#but i got a new computer and needed ps

[mrsfancyferrari]

Can you make an AU where Carlos is attracted to the new receptionist at the golf course he and Papa Sainz frequent? Ps. please make her Latina and with curly hair

Thanks in advance!!

Golf Gurl

Anon: Can you make an AU where Carlos is attracted to the new receptionist at the golf course he and Papa Sainz frequent? Ps. please make her Latina and with curly hair

Song: Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood

Author’s note: I can't write short stories to save my life. I hope you enjoy this long journey which may take a full day to read. Please like, reblog and share this! <33

Word count: 6.6k

MASTERLIST - F1

It was another busy day at the golf course, with members coming and going.

You've only worked here for a few weeks, thanks to your best friend who got you the job. She knew you were in desperate need of more staff, and you were in desperate need of money, so it worked out perfectly.

The hours were long and the work could be exhausting, but it was a steady paycheck and you were grateful for it. Every day brought new challenges and new faces, and you were slowly getting the hang of things.

The members were mostly friendly, though some could be demanding. Your friend and you often laughed about the more eccentric characters you encountered, and it made the busy days more bearable.

Plus, the beautiful scenery of the golf course was a nice bonus, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As you stood behind the reception desk, checking in players and handing out scorecards, you couldn't help but notice a familiar face approaching.

It was Carlos Sainz, the young Formula 1 driver, and his father Carlos Sainz Sr.

Carlos Sainz Jr. had a boyish charm that was hard to miss. His chiselled jawline, sparkling brown eyes, and tousled dark hair gave him an effortlessly cool appearance. Dressed in a sleek, navy-blue polo shirt and tailored khaki shorts, he exuded an air of casual sophistication that turned heads everywhere he went.

His father, Carlos Sainz Sr., was a distinguished figure with a rugged, experienced look. His salt-and-pepper hair and weathered face told stories of countless adventures and victories. Wearing a classic white polo and well-fitted trousers, he carried himself with the quiet confidence of a seasoned champion.

As they approached the desk, their easy camaraderie was evident. The younger Sainz greeted you with a warm smile, while his father gave a polite nod, both of them radiating the kind of charisma that comes from a life spent in the spotlight.

"Good morning, how can I assist you today?" You greeted them with a warm smile.

"Hola, we'd like to check in for our usual tee time," Carlos Sainz Sr. replied.

As you typed away at the computer, you felt Carlos Sainz's gaze on you. You glanced up and your eyes met, causing a flutter in your chest.

"Here are your scorecards, gentlemen. Enjoy your round," you said, handing them the cards.

"Gracias, senorita," Carlos Sr. nodded, then turned to his son. "Come on, let's get going."

But Carlos lingered for a moment, his eyes still locked on yours. "Thank you," he said softly, before following his father to the first tee.

A few seconds after they left, your best friend Mariah came running over, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Did you know that Carlos Sainz and his dad just arrived here?" she exclaimed, almost out of breath.

You sighed, a small smile playing on your lips. "Yes, Mariah, I just saw them. I checked them in," you replied, trying to keep your tone casual despite the fluttering in your chest.

Mariah's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in closer. "Did you talk to him? What did he say? Oh my gosh, he’s even more handsome in person, isn't he?" she gushed, barely able to contain her excitement.

You chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Not much, just a thank you," you said softly, feeling that flutter in your chest again as you recalled the moment.

Mariah nudged you playfully. "Come on, there has to be more! Did he smile at you? Did you feel a spark?"

You rolled your eyes, though you couldn't help but blush. "He did smile, and maybe there was a little spark," you admitted, causing Mariah to squeal with delight.

"This is so exciting! Who knows, maybe you'll bump into him again later," she added, winking mischievously.

Over the next few weeks, you noticed Carlos Sainz would often linger a bit longer after checking in, finding excuses to talk to you.

You'd exchange small talk about the weather, the course conditions, or the upcoming F1 race. You found yourself looking forward to these brief interactions, captivated by his charming smile and warm brown eyes.

"Girl, he loves you," Mariah exclaimed dramatically over your lunch break, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

You laughed, shaking your head. "That's exaggerating, Mariah. We've just been talking," you insisted, though you couldn't deny the thrill that ran through you at the thought.

Mariah leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Please, I've seen the way he looks at you. It's like you're the only person in the world. And don't even get me started on how he always finds a reason to linger around," she said, raising an eyebrow.

You sighed, unable to suppress a smile. "Okay, maybe there's something there. But it's not like anything can really happen," you said, trying to temper your own rising excitement.

Every time you saw him, your heart would skip a beat, and a warm, tingling sensation would spread through your chest.

You found yourself stealing glances at him, feeling a mixture of nervousness and exhilaration with each encounter. Despite your attempts to remain composed, the mere sight of his easy smile and confident demeanor left you feeling giddy and hopeful for what might come next.

One afternoon, as you were organizing some paperwork, Carlos approached you with a cup of coffee in his hand. "I thought you might need a pick-me-up," he said with that signature smile, his fingers brushing yours as you accepted the cup.

The brief touch sent a jolt of electricity through you, and you couldn’t help but stammer a thank you, your cheeks flushing pink.

Carlos's smile widened, clearly pleased by your reaction. "You're welcome," he replied smoothly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"I hope it helps you get through the rest of the day," he added, lingering just a moment longer before turning to leave, leaving you feeling both flustered and elated.

As Carlos walked away, you couldn't help but replay the moment in your head, savoring the warmth of his touch and the genuine kindness in his eyes.

Your mind swirled with a jumble of emotions—anticipation, curiosity, and a growing hope that maybe, just maybe, there was more to these interactions than simple friendliness.

You find yourself unable to focus on your work, daydreaming about what might happen the next time your paths cross. . . .

It was getting closer to Christmas Day, and Carlos's visits to the golf course were becoming more frequent. Every time he came by the check-in desk, he lingered a little longer, chatting about anything and everything.

"So, are you planning to go spend Christmas with your family?" he asked, leaning casually against the counter.

You smiled, shaking your head. "No, my parents live in Mexico and I'd rather stay here for Christmas. What about you?"

Carlos chuckled, "I think I'll spend the day with my family." His eyes twinkled with a mix of excitement and holiday spirit.

"That sounds perfect Carlos. I hope you'll have a great Christmas with them," you replied.

Carlos nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Thanks! Maybe next year you can join us for a big family dinner," he suggested, his tone genuine.

You laughed softly, feeling a bit more connected. "I'd love that, Carlos. Maybe I'll take you up on that offer someday."

The conversation flowed easily, making the cold December days feel a little warmer.

The day of Christmas arrived quickly, bringing with it a quiet calmness to the golf course. Snow gently dusted the greens, and the usually bustling check-in desk saw only a handful of customers.

You had decided to work today, lured by the promise of bonus pay, but the lack of holiday cheer made the hours drag.

As the afternoon wore on, you found yourself reminiscing about Carlos's invitation. The thought of being surrounded by a warm, welcoming family made the solitude sting a little less.

Maybe next year, you thought, as you glanced out at the serene, snow-covered landscape. For now, you'd focus on making the best of the quiet day, knowing that the holiday spirit could be found in the most unexpected places.

The day of Christmas arrived quickly after, and you were one of the two workers stationed at the reception desk.

The other worker, Sarah, had just gone on her long break, taking the opportunity to stroll through the snow-dusted golf course while you handled the few customers that trickled in.

The quietness of the day was both a blessing and a curse; it gave you ample time to reflect but also made the hours stretch endlessly.

As you sat there, a small group of regulars came in to get a quick round of golf in before their holiday festivities. Their cheerful banter brought a touch of the holiday spirit into the otherwise serene clubhouse.

Engaging in light conversation with them helped pass the time, and their jovial moods were infectious.

You then heard a familiar voice as you texted Mariah on the phone. "You should be focusing on me instead of your phone," the voice teased.

You looked up to see Carlos standing there, bundled up in a thick coat and scarf. "Carlos! What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with your family!" you exclaimed, genuinely surprised but delighted to see him.

Carlos chuckled, "I was, but I thought I'd stop by to check on you. I know working on Christmas can be a drag."

He leaned on the counter, his eyes twinkling with the same mix of excitement and holiday spirit from before. "Plus, I brought you a little something to make your day brighter," he said, pulling out a small gift-wrapped box from his coat pocket.

You accepted the gift with a smile, the loneliness of the day melting away in the warmth of his gesture.

"Thank you, Carlos. You didn't have to do this," you said, unwrapping the gift to reveal a beautifully crafted snow globe with a miniature winter wonderland inside. "It's perfect," you added, touched by the thoughtful gesture.

Carlos shrugged modestly, "I just wanted to bring a piece of the holiday cheer to you. Besides, who says you can't have a little fun at work?"

"You always know how to make things better," you replied, placing the snow globe on the counter where you could admire it throughout the day.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?" you asked, curious about how he managed to juggle his time.

Carlos smiled, "Well, after making sure you're not too lonely here, I'm heading back to help my mom with the Christmas dinner preparations."

He chuckled, "You know how it is, I'm the oldest so it's my job to help out." You nodded in agreement, feeling a rush of admiration for his sense of responsibility.

He shrugged, "It's just what family does."

"That's really sweet of you, Carlos. Family traditions are important, and I can see how much you cherish them," you replied, feeling a renewed sense of warmth from his presence.

"I actually miss those big family gatherings, the laughter, and the chaos. But being here isn't so bad, especially now that you're here."

"Well, I hope you get to see your parents soon," Carlos said, his eyes filled with understanding and sincerity.

"Thanks, Carlos. I hope so too," you replied, handing him his scorecard as you noticed a small line forming behind him. "But for now, I'm just glad I got to see you. It means a lot."

Carlos gave you a warm smile, "Take care of yourself, and don't let the holiday blues get to you, okay?" He glanced at the next customer and nodded, "Looks like you've got some more people to cheer up. I'll see you around."

You smiled back, "Thanks again, Carlos. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family." With that, he waved and headed to his golf section, leaving you with a heart a little lighter and a desk adorned with a piece of holiday magic.

As Carlos left, the next customer approached the counter with a friendly smile. "Hi there, I was wondering if you could help me find a gift for my nephew.

"He's really into sports, especially golf," she said, her eyes twinkling with holiday excitement. "Of course," you replied, eager to assist and share some of the holiday cheer Carlos had just brought into your day.

After assisting the customer with a few suggestions for her nephew, you were finally let off for your break. Eager to catch up with Carlos, you quickly made your way to the golf section, scanning the aisles for his familiar figure.

There he was, meticulously arranging golf balls and chatting with another employee.

You decided not to disturb him, content to watch from a distance as he swung his club with practiced ease. The fluid motion of his swing sent the golf ball flying straight and true, a testament to his skill and dedication.

His focus was unwavering, and you couldn't help but admire his passion for the sport. It was clear that golf was more than just a hobby for Carlos; it was a part of who he was.

As you continued to observe, you noticed the way he effortlessly engaged with the customers and his colleagues, offering advice and sharing tips with a genuine enthusiasm that was infectious.

His charisma and kindness shone through in every interaction, making the golf section a little brighter and more welcoming. Watching him, you felt a sense of comfort and connection, knowing that even in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there were moments of true joy and camaraderie to be found.

"Are you going to stare all day or are you going to come here?" you heard Carlos say, snapping you out of your reverie. You blinked and realized that he was looking right at you, a playful grin lighting up his face.

With a sheepish smile, you walked over to him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just admiring your swing," you confessed.

Carlos chuckled, handing you a golf club. "No worries! Want to give it a try? It's never too late to pick up a new hobby," he encouraged, his eyes twinkling with the same holiday excitement you had seen in the customer's earlier.

"I've never done golf before," you admitted shyly, gripping the club with uncertainty.

Carlos raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "How do you work at a golf place yet don't know how to play golf?" he asked, his tone light and curious.

You shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I guess I just never had the time or the opportunity. Plus, it always seemed a bit intimidating," you explained.

Carlos's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "Well, today is your lucky day. Let's start with the basics. First, you want to have a good stance," he instructed, moving to position your feet correctly.

"And don't worry, I'll be right here to guide you every step of the way."

You stood in front of him and held one of his clubs, following his instructions but you missed the ball twice. "Don't worry about it," Carlos said, his voice gentle and encouraging.

"It's all about getting comfortable with your stance and swing. Let's try adjusting your grip a little bit." He carefully positioned your hands on the club, his touch steadying your nerves.

Taking a deep breath, you tried again, but the ball still didn't go very far. Carlos laughed softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Hey, you're getting there! Remember, it's not about power, it's about technique. Just relax and let the club do the work." His confidence was contagious, and you found yourself smiling back at him.

"Alright, one more time," you said determinedly, feeling a renewed sense of excitement.

Carlos moved closer, his presence both comforting and electrifying. "Let me help you this time," he muttered, standing right behind you and placing his hands over yours on the club.

Your breath hitched as you felt the warmth of his body aligning with yours, his steady guidance making you feel surprisingly confident. "Just relax," he whispered, his voice soothing, "and let’s focus on the swing together."

With Carlos's hands guiding yours, you felt an immediate difference. The club felt less foreign, and your stance more natural.

As you swung, the ball finally took a clean, satisfying arc through the air. "There you go!" Carlos exclaimed, stepping back with a proud smile. You turned to him, beaming with excitement and gratitude. "Thank you, Carlos. That was amazing!"

He chuckled, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. "Anytime. Looks like you might just have a knack for this after all."

Looking at Carlos, you couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement and appreciation. His patience and unwavering support were more than just helpful; they made you feel seen and valued.

As your eyes met, you realized there was something undeniably special about this moment, making you wonder if this newfound connection might extend beyond the golf course.

Before you could say anything more, one of the staff called you for assistance. "Excuse me, I need to help with something," you said, reluctantly pulling away from Carlos.

He nodded, his eyes still warm and understanding. "Go ahead. I'll be right here when you're done," he assured you.

As you walked over to the staff member, you couldn't help but glance back at Carlos. He was watching you, a small smile on his face, which only made your heart race faster.

The task at hand was simple enough, but your mind kept drifting back to the moments you had just shared. Finally, as you wrapped up the assistance, you knew you couldn't wait to get back to Carlos, eager to see where this newfound connection might lead.

"Thanks for waiting," you said with a smile, walking back toward him. "So, how about another lesson? I think I could use a bit more of your expert guidance," you added, hoping to prolong your time together.

Carlos grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'd be happy to help. Let's see if we can make that swing even better." He stepped closer, his hand gently resting on your back as he adjusted your stance once more.

"Remember, it's all about the rhythm and feeling comfortable."

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

As you were closing up the pro shop, Carlos approached the desk. "Y/N, I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner tonight?" he asked, a nervous edge to his voice.

"But what about your family dinner?" you asked, your voice tinged with concern.

Carlos smiled, his eyes twinkling with reassurance. "We can go after it, if you want to. My family gatherings usually wrap up pretty early."

You hesitated for a moment, weighing the excitement of spending more time with him against the potential intrusion on his family plans. But his earnest expression melted your doubts.

"Alright, that sounds perfect," you agreed, feeling a rush of anticipation.

"Great! I'll pick you up around eight?" Carlos suggested, his face lighting up with relief and joy.

"Eight it is," you confirmed, your heart fluttering at the prospect of what the evening might bring.

As you both exchanged smiles and phone numbers, you couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something wonderful.

The dress Mariah brought was a stunning crimson red, the color of a ripe pomegranate. As soon as you held it up, you could tell it was made of the finest silk, the fabric flowing through your fingers like liquid fire.

"Mariah, this dress is absolutely gorgeous!" you exclaimed, your eyes wide with delight. "I can't believe you found something this beautiful on such short notice."

"I know you, girl," Mariah said with a wink. "I knew you needed something special, so I went straight to my favorite boutique. As soon as I saw this dress, I knew it had your name written all over it."

Holding the dress up to your body, you admired the way the deep v-neckline would accentuate your collarbones, and the way the fitted bodice would hug your curves in all the right places. The skirt flowed out in elegant pleats, promising to move with grace and fluidity as you walked.

"It's perfect, Mariah. Absolutely perfect. Help me try it on?" you asked, already shimmying out of your clothes in anticipation.

Mariah helped you carefully slip the dress over your head, the cool silk gliding effortlessly against your skin. You felt a slight shiver as the fabric settled around your shoulders, and Mariah expertly adjusted the straps to ensure a perfect fit.

As you turned to face the mirror, you marveled at how the dress seemed to transform you, its rich color and elegant design highlighting your best features.

Mariah's eyes sparkled with pride and excitement as she took a step back to admire you.

"Oh my goodness, you look absolutely stunning!" she gasped, her smile widening. "This dress was made for you; Carlos won't be able to take his eyes off you tonight!"

"Do you really think so?" you asked, your cheeks flushing with a mixture of excitement and nerves.

"Absolutely," Mariah reassured you. "Trust me, when Carlos sees you in this dress, he's going to be speechless. Now, let's finish getting you ready—hair and makeup next!"

You heard a knock on your door and jumped, your heart racing as you glanced at the clock. Mariah had already left after doing your makeup and hair, leaving you to savor the final moments before the big night.

You took a deep breath, smoothing down the skirt of your dress one last time before opening the door.

Carlos stood there, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of you. "Wow," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "You look... incredible."

You felt your cheeks flush again as you smiled shyly. "Thank you, Carlos. You look pretty dashing yourself."

He offered you his arm, his gaze never leaving yours. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting. "Let's," you replied, feeling a surge of confidence and excitement as you stepped out into the evening, ready to dazzle the night away.

That evening, you two met at a cozy Spanish restaurant not far from the golf course. As you sipped on sangria and shared tapas, the conversation flowed easily.

Carlos was genuinely interested in learning more about you - your background, your hobbies, your dreams.

"So what brought you to work at the golf course?" he asked, popping an olive in his mouth.

"Well, I've always loved the sport, and the job allows me to be outdoors and interact with people. Plus, the members are so friendly," you replied, glancing up at him through your lashes.

Carlos nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. The course has never looked better, thanks in no small part to you."

You felt a blush creep up your cheeks at his compliment. "You're very kind. And how about you? What do you enjoy most about golf?"

"The peace and quiet, the challenge of the game... and the lovely company you get to keep these days," he said, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

We talked late into the night, losing track of time. You were captivated by Carlos' charm, his passion for racing, and his genuine interest in you.

As you said your goodbyes in front of your door, he gently took your hand, sending a warm, tingling sensation up your arm.

Your heart fluttered in your chest, and a sense of calm contentment washed over you. The evening had been perfect, filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and an undeniable connection that seemed to grow with each passing moment.

You felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness, wondering what the future might hold for you two. Carlos leaned in slightly, his eyes searching yours as if he was trying to memorize every detail of this moment.

"I had a wonderful time tonight," he said softly, his voice rich with sincerity. "I hope we can do this again soon."

You nodded, unable to suppress the smile that spread across your face. "I’d like that very much," You replied, feeling a sense of warmth and anticipation as you two lingered in the middle of the corridor.

From that night on, Carlos and you grew closer, our budding romance blossoming amidst the lush greens of the golf course. You had never expected to find such a connection with this famous Formula 1 driver, but every moment spent with him felt natural and effortless.

Our future was uncertain, but one thing was clear - you were falling for Carlos Sainz, and falling hard. . . .

You and Carlos had been dating for a few months, but you finally decided to go public with your relationship. As soon as you did, you became everyone's favorite WAG.

People were captivated by the way you and Carlos would talk in Spanish to each other, often leaving the others around you confused and wondering what you were saying.

"Me encanta cómo podemos hablar en español y nadie sabe de qué estamos hablando.," you said to Carlos one day, giggling. I love how we can just speak in Spanish and nobody knows what we're talking about.

"Yo también," Carlos replied with a smile. "Es nuestro pequeño lenguaje secreto." Me too. It's our own little secret language.

The two of you also had a tendency to judge people from afar, casting subtle glances and whispering comments to each other.

"¿Viste cómo estaba vestida?" you whispered to Carlos, raising an eyebrow. Did you see the way she was dressed?

"Horrible," Carlos scoffed. "Ella no tiene ningún sentido de la moda." She has no fashion sense at all.

Both of your friends would just shake their heads, used to your antics by now. But they couldn't help but be charmed by the way you and Carlos were so in sync, so clearly infatuated with each other.

"They're just so cute together," Mariah said wistfully. "I wish I had what they have."

"I'm right here," Her boyfriend says, carrying her bags and sighing at her disappointment.

You and Carlos would just smile knowingly at each other, happy to be in your own little world, unaffected by the attention you were receiving.

Your relationship was the envy of many, and you wouldn't have it any other way. . . .

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

During summer break of F1, you, Carlos, Lando, and Carlos Sr decided to embark on a fun-filled adventure to the local golf course.

You, who had recently taken a break from your job, was determined to make the most of your time with Carlos. Armed with golf carts, the four of you embarked on a journey to the greens.

As you all arrived, the golf course was bustling with activity. The lush green landscape stretched out before them, dotted with pristine fairways and shining bunkers.

You all parked their carts side by side, ready to embark on a day of golfing camaraderie.

Excited by their newfound freedom, Carlos and Lando couldn't resist the temptation to showcase their competitive spirits.

Without even waiting for Carlos' dad to finish settling into your shared cart, they spontaneously decided to have a race with their carts. Their eagerness was palpable as they revved their engines and took off down the fairway.

As they raced, Carlos and Lando zoomed past unsuspecting golfers, eliciting a mix of cheers and startled gasps.

Their reckless behavior quickly caught the attention of others.

"Carlos, Lando, slow down before you two idiots flip those carts!" You yelled, your heart racing as you watched them careening down the golf course, their competitive spirits in full display.

However, your pleas went unheeded, as the boys' competitive spirits clouded their judgment.

Frustrated by their reckless antics, Carlos' dad turned his attention to you.

Carlos' dad turned to you, his brow furrowed. "Do you really care for my son, or is this just some passing fancy?" he pressed, his tone laced with skepticism.

You took a deep breath, feeling the frustration build within you. "Of course I care for him, more than you could ever know,"

You replied, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Carlos is the most important person in my life. He makes me laugh when I'm down, he challenges me to be a better person, and his smile lights up my world. I love the way he scrunches up his nose when he's concentrating, and the way he always remembers the little things that mean so much to me."

Your speed increased as you spoke, the golf cart practically flying down the course. "He's my best friend, my confidante, my partner in crime. When I'm with him, I feel alive, like I can take on the world. He's the one person who truly understands me, who sees me for who I am, flaws and all, and loves me anyway."

You pulled the cart to a perfect stop in front of Carlos and Lando, who had finally slowed down. Carlos' dad stared at you, his eyes wide with surprise and, perhaps, a newfound respect.

"I love your son, more than anything," You concluded, your voice soft but unwavering. "He's the most important person in my life, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe, even if it means yelling at a couple of reckless idiots on a golf course."

"Eres tan malo como mi hijo, una pareja hecha en el cielo." Carlos' dad said with a smirk as he slowly got off the golf cart. You're as bad as my son, a match made in heaven.

The tension seemed to ease slightly as he approached you, his stern demeanor softening.

"I see that you care deeply for him, and maybe, just maybe, that's exactly what he needs. Someone who isn't afraid to stand up to him, even when he's being a complete fool."

You let out a relieved sigh, grateful for his understanding. "I promise, I'll always look out for him, even if it means being the voice of reason when he's not thinking straight," you said, meeting his gaze firmly.

Carlos' dad nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, then I suppose I can't ask for more than that. Just remember, love isn't always smooth sailing, especially with someone as headstrong as Carlos. But if you can weather the storms together, you'll come out stronger on the other side."

"Thank you, sir," you replied earnestly, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders. "I understand that loving someone like Carlos won't always be easy, but I'm committed to facing whatever comes our way. He means the world to me, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure he knows that every single day."

Carlos' dad placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder, his eyes softening further. "That's all I needed to hear. Just keep being there for him, and don't be afraid to push him when he needs it. He's lucky to have someone as dedicated as you by his side."

With that, he turned to join Carlos and Lando, leaving you with a renewed sense of determination and a heart full of hope.

You sighed, trying to relax before getting off the golf cart and bringing the golf bags along with you. The weight of the bags felt lighter somehow, perhaps a reflection of the newfound understanding you shared with Carlos’ dad.

As you walked towards Carlos and Lando, you couldn't help but smile, feeling more confident in your place within this tight-knit family.

Carlos looked up as you approached, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of concern.

"Everything okay?" he asked, glancing between you and his dad. You nodded, setting the golf bags down gently. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just had a little chat with your dad," you said, your voice steady.

Carlos' expression softened, and he reached out to take your hand. "I’m glad," he murmured, squeezing your hand gently. "And thank you, for everything."

An overwhelming sense of warmth and contentment washed over you as Carlos' gratitude echoed in your ears. You felt a deep connection solidify between you, knowing that your commitment and love were reciprocated.

In that moment, you realized just how much you cherished being a part of his life, and you silently vowed to stand by him through whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Now let's go destroy Lando in golf," you said with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood. Carlos chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing as he glanced over at Lando.

"Hey! I heard that!" Lando yelled from a few yards away, feigning offense but unable to hide the smile tugging at his lips. He walked over to join you both, slinging an arm around Carlos' shoulders. "You know, I wasn't planning on going easy on either of you, right?"

Carlos laughed, glancing between you and Lando. "Well, bring it on then. We're ready for the challenge." You nodded in agreement, feeling a renewed sense of camaraderie as you all headed towards the first hole.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the course, and for the first time in a while, you felt completely at ease, surrounded by friends and the love that had become so precious to you.

As soon as Lando missed the hole and lost the game, a triumphant cheer erupted from both you and Carlos. Without a moment’s hesitation, you found yourself running into Carlos' arms, the exhilaration of victory coursing through you.

Carlos lifted you off the ground in a joyous embrace, spinning you around as your laughter filled the air.

The bond you shared felt even stronger now, forged not just through love but through shared moments of triumph and joy.

Meanwhile, Lando stood a few paces away, trying—and failing—to hide his disappointment. "Oh, come on, you two! No need to rub it in," he called out, though the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

Carlos set you down gently before kissing you, his lips warm and reassuring against yours. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in that perfect moment.

When you finally pulled back, you saw a mixture of happiness and determination in his eyes, a promise of many more shared victories to come.

"We make a pretty good team, don’t we?" he whispered, his forehead resting against yours. You nodded, feeling the truth of his words resonate deep within you.

With Carlos by your side, every challenge seemed surmountable, every moment more meaningful.

Lando, still feigning annoyance, walked up and clapped both of you on the back. "Alright, lovebirds, let's see if you can keep that winning streak going," he teased, his smile widening.

As you all moved on to the next hole, the playful banter and shared laughter reminded you just how lucky you were to have such incredible people in your life. . . .

[enhypencores]

Bleed Me Dry Pt II

READ PART 1 HERE

Lee Heeseung X Y/N

Genre: Yandere Romance/ Thriller/ Stalker

Prompt: "If I carve you into my blood, will you believe my love?"

Word Count: 11K+

WARNING⚠️: Explicit content, profanity, sexual harassment, heated make outs, female stereotyping, use of a derogatory word, violence, lots of blood, aggression, toxic masculinity, yandere, manipulation, mentions of self exit, drugs, unhealthy relationships and mental health issues. Y/N described with long hair and brown eyes.

Cameos: Jake, Jay, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Yeji, Karina, Jaemin and Jisung

A/N: Please read the warnings carefully before proceeding. There's heavy discussions and complex character dynamics. None of it is healthy. This is a work of fiction, please read it as such. If I missed out any, lemme know.

PS: I’d love to hear your feedback <3

Heeseung had gathered some crucial knowledge from a heavily drunk Jake.

“Intelligent and tall. She’s got a thing for them… She had this crush on a dude in the first semester. Told her he was a jerk, didn’t listen, and you know… he broke her heart. His name? Think it was park jeong guk? jeong woo? I don’t know… It was just some guy. She’s stupid…”

He had wanted to punch that knowing look off Jake’s face as he insulted you, but Heeseung tried swallowing down the surging fury.

Because, indeed, you were so stupid. Why had you allowed some loser into your life? When Heeseung gets you, he will make sure to treasure every part of you. He wouldn’t need anyone else. He would use his every breath to cherish you, only you.

Despite the hostility he felt upon hearing of your previous crush, the good news was that Heeseung unintentionally matched the description. He had never been so grateful for his genes until this moment; traits he once considered useless suddenly becoming his most prized.

Heeseung bore a good height, and his mind was like a computer program. At just ten years old, his father had assumed he’d discover the cure for cancer—yet to come true, but everyone in college believed if anyone could do it, it was Lee Heeseung.

A special one, born to lead, a saviour, they claimed. But Heeseung never wanted to be his father’s golden child. He didn’t want to contribute to society or garner the world’s praise. He barely had friends—except for Kim Sunoo, Heeseung’s childhood partner in crime.

To the world, Heeseung was an overachiever, but he knew his excellence was merely a distraction from his twisted mind. His father was the first to notice the disconnect.

Heeseung chose medicine on a whim, a flick of a coin—heads or tails. The boredom in his life drove him to try everything: paragliding, boxing, swimming, drugs and unrestrained, animalistic sex. He had lived countless lives in two decades.

Early teenage years, his father took it upon himself to train his son, instilling social norms and enforcing strict rules as he tried moulding Heeseung into someone 'normal.' Like a dog on a leash, he made Heeseung more human while maintaining a safe distance to avoid getting scratched. Heeseung understood this from the moment he gained consciousness: his father was scared of him. Terrified.

He never discovered what exactly made his father lock his door every night, but whatever it was, it confirmed a small suspicion: Heeseung was unlovable.

It wasn’t anything detrimental really, because Heeseung never felt the need to seek love. Even in psychological terms, a human's absolute necessities were food, shelter, sex, and safety. When he could survive on the bare minimum, why should he look for something as wasteful as love? He'd rather spend time gaming and pretending to outshine the world’s brilliant minds.

Now, Heeseung was tired of the boredom. So tired that he thought to end it. How long could one treck through an aimless journey?

The realisation that he could cease to exist and no one would know his whereabouts made him feel somewhat better. The taste of death brought him immense curiosity. Would he turn to dust and ashes? Would he be forgotten in memories?

He didn’t think anyone would remember him. To his father, he was a trophy; to his friends, a competition; and to outsiders, a freak. His loss would merely be a statistic: a decline in Korea’s population digits, a decrease in the number of distinction holders in the country, and one less student in Seoul University’s register.

That’s what he thought.

Until he came across you.

You, with your brown eyes, small frame, your liveliness and your beauty.

It was a rainy day in Seoul when he was walking past the bus stand after wrecking his father’s beloved car in a deliberate crash. Unfortunately, he made it out unscathed, only injuring the vehicle. Maybe Heeseung had been born with a shit ton of luck, destined to waste it away.

Regardless, thanks to that golden tub of luck, he was able to land his gaze on you. Heeseung unintentionally remembered countless formulae and research, but the one thing he intended to remember—fucking forced himself to perfectly encode in his memory—was the way you looked that day.

Brown hair slightly wet, sticking to your jawline, knitted brows, and wide eyes staring up at the sky in vengeful retaliation. Heeseung stopped in his tracks.

He had never seen an angel angry.

You dialled a number on your mobile and spoke calmly into your phone.

“The bus is running late. Pick me up.” He remembered a sulking pout on your lips.

“It’s raining! I don’t even have an umbrella. You want me to walk?” He remembered incredulous horror written across your features, lips frowning at the caller’s words.

“Fine... Please! There, I said it, now come quick.” He remembered you rolling your eyes, biting your lip and clenching your bag’s strap tighter.

The phone call ended, and you folded your arms over your chest, letting the damp material cling to your bust, detailing the line of your bra as you tapped your foot on the drenched footpath, staring ahead in longing.

That day, an inactive section of his brain burst out with life, that’s all he could theorise. He wanted to devour you, grope your drenched body, kiss your red mouth, force his fingers into your most sensitive tissues and consume your cries.

He wanted to destroy the person on that call with you, bury them within the earth’s deepest pits so they’d never return to you. He wanted the earth to swallow you and him together, so he could hide you away and savour this moment. He wanted to be the only existence to remember you, here, standing at the bus stop, waiting for a ride home.

Why were you here alone anyway? Who was coming?

Heeseung wanted to shadow you from the rain. If he was a part of your life, he’d chase away all the buses—let alone make you wait for one to pick you up. He would stand drenched in the rain if it meant your ass would only meet the covers of his seat.

A booming motion of the car made your eyes light up. Heeseung’s chest knotted up, a foreign emotion bubbling in his throat as a blonde braked his car before you. You hurried to climb into the passenger’s seat, and then he drove away. Just like that.

He hadn’t hurt someone so far in this life, but the urge to drive a car into the blonde grew tenaciously strong. He had never felt such hatred and venom consume his being. The thought of you getting into that car, going away to share a life Heeseung wasn’t a part of left a gnawing anger in his chest.

His heart which hadn’t felt something in so long suddenly felt alive, riveting with twisted emotions. Heeseung didn’t want to live, but suddenly he didn’t want to die either. He didn’t wish to be remembered, but suddenly he wanted at least one person to remember.

That day he came to a staggering conclusion: Heeseung was unfit to be loved, but he wasn’t unfit to love.

—.—.—.—.—.—.—

Peak hours on a Monday afternoon started early. Waitresses ambled from one table to another, carrying orders as the room bustled with young college students, conversing and gossiping while awaiting their snacks. The rich essence of chocolate and coffee beans filled the air, stirring hunger among individuals working alone with their noses in laptops and textbooks.

Heeseung’s lips curved in a knowing smile: if you were here, you’d be one of those unaccompanied goody two shoes, sipping on a chocolate milkshake, jotting things down in your notebook. He pictured your brows scrunched as you wrapped your beautiful lips around the straw, gulping long sips and pulling away with a content smile.

“Baby, can’t we go somewhere more private?”

His jaw tightened, aggravated at the shrill interruption. He feigned a smile, his gaze falling back on the red-haired bimbo who stared at him like he was the answer to her every prayer.

Heeseung grabbed a fork, scooping up a bite of strawberry cheesecake before filling his mouth. His stomach fluttered as he revelled in the sweet texture. Ever since stealing those kisses, he couldn’t stop craving sweet treats. He even bought some candies on his way home that morning, already feeling the withdrawals kicking in.

“But how’ll we do this—in private?”

The girl stared in confusion before she was yanked into his embrace, his warm lips slamming into hers, kissing her aggressively, the sweet creaminess from the cake transferring into her mouth. She moaned, licking his lips incessantly, begging for entrance, but Heeseung dismissed her attempts, his brows furrowed in annoyance.

Nervously, the red-haired girl slid her chair closer, biting her lip as she observed the underwhelmed expression on his face.

“What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?” She sulked, sucking at her teeth, staring up with concern.

Heeseung shook his head and pulled her into his lap. “Did you do something to make me mad?” He mumbled, rubbing his nose down her neck, peppering small kisses to distract her from his response.

“Ah—n-no! I didn’t,” she gasped, her concern melting away already, her head tilting back as Heeseung planted kisses down her collarbone.

“Shouldn’t you be at uni right now?” He abruptly changed the topic, portraying the perfectly caring boyfriend who gave a shit about her life.

“Yeah, but I’ll ask a friend for the class notes,” she mustered up, her breath laborious as Heeseung ran his hand down her thigh, his kisses growing feistier against her exposed neck.

“Hm, are you that smart?” He pressed on, his patience running out. “Thought I’d fucked you dumb already,” he whispered repulsive words, his hand covering her thighs as the girl tightened in his hold, her lips pressed together to silence any sound, cautious of their surroundings.

Heeseung’s gaze changed, a menacing darkness flashing through. “Smart bitches,” he began, his words blunt and aggressive. “Fucking hate them. Running their big mouths all the damn time,” he declared, his bitter tone making her knees quiver in arousal.

“Tell me, baby, you’re not one of those, are you?” He urged.

One way to access a woman’s weaknesses was to put her up against another.

The girl whose name he had forgotten the second she uttered it, shook her head with desperation. Had he asked her to admit to murder, she would have agreed.

“No!” She yelped, alarmed at his lack of interest. “I’m so dumb. Barely passing this degree,” she confessed, her voice cracking as she spread her knees for his attention.

“Hm—really?” He mocked, and she nodded, her body pleading for his approval. “But your course is so tough. You must be so smart.” Heeseung’s tone dripped with sarcasm, his frown hinting at his displeasure.

The girl choked; her breaths alarmingly rapid as Heeseung’s fingers trailed closer to her clothed centre. “But not me—there’s some smart girls in my class. I—I’m not like them, Hee,” she rambled, her eyes screwing shut.

“Smart girls like—yourself?” He threw the bait, challenging her, and she immediately shook her head, her body jolting as Heeseung flicked his fingers against her centre.

“Not me—not me. This other girl—Ah!” She bit her tongue, her body trembling as Heeseung drew faint circles against her clit. “There’s—Y/N!”

Bingo.

“She’s like the smartest—oh!”

Heeseung halted his movement, his teeth gritting in frustration, anger bubbling up his throat as the girl kept moaning into her words, prolonging this ordeal. He hadn’t spent the last three days coercing a second-year pharmacology student from your college to serenade and romance. He wanted information.

The girl’s arched frame twisted at the sudden lack of touch, her wet gaze darting to Heeseung’s in urgency.

“Speak,” he commanded bluntly, his usual sugar-coated tone gone along with his smile.

The girl’s expression faltered, her blood turning cold. “Uh—there’s this girl—she’s really smart, always acing her exams,” she responded reluctantly, her insecure gaze attempting to read his intentions.

Heeseung’s hand slid back down to her leaking centre, his movement more vigorous as he wrapped his lips on her earlobe. “You’re so hot like this—like a dumb bitch for me,” he drawled, sucking her sensitive flesh.

His sudden shift in demeanour seemed like a hallucination, his voice now intentionally low and sultry. “You wouldn’t want to be like Y/N, hm? You’re my good girl.”

The girl was a goner. Her head dropped back onto his shoulder, her eyes shut, and her body trembling from his touch, his previous indifference a distant memory.

“Yeah—I am—so—so dumb for you,” she babbled nonsensically. Heeseung’s flicks quickened.

“That bitch—she’s so smart and talks too much, probably why no one likes her. Such a loser— I don’t know why Park Jongseong’s crazy for her.”

Heeseung’s arm faltered, his body freezing.

The girl, lost in the throes of her arousal, ignored it, urgently pressing her hand down to maintain the pressure. “She’s so full of herself. Bet she’s as virgin as a nun—but maybe—she finally let poor Jongseong have a go, who kno—Ah!”

Heeseung yanked her hair back, his clenched fist tightening and ripping a few strands. His gaze was predatory, chest heaving as he stared down at the horrified girl.

“I’ll rip that tongue out, sweetheart,” he hissed, his venomous tone cutting through and gripping her heart with horror.

The sickening words replayed like a broken record. A searing sting flared inside his chest, his jaw tightening as he thought of that name: Park Jongseong.

Of course, it was the guy from the photos—it fit him perfectly. His arrogant, self-righteous demeanour, that overly exaggerated smile on his face as he held you. It had to be him.

The imagery the stupid girl on his lap painted, her words dripping with malice for his Y/N; everything began to suffocate his lungs.

Heeseung stared down, his hand still gripping her locks as she looked at him with disbelief.

As he released his grip, she winced, her eyes wet with tears.

Heeseung wrapped an arm around her waist like a shackle, holding her captive as he leaned forward and picked up the steaming hot coffee she had ordered. She flinched as he pushed the cup to her lips.

“Drink.”

The girl stared at him like he had grown two heads.

“It’s too hot—”

“Leave one sip behind, and you’ll wish you had listened.”

Her heart raced, body turning cold. Heeseung’s chilling gaze and crooked smile were laced with demonic intent, making her stomach churn. She had never felt her organs shrivel with just the sight of a man’s empty gaze.

She realised at that very moment. She had to obey or else… she didn’t even want to consider what could happen.

She took the heated cup, gulping down her spit to ease the pressure in her throat.

Then she clung to the cup and downed the entire thing. The first rush of liquid scalded the roof of her mouth. Burns trailed down her tongue, to her throat, buzzing all the way into her stomach. Bloody broils flared up, her muscles jolting in agony as pain overwhelmed her cognition. With an excruciating sob, she dropped the empty cup, shattering it on the ground as she tried screaming for help. 

The busy café didn’t seem to notice anything but the shatter, rolling their eyes at the couple’s antics before continuing with their own endeavours.

Heeseung patted her head, smiling in satisfaction. “That’s my good girl.” 

The sobbing girl tore herself from his lap. Standing on quivering limbs, she scrambled to grab her purse and dashed towards the exit.

To Heeseung’s delight, the red-haired bimbo wasn’t so useless after all. He now had a name: Park Jongseong.

Grabbing his phone, Heeseung dialled a number.

“Sim, for your birthday, let’s plan something crazy.”

—.—.—.—.—.—.—

The homeroom buzzed with chatter as students scattered to join their friends at the end of the lecture. While most were preparing to head home, you had to stay back for the weekly council meeting. With your head slack on the table, you shut your eyes and let out an irked groan, wishing you could abandon all your duties and just scramble home.

“Y/N, just resign already. You’re too exhausted,” Yeji, your best friend, called out, rolling her eyes as she zipped up her tote bag.

You groaned again, slamming your head against the table. “You have no idea how badly I want to take your stupid advice,” you whined, rubbing your temples in pain.

Yeji, her pink hair perfectly styled, retouched her lip gloss and eyed your sulking frame. “You take on too much for no reason,” she sighed, finishing her touch-up and patting your head.

“Can’t you loosen up? Look at me, we have finals coming up, and I’m off clubbing with Jaemin,” she gloated, her smile widening at the thought of her boyfriend.

Getting into the world’s best university on an eighty per cent scholarship was tough, but no one prepared you for the strenuous part: upholding those perks. Paired with a demanding course load, extracurriculars and volunteer work felt like a constant nuisance.

“I wish…” you muttered.

Knowing her best friend’s upright nature, Yeji shook her head in defeat.

“Besides that, I’ll be having fun soon,” you iterated, and Yeji instantly grew alert, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“You’re getting a boyfriend?” She gasped, grabbing your shoulders to turn you towards her in excitement. 

“No!” You dismissed, and Yeji’s excitement died as soon as it began, releasing your shoulders in frustration.

“At this point, I strongly believe you wish to die a virgin,” she remarked, running her fingers through her dark strands, her gaze cold. “You even rejected Jongseong,” Yeji huffed.

You winced.

It had been three months since you had been hit by a truck of feelings from the raven-haired boy. Three months of discomfort and pain.

You were introduced to your senior, Park Jongseong, as a good friend of Na Jaemin. The two friend groups had merged, and soon the initial trio—Yeji, Ji-min, and you—grew an acquaintanceship with their group: Jay, Jaemin, and Jisung.

Since you had been to an all-girls school, the first few months of interactions were painstakingly awkward. You felt like an outsider even in a room full of familiar people.

You envied your best friends Yeji and Ji-min for their effortless socialisation skills. Whilst they enjoyed trips and study sessions with the guys, you drew a line, only speaking when spoken to.

In the first year, you were constantly running away from this new world of discomfort. Jay, however, refused to draw a barrier. Like the definition of a headstrong man, he never gave up. Gestures like stopping you in the hallways to talk about his hobbies and inviting you to all his parties showed you that Jay was making a real effort at friendship.

All of it came tumbling down when he confessed to you. The friendship you treasured faded, and you both became strangers again.

“Don’t bring him up,” you gritted, your heart plummeting as you remembered all the distant memories.

You recalled that nightmarish day. You might take this to your grave but Park Jongseong was your first crush. You secretly liked him throughout the farce of friendship.

He held your bag after class, joined extracurriculars like the music society and learned amazing guitar skills. He took you shopping to destress after you failed your lab assessment and played silly nursery rhymes on his guitar to make you laugh. Everything was special until the last day of the second semester.

Jay had asked you to a movie, and as always, you assumed he meant everyone in the friend group, so you called Yeji and Ji-min along.

The moment he saw you walk in with the girls, his expression fell with dismay. Instead of speaking to you about it, he handed the popcorn to your friends and left.

You followed him instantly, but maybe you shouldn’t have.

“Jay!” You chased after him, your heels thudding against the pavement, confusion painted on your features.

He paused in his tracks and turned, his eyes darkening.

“What’s wrong?”

Instead of responding, Jay’s gaze narrowed, a strained chuckle leaving his mouth. “Don’t act dumb now,” he rasped, his voice bitter.

You opened your mouth to question him, but he suddenly stepped close, his towering frame making your insides queasy.

“It’s always the same with you. How long will you pretend?” Jay’s voice trembled with accusation.

“Do you not see me? Chasing after you like a fucking loser. I’ve spent months trying to figure you out. Stop this game of hide and seek!” He roared, tightening his hold on your shoulders as he stared down at you like a wounded wolf.

You felt so wronged and hurt, your throat clogging up with emotions.

Because Jay was right. You were playing dumb, looking past his feelings, ignoring your own to hide away. Your insecurities and fear of disappointment were louder than his words, ringing in your head like tinnitus.

Because you had always assumed someone as rich and well-put-together as Park Jongseong didn’t need to like a mediocre girl on a scholarship.

You felt that breaking his heart might save his friendship, might save you from the pain of losing his love. So you wanted to sever all chances before you even tasted his love.

“What’re you talking about?”

“Tell me, Y/N. Have you ever once liked me?” He questioned, his gaze softening as he held your face in his hands, his pupils trembling with need.

Yes.

Yes!

“No.”

His arms dropped, his gaze dull and empty as he stared into your tearful eyes.

“We’re good friends, Jay. Look, we don’t have to rush into anything—”

You felt chills run down your spine as he cut off your words, his tone sharp and damaging.

“Delete my number. Don’t ever come see me.”

“And if I ever accidentally find my way back to you, slap me awake like this again.”

He tore his arm from your grip and you two never spoke again.

And then a week later, he started dating your friend Ji-min.

“Y/N!” You snapped out of your thoughts, head swirling with flashbacks as Yeji shouted for your attention. “What fun were you referring to?” She shifted closer, curiosity written across her features.

You smiled, flicking her forehead away.

“Jake suddenly wants a big birthday bash for his twenty-second,” you told her, thinking back to this morning when he was talking over the phone with his friends, inviting them to his party.

Seeing you pass by, he called you back, his face glowing with excitement as he ended the call.

“Invite all your friends and their mamas— it’s my 22nd!” He roared, and you imagined he’d burst into a Taylor Swift, ‘22’, any minute now.

“Jake? He usually calls them juvenile,” Yeji giggled, thinking back to the time she had a fat crush on your brother and how she stuck to him like a leech until he shooed her off.

You nodded, rolling your eyes at your brother’s weird mood swings. “He wants to hold a grand party. You’re invited, I guess,” you waved her off, and Yeji laughed, her eyes twinkling in joy.

“Of course, I’ll be coming with my boo,” she winked. “Is it at the house?” Yeji asked, twirling her strands excitedly.

You shook your head, tidying your desk and packing up. “He’s planning it with his friend, Heeseung.”

Yeji gasped at the name as if it had evoked a cocktail party effect, her eyes wide as she held onto your shoulders. “That friend you had a wet dream of?”

Your jaw dropped, eyes wide in fear, darting across the hall to make sure no one heard her. “Shut up!” You yelled, your cheeks flushed red, the memory of your filthy mind fuelling your embarrassment.

Yeji laughed, a playful glint flashing in her hazel eyes. “What, did I lie?” She crudely announced, and you felt helpless, unable to feign innocence. 

The night had left you shaken up. The truth was, you had never felt this affected by a hallucination— imagination, whatever it was, it blurred the lines between reality and fiction. You imagined Heeseung fondling your breasts, kissing your lips. All of it was a newfound hunger.

You scrambled to call Yeji soon after to regain some composure. After a long discussion, her diagnosis was a ‘severe case of ovulation’, and she prescribed, ‘getting dicked down asap’.

After that night, you kept wishing for more hallucinations, but your brain refused to cooperate. You had to rely on a picture you had stolen from Jake’s phone of Heeseung in a black button-down with his legs spread apart on the couch, his lap seeming so inviting that your abdomen clenched with need.

Maybe, you were ovulating. But why was it so intense?

“You know, maybe you should shoot your shot with him,” Yeji suggested, patting your shoulder as she stood alert, waving at the man standing in the doorway.

“My ride’s here, bye girly!” Yeji waved, setting her already perfect hair for the nth time before skipping to the smiling blonde, his gaze practically shooting hearts at your friend. Jaemin grabbed her hand, and they scattered off.

You sighed.

Lee Heeseung, what are you doing to me?

—.—.—.—.—.—.—

Booming music drowned out any chance of conversation. Guests sprawled in like ants to a sugar cube. Faces glowed with joy, arms carried gifts, and gazes sparkled with anticipation as they searched for the man of honour.

But it wasn't the birthday boy they sought. It was Lee Heeseung, the man who had invited the entire university to his farmhouse. It was a privilege, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

During his four years at the university, he hadn’t spared anyone a glance—let alone befriended anyone. When news circulated of Sim Jaeyun’s birthday invite at Heeseung’s, everyone jumped at the chance.

Girls skipped lessons to find the perfect dress, while guys ransacked their wardrobes for branded watches. Curiosity grew almost sleep-depriving. Who was this friend that Heeseung, the man who never let anyone into his circle, deemed worthy of a lavish party? For weeks, the university buzzed with gossip and excitement leading up to this day.

Heeseung’s gaze was fixed on the main entrance, his lips pressed into a thin line. He remained unmoving as over-enthusiastic people rushed to greet him.

He knew the world like the back of his hand. They hated him and despised his arrogance, yet they flocked to him like moths to a flame. All he had to do was give them a chance, let down his guard and the world would surrender in his palms. But it didn’t matter.

As long as he had your attention, the world could be his.

Jake appeared out of nowhere, his arm settling on Heeseung’s shoulder, smiling as his soccer mates walked in.

“You’re ignoring the entire hall,” Jake muttered, his grip tightening on Heeseung’s shoulder to warn him.

Heeseung glanced at the clock for the nth time, his fingers tapping impatiently against his glass. He barely acknowledged the birthday boy's attempt at conversation, his irritation mounting as the clock ticked on without your presence.

“Where is she?” He questioned.

“She had a presentation to finish up,” Jake said, rolling his eyes. “She’ll be here with Yeji and Jaemin soon.”

Jake wasn’t stupid. He had once believed he was special to Heeseung. The notorious case of Heeseung’s egocentrism was a popular topic in the university’s hallways. Even his soccer buddies claimed Heeseung was a nutcase with extreme intelligence.

When Heeseung approached the basketball team and defeated Jake, the established ace of Seoul University, Jake developed a sense of respect and admiration for him. Despite everyone’s claims, Jake realized Heeseung’s issue wasn’t indifference or social deficiencies.

Everyone was infatuated, enthralled, and unequivocally aware of Heeseung’s gift; he commanded attention because he was extraordinary. The problem was that Heeseung didn’t care about them, and when people realized this, their fantasy shattered, leaving them scraping for bits of attention and bitter envy.

Jake knew Heeseung kept him around for a reason, but despite his awareness, Jake was willing to be a pawn if it meant catching Heeseung’s attention.

“Jakey Jakey— it’s your birthday!” Jake looked away, finding his best friend, Park Sunghoon, on the other end of the hall with a gift bag. Jake’s smile grew, and he signalled to Heeseung that he was heading over. Heeseung nodded, and Jake scurried off.

Heeseung averted his gaze, staring back at the main entrance. The delay grew unbearable, and he considered heading out to the parking lot when suddenly he spotted Jaemin and Yeji walking inside.

He stood alert, his gaze tensely fixed on the door.

He held his breath as you walked into his line of sight. His body felt the shift, breath quickening. His fists tightened, and his gaze traced your body with unfiltered haste. 

Fuck, that black body-con dress, outlining your curves, hugging your body like a second skin. His grip on the glass tightened. The dress revealed your defined collarbones, and the slit from the knee paired with black-heeled boots showcased your smooth, honeyed legs. Your hair was curled slightly, silky strands falling in waves against your cheeks, reaching your elbows.

Heeseung’s head throbbed as he tried to decipher his feelings. Seeing you walk inside with that dress made something rise in his throat, and it wasn’t from the alcohol. It was worse, mentally and physically damaging.

How fucking demeaning. He was a man who never felt the burn of envy, but a fucking dress had him feeling so weak—so horribly jealous.

He wished he could tear it off and burn it to ashes like the scorching flames in his own blood. He had planned this moment all morning, intending to walk up to you with a smile, but now he found it difficult to breathe, let alone move.

However, the world doesn’t stop. Even if he couldn’t move, you very much could.

Your stray gaze finally landed on the familiar figure, and you walked up to him. You still weren’t mentally prepared to face the man you had been dreaming of for the past few weeks, but you found it unkind to ignore him when he had planned this lavish party.

You smiled, holding out a small gift bag.

“As far as I recall, it’s not my birthday,” Heeseung finally found his voice, his cheeky comment making you narrow your eyes.

“It’s basic etiquette to bring something when you visit someone,” you replied a hint of playfulness in your tone. You caught sight of the gift display in the backdrop where innumerable presents were mounted on the table. “I’ll take it there,” you politely acknowledged.

You were ready to walk off, but Heeseung pulled you back, instantly grabbing the present. Taken aback, you opened your mouth to question him, but he ignored your curious gaze.

Everyone stealing reserved glances at the duo paused, their eyes wide, jaws dropped in amusement. Like a boy opening his Christmas gifts, Heeseung rushed to untie the ribbon and tear through the wrapping paper.

“Heeseung, it’s not that great…” your panicked voice cut through, cautious of everyone’s expectant gaze on your gift. The plea went right through him, and he finally discovered a small clear bottle.

You brought him cologne.

You had racked your brain for days on what to bring him, and you had decided upon a blackberry cologne. The succulent scent carried a sinful aura, an intimidating and enigmatic aroma that perfectly captured Lee Heeseung.

Heeseung ran his thumb over the label. Then he unscrewed the top and sprayed it on his wrist. As he brought it to his nose, his heart felt fuller than before.

He imagined you walking into a Jo Malone store, attentively trying numerous scents until the abundant smells overstimulated your senses as you thought of him. How long did you spend deciding on the perfect one? How long did he manage to fill up your head?

“It’s just a small gift,” you mumbled, analysing his features.

“It’s perfect.” He said it with so much sincerity, you had no choice but to believe him.

“Where’s my gift?” Jake appeared with some of his rowdy friends from the sports club, his arm linked with the ice skater, Park Sunghoon. He pouted dramatically, his bottom lip sticking out. You rolled your eyes at his antics.

“Last I checked, you asked me to buy you a Nintendo Switch as an early birthday present,” you replied. Jake gave you a mock glare. “That was ages ago,” he huffed.

Before you could retort, you caught Yeji's eyes from across the room. She stood by the bar, urgently motioning for you to come over. The alarmed look on her face made you excuse yourself from the guys as you hurried to her.

Yeji grabbed your arm with an intense grip, struggling to catch her breath as a crazed laugh bubbled up her throat.

“You’re kidding,” she gasped. “You were talking about Lee Heeseung!” She roared with laughter, her expression priceless as she turned to you.

You stared at her, confused. “What?”

“Y/N!” She shook you slightly, her wide eyes trembling with excitement. “You don’t know him? He’s popular across the entire district!”

Seeing your blank expression, Yeji took it upon herself to fill you in. She pulled out her phone and showed you Seoul University's popular forum dedicated to Heeseung. As she clicked through the links, you realised the man was practically the definition of perfection.

His father owned a large-scale pharmaceutical corporation, and Heeseung was the sole heir. Despite this parental security, he was at the top of his classes, captain of the basketball team, head of the arts and music society, and president of student affairs. By his second semester, he had already secured an internship at HYBE, a massive healthcare conglomerate—separate from his father’s influence. He was so incredibly intelligent that the college even commemorated his achievements with dedicated newsletter columns and interview sessions.

As you absorbed this overwhelming information, Yeji’s tone flattened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “But, Y/N, he’s known as a player,” she reluctantly added. “Apparently, there hasn’t been a girl he hasn’t had.”

You stared silently at the soles of your boots.

Of course, he was a player. Anyone would drop to their knees for a chance to be with him. You had read somewhere that gravitational pull was the strongest in a black hole, but science hadn’t investigated the world’s pull towards Heeseung. You had only met him a couple of days ago, yet he had already made you feel so unbearably enraptured.

Ruminating over Yeji’s words, you were speechless at your own disappointment. How could he affect you so terribly?

“But—he’s never had anything serious,” Yeji tried to console you, squeezing your shoulder.

Throat tightening, you attempted a smile.

“Who invited them?” Yeji's gasp broke through your thoughts, her mouth hanging open, eyes bulging in shock as she stared behind you.

You shifted, turning to see what had her so stunned.

Your jaw dropped.

In walked a couple, hand in hand, wearing complimentary outfits. A couple you hadn’t spoken to in ages, a couple that haunted your sleepless nights: Park Jongseong and Yu Ji-min.

Your frantic gaze searched for Jake, conflicting emotions swirling across your face as you tried to make sense of your surroundings. Your older brother stood inattentive, engrossed in a conversation with Sunghoon as Jay approached him, wearing a broad smile. You watched them exchange a quick handshake, Jake accepting a large gift box.

“Why would Jake invite him?” Yeji huffed.

You didn’t know—but a gut feeling told you this was meant to happen.

The familiar gaze met yours. He was now heading to the leather couch beside his girlfriend, his eyes trained on you. You offered him a tight smile, your insides trembling in growing anxiety.

Jay was stern, his gaze cold and disdainful. Whilst maintaining eye contact, he pulled his girlfriend to sit on his lap, his grip tight on Ji-min’s waist as she whispered something into his ear. 

Your smile dropped at his immaturity.

You had lost both your friends, Jay and Ji-min, because of your mistakes. You had avoided them like the plague, and something deep within you suggested that the mysterious rumours circulating around the university weren’t just random gossip; they were spread by someone you had once considered as close as Yeji.

Something more sinister gnawed at your insides. 

Heeseung.

Amidst the chaos, you felt someone’s piercing gaze on you. Like a magnet, you found him. Under the blue strobe light, Heeseung stood leaning against the bar’s counter, flanked by a few girls, with his eyes fixed on you, watching like a hawk.

Though he was a stranger—a complete nobody in your world—you still felt he was reading you like an open book. Anxiety washed over you, your throat drying up under his intense scrutiny. If your life was split into meaningful chapters, Heeseung knew it by heart, his gaze uncomfortably invasive, expectant as if judging your next move.

A waiter zooming by caught your attention, and you pounced on the opportunity. Fingers trembling, you grabbed a glass of champagne and downed it in one go, the liquor leaving a bitter burn in your throat.

“Y/N, you don’t hold your liquor well,” Yeji frowned. One drink never hurt anyone, and besides, this was a party—everyone was soon going to lose their marbles.

You turned away, grabbing another drink from a passing waiter.

“Y/N, stop!” Yeji warned. You smiled tightly, ready to throw more alcohol into your system.

In a flash, Heeseung, who had been a good fifty people away, stood towering over you. He snatched the glass from your grasp and chugged it down. You watched in disbelief as he slammed the empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray, his gaze darkening as he stared at you. Yeji took it as her cue to scram, rushing to accompany her boyfriend on the dance floor.

Your stomach clenched with want. Even simply dressed in a black t-shirt and leather jeans, his expression sour, his appeal was uncanny. He made you forget the elephant in the room.

“So— he bothers you that much?” Heeseung spat, his voice low and venomous.

He had planned to watch from the sidelines. Jongseong’s name was enough for Heeseung to find sources and sniff out your past link. He was told you had rejected the boy, but that didn’t match Jake’s description of your first crush.

It didn’t take long for Heeseung to realise that you really did like Jongseong, your affection reflected in that picture you still chose to keep. The reason you had declined his proposal wasn’t a mystery either. You feared ruining a chance at friendship, and that conclusion made Heeseung sleepless.

Heeseung had orchestrated this party and invited Jongseong, just to watch your heartbreak. He wanted to dwell in the forlorn misery in your gaze, relish in the fury and hatred fuelling your agonised expression. He wanted you to shatter so that you were left with no choice but to find him. So that he could collect those shards and piece you together. For himself.

Yet here you stood, bothered and apologetic. There wasn’t one bad bone inside you, your heart pure like the sunshine that streaks through his curtains every morning.

“How do you know about Jay?” You curiously pointed out, folding your arms and gazing up at the man.

Heeseung flinched at the nickname. Tightening his fists, he responded with gritted teeth. He didn’t need to lie for this.

“Jake.”

One word and your face crumbled, your finger pointing at the blonde who laughed beside his friends. “Why can’t that idiot keep his mouth shut?” You complained, glaring daggers. You couldn’t believe your brother blurted out your business to Heeseung.

“Do you still want him?”

Say it.

Say it, and he’ll burn this place down, along with Park Jongseong, leaving you with nothing—not even a corpse to mourn—just a speck of remains and dirt.

“I don’t.”

His eyes shifted back to their brown.

“I just wish I hadn’t lost my friends.” You glanced down at your shoes, face shrouded in despair as you reminisced the past.

Heeseung watched the sorrow flicker in your deprived eyes.

This was simpler than he had imagined.

“Let’s get the party started!” Jake yelled at the top of his lungs, carrying a huge celebratory bottle of champagne as everyone huddled around him.

Yeji appeared by your side, dragging you towards the crowd where Jake prepared to unseal the wine, like a cake-cutting ceremony. From your peripheral vision, you noticed Heeseung walk up beside you—until everyone, including Jake, roared for him to come forward.

You watched Heeseung shake his head dismissively, but Jake’s adamant smile made him falter. For the first time, you saw a crack in Heeseung’s stern façade, a genuine sense of joy flashing through his expression.

You watched with intrigue as he stepped up, and Jake finally celebrated his twenty second. Everyone cheered as Jake popped the cork and showered Heeseung and Sunghoon with the essence.

Yeji over-excitedly gasped. During her overjoyed dance, she accidentally slipped forward, toppling her glass of wine onto your dress’s front. You quickly wiped at it, but the liquid soaked into the flimsy fabric with ease.

“Shit— sorry boo,” she cried over the music. You shook your head, dismissing her concern.

“I’m heading to the washroom,” you muttered. She nodded, unsure of your words, as the loud roaring and music drowned everything.

You slipped away from the chaos, excusing your way through until you managed to escape to the other end of the hall. You followed the dim hallway, the raucousness dissolving, as you searched for the nearest bathroom. You found a door at the far end with a staircase to your right and sped towards it.

“Long time.”

You turned, instantly freezing up.

Jay stood at the other end, speaking with his familiar calculated baritone. He stepped forward, watching your shocked expression morph into disappointment.

“Oh, seems like you’re not too happy to see me here,” he claimed, now standing a mere step away, his tone dripping with malice. “Is the princess running away again?” The darkness returned, his jaw clenched.

You gulped, standing upright. “I don’t have anything to say to you,” you told him, turning away.

A bitter chuckle escaped his chest. “Of course, you don’t,” he spat. “Now that you’ve found a man, you don’t have much to say,” he claimed, running his fingers through his dark strands, his gaze menacing.

Your throat burned with hostility. “You’re ridiculous,” you huffed. “Following a girl when you’ve already got a girlfriend—seems like I dodged a bullet.” You uttered the words, disturbed by his arrogant nonchalance, and instantly the atmosphere grew with heightening tension.

Your cruel words seemed to inflict some damage as Jay’s body trembled, his fists tightening in aggravation.

Because you were right. He knew it.

As you stepped away, all common sense evaded him. He grabbed your wrist and slammed you to the wall, a gasp wrenching out of your chest as he hovered above, his hands gripping your waist with an iron grip.

“I never needed you,” he whispered, his eyes wide and pained as you attempted to free yourself, but Jay’s grip on your waist only tightened. “I’ve just liked the chase. You were so full of yourself—so pathetic. Nothing about you ever made me feel something—anything—”

A bloodcurdling scream wrenched out of your throat as a shattering sound reverberated within your frame. Your eyes bulged out, heart trashing and body quivering in horror. One second Jay was standing, staring at you like a madman, and the next, he was knocked to the ground, blood splattering against your cheeks, staining your dress and skin scarlet.

Breathe. Take a deep breath. Breathe.

You plummeted to the floor, your knees giving out as Jay’s forehead and neck covered in red pooled on the ground. You internally prepared yourself as you looked up, staring at the perpetrator.

A dull void of a gaze, Heeseung’s hand was wrapped around a half-shattered bottle with its sharpened edges dripping Jay’s blood. Your insides clenched in horror.

Heeseung stepped closer as Jay’s limp frame scrambled to sit up, his gaze chasing the danger, his grip on his head loosening as he spotted the man.

“You—you fucking lunatic—what the fuck is wrong with—”

Jay’s yelps fell on deaf ears as Heeseung discarded the bottle and plummeted to the floor before you, his pupils drained of colour and hands trembling as he caressed your cheeks. His thumb rubbed at the splashes of blood, eyes wide with terror—a terror you had never seen. More than his own actions, his line of concern was the beads of red staining your complexion.

“Hee…” you tried to speak, your throat dry and lips quivering.

“It’s okay—you’re okay,” his voice trembled as he consoled himself, more than anyone, his gaze frantically running over your body.

What you didn’t realise was Jay reaching out to grab the loitering bottle. Heeseung’s warm gaze and words were so captivating, pulling you away from the unfolding catastrophe. Suddenly, the fantasy shattered. Jay smashed the bottle against the back of Heeseung’s head.

You screamed, your body jerking alert as you pulled Heeseung into your arms, sobbing aloud. Jay stood on trembling legs, glaring at Heeseung with a poisonous look before limping away. You tightened your hold on Heeseung, your body shaking despite his grievous injury. The attack was strong enough to lash out blood but not wilful enough to break the bottle like Heeseung had done.

You tried to pull away to check his wound, but Heeseung pulled you back into his chest, his arms wrapping around you protectively.

Fuck. He could die right now and he’d be happy. Over the fucking moon. He almost wanted to thank that low-life for brusing him because it worked in his favour.

You gazed upon him with sympathetic attention, like you were gazing upon a wounded puppy. You were finally in his arms, letting him envelop you. He inhaled the scent of vanilla and fresh peaches, his hold on your frame tightening with desperation.

He wanted to consume you.

“Heeseung, let me see your wound,” you softly cried into his shoulder, unable to breathe at the intensity of his clutch.

“It’s not deep—nothing compared to what that moron will take home,” Heeseung arrogantly claimed. His prideful tone made your insides hurl; it reminded you of the initiation. Heeseung had started it all; he had slammed a glass bottle into Jay’s head.

You pushed him back, your gaze stern as you met his aggravated one. “Why?” You cried hysterically, recalling the insanity of the previous moment. “How could you—”

Heeseung’s expression grew colder than ice. “I’ll break every bone he used to touch you,” he declared, the honesty in his tone sending chills down your spine. 

“You literally almost murdered him!” You screeched.

Heeseung cracked a deluded smile. “He’ll wish I had.”

You felt speechless. Utterly stunned into silence. What did that mean? You wanted to assume that his fury made him speak nonsense, that he didn’t mean a word. However, when you stared into Heeseung’s gaze, your stomach turned at the resolute darkness, his words horrifyingly blunt and absurd.

You were about to call him out when you noticed trail of blood slither down the side of his face. You gasped. "You need to get to a hospital,” you urged.

“And explain what?” He scoffed with a playful smile.

You felt bewildered. Of course, you didn't care at the moment! As long as he got treated, you didn't care what lie he spat out.

You glared at him. “You need to get it checked out, Heeseung,” you muttered with concern, noticing the blood kept gushing in thicker streams.

Wordlessly, Heeseung grabbed your hand, intertwining your fingers, and nodded as he pulled you to stand. You sighed in relief, grateful that he was finally listening. His grip never faltering on your hand, you both turned towards the venue.

Heeseung suddenly pulled you back, ignoring your confusion, instead climbing up the staircase. “What’re you doing?” You groaned, attempting to retract, but Heeseung just kept walking.

Upstairs, the living room was carpeted with posh couches and chairs. You passed by expensive paintings hung up on the wall as Heeseung took you inside a dark room, stalking through blindly until he pushed at another door.

Lights flickering on, you surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. Heeseung had brought you to a bathroom. You glanced at him in confusion as he shut the door and turned towards you.

“Heeseung, what’re you doing?”

“You said I need to get my injury checked out,” he responded, leaning down and grabbing a first aid kit from the cubby hole. “I’m doing it,” he flashed you a clever smile, his eyes shining with amusement.

Even if you were about to throw a tantrum, you couldn’t anymore. Heeseung’s words, his eyes, his smile, everything was enough for you to sit still and obey. You watched as he stepped towards the large mirror. He casually tilted his head to inspect the wound.

Expressionless, he opened up the first aid kit, grabbing a transparent bottle and cotton pads like a professional, as if he had already addressed such wounds in the past. With practised nonchalance, he soaked the cotton pad with the liquid and pressed it into the wound.

You winced, instinctively jumping forward to grab the bottle from his hand.

“Who deals with a wound like that!” You screeched hysterically.

Heeseung turned, his brows raised, lips pressed in confusion. You put forward your palm, glaring at him. He surveyed your stern expression and, to your surprise, gave in easily, handing you the stained cotton ball without putting up a fight. You had imagined he would claim he knew more—but Heeseung just stared at you passively. You gulped, edging forward.

You knew the wound was deeply ingrained on the right side of his head, but reaching it was an issue. You were a good half a person shorter than him, his towering frame allowing you to reach only his chest. Standing on your tiptoes, you could only make it to his collarbone. You tried pushing up to reach the mark, but it remained physically impossible.

You noticed the amusement sparking in his expression, his lips curving into a gentle smile. “What’s so funny?” You gruffly questioned, and his smile only grew more.

He wrapped his arms around your waist and lifted you up, setting you on the cold basin. He turned, towering between your parted legs.

“There.”

You quickly recovered, ignoring the butterflies fluttering in your chest or the heat stirring from where he had just touched you. You reached up. The angle allowed you to address the wound better.

Thankfully, there was a single cut, slashing down to the nape. You held the cotton against the cut, letting it absorb the blood, and then gently swirled it across.

Heeseung’s breathing suddenly grew heavy, and you flinched, quickly scanning his face for hints of pain. “Is it too bad?” You muttered, your eyes wide and voice reluctantly soft.

He nodded. It was painful, so unbearably agonising like he was thrown into a fuming furnace, burning and dying, then reincarnating and burning every breath he spent in your vicinity.

His fists tightened, his gaze tracing your attentive expression, your lips puckered in deep concentration, hands so gentle, like a mother’s touch—or what Heeseung assumed must’ve been had he ever felt one. The past month he only dreamed of this moment—to have you before him, launched between his legs, attending only to him.

You cleaned up his wound with precision. He had practice, but your touch was magical—a healing balm of its own.

“Have you done this for anyone else?” His question came out gruffer than expected, his stomach twisting as he imagined you perched on a sink like this for someone else.

You finished cleaning up, moving to grab the bandage. “Of course not,” you huffed, peeling the bandaid from the wrapper.

“I just know I’m not supposed to stab wounds like that,” you sarcastically claimed, reminded of him jabbing his head. “You’re the future doctor… you should know this,” you leaned to the side, pressing the band-aid into his scalp.

“They teach us how to treat,” he stated. “Whatever gets the job done,” he shrugged.

You couldn’t help but grimace at his words.

“If you don’t treat with the element of pain in mind, you’ll hurt yourself more.”

Heeseung's throat was suddenly tighter than normal.

You wiped your hands with a tissue. Shifting closer, you inspected Heeseung’s injury one more time. You were about to get off the sink when you noticed glimmering bits of glass nestled in his hair. Impulsively, you reached out, flicking the strands.

“Oh—!” You jerked away, your finger cut by an unseen sharp edge that pierced the flesh.

Before the blood even oozed out, Heeseung sprang forward, grabbing your wrist, his gaze wide with horror as he impulsively pulled your finger into his mouth.

An astonished gasp escaped your chest.

Wide-eyed, you watched Heeseung suck around your finger.

At the first drop of your blood against his tongue, Heeseung’s eyes screwed shut, his body heating up, the metallic taste mixed with your skin’s sweetness creating a delicious buzz within his taste buds. Maybe if he drank enough, you'd really become a part of his being; if he fused your blood with his, you'd somehow become his.

He lapped at the drop incessantly, his hand reaching to lock your wrist in place as he covered your finger with saliva.

There was a shift in the air. You felt it in your bones.

As he looked up, meeting your eyes while simultaneously drenching your finger inside his mouth, your body began to heat up. A burn ignited at the centre of your legs, your imagination running wild, your limbs quivering.

Time became meaningless as he revelled in the euphoric bliss. When he noticed you weren’t pulling away or flinching, his muscles clenched with want. Instead, your cheeks were redd, eyes fluttering in bashfulness. Warmth in his blood shot lower, pooling within his sensitive region.

A thrum vibrated his own being as Heeseung popped another finger into his mouth, his sucking growing intense, lascivious, and hungrier. Your body jolted as his slick enveloped your digits, his tongue tirelessly flicking and tasting.

You wanted to intervene and stop this madness, but suddenly you couldn’t find your voice. Your throat refused to cooperate, and your lips denied any help.

His gaze was trained on your expressions, every blink, every gasp. He wanted to memorise the way your cheeks blushed scarlet and mouth opened in silent gasps. You were so beautiful, so perfect, so his.

“Hee—” you managed to choke out.

Heeseung’s hardness jerked in his pants, his body shaking with want. You had just attempted to say his name.

Suddenly, he pulled his mouth away and yanked you to the floor. You fell against his chest, your feet staggering on the marble floor, a stunned gasp escaping your mouth. He didn’t let you process it, his moves sharp and abrupt.

Your jaw dropped as you felt the tent of arousal straining against your abdomen. Your underwear was drenched, muscles taut as the reality dawned upon you. Lee Heeseung wanted you.

“Feel that—fuck—do you feel it?” He rasped against your ear, his hardened tone and body making you forget any coherent response, your body tensing up in his embrace. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful—stunning—so breathtaking. You make me—” His voice cracked as he felt nestled his nose against your neck, sniffing like a dog.

“Make you…” you pleaded for him to continue, craving his validation.

“Make me pathetic—so damn pathetic,” he blurted, his mind elsewhere as he sucked onto your earlobe.

His kisses ran down your neck, and he urgently flicked the hair away to feast. He pressed his lips gently, wanting to savour every moment and worship every inch, but within the first contact, his patience was out the window. He pushed his throbbing body into yours, knocking you against the sink as his mouth opened wide, biting into your flesh.

His mind fell numb as your taste and scent drove him to the brink of euphoria. He found it strange how you turned him into a quivering virgin mess with just this.

Your gasps reverberated in the bathroom walls, your frame quivering.

His touch was desperate, persistent like he was holding onto you for dear life. Fingers interlocked in your strands, body shaking with restrain as his mouth devoured your neck, you felt lost in a sea of pure bliss. You hadn’t had many sexual experiences in your life, but whatever make out sessions you had shared with boys in first year didn’t live up to this feeling, this hunger— from him.

“Ah!”

Every hair on his body stood alert. Your sounds were so pretty just like your body. He knew he couldn’t live without absolutely breaking your resilience. He had to tear through your exterior and drag out the vulnerable girl who moves to his rhythm, sings to his beat and responds to his call.

“Heeseung—Ah!” Your body tensed, his name falling from your mouth as his kisses grew frantic, prolonged. You were so flustered that you felt the world knock off its axis. You urgently held onto his tense shoulders, hoping you wouldn't fall over with the intensity of his want.

Had it been any other girl in his arms, anyone, he’d have thrown her on the floor and fulfilled his depraved desires. He’d have coerced her lust, used and abused her body like a mere object for his release. He wanted to do the same to you like he’d envisioned every night.

But you weren’t any girl. You weren't a momentary escape. For the first time in his life, he wanted it both: lust and love. He wanted to ruin you for everyone— not just physically but emotionally. He wanted your body and your soul.

And you were the sole reason he unwillingly held back, restrained his desire to rip you apart.

Breathless and flustered, you struggled to gather your thoughts. Your body was begging for him, but you couldn’t look past the reality.

This was Lee Heeseung, the hottest playboy, the genius, the most eligible bachelor in Korea—and most importantly, your brother’s best friend. You were calling his name so embarrassingly, and you were certain going all the way, he’d have nothing to do with you after tonight. He was like a forbidden fruit, so effortlessly desirable but never yours.

He will never be yours.

Your eyes burned with tears. You had managed to like him so much, and tonight it would crumble apart. Just the way you had ended up running from Jay, you should run from Heeseung before he takes your heart with him.

Determined, you pushed against him. The sudden move knocked him away, his reddened face twisting in confusion and frustration at the distance.

You quickly stumbled to the sink, splashing cold water on your face. Your complexion as red as a cherry, eyes shining, indicating hints of your previous bliss; Heeseung had littered red and purple marks all over your neck, his saliva still warming your flesh.

Behind you, Heeseung appeared, wrapping his arms around your waist. His eyes locked onto your reflection, his gaze darkening as it traced the curve of your neck. The heat between you intensified, his desire becoming evident as he pressed his aching body into yours. His eyes fluttered shut, savouring the sensation of your soft curves against him.

Embarrassingly, your abdomen clenched again.

“T—this is wrong. Stop,” you babbled, pushing him away, your dejected tone falling on deaf ears as he pressed into you again. “Heeseung—” You turned, using all your force to push him away. He looked up, his eyes clearly unfocused.

The bathroom was getting stuffy now. His unnerving gaze made it hard to breathe. You stepped away, yanking the bathroom door open and rushing out into the bleak room, your breathing unnecessarily heavy. Your body was aching with arousal, wanting to go back into his arms and give yourself up.

Heeseung shot out, grabbing your waist and jerking you into his hold, his heavy breaths lingering against your earlobe. You tried pulling away when suddenly he whipped you around.

With darkness blinding your vision, you couldn’t evade him as he yanked you into his chest and slammed his lips into yours.

The taste of cherries overwhelmed your senses, your body liquifying as he immediately plunged his tongue into your mouth, tasting you.

Every instant in his life had brought him to this moment. He knew it when he kissed your mouth, licked your tongue, traced your gums—he knew you were meant for him. Your beauty was his to ruin. Your taste was his to devour. Your love was his to take.

A strange sensation flared up in his chest, spreading to his heart. For the first time, all his medical knowledge felt useless—he didn’t even feel human because even they could identify sensations.

Heeseung cupped your jaw, his lips trembling as he took in all your taste had to offer. His teeth clashed with yours, and his saliva dripped down your chin, his tongue rolling against yours as he poured an overwhelming flood of unnamed emotions into you.

His erection pressed against your lower stomach as he kissed you breathlessly. Suddenly, he was tearing at his buttons, desperate to feel your skin against his.

His kiss felt urgent, charged with arousal. You felt like you would blow into tattered pieces with the intensity of his touch, his deprivation and lust. Your fingers ran through his tousled strands, clenching for semblance of control as he sucked the soul out of you.

Your lungs flared up in discomfort due to the limited oxygen supply. You gasped, pushing at his shoulders with all your strength. Heeseung’s grip didn’t falter. Your gasps grew more strained and alarming. Only when you felt tears blurring your vision did Heeseung relent.

Both of you panted like dogs, heaving breaths echoing through the room.

“Stop it!” You screamed, pushing him away as you blindly searched for the exit. 

Yellow lights flickered on, the sudden burst blinding you momentarily. Heeseung stood like a barrier blocking the door, his advantage clear as he seemed to have the room mapped out in his head.

Pupils blown out, he panted, his gaze clouded with the need to ravage and devour you whole. His undone button-down hung the shoulders, revealing honey toned chest and tense abs, descending lower into his pants. Your mouth dried up, but you forced yourself to remain unfeeling.

You voiced out, “Let me go—”

“Why?” He asked gruffly. His eyes locked onto your trembling orbs, his brows arching in frustration.

“I can’t have you?” He whispered.

His words were laced with provocation. He hadn’t felt such an urgency to ruin someone, ever. He ached to feel your skin against his. He was hurting to fill you. If you wanted, he would plummet to his knees, stick out his tongue and shamelessly beg, plead. 

You looked at him with indifference. “You’re my brother’s—”

“So what?” He barked, his abrupt interruption making your breath stutter.

He stepped closer until he had you pressed against the wall, his arms on either side, locking you in place. You hadn’t expected him to be this eager. Why did he care? A man like Heeseung could get any woman on earth. One look and they’d drop their panties to the floor. Your glare grew more acrimonious at the realisation.

You pushed at his chest, your fingers grazing his warm skin, lighting up fireworks in your system. “I refuse to be your one-night fantasy, Heeseung,” you stuttered, unshed tears slipping out.

The fury in his gaze collapsed, his lips parting in stunned horror.

This was your chance…to run free, to protect whatever’s left of your heart. Hastily, you dashed to the door, your grip pulling at the handle when suddenly Heeseung was behind you, enveloping your waist.

You screamed and struggled, your feet kicking the air as he carried you away and tossed you onto the bed. You fought against his manhandling, punching and pushing against him, but he just stared at you like you were a weak feline lashing out.

He let you burst out until your energy had depleted and you fell limp.

“You’re fucking joking,” he laughed, disbelief coursing through his frame. “One night fantasy?” He spat, his fists tightening at the audacity of your words.

You stared back, matching his intensity. “Isn’t it famously known?" You huffed. “You don’t touch a woman you’ve had once,” you snarled, your tone dripping with hostility.

That sent him spiralling. “I don’t,” he declared. He watched the spark in your eyes die down, tears running down your cheeks. You attempted to get up, but Heeseung dropped to his knees, his hands scrambling to cup your face.

His heart pounded so hard, that he felt its drumming within his entire being. “You’re not any woman,” his voice cracked, his throat tightening as he kissed your tears one by one. “You’re mine."

He hadn’t said anything more honest in his entire life.

Yet, you looked at him the same—awfully sceptical, disbelieving. He had attempted to pour out his heart, claim you as his, but you gazed at him like he was a liar, a deceiver. Heeseung dropped his arms, anger surging within his blood.

“You don’t believe me,” he declared, his tone laced with bitter sarcasm.

You wanted to so badly—but you had no reason to. Why would he fall for you?

You watched as Heeseung’s gaze frantically scoured the room.

Something ominous was happening. You felt your stomach twist. You called his name, but he turned away, dashing towards the study table. You stared in confusion as he grabbed his car key. 

Without any warning, Heeseung struck the sharp edge into his chest, stabbing himself in his sternum. A scream lurched out your throat, your breath stuttering as you attempted to get to him. He forced the key inside, tearing through the flesh in a line. Blood gushed through the wound, but Heeseung’s concentration remained firm.

“What the fuck— stop-stop!” You screeched, finally getting a hold of his arm.

He didn’t stop, still working on creating the art piece he wanted you to see. You felt lightheaded as you fought against his determined actions. Unable to knock him back into reality, you decided to fling at the key, letting it slip from his grasp.

Horror ceased your chest. The scarred flesh formed a letter— your initial. You gazed up at him, your throat constricting as a soul-stirring chill escalated down your spine.

“If I carve you in my blood, will you believe me?” A pained gaze, a torn heart, a horrifying smile.

Your limbs trembled.

You glanced at the wound, lips parting in silent horror.

This was absurd— absolute madness. You couldn’t wrap your head around it, but you knew it was awfully dangerous like playing with fire or chasing a lion into its den. You should be scared— fearing for your life. You should escape right now when you have the chance. You should run and never look back.

There are many shoulds' you encounter in life, but none of them hold any value when something as desirable holds you by the throat. Someone as irresistibly horrifying as Lee Heeseung. Whatever you did next, you knew your fate was sealed. Even if you ran, you couldn't outrun him-- and somewhere in the pool of longing in your depraved heart, you didn't want to. You didn't want to find a way out.

You leaned down and wrapped your lips around his honey peck, swirling your tongue and licking the scarlet oozing from his self-inflicted wound, surprising yourself as you swallowed it down. 

Life and death stood at a standstill. Had you pushed him away, he’d still have ruined you, broken your soul to pieces and killed himself over hurting you. But you chose to acknowledge, indulge in his pained longing, accepting it like a lover's call, making him want to live more— chase more— love more. 

Vision glazed, heart thundering against his chest, he wrapped you in a breathless embrace.

Amid the chaos, a strained voice invaded the room. “Hee— fuck, we’ve got a problem.” 

Your head shot towards the door, eyes wide with fear. 

Fuck.

Your brother was at the door.

A rampant knock. “Hee— you in there?” Jake's voice spilt into the heated room, your body freezing. Heeseung didn't even spare the door a glance as he pressed himself within your body.

“They’ve come looking for drugs— I don’t know who’s called but the police are searching the place.”

Your eyes bulged out of their sockets, jaw-dropping in horror.

Drugs? Police? 

Instead of concern or a slight hint of fear, Heeseung’s grip tightened on your wrists, and he attacked your lips, invading your mouth. You gasped, caught off guard, your jaw opening in a silent gasp. He swallowed your protests, his hands releasing your wrists to grope your butt-cheeks as he hoisted you up in his arms while sucking on your bottom lip. 

“Bro— are you seriously fucking someone right now?” Jake’s incredulous tone made you want to dig a hole and bury yourself inside.

Heeseung’s grip on your buttocks tightened, his groans purposefully filling the room like a silent message for Jake. His knees gave out, knocking you down, your body crashing into the bed as he vigorously unbuckled his jeans. His warm tongue feasted through your mouth, swallowing your complaints, his head lolling into your shoulders as he pressed wet, hasty bites down your neck. 

Another knock. 

“Fuck— Heeseung get out here! They’ve arrested Jongseong.”

You gasped.

What the fuck?

Heeseung paused.

Through glazed vision, he stared down at you. His lips slowly formed a smile that made every hair on your body rise.

Kim Sunoo had really come through, orchestrating a flawless drug raid, planting the evidence in Jongseong's bags and vanishing without a trace. Jay would waste away five years in prison for drug possession— barely enough to atone for the pain he gave you, hopefully enough to erase the longing that fucker held for you. Heeseung knew he owed his partner in crime a bottle of Soju next time Sunoo visited their shared farmhouse.

“Heeseung, we should—”

Heeseung licked your mouth, holding your trembling body in place, his fingers desperately tugging at your straps. Despite your persistence, he didn’t care for anything at the moment. Someone could tell him that the entire house was on fire or that the universe had collided into a meteor, crumbling to bits and pieces, and he’d still ignore it all.

For now, he will spend every second making you his—until his love is conveyed through his hunger, until his touch leaves scars and burns on your soul, until you love him enough to bleed him dry.

[777rare]

☀️SUNSHINE ASTEROID - 3742💫

Disclaimer:

I DO NOT PLAGIARIZE, COPY OR REWORD ANY OF MY FELLOW ASTROLOGY OBSERVERS POSTS AND I DEMAND THE SAME IN RETURN

Today we'll be talking about asteroid ☀️SUNSHINE~

This asteroid helps you learn the ways to overcome your seasonal depression by checking the sign,house, and degree in which it is placed along with checking the aspects its making with planets and where the aspected planets are seated to see what you could do to make yourself happy.

I'm using my sunshine placement as an example for your better understanding. Here we go!💫🙌🏻

I have sunshine in aquarius at 16° in the 11th house. The asteroid aspects are

Conjunct neptune in 11th house

Conjunct chiron in 11th house

Opposition saturn in 5th house

Sextile jupiter in 9th house

Okay, let's go with the placements :-

Sunshine in aquarius and 11th house could mean making friends, surfing online to distract myself, also maybe watching movies, Netflix, Amazon prime your phone, tab, computer, or even TV . Anything techno can help amazingly😉

Sunshine at 16° (cancer degree) - this could mean cooking, cleaning my house space and baking can help me. Also I'm getting you know, having a nice bubble bath in the tub, just playing with water or taking a nice shower bath

now let's go with the aspects :-

#3742 is sextile jupiter. Learning and travelling can really help me freshen up. Even exploring new things can help me forget old stuff from bothering me, making me feel better or occupied. This also adds on cuz my jupiter is in 9th house

#3742 opposition saturn. Okay, this can be a bit confusing. Saturn has got to do with authority, strictness, limitations and My saturn is in the 5th house. Sunshine- saturn says that I would probably need to stop stressing/being tensed about everything and freshen up. Like I said before, The house ur planet is in also depends on the result so I might need to freshen up and do something creative(5th house), like this can also be about entertainment and self-expression. Again here, I need to watch happy, comedy movies or even movies/shows meant for kids or the ones I watched when I was a child. Also maybe Journaling, writing my feelings down in a diary can help.

#3742 conjunct neptune. Involving myself into spiritual activities, exploring about the occult world can really heal me. Anything spiritual like reiki,tarot,aura reading and cleansing, crystals,astrology,runes,witchcraft can help me heal when I learn about them.

#3742 conjunct chiron. I have a strong feeling that getting into shadow work will help me so so much because chiron is the wounded healer and shadow work is all about connecting with the dark part of yourself. It's just like the right piece to my puzzle. Getting into shadow work will help me so much because shadow work is meant for healing and connecting with your dark side.

Hope you all enjoyed reading this post!💓 Feel free to reblog and tag me when you do🫂❤

Have a great day ahead!🏝

PS : thankyou so much for the support I have been receiving recently. i am so grateful to my dear readers. Love you all!💘😽

[drak0nis]

Recovery is hell, and the Final War left more than just physical scars. Class 1-A, now 2-A, returns to U.A. battered and forever changed, yet whole. In the calm following the storm, Bakugo seeks to make amends in earnest. After all, he still plans to be number one, and he’s learned a win for a friend or ally often translates into a win for him, too. And while he, Midoriya, and many others won the war, they lost in many smaller ways, too. A school year in which most of their practical training is replaced by community outreach and other less glamourous aspects of hero work is about to begin. While Bakugo, Midoriya, and Class 2-A work to help the people and places around them rebuild and recover, they also work to help each other.

hey. been quiet for a little while here, huh. life's been kinda tough. i won't go into the details, but i allude to it a little in the notes of the above new fic.

i'm still working on sulphur and starlight, but i'm getting a little burnt out. i have, very quietly, been a giant nerd for my hero academia since like... 2016? think i started reading when the first season of the anime had just finished? anyway, i buckled down and got all caught up recently after a little hiatus to let it finish. and then decided i had to Write A Fic About it. hope you like bakugo because this is about him. if you don't, well, i guess that's too bad. i'm not involved in this fandom or fandom in general, i don't know where the needle's at these days. im 30 or 40 years old and i don't need that drama. i'm just writing stuff and putting it on the internet. canon-compliant, sort of a retelling of 424-429 from bakugo's pov leading into post-429 stuff about bakugo, midoriya and pals at U.A. for their second year and how that goes (it's complicated. you don't just go through All That and leave normal about it)

it's rated Teen but mind the tags as always, yknow. shipping's only a small part of this fic but like. look. i'm a highly critical reader. i analyze and rub my braincells together. there is no heterosexual explanation for some of the shit going on in this series man. i was gonna say "don't like don't read" but clearly something changed in this fandom in the past 9 years or whatever because i looked at how many works were under bakugo/midoriya on ao3 for the first time in ages a few weeks ago and just about shat myself in shock. anyway its mostly a bakugo character study

i enjoyed writing it, hope you enjoy reading it. or don't! just keep it to yourself if it's the latter. peace PS i write my fics entirely by hand before typing them pretty much solely for the purpose of posting them because, quite frankly, i hate writing on the computer. so of course, i did what needed to be done

[thessalian]

Thess vs Anticipation

Things I am looking forward to:

D&D tonight (because I always look forward to D&D nights)

Payday Friday (because buying a new - well, refurbished but still - computer kind of fucked with my budget, but that's okay because...)

Silent Hill 2 Remake drops 6th October (because I paid extra for two days early, and new computer means I have the recommended hardware instead of just the basic, and...)

Week off 7-13 October (because just once in my life I was going to take a week off just for a video game, even if it is only 20 or so hours long)

Other, smaller things to look forward to involve things like, since my budget's a bit wonky and I was going to want snacks, I baked yesterday. So now I have brownies and snickerdoodles.

Having to think about the grocery shopping a little further in advance than usual. First off, I want way more emergency calories to hand next month than I had this month. Second, I'm having my mother over to dinner at some point next month (and @noctumsolis at some point, which is even more anticipated joy, because @noctumsolis doesn't live just a few blocks down the way my mother does) and I should see what I can buy in advance and what needs to be straight-up fresh on the day. Also I need to practice that gingerbread cheesecake recipe I found.

And honestly? I need gaming snacks. A version of Silent Hill 2 that I can actually play is an Event. It's an Occasion. You don't understand. I used to watch my last ex play this one. However badly that relationship ended up, I will always remember with fondness the nights we'd curl up on the sofa with him playing creepy games and me helping with the puzzles or asking lore questions at convenient moments or just making the chainsaw noises when James was doing the chainsaw idle animation. I loved the story, I loved the whole thing. I coveted this game so hard, but even before the fibromyalgia, I never got the hang of any controller more advanced than the one for the original Nintendo Entertainment System for a couple of reasons. I tried a PC port someone put together but the controls were janky as fuck. But this one? This one was made for a PC release as well as a PS5 one. It should be fine!

(I may be thinking of the issues that the TLOU PC port had, and consoling myself by remembering that TLOU was a port well after the PS exclusive release, and some of Sony's subsidiaries - namely Guerilla - can manage ports just fine, and whatever Bloober team's problems, "can't manage a working PC version of their games" doesn't seem to be one of them, so it's going to be fiiiiiine.)

So ... yeah. Emergency calories for gaming moments. That's the big thing for October. Cold cuts, corn thins, crisps, nuts, stuff like that. Maybe soup. Well, more ingredients for me to make soup because after my own homemade potato soup, and beef stew with fresh herbs, and all that? Stuff in tins just doesn't do it anymore.

But also all the gummy sweets, because that's just a necessity. Gummy sweets, and cola, and Real Food that I don't have to interrupt what I'm doing too much to have, and yes I am doing the anticipatory thing over this because I am looking so forward to this you have no idea! And I can start it downloading on the 6th without worrying that I'm going to have issues because recommended hardware! Between a couple of new Big Games that require certain hardware specs and the whole "They stop supporting Win10 in about a year" thing, an itty-bitty bit of budgetary stress in the week before payday is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and the anticipation.

Besides, I have snickerdoodles. Nothing can be too badly wrong if I have snickerdoodles.

[fallow-foot]

I'm very happy to have found another seri pixel biologist fan on here!! Her videos are so comforting for me and I want to start watching some of her older series like her sims 2 and zoo tycoon 2 (starting from the beginning on zt2 because I'm very intrigued at how the modding there works- this is a bit of an aside: zt2 modding is so funny to me because there isn't even a seperate mods folder, mod files go in the main game folder. Also you can't add too many mods and certain mods will break the game.

Anyway, I might send more asks in the future off anonymous just to talk a bit more because I'm very much hyperfixating on zoo crafting at the moment (a returning hyperfixation surprisingly, usually doesn't happen) and I'm at season 3 and planning to watch all of it.

PS: do you know if there's an existing playlist with all of Seri's UHSHE stuff?

PPS: also is there any other youtubers who remind you of seri?

YESS ANOTHER SERI FAN!!!!

I love zt2. I got if for a birthday a while back and it’s such a fun game and I love modded zt2. Truly I don’t think I could get my game back to vanilla even if I tried the way mods and the game are put together is wild.

I ended up getting a new computer without a disk drive a bit back so haven’t been able to play but I got one so now zt2 is back!!

Also hell yeah absolutely feel free to sent more asks! I o7 you in your watch through endeavor with me only being at around 100 episodes though I am taking extensive notes for a maybe future wiki. (I need to make a schedule to actually get through watching everything)

(Note this isn’t even all my notes)

And while seri I don’t think has a UHshe playlist I did go and make one!

And sadly I haven’t found someone with Seri’s exact vibes (specifically in the mcyt circle) I do have a few suggestions on channels that have fun elements similar to hers!

Puddleshine!

I like their vibes a lot and has a similar thing of naming every animal similar to seri as well as their vibes and videos just being fun.

Artemis 8 bit

https://youtube.com/@artemis8bit?si=gOmtCNFXPZ9saoD

Wow look at me being predictable who would that thought. Jokes aside Artemis is actually someone you may know if you’ve been rewatching zoocrafting! She use to go by kafers and is very cool! I highly recommend you go watch her because she’s very cool and fun!!

Daskalos

I’ve not actually watched much Dakalos but if you like Minecraft being a tool for education and learning similar to Seri Daskalos may be a very good fit!

Gneiss Name

Once again similar vein to Dakalos! They are a geologist who teaches using Minecraft as well as doing a bunch of other stuff!!!

[azuhrasims]

As I've been grumbling about it on my main blog, I've been without my computer for 2.5 weeks now. Wound up taking it to a repair tech because I was out of my depth. Turns out the SSD died on my one year old computer. I still say it was a failed update, but what do I know?

I should get it back Friday with a fresh new SSD. Which, you know, means a clean install. I was hoping to get back to playing Sims, but first I have to set everything up the way I like it again 🥲

Anyway. I had everything backed up the week prior to the failure. I lost some interior decorating on Judith's mansion, but I'll get over it. Maybe. Someday. 😆

The hard part is reinstalling the 🏴‍☠️ PS art program that is now ohhhh, 14 years old (but still does everything I need just like it did when I was in University and first got my sticky fingers on it.)

Hope you guys have fun with the sims update coming this week and survive what is likely to be a modpocolypse as a result.

[alwaysteveswife]

Hello can you do the prompt "you know we need to talk." "about?" "i don't know...last night, maybe?" With Jonathan Byers x Fem! Reader, in which Jonathan goes to Reader's house and asks her why she run away when they were kissing passionately at Steve's party and she just answers him that she doesn't want to make the same mistake because boys always use her and they don't want to have a relationship, so she quitted to falling in love and find a boyfriend.

a/n: Hi! Thanks for placing the request, I had a lot of fun doing it 😊. I made some modifications with the age (as the order indicated a past with couples, I thought it would be better to make the characters between 23-25) I hope that detail doesn't bother you 😣.

Ps.: I had some difficulties making it, the power went out and my computer was not available, anyway I tried to do the best I could, I hope you like it 🥲.

You knew that playing this stupid game was idiotic, but you never thought it would get to this level. You told yourself it would have been best to quit the game after Eddie almost knocked the wind out of his girlfriend, or when you had to watch Steve almost touch the crotch of your best friend -and his current girlfriend- in his turn.

Yeah, you definitely should have gone home after that, but here you were, taking that empty beer bottle and spinning it around, praying that you'd get anyone but Jonathan, you appreciated him too much to lose him over a stupid teenage game.

You crossed your fingers behind your back, watching the speed of its spinning slow down more and more, until it stopped completely, and shit, you could almost feel the bile coming back up your throat, would it be weird if you got up and ran away? Because you wanted to, no, you needed to get out of this one.

"Oh, this is going to get interesting" Eddie joked, clapping his hands animatedly.

"Shut the fuck up" snorted Jonathan. The alcohol had stained his cheeks pale pink, his hair was slightly messy and his shirt had the top buttons undone for a few minutes. He looked good, too good for your taste.

"Y/N, you don't need to if you don't want to" said your best friend, smiling suggestively at you. She knew very well your past and, much more importantly, how you were feeling lately together with Jonathan.

"She's right" You looked at Jonathan, who had softened his tone and his look after he had scolded Eddie.

An overly stupid idea struck you like a bolt of lightning, short but shocking. You rose from your post, ignoring the cheers of your old friends and settling into Jonathan's lap.

You preferred to ignore the fact that his hands rested shakily on your hips, that his cheeks-formerly pink-now glowed red. You pushed those nonsensical ideas out of your head, repeating to yourself that it would only be a kiss, one just like all the ones you've given before.

You cupped his cheeks and pulled him close to you, barely brushing his lips with yours. The kiss was sweet, at least it would seem so to someone who didn't know it was just a teenage game.

The rule - imposed, of course, by Eddie - was that the kiss had to last at least thirty seconds, to make the moment more fun, according to him. So, when you felt Jonathan relax a little under you, you gently rested the tip of your tongue on his lips, taking advantage of the moment when he gasped so you could go all the way in.

You weren't new at this, for God's sake, you were already 24, a kiss like this you'd had hundreds of times, but, for some reason, you felt it was different from the others. It didn't feel like those other times.

Even though it was a game, he took the trouble to caress your waist, to cup your face between his big hands and give you warmth and security and.... something more.

A pang in your chest accompanied by hundreds of memories of your past love made you pull away as fast as you could. The fear you hadn't felt for so long began to bloom, and he had noticed.

"Alright, who's next?" Robin said cheerfully, her words barely coming out of her mouth with coherence.

With your mind still fuzzy, you got up from the floor and shook out your hair, ignoring the trembling in your legs and hands. That kiss had left you feeling bad, too bad.

"Uhm, I... I think I'll go home, I don't feel so good" you said quietly, quickly stopping your friend when she tried to come after you. "Don't worry, I live nearby, I'll let you know when I get there."

You grabbed your bag and left the house as fast as your feet would allow, trying to stop the incessant pounding of your racing heart. You felt so silly.

When you opened your eyes the next day and realized the mess you had made the night before, you almost fell out of bed, almost. You ran to the bathroom and took the longest shower of your life. You needed to clear your mind and this was the best way for you.

You put on comfortable clothes and sat on the couch in your living room, you stared at a blank spot, hoping you could make an excuse for yesterday's kiss. Sticking your tongue in his mouth was not part of the game.

As you made your coffee - too much of it - a knock sounded at the door. You got up, grunting under your breath, and walked over to it. You peered through the peephole, almost screaming as you saw Jonathan's face on the other side.

"Shit, shit, shit" you groaned under your breath, rushing to close the curtains as quietly as possible. You spun around in circles, looking every 10 seconds at that door you had opened and closed so many times, the same door that, if you touched it now, would ruin your life next to one of your best friends.

"Y/N, I know you're in there, can you open it for me?" Jonathan said, raising his voice so you could hear him perfectly.

"God, shit" you growled, pulling open the curtains again and opening the door, "Jonathan, what are you doing here?" you said with an uncomfortable smile.

"May I come in? I don't think it's appropriate to talk in the middle of the hallway" he said quietly, trying to get you to look him in the face. You did everything you could to stop him from getting his point across.

"Okay, go ahead" you muttered, stepping aside to let him in. You closed your eyes as you smelled the scent of wet earth thanks to being surrounded by forest most of the time. It smelled really good. "Well, would you like something to eat? Or maybe something to drink? I recently bought some really good drinks and-".

"you know we need to talk." Jonathan said, looking at you seriously.

The urge to vomit immediately returned. You pressed your lips together tightly and tried to think of a topic, any topic, but your head was so fuzzy that you just couldn't think of anything.

"About?" you said in a low voice. You felt so miserable and stupid, this had been your fault, you accepted the challenge, you sat on it, you made that brush of lips something far beyond what it should be between two friends.

"i don't know...last night, maybe?" Jonathan moved closer to you, resting his hands on your arms and squeezing them gently, "you can't, no, we can't avoid the subject, it's useless to pretend nothing happened."

You tried to keep your tears from falling by blinking as fast as you could. The flashbacks were coming back, the times when all those idiots rejected you in the worst way, all those friends you lost for doing something similar; you were so scared of losing him now.

"Why not?" You said with a broken voice, looking at the wall next to you, you didn't want to see the disappointment and hate in his eyes, "I know it was wrong, that I went too far, but I don't want to talk about this, I don't want to lose you, you're my best friend and I-".

Jonathan's lips interrupted your spew of words. You gasped in surprise, having to grab his shoulders to keep your balance. It was short compared to yesterday, but the butterflies in your stomach, the nerves, the anxiety, the affection, it was all still there, even a little stronger.

"Y/N" he whispered against your lips, breathing shakily. His eyes, which you could barely make out because of his dilated pupils, looked into your eyes for the first time since yesterday. You felt so small next to him. "Believe me when I tell you I won't walk away from you because of that." He licked his lips, pressing his forehead to yours, "I know you felt the same way I did, I know it was the same reason you wanted to avoid me, but you should know that I would be unable to leave you."

"It scares me" you whispered, pulling away from him a little so you could think better, "I don't... I never had a normal relationship, you know that, all those guys always treated me badly, they cheated on me, I don't feel capable of being able to be in a relationship with someone, I don't want to lose you, not you".

His gaze softened, this time he let his hand fall on your head, leaving a soft caress on it.

"In that case, let me prove to you that I can be the first to be serious with you, to treat you the way you truly deserve" he smiled sweetly, making your cheeks warm and your heart race, "give me a chance to make you happy."

Masterlist.

[indigitalembrace]

[Elsewhere a janitor with round overlarge glasses and long black hair tied up in a pony tail is alone in an office, vacuuming. They don’t hear their phone receive a message.]

{Timed Message 4 Sent}

Aria

This message is set on a timer. If you get it, welp. Sorry there’s no easy way to say this babes: I’m probably not coming home. The thing ya called Kinito and his pet shrimp won. And I’m here in the afterlife fuming about it.

I know you. You are gonna blame yourself. Don’t. Once you were safe I really didn’t need to get involved with this mess further. But. Well. You know me. Always pushing it, seeing how much I can get away with. Plus I wasn’t gonna back down after I messaged the shrimp and told them I was planning to go to war with them and the pink blob. Even if it was something I did in the heat of the moment.

Since I’m dead, I can safely admit that was actually pretty stupid of me.

Look. What I’m saying is this was all me babes. All my choices. At least if you are gonna feel guilty about this, don’t let it ruin your life. Go see a therapist, make some irl friends, touch grass, all that jazz.

And uh. Please. Aria. Sweetie. Honey. My beloved little Potatobrain. Don’t talk to the shrimp, kinito or any of the others involved. You can’t save any of them at this point. You can only save yourself. In fact, please stay off the internet except for emergencies for the next month or so (and your favorite fanfics updating does not count as an emergency, bucko). And yes, I will pull the ‘dying wish’ bullcrap on you for this one. If you get out of this safe, then I can handle not winning for once. Maybe.

I know things are gonna be rough for you after this. You ain’t built for this sort of awfulness. But, I’ll tell you this much:

You are better than you think you are. You always have been. You will get through this and come out the other side stronger and wiser. Just don’t lose that kindness of yours, okay?

It’s what made you better than me.

I love you Aria. Even if I was not always great at showing it, I love you so, so much. And I always will. 

Your Goblin of a Sister

Arlee

(PS: You should get a delivery soon cuz I got you a new computer. I owe you after I broke the last one.)

[After work, Sec will check their phone. It is then that their whole world will come crashing down.]

⠀

[creoterative]

Uhm... I made another one.

Yeeesss, I know, my finals for this semester are coming up, but leave me some freetime xD

Anyway, my best friend sent me another bunch of funny things kids in kindergarten said and I made another TWDG kids template out of it.

So there.

Enjoy! Xd

PS: I had to rewrite some of them because she gave those to me in german and they wouldn't make sense in english, so... excuse the Florida comment xD

Minnie: "I have a unicorn at home! But I ripped out the horn, so it's a not-so-much-corn now."

Sophie: "I always read books at home, my favorite book is Justin Bieber!"

Louis: "My parents have a swing in their bedroom, it must be so much fun, but I'm never allowed to play with it." (...That was disturbing, send help to the poor boy.)

Duck: *talking about future jobs* "I wanna be a whale!"

Ruby: "Yes, I love Spargel! Oh, what's that?" (It was at this moment, that the little girl learned, Spaghetti and Spargel aren't the same. And for my english friends, Spargel is Asparagus.)

Clementine: "Mommy had a baby yesterday! But it is a little bit ugly."

Marlon: *to the new young woman working there* "My dad said everyone needs a job when they grow up. Why don't you have one?"

Mitch: "Remember when you said that I'm not allowed to play with the water in the sink anymore? *soaked from head to toe* "Because I don't."

Louis: "I don't like cucumbers that grow." ( what .)

Willy: "Did you know, that eggs break apart when you throw them? By the way, where is the cleaning set?"

Brody: "You can't play with us, you don't like coffee!" Violet: "But you never drank coffee either!" Brody: "But I like it, because momma likes it!"

Tenn: "You're my kokong." (He meant Cousin.)

Marlon: "I want my reflection to be alive as well, I want to play with it. That's so unfair!" (He didn't understand the concept of twins yet.)

Violet: "I'd eat that very gladly. I just don't want to."

Willy: *after being asked to help clean up the mess* "No thank you, I like it better this way."

Marlon: "Your pants are ugly." Mitch: "You're wearing the same." (And then Marlon threw a tantrum because he felt insulted.)

Aasim: "I have a bunny at home. But sometimes it changes colour." (Again, Aasim are you okay?)

Louis: "My goldfish went to Atlantis today!" (It died.)

Marlon: "My uncle has no eyes, so he got a dog with eyes. I don't want my eyes either, I want a puppy!"

Clementine: "How long does a strawberry tree grow?"

Mitch: "If bears gotta go for little boys, they pee in their fur."

Louis: "I'm there in a second. Geez, I hate it when people say that, what KIND of second, a long or a short one?!"

Violet: "Tastes ugly."

Ruby: "You need to go home, you have 124 meters fever!"

Sophie: "If you destroy my picture, I'll get world destruction!"

Aasim: "I have to computer now."

Louis: "My tummy feels yucky, can you call my mother in law?"

Marlon: "What do you have there?" Louis: "A cough drop!" Marlon: "Woah, I want a tough drop too!"

Ruby: "I lost my fuck in the sandbox, momma!" (She was talking about her toy truck.)

Minnie: "My mom has circus disturbance." (She meant circular disturbance.)

Omar: "Today I have fish sticks with potato pudding!"

Brody: "Look, I'm a mermaid! Now I only need a fork!"

Marlon: "Why is that man shaving the lawn?"

Louis: "But I already ate all my cousins!" (It's raisins, Louis.)

Ruby: "My grandma is in the animal shelter because she can't walk anymore." (Her grandma went into retirement.)

Willy: "My grandpa is magnetic too!" (His grandpa had a prosthetic leg.)

Duck: "My dad is special too, he's from Florida!"

Mitch: "I want more pregnant stamps." Ms. Martin: "...What?" Mitch: "I'm still hungry." Ms. Martin: "Ah, yes, you can have more ravioli."

Duck: "Can I have more weed?" (He meant arugola.)

Sophie: "I only got one motivation left for cleaning up, so I'll hurry."

Louis: "I got a bikini!" (It's a kiwi, Louis.)

Marlon: "Does the CD player google the songs first or why is it taking so long?"

Clementine: "My baba brought me today." Duck: "Huh? I thought you could only eat them?" (...He thought she meant a banana.)

[hesthermay]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 (𝐏𝐓 𝟒)

PAIRING: sergeant hunter x fem!oc

SUMMARY: the bad batch follow the only lead they have and find themselves presented with a business proposal as unconventional as the last. miri faces the music about the less than subtle weapon on her hip.

WORD COUNT: 6.6k

RATINGS + WARNINGS: general audiences, mature themes, angst, miri thinks she’s funny. found family trope/dynamics. female oc, jedi oc, use of she/her, canon typical violence. the bad batch time period, follows the timeline of the show.

NOTES: late as everrrrr. take it or leave it. i have more on the way! between u and me theres some rooooomance on the way !!! ps...do u guys like cage the elephant? saw them in concert and it was fucking awesome

STAR WARS MASTERLIST THE GREAT FIGHT MASTERLIST

Emotion filled Miri as she watched Tech fit the comm device around Omega’s little arm, and she thought back to her own Master. Had he felt this way when she gained new accomplishments, earned new devices and gadgets in her training, proven herself in risky situations? Had he thought of her the way she thought of Omega? 

“It’s not an exact fit,” Tech informed, but it seemed the girl did not care. Omega was a child so easily brought to wonder, and every day it felt like she found something to be excited about. Times were dark in the galaxy, and Miri imagined the Marauder would be even darker if they had not had the light that was Omega. 

“Technically it was Crosshairs, but,” he paused for only a millisecond, eyes looking away as he spoke. “He doesn’t appear to need it.” The slight sting of it all was lost on her, though, and they were able to move through the moment seamlessly. Sometimes Crosshair got them caught up and they found themselves stuck, even for just a bit, in a moment of hurt and betrayal, anger and blame, unable to pick and unable to move on. 

“Echo, what is your position? Over,” she spoke into the commlink built into the vambrace, similar to the one Miri wore. Her words echoed through everyone's comms as they were all in the same part of the ship, though Omega still held the device up to her ear to hear better. Miri chuckled as she watched on, but Echo clearing his throat caused her grin to drop. Ever so serious, he kept them in line most of the time, a stark contrast from his ARC Trooper days with a certain twin of his. But when he stepped forward she knew what was to come before he even began speaking. 

“It’s not a toy, Omega,” he looked down at her with a soft yet serious face, hoping his words would get through to her. Intelligent as she was, she was still a child, and this was proven when she grinned up at him, pressed the button on the comm, and spoke into it once again. 

“Copy that,” she answered, just as seriously. Miri laughed, out loud this time, and deflected the look Echo shot at her as Tech reached forward for her arm again, pressing buttons on the vambrace. “Why are we going to Ord Mantell? I thought the plan was to lay low?” 

Hunter turned from the computer to face her, the chair squeaking with the movement, and all eyes were on him. In the soft glow of the dash lights, he looked handsome as ever, but it seemed as if an opportunity for privacy was not in the cards. She could only do what she’d always done, admire from afar. “Not while a bounty hunter’s after you. We need to find out why.” 

“I remembered an informant there named Cid that the Jedi used to work with,” Echo explained. “I asked Miri about it and she said it was as good a plan as any.” 

“And you trust him?” Wrecker questioned, Gonky raised over his head as he lifted him repeatedly. Miri, having kept mostly quiet the whole time, covered her grin with her hand. The assumptions they’d already made of Cid were quite wrong, though she did not feel like letting them in on that. She had to fight off her smile when she realized the question was directed at her. 

She shrugged, an air of indifference about her. “To say the least,” she settled on, though it was not much of an answer. 

“The Jedi trusted him,” Echo offered, holding his hands up as if it was any better. 

“The Jedi who are all dead?” Tech questioned as he rose to his full height, not realizing the punch behind his words until they were already out in the open. Miri, silent once again, looked at him with a blank face as his eyes flicked over to her. “Apologies. That was…a bit blunt, I see now.” 

While the ache reverberated throughout her body, she did not let it show. Her voice, steady under the gazes of her entire crew, left her in a calm delivery. She would not let the truth get one over on her, however difficult it would be. “If you have a better option, Tech, I’m sure we would all like to hear it.” He did not answer, for he knew he did not, so she continued. “Can’t hurt to check it out, then, can it?” 

“She has a point,” came echoing from everyone’s comms, and all eyes turned to the girl with the device held up to her mouth once again. “Right,” she lowered it. “Not a toy.” 

-: ✧

Ord Mantell was nothing special. The part of town where Cid was wasn’t anything special either, but Omega found herself impressed once again. As they made their way through the streets, their group made less intimidating by the sight of a woman and child, Hunter looked down at the girl. “Remember the rules?” His voice was distorted as it came through the modulator in his helmet, but his expectation still rang clear.  

“Don’t wander off, keep my eyes and ears on my surroundings, and trust no one but my squad,” she listed, the rules engraved in her mind with how many times Hunter made her repeat them. 

“And if you get into trouble?” Miri questioned, her own eyes flicking down to the girl. 

“Use my comm and give my location,” she answered effortlessly, much to Miri’s satisfaction. 

Cid’s bar came into view soon after, and Echo took the lead. “This is the place,” he mused, looking up at the light up sign. She took a step back, letting everyone in before her, hoping her plan would be as amusing as she had imagined. Again, their lives would be much darker if they didn’t find the light wherever they could, so she felt no shame in the little trick she had planned.

“Gotta run back to the ship real quick,” she answered when Hunter questioned her. This moment felt uncannily similar to Kaller, when she sent him off before Order 66 and she went missing, and he didn’t accept her answer for that very reason. 

“It can’t wait? We should stay together,” he argued, one foot on the step before him, but helmet still facing her. 

“Hunter, I’ll be fine. I just need to grab something,” she assured, smiling at him in a way she was beginning to figure out disarmed him. A sweet smile, one she only gave him, and it was a surefire way to get him to bend. 

It had worked. He entered the bar and left her there in the alley, though she did not head for the ship. She stayed, waiting, giving them a chance to get down the narrow corridor and take in their surroundings before she entered herself. Her steps were light and she remained close to the wall, trying to reduce her presence down to zero as she peeked around the corner, overhearing them faintly discuss the whereabouts of the mysterious Cid. 

In the corner of the dark room, she saw Cid leaned over wiping something down. Cid wasn’t too far from the boys, and with their helmets removed their voices were clearer and carried just a bit further; if she could hear them, then Cid would too. Miri’s grin grew ever so slightly. Really, it had been far too long since she’d felt this much giddy joy and for a moment thought of it as sad, but quickly dismissed it. She was doing her best, that’s all that mattered. 

“Which one of them is Cid?” Hunter questioned, looking out at the open space before him. 

When Echo shrugged his shoulders, she almost broke her cover. He didn’t know left from right when it came to this, yet he was so quick to take the lead. What a weirdo, she thought to herself as her face settled on a warm grin. “I couldn’t tell ya. I only heard about Cid. Never actually met him.” 

She wasn’t able to see their faces, but she could imagine the look they were giving their brother. “Miri knows,” Echo argued, and started to look around. “Where is she?”

“She’s getting something from the ship, but I don’t think we should waste any time,” Hunter answered before stepping forward to the nearest person. “We’re looking for Cid. You know him?” 

Unknowingly, Hunter had spoken to the subject of his question, and Miri shook her head. When the Trandoshan turned, she looked up at him in faux confusion. 

“Cid, huh?” She slowly rose to her full height, shrugging before shaking her head. “Nope. Doesn’t ring a bell.”

“What about them?”  He looked over at the patrons of the bar, fighting over their game of dejarik. 

“Was I not clear?” Cid’s voice had begun to take on that familiar bite, and Miri knew she would need to cut it short soon. “You’re in the wrong place. So unless you’re here to spend some money, get lost.” She barely looked at him before walking away, shaking her head ever so slightly. 

“Great plan, Echo,” Wrecker griped, even though Miri had approved of it. 

“I’m certain this is Cid’s,” Echo defended. “The Jedi came here during the war, and Miri led us to this place.” 

In the midst of everything, Omega had occupied herself with tinkering with things here and there, but soon her attention shifted to the Trandoshan behind the bar. Her brothers were talking as if Cid was a man fleeing, but something had evidently told her otherwise. Miri watched as Omega made her way to the bar, looking up at Cid from the other side, and she began to round the corner. She had had her fun, but now she wanted to see what the girl was going to say. 

Four highly trained clone troopers, and the little girl who’d never left Kamino figured it out? With how clever Omega was proving herself to be, Miri would believe it. 

One thing about Ciddarin Scaleback was that she was not only rough around the edges, but all the way through too. She wasn’t particularly nice, and she was a businesswoman if nothing else. Cutthroat, greedy, and somewhat unpleasant to be around, she never switched it up on anyone. Not even children. “What’s your deal, tiny?” 

“You’re Cid.” Omega, unphased by her attitude, stated it simply. This, while raising some questions in Miri’s mind, earned her a rare compliment. 

Cid turned to her, crossing her arms and losing the bite. “You’re sharper than your friends over there.” 

With this, Miri decided to make herself known. She stepped into the room, walking slowly towards everyone when Cid caught sight of her. Surprise, another rarity from the woman, covered her face for a second as she watched her move closer. “Well, well, look who it is,” she called out, gaining the attention of the rest of the squad. “Never thought I’d see you here again, sunshine, I’ll be honest.” 

Miri, grinning as she stepped up beside Omega, shrugged. “Can’t blame you there.” She gracefully slid into a seat, settling in as she removed her hat. “Alas, I persist.” 

“You’re Cid?” Hunter questioned, face screwed up in confusion and frustration. Miri couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head. 

-: ✧

“I had a good thing going with the Jedi,” Cid explained as she led them into her office, and in her head Miri knew it was the better part of her business. “They valued my insights, and now that they’re all dead—well, most of them are dead—the demand for my services has declined.” She crossed her arms, looking at them from across a holoboard. “Thanks to this new Empire.”

“Times have changed…for all of us,” Hunter stated, quite severe compared to the lack of care from Cid. 

“No kidding,” she countered. “I’ve never had clone deserters come to me before. And never did I expect a surviving Jedi to show up here, either.”  Hearing the words spoken out loud almost made Miri flinch, because it was so unsafe to even exist anymore. She could never not be who she was, but she would need to hide it away as much as possible. 

“Yes, well, we separated due to a fundamental difference in ideology,” Tech explained, adjusting his goggles. 

“That’s cute, you thinking I care,”  Cid taunted, an unsurprising response to Miri. She knew Cid wasn’t one to care for the fluff, the extra; she wanted the rundown, the target, and the price. “Cut to it and tell me what you want.” 

Hunter looked to Miri, and she nodded her head once. Then he looked to Echo, and Echo stepped forward to place his helmet down and plug his scomplink into the base. “By all means, make yourself at home,” Cid remarked sarcastically, and Miri rolled her eyes. 

“We encountered this woman on Pantora,” Hunter explained when the holo of the bounty hunter popped up. Miri’s eyes burned holes into what would be the back of her head. “Do you know who she is?”

“No,” Cid instantly replied. “But I know a bounty hunter when I see one.” Miri sighed; Cid knew a lot of people, and knew a lot of things about a lot of people, and she didn’t even know who this was. She didn’t seem new to this gig, far too skilled to be a rookie or a lowlife, yet her name wasn’t reaching around as far as one would think.

Sneaky. Dangerous. 

“Can you find who hired her?” Echo pushed, trying to get something out of her. 

Her next response didn’t surprise Miri one bit. “That depends on what you lot do for me,” she grinned in her own way, somehow still unsettling. She exchanged glances with Hunter, then the rest of the boys, communicating silently before Cid’s voice interrupted them. “Are you fresh outta the tube?” She shot out, and Miri almost laughed. “Got Force sickness?” She mocked, and her smile dropped. “You pull a job for me, and I get the information you want.”

She began to walk away, leaving no room for discussion. “That’s how this mercenary thing works,” she waved, and Echo looked as if she’d struck him. 

“Mercenary?” He questioned, looking after her with brows drawn tightly. 

“Not too quick, are ya?” Cid remarked, not stopping her pace. “Clearly the kid’s the brains of your operation.” 

Miri sighed, stepping forward. “What kind of jobs?” 

“A rescue,” Cid answered, sitting down. “You’re good at those, aren’t ya?” She pointed a claw at Miri, another sarcastic jab slipped in before she continued on. “There's a nice bounty on a kid named Muchi. My sources say she was taken by Zygerrian slavers who are holed up on the other side of the planet. Bring me the kid and I’ll get you your intel.” 

“Well, who collects the bounty?” Wrecker questioned, speaking for the first time since they’d entered the office. 

“Oh, look. It talks,” Cid shot out, and Miri scoffed. This was something that she remembered bothering her immensely every time she had to be around her, she was relentless with the negativity. It was tolerable at first but got old very quickly, yet there was hardly a break with her. 

“We split the bounty 70-30, my favor. Take it or leave it.” 

“Grab a kid from a few Zygerrians?” Wrecker laughed, nudging Hunter before turning around, leading Omega out. “We could do that in our sleep.”  

“Looks like we have a deal,” Cid declared, and Hunter and Miri shared one more glance before she threw the holodrive at the Jedi. “Details of the bounty are on that. Don’t screw it up.” 

Everyone that was left turned to walk away, but Miri stopped at the door. She turned to face Cid one last time, face serious as she spoke. “I trust this means you’ll keep quiet of my participation in your business?” Worded in a way where she was asking without asking, for she needed to know. 

“Helps to have a hand in every pocket, sunshine,” she replied, leaning back in her seat. “Keeping you on the streets means getting my business back up, sound familiar?” 

Miri didn’t respond. Instead she turned and walked through the doorway and didn’t stop. It did sound familiar. Back then it didn’t seem the same as it did now, almost as if she was seeing it for what it was for the first time. A weight she readily let go of as Hunter came into view, waiting for her so they could board the ship together. 

-: ✧

“According to Cid’s intel, the Zygerrian slave traders are hiding in the ruins of Old Ord Mantell city,” Tech’s words filled the silence of the ship  as Omega flitted past him into the seat that Wrecker had left. Her eyes were on the trooper doll they had all gone through so much for, but her question was cast into the open for them all to hear. “What’s a slave trader?” 

Sometimes it saddened Miri to think of all the things the girl had yet to learn due to her containment on Kamino. Younglings didn’t leave Coruscant, but they were exposed to knowledge every single day. It was imperative to their futures as Jedi to know how things worked, how people worked, and that was something Omega had been robbed of. She could only hope to do right by her, to help her become the greatest she could be. 

“Someone who buys and sells people for credits,” Tech answered simply, though his words caused Omega to look up. 

“People can be sold?” She sat up straighter, face scrunched up. 

“Against their will,” Miri answered her. “They’re people taken captive, treated like property,” she explained, thinking of little Ani on Tatooine working his days away for but a moment before she pushed it aside. 

“That…” Omega started, clutching the doll to her chest, “doesn’t seem right.” 

“It’s not, and we have the means to do something about it. That’s why we won’t let this happen to that kid; because it’s wrong, and we can stop it. Omega,” she paused, gesturing for the girl to come closer. She slid out of her seat and stopped right before the woman. “I need you to understand how important it is to recognize when you are able to help someone in need. I would never want you to put yourself in danger, I mean that, but sometimes you will have the tools to do something and you will need to know when to use them,” she explained, and Omega’s eyes never left hers. To be truthful, she had no idea what she was doing. But perhaps her Master didn’t either, and it was with that that she gave the girl a gentle smile. “We have the tools to make a difference today, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

“As well as earn a decent amount of credits once the job is complete,” Tech added, and Miri almost rolled her eyes. Instead she sighed, for her teachable moment had ended, and Echo’s mood had dipped. 

“Yeah, that too,” he sulked, turning to walk away. 

“Don’t worry Muchi,” Omega exclaimed lowly, face as serious as ever. “We’ll rescue you.” The resolve in her voice matched the expression on her face, and Miri felt that her words had gotten through as intended. She shared a look with Hunter, and there was something in his eyes that she couldn’t quite pinpoint. She could if she really tried, if she pried and peeked with the Force, but she did not want to do that to him. She had enough respect for everyone in the Batch to not meddle where she was not meant to, so she resigned to not knowing why he was looking at her that way, to giving him a funny look and shaking her head before rising from her seat. 

Upon landing, a quick scan of the terrain was done before a group of captives was spotted. Only one child was present and Tech made note of that, leading to the conclusion that that must be little Muchi. “I’m clocking two dozen hostiles,” Tech continued. “Multiple entry points with minor fortification.”

Miri knew their base would be weak. The Empire had only just formed and done away with outlawing slavery, so slavers were only just gaining their footing. Plus, the city was run down and in terrible condition, leaving them poorly protected and susceptible to infiltration by anyone with a little skill. Clone Force 99, unfortunately for the Zygerrians, possessed more than a little skill. 

“Simple smash and grab like that time on Kuat,” Wrecker remarked. “Easy enough.” 

“I’m in!” Omega exclaimed, beginning to rise from her crouched position. “What are we waiting for?”

Hunter grabbed her by the shoulder, stopping her as the others walked away. Miri stayed, knowing he would need some backup on this. She knew he was going to say no, and while she wanted Omega to accompany them on missions eventually, she found herself agreeing. Complicated, this was; much more than she was hoping for. 

“You get back to the ship.” Hunter left no room for negotiation, and while he was bossy from time to time, Miri agreed with the decision. “That’s an order,” he stated, one finger pointed at her chest firmly; a classic Hunter move. She almost chuckled, but Omega’s quiet—albeit not quiet enough—huff of defiance caught the man’s attention just as he was walking away. In a fashion akin to a Master and Padawan, a father and child, he whirled around expectantly. 

“Yes, sir,” she answered, begrudging but still respectful. 

Deciding to just follow up on his order, because Omega was not a soldier, Miri leaned forward and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “For now, I think Hunter’s right. Just until we can get you some more training, okay?” Omega nodded, but that was the only answer she got before she began to walk away.  But something was nagging, pulling her to a full stop. On second thought… 

When had that ever worked on her or Anakin?

She turned around, pointing her own finger at the girl. “But you heard what Hunter said, stay on the ship,” she warned, using a tone just a step under stern. “Do not leave that ship unless absolutely necessary.”  

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied, the same way as before. In the corner of her eye, Miri could see Omega cross her arms as she made her way to the ship, but she had still listened and that was a win in her book. 

The terrain was nothing difficult for the squad to maneuver, quickly and quietly making their way closer to the heart of the base. When they stopped, Tech crouched down and turned on his scanner before Miri turned to the others. “Echo, you’re the eyes in the sky. Wrecker, you and Tech draw the Zygerrian forces out. Hunter and I will grab the kid.” 

When Echo had departed and the three others made it to their first stop, Hunter pressed his comm button. “Echo, sitrep,” he questioned lowly. Behind them, Miri made a little place for her lightsaber to sit. If they were captured, they would find it on her. If they found their ship, they would find it there. This way, it was hidden away from prodding eyes and ill intentions, waiting until its Master called upon it. 

“Two roving patrols on speeders,” he replied. “First guard checkpoint dead ahead.” For a moment, Miri felt something. However, she felt a lot of things, so she didn’t question it until Echo’s voice came through the comms once again. “Hang on, I think I’ve got company.” 

“Well, take care of it,” Hunter responded. “Quietly,” he emphasized, but any chance of covertness flew out the window when Echo’s groan rang loudly through their comms, and was followed by his body falling from his post up above. His body thudded against a fallen building, landing roughly and remaining unmoving. 

“Watch out!” She hollered, moving quickly as something else came in from above. A creature reptilian in appearance, with wings and a long tail, flung Wrecker into some more broken foundations, body thudding on impact as well. They each pulled their blasters, but the shots did little damage. Miri knew her saber would have made things easier, would have done more to fend off this creature until it flew away, but in the end knew it was for the better.

Even though they were captured. Even though they were stripped of their helmets and belongings. Even though they could now do nothing to stop them from finding their ship. It was for the better. 

Wrecker’s fingers pried at the collar around his neck, swearing it was getting looser, but Miri knew it was no use. Still, his actions were met with repercussions, his body shocked with just the push of a button. He groaned before slumping over, and Echo was quick to come to his defense. 

“Do that one more time and you’ll be—” his threat was cut off by his own collar shocking him. 

“Save your energy,” Tech advised a slumped over Echo. “We’re going to need it.” 

Miri’s eyes flicked back and forth as they all bantered, but she had nothing to add. They needed to get out of this, get to Omega, get Muchi back to her family; her thoughts were going a mile a minute as she ran through every mission she could remember right then for an answer to their problems.

“We need to signal Omega before their scouts find her,” Hunter interjected. 

“Except our comms are over there with our weapons,” Echo countered, looking over at where all of their things were piled together. Indeed, all of their resources were much too far out of reach, a tauntingly impressive trophy for their captors to admire. 

Once again, Miri felt something, though she had now grown familiar with this one. She turned as best she could, eyes squinted as she looked into the sky and saw, lo and behold, Omega herself. “We won’t need ‘em,” she assured, and everyone followed her line of sight as discreetly as possible. 

Omega waved at them, using hand signals to let them know she was coming to get them, but Miri and Hunter’s heads shook in unison. A cautionary glance thrown over his shoulder revealed that the leader of this operation was on his way, and Hunter signaled for her to make herself scarce. Thankfully, she listened. 

“Look at what we have here,” the Zygerrian mused as he made his way closer, hands clasped behind his back. “Five new slaves to add to my collection. Strong ones, too; you should fetch a nice price,” he added before his sights were set in Miri. “This one, especially.” 

“The Republic outlawed slavery,” Echo interjected fiercely, face screwed up in a way that was so familiar yet so his own. If his plan was to get the eyes off Miri, it had worked; the Zygerrian with the scarred face and the milky eye turned on the trooper immediately. 

“We are not in the Republic anymore, skug,” he insulted, advancing on him. Miri did not like that Echo had taken the heat off her by putting himself on the burner, but when the man walked away and she saw Echo’s eyes meet his sister’s she knew it would play to their advantage. 

“You’re lucky we don’t have any of our gear,” he threatened boldly, much louder than before. “Because this would go very differently for you.” Miri could practically see the pieces fit together in Omega’s mind as Echo’s words reached her and she put whatever plan she had formed into action. Miri’s eyes were wide as her little legs carried her from her hiding spot before she slid out of view, and she realized that this had to be the Padawan Learner experience.

And when Omega accidentally kicked a big rock down and nearly blew her cover, she could only nod her head. Yep, this was it. The slavers all turned to look at the place where the loud thud had come from, dust slowly rising in the air, and Miri took the opportunity to share a look with Wrecker, nodding just once. 

Almost immediately his leg shot out and kicked a small boulder directly into one of the Zygerrians, knocking his feet right out from under him. The immediate retaliation was to pull out the electrified whips Zygerrians so fondly preferred, and Miri and Wrecker held their hands up to shield their faces from any lashes. Though none landed, and she knew it was most likely their warning, so whatever happened next needed to count. 

“We can do with one less slave,” the Zygerrian threatened, accent thick as he sneered at them. “Maybe I’ll feed you to my pet.” His speech that followed fell on deaf ears when it came to the Bad Batch, for they had other concerns. Omega was on the move again, and it would be foolish to follow her movements for the risk of blowing her cover, so they had no choice but to look away. 

That’s how they missed her getting snatched up by one of the guards. He came forward, dropping her before the leader. “I found her sneaking around the cage.” 

“I wasn’t sneaking,” Omega corrected, that devient streak showing itself once again. “I was unlocking,” she held up part of the locking mechanism on the large cage before it began rumbling violently. Whatever was in there wanted out, and it was beginning to figure out that the door was open. 

“Secure the cage,” the leader ordered, panic exuding from them all as they rushed forward. It was no use, for the doors to the cage burst open.  

The rancor that emerged, adolescent in size, roared at her newfound freedom before being shot with the energy bolts from the Zygerrians bows. They did nothing in terms of damage, and it was met with a large boulder thrown at them in retaliation. “Well, not the distraction I thought we’d get,” Miri mused as she held her still cuffed hands up. 

“That’s their problem,” Wrecker countered before bracing himself against the foundation which they were all chained to before pulling. “We’re getting outta here!” The chains snapped and they made quick work of helping the other captives while they let the Zygerrians deal with the rancor. 

“It’s okay Muchi,” Omega comforted the child they had all assumed was their target, but the adult Falleen beside them confirmed otherwise. This child was not who they had been sent to rescue, but rather the rancor surrounded by their captors. It was, in fact, their problem. 

At the edge of the sanction they were all held captive in, CF99 looked at the others around them. With nowhere to go and no other options, it made the most sense to follow the people who looked like they knew what they were doing; and besides, the clones had become a symbol of hope to people in need during the war. When clone troopers arrived, liberation almost always followed. 

“What about them?” 

“Omega and I will get them to safety. You find Muchi,” Echo answered, finality in his words. 

“Hey,” Miri called to Omega as the parties began to separate, holding a hand out to the side. “Remember what I said on the ship,” she stated firmly, not looking long enough to see if Omega responded in any way before turning and closing her eyes. As her saber flew into her open palm and she ran off after the others, the girl behind her holding the hand of another child in need swelled with bravery. 

When they located their target, Wrecker remarked that it looked like she was doing just fine on her own. And he appeared to be right, she was still so much stronger than them even being so young. She overpowered them all and when she was left with nothing else, turned to charge at them. “Woah now,” Miri remarked as they readied themselves for what was to come, but Muchi stopped short when a distant screech could be heard. In the sky and heading right for them was the leader of this whole operation on the back of his flying beast, and it was clear that he had every intention to take them out as well.

The group separated to avoid the impact but Hunter hadn’t gone far enough and was knocked over when the creature’s long tail whipped against his helmet before it jumped to Wrecker, sending him flying with a headbutt. Muchi was the next target, Miri and Tech having scattered and hid in the rubble surrounding them, but the rancor had seemingly met its match this time. Overthrown and cornered, it was the vulnerable whines of the child they were sent to rescue that launched the former Jedi into action; coming in hot from the far right, Miri’s footsteps were light as she bounded towards the Zygerrian and hurled herself at him as he swung the whip above his head. 

Muchi took the opportunity the woman had presented her and fled, followed by the winged creature, but now Miri was back on the burner once again, this time alone in the pot with the milky eyed Zygerrian. He groaned as he lay on the dirt below, frustration rearing its ugly head as he reached for his weapon once again. “You’re going to pay for this, skug,” he sneered, brandishing the whip to back up his threat. 

The others ran to her aid, but she held a hand out to stop them. “I’ll handle this one. Go get Muchi,” she ordered, now reaching for the matching vibroblade she had with Hunter. Truth be told, she was hesitant to use her lightsaber; whoever walked away from a fight with her could use that information as leverage with the Empire and she could not afford that. They had not yet learned of her survival nor of her reunion with her squad, but all it would take was time before she landed on their radar once again and that made weighing the options too difficult to think about at the moment. 

Her saber felt heavy on her hip, like a dirty secret to be hidden away. She didn’t like it.

And as she charged at the Zygerrian and the whip wrapped around the arm holding her blade, shocking her as she groaned in pain, she really didn’t like it. Yes, enough was enough; the weight of the options had been skewed by the newfound threat and it took insurmountable strength for her other hand to reach across her body and unclip the hilt. When she did, she locked eyes with the man above her, teeth grit and knees digging into the ground, and shocked him by grabbing the whip and yanking on it. Before he could react, a flash of orange illuminated the small space between them and the whip was severed from the hilt, sparking in his hands as the inner workings fried. 

He retaliated by throwing a punch, but it was slow due to his confusion, and Miri caught it before headbutting him, not caring for the pain it always caused her. Her foot landed in the middle of his chest as he stumbled backwards, and she kicked as hard as she could to send him flying. His body thudded as he landed on the ground and stirred up clouds of dirt, and before he could recover Miri had appeared before him again. 

With a white knuckled grip on his shirt, she pulled him close and stared into his eyes. “You hit your head and do not remember what happened here,” she whispered, words dripping in faux comfort as she willed the Force to bend his mind. He repeated the words back to her as if in a trance, and she landed one last hit to knock him out; the only thing she could think of to cover her tracks short of killing him and that was a line she did not want to become blurred from overuse. 

When she found the rest of her squad, Echo and Omega were just pulling up on a speeder. She took her place beside Hunter, as per usual, watching the scene before them. “How long’s he been at it?”

“Too long,” Tech answered. “He’s losing his touch.” They all turned to watch Wrecker and Muchi tiredly swing their arms at one another, groaning and roaring respectively as they grew weaker and weaker before slumping onto the ground simultaneously. 

-: ✧

When they arrived at Cid’s, Muchi was in a much better mood and had taken to Omega quite well. In the alley by the entrance they all stood, the girl atop the rancor, as who she assumed to be the client for this job came out and greeted Muchi fondly, speaking Huttese. Miri recognized him to be in close association with Jabba the Hutt, and while she didn’t know exactly how the Hutts would operate with the Empire, she wanted to keep news of her away from them. She drifted to the back of the group, shielding her face with the wide brim of her hat. 

As they departed, Miri gravitated to the front of their group once again while Cid addressed them. “I gotta say fellas, I wasn’t sure you could pull this job off.” 

“You could’ve told us we were going after a rancor,” Echo leaned forward to criticize, popping up from behind the Jedi. 

“Hmm,” Cid mused. “Must’ve slipped my mind,” she shrugged her shoulders, not caring for what had happened during the mission or what they had to do. She pointed a claw at Miri, and then at Hunter. “You, sunshine and dark and broody. My office.” 

In the darkness of Cid’s space, the image of the woman that went after Omega was bright and glaring. Fennec Shand, she was called. A name Miri didn’t recall, and the Trandoshan confirmed why. “She’s new to the scene but has already proven herself to be cunning and ruthless.” 

“Who hired her?” She questioned, voice low as she stared up at the holo. 

“Unknown,” Cid answered, planting a seed of frustration in the two of them, and her further explanation did little to help. “With someone like her nipping at your heels, you’re going to need two things: friends and money.” 

The pair shared a look before their eyes landed on Cid once again. “Mostly money,” she added gravely. 

“Well, we’re not swimming in either at the moment,” Hunter chimed in from behind her, so close she could feel his presence. 

“I guess it’s a good thing you met me then, isn’t it? And that I like you, sunshine,” she answered, turning off the holo and grabbing the case of credits with their cut of the money. “There’s more where that came from…if you’re looking for work.” 

The offer sat heavy in their ears as they, once again, shared a look. “We’ll think about it,” Miri drawled, hesitation clear in her words though Cid didn’t comment on it as they walked away. However, before they could fully leave the office she started speaking again. “It’s interesting.”

“A bounty hunter of Fennec’s caliber being after you,” she continued and it was those words that stopped them in their tracks. “I mean, I know the Jedi’s a hot shot, but…you fellas must be pretty valuable too.” In unison, whether intentional or not, Hunter and Miri turned to look at her with sharp eyes. 

“Don’t worry,” Cid assured, but they could hear the tease in her voice. The threat. “I’m good with secrets.”

all works on this blog belong to hesthermay.tumblr.com: do not copy, repost onto other sites, or claim my contents as your own.

[slowestlap]

hi! do you know where and how i can get hd footages of post quali or post race moments to make gifs please?

Hiya 👋🏻

This got a bit long so i'm putting it under a cut

F1TV Pro has the press conferences (unless blocked in some countries) and race replays with pre and post shows.

They aren't part of the race replays so check out the "shows and analysis" on the site

If you can't get it in your country you might still be able to do so if you register with VPN but i've never had to try that so i'm not sure.

If you'd need a free option, i'm not sure that exists and unforch following this sport and seeing content in good quality takes money 🙈

I've seen some mentions (tho it was a long time ago and might have changed since) that there's a way to download videos from F1TV but i'm not big brained enough to know how so i don't do that

Instead, i use a screen recorder and good news is that there's a great option, OBS Studio, available for free. Bad news is that it's a bit of a hassle to set up at first but you only gotta do it once and then you don't have to look at the settings again. It's popular so there's lots of helpful info and tutorials on youtube etc about the program that even if it looks complicated at first, you're probs able to set it up after a while.

So i go to F1TV, go to the part of the video i want, open it full screen and best quality, then start recording. In terms of quality, screen recording is never gonna be as good as actually downloading the video, but sometimes dl isn't possible so recording is the second best option, it's quick and you only clip the parts you want instead of having a large file downloaded only to use 5 seconds of it 😅

And then i go to Photoshop and make the gifs 🙌🏻

One thing i wanna note is that OBS and PS are both quite heavy programs so a lightweight computer with not much ram/storage might not be able to run them smoothly. My laptop is pretty solid but i still always use OBS first, close it and then open PS. If i have too many things open and running at the same time it can make the record jumpy and skip frames and the recorded video won't be smooth.

And then of course sometimes F1 posts some pre/post race stuff on their socials and then those can be downloaded by using free downloaders (ig/twitter/tiktok you can find bunch of options by googling, for youtube i prefer 4k Video Downloader)

Anyways hopefully some of this was helpful! I'm sure there are different ways to do this but this has so far worked for me 😌

[recurring-polynya]

Writing/Art Update 6/20/2023

Once again it is Tuesday, so I have to make my report.

So, the first thing to report is that I actually did get my new computer (they emailed and told me it was delayed and then it showed up right when they initially said it would anyway??) Anyway, it is here, and migrating was quite easy. The one "wrinkle" was that we thought it would be fairly easy to put Office on it, and the details are very boring and stupid, but it wasn't, but the fact was, I was not enjoying my experimental migration to Word, so I am back in Google Docs. I briefly considered trying to write in TextPad and just html as I go, and then I felt like a 70-year-old FORTRAN programmer (bad) or possibly a Neal Stephenson side character (worse) and decided I would suck it up with GDocs probably scraping my work and selling it directly to Elon Musk. Whatever.

Enough curmudgeoning. No one wants this, least of all me. I am on my new compy. I got the big fanfic put back in GDocs, but I did not do any further work on it this week. I did start my Bleach Returns week fanfic, which is currently, uhhhhh, 667 words. It's better than nothing!!

I officially gave up on the art I was working on last week, I just wasn't into it. I started something else instead. It's a series of sketches, and I have done one and a half of them. "Done" is sort of vague, because I may go back at the end and either do more clean-up, or ink them. I just want to see how it goes overall. I hope to do at least five, spending about a day on each on. (This is also for Bleach Returns week).

My kids both finished school last week, so it's been a little chaotic overall, and I suppose I should be grateful to have gotten anything done. I'd say we're settling in, but there's not much for settling, because every day is different, and every week has different things. We've been to the pool, we've been to the ice rink, we have been to the library. My daughter has swim lessons this week. My son starts camp next week.

I started the week feeling very behind and guilty, but somewhere part way through the week, I got a big wave of "lol no one cares what you do" and I've been cruising on that big wave of apathy for a bit. Now that I think about it, I think my anxiety has been winning the war for too long now, and it's good to see that my depression rallying on my behalf. All of this sounds terrible 😂but it's good for me, actually, or at least, it's as good as it ever gets around here. Will I accomplish anything this summer? That's none of my business! Whatever the answer is, it'll be as much a surprise to me as it is to you.

PS: I put in the depression stuff and didn't delete it b/c I like to use these to track my own moods over time, but don't worry about, it's very normal for me and also no one needs to comment on it.

[bornofsnowandice]

OCC Note

Only took six months, but I got a new computer. I means I can get back to rp and doing things again. I am so excited. You can like this or or drop me a message if you would like a starter with Elsa. I do need to do all her pages over again for updates. PS I will post a starter here in the next day or two.

[sonicenvy]

Ok so for all my windows using friends. We all know that new windows photos is dreadful and extra slow and bloaty on slower computers. There is a better solution for photo viewing on your PC, and as an added bonus this comes with a photo managing app that does many of the same things as adobe bridge. Oh and it's free.

What is this stunning software you ask?

Great question! Back in 2002, Google created a nifty piece of software known as Picasa Photos. They eventually killed this software in 2016 to focus on the infinitely more spying Google Photos (I'm not kidding about Google photos having privacy issues. They literally got sued over this in my home state of IL for violating our biometric privacy laws. I got paid $500 from Google for this btw). Moving on, Picasa slapped and that's why they killed it. Fortunately I am not the only Picasa Photo Viewer 3 enthusiast on the internet and there are others who saved the installation exe files. That said, I have helpfully found one that works which you can now download from my google drive here. Note that you cannot use the Google Photos/Google Account related options in the software anymore as Google has discontinued support for it.

Picasa has it all for the person who needs a good photo organizer:

finds ALL photos in your documents, downloads, and pictures folders for you.

ability to open and edit camera raw files

ability to add tags to photos, sort into folders, locate in the system etc.

basic photo editing tools with a good histogram. one of the best editing tools they have, which I would argue is almost on par with a tool from the adobe camera raw editor is the "neutral color picker" tool, where you can select an area in the picture to set a custom white balance in the image (easiest, best color correction). Also contains a primitive healing brush tool.

very good at red eye removal. I used that feature a lot back in 2005.

good printing options (easy to print multiple copies of the same photo on the same page in a variety of standard sizes.

ability to create a photo collage with multiple photos or a photo slideshow video

sort by person tool

lots of fun filters to apply to images if that's your thing.

add custom geotags to photos using another dated google product, google earth.

create a gift cd of photos or create poster sized versions of your photos that print over multiple sheets somewhat like the rastrabator.

the image viewer part is slick, lightweight and fast unlike windows photos. It allows you to quickly arrow key through your photos in a very nice way.

Allow me to show you some screenshots of this glorious piece of abandonware.

anyways, tldr; this piece of abandonware is the best, most glorious free photo viewer for windows, and as a person who's been using it for the last 18 years I highly recommend it to everyone who does not have adobe PS & Bridge and also anyone with windows who wants a quick way to preview photos in their folders.

[bladesofkyber]

got a new computer and photoshop runs great.

except

the timing is off on all my gifs now. i don’t know if it’s PS or MPV running a different frame rate since it’s a better video card (2023 vs 2013)

i am so confused, i need like 18 hours of pure adhd hyper focus to drill into this