#and i changed them to be present tense bc it was easier but when i got home from work i went through and changed it all to past

[scionshtola]

with certainty

summary: Corisande was forced to heal her own injuries following their battle in Cape Westwind. Y'shtola is none too impressed with the job they did. pairing: Corisande Ymir/Y'shtola Rhul (pre-relationship) word count: 1666 | read on ao3 notes: everything about healing in here i made up. and supplemented with things i saw on grey's anatomy. sorry in advance. and spoilers for the end of ARR. [divider credit]

Behind Corisande, Castrum Meridianum loomed in the distance, the glow of its shields bright against the night sky. Before them, the Alliance troops prepared for the next phase of Operation Archon, spurred on by their successes at the other Garlean outposts thus far. Corisande watched them work, running here and there, voices blending with the sounds of weapons being tended.

If all went well, the troops in front of her would engage the Garlean forces outside while Corisande snuck into the stronghold and disabled its magitek shield generator. If it did not go well, if Corisande let down all of the brave people before her, those willing to risk their lives on the misplaced hope that she succeeded—

They shut their eyes, pushing the thought away. There was always a way for things to go wrong. Now was not the time to dwell on the possibilities.

“Ah, there is our Warrior of Light.”

Searing hot metal closed over Corisande’s wrist. Rhitahtyn sas Arvina stood over them, yanked the chain that linked them and sent them stumbling toward him. She dug her heels into the ground, struggling for purchase in the mud and the grass, churned together by his relentless attacks. It was no use. He was far bigger than them, far more prepared for battle in close quarters, and the manacle on their wrist was blisteringly hot. Pain greater than any they had ever felt before radiated through their arm. She needed distance, needed time to cast, needed her hands free—

“Corisande,” he sneered down at her. Around them, the battlefield was ablaze, flames licking their body as they continued to struggle. She aimed her grimoire at his head, tried to shove him away, anything to create the time and space to cast a spell. If I can just summon Titan… “Are you well?”

They blinked, and the flames receded. The manacle fell from their wrist, leaving behind a phantom pain, as if their skin had been scalded all over again—but it did not truly hurt, not anymore. They had made sure of it.

“Corisande?” Y’shtola’s voice broke through the haze of imagined pain. Where Rhitahtyn towered over her a moment ago, Y’shtola stood peering up at her, her fingers wrapped loosely around their wrist.

“I’m fine,” they answered, and tried to cover the suspiciously quick response with a smile. She tugged her arm free, the tips of Y’shtola’s fingers trailing along the back of her hand, and let it fall to her side, fighting against the urge to cradle it protectively against her chest.

Unsurprisingly, Y’shtola did not seem convinced. She trained her gaze on them, unwavering, concern evident in her bright teal eyes, and reached for their arm again. She took it with a practiced hand, pushing their sleeve back to reveal the web of mottled scars encircling their wrist, a wide, morbid bracelet, the tendrils of which stretched across the back of their hand. 

“When did this happen?” Her touch was firm but gentle as she turned their arm over, examining the scarring from all sides. 

Corisande hesitated, reluctant to do or say anything that might distract from the next phase of the mission. Reluctant to relive the pain in the retelling of it. But she has kept little from Y’shtola in the course of their friendship and as much as she wished not to speak of it, she did not wish to hide it from her either. 

 “A few bells ago,” they finally admitted. “At Cape Westwind. I am afraid I got a little too close to my adversary.”

“A few bells...” Y’shtola prodded at the scars, her eyes narrowing when Corisande did not react. She turned their hand over and skimmed her fingers along the inside of their wrist, brushing the singed edges of what was left of their wrist wrappings. They had not found a moment to replace them since the battle, swept from one task to the next as they were.

“Pray, which healer is responsible for this remarkably poor work?” The sharpness of her words contrasted the gentle hold she kept on their arm. “I should like to have a word with them. A burn so deep as this one appears to have been would take hours to heal properly.”

Corisande would laugh, if it did not feel like so much work. If her skin did not itch, did not feel stretched taut over her bones, fragile and paper thin, at war with the ironic spark of warmth blooming in her chest. Still, that Y’shtola should take such immediate offense to the shoddy quality of care they received was enough to bring a small, fond smile to their face. If only they had someone else to blame. “I will keep that in mind for next time.”

Y’shtola’s eyes widened, gaze flicking between their face and their scar. “You healed yourself?” she asked, at once both incredulous and irritated. “Reforming the layers of skin, repairing the nerves, not to mention the debridement—the pain would have been excruciating. Even more so if not given time to rest between stages. Why did you not come to me?”

Corisande had hardly been able to take two steps after defeating Rhitahtyn, the pain had been so overwhelming. They had tried—one foot in front of the other, just until they reached the others, but they hardly knew where they were going, the pain blinding them to everything around them. Every step had jostled their arm, lightning bolts of pain emanating from their wrist. She’d held her arm to her chest, but every brush of her open wound against her clothes had set her wrist aflame all over again. It had been impossible to think straight.

They had only meant to heal it enough that they could think about something else. Anything else. But Y’shtola was right—the pain of healing had been excruciating, so much so she could hardly keep her eyes open to watch. But she had. She’d watched as the seared bits of her gloves fell from the wound, grit her teeth as the skin began to reform. They had meant to stop, meant to leave the rest until they could find a real healer—until they could find Y’shtola.

But they had never had much control over their healing, had always neglected the study of it for the more interesting act of summoning. She could hardly tell what she was doing, her own cries ringing in her ears, unwilling tears blurring her vision. It had been hard to see, so hard to think about anything but the pain—until there was no pain at all.

“I only meant to make it bearable,” Corisande answered, meeting Y’shtola’s gaze. Her expression flickered, melting from a borderline scowl into softer concern as she looked into their eyes. It lasted only a moment, and then she dropped her gaze to their wrist once more. She prodded at it with cool fingers, then pressed hard against their skin, almost a pinch, pursing her lips when Corisande gasped.

“‘Tis not the prettiest work, but your nerves are intact,” she said neutrally, and let their arm drop to their side.

“You could have just asked.” Corisande rubbed her wrist, though she could not quite hide her amusement at Y’shtola’s straightforward approach. In fact, she found something rather comforting in her lack of gentle bedside manner.

 “Had you proper knowledge of healing magicks, there would be far less scarring,” Y’shtola continued, as if Corisande had not spoken. “But we must make do with what talents we have on the battlefield. That you have healed is of greater import than the manner in which it was done.”

“Come to me should you need any further healing,” she added, in a tone that brooked no argument from Corisande, then narrowed her eyes at them. “But do not expect that I will let you get away with subpar healing forever. A mage of your skill should know how to properly heal themself.”

The laugh that Corisande had struggled to produce moments ago burst easily from her lips now. “I look forward to your lessons, Master Y’shtola.”

Y’shtola smiled, pleased, a touch of mischief in her eyes, and Corisande’s heart swelled with affection, an answering grin forming on their lips. Until Y’shtola’s eyes darted over their shoulder, at the fortress still looming over them, returning to the forefront of their mind all the worries that had fallen to the side when she had first touched them. 

“I would prefer that you rest, but there is still work to be done,” Y’shtola said, staring up at Castrum Meridianum with steel in her eyes. Corisande turned to face the fortress, and for a moment they stood side by side in silence, contemplating the task before them. One more step on the path to Eorzean liberation.

Y’shtola grasped Corisande’s hand. This time she did not look away when their eyes met, and instead returned their gaze with an assurance in her eye that calmed them. “I will see you when you return, Corisande,” she said, giving their hand a comforting squeeze before slipping away to resume her duties amongst the troops.

Corisande took one last look at the looming castrum and let the sound of the battle preparations taking place behind her wash over her. The fate of Eorzea, of everyone behind them, very likely rested on their shoulders. The thought was nearly enough to send them running for the forest they had come from. 

Instead, she turned toward the crowd of people working behind her. Cid was somewhere amongst them, beginning the preparations for the infiltration, and it was past time she sought him out to assist. 

They worked their way through the encampment, a certainty rising within them as they walked. Y’shtola was right—they would see each other again. They were as sure of it as Y’shtola seemed to be herself. 

And they found, suddenly, that they could bear anything, so long as they had that to hold on to.

[mothandpidgeon]

Aunt Flo's First Visit [pre-outbreak!Joel Miller x f!reader]

MASTERLIST - follow @mothandpidgeon-updates and turn on notifications to stay updated with my fics!

Pairing: pre-outbreak!Joel Miller x f!reader

Summary: After Sarah gets her first period, Joel is determined to be a supportive parent despite the fact that he doesn't know the first thing about menstruation. But when he goes to the pharmacy to shop for supplies, he finds himself in way over his head.

Words: 2k

Rating: G

Warnings: period stuff and everything that comes with it

a/n: This is really fluffy and a little silly. I saw a tik tok by a menstrual product company about a customer trying to find the right thing for his daughter and it just gave me such Joel energy this happened. I haven't finished any fic in MONTHS because I'm working on my book and that's not finished either so it feels really good to complete something. (If you want to keep up with my publishing journey, I'm mainly documenting it here.) Please enjoy.

Also, I challenged myself to write in present tense bc I never do and I really was struggling so pretend the grammar is all correct. Thank you.

Joel knows how to do a lot of things. He can manage a crew, change a flat tire, and build just about anything. He never considered himself smart by the classical definition but he knows how to make a car battery from scratch despite the fact that he got a C in chemistry. 

If somebody had told him a decade ago that he’d one day be paralyzed with fear in the feminine hygiene aisle, he would’ve laughed. But right now, Joel would give all his knowledge along with his left arm if he could just figure out what the hell he ought to buy for his daughter.

He knew this day would come eventually. It’s his own damn fault he never prepared himself. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he must’ve expected Sarah to just know how to handle it. Being a single dad wasn’t a walk in the park but he couldn’t imagine how much harder it would be if Sarah wasn’t so damn self sufficient. Even at 13, she can get herself fed and dressed and off to school without help. Of course she could figure this out on her own.

But Joel was reminded that Sarah’s still just a kid when she finally told him that she’d gotten her period for the very first time. She was so embarrassed to admit it, Joel practically had to drag it out of her. 

He was angry with himself. He should’ve been ready, wished that he knew the right words to say. Joel promised himself he would put things right so she wouldn’t feel like she ever had to hide anything from him. 

That was a lot easier said than done, he realizes now.

Joel stands in the aisle overwhelmed and confused. Boxes and soft packages in friendly, pastel colors stare at him from the shelves. He’s never spent much time with the feminine hygiene products, not unless he was scooting by them to pick up a little carton from the family planning section. He hasn’t bothered to learn about that stuff. Women’s stuff. He’s not disgusted by menstruation, isn’t afraid of it. It’s just one of those things he never had to deal with. 

Without Sarah’s mom, though, he’s had to figure out plenty of girl things. He can remember the lesson on managing Sarah’s curls from the kind woman at the hair salon. Names of Shampoos and oils that felt foreign were now routine and he’s mastered using the combs and clips that looked more intimidating than some of his power tools. But he struggled for a good long while before that kind stylist took pity on him. 

And here he is again, flying blind into the female whirlwind. 

There’s so many options on the shelf. Words like HEAVY and gentle and sport. And the prices. Christ! He thought the hair stuff was expensive.  

Joel’s head is spinning but he has to get it together. He’d vowed long ago that he would be Dad and Mom too. That’s what his daughter deserves. 

Just a year ago, he hovered outside of the dressing room at the mall as Sarah tried on training bras. 

“Did you find one? You were in there for a while,” he said when she emerged.

“Dad,” she replied in that tone she was using more and more often, the one that told him to shut up.

It isn’t the changes to her body that scare him, all of the subtle ways she’s becoming less familiar. His little girl is growing up and he mourns her childhood. It won’t be long before she’s driving, going off to college. Maybe she’ll have a daughter of her own but Joel hopes she’ll wait longer than he did, have a chance to make a life for herself.

Speaking of which, he realizes he’s going to have to sit her down for a real talk about boys next. He better get ready for that one. Explaining where babies come from hadn’t been too difficult. Condoms and venereal diseases are a whole different ball game. Teenage boys are gremlins– he’d know– and Sarah’s so smart and pretty, she’s going to have to be careful. 

Joel doesn’t know how long he’s been staring at the shelves when a woman appears in the aisle, another shopper. She’s got her keys looped around a finger, headed straight for the tampons, her flip flops smacking against the bottoms of her feet. Joel has a box in his hands. He doesn’t even know what he’s picked up, it’s just got the least intimidating packaging and the price is reasonable. He can’t help but catch the woman’s eye and the look she gives him is a little wary. It must be obvious that he’s out of his depths. But she gives a polite, tight lipped smile and proceeds to ignore him as she approaches the pantheon of period products. 

He watches as her eyes dart around the shelves and quickly she makes a selection, plucking up a box clad with pink and purple silhouettes. So easy. Well, it must be easy for her. He wonders how many times she’s visited this part of the pharmacy, if her mother brought her to the store when she was Sarah’s age and showed her all the options. 

His free hand fidgets at his side and he swallows dryly. He feels like an idiot but he reminds himself that he’s got to do this. For Sarah. The woman is already half way back to the end of the aisle by the time he’s found his voice. 

---

“Excuse me, miss. Could I trouble you for a second?” you hear from the man behind you. 

You turn around, confused, but there’s nobody else that he could be talking to. Here you thought you could get in and out quickly. You’re cranky and tired and all day you’ve had toe curling cramps. It hits you like a ton of bricks every month. All you want to do is get home to your couch to watch some crappy reality tv. 

But this lumberjack of a man– broad shoulders wrapped in a flannel shirt– is giving you puppy dog eyes. You’ve never been hit on while holding a box of Tampax Pearl but there’s a first time for everything. 

“I apologize. This is real awkward,” he says, rubbing at the back of his neck with a big hand. “I’m trying to get something for my daughter but I’m a little lost.”

His voice is warm and sweet and he’s handsome as hell but you keep your distance. 

“Didn’t she tell you what to get?” you ask. 

His expression grows even more bashful and his voice lowers. 

“I’m afraid it’s, uh…well, it’s new territory for both of us,” he admits. 

You can’t help the sympathetic smile that forms on your lips. Some poor preteen girl just got welcomed into the cruel arms of womanhood. It will be all downhill from here. Wild mood swings, angry breakouts, blood leaking through her favorite pair of pants. At least, it seems, she’s got her dad on her side. It takes a lot of balls for a guy to pick up a box of tampons let alone stop a stranger and ask for help. 

You’d like to tell him that you’re too busy to help– you can hear your Haagen Dazs calling you all the way from the freezer– but you at least owe it to this kid to help him out. 

“What’ve you got?” you ask, nodding towards the powder blue box in his grasp. It looks so little in his big hand. You walk back towards him and take a look. “Oh. Nice try but I wouldn’t go with that.”

He regards his choice again. It’s kind of adorable, the way the corners of his mouth frown as he squints at the words on the front. “What’s wrong with these?” His words aren’t defensive, he’s genuinely curious. 

“Tampons can be pretty tricky when you’re that age. And those don’t even come with an applicator,” you explain. You remember trying to use a tampon that first time. You’d never put anything up there before and it stung like hell.

“Applicator?” His brows furrow and you can see fear in his brown eyes. 

“So you can put it…in,” you tell him and motion with your finger, jabbing your pointer upwards. 

His cheeks go pink. Ears too. You try to suppress a giggle as his brain short circuits for a second. His throat works as he swallows and places the box back on the shelf— gingerly, like it might explode. 

“Which are the ones that don’t…go inside?” he asks. 

It’s impossible to keep from grinning. 

“Pads,” you say. 

He nods. 

You choose a package and place it in his hands. It’s a multipack, everything from light to heavy, and no wings so she doesn’t feel like she’s wearing a diaper. 

“Try this,” you say. “She might not like them. It takes some trial and error.”

He reads over the circle in the corner that claims it’s 100% Leak Free! You can see he’s still overwhelmed but he’s far less nervous. He really is good looking and you have to wonder how he doesn’t have a woman in his life to help him out.

“This many?” he asks. 

“She might need more.” You shrug. “Just stay away from the scented ones. And you have Tylenol at home?”

“I think so.”

“How about a heating pad?”

He shakes his head. 

“Go get one,” you advise. 

He blows out air and then steels himself with a nod, ready to face the red menace. 

“I’m awfully grateful for your help,” he says and you can tell by the look on his face, he means that. 

You feel your own cheeks heat. 

---

Joel ends up behind her in the checkout line after securing an electric heating pad and grabbing an extra bottle of Motrin. 

“What do you think?” he asks, showing her what he picked.

“Good job,” she tells him. Her smile is tinged with amusement but his chest still swells with pride. Maybe he’s not such a failure of a father after all.

Now that he’s less bewildered, Joel can’t help but notice how pretty this woman is. She’s dressed for comfort without any make up as far as he can tell but that smile and the kindness in her eyes is what does it for him. If they met under different circumstances, maybe he’d try to flirt. Not that he’s had the opportunity to practice recently. It’s for the best, though. There’s absolutely no way the combination of bumbling idiot, single parent, and menstruation makes for a romantic connection. Besides he’s here on an errand for his daughter.

Joel tries to keep his eyes from wandering over her as the teenager behind the register rings her up, the pink box and two bags of M&Ms. She gives Joel one last smile before leaving the store. 

He thought he might feel embarrassed buying nothing but period supplies but he’s too busy thinking about how helpful she was. Sarah would just about die from mortification if he told her a complete stranger gave him a crash course in maxi pads. He chuckles to himself. 

“Hey!” someone calls as Joel approaches his truck.

It’s her, the woman from the pharmacy, crossing the parking lot. Joel smooths his hair.

“These are for her,” she says, handing him one of her bags of candy. “Chocolate helps.”

Joel gives a soft laugh as he weighs the M&Ms in his hand. “That I knew,” he says. 

“And, uh, here,” she tells him, holding out the long receipt. 

Joel takes the paper. On the back she’s scribbled her name and phone number. 

“You know, I don’t know. I just thought– if she has any questions. Or maybe if you do,” she says, shrugging. She’s much less confident now than she was in front of that endless selection of menstrual products. It’s cute and makes Joel feel a little less like an idiot for the way he was fumbling a few minutes ago. 

“I owe you one,” he says.

She shakes her head. “Just be patient,” she warns. “She’s gonna be a bitch but don’t take it personally.”

Joel grins. 

“You’re a good dad,” she tells him and he doesn’t know how to respond to that.

She’s already backing away towards her car and waves again. 

Joel looks at her number, once again finding something he doesn’t know. He’d give his left arm to figure out how soon is too soon to call. 

---

MASTERLIST - follow @mothandpidgeon-updates and turn on notifications to stay updated with my fics!

[hyperfixation-fix]

Aight so.

Just reblogged a post that mentioned Nico canonically having depression (totally agree), but I wanted to talk about my other headcanons around Nico's mental health AND MORE IMPORTANTLY his recovery journey.

(AN IMPORTANT NOTE: I'm very wary of talking about headcanons involving mental illness, bc it can easily cross the line into romanticising mental illness. I grew up in that kind of online space, and it's toxic af and makes recovery almost impossible. So I want to emphasise, especially for younger fans who read this - Nico gets better, canonically and in my headcanons. So did I. So will you. It takes work, and often it's not a painless or pretty process, but it's so much better than letting yourself rot away in the dark. Romanticise being well, being happy, and getting better.)

In my head, Nico is autistic. But I think he's been so traumatised and so dissociated for so long that he doesn't even really realise how much things affect him, how much easier things could be if he gave himself permission to be the way he is.

FOR EXAMPLE. I think he is specifically very sensory-sensitive, but he's so disconnected from his body and brain that he doesn't really realise it. He just always feels Bad™️ and has never been safe enough to figure out why. So then, once he gets comfortable at CHB and really starts to finally feel safe and present, he starts to slowly untangle things bit by bit. Will is a big part of this - he's very intuitive and notices stress queues in Nico before Nico even realises he's stressed.

It starts off with Will noticing Nico avoiding crowds, which isn't necessarily weird for a kid who spent the last several years with ghosts, but then he realises it's not actually the people that bother him. It's the noise. Like, Nico avoids the Apollo Cabin as much as possible, even when it's completely empty except for Will, bc it's constantly got music playing a little too loud. Nico doesn't even really know why he doesn't like it and doesn't really bother thinking much about it, but Will is like "huh that's interesting". And, as he gets closer with Nico, that pattern becomes more and more apparent - in noisy places, Nico becomes tense and guarded, but in quiet places he's more relaxed. Then Will notices Nico's sensitivity to textures. Some clothes are consistently "grumpy Nico clothes" and some are "happy Nico clothes".

Will decides to run little experiments, making subtle changes around Nico and taking note of Nico's reaction. For example, suggesting Nico change clothes before a date because "I like the black jeans better" ie "the black jeans are a softer denim and stiff denim makes you grumpy". Or swapping out Nico's sheets bc "whoops my bad, I was practicing wound cleaning and spilled supplies all over them! But don't worry, I've replaced them with a new set so it's all good," ie "your sheets were cheapass 100% cotton and rough af and that's why you haven't had a good night's sleep like, ever, so here's a high-quality satin (or whatever, idk fabrics) set that probably won't bother you as much." And lo and behold, Nico sleeps like a baby every night after that. Or orchestrating a whole plan to get Nico into the Apollo Cabin when it's quiet (music gets turned low, siblings are threatened with weeks of dish duty if they don't keep it down), and seeing if he's less on edge. AND HE IS.

And eventually Nico picks up on Will's increasingly elaborate accommodation experiments (Will is simply having way too much fun at this point - he feels super sneaky, finds it hilarious that Nico still isn't noticing, and also just loves seeing Nico less stressed out) and is like "Solace I know you're up to something, out with it or else." And at that point Will is like "ok bet" and pulls out a fucking spreadsheet (Annabeth taught him how to use excel (yeh I know demigods don't vibe with tech but this is my headcannon so deal with it) with great joy and little-to-no interest in why he actually wanted to learn) with a bunch of Nico's triggers and sensitivities and the success rates of different accommodations. Nico is like "I'm actually going to kill you, you've been fucking with my brain for months????" but is barely containing how curious he is and how sweet he actually finds it that Will has thought so much about how to make Nico happy. But Will knows, especially when Nico, even while grumbling, takes the spreadsheet with him.

The next day Will presents Nico with a present he was saving for the final big-reveal: some loop earplugs or something similar. Discrete and practical 😌 Will just leaves them next to Nico's bed with a cute lil sticky note that says "Before you orchestrate my untimely demise as promised, give these a go. Consider it the last request of a dead man walking ;) love you Neeks x".

And that's that. The earplugs make a massive difference, much to Nico's surprise and Will's smug satisfaction, and from then on Nico starts to reconnect with himself and gets better and better at recognising things that make him more comfortable, and using them. Will considers his experiment over (a resounding success, of course), but is unwaveringly supportive and helpful as Nico figures stuff out.

Lol that became very long sorry, but it made me happy to write it out hehehe

[lgbtimelords]

For writer ask: 4, 17, and 38

4) Do you have any OCs? Do you have a story for them?

SUPERCORP KIDS!!!! I have so much mapped out for them in my brain. Names, studies, their relationship with Kara and Lena, etc etc. I love them, they're my brain children. I feel like at some point we all think of the "SC kid shows up from the future" AU but I haven't found a decent enough plot-point to actually want to write my version of that fic (especially bc there's half a million versions of that) but those kids have Mountains of headcanons on them.

-

17) Past or present tense? Why?

In writing I usually use present tense more. I find it easier to keep the stories going and for the reader to understand when something is a memory or current time than if everything is in past tense. But when it comes to reading I love any tense the same tbh.

-

38) "This never happened" fix-it fics or "this happened but" fix-it fics?

Can I say both? Because BOTH!!!! if it's canon-divergence I will EAT IT UP and have a blast reading them and writing them.

But I feel like in a way I prefer "this happened but" fix its because once something happens in canon my brain does try to add that to what we know of the characters and the story and ignoring it can change a lot of things and sometimes make someone ooc (although maybe not in cwsg bc they had a new retcon every three episodes lol)

[unhappy-last-resort]

okay!! sorry for overstaying my welcome in your inbox but for the sake of being able to send image attachments, i am here🤧

starting at the bones, my general feelings abt what rhymes with you are wholly positive❗️❗️ i love the concept you're going for and from an outsider's pov, getting chrome's perspective as you've done makes for a really interesting read😌 i really loved the way you portrayed his analysis of the situation; his focus on the reader and the feelings it provoked in him. that sense of restraint, confusion and curiosity that runs throughout the text is smth that i believe is so in character for chrome, and you captured the nuances so well😩💕 the foundations you laid out are entirely solid and i have no doubt they'll shape into a wonderful introspective work

as for any constructive points, i made an annotation since it's just a bit easier on the eyes. i'm not actually the biggest fan of picking apart any literature bc, for me, how someone writes is all up to them and the idea of there being a distinct 'right' or 'wrong' sounds like bs. the things i ended up calling attention to were technical and entirely subjective, so know everything going forward can be entirely ignored🥺🩷

THANK YOU! Also, you can send as much shit in my inbox as you want, it rarely gets anything anyways

Thank you for the annotations! I have an issue with accidentally writing in past tense when I meant present, so thank you for pointing it out!

The "you seemed especially sensitive? Bashful? Tonight." Is intentionally supposed to sound rough as it's his direct train of thought and I know sometimes when figuring things out, my thoughts don't flow nicely. I was questionable about that sentence though, so I'll probably go back and make that more obvious, or just change it entirely.

The brackets I wasn't a fan of, it's something I've seen some other writers do, so I wanted to try it

The grammar stuff is deeply appreciated though, I can never trust built in grammar detectors because they're awful

All in all, thank you very much for doing all of this and if you ever need someone to help you with your works, I am happy to help!

[cal-writes]

I FINALLY GOT AROUND TO CHECKING OUT THOSE WRITER ASKS, so excuse me, I'm going to disturb your schedule now with some things I want to ask. For 2023 review asks: 1, 3, 9, 23, 24, and 30 please. For the AO3 wrapped asks: 3, 5, 20, and 30, if you'd be so kind. Hope you are having an excellent time and lots of rest, Cal!

at least this time im at my computer and not on mobile so it will be infitely easier to reply! thank you <3

What’s something new that you tried in a fic this year? How did it turn out and would you do it again?

writing present tense actually! my dear beta has been suggesting it for years bc i mostly wrote past tense (or both i would switch in the middle of a work constantly, sorry @vaguelyreferential) so i dont even know what made me do it one piece fic just had the vibes for it i guess

What’s something you learned about yourself as a writer?

i write best at night and unfortunately like it best to write on my laptop. unfortunately bc i got an ergonomic keyboard for reasons and with the laptop thats not really compatible (i can of course conntect it but i like the vibe of the laptop yknow) i think it might have something to do with my double monitor setup on my main computer which tends to distract me so. fun things about being creative with adhd

What fic meant the most to you to write?

woof. thats a tough one. i mean to a certain degree they all mean something to me yknow. or i wouldnt write them. but i think meaningful to me personally is probably Salt of Midgar its the first long ongoing fic ive done in a while and i really tried to be consistent with uploads and stuff and try to hone the whole "done is better than perfect" with it. i sadly lost the consisitency with putting out chapters with it but i am still very dedicated to finishing it and plan to do it next year.

also have to say one of my unfinished 00Q fics has a soft spot in my heart bc i met my beta through it and got back into writing in the first place bc of the james bond fandom. i have planned to "reboot it" of sorts aka rewrite and actually finish it (bc its so old at this point my style wouldnt really work with it anymore and i also have no idea where i was going). it got shelved bc i got swallowed up my one piece fandom but yknow

Share the final version of a sentence or paragraph you struggled with. What about it was challenging? Are you happy with how it turned out?

“You don’t have to have all the answers for him right now, you know that right?” Kazuha told him gently and he glanced up, feeling small and terrified at the gulf that was opening in his chest. She smiled and nudged their joined hands. “Just talk to him and tell him the truth. Left to your own devices you two just reach the worst conclusions possible.” She added teasingly and Heiji felt himself snort. She had them there. “Communication.” She stressed in a tone of voice Heiji was too familiar with from their time as a couple.  With a final squeeze, he extracted his hands and groaned, letting his head hang over the back of the chair. “Why do I have to be the mature one? Why can’t he come talk to me?” He whined.  “Because Shinichi is emotionally stunted and you are better at interpersonal relationships than him.” She said placatingly and Heiji gaped at her. He narrowed his eyes at her. Kazuha grinned as innocently as possible. Oh, she was goading him.

this whole conversation from the third chapter of One Trick Pony probably. i struggled with that whole chapter in general a whole lot. this conversation originally took place on the train before i scrapped that location change so to speak and had them stay in kazuha's place. what was difficult at the time with that chapter is how miserable the characters were and i got really into that headspace which kinda made writing hard. but im glad with how it turned out in the end!

What's something that surprised you while you were working on a fic? Did it change the story?

i think i have a lot of my "oho" moments when im not actively writing. such as kaito working for the friend of heijis mom. that was like a "yknow what would be funny" and then i implemented that and from that alone came The Simple Life of Kaito. otherwise my writing process is often just getting possessed by ideas and getting them out of my head the way they want it

What’s something that you want to write in 2024?

as said above i want to finish up Salt of Midgar which i think are 2-3 chapters by my last count.

i also had another one piece thing thats basically done that i need to polish up which is in universe and two other things that i might finish up ive been trucking away at those for a while. one is a sequel to laws eleven and the other is a new AU. also of course lucky charm. that reminds me i have to finish up the next chapter for that whoops

i'll post this now just so i dont lose it all but will reply to the other questions in a reblog!!

[bonesandthebees]

man i swear you're like the only author who i see use past tense in dsmp fics /neu

i used to hate present tense pov before reading fics from this fandom sakdjfkjasdf idk why but all the other fandoms who i used to read wrote it terribly lmfaooo and in turn i Also hated writing in it, it always made me feel awkward

but i had to get used to it for school (writing essays n such) and now that ive read so many present tense povs i am 100% used to it

however, it makes writing HELL

bc like . i instinctively start off in past tense, but then i'll just ??? randomly switch to present tense??? or one scene i'll write entirely in past tense, but then i'll pick up the fic the next day and write in present tense, and then the next day go back to past tense 😭😭😭

i dont know how to decide which one i wanna use 😭😭 im opting to change to present tense for one of my (many) hero aus bc i know that like . using present tense can make action scenes more effective, but damn bro i wrote the entire first chapter in past tense so now i have to change it allll 😭😭😭😭

but anyways you use past tense super effective !! even in ur highly emotional and action scenes so . it does give me hope for those fics that i end up writing in past tense that it'll still work out askdfjkasdf

yeah I didn't really notice it for a while until one day my friends and I were talking about tenses and I realized I'm the only one who uses past tense

you see that's kind of why I don't use present tense (with 17 hours being the exception bc roxy only writes in present so I forced myself to do the same). I always end up getting it mixed up with past tense anyway, especially if I have to write a character thinking about something that happened in the past and then switch back to present again?? idk the mid paragraph switches are too much for me to keep up with I get so confused so it's just easier for me to use entirely past tense

while I know a lot of people agree using present tense can make action scenes more effective, but ngl I've never felt like there's much different when I'm reading past vs present. maybe that's just a me thing, but I really don't think it's as big of a deal as people make it out to be. I'm very glad my past tense scenes still feel very effective. I just write them however I want and I've never had anyone say my action scenes are less effective because of the past tense so again I don't think it matters that much. it's just whatever you prefer writing!

[bookwyrminspiration]

i have now finished the ruin of kings… it was sooo much information i genuinely don’t know how i’m going to remember everything when there are FOUR MORE BOOKS! but also i’m very excited to keep going especially bc the first book was such an interesting writing style but we’re all caught up!! we’re in the present tense now!! who knows what’s going to happen!!! anyway thank you for posting about the series so much and inspiring me to read it. also i can’t pronounce anyone’s name and that’s the true hallmark of a great series <3

FUCK YEAH!!! don't worry it gets easier, but also there's literally. so many resources in the back of every single book specifically so you can try to keep everything straight. except the family trees are so fucked that even with them you gotta decipher the thing that helps you decipher the series--also book 5 (4?) literally starts with like. a 2 page preface explaining what's going on and where we're at i LOVE how complicated everything is. genuinely

book 1 is basically just a giant set up for everything else, laying all the pieces. and then it can all come together!! well, it starts to come together around book 3, I'd argue, because book 2 is another set-up. and also covers a big swath of time, with a bit more time switching, but less confusingly so, I'd say. sidenote: I think it's so funny how much time and confusion is dedicated to kihrin's parentage in book one because later on its like. he's got so many worse problems I can't believe we were ever concerned about THAT

I'm so excited to reread this series--I'm waiting until spring break so I can just go back to back and it WILL fundamentally change me as a person. i'm glad you enjoyed!! favorite series of all time I can't wait to see what you think of the rest of it :)

[throughalleternity]

Hello Im the Anon who asked about Leon and Maggie and Alex navigating sex together all those months ago. I read your fic/snippet and absolutely loved it. It was WAY fluffier and less angstier than I had in mind when I asked about it, but please dont worry, thats a good thing! I love fluff just as much (if not a bit more) than angst and it is just beautiful to read how comfortable all three of them are, even if Leon being present when Maggie and Alex have sex is a new thing for all of them. Its also good for Leon that Alex and Maggie are not as nervous/awkward about it as Leon is at first, because if they were I think Leon would just become more nervous and it would spiral from there, which would make it worse. So, even though, its something that is kinda the opposite of what I expected to happen, its good that Maggie and Alex are kinda leading the scene here and are not as hesitant for Leon to be included as I expected them to be, first, because of Alexs inexperience in the matter (and she often tends to follow Maggies lead a bit too fast/strongly, which I think is a bit problematic) and how strong Maggies opinion about not sleeping with a man is often written. (Im not sure if that bluntness/harshness, even when it is Lucy/Leon, is in character for her or not.) So I was kinda put at ease, especially when it comes to Maggie, that the two welcomed him to their experience and also let him into the bed, which is a HUGE step when it comes to intimacy and trust. Sorry if Im repeating myself, but Im just SOOOO relieved that neither Maggie or Alex where tense or visible uncomfortable with Leon being there, especially because its such a vulnerable state to be in, and it was their first time navigating it. Also, I think/hope that Alex and Maggie talked about it one on one before that scene, to kinda psych themselves up and to make sure that Leon doesnt notice any discomfort/uncertainty on their part that they had before.

Yay, thank you! Vibe/mood felt really important for this one, so I'm glad that worked!

And ooh ok that's really good to know, I don't remember if I missed an angst prompt with it or if that was assumed—I will say that what I've personally wanted out of some genderfluid!Lucy and Director Sanvers stuff has changed in some aspects from what I've said before (this topic included), so I'm not surprised it was different from expected (even though I wasn't intentionally aiming for that). And funnily enough, I think I was struggling initially bc I assumed more fluffy but was finding that harder to come up with ideas for, and it would have been easier to come up with ideas for angst lol. So now I'm like, oh what would the angst look like 🤔👀. Maybe in another version (though probably only slight angst lol) 👀

And yeah, about Alex and Maggie talking about it beforehand: I actually had a line sorta referencing that but I cut it haha; they definitely had a their own convo too.

Thanks again!

[change-the-world-someday]

I'll Be Here

Oh boy I'm back baby. Here's a Derek Shepherd x Teen!reader bc I just started Grey's Anatomy. I'm well aware I've had stuff in my inbox for over a year, and frankly I'll get round to them soon. I hope this tides you over.

Derek Shepherd x Teen!Reader

Summary: Who'd have thought the child of Derek Shepherd would suffer with something even he can't cure?

A/N: I've been twitching a lot lately so this was a comfort write. Derek and Meredith don't have a relationship, and there's a bit of canon divergence.

⚠️TW⚠️ Talk and descriptions of twitching/tics

—•—

You knew the moment you woke up you were going to have a bad day.

Your alarm went off at the bright and early nine and as you made a move to turn it off, your arm twitched, almost pushing it off your nightstand. You let out a sigh, leaning down and managing to shut it off and sit up.

Until you neck starts to snap left and right, tensing and relaxing each muscle.

“Fuck’s sake,” you mutter under your breath, standing and stretching, well, as much as you can before your twitches start up again. You makes your way downstairs, finding an empty kitchen and a note on the counter. You manage to pick it up and read it.

Sorry, I got called in today. Let me know when you’re up

— Dad

You shake your head, whistling and shaking your hands. Great, so you're alone on a day where your twitches are worse than normal. You sigh and head back upstairs, almost losing balance on the stairs, and takes a quick shower before trying to style your hair. With difficulty, you get changed before reaching over and grabbing your phone. You grip it tightly, until it’s flung across the room.

“Shit,” you mumble, reaching down and picking it up. You open your messages, trying to text your dad.

Y/N

Hi, up. Bad today

It’s short, and to the untrained eye, might seem pretty rude, but to you and your dad, is a warning. Heading back to the kitchen, you try to eat a bowl of cereal. Instead, you managed to spill the cereal twice, drop milk on the floor, and then poke yourself in the side of the face a few times with your spoon instead of eating.

Your phone buzzes.

Dad

Do you need me at

home?

Y/N

No. Just bad

Dad

Do you want to come

to the hospital? You

can stay in one of the

offices if you want

You think about it for a moment, though you don’t get too long before your phone starts ringing. You pick up.

“Hi—” you whistle “—hi Dad.”

You hear him sigh. “Hey kid. Do you want to come in today? I can make sure no one stops you and you can come straight to the office.”

You click, your neck jerking forward. “You sure? I’ve—“ you whistle “—never been there before. I don’t want—“ you click “—to become a case study.”

Your dad laughs lightly down the phone. “I won’t let them. Just make your way over, and keep your earphones in. Music helps.”

You nod, before your neck twitches to the side and cracks, making your dad wince audibly. “Okay. I’ll let you know—“ you whistle and sigh, clearly getting frustrated with yourself.

“I get it. Don’t work yourself up; it’ll only make it worse. See you soon. Love you.”

A ghost of a smile passes across your face. “Love you too, Dad.”

—•—

Derek hangs up and leaves the store cupboard, almost bumping into Dr Bailey as she marches past.

“Watch where you’re going, McDreamy,” she scolds and Derek smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Bailey narrows her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Y'N's coming here. They're having a bad day,” he replies and Bailey nods, immediately catching on. “No one else knows.”

Surprisingly enough, you haven’t met anyone from Derek’s work, except for Bailey and even then, that was an accident. You'd bumped into her on a bad day and Derek had to explain what was wrong. Ever since, Bailey’s had a soft spot for you.

“Not even the chief?” She asks and Derek shakes his head. “Did you warn them?” He nods. “Well, there’s not much else you can do.”

“They're texting me when they’re a few minutes away. If I get caught in surgery, can you meet them at the doors please?”

The two stop in the corridor, Bailey pulling him over. “I have my own schedule too, Shepherd.”

Derek nods. “I know, but you’re the only other person here they know, and you know how they can get in places they don’t know…”

Bailey looks around. “If you’re caught up, you owe me one.”

Derek smiles and nods, a look of relief on his face. “Thank you.”

—•—

You're walking down the street to the hospital, constantly readjusting your earphones so they don’t fall out. Your neck keeps snapping to the side and jerking forward, earning a few odd looks from strangers. You sigh, a few minutes away from the hospital, and pull out your phone. Before you can do anything, though, you promptly throw your phone on the pavement.

Thank god your dad bought you one of those industrial phone cases. You pick it up, dodging people as you go to call your dad. He picks up after two rings.

“Hi, I’m—“ you click “—a minute away.”

“Okay. I don’t think I’m going to be able to meet you at the doors. Just walk through, take the stairs to the fifth floor, and come down the hall. I’ll be in the break room, second door on the left.”

Your eyes widen; you're going to be by yourself? Walking through a hospital? Where no one knows you?

“O-Okay,” you stammer out and your dad sighs.

“I’m sorry kid. Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll see you in a bit.”

He hangs up and you take a breath, nodding to yourself. You pocket your phone and turn your music up as loud as it can be. Your dad was right, it does ease your twitching, though not as much as you'd like.

Fall Out Boy blasts through your earphones as you walk through the doors of Seattle Grace. You refuse to make eye contact with anyone, your neck twitch making it a lot easier to achieve. You click as you make your way to the stairwell, making your way up.

You don’t hear the calls of concerns from the interns following you, trying to catch up to you.

By the time you reach the fifth floor, the two interns have gone to find Dr Bailey to try and assist them, and Dr Shepherd who can help with the disorder being presented. They haven’t had someone who needs medical attention blatantly ignore them and go to a certain department before.

You lose your balance a little as you walk through the doors to the fifth floor, your neck jerking left and right repeatedly, muscles tensing and relaxing. Your hands are shaking and you walk like a new fawn.

You reach the door and push it open, whistling and clicking as you do so. At least you can see your dad today.

—•—

Derek knows immediately what kind of day is happening when you steps into the room. You're a jerking mess, neck and shoulders tensing and relaxing as though given electric shocks. You're whistling, clicking, and your eyes have recently started screwing shut, temporarily blinding you.

And that’s with your headphones in.

“Hey Y/N,” he greets, gently taking one earbud out of your ear and leading you to the seats. At least if you're sat, you have less of a chance of hurting yourself.

“Hi Dad,” you reply until a whistle comes back out. “S-Sorry.”

“Hey,” Derek places a firm but kind hand on your shoulder, “don’t apologise. None of this is your fault.” There’s a silence between you two, only broken by the sound coming from the removed earphone. “Fall Out Boy? Nice choice.”

Your neck snaps but you give a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Do you want something to eat? Did you manage to get some breakfast?” You sigh, your hands twitching and trembling, which tells Derek everything he needs to know. “Is it a bomb-site there?”

You shake your head. “I managed—“ you whistle “—to clean up. Took ages.” Your neck jerks forward. Derek sighs, putting an arm around you and pulling you into his side. You've always been wary; you never want to hurt your dad accidentally but Derek doesn’t care. You're his kid, and nothing will change that.

“You’re okay. Do you want some lunch? We can go to the cafeteria—they’ve got some pizza in there that’s actually pretty good.”

You nod, knowing anything you try to say will be interrupted by one of your twitches. You walk alongside Derek, trying your hardest to suppress your twitching as you make your way through the hospital and into to lift, where a few others are going to different floors. Derek notices, and leans into your ear. “You don’t have to hide it here, kid. Promise.”

There’s an audible sigh of relief from you as you let out a scatter of twitches, your neck jerking forward as you whistle and click. Your hands shake and flap and you let it all go. A few of the doctors and nurses turn around to look at you, but one harsh glare from Dr Shepherd makes them all go back to minding their own business.

You exit the lift and walk through the corridors to the cafeteria. You join the queue and you feel Derek keep an arm around you, trying to help you ease your twitches. You're grateful, though you both know there isn’t much either of you can do to stop them. You sigh, putting your earphones back in and blasting some music, this time Hozier.

Derek watches you struggle, sympathy panging through his heart. He hates that you've been cursed with this, and the worst part is they can’t find anything that’s causing it. It’s not like there’s a tumour or growth on your brain Dr Shepherd can operate on, you're just stuck with it.

“Dr Shepherd, good afternoon. Who’s this?” Lindsey, the server behind the food counter, greets. Derek smiles.

“Afternoon Lindsey. This is my kid, Y/N. They're joining me at the hospital today,” he explains, gently tapping you on the shoulder and causing you to take an earphone out. “Y/N, this is Lindsey.”

“Hi,” you greet, before your neck jerks forward yet again, cracking. The two adults give a wince and Lindsey gives you a small smile.

“What would you like, hun?” She asks. You look over, or does so as best you can. You can barely stay still long enough to read the menu. “We have a standard pizza or pepperoni pizza today. We also have some ham, chicken, or cheese sandwiches and salads. Or a few pastries we can heat up if you’d prefer.”

You give her a grateful smile. “Can I—“ you whistle “—have pepperoni please? And a—“ you click “—bottle of water?”

“Sure thing, and you Dr Shepherd?”

You put your earphones back in, trying your hardest to stop twitching. The problem is, the more you try to stop it, the worse it gets. It takes a few minutes for you to get your food, and when you do, Derek carries both trays to a table and sets them down. He takes a seat opposite you, giving a small smile.

“Thanks Dad,” you thank, pulling one earphone out so you can hear the conversation. You pick up the plastic fork and spear a few chips, but before you can eat them, your hand twitches and you throw it on the floor. You sigh but before either you or your dad can make a move to pick it up, someone else does it for you.

“You better be more careful. I don’t want fries on my shoes.” You recognise that voice anywhere, and smile as you look up at Dr Bailey. You let out a small laugh.

“Hi Dr Bailey,” you greet, whistling as your head snaps to the side and back. She smiles at you.

“Heard you were coming and through I’d say hello.”

—•—

“Guys, shut up,” Cristina hisses. “Do you see?”

“See what?” George asks as they quieten down. She nods her head and the table of interns turn around to catch sight of what’s going on. Dr Bailey is talking Dr Shepherd… and you sat with them. You're not dressed in any kind of hospital gown, nor are you wearing scrubs, so who are you? And how are you making Dr Bailey smile?

Meredith watches, catching sigh of your hair, and her eyes widen. She reaches over, slapping George on the arm.

“What?” He asks.

“It’s them,” she replies, “the person from earlier. Y’know, the one who didn’t check in at reception and took the stairs. The one who ignored us!”

George’s eyes widen too, and the two get up and start to walk over, ignoring the protests of Cristina and Izzie as they reach the table. You're struggling to get a sentence out, whistling and clicking as you try to tell Dr Shepherd about something.

“Dr Shepherd!” Meredith calls out, making the conversation halt between you. “Are you with a patient?”

She misses how you cringe. Dr Shepherd frowns, which only deepens more at the crack in your neck as it jerks forward. “Dr Grey, Dr O’Malley, how can I help?”

“W-We saw, erm, this kid walk straight through and up to neurology without checking in. Do you want us to check them in and get a better examination? We were going to come to you for a consult when we saw them anyway, but since you already seem to know them…” George trails off and Dr Shepherd looks between you, the interns, and Dr Bailey.

An awkward silence falls between you, only disturbed by the occasional whistle or click from you. “I can get a wheelchair if it’s easier.”

“No need,” Dr Shepherd cuts in. “They aren’t a patient, their name’s Y/N. They're my kid and they're accompanying me to work today.” The two interns look at each other, mortified. “Now, if you excuse us, we were just having lunch.”

Your hand flexes again, making you throw your fork on the floor (the second one in the space of fifteen minutes) and sigh. You go to pick it up, only for George to beat you to it. “Here.”

“Than—“ you click as your head jerks forward “Thank you.”

“Don’t you two have places to be?” Bailey asks, less than impressed with her two interns in front of her. They both nod and scurry off, back to their table to tell Cristina and Izzie about Dr McDreamy’s kid.

—•—

“I don’t know how they cope with it,” George muses as the group of four interns sit on some beds in the back corridor, waiting to be paged for something.

“Yeah, twitching all the time. God, I’d kill myself if I had them,” Izzie continues. “Would ruin my chances at both medicine and modelling. And a lot of other things, probably.”

“Do you think they wanted to go into medicine? Y’know, before they started twitching? Or have they always had it?” Cristina asks. “Or do they have a tumour?”

“For your information,” a voice cuts in, making all four jump and turn to the source, meeting the likes of Dr Shepherd, “Y/N wants to be a lawyer.” He walks down the corridor to them, everyone’s cheeks turning red a the prospect of being caught gossiping. “The tics developed about eighteen months ago, just before we moved to Seattle. It’s not a tumour, or any kind of swelling; in fact, we have no clue what set it off.”

“Have you done an MRI? CT?” Meredith suggests and Derek nods.

“We ran everything. It all came back clean.” He looks at Cristina. “They did want to be a doctor. When we realised we couldn’t cure them, they were upset for weeks. They—“

“Talking about me?” A voice calls down the corridor and Derek’s face splits into a smile, something that doesn’t go amiss by the others. You whistle, making it to the group and taking a seat next to your dad. You lean on him… until your neck twitches and you almost fall back. Derek’s hand shoots out, supporting you.

“We were just—“ Izzie tries to say before you cut her off, clicking in the process.

“Let me guess.” You whistle. “The doctor que—“ you click “—question and how I live with—“ your neck jerks to the side “—it.”

Your dad gives you a smile. “Ten out of ten for you,” he smiles. You nod.

“Well, I used to want to—“ you click “—be a doctor, until we found out this is incurable.” You whistle. “Pretty soul-crushing.” Your neck jerks back, and if it wasn’t for your dad’s hand, you would’ve hit the wall. “And we’ve learned to adapt to it. There are—“ you click “—days where I’m fine, with only a few, and days—“ you whistle and everyone can feel the frustration radiating off you. Still, no one chooses to finish your sentence, letting you get it out yourself “—like this.”

—•—

For a while, the six make general conversation, until, slowly but surely, you start to drift off. It isn’t until there’s an odd silence that Derek notices, and he has a smile on his face as he looks down at you, asleep on his shoulder.

“They look so… peaceful,” Izzie comments quietly, the others agreeing.

“Yeah. We’ve had a few rough days this week. God knows they need the rest,” Derek mutters. He shifts to look between the four. “Any of you wake them, I’ll make sure you’re banned from the OR for a month.”

Everyone’s eyes widen as they nod in unison; they’re all begging for a chance at more surgery. Carefully, Derek manoeuvres you so your head’s lying in his lap, body stretched out on the hospital bed. He carefully cards his fingers through your hair, detangling it as gently as he can.

The interns’ pagers go off, assigning them jobs and the four rush off, leaving Derek and you to rest. He smiles, getting himself comfortable sitting on the end of the bed, back against the wall.

“Get some rest, buddy. I’ll always be here for you.”

—•—

Hope y'all enjoyed. I know it's pretty different from what I usually write, but this is for my own comfort so...

Sorry not sorry

Taglist

@breadsticks2004 @criminalsmarts @rororo06@ogmilkis@ssebstann@herecomesthewriterwitch @garcias-batcave @spidey-reids-2003 @lovelylaurens@sataninsatin@snarky--starky @mcntsee @averyhotchner @dindjarinsspouse @lovers-in-japan-reign-of-love

[strelles-universe]

Do you have any tips on creating a language for warrior cats? I have a few words and their meanings but that's kinda it lol. I'm not sure where to go from there. I feel like I'm just creating words that sound cool instead of creating a working system. The only thing I have is that I'm leaning more towards an onomatopoeia theme, like how in Watership Down a tractor is a Hrududu. So far I'm trying to group them into words that sound similar to cat vocalization, so words that sound like 'growl', 'yowl', and 'hiss' would have a negative connotation, such as my word 'yowla' which translates to 'demon or beast' based off of 'yowl'. Similarly I have words that have a positive connotation from 'rr' or 'mi' sounds from purring and mewling that's connected to mothers and kittens. Other than that, I just have a list of random words that look cool together.

Oh, so what you're struggling with basically is grammar. I'll tell you straight up: You're going to make like 30 bad versions before you hit a good version. Try not to get too upset with yourself while you'e figuring it out.

Putting together the grammar is what really makes it feel like a language rather than just random words.

This got long so a cut XD

Noun Cases - If you've done practically any language but English you'll remember this. Nominative, Accusative, Genative, Dative etc.

Noun Classes - Or grammatical gender if you choose to do masc/fem/neuter. I use grammatical gender a lot bc I like Swahili and it makes generating new words really easy.

Note: A language that does cases doesn't usually also do noun classes becuase that's confusing but I mean, cat language so do what you want.

Articles (the/a) - Do you use or need articles? Some languages don't have them (like swahili), some languages only have one ("a" or "the") and languages like English have both.

Tense - Explaining when in time things happen. Now this can get complicated really fast so in simple words, how does a language convey when something is happening? The most common ones are past tense, present tense and future tense.

English: Only has past and present tense. We can still talk about the future obviously, but we only grammaticize past and non-past. So played (past) vs. play (future or present) and the future is conveyed with "will." Spanish: And most other romance languages have the past present and future tense Others: Some languages break up the past into recent and distant past. Other languages will break up the future similarly! In general, the past will have more tenses than the future.

Aspect - Tells how in time something happened. You can have a lot of fun with this. Try not to get as carried away with this.

Mood and Modality - I admittedly don't understand this one too well so I don't use it often.

Derivational Affixes - Making these makes creating words a hell of a lot easier. For example in the kingdoms, the word Alai means tree. An affix ka- basically means "place" and so I make words like, Kaalai (forest) or "tree place."

When you're building your lexicon, keep semantic drift in mind. Technically this means the meaning of a word changing over time, but the part hat makes the language most alive is creating the vocabulary from the perspective of the speakers.

Keep me updating with your cat-conlang :D I'm by no means a professional conlanger but I like doing it.

Edit to Add: Most of the languages I make are agglutinative because it's easy but fusional languages like Spanish are really cool. Spanish endings for example encode a lot of stuff.

-as encodes third person, feminine plural I believe for example

[phulpakharu]

fanfic writer q&a’s bc new account

doing one of these here instead of twt to.. idk... think of this as the rice on the ground of this account.. the ceremonial whateverning. also, i like talking about myself.

answers after the line break (i’m not listening to the like = answer thing tho)

1. depends on the situation. if i’m sitting down to write, like intentionally, i will usually play music. it depends on what i’m writing. i have playlists for many fics, so i will play those, or a playlist that fits the tone of what i’m working on, maybe even an album. otherwise, i go for the lo-fi hip hop beats, because at this point i’ve been conditioned to focus when it’s playing.

2. i have ruksana!! she’s usually the first person to see my work, idk what i would do without her. i do sometimes leave fics unbeta’d (only ones i post impulsively though, lol)

3. third person. on occasion, there may be a first person pov line or two, but the perspective overall doesn’t change. my poetry, however, is in first/second person usually.

4. both! depends on my mood + what feels best for the story. i usually default to present tense, but i’ve been writing past tense more recently.

5. short and sweet. however, i do have two longfics i plan to get out this year. oikage vertigo, and yuka character study 2.

6. one-shots! though, again, i am attempting multichapter fics. they’re just more difficult, so it’s an adjustment.

7. yes! i like rarepairs! even if they don’t really make sense in canon. it’s fun to explore characters and potential relationships. however, i’ve never actually written for a proper rarepair... unless you consider furusawa and yatoyuka rarepairs lol (i don’t think they are - though daiya fandom sucks & definitely does not give much attention to anything other than m*sawa)

8. in character. i don’t think a character needs to be EXACTLY like in canon, but too much deviation from their character takes me out of the story. might as well just make a new character at that point. also it’s just easier to write lol. besides, in my opinion, you can deviate from canon however u want, as long as the character still feels like themselves, if u get what i mean.

9. idk if i have a favourite trope. domesticity and slice of life maybe? angst? is angst even a trope lol? i enjoy sadness, i guess? oh i really enjoy the cliche of characters just Looking at one another, and pining. i think the looking & not looking is so fun, it makes me want to off myself <3

10. no

11. oikage, yatoyuka, furusawa, miyumei, furumiyu, beigguang, (some other genshin ships maybe.. idk yet. i will probably lose my shit over azdaha and zhongli), kagehina, tsukikage  .... these are so many lol

12. mis*wa (fandom is so obsessed for no reason.. also they look like cousins) and sak**tsu (fandom ruined them so quick)

13. fluff usually. i’ve never written smut lol. actually... i may have some light smut in my vertigo fic, but that’s still to be decided. smut is not my forte, but my friends said i was doing alright, so i’m not discouraged by any means.

14. both <3

15. i don’t? or i do? idk. i just think of scenes/lines/scenarios that are SUPER SPECIFIC, and eventually, over time, i have a whole fic done

16. i don’t plan shit. i mayyyy have a rough outline, but it’s super loose. i usually just write as i go, out of order, and then piece it together into something comprehensible. hasn’t failed me yet.

17. yes! i think it’s fun to do so.

18. ‘ravenette’ ‘bluenette’ (or any unnecessary physical descriptor in place of pronouns or the character’s name) i see too much of this & i loathe it. just say the character’s name for heaven’s sake; i promise it feels much more natural than the hair colors.

19. um... planning. lol. idk how to construct stories. well, i do. however, a vague outline is not the same as a finished work. translating my ideas into words can be difficult, and a plot is terrifying. that’s why i write so out of order, it’s more natural for me. also i do this for fun, structuring it would make me nervous, and nervousness leads to anxiety, which leads to me not having fun. however, i do write quite routinely, almost every day, it’s just a habit at this point.

20. this is less advice, and more a tip. whenever i feel like a scene isn’t working, i either step away and come back to it later, or.... i will write out the scene/what i think/want from it in my notebook. changing the medium in which you work helps see it with fresh eyes. same goes for location! feel weird? sit at your desk instead of the bed! sit on the floor! sit in the kitchen! sit on the balcony! environmental novelty rocks!!!!

[kodzukenscorner]

Sakusa falling in love with a robot?

anon asked: can i request hc/scenario? there was this kdrama where the main guy is allergic to human interaction, turns red if he does and takes medication to stop it.one day he buys an android,but got broken so the creator had to ask an actual human being to act as a robot then they touched except he didn't become allergic bc his illness is psychological then he falls inlove w it thinking it is just an android, with sakusa,how would he found out and react?srry if this is too detailed, ignore this if so 💕

a/n: whew ok anon i had not heard of this drama before so you can BET i googled it and watched a couple of scenes from it and wow this is so cute and sakusa is such a good fit for this

wc: 1,361

✶   ✶   ✶   ✶   ✶

People are gross, they are disgusting and do not understand personal hygiene. Sakusa is fully aware of this fact and does everything he can to avoid human contact. He may be a volleyball player but he specifically picked the sport because there is little to no human contact. Only one person touches the ball at a time and he is more than happy with that. His teammates and fans have learned to keep their distance from him, unfortunately they learned the hard way. 

At one of the MSBY fanmeets, a young boy was so excited to meet one of his favorite outside hitters that when he walked up to Sakusa’s intimidatingly large frame, he latched on to one of his legs. Before any of the other Jackals could pry this kid off Sakusa had already started to feel lightheaded. He wandered off somewhere to be alone, his worried teammates trailing behind, watching helplessly as their friend turned a ghastly red and struggled to breathe properly. Thankfully he was able to recover without requiring a trip to a hospital but he skipped out on the rest of the fanmeet. This didn’t go unnoticed by the fans and reporters and word quickly spread about Sakusa Kiyoomi, the athlete who loathed human touch. 

Sakusa really didn’t mind it, that just meant that people kept their distance and life actually got easier for him. But, the popular athlete quickly caught the attention of an up and coming tech company that wanted to test out their new life-like android. Sakusa never really figured out why they wanted him to try out their prototype, maybe they pitied him, or maybe they just wanted the endorsement of someone who was notorious for disliking people. Either way he said yes. 

Why did he say yes? Deep down Sakusa knew that the pit of loneliness in his stomach was slowly eating away at him and he longed for someone, anyone, to help him break through it, but he’d never admit that, not even to himself. 

The tech company was elated and quickly got to work on preparing their new android for delivery until some dumb intern spilled water on it while he was adjusting the hard drive. So now everyone is freaking out because this android is supposed to be delivered today but they need at least a week to replace the hard drive. What else could they do except call up the person the android is modeled after and basically beg you to pretend to be a robot to hang out with some volleyball player for a week. They were offering you a lot of money and if all you had to do was keep some guy company, it couldn’t hurt right? And it’s not like this guy can’t be around people, he just doesn’t like them. Right?

This is genuinely one of the most ridiculous situations you’ve ever been put in, you’re being escorted into some strangers house and he thinks you’re a robot. The android is supposed to be just like a human so at least you don’t have to worry about acting like a robot. When the two of you are finally left alone, you’re just standing in the middle of his apartment unsure of what to do. He’s staring you up and down, hands in the pocket of his jacket, face mask covering most of his face. From what you can tell, he’s fairly handsome and definitely tall and muscular. He catches you checking him out and raises an eyebrow.

“I guess even robots have feelings huh?”

You let that comment go, figuring you would think something similar if you had been presented with an oddly life-like robot. Most of the first day went by with little interaction between the two of you. You sat in his living room, attempting to make conversation with him every now and again, his responses were short and curt but he stayed near you most of the day. It felt like he wanted to talk more with you but he just couldn’t bring himself to do so. You made do with simple questions about himself, trying to get to know him better. He obliged you with some light small talk and you actually felt like you were making some headway with him. You learned some of his likes and dislikes and to no one’s surprise, found out he’s very particular about his personal hygiene.

The second day was a welcome change, it almost felt like he was a new person. The first day he was obviously keeping his distance, sitting on the couch opposite yours, face mask still on. Today you were surprised when he sat right next to you on the couch and more importantly he wasn’t wearing a face mask today. He turned his head towards you to ask you a question and oh shit he’s hot, how is he so pretty up close? Holy shit. Oh and his lips are moving, oh wait is he saying something? Oh god he just asked you a question and you were too busy drooling over him to hear it. Oh no, he’s staring, what should you say?

“What?” 

Sakusa stared at you quizzically, eyeing you closely. How the hell can he look so attractive even when he’s suspicious?

“I asked if your skin felt real”

And now he spoke and suddenly his voice was sending shivers down your spine.

“You can feel it if you like” You held your palm out to him with this new found confidence and he faltered for a second before he gently took your hand in his. 

His hands were rough and calloused but his touch was so tender, like you would break if he squeezed too hard. He caressed your palm with his thumb, eyes trained on your hand.

“Soft...” He mumbled under his breath.

He looked up to your face and made eye contact with you again. You froze and you’re positive he felt your hand tense up in his. Why did he have this effect on you? It’s like you’d never met a handsome guy before, well maybe not someone as good looking as him cause come on now.

While you were busy ogling, Sakusa had lifted his free hand to stroke your cheek. Your breathing hitched and if Sakusa hadn’t noticed how you tensed up before he certainly noticed now. 

He could tell, he knew. No matter how life-like a robot could be, there was no way it could mimic human reactions this well. You had to be a real person but he couldn’t bring himself to stop touching you. How long had it been since he last had human contact like this? And your skin was so soft, it was addicting. And your lips, why were they so plump? Wait, is he touching your lips now? Yeah he definitely is.

Sakusa ghosted a thumb over your lips, his intense gaze drifting from your eyes to your lips. His fingers travelled down to your chin where he lightly gripped your face and brought you closer. Before you could regain whatever composure you had before, his lips were on yours. He was hesitant though, you could tell he wasn’t used to this and something inside of you encouraged you to take the lead. You brought one hand to grip his collar and the other in his hair, which was incredibly soft and silky by the way. You guided his lips against yours, he groaned against your mouth when you tilted your head to deepen the kiss.

You wanted more, so much more and you found yourself kissing him more desperately. It was getting sloppy but Sakusa just grabbed your thighs and pulled you into his lap. You straddled him, your hands getting lost in his dark curls. You never wanted to stop, he was intoxicating but you needed to catch your breath before you passed out so you reluctantly pulled away. You were both panting softly, eyes locked onto each other. Sakusa spoke up first.

“You’re not a robot are you?” 

You shook your head. “No”

“Good” Sakusa grabbed the back of your head and crashed your lips back onto his.

[babineni]

Angst 19 - "Please don't leave."

Thank you for this 💖 sorry it took me this long to post it mainly bc I accidentally saved it as a draft and then I didn’t check it so it’s been there for two weeks whoops

but anyway have some immediately post-PoE 1 Aloth x Watcher stuff, featuring Gaura first experiencing abandonment issues

below a cut bc it got long

Gaura pulled her knees closer to her chest and wrapped her arms around them a little tighter. She wasn't sure what she hoped this would accomplish. Her body forming the same, nearly suffocating knot that took the space where her heart was meant to be, hardly could have eased her sorrows. She hid her face behind her legs and allowed the tears to come but she didn't grant herself the same freedom when it came to the sounds trying to escape her. Not a single cry left her mouth. The Watcher was scared that if she voiced her anguish, she would never stop weeping.

She knew that her friends would leave her, once their quest against the Leaden Key was done. And yet, the Watcher was still caught off guard by some of the departures.

She was ready when Sagani said goodbye, in fact, she was relieved and happy for her, and wished her a speedy return to her family. She was ready when Kana said goodbye. She knew his mission wouldn't be over until he presented his findings after all. They still shed a few tears, but not many, and none of them were bitter or sorrowful. And Durance... well, if there was someone Gaura was happy to see go, it was him.

But then Pallegina left to report to the ducs, even though she knew the repercussions she would have to endure. Gaura offered a place to stay, a place where she would be valued, cared for and safe, knowing exactly how she would respond. But she couldn't help it, she couldn't stop hoping the paladin would reconsider and stay.

Then Hiravias left as one would expect of a follower of Wael's. Still, Gaura figured that even he needed a place he could return to, a place where he could keep the secrets he uncovered, a place he could call home. She was sad to realize she was wrong.

Then Grieving Mother left. Even though the Watcher couldn't bear children herself, she hoped the midwife would stay for all the women living in and around Caed Nua. She hoped that their connection built upon seeing and knowing one another would be enough. But it wasn't.

And then Edér left and...

And...

And the next thing Gaura knew was, that she was sitting by the hearth in Brighthollow's kitchen, trying to cry as quietly as it was possible.

'There you are. I've been looking all over for you,' Aloth's voice prompted the Watcher to look up and hastily dry her eyes. The wizard stopped in his tracks when he saw the miserable state she was in. For a moment, he awkwardly looked back at the doorway he just passed through but once the moment passed he continued walking towards her. He approached her almost perfectly silently, catiously, burying his own unease under the comforting presence of a friend.

'I just needed some time alone,' Gaura broke the silence. 'I uhh... The lady of Caed Nua shouldn't be seen like a mess. People look to me for guidance and... I'm being a sentimental fool.'

'Come now, you're hardly being fair towards yourself,' Aloth sat down beside Gaura, close enough for his shoulder to touch hers. He shuffled somewhat awkwardly, but he didn't move away from her, nor did he give any other indication of being flustered. For a moment, the Watcher felt the urge to wrap her arms around him and weep on his shoulder, but the moment passed and she stayed motionless.

Gaura let out a sigh and turned her attention to the hearth on her other side. The embers still had a glow, fainter than her own but enough to inspire some reflection.

'No, I have grown... weak here. Caed Nua has made me vulnerable,' she scolded herself. 'I think back to the person I was before I left the Valleys and... I'm not the same.'

'It is only natural,' Aloth answered. 'You have been through a lot. And I imagine, the Watcher abilities alone could change one drastically. But you have carried your burdens with grace and bravery,' he smiled at her shyly, 'and I... I'm glad I was around to see it.' He hesitantly reached for the Watcher's hand, the same way she reached for his months before in the Brackenbury Sanitarium. His touch was somewhat lighter but it carried the same warmth, putting a weak smile on Gaura's face.

'Well... I hope you still see that grace and bravery now,' she chuckled ruefully, as she turned back to the wizard.

'I do.'

Gaura's smile grew a little wider. But her heart still felt heavy.

'I still wish I could feel like I used to. Being able to say goodbye used to feel like... a gift of sorts,' she explained. 'Being able to let go of an attachment free of loss... or grief... was something I felt grateful for. I never mourned for things that were beautiful but... momentary. And in the Valleys everything was beautiful but nothing truly lasted. But now...' The Watcher sighed and let her head hang. 'Like I said... I'm being a sentimental fool.'

Aloth's grip on her hand tightened slightly. Gaura felt him caress a knuckle with his thumb. But the uneasy way he shifted his weight next to her made her wonder if this act of comfort was for her or for him.

'I'm going to miss them too... and I think... I think I understand,' he said. 'Being a spy hardly offers a life full of long friendships. It always felt more appropriate to keep my distance and to cherish moments for what they were without letting it become... more,' he sighed. 'If I were to follow your line of logic, then Caed Nua made me weak too. In no small part, thanks to you. I don't think you need me to explain why this happened to the both of us.'

The Watcher didn't reply, but she felt the ache in her chest ease slightly at the wizard's words. There was a bittersweet comfort lingering in the air and for the first time, Gaura felt that the silence of Brighthollow, which was now empty save for the two of them, was not all that suffocating as she has been feeling it for the last few days.

'Thank you,' she said, as she dried the last of her tears and straightened up. 'I needed that, truth be told.'

'Anytime,' Aloth smiled. 'Although I admit, it feels a bit strange to echo your own ideas back to you.'

'Perspective is funny that way.'

'Indeed.'

Gaura let out a long sigh, trying to rid herself of the rest of her tensions. She gave Aloth's hand a slight squeeze, then she stood up and stretched her limbs. She inhaled deeply, as if the comfort of the wizard's encouragement was a presence she could physically take with her.

'Alright, I think I'm good,' she said, while she turned to Aloth with a smile. 'You were looking for me for something I presume. I'm ready to listen.'

Aloth's smile, however, faltered at her offer. A shade of red tinted his face - one of shame and guilt. He avoided her gaze as he spoke.

'It's... it's not important. It can wait until tomorrow.'

Gaura's heart sank. He didn't need to say anything else. She felt the suffocation of the silence between them grow more oppressive, the longer she was processing the implication hiding behind his hesitant words. She should've guessed the moment he entered that kitchen. She visited him in his room just a few days earlier. She saw the maps, the list of names, the blueprint of a scepter called "Keybreaker". She saw everything she needed to see, but Aloth didn't say anything then, and once they were out of her sight, they were out of her mind.

'When are you going to go?' The Watcher's voice was shakier than she would've liked.

Aloth turned back to her, his gaze full of unsaid apologies.

'I was planning on leaving in two days. But if it makes things easier-'

'It doesn't,' Gaura interrupted him.

The wizard merely nodded as a response and looked down at his hands lying in his lap. The same hands that just a few moments ago filled the Watcher with the comfort of knowing she wasn't alone. He shifted his weight and decided have those hands grab his seat instead so tightly, his knuckles turned white from the effort.

Gaura approached him, fighting the burning sensation overtaking her eyes again. She swallowed hard, closing her eyes, trying to hold on to whatever was left of her dignity. But a moment later, she gave up: she let a quiet curse slip through her lips as she knelt down and let her head drop against Aloth's knees. She shielded her face with her arms, ignoring the wizard tensing up in shock at her touch.

'Please don't leave,' she whispered.

'I... I must,' an awkward answer came from above, prompting Gaura to look up.

'Let me just beg you in peace. Alright?'

Aloth's expression softened slightly. His gaze was still apologetic but his face reflected sincerity rather than discomfort.

'Alright.'

The Watcher hid her face again. 'Please don't leave,' she repeated. 'Please don't leave. Please don't leave.' Her plea to him turned into a mantra for herself. Her eyelids grew heavy as she continued and her tears stopped falling. She might've heard a spell being cast and she might have felt a hesitant stroke against her scalp right before unconsciousness turned her numb to the world around her, but she couldn't be sure.

[neganium]

5 for Siam! I more or less already know everything so consider this an excuse to ramble about whatever the fuck you want when it comes to the best girl, the queen

Hm, has her relationship with her siblings changed...? I'd say probably at least a little bit, given that she herself has changed quite a lot.

I'd say that she's probably always had trouble expressing herself or relating to others, at least in regards to people she doesn't know. She was probably less cold-seeming back then, though, and more kind of stoic or blank. She was more open with friends or especially with family, however. She and her siblings especially did everything together, for a time at least, getting into all sorts of trouble as youngsters. She took on a more responsible role as the third eldest as time went on, but was still game to have fun on occasion, right up until they were all deemed old enough for training and sold off to be mounts for war. While in her company, she did have several good friends, and was an easygoing (if slightly hard to read) sort of friend.

Her time during and after becoming a war mount changed her drastically, making her tense, and a bit paranoid, though she does her best not to show it to her family.

She's always been something of a leader amongst her siblings, even if she isn't the oldest; as one of the resident Braincell Holders™, and generally one of the more cautious siblings, she tended to bear the brunt of the responsibilities of watching her siblings if her parents were busy when she was very young, which was often. She often did this with her eldest brother, who is presently named Maestro, but I have no idea what he could've been called back then (and I can't ask, bc I don't know who owns him atm, RIP); they got along reasonably well, but as he got older and more full of himself, she grew more and more exasperated with him. The fact that the rest of her siblings often sought out and deferred to her judgement over his did not help their relationship; theirs was by far the most contentious.

Her second oldest brother, Teufel, has always been something of a hellion, and that has not changed much over the years. While somewhat tempered by past experiences, the same as most any of them, he's still a bit of the reckless daredevil, prone to spur-of-the-moment, downright stupid ideas. She has and shall always love him dearly. As young dragons, they often got into some manner of trouble together; no one was immune to Teuf's Idiot Brain™ at the time. However, as she's gotten older, Siamkatze has become somewhat world-weary, and a lot more cautious than she once was; she regards his antics with more exasperation, more prone to shooting them down than she once was before.

Her first little brother, fourth eldest of six, Ratcatcher, is a brusque and impulsive sort, though less so than his older brother. He's not the brightest, but he's generally easy going, rolling with the punches far easier than the rest. He liked to help Siam find gifts for their sire and dam when they were little; he seems to look up to her, much like the rest. He was the first to find her after they escaped their time as servants of war. She often has, and often still, finds his simplicity to be refreshing, if a bit frustrating at times; his perspective and his slightly more grounded personality is a balm to her overthinking tendencies, and she appreciates the love and support her little brother offers her, even if he is now physically much bulkier than she is (and she is not by any means a small sow, herself). She does the best she can to be there for him whenever he gets overwhelmed by some emotional crisis he cannot process, even if she was never the best at doing as much, herself.

Seagull, the fifth hatched, her one and only baby sister. She was always ride or die for the only other female hatchling in the group, especially given how small and plucky she was. Gully was and is her best friend, and the only dragon she really tolerates nicknames from, anymore (as well as the only she still refers to by a nickname). She would kill to protect her baby sister's happiness... In fact, she already has, though Seagull does not know this. Even now Seagull is the emotional support of the group, Siam included, and she does her level best to keep everything organized and running smoothly in order to reduce stress on her sister, so that she may be better able to care for her lovely hatchling, Siam's niece, Tern. She knows better than anyone, even Seagull herself, how hard things have been for her sister.

Napoleon, last hatched, the baby brother of all the group. Like Siam, he is clever sort, full of ideas and plans. When they were old enough, he often helped Siam keep order in the group by offering ideas for compromises, or plans of action in order to achieve a given objective (as hatchlings, this usually amounted to one of Teuf's, or even Siam's own, hairbrained schemes). He's generally the smallest, and a timid sort; Siam and the others were always fiercely protective of him, but they haven't seen him in a while, not since before their military days... Sometimes, she thinks of him, and she worries.

Honorary Mention: Though the young, sightless Nightlight is not a relative of hers by blood, Siamkatze has quickly grown to care for Moon as much as she would any of her clutchmates. He's smart, sharp as a tack, and was so very sad and stressed out when Teufel first brought him back with him. And so skinny! She wants nothing but the best things for him, no matter how long it takes; she has a major soft spot for children, and knows how to be patient regarding one's care. She's the consummate babysitter and Big Sister figure.

[no-heart-no-soul-t]

IDK WHAT TO CALL THIS :)

Okay so. First time writing something.... don’t judge, I used Milli’s and mine names bc it was easier for me to write like that?

Also timeline is really bad because idk... jdadn first time writing a story QwQ

Whoever is going to read this I am sorry :)

pairing: Milli x WooYoung (love you @jaes-sweaterpaws​ <3)

genre: crack? fluff? IDK d sdskdsad

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First day of uni after holliday? Boring as hell. 

That’s what went through Milli’s head when she woke up to her alarm blasting through whole apartment. She just turned it off and rolled over bed, snuggled to her blankets and tried to drift back to sleep. That’s when her roommate woke her up by splashing cold water on her. “Good morning sunshine.” Tami smiled at Milli and went out of the Milli’s room. To be exact she wasn’t happy by the way Tami woke her up and yelled at her “YAH! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!”, and Tami yelled back “BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE LATE LIKE LAST TIME!”. Milli went to do her morning routine. “I made you omelete, eat and I am going to go change,” Tami called at Milli from the kitchen.

The two finally went to uni. Milli is studying IT major while Tami is studying English major. Their schedules were so different, but always found time during lunch to talk with each other. Cheesy as always. They said their goodbyes in front of the main building and went to their classes.

Milli came to classroom all tired and dead on the inside she just put her laptop on the desk and laid her head down on her hands. Suddenly she heard someone pulling chair next to her and that startled her. When she looked up she saw a guy she has never seen in her classes.

“Oh, did I startle you? I am sorry,” says the guy with apologetic smile. She just stared at him. Why did she stare? First, because she never saw him. Second, he was so beautiful it hurt her on the inside.

“Are you okay? Did I scare you that much?,” he asked all concerned about her. “Ah oh no, I just- I have never seen you here before,” she said while scratching her neck. “Oh, right. I am new here. Me and my best friend changed uni’s. My name is WooYoung. Nice to meet you,” he said with a sweet smile while looking at her. “Milli. Is your friend also IT major?,” she asked while looking behind him. “Ah you have a beautiful name and no, he is English major. With dance on the side, well I have dance on the side too,” said with a wink her way. She blushed but then realization hit her “Oh! I have a friend in English major too.” “Really? What’s her name? I can text San to introduce himself so the four of us can sit together at lunch,” again that sweet smile. “Her name is Tamara, but she prefers Tami,” WooYoung took out his phone and started texting, “but, you want us to sit together at lunch? Why?,” she asked all confused. He looked at her beautiful green eyes and said, “Yeah? Why not? I just… you seem like a nice person. Plus you are the first one I am talking to in this uni who isn’t San. You don’t want to get to know each other?,” he asked all nervous, scratching his neck. “Ah no no it’s not like that,” she said while shaking her head, “it’s just that no one really wants to talk to me or Tami for some weird reason? I am just surprised that’s all,” again scratching her neck. He was going to say something but she cut him off - “We will surely join you and San for lunch,” she smiled. “Perfect!” he said all excited.

In the middle of lecture Milli’s dm’s on tumblr started blasting up. Tami and Milli prefer Tumblr because they found each other on it and became best friends thanks to that.

angelicdemontami: THE FOK angelicdemontami: HOW SOME HOT GUY JUST ASKED ME TO GO TO LUNCH W HIM? angelicdemontami: anD HE SAID U WILL BE THERE?! SPILL THE TEA FFS

jaes-sweaterpaws: is his name San? angelicdemontami: YES NOW SPILLDALDLSADL jaes-sweaterpaws: yah chill… his friend asked me to lunch with them but i told him you are also eng major like his friend 

angelicdemontami: SO?! how he knows me or sndajpodôa

jaes-sweaterpaws: i told wooyoung your name and he texted san your name i guess??

angelicdemontami: BISH he doenst kno how i look wdym?!! 

jaes-sweaterpaws: maybe he asked someone and they pointed at you?

angelicdemontami: k, makes sense...but still THE FOK?!!!! 

jaes-sweaterpaws: chill out and concentrate on your lecture smh owo also cya at lunch uwu

angelicdemontami: imma kill ya :) he is so HOT 

angelicdemontami: wait he lookin at me the FOK-------

jaes-sweaterpaws: going off bye byeee~~~

angelicdemontami: wAIT NO!

Milli closed Tumblr page while chuckling and started to take notes. She didn’t notice that WooYoung was looking at her whole time how she smiled at her screen while texting with Tami. After that Wooyoung’s Facebook chimed from new messages. When he opened them he saw they were from San who has a nickname “SanTan”, because let’s be real, his duality? Even WooYoung doesn’t understand that. Ironic, because San calls WooYoung “Sexy Performer”, San always says he is too sexy to stay alone.

SanTan: yo that girl Tami? she cute

SexyPerf: is she? 

SanTan: yes god bless the girl u made friends with

SanTan: also… where we will meet? 

SexyPerf: I should thank god for meeting Milli lol.. and Idk that pinkish coffee shop nearby?

SanTan: yessir! 

Lecture ended and WooYoung leaned in to Milli, “Hey sooo… about lunch.. let’s go to that pinkish coffee shop nearby?,” “Sure! We love to go there. Almost no one goes in there,” “Perfect! See ya there!” WooYoung smiled and went out of classroom.

Lunch was already here and Milli and Tami were sitting at the coffee shop waiting for WooYoung and San. “So… how did you get to talk to WooYoung?,” Tami asked while sipping on her Iced Lavender Tea. “Psh. I was taking a nap on my desk like usual and he startled me by pulling the chair right next to me,” “You mean the chair that no one sits on?,” “Yes, exactly that one. And he apologised for startling me and we got to talk to each other and yeah somehow he asked me to go to lunch,” “hmm hmm.. oh there they are?,” Tami asked while looking out the window, habit she has while thinking about something.

WooYoung and San entered the coffee shop and looked around. San’s eyes found Tami and he nudged WooYoung and pointed to their table. When they sit down (WooYoung next to Milli, and San next to Tami), they greeted each other. “So… what should we get at this coffee shop?” WooYoung asked while looking around. “Depends what are your preferences,” Tami replied while munching on her baguette. Her dry humour present anywhere at anytime. “Hm… what are you having?,” San asked looking at what Tami had in front of her. “Four kinds cheese baguette with bacon, vanilla muffin and Iced Lavender Tea,” Tami answered looking down, refusing to look at San. “And what do you have?,” WooYoung looked at Milli. “I have ham and cheese sandwich, chocolate muffin and caramel macchiato,” she answered while looking at Tami who was very nervous. Waiter came to the table and asked the boys what they wanted. “I’ll have four kinds cheese baguette with bacon, vanilla muffin and Iced Americano,” San answered and after that WooYoung, “And I will have ham and cheese sandwich, chocolate muffin and also Iced Americano.” Waiter looked at them and then at Milli. She just shrugged and said, “I guess they believe us, not like you Brian.” Brian scoffed and said “Wait till Jae hears about you going on dates without telling him first place,” “It’s not a date. Also where is my BFF Jae?,” Milli asked while looking around. “I don’t know. You are his BFF, Milli, you should know,” Brian said while smirking and going away. She just scoffed and sipped her macchiato. “You know each other?,” San asked while looking at Brian who was already making their orders. “Yeah, we got to know each other during one party we were dragged to by older kids,” Tami answered while again looking out the window in thoughts, “and somehow we became friends with love-hate relationship,” she added and kept on munching on her food. “We just became best friends? Me and Jae, and Tami and Brian,” Milli also added while looking at her glass. Brian came with their orders and looked at Tami, “Hey, you okay angel?,” all concerned. “Oh? Yeah… just thinking about school stuff..,” Tami answered totally out of it. Everyone, except Tami, saw how San tensed after hearing Brian say “angel” to her. Brian looked at him with confused look and then back at Tami, “Well if you say so. I’ll bring you your tea to go,” Brian answered and went back to work after some students called him to take their orders. 

They continued to talk to each other while eating. Everyone was having a good time, except Tami. I’ll just ask her later what happened, Milli thought.

After lunch they all went back to their classes. San and Tami had their next class together while WooYoung and Milli had separate.

While at class WooYoung texted San,

SexyPerf: yo, ask Tami for Millis facebook or num or somethin

SanTan: hmm why didnt u ask be4

SexyPerf: i forgot stfu can u do dat?

San sighed and nudged Tami’s arm which startled her and she looked at him with big grey eyes.  “Sorry didn’t want to startle you. I just- WooYoung asked me to ask you for Milli’s sns or number,” “Oh no it’s okay I was just deep in thought,” she said with soft smile, “and yeah of course here’s her Instagram,” she said while writing Milli’s nickname on Instagram. San texted WooYoung Milli’s instagram and got only “thx” as reply. He shook his head and then realized he should ask for her contact info too. So he gently nudged Tami and smiled at her “Sorry, buuuut… can you give me also your contact info? I just… want to be friends with you and yeah..,” Tami looked at him all confused because no one ever asked for her contact info. But then she wrote at paper her Instagram and looked back at her laptop taking notes without saying anything. San just chuckled because he found it cute.

Meanwhile Tami’s Tumblr dinged with messages,

jaes-sweaterpaws: u gave san my ig?

angelicdemontami: yeah he said wooyoung asked for yo contact info

angelicdemontami: why?

jaes-sweaterpaws: bc wooyoung followed me and san also and i didnt give them my ig so i found it weird lol

angelicdemontami: ah yeah should have write u 1st sorry

jaes-sweaterpaws: nah is okay 

angelicdemontami: wdy want to eat today:)

jaes-sweaterpaws: les go to that thai place at the end of street that just opened

angelicdemontami: YAY CaLL

jaes-sweaterpaws: should ask wooyoung if he and san want to join?

 Tami looked at screen all nervous and thought about it.. Then she looked at San who was looking at his laptop screen taking notes.

angelicdemontami: yeah sure

After that she closed Tumblr tab and got back to taking notes. 

WooYoung heard his phone vibrate with message. He looked it was from Milli on instagram and instantly opened it.

millispawspaws: hey wooooo! wanna join me and tami for food after uni w san?

WooYoung smiled while replying,

woosexyperf: yeah sure 

woosexyperf: where?

millispawspaws: new thai place at the end of street

woosexyperf: sounds nice okay  cya

millispawspaws: yay! cya!

This girl… WooYoung thought while texting San on FaceBook,

SexyPerf: Yo we going eat after uni

SanTan: huh ?

SexyPerf: milli texted me to join her and tami to that new thai place at end of strt

SanTan: ooooo okay cya

All classes have ended and WooYoung and San were waiting at the gate. After 10 minutes Milli came and apologised, “Sorry looks like it will be only three of us,” San looked at her and WooYoung asked, “Why? Where’s Tami?,” “She had to go to tutor someone. It came last minute. She said she is sorry…” after that they went to the restaurant and talked for an hour already. In the middle of conversation Milli’s phone flashed with incoming call from Tami.

“Yo Tami what-” “Milli come and take me home please,” Tami said while crying on the phone. “What happened? Where are you?” Milli all stressed asked while packing up. “I met Jake my ex while at the library and he… he made fun of me while kissing his new gf… and now I am a mess please just come and pick me up..” “I am coming don’t cry.” Milli stood up and just apologized and left the restaurant.

The next day Milli apologized again to the boys at the coffee shop. Tami came in, also apologized and sat next to San who pulled her closer and told her everything is gonna be okay.

~Time skip 6 months~

“Milli WAKE THE F UP,” Tami screamed at Milli who was still sleeping even thought it was already 10AM.  “Why are you yelling, Jesus, it’s Saturday..” Milli answered still drowsy. “Did you forget our outing with WooYoung and San? We are supposed to set of at 1PM!,” “Oh SHIT!,” Milli screamed while running around apartment to get dressed and looking like a human being. They planned to go to the sea and chill there for five days, since school was closed down for some reconstruction or whatever. They already rented small cabin right next to the beach.

It was 12:30PM when they heard knocking on the door. Tami went to open it. When she opened it, WooYoung and San just went inside while saying “Wassup~”, she just shook her head. “Where’s Milli,” WooYoung asked while looking in to the kitchen. “Packing up, she, again, overslept,” Tami answered while punching San on the arm because he ruffled her hair. “Yah! Stop punching me every second of my life,” San said while sitting on the couch. She just rolled her eyes and went to her room for her bags. Meanwhile WooYoung went to Milli’s room, where he found her packing up bikinis. He went in and back-hugged her, “My sweetie pie again overslept, I see,” “Stop calling me that, and what I overslept tch,” she just continued to pack her things. WooYoung pouted at her. 

When they came to the cabin Milli and Tami just ran in leaving bags with the boys, who just looked at each other and shook their heads. The cabin had four bedrooms, two on first floor, two on second floor, two bathrooms, one at each floor, and big living room attached with kitchen. First day was mostly about napping and eating. 

On the Second day, they decided to go for a walk around the town. WooYoung held Milli’s hand the whole time during the walk with the excussion of “not getting lost.”

Third day, was beach fun? Tami and Milli woke up at 8AM to go to the beach, while San and WooYoung were still sleeping. It was 10AM when San and WooYoung woke up. When they came to the kitchen they saw a small note, “We went to the beaaaaaaach~~~~ come find us later uwu -Tami and Milli,” boys just shook their heads and went out to find them. 

They found them, lying on the blankets, sunbathing. “Damn, they aren’t making it any easier,” San said while slowly going to them. WooYoung came and hugged Milli, who just screamed and smacked him on the arm, “What the HELL! Woo, I’ll kill you I swear,” and started chasing him around. They ended up in the sea just splashing water around and laughing. At some point, they ended up really close to each other. WooYoung was looking in to Milli’s green eyes, and slowly started to lean in. “What are you trying to do?...,” Milli just whispered while WooYoung pulled her closer. “Kiss you,” and he kissed her softly as if she was made of the softest glass. 

When they parted Milli looked at WooYoung all confused. “Milli, I-,” WooYoung tried to say something but was caught off by Tami’s screaming, “LEAVE ME ALONE JAKE WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE,”. Milli came out of water and went to Tami who was screaming and pushing at her ex, Jake. “LEAVE,” Tami screamed again. San was nowhere to be seen. “Tami, let’s just talk huh?,” “NO. You CHEATED on me because I DIDN’T want to sleep with you after only going out for two months!,” WooYoung came and asked, “What’s going on? Who the Hell are you?,” while looking at Jake who was holding Tami so strong she was sure she will have bruises. “It’s between me and Tami. Leave,” Jake said while trying to drag Tami away. Suddenly Jake was separated from Tami and was on the ground. “Touch her again and I will kill you,” San growled at Jake while going to hug Tami to his side. “Who are you? How dare you touch her?,” Jake coughed while standing up looking at San. San just smirked, “I am her boyfriend. Some problem with that?,” Jake looked at Tami who was just covering at San’s side. “No. Didn’t know she had someone.,” “The HELL. LEAVE Jake you hurt her more than enough,” Milli screamed at him and shoved him away. Jake, at the end, left without a word. When he was gone Tami just packed up and went back to the cabin. Took shower, changed and locked herself in her room.

Milli sighed when she came to the cabin with boys. “It was her ex that cheated on her?,” WooYoung asked. “Yeah.. after that, she didn’t want to date anyone or catch feelings for someone. That’s why she has that “hate” relationship with every guy she knows,” Milli said while going up the stairs to take shower and change and check on Tami.

“San, you okay?,” WooYoung looked at San who was pacing around nervously, “If I ever see him again nearby her I will just kill him,” San said, finally sitting down on a couch. “I just, love her just like you love Milli. But, I can understand she wouldn’t get together with me,” San said defeated, standing up again and going to bathroom to take shower first. He went straight to his room and locked himself up same as Tami.

Milli came down and found WooYoung sitting alone on a stool in kitchen, “Where’s San?,” she asked looking around. “Locked himself in the room,” “Oh, he and Tami are really similar,” Milli said with small chuckle. She sat next to him and.. silence. After five minutes of silence WooYoung spoke up, “Look Milli, I really, really like you- no, scratch that. I am in love with you Milli. And I want us to be together. So- Will you be my girlfriend?,” he asked while holding her hand looking deep in to her beautiful green eyes. She looked at him surprised, “I--, Woo I--,” “You don’t have to answer right now, but I hope for a yes,” he interrupted with sad smile, and that sad smile made Milli spill, “I love you too WooYoung I really do,” “Is that a yes?,” he looked at her surprised, full of expectations, “Yes, Youngie, I will be your girlfriend!,” and he took her head instantly in his hands and kissed her softly and full of love. 

They didn’t hear small soft pit-patting on the floor but broke apart after, “So you two are finally together?”. They turned and saw Tami still crying and sniffing but also smiling at them, “Yes we are. But come here for cuddles,” Milli answered standing up and going to Tami. Tami backed up with hands up, “No, it’s okay… where’s San?,” “Locked up in his room,” WooYoung answered while hugging, together with Milli, Tami softly. Tami broke the hug and went to San’s room. “They should already confess their feelings,” Milli murmured. “Yeah, it’s really sad to see them going around each other and don’t confessing their feelings they have for each other for so long…,” WooYoung answered while back-hugging Milli. “But, now let’s just the two of us cuddle,” he whispered in to her neck, kissing it softly. “What about them?,” “They will figure something out… need time for themselves.” 

When they came in to Milli’s room on the floor, WooYoung started kissing her neck softly and murmured, “Gosh, I just love how you smell all the time,” he turned her around and started kissing her on the lips. First softly, then it became hungry kiss full of passion. They ended on the bed, WooYoung on top of Milli taking his shirt off, smirking at her, “Now, let’s have some fun.”.