#and thank god they don't have to do it anymore

[rohirric-hunter]

I was spanked as a kid, and what I've learned is that the thing that taught me was that the solution to the vast majority of your interpersonal problems is violence.

I'm a lot better about it now because I've been actively working on it for five years, but for a long time it was difficult for me to restrain myself from resorting to physical violence whenever someone was rude, stupid, or just made an honest mistake.

A lot of people hear this and immediately default to there being something wrong with me because of that reaction, but I don't think there is anything wrong with me. I just learned what I was taught. People responded to me being rude, stupid, or making a mistake by either beating me (I will not call it spanking because I think that sanitizes what it actually is) or getting someone else to do it. So I learned that that's the done thing. Honestly in comparison my desire that I used to have to slap people one (1) time was actually pretty tame. Clearly I was doing pretty well at controlling this issue before I became consciously aware of it. (And now that I am consciously aware of it I'm doing even better. It basically never occurs to me anymore, thank God.)

Anyhow, my personal opinion is that when disciplining children, you should choose a method that logically connects what they did and its natural consequences. Making them clean up the mess they made, for instance, or replace something that they broke (or help with those processes as applicable depending on the specific situation). Punishments should never be arbitrary unpleasantness that has nothing to do with what they did wrong. Of course that's a lot of work and requires the parent to be very hands on, so a lot of people won't do it for that reason. It's much easier to just beat the child and then pat yourself on the back for teaching them that violence will solve their problems

Were you ever spanked as a child AND do you think that spanking is ok?

[shurisneakers]

saw your requests were open and i figured i would humbly aid 🫡

everyone is always like “oh! bucky with a golden retriever reader this! bucky with a sunshine reader that!” what about bucky with a reader who’s just as moody as he is??

no one ever writes two grumps together and i think it would be an interesting dynamic

Summary: It's New Years Eve and this man simply refuses to do anything but be a pain in your ass.

Warnings: cursing, alcohol

A/N: Sid. did you know. did you know that you're literally a genius. you're so right about grumpy x grumpy. i do not know if I have done this justice but I wrote this out on my phone because I like this request so much thank you for sending one in 😭❤️

New Year’s Eve is a migraine wrapped in tinsel and cheap champagne. You’ve seen too many years roll over into nothing to care anymore.

Doesn’t matter. You’re here because the bar’s open, and when someone says “open bar,” you take it as a challenge to see how open it can really be.

“What’ll it be?” the bartender asks.

“Whatever’s most expensive.”

He ducks under the counter, comes back with a bottle that looks more like a museum piece than alcohol. Fancy glasswork, gold lettering, the works.

He starts, “This one’s got notes of—”

“Let me see,” you interrupt.

The second the bottle’s in your hands, you turn and walk away.

He sputters behind you, but you wave him off. “Put it on the billionaire’s tab."

You snake through the crowd and confetti, nodding at a few familiar faces but not stopping for any. Emergency exit in sight, you take a seat where you can watch the chaos unfold while staying out of it.

"Pass the bottle."

You don't even bother looking at him as you respond, "Go steal your own."

"You took the most expensive one."

"Get another one."

"This is easier."

"Go fuck yourself."

"Real festive of you."

Still, despite your best efforts, he’s already taking a seat, uninvited.

You take another swig before passing the bottle to him without another word.

He glances at you. "Why are you here?"

"Well, it was quiet before someone showed up."

"Must'a really pissed you off," he says, tipping the bottle back.

God, Bucky was fucking annoying. But his cheeks are flushed pink and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbow.

"Why are you here?" you scowl.

"It's quiet," he replies, like just knows it'll make you mad. He's right.

"You’re in my space.”

“This isn’t your space.”

“I was here first.”

“Congrats. Want a medal?”

"Leave."

"No," he states, resolutely.

Bucky’s the human equivalent of a rock in your shoe—persistent, irritating, and impossible to ignore.

You feel face warm with irritation. "Where's your date gone?"

"Nat set me up, I've never met her before," he says, as though it’s the least surprising thing in the world. "Haven't seen her in thirty minutes."

"What, you couldn't brood your way into her pants?"

He gives you a dry, unimpressed look. "I don't kiss and tell."

"Doesn't look like you're doing any kissing at all," you scoff.

He tips the bottle back, takes a slow drink, then hands it to you. "You think about me kissing a lot?"

"I don't think about you."

He snorts, low and humorless, and you hate that it makes you want to laugh.

Bucky's fucking annoying. He's run his hand too many times through his hair, and there’s a smudge of something—lipstick, maybe—on his collar, and he's stretched out too damn much, like he's right at home.

He sends you a look. It makes you want to hide. You hate the way his eyes linger, like he’s waiting for you to flinch.

"Bottle," you demand.

He hands it over silently, crossing his arms over his chest, staring right ahead.

"How much longer?" he asks, checking his watch.

"You can leave."

"Sure can," he says, but doesn’t move.

"So leave."

"No."

You stare at him. "Find somewhere else to sit."

"No," he replies.

The minutes stretch. The bottle passes back and forth, your irritation simmering every time he exhales, every time he looks at you like he’s got something to say but doesn’t.

Bucky was fucking annoying. He smelt like expensive cologne and Tide detergent. His eyes are tired and his voice is scratchy. when he shifts beside you, it’s like he takes up more space than anyone has a right

He holds his hand out for the bottle. You give it to him.

"What are you gonna do at midnight?" he asks.

"Finish this bottle."

"What about after?"

"I'll get another one."

Bucky rolls his eyes. “That all?”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t.” You glare at him, but he doesn’t flinch. He never does.

“Good."

His jaw’s tense, his eyes dark and sharp, and for a second, you think maybe he’s as pissed at himself as you are.

Silence falls. It’s not comfortable, but it’s not uncomfortable either. It’s just there. Like him.

"What’re you gonna do at midnight? Cry into whiskey?” you ask pointedly.

“I could, but you drank it all." He rolls his eyes.

There's a lot left. You give him the bottle. He takes it without a word, fingers brushing against yours.

Bucky takes a swig. “No one waiting for you at midnight?"

"Loads," you scoff. "Got a line out the damn door waiting to kiss me."

"Uh huh," be says.

There's silence.

You look at him, only for find him eyeing you.

“No one waiting for you?”

You scoff. “Why, you volunteering?”

He doesn’t answer right away, just studies you with those sharp, unreadable eyes. “Maybe.”

"Sure, Barnes, I'll kiss you at midnight," you drag sarcastically.

His face doesn't shift. Your brows furrow.

"Christ, you're bein' serious," you mumble.

He shrugs non committedly. "I could think of worse things to do."

"Wow," you say dryly. "Charming."

"Just sayin'."

With two minutes to go, you find that it's harder to look him in the eye. Your heart stumbles over itself, and you take another drink to cover the sudden heat crawling up your neck.

Either the whiskey was really starting to take hold, or the damn spirit of the damn season was getting to you.

"Look, I wasn't plannin' on asking anyone else," he says.

You raise an eyebrow.

"Do with that what you will," he says, taking a swig.

"What about your date?" you test.

"Don't think she remembers I exist."

You observe him. His shirt is unbuttoned, and his coat jacket lay on his lap. His bowtie also hung precariously from his neck.

Bucky was really fucking annoying. His hair is toussled and his stubble is rough and you're fairly certain his nose is sunburnt. You know this because you've been staring at him every day from the second he stepped foot in the compound, withdrawn and scowling.

It's late and you're tired of a lot of things and you're careless, so you stare too long. He catches you.

"What?" he bites.

"I'm assessing," you say, then add grudgingly, “You're not... terrible."

Which is a lie. He's beautiful. He's acutely aware of this on some days. Those days are harder for you.

He stares at you. "I can see why there's a line out the door for you."

"Go join them," you say. "I'll finally get some fuckin' quiet."

He exhales a short laugh. "No."

You can hear the crowd shouting numbers, but it’s distant, unimportant. Bucky’s eyes are on you, steady.

The crowd cheers.

Bucky's really fucking annoying.

But he kisses you like he's liked you all his life. Like he's real tired of waiting. It lingers just long enough to make your stomach flip when you realise he still tastes like whiskey.

When he pulls back, he doesn’t look smug. He doesn’t say anything at all. Just hands you the bottle and leans back like nothing happened.

His cheeks are red. His lips are swollen. He's never looked prettier in his damn life.

“Happy New Year,” you mutter, staring at the bottle because you can’t look at him.

“Sure,” he says, voice low, almost hoarse.

[kunasthiast]

Blackmail

Playing boardgames and Stardew Valley are your and your husband's favorite pastimes. But, do you really have to take it so seriously? Even going as far as blackmailing your husband?

a/n: i've just been SOOO addicted with playing Catan and Stardew this holidays that i actually "craved" for some wholesome, crack Sukuna fic playing these!! also, if u don't know, Catan is a classic boardgame where u really need to strategize LOL (and i always take games so competitively serious) >.<

Pairing: Sukuna x Reader (female) Genre: fluff, Husband AU, Gamer AU, board game playing Word Count: 882 Warnings: cursing, laughing hard (please) All characters are of age.

“Oh my God, I needed that fucking ore! Come on, here’s 3 sheeps for 1 ore.”

Your husband then laughed at what you just said. You both have been playing Catan for the past 3 hours, with all 3 games owned by your husband. And now, you just need 1 point to win but instead he rolled a ‘7’ on the dice and stole your one and only ore resource – to upgrade your settlement into a city (which is worth 2 points, by the way). Thank God, you still have your 2 hay resources.

“No can do, babe.” Sukuna continued snickering at your misfortune. “This is a game of luck and I’m one lucky guy,” he continued and winked at you from across the table.

Groaning, you rolled the dice for your turn and landed on a ‘4.’ And you got a sheep resource, again. For the 5th time. “What the fuck am I gonna do with 5 sheeps?”

“Make ‘em steak,” Your husband said as he collected the dice to roll them, landing on a ‘7.’ Laughing at this, he said “Told ‘ya, the Catan gods are with me today.” He then moved the robber from your mountain territory to your wood territory – making you give up all your lumber resources, which amounts to a total of 3 by the way.

“Oh come on, why are you sabotaging me? I thought you love me?!” You’re overreacting at this point.

“Who else am I gonna sabotage? Me?! You just need luck today, babe,” Sukuna answered with a fucking boisterous laugh that makes your ears bleed.

“If I don’t fucking get a ‘9,’ I’ll be ignoring you for a whole week,” you said and rolled the dice. Sukuna laughed at you so hard with your dice ending up at the number you said. “Aww, see? The Catan gods love me so much that they wouldn’t allow you to ignore me.”

 With a ‘9,’ you got a brick resource. Not the ore. Please, Catan gods – just two more ores.

Glaring at your smug husband, “You know what? After this round, we’re not playing this game anymore. Clearly, this isn’t for me. I’m just gonna play Stardew Valley and water all my seeds there – thinking about how that made me happier than ever playing this game.”

“Babe, it’s just a board game. Why are you taking this seriously?” Sukuna stared at you and yes, he’s still laughing. But, this time. Hard laughing.

“No. This is betrayal!” You said so seriously. How you said it without laughing made Sukuna fell down the chair and now literally rolling, laughing at you from the floor.

“As if you can play long enough at Stardew without bothering me,” he said in between his laughs. And yes, you two play Stardew Valley in co-op mode because it gets boring when you play it alone – so you always, always play it with Sukuna. He does the mining, fishing, and other heavy works there and you just water the seeds.

Crossing your arms and glaring down at him who is laughing like he just won the fucking lottery, you then said, “Keep laughing, ‘Kuna. When we’re done here, I’m selling all the gold ores you mined. Every. Single. One.”

That finally shut him up. He sat up so fast, you swore you heard his back crack, “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

He narrowed his eyes. “That’s sabotage! Let me remind you that it’s our livelihood. You can’t sell that – they have to be gold bars before we sell that!”

“As if you didn’t sabotage me here. Stealing my ore and lumber?!” You leaned closer, poking his chest for emphasis. “Not just that. I’ll also marry Elliot just to spite you.”

Now Sukuna was actually frowning as he sat back up on his chair. “Elliott?! The poetry guy with the flowy, long hair?”

You grinned. “Yep. And I’ll make him recite me sonnets every morning.”

Sukuna grabbed the dice, clearly forgetting it’s his turn and now desperate to shift the power dynamic. “Roll. Right now. You’re not marrying that Shakespeare wannabe.”

You picked up the dice, shaking them dramatically before dropping them onto the board. And lo and behold—a ‘7.’ 

“YES!” You screamed, throwing your hands in the air as you finally get to move the robber and drop it on Sukuna’s mountain territory – robbing him off all his fucking ores. Sukuna groaned, throwing his head back.

“No! No, no, no!”

Looking at him, you stick your tongue out, “Oops, I think the Catan gods had a change of heart, babe.” You then upgraded one of your settlements into a city. “And now? I’m building my city. Suck on that!”

Sukuna looked at you like you’d just insulted his entire bloodline, “This isn’t over.”

“But, it is,” you leaned over the board and planted a kiss on his cheek. “You just lost to a girl with five sheeps and one brick.”

As Sukuna sat there, counting all your victory points and comparing it to his for ‘fairness of the game’, you added, “Also, Elliott and I are getting married this fall.”

That’s when Sukuna lunged to tackle you—and the game board—straight onto the couch, laughing so hard that you almost forgot why you’d been mad in the first place.

Almost.

[doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou]

Anywhere I Want

> melissa schemmenti x fem!reader

> requested? no

> content/warnings: idk an unfinished curse?

> a/n: please please please tell me what you want me to do with this one, a series? stay as it is what it is? TELL MEEEE

“That’s a nice necklace, Mel! Where’d you get it?” Was Jacob’s greeting to Melissa as she sauntered towards her Barb’s table in the teacher’s lounge, making Melissa glance down at her chest— seeing the flower shaped pendant sitting still on her sternum.

“What’s it to ya, pipsqueak?” said Melissa, receiving a light slap on the arm from Barb. “He’s just asking. No need for that sour mood when the Lord has given us this sunny day to enjoy!” smirking and shaking her head at Barb’s statement, Melissa turned her attention back to Jacob.

“Wanna ask again?”

“Where’s that from?” asked Jacob as he leaned his head on his arm. “Italy.”

Huffing at Melissa’s vague answer, Jacob rolled his eyes. “Come on! There’s gotta be more to that necklace! You replaced your cross one with it today!” Clutched his phone and looking at Janine to back him up.

“Jacob’s right.” Janine and Gregory glanced at each other, then at Jacob, before finally giving Melissa a pointed look.

Pursing her lips at the trio’s pressing attention at her, Melissa huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine! Someone gave it to me. Before— years ago. Just foun’ it recently while cleaning out my room.”

As Janine was about to speak, the half-hour before bell rang, indicating that the teachers had to go to their classrooms to prep before the kids came, making Melissa thank the Gods as she grabbed her bag and ran towards her classroom.

You wear the same jewels that I gave you, as you bury me

“Y/N. Are you sure? Really really sure about this?” asked Charlie as she sat on one of your children’s desks.

Turning your attention on her, you huffed and pushed her off the desk with your broom. “Yes. It’s just an inter-school thing, C. Nothing’s going to happen.” This made Charlie hum and lean against the wall. Seeing another blonde walk by, she pushed herself off and grabbed the blonde— pulling the teacher inside the classroom.

“C! I just mopped there, gosh!” Throwing the broom down, you rolled your eyes and sat on your desk, facing the two blondes in front of you.

“Yeah, c’mon C, she just mopped and you go pullin’ people inside her classroom.” Kristin Marie smirked at Charlie as she sat on a desk, the one Charlie sat on earlier. “Tin!”

Laughing at your exasperation, Kristin Marie stood up and raised her arms. “What?”

“You have to tell her she can’t go to next weeks inter-school competition!” Shaking Kristin Marie’s arms, Charlie raised her eyebrows to remind the other blonde.

“Why?”

“Because!”

“Because wha-? Oh… oh!” Slapping Charlie’s hands away from her, Kristin Marie shook her head and walked towards you. “I say she go. I mean, what’s gonna happen?”

“The worst can happen! Am I the only one that remembers what your sister did to her?”

Walking towards Charlie, you held the hand pointing at you and put it down. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. Hell, I don't even think she remembers me, C.”

Holding both of Charlie’s hands, you looked into her eyes. “I promise, nothing is going to happen to me. Even Kristin Marie promises it. Right, Tin?”

Biting her lower lip, Kristin Marie joined you, caressing Charlie's arm. “Yeah, not while we're with her.”

I didn't have it in myself to go with grace

“Okay y'all, Addington’s gonna be here for a week cause the district wanted to make a few bucks of kids beating each other in chess.” said Ava as she walked in the lounge, beelining towards the coffee maker she bought last week.

“What?!”

“How?!”

“C’mon Janine, we talked about this!” Melissa gave Janine a glare, making the other 2nd grade teacher pout.

“I didn't do this! I’m not even in the district anymore!”

Nodding his head, Jacob agreed. “That's right, Janine left them.”

Cupping her face, Barb huffed the stress away from her space and turned to Ava. “A week? Full of games?”

Leaning against the counter, Ava hummed in agreement. “Yeah, so y'all be ready cause those charter kids ain't gonna let the kids here beat them. Especially them teachers over there.”

“I heard there's a new teacher there, the previous art teacher died of heatstroke— the school didn't even tell the kids the truth, told them Mr. Jamal left to get the treasure at the end of the rainbow.” said Gregory as he drank his fruit smoothie, making the other teacher's raise an eyebrow at the information.

“Where the hell did you get that? He left to join the thugs, boy!” Mr. J pointed his index finger at Gregory.

“Enough of the dead talk! How do you know the new teacher there?” asked Barbara as she looked at Gregory to Janine. The 1st grade teacher followed her gaze and shook his head frantically. “Y/N was my classmate in college, actually she was taking her master's at Brown, then we became friends when we found out we were from Philly—”

As if the name struck a nerve in her, Melissa’s stare at Gregory turned into a harsh glare before Barb took her attention from the first-grade teacher.

And I can go anywhere I want

“Well, y'all are early.” Ava greeted the Addington teachers.

The teachers were having a pre-game event, mostly to talk about how they would play it light when the kids were around. The number one rule? No cursing at the other teachers.

“Have to, we know how y'all play.” Kristin Marie rolled her eyes as she locked gaze with her sister, Melissa.

“How we play? Why you idio-”

“We noticed you have a vacant seat? Not complete yet, huh?” Jacob cut Melissa off before she could start a fire between her and her sister. This made Barbara give the boy an appreciative nod.

“Actually-”

The double doors opened with a bang, the suspect? You. Panting due to the long run you made from Addington's parking lot towards Abbott's building. “Here! The seat's for me. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” You tumbled towards your chair and plopped your ass down, hard.

“Ow… Are the chairs here really that hard, Eddie?” You glanced at your friend who gave you a chuckle and a nod.

“Yeah, not as soft as the chairs in Brown. You have to excuse us.”

Shaking your head, you let a chuckle that turned into a full blown laugh. “Oh geez! That's fine, Eddie.” You stood up and embraced Gregory. “I’ve missed you!”

“Miss you too, Y/N.” Gregory gave you a pat on the back. “This is Janine Teagues, my girlfriend.” He held the hand of a shorter woman as both of you pulled back from the embrace.

“This is Janine?! Hi!” You gave the shorter woman a hug and an energetic shake of hands.

Seeing the change of energy, Charlie stood up from her chair and held your arms to stop giving Janine an arm exercise at seven in the morning. “Sorry, she's like a golden retriever with her energy surges.”

“No, I'm not!” And in your defense, Charlie gave you a pointed look that told you to shut up.

Shrugging, Gregory waved his hand and laughed. “Nah, it's fine. These are my colleagues— Jacob,” a lanky brown-haired man waved at you, “Ava, our principal,” a curvy fashionable woman gave you a wink, “Barbara,” you received a ‘hello dear’ from the woman, “and Melissa.”

Before you could look at the redhead beside Barbara, Charlie pushed you towards your chair. “Would you look at that! All of us are here, shouldn't we start by now so we can all go home early— right, Principal Coleman?”

Anywhere I want, just not home

[antiadvil]

hi i don't normally like to do giant appreciation posts because i'm always scared i'll accidentally leave someone out. but it's the end of the year and i appreciate a lot of people so i'll make an exception. this is all off the top of my head so there is probably a heavy recency bias and if you're not included it's not because i don't appreciate you but probably because i can't think of anything specific to thank you for :( i appreciate all of you this year has been so fun and you're all so funny and have been so kind to me and i hope we can have lots of fun together next year too. anyways. it's still december 31st here so i did NOT miss the new year's eve meetup thank you very much.

@manchestereyes thank you for seeing tit with me and returning to phanfic writing this year. the world is truly better for it

@bewareofthenewphannie for helping me with the photosensitivity document for tit even though i got a migraine anyway, that part was probably inevitable

@eveningsausage for encouraging me to recreate the october 19th selfie with my best friend (even though there was an event near the chicago apple store and there were ten million people in there so we got scared and did not do it) (the event was very loud and there were a lot of lights we were very brave about it) and also betaing the one fic i wrote this year that actually had a beta. also haircut advice which i have yet to apply in practice

@emojackolantern for liking all of my twitter posts

@jonsaremembers because i am eating a quesadilla recipe that she sent me right now (god please help me I need that cookbook nowhere near as badly as dan and phil but I do need it) (i am eating a quesadilla made with the recipe. i did not print out the actual recipe and eat the recipe)

@thighguys for leaving like ten comments on my fics in one night, which kept me fed for most of the year

@dnpbeats for writing a hoodie bow incident explainer that i linked to in a fic. i can tell when people read my fic when they like my reblog of that post and now i guess you can too

@danandfuckingjonlmao for all of the accessibility stuff!

@toomanystairs for the bracelet at tit and the offer of a bracelet at mcr next year! i'm really excited :)

@wdapteo for my header! and not my icon anymore because i changed that but they did also make me an icon!

@notsosaucystuff for being the first person i ever did matching icons with (and only person and also we are still matching) (i literally went to go check because i was like omg it would be so awkward if i said we were matching but they changed their pfp like yesterday)

@catboydan for hanging out with me look idk including this on an appreciation list kind of makes it sound like hanging out with me was just a favor and it wasn't but it was a lot of fun and i can't think of a different way to word it lmao

@shiwisins because i reread decaf coffee again today and also for a lot of their other fics but decaf coffee is the one i reread today so it's the one i am most appreciative of

@lessthanpog for also having migraines and commiserating about them, this has been a very bad year for my health (rip) and i needed all of the comisery i could get

honestly so many fic writers i have read so much good fic this year. and so many other people like even if my memory worked well it would be too many to feasibly list before midnight. if you commented on any of my fics i love you. if you left kudos i love you. if you reblogged my jokes and said they were funny i love you. if you did lots of other things i probably love you. etc.

[aishangotome]

Azel Radwan: Chapter 14 Premium Story

Chapter 14

Thank you @passthechloroform for providing the video for this chapter!

♡———♡

When I returned to the solitary desert castle, Azel was waiting for me, looking down from the upper floor.

His mystical, inhuman eyes were initially lit with a cold color, but perhaps noticing the change in me as I rubbed my eyes repeatedly, the air around him shifted.

Azel: Are you... crying?

Emma: There are circumstances–

Azel: What on earth did they talk about with you to make you cry so much?

Azel: No, is it about me...? I can't understand why you would cry over that little bit of information.

(What do I do, I think he's misunderstanding.)

Just as I opened my mouth to explain, he quickly disappeared into the depths of the building.

Azel returned shortly, holding a wet linen cloth in his hand.

He forcefully wiped around my eyes with the tightly wrung linen, and I let him.

(This isn't an illusion or anything. If this warmth is an illusion, then I won't be able to believe anything I see.)

Azel: Stop crying already, it's an eyesore.

Azel: Did they tell you that I was brainwashing you like some spoiled rich kid?

Azel: But as you know, I only control with money.

Azel: I haven't done anything like secretly burning some strange incense to brainwash you.

Azel: In the first place, people can be controlled much more easily without resorting to such underhanded tactics.

Azel: –No, that's not right. Anyway, you're not the kind of woman to be swayed by others.

Azel: Have some confidence. And stop crying. It makes me look like the bad guy... Well, I might be the bad guy.

Azel, who continued to speak without pause, seemed at a loss for how to deal with a human who kept crying.

(He's probably... trying to comfort me, right?)

(I'm the only one who knows this side of him. That's why no one can believe in Azel.)

*earlier*

Clavis: Emma, do you recognize the scent of this fragrant wood?

A few hours ago – Clavis opened the lid of the small bottle containing the wood piece and handed it to me.

Emma: I don't... recognize it.

Clavis: That's good. If you did, I was prepared to confront God myself.

Emma: ...You're concerned that I might also be under some kind of mind control, aren't you, Clavis?

Clavis: No, no, I'm certainly not doubting love, but...

Clavis: Since we found this, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Clavis: It's quite possible that God is pulling the strings behind the scenes of that gathering.

Emma: But Azel seemed to dislike the apostle.

Emma: Their ideologies are different, I can't imagine them joining hands...

Clavis: Oh? That's news to me.

Luke: Even if what you're saying is true, God didn't stop that riot.

Luke: Even though he could have...

Emma: That's...

Luke: Whether they get along or not, God is condoning the apostle's actions.

Luke: At that point, you could say he's an accomplice, right?

Emma: ...Maybe there's some reason.

Silvio: Ha, you're awfully quick to defend him, ain't ya? Do you like that greedy bastard that much?

Emma: Maybe I've grown attached to him after being around him for so long.

Clavis: Love, huh?

Emma: It's not!

Clavis: Haha, don't be shy, don't be shy. Believe me, I want to support you too.

Clavis: But the situation in Tanzanite is changing by the minute.

Clavis: If God has no intention of stopping the riots and is tolerating the apostle's indirect guidance...

Clavis: It wouldn't be strange if he was plotting something.

Silvio: I think the riots are disadvantageous for God, though?

Clavis: Azel might be finding some benefit within this "disadvantageous situation."

Luke: Whatever the purpose, the scale of the riots might increase in the future.

Luke: Wouldn't it be dangerous for you to be by God's side then?

Emma: ...

Clavis: Your safety is far more important than exposing God's secrets.

Clavis: The infatuation incidents have calmed down recently, haven't they?

Clavis: With the two maids severely punished, no one bothers you unnecessarily anymore.

Clavis: I don't know what happened to you, but now, including Silvio, the three of us can protect you.

Silvio: Don't drag me into babysittin' a woman.

Luke: Don't you want to come back now, Emma?

*back to present*

(Originally, I ended up staying at this temple because of the aphrodisiac incident.)

(I think if I return to the castle now, I'll be treated with respect as the woman God is infatuated with.)

(I don't like that, but as Clavis and Luke said, the situation is changing by the minute.)

(Even aside from those circumstances, it must be a nuisance for Azel to lend me a corner of his private room for a long period.)

(I'm only here because of my selfishness, so I could brace myself and choose to return to the castle... but...)

Emma: I'm... sorry...

Azel: What are you apologizing for? What are you apologizing for?

Emma: I'm not crying because I'm sad.

(...If my selfishness is allowed, I want to stay here a little longer.)

(Until the day I unravel the mystery of the Triple Alliance, break through Azel's illusions, and see the truth–)

Emma: Sand... got in my eyes...

Azel: ...

When I confessed honestly, the linen slipped from Azel's hand.

Emma: It was windy on my way here.

Emma: It hurts... and the tears won't stop.

Azel: ...........

Emma: What should I do in times like this?

Azel: ...I don't know, goodbye, please don't expect God's mercy ever again.

Emma: I'm really in trouble!

Azel: I don't care, damn it.

Emma: You were the one who jumped to conclusions, Prince Azel–

Azel: You're the one to blame for being misleading.

Azel: And stop rubbing your eyes! If there's sand in them, you'll scratch your eyeballs. Are you that much of an idiot that you don't even understand that?

He grabs my hand firmly and pulls it away from my eyes.

Despite his harsh words, he can't hide the hints of worry that surface.

Emma: Hehe... Thank you.

Azel: Shall I torture you with water?

Emma: That's not something a God would do!

Azel: An evil God might.

(Then I'm sure it'll be alright.)

(He's just greedy for money, I can say for sure that he's not an evil God.)

-

After taking a bath, the tears finally stopped, and the foreign body sensation in my eyes disappeared.

Emma: I've calmed down... Thank you.

When I returned to the room, Azel was silently moving his pen at the desk.

Perhaps still sulking, he only glanced at me and didn't reply.

Emma: Is that a divine message?

Azel: Don't ask if you already know.

Azel is always serious when writing divine messages to deliver to the people in the castle in the morning.

He continues to spin instructions without stopping, occasionally checking reports.

Despite calling it a "divine message," I've never seen him use any divination tools, and everything he writes is left entirely to Azel's mind.

Azel: ...What are you staring at?

Azel: You'd usually be reading a book in the corner.

Emma: That's true, but my eyes hurt today, so I don't feel like reading...

Azel: Then sleep.

Emma: It's too early to sleep...

Azel: Then meditate.

Emma: Is there anything I can help you with?

Azel: No.

(...There isn't, huh?)

Even as we speak, Azel's hand doesn't stop.

Only the pleasant sound of the pen melts into the desert night.

(Azel didn't stop the people's conflict. That's a fact.)

(The riot might eventually become the beginning of Tanzanite's collapse.)

(But, if he were a God who didn't care about Tanzanite...)

(I don't think he would be facing official documents like this late at night.)

Living in Tanzanite, you can see that people's lives are surprisingly affluent for a desert country.

This is because trade with other countries is successful, ensuring a minimum standard of living without any shortage of food or water.

Whether it's foreign or domestic affairs, Tanzanite is politically successful.

A part of it – no, all of it is probably thanks to Azel.

The great ship that is Tanzanite is entirely steered by the God.

Listening to the conversations with the messengers who come every morning, I felt like that wasn't an exaggeration.

Emma: ...Prince Azel, you're truly amazing.

Azel: Huh?

Emma: There's no divine message that is completed in an instant with mystical power.

Emma: Since I learned that a divine message is created only after putting your heart and soul into it like this every day, I've come to respect you.

Azel: Well, I'm not putting my heart and soul into it, but...

Emma: You continue this every single day, without rest.

Emma: Not just anyone can do that.

Azel: That's because I'm a God.

Emma: I think it's because it's you, Prince Azel...

The pen, which hadn't stopped no matter what I said, came to a sudden halt.

Azel: Isn't it the same meaning?

Emma: No, it's completely different.

Emma: You said the difference between a God and a human is whether they can predict the future, right?

Emma: Even if predicting the future is what makes a God, it's you, Prince Azel, who puts that into policy.

Azel: ...

Emma: So, it's not the power of a God, but your power, Prince Azel.

Azel: ...I haven't thought about it that way. It's common sense in this country that it's only natural for a God to be able to do it.

Azel: There's almost no one who thinks like you do.

Emma: ...Have I imposed the values of a foreign country?

Azel: Ah, at least it's better not to say that to the people of Tanzanite.

Azel: What you just said is tantamount to denying the mystical.

(Did I make him uncomfortable?)

Azel: But...

Azel: ...I like it.

Emma: ...? I couldn't hear you well...

Azel: It's nothing.

Emma: Wah!

Azel stands up, picks me up, and throws me onto the bed.

As I try to get up, he forcefully holds my head down, burying it in the pillow.

Emma: What are you doing!?

Azel: I'm trying to put you to sleep because you're so noisy.

Emma: I'll be quiet now!

Azel: No, you'll never be quiet.

The hand holding my face down isn't rough, and I can tell he's being careful.

It's unbearably ticklish and unsettling.

Azel: ...Haah, I thought I could finally sleep peacefully alone again from today.

Azel: I can't believe those guys in Rhodolite would send you back to an evil God.

Emma: I was the one who said–

*earlier*

Luke: Don't you want to come back now, Emma?

Emma: I'm sorry for making you worry. But I think I'll stay at the temple a little longer.

Clavis: So love wins after all–

Emma: It's not like that...

Emma: If I'm gone, God will surely cry.

*flashback over*

Emma: –So in order not to make Prince Azel cry, I'll stay a little longer...

Emma: That... hurts, it hurts!

Azel's fingers tighten, and I thrash about.

Azel: That's slander, I'll sue you for damages again. This time it'll be a huge amount.

Emma: But really, isn't it a shame to let go of someone who can cook?

Azel: Not at all.

Emma: It's a shame, isn't it? I could see the tears in your heart, Prince Azel.

Azel: Go see a doctor tomorrow. You're in a serious condition where you're seeing hallucinations.

Emma: ...Hehe.

Azel: What's so funny?

Emma: It's strange, isn't it? Even though you're a God right in front of me...

Emma: I feel like I can be more myself when I'm with you than with anyone else.

Azel: ...

(This is a dilapidated solitary castle, but it's much more comfortable than the royal palace.)

Emma: Maybe it's because you have such a bad personality that I can say anything without holding back...

Emma: Eek...!

Azel, who usually pulls my cheeks, doesn't get angry or reprimand me, but laughs in exasperation.

However, it was a soft smile, like the moonlight.

Azel: Slander again... You're really good at accumulating debt, aren't you?

Emma: ...That might be true.

My heart skips a beat at the gentleness in his mystical eyes, at the sweetness in his voice, and I dive under the blanket.

Perhaps Azel also thought I intended to sleep, as he didn't say anything more, and the calming sound of the pen started to echo through the room again.

(What was that just now...?)

-

(Azel's POV)

I roll the pen on the desk, close the lid of the ink, and head for the bed.

The first occupant was curled up at the edge of the bed.

She was maintaining a precarious balance, just barely avoiding falling off, but a single slight movement would send her tumbling to the floor, prompting a click of my tongue.

Azel: Can you please stop this, day after day?

I carefully lift her body so as not to wake her and move her to the center of the bed.

She's probably unaware of this nightly routine that has become a habit.

Azel: Even so... I bet her eyes will be swollen tomorrow.

Even with her eyelids closed, the area around her eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, was tinged with red.

There's no sign of her waking up even when I lightly trace it with my fingertip.

Azel: Well, it's none of my business.

Azel: ...It's none of my business...

Azel: ..............

As if struggling with something, I furrow my brow deeply—

And then, I gently brush aside the bangs of the sleeping lodger and lightly kiss her eyelid.

Azel: ...There's no such thing as God's protection in reality.

Azel: If this heals by tomorrow, I'm really not human.

Azel: ...........

Azel: ………… What am I doing?

.

.

.

Chapter 15

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[gemapples]

my new year's artwork won't be done until tomorrow, but i at least wanted to make a little post celebrating it before it turns! see you in 2025 ❤️

going into a personal ramble about my year under the cut. im mostly just talking to the void but feel free to read if you want!

this year has been. wow. if i had to put the definition of an emotional rollercoaster it would be this year for me

so much happened, yet so much DIDN'T happen simultaneously?? i don't really know how to think tbh 😭 i think above all i'm relieved it's over and i get to (hopefully) have a fresh start again

i got a lot accomplished this year. i graduated and got a degree which is a huge thing!!! i went for and accomplished lot of difficult things i had to do that i wouldn't even think about considering last year, and i feel my mental health has been beyond improved from it. last year i took note of how i consistently put myself in a box to make others happy, and i noticed i significantly improved in regards to how i see myself and made sure to put my own health first. there's still MUCH more to work on, god, and i've still been struggling with it, but i've been taking steps and that's all that matters to me. i want to continue taking better care of myself next year

on the downside though.. a bunch of personal stuff i had no control over happened in july and to put it in a way, i was scared for my life. it's settled now, and even got better, but i haven't been that terrified in a very long time. it was so difficult for me to cope with and i'm very grateful it's not something to worry about anymore, but i would be lying if i said i wasn't scared for what horrific event next year will bring for me. i noticed the past few years, something awful happened that made me seriously question, doubt or even straight up hating myself :') and i'm not looking forward to experiencing that again next year in the slightest. but at least, i'll try to get better at it

i've felt pretty disappointed and unhappy with my art this year as well, for whatever reason. it was mentioned to me that it could just be burnout (i HAVE been drawing more consistently than i ever have throughout this year, especially due to college, which makes sense) but whatever i try to do experimental-wise, i just can't be happy with it. i think the major reason is the way i've been shading, because i might be instinctively holding myself back. i don't want my art to be too eyestrainy or give people headaches by looking at it obviously, but i feel like as a result i've been making my art feel too "muddy" for my liking. so! i decided one of my new years resolutions will be to be way more spontaneous with the way i use colors and try not to put that box on myself. one thing i can say is, i tried a Lot of new things with art this year, including working on complex backgrounds, putting in way more effort into pieces enough to be full illustrations, etc etc. and i hope to break a ton more boundaries next year too. regardless, i can't thank you enough for your continued support. it seriously means a ton to me. i know i repeat myself a lot but i always mean it

hopefully 2025 will bring us more kirby too! we haven't had a full year without a new kirby game since 2021, and even then forgotten land got revealed! so i get the feeling something HUGE is coming. also looking forward to pokemon legends z-a too (im insane over it). and the hypothetical manager magolor plush. <- copium.

thanks for reading, and i hope 2025 is a fun, enjoyable year. hopefully it'll be nice to us

~ mac ❤️

[tpup]

homeless and so fucking scared lol

[cryiling]

anyways ive decided if deku doesn't get his ass over to bakugo's corpse in the next 2-3 episodes im gonna cave and just read the manga. bc im sorry but i do NOT care abt any of these other fights right now 😭

[kashuan]

some more pates and crates :,)

[gingerswagfreckles]

Hey everything is getting so crazy and infuriating so I'm making a lot of posts about gentile antisemitism and I just wanted to say that to my like 5 or 6 gentile followers who actually reblog this stuff despite the inevitable backlash and ostracization that comes with being associated with Jews nowadays, I see it and I really really really REALLY appreciate it. Beyond what I can really articulate.

[queerdiazs]

snippet sunday

hi friends, i'm gonna share something i've shared before because i LIKE it a lot + buck being a demanding bossy bottom is sooo good (but pls dw eddie gets his turn at being a sloppy silly bottom too and he's SO hot for it)

anyway this is nsfw

“Buck, baby. I want to ask you something.��  Buck nods wildly, knocking his nose against Eddie’s in his fervor. “Fuck and talk at the same time.” He reaches down and grabs hold of Eddie’s ass with both hands, squeezing and pinching as he lifts his hips up to fuck himself on Eddie’s cock. “C’mon, Eds. Be a—a good boy for me. Fuck me—fuck me please.”  Bubbles of static electricity swarm Eddie, springing from each point of contact between them and ricocheting to every untouched inch of his body. He drops down heavily, blanketing Buck’s body with his own, and fucks hard and sloppy and eager. Buck muffles a hiccuped moan against the scruff of Eddie’s cheek, breathy and pitched high. Eddie grins, mollified.   “Like that, baby?”  “Yeah,” Buck grunts, panting against Eddie’s cheek. He wraps his legs around Eddie’s waist, kicking him closer and deeper with his heels, and meets Eddie’s thrusts with little ones of his own. “Yeah, fuck, like that. Just like that.”  Eddie finds Buck’s lips, eating the mewls that fall from Buck’s mouth. It’s little sobs of too-good, too-sharp pleasure; a staccato of breaths that get stuck in his chest on each withdraw and shoved out on every thrust forward. Eddie’s so deep inside Buck—he can feel himself, right up in Buck’s guts, beneath the muscle and fat of Buck’s tummy where his prick’s at, twitching from friction and sensation.  “Buck,” he says, smearing Buck’s name all along Buck’s cheek and throat and chin. They’re so wet, so sweaty, that Buck can’t get a good grip on his back to scratch his nails in without slipping. “Buck, baby. Marry me. Please marry me.”  Beneath him, Buck’s body jolts. “Goddamn, Eddie,” Buck swears, but it kind of feels like a benediction, a prayer sweeter than any he’s every heard. Buck cradles his cheeks in both hands and sucks on his tongue, loud and free in his pleasure. He laughs like sunshine. “No.” 

i was tagged by @hippolotamus, @try-set-me-on-fire, @callaplums, @thewolvesof1998, @eddiebabygirldiaz, @exhuastedpigeon, @honestlydarkprincess, @jesuisici33, @wikiangela, and @daffi-990 mwaH MWAH

and i'm tagging @watchyourbuck, @eddiediaztho, @fortheloveofbuddie, @callmenewbie, and whoever else wants to share consider yourself tagged 🫶🏼

[anywayxstarchild]

❝ stop touching my nipples ❞ — "noel gallagher" to "liam gallagher"

[vaguely-concerned]

I am so mad about how desperately into pan I am. he was specifically made to fuck me up. they dangled him in front of me like 'hey would you like to see a sad clown trickster with emotional intimacy issues and a heart of, if not gold, then some mysterious alloy with qualities not at all unlike those of gold at the end of the day?' and I went 'boy would I!' and now I'm lost. I'm on my knees he's like if reyes vidal was actually redeemable instead of just a 'release my man he did do all of that but I don't care' situation

[ywpd-translations]

(Heads up, Yowapeda is going on a bit of a hiatus for the next three weeks! So there will be no new chapter until 8/3!)

Ride 737: New pedals

Pag 1

3: New... “pedals”

4: Yeah

Pag 2

1: Try using them

You'll probably be able to use them!!

Pag 3

2: Huh

3: …..!! Be able to use them!?

4: The.... pedals!?

5: Rokudai-kun

Ye-yessir, teh

The senpai of my senpai, the “super senpai”!!

6: Sorry but could you please bring here Onoda's bike?

Pag 4

1: Yessir!! Right away!!

3: So fast

3: Here!!

Thank you

Thanks

He's really so fast!! As expected of his hardcore manager spirit!!

Pag 5

1: Waaaa.... I officially touched Back-ga-.... Onoda-san's bike....!!

Why are you being all bashful by yourself now, Rokudai....

2: I'll install them right away

3: Ah-uhm

4: Uhm.... actually

I can't accept them

7: Teh!?

Onoda-san refused them..!!

Pag 6

1: You purposely cam here to encourage us, you even offered me a drink – I can't accept the “pedals” too, in addition to that!!

2: You even greeted the first years

That's plenty, thank you so much!

Onoda-san....

4: Is that so?

Yes!!

5: I thought they would suit you, Onoda, but..

Pag 7

1: I- I wanted to see the new pedals, teh...

He said “he'll be able to use them”, I wonder what that meant

2: Maybe the shape is different?

Maybe they're difficult to use? Like there are two on both sides

How would you even step on them, teh

3: I actually got these for myself....

4: With my style of pedaling I tend to lose torque near the limit, so I tried using these

5: But it didn't suit me

So I went back to use the old pedals

7: And while doing so I suddenly thought

8: That you, Onoda... your pedals

Pag 8

1: How long has it been since you last changed them...?

2: Huh

6: The pedals used for bicycles racing are consumable

Pag 9

1: When you fall, they're the first thing that hit the ground, and they're shaved by the impact

2: The structure is simple but surprisingly useful, but still metal isn't perfect

3: They receive the torque and the force from the legs, so you can say the pedals are one of the most important part of a bike

And there's no guarantee they'll never break right during an important race

4: A race...!!

5: Of course you usually bring your bike to Touji-san, and I don't think he'd fail to notice something like this

6: But, has it ever happened before that your feet unfastened during an important moment and you had troubles because of it?

Pag 10

2: …. during the Inter High's third day... at the end...

Yes, it happened....

3: You fought in the Inter High twice

4: You ran in the prefectural qualifiers, every day you use your bike for practice

5: And you're overusing it now during training camp

6: When they'll break it won't be surprising

Onoda, sometimes.... caring... isn't just about the club members....

Pag 11

1: It's about your own bike, too!!

2: The pedals I received from Teshima-san on that rainy day during training camp onmy first year

3: I asked Touji-san to fix them on my new bike, since they were important to me

5: Looking closely, they're all ruined

Pag 12

1: The bike that connects me to everyone

And what connects me to this bike

2: The pedals

3: You went to the Inter High with the pedals I gave you, and you delievered our jersey to the final gate in the end

4: Twice

And I, who gave you those pedals, also am happy and want to thank you

5: But, it's enough

They carried out their role perfectly

Pag 13

1: Let them rest

3: Waaa it's already this late!? That's bad, I got a lecture tomorrow next period

4: I have to go back!

Th- that's bad!

5: …. ah, but you refused these new pedals. I can't give them to you... you said

Ah- wa-

Ahh, what should I do

Ah-

6: Well it can't be helped

Pag 14

1: I'll forget them in the lobby and leave

4: Do your best during this training camp!

Yes- thank you so much for coming here!!

5: Say hi to the others for me, too

6: Share those with everyone and eat them

Pag 15

1: Thank you so much...!!

If you speak so loudly you'll wake everyone...

He....

He's such a nice senpai...

2: I could see ans feel the Sohoku bond, teh!!

Righ!! It's so strong!!

3: I'll change them now

4: The pedals!!

6: I wonder what kind are they, teh, these new pedals!

He said “you'll be able to use them”!?

7: Huh!?

These are the pedals!?

It's the first time I see them in this shape, the... the tip...

Pag 16

1: is round!!

Pag 17

1: The part where I put my feet is a round pedal...!!

2: Amazing, since this pedal is round

3: I can move my heel left and right

4: With incredibly wide movements!!

5: My ankles... and my knees are incredibly free to move!!

And also, these pedals...

Pag 18

1: They feel so close to the sole of my feet

2: I feel like I can turn my pedals so much more like this!!

3: Thank you so much, Teshima-san!!

Pag 19

1: Have you noticed, Hotshot?

Onoda-kun's....

Yeah, his pedals are new

2: “Speed play”

3: It's the only kind of pedal in the world that has the cleat and fastening mechanism on the side

4: Your legs' range of motion left and right becomes wider, so when you're swinging the bike you can still under all circumstances pedal at an high cadence and apply torque

It's perfect for Onoda's pedaling style

5: Was it Touj-san?

Who knows... I sense some kind of intention behind the guess of giving him those pedals

6: And from those donuts lineup choice, maybe

Pag 20

1: It was Teshima-san!!

2: Onoda....!! Pedal, until your limit

3: I told you before...!! I want to see

4: How strong you can become!!

[aishangotome]

Azel Radwan: Dramatic Ending Ch. 23

Dramatic Ending Ch. 22

Thank you @passthechloroform for providing the video for this chapter!

♡———♡

Azel: Is that...

Azel: What you call "true love?"

From the dim light behind the benevolent, smiling apostle, the God emerges, bathed in the radiant moonlight.

Ignoring the apostle and the surrounding people, Azel stands boldly before me.

(I wonder how long he's been listening.)

I look up, trying to hide the ticklish feeling of him rushing to my side even in this situation.

(Whether not betraying Azel is true love, or not...)

(...That's probably not for me to decide.)

(Even if it is love, if the recipient doesn't perceive it as such, it becomes distorted violence.)

Emma: I hope Prince Azel sees it that way.

When I voice my prayer, Azel only smiles mischievously.

Azel: But it's quite a disaster for you to get tangled up with such a troublesome old man. I offer my condolences.

Akatsuki: You're the cause.

Azel: Yes, that's why I came here like this.

Azel: If Akatsuki draws his sword, a fierce, blood-soaked war will break out, apart from the whole end of the world thing.

(I thought Azel wouldn't appear before us anymore after that distancing behavior.)

(...It's just like Azel to not abandon us at the very end.)

Apostle: Living God, I have been waiting for you.

The apostle's face is filled with ecstatic joy at the sight of the God appearing.

Azel also shows his disgust at the benevolent smile that gives me goosebumps.

Apostle: I believed that you, the Living God who can see the future, would surely come.

Azel: Old man, you're old enough to stop dreaming.

Azel: You seem to be mistaken in thinking that you can stop the death of God by calling me here, but your futile struggles are just unsightly.

Azel: Tanzanite no longer needs a God.

Azel: In the old days, when this land was barren and desolate, people couldn't have survived without the protection of God.

Azel: But what about Tanzanite now? It has progressed to the point of being one of the major countries on the continent.

Azel: The economy has developed thanks to the many tourists who visit, and the poverty-stricken country with nothing but desert no longer exists.

Azel: If people have gained the ability to walk on their own, it can be said that God has fulfilled his role.

Azel's perspective was lofty, truly the words of a God watching over his people.

(Even if I don't want him to die, I surely won't find the words to overcome this will.)

Azel: Why do you think the first Living God spoke of the end?

Azel: It's because he believed in the potential of humans.

Azel: That wasn't a prophecy of the end, but a prophecy of the beginning.

Azel: The Living God of the past dreamed of people acquiring the ability to live without the power of God.

Azel: He entrusted that dream to the prophecy.

(People will only truly live in reality once they awaken from their slumber.)

(The prophecy of the end, from a human perspective, speaks of an ending...)

(But perhaps God only wanted people to break free from the moon's control and welcome a new dawn.)

Azel: Old man, you want this dream to continue, don't you? I don't deny that idea.

Azel: People have the freedom of faith. If you want to believe in God forever, then do so.

Azel: But that faith must not be forced upon others.

Azel: God's will is for "humans to awaken from their dream."

Azel: Please stop with your usual "all for the sake of God" spiel, okay?

Even with Azel's rebuke, the apostle doesn't flinch.

His unwavering smile is terrifying.

Apostle: Living God, do you truly believe that humans can survive this harsh environment on their own?

Apostle: All the prosperity Tanzanite has enjoyed so far has been built by God.

Apostle: If we lose God, this land will surely return to an uninhabitable environment.

Azel: That's a baseless delusion.

Apostle: For those of us who don't know a world without God, it's a natural conclusion.

Apostle: The country of Tanzanite is a desert dream shown by successive generations of Living Gods.

Apostle: To perpetuate this dream eternally, the power of the Living God is indispensable.

Apostle: I, too, am a servant of God... I understand that I must respect his will.

Apostle: However, it is also my role to convey the voices of the people to God.

Apostle: Please, won't you reconsider?

(It seems like he won't listen to God's will no matter what.)

Azel: Just as you won't withdraw your will, I also have no intention of changing my mind.

Azel: It seems we'll never see eye to eye. I knew that.

Azel: You deny the potential of humans, and I believe in the potential of humans. That's all there is to it...

Azel: I didn't come here to have a heated argument with you.

Azel: I just had some business with them, so could you please leave?

Azel seems to have quickly given up on reaching an understanding with the apostle. He turns to me and pushes my shoulder.

(Whoa!? )

Azel: Come on, let's get a move on. Let's get out of here quickly.

The apostle's followers who were surrounding us don't seem to have the courage to defy the God, and the path opens up before the owner can draw his sword.

Apostle: Living God, there's one thing I want to tell you.

Azel: I'd rather not have my ears rot.

Apostle: If anything should happen, the devout people plan to perform a ritual to resurrect God by offering their own lives.

(...What did he just say...?)

I, not Azel, stop in my tracks.

Apostle: The number is about 10,000... It may not be enough as a price for the precious life of the Living God.

Apostle: Our will to avoid our own end is stronger than the Living God thinks.

(10,000 people will offer their lives?)

(What in the world kind of logic is that...!)

Azel: This is the first I've heard of a life-offering culture in our country. It seems there are things even I don't know.

Azel turns around, his face filled with astonishment.

I wish it were a bad joke, but the apostle's eyes were serious at a time like this.

Apostle: We don't want to lose God, even if it means using forbidden measures.

Apostle: But it pains me to do so. If possible, I don't want to sacrifice their lives or the life of the Living God.

Apostle: I informed you of this in hopes that it would help the Living God make his decision.

(...Coward. This is just blackmail.)

The Living God wanted the people to resist.

But surely he doesn't want them to resist like this.

(I can't say it's impossible, considering the gatherings that Clavis and the others mentioned before.)

(...If it's the apostle who was brainwashing people with incense and instilling them with praise for God...)

(Maybe he could also induce them to throw away their lives for God.)

Azel: If you want to die, go right ahead. I won't stop you.

(!?)

Azel: God won't be resurrected even if 10,000 people die, but your believers will understand that once they actually die.

Azel: If you thought such childish threats would work on me, you're a little too naïve.

Azel: Ah, or perhaps... the me reflected in your eyes is still a "small God."

Azel: Are you seeing an illusion of the obedient, young God you could freely manipulate?

Apostle: Living God...

Azel: Well, it doesn't matter. Let's go.

(Is he really leaving?)

Azel pushes my back again and starts walking.

When I almost stumble, he supports me and lifts me up.

Emma: Th-this is embarrassing!

Azel: Could you please stop blushing? I'm suffering collateral damage here.

Even though we're not running, the apostle is already getting further away.

As I cling to Azel so as not to fall, I notice that the owner, who came with us, still hasn't taken his hand off his sword.

Azel: ...Akatsuki, your bloodlust is directed at the wrong person.

Akatsuki: Don't casually touch a maiden before marriage.

Azel: No, I told you, it's troublesome if you walk slowly. Read the room.

Akatsuki: Why do I need to read the room?

The two of them, bickering, don't seem to be taking the situation as seriously as I am.

(Maybe Azel has a chance of winning.)

(…But, I wonder if he’s noticed.)

The apostle didn’t stop smiling gently until he turned the corner of the alley.

As if to say that even Azel's reaction was just as he expected.

-

Azel: Well then, goodbye to you both.

Emma: That’s not happening, is it!?

Azel entered the sanctuary, which was the base of the anti-god forces, and went straight to the city exit from there.

When I was thrown out into the desert from a place like a back entrance and waved to with a smile, I honestly felt like grabbing my chest.

Emma: There are a lot of things I want to ask you.

Azel: I won’t be speaking with you.

Emma: You’re just going to use me and then toss me aside when you’re done?

Azel: That’s right––

Akatsuki: Oh?

At the sight of the dull-colored blade emerging from its scabbard, Azel quickly moved behind me.

Azel: …Fine, what do you want to know? I’ll answer one question, as a special favor.

(Just one…?)

There were a mountain of things I wanted to ask, and I couldn’t seem to narrow it down to just one.

But it seemed like Azel really would rush back into the sanctuary after answering.

The fact that he had stopped at all now might be the biggest concession he was willing to make.

(If I can’t hear the whole truth, I’ll just ask the one thing I’m most curious about.)

(If I hear this, I can return to Rhodolite without any regrets… Not really, but…)

(I can tell myself that.)

I turned around and peered into his mystical eyes that held the starry sky within.

I was surprised by how close we were, but I couldn’t back down now.

Emma: Prince Azel, are you satisfied now?

Azel: …What do you mean?

Emma: Is everything that’s happening now going according to your wishes?

When I asked him this clearly, word by word, Azel seemed to be at a loss for words for a moment.

Just as I was trying to ascertain his true intentions, perhaps Azel was also trying to figure out mine.

Azel: Of course, it’s going according to my wishes.

Azel: …What would happen if I said that?

Emma: I would just be relieved.

(If no one is threatening you, and Azel is creating this situation of his own volition…)

(I… I want to pray for your success.)

*flashback*

Azel: People revere and worship me as a God. But that’s just a convenient illusion.

Azel: The true identity of the last God on this continent is…

Azel: …Just a pathetic slave.

*flashback over*

(So that Azel will never have to say such a thing again.)

(…Though in my heart, I want to stop him.)

(…Though I don’t want him to die.)

Emma: I hope your wish comes true, Prince Azel.

I took Azel's hand as if in prayer and enveloped it in mine.

The perverse God didn’t shake me off.

Azel: …I’ve thought this before, but you really are an idiot, aren’t you?

Akatsuki: Oh?

Azel: No, that’s not right. I apologize for my poor choice of words.

Azel: …It’s just that, with that look on your face like you’re about to cry…

(…!)

Azel: You, with your kind heart, shouldn’t be able to accept my death. And yet, you pray for it?

My inhaled breath trembled, and I exhaled as quietly as possible so he wouldn’t notice.

Emma: That’s right, I’m praying for it.

Emma: …Like I said before, it’s up to Prince Azel to decide what happiness is.

Azel: ......

My hand, which had been passively held, was squeezed back tightly.

I couldn’t quite read the emotions contained within.

But… the divine smile had disappeared from Azel's face.

It wasn’t his usual sullen expression either; it conveyed a sense of urgency.

(...Maybe I shouldn’t pry too deeply.)

(Because if I knew, I might not be able to leave.)

I lowered my eyes slightly and filled my vision with sand.

Emma: If I stay in Tanzanite, the apostle will continue to target me.

Emma: If I’m captured, it might interfere with Azel's plans.

Azel: You have quite a high opinion of yourself, don’t you? Even if you were taken hostage, I wouldn’t help you.

Emma: No, I’m sure you would help me.

(You came rushing to my aid earlier, so I’m confident.)

(Azel is the type of person who says he “won’t help,” but then does the opposite.)

Emma: If leaving is the only thing I can do…

Emma: …Then this is truly goodbye.

(And the next time I come to Tanzanite, Azel might not be here.)

(…I might regret not stopping him.)

The thought of the inevitable future made me want to crumble, but I lifted the corners of my mouth with all my might.

Emma: I’ll ask anyway, what kind of offering would you like?

Azel: You’re going to give me an offering?

Emma: I still have a debt to pay, so I’ll have no choice but to come see you while sobbing uncontrollably.

Azel: That’s a nuisance.

Emma: Please forgive me for that much.

Emma: …The time we spent together won’t disappear like a dream.

(I’m sure I’ll remember it many times.)

(And each time, I might curse you, saying that it’s all the fault of the wicked God that I feel so much pain.)

Azel's fingertips tightened.

Azel: In that case… I’d like a home-cooked meal as an offering. Preferably something hearty.

Emma: I’ll remember that. If I make it, you have to eat it, okay?

(I’m glad we were able to say goodbye properly in the end.)

I opened my hand to move away from Azel before the tears overflowed.

Emma: …Goodbye, Prince Azel.

Azel: Yes, goodbye. I hope we never meet again.

Emma: .....

Azel: ........

Emma: Um…?

Azel: What is it?

Emma: Please… let go of my hand.

(I can’t say goodbye.)

Even though I was saying goodbye, there was no sign of him releasing my hand.

Azel: You let go.

Emma: I am letting go.

Azel: No, you’re not.

Emma: I am letting go, aren’t I!?

Azel: Your grip is so strong, my hand feels like it’s going to be crushed.

Emma: Liar!

Azel: Calling me a liar…

Akatsuki: How unsightly.

The owner once again put his hand on his sword, but unlike before, Azel showed no sign of running away.

Emma: …Is there something else you want to say?

Azel: ………… No.

Azel: ..........

Azel: Yes, there is something I want to say.

.

.

.

Dramatic End Ch. 23 Letter

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You guys have no idea but I was (and still am) a wet, sobbing mess while translating this chapter T__T Literally sobbing but trying to get this done so you guys can share in my agony.