#and just generally don't wanna spend as much time on this as the previous two rendered pieces

[kaiserouo]

lesson learned. don't rush your rendering

but this is the only thing i can post today so im still gonna do that

[miniimight]

"S'NOT MY BIRTHDAY..." silly girl, thinking you need an occasion in order to be spoiled by them!

with gojo, nanami x fem!reader

notes trying out this writing thing again lol

in previous relationships, you had to deal with the bare minimum. a generic greeting card on valentine's day, a bunch of snacks for your birthday, and a necklace for christmas because 'that's what girls like, right?'

now, with him, it's different. he has no qualms about getting you anything your eyes linger on, no matter the price. he had so much money, he picked things up and swiped his card without so much as a glance at the cost. it baffled you sometimes.

it happened was early on in your relationship. you then quickly learned to just sit back and let him spoil you!!

GOJO

satoru's fingers were laced with yours as he swung your connected arms between you. he inhaled deeply, looking up at the high ceiling of the mall. "today's a good a day as any to throw some cash, don't you think baby?"

you giggle and squeeze his hand. "one or two things should be okay." that's what you budgeted for, anyway.

he rolled his eyes, scolding you for your tiny imagination before allowing you to pull him along to your favorite stores.

it wasn't long before your eyes spotted the store you loved but couldn't afford. your stare was glued to the window display, all the cute tops and pants and bags and shoes and bracelets and...

when he felt your steps slow, satoru glanced at you. you were laser focused on the clothing store—naturally, he sharply turned towards it.

"hey!" you squeaked at the sudden change of direction, and you hurried to match his pace again. "toru??"

"i saw you looking, baby, why didn't you just say you wanted to check it out?" he teased.

you looked over to the side, embarrassed. "i... i don't wanna tempt myself, cus i know i'll gaslight myself into buying something."

he narrowed his eyes, not in scorn but in confusion. "who said you were buying anything?"

"huh?" you chirped, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

gojo stared blankly at you. you really were adorable, thinking he wouldn't spend his last dime on whatever you wanted, regardless of how trivial it was. a smile pulled at his lips.

"my sweet girl," he cooed. "my sweet, slow girl..."

you gasped indignantly and poked satoru's side, earning a giggle from him. "slow?!"

"obviously, i'll by whatever you want, silly." he tugged you towards the entrance of the store.

"but..." you resisted his pull. "it's not my birthday or anything..."

huh? he pouted. "as if i need a special reason to get you stuff."

"but..." heat creeped up your neck as you reveled in the unfamiliar feeling of being spoiled. something inside you told you that he was just being nice and was waiting for you to shut him down, save him the expenses. "it's not fair, is it? i didn't get you anything so far..."

his face fell slightly as he pulled you away from the busy traffic of the moving crowds. satoru pulled your chin up to face him. "i dunno what's running through that pretty head of yours, but answer me this, okay?"

you nod.

"you want it?" he gestured towards the store.

you hesitated, eyes straying from his face. he quickly squished your cheeks, causing your eyes to widen and snap to his. "—!"

"don't overthink it, pretty girl, just tell me."

"yesfh." you answer dejectedly, muffled against his hands.

"then you'll have it." he told you. "i want you to have anything and everything you say you want. i wanna buy it for you. and being able to hear you say 'my boyfriend got this for me' is all i need in return." he grinned cheekily.

you pouted, looking unbelievably cute in his eyes. he despises the partners of your past for leading you astray, thinking you needed to do something special in order to be appreciated. don't worry, he'll fix that in no time.

he pecked your pursed lips before hugging you. "okay?"

you giggle. "okay."

"yay!! now let's go!!"

by the end of the day, he had to call ichiji to help carry all the bags to the car. he was so proud of you!

NANAMI

kento was your shadow as you glided through the store, picking up things and setting them down.

"oh, this is so cute!" you squealed holding up a tee for him to see.

he smiled, more because of your excited expression than the t-shirt. "it is. you should get it."

you hummed, in thought. your hands drifted over the material, picking up the tag before inhaling sharply. "nah, another time."

he frowned. you'd done this at every store so far, picking up things you said you liked but leaving them behind. he was bewildered. "but... you like it, do you not?"

you winced, hoping this topic wouldn't come up. "i do! it's just the price. out of my budget, you know?" you said, trying to be light. you burned with discomfort. might as well just say you're poor.

kento frowned. "oh..."

"yeah."

you quickly turned away, avoiding the confused look on his face.

"y/n." he called you.

"...yes?" you glanced behind you, seeing him standing over the shirts.

"are you under the impression that you would be paying?" he asked.

you blinked. "oh?" yes, you were, but you were surprised to learn that he had the opposite understanding. "well... yeah."

he frowned, disappointed with himself. "i'm sorry. i didn't intend to make you feel that way."

you stepped closer, rubbing his arm soothingly. "what are you talking about?" you laughed softly. "you didn't make me feel any kind of way. i'm not upset, if that's what you're getting at. i never expected you to spend your money on me."

his frown only deepened. oh, how he has failed. "why not?"

you faltered. how did you manage to make it worse? "i'm not sure i understand..."

kento shook his head. "have you been thinking you'd be using your own money for purchases? this whole time?"

"um..."

"sweetheart, i'm paying. for everything, at all times." he refused to hear anything else, cutting you off when you opened your mouth to retort. "we'll have to circle back to the stores we previously visited."

it was your turn to frown. "kento, it won't be my birthday for a few months! you don't have to get me anything right now."

"what does your birthday have to do with anything?" he asked, genuinely confused. "i don't mean to interrogate you, my love, but i think i am the one who doesn't understand."

"you'd get me anything i asked for?" you shoot back, spelling it out for him. "for no reason?"

"for one reason," he replied. "simply because you want it. it'd make you happy."

warmth spread across your face. "that's two reasons." you mumbled.

he clicked his tongue, exacerbating your bashfulness when he pulled you into his side. he kissed your forehead. "you make me laugh, y/n. i was so confused as to why you weren't getting anything. surely that's not how you usually shop."

he bought that shirt for you, as well as the many things you thought were cute at all the stores you stepped foot in. now, you shop without any hesitations.

© miniimight ! thanks for reading <3

[beelearnsfinnish]

weekly recap: week 01 [30.12.24-05.01.25]

i decided to start doing weekly recaps as a way to keep myself accountable not only with language learning but with all my studying in general. So, peep my new rug and Pikku Myy cup, as well as the moomin calendar i got for christmas! let's see:

studying

Finnish

As I said in my last Finnish update, I hadn't been doing much this past weeks. I've restarted again, but I'm aware this two months are not gonna be the best, since I need to focus in all my tests happening in February. Still, I wanna try and find time for it everyday, even if its just couple minutes.

I'll add the tracker of what I did this week (only started counting the 1st tho) but yeah managed to get a session of active studying and one of writing besides my immersion. I'll continue my lessons next week so looking forward to that.

My degree

To be honest I don't normally have to spend much time with this. I only have three subjects this year, and since I'm studying online and have no classes I don't need to do much during the year. The only stressful times are when I have to turn in papers and exams. This being said, I do need to turn in papers next two weeks, and I have my midterms at the start of February, so I am indeed stressed :D

I started revising the content for one of the subject's paper, which is already something. I usually get decently good grades without much stress since its the second degree im doing in the topic and almost everything sounds familiar already, but last two papers with this teacher didn't go that well (imo bc of her way aka inexisting way of explaining the papers) so im kinda pissed off :D

I didn't need good grades in this degree since its kinda useless having already my previous one, but since there's the possibility of going in erasmus again i want good grades to hopefully get into the program again. Soo, this next weeks I gotta grind and start doing the papers as well as start working on the units.

Hygieniapassi test

New addition! Since my plan is to move to Finland hopefully this year (still don't know how or when but we're getting there) and getting a job of my area (media production) is impossible without experience anywhere, I'd need to get a regular no studies entry level job and I thought I could make things easier for myself and get it before the move. I'm going there late February, so thats my deadline!

Actually signed up today for the exam. I have been working on the material in the app for the past two weeks ish, I only have two courses left to copy into my notebook (I physically can't retain any info if I don't write it myself) so I'm hoping to finish them before my papers are due! I still have to work on a schedule so I have time for everything, but pretty happy so far.

life updates

work

Christmas rush is coming to an end, but we have an inventory coming soon, which means extra hours and extra stress. Not the most ideal thing with all the studying I have to do, but we'll survive i guess :'D

hobbies & social life

To be honest I don't have much time for hobbies these days, but that's something I wanna change. Went to see Nosferatu with a friend at the start of the week (loved it) and we have another 3 movies lined up for the next weeks (can you tell i love going to the cinema). Also planning couple meet ups with different friend groups, this doesn't happen often since couple of them we don't see eachother in months, but seems like everything's happening at the same time. Stressful, but happy to get to see them!! Also meeting with my bookclub, so gotta finish the book of the month at some point.

Also something I'm super excited about, booked my flights to Finland!! Already mentioned I was going in February but actually having the flights its a life changer when it comes to waiting. Can't wait to be back 😊

media update

📖: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V. E. Schwab

🎬: Nosferatu - 4 ⭐️

🎧: Nonbeliever - Lucy Dacus

[katuschka]

Olalla – Chapter Three

Josh Kiszka x female OC

8025 words

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, intended for adult readers. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental. Also, if you're under 18, go find some other entertainment elsewhere. Even though this chapter is still smut-free, the rest of the story won't be.

Warnings: angst, yearning, kissing, fluff, conflict and violent behaviour, alcohol consumption, slowburn, mental breakdown, LGBT themes, homophobia (World's not perfect and some people suck...not the main characters though, don't worry).

Taglist

Previous Chapter Next chapter Olalla masterlist

What a wicked game you play, to make me feel this way What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you

No, I don't wanna fall in love With you

Every once in a while, you experience something nice that somehow leaves a bitter aftertaste in your mouth. Just like when you’re watching a beautiful sunset, thinking about how trifling and unimportant our daily feuds and worries are in comparison to the macrocosm and its wonders. The moment feels so precious. …but the world keeps spinning and as soon as you turn around, you once again find yourself submerged in the stale waters of your petty life.

Not that she felt that her life was in any way stale. It was just that as soon as she closed the door behind him, the whole encounter seemed like a fever dream in retrospect. One she wished would continue, because during those few hours, everything felt so new, so out of ordinary, including the fact that it did not continue. 

So, she tried to rationalize it and eventually concluded that she didn’t want more. This felt right…albeit weird, because it was simply different. He was different, and therefore dangerous. 

Much more casual encounters often ended in fucking. It was her reality. The guys she willingly chose to spend time with were either not interested at all in the end, or didn’t want to let go. At least not until they got a taste of all of her. Either way, it ended up in relief. Rinse and repeat. Joshua’s touch remained imprinted on her skin like some sort of sensory tattoo, and it left her mind racing. The effect he had on her was pretty much unwelcome, the feelings that came with it were not particularly pleasant, but she involuntarily clung to them anyway. 

His goodnight was definitive, and even though it didn’t feel like a rejection, it stayed outside her threshhold, just as he did. The night that followed was not good at all. The subconscious mind is a bitch. She spent it tossing and turning and waking up in between shallow dreams filled with images of his face just within reach, yet she couldn't bring herself to touch it. Before the actual dawn, she dreamed about them sitting on top of a mountain, watching the Sun rise. He was singing again. 

Reality hit back when Agnieszka’s alarm clock rang at 4:30. Having fallen asleep long past midnight, and then again around two and three – because she couldn’t get the feeling of his lips on her cheek out of her head – she woke up with stinging eyes and a burning headache, with a long day ahead of her. She slowly dragged herself from the cozy bed to start preparing breakfast and snack-to-go packages for early hikers. 

She usually enjoyed this. Morning chats over coffee were generally warmer and gave her the opportunity to talk to the guests about more than just how their day went and to connect with others on a more personal level, while sitting at the same table with them. They were a nuisance today. It wasn’t their fault. Just a group of young women in their early 20s and a nice couple getting ready for their last hike before going back home the next day. Definitely not an unpleasant company. Without admitting it to herself, or even consciously thinking about it, she just wished he’d be one of them. 

He was probably still fast asleep when she left to do some early shopping before her daily chores. He was already gone when she came back. Visitors kept their keys, but they were asked to leave special hangers on their door handles when leaving, which proved useful in case they wanted to have their bathrooms cleaned or sheets changed. So, of course she checked his door. And then scolded herself for her unhealthy curiosity. 

She almost forgot about him by midday, too immersed in cleaning vacated rooms and getting them ready for new arrivals. Fridays and Saturdays were the most hectic of the whole week, with people generally coming or leaving at weekends. Finally, after three pm, she could get some rest and enjoy her afternoon coffee (with just a drop of Bayleys) behind the reception desk, reading the book she abandoned the previous evening, with just a few interruptions that day. 

At half past four, the bell above the main door chimed again and there he was, entering quietly, but turning to a full theatrical mode the moment he saw her. This guy must be fun at parties, no doubt about that. He spread out his arms and trotted like a musical actor right towards her in his brand new attire. “How do I look?” he asked while wiggling his eyebrows. 

At first she thought her heart would jump out of her chest when she saw him for the first time since the previous night, but his easygoing, comical behaviour immediately made her relax. “Like a walking Columbia advertisement,” she laughed. 

“Yeah, well, I normally prefer flannels, but the guy at the store said this is more appropriate. I hate polyester…unless it’s sparkly…but I’m willing to try this,” he shrugged – tugging at the fabric demonstratively – and leaned familiarly on the counter. “How was your day?”

“Busy and boring at the same time. I should be the one asking that question. Have you seen or done anything interesting today? I mean, apart from becoming one of us,” she finished the sentence with a quasi-sultry whisper and dared to lean in closer to him. The truth was that the dark tight-fitting crewneck accentuated his lean and firm figure in a way that made her feel a bit uneasy. That man wasn’t just “quite attractive”, he was sexy! Humour and banter was her usual way of dealing with unwelcome butterflies in her stomach. And it worked, because they both giggled before he answered. 

“Nothing much, just wandering around. I didn’t dare venture far before breaking in these,” he demonstratively lifted one leg to show her his right trekking boot. “Besides, I don’t know it here. I tried to follow some folks, but the path turned to a steep and stony one pretty soon and my feet hurt like hell after just a couple miles and…” 

“Wait a minute,” she started rummaging under the counter. “I forgot to give you these. Here are some maps and leaflets with touristic tracks. Stick to those if you don't want to be chased by a bear. Also, it’s a national park, so you just have to anyway. Also, tomorrow’s going to rain all day, so you might want to visit the Tatra Museum.”

“Oh, bummer. The whole day?” The meaning of everything he said was amplified tenfold by his wild gesticulations and body language. It was like watching a silent actor, except he wasn’t silent at all. “Thank you so much for these? Any recs for a good place to eat? I tried the one right at the end of the street yesterday. It was good, but I’d like to try something more local.”

She reached behind her for some more leaflets and handed him a couple. “There are a few nearby. We serve dinner to our guests as well, but you need to preorder it at least a day in advance…but that’s usually just a plain, home-cooked meal, nothing fancy.”

“But that sounds fantastic! I’m pre-ordering dinner for tomorrow then,” he beamed, and added hopefully: “Care to join me today?” “I can’t, I need to go help with the dinner in about an hour and then I have some more things to do in the evening.” His face fell with a silent oh and for a brief moment she actually did hate her job. Was he asking her on a date? It certainly felt that way. Maybe he just didn’t want to be alone. It didn’t really matter. He wanted her to say yes and she didn’t want to say no, and even if it meant just two people eating together, it would be just fine. He lingered awkwardly for a short while before he wished her a pleasant evening, hoping to see her again soon. She didn’t want to let him go just yet, not just like that… “Joshua, wait!”

“yes…?” he turned back to her with his arms flailing around like a marionette. 

“My dad throws a garden party for our guests every Sunday evening...if the weather allows, that is. His grilled pork chops are delicious,” she tried to sound as casual as possible to hide the fact that she really wanted him to join them. “I…ummm…am supposed to invite everyone,” she added. 

“That sounds great, but…I don’t really eat pork…or meat in general.” He looked almost sorry that he didn’t. 

“Oh! Well, there’s always mom’s redcurrant pie, and some grilled vegetables, too…” Pathetic. 

“Lovely! I'll be there.” And with a beaming smile, he disappeared upstairs. 

The next day started as blue-ish gray when she woke up and soon turned to just gray. Breakfast didn’t need to be served before seven, as half of the people were leaving that day and the other half simply weren’t in a rush. Some even cancelled, preferring to go have fancier pancakes with ice-cream and forest fruit in some café nearby. Heavy rain was drumming on the roof and terraces, and the clouds were hanging low, turning the surrounding hills into a haunting, misty landscape.   

It was a lazy, sleepy day. A perfect day for a massage, or to go to the sauna…if you were staying in one of the fancier lodgings. The residents of Willa Eulalia were mostly bored, with just TV or board games to pass time. 

Nothing really changed much for Agnieszka. If anything, Saturday proved to be even more hectic, because mother wasn’t feeling well. So, the usual routine consisting of vacuuming, changing the sheets and cleaning the toilets turned to be even more tiresome, as she had to do it all by herself. 

The house went almost completely silent after lunch. It was already almost two pm when she finally reached the attic to make the room opposite to Joshua’s ready for a new visitor. She didn’t have much time left; new guests would start coming shortly. 

It looked like he was still in his room, possibly having a nap. The rain only intensified after lunch and it was fairly easy to get drowsy here, right under the roof. She turned on the vacuum cleaner on the lowest setting and proceeded to do what she was supposed to, while fighting off obsessive thoughts about getting drowsy with him… 

She was almost done when she heard some disturbance coming from the other room. It sounded like him arguing with someone. Honouring the house’s number one rule “privacy first”, she collected all her things and aimed to leave the attic as quickly as possible. Not quickly enough, though, because his sudden loud “I don’t fucking care,” followed by something hitting the wall, stopped her in her tracks. It was followed by even more incoherent yelling. “Something was not his fault and some Sam should do something instead, and someone was advised to suck his dick (Figuratively speaking – she hoped, half amused.), otherwise she couldn’t make sense of the one-sided argument. The call ended and she was finally about to descend the stairs, when he suddenly opened the door, making her jump. She shot him a terrified look and his own expression wasn’t much different. “Sorry for the noise,” he finally mumbled. “...I…need some fresh air.” With that, he ran past her down the stairs. 

The whole encounter troubled her, but she didn’t have much time to ponder over it, as she already had to hurry back to the reception to resume her afternoon duties, noticing him on the veranda on her way there. 

She couldn’t stop thinking about it though. The lobby was connected with the back veranda by a wide, transverse corridor, so when she leaned forward a bit, she could easily see him from her place behind the counter. He was still standing there, leaning against the balustrade with his arms outstretched and his head bent down. It triggered her inner caretaker. She couldn’t just leave him there like that, so she poured some fresh water in the electric kettle behind the counter and rummaged through her little box of teabags. 

“Hey, I made you some tea,” she approached him with the steaming mug and placed it carefully on the balustrade next to him. He looked at it and smiled weakly. “Thanks, Sheldon.”

She laughed at the reference but he didn’t reciprocate, so she continued warily: “The ghost called again? “No, that was my twin brother this time.”

“You sounded a bit agitated. I thought…”

“Olalla, I really, really don’t want to be rude, but when I said I needed fresh air, I really meant I needed to be alone.” 

She was taken aback by that and her eyes widened at him. “I’m sorry, I…”

“Thanks for the tea,” he sighed and left, leaving her alone with her thoughts again. Slightly shaken this time. 

He disappeared for the rest of the day. 

He didn’t come to dinner that evening either. 

She stayed on the veranda for a few more minutes after he left, drinking the tea she made for him and watching fat raindrops splashing on the stony path leading to the fireside. She was mad at herself for letting him occupy her mind the way he did those past few days. For the first time in years, she allowed someone to get under her skin, and for what. Now it stung, and it would eventually get worse if she continued with this nonsense. Rinse and repeat. So, she just shrugged it off with an annoyed huff and put her walls back up, just like she always did. The path from hurt to pissed off to indifferent was a short and safe one. 

And then, just like a gift from above, the bell at the front door chimed and she hurried back to greet three young and carefree handsome men who were waiting for her at the reception desk. 

She knew them. They were their frequent guests, one of them being also her regular hook-up. She had been looking forward to seeing him and his radiant smile again, but then nearly forgot they were coming. It was a welcome distraction now, the only downside being her sister Maya who was also arriving the next day to spend a week…and Maya hated him. 

Agnieszka knew very well why. Maya hated fuckboys and Bartek was the epitome of that. Pretty and vain and often notoriously bad-tempered when challenged, which meant he hated her sister back with passion. However, that never stopped Agnieszka from welcoming him with open arms, because he always gave her what she wanted and he never wanted more. He was one of her wolves. So screw tomorrow, she needed some comfort now. As soon as she finished her daily tasks and he freshened up and got comfortable in his rented room after the long ride from Poznan, he joined her in her quarters for one of their regular “movie nights”. They hardly ever finished watching any.

She found no comfort in his touch that night, though. After snuggling closer to him on the couch, she felt nothing. His thieving hands and intrusive tongue started to annoy her after a while. The excuse of being maybe a bit too tired was a lame one. It was not a complete lie and he knew she worked hard, but he seemed annoyed all the same. After she literally invited him to join her, she couldn’t really blame him, so she just slid on her knees on the floor and gave him head instead. 

There was something strangely calming about giving head and gagging on a cock. Those brief moments of not being in control made her feel like she could control everything else.. When it was finally over and she rested her head in his once again clothed lap, feeling his fingers scratching her scalp affectionately (but not too much), she felt calm at last. They were both half asleep when they heard a knock. Agnieszka slowly scrambled up on her feet, excused herself and opened the door to find Joshua standing there. 

“Hey,” he bounced on the balls of his heels with a tentative smile and his eyebrows furrowed. “I feel like I should apologize for being such an ass earlier. And…I’m making some mint tea and I thought, maybe you’d like some, too? Just to reciprocate your kindness, you know?” he nodded towards the common kitchen in the hall. 

Agnieszka bit her lip to stop her from smiling back. Not that he didn’t deserve it, she just didn’t feel worthy of giving it. She had her own kitchen unit in her apartment, so this was just a nice, albeit awkward gesture and they both knew it. He just didn’t want to approach her completely empty handed. 

“It’s ok.”

“No, it’s not, and I really am sorry.”

“It’s fine, Joshua. I’m basically just a maid and I had no right to bother you when you were clearly upset by…whatever’s going on in your life. It’s not like we’re friends.”

He sighed and nodded solemnly. “I really hoped that we would be. I…anyway, I went to this store today. They sell crystals and stuff, and this kinda reminded me of your eyes. Please, keep it.” He took her hand, palm up, and placed a small malachite pendant in it. “Good night to you, Olalla…” He bowed his head down and was about to leave when a loud “kto to jest” made it snap back up to see a man suddenly standing in the doorway right next to her, his hand squeezing her shoulder almost possessively. Bartek looked first at Josh, then at the piece of stone in her hand and his eyebrows shot up. He was athletic and broad shouldered and, being taller by at least 5 inches, he towered over Joshua menacingly.

He was also shirtless, with the waistband sitting dangerously low on his hips. That, together with Olalla’s sheer bathrobe, told him everything he needed to know. 

“Oh, I see I’m interrupting…again, my apologies Olalla.”  Bartek didn’t even wait for him to leave; he slammed the door shut right in his face. The bang made Agnieszka jump. 

“Who the fuck was that, Olalla!?”  

“No one. Just a guest.” He had no right to do that, and she should have been angry, but his sudden shift in mood made her defensively meek. 

“Guests don’t come knocking on your door this late to give you trinkets unless they want much more than just room service. I thought one at a time was your rule,” he raised his voice and slammed his fist against the door. “Guests don’t call you Olalla!”

“Bart! Stop overreacting! He just…”

“Is that why you’re so frigid today? Bitch…” 

He grabbed the rest of his discarded clothes from the couch and before Agnieszka could even react, threw the door open again and stormed out. She started after him, only to watch him pass bewildered Joshua, who really was making tea in the common hallway kitchen. Bartek stopped in his tracks and hissed in broken English, gesturing back at her: “Already you can go back, Frodo. The dirty whore is your now.” 

With that, he disappeared down the stairs and left them standing there in silence. He with a jug kettle in his hand, frozen in motion; she clutching the door frame for dear life. From the look on his face, she could tell that he had overheard them arguing too, though he thankfully couldn’t understand a single word of it, though he must have gotten the general idea. They watched each other with wide eyes for a few long seconds, until hers welled with tears.

He could see hurt and shame and panic in them. “Olalla,” he whispered and slowly made his way towards her, but she quickly closed the door shut, crouched down and, overwhelmed with all the emotions from the past few days, started crying in earnest. She tried to suppress her sobs so that he wouldn’t hear her as soon as she heard soft knocks again. This time, she didn’t open. The whole house fell quiet again after a while. She slowly got back on her feet and unclenched her fists. 

A warm piece of polished malachite was burning a hole in her palm. 

The clouds finally dissipated during the night and the inhabitants of Willa Eulalia were once again greeted by a clear, pinkish sky on the eastern horizon, the Sun painting the whole mountain range orange. Most of the people left early, so after 7 am, only families with young kids were still in their rooms or on their balconies, enjoying the breakfast as well as the fragrant air after yesterday’s rain, already warmed by the sun. 

Agnieszka had lulled herself to sleep the previous night with a little help of a significant amount of vodka and not even the fresh breeze was of much help in easing the consequent nausea. 

She suffered through the morning, thanking god that both Bartek and Joshua were gone, hopefully for the whole day. It was just a postponement of her torture, but it was welcome all the same. 

Her younger sister Maya arrived shortly after lunch, and – seeing both her mother and her sister looked like they might fall asleep on the spot – she quickly took over their duties. Agnieszka excused herself and climbed in her bed, wishing to disappear. Maya tried to get her back on her feet a few times during the afternoon, but failed miserably. It was already past 8 pm when she arrived again. Agnieszka could hear that the garden party had already started outside her window, and she just wished Maya would understand that she didn’t want to join them. Apparently not…

“There’s a gentleman asking if you would join us.” 

“Tell Bart he can fuck off.”

“Pfff,” Maya scoffed. “I already did. That fucker and his idiot buddies went out anyway, probably to the World’s End. And by ‘gentleman’ I mean a real gentleman. Though he’s a bit of a weirdo.” 

Agnieszka suddenly had a huge lump in her throat, but didn’t say anything, so Maya continued: “He also told me what happened.” 

“He did what?”

“I was at the reception about an hour ago when the German lady from room 9 made a complaint about a noise yesterday evening,” Maya started to explain while she was rummaging in her sister’s wardrobe. She was obviously determined to drag Agnieszka out of her room and into the garden by sheer force, if necessary. “I obviously didn’t know what she was talking about, because my sister doesn’t tell me anything anymore. Duh! That’s when he walked in, overheard us, said it was his fault and apologized to her. Then he explained to me what really happened,” she finished and threw black yoga pants and a fluffy powder-pink pullover on Agnieszka’s bed. 

“It wasn’t his fault,” Agnieszka mumbled into the pillow.

“Now you’re finally talking! Yeah, no shit. I figured. The poor guy obviously got dragged into your mess. And yet he still wants to see you. Seriously, who is he? And why is your face suddenly red like a baboon's ass? Is there a legitimate reason why Bart behaved like a total jerk this time?” she wiggled her eyebrows at Agnieszka theatrically. 

Agnieszka gave her an annoyed look. “I don’t even know who he is. And we just talked a few times. And…yeah, just talking. We spent an evening talking and then he kissed my cheek goodnight and that’s it.” She rummaged in her pocket and showed Maya the green pendant. “He also gave me this yesterday. Said it reminded him of my eyes. That was before Bart’s temper tantrum. I can’t go there, Maya. It’s better if I stay away from him, for the sake of his own wellbeing.”

“Wow. Interesting! So you’re saying the two of you are treating each other like real human beings? Didn’t know you had it in you. He’s sweet though, no surprise there. I think he likes you. His smile reminds me of…”

“Don’t!”

Maya knew she overstepped. But she wouldn’t budge. Instead, she sat on the bed and started stroking Agnieszka’s hair.

“Olalla, baby, stop shying away from people. Just go. Spend another evening talking. In spite of what you think, it will do you good. Besides, you invited him, and he’s there. It’d be rude not to show up.”

She could spot him immediately when she set foot in the garden. He was sitting on a piece of log by the fireplace, facing her. He was deep in conversation with some other guests, but as soon as he saw her, he gave her a radiant smile. His face was enchanting in the firelight, sparks dancing around it like fireflies. On her way to him, she stopped just briefly by the long table to grab a glass of wine. 

“Hey…” She still felt uncertain and a little ashamed when she reached him. “I…didn’t have an opportunity to thank you for this,” she continued, while toying with the pendant and looking down at him bashfully.

“Good evening, Olalla,” he beamed and gestured to an empty spot to his left. “Please sit.”

“You had the opportunity,” he added as soon as she sat down. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Your reaction was more than understandable. But I’m glad you’re here now.”

“You must think low of me.” 

“I think highly of you! You’re a hard worker, you obviously love nature and those carrot cupcakes are delicious! Maya told me you baked them this morning even though you weren’t feeling well. So,” he cleared his throat and giggled. “Now we both apologized to each other, I’m gonna need your advice.” 

“What advice?” It was Maya, the nosy brat who just couldn’t miss an opportunity to stick that nose into anything that didn’t concern at all. 

He was taken aback for just a millisecond before he resumed his quick babbling again. The fact that he was now forced to turn his head from side to side gave him also the opportunity to start gesticulating wildly, which he clearly enjoyed. 

“So, I decided to go for a proper, all day hike today. But apart from the fact that I absolutely don’t know where to go – I was never good at reading maps – there were sooo many people everywhere! Which was a good thing, in a way, because I didn’t get lost. BUT…”

“Where did you go?” Maya interrupted him. The two of them were like two peas in a pod.   

“Kash…kashp…dammit! How do you guys do that? My tongue, ouch!”

Agnieszka finally laughed, for the first time that day. “Kasprowy Wierch?” 

He nodded eagerly. “Yea! That’s the one! Nice place, don’t get me wrong, but my god! It was crowded up there.”

“Of course, it’s Sunday, and you chose the only place with a cable car,” she explained, as both she and Maya laughed. 

“Well now I feel like a complete moron,” he responded to that in a cheerful tone and even wilder gesticulation. 

“So, what advice do you need, Joshua?” 

“Well, I was thinking…since you said that you work as a guide occasionally…that you would just go with me? I’d love to see some more secluded places and I can’t go alone – you said that yourself – and I wouldn’t even know where to go, so…please?” He grinned, batting his eyelashes at her. 

“But that’s mostly for families or older couples or…”

“But that’s a wonderful idea!” Maya interrupted her. “You should definitely go.” 

“I have work to do,” Agnieszka spat back. 

“Bullshit. I’m here until Wednesday, I can do that. And tomorrow’s going to be even more beautiful than today, according to the forecast.”

“Perfect! Olalla, pleeeeeease,” he turned to her. “Hey, you have nothing to drink,” he gestured to her already empty glass and took it from her. “Lemme refill it while you’ll decide to say yes.”

“Hey, who’s the guest here?”

He gave her an “oh, come on” look, took her glass and excused himself. 

“What are you doing?” Agnieszka hissed at Maya as soon as the coast was clear. 

“It’s been a long time since you looked so radiant. You’ve been miserable for way too long. Enjoy life for once. You like him! And he obviously likes you,” Maya said, nodding towards the long table. Agnieszka looked up too and they watched him shooting glances back at them.

“It’s irresponsible,” Agnieszka hissed back. “He’s leaving by the end of the month.”

“Yeah yeah, totally out of your character,” Maya responded sarcastically. “Since when does this bother you? And what exactly do you expect to happen? Just go have some fun. Two friends enjoying a hike.” 

She planned a beautiful hike. Secluded, just as he wished. Away from selfie hunters. The whole trek was on the Slovakian side of the mountains, but that wasn’t an issue. They would start right at the border and cross the whole mountain range from north to south, taking the bus back to the starting place. It was a physically demanding, long trek, with almost no shelters along the road and no escape routes. That’s why not many people ventured there, even though the first half was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places here. Joshua was beyond excited. 

They agreed to meet by her car at half past six the next morning. She would take care of all the necessities. All Joshua had to do was to show up on time with a backpack and some spare clothes. He failed miserably. 

At quarter to seven, she finally decided to knock on his door. “Joshua, come on! We need to leave NOW if you don’t want me to change the plan.” A moment later she heard a loud “oh fuck!” and some scrambling noise. “COMING!”

“Coming,” he breathed out when he finally opened the door, shirtless again, still in his sleeking sweatpants and with a literal nest on the top of his head. “I’m sooo sorry! Gimme ten minutes. Ten minutes max!”

“I’ll be waiting by my car,” she rolled her eyes and sighed. 

He finally showed up after another 25 minutes, overflowing with joy and…

“What’s that?” she pointed at his face. 

“Sunglasses,” he shrugged with a beaming smile. 

“You call this sunglasses?” 

“I’m a diva! Deal with it,” he responded affectedly and threw his backpack on the backseat. 

It was almost eight when they finally set off. The track was an easy one for the first ten kilometres, with just a slight ascent. It was – however – breathtaking from the very start, with the whole amphitheatre of jagged peaks opening up before them in the distance. Joshua was taking pictures the whole time. He was also talking the whole time, stopping only when the pathway became very steep all of the sudden. 

They surmounted a few levels and finally decided to take a break by a beautiful mountain lake. 

It was almost noon, but there were still barely any clouds in the sky and it was getting really hot, even at this altitude. Agnieszka wiped the sweat off her brow and splashed her bare arms with some cold water, while Joshua stripped from his shirt and jumped on a large stone sticking out of the water. He was now standing there with his arms outstretched and his head tilted back. She watched him in amusement, shielding her eyes with her hand. “If you want to go on like this, you’ll definitely need to apply more sunscreen.”

“What? Are you saying that pink wouldn’t suit me? I beg to differ, my lady!” He turned towards her in some sort of clumsy pirouette and nearly lost his balance, flailing his arms and leg around in an attempt to stay dry. “Watch it!” She laughed, but was also already rummaging in her backpack. “And no. I’m serious. Come here.” He jumped back and she handed him her bottle. 

“Hmmm, coconut ice cream,” he sniffed at the healthy amount of lotion he just poured on his palm and started rubbing it in the skin on his arms and chest. “I was delicious before, but now I’m going to be practically irresistible.” Agnieszka was just taking a sip out of her bottle and his cheekiness made her cough. 

“What, you don’t think so?” He wiggled his eyebrows on her. “I might need help with the back,” he added. 

“I’d rather not answer that question. Come sit,” she motioned to the flat stone in front of her. 

He turned his back on her and sat between her legs, throwing his messy braid over his shoulder. It was adorned with silver dreadlock beads today and she couldn’t help but smile at his unashamed quirkiness. “Why don’t you wanna answer that question?” he asked with a low voice when she started applying the sunscreen between his shoulder blades. 

She took a deep breath through her nose and squeezed her eyes shut for a second. This close, she could smell his own musky scent under the overpowering aroma of the sunscreen, and it made her dizzy. She watched tiny droplets of sweat running down his sides from under his armpits. Running her hands over his lower back, she involuntarily imagined the same thing in a completely different scenario. She really wanted this to be just two friends on a trip, just as Maya said, but his delicate, yet manly form and his direct, spontaneous personality made it almost impossibly hard. She just couldn’t get the feral thoughts out of her head, no matter how hard she tried. “You don’t need coconuts, Joshua,” she muttered under her breath.

He…giggled? This man was either completely unaware of his power or too comfortable with it. Either way, she just wanted to push him in that water. She was sure it would make a hiss. 

She squeezed more lotion in her palm and started rubbing his shoulders. “You’re a bit tense here.”

“Yeah, my lower neck’s been hurting lately. I haven’t had much exercise in a while,” he sighed. 

“Here?” She pressed both thumbs in his higher trapeze muscles and he let out an involuntary moan. They both chose to act as if he hadn’t. 

“So…you exercise? What exactly do you do?

“Yoga, mostly. Some light weights, too. I need to keep fit because of…work.”

“Work, huh? You told me quite a lot about your family, but I still don’t know what your job is.” He looked like one of those contemporary circus acrobatic dancers – she contemplated half-jokingly – but that probably wasn’t the case. He was too clumsy. 

It took him a while to respond. “A secret agent,” he finally let out. “And unfortunately, now I have to kill you.” That made her slap his shoulder in amusement. “Ok, ok, I work as a costume mannequin. It’s an extremely important job. They pay well, too.” 

Sighing exasperatedly, she pinched his side, making him squirm and squeak. He was keeping something from her, but she had learned not to pry. “Ok, done.” She wiped the rest of the lotion on her things and he shifted and sat next to her, still laughing, until she handed him a water bottle. “Now drink. I haven’t seen you drink much and I don’t want you to collapse on the road. You’re tiny, but I still couldn’t carry you all the way down.” Everytine she felt vulnerable, she resorted to this strategy of making clear that she was in charge of the situation, could take care of herself and should take care of others…or whatever. It was her way to weed out the toxic people. Some guys would be mortally offended by such a treatment. Joshua? He just saluted her with a “yes, ma’am” and obeyed. 

They sat in silence for a while, only an occasional hawk screech or an intelligible chatter of two girls sitting further up breaking the zen-like piece of the place. “Thank you,” she finally spoke, toying with the malachite pendant hanging around her neck. 

He looked at her with amusement. “You already did.”

“No, I mean for not treating me like…what were the words he used? Oh yeah, a dirty whore. Which I guess I am. But you’re not judging me. So, thank you.”  

He rested his face on his fist and looked at her. “Why should I be judging you? People need human touch. That’s completely normal.” 

“Some more than others, I suppose. I’m just pathetic.”

“I think you’re just lonely,” he said, toying with the water bottle absentmindedly. 

“I’m not,” she huffed.

“Are you sure?”

She didn’t respond, silently watching the ripples on the lake. The idea of being lonely was one she willingly chose not to entertain a long time ago. She had her people. She had sex. She had this. She was ok. 

His palm that gently cupped her face brought her from her reverie. His fingers slid down to the nape of her neck while his thumb continued to caress her cheek. She instinctively leaned into the touch with her eyes closed and when she opened them again, she saw him watching her intently. 

Her heart started beating wildly. “What are you doing,” she whispered. He just shook his head and bit his lip before he moved even closer and closed the gap between them. She could feel his plump lips on hers and her whole body twitched in shock, making him break the contact. 

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his eyelids drooping, but she grabbed his face in her own shaking hands and pressed her parted lips to his again in silent plea. The tip of his tongue brushed against her upper lip, inviting her own to touch him. Their mouths finally fully connected in a soft, deep and sensual kiss that made them both feel completely light-headed. None of them wanted this to end and they continued for at least a minute, swallowing each other’s shaky exhales. At last he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “What is this? she whispered again. 

“I don’t know… and I don’t care, to be honest,” he mumbled, finally opening his eyes as they broke the contact entirely. She didn’t know where to look, didn’t even know how to process her own thoughts, so she just checked her Garmin matter-of-factly, only to see how late it already was. “We should get moving.” 

“I don’t think I can,” he giggled in embarrassment. “Just…give me a minute.” She nodded weakly in acknowledgement and got up to re-pack their things. 

They resumed their way up the steep and stony path in complete silence save for their laboured breath until they reached another levelled post-glacial terrace with yet another alpine lake right under the narrow saddle that divided the northern set of valleys from the southern mountain range. They were now approximately in the middle of their journey and the route was getting slightly more exposed. At one point, they had to traverse a narrow ledge above the lake. It was the first passage with safety chains they had to cross that day, and by far the easiest one, as she assured him, which only made him nervous. 

They took a short break before ascending to refresh themselves when they reached the crossing and had two ways to choose from, both leading to their final destination. The one to the left was fit for more seasoned adventurers, and – based on the people coming and going – that included also kids in their early teens or older women, so it could be done. She knew it could, she had gone there a few times before. But, seeing him watch the narrow and jagged depression between two peaks in the distance warily, Agnieszka finally decided on the path leading right up to the more easily accessible saddle. It proved to be a wise choice just a short while after. Watching him struggle while descending on the other side, clawing the chains with terror in his eyes, was fun. Him falling or panicking in the middle of the ascent wouldn’t be. 

He even misstepped eventually when they were descending down a set of cramps onto another ledge. His foot slid down the last iron bar clumsily and his bare back collided with her chest, nearly knocking them both down. 

She caught him and steadied him and they laughed it off, but there was something strange about the whole situation. She felt an underlying tension between them after she released him and they genuinelly looked each other in the eye for the first time since the kiss. He brushed the back of his hand against her arm, trying to communicate something, until the people behind them gestured to them to move. 

He led the way this time, jumping from stone to stone, high on endorphins, as if his knees were made of rubber. A wild chamois. Her own shins started to burn, the exhaustion of the past few days already taking its toll. He was unstoppable though, basking in the afternoon sun and once again taking pictures of everything around him, including her on a few occasions. Some things were still left unsaid and the more tired she felt with each passing hour, the more it troubled her. The events of the day made her simply wonder, but one specific feeling that started to rear its ugly head scared her.

It was half past six when they finally reached Stary Smokovec, both completely exhausted and thirsty, but happy they made it in time. The last bus to Lysa Polana was leaving at 7:05. They had just enough time to use the restroom at the electric train station and to buy some bottled water to relieve the headache. 

Reaching the bus station, they found the girls they had previously met by the lake already waiting there. They took the other route at the crossing and were now also headed back to Lysa Polana. They were a nice and friendly couple, so when the bus arrived, Agnieszka and Joshue took the seat right behind them. 

The sun was already low in the sky, covering the world outside in a warm hue and a fresh, lukewarm breeze was flowing through the open roof window. The sound of the moving machine made them drowsy and they watched the changing scenery in silence. It was suddenly so peaceful. One of the girls in front of them rested her head lovingly on the other one’s shoulder and Agnieszka wished to do the same, but just couldn’t muster enough courage to do so. 

As if he read her mind, he took her hand and – just like the first night – started stroking her knuckles gently. She just smiled and looked in the distance. Whatever it was, she was now determined to enjoy every single minute of it. More people boarded the bus in Tatranska Lomnica and soon they were on their way again. The girls in front of them started kissing and Joshua watched them stealthily with the most heartwarming expression on his face she had seen so far. Suddenly, they heard the driver saying something with his voice raised and angry, while looking at them through the rear-view mirror. 

The girls tensed and started whispering something to each other in Polish. Joshua looked confused. Agnieszka didn’t understand the driver at first but when he repeated those words she finally grasped the meaning behind them and gasped. He stopped the bus and opened the back door. Joshua turned his head to Agnieszka, looking positively alarmed now. “What is he saying?” She tried to translate it but her own words failed her. He got it, though. The guy wanted them out. 

One of the girls tried to negotiate with the driver, but that made him even more visibly angry. He stood and made his way towards them. The whole bus was whispering by then, all eyes on the girls. “Do kelu, vypadnite uz, lesby zasrate!” he roared and grabbed one of the girls by the elbow, trying to push her out of the bus with force, if necessary. An older lady in the back shouted something at him, but he ignored her and continued with his speech about not wanting such filth inside his bus. Joshua clenched his jaw, stood up abruptly and went after the driver, only to be thrown back into his seat aggressively. Agnieszka didn’t even know that she started screaming. The whole situation escalated pretty quickly and resulted in the four of them being left standing by the side of the road. 

The girls were the first to recover, one of them already tapping ferociously on the screen of her phone, while Agnieszka was still just standing there in disbelief and repeating “he can’t do this, he can’t do this” over and over again. Joshua sat on the grass, his elbows on his knees, clutching his head. He felt as if he was in a haze, watching her in slow motion having a heated conversation with the girls. He rubbed his temple and tried to calm down as she finally crouched down to him after a while. 

“Joshua, are you ok?”

“Yes,” he whispered. 

She placed a hand on his shoulder tentatively. “Are you sure? You look…”

“I am ok, Olalla. I’m ok…” but his shoulders started shaking and he lost it, startling her. She sat down next to him and pulled him in her arms in a vain attempt to soothe him. “Hey! Shhh, big boy. They’re fine. One of them just called a taxi from Poprad. But…it’s a long ride and neither of us have enough cash, so…do you, perchance, have some spare Euros? I’ll pay you back once we get back to Eulalia.” 

That finally made him take a deep breath and calm down a bit. “Yeah…yes, I do. I’ll pay for the ride, don’t worry.”

“No, we’ll split the expense, I’ll just need…”

“Don’t argue, Olalla!” He was resolute. He also didn’t say a single word after that. 

No one spoke during the ride back to Lysa Polana, only the radio disturbing the complete silence. The girls crammed themselves in the back seat while Joshua took the place next to the driver. Agnieszka was watching him from the back seat. They were both deep in thought and – while she couldn’t read his mind – her own was racing. It all made perfect sense all of the sudden. Still with the aftertaste of his kiss on her lips, she felt a sudden wave of bittersweet tenderness for him. Oh, my sweet Joshua. My dear…friend. 

Back in her car, they still didn’t speak. They had wished the other two a safe journey back home and Joshua hugged them both, but other than that, he seemed distant, watching the passing trees outside the window absentmindedly. 

“Thank you for today, Olalla,” he finally spoke, not looking at her. “It was really nice.” 

“No need to be polite now, Joshua. Just tell me what’s troubling you…if you want to. If you don’t…then don’t...”

He opened his mouth, only to move his lips in vain like a mute fish, and started crying. She felt a sudden surge of panic. The incident itself, however unpleasant, couldn’t possibly shake him that much. Something else was going on, and she had a feeling it was related to the previous phone calls he had. It seemed impossible to return to Eulalia now. Her notoriously curious sister would be waiting behind the reception desk, no doubt. It was not her place to explain why they were both behaving as if they just returned from a funeral. She couldn’t muster enough strength to do that, anyway. And then there was Bart and his buddies, whom she just didn’t want to see now. AND she didn’t want them to see Joshua. Not like this. 

He didn’t even notice that she took a different turn, coming back to reality again only when they passed the town centre and were now heading towards a much smaller Gubalowka mountain range on the northern side of town. 

“Where are we going? he asked, looking confused. 

“I just thought you might appreciate a change of scenery…”

To be continued...

Previous chapter Olalla masterlist

@its-interesting-van-kleep @edgingthedarkness @writingcold @thewritingbeforesunrise @lvnterninthenight @fleet-of-fiction @takenbythemadness @myownparadise96 @gvfstuddedmajesty @josh-iamyour-mama @jazzyfigz @tripthelightfantastix @sanguinebats @love-isnt-greed @klarxtr

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𝐈 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐓𝐎𝐎 𝐌𝐔𝐂𝐇: 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐖𝐎

pairing: kaminari denki x reader, (hanta sero x reader)

word count: 3.8k

content warnings/things in part two: gardening bashing, pet names, fluff, it's a mystery trying to figure out what's going on inside your best friend's heads, i use the words sofa and couch interchangeably, written with a chubby reader in mind (smut in later chapters/+18)

a/n: i hope you all enjoy part two!! i'm really excited for you all to read it and i hope you like it!! let me know what you think of this chapter ♡

i talk too much summery: it's terrible when you're in love with your best friend. it's terrible that he's in love with someone else.

<< previous | next >> | masterlist / check out my poll for this chapter!

Having the morning off is great for many reasons, sleeping in, spending time getting ready, maybe meeting with your friends and sleeping in again. Today is one of those days, where you can relax for the morning and not be in a rush to go out the door. You love being a hero but early morning patrols are the bane of your existence, so you start the morning of by waking up late and getting breakfast. Denki's already patrolling right now so you can't spend the morning with him, although lounging about on the sofa sounds like a good idea.

That's when you get a message come through and you know straight away it's from Hanta, he has a custom ringtone on your phone. One night when you both just graduated you went down to the beach together and played each other music until dawn. That was the first time he played you the song heat waves and now you always think of him when you hear it. That night he grabbed your phone and took a photo of you together, before changing his ringtone sound, pressing the record button and using the sound from the speaker. You still use that exact sound now where you can hear the waves and the sound of you laughing in the audio so as you hear the familiar notes of by glass animal and waves you open up your messages. 'Hey you're not patrolling right now, right? You've got the morning off?'

You briefly wonder how he know's your schedule but maybe you mentioned it earlier in the week. 'Yeah, have the whole morning off.'

'Cool, you wanna hang out?'

'Definitely. It'll be so much better than watching day time tv and napping throughout the morning.'

'Don't disrespect day time tv like that.' That gets a laugh out of you before you're arranging somewhere to meet and start getting ready.

You end up in a small cafe not too far a walk from yours, where you see Hanta is already there waiting and sitting at the back where you typically sit. It's not a very well known place as it looks fairly small on the outside but it's looks deceive because the inside is beautifully decorated. You've been told the owners daughter wants to be an artist when she's older, there's pretty little paintings in the corners or the walls and everything about the place just fits. It's delightful and you can't knock the food and drinks either.

Because it's so quiet you're less likely to be recognised which is also a big reason as to why you like this place. Fans coming up to you and asking to take photos or have signatures is part of the job but every hero deserves respite and you in particular are not the most charismatic, just wanting to do hero work and finding all the extra PR stuff boring and tedious. Most of your friends are more accepting to that side of hero work, but you lack the patience and charm for it, maybe Bakugou has rubbed off on you. You're just not good at it.

You are sitting across to one of your friends who is good at it and you're not confused to why. Hanta is one hero that people never have criticism for, he works hard, he's good at hero work, he's outgoing, approachable and magnetic, you're often in awe with him in general and how you have such amazing friends.

"Are you even listening?" You're thoughts get interrupted as you realise Hanta is grinning at you with this all knowing look on his face. Your silence answers him causing him to snicker at you. "Am I boring you or something?" In that moment you wish you were equally as quick-witted as him and be able to say something that would wipe that cheeky grin of his face, but alas you're not.

Sticking your tongue out at him, "yes." he laughs again which causes you to smile, all attention focused back onto him and your conversation. The next few hours are spent in the cafe immersed in one another's company, enjoying your time together. He's been on another failed date and every time there's an entertaining story to go along with it. This time he swears that the women he went on a date with must have been over ten years older than him and the only thing she seemed interested in talking about was gardening.

"I swear it's true! I don't know where Mina finds these girls who she swears are 'perfect for me'." The thought crosses your mind that maybe he should stop going on dates picked by Mina, they never end well but you think not to as the stories always make you laugh and Hanta has never told you throughout all of you knowing him if he even wants a committed relationship or similarly what his type is. For now you'll enjoy listening to his stories and maybe you'll have to ask Kiri at some point if he knows more about it than you. You know he has one night stands, you've seen people leave his flat and people leave with him after nights out at the club but he's never introduced a partner to you. "There's no way that she's our age, she's got to be like 40 AND then the gardening thing. The whole time she was talking about how often you have to water orchids and that you should put ice cubes on them. I'm telling you that just isn't true."

"How do you know it isn't true?" you interrupt, chuckling.

He pauses for a second before replying, "if it is true I don't want to go on a second date with someone who knows that fact." You laugh more, knowing that he is a hundred percent serious and that makes it all the more funnier.

You quickly glance at the clock hanging up on the wall opposite you, you're going to be in serious trouble if you don't get a move on. You've been so engaged talking to Hanta that time flew by. "Shit, I wasn't looking at the time, fuck." You grab your phone and throw it into your bag.

"Patrol?" Sero asks after checking the time.

"Yeah, I'm going to be late if I don't hurry," you respond, as you're getting up, starting to make your way to the door.

He gathers his things and slides his way next to you, "I'll walk with you."

With you walking as fast as you can and Hanta's long limbs you're bound to make it in time. Worrying less, you take a deep breath and remind yourself that you're not going to be late. If it's necessary you'll just get him to swing you there with his quirk.

You're both a couple minutes away from the agency when you're about to be heading your separate ways. You, on your way to the agency to get your hero gear on and Hanta across the road next to the agency to get back home. "See ya, I'll text you after work," you tell Hanta. Before you know what's happening he holds onto your wrist and quickly places a chaste kiss on your lips, "have a good shift, I'll see you soon. Yeah?" He says just as quickly as the kiss and he turns and heads down the road. That's never happened before but processing that can wait until after work.

It didn't wait until after work. During patrol your mind couldn't help but wander. You think maybe it was so fast you could have imagined it, or maybe it's likely that you're overreacting and thinking to much about it. It was just a quick kiss, a peck. Sure, Hanta's never done that before but you've been friends with Mina for years and she's surprised you more than you can count by kissing you quickly, unexpectedly grabbing onto your face making you keep eye contact as she swiftly swoops in and kisses you before saying she's about to leave whatever convention you're at.

Also every Christmas you and Kiri find yourself under the mistletoe together. The first time it happened it was awkward and you felt kind of shy however every Christmas after that it happened without fail, both of you gained confidence and took the kiss in stride and would find the whole ordeal amusing. It would feel strange if you didn't end up under the mistletoe with Kiri one Christmas, that does make it an odd pattern and a weird thing to happen but there are certainly plenty of worse people to be stuck having to kiss every year.

Like having to kiss Mineta, feeling his eyes staring at every inch of your body or Iida whose kiss you know would be to such a level of discomfort you wouldn't be able to look each other in the eye for days when seeing each other again. Or heaven forbid Denki, the man you love but know you can't have, you know that kiss would kill you. Stuck under there, with you feeling like he's being forced to kiss you while wishing it was someone else.

Maybe the kiss is like that, like it is with all your other friends. Simple. Either way it was a great kiss and though it was only a second it was a good second. His lips were soft and smooth and you could smell his pine and sandalwood cologne.

Your patrol feels quicker than normal, with you thinking about Hanta for most of it, either way you're going home and you're going to try not to think about it anymore, it's a waste of brain power. Luckily you remember what you said to Hanta before you left, shooting him a text while walking home saying how your shift was and you thanking him for a lovely morning, you can't remember who paid for drinks so you leave that bit out.

You make it home on time, to you there wasn't a time to make it on but Denki had a time. You and Denki haven't spent a lot of alone time together in the past couple of weeks and you've both noticed. It can't be helped you're both busy with patrols and work different times and different schedules and then when you have had time together it's typically with Kirishima and Sero so it's made him antsy, he misses you. He checked your patrol times for the week and made sure he was free, clearing his schedule for the time you finished work. He wanted to see you and make you dinner, just be with you.

You opened the door and five minutes later dinner would be served. Denki silently congratulates you and himself, even without knowing so your teamwork is impeccable. "I'm home!" You call out like every time. At first you didn't know if Denki was home or not but after a second you heard a clatter of pans and Denki distinctly say 'shit', you giggle before making your way into the kitchen. He must be concentrating pretty hard not to call back as loud as possible like normal.

Before you can even tease him about dropping things and being clumsy Denki turns around with a huge grin, "I'm making your favourite, go sit down." Walking behind him, and peering over his shoulder to see what he was doing exactly, your heart bursts out of chest due to the gesture.

"I can see that Denks. It smells really nice. Is it a special occasion or are you just trying to distract me and butter me up before telling me you broke the toaster again?" You ask half joking and half being genuine.

He laughs before telling you, "no, I just wanted to something nice for you, that's all." You heart warms and you try not to let it show, even though if Denki turned around he would clearly see you bashfully smiling and suddenly finding the floor very interesting looking down. "Go sit down or you're not getting any."

That gets you to move but not before you get a couple of glasses for you both and take them with you, replying a little snarky with, "yes boss." If it was anyone else you might have regretted doing that, people don't always respond well to the mocking or teasing comments you make but you know that Denki doesn't mind. In fact he always finds them humorous, every time getting a smile or chuckle out of him and pretending to be hurt by what you said so he gets you to make up for it in various ways. Even if he'll only be 'hurt' when it's his turn to do the hoovering or when he's feeling particularly tenacious and wants your attention, dragging you along with him to everywhere he needs to be that day.

You're on your way to the couch to sit down, most of the time after work if you're home late you'll eat on the couch, taking comfort over conventional seating but you're reconsidering tonight, it's not everyday you get to eat homemade food especially Denki's. Choosing the table you go over and you see that Denki has already made that decision with the table set. Not only is it set but he's put out your specific cutlery you use, you don't like using the bigger knives, forks and spoons so you have a couple of your own sets, he brought you one one day, you had only one but he brought the second set after moving in together in case the other set hadn't been cleaned yet. There's also glasses already on the table with a couple of options of both your favourite drinks. 'He really did think of everything tonight, huh.'

You sit down and place the glasses you carried to the side table so they won't get in your way as you hear, "foods coming, babydoll". You light up at use of the nickname, it's been a little while since you've heard it. He used to call you it all the time but hasn't for a little while, you would never admit it but you're glad he's called you it again, whenever you hear it you get butterflies.

The food really is delicious, neither of you are particularly good cooks but after you put your mind to something it's fantastic and this food really is. He went through all this for you and you'll love and saviour every bite. Even if it were burnt you'd still love it because of the time Denki put into it, you might've poked fun at him a bit though. You tell him how good it is and how your day has been while he tells you his. "I was kind of distracted during patrol if I'm honest." You say in between bites. "I was still on the top of my game though!" you rush out, tacked on at the end.

"I'm sure you were, you always are but what were you distracted about though?"

"It's nothing. not really."

Denki looks at you, not believing you for a second. "You may think I'll think it's nothing but that's not the case. If it's not nothing to you then it's not nothing to me as well. If you were distracted by something you've got to tell me, I've just made you dinner." He has got you there, it really isn't a big thing so there isn't any harm in telling him.

He's looking at you waiting for you to tell him, he's knows with you it could be anything. Maybe something like a philosophical question that you haven't gotten out of your head or a strange thing you saw while walking down the street, one day you came home rambling about a riddle that had you puzzled.

"I had lunch with Hanta, like I said I did, and before saying bye he kissed me. Like one of those kisses Mina gives everyone or when me and Kiri catch each other under the mistletoe."

He didn't know what he was expecting but it certainly wasn't this. You don't see Denki when you say you kissed Hanta, you're looking down at your plate getting ready to take another bite. You miss Denki's furrowed brows and his deep frown, it doesn't suit him. He tried to school his expression but that didn't stop his mouth moving, "he what?" You look up to see him and there's something about the way he said it that seems familiar. You can't exactly place what's strange about the way he said it or where you've heard him speak like that to you before but you chalk it up to confusion.

"Yeah, he kissed me. It just shocked me that's all, I didn't expect it," you explain.

"No wonder you were distracted during patrol! I can't believe he did that. You'll have to make him apologise." Denki says back automatically like it's the most urgent matter in the world, and to Denki right now it is. He can't believe Sero would just kiss you randomly like that, it's made you uncomfortable. The gall of him to put you in a situation like that!

"It's really not a big thing Denki! He doesn't need to apologise or anything." You give him the biggest smile like it's suppose to be obvious to him, that it's not a big deal but it doesn't stop him from thinking and just as he was about to say something else you start speaking again. "I'm so lucky to have you as my best friend Denki, you always look at for me but I swear this time you don't have to. It's just Hanta. It's not like I want him to apologise, it wasn't bad or anything, it was just surprising." Denki stays silent after that, you know he's protective of you, you just hope that doesn't lead him to talking to hanta about it and getting into an argument with each other.

"Dinner really was lovely Denks, thank you." You reach over to his plate and make your way into the kitchen. Just when you're about to wash up he comes up to you.

"I'll clean up tomorrow." Before you can object and tell him it's only fair for you to do it since he made dinner he's clutching onto your wrist and pulling you out of the kitchen.

"Denki what are you doing?"

"We're sitting down and we are going to watch a film."

"Can't that wait until after I clean up?"

"No." He picks up a blanket as he brings you both on the sofa and hands you the remote. Normally you sit close together or you end up next to one another because you're cold but as soon as you sit down Denki's dragging you next to him so your thighs are touching his and you're leaning against him as he pulls the blanket over you. "Put something good on babydoll."

You clear your throat, "oh, um yeah, I'll pick something now." You flick through what to watch seeing if anything in particular catches your eye. "How about wall-e? It's way better than any of the star wars films."

Denki chuckles and agrees with your pick, "it's still not better than star wars though."

"I beg to differ, it's the best space film there is."

"I don't know about that, hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy exists and there's alien too."

"Hush, wall-e is the best film that's ever been made." He's about to rebuttal but the words die on his tongue as he sees you look up at him pouting.

He pulls you even closer to him, where you're practically laying on his chest, "whatever you say doll." You play the film as you move to get comfier and pull the blanket more so it's covering your whole body.

You watch together as he cracks jokes and asks you questions and your opinions about specific scenes. It's so warm and cosy next to Denki. You can smell the citrus shower gel he uses and the faint dark chocolate smelling fragrance from his cologne that Todoroki gave him one year as secret santa, it was incredibly obvious it was from him, he basically told him. Denki now buys it whenever it runs out, he fell in love with it, he must be on his tenth bottle by now, but you're not entirely sure though.

You hear his breathing and it just all feels right, it's so cosy that halfway through wall-e you've fallen asleep. Denki realises you've fallen asleep nearly instantly by the way you didn't respond to his last joke, he looks at you and see's that your eyes are closed and fluttering occasionally, he wonders what you're dreaming about. Denki holds you tighter, wrapping his arm around your plush waist, making sure that you're comfortable and that you're warm enough. You get cold so easily. He watches the film with you in his arms and he's so thankful that neither of you were busy tonight.

Thinking about being busy he pulls out his phone, careful not to wake you, and reluctantly checks his phone, hoping that nothing important comes up. He sees a few messages from the group chat and a couple sent to him directly but nothing that demands his attention more than tonight with you so he puts his phone back down.

You wake when you feel Denki shoving his phone back in his pocket, blinking your bleary eyes trying to wake up. Hopefully Denki is unaware that you've been asleep but you know that isn't the case as you pretend you've been awake the whole time and he laughs. "I really was awake."

"Sure, I totally believe you."

"It's not my fault, I was relaxed and comfy. Sleep is important."

"Awe, ' you saying I'm cosy?"

"Go away Denki."

He chuckles as the credits roll. "Sleep is important, and that's why i'm telling you to go to bed. It's late and after the best dinner of your life I'm sure you're tired." you giggle but don't disagree or argue. "I know I'm better to sleep on than the bed but you've got to." he grins at you. you wish he wouldn't say things like that, you're tired brain can't help but imagine you asleep on him again, only this time you're in your own bed.

" 'kay i'll go to bed, but my bed is the best to sleep on," you respond tiredly.

"What else have you slept on?"

You ignore this but it still makes a sleepy smile creep on your face, "night Denks."

"Yeah night 'doll."

You waddle into your room and close the door and drift off to sleep thinking about sleeping next to Denki, while Denki's in the kitchen washing up the dishes just in case you wake up before him and do it yourself, he highly doubts that he would sleep in or that you would wake up early, but just in case.

[lavender-at-heart]

Hihi! Could I request some headcannons of how Jedediah and Octavius would react to a new nightgaurd that is interested in both of them? Would they end up bickering even more or would they intentionally try and get along more? How open are they about their feelings towards the nightgaurd and how obvious to others is it how they feel? Do they have any special gestures they end up doing to try and show their personal affection? Things like that please :)👍❤️

Jᴇᴅ + Oᴄᴛᴏ ʜᴄ's

K first off I wanna say I'm so sorry for taking so long I have not checked my inbox in the longest time 🙏 hope it's not too late.

Warnings:

----------------------------------------------------

Being a night gaured in a magical museum is hard enough

Having two miniatures fight over you is ever harder

It starts off as a joke on your behalf

Jed and Octavious were some of the first friends you made at the museum, they offered to give you tours and introduce you to the other exhibits

Jed and Octo would be super shocked at the stark contrast between you and the previous gaurds

You were a lot younger, a lot prettier, a lot nicer, always making light jokes and suggestive comments

And that's where you went wrong (or right). Being from a modern generation its normal to make suggestive jokes and use crude language and humor.

Sometimes you'd make little comments like " Wow that hat makes you look so handsome Jed" or "my you really are a brave general Octavious"

And you think their not gonna become mega infatuated with you? Yeah right

Octavious immediately insists on being your personal gaurd when you make the rounds, sometimes siting on your shoulder, keeping watch, sometimes always a few feet ahead to spot any danger

He would swear oaths to protect you in Minervas name

He would quote Roman poetry and compare you to the sun and moon

Jedediah would give you miniature bouquets and collect other things for you. Oh Ahkmenrah isn't liking his ring anymore? Well it would look just great on your finger. He would offer to walk with you, keep you company.

He would sing you old country songs about true love and the good old days

Obviously the animosity between the two grows so much more becuase of you

Jed will tie Octavious up with rope so he can't go join you on your walk

Octavious will send his army to destroy the western exhibit

They'll fight all the time, trying to assassinate eachother becomes a nightly occurance

And obviously it makes you sad, the two people you get along with most end up hating eachother

They will desperately try and prove to you why the others better

"Jeez, I mean you don't want to be bothered by this dusty old schmuck." Jed is definitely more forward but has that southern charm yknow?

"I am appalled that you would even dare to befriend this ungrateful, insolent peasant. He speaks to you in such an inappropriate manner and does not give you the proper respect you deserve."

Eventually they bicker so so much that even Teddy has gotten annoyed by it, so you step in

You tell them that if they keep fighting you'll end up hating both of them and go find someone else to spend time with

So they reluctantly agree

They both patrol the halls with you

They both enjoy siting on your shoulders, mostly becuase then they can't see eachother

But to be honest forcing them to hang out with eachother makes them slowly build their own friendship

Like they might do a joint valentines day gift, you know, combine forces so you have a better experience. It's only to benefit you (totally not becoming friends)

You feel like you could tell them anything, and they would just sit there and listen. They find modern human life so so fascinating

And you ask them for stories too of course. You ask about cowboy life and the glory of Rome, you can tell they both (Octavious especially) love talking and telling stories about the glory days.

[jillsandwhichs]

Shine bright like a Diamond

Chapter 4 to RE Character x Reader Smutshot Collection

Masterlist

Pairing: Claire Redfield x F!Reader

Summary: Your sugar mama, Claire, takes you out to buy jewelry and just an exchange of a few words leads to much more

Status of your guy's relationship in this one shot: not dating/married but have mutual feelings/attraction

WC: 4.5k

Type: NSFW

Warnings: Massaging, Dirty talk, Making out, Thigh kissing, Oral (Reader recieving), Readers first time with a strap, Claire uses her strap on you, Orgasm kink/fetish ??

A/n: Hi! Hope you all enjoy. Please check out my masterlist, there's a lot of stuff there. You can get to know me, you can see the rules of my blog and then you can see all of my fanfictions. You'll be able to find the previous chapters to this fic and upcoming ones. You'll also be able to find my Wattpad & AO3. Comments, reblogs & likes are appreciated. Thank you

"Now I think this would look great on you." Claire held up the fancy necklace, admiring how sparkly it was. You looked down at it, there were so many gemstones inlayed in it, it must cost a fortune. You could hardly believe she was willing to spend this much on you. "It is... Pretty..." You raised an eyebrow slightly. It wasn't not pretty, it just seemed like it was a bit to much for a wedding. The bride should be the one sticking out, not some random plus one whose attending.

"What? What's wrong with it?" Claire cooed out, taking the necklace away from your neck and analyzing it. "Nothing, it's just... Shouldn't the bride be the one wearing flashy jewels? Not some random guest...?" "You're right... Sorry love, I just thought you'd look beautiful in it." Claire agreed, setting it back down into it's casing.

Claire brought you to this super expensive jewelry store, they have all sorts of stuff here, the most expensive thing probably cost damn near a million bucks, it's nuts how much money some of these gems are worth. You spotted a bracelet earlier that nearly costed two thousand dollars, it's not over priced, it's just how much it is truly worth. You've never been to a place like this. Claire insisted on taking you, you couldn't help but agree, you wanted to see what they had, even if you didn't buy anything.

"Will you be getting anything for yourself?" "No sweetheart, just you, I wanna find a necklace that suits you that isn't too out there, you were right earlier." Claire stated, her painted finger nails trailing along the rack of cased necklaces. There were so many, you could see the glare off of them randomly hitting your face. "I think something like this would be nice on you." Claire then picked up a smaller necklace.

The chain of it was silver, which you most definitely preferred over gold. The charm on it was a small circle, the gem was a light blue but you didn't really know what it was specifically. "Is there a theme for the wedding?" "Not that I can recall, but this would match well with just about anything, don't you think?" "Sure." You responded to Claire, placing your palm to cup the gem. It was very elegant looking, and it wasn't flashy at all.

"I wonder how much it is." You went to turn the tag around but Claire grabbed it from you. "Ah, ah, ah, no, I don't want you to try and back out of me buying it for you, my love." Claire snickered, checking the tag and giving out a slight nod. Whenever she did that, it usually means it's expensive in general, but not to much for her. "Listen, I get you're like my... Sugar mama... Or whatever, but I still have a guilty conscious." "I know you do, now, let's go try this on you, yeah?" Claire slithered her thin arm behind your back, the two of you walking up to one of the body length mirrors.

"Are we even allowed to take it out of it's packaging?" "Well, I can do whatever I please, so." Claire snorted, unhooking it from its cardboard back. The necklace was meant to rest higher up on your chest, hence why the chain is smaller. The jewel was absolutely gorgeous, Claire has a good eye for things. "Alright." She grunted, undoing the clasp and setting it into your neck before re clipping it together.

You looked at yourself in the mirror, turning your head at different angles to get a good understanding of how it looked on you. You loved it, it made you feel so beautiful. "Oh, just look at you." Claire hummed out, she was now standing directly behind you. "I like how it's not super long, y'know?" You mumbled, your eyes gandering down at it again. "So, do we like?" "Yes, it's very nice, I like it Claire." You confirmed your liking to it. You aren't one of those women who fawn over expensive things but this was a keeper.

As you were still admiring the piece of fine jewelry, you sighed softly, feeling the touch of Claire on you. Her gentle hands slid up to your shoulders as she began to slightly massage them. "You're tense sweetheart." "I know." You chuckled. She wasn't wrong. You've been dealing with some bullshit the past couple of days and it's done numbers on you; Physically and mentally. Her hands firmly rubbed your shoulders, attempting to release any stress knots from them. It felt great.

Your head slightly tilted back as she continued, the motions of her hands making you devilishly weak; She knew exactly what to do. Her lips met your upper back, leaving loving kisses along it til she reached your shoulder. "That feels amazing." You breathlessly chuckled, turning your head to the right more so you could see her gorgeous face. "Yeah...?" Claire kissed you more, the air from her nose blowing onto you now - She was so very close to you. "Mhm." You groaned out.

Her hands than slid to your midriff, her fingers scrunching onto your knitted sweater. Her lips never left your upper back/shoulder area, she continuously marked her territory on you. Her darker shade of lipstick left imprints too, you didn't mind though. The way her fingers worked on you was magical, you felt immensely relaxed now.

"Claire...?" "Yes lovely?" "How about we pay for this necklace and just go?" "Eager, are we?" "Very." You breathed heavily, your fingers failing to remove the necklace. With a titter, Claire took it off for you, grabbing it's packaging and gazing up at you. "Get in the car, wait for me while I pay for this, got it?" "Will do." You shrieked slightly. Now you were excited. Whenever Claire tells you to do something, you gotta do it.

The jewelry shop is modern looking, very modern. The primary colors are black and white. The lights are extremely bright, pure white, it honestly hurt your eyes to stare up at. Each one of the worker's is wearing either a fancy suit or a ravishing dress, nothing else - This place must have a strict dress code. Most of the jewelry is also in clear glass cases, but some of it was set up on a rack. Overall, it was clearly meant for wealthy people only.

Pushing open the glass door, you exited the building, immediately heading towards Claire's vehicle. She was nervous for what Claire had in store for her.

-

After waiting in the cool car, you watched as Claire made her way to it, climbing into the front seat. "Here you go." She handed you the necklace. You went to look for a price tag on it, but there wasn't one; She's to sly sometimes. You set it in your purse, ensuring it will stay safe. The last thing you want is to lose something Claire gifts to you, you cherish everything she gifts to you.

Claire's hand went to yours, taking it in hers. "Where are we going?" "My place." Claire cleared her throat, pulling onto the busy roads ahead. "For?" "I think you know what for." Claire squeezed your hand, her thumb colliding against it. Her words had you all over the place. You turned your head to face the direction of the car window, biting your lip gently. Your stomach was doing flips in itself.

The car ride from the jewelry store to Claire's home wasn't very long, quite quick actually considering she lives in the main part of the city. But gosh, it felt like the drive was taking an entire century. There was no talking the entire time, just some low pitched music playing in the distinct background. Her hand was still in yours too, you'd occasionally feel her squeeze your hand - It is just one way of her letting you know she's there.

While you and Claire aren't in some serious relationship, there's times where you wish you two were. It would just be difficult. Often, she's gone, not even around. Then there's times where she's home for weeks on end. Her job just takes her away from you and originally, the two of you were going to give dating a try but you don't think you can handle being apart from her for extended periods of times and vice versa.

For now, she's like a sugar mama. You hated the term at first, but it definitely grew on you and well, she technically is exactly that. She makes good loads of money and a vast bit of it is used on you, you mind of course but at the same time, it's awesome. You rarely have to worry about money now, even when she's gone she'll cash app you. Honestly, you prefer it this way but still, there's that part of you that wants to be with her.

-

Claire pulled into her driveway, pulling the key out of it's holder and setting it into her wallet. "Come on sweetheart." Claire smiled at you, opening her door and stepping up onto her porch, beginning to unlock the front door. You got out as well, taking your purse with you. Her house is quite large, massive even. It's always been an eye grabber. It's well designed; Claire told you she had it commissioned. That's one thing that will definitely let someone know she has rich taste.

The interior of her home was expensive too. Although, she's definitely apart of the stereotype that rich people have little to no furniture to fill out their large homes. It feels so spacious, unnecessarily though. But, at least her home is actually colorful. It's very exquisite looking, you always liked that. She has a unique taste pallete.

"You go on to my bedroom, okay? I'll be up there in a second darling." Claire hummed out to you. "Okay." You nodded, looking over at the spiral staircase. You began to step up them, making your way to the tippy top. You always enjoyed how open the upstairs was, you could look down at the lower floors from above, it felt like a deck but just inside instead of out. In her home, there was three bedrooms, hers was the most extensive, but that is to be expected. She is the only one who lives here after all.

Ambling into the bedroom, you let out a quiet sigh, taking in the sight. The room was pristine, everything was dusted, bed was made, floors were vacuumed, etc.. Claire was a tad bit of a neat freak, it seems. This is also only your third time being inside of her house within the four months of hanging out with her. You remember absolutely being appalled by it when you first came over, it was nothing like what you are used to. You grew up simply mediocre.

You sat down on the end of the bed, the feeling of the plush comforter was comforting, ironically. Her bed was large, the largest it could get. Her bedsheets were a deep red too, reminded you of Christmas colors sort of. You let your fingers roam the blanket, the softness felt nice. You didn't know what Claire was doing and why she needed to do something before coming into her room with you, but whatever it was better be good. You want her now.

The two of you have hooked up before, a few times. In total, maybe five...? You two have only been speaking for about four months now and didn't get as close til midway through the second one, so it's definitely a slow yet worth it process.

Claire entered the bedroom, a black case in her hand. You have absolutely no clue of what it could be. "What's that?" "You'll see lovely." Claire giggled, placing it onto her white dresser. It was a secure box, a whole ass padlock on it. The only thing that came to mind was a gun of some sort but then again, why the hell would she bring that into the room you two are about to fuck in.

Turning around, Claire came over to you, a cute smirk plastered on her face. She took your hands in hers, lifting you up off of the bed. With a giggle, you wrapped your arms around her neck, hers going to your waist once again. "I can't wait to see how good you look with that necklace on." "Yeah?" You cooed out to her, your head slightly tilted as your eyes were locked with hers. "Yeah... Bet you'll be prettier than the bride even." "Hey, don't say that." You gave her wide eyes. She was so blunt sometimes.

With a snicker, Claire pressed her lips to yours, her hands touching you all over the place. You moaned with tranquil, not quite expecting the sudden movement. You felt your heart rate increase with each kiss, each one making you feel more and more alive. Claire's hands didn't help, they were going all over on your body, making you wanna feel her even more.

"Mmm, I want you." You spoke out in between kisses, your fingers trailing through her thick, soft hair. "I know you do, I want you pretty." Claire responded, her lips encasing yours. Her hands went to your jeans, her fingers pulling the buttons apart. You did the same to her, your guy's outfits were oddly similar today. Jeans, a T shirt and both of your guy's hair was straightened out. It fit to say the least.

You watched as Claire got down on her knees, pulling your jeans down with her. You placed your hands on her shoulders, stroking them with ease. She gazed up at you, her eyes so pretty and dark, you wanted to feel her touch you even more. "Come on." Claire hummed, urging for you to step out of your pants, which you did. Claire slid them to the other side of the room, her gaze going to your thighs now.

She began to kiss all over your thighs. She did always love them. From her shoulders, your hands went to her cheeks, gently caressing them as she left smooches all over your legs. You could tell what she was about to do; You didn't mind. "Claire..." You murmured out, her lips getting closer and closer to your core. Through your undergarments, the wet spot you had going on was visible, and Claire was absolutely mad about it, in a good way. You make her go crazy.

Her lips went all the way up your thighs, not missing a single spot before you nearly lost yourself, feeling her nose press against your clit area and her lips slightly rub against your pussy. "Oh." You sighed out intently, her face felt so perfect in your hands. She breathed your scent in deeply, setting off something in her furthermore. "You smell so good." Claire uttered against you. The tip of her nose was teasing your clit, you just needed her at this point.

Through your panties, she kissed your clit briefly all while her fingers locked on the band of them, ready to pull them down. Claire was dying to taste you - Ravish you. Everything about you causes her to go crazy for you. "Can I?" She questioned you, her eyes on yours. Asking for consent is always sexy. "Mhm." You nodded repeatedly, really getting the point across. With a chuckle, she pulled your wetted panties all the way down, having you step out of them. She grabbed ahold of them and instead of tossing them, this time she breathed them in, then set them to the side. She always does stuff like that.

Immediately, her mouth went back to your center, beginning to eat you out. You held onto her shoulders for what seemed like dear life, given that any moment you could fall over from pleasure. Her tongue did thick licks through your folds; All of your wetness being swept up by her tongue. "You waste no time, huh?" You moaned, gandering down at her. She looked so enticing whilst eating you out like this.

Her hands went to your upper thighs, holding onto them tightly, slightly gripping them as she continued her work. The way her tongue flicked against your bud was phenomenal, it made your legs twitch like crazy. "Taste... So good..." Claire commented against your pussy, kissing your clit quickly before instantly heading back to devouring your entire center. Her lips would part entirely before connecting again, all while doing this, her tongue would slurp you right up.

You squeaked as Claire spread your legs open more, now she didn't plan to stop. She wanted to bring you pure pleasure, and she will accomplish that exact motive. Her pretty lips swathed around your clit, suckling on it with intensity. Anytime she does this, it is what eventually heeds you to your orgasm. As she began, you released a sharp and loud moan, tossing your head back. You could hardly stand still now, you kept finding yourself moving each time she sucked a bit harder and faster.

Breath shuttering, legs shivering and your orgasm is coming upon you, you can tell you're becoming closer and closer to your climax. "Claire, I'm so close." You whimpered, gripping onto her shoulders much tighter now. She was making you feel so fucking good. How she works her tongue on you is magnificent. "Mmm." Claire moaned against your pussy, the sounds of your wetness becoming much more prominent.

Seconds later, her tongue did one more swipe through your lips and that was your complete undoing. You felt yourself falter, your mouth wide open but no noise emitting from it. She didn't let up either, continuing to lap at you til you suddenly pulled away, your body slightly shaking. "Look at you." Claire giggled, standing up now, wiping her somewhat wet mouth. You were still drenched.

"You good?" "Yes." You nodded, a cute snicker coming from you. Claire stepped over to you, embracing you in her arms, "Can I show you something, pretty?" "Yeah, sure." You muttered, plopping down onto the bed, making sure your legs were closed, you were still aroused too.

Claire walked over to her dresser, that black case snatching your eyes again. You truly wondered what it was that was in it. "What's in there?" "You'll see sweetheart." She hushed you, taking the padlock off of it and setting it to the side. She then unclicked the two clasps, opening the case up. You still couldn't see inside of it from where you were, but you didn't necessarily know what you should expect.

You saw her grab out another smaller box and bring it over to you, placing it into your lap.

"Baby, don't freak out or anything, it's nothing bad at all, it's just that... There's a chance you won't like it and hey, if that's the case, I understand!" Claire rambled, sitting down beside you. "Uhm, you're worrying me." You cackled out, beginning to open up the box. "Don't be, it's just... A bit intense." Claire hummed out to you, caressing your back with sweet love. You nodded carefully, beginning to remove the wrapping off of the top of the box.

And yeah, she wasn't lying, it was very intense.

There was an entire dildo and a strap on in the box.

Your jaw was dropped, eyes wide and hand slightly shaking. You never expected this. You didn't even think people truly used these outside of pornos. It looked real too, the skin color was realistic and everything. It was quite decent in size as well. "Wow I..." You gasped, a faint titter being heard from Claire. "I know, I know, it is a big jump... But all I'm asking is that you let me try." Claire smiled at you, rubbing the back of your neck now.

"So, you want to use this... On me? Like you're a man or something?" "Ew, don't say that." Claire snorted, "No, it's just... I want to make you feel good." Claire kissed your cheek quickly, her forehead now resting against the side of your head. You picked up the item, analyzing it. It felt okay, you didn't expect it to be that texture but it wasn't necessarily bad. "So... How do you feel?" "I think I am willing to try it." You whispered, handing the box and dildo to her now.

Claire bit her lower lip in excitement. "I promise, I'll make you feel great, get undressed." You listened to her, now removing your shirt and bra, your breasts popping out of it. The entire time, Claire simply gazed at you. You laid yourself up on the bed, running your hands through the cold sheets. Claire removed her articles as well, and began to put the strap on. You watched with focus as she adjusted it, making sure it was snug on her. "So that's how it works." You chortled.

Grinning, Claire hoisted herself onto the bed, climbing herself on top of you, her lips going to yours, breathing in deeply whilst she did so. "Just let me know when." "When." You laughed, wanting to feel her. Claire chuckled. "Are you sure lovely? This is completely up to you." "Yes Claire, I'm very sure... If I don't like it, then we can stop, but obviously I've fucked men before, it shouldn't be much different, right?" "Right." Claire cleared her throat, sitting up on her knees now.

Claire set her hands on your upper leg area, spreading them apart slowly. Your wetness was clear and goopy, Claire watched as it pulled apart whilst spreading your legs. "Mmm." Claire smiled, leaning down and placing a kiss to your knee before getting in position. "Just let me know if I need to stop, yeah?" "Of course baby." You assured her, stroking her pale cheek. Claire moved against your hand, sort of like how a cat usually does.

You eyed down at her crotch area, watching as she aligned the fake cock to your very real and soaked pussy. She swiped it through your folds a few times, needing it damp so she could slip it in. The texture of it was smooth and real feeling, but it definitely needed more lubricant than the real deal.

She then slowly but surely pushed the tip into you, then the base and then all the way until her legs were pressed to yours. It was a mating press type of position. "Feel good?" "Mhm." You nodded with a gleeful look. She did feel great inside of you. She began to move but her pace was slow. You could feel her hit so deep inside of you, then pull practically all the way out. It was so teasing.

You wrapped your arms around her neck, your eyes on hers as she rocked her hips against yours.

As she picked up the pace, the sound of your inner thighs being clapped against became louder, which you found hot. Most people wouldn't, but it shows just how good she's rocking your fucking world. Even though it wasn't her real cock, it still felt great. It wouldn't feel as good if it was somebody else either. "You look so good like this." Claire whispered to you lovingly, her head going into the crook of your heated neck.

From her neck, you moved your hand to the back of her head, running your soft fingers through her brushed out hair. "Does it feel nice?" "Yeah, yeah it does." You panted out. Her warm breath could be felt against your neck, along with her lips as she would frequently mooch on you there; Leaving lipstick marks on you. You were hers. Even if your guy's relationship wasn't entirely official, you know you'll always be here and same goes for her.

You'd do anything to be with her like that.

"Sweetheart..." Claire grunted, her hips grinding harder now. Letting out a moan, you wrapped your legs around her, her ass occasionally hitting your feet. The dildo was hitting deep inside you now. It felt real but even better? But that was probably because it's Claire doing it. She knows how to work herself on you. "Let me know when you feel like you're about to cum." Claire hummed, nibbling on your earlobe.

You felt like you'd look stupid while cumming, you always try to avoid letting her see your face. But you already know that if you try, she will not let you succeed. Pulling away from your slick neck, she made eye contact with you, her strap still plowing into you. You could feel your insides contort, the need to cum arising with haste. "I wish I could actually feel you baby." Claire said softly, one hand of hers now holding onto your structured face.

You wish so too.

Your eyebrows curved and your lips went apart, your orgasm was coming at you hot, you knew any second you'd cum - Claire could tell too. You nearly broke right then and there as you felt her fingers go down to your clit, beginning to rub it as she fucked you with intense speed. She rubbed circles on your nub, her tongue slightly sticking out onto her lower lip as she concentrated on you and your face, oh how beautiful you are to her.

"Fuck," Claire blurted out, "I bet you feel so tight and so wet." She praised, the tip of the fake cock hitting that G spot it so desired. "Only for you..." You giggled, tugging on her hair slightly. Claire pumped her strap on into you rapidly, each motion bringing you closer and closer. Her fingers also continued their work, making your clit become more sensitive.

"Right there!" You moaned out, biting your lip roughly as she flicked your clit faster. Her movements came to a much slower speed now that her fingers were the ones moving quickly, she didn't want to overstimulate you or anything.

"Claire..." You sighed out as your undoing hit you like a wave clashing against a rocky shore. Your back arched sharply, the arm that was on the bed now grasped around her neck, mainly for support. Claire chuckled, stopping all of her movements instantly, just watching you unravel beneath her. "Gorgeous girl." Claire cooed kindly, kissing the top of your head with love. You inhaled deeply, wrapping both of your arms around her now. She snuggled you back, pulling the dildo out of you and taking it out as fast as she could.

The two of embraced one another as you layed on the bed. Claire brought the comforter and sheets to cover the two of her. Her arms slithered around your hips, your bareness against hers. Her touch, the nakedness, felt so raw and bare, you quite liked it. "Gosh, that was different in an amazing way." You snorted, giving her an adorable look. Claire kissed your nose at the tip, then rubbed hers against yours. "Glad you liked it pretty." She spoke softly.

"We definitely need to do that again."

"Definitely." Claire grinned.

[maochira]

Toki-Niji (my hamster) is getting a new owner in an hour. I sadly can't take care of him the way he needs it, and luckily I found someone who already has experience with two other hamsters as sensitive as him. I'm sad and wish I wouldn't have to let go, but it's the best for both Toki-Niji and me to put him into someone else's hands.

(More details under the cut if you wanna know more.)

I first started struggling with Toki-Niji back in the beginning of August (about 3 weeks after getting him) when he started biting the corners of his cage due boredom and/or stress. After multiple tries I only got him to stop the behaviour, but couldn't get rid of his boredom and stress. I really tried to. I bought and DIYed stuff to krep him busy, but he ignored those. One week I spent ike 80-100€ on things for him in hope it'll keep him busy but it didn't work. That was the first time I thought about giving him away but at that time, I just couldn't deal with the guilt I felt about "failing." By now I know I didn't fail because I tried as much as I could and giving him to someone else with more experience is the only right thing to do.

Besides that, Toki-Niji is very sensitive to noises and light, so I couldn't keep a big light on anymore and only a desk lamp as soon as he woke up at 7pm, which is an hour after I get home from school on most days. I also had to keep noises down as much as possible and often ended up not doing anything in the evenings. I just didn't want to cause him any more stress.

Every time I would hear any kind of noise from him I would get anxious in fear he's showing stress signs again. Knowing I have a stressed hamster terrified me because I want the best for him but didn't know what to do anymore.

I looked for help on reddit (in August) and followed the advice but nothing helped enough. I tried letting Toki-Niji run free outside of his cage to help with the boredom, but that only stressed him more.

My breaking point was 2 nights ago when he escaped his cage like 10 times and barely let me sleep that night. On one side that is my fault because the cage wasn't secure enough (I fixed it afterwards) but I also realized if it happens once, he'll continue trying to find new ways escape which means he's still stressed and bored.

I just couldn't deal with the anxiety and being woken up at night anymore. And I just couldn't deal with being fully aware I can't care for Toki-Niji the way he needs it.

Sure, I could have tried more. I could have bought and crafted more things to keep him busy. But honestly, I tried so many different things and I don't want to spend more money only to probably "fail" again. I just don't have the emotional capacity for this.

I know why he is so sensitive. He was raised in a bad environment and when I picked him up he was in a small cage with his brothers and father, in the middle of a hallway - aka a busy area where he probably didn't get much rest and was stressed a lot.

This experience just taught me again how hamsters, despite being so small, aren't always easy pets. Toki-Niji is very different from my previous two hamsters. And that's okay. He'll be better with another owner.

Sometimes a human and an animal aren't meant to be with each other. And that was the case for Toki-Niji and me.

I don't plan to have another hamster (or pet in general) for a while. At least as long as I live with my father I don't want another pet.

[paperandhis-paper]

Arc-V Month Day 8: The Regular- ah, Standard Show and Day 9:Light Across the Aether

Combining two prompts, as I'll be gushing about (among other parts) about the Standard arc. Hope that's fine, @arcvmonth

Anyway, Arc-V has a lot of positives (that tend to get washed by the hatejerk), but what I want all of us to appreciate is that this silly show...exists. Not only that, but the awesome way the staff managed to hype all of us up?

What do I mean by this? Let me put it this way. This is a show about a multidimensional war where each dimension is based on a previous Yugioh series, featuring Returning Characters, and every Summoning Type is used.

Now go back to the original trailer for Arc-V. Notice how there're some things missing. Namely? ALL OF THE ABOVE. We knew about Pendulum Summoning, we knew Yuya rode a hippo...and that's about it.

Marketing-wise maybe this wasn't the brightest move, but it's an example of something I love about early Arc-V. In the year of our lord, 2023, where crossovers are everywhere and meta-commentary is so overdone people do meta-commentary about meta-commentary, it's bewildering how Arc-V kept its cards close to its chest and drip-fed information about its plot to keep the audience interested.

All of Season 1 is like this. At first we only really see Pendulum Summoning. But as early as Episode 3, we get hints about the other Summoning Types, since LDS has courses on each one. But whatever, you may think. It's only an Easter Egg, right?

Then this little fella shows up.

Casually, this kid activates Polymerization like it's nothing. And it's not like Jack randomly Fusing in early 5D's, Sora's deck is clearly Fusion-focused. But if that's not enough, we then meet the LDS trio, who use Xyz, Fusion, and Synchro. AND THEN Reiji tops them all by using all three at once. And Pendulum.

It's easy to take it for granted now, but this was legit just such a "holy shit" moment back then. 5D's featured Fusion a few times, but it was mostly a Synchro Spam. And Zexal pretended Synchros didn't exist. So it was so exciting to know Arc-V would be different.

That would be cool enough, but then they went ahead and made it so that each Summoning Type was tied to a specific Dimension. And again, the war plot was dropped slowly but surely. We get introduced to Yuto, who not only looks like Yuya, but he mentions something about some "Academia". But hey, a GX reference, whatever. And then it keeps going. We learn about Shun, about Ruri. And it all culminates in Shun vs Sora, which... ok, everyone knows this duel is amazing, but it's not just about the duel itself being spectacular. It's about the confirmation that, yes, we really are doing this. That Action Field IS Heartland, Shun and Yuto are from there, and the Academia Sora belongs to is based on GX.

The most ambitious crossover in history is here. And all they told us at first is that Tomato-boy rides a hippo. What the fuck.

Speaking of hippo-ridah. Arc-V always gets the somewhat-backhanded compliment of being the most ambitious Yugioh series, a statement I agree with. However, this is generally just refers to the overall scope of the plot. Today, one aspect that can sometimes get neglected that I want to highlight is how daring their choice of protagonist is.

Yuya, my beloved. I don't wanna spend too much time about how much I love him, because I'm sure I'll do so in the future, but I want everyone to appreciate the writers' choice in creating him.

I'm gonna be blunt: Shonen fans can be dumb. They are not the kind to be receptive to protagonists who're not hyper-macho, badass types and who are prone to show weakness. Just look at the response characters like Shinji Ikari or Natsuki Subaru get. Now, I'm not saying Yuya is as well-written as those, but it shows that even if the writers had written him perfectly there was always going to be a crowd of people who were going to hate him.

So I gotta give a shout-out for creating what's easily the most complex Yugioh protag by a long shot. Other protags could be slotted into one of two categories: "Serious" (Yugi, Yusei), or "Upbeat" (Judai, Yuma). Meanwhile, from Episode 1, Yuya defies categorization. He plays the clown, making one think he'll fit right in with Judai and Yuma, before the show makes it clear that it's just a facade... but also it's not. He truly strives to be the fun-loving, charming Entertainer he projects, but his own struggles and feelings prevent him from succeeding. It's a fascinating struggle, and I'm impressed that a franchise like Yu-gi-oh would even attempt this. And then you throw in the demon inside of him, and the waters get even muddier.

Speaking of which...

Something Cool about the Zarc Duel

(Yeah, that's as good of a segue as you're getting. I just wanna talk about something cool I noticed.)

So. The Zarc-duel. It's a mixed bag. I'm of the opinion most of it is meh (not helped by it taking over a month to air), but that the first and final episodes of it are amazing. And I wanna talk about something cool about said last episode that doesn't get talked about enough.

So, as we know, Zarc, alongside Yuya, created Pendulum to get revenge. And yet he gets defeated the exact-same way, by Ray activating the En Cards...or does he? If you pay attention, you'll notice that the En Cards destroy monsters, negate their effects, and deal 600 damage for each Monster sent to the graveyard (very particular wording these uber-powerful cards). Zarc has 2800 LP, and five monsters affected. 600x5 means his Life Points naturally drop to... 1000?

Of course, that's because Odd Eyes and Zarc are Pendulum monsters, so they're sent to the Extra Deck. If they weren't, he'd have lost right there and then. And not only did Zarc's scheme prevent his defeat, it basically got him the duel: he still had Scales set, and Reira's field was empty, so nothing stops him from Pendulum Summoning Zarc and/or Odd Eyes, and attack for game. Thankfully, the Lancers' efforts managed to reach Yuya, and he regained control and basically Shining Drew Smile Universe. In a hint of irony, they even play Swing, Pendulum of Souls, a song usually reserved for Zarc possessing Yuya.

Speaking of which, Smile Universe's effect is really similar to that of the En Cards. I guess it's the Unofficial 5th one and Smiles are the 5th beauty of Nature.

On that note, one last thing.

The Title: Arc-V

Arc-V is a very peculiar name for a show. And what I love is that it has many meanings. Most straight-forwardly, it's the name of the machine Leo builds to fuse the Dimensions. And obviously, it refers to it being the fifth Yugioh series. But it also refers to both the arc of a Pendulum, as well as the shape of a smile (there's an ED literally called "ARC OF SMILE", in case you think I'm reading too deep into things). I love how well-crafted this show's symbolism and visual language is.

Anyway, this turned into a massive ramble. I'm just happy to talk about this silly show that's burned itself into my mind. Thanks for reading if you somehow made it this far.

[fantastic-mr-corvid]

👾!!

Tyyy!!

one from Celia's! Dessa is one of the two main artists i associate with Celia n co's story, and Fire Drill has a massive link to Celia, especially her relationship with womanhood & poverty. its a song i associate most with a younger Celia, but carries on being relevant

[i picked wayy to many lines out to talk about, so under the cut it is!]

Cut my hair, tape my tits down

teen Celia was cutting her hair short and wearing to tight bras long before she was living as a man, trying to be mistaken for a boy and distance herself from being seen as a 'girl' in general, trying to reduce the reminders people would have that she was not one of the boys, literally.

A woman on her own must be from out of town

Even Elena was firmly entrenched in the group, and Celia was no different. safety is found in numbers, and lone wolves end up hurt. Celia and Elena threw their lot in with the boys, because they couldn't with the girls, and because anything is better than being alone.

Funny, you don't know the concessions that you're making until you catalog em And by then they're many and you're battle-hardened

Celia was just a little girl, then she became a monster, and although she can see in hindsight how it happened, at the time it felt like barely any difference at all. she made concession after concession, had decision after hard decision, all in the moment, all with pressure on her shoulders, and its not until after it all, years and years after, she can see just how much damage shes taken, just how much she changed, and by then she practically numb, drowning in an ocean of blood and battle hardened.

I'm here to file my report as the vixen of the wolf pack;

Celia, by the previous leaders and candidates dying or getting life changing injuries, becomes the leader of the 'pack', a girl leading men, a vixen. it also links to how she used to be fairly low down, weak and a scavenger, until the numbers where whittled down, and ven then it took a few years for her to be a strong leader, a wolf among wolves.

Tell Patient Zero, he can have his rib back

referencing Adam, but also given the stand arrow gives a virus, its her saying that she doesn't want this power, but also- Eve came from Adam, almost as an afterthought, and she was hit with the stand arrow as an afterthought, with the man meant to get it dying, failing idk i find it intresting.

You can count my ribs Wanna know what class I'm in- Count my You can count my ribs

the malnourishment Celia experienced stunted her growth massively, and she was a skinny teenager, like many people she knew, due to living in poverty, because of her class. also links to her eventually showing more chest, with her wrap top under jacket, and the story that adam has one less rib, daring people to not call her a man.

You can't be too broke to break As a woman always something left to take So you shouldn't try to stay too late or talk to strangers Look too long, go too far out of range cause Angels can't watch everybody all the time Stay close, hems low, safe inside; That formula works if you can live it But it works by putting half the world off limits

there is always further to fall, something more to take. to Celia, and due to the environment she was in, being a woman mean being a victim, and as outlines in the song, there were so many ways you had to stay safe, and it puts so much of the world of limits. Celia doesn't want to have to live like this, and so she rejects what places her there, femininity and womanhood. as a teen, Celia felt so much rage at how her gender confined her, and then forcibly removed it.

its also ironic, with how despite rejecting being a woman, she is still living a life of running fire drills, still has left her ambitions to just stay safe, still spends all her time vigilant.

this song is not a 1:1 with Celia, but is very tied to her character, especially in vibes. it fits best early on, her anger at how her gender confines her, but the vibes follow her.

[manofmanymons]

takuma/kaito marriage headcanons oh great one?

Oh goodness when's the last time I used the cute braincell instead of the cursed braincell

Like with previous marriage-related asks I'm gonna backtrack all the way to the proposal stage. Which means I have to backtrack even further to a general ship hc I've always had but don't think I've shared??? That being that I am convinced that Kaito and Takuma's mom would get along really well. You know cuz she's like kind of an overbearing mom and Kaito is Kaito.

I feel like I use "Kaito is Kaito" as an explanation for whatever the hell Kaito's got going on a lot but I really don't have a better way of describing him you know like he's just very very Kaito.

Anyways the idea Takuma's mom being overly worried about Takuma, and Takuma insisting that she's worried over nothing and trying to get Kaito to back him up, only for Kaito to side with his mom instead lives in my brain rent free. Just...Mrs. Momozuka deciding "this boy is my son now" from the day she meets him lol.

All this to say, I love the idea of her, over the years, getting to a point of "when are you finally going to marry him?" @ Takuma. Like Takuma somehow simultaneously already having planned on being with Kaito forever yet never having considered that marriage is a thing and also you have to propose before you can get married.

AND LIKE FROM THERE I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT HCS

#1 is the funniest but least likely one and is more of a meme than an actual hc but...Mrs. Momozuka straight up going "will you be my son in law?" @ Kaito and Takuma being like ???? did you just propose to him for me?????

#2 is the most likely one which is that once Takuma realizes that, hey maybe I should ask my bf to marry me, he just goes all out trying to plan a perfect romance-movie proposal because Takuma is a freaking sap. He's got a speech and everything that his mom and Agumon helped him rehearse. When he finally puts the plan into action, Kaito is anxious the entire time because he's been forced to watch enough romcoms that he knows what a set up to a proposal looks like but also doesn't want to assume anything and then get disappointed. His immediate response to "will you marry me" is "oh thank fuck" because he's relieved that he wasn't reading the situation wrong. Dumbass completely forgets to actually answer the question until Takuma asks if that was supposed to be a yes.

#3 is medium likely and medium funny which is Kaito asking first but in like the most blunt and casual way. It's not that he doesn't care as much he's just kind of a dork and isn't one for grand gestures, so one day they're spending time together and it crosses his mind that it would be kinda nice to be married so he just...says it. Like "hey do you wanna get married?" And Takuma is caught off guard and asks does he just mean at some indeterminate point in the future and he's like no I mean soon like do you wanna start planning a wedding now. The answer is yes but my god do their friends make fun of him for giving the least romantic proposal of all time. Takuma isn't disappointed at all, he thinks it was cute, but everyone else is jokingly like "if I were you I would've dumped his ass wtf"

THIS POST GOT LONG AND I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE MARRIED PART YET JESUS CHRIST

Small ceremony in the red spider lily forest? Small ceremony in the red spider lily forest.

Disgustingly sappy couple. Annoying as hell. Yes Takuma we know you think you have the cutest husband in the world yes we know you're luckiest man on the planet YOU CAN SHUT UP NOW. How many years does it take for Kaito to stop getting flustered by literally everything Takuma does? The world may never know.

Kaito and Dracmon cook, the other two clean. Personal hc #500: Kaito learned how to cook from Ryo so he could make all of Miu's favorites when they were younger, and now he's just kind of good at it. (He would've asked Aoi but she was pretty strict and scared him a little bit at the time. He will never tell her this.) Agumon is not allowed in the kitchen because he eats every single ingredient before it can be used properly.

Miu will bring up the time Takuma said he'd like to have a sister like her and jokingly accuse him of planning to marry her brother all along.

Kaito never fully unlearns to be on high alert at all times, so he's a light sleeper. Takuma tries his best to be quiet if he ever needs to get up in the middle of the night or goes to bed late but he ends up accidentally waking him up 100% of the time. Kaito will pretend to still be asleep because he doesn't want Takuma to feel bad about it, but he's not very good at it.

Kaito will wake Takuma up in the middle of the night sometimes too like "hey do you like me?" "I literally married you, go back to sleep." He's fine most of the time but is occasionally prone to the sudden anxiety that Takuma will wake up one day and realize choosing him was a mistake. He can't sleep when that happens.

On that note, not forever, but for like the first year at most, Takuma constantly doing cute romantic things like planning spontaneous dates or just outright gushing about how much he loves him stresses Kaito the hell out because he's afraid that Takuma does too much for him while he does nothing in return, which would make him The Worst Ever and oh god oh shit Takuma deserves better. Which is STUPID because he's the one who spent hours learning how to make all of Takuma's favorite dishes from his mom and is constantly bringing home little things that "just reminded me of you," what do you MEAN you do NoThInG iN rEtUrN? Like admittedly if you were a total stranger on the outside looking it, it would kinda seem like Takuma loves Kaito a lot more than Kaito loves him, but their friends and family know that's not true. They're both equally obnoxiously and embarrassingly in love, actually.

They work it out eventually ofc but Takuma has to accept that he married an insecure doofus who sometimes needs to be reminded that he is NOT, in fact, The Worst Ever.

Ironically, while Kaito's in his own little idiot corner thinking Takuma's out of his league, Takuma thinks Kaito is out of his league. He's not insecure about it though he's more like "yeah that's right the perfect man agreed to marry me" yknow what I mean like he's just proud of it.

WHO LET ME WRITE ABOUT THEM AGAIN WHY IS THIS POST SO LONG? YOU WANNA KNOW HOW MANY WORDS THAT WAS? ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY SIX. I HAVE WRITTEN FICS SHORTER THAN THIS POST.

TLDR: they're idiot losers and they like each other a lot

[claire-starsword]

The Guardiana Magic School Run - Part 4

We're back and after all the setup in the previous part, we can just move on with the plot. The Guardiana's Magic School gang gets a tour of Alterone's escape rooms, to Max's delight, and he fails at them, requiring the help of a beloved old pal again.

Seriously, why did she know this was here. I approve but I also have questions.

She unfortunately has some catching up to do level wise, but healers are useful on any level so who cares, and she's not that away from Lowe in terms of stats.

We get a Healing Seed from this terribly placed chest, like, why this.

As I anticipated in the previous part, Khris has as much defense as Tao (derogatory) so she gets loaded with all the Steel Rings I bought last time. I also give her a bunch of healing items that I got from chests. Don't even remember how much a Healing seed heals, but would suck to spend them this early, this is just for emergencies, and because I forgot to plan to buy herbs for her early. To be fair (hubris incoming), I don't think the next battle will be that hard.

As you can see, the clear bonus for this one is the Jagged Flash, which I've insulted enough last time, and is not even usable in this playthrough. I guess we've somehow established a rivalry between the magic and axe schools huh, the epilogue was right.

This battle divides into two areas on each side of the river, with the enemies on top splitting between them. Usually on my normal playthrough I split the team to get the clear bonus, so I'm used to doing each area with roughly the same amount of characters I have here. That's why I'm not too worried.

Of course, hubris has killed me before, so Max has the right idea too, let's be careful with the squishy spellcasters.

I, also need to dunk on myself a bit, i've complained so much that this game doesn't let you check stats during battle but uh, turns out it does. It's with the R button. I'll dunk on the game too because that's a weird choice, just let me click on things with A like a normal person. Also it doesn't show enemies you haven't attacked yet it seems, which is kind of a pain. Perhaps on Chapter 4 I'll get to explain how bad that can be.

Enough rambling, I believe starting from the left will be the best as there are less enemies, we should be able to dispatch the bats before the knights come, they tend to stick to blocking the bridge. Let's do some boring turns of just walking.

It takes four turns for us to get remotely close to each other. As I said the knights are sticking to the bridge, so I'm gonna bait the bats with Max and deal with them first. There are two more bats beyond the river and I expect them to come too.

Bat behavior happens, and I messed up, the knights are actually out for blood.

Gong and Tao team up to take out one bat, and Max woke up as soon as the turn started, though you still can't move on the turn that happens.

So yeah, he's not doing anything any time soon lmao

He still remains the greatest bait ever though. He and Gong still take only 1 damage from anything here, so I don't think anything will be a threat except the Dark Mage.

Tao and Gong wreck the two knights that advanced, and a bat from the other side finally comes, being greeted by Gong's counter immediately. Meanwhile, Max…

Well, he is overleveled anyway.

Khris finally debuts by healing Max for 25 exp, which I think is more she'd ever get in the mega drive version. Not exactly sure how they adjust the exp for healing, but it will help a lot.

She then manages to finish the bat tormenting Max doing 4 damage, which is more than I expected! Go girl we're one battle away from the Power Staff!

I really wanna bait this bat before dealing with the bridge gang. Gong still has the Rousing Ring so there's no sleep risk.

Actually the real reason there's no risk is that Gong has had enough of bats in general.

I try getting some exp for Lowe with this kill, but bats being bats, it dodges.

Max asks for five more minutes on his afternoon nap, unfortunately for him he's a warrior so he returns to battle, finally making some sort of line to defend my squishy people.

He's just in time to take a Blaze level 2 to the face. Ah, the wonders of magic.

...

oh c'mon, I've hit tumblr's image limit, that's gonna be a pain to deal with in this run. continuation in the reblogs i guess

[prismaly]

Previous | Beginning | Next

Transcript:

After her graduation, Matsui Hana managed to get an apartment in this area. The whole district of this city is extremely pricey, it was only sheer luck she ended up getting a rental contract here. She somehow managed to get a job at this big agency in their accounting section. Again; it was only luck. She was not rich, and ddidn't consider rich people highly. She saw them as privileged fucks that think they stand above anyone else, selfish and rotten. However, was she really wrong about generalizing all the people in this disctrict ?

Suguru: You need help with that?

Hana: Nahh, it's fine thank you. I can carry them myself.

Suguru: You live around here, right? I think I have seen you a few times already.

Hana: *He has seen me? Why haven't I noticed a man like him? This is straight-up impossible. He is just hitting on me and talking bullshit to make me flustered. It almost worked tho.*

Hana: Yeah, I do.

Suguru: You moved into the building down the street two weeks ago, correct?

Hana: Mhm, kinda creepy that you know this, but you are right.

Suguru: Pretty girls like you stick out you know?

Hana: Mind telling me where you live, so I can have some information about you as well?

Suguru: In that building behind me.

Hana: Ohh, cool.

Suguru: Still want no help after exchanging so much private information?

Hana: You call that private information? I don't even know your name. And I am fine, but thanks.

Suguru: Right, how rude of me, my name is Geto Suguru.

Hana: Matsui Hana.

Suguru: See you around then?

Hana: Talk to me the next time instead of just observing me like a creep.

Suguru: Ohh, I definitly will!

Once home, Hana searched up the name of the agency in whose office she will be working in. This agency was a really renowned one, managing mostly famous models and other artists. The agency was currently undergoing a lot of public media fire caused by some of its model's misbehavior at an illegal place, this must have been the reason why they hired Hana so quickly without any requests.

[The next morning]

Suguru: Hello, sweatheart.

Hana: Hi!

Suguru: Where are you going?

Hana: To the office.

Suguru: You have an office job?

Hana: You don't?

Suguru: Nope, much more exciting. When does your shift end?

Hana: I think like 5pm. Why?

Suguru: I was wondering if you wanna come around and cook something with me and a friend. You know, since you moved here just recently it must be boring to spend so much time alone.

Hana: *This is definitely not a good idea, I only know his name and on top of that, there would be his friend. But, he seems nice and he is right; I feel lonely* Sure, sounds good!

Suguru: Perfect, my apartment number in 42, it's easy to find. Want me to drive you to your office?

Hana: No, thanks but I'm good.

[onyxisnotuniqueenough]

to anyone who ever wants a really good tool for character designing and character building, i very much recommend using miitomo

i have played the game tomodachi life for many years now and while it's very similar there are a few things where miitomo is better specifically for this

miitomo is down so you can get it through kaeru patcher

here's why it helped me

1. getting it this way - everything is very cheap - costumes, outfits and accessories that should be between 2k to 6k are now literally just. 10 coins. and kaeru gives you like 10k to start out so you have room to dress your characters however you want

thinking about what your ocs wear is important not only because of the art aspect but also because when you try to come up with personal style, your technical skills of how well you draw clothes and textures and wrinkles come up like an obstacle, PLUS you have defined limited options so it's less difficult to pin point what their style would be

for me, i talked about it a WHILE ago but the story i'm working on is based on greek and roman mythology, although with spicy innacuracy and lack of research 😁❤️

and even though there are literally two clothing options that would match their actual attire they wear at work or during meetings or just during their life in general in the sky, it was very interesting to construct outfits for times where they'd have to descend on earth

each character of mine has different opinions on human life and its value, and how they approach foreign human concepts and traditions, depending on how much time they spend there to work

so everyone has "human outfits" and that was very interesting to explore

i had to ask myself : does this character value comfort, style, practicality or etiquette? how much skin are they willing to show off? what are they doing on earth and how do their clothes help them blend in while being practical for the task at hand?

2. mentioned in the previous point, but the options being limited does help a lot

the mii maker is great for character designing

since the mii-from-photo option is particularly ridiculous, it acts as good randomizer for the features, and then you can work it a little more from there

here is the main character that I designed on my own :

and how he looks in miitomo :

and here are some characters i made "randomly" (mii-from-photo with added personal adjustments) in the miimaker FIRST

and there are so many more i want to make, and that i'd be happy to share with you!

having a set of features to choose from instead if being left at your own devices is nice, and the process of trying to translate those features in your artstyle is even more nice

also, taking miifotos and having fun posing them and seeing how you could make them interact serves as cute little oc things but also, maybe a reference if you don't know how to pose your characters? NOT AT ALL anatomically accurate but it's cute for ideas

for example

ummm anyway i've been so so obsessed with this app for like a week or smt now and it's all i think about 24/7 😁

ummm anyway go friend me on miitomo

this post has no subliminal intentions whatsoever i DON'T WANNA MAKE MIITOMO FRIENDS AND I DIDN'T WANT TO INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT SO THAT THE NEXT TIME I POST RANDOM MIIFOTOS YOU HAVE SOME CONTEXT DEFINTELY NOT ANS I DIDNT WANT TO JUST DUMP PENT UP EXCITEMENF ON TUMBLR !!

[surrealsunday]

helloo! wow it’s been a little while ngl! but when when chap10 was posted i was like “do i read it now or wait till the epilogue is posted? 🤔” and i ended up waiting for the epilogue, idk in my head it’s as logic sjsbdb. meanwhile i decided to rewatch stranger things + skamfr kinda at the same time bc it’s been way too long (for the latter). then the epilogue was posted and haven’t found the time or energy to settle and read the last two chapters (we love uni for that). till tonight!! so here’s my not so little review of the chap10 + the epilogue 😅

-> chap10

woaaah im at loss for words for how cute and beautiful that chapter was omg! the vulnerable moment right after the intensity of their love scene hit me right in the feels, lucas’ “please don’t hurt me (again)” and then eliott hugging him tight saying “i promise” 🥺MY HEART🥺

also these little acts had me giggling and kicking my feet

gosh i’m just so giddy when it comes to them like- THEY. ARE. IN. LOVE. 🥹

OH YEAH the moment when idriss came back home and said “I swear, if you fucked in the kitchen, Eliott -" made me think of that one scene in tempo (i think) when he discovers they did it on the counter and there was like evidences or sth and i just burst out laughing 😭 like i imagined him being so done already with them (/affectionate of course)

-> epilogue

MY HEEAART!! i know i’ve said it like a million times already but i’m so soft for theeem 🥺

i really loved how eliott reassured lucas during the moving, how they once more opened a little to one another. then lucas asking him to say something true abt himself, eliott’s little story was very cute despite starting kinda sad :(( but that little parallel to the minute par minute scene but this time it’s eliott calming lucas down ☹️

but goosh i’m in love with their love, in every universe istg 🥰 like i smiled SO BIG here!

now real thing: i cant believe it’s over now :/ i’m gonna miss them so much, these version of elu is definitely one of my favorite! i wanna thank you for writing this fic that, i’m sure, helped a lot of people (including me) escape their boring ass work/uni life ahah. every time it truly has been an amazing time, even when pain was dominent sometimes. but as always i’d say sjsbsb

wishing you a wonderful friday and weekend, i’m gonna spend mine mourning elu!10things and thinking of how much their love is incredible in every universe 😭💞

gosh i just realized i forgot about to say some more things in my previous message 😭 in my defense it’s 1am so- anyways

i’m also very thankful you listened to the little voice in your brain and wrote that little epilogue, the quote of kat is one of my favorite and it’s really well included! would have been such a waste not having lucas saying this tbh.

also the last pic of chap10, eliott’s post with the shadows…wow i literally stared at it for 10 good minutes it was so well done! especially lucas’ wild hair sbsjsb (also i see you have been generous for some parts 👀)

finally, i thanked you for the fic but i also wanna be grateful to your friend julie for pressing you making this fic alive ahah, bc yeah your elu fic are really one of the most emotionally amazing and still being able to read elu content in, now, 2023 is truly incredible ♥️

Oh my gosh I somehow completely missed the notification for these messages in my inbox. I'm so sorry! I was not ignoring you, I just am a useless human 😂

As always I absolutely love hearing your thoughts. I'm so glad you liked chapter 10 🥹. It was interesting pairing smexy times with some super raw emotional nakedness. I liked it tho. It felt right and natural in the moment.

Your memes btw aldfkjalsdfkja. They kill me 😂😂😂

I thought about Idriss in Tempo too at that moment! I truly don't know why I keep doing these things to poor Idriss lmao. But I make it up to him with Manon. So I don't feel too bad 😌.

Ok, so I very much got minute-by-minute vibes in that moment of the epilogue too, but it wasn't pre-planned that way. I kinda love that you had the same reaction. It just sort of happened and as I was writing it occurred to me that it very subtly nodded to that classic Skam moment. It seems they're determined to be that way in every universe.

Ahhhh the shadow pic! It's one of my faves! I get obsessive about most things (this is not news lmao) so it wasn't surprising that I obsessed over getting those shadows right, but in the end when it did look like them I was sooooo satisfied. And yes, satisfied with the very lovely booty on Lucas too 😌. It makes me so happy you liked it too!

Really it was my absolute pleasure to share this fic, most especially because I seriously do have the best readers in the world, and you all are so generous in leaving me your thoughts and feelings about the story (there is really nothing better than that as a writer). It's a big part of me coming back to Elu over and over, I think. I love reconnecting with all of you. And of course I'm more than happy to provide distraction from real life!

P.S. I told Julie what you said and lemme tell you... the way she got all proud and puffed up on herself 😂😂😂. I told her to take it down a notch but she's already kicking into high gear on harassing me for new stories lol.

Anyways, all the love to you. Thank you again so much for sending me your thoughts as you read the story. 💖💗💞💝

[snowmuttgetsweird]

12/6/24, witching hour

About to put my Snorlax to bed. I have Pokemon Sleep- if you wanna add me, feel free, I've got room for a few more: 6817 7349 5163

I've been sick the last couple days. I was sick just, like, last week too, but I got over it pretty quick and was just coughing, but then the cough got worse so either I never stopped being sick in the first place or being sick and returning to work too fast with a compromised immune system re-sicked me right away. Either way, I've felt like shit the last few days and didn't have a voice the last two, so I had to call out of work and get someone to cover my shifts. Hate that, would really have liked to have those hours. Starting to feel a bit better today, hoping after a good night's sleep I'll be right as rain and ready to work tomorrow.

Otherwise I've been drawing, reading, playing some mobile games, replaying Hollow Knight in small doses, and catching up on some movies and shows. Finally saw Logan, which was pretty good and made me cry (wish all the Marvel movies could have real emotional impact instead of back-to-back one-liners occasionally interrupted by CGI action sequences), then watched Deadpool and Wolverine, which was just okay by comparison (see above).

I was walking by the book store a few weeks back and noticed Absolution, Jeff Vandermeer's new book in the Southern Reach series, was out on hardback. I had completely forgotten about it. Ran in to (hopefully) grab the paperback real fast but it's not out yet apparently. Waited a few days but I started getting anxious without a book to read after having finished my previous book (The Archive Undying, little Pathfinder novel I think called Prince of Wolves, and What Dreams May Come), and ended up scooping Gideon the Ninth on a coworker's recommendation.

REALLY fantastic read. I absolutely fell in love with Gideon the Ninth, I've already read and finished Harrow the Ninth since, and I'm now waiting for a copy of Nona the Ninth to ship in from another location at my local discount book shop. Hadn't been so prepared and excited to move on to a sequel since I played Bravely Default for the first time- during which time I purchased Bravely Second BEFORE EVEN FINISHING THE FIRST GAME and immediately jumped into it the second I was finished with the first. Sadly, I hear Bravely Default 2 is a train wreck. Shame.

Harrow I didn't love as much as I loved Gideon. It may have been a purposeful and thematic thing, but it felt like a lot of the characters had very little agency and the story just kinda happened at them. Having just recently come off of The Archive Undying though, I really appreciate the use of second person perspective, and I greatly appreciate the extra look into Harrowhark's life and mental state. Ianthe is an absolute delight the moment she walks in the room too, every time. The way they play off each other is incredibly fun in their antagonism. That said, the second book overall, while still great, feels like a big ol exposition dump and feels like it answers a lot more questions than it asks, unlike Gideon, which doesn't really make me as excited for the next book because there's less for me to chew on and extrapolate. We'll see where Nona the Ninth goes.

Besides that I guess my offhand distraction has been Pokemon Pocket TCG. As you know, I love trading card games. Pocket is an excellent little time sink to scratch the TCG itch when I can't get anyone to sit down and play Digimon with me. I can open packs, I can build decks, I can play whenever and wherever I want. The events give you plenty of time to complete and acquire everything, and you don't have to spend a single cent to do so (outside of a handful of cosmetics). If I have any complaints it's that I hate coin flips, which is a problem in Pokemon in general. They're a little too feast or famine for my tastes, especially cards like Misty and Aerodactyl that can turn the tides so severely that they frequently make the game unwinnable. The only saving grace for coin flips in Pocket is that the games are so quick and streamlined that you don't really get the sunk cost effect as a full TCG- that disappointing feeling of having worked so hard and built your board so perfectly, and then losing it all to sheer luck. Anyway, overall great experience. Very fun, pretty casual, not all that sweaty, and looking forward to future sets to release- I'm already stockpiling hourglasses to rip a bunch of packs right off the bat as soon as a new set comes out. :)

Uhh I think that's it. I can't begin to describe how excited I am to get Nona the Ninth- I bought Gideon, I borrowed Harrow (I'll scoop a paperback of this later), and I'm getting Nona from a local discount bookshop- and I'm vibrating waiting for Absolution, which I forgot was even a thing. The whole rest of my set is paperback so I feel like Absolution has to be too, and so I wait. :')

Gonna try to sleep now I think. Snorlax beckons and I'm hunting Sneasel. :)