#and Rei is completely neutral.

[maidenvault]

It genuinely does not matter if there were independent contractors or indentured workers on the second Death Star when it was blown up, oh my God.

Maybe for a moment rebel command thought about it and had a hard decision to make. We don’t need to see that because it would be a short conversation. You don’t let the fascist overlords have a doomsday device that can genocide a whole planet at the push of a button because then the next hard decision you’ll be making is whether you keep fighting the Empire at all when they’ll retaliate by destroying a whole planet, and another one tomorrow and another the next day. The Empire hasn’t poured a stupid amount of resources into creating this weapon and then completely replacing the first one because they don’t mean to use it lightly.

Victories in war always come at a serious cost, but of course after the Death Star is gone there’s celebration despite losses on both sides. Soldiers can celebrate victories and still being alive even when there are complicated feelings because people just died. People lived under the tyranny of the Empire for two decades before the rebellion started striking any serious blows, and it’s not bloodthirsty that seeing the Death Star go up in a huge explosion is treated as a huge win both times.

There’s just no quantifying the damage done by that conversation in Clerks and stupid takes like that becoming inescapable and taken seriously, not just put in a movie to be funny. Star Wars is about fighting fascism and it has a relatively black-and-white morality. As someone who loves some very heightened fantasy that feels like myth and folklore and doesn’t need realism in everything, I’m so tired of it being treated as a given that more symbolic and black-and-white portrayals of good and evil are inherently problematic. They’re not. There’s plenty of problems to be found in Star Wars without straining to be such an insufferable edgelord about its basic premise.

Yes, Star Wars is also about the sanctity of life and how violence and anger can corrupt people. But still every SW trilogy has been about a Jedi fighting in a war of some kind. TLJ ultimately shows DJ to be wrong with his “Don’t join” attitude, and Luke to be wrong for abandoning his duty as a Jedi, and Ben to be wrong for thinking he and Rey can carve their own path that doesn’t mean uncompromisingly resisting the dark side without that meaning they become the bad guys. The Bendu, representing neither the dark or the light, turns out to be a petty asshole whose refusal to pick sides because he’s so above it all just makes him totally useless until Kanan insults his pride enough for him to act. SW makes the point over and over that some things are worth fighting for and neutrality or complacency in the face of oppression is bad, that there’s truly not much gray area when the enemy are Sith or greedy and genocidal despots. Any civilians on the Death Star probably were there because they made a choice to just do their jobs whoever’s in power, because there are plenty of people in Imperial space like that. But by all means keep nitpicking how the particular way the rebellion stopped the Empire makes them ackshually not such good guys you know.

[witchthewriter]

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐬����𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

a/n: thank you anon for requesting this one, I miss the hype!

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!

���ᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ | ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ ᴵᴵ

𝑺𝑭𝑾🌿

・This relationship is a balance of pure chaos and serenity.

・Astarion brings the mischief, the flirtation, and the decadent indulgences. He thrives on teasing both you and Halsin...

・Halsin is the grounding presence.

・Calm, wise, and deeply affectionate. He counters Astarion’s sharp edges with quiet strength and welcoming warmth.

・And you, well you’re the anchor between them

・Sometimes siding with Astarion in his playful antics and other times melting into Halsin’s steady, nurturing embrace.

・Halsin, as the druid, is deeply in tune with nature, and his personality reflects that harmony.

・He is understanding, compassionate, and protective, with a natural inclination to support and nurture his partners.

・Both you and As know that you can go to him with anything. Halsin is amazing at giving advice. He's wise and forgiving, and the ultimate comforting force.

・Halsin would take you and Astarion on peaceful walks through the woods, showing you the wonders of the natural world. But, you know As just has to complain...about bugs or animals...and yet really, he does enjoy these walks.

・An activity all three of you love doing is reading together. You’d take turns reading passages aloud, each of you offering a different voice, tone, or interpretation.

・These intimate moments would be filled with warmth and understanding, with occasional giggles

・Halsin wakes up at dawn—he’s an early riser

・Astarion stays curled up in bed for as long as possible, pulling you back down when you try to get up.

・Astarion craves devotion; though he won't admit it. He needs reassurance that he’s wanted for more than just his beauty or usefulness.

・Halsin, ever perceptive, makes sure Astarion is cherished with slow, patient affection, something the vampire struggles to accept at first.

・Halsin’s love is vast; just like the wilds he worships. He enjoys physical touch, holding you and Astarion both as though you are his greatest treasures. His touch is healing, protective, and reverent.

・You become their shared sanctuary; a place where Astarion can be vulnerable without fear and where Halsin can express his devotion freely.

・With Halsin’s calming presence and Astarion’s intense passion, your emotional needs would be fully met from different angles

・Despite the differences in their personalities, Halsin and Astarion would share vulnerabilities that would deepen their bond with each other and with you.

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

Soulmates Sometimes Come In Threes

"Shut Up” (You) x “Make Me” (Astarion) x “Just Kiss Already.” (Halsin)

Makes A Mess (You) x Cleans The Mess (Halsin) x Is A Mess (Astarion)

Moon (Astarion) x Eclipse (You) x Sun (Halsin)

Thinks He’s In Charge (Astarion) x Is Actually In Charge (You) x Knows He’s Not In Charge (Halsin)

𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆 in this order...

Enemies to Lovers

Slow Burn Romance

Forbidden Love

Found Family

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Sex On Fire by the Midnite String Quartet

Goodnight Sweet Possums by John Powell

The River by Brian Tyler

Cherry by Lana Del Rey

To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey

Me and the Devil by Soap&Skin

𝑁𝑆𝐹𝑊 🔞 No one under the age of 18 past this point, makes me feel weird if you read it.

・Astarion...well he loves building it up. He goes slow, teasing and pushing both you and Halsin to your limits.

・He thrives on making you beg...with his feather-light touch one moment and then overwhelming grasping and grabbing the next

・On the other hand, Halsin is raw - he's primal. He wants a connection; he needs to feel everything.

・Halsin needs to lose himself in the moment. With skin to skin complete contact, your sweat-slick bodies tangled together.

・Astarion owns the night with his sinful ways. Whispering dirty, teasing words until you're both desperate and at his mercy.

・And, Halsin owns the morning. With lazy, deep thrusts while you're warmed by the sun. His lips whisper sweet words of devotion.

・Astarion has a love for control. He pins you down, biting, leaving marks that only fade because of Halsin's magic. (This annoys As to no end).

・Halsin on the other hand is a force of nature. He lets As have his fun. Lets him play his games...but when he's ready to take over? No more games.

・And when Halsin finally takes control? Gods help Astarion. Pinned down, breath stolen, utterly undone.

・Halsin talks you through it, telling you how good you're doing. How pretty you look underneath him.

・Astarion is a little more mean; making you beg and plead for him.

[niniwritesxo]

‘malfunctioning’

hamzah x fem reader (use of a pet name btw)

warnings/tags: use of pet names and one mention of y/n (that’s you queen)

summary:

as a youtuber you often stream games, lifestyle stuff, anything really but this stream a certain someone can’t stop texting you.

——————————————————————————

this was supposed to be a normal stream.

you were answering questions, laughing, casually scrolling through chat like it was just another day.

but then your phone vibrated.

hamzah: baby, you look too good to be sitting there all innocent.

your breath stutters.

your fingers twitch against the mouse, but you keep your face neutral, pretending like that didn’t just completely throw you off.

“uh—yeah, so anyway—” you force a smile, glancing at the chat.

but then—

buzz.

another message.

you don’t want to look. you shouldn’t look.

but your eyes flick down anyway.

hamzah: bet your thighs are pressed together right now huh? i know you too well y/n.

your whole body tenses.

the chat notices immediately.

↳ WHY DID SHE JUST STOP TALKING LMAO

↳ she’s not even blinking HELP

↳ nah what was that deep breath girl we see you

you try to recover, clearing your throat. “sorry, got distracted anyway, favorite movie? um—”

buzz.

hamzah: if i told you to be a good girl and end this stream right now, would you?

your jaw clenches.

when you look over to answer the next question and the chat is losing it AGAIN.

�� SHE IS MALFUNCTIONING WTF IS GOING ON

↳ WHO IS TEXTING HER DROP THE NAME IMMEDIATELY

↳ THIS IS A HISTORIC MOMENT

you inhale sharply, shifting in your chair, pretending you’re just adjusting your posture and not actively fighting for your life.

you pick up your phone, not to check the message, but to type back one thing before shutting it off.

y/n: you’re done.

then you smile sweetly at the camera.

“alright, i think that’s enough for today.”

the chat explodes.

but you ignore it.

because you know the second this stream ends, you and hamzah are going to have a conversation.

——————————————————————————

aaaah thank you for the love on the hamzah one shots <3 really appreciate it cuties !!!

i was listening this on repeat while writing this btw lol

[aliteralsemicolon]

Technically, I didn't stay up.

Just you and Spencer being fluffy when he comes home from work and falling asleep in each other's arms.

Spencer Reid X GN! Reader. 

DISCLAIMER This story is completely SFW, minors do not interact regardless!  You are responsible for the content you consume. Make sure to read all necessary warnings. Please remember this is a work of fiction; if you don’t like it, don’t read. 

Word count: 1K See notes at end for authors note, any spoilers & update schedules.

I was listening to Margaret when I initially started writing this:

Spencer’s abnormal work hours were something you were entirely used to. You never knew when he was going to be called away and although he would text you when a case wrapped up, it was never a guarantee that he was going to make it home. Actually more often than not, he was usually hauled right back in for another case. What could you do? Serial killers didn’t really care about his convenience. Regardless, you always insisted on being present to greet him at the door, even if it meant testing your sleep schedule.

from: Spence ❤️

20:42 | The jet took off not too long ago. We should land in roughly five hours. Please don’t force yourself to wait up.

20:42 | I love you!

You were quick to respond to everything except the not waiting up part. Your plan hadn’t actually gone that smoothly, you’d fallen asleep on the couch not long after making yourself comfortable there. You didn’t hear him unlock the door. He took extra care to be as quiet as possible when abandoning his shoes and satchel at the entrance. He even put a lot of thought into making his steps as light as possible when he began to make his way to the bedroom, only to spot you curled up on the couch. 

He smiled to himself at the sight in front of him. The only lighting was a small lamp in the corner of the room, but to him, you were the brightest presence in the room. Your expression was neutral and your breaths shallow as you lay dead to the world. You looked so peaceful, he considered it to be almost criminal if he were to disturb you. He couldn’t just leave you there though. It wasn’t good for your body to be curled into a cramped position. 

Spencer made his way over to you, crouching down next to your face. He couldn’t help but admire whatever features were visible. He brushed a strand of hair out of your face and leaned in to kiss your forehead. “Honey?” he whispered when he pulled away. His voice was so soft. He didn’t want to disturb you, but he wanted you to be comfortable in your own bed. “Hmm?” Your brain registered his voice, but it took your body a second to register his presence.

Spencer still had a hand in your hair, lightly stroking it. Your eyes fluttered open momentarily before they shut again. “You’re back!” You mumbled groggily, reaching out to brush your fingers against his hand. “I am!” He whispered gleefully. Your other hand made its way to his face so you could stoke his jaw. You could feel a little bit of stubble coming in. Spencer’s ears perked up at the little giggle that came out of you when you dropped from the couch into his lap and wrapped yourself around him. 

“I’m sorry to wake you. I did tell you not to stay up.” His long arms swallow you into his embrace as he speaks. 

“Technically, I didn’t stay up.” You counter letting your hand make its way into the hair at the nape of his neck. 

“Sleeping on a surface that isn’t firm enough can contribute to back pain and because the surface of a couch tends to be softer than a mattress, it might not offer enough support for your back. Also, falling asleep while sitting up on a couch could result in your head pushing forward, which puts stress on the neck. Sleep posture is an important predictor of stiffness, back pain, and neck pain, according to several studies.” 

“Thank you Doctor. I remember why I missed you so much.” You pull back as you speak. “Who else is going to be as concerned about my sleep posture as you?”

“I missed you too.” He scoffs in amusement and smiles into the kiss you lean in for. 

You nuzzle your head into the crook of his neck when you feel a yawn coming. “Let’s go to bed, okay?” He whispers, sensing your sleeping demeanour. 

“Only if I can take you with me.” You whisper into his skin. He huffs a small laugh as he pushes you off him so he can stand and offers his arms down to you. You grab them and he pulls you up. Neither of you let go of each other's hand as you walk into the bedroom. “I’m just going to brush my teeth first, then I’ll be right with you.” Spencer announces. Still ever the germaphobe.

“I’m gonna join you, that nap made my mouth all dry.” You follow behind him. Spencer grabs both of your toothbrushes and holds them out, as you grab the toothpaste and squeeze an equal amount on each brush. You then take yours out of his hand and the two of you begin brushing. You’re both trying to make up for his time away by leaning into each other, stealing glances in the mirror and smiling if you get caught. 

When you both finish up in the bathroom, you make your way back to the bedroom together. It's like both of you are incapable of being away from each other right now, even for a second. Spencer decides against changing into more comfortable clothes, wanting nothing more than to hold you. He joins you under the comforter, immediately pulling you as close to him as possible. 

Neither of you have enough energy in you for conversation right now, you’re still sleepy from your previous nap and Spencer is entirely drained from the case. Still, you acknowledge each other through light touches and kisses. Spencer’s hand now makes its way to your hair while you draw little patterns against his chest. 

‘I missed u’ 

‘I <3 u’

‘♡’

‘:)’

He doesn’t recognise the little messages, but he appreciates the feeling all the same. You begin drifting off into sleep, revelling in the warmth emitting from him. Spencer smiles when he hears light snores coming from you. He truly considers himself the luckiest man alive. You don’t hear it but before he drifts off himself, he makes his feelings known to the universe in a light whisper.

“I love you so much you know. I’m gonna marry you someday.”

Spoilers: Fluff, Domestic! Spencer, entirely fluffy & domestic. Literally a comfort blurb for the people who take hot showers for too long and just need a hug.

AN - Hey so sorry for any errors, I drafted this in like 20 minutes to make up for the fact that my originally planned story for today would not be complete in time. Enjoy this short blurb. I was in a salty mood and made an entirely angst blurb too, but decided fluff was what society needed today. Also sorry for the shitty fucking title, my brain is shutting down. Also side note - I’m a WHORE for domestic! Spencer. I just loveeeeee when everyday tasks become so cute and fluffy and romantic. PLEASE recommend domestic Spencer stories!!!

Update Schedule: Original plan drops Monday or Tuesday (Sunday or Monday night EST time). (soooo apparently I'm a liar)

Feel free to drop helpful constructive criticism, I’m always looking to improve. Remember to stay real and respectful :)

Thank you for reading!

[andypantsx3]

𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 : 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐢 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 1.7k of unedited alien prince shouto thoughts based on this post from the other day! sfw, gender neutral reader. several elements of this universe were borrowed from my fave sci-fi novel; see end notes for deets!

he's beautiful—the todoroki prince. tall and strong in his high-collared uniform, strapped with lean muscle and handsomely humanoid. he's the first thing that snares your gaze as your party is guided into the hall of the sun—the reception dome that overlooks the rise of the star yuuei in the morning sky, used by the ruling family to receive visiting dignitaries.

it is morning, in endeavorian planetary time, and the sun has begun to rise. its light is weaker than you remember from back home—almost watery, pooling like quicksilver in the panes of the dome's ceiling.

up at the front of the hall, it catches in the strands of the white half of the prince's hair. from what izuku has told you, it's the half that indicates he's part of the himura bloodline. the himura dynasty has ruled the yuuei system from its capital planet of endeavor iv for tens of thousands of earth-years. it's the second longest line of unbroken rulers in mapped galactic history, an impressive feat.

the other half of the prince's hair is a fiery red, like that of the man who stands next to him—todoroki enji, the general of intergalactic renown, who donated half of prince shouto's genome as well as his clan name. each time a himuran royal from the main line marries, izuku had explained, talking at lightspeed in the podship, they take a branch name, typically sourced from the primary gene-donator. it helps keep inheritance lines clear.

prince shouto looks like he's inherited empress rei and todoroki enji's genes in exactly half—his coloring split down the middle, though his features are perfectly, almost hauntingly symmetrical. he wears a pin of flint at his collar that symbolizes his gender—one of yuuei's thirteen official designations. from what you understand from izuku, it most closely aligns with earth designation "man".

it's embarrassing how much you notice about the prince as you file into the hall, stationing yourself right at the gap between izuku and tenya's shoulders, so you can still see todoroki shouto.

"you don't think they'll reject the treaty and kill us all, do you?" denki mumurs nervously as he presses in behind you.

"no, i don't think so," izuku's gentle voice drifts back to you. he's a three-star ethnologist, studying for a command ethnology post. subsequently he's the most informed of any of the cadets that have been sent along with the treatise party. you and denki are just mechanics, sent along in case anything goes wrong.

"the alliance would be too much trouble for the yuuei," izuku explains. "they have good relations with the surrounding galaxies and tight control over a lot of resources. but the alliance is really large now, compared to the last time they approached the yuuei. they'll likely want to accept at least a loose federation with the allies."

up on the platform at the front of the hall, prince shouto blinks long and slow, like an earth cat. you realize with a start it's the first time you've seen him blink at all, and the subtle reminder that he is not just an extraordinarily handsome human man but the prince of an alien species makes your skin prickle.

"don't you think it's weird they are all this pretty?" denki asks. "it's weird, right?"

"definitely weird," you laugh, your eyes trailing over prince shouto's blade-straight nose, his pert, perfect mouth. "possibly illegal under intergalatic law."

prince shouto stills all of a sudden, and there is the tiniest tilt of his head. two heterochromatic eyes flick over your way, and you are completely embarrassed by the way your stomach swoops in response. you just manage not to grab onto tenya's uniform to steady yourself.

one of the prince's eyebrow arches almost imperceptibly, and you wonder if he's heard you from this distance—but no, that would be insane.

denki picks up his commentary, emboldened by your playing along. you think the prince's eyes linger just a little too long on the gap between izuku and tenya's shoulders, but then you're distracted by the reception beginning.

the alliance treaty officer strides forward, flanked by a few of the other officials your crew had ferried here. she performs an elaborate bow, as do the other officials. from izuku's muttering you gather it's some sort of ritualistic greeting, and empress rei at least looks pleased with it, waving a gentle hand to gesture the party forward.

there is some shuffling as various aides set up a table and a series of holo-tablets, along with various inks, a leathery roll of endeavorian traditional parchment, and—

"is that a knife?" you ask, peering at the long obsidian blade placed on the table in front of the officials.

izuku's fluffy head of green curls inclines. "treaties are sealed twice. once in the alliance fashion and then again in the local custom, to make it binding per both systems. blood pacts have been used in yuuei for millennia."

the brush of something over your face has your gaze turning back to the prince—to find him staring straight at you, those unblinking eyes boring into you.

"izuku, weird question. can the yuuei hear across rooms?" you ask, suddenly self-conscious.

a green eye peers back at you. "only in the event of their pair bonds—the yuuei are documented hearing their matepair across approximately ten earth-kilometers. i think we're safe over here though. why?"

matepair. the world settles strangely under your skin, as the prince's eyes brush across it.

"uh, matepair?" you echo.

tenya gives both you and izuku a quelling look, but it's not enough to deter izuku from ducking down to explain in slightly quieter tones. "the yuuei look human but they pair differently. they form a parapsychic bond with only a single partner, which they maintain and uphold for life. it's not just cultural—it's like a physical compulsion. they cannot take another pair, and they cannot be separated for long periods or they grow sick."

prince shouto is still staring straight at you, and it's not quite comforting enough to know that he cannot possibly hear you.

it's only his role in the ceremony that seems to eventually break the prince's weird focus in your direction. he steps forward to perform his duty as empress rei's chosen heir. you almost flinch as the knife draws across the pale skin of his palm, and he adds several drips of silvery blood to the parchment, symbolizing yuuei's intent to uphold the treaty across future monarchs.

the flesh of his palm knits itself back together in seconds, and another little shiver goes up your spine. those mismatched eyes flash back your way as he steps back, and the various aides and officials once again converge on the documents.

there is a brief flurry of activity, various bows and oaths, some stilted endeavorian verse. the chief treaty officer looks relieved when it's all over, and the royal family steps down from the dais to greet the rest of the visiting party, as is the customary honor granted to allies to the yuuei. tenya ushers you into the queue near the back with denki, a symbol of your lower status as mechanics.

you don't mind, as the thought of reaching prince shouto has your stomach doing what feel like backflips in your gut. the longer the delay the better.

izuku had walked everyone through the appropriate greetings on the podship, a few murmured words and a hand touch at chest-level—extremely hard to mess up, even for you. but nevertheless your pulse kicks up the closer you draw to the royal family.

there's a long line of them you greet first. offshoot branch members, then general todoroki enji, whose enormous palm burns hot against yours and who looks he'd rather take your party's hands off than touch them. then rei's unchosen heirs—the princess fuyumi, prince natsuo—and a gap where prince touya would have stood, were he not offworld.

and then you're standing in front of prince shouto, your pulse pounding in your ears. he's extremely tall up close, clearing six feet easily, broad across the shoulders and handsome in a way that almost makes your teeth ache. the yuuei look deceptively human, but this near you can see the tiny details that separate them from you—the slight double-point to their ears, the silvery undertone to their skin, the prolonged space between their breaths and their blinks.

and of course their inhuman beauty. they don't quite look like regular people, and it sparks a tiny note of wariness in the primeval part of your human hindbrain.

prince shouto's mismatched eyes pin you, silver and blue, as a sudden, silvery flush creeps across his face. you hold your hand out in greeting, trying not to wonder if you've somehow managed to offend him already—but instead of pressing his palm against yours, his long fingers suddenly grasp yours, clasping tightly.

beyond him, empress rei freezes too. all at once you can feel every single himuran noble turn to look at you, hundreds of eyes pinning on you.

reflexively, words tumble out of you. "shit did i—what did i do? were you supposed to get a different hand thingy?"

you can hear the treaty officer's horrified inhale at the terms shit and hand thingy, deployed in crass galactic standard in front of a literal prince. you immediately wish you could take them back, but from the look on the prince's face, he's already heard them.

something at the corner of his mouth twitches, like he's trying not to smile.

"y/n," he says, in a deep tone. it's crisply accented and just as beautiful as the rest of him.

it takes you a second to realize prince shouto has used your name, which he could not possibly know considering the uniform you'd been issued for the yuuei visit has no unique identifiers on it. you glance down at yourself, then back up at him, befuddled.

"how did you—? where did you—?" you garble out. "did denki put you up to this? how do you know me?"

prince shouto's fingers smooth over yours, delightfully warm, calloused and sure. "i would know you in any universe," he says, voice soft. behind you, you hear princess fuyumi make a tiny sound of delight.

you blink. "universe? what—uh, what universe? how would you—?"

but shouto leans in, tugging you closer with those deceptively strong fingers. he's so very warm up close, and so beautiful it makes your brain short circuit, especially as he lowers his face to yours. a shiver rolls down your spine as his other hand takes you gently by the chin.

and then he murmurs a single word before pressing his mouth to yours—

"matepair."

𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: credits where they are due!! the idea of a space general dna donator, an overarching space alliance pursuing a treaty, & the flint pin denoting gender were taken from my fave sci-fi novel winter's orbit by everina maxwell! (if you love heartfelt gay love stories in space i am actually begging you to read it).

[melanchoire]

could you write rei or wonyoung or liz x Chubby f!reader where rei or wonyoung or liz   is really into chubby girls but is afraid to fully express that to the reader until they have a conversation about it?

that conversation then results in fingering , pussy eating (reader receiving) etc… 

and then they cuddle afterwards because rei or wonyoung or liz  deserves cuddles and love !! okayy tyy i love your works mwah

okay baby i had to do it about all three (separately) because i couldn’t decide who to choose and i had thoughts about all of them 😭

cw: cunnilingus, fingering, praise.

rei is someone who loves make out sessions. she has the most kissable lips in the world and they look so much more beautiful when they’re all swollen from all the kisses and bites you give them. but things slowly increase in intensity and the groping begins to be present, but rei holds back a little because she doesn’t know if you feel completely comfortable with this

since she laid eyes on you, rei immediately became obsessed with your body. i see her as the type who loves hips too much and especially thighs, so she would waste the opportunity to have her hands on your body after you told her that you understood her love for your body? of course not! although rei doesn’t know if she wants to suck your tits while her fingers work on you or kneel between your legs and eat you out until she is satisfied and finger you while leaving hickeys and kisses all over your plushy thighs… but she has all night and will use all the time necessary to satisfy her desires

wonyoung is the most neutral among the three of them. she always looks at you with eyes full of love and beautiful sincere smiles ❤️ she would be more of the type who prefers to use her fingers first because her mouth is busy kissing your lips and bathing your body in sweet and soft kisses, murmuring against your skin how much she loves your body and showering you with compliments and sweet words because even though she doesn’t usually express her love explicitly, she appreciates you so much and you’re the most precious thing she has in her life ☹️

liz is very shy, especially when it comes to you. just like wonyoung, she looks at you with loving eyes and smiles the whole time she is with you, but she has a hard time maintaining eye contact for long and her smiles are much more timid. she also usually gives you compliments, but they are much more subtle than wonyoung’s, using a softer tone and simpler things like “you look pretty.”

it’s even hard for her to talk about this topic of conversation 😭 you would try to talk about it with her, but she is so shy and gets nervous trying to talk to you, but you would take her hands and caress her knuckles with your thumbs to try to calm her down

and she cares too much when she is pleasing you, all the time asking yourself “is this okay?” “am i making you feel good?” she may be doubting her abilities while you’re feeling like heaven

liz would probably get emotional and end up crying after fucking you because she loves you so much and wouldn’t know what to do without you 😭 of course this ends up with lots of hugs and kisses between the two of you, cuddling together in bed and enjoying each other’s company

[midnight--sadness]

i've been getting more asks about ray, lee jung jae's character in "deliver us from evil", and i just want to make sure everyone knows that ray is non-binary,

this isn't a headcanon, either. the director himself confirmed it in an interview. he says this

when he's talking about the origins of the three main characters' names. (rei is the romanized version of ray's name.)

they are referred to with gender-neutral names and honorifics throughout the entire movie; this part of the twitter thread about lee jung jae's false accusations talks about that (also, i highly highly reccomend reading that entire thread if u still believe the rumors about lee jung jae).

unfortunately, the english subtitles misgender them and give them he/him pronouns. but that doesn't take away the originial intention of the director which is that ray is of ambiguous gender.

i don't think this is widespread information which is unfortunate and the translation is completely to blame here. but i just want to make sure everyone knows.

anyway, here's a photo of our non-binary fashion icon and stone-cold assassin!

[celestialgallaghers]

White Mustang

First part of a short series I’m working on YAY. This is just the set up so no smut in this one but I PROMISE there will be later <3

Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

Summary: You were younger then, and it was only a crush. Something harmless born in the long hours of a studio summer. But now Noel’s here, newly divorced and quieter then you remember, sharing a house on your family’s holiday. He’s more distant, harder to read, and somehow even more gorgeous with age. Suddenly the feelings you thought had faded are back in full force. But he’s still off limits… isn’t he?

Word count: 2.2k

Prelude—2014

You’d only just finished uni. Following in your fathers footsteps as a sound engineer. You’d been hovering on the fringes of the music industry, unsure of your place in it, until your dad offered to let you shadow him for the summer. You’d jumped at the chance.

You weren’t naive. Opportunities like this were rare. If you were going to be taken seriously, you had to prove you weren’t just someone's daughter tagging along for a summer lark.

But there was another layer of pressure you hadn’t anticipated. The artist your dad was working with was none other than Noel Gallagher. That alone was enough to make you feel completely out of your depth. If you fucked up, that was it. You’d never live it down. 

Now, standing outside the studio door with clammy palms and a racing heart, you couldn’t quite name the feeling twisting in your stomach. Maybe it was the weight of expectation. Maybe it was the sheer nerve of wanting to prove yourself in a space where women, especially young women, were still fighting to be heard. Or maybe it had something to do with him.

You exhaled and pushed the door open.

Inside, your dad and Noel were hunched over a screen, mid conversation. You hovered in the doorway, unsure of how to announce yourself, until your dad looked up and grinned.

“Oh, there you are, darling,” he said, waving you in. “Noel, this is my daughter.”

Noel glanced up and your stomach dropped. His eyes were sharper than you’d expected. Intense. Then he smiled, and his face softened in a way that made it hard to look away.

“Ah, so this is who I’ve been hearing about,” he said, standing to shake your hand. “Lovely to finally meet you.”

You cringed inwardly, already imagining whatever embarrassing stories your dad had shared, but kept your face neutral. His hand was warm, slightly calloused. You could only hope yours wasn’t too sweaty.

“Yeah. Just finished uni. Trying to get my foot in the door,” you managed.

He chuckled, releasing your hand. “That so? Well, we’re glad to have you. Your old man’s been raving about you. Can’t wait to see what you’re made of.”

Your cheeks burned, but you forced a smile. “Promise I won’t get in the way. Just here to observe and learn.”

“No better way to do it,” he said. “But don’t expect us to go easy on you just ’cause of who your dad is. If you want to learn, you’ve got to get your hands dirty.”

Your dad chuckled and nudged you gently. You nodded, heart still racing, then turned your gaze back to the soundboard, trying to study it.

He gave you the grand tour. You followed him and Noel through the rooms, absorbing the layout, the gear, the atmosphere. Your dad tossed out tips, instructions, bits of technical wisdom, and you tried your best to commit every word to memory. But occasionally your gaze would drift towards Noel as he tossed in anecdotes. You liked hearing him talk about normal things. It made him feel more real. Less like a name from the tabloids, more like a person.

When the tour ended, your dad stepped away to take a call, leaving you and Noel alone in the hallway. He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed loosely.

“So,” he said, “what do you think of the place?”

You smiled. “Honestly? Bit surreal. Feels strange to actually be in a studio instead of just reading about them.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Feels glamorous until you’ve spent twenty straight hours in one room hearing the same guitar part loop over and over. Still, when it all comes together…it’s magic. That bit never gets old.”

You nodded slowly. “I want to feel that. The magic part.”

He held your gaze. “You will. If you’re serious about this and stick it out, it’ll come. And when it does, you’ll be hooked.”

Before you could respond, your dad reappeared. “Right. Let’s get to work.”

That was the start of everything.

The days blurred into weeks. You settled into a rhythm and slowly, you carved out a space for yourself. You watched. Learned. Listened more than you spoke.

Sometimes Noel would catch your eye and instead of brushing you off, he’d invite you in.

“What d’you think?” he’d ask, spinning slightly in his chair to face you.

At first, you stumbled through your answers, not wanting to offend him in any way. But he always listened. And when he agreed with you, he’d flash a grin and say, “Nice one.”

You’d spend the rest of the day trying not to flush with pride.

Bit by bit, the nerves faded. You started holding his gaze instead of looking away. You began to see him not just as a rockstar, but the person beneath. He was funny. Charming. A bit cheeky, but genuine. 

The crush crept in before you could stop it. Watching him work, seeing the softer side to him as he laid down a track, how his eyes would spark when something finally clicked. You were doomed from the start.

It was harmless really. A silly, one sided thing. A product of too many hours in a small space with someone magnetic. You’d never act on it. He was married. You’d met his wife once. She was lovely. And he clearly adored her.

You weren’t delusional. But sometimes, when he sat a little too close, when the banter tipped just slightly into flirtation—you’d wonder. Just for a moment. If maybe there was a spark. One small enough to be dangerous.

One of those moments came when your dad stepped out and left you in charge. The album was nearly done, just a few finishing touches left, and he wanted you to run things solo for a bit.

You were fiddling with some settings, trying to trust your gut. Failing miserably. Every decision felt too bold or too safe and you kept undoing your own changes.

“Leave it,” came Noel’s voice behind you.

You turned, startled. “Leave what?”

“That filter,” he said, stepping in closer. “It’s good. You’re overthinking it.”

“You think so?”

He gave a lazy shrug. “I know so.”

You hesitated. “I just… I don’t want to screw anything up.”

“You won’t,” he said, tone firm but not unkind. “You’ve got taste. Trust it.”

Your stomach fluttered. Stupid.

“Thanks,” you murmured.

He dropped into the seat beside you as you restarted the track. His presence was too much. Too close. You kept your eyes on the screen, trying not to read into the way his knee almost brushed yours. When the song ended, you glanced at him.

He gave a short nod. “Not half bad.” Then, noticing your hand hovering like you were waiting for permission, added, “Alright what d’you think needs changing?”

You bit your lip, hesitated, then tweaked the bass and nudged his vocals up just a touch. “It’s strong. I think it just needs a little more bite right here.”

Noel leaned in, peering at the screen with you. “Yeah,” he said, nodding again. “I see what you mean.”

He stayed close, his shoulder nearly brushing yours. His fingers reached across the screen as he pointed to another section. 

“Let’s tweak the equalizer there,” he said, voice low. “See how that sounds.”

You could barely hear him over your own pulse. All you could feel was the warmth radiating off him. The faint scent of his cologne. None of it should’ve made your breath catch like it did. But it did. 

His focus stayed on the screen, oblivious to the effect he was having on you, as he adjusted the sound, the music playing softly in the background. You shifted in your seat, becoming aware of just how much of an effect he was having on you. The pulsing heat that had settled between your thighs was unmistakable.

That was new. And it was pathetic. The way your body responded to nothing more than closeness.

God, you needed to get laid. That was all this was. You were clearly touch starved and now your brain was confusing proximity with intimacy.

You were already planning which pub to hit after work when his voice broke through your thoughts.

“Y’alright?”

You blinked, cheeks warm. “Yeah. Sorry. Think I’m gonna head out a bit early today, actually.”

His brows lifted in faint surprise. You rarely left early.

“Something up?”

“Just drinks with some girlfriends,” you said quickly, forcing a casual tone. “Been cooped up in this studio too long. Think I need to hang out with people my own age for once.” You added a weak laugh, as if that would explain everything.

He laughed. “Sick of spending all your time with old gits like me, then?”

You smiled, gathering your things. “Nah, you’re alright. Just need a proper night out.”

“Fair enough,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “You should enjoy yourself. You’re young.”

And that’s what you did.

You danced. Drank. Let loose. Ended up in a stranger’s bed. It wasn’t romantic or meaningful, but it gave you the release you so clearly needed.

Come Monday, you returned to the studio bleary eyed, craving tea. Noel was already in the kitchenette, leaning against the counter and waiting on the kettle.

“Morning,” he said.

“Mornin’.”

“Good weekend?”

“Yeah,” you said. “Yours?”

He shrugged. “S’alright. Nothing too exciting.”

You nodded, rifling through tea bags, but felt his gaze linger. 

“You alright?” he asked, tone unreadable.

 You blinked. “Yeah. Why?”

“Dunno. You look tired.”

You glanced at him sharply. “Cheers.”

He smirked. “Didn’t mean it like that.”

You rolled your eyes, but your heart kicked anyway.

“Long weekend,” you muttered, reaching for a mug.

He tilted his head, then nodded to your neck.

“What’s that?” he asked, voice dipping into something amused. 

You blinked. “What’s what?”

He nodded again. “That.”

You tugged your hair forward, cheeks flaming.

Shit.

“Nothing,” you mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

He didn’t drop it. “Doesn’t look like nothing,” he teased. “Looks like a love bite to me.”

You stiffened, arms crossing, embarrassment quickly bleeding into defensiveness. “Yeah? So?”

He held up his hands in mock surrender, the grin still there but softened. “Alright. Just making an observation.”

“Yeah, well, it’s none of your business,” you snapped, sharper than intended.

His smile faded slightly. “Didn’t say it was. Just… be careful, yeah?”

The moment stretched too long. The kettle whistled, and you moved to pour your tea with more focus than necessary. “I can handle myself.”

Then, quieter, “Just don’t say anything to my dad, alright?”

He nodded. “Course not.”

You were quieter than usual that day. The tension hadn’t gone away. If anything it was worse now. It was as if your body, freshly reminded of how good the touch of another person felt, had become traitorous. Every glance Noel threw your way now carried the risk of some twisted fantasy springing to life in your mind. You hated it. Craved it.

You were slightly embarrassed at how you’d overreacted. You’d projected your frustration—at yourself, your crush—onto him like it was his fault for seeing something you hadn’t tried hard enough to hide. Maybe a small part of you had wanted him to see.

You kept your hair down for the rest of the week. Always tugging at it, adjusting it, trying to pretend it wasn’t about him. But you felt him noticing. Or maybe that was just your imagination. Either way, it was impossible to think clearly.

By the time the mark had faded, so had the weird, charged silence between you. Things settled. He joked with you again. Gave you space when you needed it. You followed his lead. But that heat low in your stomach never quite cooled. And you kept wondering what it would’ve felt like if it had been his lips on your skin. His teeth.

You hated how easily the thought came.

The album was nearly done. The mood in the studio shifted to something celebratory. On the final day, Noel pulled you into a hug, unprompted, catching you off guard.

His body was warm against yours. You tensed automatically, breath catching. Then just as quickly, he pulled back, clapping you on the back like it hadn’t meant anything.

“Thanks for all your help. Couldn't've done it without you.”

You laughed, trying to tamp down the rush of heat to your cheeks. “I really didn’t do much. But it’s an incredible album. Really. Congrats.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” He pointed at you, dead serious now. “You’ve got a good ear. Real good. You’re gonna go far.”

You blinked. It wasn’t just a pat on the head compliment. He meant it.

And for a second, you couldn’t help but look at him. Really look. At the man who, all this time, had treated you like someone worth listening to. Like your thoughts mattered. Like you weren’t a temporary fixture in the room. He saw you.

Something in your chest tightened.

“Thanks,” you said, quieter now.

His gaze lingered. Just a second too long. Not overt, but enough to make your stomach twist. There was a softness in his eyes you hadn’t seen before. Unreadable, and maybe not even meant for you. And then he nodded, like he’d said everything he meant to say, and turned away.

You watched him go, some part of you aching a little. Not for anything that had happened, but for everything that hadn’t. Everything that couldn’t.

You were going to miss him. More than you probably should.

[morethanaloveinterest]

A Descending Look at Osha Aniseya's Costumes in the Acolyte

Let's talk about how Osha's costumes reflect her descent to the Dark Side

When we first meet Osha, she is a meknek aboard a star ship. Her outfit matches many of those we've seen before in this franchise - practical, with multiple layers and a lot of pockets. She has a distinctive silhouette, which is not always the case. She has pockets for her tools and her droid, Pip, gloves, and sturdy boots.

The main color looks green, a neutral color, and contrasts with the Jedi's yellow robes. Several of them wear white cloaks, which might be why her vest is white, to signal how she still thinks of herself as a (failed) Jedi, rather than moving on. It also indicates to us, the audience, that she is a good guy (as opposed to her sister, who wears darker clothes).

Female representation: 10/10 Looks like one of the most comfortable and practical outfits I've seen in this franchise.

Practicality: 10/10 As I said, extremely practical, no notes.

When Osha accompanies the Jedi on a mission, she is required to wear civilian robes. It makes her easy to spot on purpose, but also helps us find her in the night scene that follows.

She had a hint of white when we met her, now that the Jedi have shown up, she's all in white. And she's reconnecting to the Force, obviously the light side :)

Women in white has been a thing in this series before and honestly this one is a refreshing take on it. She's prepared for action, unlike the other ones we've seen, and she looks really comfortable instead of ethereal or whatever. She may be getting back into using the Force but she's still a regular person.

Female representation: 10/10 As I just mentioned, it's a great costume for a lady to wear, when white is so often sexualized or made angelic. The white here can be symbolic; it doesn't have to reduce how relatable she is while she wears it.

Practicality: 10/10 Again, one of the most practical gals in a galaxy where so many of them get to wear the most practical outfits I've ever seen, it's fantastic.

We see her twice undressed down to her tank top. The first time is when the Jedi pick her up after they know she isn't the culprit. It's when she spends time with Sol, so it makes sense for her to be so vulnerable. Especially in contrast to how many layers he is wearing (including gloves!). She is going out on a limb, putting everything she's got on the table, and he is obviously hiding everything, including himself.

The second time we see her undressed like this is after her sister took her clothes and is impersonating her (see Mae's costume review - coming soon!). She awakens on the island with Qimir, after he found her unconscious. When she goes to find him, she covers up but he uh does not do that. He completely disrobes and then changes from black into white - symbolizing him openness and his good(ish) intentions for her.

Female representation: 10/10 The ladies in SW rarely get undressed on screen (which is good), and this is obviously a great version of that. She's is more open and vulnerable but it's definitely not an opportunity to ogle her.

Practicality: 9/10 Being undressed is somewhat less practical than being dressed, obvi, but that's one of the sturdiest tank tops I've seen

To talk to Qimir, Osha wears this outfit. It is notably a dark grey in color, a significant change from her earlier white. It also plays off of Qimir in this scene, who first wears black and then white. The sleeves are likely a reference to Rey's grey outfit in the Last Jedi, as both ladies go have a conversation with the ripped, at least half naked Dark Side boy.

The silhouette of her original outfit is also back, the the extra layer not covering up her midriff. It indicates that she is more herself now than she was in the civilian robes.

Female representation: 10/10 It is a little more feminine, a little more revealing, as she talks to her love interest, but the scene is about her not about looking at her.

Practicality: 10/10 Again, everything in this show (and most of the franchise) is really practical, it's great.

Her last costume of the season is the one she wears to confront Sol - the one where she uses the Force to kill him without a weapon, while turning his Kyber crystal from blue to red. It's a slight variation from what she was wearing on the island with Qimir, which makes sense, given his influence on the events of the day.

The outfit is more covered up than what she wore on the island and has a hood, which she wears at the end as she decides to stay with him and be trained as a Dark Sider. She also reunites with her sister, having met her in the middle and switched sides, now they meet in the middle again. Before Mae goes with the Jedi and Osha goes with Qimir, the opposite of when they were children. Mae wears white while Osha wears dark grey - showing that she has gone dark but perhaps hinting that she won't stay that way.

Female representation: 10/10 Given what we've seen from dark side girls in the past, this version being not sexualized at all is really fantastic. It matches what we know Osha has chosen to wear, while being darker, and more covering instead of an opportunity to make her sexier (as villains often are).

Practicality: 10/10 Again, definitely one of the most practical things I've seen a lady wear, absolutely perfect for starting your new life as a Sith Acolyte.

For my video analysis on Osha and the Jedi, click here

Want to read more costume reviews?

[malleleothreesome]

Dancing with Malleus

✨ summary: Malleus invites you to the Briar Valley ball ༶༶༶ ✨ warnings: gender neutral reader, immortal Malleus, romance, SFW, I ain't gonna spoil this one for ya ༶༶༶ ✨ word count: 2.9k words ༶༶༶ ✨ song: Once Upon A Dream - Lana Del Rey "You'll love me at once... the way you did once upon a dream"

The castle's ballroom is exquisite and grand, with high arched windows that open out into a massive and impressive courtyard. Inundated with golden light, the whole room is sparking in ethereal shimmer and the aroma of crisp floral accents fill the room. From the high vaulted ceilings, chandeliers the size of trees glitter with a plethora of colorful gems, catching the light of magical, flickering flames like stardust. Couples twirl and weave around each other in fluid steps, like a choreographed waltz of swaying and swirling movements. An orchestra of beautiful instruments blend together in a soaring melody as the dancing continues in harmonious orchestration. A faint mist seems to cover the floor, glittering opalescent in the fading daylight, which gives the scene the surreal quality of a dream or fairytale. The ball is attended only by the most exotic mystical creatures and beings of magic, clad in jewels and other luxury wares. Fae of varying shapes, colors, and sizes, waltz together and converse in tight circles, but you couldn't possibly hope to learn their language or names, nor are you important enough to be greeted. You don't belong here amongst the unparalleled beauty of the resplendent folk who grace these halls—celestially carved beings whose mere existence was meant to mesmerize you and your fellow humans, yet Malleus had insisted that you become his plus-one. Despite your fears that you might embarrass yourself due to your utter inexperience at anything remotely resembling courtly dancing, you're inexplicably enamored by his stubborn determination to allow no argument or negotiation on the matter. So now, you find yourself clad in flowing silk that glows like it was created by stars themselves and bejeweled with all manners of beautiful and precious accouterments. With such extravagant adornments and attire, no one would be able to tell you are not of royal blood. Before you become completely subsumed in the buzzing magnificence of the ball, the finest details of your elegant surroundings become blurry.

Suddenly, there is only him.

Your eyes cannot help but alight upon his noble beauty, and for a moment, the entire crowd parts. The Prince of the Valley of Thorns floats through the room, the air around him parting. As his silky hair streams behind him like water, his beauty causes the room to gasp audibly, yet he hardly notices. Only focused on his true intentions, Malleus seems to drift effortlessly through his own subjects, his sharp features devoid of their normal grim severity, eyes sparkling with tender warmth as he fixates solely on you. Every step he takes exudes power and confidence, yet remains graceful and smooth, as he saunters his way to where you stand and outstretches his gloved hand. In an instant, a murmur arises among the guests—every single one of them captivated by the effortless charm and debonair allure the future King possesses. Seeing your bashfulness, he delicately pulls your smaller hand into his before brushing your knuckles with a sweet kiss, a broad, fangy smile illuminating his entire visage.

"Do not be nervous," he soothes you. His slender fingertips gingerly grip yours, raising your entangled palms to rest shoulder-height, and placing his other hand on your lower back, right at the junction of your waist—so carefully, it makes your heart beat a little faster. Despite his inhuman strength, Malleus holds onto you gently, not wanting to bruise you from his crushing grasp. And then, the room around you suddenly fades away—the hundreds of pairs of eyes on you fade to black, the delicate melodies fade to white, the sheer magnitude of magic and splendor falls away and you see only the verdant of his irises, glittering emeralds as bright and eternal as the crystals sparkling around you. The corners of his eyes crinkle just a bit, betraying an emotion he's rarely so candid with outside the sanctum of your relationship. His next words, a dreamy whisper of reassurance, cause butterflies to flutter through your stomach and the hot flush of your cheeks to flood over you.

"Just let me lead and I will bring you to paradise."

Those are his only words as the slow waltz of the orchestra starts, beginning the dance that will set you two into a careful and synchronous flow with each other. Your feet move effortlessly with him, never straying even as he picks up the pace, the momentum between the two of you increasing. You feel him cradle the curve of your body close to him, holding you in the nook of his arm as he deftly twirls you through the night's revels. Malleus expertly keeps pace with the orchestra, all while also maintaining the beat of his heart, which matches the rhythm of his footsteps. As he glides with a masterful ease around the room, every movement controlled and precise, the image you two paint in motion together is nothing short of flawless. There isn't a hitch or misstep in your movement, the two of you completely in sync with the beat, every turn and twist of the music matching each step of your waltz, as he leads you in complete command. His eyes never leave yours, only looking away to catch the flash of one of his deft maneuvers of your body. Time slows and you find yourself completely lost in the wonder as you gaze lovingly into the brilliant, viridescent pools of his irises—his gaze penetrates and drowns you in a wash of endearment, drinking in your visage with unrestrained emotion. It's intoxicating and dizzying, yet you're powerless to break away. As far as you're concerned, the other couples have completely disappeared, lost to the blur of the distance, and it is as though you're dancing to music that exists in a realm outside of the material world. Everything else pales in comparison to this ethereal fairytale—Malleus looks handsome beyond reason in his opulent uniform. The cut of the dark fabric seems to enhance the elegant definition of his strong shoulders and the perfect symmetry of his regal face, yet the lush tailoring highlights his muscular physique and the toned strength that hides under the gorgeous facade. His very essence, the ambiance he exudes, the captivating aura—it all acts as an enchantment of pure spellbound desire, beckoning for you to cast yourself into its endless depth, surrendering yourself entirely to him.

Every step, every sway, every twirl of your dance together is more surreal than the last. This fairy tale is unfolding right before your eyes and all you can do is feel your soul resonate with him. It's in the way your arms circle his body; it's in the way your breathing begins to match pace with his; it's in the way he sets your head spinning and fills your heart with an aching need to be closer. In a secluded corner of the dance floor, away from all the curious eyes, the waltz continues—a beautiful duet of your hearts connecting deeper with every step and spin, as if the magic is attempting to wrench your souls together, desperate to mingle them until they're indistinguishable. He cradles you in his embrace, holding your body against his. From the elegant swoop of his scale-covered forehead, to the sharp, sexy slope of his jawline, his handsome profile is aglow with radiant adoration as he stares down at you with half-lidded, smitten eyes, his cheekbones shadowed perfectly under the romantic light of the ballroom, giving him an ineffable mystique. You stare back at him, searching deep into the blackness of his slitted pupils until your heart aches as your mind rushes with so many unspeakable emotions that threaten to make tears well in the corner of your eyes. In that moment, your love for him burns brighter than the sun and is more potent than anything you have ever known. At last, he closes his eyes in contentment and sweeps you away, a dreamlike smile upon his lips as he spins you across the smooth ballroom floors, grasping onto you as though you are his only lifeline in the universe. Malleus moves as though in a dream, never faltering as he leads your soul into a euphoria you never thought possible, a state where words hold little meaning but the act of dancing could express everything. As he moves the two of you elegantly across the expansive floor, the ephemerality of your mortal existence burns starkly clear in your mind, while his ancient heart thrums within his chest—countless years of melancholy and loneliness he endured seem to give weight to every ponderous beat of his heart, resonating through his chest, enveloping you and shrouding you in the desperate urgency of his adoration for you. Even without uttering any confessions, his heart speaks them to you fluently—you and him are tied so intimately together, an unbreakable knot that holds the threads of your destinies and fate together in a weave too precious and fine to be cut or broken. His fingertips ghost along your neck, the gentle sensation setting your soul on fire, sending electric currents down to the very tips of your fingers and toes, as a powerful shudder rips through your body.

"Wherever I am, you belong by my side," Malleus tells you. His tone is soft, but filled with enough reverence to make your breath catch. He peers at you with uncharacteristic vulnerability, the mere existence of it is practically intoxicating, and he watches your reactions to him with wide and captivating eyes that give off the intensity of a solar eclipse.

"It was fated by the heavens. Our paths were always intertwined," his voice is just a tad unsteady, yet it resonates with his entire being.

For a moment, all the whispers that echo from the watching crowd silence—the buzz, the snippets of gossip about your relationship with the notorious prince—is as quiet and as inconsequential as a background tune to your dance. All those things were meaningless—their cruel whispers and jealous words, their apprehension and disapproval meant absolutely nothing. That momentary stillness grants you both a moment of solace; the very few seconds your lives needed for him to offer himself to you. A confession so pure it lifts the hair on the back of your neck: "I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on you. No one could possibly make my heart beat so wildly or ignite such fierce emotions as you do."

His words are just like the tempo of the violins that fill the chamber. Infinite. Mesmerizing. Their echoing sound lengthens into infinity, in their beautiful patterns, the bow caresses the strings and produces such an achingly sublime melody. They pierce through all the tension in the air and carry a stirring urgency along with them as they flow seamlessly with your bodies in sync. Every note perfectly transitions into the next, and the song swells to a climatic, fervid harmony that cannot be resisted. You want him with all the burning hunger and depth of a cosmic soul—for every molecule that composes you calls out to him and wants to interweave his being with your own, so that neither one can ever exist without the other. His form is graceful as you two blend into each other and the song in a divine synergy. Time stretches as the rapturous intensity of his longing is displayed on his face. As you look into his eyes, the entire expanse of his vast, magnificent soul is bared to you. No mortal has ever had the privilege to see him so honestly and fully exposed, yet Malleus gives you his everything—he's always been his whole self in your embrace. He holds you close, cradling your frame to him protectively, and the faint tremble of his grip reveals the depths of his emotional fragility as the passion of his love overwhelms him and renders him helplessly bare before you, like a servant devoted to the altar of an awe-inspiring, glorious God.

Suddenly, all those intense sensations coalesce into the single most beautiful sentiment of all, as the sum of these wonderful emotions create a glorious aria that rouses all the seraphic adoration and longing, and an emotional overdrive within him. With the sum of his desires and emotions pouring out of him in waves, Malleus opens his lips to pour forth his most secret and profound wish and what comes out next, the words barely a hushed murmur above the swelling musical climax, is an admission of raw love. "I wish to spend my eternal lifetime with you by my side. I long to spend it loving only you and I want us to grow together through the centuries as partners." His words, sincere, sentimental, and laced with the faintest traces of tears, are raw in their unapologetic declaration, and they contain within them a depth of devotion you didn't think possible for a soul to ever harbor.

His lip quivers, his eyes begin to shine, and he squeezes them shut just as the first tears begin to flow, spilling over the waterline of his closed eyelids and dripping down his high cheekbones. Tapered fingers firmly intertwine yours and he desperately gazes at Lilia, whose red eyes sparkle in a proud mist as he looks on, giving Malleus an encouraging nod. Finally, the dam is broken—the smile that cracks at the corners of Malleus' mouth blooms, causing his already dazzling complexion to gleam and become impossibly more breathtaking as a sweet, ecstatic sob bubbles out of his lungs. Tears of joy roll down his cheeks as a wide grin takes up half his face, the verdant color of his irises shimmering brilliantly through a crystalline veil of sparkling tears. Thanks to the confidence and encouragement Lilia—his Father—has instilled in him, he finally feels ready to face his destiny, and take you alongside him as an equal. He clears his throat.

"I understand you are a human of little power, a short-lived creature whose days will fleet and wane like that of a candle before a blizzard," his voice is somewhat hesitant, faltering a tad as his anxieties manifest, his vocal chords shivering as he stumbles over his own emotion. His free hand finds its way to clutch the front of his attire, as though the mere mention of you near death makes his heart seize in his chest. His lips form a pout, brow creasing deeply as his breath shakes while you clutch his cheek, a thumb smoothing over his cheekbone, collecting his tears. Then, Malleus steels his features as he delivers his ultimatum. When his beautiful, soulful gaze finds you, there's an immovable determination and steadfastness that betray the fact that he's already made the choice, and your presence at his side is inevitable. "Therefore, in order to make our union possible and feasible, I spent countless hours researching every ancient text and scroll to seek a loophole, to bend the fates and twist their strings around my fingers." His lips curl to the side and his eyebrows raise ever so subtly, an adorable hint of pride shining in the smile he wears. "At last, my labor produced a solution. It is possible through an ancient rite to bind my soul to a chosen mortal partner."

Your heart speeds as a burst of joy courses through your veins like fire. The crescendo of the orchestra and his musical words are building to a harmonious convergence, a swelling refrain of the melodies both your lives have played, culminating in a resplendent final verse, a foreordained tune of two halves at last being joined. It's almost too much for you to take; the very walls of this beautiful, mystical room threaten to melt away and fade from your awareness, and all you can comprehend is his stunning, baritone voice. "If you accept my blessing, your lifespan will be linked to mine for as long as I walk the realm of the living.” Malleus tells you, a tad smug at the work he has done on your behalf. “All I ask in return for giving you eternal beauty, granting you my protection, and offering you my whole life is that we come to be as one. Two souls permanently linked and intertwined for the eternity of our existence together. You will forever share my immortality and accompany me as we walk among the stars until they eventually go out. And even in the wake of that devastating eventuality, I promise to care for you, tend to you, and love you for however many eras remain. Please be my betrothed, my beloved child of man, for I cannot bear to let you go and there is no force that can tear me away from you."

He squeezes your hand before dropping to one knee. In the center of the expansive room, surrounded by hundreds of guests, his emerald orbs peer up at you through heavy lashes as his lips begin to part, finally ready to ask the one question that may finally put an end to the solitude he has endured since he first came into existence. He pulls a ring box from the interior of his tailcoat, his shaky hands slowly flipping open the box to reveal a platinum band in the shape of a dragon encasing a deep viridian gem, forged from the magical energies of his Draconia ancestors. The ring was last worn by his Mother before her untimely demise, and his Grandmother was insistent that Malleus should one day gift his betrothed this one piece of family history. As the ballroom goes completely silent and the eyes of his subjects rest on the two of you with rapt, nervous attention, Malleus draws in a wavering inhale to steady his quivering voice as he fights the fear of rejection, before allowing the soft and tender question to slip past the careful line of his lips, "Will you marry me?"

Do y'all want part 2? Am I cruel for leaving it off there? In "x Reader" fics, I like to limit putting words in the reader's mouth or feelings in reader's head so that I can let you decide for yourselves how you wish to experience my stories. I am happy to pick back up where I left off if there is demand for it. Otherwise, I hope you continue weaving this tale in your own daydreams and fantasies. Thank you for reading and for your support of my writing! 💚 Erica Malleleothreesome P.S. I'm SORRY my paragraphs are so long I truly DO NOT UNDERSTAND when to break paragraphs, I hope it doesn't ruin your experience!

[airybcby]

I’m not sure if we were supposed to comment it but my top song was white ferrari by frank ocean and my top artist was Lana del Rey! (omg I love ur writing it is so good like it’s so yummy 😭)

ahh! it’s totally okay! i have a spreadsheet with everyone’s comments too so i make sure i get everyone :))

also tysm!! you’re too sweet

if your top artist was lana del rey / your top song was white ferrari by frank ocean i’d pair you with…

yukimiya kenyu!!

જ⁀♡⊹｡° stick by me, close by me

♡ a/n — part of my spotify wrapped event :)

♡ content — yukimiya kenyu x gn! reader, gn! reader, established relationship ( at least 3 years ), reader and yukimiya share an apartment, uncertain yukimiya, mention of kids (like once)

♡ synopsis — yukimiya kenyu has always given 110% into everything he's done, but can he do that for you too?

The world felt softer at night. The hum of cars passing outside your window was muted, and the glow of streetlights spilled golden warmth across the room where you sat beside him.

Yukimiya’s head rested against the edge of the couch, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere past the ceiling. His glasses were on the table, leaving his face bare and vulnerable. He looked tired, like he hadn’t been sleeping well—or maybe like he hadn’t been sleeping at all.

“You’re quiet tonight,” you murmured, leaning closer to him. You grabbed a throw blanket from the back of the couch and threw it over the two of you, your cups of tea sitting on the table.

He blinked, slowly turning to meet your gaze. “Just thinking,” he said, his voice low, almost hesitant.

“About what?”

“About everything,” he admitted, a small, wry smile tugging at his lips.

You didn’t press him further, knowing better than to pull too hard at the threads he wasn’t ready to unravel. Yukimiya had always been like this—carrying more than he let on, hiding the weight of his thoughts behind that careful, polite demeanor, even when you'd first started dating.

But tonight, he wasn’t hiding.

“I’ve been thinking about us,” he said after a pause, his voice quiet but steady.

The words caught you off guard, but you managed to keep your expression neutral. “What about us?”

He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair as he looked away. “How we ended up here. How long we’ve been... whatever this is.”

You felt your chest tighten, the words hitting a little too close to the thoughts you’d been avoiding for weeks.

“We've been together for three years. We’re fine, Kenyu,” you said, trying to reassure him—and maybe yourself, too.

But he shook his head, a small, bitter laugh escaping his lips. “Are we? Or are we just pretending we are because it’s easier than admitting we don’t know where we’re going anymore?”

You didn’t know what to say to that. Yes, your life had been put on hold because of blue lock, but that didn't mean you were mad. You knew exactly what this was, didn't he?

“I love you,” he said, the words sudden and raw, catching you completely off guard. “But sometimes it feels like love isn’t enough. Like no matter how much I care about you, I can’t give you what you deserve.”

Your breath hitched, the weight of his confession settling heavily in the air between you. "You wanted kids, and right now...we can't."

“We have time,” you said, your voice trembling slightly. “You give me more than you think.”

He looked at you then, his eyes filled with something you couldn’t quite place—regret, maybe, or fear.

“I’m scared,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m scared of losing you. Of not being enough for you. Of waking up one day and not being able to see you. Of... of failing you.”

You reached for his hand, intertwining your fingers with his. “You haven’t failed me,” you said firmly. “And you never could.”

The silence that followed was heavy but not uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that came with understanding, with shared pain and unspoken promises.

“We’ll figure it out,” you said finally, squeezing his hand gently. “Together.”

He looked at you then, and for the first time that night, you saw a flicker of hope in his eyes.

“Together,” he echoed, his voice soft but certain.

Yukumiya Kenyu was a troubled man, but if he got to see your smile for even one more day, he could overcome any problem.

i was really iffy on who to choose for this, but my bias towards yuki came through :)

i hope you liked it!

likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated!

[sonyshock]

This is not even technically a serious tutorial, but I've been rediscovering my way of coloring lately and I had nowhere to write these notes which I'm afraid to forget. And what better way than publically

Basic colors: Monochrome layer of the 'main' color. Brush is in multiply mode to allow it to lose saturation and luminosity. Focus on having the interest areas (usually the face+whatever is in front of it or occupies a large space} more or less clearly set. In this picture there's not much worry for shadows. If shading is very important to the piece, keep it in mind but don't define them yet. We are mostly looking for general blocking.

Underpaint: A flat layer under the basic colors. Generally neutral gray, but it can be other kind of unsaturated color. Evens the colors and enriches the palette.

The use of neutral colors is due to the special properties of grey to appear the complementary color of any color is is next to while not expanding the color palette.

Base color lights: Enhance the lights with a Screen layer, using colors picked from the picture so far. ALSO: If there's going to be complementary colors, paint those areas white or very light so you can apply them later without muddiness. This might be more or less necessary depending on the colors relation to each other and the next step

In this example, Rei's eyes are not completely white because the unsaturated blues will work well with pink/salmon

Overlay layer: Add secondary colors with Overlay. These are the secondary colors of the image. They are always going to be a different hue.

If the secondary colors are harmonious, it should be easy to blend them. Focus on blocking and contrast the most, and mind saturation, saving it for points of interest or viceversa.

If the hue is complementary or very far in the color wheel, it's important that we left unsaturated or light areas saved for that in the past steps, because otherwise Overlay might not blend well and easily result in muddy or extremely dark saturated colors (which I personally don't like)

Between the grey underpaint, the base colors and secondary colors, chances are you have 90% of the color palette covered. From now on we are going to eye drop from the layer and only move through the color wheel when needed.

I think it'd be no problem to repeat this step if going for a triad palette, but be careful with the ratios and keep the luminsity and saturation steps in mind.

Deepen colors: Using multiply layers, add colors that feel necessary. Color pick them from the image itself, and only vary when necessary.

This is a good step to change the colors of the line art by changing the hue.

Using the same method, use Screen layer mode to add highlights.

Remember there's no need, nor it is recommended, that you colorpick from the same hue to paint over. Highlights will look more rich if they're in a different temperature, and shadows will do the same if they're in a different temperature, although you should use very light colors to avoid ugly blending.

I might update this post later if more epiphanies come to me

[witchthewriter]

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐓𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!

a/n: reader is a civilian

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ | ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ ᴵᴵ

ESTP

Gryffindor

Chaotic Good / Chaotic Neutral

Pisces Sun, Aries Moon, Sagittarius Rising

𝑺𝑭𝑾🌿

・He is the complete embodiment of 'gruff, rugged, protective, knows what to do at all times.'

・Yes to others he comes off as ... intimidating, dominating, and even a tad controlling. But that's not how you see him. Not anymore. He's different with you.

・And that's because he's yours and you are his.

・So, since capturing his heart. The game as been over.

・There is no one else for either of you.

・And you see a very different person than the public.

・Because this man is your husband. You know he would do absolutely anything for you.

・For a long time, he thought he wasn't worthy of softness. Of a life of peace.

・The things that he's done keep him awake at night, struggling to see himself as anything other than a monster.

・But you're there. And it's as if you are his tether to the light. The warmth. To living.

・You never have to drive yourself anywhere; John MacTavish does it for you.

・He also opens every door for you, keeps a hand on your back when walking through crowds and always puts himself in front of you if there's danger.

・You are so protected. John would never let anything happen to you. And if something did, then he would rage.

・He isn't great with expressing his feelings, but he does things to prove how much he cares:

・Fixing things around the house (even if it's just 'squeaky' he is on that shit)

・You want renovations done? Then baby he's on it

・He also remembers everything you love. Whether it be a tv show, movie or piece of jewellery. That man would buy anything for you.

・Captain MacTavish is a very commanding, confident, and action-oriented man. That doesn't stop around you; you're just able to tell him when enough is enough...

"John, honey, sit down and have some tea. You're doing my head in love."

・The banter between you two is caused because you - sometimes - like being told what to do, while John is so used to barking orders and having them done.

・But it is John who does the laundry (apparently you don't fold the clothes the right way.)

・He's an alright cook; food that fills your belly. That's all that matters when he's on deployment. So it's just what he's used to.

・Loves when you frame photos of the two of you. He always straightens them when he walks by

・Quite affectionate when he wants to be. And he wants to be while he's at home, alone with you.

・Forehead kisses, running his hands through your hair, kisses your knuckles and moving you into his lap

"Yer mine, alrigh'. Fuckin' mine.'

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

“Shut Up” x “Make Me”

Cheerful Optimist (honestly, anyone looks cheerful compared to him x Grumpy Asshole (Soap, through and through)

"Being With You Makes Me Better"

𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

Healing and Rebuilding Together

Constant Banter

Sun x Moon

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Let The Light in by Lana Del Rey

Shrike by Hozier

Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon

𝑁𝑆𝐹𝑊 🔞

・Sex with John, is ... overwhelming, claiming and yet, still reverent. John both feels and shows deep and sincere respect for you, your body, your feels and wants/needs.

・Doesn't want you to ever feel like you can't come to him with ... new ideas or how you want to be handled.

・Loves spending time worshipping your body. Licking every part of you, from your feet to your neck.

・Whispering one word over and over again, "mine, mine, mine."

・MacTavish becomes ... feral.

・Holding you down and playing with you; not even needing to be inside you to bring a climax.

・He's obsessed with your chest. Your nipples and how they're so sensitive. A pinch, a bite, a suck; and you unravel before him. Whining and wiggling.

・And by gods, does he love hearing you beg.

"Please, please Captain! I need you. I - I need your cock."

・When he feels pleasure, the noises he makes are fucking filthy.

・Deep groans, growls, low grunts. And the first time you moaned his name? He growled so deep it made your legs weak.

・His favourite positions are: the mating press, doggy and cowgirl/cowboy.

・And his favourite place to cum is inside you. Filling your body with his essence, cumming over and over again until he can see it seep out of you.

・That's what he like to see.

・Feels a pang of pride everytime your legs are too sore after sex

・Has to smack your ass at least once every day

[thequietkid-moonie]

The stars shine brighter in your eyes

[ DRABBLE ] [ Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon / Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon ]

> Established relasionship, the way they look at the person they love

Usagi Tsukino

Whenever Usagi gets lost in the love she holds for you she looks at you as if you were a star, a soft expression that is full of nothing but love and pure adoration, a small adorable smile in her lips and her eyes, soft and shining, looking at the most precious treasure this world has to offer her, you

Amy Mizuno

Sometimes Amy just get lost in you, her mind completely blanket for once as she simply looks at you, her eyes widen and shine a bit in awe, her lips partialy parted as if she was wondering if it is real and her whole expression softens, completely lost and in trance because of the inmense love she feels

Rei Hino

Rei's usually stoic expression softens slighly upon seeing you, her relaxed manner is obvious by the way her lips and brows are visibly relaxed, not the neutral almost stern expression she normally has but a peaceful one, her eyes slowly softening more and more as she looks at you

Makoto Kino

Whenever her eyes lays upon you her eyes softens in a adorable way, a soft but wide smile always finds its way to her lips and a dreamy sigh escapes her lips, Makoto feels like you have come out right throught her dreams and she always look at you with that adoration, like if she knew you are her one and only for the rest of her life

Minako Aino

There is a dorky smile in her lips, a little too big that makes you wonder if her cheeks hurt, her own smile close a bit her eyes by how wide it is and yet her eyes shine a bit at the sight of you, despite her dorky expression there is genuinely adoration, love and infinite care in her eyes

Michiru Kaiou

Her expression is a mix, from one side her smile is playful, amused even, like she knows at anytime you will say something silly that will make her laugh, while her eyes hold pure adoration, there is confidence and a hint of determination because she knows you are the one for her, and she will vow herself to that love if you accept that same love

Haruka Tenoh

Without even realicing it Haruka tilts her head and rest it in her palm, an almost amused smile find its way to her lips, her eyes not leaving your pretty face, a expression thats is a mix of adoration and amusment, she is completely relaxed, the only thoughts in her mind is the wonder of how she have even been able to meet such beautiful person

Setsuna Meioh

The kind but polite smile she normally has slowly transform into something diferent, slowly growing more loving, more sincere and wishful, she looks at you as if you were a dream, something so precious that it looks unreachable and sureal, but you are here, and you can see the moment the thought pops in her mind because her melancholy is replaced by utter happiness and love

[lucifer-is-a-bag-of-dicks]

part 3 of #FreeRei (temporary title) with a Rei POV! and I finally get to explore my favourite flavour of Rei Todoroki, completely fucking unhinged and absolutely determined to make it Endeavor's problem

(you can read from the beginning here)

She felt a little silly, practically vibrating with glee over a bit of basic shopping, but it had been so long, even just the feel and sound of the money jingling in her hands was almost nostalgic, like something from a long ago dream. It almost didn't feel real.

The woman behind the counter was tilted back on a tall stool, a braided tendril of dark brown hair streaked with grey lifted a can of coffee to her lips as she flipped through a gossip rag. There were was a photo of two heroes on the cover that Rei vaguely recognised, one with long white ears and one with red wings, she was pretty sure they were both in the top ten, but it was hard to keep up with current hero rankings when she wasn't allowed to watch the news. They were covered in obnoxious yellow text declaring something about a secret relationship, they just looked like friends having coffee together to her.

If only they knew of the scandal sitting right beneath everyone's noses, she wondered what kind of mockery the bright yellow text would make about her husband's misdeeds, had they not been covered up at every turn. Something outrageous and distasteful probably.

'No. 1 Hero or No Good Husband?'

'Flame Hero's Marriage up in Smoke!'

'Endeavor Beats Villains in the Streets and his Wife in the Sheets!'

Rei put her items on the counter and tried to hold back the giddy grin she could feel pulling at her lips, she failed to keep from bouncing on her toes. The woman put her magazine down and shifted her seat back onto all fours, she paused as tired eyes tracked Rei's constant motion.

"Someone's in a good mood this morning." she commented in a husky monotone, her hair grabbing the items to scan them. "What's got you so excited?"

"Oh you know," Rei laughed nervously. "It's just nice to be out of the house, I'm not normally allow- I don't get out much." she clamped her lips shut with an airy little chuckle.

Be careful be careful don't be suspicious don't get caught can't go back can't go back-

"Right," the woman said, gaze flitting over Rei as if looking for something, Rei tugged her sleeve down, making sure her hospital grade quirk cancelling cuff was well hidden beneath her hoodie, the woman's keen eyes tracked the motion before quickly glancing to the side. "He got something to do with that?" she asked, jerking her head toward the window where Touya was pacing back and forth on the phone.

"Oh, no! No no that's just my son, he's a good boy, he's nothing like his- he's just helping me with my shopping!" Rei could feel her legs trembling, she'd barely been out of the hospital for a few hours and she was already fucking everything up, shit she shouldn't have said he was her son shit shit shit.

Won'tgobackwon'tgobackwon'tgoback-

"Alright then," the woman's narrowed eyes shifted back down as she bagged the items, ringing up the total and counting the scattered change Rei's trembling hands dropped onto the counter.

"Sorry, but you're 100¥ short." The woman shrugged, frowning at the bag, a tendril of hair fidgeted with one of her earrings.

"Oh," Touya had scrounged through all of his pockets to gather that change, she was pretty sure it was the last of his money. "Um, you can take out the toothbrush then."

"So just the face masks and hair dye?" the woman asked in a carefully neutral tone, her braids curled over on themselves in the air behind her. "Going for a new look?"

"Haha, yeah I just figured it was time to do something different you know?" Rei tilted her head innocently, putting on her best unassuming polite smile, the one she'd learned could keep the new nurses from checking under her tongue after giving her sedatives at night.

The woman kept staring at the bag as she chewed at the inside of her cheek. Rei could feel sweat beading at her hairline, she glanced around at anything she could potentially use as a weapon should it come to that, she didn't particularly want to bludgeon this woman's head in but-

I won't go back I won't I won't I won't I won't I won't I won't I won't I won't I won't I won't I WON'T-

The woman sighed heavily and pushed the plastic bag toward Rei, the toothbrush still inside.

"I'll overlook the 100¥, if you answer a question for me," she said, eyes locking onto Rei's, her expression sank into something softer, concerned. "If someone comes in here later asking if I've seen a woman with white hair, should I keep my mouth shut?"

Rei's stomach did an odd little swoop, her heart was beating in her throat. "I would... I would be very very grateful if you did." she said in a small, trembling voice.

The woman nodded, her smile melancholy, a braided tendril picked up the bag and dropped it into Rei's hands before going lax against her back, the rest stopped their antsy fidgeting to follow suit. "Good luck girl, stay safe alright?"

Rei's hands and feet tingled as she walked out of the store, as soon as the cool early morning air hit her face she took in a deep and desperate lungful, her chest ached like she couldn't get enough in.

Touya seemed to have finished his phone call as he was simply lounging low on a public bench just outside. His head was tilted back as he stared up at a nearby streetlight, eyebrows furrowed, lost in thought, his pale, almost translucent eyelashes practically glowed under the yellow tinted light. Despite all of his scars his face still looked so... gentle, so unlike Natsuo who'd inherited Enji's squared jaw and broad shoulders, Touya was all soft edges and elegant curves.

He looks like me.

The thought lightened her chest and her breathing slowed back down to a regular pace. A different emotion climbed up her throat, something warm and pleasant, this was her son, all grown up. Even after everything Enji had done, after he tried to mould Touya into a monster like him, after he left her baby boy to burn alive alone on that mountaintop, he was here, right in front of her, alive.

And he looks like me.

Touya lifted his head, whatever thoughts were ghosting behind his eyes cleared as he stood up and offered her his arm, Rei took it, and they walked out into the early morning, the barest hint of light seeping into the dark sky.

You tried to take him from me but he isn't yours anymore, he's mine mine mine mine and I will rip you apart with my bare hands before I ever let you come between me and my son again Enji I swear it on my breath and my bones I will never let you have him you don't deserve him you don't deserve any of us.

The distant sounds of birds and traffic began to wake the sleeping streets, as the edge of sunlight peeked at them between buildings, Touya pulled one of the medical facemasks from the plastic bag hanging from Rei's wrist and handed it to her. He tugged her dark blue hoodie over her head before the light could catch on the bright white strands of her hair, she always loved seeing her children play at dawn and dusk, especially in the winter, the angled sunshine from the snow making their hair practically glow, they looked almost ethereal, otherworldly.

You were right to be afraid of letting me out, I spent years pretending I wasn't clawing at the walls, fooling the doctors, fooling my own children, but I couldn't fool you, you knew you broke me beyond repair, you knew I wasn't going to forget what I promised you the last time you dared look me in the eye.

Sometimes she would hope that some spirit of light would realise it had left its children down on earth where they didn't belong, she would hope that one day when they played out in the late afternoon they would chase those sunlit snowflakes up up up into the sky, far away from the house that had wrongfully trapped them within its walls, far away from her husband's burning cruelty and blistering neglect, she would hope that when the sun finally set and took its light away from her garden, it would take her children home with it. Some days, the bad days after the fire on Sekoto, she would forget that it was only a daydream, she would sit in the yard with Shouto held up to the sky, and with tears in her eyes she would beg those sunlit snowflakes to take her baby away somewhere safe, to take him to wherever they took Touya.

Mark my fucking words Enji Todoroki I will bathe myself in your blood I will carve your hollow heart from your chest and crush it in my fist as I watch the light die in your eyes and I'm going to laugh and laugh and laugh and LAUGH-

"What's so funny?" Touya smiled gently down at her, his eyes as blue as his father's but utterly void of the terrifying cold indifference that once haunted her daily waking life.

"Oh it's nothing," she assured him, hysterical giggles still fighting their way up her throat, her cheeks ached but she couldn't stop smiling. "I'm just so happy to have you back sweetheart."

Touya was quiet for a few moments, when he finally spoke his voice was thick with something close to melancholy.

"I... yeah... me too."

edit: continued on AO3!

[lime-bloods]

@sicklyseraphnsuch said (in response to Jake's apotheosis-as-objectification):

I havent collected my thoughts completely. But I noted this opening line: "this development represents not Manhattan's increasing detachment from humanity, but rather an escalation of his ongoing objectification-as-woman." Wouldn't it be essentially the same though? If I understand this essay correctly, objectification and a "a sexy powerful" being in the shape of a woman go hand in hand. Wherein if object, then not woman/human. It's like that saying - angels have more in common with printers than people. Objects bear a function, and internally morally neutral, especially as they are devoid of human faults, especially missish ailments like emotions. as you later say: "a woman is 'allowed' to be a person or to be powerful, but never both simultaneously, because, crucially, a woman who is allowed to be a person makes mistakes." then jake at the height of his power, and objectified as a woman, would make him more object than person at this point? unless im like way off base

well pointed-out! don't worry, I think you got my point; the confusion is an ambiguity of wording on my part, but it's an ambiguity that serves well to illustrate the gendered colours of the point I'm making, so I'll go into it a bit.

Manhattan's apotheosis and woman's objectification absolutely are both forms of "detachment from humanity": the purpose of my distinguishing the two is that Manhattan's detachment is self-imposed. He deliberately removes himself from personhood by strict adherence to what might be best described in this context as rigidly masculine values: a suppression of emotional responses and total dedication to logic above all else - put another way, rigid adherence to 'objectivity'. The objectification-as-woman is in contrast pressed upon Jake by outside forces: though we observe that Jake is a highly emotionally-driven being, his feelings are necessarily stifled by external actors who seek to project their own desires unto him.

I should also point out that in generalising apotheosis-as-objectification I have engaged in a degree of willful conflation, between objectification-by-author or by-audience (external to the story) and objectification-by-characters (within the story). Rei is such a strong example of the all-powerful woman cliche in part because she is equally subject to both; her transformation into the Giant Naked Rei is essentially the successful completion of a lifetime of grooming into sexual and maternal object by Evangelion's various conspirators. But for Rose Tyler and Jean Grey, their objectification is only implicit; the minimisation of their human agency is not the agenda of a shadowy cabal but rather the simple result of living as human women in a patriarchal society. In this sense their apotheoses are almost in spite of objectification, rather than a logical extension of it (think again of Jake's powers flaring up the most dramatically when his emotional agency is stripped from him) - as I say, at least within Doctor Who's established paradigm of power, Tyler becoming the Bad Wolf is an act above her station. The Bad Wolf and the Phoenix's objectification is exterior to the text; a re-claiming of the powerful woman as sex object for male consumption, just as the mundanely powerful woman like Lara Croft is empowered within-text but objectified from without. To the point: I believe that Beyond Canon's reflective nature (and Homestuck's generally) puts it in the perfect position to tackle the history and tropes associated with objectification-by-audience using a character like Jake who has a history of being objectified by his fellow characters.