#and of course it's okay and no big deal but I'd just feel better if I was smote a little bit then and there

[bongsavior]

HOWEVER !!!!!!!!!!

[meerschweinchen-archive]

not to speak in favor of punitivity but sometimes I feel like swift and immediate punishment would be easier to bare than the endless intricacies of faux pas and grace of social acceptability

[miriellesandthegiantpeach]

Some more of Buck and Tommy's relationship language:

“Got it,” Buck says smugly, turning his cocky smile to Tommy.

“How?” Tommy looks back scandalized. “Today's is literally impossible. I haven't even got the yellow set yet!” He scowls at his phone that has the NYT app opened to today's Connections. “Help me.”

“It'll cost ya.”

“Name your price, I don't want to lose my streak.”

“Hmmm,” Buck draws out. “Third base?”

“Third base? Damn. Prices have gone up.” Buck just laughs. Tommy pulls on Bucks chin for a dizzying kiss, leaving him breathless when he pulls back. “How's that?”

“Yeah. That works,” Buck says back, not taking his eyes off Tommy's lips.

--

Buck and Tommy having non verbal communication. A quick frown mixed with a minute shake of his head as one of Tommy's coworkers says something homophobic adjacent. Buck's eyes shoot directly to Tommy's and susses out if it's worth it to speak up or not.

Tommy tapping twice on Buck's knee or tugging twice on a belt loop when he catches the anxious crease in between his boyfriend's eyebrows. Buck will either offer an explanation or just shake his head, smile, and kiss Tommy's cheek in thanks.

When they're separated at a party or work function they always seem to find each other's eyes across the room. Once eye contact is made, Tommy throws him a wink or Buck smiles his special Tommy smile.

Buck talks very animatedly to someone and when he feels two strong familiar hands on his waist he moves easily. Either Tommy just wants to be close or actually has to move him out of the way, but Buck will always follow his lead.

Buck unknowingly stretches his bad leg while in bed or on the couch and Tommy just says “come on, give it here,” and lays his left leg across Tommy's leg to massage.

Tommy will get this look of longing in his eyes at a 118 get together when he's just standing on the outside of their circle of conversations. Buck takes him by the hand and pulls him in, everyone easily including Tommy like it's no big deal. But to Tommy it never fails to make it heart flutter.

A kiss to the forehead and a scratch to his scalp when he falls asleep on the couch tells Tommy it's time to get up before he starts complaining to Buck about his back aching from being in that position.

They walk through Target in June and Tommy picks up anything that says 'Ally' on it and shows it to Buck only to get flipped off.

–

“Drink this. Stop itching,” Tommy lightly scolds as he takes Buck's right hand and places the water glass in his hand.

“Okay, mom,” Buck pouts but complys. “how did I manage to break my wrist and catch a cold in one call?”

“Just your luck, babe. Also it's a hairline fracture, I'd barely call it a break,” Tommy reasons. Buck unconsciously goes to scratch the wrapping around his wrist. “Stop scratching.”

Buck just huffs and rolls his eyes. He looks up to see Tommy unwrapping the cold medicine he picked up on his way here. He stretches out his injured wrist to Tommy and wiggles his fingers. The pain has dulled to an ache.

“Thanks. For everything. For being here.”

Tommy takes Buck's fingers and bows his head to kiss Buck's exposed knuckles so he doesn't jostle his wrist. “Of course.”

Buck gives him a dopey smile. “Better already.”

For maybe the 1000th time in their seven month long relationship Tommy looks at Buck like he's never been more in love.

[thealbatrovss]

snow angel // logan howlett x reader

summary: you try and ask logan out. when did he start making snow angels?

oneshot- a little angst and then just pure fluff.

word count - 1k+

masterlist

The bar was loud. Your heart was beating even louder.

Logan sat at the very end of the counter. His leather jacket hung over his seat. He was trying to light his cigarette. The bartender was telling him to knock it off. He cursed. “What kind of bar doesn’t let you smoke?”

“This one.” The older woman plucked it out of his mouth before he could take the first inhale. He rolled his eyes, sipping on his beer, catching your stare.

You shrug your condolences, face warming up and turned away. You wore your best outfit tonight. One that made you feel confident. And you were going to need all the confidence you could get.

It wasn’t that big of a deal, but you were going to ask him out tonight. After years of lingering glances, flirting on missions, shoulder brushes and hallway conversations, it was well past time. You always thought he’d be the first to initiate any sort of conversation about it. But that never came.

It scared you, making you go through every single interaction you had with him. Did you remember all those moments wrong? Were you really just friends?

No. You weren’t wrong. Something was brewing between the both of you, and you had to be the one that challenged the storm.

Yet, here you were, stuck picking at the wooden board beneath you as you both drank by yourselves.

Underneath all that rough exterior you found a soft man who would do anything for the ones he loved. You saw it in the way he stepped up whenever The X Men needed help. Whenever a student failed, he told them to get back up again.

He was kind. Much kinder than the winter blizzard raging outside. Even if he didn’t always show it, you felt it.

After saving your ass during this afternoons mission, you offered to repay him with a drink. He of course couldn’t say no to that. Especially since you were paying.

That left you in the present, seated across the bar away from him. Alone. There were only a few seats left and none of them were next to each other. So you continued to stir your fruity drink, leg bouncing up and down aggressively.

It couldn't be that hard. You were an adult, god dammit. All you needed was a little drink and you’d be sharp and on your feet, walking over to him. Too bad you were nursing a third.

The man seated next to you shot you a glare, as if he were telling you to stop hitting his seat. You mouthed a couple, “sorrys,” and turned back to Logan.

He was with a woman. A very beautiful woman. She was sitting right by him. Somehow she was able to convince the man next to Logan to switch her seats. The man seemed dejected as her full attention turned to your teammate and friend.

You tried not to give in to the nagging insecurities and the, “I told you sos,” festering in your mind. But then she put her hand over his and he didn’t even bother to move it. He actually smiled a bit. Or was that the alcohol making you see things?

“This was stupid,” you mumbled, wanting to fold into yourself. The room was hot, almost suffocating.

Jackie stopped cleaning out the glasses in her hands and turned to talk to you. “What’s stupid?”

“Nothing, Jackie.”

“The drink I made? You better still give me a tip.”

“Of course I will.” You handed her some cash, not really caring how much you gave her.

She stuffed it into her pocket. “Is everything okay? You’re usually a pain in the ass.”

You scoffed, rubbing your hands together anxiously. The woman was giggling now. You didn't have the strength to see Logan’s reaction. Nor did you want to. “Thanks for that.”

“Hey, I'd take pain in the ass drunk any day over whatever wallowing you’re doing over here. What’s going on?”

You downed your last drink in a few gulps, letting the alcohol sting. “Sometimes you’re just too late is all.”

Then, with a wave goodbye, you put on your coat, and headed back to the car. You’d wait there, see if Logan would come out to greet you with a drunk smile soon to fade due to his regeneration or you’d see his lips stuck to the women in the bar as they stumbled out the door. It hurt to think of the latter.

You sat in the freezing car, hoping the heat would kick in soon. The butterflies you felt when he was showing you how to play pool just an hour ago turned to snakes. Everything was uncomfortable. Your clothes, the weather, the leather seats, the heat finally hitting your cold face. You didn’t want to cry, but those drinks were very unforgiving.

The snow glistened in its furry. It didn’t take its time reaching the ground, it came down with no mercy. The light of Jackie’s Bar was blurry against the tumbling snowflakes. You tried to make out the figure exiting the bar and standing in front of the car. The person moved soon after you could make out the yellow on his jacket.

“What the hell?”

Logan held his arms out in the furious weather, trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue. He shook his head, the white icy dancing off his hair. You could hear him shout something that sounded like your name before he fell onto his back in the powered snow.

You hurried out the car, wondering if Logan was really that drunk or if that even was Logan. But it was. And he was making snow angels. Well, he was trying to at least.

“Is this how you’re supposed to make them?” He moved his feet and hands at the same time but in the same direction, creating streaks on the ground. Nothing an angel would look like. “I’m not doing it correctly, am I?”

The cold nipped at your nose and ears, but the drinks thankfully kept you somewhat warm. You bit your lip. “You’ve never done one before?”

“Nope.” He continued to do every single step wrong and you continued to watch it happen. “This isn’t that fun.”

“When you’re a kid it’s everything.”

He sat up, looking over his shoulder at the work he did. “Well, I’ve been an adult way longer than I ever was a kid.”

“Are you sure about that?”

The snow started to slow down, gently drifting through the wind. Logan rubbed his legs like he was nervous to say something. “Why’d you come out here?”

You swallowed. It was so damn cold. “I could ask you the same thing?”

He shrugged. “Jackie dared me to.”

“Jackie?” You wondered. “Was she finding a way to get you out of her bar? What did you do this time?”

“Nothing.” He scratched the back of his head. “I think she knew I wasn’t really into that lady back there.”

You looked from the bar and back at the man sitting in the snow. “That’s surprising. I thought you two looked cute together.” You wanted to slap yourself. What was this self sabotaging? Maybe you just wanted to rip the bandaid off, finally be free of whatever was happening between the two of you.

Logan let out a laugh, shaking off the snow from his jacket in a pointless attempt. “I think the blizzard has frozen your brain. Just think about what I just said.”

You put your hands up in defense. “Hey, I’m not the one making snow angels well past midnight.”

“It got your attention though.” He pointed out.

You tilted your head to the side in defeat. “You always have my attention.” The filter inside your brain decided not to work apparently. Maybe it was frozen. Your eyes widened at the realization.

“Good.” It was only one word but he said it like it could and would fix anything. “We’re finally getting somewhere.” Logan stood up, inching closer. “I’d like to kiss you now. If that’s okay with you?”

And you nodded. It was the easiest thing in the world to agree too. You were shivering and it was so cold but he asked if he could kiss you and nothing else mattered in that moment.

When his lips finally touched yours it was soft and gentle. He held your cheeks with his fingers, they were surprisingly warm against your cool skin. The kiss grew more intense, the flick of his tongue sliding slowly against your bottom lip. Your hands found his hair, his found your waist. It was a kiss trying to soak up years of missed opportunities. Of late night talkings and infirmary visits. Missions gone wrong, missions gone right.

When you finally parted for air, his hands moved back to your cheeks. He smiled like the smile would never come off his face. “Next time you get jealous, just come and talk to me. You’re fun to talk to. More fun to kiss.”

You rolled your eyes and nodded in reply. “Does this mean alcohol angels next?”

He groaned at the joke, still smiling. “Come on. Let's get in the car before you freeze to death.”

[absolutebl]

Meet You At the Blossom - Watch Along

Maybe a trash watch? We will find out.

But first what do we know about this show?

Well, I can't for the life of me remember the title. The article placement it too weird so it will henceforth be called Blossom okay?

Here's what I learned from @renafire

Duck daddy!!!!! I bring news! China didn't kill the gays! Meet You at the Blossom is an HEA! Golden retriever XiaoBao x ice prince Huaien (who gets the shit stabbed out of him an awful lot for being a ML). A side CP of dumb, pretty bodyguard x eccentric doctor. The background plot was basically a bunch of middle age men fighting about the ML's long dead mother. Needles! So many needles! (It was practically a sickfic tbh) Flapping sleeves! Flowing hair! Poison! Politics! A villain weirdly into kites! Prisoners in chains you can easily slip your hand through! Dimples! Loyal bodyguards becoming family! It's not the best thing ever, but it ends happily! There was even a line about "true love has nothing to do with gender" which I feel like is a big deal for something associated with China?

This convinced me to watch, so I thought I'd just post it verbatim to convince you, too.

So I'd refused to watch Blossom because I assumed the leads would die or at least be torn asunder at the end, and that there would be no kisses.

So this Watch Along is going to be me eating crow.

China pretty much always does censored BL (when they do it at all) since 2017 or so. You can watch something like My E-Sports Genius Brother for the style of "happy but censored BL" that I've grown to expect from China. (Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.)

They didn't used to do this! Time once was that China was this chaotic minefield of tasty mess meets terrible tropes (like kidnapping, stepbrothers, rape, whipping boy, and dub con). I had a weird love for it at the time because it was the Wild Wild World of BL beck then and I didn't know to expect better.

I come from 90s Yaoi. Remember?

Ah the bad old days. (You can read a history of CBL here. Not updated in ages.)

Where was I?

So, what I knew about Blossom was that it was a Wuxia BL and that it was made with Thailand, or for Thailand, or something to do with Thailand (there is Thai script on the promo material) and that it wasn't being distributed inside Mainland China. (I still worry about the actors but that's kinda a natural state for me and BL outside of Japan.)

Outside of China Blossom got wide distribution showing up everywhere iQIYI (China based), Viki (Japan based), Gaga (Taiwan based) WeTV (US Based) and YouTube (Thai Channel Artop Media is serving it).

It also looks like Heavenly is involved and they are Korea based. So like, everyone had their mitts on this thing. We live in crazy times.

Okay so, here are my 20 expectations:

Pony tails with a ribbon or two

Lots of questionable older tropes, especially dub-con & kidnapping (the herb that makes you horny maybe?)

Flowing filmy robes wafting everywhere

EXTREMELY PRETTY men, costumes, make up, setting... well, everything

No consent whatsoever

Pokey pokey, but not with the right kind of swords (a naked blade will be grabbed by a naked hand, sadly also not in the preferred way)

A bodyguard hotter than he has any right to be, wearing black

Floaty fighty fighty, including but not limited to: skid backwards through puffs of dust, a leap to land + one knee down + holding sword + head bowed, a twirly protect baby from baddies

A boat in a lotus pond

Poison, probably green, glittery if I'm lucky

Circular architecture

A big fuck off fan

Puppy-cat pairing

They wander through bamboo, sit down at the edge of a lake, probubly on a log

Wound tending, of course, because there will be lots of wounds

Someone pushed onto a platform bed (also kneeling in front of it)

A jail with straw in it

Older men with sparse beards detracting from the romance

Fruit or some other food being thrown

Some serious SLEEVE action.

Li Le as Zong Zheng Huai En

Probably the reserved unhinged one. Has sword, will prod.

He has a solid track record of shows under his belt. So to speak. One wonders how they persuaded him to do BL. He sure is pretty tho.

Wang Yun Kai as Jin Xiao Bao

The son of the wealthiest man in the Jiangnan region, probably the cheerful cute one.

He's an entirely green actor.

Most of the cast is from mainland China, with the exception of Achi Sukonlaphat Sribubpha, who is Thai (obvs) and under Artop Media.

Nancy Chen is directing

She is a Taiwanese director and screenwriter, who directed HIStory 4 and HIStory 5 (neither all that great) and was behind very queer friendly Pappy & Daddy.

I wouldn't call her a stellar director. I would say I've been reserving judgement, but if you pin me down I'd call her Taiwan's New.

Pitch

Xiao Bao (cute) falls in love with icy, white-robed stunner Huai En due to an unexpected meeting. Discovers she is actually a boy (and a baddie). Hijinx ensue.

Adapted from the novel Hua Kai You Shi Tui Mi Wu Sheng 花开有时, 颓靡无声 by Shui Qian Cheng 水千丞

Co-production with China and Taiwan. But the country of origin is listed as Thailand.

12 Episodes, 40 min each (or so) for a total fresh content run time of 8 hours.

Aired: Jul 11, 2024 - Aug 15, 2024 on iQiyi, Viki, WeTV, Gaga

Shall we get started?

I had a surfeit of options since Viki, Gaga, and iQIYI all had Blossom. I like Viki's interface best, want to support Gaga the most, but in this case, I opted for iQIYI because... screen shots. So it's all your fault.

EPISODE 1: Nicknames, pretty men, dimples, twirly, stabby, floof!

I don't like the intro music, it's too slow and tinkly, but classic for the genre I suppose. Still I'm fast forwarding through all the falling cherry blossoms.

All right. Now it's about time for... YES...

Emperor Infodump

Chancellor of Extraneous Explanations

As You Know Bo

Sorry sorry. The puns must flow.

The deets: layabout emperor = chaos & suffering. New emp = strong & popular but his baby bro wants to rule. New emp exiles bro to obscurity. New emp = good ruler. Order established through patriarchal dominance. Children laughing in the street. Got it.

I will not be remembering names, FYI.

We open on kid in trouble over a kite killed(?) by baddie.

Enter pretty spangled skippy puppy McDimples. I shall call him Dimples. Dimples = spoiled rich kid having trouble finding a wife - presumably because they all know he gay.

Enter hottie evil cut-glass cheekbones McPoutypants. Haven't decided what I shall call him. It'll come to me.

Extremely pretty men. CHECK.

Ooo, a big hat on horse back!

Of course, how could I not have had that trope on my checklist? My bad.

And a bunch of assassins slow-dropping out of trees like lazy fruit. I forgot that, too.

I gotta say, fairy prince or high elf is not a bad moniker for twirly-sword cheekbones supreme.

Floaty fighty fighty! CHECK

Oh, I thought they'd go in for crossdressing at the very least but I guess they went for Dimples is an idiot instead. Interesting choice. I see we also have the "baby is a clumsy bunny" trope all set to deploy. Carry on.

Grab the sword and skid through the dirt. CHECK!

And a fainting!

Pony tail with ribbons. CHECK

Dimples might be a bit too much of a prat and an idiot for me.

[Have begun watching at 1.25 speed. Don't fault me.]

I always find the orange/yellow eye makeup that Cdramas put on characters of questionable morality fascinating. Why those colors specifically? And why eye makeup specifically?

We arrive home. It fancy. Daddy doesn't want an unknown lady for his baby (silly daddy, ladies are for ladies, boys are for boys).

Everyone acknowledging that elf prince is, in fact, The Prettiest is very pleasing to me.

Meanwhile, there is some kind of list/stuff/thingy and Prince Shen wants it and is a bad guy, maybe? I can't remember names from the beginning so I have no idea what's going on with the plot but also, it is only going to get more convoluted. Plus the weekend is coming so I'll eventually be drinking and watching this. Plot is for people who don't like BL. And don't have six bottles of sake in their fridge.

Snicker.

Where was I?

Oh yes. Judiciously NOT following the plot.

Dimples and his 2 enablers seem to share about 1/3 of a braincell between them. But they're sincere about it.

Engage secret identity trope and the expected cross dressing.

Ooo Shen is The Prettiest's uncle? Damn it I'm trying to follow the plot again. Must not get sucked into plot. This is a Cdrama therein lies madness. Ah, Prettiest is the son of the emperor's exiled younger bro? Got it.

Twirly protect baby from baddies! CHECK

And that's episode 1 in the bag. In the sheath?

My thoughts so far:

This couldn't be more exactly what I expected if it tried. I mean it is trying. And it's succeeding in being a Wuxia BL. So. Yay! Performing to the packaging. I appreciate that in a show.

I'm looking forward to more.

(On the advice of one of my spies I've switched to watching on YT when I can, YT and Gaga are supposed to have the better subs than iQIYI and Viki. That said I found iQIYI's serviceable.)

EPISODE 2: Checking a bunch of stuff off my list in rapid succession

Poisoning?

No. Sex herb? CHECK

Discovery that she is in fact he?

Dominance Tussle? Dub con? Rape? Already? CHECK

Well that came fast (presumably so did he).

There’s a lot happening all at once at the beginning of just ep 2. 

It’s an ACCOUNT BOOK that’s causing all this fuss? Hilarious. 

Enter the anticipated hottie (bodyguard? spy?) in all black wearing a hedgehog. CHECK

(I didn’t expect the hedgehog, I have to admit.)

Oh is the single brain cell society is trying to grow additional brain cells? That's not gonna work.

Cheekbones is still the prettiest.

Oh HELLO stern grabby Daddy not-older brother of yummy. We likey.

Who do you belong to?

Why do you have The Biggest Sleeves?

Do I take that as a sign of gayness?

Please? 

Ooo looks like I’m right. 

Also this is very silly.

And "I never said she was a woman."

It’s just so funny.

OH NO!

Stern prince bro is leaving already?

I only had Grabby McDaddy for a very short length of time. I already miss him. 

Meanwhile, Dimples apparently has no compunction about being in love with a man, we blew through a bisexual identity crisis while I wasn't looking, and now we exist inside the gay=okay bubble? I did not expect The Bubble(tm) to show up in a Wuxia, but I guess this is a BL universe and we all just float around in it… 

Cheekbones is a bit of an asshole. Quite apart from the, ya know, bit of rapey rape thing.

I also did not have absolutely terrible VO dubbing on my bingo card. I forgot about that one in Cdramas.

EPISODE 3: Distracted by the pretty

Some kind of dark past for dimples and his little (not blood ) sister. 

Sniff test, the greatest trope of 2024 apparently. Nice to see the execution of a modern trope in a vintage style BL.

Aa ha! Kneeling next to a platform bed. CHECK

And more poisoning and drugs.

Wound tending. CHECK

Aweeeee Dimples is worried about Cheekbones! How cute.

Also, the ice queen appears to be melting.

Ooo. More sexitimes? Consensual this time. Okay. I guess Taiwan did get its nuts all over this show. (Honestly, that was a mistype but I'm keeping it in.)

The bit with all the bodyguards was great.

And my love for Mr. All-Black Clued-in Hottie persists.

We are now in the “does he like me back?” phase of the high school narrative. We are also in the "do I like him at all?" part of the narrative. Suddenly, this is an angsty YA. 

Ice queen has melted and is now turning into jelly. (Can you tell I’m very pleased with myself and this metaphor?) 

And now, Dimples is sick?

Boy, is this fast moving! I have to say, that is something I did not expect at all. Usually Cdramas are much slower than this.

I do love how shameless D imples is. It’s kind of delightful. He’s definitely in his bisexual awakening slut phase.

Cheekbones is also a doctor, apparently. Useful man. 

In other news: I would really like to add a full length crossover wafting robe into my wardrobe. I have no idea why I feel compelled by such a thing.

EPISODE 4: Gay sleeves AT last

Not a lot happened in this episode. Mostly flirting. More backstory and plot that doesn’t really matter. Presumably this intended to be character motivation?

We do not need him to be motivated we need him to be pretty. Understand the brief please.

Why no more floaty floaty sleeves?

Oooo, because sleeves in gay! CHECK

I did like the scene of the blood being cleaned up after the assassination attempt(?). It’s kind of nice to see that depicted for a change. I always worry about all that blood on that nice stone work.

Oh the handholding it was very cute.

Ice queen has melted and now turned entirely to jelly. Very very jelly.

Dimples is so stupid proud of his tall deadly wife. It's flipping adorable in a very goofy way.

I guess Cheekbones has come around and now Dimples has officially been claimed, multiple times and in multiple ways. He can't change his mind or anything now. Trouble is afoot...

asleeve?

ahead...

ahem.

I'll stop now.

EPISODE 5 - It is a Thing I guess?

OMG Cheekbones just loves his stilly bint of a bf. It’s absolutely absurd. The ultimate puppy/cat pairing.

I love it that he’s just casually walking around with a knife sticking out of his back and only cares that baby may have gotten a splinter in his finger.

Now we are in the vows portion of the early romance. I am assuming betrayal is coming soon? 

Grabby McDaddy! I missed you! Here to perform the part of Basil Exposition I see? No grabby for me? Sad. Unfortunately, if you aren’t flirting with a man I’m going to be fast forwarding. Although your sleeves are very nice.

Uh oh, Dimples is in trouble. 

Okay that was that. No screen caps, I lazy.

EPISODE 6 - DOOOMMMM

Oh lovely. More rape. I guess Dimples went looking for that response? Is that the implication? Does Dimples have a rape kink? What is with this show? 

No brothels for a baby I guess.

It’s not gay... it’s poison? 

It’s not bisexuality... it’s the slut herb? 

The single brain cell club is now the wailing fates. 

I guess cutting off a man’s hand out of jealousy is no biggie? Well this is a BL. Jealousy is the #1 excuse!

Fighty floaty blood spatter death! This time on wooden planks. Those are impossible to get clean. 

Meanwhile, there’s a lot of backstory and stuff I don’t care about, and probably can’t follow even if I did care about it.

I don’t like the Emperor at all. But then I don’t think I meant to. I am a little shocked that there aren’t more men with sparse beards distracting from the romance. But I guess this is a BL, they go for youth even in wuxia.

EPISODE 7 - You know what they say about a man with big sleeves?

Oh, Daddy McGrabby is back and he's a good guy (?)! He’s also in love with Dimples. 

Oh no!

What is this sensation I feel being thrust upon me?

Is that…? Is that second lead syndrome?  I think it is.

Oh well, it was fated the moment I saw the length of his... sleeves in episode 2.

Meanwhile?

Dimples gets tortured by acupuncture. 

Poisonings are always so elegant and classy in Cdramas.

Blah blah captured rescued captured rescued again sort of. Cheekbones is now seriously imperiled. We swap one for the other in Grave Danger (TM).

Enter the Divine Doctor character! Who (Dr) I have been told reliably by previous witnesses is A Favorite. I do love this particular archetype (quirky healer wise beyond his years - sometimes actual immortal. ) I am prepared to be delighted.  

EPISODE 8 - Divine Doctor is Emperor of the Gays

The divine doctor and 1/3 brain cell is not a pairing I thought was going to happen. Frankly it doesn't seem like the writers thought about it much either.

But it did make me laugh out loud.

It’s fantastic. I love them. I love this for me. I love a secondary couple for this show. Carry-on.

I LOVE THE DOCTOR SO MUCH. 

Everyone was absolutely correct. He is the best character. He is my favorite. He is openly gay and a troublemaker and absolute queen. And I adore him forever. No notes.

King Emperor behavior!

The evil crown prince has a crush on Daddy McGrabby. With good reason, he does have the biggest sleeves.

(I have a crush on Daddy McGrabby.) And he clearly likes brats, so I think the crown prince is in with a chance, actually.

(Not me, sadly. Despite the rumors I am not a brat. I make no case for this.)

EPISODE 9 - The Plot Thickens like Shampoo

Oh, Cheekbones is the new crown prince? We have a whole Snape situation going on here?

And finally Cheekbone knows what is happened to his poor little tortured Dimples. (oof that acting tho. before you say "what acting" i KNOW.)

In all honesty, I’m quite engaged by the drama of the show at this point and kind of losing my snark because of it. Don't get mad at me.

It’s not a bad show. I mean it’s a melodramatic soap opera, but that’s to be expected. It's so soapy it's like one of those extra foamy soap dispenser soaps.

To be entirely fair most gay men of my acquaintances have very similar relationship trajectories. Minus some of the casual murder (aside from character assassinations of course). 

EPISODE 10 - Oh Noes All Round

Not enough of my beloved divine doctor emperor of the gays. But you can’t have everything. 

Oh noes, my babies are fighting. 

But he brought you a big thistle! Don't fight!

Oh they get to kind of make up, or something. It’s sweet. Puppy Dimples accidentally caught himself a psychopath. To be fair tho, all cats are psychopaths at heart.

Oh noes Daddy McGrabby is planning on killing Cheekbones. No Daddy. Not the Cheekbones!

The cheek kiss from Cheekbones was so romantic. Normally I’m not a huge fan of this particular smooch, but under these circumstances it was very good.

EPISODE 11 - So Many Gay Emperors no one cares about the actual emperor

I wish I could shut somebody up by a simple double tap to the collarbone. It’s like the wuxia version of a block feature on tumblr.

Meanwhile, the part where 2/3 of a brain cell are comparing how hot their respective fierce gay emperors are to each other is truly hilarious. I actually clapped.

This is so ridiculous.

Epic eye roll from the remaining 1/3 of a brain cell. And I have to say I’m on his side in this matter.

Oh noes Daddy McGrabby is not, in fact, on the side of twrew lurve after all.

How sad. 

EPISODE 12 - The Bisexual In the Bathtub & other nursery rhymes of my youth

I love this silly bint of a bisexual in the bath between two fierce gay dudes who are about to give their life force to keep him alive.

Someone definitely once drew this as Lord of the Rings fanart 20 years ago.

I guess our single brain cell has been torn asunder. And Daddy McGrabby never did get his man.

Next series?

Bing him back to me.

With EVEN BIGGER SLEEVES!

IN CONCLUSION

All cards on the table?

This was undeniably a wuxia and most definitely a BL.

Evil stunning princely Cheekbones meets and falls in love with the bisexual Disaster dimples of his dreams. There’s a lot of floaty fighting, tangled plot, and overworked emotions. From start to finish it was exactly as it claimed to be, including more than the expected amount of sexual claiming.

I’m not wild about the wuxia genre, but I will tell you what I do like:

Very pretty men in flowing robes + eye makeup + hair ribbons wafting about stabbing and kissing each other plus ridiculous soap opera machinations. I also like cheekbones and dimples. AND I love a stupid gay sleeve, okay? There was also truly epic levels of stink-eye, and that too is to be lauded.

This show left me grinning like crazy. Was it great? Not really, but it was a great experience and I enjoyed it immensely.

I’m so glad you all persuaded me to watch it in the end.

Thank you! 

I should probably give it an 9/10 because I had such a good time watching it. But I’m not going to, because it isn’t a 9/10 drama. It had a lot of flaws chewing at that pretty (boom mic riddled) scenery, not to mention all the rapey rape.

It’s a solid 8/10

(source)

[sweetiesicheng]

mingyu - acting

word count : 1,119

-

once you park your car in mingyu's driveway, you have to mentally prepare yourself before going inside. after everything that happened before you left the studio, you aren't sure how to approach anything.

all of a sudden, you hear someone knock on your window and whip your head to see mingyu standing outside of your car.

"open the door," you hear him say.

you open the door and pull your legs out of the car to turn and face him.

"what happened on set?" he asks.

"it's that guy again," you say while crossing your arms. "he was being touchy in our scenes," you mention, "and he was just being weird today in general."

"did you tell someone?"

"yea, but they were all claiming that it made the scene look better. i just can't believe that!" you almost shout. "and i have to be on set at five in the morning with him," you add.

"i'll make a call. let's go inside," mingyu says to you, holding out his hand. you grab your stuff and take mingyu's hand as you get out of your car. "have you eaten yet?" he asks you.

"diet," you answer, leaving mingyu only to sigh.

"but did you eat?" he asks. you shake your head. "i have food in the fridge. let’s cook something," he suggests as you two walk into his home. "do you want to shower? you can wear my clothes," he offers to you.

you drop your belongings on a table and nod. "yea, if you don't mind," you reply.

"go," mingyu gestures with his head.

you leave to go upstairs to take a shower. mingyu waits for you to be out of his view before taking his phone out and calling someone.

"hello? oh director! i'm sorry if i'm bothering you," mingyu says when the call goes through. "how did the rest of filming go tonight? is that so? i'm glad to hear it went well. oh, well...how should i put this... nothing's wrong, but you know that new kid playing the boyfriend of the singer? yea, him. i'd watch him carefully. i was talking to another director, and they weren't happy with how his scenes ended up. just a warning, but i'm sure the scenes under your direction are fine. no, of course. don't go too crazy now, sir. actually, i might be on set early tomorrow. alright, have a good night. get some rest."

mingyu ends the call and starts cooking dinner. you're still taking a shower, trying to calm yourself down before going back downstairs.

after you're done showering, you go downstairs wearing shorts and one of mingyu's shirts. you go into the kitchen and find your boyfriend cooking.

"do you need help?" you ask mingyu. he looks back and smiles at you.

"no, it's okay," he says. "do you need to go over lines or anything?" he asks.

"oh, i should," you reply.

you grab your bag and take out your script. you sit at the countertop and review a few sections while mingyu finishes up cooking.

"you have all your scenes with that guy, right?" mingyu asks as he brings the plated food to the counter.

"huh? yea, i'll just deal with it. it's only for another few days," you say before sighing.

"i called the director," mingyu mentions.

"huh? why?" you ask, "i can deal with it, mingyu," you say to him with a huff.

"i can't help it when my girlfriend is in distress, especially if we're costars," mingyu says to you and starts pouring water into empty glasses. "i'll show that kid that he shouldn't be messing around and that he'll regret it big time."

"mingyu..."

"luckily, my character is intimidating as hell," he adds.

"yea, cause you're just a big puppy in real life."

"babe!" mingyu exclaims. he looks at you as you smile and laugh, realizing that you're starting to feel better after everything that happened earlier.

—

"babe! i got you a gift," he beams at you and hands you a box.

"hm? what is it?" you ask and open the box, to find a bracelet inside. you gasp, "it's so pretty," you say in amazement.

"it took me awhile to pick it out, but i'll buy you a ring later. i just thought this was too pretty to not buy for you," he says to you as he looks at you in adoration.

you look at him, "babe..."

"come on, let's go meet with everyone," he says and takes your hand into his before you two walk off.

"and cut! alright, let's move to the next scene."

you let go of your costar's hand and put the bracelet back in the box. you hand the box to an assistant and wait for the next scene to be set up.

"we did a great job," your costar says, patting your upper back. he leaves his hand on your shoulder, smiling at you.

"yea, glad we're done with this one," you reply before yawning. it's really early, and you're yearning for a cup of tea or coffee.

"you alright? do you want to sit down for a second?" your costar asks.

"oh, i'm okay. it's just too early for me," you reply.

"excuse me." you turn around and see mingyu walking up to you two.

"oh! sunbae!" your costar immediately speaks, "good morning. i didn't expect to see you today."

"good morning," you greet.

"oh, i reserved a coffee truck for everyone since filming started early today. you should get some to wake you up," mingyu says to him.

"i'll gladly take that offer. y/n, want me to get you coffee?" your costar asks you.

"ah, y/n, i already got you one," mingyu says, handing you a cup of coffee.

"thank you, sunbae," you say to him. the cup is warm, which feels nice since there's a bit of a breeze.

"i'll be leaving now," your costar says and hurries to the coffee truck.

you sigh in relief and take a sip of coffee. "thanks," you say to mingyu.

"mhm." mingyu smiles and brings his hand up to put some of your hair behind your ear. "i was waiting to see him in person, but i hate him even more now," he says, talking about your costar.

"well, i can already tell that the director noticed something because some of our earlier scenes were changed a bit," you reply. "thanks for coming by."

"had to be with my girl," he says. "walk with me for a second." the two of you walk off set and find a building and hide from staff. "love you," he says and kisses the top of your head.

"i love you too, mingyu."

[therealbatman111]

Blue Sparks

Fembartender!jinx

I wiped down the counter of The Last Drop, the familiar smell of smoke and alcohol heavy in the air. It wasn’t the cleanest job, but it paid well, and that was all that mattered. The bar was a regular stop for Silco’s crew—a place where plans were made and deals whispered in the dark. I'd worked here forever, but lately... something—or rather, someone—had started to occupy my thoughts.

Jinx.

I wasn’t sure when it started. Maybe it was the first time she burst into the bar, pink and blue smoke following her with that manic grin of hers. Or maybe it was just the way her electric blue hair seemed to glow in the dim light. Every time she walked in, my heart would skip a beat. She was wild, unpredictable—like a bomb about to go off—and for some reason, that drew me in.

Today was no different.

The door creaked as Jinx skipped inside, her eyes scanning the room like a hawk. The smell of paint and gunpowder seemed to follow her, and I could feel the tension in the air. I tried to act normal, but my hands trembled slightly as I grabbed a glass to wipe it down.

"Hey, sugar!" Jinx called, her voice high and full of mischief. "Got any of that juice you always make? You know, the stuff that gets me really wired?" Her eyes locked onto mine as she sits down at the bar resting her head on her chin 

My breath caught. "Of course, Jinx. I’ve got it ready just for you" I chirp, walking to the back to grab the concoction I’d perfected just for her. It was a mix of caffeine and something extra—something that seemed to fuel her chaos. I’d been experimenting with drinks for a long time and it was nice that it was a special thing between me and her

When I handed it to her,our hands brushed sending a shock down my spine.

"Thanks, sugar." Jinx took the drink, and I couldn’t help but notice the way her grin could light up the whole room. I watched her for a second, my heart racing, but she had already turned her attention to something else—a pile of explosives and parts, no doubt plotting her next big thing.

I leaned against the counter, my gaze lingering on her. "Everything okay?" I asked, trying to get her to snap out of her bomb-crafting trance.

She blinked up at me like she’d just realized I was there. "Huh? Oh yeah, all good! Just figuring out what to make next," she said, her voice filled with excitement. But for a second, I saw the exhaustion in her eyes. Maybe she didn’t care about anything—but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more beneath the chaos.

Jinx took another sip of the drink. "This stuff’s amazing, toots. Seriously, you should sell it. I’m gonna need more of this if I’m gonna get anything done."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’ve got more than enough energy already, Jinx. You’re like a force of nature all by yourself."

Jinx laughed, her grin widening. "Isn’t that the point?" She winked, and for a moment, my heart stopped. My chest tightened, and I fought to keep the nervousness from showing.

“You’re really good at what you do, you know that right?” I asked, leaning in a little with a smile hoping i didn’t look too nervous.

Jinx beamed, completely oblivious. “Yeah, I know! That’s why they pay me the big bucks!” She twirled around, her excitement spilling out like always. She didn’t notice the way I was looking at her—the way my heart raced or how I could feel the weight of every moment we shared.

But it didn’t matter. I was just the bartender, and she was Jinx—chaotic, free, and untouchable. No matter how much I wanted to be more than that, I knew better.

"Maybe next shimmer shipment I’ll blow up the whole ship," Jinx said with a laugh, her eyes lighting up with mischief. "That’ll really get people talking!"

"Whatever you say, Jinx," I replied, trying to sound casual, even though I felt a little defeated. "Just... try not to blow up the bar, okay?"

Jinx gave me a salute, her grin wide and her eyes twinkling with excitement. “No promises, sweetheart!”

As she turned to leave, I felt a pang in my chest. It wasn’t that I didn’t love seeing her full of life—it was just that it felt like a lifetime ago when anyone had looked at her like that. She was a storm, and I wasn’t the one who could pull her out of it.

But even as she disappeared out the door, I couldn’t help but hope. Maybe, someday, something would spark between us.

[littlebeluu]

Hi! Hope you're day is going well :)

If it's okay I'd like to request smth for marc, if not just ignore this haha. I actually have a few ideas but just pick the one you like the most :)

1. It's kinda similar to the one you already wrote I guess but reader being insecure cos shes not as conventionally attractive as other wags, like she's not ugly but she's not a model either yk? Maybe also like people online hating on her body and/or weight and she doesn't wanna make a big deal out of it but marc notices and like reassures her and stuff (also in my head, reader is like a really private person who doesnt like a lot of attention, has her social media accounts on private and doesn't post anything except a handful of stories every now and then but that's obvi just me, doesn't have to be like that)

2. Marc reaching reader catalan (in my mind reader can already speak Spanish but that's not a must obvi)

3. Marc teaching reader football and she's just really bad at it haha idk I think it could be cute

4. Height difference (I'm 5'3 haha so this is really a self insert) like maybe reader wearing his clothes for the first time and they're so adorably oversized on her or like just anything about height difference really :)

You can obviously change stuff about the requests if there's anything you don't feel comfortable with or don't like, I don't mind. Sorry if it's too much stuff at once btw, I'm not really good at writing this kinda stuff.

Thanks so much in advance already, I hope you have an amazing day (or night, depending when you're reading this haha)

I'll do other ones too 🫶🏻

I might have some trouble to do the second one cause I also don't speak catalán but I'll try anyway.

"Insecure"

marc guiu x female reader

warnings: none

The car engine hummed softly as Marc and I settled into our seats after training. Our eyes met in the rearview mirror, and I felt a flutter in my chest. Despite the hours apart, his presence still had that effect on me.

"Hey," Marc greeted, his voice warm but tinged with concern.

"Hey," I responded, trying to muster enthusiasm.

Marc's brow furrowed as he studied my reflection. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes."

His eyes narrowed, unconvinced. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

Marc sighed, reaching for the radio. As music filled the car, we drove in silence, the tension palpable. Every few minutes, I caught him glancing at me, worry etched on his face.

"I'm fine," I assured him, though the words felt hollow.

"You're lying," he said softly, his voice a mixture of hurt and frustration.

I hesitated, torn between protecting him from my insecurities and the need to be honest. "It's just..."

"Tell me," he encouraged, his tone gentler now.

"Why do you think I'm upset?" I deflected, buying time.

Marc's eyes softened as he looked at me. "I don't know, but I've noticed you haven't really smiled today. Not your genuine smile, anyway."

"Of course I did," I protested weakly.

"No," he shook his head. "I know you better than anyone else. I can tell when you're feeling down, even if you don't say anything."

His words hung in the air as I struggled to find my voice.

"What's wrong, babe?" Marc pressed, his concern evident. "You're going to tell me, or..." He trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.

I took a deep breath, feeling tears prick at my eyes. "I'm sorry. It's nothing important."

"It must be something if your smile hasn't been genuine in the past 24 hours."

"Yeah, well..."

"Just say whatever it is," he urged, his voice a mixture of frustration and worry.

"Honestly? People have been saying horrible things about me lately," I admitted, my voice cracking.

Marc's expression darkened. "What? Who?"

"It's okay," I tried to reassure him, wiping away a stray tear. "Really. Just forget about it."

"No," Marc insisted, pulling the car over to the side of the road. He turned to face me fully. "What happened?"

I hesitated, feeling foolish. "It's stupid."

"Just tell me," he pleaded, taking my hand in his.

"Your teammates' girlfriends posted photos with me yesterday," I began, my voice barely audible.

"And?"

"Everyone's saying horrible stuff. Like... like I'm the ugliest and fattest girlfriend."

Marc's face contorted with anger and disbelief. "What? Who's saying this?"

"People online," I mumbled, ashamed of how much it affected me.

"So nobody real?" he asked, his tone softening.

"Well, they could actually exist somewhere," I argued weakly.

"Don't even joke around," Marc frowned. "They don't deserve any importance. You shouldn't read comments under their posts anyway."

I sighed, looking out the window. "I know I shouldn't, but sometimes I can't help it. It's like picking at a scab - you know it's bad for you, but you do it anyway."

Marc's expression softened with understanding. "I get it, but those comments are toxic. They're not worth your time or energy."

"You're right," I admitted, turning back to face him. "I just wish I could stop caring what others think."

Marc reached over and squeezed my hand. "It's not easy, but we'll work on it together. Your worth isn't determined by strangers on the internet."

I took a deep breath, feeling vulnerable. "I guess sometimes those words hurt more than others. Like... maybe I wish I had more confidence. Being known is so overwhelming, and I wish I knew how to get over myself. I guess... I envy the confidence of other girls I meet."

Marc's eyes filled with understanding and love. "You're not ugly nor fat, Y/n. You're beautiful, inside and out."

"I didn't say I was, people said it," I protested weakly.

"But you think it," he said softly, his thumb tracing circles on my hand.

"No," I lied, unable to meet his gaze.

Marc cupped my face gently, forcing me to look at him. "Tell me something, Y/n. When was the last time you read something nice?"

I felt a rush of guilt for worrying him. "Well today, you told me something nice this morning. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like such a baby."

"Stop apologizing," he said firmly. "You're beautiful, and I'm so lucky to be your boyfriend. But more than that, you're kind, intelligent, and strong. Those people online? They don't know you. They don't see how you light up a room, how you make everyone around you feel special."

Tears spilled down my cheeks as Marc's words washed over me. He pulled me into a tight embrace, and I buried my face in his shoulder.

"I love you," he whispered into my hair. "Every part of you. And I promise, we'll work on building your confidence together. You don't have to face this alone”

As we sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The cruel words of strangers seemed to fade away, replaced by the warmth of Marc's love and support.

"Thank you," I murmured, pulling back to meet his gaze. This time, my smile was genuine.

Marc leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a soft, tender kiss. It was gentle and reassuring, conveying all the love and support he had for me. As we parted, he rested his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling.

I reached up, running my fingers through his hair before pulling him in for another kiss, this one deeper and more passionate. When we finally broke apart, we were both slightly breathless.

Marc started the car again, but before pulling back onto the road, he turned to me with a mischievous grin. "Now, how about we go get some ice cream and plot our revenge on those haters"

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in days. "Ice cream, yes. Revenge... maybe we'll save that for another day."

As we drove off, hand in hand, I realized that while I couldn't control what others said about me, I could choose to surround myself with love and positivity. And with Marc by my side, I felt ready to face whatever challenges came our way.

Before we reached the ice cream shop, Marc pulled over once more. He cupped my face gently and gave me one last, lingering kiss. "You're beautiful," he murmured against my lips. "Inside and out. Don't ever forget that."

I smiled into the kiss, feeling truly loved and cherished. With Marc's support and these tender moments, I knew I could overcome any insecurity. We drove on, looking forward to our ice cream date, our hands intertwined and hearts full of love.

[hellyeahsickaf]

Abled people don't fucking get it.

You don't get to imply I'm living some kind of "forever vacation". It's perpetual pain. If you see me doing something I enjoy, it's not because it's what I'd rather be doing than being "productive". I fucking miss the gym but things like video games are just a much more accessible activity these days. I'm not "lounging", I don't get a break from the pain just that sometimes I'm able to take my mind off of it

Unemployment isn't some kind of break or excuse to not participate in society (capitalism is garbage but being disabled=/=unemployed for the hell of it). For reasons, I fell behind in school, bad. But I got myself a diploma equivalent and finally felt I'd chosen the line of work I wanted. I had connections, opportunities. I had fibro and some fatigue (unknowingly CFS as that was manageable) but I was getting PT and managing it as best I could. All I needed was to take courses and I was ready for that even with the difficulty of my then undiagnosed ADHD.

And then I got sick, really sick. Worst mono infection my doctor had ever seen due to medical neglect, Shoutout to those shitty CVS minute clinics. It made my ME/CFS so much worse, I was stuck in bed all the time before getting put on Adderall for my then newly diagnosed ADHD. Then I thought the fatigue was finally healing and a side effect of Adderall was a huge crash and wave of fatigue. No it turns out when it wore off I just felt the fatigue again lmfao

I was told I'd be better within 6 months. Okay so I can opt for the Spring semester, no big deal. 8 months go by, a year, a year and a half. I waited and waited. Hoping that "when I get better" I could be caught up with everyone else I knew my age. That was over 7 years ago. Do people think I wanted that all taken from me? To get progressively worse and worse?

Do they think loss of agency is something I enjoy? Needing help, being unable to drive, to enjoy my old hobbies, cook for myself regularly? I've been accused of enjoying this and not wanting to get better as if this hasn't put my head in very dark places. Sometimes I feel like I see a way out of this and it isn't recovery. They don't get it. I don't enjoy being heavily medicated but I know I need to be. I don't enjoy having things purchased for me because I want more financial independence. I don't enjoy feeling like a leech, actually.

It's not a vacation, it's hell. You can go on about how much more exhausted you are because you work or whatever but the thing is I don't need a job to feel what you feel after working. I feel like I worked a 12 hour shift after taking a shower on some days, no exaggeration. You can't compare your able bodied exhaustion to the effects of a chronic illness that fucks you up without you needing to work a full time job. This is my full time job and it wasn't the one I was hoping for exactly

[hermitknut]

Kip and Buru Tovo and opposing perspectives

OKAY so time for a little mini deep dive on my current obsession.

One of Kip's major challenges is always about coming home. About how his family and community treat him, about how they see him. From his perspective - well, it's in the opening section of Hands of the Emperor:

By the time he reached the bottom of the Spire he no longer felt like Cliopher Mdang, personal secretary to the Lord of Rising Stars, Secretary in Chief of the Private Offices of the Lords of State, official head of the Imperial Bureaucratic Service, unofficial head of the world's government, the Hands of the Emperor. He was, instead, merely everyone's Cousin Kip, the one who left.

He thinks of people back home as bafflingly insular, as unappreciative of anything outside of the ring, and he thinks that he doesn't rate highly enough to merit much from them - he's too much and not enough, as he says to Fitzroy in At the Feet of the Sun. He didn't find what he was meant to do at home, and he sees himself as without a place there. He assumes people a home barely think about him, and if they do it's trivial or negative. He doesn't doubt that they love him, and he doesn't think of them as bad people - but he doesn't feel seen or appreciated, and he's made his peace with that (well. he tells himself he has, anyway). He assumes they see him, fundamentally, as too foreign, and inadequate.

There is a lovely little microcosm example of this, when he is about to tell Buru Tovo (and his Radiancy, Rhodin, Conju, Ludvic) about his life. Kip feels the need to have a flame present in the room, even if it is only symbolic, so he gets the brazier:

He lit it with the fire-starter, knowing even as he did it that this showed a certain want in him. His great-uncle watched him narrowly, obviously noting the symbolic presence of the fire and the use of a Solaaran method of lighting it.

showed a certain want in him. Oof. But that's how he feels!

Now skip over to Portrait of a Wide Seas Islander, and there's this incredible, almost shocking shift in perspective. Because we can suddenly see what Buru Tovo can see - we can see past the snide little comments about Kip's clothes and how long he's been gone, and we can see the anxiety over his absence that drives it. Kip sees these things as people wanting to knock him down a peg, and that's not entirely untrue - but he has no idea of how much he is valued, back home. Both as a person (as we find out from Bertie's letters and some of the later scenes), and more broadly as the rising tana-tai - people care so much about what he does and what happens to him, and they are so bad at telling him that (Kip's perspective is entirely justified, given the information he has and the way people talk to him, and it hurts).

And going back to the microcosm, this is the part that always makes me pause, because look at the lighting of the brazier from Buru Tovo's perspective:

Tovo watched Kip light the fire in the velioi way, which had the merit of taking bare seconds. When the fire had caught - first try, of course it was first try -

Not only is Tovo entirely neutral on the method - he notes that it's foreign, and the pro is that it's quick, that's it! - he is immediately distracted by the fact that Kip did it on the first attempt, because of course he did, because Kip is just that good.

We don't dwell on this moment in the text, because it's immediately followed by Kip revealing to Buru Tovo that he's been practicing the fire dance, which is understandably a Big Deal. But! the contrast!! between the two versions of that moment!!! kills me every time. Kip, sunk in to the rut of his own belief in his own inadequacies, can only see a lack. He can only see something he could be doing better (as if Kip has ever done something worse than his best, I swear). And Buru Tovo, looking back at him, can only see just how brilliant he is.

Every time I come back to this I have to take a goddamn moment, so I thought I'd share. It's only a tiny moment, and of course it's a theme that the books return to at much greater length, but I really love the deft way this is done.

[enha-roza]

THE ACCIDENTAL KISS

Sunghoon x 8thmember!oc

synopsis : The time when Roza and Sunghoon accidently kissed.

wc : 0.8k

Heeseung, Sunghoon and Roza were sat on live talking to fans. It had been a couple months since their debut and they were still very new to going live. As Heeseung was reading comments out loud he read one calling Roza pretty. “Wow, Roza is so pretty!! Please marry me!”. “No you can't marry her!” Heeseung said jokingly. Roza leaning over Sunghoon's shoulder whispered “I don't think I'm that pretty…”. Sunghoon in shock at this statement whipped his head around to say otherwise and before he knew his lips were on Roza’s. 

Both pulled back in surprise and just stared at each other in shock. “What happened?” Heeseung questioned as both sat there with wide eyes. “Nothing…” Roza whispered as a blush rose to her cheeks, finger tips grazing her lips. Sunghoon, who himself had turned quite red, touched his lips softly before quietly giggling to himself. Heeseung who had now seen what happened after watching the playback just laughed at the twos awkwardness. “Ya, your lips touched!” he said shocked as the two got more embarrassed. After a couple more awkward minutes they carried on with their live. 

Soon the trio arrived at the dorms after finishing their remaining schedules. As Sunghoon sat down on the couch Heeseung sat down beside him. “You okay?”. Heeseung questioned. “Yea, i'm good”. “You look like you're thinking about a lot?”. “Yea.. maybe something is on my mind?”. “What?”. “Ummm.. I don't know how to explain it…”. “Just say it, get it off your chest!” Heeseung encouraged as Sunghoon looked down at his hands. “Is it weird that I enjoyed when Roza and I kissed, even if it was accidental?”. Sunghoon saw as Heeseung's eyes slowly got bigger at his confession. “Umm. honestly no. I think that's a totally normal reaction. I mean she's pretty, who wouldn't be happy to kiss her” Heeseung said, making Sunghoon feel better about his confusion. “I'll be the first to say I wouldn't mind kissing her”. Heeseung said giggling as Sunghoon nodded his head in agreement. A small smile on his face, almost happy that he ‘kissed’ Roza first. 

“I'm sorry to interrupt but did you just say you would kiss Roza if you had the chance” Jake said suddenly appearing in the doorway. “Jeez dude, don't scare us like that… thought you were Roza” Heeseung said trying to deflect. “Don't deflect, you just said you would kiss Roza if you had the chance!”. “I only said that because Sunghoon already kissed her!”. Heeseung whispered back, scared someone else would hear them. “Sunghoon what!”. “We were on live today and they accidentally kissed”. Sunghoon remembering the feeling of Roza’s soft lips quickly brushing his, leaving him blushing all over again. 

“Their lips brushed. No big deal” Heeseung said, almost getting defensive. “No way you're getting jealous right now!” Jake teased as Heeseung grew red. “Not like you wouldn't kiss her. I bet you would love to kiss her!” Heeseung said back in defense. “Of course I would! I'd do it in a heartbeat! But you don't see me getting all jealous, if anything I'm happy for Sunghoon. He's got a one up on you now loverboy!” Jake laughed as his comment got both boys blushing even harder as they knew it was the truth. 

“What's so funny?”. The room went silent as Roza walked in and sat down with the boys. “Nothing, just chatting…” Jake said, holding back a grin as Heeseung and Sunghoon start looking a bit pale, scared Jake was gonna say something incriminating. “Just boy talk…” Heeseung said unconvincingly. “Real gross stuff…” Sunghoon added on trying to get her to leave. “Ewww, I'm gonna leave you guys to do that then” Roza said as she got up, going to her and Sooyoung's shared Room. “This doesn't leave the three of us!” Heeseung said as the other two boys nodded in agreement.

Even later when Sunghoon was brushing his teeth, Roza joined him in the bathroom to do her nighttime skincare. Sunghoon again, very aware of the closeness between them, slightly stepped away. “Is something wrong? Did I do something?”. “What no, no I just…” Sunghoon’s voice was quiet as he contemplated confessing to Roza about how he felt earlier. “Can I be honest with you?”. “Yea what's up?” Sunghoon’s head finding ways to put this so she's not weirded out. “I don't even know if you would count when we kissed as a kiss”. He continued as the signature blush and shy smile came over him. 

“You liked it?” Roza smiled back as she cut him off. “Well.. well i guess… yea” He said fighting his smile as it slowly grew bigger. “Good… because i didn't mind it ya know” She smirked as her eyes watched him before she slipped out of the bathroom leaving Sunghoon smiling like an idiot, just thinking about her lips on his.

a/n : just a quick little story about the Roza and Sunghoon live kiss 😘🤭

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

You've Got Some Nerve Trying to Buy Me

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies.

Not proofread.

(Spending an entire day with the winning bidder!?)

Merchant 1: "I see, an auction. That's fair."

Merchant 2: "This is getting quite interesting."

The merchants were all in agreement, and I was the only one panicking.

(W-What should I do!?)

Silvio: "But I don't want money. Bring me what I want the most right now."

Silvio: "Whoever can provide that will win the bid."

(This has turned into a big deal.)

About an hour after the party ended, I was sitting on my bed, holding my head.

The traveling merchants were given a place to stay at the villa, and tonight, I'll also be staying in the guest room.

(The auction is tomorrow night.)

(If I can't prepare what Silvio wants by then, I won't be able to spend his birthday with him.)

(But what does he want the most?)

Emma: "........"

(No use, I need to get some fresh air.)

I was about to leave the room but hesitated at the last moment.

(Yeah, I should at least put on my wig.)

I quietly walked down the hallway and heard a familiar jingling sound approaching from ahead.

(Is that...?)

Silvio: "Hm?"

Just as I thought, it was Silvio and Carlo walking down the hallway.

Silvio: "Where do you think you're going?"

Silvio: "You're not going to run away with your tail between your legs, are you?"

Emma: "No, I was just going to get some fresh air."

Silvio: "Is that so?"

Silvio: "Carlo, you go ahead. I have something to discuss with this female merchant."

Carlo: "Great! You're finally willing to have a proper conversation."

Carlo: "Even about the letters—"

Silvio: "You really want your research funding cut, huh?"

Carlo: "Sorry, sorry, never mind! Take your time!"

Carlo bowed repeatedly as he passed by, then hurried away like a rabbit.

(Letters?)

I was curious about what Carlo was about to say, but more than that, I was excited to see him for the first time in five days.

Emma: "I missed you. Are you okay? I heard you were busy."

Silvio: "Ha! You're talking like you're my fiancée. If you're going to make a move, you'll have to do better than that."

Emma: "What?"

Silvio: "What's with that face? You're a merchant, remember?"

(That's right. Right now, I'm not Emma. I'm just a merchant.)

(Emma is forbidden from approaching the villa, so I have to play the part properly.)

(But why is he trying to keep me away so much?)

(Sure, I'd be a distraction to the negotiations, but I feel there's more to it than just that.)

Silvio: "Looks like you still haven't prepared anything."

Silvio: "Talking big and failing to win me would be so damn funny."

Emma: "Don't worry. There's still time until tomorrow night."

Emma: "I’ll get what you want most and win your birthday."

Before I could finish my sentence, I found myself cornered against the wall.

Emma: "P-Prince Silvio?"

Leaning against the wall, Silvio cut off my escape route and slowly brought his face closer.

(H-He's so close!)

Maybe it was the fact that five days had passed since we saw each other, but my heart was pounding like crazy.

Emma: "T-There are important people here, you know? Are you sure this is okay?"

Silvio: "What, didn't you come here to seduce me?"

As if provoking me, his face drew even closer.

(That's how you want to play it, huh?)

Emma: "Take this!"

I hugged him tightly, and his face immediately turned red.

Silvio: "Don't cling to me, idiot! Let go!"

Emma: "Nuh-uh!"

Silvio: "Ha?"

Emma: "Just as you said, I'm seducing you. I won't let go until you tell me what you want."

Silvio: "This is the worst seduction attempt ever."

Emma: "But you're flustered, so it's working."

Though I tried to appear strong, the moment I felt his heartbeat and body heat, the loneliness I had been holding back overflowed like a dam.

(Of course, I want to know what he wants, but more than that, I just can't bear to let go of him after so long.)

(If I could, I'd stay like this with him forever.)

Silvio: "Geez, that's not the face of someone trying to seduce."

He pulled me away sharply and suddenly lifted my chin.

(Ah…)

As our faces drew closer,

Silvio: "........."

He turned away just before our lips could touch.

Silvio: "You'll never be able to get what I want."

Silvio: "The other merchants might have a slight chance, but for you, it's impossible."

Silvio: "At least, not as you are now."

("Not as I am now?")

Silvio: "Well, do your best."

Silvio: "If you can buy my precious time, that is."

He turned on his heel and walked away. For a brief moment, his profile seemed like he was going through something.

(That expression.)

(Could it be that what he wants is...)

The following night—

As Silvio had declared, the auction to win his birthday was underway.

Merchants and nobles from all over had gathered, filling the venue with an intense, almost oppressive heat of competition.

Amidst this, I participated in the auction as a "merchant," just as I had the day before.

With what he wants most in hand.

Silvio: "Alright, let's see what ya all brought."

Part 1 ╎ Part 2 ╎ Part 3 ╎ Part 4

[an-au-blog]

Sanon back. White Beard Buggy has 10k words(I'm not sorry, yes you'll get links when they are posted I promise)

White Beard Buggy also became the explosives expert at 11. White Beard has photos in his office of his kids achievements so when Shanks pulls up at 32 ready to start alliance negotiations he's already planning to steal Buggy back he sees the photos of how Buggy absolutely flourished under Roger's rival and White Beard explains it's because Buggy has over sensitive observation haki and his former crew didn't recognize it. Buggy is never present for the meetings even though he's the combat commander.

When Ace joins he thinks Marco and Buggy are dating, they're not. They're just each other's favorites so of course they're touchy. Also Marco keeps setting Buggy on fire with his fruit. Ace is genuinely concerned because of his fruit, everyone assures him it's fine as 15 commanders form a pile to sleep. Everyone also assures Ace this is fine and normal since they all grew up together.

Marineford everyone is there, the former Roger Pirates, Redhair Pirates, Luffy, White Beard and his entire fleet, Impel Down escapees. When Akainu throws his lava punch that's supposed to kill Ace and Luffy, Buggy throws himself in the way of the punch and he only just survives because of his fruit but he's got a foot in both worlds.

When they all meet on an island a couple days later Rayleigh is laying into White Beard for not telling them. Shanks is in the medical tent holding Luffy and talking to Ace as Marco is sleeping with his head on Buggy's legs and healing the guy with his fire. Even Shanks thinks their dating and Ace has to go "they're not, this is just how they always are. He sets Buggy on fire every time they see each other, I have joined the sleep piles. The love of your life runs colder than the North Pole."

Shanks without hesitation as Crocus, Rayleigh, and White Beard comes in "South Pole is colder." Buggy hearing this mumbles "North Pole idiot" and White Beard laughs so hard he shakes Marco awake. When Buggy is better, after having everyone under the sun lay into him for taking that hit or not disclosing his fruit and how powerful he is. Ace and Marco do not let him out of their sight as they set off with Shanks and Luffy to make sure his crew is okay.

Shanks excitedly listens to all of Buggy's stories of being the third commander(moving to first when he and Marco go back so that Marco can take over as Captain) and he shows them some of his safer bombs. Luffy is like "wow shanks you're so in love" and Marco just yells that he called it. As Buggy rolls his eyes and holds Shanks' hand because maybe he's a little in love with the Redhaired idiot, maybe.

Ayooo Whitebeard Buggy is growing!

Wow this is soooo sxdcrftvgbyhnjmk

I'd love to imagine teen Ace being so nervous that he can't control the fire always but then the rest of the crew is so accepting and they act like it's no big deal and it just gives him the air of confidence.

Which reminds me of the bizarre fact that Ace and Buggy IN CANON became friends so easily and effortlessly. Oh, I want to see those two being silly together so bad ;-;

UGH YES! BUGGY TO THE RESCUE! I just want Ace to live, you know? And Buggy may be a bit of a coward, but I think once he's gotten into the Whitebeard pirates and felt the welcome feeling of feeling at home and in his place, he'd do anything for them.

What's a bonus to the "Marco and Buggy" allegations, I think that Buggy is a very touch-starved person in general. So when he finds people he feels comfortable with it feels natural to convey their bond with physical touch.

Shanks being jealous of Marco is so peak to me. He's childish and gets jealous easily, enough so, that he has his nephew - Ace, explain it to him. He's still suspicious of it all but learns that, yes, Buggy just grew up to be more comfortable around people. Yet another side of him that Shanks learns to love...

[smittywing]

WIP Wednesday - Marriage 101

I thought I'd post a little more of this while I was thinking about it.

First part is here: | 1 |

Tim wore his favorite black suit - the one with the pinstripe that was just a notch shinier than the rest of the fabric - to their appointment at City Hall. It was probably too expensive a suit, given the motivation behind their...appointment. He thought of it in euphemism, because it was fake, it was pretend, but the legal ramifications were very real and this was supposed to have been a very big decision that he’d made in practically no time at all. 

“Hey, um. Hey.”

Tim looked up to see Jason skid into the hallway. He straightened from his contemplative position with his elbows on his knees and stood up. 

“Hey,” he said. 

Jason was wearing a black suit too, and a white shirt and a red tie. He’d done something to his hair - something with product that didn’t exactly work, but it looked like he’d tried, and Tim tried to smother the grin a wave of fondness pushed up to his face. 

“Do you - I mean, do we have time to talk for a sec?” Jason asked and Tim’s anticipation plummeted. Jason was going to back out. 

“Yeah,” he said. “Of course.” 

There was a little corridor where the bathrooms were and they ducked in there, past the marked men’s and women’s to the back wall. 

“So listen,” Jason said, rubbing the back of his neck and not looking directly at Tim. “You doing this, it means, I mean - “ He stopped and took a breath. “You being willing to do this means a lot to me. But if you have, you know, ideas. About marriage. And you don’t want this to be your first, I totally understand. And you shouldn’t feel you have to. Because it’s kind of a big deal. To some people.”

“Is it a big deal to you?” Tim asked because that hadn’t really occurred to him before, that Jason might have a traditional romantic side and that he might one day have hopes of a wife and family. 

It was kind of a weird thing to think about. 

“Me? No. I - No,” Jason said. “I’m barely even a legal entity.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair, messing up whatever careful but ineffective work he’d done with the product. “I just don’t want to fuck things up for you. Like, if you want to date Blondie again. Or someone else. I don’t want to cramp your style.”

Tim shrugged. “I think that ship has sailed with Steph,” he confessed. “And hey, we’re already kind of family, right?”

And this would help Jason out. A lot. And it would let Tim see his face light up talking about English Lit. “So,” he concluded. “Let’s do it.”

Jason’s face split into a genuine grin - not a smirk or snarl or sneer but an actual grin. “There’s probably no favor big enough to pay you back for this,” he said. 

“That’s okay,” Tim said, jamming his hands in his pockets and easing Jason back out to the main hall. “When you’re a rich and famous novelist, you can put me in one of your books. As the star,” he specified. “Not the cannon fodder.”

“I’ll give you a whole series,” Jason promised. “Tim Drake, Secret Agent.”

“I like it,” Tim said. “But please give me a better drink than a watered down martini?”

$

“I thought you guys were Punking me,” Dick complained when they stepped back into the main hallway.

“Would we do that?” Jason asked. Tim admired how he could sound offended, outraged, and sarcastic with four words.

“In a hot second,” Dick returned. 

“Am I late?”

“For the love of little fish,” Jason muttered, good humor lost. “Did you invite the whole damn family?”

“I invited myself,” Barbara said, poking him in the chest with her finger. “It’s cute how you think you have secrets from me.”  She glanced back at Tim.  Tim waved.  “And you,” she added.  “You should know better.”

Tim shrugged.  He hadn’t actually been trying to hide from her.  He’d just hoped she wouldn’t sound any alarms.  “Should we be expecting any more guests?” he asked.

Jason glanced back at him, realization flashing on his face and he turned quickly back to Barbara.

“I didn’t forward the info,” she said.  “But I know some people are going to be pissed if they hear about this from the Gazette instead of from one of you.”

“<i>Some people</i> can just butt out,” Jason snapped and Dick looked pained.

Honestly, Tim hadn’t really thought Bruce would care too much, beyond the optics of it and he had a plan for that, and he was going to tell Steph, but later, for this very reason.

“Alfred?” Dick sounded angry for the first time and Jason went white and then red.

“I’ll talk to Alfred,” he muttered.

“What do you want us to say to Bruce?” Barbara demanded.  “Did either of you think this through even a little?”

“What do you want us to say to Bruce?” Jason asked.  “We’re getting married to get money for college because you’ll just want to pay and I don’t want you to?”

“Just because he’ll take it badly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tell him,” Babs said.

“We’ll just tell him it’s a practical arrangement,” Tim offered.  “For practical purposes. He should understand that.”

Jason shot Tim a look Tim couldn’t even begin to interpret and then looked back to Barbara.  “Will that check the box, Barbie?” he asked.

Barbara narrowed her eyes. “I suppose.”  She slapped a redweld against his chest.  “Congratulations on your wedding.”

Jason frowned and unlatched the folder, peering inside.  “Huh,” he said.

That was unhelpfully vague so Tim took the expandable folder from him and pulled out a handful of paperwork.  Birth certificate.  Social security card.  Passport.

“Hey,” he said.  “You’re a real boy Mr. Peterson.”

“Yeah,” Jason said.  He looked back at Barbara.  “Is this - ?”

“Airtight,” Barbara said with her first smile of the day.  “Every piece of it.  It’ll stand up to an intensive background check.  Just give me a heads up if you’re joining the state bar because those people look for everything.”

“Deal,” Jason said and then, to everyone’s surprise, maybe even Jason’s, he hugged her, resting his chin on the top of her head.  “Thanks, Barbara,” he whispered.

“

“Mr. Peterson and Mr. Drake?” someone called from the wooden doors.  “The magistrate is ready for you.”

“That’s you,” Dick said unnecessarily.  

“We know,” Tim assured him.  

“Yeah,” Jason said. “C’mon, we need you two to be our witnesses.”

“You only need one witness in Gotham,” Barbara corrected.

“Yeah, well, make sure this guy doesn’t mess it up, okay?” Jason asked and then squared his shoulders.  He looked at Tim and held out his hand.  “C’mon,” he said.  “We have to pretend like we like each other.”

“Oh yeah,” Barbara said.  “This is going to be the best marriage ever.”

$

And so they got married. There was an awkward part where they were supposed to kiss and they both tilted their heads the same way and it was absurdly clear they had never kissed each other before, but no one said anything and they escaped with their dignity intact. 

“So,” Tim said, out on the street after. “What now?”

Barbara elbowed Dick. Dick elbowed Barbara back. This escalated. Tim ignored them. 

“I’ll submit my paperwork and hope for the best,” Jason said doubtfully. “And I guess in August, I start crashing at your place?”

“I wasn't sure if you needed to crash there before,” Tim said. “Or want to get your mail sent there, at least. So I made you keys.”

“I don't need keys,” Jason scoffed but took them anyway. 

“Jason Peterson needs keys,” Tim countered. 

“Okay, yeah,” Jason conceded. “I guess I’ll have to stop by for my mail now and then.”

“You’d better,” Tim told him. “If Gotham U sends you a ginormous envelope, you have exactly one hour to get over here and open it or I’m doing it for you.”

Jason dropped his head back and laughed. If Tim watched the ripple of his throat, well, he was married to the man. “Fair,” he allowed with a grin. “So, uh, see you around, I guess?”

“Yeah,” said Tim. “See you around.”

And that was that. 

[yuesya]

geto’s reaction to shiki piloting the body is so delicious! i wonder what his later confrontation with satoru would look like? does it just emphasize his horror at satoru’s upbringing/the messed up nature of jujutsu society? or does satoru even tell the truth about shiki’s state as the vengeful spirit of his murdered twin that he’s willing cohabiting with? and if he lies the first time/hesitates, what does the truth coming out look like? (i adore this au and your writing with all my heart!!)

The first thing that Suguru does in the next morning is make a mad dash for his classmate's room.

"Oh hey, g'morning, Suguru! How are you doing this fine-"

Suguru ignores the haphazard greeting and seizes the other boy by the shoulders, carefully scrutinizing. In the light of the morning sun, Satoru's eyes are bright and crystalline. His posture, his body language, his expressions -they all seem right. There are no warning bells blaring in the back of Suguru's mind.

It's Satoru. Satoru is back.

Relief cascades into him in a veritable tide wave, and Suguru exhales slowly.

"Uh, is everything okay?"

Suguru gives his classmate the stink eye. "I should be asking you that question. What was going on last night?!"

Satoru stares at him for a long moment, unnervingly quiet. Then, the other boy sighs gustily, reaching up to run a hand messily through his hair. "Okay, yeah, I guess that's fair. I didn't think she would reel you in for a chat so soon, but that's on me. I honestly should've expected it."

Suguru folds his arms across his chest, unimpressed. "You owe me an explanation, Satoru. Cough up."

"Whatever," the white-haired teen turns back into his room, and Suguru follows. "Didn't Shiki explain it to you already? She's my little sister, and we share a body. End of the story."

That's most certainly a severe understatement, if Suguru's ever heard one. "A proper explanation, please. And you never thought to mention this to us before? Does Shoko know? ... Wait, does Yaga-sensei know about this?"

Satoru flops back onto his bed with a soft thump. "Nah, you're the only one in the school who knows. Congratulations! Please don't make a big deal out of it or try to exorcise my little sister, and we won't have any problems going forward."

Wait, exorcise? Suguru had suspected it, given the odd feeling he'd sensed while talking to Shiki last night and that distinctly unhinged personality, but... "Your sister, she's... really a cursed spirit? How did something like that even happen?"

"Through filicide, of course."

It takes a beat for the words to sink in. And with dawning horror, Suguru recalls-

Toru-nii is my brother, and we’ve coexisted with each other in this state for sixteen years.

Sixteen years. That meant-!

"Did you know that twins are considered as 'one person' in terms of jujutsu? It's considered an ill omen. Each twin is incomplete on their own, and will never realize the full extent of their abilities," Satoru's gaze rests unerringly on Suguru, carefully cataloguing his reactions. "... I was born with Six Eyes and Limitless. Shiki wasn't. So my father killed her, seven days after we were born."

Nausea churns in the pit of his stomach. There's a faint prickling on the back of his scalp, and Suguru feels lightheaded upon learning of this horrifying truth.

Satoru cracks a smile. "Wow, Shiki was right. You really are a softy, Suguru."

"How can you even smile at this?" Suguru demands. Fuck. He needs to sit down, before he falls over his own two feet. "Your family- your clan, your own father, they-?"

Satoru shrugs. "Eh, I'm mostly over it now. We took care of the perpetrators when they tried to go for round two after finding out Shiki was coexisting with me. Most of the clan just thinks I'm a murderous loose cannon now, but honestly, I'd say that's their own fault."

... At least Suguru now has a better perspective on the bloodier rumors following his classmate. Knowing Satoru, he'd always thought most of them to be unfounded, but clearly that wasn't actually the case.

Gojo Satoru. A prodigy, the miracle of the Gojo Clan. A sorcerer blessed by the gods. The one destined to carry the weight of the jujutsu world on his shoulders, and maintain the standing order.

What an honor.

(What a tragedy.)

"... Later, when Shiki wakes up," Suguru somehow finds himself saying, "Would you... let her know that I'm sorry?"

"Huh?"

Suguru sighs, "I was unnecessarily short with her last night. Because I was worried about you, mainly, but that was still rather rude of me."

Satoru tilts his head owlishly. "So you want to apologize to Shiki?"

"Why do you look so surprised by it?" Suguru shakes his head. "I trust you. If you vouch for her, then I'll take your word for it. Besides, she's your sister, and you clearly care about her. If she's always with you here, then... even without her own body, isn't she basically our fourth classmate?"

Satoru grins, "She'll be glad to hear you say that."

[ilovetheriddler]

Can I order some Fluff/Vanilla with Oswalda Cobblepot?

Where the reader simply wants some of her attention and affection during the night, but Oswalda is too busy answering calls to give the reader any attention. Maybe a kink on praise/elegy?? Pet name or something?

Sorry if it's not clear, English is not my first language. :')

Thanks ♡

Oh, I love this idea! Also don't worry, your English is very easy to understand! I hope that you enjoy it!

Late Night Comfort.

(Batman: The Caped Crusader.) Oswalda Cobblepot x F!Reader.

Word Count: 692.

Contents: Fluff, Praise Kink, Affection, Pet Names.

It was slightly chilly as a result of the autumn weather outside. You snuggled up into your girlfriend's bed as you attempted to warm yourself up some. It was fairly late into the evening already, but you couldn't sleep yet. You always struggled to fall asleep properly whenever Oswalda was busy with things related to her business.

You could hear her on the phone in the other room, a clear hint of frustration in her tone as she spoke.

"For the last time, those warehouses need to be destroyed by tomorrow night! If it's put off any longer, then the chances of him finding out are increased!"

The sound of the phone being slammed down rings out from the other room. She calms herself down a bit before starting to dial someone else. You shifted in bed, calling out after a bit.

"Ozzy? I um... I know that you're busy with business and stuff... but um... can't it wait until in the morning?"

She walked into the bedroom, taking in the sight of you covered up, tired but unable to rest.

"Darling, you're aware of how time sensitive my business related activities can be.... this is extremely important, so I don't think it can wait...."

"O-oh.... I see... well, that's okay, I understand...."

She could tell that despite how much you tried to hide it, it upset you somewhat. After thinking about it for a moment, she offered an attempt at a solution.

"I can't lie down for the evening yet, I just have too many matters I must attend to still.... however, I could sit down and give you some affection until you fall asleep. Would that be alright?"

"Yes! I'd really like that a lot...."

She let out a slightly amused chuckle at your enthusiasm and excitement, walking over to the bed and sitting down next to you. She wrapped one of her arms around you and pulled you closer to her.

"There, is that better, my dear?"

"Yes.... I'm sorry that i get so lonely whenever you're busy...."

"Sweetheart, there's nothing for you to apologize for. It's perfectly normal to feel that way, and I'm sorry if I've caused you any sleepless nights."

You snuggled into her arms more, resting your head against her chest and letting out a content sigh. It was true. You had lost countless nights of sleep before as a result of you increasing issues of not being able to fall asleep without her being there.

"It's only been a few nights here and there... but it's not really that big of a deal. You shouldn't worry about it..."

"Of course I'm going to worry about it, you mean the world to me, so why wouldn't i?"

"Y-you're too sweet, Ozzy...."

She runs her fingers through your hair, attempting to help you relax and hopefully fall asleep, pressing light and gentle kisses to your forehead as she does so.

"I'm simply stating the truth. You're special to me, and I'd hate to imagine you being uncomfortable or upset for even a single second."

Her words always made your heart race, She was always so ruthless and harsh with the men who worked under her, but with you, she was so gentle and caring, always trying to make sure that you felt loved and cherished. Her voice was one of the most comforting sounds you'd come to know, as she'd whisper sweet words of affection and praise into your ear.

"You're so good for me, aren't you, sweetheart? You always do exactly what I ask so perfectly..."

"I always do try to.... I love you, Ozzy..."

"I love you too, my dear."

You laid there in her arms, listening to the sound of her heartbeat and soft breathing as you slowly started to drift off asleep. She continued to rub your back gently until she was positive that you were asleep, carefully moving you out of her arms once you were, covering you up with the blankets as she stood up.

"Goodnight, sweetheart...."

She walked into the next room and continued with the calls related to her business while you slept peacefully, dreaming of your beloved.