#and I was writing a little piece about her ending up on the destiny islands as a bit of a fable/spirit folklore sort of entity

[flowering-darkness]

hmm..

I should revisit the Destiny Islands Clio piece at some point

[hannahbarberra162]

Unposted WIPs List

Doctor Doctor - Doctor Kureha + Garp (Mother / son), history explain

What's a doctor to do? Dr. Kureha had an interesting one night stand and wound up pregnant. She's in her sprightly 70s and doesn't have time for all this child rearing nonsense. Her son Garp had better enjoy the travels - or else he gets the fist of love.

Reverse trope - too many isekai readers, silly, one shot

You've woken up on a strange sailing ship, to the complete non-surprise of the crew. You're their 23rd isekai'd reader, they're used to dealing with your type. The only problem is - you have no idea who they are or what they're talking about. All the readers before you have been superfans, knowing every little detail about their lives. But you only read non-fiction and watch documentaries. Who is Luffy and what the hell is a One Piece? You're about to find out!

Bonus that no one asked for and no one cares: in this story, you're a hairstylist. So here are my Strawhat Curly Hair HCs that I wrote for building my story.

Idea Loading: Yandere Sabo X Little Shop of Horrors

Who the Deuce? Ace x Masked Deuce, one shot, angst + fluff

Ace won’t put a label on his relationship with Deuce. He wants to keep their relationship non-exclusive, to Deuce’s chagrin. Deuce begins to get recognized as a rising star in the writing world, and taken on dates by attractive fans. Can Ace tame his jealousy and reclaim his lover? Or has Deuce finally moved on? 

Come As You Are - multi character x Reader, mostly silly. One shots in a collection.

Your devil fruit gives you an unlikely power - the ability to give and withhold orgasm from anyone, without touch. You can make someone come immediately, come for hours on end, or take the ability away for as long as you want. The only person your power doesn't work on is yourself. You meet various characters - what will they want from you? And what will you give them?

Some of the characters include -

Sanji, Brooke, Zoro, Koby, Shachi + Penguin, Doflamingo, and who knows who else...

The Last Empress - Whitebeard (Edward Newgate) x OC** reluctant fated mates, angst + fluff

**I am not sure if it will be a Reader or an OC. I'm open to suggestion.

As you awaited your execution, you felt the faint presence of a Conqueror passing by the island. Rather than dying, you tether yourself to whoever it is, hoping for the best. As the former High Priestess of Haki Island, and the last remaining user of hogoshoku haki, you had a destiny to fulfill. And mate or not, you're going to achieve it.

A story of romance, women supporting women, and how Edward Newgate met his match.

Once Lost Now Found - Cora Lives AU, Cora x Reader, platonic Heart Pirates

Your son ate a formidable devil fruit and can't control the power it gave him. You aren't strong enough on your own to keep him safe from pirates and the government. You need to find someone who can help your son tame his power and keep him hidden. Enter the Heart Pirates, with Captain Trafalgar Law. Can you convince him to let you and your kid stay? Is that his dad? Why is he on fire?

You and Cora bond over single parenthood, found families, idiot / smart sons, and piracy as a second career. And maybe a little more as well.

[haveievermentioned]

sending you back top 5 fic recs and top 5 fics you’re written for the ask game!! :)

Sorry this took so long! I got busy. Top Recs:

"You must fix your heart" series by @screechthemighty as much as I like Valhalla, it didn't come CLOSE to what I want from a post Ragnarok story like these fics do. They are kind of interlinked and honestly, after (Massive GoW ragnarok spoilers) this really helped me with all of that.

Angry Words by PoH. Actually anything by PoH. They are my best friend and all of their writing is fantastic. They Semi sincerely wrote fics about William Birkin having a love affair with the element fire, they wrote a GORGEOUS fic about Jack and the Little Sister's first Christmas on the surface, and a lot of great Ace Attorney and KH stuff that fill in blanks or are post series. But this is maybe the funniest ones they did (outside of William/Fire which was a sort of parody) where Xigbar gave Roxas and Xion a PS3 and a copy of Bioshock with no context and they learn about Swear words! Like "Communist!" and "Goddess!" It's great.

Dripping Diamonds (between my thighs) by @empresscirque Okay I haven't read it. But Empress is another fantastic friend and this is maybe their most popular piece. I skimmed it a bit and it's written really well. (Just not my ship, and they know that)

The Mallard Family by GreyLiliy as a MASSIVE Darkwing Duck fan I can't emphasize enough how much this completely changed how I thought of his yuppie neighbors, the muddlefoots.

Pearls of Portent by Zophaer Link/Mipha fic where Link wakes up with 7 of Mipha's eggs next to him. Link is mute, everyone is confused, it's really sweet and sad.

Okay, on to mine

As long as you should have lived - a Resident Evil post village story where Chris proposes a legally real but otherwise fake marriage to Mia in order to fulfill his promise to protect Rose. Mia agrees, and things don't go as well as they planned. Chris is a Demiromantic Asexual in here, Mia has loads of trauma to unpack from 7 and 8, and their fake honeymoon keeps running into complications, like Ethan's sister who never bought anything Chris said.

The Jecht/Maleficent series Kingdom Hearts universe, some time shortly after BBS, Maleficent mistimes a teleport and ends up on Destiny Islands, where she runs into Jecht - recently of Radiant Gardens - and falls ill. A combination of exoticism and Florence nightingale leads them to having a one night stand. After THAT it splits into 3 universes. In all of them, Jecht has promised to love her forever. In all of them, How that plays out depends on what happened right after that promise.

Italian Beef Sandwiches and Spaghetti! Introducing Chef Carmy! Look, in 2023, The Bear and Delicious Party Pretty Cure came out. Both stories had people using food to deal with dead family members. I had to smash them together, and I had a LOT of fun doing it. It was written before S2 came out so it's not exactly canon compliant even before the girls show up, but like... I had Yui and Carmy talk about food and dead relatives and Ritchie trying not to swear in front of kids.

You are not alone stand alone story in my Quadratum series, Sora figures out he's Aro Ace after being very confused by the X-files. Aya, Garrett, NieR, and Sora all have great moments, Ash gets introduced and as much as I love Xem, xeir pronouns make me frustrated (but non binary people deserve more non they/them rep) and Garrett also learns something about himself.

Welcome, Curious Friends a zine piece where Sora went to Phantom Manor and woke up looking at a ticket taker skeleton. It's got a mystery, it's got danger, it's got a LOT of catharsis for anyone who has ever wanted to punch (spoiler)

(honorable mention: Xion, the soap opera lover, Lover of the Light, The Secret Diary of Quincey Morris, Mia Goes Shopping, and Tell me it won't hurt.

[coruscantide]

✔

► MUSE PREFERENCES

Do I know your muse(s):  yes | no | a little | tell me about your muse

Setting: our verse | my verse | your verse | modern | alternate universe | other

Pre-established relationships? yes | no | depends on the relationship

Possible relationships: friends | classmate | co-worker | roommate | family, real or adopted | dating or blind date | married | friends with benefits | unrequited love | lending a hand | teacher - student | rivals | allies | partner-in-crime | enemies | protecter - guarded | business partners | spy - infiltrated | manipulator - manipulated | star-crossed | first meeting | other 

I’m in the mood for: fluff | angst | horror | romance | humor | crime | hurt / comfort | action | supernatural | slice of life | crack | dark threads | light threads | any genre | multi-para | shorter para | one-line | any length | plotted threads | unplotted threads | other

Feel free to: message me ooc | message me ic | tell me your ideas | write a starter | answer one of my opens | send a meme | reblog this with your preferences - let’s find common interests!

canon likes to not focus on the kairi and riku dynamic but i remember. nomura you can't make me forget kh1 to kh2 and all the shit riku endured for kairi and the clear same level of care she has for him even if you only let her show it for like five minutes at most or have pieces of it mirrored in their relationships to other characters and barely acknowledge it otherwise. i'm not gonna delve too deep into this here because i'm already in the middle of doing a long ass post about what riku means to kairi so time to put a pin in that and onto plot ideas!

maybe threads were they talk about what's on their mind? they clearly do off screen. and let them tease each other oh my god. let them support each other while also being able to drag each other for little things. meeting riku exponentially increased her snark capabilities. just like how riku was protective of kairi, she is protective of him, though it tends to usually manifest in different ways, and they both could take it a bit too far unintentionally or not ( side eyes kh1 ). and a background element i vibe with? right person wrong time missed opportunities but echoes of it still there on both ends (*cough*orwecoulddosomethingwiththat*cough*).

sparring sessions! riku did visit her while she was learning under merlin so let them take a moment to train. the master can show her the ropes lest she run off into a crowd of heartless wildly swinging the keyblade around again.

you know, one thing they can have is their own long running score over anything and everything. from arcades to those table games like air hockey and soccer to who manages to bean a specific branch the most times with a rock to surfing to fishing to card games like triple triad to who can catch the most peanuts in their mouth to whoever can stomach the most donuts. just random things they do together and turn into an impromptu competition, and because it's been going on so long they sometimes get the current tally wrong and insist they're the one in the lead.

next time riku goes to destiny islands someone ( selphie? ) should really hand him the stack of sealed letters addressed to him by kairi but were never really intended to be sent since he had been mia off the islands for over a year. i wonder what they say...

oh, ha, maybe, one day, they're talking and kairi just casually mentions something in conversation that riku picks up on though she breezes past it without much thought like it's common knowledge but it isn't. because. because he thought she didn't know about it and the only time he mentioned it to her was during that time in kh1 when he had her empty body and implications are there now and

au time. *looks at your dark route* *looks back at you* p,,, please.

i too have an au or two you can peruse *trips and a bunch of aus falls out of my pocket* altered memory kairi living with namine during com and completely forgetting her former life and friends and can't recognize them when they find her, kairi winding up with her keyblade and clashing with sora over the better way to help riku who was missing his heart, sora not quite saving kairi in remind and being booted to quadratum leaving kairi kinda dead to haunt the narrative from the final world as a formless star and riku is the only one she can connect with, crossover verses- *scrambles to shove them back in my pocket* anywaYS I'm down for anything! Just hit me up! Or I'll hit you up.

[glowingbadger]

Hello! Saw your post about kink list and immediately smiled like a maniac :3 I don't use tumblr often and I don't have my age listed (I'm 22) so I'll understand if you'll choose to not write my prompt 'cause of not knowing for sure that I'm not a minor. I can try though! If you'll be okay with writing it, can I request Young Xehanort (giving) with fem Reader (she/her, receiving) with praise and/or lingerie kink? Feel free to choose one of those or combine them, if you want. Have a nice day!

Y'know what I can definitely vibe with a praise kink for Y!Xehanort and the main reason is that he's voiced by Ben Diskin, pro-union king of my heart. Also I'm gonna assume you wanted the lingerie on Reader-chan, but I mean, it's not like Xehanort couldn't pull it off lmao.

Also a huge part of why there was a delay with this one was that I got hung up on logistics again. I was like, okay, where would Xehanort fuck though. I ended up watching a compilation of his scenes to remember where he ever hangs out, other than Destiny Islands (way too chipper for the tone of this piece) or looming over Sora wherever he's at (not touching that).

Also god there are so many places in the timeline that we could be for a Y!Xe piece so I'm just gonna say we're in like... 3D's, or KH3 somewhere. Sometime during his real villain time era. Cause I think that's hot. So I guess you can also consider this your CW for villain vibes.

Y!Xehanort x AFAB/Fem Reader

Kink prompt list #16 - praise, #22 - lingerie

NSFW 18+

The lace across your skin is white. White like the gaping void around you. White like the throne, on which Xehanort sits with you straddled obediently atop his lap, far too eager for his approval. One black-gloved hand runs up your inner thigh at an agonizing pace, while he leans lazily against the other.

"Always so obedient," he muses in that usual low and languid tone. You drag your bottom lip between your teeth, but remain silent- that is, until his fingers pressed against your plush lower lips pulls an eager gasp from you. A smirk plays across his mouth, and his golden eyes fix firmly on yours, "You're always at your most lovely when you behave. That's why I don't want to hear a word from you until I'm done... enjoying you. Is that clear?"

You nod. You know the rules. If Xehanort has called you here, of all places, and made such particular demands of your attire and positioning, you know that he is not in a mood to be tested. Yet you also know that he is quite capable of generosity to those who serve loyally.

The black leather is cool against your skin as his hands run up your sides, his eyes following them as they trace you.

"You're practically shaking," he says, amused and clearly unbothered. Then, he pulls you towards him until you're resting fully against his stronger frame in the throne. Without warning, his lips are at your breasts, kissing and biting from atop the delicate lace. He's not gentle with you, but he doesn't rush either. He savors the way you squirm in his arms when his teeth scrap just a little too hard along your flesh, and before long, your chest is decorated with harsh love-bites. He takes your hardened nipple between his lips, sucking steadily, his tongue flicking, teasing, toying with you until your fingers dig into the fabric of his cloak and you're fighting not to cry out.

"Please..."

It's barely a whisper, but the harsh graze of his teeth against your overly-sensitive nipple sends a clear message. Your eyes scrunch tightly shut, though your lips are stalled parted in a silent gasp.

"Do not forget your place, Y/N," Xehanort warns. He reclines in his seat once more, leaving the white silk and lace dyed with the color of your skin everywhere his mouth had been. His more stern gaze now holds you in place as firmly as his hand at your hip.

Then, a sudden pressure between your thighs- you feel his free hand trailing his fingers over the lacy fabric that just barely separates you from his touch. You manage to stay silent despite the warming ache within you, and see the approval in his expression.

"Well done. Let's see if you can remain this disciplined."

His fingers press between your folds, a slow, rhythmic stroking motion applying wonderful, agonizing pressure across your aching cunt. In seconds, your fluids have seeped through the fine silk, making your arousal all-too apparent. It takes everything in you to resist bucking your hips back against him, rutting your heat onto his fingers and driving yourself to the relief you so desperately crave. But it's the need for Xehanort's approval that tames your need for satisfaction.

The pressure stops, and you almost whine. Then, he holds his hand before you in a way you recognize, and you dutifully remove the glove from his hand. He nods, pleased, then slides his bared hand slowly below the hem of your dampened panties.

"Ng-" you bite down on your lip the moment his fingertips run along the stiffened nub of your clit. He doesn't relent. He's testing you. Two fingers rub smoothly and skillfully against you, setting your thighs trembling beneath you.

"That's it, Y/N," he says softly, his gaze never leaving your tortured expressions, "Serve me well. Stay silent for me and you can have all the pleasure your mind and body can endure. And as for your heart..." the corner of his mouth curls, his eyes finally trailing down to your chest as it rises and falls with your labored breath, "Well, I'll take that in due time, make no mistake."

Master- Master, please!

Your mind implores him even as you bite back your voice. Each stroke across your tender clit pushes you closer, his fingers already coated in your slick, your pussy walls clenching around nothing as they long for friction, to be filled.

Master Xehanort-!

You gaze at him with tear-dewed and pleading eyes, which flicker downward only briefly to see the outline of his hardened cock against his pants. It's pathetic, the way your restraint pales in comparison to his. You're thrilled to know that the pitiable display you've made of yourself is pleasing to your master, but you also know that, no matter his own desires, Xehanort is a patient man. He will see you crumble long before he offers an ounce of mercy.

Just as you worry your legs may give out beneath you, his hand shifts, and you feel him pressing at your entrance. Your fists tighten at his shoulders as two digits push into you, spreading you open, pumping gradually deeper with every thrust. As he quickly establishes a steady pace, stroking your most sensitive spots with each pass, he's certain to keep the heel of his palm pressed against your clit. The pressure is maddening. You're close- so close -and when you meet that golden stare, he knows exactly what you long to beg him for.

"Cum for me."

He's granted you permission in the form of an order you're more than happy to carry out. With your head tilted back and your body flush with need, your cunt clings around his fingers, and you grind your hips hard against him once, twice- then, your head goes fuzzy. You raise a hand to bite down on your finger as you cum, desperate to obey even now.

"Ahh, good girl. Very good girl," he says, pleased at your efforts as your pussy gushes around his digits and your body trembles against him, "This is precisely why you make such a darling plaything," as though to accent his point, he offers just a few more firm, deep thrusts of his fingers as you cum around them, "Why, seeing you so eager to please only makes me want to make even greater use of you. But I'm afraid no one will be returning here for some time, so... do try to endure it."

[jasmine-tea-latte]

Steambaby Week Fanfics

So I've been swamped with work and writing my Zutara / Bridgerton / Pride and Prejudice fic, so I haven't had time to create any new content for @steambabyweek.

But I have rounded up all my existing steambaby stories for your reading enjoyment! FYI, mild spoilers will be referenced, so I'm placing them below the cut both for that and because this post got very, very long...

Technically, I've written about the steambabies in 3 different universes. So I've split them up for clarity's sake, with the most expansive AU at the end.

Color Code: Firebender, Waterbender, Nonbender

SOUVENIRS UNIVERSE

Souvenirs We Brought Back From Ember Island – Zuko and Katara share an intimate evening together the last night at the Ember Island beach house before heading out to confront Ozai and their destinies the next morning, only to discover several weeks later that they brought back a surprise souvenir from that encounter…

Rated M for suggestive content and referenced adult situations, though Chapters 10 and 11 where the steambbs make an appearance are SFW.

Steambabies in this series:

Crown Princess Izumi

Prince Tulok

Princess Kya (not born yet when the story ends, though will end up being a nonbender)

ZK BIG BANG 2021

A Present Fit For A Fire Lady – Fire Lord Zuko struggles to come up with the perfect present for his wife to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Unbeknownst to him, he’s already given them both the best present of all.

As this fic ends with Katara revealing to Zuko that they’re expecting their first child, there aren’t any details about the actual steambaby. However, as this was part of the Big Bang event last year, there are lovely artwork pieces included, not to mention two incredible original songs written just for this story!

THE PHOENIX AND THE DRAGON SERIES

Phoenix and Dragon – Set during the series that I wrote for Zutara Week 2020, back when the pandemic first started and forced us all indoors and I had waaaay too much time to kill. This chapter introduces the first four steambabies and features the announcement that they’re expecting triplets as well.

(Yes, I went overboard when I gave them seven babies in this series – I blame being a new fanfic writer at the time and getting carried away – but like the Bridgerton family, they had a ton of babies because they wanted to, though after #7 they decided they were DONE.)

little rays of starlight– The Fire Lord and his wife take their infant daughter out on a trip to see the Southern Lights during the crown princess' first visit to the Southern Water Tribe. Features protective Dadko fussing over keeping little Izumi warm against the South Pole winter and just overall tooth-rotting fluffiness. Guest appearances by Sukka, who are expecting their first baby in this fic, and Taang, who aren’t engaged yet but will be soon.

The Fire Lord and the Sunstone – takes place when Crown Princess Izumi is just shy of 2 years old. The royal family inherits Druk after the Fire Lord and the Avatar are summoned back to visit Ran and Shaw. A cute fluffy oneshot that has baby Druk becoming fast friends with the eldest steambaby.

A Fire Burning in Her Bones (WIP)– Crown Princess Izumi has always dreamed of someday bending fire or water like her parents, following in their footsteps and making them proud. But when Izumi discovers that she’s a nonbender, she must learn to carve her own path, while learning more about her parents’ history and her nation’s role in the Hundred Year War in the process. I've gotten sidetracked by other fics since the last update, but I will finish this story one day. Hopefully.

Fun Fact: There's a 13.5 year age difference between the eldest and youngest of their kids.

Steambabies from this series, plus some fun facts / trivia about them if / when I ever get around to writing more fics in this AU:

Crown Princess Izumi

Twins - Prince Hanzo and Princess Kya

Prince Shunsui

Triplets - Prince Lu Ten, Princess Ayuko, and Prince Mihiro

Izumi – eldest child and daughter, born 3 years after Sozin’s Comet

Gold eyes, black hair

Name Meaning: fountain, water

Skilled with broadswords, learns from her father and later Master Piandao

Crown princess; introvert; birthday falls in the same week as the anniversary of the War's End, which coincides with her parents’ wedding anniversary as well

Most like Zuko in terms of dry sarcasm; constantly feels need to prove herself especially compared to her prodigious younger sibling Hanzo (essentially a gender-flipped Zuko and Azula sibling rivalry but on much, much friendlier terms)

Favorite subject is history; favorite treat is SWT seaweed cookies

Hanzo – eldest son and the elder twin, born approximately 5 ½ years after Sozin’s Comet

Gold eyes, black hair

Name Meaning: to hide, half

Named as a shout-out to the real-life legendary Japanese samurai Hattori Hanzo/Demon Hanzo. The "Demon Hanzo" nickname also gave me Blue Spirit vibes as well, ngl

Occasionally uses blades with a focus on broadswords

Ambivert; Is the spitting image of his father in his pre-banishment days. Later in the story (not written yet), his older sister Izumi will see a portrait of young Zuko pre-scarring and mistake them for each other at first

Has his mother’s personality - kind and nurturing but will cut you if you mistreat someone

Kya – younger twin

Blue eyes, brown hair

Named for Katara and Sokka’s mother

Outgoing; enjoys fashion and finding bargains during shopping trips with Great-Uncle Iroh

Inherits Uncle Sokka’s (terrible) sense of humor

Enjoys studying art from all over the world

Decent at healing but prefers sparring

Eventually settles down in SWT with her wife and their pet polar bear dog

In later years helps teach waterbending to Avatar Korra

Shunsui – born 11 years after Sozin’s Comet

Gold eyes, brown hair

Name Meaning: spring, water

Becomes a respected healer and opens up several healing clinics

Enjoys the simpler things in life like his Great-Uncle Iroh and develops an affinity for botany as a hobby

Laidback personality; enjoys traveling especially in the Earth Kingdom

Is the only steambaby besides Izumi not to be either a twin or triplet

Like his older sister Kya, helps teach waterbending to Avatar Korra

Lu Ten – eldest triplet, born approximately 16 ½ years after Sozin’s Comet

Blue eyes, black hair

Named for Iroh’s son, Zuko and Azula’s late cousin

Extrovert who takes up pro-bending when he's older

Bi pretty boy who naturally charms the ladies and the men, but has a hidden sweet, shy side

Loves traveling the world along with honorary Uncle Aang, Aunt Toph, and all their brood

Secretly gifted at the tsungi horn but will never admit it

Ayuko – middle triplet and youngest daughter

Blue eyes, black hair

Name Meaning: love, affection, rainbow

I came up with her name because of the rainbow sunshower scene in the story right before ZK announce that they're expecting her and her brothers

Is a naturally gifted bender like her Aunt Azula and the only firebender of her siblings capable of creating blue flames

Introvert who enjoys writing and reading; often seen curled up with a book in the library

A theatre nerd just like her father; is also a talented dancer but too shy to show off her skills most of the time

Mihiro – youngest triplet and youngest son

Gold eyes, black hair

Name Meaning: crown, benevolence, sea

Skilled with broadswords

Trained in swordfighting by his eldest sister Izumi and looks up to her; also learns from Zuko, Sokka, and Master Piandao

Inspired to learn broadswords after watching his eldest sister Izumi fighting with them one day when he’s 3-4

Finds out about Blue Spirit myths during a visit to the Earth Kingdom when he's a child and not-so-secretly admires all the legends and tall tales of the infamous vigilante, much to his parents’ amusement

Enjoys cooking

And there you have it! What can I say, I have a soft spot for Zutara and all their bbs 💜

[ourstarscollided]

jatp fanworks appreciation - day 1 (writers)

motivation - so in true me fashion and my aversion to brevity, i've made three (3) posts (see also artists, gifs/edits) to celebrate the wonderful people in this fandom who have made my jatp tumblr experience what it is; a community of people who simply shout into the void about their love of a ghost band and their fearless female leader. i've enjoyed simply being on the sidelines admiring everyone's love for the show, but i thought this would be a good time to really show my appreciation for all these wonderful people, because if i've learned anything from this pandemic, it's that there is NEVER a wrong time to tell someone that they are simply ✨the best✨.

disclaimer: i don't interact with most of these people personally and i simply absorb their content from afar and scream about how wonderful they are in the tags.

This list kind of became a fic rec, so if you're looking for some wonderful fics to read (or reread), I've also included my favs from the author here as well.

Okay this is gonna get a little long so please bear with me. But I just wanted to preamble this by saying that the fanfiction written by the jatp fandom is what resparked my love for reading fiction after about 3-4 years of not reading for leisure (be an adult they said. it'll be fun they said.). So I'm really grateful for that? I don't interact with a lot of people, just because it makes me a little anxious, but I will constantly yell about your content in the tags as if I were on a set of bleachers with a megaphone.

I also know there are so many wonderful fic writers out there (on Tumblr and not on Tumblr) that make amazing pieces of work, and this is just a tiny peek into that, and is not at all conclusive.

Without further ado here are some writers who live rent free in my head, in alphabetical order, so feel free to just skip to your name to avoid my rambling:

@bluefirewrites -> your Merry Ex-Mas fic had me on the edge of my seat every single time you updated. I am so in love with how you wrote the characters into this and at how many words you churned out for this fic. This was filled with so much adventure, and it was really welcome during a time when the world wasn't allowed to travel. And I simply love all the other drabbles and fics you write, but I especially enjoy the hilarity of Ray Molina, Crime Scene Photographer and Matchmaker.

@captainkippen -> I'm pretty sure Love Drunk was one of the first fics I ever read in this fandom. Your stories and your writing feel so goddamn real and I find myself so immersed in the worlds that you've created. I have reread most of your jatp fics and I still manage to find myself stupidly grinning at my phone each time. Your stories flow so easily and are such perfect characterizations of the characters we know from the show, but elevated to fit into your verse. I cannot say enough how wonderful your writing is and how talented you are!! (also a slight nudge that I am still very much following along with The Key and the Crown and I hope you continue it!)

@catty-words -> Your???? Exhaustive??? Music??? Lists???? The amount of work and dedication and microanalyzing that you put into pulling out every detail from each scene is so admirable. You not only manage to find the details, but you also give us EVIDENCE via your intricately selected gifs. You could've just put the video of the performance, but no, you take your time to find that specific 1 second shot to emphasize your point. And your little fics that you sometimes throw out into the world? They're so beautiful, and so fun to read and I enjoy them so much! (I am STILL screaming about this band's a snack) Thank you for validating my yelling in the tags, and for feeding my hyperfixation to this show. (I'm sad these lists are ending soon, but it's about the journey ya know?)

@lydias--stiles -> I don't even know what to say here because I've yelled so much about your fics that I feel like there's really nothing else to yell. Your Road Trip AU was also one of the first ones I read in this fandom, and really just made me go absolutely feral. Pretty sure I absorbed the rest of your fics in an ungodly amount of time and I just simply think you are incredibly skilled and talented. Every time you post a new fic I always wonder what it's like to be in your head because the ideas you come up with are so unique and so well thought out. Thank you for all the art you create for this show, I will constantly be in awe of you. (Special shoutout to the 5+1 fic that became a 31 chapter monster)

@pearlcaddy -> This list would not be complete if I didn't mention you. First of all, thank you for suggesting this wonderful week, it has been so lovely to see so much love being spread around today. Secondly, I never thought I'd find myself reading a Buffy or a Wizarding World crossover fic, considering I know nothing about those two things. And yet I found myself on various nights after work at 3 in the morning just silently screaming and/or crying into my phone. Your writing is so insane. Your world building is so insane. Your banter/dialogue is insane. The way you capture the love between Julie/Luke in different universes is so perfect. Thank you for gifting us these beautiful pieces of art, and I hope you know that you have at least made one person (me) a very happy reader. I also really admire your dedication to "this will only be a oneshot", only to write like 4 other POVs for it. (Special shoutout to 100 Bad Days)

@ruzek-halstead -> Literally every single fic you have written lives rent free in my head. The way you've managed to build this universe of different Julies and Lukes, and each one still captures the essence of them is astounding. You've extended their characters beyond what we know from the show and I am just in awe of everything you write. Please know that dead of night is both triggering to me and yet the most hilarious thing I have read. (Special shoutout to the Fake Dating Christmas AU and of course the Cinderella Story AU)

@serendipitee -> Your stories and your writing are absolutely magical. I think Write It Down was one of the first multi-chapter fics that I followed super closely and whenever you updated, I would literally drop what I was doing and read it instantly. You have such a way of building the plot and the characters for all of your fics and drabbles, and making the reader just want more. Please know that I am so obsessed with Oh, She Waltzed With the Dead and I cannot wait to see where you take the story!

@sunsetcurbed -> I have no words for your writing. I am simply in awe every time I read something from you. The way you've got down Alex and Willie's voice to a tee is so crazy good. You write their characters and their stories with such grace and care, especially with how you approach the topic of mental health. Thank you for all the research you do and for also writing in your own experiences. I literally binged the Princes Diaries AU during work and lost a good half day to it, and I regret nothing because that fic left me in SHAMBLES. I secretly adore the way you say you're going to keep a fic short, and end up writing an insane amount of words for it. (I have not yet left my obligated long-ass comment on Chapter 4 of the College AU yet because I am still processing the fate/destiny concept.)

@tangledstarlight -> Gahh. Rosie. Please. This is going to sound a little repetitive considering I just screamed at you last night, but now I guess I will just have to publicly confess my adoration for you!!! Thank you for being my first online friend in a very long time, and for putting up with me yelling at you about everything (and also nothing at the same time). I can't believe all it took was one message about your Royals AU for you to post it, but I will gladly take that credit any day. You are so so so incredibly talented with your writing, and your ability to transport me to another world while I read your fics is unparalleled. I adore the way you can come up with a new story to write every day, and then proceed to throw it into your pot of other WIPs. I am so so so so lucky to have gotten to know you and am incredibly grateful that I now have someone to cry about everything with 🧡 (If you read anything from Rosie, you need to read her Seasons/Long Distance Juke "friendship" fic and the Reggie x Photography oneshot that made me bawl my eyes out.)

@thedeathdeelers -> No thoughts. Just soulmates. Jk jk, you know I love your Reggie x Ray x Carlos fics, and I will scream in the tags about it until the day I get more of those fics from you. This is lowkey a threat, but wrapped in kindness. You are so wonderful to see on my dash (albeit scary at times because of the sheer amount of headcanons and theories running through your head), but you radiate such positive energy that it's impossible to not want to jump in and scream about soulmates with you.

Some special mentions to fics that also live rent free in my head:

@sunsetsandcurves wrote a Willex Cruise Ship AU inspired by a Simple Plan song and it’s something I never knew I needed until I read it. 

@phantom-curve wrote a Juke fic based off of Coney Island and I would just like to say, yes, it did shatter me. (Here’s the fluff sequel that makes up for it though)

@unsaidjulie wrote the Juke dog fic of my dreams and I simply cannot express how much I want the Molina’s to have a dog now. 

@pawprinterfanfic managed to get me incredibly invested in a Star Wars AU even though I know absolutely nothing about Star Wars. I just know that I would die for two (2) space boys. 

@sanssssastark  your Later universe made me realize that I do very much want there to be more mature content for this fandom (and you constantly deliver).

@theobligatedklutz wrote a Tangled Willex AU that makes me screech every time there’s an update. Just read it.

@alexthedrummerboy your talent knows no bounds when it comes to your Social Media AU. Also she’s written ORIGINAL songs for Alex and Willie?!?!?! 

@gennified has this really wonderful modern take on pride and prejudice for Willex and I’m so obsessed with how much miscommunication there is.

@bananaleaves okay, I just found your Tumblr today, and I know you don’t know me in any capacity, but allow me to scream about THIS FIC RIGHT HERE. If anyone in this fandom is to read ANYTHING, it’s this fic. This was one of the best things I’ve read in a long time and absolutely wrecked me. Please just read this.

This turned out WAY longer than it was supposed to, and I’m SO SORRY. (I also tried to make sure I got everyone’s pronouns right, so PLEASE let me know if they’re wrong!) A final sincere thank you to everyone in this fandom who writes. Your talent knows no bounds. Gonna stop talking now before this becomes an essay....

[starrattlerofprydain]

The Other Girl (Ch. 1)

Summary: What if Roxas met Kairi during his days in the Organization?

AO3 / FF.net

Chapter 1: A Familiar Place  (Previous/Next)

So cold.

Those were Roxas’s first thoughts as soon as he stepped inside Xion’s room. His eyes immediately landed on his friend, who was lying in her bed. The boy worriedly approached her, watching as she slept there peacefully. At least, he hoped she was getting a peaceful sleep after learning what happened to her.

Not long before, Roxas was informed Xion had failed one of her missions and she collapsed shortly after, causing her to fall into a deep sleep. He recalled the same thing happened to him weeks ago. Roxas had slept for a long period of time until he suddenly woke up in a daze one day. The blond couldn’t remember much of what happened during all of that, almost as if it was a dream.

But Xion had been there for him. She was there for him every day, placing seashells by his pillow as she waited for him to wake up. No one knew for sure if Roxas was ever going to awaken, but it didn’t stop the girl from checking up on her friend. It was the least she could do. He made her feel…

Feel? Was that something Nobodies can even do?

Roxas continued to gaze at the girl before him as he softly muttered her name. He sighed and rummaged through his coat’s pocket, pulling out one of the seashells Xion had given him. He briefly inspected the small object sitting in the palm of his hand, remembering how his raven-haired friend went on about a world she visited during the time he slept. A place surrounded by the sea that seemed oddly familiar to him for some reason. But he’s never been to his place before… has he? Maybe it must have been a memory from before he became a Nobody.

Yeah, that might be it, Roxas thought before gently placing the seashell near Xion’s pillow. He watched her for a few more moments, hoping there was a small chance she might just wake up right away. But her eyes remained closed as her chest slowly rose and fell. No sign of her waking up anytime soon. Roxas wished he could stay longer but he had a mission to complete.

“I’m gonna get going now…” he mumbled, knowing she most likely couldn’t hear him. But he didn’t care. “I’ll be back later…I promise.”

The boy began to make his way out of the room, glancing at Xion once more before he slipped out and headed back over to the Grey Area to proceed with his mission.

-----------

The days passed and Roxas went on with his usual routine. He would visit Xion first thing in the morning in hopes of seeing her awake, only to find the girl still lying in the same spot on her bed. Despite this, it still put him in a better mood being able to see her. He reminded himself to leave her a seashell before he left on a mission, just like she did for him.

Once Roxas spent a few moments with Xion, he went to complete the usual missions assigned to him by Saïx. For some missions, he was paired up with some of the Organization members. And for others, he went solo. Just recently, he went to a new world called Neverland. Right away, the boy noticed the body of water surrounding the island he stood upon, which brought him back to thinking about that island where Xion found all those seashells.

Those thoughts were set aside when Roxas discovered he can fly in this particular world. After that exhilarating experience, he couldn’t wait to tell Xion about it. He even hoped they would be able to go on a mission together just so she could experience it for herself.

It was still a little strange though. He had a feeling he’s done this before. Was this just another memory of his past self? He brushed off the thought.

After Roxas completed his missions throughout the days, he would end it off by heading to the clock tower, where he would find his red-headed friend. It was nice having someone to talk to, even though he couldn’t help but miss Xion’s presence. At least Axel was there to reassure him that she’ll wake up in no time. Roxas sure hoped that was the case.

It was the same routine for a couple of days, until both Roxas and Axel made their way to the Grey Area one morning to see a piece of paper up on the wall where Saix would normally be standing.

“Another vacation day?” Roxas wondered out loud as he read the writing in front of him.

“Huh… well, I can’t argue with that,” Axel said, spinning on his heel and waving goodbye to his friend. “If you need me, I’ll be catching up on some sleep.”

Roxas watched as the tall man retraced his steps back to his room. The boy stood there in thought, smiling to himself as he decided to take this time to head over to Xion’s room. Maybe she might finally wake up today. Once Roxas arrived at the door, he peeked inside, noticing nothing had changed. He let out a small sigh and stepped inside as he walked over to the raven-haired girl.

“Looks like we have another day off today.”

Roxas stood by her side, his smile faltering slightly as he went on. “I kind of wish you were already awake, so we can spend the day together. Axel’s spending his time off sleeping again, so I guess it’ll be just the two of us.”

The blond seated himself on the side of the bed, thinking of what else he wanted to tell her. He could only say so much to someone who couldn’t respond back. Sometimes he still wondered if she could actually hear him...

Roxas’s lips suddenly curved back into a smile as he recalled one of his previous missions. “There’s this place I wanna show you. You probably won’t believe it, but I actually flew there! Maybe we’ll be able to go on a mission together one day so you can try it out yourself.”

He mindlessly kicked his feet back and forth off the bed, staring at the white walls surrounding them. “I think you’ll like that world. It’s got some nice sights, being surrounded by the ocean and all.”

The boy’s eyes wandered to all the seashells sitting right beside her, the same ones that were previously on his own bed. He thought about that place that Xion told him about, realizing how much he longed to go to the beach with her and Axel.

We’ll go together someday. Just like we promised.

Roxas stayed by Xion’s side a while longer, rambling on about whatever popped into his head until he decided to leave her be. From there, he went to his usual spot up on the clock tower, ice cream in hand, as he stared up at the orange hues in the sky. Normally by now, Axel would have probably joined him, though he figured the red-head must have still been taking his usual vacation nap.

The Nobody continued to sit there peacefully with his treat, wondering what was in store for him the following day.

-----------

“I’m sending you to a new world today to conduct recon,” Saïx informed.

Roxas nodded as he received his mission for the day. He wondered if Axel had already gone out, realizing he was nowhere to be seen that morning. Regardless, the boy did as he was told and made whatever preparations he needed to just in case, before he headed off into the dark corridor. Once he arrived at his new destination, he was suddenly met by a warm, salty breeze. The blond squinted slightly as he stepped out into the brightness.

And that’s when it hit him. Sandy ground... clear, blue skies... the sound of the waves… this must have been the world Xion visited.

Destiny Islands, was it? He thought to himself, noticing it didn’t take too long for him to start feeling the heat from the sun on his coat. Thankfully it wasn’t as unbearable as Agrabah. Roxas took in the sights around him, inspecting the place as he approached the shoreline.

This place… It still feels familiar somehow… not sure why though...

Roxas’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard some voices from a distance. Quickly, he made his way over to some large rocks nearby and hid there for the time being as the voices grew louder. The blond peeked up to see two boys running by the shore, followed by two girls, probably all around the same age as him. He noticed how cheerful everyone seemed to be, except for the red-headed girl, who looked like something had been troubling her.

Weird… she kinda looks like...

Roxas blinked a few times before he raised himself slightly to get a better look at this person. However, his movement must have gotten her attention because at that moment, she suddenly looked his way. Roxas froze for a second before he rapidly hid back down. It became quiet until he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him. He had to think fast.

Without hesitation, the blond got up and darted off to what looked like a cave. He glanced around and spotted another large rock, quickly hiding behind there. Just as he suspected, the sound of footsteps followed him to this area.

“Is someone there?” The soft voice asked. Before she was able to look around the cave, a faint voice from the other girl came from the outside.

“Kairi? Where’d you go?”

It became silent, then the sound of the girl’s footsteps slowly began to fade. “I’m coming!”

Roxas waited a few moments before he quietly peeked from behind the rock. Yep, nobody was there. He let out a sigh of relief as he sat up against the large object.

“That was a close one…” he mumbled, thinking back to that girl. “But… who was that girl?”

And why did she remind me of Xion…?

[herwonderland7]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕   》  Forever and Always

summary  》 Aera turned into petals, as it blew through the wind, showing that she passed away as days after her passing, Jaebeom’s pack were being given scrolls that was written by Aera.

characters  》  Gae Aera, Grandma Kim, The White Queen (Aerina), Lim Jaebeom, Mark Tuan, Jackson Wang, Park Jinyoung, Choi Youngjae, Bambam, Kim Yugyeom

warnings/author’s note  》 a long post!, angst all the way :(, i’m afraid this is the end…. maybe….

genre  》  fantasy, got7!as!werewolves, got7!as!prince

      “I wish we had more time together. But what I believe is that, in the gardens of memory, in a palace of dreams, that's where you and I will meet. You will forever and always be my number one, Aera.”

       2 days.

It took 2 days for Aera’s body to be completely paralyzed. 

Unfortunately, the moment when she was writing the last scroll, her fingers slowly went numb, as she realized what was happening -  she had little energy left hence she used it to enchant a spell on her everyday fountain pen, as it writes by itself according to Aera’s words of thoughts.

Time passed by and the news of the princess' health was known to all of the royal castle workers, and unfortunately, words had spread to other neighboring kingdoms.

Every royal servant and workers who visited the princess tended to shed tears, seeing her unusual pale face, laying on the bed as her eyes were mostly closed.

The White Queen and Grandma Kim had always stood by the princess’s side, accompanying other kingdom’s royal family to visit her. 

The Queen could tell that her daughter was loved by everyone due to her kindness and companion that even the NCT clan and X clan came - unknown to the princess, both clans cried as soon as they saw the state of the princess of Aerina and Morian’s Kingdom.

Jaebeom’s pack were busy than usual, going to different parts of the island to get help - finding any way to cure their princess. 

They didn’t get to have a rest as they ran across kingdoms to kingdoms. 

But one day, one by one of Jaebeom’s pack, they started to feel a throbbing pain on their chest during one of the full moon - as the pack made their way back to Aerina’s Kingdom, to find the sight of the princess’s hair color that had been darkest, shiniest brown has slowly faded to white.

A way to tell that she is slowly dying.

“Oh no.” Jaebeom muttered to himself, his mind slowly breaking into pieces.

“Why.. does it look like my room is full of people?” Aera muttered under her breath, in which she could hear more quiet sobs and sniffs - definitely knowing that there are people in the room.

It was scary for her. 

Her senses are weakening, as well as her body movements. 

Aera knew that she wouldn’t make it tomorrow, not even today. 

“..That’s because everyone’s here, Aera. We all are here for you, my love.” The White Queen softly replied. Aera could only turn her head slightly, towards where the voice came from. 

Yugyeom, who was the nearest to Aera, held onto Aera’s fragile hands. “Aera.. It’s me… Please stay a little longer, please,” Yugyeom pleaded, his voice shaking. 

He couldn’t hold onto his feelings anymore as he decided to let it out, making the others feel vulnerable too since their youngest is crying.

 All of them knew Yugyeom was the type to try his best to hold onto his tears, no matter what situation he faces - but this, this situation was something Yugyeom had to let go of his feelings.

Bambam who was at the opposite of Yugyeom, couldn’t help but sob quietly as his head went downwards, his hands gripping onto Aera’s dress slightly - a sign to show her that he was there. 

He has been quietly watching Aera every night. 

He wouldn’t miss a day to check onto Aera - who would just lay on the bed and as night arrives, Bambam would let his tears out silently, alone. He knew she wouldn’t make it one day.

Thinking of Aera leaving him, Bambam let out his tears, making some of the older ones go towards his side - which was Mark and Jackson.

Aside from Bambam, Mark and Jackson were also the ones who would regularly visit Aera, in secret - because Jackson didn’t want Jaebeom to know that he would skip some days to go hunting, to see the princess.

So Jackson would invite Mark along, knowing the older one wants to come alone although he was being silent about it. 

Whenever there is Jackson, the day would always end up with laughter - and for the first time, Aera would laugh softly and weakly to hear Jackson rambling about his day and Mark would always have to ask Jackson to slow down.

“Rest well, Aera. I’m happy that you came back to us - even if you and I didn’t get to spend more time together,” whispered Jinyoung, while caressing her side hair, making Aera hum while smiling.

As much as Jinyoung wants Aera to live longer, seeing her like this, in a condition where she couldn’t even more freely and seeing her weakening, it hurts him so bad that he just wanted her back to her usual self.

Even if she has to die. Thinking of the word ‘die’ makes Jinyoung tear up automatically, not knowing that tears already flow down his cheeks.

“Grandma Kim, how long—

“Not for long. She is trying her best to hold on now,” answered Grandma Kim to Youngjae - as she gazed towards Aera, who was silently looking at Jinyoung.

Youngjae could only gulp down the lump on her throat, knowing that flowers or plants couldn’t save her. He has tried all sorts of medicines, but none could make Aera come back to life - according to Grandma Kim.

There was so much he wanted to say to her, but he couldn’t let out any words - even if he wanted to say a word, instead he let out a sob, causing Jaebeom to hold onto Youngjae’s hands tightly.

If Jaebeom could go crazy, he would any moment now - but for the sake of his friends and the princess who is dying at her bed, he decided to get himself together, even if it is slowly killing him inside.

Seeing Aera becoming weaker, he would always blame himself - if he knew about her condition, he wouldn't have said those mean words to her. 

All this while she had been keeping this to herself, why didn’t she say anything about this?

A part of him was mad at her but at the same time, maybe she didn’t want to look weak for her people and he gets her - the both of them have similar personalities.

‘Aera.. why didn’t you tell me?’ Jaebeom questioned in his voice of thoughts, staring towards Aera with a slight frown - to see Aera smiling slightly, as she slowly turned towards Jaebeom with her droopy eyes.

‘....No matter how much I wanted to change the future, destiny already wrote down my fate, Jaebeom. It’s the only way,’ answered Aera and that’s when everyone’s eyes fell towards Jaebeom - hearing her voice, Youngjae and Yugyeom automatically broke down. 

Her response made Grandma Kim go towards Aera, putting her wrinkly hand onto Aera’s forehead - a deep frown and a soft sigh came from the elderly as she turned towards the White Queen who was in the corner shedding her own tears.

“Aerina, it’s time.” 

Feeling all eyes turned towards Grandma Kim, the elderly looked towards the boys. 

“I’m afraid you have to say your last words to her. Aerina and I will be outside,” stated Grandma Kim before guiding the weeping White Queen as they exited the room, leaving only Aera the 7 guys alone.

“I’m running out of time, am I?” questioned Aera softly, which she could feel a throbbing pain in her chest, causing her to let out an expression that caused the 7 guys to go closer to her.

Everyone in the room is running out of time.

Staring at Aera with tears flowing down their cheeks, Mark decided to speak first. “Thank you for everything, Aera. You have done so much to restore our home. Rest well,” 

Though Mark’s words were simple, the way he said his words - everyone could tell he really meant it, hearing how hard he is trying not to let out a shaky voice.

She meant so much to him - although they did not interact that much, but the way they look at each other, the way she offers to comb his fur when he would always reject her, the times when Aera would approach him when he had trouble with situation regarding Morian, Mark knows Aera does care for him. 

“Mark, you have to kiss her, on the cheeks of course,” Jackson urged, a tradition for the wolves that if one of their pack is dying, they have to give them a goodbye kiss on their face.

Although Aera wasn’t fully in their pack still, everyone somehow considered as one of Jaebeom’s.

“I don’t know..” Mark muttered, his eyes turning towards Jaebeom who was avoiding his gaze - at the same time giving Mark the green light. The oldest knew the alpha, who was rejected, still had romantic feelings for her, although his feelings for her are starting to fade.

Mark went nearer towards her face, remembering each feature of her face before giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

He then glanced towards Jackson and Yugyeom who were just near him, urging them to talk it out - afraid that it might be too late if they delay their time. 

Yugyeom let out a shaky voice, his hand reaching out for Aera’s hands.

“I’m going to miss you….. Just so you know that family isn't blood. You're my family, Aera.” Yugyeom sniffled as he slightly gripped onto her soft hands, while giving a quick peck on the opposite side of where Mark had given his kiss.

There was so much love as the youngest stared into Aera’s pale face, the colors of her face were fading as well as life, making Yugyeom to start weeping out.

He couldn’t bear to see the princess suffer and eventually die. 

Yugyeom thought she would stay forever this time, but of course, ‘forever’ doesn’t exist in this world.

There was so much Yugyeom wanted to do with her - going to the Dragon’s Village together with Grandma Kim, pranking Jaebeom and Jackson till they went insane, and disturbing naughty wolf cubs.

Knowing that she will pass on, Yugyeom has no one to turn to - causing him to sob out his feelings.

Mark had to advise him to come out of the room - with Mark accompanying him. Knowing it would be the last time he would see Aera, Mark turned towards Aera with a small smile that showed sadness, as he left the room with the weeping Yugyeom.

“Princess, I hope you can hear me. I don’t know… I thought you would stay a little longer. I wanted to show you what the others and I had planned for Morian. But it seems you had to go, and I understand. Just like what Mark said, you have done so much for both of your kingdoms and.. I’m proud to have someone - a friend, a tutor, a princess to my kingdom, our kingdom, by our side. We love you, Princess Aera.” confessed Bambam, his voice began to quave in sorrow. 

He couldn’t help but to let out the tears that he had tried to hold onto, he finally let it out as the room filled with his weeps. 

Bambam really loves Aera - he treats her as his own sister, they would always help each other out even if at the end of the day they had to be reprimanded by others.

Bambam couldn’t believe this at all. 

‘Surely this is just a sick nightmare, right? If the princess is dead, who is going to look over Morian Kingdom?’ 

“Bambam,” A voice called, making Bambam look towards who called him, to see Jinyoung gesturing towards Aera who had her eyes closed, realizing he was openly day-dreaming as he finally stood up while leaning against Aera’s face.

“Rest well, our princess,” muttered Bambam before giving a peck on the outer corner of her eyes, as he immediately walked away, not even once looking back. 

The older ones turned towards Youngjae, seeing that he had his eyes downcast - not knowing what to say, as he too couldn’t believe that their princess is on the point of death. 

He knew. He was there in the mirror dimension with Jinyoung and Aera herself.

He didn’t know the day would come too soon.

With a shaky sigh, Youngjae crouches down while holding onto Aera’s weak yet soft hands. “Aera… Princess Aera..” Youngjae softly called out, waiting for her response but instead, silence and the quiet sobs from the older ones were the only response he got.

Youngjae’s bottom lip quivered, as tears rolled down on his cheeks, as he started to accept the reality that Aera is slowly dying. Staring at her pale yet beautiful face, Youngjae let out a slight choke then a scoff. 

“Even if you are slowly passing on, you still look lovely…. Thank you for everything, Aera.” Youngjae whispered before pecking a kiss on the corner of her forehead. As he was leaving, Youngjae stole a few glances towards her as he finally let out a few sobs, before exiting the room.

Which now left with Jaebeom, Jinyoung and Jackson.

The 3 of them were running out of time, the colors on Aera’s hair were almost draining, an obvious sign that she is slowly passing on in Aerina’s kingdom. 

Jinyoung’s eyes began to water seeing the drastic change.

“I hope this is all just a bad dream. Gosh, princess. We’re going to miss you and your rebellious times, and most importantly, you have stuck to the word of a ‘princess’. I am proud that you are my best friend, a star, also a princess to a kingdom where I was born. Till then, become a star and do visit us in our dreams. We love you, Princess Aera.” Jinyoung managed to say his words, though he was trying so hard not to break down - afraid that he wouldn't be able to speak.

Jinyoung didn’t hesitate to give her a kiss on the opposite eye where Bambam had kissed her. His thumb lightly caressed his cheek as he studied her features very carefully, not knowing that his tears were already rolling down his own cheeks.

Jinyoung looked towards Jaebeom and Jackson as their heads were downwards, not wanting to meet his own eyes - knowing they would break down. Wordlessly, Jinyoung took a last look towards Aera, before turning his back towards her.

Jaebeom and Jackson knew he exited the door, hearing slight sobs from outside.

The room was filled with complete silence.

“Do you want to talk to her first?” Jaebeom offered, his eyes slightly gazing towards Jackson, seeing his eyes red and puffy, knowing the man was crying. 

Jackson nodded slightly, crouching down beside the princess, holding onto her hand firmly - as he started sobbing as it slowly turned to blubbers where he was letting out words that weren’t clear.

This made Jaebeom to crouch down beside him, his hands wrapping onto Jackson’s side, hugging the very heartbroken man.

“Jackson, you have to speak. Aera doesn’t understand what you are saying.” Jaebeom softly told him, as he was quietly sobbing - his hand didn’t even let go of Aera’s.

“I don’t know what to say, Jaebeom. It hurts very bad and I really don’t know how and what to say at all. All I really know is that I like her more than I should! I didn’t even have the chance to say it to her!” Jackson whimpered, his confession caused Jaebeom to rub his back, his way of showing that he understands him.

“....Me too….” Jaebeom whispered, eyes still towards Aera. 

Soon, Jackson’s sobs slowly softens, letting go from Jaebeom’s side.

He went nearer towards Aera’s face.

“I wish we had more time together. But what I believe is that, in the gardens of memory, in a palace of dreams, that's where you and I will meet. You will forever and always be my number one, Aera.” said Jackson, trying his best not to let out any sobs, as he gazed into Aera’s face in adoration.

‘I love you, Aera. I will always love you, forever and always.’

Jackson thought to himself, before standing up, giving her a peck on top of her head. His hand caressing her hair, as his finger slowly left at the tip of her hair.

“I’ll join the others outside. You deserve a moment with her.” Jackson told Jaebeom, as the alpha quietly nodded.

“Thanks.” Jaebeom muttered towards Jackson, as he smiled sadly, his eyes moving towards the princess for a moment before turning his back towards her.

After Jackson left, Jaebeom turned towards Aera.

“First of all, I would like to apologize for what I said. I know you are sad, it’s obvious and I regretted not talking to you after that day. I’m starting to regret it now and I’m afraid it will stick to me. I’m going to miss you, Aera - and yes, I do still love you although your heart belongs to Jackson.” Jaebeom said softly, his hands holding onto Aera’s, already feeling that her hands were starting to get cold.

“..You know, I will never regret loving you. That’s a promise and… thank you for loving me, even when I don't feel lovable.” continued Jaebeom, as his fingers landed to Aera’s cheeks, as he slowly caressed it.

Jaebeom leans against Aera’s face, unknowing that he was quietly sobbing, not wanting others to hear - as he went nearer towards her forehead, giving her a peck on the forehead as he closed his eyes, letting his tears flow.

Just then, Jaebeom felt his hand that was holding onto Aera’s, as it felt light weight. 

Jaebeom immediately opened his eyes, and he immediately backed away - in front of him was Aera, her body slowly turning into flower petals, flowing through the air.

He didn’t even realized that a ring had fallen from Aera’s body.

His shock might have caused the others to feel him, as the rest who were standing outside quickly went into the room - as they see the same thing as what Jaebeom is seeing.

Aera’s body, from her toes to her head, turns into flower petals, and once the top of her head had been transformed, the wind blew the petals as they blew out of the open window of the room.

“She’s gone.” said Grandma Kim, as the silence filled with sorrow.

It’s been 3 days after the princess’s death, and news has spread drastically that the crown princess of Aerina and Morian Kingdom has passed away - and the citizens have been mourning still, with pictures and flowers being placed at the front of the castle entrance of Aerina’s Kingdom mostly.

The castle has been quiet, as the royal workers were mourning too.

But not exactly for Grandma Kim and the White Queen, as they were holding onto scrolls that were on both of their arms. They entered the meeting room, to see Jaebeom’s pack.

As soon as they saw the elderly and the Queen, all of them immediately stood up and bowed to both of them.

“Your majesty, what is with the scrolls?” Jaebeom questioned curiously, seeing more than 10 scrolls were on each of their hands. He was surprised that they could carry all of that.

“These.. are from Aera, written personally from her.” The Queen stated, and immediately as Aera’s name was being heard, their eyes widened slightly.

“All of it?” asked Jinyoung and the Queen nodded with a small smile. 

Both Grandma Kim and the Queen began to distribute the scrolls according to the names. 

Some of them could see that the scrolls had the names of neighboring kingdom names and the names that they knew too, which were NCT and X Clan.

They were even more surprised that Zen’s name was there too, though he is still a child.

Each one of them got a hold of one scroll but Jaebeom receives 2 scrolls, each given by the older ones, but Grandma Kim holds onto one of the ends.

“Aera said that this was for all of you. Since you’re the alpha, you have to read it aloud.” told Grandma Kim, as she looked at Jaebeom with a face that had never been serious as ever.

Jaebeom can’t help but feel anxious, knowing this must be related to her death.

Looking at his friends, Jaebeom untied the string as the paper unrolled itself - to reveal the most neatest, yet elegant handwriting as he reads the letter out loud.

“Dear my 7 beloved friends,

I know that if you are reading this, I must have passed on and I’ve known because it’s been stated in the book of prophecies. I had destroyed it, and I would like to apologize to Jinyoung for enchanting a spell on him from the day we had a talk in the mirror dimension.

I had to, so that everything would come out with me, having the blood of the gods, as I am demi-god and me having the ability to enchant spells. Now, they say demi-gods are supposed to live longer, but in my case, my body is trapped somewhere hence it couldn’t last long, and this is the consequence. 

As you read this out loud, all spells that I casted will vanish and you don’t have to worry, Youngjae. Your favorite flowers are still blooming, I knew you would be sad if it died one day.

Jinyoung, I’ve thinked about the words you said to me and I guessed I realized that I had been selfish… but not heartless. I have always cared for my people since day 1. So, I had written to each one of you as you will be given each a scroll that my will would be split into 7. You will receive on behalf of my inheritance. I had asked Mother and Grandma Kim for their permission and they are lovely to support me.

You will get everything you will need, a room, gold, swords, anything. 

Oh, and not forgetting our little Zen. He too will be given a share of my inheritance. He would need it as soon as he turns 20.

Since I am not there, Morian is in need of rulers. The White Queen has to stay in Aerina, since that is her hometown and her own castle while Grandma Kim had vowed to be by the Queen's side.

So in exchange, I need the 7 of you to rule the Morian Kingdom. 

I need a helping hand.

Attached to this letter is a letter from King Morian. There is proof, as he, King Morian, stated that his throne would be passed to the 7 of you and you do not need to worry on how or if it is possible if a pack of young wolves could rule a kingdom.

It is possible.

The White Queen, along with Grandma Kim would guide you along, but all the matter will pass in your hands. In the end you will decide what to do with the Kingdom - whether you would like it to be a harmonious kingdom or a kingdom that is only for wolves.

It is all up to the 7 of you. I believe you can do it. Each one of you has your own abilities, your own strengths, so use it.

I just want the 7 of you to live comfortably, happily in your own castle and hometown. I hope one day it will come true, not now as I know  everyone would be saddened with my passing.

But as for me, I can’t wait on how both of the kingdoms would progress as years passed.

The night sky will always be dark blue,

Just like how the stars would always be there,

Think of me as a star, I will always watch all of you.

With lots of love and your forever princess, 

Riana Aera.”

As Jaebeom was reading the scroll, the 7 of them quickly untied their own individual scroll, to reveal handwritten will and signatures from the Queen, the generals and Aera herself.

“Oh, Aera.” Jinyoung muttered to himself, as in his eyes, the day where he was trapped in the mirror dimension, the scene was running through his eyes, causing him to have teary eyes.

What Aera said was true, she did uncast the spell.

He felt guilty, he felt like he had caused Aera to feel like she was selfish and heartless, when in the first place, she was thinking of everyone she loves.

“..It isn’t your fault, Jinyoung. The princess might have seen this coming.” Jackson, who was beside him, patted his back as he gave his friend a side hug.

“..I would sincerely like to help the princess.” Bambam commented, causing the Queen to turn towards the younger one with a smile.

“Me too! She needs our help!” Yugyeom added.

“..If this is what she wants, we have to.” Youngjae muttered, eyes still locked onto his own scroll.

He couldn’t believe that Aera was a demi-god, which explains her superhuman strengths and abilities that he,himself and the others didn’t have.

Mark on the other hand was trying to recall his moments with Aera, when all of a sudden he remembered her words.

“Are you ready for the day where I would be gone and leave it to your hands to take care of the others and the kingdom of Morian?” Mark whispered to himself, causing the others to turn towards him.

“What?” Jaebeom repeated and Mark’s eyes went downcast.

“..She had hinted to us before. All of us, but it seems we were too positive to think she would never leave.” Mark explained, earning a slow nod from Jinyoung.

“..She gave me a book titled ‘Ways of A Wolf Pack to Rule A Kingdom’. I thought she gave me for more information purposes but she had another intention that I couldn’t figure out.” Jinyoung muttered, as everyone went silent.

They were blind, or it seems Aera had her own ways.

“..I think we shouldn’t think that way. Aera wants us to be happy, so… I think we should try to be happy for her sake.” Jackson commented, sounding a little positive.

Jaebeom’s eyes gazed towards the scroll, his hands slightly gripped onto his own scroll.

‘...What exactly are you, Aera?’

𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓  ⇿  𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆  

𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

[ducktastic]

2020 Gameological Awards

Over on the Gameological Discord, we have an annual tradition of writing up our games of the year not as a ranked list but rather as answers to a series of prompts. Here are my personal choices for the year that was 2020.

Favorite Game of the Year

I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into Paradise Killer. I knew that I liked the vaporwave resort aesthetic from the game’s trailer and figured I was in for a Danganronpa-style murder mystery visual novel with an open-ended murder mystery at its core. Those assumptions were… half-right? The game definitely plays out like the exploration bits of Danganronpa set on the island from Myst but with far simpler puzzles. What I didn’t expect was to fall so deeply in love with the environment—its nooks and crannies, its millennia of lore, its brutalist overlap of idol worship, consumerism, and mass slaughter. It makes sense that the world of Paradise Killer is its strongest feature, since the cast of NPCs don’t really move around, leaving you alone with the world for the overwhelming majority of your experience as you bounce back and forth between digging around for clues and interrogating potential witnesses. And despite what the promo materials indicated, there IS a definitive solution to the crimes you’re brought in to investigate, the game just lets you make judgment based on whatever evidence you have at the time you’re ready to call it a day, so if you’re missing crucial evidence you might just make a compelling enough case for the wrong person and condemn them to eternal nonexistence. Am I happy with the truth at the end of the day? No, and neither is anybody else I’ve spoken to who completed the game, but we all were also completely enthralled the entire time and our dissatisfaction has less to do with the game and more to do with the ugly reality of humanity. I’ve always been of the mindset that “spoilers” are absolute garbage and that a story should be just as good whether you know the twist or not and any story that relies on surprising the audience with an unexpected reveal is not actually that good a story, but Paradise Killer is a game about piecing together your own version of events so I feel that it’s vital to the gameplay experience that people go in knowing as little as possible and gush all about it afterwards. Just trust me, if the game looks even remotely intriguing to you, go for it. I’ve had just as much fun talking about the game after I finished it with friends just getting started as I did actually solving its mysteries myself.

Best Single Player Game

I honestly missed out on the buzz for In Other Waters at launch, so I’m happy I had friends online talking it up as Black Friday sales were coming along. The minimal aesthetic of his underwater exploration game allows the focus to shift more naturally to the game’s stellar writing as a lone scientist goes off in search of her mentor and the secrets they were hiding on an alien world. It only took a few hours for me to become completely absorbed in this narrative and keep pushing forward into increasingly dangerous waters. In Other Waters might just be the best sci-fi story I experienced all year and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi novels, regardless of their experience with video games.

Best Multiplayer Game

Look, we all know this year sucked. 2020 will absolutely be chronicled in history books as a fascinating and deeply depressing time in modern history where we all stayed inside by ourselves and missed our friends and family. It was lonely and it was bleak. Which is why it made my heart glow so much more warmly every time I got a letter from an honest-to-goodness real-life friend in Animal Crossing New Horizons. Knowing that they were playing the same game I was and hearing about their experiences and sending each other wacky hats or furniture, it lightened the days and made us feel that little bit more connected. Sure, when the game first launched we would actually take the time to visit one another’s islands, hang out, chat in real-time, and exchange gifts, but we all eventually got busy with Zoom calls, sourdough starters, and watching Birds of Prey twenty-two times. Still, sending letters was enough. It was and still is a touching little way to show that we’re here for one another, if not at the exact same time.

Favorite Ongoing Game

Zach Gage is one of my favorite game designers right now, and when I heard he was releasing a game called Good Sudoku I was sold sight unseen. The game as released was… fine. It’s sudoku and it’s pleasant, but it was also buggy and overheated my phone in a way I hadn’t seen since Ridiculous Fishing (also by Zach Gage) seven years ago. Thankfully, the most glaring bugs have been fixed and I can now enjoy popping in every day for some quick logic puzzle goodness. Daily ranked leaderboards keep me coming back again and again, the steady ramp of difficulty in the arcade and eternal modes means I can always chase the next dopamine rush of solving increasingly complex puzzles. It’s not a traditional “ongoing” game the way, say, Fortnite and Destiny are, but I’m happy to come back every day for sudoku goodness.

Didn't Click For Me

With Fortnite progressively losing me over the course of 2020, finalizing with my wholesale “never again” stance after Epic boss Tim Sweeney compared Fortnite demanding more money from Apple to the American Civil Rights movement (no, absolutely not), I dipped my toe into a number of new “battle pass”-style online arena types of games, and while Genshin Impact eventually got its hooks into me, Spellbreak absolutely did not. With graphics straight out of The Dragon Prince and the promise of a wide variety of magic combat skills to make your character your own, the game seemed awfully tempting, but my first few experiences were aimless and joyless, with no moment of clarity to make me understand why I should keep coming back. Maybe they’ll finesse the game some more in 2021, or a bunch of my friends will get hooked and lure me back, but for now I am a-okay deleting this waste of space on my Switch and PC.

"Oh Yeah, I Did Play That Didn't I?"

I remember being really excited for Murder By Numbers. Ace Attorney-style crime scene investigation visual novel with Picross puzzles for the evidence, art by the creators of Hatoful Boyfriend, and music by the composer of Ace Attorney itself?! Sounds like a dream come true. But the pixel-hunt nature of the crime scene investigations was more frustrating than fun, the picross puzzles were not particularly great, and the game came out literally a week before the entire world went into lockdown which makes it feel more like seven years ago than just earlier this year. I remember being marginally charmed by the game once it was in my hands, but as soon as my mind shifted to long-term self care, Murder By Numbers went from hot topic to cold case.

Most Unexpected Joy

I was looking forward to Fuser all year. As a dyed-in-the-wool DropMix stan, the prospect of a spiritual sequel to DropMix on all major digital platforms without any of the analogue components was tremendously exciting, and I knew I’d have a lot of fun making mixes by myself and posting them online for the world to hear. What I didn’t expect, however, was the online co-op mode to be such a blast! Up to four players take turns making 32 bars of mashups, starting with whatever the player before handed them and adding their own fingerprints on top. It sounds like it should just be a mess of cacophony, but every session I’ve played so far has been just the best dance party I’ve had all year, and everyone not currently in control of the decks (including an audience of spectators) can make special requests for what the DJ should spin and tap along with the beat to great super-sized emoji to show how much they’re enjoying the mix. Literally the only times my Apple Watch has ever warned me of my heightened heart rate have been the times I was positively bouncing in place rocking out to co-op freestyle play in Fuser.

Best Music

Only one video game this year had tunes that were so bumpable they were upgraded to my general “2020 jams” playlist alongside Jeff Rosenstock, Run the Jewels, and Phoebe Bridgers, and that game was Paradise Killer. 70% lo-fi chill beats to study/interrogate demons to, 20% gothic atmospheric bangers, 10% high-energy pop jazz, this soundtrack was just an absolute joy to swim around in both in and out of gameplay.

Favorite Game Encounter

It’s wild that in a landscape where games let me live out my wildest fantasies, the single moment that lit me up in a way that stood out to me more than any other was serving Neil the right drink in Coffee Talk. Over the course of the game, you serve a variety of hot drinks to humans, werewolves, vampires, orcs, and more, all while chatting with your customers and learning more about their lives and relationships. The most mysterious customer, though, is an alien life form who adopts the name Neil. They do not know what they want to drink and claim it doesn’t make a difference because they cannot taste it. Everybody else wants *something*. Neil is just ordering for the sake of fitting in and exploring the Earth experience. It’s only in the second playthrough that attentive baristas will figure out what to serve Neil, unlocking the “true” ending in the process. Seeing the typically stoic Neil actually emote when they tasted their special order drink? What an absolute treat that was.

Best Free DLC of the Year

It’s still only a couple of days old at the time I’m writing this, but Marvel’s Avengers just added Kate Bishop, aka Hawkeye, and THANK GOODNESS. Almost every character in the game at launch just smashed the endless waves of robot baddies with their fists and that looks exhausting and uncomfortable. Hawkeye (the game calls her Kate Bishop, but come on, she’s been Hawkeye in the comics for over 14 years, let’s show her some respect) uses A SWORD. FINALLY! Aside from that, I’m just having a blast shooting arrows all over the place. She and Ms Marvel are the most likable characters in the game so far, so I hope they keep adding more of the Young Avengers and Champions to the game, and if the recently announced slate of Marvel movies and tv shows are any indication (with America Chavez, Cassie Lang, and Riri Williams all coming soon to the MCU), that seems to be what Marvel is pushing for across all media

Most Accessible Game

Nintendo is, first and foremost, a toy company. They got their start in toys and cards long before video games was a thing, and they still do more tests to ensure their video game hardware is childproof than anybody else in the industry (remember how they made Switch cartridges “taste bad” so kids wouldn’t eat them?). This year, Nintendo got to rekindle some of their throwback, simplistic, toys-and-cards energy with Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, a Switch collection of timeless family-friendly games like Chess, Mancala, and Backgammon, along with “toy” versions of sports like baseball, boxing, and tennis for a virtual parlor room of pleasant time-wasters. The games were all presented with charming li’l explainers from anthropomorphic board game figurines, and the ability to play quick sessions of Spider Solitaire on the touch screen while I binged The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix made Clubhouse Games one of my most-played titles of the year. Plus, local play during socially-distant friend hangs was an excellent way to make us feel like we were much closer than we were physically allowed to be as friends knocked each other’s block off in the “toy boxing” version of Rock’em Sock’em Robots.

"Waiting for Game-dot"

I get that everyone loves Disco Elysium. I saw it on everyone’s year-end lists last year. I finally bought it with an Epic Games Store coupon this year. This year was a long enough slog of depressing post-apocalyptic drudgery, I didn’t want to explore a whole nother one in my leisure time. I’ll get to it… someday.

Game That Made Me Think

Holovista was an iPhone game I played over the course of two or three days based on the recommendation of some trusted colleagues on Twitter and oh my goodness was I glad that I played it. What starts as a chill vaporwave photography game steadily progresses into an exploration of psychological trauma, relationships with friends and family, and the baggage we carry with us from our pasts. In this exceptionally hard year, I badly needed this story about spending time alone with your personal demons and finding your way back to the people who love and support you. Just like with Journey and Gone Home, I walked away from Holovista feeling a rekindled appreciation for the people in my life.

[yuniv-bluetea]

The Dream Journal of Pope

Pope Meyward wasn't the kind of person who would write a journal. Or have weird-ass dreams. He was more of a 'Dreaming of failing a test...Falling for no freaking reason from the sky' kinda guy. However, since the beginning of the summer his dreams have turned into...He couldn't even describe what his dreams are trying to tell him. ...Or why in each one of them fucking JJ Maybank suddenly appears !

Feeling safe in his room from lurking eyes and curious friends, Pope took out his dream journal hidden behind some old books and turned to the first page.

Dear Lord...He would die of shame if anybody would ever get their hands on the journal.

*24th June

It's Midsummer and the Kooks are partying like crazy while my pops and I are in charge of the catering. Everything seems normal. Sarah and John B are somewhere swaying to the music, but it's not them I keep searching in the crowd. "Trying to keep an eye on me, don't you ?",suprised I turn around and feel my cheeks getting warmer. "W-What? No...that would be ridiculous", but Kie just laughs and takes another sip. Uneasy I scratch my arm and look back at her as she watches Sarah trying to teach John B how to properly dance. I'm clearly staring at her...Like a total creep..But she doesn't seem to notice...Just like always. Topic. I need a topic. “Does it taste good ? I-I mean your drink ?” Smalltalk was may not my strength. Shifting her gaze back to me and then to her cup, she just shrugs her shoulders. " Umm...Fine, I guess... But seriously...Why can't they use at least organic straws ? These Kooks are clearly the reason our earth is dying every day a bit faste-", suddenly I feel a grip on my right shoulder.

Oceanic Blue Eyes.

" Oh my..DUDE... You won't believe how much- ! Can you see the hot chick there with the long legs -”, JJ squeezes my shoulder a little harder as he vaguely points at some random girl. ”..Yeah ?”, looking back at him a wide smile spreads on his lips as he starts to waggle dollars under my nose. ”That’s the cash she gave me for her cocktail !! .. Just for one lousy drink ! I hit the freaking highscore !! ", excited he kisses his new money and I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “ It’s actually not that mu-” In a blink of an eye JJ suddenly pulls me into a hug and I freeze. We actually never hug. Or at least not like that.

"Stupid Kooks, am I right ?", he whispers in my ear, his hot breath tingling my ear and I- Then I woke up feeling a bit...unwell???*

Quietly the curled hair boy turns to the next page.

*26th June

Outer Banks is being attacked by aliens. “Hoooly shit !! ...We have to do something before they destroy the island !”, feeling like there is not enough air to breath I quickly turn around to face my dad. But he just looks calm at me. Not even flinching a little bit. “My son it’s time you put an end to this”, his voice sounded weirdly deep “It’s your destiny to free our island from these hideous creatures !” “Pops..Are you okay ?” “ And there is only one way to defeat these monsters... You must defeat them in a....BOWLING MATCH !!”, lightnings are striking behind him while he looks with wide spread arms into the sky. I back away from him as he continues to scream. “OH....” “..Oh ?” “He is here...”, my father turns around and out of our house comes.. What a suprise.......JJ. Just like my pops he seemed way too calm given the fact our island was under attack. Did they became smoke buddies ?! Happily my pops claps his hands and turns back to me. “Your partner finally appeared. Together you must kick their booties and bring glory over our kingdom!” .....Did they ?! "Yeahh..Let's kick their booties ~", JJ responds and throws - certain of victory - a fist in the air. Then he walks up to me and holds out his hand to me. “Shall we go then..Partner ?” Smirking at me I just took his hand and mutter a “..whatever” at him avoiding his gaze. In the next moment we are all of a sudden on the battlefield. Slimy green creatures that are looking like boogers...and Rafe/Topper..are our opponents. We are surrounded by many viewers..some human and galactical ones...who are cursing at us to win this game. JJ’s dad stands at the front row. “You piece of shi-”,” Love you tooo”, waving at his dad JJ’s gaze meets mine. “Isn’t he the cutest ?” A horrific roar cuts through the air as the first alien smashes his bowling ball and hits four bowling pins. ..Wait a second. “JJ..”, I whisper leaning over to him “  Yeah, my man ?” “Is it just me or..”, already feeling stupid for what I would say next, I continue “..are the balls really watermelons and the pins..Flamingos ?” “Hell yeah~” We were definitly losing this shitty game. And the fact that I was the next to throw only confirmed my theory. With sweaty palms I just pushed the watermelon away from me and although I tossed the ball like a weasel and way too far to the right... All flamingos fell screaming to the ground. Suprised I stare at my hands when I feel something wet on my forehead. “I knew you’ve got it !” Did JJ..just kissed my forehead ?? But there is no time to look at him as the crowd cheers turns into booing and something hits my head. A freaking watermelon ! I wake up feeling...Weird ?*

"...Whatever.” Pope closed the journal and hid it again. He had some unusual dreams. So what ? Everybody dreams about stuff. This doesn’t mean anything. And even if it would mean something... Pope would not know what.

[midzelink]

What do you think happened to Skyloft after the events of Skyward Sword? Any miscellaneous thoughts about the Twili? The Picori? The Kokiri? What the hell is the Lost Woods and why does it do what it does? And why does the Lost Woods turn people into Skull Kids and Stalfos? What do you think Navi's fate was in the end of Ocarina? If you've seen majestically-fangirling 's posts about Zora anatomy, then you know how much of a nightmare it is, so thoughts? Favorite color? Also how are you today?

Hoo boy!  This is a real doozy.  Let’s break it down, shall we?

After the people of Skyloft moved the Surface, their home - which had been slowly crumbling apart for millennia, à la the smaller misc. islands we see floating about the sky - would eventually go on to become the home of the Oocca, who were able to keep the skyward isle afloat for much longer than was originally intended with their advanced technology.  Further, the piece of land that Skyloft was formed from created the very crater that later became Lake Hylia, and it is from Lake Hylia that we are able to reach the City of the Sky in Twilight Princess. (Also, somewhat related: the Wind Tribe we see in Minish Cap were descended from a group of Skyloftians who kept their origins close to their heart, and eventually sought to return to the sky from whence they came, going so far as to master wind magic in order to do so.  Huzzah!)

Twili don’t need food or water in order to survive!  They sustain themselves with their own magical power, as this was a necessary adaptation given that the Twilight Realm has no plant or wildlife.  When Zant tells Link and Midna that the Twili had resigned themselves to a “miserable half-existence,” this is the sort of thing he was referring to - sure, they can survive without food or water, but sometimes, and especially in the early days, the specter of hunger and thirst hung over them like a thick pall.  They also don’t cast shadows (Zant does after his binding with Ganondorf, same with Midna after Zelda’s sacrifice) or are affected by warmth or cold (they can feel it, it just doesn’t really faze them), and the reason only Midna and Zant are shown to be wearing clothes is because there is little to no material to make clothes from within the Twilight Realm (see again: no plant or wildlife), so only members of the royal family and other “important” Twili get access to the stuff.  Everyone else makes do with shadow clothes! (More on that here!)

I gotta admit I don’t have much on the Picori/the Minish, except that they are a type of fae who probably exist to some extent in (most of) the games.  They like to hide Rupees and other trinkets for people to find around Hyrule, but by the era of Breath of the Wild, their numbers have dwindled dramatically due to the Calamity.

The Kokiri are also a type of fae (whose outfits resemble the knight uniforms of Skyloft for a very specific reason, but I won’t get into that here) whose destiny varies wildly depending on the timeline we’re looking at; in the Adult Timeline, where Link vanished and the gods destroyed Hyrule as all knew it, we know that they grew to be much more reclusive, taking on their “true” forms à la the Koroks.  But in the Child Timeline, where Twilight Princess takes place, the Kokiri were able to watch the Hero of Time grow up, and through him were able to get a feel for what the outside world had to offer.  Y’know how in Peter Pan, all the Lost Boys eventually need to go back home so they can grow up and lead normal lives?  The Kokiri decide, on their own time, that they wanna be Just Like Link, so they go out into the world and Become Real People, which is why we don’t see hide nor hair of them in Twilight Princess.  And speaking of Twilight Princess, our friendly neighborhood rancher Fado claims he’s named after his great-great-grandmother on his grandpappy’s side.  Ohoho!

The Lost Woods are a place where all Lost Things wind up!  Hylia tries to seal away the entrance to Termina entirely after trapping Majora there?  Portal in the Lost Woods.  OoT Zelda tries to seal away the Temple of Time in the Child Timeline so no one can use it to enter the Sacred Realm, after learning of what happened in the Adult Timeline? Bam, now it’s in the Lost Woods.  In an old, old headcanon of mine, this was the place where the line between the Real World and the Dream World (the Dream World which is Totally Real, I swear, it’s how Link’s Awakening was able to happen at all) was as thin as it could possibly be, which is why the woods are as mysterious as they are - anyone who wanders there risks the possibility of losing themselves, as the Dream is very alluring but very misleading. Kokiri and their fairies, being fae, are immune to these effects - and Link is immune, too, having called the forest his home for so long.

This is gonna be the most ridiculous thing on this entire list, but Navi actually got sent into the future at the end of Ocarina of Time, which is why Link was never able to find her.  They do reunite eventually, but only after he had a daughter with Malon whom he named after her...and after he died and became the Hero’s Shade. Oof. (Look, I swear to the gods, I’ll explain the “sent into the future” thing in a separate post if someone really wants me to, but it’s really, really dumb.  Nonetheless, I’m gonna die on this hill.)

I actually haven’t seen that post, but I just found it and I’ll give it a read!  Zora anatomy is definitely, uh, out there.  (Read: fish tiddies.) But at least they’re weird enough that I can excuse the existence of this human-zora hybrid child!  Right?

Lastly, my favorite color varies depending on my mood, but I usually just stick to saying teal - and I’m doing pretty good!  Writing all this up definitely gave me a serotonin boost, at least.

This was a whole lot of fun - thanks for the ask!

[politicalmamaduck]

Reylo Fic Recs: Modern AU

The Other Promise by @kuresoto

Rey knows she's not normal. Why else would she be subjected to four foster families before she aged out of the system and took life into her own hands? It could have (definitely does) something to do with the fact that she can see how long people have to live.It doesn't bother her (much) anymore, and with her being--well, her--she's resigned herself to working in a morgue for the rest of her life where the only people who keep her company besides her boss, are the dead. No friends, no family. No one.But everything starts to unravel when a new neighbor moves in next door. The walls she's built come crumbling down for the uniquely handsome man who always wears a three-piece suit, complete with a pair of leather gloves, regardless of how hot it is.The chance encounter turns into frequent run-ins, with the single most important factor that had ruined any relationship she ever tried having in the past being absent. He has no life timer.

Where No Thing Gleams by @maq-moon

An online DNA test sends Rey on a whirlwind journey across Europe. When she hits a roadblock in her travels, the enigmatic Kylo Ren offers to solve all of her problems. The catch? She must simply go on one date with him.Or so she thought.

The Skeptic and the Medium by @shelikespretties

Rey Niima fought for a logical, no-nonsense life as a scientist and skeptic of all things that go bump in the night. Kylo Ren is a famous medium for whom bumps in the night show off. So of course they have to make a Netflix special together.

Dear Mr. President by @shmisolo

Dr. Dameron shifts and slides a manilla folder across the desk to her.  “Under ordinary circumstances, I’d let you keep the folder.  I hope you’ll understand why I can’t do that this time around.” She opens it and stares.She stares and stares and stares.Dr. Dameron has to be kidding.  There have to be hidden cameras here, this has to be some elaborate prank.  That’s why it’s him here and not Dr. Wexley—that was his name.  Dr. Wexley. But instead of getting to her feet and tossing her hair and saying he was cruel for playing with her heart like this, all she does is ask, blankly, “So...Ben Solo is my soulmate?  Our new president is my…” She swallows.And Dr. Dameron nods.

Carry In My Core (That Voice I Adore) by @shmisolo

Starring in her first opera would be stressful as is, but Rey, always one to outdo herself, just had to go and make things even more complicated with Kylo Ren.  It’s hard enough looking him in the eye, much less pretending to be in love with him.  She can make it through this.  She has made it through worse.  She can make it through this.

the star to every wandering bark by @abstractragedy

There is something else as well, an instinctual drive that’s making him go, almost calling Ben to Takodana; much like an idea for a novel, a terribly persistent and gnawing thought at the back of his mind that will not go away until he does something about it.A change of scenery is always good for one’s mind. By alternating one’s perspective the reality might change as well.--When Ben Solo travels to Takodana in the name of his second novel, meeting an impossibly intriguing woman named Rey wasn't exactly what he envisioned. But the universe has a funny way of working things out.

Yichud by @shmisolo

Mazal Tov - The expression comes from the Mishnaic Hebrew mazzāl, meaning "constellation" or "destiny".  Borrowed from Yiddish מזל־טובֿ (mazl tov), from Hebrew מַזָּל (mazál, “star, constellation; fate, luck”), from Akkadian (manzaltu [UD.DA]) + Hebrew טוֹב (tov, “good”); literally “good stars, good luck.”

crossfade (cursed and blessed) by @shmisolo

The Talmud states that on Purim one is to drink to the point of not knowing the difference between “cursed is Haman” and “blessed is Mordechai.”  In other words, you’re supposed to get so blitzed you can’t tell your friends from your enemies. Rey and Ben might be taking this a little too literally at Leia’s annual Purim Party.

Convergence by @kuresoto

Other, also known as ‘soulmate’ for people who wanted to believe. Not everyone had an Other, and the only way to find your Other was by saying their name. When that happened, memories of their life, where they grew up and the steps that led them to you, would be condensed into a single flashback that passed in a blink of an eye. The fact that someone had said Rey’s name and didn’t bother approaching her hurt, especially since she had a good idea why. Her parents tossed her aside when she was barely five, so she shouldn’t be surprised that her soulmate had done the same.

Siman tov u’mazal tov by @shmisolo

“I didn’t get to have a big wedding,” his mother had told him when they’d finally spoken about it. “I was pregnant and it was a lot and your dad and I just got married. It’s my time. I’m having a big wedding.” She sounded nervous, almost defensive, as though a woman who is nearly sixty doesn’t have a right to want a big wedding. She wasn’t no young blushing bride. She has a thirty-year-old son for god’s sake.But his mom was going to have a big wedding.And Ben had taken a deep breath before saying what he’s sure Leia was even more nervous about hearing.“I’m not sure I’m coming.”

How Our Song Goes by @lariren-shadow

Rey is a struggling student who would love to have at least some money to save rather then just paying her debts.  Kylo Ren would love to get his trust fund, the only problem is there's a clause in it that states if he wants it now he has to get married.Rey is willing to be Kylo's bride to her own cut.  The only problem is that they'll have to make their relationship look real to everyone else.

Puppies by @lariren-shadow

On a crisp autumn day Rey and Ben meet in the park while walking their dogs.  Things don't exactly go smoothly.

burn sky until you see lines by @solikerez

He writes a letter for every time he feels like the world is shattering around him, and it is still not enough.

306.73 or: How to Woo a Librarian by @reylotrashcompactor

She was back again. Ben called her The Scavenger in his head because she liked to pick collections dry. (Though he knew from her library card that her name was Rey. Pretty.) There wasn’t a pattern to her hauls, only that she’d take almost an entire shelf with her in that ratty little messenger bag and leave him to pick up her mess. But, Ben didn’t suppose he was fooling anyone but himself: he had it bad for the Scavenger and she was back. He’d talk to her tonight. He would.

What you don't know by @thewayofthetrashcompactor

Rey wants to see the local haunted house and drags her reluctant boyfriend and friends along with her. It's not quite what she expects.

Between Sky and Sea by @moonshotsandarchimedeslevers

When Rey finally set out to find her parents in the innumerable islands of the Jakku Archipelago, the last thing she expected was a mysterious stranger to drop out of the sky with his story of hidden treasures and secret wonders.

Blades Crossed by @the-reylo-void

Notorious figure skater Kylo Ren has had a rough few years; once a decorated competitor, now it's hard to say what he's losing faster, sponsors or partners. With Nationals just six months out and no qualified partner on the horizon, Kylo finds himself begrudgingly skating with college hockey phenom Rey Kenobi, a scrappy forward coming off injured reserve who doesn't know a lutz from an axel. It's only for six months, but family drama, a twisted coach, and a budding closeness to his new partner ensure that this will be the most eventful competition season of Kylo's career.

it's you and me (i know it's our destiny) by @shmisolo

It’s just a kid’s game, he thinks when jealousy pangs in his heart.  But it’s more than just a kid’s game.It’s Pokémon. It’s the only good thing in his life.

happy cockus day by trasharama

She prefers the nip of New Hampshire winters, heavy winds blowing in her hair, being bundled up in three layers with pens whose ink freeze fast and thaw slow. She loves warm buildings, and Christmas breaks, and slurping down huge bowls of ramen in the evenings, but being on the ground, a clipboard in her hand, boots on a voter’s doorstep? That’s where she knows she belongs.So there are a lot of things going against Rey Johnson’s introduction to Ben Solo, his moody personality probably the least of her worries, since he’s the reason she’s not outside, making some sort of tangible effort to get his mother elected as president.

A More Perfect Union by fangirl_outlet

Rey, new to DC, tags along to a stuffy networking event with her friend -- they're both poor and, hell, there's free booze. Ben, a recruiter for the lobbyist firm he works for, finds the intern with the soft voice and angry eyes a fun challenge -- especially when he finds out she works for his estranged mother Senator Leia Organa.

Spending Valentine's Day Solo by @jyn-z-solo

 She places his scent—woodsy and warm, like sandalwood and ginger—before she recognizes the large, gloved hand outreached to steady her or the sleeves of his black wool coat. “Rey,” he blurts out—is the pink on his cheeks from the chill outside, or is he blushing?  “Ben! Hi!”  She’s trying desperately to sound nonchalant, but at the rate her eyebrows continue to rise, they may end up past her hairline.  “Wha… What are you doing here?” he asks, running a hand through his hair. 

Unshakeable by @shmisolo

Rey is performing in another fucking musical and Ben goes to see it.

My own modern AU fics:

what is past is prologue: Reylo in Washington, DC

A collection of my Tumblr-based Reylo fics set in Washington, DC. Prompts and prompter will be in chapter titles.

My other fic rec lists:

Fic Recs Under 100 Kudos | Smuggler Ben Solo | Fantasy, Fae, Magic, Fairy Tale, and Mythology | Historical AU | Dark Side Rey | Canonverse | Smut |

[spookyswhore]

Euphoria (Angus Cloud x Original Character) (Part 2)

Summary: You and Angus meet at an audition for the show Euphoria. But how long will it take for them to become friends and maybe even lovers?

Word Count: 1.2k

Warnings: none, just lowkey shitty writing lol like I said, this is like my very first pieces of works that I put in the internet so bear with me on this one. I revised and edited it as much as I could, if there’s anything you wanna see changed or included, let me know lmfao

One month later…

"That'll be 10 bucks kid." I said to the teenager in front of me as I handed her the movie ticket.

"Thank you." The teenager said as she handed me the money and went about her way. I smiled back as I looked up towards the clock in front of me.

5 minutes until break…

"Hey Jason!" I sang as I turned around to face him with a sarcastic smile.

"Yeah?"

"Your turn now dude." I said as I patted his chest as I started walking towards the break room.

Finally. Some rest.

I groaned as I sat down as my feet started to regain some feeling after standing for 6 hours straight with no end. Working in a movie theater is some hard shit.

Twenty minutes into my break and scrolling through Instagram, my screen goes dark and the call screen pops up.

Unknown Caller ID…

I scrunched my confusion as to who would call me and held the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello is this Cassidy Holmes?"

"Yes. This is she." I responded as I put the phone on speaker.

What the hell?

"This is the representative from your audition for Euphor-"

"Oh shit!" I mumbled as I jumped and fumbled the phone between my fingers.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh nothing. Sorry."

"I'm calling to let you know that you have gotten the role for Kayla Williams in Euphoria."

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much!"

"Shooting starts in 6 weeks at 9 AM sharp. Congratulations."

9 AM. Sweet baby Jesus.

"Ok. Thank you again."

I hung up the phone and celebrated like a kid in a candy store. I don't think anyone knows the struggle of trying to land a role, especially right after college. Shit's hard. But, the fact of the matter is, and as of right now, there's no better way to celebrate than with your best friend. Tonight, we were gonna make like Snoop Dogg and Pharrell and drop it like it’s hot.

I left the break room and threw my uniform at Jason.

“Hey Jason, cover my shift?”

“Uh, why are you not in your uniform?”

“I got the role and I’m celebrating early. Please don’t tell Lindsey.”

You see, Lindsey is a pretty much a tyrant in the workplace. Some people get a little bit of power and their ego gets inflated. Everyday we deal with her attitude and have to walk on eggshells around her. If you catch her smiling, we just just hope whatever it is continues to do that, or else we feel her wrath.

“Oh shit! Congratulations. Now go before the She-Devil comes back.”

_______

"Destiny, girl!" I shouted as I threw my keys into the bowl next to me.

"What?" She shouted from upstairs.

"Get that ass down here, I have some news" I shouted back as I grabbed something from the fridge.

"You brought me down here for what? I’m in the middle of my skincare rou- wait, first of all, why are you not at work?" Destiny said as she entered the kitchen, sporting some pink rollers in her hair with a cheetah print robe and some fuzzy slippers.

"And what is this little get up?" I said once I noticed her ensemble. It made me laugh a little bit because this outfit matched who she was but didn’t at the same time. Then there was me who preferred to keep it simple with jeans and t-shirt.

"An outfit for a bad bitch like me that's what this is." She laughed. "You like?"

"Um, it's definitely you.”

"Whatever. What did you call me down here for anyways? I was in the middle of Netflix and a face mask." Des said as she leaned on the island.

"So I got a phone call today..."

“And? Cassidy if you’re gonna play with then I’m just gonna go back upstairs-” She said, beginning to make her way upstairs.

“I got the role I auditioned for..” I said, slightly raising my voice.

"Don't play with me." She said as she turned in surprise.

"I'm not playing. They called me earlier while I was on break."

"Oh my gosh…" She screamed while running up to me and hugging me tightly.

"I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you." I closed my eyes and started to tear up a bit. "Alright." I said while fanning my eyes.

"Bitch, we gotta celebrate!" Destiny started moving towards our stash of alcohol and grabbed some shot glasses.

"To my best friend Cassidy. The only person that puts up with me and my antics. Congratulations on landing this life changing role. May this bring you many blessings. It's only up from here." She raised her shot glass.

"Euphoria!" She shouted.

"Euphoria."

We took the shots and immediately started to choke from the burning in our throats.

"What the fuck is that and where'd you get it from?" I said holding my throat, hopefully to relieve my throat from the arson it’s going through right now.

"Girl I don't know, some foreign shit. I got it while I was on tour. It looked appealing." Des said as she tried to look at the name but failed because she couldn't understand it.

"I'm just gonna throw this out."

"Yeah, please."

"Oh hush up girl, you're a lightweight nonetheless." Des scowled.

"And? What about it?"

"Girl." she sucked her teeth.

"I'm going back to my Netflix session in my sanctuary. Congratulations to you bestfriend. I WOULD say let's party all night but you have work tomorrow and I'm kinda comfortable in my bed right now." she said walking back upstairs.

"Hold on, I wanna join you"

"Well hurry on up then."

I rushed to get the snacks and drinks from the fridge. For the rest of the night, Des and I watched Netflix to our heart's content and then knocked out. Today was a rather good day.

_______

2 weeks later…

2 days after the Euphoria crew called to tell me the news, they called again to tell me I have to come in today for chemistry and table reads.

We haven't even started shooting yet and this is already so stressful. Meanwhile, Destiny is gonna be at the studio all day working on her album.

They texted me where the reads were going to be held and ironically it’s the same place where I auditioned. Hopefully things run smoothly.

Once I get there, it takes me another 10 minutes to find a parking space that didn't have an unreasonable amount of distance from the entrance. I check in with the main desk to tell them I'm here for Euphoria. Then, I get led into this huge room with a large roundtable full of people. I'm guessing everyone whose also apart of the show.

Table read first it is.

"She's here."

It got silent and everyone at the table turned their eyes to me.

Oh shit. Oh shit.

I looked at them and they looked at me. To distract myself from the awkwardness, I went to go sit in the only seat available. Ironically enough, the seat open was next to the red headed dude from a while back. Huh. He must've gotten the role he auditioned for also.

I could feel his eyes on me as I sat down.

"Hi." I smiled, being polite.

"What’s up?" He nodded.

“I’m Cassidy.” I whispered as I stuck my hand out, waiting for him to shake it.

“Angus.”

I smiled again and sunk down into my seat. This is going to be a long day.

[zutaradreams]

Day 22: Blood Moon

Zuko follows the signs to Katara. 

@zutaramonth

He had thought of her as the rain poured down around his home and brought in the fresh scent of fire lilies. Mai had long left him for a less depressing life. Suki had left to marry Sokka; Ty Lee led the Kyoshi warriors now. Aang visited him at peace summits every year. Toph visited much more often. One day he realized he hadn’t heard any news about Katara in ages, and it left him feeling hollow. Just when he toyed with the idea of writing to her, the heavens opened up and her element unexpectedly inundated his capital city. 

He got the message from the universe loud and clear - write Katara. 

So he wrote her, and she wrote back. Scroll after scroll passed between them, some short, some long, all of them cherished. While having tea with his uncle, he accepted a letter from Katara and read it right at the table. 

“I’ve never known a piece of parchment to make a man smile so much,” his uncle commented with a raised eyebrow. 

Zuko laughed nervously. Okay, so he had a crush on a waterbender worlds away. His uncle knew. His staff may have even suspected. “Katara sends her warmest regards. I told her you were visiting,” he replied. 

“When are you going to invite her to the Fire Nation, my nephew?” 

“Never.” 

“That is no way to woo a young lady.”

“I’m not trying to woo her.”  

“You should be. She is very extraordinary.”

“I know that.” 

“And you like her. Don’t bother denying it, I know you do.”

Zuko said nothing. His silence was enough of an answer. He skimmed over his most recent letter from Katara, hoping to see anything that hinted at something more than friendship. They did flirt every once in a while - at least he thought it was flirting. Was it flirting if she said on her coldest nights she thought about the summer she spent with him? Or what about the time she joked, “Asking for my advice again, Fire Lord Zuko? Next time you better send me a necklace,” and he had replied, “I’ll make it my top priority to learn how to carve.”

Would she be receptive to staying in the Fire Nation? Would he even be able to see her much during her stay? He was always so busy. She was too. The waterbending school she’d worked tirelessly on was opening at the end of the week. Was the Fire Lord even allowed to take a break? Things had calmed down since he first took the throne, but they weren’t nearly calm enough. 

“Let’s talk about something else.” 

“Very well, but sleep on the matter. An intimate friend is the hardest to find. You and Katara always seemed to understand each other so well. Do not keep her away because you’re afraid of your feelings for her.” 

He slept on it, as his uncle suggested, and dreamed of the house on Ember Island. He was standing at the water’s edge, staring out at the sea. Behind him, he heard laughter. He didn’t have to see the woman to know whose laughter it was.

When he woke, his mind was made up. He was going to invite Katara to spend a week with him at the Ember Island house. They both needed a vacation. Her reply was prompt as always, and his heart sped faster and faster as he broke the seal. He was already thinking of ways to draft an apology when he read the line, “Yes, please! I can’t think of anything better than a beach trip.” 

Now how was he going to tell her she was the only one he invited?   

He decided the best thing to do would be to leave it up to her. He asked if she wanted to pass the invitation along to any of their friends. She replied that everyone else was too busy to go. His mind dueled between two thoughts: Hmm. Busy. Sure they are...and...Maybe they actually are. They lead complex lives.  

Even his staff was not accompanying him to the house. They had orders to stay at the palace and wait on his uncle, who was acting as Fire Lord in his place. It would just be him and Katara. It would be perfect. Now if he could just get his palms to stop sweating. 

“Zuko!”

He smiled fondly. “Katara.” 

They both made the decision to embrace each other at the same time. It was the happiest he’d felt in months. 

“It’s so good to see you,” she said. “Letters are one thing, but to actually visit…”

“I know. We’re overdue for some catching up.” 

“We are.” 

It was such a large house for two people. It didn’t take Katara long to unpack the items she’d brought and pour herself a cool drink. She jumped onto one of the sitting room’s benches and rested her legs comfortably along the arm. As she relaxed, Zuko was able to appreciate just how beautiful she was. 

She closed her eyes. “I can’t tell you how much I needed to get away.” 

“I’ll drink to that.” 

“Are we going down to the beach soon?” 

He shrugged his shoulders. “It’ll be dark soon.” 

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Even better. I can’t wait to see what the moon’s going to look like tonight.”

“Why do you say that?” 

She looked down at her hands. “My bending’s felt a little different all day.”

His eyebrows raised. “So has mine.” 

“Really? Like weaker?”

“No, it’s been stronger.”

“But my bending’s been stronger,” she told him. 

“Huh. That’s strange. We draw from opposite sources.” 

She jumped off the bench. “Well now we have to go to the beach,” she said. 

They walked out onto the sand with two blankets and laid them side by side. She sat on one, and he sat on the other. The sun was setting in the sky, in an array of reds and oranges he didn’t get to appreciate nearly as much when he was acting as the Fire Lord.  

“I’m so glad we’re writing to each other now,” she told him. 

“Me too.” 

“What made you write that first letter?” she wondered. 

He turned to her. Her blue eyes looked even prettier out in the fleeting daylight. “It’s going to sound stupid.”

“I won’t think it’s stupid. I promise.” 

“Okay, so it rained in the capital. It poured for a whole day nonstop, and before I had been thinking about how you were the only one I hadn’t heard from since...well since I was crowned. I don’t know. I guess I took it as a sign that I needed to talk to you.” 

“What if it hadn’t rained?”

“But it did rain. I’m just saying that-“

“You only decided to write me because of the weather.” 

He couldn’t believe she was getting angry about this. “Ugh, don’t you believe in signs?”

“Not as much as you apparently.”

“Please, you believe in fortune tellers, and destiny, and all that.”

“Not anymore!” She protested. “Turns out those fortunes were wrong, and my destiny was wrong.”

He hoped she wasn’t referring to Aang. He had thought the two of them parted amicably, much more amicably than he had with Mai. 

“I would have written you even if it hadn’t rained,” he assured her. 

And if he hadn’t, he would have regretted it because even if she was harping on him, he was with her on a beach and enjoying every second. 

“Good.”

“You could have written me too,” he pointed out. “Why’d you wait for me?”

“I don’t know. You just seemed busy.” 

“I am, but not too busy for my friends. I enjoy your letters.”

She smiled at him. The light was fading more now, and the air was getting cooler. “I enjoy yours too.” She laughed. 

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” But she kept laughing. It made him self-conscious.

“Seriously, what?”

“Just thinking about Sokka. Whenever a letter comes from you, he usually gets it first and he always says ‘here’s another letter from your boyfriend.’”

He laughed nervously. “That is funny. Yeah, um, Uncle teases me too.”

“Really?”

“But I always correct him. I tell him we’re just friends.”

“Yeah.” 

“I mean, we just exchange letters.” 

“Yep, but those letters have really rekindled our friendship, and they mean a lot to me…”

“They mean a lot to me too,” he insisted. “I save them.”

Her eyes widened. “You do?”

He could feel his whole face going red. Was there a platonic way to say he kept them in a locked chest beside his bed? “Yeah.” 

Her whole face brightened. “I save yours too.” Then he saw her shiver. 

Without thinking, he stood up and shook out the blanket from beneath him. He draped it over Katara’s shoulders and she wrapped herself in the fabric. She smiled up at him gratefully and patted the space beside her on the blanket she’d been sitting on. When he sat down, his leg was pressed against hers. He decided to lean back all the way and cradle his head in his hands. She did the same. He felt the warmth of her body laying beside his. 

“Zuko, look!” she exclaimed. 

His eyes followed her outstretched hand, all the way to the moon, which had turned crimson in the matter of minutes. 

“What in the world?” he asked. 

“That’s what’s affecting our bending!”

“I’ve never seen anything like this before.” 

“Doesn’t it look amazing?”

“Yes. Is it an eclipse?” 

“I think so, but it’s making us stronger instead of weaker.” 

“I wonder why that is,” he said, more to himself than her. 

She turned on her side towards him, staring at his face. He met her gaze. “Do you think it’s a sign?” she said teasingly. 

“Yes.” 

She rolled her eyes at him, but then he pushed closer and wrapped an arm across her shoulder. His fingers played with her hair. He could hear her breath catch, even over the thrum of his pulse in his ears. If there was ever a sign that he was meant to be with her, this red moon, this manifestation of their elements reigning the sky together, was it. He pressed his lips to hers and felt the exhilarating bliss of the moment that would change his life forever. When they finally pulled away from each other, hours later with earnest smiles and no intention of spending the night apart, the moon had already returned to its pallor. 

Katara could never mock him for his superstitions again.

[phoenix-downer]

White Day Surprise

2026 words. Contains spoilers for Melody of Memory. SoKai. Romance, Angst, Fluff, Pining, Mutual Pining, White Day, Pi Day, Baking, and most importantly, Pie. 

Successor to this story I wrote for Christmas and this story I wrote for Valentine’s Day. 

Sora wanted to do something special for Kairi for White Day. She’d gone out of her way to make Valentine’s Day special, so it was only right he returned the favor. Back home, that meant giving her a gift that was, uh twice? three times? the value of the original. But her letter was priceless, and those chocolates were special too, so he was at a loss as to what to do.

He paced back and forth in this place that looked like the Final World. He couldn’t give her a gift right now. Couldn’t tell her how he felt yet (not with words anyway) because she wanted him to wait till they met again. So what was he supposed to do?

Something that involved taking control of her body was all he had. His face flushed. No, not like that. Putting this whole body-sharing thing into words always made it sound worse than it actually was. He always waited till he had permission and immediately ceded control the moment she asked him to.

He plopped onto the watery ground that somehow didn’t ever get him wet and scoured his brain for ideas. What would he do if this was a normal White Day, if he was fully back in the Realm of Light with his own body at his disposal?

“Take her on a date. Maybe to the Bistro. Or I could cook or bake her something myself using the stuff Little Chef taught me.” He perked up. “That’s it! I’ll make something for her. I’ll just need to write down the ingredients so she can get them and then ask her for control when it’s time to actually make the stuff.”

He made a mental list about what he’d need for the recipe and then patiently waited. Something told him Kairi would be reaching out to him soon.

Sure enough, he eventually heard her voice.

“Sora? Want to take over for a bit?”

He followed her voice, chased it, pursued it till he was in her body. She was in her room on the Land of Departure, lying on her bed, and sunlight was streaming through the window. Must be morning, and she probably just woke up.

Hey, Kairi, he signed. Happy White Day.

“Happy White Day to you too.”

Desk, he gestured.

“You want to write something?”

He nodded.

“Okay. You can take control.”

He gently got her up out of bed and walked her body to the desk. She had a little diary for the two of them to write to each other now, and he opened it and grabbed a pen.

Ingredients List

Butter

Sugar

Whipped Cream

Coconut Chips or Shavings

Coconut Milk

He was about to write another ingredient when she interrupted.

“You want to bake me something for White Day, don’t you? You’re the sweetest.”

He smiled and continued, listing off the rest of the ingredients. When everything looked good, he added, Can you get these for me?

“Of course. We should have most of the stuff around the castle except for the coconut-related things. But I can buy them for you, okay? Or bop back to Destiny Islands real quickly if need be.”

Please do. I know it’s not much, but I wanted to thank you for your Valentine’s gift.

“Leave it to you to figure out a way to make it work. I assume you’ll want to do the baking yourself too, right?”

Yeah. I’d do it in my own body if I could. Make you a five course meal. When I get back, okay? This’ll have to do for now.

“This is more than enough.”

Talk to you soon.

He had to let go of the connection for now because he sensed danger. Curse the stupid monsters in Quadratum who kept pulling him back to their (un)reality. If he missed making Kairi’s gift for her on the appropriate day, these monsters were gonna regret they ever crossed him.

“Riku, where are you?” he grumbled as he fought them off. He knew Riku was somewhere in this reality, they just kept missing each other. It didn’t help that Sora’s heart was jumping all over the place, getting pulled more and more towards Kairi, while his body was stuck here. Glued to this place because abusing the Power of Waking meant it had been banished from the Realm of Light and couldn’t return.

As the last monster disappeared in a puff of smoke, he sighed and wiped his forehead. He was more convinced than ever that his heart’s connection to Kairi was growing stronger by the day. What would it take to get his body out of here too?

“Stupid body,” he said as he scowled at it. “Keeping me trapped here.” He let his Keyblade disappear and slunk towards a private alley. “Kairi won’t want a boyfriend without a body forever.” He sat on a box of crates and cast a barrier around himself to buy some time. “And I don’t wanna be without a body either. I don’t want my options to be body-less in the Realm of Light or trapped here forever.”

Sighing, he closed his eyes, imagining himself back in the Final World-esque place. Thankfully, he was able to will his heart back to Kairi pretty quickly. She was in the castle’s kitchen now, and all of the ingredients he’d asked for were dutifully set out.

Sorry I kept you waiting, he scrawled on the diary she’d left out. Had some monsters show up.

“Monsters? Sora, is it safe for you to be here?”

It is now. Trust me, if my body’s in danger, it lets me know.

“If you’re sure,” she finally said, and he could hear the worry in her voice. “I’ve put you in enough danger before as it is.”

Don’t I get to be the judge of that?

“Sorry, considering your current predicament and how you got there… No. You’re reckless when it comes to your own life if it means keeping me safe.”

Maybe, but I was the one who put myself in danger. Not you. And can you blame me? I wasn’t about to abandon you, with your heart in pieces and at Xehanort’s mercy. You would’ve done the same for me. You did, in fact. You refused to let me die like I was supposed to at the Keyblade Graveyard.

“That was different,” she said tersely. “I didn’t have to die to keep you alive.”

I didn’t either. I’m not dead. My body’s just—

“Cut off from the Realm of Light. How is that all that different from being dead?”

Sora felt like sighing. Kairi… We’re wasting what precious little time we have together fighting. I would gladly fight with you all day if I could, but I’d like to make you the gift I promised.

She hung her head, shoulders slumping. “Sorry, I’m making this about me and my guilt again, and when you’re in such a precarious situation, too.”

It’s okay. Sometimes I think you got the harder end of the bargain, watching me disappear, feeling all alone and abandoned.

“You didn’t abandon me. You came to my aid when I needed you most. And you’re the one who’s cut off from me, from everyone. You have it worse by far.”

Sora was about to write something when Kairi continued. “But today you’re gonna literally walk me through this recipe and we’re gonna have fun, okay? You need this, you need to relax and unwind and have some fun.”

Yeah. And there’s no person I’d rather spend time with than you.

She giggled, and his heart felt warm, hearing her giggle.

“Okay, Master Chef, teach me your ways,” she said, and with that she let him take over. He led her through mixing and chopping and cutting and stirring, and she was ever the attentive student. It had been so long since he’d gotten to bake anything. Since he’d gotten to unwind and have fun like this.

“So we’re making a pie, huh?” she said as he prepared the crust. “Don’t tell me… Coconut cream pie? That’s one of my favorites. And it’s the perfect dessert for White Day. Pi Day, too.”

The pie took a long time to make, but spending that time with Kairi was worth it. He’d spend every moment with her if he could. When at last the pie was chilling in the fridge, she sat at the table so he could write notes to her. His signing was still a work in progress.

Pie should be ready now, he wrote presently.

“Do you want me to eat it while you’re still here? It feels a little rude when you can’t.”

He didn’t like the twinge of melancholy in her voice.

I don’t mind. In fact I kinda want to know what you think.

“Okay,” she said and went to the fridge to grab the pie. It looked amazing with its crispy crust, its creamy filling coated with whipped cream shaped into perfect swirls, and its coconut shavings artfully sprinkled on top. He’d really outdone himself, and he couldn’t wait for her to taste it.

You’ll have to tell me how it is, he scribbled when she was seated at the table once more. She nodded and lifted a forkful of pie to her mouth.

Oh, yum. This pie was creamy and delicious and brought back memories of all the times he’d eaten his mom’s coconut cream pie back home—

Hold on. Hold on. He could taste the pie? How was that even possible?!

“Oh this is amazing,” Kairi cooed as she brought another forkful to her mouth. “Creamy and coconut-y and—”

“Sora?”

Ven was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, his mouth hanging open.

“You can see him?” Kairi squeaked, dropping the fork. “That’s never happened before!”

Sora froze. Ven could see him? How?

“Yeah,” Ven said, taking long strides towards them. “It’s like he’s kind of translucent, and I can still see you through him, but yeah, I can see him.”

Ven? Sora tried to say, but no sound came out.

“Do you think—Is his connection to the Realm of Light getting stronger?” Kairi asked, her voice so full of hope Sora could practically feel her heart soaring.

“Yeah, I think it must be,” Ven said. “Hang on, lemme get Terra and Aqua.” He paused for a moment to squeeze Kairi’s hand, and Sora’s felt a little warmer. “Be back in a second.”

The taste of the pie, the warmth of Ven’s hand… He wasn’t imagining this stuff, was he?

Kairi, diary, he signed, and she let him take control so he could write.

I could taste the pie. I felt Ven’s hand when he squeezed yours.

“That’s great, Sora! I think your body is trying to follow your heart back to the Realm of Light.”

Was it possible? He wanted it to be possible. He wanted to come home.

“Here, let me eat more of that pie, you must be starving.”

Please, he signed.

Kairi lifted the fork to her lips again when he felt a strong tugging on his heart.

“No,” she cried in frustration. “You can’t leave yet!”

Be back soon, he signed sadly. His heart was getting pulled back with a vengeance now, which meant he needed to protect his body. Happy White Day, Kairi.

“Happy White Day, Sora,” she said, and with that, he was back in Quadratum. Oh, great, more monsters had found him, and it was raining now too. He groaned and summoned his Keyblade. He’d much rather be eating coconut cream pie with Kairi in the Land of Departure’s warm and bright castle kitchen.

He was so close to finding a way home. Right on the edge. If he’d just had a little more time, he could’ve done it. Still, he was grateful for the moments he and Kairi had shared today. Making the pie and then tasting it together. He was more determined than ever to make it home to her. If he succeeded, then he and Kairi could spend as much time together as they wanted.

For that, he’d keep on fighting, however long it took.

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A/N: This fic is dedicated to the lovely @angel-with-a-pipette​ for coming up with the idea of Sora baking something for Kairi when I was trying to think of a follow-up to the Valentine's fic I wrote. Thank you again for all your help and input!

And Happy White Day and Happy Pi Day to you all! Thank you for reading!