#also if this was like a plot or something in the show I feel like she wouldn't show up that often until a episode kind of exploring F/O's | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

oceantornadoo · 23 hours ago

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tw: evil ex wife stereotypes it’s for the plot trust

sorry this is unedited

captain price, divorcee and extreme dilf.

after a soul crushing mission, the safe house is silent as the team waits for morning exfil. you go outside for a breath of fresh air and find your captain, smoking a cigar and looking at a polaroid photo. “hey, cap.” he sends you a nod, then focuses back to the picture in his hand. you let him have this privacy, closing your eyes and breathing slow.

"smoke?" you open your eyes to his hand in front of you, offering a cigar. funny, how soap's been trying to nab one of cap's cigars for months and here he is, offering it to you. you take it silently, reminding yourself how to use it as you exhale slow. a minor cough eeks out, sending you both chuckling. he takes it back and switches hands, his photograph now on the side you share. his show of trust instills you with enough confidence to ask: "is that them?" two dark-haired little girls smile at you through the photograph, cheesy grins cloaking you with warmth. he hums affirmatively, callused thumb stroking the photo. "forced me t' buy a polaroid so they could model their new dresses." you bet he bought them that camera with a smile on his face. the wedding band tanline on his hand, stark when you met him two years ago, has faded completely like it was never there. "they've got you wrapped around their fingers." he nods, tucking the photo back in his vest to focus on his cigar. you both watch the smoke curl into the midnight air.

"open." you do obidiently, both pairs of eyes zeroed in on how close his hands are to your mouth. they brush your lips (not necessary if he'd adjusted his grip), staying there for a few seconds while you inhale and retreating when you exhale. something grows there, in the space between his body and yours. only once the smoke dissipates do you decide to get some sleep. "goodnight, cap." you back away towards the door, eyes on his. "goodnight, lieutenant." his eyes drop in alarm and that's when you see the red light of a sniper gun on your torso. everything goes to shit after that.

your hospital stay comes in flashes. your captain, haggard yet handsome, in that uncomfortable-looking chair next to your bed. a blink and there's two angels instead, bickering at the height of the hospital bed. "daddy said not to wake her!" the taller one argues. the younger one shakes her head, an echo of her father, and pets your limp hand. "daddy also said she has a boo-boo and t' kiss it better!" she kisses your hand with a restrained gentleness you wouldn't expect from a little kid. they keeping arguing, anchoring you to the land of the living for a few minutes. "alrigh' rascals, lets let her sleep. what do we say?" they turn to you with toothy smiles, like the picture, and whisper-yell "feel better!" before getting scooped up by their father.

later, time slipping through your fingers like sand, the doctor explains what happened in practiced words. shot to the torso, passed out because of shock and blood loss. simon haunts the space behind her like the ghost he is and you have to laugh at the gall of your fellow lieutenant. once you hear "a month of recovery," you give in to the weight of your eyelids.

a month later.

you knock at his door, then let yourself in. it’s something he lets you get away with, no one else.

price is grumbling into his phone and while usually you wouldn’t care, it seems oddly personal. you try to inch back out, but his sharp blue eyes catch yours before you can. “i told ya i’d need this today. gave you a two day warnin’.” he’s frowning at whatever the other person says (high pitched voice, definitely female). “christ, i’ll figure somethin’ out.” he hangs up before they can get another word in.

“everything ok? i can leave if you need some space?” you ask. he shakes his head, dragging a hand through his beard and readjusting his hat (stupid, why does he wear it indoors) before sitting down in his desk chair. “need t’ pick the girls up but this goddamn report is killin’ me.” it’s an intelligence focused night and while you finally broke through to one of your contacts, the creation of reports and communications with higher ups takes forever. your captain is especially chained to his desk, where his bosses could call at any moment and demand a redo.

"oh." you're not sure what the lines are here. not sure what to say to the loving father of two who sat vigil at your hosptial bed for a week. "their mom's at a dinner an' can't drive 'cause she drank a glass of wine." he bites out, almost to himself. "so her boyfriend can drop her home, but simply can't make a stop on the way to pick up the girls from after school care." you think back to the finished reports on your desk and the lack of plans you have.

"i could pick them up?" you tick the end up as a question, easier for him to deny. he does, of course. "can't ask tha' of you, lieutenant. not in y'r job description." you shrug, moving closer to his desk until you're practically sitting on it. "i'm not medically cleared to the field yet but i can still drive. it's not like i'm getting deployed in the next hour. and i'd be glad to do it." he's still unsure, staring at the laptop in front of him. "i've got to thank the angels that kissed my boo-boos." you break the tension with a laugh and when he looks up, there's a small smile under his beard. "you sure you're good t' drive?" you nod, rounding the table so you're a bit closer. he leans back a bit until his eyes meet yours. "passed the driving requirements last week. can't run out a burning building but i can handle pickup." he lifts his hips, tantalizing and strong, to fish out the keys in his pocket. "little one still needs the booster seat. easier f' ya t' take my car." this show of trust is worse, worming its way into your heart.

he texts you the address and says he'll call them ahead of time since you're not on the list. before you leave, price fishes out a sweatshirt from somewhere under his desk. "so ya don't look like a soldier." you're wearing standard olive green wear, t-shirt and camo pants. the sweatshirt (black, has 'price' on the back, smells like him) dulls the look into something almost publicly acceptable. "i'll keep you updated, cap." you're almost out the door when he says it. "thank you, lieutenant."

"hello, lovelies." you squat to get on their level, noting how they're holding hands tightly. "i'm a friend of your daddy. he sent me to take you to your mum." the older one squints at you with suspicion. "are you the lady from the hosp- hosp- hospital?" you nod, telling them your name. "i'm all better now thanks to you two. your kisses really worked." that causes them both to blush, inching towards you. the aftercare supervisor nudges them forward, thanking you with a grateful smile when they finally get towards the car. the fact that it's their father's calms them, settling in easy to their seats as the older one shouts unhelpful instructions as to how to buckle the car seat. you text price an update, then head towards their mother's.

when you get there, though, something's off. john picks up on the first ring. "everything ok?" he pants, hard. "yeah, the girls are fine. i'm at their mom's but i don't think anyone's home? the lights are off." he barks out a curse, and shamefully, it sends a spark straight to your core. "if it's ok, i could take them to get dinner? maybe pizza and ice cream since they had a long day? they only had a snack at the after program." he sighs and you can practically see him nodding in agreement.

"yeah, love. get some food in them, their mom should be home in an hour." love. spoken warmly and fluidly, like it was meant to be there. you bid him goodbye and take a deep breath, locking yourself into babysitter mode with no thoughts of their father. "who wants ice cream?" you ask, and smile when they scream.

an hour later, you get back to the house with two sugared-up littles. for all the grief their mom has caused john, you don't particularly care. the lady herself is standing on driveway, arms crossed with a frown. when you let the girls out, they hug-attack their mother, and she earns a few points back with her whispered "hello, my darlings. go wash up, mummy will be in soon."

you're closing the doors when she appears next to you. "so you're john's girlfriend." you frown, shaking your head. "no ma'am, i'm one of his lieutenants." the determined expression on her face doesn't change. "exactly, you're the lieutenant." and then she says your name like it's been memorized, even though you didn't offer it to her. all you can do is nod numbly and make an excuse to get back to base, ruminating on her words the whole time.

back in price's office, it's like deja vu with how tired he looks. this time, he greets you at the door, only a singular lamp on in the background. "hi cap-" the words get cut off when you're pulled into a bone crushing hug. it takes you a second to readjust: his hands around your waist, head tucked into the cruck of your neck.

slowly, your own hands wrap around his neck, pulling him in deeper. your fingers thread through his hair, cringing when they knock off his hat. he doesn't seem to care, squeezing you tight before pulling back. "thank you." he murmurs, hands still on your waist. your own drop to your sides, floating. "you told her i'm your girlfriend?" you eek out, unable to hold it back. his relieved expression drops, hands unsure at your waist. "i- she asked who the girls were visitin' at the hospital. was easier that way." your face drops at his response. john has an opposite reaction, stepping closer with a rough grip to your hip.

"you wanted another answer?" there's nowhere to go under the force of his stare. "maybe." is what you finally spit out. bravely, your hand finds the rough hair of his beard, exploring. it's as simple as a yes.

his kiss is possessive and bruising, pushing you against the door. your other hand tangles in his hair, pulling him in further. one of your legs wraps around his waist and with some encouragement, he gets you to surrender your position fully, your legs in his hands. "christ, ya taste like sherbert." you giggle, folding yourself further into him. "it was, oh fuck." he licks a stripe up your neck before kissing your jaw. "it was mango." he hums appreciatively.

“such a good wife f’ me.” you freeze, pulling back. “i’m not your wife, john.” yet here you are, his face in your hands like it’s yours to hold. “my hoodie.” he kisses your forehead. “pickin’ up my girls.” your cheek. “usin’ my money.” the credit card you found in the hoodie pocket. he shakes you out of your reverie with a nip to the neck.

“tha’s wha’ i thought.” he murmurs when you don’t argue back. you shut him up with a kiss. “i can see why you got divorced, cave man.” and all he does is laugh, moving to set you down on his office table.

john tugs off your layers one by one until you’re in your bra, legs spread on his office. “john.” he hums, fingers exploring the lines of your bra. “can we talk?” he stops suddenly, eyes on yours. the force of it is too much, making you meek and weak-willed. “so…you like me?” he nods, tracing the lines of your skin until he gets to the wound, healing on your torso. “felt like i died too when ya got shot. right in front of me an’ i couldn’t protect you.” you shake your head, pulling him in by the belt buckle until he’s between your legs. “it wasn’t your fault. we cleared the area best we could.” he kisses the scar, soft and sweet. “let me make it up to you?” you nod.

john pulls down a cup of your bra, laving at your tit like he’s trying to draw milk. “right, love. lay back f’ me.” and like always, you do.

i wrote this in between classes and it’s unedited. perhaps will come back to edit. anyways.

#price #cod 141 #i wrote this in class #price call of duty #captain john price #price is right #price cod #john price #captain price #john price x reader #captain price x reader #price x reader #tornadothoughts

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esandiinsari · 4 hours ago

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''hehe mac in panel 17 is like "oh NO U DON'T! PUT YOUR MOUTH WHERE IT BELONGS'' kyri , that's my fav part!! when i first started watching lmk i never thought i would be so invested in shadowpeach so much. there's this deep unresolved history between them and omg the tension .When Macaquee performed that shadow play of their past to mk in the show, his voice and soul conveyed the hurt and betrayal. after all this time he still think about it and i bet those moments haunt him even when in diyu. and don't get me started about wukong. this monkey regret everybit of what happened between them . when he fights macaque i see the anger and unresolved issues. they know eachother's every move , every hit, every punch. but when mk came into their life and changed everything, they grew to love him and protect him just like parents.

In season 5 macaque fights MK and tries to not let him go and let him sacrifice himself. I see that moment as a reflection of how Macaque feels about wukong going to war with the Jade emperor. He couldn't do anything to prevent wukong from doing it back then. But the urge, the push Macaque feels to stop mk from doing something now will definitely activate Macaque's feelings for mk as his own son.

And Wokong must have never thought that he was going to love this kid with his life so much that he would take his place in the pillar. Wukong must have raised his staff against Macaque during the journey to the West, but now he stands against MK from killing himself. The last thing Wukong wants in his immortal life (even when the world is literally at its end) is to see another one of his loved ones end his life.

waiting for season 6 , i get to see macaque's, wukong's and mk's lives and relationship from a different plot and art style. thank you @kyri45 IN LOVE WITH THEIR KISS also thanks for the new wallpaper, kyri. SHADOWPEACH - CANON legoo!!

youtube

And when the day kisses the night you know that, even after the dark, the light will shine on a new sunrise.

AT LONG LAST.

AT LONG.

LAST.

THE BITCHES. FINALLY. KISSED!!!!!!!

SHADOWPEACH IS OFFICIALLY CANON!!1!1!1 (in the au)

Shadowpeach Bio Parent AU (PREV/ FIRST / )

Next part is coming on February 8th, 1PM ET

You can bet your ass they kept making out on the way to heaven.

More rambling and Horizontal and vertical versions of the kiss under the cut!

Well, what can I say. It's been a long journey, but the Shadowpeach Bio Parents AU can finally be officially a "Shadowpeach-canon" AU ahah. Hopefully the slow-burn wasn't too painful. I put my heart on my sleeve when I say that I swore to myself that as soon as the two bitches completely, fully forgive each other, then, and only then, they could have their moment.

Then, something something-having your true form while doing an act/saying something means showing the honesty of what you are saying/doing-something something

I laughed my ass off so many times while drawing panel 7 bc like- Mac is just "omg this idiot is so stupid, he's my idiot, I love him so much"

lastly, finally, FINALLY, I don't have to hold back anymore! Prepare yourself, Im gonna go full blast with these bitches. If you thought whatever they were doing before was gay, BOY DO I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU. this story might as well turn intp a FWP (plot? what plot? fluff without plot)

hehe mac in panel 17 is like "oh NO U DON'T! PUT YOUR MOUTH WHERE IT BELONGS

Maybe this is not as epic or as a boom as the spicynoodle kiss. But that's kind of the point. They are the doomned toxic yaoi who healed in the past 6 months. They have always been together kind of. A kiss is just one of the hundreds other actions and words they shared during all the other parts of the story. They loved each other well before this chapter. So a kiss is just a natural course of them re-discovering each other and their intimacy. They sleep together (literally sleeping together, not sex yet) they comfort each other at their lowest, they saw each other inner selfs, they call each other nicknames, they call each other beautiful. I mean this was less of a "Slow Burn" and more a "put it in the microwave cause it got cold so that it slowly get warm again, but the food was already cooked"

#kyri45 #lmk #comic #lego monkie kid #lmk fanart #lego monkie kid fanart #lmk season 5 #lmk shadowpeach #shadowpeach bio parents au #monkey qi xiaotian #monkey mk #lmk macaque #liu er mihou #lmk sun wukong #lego monkey kid fanart #lmk monkey king #lmk wukong

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weirdblkgrl · 3 days ago

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MODERN AU! SEVIKA HEADCANONS

cw: none i think. just fluff

an: please forgive me if this is trash, this is my first post. also this is barely proofread sorry :p. also here's my modern!sevika moodboard

modern!sevika who’s love language is physical touch. she’s not great with her words like… at all. she loves to wrap her strong arms around your waist and bury her face in her neck while you’re cooking or cling onto you while she's sleeping. she won’t tell you she loves you, but she’ll tell you in other ways.

soft giggles escape your lips. “what are you doing?” you question, as sevika holds you down on the couch. she peppers slow, soft, wet kisses in a trail from your cheek, to your jaw, and down your neck. “what, i’m not allowed to kiss my girl anymore?” she replies, a cheeky smile on her face.

modern!sevika who loves to watch cheesy rom-coms with her girl. whether it’s a k-drama or an old movie, she’s pretty much down to watch anything. not only does she watch it, but she’s invested in it. she’s definitely slammed her cup on the coffee table too hard, and a bit too many times. she can’t help it, how else is she supposed to react to such a riveting plot?

sevika watches the tv screen intently, eyebrows furrowed. “wait. the head nurse is her mom? and her mom killed his mom?! what the hell?!” you can’t help but laugh and feel amused seeing her so into the show.

(any its okay not to be okay fans? :p)

modern!sevika who is actually super sweet, but only extends that curtesy to her girlfriend. i mean, let’s be real, she has the meanest rbf you have ever seen and she’s the most romantic person, to say the least. but if there’s anything she knows how to do, is take care of what’s hers.

you can’t help but plop onto your bed and let out an exasperated sigh after the day you’ve had. long meetings, a heap ton of work, and constantly complaining bosses has finally taken its toll on you. you curl up on your bed, stray tears falling from your watery eyes and soft sniffles escaping you. you were so lost in your thoughts, that you didn’t even notice sevika had arrived home. it wasn’t until you felt a dip in the bed behind you, that your cries had paused.

“what’s wrong?” you hear behind you, in a low gravelly voice as the smell of cinnamon and sandalwood settle in the air. “just…work.” you respond weakly. she hums as she wraps a strong arm around you and pulls you closer. she leaves a gentle kiss on your shoulder. "need something?"

she’ll do whatever you need her to do. she’ll go out and get food, or cook your favorite meal. she cuddle you on the couch, and let you put whatever you want on the tv. all that matters is that her girl feels better, and when she finally gets a smile out of you, she can’t help but emulate it, tooth gap and all.

modern!sevika who can speak fluent hindi. she doesn’t speak it often, but she might mumble something under breath subconsciously since it was her first language. she finds it absolutely adorable when you try to repeat after her and totally butcher the pronunciation. she appreciates the effort. you’ve also picked up a couple phrases she says often, responding in english to whatever it is she said.

not only do you try to speak her language, but she’ll try to speak any other language you do, too. despite her confident demeanor though, she gets shy, so she'll just respond in english as well.

“tengo hambre,” you groan. she scoffs, though it’s more like a laugh. “go make yourself something to eat then.” a childish pout quickly forms on your face as give her a mean side eye. sevika rolls her eyes, knowing you’re too lazy to go cook yourself a proper meal. she’ll give in, not wanting you to be hungry. “next time you’re doing this yourself,” she’ll grumble.

(obviously if not spanish whatever other language you speak)

modern!sevika who's undeniably and astonishingly good with people. it makes sense, since she is a corporate manager for a large finance company. when your friends first meet her, everyone was, understandably, intimidated. but they were surprised to find she’s actually… charming. it's easy to have a conversation with her, but only if she wants to have one. she'll make it known if she doesn't.

a small smile finds its way onto your face as you leave your friend's event. "what?" sevika asks, confused, but amused nonetheless. "nothing... just... that went better than expected." she raises an eyebrow. "what? what'd you think was gonna happen?" she asks, skeptically. "to be honest, i'm not sure, but i didn't know you were so... personable." you give her a suspicious look, "have you been hiding this skill from me?" she rolls her eyes. "dont be an idiot. how'd you think i got you head over heels for me?" she says, as she smiles cockily.

ahh she's my fave i hope you liked it :D

#arcane #sevika x reader #sevika #arcane season 2 #league of legends #x reader

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soluversworld · 1 day ago

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MISTER x SHOUJO - Subaru Oogami x G.N Reader part 2!

The kid at the back is a 18+ visual novel Minors don’t interact!

Words: 16000

Genre: G.N Reader (Fluff, Angst!)

Summary: You and Geo navigate an unconventional relationship built on misunderstanding, tension, and unexpected moments of connection. After a lie spirals out of control, rumors spread that Geo is your boyfriend, much to the confusion of everyone around you—including Geo himself. Despite his cold and hostile demeanor, Geo reluctantly agrees to play along, but only for his own peace and solitude.

Geo’s sharp, broody personality often leaves you feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. He doesn’t hesitate to criticize you, flick your forehead when you talk back, or scold you for minor mistakes. Yet, he also protects you, whether from prying classmates or persistent admirers, and even takes your hand to make a show of your “relationship” when his friends are watching.

( Reader is a g.n!)-

Trigger Warning: This content contains themes of

Tension-filled dynamics with elements of power imbalance and verbal hostility’s

Rumors and social pressures leading to feelings of alienation and discomfort.

Physical gestures of dominance (e.g., flicking foreheads, pinching).

Underlying themes of unresolved trauma and complex family dynamics

Solivan Brugmanisa

Violence, Blood

EXTRA: He’s a character from a game named The kid at the back!! Note, Been reading a lot of Shoujo mangas why not! Make Geo and reader in such a simple plot!

The rain came down in heavy sheets, drumming against the pavement, soaking into the cracks of the worn-out sidewalk. You hadn't brought an umbrella.

Brittney and Jess stood beside you under the overhang of the school building, the cold air thick with the scent of damp earth and wet asphalt. Jess was already dialing her dad, her fingers moving with practiced ease across her phone screen.

“He’ll be here soon,” she said, glancing at you with an expression that was both neutral and expectant.

“You don’t have to—” You started, but Brittney cut you off.

“Don’t even think about saying you’re fine.” Her voice was firm, but there was warmth beneath it. “We’re friends, right? Friends take care of each other.”

Friends.

The word sank into your chest like an unfamiliar weight. It was kind. Too kind. You didn’t deserve it. Not when you were tangled up in a mess of lies and half-truths with Geo, not when—

A sharp snap broke through your thoughts. The unmistakable sound of an umbrella opening.

The three of you turned at the same time.

Geo stood there, holding a sleek black umbrella, his aquamarine eyes sharp and unreadable. His presence alone was enough to draw attention—even in the dim light of the rainy evening, he looked like something out of a different world, the mist curling around his tall frame like he belonged in it.

“Jess. Brittney.” His voice was flat, but there was an edge to it. “You two can go. I’ll take them home.”

Silence.

Jess blinked. Brittney’s eyebrows shot up.

You? With Geo?

No further explanation. No room for argument. He simply stood there, umbrella in hand, waiting.

Deryl appeared out of nowhere, slinging an arm around Geo’s shoulders with a grin that could only mean trouble. “Well, well, well,” he drawled. “Did the cold-blooded prince of archery just volunteer to be someone’s escort? What’s next? Holding hands?”

Geo’s eyes snapped toward him, sharp as a blade. He didn’t say a word—he didn’t have to. The death glare alone was enough to make Deryl lift his hands in surrender, still smirking but taking a step back. “Okay, okay, damn. Didn’t know you were that serious.”

You swallowed, shifting uncomfortably.

Jess and Brittney exchanged glances, their previous teasing momentarily forgotten.

“It’s fine,” you said quietly, forcing a small smile. “Really. Thank you for offering, but I can—”

Geo’s stare darkened.

Your breath caught in your throat.

Brittney sighed, rolling her eyes, and grabbed Jess’s arm. “Let’s just go. If we argue, we’ll be standing here all night, and my hair doesn’t do well in humidity.”

Jess hesitated but eventually nodded. “Text me when you get home,” she murmured before following Brittney toward the parking lot, disappearing into the storm.

Now it was just you and Geo.

The moment stretched.

You hesitated before stepping forward, murmuring an apology to Jess and Brittney as you walked toward him. He didn’t react, just turned and started walking, his long strides forcing you to match his pace.

The umbrella was big enough to shield you both, but just barely. You were close—too close. The sound of raindrops pattering against the fabric above you was deafening in the silence.

People stared. Whispered.

You caught snippets.

“Isn’t that Geo?”

“They’re actually walking together?”

“Did that student change him?”

You swallowed hard, your grip tightening around the strap of your bag. The rumors were getting worse.

Geo, as expected, said nothing. His face was unreadable, but there was a tension in his shoulders, a quiet sort of irritation that made the air feel heavier.

You walked in silence, the only sounds between you being the soft tap, tap, tap of your footsteps on the wet pavement. The whole time, he held the umbrella steadily, keeping you covered without so much as a glance in your direction.

You hated this silence. It felt suffocating.

After a few blocks, you finally gathered the courage to speak. “…You really didn’t have to.”

Geo didn’t respond immediately. His grip on the umbrella tightened slightly. “You would’ve walked in the rain.”

You blinked. “So?”

He exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the cold air. “That’s stupid.”

Your lips parted, but you had no immediate reply to that.

You studied his face—the way his jaw tensed slightly, the furrow of his brows. He looked calm on the surface, but there was something deeper beneath it, something restrained.

You glanced at his hands. His fingers, long and calloused from years of archery, curled tightly around the umbrella’s handle.

“…You don’t like this, do you?” You murmured, half to yourself.

Geo’s eyes flickered toward you for a fraction of a second before he looked away. “What do you think?”

You sighed. “That’s a no.”

Another silence.

More whispers from passing students.

You couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you care what happens to me?”

Geo stopped walking.

The sudden pause made you nearly bump into him. Your breath hitched as he turned slightly, his sharp aquamarine eyes locking onto yours.

It was brief. Just a second.

Then he looked away again, continuing forward as if nothing had happened.

“Because,” he finally muttered, voice lower than before, “you’re part of this mess now.”

That was it. No further explanation.

The rain poured relentlessly, drenching the pavement in shimmering puddles. Under the shared umbrella, you could hear the hushed murmurs of onlookers, their whispers weaving into the storm.

You turned to Geo with exaggerated enthusiasm, a sudden, wicked idea sparking in your mind.

“Oh, darling~” you cooed, dramatically pressing a hand to your chest. “Aren’t we just the happiest couple? Walking home together in the rain, side by side, sharing such an intimate moment?”

Geo twitched. His eye twitched. His soul twitched.

“Shut up,” he deadpanned.

You ignored him, pressing on with a theatrical flourish. “Oh, how romantic this is! Just the two of us, against the cruel, stormy world! I swear this must be fate, my dear—”

Geo clicked his tongue, adjusting his grip on the umbrella with thinly veiled irritation. “Hold this properly,” he muttered, shifting it slightly in your direction. “You’re making me get wet.”

You flinched.

For a brief moment, you nearly dropped the act—his words striking something deeply embarrassing within you. He wasn’t even trying to be suggestive, but your brain immediately short-circuited.

Geo noticed. His scowl deepened.

“Not like that, you idiot.”

You cleared your throat, snapping back to reality. “R-Right.”

With an awkward shuffle, you tried to hold the umbrella better, but it was already a lost cause. The angle was off, and soon, Geo was frowning harder, clearly feeling the cold drizzle creeping onto his shoulder.

Then, with a sharp, irritated sigh, he did something unexpected.

Geo stopped walking, opened his bag, and pulled out—

Another umbrella.

Another. Umbrella.

You stared.

He had two this whole time?!

Geo flicked the new one open with a practiced motion, took a single step away from you, and then—without a glance back—simply walked off, his own umbrella shielding him completely while you were left standing there, blinking in betrayal.

“H-Hey!” You called after him, gripping the one he shoved into your hands. “Wait a damn second!”

“Go home,” Geo said flatly, not slowing down.

You hurried after him, huffing. “Why do you get to walk off with your own umbrella while I have to stand here looking—”

“I don’t want to be seen with freaks like you near my place,” he cut in, voice as cold as the rain itself. “I don’t care what happens to you. Just go.”

The words stung more than they should have.

You clenched the handle of the umbrella, watching as he continued forward, his figure growing smaller under the storm.

But then you saw it.

A sleek, black car parked at the curb. A driver waiting outside, umbrella in hand. And standing near it, glaring daggers at the poor man, was Geo.

“I told you I don’t need a driver,” he snapped, his voice barely audible over the rain.

The bodyguard—because of course he had a bodyguard—merely sighed and gestured toward the car. “Apologies, sir. Please get inside.”

Geo gritted his teeth, but eventually, with one last frustrated glance around, he yanked the car door open and disappeared inside.

You stood there, watching as the vehicle pulled away, headlights flickering in the downpour.

You had forgotten.

Geo wasn’t just the broody, moody, overachieving archer. He was rich—filthy rich.

You glanced at the umbrella in your hands, feeling the weight of it, the quiet gift he hadn’t even acknowledged.

Then, with a sigh, you turned in the opposite direction, heading home.

The rhythmic pattering of rain followed you all the way home, but it didn’t wash away the strange, twisting feeling in your chest.

Geo’s words still echoed in your head.

"I don’t want to be seen with freaks like you near my place."

You scoffed, gripping the umbrella tighter as you trudged forward. Whatever. It wasn’t like you wanted to be seen with him either.

And yet…

A part of you lingered on the way he silently handed you the umbrella. On the way he had simply waited for you earlier, without a word, standing under the rain. On the way he—

“Nope. No. Absolutely not.” You shook your head violently, trying to knock the thoughts out of your brain. This was getting out of hand.

You couldn’t keep doing this. This whole fake relationship thing. The stares. The whispers. The emotional whiplash from Geo being a cold, scowling menace one second and then silently protecting you the next.

It was exhausting.

So, you needed a solution.

And then, like a divine revelation, it hit you.

True love.

Yes. That was the answer.

All you had to do was fall in love with someone real. Someone who actually wanted to be with you. Someone who wasn’t a broody, emotionally constipated archery prodigy with a superiority complex.

If you found an actual person to like—no, to love—then this whole stupid, fake romance thing with Geo wouldn’t matter anymore.

You wouldn't have to keep up the act.

Wouldn’t have to deal with his flicks to your forehead.

Wouldn’t have to endure his sharp glares or his occasional, frustrating moments of protectiveness that made your heart almost falter.

No. None of that.

You just had to fall in love.

Easy, right?

…Right?

You stepped into your house, closing the umbrella, and let out a long, tired sigh.

Yeah. This would totally work.

It had to.

The Next Day: The Hunt for "True Love" (And Your Sanity)

You had a plan. A perfect, foolproof, completely rational plan.

Step one: Find someone attractive. Step two: Fall in love. Step three: Free yourself from this insufferable fake relationship with Geo.

Simple. Logical. Efficient.

So, with determination (and a slight, gnawing desperation), you set off to class, ready to find your one true love. Or at least someone who didn’t make you want to bash your head against a wall.

Candidate #1: The Handsome Senior

He was tall. He was charming. He had the kind of presence that made people turn their heads when he walked by. You heard he was a part of the student council. Mature, responsible, and respected. Perfect boyfriend material.

So, you casually walked by him, attempting your best "mysterious yet approachable" look.

And then you heard him speak.

"Oh, sorry, I can't hang out today. I have to alphabetize my sock collection."

…Excuse me?

You stopped dead in your tracks. Did you mishear that? Did he just say… socks?

You glanced at his friend, who just nodded understandingly. "Right, right. Color-coded or just standard alphabetizing?"

"Both. It’s a double system. Gotta keep things organized."

Yeah. No. Absolutely not. You weren’t about to date someone who spent their free time alphabetizing their wardrobe.

You shuffled away before he noticed your stare.

Candidate #2: The Sweet, Soft-Spoken Classmate

She was kind. She had a soothing voice, like a character straight out of a slice-of-life anime. She was the kind of person who would probably knit scarves for stray kittens in her free time.

You sat next to her in class, thinking, Yes. This is the kind of warmth I need in my life.

Then she sneezed.

And it was the single most ungodly, horrific, window-shattering sound you had ever heard in your life.

The entire classroom fell into stunned silence. A few students subtly checked their ears for damage. One guy in the back whispered, "I saw my life flash before my eyes."

Meanwhile, she just sniffled sweetly and continued taking notes.

You decided this was a battle your eardrums weren’t willing to fight.

Candidate #3: The Gym Guy

Alright. Time for something different. Maybe a more physical type. Someone with a strong presence, confidence, charisma.

So, you went to the campus gym, looking for potential.

And oh, you found potential.

A muscular, determined-looking guy was lifting weights in the corner, the epitome of strength and discipline. He had an intense look in his eyes, like he was training for a heroic final battle.

You watched for a second, debating if you should strike up a conversation.

Then he looked at himself in the mirror and whispered, "You are a majestic beast. The gods themselves weep at your strength."

Okay. Time to leave.

Candidate #4: The Bad Boy Wannabe

Alright. You’d tried polite. You’d tried cute. You’d tried athletic. Maybe a little danger was the way to go.

So, you found someone who fit the bill.

Leather jacket. Piercings. Probably smelled like cigarette smoke and rebellion. He leaned against a vending machine like he was posing for a magazine shoot.

You steeled yourself and walked past him, making sure to glance his way.

He smirked. "Hey, babe. What’s your name?"

Okay. Good start. Flirty. Confident. Classic bad-boy energy.

Then he winked. With both eyes.

BOTH. EYES.

Like a weirdly slow, uncomfortable double blink.

Your soul left your body.

You walked away without a word.

Candidate #5: Literally Anyone Else at This Point

You were getting desperate. Someone. Anyone. Please.

You tried chatting with the friendly barista at the café. But he wouldn’t stop talking about his pet lizard and how they were "spiritually connected in a past life."

You tried making conversation with a fellow bookworm at the library. But she responded with "The only true love I need is between the pages of a good novel."

You even considered the quiet nerdy kid in the corner, but then you saw him aggressively arguing about the exact power levels of anime characters in an online forum.

It was hopeless.

No one felt right. No one fit.

And as much as you tried to ignore it, there was a nagging voice in the back of your mind telling you why.

Because every time you tried to picture yourself with someone else…

Every time you imagined soft, romantic moments with someone new…

Your mind kept wandering back to Geo.

To the way he held the umbrella over you without a word. To the way his fingers had curled around yours in the cafeteria. To the way he scolded you, flicked your forehead, glared at you like an angry cat—yet still, somehow, always ended up looking out for you.

You shook your head violently. No. Absolutely not.

Geo was cold. Geo was distant. Geo didn’t want to be seen with you.

This was fake.

So why…?

The moment you stepped out of class, you knew something was wrong.

The hallway was too quiet.

Like the unsettling calm before a horror movie jumpscare.

And then—

"THERE THEY ARE!"

You barely had time to blink before you were surrounded. A group of girls, all dressed in varying shades of Geo’s fanclub aesthetic—dark colors, sharp eyeliner, and expressions that screamed unhinged devotion—stood before you like a council of judges prepared to deliver a death sentence.

"Come with us," one of them said. It wasn’t a request.

You weren’t dumb. Running would just make it worse. So, with a heavy sigh, you let yourself be dragged—literally dragged—to the school playground.

A trial was about to begin.

Geo’s Divine Court

They stood in a circle, blocking any possible exit.

"HOW COULD YOU?!" one girl shrieked.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" you shot back, already exhausted.

"You don’t deserve him!" another spat. "Geo—**OUR GEO—**is a divine being! He is to be worshipped from afar! Not… touched!"

Someone gasped at the mere idea of physical contact.

You rubbed your temples. "You guys are insane."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

You groaned. "Look. If you all love him so much, why don’t you just confess?"

Gasps. Literal gasps.

One girl looked horrified. Another clutched her chest like she was about to faint.

"Confess?!" one finally shrieked. "That’s—that’s sacrilegious!"

"You don’t just confess to Geo!" another shouted. "You admire him from afar!"

"You appreciate his existence!"

"You burn incense in his honor!"

…What?

"Hold on, hold on," you cut in. "Let me get this straight. You’re all obsessed with him, but none of you want to actually date him?"

"Of course not!"

"He is too pure for a mere mortal like us!"

"He is an untouchable deity!"

You stared at them. Then muttered under your breath, "People are so dumb."

Unfortunately, they heard you.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

You flinched. Great. Time to dig your grave deeper.

"I mean…" You cleared your throat. "It’s just… kind of stupid? You guys are acting like he’s some kind of god, when in reality, he’s just a guy. A really rude guy, but still a guy."

Silence.

Tension filled the air. They were ready to kill you.

You swallowed nervously. "Look, I don’t know what to tell you. I confessed. He accepted. It’s not my fault you guys are too scared to try."

"WHAT?!"

"Oh my god." You let out a nervous laugh, waving them off. "It’s literally only a rule for cowards who won’t confess. I confessed. He said yes. You guys are just annoying, ahahaha—"

The world froze.

You realized what you just said.

Oh no.

Their eyes burned into you, the sheer rage radiating from them enough to make you question every decision you had ever made.

And then—

"YOU WHAT?!?!"

Meanwhile, Elsewhere…

Geo sneezed.

Deryl, standing next to him, snickered. "Someone must be talking about you~"

Geo scowled. He had a bad feeling about this.

Just when you thought you were about to be devoured by a mob of rabid fangirls, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Oi."

The air shifted.

The girls turned, faces paling instantly.

A guy stood behind them—tall, broad-shouldered, and unmistakably a delinquent. His uniform was messily worn, his red hair a wild contrast to the dark scowl he wore.

"You lot done acting like clowns?" he said, his voice slow and unimpressed.

Silence.

Then—

Without another word, the fangirls scattered like roaches.

You blinked. Huh. That was easy.

The guy sighed, looking down at you. "You okay?"

You realized you were still sitting on the ground, dirt on your sleeves and a sore feeling in your wrist from where one of them had grabbed you.

"...Yeah."

He held out a hand. "C'mon."

Hesitantly, you took it.

Warm. His grip was strong, but gentle.

"Let’s get you patched up," he said, leading you toward the infirmary.

An Unexpected Invitation

The antiseptic stung as the guy carefully dabbed a cotton swab against a small scrape on your arm.

"You sure you’re Geo’s lover?" he asked casually.

You tensed. "...Yeah?"

For a split second, his lips curled into a smirk—sharp, knowing. But then, just as quickly, it was replaced with a kind smile.

"That so?" He leaned back. "Well, you must be pretty special then."

You laughed awkwardly. "Not really."

"You are if you got him to say yes."

You shrugged, trying to change the subject. "Anyway… thanks for helping me out."

He waved it off. "Nah, don’t worry about it. People like them are just annoying." He paused, then suddenly asked, "Hey, you busy Sunday?"

You blinked. "Uh… no?"

"Cool." His smile was too sweet. "Let’s hang out then."

What.

Your brain short-circuited.

A GUY JUST ASKED YOU OUT?!

This was NEW TERRITORY. Geo never asked you out—he just dragged you places without warning. But this guy? He was polite. He asked. He even looked kind while doing it!

"O-Okay!" you said before your nerves could catch up to you.

He grinned. "Then let’s exchange numbers."

Your heart was racing.

After swapping contacts, you smiled at your phone like an idiot. He was so nice.

This was great! Maybe this was exactly what you needed!

A nice, normal, sweet guy who didn’t flick your forehead or act like you were a burden—

The infirmary door slammed open.

Possessiveness in Motion

Geo stood there, face unreadable, gaze immediately locking onto you.

"...Come."

You blinked. "What?"

Geo didn’t repeat himself. He didn’t look at the red-haired guy. Just at you.

"...Right now?"

His eyes darkened. "Come."

The air grew thick. The red-haired guy tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze as he observed the tension.

But Geo didn’t acknowledge him. He was focused on you—and not in a way that made you feel safe.

You hesitated, glancing at the guy beside you. He gave you a gentle look, as if silently asking if you were okay.

Geo finally turned his head.

The temperature in the room dropped.

It wasn’t a glare—it was worse. It was indifference mixed with a warning.

Like Geo was looking at a bug he didn’t want to waste his time on.

The red-haired guy just grinned.

"Heh."

Geo ignored him, turning back to you, waiting.

You sighed. "...Sorry," you muttered to the guy before standing up.

He just leaned back in his chair, watching as you left with Geo.

And the moment the door shut behind you—

A chuckle.

Low, quiet, but unmistakably mirthful.

"Heh… heheheh…"

His smile stretched into something darker.

"Geo, Geo… you’re gonna be just as heartbroken as me."

You were just about to step out of the infirmary when Geo appeared again, his presence like a storm cloud, sudden and looming.

"Give me your phone." His voice was colder than the air in the room.

You froze, blinking at him. "What?"

He didn’t answer, just held his hand out, waiting for you to comply. You hesitated. This was getting out of hand. Why was he suddenly acting like this? But you had no choice but to hand him your phone. What else could you do? His grip on your arm was firm, his gaze unyielding.

He swiped through your phone without so much as a glance at you. The silence between you two was thick, heavy with confusion and something else—something that felt like a storm gathering in the distance.

Then, without any explanation, he went to your contact list and found the number for the red-haired guy. You stared, bewildered, as he deleted it with a few swift movements.

"Geo! Why—"

You started, your voice shaking with a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Why did you do that? He was nice to me! He helped me when those girls were... were attacking me. He was—"

"I know what he was," Geo interrupted sharply, his voice cutting through the air like ice. "He was just some guy who thought he could flirt with you and make me look like a fool."

You blinked. "He wasn’t like that at all!"

Geo was glaring at you now, and for a moment, it almost felt like he was staring straight into your soul. His eyes were cold, calculating, full of contempt and something else—something that looked like... disappointment.

"Why?" You repeated, more quietly this time. "Why would you delete his number? He was a good person. He treated me like I was... like I was someone worth—"

Geo suddenly grabbed your phone and shoved it into your hand. "Don’t talk to me about being worth something." His voice was low, strained, as if he was holding back something much darker. "You don’t get it, do you?"

You stared at him, mouth agape. "What don’t I get, Geo?"

"Everything," he spat. "Everything you're doing is fake." His words stung, harsh and unforgiving. "You think I’m doing this because I want to see you all cozy with some random guy who probably doesn’t care about you? I’m doing this because you’re too damn naïve."

Your heart pounded in your chest. "I’m naïve?!" You felt your anger rise, your voice trembling but growing stronger. "You’re the one deleting my number like some kind of jealous psycho. How is that any better, huh?"

Geo looked at you, his eyes darkening even more. "It’s not about being jealous," he snapped. "It’s about you getting caught up in some stupid fantasy, thinking everything is some damn fairytale. There’s no ‘true love,’ no ‘perfect guy.’ There’s just people, and they’ll all use you if you let them."

You were shaking now, feeling like the world was spinning around you. His words cut deep, but something about the way he said it—something about the way he looked at you, like he was speaking from experience, made you want to scream at him.

"I don’t need you to protect me, Geo." The words slipped out before you could stop them. "You’re not helping me, you’re just trying to control me. You act like you care, but all you do is push me away every time I try to understand you. Maybe you don’t even know what the hell you want!"

Geo didn’t say anything for a long moment. He just stood there, glaring at you, as if weighing your words. Then, finally, he spoke. "You’re an idiot." His voice was thick with disgust. "You think everything’s so easy, don’t you? That all this... this fake dating thing, it’s all some stupid game to you." He paused, his voice growing quieter, as if he was trying to swallow something heavy. "I’m trying to help you, but you’re too damn stubborn to see it."

You were speechless, all of a sudden feeling like the world around you was collapsing. "Help me?" You repeated, your voice trembling, not entirely sure if you were angry or hurt. "Help me by making me feel like I’m worthless? Like nothing matters except your control over me? You don’t care about me, Geo. You just want to make sure I don’t make my own choices."

Geo’s expression faltered for the briefest second, his eyes narrowing. "I’m not some hero, okay? I never wanted to be."

But you couldn’t stand it anymore. "Then stop acting like you are!" you snapped. "Stop trying to make decisions for me!"

Geo stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. His eyes softened, just for a moment, but the coldness quickly returned. "You’re too much of a damn mess to know what’s good for you." He was speaking quietly now, as though talking to himself more than to you. "You don’t even know how dangerous it is to get attached to people like that guy. He’s not real, just like this whole stupid thing between us. Fake. All of it."

You felt your heart sink. You had always known Geo was messed up, but hearing him say those words… it made everything feel like it was breaking apart.

You stepped back, your voice barely above a whisper. "You know what? You’re right." You shook your head, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.- "Yes! But it's not fake like us!"

Geo didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. He just turned and walked away, his back to you, leaving you with your tangled thoughts and a broken heart.

It was Sunday, and the sun was beginning to dip low, casting a warm golden glow over everything. The red-haired guy, whose name you now knew was Kai, had taken you out to a café and even showed you a few places in town you'd never seen before. For the first time in a long time, you were enjoying yourself, feeling something you hadn’t allowed yourself to feel in a while: happiness.

He was so kind, so different from Geo, in all the right ways. There was no bitterness or possessiveness in his eyes, no constant tension in his voice. He smiled easily, laughed easily, and you found yourself relaxing in his company, like you could just be... you. No pretenses, no drama. It felt... normal.

As the evening progressed, Kai had taken you to a small bar where the two of you shared a drink, talking about everything and nothing. You felt at ease with him, so different from the constant pressure you felt when Geo was around. It was refreshing. When you reached for your wallet to pay for your drink, Kai stopped you with a soft laugh.

"Don't worry about it," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "It's on me."

You froze for a moment, feeling your face warm up. "Oh, no, I can pay. I don’t mind." You weren’t used to anyone paying for you, especially someone who wasn’t your family. But Kai just shook his head and smiled.

"It’s fine. I insisted."

You smiled back, a little embarrassed, but also grateful. There was something so nice about this moment, so normal.

But then, as you were both walking out, Kai hesitated, his expression shifting slightly. You noticed it, the way his shoulders stiffened, and the way his smile faltered. It was subtle, but it was there. He glanced at you before letting out a small sigh.

"Sorry, I should’ve thought this through," he said, his voice softer now. "I... I forgot that you have a boyfriend. I shouldn't have taken you out like this."

The words hit you like a punch to the gut. "Boyfriend?" you repeated, confused. You tried to push the tightness in your chest down, but it was hard to ignore. "I... I don't have a boyfriend."

Kai looked taken aback by your response, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as he studied your face. "But... you’ve been acting like it. With Geo, right?"

"Geo and I are... fake dating," you muttered, the truth finally spilling out. "It’s not real, not the way you think. It’s all just... to get through some things." You paused, unsure of how to explain. "I’m single, Kai. I’m... not with anyone."

You could see his expression soften, and for a moment, you thought he might have been relieved. His eyes met yours, and there was a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh," he said, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful. "I... I didn’t realize. I’m sorry for assuming."

But then, as if something inside him snapped, that smile faded. His gaze hardened, and his next words came out a little too quickly, too harshly.

"You know," he started, a bitter edge to his voice, "I wasted my entire day today, trying to show you a good time." You blinked, confused by the sudden shift in his demeanor. "I really thought you were different. But maybe I was wrong."

"What... what do you mean?" you asked, your heart suddenly racing in your chest. Something about the way he said it didn’t sit right with you.

Kai looked at you, his expression now full of disdain. "I was just trying to show you something real. Show you someone who cares, someone who doesn’t treat you like shit... unlike that guy you’ve been pretending to date. Geo, right?" His words were sharp, cutting deep. "I thought maybe you could see me as someone better. But clearly, I was just wasting my time."

Your stomach dropped, and you felt yourself shrink under the weight of his words. "Kai... What are you talking about?"

He looked away, his jaw tight as he exhaled deeply, clearly frustrated. "Geo stole my girlfriend," he spat, his voice full of venom. "She was perfect, you know? Smart, funny, beautiful. She was mine, and I loved her. But one day, she looked at Geo, and—poof—just like that, she was gone. Gone because she realized Geo was the real beauty. The one everyone falls for. And you know what? She still likes him, even though he rejected her. He doesn't even care."

Your heart twisted in your chest as you listened to Kai’s words, but the way he was speaking... it was like there was a darker undertone to all of this. You felt the pieces start to click together, but you didn’t want to believe it.

"I just wanted to show that asshole how it feels," Kai continued, his voice shaking with emotion. "I wanted to take his lover away from him. To make him feel what I felt when she left me. You’re just a pawn in this stupid game, you know? Just like she was a pawn for Geo." His words were like knives, stabbing deep into your heart. "I used you. I took you out, made you feel special, just to show Geo that you could be mine, too. But I guess you’re just as much of a fool as I was, huh?"

You felt your chest tighten, your breath shallow. The realization hit you like a brick wall—he had been using you all along. Kai wasn’t interested in you for who you were. He didn’t care about your feelings, your happiness, none of it. You were just a tool for him to take revenge on Geo, to make him feel like he had won.

All of a sudden, you felt like you couldn’t breathe. The room seemed to close in around you, the weight of everything sinking in. You felt stupid, broken, like a fool who had fallen for it all. Everything had been a lie, a setup, from the very beginning.

"I—" you tried to speak, but the words were stuck in your throat. How could you have been so blind?

Kai smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Tell a guy the truth before you waste his money and time. Don’t make the same mistake I did, sweetheart."

Kai’s laughter echoed in the quiet air, his voice sharp and mocking. The sound cut through you like a knife, every word he spat at you stinging worse than the last.

"You really are that stupid, huh?" he sneered, his eyes flashing with cruel satisfaction. "You were so desperate for love that you fell for my little act. How pathetic. I gave you a little taste, and you bought into it like a fool."

You could feel the weight of his words pressing down on you, each one making you feel smaller and more worthless. He looked at you with such disdain, as if you were the joke in a game he had already won. You swallowed hard, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm you, but it was impossible. His words, his laughter... they were too much.

Tears began to sting at the corners of your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. Not here, not now. But it was too late. They slipped down your cheeks anyway, and you couldn’t stop them. It was a mixture of hurt, betrayal, and anger. You had trusted him, believed him when he was kind. But it had all been a lie. All of it.

Suddenly, a loud cough broke through the air, and you looked up to find a familiar figure standing near you. It was Geo, sitting down beside you with that cold, almost indifferent look on his face. The way he looked at Kai—like he was nothing more than a pest—was enough to make Kai pause and turn around.

Kai’s face twisted in anger as he stood up. "This is none of your business, Geo!" he snapped. "She was my girlfriend. You stole her from me!"

Geo glanced at Kai with complete disgust, his lip curling in a barely concealed sneer. "Stole her?" Geo repeated, his voice dripping with scorn. "I didn’t steal anything, idiot. She came to me. She fell for me on her own. I didn’t even know you existed, much less care about your relationship with her. So, quit whining like a child."

Kai’s mouth hung open for a moment, stunned by the audacity of Geo’s words. But his face twisted back into anger as he opened his mouth to retort. But before he could say another word, Geo turned his back to him and reached out to take your hand, pulling you closer.

"We’re leaving," Geo said, his voice low and commanding.

You felt like you were in a haze. The words still stung, and the tears were threatening to come again, but Geo’s touch grounded you. It felt... different, somehow, but in a way that was more real than anything you had felt all day. He didn’t say much, but there was a strange comfort in the way his hand wrapped around yours.

But as Geo led you away, something made you stop in your tracks. Your voice came out shaky, barely above a whisper, as you turned to look at Kai one last time.

"Was all of the kind things you said a lie?" you asked, the words slipping out before you could stop them. The vulnerability in your voice was clear, and you didn’t care anymore. You just needed to know.

Kai’s response was just as cruel as the rest of his behavior. He threw his head back and laughed again, louder this time.

"Of course, it was a lie," he said, his tone dripping with venom. "You’re nothing more than a cheap little toy to play with. You fell so hard for me, but you’re just another person I used to get my revenge. I told you, you’re not worth it." His eyes glinted with malicious pleasure. "No thank you. You’re just desperate. And that’s your problem."

Your chest tightened painfully at his words, the tears that you had been fighting for so long finally breaking free. They ran down your cheeks, but you didn’t care anymore. They were just tears, a small release from everything that had been building up inside. You stared at the ground, unable to look at him any longer.

Geo’s expression softened just slightly as he turned to look at you. He didn’t say anything at first, just watched you for a moment, taking in the sight of you so broken. His usual coldness seemed to slip away, but only for a moment, replaced by something almost... caring. But that didn’t last long.

Geo’s hand tightened around yours, and without warning, he turned back to face Kai, who was still standing there, laughing. His laughter died in an instant as Geo's gaze locked on him, dark and unwavering.

"Shut the hell up," Geo growled, his voice so low and dangerous that it made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Kai opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say anything, Geo’s fist shot out and connected with his jaw with a sickening thud.

The force of the punch sent Kai stumbling back, and he fell to the ground, dazed and disoriented. You stood there, wide-eyed, as Geo glared down at him, his anger radiating off of him in waves.

"Stay the hell away from them," Geo spat, his voice deadly calm. "Next time, I won’t just punch you. I’ll shoot you with an arrow. Got it?" He gave one last, cold look to Kai, who was slowly getting to his feet, still looking dazed but clearly scared.

Kai didn’t even try to fight back. His face was twisted in a mixture of pain and fear, but before he could say anything more, he turned and ran, disappearing into the distance.

Geo stood there, breathing heavily, watching Kai go. After a moment, he turned back to you, his expression unreadable. You felt his gaze on you.

Wiping at your eyes, but your heart still felt heavy. The truth was, you didn’t know if you were okay yet. But Geo had done something for you today—something you never expected. He had protected you in a way no one else had.

Geo didn’t say anything else, just reached out and pulled you toward him, his hand still holding yours.

Geo walked ahead, his pace unhurried, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet street. You followed beside him, your mind buzzing with questions and confusion. It was almost like you were lost in a fog, unable to piece together everything that had just happened.

You glanced over at him, trying to catch a glimpse of the thoughts swirling behind his stoic expression. "Did you know about Kai from the start?" you asked quietly, breaking the silence.

He didn't look at you right away, but when he did, his eyes were sharp, almost cold. "Yeah. Guys like him? They're players," he muttered, voice devoid of any real emotion. "Don't involve me in nonsense like that."

You swallowed hard, biting your lip. The truth was, you didn’t understand any of it. You’d been caught up in a whirlwind of feelings, unsure of who to trust, unsure of what was real. But you couldn’t help but ask, "But even after you knew… you still came. Why?"

Geo's eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. He seemed to consider the question for a moment, but when he spoke, his words came out with a biting edge. "Because you’re delusional," he said bluntly. "That thing you left behind? That wasn’t love. It was a delusion." He shook his head, his gaze turning distant. "This kind of love? There’s no need to feel bad about it."

You blinked at him, not fully processing his words. Geo, with his usual coldness, was telling you that your feelings were nothing but an illusion. You didn’t even know how to respond. You wanted to argue, to tell him that he was wrong, but you felt small in that moment...

He was trying to comfort you..

But then, something inside you shifted.

You stopped walking, your heart suddenly light, the fog in your mind clearing for a brief moment. You felt an almost giddy sensation in your chest—like a spark of realization had ignited within you. Your lips parted in surprise as you quietly whispered to yourself, "Maybe… maybe I did fall."

The truth hit you like a wave. It wasn’t the first time you’d felt something for someone, but this was different. It was him. It had always been him, hadn’t it? Even with all the confusion, all the masks, you had fallen for Geo.

The moment felt so surreal, and yet, as you stood there, still processing it, your heart beat faster.

Geo had stopped walking, but he didn’t turn around. You wanted to say something, wanted to explain it all, but the words felt stuck in your throat. So instead, you simply whispered, “Thank you.” It was quiet, barely audible, but the sincerity was there, carried through the weight of your realization.

Geo paused, his body stiffening for a moment. For a second, you thought he hadn’t heard you. But then, without turning his head, he spoke again.

"Don’t thank me," he said, his voice softer, but still laced with the same coldness. "I didn’t do anything for you."

But his voice betrayed something. It wasn’t just indifference—it was more complicated than that. It was like he was struggling to reconcile something inside himself, some part of him that didn’t want to care but maybe, just maybe, did.

You took a hesitant step toward him, wanting to explain, wanting him to understand. But before you could open your mouth, Geo did something that made your heart skip a beat.

He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes snapping upward as though he remembered something—or someone—else.

His whole posture shifted. His jaw tightened, and his eyes took on a strange, unreadable expression.

It was like something from the past had resurfaced in his mind, something he didn’t want to confront. The brief flicker of vulnerability that you had seen earlier was gone, replaced by the mask of indifference you had become so accustomed to.

But you couldn’t help but feel the change in the air, like there was more to this than either of you had realized. His silence hung there between you, and even though you didn’t fully understand it, you felt like you were on the edge of something that neither of you was ready for.

Geo finally turned his head to look at you, his expression guarded, but his eyes betraying a storm of thoughts just beneath the surface.

"Don’t follow me," he said, his tone harsh again, as if he was trying to shut down whatever feelings might be lingering.

You opened your mouth to protest, to tell him you didn’t understand him, to try to explain everything you felt. But the words caught in your throat, because you realized something else.

He was running from something.

Geo, who had been so certain, so detached, was now holding something back. You didn’t know if it was something personal, something from his past, but you could feel it.

"Geo?" you whispered, but he didn’t answer. He just kept walking, further and further away.

SOME CHILDHOOD MEMORY

.."You built the snow people well!"

"It's supposed to be me and y/n!"

"Hah! Oh! Mister """"" is calling!" The two boys ran suddenly, the dark haired boy looked at the snow people. His Y/n, was destroyed.

"Young Master, I went to call your friend. Apparently, They left."

"......"

"........They promised.."

"............Why?!"

#the kid at the back sol #tkatb #the kid at the back vn #tkatb vn #tkatb x reader #tkatb geo #subaru oogami #the kid at the back geo #geo oogami #geo oogami x reader #tkatb geo x reader #the kid at the back geo x reader

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felassan · 1 day ago

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hi! first of all, love your blog, everything is so organized and there's so much info out there about everything and you having this blog makes it easier to find.

so there's something that idk if i saw on this blog or if i made up in my head and maybe you could help? I remember seeing something somewhere about how the devs or at least david gaider didn't understand why so many sided with the mages. do you know anything about that or did I made that up completely in my head?

hello! ◕‿◕ tysm for the nice comment about my blog. I'm happy that it can be helpful!!

rest of post under cut for length.

if you think you may have read it here, could you be thinking of one or some of these quotes from [this] post series? those posts are some notes I made of things which David Gaider said (pls keep that context in mind when reading the below) during some Twitch streams some years ago. as far as I know the original streamed videos are no longer available.

"The experience of a mage in the world isn’t represented or conveyed very well to the player when the player is a mage. The experience of the player when they’re playing a mage or have a mage in their party doesn’t really match up with how the world lore tells them how dangerous mages can be - for example, how they can lose control and so on, we never really have an example of a PC mage struggling with being taken over by a demon. This was originally supposed to be a subplot in DA2 for mage Hawkes, in one of the last cuts. In Act 2, mage Hawke was originally slowly being tricked by a demon in their head that they thought was real, only to realize at the last minute. Mouse the Pride demon in the mage Origin is the only time in the entire series that they really ever properly demonstrated how demons can fuck with [PC] mages. Also, PC templars were originally supposed to have a permanent lyrium addiction that they needed to ‘feed’, but this was scrapped as the system designers weren’t keen on it and felt that it was essentially handicapping the player."

"They managed to keep the Tranquil in. There was a while there where they were going to be cut. At the same time, DG regrets that they couldn’t solve the making of the player more aware of how mages are dangerous, thing. Players could make a cogent argument like “they’re not that dangerous, look at me [mage PC]” and the writers were like “well… yeah, that is fair”. It was a case of showing one thing and the player experience of it being another. DG feels that this made the templars come off worse than they are. DG feels that they are being massively unfair and too extreme in their approach to the problem, but the problem itself is a real thing. He feels that there’s some merit/truth in the argument that mages are oppressed, but he looks at it more like an issue like gun control rather than as treatment of oppressed people, saying that we don’t have an example in real life of oppressed people who can explode into demons and cast fireballs and so on."

"Going into DA2, the team had a long discussion of the themes of the game, the whole ‘security versus freedom’ argument. “Let’s try to understand the motivations of people who do things wrong. Is it possible to feel sympathy for somebody who might otherwise be labelled a terrorist? Is it possible to understand why templars might view the mages with fear?” As a whole, DA tries to encompass villains that have motives we can understand a little better. DG feels that Corypheus isn’t one of these. He’s less a villain and more an antagonist or plot device. There are certain things that they did wrong with the implementation of Cory in the game. Originally in DAI he attacked Skyhold as well as Haven. Cutting the Skyhold attack for example made him seem like less of a threat."

"There are certain spells/abilities in D&D that can make a GM’s life frustrating, such as teleportation, telling the future, resurrection. The fact that death is not permanent, for instance, should be a huge thing that affects society and how the people in it view death. This is why they were thinking stuff like “If every low-level mage in the setting had a skill like ‘Charm Person’, what would non-mages make of that?”"

or maybe something from [here], or an [old post] [random example] David Gaider made on the original official BioWare Forum? 🤔 [the forum was archived by fans on Fextralife] or could you be thinking of something that he said on his old Tumblr? [this] and [this] are links to some Tumblr blogs which archived some of the original Tumblr. it might be worth browsing through those/searching them for "mages" and suchlike in case it turns anything up. :>

apologies if nothing here is pinging as familiar. :<

#dragon age #bioware #mjs mailbag #thewardenisonthecase #video games #long post #longpost

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ilikekidsshows · 1 day ago

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A common defence I see for Marinette is: "Don't blame the character, blame their writing, they aren't a real person." What are your thoughts on this? Personally I think a character is their writing, so to criticise them is to criticise the writing in general. Especially when it becomes blatantly obvious that a character is being used as the writer's own personal mouthpiece to air their ideological/political beliefs. Feel free to agree/disagree with me on this, it's a view that I'm curious about.

---

Actually, we've discussed this topic on the blog before, and the common consensus was that when "bad writing" outweighs the "good writing" and said "good writing" hasn't been seen in seasons/years, that "bad writing" is just the canon characterization.

There's a Finnish idiom that’s perfect for this: “kohtuus ennen kaikkea”, aka “prioritize moderation”. Basically, don't take anything too far. Characters truly can’t exist without being written, but not all bits of writing have equal importance. Like, sometimes you really need a plot to progress and the only way for the plot to progress is for the characters to do something stupid. This doesn't mean the characters are stupid, unless it becomes a pattern and the characters are stupid more often than not.

Basically, you shouldn't let one bit of writing that contradicts the rest of the character define how you interpret them, but you also shouldn't ignore a consistent element of a character’s writing just because it's in conflict with how you interpret that character. Practice moderation when you look at a character as a whole.

This is why the “it's just the writing” excuse doesn't work with Marinette. Her flaws are way too consistent in how they pop up and get validated. When we have to throw away increasing amounts of almost entire episodes in order to see Marinette as the character we were told she is, at some point, it starts to be an outright lie and denial of what happens in the show.

Like, we’re told Marinette is selfless and helpful, but what is the actual reality? How often does Marinette prioritize others over herself in comparison to prioritizing herself over others? When was the last time she prioritized someone else's feelings over her own comfort? From what I've seen, she's selfish more often than selfless, and it's been several seasons since she gave someone else feelings consideration even when they were in conflict with her own interest. When we look at this way, the data is very clear on this: Marinette is selfish.

#ml salt #ml critical #ml fandom salt #dats chats

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bunnysdollette · 18 hours ago

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₊⊹⁀➴ How to get real revenge ⟡﹒⪩⪨ 🎀

⋆˚｡⋆୨୧ Hey angels 👼, I know we all have people we dislike/want to get revenge on. Anyway, I’ll show you how to inflict REAL revenge in a more mature and long lasting manner. my whole bloodline is full of D1 elite demons, so it runs in the family. TRUST if you listen to this, your haters will be shook.

♫ bigger in texas, megan thee stallion

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ MOVE ON, CHOOSE PEACE! 👛 ⊹₊⟡⋆

anyways, anything that happened in the past, you have to learn to let go. . 🧘🏽‍♀️ the only direction you can go in is forward, you can’t change what happened or change what’s going to happen. dead it, stressing over the past is not cute.

you’re gonna have haters, ur gonna have people that don’t like u. that’s inevitable, that’s normal. if people aren’t mad at you then you should be going HARDER, their anger and animosity towards you is PROJECTION, you know you’ve made it when you can piss people off even without trying to.

like okay this person did you wrong, so what? are u gonna continue being obsessed over them and the situation and doing petty shit to them letting all this unnecessary baggage drag YOU and your prized energy, emotions, and time down or just level up and be better. be the one that got away and got your mfkin life away. . 📝baby, wtf do you look like staying stuck over something in the past? over something that doesn’t serve you anymore, over something that’s not relevant?

no.. YOU who WILL do BIG, life changing things, can not let the smallest things take them off your path. always choose peace, there is nothing healing about revenge.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ THE ONLY OPTION IS WINNING. YOUR SUCCESS WILL BE THE NOISE ⊹₊⟡⋆

okay so now that we’re plotting our revenge, know that the only real revenge is being successful even after all that that person/situation put you thru. your success will be the revenge to them and it will literally wake up all of their demons and rage to know that you won the idgaf war and they couldn’t even come close to comparing to you. 🥱

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ HOW TO AACTUALLYY GET BACK AT YOUR ENEMIES, A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ⊹₊⟡⋆

DONT speak on them or the situation, EVER again. especially in public. nobody should be under the impression that you’re still obsessing over this situation, because you shouldn’t be.

Recognize that actual petty acts of revenge is NOT the kind of behavior you want to adopt. It only causes more harm in the long run and isn’t going to help you heal or feel peace after what happened to you.

Reflect and refocus on what’s actually important in your life. For many of this this is school, family, mental wellness. This can also be chasing after your other goals too. You shouldn’t even feel the need to be loud about doing all these things to feel external validation for others; let these little moments where your success shines through be the noise that is TRUE revenge to those who treated you badly.

I guarantee that staying consistent with these 3 little baby steps for a few weeks will make whoever you wanted on revenge on literally FUME with anger so that steam literally blows out of their ears whenever you’re mentioned. 💬

Why? Because you’ve inflicted the ACTUAL revenge on them; winning the idgaf war, being the one that continued winning even when they expected you to loose. save this, try it, come back to me with a success story later ! 🎀

🖊️-With love, BD

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hobbitkiller · 2 days ago

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It’s not a perspective. Cait and Vi didn’t have different goals in that scene. Also, not every scene that sets up joining forces has to literally spell out that’s the intent of the scene. I honestly don’t get your insistence that everything be spelled out for you like you’re a child.

I’m also clearly going to have to explain foreshadowing to you. Foreshadowing is a literary and story telling device that is used to plant an idea in the reader’s/viewer’s mind for later. Introducing the idea that Piltover and Zaun had joined forces before was placing that idea in the viewer’s head.

You are very much reaching with your analysis of Ambessa just being there to raise tensions. You seem to not grasp how stories develop. In interesting, multifaceted stories like Arcane characters don’t show up with a moist ache to twirl indicating evil intent. That doesn’t mean it’s bad storytelling for them to become the major villain. That’s good storytelling, actually. That said, someone familiar with tropes and story structure could easily predict that she was going to become the new big problem.

Again, you keep acting like every bit of setup had to be super explicit in spelling out the two sides were going to fight together and that, if it didn’t it means that wasn’t the plan. That’s not how writing works. You’re supposed to be able to put all of the pieces together.

That said, they pretty explicitly showed where the use of hextech could lead without nuance in the second episode, so acting like that wasn’t set up as a major threat frankly feels intellectually dishonest. Sure, at the time we maybe thought Heimerdinger was being an alarmist, but everything that happened with hextech from that point forward drove the plot more toward that point he warned about. Even when they spell things out for you as clearly as they can, you don’t want to see it.

As for agency, season two was very much the “find out” part of “fuck around.” What happened with Viktor was a result of his dangerous experiments with hextech. If he hadn’t done that, Jayce wouldn’t have been able to use the hex core to heal him. Him and Jayce going their separate ways was the consequence of Jayce weaponizing hextech. The anomaly was the consequence of Piltover overusing hextech. Ambessa’s ability to take over was the consequence of Jinx blowing up the council. Season two was where characters had to deal with the consequences of the choices they made in season one.

None of these consequences were forced. Yes, they had big fantasy/Sci Fi fallout, but that’s because the show is Sci Fi/fantasy. That tends to be what happens in the genre. You could easily replace the implications and fallout of hextech with nuclear power or similar technical advancements that created massive problems in the real world, and an imperial power like the US, or Noxus in the show, taking advantage of social and political division in a smaller country to try to control its land and resources is a common refrain throughout history.

You’re right, the arcane isn’t the main focus. The main focus also isn’t the political strife. Both are devices used to tell the story of the characters. The show is not about Piltover versus Zaun. The show is about how that conflict has shaped the characters. Feel free to read my other posts on the subject.

Not sure wha t your Warwick point is. Yes, he is there to retraumatize Vi in the end. Yes, his agency is taken away. That would be the tragedy right there.

As for Mel continuing the cycle, that’s up for interpretation, I guess. I think the cycle she’s specifically breaking there is the one where “Medarda’s only take.” She ended the cycle where her family raises itself up by taking from others.

Your argument against the acceleration rune doesn’t make sense because the device that could only be made with it was Ekko’s which was, in fact, the difference. Pointing out how everything else is the same actually hurts your argument there.

Also, a big lipped alligator moment is something that comes completely out of nowhere and serves no purpose. Neither of those describe Viktor and Jayce. Do they have to explain the exact mechanics of what happened? Would stopping to go into some technobabble have made the show better? Because we always pay close attention to characters doing that in media right? We’re really in it for the made up technobabble.

Your desire for the show to end in a civil war makes it neither better writing nor what the show initially intended. You like to reference what actually happened in the Jayce Silco scene to try to say it wasn’t foreshadowing (again, because I can only assume you don’t know what foreshadowing is)? What did Jayce say would happen if they actually went to war with each other? Zaun would have been crushed. Yes, it would have been a blood bath on both sides, but a Piltover army with hextech and the Noxians would have either won or would have claimed victory and been dealing with insurgent attacks from Zaun for the foreseeable future.

There would be no reconciliation at all unless the show wanted to really abandon one of the ways it was most grounded, which is how violence and vengeance feed each other. There’s a reason why, after most revolutions and wars throughout history, the country is drawn into another war pretty quickly after. One conflict breeds another.

There’s a reason why regions like the Middle East are seemingly caught in endless cycles of violence—because people don’t generally forgive losing a war easily, because wars are costly in lives and resources, and because generational traumas and wrongs often come back to haunt us. Even if the war ended with a miraculous agreement on both sides to lay down arms, there will be people who lost family who will still want justice—to feel that their loved one’s death meant something.

If, however, people’s loved ones died fighting together, that’s a powerful reason to try to make a positive change. Because, again, people want the sacrifice to mean something. It supposedly partly why Britain and other European countries established services like the NHS after WWII. After living through the Blitz and the destruction, it made them want to create a better future.

You keep complaining that the show largely drops the class conflict story after episode four, and that would be a problem if that was what the show was about. However, given the show is about the characters and episodes five and six are mostly about bringing Jinx and Vi and Vi and Caitlyn back together, it made sense to narrow the focus back down to that family unit. The conflict is still there in the background—it’s in the tragedy of Vander, Silco, and Felicia. It’s in the fact that Noxus and Piltover feel entitled to take Vanwick, but it’s not the focus.

I’m honestly not a huge fan of episode seven, because I’m not a huge fan of TimeBomb, but that was an interesting take on what else could have helped bridge the divide between Piltover and Zaun—the tragic loss of a child and the loss of the technology that further drove Piltover and Zaun. The episode is about the class conflict in the sense that it introduces a world mostly without it, showing that, just like it’s possible to have “good” versions of Jinx/Powder, it’s also possible to have a works where Piltover and Zaun have peace. That was the lesson Ekko took away from his AU adventure, to not give up on a better world—that things aren’t “too far gone.”

I also find your point about Jayce not talking to Viktor weird…you do get that he wasn’t really in his right mind there, right? We also can’t say for sure what would have happened if he hadn’t shot him. Maybe the fallout would have been worse. Maybe Viktor would have made more followers so that there were even more dolls when it came to a head. But, again, Jayce wasn’t in the mental state to have a rational discussion right then.

The conflict does come back in the last two episodes because it is somewhat a question of whether or not Zaun will help—which would be Piltover suffering the consequences of its actions. Now, you’re right, arguably the question would be what choice did they have in the end, but that’s again honestly true to many real life conflicts. You’re stuck working with the lesser of two evils.

As I said, what would have been completely unrealistic would have been if everyone hugged and kissed and had a huge barbecue together with fireworks after the Noxians left. We know from history that old prejudices often return once the battle is over—take how Black soldiers were treated in the US after…I was going to say WWII, but really every American war.

I also honestly can’t help other people deciding Sevika being on the council is supposed to be a resolution instead of a first step. It was clearly not framed as a resolution with everyone sharing mistrusting looks and her looking, frankly, uncomfortable. If people decide to be obtuse and not read the overt visual language of the show, that’s a them problem.

And guess what? The show isn’t about class conflict. Yes, it’s an essential element, a major theme, and vital context. It is not what the show is about. Just like unchecked scientific progress is a theme, but not what the show is about.

You bring up what Silco said about the cycle continuing. My point is not about how all violence will always and forever be no more; it’s about how these specific characters are breaking their cycles. Again, this show is about the characters first, which is why it makes sense that they didn’t solve class inequality in a year. It’s about these characters and their stories.

Really, though, much of this conversation has strayed from the original point, which is that this was the direction that was set up in the first season. You may not like it. You may have wanted it to go another way. But it was, in fact, set up. The memory Heimer has of the horrible fallout from Arcane is essentially what happened. They deliberately planted the seed (which, again, is the purpose of foreshadowing—not explicitly stating what’s going to happen next, that’s just exposition) that the thing that originally brought the cities together was a common enemy. They had this conversation one episode after Ambessa, a war monger from an imperialist nation, was introduced.

Even if the show did what you wanted and went with a civil war, there’s a very good chance it would have developed into Piltover and Zaun versus Noxus anyway. Cait/Jayce would be trying to stop the war on Piltover’s side, but Ambessa would refuse to give up the fight and leave with nothing. This would have caused Noxus to turn on Piltover, and then it would have been up to Zaun to either help or let them take each other out first and then fight the survivors. Maybe that would have been better. I personally would be asking, “Hey, what happened to the existential threat posed by hextech that was also being built up in the first season?” But maybe you’re fine with dropping the whole “arcane” bit of arcane.

“What happened to rebel Vi? Season 2 destroyed her character!”

“What happened to rebel Vi” is that Vander took her to the bridge where her parents died in his revolution and asked her what she was willing to lose. Then she meets Cait who is gentle and kind while still being tough and it makes her rethink how she sees topside. When Jinx tells her she changed too, that’s what she’s talking about.

I’m sorry if you thought Vi was going to be a topside-hating revolutionary in Season 2, but that’s clearly not where her character arc was going. Remember how she forced her way between Ekko and Cait? It seemed very straightforward that was the role her character was taking on.

I feel similar about people who act like the show was betraying its premise because it ended with reconciliation/Zaun and Piltover working together. Again, the fact that two of the most important relationships were between characters from both sides and that they made a point of talking about Zaun and Piltover first coming together against a common enemy was a pretty clear indicator that was the plan.

Now, I get being annoyed that that was what they chose to do. You don’t have to love the creative decisions of media, just like media doesn’t have to compromise its creative direction to satisfy you. But not liking that they went that direction is not the same as the show having bad writing or engaging in character assassination.

Everything Vi did in season 2 was very much in character with how she changed and who she became throughout Season 1. Hell, she used enforcers and Hextech to raid Shimmer facilities before Commander Kiramman ever threw on a beret. So, yes, actually wearing the uniform was a huge and complicated decision that she was definitely not happy about, but it also fell in line with what she had been doing.

There’s meat for another post at some point about the three different Zaun/enforcer partnerships we see in the show: Vander/Greyson, Silco/Marcus, and Cait/Vi; but I’m not going to go into that now.

TLDR: “Rebel Vi” who wants to fight all of topside hasn’t existed since the end of the second episode of the show.

Editing to add that Vi doesn’t see attacking Chem Barons as attacking Zaun; she’s taking down the people who are destroying Zaun.

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paishoeyeroh · 3 days ago

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Bearer And The Bound

☰ Pairings: Sukuna x Reader, Slight Megumi x Reader

✧ Summary: When you stumble upon an ancient ring in an abandoned house, you unknowingly bind yourself to a cruel, powerful demon who thrives on torment. Trapped in a reluctant bond and forced to navigate a shared existence, Sukuna plots your downfall while you fight to survive his sadistic games. But as your fates entwine and secrets of Sukuna’s dark past begin to unravel, the lines between enemy and ally start to blur.

✧ Tags: True form Sukuna, Enemies to Lovers, Dark Romance, Demonic Bonds, Heavy Angst, Slow Burn, Sukuna is Bad at Feelings, Possessive Sukuna, Tension, Forced Proximity, Eventual Smut, College/University AU, More Tags To Be Added Later

✧ Status: Ongoing

✧ You can also read it on AO3

☰ CHAPTER EIGHT: Entangled

Chapter Summary: New truths come to light. Some are harder to accept than others.

☰ Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

After trudging through the door, you drop your bag with a dull thud and collapse onto the couch, every aching limb heavy with exhaustion. It isn’t just physical either—your mind feels sluggish, bogged down by endless lectures, assignments, and the quiet hum of thoughts you’ve been trying to ignore all day. You close your eyes for just a moment, letting the familiar stillness of your apartment wrap around you, a stark contrast to the busy chaos of your day.

All you want is to sink into another world for a while, to escape into the pages of the book you picked up earlier in the week. It’s been waiting for you on the coffee table, its glossy cover glinting faintly in the evening light, promising the kind of distraction you desperately need. You reach for it, hoping it will be enough to relax your mind.

Sukuna lowers himself onto the couch beside you with an ease that speaks to how natural this arrangement has become. Neither of you says a word, the quiet stretching comfortably between you as you lose yourself in the words on the page. Minutes drift by, with the stillness unbroken.

Suddenly, he moves closer, his leg pressing against yours as he leans into your space. You try to focus on the book in your hands, but the words become meaningless as your awareness narrows to the space you now share with him. Your breathing falters, suddenly too loud in your ears as you force yourself to remain still, to act unaffected.

He leans in further, his breath grazing your cheek. The proximity sends your heart beating a bit harder against your ribcage, and when he finally speaks, his voice is low, gravelly, and uncomfortably close.

“What’s the book about?” He asks, his tone casual and curious. His sudden intrigue piques your interest; he normally seemed like he couldn’t care less about the books you read, once referring to the act as “wasting hours staring at ink on paper.” Now he suddenly cares? What gives?

You clear your throat, stumbling over your words, subtly shifting in your seat. “It’s… uh, it’s about a girl who gets transported to an alternate universe. She’s trying to figure out how to get home.”

Sukuna nods, his eyes lingering on the page as if he’s actually interested. He doesn’t pull away. Instead, he stays where he is, close enough that you can feel the heat radiating off of him. It’s too much. After a few more moments, when it becomes clear Sukuna won’t move away on his own, you snap the book closed, your breath catching as you search for something to say.

“Do you want to watch a show or something?” You blurt out, your voice sounding far more strained than you’d like. You just need something—anything—to break this awkward tension.

Sukuna glances at you, confusion written all over his face. “You're actually asking me if I want to watch something? You usually just turn it on and I deal with it.”

You fidget, unsure of how to respond, so you just shrug and turn on the tv, settling on something mindless. After a few moments, you sink into the side of the couch, letting its soft cushions cradle and relax you. Sukuna is still close, a steady hum in the background of your awareness, though he’s thankfully no longer crowding your space. Your legs stretch out awkwardly, feet brushing the floor as you try to find a position that feels comfortable. The tension between you has faded, but it lingers just enough to make your movements hesitant.

As the show flickers on the screen, casting a bright, shifting glow across the room, you finally begin to relax. You shift onto your side, nestling your head against the armrest of the couch. Your legs draw up beneath you at first, keeping a careful distance from Sukuna, but as your body grows heavier with fatigue, your resolve slips. Somewhere between one scene and the next, your feet stretch out, pressing against his thigh.

A sharp hiss cuts through the low murmur of the TV. Sukuna’s hand finds your ankle, his fingers firm yet unhurried as they curl around it. His sudden touch seeps through your skin, causing unwarranted goosebumps to rise along the flesh of your leg.

“Do you take pleasure in tormenting me with your ice-cold toes?” His voice is dry, edged with mock irritation.

You murmur a sleepy apology, the words barely audible, but you don’t move your feet. You tell yourself it’s just the exhaustion holding you in place, but even as the seconds pass, you find no desire to shift away.

Sukuna doesn’t push you off, either. He lets out an exasperated sigh, mumbling to himself under his breath, but his hand remains where it is, heavy and warm. The pressure of his palm is oddly comforting. The silence stretches between you, soft and steady, broken only by the faint hum of the television.

As the show drones on, your eyelids grow heavy, sleep tugging at the edges of your consciousness. Just as you begin to drift, a faint, deliberate motion stirs against your skin, and your eyes snap open, the haze of exhaustion momentarily giving way to sharp awareness.

Sukuna’s thumb has begun to move in slow, measured circles just above your ankle, the rhythm steady and unrelenting. It’s a touch that demands your attention, quiet yet impossible to ignore. When you risk a glance downward without moving your head, you’re half-expecting to meet his gaze. But you don’t. Instead, you see his eyes remain fixed on the screen, his face composed and giving nothing away. It’s as if he’s unaware of the motion—or perhaps he’s fully aware and simply doesn’t care to stop.

Your heart flutters, a quiet ache blooming in your chest as you lie still, unwilling to break the fragile thread connecting you. The rhythmic motion of his thumb lulls you deeper into the pull of sleep, each circle a soft tether drawing you further away from reality. As the last of your thoughts scatter, his touch is the final thing you register before sleep claims you.

You wake some time later, not sure exactly when you fell asleep. The room is silent now, which means the television must’ve gotten turned off at some point. You’re about to open your eyes, but before you can, you feel a peculiar movement by your head.

It feels like something is brushing lightly against your hair, pulling it away from your face. You wrinkle your nose, the haze of sleep still clinging to you, making your mind feel foggy. A large hand places itself on the shoulder that isn’t currently digging into the cushions underneath you, softly attempting to shake you awake. You blink your eyes open, the sight of Sukuna crouched in front of you coming into focus. That movement you felt before, the one in your hair, had that been… him?

His expression shifts as he looks at you—no longer distant, his guard lowered just enough to reveal something almost akin to concern.

“You can’t sleep out here. You’ll be sore in the morning.”

You mumble something unintelligible in response, the words too soft and slurred to hold any meaning. Sleep still clings to you, urging you to sink back into its soft embrace, and your heavy eyelids begin to flutter back closed once again, fully intending on ignoring him. But Sukuna doesn’t relent.

With a quiet sigh, he shakes his head. Before you can melt back into the cushions, his hand slips beneath you, strong and steady, pushing you up with ease. The heat from his palm radiates through the fabric of your shirt as he helps you sit upright, his movements slow and deliberate, as if careful not to jostle you too much.

“You should go to bed,” he says, his voice quiet. “Come on.”

The fog of sleep begins to lift, your body responding to his request despite your lingering exhaustion. With a low groan, you push yourself to your feet, your legs trembling slightly beneath you like they’ve forgotten how to carry you after being curled up on the couch for so long.

“Why don’t you just sit on my bed if you need somewhere to hang out for the night?” You mutter, rubbing your eyes. That must be the reason he woke you, right? He doesn’t answer right away, watching you for a moment, looking as though he’s searching for the right words to say. Then, he stands, taking a step back.

“Go on now.”

You nod, too tired to say anything further, and head toward your bedroom.

As you slip beneath the covers, your body melts into the familiar comfort of your bed. Yet, even as sleep begins to tug at you once more, your thoughts remain tethered to him. The memory of Sukuna’s touch lingers, gentle and uncharacteristically soft, like a whisper against your skin. Had he truly touched you like that, pulled your hair back from your face—almost tenderly—thinking you were asleep? That you wouldn’t notice?

The thought brings an unexpected warmth, curling in your chest like a secret you’re not quite ready to tell. A small smile tugs at the corners of your lips as sleep comes to claim you again, and you drift into the quiet hope that it wasn’t just your imagination.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

You wake early the next morning, with last night still lingering in your mind, somewhat vivid in its intimacy—Sukuna’s hand on your leg, the gentle brush of his fingers against your hair. A part of you feels strangely reassured, though you’re not sure why or of what. The memory pulls at you in ways you don’t fully understand, stirring something both comforting and deeply confusing.

You begin to dress as you try to decipher your feelings. Maybe it’s just the bond—the fact that you’re forced to be near him so often—that’s making you feel this way. Maybe it’s nothing more than the proximity you’re forced to be in. You brush the thoughts aside as you tug on your shirt, stepping into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

As you busy yourself with gathering the ingredients, your mind drifts again, pivoting from Sukuna’s touch last night to something you haven’t thought about much at all recently. Your dreams of his past. It’s the way he had brushed your hair aside, you realize, that pulls you back there. The motion was so careful, so deliberate, it mirrored that moment when his hand grazed her cheek with that same tenderness. The image flickers to life in your mind, unbidden—the way his fingers lingered, the softness in his eyes, so unlike the Sukuna who now lounges in your living room. It leaves an ache in your chest, the memory clinging to you like a shadow, teasing you with its quiet intimacy. You can’t help but wonder why your mind insists on pulling you back there, as though it holds some secret you’ve yet to uncover.

While you’re making pancakes, you catch Sukuna watching you, and though that’s not unusual, this time, there’s something distant in his gaze. His four eyes are focused, almost contemplative, as though he’s not really watching you, but rather lost in thought. You wonder, for what feels like the millionth time, what he’s thinking about. Does he ever think about his past? About her? Certainly he must. Would it have been possible for you to dream of his memories if he himself had forgotten them?

After you’ve eaten and taken a shower, you find yourself lounging on the couch, aimlessly scrolling through your phone. The flickering images blur together until something stops you—a photo of a dimly lit corridor, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows along polished wooden floors. It’s a photo that links to an article about traditional architecture, but it’s not the subject itself that gives you pause.

It’s the way the light falls, the quiet stillness of the scene. It reminds you of the dream—of standing tense and expectant, waiting for Sukuna in a space that felt both sacred and oppressive. The memory of him, of the way he had moved toward Uraume with deliberate care, flickers in your mind, uninvited. You can’t help but wonder again about the woman, about the life they had before everything seemingly fell apart.

The curiosity begins to gnaw at you once again. You had pushed the thoughts aside for most of the day, but by the time the sun starts to set lower in the sky, you just can’t ignore it anymore. The questions that have been simmering at the back of your mind rise to the surface, loud and insistent, refusing to be tamped down any longer.

Who was that girl?

What was her relationship with Sukuna really like?

And most importantly,

What happened between them?

By the time you’ve gotten comfortable in bed for the night, the pull to know more has become too strong to resist. You sit up in bed, staring at the blank screen of your laptop for a moment before sighing deeply. You pull your laptop into your lap, the screen lighting up in the dim room. It’s time to find answers. Answers Sukuna will never give you himself. You type the woman’s name into the search bar, looking through the resulting websites and articles.

There’s nothing.

After hours of searching, you haven’t found anything about Sukuna’s lover. There’s not a single page that mentions her name or likeness, and you feel stuck, frustrated at the lack of information. You were worried this would happen, even the information on Sukuna himself had been scarce when you’d searched his name only weeks ago.

How else can you quell this overwhelming sense of curiosity? You know you can’t search for information in public, not with Sukuna’s always following you, always lingering close by. There’s no way you could go to a library or a museum without him trailing behind. And what would you tell him if he asked what you were doing? He’s too smart; he’d surely catch on eventually.

Sitting in bed, your laptop balanced on your knees, you stare at the screen, feeling helpless. Then, an idea strikes you.

You don’t have to be the one to go out searching for information, someone else can do it.

Your thoughts immediately drift to Megumi.

He’s the only one who knows about Sukuna, and you trust him more than anyone else. If anyone could help you dig deeper into the mystery of Sukuna’s past, it’s him. But there’s a knot of anxiety in your chest from the idea. What if Sukuna finds out? More importantly, what if Megumi refuses?

Your desperation to know the truth ultimately overrides the shame of reaching out to Megumi over something so seemingly trivial, so you pull up your conversation with him on your phone and type out a message.

Hey, can I ask you to help me with something?

Megumi’s reply comes minutes later.

Everything okay?

Yes, everything is fine, I just need a favor. It’s about Sukuna.

There’s a longer pause this time, and you can almost feel Megumi’s concern through the screen.

What do you need?

A small sigh of relief escapes you as you read his response. He’s willing to help, even if he’s still wary of Sukuna. You hesitate as you contemplate how you’re going to word your question, your fingers hovering over the screen. How do you explain this without sounding ridiculous?

So I’ve been trying to find out more about Sukuna’s past. Specifically about his, like, former lover I guess, but I can’t find anything online, and I can’t exactly go searching in person, since Sukuna’s always following me around. I was wondering… could you look into it for me?

Another pause. Your heart pounds in your ears as you wait for his response.

His former lover?

Yeah. It’s a long story, but basically I had a couple of dreams about her a while ago, and I think she’s important. Her name is Uraume.

You bite your lip, worried that you sound crazy, but Megumi responds quickly.

Okay… I’ll see what I can find. Give me a couple of days

You feel a rush of gratitude, your anxiety easing at his reply.

Thank you. I really appreciate it, Megumi

No problem. I’ll let you know what I find.

As you set your phone down, you feel a tiny twinge of guilt at what you’ve just done. You’re asking Megumi to look into something deeply personal about Sukuna, something you know he’d never willingly tell you, let alone a friend he’s already not too fond of. But the need to know is too strong to not get answers. You can’t help but feel like you’re just on the precipice of getting all the answers to questions you’ve been missing, like finally finding the missing piece to a puzzle. You know you’re walking a fine line, and all you can do is hope Sukuna never finds out about what you’re up to.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

It’s a few days later when your phone buzzes with a new message from Megumi.

Hey, I found out some things. It’s about the favor you asked. Do you want to talk in person or over text?

Your heart skips a beat. You hadn’t really expected him to find anything. You glance over at Sukuna, who’s sitting across the room from you on the couch as you eat dinner at the table. There’s no way he can read your texts from all the way over here, right?

Over text is fine.

A few moments pass before his next message arrives, and you anxiously chew your food in anticipation.

So, Sukuna was a king, but I’m guessing you probably already know that. He was powerful, and feared by everyone around him. But what I found out about his lover… Uraume betrayed him. That’s what started his downfall. After her betrayal, he was executed, and then something happened after his death that turned him into what he is now.

Your heart sinks as you read Megumi’s words.

Betrayal.

What did she do to betray him?

I’m not sure, I couldn’t find the exact details. Some accounts say she sold him out to his enemies, others say she conspired against him to take his power. And there’s no record of what happened to her after he became a demon. It’s like she just vanished from history.

You sit in silence, staring at your phone. The betrayal makes sense—it fits in perfectly with what you saw in the dream. But the lack of information only leaves you with more questions. What happened to her? Why isn’t there any record of her after Sukuna’s fate?

Thank you for finding this. I really owe you one.

Don’t worry about it, I’m happy to help. And I know I say it often, but please be careful. There’s a lot of darkness in his past.

You nod, even though he can’t see you.

I will. See you at school tomorrow.

“What’s got you so enthralled over there?”

The sudden sound of Sukuna’s voice startles you, nearly dropping your phone, the screen still displaying your conversation with Megumi.

“What? Nothing,” you stammer, quickly locking your phone and placing it face down on the table.

Sukuna raises a brow. “Nothing, huh? That’s strange, you seemed pretty captivated. Must be one fascinating ‘nothing.’”

Your mind scrambles for an excuse.

“I was just… reading this article. About, uh, world news. You know, just trying to stay informed.” You avoid his gaze, your fingers tapping nervously on your thigh.

God, you have got to get better at lying.

Sukuna hums, and you can tell he’s not believing you for a second. He leans forward in his seat on the couch, his eyes searching your face skeptically.

“World news? Right. And here I thought you had better things to do with your time,” his voice drops a little lower, more amused now than suspicious, “Must’ve been quite the story, to make you that distracted.”

You shift uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling like you’re about to crack at any second. It’s unbearable. You need to get out of here before you give anything away.

“Yeah… um, it’s getting kind of late, I think I’m going to head to my room for the night.”

You stand up, heading toward the kitchen to clean your plate. You can feel his eyes on you as you place your things into the dishwasher.

“Alright, then. Enjoy your riveting news.”

You hum out an agreement and quickly make your way into your bedroom. You sigh, stepping out of your clothes to put on your pajamas, climbing into bed. You grab your phone, pulling back up the conversation with Megumi to re-read his words.

Uraume betrayed him.

He was executed.

It wasn’t an ambush, as you’d previously thought. His death had been ordered. Deliberate. You think back to the dream, to the chaos of blades flashing in the firelight, the bodies swarming him like vultures. They weren’t desperate men clawing for survival, they were executioners carrying out a sentence. And they had won. They had killed him. But had any of them understood what they were unleashing? Had Uraume understood? Did she stay long enough to witness what her sentence had wrought? Or had she fully fled before she could understand that the man she condemned wouldn’t stay buried? You remember the way she turned, her figure disappearing into the dark just as Sukuna fell.

You feel a strange sense of closure at your new knowledge, but also a lingering unease. You now know part of what happened to Sukuna, but the biggest question remains—what happened to his Uraume? And why did she betray him in the first place?

You toss your phone aside with a sigh. It seems as though every time one question gets answered, ten more arise from it. You know that there’s much more to the story, and you know if you want to find out more, you’ll have to ask Sukuna himself. But you can’t shake the feeling that whatever did happen, it’s something Sukuna has buried deep.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The familiar hum of the mall buzzes around you as you follow Nobara into the first clothing store, her eyes scanning the racks for the perfect outfit. She’d texted you earlier in the day, asking for help picking something out for her date tomorrow night. And to be honest, you’ve been craving some girl time too. So now, here you are, under the bright fluorescent lights, the faint scent of perfume in the air. That along with the steady flow of people passing by make you feel more awake than you’ve felt in days. Nobara’s clearly on a mission, her focus completely locked in as she flips through the dresses on the rack.

“You’ve got to help me, okay?” She says, glancing back at you with a grin, “This guy’s hot as fuck. I need something that’s going to make him want to rip my clothes off.”

You let out a laugh, shaking your head. “You always look good, Nobara. You could literally put on a potato sack and I’m sure he’d still be dying to get in your pants.”

“Well yeah, obviously,” she replies, continuing on to another rack, “but I want him to remember me. I don’t want this to just be a one time thing.”

Sukuna, who had wandered off to the back of the store at the start of your conversation, seems content to keep his distance. He’s looking around at the men’s clothes leisurely, and you wonder if this is his first time seeing a clothing store. If so, then surely this all must be somewhat fascinating to him.

Racks of neatly folded sweaters and button-down shirts stretch before him, a display of tailored coats off to one side. Shelves stacked with distressed denim and fitted slacks line the wall. It is a bit comical seeing him amongst such items. You find yourself imagining what he would look like in those ordinary, modern clothes. You wonder what his style would be. If maybe he would wear—

“What do you think? Too much?”

Nobara has pulled a dress from the rack, holding it up to herself to examine it critically. It’s bold, with a low V-cut neckline, barely coming down past her upper thigh, and it’s a bright red color that practically screams confidence.

“That depends. You want him to tear you out of that the moment he sees you at the restaurant?”

She laughs, tossing the dress over her arm. “I definitely want him to think about it.”

As Nobara dives back into her shopping frenzy, you take a moment to scan the store from your vantage point near the entrance. It’s been a while since you’ve been out with her, and though you’re trying your best to keep your mind on the task at hand, your thoughts drift back to Sukuna. Knowing what you’ve just found out about his past, it’s hard not to think about him, even in the middle of a shopping trip.

Before you can spot him again, though, Nobara re-appears by your side, her arm filled with more dresses of various styles and colors.

“Okay, I’ve picked out enough dresses. Now it’s your turn.”

You look at her, confused. “My turn? What do you mean?”

“I mean, you need to try on something new. Who knows? Maybe there’s a new date in your near future,” she teases, pulling you to another section of the store. You roll your eyes but let her drag you along.

After you’ve picked out a couple of your own dresses, some casual, some sexy, you head over to the fitting rooms. You see Sukuna on the way, inspecting the various lotions and body sprays by the check out counter. You catch his eyes as you pass him, giving him a small smile. He gives you a short nod in response.

As you reach the fitting rooms, you and Nobara slide inside the same stall, hanging up each of your dresses on opposite hooks as you begin to undress.

“By the way, I have to ask. You’ve been kind of MIA lately. What’s going on?�� She asks as she pulls her sweatshirt over her head, “And don’t even try to say it’s just school. I know it’s not that, so don’t give me that bullshit.”

You groan internally. Here we go again. “I’m just tired. You know how it goes.”

Nobara gives you a knowing look.

“Right. Tired.”

She slips a little black dress up and over her body, checking herself out in the mirror from all angles before letting out an exaggerated sigh, looking at you in the mirror.

“Come on, tell me! Is it a guy? It’s a guy, isn’t it? I know it’s not Megumi, he’s still hanging out with Yuji and me—unlike you. So, who is it?”

You shuffle into one of your own dresses as an excuse to not meet her inquisitive gaze.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you reply sheepishly, though you can feel your cheeks heating up under her interrogation.

“Oh please, you’re such a bad liar,” she grins, putting on a different dress, “You’ve got that ‘I’m thinking about someone but I won’t admit it’ look written all over your face right now. I’m your best friend, right? You can tell me! I promise I can keep a secret from those two morons.”

You hold her stare in the mirror for a moment, and then turn your head to look behind you, as if you can see beyond the door to the changing stall. You pray to whatever God there may be that Sukuna isn’t just on the other side of that door right now.

“Alright! Fine. There is… someone new in my life, recently. We’re just friends!” you quickly add before Nobara starts, seeing her eyes light up at your confession. “But… I don’t know… he’s so hard to understand most of the time. He’s so closed off, I can never really tell what he’s thinking.”

Nobara raises her eyebrows, grinning like she’s caught on to something. “Mhm. Just a friend, huh?”

You feel your face burning even hotter, and you turn away, reaching for another dress to try on while you will the blood to drain back out of your cheeks.

Well, he sounds like a typical man,” Nobara says, changing back into her original clothes. “They’re either completely closed off or don’t know when to shut the fuck up.”

She taps her chin thoughtfully, and then her eyes light up. “Okay, here’s what you have to do. If he’s the closed off type, you’ve gotta get him to open up. But not by waiting for him to make the first move. You have to make the first move. Flirt with him a bit, show him you’re interested.”

You blink at her, confused. “Flirt with him? But I—“

“You don’t have to throw yourself at him or anything,” she interjects, “but guys like that need a little push. You’ve got to give him a reason to let his guard down. Start small, tease him, compliment him in a casual way, maybe even get a little touchy when the moment’s right.”

She pulls her dresses off the hook, flinging them back over her arm along with her purse.

“It’s all about confidence. You’ve just got to act like you know what you’re doing, and if he’s really into you, it won’t take much for him to crack.”

You nod as you change back into your clothes, just wanting the conversation to be over. Flirting? With Sukuna? The thought had never even come close to crossing your mind before. It sounds absolutely absurd.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” you admit, looking to the floor.

“Oh, why not? Afraid of rejection? Or is it that you’re really just not into him like that? Are you truly just friends?”

Her questions hit you harder than you’d expected, a sharp jolt to something you’ve carefully avoided probing too deeply. A tight knot forms in your stomach, twisting as you struggle to come up with an answer. Are you truly just friends? The words echo in your mind, louder than they should be.

You want to say yes. That would be the easy answer. The logical answer. But if that were really true, why does the thought make your pulse quicken? Why do you suddenly feel like you’re trying to convince yourself of something?

Your mind flashes back, uninvited, to the way Sukuna’s thumb had traced slow circles into your skin as you drifted to sleep. The way his breath had warmed your cheek when he leaned in too close. The way your heart had stammered at the sound of his voice, even when his words were meant to tease.

Those moments had felt like nothing special at the time—or at least, that’s what you told yourself. But now, faced with Nobara’s pointed questions, you wonder if you’ve been ignoring something obvious, something that has been quietly threading itself through your every interaction with him. Have you been keeping your feelings at arm’s length, refusing to examine them for what they truly are?

You take a breath, forcing a casual shrug as you meet Nobara’s expectant gaze in the mirror.

“I guess I’m… really not sure how I’m feeling,” you shrug. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

It’s not a lie. But for the first time, you realize it’s not quite the truth either.

Nobara places a hand on her hip, studying you closely. “Well, whatever it is, it sounds to me like you’ve got some feelings going on. I mean, you wouldn’t be this worked up over someone you didn’t care about, right?”

You open your mouth to protest, to deny it outright, but nothing comes out. Because she’s right. The realization settles upon you, slow and suffocating. You’ve spent so much time pushing it down, distracting yourself, convincing yourself it was nothing more than fleeting curiosity. But now, with Nobara’s words lingering between you, the truth stands before you, undeniable. You do care about Sukuna. More than you’ve ever let yourself admit.

How could you even begin to deal with that?

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” you say quietly.

She gives you a reassuring smile, placing a gentle hand on your arm. “Of course I am! Just remember, life’s too short to overthink it. If you like him, I say go for it. Worst case scenario, it doesn’t work out. But you’ll never know unless you try, right?”

She tugs on your arm, leading you out of the fitting room. “Come on, I think I’m going to get all of these just in case. And you should get that blue one, it makes your tits look amazing.”

As you trail behind Nobara to the checkout counter, the conversation echoes in your mind, looping over itself again and again. Could it really be that simple, with someone like him?

Sukuna isn’t just some ordinary man. He’s ancient, dangerous, wrapped in centuries of power and cruelty, an enigma carved out of something far darker than you could ever understand. But something about him pulls at you, something deep and undeniable. You can’t pretend it isn’t there anymore.

But that doesn’t mean it’s possible. You’re not foolish enough to think you could ever truly be with him. He’s immortal, inhuman. His very existence defies reason. He is nothing like you. And someone like him could never—would never—be with someone like you.

And yet… you’re already bound to him.

Your fingers tighten around the dress in your hands as a thought slips through the cracks before you can stop it.

You let yourself picture it.

Being close to him. Letting your guard down. Him letting his guard down. Finally, finally seeing what lurks beneath that cold exterior, the sharp edges and cruel smirks, beyond the armor he wears like a second skin.

But then you shake your head, physically clearing the thoughts away. No. It’s ridiculous. Not only that, it’s dangerous. You still have no idea what he’s really capable of. You simply cannot let yourself go down that path.

Right?

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