#but also whenever he reveals his personal opinion it's always when there's a lot of stress going on in the story

[fluffypotatey]

Okay wait wait wait maybe I’m hallucinating but the dialogue in this show tends to parallel each other so like what if when Swk started taunting Mac about “screwing off to your master, the lady bone demon is waiting” like what if Mac before The Monkey Pancakening said something like that to Swk about “running off to the monk” v different context tho of course. Surprised there’s not much commentary abt how Mac literally doesn’t want to be working for Lbd and doesn’t care even after he said he wanted to be on the winning side and already had a taste of death and wasn’t a fan. He says it like nearly every fight. Is this one of those instances where it’s different for the show characters and I only care about the red flags as an outside viewer not getting attacked by a smoke monster 😭

dw anon you're remembering right! parallels in dialogue is a THING™️ in this show and it makes me so unwell (@imminent-danger-came has a plethora of #lmk parallels on their blog. thank you for all your hard work bestie)

that being said: WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU SAY THAT T^T DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID????? DO YOU KNOW THE DAMAGE YOU INFLICTED ON ME?????

but yeah, it would make so much sense to be a callback from what Macky said in the past to swk. it's like his way of throwing memories and Macky's own hypocrisy. he greeted swk by reminding the other about their argument under the mountain. so why not have that other reminder be from swk??? why fucking not!

[sundrop-writes]

Mister Mxyzptlk

Stiles Stilinski x Fem!Reader Blurb

Word Count: 800

Sundrop's Main Masterlist

Warnings: mentions of bullying (Stiles being bullied for having a 'weird' name); mentions of Stiles's trauma surrounding his mother's death; obscure comic book references; this is mostly just fluff - very light implications toward sexual themes, flirting and romantic attraction between Stiles and the reader.

A/N: So, the last time I was actively watching Teen Wolf (when S3 and S4 were airing) I thought it was a running gag that Stiles's real name was never revealed and it was just always a mystery to the audience (like how it's a gag in Degrassi that Heather St. Claire's face is never seen). But when I saw a tiktok showing his real name, I was shocked, and then entirely amused by it. And I was also really offended because I'm watching S1 for the first time and the coach calls Stiles's name 'child abuse' and his father doesn't even dispute that, knowing that it's a family name to honour his dead mother's side of the family. And the fact that he is a character whose real name is very hard to pronounce and very few people actually know what it is got me thinking about the comic book character - Mister Mxyzptlk - and I realized that Stiles, being a comic book nerd who is always referencing things like The Incredible Hulk and Batman and Robin, would fucking love that comparison. Thus, this mini fic. Usually, this is an idea I would save and put it as a moment in a longer fic, but I'm not currently working a fic where I feel like this fits in, so it has become its own mini fic. Random idea, but enjoy this random fluff.

...

"Is Stiles your real name?"

You inquired lightly, walking out of school with Scott and Stiles.

"It's something I've been wondering since we met."

Stiles felt a unique anxiety clutch in his chest at this question. He hated telling people his real name, especially when those people were pretty girls. Especially when they were pretty girls he had only met a week ago who were new in town who otherwise didn't know what a reputation he had for being a loser and could form their own opinions of him.

He could see any chance he had with you being flushed down the drain at top speed. But it wasn't much different from any other girl he previously had a crush on.

"Cause, I thought maybe it was your last name. Guys who play sports usually do that - always call each other by their last names." You went on, not sensing the awkwardness as Scott and Stiles eyed each other heavily, waiting for the other person to speak. "But I heard the coach calling you Balinski?"

"Stilinski." Stiles corrected you. "I think he gets my name wrong on purpose to belittle me." He gave a fake laugh to play it off, but you frowned.

"Stiles is a nickname." Scott added on, trying to usher Stiles away from the awkwardness of having to tell you himself. "His real first name is... really hard to pronounce, and not a lot of people at our school even know it. So - everyone just knows him as Stiles."

This brought Stiles back to a painful memory - in fourth grade, someone had seen the attendance sheet with his real name on it, and showed it to everyone else. And this had started a barrage of bullying and rumours about how he had gotten the name.

Some said that his mother hated him as soon as he was born and wanted to name him something really ugly to match him. Some said that his mother had a brain tumour and she named him in such an odd manner because her brain was 'mush' when he was born. And whenever people in the halls mockingly called him 'tumour baby' or 'brain tumour' - then he had to painfully be reminded of his mother's absence from his life.

"So you're like Mister Mxyzptlk?" You posed, a smile coming across your face from the joy of making such an apt reference.

Stiles looked at you then, unsure if he had heard you correctly - but his heart started to beat faster and he was sure that his crush developed into full, heart-stopping love in that moment.

A gorgeous, cute, sweet girl like you making such an obscure dorky reference - there was nobody else. Nobody else would ever make him feel the way you had in that moment.

Scott was entirely confused, looking between the two of you with utter dumbness across his face, wondering why Stiles' heart rate had increased so much.

"Ugh - yeah." Stiles stuttered out awkwardly. "Yeah, I guess I am."

"So, is learning your real name the power to defeating you?" You posed, smoothing your voice into a sultry tone, stepping closer to Stiles, running a hand up his bare forearm - clearly flirting now. "Do I get three chances to moan it in your ear without making a mistake before you're allowed to do whatever you want to me?"

Scott regretted his super-hearing, being able to catch exactly what you said in a low whisper against Stiles's ear.

Stiles's brain was short-circuiting.

You were making nerdy references and coming onto him now. His blood was rioting between rushing to his pants and giving him a heart attack, and soon, before he could stop it, he practically shouted:

"Marry me!"

And while this would have been a colossally awkward fumble with any other girl, you simply giggled and smiled.

"You're so cute." You complimented in return, reaching out to gently 'boop' a finger against his nose.

Stiles continued to gape at you, feeling like he needed to say more, needed to communicate just how epicly wonderful you were in his eyes.

"Chocolate? Or vanilla? Our wedding cake could have 4 tiers, or we could get one of those cupcake tower things, I heard those are really trendy."

You let out another laugh, thinking that he was joking - not realising that he was already picking out an engagement ring in his head, and wondering which comic book characters you would name your children after.

"We can start with a date." You told him. "Friday. After the game."

He nodded.

"Yes, date." He agreed eagerly. "A date would be amazing."

"I have to get going now." You added on - and he felt like he was floating when you leaned in and kissed him on the cheek before you departed. "See you later?"

"Everyday for the rest of our lives." Stiles mumbled quietly, entirely love-struck.

"What the hell was that?" Scott asked, still entirely baffled.

"We shall have a spring wedding." Stiles replied, his eyes still locked on your back as you walked away - clearly, he was still caught up in the euphoria of the interaction.

Scott had to drag him away.

[voltronisanobsession]

So you like my ideas, huh? Well, I hope I can continue to create some good ones for you! I shall try my best 🫡

Oh! I do have one request in mind, how about Percy being paired with reader who’s the child of Athena? Yes, yes, I know an amazing half-blood known as Annabeth exists but I had something in mind.

We all know how children of Athena are seen as wise, intellectual, clever, and combative people but what if the reader was different than that? There’s several types of intelligence after all, so what if they specialized in emotional intelligence and craft?

I can see them being insecure of their “abilities” since they know their siblings can do better, and even fear that Athena herself is disappointed in them, but, while Percy thought it was strange at first, he soon found himself enjoying those traits.

I mean, with their emotional intelligence, the reader knows when he’s upset no matter how hard he tries to hide it, and they tend to give him gifts like Melinoe!reader. They’re probably usually architectural models, weavings, mini sculptures of what he enjoys… You know all that good stuff. They probably gifted him something as something to remember them by when he went on a quest… but I’ll leave that up to you.

Combat practice to bond/as dates 👀?

Also, I’m not sure if you saw, but I like long headcanons so stop apologizing and keep it up!/lh

Poor all of your thoughts into it if you have to or want, I like it!

Percy with a Child of Athena!Reader

I literally LOVE these detailed asks UGGHHH!! I love the idea of instead having a different form of intelligence as a child of athena like damn😍 I'm getting used to brain dumping on these, its a work in progress🙈

Sorry for answering so late😭

Lowkey this reader sticks out like a sore thumb amongst their siblings😭

I like to think that most Athena kids are usually on the more serious sides, so it surprises a lot of campers outside of the Athena cabin to see Reader extremely expressive!

While the other Athena children spend their time devising tactical plans for big camp games, reader is just on the side doodling architectural designs and whatnot

They aren’t as involved in what their siblings do because it doesn’t interest them much

Like whenever they try and ask for readers opinions and start using big ass words, they just smile and nod cuz they had no idea what the others were saying

Athena's children are extremely intelligent so its difficult for reader to be on the same wave length as their siblings

It lowkey makes them feel like an outcast in their cabin because they cant really connect with their siblings like they do with each other while they talk about subjects beyond reader’s comprehension

Constantly being surrounded by books, scrolls and maps full of knowledge, reader often beats themselves over not being able to comprehend and show interest in wanting to learn about these types of things

They’re led to believing that they are a defect amongst their mothers children (crying)

They are always surrounded by reminders of their own inabilities to match their sibling’s intelligence which is why they spend little time in the Athena cabin, and even littler time with their siblings

Readers only saving grace is that they are always in tune with peoples emotions and feelings, no matter how well or little they know the people around them

Whether its feelings of anxiousness, sadness, quiet anger, or happiness, reader always seems to know how a person is feeling!

The first time Percy meets reader is when he spots them at the crafting hut

Being one of his first activities in the beginning of the day, he notices how reader is always there before anyone else

Percy probably thought you were apart of the Hephaestus cabin or something like that with how many times he’s seen you sculpting and carving away at a new project every other day

So he’s surprised when you reveal that you’re actually a child of Athena

He would definitely notice how you distance yourself from your siblings, especially during breakfast, lunch and dinner

He’s good friends with Annabeth so he sees the differences between you, her and your siblings

While she and her siblings are more closed off and have their noses stuck up a new book everyday, your always seen drawing or weaving a new tapestry for your cabin

You show your emotions more openly compared to their more dismissive nature as well!

He definitely sees you as the 'social butterfly' of the Athena cabin

The more time he spends with reader though, he notices just how in tune they are with his feelings

He could give the smallest, most insignificant indication that he's had a bad day and you'd be able to read him like an open book

It's easy talking to you about his conflicting emotions, your patience and thoughtful expression gives him more confidence to just let everything out

I think he would definitely fall for how empathetic you are in many situations

You've made many friends with campers from different cabins because of this quality trait! Always learning and understanding a situation/conflict that arises, you're always able to resolve the problems that makes it fair for all parties involved

Despite this, Percy is confused and a bit surprised to find out that you're actually insecure about this dominating trait of yours

"What?! It's literally the best thing about you though!"

"I know but its just! My siblings aren't the way I am. They're able to actually use their skills for something. All I can do is listen to people and make friends. That's nothing special. I'm useless."

It PAINS him to hear you say that because its obvious you don't understand the importance of being as emotionally intelligent as you are

He makes it his mission to show you just how many people you've helped, to show you that you have a reason to be proud of what you're able to do!

You slowly open yourself more after hearing all his reassurance, from him and other people around camp

It's definitely a positive change as you have a pep to your step now. You engage with you siblings more now that you have a confidence in your own abilities.

You make him many sculptures as thank you gifts! Even when he says that you don't need to, you cant help admit that enjoy giving him these gifts with a nervous smile

You've made him a mini version Riptide and even have given him a small owl pendant

You were hesitant to give him the pendant because it seemed more intimate compared to your other gifts, but he happily accepted it with a soft smile

AND WHEN HE PUT THE PENDANT ON IN FRONT OF YOU YOUR HEART NEARLY LEPT OUT OF YOUR CHEST I CCANNTTT

I think reader would be pretty aware of Percy's feelings for them which makes them feel fuzzy

So imagine how you feel when Percy pulls up to you one late afternoon after not seeing him for the entire day to give you a small pendant of his own

The sculpting of the trident is definitely more crude and less detailed compared to the one you gave him, something Percy abashedly admits but you wave him off

"It's beautiful, thank you Percy."

"No problem, now we're matching!"

You're aware of your own feelings for him as you are aware of his feelings for you, so it doesn't take long for a confession to happen

I mean matching pendants? come on bro its so painfully obvious to everyone

Percy falls for who reader is, not because their a child of Athena

He doesn't care that you're different from your siblings because he understands everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses

You still represent Athena with pride and he'll happily support you till the end

PERCY IS SUCH A GREEN FLAG IN GENERAL I LOVE WRITING FOR HIM💔💔

[chaethewriter]

Jack Champion x acubi gf!reader scenarios

Underdressed bf and overdressed gf

tagged: @viivvriv @genesis4545 @norrisgf @darkcrusadestrawberry @drxwstxrkxy

A/N: for all my acubi girls <3 felt like doing this impulsively so it isn't well thought out oops.

◇ when you had announced your relationship, no one expected it. I mean, not to be mean, but you and Jack looked TOTALLY different.

◇ first of all, you weren't in the spotlight the way Jack was. You were a photographer and Jack was an actor.

◇ this is also how the two of you had met. You were at an event taking pictures when Jack had knocked you over because he didn't see you.

◇ typical Jack.

◇ he had apologized multiple times, feeling terrible as his muscled chest collided with your face.

◇ you thought he was incredibly cute, though, with his fluffy hair and short sleeved shirt that defined his muscles.

◇ being incredibly bold, you didn't miss to try and take your chance.

◇ it made him incredibly flustered how quick he folded.

◇ was incredibly surprised when the two of you met up after the event— your clothes of that day were assigned to you, so seeing you in this different style had him surprised, in a good way.

◇ your outfit obviously flustered him. He wore one of the most comfortable clothes in his closet: his pink champion hoodie and a pair of black jeans. Meanwhile, you wore a short skirt with a huge belt, a crop top, and a knitted shrug. Your black boots were half covered with your leg warmers as you topped your outfit off with a lot of jewelry.

◇ to say he was starstrucked by you was an understatement. Man was down bad.

◇ he messaged you whenever he could. Sending you silly images to go with in return for your pretty little selfies.

Jack attack: Jamie is laughing at me :(

Jack attack: we were walking down the street and Trinity called me from behind

Jack attack: so I turned to look at her then I ran into a lamppost

Jack attack: ☹️

Jack attack: anyway OOTD?

◇ he asked you out like a true gentleman: flowers and a teddy bear from build-a-bear that reminded you so much of him.

◇ almost got a nosebleed on your first date because of your revealing outfit.

◇ gave you his coat when you were cold (your mindset is always style above comfort, he needs to think about your comfort for you)

◇ your body basically drowned in the material as he is 6'1.

◇ accidentally asked you if he could be your boyfriend on your first date— he didn't mean to, as he wanted to take it slow with you.

◇ you just looked so pretty in front of him.

◇ honestly shat his pants, thinking he lost his chance.

◇ was over the moon when you had accepted him as your significant other.

◇ honestly your personal photographer.

◇ he is better at it then expected.

◇ stands like a grandpa while taking your pictures though.

"Babe, why are you standing with your ass out like that?"

◇ you tag him in all the pictures he took for your insta posts.

jackchampion these are the prettiest pictures ever taken. Who took them?

◇ always asks you if you're comfortable in your outfit— to him, it looked so uncomfortable.

◇ he honestly doesn't care what you wear: it's your body and he is happy to know you feel secure in your style.

◇ can't help but constantly worry about you: if you're warm, if your feet are okay, if you're uncomfortable under anyone's stares.

◇ people look up in confusion when the two of you walk through the streets.

"No way they're dating."

◇ you throw them nasty faces when you hear them talk behind your back.

◇ Jack scolded this group of boys once for shaming you and laughing at you.

◇ he always wears a shirt under his hoodie when you go out, in case you get cold and need his hoodie to wear.

◇ always goes shopping with you.

◇ he loves your happy expression as you run from section to section looking for cute cropped shirts and short skirts.

◇ you always ask him for his opinion— knowing he will say that he likes whatever you wear.

◇ terrible clothing advice giver, but he's trying for you!

"Do you think this brown crop top compliments this skirt?"

"Babe you look good in it I swear I have no idea what you else I should say-"

◇ he pays for you. He begs you to let him pay.

◇ "my pretty girl deserves to get dolled up for free. Just look pretty for me alright?"

◇ fun fact he had to walk through the streets on his socks once, because you were wearing his shoes.

◇ your feet were killing you, luckily you have a caring boyfriend.

◇ he loves to just sit in your bedroom and watch you play doll as you try out different clothing combinations.

◇ you had begged him to match outfits with you.

◇ the two of you want to your favorite clothing store, one he wouldn't step foot in on his own.

◇ you practically dragged him around as you assembled on outfit for him.

◇ got out of the changing room in an awkward stance.

"Are the pants supposed to fit like this?"

"Why are they about to rub the ground?"

"This feels so weird."

◇ you thought he looked pretty in the acubi style though.

◇ even though it's not his usual style, he bought the outfit for whenever you wanted to match.

◇ even though he walks around in silly orange tank tops, he's still your silly boyfriend whom you love so much.

liked by jackchampion and 30k others.

silly(y/n)_ pain is temporary, drip is forever?! —photographer: @ jackchampion

view all comments.

jackchampion the photographer totally slayed🥰 you too pretty girl

-> silly(y/n) jack please

[thepersonperson]

Oooh I'm really interested in your opinions on the flaming trainwreck that is gojo's relationship with women!

I wanted to respond to this topic in this ask, but then I realized it would be better as a part of something else. So I will link you to my yapfest that happens to delve into what I think are Gojo's woman issues.

So thanks for sending me into a mini crisis within a crisis! It gave me that nice little missing piece to pull apart Gojo even more.

I'm also shoehorning your tags on this post into this ask since they contributed to that analysis.

#fjddjdjs hiiii I apologize right back for subjecting you to my yelling in your tags almost all the time fjdjfjd #but WHAT a time for you to post this bc I literally just typed out a whole rant on gojo's sexuality that I bravely chose to not post djdjfjf hj

Post the rant anyways. Or whenever you feel brave enough. The perspective unique to you is valuable even if the topic has already been discussed.

#but you absolutely hit the nail on the head on why satosugu was and is n will always be doomed bc of COURSE gojo would never act on anything #like his whole thing in this story is witnessing human rights violations and only acting when the consequences are fatal

#hes absolutely my favorite jjk character but hes so very full of his own prejudices that I think the fandom doesnt acknowledge bc hes fruity #like we see him let a LOT of shit slip by bc to him (one of the most privileged cogs in the machine) they aren't real problems #which reminds me of cis white gays whose complections and even the random bouts of misogyny and mild racism he matches up with #he has a lil bit of that 'I can't be shitty to women I'm literally gay kinda' vibes and we see how he talks to utahime #and how he doesn't stand up for maki like you mentioned

That's usually my biggest complaint with fan culture in general. They shave off the yucky parts to make characters more palatable. Gojo's racist reveal post-mortem made me love him even more. He's my favorite character in JJK too and he has also unseated my most favorite fictional racist: Oliver Fire Emblem. (Yes, I have a fictional racists tier list. I'm giving myself a pass to have one as a person with a unique skeletal structure and muscles as Mr. Gojo Satoru would say.)

I think the reason people try to ignore these things is because of how subtle/realistic it is. Gojo's unsavory behaviors are the kinds people are most likely to have themselves. He kind of forces you to look at those flaws and that can be a deeply uncomfortable experience.

Also I think Gojo would be more like "I can't be a misogynist, I'm not a Zenin."

(Cough more on my racists tier list. It's more of "Were they written well? Was the racism properly condemned by the narrative? Is the racism relevant to themes? If they try to get better, is the racism properly addressed? Is it funny in the pathetic loser way?")

#but I also have this different vibe that he. despite how much he says so and maybe wants to. does NOT care about 'the weak' beyond his job #we see him literally step on people in shibuya to get to where he needs to quicker #he doesn't even bother remembering the names of the kyoto kids besides maybe todo and mechamaru (strong)

Well the thing is teen Gojo definitely didn't care about the weak. Post-Geto break up and after he started mimicking all of Geto's moral teachings? No idea. Gojo treats people he loves poorly so it's hard to tell when he really hates or doesn't care about someone. And he does posture about those things like with Megumi's body being used by Sukuna.

During the Shibuya incident, he does step on all those people's heads and let them be thrown against his Infinity like objects. But he doesn't hurt them. This is a guy who stepped on ants and made sure his Infinity prevented them from being crushed.

Kenjaku's group uses his love for other people against him here. Gojo tries to posture during it, but his composure breaks a few times when they start killing a lot of them. He also checked in on their survival after he UV'd them.

That being said, he probably cares more about them as living things than as equals. He has a very clear bias for the strong when it comes to putting in time and effort. ...But also Ijichi is so weak and Gojo trusts him the most. Gojo went out of his way to care for him when he was suffering. ...And he also relentlessly bullies him. (As you can see Gojo's true feelings on the topic are iffy as fudge.)

#imo the only reason he cares enough to correct nanamis language when talking abt yuuji is that he simply has a lot of potential to be strong #he took maki in hoping to make another toji out of her but bc he doesn't know how a toji is made he basically gives up #which is why I think he didn't even think to call suguru out for the way he talks to her

That would be really fudged up if he was trying to make another Toji and I wouldn't put it past him. He does put his students in really questionable predicaments in the name of growth. That might also explain why he corrected Nanami with Yuji. Someone with his power experiencing immense discrimination could churn out another Geto.

#like gojo has really lofty goals but his day to day consists of ignoring it all until there's a problem or he needs to talk about his goals #he's very much running around aimlessly like a headless chicken mostly bc of the higher ups so it's understandable that he doesn't have time #to even think about let alone try to unlearn all that internalized shit stopping him from achieving his goals #also everything about your tags YES TO ALL OF IT YOU'RE SO RIGHT AND BIG BRAINED

So true! Gojo is stretched so thin that I think he defaults to "cold logic" as Mahito puts it. If he's going to change things for the better, he has to invest in strong people, so they get all his attention and time. All the little systemic issues can be ignored because he was raised to only care about the big things.

It's such a frustrating predicament because I want to be mad at him for this, but it's also [Joker Voice] Society. I've settled on calling it out as a character flaw that can be explained (not excused) by circumstances.

#also uwu thank you 4 talking about kirara shes my everything and gojos an idiot for losing that entire years worth of students (2 whole ppl) #anyway I am sorry for clogging your tags yet again your posts make the gears in my brain turn very fast

Thank you as well. Clogging my tags makes me reexamine things more. I think after reading this response you'll be able to see the parts of your tags that influenced certain parts of the Ok Dad Gojo Analysis.

[phaelinverse]

XIKERS HEADCANONS...

...if they are your boyfriend. Hyung line part, part 2 for the maknae line is be link here (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

Feel free to request anything I could write about XIKERS, I activate the 'ask me anything' box, so you may recommend me things to write on XIKERS in here!! (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

A/N :; I do not speak English as is not my main language. So I am sorry in advance about my bad grammar, I am doing my best to write as clear as I can.

Minjae

❞· I see him as a kind of jealous but sweet and caring person, like, when he sees a random guy approaching too close to you, he would side eye the guy and keep staring at him coldly to let him know that you're taken.

❞· He would eventually put his arm around your waist to keep you close to him. (⁠ ͝⁠°⁠ ͜⁠ʖ͡⁠°⁠)

❞· At home, I think, in my opinion, he would spoil you a lot and eventually write songs talking about you and that you're the only to hear it.

❞· In the morning, Minjae is the one to wake up first for making you a very nice breakfast. ｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡

❞· Lastly, when he's in his workplace, he would text you a bit every 2~3 hours to know how are you and to let you know how is he.

Junmin

❞· For me, Junmin is the type of boyfriend that when your around him, he always have a big smile for you because he's so happy to spend time with you.

❞· In the morning, when he wakes up before you, he always give you some kisses while your still asleep and make a quick breakfast for you both before waking you up. (⁠人⁠*⁠´⁠∀⁠｀⁠)

❞· He's not particularly jealous when you spend time with other guy unless he notices that the guy start to be a bit too flirty and touchy with you.

❞· I can imagine him that he would just love you too much at the point he feels the need to talk about you to his members.

❞· Lastly, I would see Junmin to be the type of guy to make at least one gift per week to you to just show you that he cares about you. (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠)

Sumin

❞· I think, Sumin would definitely give you gifts which are his drawing he made only for you.

❞· Also, he would always buy you clothes that would surely suit you, but matching outfits too because he will love that. (⁠つ⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)⁠つ

❞· He's not jealous tho but just kind of protective/possessive over you when you're dress in revealing outfit.

❞· He would definitely takes multiples pictures of you, whenever and wherever, even if you're sleeping and his not. ╮⁠(⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)⁠╭

❞· He always think about you when you're not besides him, he would miss you.

Jinsik

❞· Jinsik would be the type of boyfriend to be a bit silly and goofy around you. He would tease you a lot, like for example, poking your cheek nonstop.

❞· He would ask you for a date a lot. Jinsik would like to visit a lot of things by your side.(⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠)

❞· At home, for some reason, he would suddenly start to admire you for no specific reason.

❞· Jinsik would definitely talk about you nonstop to his members at the point they would be annoyed to hear Jinsik yapping about you. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ ͡⁠°⁠ ͜⁠ʖ⁠ ͡⁠°⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

❞· He would surely wait for you for going to sleep because he need cuddles from you to fall asleep.

Hyunwoo

❞· For me, Hyunwoo would be a shy but sweet and caring boyfriend. I can imagine him to have a specific day each month to give each other gifts.

❞· At work, like Minjae, he would text you to know how you are but not each few hours but during his lunch time. (⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠)

❞· I imagine him to make a movie date at home with you. You both would watch a great movie while cuddling under a soft and warm blanket.

❞· Hyunwoo would love to takes selcas with you and post it on social media daily. He just wants people to know his taken and he's really happy with you and he's glad to have meet you. ♡⁠˖⁠꒰⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠⑅⁠꒱

❞· Lastly, I can imagine that you both have matching accessories like bracelets, rings, etc.

And done! I hope you have enjoyed this headcanons I did for them! At the moment I am writing this I didn't do the maknae line yet but when I'll post it, the maknae line version would be definitely post and linked here! (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

[ruanbaijie]

During the Republican Era, Shen Zhiheng, a member of the Tianjin gentry who happened to be a vampire, offended the Japanese and became the target of an assassination attempt. He was saved by a blind young lady, Mi Lan, and his best friend Situ Weilian. When he went to repay Mi Lan for saving him, he discovered the terrible family situation that Mi Lan was in, and so began to pay more attention to her. Meanwhile, Shen Zhiheng’s plan to take revenge on Li Yingliang, the mastermind behind his assassination, fell short of success thanks to Li Yingliang’s Japanese superior, raising suspicions about his identity. Since then, Li Yingliang and the Japanese were in hot pursuit of Shen Zhiheng, determined to dig out the truth about his secret.

Please do not repost this anywhere else or retranslate it!

MAIN DIRECTORY ☾ READ ON AO3 ☾ PREVIOUS CHAPTER

That very day, outside the chapel, Mi Lan got her wish and met Shen Zhiheng.

Shen Zhiheng arrived in a hurry, asking the moment he alighted from the car and saw Mi Lan, “What’s the matter?”

There was anxiousness in his voice, and Mi Lan immediately suspected that she had given him a fright. When it came to Shen Zhiheng, she “treasured” him a lot, as if she had saved him once, and he was now hers. Or at least, she owned a small share of his person. Ever since she was a child, it always felt as if she was just temporarily staying in this world, with nothing to her name, and could leave whenever she wanted to. Shen Zhiheng was the one who gave her a small connection to this world. To a certain extent, Shen Zhiheng himself seemed like her private property.

She smiled softly at Shen Zhiheng, replying, “I’m fine. It’s not about me.”

Shen Zhiheng measured her, noticing that there were no new wounds on her face and hands, and that her complexion was not that bad. It was only then when he guided her into the car.

“If it’s not about you, then who is it about?”

“It’s Li-shushu,” she replied. “The one we met at the entrance of Victoria Hospital.”

Shen Zhiheng stared at her suspiciously, “What… about him?”

 If Mi Lan could see, that suspicion in Shen Zhiheng’s eyes would have probably made her heart run cold. It was blatant suspicion, accompanied by blatant scrutiny, as if she were a slowly unravelling mystery in the midst of revealing its true face one layer by one layer.

Her blind eyes protected her at this moment, and she answered honestly, “He came to find me, asking me to pass a message to you. He said that he wants to reconcile with you, and even wants me to mediate.”

“Then how do you intend to mediate?”

“I’m only passing his message, I won’t mediate.”

“Why are you doing as he asks? That brat is not a good person.”

“He’ll ultimately find someone else to pass you his message. Instead of someone else, it might as well be me. At least, I won’t be in cahoots with him and lie to you.”

“This is not something you should be interfering in.”

Mi Lan grew silent.

Shen Zhiheng spoke again, an undercurrent of anger faint in his voice, “You’re right, he’ll ultimately find someone else to pass me his message. Even if it’s not you, it’ll be someone else. But you were willing to do it for me, and so he now knows that both of us still remain in contact with each other. He’ll also know that your opinions and words matter to me, and he’ll even be able to find out that you were the one who saved me that night! Do you believe or not that his eyes and ears are hiding outside right now? Do you believe or not that he’ll continue coming to you in the future, and even use you to threaten me?”

Mi Lan froze. She had never considered what Shen Zhiheng had just said.

“I won’t let him use me to threaten you,” she said. “I won’t go for choir classes in the future. I’ll hide at home and refuse to leave. He wouldn’t dare to barge into my house to find me.”

Shen Zhiheng sighed. “I arranged the choir classes for you with the hope that you could come out and see the world, make some friends, and live well. In the future, when you leave your family, you can also pass your own days happily.”

“I know,” Mi Lan replied softly. “But, in the past, I hid in the house because I had nowhere else to go. Now, I’ll hide in my house because I want to help you. Both cases are similar because I’m hiding at home, but they’re different because my feelings are different. I’m willing.”

“Do you still remember my phone number?”

“Yes, you gave it to me in the past.”

“If there’s a need, find a way to call me. If it’s not convenient at home, then find a random store. A café or a grocery store. As long as it’s a place that has a telephone installed, you can borrow it, just give them some money. The money that I gave you after you left the hospital, have you kept it well?”

“Yes.”

Shen Zhiheng extended his hand to ruffle her hair. He really wanted to save her, but her father was General Mi, and if he were to really abduct her and flee, General Mi would be humiliated and would definitely not spare him. Besides, after abducting her and fleeing, what next? Would he set up a residence and support her like a mistress [1] , letting her live alone? Or would he keep her by his side? This young lady seemed to have a third eye. If he kept her by his side, it wouldn’t take her a few months to discover all of his secrets.

Shen Zhiheng suddenly felt a twinge of regret. He should not have been so friendly with her these few days. His intentions were good, but the outcome might end up harming her. He was destined to be a harbinger of misfortune and destruction for his entire life. That he could get to know a dumb, happy-go-lucky Situ Weilian was already an unexpected joy, he should have been satisfied with that.

“Run along. Cry as you go back, pretend that I just scolded you.”

Understanding what he meant, Mi Lan pushed the car door open and fumbled out herself. Just as the wind hit her face, she opened her mouth and lowered her head, starting to heave in huge sobs. As she walked alone to the chapel, she even specifically used her sleeve to wipe her eyes. Shen Zhiheng watched her enter the chapel in amazement, because he realised that Mi Lan was both beautiful and intelligent, understanding him in a second and not needing any further explanation, as if she were his close friend who could implicitly understand his thoughts and feelings [2] .

However, Mi Lan did not make good on her promise. The afternoon of the second day, she went to the chapel again.

Li Yingliang found a chance to get a hold of her outside the chapel. In a daze, she froze, and spoke with her head lowered, “Li-shushu, don’t come and find me anymore. I can’t help you.”

Li Yingliang asked her, “Did you pass my message to Shen Zhiheng?”

Mi Lan’s face was ashen. “Mr. Shen is not happy.” She sobbed, “He said I was a busybody and scolded me.”

Extending her walking cane, she found where Li Yingliang was standing, and looped around him in a hurry to return to the little classroom where her choir class was held. 

Then, starting from the third day, she no longer left the house. Li Yingliang did not know just how Shen Zhiheng had scolded her, he only felt that this Young Mistress Mi had suffered a terrible blow. He could not get over this line of thought. This Young Mistress Mi had always lived a miserable life, and had finally gotten the chance to leave her house everyday to go to the choir and have some fun, but this had all been ruined by him, who had not gained anything out of the process either. If he had known earlier that she did not have much say with Shen Zhiheng, he would not have approached her.

Li Yingliang gave up with Mi Lan, and decided to try to find a new path. When it came to Shen Zhiheng, the closer he got to him, the harder it was for him to disentangle himself from him. All day long, he would be brooding over this demon surnamed Shen.

Unexpectedly, one afternoon, Shen Zhiheng invited himself, showing up on initiative at the main gates of his Development Committee.

Hearing that Shen Zhiheng had come, Li Yingliang could not believe it at first. Shen Zhiheng was always very cautious and rarely left the concession zone. He had no reason to take the risk and run over to where he was; what difference did this have from walking straight into a trap?

It was only when he went to take a look and welcome him that he realised that Shen Zhiheng had not gone insane. This time, he had brought with him some twenty to thirty people, and their cars, parked outside the Development Committee, made up a huge contingent. The backseat window of the car in the lead opened, and Shen Zhiheng himself hung his elbow outside the window, tilting his head and looking up. As a pair of glasses, tinted the colour of smoky quartz, sat on his nose bridge, no one knew exactly what he was looking at. 

Li Yingliang revealed a smile in advance, welcoming loudly, “Mr. Shen, what a rare guest.”

Shen Zhiheng raised his hand to remove his glasses, nodding at him, “Chairman Li.”

Li Yingliang looked at him with a smile. His smile was so wide that his eyebrows were curved, the corners of his lips were upturned, and his teeth were revealed. There was nothing but joy on his face. Judging by his smile that was so full of delight, Shen Zhiheng figured that this would be followed by a round of pleasantries, and so he waited quietly, intending to let him speak his fill before he started talking himself. After all, he knew that in negotiations, striking first did not necessarily give one the upper hand.

He thought this way, and so too did Li Yingliang, so the two of them stared at each other. Li Yingliang stood still in the cold wind, smiling till his front teeth were freezing, yet still not knowing why Shen Zhiheng kept staring at him without saying a word. Meanwhile, Shen Zhiheng was equally clueless, and began to suspect that this smile of Li Yingliang’s had become frozen on his face because of the freezing wind.

In the end, Li Yingliang’s smile slowly faded, and neither could Shen Zhiheng bear with it any longer, “Why don’t you invite me in to have a seat?”

Li Yingliang opened the door of the car, his attitude still as respectful as before, “I couldn’t ask for more. Please, Mr. Shen.”

Shen Zhiheng extended a hand towards the driver in the front, who understood and immediately pulled out a Browning pistol from under the seat and handed it to him. He tucked the pistol into his coat, and then got out of the car.

“Chairman Li, this time, I’ve come prepared. If you still dare to pull any tricks inside, I’ll kill you.”

Li Yingliang laughed loudly, “Based on Mr. Shen’s abilities, do you still need a gun to kill me?”

Then, he gestured towards the gate, “Please.”

Shen Zhiheng strode in as Li Yingliang guided him to his office. Meanwhile, Li Guisheng led a group of men to hide in ambush outside the windows. If anything happened in the room, they would immediately smash the windows and barge in. Even so, after Li Yingliang closed the door, his heart still slowly rose to his throat.

Shen Zhiheng walked one round around his office. Since he was here, he might as well take a look at the headquarters of this Chinese traitor.

Li Yingliang personally poured a cup of hot tea and placed it on the coffee table, saying, “Mr. Shen, please have a seat. I’m truly very pleasantly surprised that you’ve taken the time to come today. I was of the impression that Mr. Shen hated me, and we would never have the chance to resolve our misunderstandings and shake hands and speak in peace.”

Shen Zhiheng turned around in front of the large desk, facing Li Yingliang, “Whether we make peace or not, that’s something that’s between you and me. You should not have urged Young Mistress Mi to be a middle-man. If General Mi found out about this, how do you think he would react?”

Li Yingliang replied, “Mr. Shen wouldn’t complain about me to General Mi, would you?” Then, he grinned, “But, even if General Mi found out about this, I would have an explanation for him. After all, Mr. Shen’s and Young Mistress Mi’s relationship is a little… how do I put it? Haha, not that normal!”

At this point, he stared directly at Shen Zhiheng, “Mr. Shen, it’s rare for us to get the chance to have a peaceful conversation like this. I once dealt you a heavy blow, and neither did you spare me. That you didn’t die is proof of your good fortune, that I didn’t die is also proof of my good fortune. Since the heavens have arranged it such that you and I are both alive to stand here today to speak to one another, I think that we should accept and treasure this chance. I know you look down on me. That’s okay. Many people look down on me, you’re not the only one. You’ve never pointed at my nose and scolded me before, that’s already proof of you giving me face. Recently, you’ve also seen my attitude; I was really trying every method to get close to you, to mend ties with you, but you never gave me the chance. So, I had no choice but to try anything in desperation and seek out Young Mistress Mi. I know that you give her face, and you owe her a favour. But you can rest assured that I’ve never threatened or scared her. What’s the point of me scaring a young lady? I just asked her to help me pass you a message. But it seems like you didn’t give her face. These few days, Young Mistress Mi has not appeared in public at all.”

Shen Zhiheng said, “You’ve gotten it the wrong way round. It’s not that I owe her a favour, she is the one who owes me a favour. Without me, she would have died in the hospital last month.”

Li Yingliang raised his head and thought, and then smiled, “Yes, yes, you have a point. If you hadn’t been there to take care of her, perhaps she really would have died of her illness. And that night, if she hadn’t been there to save you, you probably would still be able to live.” He waved his hands towards Shen Zhiheng, “Don’t be mistaken, I’m being frank here, I mean you absolutely no ill intention.”

Shen Zhiheng could hear through it, Li Yingliang was testing him. This rascal was not stupid. Everything he said was accurate, yet, Shen Zhiheng was just the type of person who was not afraid of being tested.

Meeting his gaze, Li Yingliang took a few tentative steps in his direction. “Mr. Shen, can you tell me, how on earth did you… why are you…”

For a moment, he did not know how to phrase his question. “What I mean is… logically speaking, you definitely died without a doubt. But after disappearing for a month, you reappeared, having not died at all. How?”

Shen Zhiheng shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I’m truly extremely curious.”

Shen Zhiheng suddenly smiled. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes! Can you tell me?”

Shen Zhiheng sighed, “Then you must keep it a secret for me.”

“Of course!”

“I don’t trust you, you must swear on your life.”

Li Yingliang raised his hand and straightened three fingers, “I, Li Yingliang, swear that whatever Mr. Shen tells me today, I will keep it a secret until the end. If I go back on my word, I will be punished by the heavens and get struck by lightning!”

Shen Zhiheng raised a finger and pointed at him, “You will also die without descendants and be sent to the eighteenth level of hell when you die, never to reincarnate for eternity.”

Li Yingliang really used all of his patience on Shen Zhiheng. “Okay, okay, I’ll die without descendants and be sent to the eighteenth level of hell, never to reincarnate for eternity.”

Shen Zhiheng turned his head to glance at the windows, then walked towards Li Yingliang. Li Yingliang suspected that he could sense the people waiting in ambush outside the windows. Seeing him approach him closer and closer, Li Yingliang’s calves seemed to cramp a little. But if he turned around and ran now, everything he had done these past few days would go down the drain.

Shen Zhiheng stopped in front of him. Because he was taller than him by half a head, Li Yingliang pretty much just fell into his shadow. Shen Zhiheng lowered, moving to the side of his ear, and said in a low voice, “Actually, I’m a demon.”

Then, he straightened his body, stared at Li Yingliang, and nodded his head once with certainty. “A demon.”

Li Yingliang was tongue-tied. “No–Mr. Shen, can you stop joking around with me? I’ve even already sworn on my life, and yet you’re telling me now that you’re a demon. You’re not being serious.”

Shen Zhiheng said seriously, from the bottom of his heart, “I’m really a demon. If you don’t believe me, come to my house tonight, I’ll reveal my true form to you.”

“That I don’t dare.”

“What’s there to be scared of, it’s not like I can eat you.”

Upon saying that, he could not help but swallow his saliva. He was due for a meal tonight, and so now, the second he smelled the breath of a live person, his hunger would grow. Li Yingliang glanced at the way his Adam’s apple moved up and down, and immediately felt his hairs standing. Until now, he did not believe a single word of what Shen Zhiheng said. Perhaps, demons really existed in this world, but Shen Zhiheng was definitely not something as simple as a demon.

His mouth dry, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva, “Then, what’s your true form?”

“I’ve been human for so long, I can’t remember. If you’re interested, why don’t you just see for yourself?”

Shen Zhiheng’s tone was lively, and so Li Yingliang also put on a false smile, “But to tell you the truth, I really feel like you want to eat me.”

Shen Zhiheng extended a hand and patted his shoulder. “It’s good that Chairman Li is so cautious. It’s better to be safe than sorry. But Chairman Li can rest assured, if you just concern yourself with rising through the ranks, while I just concern myself with making money, both of us minding our own business, then I wouldn’t eat you. But if you really can’t contain your curiosity and insist on playing tricks on me, then don’t blame me for a moment’s rashness.”

At this point, he lowered his voice, “Chairman Li, let me tell you, what person I am isn’t important; what’s important is whether you can live well or not.”

Li Yingliang raised his head to look at him, “So, you came here today to warn me.”

Shen Zhiheng shook his head continuously. “I’m not that kind. I never give any warnings before doing things. Wouldn’t you be wary once I give you a warning? I’m not that stupid.”

As he said this, his voice bore traces of anger as he smiled, and it was fairly gentle and kind, as if he were nagging at his little brother about the housework. Li Yingliang’s character was already quite volatile; who knew that Shen Zhiheng was actually one level above him.

Seeing Shen Zhiheng retrieve that pair of tinted glasses from his pocket, as if he was about to leave, he said in a hurry, “Can I invite you again for dinner? It just happens that it’s no longer early now, it’s just the right time.”

Shen Zhiheng put on his glasses. “I don’t eat food, I eat people.”

Then, he raised his hand and pulled Li Yingliang by his shoulder, making him turn around. With his arm draped across his shoulders, he pushed the door open, saying, “I’ll trouble you to see me out.”

The force he exerted was startlingly large, and Li Yingliang could not help but walk forward. “Mr. Shen, I feel that we should continue talking. The Japanese really want to be friends with you. I, too, personally–”

“Shut up!”, Shen Zhiheng suddenly turned towards him and roared.

With his abrupt change in demeanour, even though Li Yingliang could not see his eyes, he could see his ferocious expression, like he had lost his temper. Previously, he had been babbling pleasantly and amicably, and his temper had been better than anyone else’s. Li Yingliang had not thought that he would roar in anger without any warning. Stepping out of the doors of the committee, he watched agape as Shen Zhiheng slid into his car and left.

Li Guisheng ran up from behind him, muttering angrily, “Sir, he actually dared to yell at you.”

Li Yingliang glared. “Is it strange that he yelled at me? He even dares to kill me!”

Leaving the Japanese concession zone, Shen Zhiheng went straight to Keats Hospital.

Every alternate day, Situ Weilian would bring blood for him. And every two days, just before having his meal, he would be starving. At this time, if he was alone in a quiet place and did not get agitated by anything, nothing much would happen. But if he was suffering from starvation and a warm, fragrant live human was put in front of him, the flames of hunger would burn him to madness.

Earlier, Li Yingliang’s endless chatter had made him see red. He had tried to endure it, but in the end, he had still snapped, and had shut the bastard up with a single roar.

Seeing Shen Zhiheng’s car from inside the hospital, Situ Weilian immediately grabbed his canvas satchel and ran out, two heavy glass bottles knocking against each other in it. He opened the car door and looked at Shen Zhiheng, and as if he could read Shen Zhiheng’s mind, he placed the satchel in the car.

“You go first, I’ll come and find you tonight!”

Shen Zhiheng only glanced once at him, before instructing the driver to drive off. Arriving home a short while later, he held the canvas satchel and raced up the stairs, dashing into his bedroom.

Taking deep gulps, he drained the two large bottles of icy cold blood.

Then, he went limp in satisfaction and bliss. In the middle of his daze, he faintly felt a twinge of sorrow. He knew that he was deteriorating at an increasing rate. Perhaps, one day, he would lose his wisdom, his thoughts, his speech, leaving behind only a bloodthirsty hunger.

But he had not been born a monster. When he was fourteen, he had passed the first examination to be an official, and he had once been a talented youth with a bright future.

It was a pity that he had been a human only until the age of fourteen.

After getting off work, Situ Weilian went straight to the Shen mansion. When he entered, Shen Zhiheng had just regained his consciousness, coming down the stairs to welcome him. Situ Weilian brought the cold in with him as he stood in the building, looking around. He saw that Shen Zhiheng had evidently just taken a bath, and was now adjusting the collar of his changpao as he descended the stairs.

Looking down, Shen Zhiheng nodded and asked, “Have you had your dinner?”

“No, I ran over as soon as I got off work.”

Shen Zhiheng lifted a hand and pointed at the telephone on the wall beside the door. Situ Weilian understood. He turned around to grab the telephone, giving the nearby restaurant a call and ordering a table of dishes.

Putting down the phone, he saw that Shen Zhiheng had already walked to the sofa and was seated down there. He moved over, asking, “You were hungry in the afternoon?”

Shen Zhiheng was busy finding his cigar and a matchstick. “I was hungry.”

Situ Weilian ruffled his curly hair with a hand. “You got hungry early?”

Shen Zhiheng lit his cigar, inhaling deeply. “Weilian, one day, if, because of my hunger, I end up attacking a live person, what would you do?”

Situ Weilian felt that he was saying this a little decorously and stiffly. He smiled at once, “What would I do? What else could I do? Of course I would think of a way to find you food!”

“You won’t be afraid of me?”

Situ Weilian immediately shook his head. “You won’t suck my blood, I trust you.”

Shen Zhiheng laughed. “I don’t even trust myself, on what basis do you trust me?”

“Because we’re good friends, we care for each other [3] .”

Shen Zhiheng suddenly changed the topic, “Do you have enough money?”

“What? Are you offering me financial assistance?”

“I can offer you financial assistance, but you must help me think of an idea.”

“Go ahead!”

“When Mi Lan is at home, she can’t pass her days well. I arranged it such that she could attend choir lessons everyday and relax, but because Li Yingliang found out about our relationship and wanted to target her, it’s no longer convenient for her to leave the house. I’m very worried that she’ll get bored at home, and that she’ll also get abused by her mother.”

Situ Weilian slouched on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling. After staying silent for some time, he slapped his thigh. “Why don’t you go and tell Mrs. Mi that if she beats her daughter again, you’ll give her a taste of how formidable you are!”

“Nonsense, what do you mean taste? Do I give her a beating as well?”

Situ Weilian revealed a cunning smile. “Who said anything about beating her? Isn’t it enough to just give her a fright?”

Shen Zhiheng thought, I’ve done nothing much today, but I’ve just been scaring people. I scared Li Yingliang this afternoon, and now could it be that I’ll have to go and scare Mrs. Mi?

Situ Weilian began animatedly narrating his ingenious plan, and the more he listened, the deeper Shen Zhiheng’s frown grew.

“No way, no way. That’s a child’s game. I can’t do that.”

“Do it or not, it’s up to you. In any case, I’m not friends with Mi Lan. If her mother beats her child, I’m not the one who feels the pain.”

Shen Zhiheng laughed bitterly, still feeling that this plan of Situ Weilian’s was like a child’s prank and he was simply too embarrassed to carry it out.

Situ Weilian added on, mumbling, “Actually, you’re treating the symptoms, but not the cause. As long as she still stays in that house, you won’t be able to save her.”

“I’m simply repaying a favour,” Shen Zhiheng said.

“Without her, you won’t die. If you could die, you would have died a long time ago.”

Shen Zhiheng stared at the burning end of the cigar, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with him.

The restaurant waiter sent the dishes over and Situ Weilian had a huge feast. Full and tired, he stayed the night at the Shen mansion. At dawn, he was pushed awake by Shen Zhiheng. Then, as if they were playing around, the two of them got to work.

As they were preparing, Shen Zhiheng still felt fairly embarrassed. After busying themselves for a while, he stopped, and said to Situ Weilian, his face reddening, “Actually, I’m quite old.”

Situ Weilian laughed and “tsk”ed, “It’s alright, you look young.”

“For an old man like me to do something like this, it’s really unseemly.”

Situ Weilian squatted on the floor, laughing so hard his face had also become red. “Stop nagging, if you nag any more the sun is going to rise. Besides, what’s wrong with this? The Westerners celebrate Halloween, and even put on make-up like this on purpose!”

Shen Zhiheng stood in front of the full-length mirror. The person in the mirror was dressed in a white gown [4] , which was stained with streaks of blood. This blood happened to be the remnants from the blood bottles. Other than that, his usually meticulous hair had been messed up by Situ Weilian, and Situ Weilian had used the leftovers from his own meal to put on make-up for him. After soaking some dry bread in soup and mashing it into a glutinous paste, Situ Weilian had spread it across his face, and then dug out a packet of white powder from his leather bag and blown it across his head and face. Once the make-up was complete, Shen Zhiheng truly no longer looked like a human. He also kept gagging, the smell of food making him extremely uncomfortable.

Finally, after drenching half of his face with bright red strawberry jam, Situ Weilian turned off the lights, suppressing his snickers as he and Shen Zhiheng went their separate ways. He had driven the hospital car over, so he drove the car when he left now. He appeared to be leaving, but he actually drove the car to the back door of the mansion to pick Shen Zhiheng up.

The two of them hid from the patrol officers, driving speedily to the Mi mansion. Situ Weilian’s driving skills were quite good, and before long, he was already quietly parking the car by a wall behind the Mi mansion.

With one hand on the steering wheel and the other clamped over his mouth, he said, laughing, “Haha, Shen-xiong, go, quickly. Haha! If not, you’re going to lose your face!”

Shen Zhiheng did not dare to make any expression, but even when he was expressionless, there were still half-dried flecks of bread that dropped off from his face. He clearly knew that Situ Weilian was making use of this opportunity to find joy at his expense. Pointing at him, he made a warning gesture, and then pushed open the car door and got out of the car. Situ Weilian collapsed onto the passenger seat, extending his neck to see his silhouette. He saw him walk up to the wall. That wall was higher than him, he had to raise both of his arms high up in order to reach its top.

So, he raised both of his arms high to reach the top of the wall, and easily jumped across it, flipping himself over the wall.

For Shen Zhiheng to enter the Mi mansion, it was really effortless.

The security of this area was very good, and under Mrs. Mi’s lead, everyone in the Mi mansion lived their days muddle-headedly. If the old maids remembered to close and lock the main gates at night, that could already be considered as something done conscientiously. Shen Zhiheng pried open a window and jumped in. Previously, when he was chatting with Mi Lan, he had gained a slight understanding of the Mi mansion. So, he went directly to the second floor, entering Mrs. Mi’s bedroom.

He carefully opened the door and closed the window, and the cold wind instantly blew the curtains around, the window shutters banging around noisily as they opened and closed. In her drunken sleep, Mrs. Mi opened her eyes, only to see that a dark wind was blowing around in her room and in the pale moonlight, a tall and large figure stood before her bed. His face was an uneven mess of blood and flesh, and he was looking at her with his head lowered.

Terrified out of her wits, she opened her mouth and was about to scream, but that person suddenly raised his hand and single-handedly covered her mouth. His other large, cold hand wrapped around her neck.

That person said in a trembling, strange voice, “I am the great-grandfather of the Mi family. You evil, poisonous wench, torturing my Mi family’s descendant every day and night. Tonight, my spirit has returned just to take your wretched life.”

Mrs. Mi shook her head as if her life depended on it, becoming a shivering ball on her bed.

Then, that person said, “Since you are my descendant’s biological mother, if you repent and mend your ways, I will spare you this one time. If you dare to do it again in the future, I will definitely bring you before the ancestors of the Mi family and make you suffer in the Hell of the Blood Pool [5] !”

Then, the large, cold hand was gone, and that person flew up and out of the window. When Mrs. Mi was able to move her muscles and drag herself off the bed, the area outside the window and outside the building had long become silent again. Occasionally, a few sounds rang out as cars drove past in the distance.

Shen Zhiheng was extremely embarrassed. The second he escaped back to the car, he used his lapel to madly wipe his face and hair. After wiping for some time, he suddenly realised that Situ Weilian had disappeared.

The next second, the car door opened, and Situ Weilian jumped into the car, bringing the cold wind with him. “You’re back? So fast?”

Shen Zhiheng relaxed, and continued to wipe himself madly. “What were you doing?”

Situ Weilian started the engine, and first drove off the small lane that the Mi mansion was on. “I went to pee–”

He suddenly noticed what Shen Zhiheng was doing.

“Ai, ai, ai, stop, stop, stop. You’re making my car dirty. How can I drive it back to the hospital later? Our hospital only has this one car, my cousin would eat me!”

Shen Zhiheng ignored him, pushing the door open and jumping out. Bending down, he started retching. Just as his insides were doing somersaults, patrol whistles suddenly started echoing from nearby. He dove back into the car in a hurry.

Situ Weilian was also shocked. “They can’t be here to catch us, right?”

Shen Zhiheng was too weak to reply. Just at this moment, a patrol officer on a bicycle rode past them at the speed of lighting, shouting loudly as he went, “Guards! A demon’s on the loose!”

Situ Weilian waited until the patrol officer disappeared, before asking in a whisper, “A demon? It can’t be the one in the newspapers? What’s that, the weasel demon? The one that sucks blood.”

Shen Zhiheng paused. “I don’t know. Perhaps?”

“Sucks blood… Say, this so-called weasel demon, do you think it could be that brother you’ve been trying to find all along?”

“I still don’t know.”

Situ Weilian suddenly became spirited. “I have an idea! From tomorrow onwards, don’t sleep at night. You should come here and saunter around, and wait for that demon to come over and suck your blood. When he makes his move against you, you’ll make use of the opportunity to catch him and clarify things with him.”

Shen Zhiheng sighed, casually saying, “But what if he’s really just a demon, then what?”

“Aiyo, this old brother, what do you mean ‘just a demon’? You’re already in this state, and you’re still looking down on demons?”

“What do you mean ‘this state’? I’m even lesser than a demon?”

“You’re a vampire–”

“Shut up!”

Situ Weilian shut his mouth, driving the car straight back to the Shen mansion. When the car came to a stop at the back door of the Shen mansion, he could not help but turn around again to Shen Zhiheng, “Have you ever thought that you’re also a demon?”

Shen Zhiheng also turned to him. “No.”

The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Finally, Shen Zhiheng opened his mouth, “It’s just that my luck is bad, and got struck by this rare misfortune–”

Situ Weilian finished his words for him. “Fortunately, you met me, and all things considered, you gained a friend who knows your heart like you do.”

Shen Zhiheng nodded his head earnestly. “Yes.”

With Shen Zhiheng, Situ Weilian was never serious, and never expressed his personal thoughts. Now, in the silence of the night, he turned back to the front, and suddenly said, “I will always be a doctor. If I can’t be a doctor, I’ll be a butcher. I will supply you with blood, and I won’t let you starve to the point that you’ll attack people. I will… I will be responsible for you until the end.”

Shen Zhiheng smiled, one hand pushing open the door while the other patting Situ Weilian’s shoulder. “Okay, okay, I know. Even if you don’t say it, I know.”

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

I translated 外宅 (wài zhǎi) very loosely as “mistress” as this is probably the closest word in modern day. It literally means “external house” and refers to the women that some men “kept” and supported during the days when they could still marry one wife and have multiple concubines. These women and their children usually did not live together with the man’s main family in the same compound, hence “external”.

My wordy attempt at translating 知音 (zhī yīn), which I’ve seen translated as “bosom friend” or “soulmate” before, but I felt that none of these really accurately reflect Shen Zhiheng’s and Mi Lan’s relationship here. 知音 literally means “know sound”, and refers to someone who knows you so well, more than you know yourself. It does not necessarily have a romantic connotation. It originated from the legend of Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi from the Spring and Autumn Period (~770-481 BCE). Yu Boya was very good at playing the qin, while Zhong Ziqi was very good at listening to the qin, and Zhong Ziqi could always understand what Yu Boya was thinking of just from how the latter played the qin alone. When Zhong Ziqi died, Yu Boya destroyed his precious qin and snapped its strings, vowing to never play the qin again, because he no longer had a zhiyin and there was no longer anyone who could understand him.

The phrase used here was 有感情, which literally means “have feelings” for each other. However, I did not use this as a translation because in Chinese, it does not necessarily have a romantic connotation like it does in English.

As in changpao.

The thirteenth level of hell in Chinese mythology, where those who disrespect others are thrown into and submerged in a pool of blood.

[gatheredfates]

ELANDERVIER AUCLAIR

Nicknames: El. Age: Mid-to-late forties. I tend to play fast and loose with character ages unless specifics in the story necessitate it. Nameday: First Sun of the First Astral Moon (once again, you can see I care a lot™ about the birthdays of my characters). Race: Duskwight Elezen. Gender: Cis female. Orientation: You're implying El cares enough to think about it. She's probably somewhere in the sex-positive grey ace/demisexual camp, but let her own lack of consideration speak volumes as to its authenticity. Profession: Bog-Witch of the Northern Wilds, heretic and retainer to Firelight Trading Company. I imagine there's some kind of mythos around her as being a daemon that eats babies, but I'm hesitant to subscribe any real-world language to it.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS

Hair: Long, wavy and jet black. Eyes: Amaranthine, though her consort with the void has warped the iris. it is possible to make out some kind of sigil when standing close enough. Skin: Silvery with pale undertones. Tattoos/Scars: Ink-dark tattoos permeate every inch of skin aside from her face, though it's hard to know if they were done by a needle or magic. Gothic in nature, their elegance hides a number of symbols that imbue her with power.

FAMILY

Parents: Lord and Lady Auclair were of middling importance and their deaths did not leave an imprint upon Ishgardian society. Elandervier rarely, if ever, speaks of them. She considers her father a spineless coward and her mother a reprobate and a narcissist. Knowing they were left destitute after her actions brought her a macabre sense of glee considering they were willing to forsake her for their own comforts. Siblings: Her mother claimed she cursed her womb. El replied the insinuation gave her comfort and walked away clawed at the cheek. Grandparents: Unimportant. The only connection she has to her lineage is down the line to old Gelmorra where she believes her family had prestige. Others: Elandervier used to be in control of a cabal of voidsent accumulated from her various bargains, deals and trades. One of the few pacts kept after her assimilation to Firelight Trading Company was a voidsent by the name of Gobnip. Gobnip presents himself as an opinionated baby Ahriman who is 'contractually obligated to say all the things Elandervier won't'. Do not be fooled, however. With the right amount of aether, he can reveal his true nature.

While the witch is on retainer to Firelight Trading Company, she holds no allegiance to them proper. The only person she actively obeys is its patriarch, Rexonus; one of the first people she met on her defection from The Holy See, and one of the first people willingly abandoned when her confliction emotions around him and her birth-city came to a head. They kept in touch via occasional letters as she set up shop in the Forelands, and he rushed to her side when the blasphemy's rampage through Etheirys put her life and soul at risk. She made a pact with him, the closest language to love she understands, and uses her pragmatics and knowledge of dark magic whenever it is called upon.

She's not ignorant to the fact he has multiple lovers, she simply does not care. El holds all of them at arms reach, respectable and cooperative when she has to work collaboratively, but otherwise holds no great desire to get to know them. She's friendliest with @riftdancing's Blink due to their similar traits, but even so wouldn't necessarily call her a friend.

The person she has the most complicated feelings towards is Alaice. I won't go too in-depth into why, because it could be a whole post on its own, but it's something about being a mirror and an antithesis for her; of being so similar and diverting so extremely. Alaice is everything El abhorrers and wishes she could be, she hates her and loves her in turn, she finds her futilely weak and unfathomably strong — and she doesn't know where to put those emotions. I always write the two with an undertone of homoeroticism because I can, but also because 'love is consumption' underpins a lot of El's characterisation and it's TASTY to explore. Aka, cannibalism as a metaphor for sapphic love, vampiric 'penetration' being inherently queer, so on and so forth.

SKILLS

Abilities: Mastery over dark magic including thaumaturgy, summoning (voidsent), communion, possession, warding, etc. Midwifery. El's mother trained her as part of their family traditions and the hope her skills would elevate her as a trusted member of Ishgard high society. Even when defected, desperate women would make the long trek to Anyx Trine for fear of retribution from the Church/High Houses, and she would perform these services despite her hatred of Ishgard/Ishgardians. This is where a lot of the 'baby eater' rumours/myths originate from, as El would also perform abortions where suitable. Mostly this entailed the transference of aether from a non-viable foetus to a viable one — something the men of the gentry did not complain about when it benefited their sons (how odd)! However, El would always defer to what the women wanted over the demands of their husbands, even if this was done in secret. Hobbies: Studying the history of Gelmorra and it's traditions; foraging for herbs, mushrooms, moss and other things for potions and spells; simmering in pools of water and occasionally turning into slime.

TRAITS

Most positive trait: Elandervier is pragmatic. Above all else, she will contemplate and weigh her choices against any and all outcomes and select the most advantageous result. This may not be the easiest path, either. She is not afraid of tough decisions and hard work. Worst negative trait: She's spiteful. She's petty. She wants to make people suffer as she has suffered. Her moral compass is misaligned at best, deadly at worst, and she doesn't care for consequence. She's not a good person despite doing a few good things and she doesn't want to be.

LIKES

Colours: Black, green, purple and red. Smells: Anything earthy. Peat moss, freshy-turned earth and the scent of rain. The rust of blood. That smell you get when you get too close to a fire and you swear it's singeing your nose hairs. Textures: El is at home with anything that other people find revolting; slimy, spiny, soggy, etc. Drinks: Though partial to a red, El will drink anything. She can't afford to be picky when out in the middle of nowhere.

OTHER DETAILS

Smokes: When in Firelight Trading Company, yes. Tobacco is hard to come by otherwise, so she ends up quitting by proxy. Drinks: When she can. Guests often elected to bring her 'offerings' when in need of their services. She wasn't one to complain. Drugs: This one is tricky. I feel like things like hallucinogenic mushrooms and the like were probably an occasional indulgence, and she's a potions/medicine master of some renown. However, drugs as this sheet implies? No. Mount Issuance: If Gobnip is big enough she will ride him. :) Been Arrested: Good luck! Many have tried and failed!

Tagged by: @lilbittymonster — at least for this one! I'm going to try and do one character per tag. Tagging: @humblemooncat, @chainsofaether, @blackestnight, @mmorpg-escapism, @cadrenebula, @ascendedhypothesis, @ishgard & @allyennah! If you'd like a chance of being tagged, you can like my permanent interaction call here!

[local-pr1nter]

Kiyotaka Ishimaru Ship Dynamics!

These are my personal opinions and headcanons! If you do not like them then please move on!

Assume these are all based in a Non-Despair AU!

Ishimondo

I've mentioned them before multiple times, but they're just that good and I adore them.

Real sweethearts and adore each other.

I've spoken about them multiple times now though so I'll just add some small things.

Daiya teases the two of them relentlessly. He refers to Taka as his brother-in-law and it always makes Mondo turn red- either with rage or embarrassment, who knows.

Takaaki was not a fan of the relationship at first, but eventually warmed up to Mondo after seeing how happy he made Taka- and not to mention how Mondo's changed immensely since they first met.

Daiya was the one to fully encourage Takaaki to just support them. He invited the Ishimarus over for dinner one night and it went lovely- after Mondo and Takaaki bickered for a while of course. Overall, it was a nice moment between all of them.

Takaaki eventually warms up to Mondo so much that he reveals that he also used to ride back when he was younger (I think it would be funny AND would shock everyone- not even Taka would know, shocking him the most.)

Ishikuro

YEAAAAH ANOTHER PERSONAL FAVORITE OF MINE

I love the concept of two people learning how to be in a relationship when they don't get social cues or haven't had anything similar to a romantic relationship before.

I think they have a lot of potential as a couple.

Outspoken hall monitor x stoic soldier lets fucking go.

Either of them could've fallen first, but neither of them would've realized it at first. Mukuro would acknowledge it, but not have any clue of how to go about it, so would bury the feelings down deep inside and just try to ignore it. Kiyotaka would slowly realize it, only to freak out and panic because AHHHHHHH NEW FEELINGS ARE SCARY-

But once he calms down and accepts his feelings he'd probably bring it up with his friends. Leon would freak out about it but Chihiro, Hiro, and Mondo would be fully supportive about it. They'd help him ask her out before following them on their date to make sure nothing goes wrong (cough Junko cough)

Which speaking of-

Junko would NOT be happy with Mukuros crush. Mostly because she's not a fan of Kiyotaka, doesn't wanna lose Mukuros attention, and is jealous that someone actually chose her out of the two of them.

She'd probably try to sabotage their first date in any way she can, but of course Mondo, Chihiro, Leon, and Hiro are bros™ and won't let her ruin it.

And would you look at that! The date goes well!

Taka and Mukuro are very low-key and slow with their relationship- their first kiss had them bright red within minutes and neither of them could speak.

Like they had a system reset or some shit.

Against PDA, Taka wouldn't be very touchy with her in public. Even then, as they're still getting used to a romantic relationship, they aren't very touchy with each other. The most they'll do is cuddle in bed, either after Mukuro wakes up from a nightmare or Kiyotaka gets overwhelmed and shuts down.

In public, the most they would do is hold hands. It makes them both very happy.

They both just wanna take things slow and not ruin anything.

Mukuro is definitely a follower in this relationship, but Taka always encourages her to speak up or let him know if she's uncomfortable or if they wanna do something else together. She always appreciates being treated as an equal in the relationship.

After a while I think Mukuro is the one who likes to touch the most. Mostly holding his hand, arm, pinkie, or the strap of his bag whenever they walk. Almost like she wants everyone to know that she cares about this dork and if anyone touches him she will beat them up.

Both very protective of one another, Mukuro more than Taka but still both of them are very protective.

[bigahhhhhhhh]

A quick analysis that I thought about on Akusuya based on Leo and Suya's chapters...

It's something that I forgot to mention is that, whenever it is a Leo chapter, Leo has the worst impressions of himself, and says he has done something wrong, even though either he regrets them and tries to improve and or has quite the good reasons for that; while Suya is literally just behaving the same way he just inquired wrong without any reason and or trying to stop herself whatsoever. Like in chapter 111 and 112 where he thought of himself as a stalker (even though he did that for justifiable reasons considering he has to keep her in check lol), while it was revealed in chapter 71 and more explicitly in chapter 143 that Suya's stalks him all the time just because she likes his smell and his room's smell; and or in this chapter when she gives him the wrong idea of what she actually wanted to do... I think that's a neat detail, and actually might be quite the hint that maybe, just maybe Leo internalized hate might be just a way he views himself that is completely different from the way Suya views himself... Notice that whenever somebody makes a mistake Suya is able to point it out, and is quite snarky; while when Leo does it she quickly tries to help him out and or justifies it, such like in the chapter where he interrogates Zastur, chapter 209, and, 153, 350 and 351 and others… 

One example of those behaviors are chapter 99 and 350-51.

(Notice how Leo is afraid of creatina a misunderstanding between the two of them, and right after Suya is the one that does that; and in chapter 351 he is afraid of touching her body or violating her autonomy or thinks that she is having the worst time of her life while she is playing in his tail and literally dresses in his body, once again DOING EXACTLY what he was afraid of doing).

Also, she is always saying how nice he is with her and many other things and in many instances seems to be extremely jealous of him too lol, also not caring much about personal boundaries, etc.

Chapter 112 and 281

In my opinion she has probably somewhat already realized she likes Leo very early on in the series... More specifically before chapter 71, like maybe around 48 - 55 around that time, maybe even before considering we have no idea when exactly she started going to his room, like if it's around chapters 48-55 to 143 than MAYBE she has been stalking him for more than a year or even like maybe 2 years; 

71 and 143, and 42. Considering Suya know exactly the MOMENT to catch Leonard's clothes, and she can actually mimick some of his behaviors really well as shown in 26? It might be fair to think she is been stalking him for a very long while now...

But notice how her behaviors in chapter 70, 71, and in another one where they actually have a pajama party, are very, and I mean very odd for her… (I can't find this chapter, but there is a chapter where Bussy?? And Harpy are in a pajama party with Suya and she is acting truly weird whenever they mention the Cleric incident, though notice that she never corrects herself when mentioning sleeping with somebody again, or ever stops coming to his room; if somebody knows what chapter it is to back up my evidence I would be glad lol).

Like, as if idk, she was really bothered by the thought that others might think she likes the Cleric? Who knows??

Also, considering Tumblr only accepts 10 photos per post, I will just say the chapters to notice things about and then you guys reread and pay attention to Suya's behaviors, and patterns and there is a lot going on in the background... Leo's narration is an UNRELIABLE ONE so it's not a good idea to go listening to him considering that every time he is proven to be wrong about Suya's feelings towards him...

Considering chapters like 310, 337, and many more and also chapter 71 as my one and most powerful proof of this Shipp to be canon in the end, I supposed that maybe Suya feels the same way towards Leo, whoever her being... You know, Suya... She doesn't quite know how to express it, I honestly think that Leo's feelings aren't exactly unrequited, just... You know... He is more going through somewhat of a 5 stages of grief regarding his love life, he is now, at this very moment going through the stages of denial to acceptance considering he is starting to have the courage to ask her out, etc... So yeah... Probably..?? But idk…

Besides if you guys notice it too in chapters such as 234, you might notice another interesting detail, Suya realizes that Kamosh is not Leo the moment he is around... Only stopping the act at the end, at least that's the impression I got, considering she is able to notice who he is quite quickly in per example the chapter where she is selling stuff lol; and in that chapter 234 Kamosh is very critical of Suya, saying she isn't quite the girl for Leo because she doesn't like him, and most likely sees him just as a friend or something of sorts... HOWEVER as soon as she says that he can't touch her hair because he isn't Leo, he suddenly changes his mind, and remember that besides not liking the idea of Leo liking Suya because she apparently doesn't seem to understand how he feels he also doesn't like the idea of him dating a human too.

Whoever that quickly changes once he views them together... Another thing is that Hypnos might be aware that Suya likes Leo too, considering chapter 221, Suya looks extremely happy in giving him a massage while also happy that he is giving her one, Hypnos told her that if she wanted one she needed to be quiet, and even though it wasn't quite the long massage she really appreciated it; AND in chapter 337 Midnight suddenly appears in the sky and helps Kamosh and Suya so, maybe he also knows what's up??... Anyways... I love to overanalyze stuff.

 

See chapter 234, 221 and 337 (for better understanding and notice Suya's and also the others reactions.

So logic comes this way: both Suya and Leo like each other but are afraid of rejection, Suya according to the chapters is mostly rejected no matter what she does, only in the end after she pushes his boundaries she is actually able to get closer to him, while whenever LEO is the one to invite her over or when something is for him she stops absolutely everything she is doing EVEN SLEEPING just for him, notice that pattern such like in chapters 79, 337, 55, 48, 289, and many, many more.

And some characters like Midnight, Hypnos and Kamosh already realized that, but aren't going to interfere much, mostly Kamosh and Hypnos will but only when they feel like it or if they notice that Leo needs their help somewhat.

Also, also another thing important to infer; Leo is the one that is mostly on his own mind, and is more aloof to the whole thing while Syalis is the one pursuing him; the chapters are mostly from Leo's perspective whoever if we analyze them correctly they come CLOSER to Syalis behaviors and thought process... So according to what we can infer from the manga…

So yeah, that's my case. Suya likes him back but is afraid of going after him because she probably thinks he is going to turn her down no matter what she does... Which kind of is true considering Leo's behavior of wanting everything under control and also in need of explanations for things that don't actually need one lol; which honestly also if that's the case, Suya isn't as wrong to think that way considering what happened at chapter 310, which was basically her wanting to go on a date with him, only for him to misinterpret her actions as herself wanting something in the human world dragging him alone and giving him more work lol (which honestly also understandable because she is INDEED a walking mass of destruction see chapter 130 for reference, he must’ve remembered that to be more specific.); at least that's how I see, if that's where it keeps on going, maybe the ending will be them together after all…

[theblogghoulette]

Graceful, Batman. (Papa Emeritus IV x Reader Fluff)

Hiya! Back again with another Twitter writing! This is just a little fluffy thing inspired by Copia’s batwing outfit- I swear I love this man sm. Hope you enjoy!

Word count: 1089

AO3 chapter: here

Copia had been very excited to switch up his wardrobe after becoming Papa. It was truly overwhelming how many outfits he put together, and of course he needed a second opinion. Neither Nihil nor Sister Imperator would spare the time of day for his little fashion show, there was far too much to do around the Ministry. There was, however, one other person he knew he could count on to give opinions nearly as important as his own- and that was you. You, what others would see as a normal sibling of sin, were special in Copia’s eyes. Not only did he value your opinions, but also your company and friendship. So he sent an invitation to your chambers asking you to meet him in his. 

It was later in the day, so you had finished your tasks for the day already. Quickly grabbing something to eat, you made your way down the winding halls, wondering what the important business Copia wanted to discuss was. Whatever it was, you were always nervous when he formally invited you to visit him. In normal terms, he’d find you in the hall during the day and invite you to ‘hang out’ later that evening, which you would obviously accept. A lot of the siblings had not been very fond of their new Papa, but you never had any distaste for him. In fact, you quite liked Copia. He had a calming aura around him and surely he appreciated you accepting him as the new satanic pope. At least, he let on a sense of favoritism towards you. Which is the reason you’re here, knocking on his door in the late evening upon request. 

The door swings open to reveal Copia in his bathrobe and new papal makeup, excitedly motioning for you to come inside. Once you’re in the room, he shuts the door and pulls you in for a tight hug. “Thank you so much for coming on such short notice,” he says as he pulls away from you. “It’s no problem at all, Papa,” you reply with a smile. Copia lightly grabs your hand and leads you sit on his small couch. You take your seat and look up at him, confused. “What was the important business, Papa?” You asked. His face flushed with embarrassment, momentarily returning to the nervous and feeble man he was when he was the Cardinal. Once he composed himself, he answered your question. “Well, I was hoping you could give me an opinion on the outfits I’ve put together for the next tour.” You stifled the laugh threatening to escape as you nod, accepting your role as fashion expert for the night. 

Copia’s face brightened at your agreement to help him. He knew he could count on you. Quickly, he shuffled into his bathroom and closed the door. You waited patiently, hearing the sound of something falling and a few mumbled curse words before the bathroom door opened and Copia stepped out in his first outfit, walking towards you and giving you a spin. He had black pants that looked like they had been chewed up by a dog, but somehow worked so well paired with a black button up shirt, the sleeves ending with frills. “Aw, I think it looks great on you!” You say, gazing up and down his body in observance. He grinned, running behind him and picking up a few mismatched objects to show you. 

“I have a ton of accessories to go on top, too! There’s this vest, these jackets, this cool hat!” Copia showed you everything he had put together excitedly, almost like a little kid. It was so heartwarming to see him this psyched up. You observed every accessory as he tried them on, giving him your approval whenever he looked at you with his bright, mismatched eyes. When he put the hat on proudly, he stopped and grinned devilishly. He had a sudden idea and you could see the gears turning in his head as he took his hat off and handed it to you. “I have one more accessory. Wait here!” He said, backing away slowly and bumping into the doorframe before slipping back into the bathroom. 

Patiently, you waited. You tried ignoring the giggles erupting from the other room, unsure of what exactly you needed to be prepared for. The door creaked open slightly and you leaned to get a better view. “Close your eyes!” Copia shouted from hiding. You did as you were told, feeling suspicious but trusting it wouldn’t be too bad in the end. The floorboards creaked as he approached you softly. There was a squeaking noise coming from somewhere, it sounded like… leather? ‘Surely he didn’t get a leather outfit,’ you thought. A waft of air hit your face and a whoosh sound was heard. It almost sounded like a cloak had been thrown. “Open them!” He instructed. When you opened your eyes, there was Copia. He stood before you with bat wings, in what you assumed was supposed to be a “scary” pose.

You couldn’t hold back your giggles  as you stared at him, brandishing the most serious look he’d ever worn on his face. He looked offended when you began laughing and went to lower his arms. Before he could do that, though, you wrapped yours around his figure and pulled him in for a tight hug. With a sigh, he returned the favor and wrapped you in his wings. No matter how disappointed he was that he didn’t scare you, Copia could never turn down a hug. “I didn’t scare you, did I?” He asked sadly. “You terrified me, Papa.” You replied. He perked up upon hearing this, “Really?” You nodded into his chest, pulling away enough to look up at him. His wings were still draped over you. “You should try to scare people on stage,” you suggested with a warm smile. He smiled back and nodded his head. “Good idea.”

You investigated the wings closer, honestly impressed at the detail. Copia then gasped, pulling you out of thought. “Oh, I forgot! Would you like to see my papa robes?” Excitedly, you nodded. “Yes, of course!” He outstretched his wings and ran towards the bathroom as if he was flying. It was cute and funny until he ran directly into the door frame again, bonking his head. You winced at his pain, only laughing when he sat up and rubbed his head with a chuckle. “Graceful, Batman,” you laughed. Copia glared at you and disappeared to the bathroom.

[tobiasdrake]

The very last bauble. The very last hangout. As we move towards the conclusion to it all, we've heard from Vivia about what he wants us to bear in mind. Now it's time to hear what guidance Yakou has to offer us.

Oh, okay, we're gonna give him a pep talk. Disappointing to the very end, aren't you?

Really. We're really going to spend the last hangout yet again shilling the OTP that remains mired in the exact same place it was in way back in the Chapter 2 rooftop epilogue?

The answer, Yakou, is that it's not. Things are not going. There's been lots of blushing and lots of awkward pauses but nobody has said or done a single thing yet because writers despise romance despite how hard they try to inject it into their stories.

Ooh, Yuma doesn't know but that is a painful question.

*spit take* NOT SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT, FUCKING HELL.

God fucking dammit man. Even if you're making it up, "I was so great at cheating, you wouldn't even BELIEVE" is a terrible thing to make up. It doesn't need to be true to reflect poorly on your values.

I'm going straight back to the homunculus testing site so I can push you dipshit ass off a cliff.

This is the worst final hango--

Why was that Fubuki's final conversation topic!? Ew ew ew ew DX

This is the second-worst final hangout!

...wait.

Hold up.

Is he talking about actual kittens?

Or that, I suppose. Still, the way he chose to play this up has caused my opinion of him to nonetheless sink lower. It's not about whether he did or did not "three- or four-time". It's about the fact that he considers the image he tried to sell to be an admirable presentation of masculinity in the first place.

"LOL It's so cute how they'd get jealous whenever they'd find out about my other girlfriends!" This kind of casual misogyny is exactly the kind of behavior that makes me loathe "guy talk". Men will take one look at you, see a kindred bro, and then proceed to say the grossest shit to you with absolutely no filter whatsoever.

Too late, damage already done. There is no salvaging your reputation from here.

Now we're getting to the meat of it. I expected Yakou to give a counterargument to Vivia, but they seem to be on the same page.

Vivia asks, "Is it always right to reveal a cruel truth?"

Yakou says, "You need to put Kurumi's wellbeing first."

These both feel like things that are going to be important for Yuma to carry with him in the final confrontation with Makoto. Which is why the two baubles were put here.

It's not, and I hate that you think that. This exact mindset, that men only exist for women and nothing else, is a major contributing factor to toxic masculinity.

This conversation must be, like, right before Chapter 5. Yakou's getting ready to carry out Huesca's murder. That's why he's trying to connect with Yuma like this.

Yakou Furiou. I didn't think very highly of him when I met him. But then I got to know him and see new sides to his personality. And through that journey, I was able to learn that I was overestimating him and adjust my opinion even lower.

I don't like Yakou on a personal level. I don't hold his drinking or his grief against him. He's a damaged man who's been through some trauma. But he's also a frequent obstacle who has gross opinions and mostly gets in the way.

Nonetheless, I still stand behind him 100% in the murder of Dr. Huesca. Like I said before, I'm not fond of Yakou the Detective but I adore Yakou the Murderer. That we were all able to pull together and carry off the Crime of the Century to avenge Yakou's wife and assassinate the most well-guarded man in Kanai Ward?

Yeah. I'm proud of that. We did it. Huesca isn't Yakou's victim. He's our victim. We made this happen for Yakou and I have no regrets about it. I'd kill Huesca again if Yuma would let me. Shove him over that railing and let him be a malfunctioning immortal in a pit at the bottom of the secret lab.

Yakou isn't someone I would want to hang out with for an evening. But I'm glad he found his closure, even if this was the only way he could.

[starrylayle]

what are your opinions on Severus snape and lily evans, as individual characters and as friends?

oooh thanks for asking!! i love talking abt hp characters and their relationships with each other ajhkasgfi. warning tho, this is very looooooong.

ok let's start with severus first because i feel like my relationship with him has been the most... turbulent lol.

SEVERUS SNAPE

i was pretty neutral on snape's character when i was first reading the series, perhaps leaning more to dislike. It wasn't until DH where it was revealed that snape was in love with lily the whole time 13 year old me was SHOOK. i became the biggest snape stan and snily shipper. I hated both James and sirius (still loved remus tho lol). and i remember watching so many snape youtubers and yeah i would write praragraphs defending this man and how lily should have chosen him. lmao now u all know abt my snapie past.

However, during my next reading, in about 2018, i began to see snape's flaws more. I was also very active on the wattpad hp fandom (yes shhh ik) and a lot of my friends loved the marauders as characters (they were not in the marauders fandoms, they just liked the characters) and a lot of them hated snape. And then i began to hate snape too lol. However, i really enjoyed reading and watching videos that dissected his character. and i still watched videos from snape stans

i then joined the marauders and atyd fandom in 2021 and now was a pro snape hater. like mans was now the definition of pure evil. Made hating snape a personality trait lol. Though he was the worst of the worst.

it wasn't until late 2023/early 2024 when i became fed up with mauraders fandom and how they fanonise everything. especially considering so many of them stan regulus (which the way they characterise him in fanon is how canon kid snape was depicted anyway) and barty and evan and all those fucking death eaters who were wayyyy worse than snape ever was -- but no, snape is sill for some reason the No.1 evil.

now, i feel like snape is a much more interesting character than people give him credit for, and especially as a kid, was not as bad as marauders fans depict him to be. However, I don't really interact with the snape fandom so much because i feel like they either ignore excuse the shittier things he did as an older teen/adult. I am also of the opinion that James and sev were rivals, and it wasn't a bullying situation but yeah. i wish there were more people who enjoyed both the marauders and severus who didn't make either or both to be saints lol

LILY EVANS

Ok, I'll be honest, Lily's character did not really interest me until I read atyd. To be fair, jkr spent a a lot of time characterising harry's dad and his friends, but we were not given too much info on Lily, and almost no info on if she had any other friends besides severus.

I loved Lily's friendship with Mary and Marlene in atyd, and of course with Remus. and i loved how her personality in that fic to. I don't consider that fic to be canon compliant now and don't agree with a lot of the characterisations but it was still pretty good.

Lily was a bit too sensible in atyd, and whenever we're given descriptions about her from slughorn for instance, or her personality in SWM, she's presented as 'vivacious' and cheeky' so i like to think that she wasn't really a hermione 2.0 but rather more similar to snarky and sassy harry, tho perhaps more popular and well-loved. Her and James were totally academic rivals to lovers omg.

SEVERUS SNAPE & LILY EVANS

ok now onto what i think u really wanted me to address - sev and lily's relationship.

No, i don't think sev was 'obssessed' with Lily, i think he truly loved her but he was also a selfish person. (however tho, how would sev convince voldy to spare harry,, like that was literally all voldy was after like....)

anyways, as kids, they were very close -- maybe a little codependant. I imagine Lily was always facinated with Sev his talk about magic, and to sev, Lily was an escape from his abusive homelife. I think they both may have had a little crush on each other pre-hogwarts.

As they went to hogwarts, they grew apart as they were placed in different houses. Snape was surroundd by pureblood facists which slowly radicalised him, and Lily began making friends in Gryffindor. A war tensions grew, i can imagine snape and Lily's relationship became more tense and strained, and no one knew why they stuck together. But they knew things about each other that no one else did and understood each other in ways no one else could. However, after SWP, it was clear that they were heading down different paths so lily cut him and that was that.

Lily always felt hurt after their break up, but she had supportive friends to keep her afloat. Snape however, was filled with guilt, bitterness and regret and thus became deeply radicalised. I don't think tho that Snape was very high in the death eater rank until the search for harry/prophecy was on.

anyways still mulling things over but yeah, i think they're both facinating and i'd love to see their relationship explored in complexity in more fics!

[nomsnax]

Color Symbolism and Character Design

I may be the absolute last person to see this, but I just realized that the predominant color in each of the grumpuses designs reflects aspects of their character! So naturally, I organized a list of those grumpuses, colors, what they symbolize, and how it relates to the character. I couldn't say much about Shelda, so sorry. Feel free to add on with examples or other things you've noticed related to this!

Cromdo is red, symbolizing passion, anger, and warning. Cromdo's character is full of passion, as he is determined to meet his goals at any hefty price, including stealing, scamming, and generally manipulating. He is also agressive in game, annoyed whenever talking to another grumpus. When approached, he has a short temper and will respond in such a way to the player and the other Snaxburg citizens. He also has a bad reputation with stealing and lying, which implies 'warning', as he isn't to be trusted easy.

Wiggle is orange, symbolizing flamboyance and success. Wiggle's character is very animated, always swaying and singing to speak. She is also a popular musician who was top of the charts, hence 'success.'

Clumby is also orange, symbolizing impatience, being over the top, and adventure. During the beginning of the game when we meet Clumby, we can tell from her dramatic reactions to the film we're shown and our conversation with her, that she is an impatient and 'over the top' character, as she slams her fists into the desk and has a short temper when dealing with the journalist, and their previous failure. The 'adventureous' aspect of her character comes from after the DLC, when it is revealed that she has connection with Snaktooth island and the conspiracy behind it and the Snakolytes. From this information, we can assume she had a similar experience to the journalist, when trying to find a good story on the mysterious island.

Snorpy is yellow, symbolizing caution and fear. Snorpy's character suffers from paranoia about government conspiracies, and takes extreme caution to protect himself and his lover from the imagined threats, going to lengths such as [using the player to] capture different bugsnax he suspects to be related to the Grumpinati, keeping tracking devices on his loved ones, and having machines made in preparation for future bad events. This is the part of Snorpy's personality that is cautious and fearful.

Triffany is green, symbolizing acceptance and earth. Triffany is very calm, instantly jumping back to a normal tone after discussing a heavy topic, as well that she is content with the fact that life ends. She is very accepting of death and other issues within life. She is an archeologist and explores old history. This aspect, obviously, relates to 'earth'.

Chandlo is light green, symbolizing productivity and peacefulness. Every morning, Chandlo's character goes on a run, and a huge aspect of his character is exercise and taking care of himself. He's never not doing something, showing his character to value productivity. Another big part of his personality is how peaceful he is. Every time he speaks, it is very mellow and cool, and he shows that he is a peacemaker when characters break into a fight, and he breaks it up.

Wambus is blue, symbolizing honesty, responsibility and stubborness. Wambus's character isn't afraid to voice his honest opinions, especially when they conflict other's. He is a hard worker when it comes to his farming, which is an occupation that requires a lot of responsibility and accountability, which Wambus has no lack of. Similarly, when he had to chose between his farm and wife, he stuck with his farm, believing in himself over everything else, showing his quality of being stubborn and unwilling to adapt and change.

Filbo is light blue, symbolizing harmony. Filbo's character is fairly neutral. He tries his best to bring everyone together, doing all he can to help out and make friends. The way Filbo strives to being people together throughout the entire story in the game shows his ability to bring harmony.

Floofty is purple, symbolizing ambition and uniqueness. Floofty's character is full of determination when it comes to their work. They will push limits, moral and physical, to acomplish their goals. These aspects show that Floofty is ambitious. Floofty is also quite different from the other citizens. They stand out from the crowd, from their autistic traits, to gender identity and expression, to their rudeness to all persons. This aspect of their character represents their uniqueness.

Beffica is also purple, symbolizing royalty. While Beffica isn't actual royalty, her personality can be described as such, in the way that she acts better than everyone. Beffica's character holds a position of justice above everyone, as she collects slander and secrets against the other grumpuses, exposing them against better judgement.

Gramble is pink, symbolizing sympathy, sensitivity, and love. Gramble, from the moment we meet him, is shown to be a sympathetic and emotional character. He cares deeply for his pets, putting himself in their place when he makes his stance on eating bugsnax clear. This represents his sympathetic personality. Gramble is not afraid to show emotion or cry, and he does get emotionally involved a lot, especially when it comes to the bugsnax and how he precieves they feel. This, of course, shows his sensitivity. Lastly, love is symbolized through his focus on caring for the snax and towards Wiggle. He happily opens his arms to new members to join his found family.

Shelda is brown, symbolizing nature. Shelda's character is very connected to a religion that is based around the ideas of nature and earth. Her whole character is around the way she values the earth and its creations, denying bugsnax, as they are a parasite and in her eyes, not natural.

Eggabell is white, symbolizng virtue and delicacy. Eggabell has high moral standards when it comes to other's health. She will give up things, such as when she demands the player and Filbo go back to Snaxburg after they try to get through the endgame door, to protect other people and their well being. She believes in helping others with their health, and will strive to keep her loved ones safe, healthy, and protected. Eggabell is also a delicate character, because so much of her self worth is dependent on her ability to doctor others and prove herself as someone worthy. One event, such as when she failed to help the grumpuses and they proceeded to yell at her, can cause her mental wellbeing to shatter, and she feels worthless afterwards.

Lizbert is gray, symbolizing compromise and control. Lizbert's character is the leader, and with that role, comes the ability as a person to bring compromise. Although we know very little about Lizbert's character through gameplay, we can assume things about her. For one, when she went missing, Snaxburg fell apart. While she was still there and the active leader of Snaxburg, she must have had the ability to compromise and bring such different types of grumpuses together under the idea of a singular goal. The 'control' is related to her role of being a leader, and how she knows how to change a situation or fix it.

Alegander is black, symbolizing mystery. At the end of the game, we hear Alegander's voice speaking to Clumby. Before the DLC, we had no idea who this character was, only that he had some part in the bugsnax, and the conspiracy behind it. After the DLC, we know a bit more relating to his character and the Snakolytes, but we only ever meet him through his recordings, and for the most part, he is still a mystery.

[tiktokonaclock]

The Siren and The Demon Chapter 8

“Enter.”

“Yes Sire.”

Ren entered the emperor's study with slow steps. It was a surprisingly cozy looking room with bookshelves covering entire walls. There was also a fireplace and a gramophone that was probably older than Ren himself. It was the type of room Ren imagined himself having when he was Barodius’ age, if he could ever get as old as him, that is.

The room was dimly lit with artificial light coming from the window. Gundalia did not have sunlight, this was as bright as it could get. And it was almost completely dark outside.

It was also always cold in Gundalia. Yet, Ren's Palms were sweaty as he tried to ignore the burning feeling in his stomach.

“Relax, Ren.” Barodius said as if he sensed it. “Are you nervous?” He crossed his arms and legs.

“No sire.”

“Good, You shouldn't be. Only my most trusted subjects have the privilege entering my private sanctuary.”

“I am truly honored sire." Ren said, avoiding Barodius’ piercing gaze.

“Don't norrow your eyes Ren!”

Barodius’ calm voice suddenly boomed like thunder. “It is a is a sign of weakness. And I hove zero tolerance for weakness.”

“I-“

“Despite your team’s many loses, I still see a lot of promise in you.”

“Thank You Sire."

A small smile appeared on his lips. “Tell me what's happening with the others.”

“I am not sure I understand what you mean.”

“I mean if you know anyone who is Sneaking behind." He paused for a moment. "Behind our backs.”

“No Sire."

“Are you sure? Isn't there anyone who acts

Somehow suspicious?”

Ren didn’t want to be the whistleblower and reveal Nurzak’s opinions, which were critical of Barodius. He had to think of something else to say to save himself From the situation . Something harmless..Something that woulan't throw anyone under the bus, yet would ensure Barodius that he would 've eagerly played the whisteblower if he knew anything.

“Zenet!” Ren said.

“Zenet?”

“Yes.” In the end of the day, what could this 16 year old girl hove anything to hide that would be he harmful or important for anyone? Reg assumed it to be something irrelevant, like a boyfriend or a crush, or even poorly written fanficton that she was hiding in that phone of hers. He knew people her age, and also his own age ironically, tented to keep their phones private, even if they had nothing to hide.

“Zenet has always been overly protective of her phone, Someone calls her and she hides the screen, gets away from us to answer it and she… well she basically freaks out whenever someone comes near her phone.”

“Do you know why? Did she say anything?”

“No, sire.”

“Okay Ren, You may leave.”

Ren bowed down and turned to the door.

“Tell Zenet that I wish to see her, immediately.” Barodius added.

As a shapeshifter, Zenet hod always been aware of the fact that putting on a convincing act is the most Valuable skill for her, as without a proper performance her Shapeshifting ability would be pretty useless.

The drama lessons she took from Jesse, who was immensly happy to educate another person about his hyper fixation, could quite literally sove her life now.

She needed to convince the emperor that she was worthy to be kept alive.

“Welcome.” Barodius said.

She decided to mirror his calm and collected attitude for the time being. “Thank you sire.”

He was watching her with a piercing gaze, he wasn't even blinking.

“ Zenet, do you..” He finally asked with a small pause. “Do you dye your hair?”

“Huh?”

It took her a moment to realize how rude her reaction must have sounded. “Yes.” She said , desperately trying to save face. “I do, dye my hair.”

"When did you start to dye it?” He asked as his chin leaned on his hand, making him look a little too invested in the conversation.

“I was really young, I can’t remember exactly when but I think it was… sixth grade?”

The emperor looked at his computer screen.

“That would be.. l2 years old?”

"I think so, yeah..”

“What's your real color?

“It's red-brownish."

"Is it? Or is it more red-ish?

“Your majesty, if you don’t mind me asking, why do you care?”

Zenet was so scared of getting electroshocked then and there, but he didn't seem mad. In fact, he was smiling.

He turned the computer screen to her. “Is this you, Zenet?”

On the computer, Zenet saw her identification profile on the orpharage she grew up in untill she was old enough to attend the military’s boarding school. 8 year old Zenet with dark red hair was smiling at her without of care.

“Yes.” She could finally say. “That is me.”

Barodius turned his Computer back to himself.

“You were a cute kid.”

“Thank you sire."

Stay calm. Stay Calm.

“Are you hiding something, Zenet?” He asked, Finally coming to the point.

“Hiding something? From you?”

“From me, from your team mates, from everyone else?”

“I-no sire.” She tried her best to look convincing.

Barodius leaned back on his seat. "Look, Despite your team’s many losses, I still see a lot of promise in you. I don’t want you to share the same Fate with the others." A reassuring Smile appeared on his face. “But if I am gonna protect you, I need to know things about you.”

“The things you see on that screen are all there is to know about me." She said. "I am an open book, I don't have any Secrets.”

“Are you sure?”

Zenet wasn’t sure if he was annoyed or slightly entertained.

“Yes.” She forced a smile.

"Okay. If you don't have anything to add, you may leave.”

Zenet turned around. What Gill said earlier was ringing in her ears; Zenet you don’t get any privileges Just because you are my daughter.

The door opened. As she walked out, she could feel the anxiety and fear coming back to her body.

She would go back to her room and continue to lay down in her bed, getting anxious and depressed, overthinking, and not being able to anything to change her situation.

She didn't want to go back. She wanted Something to change, to something to work out, to something to progress.

She wanted to be able to do something.

She had barely walked out of his study. She turned back and rushed. The guards did not stop her as she pushed the door open and stormed in.

Barodius lifted his head. They made eye contact. Then, he smiled. He gave her a silent permission with his hand.

“Master Gill. He is... He is my father.”

Note: I know this one is a little short, but I am going to make it up <3 I wanted to make a few shorter chapters instead of making one long chapter, I think it will be more fun this way :))) .

[wastelandmoony]

Déjà Vécu: Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen : Coward

Summary: Remus finds a way to communicate. James finds a way to help a friend.

Characters: Remus Lupin/Reader, Sirius Black/Reader (no use of y/n), James Potter, Petter Pettigrew, Regulus Black, Marlene McKinnon, Mary MacDonald

Warnings: Minors DNI, 18+ only!, angst, anxiety/overwhelming feelings, language, mentions of death and self harm, mentions of abuse, mentions of drinking.

Read on AO3

Companion Playlist

Déjà Vécu Masterlist

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December 22nd, 1972

As the days grew closer to Winter Break, the more withdrawn Sirius became. None of them dared touch the subject of his family, though they all knew the unspoken truth of everything. Leading up to day of their departure, they all made it a point to cheer Sirius up at any cost; whether that meant James taking him out for quidditch practice more often, or her and Remus skipping their scheduled library time in lieu of listening to records in the Gryffindor Common Room. Peter found it harder than the rest, trying his best to help distract his friend. The two were like oil and water sometimes, Sirius frequently becoming annoyed with Pete over trivial things such as chess moves, quidditch rules, and (most ardently) opinions on David Bowie (Pete seemed to think he was ‘too flashy’, preferring the likes of Bob Dylan when it came to muggle music). One person that didn’t have a difficult time distracting Sirius seemed to be Mary, of whom he was beginning to spend more and more time with. Mary was sweet, funny, and absolutely gorgeous, so it only made sense that she would set her sights on one of the fittest boys in their year. She began to sit with them during meals, sandwiched between Sirius and her best friend Marlene. When the topic of quidditch came up (which it always did), Mary would sigh and set her golden-brown eyes across the table to her and Remus. The three of them talked about muggle music, books, and movies. Mary was muggle-born as well, and she immediately felt a kinship; it also helped that Mary was extremely opinionated and not afraid to vocalize it, putting Sirius in his place a few times before winter break started. She liked Mary a lot, so why was there a dull ache in her chest whenever Sirius smiled at her?

Going home for Christmas was harder than before, and she could only assume it would get worse as the years spent at Hogwarts went on. It’s not that she didn’t miss her parents, but the muggle world didn’t fascinate her anymore; there was no wonder, or mystery, or…spark. She wanted nothing more than to stay in Scotland, surrounded by the tall castle walls, vibrating with magic stretching back hundreds of years. Jealousy peaked its head in when she thought of her friends getting to go home to magical households, only to be quickly shut away as she remembered the scars Sirius had shown her on his birthday. She thought of Remus’ parents, and the cage they kept him in both metaphorically and physically. At least her parents were supportive, at least they loved her.

As they arrived at King’s Cross, she bid her friends goodbye, lingering back with Remus as he scanned the platform for his parents. She waved at the sight of her dad peaking over a family of young wizards towards the back of the crowd.

“Oh! before you go, I have something for you,” he said, a hint of excitement in his voice as he bent down to rummage through his bag.

“Remus,” her tone was one of faux disappointment, “you really shouldn’t have gotten me anything, I don’t need—“

He thrust a small book into her hands, smiling shyly at her. 

She ran her fingers over the smooth leather cover, flipping it open to reveal its heavyweight cream colored pages. 

“A sketchbook,” she breathed, “Oh Remus, it’s wonderful! Thank you!”

“It’s not just any sketchbook, watch,” he said, pulling out his wand. He tapped a page twice, and the inked words started to appear.

If you ever need me, I’m always within reach. - RL

She looked up at him, mouth hanging open in shock.

“Just write something, and tap twice with your wand,” he held up an identical book, “I’ll get it on my end.”

Her eyes started to fill with tears and she pulled him into a bone-crushing hug, “This is amazing, this is the best gift anyone has ever given me,” she whispered, face buried into the side of his neck.

“It’s just a modified Aparecium charm and—“

“—shut up. It’s perfect,” she cut him off, refusing to allow him to undermine his own genius.

They lingered in the embrace, until Remus caught sight of his parents on the platform. 

“I’ve gotta go—“ he whispered, and she didn’t need to look up to know they were watching. Swallowing the sinking feeling in her stomach, she pushed the need to ask what Remus was so afraid of into the back of her mind. Releasing him, she glanced down at the sketchbook and smiled, “You don’t have an excuse to not write me this time, Remus Lupin.”

———

For the first time in two years, Remus wrote her almost every day. The sketchbook was practically glued to her person, scribbling down responses frantically and giggling softly to hide the correspondence. The constant contact made the Hogwarts-sized hole in her heart a little smaller. 

Maybe she was delusional, or just going mad, but it almost seemed like Remus was opening up more through their new mode of communication. Never one for heartfelt talks, or expressing his emotions openly in general, Remus tended to keep a lot hidden, something she had (for the most part) grown used to. The sketchbook had created a proverbial security blanket, allowing him to feel comfortable enough to begin to share bits and pieces of insight into his mysterious home-life. His mom was sick, something he confided in her on Christmas Day. The doctors weren’t sure what it was, but she had good days and bad.

Christmas was bad. Remus didn’t respond until the following afternoon. 

He said that another doctor came to the house and gave her some medicine to help her sleep, and his dad had left shortly afterwards in a state of anger, something Remus was relieved about. When pressed further, Remus wrote back about how his mother (who she now knew as Hope) was refusing magical intervention, and would only allow muggle doctors into the house. Ever since his accident when he was little, Remus said she had become wary of magic. 

The admission brought her closer to him, hoping that maybe now they would be able to communicate more effectively in the future and avoid any silent standoffs like before. 

In addition to Remus, she also wrote letters to the other three. She only ever heard back from two. 

———

The steam from the engine was making her eyes water as she hung out of the compartment window. Remus, James, and Peter sat behind her, talking amongst themselves as she searched the emptying platform for the final member of the party. A glimpse of black hair caught her peripheral, snapping her head to see Regulus stepping onto the train. Off to the side, was Walburga, arms crossed and lips in her trademark scowl as she watched her youngest son board the Hogwarts Express. 

Sirius was nowhere to be seen.

She quickly pushed back through the window, stepping over Remus’ long legs to scamper out into the corridor.

“Oi!” James called, leaping up to peer out after her.

She pushed through the students lingering outside of the other corridors, looking for the younger Black brother. She didn’t get far before he emerged from the other car, shouldering past her without so much as a glance.

“Reg!” She called, spinning quickly towards him, “Where’s Sirius?” 

Regulus turned around slowly, his grey eyes dissecting her, “He’ll be late.”

What the fuck did that mean? The train left in 2 minutes. 

He turned back around, head cocking over his shoulder as he started walking away, “…and don’t ever presume to speak to me again, mudblood.” 

She felt the blood leave her face. If she wasn’t so concerned for Sirius, she might’ve said something, but instead headed back towards her compartment, pale and anxious. 

———

The train ride to Hogwarts was weird. James didn’t know what to do with himself without his best friend to conspire with. Remus was quietly reading for the majority of the ride, only pausing to speak with the others about new developments in the war when James brought it up. 

That’s what they were calling it now: a war.

James told them about the secret meetings being held at his house over the break, the coming and going of powerful wizards including Dumbledore himself. Voldemort was gaining power, apparently amassing more and more followers by the day. Beside her on the bench, Peter shuddered.

“Alright?” She nudged him gently.

He offered a sheepish smile, “Yeah, sorry. Things have been…difficult at home. Mum’s getting called out at all hours of the night, Dad comes home from work so exhausted every day that he’s like a walking corpse. It’s just…scary to hear about everything…”

She passed him her last chocolate frog, a small gesture that she knew couldn’t make up for the fear and anxiety, but it was all she could offer at the moment. 

The carriage ride to the castle consisted of James and Peter’s frantic quidditch analysis, with her and Remus both staring out the rainy window in silence. Once inside the Great Hall, they diverged, forced to separate to their respective house tables. She craned her neck from the opposite side of the hall, trying to see her friends from two tables over. Remus caught her eye, staring back sadly as she noticed the empty seat beside James. 

———

Mollitiam, Remus wrote the Gryffindor password into the sketchbook later that night. She had it open next to her pillow, waiting to hear any word about Sirius. It was the first thing Remus sent after getting back to the common room, he’s not here. Curtains drawn tight, silencing charm cast, she buried into the quilt and cried as the images of his scarred body flashed through her mind. 

That night, she dreamt of Regulus. His silver eyes boring holes into her skull as he hurled curse after curse towards her. Bracing for pain, she felt nothing but the heat of the passing blasts. Looking up, Reg was smirking. From behind, she heard whimpering. 

Slowly, she turned, only to find Sirius laying on the cold stone, surrounded in a pool of his own blood. 

She woke up yelling a name, but unable to remembers who’s. Great heaving breaths tried to calm the still-firing nerves buzzing throughout her body. She looked around her bed, taking note of the small crack of sunlight coming through the part in the curtains; it must be just past dawn. The sketchbook brought back the memories of last night, and she quickly picked it up to read the small message scrawled in the top corner: He’s here. 

She’d never run that fast in her life. Lungs burning, and legs shaking, she yelled the password to the Fat Lady and clambered through the portrait hole to find James, Remus, and Peter in the common room by the fire. 

“Where is he?” She exhaled.

Remus stood up, placing his book down on the table, “Sleeping. He didn’t get in ’til before dawn.”

She looked up at the staircase that led to the boy’s dormitory, “How is he? Did any of you speak to him?”

By the fireplace, James looked solemn. Remus glanced over at him briefly, “He’s—he’s alright. Didn’t seem to want to talk much…” 

There was something else that happened, she could tell by his tone. She was willing to bet Sirius had another outburst at one of their misfortunes. 

She sighed, turning and beginning to jog up the stairs before Remus grabbed her wrist, spinning her to face him.

“Where’re you going? I said he doesn’t want to talk to anyone,” His face was full of concern and exhaustion. 

“I know, and I don’t care,” she smiled sweetly at her friend, pulling her wrist free to continue upstairs. Remus didn’t try and stop her again. 

The door to the dormitory creaked open as she crept inside. Sirius’ bed was the only one with the curtains drawn, and she quietly made her way over, pausing at his bedside table.

“Sirius?” She whispered to the velvet.

“Go away…” a muffled voice came from inside.

“Please, let me in. We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.” She stood there and stared at the little gold stars on the curtains, listening as soft grumbling came from just beyond the fabric. 

The curtains parted slightly, a silent invitation for her to climb inside his refuge. She sat at the end of the bed, staring at Sirius in the dark. Even in the almost non-existent light, she could see the distinct blue shining back at her. 

“I was worried about you,” she whispered as he crossed his arms like a petulant child. 

“I’m fine,” he grunted. 

She cast him a glare, hoping he could sense her annoyance at his tone through the dark. 

“You know I don’t believe that for a moment, Sirius.”

He shrunk down to lay back against the headboard, “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“I spoke to Reg.”

Sirius shot back up, eyes hard as he stared back. They were silent for a minute, until he finally spoke up, voice quieter but still lined with a soft anger, “…and what did that little monster say?”

“When you didn’t show up to the platform I asked him where you were. He said you’d ‘be late’—“ She purposefully omitted the statement that followed, she hadn’t even told the other boys about what Regulus had called her on the train. As much as Sirius talked about hating his family, she knew that didn’t include Reggie, even though he’d never admit it. She’d seen the pain behind his eyes too many times as his little brother ignored him in the corridors.

Sirius let out a dark laugh, “Well? He wasn’t wrong, was he?”

“…the implication was there, Siri. What happened?”

She stared back at him, straightening her spine and refusing to let him deflect. He met her eyes, and she watched them glaze over after a moment. 

“I didn’t think I’d be coming back,” he whispered, voice soft and sprinkled with the leftover remnants of fear, “She intercepted one of James’ letters at the beginning of break, and my owl privileges were taken away, something about preventing me from speaking with ‘blood traitors’ or whatever,” he scoffed, looking down at his hands which were twisting the scarlet sheets tightly, “A few days later, she caught one of yours.”

Her throat constricted as her blood ran cold.

“She doesn’t know your name, only your face from that one run-in in Diagon Alley. When she asked who you were, I lied, said your last name was Addams and you were helping me with a Potions assignment. Reggie—my darling brother—told her the truth. He’s always so eager to please our dear Mummy. She said yours wasn’t a last name she knew, which is just code for ‘nothing worthy of recognition’. I guess she looked up your records, because the next thing I knew, I was being dragged to my father’s study.”

The slimy tendrils of guilt crept their way up her esophagus, clogging her airway as she struggled to take shallow breaths. Sirius didn’t look at her, just continued to stare at his fidgeting hands, hair a dark curtain over his pale face.

“Dad said he was disappointed in me, which is nothing new,” he let out a humorless laugh, “but then he started going on about muggleborns, and how they’re dangerous, how ‘a son of the Noble House of Black shouldn’t be associating with such filth’.”

His tone changed, voice growing smaller, meeker, and she watched as he curled into himself.

“Then my mom came in, she always does his dirty work…” 

His fingers absent-mindedly twitched towards the hem of his shirt, and she wanted to scream. 

Crawling carefully towards him, she unwrapped his hand from the sheets and squeezed it. He leaned back against the headboard again, and she filled in the space beside him. 

“…she said they were looking into ‘other educational institutions’ for me, ones that didn’t ‘pander to muggle sympathizer agendas’. They said if I didn’t shape up and start…honoring the family name, that I’d be sent away. They forbade me from taking the train in, didn’t say a word about if I was even allowed back, not until this morning…” In the absence of sheets, he played with her fingers, voice quiet and tired. 

She didn’t know what to say. I mean…she did. She wanted to tell him that his family was batshit insane, that they were horrible bigots who lived in a delusional world full of hatred and false notions of purity. But at the end of the day—Sirius already knew all of that. What would it help?

So instead of speaking, she laid with him in silence while he ran a finger over her palm, tracing imaginary patterns along the lifelines. She watched as his eyelids became heavy and his breathing evened out before speaking again.

“Siri?” 

He hummed, not able to open his eyes fully.

“I’m going to go to class, okay?”

Sirius gripped her hand, a desperate movement that brought tears to her eyes.

“…stay. Please…” he whispered.

The strain of his voice had her body going numb; the loud, obnoxious, overly confident boy she knew was long gone at that moment. It was devastating. 

“Of course,” She nodded, laying back down as his body visibly relaxed; within seconds, he was asleep.

She brushed his hair out of his face, watching how his eyes fluttered in his sleep, “…you’re safe now, Siri.”

———

June 11th, 1973

As the castle grounds thawed, so did Sirius’ attitude towards his parents threats. He leaned further into pranks, doubling down on his assault of the entirety of the Slytherin House, including his brother. The only thing stronger than his desire to disappoint his parents even further, was her and Remus’ determination to have them all pass their end of year exams. Peter was so tightly wound that he could barely function, consistently forgetting everything and mumbling to himself throughout the day. She tried her best to tutor him in anything he asked, holing up in the library for hours at a time and quizzing him on everything from Astronomy to Potions. With only a few more cram sessions until exams, Peter was practically tearing his hair out as they went over the properties of Fluxweed for the umpteenth time.

“—all you have to do is remember at least five uses!” She gave him an encouraging smile, trying to calm down the currently red-faced boy sitting across from her.

“I can barely name three! There’s no way I’m going to pass Herbology,“ Pete groaned, burying his head into his folded arms on the table, “Mum’s gonna kill me.”

She sighed, “Okay, what if we take a break and switch to—“

A crumped ball of paper struck the side of her head. Reaching down to pick it up off the floor, she unfolded what was clearly a page from the Daily Prophet:

MUGGLE FAMILY ATTACKED IN CROYDON!

James had kept them all informed about any news regarding the war; his parents wrote him daily and provided any updates they could. Attacks on muggles and muggleborns had become too frequent, and she tried her best to not show the effect it was having on her psyche. According to James, the ministry wasn’t naming suspects, but the general consensus was that Voldemort supporters (now coined as Death Eaters apparently) were behind it. Mr. Potter told his son that they were ‘monitoring’ a few individuals, but refused to give up any surnames, much to James’ dismay. 

“Psst!” 

She glanced over her shoulder to see a table of Slytherin’s directly behind them, smirking over torn pages of newspaper. 

The dark haired boy nearest her leaned forward, “Isn’t your family from London too, mudblood?” 

The table erupted into laughter. She tensed at the thought of her parents, gripping her quill so hard it was in danger of snapping. Across from her, Pete was staring daggers at them, mouth set in a hard line.

“Maybe they’ll be next Barty!” Mulciber clapped his friend on the back, shooting her a wink.

Beside him, a dirty-blonde boy crumpled up another piece of paper and levitated it with his wand, shooting it over towards her head again. Pete flicked it away quickly before it could invade their space. The Slytherin boy tore another page off the newspaper, balling it up in annoyance and launching it faster this time. Pete waved it away effortlessly with his wand. Before she could even register it, the boy stood up with an ink pot in his fist, throwing it with gusto across the aisle. 

Pete leapt up with his wand trained on the glass jar, “Immobulus!”

The ink pot froze in mid-air just inches from her head, Peter grabbed it, setting it down safely onto the table. She exhaled the breath she had been holding, as Peter pointed his wand directly at the other boy.

“Expelliarmus!” He called, the Slytherin’s wand launching out of his fist and across the aisle. Pete snatched it, giving the other boy a brief glare as he turned and threw it across the library. 

Mulciber rose from the table, “You stupid, fuckin—“ 

Before he could push his chair back, she grabbed Pete’s arm and pulled him towards the door, rushing out into the corridor and back towards Gryffindor Tower.

They paused to catch their breath on one of the moving staircases.

“I’m sorry,” Peter huffed, hands on his knees, “I didn’t mean to—I just heard what he called you and—I can go get McGonagall and tell her—“

“Pete!” She grabbed his shoulders, “That was—“

“Irresponsible? Stupid? Reckless? Yeah I know—“ Through deep breaths, he was looking down at this feet, shame growing visible on his face.

“I mean…yes, but it was also incredibly brave.”

Pete looked up, a smile creeping upwards as the Fat Lady granted them entrance.

“Thank you, you’re a good friend,” she hugged him tightly, his body tensing in her arms for a brief second until relaxing entirely. 

“I also think it’s worth mentioning,” she released him from the embrace, “Both of those spells are definitely going to be on our final exams, and you executed them perfectly!”

The two of them walked into the common room, Peter blushing immensely.

“I think you just need to relax, you’ll do just fine—“ 

“—Great! Just the two we were looking for!” James stood in the center of the common room, excitement radiating from his entire body. Beside him, Sirius was perched on the couch with a large book in his lap, grinning broadly as they approached.

“…and why’s that?” She returned a skeptical look, eyes volleying between the two giddy boys. 

James nodded towards the dormitory, “I think we should speak about it somewhere less…out in the open.”

That didn’t help ease her suspicions in the slightest capacity.

 James led them all upstairs, Sirius launching himself onto his bed in a dramatic fashion as she sat on the of Remus’ vacant one.

“Where’s Lupin?” Pete asked, eyeing the bedside table of their missing friend.

“Detention,” Sirius smirked.

“For what?” She leaned over to sift through the collection of books on his nightstand, stealing a banged up copy of Animal Farm.

“Got caught putting time-released dung bombs under the benches of the Sytherin Table in the Great Hall.”

She raised a disapproving eyebrow, “I’m assuming that was your brilliant idea, so why aren’t you with him?”

Sirius shrugged, “McGonagall separated us. He’s got Friday, I’ve got Wednesday, James has Monday.”

She rolled her eyes, focusing back on James who was leaning against his bedpost. 

“Right, so, speaking of Remus, we are all aware of his little…affliction,” he began to explain, “Well, we’ve been thinking of ways to help him and I think we’ve finally figured it out.”

She shook her head, letting out a frustrated sigh, “There’s no cure for lycanthropy, James, trust me I’ve tried looking up a million different remedies and experimental treatments—”

“Yes, but that’s because you were too preoccupied on curing him, we're just talking about easing the symptoms,” Sirius sat up higher on his bed. 

Her heart began to pick up speed, “What do you mean?”

“Werewolves are only a real danger to humans…not to other animals,” James started, “So we’re…uh—“

“—we’re going to become animagi and keep Lupin company during his transformations,” Sirius finished for him.

She stared between them blankly for a few seconds, “Okay, one question: ARE YOU COMPLETELY MAD?!” 

Sirius smiled, James pushed off the bedpost and held up his hands in defense, “I know, I know, it’s…a lot, but we’ve looked into the process and it seems do-able. We would be able to keep Remus occupied while in wolf form so he might not hurt himself anymore!”

“James, the ritual to become an animagi is extremely difficult and dangerous if not done properly. I know you said you’ve looked into it, but have you considered the risks?” 

He nodded absolutely, “Me and Sirius want to do it, we need to do it to help Remus. I can’t imagine waking up one morning to hear from Madam Pomfrey that he’s clawed his entire face off…”

She shuddered at the thought, thinking back to the morning Remus stared helplessly at the scar etched across his face in the bright, sterilized light of the hospital wing. 

“So, are you in?” Sirius interrupted her thoughts, staring intently from across the room.

Peter seemed hesitant at first, but eventually began to nod silently once he saw James’ smile. 

“When do you plan on doing it?” She muttered, a million thoughts ricocheting around her head.

“This summer,” James announced.

She looked between her three friends, admiring their loyalty but fearing their ambition, “…let me think about it.”

———

June 19th, 1973

Sirius had called her a coward. 

After a long deliberation, and countless hours pouring over potion books and texts regarding animagi processes, she had ultimately decided to not pursue it alongside her friends. She loved Remus with her entire being, but when she read and reread the stories documented about rituals gone wrong, all she could think about was her family; she couldn’t put them through that. 

James took the decision well, only asking that she promised not to tell a living soul about their plans, and to try and keep Remus distracted so he wouldn’t find out until it was completed. He knew that their friend wouldn’t approve of the rest of them doing something so dangerous, even it was to help him. Peter, being as easy-going as he was, didn’t care in the slightest. He understood her apprehension, and admitted to even considering backing out initially as well (something he disclosed to her privately, not daring to say it in front of the other two). 

She caught Sirius and James leaving the quidditch pitch the week before school let out, the two boys getting in some final drills on the field before summer break. The animagi plan had been the only thing on her mind besides exams, weighing the risks and rewards over and over again in-between revising. 

“I’ve thought it over,” she double-checked over her shoulder to make sure no one was around as they sat in the empty stands, “I’m not going to do the ritual with you guys.”

“Why?” She could immediately feel the anger radiated off of Sirius.

James’ smile fell slightly, a little crease forming in-between his brows, “Are you sure? I promise, we’ll be as safe and by-the-book as possible—“

“James,” she held up a gentle hand, “I’m positive. I can’t risk it going wrong, I can’t put my family in that position, having to live with some sort of half human…half…creature daughter.” 

James looked like he was holding back, he did that a lot, something she had begun to notice little by little; but instead of letting his thoughts flow freely, he gave a single definitive nod. 

Sirius was standing behind him, silent and brooding as his eyes threatened to burn a hole in her skull.

She met the intensity head-on, connecting their gazes into an unbroken line of tension.

“What’re you so afraid of?” Sirius mumbled. 

She raised her eyebrows, a mixture of caution and wondering if he had even researched this ritual at all. “I mean, we can start with risk of becoming a permanent human-animal hybrid—“

“—It’s for Moony though,” His voice became colder as his eyes narrowed.

“Who?” Too annoyed at Sirius’ attitude, she didn’t have the brain power to follow along.

“Remus,” James chimed in, trying to diffuse the tension, “It’s his nickname we’ve been using since we found out about his…problem.”

Her eyes shot to James, “…a little morbid, don’t you think?”

He shrugged.

“He doesn’t care, he seems to like it. You don’t know him like we do,” Sirius jabbed. 

It felt like she had been punched; the insecurities from first year floating back to the surface.

She wasn’t one of them, she never would be. They were her best friends, but she wasn’t theirs.

“Fuck you, Black,” she sneered, turning to leave. The desire to get away from them both was overwhelming. 

Storming out from below the quidditch stands, James called after her. 

Sirius called her a coward.