#but you should be able to find some good ones in there

[self-winding]

Get that "debut" moniker away from your name. Prove you can sell your shit and keep working.

I'd disagree with this part. Being a "debut author" actually works in your favor, marketing-wise. Because you're the shiny, exciting new thing. Past publishing credentials are only a plus if you're a well-known name with a following.

Source: Been published by two Big Five houses. Before I was picked up by an agent I had published a number of novels and novellas (mostly romance/erotica) through a series of digital-only indie publishers. I made some money (albeit not a lot) through these titles, but they did not in any way help me from the angle of getting an agent or being picked up by a publisher, because I wasn't a big name, and because the book that got me an agent was YA so there wasn't much of a crossover readership.

I don't recommend self-publishing unless you have an existing platform (such as a YouTube channel) with a lot of followers. Otherwise it's like firing a t-shirt cannon into outer space, and it's also easy to waste a lot of money on advertising yourself and SEO stuff. There are so many stories of self-published writers spending hundreds or thousands on advertising and getting like, five sales as a result. Like, self-published books do occasionally get popular and go viral but these are extreme statistical outliers. Unfortunately it is just really hard to make money on books these days. Even big publishers kind of suck at it. Many books don't earn out their advances.

I do agree with the part about how important comps are. Agents and editors don't like to take risks, they are mainly trying to jump on existing trends. You ideally want titles from within the last three years to compare to yours. They shouldn't be obscure but they should also not be too big; like, comparing your book to Harry Potter or GoT or LOTR won't get you anywhere. Go to your local library, look at the new stuff, find books that are roughly in the subgenre you are aiming at, books with covers that look sort of how you imagine your cover looking, read them, and if they fit, use them as comps when you query. Say specifically what it is about those books that overlap with yours. i.e. the aesthetic, the setting, themes, etc.

Editing to add: yes, being in the right social circles does help you get published (which is bad for me because I'm a hermit) but I'd argue that knowing the market and the specific market niche you fit into and being able to write a good piece of marketing copy (i.e. your query letter) which displays your understanding of market forces is actually just as important as social status and more important than the "objective quality" of your writing. And while it can be soul-crushing and involve some creative compromises, it is a skill that you can actually learn, one that will concretely impact your chances.

I find it personally offensive how many bad writers can get published so easily.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Disembarking

The waters near the port city of Pelagia were strangely calm. The tide was high. Waves washed over the rocky shores below the docks, giving some measure of relief to the small life that nestled within its myriad tidepools.

Already there were workers who were assisting in the offloading of goods. Only a small number of the crewmen and the paladins aboard the Majesty of Twilight were actually disembarking here; the majority of them would sail onwards to a proper deep dock off to the west. Their High Marshal would await them and surely give them new marching orders.

Bishop Llorente Colmenares was one of the first to step from the smaller escort ship onto the docks. His personal attendants offloaded his belongings, and he had them taken in the direction of one of the more opulent local inns. The church was providing their lodgings for the evening before the return to Alta Torrezon. On most occasions, the landing party would simply march on to the city -- it was only a half-night's journey before you saw its walls -- but considering the number of humans that were with them, remaining for the night was required.

Arturo and Lazaro each carried their own things at their insistence. Arturo carried a chest of items over one shoulder, the shield he had requisitioned strapped to his back alongside a makeshift holster for his spear. Lazaro had his own smaller chest full of his usual ritualistic paraphernalia. Arturo put his chest down on the docks, watching as the sun began to sink below the horizon, tinging the skies orange and whisping the clouds with violet.

"Good to be home," he said with a nod. "Now, let's go make sure everyone else is accounted for!"

"I am sure they will be able to find us," Lazaro said wryly. "We should find Koda, however. I want to make sure he is safe."

[viviwah]

CHOI SU-BONG (THANOS) - BEST FRIEND

warnings: f!reader, unprotected sex (creampie), slight oral (m receiving), smut + fluff, smau (takes place outside of the games), mentions of drugs, friends to lovers??

a/n: i’ve been seeing so many smau’s and now i’m obsessed ^^

sum: after finding out your boyfriend was nothing but an unfaithful piece of sh*t, your best friend comes over to comfort you.

You sat on your living room couch, legs crossed and mind wandering. You contemplated on whether or not you should call your boyfriend, Nam-Gyu, for the 3rd time tonight. Yeah, he worked late some nights since he was a promoter at Club Pentagon, but you had a feeling that tonight he was busy doing something other than work. You let out a deep sigh and reached for your phone, clicking on his contact, and calling him. You waited patiently and anxiously as the phone rang. It only took a few seconds before someone picked up. Your heart raced.

“Hello?”

The voice of a woman could be heard from the other side of the phone. Your brows furrowed as you pulled your phone away from your ear, double checking to see if you clicked onto the right contact and you did.

“Uh, who’s this?”

“Who are you? You’re the one who’s calling MY boyfriend.”

“Your boyfriend?” you scoffed.

“I guess he’s been lying to both of us.”

“Wh-”

With a swift click, you ended the call, leaving whoever that girl was, dumbfounded. You couldn’t believe what you had just heard. Her boyfriend? Your heart sank and it felt like the world around you began to close in on you. Your breath hitched as tears started to fill your eyes, you shut them, allowing the warm, salty, tears to rush down your cheeks. You knew something was off with Nam-Gyu, especially since for the past month he’d been coming home late, not responding to your texts, and not returning any of your calls. Honestly speaking, it was gonna happen sooner or later. He was a club promoter after all, meaning that he was always surrounded by loads of half naked women and nine times out of ten, he and the women he encountered were under the influence. Being on drugs is no excuse for cheating though, you knew that and you weren’t trying to justify his actions, you just wanted to come to a conclusion.

Why would he ever cheat on you?

You’ve been nothing but good to him for the entirety of your relationship. When he needed a shoulder to cry on, you were there. When he didn’t feel seen or heard, you were there to make him feel both of those things. You weren’t able to come to a conclusion just now and you didn’t want to spend your night crying over spilled milk so you just decided to forget about it for now. You wiped away your tears with the ends of your sweatshirt and grabbed your phone again, this time to text your best friend, Su-Bong, since he always knew how to cheer you up.

You laughed to yourself before shutting your phone off. Su-Bong was a pro at making light out of the darkest situations and that’s why you loved him. You decided to freshen up a bit before he came, changing into some cozy pj’s and just as you made your way back into the living room, the sound of knocking could be heard at your front door. You made your way over to the front door and opened it, revealing your best friend, Su-Bong, who quickly made his way into your home.

“Hi, Señorita.” he flashed a smile and raised his hands that held two bags. “Got your favorites.”

“Thanks, you’re the sweetest.” you smiled to him, watching as he placed the bags onto the table in your kitchen.

“So, what happened?” he questioned, opening a bag of gummy worms and stuffing his face.

You let out a sigh before going into full detail to explain the events that took place about an hour ago.

“Wow, he’s worse than I thought.” his face that was once full of excitement, was now blank and his eyes were full of hatred.

“Tell me about it.” you scoffed as you made your way over to the couch, throwing yourself onto it.

Su-Bong followed behind you, taking a seat on the couch as well.

“I always thought he was too ugly for you anyway.” he let out a light chuckle and you quickly slapped him on the shoulder.

“What?!”, he pouted.

“That’s mean.” you rolled your eyes.

“He’s mean for cheating on you!” he argued.

It had been exactly three hours since Su-Bong came over and most of that time was spent watching movies, making jokes, and trolling your ex. You were having the time of your life with your best friend, almost forgetting that you were going through a breakup. You look over to him, watching as his eyes were glued onto the TV. Su-Bong was so effortlessly attractive and he always made you feel heard which was something that Nam-Gyu failed to do. You wondered what a relationship with him would be like.

STOP.

Why were you thinking like that about your best friend?

Were you starting to catch feelings for him? Were you just now realizing that the love of your life had been in front of your face this entire time?

“What you thinking about, Señorita?”

The sound of his voice rang throughout your ears, ripping you away from your inappropriate thoughts.

“Nothing.” you replied calmly.

“If you’re still thinking about that manwhore, I can help you take your mind off of him. Only if you’ll let me.” he spoke softly as he trailed his hand over your shoulder.

Your eyes met his and in that moment, you realized you could no longer hold back the feelings you had for him. Your arms wrapped around him and you pulled him in for a kiss and as your lips touched his, your eyes widened, and you suddenly pulled away. You realized that what you’d just done was wrong and you attempted to apologize.

“I’m s—”

Your apology was cut short as you were interrupted by Su-Bong’s lips clashing against yours. I guess the feelings you had for him were mutual. At first you were hesitant but soon, you gave in, melting underneath his touch. His hands trailed up and down your body as he kissed you passionately. The kiss that started off so innocently was quickly turned into an aggressive make out session and as the two of you shared sloppy kisses, Su-Bong began playing with the buttons of your pajama top. He pulled away from your lips before speaking.

“Can I take this off for you?”

You nodded in response and he wasted no time, immediately unbuttoning your shirt and throwing it onto your bedroom floor. He eyed your boobs, admiring them, even though they were still confined within your bra. You made your way onto his lap and began trailing your lips along his neck, leaving behind a few faint hickeys. Su-Bong’s hands trailed up your bare back and in one swift movement, he unclasped your bra, throwing it onto to floor alongside your shirt. His hands then rested on your now bare boobs, giving them a light squeeze. You let out a light moan into his ear and trailed your hands down to the waistband of his sweatpants, you pulled lightly before being stopped.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” his eyes met yours, softening as he questioned you.

“Yes, I’m sure.” you gave a light nod as you spoke.

He then slid his sweatpants and underwear off, encouraging you to do the same. You watched as his thick cock sprang up, almost touching his bellybutton. You wrapped your hand around it and then began moving your hand up and down, drawing light groans from Su-Bong.

“Fuck.” he cursed under his breath.

You smirked, fastening your movements and watching as pre-cum started to leak from the tip of his cock. Your warm tongue licked up his shaft before reaching his tip and once your tongue reached his tip, it moved swiftly, licking up all of his pre-cum. You then opened your mouth, wrapping it around the tip of his cock as you moved your head down slowly, attempting to take every inch of him down your throat. Su-Bong felt like he was in heaven, he groaned loudly as he felt your warm mouth wrap tightly around his thick cock, it was enough to make his eyes roll into the back of his head. His hands soon became tangled in your hair as he forced himself further down your throat.

“Enough of this, I want to be inside you already. Let me make you feel better than he ever did.”

Su-Bong instructed you to lay on your back so you did just that and watched as he teased your wet pussy with his fingers, running circles around your clit and sliding one finger in, just to take it out immediately. Your back arched up slightly as you moaned and he loved this, he loved seeing you so weak under his touch. After teasing you for what felt like hours, he finally slid his thick cock inside of your warm and plump pussy, stretching you out. Your lips parted immediately, forcing your moans to flow out like a waterfall. Su-Bong eyed your entire body as he began thrusting into you, slowly, before picking up the pace and thrusting into you quickly and roughly. Your moans grew louder as he thrusted into you faster by the second, resting one of his hands against your right boob and squeezing your nipple as his free hand rubbed circles around your clit, forcing your eyes to roll back into your head.

Who knew he’d be this good in bed?

“Does it feel good?” he questioned in a whisper before leaning into you and kissing onto your neck.

“Y-Yes, it feels so good.” you responded.

“Even better than the way he made you feel?” Su-Bong questioned again, still thrusting into your tight pussy roughly.

You nodded, unable to speak to due to the overwhelming pleasure.

“Let me hear you say it.” his fingers moved faster around your clit as his thrusts slowed.

“You make me feel way better than he ever did.” you admitted, locking eyes with him.

He pulled you in for a kiss and started thrusting into you deeper than he did before and a familiar feeling began to wash over you, one that you haven’t felt in a while. Your pussy gushed, tightening around Su-Bong’s cock as a tight coil began to form in your lower abdomen, signaling that your orgasm was near.

“I’m gonna cum.” you whispered, moaning lightly.

Hearing this only encouraged Su-Bong to fasten his pace and deepen his strokes, his number one priority right now was making you feel good and he was doing a damn good job. Your walls tightened around him once again and he groaned loudly as his cock began to twitch inside of you, he was close too. He tried pulling away but you stopped him.

“Cum inside of me, please.”

He nodded and thrusted into you once again, forcing that coil that had built in your lower abdomen to unravel. Your pussy tightened around him again before you coated his cock in your juices. His cock twitched one last time before pumping you full of his cum. He slid his cock out of your pussy and watched as his cum began to drip out of you slowly.

“I love you, (yourname).” he breathed out, giving you a soft smile.

“I love you more, Su-Bong.” you smiled.

[captain-hawks]

Any more thots thoughts about dom best friend!mattsun? 🎤🎤🎤

"hey matsukawa?"

glancing back over your shoulder from where you're currently lying across the length of the couch on your stomach, you drop one of your legs that's bent at the knee and dangling in the air to prod your best friend's thigh with your socked foot.

looking up from his phone, he smoothly catches your ankle in his hand as you start to poke higher up his leg, brow raised. "what's up?"

"how do you tell someone you're hooking up with that you want to try out a dom and sub dynamic?"

matsukawa blinks, the grip of the fingers that still encircle your ankle tightening just a fraction. "what?"

your other leg drops down, as you intend to roll over to face him better, but the forearm of his free hand comes to rest over it, effectively trapping you in place.

he doesn't even look down as he does it, reflexively almost. and something bright and and warm fizzes down your spine.

"i mean, i didn't have anyone in mind. this is just hypothetical. but ever since you told me about what you're into—"

(you haven't been able to stop thinking about it.)

"—i would argue that told and hiro blurted it out in the mcdonalds drive thru are two very different things—"

(you had a wet dream about your best friend that night, about his big hands curled around your throat, about his fingers in your mouth, about the way the words "good girl" would sound in his deep voice—)

"—anyway, it got me thinking..."

(it got you thinking about your wrists and matsukawa's headboard, about the teasing way he likes to tug at the choker necklace your wear sometimes—)

your neck's starting to ache from the angle you're twisted at to keep looking at him, and the intensity of his gaze isn't helping any, either. so you turn away, eyes focusing on the checkered pattern of the throw pillow clutched in your arms.

"i've just been wondering if it's something that i might enjoy. being submissive, that is."

matsukawa's quiet for a beat, thumb sliding slowly against your ankle when he finally replies, "you shouldn't experiment with someone who doesn't know what they're doing. that's not going to help you figure out if you like it."

your throat begins to feel dry, and your toes curl slightly.

(it's normal, this kind of casual touching between the two of you.)

(casual touches and borderline flirting.)

(it's normal, but every place his skin is touching yours has never burned quite so hot.)

"well what will help me figure it out? posting a classified ad on some sketchy website and meeting up with some creepy random daddy dom?"

mattsun snorts.

and without warning, you suddenly find yourself pinned beneath him.

and you should—

you should be tense, holding your breath, choking on your own spit at the way his hips are flush with your backside as he traps you fully this time.

but instead—

matsukawa's body heat sinks into yours as he splays his palm against the nape of your neck. he lets his hand slide along the curve of your jaw, cupping your face, fingers skirting against your partially-open lips.

and all you can do is let out an unconscious little sigh as pleasant, dizzy warmth floods your veins. you think about turning your face into his palm, taking his finger into your mouth. you think about going pliant beneath him—

the sound of loud knocks at the front door is like a bucket of ice water over your head. you can hear makki and oikawa arguing out in the hallway, followed by iwaizumi barking at both of them to shut up.

matsukawa curses softly under his breath before he leans in against your ear to murmur, "i don't think the question is if you're going to like it."

he's off of you and heading toward the entryway before you can respond.

[musingsofmajesty]

𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 | 𝐬𝐡𝐲 𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐥. 𝐕

pairing shy eddie x flirty reader | summary Eddie was expecting a chill Sunday, but between answering the door shirtless, an unexpected "I love you," and overthinking it while making mac and cheese, it’s fair to say his day takes a turn | fluff | wc 900

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[best enjoyed in order, but not required! ♡]

.・゜゜・ ・゜゜・．

When three knocks sound on Eddie’s front door, he’s almost certain he's imagining them. But there’s no doubt someone’s outside when more arise. Maybe if he turned down his stereo, he’d be able to hear for once.

His fingers fumble to tie the drawstring of his sweatpants as he heads for the door. 

He doesn’t bother looking out the window or peephole to see who it is first. It’s a Saturday afternoon, and Ms. Daphne was probably swinging by to let him know she fed Mila, the stray calico who made the Munson residence her home base after strolling around the trailer park. 

But no—it’s you standing there with a smile on your lips and that same ever-present sparkle in your eyes. 

You have every intention to utter a dignified greeting, but he’s shirtless. Yes, shirtless. His milky torso displays dark, fantastical tattoos. A thin line of hair runs downwards from his belly button. A handful of freckles dot his skin as well.

“Well, hello.” A pinch of playfulness dances around the edges of your words.

Only then does Eddie consider he might be giving the wrong impression by answering the door half-dressed. 

“Hey. Sorry.” He smiles sheepishly and attempts to cross a modest arm across himself. “Just took a shower.” His damp hair attests to the fact. 

You trail him inside, but after he closes the door behind you, he makes a beeline to his bedroom to turn down his music and wrestle on a shirt.

“Wait up, Teddy,” you chuckle lightly. 

An Iron Maiden t-shirt is already in his grasp by the time you stop in his bedroom doorway.

“You didn’t even let me get a good look at you.” The lilt of your tone makes warmth rush to his face, ears, and neck. One of these days, he would get used to your unabashed flirting.

“Sweetheart…” With a shake of his head, he briefly casts his flustered gaze elsewhere. 

“You look good.” Your tone is lovely and sincere. “I like your tattoos.” 

He meets your gaze again and decides to throw you a bone. “Yeah?” 

You hum in confirmation, crossing the distance to stand before him. The fresh scent of pine soap lingers on his skin. He watches you run a gentle finger over the spider beneath his collarbone. Then, the floating demon head just beneath it. 

“Even though they’re kinda scary.” 

“Thanks,” he says through a smile. 

After putting on his shirt, he studies you with quiet fondness. All he can think to do is steal a brief kiss from your lips. 

A light, airy feeling flutters through your chest when he gently taps the tip of your nose. “Gonna find your off button one of these days,” he murmurs. 

“Good luck trying.” 

Later, you find yourselves cruising around Hawkins. Your aimless drives have become some of your favorite things. Eddie looks good behind the wheel but thinks you look prettier sitting shotgun, playing with his rings as his hand rests in your lap.

“Shit,” he mutters as you come to a stoplight. 

You snort, but not unkindly. “What happened?” 

“We’ve got that quiz in Mrs. O’Donnell’s tomorrow,” he says. “I haven’t even done the reading.” 

“It’s a short chapter,” you tell him. “You should have enough time tonight.” 

“Thank God,” he sighs as the light turns green. “Thought I was gonna have to ditch.”  

You can’t help but tip your head back and laugh sweetly. “Please don’t. I’ll miss you.” 

“You’ll miss me even more if I flunk out and you graduate without me.” 

Another laugh bubbles up your throat, and you gently swat his arm. All things considered, Eddie’s been doing really well this quarter. He has a B+ in Mrs. O’Donnell’s, so failing the quiz wouldn’t completely destroy his grade. 

You’re proud of him. Maybe even a little more than you let on. You’ve seen how hard he’s been working to ensure he graduates, so he’s earned the right to make a failure joke or two, especially now that those days are behind him. 

“Gosh, I love you,” you sigh as your amusement settles. 

I love you. I love you. I love you. Even though there’s no weight behind your delivery, Eddie still can’t help how his grip on the wheel tightens. The way his gaze flicks to you. In return, you smile, unaware you’ve just shaken his world. A part of him waits for you to circle back and double down, but you don’t. 

For now, your smile is enough. 

Your “I love you” remains beneath his skin after you’re back in his trailer. You can’t help but notice he’s gone particularly quiet and pensive as he stands at the stovetop, stirring macaroni for the two of you. It isn’t long before you pad over and snake your arms around his slender waist. 

“You okay?” you murmur into his shirt. 

He hums, almost distantly. 

“You’re quiet,” you press. 

“I’m just thinking.” 

“About what?” 

Eddie sets the fork down and turns around in your arms. “You.” 

A frown forms on your face. “Did I say something? I’m sorry if I did. I know I’m a lot.” 

“Don’t say that,” he chides lightly. “You’re not.” 

His sincerity makes you tilt your head. “What am I then?” 

“One of the best things about this town,” he says without hesitation. It feels as though he’s just laid his heart bare. 

“I…” he lets his sentence trail off even though it longs to continue.

Behind him, the macaroni continues to bubble on the stove. 

You smile in encouragement. “You what?” 

I love you.

Thank you so much for reading. All likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated. I promise I see them all! ♡

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DAY BY DAY MASTERLIST

[that-weird-thing-in-the-woods]

~{ Heyyy, So this is a post made with the help and suggestion of @villainmirabelmadriga so go check them out and now to the post! }~

•God-Queen•

Diana and has been invited by the God-Queen to heavens.

This was a great surprise for Diana as unlike the legends would say her stepmother adores her husbands children and often gives them her support the only reason for her reputation for hating her husbands children is because when she finds out she beats the hell out of Pariah while his children watch.

And speaking from one of the lucky children who have gotten to see it for herself it is amazing and definitely not with the added pluses of eating the sweets that her stepmother gives and petting her peacocks while talking with Lord Ares and Lady Eris who also like watching their “Father” get his ass beat.

Anyway Diana is certainly excited to visit her stepmother and she could ask why her father has been quiet for so long.

-•—••••••••••••••••—•-

•Background•

It has been over 300 years since Danny home-world has been eaten by their sun and over thousands since Danny himself had fully died by the hands of his parents and the G.I.W.

When Danny had first died he was a mess and was never able to fully recover from his death when he had to start fighting the over ghosts and beating the G.I.W but the second time around Danny was much better prepared for it and he got the hang of being a full ghost very soon as it’s not that much different from being a half-ghost.

And he was mostly left alone unless it was his children Dawn and Dusk who he absolutely adores and his afterlife was calm until the Observers decided that with Pariah Darks madness mostly worked its way through that he was able to become king again but for everyone’s safety and to make sure this didn’t happen again they needed a Queen who would be able to put down any and all attempts for domination.

So Danny was chosen to become Queen as he was the only one able to beat him down and shove him back into his tomb so now Danny was the Queen.

And his life was good apart from having to kick Pariahs ass every few years it was fine especially when he got the most adorable Stepchildren out of this.

Speaking of stepchildren maybe he should invite Diana and Marvel over.

-•—••••••••••••••••—•-

•Little Facts•

•The Gods often change gender so for Diana to see her stepmother as a man it is normal

•Danny has no romantic feelings for Pariah Dark, he mostly just beats the shit out of him for his lack of respect for women and putting his children through shit

•Dusk is Ares and Dawn and is Eris (mostly for the chaos part)

•Danny keeps on saying “Don’t worry about it sweetheart here have some [Insert Greek sweet]” whenever Diana asks where her father is

•In the past Pariah Dark kids would go to Danny when their father would be an asshole and watch as their stepmother beat the shit out of him and it was Glorious

•Captain Marvel has met Danny and Danny treats him like he does his stepchildren,And Marvel isn’t complaining he likes the sweets Danny gives him before he goes to beat Pariah back into submission while yelling “RESPECT WOMEN YOU BASTARD”

•Pariah Dark is still around Danny just throws his ass in the nap-time box when he pisses him off

•The reason the legends say that Danny hates Pariah Dark kids is because when he beats his ass they mistake the hate for the kids instead of him

•Danny is the Ancient Of Marriage and Family

•Dawn goes to pick up her little half sister and brother with some good old ghostly bonding and the JL think that Eris kidnapped her for Hera :)

•Dawn and dusk know Billy’s not their actual brother but their mother likes him so honorary little brother!

•~{The DC part is in Diana’s pov because even if I have no clue how to write her I’m worse that writing Billy}~

-•—••••••••••••••••—•-

•Appearances•

Danny

[I wanted to put him into the 70s type thing but I couldn’t find one I like so you gremlins get this]

Dawn

Dusk

[^One for when he’s fighting and one for chilling^]

~{ And that’s it! Hope you gremlins like it byeeee }~

[thefandombringer]

Season 3 Milkvan is not nearly as cute as I remembered it being 4 years ago

So I’m rewatching s3 for the first time in a hot minute because I remembered that being the most milkvan heavy season but what I’ve realized in this rewatch is that there is not a single scene between Mike and El where Mike does not have to put up some sort of facade. We see a lot of Mike’s genuine character in the first two seasons, especially when he is happy (playing D&D with the party, spending time with his friends and Will) so we as an audience can tell that all the times where Mike appears happy in season 3—especially in scenes with El—are NOT Mike’s genuine personality.

Im not sure quite how to explain it, but the main scenes that come to mind are the opening scene with them making out in El’s bedroom, Mike’s phone call to El when he lies about his Nana, and the scene in the pool with that human dummy thing. Two of these are scenes where Mike is supposedly happy and joking around with El, but they have a very superficial vibe to them—which will be the first . I’m pretty sure that anyone can clock those moments if they watch those on their own but, as someone that does a lot of acting, mannerism and vocal inflection shifts are key when playing different characters. The way Mike holds himself and delivers his lines do not feel like the same Mike that we grew to know and love in the earlier seasons and, since Finn is obviously not a terrible actor (he is, in fact, quite a good actor), we as the audience are meant to realize that Mike is not being his true self or, in other words, playing another character. He can’t be his genuine self around El (which is also demonstrated very very clearly in season 4 but this shows that these issues did not come out of nowhere), which heavily contrasts the other significant relationships in the show, especially throughout season 3 (Jancy, Jopper, Lumax) who are their authentic selves with each other and are able to bicker and match each other’s energies while still very clearly loving each other. Milkvan is not like them, and not in a good way.

The second portion of this (and why I mentioned the phone call scene) is the fact that Mike talks to her like he has to dumb himself down/like she is much younger and unable to understand how he would talk to her normally. I really don’t has a way to describe this other than just recommending that you watch those scenes again to see what I mean. It’s obvious that he cares about her and really does enjoy talking to her, but in a way that I would talk to my younger siblings/cousins. Is this how a healthy relationship should seem? I certainly hope not. This is doubled by the fact where in that one interview (I have no idea where to find it so if someone has it please link it!!) Finn says that when he first met El, it was like taking in an alien like in ET. Again, not very romantic. It is also explicitly shown that this is not how everyone talks to El, so it’s not like she can’t understand the standard level of conversation. Such a big emphasis on El and Max’s friendship and the fact that Max treats El as an equal and helps her find her own personality instead of babying El and keeping her sheltered and controlled. She can be treated like a regular person and is so much better for it. She’s not you pet, Michael.

Notice how both of these major problems are never found between Mike and Will. All of their conversations and interactions within the show are 100% genuine and authentic and never feel superficial or forced. Their relationship is also taken much more seriously throughout the whole show when contrasted to Milkvan, but that’s a whole separate post. Mike and Will’s fights are serious and real, while Mike and El’s (with the exception of the “From Mike” fight, which is pretty telling) are comedic and surface level and played for laughs.

BYLER ENDGAME BYLER ENDGAME

[wirsindkrieg]

As politely as I can say this: I think your expectations around this topic may be colouring your perception of what's actually being said.

Rereading the thread, I don't see anywhere that anyone said that physical nonhumans in general can't discuss their experiences with physical nonhumanity. The core of what both I and sundragon said was that we (as a community) shouldn't blanket shut down expressions of doubt, though we both acknowledged that opinions may differ on where the limit is regarding what's reasonable to express doubt about.

I will grant that both of us used physical transformation as an example of something reasonable to express doubt about. While I won't try to speak for someone else, I personally chose that example because of the long history around p-shifting within nonhuman communities, and the ongoing consensus that those specific claims should have doubt cast on them because of the direct harm p-shifter groups have done within our communities in the past.

Where I think expectations are colouring perception here is a subtle but important distinction. As you note, there are many instances where it is considered inappropriate (at best) to express doubt about someone's experiences. However, that doesn't contradict the idea that there are times when it is appropriate to express doubt. Simplifying the conversation down to "Physical nonhumans should be allowed to discuss their experiences" discards this important nuance.

It's much more useful (at the community level) to focus on the limits of reasonable doubt, and when it's appropriate to express that doubt. There will always be members of the community who look at some experience or another and immediately doubt that it's real/valid. Within recent memory, that kind of doubt was heavily targeted at what are now known as fictionkin, but with time and conversation the limits of reasonable doubt shifted, and now fictionkin are generally accepted as a valid part of our communities.

As a physical nonhuman myself (in the "I am [X], therefore this is a(n) [X]'s body" direction), I firmly agree that physical nonhumanity should be able to be discussed openly. However, I am also a vocal supporter of the life philosophy of "Question everything." These are not contradictory views. The balance between them comes in the form of deciding when and where it's appropriate to express that questioning to others, and in what forms it should be expressed.

Reasonable minds can and will differ on where those limits should be set. Having the ability to express doubt sometimes is healthy for any community, though. While it can suck to have someone cast doubt on something you say (general "you"), it also invites conversation and creates opportunities to further explore one's experiences alongside others and allow everyone a fuller understanding of them.

Expression about one's experiences helped fictionkin become an accepted part of our communities. Doubt about extraordinary claims helps protect our communities from those who intentionally seek to do us harm. There are good reasons to support both, and the conversation around these things should focus on how to find the healthy balance between the two.

I will freely admit that my previous response did focus on support for expressions of doubt, but at no point did I deny the importance of being able to discuss one's experiences in the first place. All I've said is that doubt can be a reasonable response sometimes; it's up to the community as a whole to decide what the limit of "sometimes" means, though.

If you’re going to assert science in a community full of people discussing their scientifically unverifiable experiences I think you should consider what you’re really trying to say. If you’re not trying to call people liars then there’s probably a better way to go about making your point than enumerating the reasons why you think they’re lying.

[legendofmorons]

Sky only one bed

One bed (morning confessions)

No warnings just some fluff

Your excitement to sleep at an inn is only half diminished when you find that you've been paired to a room with only one bed. It's not the end of the world. Traveling with this group, you've seen everyone hurt or in various states of dress.

The issue is actually just that there's only one bed and the person you are sharing the room (and apparently bed) with is Sky.

That... makes it sound bad. It isn't!

Sky is wonderful, kind if a little prone to teasing. After all every Link is a gremlin at heart.

The problem, or the root of it, is that you have feelings for the man... and you are worried about making a fool of yourself.

"Well, I can take the floor?" Sky offers from the doorway behind you.

You stand in the middle of the room and turn, "Absolutely not."

"I don't mind."

"I mind." You cross your arms.

You know that if you offer to sleep on the floor he'll shoot it down. Which, if nice because that would probably mess up ypur back and neck.

You know the bed is big enough.

Well... You suppose you'll just have to suck up your feelings about this and share. The bed is big enough for it.

"We can share." You say, hoping you come of as confident.

Sky smiles even as his cheeks dust pink, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's big enough anyways." You offer a smile back. "Besides there are worse people to share a bed with."

"Oh yeah?"

You laugh a little. "Definitely. Wind kicks in his sleep, little monster."

"You don't say." Sky laughs.

You snicker again. "I'm pretty sure. Come on it's been a long day we should try to sleep."

"Probably so." Sky says as he steps fully into the room and shuts the door.

You cross to the corner of the room, setting your things down before stripping into your under layers. An under shirt and underwear is much better to sleep in than full gear.

You can hear Sky doing the same somewhere on behind you.

It's almost scary to bear so little protection after so long with this group, but you know you're safe here. Regardless of any reciprocation Sky may or may not have for your feelings, he would never hurt you. Not on purpose.

Crossing to the bed and getting in is more daunting than you want to admit. It's a comfortable bed, at least.

You watch Sky get into bed, laying like a stiff log beside you.

"That's got to be uncomfortable." You say with a soft smile.

"It's fine. I don't want to encroach."

"I'm not going to die if you end up touching my arm, but thank you for thinking of me."

Sky looks at you with wide eyes. "I sprawl out usually I just don't want to bother you."

A rather silly idea occurs to you. "Would it be easier if we cuddled?"

You can feel your face heat up, but it's a genuine question. There is no answer that will be easy on your heart, but you've already asked.

Sky flushes a little. "If... you don't mind?"

"I offered." You manage.

You both shift until you're comfortable. The soft 'is this okay' or 'can I do this' is asked until you settle down.

Sky lays on his back in the middle of the bed, your head on his chest and his arm wrapped around you. His heart beats rapidly in his chest like bass drum beating along to a fast song you don't know.

It's nice.

It's torture because this isn't quite what you imagined this situation would be. There's no kisses.

It's okay though, because Sky is a good friend and you feel safe.

"Are you going to be able to sleep?" You ask.

Sky hums, "I should be. Why?"

"Your heart's fast is all."

"Oh." Sky says.

"I didn't mean to be rude-"

"You weren't." Sky assures you.

"Okay."

You let yourself sink into the comfort and safety, relishing the warmth of the man holding you.

Sky's breathing is slow and steady. Even as his heart continues it's rapid staccato.

You lay there long enough that you are all but asleep when you hear it.

"You're beautiful like this." Sky whispers.

You manage to open your eyes, face warming. "Thank you."

"Oh- I thought you were asleep. I mean it though."

"Thank you."

"Go back to sleep, sunshine."

You feel far more awake at this new nickname. "Sunshine?"

"Oh. Uh-"

"I like that one." You decide, ignoring the hope blossoming in your heart.

"Good." Sky says.

Sleep finds you both, the embrace of dreams is nothing new.

-------

Sky wakes and immediately closes his eyes again the sunlight streaming in from the window. He pulls the thing again his chest closer in protest-

That's not a thing that's a person.

Sky opens his eyes again, quickly looking down and seeing you.

Right.

Goddess above, Sky was such a fool last night. Letting his feelings fall all over the ground. It's a miracle he didn't make you uncomfortable on accident.

"I'm so lucky." Sky mutters to himself.

You groan, burying your face in his chest before you bolt up with a gasp.

"What- Sky?" You ask with blurring vision.

"Morning." Sky says.

You blink a few times, the sigh. Lowering yourself back down to your original position with your head on his chest you just pout. "No."

"No?" Sky chuckles.

"Don't wanna."

"Fair enough."

"I was having a nice dream." You sigh, sounding a little out if it still. "Was nice, we were married and having a picnic."

"Oh?" Sky asks.

"Yes."

"Sounds nice."

"It was. Too bad it's not real." You yawn, burying your face in his chest again.

"It could be." Sky offers on instinct.

"What?" You ask, looking up at him.

Sky gives a nervous smile. "It could be real. If you meant that, if you actually want a life with me. If I'm miss reading-"

"Really?"

"Yes." Sky breathes out.

You smile, giddy and adoreable. "We're so talking about this later."

"After breakfast."

"Sounds lovely." You say, setting back down and closing your eyes. "I just want to lay here for now."

"Sounds perfect." Sky says, pulling you a little closer while fixing the blankets.

[bedheaded-league]

I find it so hard to believe that Holmes would really let Watson believe he was dead for 3 years because even though he often doesn’t understand how his actions affect others emotionally, he’s definitely smart/empathetic enough to understand how much that would hurt Watson. And I also think he trusts Watson too much to believe that he couldn’t keep the secret of Holmes being alive.

My personal headcanon is that after Reichenbach, Holmes found a way to let Watson know that he was still alive, that he wouldn’t be back for some time, and that Watson needed to keep up the lie that Holmes was dead in order to keep them both safe. Which is honestly just as deliciously angsty to me as the idea that Watson actually thought he was dead for 3 years.

Imagine 3 years of Watson having to grieve a man he knew was still alive. His loved ones comforting him and him not being able to tell them that the reason he suffering so much wasn’t because he knew Holmes was dead, but because he spent every day worrying about his safety. Knowing that the love of his life is out there facing danger without him there to protect him, and meanwhile all he can do is wait breathlessly until the next time Holmes can manage to send him a message to let him know he’s okay. Knowing that at any moment, Holmes might be dying somewhere, and he might never know where or when or how.

Maybe he told Mary, because honestly I get the impression that she’s incredibly good at keeping secrets. Maybe it just came out one night while she was holding him after he broke down sobbing in their sitting room. I think she’d be angry at Holmes at first for causing her husband so much pain, but after Watson explains the whole story, she’d understand. The next time he got a coded note from one of the irregulars with an update from Holmes, he immediately runs to tell her. She’s so relieved to see such happiness on his face, even if it secretly breaks her heart. But it’s alright, in the end. She’s always known that Watson’s heart had never truly belonged to her. Their marriage is practical, almost fraternal, and that’s okay. What they have together is enough. She hopes that one day she can meet someone that she’ll love with the same ferocity that Watson loves Holmes, and she knows that if that day comes, her husband will be more than understanding.

And then Mary gets sick. It’s clear that she’s going to die. And all she can think about is how cruel it is that the two people Watson loves most should be taken from him.

“That man of yours had better come back to you soon,” she says in the weak voice of someone in their final days. “If he doesn’t, I swear that my ghost shall haunt him until he drags himself back to London and apologizes to you in person.”

Startled, Watson laughs. Mary smiles. It’s the first laugh she’s heard from him in weeks.

And then Mary dies, and the one person that Watson could have leaned on for support as he grieved is still lost. And now there is no one else who knows that Holmes is alive, or that Watson spends every waking hour waiting for him.

I do think the part about him fainting when Holmes comes back is true, though. Not from shock, but from pure relief.

Anyway I can’t stop thinking about this sooooo I guess I’m gonna have to write a fic about it. Goddamnit.

[letstalkaboutfandomsbaby]

╔══•.·.☆.·.♥︎.·.☆.·.•══╗

buff guy

╚══•.·.☆.·.♥︎.·.☆.·.•══╝

ʚ Part 10 ɞ

❥ CW: chubby fem reader x buff guy, fluff, smut, shopping date, makeout session

❥ A/N: thank you for your patience my lovelies, i hope you enjoy 💕

"Can I take you somewhere this weekend?"

"Like where?" Mohammed smiles, taking a sip of his drink.

"I want to take you shopping."

You choke on your drink, coughing into your fist.

"Shopping? Where did that come from?"

"I like how you dress, I really do, but I want to give you some more clothes to wear. I want to dress you up with clothes I got for you."

"Like a doll?" you ask teasingly, and he looks away, embarrassed.

"I don't want you to feel like a toy, or like I own you."

"I don't." You reach out for his hand, smiling at him when he grabs it. "I would feel bad if you spent that kind of money on me. You've already gotten me jewelry and perfume that was way too expensive."

"I don't care about money." He brings your hand to his lips, kisses your knuckles. "I only care about you." You giggle, waving him off.

"Stop, you're gonna make me blush." He smiles, kissing your hand again.

"So? Is that a yes?"

You think for a moment, considering the pros and cons before you nod.

"Sure, I'll let you take me shopping." He does a fist bump and you laugh. "I will warn you though! There's not a lot of places that carry my size. I am a big girl, after all."

"I'll do some research. I'll find some places to take you, I promise."

"Break time's over!" your coworker calls.

"Time to go, handsome." He smiles at the compliment, standing up with you and opening his arms for a hug. You fall into him, arms wrapped around his torso as you snuggle into his chest. He kisses the crown of your head, smoothing his hands over your back.

"I'll pick you up at eleven on Saturday. Do you want to eat while we're out?" You hum in thought.

"Can we get takeout and bring it back to my place? And then we can watch a movie?"

"I'd love that." You get up on your tiptoes to kiss him before pulling away and waving.

"Bye, Guy." You wince, scrunching your face. "Oh, shit, I'm sorry. I'm just so used to calling you 'Guy'."

"It's okay," he waves you off. "I'm not worried about it. You can keep calling me 'Guy' if you want."

"Are you sure? I don't want to make it weird by calling you something else when I finally know your name."

"It's fine. I like it. It's my own special nickname." You giggle.

"Okay, alright. I'll alternate between the two."

"Sounds good."

"Hello? Break time is all done! Quit chit-chatting and get back over here before I get you fired!"

"Okay, okay, I'm coming!"

"You look cute," he says when you open the door, "as always."

"It's just leggings and a cropped sweater."

"Which is really cute. And sexy. Gives me a look at your hips."

You giggle, turning around and giving a pose.

"And a good look at my ass."

He nods, glancing over you before giving you a thumbs up.

"Nice butt."

You laugh, turning back around and grabbing his hand, going to his car.

He drives you to a shopping area, an expensive one that you've never ventured to because you knew it was out of your price range. You glance around while he parks, staying in the car while he gets out because you know he likes opening the door for you.

When he helps you out of the car, he pays the parking meter and grabs your hand, taking you along the sidewalk.

"You were right," he starts, "there's not a lot of places that have good clothes in your size, which is bullshit."

"I told you. Were you able to find anything?"

"Of course. There's a plus-size store for women down the road a little bit. We could try some other places too, if you want, but this store is specifically for plus-size women."

"Aw, look at you being all sweet and doing research on where I can get clothes. You're so romantic."

"This is just basic decency. Every guy should be treating you like this." He pauses, looking at you. "I take that back. Only I should be doing these things for you. But other guys should be doing this for their partners too."

You laugh, leaning into his arm as you walk.

"You're so cute I could die!"

"Don't do that. I want to spend a lot more time with you."

You arrive at the storefront, Mohammed opening the door for you. You enter the almost completely white interior, looking around at the array of clothing they had. Jeans and t-shirts, but also dresses, bags, and jewelry.

"Hi!" a sales clerk greets you, walking towards the two of you. "Welcome in! Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Actually—"

"Yes," Mohammed speaks up, stepping forward and gesturing towards you. "I'm looking for some clothes for my girlfriend."

"Oh! How exciting! What are you looking for?"

"Well—"

"I want some clothes that highlight her beauty." He motions his hands to outline your body. "I like her curves, and I would love some clothing that accentuates her curves. I also think she looks nice in florals and bright colors, but not so bright that she gets everyone's attention. Oh, and I would love to get some gold jewelry; I think she looks really nice in gold—"

"Mohammed!"

He stops, looking at you.

"What?"

"Can I speak to you?" you ask, an edge to your tone. He gulps, nodding, following you a few steps away from the sales clerk.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" you ask in a hushed voice. "What's wrong is you coming into the store and telling some girl how you want me to dress! Have you lost your damn mind?"

"I... I thought you wanted to go clothes shopping."

"I do, but I didn't come here for you to dictate what I should wear." You point your finger into his chest, giving him a serious look. "You don't get to tell me what to do. You don't get to tell me what to eat or where to go or what to wear. Got it?"

He swallows, nodding slow.

"I... I'm sorry. I've always done it this way in the past." You arch your brow.

"How many girls have you done this for?" He looks at the ground.

"Two."

You huff, crossing your arms.

"I have no right to be mad. We probably didn't even know each other when you did those things."

"We didn't. I wouldn't have done these things with other girls if I knew you were out there."

You sigh, glancing around the store.

"Just don't take charge of things like that when it should be my decision, okay? I'm the one who's going to be wearing the clothes, so I should be the one to choose them." He nods, still staring at the ground.

"You're right. I'm sorry." You tap your finger against your arm.

"Just don't do it again."

"I won't." He looks up at you like a sad puppy. "Are you mad at me?"

"...No. I just don't like being told what to do."

"I understand. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

You sigh, reaching up and pinching his cheek gently.

"Quit pouting. This was supposed to be fun. Just no more taking charge, okay?"

He nods, still looking sad as he leans into your hand, nuzzling your palm.

"Do you want a kiss?"

"Yes, please," he replies.

He leans down and you kiss him chastely, giving him several little pecks before pulling away and smiling.

"It's okay. Just learn from this experience."

"I will."

You grab his hand, pulling him back to the sales clerk who stops folding some clothes.

"I'm ready to shop now!"

The sales clerk is very kind to you, showing you around, recommending different outfits for you to try on. You pick and choose the outfits you'd like to try, now carrying a pile to the dressing rooms.

"Do you wanna see each one?" you ask Mohammed over your shoulder.

"If you don't mind."

You enter the dressing room, locking the door behind you. You start undressing, picking out your first outfit and putting it on. It's a pair of skinny jeans and a white blouse with puffy sleeves. You look yourself over in the mirror before leaving the dressing room, going to the sitting area where Mohammed was. He was leaning back against a couch, but he sits up when you walk out.

"What do you think?" you ask, doing a spin so he could look over all of you.

"You look nice."

"That's all? Just nice?" He shrugs, glancing away.

"Would you like me to say more?"

"Yes, please. Give me specifics or I'm just gonna put it back."

He looks you up and down, inhaling deep.

"You look like the innocent girl-next-door, the one who would bring me cookies and ask to drink a beer with me." You scrunch your face.

"I hate beer."

"I know. But that's what you look like to me." You twist your mouth in thought.

"That's definitely more detailed, but I'm not sold on the outfit. I feel like it makes my waist look big." He shrugs.

"Then put it back. Like you said, you should wear what you want, so if you don't like it, don't get it." You point at him.

"I like the support. Keep it up. And keep giving me those descriptions; they're cute to hear." He salutes you.

"Got it, boss."

You giggle, heading back to your dressing room, undressing and putting the outfit in the 'no' pile. You find another outfit, trying it on and going out to Mohammed.

"You look like the kind of girl that would flirt with me at the gym by asking to touch my muscles."

You try on another outfit.

"You look like a girl I would meet at the library who would be too shy to talk to me."

And another.

"You look like a girl who would try and sell me essential oils or herbal supplements."

His comments always made you laugh, but you didn't end up liking any of the outfits. They were all generic, boring, the kinds of clothes that didn't compliment your body, just tried to hide it. It was a shame, since Mohammed brought you all this way just to buy you clothes, and you weren't happy with anything.

You come out in your original outfit, looking glum.

"You didn't like any of them?"

"No," you mumble, shrugging. "I just didn't really enjoy anything. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he responds, standing up and walking towards you. "I wasn't too impressed with anything you wore either." He puts his hands on his hips, looking disappointed. "It sucks that the clothes weren't better suited toward you."

"Yeah."

The two of you stand there awkwardly.

"I feel like today was a bust," you say.

"It wasn't a total bust," he replies, taking your hand and squeezing it. "I got to see my girlfriend play dress-up which was pretty cute."

You scoff and roll your eyes.

"You're silly." He squeezes your hand again, making you look at him.

"Would you like some purses or jewelry? That stuff didn't look so bad." You glance around the store, twisting your mouth before nodding, smiling at him.

"Maybe just one purse, though. I don't need a million of them."

He smiles, leading you to the bags. You look around for a bit, picking up a bag and then opening it, turning it over before putting it back. You do this to a couple before you find one in your favorite color and a decent size. You hold it for a while, weighing it in your hands and deciding that yes, you would like this bag.

You turn to smile at Mohammed, but he's not next to you anymore. You frown, looking around the store before you see him standing over a table, looking at something. You walk over to him, glancing around his large form to see him holding a pair of lacy panties.

"Guy?"

He jolts, dropping the underwear and turning to you, covering the shelf of lingerie with his body.

"Y-You find what you want?" You arch your brow, smiling at him.

"Whatcha looking at?"

"N-Nothing."

"Ohhh, nothing, huh?" You take a step toward him, moving to the side to pick up the panties he was looking at. "This is nothing?"

He gulps, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I-I was just looking..." You hum, looking over the panties. They're white with little bows on the front and sides. You smirk at him.

"Were you thinking about me in this?" He can't look at you, glancing around the store.

"...Maybe."

"Hmm, interesting. And what exactly were you thinking about?"

"I just..." He runs a hand over his face. "I just think you would look really good in white."

"Cute and innocent, huh?" You swear you can see him blush. He nods slightly. You giggle. "Maybe I should get it, for when we finally do it."

He looks at you, eyes wide.

"I... I don't... you don't have—"

"It's fine." You nudge him with your elbow. "You're paying anyways. Think of it like a future present to yourself."

He follows you to the register, not able to look the sales clerk in the eye as he pays for your new purse and panties. You take the shopping bag from her, wishing her a good day before grabbing his hand and leading him out of the store.

"I'm so excited for this food!" you cheer as you unlock your apartment and open the door. "I haven't had Chinese food in so long."

"You like Chinese food?" Mohammed asks, following behind you into your apartment.

"Yeah, but I like all kinds of food, haha! I really like this place though because they give you so much fried tofu and it's so good."

"I see." He sets down the takeout bag on your coffee table as well as the bag from the store.

"Do you want anything to drink?" you ask, moving to the kitchen.

"What do you have?"

"Water, juice, diet soda." He hums.

"I'll take a soda."

"Okie dokie!"

You return with two cold sodas, joining him on the couch. He starts taking the food out of its bag while you turn on the TV and search for a movie to watch.

"What are you in the mood to see?" you ask him.

"Whatever you want to watch is fine."

"Well, if it's up to me, I'm gonna pick another rom-com."

"I like watching rom-coms with you," he says, pushing your food closer to you, grabbing some chopsticks and breaking them apart.

"You do?"

"Yeah. Sometimes I like to imagine us in the same scenario." You giggle.

"You're a silly goose."

"Am I your silly goose?"

"Of course." He smiles.

"That's all I care about."

You choose a movie, letting it start as you grab your food. You got General Tso's tofu with vegetables and rice, and he got orange chicken with lo mein as a side. You sit in silence as you eat, watching the movie you had seen several times before. When the food is gone, you cuddle up together, his arm around your shoulders as you lean into his chest.

"Can I say something?" you ask, tilting your head to look up at him.

"Of course."

"You've got nice boobs." He barks out a laugh, snorting and covering his mouth with his opposite hand.

"What? Boobs? What are you talking about?"

"Your pecs!" You sit up, motioning towards his chest. "They're very soft and comfortable. They're like boobs, you know?"

He puts his hands on his chest, looking down at them.

"I mean, I guess they are soft. I've never really thought about it."

"Can I touch them?" He glances at you, then shrugs.

"If you want to."

You smile, inching closer before stopping.

"Would it freak you out if I sat on your lap?" He visibly swallows but shakes his head.

"No, you can. I won't mind."

You smile again, crawling over him so that you were straddling his thighs, facing him. You rub your hands together in anticipation before reaching out, placing your hands on his pectorals.

"They're so big," you whisper before squeezing them, feeling them give under your fingers. "I told you they were like boobs."

"You seem to like them a lot."

"I do." You squeeze them again, giving them a little shake, which makes him chuckle.

"You're silly."

"You like it."

You keep massaging his muscles, squeezing and releasing them, molding them in your hands. You give him a sly grin.

"Is this turning you on?" He huffs.

"I guess it could be seen as arousing."

"So you aren't aroused?"

"I mean... you do look really hot sitting on my lap." You smirk, leaning in close to him.

"You wanna make out?" He gulps and nods.

"Yes, please."

You close the distance between the two of you, pressing your lips to his hungrily. He moans at the contact, his hands finding your waist and squeezing, thumbs digging into your plush stomach. You keen, molding your lips with his before opening your mouth just a bit and gliding your tongue over his lips. He's receptive to your advance, opening his mouth, his tongue meeting yours. Your mouths widen and your heads tilt in opposite directions, doing everything you can to get closer to one another. Your tongues swirl around each other, your moans drowning in your connected mouths. He pulls away suddenly, leaning his head back against the couch cushion, eyelids hanging low as he looks at you.

"Would it be okay if I touched your ass?" he asks, blinking slow. You nod quickly, gasping when you feel his large hands slide down your hips and grab your ass, pulling you closer to him.

"You're so fucking pretty," he breathes, leaning back in to kiss you. You whine, your hips moving on their own and grinding against his, making him groan. He pulls back, but keeps his mouth close to yours. "And soft. How are you so soft?"

"Squeeze my ass," you plead, planting your lips against his again. He sighs into you, his big hands squeezing as much of your ass as he can grab, pulling your hips to meet his. He helps guide your hips to grind against his, the zipper of his jeans brushing your clothed pussy. You try to manipulate yourself so that you can grind your clit down against the hard material.

"Such a good girl," he sighs, moving his lips to your neck and pressing open mouthed kisses against you. You moan, finding the perfect spot to grind down on and focusing there, moving your hips faster. "You're my good girl, aren't you?"

"Uh-huh," you whine, biting your lip as another moan slips out.

"Fuck, that's right. My sweet pretty girl. God, I love you, I love you so fucking much." You gasp, barely thinking before you reply.

"I love you too," you moan in his ear, hearing him inhale sharply. He pulls back to look at you, eyes glazed over.

"You mean it? You're not just saying it to make me feel better?" You shake your head.

"No. I mean it, Mohammed. I really do love you."

He sighs, lips crashing into yours once again. He grabs your hips, guiding them to grind down on his lap, making you moan. He's sucking on your tongue and meeting your hips with his, practically bucking up into you. Your hands glide from his cheeks to his neck and shoulders, squeezing along the way. You can feel yourself getting wetter by the second, moving your hips faster, humping his lap. He moans into you, mumbling praises in between kisses, but you can't make out what he's saying. Your hands plant themselves against his cheeks, holding him still so you can kiss him harder, more passionately. He moans, pulling you down against his lap, grinding you into him hard before he lets out a deep groan. You keep kissing him even as he whimpers and pushes your hips away.

"What's wrong?" you ask, pulling back to search his face. His eyes are squeezed shut, head tilted back against the couch, his chest heaving.

"I need to go," he says suddenly.

"What? Why? Are you just uncomfortable because we can stop if you want—"

"No, I just..." He runs his hands over his face, groaning in despair. "If I tell you, you're gonna laugh at me."

"What? What are you talking about? Whatever it is, I'm not gonna laugh at you, so just tell me."

He moves his fingers to peek at you with one eye. If he could blush, you imagine he'd be as red as a tomato right now.

"I'm just... really embarrassed."

"About what, honey?" He groans.

"This is the worst time to call me a pet name."

"Guy, just tell me what's going on. I'll be mad if you don't tell me."

He sighs deeply.

"I don't want you to be mad..."

"So then tell me what's going on."

He drops his hands to his sides, staring at the ceiling before glancing at you, then down at his lap. You follow his gaze to his jeans, searching before seeing a vague dark spot on his crotch.

"I... I'm sorry, I just... I got really excited and before I could do anything, it just..."

"Oh..." You hold your hands close to your chest, feeling your cheeks burn as you realize what happened. You swallow, clearing your throat. "I-It's okay! It's not your fault. These things happen."

"It's fucking embarrassing," he bemoans, turning his head to the side, staring out into the room. "I look like a fucking teenager right now."

"No you don't," you reassure, glancing back at him, seeing how upset he was. "I don't want you to be upset about this. These things happen."

"This is the first time I've lost control like this. I've never had this happen with a girl before."

"Ah... I see..." You fiddle with your hands, sitting up straight. "Well, then that just makes me feel really special! It means you like me so much that you can't even control those things around me." You wiggle off his lap, standing up in front of him. "Plus, you're not the only one who got excited. Here, look." You bend your leg and put your foot up on the couch beside him, tugging the crotch of your leggings to show the growing wet spot there. His eyes widen and he sits up, leaning forward to get a better look.

"This is because of me?"

"Of course it is. Who else could make me like this?"

His firm hand finds your thigh, rubbing your leg and sighing.

"You really don't think less of me because of it?"

"Of course not. It would be silly and mean to think that way. You're valid in how you feel and with what happened."

He nods, resting his temple against your knee, sighing.

"Now I'm gonna have to drive home with cum in my pants."

You snicker, touching his hand, making him look at you.

"We can wash them while we watch another movie. Come on. I have a pair of men's sweatpants that should fit you."

You go find your sweatpants and give them to Mohammed, letting him go to the bathroom to clean up and change. While he does so, you go to your bedroom and change your leggings and underwear, wiping yourself clean with a couple tissues. When you both return to the living room, you take both of your soiled clothes and go to the washer, throwing them in with some detergent and starting a quick cycle. You reconvene on the couch together, the movie finished at this point and the washer filling the room with noise.

"I'm really sorry," he says, hands folded in front of him.

"You have no reason to be. I enjoyed myself, and I'm glad you did too." He twiddles his thumbs, glancing at you.

"Do you really love me?" You huff, smiling.

"Yes, I do. I really love you, Mohammed."

He smiles softly, swaying his legs from side to side as he stares at his hands.

"That makes me really happy."

"I'm glad." You crawl over to him, leaning against his arm. "I like making you happy."

He turns his head to you. You stare at each other for a moment before you lean in for a kiss, soft and sweet. You pull away, smiling at him.

"Wanna watch another movie while your clothes wash?"

"Sure. You pick."

You roll your eyes, grabbing the remote.

[guzhufuren]

Hey, I've noticed you've been pretty quiet lately and I hope you're doing okay. I know we're not friends or even mutuals so I'm sorry if I'm overstepping by messaging! I hope the world will treat you kindly and that you can find comfort and support if you need it 💕

hi sweetheart wow this is so genuinely nice and kind of you, thank you so much for caring to the point of reaching out

i'm on the way there! i will be okay, hopefully soon. it's not serious, i just had a medium sized break down after receiving a very negative comment on something i made, in mix with a bit of unrelated loneliness and yearning on top of that, plus many many 4am drowsy what-am-i-doing-with-my-life regretful thoughts that i have had in the last months swimming up. like for my unwellness history it's really only about 6 points on the scale where the maximum is 10, so not big. i turned all social apps off but couldn't shake off the distress caused by that one stranger on the internet being unkind to my project, despite knowing they were misunderstanding and were also not in a state to understand at all, so i was kind of confused about what's up with my brain and why it can't move on

and it was a good choice! because after being only with myself without any internet distractions for the first time in years, figured out in just a day that mood swings have been back for a while, over one month at least (so anger issues weren't totally Yunho's fault actually bless him), some other parts of mental health worsened too

got a grip on myself, went to my doctor, got back on meds, now i'm sleepy every minute of waking hours while my body is getting used to them again, but it's gonna be fine. received advice on how to write a mood log, turns out very helpful as additional treatment to keep hypomania and anxiety under control. i even started working out, doing memory exercises and preparing my exam notes tentatively, which is so hard and scary, oh my god, but i must. job search is even scarier but i'm working myself up to finding a good one with little, very very very very tiny steps but they are moving

in the first day of self made quarantine i rewatched the queer korean show Love for Love's Sake that cured me from depression for a while and from any possibility of suicidality for a lifetime last year. it didn't work the trick again, because i'm really not living in the best or even just calm psychological environment to let it do its magical healing thing the way it should, but it did give me new clarity and make me intensely cry some shit out, so that was also very nice

accidentally found the best fic ever and it brought me so much very needed comfort in the past week. it's sweet, funny and stress free. like a warm blanket. or a cup of vanilla cocoa that makes your cold toes tingle in winter. or a hug from the love of your life. first atz and woosan fic to enter my hall of all time longfic favourites. very rare honor but it deserves it completely

also found a bunch of bloggers who post videos of the ocean in Thailand, some even stream the beach 24/7. it's so cool, i watch it in the evenings for short periods of time. helps making it bearable to just survive here a little bit longer until i am able leave

i sort of of really like that when i don't spend 12 hours a day on the phone doing mind-numbing scrolling or posting, there is so much free time to do cool stuff? i have kinda felt like i can be back on here for a couple of days, but i still freak out a bit for two reasons. first, that bad comment is still hanging there and it still makes me too upset to open notifications or my own blog page, which is ridiculous but that's how my dumbass unwell-brain-made feelings are. so i will see how that goes away and i get over it like an adult. second, i'm scared to be sucked back in the addiction to the colourful little hellsite app so i usually end up throwing the phone away in panic after 5 minutes of the app being open. maybe i will work up to it more gradually, don't know, let's see how that goes too

thank you again my little treasure, i will happily take that kindness and comfort you offered here as you are a part of the world. and you can message without worrying anytime, no mutualship or officially labelled friendship necessary. i'm very cool with small amount of interactions, just not big on chatting online one on one for long and don't enjoy it super much. and also with how often i see you around we are considered friends for sure. so thank you again for being so sweet i really am so grateful to you for this, one hundred friend hugs in return

[rarepairdumpster]

Sugar Baby Silco AU Part 3

Part 1 | Part 2

Pairing: Viktor/Silco (Arcane) Rating: M C/W: Age Reversal, Sugar Daddy Viktor, Sex Worker Silco, NSFW, Disability, Aftercare, Some more Russian

Silco arches a brow as Viktor heaves himself out of bed, leaning a bit more heavily on his cane, and heads into the en suite

Viktor being determined to take care of his boy, despite feeling exhausted and sore, because Silco deserves a Daddy that will take care of him.

Silco following after him when he hears a stumble and a pained grunt, to find Viktor with a death grip on the sink AND his cane.

"Viktor," Silco questions, voice serious as he hurries to his side. "Please, allow me."

"You shouldn't have to take care of me," Viktor answers, voice soft and almost wounded. "I'm the one in the dominant position."

Silco frowns.

"The ones in charge need looking after too," Silco points out. "This is a give and take dynamic. It's mutual."

Silco slips under Viktor's arm and puts himself between him and the sink.

Cups Viktor's cheek.

"You take care of me daily, Viktor. Without this dynamic, I'd have been homeless months ago. Let me take care of you now."

Silco gives Viktor a peck on the lips and reaches for the face cloth folded up nearby.

Viktor being so taken aback. Because Silco never let on that he'd been struggling, not once, until now.

Silco turns on the faucet to the large bath and turns back to Viktor with a smile. "I think this will clean us both up just fine"

Once the tub is filled, Viktor eases himself into it first, closing his eyes as the heat sinks into his tired muscles. He opens them again when Silco slides into the tub with an easy grace and settles himself in front of Viktor, between his legs. Silco leans back, tilting his head to rest on Viktor's shoulder and kiss his jaw. 

"Good idea, dusha moya," Viktor sighs, turning his face to give Silco a tender kiss.

"What does that mean," Silco asks softly, curious.

And Viktor feels himself flush before he clears his throat and answers, "My soul."

Silco lets his fingertips trail along Viktor's legs as he ponders the translation. "Like a soulmate?"

Viktor chuckles a little. "Nothing that deep. I suppose we just like a little more drama in our words. When you don't know what the next day will bring, it's not worth it to be subtle."

Silco hums and kisses his jaw again. 

"Dusha moya," Silco mutters, smiling to himself.

Viktor grins at how well Silco mimics his accent

"I'll teach you more if you wish," Viktor offers as he lazily drags a washcloth along Silco's thighs and holds him close with the other hand.

"I'd like that. If I'm going to be your dusha moya, if I'm going to be in your life for a considerable time, I should be able to converse with you in your native language."

Viktor stills for a moment, focused on the implication of the words. "You wish to continue this, then? Even after you learned of my...limitations?"

Silco looks at him carefully, brows knitting together. 

"You thought I wouldn't?"

"Too many have looked at me and assumed I wanted a caretaker," Viktor explains. "That I was incapable of taking care of others myself."

Silco tips his head against Viktor's jaw.

"You're more than capable of taking care of me," Silco sighs, but his lips curl around a soft smile,"but we all have our limitations. We all need help sometimes. I'd like to think that if I were the one with a disability, you wouldn't be so quick to dismiss me either."

"Never," Viktor assures, tilting his face towards Silco. "I'll take care of you as long as I can." He captures Silco's lips in a kiss and trails his hand down Silco's taut stomach, letting his fingers slide along the waxed skin at the base of Silco's cock.

Silco hums his approval at those words and spends a few moments just kissing Viktor before asking, "Will I get to escort you at events in future or would you rather keep this more discreet? I don't mind either way, but I'd like to know if I need to update my wardrobe."

"I don't require discretion, but going public won't be easy on either of us," Viktor replies. "I'm sure you understand why I also kept my face hidden until now."

"I read Forbes," Silco smirks. "I understand if you prefer to take it slow in public."

"There will be an office and lab Christmas party," Viktor states after a short pause. "The event is private, so media presence will be minimal. But....it would mean being introduced to my colleagues, if that is alright."

"I think I can handle that," Silco replies. 

"I'll provide you a wardrobe stipend, of course," Viktor brushes his nose against Silco's temple. "Along with my tailor."

"You spoil me," Silco answers through a chuckle. He relaxes against Viktor fully, just appreciating his presence and the warmth of the tub. "I hope I've been able to spoil you just as much in other ways."

"Oh, terribly," Viktor smiles, luxuriating in the weight of Silco against him. "Will you allow me to continue to spoil you the rest of this weekend? Here, with me?"

"Depends," Silco says slyly. "Can we get room service?"

And then Silco adds "Can I raid the minibar?"

Viktor chuckles. "You can have whatever you like. I would give you the world, dusha moya"

"Excellent. I'm getting lobster."

Viktor laughs.

"Da, da, I know what it's like to want something you weren't able to afford before. I grew up dirt poor. Lobster was my first rich meal too."

Arch + Woods

[p3achyt3acak3]

Bang Chan x Fem!Reader

Warnings ⚠️: None really, just toothrotting fluff. Some cursing, everyone acting like a little shit 🤓 Also, it is a bit suggestive. There's no porn, but like.. Jokes are made and tensions rise so.. (You are kinda Han's BFF in this, just cause I feel like he'd be amazing to be friends with 🙌)

WC: 11.05K

Genre: Fluff, Toothrotting Fluff ☁️, A hint of Angst and insecurity if you squint 🤏 A bit of suggestive humor/moments

Maybe it was a bad idea to share this little secret with Han.

You knew better or should have known better, at least. You of all people knew just how much he liked gossip and tea, whether it was hearing a Stay tell him about them going on a date with their girlfriend/boyfriend, or something that was just in between the members.

Also, you'd practically been best friends with him since middle school.. You knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut even if he tried.

Why you even thought to tell him about this, was beyond you.. Maybe because he wouldn't stop pestering you. He could read you like an open book and everything about you, even down to your facial expressions, had them memorized and stored into the far depths of his mind.

"Come onnnn, you're hiding something from me, Jagiya.. I can see it all over your face." For what seemed like the billionth time since seeing Chan and Changbin off to the gym, Han prodded and poked.

Frustrating. Annoying. Loathsome.

But you loved him.

He was like an annoying big brother that you couldn't help but love and appreciate, no matter how much of a pain in the ass he could be.

Sighing, you tried in vain to continue your streak of ignoring him, focusing on the task of making yourself some instant noodles to soothe your hungry stomach.

"Jagiyaaaaa~" He whines again, this time poking your cheek and twisting his finger.

It's not enough to cause harm, but it's yet another annoyance that makes your brows furrow as you slice the hardboiled egg you'd prepared to put atop your bowl of ramen.

"Jisung, if you don't leave me alone, I will not hesitate to chop your finger off." It's a morbid joke, one that holds no actual truth behind it, yet Han immediately yanks his finger away from your cheek and scoffs.

"Someone's touchy today." He mutters under his breath. "Well, if you aren't going to tell me what's going on with you, can I just play a guessing game instead?"

After adorning your sliced egg onto your bowl of ramen, you turn around with a raised brow, only to find that he now has his arms folded against his chest, expression almost blank, save for the dimples in his cheeks when the corners of his mouth tilt up ever so slightly. "Guessing game? You're going to try and guess what's going on with me?" Now it's your turn to scoff, grabbing hold of the bowl of ramen, before taking a seat at the small table in the dining room.

Han follows suit, like a lost puppy, his cheeks puffed slightly. He's pouting because he knows you doubt his ability to be able to correctly guess what's going through your mind.

Though, before you can tease him further, there's a devious smile that tugs at the corners of his lips, one that you recognize all too well.

He's up to no good.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that you may or may not have a little something something for Channie Hyung." There's no hesitance, no pause. He's confident in his assumption, and his smile only seems to grow even bigger when you almost choke on a bite of your ramen.

Unwilling to admit it to him, let alone yourself, you regain your composure and roll your eyes. "Way off. Don't know where you got that idea from, but pop off, I guess."

Even though you sound relatively confident and snarky, you have a feeling he's going to keep pushing it. If it had been any stranger, you know he'd have backed off by now, if not way sooner. If it was another member or yourself, though..

"Oh? So you weren't making googly eyes at Chan when he said goodbye to you this morning?" He asks this as if he's genuinely surprised, but you know he's far from it.

The little shit..

The question catches you off guard, but instead of reacting in a way that will possibly give you away, you freeze. Though Han knows you better than you know yourself and is able to read everything far too well.

"Maybe I'm seeing things, Jagiya, but I swear I've seen you get all soft and cute whenever Channie Hyung is around. When he compliments you or says something nice, I've only caught it a few times, but you blush like crazy." The more he points out, the more your ability to keep yourself grounded begins to tear away.

Had it really been that obvious? Or is Han just way too fucking good at knowing how to read you? Or maybe he just pays attention too much?

Either way, it's annoying just how right he is...

You don't realize it right away, but as per usual, the annoying shit in front of you does. Whenever you get nervous, you tend to fiddle with whatever is in your hands. If there's nothing in your hands at the time, it's a mission to find something that you can touch to help get your mind off of whatever is making you nervous.

Right now, you're fiddling with the metal chopsticks used for your ramen, the steaming pile of noodles now temporarily forgotten.

The teasing smile leaves his face when he notices this, and he pulls up a chair beside you, bringing a hand to your back to begin rubbing at it softly. He rubs in small circles, a look of regret now painting his face.

You feel bad for bringing the mood down, but the last thing you want to do is admit that you have feelings for someone who clearly isn't even available in any sense of the word.

"Ah.. I'm sorry, Jagiya... I was just teasing. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything, I swear." In a quiet voice, Han apologizes, but you shake your head and force a small smile.

"What're you apologizing for you doofus.. You know I can handle your teasing." It's a small pitiful laugh that you treat him with, yet it seems to be enough to at least lighten the mood once more. "The last thing I want to hear is you apologizing for just being yourself."

For a moment, Han looks a bit surprised to hear such a sincere comment slip past your usually snarky lips. The dynamic between the two of you was one of smart-ass comments and bullying each other, so naturally, comments and compliments such as these were considered a rarity. He ate it up easily, though, if the smile that curled up on his face said anything.

"Ah.. Don't get into your own head. I do that enough for both of us." He suddenly bites out, giving you a light smack on the back of the head. The look of offense on his face is enough to make you smile, that sinking feeling finally dissipating with replaced humor.

"Why are you the one who looks offended when I'm the victim here?!" You find yourself countering, poking one of his squishy cheeks in a playful manner.

"Oh, you wound me.. I thought you loved me." Suddenly, he's turning away from your prodding finger, a feigned look of hurt scurrying across his face as he juts his lips out in a pout.

While you know he's just messing around, as is typical for him to do, you can't help but mirror Han's actions, returning his pout and even going the extra mile by letting a small, 'Womp womp,' slip past your scrunched lips.

The silly moment between the two of you lasts for a little while longer, before things finally settle when Changbin comes through the door. "HONEYYY, WE'RE HOMEEEEE!"

Yep, that was definitely Changbin..

Han perks up almost immediately, his head peeking out from over the cushions of the couch. In a way, he looks like a meerkat poking its head out from its den, and the correlation makes you giggle to yourself.

"How was your workout, Bin?" Standing up from the couch, you make your way to where he's currently bustling about in the kitchen, more than likely trying to find himself a little snack after his session.

Turning to face you, he has a bagel lodged in between his lips, dimples growing when he notices you almost keel over with laughter at how silly he looks. "It was pretty good! Chan seemed in a better mood today too, so that helped a lot." With the bagel no longer lodged into his mouth, he finally answers your question truthfully, a small smile curling up against his lips. "Though he wouldn't shut up abo-"

"Don't you have to go and shower?" Seemingly from thin air, Chan suddenly appears in the kitchen, tackling Changbin in a playful manner, which distracts him from finishing his thought. Now the two of them are arguing back and forth on who's going to go and shower first, and the conversation you'd been having with the latter, gets forgotten.

Though you seem to be the only one who's itching to know what it was he was about to say..

Judging from the suspicious look on Han's face, he wants to know as well, but for some reason he backs off and minds his own business, clearly gossiped out for the moment.

Which shouldn't be as surprising as it is..

Changbin finally relents when Chan says he's going to use up all of his body wash if he showers first. Wanting to protect his newly bought bottle, he mumbles some less than appropriate things about Chan under his breath while making his way to his room.

If Chan hears him, he chooses to ignore rather than address it, and now it's his turn to look for a snack to satiate his hunger.

As you did with Changbin, you do the same with him, asking how his workout went. For a moment, it seems as though he hesitates to answer, tapping his fingers on the door of the fridge while he moves his head down to observe what's left to eat. "It went well.. Got in some extra reps today. Even Changbin was a bit surprised to see me so eager to workout." With a short chuckle, he pulls away from the fridge, a cup of yogurt in his hands.

"You do anything interesting while we were gone?" He suddenly asks, which sort of makes you panic, eyes subtly darting over to look at Han, who's acting as though he's heard nothing. He's trying his best to hide his smile, so you know he's just being a shithead.

Han playing that 'Guessing Game' earlier, is the first thing that pops into your head.

You can't just outright tell him, 'Yeah, Han basically found out that I've been crushing on you for like.. The longest time now,' and expect him not to react irrationally, let alone grow uncomfortable.

That's the last thing you want.

So navigating around the truth, much to Han's displeasure, you instead choose to lie.

"Not really, no.. I made some ramen for myself and just talked with Han about some silly stuff, nothing of importance."

While it wasn't a complete lie, you'd purposefully left out the bit where Han had kept pointing out how differently you'd been acting whenever Chan was around. The blushing, the getting all shy, the acting cute and sweet...

From the corner of your eye you can see Han roll his eyes dramatically, and it only further irritates you.

What did he expect? Did he really think you were actually going to confess how you felt about his leader, despite knowing good and damn well that he was probably the most unavailable of all of them combined?

"Ah, so up to your usual bad behavior?" Chan's voice suddenly cuts through your straying thoughts, and your attention is set on him once more. Upon asking this, one of his brows had raised in an amused manner, all while he was digging into the yogurt cup with a silver spoon.

Why did he have to tease..

It just wasn't fair..

"Yup! We talked about a lot of juicy stuff~" The shithead answered for you, recognizing your sudden silence as growing shy or bashful. This makes Chan look behind you at Han, who has since moved to take a seat at the dining table. The look he wears just screams curiosity, but being the polite and non-invasive person he tries to be, he doesn't voice it. "Don't worry, it wasn't anything bad, just.. Girl talk, ya know?"

God you wish Han would shut up..

As much as you love him, he's not helping with the current situation at all.. If anything, he's making it more obvious that something was DEFINITELY talked about amongst the two of you.

"Girl talk?" Amusement flies across Chan's face once more, like it's a permanent look for him, before continuing on to say, "You one of the girls now?" There's a short, almost breathy laugh that slips past his lips when he pokes fun at Han, and the sound of it turns the tips of your ears a bright pink.

"Certified girl boss since I met that loser." Han quips back, causing Chan to shift his focus back to you.

To avoid his gaze, you turn to shoot daggers into Han's body, which only makes him shrug nonchalantly while smiling like a bubbly idiot. "More like certified dumbass." You spit venomously, a warning that Han needs to stop with his antics right now before you actually do get pissed.

Thankfully, he reads your message loud and clear but decides to stoke the fire just a teensy bit more. "Yeah, you're right. Except I don't shove my feelings into a box nearly as much as you do, sooooo~" As soon as he says this, the mixed look of shock and anger that crosses your face makes him stand from his chair at the table, stretching his arms high above his head with an obnoxiously loud yawn. He's being overdramatic, as per usual, but at least you think he's finally going to lay off the teasing. "Anyways, I'm sleepy, so I'm going to go ahead and take a nap. No one wake me up unless it's for food."

With that last sentence, he saunters down the hallway of the dorm, disappearing into his bedroom with a soft click of the door.

Now it's just you and Chan, alone in the kitchen.

Normally, it wouldn't be a problem. If Han hadn't caught you red-handed, then things would be just fine, and you wouldn't be acting so tense and suddenly aware of everything.

A fleeting thought rushes through your head in that moment.

You have to make up some sort of excuse to leave the dorm and go back home..

Either that, or you have to figure out how to get out of being around Chan alone until either Changbin comes back from the shower or Han wakes up from his nap.

After finishing his yogurt, Chan throws the empty cup into the trashcan and puts the spoon into the sink, acting as he normally would even if you hadn't been there. Meanwhile, you're suddenly aware of how fast your heart is racing, how fast you're breathing, and how hot your face is becoming.

What you had assumed to be a small and fleeting crush, you are slowly beginning to realize, isn't that.

It's something bigger..

Scarier..

"You doing okay over there?" Once again, Chan's voice pulls you out of your own head, and it comes to your attention that since Han' departure, you've been standing in the same exact spot with your shoulders slumped, half-facing the kitchen, and half-facing the dining room.

"Yeah, I'm okay, just a bit tired is all. I can only handle so much of Han' teasing in one day." Trying to steer the conversation in a more friendly direction while also trying to avoid the airy feeling that's swimming around in your stomach, you crack a joke.

The worry you feel gets washed away when Chan laughs a little at your poor attempt at a joke, and you find yourself easily sliding back into normality. It's easy to fall back into a natural setting when someone like him is comfortable to be around.

.

.

.

The boys have all decided that tonight will be a get-together. They've all been working really hard for the past few weeks, working on songs and choreography to go along with them, and everyone had agreed that a night to just unwind and enjoy each other's company was much needed.

Surprisingly, it wasn't just Han who had invited you to the get-together, Chan had also shot you a text saying that if you were feeling up to it, you were more than welcome to join.

You may have gotten a bit too excited when he'd offered, but that excitement fizzled into logical reasoning once you'd calmed down enough.

Naturally, Chan was a relatively nice person.

He didn't like to make others feel left out.

His invitation was just there so that you wouldn't feel excluded, and there was nothing more behind it.

Though..

He knew that Han would invite you regardless, so it was a bit puzzling for him to extend an invite when he knew you were rather close with the shithead.

Whatever the reasoning behind it was, all that mattered was that you were finally going to see the rest of the members after having sparsely seen them throughout their weeks of work.

Although it wasn't a requirement, you'd decided to bring a bottle of Soju with you.

Han had been pretty vague when explaining what type of get-together they'd be having, but from his, 'Make sure you bring some painkillers in case you wake up with a headache in the morning, Jagiya~', naturally, you'd assumed there would be drinking.

As soon as the door to Chan; Hyunjin; Changbin; and Han' dorm opened, you were immediately greeted by an overly happy Felix, whose eyes shined bright, while his lips were curled into a huge grin. "Glad you made it here safe, what's that you've got there?"

No matter how many times you hear this man speak, his voice will always knock the sense out of you. Even still, you smile back at him and present the unopened bottle of Soju. "A little present for everyone for working so hard these past few weeks."

This seems to make him smile even more, except this time, his pearly whites are on full display. The sight honestly makes your heart melt. He's always so bubbly and kind to everyone. No wonder everyone called him 'Sunshine'.

"Hannieeee! Your girlfriend's here!" He suddenly shouts behind him, stepping off to the side to allow you access to the dorm. The endearment he used to describe yours and Han' relationship, made you all but smile. Instead, you found yourself cringing, nose scrunched up in disgust as you shook your head from side to side.

"Yahh! Ew! He's like a brother to me, Lixie!" Shooting a playful glare in the sunshine' direction, you watch as he breaks into a fit of gremlinesque laughter before simply shrugging his shoulders, as if unbothered.

"Yahhhh! Just because I call her Jagiya doesn't mean she's my girlfriend, you ass! I agree with what she said. She's like a sister to me." The devil in question blanches once rounding the corner.

For once, the two of you can agree on something.

Felix doesn't seem at all bothered by the scolding the two of you are currently giving him if his toothy grin has anything to say about it.

"Are you guys just gonna stand in the entryway all night? Or are you gonna come and sit down with the rest of us so Chan stops doing aegyo back and forth with Changbin?" Seungmin' voice, clear as day, calls out to the three of you from somewhere in the living room, his voice grated and giving off a slight bit of annoyance.

Finding a way out of the conversation, you squeeze past Han and Felix, heading to the living room where everyone is currently seated in a big circle. Some are seated on the couch and love seat, while the rest sit on the ground. As soon as you enter the room, Lee Know makes direct eye contact and offers a small smile. It's not too big, not too small, but it's enough to bring you some joy.

"You guys must be old with how slow you are." Seungmin states rather blandly from his spot on the couch. Chan, who's seated right beside him, looks a bit offended by the remark, used to the onslaught of old man jokes being used on him.

"Keep making old people jokes, Seungmin. I can assure you that once you get to a certain age, you won't find those jokes so funny anymore." Shooting him a playful glare, followed by a short laugh, you take a seat down on the floor beside Hyunjin and I.N, bottle of Soju settling right in front of your crossed legs.

A collection of 'Ooo's' and 'Ahhhh's' echoes around the room upon shooting back an equally sick burn, which only makes Seungmin roll his eyes in your direction. You stick your tongue out at him in return.

Han sits across from you, Lee Know, scooting to the side to make room for him, and Felix takes his spot on the love seat, poking his tongue out at Hyunjin as if to rub it in that he got the love seat to himself. They must have argued over who would take the love seat and decided to settle it by competing in a game of rock paper scissors. Of that, you were almost positive. Most unserious arguments were settled with the child's game, from what you'd observed thus far.

Conversations flow smoothly for the first half of the night, but once the booze comes out, the flow makes a drastic change.

"I know it's a cliché game to play when drinking, but I'm kinda in the mood for Truth or Dare." Changbin admits, pouring himself a small glass of the Soju you'd brought to share.

Almost immediately, your eyes fly over to look at Han, who's already looking at you with wide eyes. You hope the glare you send his way is enough to convince him not to mess around or push your buttons, but being the little shit that he is, he ignores it. "I think that's a great idea! I'm down!" In the most ecstatic voice possible, while still looking directly at you, he agrees to Changbin' suggestion without any hesitation.

Internally, you're screaming.

Though the people pleasing side of you doesn't want to bring down the energy of the group, you hesitantly agree to play the game.

You make the mistake of looking over at Chan at some point while people vote on whether or not you all should play the game, and he's in the middle of tilting back his second shot of whatever alcohol he'd preferred over what you'd brought.

As soon as he finishes it off, it's like he has a sixth sense and knows you're looking at him because he's very quick to look in your direction, eyes locking onto one another's while your cheeks begin to grow warm. You want to blame it on the alcohol, but you can't. You've only had one shot, and that's not nearly enough to get you drunk. Fuzzy, maybe.. But drunk..? It may take a couple more to get to that point.

He doesn't stop looking in your direction, and neither do you. It's a moment of tension that makes you squirm a little in your spot on the floor, which grabs I.N' attention, a soft tap on your shoulder from the Maknae pulling your lingering gaze away from Chan' finally.

"Are you feeling alright? You look a bit red?" Once your eyes finally settle on I.N, his brows are furrowed ever so slightly, and there's a look of brief concern etched into his facial features.

Why does he have to be so sweet..?

It makes it so hard for you to lie..

But you have to, for your own sake..

"I'm fine, Innie.. The alcohol must already be working its magic." A light-hearted laugh slips past your lips to further solidify the lie. It seems to work because the concern slowly morphs into a small smile that melts away your heart, and the overwhelming unease you'd felt earlier gets scraped under the rug.

"Who's going to start us off?"

Once everyone votes to play the game, Lee Know is the first to speak up, after having been relatively quiet since you'd arrived. Glancing over at him, you realize he's looking directly at Han, who has a pout on his face as if he doesn't want to be the one to start the game off. When his eyes meet yours, there's a look that's pleading with you to help him get out of the situation..

But, karma is a bitch.

For the past few days, weeks even, he's been far more pushy and ruthless with his teasing, so you thought he deserved a taste of his own medicine. Leaning back on the palms of your hands, you merely smile, eyebrows raised as you purposefully begin a conversation with Hyunjin. From the corner of your eye, you can see Han gaping at you, and it only serves to brighten the smile on your face as you converse with Hyunjin.

Though, when the game officially starts, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach.. Something that's telling you that maybe you should've given Han the escape route because now he has even more reason to be an ass and pick on you for the rest of the night. You have a feeling his questions will get pretty personal, and by the end of the night, you'll either be wasted or heavily embarrassed.

Maybe both.. If he's being really generous..

"Jagiyaaaaa~" He snickers, enlongating the 'a' sound to be even more annoying. Shutting your eyes for a brief moment, you bite down on the inside of your cheek and pray to anyone who will listen, that you have the strength to not smack him upside his head for continuously teasing you. "As much as I hate picking on you, I'm afraid you're going to be the first victim of the night." His feigned sympathy is enough to make your eyes snap open. He knows damn well what game he's playing.. The shit-eating grin he wears completely blocks out the innocent guilt he shares. "So! Truth? Or Dare?"

While you're taking your sweet time to decide which choice would be better, considering you know which way it's going, Hyunjin whispers something to Chan, who's still seated on the couch next to Seungmin and Changbin, and stands from his spot on the floor.

At first, you don't notice anything, far too lost in your own head to even begin to pay attention to what's going on around you. "Truth." Ensuring you shoot a sinister closed lipped smile in his direction, you give Han his answer.

Felix starts to make small chicken noises from his spot on the love seat, and Han soon follows suit, but you ignore them, confident in your decision.

Seeing that he hasn't quite gotten under your skin as much as he's trying to, Han quickly stops making noises and smiles softly. "Is there anyone in this room that you've got the hots for?" This question is followed by a bout of hushed silence. Felix and Hyunjin are the first ones to either suck in a breath or comment something very quiet under their breath.

You yourself are internally panicking. As much as you'd expected him to be ruthless right from the get-go, this question was far from your mind.

How the fuck were you supposed to answer that..?

"Aish, starting off pretty hard there, don't you think?" Then and only then, do you realize that the person Han is not so subtly hinting about, is sitting right next to you now.

Taking an educated guess, you'd figured Hyunjin's back was starting to hurt, so he'd asked Chan to switch places with him. He had mentioned throughout the beginning of the week that choreo was stressing his body out a bit more from his extra practice.

"I mean.. If she doesn't want to answer, she can simply just take her shot, but I think she knows what it means if she does that~" Han smoothly replies, leaning against Lee Know with a smug smirk on his face.

He's definitely been hanging around him far too much.. Not that it's a bad thing, but now he's just as much of a tease as Lee Know is with the members.

He's right about one thing though..

If you do decide to take your shot, then that lets everyone in the room know you're indeed harboring feelings for one of them. Lord only knows you can imagine just how chaotic it would get once that bit of information was revealed. The game would more than likely be dropped, and most of them would be oh so curious as to which one of them was currently holding your interest.

If Han wanted to play dirty. You'd play dirty.

"Aren't you all like.. Off limits? Not to mention, Stay currently holds your hearts, so, no?" It comes out snarky, like you almost couldn't believe Han had even bothered to ask you in the first place, which earns a small snort from both Chan and I.N, seated on either side of you.

When he's unable to snap back, instead choosing to shrug his shoulders, you lean back on your palms once more and celebrate the small victory in your head.

The moment is short lived though when the 10th round comes around, and it seems that you and Felix are the ones who are hammered.

Chan has only had a couple of shots, answering all truths and dares with little to no hesitancy, whereas the rest of them have only downed enough to just receive a buzz.

Somehow, and you're not entirely sure how or when it happened, but you'd ended up seated on Chan' lap, giggling and laughing like a bumbling idiot because of how drunk you were. He seemed unbothered, used to it because the others sometimes sat on his lap and vice versa. Everyone here would sit on each other's laps, and in no way was it a bad thing, nor did it make any of them feel uncomfortable.

When it came time for you to choose once more, you leaned back carelessly into his chest and laughed. All night, you'd been playing it safe and choosing truth, but with liquid courage coursing through your veins, it gave you the confidence to choose dare. Unfortunately for you, Lee Know was the one who had presented you with the question.

If Han knew something, 9 times out of 10, Lee Know also knew. You had given him permission, but only because you knew Lee Know wouldn't go around spilling your business to everybody and they mama.

"Dare this time? Are you sure you're up for it, sweetheart?" Chan asks quietly from behind you, a rumbling laugh vibrating against your back.

The endearment would've made your skin grow warm had it not been for the alcohol already doing it for you.

All you could think to do, though, was nod, quite sure of yourself.

"Well, if you're so sure of yourself, guess I don't have to go easy on you." Is all Lee Know replies back with before his smile grows into a rather sinister one.

"Yahh.. She's drunk, Lee Know, maybe cut a little slack.." Chan deflects in a soft and tender tone, wrapping an arm around your waist before he props you up into a more comfortable position on his lap.

You hadn't even realized you were slowly slipping, but he did, and the action only made you feel even warmer.

"Fine, fine.. But I'm not going to go too easy.." Lee Know relents, while Han sighs dramatically from beside him. "I dare you to pick whichever one of us you'd like to spend the night with and sleep there."

At first, he says it in such a way that the room grows unbearably silent, and it takes a few moments for him to realize how he'd worded it, before he clears his throat and speaks once more. "I meant like a sleepover. Get your minds out of the fucking gutter." He more or less glares daggers into Felix, who's now burst into a fit of gremlinesque laughter.

Though normally the dare would've made you anxious or nervous, the liquid courage was giving you a type of confidence you rarely allowed yourself to feel, so it didn't bother you.

It was weird how Chan had tensed up a little and then relaxed once Lee Know elaborated on what he'd meant, but you pushed that thought way down and instead thought about who'd be the best to spend the night with.

As much as you adored the boys, there were some things about them that you just couldn't deal with when it came to sleeping in the same room. You'd found that out easily when you'd all been beat after a long day. You with your Makeup Stylist job, and them with their Stray Kids business.

It was an accident, but you'd all fallen asleep in the waiting room while waiting for a meeting with the higher-ups to get started.

It was then that you'd found out, I.N snores pretty loud.. Seungmin isn't much of a morning person and doesn't like being woken up in general, so he's pretty grumpy.. Felix moves a lot in his sleep and had kicked you in the side at least twice on accident.. Lee Know doesn't really like sleeping around other people unless he's comfortable with them.. Hyunjin prefers to be alone, but like Lee Know, doesn't care if he's comfortable with them.. Han is already a no because you're just pissed off at him still..

So that leaves Changbin and Chan.

Though, you figure that Changbin is going to get up pretty early in the morning to workout, and you have a gut feeling that you'll be moody and hurting in the morning, so you want as much sleep as you can get..

Now, all that's left is Chan..

Maybe you should just take another shot..

But you're not entirely sure your body will appreciate that.. Especially not when you wake up in the morning with a wicked hangover..

"You don't have to if you don't want to, you know? And I don't expect you to take another shot either. I'm cutting you off for the night." The devil in question mutters softly, his chest vibrating once more against your back.

Not one to back down from a challenge, while also being extremely stubborn, you decide to ignore Chan, blurting out, "I'll sleep in Chan' room."

Felix laughs quietly at this, as do Han and Hyunjin, whereas I.N and Changbin genuinely look surprised that you'd chosen to sleep in the same room as Chan. Of all the people to be surprised, you'd have thought it would be Han..

Chan tenses once more, and you can feel it far worse than you had before. "But.. If he's not comfortable with it, I can just bunk with Han.." Trying not to make the situation even more awkward than it already is, you use Han as a second option, although he raises a skeptical eyebrow at you in return.

The look he's currently giving you is one that screams, 'You better not back out.'

"I'm sure Chris won't mind. He's always generous and tries his best to help everyone." Felix drunkenly slurs, a toothy grin on his face. "Butttt, it is good to make sure he's comfortable first. Consent is definitely hot." He adds, followed by a soft hiccup.

Although you're sure he hadn't intended for his sentence to come out the way that it did, the part about consent only warmed your body twice as much. You weren't actually 'sleeping' with Chan.. You were merely having an innocent sleepover was all.. Like when you were a kid and you'd go over to a friend' house for the night or vice versa..

"I think it's time for everyone to get ready for bed." Chan suddenly interrupts, wrapping an arm around your waist once more. "Watch your step and be careful, please. I really don't want any drunk accidents."

Moments like this, it really does seem like Chan has become the dad of seven rather rambunctious children, and it makes you smile. Apparently, it makes you laugh as well because he's looking down at you with confusion arched in his brow. "Something amusing, sweetheart?" He asks in a hushed tone, one that shouldn't warm you as much as it is, yet here you are..

"Just thought of something funny, s' all.." You slur, still giggling like a bumbling bafoon.

There he goes with the endearment again..

The others groan, while Felix laughs, and Hyunjin wraps one of his arms around his neck for support, beginning to walk him to his bedroom for the night. Seungmin rolls his eyes and follows close behind, mumbling something to a giggly Felix that only makes the ball of sunshine laugh even more.

Han and Lee Know are next to get up, asking Jeongin if he's going to crash with them or Changbin.

The fact that they didn't even mention Chan as an option was more than suspicious. It's not like Jeongin was off limits from sleeping in the same room as you and Chan.. It was a sleepover, nothing more..

A soft smile graces I.N' lips as he declines the offer to join Han and Lee Know, saying he may just bunk with Changbin or sleep on the couch.

By the time everyone disappears for the night, you and Chan are the only two left in the living room, and you're suddenly very aware of just how quiet it's gotten. "M' thirsty." Trying to stand up straight so you can retrieve a glass of water for yourself proves to be unobtainable at the moment, because you nearly stumble and fall, but a firm arm wraps around your waist and pulls you back down onto his lap.

"Hold on a second. You're wasted, so please don't get up too fast. I'll help you." Being the gentleman that he is, he slowly begins to stand, holding you by the waist securely, before the two of you are finally standing upright.

Your vision is swaying, and you're stumbling a bit as he leads you into the kitchen, and yet he manages to sit you down atop the counter while he reaches into a cupboard to grab a cup, before turning to the sink to fill it with water.

This entire night, he's been so gentle and kind, not to mention absurdly patient with you. When he hands the glass of water over to you, a small noise emits from your mouth as a sign of thanks before you tilt the glass and drink the contents entirely. It's peaceful in a way. Nothing is said between the two of you, but it's comforting instead of awkward. If there wasn't a lingering sense of guilt from basically feeling him up all night while inebriated, then that sense of comfort would be working in full effect.

"Stop overthinking.." Cutting through the thick bout of silence that had taken over the kitchen, Chan pulls you out of whatever typhoon you'd forced yourself into.

"Wasn't overthinking.." Mumbling more or less to yourself in hopes that he doesn't overhear, you deny his claim outright.

"You know.. You're not a really good liar. Even Han lies better than you." Sucking in a breath, he calls you out on your blunder with a confidence that genuinely surprises you. "If you're really that worried about what I might think of you if you choose to sleep in my room, then don't force yourself to do it. Lee Know won't take any offense to it. Sure, you may get called chicken for a couple of days, but what's more beneficial for you? Forcing yourself to be uncomfortable? Or being called a chicken for a couple of days?"

He makes a valid point.

Being comfortable and teased did sound better than being uncomfortable and anxious.

But it wasn't you you were worried about. It was Chan. Once Han had introduced you to his group of chaotic friends, you vowed that you'd do everything in your power to ensure you never overstepped boundaries or made anyone uncomfortable.

So far, you'd been able to keep that vow.

"Don wanna make you uncomfortable. Don wanna be a burden." It comes out far too slurred and mumbled, and there had definitely been more that you had wanted to say, but the swaying of the room was starting to get to you. On top of that, your heart was running a mile a minute, at least.

"No wonder you and Han are really close.. You both beat yourself up and think you're a burden on others when, in fact, you're quite the opposite."

This causes you to finally look at him, still barely perched atop the counter, blinking slowly like you have not a single thought behind those eyes of yours.

When you go to speak or attempt to try, your body begins to sway forward. Chan notices this and swiftly jumps into action, caging you in between his arms so that when you do lean forward, your head hits his chest instead of allowing your body-weight to send you tumbling to the floor.

"M', sorry. We should just go to bed." The words from earlier had since died on the tip of your tongue, embarrassment and self-loathing beginning to gnaw at your insides like a parasitic disease. Trying to push his body away in a last-ditch effort to stop invading his personal space or needing him to support you, you're shocked when he doesn't move away, arms still caging you in while you sit atop the counter in a drunken haze.

"Stop it. Hold still and listen to me, please." There's a pleading tone in his voice when he requests this of you, and your glazed over eyes finally rove up to meet his gentle yet concerned ones. You do as requested, no longer fighting against him. "You are not a burden. You do not make me feel uncomfortable. I am giving you my permission now to sleep in my room for the night, so please, don't beat yourself up over this. Like I said before. You have a choice. Don't force yourself to do this. I won't think any less of you, and neither will the others. You're Han' best friend, which makes you a part of this chaotic family whether you like it or not. You are okay, I promise."

So many soft yet firm reassurances slip past his lips that it's nearly impossible to even begin to process them all.. That on top of being inebriated, it's taking you quite some time to retain his words.

Once you finally do, you feel your skin prickle and buzz, growing warm once more.

This time, it's not the alcohol.

"I.. I wanna sleep in your room, please.." Is all you're able to croak, voice taut with emotion as you avoid eye contact with him suddenly.

"Are you positive? I don't want you to tell me that just because you're stubborn and don't want to lose against Lee Know. Everyone's comfort is my responsibility, and that includes you."

Since when did he get so close..

It's starting to make you feel dizzy..

"M' not being stubborn.."

How the words were even able to make it past your lips is beyond you.

By the time he finally relents and helps escort you to his bedroom, there's butterflies dancing around wildly within your stomach. This is getting ridiculous. He's just doing what he would've done had it been anyone else. You know for a fact that if it had been Han or Seungmin, anyone in the group, then he'd be doing the same exact thing.

Chan' room is ridiculously spotless. Everything is in its rightful place, organized, neat, very OCD.

Not that it's a bad thing.

You too like to keep things tidy.

Messes kinda irk you.

He takes you to the very plain bed that's leaned up against the far left side of the room and sets you down gently, removing himself from your body.

"Make yourself comfortable, alright? I'll be right back." With a calm, almost soothing voice, he reassures you his leave of absence is only temporary, before he disappears from sight.

Alone, the room begins to spin and you can feel the heat radiating off of your cheeks from both intoxication and emotions you're unsure should be brought to light. There's a pit in your stomach despite the lazy half-cocked smile you wear. These emotions of yours are getting out of hand. Maybe getting wasted wasn't such a bright idea.

Now that the room is deafeningly quiet, the thoughts that had been pushed towards the back of your mind earlier on in the night, begin to fester and grow ravenous, the thick tendrils of doubt; guilt; and anxiety, pooling into every pore that's embedded within your skin.

You feel bad for developing feelings for someone who's literally unavailable in nearly every sense of the word.

He's kind. Generous. His sweetness is so infectious it's almost tooth-rotting. The way he cares for his group.. No. His family, just opens up a whole new list of reasons why your standards are so high when it comes to dating.

You've tried to brush off these feelings for him for far too long. It's embarrassing...

No amount of Tinder dates.. Hookups at bars.. Nor just avoiding him for as long as you physically can withstand, even begins to cut the surface for the deep-rooted feelings you harbor for him.

You're delusional to even think that he might even feel some sort of connection for you outside of friendship.

For someone who you call your 'friend', these feelings are anything but friendly.

When the door opens, Chan walking in, clad in some sweatpants and a loose-fitting black tee, you're unable to process it.

You'd even go as far as to say, the outside world was currently a buzzing sound in your ear that grew louder and louder the deeper into your own head you went. He was a ghost, a shell, an illusion that wasn't real.

Only when he grabbed your face, cupping it in the palms of his hands, did you snap out of whatever daze it was that you'd put yourself into. His brows were knitted with concern, eyes holding a knowing look that made you feel even worse about the situation, and if you could just disappear, it would be less than two seconds before the room would only consist of himself and his things.

When he finally noticed you actually looking at him, not just staring through him like he was invisible, he began to let go of your face, not wanting to invade your privacy anymore than he already had. What he wasn't ready for, was you pulling his hands back up to your face, letting out a soft and content sigh. One that gave off a sense of comfort and safety. If that was the case, he was more than happy to leave them there. Being a safety net for others wasn't new to him. In fact, he embraced that role with open arms.

"M' scared, Chan.." You weakly mumble, eyes unfocused and glaring down at the bed.

"Scared? Am I making you feel that way?" Even though he still retained his usual calm and cool composure, his voice wavered with guilt at the fact that he could be the one currently making you feel this way.

With a very uncoordinated shake of your head, you muttered a quiet, 'No', followed by your gaze slowly drifting up to meet his own.

"I have feelings for someone.. Someone who is way too out of reach.. It's hurting me.. M' tired.. M' so so tired.. I wish I could get over him, but I can't, no matter how hard I try.." Leaving the specifics out of your confession, tears begin to gather at the corners of your eyes. If you'd been sober, none of this would have even been said.

Like always, you would keep everything to yourself and push it deep deep down in hopes that it would just go away.

For a moment, a stark silence takes over the bedroom. He looks as though he's having a hard time trying to figure out how to respond to what you just said, if his habit of biting down on his bottom lip says anything.

"Is this person someone close to you? Or are they someone you barely talk to, let alone see?" He finally asks, unconsciously beginning to rub his thumbs across your cheeks with a soothing caress.

You should shut up..

Really..

You've already said more than enough..

Anymore, and the secret feelings you'd been holding for him would be revealed and everything would go downhill.

His friendship with you would end. Things would not only be awkward between the two of you, but between you and the rest of the boys as well.. Han might be the only exception to that, of course.. Chan would probably think you were gross or weird for liking him.. The possibilities were endless..

"Hey, what did I tell you earlier about getting stuck in your own head?" After failing to answer his original questions, he asked one that seemed to pull you back into reality, grounding your soul to your body once more.

"M' sorry.. He's someone I feel like m' sorta close to.. I've been friends with a buddy of his for awhile.. But I don't know what he thinks about me.. He's nice to me, treats me like m' his friend too, and he never leaves me out of anything.. But I just.. Wish I knew how he felt about me.. Hell, even knowing what he thinks about me would be nice.." Now on a drunken ramble, you find it hard to close your mouth. Everything is pouring out left and right, even though you're doing your best to keep names and specifics out of the conversation.

Occasionally, you slip, but it's minor, and he doesn't seem to notice.

Or at least that's what he lets you believe..

Right from the get go, Chan senses something is off. The way you refuse to look him in the eye while you speak, when generally, you're very attentive and prefer to hold eye contact with whomever it is you're speaking with, provides him with the notion that this 'person' you're speaking of, is him.

Instead of calling you out on it though, he waits. Being the patient man that he is, the last thing he wants to do is pressure you into sharing something you may or may not be comfortable with sharing at the moment.

Plus, he has to remember that you're drunk out of your mind. You're vulnerable and very emotional right now. He wants.. No. Needs, to make sure he takes care of you and doesn't take advantage of the situation simply due to inebriation.

"You should pull him aside when the two of you are alone and ask him how he feels. If that's too much, then take baby steps. Spend more time talking to him consistently, hang out with just him more often if it's possible.. Try to be as close to him as you can to help you build up the strength and courage to have a one on one serious chat about what's been on your mind." His tone is soft, like a bed of feathery pillows, and it drowns you in an even deeper sea of comfort and safety.

Even still..

What he says makes your stomach do back-flips.

"I.." You begin to speak, but the words slowly die out in the back of your throat. Suddenly it's very hard to form words. Maybe it's your brain' way of telling you that it's time to shut up and quit digging a deeper hole than the one you're already in.

Chan lets go of your face and cages you in between his arms like he did earlier in the kitchen. His movements are slow and fluid, not too fast to where it catches you off guard and scares you, and for that you feel more than grateful. "If this guy doesn't like you or even want to be around you? Then he's an idiot."

The way the words tumble past his parted lips seems to freeze the air around the two of you. Now you feel even more exposed. Not in the sense that you're comfortable, just.. Confused.

You don't know why you do it, nor do you even have the mental capacity to even think too long and hard about it, but the closeness in proximity that the two of you currently find yourselves in, makes your cheeks heat up even more. You get lost in his eyes, forcing yourself to stop from looking down at his lips. How badly you want to kiss them right now should be a crime..

"It'd be a shame if he didn't see just how smart; funny; kind; thoughtful.. Not to mention cute.. You are." He's finding it harder and harder to keep himself in check. He knows you're inebriated, but your silence speaks louder than any words in his vocabulary. As much as he knows you want to speak, it's that overthinking brain of yours that's preventing you from doing so.

With him calling you 'cute', something in your brain actually clicks, and realization dawns, finally. If you're reading him wrong, then what you're about to confess will sure as hell be embarrassing..

"Like you, Chan.." The 'I' had been a silent whisper. Mouthed, but not spoken.

As soon as those words escape the shackles of doubt and guilt, the soft look of shock he wears, makes your stomach sink more than it should.

Although you hadn't been looking at him before, you most definitely weren't making any attempt to gaze his way period.

"M' sorry. Tired. Just gonna go t' sleep." After a bout of voluntary silence, you change your trajectory, avoiding the elephant in the room, while simultaneously blaming your inebriation on the emotional garbled up junk that's coming from your lips.

A friend had always told you, "Drunk words are often times sober thoughts," and now regret was pooling in your gut from not taking her seriously.

Turning away from him completely, you opt to try and situate yourself on his bed, laying on your side to signal that the conversation is no longer open. Though his presence is still very obvious.

He hasn't moved from that spot since the drunken words tumbled past your guilty lips.

The urge to cry right now, is stronger than it ever has been. A friendship that was near and dear had just been ruined by a stupid drunk confession.

Without even realizing it, sniffles begin to ring out into the tense atmosphere of Chan' room, and that quickly gets him out of whatever daze he'd been put under. "Hey hey hey.. Don't do that. Don't let your brain think such mean and nasty thoughts." Trying to comfort you in any way possible, he reaches a hand over to rub your shoulder blades, but then hesitates, figuring you'd rather have your space right now.

When there's no response, just a soft shaking of his sheets beneath his fingertips, his brows furrow together and he finds his bottom lip tucked beneath his teeth.

As much as personal space and boundaries are important to him, he can't stand when people hurt. What kind of person would he be if he just left you there to silently sniffle and cry until you fell asleep with tear-stained cheeks?

"Sweetheart.." The sound of his own voice as he softly coos in your direction, is almost foreign to him. There's a crack there that gives away just how conflicted he is.

Once again, no response.

Fuck it..

Reaching forward, he wraps you in an embrace, arms slithering around your waist as he holds you against his chest.

Your breathing is labored, and he can audibly hear the breath you suck in from the unprepared intrusion. His own breathing has picked up as well.

Holding you in his arms has always had that affect on him..

Well..

He doesn't know exactly when it started, but the feeling of friendship and family was beginning to dwindle away and become something more. Something he hadn't really dealt with, and it genuinely scared him at first.

That was, until he processed his feelings, and thought it best to shove them down so he wouldn't scare you off or weird you out.

Han would definitely pitch a bitch fit if he was the reason why his best friend stopped coming around as often.

"Being mean to yourself is only going to make you miserable.. Trust me, I know.. It's not a great feeling. When I told you that you weren't a burden, I meant it. Having you around has been amazing. Seeing your dynamic with Hannie, how different it is for when he's around us, it genuinely makes me happy. It's a whole new side of him I barely get to see, and you help bring it out." Once Chan starts talking, it gets easier. Everything that's built up over the past few months just begins to effortlessly fall from his lips like a stream of water from a water fountain.

"The boys all seem to like you and get along. When you're not here, they always ask Han where his 'soulmate' is." He lets out a soft chuckle at this, picturing a cringing Han in his mind.

For a moment, he silences himself. He has to gather all of his thoughts so that when he speaks, it doesn't come out all mixed and confusing. By now, he's realized that you need people to explain things in a straightforward way. Otherwise, you're left confused and unsure of what to think, do, or even feel.

Just as Chan is about to go to speak once more, your voice, quiet and strained, touches his ears, and he immediately purses his lips. "While I do appreciate the sentiments.. And knowing that the boys enjoy my company.. M' still curious as to how you feel about me.. How you view me.."

He can sense the hesitance in your voice.

Instead of keeping you in the dark, even though he know he should, for the sake of not only your life and reputation inside and outside the makeup industry.. Not to mention how Stays and JYP themselves would react should the news ever get out that he harbored feelings for an up and coming makeup artist.. But his own career would be on the line.. Although that was the least of his concerns..

He knew that most of Stay was always so sweet and caring towards himself and the rest of his boys. Dating rumors wasn't shocking news to him. If it turned out the rumors were true though, he knew Stayville would probably blow up for a few weeks at most, but then things would gradually calm down and everything would return to a somewhat normal schedule.

Stays who left would be missed.

Stays who stuck around, would be appreciated not only in silence, but in Chan' own special way.

"Earlier, you said that none of us were available to date cause our hearts belonged to Stay."

Confusion bubbles up in your head and it causes you to arch a brow. Though he can't visibly see it because he's currently facing your back..

Why was he bringing this up now?

"That may be true. Stay will always hold a special place in each of our hearts, and not everyone's love will be shown in the same way, but.." A brief pause, followed by a sharp intake of breath, tells you that he's battling with himself on whether or not he should really say what he's about to say.

"But some of us hold love for others, outside of the idol life. That doesn't mean we don't love what we do and our Stay.. Just, outside of the media and everything else that comes with being an idol, we share love with those we feel a connection with."

To you, it sounds confusing as shit, yet understandable at the same time. You're sure if you weren't nearly as drunk as you were, you'd be able to immediately understand what he was trying to say without a second thought. Right now though? It feels like you're trying to put together a puzzle and the last piece doesn't match up with the slot that's left.

He sighs, and that pulls you away from your attempted deconstruction of his words. "What I'm trying to say is.. I like you. I like you a lot. I don't even know when it started, but I've liked you for at least awhile."

In simplest terms, he's just confessed how he truly feels about you, yet it feels rushed and not as meaningful as he thinks it should be. The tips of his ears turn a bright shade of pink, and he finds himself stuttering, running over his words. "I-I.. Fuck.. I really meant to tell you in a more appropriate way.. Wanted to take you out to dinner or something, but I-"

"Don't overthink, Chan.." Mirroring his words to you from earlier on in the night, he's quick to purse his lips back together once more.

To say you feel ecstatic is a huge understatement.

The fact that he's even given you a straightforward answer, rather than skirting around the conversation as you'd thought he'd try and do.. He'd at least given you an honest answer.

Him returning your bottled up feelings was just a plus.

When the silence is too much, you find yourself turning around in his arms, facing him directly. It's hard to keep your eyes on his face though, because the embarrassment you feel is crashing down on you in waves. Still, somehow, you manage to nuzzle your head into his chest, taking in his scent, listening to his heartbeat prattle against his rib-cage like the harmonious beat of a drum.

"Can I kiss you?" Seemingly out of nowhere, Chan asks this of you, his voice soft and much lower in octave as compared to how it had been earlier.

The heat in your cheeks is unbearable.

You should've known something like this would happen, yet, here you are, frozen to the spot, unsure on how you should answer.

"If you're not ready to just yet, that's fine. I don't want to pres-"

Cutting him off, you take it upon yourself to lean up and capture his soft lips with your own.

He tastes of minty toothpaste. Lips plump and soft, like cushions that provide you with comfort and warmth. The kiss is soft and sweet at first. Experimental, to put it bluntly. But the more you both get used to having your lips against one another, the more heated the kiss seems to get.

It starts with Chan nipping at your bottom lip, teeth tugging softly at the flesh there. Without a care in the world, nor a single thought in your head, you comply right away, opening your mouth wider so he can maneuver his tongue against your own.

There's so many thoughts swirling around in his brain at the moment. All he knows is that he's already addicted to you.. The way you taste, the way you make soft noises every time he surprises you with another chaste kiss after you catch your breath for barely two seconds.

When he gently eases you back against the bed, his arms caging you in beneath him, his lidded eyes flutter open, and he hesitantly removes his lips from your own.

The sight before him, only has his heart beating twice as hard.

You're panting, softly, but he can hear the short intakes of breath you produce. He can practically feel the heat radiating from your body, and it's driving him stir-crazy. Your eyes are lidded and staring up at him so innocently, he swears he's going to go crazy..

When the impure thoughts start to force themselves up to the forefront of his brain, he leans down and places one last soft and gentle kiss against the nape of your neck, before plopping himself down beside you, the soft sheets adorning his bed, wrapping him in a comfortable embrace.

"You're going to be trouble for me.." He admits out loud, peering at your face from the side.

The smile that graces your face, followed by the breathy chuckle that seems to swim graciously through his ears, is enough to make his heart swell.

"I think it's going to be the other way around, but we'll see." Teasing him, you avert your eyes to the ceiling, before you feel him wrap his arms around your waist, tugging you closer to his body. Physical affection seems to be a go to for him, which you're more than happy to provide.

"Hm? Confident now, are we? A few little kisses went straight to your head." A short laugh accompanies his clap-back.

If it were up to you, you'd sit there and listen to that sound all day long.

As soon as you're about to fall asleep though, nestled comfortably in his embrace, he presses his lips to the top of your head and smiles.

"Let me take you out to dinner, please? I want to do this whole thing properly, or else it's gonna bug the shit out of me.." His laugh is infectious, spreading to you in an instant. When you agree through short fits of giggles, his smile seems to grow.

"Great. It's a date then, sweetheart."

[tornoleander]

Finally Ironed out some ninja designs! I Usually don’t share references but with the behind the scenes stuff I’m doing on my Skybound project I don’t have much else I can share yet.

There is a few headcanon/ Fic stuff in references and powers and the all ninja shot is for first part of Skybound project.

I can share Skybound project Updates! I’m making lots of progress! Trying to focus on p1 stuff so I can put full force into the p2 stuff!

|

V

P1 may be ready Summer? 2025

My Skybound talk Video:

* God I have so much to ramble about just when I think I covered something a new angle gets me

* How TF am I supposed to sanely transition from the wholesome reasons I love this season into the horribly problem stuff. Sigh*

* Actually studying videos covering serious topics to navigate how to word things.

* I have to stop drawing so much art for everything or no one will ever see this video.

* The desire to animate my character lipsinking to me is an evolutionary disadvantage I will resist.

Cannon compliant Animatic:

* Song is Ironed out fought a while adding voice lines and I’m way more excited than I thought I’d be for this animatic because I thought it would be overshadowed by how strongly I feel about the other 2. But damn.

* I’m storyboarding after like my life depends on it rn

* Really trying to capture Nya’s character Ark which sent me right back to the video script because I remembered that one reddit post calling her a bitch and rage wrote for 2 hours.

* I am determined to make people see how good her character arc actually is.

* Throwing Jay shade in this one lol he was kinda awful even with being manipulated.

* Trying to convey clear Ideas and story through art is pain but also addicting.

* This is meant as a leading to both part two animatics, but bbnb Kai is shorter than wytyaa Kai. The difference is significant everything else pre dinner with Nadakhan is the same. The other head cannons are almost aligned as far as I know. It’s JUST Kai. What do I do with him?!? Lmao Might just distance him from the other ninja so you can’t tell how tall he is. Thank goodness he is the most gullible and first to wish it all away

P2 out like December if I’M lucky TT

Even though I should focus on first things first, I can’t help myself. these fics have lived rent free in my brain for like 2 years and despite plans shifting the excitement of drawing the story I read and put to music in my head is a force of nature. Thanks Adhd

Wytyaa:

* I storyboarded about half the scenes I want to. Songs are decided but a few parts I’m waiting for the rest of the story for.

* I think I’m going to mess with color palette. I really want to capture the emotion and intensity. I’m learning the full potential of my art and

* I need Final ch released for maping out the second half.

* BUT I AM NOT READY TO READ IT @mondothebombo And from what you told me I don’t think I’ll be able to finish P1 by then. cries*

* I wanna capture the feeling reading wytyaa.

* May make my wytyaa specific refs so I can make animatic art I can post early.

Bbnb

* It’s all storyboarded and half animated

* Thinking about redoing most the earlier stuff, consistency has been a problem

* Also was to mess with colors, dark backgrounds and intense colors.

* I fought with my ref forever to find good enough lightning scar colors cause figuring out the right amount of contrast is pain.

* So now I want to redraw my bbnb scar references a third time.

* May draw other bbnb specific refs so I can make some art for the animatic I can post here early or on on my old A03 book

If you have Any questions feel free to leave an ask! I answer all eventually sometimes I do save em up though so if I didn’t answer something yet, Sorry I will get to you.

[sudoki-sara1]

Abandoned

Chapter 11: A Knight to Remember

It was finally the night of the dance, Jaune had accepted Weiss' proposal and was nervous to say the least. Weiss however, well she was a lot giddier than usual, making sure she looked her best for the dance.

Jaune decided to get some advice.

Jaune: Ren, I need some help... like desperately.

Ren sighed as he flipped a pancake.

Ren: Alright... what is it?

Jaune: Well... as you know Weiss asked me out to the dance and I... accepted. The thing is... I don't know how to dress.

Ren paused, confused: And... you thought to ask me?

Jaune: Well... I've seen how you dress, I just thought that...

Ren: Jaune, every kingdom has their own culture. Something considered elegant in one can be considered brash in another.

Jaune, a little embarrassed: Ah... sorry. So what should I do?

Ren sighed as he went back to making pancakes.

Ren: You don't have a suit and tie? I doubt you could get one right now. Be honest and ask Weiss for help if it really means that much to you.

Jaune nodded and made a mental note of Ren's advice before walking away.

/ / /

Meanwhile Pyrrha and the rest of team RBYN had been relaxing in their dorm when they heard a knock at the door to which Pyrrha answered.

Pyrrha: Um, oh Jaune. What are you doing here?

Jaune: Pyrrha... can we talk?

Pyrrha looked back at her team who all gave her a thumbs up before looking back at Jaune.

Pyrrha: S-Sure just lead the way.

Jaune led Pyrrha to the roof to talk in private.

Jaune: So... I need some advice.

Pyrrha: Advice?

Jaune, rubbing the back of his neck: Y-Yeah... Weiss and I are going to the dance and... I don't know how to dress to impress her.

Pyrrha's heart shattered at the revelation.

Pyrrha: O-Oh... so you... want to impress her?

Jaune: W-Well... to be exact I don't want to embarass her by dressing ridiculous.

Jaune chuckled nervously.

Pyrrha: 'Caring as always.'

Pyrrha sighed: Well... I don't know what she would like. She's from Atlas. If you two are going together well... I doubt she'd care what you wear as long as you look good.

Jaune: Alright, thanks! I'll go ask her myself then.

Jaune turned around and left Pyrrha behind. She had already lost her chance long ago.

/ / /

Weiss had also been struggling on deciding what to wear. She stood in front of the mirror, holding different dresses in front of her.

Weiss: Oh... what would that dolt like? Red? White? Blue? Scandalous or modest? Prim and proper or rebellious and punk? Hm... maybe I should just ask him?

Jaune entered the room after knocking.

Jaune: Weiss... I'd like to talk.

Jaune stopped in his tracks as Weiss turned around, her makeup subtle yet was able to accentuate her natural beauty.

Weiss: Me too, we need to discuss something.

The two coughed and cleared their throats and spoke at the same time.

Jaune/Weiss: What would you like me to wear?

There was a long and awkward silence before the two laughed.

Jaune, laughing awkwardly: Jeez, and here I was thinking I was the only one that couldn't decide on what to wear.

Weiss: Then... let's decide together... d-darling.

Weiss blushed, not used to calling other people afectionate names.

Jaune blushed as he nodded.

Jaune: Y-Yeah... let''s decide together.

Weiss cleared her throat as she got up and opened her closet.

Weiss: I uh... have a few options for what to wear.

Jaune was reasonably stunned at the amount of dresses.

Jaune: Um... m-maybe something that compliments your hair, or a white dress would be nice.

Weiss pulled out a few different dresses some grey, black, and white of varying lengths and set them on the bed.

Weiss: So... monochrome. Short or long?

Jaune blushed even more as he imagined Weiss in a short skirt.

Jaune: M-Maybe something in between.

Weiss: Short it is.

Weiss put a few dresses back in her closet.

After a while Weiss eventually settled on a white dress with a short skirt

Weiss: Alright, now it’s your turn to find something to wear.

Jaune nervously scratched his cheek.

Jaune: About that… I don't have any sort of suit of tie.

Weiss: No need to worry about that. I made sure to be prepared.

Weiss opened the right side of her closet revealing a bunch suits of different colors and materials along with pants. Much to Jaune's amazement.

Jaune: W-When did you… how did you even get my measurements.

Weiss, putting her hands on her hips: Nora measured you in your sleep. She was surprisingly understanding and accurate.

Jaune stood up and checked out the suits.

Jaune: These are all very high quality… are you sure I can pick one?

Weiss: I had these made for you. It would be rude not to choose at least one of them.

Jaune nodded before taking out a dark brown suit, blue shirt, brown pants and a blue striped tie.

Jaune: I'm gonna go try these on.

Jaune took the clothes into the bathroom.

After a while Jaune came out, wearing the clothes and the gloves he got when he helped Roman.

Jaune: Well… how do I look?

/ / /

Male knight in Succubus Cafe costume from Guardian Tales. Beautiful art by Herzig_Zag on Reddit. GO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

/ / /

Weiss blushed as Jaune fixed his tie.

Weiss: You… uh… I… I need some air.

Jaune watched in confusion as Weiss left the dorm.

/ / /

Weiss tried to cover her blushing face with hand as she spoke to herself.

Weiss: Why… how is he so damn hot in a simple suit and tie! I can't let him try anything else on! Or else… I might just pass out.

Ruby, who had been passing by was concerned as she saw Weiss holding onto the wall and covering her mouth.

Ruby: Weiss… you okay?

Weiss grabbed onto Ruby's hood and shook her.

Weiss: He's too hot! You better not get any ideas when you see him at the dance!

Ruby: W-Weiss!? Wh-What's gotten into you?! Calm down!

Weiss managed to come to her senses and let go of Ruby.

Weiss: Right… right… I need to calm down. Don't even think about stealing my man, got it?

Ruby, holding her arms up in surrender: Y-Yeah… never would even dream of it.

Weiss headed back into the dorm to check on Jaune.

/ / /

Jaune fiddled around with the gloves and tie as Weiss entered.

Weiss: Everything alright, Jaune? Is the suit comfortable?

Jaune: You kidding? I've never worn something like this but… this just feels natural. I like it… thanks Weiss.

Weiss blushed and looked away as Jaune thanked her and smiled.

Weiss: N-No need to thank me. I just want my… d-date to look his best.

Weiss let out an eep as Jaune hugged her from behind, his arms and warmth comforting her and giving her some much needed affection.

Jaune: Really… I mean it. No one's ever done this sort of thing for me.

Weiss blushed even more at his sudden confession.

Weiss: I... Jaune... th-this is too much...

Weiss began to pass out and Jaune sighed as he held her.

Jaune: What an innocent princess. Rest up, we have an eventful nigh ahead of us.

Jaune held Weiss as he sat at a nearby desk and kissed her forehead.

/ / /

The Beacon Dance, a night meant to celebrate a new chapter in the school's history. One where students come to spend the night with friends and lovers. A night of passion. However for Ruby, she was alone spending time by the punch bowl in a beautiful dress.

Ruby: Stupid dance… how does anyone even walk in these… stilts.

Jaune: Yo, Ruby, what are you doing all alone?

Ruby watched as Jaune approached. She had to admit that Jaune did look good in that suit. Ruby quickly shook her head.

Ruby: O-Oh, Jaune… h-hi. Um… where's Weiss?

Jaune: Oh, Weiss? She should be here soon. Said she had some last minute preparations. So, why are you alone? Didn’t ask anyone out?

Ruby: O-Oh... n-no I... I didn't ask anyone out.

Jaune's eyes widened in response.

Jaune: Wait... no one even asked you out?

Ruby: W-Well... I'm not really... into these sort of things.

Ruby blushed as she laughed nervously.

Jaune: Jeez, even so you should try to enjoy yourself. If no one catches your eye romantically the least you could do is hang out with friends.

Before Ruby could respond she could hear the sound of heels aproaching. Behind Jaune was Weiss.

Weiss: Jaune... I'm... ready for our dance now.

Weiss blushed as she revealed her beautiful dress to Jaune, leaving him stunned.

Jaune: Y-Yeah... so am I.

Jaune extended his hand to which Weiss promptly took it. As the two went to the dance floor they left Ruby alone to ponder and feel a little disapointed.

As the music filled the room the only thing Weiss saw was Jaune's eyes. Their dance flowed like the night, like a river. They got lost in each other’s eyes, in each other’s embrace.

Weiss was the most captivated of the two. She couldn't describe it but there was something burning within her. As she gazed at her partner's face she noticed his lips, could she really want to kiss him? She buried herself into her partner's body and mumbled.

Weiss: Jaune… I… I love you.

Jaune was silent, much to Weiss' worry. But her worries were quickly silenced as he cupped her cheek and tilted her head up. His touch… it was warm and comforting, she didn't want him to let go-

Before she could finish her thoughts Jaune kissed her. Although she was surprised she didn't object and melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, trying to deepen the kiss. The moonlight acted as a natural spotlight, shining through the skylight.

All eyes were on the young couple, some were happy, some were inspired, and some felt jealousy rise, but the couple didn't care. The only thing on their minds was not wanting to end the kiss, but alas it had to end.

/ / /

Meanwhile Ruby had left the building as soon as Weiss had taken Jaune's hand to dance. Outside she noticed someone running across the rooftops and curiosity got the better of the young girl.

She tailed the mysterious stranger eventually arriving at the CCT. However, Ruby had lost track of the stranger and all that remained were unconscious bodies of the people in the CCT.

/ / /

Cinder was not an idiot, she did however have a soft spot for Jaune, so in order to not disappoint him she would only knock out anybody in the CCT as she went through with her plan. And of course she noticed the child tailing her and managed to outmaneuver them. If she had it her way no one would be alive in the CCT.

/ / /

Other than the break in at the CCT the night went on as planned. Laughs, drinks, dance, music, and a spontaneous group dance by team JNWL. All in all, it's safe to say that any nearby Grimm had been detoured.

However, as expected someone did spike the punch ending the night early. Jaune was mostly sober thanks to Salem's efforts in increasing his poison tolerance.

Jaune carried an absolutely blushing mess of a Weiss back to the dorm.

Weiss: I can… I can walk on my own, darling~

Jaune: Weiss… you fell face first as soon as I let go of you the first time you said that.

Weiss couldn't help but let out the occasional hiccup.

Weiss: Has *hic* has anyone ever told you… how beautifully green your eyes are?

Jaune sighed, but soon smiled at how cute Weiss was acting.

Jaune: You told me that over 5 times already, Snow Angel.

Weiss grew slightly irritated: Cause it's true!

Jaune couldn't help but kiss Weiss on the cheek.

Jaune: You're so adorable.

Weiss grumbled as they reached the dorm to which she quickly fell onto Jaune's bed… sniffing it.

Weiss: Ah~ it smells just like you~

Jaune: Alright… come on go take a shower… try to wash the alcohol smell.

Weiss was quick to complain: No… I wanna sleep with darling now.

Jaune: Fine… but I’m gonna go change, you should too.

Weiss beamed as Jaune agreed.

Weiss: Okay!

Jaune went into the bathroom to change and Weiss changed in the room. Jaune, as usual was in a tank top and boxers while Weiss wore some sleepwear, already asleep peacefully as she waited for Jaune.

Jaune rolled his eyes before crawling into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her head.

Jaune: I love you too, my princess.

/ / /

Still not sure on what ship I want to focus on. Also please leave a comment or something. I want feedback dammit.