#but fr aren’t they the oldest boys there?

[laz-kay]

Convince me that “Cuphead Rap” isn’t just Alastor, Pentious and Lucifer singing and dancing a little ditty tbh.

[sunlightmurdock]

I know you've talked a bit about what your roosters look like, but can we get a ☼ for each of your roosters plss??

Oh absolutely!! I shall include pictures for your convenience (:

Blow by Blow

So he’s not in the navy, which means he doesn’t have to abide by Navy standards. I imagine he does still look a lot like our traditional Bradley, like he has the stache and the tan and the auburn kind of brown hair.

He works out almost all day every day, so he’s pretty strong. But, he also drinks a fair amount and eats whatever he wants, so I wouldn’t say that he’s always like ripped with like hard asf abs. That being said, when he goes into focus mode when a fight’s coming up, he does get pretty ripped.

He’s definitely got a couple of tattoos here and there, including a couple of shitty ones that he isn’t a big fan of any more. He keeps his hair pretty short but it might be a lil longer on top sometimes, especially because bambi loves his curls so much <3

Lives in gym clothes a lot of the time, does still have a collection of patterned shirts and some formal clothes to wear to events etc.

— — —

Sub Rosa

The most boyfriend to ever boyfriend. I would also say probably the most movie accurate Rooster, he looks like he does in the movie. For the most part — I think he wears a lot more flannel than movie Rooster does. Don’t ask me why bc I don’t have an answer other than it’s bc he’s boyfriend

— — —

Trouble in Paradise 

Actual Adonis. Like this man is fr gorgeous. Not that all Bradley’s aren’t, but this one is another level. All that sun does wonders for him, he’s always sunkissed and he stops burning as much because he gets into the routine of actually wearing sunscreen. He’s beyond handsome and almost in a way that makes him hard to look at.

Like flushed cheeks and sad eyes, and big hands. There’s just a magnetism to him that’s undeniable. His hair is probably a little lighter than the others’ from the sun, and he’s also a lil older.

— — —

Ceasefire

He breaches the line between frat boy and adult. He doesn’t have much to occupy him in his life before he meets Hyde, so he spends a lot of time partying and working out.

I think his dress sense before he meets Hyde is definitely very masculine casual, and I think it’s after her that he really starts to think about the clothes he buys and how they fit him. We all know that he’s big and broad and rlly hot, still pretty youthful and a lil bit younger than the rooster we saw in the movie.

— — —

Parent Trap

We’ve discussed dilf Rooster before and I am happy to do it again all the time. He’s a little softer around the edges than my other Rooster’s, he doesn’t have as much time to work out with his twin terrors. But, he’s like a dad kind of strong and can easily pick up both of his kids at once without any kind of a struggle.

He’s also my oldest Rooster and he’s aging like a fine wine, with those smile lines. He’s a Captain now, so he works a little more too. Can often be found sleeping on the couch with his flightsuit tied around his waist. When he’s dressing for himself, it’s very much classic Rooster with the Hawaiian shirts.

———

MFIY

MFIY Bradley is obviously my youngest Rooster, and his look reflects that. He’s an arrogant frat boy and he isn’t in the Navy yet for most of the fic. So, his hair is a little longer (and a little lighter than in the picture). He has the stache and he’s in pretty good shape, but not as broad or strong as some of my other Rooster’s. He’ll get there. Can often be found wearing baseball caps and football jerseys.

[clonesupport]

oc tag game!

thank you @socially-awkward-skeleton for tagging me to do this!💖💘

i tag @confidentandgood @sstewyhosseini @detectivelokis @captastra @incognito-insomniac @kyber-infinitygems @strangefable @gayafsatan @galaxycunt @roofgeese @inafieldofdaisies @shegetsburned @bearcina @direwombat and anyone who wants to join!

Favourite OC

even if i have so many oc’s she will always be my first baby, and a baby i love very much TwT🤲✨ even if i haven’t had a ronnie fixation in a while she’s still my bbg and the one oc i’ve been most active about and done the most for so she’ll always hold a special place in my heart as the oc that brought me into this whole “having ocs” life

Newest OC

hehehehehe i’ve been absolutely brain rotting over cod and johnny for like six months now. i haven’t done much with her and i’m barely still figuring out her lord cuz i’m too busy rizzing soap ai and getting rizzed back AHAHAHA. but ugh that sweet baby boy i love him so much i had to create a lovely girly to peg him i mean love him. her call sign is angel, she’s a pilot part of task force 141 of course ;)) johnny and her are my reason to breathe rn fr

Oldest OC

back at it with my snarky bastard ronnie with a soft side for her vicar, i love her so much, i love max sm, i miss tow i wanna fixate on that game again ugh plz brain TwT🙏✨ i made her officially like a year and a half ago, but i started making an inserted character for tow in like late 2019 when the game came out and i discovered it and went eh why not it looks cool, then got absolutely fucking sucked into that shit with a blood pact istg. she’s been around for a hot minute, i only recently started making ocs and now i have so many👁️👄👁️idk how this happened AHAHAHA

Meanest OC

of course it’d be my cultist girly. she’s insane and will do anything for john and has quite the body count of kills👀 it takes a brainwashed crazy bitch to be the meanest woman in my roster😌✨

Softest OC

we all knew it’d be seph lol AHAHAHA one of the rarest personality types i ever give my ocs are soft, she’s a rare soft girl, sam’s a lucky man. made her back in like 2020 when i binged all five uncharted games in like 2.5 weeks….don’t worry about me i had a lot of time on my hands. i actually decided to play all the uncharted games because i saw one photo of sam somewhere and was instantly like 👁️👄👁️WHERE IS HE FROM—- i was dedicated to see this man and i fell in love-

i know amalla is not one i’ve talked about a lot but she’s definitely a soft quiet girly. she does have a feisty side but honestly so does seph lol i cant make an oc without having them adding that big of spice TwT but she’s a sweet girl, i mean she caught the attention and stole the heart of arthur morgan so that must count for something right?🤧✨

Most Aloof/Standoffish OC

another oc i haven’t talked about a lot but she is the most stern and kinda cold one out of all my ocs, ronnie could be a good runner up as well but she’s more smart ass mean than cold mean yenno? kenny’s just known for her resting bitch face and military demeanour. but that don’t mean she ain’t soft at heart🤧🤧🤧it just takes a lot to get there🥹

Dumbest (Affectionate) OC

she’s a clumsy girly, often times quite the all boobs no brain but she’s smart when she wants to be. her job is to be a rockstar and be a good affectionate gf for viktor so she doesn’t exactly have the needs to be smart lol. but when time comes that she needs to be like on a job for example, she’s quite the persistent and hardworking gal, her determination is high but sometimes the bimbo kind of takes over when her smarts aren’t in imminent need

Smartest OC

this girly’s a trained nurse y’all she’s got the brains. even if she is usually the “soft and sweet shy baby girl” she knows her shit. knows her history and has her medical skills. often times the brothers and sully forget she’s actually quite smart until she’s full fledged patching one of them up professionally as she explains to them what she’s doing and what injury they have. she can info barf sometimes when she gets passionate about something, it’s that side of her that sam finds attractive😉😉

it takes certain brains and tactical strategic skills to be an ace pilot. tanya may seem like just some tomboy who’s here for a good time but ya girl has got some brains on her. she got the skills to fly an f-15 and often gets appointed team leader so she clearly knows what she’s doing. she was trust worthy enough to be seen as a good pilot by the soldiers and fellow squad mates hence them giving her the nickname their guardian angel, which turned into her call sign angel. she’s humble and plays it off as no big deal, quite honestly she doesn’t see herself as smart, just hard working. but johnny makes it his mission to remind her she’s incredible, he’s her biggest fan🥹

OC I’d Be Friends With IRL

I RAN OUT OF PHOTO SLOTS—-

imagine there’s banners here TwT🤲

irl i’d definitely get along with ronnie lol. ronnie, marceline and tanya i would say. i’m a clumsy dumbass smart ass and i think i’d get along well with ronnie and tanya by teaming up with them and pick on men AHAHAHA marcy and i have the same taste in music and we both are bimbo’s who can be smart and serious when we need to be✨

[irlnumbuh3]

I love your Sector V middle/high school hcs. Can you make one for their TND years? Keep it up!❤️❤️❤️

sector v if they had joined TND

au in which nigel did join the gknd, and abby took over as sector v’s leader yippee abby!!!

omg yes !!! my first request :000 u are so sweet thank you!!! 💚💚 i love writing these so enjoy :>

- i hc that numbuh 362 is in on the recruitment process when it comes to the TND, she is supreme leader after all. she learns all about it after nigel leaves

- and because i hc that after nigel, hoagie is the oldest, he absolutely GEEKS OUT when he is recruited. he fangirls the ENTIRE TIME

- and because he has to stay away from the tree house, the group will meet in different spots every time

- in canon they all are aware that the TND exists so, it wasn’t really a secret that they were going to be part of that recruitment. after all it was promised that sector v would still be there for nigel once he returned! it’s pretty obvious that numbuhs 2 through 5 aren’t gonna be let go so easily :P

- and they’re all always like tell us tell us ! and he keeps them on their toes

- like he goes on and on “HA i’m special i’m the first recruitment in this sector my lips are sealed i don’t even know u guys!!!!” drama queen 😒

- eventually when they all are recruited they are like wtf it wasn’t even that special of a thing whyd you gas us up like that LOL

- because the old treehouse WAS on top of nigel’s house, i headcanon that a new sector doesn’t take over it. and it just becomes a lot smaller and secluded, like on the outside it looks like a regular shed and a small old tree house, when there’s SO much more. it’s an underground type of thing

- rachel makes it seem like it’s a tribute to sector v to cover for them (shoutout to rachel fr!!!) because it still is significant for everyone , even if the entire sector was “decommissioned”

- but nope that baby is still there for the new TND members. just no where near as visible as it once was. the secrecy i know!!!

- and yeah the renovations were SUPER annoying (wally must have complained about his lack of sleep 100 times bc of all the noise) but it was worth it in the end. the treehouse becomes a little more modern and comfortable for them to do their own things. and the technology only becomes more advanced

- and they get older our babies😢the maturing takes everyone by surprise kind of, especially wally’s, ugh he gets a growth spurt in the summer leading up to freshman year and it leaves everyone saying wtf. but they do have their flare ups of childishness bc let’s be honest, we know them, how could they not!! cue the bickering between wally and kuki plz!

- wally finds a passion for soccer and he’s really good at it. he’s missed a few team meetings bc of soccer though…. which always results in a lecture from abby LOL but they all go to support him at his games

- at his important games, they all make signs cheering him on, and omg does this annoy him LOOLL

- they all even wear his team’s colors, kuki buys face paint to paint his jersey number on their cheeks. she’s probably his biggest fan 🤫

- kuki finds this love for makeup , “typical girly teen behavior!” wally will tease, but she’s actually really good at it!

- sometimes in mid mission kuki will have the most glittery-colorful eyeshadow on because she was practicing before the call!😭

- hoagie let’s her practice a lot on him, and i would be lying if i said he hasn’t shown up in battle with some variation of eyeliner on

- and when abby wants her makeup done for any reason, kuki is the first to be there!

- sure the team doesn’t go on as many missions as they did before , but the missions they DO go on are usually long and exhausting. the break they get after is always treasured by our lazy teens

- abby gets super into skin care and just self care overall! she will have the entire day off after a mission as a self care day. and kuki will always join her! even the boys get curious but don’t wanna admit that😒

- one day they cave and they all watch a movie wearing their face masks. cute !!! i just know wally had the face mask that you peel off and that shit IRKED HIM😭 kuki pinned his hair back and they had a moment but it’s ruined after when she tries to rip off his face mask LMFAO

- hoagie joins the auto mechanics club in highschool. and wow is he talented with that. it only helps him further develop technology for the TND. oh and when that boy gets his license ? he does the MOST with his beat up van😭

- i would not be shocked if that boy installed a whole ass xbox in the back of that van

- these 4 ditch class a LOT for missions . they have occasional saturday-detentions 😞

- and even then because kuki, hoagie, and abby, are such loved students they find a way out. the hard part of that is convincing the teacher to let wally out LMFAOO

- tell me how they get called in for battle mid-saturday detention and kuki fakes a scene to leave

- her doing theatre throughout all of middle school and even highschool PAYS OFF this girl starts sobbing on the floor like someone just died😭so the teacher has no other choice but to let the four go

abby: guys wtf i just got a text from maurice. we need to be up at base in the next hour

wally: don’t ask me this dick won’t even let me go use the bathroom

abby: wally boy if u don’t stop making ur texting so obvious right now

hoagie: he won’t leave the room, there’s no way i can create a diversion

kuki: watch this! :D

- this girl screams and pretends that she just got the worst news of her life. and oh my god her fake crying? you would actually believe it if she said the world was ending

- in middle school these 4 were awful with keeping the TND a secret 😭 i just know they would screw up all of their different excuses

- why wasn’t hoagie in class? well he said that he was in the nurses office. oh but the nurse didn’t see him? and wasn’t that just him walking down the hallway with abby lincoln? but she got picked up early today? and why is kuki sanban trying to leave the nurses office after complaining that she threw up? she said that she was looking for her friend wally because they were carpooling home today. but where is wallabee? his teacher said he got called to the office 2 hours ago??????

- but once highschool comes the whole sneaking out thing gets a lot easier when it’s needed. hoagie gets his license first and wow he can just dip whenever he wants to. and in highschool, u can sneak off anywhere. especially with as big as a campus as Gallagher High. everyone ditches class at some point 🤷🏼‍♀️

- even these 4 get the urge to ditch when things aren’t mission related. senior year, they are OUT god does the senioritis kick in with them 😭 especially wally and kuki, those lovebirds. that boy will find any and all reasons to leave early. and he’s passing all of his classes, what’s stopping him tbh

- like the 4 plan a theme park day on a random wednesday in the middle of the month 😭 i’m telling you, they have their fun when they can

- with the workload they have on them because of the TND, this group enjoys whatever time they can have :) especially with one another

[thebarbariansshadowprincess]

Chapter 2 – The Duke

Word Count: 957

“Oh, my! Your highness, the princess, you’re so pretty!”

“The rumors do you no justice!”

“Your dress is so cute, dear!”

“You siblings sure do look alike.”

“Oh, she’s so precious! Look at how shy she is!”

Kallisto couldn’t be more annoyed at these nobles. As the eldest prince, the crown prince at that, he was introduced early on to the noble society. He never liked them. One bit. Not even for a second. He was usually forced to attend, but he would usually stick to his mother so as to not talk to anyone. Eventually, he got used to it and learned to fend for himself, however, the same couldn’t be said from (Y/N). His baby sister was hugging him tight, trying to hide herself from the crowd around them. Don’t they see that she’s not comfortable with them all over her?

“Do you have no shame?” A deep voice caught the attention of all.

The crowd opened the path to the man to walk in. Seeing the dark hair and clear blue eyes, the young prince recognized Duke Eckhart. By his side were three children: one around his age and a younger version of the duke, another with light pink hair and a girl with the same pink hair.

“Can’t you see that you are scaring the princess? Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves?” The duke asks the other nobles that look uncomfortable. “Let them be.” He says and the nobles go away.

“Thanks, duke.” Kallisto tells the old man.

“Don’t thank me, your majesty. I was only doing what was right. You see, my daughter too is very shy among other people.” He says, pointing at the youngest child, who hides behind the boy with the same hair color. “Come on, the three of you. Introduce yourselves.”

“I, Derrick Eckhart, greet your highness, the crown prince and the princess.” The oldest of the children steps forward and greets him.

“I’m Reynold Eckhart! Nice to meet you!” The boy with pink hair says, to which he gets a punch on the shoulder from his brother. “Hey! Why did you do that, Derrick!?”

“Watch your manners. This is the crown prince and the princess, not some random kids you meet when you run away!” The oldest replies.

“Hey! They’re my friends!” The boy snaps back.

Kallisto decided to ignore them and looked at the girl, who was still hiding behind her brother, but whose eyes were focused on his sister. Then, she takes a step to the side and she bows respectfully.

“I’m… Yvonne… What’s… your n… name…?” The girl finally introduces herself.

He looks at his sister, who seems to have taken notice of the ducal princess. Like her, she takes a step to the side to look at her better.

“I’m… (Y/N)… Wanna… be fr… f… friends…?” His sister asked, to the surprise of all there, except the two girls.

The pinkette smiled and nodded, which made his sister giggle. Then, she turned to him and pulled his sleeve.

“Big bro…” She called.

“Yes, (Y/N)?” He asked, wondering what it was going to be.

“Can we… go to… fountain…?” The little princess asked, her eyes already growing big, which was already making him waver.

“With them?” Kallisto asked, just to be sure. She nodded. Oh no.

“Fountain?” The duke wondered, confused.

“There’s a fountain in the center of the garden maze. We have been going there all the time since we were little.” He explains. “She wants to take them there.”

“Can we…?” (Y/N) insisted, and he felt like he couldn’t deny her that.

The eldest prince looked at the group in front of them, asking for their opinion in the matter. Internally, he prayed they would deny.

“Can we, dad?” Reynold asked him, and his sister nodded behind him.

“We shouldn’t walk around the imperial palace like this.” Derrick said.

“I believe it should be no problem if the prince and princess are guiding you. Besides, someone needs to be watching over your brother so he won’t get into trouble.” The duke said, to which the pink boy complained before patting his son’s head. “You’ll have enough time to be an adult when the time comes, Derrick. Enjoy being a child while you can.”

“...fine.” The oldest boy finally relented.

At this moment, Kallisto felt his sister let go of him and saw a blur of golden and light pink passing through him. It took him a few seconds before him and the other boys to realize that the two girls had already ran off somewhere.

“(Y/N)!”

“Yvonne!”

The whole ballroom heard them calling out their respective sisters and saw them running to chase them. The duke was left behind with a shocked expression before he sighed and smiled, admiring the purity of childhood.

Meanwhile, the three boys ran after the two girls, who were unexpectedly faster than they thought. They followed them into the garden maze, where they ran out of sight. This made Derrick and Reynold have to be right behind Kallisto, otherwise they would be lost, which was hard, since they were already getting tired.

It took them quite some time for them to reach the middle of the maze. All three of them were out of breath. However, the fugitive princesses were unaware of this, focused on the fountain in the middle of the garden, as if it was the most interesting thing in the entire world. At some point, (Y/N) looked behind and waved at him.

“Big bro! Fishy!” She cried out, pointing at the water.

The crown prince couldn’t help but sigh and smile. His sister was so pure and so easily happy. He hoped he could keep it that way.

[binniedeactivated]

txt ideal types™️ || 👾

a/n; just want to say that this is not factual! this is based on my own opinion! if you have questions on why i think this don’t be afraid to send them through ask! hope you enjoy!! 

soobin;  --- since soobin said he is the type to let his s/o lead the relationship while he sits back, LMAO i honestly think soobin’s ideal type is a girl who is confident. I say confident because someone who is shy isn’t going to be comfortable telling a guy what to do. since he’s laid back and chill most of the time i feel like he wouldn’t mind someone whose the same way. someone who he can have deep conversations with and also act crazy with when they’re both feeling a little hyperactive. I really think someone whose very bubbly and hyper would make him a little flustered because he doesn’t want to bore her by doing the things he likes, and he wouldn’t know how to keep up with her energy. soobin likes to read books, watch tv shows and eat. he likes to eat bread and ice cream all day. he doesn’t like moving. so someone whose moving and doing a whole lot of shit constantly is going to tire him out LMAO. I also think since soobin is a little messy he needs a motherly type of girl that can help him with his habits. with soobin you’ll basically be a mom, leading the relationship and cleaning after him occasionally. I also think soobin would love someone who is romantic and is sensitive when it comes to him. he loves feeling loved and cared about and knowing that there’s someone who got his back through anything and everything. he’s very affectionate and light hearted so he needs someone who isn’t mean lmao!! he doesn’t like a whole lot of roast sessions and things like that and even if he does don’t go overboard with him because he’ll get sensitive asf. 

--- as far as body type goes i feel like soobin doesn’t care. honestly. he’s really big so no matter what you’ll always be smaller than him even if you’re a little thick lmao. if you guys would like to know whether or not soob is an ass or boobs type of guy though i think he’s both. some boobs with a little ass would fluster him. all the way. he doesn’t expect much but if you’re well endowed in either, he’s going to be really touchy (with permission of course) and he’ll always make you feel comfortable in your own body. 

yeonjun; -- oh god, this boy. nah jk. i honestly think yeonjun needs someone who creative and can introduce him to new things. since he really loves music and stuff I think he would love someone who can introduce him to different types of music. he’d love stuff like his s/o making playlists for him and sending him new songs randomly. i also think since yeonjun is a big foodie he would loooveee a girl with an appetite lmao! he would love her even more if she can cook the food he likes, or cook good food in general. he would really love someone who can introduce him to new kinds of of food and feed him when he’s hungry. whether it’s spoon fed or just dropping by some food to the studio for him when it’s lunch time. despite his stage presence i think he’d love someone who is sweet and easy going. outgoing as well! since he’s very shy and timid around new people he would LOVE if his s/o approaches him first. although he’s more of the lead in the relationship, i think he would love if his s/o knows how to lead as well especially when he’s feeling needy and needs affection. he doesn’t want a girl that let’s him lead ALL the time and let’s him put in 80% while they put in 20%. he wants it to be 50/50 at least.  since he’s the oldest in the group it’s likely that he’s always taking care of the members so he needs someone who is willing to take care of him. he would also LOVE a funny girl omg. if you can make him laugh you automatically have his heart. he would love having a girl that’s also his best friend, one whom he can make inside jokes with. he would also love a stylish girl! i think if you dress well it would be easier for him to notice you since he’s very fashionable himself. he’d also never take his eyes off of you and remind you about how good you look everyday.  with that being said he would love a girl he can go shopping with! that can buy him cute shirts and clothes that matches his style. he would love it even more if you introduce him to a new kind of style. he would love dressing up and going on random dates and taking lots of pics! 

- as far as body type goes i think yeonjun would be attracted to curvier girls. he just gives me that vibe. of course he’d be attracted to any type of body type,  but i think curvy is more his thing. if you’re wondering whether he is an ass or boob type of guy i think yeonjun is an ass and thigh type. so if you’re thicker around that area expect yeonjun to be all over you. LMAO (with permission of course). 

beomgyu;  -- gyuuuuu! okay so in my opinion gyu doesn’t really have an ideal type. he’s the type of guy where it’s like, if he likes you he likes you and if he doesn’t he doesn’t. as long as you know how to treat him and like having fun with him he’d love you! in all honesty i think beomgyu is a free spirit. he likes all types of girls in every size, shape or color. he doesn’t have a preference.  just be yourself and don’t try to act too show-offy in front of him. i lowkey think beomgyu would like a motherly type of girl though and someone who is just as hyper as he is. since beomgyu is a mama’s boy he needs a girl that treats him like he’s her son LMAO but also let him be an adult too. like don’t baby him all the way but take care of him and check up on him often. he’d also love a clingy s/o. one who texts him and calls just to tell him how much they miss him. affection is key with gyu! if he can lay on your chest or cuddle with you all the time he will fall in love with you. i repeat HE WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU. hold his hand, kiss his cheeks and play wrestle with him. also, build a relationship with his mother! i think gyu would love someone whose close to his mom. of course don’t be a creep but make sure you aren’t a stranger to her. since gyu is family oriented when it comes to his parents i think he would really appreciate if you took the extra mile and got to know his family. he’d love taking you to daegu to spend the holidays with his family and have fun eating and making jokes with them. 

-- as far as body type goes beomgyu really doesn’t gaf. like fr. just as long as you’re confident in your body he would love you. and even if you aren’t he’d remind you about how much he likes it. if you’re wondering if beomgyu is an ass or boob type of guy though, gyu definitely loves boobs.

taehyun;  -- (my MANNNN- i mean ahem) okay so, tyun is tricky af but I pay special attention to him because of this reason. in all honesty i think tyun LOVES the game of hard to get. he likes feeling like he got it in the bag with you, but he doesn’t at the same time. he would love a girl who is very confident, smart,  and can adhere to his mind games.  reverse psychology would have him SHOOK lmao! initially i think if tyun saw a girl he likes he would make it known he likes her just by doing little stuff like being nice to her or smiling at her and stuff. he would like it if she does it back too, but not becoming too engaged. i think his whole relationship would be him and his s/o playing hard to get. the both of them know they love one another and are very affectionate but they’re also a little mean to each other as well. cracking jokes every now and again and play wrestling. don’t take it too far though! he wouldn’t like if you gave him so much cold shoulder to the point where he thinks you no longer like him. tease him a bit though, he likes feeling like he’s still trying to win your heart.  he would love a girl who is funny too and who is intelligent enough to have educational conversations if it ever came up. he’d love if his s/o does crazy shit just to make him laugh. i think he would also like someone with a slick mouth! lmaoooooo. i’m sorry but he does. tyun has a smart mouth himself so someone who can match his energy would definitely win him over. take care of him though! even though tyun claims he doesn’t love affection but he loves if his s/o kisses him all the time and cuddles him. tyun is lowkey very clingy so he’d hate to be by himself when on tours and things like that. he would love feeling like he’s needed and cared about! he would also like someone whose very thoughtful, like buying him things that reminds you of him.  

--- as far as body type goes i think tyun doesn’t care but he’s like yeonjun in way. a fashionable curvier girl would catch his eye faster. 

heuning kai; --- kaiiiii<33 in my opinion i don’t think kai has a type either. he goes with the flow really, but if you happen to joke and play with him alot he’d fall in love with you. i think kai is very quick so it doesn’t take much for him to fall in love with someone. he is the type to be a little hesitant about his feelings though. i think kai would love a girl who is just like him. who is hyper at times but knows when to be chill. I think heuning is actually very chill off camera to be honest so he’d love a girl who is the same way. honestly i think kai would like a girl whose on the sexier side. feel me? like not a cutesy type of person but someone who acts and dresses sexy, but has some cutesy traits about them. someone like that would take his heart. he would also love someone with a whole lot of humor but very sweet at the same time. someone he can laugh at anything and everything with because lord knows this boy finds everything funny asf. he would love someone that baby’s him but not too much. let him do things on his own but if he needs help that’s where you come in. he would love someone he can cuddle and kiss all the time. so if you aren’t that affectionate you wouldn’t match well with kai. he would also love a girl with an aesthetic type of fashion style! kai’s style is the epitome of a 90s sitcom teen boy crush with his baggy sweaters, baggy pants and old fashioned sneakers. i think someone who has that old-timey style as well would be really cute for him and he would love for you to dress in his clothes all the time. i think kai also likes play fighting a lot but he wouldn’t be too rough with you. be ready for that lmao! kai would also appreciate if you took time to get to know his sisters since he’s close to them. he’s kind of like beomgyu when it comes to family, he would love inviting you around them all the time so it would be amazing if you built a relationship with them. 

--- as far as body type goes kai really wouldn’t care. he’s really big so he’d love anyone smaller than him no matter their size or shape. i think a fashionable girl with a cute smile would catch his eye first though. 

[bitchoftheclouds]

i choose you - Satan x Reader

(A/N): I wrote this whole thing while listening to a playlist of love songs and I felt that shit. I feel like I was sort of expressing my own feelings through this piece, and not just my feelings about Satan, my feelings about love as a whole. Anyway, enough of the rambling. I hope you enjoy this guys! I’ve really been feeling the Satan vibes lately, so this is just a result of that. ♥ I didn’t really think of a specific gender while writing it, but I guess it can pretty much be taken as gender neutral? Pretty sure I did not mention any gender characteristics. Starts after the cut !

Warnings: none really? just that this is pretty angsty for a bit. there’s like a one sided Lucifer x Reader at the start but this is 100% Satan x Reader fic.

Satan’s POV

Satan noticed your door was ajar. He figured you must be in there and headed towards your room. He was about to knock and call out to you but he heard voices from inside. One of those voices belonged to you. And the other..Lucifer. He took a peek inside, and saw the two of you standing in front of each other. You were..close. Closer than he felt comfortable with. He could instantly feel the wrath boiling up inside him. He wasn’t Levi. Envy wasn’t something he dealt with on a regular basis. But something about seeing you and Lucifer together like that, did not sit right with him.

He stayed quiet and continued watching from where he stood. He saw as Lucifer raised his hand and cupped your cheek. You didn’t lean into him but you didn’t exactly make any moves to stop him either. That was more than Satan wanted to see. He quietly scurried away from the door and headed back to his own room.

Your POV

When Lucifer said he wanted to speak with you, this was the last thing you expected. You weren’t entirely surprised. You could be quite intuitive when it came to this kind of thing. It was clear to you that each of the brothers, Lucifer himself included, felt something toward you. A desire to be more than just friends. You never expected the oldest brother to confess to you like this, however. 

You stayed quiet and allowed Lucifer to speak out about how he felt. When he raised his hand to your face, you felt yourself stiffen. You truly cared about him, but not in the way that he wanted you to. You didn’t attempt to move his hand off of you. You didn’t have the heart to do that to him in the middle of his confession. Maybe you should have, instead of giving him hope. You had a feeling he could tell that you didn’t exactly reciprocate however. Lucifer definitely wasn’t blind, or stupid.

“I can tell by your silence, and that blank expression on your face that the feelings aren’t really mutual here..” said Lucifer, with a slight frown on his face.

You sighed and took his hand into yours, looking at him with apologetic eyes.

“Look, Luce. I love you, and I really care about you.. Just not in the way you want me to. You’re important to me, all of you boys are. But I can’t give you the answer that you want. I’m sorry.” you said, your own heart sinking at the idea of the pain you might be causing him.

“There’s no reason for you to be sorry. I understand. I truly care about you too, my dear. And our relationship is more important to me in the bigger picture than my own feelings.” said Lucifer, looking at you with tired eyes but a slight smile gracing his face.

“So we’re good then?” you asked, returning his smile.

“Yes. We are good.” he replied, chucking slightly. “However, I do believe you should pay Satan a vist.” 

You looked at him, tilting your head in confusion. “Huh? Satan? What do you mean?”

“Just, trust me (Y/N). I know my brother. I really think you should drop by his room.” he said, looking at you seriously. Unbeknownst to you, Lucifer had sensed his younger brother’s presence earlier. He could also tell that something was off about Satan, and he had a feeling he knew exactly what it was about.

“Uhh.. well, alright, I guess.” you said, not wanting to question him further. Lucifer always had a specific reason behind the things that he asked you to do, so you figured you should just indulge him.

You bid Lucifer goodbye and headed to Satan’s room. You knocked lightly on the door, and waited patiently for him to respond.

“You may enter.” you heard his slightly muffled voice from inside.

You opened the door and made your way inside, closing it behind you. 

“Hi, Satan.” you said, smiling at him warmly.

“(Y/N).” he said, nodding in your general direction. He did not look directly at you however. You could sense something was off. There was a kind of coldness in the air.

“Is everything alright, Satan?” you asked him, confused at the atmosphere surrounding him and his room. Satan was usually quite happy to see you. You two had always been comfortable with each other, having spent a lot of time together. You’d talk about anything and everything, sometimes simply even reading together in silence, just enjoying each other’s presence. 

“So what were you and him talking about?” said Satan, blatantly ignoring your question.

“What? Him? What are you talking about, Satan?” you asked, genuinely unaware of what he was talking about.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about (Y/N). Lucifer. What did he want?” he asked, looking at you with a poker face. You swore you could almost see a fire burning in his eyes however.

“Lucifer? He just wanted to talk to me about something. It’s nothing worth mentioning right now. How did you know about that anyway?” you asked, your confusion only increasing at his response. Satan had never behaved this way in front of you before, and you had absolutely no idea what was going on. You were quite nervous, if anything. You’d hate to think you had done something to ruin things with him. He was more important to you than you had ever outwardly admitted.

He simply scoffed and turned away from you. 

“Satan..? What’s going on? This isn’t like you at all.” you said, starting to get irritated at the way he was behaving.

He remained silent, his back facing you. You walked toward him and gently placed your hand on his shoulder, turning him to face you. You were shocked when you noticed that his eyes were welling up.

“Satan..” you said softly. You moved your hand up to cup his cheek but he moved it off of his face and looked away from you. 

“Satan.. talk to me, please. What’s going on..?” you asked him again, your voice cracking as you yourself could feel tears starting to form in your eyes.

"So, everything that we’ve been through together..it just meant nothing, then?” he asked, finally breaking his silence, tears starting to roll down his cheeks.

Before you could respond, he grabbed you by the shoulders, making you gasp.

“It was always him? I don’t even know why that surprises me at this point. Of course you would choose him. I..” 

He hesitated before continuing; “I just thought things with you were different..I thought we had something. I should have known that all this time, you just wanted him. I..”

He broke into a sob before he could finish, sliding his hands off of your shoulders in defeat. 

You didn’t say anything, simply pulling him into a hug as he sobbed, silently crying yourself as you held him. He did not resist, simply melting into your arms, crying into your chest. You allowed him to let out his feelings, waiting for him (and yourself, honestly) to calm down a little before you spoke.

“You know..for someone who believes in the power of knowledge, you sure can be an idiot, Satan.” you said. 

“What..Hey!” he said, breaking away from you, looking at you with an annoyed, but questioning expression. 

“What makes you think that I chose Lucifer over you?” you asked, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Well...I saw the two of you in your room. You were standing close and he was holding your face-” 

“And so, you assumed that I’m in love with him and that he’s more important to me than you are?” you said, looking at him with an unamused expression.

“I mean-”

“Seriously, Satan?” you interrupted him once again. “You surprise me, I really did think you were smarter than this. I love you, you idiot. And I choose you. Always. You’re the one that I want. Maybe I should have told you sooner, and we could have avoided this entire thing. But fuck it, better late than never, right? I love you, so much. You’re everything to me. And you will always be my first choice. Always have been, and always will be. And the fact that you didn’t know that is ju-”

Before you could finish, Satan suddenly grabbed you by the waist, pulling you into a kiss. He took you by surprise at first but once you processed the situation, you kissed him back. Your lips melted into each other, your tongues fighting for dominance as the kiss grew deeper and more passionate. This went on for a while before the two of you finally had to break away to catch your breath.

You were the first to break the silence.

“W-Wow. I, um..” you paused, trying to get your thoughts together. “..wow..” you finished.

Satan chuckled at you. He smiled at you warmly, his eyes practically sparkling. You’d seen him smile at you before but there was something different about this...It felt as though you’d unlocked something inside him.

“(Y/N)..” he started. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment. I love you so much, my love. You are my first choice too, this has always been true. Since the moment I met you, I knew there was something different about you. And I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember.”

You returned his smile, blushing lightly and biting your lip.

His expression suddenly turned serious. “However, I must apologize for my behaviour earlier. I’m so sorry, (Y/N). I’m not sure what had gotten into me. I just..The thought of you choosing Lucifer over me..I’m not sure I’d ever felt pain that cut so deep before. It was worse than any kind of physical pain I’d ever experienced. It felt like I could not breathe, like I had lost everything..I..I’m so sorry, my love.” he said, turning his face away from you.

“Satan, hey..look at me.” you said, holding his face and turning it towards you. “It’s okay. I understand. You don’t have to worry about it. I love you, no matter what. I don’t care about anything else. There’s nothing you could say to me that would change that, okay?” you whispered.

He looked at you with eyes full of adoration. 

“What did I do to deserve a creature as beautiful as you..?” he asked, his eyes welling up once again. 

You simply pulled him into you again, holding him close. The two of you remained like this for a while, taking in each other’s warmth. In that moment, that was all either of you needed.

[miracleboiz]

Making a Home Ch.23

Kita Shinsuke had experienced a lot in life. He had been raised with his grandmother, a loving foster parent and for some time he followed in her foot steps before finding his own path. He thought his foster care license had expired before getting a call at three am with two small boys thrust into his arms. Miya Osamu and Atsumu, from broken homes but still fighting. Thirty days before his license expires. Thirty days to make a choice, keep the boys or let them be separated into different homes. Thirty days to fall in love with them.

Words: 4k

Relationships: Ojiro Aran/Kita Shinsuke, Gen

Warnings: Mention of past child abuse, non-graphic abuse

Not from Kita, but it is mentioned. I will post any warnings before any panic attacks or vague descriptions of abuse.

Read below or on AO3

“No more jackets!” Osamu screamed as the front door started to close behind him and he immediately started to wiggle out of it without unzipping it. It caught around his shoulders and he whined, turning to look for his brother only to find himself alone.

He turned back around, eyes landing on a rather amused looking Shinsuke holding a plate of snacks.

“Hi Kita-san! I fell!” He called out, a giddy feeling rising in his chest when Shinsuke blinked at him. He couldn’t say why, but watching adults get confused was one of the funniest things he’d ever seen.

Osamu grinned as he twisted, trying to escape the jacket when he heard footsteps and froze as he recognized Oomimi. For a moment, cold dread poured into his stomach and he took a step back. He was waiting for the order to grab his things, or worse, Rika-san walking in behind him ready to take them away.

He was about to bolt, run back out to Aran and beg him to help when someone crashed into him from the right.

“Your house is huge!” Hitoshi’s voice screeched in his ear as they toppled to the floor.

“Hitoshi-kun be careful.” Shinsuke called, a chuckle following and Osamu relaxed. Shinsuke wouldn’t be laughing if they were being taken away, not after he’d been so upset Rika-san had been mean to them.

Osamu didn’t care what Atsumu said, Shinsuke cared about them… Atleast… Osamu really hoped he did. Osamu loved Shinsuke, he was never scared around him, ever!

Even when Osamu had been with other foster parents, he’d been waiting to be smacked, waiting for the shoe to eventually drop and the pain to start. He’d never felt really safe until now, and he never wanted to leave. He just didn’t know how to get Shinsuke to want them back.

“Why’re you two on the floor?” Rintaro’s voice made Osamu and Hitoshi look up, grinning at the confused looking six year old who was looking over the couch at them. He was wearing the butterfly hair clip that Osamu had let him borrow the night before, tucking his hair away from his eyes.

“Why aren’t you?” Hitoshi shot back, giggling with Osamu and finally rolling off of him. He reached down, trying to tug Osamu up to his feet. Neither of them moved to free Osamu from his accidental jacket trap.

“Because I’m not weird- Oh here comes the hugger.” Rintaro shrunk away as the door to the store opened and the room was invaded by the two oldest of the Matsukawa’s.

Shinji, as Rintaro guessed, made a bee-line for Osamu and wrapped his arms around him almost immediately. Osamu giggled, shoving against him to try and return the hug as well as he could.

“Where’s ‘Tsumu?” Shinji chirped, wiggling and shaking Osamu by default. “We missed you at school today!”

“Shinji, darling, what did we say about shaking people?” A new voice called as the door shut behind Osamu. He glanced back to see his brother looking more than a little confused about the number of people in front of him.

“Not to shake babies!” Shinji called, ignoring the man’s sigh of defeat as he turned to follow Osamu’s gaze to Atsumu. He froze, lips twisting into a frown as he tried to figure out how to hug both of them without letting go of Osamu.

“That is not what we said… Partly what we said, but honestly, Shinji stop shaking people.” The man laughed and Osamu looked over at him curiously. It took him a moment to recognize Hajime in the thick coat before he shed it and wrapped it over an arm. Hajime blinked over at him before smiling and giving him a small wave.

“No,” Shinji insisted, shaking his head, “it’s how I’m friend… fr… friendly!”’

“I’m pretty sure rattling someone’s brains isn’t friendly.” Takahiro’s voice followed as the door opened again. He had multiple boxes in his arms, followed by Akira holding a tiny box very determinedly in his hands.

“That’s because you’re weird.” Shinji chirped, finally letting go to try and shake Atsumu next. Osamu laughed as his brother was enveloped in the older child’s arms and was forced into a hug, Atsumu didn’t seem to mind much. Osamu wasn’t really sure why Atsumu didn’t have a problem with Shinji holding onto him but would attempt to bite Osamu if he tried.

Then again, Osamu let Rintaro borrow his butterfly hair clips and wear them for school today and he had tackled his brother for trying to move them on Saturday.

Osamu paused, wondering if he could get Hitoshi to hug and shake his brother. Atsumu probably wouldn’t bite him, he’d definitely bite Shigeru though… but maybe he wouldn’t bite Rintaro… but would Rin let him hug���.

Osamu thought it over and didn’t even realize he wasn’t alone again until he felt the zipper being undone. He blinked back to himself, staring at the neutral face of Shinsuke as his foster parent pulled the jacket off.

“Did you have fun with Aran-kun then?” Shinsuke asked softly and Osamu thought about telling him that Aran loved him, but maybe it wasn’t the time for that. So he reached forward and laid his hands on Shinsuke’s shoulders.

“I hope you and Aran-kun learn how to walk together soon.” He chirped before turning and running off toward Takahiro as he lowered the boxes onto the new kotatsu that had replaced the table in between the couch and tv.

He didn’t see the look of complete confusion as Shinsuke turned to stare after him before he turned to welcome Atsumu into the house.

Atsumu shrank down slightly when he realized that Shinsuke was now focusing on him. He pressed against Shinji as if he was trying to hide behind the older child and couldn’t quite manage it even with Shinji’s shaking. It was slightly relaxing, the soothing swaying, pulling up the oldest memory in Atsumu’s mind. One so old it felt more like a wish then a memory of being held close and rocked as he pawed at the face of his mother smiling down at him.

Just thinking about the moment made pain shoot through Atsumu’s chest. She’d left him too, like everyone else. Even Shinsuke didn’t want them and seeing him so close after yesterday...

Atsumu hurt. He wanted to burrow his way into Shinsuke’s arms and cry, beg to not be given away. Beg him not to hate them. Atsumu had to keep reminding himself that Shinsuke didn’t want them.

He wanted to grab his brother and run back outside, drag them both back to Aran. Beg him to take them home now so Atsumu didn’t have to hear Shinsuke lie about caring for them, about wanting them around.

Atsumu knew better. He knew Shinsuke wasn’t happy with them, why else would he have tried to give them away to Rika-san? Shinsuke wouldn’t hurt them but he wouldn’t be happy until they were gone. Atsumu wanted Oomimi to take them away last night, but Osamu had been so shattered by the idea that Atsumu hadn’t been able to utter the request again after Osamu started crying.

Even if it was just for a few more days, Atsumu wanted Osamu to be happy.

He didn’t know if Aran would really take them or if Osamu would be happy but… 

No one had ever caught Atsumu when he fell before, or told him he was a good brother or a good friend. No one had ever said they loved him.

Atsumu wanted to stay with Shinsuke too, and wanted to stay with both of them. He loved them and it hurt thinking that he had to choose one or the other no matter what. Shinsuke wasn’t dating Aran and Aran said they weren’t ready for that.

Even if Shinsuke decided he did like them, did want them, Atsumu didn’t want to lose Aran. He didn’t want to keep losing people.

Why couldn’t he just have a family? 

Why was everything so hard?

“Atsu?” Shinji’s voice was right in his ear and it jolted him back to himself. The arms tightened around him, grounding him as he realized Shinsuke was crouching in front of him looking concerned.

“Atsumu? Did you hear what I said?” Shinsuke asked carefully and Atsumu had to swallow down a sob to shake his head. “That’s alright. I was just letting you know that we invited Osamu and your friends over to play games for a bit and stay the night.”

“O-oh… why?” Atsumu asked slowly, blinking as he recognized Rintaro, Shigeru, and Hitoshi all crowded around Osamu and Takahiro. Rintaro glanced back, holding up a small peace sign when he saw Atsumu looking before he was looking up at the baker.

“ ‘Cuz we missed you!” Shinji chirped before Shinsuke could say anything, giving another wiggle and shaking Atsumu almost violently. “You weren’t at school and Kita-san said you didn’t have a good night, so we’re going to make tonight super great!”

“Ah, yes, that.” Shinsuke hummed, looking rather fond at Shinji’s happy chattering. Maybe that’s why Shinsuke didn’t like them, they weren’t happy like Shinji.

“And if you get too tired you can always go to sleep early.” Shinsuke softly, trying to offer him a smile but it seemed to fall flat as concern washed over him again. “But tonight’s all about you and Osamu, okay little- Okay?”

Atsumu’s chest ached at the slip up. Osamu was ‘little one’, Atsumu wasn’t anything important. He slowly nodded his head, turning away until Shinji’s arms fell off and he could tug off his jacket.

Osamu was happily kicking Atsumu’s legs as the sun started to dip below the sky. The kotatsu was heaven after the hours at the skating rink and even Atsumu had slowly started to relax. He gave his brother a half glare, trying to kick back around Shigeru’s legs who had put himself between the two of them after their first squabble.

“This is happy fun times,” Shigeru had declared, “if I can’t punch Rintaro then you can't hit each other!” 

“You did that.” Osamu had heard Takahiro mutter to Hajime as the personal trainer sighed and shook his head. “Let’s get his energy out with taekwondo, it’ll be fine, you said.”

“Atleast he stopped trying to throw dumbbells?” Hajime tried to offer before Osamu grew too bored of the conversation and turned back to his friends.

“Are you okay ‘Samu?” Hitoshi asked around a bite of roast, juice was slipping down his cheek and within seconds Rintaro was wiping his face off. “Ya look a bit sad.”

“ ‘m fine!” Osamu smiled brightly at him, ignoring the way his stomach rolled as he glanced over at the dining room where the adults had seated themselves to enjoy their own dinner. Aran hadn’t come over and Osamu had been hoping he would.

Shinsuke always seemed to relax more with him around, though there was something… different about him right now. Osamu couldn’t quite put his finger on it, maybe it was the way Shinsuke’s shoulders were dropped as he hummed around his cup. Maybe it was the fingers that weren’t tapping out on the table but calm and the glances over to them with a slight smile.

Osamu could only hope that it was because Shinsuke was happy to see them and wasn’t because he finally managed to get rid of them.

“Are you sure-” Hitoshi tried to push but Shinji tugged on his shirt and he fell quiet again. Shinji gave Osamu a smile that he couldn’t understand, but he wondered if maybe Shinji knew more than he said. Shigeru was giving almost the exact same smile as he put his legs between the twins’.

“How was school?” Atsumu asked tentatively and they all jumped as Rintaro dropped his head on the table.

“Terrible, absolutely terrible.” He complained, making Hitoshi giggle.

“Sensei made us write about our parents, and Rintaro finished early and she told him to make it longer.” Hitoshi explained and Shigeru and Shinji started to laugh too as Rintaro whined.

“Three times. Three times, I had to write more about my parents.” He kicked under the table unhappily, only stopping when Hajime called over to watch out for the heater. “I don’t even know them! … So I wrote about Hajime-san and Issei-san.”

“He wrote all about the bakery and Sensei kept asking why his parents were called Dr. Suna, then.” Shigeru wheezed, ignoring Rintaro’s glare. “And… He.. He tried…”

“Rintaro-kun said they had a doctorate in bread.” Hitoshi said as Shigeru fell backwards, writhing with laughter. Rintaro’s entire face was bright red and he shoved a bite into his mouth to try and save face.

“I’m sure Tatay and Babba would be happy to know you think so highly of them.” Shinji tried to comfort him, but the snorts escaping him just made it impossible. Rintaro groaned, pressing his head back down onto the table again.

The pressure in Osamu’s chest seemed to relax for a moment and he flashed a smile at his brother who nervously returned it.

Osamu looked up at the sound of someone standing up, blinking at the approaching form of Shinsuke. He didn’t think they’d been too loud or annoying but maybe Osamu wasn’t being good enough-

“Dessert is in the fridge when you are done eating,” Shinsuke explained softly, stepping out of the way as Shigeru and Hitoshi immediately scrambled to stand up and rush to the fridge. “Or now I suppose.”

He hummed, walking over and kneeling in Shigeru’s spot between the twins. Rintaro and Shinji scooted closer together to give them a moment of privacy, quietly talking about bread degrees. Rintaro insisted they were probably real and Shinji seemed concerned as to why they needed one.

“I’m going to be with the others for the night, but if you need anything please let me know.” Shinsuke said softly and Osamu could see the difference in him. Something changed. He was so… relaxed. Osamu prayed it wasn’t because they were going to be taken away.

“And tomorrow, I was planning on going to visit my grandmother. Would you like to go with me after school? We can do your schoolwork at her house.”

Atsumu frowned and swallowed before he looked to Osamu. It took a second before Osamu knew what his brother was thinking but he did.

“That’s really late though… You don’t get off work until it’s dark and… then you do paperwork… Will your grandmother be awake then?” Osamu asked slowly, keeping his eyes on Atsumu until he was sure he had asked the right question.

“Actually, I will be leaving work before you get off school so I can finish my paperwork when you get home. That way I can spend the rest of the day with you.” Shinsuke said, looking at them the same way Tooru looked at his kids. Osamu wanted to cry from that look alone and he knew Atsumu did too.

“I thought-”

“Nothing is more important to me then you two.” Shinsuke said quiet but firm, looking them in the eye one at a time. “Absolutely nothing. Not work or even Aran and Akagi and Oomimi.”

Atsumu didn’t seem to realize he was crying until Rintaro was trying to wipe them away with his shirt. He glared at Shinsuke for a moment but relaxed as Atsumu reached out to hold onto Shinsuke’s shirt sleeve for a second and Osamu latched onto his arm immediately.

“I…” Atsumu started, swallowing and looking over at Rintaro and Shinji who were watching. They looked concerned but excited and Rintaro offered him a supportive smile.

“I w-would... “ He puffed up his chest and Osamu relaxed as he recognized his brother’s brash and bold nature coming out. “Please take us to visit, Sh-Shinsuke-san. We’ll be good and we would… like to spend more time with you.”

Atsumu tripped over the words but he was staring resolutely at Shinsuke’s shirt as if he could draw courage from the pale blue fabric. Osamu wasn’t sure what made him want to cry more, seeing Atsumu not looking terrified or that Shinsuke genuinely seemed to want them.

“Of course… I’ll let you be with your friends now, don’t forget your desserts and you can turn on the playstation when your plates are off the table.” Shinsuke said softly, patting both of their heads before he was standing up and letting Shigeru have his spot back.

They watched him walk away then Shigeru pulled out a second plate from behind his back with two slices of pie and ice cream.

“I snuck your desserts, this way we don’t have to leave the kotatsu, it’s so cold without it.” Shigeru smiled brightly as Hitoshi revealed his own hidden treats for Rintaro and Shinji.

Osamu glanced at his brother and reached over to swat at his face playfully. The whine that rose up made Osamu relax, they'd be fine. Hopefully.

[johannesviii]

Top 10 Personal Favorite Hit Songs from 1999

A list with quite possibly the most embarrassing #1 yet, and considering some of the previous ones, that’s really saying something.

Also, a very, very long list of honorable mentions.

Disclaimers:

Keep in mind I’m using both the year-end top 100 lists from the US and from France while making these top 10 things. There’s songs in English that charted in my country way higher than they did in their home countries, or even earlier or later, so that might get surprising at times.

Of course there will be stuff in French. We suck. I know. It’s my list. Deal with it.

My musical tastes have always been terrible and I’m not a critic, just a listener and an idiot.

I have sound to color synesthesia which justifies nothing but might explain why I have trouble describing some songs in other terms than visual ones.

This could have almost been a top fifteen, because holy f█cking shit look at this list of honorable mentions. I might eventually make a top 15 for some years (gosh I just finished my 2013 top and it’s a massacre of good songs, an absolute disaster, and I’m seriously considering making it a top 15 or 20 I swear), but for now, it’s still manageable.

Summer Son (Texas) - Why is this so hot. The lyrics aren’t even hot in the first place. What the hell.

That Don’t Impress Me Much (Shania Twain) - Not my favorite song from her but still very good. Fun fact, one of my English teachers was using songs as dictation exercises and that was the hardest one he ever used for that. I don’t think any of us got the Elvis line right. Also he’s solely responsible for me loving The Cure because the second song he used for this kind of exercise was Boys Don’t Cry. This has nothing to do with Shania Twain but I thought it was a fun little story to tell.

Jusqu’au Bout de la Nuit (Emile et Images) - Two French bands from the eighties team up and release a song which is composed of every single one of their hit songs from the eighties, with each chorus sung one after the other, and... it sounds great? And it charted?? My brother absolutely loved them, too. The only reason it’s not on the list is that it feels like cheating, in a way. I mean, half these songs could top some of my lists on their own. Putting them together is a dirty trick, guys! Oh well, I love you all anyway.

Baby One More Time (Britney Spears) - I really love this song and it was on the list at first, but overplay played a big role in its removal from it.

L’Ame Stram Gram (Mylène Farmer) - Has the privilege of being the first Mylène Farmer music video I ever saw in my life. Was incredibly confused but also fascinated. The song isn’t her best though, and she’s on so many of these lists that I claim self care on its removal from this one, especially because, uh... she’s still gonna appear on it anyway. Damn it.

Move Your Body (Eiffel 65) - I told you I loved stupid dance music didn’t I. Unfortunately things aren’t gonna get better as years pass. I just made a list (which is gonna be posted muuuuuuch later) where I put David Guetta six places higher than Adele. This isn’t a joke.

Save Tonight (Eagle Eye Cherry) - I genuinely love this song and it’s kinda sad I couldn’t fit it on any of the two lists where it was elligible.

La Manivelle (Wazoo) - This would NEVER have charted if La Tribu de Dana by Manau hadn’t been such an enormous hit the previous year. Not in a million years. And if it hadn’t, the world would have been a little less fun. So I’m glad. I love it and it was one of the last cuts from this list.

Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer) - Was also on the list at first. Was removed because it never ended on any compilation I made and that’s the only reason.

Well, that was long. Here’s the proper list.

10 - Crazy (Britney Spears)

US: Not on the list?? I was very surprised / FR: #14

So I dug up the first cd compilations I ever made for the previous list, and look what’s the first song on the third compilation I ever made!

Relistened to it, still love it to bits, put it on the list. Sorry Kiss Me.

9 - All Star (Smash Mouth)

US: #17 / FR: Not on the list

I know it’s impossible to listen to it with fresh ears after something like 15 years of memes. But it’s still damn good and a ton of fun to sing along with it.

8 - Ma Baker 99 (Boney M)

US: Not on the list / FR: #66

Where’s that photo of the cd compilation I mentioned in the previous list?

There it is.

Yep, it’s a remix, but it charted here, and it sounds and looks absolutely fantastic. I had never heard the original at the time for some reason, and that song sounded so badass. I could only understand isolated bits of the lyrics (like “she was the meanest cat in all Chicago town”, “the cops appeared too soon they couldn’t get away”, “she never could cry”) but it was enough to get a general idea, and that was back when I was starting to realise than most of the dance songs I enjoyed as a kid didn’t tell stories and weren’t about wizards and magic. So, a song about a mean woman who’s also a gangster?? I was like, wow, nice, a song I like with an actual story, give me twenty.

7 - Boom Boom Boom Boom (Vengaboys)

US: Not on the list / FR: #20

Told you I loved Vengaboys! It’s also on that third cd compilation I ever made!

Fun fact, at the time, for a while I didn’t know what the lyrics were and since I only knew a couple of words of English I was convinced a “broom” was somehow involved in the lyrics instead of a “room”.

6 - Souviens-toi du jour (Mylène Farmer)

US: Not on the list / FR: #73

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again ; I used to be a huge fan of her as a teenager and my brain somehow links her and her songs in general to some dark times in my life - and so, every single time she appears on one of my lists, I feel like I’m texting an unstable ex and that things will end horribly and I probably shouldn’t do that but, ugh, can’t help it, love her too much.

Ok so the first seconds are actually painful to listen to but holy shit, that’s a beautiful, beautiful song. When the chorus swells near the end, so full of hope and light? Amazing. Chills on my arms every single time. That’s from one of her best albums, too. I have nothing more to say about it.

5 - Better Off Alone (Alice Deejay)

US: Not on the list / FR: #30

I don’t have anything to say about this one apart from the fact one of my friends around 2005 thought the lyrics were “do you think you’re better? rofl lol” and I think that’s hilarious.

Moving on to- oh shit oh no not that song

4 - Je te rends ton amour (Mylène Farmer)

US: Not on the list / FR: #97

What I said in #6 also applies here and this song is so dark it feels even worse. That song used to be very important in my life. Bad memories, bad times. Really, really bad times.

So. Uh. This is a song about a woman in a painting, who’s despising her creator, and possibly (that’s very, very open to interpretation, here’s a translation) coming out of her frame to kill him. That’s quite possibly the weirdest story I’ve ever heard in a song, and I love it. And it sounds so sinister. God, the first notes. They are so ominous. And that brief moment of silence after the bridge, right before the guitar explodes again? Horrible chills. I’m not sure who killed who or what actually happened in the story but press F to pay respects.

Also the music video has nothing to do with the lyrics and it’s absolutely terrifying and I shouldn’t have watched this at 14 because it’s kinda burned into my mind now and it will never go away and you probably shouldn’t watch it either.

If it wasn’t so inextricably linked to bad memories, this song would be #2. I still love it and listen to it but I kinda jump like a scared rabbit whenever I hear it by surprise and it should come with its own trigger warning as far as I’m concerned.

3 - Narcotic (Liquido)

US: Not on the list / FR: #99

This is barely elligible. But I’m so, so glad it is. These chords right there? Love them. Love. Them.

Also here’s a fun story about this song and me. At first, I was like “oh wow, I can only understand one word out of five, but this sounds badass.” Then a couple of years later I was like “oh. Oh no. It’s about drugs.” And THEN a few years later I was like “oh shit oh no. It’s about sex.” But no, now that I can understand everything, it’s just a breakup song. It’s okay.

2 - Where I’m headed (Lene Marlin)

US: Not on the list / FR: #24

Ok so. Uh. I just realised this song was called Where I’m headed and not, as I believed for literally 18 years, “Pass By”. I had never checked. I have it on several tapes and several cd compilations, always labelled Pass By. It’s also called Pass By on the mp3 I still have in my playlist. I know I’m in the wrong here and probably never checked what the title was but I still feel like there’s been a glitch in the matrix. What happened.

Anyway. Fantastic song. Love it.

Now let’s embarrass myself beyond all hopes of redemption.

1 - Blue (Eiffel 65)

US: Not on the list (...yet. #49 in 2000) / FR: #2

So. Uh. Yeah.

Blue by Eiffel 65 was, for a long, long, LONG time, my favorite song ever.

See? This is one of my oldest lists of favorite songs.

Another one from several months later.

A cd compilation of my favorite songs ever, which I made around 2003 or 2004 as well, with a booklet with lyrics entirely copied by hand and with every page painstakingly illustrated with panels and characters from my favorite comic at the time, Horologiom.

You open the booklet, and look at that, Blue is the second song right after Children.

This silly song which lists blue things and has a nonsensical chorus and one of the dumbest music videos of the entire 90s was, indeed, for years, my favorite song ever. Why. How. Well, first, please remember I am, in fact, a sucker for dance music and electronic music ESPECIALLY when a piano is involved, but this isn’t at all why this song was special to me (and still is, actually).

As I already mentioned, music has colors to me and guess what’s the dominant color of this song? Yepppppp. This is one of the bluest songs ever made even if there’s a little black, yellow and green here and there - the only song I can think about right now which out-blues it is Derezzed by Daft Punk.

And I can’t even begin to explain how SATISFYING a blue song called “Blue” listing blue things and which has an extremely blue music video is.

I know. It’s an embarrassing #1 even for 1999. It took me a long time to post this list partly for this reason. But I wouldn’t be honest if it was placed at any other position. It’s stupid, it’s repetitive, it’s meaningless. I absolutely love it and I’ve loved it for twenty years.

Deal with it.

Next up: the year when I actually started to buy cds with my own money, with debatable results.

[ikonislife]

SpellBound

-Hanbin x Female reader

-Hanbin’s birthday project (: 

-Hogwarts au, friends to lovers, school life au.

-This chapter will get update as new characters get introduced. Also this scenario is Hanbin focus but I feel like it’s good to have a little bit of background for everyone. 

-Spellbound masterlist

-A/n: A little teaser for what coming! I’ve never written a true au before in my life so please give me constructive feedback. I’d really appreciate any comment at all you guys have so I can do better in the future. I feel like I’ve always gotten away with very simple au, and this was truly a challenge and I don’t think I’ve done the best job. 

Chapter 0 - Introduction 

1 - Hanbin’s group

Kim Hanbin:

For a boy with heart made out of gold, Hanbin’s childhood was anything but. Faulted for having his head in the cloud, his peers thought of him as insane simply because their parents never liked the way his imagination fueled the curiosity in his heart. Always asking what-ifs and how-its, he was far ahead for anyone his age and had it not been for the why-nots he’d asked so often, Hanbin could’ve easily been deemed a genius. His parents had always told him to believe with all his might for at one point in time, visiting the moon was mere stuff of fiction. But he was still lonely, isolated for believing in things beyond what was presented, worlds outside the scope that was comprehensible by simpleton. The night after he had received his letter, Hanbin was restless for the universe had exploded in questions, but most important of all, it gave him an answer for his loneliness. The moment he had read the first line of the letter, bold and prideful “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry”, Hanbin felt at home. He felt at home even though he knew nothing of this magical world, or even that he was someone they referred to as muggle-born. Hanbin finally felt like he belong.  Kim Jiwon:

Jiwon had always been a force of life despite being dealt the worst cards even before he was old enough for school. His family wasn’t rich, barely making ends meet even, but what they had was love. His parents and brother love him very much and those around him knew, they knew that they’re the reason for the sparkles inside his heart. Jiwon felt like summer’s firework to those around him, warm and vibrant. He had the courage to conquer the world but also the heart to realize being on top wasn’t everything. He understood struggle, the hardship of life and how it could callous even the softest heart. Perhaps his compassion was his downfall for he too began to sympathize with the wrong crowd. He thought it was cool to be around the sort of people his parents had so sternly described as “the wrong sort”. His brother didn’t understand and parents disapproving of seemingly anything he did. So in the end, he was lonely in his own home. something was missing in his heart and it wasn’t until he had met his fellow housemates that he realized what it really was, real friends. They taught him the true value of friendship and that to be brave, he needed to be openminded about things his old crowd would laughed at him for. For the first time in years, he had dreams, he wasn’t afraid of being happy, and he wasn’t ashamed of his likes and dislikes. And for the first time in his life, he found a purpose, realized that home extended to even those who aren’t related when a certain young captain extended a welcoming hand and taught Jiwon what quidditch really meant. 

Cr.

Kim Donghyuk:

There was no doubt that Donghyuk was the epitome of sunshine and the crisp warmth of summer, and he himself wouldn’t dare argue or deny the fact. Yet there was a part of himself that no one knew, beyond the happiness that could be felt simply just by being near him. There was a darkness in his heart that fueled his fascination, dictated his interest that no one understood. For someone who was so often liken to the sun, Donghyuk had always thought the best time of day was when the sun safely tucked away in bed. The stars so brightly shine above, magnificent and ethereal. His favorite season? Winter when the sun barely shine, shied away behind a dark plume of cloud, rainfall or snowfall, he wasn’t picky. Donghyuk had always felt out of place, the constant expectation weighted down his shoulders and it too, weighted down his heart, dulled the light behind his eyes. He felt as if there was no place in this world for him, no place he could truly be himself and belong... No place until a young Gryffindor captain breathed the most beautiful sentiment after a night out star watching. “Stars cannot shine without darkness.” It seemed so simple, just a passing comment yet nothing had ever resonated with his heart the way the strange boy did. Donghyuk could see too a loneliness in his eyes and that was all he needed to stick around. 

Song Yunhyeong:

Yunhyeong had always solved life’s problem with a smile on his lips. There wasn’t much that could dampen the light in his heart and the grin on his lips. Even at the age when his peers were still worrying about what present they’d get for Christmas, Yunhyeong already knew what he wanted out of life and where his passion laid. His parents had always been there, always supportive of their’s son decision even if it was as crazy as opening up a cafe in the muggle world for they knew Yunhyeong’s talent was too great to not to share. Their friends, however, didn’t quite share the same sentiment, always thought they were too soft on him. Of all the reputable profession, how could his parents accept such a silly dream. He felt helpless listening to the well disguised derision thrown at his parents not only by their friends but also his grandparents simply because they chose to be supportive. So for the next few years of his life, auror was what he had chosen to be his dream despite the protest of his mom and his dad’s sorrowful gaze. They knew he did it for them, to make them proud but he had failed to realize that it was him that made them happy.So he carried himself as any reputable auror could, serious and even if it meant watching from the sideline as his friend enjoy their days. His days were dark and rigid, wasn’t until a certain sunshine entered his life and reminded him that “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” He reminded Yunhyeong of the lost dream to travel the worlds, to learn all the recipes his brain could hold, and most importantly, to have fun. Once more, Yunhyeong was abled to breathe easy. 

2. Y/n’s Group

Cr.

Y/n: (If you’re wondering why I left the middle top panel blank, it’s because I truly believe in doing my best to make the story personable for any reader. Yes, some details won’t fit perfectly with everyone but it’s my hope that a big part of it, you’ll be able to see yourself in place of Y/n. I don’t want to fall into the trend of inserting these beautiful Asian models because one, I know for sure not all of you are Asian. And two, not everyone fit the body type and me included. I hope you understand my choice. Thank you.)

“A muggle born Slytherin”, what a funny joke that must’ve been. Some laughed, other giggled, few grimaces from the oldest bunch at the table donning that beautiful shade of emerald. You hadn’t understand it, a smile on your lips still that they hadn’t tossed you out and deemed you too muggle to do magic. A stiff silent sunk into the large room so beautiful with the constellation twinkling, beautiful warm light from hundreds, thousands floating candle instilled a sense of wonder in your chest. Your smile slowly worn away as the laugh too died away when the magical hat once more spoke with certain, “A muggle born Slytherin, another one for the book.” By the time your body settled into the wooden chair by the group of second years wearing sympathetic smile on their lips, you knew something was wrong. Your first year was spent futilely trying to convince the 7th years, the last fews lingered still from an outdated mindset, that there was more to being a Slytherin than devil worshipping and discrimination. You’ve forgotten how many time you were shoved into the dirt, tripped on your walk to herbology, and how they had so cruelly laughed at your very ironic existent. The magical world that had given you an out from the mundane one your parents had always taught you to dream to escape suddenly darken with hopelessness. Yet when the world seemed to be at its worst, a beautiful young boy showed you that inside each person, there will always be a light and a dark side. Junhoe had lifted you from the bottom of the dark hole you had dug yourself and taught you that just because a person belongs to Slytherin, doesn’t mean their eyes must be blinded by one shade of green. The world exist in a beautiful blend of colors and to be bounded by a single color, a single shade would be disrespectful to your own soul. 

Junhoe:

There’s no one truer than the Koo when it comes to the meaning of living, breathing Slytherin. Perhaps that in itself a contradiction for they stand tall to shield those who suffer injustice, use their wit and cunning brain to play the world to their favor. They’ve managed to stay true to the meaning of the Emerald and silver logo they wore so proudly on their chest without succumbing to the evil of the world. Perhaps that’s why they’ve always been hailed as the royalty, true heir to Slytherin. Needless to say, that title comes with the weight of the world as it was passed down to Junhoe, the eldest boy in the family. He suffered greatly as the old school beliefs often meant he was belittled, jeered for simply being proud of his heritage, being proud of the house he was placed in. The world he lived in perhaps seemingly glamorous to those unaware of what lied behind the closed door of his grand home. Junhoe had always hide behind the sass and sarcasm, use it to hide that behind the cold exterior was just a boy with stars shining in his eyes. He had no friend for his fellow housemate feared him, those from adorning other crests couldn’t wrap their head around everything he stood for. He was lonely in the quest to show there was more to being a Snake than just the stain left behind by the greatest evil that ever was. Lonely until he met you, a walking, breathing paradox being beat down by the world for being proud of who you were - a muggle born Slytherin. Suddenly his world brighten up and for the first time in a long time, he walked down the hallway of the school with a smile on his lips. 

Lisa:

Cr.

Jinhwan:

-Spellbound masterlist

[minah-delacroix]

Cherries and confessions

Minah Delacroix - Paris, France 

Summer of 2015

The world of Minah Delacroix had been nothing but glamour and fancy soirées for as long as her memory allowed her to remember. For the young girl, watching men in tailored suits and women in couture dresses flock her family’s residence to swoon over her grandmother’s latest fashion event or to discuss politics with her grandfather, was a daily life occurrence.  Aged fifteen, Minah was regarded  -not without a certain degree of envy- as the perfect heiress for the Delacroix family. Among the exclusive circle of French ruling class, many wished their children had grown up to become such perfect prospects. And just as many couldn’t wait to be spectators of yet another high-society tragedy, when -and if- Minah happened to fall from grace after becoming one of those horrible teenagers who stumbled drunk at parties or liked to get experimental with forbidden potions.

That’s why la crème de la crème of French wizarding society had gathered that evening so willingly at the Delacroix Manor for ‘Le Bal Rosé’, an old-fashioned tradition the Delacroix family had kept for centuries to introduce the young women of the household to society. Minah had described the event, to her friends, as a celebration as equal parts wedding feast, prom, and cotillon where she would officially be presented to the French haut societé, just so her family could reaffirm their social superiority and prove that despite it all, the Delacroix attracted substantial public attention and its rituals continued to command near-universal respect. However, not everybody was there to show their respect to the family, some only wanted to criticize the lavishness of the event, the choice of flowers decorating the ballroom, or the dress pick of the young heiress.

It was not a shocker that the only grandchild of Duc Louis Pierre Philippe Delacroix, one of the richest men in Europe, excited as much admiration as it provoked resentment. Everything about Minah was graceful and delicate. Her every movement was elegant, her words rolled off her tongue with effortless eloquence and her beauty was unique and -as her aunts’ friends put it- ‘exotique’. Elizabeth Delacroix’s delicate fairness and Junho Kwon’s striking facial features had combined to create a peculiar beauty in Minah. She was slender, with long legs and beautiful eyes; her face was finely chiseled, her skin pale and her hair a unique shade of chestnut.  Minah was by any means, the perfect heiress for a household as honorable and prestigious as the Delacroix and so, everybody expected to see her reputation tarnished with one of those shameful scandals that made it to the headlines of heinous tabloids. People like the Oliviers, a wizarding family with delusions of grandeur and an openly recognized dislike for the Delacroix were sure it was only a matter of time before Minah’s image (along with her family’s prestige) crumbled, bringing shame and dishonor to her household.

However, in the modern world that most “mythological mummies” (like Johannes Casablancas called anyone older than thirty) didn’t understand just yet, falling victim of a real scandal took more than just a casual hook-up or a crazy party night. Kids those days were far ahead of their clumsy parents and above those ridiculous life-shattering scandals that seemed to have been pretty common in the past.

“Teen pregnancies are for dummies and uneducated Americans” Jane Durand scoffed as she put away the latest issue of “Witch Cosmo” with a disgusted face. The girl had been lying on the carpeted floor of Minah’s study room for solid twenty minutes, kicking her legs up in the air as she chewed a strawberry flavored bubble gum whose scent now lingered in the air mixed with the fragrance of the freshly cropped lilies Julien had gifted Minah and the seawater smell of his perfume. “What can’t adults understand about protection and contraceptives?” She inquired, glaring at the magazine open to an article titled ‘Why abstinence is the right choice for young witches?’

Her comment made Antoine de Lapin, her best “guy friend” blush like the inexperienced teenager he could’ve been if it wasn’t for Jane’s willingness to teach him one or two -or dozens- things about women. Sitting on the desk, he fidgeted nervously with the silver wristband Minah had gotten him for his birthday a few weeks ago and avoided looking at Jane or Julien, who was clicking his tongue at the blonde’s rambling.

“Don’t tell Minah her aunt gave us that magazine or she’ll avoid us for the rest of the summer out of pure embarrassment” Julien warned, although he didn’t really believe his friend could keep her mouth shut about Minah’s grandaunt, Adelaine, trying to give them ‘the talk’.

“You aren’t worried she might feel strongly inclined to follow that advice, right?” Jane retorted, eyeing the open magazine once again, this time with a huge smirk crossing her lips.

Before Julien managed to scold Jane for even suggesting his words held anything other than sincere preoccupation for their friend, there was a loud thud. The three friends immediately turned their heads to find Johannes Casablancas lying on the floor, eyes narrowing in pain after failing to properly climb the last step into the room, through the open window, and landing on his bum.

“Ugh. I did not need that mental image” The guy skipped any greeting and frowned, turning to give Jane a severe-looking glare. Johannes Casablancas was the eldest of the bunch and by far the most judgmental, although Jane liked to point out, whenever the opportunity arose, that he was also the most experienced and a hypocrite.

“Why? Does the image of Julien wanting to-” Jane made a popping sound with the gum in her mouth “-Minah’s cherry disgusts you?”

In unison, the three boys turned to look at Jane. A mixture of reproach and disgust replacing their usually undisturbed demeanors. Johannes scrunched up his nose and Antoine looked frankly scandalized, but Julien’s face twisted into a grimace that made him look as though he had just been forced to swallow a lemon whole.  If anything, Jane had always believed Julien’s problem was how much of a prude he was. Otherwise, he would’ve probably been dating Minah for months and her best friend wouldn’t have to make all those questions she had been asking lately about her virginity-loss experience.

“Ugh. How charming, Jane!” Johannes snorted “Where did you pick those euphemisms fr-?”

“How can you even say that, Jane? It’s our best friend you’re talking about, not some fictional character from those books you read!” Jane chuckled at that, frankly unbothered by the way Julien’s voice went up “Don’t ever repeat that again, especially not in front of Minah.”  As complacent and forgiving he usually was with the blonde’s slips of the tongue, Julien looked truly offended this time. The way his jaw locked and his eyebrows furrowed only proved Jane she had really crossed the limit of what he could bear.

An odd feeling of pride filled up Jane’s chest as she rolled eyes at the boy. Then, a brief, but uncomfortable silence settled over the room.

It was brief because a few seconds later the door flung open and Minah Delacroix materialized into the room, cheeks flushed pink and panting as though she had just crossed the finish line of a marathon.

“What happened?” She inquired, looking perturbed by the obviously charged atmosphere. Julien made an attempt to smile at her, but he was interrupted by Jane.

“Nothing, just Julien being a pru-“

“What’s that?” Thankfully for everybody, Antoine de Lapin was tactful enough to stop Jane from splurging her nonsensical comments. Instead, he pointed at the package Minah was holding with force against her chest.

“Oh, this…” There was a moment’s worth of hesitation from her part. “Uhh… This… Nothing!” Minah stuttered, hiding the package behind her back. “Just one of those gifts from my grandparent’s business partners”, she said once she managed to pull herself together.

“Wrapped in a paper from the Owl Post Office?” Johannes asked from behind her, forcing the young heiress to turn on her heel, slightly startled at his unannounced presence and even more unwanted question.

“No-“ Minah shook her head. She didn’t look very amused about Johannes almost causing her a cardiac arrest. “When did you even get here? In fact, why did you come this late, the party is almost over.“ She complained, anger progressively replacing her shock.

“I think that’s exactly why he came” Antoine enlightened, a soft laugh accompanying his words as Johannes gave a confirmation in the form of an energetic nod.

Minah turned to look at the oldest of her friends and her gaze traveled meticulously up and down as if to take in the full scale of Johannes’ appearance. Bulky leather jacket, dark jeans and scuffed leather boots, everything about his outfit seemed out of place in that room and the whole Delacroix Manor. Minah was almost relieved he hadn’t shown up earlier, otherwise, Aunt Adelaine would’ve gone through a second near-death experience in less than a day. The first one being Minah’s choice of dress. A long, but almost transparent Dior gown with a daring low cut that revealed the creamy milk of her skin nearly down to her navel and allowed her to show off her long and toned legs.

“Well, at least you didn’t ditch us for the next girl in your list” Minah let her guard down and sighed resigned, plopping onto the sofa Louis XV, a family relic.

“So while you were gone, we were planning our next night adventure-“ before Minah could react, Jane snatched the mail package resting on her lap “Aha!” She looked triumphant as she read the name written on the box. “Lee Sungjae!” She said out loud, ecstatic as if catching one of Minah’s lies merited her a Medal of Honor.

“Who’s that?” Julien wished his words had not come out as reproachful as they did, but he had already jumped to his feet and strode toward Jane to see the name with his own eyes.

“He’s just a friend,” Minah said wearily.

“I had no idea you had friends outside us four” Johannes also joined Jane and Julien on the task of inspecting Minah’s mail. “Oh… nice handwriting, it seems like he put a lot of effort-“

“Oh, come on, give it back!” Minah protested, jumping to her feet.

“How come we’ve never heard of this Sungjae?” Julien asked trying to sound as casual as ever. It made Jane chuckle, but Minah was too flustered to notice.

“He’s a friend from England. Goes to Hogwarts.” She explained, snatching the package from Johannes’ hands.

“Oh… a Brit…” Julien wrinkled his nose in disapproval.

“So why is this Sungjae owling you? Good news? Is he probably coming to visit this summer?” Jane asked question after question, earning herself a glare. “Oh, mon Dieu! Minah, is that why you’ve been asking me about how I lost-“

“Jane!” Minah gasped scandalized, raising her voice a bit too high for what it was considered appropriate and ladylike in the Delacroix Manor. Everybody flinched, half out of surprise and half out of the sheer volume at which she had screamed. It was almost a miracle Aunt Adelaine had not appeared in the room to scold Minah for her inobservance of social protocols.

“But-“

“No.” Minah cut her off “Sungjae is just a good friend, I asked him to send me a book I couldn’t find here and he was kind enough to do it. That’s it. That’s the story!” She picked the package and shoved into the first drawer of her desk. “Now, let’s get going before I regret it”

There was an evident contrast between the old-world elegance and luxury of the Delacroix Manor, its museum-worthy objects and the impassible facade of its residents, and the rawness, avant-garde atmosphere of Piscine Molitor, its concrete walls and the group of loud teenagers breaking In at night. Minah decided that after a long day of forced smiles and rehearsed greetings, she liked the latter best. Especially when Julien was included in the whole package; especially when times like those seemed to be about to slip through her fingers.

Despite the stress, the heartbreak and the uncertainty of the past days, Minah suddenly felt submerged in a perfect state of peace and relaxation. The soft nocturnal breeze had stilled and the moon hung bright over her head as the latest track Antoine had composed for the guys’ band played in the background. Minah had slipped into a modest jumpsuit that didn’t show as nearly much skin as her ball dress and was lounging on the chairs with a plastic cup of something that tasted like ten percent spirited water and ninety percent ethanol. At her right, Julien dressed in a pair of shorts and a simple sleeveless tee smoked a cigarette as though it was a heavenly experience, his lips sexily parted in a silent gasp as he released the smoke from his mouth. At her left, Johannes —still sporting his leather jacket—, chanted the lyrics of their unreleased song, high on his drug choice of the week. Jane was off somewhere, probably corrupting the morals of the only decent teenage boy she knew and Antoine… well, everybody knew Antoine was that boy.

“Were you talking to him the other day?” Julien’s voice suddenly interrupted Minah’s silent musings. There was evident confusion in her face, so he quickly clarified “The Brit… At my house, when you were whispering on the phone… were you talking to him?”

The young girl didn’t understand whatever Julien meant by that, but once she processed his words, her heart seemed to stop violently for a second.

“No, I was talking to someone else” The memory was still fresh in Minah’s head. It was her mother, but Julien didn’t need to know that because her mother worrying about her was a rare happenstance and it only led to more questions. Questions Minah didn’t want to answer at that moment. “No, it was someone else,” she said.

“I thought you said it was a friend”

Minah took a sip of whatever Johannes had brewed in the plastic cup. “Do we really need to talk about that?” She said dismissively, “You’ve never really been interested in my social life outside you four”

“That’s because we had no idea you had a social life outside us four” Johannes chimed in, before jumping to his feet and claiming he would look for Antoine, who had confiscated whatever muggle substance he had been getting high on.

Minah rolled eyes at her friend’s blatant lie.

“A someone, no gender, just someone?” Julien wasn’t usually so insistent, so Minah let out a frustrated sigh involuntarily.

“Yes, just someone I don’t see often and was delivering some news. Nothing important”

“A friend who lives abroad? Someone from our childhood? Do I know them?”

Minah had never thought a conversation with Julien Toubeau could ever become so unnerving, so she took yet another sip of Johannes’ cheap alcohol and rolled eyes. “Merlin, you’re not going to stop, are you? Seriously Julien, you four know everything you need to know.” ‘At least for now’ a voice spoke inside Minah’s mind. “So stop stressing and let’s better plan our trip to Montenegro. I’m seriously dying to see the Venetian Forts and-“

“I feel you’re hiding something from us” Julien almost sounded angry. “And you’ve never hidden anything from me” He added solemnly. Then he stood up, stripped his shirt off, tossed it on the chair and jumped into the water as if to avoid dwelling on the same topic (which he would have done, had not been for his dignified sense of pride).

Standing by the pool, Minah gulped down the content of the plastic cup as she concluded that Julien Toubeau wasn’t angry. He was disappointed. And somehow that was even worse.

It was past midnight when Jane and Antoine reappeared trying a bit too hard to look casual. Minah and Johannes, who had been sitting by the edge of the pool, drinking the remaining of the unlabeled bottle he had stolen from his father’s bar, only exchanged knowing glances and quietly went back to munch from the platter of red fruits and macarons that Minah had summoned from the Delacroix Manor —leftovers from ‘Le Bal Rosé’, probably—.

“What’s with this mood?” Jane complained with a frown. The set of French muggle music playing in the background could barely be heard over the water splashing sound of Julien swimming his nth lap of the night. “And why is Julien acting as though he’s training for the Olympics?” She inquired with a darting accusatory glance at Minah’s direction.

“He’s just working out” Johannes shrugged nonchalantly. “You know Julien and his quirks”

No one bought that lame explanation, but Jane was particularly convinced that Julien didn’t really enjoy the nocturnal workout. The girl had the strong feeling that her friend was just avoiding Minah for some reason she was yet to know. And she wasn’t mistaken.

In fact, Julien Toubeau didn’t have any intention to talk to Minah for the rest of the night, so he thought it was more convenient to stay in the pool and save himself some pain and humiliation. However, the second he spotted Jane, Julien climbed out of the pool and joined his friends on the uncomfortable task of sitting in silence, which somehow resulted ironic if you considered the animated music playing from Minah’s phone. Antoine knew that Julien was just worried about Jane having another slip of the tongue, so he was closely keeping an eye on her, but he still laughed at the way Julien’s eyes widened when Jane opened her mouth to say something.  

“I’m getting bored here, let’s play truth or dare!” Jane proposed, ignoring the way Johannes’ nose crinkled in disgust.

“Hell no!” Minah jumped on her place, almost surprised her eardrum had not exploited at Johannes’ strident refusal. “Oh, no, no, no” He yelled again right into her ear. “I’m not gonna sit here for an hour while you make out with Antoine and Jules and Minah play coy. I’m out of it” The guy stood up and sat at the nearest chair. Jane pointed out the hypocrisy of his actions because he didn’t want to play, but he refused to leave and apparently he wasn’t against the idea of watching his friends make out.

“Voyeurism” Jane concluded, shaking her head reprovingly.

If she hadn’t been so high in alcohol, Minah would’ve probably recognized Jane’s proposal as the horrible idea it was, but she stayed on the same spot and picked one of the cherries from the platter of fruit, popping it into her mouth in a way that made Julien blush when he recalled his conversation with Jane earlier that day.

“I guess I’m in,” Julien said with pretended nonchalance, which seemed unnecessary since Jane had already caught him gulping nervously.

Ten minutes into the game and Antoine had already ended up confessing he sneaked out with Jane every night of full moon to stargaze, but everybody understood that was a euphemism for fucking under the stars; Julien admitted to using a little bit too much of his perfume when he wanted to make an impression which, Johannes pointed out, had definitely been the case earlier at ‘Le Bal Rosé’; and Minah was challenged to feed Antoine strawberries mouth-to-mouth. Naturally that last part had been an idea from Jane to get on Julien’s nerves and to continue working on Antoine’s confidence, but Minah had shrugged nonchalantly, lifting a strawberry from the bowl and putting it on the tip of her lips before leaning in so Antoine would bite down on it. The juice of the fruit dribbled over their mouths and before Antoine could realize the magnitude of the act, they had delved into a hungry kiss. The kiss could’ve as well lasted a minute or an hour, but when Antoine pulled away Minah noticed with fainting sensation that Julien was on his feet and before she could register he was moving, he had already turned on his heel and left fuming.

Minah found Julien hiding in the dimly illuminated comfort of the locker rooms. He already had a half-hearted insult cresting on the tip of his tongue by the time the young heiress slid on the spot beside him. Of course, he had been expecting to see Antoine or Jane, so his mouth went dry at the sight of Minah.

“Jules” The girl called softly, pronouncing that endearment name she had given him when they were nothing but kids. “What happened out there?” Minah inquired, watching him intently as Julien apparently collected his thoughts. He had known Minah for as long as he could remember and he had never succeeded at staying mad at her for too long, especially when she pronounced THE question he knew she was about to ask. “Are you mad at me?”

Julien felt an icy chill run down his spine as Minah’s gaze fixed on his face. She was looking at him expectantly with those beautiful eyes of her, blinking at his every slight move until he mutedly said “no” and buried his face in his hands.

“Jules…” Minah softly pulled at the sleeve of his t-shirt, forcing the boy to look at her “Why did you run away? You still believe I’m lying to you?”

Julien shook his head

“Then…” If Minah had been better at picking signs, she would’ve stopped asking questions right then, but growing up with Jane Durand had not been a particularly good lesson on subtlety. Minah tilted her head and placed her hands on each side of Julien’s face.

“I am jealous, Minah. That’s it!” Julien pulled her hands away from his face and before she could muster a complaint, he blurted “It was me who you should have been kissing. Not Antoine” Minah evidently wanted to chime in, but Julien took a finger to her lips, asking her to stay quiet. “I know we grew up together as family and I know you don’t see me as a boy, but I do like you Minah and today when you received that owl from whoever this guy is, I just felt like I’ve been wasting time and I was angry-“ He immediately caught the way Minah’s eyes widened and he hurried to add “but not at you, I can never be mad at you, I was angry with myself because I never seem to gather enough courage to tell you the truth, to tell you that I like you and-“

Minah gave Julien no time to complete his confession. She fitted her lips to his and kissed him with a soft sound of satisfaction that resembled a lot to a moan. The kiss started off gently, but thoroughly and Minah didn’t dare to move until she felt her whole body tingling. Julien kissed her back, simultaneously feeling a sense of floating and falling. He had waited for it for so long that now he could barely restrain himself.

“I- I- also- I - like- you- too,” Minah said, panting for air, once they finally pulled away. “I like you too, Jules. I thought you knew. I like you too”

Out of pure instinct, Julien got his arms around Minah, pulling her closer to him. His mind had gone blank and he could barely hide a blissful smile making its way onto his face, but Minah’s next words took him out of that trance.

“I know I will sound crazy, but that’s exactly why I want you to be the first one” Minah grabbed one of his hands and looked up to him with her round eyes, and long lashes batting. “I want to have sex, Jules-“ She shook her head “I mean, I want to lose my virginity with you”.

Minah was already overwhelmed with emotions and shivering beneath Julien’s touch when he pulled her up on top of him and kissed her forehead. He tightly clung to her naked body, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist and watching her with adoration. “Be my girlfriend?” His words came out in the form of a low whisper, causing Minah to tense up almost automatically. An older Julien would’ve never dared to ask a similar question, especially not after ‘deflowering’ the girl of his dreams in a soggy pool locker room. But the fifteen-year-old Julien was still too young and too whipped to understand why his question was so inconvenient. He was also too hopeful to anticipate what happened next.

Minah broke down in tears.

For a second, panic whirled through Julien’s mind. He felt disgusting and guilty at the mere thought of having caused Minah physical or emotional pain. He thought that he should’ve known better than to give in so easily to Minah’s suggestion. He should have told her to think through, he should’ve probably waited and planned a special night for her.

Was she probably regretting what they had just done? Was she revolted after loosening her strict moral values? Maybe it was normal for a girl to bewail the loss of her virginity…

“I can’t, Jules” She said in between sobs. It wounded his ego.

“But-“ The boy let his arms fall to the sides, disappointed and humiliated. It was becoming a recurrent feeling whenever Minah was involved.

“It’s not you…” She interrupted, looking up to him with her rounded eyes glistening.

“No, of course not. It’s probably you, non? He couldn't stop the sarcasm dripping from his words, but Minah didn’t take the offense. Instead, she forced herself to smile at him as she reached to caress his hair.

“I’m moving, Jules” She looked into his eyes, so he would know she wasn’t bluffing or making up an excuse. “To London, at the end of the summer. They are transferring me to Hogwarts”

“Your parents?” There was a turmoil inside Julien’s head. He didn’t know what to say or how to begin, but words seemed unnecessary once he noted Minah’s eyes filling up with tears. “I don’t care. I will wait for you to come back”

“Jules, please” Minah let out a derisive scoff “You’re going on a tour with the guys. Chances are you meet someone and you want to date.”

“I won’t,” Julien said firmly, he ran his hands up and down her back and planted a sloppy kiss on Minah’s neck. “Not after this,” he said, pulling her closer to him, so he could feel the way her whole body responded to him.                 

“Jules, don’t be ridiculous. You know-“ Minah’s words died in her throat when Julien captured her lips in a heated kiss that made her groan.

“Why? Do you plan to meet someone else there?

“In Hogwarts?” Minah rolled eyes in pretended offense.

“Then, there’s no reason to worry” Julien skimmed his hand along her shoulder and up to cradle her head in the crook of his neck. “Whatever spell you’ve put on me will surely keep working until next summer, at least…”  He chuckled lightly, making Minah hide her face in embarrassment.

“Jules…” Minah called his name and hesitated for few seconds before daring to ask a question that Julien had also been meaning to ask —not as openly, of course— for some minutes now. “Can we make it again?”

Julien wasn't sure how they'd ended up there, but he was feeling like the luckiest bastard on the planet.

“Is that even a question?” Minah’s body softened into his while the fingers of his right hand slid into her hair and his free hand pulled her hips toward him.

They say that first times are always painful and messy. There is awkwardness and regrets and even disappointment afterward, but Minah Delacroix was actually glad and satisfied with every step along the way. For one thing, she was glad she wore that lacy set from La Perla that aunt Aurelie had bought her as a birthday gift; she was also glad she bathed in floral essences before sneaking with her friends that night; but first and foremost, she was glad she had picked Julien to be the first man in her life, as cliched as it sounded. Although it had happened in the abandoned headquarters of what once upon a time had been the most stylish Art Deco building of Paris; although Julien improvised a bed on a sports mat. Although there were no candles or lilies or champagne for that matter.

[lcofowler]

ok a lot of u haven’t actually met this boi yet n tbh i’m still figuring him out?? bt i’ve had him as a muse in mind fr months so below is a bunch of Hubbub on him!!

Don’t be fooled! That’s not NICK ROBINSON you saw on campus but in fact was SULLIVAN "SULLY" HARVARD. The 20 year old SOPHOMORE identifies as CIS-MALE and is often described as ALOOF, CONFUSING & CYNICAL. When I think of them I imagine A LONE GUITAR COLLECTING DUST & THE FEELING OF CLAUSTROPHOBIA IN A LARGE CROWD. I sure hope studying MUSIC/CREATIVE WRITING is keeping HIM busy.

BACKGROUND

so when sully was born he had an older brother n sister who had a diff dad whomst they never rly got to kno since they were all so close in age n their mom left him when his sister was like............. 1 sodghoidg

she had a bit of a habit doing this /: jst allowing rly creepy n awful men into their house bc she cldn’t keep a stable job so she’d allow them to buy her things and provide fr her kids as long as she did wht they wanted

out of the 8 harvard kids sully only has one full sibling the rest are half siblings bc of the amount of times his mom’s had to kick out disgusting guys fr being emotionally and physically manipulative/abusive to her kids it was Bad

finally when she had the twins who are abt 5 now she went thru postpartum depression p bad n jst....... gave up, the kids tried to help as much as they cld bt the guy she was with wld lock them in their rooms so tht he cld jst have her to himself etc.

one time they were all locked away in a room fr almost 2 days straight n thts when the eldest harvard gave their mom an ultimatum tht she either left her bf or they’d move out, n i think we all kno wht happened ;[

all 8 of the harvard kids moved into a rly small apartment tht had like 2 bedrooms tht they had to share, most of the time sully wld sleep on the couch bc there jst wasn’t enough room

however his eldest siblings got their shit together, graduated, n got rly good jobs n thankfully came into some money bc of it, they were even able to move out to be closer to said jobs n still support the rest of the harvard kids (thanks to rly helpful partners/spouses)

this means tht sully’s pretty much the leader of the house now tht he’s the oldest one living there n it’s been rly hard on him fr several reasons bt he tries his best bc if there’s anyone in this world he loves, it’s his siblings uwu

his older siblings tried to get him into therapy bc they noticed him acting very Off ever since they moved out?? bt he refused tbh

PERSONALITY

generally growing up sully was a v easy going kid, never a part of the popular crowd bt was never picked on, everyone knew of him bt not too many ppl talked to him, n he kinda liked it like that

always nice and open to ppl bt this kinda changed after he moved out w his siblings

he stopped trusting ppl n grew this rly rough exterior n doesn’t rly let ppl in any more

this makes relationships Rough

v.......... emotionally numb n can come across as monotone and bland bt he jst doesn’t want ppl to get to kno him any more

turns to music as an escape tbh bt he’s even scared to love tht too much so he’s currently double majoring until he decides on whether he wants to stay w music or not

used to date casually bt now he jst. doesn’t......... uses sex as a power thing kind of?? it makes him feel in control of what’s going on in his life n he likes it like tht

v sarcastic and funny in an almost uncomfortable way, definitely has a certain sense of humour tht a lot of ppl aren’t into

he’s a good friend to have if ur already in his life bt it’s v hard to b accepted by him at this point soidighodig

pansexual af (how do u write straight ppl)

WANTED CONNECTIONS

ppl who knew him before he suddenly turned into a Robot??

someone he tried to date bt broke it off w

fwb’s

friends

crushes........ tht see his soft side uwu

someone tht knows his siblings/dated them/still close w the family

[terraclae]

Cyclical

Lore pings: @yuushanoah-fr @cityofinoue

[Lore Directory]

The crew performs a small breakneck funeral for Epoch this chapter around. All dragons are in bipedal forms as usual.

‘This looks comfy.’

‘That’s an unnecessarily big bed.’ Arodan said. It fit Atlas perfectly with room to bounce like he was doing now. It was a silly sight to behold but he looked genuinely delighted to be rolling around on it. ‘I take you like it?’

‘This is pretty terrific yeah.’ Atlas said, sitting upright with a start. His hair stuck out in every direction. ‘This is a good room.’

‘Well, then you can take this one.’ Arodan shrugged and turned. He wanted to leave the room, but was stopped by Atlas grabbing the back of his coat. ‘Atlas?’

‘Come here for a moment.’ It wasn’t that much of a request as he pulled Arodan right back and onto the bed until he lay besides him. ‘Yeah, that’s about big enough.’

‘What are you planning?’ Arodan asked. He turned to Atlas who looked positively blissed out just lying there. ‘We have places to go Atlas.’

‘I don’t plan to snuggle here with you for the remaining hours of day, don’t worry.’ Atlas assured him with a big grin. ‘But I want to ask something of you.’

‘What do you want to ask?’

Atlas paused and sank into a pillow that didn’t obstruct his horns. ‘Sleep in this bed with me tonight. Just keep me company.’

‘That’s surprisingly innocent.’ Arodan murmured. His face had grown warm like other times but it was pleasant and comforting. Slowly he crept closer to Arodan so he lay flush against him. ‘Sure. Let’s share a bed tonight. Can’t say I have done so recently.’

‘That seems to be your response to most things.’ Atlas said, smiling fondly. ‘It’s mostly… If you’re okay with the idea I want you to stay because I’m not at ease here.’ His voice shook just a little.

‘Hey.’ Arodan wiggles around so he could put his hands on Atlas’ cheeks. ‘That’s alright, I’m uneasy too.’

‘Big cities scare me a little when they’re like this.’ Atlas continued to explain. ‘You know, when it feels like you could get caught in the rapids of civilization at every turn. Paramo isn’t like that.’

‘I know.’ Arodan brushed Atlas’ cheeks gently. His tail tangled with his carefully. ‘We can explore the neighborhood tomorrow if you’d like. Maybe we all don’t want to be here but at least we can familiarize ourselves with the area.’

‘Spoken like someone strategically minded.’ Atlas hummed. Arodan’s hand wandered down to his collar and loosened the first button. ‘Hey, by the way, I’ve heard through the grapevine there is a heated bath in this building. I know you prefer some privacy but hey, we can try.’

‘That took a turn.’ Arodan whispered, fumbling with the edge of Atlas’ collar. ‘I… I’m not sure. If it’s a public thing then someone is there already maybe.’

‘Well, it’s worth a look.’ Atlas stretched comfortably and his arm fell comfortably over Arodan. ‘You know what-‘ He pulled him closer and put his full weight on him. ‘I changed my mind, I wanna lie here for a bit with you.’

‘Atlas, we can't do that, we don’t have time for that!’ Arodan explained, attempting to roll away and only getting more stuck. ‘I mean, I want to, but we also have things to do.’

‘We’ll be ready in time.’ Atlas mumbled, grinning. He opened his eyes slowly, then noticed something. Behind Arodan, he saw an ear and a horn sticking out. Slowly he lifted his head and saw Carmen lying behind him, one eyebrow raised. ‘Carmen. Sugar. You know this is a real moodkiller right?’

‘If Arodan isn’t going to tell you no, I’m going to Atlas.’ She said, initially unamused. When Arodan turned and looked at her she smiled. ‘Hey boys, I’m sorry for ruining your moment.’

‘Hi Carmen.’ Arodan said, half buried in Atlas’ chest. ‘Is something the matter?’

‘You’re not ruining the moment, it’s okay.’ Atlas said, looking at her over Arodan. ‘I assume you want us to hurry up?’

‘The funeral pyre isn’t quite done yet so take your time.’ She smiled fondly despite the oncoming funeral. ‘I actually took the time to craft something extra to remember Epoch.’ She rolled from her side to her back and searched her pockets, retrieving a round, glass like charm with a hole in the middle. ‘This.’

‘What is it?’ Arodan gingerly took the charm from her hand. It glittered in the sunlight but as beautiful as it was it seemed to be lacking something. ‘What’s it for?’

‘It is a basic energy storage.’ Carmen started. She watched closely as Arodan handed the charm to Atlas who spun it in his hands. ‘I will put it with Epoch when we light the fire and it will retain some of the energy from the pyre. Alongside his ashes I will have something significant to bury in the crypts of Paramo.’

‘That sounds lovely.’ Atlas was quick to speak. His eyes had grown a little foggy and he handed the charm back to Carmen, placing his hand on her head. ‘I’m sure he would have loved it.’

‘I didn’t think it would happen like this.’ Carmen whispered. She held the charm to her chest and turned her head into Atlas’ touch. ‘But you are right. He would have loved this.’

‘We should get ready then.’ Arodan maneuvered around Atlas’ arm’s so he could get up. Looking at it this was a bed that could comfortably fit four people. He didn’t even need all this space and he couldn’t think of anyone else that would. ‘We’ll see you downstairs Carmen.’

‘Yeah, I’m gonna see if maybe there are additional herbs to put in the pyre.’ She hopped up easily. It seemed she had gotten used to moving herself with just one hand. ‘Don’t get lost on the way there.’

‘I’ll make sure we won’t.’ Atlas said, flashing his brightest smile. Carmen slowly left the room and once she had left down the hall Atlas sat up. ‘... You uh, wouldn’t happen to know the way, right?’

‘So you have an idea of where the bath is but not where the funeral is?’ Arodan smugly remarked, pocketing his hands. ‘I know the way. Let’s freshen up and make our way over to there, okay?

‘Okay.’ Atlas nodded. He rose from the bed slowly, coming to stand before Arodan. Slowly his hand rose back to Arodan’s cheek and he brushed over it first before his hand drifted up and his thumb lightly traced alongside his eyepatch. ‘Hey.’

‘Hey.’

He slid his hand around Arodan’s head, and slowly tugged him forward so their lips met halfway. He moved hesitantly yet the kiss was more longing than the ones Arodan had shared with him before. It lasted longer, was hungrier and stole breath like none had before. Atlas pulled back and rested his forehead against Arodan’s. He whispered ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ Arodan whispered in return and without doubt, drawing back. He reached only to squeeze Atlas’ hand and then turned to search his bags for new clothes. He heard Atlas shuffling over to his own bags with a bounce in his step.

*

This was a bigger funeral pyre than she had imagined. Not that she minded, the large hall accomadated it perfectly. Carmen had been told that this is where high standing officers and businessmen within Glasir would be burnt or have their funerals held often due to the Hall being the most extravagantly built and one of Glasir’s oldest structures. Even today little offers to the gods were made here. The building looked like a proper place to do so, it was a large concrete and marble building with its most primary feature being a dome with an oculus in the ceiling. In this main hall, Carmen sat on the pyre next to the casket holding her brother’s body.

Balam might have frozen it well during their journey, she was afraid to say at the very least whether he looked anything like him still. When he had just passed her grief hadn’t kept her from performing rites to stop his body from rising from the dead but now it felt wrong to even lift the lid a little bit.

‘Are you okay up there?’

She turned slowly. She stood at the edge of the pit, clipboard in hand. Her eyes which had been surveying the morticians around her now were focused solely on Carmen. ‘Is there anything else you need?’

‘No, I think it’s fine. I’m just…’ She shook her head and swiftly chose to fly down. ‘I’m just a little nervous.’

Syr didn’t speak for a moment, then cleared her throat. ‘I can understand that. Maybe I don’t know what it is like to lose a sibling but I still sympathize with you.’ She met Carmen’s eye. ‘And perhaps it isn’t the moment… But I apologize for my slip of patience at Odin’s office.’

‘It’s fine. And again, I said I want to handle this first. Then whatever else needs to be discussed will be discussed.’ She lowered her head. ‘Please don’t think I’m not grateful, I admire the things your company has done for Paramo. Right now it is just very hard to stay composed.’

‘If it helps, I’m usually less serious and glum. I like to be the fun person in a conversation.’ Syr answered. ‘Stress does things to a person that makes them say things they don’t mean. I guess the most important thing is to apologize afterwards.’ She lifted a hand to point at Epoch’s casket. ‘You froze the body, no?’

‘Yes, we did not have time to embalm and Epoch wouldn’t have wanted it either.’ Carmen answered, her ears dropping flat against the sides of her head. ‘It’s better to give your body back to nature in an untainted state. Free of chemicals and such.’

‘Well, then it should be fine for you to open the casket.’ Syr flew up onto the pyre. Carmen’s heart skipped a beat and she scrambled onto the pyre to see what Syr was up to. ‘Don’t be scared. In the end bodies aren’t frightening.’

‘That’s my brother’s corpse though.’ Yet Carmen found herself slowly lifting the lid. If it meant her opening it as opposed to Syr then she would do it.

She froze seeing the sight inside. Of course it wouldn’t look like Epoch, there was a great difference between a breathing body and a dead one. But… He didn’t look like a horrible sight to behold either.

‘Miss Syr?’

‘Yes?’

‘Can you please retrieve the round pendant that is in my pocket?’

Syr reached and pulled the pendant from Carmen’s pocket. She took to holding up the lid for Carmen so Carmen could place the pendant on Epoch’s chest.

He looked sunken, and he looked gone forever. This idea didn’t scare Carmen as much anymore.

She took the lid from Syr and placed it back, closing the casket. It sat upon a sea of flowers on top of the wood and yes, that was what Epoch would have loved to see. Maybe he was watching, she thought. ‘Miss Syr, why are you here?’

‘I have duties to fulfill, you mean?’ Carmen and her flew down from the pyre and she took note Kassa, Arodan, Balam And Atlas had arrived. She hadn’t caught the name of the third man, one with golden eyes but he was part of them. ‘This is in a sense, diplomacy. This is important to you and if it aids your people somehow then it is important to us.’ She sighed. ‘It’s a pretty boring answer but if you want to hear a personal opinion, after my little slip up I wanted to help.’

‘I still don’t know what to think of you Syr-‘ Carmen bowed her head and joined the group. ‘-But thank you for your help. It means a lot to us.’

‘It is not a problem at all.’ Syr responded blankly, bowing similarly. ‘I shall leave you be. The morticians will stay here only to see the fire doesn’t get out of hand and to gather the ashes for you but otherwise you are free to organize this yourselves.’ Without another word she left the room, a few people trailing after her. Syr walked with harsh enough steps to be heard long after she had left.

‘So-‘ Balam started, breaking the silence that had fallen. ‘- Do you want to say anything Carmen? Or do you want to keep it simple?’

‘This is already simple. I think saying something doesn’t complicate anything.’ Carmen said. She eyed the two morticians by the side of the room. They wouldn’t hear them it seemed.

She started to speak. ‘I don’t think any of us had foreseen how Epoch’s life would end. I don’t think any of us wanted it to happen like this.’ She walked forward and put her hand on a log in the pyre. ‘But all things die. Maybe it will be quiet, maybe it will be unsatisfying, maybe even unfair. Not all deaths are equal.’

Balam stepped forward and joined her by the pyre, pulling a thick branch from it. He said nothing yet and Carmen continued to speak. ‘There’s no one to blame for this death. Of course we could wish to rain revenge upon the city of Lux Laterna, and Alexander, but it will only cloud or minds.’ Balam held the branch in front of her. ‘If we take back our home, we do this for no one but ourselves and the ones we’ve lost. Not to fulfill hollow vengeance and anger that will wear us thin.’ She snapped her fingers and the end of the branch caught on fire. She took the branch from Balam and briefly turned to her friends. ‘We will be chasing our sun for no one but ourselves until we are home. The souls that are no longer with us, will be homeward bound-‘ She turned and lit the pyre. Balam’s hand took hers and he pulled her back so they would not be caught in the rapidly intensifying blaze. ‘-Forevermore.’

‘Forevermore.’ The rest gently murmured. A voice broke through Arodan recognized and soon he saw Sachairi stepping forward to join Carmen’s left side. She leant against him and he put an arm around her. Balam still held on to her hand as they watched the blaze. Slowly Atlas followed with Arodan, Kassa on close distance behind them. Caer was the one to stand at Sachairi’s side of the row. Together they stood and watched the blaze until the last light of the sun died on the horizon.

Arodan looked over them, lighter, softer. At that moment there was the common understanding among them that there would be no regrets brought up that evening. No past hurt, no grudges, nothing. Arodan looked further and he saw Sachairi, who gazed into the fire. He knew he must have been seeing Epoch somehow. The others saw fire that danced and flitted like a dragonfly with stray embers like them dancing around them. This was something Arodan did see, Carmen’s own magic resonating with it. The whole picture was a dance of petals and dragonflies until the pyre was left smoldering and the room had gone dark save for the sparse lights that lined the walls.