#and everyone is suffering blue balls
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dragon-kazansky · 7 months ago
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Bridgerton shade of blue
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Benedict Bridgerton x Female Reader
Benedict bumps into you, quite literally, at a ball while trying to escape his mother's attempts to find him a partner. You decide to humour him with a dance, not realising just how entwined you would become with him. It seems the universe will find every excuse to push you and Benedict together, no matter how much you fight it.
{Masterlist}
{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}
Season one
Chapter Six - Splendid
♡♡♡
"Eloise Bridgerton."
Benedict calls his sister when he finds her smoking on the swing set in their garden. He sounded stern, as if scolding her.
Eloise groans softly as she turns on the swing. "Go on, then." She lifts the cigarette to her lips. "Chastise me."
"Spare one for me?" He asks.
Eloise is surprised by his question. He comes and sits on the other swing beside her. She holds a cigarette out to him, and he takes it, putting it between his lips and lighting it.
"Suppose I desire something different." Eloise says.
"How do you mean?"
"Just different. I watch Daphne prepare for these balls with all of those dresses and the many suitors, and I am exhausted. Suppose I want a different life, Benedict. That I truly believe I am quite capable of something more, even when I'm not allowed to have anything else."
"Then I would say... that you're not the only one." He looks at her. They smile at each other.
♡♡♡
With the next edition of Whistledown comes fascinating gossip. You find yourself, for once, clutching the paper with the need to read more.
It has become apparent that Lord Berbrooke has a child out of wedlock, and not only that, with a maid he had sent away before the child was even born. He pays nothing for the child, it seems.
Your mother had been gossiping about with the other ladies she had over for afternoon tea. In turn, their maids had gone off to gossip further.
Word spread like wildfire.
The next day, Lord Berbrooke had left town suddenly.
You made it a point to go visit Daphne. You were taken up to the drawing room where she awaited you, a smile on her face as you came in.
"It's nice of you to visit."
You take a seat with her. "I wanted to see how you were."
"I have expected you come see my brother," she admits.
"Benedict? As much as he has become my friend, I felt the need to come see you. Are you alright?"
"I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders." She smiles softly. "I am glad he is gone."
"As am I. Wretched man, he was."
You both giggle softly.
"So, the duke? He is still on your favour?" You ask.
Daphne goes silent for a moment, and then her face twitches. A realisation. The realisation she must still pretend.
"Ah, yes." She smiles.
You smile in return and take her hand. "You make a most handsome couple."
"Thank you." Her voice wavers.
You do not bring up Hastings or Berbrooke again as you have tea with Daphne. The conversation becomes pleasant. Daphne finds herself talking to you about anything that comes to mind. Not once has any of her siblings sat down and listened to her like this.
It felt nice. Really nice.
An hour passes, and you find the teapot has been emptied twice in that time. There are no more biscuits to share either. You rise from the soft sofa and gather you purse.
"Thank you for letting me visit."
"Oh, nonsense. You are always welcome." Daphne smiles.
"I shall visit again then."
Daphne looks pleased by your words.
"Benedict will be so disappointed you came by and didn't stop to see him."
You chuckle. "Let him suffer. It may humble him."
Daphne chuckles and sees you out.
♡♡♡
The next ball is as dazzling as the others. You swear with each one, Daphne gets more and more beautiful. She enters with the Duke. Of course, everyone sees.
You entered with your mother, no one paying you any mind what so ever. Not that you minded any more. You had come to terms that no one would visit you.
As Simon and Daphne dance, you decide to take a walk. You have no idea what it is they discuss when alone together.
You keep your eyes peeled for any familiar faces. Yet, no one else is present in this current room.
Meanwhile, Daphne parts from Simon and is approached by another gentleman. Her wish to find a husband and have a family may very well come true.
As you enter the next room, you find Anthony in there talking with some others. His gaze lands on you, and he excuses himself from the current conversation. He approaches you.
You smile and bow your head. "Lord Bridgerton."
"Anthony, please. You call my brothers by their name."
You smile. "Anthony."
"Benedict isn't here, I'm afraid. He has elected to sit this one out. May I have the honour?" He holds out his hand.
You take a moment to take in his request. Anthony was head of his family. A viscount. Dancing with him would surely bring you attention.
You place your hand in his. "You may."
Anthony takes you back into the other room and leads you to the dance floor. He holds you as a gentleman should while dancing with a lady. You both move with the music.
Anthony look very firm as he dances with you.
"I must say, this is an honour."
"Is it?" He asks.
"I never see you dance."
"No. I suppose not. I am not beyond dancing with friends." He says kindly.
"Then I am even more so honoured to be considered such."
You both continue dancing until the music ends. You curtsy, he bows. Anthony takes your hand and leads you back to the side of the room. With swift ease, he marks his name down on your dance card.
"I shall see to it you are never left without a dance partner, my lady," he says with a bow.
You smile.
As Anthony returns to the party, you find yourself now being looked at by others. There are gentlemen looking your way.
Could it be true that Daphne is not the only one who can shine?
Soon, you are dancing again, and a few more names are scribbled across your dance card.
You think, perhaps, Daphne Bridgerton is your good luck charm.
It makes you giddy.
Safe to say, your night was splendid indeed.
♡♡♡
@callmemana - @lilscast - @imgondeletedis - @benedictbridgertonss - @clownsdiehard - @wxnterwidow333
@sillynilly27 - @autumn-slaves - @ben-has-arrived - @ajdelilah - @aadu2173
@booknerdlife - @tamlinrose - @sarahskywalker-amidala - @cheryyluv - @louschan - @lou-la-lou - @cultish-corner
@hopshusushi - @katherinejess - @nannabug - @afunkyfreshblog - @f0x33 - @dd122004dd -
@jupitervenusearthmars - @orchiidflwer - @bespinnn - @captainlunaxmen - @winchestersimpalababy -
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cherriesformatt · 5 months ago
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obvious || matt sturniolo
mattxfem!reader
summary: basically the requests
warnings: fluff
word count: 1,3k
a/n: I tried my best with that requests! Again I thought combining this two would be great I hope that is okay! I know it took a long time and also I am sorry if I am not writing your requests so often! If I am not that means I am either not comfortable with writing it or i already did it in some way before. Hope everyone is good! Thanks for 552 followers thats craaaaaaazy!!!
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🍒
"I think you're drooling a little y/n" I heard and it made my look away from the ice.
"I do not know what you're talking about Nick" I mumbled and started to tie my skates.
Nick only rolled his eyes on me and sat down next to me already changed from his uniform. Nick was my best friend and he and his two triplets brothers were playing in the hockey team. Chris and Matt also were my friends but I met Nick first back in the elementary school. We kinda all sticked together and were in the same friends group ever since.
I was figure skating and my practice was right after theirs on the school ice ring. I always came early to change and look at them practice. Or well...look at Matt.
At the beginning of high school I developed a huge crush on him that apparently everyone and their mothers though is was so obvious. Not to Matt tho. He never did anything towards me to show he likes me more than a friend. I would never have balls to do it first especially if it had possibility of ruining our friendship.
"Please....when are you going to tell him? It's almost prom time... are you going to suffer again because he will be asked to go by someone else? And it is our last prom..."Nick said looking down at me.
I sighed and finished my skated and stood up from the bench. The stupid rule we had in this school was that girls were supposed to ask boys to prom.
"Nick... I had a very shitty day and I do not wish to speak about this now. I am going to warm up. Bye hope you guys had a good practice. I will see you later" I said and took my sweater of and put my AirPods in.
I skated away from him and started to warm up in the corner. I did runaway from this conversation because it was not on my list today. I had a very stressful day and it was about to get better because I could get lost in music and ice.
I was glad Chris did not came to great me because he probably would make his comments and made me nervous for Matt to hear them.
I looked at him wondering why he is still on ice. He looked mad and he was hitting puck after puck to the empty net.
There was no one else here now. Nick left and the other people too. I had my practice by myself today because my coach was sick.
"Hi..." I said skating closer to him and turning down my music.
"Oh...y/n hi. I am sorry I'm still here. I was going to ask you if it's fine for me to take one corner? I had a shitty practice and I wanna work on it" He said looking at me.
He was a good player. Furious but good. So I do not know where is this coming from.
" Sure...I do nit mind. Everything okay?"I asked looking at his blue eyes. Eyes that I could think about for hours.
"I just had a very shitty day and thats all" He said.
"Tell me about it...."I laughed because we usually had a very similar mood.
"Mondays, huh?" He smiled at me and I nodded.
I smiled and took one of AirPods out and offered to him.
"Wanna listen to my happy playlist?" I smiled and he took it and took his helmet off to put it in and put his helmet back on.
"Of course you have a happy playlist..."He shook his head at me and I smiled and pressed play.
We just started to do our things and just took little glances at each-other when the songs we both well knew started to play. And let me tell you. My happy playlist was a very dirty rap and trap playlist so seeing Matt laugh at that made my evening.
"You're impossible kid, you know?" He said skating to me while I just landed from my jump.
"I do not know what you're talking about" I smiled and fixed my dress.
"Here... I need to go but that was nice... thanks for sharing" He said and gave me back my AirPod.
"Hope it made you feel a little better" I said taking it back and he just smiled and fixed his hair. It made butterflies in my stomach go wild.
"Bye y/n.... the new dress looks great on you... I love how you're all white while I'm all black" He said just before getting out of the ring and walked to the lockers.
What the fuck.
He loved that we matched? Or whatever that was. I need to seat down.
I couldn't think straight anymore so I finished my practice and went to seat down. Just as I sat down I got massage from Chris.
And they were not meant for me.
Oh my god.
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That means… He liked me back? And he knew all this time?
I felt like having panic attack when I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the ring.
In the moment of when I wanted to push the doors there opened and my eyes met his.
“y/n…. I” he started when our eyes locked.
"I thought you left..." I said. I did not know what to do with myself. I was nervous and relived and exited and felt like passing out in the same time.
My heart felt like it would jump out of my chest any minute.
"I was in the car...but then..this stupid motherfucker...I swear..."Matt said and I laughed nervously.
"You knew? You knew this all time that I liked you more than a friend?" I asked looking at him nervously hugging my bag.
"I honestly I did not....I overheard your conversation with Nick...and than I told him how I feel. Chris might be stupid but he was right....I was a coward for not telling you... but it so.. o.."
"Overwhelming and scary? I know..." I interrupted him.
"But I do....I do like you back... more than a friend. You have been nothing but my escape since the begging of the year and I cannot keep this to myself. Not anymore" He said.
All I wanted do now was just to finally kiss him. I do not know where I found the courage to do so but the moment I let go of my bag I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Perhaps we should thank Chris..."I quietly said before I closed the space between us with a sweet kiss.
He was surprised with my actions but he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me even closer.
"You do not know for how long I wanted to do that..."He whispered when we moved away.
"I actually do...." I said and smiled and brushed some hair away from his forehead.
"Let me walk you to your car?" He looked at me.
I nodded and he took my bag. When we got to my car he stole one more kiss from my lips.
"So...would you like to go out with me?"He asked.
"As..."
"As my girlfriend?" He finished my sentence and I couldn't believe this was real.
"Only if you go to prom with me as my boyfriend?" I asked nervously biting the inside of my cheek.
"Of course I will..." He smiled and I swear he blushed a little.
"Then yes from me as well....and Matt?"I smiled at him.
"Yes?"
"Do not yell at Chris... he did us a favor honestly for real" I laughed.
"I know, I know... I will try my best" He smiled and walked away to his car.
I think I sat in my car for good 15 minutes and just smiled to myself before I left home and had 30 minutes face time call with Nick about this evening.
When shitty day turned to be the best day of my life.
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misc-obeyme · 2 years ago
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the brothers have mysteriously turned into cats and the only cure is a true love's kiss from our dear MC! how would that go??
Oh anon, I may have gotten carried away with this one...
I looooooved this request! I'm totally a cat person, so it was fun to imagine how the boys would be as cats. I really enjoyed writing this, so it did end up kind of long! I will absolutely do the side characters if requested, too. :)
Thank you for the request!
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Brothers turn into cats and need a true love's kiss from GN!MC.
Warnings: None! This is all pretty fluffy... in multiple ways loooool
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Lucifer
You go into his office to talk to him about something and at first you think the room is empty. But then you see the tip of a fluffy black tail over the top of his desk. You walk around it to find him sitting there - the floofiest black cat you've ever seen. You recognize him from his ruby red eyes and the unamused expression. Even in cat form, his displeasure is evident. Someone is going to be answering for this later.
He will allow you to pick him up, but if anyone else tries it, he will bite and hiss at them. He will make an exception for Diavolo and, to everyone's surprise, Simeon. Everybody else only wishes they could get close enough to touch that luxurious shiny black fur. Doesn't want to leave your lap. Doesn't meow, doesn't purr, only sits quietly with an ominous aura.
You have to figure out how this even happened to begin with before you can fix it. Turns out it was the result of a curse as implemented by the Anti-Lucifer League. It takes some cajoling, but eventually Satan and Belphie tell you where they found the curse. They don't actually know how to break it, but you do a little research of your own and end up finding what you need.
Take him into his office so you can be alone with him. His pride will suffer horribly if you break the curse in front of everyone. You tell him what you're doing before you press your lips to the soft spot between his ears. Instantly returns to his usual form, wrapping his arms around you as he does. True love's kiss, was it, MC? You had better kiss him properly now that he's back to normal.
Mammon
You wake up to find a purring cat curled up on your chest in a little ball, fast asleep. He's pure white and absolutely adorable. You prod him awake and he lifts his head, opening his eyes to look at you. And that's when you know it's Mammon. You can't mistake those bright blue and gold eyes. He blinks at you in confusion before letting out a yowl.
Okay, okay, you have to calm him down! He's freaking out as he was obviously not expecting to wake up as a little cat this morning. His loud meowing summons everyone in the house. He scrambles away from them, perching himself on your shoulder. Won't budge from this spot, meowing softly into your ear the whole time. Starts purring if you pet him, but in a grudging sort of way.
You find a broken potion bottle on the floor in the foyer. You find out later that he won it off of someone in a card game, but dropped it in the dark when he was sneaking back into the house and got it all over himself. With a little help from Solomon, you figure out how to reverse the potion's effect.
He's been hiding under your bed while you were trying to figure out what happened. You coax him out, pick him up, and give his furry little cheek a smooch. When he's himself again, he's so happy and grateful, he flings his arms around you and presses you to his chest. The Great Mammon is back! How'd ya do that, MC? The minute you tell him it needed true love's kiss, he blushes profusely, but he's too happy to let you go.
Leviathan
You head to Levi’s room, prepared to play some video games, but the demon isn't there. You do find a cat with purplish black fur staring with fascination at Henry’s tank. He isn’t pawing at it, just watching with his orange eyes as the fish swims back and forth. At first you don’t recognize him, but then you see he’s sitting inside the ring of his signature headphones. There’s no question that this is Levi.
Meows loudly at you when he realizes you’re there. If you try to take him out of the room, he will squirm out of your arms and hide in his tub. Won’t leave the tub unless you’re the only one there. If any of his brothers come into the room, he’ll hiss at them from inside the tub. You’ll have to shoo everyone away to finally get him to come out. Will allow you to pet him for a bit. Buts his little head into your hand and purrs.
Jumps up onto his desk and paws at a video game case urgently. When you just look at him in confusion, he knocks the case off the desk. You finally get the hint and pick it up. Turns out this is a cursed video game. Starting it up was what turned Levi into a cat to begin with. You’ll have to play the game to figure out what you need to do to save him.
When you finally win the game and the credits start to roll, you find out that true love’s kiss is the only thing that will turn him back to normal. He meows lowly and plaintively. He clearly thinks he’s doomed to stay a cat forever. Press a sweet little kiss to his pink nose and watch him change back. Takes him a minute to realize what happened. Starts blushing like crazy. You saved him, MC! He never doubted you, of course! Please give him a hug, he is very distressed from this experience.
Satan
You’re in the library looking for Satan when you see a cat sitting on a book, tail swishing in irritation. The cat has short blonde fur and when he turns to look at you, bright green eyes. You sigh. If Lucifer finds out that Satan tried to bring home a stray, there will likely be a fight about it. You pick the cat up and it instantly starts purring, settling contentedly in your arms. You look at the book he was sitting on and that’s when it clicks.
You don’t have to search for what happened - this book is clearly the culprit. However, the book does not inform you about what you have to do to change him back. So you take the book and find Solomon because he’s the only one who will probably be able to help that Satan won’t hiss or scratch at. Even then, he only tolerates the sorcerer. Anyone who gets too close gets bitten except for you. You have to spend all your time holding and petting him to keep him distracted.
Terrorizes everyone. Let him go for two seconds and he’s knocking over everything, meowing loudly, and zooming around the room. If he’s anywhere near Lucifer, he will deliberately roll around on him just to get his black clothes full of light cat hair. Will roll over like he wants belly rubs then bite anyone who actually tries to pet him.
Finally you find out that it’s true love’s kiss that can save him. The second you hear it, you grab him and cover his fuzzy face with little kisses. He returns to normal while you’re doing this. Once you stop, he looks at you with wistful eyes. He’s certainly grateful to you for restoring him to normal, MC. But what an amazing experience to be in the form of a cat! He’s actually a little sad that he’s no longer a cat, so you’ll have to cheer him up.
Asmodeus
You’re relaxing in your own room when you are accosted by a fluffy pink ball of fur. There’s a cat now purring and kneading at your belly. He looks absolutely thrilled to be there. You look a little closer and see that somehow he has painted claws. The pink and green combo tip you off to the fact that this cat is actually Asmo. He’s got amazing long pink fur and the cutest little kitty face you could have ever imagined. You can’t help but start baby talking at him about how cute he is. He clearly loves the attention, purring happily and butting his head into your hand.
He’s precious and he knows it. Will absolutely rub himself all over everyone’s legs. Will jump into any lap that presents itself. Continual purring. Wants love and attention from everyone. Rolls over for belly rubs and actually allows his belly to be rubbed. When he’s not demanding everyone’s attention, he’s cleaning his fur carefully. Meticulous about where he goes - refuses to go outside at all. Will meow sadly if you even suggest it. You know he’s afraid he’s going to get his beautiful fur dirty out there.
You have to do a little detective work to figure out what happened. You’re searching Asmo’s room and bathroom for some sign of how he ended up this way, but you find nothing. At some point, Mammon notices that beneath all that thick fur, Asmo is wearing a really fancy collar. It looks more like a necklace… a cursed necklace. Of course. Now you have to do some research to figure out how to break the curse. You recruit all of the brothers to help you. It takes some time but in the end you figure it out together
The instant he hears that it’s true love’s kiss that will save him, Asmo jumps into your lap and looks up at you expectantly. You take a picture of him first just because he’s so cute as a cat. Then you kiss the top of his head. He turns back into his normal self, still sitting on your lap. He drapes his arms on your shoulders and leans in close, a sweet smile on his face. Oh, MC, he’s so overjoyed that your kiss broke the curse! He’s so happy, he just can’t stop himself from kissing you again. And again. And again.
Beelzebub
You hear a clatter in the kitchen, so you go to investigate. There you find a huge orange cat in the pantry surrounded by half open cans of something called broiled deathfish. It’s clear from the way the cans look that this cat cut them open with his claws. You’re in shock for a moment until you take in the purple-pink eyes and what is clearly Beel’s necklace. He looks up at you with fish bits on his whiskers.
You think about picking him up, but you can’t lift him for long. So instead you shoo him out of the kitchen. He just does whatever you tell him to for the most part. But if he even sees food of any kind, he’ll do whatever it takes to get to it. You’re constantly trying to get him off of tables and counters. He gets away with a lot though because he’s so cute. He’s an absolute unit and it’s adorable. Will let anyone pet him. Purrs happily. Gets the need to zoom around rather frequently before starting to look for food again.
You find the source of this problem fast. It’s written all over one of the empty cans of deathfish. Literally. The can explicitly states that anyone who eats it will be turned into a cat. Apparently it was for some kind of promotion that was meant to be temporary, but it didn’t work as intended. Fortunately, the company issued a statement about it, explaining the solution for this exact scenario.
You have to get down on the floor to kiss him properly. He turns back to normal, sitting cross legged in front of you. Reaches out and pulls you into his lap so he can hug you. Thank you, MC. You took such good care of him while he was a cat. And you saved him with true love’s kiss. It means so much to him, he just wants to hold you for a bit. Until his stomach growls again. Make sure you get rid of any remaining problematic deathfish cans.
Belphegor
Nobody has seen Belphie all day so you go looking for him. You don’t find him, but you do find a little black and white cat fast asleep in the laundry pile. You’re confused at first. You know about the no cats rule that Lucifer has in place. You pick up the cat who wakes up enough to look at you sleepily. The way his fur flops into one of his purple and pink eyes and the half asleep expression causes you to realize that you have found Belphie after all.
The most complacent of cats. Snoozing all the time. Will purr if you pet him, even if he's sleeping. Will make little half mewling noises in his sleep while his little paws twitch. Will let anyone pick him up. Doesn't fight, but doesn't cuddle, either. Just flops around like he's completely boneless. Prefers to be near you, though and will protest if anyone tries to take him into a different room from you. And if anyone tries to actively keep him awake, he will get annoyed enough to scratch at them.
You have no idea how this happened. Can't figure out how he turned into a cat for the life of you. You search all over the house in an attempt to figure it out, but nothing presents itself. You'll find out later that Belphie also has no idea what happened. He probably got into something cursed while he was asleep. It will forever remain a mystery. So you simply set about trying all the well known counter curses.
You're sitting on his bed when you finally kiss his little paws and he turns back into himself, half draped across you and blinking a little. He's still partly asleep. What happened, MC? He was having such a weird dream. You explain everything and tell him about true love's kiss being the thing that brought him back to normal. He snuggles into your shoulder. He didn't really care too much about being a cat, since he was asleep most of the time anyway. But he's happy that you saved him. Kisses your cheek before starting to fall asleep again.
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masterlist | part 2 with the side characters | Thank you for reading!
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small-sinclair · 2 months ago
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Whumptober Day 8: Sleep Deprivation
Rogue, Gambit, Kurt x mute human!reader (Plotinic)
Isolation Chamber
Part 2
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Gambit kept his eye on the door, blinking becoming a chore now. Rogue had her head resting on his lap, sleeping soundly and breathing slow, and his arm protectively wrapped around Kurt. His blue skin and his fluffy fur were covered in grim and matted, but Gambit still made small circles on his back. Sleeping against his chest was you, their little human they all promised to protect, with his long coat draped over your shoulder. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time when officers took them to a holding cell with no windows.
Their little human...that’s what they called you when they were thrown into this chamber with blinking collars around their necks. He couldn’t use his powers to blast the door down. Rogue couldn’t take strength from the guards to fight. Nightcrawler couldn’t teleport away for help. You didn’t need the collar, but you still weren’t trusted.
One by one, each fell asleep against Gambit’s warmth. With each closing eyes, Gambit stayed alert more and more as time passed. He felt sleep calling for him, but he didn’t give in. The moment they are all asleep, something could happen, or someone will come in and harm them. It’s not fair to you; you’re a human being, not a mutant. But what makes a human being a human? There is no such thing as normal or finding a meme about the mutant world. It’s the hand they’re dealt that changes and determines fates, not by some grace of something higher than him.
He could hear Kurt argue with him about it. The minister was good in the faith; even as he slept against Gambit, crawled like a cat, he gripped his wooden prayer beads tight. He fell asleep mid-prayer, his voice fading until the murmurs turned into soft snores. The blue fuzz ball was always right about something, so why can’t he believe him this once? Leave his faith up to any god who’s listening or paying attention to them in this silent cell.
His other hand fell on Rogue, brushing her hair out of her face. Gambit felt his heart clinch and ache. He felt her hand in his earlier, and he nearly dropped to his knees in tears. Her skin is just as he imaged: soft, smooth, and warm. He wanted to feel her hands forever, and he was almost thankful for these collars that turned off their powers. He was able to kiss her goodnight without her feeling fear of hurting him or draining his strength. It would be worth it even if she did. Just to feel her close to him, his hand in hers, holding her cheek, kissing those sweet southern bell lips...all of it would be worth it. It would be worth it for her.
But she’s suffering and scared. That’s what hurts him the most. The moment he gets his hands on a key, he’ll get her out of here.
Then there’s you, the little human sleeping against his chest under his jacket. He didn’t know what to make of you when he first met you, and he still hasn’t made an opinion on you. You’re hard to read, which didn’t worry the gambler all too much, but he needed to know what side you’re on. For the most part of you being in this chamber, you kept to yourself and stayed quiet. He didn’t understand it because he thought you would be asking question after question, but your voice was never heard. To come and think of it, you didn’t make a sound when you were caught with them. You didn’t even tell them your name! Where he’s from, not giving a name or something to call you by meant you’re hiding something and have a lot to lose.
His eye lids grew heavy as they lingered over you, but he shook his head and looked up at the door. He didn’t know what was going to come next. Whatever it was, he’ll make sure to keep everyone safe. Though he’s the black sheep of the X-Men and in this room, he cared about everyone and worried. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was scared. He was terrified! But he kept his cards close to his chest and waited for whatever thought could hurt them. Gambit felt so tired and sleepy, but he forced his blood-shot eyes to stay open. He could feel bags under his eyes grow deeper and deeper as he looked forward.
Don’t sleep now, swamp rat, he heard a voice warn, they need you. They need you. Stay awake a little while longer. They need you to watch over them.
He rested his head against the wall and looked up at the empty ceiling. He'll stay awake until one of them wakes up. He'll do that for them, for you.
He felt you shift and your eyes meeting his. He could see his black and deep red eyes reflecting back at him, reminding him how little he was to you. “Go t’sleep, petit,” his said lowly. “Ya need sleep.” He gave you reassuring smile but he even though he knew he wasn’t fooling you. “I’ll be ‘right. Ain’t nothin’ Gambit can’t handle.”
Your dull eyes didn’t waver from him as if you were trying to say something through your thoughts. You shook your head and pointed at yourself then pointed at him, folding your hands under head and acting like you were sleeping, then pointed at him once more.
He blinked twice and lifted a brow. “What’re ya goin’ on about?” He watched you repeat the motion. “Can’t ya talk?” You shook your head. “Shit, dat makes sense, petit.” Gambit bit his lower lip and shook his head. “I’ll be ‘right. Told you already, mon ami.”
Again, you shook your head. In his eyes, you could see how tired he was. The fight in front of your little store was a rough one, and knowing that he’s forcing himself to stay awake wasn’t healthy for him or for everyone in this chamber. The steel door was haunting, cold, and unforgiving to look at. You looked back at him and nodded, looking at him as if you were saying “everything’s okay now”. He was fighting to stay awake, but your warm hand slipped under his jaw and your thumb made small circles.
Gambit found himself leaning into the touch, closing his eyes as he did. The tension in his body was fading and his head resting in Kurt’s hair. It felt like a pillow—
“No,” he whispers, murmuring his words tired and slurred. Gambit forces his head back up and blinked away the sleepiness. He was fighting it, fighting to stay awake. He’s X-Men; he has to protect you. Your eyes looked at him with a mixture of hurt and disappointment, a look someone gave him when he was a boy. “S’il te plait, petit. I’ll be alright. Dors, s’il te plait.”
Defeated, you nod and laid your head back down on his chest. He watched as you drift back to sleep, envying of your dreams. Gambit shifts his eyes back at the steel door once more and took a deep breath. He'll stay awake as long as his body is willing. Even after that, he’ll burn the other end of the candle to stay awake. He’ll keep you safe along with his friends. It’s the least he can do. It’s all he can do.
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nevadancitizen · 8 months ago
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-> HURTING, LONGING, LOVING – DANCING TO DISCO MUSIC
synopsis: you wake up and have no memory of simon. you can only hope to find him among your fractured memories and the scattered lights of a disco ball.
word count: 2.3k
characters: simon "ghost" riley, amnesiac! gn! reader
trigger warnings: transient global (aka temporary) amnesia, mentions of canon-typical violence/interrogation
notes: heavily inspired by disco elysium and part one of @roosterr 's amnesia series. go give it a read if you haven't already (*๑˘◡˘)
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Nothing surrounds you. Only warm, primordial blackness – the pond you learn about in Biology 101, the one where everything and everyone comes from. You don’t know this, of course, because you’re curled up in it, your mind fermenting in it. You’re no larger than a grain of yeast. You don’t have to do anything anymore. Ever. Never, ever.
But you’re growing. Gram upon gram of yeast, slowly morphing into meat. Muscles and bones and organs and a beating pig heart, decaying as soon as they grow. Soon you’ll need to do things. There’s a faint tickle of an idea. Soldiers. Battlefields. IEDs and tanks. You don’t know what to do with this information.
Somewhere within the idea – a sensation! Pain. Arcing, shooting pain, lightning through every new nerve in your new body. The limbed and headed machine of pain and barely-dignified suffering is firing up again. It wants to walk the streets of Manchester. Hurting. Longing. Loving. Dancing to disco music.
It wants someone. You want someone. A blurred-out face, someone you’re kneeling at the feet at. A ghost of a man. So lost he doesn’t even know what his face looks like. 
“I swore I wouldn’t let you go,” your barely-formed mouth mumbles. Your teeth are hot, melted-together plastic and your tongue is jet-fuel-fired rebar. 
Look up. No. You were just talking to yourself. That’s all you ever do. Even in this primordial pool. And the act is wearing thin, the spots of the disco ball fade around you…
The warm blackness is instantly replaced with a cold, artificial light. You bring your hand up to block it – since when have you had these? Gangly things with a red wire further down in… your elbow. That’s not a wire – that’s a tube. Of blood? Your blood. You have blood.
You remember now. You were born with hands and elbows, knees, feet, organs and fat and a copious amount of blood. A collarbone you’ve broken more than once. A body that was molded in the crucible of battle.
And holy shit does that body hurt. That hindbrain wasn’t exaggerating when it said that you are a being of suffering. 
A dull throbbing is behind your eyes as they rove around the room. They land on a button neatly labeled Call Nurse. You press it and wait.
Everything after that is a blur. Nurses, doctors, “Follow my finger with your eyes, but don’t move your head,” poking and prodding with various instruments, “Tilt your head back so I can feel your neck,” blue latex gloves, “How much do you remember?”, bright lights in your eyes.
One nurse checks the dressings on your forehead. It’s just above your temple. His hands are rubbery and unfeeling as he re-dresses it. A trickle of cold liquid dribbling down from an alcohol swab. Bandages press against your skin. “What’s your name and date of birth?”, “Can you name the members of the task force you’re a part of?”
A man cuts through the blur as he comes thundering through the door. A balaclava with a skull pattern. Three men are behind him, hanging in the doorframe, out of the way. But the man moves quickly towards you, standing on the edge of the crowd of medical professionals, pacing back and forth, eyes on you, like how a sheepdog circles its sheep. Longing, waiting. Held back by an invisible leash of respect.
After a while, most of the personnel disperse, leaving you with a transient global amnesia diagnosis, a nurse, and the men. But even then, they leave after casting a glance at the sheepdog.
He moves closer, then stares at you for a while. He’s expecting something. His brown eyes are like sodium lights. A small trickle of streets and the sky. In your mind, you know he’s the place to be. You’re still alive while he’s around. 
Yeah. He’s groovy. You want to disco with him. He is disco. But somewhere, a deep unaccessed area of your mind is saying, “You don’t want to disco like this. Not really. Not in the deepest part of your soul, where blond eyelashes only make you sad.”
Wait – come on, what are you talking about? Sad blond eyelashes? Blond eyelashes are fun!
“Why do I hurt all of a sudden?”
“Hey, it’s alright, darl.” He kneels by your bed and takes your hand in both of his. They’re warm, rough, calloused in places you thought couldn’t be calloused. “It’s me, it’s Simon.”
“What?” You pull your hand away from his. “I don’t know a Simon.”
Simon scoffs, but it’s more of an exhale of disbelief. “Don’t you remember me?”
“No.” You narrow your eyes. “Should I?”
Simon crumbles before you. His sodium streetlight eyes go out with an explosion of guilt – the bulbs pop with a fizzy sound. He looks like he should be groveling at the feet of a feudal lord, providing excessive evidence of his crimes, or throwing a cat-of-nine-tails over his shoulder and ripping the flesh from his own back. Whatever made him this way – you can be damn sure it was your fault. Those three simple words, instead of “I love you,” are “No. Should I?” 
“It’s me.” Simon’s voice cracks as he speaks. Tears flood his waterline. He takes off his mask, revealing his pale face and dyed-blond hair. “It’s your Simon.”
“Simon,” you say softly. You look at him and hurt. A hole in your still-beating pig heart. Blood spills out from where the bullet went in. 
“No. Nothing.” You look down at his hand. It’s palm-up, splayed out where you let go of it. It curls up into a fist, then Simon pulls it into his lap.
He says nothing. Just stares at you like you’re familiar yet somehow unknown. 
You don’t know what to say. You just can’t conjure up any thoughts as you stare back. The morphine can’t be the cause of your dumbness. And it certainly isn’t the new modafinil that was just introduced to your system. 
You search his eyes and feel, above all things, lost. Lonely in a hospital full of people. 
Simon pulls away. His breathing is heavy and labored. A single tear slips down his scarred cheek. He doesn’t look like he’s one to cry. The tear leaves a trail of wet that looks like a new scar.
He tugs his balaclava back on and shuffles out, casting one last longing glance over his shoulder before closing the door behind him with a soft click.
That’s where it is. He is disco. He’s stumbling through the streets of Manchester. Hurting. Longing. Loving. Dancing to disco music.
You’re stuck in the hospital for a week for physical therapy and observation. Simon visits intermittently. He brings things to jog your memory – men that are part of Task Force 141, small snow globes from where you and he have apparently been deployed. Some of them work. But none of them bring back any memory of your apparent relationship with Simon – your boyfriend.
Today he comes in with a small device. It’s not a phone, but resembles it. A small wire comes from the amp and ends in a small circle of plastic.
You point at it. “What’s that?”
“It’s a contact microphone.” Simon settles in the chair that’s set up by your bed. He points at the blocky part of it. “This part holds the recording. You can play it back if needed.”
“Are you going to play it back?” You ask.
“No,” Simon says. “This one is blank.”
You take it from Simon’s hand and turn it over, looking at it. Examining. “Then why are you showing me this?”
“You are…” Simon sighs, trying to find the words. “You were a profoundly talented interrogator. You used contact microphones to record the interrogation, the confessions, the works. There’s a specified interrogation chamber underground. Contact microphones pick up the noise better down there.”
You continue looking it over. Fiddling with the wire. Running your thumb over the mesh of the microphone.
“Anything?” Simon says.
You close your eyes and think. Contact microphone… violence, blood. There’s a welding torch in there somewhere. The smell of bubbling flesh and burning hair. Cauterization without anesthesia. It was that way on purpose.
You open your eyes and look at Simon. “Interrogation.”
“Obviously.” Simon huffs out a laugh. It sounds forced. “I told you that.”
“Yes.” You sigh, looking down at the contact microphone. You try to think more. Contact… physical contact. Your fist making contact. Something hard. Solid bone breaking under your hands. 
But also… something soft. Something that smells good. Smells homey. A black hoodie with some cheesy skull pattern on it. Actually, a closet full of black and grey clothes. A monotone voice to match a monotone closet.
The clothes smell faintly of cigarettes. A carton that’s mostly empty. They taste better than regular cigarettes – they’re some European brand. 
“Do…” You look up at Simon. “Do you smoke?”
“Why?” Simon asks. “Do I smell like cigs?”
“No. Just…” 
You close your eyes and try to remember more. The carton is a brown-orange color. The back is plastered with warnings about nicotine being an addictive chemical. No filters. A smooth, walnut-esque finish.
“Revaality,” you finally say and look up at Simon. 
“Yes! Yes.” Simon takes your hand instinctively, excitedly. He smiles. Like crying, it doesn’t really fit him, but you’re glad he’s smiling anyway. “That’s the brand I smoke. I smoke Revaality.”
He takes your face in his hand and guides you to look at him. His sodium light eyes are bright once again. “Anything else? Lovie, please…”
You cringe away from his touch. Again, Simon is punched in the fucking face when he remembers that you don’t know him. Not like that. 
Simon pulls his hands away. “Shit. I…”
“It’s okay,” you say quickly. “I know.”
I know you know a different version of me. The thought lingers, loud and unsaid. Simon, you’re a man with a lot of past, but little present, and almost no future. I’m sorry we only live in your memories, because I don’t even have those.
“I’m trying.” You look down at the contact microphone. “Believe me, I’m trying.”
“I believe you,” Simon says. “It’s just… it’s hard.”
Silence for a while. The artificial lights above you buzz and cast harsh shadows on Simon’s face. He looks… tired. 
“I still love you,” he says quietly. Almost a whisper. “I… you’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
He rests a hand on the railing of your hospital bed. “I’m not the best. I drink. I smoke. I have a laundry list of mental issues and types of trauma. So much it’s not even funny.”
“But you…” he sighs. “You fell in love with me anyway.”
You look up at him. He’s crying again. A pang of empathy in your heart. You don’t know why, but you don’t want to see him cry. The tears that cut through the dirt on his face are unbefitting. 
“I’m sorry.” Your voice is a mirror of Simon’s. Soft and wavering. “I want to remember. I don’t even know what happened to me. The doctors always dance around it when I ask.”
Simon bunches the end of his sleeve up in his hand and wipes away his tears. “You were a fucking idiot. That’s what happened.”
You scoff. “Excuse me?”
“Not in a bad way.” Simon lets go of his sleeve and rests his hand on the railing of your bed again. “You love too much and too hard. You saved me.”
“It… the building…” He squeezes his eyes shut, forcing his waterline to clear of tears. “The building was coming down. We thought we were out of danger close. But there was a piece of rebar that…”
Simon looks down at his lap. He’s ashamed. “It was supposed to hit me. I was supposed to die. I’m used to it. I’m used to close calls and blood transfusions.”
“But I’m not used to…” He glances up at you through his eyelashes. His long, blond eyelashes. “People I care about being hurt. Or people caring about me in general.”
“Simon.” You reach out and lay your hand over his where it rests on the railing. He holds his breath like he’s afraid.
A pause. You want to be sure of your words before you speak. 
“I’m going to try my damndest to remember,” you say. “Even if I don’t remember everything, I – I want to try to learn to care about you again. Because, based on our limited interactions, I know you’re a good man. Even if you drink and even if you smoke and even if you have a laundry list of mental issues and an assortment of trauma.”
Simon slowly brings his other hand and rests it on top of yours. His callouses brush against your knuckles. Abrasive yet comforting in a way you barely remember. 
“Thank you,” he whispers. “Really, truly. Thank you.”
And, in this moment, Simon finally has some sense of control in an ever-turbulent world. The world that tried to take his one and only love. The world that has taken his one and only love and is only now feeding him droplets of what he knows – what he once knew. He must exercise this control carefully, lest he lose you again. 
In the sky, there are no dogfights and no silverplate bombers. Only stars and the rabbit curled up on the moon and a singular winking comet. God is in Heaven. Everything is normal on Earth.
Somewhere, the spots from a disco ball freckle the dance floor once again.
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idontknowreallywhy · 5 months ago
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Following in his footsteps
Finished this idea off on the commute so apologies for typos, clumsy wording and for inconsistencies in the sounds Brains stutters on…
It’s a bit of a mystery as to why Scott, the first born, was named after the 4th of the Mercury Seven whose flight and piloting decisions were somewhat controversial and left him in conflict with flight control (sound familiar?). Anyway I find myself intrigued by that particular 1960’s flyboy, particularly as to one thing he did 1/3 of the way through his trip with his fuel running low…
✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️
“S-SCOTT C-C-CARPENTER TRACY!!!”
John later confirmed that this was indeed the first time in Tracy history that Brains ever been apoplectic enough to middle name any of them. His ire was usually quiet and dry, with occasional sarcasm. Every so often some non-vital but comfort-providing item might be removed from a Thunderbird for “essential maintenance”… the cushioning of One’s pilot seat, the power supply to Two’s coffee machine…
But generally, after more than a decade living with the Tracys, their long-suffering engineer had cultivated the talent of providing emotionally restrained feedback. Albeit there was good reason MAX was unable to mimic the phrases that were muttered over mangled landing gear, flooded engines, overstrained thrusters and the like.
This Wednesday morning, however, something had clearly pushed him over the edge.
“What did you doooo?” Alan hissed in alarm and was immediately shushed by a heavily frowning Virgil, whose fingers appeared unable to release the unfortunately tense chord he’d just leaned into. John’s hologram popped up looking serious. Even Gordon looked incredibly uncomfortable.
From the guilt-ridden look on Scott’s face, he could think of least three reasons his neck might be on the block this morning.
A tightly wound ball of fury approached the seating area and the speed with which International Rescue’s commander leapt from the couch betrayed his initial instinct to bolt from the room and never stop running. However, decades of experience of facing the music from many and varied sources meant his feet remained firmly rooted to the floor, while the rest of his body sought the security of parade rest.
Brains stood in front of him vibrating with rage. The ends of MAX’s arms were positioned at an approximation of where the robot’s hips might be. The room held its breath. Virgil’s foot remained wedged against the sustain pedal. The melodramatic chord continued reverberating around the lounge.
The engineer suddenly raised a hand and everyone flinched. Had their friend finally resorted to violence?
Scott closed his eyes and awaited whatever engineering justice was deemed merited for… whatever it was he had done.
But the shorter man’s movement as he reached up to Scott’s face was slow, deliberate and with a slight frown of concentration he stuck a 75mm square of blue duct tape precisely in the middle of Scott’s forehead.
Virgil jaw dropped and his foot finally slipped off the pedal. The dampers clunked back into place, allowing an ominous silence to reign for a few moments.
The colour coded rolls of multi-purpose tape included within each baldric was one of Brains’ affectionate little thematic touches but also acted as a crude fingerprint… blue tape could only ever have been used by one person.
The Commander’s eyebrows twitched almost audibly as he tried to puzzle out the strange sensation but his eyes remained screwed shut.
When Brains spoke it was barely more than a whisper and the brothers in the room found themselves leaning in. The brother in space appeared to have located a bucket of popcorn.
“D-do you h-happen, to know how l-long I have spent p-perfecting One’s fuel reserve s-system, S-Scott?”
Scott swallowed, hard, and opened his eyes again.
“Quite a long time?”
“Yes.”
“Ahh, did I ever thank you? I should have, I’m very sorry - thank you for that and for all your work, Brains. It really is appreciated.”
“Is it?”
“Of course!”
“Hmmm.”
Scott opened his mouth again but, accepting that his attempt to divert the conversation had failed, clearly thought better of digging any deeper until the nature of the situation became more clearly defined.
Brains’ hand lifted for a second time, another square of blue tape delicately held between thumb and forefinger. This was placed with some care on the very tip of Scott’s nose.
Alan snorted. Gordon punched him in the arm and was elbowed back. Virgil glared them into silence then nearly lost control himself at the sight of his elder brother going cross eyed in an attempt to establish what on earth he was being decorated with.
Brains spun on his heel to face the rest and they all leaned back hurriedly, feigning casual interest. Nobody wanted to appear to be aware of, to be accidentally associated with whatever crime it was Scott had committed.
“Th-thunderbird One uses t-two fuels but h-has th-th-three fuel tanks. As you all know, th-the balance of fuel t-to achieve m-maximum speed is p-precisely c-calculated and th-the system that g-governs it is h-highly sophisticated.”
Everyone nodded except Scott who was trying and failing to pretend he was unbothered by the additions to his face. His nose twitched compulsively.
“D-due to certain t-tendencies of her p-rimary p-p-pilot, One h-has a reserve t-tank. Th-that blend of fuel w-will not achieve the h-highest speeds b-but will ensure she is able t-to return h-home if a SENSIBLE…” the word was ground out as if it was painful “…speed is m-maintained.”
Brains paused. Every eye in the room shifted to Scott. Max bleeped, judgementally. Brains continued, his voice deadly calm and deeply terrifying for it.
“T-to ensure One’s p-pilot d-does not m-miss the fuel status w-warnings amongst th-the p-p-plethora of information on the h-holographic display I installed th-three LED bulbs t-to m-make it QU-QUITE CLEAR w-when l-levels w-were running low and w-when speed n-needed t-to be m-m-m-moderated in order t-to avoid d-damage t-to her supply p-p-p-p-pipeline a-a-a-and e-en-en-engines!”
Brains’ veneer of calm was cracking and Scott, who had clearly solved the mystery, appeared to be chewing through the inside of his face. Brains spun back to face the object of his wrath. MAX’s mechanical eyes narrowed.
“W-warning l-lights are only effective w-when th-they are v-visible!”
Scott gulped and fell back on the only defence he had left - he gave his old friend a dimpled half-grin and a doomed attempt at mitigation:
“They were a little… distracting?”
“D-distracting.”
The full stop was potent and echoed around them. Brains appeared on the edge of an eruption the like of which Tracy Island had never seen, even when the volcano was active. But he mastered himself and produced a final square of tape which he held in front of Scott’s face for a moment before slapping it down on to the top of his head, rubbing it slightly to ensnare as much perfectly styled hair as possible before storming from the room.
MAX remained just long enough to shake a medium-weight hydro-spanner with extreme prejudice before flouncing impressively and trundling after his master.
Alan and Gordon clung to each other, faces contorted with silent mirth. Virgil caught John’s eye then cleared his throat and appeared about to speak before being forestalled by his Commander’s raised palm.
Lacking a little of his usual gravitas due to the tape fluttering gently in the huffed breath from his nose, Scott still poured every ounce of authority he had left into an order of three short syllables:
“Not. A. Word.”
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skribbyposts · 10 months ago
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Zosan haircut time!!!!
had to write this after getting the idea from my last post lmao. I love the idea of Sanji being like "ugh you look fucking terrible" and then forcing Zoro to take care of himself. they're so stupid and gay and in love omg. beginning part is mostly Zoro and Nami but that's ok because they're wlw/mlm solidarity always!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More than anything, Zoro loves sunbathing on the Sunny's deck. Something about the warm light makes him want to melt into the wood. However, Zoro finds it very hard to enjoy the sun when it is boiling outside, and he swears he can hear his sweat sizzle when it meets the wooden flooring.
"We're going through a summer climate, just wait it out." Nami sips on her martini, laid out on a lounge chair and taking cover under an umbrella.
"Easy for you to say, you witch. You stole all the shade." While Nami's basking in the shadow of her parasol, Zoro's sprawled out on deck, sweating his fucking balls off. His whole body is damp, and he's stripped down into just a pair of loose shorts to cool off.
"Go hang out with your boyfriend in the kitchen," She says.
"He's not my boyfriend. I fucking hate you."
"The feeling's mutual, you sweaty loser."
Zoro groans, peeling himself off of the floor to sit up and comb his fingers through his shaggy hair. It's too long to stay out of the way, and it's uncomfortably wet where it sticks to his forehead. Zoro would tie it back, but it's too short for that. In short, he is suffering.
"I'm gonna die from heatstroke because of you," Zoro shakes the excess moisture from his hands.
Nami scoffs. "Stop whining, hop in the sea or something."
Zoro briefly considers this, but decides that's more effort than it's worth and tries to take a nap instead.
Zoro hears someone stroll out of the galley, and cracks his eye open to see Sanji balancing a tray of smoothies in one hand with a beach towel in the other. He's dressed down, an open Hawaiian shirt and blue shorts replacing his usual suit.
"Hello, my darling, Nami-san! I've just prepared smoothies. Would you like one?"
"Yes, Sanji-- thank you so much," She says smugly, while looking directly at Zoro. "You're a saint, You know that?"
He watches the cook hand Nami a drink from the tray, and Sanji's eyes follow her gaze to the floor where he's lying. "Oh my god, marimo. you look like -excuse my language, Nami-san- a fucking caveman."
"What are you talking about?" Zoro would pick a fight, but it's way too hot to bother.
The blonde cringes. "Your hair looks like someone ate it and then spat it back out onto your head."
"Okay, well, fuck you too then!" God, everyone's out for him today. What has Zoro ever done to deserve this?
"Ugh. Stand up, you dunce." Sanji nudges Zoro's head with a sandaled foot. "You need a haircut."
"I can give myself a haircut." Zoro nods in the direction of his swords, trying to move as little as possible.
"Are you insa- no! I'm cutting your hair, properly. Now get up."
"I don't wanna."
"I swear to god," Sanji sighs. "My dearest Nami, do you mind holding this for a bit?"
Nami peers at the two of them through her oversized sunglasses, a knowing smirk on her face as she takes the tray from Sanji's hands. "No problem."
Zoro doesn't have time to get a word in before Sanji reaches for his ear and bodily drags him all the way to the bathroom.
----- "I don't understand how you let it get this bad," The blonde lectures.
Zoro grumbles as he slouches on a stool in front of the bathroom sink, glaring at his own reflection. Sanji was partially right with his comment earlier - Zoro's hair is a damp, scraggly mess on top of his head right now. From where he is, Zoro can see the cook as he lines up all his fancy hair-cutting stuff, whispering insults under his breath. He looks kind of...domestic, out of his suit. It's the one thing Zoro appreciates whenever the Sunny passes through climates like this. "Okay, I'm going to attempt to fix this mess, and you are going to stay still," Sanji asserts as he slides into place behind Zoro. "as in, do not move."
"I know what 'stay still' means."
"Surprising. I thought you only spoke in grunts."
They both fall silent, Sanji draping a towel over Zoro's shoulders and clicking a button on the clippers in his hand. Gentle fingers push Zoro's head forward to access the strands at the nape of his neck. The whirring of the machinery and Sanji's hums every now and then are the only sounds in the cramped bathroom, and Zoro almost falls asleep to the feeling of the blond's hands in his hair.
"Hey." Sanji delivers two sharp taps to the back of Zoro's head. "Stop slouching, you're making it uneven."
"I'm so hot."
"I'm sure you are, you meathead. sit up."
Zoro begrudgingly straightens his back, getting a better view of the cook's freckled face reflected in the mirror. He always gets freckles when it's sunny out. They look like little constellations, scattered across his cheeks like that. Zoro wants to touch them so badly.
A few minutes pass, and Sanji moves to the front of his hair, taking a black comb from the counter to parse through the mess draping over Zoro's forehead. His face is scrunched in concentration, a crease between his eyebrows visible as he snips away with a pair of silver scissors. Zoro just...watches, staring intently into the other man's eyes. He's not sure if he's delirious from the heat, but is the cook's face turning red?
Sanji pauses his ministrations to frown at him. "Stop fucking looking at me. It's creepy."
"Sorry, sir." That earns him a snort and another smack to the side of his head. Zoro closes his eye (reluctantly. very reluctantly).
It feels like forever before Sanji finishes up his hair, ruffling it slightly before commanding Zoro to open his eyes.
The haircut is cropped close to his neck in the back, his overgrown sideburns shaped to follow his hairline. His hair is still a bit long on top, but it doesn't fall over his face.
Zoro's reflection looks better; neat, almost. He actually really likes it.
"It's okay, I guess." Zoro's lying through his teeth. It's fantastic, anything Sanji ever does is fantastic.
Sanji looks at him through the mirror. "Hm. Handsome little marimo." He nods in self-approval before packing up all his stuff, whisking the towel from around Zoro's shoulders to take to the laundry room.
Zoro sits there, bewildered, watching the other man maneuver around the tiny space unbothered- what?
He turns to look at Sanji as the blonde saunters out of the bathroom, definitely already busying himself with something else.
When Zoro turns back to his reflection, he doesn't fight the tiny smile that crosses his face. Sanji thinks he's Handsome.
The smile's gone just as quick as it came, replaced with a scowl as he hears a female voice giggling through the wall to his right.
"Nami, I'm going to murder you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nami was eavesdropping the entire time lmfao.
Nami, to Zoro: wow so handsome!! such a handsome wittle marimo arent you so wittle?? ooga booga doo!!!
Zoro: i am not above killing lesbians. Anyway BRAND NEW HC that Sanji gets freckles when he's in the sun he's such a cutie patootie i love him.
Pre-slash Zosan domesticity fuels my soul <33333
ALSOO!!! opening up asks cuz im running out of ideas :P if you ask me for something I'll probably write it thanks
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milaisreading · 11 months ago
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🌱🩷: Here is the 1st Charles Chevalier request. Smn wanted me to make a chapter from that one scenario I made a few hours ago.
Warnings: Reader uses she/her, but since she is crossdressing, the guys use he/him. Requests are open
⚽️Blue Lock belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke ⚽️
A few days have passed since the match Blue Lock and the U-20 team had. It was a huge deal, since it was the deciding match for the project, and it was even broadcasted internationally. Even Sae, one of the New Gen 11 members participated on the side of the Japanese team. Something that surprised his peers, everyone knew that Sae was pretty adamant on not playing for the team, ever. So once that got out, other players that were acquainted somewhat with Sae were glued to the TV to watch it. They were surprised to see the Blue Lock team holding up well, especially with Sae and Shidou on the team, with 3 standing out in particular. There was Rin Itoshi, the younger brother of Sae and vice-captain, who scored the 1st goal. As expected, most of the New Gen11 thought. The 2nd and 3rd ones were guys who the players never met or heard of before, aside from Loki. Isagi Yoichi, the one to score the winning goal, and to pretty much shake Sae Itoshi's balance during the game. And then there was (Y/n) (L/n), the captain of the team, midfielder, and the one who kept the game under control the most. She caught the attention of one player in particular, Charles Chevalier. The midfielder of PXG and France's U-20 team. The boy was curious with the precision the captain had when passing the ball to the other players. Not only that, but also calculating every move the opposite team made was not something Charles expected from someone who wasn't a pro. A no name player, basically.
After the final goal was scored, the boy already had made up his mind. While the game was interesting and all, he wanted to watch more of the midfielder. He didn't like it, but he had to admit that he wanted to learn more about the player. Her plays, stats, everything. But sadly, there wasn't much Charles could go off on. And he wanted to drop it, he will eventually meet the palyer, he believed she was capable enough to score a spot in a pro-team. That was all until Loki told him the news of PXG being invited to play in Blue lock, and Charles immediately agreed. How could he say no?
Timeskip...
Now, Loki was used to messes. He was a coach now, so he had to be used to that. But this! This was beyond what his nerves could take. Not only did he have to suffer through Rin and Shidou's arguments, now Rin decided to argue with Isagi over the most useless things imaginable.
"What happened to having a calm dinner..." Loki sighed, walking over to pull them apart, something Kurona decided to help him with. Charles was the whole time standing to the side, smiling as he found the whole situation amusing.
'I hope they are done soon. I need to analyze (Y/n)'s play from today. Didn't expect him to leave Manshine in the dust like that.'
"Are you guys arguing again?"
"Calm down, Hiori. You know how they are."
"Aren't you going to do anything, (Y/n)?"
Charles quickly turned his head towards the entrance, only to see the player he was most excited to meet standing next to the blue-haired boy.
'Finally!' Charles grinned.
"What do you expect me to do? They have been like that ever since they first met." (Y/n) laughed in amusement, sending an apologetic smile towards Loki, who returned it.
"Loor Loki-san, he is too overwokred." (Y/n) said as Hiori nodded his head along.
"Let's just stop their fight and go eat-"
"Ah! Finally I get to meet you, Blue Lock's golden midfielder."(Y/n) stopped talking and turned to look at the boy who was approaching her. The girl raised an eyebrow as Hiori tensed up a little.
'What's with that look?' The cyan-haired boy thought suspiciously. (Y/n) ignored the arguing for a moment as the boy grinned playfully.
"What?" Was the only thing she said.
"Charles Chevalier, PXG's midfielder. Pleased to finally meet you, (L/n) (Y/n)." The girl's eyes widened at the way he used her name. Sure, she was ranked pretty high on the list, but someone to know her full name was unexpected.
"Uh... N-nice to meet you as well, Chevalier-san. Did you need something-"
"I will get straight to the point with you." Charles interrupted her, yet again and swung his arm around her shoulders.
"Hey! Personal space!" Hiori yelled at Charles, but got no acknowledgment back. This caused the group to stop for a moment and look back at the duo.
'Oh God...' Loki groaned, knowing very well how Charles was with this player in particular.
"Uhm... get to the point with what?" (Y/n) wondered.
"I want you to play for me." Charles said simply.
"Uh... I am in a different team, so no can do." (Y/n) said, laughing nervously. The boy's grin was off putting to her.
"I know." Charles rolled his eyes and pouted a little.
"And while I was annoyed at first, I am happy now. I will have a chance to finally play against you. Tho, I rather have you playing for me."
(Y/n) kept quiet, unsure where all of this was going.
"You are very interesting, (Y/n). I like you~ don't disappoint me!" Charles giggled, packing her cheek.
"Haa?!" The girl yelled in surprise, face flushing a deep red.
"Asshole! Don't do that so randomly!!" Hiori yelled at the French boy, making his way to separate them. Kurona was holding back a blood thirsty Isagi, while he was fighting back his own rage.
"Stop it, Rin." Loki warned, his grip on Rin's shirt tightening.
"I will kill that bastard." The younger Itoshi mumbled.
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candysugarush · 4 months ago
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Enhypen Profile and Tales :
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Lee Heeseung
Tale : The Little Mermaid
Character : The Sea Witch
Story : The benevolent gentleman of the sea, as he liked to present himself, was in a dire situation as the fool who contracted a deal with him was close to succeeding. During that time frame, he got enough glimpses from intense watching to know you weren't made for that fish but himself. And so, using the voice of his co-contractor, he raised above the water, turning human as he went to present himself to you as a man named 'Ethan' and the one who saved you.
Don't you recognize his voice? Of course, he is the one who saved you, so now you should hold up your words and marry him.
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Park Jongseong
Tale : The Sleeping Beauty
Character : The Thorns Fairy
Story : He graciously helped the royal couple with getting an heir, and how do they thank him? By forgetting to invite him! That's unacceptable, and he got his revenge by cursing their newborn daughter at the banquet and leaving to never reappear. But as the curse took effect on the eighteenth birthday and everyone falls asleep in the castle surrounded by his bramble, he can't repress the smirk as he sees countless princes and knights try to defy him and get inside only to get stuck and die terrible death in the thorns.
And now, one hundred years later, still watching over you, he can't help but wonder how everyone failed to get to you... Perhaps you were made to be his after all. His sweet revenge against those who wronged him.
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Sim Jake
Tale : Jack and the Beanstalk
Character : The Farm Boy
Story : The last thing he expected when selling his old cow for supposedly 'magic' beans, was for them to turn into a giant Beanstalk leading to a castle in the sky where resided the one who caused the destruction of the valley and kidnapped the songbird princess. Using of tricks and wits, he managed to defeat this strong foe as well as you as peace and life came back to the homeland.
Now safe, thanks to him. You're going to reward him, right? He won't he satisfied with just mere riches.
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Park Sunghoon
Tale : The Ice Queen
Character : The Ice Queen
Story : A cursed prince who was rejected by all for his ice powers, he went into isolation in a lone and deserted tundra which he now calls home and his domain. Years later, used to the solitude, he is surprised by a trespasser. At first ready to turn them to ice, he is pleasantly surprised by the woman before him who managed to bring warmth to his heart and with later meetings, able to bring back emotions he thoughts lost forever. Still dark thoughts and doubt plague his mind.
You won't leave him, right? Prove him you're not like everyone else if you value your life.
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Kim Sunoo
Tale : The Swan Lake
Character : The Swan Prince
Story : Cursed by a wizard to be a swan during the day, only able to turn back at night. His life is full of anguish if it wasn't for you who considered him as your best friend despite only believing him to be a regular swan. That's why after a night where you stumble into his true form and finally got the truth he was relieved to have you by his side and promising him to lift his curse. You were supposed to choose a fiance soon and invited him, promising to choose him. And yet the day, even though he came late, he couldn't believe the sight before him.
You promised to help him by marrying him at the ball. So why are you dancing with someone else?
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Yang Jungwon
Tale : Blue Beard
Character : The Blue Haired Noble
Story : Suffering from loneliness and trust issues, he only crave loves from someone who would truly care and listen to him. That's why after the 'unfortunate' death of his last wife, he went out for some fresh air only to see you, a pure and simple girl, a rare treasure in this materialistic world. Immediately smitten, he sends a messager to ask your hand to your brothers. They accept knowing how much you will have a better life with a noble. And now standing before him, he has a smile that doesn't quite reach his ears as he hands you a key, a little 'test' before marriage. He will be away for a few days and trust you to roam around everywhere except in the room that the key opens. You promise to your fiance to not use the key despite the curiosity eating at you.
Will you listen and keep your word? Please don't betray him. His mind won't support it.
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Nishimura Riki
Tale : Peter Pan
Character : The Captain
Story : Once again his arch nemesis got away in a chuckle and flying away after making a fool out of the pirate. He is absolutely furious as he wonder about the day he can get his revenge. And that day came sooner than he expected when his enemy flew back to his ship to cause more trouble. Except this time he was accompanied by a charming lady, you. Immediately he was drawn to you and he noticed that this brat was too. That's when he knew what he had to do to finally get the upper hand on that pest.
A radiant jewel like you deserves a more mature company, and not just to spite his rival. Perhaps he will even keep you as his greatest treasure, as this is what his heart desires.
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Which story are you jumping into?
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thefluffyrailway-official · 26 days ago
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𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 (𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲)
That was a beautiful morning on the island of Sodor. Even among that sad cloudy sky, some small rays of light slipped through the clouds. And, since there was no rain forecast for that day, the steamies need not fear for their fur.
At that moment, a pale yellow furred engine with gold and gray eyes, was at the Knapford Shunting Yard, chatting with one of her workmates.
-It's funny to see that Aaron is coming with you Edward- She said. -Wasn't James his mentor?-
The old blue-eyed male nodded.
-Let's say the red boy took the day off. You know, his pups were born recently, and he couldn't visit Rosie before- He explained.
-And that allows me to be with dad during the entire work day!- The young engine laughed.
-You seem excited about that little one- the blonde-furred one smiled.
-I hope you're aware that not because I am your father I'm going to be soft on you boy- Edward stroked his son's head while an amused purr came out of his smoke box.
-I know dad, Thomas warned me about that already- Aaron answered rolling his eyes with a smile.
She smiled. Aaron had recently started his training and could barely see his father. So seeing them together was really adorable.
-And what about your little ones Molly? Neville told me that they'll join Aaron in a couple of months- Edward said.
Molly had four pups, old enough to begin their training to work on the railway. So it was obvious that, sooner or later, someone would ask her about them. They keep telling everyone about it.
-Oh! Well, in fact, STH is already thinking about which engine will be their mentor. The only bad thing is... Well...- The golden-eyed looked down, she seemed worried. -I just hope that Ashley can be named an apprentice alongside her siblings...- She sighed.
Edward placed his front paw on the female's shoulder. -Hey, don't worry, I'm sure she'll recover in time.- He meowed, comforting her.
She smiled slightly. -Thank you Edward. Is there anything else to do here? I have to go see this little smoke ball at the Steamworks.-
-Don't worry about that. Aaron and I will take care of it.- The blue-eyed engine said with a shake of his head, indicating that she should go see her daughter.
Molly said goodbye to both of them and headed towards the Steamworks.
They had been rebuilt a few years ago due to the biological changes of the locomotives after the "Bloody Disaster", a pandemic that wiped out 60% of the world's vehicles.
It had been such a radical change that, even if humans were immune, the vehicle companies that made parts for them were doomed to adapt or disappear.
From that moment on, the so-called "Machine Age" began.
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In one of the nests placed in a corner, at the back of the Steamworks, was a small locomotive with gray fur and blue eyes.
Next to her, a young tabby crane, with black and yellow scales, was trying to console her about something that seemed to torment her innocent mind.
-Don't worry Ash. I'm sure we'll find a way for you to recover before the ceremony- He said as he brushed the bangs away from the grey engine's teary eyes.
Molly entered the place and her gaze automatically fell on her pup. Seeing her in that state, she ran towards her with an expression of clear concern on her face.
-Oh dear Lady! What happened Kevin?! Has she had another attack?! - The blonde female asked hysterically as she approached her daughter.
Ash suffered from ash syndrome, his boiler was too small and did not work properly.
So if she made any effort it was very likely that she would end up almost unable to breathe. This was quite common. So the pup stayed in the Steamworkd for almost her entire life. Her mother visited her every day, her father whenever he could, but her siblings... They didn't seem to understand Ash's problem, so they almost never visited her or simply made fun of her because of their jealousy.
Even if she tried not to show it, it was evident that Molly showed much more concern for Ashley than for her other pups.
-Not at the moment. Calm down Molly- Kevin said with a calm tone. -But her siblings told her about their training. And not in the best way in fact...-
Molly sighed.
-What am I going to do with them... I'm so sorry, sweetheart, I don't know how to make them understand you... - the blonde female snuggled up next to her daughter and dried her tears.
-I'll leave you alone, okay?- The young crane said as he stepped back.
-Don't worry mom. I know they love me. But they think you don't.- The blue-eyed girl sobbed. -I wouldn't mind if you didn't come here for a few days. Kevin takes great care of me. And my brothers want to be with you too. Not only with dad.-
Molly remained silent for a few moments.
-Well... But we will continue coming to see you.- She said while giving her a loving lick on the cheek.
The young grayish engine rested her head against her mother's chest.
-Mom... Will I ever be normal?-
-What do you mean honey? You're as normal as your brothers- Molly purred.
-I'm not mom. We are the same age and they already run almost all over the island, they accompany you and dad at work and they are with other engines! While I... The only thing I've done since I was born was lay here... -Ash responded with pain in her voice.
An awkward silence formed between the two female engines for a few minutes.
-Don't worry Ash. Victor said you're improving a lot lately.- Molly tried to calm her daughter down a bit. Although it wasn't very effective.
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And so the days passed...
The weeks...
The months...
Ashley was finally much better. But that didn't seem to matter... The day of the ceremony was close and Molly had no news from STH about her.
Until one day...
Molly was with Ash again at the Steamworks. Although she wasn't alone this time. Melody, their oldest daughter, was with them too.
-Don't worry sis. I can wait for you if you want.- She smiled.
Ash shook her head.
-Don't worry about me Mel. I appreciate you to worry. But i will be fine-
Suddenly, Victor's deep voice interrupted the conversation.
-Sorry to interrupt girls. But I think you have a visitor. A very important one in fact- He said with a smile.
The engines looked toward the entrance to the Steamworks.
STH was there! Accompanied by a robust and experienced machine with long greenish fur and eyes of the same color.
-Henry? Sir? What brings you here?- Molly asked curiously.
-Victor has informed me of little Ashley's progress these last few months- he said. -I came to ask your permission to assign Henry as her mentor tomorrow.-
The three females gaped. They looked at each other for a few seconds in total surprise. But Melody was the first to speak.
-SAY YES MOM! I WANT ASH TO HAVE HER FIRST LESSON WITH US!! - she said excitedly.
-I don't know, honey. Do you really think she's ready, Victor?- Molly asked.
The garnet male nodded.
-Her health has improved a lot. She's been accompanying Kevin to pick up medicine lately, remember? And at no time in these 4 months she had another attack.-
The blonde female looked at her daughter.
-Do you feel ready Ashley?-
The little girl was still stunned by the news. She barely listened to her mother. She was too busy admiring her possible future mentor. Who gave her a kind smile upon noticing her cute excited gaze.
-Ashley- Her mother gave her a little touch to make her react.
-YES! YES I WANT!!- The blue-eyed engine screeched.
-It's not about whether you want. You must feel prepared. Are you?- Molly repeated in a serious tone.
The pup's answer was the same. Her tail shook frantically with excitement as she hopped around the large green-eyed male. -Hey calm down little one. You don't wanna get worse right before you start- Henry said as he stopped her jumping by gently placing his paw on the young engine's head.
-Then. You have my permission sir.- Molly smiled proudly.
-I'm glad to hear that. Don't worry Molly. I have discussed it with Henry and Victor and she will take a gentler pace than her brothers until she fully recovers. It would be better if you continue spending the night here at the Steamworks at first Ashley- He explained.
Ash looked down with some disappointment.
-Don't worry, you will do the same as them, but not at the same pace. That doesn't make you less useful than your brothers- STH said comforting the young gray-furred engine.
-Alright sir, i will do my best. I promise i won't let you down!- She giggled.
...
(AU inspo creds @steam-beasts <3)
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tubborucho · 1 year ago
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I think there’s a big misconception between red and blue viewers about the nature of feeling defeated.
I can’t speak for red, because I don’t watch them, but I see people using red’s first day as a counterargument to what’s happening with blue practically every day. As I understand, their first day was hell, because they were in a severe disadvantage as a team. They’re lore-heads and ‘dumb lucky’ (i am NOT calling them dumb, they are actually all really smart, i am just saying that they are stupidly lucky sometimes), this is not what can give you a win when you are thrown in that game. On the first day. They did get killed a lot and they were going insane. And they were having fun! Listen, I’ve read SO many posts about how funny and cool red’s first day was and hoe people absolutely enjoyed it. And it’s cool.
But it’s COMPLETELY different to blue. Blue are not in the ‘fuck it we ball’ defeat mood. Because they are never given a chance to just enjoy their wins.
1st day – they got SO much backlash for everything that it was genuinely horrible
2nd day – red found the global task strat. Which is fine. But blue had the whole day of just struggling to understand how FOUR PEOPLE TRYING AND TRYING cant overtake one Etoiles on a leaderboard.
3rd day – they’ve been leading the score all day. Did everything they could pretty much. And again, last minute strat. Which was fair, but it’s a big hit on their morale.
4th day – they win, using the same strat. they specifically did it the way they did just to show how broken it is. they get layers and layers of hate from twitter.
5th day – both red and blue give win to green. this day was neutral.
6th day – the egg preparations. blue decided to just give this day away as well. but bad and pac were hunted for hours just two of them.
7th day – the Egg Wars. we all know what happened :D
8th day – elimination. blue won. blue could’ve easily win without even trying to tie with green, but they did. they almost succeeded. it didn’t feel as a victory when they won, because everyone just blamed them. that wouldn’t happen if green won, everyone would cheer, and it’s a fact.
9th day – that’s today. bad and bagi were constantly hunted for about 3 hours. they couldn’t get into the base for like 4,5 hours (they can now because tubbo is guarding the bounty npc).
Each day when they lose – they lose without sympathy and any kindness from others. Each day they win – this victory is bitter, clawed out and they are hated.
Yes, red and blue both know this feeling of not being able to do anything. But Red have so much support on their side. Both in-game and in-fandom. They are praised for everything they do. They got so much less troubles from blue and green because they kept walking away to not ‘punch down’ from this whole underdog narrative. Meanwhile blue just keep being screwed by everything around them. I think arguably the only thing they have over red is the favor of Lil Buddies, because they are constantly hanging out with them. That’s all. All material stuff they have will be easily matched like tomorrow. They’ve never really had a PVP advantage in the first place because Green’s skills and Red’s players count.
It’s genuinely demotivating to even watch their stream. Like I think I would genuinely cry in their place. All their efforts are either useless, because they immediately get nerfed, or get hated on by literally everyone and everything. It’s such a deep-rooted feeling of loosing before you could even play, that it transfers over the screen.
Red burned in that fire on the first day. And it powered them (in a cursed but fun way). Blue keeps being drowned by everything around them like unwanted kittens, and they are fighting for their life.
So no, I do not think it’s fair to compare Red’s first day to anything that happens to Blue. It’s not the same. I do understand however that it defied them as characters, so it’s a fair point to analyze. But in meta-arguments? Yeah, no. [insert a poll ‘Who suffered more? Blue Team Jesus]
And yet they try. And yet they have nice moments. And yet they are friends. Love prevails.
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mayasaurusss · 7 months ago
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I reallyreally love lottie, I was hoping if you can do cheerleader!lottie dating a basketball!player hcs?:33
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A/N: Hi anon! Of course, as usual, I didn't fully read the request before starting and made a start-of-relastionship headcanons... I promise I'll be more attentive next time! As usual, you can make the request again if you want me to re-make this!
Warnings: suggestive, but I cock-blocked you all. Not proofread, grammar errors.
Today is an important day, the last game of the year before the start of the summer vacations.
Of course, everyone in school is here to watch how the match will go, the "Yellowjackets" home team against the "Wolves" enemy team. The rivalry between the two team-schools is decades old, with both teams having won and lost multiple times. This year, will mark the fifth year old win strike of the "Wolves", that is if you don't win, and you very much intend to.
Today is an important day, the last game of the year before the start of the summer vacations.
Of course, everyone in school is here to watch how the match will go, the "Yellowjackets" home team against the "Wolves" enemy team. The rivalry between the two team-schools is decades old, with both teams having won and lost multiple times. This year, will mark the fifth year old win strike of the "Wolves", that is if you don't win, and you very much intend to.
Your team has suffered great losses this year: against the "Bears", against the "Hounds" and the "Hawks", the city's worst team -or at least they were before your loss-. And as if it wasn't bad enough, you lost a pretty important member of the team when she moved schools. So, the "Yellowjackets basketball team" isn't doing great, but you are determined to bring a win home.
The first days of June had proved to be hotter than usual, sunrays are scorching the field but the cool afternoon air is a welcome distraction.
All around you, people are cheering and booing at both teams actions. There is thrash scattered around the edges of the field, flies are buzzing around you and you're sweating under the afternoon sun.
You look around: despite having played again and again, you never really got used to the crowd's attention, and especially not to the cheerleaders team.
You find it especially annoying when they cheer at you, distracting you and making it possible for others to steal the ball. They had improvised a special tune just for you that they sang everytime you score a point: it was making you more flustered than anything.
Today, as per usual, the cheerleader team is here, ready to make you embarrassed again. Your shyness only seems to grow more when Lottie Matthews, the team capitain, cheers at you.
She is tall, very tall -she sholud be the one playing in the basketball team-, her hair is tied in two loose braids and her makeup empasizes her features. She is wearing the usual cheerleader uniform: a pink long sleeved shirt and a skirt of the same colours and she's holding a pair of yellow and blue flacks.
Many have at least a sort of crush for her, and so do you. You've always seen her at pratice, whenever you'd pratice your shots, she and her cheerleader team were at the far edge of the field, trying to remeber all the steps. Many times you've caught her looking at you when you trained; all the times she did she rushed to whisper something in her friend ear, Jackie, and everytime both of them let out small laughs. You always thought they were mocking you, up until today.
You eye her out with interest and she meets your eyes: she looks at you like a siren would, alluring and deadly. She smiles sweely and sends a wink at your direction.
This is the first time she aknowledges your stares and reciprocate. A hot sensation warms your cheeks: Lottie -fucking- Matthews winked at you, at you!
The pure euphoria that wink gave you makes you feel like you could jump to the sky. The rest of the game goes surprisingly well, you even make a winning shot of five points just at the very end, giving your team their earned victory.
Everyone cheered, the Wolves and their fans leaving the court with disgruntled mubles while you were basking in glory.
You feel something nudge your arm lightly and look around your shoulder to see Lottie towering over you with a genunie smile.
"Hi, I saw how you played early... You did a really good job!" her fingers close on your wrist, a gesture too intimate to give to someone you've barley talked to up until now. "You should get a reward." her breath tickles your ear as she whispers to you so no one of the other cheerleaders will hear, but so all of them watch your exchange.
"Say... there's a party friday. Want to keep me company?"; it's hard to ignore her requests while she runs her nails on your arm.
When friday comes, you're beyond nervous. The last hours have been spent discarding and choosing all the different types of clothes. Minutes pass by then, half an hour after the party started, you spot Lottie walking in with her friends. As soon as she spots you Lottie eagerly walks up to you, earning her friend's snickers -mainly Natalie's-.
"You came!" she says while trapping you in a bear-hug. Today she wears a pink fuzzy cardigan and a same coloured skirt. Her hair falls freely to her sides, her lips curl in a grin when she looks at you. "Follow me" she pours a good amout of alchool in your cup then leads you to a couch at the far end of the room, away from prying eyes.
When you sit down, she's starts to ask you every kind fo question, almost as if she wants to study you and when the alchool starts to flow in her system, her hands start to roam on your skin.
Her words slur inside her mouth "That last shoot you did in the game... It looked hard to do. You must be pretty strong huh...?" while she palms at you arm. Lottie's attention starts to slip as she listen to you explaining that -"No, that isn't called a 'last shot' but a 'buzz beater' and I made a 'Slam Dunk', it's pretty hard if you don't know how to make it right 'cause then you could break your hips when you fall down and-"- you feel Lottie's lips on yours.
For a second you can't move your lips back, too shocked by it all, when Lottie's hand cups the back of your neck and deepens the kiss, prompting you to move back. All around you the world swirls in touches, lips against lips, the taste of alchool and heat.
It's almost pathetic the way you cling onto her when she starts to pull away, but you're rewarded with view that many would fight for: Lottie's lips reddened, her cheeks have a deep shade of red, her eyes unfocused and hair messy. "Do you... want to take this somewhere else?
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jakes3resin · 8 months ago
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Just how long did it take for Bucky to talk to anyone about what happened to him before he got to the POW camp?
At minimum the man has a concussion from all those hits to the head, not even counting the inevitable infection he probably gets from not having his wounds cleaned or looked after beyond wiping some of the blood off his face. So there's going to be a certain amount of time where he's just Not All There (different from later on when he starts slipping), and that will be a while. I've had a concussion before, and they're tricky to heal from. Your thoughts are jumbled and fractured. Depending on the severity, you can't always tell what's going on or what order everything goes in. Your brain needs time to heal and put itself to rights.
It would make perfect sense that no one has the complete picture about what happened to Bucky for a very long time because they can't even ask him. He's too sick for a while. He rambled some when he was down with his concussion/fever, but you can't put stock in the words of man with a fever that high (at least that's what the boys tell themselves when Bucky starts rambling like a mad man about German towns, prayers that get you killed, and not burying him yet) so the full story gets buried.
And that's just so much. The boys all probably told their stories gathered round their bunks at night, about bailing out and getting caught by a German patrol or something, but when they all turn to Bucky, all hoping he'll give them a grand old story that will quell the fears those fevered ramblings gave them. Because Bucky is always loud, always talking, trying to bring up everyone's spirits and acting like their big brother. Except Bucky just sits there, mouth shut and blue eyes tortured, and suddenly everyone knows that there's more. That those fevered tales weren't just nightmares crafted from thin air but reality. Not just reality, but the very tip of iceberg for Bucky.
But Bucky doesn't tell anyone, not for a long time, and I can see that driving everyone, particularly Buck, wild. It's hard to watch someone you love suffer knowing you can't do anything. You have no idea what happened, so where do you start helping them?
Anyways, Bucky deserves the world, and I'm gonna go curl up into a ball now
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ashwhowrites · 2 years ago
Note
When I cheered in high school, I will never forget when a flyer fell and her ankle rolled. Luckily, she was fine (I think it was a sprain?), but how do you think Eddie would react to that? Especially if she got really hurt?
(I'm trying to feed your angst desire without breaking everyone's hearts 😇)
This is so cute! I hope you don't mind I turned it into a headcanon
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Eddie waited patiently on the bleachers for the cheerleaders to come out
"what color bow do you think she's wearing today?" Eddie asked out loud
Dustin sat next to him and rolled his eyes
"my guess is blue since you went on a whole rant about how gorgeous the blue is" Dustin teased
Dustin adored how Eddie was so mean and harsh with everyone
But not with her
He babied her and was obsessed
Soon enough the cheerleaders filled the floor
Sure enough, a blue bow rested in her hair
She waved to Eddie and Dustin with a huge smile
Eddie stood up and cheered
Eddie watched their routine closely
He was squirming in his seat
He's been nervous about this routine all week
She was a flyer
And Eddie hated it
Dustin was Eddie's personal stress ball when she went in the air
Dustin silently suffered when Eddie would grip his hand in a tight grip
Refusing to say a word
Dustin felt his anxiety rise when Y/N went in the air, noticing a girl at the bottom's foot moving slightly
He prayed Eddie didn't see it
"did that girl move?"
"no Eddie she's fine" Dustin quickly lied
And he was wrong
Because before both boys knew it
Y/N landed on the floor, hard
Eddie flew out of his seat
"wait Eddie" Dustin held him back
But the second Eddie saw his girlfriends eyes water and a sob leave her throat
He raced off the bleachers
Racing down on to the gym floor
She was holding her foot
Crying hard
Eddie pushed over everyone in his way
Rushing to his girlfriends side
"baby what hurts?" He asked
Her head turned when she heard her boyfriend's voice
"my ankle" she cried
Eddie nodded, wiping off her tears
"okay. Can you try to stand? Get you to the bleachers?" He asked softly
She nodded
Eddie always told her she was tough
"I'm tough. I got this" she smiled
Eddie laughed and kissed her forehead
"so tough baby"
He hooked her arms over his shoulder
Easily picking her up off the ground
Chrissy and the rest of the girls standing behind them
Making sure she doesn't fall back
"I got her" Eddie confirmed as he walked her over to the bleachers
Dustin waiting with ice bags
"I ran to the nurse" he puffed out
"thank you dusty" she said
Tears still falling down her cheeks
"of course" he said
Eddie placed the ice on her ankle, lifting her foot to rest on his knee
Eddie dug through his bag
Pulling out water
"want your after game brownie?" He asked
She nodded
Eddie smiled as he pulled it out
Opening the package and handed her the piece of chocolate
"thank you baby" she smiled
Kissing his hand
He smiled and leaned up to kiss her lips
"anytime"
Once the game was over he took her to the ER
She broke her ankle
Eddie panicked like she was dying on the spot
"baby I'm fine. I just need surgery and it's all better!"
"people die in surgery!" He panicked worse
The nurse had to calm him down
Within the month she got surgery
Coming out perfectly fine
"see. I'm fine" she smiled
"my girl is tough" he kissed her head
He was the first and ONLY one allowed to sign her cast
He ripped the marker right out of Chrissy's hand when she went to sign it
"Eddie! The team wants to sign it"
"no. My girlfriend. Basically my cast"
Y/N giggled at her boyfriend's protectiveness
Silently watching as he decorated her cast with drawings
Some hellfire characters
His character is the biggest with a bride on the arm
"that's you" he blushed, pointing at the bride
"I marry your nasty hellfire creature?" She teased
"HES NOT NASTY"
Tags!
@bmunson86 @mxcheese @ladymunson @michaelfuckinglangdon @z0mbie-blah @biittersweet @mirrorsstuff @slightlyvicked @micheledawn1975@ago-godance@magnificantmermaid
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kiiyunz · 8 months ago
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posted⠀by⠀junjiie⠀⠀⸻⠀⠀8th April,⠀2O24.
No-one’s journey through idol life is going to be all sunshine & rainbows, and that’s a fact I think we should all make peace with as soon as possible. If you’re going to type out a comment screaming bloody murder about how your favourite’s whole career has been nothing but shiny and perfect, then all I have to say to you is that I’m sure there’s been a whole number of not-shiny and not-perfect things going on when the cameras are off. Sorry. It’s just the truth. Probably. But I’m not here to talk about your favourite, I’m here to talk about mine. So, without further ado, strap yourself in for a run-down of IM KIHYUN throughout the years of NCT DREAM’s career—ranked on a three point scale: the GOOD, the BAD, and of course, the REALLY, REALLY UGLY.
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CHEWING GUM 2016 FRUIT PUNCH & BUBBLE MIXTURE
15-YEAR-OLD-KIHYUN had three lines in their debut single, a yellow hoverboard, and a dream—literally, considering the name of his unit. He was every bit the mood maker most people know him as today, filled to the brim with excitement and a sense of self-confidence that some people may have thought he would’ve lacked. While he hadn’t fully settled into himself just yet, still had voice cracks, and acne breakouts he’d stubbornly refuse to be filmed with while suffering through, and bouts of clumsiness that would leave him with bruises all over his elbows and plasters on his knees, for the most part it felt like he was an experienced performer rather than a just-arrived rookie. Most people immediately took a liking to him, and although his popularity wasn’t as sky-high as some of his fellow members, the fans he did have were a force to be reckoned with right from the start.
But whether you loved him or hated him, the one thing that everyone seemed to take notice of was the way he just looked like he loved performing on every single occasion, putting everything he had into every stage even with the little amount of time he was given to show off both himself & his budding talent to the people watching. His stage presence was compared to a breath of fresh air on a summer’s day, the wide grin he aimed at the cameras at any given opportunity one that aimed to brighten the mood of anyone witnessing it, and the enthusiasm with which he delivered his lines was something that even the harshest of critics could give a nod of acknowledgement to. Altogether, it’s widely agreed that CHEWING GUM for Kihyun was a GOOD era, on our three point scale.
MY FAVOURITE MOMENT: MU-BEYOND
Kihyun very obviously and very fiercely despising the way his hair was styled for one of the photoshoots, and making no attempt to hide it. As soon as the camera flashes stopped, gone was his sunshine smile, and in its place was a look that, if they could kill, would have put the photographer six feet under (even if the poor man would’ve had no say in how it was styled in the first place). While a few of the other members were enjoying themselves on the glossy pink bouncing balls they were perched on, as soon as it was announced they were done Kihyun was shooting up and making a runner for the bathroom, shooting the camera a glare and tugging on a few strands of his hair as he went. Chenle could be seen cracking up in the near background, creased over from the force of his laughter. Kihyun yelled something back at him, but whatever it was was drowned out by the editors with the persistent ‘Chew-chew-chew-chew chewing gum’ over the top of the footage, seemingly growing a little louder in order to hide his words.
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THE FIRST 2017 BAD HAIR & BASKETBALL
(STILL) 15-YEAR-OLD-KIHYUN had blue frosted tips and a tendency to get distracted on the music video set, far more interested in shooting hoops than dancing around in the school band-like outfit they were being made to wear and singing about being in head-over-heels in love with his teacher. He was still every bit the burst of energy he was previously, still throwing his all into everything he did, but it was obvious to some he’d rather be doing other things if he could. The whole riding-cardboard-cars-around was something he loved, though, and he stated more than once that was his favourite part by a mile. Kihyun was mostly the same as he was during the CHEWING GUM era in terms of performance, confidence, and the like—although it was noted by most that there was a little less of his occasional clumsiness, more stability in himself than there was previously. His popularity grew alongside the group’s, his consistent charm and apparent natural talent to draw people in appealing to many a new fan.
He slowly began to make more of a presence online during the MY FIRST AND LAST era, also. Posting both little messages and various photos of himself & the members (mainly in embarrassing positions, such as being half-asleep or making weird faces) on Twitter, interacting with fans whenever he could, and dragging out conversations for as long as he was allowed at fansigns, until the poor person in front of him was practically dragged along to the next member. And when there were more sides of him being shown to the public (and the internet, especially), there were more people waiting to pick apart every piece of him. While his popularity grew, the amount of people against him shot up in numbers, too. It wasn’t overwhelmingly bad, but there were a fair few who accused him of trying to take the spotlight too often, or being ungrateful for the opportunities he was being given after they’d heard the few comments he’d made here and there about the comeback’s concept not being his favourite. Still, despite these lower moments, there were still more pros than cons, and so MY FIRST AND LAST is another era ranked GOOD for Kihyun.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: MFAL FIRST WIN
He was so caught up in tugging at the various buttons and pins stuck onto his ugly blazer that he barely heard the MC announcing their win until all the other members were jumping around and crying and patting each other on the back. Kihyun himself didn’t cry until backstage, when it finally hit him properly that they’d actually won, so in the moment he was more so just a little confused and dazed than anything else as he celebrated with the rest, not-so-subtly trying to take the trophy out of Mark’s hands while he made his speech so he could get a better look at it, wrapping Jeno in a hug so tight it left them both wheezing, trying to jump on Jisung’s back in an attempt to get him to cheer up, and also making a whole host of excited gestures and faces over at the members of 127 across the stage.
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WE YOUNG  2017 FUN IN THE SUN!
KIHYUN (NOW 16) loved every second of this era, and that was something you could make out from space. Even with his now-pink-streaked hair and sailor outfits they were being made to wear, he declared the music from the WE YOUNG era as his favourite thus far. It was just pure fun, simple as that. He enjoyed every performance they did, sang all his lines with a grin so wide it nearly split his lips, was as playful as ever with all the members, and simply let loose a little more, losing himself in the music rather than what people were saying about it. Despite him not overly loving the whole sailor concept, fans were of the opinion that he was one of the ones that pulled it off the best, and so he begrudgingly posted photos of him in the get-up as often as he could—to an overwhelmingly positive response every time. The public noticed that, while still not fully grown, Kihyun’s self-confidence seemed to be at an all-time-high. He really did look like he was just happy to be there, and his supporters couldn’t have been more glad about it.
What also made his fans happy was his amount of lines getting a boost. He’d consistently been receiving around three or four, five at a stretch, but now it was reaching into the sixes and sevens—which, really, was barely an upgrade, but it made a world of difference to fans of his. It gave him more of a chance to show off his vocal ability, and brought more attention to him from both the public & critics. It also just made him happy, to be able to spend more than ten minutes in the recording studio, to be given more of a chance to show off how he’d grown and improved so far (even if he still thought he had a ways to go before he reached the level of his role models, his own idols). WE YOUNG was yet another GOOD era for Kihyun by miles, with barely any pitfalls in sight, and probably his highest so far.
MY FAVOURITE  MOMENT: COMEBACK SHOWCASE
He was jumping all over the stage throughout every performance, throwing everything he had (and probably more) into every line he sang and every move he executed. It was clear he was trying his hardest to contain himself, trying not to scream every one of his lines into the mic or trip himself up, but it was also clear he was struggling. He was also as clingy as anything towards the rest, always hanging off of someone’s back or linking their arms together while they were walking. There was never a shot of him without a smile on his face, never anything he did that made it feel like he’d rather be elsewhere. His enthusiasm and excitement was almost infectious, leaking out of the screen to put a smile on the face of whoever was watching along.
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WE GO UP  2018 BREAKDANCING & BEANIES
NEARLY-ADULT (AKA.. 17-YEAR-OLD) KIHYUN seemed to be reaching for maturity a little too fast, fingers outstretched towards his eighteenth birthday and desperate for the months to pass by just a little faster. He had decided, somewhere along the line, that he was ready to be rid of the cuter concept the group was intended to present, and was more than ready for a switch-up. And while WE GO UP wasn’t exactly what he was hoping for, there was certainly less of the more childish aspects that were seen in their previous releases—which was both an acknowledgement of all the members growing older and also something that served as a reminder of Mark’s upcoming graduation from the group, which Kihyun would’ve rather done anything but think about. Still, while he didn’t put as much of his all into it as he had done in the past, he still put a fair amount of effort into the lines he was given (which were lessened once again, to the disappointment of many) and choreography they were made to learn. Fans noted that his personal style was beginning to develop in the WE GO UP era, their suspicions of Kihyun dressing himself confirmed when he mentioned here and there that most of his non-schedule outfits were his own.
The introduction of Bubble helped to boost Kihyun’s online presence, something that had fluctuated from era-to-era thus far (his highest amount of interactions previously being within the MY FIRST AND LAST era), and while he didn’t use it all the time, he still made an effort to communicate regularly with those who’d signed up when he could. He shared his inner reasonings on his online presence with those who were asking—saying that if he didn’t like the concept of the comeback too much he would compensate by being online and able to interact more. It’s a rule he’s mostly stuck with over the years, and fans have now said it’s easy to tell when Kihyun hates a concept because they’ll wake up with three new Twitter posts and ten times as many Bubble updates. So on the whole, although it was definitely on the lower end of the spectrum, WE GO UP is considered yet another GOOD era for Kihyun—making that a four-long streak (that—apologies for spoilers—was going to be broken fairly soon).
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: FIRST SOLO LIVE
It was, to put it plainly, a little bit all over the place. He held it in his dorm room, half asleep but still managing to be every bit the charismatic personality most people knew and loved him for. He answered any questions threw at him with total honesty, didn’t hold his tongue when talking about various subjects that others may have (namely his personal thoughts & opinions on the comeback as whole—this live was where many found out he didn’t like it as much as they thought he did), and also showed a side to him that the majority hadn’t been able to see as much of before. He gave song recommendations, spoke about those who inspired him—both in a music and fashion sense—and altogether shared lots of fun facts that had been unknown to most previously.
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WE BOOM  2019 RADIO SILENCE
18-YEAR-OLD-KIHYUN was noticeably.. Different. While Mark’s graduation had hit all of the remaining seven hard, the other six still at least pushed on and tried to act as if things were fine as normal, carrying on as most expected them to. Kihyun, however, had seemed to undergo a complete personality shift. He was withdrawn, quieter than he’d ever been—barely offering anything up in conversations or interviews even when prompted, barely any footage of him in behind-the-scenes content because he made next to no contributions to it; always preferring to stay in the background, on his phone with his headphones on and trying to ignore the cameras following them around. Public opinion of him was also beginning to slip further into the red, following leaked photos of him at an undisclosed individual’s party getting cosy with an unnamed and non-idol slightly older male just after the release of the mini-album—photos that went unaddressed by both the company and Kihyun himself. His name was starting to grow in infamy rather than popularity, but the boy himself didn’t really seem to care.
All traces of Kihyun on social media seemed to go completely cold, barely any updates from him that weren’t group photos or content. From the whole era there were a measly two Twitter posts from him, and his Bubble subscribers got refunded more often than not. But while he was refraining from making any posts, news websites and anonymous users were more than happy to leak more and more photos of him—always with the same boy, always at a party, or at a club, or just generally anywhere that looked a little shady to the hundreds of thousands that saw it. Rumours began to spread about a drinking problem, about a shady boyfriend, about countless things that painted Kihyun in a type of light that he’d previously avoided like the plague, but Kihyun himself made no attempt to defend himself, and so they only got wilder. It’s unanimously decided that the BOOM is the first (but certainly not the last) of Kihyun’s BAD eras.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: JENO LIVE
The then-blonde took it upon himself to disregard all the rumours spreading about his dongsaeng—although not in a direct way. He was careful with his words, as well-spoken as he always is, but made sure to especially shut down the accusations of Kihyun turning into some reckless party animal, taking the former leader’s graduation so bad he turned to less-than-ideal ways to cope. “Kyunnie isn’t like that, and never will be,” was what he told his audience, and many noted the flat look on his face. After the captain had, many of the others took their turn to come to Kihyun’s defence—mostly always with vague comments, but statements nonetheless. Chenle’s response in particular was deemed to be one of the most direct, replying to a comment while on live with a simple “You don’t know Kihyun like that” and then ending the live not long afterwards, leaving the conversation at that and somewhat encouraging the people speculating to do the same.
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RELOAD  2020 CLIFF DROPS & HARMFUL HABITS
NOW 19, KIHYUN seemed to be at something of his lowest point thus far. While he made more public appearances, more attempts to join in with behind-the-scenes content (or just extra content in general), most concluded it was the result of management telling him he had to, rather that Kihyun himself choosing to do so—and his return only gave more opportunities for those looking to find all the things wrong with the once-charismatic & energy-filled vocalist. And to make matters worse for him, more information had been dug up on his newfound non-idol friends (or rather, the one boy in particular that everyone wanted to know about). Oh Jinwoo, he had been discovered to be called, something of an influencer-like figure known more often than not for his whole host of partners over the years and tendency to get mixed in with the wrong crowd. You could say that you could only imagine what this did to Kihyun’s public image (which was practically halfway ruined by that point already), but there was no need for imagination—practically everyone witnessed his fall from the (mostly Korean) public’s good books, yet nobody could do anything about it. It felt like every day there was another article released leaking more photos and spreading more rumours about whatever dark web Kihyun was tangling himself in, but still the company made no move to stop them. 
It was also during the RIDIN era that Kihyun was rumoured to have started up the habit of smoking, with (albeit blurry) photos released to support the claims. This did absolutely nothing to help his reputation, tanking it further. His future was starting to look a little uncertain, questions being raised over whether his actions as of lately would warrant either a hiatus or removal from the group completely. He might’ve delivered all his lines as fine as normal, danced along with the rest in the same practised & efficient manner he always did, but talent didn’t mean much when placed on a scale against damaging the whole group’s image, rather than just his own. When people began to turn their nasty comments and endless gossip onto the other members, Kihyun was starting to look like more of a hindrance than a crucial member. It is, without a doubt, agreed by all that RIDIN was a REALLY, REALLY UGLY era.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: KIHYUN LIVE
It was short, it was vague, and it was still very obvious he was nowhere near to feeling like his normal self, but Kihyun himself did come forward to address a few things—mainly the smoking incident, which he admitted to be true and said that while he was trying to put a stop to it completely, habits like that were hard to quit. After the negative comments began to override the positive & supportive ones, he was quick to shut it off again and return to what was becoming his frighteningly normal status of radio silent. Still, it was something—and far more than anything SM gave, at that. Other members were also quick to dismiss or shut down any comments they saw on their own lives discussing Kihyun and his future of the group, all that they said mostly being along the simple and short lines of “Kihyun’s staying with us” and not elaborating any further.
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HOT SAUCE  2021 A START
20 YEARS OF AGE. Mark was back, their permanence as a group was finally confirmed, the graduation system having been abolished, and all eight of them were together again. After five whole years of being active they were finally releasing a full album, and getting the chance to do it the way they all wanted. But while things were happier in that regard, Kihyun’s situation was far from forgotten. Fans of his were relieved nothing had been done about his place in the group—even if a few solo stans wanted him out just as much as those who hated him did, for the sake of his own wellbeing rather than them holding any ill-will towards the other members—but public opinion of him was still mostly in the red. Things were again starting to feel like they were hitting a dead-end: with Kihyun’s presence sort of.. Drifting. Sometimes he’d be absent for a group live, sometimes he’d go silent on all social media for weeks with his only comeback usually being his presence in the background of another member’s photos. Everything was looking just as uncertain as they had during the RIDIN era—until Kihyun once again started a solo live with the simple title of ‘an explanation’ and proceeded to do just that: explain.
Most suspected he didn’t divulge all the details, but the run-down was this: he’d met Jinwoo at some party or other, and they’d gotten just as close as all the leaked photos and gossipy articles made them out to be (although, again, some thought them to be far closer). He’d led Kihyun into a little bit of a rebellious era, what he called his ‘chance to be young and reckless’ since he’d mostly missed out on it, what with all his years of both diligent training & as an active idol. While he admitted on the broadcast that it was fun for a while, he was also realising the damage it was doing to both himself & his fellow members, so attempted to cut contact with his newfound friend—to no avail, for a few months, as they had more than a few periods of arguments both over the phone and in person. He said he’d only officially completely cut Jinwoo off a few weeks before the live, and shared with something of a wistful smile that he didn’t plan to get in touch with him any more now that he was gone. His viewers were overjoyed to hear this, and the members shared the sentiment—but Kihyun still had a ways to go before he was back to being a generally accepted fan-favourite. Despite him taking his first steps towards being back to his usual self, HOT SAUCE is still considered a BAD era for the vocalist.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: MARK INSTAGRAM POST
It was a three-slide-long affair that was posted not too long after Kihyun’s live. The first was a selfie of himself & a sleeping Kihyun, one of the rapper’s arms gently holding the vocalist to his side while he grinned wide into the camera. The second, a solo shot of Kihyun’s face up close to the camera, tongue out and peace sign just barely visible in one of the corners, what with most of the frame being taken up by the odd expression he was pulling. The third slide was a short video, only ten seconds or so long, of Kihyun and him on the dorm’s sofa, the audio consisting the tail-end of Mark’s voice making a joke mostly unintelligible to the viewers that was quickly followed by Kihyun’s pure & unfiltered laughter as he cracked up at whatever the Dream leader had said. He was creased over, one hand repeatedly hitting Mark’s knee as the other held his stomach, breath coming out in jerky and uneven gasps as he tried to recover. The caption was made up of two words: ‘my KD.’ 
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HELLO FUTURE  2021 COTTON CANDY & BACK TO NORMAL
STILL 20, BUT NOW SEEMING MUCH HAPPIER, by the time HELLO FUTURE era rolled around Kihyun felt to most like he’d healed fully from what had then been a period a month shy of two years worth of the continuous cycle of being somewhat of a public enemy. People thought it was the combination of getting the truth about all that had happened off his chest, the continuous support of his members both in Dream and in NCT as a whole, and the seemingly infectious happy mood that came with the HELLO FUTURE era that managed to finally get Kihyun back on his feet, and with him he was bringing performances reminiscent of how full of joy and excited he’d been during the WE YOUNG era, smile wide on his face in every shot and dancing filled to the brim with passion. He even made more of an effort to make appearances on social media—contradictory to the rule he’d made during the WE GO UP era of only being constantly online during concepts he wasn’t too fond of. He gave happy little updates every once in a while, paired with smiling selcas both alone & with the other members, was as talkative as most remembered him to be before what some had started to dub ‘the dark ages’ during any group lives they held, and even crashed a few of the member’s solo lives every now and again.
His change was noticed easily, and was one that began to slowly turn the tides of public opinion on him once again. The comments made about him being someone who was bringing the group down and ruining their reputation with his recklessness were slowly lessening, being replaced with positive ones, and soon enough his popularity was starting to grow again, instead of the countless hate trains and calls for him to be kicked out. Kihyun was well on the way (if not mostly there already) to being completely fine again, even apparently feeling well enough to make more than a few jokes at his own expense here and there about staying far, far away from any parties held by a friend-of-a-friend in the future. HELLO FUTURE was the light (or rather.. Rainbow?) at the end of the tunnel for Kihyun, and so it was considered his first GOOD era after the nearly two years of BAD (with one REALLY, REALLY UGLY, at his lowest) ones.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: MV REACTION
Kihyun was seated next to Chenle, which could only really mean trouble—as it always did whenever the pair were within two metres of one another. They were cracking jokes every two seconds, falling all over one another with laughter and unable to shut up for even a minute. The rest paused the video more times to tell them to keep it together than they did for them to comment on anything actually happening in the MV, but you could tell from a mile away that they didn’t really mind in the slightest, more happy to see Kihyun laughing and smiling again than anything. They also all made sure to cheer the loudest when the vocalist’s solo scene appeared on screen, and then proceeded to (lovingly) make fun of him when his ears uncharacteristically went bright red at the praise being showered upon him, although he tried to get over it quickly and return back to his self-confidence-filled self.
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GLITCH MODE  2022 VIDEO GAMES & B-BOYING IN PROGRESS
NOW FULLY BACK ON TRACK (& FRESHLY 21), Kihyun was ready to throw his all into their second full album. He was as good as new, his overwhelming feeling of excitement for every track recorded and released as clear as day. He even (again) broke his no-contact rule a few times just to relay how much he thought fans were going to love the album, posting spoilers as often as possible and revealing as much as he could get away with before it dropped. When it was released, he was practically talking about it non stop, chattering away on all platforms about the styling, the stages, the music, how fun it was, how much he was enjoying himself—the list went on. He declared the GLITCH MODE era to be his favourite, point blank, no matter how much he liked anything they would go on to release in the future. Public opinion of him was mostly completely smoothed over by that point, and his personal fan base was growing with every passing piece of content that was released. He seemed at his complete happiest, throwing everything he had and more into every single thing he did during promotions & extra content.
The GLITCH MODE era was also when he opened his personal Instagram account, his first post being a picture of him and Jeno glued to each other’s sides in a setting people assumed to be the SM building, with the caption ‘my favourite colleague.’ His follower count rose quickly, and is currently sitting at a comfortable 4.8M, mostly in the middle of Jisung and Chenle’s own numbers. Since then his account has become a home to photos that at times feel more like an exhibition of all the other Dream members (and his closer friends from the other units also) than anything involving himself, nonsensical lives that usually occur at the early hours of the morning where Kihyun—either alone or together with whoever decides to either join the live or join Kihyun himself wherever he’s holding it—has free reign to chatter on about whatever he pleases, although most of the time when he’s alone it turns into an impromptu radio hour where he takes the chance to talk about his favourite recent albums & artists, as well as listening to any recommendations his viewers give him. Slowly beginning to recover his streak, GLITCH MODE is seen as another GOOD era for Kihyun.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: MV BEHIND
Kihyun had decided that he was going to properly get into breakdancing during the GLITCH MODE era, and saw no better place than his solo interview moment in the behind-the-scenes video to show off the moves he’d begun to learn. At first he just spoke about how excited he was for the comeback, with Mark hanging off of his back and chiming in with comments of his own here and there, but after a couple minutes of that he was shrugging the leader off of him and telling the camera to “Watch this!” before launching into an impromptu downrock routine while Mark watched on in horror, looking a little like he was on the verge of a seizure even if Kihyun was perfectly fine. He also tried to do a headstand, and by that point Jeno had also wandered over to see what all the fuss was about, and viewers had the pleasure of watching both the leader and captain attempt to stop Kihyun from giving himself a concussion—the latter looking like he was about to burst into tears, and the former looking as if he was seconds away from collapsing.
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BEATBOX 2022 BOOMBOXES & MAKESHIFT ENGLISH LESSONS
21, AND, IN HIS WORDS, “IN HIS PRIME,” the vocalist & dancer took to BEATBOX like a duck to water. While it wasn’t a huge favourite of his, he still liked it well enough and had enough fun on both the sets of the music video and all the photoshoots that accompanied the release to make up for it. The choreography was also a favourite for him in particular, and he practised it so much he could be seen absently dancing along to it whenever he stood still for too long in almost all of the extra content both before & after the release. It was practically ingrained in him, all of it coming to him like muscle memory. He swore up and down he could do the BEATBOX choreo tied up and blindfolded by the end of the era, although he was far from complaining, dragging every idol he vaguely knew (and even ones he hadn’t even introduced himself to) to do the challenge with him backstage at all the music shows they attended. Hardly anyone was safe from Kihyun’s pleading eyes and charming smile, and fans joked they’d seen more of Kihyun on TikTok doing dance challenges than they had seen him on any other platform from all of his past eras combined.
He was also noted for his sudden unexpected closeness with Jaemin in the BEATBOX era. While they were far from just acquaintances, and had expressed their shared love for one another multiple times in the past (even after their not-really-fight they’d shared in their trainee years, the story of which Kihyun had retold during a live with Jeno and could barely get though sentences of without laughing at how ridiculous it sounded all those years later), he just seemed a little closer, a little clingier in all of the behind-the-scenes content; hanging off of his arm or dragging im off somewhere to talk about something or other. When asked about it somewhere, he simply shrugged with a big grin on his face. “I just like Jaemin-hyung,” was all he said at the time, but later in an Instagram post of the two on the set of the music video he had written the caption ‘please give me lots of love—and lots of followers too!’ with a whole array of heart emojis to accompany it, to which Jaemin commented with a lot of laughter and promising he’d bring his dongsaeng all the Instagram fame he seemed to desire. Now most definitely building his streak back up, BEATBOX was a GOOD era for Kihyun all-around.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: UNBOXING BEATBOX ALBUM
Sat with Donghyuck, Renjun, and Mark, Kihyun was tearing off the cellophane packaging of the album before the rest could even greet the camera, practically desperate to look through the photobook and (most importantly, so he could add it to his ever-growing collection of all the photocards he owned of his fellow members) see who he’d pulled. He yelled out in delight and brandished his brand-new Jaemin PC at the camera, before almost immediately pulling out his phone and prying off the case to slip it into the back of it (covering up the GLITCH MODE era Mark he’d pulled the last time they’d done an unboxing, much to the leader’s dismay). After that was done with, he started spending an unnecessarily long amount of time pouring over each page of the photobook, trying to think of English adjectives to describe them with and then distracting Mark from his own unboxing in order to get him to whisper them in his ear when he couldn’t think of how to translate them. ‘Hot’ and Jaemin’s practically-trademarked ‘Sexy’ was what he ended up coming out with the most.
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CANDY  2022 EARMUFFS & CHRISTMAS KARAOKE
CHRISTMAS AT 21 was a very merry affair for Kihyun. He was as festive as could be, even wrangling Renjun and Jisung into buying a fake tree for their dorm that he decorated in a (very chaotic, and very loud) Christmas live a few days before the release of the EP. That seemed like the extent of his social media updates, though, only really appearing after that in group Twitter posts or lives (or occasionally the background of another member’s picture)—but this wasn’t all bad, seeing as it confirmed to most that he enjoyed the colourful and fun winter concept they were going with for the release. The only other real proper online presence he had was the random flurry of Bubble messages his subscribers would receive concerning his ranting and raving about his personal favourites from H.O.T.’s discography, seeing as he took it upon himself to listen to more of them because it was one of their songs they were remaking. Fans took delight in Kihyun’s wide smiles and overall joyful mannerism as he delivered lines about leaving his partner for another, saying his always-cheerful disposition made his performance of the title track all the more enjoyable.
In behind-the-scenes & extra content, Kihyun’s Christmas spirit felt infectious to viewers. There wasn’t a moment where he wasn’t belting out the lyrics to Christmas classics from all countries (even if he had to hold his phone up to Mark’s face on occasion and get him to help him with the pronunciation of some of the lyrics), or dancing around to something only he could hear in his head, or picking up some of the fake-snow they sprinkled around on a few of their sets and chucking it in Chenle’s face before sprinting in the other direction while the Chinese vocalist immediately gave chase, and the rest could only stand and watch it all play out. Now matching his previous four-long streak, CANDY is agreed to be yet another GOOD era for the vocalist.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: PACKING CANDY ALBUM
He was in Mark, Jisung, and Chenle’s group, and spent most of the time chucking baubles at Chenle, trying to balance the various items placed before them on the table on Jisung’s head & shoulders without him noticing, and steadily making his way through the whole rack of Chupa Chups sitting right beside him unattended rather than doing anything with the actual box in front of him. Mark took over the job for him in the end, leaving him to pretty much do whatever he pleased in the meantime (one of those things was repaying the favour Mark did him by tying him in bows with the ribbon that their boxes had come wrapped in, the leader making faces while he did so but doing absolutely nothing to stop him at the same time).
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ISTJ 2023 MBTI FRAUD & IMPULSE DECISIONS
22-YEAR-OLD-KIHYUN was as energetic as ever, full of ideas and eager to get all of them heard. ISTJ was the album where he received the most writing credits, recorded as having helped with the lyrics for all tracks bar Like We Just Met and Blue Wave. Fans liked to see that he was showing a more creative side of himself this era, and that he was vocal about all the things he’d had input in or had helped shape into the final form, polishing it to perfection for their third full album. He was most noticeably supportive in their behind-the-scenes recording videos, where he got through all of his own sessions quickly & efficiently (but with no lack of passion and enthusiasm for the lines he was given—which most were happy to see were more than usual, similar to the WE YOUNG era in terms of numbers, even occasionally soaring a few higher) and then stayed in to listen to all of his other fellow members, cheering them on from behind the glass and dancing around as they recorded, greeting them with a wide hug and endless amounts of praise when they left the booth.
Another thing that was enjoyable for fans was his complete lack of awareness of what an MBTI actually was. He’d heard of them, of course, but he’d never gone as far as to take a test and find out for himself. So Kihyun, curious to see what the fuss was all about, turned on an Instagram live, propped his phone up against his desk, switched his laptop on, and took one there and then. He consulted with viewers about every single one of the questions, taking far too long to complete it than any normal person would-and, when he finally did, disagreeing with his result right up until he saw other people that shared his MBTI. He shut up pretty quick when he scrolled down a little more and saw that he apparently had the same one as Adele, changing his tune almost instantly and saying his result was the best of them all. Officially bumping his longest-running streak up to five, ISTJ was most definitely a GOOD era for Kihyun.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: MV BEHIND
He was clearly in his element, bouncing around from member to member to play with their hair or jump onto their back or whisper something in their ear before bursting out into a fit of snickers and running off again to see who else he could bother. He played photographer for most of their Instagram posts, taking the outtakes or moments where they had an eye closed or just clearly weren’t ready for his own feed, started a playfight with Jisung and nearly tripped himself up on a stray wire in the process, brought his own mini Bluetooth speaker to set one day so he could have a soundtrack while he caused his chaos, and attempted to show off more tricks he was learning, but was quickly stopped by Mark, who, as soon as he saw him getting in position for what looked like a cartwheel of some sort, was rushing over faster than light—his breakdancing routine from the GLITCH MODE era still very much as the forefront of his mind.
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DREAM()SCAPE 2024 MOCKTAILS & ODD-LOOKING FRUITS
AGAIN FRESH OFF A BIRTHDAY (HIS 23RD THIS TIME), the vocalist felt just as excited for the release as he had for GLITCH MODE, even if it wasn’t a full album. It was calling back to their debut days, making a statement through all of the symbolism and hidden messages that was louder than any of them could convey with words, and was altogether a project that hoped to show to everyone how strong their bond actually was, to convince the few out there that were of the opposite opinion that they all loved one another throughout the thick and thin their eight years of being an active subunit, and weren’t likely to stop anytime soon. Kihyun was like Jisung in regards to all the fan-theories being made about the teasers, keeping his mouth mostly shut (although some thought that was just because he was barely on social media as it was), but did comment on some things in particular—namely Jeno’s back, the Jaemin trailer that had him locking eyes with the camera even in between a crowd, and the Chenle pill-biting scene. He kept quiet on his own, making brief comments about how cool he thought he looked on Bubble but not saying much otherwise.
The few things he did share about the comeback were mostly about the music. He had writing credits for the majority of the songs, but also had another piece of news that was exciting for him as a longtime personal goal he’d had for a good while—and that was that he’d assisted with the production on one of the tracks. Most that knew Kihyun knew that music production had been one of his interests since he knew what it was, and so naturally that meant they knew what some of his work in the production area actually getting used in an official release would mean to him. He couldn’t have been happier about it, and that happiness was a sentiment both the members and his closer friends outside of Dream shared with him, mentioning it in passing when talking about DREAM()SCAPE. Even if it only just ended, SMOOTHIE is considered yet another—making this his sixth in a row since ‘the dark ages’—GOOD era for Kihyun.
MY  FAVOURITE  MOMENT: DREAM()SCAPE COUPLE SONG MEETING
Amidst all the chaos, Kihyun was surprisingly quiet. He looked half-asleep for most of the meeting; Jamiroquai baseball cap backwards on his head, eyes drooping closed every now and again, and a thick sweater on that he kept pulling closer to himself as if he wanted it to suddenly transform into a blanket. The only thing he did the whole meeting was play Cooking Mama on his phone (we know this because he shared screenshots of his finished dishes on Bubble afterwards) and vouch for Carat Cake—yes, you heard that right, Carat Cake. The song that most of the members bar maybe Donghyuck acted as if it didn’t exist. He didn’t really care if it wasn’t a couple song, and didn’t really care if it didn’t get picked, either—he just wanted it to be known that was where his vote lay. It was his favourite song on the EP, and hoped that somewhere out there there’d be people that liked it just as much as him. At some point in the middle he got bored with both his phone and the arguments still going on in front of him, so he nestled his head in his arms and attempted to have a nap. Which, predictably, didn’t work that well. By the end of it he was still dead tired, still the only one that liked Carat Cake, but also the only one who had three stars on his Cooking Mama carbonara, and so he considered himself the real winner of that meeting.
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ellewritesalright · 2 years ago
Text
Foxtrot
Nikolai Lantsov x reader
A/N: hi! This was a request by an anon! Hope yall enjoy :)
Request: reader is like the princess or some kind of duchess from kerch and she gets invited to a ball in ravka. there, she meets nikolai and he is head over heels for her and they dance and everything
Warnings: Fluff, dancing, me not knowing shit about dancing
Word Count: 900
..........
The ball wasn't his idea. Genya was the organizer, and David and Zoya fell into the roles of enabler and enforcer respectively. Nikolai didn't see the use in a great gathering like this, but Genya was insistent.
"You need a queen, and what better place to find one than through drink and dance," she'd said.
He wanted to bash his head against the freshly painted walls of the Grand Palace's ballroom, but sighed and stayed stoic at his post in the corner. He took up residence there as soon as the evening started, allowing guests to approach and greet him while Tamar and Tolya flanked him. He made idle conversation as he watched the dancing.
Ties and tails and ballgowns of every colour--though he noticed a wealth of women in emerald green, the same colour of the gem reserved for the Lantsov royal family--swished about the room. It was a little nice to see the dancing, a little mesmerizing even, but he would never tell Genya that he was enjoying himself.
When the band's song finished, the dancers came to a stop. People milled on the floor for a moment, then a Kerch foxtrot began. Many people left for refreshments, but a few couples remained. The dance was not popular with Ravkans as most preferred a waltz, and he saw many nobles from his country skirting to the edges of the room. Even the seemingly most accomplished dancers from other countries were sitting this one out, but there in the middle of the floor was you and a graceless partner.
He'd seen you throughout the night, flowing across the room no matter who your partner was. His eyes often tracked you and your deep blue dress. It reminded him of the ocean waves cresting, especially with its white lining that complimented your movements so perfectly.
He knew your partner. The Count of Ulensk, who spent more time bidding on horses in Caryeva than caring for his people at home. Despite all his time in the liveliest Ravkan city, he was a terrible dancer. You flowed as gracefully as a swan, he moved more like a penguin, clonking about and stepping on your toes.
Without a second thought, Nikolai excused himself from whichever diplomat he was conversing with and strode towards the floor. He tapped the Count on the shoulder.
"Excuse me for interrupting, but may I steal this dance with your partner?"
The Count seemed offended for a moment, but he quickly nodded. "Of course, your highness."
As soon as he was out of sight, Nikolai gave you a smile and took your hand. He bowed, you bowed, and the dancing began
"Thank you," you said.
He gave you a charming smile. "Don't mention it. I couldn't let you suffer out here, especially not when you're the best dancer I've seen all night."
At his words your eyes dipped bashfully.
"That's a lofty compliment, one I'm not sure I'm worthy of. I'm only alright at dancing."
"Then everyone else must be abysmal. Quite unfortunate they were all invited to this ball, then. I must tell my advisors to invite real dancers to one of these next time. And you, of course. Even if you are only alright." He took a good look at you before he swiveled the two of you. "Where are you from?"
"Kerch, your highness. I came with my father, Councilman Bodden."
Your father was a Councilman in Kerch? That meant you had money; Genya and the squadron of people invested in his future queen would love that for Nikolai and for the Ravkan coffers.
He turned the pair of you around again, marveling a bit at how well you kept up. "And how was your journey?"
"Land travel became a bit boring after a while, especially through the desert of the former Fold. The trip across the True Sea was my favourite part of it."
"Was it now?" He raised a brow.
He wasn't sure if you were honest. He knew some in Ravkan court knew his identity on the sea. Perhaps the secret had spread and your speaking about the sea was a mere tactic to attract him to you. Yet that possibility didn't stop him from thinking you were incredibly cute.
"It was, your highness." Your eyes lit up. "My family's home is on the water, but we rarely go out into the harbours, and we'd never crossed the sea before--well I think my father had, but I certainly hadn't."
"Until now," he grinned
"Until now," you said with a nod.
He dipped you, his hand strong at the square of your back. You smiled politely, though he could see in your excited eyes how you were holding back a grin. He raised you back up.
"And do you like it here in Ravka?" He asked quietly.
"Yes," you breathed. "Very much so."
"I'm glad," he said.
Then the pair of you danced in comfortable silence. Nikolai couldn't stop staring into your eyes. And you–despite your initial meekness–met his stare eagerly, as though his eyes were speaking of their own accord, whispering pretty things to you. Saints knew he wanted to say them aloud, but a crowded ballroom hardly seemed the place for them.
The band slowed, the rest of the dancers did too, but Nikolai didn't want to stop. He held your hand even as the music stopped completely and both his and your feet had halted.
"Will you dance the next song with me, your highness?" You asked, your eyes hopeful.
"It would be my honour."
..........
A/N: Thanks for reading! Feel free to like, reblog, and comment if you want to read more, I really appreciate the feedback! Reminder that requests are still open for shorter fics like this. Otherwise, I hope you have a great day/night :)
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