#also i love how messy the mc is bless her heart

[cryptid-crusader]

I also think of a burger from McDonald's is a treat. 😌🤝😌

[otastoothbrush]

The bidders at my cookie shop

(i work at a cookie shop soooo😋)

Eisuke

he normally wouldn’t stand in line at a little cookie shop in the mall for a sub pare chocolate chip cookie but the cashier caught his eye (mc obv)

he is one of the only customers who doesn’t complain about the high prices bc he big balling

he first just wanted a chocolate chip cookie maybe a coffee too

but mc persuaded him to do the daily deal of buy 6 get one free

(an obv scam but she can bat her eyes at anyone and make them spend every penny there)

and Eisuke wasn’t any different, he actually bought one of everything

which had mc’s mouth on the floor

(she was honestly pissy bc there was a line forming behind him)

he would overly compliment mc which would have her rolling her eyes

she would try to walk to the back when she saw him coming but he would wait for her to come back up for his order to be taken

after times and times of trying to give her his number she finally takes it

eisuke’s fave cookies: koko creme + the chocolate chip

and ofc he loves mc’s coffee, literally creams for it

Baba

he would be a usual there

he also works in the mall

he works in the little magick shop all the way on the other side of the mall

but the walk is worth it to see the cute cookie shop cashier

(and he doesn’t mind walking, he got those long legs for a reason)

he knows mc by name and ALWAYS asks how mc is before ordering his cookies

he is very charming and subtly flirts to make sure she isn’t uncomfortable

he would always get a red velvet and a cheesecake brownie

(mc literally knows his order by heart he gets the same thing every time, bless his soul)

he usually asks when her break is and if she wants to head down to the food court during it

(she always says yes)

he always tries to pay for mc’s food (and he usually does if mc isn’t looking)

if mc is closing he walks the long way out the mall so he can say goodnight to her

Soryu

man isn’t a cookie person but inui dragged him here

he isn’t even a mall person but once again inui heard about the puppies in the mall and had to go, little did they know a quaint little cookie shop was by it

ofc they stopped when inui saw the spiderman cookie, which he had to get

Soryu ended up getting something like a double fudge brownie or a smores bar

he hits it off well with mc surprisingly, since he wasn’t much into small talk she did to mind taking his order

(other than his deathly stare that sorta scared her)

he really enjoyed the brownies and actually came back without inui

which had mc on edge since soryu didn’t have his little puppy dog beside him

he actually came later in the day so mc gave him some free chocolate chip which weirdly had him blushing

he devoured them, when inui tried to touch them he whipped out his gun

every time he goes back there he gets softer and softer for her

and develops an addiction to the double fudge brownies

Ota

he has a little art kiosk in the mall, he usually sells his art and sometimes draws people he see’s

his little kiosk was right by the cookie shop so he would stare all day at the cookie shop worker

he would watch her hair start to get messy and her take a breather after the long line of customers

he would draw her the most, her puppy dog eyes reminded him of his little dog koro

he would go up there everyday grabbing a yellow mellow and a large decorated cookie

he would usually pick the quirkiest one like the pumpkin with sunglasses

(even though its the middle of august)

and then two m&m cookies bc the splash of color reminds him of his water paintings

he would joke around with mc a lot

even across the mall from his kiosk

if mc had a loud customer he would look over at her with a concerned face

(he actually came up and put a guy in his place for yelling at her)

(he’s weirdly intimidating)

he put some drawings up of mc in his shop but she low-key never noticed

until he brought her one of his drawings of her

(she literally gave him like free cookies for a week bc of it)

Mamo

he isn’t a mall man it’s too much of a pain for him

but one day at the office some one brought in cookies and he was hooked ever since

he would go straight to the mall for the cookies every single day after work

he would usually get the monthly cookie, especially in august its his fave

the blueberry crumble✨

other than that he would get the peanut butter swirl or the sprinkles

he would die for the buttercream

he was usually grumpy so mc would draw little doodles on his coffee cup

(when she stopped he actually said something about it)

he would always try to request the ones straight out the oven, which mc caved multiple times and gave him piping hot ones

(which he burned himself on but played it off)

(now mc is super careful while handing him his cookies and even tosses a joke here and there about it)

he actually is the one that tips mc the best, like he always tips her every single time

(he tried to ask if they sold edibles before, mc was thinking about sneaking something special in her new batch)

Hikaru

he knows mc already and goes there everyday to make her life hell

(he obviously wants to eat her out)

he takes forever to order things even though mc always knows what he wants

but he continues to give her a hard time EVERYTIME

his order is always a watermelon cookie pizza and a peanut butter blossom with a dr pepper

but he likes the extra time he takes to talk to mc

he orders cookie cakes often and puts them under dumbass names like “ben dover” or “Anita dic”

mc once persuaded him to get the raspberry cream cookie and he was not in love with it

it was too “tart” for him

(which mc knew but wanted him to waste 5 dollars)

hikaru is one of those customers to bring up the price of the cookies everytime

“why is this shit 2.36 is there dope in it?”

“what dope are you smoking that is 2.36”

“not good shit”

in the end he is low-key obsessed w the cookies and HIGH-KEY obsessed with mc

Shuichi

after the plant shop he would always stop at the cookie place

usually as shu tho never shuichi

when she does see shuichi she thinks its so funny he has the same order as shu since there so different

chocolate chip pecan, a german chocolate brownie and a black coffee

shu always jokes with mc and usually flirts it up with her

(she really enjoys seeing shu he’s actually lowkey her favorite customer)

unlike shuichi which is her least fave, since how brass he is

he never acknowledges her as a person as shuichi but shu greets her very kindly everytime

every visit he takes, shu and shuichi slowly mold together

one day shuichi brings her a little succulent and thats when she puts two and two together

she gets really embarrassed and has a breakdown in the back

(but now she thinks he’s bipolar or has multiple personalities) (which is totally fine on a real note)

Rhion

very sweet boy and very soft spoken

mc can barely hear him over all the mall noise

his face is always red when he orders he can barely look at mc

but when he does look at mc, he stares

he works in the costume shop and sometimes wears masks to scare her if she doesnt see him coming

(she lowkey thinks he’s weird asf but he’s very kind and cute so she’s fine with him)

his order is a carrot cake cookie and a snicker doodle, he always gets stuff for his coworkers too bc he’s a sweetheart

he tries to give mc free costumes, really wanted her to be Alice for his mad hatter for the last three years in a row

she finally said yes

some days when he would come up to her in his mad hatter get up he would have more courage to talk to her

but she made sure he knew that he could talk to her either way and she would enjoy him

Luke

he would get the gluten free sprinkles

since this man on a PILL DIET LIKE BFFR

but eisuke brought him here and made him get a cookie and not only a coffee

so he went for the overly priced gluten free cookies

and stared at mc’s chest the whole time

he says its not creepy and he’s just admiring her bone structure

(which she still finds very creepy)

luke started to come on his own bc his new pill started being the gluten free sprinkle cookies

he would ask mc to be his model to study her bone structure (ngl she had her boss come out and serve him a couple of times bc she was a little uncomfy)

but one day he was actually the exact opposite, almost came in like he was lifeless which freaked her out a bit

(mf was malnourished asf)

mc literally hand fed him the cookies to make sure he ate

(mf was literally just buying cookies to let them stack up at his house)

MC

girl tries her best to love her job

her favorite thing to do is ice the cookies while she hates to restock

she is a closer who workers many hours and usually spends the whole day at the shop

she literally runs the place lets be for real

her favorite would be the underrated koko swirl and oatmeal rasin

she would take long breaks with baba in the food court bc she deserved it after working opening to closing

she lowkey hates when baba pays for her so everytime she goes to the magick shop she tips extra so it feels like she’s paying him back

she always doodles a cat on her cup when she gets a drink, its her little thing so everyone knows the cup is hers

she gets along the best with her coworkers and honestly gets the best tips

she does have like 9 men fiening over her

which i mean she never really minds bc it helps with the tips

ota and rhion always try to give her cookie designs, which she usually listens too bc their gods with their hands

one time she took mamo in the back of her shop and smoked weed with him

she pretends to hate eisuke but she legit thinks he’s the biggest man candy in the world

[baekhvuns]

ok so hear me out...

This week has been...ASTOUNDING!

First of all we had exo's cb which i was surprised to see because ok i was hoping for it but not that damn early 😭😭😭BUT my ears have been blessed. What am i saying? Does exo ever disappoint? NOO or maybe it's just that i don't like crticizing bcz if i am in love with a grp i would go down the gates of hell.

AND

i watched MORE MOVIES!! YAY!! starting the week off with devdas, bro....i wont say i loved it or hated it. I was somewhere in the middle but it's srk so what cn i say?? THE COSTUMESS?? THE SET DESIGNS?? THE JEWELLERY?? omggg and the actresses?? Dude i have never seen an indian actress who isn't close to being a literal goddess, I think i do know about the first love interest. She's..OH YES SHE WAS IN PINK PANTHER! i just remembered it- and the songs and dialouges "LOVE IS THE SHADOW OF THE SOUL!!" 😭 indian movies are like musicals.

but some scenes were abrupt i mean how does tht candle not extuingishhh?? tht was kind of physics defying but hey they're trying to show the power of love. AND ONE MORE THING THE WAY THE FIRST LOVE INTEREST REMEMBERS THE AMT OF DAYS THEY'VE BEEN APART- PEAK OBSESSESION. However, ik this movie will hold a place in my heart. Srk was so emo in this-

then i watched shershah...it was based on a true story?....i cried, i wailed, i sobbed, my heart hurt, my chest ached and...it helped me see the movie from a broader perspective and not just the life of the mc. Like for soldiers, this is how their life is yk? and their families...as much as they're proud its equally heart-wrenching for them. AND THE MAIN LEADS GOT MARRIED?? at least we got them as a couple, hope they stay happy forever in along healthy relationship.

i also watched bajirao mastani and....what was tht movies?? OH aligarh one? so many different genres combined in a week. It was a rollercoaster for my emotions AND ATEEZ DIDNT MAKE IT ANY BETTER?? SEONGHWA RAPPER??? MINGI COWBOY??? SAN UNDERGROUND FIGHTER??? OH LORD-

the song has it's perks ok? it's not bad and its addicitve but at first i did think the ending was a bit messy, even the intro like i didnt even know when the song started, hwa gv me an attack BUT it was experimental ig idk? i hope we have another mv for either outlaw or this world bcz i cant live with the fact tht SUCH AMAZING SONGS WERE LEFT AND K-HOT CHILLI PEPPER GOT A MV??

the mv was dynamic tho. In concl. i liked it , didn't love it. It was def, not vocal heavy but more focused on the hiphop and rap element which is fine but...oh to hv the old ateez back. I would ascend if they released something like utopia or aurora again.

but yesss this has been my week in the entertainment section of life.(❁´◡`❁) and waiting for your works miss baeksyyy. Really dont be nervous. Idc if you take even 2 or more years to release it as long ik you're here and cmon i mean it's BAEKHVUNS WORKS ILL READ IT GODDAMIT EVEN IF U THINK ITS NOT GOOD BCZ U WROTE IT OFC U WOULD THINK ITS NOT GOOD but...its. going. to. be. my. holy. grail.

hello!!!

no bc that exo pre release had my ears thanking me to listen to it 😭😭 cannot wait for the comeback bc u know they will always deliver amazing albums !!!! no bc i would 100% go to hell for exo & shinee

AAAAAA U DID !!!!! AND DEVDAS??? 😩😩😩😩 he served such a disney prince vibe in it AND THE ACTRESSES ????? LORD HAVE MERCY THEY REALLY ATE GODDESSES A MISS UNIVERSE (yES THE PINK PANTHER LADY she’s so god damn stunning omg i cry every time i see her,, miss femme fatale) AND A DANCE LEGEND?? omg the dresses, the jewelry the emotion !!! they really are like musicals this one esp bc it was homage to shakespearean play!! i also do not know if u noticed this but

yeah shershaah, i also cried sobbed screamed and then doubled bc it was a true story 😭😭😭😭😭 the last scene where the music drops and the flashbacks happen and it’s his final rites and the actress runs in—

YESS THEY GOT MARRIED RECENTLY !!!!! and they did a version of a song from that movie but made it happier! ur right, in war no one wins,,, what got me was the soldier who hadn’t held his daughter since she was born and he was so excited to- and 😭😭 he 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

that bajirao mastani movie (the lead actors are actually married too fbwndhwj they met on a previous film by the same director who’s also the director of devdas) YEAAAAAAH cheating trope but so poetically done >>> YEAH AND ALIGARH BEING BASED ON A TRUE STORY SCREAMED CRIED HOW ARE PPL SO VILE

ATEEZ. MINGI RAPPER, SEONGHWA RAPPER??? SAN???? HONGJOONGS COCKY ASS ???? 😩😩 the song does have its perks,,,, when hongjoong says slow it down make it bouncy- that part especially! i think the only song i rly liked the was the world and outlaw,,, it also felt like the last albums’s dupe im sorry 😭😭😭 i just really wish ateez do r&b’s, pop’s edm’s, dance music… my wish is to have them get someone who chooses sm artists bsides like imagine ateez w songs like exo’s oasis,, rv’s i just, shinee’s body rhythm, or taemin’s heaven! or even nct’s magic carpet ride???? 😭😭😭 RIGHT I WOULD ACTUALLY BUY 15 ALBUMS IF THEY BRING SONGS LIKE TREASURE WHERE THEY HAD THEIR VOCALS AND ONE DREAM AND UTOPIA OUT LIKE THAT WAS THE PINNACLE OF ATZ 🤚🏻🤚🏻

the vocal yeaaaahh,,, it’s the reason i loved the exo song bc when i heard the vocals w nothing of auto tune or any sound editing,,, wow that was a breath of fresh air for me personally,,, raw vocals and a dream is what i wish kpop groups do like amaze us with your vocals GIVE US A MID SONG ACAPELLA??? oUu exo pls come back fast they need to show how it’s done

i hope ur week has been fun!!!! im so very nervous to post it like i have the teaser ready w all the tag list done and i just don’t have the courage anymore 😭😭😭 bUT I WILL POST IT this coming week somehow I AM HERE MY BRAIN WONT STOP WORKING UNTIL I LET ALL MY FICS OUT SO U DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABT THAT PART but thank u so much for sticking around really you’re so kind for those words <3333 thank u thank u so much 😭😭

[carnelianns]

(Ikesen and Ikevamp) Sorry if this has been asked before. But how about an MC who went back to her own time only to find out she was pregnant. How would the boys reaxt if she comes back somehow a few years later but with a young child she says is theirs.

im sorry for keeping u waiting this long anon huhu,, i only did the vamps but, if my askbox allows, i’ll come back to do the sen boys too ! i didn’t have a specific gender for their children so jus imagine the lil rascal any way u want

Napoleon Bonaparte

When you come back through that door with a fascinated child holding your hand, it’s him you meet first again, and the tears are already glossing his eyes over before you can say anything.

He literally has no words when you smile gently, saying it’s his. Napoleon swallows the bump in his throat before making his way to the both of you, holding the two of you in his arms for only god knows how long.

“I.. can’t wait to live my life with you both, nununche,” he mumbles into your hair, ears slightly tinged, only causing you to laugh at his adorable antics.

As a father, he isn’t very strict, and he isn’t all that good in child-rearing, either. But he tries — you have to keep reminding yourself of this when you catch them in a compromising position, usually when you see your child holding a foil with a goofy smile.

“Nunuche.. I can explain,” Napoleon says calmly when you first find the two of them — well, three; it seems Jean was in on this little practice, though he quickly bolted when he saw you — parading around the training room with the foils.

“Mamma, papa said he was the King! He teached me how to be King!” Your child exclaims, flailing the weapon around excitedly as your gaze only darkens.

“Well, you see, I meant emperor, but—” his words die down when he sees your unimpressed face practically dripping with the murderous intent he’s so used to fighting against on the battle field

Slowly kneeling down to meet your child’s eyes, you see him whispering something incoherent before the little one nods seriously, slowly putting down the foil.

Then, as if counting down ‘3, 2, 1′, Napoleon immediately hoists your child up in his arms, running out of the room as both his laughter and your child’s squeals echo throughout the halls.

“Napoleone di Buonaparte, get your ass back here right now!” You scream, running after them.

“3, 2, 1 — Vive L’Empereur!” The two of them scream back, before bursting into laughter. They’re always in sync. It’s exasperating.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

“That child is.. mine?” He asks, slightly jaw-slacked, pointing at the child that undeniably looks like him, if the identical beauty mark or violet eyes are anything to go by.

“Do you.. not want—”

“I never said that,” he instantly cuts you off, going over to kneel at the confused child. With a slight smile, in an attempt to hold his tears back, he manages, “So.. how was spending time with that clumsy mother of yours?”

Mozart doesn’t really know how to spend time with his child, though he’s clearly not opposed to carrying the little rascal around on his shoulders, or dragging the child clinging onto his leg around when stubbornness bites.

You often don’t know what he’s thinking whenever he spends time with your child, or the whole situation, but rest assured, he wouldn’t change it for the world, despite how he may look.

A clear example of this is when you once walked into the piano room only to see your little darling on top of the grand white piano itself, snoozing on top of a small comforter whilst your lover plays the soft tunes you’ve grown to love.

Shock holds you captive as you stare at the lovely sight, before finally trailing off, “Mozart..”

Without so much as glancing at you, he replies, voice hushed in a soft tone you don’t hear so often. The blissful smile on his face speaks thousands of words.

“I thought you were the only one foolish enough to let your guard down in front of me… It seems I was wrong.”

Leonardo da Vinci

He had an inkling the moment he saw the child sporting caramel eyes so similar to his own, tawny gaze regarding the large mansion with wonder.

And when you did reveal that the child is actually his, he only pulled you close to his chest, hoisting the little one up with his other arm.

“Papa has a lot of time to make up to you, doesn’t he?”

Leonardo is good with children, if it isn’t obvious. Not in your conventional dad way wherein he brings the child to school — in fact, he probably fell asleep in the hallway just when the two were about to leave — but he's awfully good at keeping his child entertained.

Running around the mansions, creating new inventions, learning a new language — sometimes, you have to remind yourself that this child’s father is literally Leonardo da Vinci.

A position you often see them in, however, is snoozing on the floor, probably near the library, your child a small ball curled into Leonardo’s arms and head in the crook of his neck.

“Again? Really?” You can only huff, though that doesn’t stop the small smile from spreading on your face as you brush the locks of hair out of your lover’s face.

“Cara mia,” he rasps out, cracking a bleary eye open and gripping your wrist softly. Then, he smiles, all sorts of soft and lovely and.. unguarded.

“You two.. are the best things that have happened to me.”

Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur tries swallowing back the lump in his throat when he sees you standing in front of that damned door, though to no avail as a tear slips.

He starts full-on crying when you say that you’re back for good and that the child is his, and he’ll have to be comforted by yours and your child’s tiny arms before he even plans to stop.

“Ah, crying like that on our first meeting… Don’t you think your fath — I’m a bit embarrassing?” He asks, sniffling as he musters a smile.

Your child giggles, blue eyes crinkling. “No! Mommy told me a whooooole lot about you, daddy!”

He has to stop himself from sobbing again.

Arthur wastes no time in making up for what he’s missed, and every single day is one you’d find the two of them either in town or messing about at home.

If not, then they’re probably just chilling in the comforts of his room, doing god knows what. The day you peek in to see what exactly they were up to was a blessed day.

Maneuvering yourself in a way that lets you see through the tiny crack of the open door, your jaw drops at the adorable sight of your child in a tiny deerstalker and trench coat far too big for his form, Arthur nodding with a serious look on his face.

“So, Watson, do you think crepes make mummy happier?” Your child asks, holding his magnifying glass up — one you’re sure is from Leonardo — like a mic in front of Arthur’s face.

He strokes his chin for a moment, before answering, “Seeing her reaction when we gave her the ones we bought yesterday, I deduce they do, Sherlock.”

“Good dedoo – deduck – deduction, Watson! I thought so too.”

Your heart literally melts. The two are far too cute for you, you having to calm yourself before walking in with the widest smile on your face. Dorks. 

Vincent van Gogh

When you meet those familiar, cerulean eyes from your place in front of the door, they’re already glossy in seconds, a flurry of emotions clear on Vincent’s face, though his smile says it all.

“Is it too much to say I’ve been waiting for you this whole time?”

Vincent would be practically wallowing in regret that he wasn’t able to be a part of his child’s life for the first few years, leading him to do any and everything that will cause his child to smile. In simpler terms, he’s basically wrapped around the little one’s finger.

He’s so adorable and happy that he’s blessed with your lovely child, and there’s an immediate smile on his face when he so much as thinks about the little blondie.

He literally makes the other residents question whether or not they want a child too.

Their bonding time is painting and, more often than not, it ends up with all three of you cramped in the shower, scrubbing furiously at the sticky paint on their skin.

“I’m sorry for having you do this all the time,” Vincent’s soft voice only makes you sigh in relaxation as he massages your shoulders from behind you, causing your fingers to halt in their journey of rubbing some blue paint off your child.

“It’ll take more than that if you wanna make it up to me,” you hum, leaning back into his chest and looking up into his bright eyes.

Your lips were just about to meet, when —

“Mam, I’m not clean yet!”

You groan, Vincent only laughing as you meet the crossed arms of your child pouting child.

“Don’t give your mammie too much of a hard time, okay?” He never forgets to take care of you above all, of course.

Theodorus van Gogh

When he first sees you after years with a child, his child, grasping your hand, Theo has to literally disappear to cool his head off because he’s angry.

Not at you, no, never, but at himself. That he wasn’t there for his child, for you, and god, even if he were, would he have been a good father?

“Hon — Schatje,” he starts, running his fingers through his already messy hair and staring at you with eyes that practically bleed insecurity, his voice breaking. “How am I supposed to take care of a child when I couldn’t even take care of you?”

After many reassuring words and gentle touches, Theo’s finally okay, holding up and scrutinising your child much like how he does a painting. He’s, well, awkward.

Theo is surprisingly very gentle with your child because he honestly doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing.

He’s also very grounded and doesn’t fall for cute little tricks that much either, so out of the residents, he’d be one of the better fathers.

“Nee.” “Papje, pleaaase?” “No. Non. Nee.”

Your lover’s fixed refusal causes you to peek your head into a lovely picture. Theo was holding a chocolate bar high above his head, steely gaze fixed on your young child with his puppy dog eyes in full view.

“Je mama said no chocolate, right?” Your heart warms when you realise he remembered your scoldings, though you can’t help but to feel bad for your whining baby.

“Theo,” you say, both their heads turning towards you. “How about you give the little baby some chocolate and we all enjoy some pancakes, yeah?”

The way both their eyes shine almost identically is adorable.

Dazai Osamu

When you showed up again with the child in hand, one he knows is his, his first thought, first wish, is that for that tiny thing to not be his. Because no one knows how harsh this world is more than the man who wished to end it all, so much more than once.

But Dazai makes up his mind when he sees you and your — his child staring up at him with those eyes that look so much like your own. He makes up his mind, despite his own continuous suffering, that he’ll never let this child go through what he had to.

“Was I staring too much?” He smiles, slightly sad and, well, empty. “I suppose it’s because the little one looks far too much like you.” Bright. Too bright for me.

As a father, he’s surprisingly really good with children? He quite enjoys seeing your child smile more than anything, and one way he knows how to do so is by perching the little one on his shoulders, running around the mansion as his hands intertwine with small, tiny fingers.

You don’t know whether to yell at him and his close-eyed grin, or simply laugh at the resonating giggles of your child. Probably both as you chase the two down the halls.

Dazai often zones out whenever he’s playing with your child, a look you can only describe as pure bliss on those handsome features of his. As you stare up at him, confusion clear on your features, you ask, “Hey, Dazai, why do you.. Zone out so much? Whenever you’re with, you know,” you motion to the snoozing one in between the both of you.

“Why do I zone out, you ask?” He gives you a smile, a real one this time, and gently pokes at the little ones cheeks. “I think.. I’ve found a wonderful reason to live, is all.”

Isaac Newton

“That’s… mine??” “That?” “... It?” “It?” “The.. child?”

Isaac is very flustered, for lack of better terms. He can barely manage the children he and Napoleon go see intermittently, but his own child? Lord, help him.

He gets awfully flushed whenever he’s carrying his child around the mansion because even then, he isn’t spared by Arthur and Dazai’s teasing remarks — in fact, it only seems to have gotten worse.

Isaac is surprisingly good at getting your rascal child to sleep with his bedtime stories, which are usually all his unsaid rambles.

“And did daddy get that bruise on his forehead because he slipped while chasing Uncle Dazai and Uncle Arthur?”

Your child nods, bright eyes sparkling and toothy grin showing. “Daddy also said, ‘Get back here, you devilish imbeciles!’”

Your accusatory gaze turns towards Isaac, who averts his eyes, holding an ice pack to his bruising forehead.

“I-In my defense, they were—”

“One more time, Isaac, and I’m changing this baby’s legal godfathers to the two imbeciles you love so much.”

Gaping, his eyes widen to the size of saucers, “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

He is now a grumbling mess when the two are around his child, but the lack of chasing them around with a stick in hand can be counted as an upgrade.

Jean d’Arc

When you walk through that door once more, nervously telling your lover that this child is his, you’re afraid of his reaction — after all, Jean is, despite his vampiric aging, barely an adult himself.

His jaw drops and he can’t stop staring at you nor the child with his inky locks, and you have to help him sit and calm down.

“Papa?” Your child asks, staring up at the still slightly panicked Jean as you hold your breath.

He stares for a moment, mouth wide, before finally, finally smiling, albeit a little awkward and rough around the edges. “Yes, little one?”

He’s extremely unaccustomed to this whole parent thing and can barely do anything without asking you first, so he feels bad quite often for having to lean on you so much.

Although he barely knows how to handle a sobbing child, nor can he entertain the child very well, you find that the both of them are quite content in each other’s presence as is.

Jean, well, looks ethereal as the sun shines through the windows in his room, a gentle smile gracing his face as he stares at his sleeping child.

He utters your name, causing you to look up, only to find him tracing circles around your child’s soft skin.

“Is this.. how it’s like to be happy?”

William Shakespeare

When Shakespeare wakes up to the news that you are, in fact, back at the mansion with a little surprise, he’s already there in no time.

He didn’t expect the little surprise to be a little child that’s practically an identical copy of him. But he’s always been more of a shoot first, ask questions later type of guy, so he immediately whisks you off to his manor, much to the exasperation of the residents who were surprisingly enjoying their time with the little Shakespeare lookalike.

Except he doesn’t really need to ask questions, because he’s already figured everything out through your soft, slightly nervous gaze, and your lovely little mannerisms.

“Alas, it seems the Heavens were kind enough to grant my wish,” he says as he stares at your child, only smiling to meet your confused gaze. “For I only wished you weren’t too lonely without my presence.”

William is always with his child, whatever the circumstances. Though he quite enjoys showing off his child, he’s also keen on spending his every waking second with the little tyke because he knows how it feels like to grow up lonely, and he wouldn't bestow that upon his own little one.

“Darling, it appears I has’t gotten myself into a slight predicament.”

If you could, you would have snapped a picture of your smiling lover practically itching to get up, yet unable to do so due to the sleeping child in his lap.

“And how did you get yourself into this predicament, my love?” You tease, your own smile on your face. He has a habit of reading his writings aloud, and it seems the little one fell asleep to William’s gentle voice.

“My works seem to be but a mere bedtime story to this little one,” he motions to the child, his smile softening. “I wonder why it does not dishearten me.”

Comte de Saint-Germain

“I was hoping you’d be back, ma chérie.” His perfunctory smile betrays the inner flurry of emotions inside him as he glances towards the child. “With a lovely little thing in hand.”

“Your lovely little thing,” you say gently, and the surprise outlining his normally composed face is something you’d forever save in your mind.

Comte is wrapped around the little one’s finger, his rotten spoiling being the effect of not being in your child’s life for a good while, and, of course, his indispensable regret for having you come back to him.

Many times have you asked Sebastian the whereabouts of your lover and your child, only for him to give you the look, responding that they were out yet again, and are probably not coming back without a few shopping bags in hand.

Then, to finally put a stop to it all, you decided to conduct a harmless experiment.

Placing a few coins on one side of his desk, a toy in the middle, and a beloved fruit on the side. After explaining to him that it’s to see what your child’s fate would be — picking between fortune, fun, and, well, snacks, you think — he simply leans back, interest shining in those eyes of his.

Unsurprisingly for you, your child pushes all these away in a second, opting to hug the wide-eyed man on the soft armchair behind the desk.

“And what.. does this mean, ma chérie?” He asks, honest-to-god confused as his hands slowly wrap around your child’s form.

You smile softly, “Isn’t it obvious, silly? The little rascal loves you more than anything.”

His eyes are suspiciously glossy before he laughs it off, preparing for yet another shopping spree — you regret everything.

Sebastian

He only gives you a knowing smile when you pass through the door with a young child gripping your hand.

“So.. this is the little one, is it?” He asks, tone soft as he walks towards you, wrapping a sturdy arm around your waist and meeting eyes with his child. “I’m a strict father, mind you.”

“Sebastian!” “I was joking. Slightly.”

Despite being a father, Sebastian is as strict and precise as ever around the mansion, rarely having to leave either his work or his family unattended due to his impeccable time management skills.

And if he struggles with both, well, he just has to merge them into one task, doesn’t he? Many are the times wherein the residents catch Sebastian working, his little runt on his tail or on his hip.

“They’re at it again, you know,” Mozart says in passing, only causing you to groan.

“Sebastian! How many times have I told you not in the kitchen?” You exclaim, walking into the kitchen to find your lover and your child tackling yet another chore together.

It seemed to be baking this time, if the flour on both of their faces says anything.

“Mama!” Your child exclaims with powdered hands as Sebastian says blankly, “We’re doing chores.”

You merely roll your eyes, sighing as you walk out the room. Your apology comes later when a sloppy cupcake makes its way into your view.

Your eyes move up to your proud looking child, hair obviously patted down in an attempt to look presentable while your lover sports a tiny grin on his own face.

“We made this for you, mom! Papa said he wanted to make you reaaaally happy.”

Sebastian’s head instantly snaps down, eyes narrowing, “Hey.”

You can only laugh at your two babies, taking a bite of the surprisingly good and sweeter than an average cupcake.

[sparring-hyena]

more beccaxmc fluff please ☺️

can you do one with becca asking mc when did she fall in love with her ? I mean I read some fanfic but it always the other way around

It can also be a trivia hosted by zack like a competition btw mc and becca on who knows the other better

thanks for the request, anon, it’s an excellent idea! i hope ya’ like what i’ve written :)

-

the night started out simple enough—roommate bonding. they would play some games, talk, laugh, maybe even have a few drinks. it would be fun. easy. just a nice night after a stressful first few weeks of the winter quarter. and then Kaitlyn got the tequila out.

what started as snacks and Monopoly, became truth or dare and shots, became a game of who knows who best. and that— Becca really wishes she’d confiscated the tequila and called it a night there. because now she and Alex are sitting in front of the others on flimsy lawn chairs Zack brought in from the backyard, answering questions about each other in an attempt to prove who knows who best in their “totally unexpected but works in a strange way” relationship (Kaitlyn’s words, not her’s).

the questions are sort of easy though. favourite colour, favourite food, celebrity crush, birthday, eye colour. that kinda stuff, y’know? stuff that doesn’t require too much thought to answer while teetering on the edge of being completely drunk.

Becca’s not totally sure why she’s even playing. no one’s keeping score, so it’s not like she could lose. although, the fact that Alex has her arm thrown over the back of Becca’s chair and is playing with a loose strand of her hair, does make a pretty convincing argument. Becca sinks into the contact a little bit more, and she’s almost a hundred per cent sure Alex isn’t even aware that she’s playing with her hair.

but because the universe has other plans for her, Becca can’t stay in this nice little bubble forever. they’re playing a game, remember? a very serious and very important game.

Zack clicks his fingers and when her focus comes back to the game, she realises that all eyes are on her.

“uhh, what?” Becca says.

Zack rolls his eyes and sighs much too dramatically, but Becca’s willing to blame the alcohol for that. “when did Alex fall in love with you?”

and now she really wishes she’d confiscated the tequila earlier and called it a night because this is painfully awkward. because they haven’t said i love you.

“we, um, uhh...” Alex tries and fails to speak, pulling her arm away from the back of Becca’s chair, and leaning forward a bit. Becca feels the loss of contact immediately and would do just about anything to go back to the bubble she’d been in a few short moments ago.

Zack and Kaitlyn just stare, clearly too far gone to pick up on their discomfort. Chris though—bless his heart—hadn’t gone nearly as hard on the shots, so he picks up on it. “guys, maybe we should call it a night, eh?” he stands up and places a hand on Zack and Kaitlyn’s shoulders.

Zack and Kaitlyn don’t fight it, and a few minutes later, they’re disappearing upstairs with Chris right behind them lest one of them trip and fall. so that just leaves Becca and Alex downstairs—Alex standing by the couch, looking anywhere but at Becca, and Becca still in that flimsy lawn chair, wondering how in the hell everything went so wrong so quickly.

“we should, uh— we should call it a night too,” Alex says. “you’ve got that class tomorrow morning.”

“yeah.” Becca nods and stands.

they both head upstairs and Becca stops at her door. Alex almost looks like she wants to stop too. Becca almost wants to ask her to.

“g’night,” Alex says with one of those sleepy half-smiles. “i’ll see you tomorrow.”

Becca returns the smile with ease. “see you tomorrow.” she walks into her room, closes the door behind her, and tumbles face-first onto her bed. and this is where her drunk mind usually gives up and she falls asleep. but that doesn’t happen. Becca lays awake in bed for another twenty minutes, her mind far too busy conjuring up possible answers to the question.

maybe she doesn’t love me, Becca thinks, and it’s with that final thought that Becca tosses herself out of bed and sneaks over to Alex’s room. she knocks on the door, once, twice, and then waits, hopes that Alex hasn’t gone to sleep. she doesn’t think she’d be able to wait until morning to get an answer.

Alex opens the door, hair all messy, and eyes clearly heavy with sleep.

“i, uh, sorry. you were asleep. i didn’t mean to wake you,” Becca says. “you know what? this can wait. sorry again.” Becca tries to turn away but Alex reaches out to stop her.

“hey, it’s fine,” Alex says, voice still warm despite being heavy with sleep. “what’s up?”

“do you love me?”

and that question definitely wakes Alex up.

“this is why i wanted to wait until tomorrow,” Becca says, getting a little frustrated because she doesn’t do feelings. feelings are messy and complicated and how dare Alex make her feel things that are messy and complicated.

“Becs,” Alex steps aside and motions for Becca to come in, “come in.”

Becca does. they sit beside each other on Alex’s bed with barely a hair’s width of space between them, but it still feels as though they’re miles apart.

“i do love you,” Alex says, gaze fixed ahead, and fingers digging into her leg. “and you don’t have to say it back. i know this is new for you. but you did ask and it didn’t feel right keeping it from you.”

Becca reaches her hand over to Alex’s and grasps it tightly. “when did you know?”

“a few weeks ago. it wasn’t anything big. we were in the kitchen, it was early, so no one else was up. you were making your coffee and i was just sort of watching you. i realised that i’d been falling for a while.”

“oh.” Becca’s response comes out a little choked.

“and then you kissed me on the cheek before sitting down beside me, and i just... i knew then that i was in love with you.”

Becca squeezes Alex’s hand and then she abandons whatever self-control she had left. Becca pulls Alex in for a kiss. it’s nothing particularly heated. just a simple press of lips. a reassurance. a promise.

“i love you too.” and then Becca kisses Alex’s nose just so she can see her face scrunch up in that adorable way. “can i sleep here tonight?”

Alex beams. “of course.”

they climb into bed, and Becca falls asleep easy with her head on Alex’s chest, and Alex’s arms holding her close.

[utterlyinevitable]

The Messy Route

Dom’s OH playthrough where we use Ethan to get the diagnostics job, are FWB with Bryce and trying to romance Raf. MC is Dr. Love Lao. 

Ch. 1

Book 1, Ch 2

OH SHIT ANNIE IS CODING AND LIL LOVE LAO AINT PREPARED FOR THIS

ALMIGHTY HEROES BLESS U FOR SENDING JACKIE TO HER IN HER TIME OF EXTREME NEED. 

SHIT

So much for the plan. 

Sienna Trinh. Goddess of all things good in the world. We’re friends now. She doesn’t have a choice - Love nor Sienna. These girls are ride or die!!!

Asshat’s words get under Love’s skin and she is REELING. Being a doctor is all she’s ever wanted and on her first case she almost killed someone. Maybe everything she thought was wrong?? (Can you hear an identity crisis in the distance because I sure can)

Loves not a quitter. Never has been, never will be. Could the angry words of the one renowned attending she idolized change her?

Definitely not.

Girl just needs a mental break. Oh look there’s a supply closet!

Breathing in and out and trying to wrangle in the crushing feel of failure, she doesn’t get two minutes alone before the door swings open.

It’s the annoyingly attractive surgeon with the now-faltering smile and warm glow.

“Get in or get out Bryce. Just shut the door” ouchhhh she snapped at him and his smile completely disappeared

He joined her in the cramped space.

All signature cockiness left when he asked in his delicate and concerned honey-like cadence “what’s wrong”. She told him and he was a pretty good listener, all things considered. 

(She says that now but little does she know that is EXACTLY what she about to do the next two years 🎉)

Honestly it’s a shock that this dude has a heart and a pretty decent outlook on life. He’s oddly good at pep talks. Judging by his physique he wasn’t on cheer squad but dayummm

His hugs were soft and warm and peaceful as he pulled her against his toned chest. His arms strong and safe. Love could certainly do this again. Minus the whole closet breakdown thing.

She really wants to not like the guy. But

There’s just something about Bryce Lahela 🤔

And she wondered what his other talents include 😏

As he’s looking down at her with that sweet lopsided smile asking if this is all a ploy to get him alone she has a strong urge to stand on her toes and kiss his pretty lips.

But she pushes the urge aside with a chuckle. Time and place babes. This ain’t it. Also he’s a colleague. And they just met. And they’re in a supply closet. Not really a good first impression for all parties ����

She gets a bit of flush on her pale cheeks when he departs with a wink. Leaving her alone to collect herself from her mini breakdown.

((I hc that with all Mrs Martinez’s free time and boredom she’s just doing squats in her room and has a very toned ass for an old person and just wants to show off. If she can’t lay naked in Cannes she’ll get the thrill of the breeze through her gown and the satisfaction of knowing she pulled someone out of their comfort zone for a minute or two))

Asking the nurses to page dr grumpmunch to meet her in Annie’s room was the most satisfying and gratifying feeling. Eat shit mothafuckerrr

He doesn’t have the common decency to come into the room? Or talk to the patient? Just lean against the doorframe like a limp ass tree ??? Absolutely ridiculous and callous behavior for a grown ass man. 

She’s SO pleased with herself as she follows Ethan out of the room.

Which lasts about 2 seconds until asshat checks his watch and hands her a prescription.

Love FLIPS. She does not need his charity or opportunity and just wants her patients treated with the best care. Having Annie wait another hour was precious time wasted. Wtf was he thinking???

Ugh 

Dr. Ramsey made a good point about growth and crap. But she’s too riled up to apologize or even listen. She just scowls and goes to walk away

BUT THEN she stops when Aurora finally turns up all pissy.

And Ethan’s kinda hot when his anger isn’t directed at her. Woah nelly, reign in the heart eyes he’s a total prick.

Though power is an aphrodisiac 👀

(Why am I just now noticing he calls himself a badger???)

(gosh she’s so pretty. And yet she’s going to let Mitch get away with treating her like garbage??? Oh pb and their inconsistencies 😔)

The surgeon looks good shirtless. His arms look amazing in his scrubs and the green really compliments his complexion. In his everyday clothes he looks... like and Ivy League douche. But those bracelets accompanying his watch are doing things to her.

Everything about Bryce Lahela is off putting and exciting.

So she joins him and his surgical buddies for a game of darts, wagering a kiss. They’re not at work no’mo might as well see if he lives up to all the talk 😏

He doesn’t play fair. His hot breath tickling the shell of her ear. Taunting that “medical interns can’t handle the heat”. 

Oh she can handle the heat alright. But maybe there’s more value in losing this bet? 

Love’s counting on it 

But she’s also not gotta let him off that easily. She does the same but lets her lips graze his ear. And, well... 

That stupid victory dance was a reward in itself. 

She licks her lips and grabs his outstretched hand. 

For a second time that day she’s pressed up against him with his strong arms wrapped around her. He tastes like malt and mint and sugar... Did he snag some cookies somewhere?? 

And then his lips trail away from hers and down her jaw and up to her ear and she’s molded into him and holding onto his biceps tightly in a state of pure bliss at this point. It’s going to be a good year. 

The surgeons call rounds for another game and Love taps out on that. She observed her friends all around the bar and found one pair of eyes swiftly averting from her. 

So she makes her way over to him. 

She eyed the empty glass in front of him and scoffed to herself. Scotch. It was her drink of choice in undergrad - she thought it would give her an enigmatic edge over her peers, instead of drinking beers like everyone and their older brother.

For the first time in the 15 hours she’s known asshat he shoots her a small smile of approval. Bingo. 

She scoffs audibly this time when he thinks she’s bribing him. He’s not completely wrong but she won’t give him the satisfaction. 

So she gives him a wry smile and says some garbage about a thank you for making her better.

He orders two specials and up this close she notices how devastatingly handsome Dr. Ramsey. Devastating because those looks are wasted on his garbage personality.   

Of course the drink he orders is delicious and she refuses to admit it. Dr. Ramsey sees right through her bluff and Love kinda appreciates it. She’s learning she can’t trick him and that’s valuable insight to file away for later. 

She’ll be blowing you, Ramsbo, darling.

(I’ve also never paid attention to Landry before... but now I’m starting to think he has a crush on MC and oh my god this route just got a lot more fun) ((but then again asking mc to teach ramsey his name is throwing me off)) 

________________________________________

A/N: Thanks for making it this far! I’m adding my taglist. Let me know if you’d like to be tagged in this mess or not ✌🏻❤

Masterlist

Perma:

@rookiemarsswiftie @lucy-268 @binny1985 @thegreentwin @queencarb @danijimenezv @starrystarrytrouble @terrm9 @interobanginyourmom @adrex04 @maurine07 @mercury84choices @schnitzelbutterfingers @theeccentricbibliophile @wingedhairstylemusicweasel​ @whimsicallywayward15​ @mvalentine​ @rookie-ramsey @drariellevalentine @lifeaskim @otherworldlypresents​ @therookie​ @aylaramseycarrera​ @angela8754 @fireycookie @stateofgracious​ @missmiimiie​ @uneravine​  @peaceinmidstofchaos​ @choicesaddict5​ @iemcpbchoices ​

[queerchoicesblog]

New Beginnings

Folks, here’s a new update of the wlw story set in the Sixties, my third  miniseries of the wlw writing project. New beginnings have quite a lot in store for our stewardess MC!

The final Sixties miniseries update will be out either later this week or next week.

Hope you enjoy it: if you do, please consider spreading the word!

Previous Chapters: Living The Dream, The Girl Next Door

_____________________________

The following day I got my long awaited promotion: a generous rise and from now on only international routes for me. I made it to the big league. My world was crumbling underneath my feet but I made it. I received the news as a blessing. I followed the advice Nancy gave me when she called back to check in on me. A few days later I packed my stuff and crashed at a colleague's place: thank God, I made good friends among my former crew members and Joanna kindly agreed to host me while I looked for a new place to stay. Neither Nancy nor Jo know the full truth about the photographer who broke my heart, her sex: ironically, 'bastard' and other epithets are wonderfully neutral. Their sympathy and support helped me healing a little. It took time but, as Mom said when I accidentally let it slip during a call, I had my new beginning to focus on. I was the Pan Am stewardess every girl dreams to be one day.

I still remember the thrill that coursed through my veins as I boarded my first gigantic Boeing 712, destination Tahiti. I don't know how my voice kept appealing and steady as I explained the route and thanked the passengers for choosing Pan American Airways. I had to squeeze my colleague's hand when we took off as my heart was hammering out of the purest joy. Well, that's my life now. My parents and Nancy must have a collection of the postcards I send them from Rio, Honolulu, London, Rome, Berlin, Tokyo...you name a place on the map, I've probably been there at least once. I always send one to the address Noah gave us: I hope he receives them even if his letter are rare these days. I also sent him an autograph by Sandra Dee: last time I checked he had a big crush on her so I couldn't refrain myself when I bumped into her at a celebrity party our crew was invited to. She even pressed a lipstick kiss on the napkin when I told her my brother was a marine serving in Vietnam. I hope the war ends soon: despite what censorship cuts off from his letters, I know him and I know he's not happy there. I want my Noah back, his silly jokes and Rock Hudson look. I wish I would have spotted him waiting in line to check in for a flight to sunny Los Angeles instead of that photographer who "cared for me". I would have run at him full speed and he, turning at the right moment just like in the movies, would have waved at me and pulled me in a long swaying hug. "Long time no see, sister!" he would have laughed and we would have cried tears of joy uncaring of the people watching us. Then I would have ruffled his hair - how he hated that! - and guided him home, where he belonged, not sunny California nor Vietnam. I wasn't so lucky, I got the photographer instead. Despite a couple of years has now passed since that morning I walked out of her messy flat, she looks the same. For a moment I wondered if she'd succeeded in winning that girl's heart back. She's travelling solo as far as I can tell: either she's embarking on a new adventure or running towards someone she loves...or so she thinks. I find hard to believe she knows the difference. I kept walking towards my destination. I'm grateful she didn't see me: we don't have anything else to say to each other. We're strangers now. "Excuse me, ma'am, do you have a lighter?" My train of thoughts derails with the voice of another stranger. I turn my head to find a waitress leaning down on me with a cigarette in her hand. "Oh yes, sure" I pick up my lighter and light her cigarette. She takes a blow and exhales, thanking me. But to my surprise she doesn't walk away. After a moment, during which she probably debated whether to go for it or not, she speaks again. "Actually...do you mind if I join you...?" Her question lingers until I realize she's waiting for me to say my name. "Sadie" I say. "And please, suit yourself" As she takes a seat, I shake my head. "Forgive me, it's been a long day and usually people just read my name on the tag" "Well, Mom taught me not to stare at women's breasts because it's rude: 'look right in the eye and ask, my dear girl, right in the eye', she says" she jokes, shrugging. "How thoughtful!" I laugh and I don't do that just out of curtesy: she's genuinely funny. I take a look at her, I haven't noticed her before: how long she's been working here? To be honest, I hardly pay attention to airport clerks and waiters, I'm always on the go. "So, on a break....?" I add, letting my question lingers just as she did. "Oh yes, my shift started an hour ago but since there's no one here the boss gave us a little extra break-" "Nice but I was hoping to get your name too without looking disrespectfully at your breast, mademoiselle" We look at each other for a while then she burst into laughter and I follow. "Learning from the best, I see" she comments jokingly, catching her breath. "It's Kelsey" I bow my head lightly and we exchange a quick smile. "Pan Am, huh?" she nudges at my uniform as she inhales the smoke. "It shows?" I smile, striking a magazine cover pose that makes her laugh again. "Where did you fly to today? Or yesterday, I should probably say" "Paris" I say, in my best French accent. By the look of wonder that crosses her eyes I can tell she's never been there. Only heard of it. "Wow, romantic" she notes. I chuckle, finishing off my cigarette. "Paris is romantic only if you have a lover to stroll down the Seine with. I'm just a stewardess" I claim and well, it's true: the City of Love is not as romantic without a plus one, even if the girls and I had fun during our land off there, shopping, exploring and dining in lovely bistrot. "I thought you had a companion for your dreamy walk down the river" she shrugs, gesturing to the conspicuous teddybear in beret and striped shirt quietly sitting on a chair at my side. "Oh no, Monsieur Ted and I met in Montmarte. It was a...coup de foudre!" I comment, keeping my face straight long enough to make us both burst into another round of laughters. "It's a gift." I explain. "My best friend has a little girl, it's a gift for her. It's her birthday soon and I promised to be there, I'm sort of an aunt to her. I can't go empty handed and this guy looked nice" Nicole's face softens imperceptibly. "I'm sure she'll love it. I mean, I would have given everything to get a French teddy from my fancy aunt who flies around the world every day" I smile at the compliment. Was it a compliment? I like to think so. "How long have you been working here? I've been based here for a while but I'm afraid I don't remember you" I inquiry, hoping not to offend her. She exhales smoke and gestures it's nothing. "You flight crews are always in a hurry, we don't take it personally" Her lips quickly curl into a shy smile. "It's been a year. Well, it will be a year in a month" she explains. "It's not much but it's an honest job and just what I was looking for. The boss is fair enough and it helps paying the nurse school tuition" "Wanna be a nurse?" "Yeah, I've spent too much time with grandma during my childhood" she chuckles but the hint of a smile suggests she remembers that time quite fondly. "She worked as a nurse during the war and she used to tell me stories of back then...I'm not sure I was supposed to hear all of them but she kept talking. So I ended up being of those weird little girls who had a doll hospital in her bedroom and sew broken teddy bears to cure them. Nurse school sounded like the most logical choice" "That's sweet" I consider. "Why not a doctor though?" "Ah, I'm not sure about it...maybe in the future but I will be happy enough as a nurse, I think" I smile at her earnest answer as she continues nonchalantly. "Just like I'm quite happy now to see flight crews come and go and memorise their order-" "Oh, what's my usual order then?" I tease her. She takes a pause as if I caught her cheating then she guesses right: long black, no sugar, just a drop of milk. I tell her I wish I had her memory when I serve on board. "I'm sure you're doing just fine up there" she smiles encouragely. "And even when I'm not, a nice pair of legs and a charming smile will do the trick, won't they?" I sigh: I might not be too fond of certain looks I receive but that's how things go, I guess. At least, they saved me from getting complaints; on the contrary, on my first flight my supervisor was pleasantly impressed by my "impeccable manners and overall look" as she wrote down on my report. Kelsey opens the mouth to speak again - by the look on her face probably that she didn't mean it like that - but I anticipate her. It's how things go, she must know it too. When I worked at the diner, the costumers refrained from assessing me those looks or pinch me because they had too much respect for my parents. Most of them were long time friends as far as I can remember. So I was quite safe...I hope cute Kelsey is too. A silence falls between us. I immediately wondered if I said something wrong, I'm so used to uncomfortable silence filled with unsaid accusations and complaints that I tense up. But I soon realize that...it's okay. I did nothing wrong, she's silently agreeing with me and maybe pondering what to say next. A look filled with shy curiosity is on her face when she finally speaks again. "Can I ask you something?" "Shoot" She takes a pause as if she's still translating her own thought into words or wondering if she's not crossing a line with her curiosity. "Do you ever get homesick travelling all the time?" That's...not what I was expecting but after all, what was I expecting? Not sure how I can answer that. "Odd question to ask a stewardess" I note, rising my eyebrow and taking time. "I mean, you're always somewhere else, in between places and time zones...one might feels a bit homesick, lost maybe..." Then she shakes her head and falling back to her chair. "I'm sorry I'm just being nosey, that was a silly-" "No, it's an interesting question. I've never given that much thought... I don't know, I've never felt that way, I felt free when I boarded my first plane. I still do when I'm up there in the sky. I think most of us feel that thrill but it's just my point of view. My best friend once argued that mine is not real freedom just a - how did she call it? - oh yes, a strategic retreat so..." I chuckle, reminiscing the conversation Nancy and I had in the kitchen as I helped her with the dishes. The 'concerned sister' look she gave me, handing me a wet dish to dry. 'I'm not saying it's wrong or judging you, Sadie...I have no doubt you're living the exciting life you've always dreamed, God that every girl now dream. But you can't run away forever...' "Maybe it is different if you have something to come back to. That changes things, I suppose. Some miss family, their kids..." I continue. "And you? Do you have something to go back to?" Her question leaves me speechless and gaping. Sure, I have my parents, my friends, Nancy but she has a family of her own now as many others. My brother is far away and out of reach fighting in a war he never fully endorsed. "I don't know" I admit after a moment. Voices come from the main counter urging Kelsey to go back to work. She gives me an apologetic look before searching her pockets. "Well, while you keep looking and flying around the world, at least know that you're always welcome here" She lays a couple of cafe vouchers on the table; then she takes her leave with a gracious smile. "Sadie, Monsieur Ted...it's been a pleasure" "Likewise, Kelsey" I say, waving the teddybear arm. I should probably go home and get some rest: I wasn't joking when I said it's been a long day. I collect my vouchers, pay leaving a generous tip and head to the parking lot. When I wake up in my bed, it's getting dark outside. I brew the third coffee of the day and unpack my bag. As I collect my uniform for the laundry, the vouchers slip off the pocket I secured them into. I make to pick them up when I notice something handwritten behind one of them. I look carefully and it's a phone number with a little airplane doddle to the side. Call me ~ Kelsey

[grapenamjams]

French Knot

Genre: Fluff 

Character: Muriel from The Arcana 

A/N: I just need to tell you all that I am in love with this mountain man he has my whole heart!  

I also wanted to tell you a little bit of my apprentice MC who will be in this story. 

Her name is Eliza (she/her). She is 5′2 has brown wavy hair, brown eyes (with specks of green) she also has adorable freckles across her nose, lastly she has a artic fox, named Nell as a familiar who is enchanted to keep cold during the summer and whenever Nell walks she leaves behind snow prints on the ground (think of what Olaf from frozen has lol) 

oh! she is good at embroidery hence this stories premise, where she is teaching this big boy how to embroider. sooooo  yeah that is my apprentice I hope you like her!  

It was another calming day in the forest, the sound of birds filled the air and a rustle or two amongst the brush could be heard. The warm sun combined with a gentle breeze made it the perfect atmosphere for being outside.

Underneath the shade of the trees lay Inanna with her head resting on her large wolf paws as she tried to ignore the white arctic fox that was running around her wanting a chance to play, leaving white paw prints in the green grass. A few feet away from the canine familiars a little ways from the front of the hut, sat Muriel and Eliza both holding their own embroidery hoops. Ever since Eliza told Muriel that she loved to do embroidery when he was teaching her how to carve small animal figurines from wood he wanted to learn.

 “I want to learn to do something....you like too.” He said as he picked up his animal figuring suddenly finding something to fix when indeed there was nothing else he could do to it. Eliza spotted the red on the tips of his ears and and happily agreed that she would teach him. Muriel loved arts and crafts, if it was carving into wood, creating protective charms, Ever since he was little, when Asra and him would make masks to sell for the masquerade He liked the feeling of knowing that he could create things with his own hands and that they were not only used to destroy. and so, if he could create something of his own in a craft that Eliza enjoyed and made her happy he would do it, no matter how many pricks to the finger he would get by moving the needle through the Cotton fabric. 

 Eliza had showed him the basics. how to create a design, how to outline and how to fill in spaces using satin stitch, with that knowledge he could complete any design he wanted. He had been practicing for days now, if these were the basics then why were they so hard? He grunted when he poked his finger again, a tiny pinch not enough to draw blood. Muriel glanced at Eliza sitting next to him, her face had a peaceful look on it with a small smile pulling on her lips as her hands wove the needle and thread effortlessly, leaving in its wake a Beautiful forest design with different shades of greens and browns. Muriel looks back at his design and huffs in disappointment. His outline was a bit messy the stitches different sizes, but he was determined to finish it so he continued his work in filling the yellow petals.

 Eliza was lost in concentration, her hands moving on their own. repeating the same movements over and over calmed her usually racing mind down. She loved the sound of the needle piercing the fabric and the soft hum of the thread making its way through when she pulled. As she finished her thread and tied it she heard Muriel grunt in annoyance. She couldn’t help but smile, looking over at him she saw his eyebrows furrowed and lips pressed together. It made her heart swell to see him so determined at doing something that she found enjoyable. Eliza loved seeing him thread, his large calloused hands gently pushing and pulling the small needle through at his own pace. although in the beginning he would pull to hard and snap the thread or create a hole in the fabric and he would turn red and apologize for doing so but Eliza laughed softly and reassured him it was okay.

 Peeking over his arm she could see why he was annoyed, he had managed to create a tangle while filling a petal. he was trying his best to undo it but was Causing it to be tangled further. She didn��t want him ruin his work that he had done already.

“How’s It going?” She asks

 “Not.good.” He mumbles back

 She chuckles “I see, you want help?” Muriel nodes shyly and gives her the hoop, she takes it and examines his work. “Muriel you did sunflowers! They look great!” She beams at him, he averts his eyes “I know you like them.” Her heart swells again at the thought of him doing her favorite flowers for her.

 She looks at his piece again and can see that he got better at outlining his filling is a bit loose in some areas causing the tangle. “Looks like you got a tangle, these are common in filling” she picks at the tangle “remember to try to keep your thread a bit tight when filling or else your threads get intertwined when you push the needle back up again.” Muriel hums in understanding beside her, peering over her to see what she was doing. After a few moments she was able to salvage his work and undo the tangle.

 Eliza smiles, happy that she managed to save his carful handiwork. “There you go! You were lucky, some tangles can’t be saved and you would have to start again” she hands him back the hoop, which Muriel takes from her. She pulls her knees up to her chest wrapping her arms around her legs as she looks at Muriel finish up the petal on his last flower and tie it off. He gets the brown thread from the box which holds all of Eliza’s embroidery supplies. He separates the thread causing him to move his arms making the muscles there move and Eliza feels her face get slightly warm from watching. He is good at putting the thread through the needle first try once done he goes to start on the center of the flower but Eliza speaks up.

 “There’s a stitch that is mainly done for sunflowers to make it seem a bit more realistic, I can teach it to you?” She looks up at Muriel and automatically smiles at him. he looks at her, notices her smile and his face has the smallest tint of red on his cheeks, he nodes “okay.” Enjoying the feeling of how teaching him something new makes her happy. Eliza scoots closer to him to see his hands. “Alright! So this is called a French knot.” “What’s French?” He asks curiously from above her. Eliza pauses she never really had given thought to the name before. “Um, I’m not sure? Maybe it’s from the place it was created? Or maybe... it sorta sounds like a bread” She thinks, Muriel gives a chuckle “you always think about bread.” She hums at the idea of getting some warm bread from the bakery, “because bread is good! I can’t help myself, it’s soft goodness is a blessing I say” Muriel shakes his head and chuckles at her, ‘so Appreciative of the small things.’

Eliza Focus her attention away from the idea of fresh bread and starts to explain. “So the knot is pretty simple but might take a few tries so don’t worry. First, start your stitch” Muriel pulls the thread through at the center. “Then you wrap some of the thread around the needle twice” the big man follows as instructed “good, now pierce through near the same point you came through, and make sure to keep holding the rest of the thread in your left so it can make the knot tight...aaaaand go through” Muriel moves the needle through but dosnt manage to create the knot instead the thread disappears all the way through. She sees him pout “I didn’t do it.” He says, she pats his shoulder “it’s okay, it took me a bit to get them too but you have the movements down, it’s all about this left hand here that’s holding the rest of the thread, depending how tight you pull determines the firmness of the knot”

“Hmm I wasn’t pulling that hard...that’s why it disappeared” Eliza nodes “right!”

“How...tight does it have to be?”

“Hmm it’s best if I show you, so you can feel it” Eliza leans over him placing her hands on his, she could feel Muriel suck in a breath at her closeness  and it makes her blush. This was an awkward angle she was leaning sideways and couldn’t really help him thread. “hold on I can show you better like this” Eliza Scoots towards Muriel and gently moves his arms away so they are opened as if for a hug, she then sits down in front of him her back resting lightly against his broad chest. She places her small hands on his large gentle ones and begins to do the same motions she taught him guiding his hands.

 Once she was seated in front of him Muriel’s head stopped working. all he could focus on was her body pressing against his large one, he covered her with his body protecting her from all sides. They had sat like this many times in front of the fire at night but it never fails to make him flustered, he doesn't know if he will ever get truly used to touch from all of the years he was starved from it. But despite that He finds himself leaning forward seeking out her comfort, he can feel his heart beating hard against his chest as Eliza moves his hands while explaining to him the technique, but his concentration was elsewhere.

He looked at her pink lips as they moved, he tried to count the small freckles that laid across the bridge of her nose and looked at the way her eyes turned a honey brown with hints of green hidden inside them underneath the sun. The light from the ever descending sun touched her face making her seem to glow. Or maybe that was just the way he always looks at her, a glowing light in his dark world.

He loved her. In all his life he didn’t think he would fall in love with Someone the way he had with her. In moments like these is where he thanked every being that was in charge of fate and chance for bringing her into is life and was especially thankful to her for not giving up on him, for understanding him and staying by his side even when he pushed her away. of course thoughts of her forgetting him and leaving still haunted the back of his mind. They brought a great pain to his heart at the thought of Eliza forgetting about him and all they had shared together. For so long he wanted to be forgotten by the world, saw it as a gift come true, when it was made possible. but with her, he never wants to be erased from her memory, her remembering him is enough even if they do part ways he wants to live in her memories. her being with him right now is more than he could ever ask for and he would hold on to her for as long as he could.

 Muriel realizes that he had rested his chin on her shoulder when Eliza gives a tug on his left hand finishing off the center of the flower with the knots she taught him. She ends the thread and holds up the hoop for both of them to look at as she fully leans back into him. Muriel raises his head to look and feels a bit guilty that he hadn’t been listening to her.

 “And there you go, it looks so nice Muriel! You did good” Eliza exclaims, she turns her head to look at his face and finds that he is looking down at her with a soft smile on his lips. Her eyes widen a bit as she realizes how close they are to each other. Muriel must have realized too because his face goes red. his eyes flicker to her lips and back up to her eyes quickly then back to her lips “you...um...are a good teacher...I guess”

 recovering Eliza smiles as his flustered state “Oh am I?” she says.  He nodes. “Well...I think it’s because you are a good learner” her hand reaches out to cup his cheek and with that she gives him a kiss, she pulls back slowly wanting to see what Muriel would do with the action. To her satisfaction, Muriel leans forward capturing her lips again with his. He drops the hoop and wraps his arms around her small waist pulling her into his large frame. He lets out a small hum against her as he kisses her again.

 Eliza pulls back with a smile on her lips to catch her breath and let her heart calm down, making the mountain man let out a grunt of disappointment, but just as quickly as he did  a blush forms on his cheeks, Muriel hides his face on the crook of her neck in embarrassment.

 “You must like these lessons, huh?” Eliza teases him.

 “I think I might need more of them....if you want that is” Muriel mumbles against her shoulder. Eliza laughs “of course” she reaches her hand to his head and brushes her fingers through his dark hair “we can have all the lessons you want” Muriel tightens his hold on her from the feeling of her hand in his hair. He gives a small peck to her neck “good.”

 For a few moments they stayed like this hearing the sounds of the forest as the animals within were getting ready to say goodbye to the day. each other’s presences was so soothing that Eliza was tempted to fall asleep. But a loud grumble Broke through the serene atmosphere. Eliza’s face turns bright red as she jolts up and clutches her stomach who was the one to blame for the grumbling. “S-sorry!” She squeaks, Muriel laughs at the noise coming from such a small figure and how its now her whose hiding her face against his chest. “I guess that means it’s time for dinner?” He says with a smile and he rubs her stomach, Eliza giggles at the sensation. There was a small pause until Muriel speaks up again “how about we go to that bakery you like?”

 Eliza sits up surprise on her face. “Really? Are you okay with going? We don’t have too, there’s food inside. I’m good with eating the food that’s here” Muriel smiles at her rambling, knowing that she would settle for eating here so he wouldn’t have to go out makes his heart flutter. she always wants to make him comfortable as can be, always looking out for him he’s so appreciative of it that’s why he wants her to be always happy and content. and so if that means going out to the city to go to her favorite bakery then he will do it. for her.

 He shakes his head “if you want. We can go. There’s maybe not a lot of people out” he looks at the evening sky, the wind changing into a chillier breeze. He looks back down when he feels cold paws on his thigh, he reaches and pets the Arctic fox who closes its eyes at the affection. He turns back to Eliza “I think Nell wants to go too.” He says, earning a laugh from her which catches her familiars attention and goes to her sitting on her lap. Eliza scratches Nell’s head, making small snowflakes fall onto her skirt. “Well I think that settles dinner then?” Eliza talks to her fox and looks up at Muriel “I would love to go with you” he feels the all to well known warmth on his face and dares himself to lean over to her and kiss Eliza on the forehead “then let’s get going.”

[yourehereyourereal]

BLADES BLADES BLADES

(long rambling post about the finale ahead)

I simply have no words. @playchoices this book is FREAKING GOD-TIER and I LOVE IT SO MUCH and I don't say this lightly. I can honestly be singing praises to Blades until the end of my days. I fell in love with it at first sight but it was aging like a fine wine with every chapter and becoming even better. I really hope book 2 will be equally powerful and I believe in the writers and the team, they've got to deliver. I don't even mind for them taking the time, even though I will miss the book so much. It was my greatest quarantine joy and made the first half of my 2020. Here are my messy thoughts about the finale because I have finally found something new to nerd out about and Blades deserves all the love in the world.

First, the fight was epic. The Shadow Court lady was gorgeous, even though we had to end her. Nia the Dreadlord was SO ICONIC. The way she wanted to break through the darkness, how she controlled it, and her self-sacrifice. Speaking of which, I really regret not letting the timer run out, because, from the experience of Bloodbound, I knew there had to be something interesting, but I didn't have much time to think and kinda assumed that if you don't kill Nia she just kills herself or the Dreadlord does it or something. But I saw screenshots of everyone dying and... wow. It especially hit me how Tyril fought until the end, even when he was already stabbed - characters with that much inner passion and determination are my everything, and it was so sad and definitely how he didn't deserve to go. I'm kind of a sucker for dark endings that show "what could have been" and aren't actually canon or can be avoided (like in It Lives series), because they have a lot of depth and this alternate reality makes you really appreciate the times with your LI and friends.

The Nia art was AHHHHHHH. How come this book blessed me with such amazing, epic LIs and I'm supposed to choose between them??? I adore all of them, but I have a special soft spot for Nia and Tyril since their stories are truly god-tier. I romanced Nia from the very first chapter (and then Imtura a bit), but switched to Tyril recently, and I don't regret it one bit because he's amazing and incredible and I love him so much. But during these scenes where MC told Nia to resist darkness I was constantly thinking of how it would hit differently if I romanced Nia until the end, because I'm a MASSIVE SUCKER for tropes when someone's pure love breaks the spells or darkness in the other person. It kinda reminded me of the Bloodbound finale when the LI did it for us. I just have to replay one day and romance Nia, even though it will be sooo hard for me not to flirt with Tyril.

I knew the fandom would explode at the option of flirting with Aerin. I myself am not a huge fan of romancing him but I chose the seduction option anyway because I was curious, and it failed me because I didn't have history with him which cracked me up so much 😂 Then Kade punched him and it was truly something - you go, Kade! I wonder what consequences will it have in book 2, I was almost debating setting him free so we could see him again. He was a good villain. I also laughed at the "sack of potatoes" line.

MC with the Blade of Light was just... I FELT that writing. Like there was fire inside them. Like they were fire. Speaking of which, the writing in the finale was so, so good, I can't remember when it was that good for the last time. It was worth all the hiatuses.

THE SCENE WITH MEDALS GAVE ME SUCH A HUGE STAR WARS A NEW HOPE ENDING VIBE. I was so proud of the squad, they've come so far and reached a better understanding of themselves on a personal level.

I played a 30 diamond scene with Tyril and I'm speechless. I honestly don't know where I can ever find someone like him because he raises my relationship standards so highly. It was wonderful to go on a real date with him and have some relaxed fun as a couple. He said "my MC" and oh my freaking God that was awesome. Their romantic exchanges are always the best. They are cute, poetic, sincere and don't feel forced. There were so many indications of true love between them, and it's like PB wanted to feed us Tyril stans well today because the scene was simply neverending (I was playing it for such a long time, it seemed endless) and they just kept professing their love for each other and that's how you write satisfying, amazing diamond scenes that you don't regret buying and would buy all over again (take note, Witness). I'm a huge Damien Nazario stan and finally I found a LI with diamond scenes that are just as epic and emotionally charged as his. I feel like Tyril and MC's dynamics even remind me of Damien and MC's a little bit (and the two do have some similarities, but I'll probably make another post about it someday)

And the sex!!! I'm not a huge smut fan because I'm ace/demisexual and those things are not very relatable for me (that's also why books like The Nanny Affair are a bit cringe to me, just not my piece of cake), but I LOVE good sex scenes where the two characters have a strong emotional connection and genuine love for each other (totally a demisexual point of view). I was smiling and giggling like a little girl, especially when they were talking about making sounds and doing it in public (again, I somehow thought back to the Eiffel Tower scene with Damien/Dames and it made me laugh). And then he said those beautiful things like "you complete me" and ahhhh... Tyril loves us so much. We love him so much, too. MC just wants to be with him and assures that he grew as a person, even if he always doubts himself. It's true, he had the most amazing character development.

I will have to fully stick to romancing Nia on the next replay, I'm curious what her diamond scene was like. I have a feeling it's just as adorable and wholesome and has a lot of complexity. God, I really felt for a second like she's gonna die, PB gave me a scare as it did feel final and I was like "did they really just...?". I don't know much about other LI scenes but I heard Imtura's was cute (and you could shout "that's my orc girlfriend" which itself is great), and Mal wanted to open the orphanage and wow I'm so proud. On a related note, it's freaking great that they give all LIs similar scenes but don't copy-paste their dialogues like in some books, there are clear differences as they all have a unique distinctive personality. And, I forgot to mention that Threep and Loola are the best bat-kitties! (even though they wouldn't approve of this term)

I was on my second hour of playing that chapter (yeah, it was like, the longest one ever! Maybe it's because I was excitedly sharing screenshots with a friend and freaking out the whole time) when the book finally seemed to be coming to an end. I love how my MC fell asleep in Tyril's arms and then we had this nightmare that foreshadowed book 2. I'm glad they gave us a glimpse of what to expect (imagine if we didn't know it will have a sequel, plus the finale had a bit of a standalone feeling, and then boom! Surprise). I fully hope this book will have a book 2, book 3, and a Christmas special 😂 It's just so, so incredible, and this universe deserves expanding like no other.

I hope PB knows how we all collectively love it, and I also hope they'll learn from the success of Blades and will write more books where the funny banter and serious moments are balanced, the friendship group feels natural and like a family, the plots are breathtaking and the LIs are god-tier. It's obvious how much heart Andrew and the crew put into it, and I'll be patiently waiting for book 2, however long it takes. Hopefully, not too long, but like they said, masterpieces take time to create!

[friendlybowlofsoup]

What would the ROs reaction be if Mc said 'I would die for you'? (both in pre-relationship and deep into the relationship)

♡( ◡‿◡ ) Thanks for sending this in! I’ve been in the mode for angst, however, I’ll just do the reactions for deep in the relationship. For pre-relationship, the ROs would still feel similar to the below, but the nuance isn’t as deep because the love hasn’t had time to really foster.

(Also, we are assuming here that MC can actually die normally, and therefore, their words are more permanent, for max emotions.)

Edit: I messed up a line in Spider’s part, sorry qq

–

Qiu hates the sentiment, but he cannot argue with it because the same thought burns through his mind each time he holds you, each time he kisses you. However, he cannot die for you. He has obligations and promises to fulfill, a duty that his life is already tied to, so even if he understands and longs to do the same, he wishes you didn’t say it out loud. There’s something solid about that vow when you give voice to it, and the thought of you dying for him twists his stomach into bitter, bile knots. He wants to dissuade you, but he sees the love and emotion on your face, and falters.

So instead, he stares into your eyes, to see how much you mean it, and then rests his forehead to yours. His silence is an acceptance to your words, but he buries his face into the crook of your neck and prays, fervently, that it will never come to that.

–

An, at first, accepts it with a happy smile, taking it as another proof of your affections, and says the same. It isn’t until you’re nearly taken from her, does she realize the finality of the promise, and she hates it. No matter how stubborn you are, she won’t accept it. She cannot. You cannot give your life to her—if her time comes, then you must let it pass. She promises you that she will do the same for you, and even though it hurts to say it, she means it. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself knowing that you’ve sworn to do something so drastic for her, it would haunt her forever.

She intertwines your fingers with hers in a painful grip, and makes you take back what you’ve said. She will beg if she has to, and will fold into your arms if that is what it takes, but she won’t rest until you’ve agreed.

–

Min He is furious. Her eyes harden to a silver so sharp, the clouds are all cut away. She doesn’t want your life, she has never wanted your life—dying for her, sacrificing yourself for her—she doesn’t need a martyr, and she isn’t so weak to need to be protected. She begs you to never say that again, the thought of you dying for her wracks her with so much guilt, she can hardly stand it. To hear you say this feels like the beginning of a tragedy, like a prelude to a nightmare, and she must stop it before it turns into truth.

Her hand covers your mouth, and when she speaks, you shiver at how cold her voice had become. Then, she softens, as she always does, and when the tension sighs out of her, you notice that her hand shakes when she holds you, as if she’s terrified of what you might do.

–

Kaski snarls at you because he doesn’t need those words. He keeps hold of your jaw, and suddenly it feels like your first night on the mountain again, with you stunned before him, unable to say a word as his voice cuts into you like a knife. He forces you to think, to reconsider your words, because what good is it, dying for a cursed spirit? Let his time come when it comes. Stay out of it. That is his end to meet, and he will not have you, with all the years you have left, steal it from him.

He kisses you suddenly, forcefully, as if to devour those words of yours before they can stick to your mind. His fingers bruise your hips, and only when your breath begins to falter, does he release you with eyes of fire.

–

Xinyi doesn’t want to hear it. He knows how you feel, he gets it, but he cannot accept it. He cherishes your feelings, he forever counts his blessings that you chose him, but he will not let you die for him. You cannot forget that he is human, that he will die no matter what you do, and that any sacrifice made on his behalf will only prolong the inevitable. He’s accepted that this love is selfish, and he apologizes because he only brings you pain, but if you love him, you cannot bind your life to him. That is the one, and only condition he has for you.

He grips your hand firmly and he asks you to reconsider. As always, he bends to the warmth of your affection, but even if his voice wavers as his courage cracks, he refuses to give in, no matter what you say.

–

Hiemi feels immensely guilty for making you feel that way. The word sacrifice sings endlessly in her head and her heart wrenches because to die for love is not something she can commit to, nor is it something she ever wants from you. She is not worth dying for. She knows it, because it’s true. Her goals and ambitions are messy, unclean, and she’s worked so hard to not get you too involved, so you cannot go dying for her. You must not, no matter what.

She motions you to come closer, and then cups your cheeks softly. With soft, loving strokes, she smooths the skin under your eyes. She realizes that if you’re serious, she cannot deter you, but she has to try. She’d never be able to rest otherwise.

–

Go Ro asks you, coolly, if he seems so weak that he would ever need you to die for him. Why do you think he works every day like he’s shackled to his desk—for fun? Because he likes it? Every prayer, every brush stroke, every second he spends is to become stronger. He’s gaining power so he can protect himself and protect you, so that you will both survive whatever storm is coming, because he has every intention of enjoying some semblance peace by the end of it.

He grasps your jaw and your heart twists when you feel how gentle his touch is, how the pads of his fingers ghost across your skin despite the bitterness of his words. He softens, just a fraction, and demands that you banish the notion from your mind. Forget about dying for him. He will not allow it.

–

Chun winces and her hand immediately clamps down onto her shoulders, as if remembering a wound that was no longer there. She snaps at you to stop talking, and briskly changes the subject. She doesn’t want to dwell on the implications. She doesn’t want you to think about the implications. She is touched by what you’ve said, and knowing you care so deeply for her does make her happy, but she doesn’t want you to express it like this. Life is so precious, so precarious and so sparingly kind—you must treasure it, not give it to some wayward witch, no matter how much you love her.

When she’s cooled off, she rests her head against your back and hugs you silently. She swears to herself to never give you the chance to make good on your words, but says nothing when you ask her what’s wrong.

–

Spider goes very still. His heart lurches, elated and devasted all at once because he knows you mean it, and that you love him so much makes him lightheaded. However, as he considers the thought of living without you, of having to watch you disappear for him, he realizes he cannot handle it. Slowly, he admits that he would do the same, but even saying that feels wrong too. He doesn’t want to die for you, he wants to live with you, for as long as he can, and that’s a promise he feels more comfortable with giving.

So he kisses you, a vow in and of itself, to seal his words into your mind so you never forget why he fell in love with you in the first place. He wants to be with you, and that’s a two-person act, so you have to try your damnedest to stay alive with him, no matter what it takes.

[mystic-messenger-writing]

Can u do something where Mc dies and The rfa boys are left to take care of thier kid by themselves?

adehuwqnahfqf I LOVE ANGST REQUESTS!!! Idk why but I love angst but even though I don’t think I’m the best at writing angsty stuff, I will try my best with this one! These also got kinda long so I’m putting them under the cut. So thank you for the request and I hope that you enjoy! ^^

Yoosung

Being blessed with a healthy baby boy was suppose to be the greatest gift for you and Yoosung

But it turned out to be a nightmare for Yoosung

It was only one week after giving birth to your son, you had lost so much blood and your body never fully recovered from it

You had to stay at the hospital for that week, it was longest week of Yoosung’s life

Once the doctor’s pronounced you deceased, Yoosung thought his own heart stopped beating

At first, he became like his former self, resorting to playing video games and cutting off communication from the other RFA members

But he knew deep down that he needed to take care of his son, that his little boy’s wellbeing was what needed to be attended to and not his own saddness

For the first few weeks, another RFA member had to be with Yoosung and the baby since Yoosung was too unstable and upset to be left alone with a newborn

One night, Yoosung heard his son crying and got up to tend to him and as he held his little boy in his arms, he thought of you

Maybe it was all the sleepless nights or the fresh memories of you, but Yoosung couldn’t stop himself from crying

His cries became loud sobs as he held his son close to his chest, wishing with all his heart that you would be here with him

The baby boy’s crying stopped as he stared up at his father, gently patting at his wet cheeks while making baby noises at him

Yoosung looked down at his son with widened eyes, he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, his own newborn son was trying to comfort him

From that night on, Yoosung was determined to be a good father to his little boy

He believed that no matter where you were, you wanted Yoosung and your son to be happy

Although there were plenty of tough, depressing days, Yoosung made sure to always take care of and give you son enough love

And when he was older, Yoosung would always gush to your son about how wonderful and amazing you were and how he knew you loved your son more than anything

Zen

When you found out that you were going to have a little baby girl, Zen was over the moon

He was so excited to start a family with you, to see how your child would look, what their personality was, and to have a new little one to love

Throughout your pregnancy, you were having complications, making Zen a nervous wreck

You went into labor two months before your baby was due and with all of the complications, your body was extremely weak and frail

Zen held your hand as you took your last breath, making him promise to look after and protect your daughter

With his heart absolutely shattered, Zen felt himself into a deep, dark depression

If it wasn’t for his little girl, Zen knew he would’ve done something drastic to himself

But he decided to fulfill your dying wish, giving your daughter the love she needed

When the newborn would be upset and cry, Zen would hold her gently in his arms and sing your favorite songs to her to calm her down

He always found it funny how singing your favorite songs seemed to be the only solution to calm down his crying daughter

When she was old enough and asked where her mommy was and Zen had to painfully explain that you were in a better place

The look of utter sadness on her face broke Zen’s heart, he brought her small frame into his chest for a long hug

He promised that wherever you were, you were watching over them and that they should both keep being happy and smile for you

So Zen and his little girl did just that and even though there were sad and even what seemed like unbearable days, Zen and his daughter knew that you loved them and lived happy lives.

Jumin

You and Jumin seemed to have the perfect life with the welcomed addition of a new baby girl

It had been a year since you had given birth to your daughter when you started having health issues

Jumin will never forget the horror and anxiety he felt the day he found you unresponsive, he was getting up to go to work when he realized you were no longer breathing

He blamed your doctors, screaming at them for not noticing your declining health sooner

All Jumin wanted to do want drink his guilt and anger away, that is until he remembered it was his daughter’s first birthday

Jumin carefully lifted his daughter and sat down, smiling sadly as he looked at the messy cake you prepared for your little girl

His daughter smiled and reached for the cake, getting the colorful icing all over her hands and smearing it all over Jumin’s cheeks and hands

It had been the first time in so long since Jumin let out a laugh, he let out a sigh and gently cleaned up his messy daughter

He knew that as much as he wanted to blame others for your passing, his main priority was making sure his daughter was taken care of

So Jumin started working less hours to come home to see his little girl sooner, only allowing V to watch his precious child in while he was at work

He made sure his daughter and Elizabeth became best friends, feeling a sense of pride as Elizabeth would always stand guard as the baby slept

As she grew older, Jumin told his daughter all about you and how much she looked like you

Jumin’s once cold, empty heart slowly started healing as his daughter grew and even though he knew he still had a long way to go with the healing process, Jumin was starting to look forward to the future once again

Seven

You and Seven couldn’t believe that you were pregnant, it was truly the happiest moment of your lives

The birth of your son was tough, but you managed it with all of Seven’s love and encouragement

Things seemed to be perfect with your little family, for once in his life Seven felt truly happy

That is, until one day when Seven was driving you and your little two year old boy home from a fun day at the park

Everything seemed to flash before Seven’s eyes, a car suddenly hit into his and when he woke up, he heard the news that you didn’t make it

What hurt worst of all was the person driving the car that hit his was a drunk alcoholic mother, it was like his own mother was still trying to ruin his life and haunt him

Seven fell into a deep depression, shutting himself out from everyone and staying locked up in his room as his brother and Vanderwood took care of his son

One particular day when your son wouldn’t stop crying, Saeran barged into his brother’s room and demanded he take care of his son

Seven still felt a heavy ache in his heart, but hearing his son’s cries made him realize that his little boy needed him

So he reluctantly left his bedroom and went to his crying baby, awkwardly picking him up and trying to calm him down

His son’s screams only increased as Saeran covered his ears and told his brother to do something to make his child happy

Seven lit up as he brought his son to his own bedroom and carefully pulled out a photo album with pictures of you and Seven in it

He talked in a gentle voice to his son as he showed him pictures of you and himself being silly and in love, explaining to your tiny child all the details regarding the photo

Finally calming down, the little boy looked intently at the pictures, pointing happily at the ones with you and Seven smiling

Seven smiled himself and softly kissed his son’s forehead, finally starting to feel a little bit better after opening up about you

As time went on, Seven slowly started to heal with the help of his son, knowing that even though you were gone, he would do whatever it took to make your son happy and loved

[saphyhowl]

Great, then can I ask for a the Black army Version of them taking care of the tired MC　(〃ω〃)

Hey there! Sorry for the delay. I hope you will enjoy it. @rairahimesama this one is for you as well :3 Have a great read and day/night!

Aftercare HC : Black Army

Sirius

-Tiny MC was reaching out to him as she was trying to sit up.

-“What is it little lady?”

-When she explains she can’t stand up or reach out to grab a glass of water, he chuckles.

-Gives her a towel to clean up and a glass of water.

-He gets her fresh clothes, detangles her messed up hair.

-His gestures are gentle and caring. He is slow because he is sleepy but also because he is basking in the moment.

-Ensures the pillows are fluffy enough so she can rest properly.

-He does suggest giving her a massage. Since his hands are skilled, he shouldn’t have any issues. But Sirius feels self-conscious, yes he does, he touched her for so long, their bodies were literally entangled a while ago, maybe MC needed her space. Especially since her body feels sore.

-While he is brooding, MC sits up and places her pillow closer to his, making sure there would be little space separating them.

-Sirius melts and carefully snuggles closer to her.

-Spooning time until she falls asleep. Sirius makes sure she sleeps in a comfortable position, that the blanket cover her fully. Refills her glass in case she wakes up and he is sleeping and unable to help her.

Ray

-Freezes…It happened…This intimate moment occurred in his life.

-Feels blessed, could fall asleep basking in bliss. But MC sighing caught his attention.

-She is snuggly in his arms, but her frown and squirming got him worried.

-“I’m still a little…shaky~”

-Ray is now wide awake, how on earth could he sleep when guilt was crushing him.

-Helps her sit up, gives her one of his pyjama tops.

-Apologies, stutters and stops thinking.

-They both can’t fall asleep for some reason, too much excitement, eagerness to still enjoy each other’s presence.

- Ray pics a book of poetry and pics the one that convey best his feelings. He reads it out loud to MC.

-They both blush and snuggle closer. Ray is the first to sleep. His regular breathing helps MC relax and she can soon join him.

Fenrir

-MC is sitting next to Fenrir, gazing at him while he grins at her still lying in the bed.

-When MC suggest they take a bath, Fenrir stretches and accepts.

-Has no trouble getting up while tiny MC is struggling to cover herself.

- He gives her his shirt and helps her close the buttons.

-When he sees her legs trembling and how she is wobbling, he gives her a sorry smile

-Carries her piggyback style and places her in the empty bathtub. He lets the water run down her body, to help her relax.

-Washes her up first and then himself.

-Carries her back to bed.

-She falls asleep on his back.

-His brain stops working, does not know how to put her on the bed without making her fall or wake up.

-Careful sits down on the bed and lays on his side, with tiny MC still sleeping and clinging to his back.

 Luka

-Mortified when he realised his love and passion took the better of him.

-How did she feel? Was she ok? Sure she expressed how pleased she was, but still there could be even a tiny part she disliked. Worse, did he hurt her?

-MC notices his stress and snuggles closer to him. She assures him that even she is exhausted she loved it.

-They both are clumsy with words. It’s difficult to put in words how they feel about each other, because there are none to capture perfectly their love for each other.

-He helps her put on back her clothes, he gives her water and inquires several times if she is hurting or if she needs anything.

-She just wants to rest right now and so he lets her sleep in his arms. They face each other and Luka caresses her hair, gazing at her with so much love in his eyes it should be illegal.

-Luka waits that she falls asleep and then finally he can sleep as well. He just needs to be sure she is fine before he can even relax.

-Rises early for his morning training but this time he gets up even earlier to prepare breakfast.

-Heart shaped pancakes, red berries, chocolate dipped strawberries. Despite his aversion for sweet food, he wants to go all out for MC’s breakfast.

-He is as red as the berries when he finds MC awake and clapping her hands excitedly when she notices the breakfast. There is no way he can leave her now; she is way too cute munching on her pancakes.

  Seth

-Brushes MC’s hair, whispers sweet nothings.

-MC has no time to tell Seth she is tired; he is already tending to her every need. As if he hadn’t done enough for her already.

-Water with slices of lemon, damp cloths to freshen up and clean up. Lavender scented oil. A set of fresh fruits to get MC her energy back.

-Seth had even already chosen the shirt from his wardrobe he would give MC. Hence, he gives it to her.

-Has matching pyjamas ready as well if MC prefers.

-Scoops her up in his arms and rocks her to sleep, still whispering to her how much he loves her.

-Asks her what she would like to do the next day, because he plans to continue spoiling her.

-Lots of giggles and kisses, it’s difficult to find sleep as they are constantly drawn to each other.

-Seth instinctively brushes her hair even in his sleep.

-They both are messy sleepers so starfish mode is a given.

[peachiikawa]

ok ive never posted my mcs before but i wanted to do the chart thats been floating around for them!

My first mc is Yuu! Yuu grew up in the human world with only his sister and provided for the both of them. For a short while he had dropped out of school in order to work, but only up until he lost his sister. After that he was lost for a little bit but got back up on his feet to finish his GED, at least. He later found out about the exchange program and that was that. He is a very kind person who doesnt know how to not butt into someones business if he knows their heart is hurting. This has led him to becoming pretty good friends with the angels especially Luke because Yuu just feels the need to baby him. Hes very protective and wont back down in a fight even if hes outmatched. His relationship with Belphie was a rough start. Belphie wanted nothing to do with Yuu but due to Yuu’s persistent personality Belphie eventually broke down and let Yuu inside his walls. Yuu isnt a messy person and actually enjoys cleaning — he finds it almost calming — though dont ask him to cook cause hes just as bad as Solomon.

My next mc is Yuki! Yuki is also from the human realm and is an average girl who comes from a family where average just isnt good enough. Despite trying to be the best daughter she could be she was never good enough to garner any praise or attention from her parents. Being accepted into this exchange program was almost a blessing for her. Yuki tries her best to always have a smile on her face and doesnt like sharing her feelings much. Her first friend in the Devildom was Solomon and actually became pretty close with him. Shes kind of nervous around the brothers besides Mammon, Levi, and Satan — though it took a while before she warmed up to Satan. Its hard to provoke her as most of the time she just drowns it out and ignores it, a skill she picked up from her time with her parents. Reading has been something shes always loved as she got live vicariously through the characters in her novels and that love doesnt change when she gets to the Devildom. When she finds out about Satans love for books as well thats when she starts warming up to him.

[guacameowle]

V’s After End - Notes / Opinion

Below the cut will be my reactions, opinions, & spoilers for V’s After Ending episodes & endings. There’s a sprinkling of ~thirst~ & a lot of confusion/screaming throughout. I am afraid I haven’t gone back to proofread the episode reactions, so they’re likely a little messy & misspelled. 

Episode reactions are at the top, separated by episode & endings. Long-winded opinion/discussion about the route itself is at the bottom.

Journey below at your own risk! xx

Episode 1

80 hourglasses for EPISODE ONE? Oh this man is EXPENSIIIIVE. How many episodes is this going to be? 8 TOTAL?! Goodness.

JUDGE OR FORGIVE?! Who am I judging & forgiving? Jihyun? Rika? Cauuuuuse... uhhhh.... that might change my answers a bit (a lot)

So this means there is going to be multiple endings, yeah?!

Probably hasn’t even kissed you yet & is already packing up, leaving, & asking you to wait for him. I WAIT FOR NO MAN (Jk I waited for this man for over a year. Fuck.)

Oh shiiiit. He’s leaving me his house?! Ok, I’ll wait. Have fun storming the castle! *waves*

Excuse me but does the news screen on Jumin’s tv in his room show a picture of Rika & a caption underneath that says “More Catfood”???

The bottom of the news reel also says “Does Jumin Han is Gay?” Please, release us. Let it die.

JUUUMIIIIN. DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF. Let us comfort each other in these trying times. *waggles eyebrows*

JAEHEE COMING THROUGH WITH SOME GODDAMN SENSE & LOGIC. MY GIRL!

SOMEONE GET THIS MAN HIS WINE! Ohhh, nevermind he’s been drinking too much. Let’s have some water now, Juju.

This man is mourning & distraught. I am so sad for him. & now they’re making him dependent on alcohol to relieve his stress? Uh, I don’t like where this is going.

If anything happens to Jumin in this ending I swear...

WE HAVE CHATS TOO?! Damn what a complex update!

Wait, Zen WANTS to see MC & Jihyun being lovey dovey? Zen’s an imposter. He’s been replaced. That’s the real secret of this After End.

Oh wait, he said he was lying. Whew.

It is weird giving replies in chats & not seeing little colorful hearts flying everywhere…

Zen coming in HOT with the “Do you think you can forgive Rika?” question. Woooow.

You bet your ass I asked if anyone has heard anything from Ray. I’m going to cry.

NEW SEVEN CG! SO CUTE! VANDERWOOD IN THE RAFT! SO CUUUUUTE!

“He’s an adorable shy man.” Instantly chose this option. Vanderwood is cuuuute. Yes, Seven, please tell Vandy that I called him adorable & shy. Then tell me his reply. Then give him my number.

Yoosung’s got a package. I’M SURE HE DOES. ::eyes emoji::

OH SHIT, JUMIN DROPPING THE DNA BOMB. Wait, riddle me why the fuck Jumin had access to Seven’s DNA in the first place...

Poor Seven, I thought he had already sort of knew/assumed the hacker was his twin. But I guess he didn’t really know until now?

Looks like I’m on the “FORGIVE” path. Unlocked a Jumin’s VA free chat. Alriiiight.

Episode 2

Ray? Omg my eyes teared up. IS HE ALIVE?! WHAT KINDA SHORT TEASE OF A VOICE IS THAT?! OMFGGGGG. D:

Episode 2 & I’m already fucking crying. Great. Awesome. Lovely.

Honestly, I’m glad they’re having this discussion about V keeping all this information to himself about Saeran’s existence & use within Magenta because that’s always had me side-eyeing V HARD. I’m still of the opinion that he should have told at least Seven & Jumin about everything sooner. I get that he wanted to save Rika, but he was responsible for Saeran. I’m still heated.

SAEYOUNG HAS GONE ROGUE!

Mailman route when?! Kidding. His voice is nice though.

“Burn the letter” JESUS, MC. CALM IT DOWN.

RIKA WENT MISSING. OMFGGGG. THIS AFTER END! I JUST WANTED TO KISS JIHYUN. WHAT THE FRICK FRACK IS GOING ON?!

“We found remnants of DNA that matched with those of Luciel scattered about in the remains of Magenta. Since the explosion was of no ordinary size….” My heart hurts. My head hurts. My soul hurts.

This super sad music is just making me feel worse. I hate this. I’m crying again. I’m getting emotional whiplash.

Ray deserved better. Full stop.

Rika & Saeyoung left alone & Ray’s theme starts playing. How fucking dare this game fuck with me. I’m literally lying on the floor in a ball, playing this game & crying. What the hell.

For a second I saw Saeyoung making that fist in the CG & thought he was about to punch Rika.

Wow can y’all believe Jihyun basically Noped the Fuck Out of his own After End?

Hey Siri, turn off Rika’s voice.

Seven is dropping a lot of truth. ::quietly sips my tea::

God, Saeyoung’s prayer to Saeran is heartbreaking. Props to this VA though, damn he’s good.

Still on the “FORGIVE” path. I’m going to have fun going back & taking the judgement path.

Episode 3

Jumin “THERE WILL BE NO MORE SECRETS” Han fucking coming through! My boy! God, I love him so much.

First sun reference we’ve had. I thought there would be more by now.

Jihyun is out there falling in love with an MC in his head that he’s hardly spoken with since he left. That… can’t be healthy, my dude.

Jumin showing up in the goddamn woods in his suit is hot.

Jumin Han is so so good, y’all. This conversation between him & Saeyoung is absolutely amazing. He’s doing his best to comfort & protect at the same time. He asked about Saeran. He’s encouraging Saeyoung to live, helping him understand he’ll come out of this pain & find new reasons to live. He’s struggling too, but he’s doing so much to reach out & help Saeyoung.

The line about creating a new family, one without blood ties, broke me.

Uhhhh…. who was that? “We found him but that woman is with him.” Saeyoung & Rika?

THE STRESS GAVE ZEN A PIMPLE. Can relate.

Hell yeah I flirted with Zen. He is still prettier than starlight.

“Why don’t you come over? :)” MC. GIRL. …. I like the way you think.

Yoosung: “WELL I’M NOT GANDHI.” I fucking lost my shit.

“Should I drive V’s car?” Uhhhhh YES.

“But you’re gonna have to drive thru the night for hours. I’m kind of worried.” Bitch, I’m from Texas. I got this. 8 hours is a SHORT TRIP.

The disrespect. They aren’t going to let me drive. I don’t need a man to drive me.

DID VANDERWOOD JUST? OMG DID HE? DID HE JUST SHOOT SAEYOUNG?! BITCH, I LOVED YOU????? & YOU DID THIS????

Omg my heart. Why do they play with my emotions like this. Whew. WHEWWW.

VANDERWOOD CG!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Saeyoung is getting a lot of love tonight from his two new dads- Jumin & Vanderwood. Soft love & tough love. Shouting love at you with a gun in your face is new though.

YES! LET’S LOOK FOR A BODY! I STILL HAVE A SHRED OF HOPE RAY IS ALIVE. C’MON CHERITZ, PLEASE.

“Would you mind giving me some spotlight now?” Please let this be foreshadowing. I would eat UP a Vanderwood route.

Is another agency trying to kidnap Saeyoung? I am confusion? His dad?

Still on the “FORGIVE” path. Yoosung’s VA has a cute voice. I liiiiike.

Episode 4

My Yoosung is so sad. This boy has a lot of hate built up in him. First for V, now for Rika &&& V. Goodness.

She? Who the hell is Rika talking about? She who?!

Seems like everyone is concerned that MC will pity or listen to Rika too much. Hmm. Hmm hmmm…

Jumin is getting shit DONE.

2 years flashback. ????

Mika?! Who the fuck? Is this the “she” Rika was talking about earlier?

What he hell kinda narrative? Who is this woman? Supposedly some other girl from the orphanage Rika was a part of. She’s introduced & being used as the device that implanted this idea into Rika’s brain that she had “a devil” inside of her? She’s the reason Rika broke it off with V? Why? This feel like it cheapens everything. & why the hell is she calling Rika “Mina”? Is that Rika’s real name & I just forgot?!

IS RIKA LYING? WHY DID SHE WAIT THIS LONG TO TELL SAEYOUNG ABOUT THIS “STURDY ROOM”? COULD SAERAN REALLY BE ALIVE? Or is she trying to trick Saeyoung into leaving the cabin?!

Ok so the twins’ father has to be in on this somehow. He’s probably the one trying to get Saeyoung, I get that much. Omg... what if the reason they didn’t find proof of Saeran being dead is because his dad snatched up the remains?! Or kidnapped him alive? Or or or

Still on the “FORGIVE” path. This is hard. I want to be mean. 😈

Episode 5

I don’t know why I go into this game thinking I will just get to kiss the pretty boy. Or any boy.

Ok so more hints dropped their dad is probably involved.

“I am waiting for a letter.” GIRL, FUCK V’S LETTER. HE IS NOT HERE. SHIT IS GOING DOWN. LIVE IN THE MOMENT. IF HE WANTS TO BE OFF SMELLING FLOWERS, LET HIM. I AM TIRED.

I hope hope hope they find Saeran. Please please PLEASE.

I FORGOT. IF RAY IS ALIVE HE IS GOING THROUGH DETOX ALONE BURIED UNDER RUBBLE & ASH. I AM LIVID! WHAAAAT! SAVE. HIM.

Zen’s “WOOOOW” made me laugh.

These new CGs are a delight. I like seeing the mix of characters in them, too. Zen’s hand is huge. ::eyes emoji:: 

Maaan, Yoosung really flipped emotional spectrums so fast about Rika. The boy is certainly driven by his emotions.

These philosophical type chats always blow me away. This game really does get you thinking about social constructs. Fun & educating. Huh.

Getting these dirty boys to wash their hands before eating.

SAERAN MADE IT OUT?!

THAT IS SAERAN’S COUGH. OMG. HE IS ALIVE?!?! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 SAERAN!!!!

Still on “FORGIVE” path.

Episode 6

Jumin, this is a very roundabout way to tell Saeyoung you care about him & just want to look after him. You long-winded, man. I adore you.

SAEYOUNG HAS MORE VALUE THAN JUST WHAT HIS HACKING ABILITIES CAN BRING TO THE TABLE! LEAN ON YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY, SAEYOUNG. THEY CARE FOR YOU!

10 years?! I don’t know if that is a blessing or a curse. Lol. That’s a lengthy commitment for Saeyoung though.

“Why must we give up one thing once we get something else?” Yeah, Cheritz. Why must we give up one boy once we save the other boy?!?! Hmmmm???? Lmaoooo

Saeyoung in a suit & tie!!!!!!! Niiiiiiice.

How in the hell are they gonna wrap up this story?! It’s gonna be a cliffhanger isn’t it?! Omg...

Did these idiots just straight up leave Zen, Yoosung, & MC in a random cabin in the woods FOR DAYS & go back to civilization on their own? How long does it take to return Rika back to proper authorizes?! Goodness.

WHAT?!

WHAAAAT THE FUCK?!?!

V TOOK SAERAN?! WHEN? HOW? WHAT? 

MY JAW JUST POPPED IT DROPPED SO HARD. WHAT THE SHIIIIIT?!?!

Uhhhh lmao uhm why are they dressed like Jedi? Jihyun is giving Obi Wan vibes right now. I’m cackling, when I shouldn’t be. This is supposed to be a serious moment, goddamnit.

I know Jihyun probably thinks he’s doing right by taking care of Saeran but AGAIN WITH THIS DOING IT ON HIS OWN BUSINESS?! Saeyoung is devastated his brother & all the while Jihyun had actually swooped him away for some self-medicated detox tour? Just more & more secrets. I’m tired.

“Let’s wait until detox is done & you don’t wanna murder your brother. So I booked a flight for next week.” A WEEK? HA! YEAH RIGHT! BEST CANCEL THAT.

Oh, he just keeps booking & cancelling flights. Lmao. Ok. I am less judgmental now.

If Saeyoung & Saeran don’t get a reunion.... I will die inside.

Unlocked the “FORGIVE” ending.

Shit that costs 80hg too? I have nearly depleted what I had saved up!

BUT HOLY SHIT Y’ALL. SAERAN IS ALIVE! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

“FORGIVE” Ending

This song is hauntingly beautiful.

Who is this speaking?

Is Rika high right now wtf?!

God is a woman.

I am so over all this sun talk. Let. It. Go.

Weren’t security guards left with them at the cabin?! Did Rika just WALK out?!

Of course she’s going to run away & get away with everything. Mhmm ok.

NOW THEY ARE COMING FOR JUMIN’S COMPANY?! I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GOOD END WTF. I’LL FIGHT. DON’T COME FOR C&R. I’LL THROW DOWN. JUMIN BETTER NOT LOSE EVERYTHING.

So Rika is gone & for no reason Zen & Yoosung & MC are going to stay in the cabin alone? (& not have a threesome?!?!?!)

Jumin is literally putting his own company on the line to protect Saeyoung. This man is amazing. “We’ll rebuild.” My nipples are hard. Jumin has fully aroused me. I would have taken him right on a conference table.  

Welcome to Rika’s Ted Talk

Well.... I am pleased she stepped up & laid the truth all out there. Took us years to get here, lads, but we did it!

Twin cribs. Hmmm.

2 YEARS LATER?! SO THIS CONNECTS TO THE GOOD END OF JIHYUN’S ROUTE?!

2 years, huh... I would have shacked up with Jumin looooong before now. That man is a whole snack. Selfless, sweet, handsome, has a cat. I’m thirsty.

Jumin’s become an alcoholic?! Great. /s I guess this is meant to show just how drastic things are? That Jumin, our token rational & logical man, is resorting to a dangerous lifestyle as a means of coping? I’m heartbroken.

“Have I kept you waiting for too long.” Yes.

His gift better be bringing Saeran on stage because if he unveils a white puzzle I will lose my fucking mind. It is nearly 4am. I haven’t slept. I just want a smooch.

Omg I think it’s happening.

It’s gonna happen.

OMGGGGG

Please let there be a CG of this

IT HAPPENED!!!!! THEY REUNITED!!!! OMG!!!!!

LONGEST HELL YEAH BOOOOY OF MY LIFE

Pink suit pink suit pink suit PINK SUIT!!!! 💗

Ohhhh... Saeran has burns all over his face & his hand. Is his whole left side burned? My poor boy.

5 years later?!? (Mmmm think about mid30s Jumin Han though 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻)

*gasp* A BABY!

Holy shit, not a baby. A full child.

Awwww Saeyoung & Saeran live together!!

YEEESSSS. GET THIS LITTLE GIRL INTO STEM!!!! 

“When is Uncle Jumin gonna marry.” I marry him every few weeks, little girl. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 when I reread his endings.

“Daddy thinks he will never get married.” I am now sad. I want to marry Jumin.

Jaehee got a promotion. Good for her. It’s what she deserves.

Aw Lucy is cute. Surprised they didn’t give her Jihyun’s hair color.

Their house has a lot of windows. 👀👀👀 Floor to ceiling windows. 👀👀👀 Good for fucking against. 👀👀👀👀

THIS CHILD IS ALREADY LEARNING TO KEEP SECRETS. NOOOOO. BREAK THIS CHAIN!

“Daddy is good with secrets, too.” TRUST ME, LITTLE GIRL. WE KNOW. WE KNOOOW. Y’all the noise I made when I read this line. Scoff wheezing?! Full exasperation.

“But you tell everything to Mommy!” About fucking time, honestly. How long did it take for him to break his secrets habit?

Ohhhhh she’s adopted! That’s why she doesn’t have his hair color. Curious why they didn’t go with the biological child path? I certainly don’t mind adoption. It definitely feels like a sort of tribute to Rika.

Girl already has a crush on Zen. Ha! Giiiirl, same. Jihyun’s reaction was funny.

I wanna ride Zen’s motorcycle & his diiiiiiiii

7 years later & Yoosung is still addicted to LOLOL. Keep it up, Yoosung. Live your best gaming life.

Now she’s plotting murder against her own dad. Goodness. & Yoosung just TOLD her this entire dark plot of the game. Lmaooooo

What happened to Vanderwood? Did he accept working at C&R? How is he? Is he eating? Did he take a vacation away from Saeyoung? I need to know.

Jihyun’s speech to his wife is sweet. Now kiss!

Omg I can’t believe I didn’t get to smooch him at all. What.

What.

100 HOURGLASSES TO RESET?!?! HIGHWAY ROBBERY! I need to save up all over again for when (if) they drop a Saeran After End

“JUDGE” Ending

No, going back to the place you hate most isn’t a sufficient form of punishment for the crimes you’ve committed. You can’t just punish yourself & call it justice. Thank u, next.

Why the fuck is Rika called Serena now?! How many names does she have?! 

Is Rika really free & just doing her own apology tour?! No trial or hospital involved? I’m????

Yoosung’s dialogue makes it seem like he still wants Rika around. Flip flop. 

I do enjoy that Yoosung is a very emotional character, even if sometimes in the stories I don’t agree with him. He’s always very open & honest with how he feels, even if taken to extremes.

Jaehee’s discussion with Rika was very rational. As expected.

Damn Zen gave her the boot double quick.

Jumin: “You are a minus given a breathing body.” Ohhhhhhh my god. 😮😮😮 & he told her he wants her sent to a lab to have data collected from her. Jumin is ANGRY.

So this discussion with Saeran is meant to be in her own head, yeah?

Ok her discussion with Saeyoung felt real -ish again but then her discussion with Jihyun sounded bizarre & far-fetched again. So has she just been inside her own head this entire time?

What the fuck... is going on.

Wow, let’s toss in some sexual assault via clergymen to spice things up. Alright. /s What the hell is this?

This ending is fucking bonkers

Omg Zen’s robotic reply made me lose my shit. First time I’ve laughed because of this ending.

Poor Vanderwood. He sounded excited to have a line.

Sooo... the ending has just been a mock of how a Rika route would have gone if she had one?

Wait this was all just MC’s dream?! Rika’s dream?

& now Rika is in a coma?!? What? What???!! I’m... tired.

You know what, at least Saeyoung & Saeran are back together. Silver lining. The only silver lining to this madness.

Yoosung got a whole new look again. I’ll admit, for a hot second I thought he had become a cult leader & I was worried.

Sooo... the RFA became some sort of support group for Rika’s victims?????

Jumin doesn’t want to be a part of the meetings because he doesn’t particularly subscribe to their efficiency. Zen just doesn’t want to be involved because he doesn’t want the reminder. Jihyun basically just didn’t show up. So is this to mean the RFA has fallen apart entirely? Rename the group, change your ideals, be more open with each other, & formulate new ways to create charity events/fundraisers. Find a new purpose together! PULL. YOURSELVES. TOGETHER.

Ugh. Ugggghhhhhhh.

So, I’ve sat on this for a little under 24 hours. I let it sink in, in hopes that I could make better sense of it. But honestly, I don’t feel like I have. I feel perhaps this after end should have been listed in a separate section like the secret endings. These episodes certainly read more like a secret ending.

Rather than call this “V’s After End” I think it would make more sense to have called this “V’s Route After End” (or even “Rika’s After End”). This ending felt more like a means of giving closure to the route itself, rather than an acknowledgement of Jihyun’s relationship with MC. We were shown Saeran was alive, we were given Saeyoung & Saeran reunited with one another finally, we got answers as to what happened with Rika & how she ended up in Alaska, we found out why Jihyun was really away for two years, we had Saeyoung & Saeran stepping out from the hunting shadow of their father. Questions were answered, resolutions of sorts were given.

When I think of “after end” I’ll admit, I assumed we would be given a short snippet of story revolving primarily around Jihyun & MC post-good end, like we had for the other characters; not this dramatic saga between the end of the route & before Jihyun returns two years later. 

Jihyun’s route revolved around him understanding his relationship with Rika & then distancing himself from that & trying to find himself. His route felt like it had more Jihyun x Rika content than it did Jihyun x MC content. This After End there was hardly any Jihyun x MC content as he was gone essentially the entire time. He really Noped Out of his own After End; I’m still a bit shocked I paid so many hourglasses for V content.... only to not be given V content. I admit, I feel foolish & cheated, somehow. I went in hoping for more content about a character I was interested in, only to be given this dramatic story revolving around a character I don’t particularly care for.

I’m disappointed that there is a Forgive or Judge aspect to this ending. 

In the Forgive path/end, the blame of Rika’s crimes & actions is pinned on Rika’s mental illness, choice individuals swaying her into taking particular actions ( “embrace your devil” ), and various circumstances she’s had to endure & live through. By introducing this new character (Mika?), are we meant to blame her instead of Rika? Is she a scapegoat since the idea was originally hers & not Rika’s, even though Rika was the one that enacted everything? On top of this, Yoosung is shown to be reading a psychology book & also comes to the conclusion that what Rika has done isn’t really her fault, but the fault of her circumstances. All of this feels like we were being ushered into forgiving Rika and feeling guilty if we don’t. Provided you do choose to forgive Rika, she finds her own inner happiness, becomes “her own sun”, and goes off to live her life in Alaska; no consequences aside from distance (physical & emotionally) from her once friends/family & developing a negative public appeal. This forgive path directly ties in with Jihyun’s good end, implying it’s the better (intended?) ending. That doesn’t sit well with me. MC shouldn’t have to forgive their captor & tormentor in order to achieve their own “good” end. 

In the Judge path/end, the other characters often show hesitancy when MC expresses she will never be able to forgive Rika. There are philosophical chats about what is actually good vs bad, what is just, & who is to decide these sort of standards. We are led to question if holding on to a grudge hurts ourselves or the other party more. And in the end, when we choose to judge Rika, the RFA falls apart; everyone is miserable. Again, the reader is left feeling as if their judgement was too harsh, too cruel, or uncalled for as the consequences of it have seeped out & negatively touched other people. Rika falls into a coma – doesn’t go off to live her life in Alaska, doesn’t find her own inner peace – & this is all because she was blamed or shunned for her actions, as opposed to being forgiven. Why does everyone’s happiness depend on MC forgiving her captor?  It all left a sour taste in my mouth.

I understand the discussion of what is truly good vs bad or what is meant to be just & unjust can go fairly deep, but I feel that discussion applies only to circumstances that are in a grey area. What Rika did (attempted murder, abuse, emotional & physical manipulation, drugging/brainwashing) is clear cut wrong. There is no question that these are bad decisions. It should not be up for debate whether these sorts of actions are “good or bad.” While I do not deny that Rika’s past (whatever it fully may be as I have not read her backstory DLC) has attributed to her behaviors, it does not excuse them. I believe that mental illness does not excuse someone’s actions.

These are two very extreme endings - either Rika gets off free from her actions or she becomes comatose & succumbs to a darkness. Why have these drastic differences when you can merge the two; have Rika go through treatment to help her, serve a punishment that is fitting of her crimes, help her grow & understand, then have forgiveness come later? There were several options within gameplay along the lines of “I hope one day I can forgive her” & “I hope she finds her peace.” I see nothing wrong with not having MC forgive Rika but still wish for progress to be made.

Everyone was happier in the end where you forgave Rika, though. And isn’t that what everyone wanted in the end?

Overall, I didn’t mind Yoosung & Zen portraying the voices that provide the philosophical discussions in the routes and this After End. In fact, I enjoyed the chats with them as I tend to find philosophical discussions thought provoking, even if I do not always agree with what these characters were expressing. While MM is marketed as a visual novel romance, it has never shied away from delving into deeper topics & oftentimes tries to provide a lesson. Perhaps this time, the lesson they hoped to get across, didn’t hit the mark with me.

Yoosung’s emotions were very extreme in this After End. I have come to expect Yoosung being very up front, unapologetic, & pushy with his feelings. In a game where so many characters are often keeping secrets, it’s almost refreshing to have a character that is so viscerally open. Personally, I found it interesting that Yoosung’s feeling towards Rika had flipped so drastically. It was almost as if he was now trying to overcompensate for his previous idolization of her. 

I’m still of the opinion that the world does not deserve Jumin Han. Through his own pain & suffering, through dealing with the disappearance of his dearest friend, through having to come to terms with the fact that a woman he once considered a close friend turned out to be someone so villainous, he has stepped up & even at one point risked his own company, reputation, & livelihood to protect someone he now considered family. He used his time & resources to help as much as he could. He sat & genuinely listened to Saeyoung & calmly gave input despite Saeyoung verbally lashing out at him. I’ll admit I hated that Jumin seemingly became an alcoholic, or at least heavily dependent on wine, during the stretch of time these After Ends covered. He was suffering, but because he needed to keep his shit together, he used liquor as his means of turning off his brain so he wouldn’t think too heavily about what was happening, otherwise he’d spiral. You can bet your ass that every time there was an option to choose “How is Jumin doing?” I took it, because this man needs someone to look out for him while he’s busy looking after everyone else. I love him. He remains my favorite. 

I am thrilled Saeran is alive. I am ecstatic Saeyoung & Saeran got the reunion I had been hoping for (& in both endings!). The doctor part of me really wishes his treatment & recovery occurred in a hospital, instead of some nature tour with Jihyun while wearing Jedi robes, but beggars can’t be choosers in fiction, I suppose. I am glad Saeran is safe, recovering, had the time to heal his relationship with Jihyun, & is living with Saeyoung now. It’s what I wanted for him.

On one hand, I can see why Jihyun kept Saeran being alive a secret (Saeran wasn’t ready to see Saeyoung yet, he was detoxing, he needed more recovery time, he needed the peace away from everything, if Saeyoung knew he would have gone after them immediately rather than wait for some time to pass) but on the other hand, I had had enough of the secrets. I am glad though that the story allowed for Saeyoung to have some hope that Saeran was alive. If the narrative had left no suggestion of hope & Saeyoung had fallen into a depression of sorts, then I feel when Saeran was finally revealed he [Saeyoung] may have not handled it as well. But Saeyoung was given a chance to hope, to grow, to finally relax/settle where he was, & was allowed time himself to recover from everything that happened, which I think helped in how he received Saeran’s reappearance.

Definitive proof that Vanderwood has grown to care about Saeyoung as a person?! Sign me the fuck up. That was amazing. I greatly enjoy Vanderwood.

With Saeyoung, I did enjoy seeing his range of emotion & reactions to this entire ordeal. He was desvasted, broken, distraught, angry. My heart went out to him & I felt his pain. His monologues were great. His reactions felt real. It was a bit jarring to see how readily he was contemplating suicide & how quickly he cast that aside as soon as some other bit of info to cling to came along. I understand, though, that this story took place in a short amount of time & the creators were trying to portray his progression in the time they had. I am tickled that he was offered a 10 year contract with C&R & that he readily accepted. I have enjoyed seeing him begin to accept that he can plant roots somewhere, open up to those around him, & not fear that he’ll one day have to leave.

I was originally miffed that Jihyun went off for two years on his own, seemingly to get over Rika, making MC wait around, before he could commit himself to MC. Knowing now that those two years were actually spent helping to rehabilitate Saeran in seclusion, I am assuaged. A bit.

I am, however, left feeling as though maybe MC isn’t meant to be with Jihyun. I’ve certainly felt as if there is more push to have Jihyun x Rika remain together as Cheritz still doesn’t give, what I would consider, adequate bonding & development between Jihyun x MC (not that 11 days of story in any of the routes could be described as adequate bonding time, lolol). Majority of Jihyun’s scenes (in his route) are about him reminiscing about his past with Rika, rather than discussions that may cultivation a budding relationship with MC. I like Jihyun, but it feels likes it’s been made intentionally hard to romance him. Maybe it was naive of me to hope we would get cute scenes of Jihyun & MC getting to know one another more, or be shown ways Jihyun made it up to MC for being gone for so long, or even a mini date story, or actually seeing the proposal happen, or even a kiss? But I did hope for all of that, so I can’t pretend I’m not sad we didn’t getting to see it. The romance between Jihyun & MC feels brushed aside, like an afterthought, & I was hoping that this After End would finally put it at the forefront of the story told.

While I don’t like how the situation with Rika was handled in either route, & while this After End was not at all what I was expecting (I just wanted to kiss Jihyun, omg), it wasn’t a total loss for me since the twins are reunited & happy, which I think may have been my biggest wish. The voice acting as phenomenal & I can tell how much time & effort Cheritz put into creating this mammoth, complex & thought-provoking story. I’ll be honest & admit that I am upset I spent so many hourglasses for content that seemed packaged as Jihyun content but turned out to be more about Rika, but nothing can be done about that now. 

If I had to pick an ending I preferred, it would definitely be the Forgive End, as there is more happiness for everyone I care about when it concludes. It was nice seeing Jihyun & MC have their little family, even if it was a very brief interaction. Their adoption of a little girl feels like a nod to Rika, of sorts. Perhaps that isn’t what Cheritz intended, & maybe there is no hidden meaning to why they adopted at all, but I am happy to see Jihyun & MC having brought a child into their home to create a family with.

The CGs are beautiful. Is there even a way to unlock the title page Jihyun proposal CG? I didn’t get it in my play-through at all. 

I didn’t hate this After End, but I definitely didn’t love it either. I guess it kind of falls in a strange floaty grey middle area for me, somewhat flat. Hopefully many of y’all enjoyed it! I look forward to seeing what they may give us for Saeran’s After End. I have a feeling that may be a wild story too.

[rulesofthebeneath]

how bout a dance: part 1

<AN> Ok... so this is the Bullshit. It’s a bit of a departure from what I normally write, but I had this idea and it kinda got stuck in my head, and with the help of @euphonyinestetica and @ajaysbhandari it kinda came to life. It’s basically a post-college ajay x mc au, where basically they broke up when he went to college and now, well... you’ll have to read to find out. I’m really excited to share this all with you guys. Projecting a total of 13 parts, major OC usage. Please please let me know what you think, Feedback is Life. Crediting: @euphonyinestetica as cowriter and fierce editor. Tagging: @pixelburied, @witchiegirl, @lilmissperfectlyimperfect, @anlashokk, @itsbrindleybinch. I hope y’all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it! </AN>

The cold March wind blew Grace’s hair across her face, temporarily blinding her. She sighed with thinly veiled exasperation and reached up to fumble it into a messy ponytail with numb fingers. She hitched her scarf up to cover her exposed neck and buried her nose into it, trying to shield herself from the cold. Continuing along 43rd Street, her chapped hands made their way back into her coat pockets. She cursed her Brooklyn apartment for being so far away, she cursed the six hours she’d already spent on her feet waitressing that day, and she cursed the entire state of New York for being so damn cold.

She finally reached the theatre, a tiny thing nestled between shops and restaurants on the upper west side, and silently slipped inside the stage door. It was still thirty minutes before rehearsal was supposed to start, but Grace took the saying “early is on time, on time is late, late is fired” to heart and didn’t want to leave anything to chance. She reached the stage and set her things down in a chair. Then, she went off in search of a bathroom so she could change into her dance clothes.

A few minutes later, she was back onstage and a few of the other actors were there, along with the director, Charlie. Charlie was a man nearing his sixties with an impressive head of hair that he insisted was real. From the two rehearsals they’d had so far—the table read and the first sing-through—Grace gathered that he was the gentle kind of man, a rare find in New York City. He tended towards the eccentric in his creative decisions, but Grace had had worse directors. She was interested to see how he would direct this musical. She shot him a smile in greeting—he was in the middle of a conversation with their producer—and then sat down near a group of the other actors to start stretching.

The musical she’d been cast in was Bonnie & Clyde, and Grace had never been more excited to be in a show. Well, maybe she had been more excited for her first show ever back in high school, but this was the first time she was the lead in a paying production. It didn’t pay much, granted, but that was what her day job (and Actor’s Equity) was for. She was in theatre for the passion, the heart, the excitement, and she was very eager to see what doors this would open for her. Grace had heard of people getting discovered in even less prestigious theatres.

A guy not much older than her, Kevin, played Clyde. He plopped himself down beside Grace and offered her a fist bump.

“Your hair looks messed up,” he said by way of a greeting. “It’s hella windy out there.”

Grace rolled her eyes but paused her stretching to attempt to pull her hair into a reasonable braid.

“Better?”

“Much,” he grinned at her. “How was the pub?”

“Same as always. Full of rude people. How was the drugstore?”

“About the same.” He sighed. “I can’t wait until tech week… Like yeah, all the ten of twelves will be hell but it’s a more pleasant hell than eight hours at the cash register.”

“Retweet,” Grace said absently. Her eyes followed the director as he climbed up on stage, having just ended his conversation. He was flanked by the stage manager and the producer, a middle-aged lady that Grace hadn’t met before but had seen watching the first read-through. She didn’t think it was normal for the producer to come to so many rehearsals, but she knew she was hardly an expert. Charlie clapped his hands once to draw the attention of all the actors and everyone’s attention turned to him.

“Actors,” he said in his booming voice. “I have an announcement. Last night, I was offered a job directing an off-Broadway production. I have loved the work that we’ve done in our short time here, but I have to do what’s best for my career. So I’m sorry to say that I will be leaving you, effective immediately.”

In the pause where he took a breath, Kevin muttered a shell-shocked “what the fuck” from beside her. Grace didn’t really know what to think. Her mind had gone blank, save for one phrase that she couldn’t stop repeating: failure. The first production that she was a lead in was now officially a failure. She shook her head as she realized that she was going to have to start the nerve-wracking audition process all over again, the processes that gave her twenty rejections before one measly job. The best job opportunity of her life so far: a failure.

The other actors had broken out into mutters too, all of them looking as shocked as Grace felt. A voice from the back spoke up above the noise and all eyes fell on her, a woman that Grace vaguely recalled as playing Blanche, as she stood up.

“So the show’s just done then?” she asked, her voice trembling but still somehow managing an accusatory tone. “After everything we’ve done?”

The director’s eyes widened. “No, no, of course not!” he stuttered, his hands flying up in front of his chest, taking a few steps back. “I’ve arranged for Annette Keiser,” he indicated the stressed producer, “to conduct interviews for a new director as quickly as possible. In fact, I believe her first appointment is in thirty minutes.”

“Yes, yes. We’ll have a new director by Monday, I promise you that you won’t be out of work. I know of a few promising young directors that are interested in the show that I’ve contacted since last night. I’ll make sure that we only get the best.” Annette announced in a strained voice, giving away how stressed the normally bubbly woman was. “Now, I have to go prepare for my first appointment. Everyone is dismissed until Monday.” With that, she and Charlie walked off the stage in opposite directions. The stage manager nodded at the group of actors for whom the shock still hadn’t worn off, then scurried off stage to inform the techs of the new development. The actress that played Blanche walked over to Grace and Kevin, both of whom were still sitting on the floor mid-stretch.

“Well, that was a surprise twist,” she said in a soft, lilting southern accent.

“No shit, Rosa,” Kevin chuckled, causing Grace to smile. He got up and started brushing off his pants. “Hopefully I’ll see you on Monday, Grace. You too, Rosa,” he said, then sauntered off the stage.

Rosa rolled her eyes in his direction, also biting back a laugh. She stuck out a hand to help Grace up. After a beat Grace took it, smiling.

“So I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink,” Rosa said. Her words broke a little of the worry in Grace’s heart, and she started to giggle.

“Where do you live? There’s a good pub in Brooklyn, does a nice fish and chips and an even better whiskey.”

“Ooh, fish and chips does seem like it would hit the spot. Whiskey too. I live in Brooklyn, so it sounds alright to me.”

“Let’s go, then.”

Neither stopped to change out of their dance clothes, but just bundled back up and threw their bags over their shoulders, and both recoiled as soon as the cold wind hit their faces.

“Ugh. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this,” Rosa complained. “The place I’m from, it never snows. The summer heat’s brutal, though.”

“Oh, where are you from?”

“Texas,” she answered in an exaggerated accent. “Real southern belle right here.”

“Damn,” Grace replied. “You’ll have to help me perfect my accent. This whole musical takes place there.”

“If there is a musical anymore,” Rosa rolled her eyes. “But anyways, enough about that. Where are you from?”

“Oregon,” Grace sighed. “But I went to southern California for college, so I’m not quite used to this cold either.”

“Oregon, huh? Farm girl?”

“Small town girl.” She hummed a couple bars of “Don’t Stop Believin’”, making Rosa laugh. “My parents own a diner. I think everyone was surprised when both me and my twin brother ditched Oregon for LA. We both went to USC, and he plays for the Chargers now. I guess in comparison I’m the underachiever,” she joked, trying to laugh off the accidental reveal of too much information. Rosa, bless her, smoothly ignored it and changed the subject.

“So your family’s all over the place, huh? Everyone I know is still in San Antonio. We’re all either there or Mexico, but I haven’t seen my Mexican family in a long time.”

Grace hummed in sympathy. “My twin and I were adopted. It was a closed adoption, so I still have no idea who my birth parents are, other than that they were Thai. My adoptive parents—my real parents—don’t have good relationships with their parents so I don’t have much extended family. Our family was basically the whole town.”

After a few steps in silence, Rosa spoke up again. “Well, I bet that soon enough both you and your brother will be big stars.”

“Aw, Rosa.”

“No, seriously though. You’re an amazing singer, I heard you during the first sing-through. I thought, damn, how does such a big voice come from such a little person?”

“I’m not that small!” Grace protested. Rosa just laughed from a height six inches taller than Grace. Grace adjusted her bag on her shoulder, accidentally hitting a passerby in the shoulder.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” She whipped her head around to apologize to him, tucking her bag closer to her. She'd only lived in New York City for a few months, and hadn't yet succumbed to the rudeness the people of the city were so known for.

“That’s okay!” he shouted over his shoulder, not even looking back. He must have been in a hurry. But when he turned his head, Grace thought the recognized him. The black mop of hair, the tortoiseshell glasses, the crooked grin that she’d barely caught before he turned away. She stopped in her tracks, dodging pedestrians to try and get a better look at the retreating man.

Rosa noticed Grace had stopped and walked back over.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I just-” Grace started breathlessly. “I just... thought I saw someone I knew.”

Rosa raised an eyebrow.

“It probably wasn’t him. I haven’t seen him in, God, seven years? Yeah, no way that was him.”

“Is there a story there?” Rosa asked.

Grace’s face flushed a bit. “There is, but… you’ll have to buy me a few drinks first.”

“Hell, I’m not made of money,” Rosa laughed. “I live in a shoebox for 1300 a month, if I could buy you more than one drink I would.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll tell you later, it’s not anything too interesting.”

“Whatever you say.”

The two finally reached the Brooklyn pub after a long subway ride that was a welcome reprieve from the cold. The inside of the pub was warm with soft yellow lighting. It was clear that it was more of a hole-in-the-wall than anything classy, but they both were more comfortable with the casual setting. They both sat at the bar and the bartender made a beeline over.

“Hey, Grace! Back so soon?” he teased. Grace rolled her eyes.

“Just looking for some food and some drinks for my friend and me. Our director left the production, so we might be out of a job soon.”

Rosa swatted her. “Don’t say that! It’s bad luck.”

Grace turned to her in surprise. “You were saying the same thing not even an hour ago!”

“I’m trying to be optimistic!” Rosa retorted, making them both laugh. Grace turned back to the bartender.

“Aaron, do you know if anyone has a shift this weekend that needs to be picked up? I didn’t get scheduled at all.”

“We’re closing for a renovation this weekend, remember? Getting new wallpaper.”

Grace wrinkled her nose as she looked around at the peeling wallpaper, completely torn off in some places and horribly stained in others. “Good, we need it. But that just means I’ll starve this weekend.”

“Better eat hearty tonight, then. Employee discount, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right!” Grace brightened up. “Two Old Fashioneds, then, and two plates of fish and chips.”

“Comin’ right up,” Aaron said as he turned to grab bottles off the shelves. Rosa turned to Grace.

“So, spill. Who was that guy on the street?”

“It probably wasn’t even him,” Grace deflected.

“Well, who did you think he was?”

Grace let out a long sigh. “That guy just… looked a lot like my high school ex. That’s all.”

“Oh, so what’s the story there? Messy breakup? Lots of drama?” Rosa rested her chin on her hands, eager for the story.

“Ugh, no, not at all. He was two years older than me, so we broke up when he went to college. He went to NYU, so we decided long-distance wasn’t really an option. It sucked a lot because we were together for almost a year and a half, but there’s no bad blood between us or anything. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, so I was just surprised. But that probably wasn’t even him. A lot of guys these days like the glasses and blazers-with-jeans look.”

“Hmm,” Rosa hummed, a little disappointed. “Wouldn’t that be weird if it was him, though?”

“Yeah, really though,” Grace laughed. “Honestly, I’m not really sure what he’s up to nowadays. We don’t really talk, and he’s not too active on social media. Whoever that man was, he just gave me a serious blast from the past.”

Aaron set their drinks down, and they both smiled gratefully before picking up their glasses and clinking them together.

“To the new director,” Rosa suggested.

“To the new director!” Grace responded. “Whoever they are, they’ll have a hell of a job.”

[saizoswifey]

Hey! Can you list your favorite lords in order and why? (and why do you love Saizo so much?)

Hey dear! Sure thing~

Saizo-he’s my soulmate 

Ieyasu-he makes me laugh! His insults crack me up, and I love how pouty he gets when he doesn’t get his way. He’s an easy one to figure out and would be fun to tease. 

Mitsunari-love how intelligent he is, and how fiercely he stands up for those he loves. he’s one that I hated at first and he grew on me over time. def makes you feel safe when you’re with him and I like that 

Nobuyuki-cunning, witty, intelligent, wise, loving, insightful, sexy, like....the list could go on and on I love this boy so much lol 

Yukimura-sweetheart that could bang your soul into next week what more is there? hes so cute I love his blush I love his heart and I love his BFF >.>....

Inuchiyo-im SUCH a sucker for the scrappy street thug with a good heart but a head full of brick LOL and thats Inuchiyo 

Shigezane-cheeky soft boy oh my gosh. I love how sarcastic and naughty he is sometimes, and I love his teasing. his smile is amazing and he just brightens everyone around him I love him and will do everything to protect him (also maybe possibly definitely weak AF to the pet name ‘Doll’ I melt)

Nobunaga-he was my first love in this game and still holds a large place in my heart. he’s gorgeous and so bratty and pouty which I LOVE. he’s a sassy bitch who loves a wild woman and damn I could be that for him lol. I love that he talks a big game but really underneath it all hes so vulnerable and kind. 

Hideyoshi-took me a while to come around to him tbh and now that I have there’s no turning back. this monkey is great and cunning as heck. plus, his CGs are always FOOOIIIIIIINE 

Mitsuhide-if he was not such a workaholic he’d shoot up my list lol. hes another one that took a while for me to warm up to. I think the glimpses of his inner carnal desires really helped me like his character and give him more depth. he KILLs ME with his baby talking at cats I just cant, hes so cute. and THAT STORY ABOUT HIM TRYING TO TELL JOKES. I lost my shit. Protect and love this man. Seriously. I loved seeing how he used to be when he was younger, too. All young and mean and bitchy. sign me up

Masamune-sweet sweet man, he is lower on the list because he’s just so quiet and also...workaholic. 

Kenshin-I think over time he will move up the list. If we got more info on him during his route I would be more inclined to like him. But i feel like we barely got anything...also he is very soft and its like....too soft for me. I am not usually fond of the soft boys 

Shingen-respect the heck out of tiger dad and he has made me sweat a few ES there’s no doubt lol but he is my Besties Boy and he belongs to her and therefore I can’t see him that way at all lolol to me he is just my YaYa’s husband and my brother in law wkbfjkwbf 

Kojuro-he has some really nice CGs but overall I don’t like his sprite/character design and that is distracting for me when I read his stories. I also don’t like how he seems more devoted to Masa than MC and I get WHY and all the power to the Kojuhoes who enjoy that and admire his dedication to his duties. Also he messy lol......thats a no from me like I dont mind mess but hes an actual hoarder and keeps bringing things in I would just have a panic attack hahaha 

Saizo Thoughts-Why Do You Love Him?  

I have always been a sucker for the kind of brooding badass with a far off look in their eyes and a complicated past (Spike, Mugen, Levi etc) and Saizo is no different. I have a pretty dominant personality, I’m pretty bold, I’m mouthy af, I take on a lot myself and I like to be in control and take care of people etc so although I don’t completely get rid of my entire personality when I consume media I tend to gravitate to characters that I feel could lighten my load a little bit and maybe take care of me for once in my life, but also on the flip side they’re the characters I feel like could handle a personality such as mine. If they’re too soft they’re going to crumble lol. And humor is a HUGE thing for me so my legs go spaghetti when a character makes sarcastic jokes and is funny. I love dark humor and I LOVE TO TEASE AND PRANK so just,.......Saizo is everything I look for in a male character and bless him for being created tbh idk where I would be without my Saizo love hahaha