands in his hair and stared right back, almost entirely sure he could feel his life force draining from his body. 

“I-I mean– fuck, wait–”

“Are you kidding me!?” You bolted upright– narrowly avoiding cracking your skull against Sebastian’s on the way up. Your fingers clamped down on his shoulders so you could rattle him slightly as you blurted, “What the hell, Sebastian! How long?” 

“I don’t know!” He threw his hands up and pointedly stared at the wall before grumbling, “I don’t fucking know, it’s not like it happened all at once. It started towards the end of our fifth-year and it just kinda… grew from there. Like a Horklump.” 

Sebastian realized how shitty that euphemism was when your mouth fell open in utter disbelief. “Did you seriously just compare your feelings for me to a fungus?” 

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” He sat back on his heels, crossing his arms stiffly over his bare chest as he returned to staring at anything but you.

“For what, exactly?” You ran a trembling hand through your unruly hair, then dropped your gaze to the sheets. “For returning my feelings? Or for not saying anything before right now?” Sebastian just shrugged unhelpfully with his lips pursed. Groaning loudly, you flopped back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for a minute, your irritated, murder face back in full swing. 

Just as Sebastian was starting to get worried by the awkward silence— doing his best not to fidget— you nodded to yourself and announced, “We should date each other.” 

“…Come again?” 

“We should date each other,” you repeated firmly, leaning up on your elbows again and exuding a confidence that had seemingly come out of nowhere. “I like you, you love me–” Sebastian did his best to not choke on his own tongue, “–we spend so much time together that we’re basically dating anyways. At least, Imelda seems to think so… it seems like a good enough idea to me, if you’re interested.” 

It took Sebastian a few seconds to untangle his tongue enough to reply, but when he did, all he could do was croak, “You want to date me?”

“Yes. I’d like that.” 

“…Are you high? Did you smoke Mallowsweet on your way here?”

You groaned and tipped your head back between your shoulders, very clearly searching for some semblance of patience. “I’m high on sleep deprivation, yes, but that doesn’t make my feelings any less real. They’re there whether I’ve slept or not. It’s actually hell.” 

Sebastian was still flabbergasted, staring down at you helplessly. “Why are you bringing this up now?” 

“I don’t know! I didn’t mean to full-on confess or anything, it just kind of came out that way. You were leaving hickeys on me, and I realized that whenever I wake up tomorrow, I’m gonna feel them and see them and remember how you fucking appeared out of nowhere right when I was wondering if you’d be pissed if I snuck into your dorm at the ass crack of dawn– and then I’ll remember how good you looked leaving them on me and how I totally wanted you to do slow mushy lovey sex stuff to me, and then I’ll probably sleep like shit for weeks fantasizing about that, and–”

“Okay, alright, damn,” Sebastian interjected, his face flushed an impressively dark shade of red.

“You asked,” you mumbled as you half-heartedly picked at the sheets. 

“I did, yeah.” Licking his lips quickly, Sebastian reached forward to rest his hand over yours, dragging his thumb along your knuckles soothingly. “I’d really, really like that. A lot, if I’m being honest. I’ve kind of dreamt about it for a while now.”

Your sheepish smile transformed rapidly into something purely elated, and you flipped your hand over to intertwine your fingers with his own as you playfully mused, “Not the only thing you’ve been dreaming about, apparently.” 

Sebastian laughed again, and this time it was less nervous and more breathless with relief. He leaned forward to brush his lips against yours, resting his free hand on your warm cheek, and you instantly relaxed for him as you tilted your chin up into the kiss as you gave his fingers a tentative squeeze. 

You fell back onto the bed again as you tugged Sebastian over you, loosely hooking your legs around his hips to keep him close. The brunet groaned and leaned into you, and when you threaded your fingers into his hair and pulled him into another kiss, he slipped his tongue between your lips with a shaky sigh– all too eager to put his hands all over you. Luckily you seemed to be of like mind, moaning against his mouth before pulling back just enough to whisper, “Touch me, please.” 

Sebastian nodded ardently and nipped at your flushed lips, shifting his weight to free up his hands so he could better run his palms along your sides. He squeezed gently before dragging one hand down to your still-slick heat, expertly seeking out your tiny bundle of nerves in a bid to reduce you to a mewling, gasping mess. Your spine rounded towards him as soon as he found it– an airy moan ripping from your throat as he pressed tight circles around the nub– and Sebastian swallowed your keening noises greedily. 

“Why are you still wearing these?” You murmured against his plush lips as your finger slipped beneath the waistband of his briefs, tugging softly to convey your request. 

There was no muffling his smug bark of laughter, and a feline smile split his face as he pulled back just enough to plant a featherlight kiss on the tip of your nose. “So impatient,” he teased, intentionally ignoring your hand on his undergarments in favor of sliding one of his skilled fingers through your folds. He replaced the missing finger against your clit with his thumb at the same time he inserted a digit inside of your pulsing walls, and the feeling had your head falling back as your lips parted around a stuttered gasp, your thighs tightening impossibly further around his waist. 

Undeterred, you blindly wiggled your hand under the hem of Sebastian’s underwear and tugged his arousal out with a practiced flick of your wrist. You wrapped your fingers around his girth and gave him a long, tight stroke– squeezing the head in the way you knew he liked– which in turn earned you a rough, wavering moan. Matching Sebastian’s pace was easy, and you stroked him steadily as you leaned up to seal your lips over his pulse to begin working a dark hickey of your own into his sweaty, freckled skin. 

Resting his weight on his free arm, Sebastian leaned closer as he sighed heavily while his brown eyes fluttered shut from the way your mouth felt on his neck. He rocked his hips into your hand and pumped his fingers a few more times inside of you before he was withdrawing the digits to push his briefs down all the way. You merely chuckled against his throat, pulling off of the fresh, blossoming mark with a satisfied hum before you laved your tongue over it. 

Once Sebastian had finally wrestled off his briefs and settled over you again, you tugged him by the neck back into a hungry kiss, and he groaned deeply at the way you moved perfectly against him. As you curled your tongue between his lips, your hands traversed down the broad expanse of his toned back to feel as much of him as you could, pawing encouragingly at his lower back to guide him into a languid, grinding rhythm against you. 

Sebastian let himself follow your lead for a few slow thrusts, but the way your skin felt against his– coupled with the way your quiet moans sounded muffled against his lips– was too tempting to overlook for long. Following a brief, bitey kiss, Sebastian dropped his hand between your legs once again to press at your wet, warm entrance. You shivered at the way his fingers felt against you as he coaxed you into relaxing, and your nails dug into his sculpted shoulders when he mercifully worked two of his thick digits inside of you. A string of moans and praises alike fell from your lips as your head lolled back against the pillows, and the remnants of Sebastian’s restraint began to slip away as a result. 

“Fuck, darling,” he keened breathlessly, unable to take his eyes off of your face as your expression shifted into one of pure pleasure. His buried his fingers to the knuckles, utterly overwhelmed at how tight you were, and he nudged his nose against your cheek as he murmured, “You look so fucking good right now…”

“Y-You may have mentioned that, yeah,” you laughed against his sweat-slick skin, blinking affectionately up at your now-boyfriend as he took in your pliant body beneath him, and the thought imbued you with a fresh sense of desire that you were desperate to act on. “Come on, I want you inside me already.” 

With a wheezy laugh, Sebastian nodded and ducked his head to catch your lips again as he started thrusting his fingers into your pulsing heat. He nibbled gently at your bottom lip when he buried his fingers deep to curl them towards your stomach, which in turn earned him a squeaky little moan that was immediately followed by an impatient wriggle of your hips. Your legs were trembling with barely contained want as you spread them further, and Sebastian took full advantage of the newly acquired space to readjust himself into a more comfortable position. 

By the time you were panting against him and rocking back onto his fingers, Sebastian was more than ready to move things along. He slid his fingers out and pulled away with another quick kiss before sitting up to steady his cock at your entrance. You helpfully wrapped your legs around his waist again, angling your hips towards him with a coy smile on your face until you felt the head of his achingly hard member bump against you. Sebastian flashed you a doting smile in return, and with an unhurried roll of his hips, he was sinking into you with a throaty groan that made your hair stand on end. 

“F-Fuck, you feel so warm– you’re perfect, darling,” he grit through his clenched teeth, plunging himself deeper inch by inch until he had bottomed out completely inside of you. The way your walls fluttered around him made him dizzy with need, but he noted the tension in your shoulders and forced himself to maintain his slow pace so you could get acclimated to the feeling. Sebastian was practically fluent in your stubborn body language by now, and he was nothing if not determined to get you to relax completely. 

Rather than thrusting deeper, Sebastian sighed and licked his lips as he glanced up at your face. You were an incredibly tense person on the best of days, but when you were running on fumes like this, he found it to be even harder to get you to release the mountain of stress you seemingly carried with you at all times. While he was all too used to the frown lines that so frequently cropped up between your brows, seeing them now just made Sebastian want to be even gentler with you– even more careful. 

He lightly nudged your head aside and set to dragging hot, wet kisses down the column of your throat, moaning wantonly at the bare salt of your sweat on his tongue. You shivered and gasped, tilting your head to the side with a low sigh to grant the brunet more access, and before long the combined feeling of Sebastian’s tongue and lips on your neck had you melting under him completely with your eyes blissfully closed. 

“That feels… really good,” you murmured with a low voice. It was pure rapture to feel Sebastian this way; moving slowly inside of you, his lips dancing down your throat and nipping softly at the skin there. His hands eventually crept up the pillows to tangle in your hair, and the enticing feeling of his nails scraping against your scalp was enough to have you tightening around his cock a fraction. 

The praise sent a bolt of confidence through Sebastian, and he moved from your neck back to your lips to slot your mouths together again. He gingerly pulled his hips back before rolling them forward, and when you moved down against him with a shaky breath, it was all the go-ahead he needed to keep going. 

The rhythm he fell into was slow and steady, moving inside you with long, easy thrusts while he ground against your ass every time he buried himself deep. His eyes remained trained on your face, your expression clearly showing how pleased you were to be taken care of. You weren’t squirming in blatant pleasure yet, but Sebastian figured this was a good enough first step. 

“C’mon, Sebastian– you’re putting me to sleep here,” you mumbled playfully, letting your arms rest above your head in the way Sebastian loved to see. His tempo faltered slightly, but your mischievous grin betrayed the legitimacy of the claim; he should’ve known you were simply teasing him, especially when he knew you always got a kick out of taunting him. 

“Oh yeah?” He practically purred, sitting back on his heels to wrap his hands around your hips as he hauled you aggressively into his lap. 

You adjusted to him easily, wiggling your hips in Sebastian’s grasp in a bid to spur him onward. “Yeah… jeez, Sallow, you had one job. Tsk tsk.” 

“Well, shit.” He grinned wickedly down at you as he rolled his hips back, pulling almost all the way out and relishing in the way your face fell briefly. He hovered there for a long, torturous second before he snapped his hips back into you, using his grip to hold you down on his cock as he ground deeper and harder than before. You were left gasping at the feeling, your head falling back as your fingers twisted in the sheets, and before you could recover, Sebastian rasped, “Guess I should fuck you better then, huh?” 

Without giving you room to breathe, Sebastian kept up his agonizingly slow pace, easily pulling you back onto his cock with every firm thrust. He fucked into you evenly– his strong hands controlling the rhythm in the way he knew drove you crazy– and it earned him a cacophony of shaky moans that fell from your flushed, bitten lips. 

“Yeah,” you replied finally, your voice tight and shaky. “You have to keep me up all morning, remember?” 

It was a simple enough statement, but the way it rolled off of your tongue made it sound absolutely filthy. Your raspy voice was dripping with lust, your hot breath panting out between your parted lips, and that was more than enough to light a fire in Sebastian’s blood. 

Groaning roughly, Sebastian paused long enough to hook his arms under your knees to haul them easily over his shoulders. You gasped as the movement lifted you off of your hips– then again when he nipped sharply at the inside of your knee before sucking hard enough to leave another flushed bruise there. The sensation had you squirming in Sebastian’s lap to the best of your ability, moaning breathlessly as he ground into you with a low rumble. 

Once he was satisfied with his mark, the freckled man rubbed his hands slowly down your tense thighs, leaning over you on his hands again so you were effectively bent back and pressed against the sheets. Sebastian leaned more of his weight into you– sinking deeper– and just as you were opening your mouth to urge him on, he started moving again. 

He picked up his pace from before easily, but now, every slow, hard thrust stuffed you full of him, and it didn’t take him long to find the angle that had you gasping sweet little moans with every shaky breath. 

Writhing under him, you arched your back and gasped Sebastian’s name as your hands tightened in the covers above your head and pulled ardently. He was fucking you slowly– but at this angle everything felt so intense– enough so that any teasing pretense you’d previously had was quickly washed away beneath constant, steady waves of pleasure. Your toes curled in the air behind him as your thighs quivered and flexed against his chest, but beyond that, you were entirely at his mercy. 

An animalistic sound reverberated from deep within Sebastian’s chest, and his own fingers gripped the sheets on either side of your head. The view he had of you was fucking insane; between the incredible face you were making, the way every thrust sent electric little sparks all throughout the both of you, and the way your cunt tightened around his cock with every deep thrust– he couldn’t help but moan your name, brainless praises falling from his lips whenever he could string the words together. 

“S-Sebastian,” you gasped, shakily riding your hips up against the brunet’s to meet his every thrust with keening moans. “Sebastian, fuck– more, more, please–”

He made a soft, broken sound at that, then shrugged your knees off his shoulders to let them fall into the bends of his elbows instead. Surging forward, he captured your lips with his and slipped his tongue between them, and you took full advantage of the closer proximity by burying your fingers in his messy, brown curls and pulling him impossibly closer. 

With you bent nearly in half this way, your knees almost touched the sheets and in turn gave Sebastian the room to pull back farther and thrust deeper– managing to maintain his steady rhythm and simultaneously drag his cock hard all along your sweet spot. You were positively shaking under him, gasping pretty, noisy little sounds into your shared kiss as you wound your fingers restlessly through his hair and pulled just to have something to hold onto. Sebastian squeezed his eyes shut and pumped his hips harder, his self-control stretched thin by how perfect you were. 

How you looked, how you sounded, how you felt… he wanted more of you– more of the loud, pleading moans that tumbled from your kiss-swollen lips. 

“Gods, darling–” Sebastian leaned down and sank his teeth into the crook of your neck, pressing his body against yours as much as he could. You bucked up against him and cried out at the sharp, sweet sting of your lover’s teeth, your head writhing against the pillows frantically as your hands fisted in his hair so you could press his face encouragingly against your flushed throat. It pulled a brutal groan from Sebastian as he bit harder, sucking yet another dark bruise into your skin, and the sound you made in response was enough to send his mind spinning.

Your voice echoed off the walls of the bedroom, your loud moans and cries of his name falling freely from your lips as Sebastian marked you mercilessly. The ragged sounds coming out of him almost sounded like growls muffled against your throat, and the feeling of being so full had you arching your back clean off the mattress. Your nails raked viciously down his neck and shoulders before digging into his strong biceps, but the sting from the welting lines only served to rile him up further. 

When you threw your head to the side and began shaking, your voice cracking as you wailed for Sebastian in the way that told him you were close, he pulled his arm out from under your trembling thigh to plant his thumb firmly against your clit and began rubbing tight circles against the overly-sensitive bundle of nerves. As he brought you closer to your climax, gasping filthy praises between stuttered moans, Sebastian sped up his pace until he was pounding his cock into you, doing his best to keep you bent at that perfect angle as he did so. Your entire body seemingly snapped off the bed– arched tight and clinging hard to his larger frame as you clawed your nails down his arms– and your airy voice rose higher and transformed into a desperate, overwhelmed scream that cracked and made Sebastian’s brain go completely blank. 

You shook apart entirely in Sebastian’s arms, tight and blindingly hot around his cock, squirming beautifully under him as he fucked you through your orgasm. Your slick coated his shaft as he relentlessly pumped into you, until the thunderous rush of his own climax crashed down around him. Warm, thick ropes of his cum filled you as he emptied himself inside, and Sebastian swore nothing on this Earth could ever hold a candle to how marvelous the feeling was.

He was vaguely aware of himself moaning your name over and over again– stammering out mumbled praises of good, so good darling, fuck. His hands gripped your hips tight as he curled over you and clung to you for dear life while he mouthed brainlessly against your heated skin. It took both of you a few long minutes to come down from your peaks; you with your arm slung over your eyes, and Sebastian slowly wrapping himself tighter and tighter around you to gather you closer. Even once the trembling had subsided, he couldn’t find a good enough reason to move. He twitched his hips back to pull out– mostly for your sake– but that was about all he could manage. 

“Holy shit,” you rasped out after a while, catching Sebastian’s bleary attention. He blinked up at you and watched as you dropped your arm above your head to stare up at the ceiling, and he hungrily took in the steady rise and fall of your bare chest as you caught your breath. 

He snorted softly and dragged his palms along your still shaking thighs– still loosely draped around his waist. “You alright?” There was something to be said about how pleased he was by the low, smokey sound of his own voice, and evidently you were too, considering how it sent more shivers up your spine. You nodded though, tugging at his shoulder to silently urge him closer. 

Sebastian slithered up until he was close enough to catch your lips, allowing you to pull him into a lazy, sated kiss while your fingers combed through his tangled curls. All too graciously, he melted against you– for once not fighting the desire to affectionately trail his knuckles down the line of your jaw. After a few minutes of languid kissing and mindless touching, Sebastian rolled to the side and let you readjust so you were laying on your side with your back to his chest, giving him the chance to wind his arms around your waist and hold you against him. 

He knew he was meant to be keeping you awake leading up to Potions class, but a few minutes of rest wouldn’t hurt. Beyond a herd of Thestrals stampeding through the room, Sebastian sorely doubted that anything could drag him away from this moment with you. He’d waited long enough for it as it was. 

—

After turning your assignment in and sitting through a particularly dreadful lesson for an hour, you’d finally been free’d from the shackles of the education system for the weekend, and you’d quickly found yourself sprawled across Sebastian’s bed with the curtains drawn. You were currently dead asleep and likely to stay that way for a while, but the brunet didn’t mind in the slightest. He wasn’t particularly tired, but he was especially interested in lengthy cuddling with his girlfriend, so he had no problem with the current arrangement. 

With his fingers tangled idly in your sleep-mussed hair, Sebastian watched as the bright streaks of daylight moved across the ceiling while you used his chest as a pillow, far too content to be bothered by how damn long it took to get to this point. 

[bengiyo]

The Sign Ep 12 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

It's been too long, so I barely remember where we are. We left at Tharn somehow maybe saving Phaya and getting stuck in a cave to maybe say goodbye because Chalothorn threatened him or whatever. Chart got caught for being undercover. The rest of the gang was lost in the woods. Anyway, let's finish this.

Wait, how are they successfully tracking anyone? I thought there was no phone service.

Oh lord don't start death flagging with promises about rings.

Damn, I feel bad for Chart. That final kick delivery was actually pretty good.

Bestie said they didn't need rope to get them out of the hole. The power of the Warrior's Bond and Yai's arms was enough.

I watch too much American action. The bullet stuff is giving recent Fast films.

Well, there goes Khem.

Why would they let Tharn run after them alone? He literally loses every fight.

Mhmm, see, Chalothorn had to intervene.

Montree still being afraid of Tharn came across clearly.

Damn, y'all ain't even shower before going back home?

Here we go. One last look at Babe's waistline before it ends.

Oof, the only thing Tharn responded to was an admission of his love.

Finally, 🍑

Oh, I liked that shot of the water leaking through the bed to show that Tharn was gone.

I feel like the grandma has always known more than she let on.

Did we really repeat the exact same death scenario? Chalothorn, you really suck at this. The circle remains unbroken.

I know Phaya's doctors have got to be frustrated that he keeps drowning.

Is Dao in France to cut down on filming schedule conflicts?

I love when dramas show the passage of time with facial hair.

So... Chalothorn just...got over it off screen?

Oh, a second season tag and Saint cameo. I guess?

Final Verdict: 5.5, Great Gowns, Beautiful Gowns. Overall, I just don't think the elements of this show ever really came together. I think the first two episodes of training and mythology teasers, along with the Lieutenant Tam mystery, made me expect these elements to circle and eventually converge in a more cohesive way. I also feel like some of the side stuff didn't really work. I thought some of the mythology about the Naga and Garuda was really interesting, but I didn't exactly feel the cycle they were stuck in playing out in this drama. I'm also hugely annoyed about the core angst evaporating off screen. So, in the end, I'll mostly remember it as copaganda.

That being said, I thought the cast chemistry was solid, and I really liked the execution and use of the CGI. I like that IdolFactory keeps trying more things, but I do think we need to get stronger script writers and editors in the room with a stronger say on the planning front.

[maggiedelusional]

Let Me Go || Part 10

Pairing: Hangman x f!reader, Rooster x f!reader

Warnings: ANGST (but you knew that), minor character death, Some Fluff

Word Count: 3.8k

Summary: Reader is married to and shares a child with Hangman. Life and circumstances drives reader into Rooster’s arms, but Hangman isn’t giving up that easily.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10

Author's Note: The long awaited Part 10. So this is the final part of the story, but there is still an epilogue coming (actually already started writing it as we speak or rather type). Sorry for the long wait once again, school and law school apps really got the best of me. But I did end up getting into law school with a great scholarship so yay! This chapter was so hard to write, I really kept going back and forth on how I was gonna end it and I know I'm not gonna make everyone happy with how I ended it but I think I went the best possible and realistic way that's healthy for all the characters involved. And I am really happy with what I came up with. I also had such a bad case of writer's block but thanks to some brainstorming with one of my best friends (who I forced to listen to the plot of the story). He helped me come up with an ending I was happy with. So thank you again for your patience and I also I wanna apologize to everyone who asked to be in the tag list that I didn't add, its impossible to keep track of who asked. But without further ado, here is Part 10 of Let Me Go!

You needed a moment to gather your thoughts before responding to Jake's plea. You took a deep breath and wiped the tears from your eyes.

"Jake, of course I still love you," you said, your voice quivering slightly. "But that's not the point. Love alone is not enough to fix what's broken between us."

"I know," Jake replied, his eyes downcast.

"You also have to understand that what I had with Bradley was not the same as what we have," you continued. 

"Yes I fell in love with him. How was I not supposed to? He loved me when it felt like you could not, he loved me selflessly and loved our daughter like his own. I can’t just ignore that.” 

"You fell in love with Rooster…." Jake repeated, voice low and full of despair.

“I thought it was you and me forever Sweets. I can’t believe you’d go back on our vows and leave me for Rooster!”

“And its not just you and me (y/n), we have a daughter! Imagine how confusing all of this is for her!” Jake was fuming once again, clearly jumping from the bargaining stage of grief back to anger. 

“You didn’t think about our daughter when you fucked that corpsman!” 

“That’s different (y/n)! She was a stranger, you fell in love with MY friend. Someone I thought was JUST your friend.”

“This is different," you said, feeling a mix of anger and frustration rise in your chest. "Rooster is not just a friend, he's someone I have a deep connection with. And I know it's hard for you to understand, but I can't just turn off my feelings for him."

Jake looked up at you, his expression a mixture of hurt and anger. "So what are you saying, that you want to be with him instead of me?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying," you replied firmly.

Jake's eyes widened as he processed your words. "So what is it? You're just going to leave me here, alone and broken?"

The anger began to rise in you as you spoke. "No, Jake, I'm not leaving you alone and broken. You did that to yourself when you cheated on me. You broke our trust and shattered the foundation of our relationship. And now you have to deal with the consequences."

Jake's face fell as your words hit him like a ton of bricks. "I know what I did was wrong," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm willing to do anything to make it up to you. I love you, (y/n), and I don't want to lose you."

Your anger began to boil over as you listened to Jake's pleas. "Love is not enough, Jake," you spat out. "It takes more than love to build a strong and healthy relationship. It takes trust, honesty, and respect. And you betrayed all of that when you cheated on me."

Jake hung his head in shame as you continued to speak. "I need time to heal and figure out if I can ever trust you again. And right now, that means being on my own. I can't just forgive you and forget what you did. It's not that simple."

“And I know you said that you’re willing to forgive my relationship with Bradley, but we both know that the hurt lives in you, you cannot just instantly forget what Bradley and I shared.”

Jake looked up at you, his eyes pleading. "Please, (y/n), don't do this. I know I messed up, I know we both did, but I'm willing to do anything to make it right. Please do this with me"

"We had your chance, Jake," you replied, your voice stern. "And we blew it. I shut you out rather than figure it out with you. I fell in love with someone else.We both need time to think and figure out what's best for ourselves and our daughter. And right now, for me,  that means being away from you."

Jake's eyes filled with tears as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Please don't do this," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "I need you, (y/n)."

But you stood firm in your decision. "I'm sorry, Jake. But we can't keep putting ourselves and our daughter through this pain. We need time apart to figure things out."

Jake looked at you, sadness etched on his face. "But what if we can't make things work? What if we can't get back together?"

You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "Then we have to accept that and do what's best for our daughter. We both love her, and we'll always be there for her."

“I love you (y/n), I always will, no matter what.”

“I know Jake.”

_________________________________________________________________________

"We need to talk"

“Can I come over?”

His heart rate picked up as he replied, "Of course”

“I'll be there in 10 minutes."

Bradley quickly got up from bed, threw on a hoodie and pants, and sat on his couch as he waited for your arrival. The minutes felt like years as he tried to control the thoughts racing through his head. Was something wrong? Was everything okay with Jake and Astrid? He had to find out.

When he heard a knock on the door, he noticed that he forgot to turn the lights on, probably a result of his distracted thoughts. He opened the front door and waved for you to enter.

"Hey," you said, walking into the living room. "Thanks for letting me come over again, for the second time tonight. I know its late"

"Of course, what's going on?" Bradley asked, concern etched on his face.

You took a deep breath before speaking. "Jake and I are separating."

Bradley's heart dropped as he heard the news. He knew how much you loved Jake and how much you wanted to make things work with him, despite everything that had happened. But he also couldn’t forget your year together.

He knew he shouldn't feel happy that your marriage was falling apart, but a small part of him couldn't help feeling hopeful for what it might mean for him and you. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that this was not the time or place for them.

 "I'm so sorry, (y/n). Are you okay?"

You shook your head, tears streaming down your face. "No, I'm not okay. But I need to be strong for Astrid.”

Bradley wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a tight embrace. "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you, (y/n). Whatever you need."

You shrugged off his embrace, which you have never done before. This action took Bradley by surprise, and he couldn’t lie hurt a little bit. But he knew that there was a large weight you holding on your shoulders, one that you were mustering up the courage to tell him.

“I need to leave, I’m moving back to San Diego. I’m going to take Astrid with me.” 

“You’re leaving?” Bradley couldn’t believe it

“But..how about us?” 

Bradley knew it was selfish asking about his standing with you after you told him that you and your husband were separated. But the thought of losing you and Astrid left his body feeling like its been hit by a truck. 

“Roo.. I love you.”

Surprise painted Bradley’s face upon hearing your words, you finally told him those 3 little words that he’s been desperately waiting for. 

“But I can’t be with you. Jake cheated on me with another woman. But I am not innocent in this situation. I fell in love with you knowing that there was another man that I promised my life to. He hurt me, but I’ve hurt him just as much. And its not okay.”

“I am so in love with you but I need to get away from here. I don't know what I want right now, and I need to figure things out on my own.” 

As the words left your mouth, Bradley felt like the ground beneath him had given way. He had hoped that this would be the moment when you would finally see him as more than just a friend, and he got his wish.  But now, it felt like the walls were closing in on him.

He tried to keep his voice steady as he responded, "I understand, (y/n). Take all the time you need." His eyes were burning, and he struggled to keep his composure. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you now, after all this time.

You looked at him with a sad smile, and his heart broke a little more. "Thank you, Bradley. You're a good friend."

Friend. The word echoed in his mind like a taunt. He had been fooling himself all along, thinking that he had a chance with you. He couldn't help but wonder if he had missed his shot.

Before you could leave, you turned to him and said, 

"I hope that there will be a time for us but not right now."

“I promise,maybe one day when my head is less fucked up, and I can give my entire self to you and I can give you all the love you deserve. When I’m ready, I will come back for you. If you’ll have me..”

Those words left him feeling even more uncertain. He didn't know when you would be ready, or what you would say when you finally did reach out. All he knew was that his heart was breaking, and he didn't know how to fix it.

As he watched you walk out of his apartment, he couldn't help but feel like everything was slipping through his fingers. He didn't know if he would ever get another chance with you, and that thought left him feeling empty and alone.

Bradley closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. He knew that he needed to give you the space you were asking for, but it felt like the hardest thing he had ever done. All he could do now was wait, and hope that one day you would come back to him.

____________________________________________________________________________

After you returned home, you saw that Jake had some of his belongings packed in a bag. You made eye contact with him as he walked down the stairs, hating yourself for hurting not just him but Bradley as well. But you knew this is what you all needed. 

“Thank you for staying with her, while I went to talk to Bradley.”

Jake felt his throat get dry at the sound of his rival’s name, biting down the bitter remark that would leave his mouth, knowing that it would do nothing to help the situation. Choosing to plop himself down on the couch.

“I went to tell Pixie goodbye but she’s still asleep. Can you tell her for me?”

You gave him a small nod in response.

“I’m going to stay at a place on base, give you your space.” 

“Thanks Jake, I promise we’ll only be here for a few more days. Until I make arrangements for me and Astrid to get back to San Diego…. Penny said we could stay with her until we find our own place.” 

“Are you sure leaving is the best thing to do right now?”

“I think its the only thing that makes sense for me to do right now.” You replied, sternly. 

Silence hung in the air as Jake stared at you, processing your words. You could see the hurt and confusion etched on his face, and you wished that things could be different. You wished that you could turn back time and make different choices, but you knew that was impossible.

After a few moments, Jake nodded slowly. "I understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't like it, but I understand."

You let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. "Thank you," you said, your own voice barely above a whisper. "I just need some time to think things through."

Jake stood up from the couch, his eyes still fixed on you. "I'll give you all the time you need," he said. "But just know that I love you, and I'll always be here for you and our daughter."

You managed a small smile, grateful for Jake's words. "I know," you said. "And I love you too. But right now, I need to be on my own."

With that, Jake nodded and headed towards the door. Before he left, he turned back to look at you one last time. "Take care of yourself," he said softly.

You didn’t understand why but that exact moment you remembered the day of your wedding. 

The wedding took place on a the beach next to the Hard Deck, where you first met, with soft white sand and the sound of the waves crashing in the background. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the entire scene.

You wore a simple backless satin white gown with a slit and court train that flowed behind you as you walked down the aisle. Jake had never seen anymore radiant or breathtakingly beautiful.

Penny held your arm tight, as you both made your way down the white aisle in the sand. She was the closest thing you had to family since your mom died and it meant so much to you that she not only planned the whole event but also wanted to be the one to walk you down the aisle.

As you reached the altar, you looked up and locked eyes with Jake, a dashing naval aviator in his dress uniform. He wore his medals and insignia with pride, and the way he looked at you made yout heart skip a beat.

You and Jake agreed to not write vows, you knew how you felt about each other and you didn’t feel the need to have to express it with words. Which is why it surprised you when he pulled a piece of folded paper from his pocket and started reading. 

“My sweets,

I stand before you today, in my dress whites, feeling like the luckiest man in the world. As a naval aviator, I have flown through the skies and seen countless wonders, but nothing compares to the beauty of you. You are my everything, my anchor, my inspiration, my love.

From the moment I met you, I knew there was something special about you. Your spunky attitude, your unwavering ambition, and your stunning beauty captivated me from the start. I have never met anyone like you before, and I never want to let you go.

As we stand here today, I want to promise to always support you in your dreams, just as you have supported me in mine. I promise to stand by your side through thick and thin, in good times and in bad. I promise to cherish every moment we spend together, and to never take our love for granted.

I promise to be your rock, your confidant, and your partner for life. I vow to always make you feel loved, respected, and cherished. I will be there for you in every moment, whether it's sharing the highs of your accomplishments or the lows of your struggles.

Together, we will create a life full of adventure, joy, and love. I am so grateful to have you as my partner, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. I love you more than words can express, and I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.

Yours forever,

Zuko

You felt tears swell in your eyes at his admission, you had never felt this much love from anyone, and here is this man promising you love and devotion forever. None of it felt real. 

“Jake… I-i I didn’t have anything prepared…” You whispered cheeks red in embarrassment. 

“You don’t need to Sweets, I wanted you and everyone here to know I felt about you.”

“You show me how you love me every single day and that’s all I could ever want.”

You nodded, tears pooling in your eyes. 

You exchanged rings, Jake took your hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on your skin. Before he gently took your face in his hands placing a soft delicate kiss on your lips.

You smiled and blushed, feeling overwhelmed with love for your husband.

After the ceremony, both of you as husband and wife took a walk along the beach, hand in hand. Jake  swept you bride off your feet and carried her across a shallow part of the water, causing you to laugh and giggle like a child.

At the reception, You held each other tightly as you swayed to soft acoustic playing out of the speakers. You were surrounded by their family and friends, who toasted to your happiness and future together.

As the night drew to a close, Jake took your hand and led you away to a secluded spot on the beach. You sat down on a blanket and watched the stars twinkle in the sky, cuddling close to each other.

Jake whispered sweet nothings into you ear, telling you how much he loved you and how grateful he was to have you as his partner for life. You shared a tender kiss as the waves lapped at your feet, promising to love each other forever. 

That memory flashbacked in your mind, cracking your already broken heart even more that it already was. But you were set in your decision, you two were different people then. With different dreams, love untainted by time and circumstances. You don’t know if you could ever go back to the way you were.

You nodded, watching as he closed the door behind him. Alone in the quiet house, you let out a deep sigh and let the tears fall freely once again. You didn't know what the future held, but you knew that you needed to take things one day at a time. For now, all you could do was focus on yourself and your daughter, and try to heal from the pain and heartbreak that had consumed your life.

You are going to be okay. You and Astrid are going to be okay. 

______________________________________________________________

“Mom! Hurry up! I’m supposed to be at practice in 10 minutes!”

Your 8 year daughter was such a stickler for punctuality, you honestly sometimes questioned if she really was your daughter. You had the tendency to be fashionably late (if fashionably was 30 minutes), taking your time to make your way to events. 

“The field is 5 minutes away Atty, you’ll be fine.” 

“That’s what you said last week, but I ended up being 10 minutes late to warm-ups!” 

She pouted as you walked out into the foyer pulling your shoes onto your feet.

“Coach wouldn’t let me play the first half!” She continued. 

“Well don’t worry Sweetie, you make such a pretty benchwarmer.” You joked pinching her cheeks. 

You were greeted by your daughters scowl, she looked absolutely terrifying for a little (*ahem* big) girl dressed in a bright yellow soccer uniform, pastel pink cleats, and pigtails. 

Her punctuality and her terrifying glare, two things she’s inherited from her father. 

You dropped her off at a mostly empty soccer field, with only the two coaches and 2 other players occupying the area. 

“Where is everyone?” 

“Coach moved practice to 30 minutes later.” Your devious daughter smiled coyly. 

“Astrid Eleanor Seresin…did you just lie to your mother?” You raised an eyebrow at her. 

She quickly opened the car door and rushed out. 

“Omission is not a lie!” She yelled as she ran away. 

“Casey’s mom is dropping me off at home!” 

“Okay! I’m gonna see Auntie Penny!” 

“Tell her her I said Hi!”

You chuckled as you watched her retreating figure get further into the field. What kind of 8 year old knew the word “omission”? She no doubtly learned that from her father. Classic Jake. 

You put your car back in drive and made your way to the Hard Deck. 

“Hey Sweet Pea! Where’s my sweet little goddaughter?” Penny asked from behind the counter as you walked into the bar. 

It was still early afternoon so the bar was occupied by the bar staff getting ready for a night of servicing navy men. 

“Soccer practice.” You replied. 

“You said putting her in sports will tire her out but its somehow made her more energetic.” You groaned taking a seat at the bar. 

“She is her father’s daughter.” You heard a voice quip originating from the supply closet. 

“Hey Mav.” You smiled at the captain, 

“Hey (y/n), you and Atty still coming for the barbeque on Thursday?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Atty says no one can grill em like you.” you responded. 

“That’s why shes my favorite.” Mav smiled with a toothy grin as he returned to the storage closet. 

“Sweet Pea, do you mind manning the bar for a second? I’m sure no one will come in, but just in case. Last time I left Pete unsupervised he dropped a whole pallet of beer.” Penny sighed. 

“It’s been a little while, but sure Penny.” 

“Anything for you.”

“Thanks Sweet Pea”

It was strange to be behind the bar, you and Astrid had been back at Fightertown for the past four years. 

It was really hard to explain to her the situation, but she was a smart child. She knew there was more going on between you, Bradley, and Jake than you let her in on. She knew that space from her Uncle Roo Roo and her Daddy was absolutely necessary for her mother’s well-being, and she was more than willing to be amenable to change if it meant you were happier. 

You eventually found a little one story house near Penny (and now Mav’s house), it was small but it was cozy and it was more than enough space for the two of you. You found a job in a nearby law firm, where you rose up the ranks and got your own corner office. 

You finally got the time to relax and breathe, to really focus on yourself, your dreams, and your daughter. And finally after 4 years, you finally felt at peace. 

The pain and the trauma will always live within but you have gotten to a place where you are content with your life and your past because it led you full circle. In Miramar, right where you belonged. 

As you stared down on the bar and wiped down the glasses reminiscing on your life, you didn’t notice the figure that walked into the empty bar. 

He plopped himself down in a stool in front of you and cleared his throat. 

You looked up and made eye contact with the figure and smiled. 

“Hey”

“Hi”

It honestly felt like coming home

Tag list below, I apologize if your tag did not work :(

@luckyladycreator2 

@lunamoonbby 

@n3ssm0nique 

@and-claudia 

@marrianena 

@hummusxx 

@writeroutoftime 

@abrielleholland 

@eroda-harry 

@maxi-milf-dot-com 

@jake-h-ngm-n-seresin 

@8oopsiedaisy8 

@dempy 

@playswithsquirrellls 

@bayisdying 

@mysticaldonkey 

@zzazzao 

@arianna-bradshaw 

@pinkwritingdoll 

@xattislc 

@calsjack 

@1bakubabe 

@paulina1998 

@peaches-1999 

@sopheeg 

@cowboybarbie 

@marvelsvalhalla 

@bethebella 

@bespinnn 

@manwalaage 

 @sweet-creature98 

@8lyme 

@ashann7 

@hotch-meeeeeuppppp 

@maudeeloise 

@ambearsstuff 

@parker-natasha 

@wishingwell-2 

@my-soulmate-is-mycroft 

@carolinecakes  

@angzls 

@saintnourah 

@ebonyhogan24 

@taytay3212 

@fangirl-316 

@babyspiderling 

@iangiemae 

@yogabigooby 

@gracie145 

@choslover 

@maudeeloise

@cursedandromedablack 

@marland56 

@ynbutbetter 

@turningtoclown 

@dilfsandtherapy 

@strawberryblogg 

@unluckymonaghan 

@queeniesdiary 

@emilyniamh3679-blog 

@shaded-recs​ 

@romxnticist 

[mint-yooxgi]

{11} - Morning Mist - Yandere!Dragon!Ateez X Chubby!Reader

Yandere AU & Dragon AU

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst

Pairing: Ateez X Reader (Focus on Yeosang, Jongho, and slight Mingi)

Words: 5,345

Warnings: Past death and trauma alluded to, This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: After quite some time, I finally present the next chapter of this series!!! Yay!! I really hope you all enjoy it! What I originally planned for this chapter is actually going to occur next chapter, but I think what happens, especially at the end is really important for the story. Can anyone guess what it is? Hehehe as always, feedback is greatly appreciate! Enjoy~

Also, gentle reminder that I do not do tag lists.

Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three - Chapter Four - Chapter Five - Chapter Six - Chapter Seven - Chapter Eight - Chapter Nine - Chapter Ten - Mini Masterlist

The next few days pass by with Jisung still following his own grieving process. He stops by either your place, or the Neo’s nest for food and to rest, before taking off into the peaks of the mountains again. A few times, he’s allowed Chenle, or Sungchan to join him, but he mainly flies solo for the time being.

You’re just glad he already seems to be beginning to heal. It’s a slow process, but steady, nonetheless.

The training with both San and Wooyoung has come to a slight pause for the moment, seeing as you’re now dealing with a grieving cub. Luckily, the two males are quite understanding, taking the time to perfect what you’ve already taught them. Quite eagerly at that, too.

You’ve even noticed a slight change already in all five of the Hala’s demeanours since you’ve began training those two rambunctious dragons of theirs. There seems to be a sharpness to their eyes that had never been their before, as if they are more in-tuned to their surroundings. A fact of which makes you incredibly content, for they are all learning more than you could have ever hoped for in such a short period of time.

Though, one thing that has been on your mind recently, is the fact that for the past few nights, you’ve sensed a very specific Hala flying closer and closer to your cottage. He seems to stop himself before he reaches the edge of the little clearing your house resides near, but he has started circling the area a few times before turning back each night.

Today is no different, but instead of just sensing one presence, you sense two. The exact two that had been on the edge of your radar that night with Jisung. Only this time, they seem to want to imitate how both San and Wooyoung were that first week with Jongho.

Stepping outside of your home, you rest a basket against your hip. Time to go harvest some herbs. Whether those two decide to follow you or not is up to them, but you’re not going to let them off the hook so easily.

Reaching the small natural garden just beneath the base of the one mountain, you get to work. You manage to pick herbs for about ten minutes before you hear some rustling coming from behind you. Long since have you sensed their presences, and at least they’re more stealthy than both Wooyoung and San were, but you do not fail to miss the harsh smack that sounds followed by a short hiss in response.

“You know, if you two were trying to track me, or even so much as observe my daily routine, you need to learn a few things first about cooperation.” You say casually, not even bothering to spare a glance behind you.

The bushes go deadly silent.

“Oh? What’s this?” You quirk a brow, turning to glance over your shoulder. “You think I don’t know when I’m being stalked? Especially by two dragons who have made it somewhat clear that they cannot stand me?”

A moment’s pause.

“We’re not stalking you.” Yeosang appears from within the bushes, stepping into the little open space you’re in between the trees.

“Then, what else would you call spying from the bushes?” Your lips quirk, turning back around to continue gathering herbs. “Observing?”

“See, I told you this was a bad idea.” Mingi grumbles, shoving himself out of the underbrush in the next second.

“You dragged me out.” Yeosang shrugs, crossing his arms over his chest.

Again, you turn to look at both males with a quirked brow. At the way you see Canary Man begin to sputter, ears turning bright red, you know the shorter of the two speaks the truth.

“Is there a reason you keep circling my territory every night, Canary Man?” You ask, shifting your position slightly to begin gathering a different herb. “Are you planning to burn my house to the ground while I sleep?”

“No!” Comes his immediate response, and you’re surprised by how panicked his answer sounds. He clears his throat. “I wouldn’t do that to someone who has saved my brothers' lives more than once.”

You hum, a slight quirk to your brow. “Wise answer.”

Yeosang shifts slightly on his feet. “We’re just curious about you.”

“Oh?” This piques your interest. “Are the stories your brothers tell about me that awful that you have to come see for yourselves?”

“How do you know they tell us stories?” The flame headed male crosses his arms over his chest.

One knowing glance from you says it all.

“They’ve said they’ve learned a lot,” Yeosang comments. “Not just from you, but from the Neos as well.”

“My boys are smarter than they lead people to believe,” you acknowledge. “If they wanted to, they could have claimed the crown a long time ago.”

You can just feel the way the taller male tenses behind you. “So, you do know more about this supposed jewel, then.”

“My father will never let me forget it,” you sigh, tossing the herbs in your hands rather pointedly into your basket. In the next moment, you’re standing back to your feet. “Is there a proper reason you’re here, or am I supposed to play assumptions until you leave?”

“Like we said,” Yeosang eyes the basket that you pick up and hold against your hip. “We’re just curious about you.”

“If you’re curious, you can come and ask me questions. Do not stalk me from my bush.” Your eyes narrow. “I thought I already made that clear to your youngest.”

“You did,” Canary Man huffs, amusedly. “Not that he’ll shut up about you, regardless.”

“All of them seem to enjoy discussing the topic that is you recently.” Yeosang observes, watching as you begin to walk towards one end of the mountain with that basket still in hand.

“I have also been told that someone enjoys my cooking,” you spare a knowing look towards the taller male, lips quirking teasingly. “You know, you’re both more than welcome to join our cookouts.”

Canary Man’s cheeks flare, halfhearted splutters of denial falling from his lips.

A soft chuckle escapes you, yet you fail to see the way Yeosang’s demeanour falters ever so slightly behind you.

At the way you notice the two of them still standing like statues in their spots, you spare them another glance over your shoulder. “Well, are you going to join me? I’m nowhere near done picking herbs, and I’d rather not continue being stalked from the bushes.”

That seems to get them moving, the two falling into step just behind you. Though, you notice Yeosang keeping quite a respectful amount of distance between himself and your back. Something the other male doesn’t seem to pick up on.

The moment you reach the edge of the small stream, you kneel once more. A small patch of herbs rests along the banks, and you begin picking through them, pulling the best ones and placing them into your basket.

Awkwardly, the two males shift on their feet behind you.

“If you’re as curious as you claim, you may ask me questions.” You say, not even bothering to spare them another glance. “I might not answer everything, and I have the right to refuse a question, but I am not unreasonable.”

Softly, Yeosang kneels beside you. “Would you like some help?”

You cannot hide the shock on your features as you blink at him in response. Then, you smile. “Sure.”

You don’t even have to say another word, for the male immediately gets to work. He’s a little cautious at first, moving slowly as he picks some of the herbs from the bank of the stream. Though, once he sees you nodding, somewhat subconsciously in approval, his confidence grows, and he begins to pick a little faster.

“You seem to know what you’re doing.” The taller male comments, moving to stand over his brother while feigning disinterest.

“Unlike you, Min, I listen to what my brothers have to say,” Yeosang retorts, somewhat knowingly, as he places another handful of herbs into your basket.

“I listen!” Said male protests, crossing his arms over his chest as a slight pout tugs at his features.

Again, you chuckle, and you fail to see the way Yeosang’s gaze darts briefly towards you out of the corner of his eyes.

“So, have Sannie and Woo been giving you private lessons after finishing my own?” You inquire, sitting back onto your ankles as you observe the bank carefully.

“They’ve tried,” the male still on his feet grumbles.

“Not necessarily.” Yeosang shakes his head at the same time.

“Yeo is just observant like that.” Canary Man finishes.

“Ah,” your brows raise in understanding. “Impressive. Are you the informant, then?”

“You could say that,” he smiles, somewhat faintly, his bangs hiding his eyes as he leans forward.

“You’re observant. A good skill to have, especially when gathering information.” You comment, pushing yourself back to your feet and dusting off your hands.

Instantly, Yeosang is back on his feet with you, your basket resting gently in his hands. Just as you go to reach for it, he turns away, already walking along the side of the stream.

You chuckle, “the next spot is this way.”

The way you quirk a brow at him has his cheeks dusting with a very faint pink as he walks back over to you. You pretend not to notice.

“Where did you learn all of this?” The taller of the two asks, nothing but curiosity in his tone despite him attempting to hide it. “How to harvest herbs and make remedies?”

“I believe I have mentioned that I am much older than I appear,” you smile faintly in response. “My father trained me for quite a long time. The rest I learned through trial and error.”

“You’ve made mistakes?” Yeosang’s brow furrows.

“I know, it’s quite difficult to believe,” you chuckle, leading them into a tiny clearing with a few bushes scattered around. “I still do. Not everything is perfect, nor is it meant to be. The important thing is to learn and grow from your past failings. Though, try not to fail when it really counts.”

At the way you suddenly grimace, the two dragons share a look.

“Is this about-“

Mingi’s inquiry gets caught in his throat as Yeosang harshly elbows him in his side.

You let out a sigh. “You do not know me well enough to be asking questions on such a personal topic you've eavesdropped upon.”

“Our apologies.” Yeosang bows slightly, that basket of yours tucked against his front.

Your eyebrows raise, slight amusement dancing within your orbs.

“What? Does him apologizing to you surprise you that much?” The taller male tilts his head slightly in curiosity.

“It does.” You blink, beginning to pick through some bushes to gather their fruit. “I am simply surprised by today’s turn of events.”

“We’re not as terrible as we seem.” Yeosang mumbles, averting his gaze to the side.

“No,” you hum. “I don’t believe you are.”

Your admission clearly catches them both off guard, for they blink at you in shock. Still, Mingi cannot prevent the corner of his lips from twitching upwards slightly. A fact which has him clearing his throat and steeling his resolve in the next moment.

“You both really don’t know how to stalk something without being extremely obvious you’re there, do you?” You tease, lightheartedly.

“We did what we always do.” Yeosang shrugs, moving over to observe the berries you’re currently picking while holding the basket out to you.

“Considering you have the power to harness wind, I’m surprised you don’t know how to cover your scents completely yet.” You reply, tossing the handful of fruit you hold into your basket.

“Cover our scents?” The taller frowns. “We do that already.”

You shoot him a look. “To basic creatures, maybe. But not to me or my Neos.”

“What do you mean?” Yeosang asks, brow slightly furrowed in confusion.

“You hide your nature to humans, hunters, and the like, but to trained creatures, they’d still be able to pick you out of a crowd.” You reply, turning your full attention to Yeosang beside you. “Which is surprising, given everything you can do with wind.”

“What can I do with wind?”

“Hide in plain sight.” Comes your immediate response, and you watch as he blinks in shock at you. “You can hide scents, sounds, cover your tracks, and everything. You just have to know how to harness your powers properly.”

“Yunho did say I could potentially tear the air out of someone’s lungs.” Yeosang nods, recalling the words his brother spoke to him a little while ago.

“You boys are still young, and you have much to learn.” You nod.

“We’re not that young.” Canary Man crosses his arms over his chest.

“Compared to me, you are.” You reply bluntly.

“I doubt you know everything.” He huffs.

“I don’t,” you agree, and you watch shock paint his features. “But I know a far greater deal than you.”

A low growl escapes his lips. “Are you challenging me?”

You snort out a laugh. “Believe me, Canary Man. If I were to challenge you, one of us would already be dead, and it wouldn’t be me.”

Even though Yeosang attempts to hide it, he cannot prevent the grin from taking over his lips.

“Stop smiling, she just threatened me!” He snaps, a hint of a whine to his tone as a frown pulls at his features. “And stop calling me Canary Man! That’s not my name.”

You nod slightly in acknowledgement. “Then what is your name.”

He blinks, clearly caught off guard.

“Mingi.” He swallows. “My name is Mingi.”

“Well, Mingi,” you meet his gaze, “has anyone ever explained to you how similar your personality can be to your power?”

His eyes flash in annoyance. “Plenty."

“No, I’m not just talking about someone saying you have a fiery personality,” you add, noticing how his jaw twitches once more in irritation. “I mean it in the way that fire is both equally consuming and rejuvenating.”

You can tell he’s caught off guard by your choice of words, and even Yeosang looks a little taken aback.

“It’s clear to me that many of you Halas are still attempting to find who you are.” You continue. “You simply cannot let your powers consume you.”

“What do you mean by that?” Yeosang questions, head tilted curiously in inquiry.

“I mean,” you turn to meet his gaze. “Do not let your power become what defines you. Yes, fire types can be hotheaded-“

“Hey!” Mingi doesn’t even get a chance to continue protesting before you’re continuing.

“But they can also be strong, unwavering, and warm like the very flames they can create.” You purposely meet Mingi’s gaze, and you notice how he swallows somewhat thickly. “Our powers can influence our moods, and decisions, but ultimately it is up to us whether we let them consume our every action. Fire is both destructive and healing. You just need to find the balance.”

“How would you know?” Mingi spits, taking a threatening step forward.

Your eyes flash in warning, and he backs off. For now.

“We are a lot more alike that you think. All of us.” You meet his gaze, a hint of amber shining within your own. “I have dealt with flame wielders more often that you think. You are more than just complete destruction. No one knows that better than me.”

Mingi scowls, spine straightening beneath your somewhat sympathetic gaze. He doesn’t understand why you’re looking at him like that, nor why your words seem to resonate so much with his very soul. What he does know, though, is that he’s had enough of this conversation.

“I’m done here,” without another word, he takes off, shifting into the air and flying away.

You let out a long sigh. “Perhaps that was too soon.”

“You certainly know a lot about our species.” Yeosang comments casually, peeking at you from out of the corner of his eyes. “As much as the ancients do.”

You purse your lips, wiping the excess berry juice onto your pants before going to reach for the basket in his grip. 

Again, he pulls away.

“I have enough sense to know there’s more to you than you’re letting on,” he comments, following right beside you as you begin to make your way back to your cabin. “I can only imagine what makes you so guarded, given the state of your back-“

“What have you seen?” The brief flash of fear he sees light behind your eyes as you shove him against the closest tree has him dropping the basket in shock.

“Just what happened when San accidentally grazed your upper spine,” Yeosang blinks, rather warily.

You seem to breathe a sigh of relief, detecting no false intonation of his voice from his answer. In the next moment, you’re pushing yourself off of him. “Sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” he replies, leaning down to grab the basket once more after wiping off the front of his shirt. “Whatever happened must have been quite traumatic. You don’t let anyone touch your back.”

You spare him a cautious look. “Again, your observations are quite keen.”

“I am curious, but it’s not my place.” He answers, quite honestly at that, too.

“You’re right. It is not your place.” Your blunt response fills the air with a tense silence.

A silence which stretches on for quite a period of time. That is, until he’s breaking it once more.

“We haven’t told Mingi or Seonghwa about it.” He says, voice a mere whisper on the wind. He clears his throat lightly. “About your back, that is.”

His admission completely catches you off guard. “You haven’t?”

“I wouldn’t feel right if I did.” Comes his immediate reply. “I don’t know you very well, and you don’t know me. We’re not enemies; you’ve helped my clan more than we deserve. It would not be proper for me to-“ he catches himself, “for us to repay your kindness in such a traitorous way.”

Again, his words manage to shock you, and all you can do is blink at him.

“Jongho told us that your trust does not come easy,” he continues, “but you’ve already extended an understanding towards us that I know most of us do not deserve. We misjudged you, and I want to apologize for how standoffish I was at the start.”

Your lips tug upwards faintly in the corners, expression softening. “I think we truly are beginning to understand one another, Yeosang.”

The dragon before you cannot deny the way his heart simply races at hearing you address him so openly by his proper name.

“I think so, too.” He smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling as you both pause momentarily on the path.

You take the time now to search his gaze, just as he searches your own. Soft smiles rest on both of your features as you nod once. The way a weight seemingly lifts itself off of your shoulders has you relaxing, for it was something you hadn’t realized that you’d been carrying.

As much as you don’t want to admit, you’re starting to care for these Hala dragons. Though, from the looks of things, they’re also starting to care for you, too.

“I do have one more thing to ask you,” he says as the two of you continue back down the path once more.

“Oh?” You quirk a brow in inquiry.

“That salve you gave Hwa,” he begins. “He’s run out, and both San and Wooyoung refuse to make him more.”

You huff out an amused laugh. “They’re right to. We won’t start learning those types of mixtures for another week.”

“Seonghwa’s too proud to ask you himself,” Yeosang grimaces. “Would you- uh, might it be possible if-“

You can tell he’s struggling to get the words out, given how his cheers flare with a deep red.

“Are you asking me to prepare another salve for him?” You hum, knowingly.

“If you don’t mind.” He breathes, grateful you seemed to understand where he had been going with all of this.

“If he wants something, he should get used to asking for it himself.” You say, looking straight head.

Yeosang sighs. “That’s what I keep telling him.”

“Keep in mind, I’m not saying ‘no’.” A light hum escapes you.

The male cannot prevent the way his head whips towards you, hope shining in his eyes.

“I’ll let him know.” Yeosang echoes your hum, a small smile tugging at his features.

For the rest of the walk back to your home, a comfortable silence stretches on around you. There is an air of ease that settles between the two of you, perfectly content to simply enjoy the other’s presence. You’ve noticed that Yeosang isn’t much of a heavy talker, and you rather appreciate the way he can communicate with you only using either a few words, or simple glances. It’s quite a change from your typical exchanges with most of his brothers.

When you finally make it back to your place, you notice another dragon lingering around your back door.

“There you are, I was getting worried.” Jongho meets you halfway, reaching out to you only to halt himself before his hand can so much as graze your arm. He locks eyes with his brother. “What are you doing here?”

You notice how quiet Yeosang goes, demeanour shifting slightly from the comfortable silence you had just been experiencing, to a sort of tense guard. You frown slightly, but say nothing.

“I simply wanted to learn more about the woman that has the five of you so captivated.” Yeosang replies, somewhat bluntly.

Jongho pulls the basket out of his brother’s arms, somewhat firmly. All the while, he shoots the elder a look.

“We had a rather nice conversation, didn’t we, Yeosang?” You hum, turning to the aforementioned male.

“I’d say so,” he breathes, eyes softening ever so slightly as he shifts his gaze to you.

Jongho’s eyes narrow slightly, attempting to get a read on his brother. He doesn’t appreciate how close you and Yeosang appear to be all of a sudden.

“Thanks for your help,” you nod to Yeosang once more.

“Anytime,” he smiles, before turning to give his brother a firm nod. “See you at home.”

Without another word, Yeosang is shifting and flying away into the light of the now setting sun.

“You two seemed close,” Jongho grumbles, walking with you the rest of the way to your backdoor.

“He was simply curious,” you reply, stepping through the threshold only for Jongho to follow right behind. “He wasn’t alone, but Mingi decided to storm off earlier.”

“Mingi was with you?” The disbelief is clear in his voice as he places the basket of herbs onto your counter. “And he didn’t attempt to bite your head off.”

“Oh, believe me,” you chuckle. “I think he wanted to.”

“He hasn’t mentioned anything to us yet.” Jongho frowns.

“Ah, your clan connection,” you nod in understanding. “Perhaps he’s actually mulling over what I said.”

“What did you say?” Jongho quirks a brow curiously.

“Just some observations about his powers and personality,” you shrug, beginning to sort through the herbs in your basket.

“And he didn’t spontaneously combust?” If Jongho’s brows raise any higher, you’d swear they’d disappear into his hairline.

“I think he wanted to,” you chuckle. “But no. He did not.”

“You seriously are incredible,” he sighs, somewhat dreamily, sitting on your one stool and resting his cheek in the palm of his one hand.

“Is that a regular occurrence?” You grin, gathering a separate bowl to put all of the berries you collected into.

“I can’t count the number of times he’s singed one of us in anger,” Jongho chuckles. “I will never forget the impromptu haircuts we usually have to give ourselves thanks to him.”

“Oh, I believe you,” you nod, laughing along with him.

“Still, I’m surprised he even sought you out.” Jongho hums, wordlessly beginning to help you sort the herbs into separate piles on the counter.

“I was told they were curious,” you briefly glance up at him. “Seems someone is overbearing with their stories.”

Jongho’s mouth parts, greatly scandalized by your words. 

“I would never!” A blush begins to creep up his neck. Then, a mumble, “San and Wooyoung hardly ever shut up about you. Even Joong and Yunho can’t keep their mouths shut.”

You smile, a knowing gleam in your eyes as you step up beside him to affectionately ruffle his hair. “Aw, is my little man jealous?”

“Little?” He huffs, and in the blink of an eye, he’s stood back to his feet, trapping you between his arms against the counter. Slowly, he leans in, and you can feel his breath ghosting the skin of your neck. “I’ll show you there’s nothing little about me.”

You wish you could deny the way your breath hitches. Yet, at the pleased growl you feel reverberate against your chest from him, you know he’s heard it, too.

Gently, his hand is placed onto the side of you hip, squeezing the flesh appreciatively. What truly makes your head spin, though, is how tender his hold is. Not only that, but despite the sudden darkness that you can see swirling in his eyes, there’s still that undertone of affection dripping through.

A moment later, and you manage to gain control of your thoughts once more.

Slowly, you raise a hand to his chest, gently pushing him off of you. Only, he doesn’t budge.

“Jongho,” you sigh his name, and you immediately hear how his own breath hitches in his throat.

“Please, My Fated,” his voice is low, uneven as he speaks into the skin of your neck. “You must know what hearing my name falling from your lips in that tone does to me.”

This time, when you push him away, you use slightly more force.

“You don’t get to refer to me as that, yet.” Despite attempting to keep your tone sharp, you cannot help the waver in your voice.

You can see how his expression falls before you, shoulders drooping slightly as he steps away. Then, it’s as if he’s fully registering your words, for a spark of hope begins shining within his eyes.

Yet. You said he doesn’t get to refer to you as that yet.

“Only a mutual imprint designates the use of those name.” You say, carefully stepping away from him for the moment.

“Not to me,” he replies, honesty dripping from his tone as he meets your eyes. “Not when it’s always felt this right.”

“Then, I’m asking you to wait.” Your tone is softer than it was a moment ago. “I cannot promise the commitment you want from me right now, Jongho. I’m not promising you anything. The last person I gave my heart to-“ your breath catches in your throat, and you find yourself averting your gaze. You take a deep breath to steady your nerves, curling in on yourself for the first time while standing in front of the male before you. “The last person I gave my heart to shredded every last bit of me to pieces.”

A silence so deadly settles over the room, and you spare a glance upwards to see Jongho barely controlling his breathing.

Anger radiates off of him in waves, a hint of electricity spiking within the air. The tips of his fingers begin to spark as his eyes flash, steam escaping his nostrils with every exhale.

“It was Kun, wasn’t it?” He’s furious, whole body visibly trembling as he looses the grip on his anger. “I fucking knew it-“

“Jongho!” Your sharp tone manages to draw his attention to you for the moment. “Kun is not who I am referring to. He is none of your concern. Stop making one of my oldest friends into a villain.”

“Then, why-“

“I have already told you that he simply did what was best for him at the time.” You sigh, leaning back onto your counter once more. “He didn’t want to wait, and neither should you.”

“And I thought I already told you that I would wait however long it takes, even if it meant I only got to spend one day with you.” His voice softens, taking a cautious step towards you. “All I want is the chance to call you mine, and for you to call me yours.”

Slowly, you spare a glance up into his eyes. Just as they shone that night in the clearing, they shine now, the sincerity managing to take your breath away yet again.

“I need you to understand-“ you swallow, emotions suddenly heavy in your tone and threatening to choke you out at any given moment. “I need you to understand that I may never be able to give you what you seek.”

“Just being with you like this is enough for me,” he replies, voice a mere whisper on the wind. The earnest way he meets your gaze has a single tear spilling onto your cheek, and he’s quick to cup the side of your face tenderly in his palm. “I won’t lie to you. I desire you. I have desired you since the very first moment I laid my eyes upon you. Whether those desires of mine are met or not, I do not care. All I care about is the fact that you allow me to share in your presence with you, even if I do not deserve it.”

“Jongho,” you find you cannot form the words you want to say, feeling your heart leap into your throat as his confession.

He wipes away your tear.

“I understand you’ve been hurt in the past,” he breathes, and you can feel the way he still trembles the slightest bit against you. “Know that I will never hurt you. I will never make you feel unwanted, undesired, unloved. I cannot. I will not. It is not in my nature to deceive you like that.”

Both of his hands come up to cup your face, meeting your gaze tenderly. His eyes shine with a sincerity, with a passion you’re starting to understand. You can feel it in his touch. You can see it in his gaze. More than all of that, you can hear it in his words.

“This is my promise to you.” He stares deeply into your eyes, his own flashing as a sacred magic begins to flow between the both of you at his words. “I swear I will never betray you. I will never deceive you, nor will I ever use you. I will protect you until my dying breath, because with everything that I am, I am in love with you. Everything that I do, I do it for you.”

Your lips part, and you cannot help but raise your own hands to grasp lightly at his wrists.

“And if-“ he closes his eyes, as if the words he is about to utter pain him far more than any physical wound ever could, “if you truly ever want nothing to do with me, or you decide that you do not want me, I will respect your wishes, and honour your decision.”

Your hands tighten their grip subconsciously around his wrists, the tips of your fingers tingling as the magic flows through you both.

“Until the end of time, this is my promise to you. One which I have every intention to keep.” His grip becomes the slightest bit firmer over your skin as his eyes flash the deepest gold you’ve ever seen from him. 

“I swear upon my life, and the life of all of my forefathers before me, that all I care about,” he swallows thickly, “all I will ever care about,” Jongho meets your gaze one final time, and you swear you can feel his pulse beating right alongside your own.

You hold your breath.

“Is you.”

[lemonzestywrites]

fuck it friday

yay im finally not so bombarded with last minute edits i can actually respond to tags LMAO what a delightful surprise

anyways tagged by the gloriously talented @devirnis @hippolotamus mwah love you both

heres a little snippet of ch.4 which is slowly growing as a favorite chapter of mine (hopefully you'll all see why haha)

====

eddie  (12:53pm) Hey

Buck smiles at his phone. It’s a little telling of just how long he and Eddie have been friends that, just by one text alone, his day feels reset on a better track. Granted, it was already good. But now, this feels like a small reassurance that it’s all going to be a little better.

That being said, though, he can’t shake the feeling either, like there’s something else hidden warily under the surface of his words. Well…text message, technically.

Eddie is a very straightforward thinker and also, therefore, a very straightforward texter. Vague one-worded messages are not usually Eddie’s style. 

Buck tilts his head a little curiously at his phone, the beginnings of a smile starting to crack open along his lips.

hi there

There’s only a split-second difference from when his message is marked as Delivered to Read (12:53 PM). A series of grey dots pop up along the left side of the screen. Then disappears. Buck waits a few extra moments curiously before the ellipsis returns back for a few more seconds.

Then vanish once more.

Buck huffs to himself. Okay, well, now he has to know what Eddie’s trying to say.

[andradrawsstuff]

Second chapter of my fic ✨

I’ve had this saved in my drafts for a few days and forgot to post it lmao

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 2: San Francisco

The screeching of train wheels echoed as they arrived at the Embarcadero and Stockton station that stood before pier 39. The scorching sun was already beaming through the windows of the train, creating a sauna for the animals inside. Kowalski carefully drove the train forward and pushed a bunch of colourful buttons, which he clearly installed at some point. The train’s wheels switched to tires one by one. Evidently, this was an upgrade that the penguins installed fairly recently, as this certainly wasn’t there before. Miraculously, the train could now be driven on regular roads.

“How close are we to our destination?” Asked Skipper

“Only a few minutes.” Replied Kowalski, who was once again pushing those colourful buttons.

A polite knock was heard at the door. It was Mason, holding what appeared to be an old discontinued Nokia Brick. It was 2008, after all. Phil tagged along behind him, presumably to translate the messages Mason was about to present.

“The park rangers have notified us.” Announced Mason. “We have the go, Great Meadow Park is ours for the week.”

“Great news, thanks Mason.” Greeted Skipper.

Phil shot him a disapproving look

“Uh, and you, Phil.” Skipper added nervously.

The now car-train hybrid cruised through traffic and finally came to a halt on the short cut grass of the park. The circus folk gathered their equipment and wasted no time, rushing to pitch their mile-high tent.

“Yay!” Cheered young Private. “We’re here!”

Rico trudged back to the boys with a pathetic-looking Julien attached to his leg, crying about his dance time being cut short.

“Relax, Ringtail.” Skipper reassured. “We’re here. Once the tent is set up, you can party all you want.”

“Ugh… fine.” He muttered. “You’re all boring.”

The king let go and hopped out of the train to greet his beloved Sonya. The penguins stood and watched for a few moments, analysing their strange relationship. Kowalski awkwardly broke the silence to eagerly debate the plan for his new invention.

“So…” He uttered. “About my new… idea, so to speak…”

“Spit it out Kowalski.” Boomed Skipper, starting to get impatient.

He stuttered. “Well… we may need more than just the-“ He sighs. “…elemental core…” He really disliked having to simplify scientific terms.

“Well, what else do you need?” Asked Skipper. “The entire state of Kentucky? Ooo, how about Ohio! Heard its real nice this time of year.” He mocked. The grumpy penguin seemed to regain some of his charm back, and sarcasm appeared to be the first step.

Kowalski wasn’t impressed. “No,” He stated. “But you do have a point… we could use some helping hands…”

“Where would we even find that?” Skipper asked. “Everyone’s busy setting up their beloved circus, no one has time!” He pointed out.

“Aha!” Kowalski exclaimed. He was climbing onto his high horse. “There is an aquarium down on Pier 39. I’d like to assume that they’d be willing to lend a helping hand, with the right payment…”

Kowalski appeared to have a suspiciously good idea of his plan and the general area, which piqued Skipper’s interest. He squinted as he studied his brother’s increasingly anxious face.

“Kowalski…” He interrogated. “Is this… core-thingy also in San Fransisco?” He shot him an “I figured you out” gaze.

“Well, ha-ha…” He nervously replied, his entire plan being dug out simultaneously. “Will you look at that, it IS!”

Skipper raised a brow. “Really?” His tone changed to a sarcastic one. “Have you been tracking it? Did you perhaps… plan this entire trip around that? Hm?”

“…Maybe…” Kowalski muttered.

Skipper noticed Kowalski’s shame, realising he shouldn’t have lashed out. “I’m not mad at your plan, Kowalski.” He sighed. “I’m annoyed because you hid it from us! Why? Did you think I’d say no?” He remarked.

Before Kowalski could say anything, the train shook as the animals tried to migrate all their equipment.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake!” Skipper facepalmed. “Alright, where is this thing?”

Kowalski answered almost too eagerly. “Funnily enough, it’s at the aquarium!” Skipper crossed his flippers and Kowalski cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.

Skipper shouted for Private and Rico, as they already trailed off during their argument, whilst Kowalski revealed a small kids car that he had started to fix up. Its bright pink paint adorned with yellow flower decals stood out against the dark brown background of the inside of the train. It had no number plate yet, since they were still looking for one. It was no Ferrari, by all means, but it got the job done for now. The group gathered round and Skipper briefed them before they set off on the mission. Now, all they needed to do was get there in one piece.

[charlottesbookclub]

king of all birds – chapter one

king of all birds masterlist

Summary: alistair learns of his brother's execution and considers what this turn of events means for his own future

Warnings/Tags: discussions of death/execution, brief contemplation of suicidal thoughts, complicated feelings about siblings

Words: 879

Author’s Note: yay!! chapter one!! 🥰 I decided to start the story with alistair learning about his brother's execution, and go from there, although I'm also thinking I'll probably incorporate flashbacks to earlier moments as the story goes along. based on my personal experiences and on my own interpretation of his character, I've written alistair as both asexual and autistic. obviously these were not classifications that were understood in the 1300s in the same way we understand them today, so I never say anything explicitly, so if you would prefer to read him as one or neither of those things, absolutely go for it! I just wanted to say that up front since it may make my interpretation of him make a little more sense ☺️ I really hope you enjoy!! 🥰

england, circa 1320

When his mother came to tell him the news, Alistair was where he often was: with his birds. He was familiar with the unique sounds of each of his family’s footsteps as they climbed the stairs to the tower, and he mumbled out a soft greeting before she had even breached the doorway. His eyes were on the bird in front of him as he gently stroked the silky feathers of its chest.

            “Alistair,” there was an edge to his mother’s voice that caused his head to instantly snap toward her. The first things he noticed were her hands twisting the ample fabric of her gown and the barely-dried tear tracks streaking down from her red-rimmed eyes. Instantly, Alistair raised himself to his full height and crossed the stone floor of the chamber in a few quick strides. Taking his mother’s hands in his own, he freed the rumpled fabric from her tight grasp. As he looked down at her, there was no need for him to voice the question that she read clearly in his eyes. What has happened?

            “Oliver…” her voice caught in her throat, and Alistair waited in growing panic as she swallowed. What ludicrous schemes had his brother and father gotten up to now? He would usually have felt the sting of annoyance at hearing news of his idiot brother, but his mother’s countenance tempered that impulse. “Noll…” Alistair didn’t miss the way she switched to the family’s affectionate nickname for their firstborn son, “he is to be executed.”

            As though saying the words pressed the last of the breath from her body, she collapsed forward. Alistair caught her by reflex only – his thoughts were riding far afield. He knew of the twisted web of conspiracies in which his father and Noll were constantly embroiled, but he had no idea that they were serious enough to land Noll on the executioner’s block. 

            Perhaps it was years of suffering through long dinners where Noll’s intoxicated voice rang out across the table, not permitting any conversation except that which pertained to his “brilliant” plans. Or maybe it was the countless trips that Noll dragged him on where Alistair was forced to exchange banal pleasantries with other noblemen in order to win their loyalty. Perhaps it was the near-constant bruise that had formed on Alistair’s big toe from all the times that Noll had stepped on his foot under the table when Alistair had simply been stating a reality, but Noll considered it an “insult” that would “offend the other barons.” And maybe it was all the jokes Noll had made to his friends, other nobles, and anyone else who would listen about Alistair and his birds. But whatever comprised the bitter concoction of memories that settled in Alistair’s stomach, he didn’t feel as sorry or as sorrowful as he knew he was meant to. Noll had been sticking his hand inside a wasp’s nest for years, foolishly thinking he would find honey, and now he had finally been stung.

            Alistair let his mother cry into his chest as he held her upright, these thoughts and a thousand more coursing through his mind. In the whirlwind of the moment, he realized he wasn’t even sure what his brother was being executed for. Idiocy, I suppose, he thought, though he knew it was callous. Although, if that was his crime, he should have been killed for it years ago, the bitterest part of his mind reminded him. If his mother had not been there, he might have allowed himself a dark chuckle, but he restrained himself on her behalf.

            As the news of Noll’s impending execution steeped in his mind, dark fears began festering in his stomach. His brother’s untimely demise would make Alistair the eldest son, dooming him to inherit – a fate he had narrowly avoided by the chance of his birth. Inheriting would necessitate the production of heirs to ensure the line of succession, and the production of legitimate heirs could only be assured through marriage, an institution that Alistair had long deemed to be odious in nearly all regards. 

While others scorned it, Alistair had relished in the lot of a second son – an existence of relative obscurity that ultimately required little of him. To be so suddenly thrown into what was certain to be a lifetime of acting as both host and guest, making polite conversation, constantly negotiating and re-negotiating access to lands and properties and power, and being shut up in various keeps and estates, retained indoors by the demands of both papers and people – the notion of it nearly made him physically ill. By the time his mother had regained her composure and departed from the tower, Alistair found he reviled his brother more for dying than he ever had whilst he was still living. Of course it would be just like Noll to go out with one last humorless joke, one final sharp heel to Alistair’s already-bruised foot. He half wished he could take his brother’s place on the executioner’s block, merely to preclude the torture that was to come, but there was one thought that stayed these dreary contemplations and forced him back to himself. He must not think only of himself, but also of the unfortunate fates of his sisters.

[irenespring]

House M.D. Drag Race Simulator Finale: Lip sync for the Crown!!!

Friends, Romans, fellow crazy Tumblr people, I'm afraid we have an All Stars Three situation. I love Wilson, I do, he's my favorite character, but going by track-record, Thirteen was robbed. It wasn't even close. So long live Queen Wilson, but Thirteen's Twitter following will never let him live this down.

Sorry to Amber and Cameron who were eliminated prior to my computer making me lose my progress, and thus don't get to be part of the finale fun. One of them had a chance for Miss Congeniality.

My thanks to one and all who followed this and/or didn't unfollow me during the week when this and crazy Hunger Games AU/fusion fic was the only thing I was posting!!!

If anyone else wants to do a Drag Race simulation, here is the link, and please tag me! I loved doing this, any version is bound to be hilarious, and I will need humor as my break ends: https://myrainboww.github.io/Drag-Race-Simulator/

Additional commentary:

The simulator continues to push the Hilson agenda by having Wilson vote for HOUSE to be Miss Congeniality.

Also love that the other people who voted for him are the ones the fandom agrees are his kids (Chase and Thirteen, if someone else voted for him and I forgot this statement does not apply).

KUTNER WINNING MISS CONGENIALITY. Yes. Correct. Absolutely.

Everyone in the top four sucks at lip-syncs apparently.

Yay to Wilson getting $100,000, pay that alimony Your Royal Highness.

After the winner is chosen House proceeds to brag to all the other non-finalists that he just won $50,000.

[twogeeseinatrenchcoat]

Spaceship Short Stories

Yeah why not. Title is self-explanatory. I'll be bringing back my aborted plan for a spaceship story in favour of this because I want to. Also, I will be changing and retconning past work in this as I go. Don't expect anything to stay the same.

Intro.

This is the official logbook of the Vchern'ixt, or Merchant and Delivery Ship 382. (382-MDS). We are, as our work tag suggests, an interplanetary merchant ship. This logbook will almost certainly be used by the crew, and knowing my crew, will not be taken seriously. I can only hope it will provide actual information, and I will hopefully find the time to add actual updates between the crew entries.

Entry 1: 218-4-7 (Kaylie - Pilot)

First week on the ship! Not much happened this week, few deliveries, some unnecessarily (but fun) dangerous asteroid-dodging. I think everyone else is still getting used to a human in board, they're fairly cautious around me. To be honest, I would be as well! I think their previous pilot was a lot more cautious than me. They've been watching me, though. Curious but cautious. I've tried to make some friends, be nice to people, but it's kinda hard when everyone half expects you to explode at any moment.

Truly, the worst part is that they don't have coffee here. I'll make sure to fix that with the first paycheck I get, Captain said that "you can spend your own money on your comforts. I'll spend the ship's money on the ship." So they're no help. Anyways, paycheck is in two days, and we dock for supplies at Kerroi-825B in... Whenever our orbits get close, so I'll be able to get my coffee then! For now, I'll live with the mimicry that Grömerg makes.

Entry 2: 218-4-10 (Grömerg - Medic, Chef)

My coffee is not bad, is it? I do not know if the taste is as it should be, though it smells like the sample you gave me. I'm sorry if it is [untranslatable]

Translator suggestions: Subpar, worse than typical, less than.

Entry 3: 218-4-12 (Kaylie)

It's not! I just prefer real coffee over synthetic, not a problem with you at all!

Update: finally got my coffee machine! And I remembered to buy coffee beans this time! It didn't take as long as I thought to find the "Human Items" section of Kerroirå Market (Fun fact: that's "Kerroi Market Market in Tychfing), and I was able to grab my coffee making items (coffee ingredients?) In time to not be left behind by the crew! Yay!

In other news, I was able to pick up a roll of duct tape and a knife for our beloved cleaning robot. Now I just have to fit Stabby with a camera to record everyone else's reactions to him. He is now one with the hivemind of Stabbies. Oh, and I grabbed the stuff I was actually supposed to. The boring stuff. It was heavy, but some people helped me load the boxes into the ship!

Entry 4: Galactic Year 218, Standard Lunar Cycle (SLC) 4, Standard Solar Cycle (SSC) 14 [218-4-14] (Ky'tchas - Secretary, Accountant)

Kaylie, what is your new creation for? It has caused several minor injuries, and I don't understand the purpose of the "laugh track." Or the confetti. Why do these only occur when it stabs someone? Are they incentive for violence?

Additionally, I will include the "boring stuff," or our pickup for the next delivery. We have picked up:

14 Planetary Leap Drives, 10 Warp Cores, 2 Wormhole Accessors, 24 Guard-8.6 Androids, 48 Holo-Screen 18.5s, and 36 Extragravitory Flight Suits.

These are important things to record. Kaylie, as the one who ordered some of the parts, you should be the one to relay them to me. As it is, you should have placed the order through me in the first place, since it is my job to place orders and file them.

You're new, so I assume you haven't heard anyone explicitly state this, though the captain should have during your viewing and explanation of the ship. Either way, I expect any further orders to be placed though me.

Entry 5: 218-4-18 (Grömerg)

Kaylie? Is it alright if I make a request of you? Please, I beg, slow down when flying. The food almost did not survive our last warp-jump.

Additionally, Ky'tchas, there is no need to write out the full date. The human knows Standard Time, she is just... odd. I believe she is still on Solar Time, as she will not answer with any other time. She logs days in Standard Time, though, which makes me believe she knows it.

Entry 6: 218-4-19 (Ky'tchas)

Very well, Grömerg. Kaylie, heed Grömerg's advice. Slow down, and fly with less reckless abandon. I had to restart my calculations of profit due to a sharp turn you took around an asteroid. Be more careful, so that you do not disturb your new crew. This is your final warning.

Entry 7: 218-4-20 (Kaylie)

Alright, okay... But dodging asterioids and racing the planets is what makes ship-driving fun! It's just boring if you avoid the asterioid fields and aren't on the edge of burning out your engines.

But okay... if everyone says so, I'll be more careful. Sorry guys! And Grömerg, the food was still great! Also, I'm on Standard, I just... Don't know how to change my watch from Solar...

It's really complicated, okay? I tried, and got stuck on Giryilan Time for... I'm not entirely sure how long in Standard, but it was a long time! Everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

Entry 8: 218-4-22 (Grömerg)

That... was for the [untranslatable]. I... do humans... eat that? I was not aware. I will make more. I had thought the [untranslatable] had eaten it. It appears not...

Translator Suggestion: Violet Bot, Stabber, Stabbing Robot

Additionally, that is a very funny anecdote! I heard Giryil has very short days, yet very long years. I'm interested to hear more about it, I've never seen it written out. How do they measure smaller increments of time?

[whysamwhy123]

100 Word WIP Game

Took a while to get round to doing this since I wanted to get my Orange/Ospreay/O'Reilly fic done and dusted first, but better late than never! I was tagged by the always awesome @aerodaltonimperial and the also awesome @blizzardsuplex so thanks to you both! I'm cheating a little and including two snippets, since I was tagged twice. But mostly it's because I stalled on both these WIPs months ago and would very much like to finish them someday and I'm hoping this will help somehow. And they're both weird self-indulgent AUs for rarepairs that nobody asked for, yay! 😀

First up, this is for a big dumb multi-chapter OrangeHook AU that would...well, let's just say it would certainly Go Places. Weird places.

It’s pouring it down with rain and unlike Jim, he doesn’t have an umbrella, so he’s absolutely soaked. Jim can’t make out his face, thanks to the hood and all the rain, but going by his body language, he’s miserable. Has to be. Jim should ignore him. Just go inside, up to his apartment and settle in for the night. Make dinner, watch some bad TV, play a little FIFA, maybe jerk off later; his usual nightly routine. He’s tired and his feet hurt after such a long day - he’s earned some quality time to himself. This guy’s a stranger, he’s nobody to Jim. He would be well within his right to leave him be and focus on his own life. Of course, that isn’t what’s happening.

And finally, this is from the second chapter of an also big dumb multi-chapter AU that I actually started back in January. It's Ricky/Christian, because when I say I'm into rarepairs, I fucking mean it - GET ON MY LEVEL, FOOLS!!

‘’Are you looking for a job right now?’’ he asks, his voice firm. Ricky sees what he’s getting at. He suspects that Ricky might be trying to sleep his way into a job here. Yeah, right. Like that makes any sense? Ricky sleeps with people so he doesn't have to get a job, thank you very much! ‘’Not right now, no,’’ Ricky reassures him. ‘’Right now - ’’ He grabs the bottle and refills Christian’s glass, almost all the way to the top. ‘’- I’m having dinner with you.’’ Christian lets out a short, sharp laugh. He smirks at Ricky shamelessly while the wine pours. We're back on track, Ricky thinks.

I'm not sure who has or hasn't been tagged already, so I'll tag my good buddy @ayumidah and then just say anyone else who sees this and wants to share something, go ahead!

[instexcamera]

I just realized I haven't posted any actual fics. So here's one part of a Valentines Enstars prompts thing I'm doing, I was supposed to do one every day then I got busy because finals decided to hit me like a truck, (yea I have finals in the middle of the year idk why) Anyways here's the lastest one I've done, with Rinne yay! This is my 7th fic ever so ehheh

Tags: afab language used once (mostly GN), Rinne is drunk, you also kinda are, dubcon kissing, suggestive themes, exhibitionism kinda if you squint

The noisy atmosphere of the casinos is starting to become too much for you. Everything in your vision becoming a bit too bright. Setting down your second glass of beer, deciding that will have to be it for the night if you didn't want to worsen, or wake up with an killer hangover tomorrow. The thought that you should leave flows into your mind, along with how you shouldn't have even come here, if the idol company you work for finds out you were here, it would cause tons of trouble.

The fact that Rinne Amagi was the one who dragged you here would not help your case either. An idol and producer out together, drinking. Said idol currently gambling away his money at the pachinko machines, along with a beer in his hands, although he was on his fourth one maybe? You were not keeping track of him. Staring at him now, his back turned to you, vermillion hair swaying every so slightly with his movements. Resting your head in your hands as you continue watching him, his body seeming to tense up some before he stands up slightly, pointing a hand at the machine, seeming to say something angrily before stopping and turning towards you.

A slight scowls on his face, indicating he must have lost. He was most likely out of money since his attention is off the machines. "Lady Luck must not be on my side today, I lost everything I had, I'll need to ask Niki for more money unless you can give me some?" He holds his hand out expectantly to you, his face now having a sort of smug grin.

Shaking your head slightly as you watch him take his hand back, the grin disappearing. He chooses instead to down the rest of the beer in his glass before walking back towards the bar. You had half a mind to stop him before thinking he can deal with the hangover himself and the repercussions of it tomorrow. You knew he wouldn't blame any of this on you, if you were being honest you didn't know why he invited you here with him, he knew you didn't gamble.

Yet, you had agreed to come with him, so here you are, sitting bored at a table while Rinne drinks himself to a blackout. Rinne comes back around seven minutes later, you were surprised he has enough money to buy this after complaining about needing some, that liar. As he sits across from you, you can see his bright blue eyes as they roam around what parts of your body he could see as he takes a long sip of the beer.

Squirming uncomfortably in your seat at his gaze as you look away, trying not to focus on him, on the fact you can feel yourself getting wet. The thought somewhat disgusts you, Rinne is an idol, you one of his producers, the relationship wouldn't work, you attempt to shut down those feelings to no avail as when you look back he's still staring right at you.

He finally looks away towards the pachinko machines, relaxing more now that his attention is gone you close your eyes, hoping that Rinne would tell you he wanted to leave in a few minutes and you could go home and forget this ever happened. The sound of a chair scraping closer to you startles you for a second, before you brush it off thinking that it must be someone taking a chair to sit with a friend.

That thought quickly diminishes when the feeling of someone sitting quite close to you overtakes your thoughts. Opening your eyes quickly, the first thing you see is Rinne's bright blue eyes staring into your face. You lean back suddenly in surprise, almost falling out of your chair, but you catch yourself at the right moment.

"Rinne, what the hell?" Is the first thing that leaves your mouth, you didn't know what to expect from him, but what he did say was something you didn't think he'd ever say to you. "You look so pretty up close like that, maybe this is the Luck god's way of giving me a win." Staring at him in utter confusion, then finally figuring out the alcohol is most likely hitting him.

"Well, thanks. It's late Rinne, I have to get back to my place so I won't get to work late tomorrow, you should probably do the same." You were relieved Rinne had taken a different ride than you, at least you wouldn't have to deal with him anymore, and possibly do something you'd regret. Looking at his somewhat stunned expression as you stand up, starting to walk away from him.

You had to excuse yourself as you walked by some people as the place was starting to get more crowded as the night went on. Pulling out your phone to check the time, 11:47pm. It was late, you were right, getting up at 7am would be a pain in the ass tomorrow. Putting your phone back in your pocket you didn't expect to feel a hand on your shoulder which spins you around, turning you directly into a kiss with Rinne.

Your eyes widen in surprise, you starting to try to pull away from him but can't, he's too strong. Your attempts to push away get weaker and weaker as you decide this wasn't so bad, his lips were soft, the taste of beer still lingering on them. Your eyes close as your hands move behind his back, trying to move him closer to you as you grind a little against his crotch, feeling a hardness start to form.

He let's out a quiet moan into the kiss before pulling away, his pupils are more dialiated and he breathes somewhat heavily. You were about to tell him to take you someplace more quiet as you could feel the stares from others, and you knew it wouldn't be long until someone recognized Rinne and a scandel happened.

Rinne seems to sense this though as he grabs your hand and starts to gently pull you along, sometimes running into someone. Both of you eventually end up at the bathroom but not without the glances of others. Rinne quickly opens the door and pulls you inside, locking the door behind him so no one could come in.

As soon as he's sure the door won't open one of hands slide up your shirt, the other in your hair as to brace the impact as he pushes you against the wall, not wanting to hurt you. His lips find yours again, your eyes close when he resumes what was starting out in the main area. His kiss deepens, his tongue licking at your lips to gain entry, which you gladly give him. The hand he has under your shirt sliding down towards the waistband of your pants.

You're glad you didn't head home now when you wanted to, Rinne didn't seem to want to stop anytime soon and that was fine with you.

[little-peril-stories]

OC Name Meanings

Rules: Put down an OC or more and tell what their name means.

Thanks for the tag, Anna! 💜 @starlit-hopes-and-dreams

you know what time it is. time for an open tag.

When I was a kid, my parents had these physical books of baby names and their meanings. I've always liked to write and create characters, so you know I was obsessed with those books. There was one in particular I more or less just kept (at that point it was clear they were done having kids, lol). I mean, that thing was tattered. The cover came clean off. Sometimes I was using it for the stories I was writing; sometimes, I was literally just reading it like a book.

So, as you might expect, I always take great care when naming my characters. I like to choose names with deep symbolic meanings that fit their characterization.

Nope lol I literally just pick names that sound cool or that come into my head at that moment.

Let's see how I did with the crew from The Prince of Thieves / The Queen of Lies.

Sources: Baby Names | Baby Center | Nameberry, aka the first three websites that came up in my search

Breanna: noble | strong, hill | virtuous, honourable

I wanted to make her full name her something else that looks similar, but when I searched up the pronunciation, it wouldn't abbreviate to Bree, which I had very randomly decided on, so she became Breanna instead. Someone should tell TQOL Breanna that her name means "strong" — I'm sure she'll be astonished.

From TPOT: Bree saw hope and fucking grabbed it. She heard Gysborne tell her she was going to her death, and she hurled herself toward her chance at life. Bree Cooper is still clinging to that hope, and it is beautiful.

This is probably NOT going to be in the final draft of TQOL so have it here: ...but she had a voice, and she could kick her legs, and being quiet and demure and the good wife had served her well for so long, and it had worked, more or less, but today, this was a different beast, a different foe, and if she didn’t fight, then there was no one else to fight for her, was there?

William: will, desire, helmet, protection | resolute protection

Honestly, he was invented on the spot and I probably named him after Will Turner, because pirates will never not be sexy? Anyway. Can't believe one of these names is actually spot on. Yay!

No, I vow. I have already decided, long known, in fact, that I will not betray the others. Baden Hatchett will never hear the names James Wardrew, Colette Haris, or Geoffrey Marks. I will take their names and the location to whatever unmarked grave they dig for me. I will take my own name into death with me if it means it will protect the others.

James: supplanter | heel

Another generic dude name I sort of picked out of nowhere... or, more likely, I probably saw one of the countless Outlander gifs that go around and stole Jamie Fraser's name. Jamie W. does act like a heel sometimes so that works. Jk Jamie we love you!

If you want IA, then you want me. If the man you arrested goes free, unharmed, I will turn myself in, and Iustitia aecum will be no more.

Colette: victory of the people | people of victory

Her name just happened! No rhyme or reason. Glad this is what it means though, who knows what would've happened to IA if it meant the opposite.

"And then Spider… She… When the chance to do something good for people who had nothing, when that opportunity finally presented itself… That little wooden coin… It changed my life.”

Geoffrey: God peace | peace, territory, pledge | pledge of peace

No idea why I picked this name—or why, around the same time, I also had a character called Jeff (Jeffersen) in Fen & Freddie. But hey! Geoff doesn't talk much, so the whole "peace" thing kind of tracks.

Geoff wraps his arms around me, presses his face against my neck, the unkempt, wiry hairs of his beard digging into my skin, a sublime sort of torment, innocent yet lethal. “Jamie. You are my family."

Allan: little rock | handsome | cheerful

He gets the honour of being the only character to have the same name as someone from the Robin Hood stories. (Will doesn't count.) He isn't particularly cheerful and I suspect he doesn't believe he's that handsome, but at least I got to name him Allan-a-Dale.

I scrabble on the muddy ground, finding a rock the size of my fist. Although my grip is weak from the cold, I hold it up.  ... I hurl it at him, trying to hit his head and falling embarrassingly short. “You’re one of them.” I feel around for another stone, find a smaller one, throw that, too.

Baden: bather | son of bade [other websites also gave me "battle" and "humble, confident"... idk 🤔]

Honestly? “Baden Hatchett” sounded really cool and villainous. I burst into laughter when I saw that the one site said "bather." This guy…he wants to cleanse the world of crime. 😂 But really, I just named him after the place in Germany (it’s also a small community in Ontario) for no other reason than that it sounds cool.

The delinquent rat before me, though, will never wash away the stain of his crimes—the years stealing riches from the pockets of hardworking men, of luring impressionable innocents into his gang of thieves. Nor can he brush away the bruise blossoming across his jaw, nor the blood dripping down his chin from his nose.

Curtis: courteous, courtly | polite

His name just happened. Constable Lenton needed a first name for TQOL and this was it. But it makes sense—guess this is why he's always so pissed off about someone using rude language about Breanna. 🙃 Swearing’s not very courteous at all, is it?

“Enough of your miserable attitude and your filthy tongue.” Curt’s voice was sharp enough to cut. Slick with disgust. Harsh with rage. “You want to mouth off to me or Constable Hatchett or any of us and take your licks for acting like a wild animal? Fine. But there’s a lady present, and you’ll behave accordingly. Do you understand?”

Verity: truth

I just really wanted her name to abbreviate to very so I could associate Colette with Much. That's the whole story there.

Rolling my eyes, nudging her with my elbow, I say, “Pay attention. Help me assuage some of my guilt.”

“Can’t do that,” Verie says gently, and I hate her for being right. “You ought to tell him whatever it is you lied about.”

Thank you so much for this tag! It was really fun. <3

[pandasmagorica]

First watch: Kiseki: Dear to Me episodes 1-10

Damn you, Gaga. Okay, it's my own fault for not cross-checking on MDL. And for that matter, for not clicking on the last episode Gaga shows (11) and seeing even that's not showing until next week.

On the other hand, now that I've caught up, I can join the Tumblr conversation on this series. Yay! So once I've added my thoughts, I'm going to unblock the tag for this series.

So first off: I very much enjoy this series. While it is totally a crime drama QL, which is not my favorite genre, there is humor sprinkled throughout the series. I wouldn't call it a comedy, but on some levels it's lighter than dark. It's no 3 Will be Free or History 3: Trapped, but it's well worth watching.

There are more than enough coincidences and plot holes. I notice them, and still like the series.

Content warnings

Violence - hello, it's a crime series - dubcon and age.

While I'm not a fan of dubcon, it is at least met here with consequences: confrontation from the victim, regret from the violator - nobody treats it as if nothing happened.

While one character in the main couple is not an adult, they are of the age of consent in Taiwan (16 and over) and the actor is actually an adult (20). Actually, perhaps not in the context of the story, since the adult member of the pair is posing as the other's substitute teacher at the point they finally get it on. (And remembering this is acting, they're not actually having sex, and we don't see the NC-17 part.)

At this point, with either one or three episodes to go, I give it a thumbs-up with reservations.

If you want to avoid spoilers, skip to episode 11.

See also Getting to be a kid in Kiseki: Dear to Me

Spoilers and nitpicks follow

Thoughts about the series

While there were moments that made me uncomfortable, this is an intelligently written series, the acting is good, there is humor, and some good twists. I watched nine episodes the first day, with some time between each episode, and found it quite watchable. I could picture watching it again.

The actor playing Bai Zhongyi does a good job showing the awkwardness of the character. Both leads gradually fall for each other naturally while living a forced odd-couple existence. Just because Bai Zhongyi is young doesn't mean he's passive.

We have the accidental fall trope.

It takes a while for the shit to hit the fan, but when it does, it's intense.

We have to wait until episode 9 to catch up with the opening scene of the series, so be patient. The series doesn't drag.

Nice touches

Fan Jherui's father, the gang boss, has a gay lover.

There doesn't seem to be homophobia.

Taiwan having same-sex marriage is acknowledged and celebrated.

Ai Di looks adorbs in (Red Riding Hood) drag. Okay, he looks cute without drag but there's something funny about a violent gang member dressing up in drag for Halloween for the benefit of his colleague's budding boyfriend.

It's pretty clear without spelling it out that Fan Jherui's father knows the Bai family's every move: Chen Yi and Ai Di have no problem tracking Fan Jherui down at Bai Zhongyi's place and Fan Jherui's father knows Bai Zhongyi's father needs a heart transplant and is on a long waiting list for it.

Fan Jherui's father follows through on the deal for Bai Zhongyi's father to get a heart transplant and medical care if Bai Zhongyi takes the fall for Fan Jherui after Fan Jherui kills a member of a rival gang who was about to kill both Fan Jherui and Bai Zhongyi.

Nitpicks about plot holes

Supposedly, Fan Jherui has supposedly not been accepted into his father's gang because he's not ready to die for them. But when we first meet him, he's obviously been in some kind of battle - which so far we haven't learned anything about - and has a bloody knife that could serve as evidence against him. So, is he in the gang or not?

When Ai Di pretends to be a student, he uses a name that is very close to his real name, which would seem to be not a very bright move for someone who is acting undercover.

How do gang members get to go undercover in a high school with the adminstration's consent anyway?

When Bai Zhongyi goes to prison, he is almost immediately attacked. We learn that someone in Fan's father's empire is responsible. Yet somehow he makes it out of prison four years later without apparent further attacks and further opens a pastry shop without further attacks, at least as of the end of episode 10, even though we learn he is still under threat.

(However, it's not a plot hole that Bai Zhongyi was attacked. I can see the Fan family wanting to ensure Bai Zhongyi never revealed the true story or that the friends of the guy who was killed would want revenge.)

Gang member Ai Di chooses to take the rap for the attack on Bai Zhongyi. How? He wasn't anywhere near the prison. Still, I suppose he could have taken credit for ordering the attack. But somehow, he manages to be assigned to the same prison so he can keep an eye on Bai Zhongyi's safety and somehow he gets released on the same day as Bai Zhongyi four years later.

I don't have a problem with Bai Zhongyi and Fan Jherui having a random encounter in Taichung. The show is going to show us the interesting occurrences that happen during the story line. It's not going to show us all of the times when nothing happens. Still, if you don't like coincidences, you won't like this one either.

Continue with episode 11

See also Getting to be a kid in Kiseki: Dear to Me

[bijectiveandinvertible]

My complete and honest live blog of Saiyuki: Requiem

Putting it all in one post to avoid jamming up the tag... Click Read more. i will edit as I go...

Aah the art remind's me of sensei's very early pages.

The henchmen disslove into particles when they die which is hilarious!

There is a trebuchet that was just called a catapult.

Sanzo just shot down some flaming rocks... wth... 🤣

Sanzo: Track this... asshole. <- He is fucking cool.

The environments/backgrounds are really well drawn. Also Goku got some killer animation.

Gojyo's dub made me blink.

Sanzo: You want a good night's rest! I will put your lights out forever you bastard. <- 🥲

Gojyo just picked up the girl and said allow me to take care of the breast and thighs <- 😬

Yeah... Gojyo's dub actor is the weakest link.

We finally meet the villain :D

The Kougaiji party are so classically herioc in comparison...

Things just got super odd.

Kougaiji is so handsome.

We are getting some Gojyo thirst traps 😳

PSYCHO!!!!!

Man... I take back what I wrote about Gojyo's VA. Also I did not see that plot twist coming.

the score is incredible

Sanzo <- 😳

Love the mask on the villain

Birdboy is kinda creepy :0

Yay hakuryuuu!!!

🤯

Bro you took all of the WRONG lessons aaahhh.. no...

Orange Paper airplane.... 😭

🤯

ok now i'm pissed... Dougan you asshole... how dare you hurt hakuryuu!!!!!

fate is a duplicitous mistress and karma is a vengeful one...

Sanzo will not save you. You should not have brought up Kyoumou. Also he is not a good person... just in general.

Hou Ran stop it! stop it right now! Don't give Gojyo and hakkai more women related trauma...