#ceiling fan my true and only friend <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[jackredfieldwasmyjacob]

it would be lovely to not fucking sweat for ten seconds

[allukaed]

𝘽𝙄𝙍𝙏𝙃𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙒𝙄𝙎𝙃 — 𝘼𝙄𝙕𝘼𝙒𝘼 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙏𝘼

synopsis - it was his 30th birthday celebration, and you both intended to celebrate it only with you, him, and your precious cat.

cw - fluff, angst, loneliness

a/n - i tried to explore aizawa's character in depth, but i really have this plot in my mind. i couldnt just resist how it played in my head. but im gonna go into detail for the next part. 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢! . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

November 8.

You were to celebrate and say I love you.

In the four tight corners. Front of the glass window that reaches the ceiling down to the floor that overlooks the rest of a busy city. Bodies are set on the soft and big bean couch. With a cute black-coated bento cake in your hands, your cat Noir purring in the middle of your crossed legs. Candle lit, and the minimal words of “Hot and Thriving 30” decorated atop the frosting and all.

Gleaming a smile, you sang – a cross between passion and mechanical – a silly rendition of your little happy birthday song towards him. He was smiling warmly, and he never looked happier than in his whole life. Other than the fact that he thinks the message written on the cake is ridiculous he lets it gnaw its way through his smile.

“Sweet,” his endearing nickname always makes your cheeks flushed, “thank you.” He said after your little song.

“Blow a wish.” You airily muttered, cupping the lit candle against the sheer motion of some wind. “It’s your birthday after all.”

He glanced at you for a long time before his velvety voice echoed throughout the room, "Do I need to?" he raked a hand through Noir's fur, "I have everything I could wish for."

You felt your heartstrings tugged, earning a giggle from you. “C’mon, just make a wish!” You urged playfully, affection seeping into your nudge of his knee. “My hands are getting sore holding this cake.”

He smiled small, as he usually does. He never frowned at you, at least during the whole length of your relationship, it was all a blank slate of a face that could lead to a tiny smile or sarcasm, but he never made you feel wrong or sad with his signature grimace that was reserved for his friends or students.

“Alright.” He scoffed like a princess.

“1..2..3,” then he blew his candle.

“What did you wish for?” You probed cheekily, smearing a dark chocolate frosting on his cheek which he groaned for, swatting your hand away in the process. You put down the cake beneath you and started to cut four equal slices as it was just cutely sized. He wiped away the chocolate from his face while watching you do your ceremony.

Before buying the said birthday token, you already kept in mind that he wouldn't like it if you went out of your way to buy him any grandiose gifts, plus only the two of you were celebrating, so you settled for a bento cake instead. Although, he isn’t that much of a fan of sweets than you are.

“Won’t say or it won’t come true.” He grumbled, grabbing Noir who was trudging near the box of cake once it was alerted of the food’s presence, cradling the cat in his arms instead. He lightly tapped the cat’s head, "Bad for you." He told the cat, rubbing the pads of its paws, something the cat finds soothing.

You pouted. “Why? I should be an exception!” You insisted, rolling your eyes defiantly. “C’mooooooon, handsome! Don’t be unfair.” You dragged, bumping your head on his shoulder repeatedly.

His nose crunched, the idea of you pestering him to spill was somehow annoying but still endearing. It was just another trait of you that he has the patience to stand for, but couldn’t for others. If another person did this to him, he might strangle them with his scarf.

Still absentmindedly playing the cat, “Fine, just stop doing that.” He groaned, and your eyes twinkled elated. “Don’t say a word though.”

“Why?” You pondered.

“You find everything funny.” He deadpanned.

You were trying to stop a grin form on your face, and although you wanted to, you pursed your lips instead. “I won’t.” Your curiosity alive was barely able to hold back from your chest. You motioned a cross over your heart to symbolize a silent promise.

He took a brief look at you before he sighed, running his hands through Noir’s black fur, soft paps on its stomach. His brows furrowed slightly and his eyes darted away from you. It wasn’t like he was shy or hesitating, no, but for some reason, he was thoroughly contemplating whether he should say it out loud or rather keep it to himself. Decisiveness wavered him, he thought you deserved to know, and that his fickle musings were out of the ordinary.

His arm reached to you, locking you in a semi-embrace, the feline was surprised by the gesture and it meowed from your sudden weight, subsequently taking its leave from the man’s lap, leaving you two to your own devices.

“My only wish is,” he began, dipping his face into the top of your head and gripping your body closer to his, “for us to stay together.”

Your breath hitched, his musky notes percolating through your senses, and you found yourself dizzy from his words, his smell, his warmth, his embrace, and everything. You buried yourself further in his frame.

“No matter what happens, I will be with you, and you will be with me.” His voice was low and steady, and you hung onto the timbre of it. “I just want to be with you, for as long as possible, and I hope you do too.”

It rained.

Was it an outburst of happy tears, or was it actually drizzling outside your apartment complex? You couldn't care less, because what he was telling you was way way better than any tears of joy or rainfall. He doesn't have the luxury of being an open book, unlike you whose vulnerability always showcases, so hearing those words coming from his mouth was like a messiah preaching to his crestfallen student. It was comforting, exhilarating, a rush — but out of it all, it was love.

Gentle drizzle, like a lover’s kiss, fell upon the parched earth. Four tight corners conformed the two of you fondly. Two bodies coalesced, with you listening to every jump and thump of his heartbeat rhythmically. You clutched onto him firmly, more than ever, as if you don’t want to let go. You love him more than a story could write itself.

“Sweet,” he held your face, tilting you upward, “I’m not a man of a lot of words, but I always love you, even if you don’t hear it often.” He chuckled, emphasizing on the ‘always’. You stared at him with glossy eyes, tears forming on the edge of your lids, and you had no words to say. It was all surprising, yes, you sure were expecting something, but not an overwhelming whirlpool of emotions.

“I…” you mumbled, but your words trailed off. You couldn’t figure out the right words to say. No coherent string of words can muster up the feelings you were processing right now. “I love you too.”

He wiped the forming tears away, “Cat got your tongue?” he teased, a sly smirk tugged his lips.

Noir meowed on the floor.

“No… I..” You blushed, meekly shoving him away from you, avoiding his intense gaze. “I didn’t expect that at all… especially from you.” you protested. If a thousand shades of red were a person, it was you as of the moment.

“Really?” He arched an eyebrow, “You underestimate me, Sweet.” He grabbed your hand and lingered a few light kisses against your knuckles. His stubble unkempt, albeit it adds to his manly charm, was tickling your skin.

Your smile reached your eyes. “Maybe I do,” you giggled, “show me this side of you more often.” Your heart was still racing yet it dwindled every second that passed. With a vacant hand, you gently brushed a few black strands out of his face. He faintly leaned onto the back of your moving hand.

“I’ll try.” He held the hand he was peppering with kisses, intertwining with his. You smiled warmly, and all you could hear was his soft hums and the fireplace crackling. Casting a warm soft glow of his backlight, inviting a cozy sensation to the living room.

“Cake?” You suggested. Seeing how your cat was taking its chances to steal a bite, which you declared inedible to it a lot of times through a series of ‘no-no’ and head shakes.

“I’ll only take a bite of yours, I know that’s all yours to eat.” He shrugged, hinting at your sweet tooth.

“Rude!” You exclaimed while Noir meowed like it agreed with what he joked about. You gasped, glaring at the cat. “No treats for you.”

With a few I love yous exchanged, a lovingly tender interior, and a small tribute of a happy birthday. You celebrated your man’s thirtieth birthday.

November 8.

It was raining.

You were supposed to celebrate and say I love you.

In the wide corners. Grey filled the vast space of the apartment. Darkness enveloped the atmosphere, and you’ve realized that it was no four tight corners. The walls were continuous in many corners you haven’t counted. The whole house was massive, recognizing that it was never actually small in the first place. The duplex was quite big for a single person, and you have never felt lonelier than you ever did before.

A glass window engraved bottom to the ceiling shows that the heavens wept, their tears washing away any plans or events of the people scattered along the city. Were they happy or were they sad because of the rain? Nevertheless, you couldn't say the same sentiment applied to you. Matter of fact, it wasn’t the clouds’ fault but you have been crying along with the skies since then.

Everything felt dull. No rush, no comfort, no exhilaration, and most of all — there was no love to be found. Only you who was sat on a big bean couch that was meant for two people, emptily staring ahead the window, observing the monsoon rain unleashing its despair in the city.

Ever since he left, the welcoming warmth of your — used to be, both of your — house turned to an unbidden coldness. The air was thick and damp, clinging to your skin like a wet blanket. You hugged your knees close to your chest, restraining the shivers escaping you. It was incredibly silent in a way you can hear your staggered lament and muffled chokes, truly an epitome of discomfort. A tremendous display of consequences after all of what happened.

Your cat announced its presence, jumped up to you with its chubby legs, and let out a meow beside you, purring incessantly. You sniffled, hiccups taking turns, not even bothering to look at the feline (which it isn’t amused of, by the way).

“No happy birthdays for now, Noir.”

There was a lighter within your hand and you fiddled with its flame. This was the lighter you used to light a certain man’s birthday cake. How could you forget? There was no way you could ever forget. Your thumb pressed and pulled away from the button over and over, warm hue flickering on and on. On and off and on and off and on and off and on and off. You mindlessly played it.

Until you click on the final pressure against the button.

“Guess it didn’t come true, Shota.”

You blew the flame but you didn’t let go.

[yeostars]

ᝰ.ᐟ꩜ Down bad, but at what cost?

ʬʬ yeostars 2024™

•pairing- academic rivals to lovers.ᐟ kang yeosang x y/n •genre- academic rivals to lovers.ᐟ angst.ᐟ fluff.ᐟ a few bits of slice of life here and there. •synopsis- kang yeosang. your sworn academic rival, your enemy, your nemesis. he's got everything: from outstanding looks, that smart sexy brain of his, and....a perfect personality. well, is it actually perfect? Yeosang, the perfect kang yeosang, who appears to be the politest, nicest, most well mannered gentleman on the outside....what does he hide behind that facade of his? And why does he only show his true colours to you, his sworn enemy? And why.... god forbid why, do you have to fall for him? you, y/n, not anything less than him; you're just as a perfect role model student and an academic topper like him. Together, you would make the perfect "power couple" a title the entire school has given to the both of you. But it's never supposed to be anything like that. You're not supposed to get involved with yeosang in such a way.... he's your rival, and that's it. To hell with this growing attraction towards your rival, but what if, just what if....yeosang feels the same towards you.. You're down bad for kang yeosang.....but at what cost? •warnings- mentions of family conflict, nothing more except for angst/conflicts in some parts. •author's note- I've alwaysss wanted to write a enemies/rivals to lovers story featuring yeosang aka my bias, and seems like I got hold of the perfect plot in mind for the same. To my fellow enemies to lovers enthusiasts and yeodongies, this one is for y'all. !! In one of the ending scenes, there's inspo taken from the English translation of the song lyrics "Kaise Hua" :) pls ignore the typos, i don't proofread and i just realised, while reviewing this fic after posting that i made quite a few typos at the end, sorry for thatt 😭😭 Notes, reblogs, comments, follows & shares are always immensely appreciated <3. Enjoy reading ❤️

Amidst the soft rustling of the pages and the gentle hum of the ceiling fans, you peeked out of the nearby glass window, suddenly admiring how pretty the trees and clouds looked like. You could've sworn today was a good day indeed. You continued skimming through your mathematics textbook and grabbed your pen to note down a formula you had a hard time understanding the concept of.

And ofcourse, to make your day worse (or better, but you would never admit that) he had to step into the library. Just the perfect timing to get blessed by your presence, kang yeosang.

So much to ask for a normal, peaceful day..

You didn't even look up to see him, or perhaps even acknowledge his presence, when he sat opposite your direction, just a few chairs away. You didn't need to acknowledge his presence. It wasn't like he was your friend, that was your sworn enemy, your academic rival.

He quietly sat down, placing his designer school bag at a chair alongside the one where he was sitting, and placed a textbook on the table, flipping a few pages. Okay, maybe you were staring at him, but he didn't need to know that. You had the ability to stare at someone without them knowing that you were staring at them. That's what you've done all this time, to have a long, good, piercing stare at yeosang, and notice just everything about him. ... without him knowing that you're so interested in him and everything he does.

You didn't know why the tension in the room suddenly seemed...... intense. It was all good a few minutes ago, when you were peacefully studying alone. It's peaceful now, too, ofcourse. Yeosang was, by no means, a loud person. The only noise in the room was that of the ceiling fans, and the soft rustle of the book pages. Just like before.

But now, you were alone in the library halls with your rival. Nothing serious, right? You could get your studying done in a few and leave. No biggie. There was no need to get nervous around him.

But the problem was, that well, you did feel nervous around him. So nervous that your hands started sweating and your grip on the pen you were holding, tightened. And he-kang yeosang, probably doesn't give a single shit. Why would he? He's here to get studying done like you, too, nothing else.

You clicked your tongue, repeatedly clicking your pen without even realising it, as you continued to just stare at the formula you just noted down in your notebook.

Why was it so hard to understand this one? You tried to wrap your head around this formula for quite a few minutes, now, even after yeosang joined you in the library. And you still couldn't understand how to apply this formula in the sum you were supposed to solve. Saying that you were losing your mind right now was a understatement. Maybe you should've paid more attention during maths lecture, but even if you did, you knew that there was still a possibility that you would have a hard time with it.

Because, really, mathematics just wasn't your cup of tea.

"What could possibly be a subject that has you loosing your absolute shit, y/n?" You heard a voice, loud and clear, and you almost wished you didn't have the ability to hear.

Because you knew where this was going.

"Ah, ofcourse - it's mathematics. The only subject that my beloved rival can't beat me in." Yeosang said, chuckling softly.

You raised your head, now making direct eye contact him, and ofcourse, he had his usual smirk plastered on that perfect freaking face.

He looked.....just as perfect as always. You hated to admit it but yeosang was definitely the most good-looking guy you had ever seen in your life. A "literal greek god" "a living statue" were the names given to him by the entire school- and you couldn't disagree.

He raised an eyebrow as you realised that you were mindlessly staring at the collar of his shirt, and your cheeks immediately flushed, as you moved your gaze back to your books.

"S-shut up, yeosang." You replied. Those two words, "shut up" are probably the only words that you say to yeosang. And it has him smirking even wider, every time.

"Aw, c'mon, I bet you need my help with whatever sum you're stuck with, right there." He said, trying to get a better look at your notebook from where he was sitting. But it didn't help much because he was kinda far away from you.

He was correct, you did need his help. Kang yeosang, the straight A's student in every subject including mathematics, your weakest spot. You got A's in mathematics, too, but not always. The "B" grade on your result sheet alongside mathamatics was getting quite common in the past years, and it never failed to ruin you.

But you weren't going to take his help. No, never. You would walk a thousand miles at the doorstep of your cranky mathamatics professor and ask for his help, but asking Yeosang for helping you? Not possible. You both never asked the latter for any help in a subject before. If yeosang did help you in solving your doubt, it would definitely be the first time he's ever helped you. You would get to know how your rival grasps a particular concept and how he tutors someone.... and you were dying to know this.

"I AM struggling with a concept here, but I don't need your help. I'm sure I'll get it soon if I connect some dots." You replied, almost talking to yourself. Liar. This shitty formula was getting over your head and there was no way you'd understand it by yourself now.

Yeosang scowled, suddenly got up from his seat and walked towards you. Your heartbeat, your stupid heartbeat quickened, as he stood alongside where you were sitting, resting his hand against your textbook. After a quick glance at your books, he looked at you.

"Don't tell me you're struggling with THIS formula. It was literally just taught to us, like last week." He said, and the fact that he was so close to you right now, his words made even more impact. Stupid, stupid girl. He was right. You should'nt be struggling with a formula that was just recently taught to you.

Everyone has their own weaknesses, right? Maths was yours, obviously. But it was bitter to admit that in front of kang yeosang, the so called mathamatics genius.

"So what? If you're just gonna tease me on this, leave. I'll ask Mr. Kim tomorrow, he'll explain me better than you will." You replied coldly, a small pout forming on your lips, as you still stared at the books in front of you, not daring to look at yeosang.

"Well, good for you, I'm here instead. Perhaps i could waste a few minutes of mine teaching you this." He said, smirking yet again.

"I TOLD you I will ask Mr. Kim tomorrow, no thanks-"

"So are you stuck on how to use this formula in this sum or you didn't even get the basic understanding of this formula?" Yeosang asked, not even letting you finish your sentence, as he pulled out the chair alongside yours and sat besides you.

Well, you guess, you didn't really have a choice now.

"I just don't get how you apply this formula to a sum, like this example, stated right here...." You said, pointing towards a section in your textbook. Yeosang leaned in closer, listening to you carefully, and you could've sworn your heart was about to burst right then and there. He was leaning in to get a better look at your textbook and not leaning TOWARDS YOU, y/n. Get that inside your head.

"Hmm. Got it. So basically, you...." Yeosang started, and somehow, his voice was gentler as he started explaining the concept to you. It always baffled you how yeosang maintained his two-faced personality. Not in a negative way, really. But that was just one of the many things you noticed about him.

He always acted so polite, so gentle, so kind and appeared so well mannered with everyone. You never even saw him teasing someone playfully. He acted so unlike all the other rowdy boys in your school....It was like he somehow has some reputation to uphold.

And here, with you, the same kang yeosang that appeared as the kindest, most innocent soul- never missed an opportunity to tease you. The unending smirks plastered on his face on your every interaction with him, the unending banters on every possible topic, the unending teasing when you got even ONE mark less than him on a test, the unending playfulness whenever he was with you.

You don't even know when it all started, the fact that yeosang treated you differently. You weren't even sure if that was his true personality. You wanted to very badly, believe that it was. It had to be, right? Somehow it felt like he revealed his true colours to you, every time you guys shared a moment together.

"And that's how you do it. Common, solve a sum in front of me. I want to see if you understood what I just explained." He said, and you brought yourself back to reality. Oh, right. The freaking formula. So bossy, you thought. Why did you have to solve the sum in his presence? It wasn't like this was a test or that he was your tutor.

You complied, regardless, because well, he surely did help you for this one. You picked up your pen and started solving the sum according to that formula, all while yeosang had his gaze fixated on you solving the sum.

Fuck, if he's gonna stare at me like that, I might as well go to square one wherein i didn't understand a single thing.

You were nervous about making even a single mistake or appearing dumb in front of him. You continued solving, his explanation ringing in your head and voilà, you reached the conclusion. YOU SOLVED THE FREAKING SUM AND UNDERSTOOD THAT FORMULA!!!

You gaped at the notebook in front of you, not believing that you actually did it. You looked at yeosang and couldn't help but notice the small smile playing on his lips, almost as if he's proud.

"Thanks a lot....yeosang. That saved me lots of headaches, to be honest." He really was your lifesaver that day.

"Anytime. If rivals don't help each other, then who will?" He said, a genuine smile on his face. Witnessing that smile made your heart flutter. Damn, he looked good when he was genuinely smiling. He also looked hot when he's smirked every time. Fuck, he looked attractive all the time, and you should NOT be acknowledging or admitting that fact.

"Did you.....just replace friends with rivals in that phrase?" You said, laughing. You couldn't believe this man.

"Yeah, so what? We're rivals, after all, aren't we?" Yeosang replied, amused by the fact that he made you laugh.

"That's true. Think about it, this might be the very first time I've ever thanked you for something...you haven't really done something that's worth me thanking you." You said, and suddenly the air between the both of you felt.... lighter. Free of some sort of tension that was always there between the both of you. It was almost as if the both of you were friends, instead of rivals, having your casual banters..

"well, be grateful for that, i guess? You owe me one for today, by the way." He said, his tone a little manipulative. Well, here we're back to the original kang yeosang, you thought.

"Sure, if you need some sorta help regarding science, hit me up, although I doubt you that you will." You said, and immediately regretted the last words.

You basically admitted that you think he's a genius.

"And why do you think I won't need your help in science? That's the only subject that you're.....kinda....good at. And better than me, I guess." He admitted, sheepishly running his palms across the back of his neck.

"Yeah well, just because. If you do need some help with that though, don't hesitate to ask me, I'd be happy to teach my...rival. to return your favour, ofcourse." You said, closing all your books and packing then in your bag. Yeosang hummed at your words, getting up and returning to his original seat, as he tried to get back at what he was studying, not questioning the fact that you were already leaving.

You spared him one last glance as you exited the library, scrolling through your phone, totally not trying to think about how today's events with yeosang had your stomach swooning.

Another boring day at school. Currently, it was the third lecture and the history professor was late.....yet again. As you spinned the pen on your hand mindlessly, you thought about what menu would be served at the cafeteria today. Yesterday, it was something you didn't quite like much. You kept manifesting in your mind that they serve your favourite, katsu curry today.

Your boredom and mindless spacing came to an halt as the class intercom cackled to life. The usual "mic check" continued for the first few seconds, and all the students of your class suddenly stopped what they were doing, only to listen to the announcement that was to be made.

You straightened up, and didn't really bother listening unless you heard your name being called out on the intercom speakers. your name. along with kang yeosang's name. the actual hell?!?!

"Dear students, attention please. This is urgent. Choi Y/N and Kang Yeosang, kindly report to the main halls immediately. I repeat, Choi Y/N and Kang Yeosang, kindly report to the main halls immediately."

You opened your eyes wide, and you almost didn't believe your ears and the announcement, until you saw all your classmates staring at you....and yeosang, curious gazes and gossips spreading everywhere. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, and cocked your head back to the seats behind to see yeosang, who seemed just as confused as you were.

He met your eyes, as you both shared a bewildered look together. As he rose from his seat, agonizingly slowly, you did the same, following him outside your classroom.

"Surely I didn't do anything that's worth getting detention? Have you, y/n?" Yeosang asked, as casually as possible. As if the fact that the both of them were called together, alone, to the main halls was nothing surprising to him.

And here, you were trying to catch your breath, thinking of all possibilities as to WHY you, along with yeosang- your academic rival of all people, were called together, an announcement that was heard by the entire school.

"Ofcourse i didn't. For your information, I'm a role model student, and didn't even receive a single scolding by any teachers in my entire life- let alone a detention." You huffed, cursing mentally at yeosang for even thinking of you doing something worth of getting detention.

"So am i, smartass. Well then, since we're both the goodie two shoes, WHAT possibly could've been so urgent that they called the both of us...together?" Yeosang asked, sparing you a quick glance as the both of you continued to walk side by side, on your way to the main hall.

"How in the world would i know? I'm just as clueless as you. Why would they even need the both of us at the same time?" You asked, shrugging. At the shrug, you kinda gave off the impression that you didn't like....all this. The fact that you were summoned along with your dear rival. But that wasn't true in the slightest. More than anything, you craved to be together with yeosang, you treasured each moment you were together, nowadays. Even though it wasn't often.

You tend to ignore asking yourself, why do you even feel this way. Perhaps since the both of you aren't really together all the time, except for insulting each other, your playful banters and teasing from time to time, you actually looked forward to just...being with him. Being in his presence. Him giving you attention. Even though it was literally just him teasing the hell outta you and giving you the cold shoulder sometimes (you did too).

Maybe, just maybe, yeosang felt the same- enjoying all the time you both spent together, even though it wasn't much. Why would he even tease you in the first place if he didn't? You remember, something your mum used to say during your childhood: the people who tease you, and pretend to hate you, actually like you, because they want your attention.

Oh, how badly you wanted to believe your mom's words.

"Are you getting inside the lift or...?" Yeosang said, pressing a button to widen the lift doors as they were just about to close. You snapped out of your overthinking, your overthinking about the fact that every single word you say or the action that you do- affects yeosang- kang yeosang in some way.

"Oh, shoot. Sorry." You said sheepishly, getting alongside Yeosang in the lift.

As you both reached the main hall, you were greeted by your school's vice principal and your homeroom teacher, almost as if waiting for the both of you to arrive. As you and yeosang bowed down to greet them, they exchanged quick glances with each other, and then led the both of you near the tables at the far away corner of the hall.

The vice principal sat down in one of the chairs, and your homeroom teacher stood alongside the both of you.

"So. I know this might seem surprising because we called the both of you together, but trust me, this isn't anything serious or negative. So stop with those nervous glances because you both are the best disciplined students of our grade, and you know it." Your homeroom teacher, Mr. Jung, assured the both of you, as relief spread through your veins. You could even feel yeosang sighing in relief besides you.

"Mr. Jung, why were the both of us called here, then...?" You asked, your tone inquisitive.

"I'll let you know the reason, students." Said your vice principal, Mrs. Park. All three of you shifted your attention and gazes towards her as she started speaking.

"As you both are already aware, our school has decided to redesign the uniforms for the entire school, ranging from all grades. And well, we got to have our first glance at the finalized, redesigned uniforms last week, and they look amazing. We decided to choose you, y/n, and yeosang, as the models for our new school uniform photoshoot. Basically, you both have to wear and promote the redesigned uniforms and pose together for a little shoot. That's it."

Your hands immediately cupped your mouth, and your eyes widened not believing that you were chosen as a MODEL for your school. ALONG with your rival.

Yeosang let out a soft chuckle, and you realised that he was laughing at your shocked expression.

"May I know why you chose the both of us as models....and not someone else?" Yeosang inquired, now appearing quite bewildered at the situation of being chosen as a model himself.

The both of us. Not just him. He really asked why they chose the both of you as models.

"Ah, well, I won't say that the fact that both of you are the top students not only on academics but also as general role model students didn't tempt me to choose the both of you, but what can I say... you both have extremely good looks. And good body proportions. That's why I thought that the the both of you were the most ideal students for the shoot." Mrs. Park said, a small, appreciative smile on her face.

You blushed immediately at her words. The fact that the VICE PRINCIPAL just admitted that you have extremely good looks and good body proportions... you felt like you were on cloud nine.

"Thank you, ma'am" The both of you said, yes, you actually said "thank you" at the same time with yeosang.

"The pleasure's all mine." She said.

"Well then, the shoot was actually going to take place tomorrow but the photographer checked in with us, and said that today was a ideal day to get the shoot done, as long the models are ready. What do you both think? We'll provide you with the new school uniforms so you can get changed into them and get some light makeup done." Mr. Jung said, quite enthusiastically. Your teacher, your teacher who is probably 35 years older than you, acted quite cute sometimes.

TODAY. PHOTOSHOOT. YEOSANG. WHAT??

As you tried to register the fact that the photoshoot was taking place TODAY, and the fact that you were chosen as a model with yeosang.....

"Also, don't worry about missing the lectures. Like, at all. We'll let all the teachers know that the both of you are occupied with this schedule today." Mr. Jung added, catching the slight expression of worry on your faces.

"Oh, okay. T-thats great. Thank you, Mr. Jung. I think I'm ready to get the shoot done today." You replied, mustering up all your courage. You weren't going to let this opportunity go to waste. Why would you, even? This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Hell, you couldn't even believe that there would be a photoshoot of you and yeosang together. Just the both of you. You felt like you were dreaming, for real.

After your response, yeosang also assured the both of them, saying that he was also ready for the shoot taking place today.

well, of course you are ready, kang yeosang. you wouldn't imagine any other response from him, like him saying no for the photoshoot with you. You had some pride of your own, and you'd protect it...

.

You stepped into the small makeup room backstage of the main hall, immediately walking towards the giant body mirror to check yourself and your new school uniform out. Damn, the new uniform sure did look better than the current uniform that you were wearing. It seemed like a levelled-up version of your school uniform; it consisted of a tailored navy blazer with gold patterns along the edges, adding an overall touch of elegance. Beneath the blazer, you wore a neat, ironed white collared shirt, and a navy blue skirt tucked the shirt perfectly. A notable feature was the gold emblem of your school icon, printed at the edge of your skirt and on the socks you were wearing. Your shiny black boots added a classic touch to your outfit. You looked quite sophisticated and youthful, the exact concept you were going for the photoshoot.

As you sat down on one of the chairs in front of a mirror, a lady, already waiting for your arrival in the room, asked you about which hairstyle you would like to get done. You requested her to do something neat yet mildly fancy, keeping your hair open. As she was working on your hair, the door opened wider, and Yeosang stepped in, looking..... even better than usual. Just when you thought this guy couldn't look any more attractive than he already is.....

You noticed that he was wearing a navy blue blazer just like yours, his crisp, white ironed shirt pleated and tucked in his perfectly ironed trousers. And of course, his hair was styled just right. like always. You hated to admit it but he looked more handsome than usual...

You noticed every single detail of his appearance in less than a few seconds. Hell, who would want their rival to know that they're checking them out?

After checking himself out in the mirror, his hand never left the pocket of his trousers, even as he sat down on a chair alongside yours. Arrogant as always, you thought. But he immediately removed that hand as another lady entered the room, asking Yeosang about his hairstyle. He looked so polite while explaining to her what exactly he wanted, you thought that he just wanted to piss you off half of the time. And then go back to his gentlemanly appearance when you both weren't alone. what a guy.

You were a little too bothered about the fact that yeosang was seated right besides you. and the fact that you were pretty close to each other. AND the fact that you both could see each other in the side mirror in front of you.

And guess what? You did. Just as you looked up in the mirror to check the progress of your hairstyle, you noticed that Yeosang was also checking himself out. His eyes met yours in the mirror, and you could have sworn he smirked a little as he checked you out for a second. You immediately looked away, but you could feel it in your bones, the fact that Yeosang didn't look away like you did. His gaze was burning, burning holes into your skin. You felt exposed in some manner. God, he was literally just staring at you and that made you loose your absolute shit.

Very soon, you both were done with your final look for the photoshoot. You were thankful that it didn't take any longer, or else you were just a shot away from calling in sick for the photoshoot. Yeosang staring at you was to be blamed for that.

As you both entered the room designated for your school uniform photoshoot, you stepped aside for a minute to call your mom and let her know about this precious opportunity. You were quite surprised when she said that she already knew that you were chosen for the photoshoot... even before than you came to know about it. She asked you to do well and pose some pretty poses with yeosang, and murmured a soft "hwaiting" as you thanked her and ended the call.

As you stepped into the middle of the room, where you were supposed to be seated alongside yeosang on the giant sofa and standing alongside him for the other. The photographer greeted the both of you and instructed a few poses. You carefully listened to his recommendations, and so did yeosang; adjusting his posture. This moment suddenly felt surreal to you. You tilted your head slightly and glanced at yeosang, and you would have never believed before if someone told you that you were gonna do a photoshoot together.

But here you were, the bright ceiling lights flashing over you, your beloved rival standing right beside you. You snapped out of your thoughts and gasped internally when yeosang shifted closer towards you. Well, it's not like he did that by his own will. The photographer insisted you shift closer to him, too, and you awkwardly did, and now your shoulders were brushing together. You could feel the heat radiating from his body, and you couldn't deny the effect it had on you. You glanced up at him for a second and realised how you were almost the same height as him. So, if he were to hug you from behind, his head would be touching yours. WHAT??? CHOI Y/N, SNAP OUT OF YOUR THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW.

He stared right back at you, and it felt like the world around you had disappeared.... just the both of you in your own little bubble, exchanges of gazes filled with tension and lust and whatnot. As rivals, of course, you were competing in this aspect too- competing of who was going to look away first, because neither of you was backing down from this. The photographer let out a whistle and the both of you broke your eye contact, your gazes now directly at the camera. You could feel his flushed face besides yours...

The photoshoot progressed smoothly, and the photographer was quite pleased with the results. For the very last pose as the photo shoot came to an end, the photographer insisted that you place your elbow against Yeosang's shoulder, adding that it would make you look powerful. You hesitated for a second as you turned your head to look at Yeosang, staring at that gorgeous Adam's apple down his throat. Fuck, was he actually feeling nervous? Just like you? The arrogant, teasing, playful, confident Kang Yeosang that you knew, felt nervous around you for the first time....

You quickly placed your elbow against yeosang's shoulder, as he leaned down a little to support your movement, and you felt your heart beat impeccably faster. Then, both of you fixated your fierce and confident gazes towards the camera, as the bright flash passed your eyes and all the people present in the room started applauding, praising the both of you. That was when you realised, how you and Yeosang were the pride of your school, how you were chosen for this photoshoot together. How the entire school regarded you as the "power duo" or the "power couple", and how that never failed to get you blushing uncontrollably. You wondered how Yeosang felt about that, about al this. Did it affect him just as much as it did to you?

You caught your breath that seemed to be stuck in your throat, as you shifted away from Yeosang, a little breathless. It wasn't like you both had kissed, goddammit, that it has to affect every cell in your body when he was even an inch close to you.

You cracked your knuckles, meeting Yeosang's eyes yet again, as he passed you a small smile. Of course, the smile had to be replaced by a smirk in less than a second because he was with you, after all. He walked closer to you, extending his hand towards you.

"Good job today, rival. I hate to admit it, but i guess we both had quite the.... chemistry, during the photo shoot. Which is UNEXPECTED, since it's the both of us. But yeah, all this today was....nice. Hope we can tolerate each other just like this in the future."

You huffed, passing him the same smile he had flashed you earlier, and gently shook his hand. electricity. you felt yourself shiver internally as your hand touched his. You wanted to pull back but just for an extra second, you felt Yeosang not letting go. As he pulled back, though- your palm still lingered with his touch.

"Good job to you too, rival. I can't believe that we just spent almost an hour together, without not insulting or teasing each other. I guess, we got along well today, too." You teased. Yeosang let out a sarcastic laugh, as the both of you parted ways, an eventful day coming to an..end.

Your photoshoot today with Yeosang sure as hell was going to be imprinted in your mind, your body, and your soul. The atmosphere filled with tension, the never-ending shared glances towards each other filled with lust and dare you say, desire, marked a new chapter into whatever your relationship was. The universe was almost begging the both of you to acknowledge the attraction both of you had towards each other.

Every day, Song Jia always had to be the one pushing your buttons. That girl, your best friend, ALWAYS had to make you more delusional than you already were. Half of the time, even though you knew you where physically attracted to yeosang (even you couldn't deny that) you felt like Jia helped you bring your fantasies come to life. For instance , she always left you alone whenever she saw yeosang making his way towards you- either for teasing you or insulting you, something like that. Your jaw almost fell open when you saw that girl run at the speed of light after passing you a smirk, telling you to go "shoot your shot"

And you didn't know if you wanted to thank her and hug her for that or kick her ass for that....

Like always, she had her arm linked around yours, the both of you staring at the photoshoot pictures with yeosang, that your homeroom teacher mailed you. You both were making your way to the music room, and that girl just would'nt stop hitting your arm with their other hand, grinning cheekily after literally gluing her eyes to your phone screen, observing every little detail.

"Damn y/n, this has the be the biggest shot you've ever shooted in your life.. You get what I mean, right? Can you even imagine that you'd have official photoshoots, with your dear rival that you're secretly head over heels for?!" She said, smirking a little.

"C'mon now, don't put it like that. I'm not head over heels for him. Just a little.... attracted, to him, I guess. Still not a fan of that arrogant ass of his, though." You huffed.

And she practically SQUEALED, no exaggeration, after seeing the very last photoshoot picture, your elbow resting on yeosang's shoulder, your gazes looking quite fierceful and confident towards the camera. You couldn't help but blush, smiling at how perfect that picture was.

"Attagirl!!! That's my y/n. Look at how you both are literally the POWER COUPLE of the school. Start dating already, you know." She said, and slapped her arm lightly, as she let out a fake "owww"

You were walking on the large staircase leading you to the fourth floor, where the music room was. You slipped your phone inside your skirt pocket, your arm still linked with Jia's.

As you were walking further downstairs, you spotted a familiar head ahead you. You could recognise that guy anywhere, no matter what angle of his was facing you.

Kang yeosang, holding up his phone, quite concentrated on whatever he was seeing on his phone screen, while making his way downstairs as well.

Suddenly, a red haired girl bumped into yeosang from behind. Quite a painful bump, you thought, but then you noticed that she was about to have an awful fall down the stairs if she didn't pull herself together.

Ofcourse, she didn't fall. Not really. How would she, when a gentleman in the form of yeosang, was there?

It was as if yeosang's reflexes clicked in, he immediately wrapped his strong arms around that redhead's back, steadying her and preventing her from falling. He didn't let go, his arms still on her shoulder as that girl turned behind to look at him, an apologetic and embarrassed look on her face.

And obviously, concern and worry had to be spread on your rivals face, as he seemed to be inquiring her if she was alright, his voice as polite and calm and sweet, a voice you would have never expected him to pull off if he was talking to you. And his arms were still on her shoulder. You glared at that arm so strongly, it was as if holes would have burned on his skin.

They seemed to be chatting for a good few minutes, passing smiles and chatting with each other. All this time, you seemed to be froze in your place, right while standing halfway through the stairs. And Jia, ofcourse, was still with you, glancing at you and biting her lips, passing you and apologetic look, knowing how witnessing this made you feel.

An obvious pang of jealousy coursed through your veins, as you witnessed the scene unfold after you. You glared at the both of them, not just yeosang, with such intensity, if someone would have looked at you, they would've thought you were gonna pick up a fight for sure.

What even was this feeling? Jealousy? Seriously, you never felt jealous of or for anyone in your life before....and you were obviously feeling jealous..for whom? Yeosang? Your rival? You narrowed your eyes down towards the floor and sighed, pulling Jia along with you, as you marched towards the music room.

During the entire music lecture, you couldn't concentrate on anything going on in the class. It was as if you were sorting your feelings out, and waves of embarrassment and confusion washed over you. You were a foolish, stupid girl. Say, what right did you even have, to feel jealous ? You weren't even dating yeosang or anything, hell, you were his sworn rival. Who feels this way towards their rival? No one. Only you.

To make things even worse, you were out here, imagining what it would be like if you were in that redheads place. What it would be like if it was you who was almost about to fall, and how your heart would've belated out of your chest, goosebumps forming on your skin when yeosang would have wrapped those strong arms around you, asking if you were okay in that sweet, polite voice.

Maybe, you wanted yeosang to treat you that way too. By no means, were you his close friend or anything, but sometimes you wished that he treated you that gently, too.

You wondered how it would be like to get THE kang yeosang worrying about you and giving you all his attention, passing you soft and gentle smiles of reassurance.

And yet, you knew this was never going to happen. Snap out of your thoughts, stupid girl.

The music lecture continued and ended in no time, as the bittersweet realization about your true feelings about yeosang washed over you, and how utterly foolish you were to fall so hard, so deep for your rival, out of all people.

You remember the first time you found Kang Yeosang attractive. The first time you realised that you, y/n, found your sworn academic rival physically attractive. And also the first time you realised how utterly stupid you were, how you were going to regret all this because yeosang, on the other hand, probably didn't even give a shit about you except for the times he liked to push your buttons and piss you off.

It was during the inter-school debate competition that took place a few months ago. You and Yeosang had been chosen as partners, as a duo, as your school's representatives for the battle. That was actually the first time and the longest time you two had been together, in each other's company. You were not really panicking about being in yeosang's company at that time, because back then you weren't actually attracted to him like you were, in the present. More than anything, you were a little pissed, a little bothered, and quite nervous about having your rival as your partner. You knew you would have to get along with him during the competition and that if you exposed your stupidity for even a second or messed things up, Yeosang would sure as hell tease you and blame everything negative on you.

So, the trickiest part about the competition was that it was an on-the-spot debate battle. This meant that you could try and prepare all you wanted with your partner, but it wouldn't really be of any good because the topics were to be chosen on the spot, and you were supposed to give the fiercest debate against your opponent on the spot along with your partner. But you weren't really worrying about this much. Because both you and yeosang were the most stubborn people to exist on earth, with words so sharp and powerful, just like that of an accomplished lawyer. Once you both even opened your mouth to refute, your opponent would beg the judges to put an end to the debate and announce you both as the winners. And that's what had actually happened, but not exactly:

The debate had been going pretty well, you and yeosang actually tolerated each other for once and in fact, were working very well together. Every time you added a new point to the topic, Yeosang supported it with additions of his own and acted as your back support. You did the same for him, of course. Your opponents were flustered with how good both of you were and how powerful your arguments were, they almost gave up and you both could sense it, by the way their arguments became so weak at the end. Just when the both of you were going to win the final debate (you had already won the semi-finals with flying colors), something infuriating had to happen, that acted as a barrier to you both winning the final match.

The atmosphere shifted perceptibly as the principal of the opposing school was seen having a hushed, yet visibly intense, conversation with one of the judges. The judge's responses and reactions to you and yeosang appeared unusually reserved, suddenly cheering for the opposing team when they hadn't before, all this time. You and yeosang, of course, noticed this change and were equally confused.

As the final rebuttal concluded, you glanced at yeosang seated beside you, studying every feature and expression on his face at that moment: his jaw was clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek as he practically glared every time the principal of the opposing team spoke with the judges. His eyes, which usually appeared all lively and soft and polite, were now narrowed into slits of sheer anger. His nostrils flared slightly and his lips narrowed into a thin line, both his hands turned into fists, supporting his chin as they rested on the table. As you caught this rare, unguarded display of emotion from your rival, an unexpected surge of attraction bubbled within you. This had to be the worst time possible for you to be feeling physically attracted to your rival, and of course, you were also very pissed off at the ongoing situation.

You just couldn't help but find him hot, during that time. You had never even batted an eye against yeosang before and here you were, deeply simping for the guy beside you. You wondered, how turned on you would be, if it was you that did something to piss yeosang off, and if he pinned you against the wall and kissed yo-

You could slap yourself in your face for such thoughts. The judges finally announced the results, favouring the opposing team and the audience suddenly felt pity for your team, passing murmurs in disbelief. Yeosang's face stiffened, as he turned to face you, his anger clearly visible. Throughout the debate, he had subtly steered the tougher questions towards himself, (even when he didn't need to) shielding you from the more aggressive tactics of your opponents. You felt your heart flutter at such moments, admiring and feeling gratitude towards yeosang despite him being your rival in reality.

You passed him a soft smile of reassurance, despite you feeling defeated and equally pissed inside.

"We know that we were the better team today, Yeosang. I know we should have won the finals. Well, nothing much we can do now, is it?" You said, your small smile turning into that of a self pity smile.

"I know. I-Its just not fair, y/n. I feel more angered rather than defeated right now- i don't want to give up, even if the results are announced." Yeosang replied, his expression returning to normal after chatting with you.

"I don't want to give up too, you know. If we decide to speak up right now, would anyone even believe us? And what if the judges actually found Sarah and Kyungsoo's debate better than ours? We can't be sure about that." You said, sighing deeply. Yeosang sighed along with you, looking as if the storm within him hadn't resolved.

Yet, he chose to do whatever you were willing to do: which was, just accepting the results. You both had won second place anyway, and you were satisfied with that. You both didn't really talk about the debate competition after that day. But you both had let each other know, that day, that you were proud of yourselves and each other for doing your best in that debate.

Something changed that day, about your relationship, your dynamics with Yeosang. It was after that day you noticed yeosang showing his true colors to you, the way he clearly loosened up when he was with you, the way he playfully teased and insulted you, it was something he didn't do before. You like to think of that period as the one where you started getting closer to him, something beyond your mere rivals or enemies dynamic.

The library was bathed with soft glow of the moonlight, air heavy with the scent of old books. Just as you tossed the keys from the drawer of the main table and put it in your pocket, you remembered that you weren't the only one present in the library at this time.

Instead of heading for the main door to leave, you chose to head inside and obviously, caught sight of a man slumped up on the table, his hands folded, supporting his head as he slept or atleast, pretended to sleep.

It was none other than your rival, Yeosang. You've been noticing this since the past few days. Yeosang would stay late, at hours after 8 pm, into the library and just would'nt go home. Even today, you turned around and glanced at the huge clock and checked the time even on your smartwatch. 8.05 pm.

That was your cue to leave, after seeing the time and when the clock striked 8.00 pm because it was too late to stay outside home. And yeosang should also be heading home and do whatever he wanted to do at his home instead of the library. You were appointed as the co-manager of the library and had to lock the gates up as you left. You had figured that the librarian had possibly given yeosang and extra key to lock up and leave, since otherwise you were the only one who had access to the keys.

You were about to leave, but you weren't going to ignore this today. You approached yeosang cautiously.

"Yeosang." You called out, your voice firm.

He didn't wake up to acknowledge you. You called out again, this time mentioning his full name.

"Kang Yeosang." You said, your voice now louder and firmer.

Yeosang looked up at you now, exhaustion etched into his features. You could tell that he wasn't really sleeping but well, wanted to sleep.

"What?" He asked, maintaining eye contact with you, looking at you as if you had disturbed his precious quality sleep.

"What are you still doing here? It's pretty late. Head home or something, dude." You said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"None of your business, y/n. I'll go when I want to." He deadpanned, his posture still a little bent as if he was going back to sleep on the desk yet again and waiting for you to leave.

"It is my business, actually. Look- I'm not trying to sound worried or something, but I've noticed since the past 3 days you're staying at such ungodly hours at the library and won't head home, when you're supposed to. If you didn't already know, I'm the co-manager of this library and have to lock the gates up. And for that, I need you to leave." You said, folding your arms, waiting for his next rebuttal.

"Don't worry about all that. I- the librarian gave me an extra set of keys so I'll lock the gates and everything carefully before I leave. You're free to go home." He said, his expression quite flustered now, upon hearing that you've been noticing his peculiar behaviour since the past few days.

"And what excuse did you give to the librarian? I bet she questioned you for asking for those extra set of keys." You inquired, leaning against one of the book shelves now, still maintaing eye contact with yeosang across the room.

"Uhh, I just told her that there's some...distraction at my house. Like, a really loud atmosphere that's not ideal for me to study." He said, despite knowing that you weren't buying this shit and straightened his position, sitting properly on his chair.

"Seriously, Yeosang? Do you mind telling me why are you even staying so late here? Did you parents disown you or kick you out, something?" You asked, letting out a laugh in disbelief.

"....which i suspect isn't true, because of course, you're the star of your family, your parents only child that can do no wrong and is their only pride." You continued, after noticing that Yeosang didn't reply just yet.

He let out a deep sigh, breaking eye contact with you. "Listen, why do you even care? Are you up for listening to my pity party story?" Yeosang said, staring outside the window.

"Why do I care? I don't know, I just thought we were atleast friends now? And ofcourse, I'm up for listening to you, I'm kinda bored anyways." You replied, still staring at him.

Just before yeosang could open his mouth to say something, you dashed to where he was, and pulled up a chair right besides him and sat there. It wasn't too close to him, but just close enough to listen properly to him, indicating that you genuinely wanted to hear him out.

"Well, I don't know where to start." He said, facing you. You stared right into those deep brown eyes, almost like pools of warm melted chocolate, glistening under the faint moonlight coming from the windows. Of course, his long, dark lashes above those mesmerizing orbs were even prettier, drawing you impossibly closer to him. Every time he opened his mouth to spoke, you noticed every feature of his face and were astonished every time: his well defined jawline, those high cheekbones, straight nose, those sharp collarbones revealed just slightly from his plain white shirt, and that perfectly symmetrical face.

It was unfair to be this freaking handsome, you thought. Yeosang would be flourishing if he decided to be a model. What was even lacking in this guy? Perfect body proportions, perfect face, perfect personality, perfect grades, and that smart sexy brain of his. And this perfect guy aka your rival was talking with you right now. Insane, you thought.

"Just, start anywhere. I'm willing to listen, you know." You assured him.

"For the main idea, it's my parents. Just some major issues with them." He said, sighing once again.

"What kind of issues?" You asked, your eyes now softening. It felt like he was opening to you and you wanted him to feel as comfortable as possible.

"They just, you know, want and expect and force me to become a doctor. Follow their footsteps. And it's clearly not what I want." Yeosang said, sounding frustrated.

You understood how frustrating this must be. By the next year, you both being the name age, were supposed to choose your majors and study accordingly to pursue your degree. And ofcourse this decision is crucial because it will determine you career. And if yeosang is having issues regarding this with his parents... it's pretty serious.

"They clearly know that's not what I want and still choose to push my buttons. I want to be a mathematician. My undying love for maths, just, even you know it, don't you, y/n?" He continued, locking his eyes with yours.

"Ah, definitely. I know better than anyone how much you love Math. And all this time, while i was curious as to which career you would choose, i definitely thought it's something related to maths. It had to be." You said , passing him a small smile. He reciprocated your smile after hearing your words.

You continued to listen intently to Yeosang as he poured out his frustration in your conversation. You tried your best to relate with him and comfort him. There won't be any other chance where I'll get to listen to yeosang's concerns and comfort him, you thought, so I better make the most out of this.

"So, what now? I understand that you're still having disagreements with them on this topic, but I'm sure they're very worried about you staying so late outside, you know. You should head home earlier from today, and, i don't know, talk to them. Properly this time. You can't keep running away." You replied, hesitating to do what you were about to do next, but you did it anyways. You placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping it would comfort him. You felt like you had the right to do atleast that much, after how yeosang ranted about his family conflict to you and how you patiently listened to him.

You could feel yeosang stiffening a little under your touch for just a second, before he relaxed and held onto the same hand that was on his shoulder with his, rubbing soft circles on your hand.

You felt like your heart was about to burst, right now. Every cell of your body had to be so immensely affected whenever Kang Yeosang did something as subtle as holding your hand and rubbing circles on it.

"Thank you for today, y/n. Seriously. It felt so.... different from our usual encounters. You know, were either teasing or insulting each other half of the time. This was...great. I guess we can consider each other as frenemies now? We're still rivals though, mind you." He said, chuckling lightly. You felt your heart melt at that chuckle. This, is exactly what you wanted from him. You wanted him to soften up a little when he was with you.

You lightly let go of his hand still holding yours, or else you were sure you were going to melt right then and there. You passed him a small smile and were about to say something, but Yeosang interrupted you.

"Ah, and also, do you know that Wooyoung and Jia are apparently dating now?" He said, looking at you.

You suddenly froze at his words. WHAT THE HELL????

"WHAT??? I mean, how, when? I knew Jia had a crush on Wooyoung since like forever and she told me all about it. I had NO IDEA that they were dating, though. And she DIDN'T TELL ME. Since when are they dating?" You asked, looking quite pissed. You couldn't believe that you were hearing about your best friend dating for the first time from your rival instead of her.

"Uhm, like since a week, maybe? Why do you sound so surprised tho? I thought you already knew, didn't Jia tell you?" Yeosang said, trying to hold back his laughter at your pissed face.

"No, she didn't. I am going to end her for that. And let me guess, Wooyoung already told you?" You asked. Wooyoung was Yeosang's best friend. They were always seen together and were really close.

"Yeah, he did. Pretty ironic, isn't it? Both our best friends are dating each other." Yeosang said, finding this situation pretty amusing. You did, too, to be honest.

"I know, right. The next time we all hang out together, we're gonna be third wheeling the both of them and that's gonna suck big time." You replied, sighing, but feeling happy for your best friend at the same time.

"No kidding. I'm gonna smack wooyoung in the face if they do anything cringe in front of me." He said, and the both of you laughed together.

"Anyways. Get home before 9 atleast, will you? I'm heading home now, it's pretty late." You announced, getting a hold of your bag in the chair alongside you.

"I will. And sorry for stalling you for so long. Are you sure you'll be home safe? I can drop you home, if you'd like." Yeosang said, concern etched in his voice.

"No, it's fine. I live near the block anyways. And I have a feeling you want to sort some things out. I'll be going then, bye." You said , passing him a small wave. He waved back, watching you leave.

.

It was so immensely surprising, even to yourself, when you think about all your interactions with yeosang nowadays. He's supposed to be your rival, which of course he still is, but it doesn't seem much like it nowadays. It's almost like you two are friends, seriously. And the thought scares you. It kinda scares you that you two are becoming friends now. You're afraid that all the times he's bothered you, teased you, playfully insulted you, would soon come to an end....it probably won't, right? And you don't want yeosang to treat you how he treats others: so soft, so polite, so calm, so well mannered, just, so perfect. Except for wooyoung, ofcourse: he's almost always kicking him and what not. You didn't like to admit this, but you liked with how your dynamics as supposed "rivals" was like.

You would never give up on the look on his face, when you flashed your paper wherein you got even a mark higher than him on a test. Or the times he'd insult your studying skills. Or the times when you would bother each other for every little thing. It was like, you had no one else to share such a relationship with, and although you would have to face your feelings very soon and admit that you like your rival in a romantic way, you still don't want your unique and playful banters to end.

Just as you were about to turn your phone off and go to sleep, a notification at the top of your screen bar distracted you. And it's from Jia, of course.

Before you could even confront Jia about her dating wooyoung, she herself texted you that day itself (when yeosang told you about the news at the library) and even video called you for the same, your ears almost tearing up with her excited squeals and screams every time she talked about wooyoung. But you were happy for her. Immensely happy for your best friend. You hoped wooyoung would keep her happy and that their relationship lasts long. At the same time, you kept dreaming about how wonderful it would be like, if you got into a relationship.

But you knew you weren't getting into a relationship any soon. You didn't even have a crush on anyone at the present.....oh wait, that's a lie.

How were you even supposed to date someone, when the beloved kang yeosang existed? How were you supposed to push your romantic feelings for your rival, or even get over your crush on him in the mere future, and date someone else?

At this point, you just wished you could date him. No. Wait, what?

You sighed and clicked on the notification of Jia's messages and opened her chat.

Jia😈🤍

Yo, are you free tomorrow? Since it's the weekend, anyways

You

Mhm, yes, i think. Why do u ask tho? Shouldn't u be spending the weekends with your precious boyfriend, now that u have one 💀

Jia😈🤍

C'mon, don't be salty now, y/n. You know I can never forget about you even if I have a bf now. So, I was thinking, you wanna go on a movie date w me tomorrow? Woo will be there too, ofc ;)

You

And be third-wheeling the entire time w the both of u? No way in hell, Jia. U go spend your romantic movie date with wooyoung alone, i won't be mad, promise

Jia😈🤍

I knew you would say that. So well listen up, here's the deal. Yeosang will be joining us too tomorrow;))

You froze for a second and your phone almost dropped from your hands onto your face.

You

What the hell??!! Are you being srs?? Why would u even invite yeosang tho-

Jia😈🤍

You have absolutely no idea how much convincing it took wooyoung to get yeosang come along with him tomorrow. So you better say yes too, y/n. Your lover boy slash rival will be there too, tomorrow's gonna be loads of funnnnn

You almost wished to kick her across the screen for mentioning yeosang as your "lover boy."

You

Okay, but uh, does yeosang know that I'm coming too, tomorrow? I don't think he would have said yes if he knew I'm coming....

Jia😈🤍

He does. He knows ur coming and still agreed to the date. Wooyoung will do anything for me, even as far as convincing THE yeosang to agree to come to a hang out session w his rival. You know, part of me thinks that he willingly wants to be near you, bc why else would he say yes?

You took in a deep breath and processed all this.

You

I'm.....not too sure abt that. What time tomorrow and which cinema?

Jia 😈🤍

I see someone's excited, huh. I'll text you all the details tomorrow. For now, just sleep, and dream about your rival lover boy, nighttttt y/nnieeee

You

Gosh, shut up, Jia. And goodnight to you too, dream about wooyoung, loser

You put your phone on your bedside table and blankly stared at the ceiling, not believing that you were about to go on a movie date with yeosang, tomorrow.

Song Jia had to be the craziest person you've ever known. You couldn't believe that she went as far as successfully inviting Yeosang to the movie date tomorrow, yeosang knowing that you, his arch nemesis would be there. You knew Jia purposefully invited him so that something could possibly "change" into your relationship, perhaps either one of you making a move to confess, or something like that.

But you knew that wasn't true. Yeosang clearly wasn't interested in you in THAT way and you had to try your best to get over him. Tomorrow was going to be a very normal movie date with your friends.....and rival, now tour frenemy, which you would try to tolerate as much as you could.

You closed your eyes and finally slept, quite excited for what tomorrow was about to bring.

You stood in front of your open closet, your expression thoughtful as you scanned the rows of outfits hanging neatly inside. As the thought of yeosang being there at the movie date later struck you, you suddenly felt self-conscious. You were a confident person but all that confidence sometimes melted away in front of your rival. You wanted to look just right today, in front of him, maybe even impress him with your outfit today. While considering all these factors, you decided to drop your usual jeans-and-tee combo and instead, picked up a soft, pastel pink dress: with floral patterns at the edges, that seemed to hug your curves perfectly, A dark blue denim jacket would compliment this perfectly, you thought, as you picked up the jacket too, and closed your closet.

As you were adding some final touches to your light and subtle makeup, which would be ideal for a movie date- you picked up your favourite gold hoop earrings from a nearby drawer and wore them, checking yourself out in the mirror with your entire outfit, including your white canvas sneakers. You felt confident and beautiful, and hey, a girlish look doesn't look bad sometimes. Your outfit today bought out the feminism in you, and you hoped Yeosang's eyes wouldn't leave you or your outfit today.

Unusual excitement bubbled up inside you as you closed the door of your room, hiring a taxi from an app on your phone. The taxi arrived in no time and there you were, stepping inside the grand cinemas, right on time.

You texted Jia to let her know that you were already here. Jia would be arriving alone, just like you, whereas Wooyoung and Yeosang would be arriving together since they shared a cab.

You unconsciously tapped your foot as you scanned the cinema's ambience around you, focusing on the movie posters, You had no idea which movie you were about to watch but knowing Jia, she would have definitely picked a rom-com movie since she's a die-hard romance fanatic, after all.

After a few minutes, Jia joined you, looking just as bubbly and excited as always. As the both of you chatted away, Jia complimented your outfit and makeup and you complimented hers too. You tilted your head and noticed two guys making their way towards the both of you in the bustling lobby. There they were, Yeosang and Wooyoung, looking just high-class as always. There was something about these two whenever they were together- they carried an air of confidence and power between them and were undoubtedly the most attractive and handsome men in the entire room.

You glanced briefly at yeosang, your jaw almost dropping as you scanned his outfit from head to toe: a black leather jacket that complimented his broad shoulders, a fitted white t-shirt that highlighted his toned physique, the fabric stretching just enough to hint the muscles beneath. And of course, his dark blue jeans complimented his long legs perfectly well, his black converse shoes adding an edgy, cool and expensive look. As he walked towards you, his hair was slightly tousled, his perfect lips drawn together as he smiled at something wooyoung said. Wooyoung was looking just as good as yeosang, but frankly, at the moment, you could NOT focus on anyone other than yeosang. He stole your breath and got your heart beating unbelievably fast every second he walked closer to you.

This was only the second time you ever saw Yeosang in casual clothes, you thought. Everyday you'd see him in the typical school uniform, but he just looked....so different in such a casual look. His outfit today radiated such a strong bad boy look it was insane. Who would have thought that the softest, politest Kang Yeosang liked wearing such daring clothes like a leather jacket, outside the school premises?

The moment these two stood in font of the both of you, Jia ran towards Wooyoung and engulfed him in a soul-crushing hug. You awkwardly stood there, trying your best to not stare at Yeosang, or at least, let him know that you were staring at him. But needless to say, he was already staring at you, scanning your outfit from head to toe just like you had for him, and you could swear you saw him smirking a little. You could feel every inch of your skin burning, burning holes into your skin, the parts where yeosang stared at you.

You finally made eye contact with him, because after all, you HAD to acknowledge him. He gave you a small smile, that wasn't a smirk for once, and you reciprocated the same. Then you both stared at the lovey-dovey couple beside you together, as wooyoung finally pulled back from Jia. You smiled at the sight of both of them, together, like the perfect couple. Wooyoung greeted you and began small talk with you, and all this time, Yeosang's gaze was deeply fixated on you, noticing every little change in your expression, and you didn't dare to look away from wooyoung while talking to him.

Since there was still almost half an hour left for the movie to start, Wooyoung and Jia announced that they were going around the cinema to take pictures together, and Yeosang shrugged, while you agreed, asking them to come back soon. Jia requested you to buy popcorn and a few cold drinks for all four of you, before she went, and passed you a small wink, and a knowing smile, and OF COURSE, she did, because you and yeosang were going to be alone together for the next few minutes. great.

"Uhm, so, Jia asked me to buy popcorn and cold drinks for all of us. Mind accompanying me?" You asked Yeosang, breaking the ice between the both of you just as you were alone.

"Mm, sure, lead the way." Yeosang replied, as casually as possible. You lead the way to the snacks counter as he walked beside you. Soon, you both were scanning the cafeteria menu, looking at the popcorn flavor options.

"Since it's the four of us, i think two or three popcorns would be enough, right?" You asked, squinting your eyes to read the price.

"Right. And i guess four cold drinks each for us, but which brand does everyone prefer?" He asked which cold drink brands were available, to the cashier, and since the both of you know your best friend's preferences, you ordered for the both of them, too.

After you both completed placing the orders, it was time for payment, and you shamelessly asked Yeosang to pay since you weren't really carrying much cash with you at the moment.

'Why me though? You can pay too, you know." He said just as shamelessly as you. While other people normally argued that they would be the ones paying, here the both of you were taunting each other to pay.

You continued to argue for two more minutes when yeosang finally gave in and offered to pay, That annoyed you a little and it felt like he won the fight somehow.

"Why agree to pay now, though? I'm embarrassed now, i want to pay." You childishly argued.

"I can't believe you sometimes, y/n. You were literally asking me to pay earlier, and now that i'm paying, you've got a problem again?" Yeosang huffed, looking a little pissed.

The cashier sensed that both of you were going to childishly argue with each other once again and interrupted your conversation.

"Sir, ma'am, sorry to interrupt, but we've got other customers in line too, you know. How about you split up the payment.....?" She offered and the both of you considered it, feeling foolish to not have thought about splitting up earlier.

"Ah, well. Since the total is around 12$ anyways, we can split up 6$ each." You said, and yeosang finally agreed with you, and just as the both of you were finishing up the payment, someone screamed right behind you in your ear which caused you to have a jumpscare and you flinched horribly, letting out a small scream. Jia and Wooyoung laughed like maniacs upon your reaction, and now Yeosang also looked at you in amazement and laughed as if you were a total sight right now. Your cheeks flushed furiously as you slapped Jia on the arm.

"Sorry, sorry. Let me and Wooyoung help you carry the popcorn. You both can carry the drinks. Our screen is the 5th one." Jia said, gathering the popcorn and handing some to Wooyoung. All four of you quietly made your way to the cinema hall, sitting at your booked seats.

And of course, your seat was just beside yeosang's. Jia sat on your right and yeosang on your left, whereas wooyoung sat beside Jia and a stranger. You almost held your breath as you settled in your seat, but immediately relaxed because of the comfortable and soft incliner cushion seat. Alas, you couldn't relax completely no matter how much you tried and nervousness bubbled up inside you, cuz you were seated right beside your rival slash crush slash the person whom you were so utterly attracted to, physically, and you almost started sweating because of him being in your presence. But you held all these stupid feelings in and focused on the large theatre screen for gods sake.

It was one of the finest rom-coms of the century. From the start itself, you adored the characters and found the storyline pretty interesting. Obviously, you couldn't help but glance at Yeosang secretly from time to time, and notice every little detail of his facial expression as he watched the movie. Ugh, that perfect freaking side profile of his, No matter what angle you saw this man, he was the most handsome guy you had ever seen in your life. That jawline could surely cut diamonds, you thought. God, how badly you wanted to ruffle those soft strands of tousled, black hair. You chose to focus on the movie instead. You glanced at Jia and noticed her and wooyoung's hands intertwined together. You wished it was you and Yeosang holding hands, too...

At some point, your and yeosang's fingers brushed together because both of you reached for the popcorn in the chair stand at the same time. You felt yourself blush so badly, that you were glad it was dark right now, or else Jia would have teased the hell out of you.

"I'm having this first, i reached for it first." Yeosang whispered lowly and it sent shivers down your spine because of how close he was to you, as he said this.

"Huh, no way. Let me have it first. How can you be so sure you reached for it first?" You argued, now lightly slapping yeosang's palm under yours. He let out a fake wince and tried grabbing some popcorn but you stopped him just in time, and there you were; the both of you fighting childishly like nursery school kids. This was your element, right now you were in your natural habitat with yeosang. This is what you both did every time, bantering about every little thing and you both never got tired of pissing each other off.

"God, shut up already, you both. Here, take our popcorn, Why does it even matter who reached for it first?" Jia said, quite annoyed.

"Really can't take the both of you anywhere. Always fighting like siblings." Wooyoung said, sighing, and passed their popcorn to Jia who passed it to you.

You lightly pinched Jia's arm after hearing wooyoung's words. "Tell your boyfriend to not call us siblings. Ew, who would even like to be siblings with this guy?" You whispered something only Jia was supposed to hear but unfortunately yeosang heard it, too.

"Just so you know, i would absolutely loathe to be your sibling too. The feeling's mutual." Yeosang said, huffing, and suddenly the movie in front of you was long forgotten. You passed him an annoying smirk and he did too, but the both of you calmed down soon, your attention back on the movie.

And suddenly, the both of you were laughing together at a comedy scene, and your eyes met yeosang's as you took in the sight of his carefree, almost adorable laughter. So this is what his laughter was like. To say that you liked observing such things about yeosang was an understatement. You loved knowing and collecting bits of information about this guy and unravelling every little inch of his personality.

Wooyoung and Jia stared at the both of you in unision as you and yeosang didn't break your eye contact for a few seconds. It seemed like you were searching for something, in his eyes. As you caught yeosang's gaze on your lips briefly for a second, you felt like passing ou. You broke the eye contact, the heat in your cheeks rising as you refocused on the screen in front of you. You couldn't bear to see him smirking after winning this battle of eye contact, yet again.

The movie ended after 2 hours, and you legit felt like these were the longest 2 hours of your life. As you both exited the cinema hall. all of you happily chatting about how good the storyline of the movie was, you suddenly became quiet for a few minutes, recollecting yeosang's brief glance at your lips back in the cinema hall. And you slowly stared up at the the same guy ahead of you, his dimples prominent as he chatted with wooyoung and jia. What if, just what if, one of you had made the first move, back then, and would have kissed? He was the one who stared at your lips first, after all.

But then again, that wasn't possible. Maybe it was just a coincidence, him staring at your lips. You were so normal about this. Totally normal. Yeosang didn't affect you in any way.

You caught up to them, and heard Jia saying something about how her relatives were about to visit her that night and how she needed to go home as soon as possible. Wooyoung, as her boyfriend, of course; offered to drop her home and soon, they waved the both of you goodbye, exiting the cinema together.

You and yeosang were alone, yet again, at the cinema, now.

You both walked out towards the exit together, the atmosphere painfully quiet between the both of you. Just as you were about to say something, Yeosang interrupted your words.

"So like, i bought my bike here. I can give you a ride home if you'd like... it's pretty late, anyways. Where did you say you lived again?" Yeosang inquired, standing right in front of you. His hair was messier than before now because of the wind, and your hands itched to straighten up his hair for him.

You had to be the stupidest person on earth to reject his current offer, yet you did. It was like a godsent opportunity was placed right in front of you and yet you rejected it like the coward you were. You were going to regret this badly, later.

"Uhh, i live just like, 20 minutes away from here. You don't have to drop me home, i wanted to walk home anyways. Thanks for the offer, though." You said weakly.

There was an obvious expression of disappointment on yeosang's face, but it lasted only for a second as he asked for a second time, if you were sure about walking home at this late hour. He looked like he wasn't ready to be rejected. like you would have obviously said yes to his offer. which you should have.

And here you were, all by yourself, after witnessing one of the hottest scenarios you've ever seen in your life: Kang Yeosang on his dashing red motorbike, his huge black helmet covering his head, him passing you a peace sign to show that he was finally leaving, and you waved him off, watching him disappear into the darkness of the streets ahead. The moment he started the gear of his bike and drove so impeccably fast, you realised that he wasn't just driving his bike but was also driving you insane.

You sighed and walked in the opposite direction of where Yeosang went, opening your phone to google maps. You had no freaking clue why you lied to Yeosang about your home being close to the cinema. It was apparently gonna take you 40 minutes to reach home, and just as you were walking halfway, you decided to call in a cab on the way home. You stood near the giant tree across the pavement, a hug car parked right ahead of you.

Suddenly, you felt a tug on your purse. A stranger dressed in all black appeared in front of you, and since your attention was on your phone, you reacted poorly. He attempted to snatch at your purse and before you could stop him, he already grabbed your purse and sprinted away in the darkness.

Your heart raced as you realized what had happened. Instinctively, you attempted to run after the thief, but stopped right in your tracks as you realized that he already ran too far away.

Just as panic threatened to set in, you heard a familiar voice nearby, almost growling.

"Hey, you f*cker!!! Stop right there!!!"

It was Yeosang, your unexpected shining night in armour. The way he shouted and almost growled towards the thief, for you, had you swooning over him.

Yeosang's leather jacket flapped behind him as he sprinted towards the fleeing thief, and he immediately tackled him towards the ground and successfully managed to grab your purse from his pant pockets. You watched the scenario in front of you in awe, just as you started wondering how on actual earth yeosang even came back here just in time. didn't he already leave like minutes ago? how did he even know that you were being pick pocketed??!!

"Who the hell even are you, dude?? That girl must be important to you, the way you got out of yo bike and ran so fast towards me." The thief said, and you felt like punching him on the face.

It was true, though. Why would yeosang act so fast, for you? It didn't mean anything, you managed to convince yourself. Even a random stranger would have helped you if they saw this scene unfold. It was people's duty to help each othe-

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. You got any problem, bastard? And just how many people's pockets do you pickpocket everyday, like this?!" Yeosang shouted angrily without hesitation, not even passing you a single glance. You felt your blood run cold.

Girlfriend. Yeah, she's my girlfriend, you bastard.

The words rang again and again in your ears, not until you become unconscious of hearing them. Why would he, even...?

Hell, he could have called you his best friend for what its worth and that wouldn't affect you like this. Yet, he chose to introduce you as his girlfriend to a random thief whom he was now painfully punching in the face. You stared at him, completely still, and something told you he wasn't done beating that thief, as the thief skillfully flipped yeosang over and ran away for his life.

Yeosang grunted painfully, at the feeling of rocks hitting his back as he slowly took hold of himself and got up. That was when you wasted no time in rushing over to his side, placing an arm on his shoulder and wiping off the dust from his jacket with the other hand. Like it was the most normal thing in the world, your rival whom you had a crush on, fighting off a thief for you.

"Yeosang...how did you even? know i was in this situation? and weren't you already on your way home...? You asked, confusion etched in your voice and expression.

Yeosang looked up at you, agonizingly slowly, and handed you your purse, which you took very carefully, holding it close to your chest. He didn't say anything for almost a minute, but then he spoke up.

"Yeah, because apparently, you are so dumb that you can't even take care of yourself. If i wouldn't have been here, y/n, tell me, who the hell would have helped you??!!" Yeosang sounded angry, and that was probably the first time he ever raised his voice on you. You flinched slightly and the tone of his words and he noticed, his gaze immediately softening. "I'm sorry, i didn't mean to-"

"No, y-you're right. I really am the dumbest person on earth. I shouldn't have let down your offer of dropping me home..." You admitted, tears almost threatening to spill out of your eyes because you were so embarrassed.

"Oh yeah, about that. On my way home on the bike, i recalled when you once told me your address and realised that you live quite far away from here. And yet you lied to me about your home being 20 minutes away from here. Why?" Yeosang demanded some answers from you and he surely had the entire right of knowing why you lied to him.

"Yeosang, i.... i dont know. I probably just didn't want to bother you or something, at such late hours of night, you know..." You trailed off.

"You would not have bothered me in any way. Besides, your home is just on the way to mine by a few minutes..." Yeosang said, and then there was complete silence between the two of you for a few minutes. Something hung in the air, something that was left to be addressed. Oh right. Girlfriend. You desperately tried to ignore the blush that formed on your face as his words rung up in your ears, your mind, your body, your soul- once again.

You hesitated for a moment but managed to ask this, regardless.

"A-and, um, why did you tell that thief that i'm your girlfriend, earlier......? You asked, your voice almost breaking but you hoped that yeosang heard you, loud and clear.

"Ah, about that. Don't think about it much, you know. It just spilled out of my mouth, to uh, scare that thief away for good. To make some impact, you know?" Yeosang answered sheepishly, his hand awkwardly caressing the back of his head.

You could almost laugh right now, that's how ridiculous this situation was. "Don't think about it much" how can i not, for god's sake, kang yeosang, when that's the only thing i'm going to be focusing on for the rest of my life? "to make an impact" my ass.

You let out a small sigh and looked him right in the eyes. SO, all this really didn't mean anything to him. He just casually addressed you as his girlfriend to make an impact on the thief. great. you could be hit with a million rocks right now, and that would still hurt less than what you were feeling right now.

You realised that you were supposed to reply to him, because well, he already gave you his answer.

"An impact?? Sure. Whatever you say." You replied, sounding disinterested. Unbothered. The complete opposite of what you were feeling right now. Hell, you should audition for acting, the way you're able to conceal your true emotions so well.

"Well, i'm taking you home now, and i'm not hearing a single word of protest from you now." He announced, already dashing out to reach for his bike before you could even reply to him.

He returned in no time, placing his bike right in front of you both and hopping off on his bike, patting on the seat behind him, motioning for you to get on.

"What are you waiting for? Get on already." He said, sounding impatient. You really weren't left with any choice now. You hopped on the seat behind yeosang, and yeosang instructed to to hold on tight to him as he started. You hesitated for a second but gripped his shoulders a second later, feeling his strong shoulders and the expensive material of his leather jacket. You felt dizzy.

Just as yeosang started the engine, your heart almost beat out of your chest as you realised at the fast speed he was driving with. But you weren't really afraid of speed. not at all. Instead, it was the complete opposite; you felt alive, you felt exhilarated, you felt this sudden surge of freedom in your veins. You removed your hands from yeosang's shoulder and waved your hands in the air, freely, as yeosang tilted his head with his helmet on just for a second, smirking and grinning at how happy you were, right now.

Suddenly, a rock bumped the tyre of his bike, causing a huge drift as you hurriedly gripped yeosang's shoulder with so much force, you swore the jacket was dropping off his shoulders.

"Oh gosh, i'm sorry, that must have hurt-" You started as you noticed him stiffen a little at your sudden touch.

"No, you did the right thing. Make sure to always hold onto me with such force whenever such bumps occur. I need you to be as safe as possible." He replied, his words sounding muffled because of his helmet.

I need you to be as safe as possible.

God, what was his deal nowadays? Did he suddenly make it his mission to test you, today??!! You kept the same grip on his shoulders, humming in response to him, ignoring the fact that your heart was beating impeccably faster, the rest of your ride peacefully quiet, as you took in the chilly night air, the streetlamps, and the tall buildings around you.

This all felt like a dream. Here, huddled close with your rival slash crush on his bike, him offering you a ride home, you enjoying the chilly night with yeosang. if this really was a dream, you did not want to wake up from this dream.

maybe this was all that you've wanted, all this time. this was all you craved for. and now that you're getting dangerously closer to yeosang, how could you even spend a minute away from him? how could you not think about this perfect guy all the time, when he is all you've ever wanted?

Just as you reached your building, yeosang stopped the engine, got off his bike and removed his helmet. You did the same, an empty feeling lingering within you as you let go of your grip on his shoulder. you wanted to get impossibly closer to him, and yet, here you were: staring at the guy in awe, like he just won the olympics.

"well.....?" he started, smirking a little, taking in your impressed expression and waiting for some compliments.

"that was AWESOME, yeosang, even though i hate to admit it. You looked...really cool driving your bike. thank you for bringing me home in one piece." You said a little sarcastically.

"You're welcome. Well, get in already. It's pretty late and i need to go home soon." He said, smiling satisfactorily.

"Right. Um, goodnight. Get home safe and thank you again." You said, holding on tight to your purse and walking towards your complex, and just when you were far away from yeosang, you glanced at him and noticed that he was watching you leave, as if he wasn't planning to leave unless he saw you get completely inside your building gates.

that is something a boyfriend would do for his girlfriend, right......?

You waved lightly at him and he waved back, finally getting on his bike and you watched him, once again, trailing off in the darkness.

Kang Yeosang........

why do i keep smiling, after meeting you these days? Why is my mood entirely different nowadays when you are around?

My eyes keep looking for you everywhere, even if it's unnecessary. how is this even me? i am supposed to be hating you. i am supposed to be happy if you leave me the hell alone. but i feel so...empty and sad instead. what spell and magic have you used on me? that i keep selfishly wanting you, more and more. i don't even know when this all happened. somehow, my heart beats impeccably faster, only for you. this started at one point and never ended,

how did you even become so important to me, yeosang?

you give my life it's meaning. i am still so utterly young and so are you. i don't know what i am saying at this point. but my growing feelings, my changed emotions towards you nowadays.....it's not a joke. not anymore. if i don't confess to you soon i might die. a rejection at this point would hurt less than bottling my feelings inside like a raging storm.

i want you. selfishly, dangerously, desperately, want you- all for myself.

who knew something would provoke me to actually confess to you...today?

.

It’s late afternoon; the sun casts long shadows through the hallway's tall windows, bathing the scene in a golden, wistful light. As students hurry to their next class, the locker doors clank and conversations blur into a continuous hum, creating a backdrop of ordinary high school life. but something isn't ordinary today, actually since a week- between you and yeosang.

it had been two weeks since the movie date happened, also the day wherein yeosang dropped you home on his bike, fought a thief for you and addressed you as his girlfriend. which was all a lie, of course. but you still can't get his words out of your mind, ever since that day. and it bothers you that something as heavy as that was so easy for him to lie about.

Talking about you and your activities these days- well, you were supposed to hand in a hefty chemistry project the next week, and one of your classmates, Jaehyun, was your partner was the same. Almost all your extra time after school gets occupied with working on your project with Jaehyun at your home. Everything was working smoothly and efficiently, Jaehyun was the best partner you could have ever asked for. You had known Jaehyun ever since the first year of high school and were good friends with him, but you both never really talked much, not until you were paired up together for the project.

And here you were- walking towards the familiar person towards his desk, chatting with him about what you were supposed to finish today. You could not even make your point straight sometimes, while conversing with him, because Jaehyun, being the jokester he is, would crack such horrendous jokes and wordplays every now and then, you couldn't help but burst out into laughter and beg him to stop. soon enough, though, he would concentrate on what you're saying and add suggestions of his own, because unfortunately, he knew the both of you needed to get those grades.

Somehow, even though Jaehyun made you laugh your lungs out for minutes straight, you still felt empty, still felt this unusual surge of sadness.

and of course, the only person responsible for that was kang yeosang.

over the past week, yeosang has been acting so unusual towards you. Your relationship, once filled with playful banter and unending teasing, now even him ranting to you about his family conflicts and the movie date events, had taken a sharp, unexplained turn, leaving you feeling confused and isolated. it would not have bothered you much if it happened once or twice, but it happened every day over the past week, including today. you felt like drowning in an ocean every single time he ignored you over the past week.

On Monday, you tried to indulge him in a joke during algebra class, but he barely cracked a smile at that, instead, he gave an uninterested shrug and turned away to talk to wooyoung, who was seated beside him. The laughter that followed, one that you weren't a part of, suddenly felt like a barrier between the both of you.

On Tuesday, when you were both seated in the library at the same time, just when you were about to reach out to him to start a normal conversation, he took hold of his bag and left- without sparing you a single glance or acknowledging you like he always did, at least with a smirk. You felt a sharp, burning ache in your chest, at that moment.

On Wednesday and Thursday, just when you didn't want to overthink much about yeosang's sudden unusual behaviour towards you, things worsened. Once, when it was physics class, you were looking forward to the rivalry that always took place in between both of you, almost like a form of affection. You used to compete on who could answer the professor's questions first and he never let down his guard during such lectures. But this time, his hang didn't raise up to answer, not even once. You passed him a confused glance and he just shrugged, yet again, and you were 100% sure he knew the answer but still didn't answer instead. he seemed distracted and impossibly distant to you, and all you wanted to do is cry until you passed out. a similar incident of him ignoring you happened on Thursday and frankly, you don't even want to talk about it.

On Friday, the week's pattern of avoidance reached its peak. as school ended and the bells rung, you felt a knot of anxiety instead of relief that school ended. As you reached your locker, you overheard yeosang and wooyoung talking about their weekend plans about playing a new video game that wooyoung had bought, together. the ease and joy you felt in yeosang's voice made your stomach churn, because just as you walked closer to him, trying to start a conversation yet again, smiling faintly- yeosang glanced up, saw you, and the smile on his face suddenly faded. Wooyoung didn't seem to notice because he was scrolling something on his phone. Yeosang immediately broke eye contact with you and whispered something to wooyoung, effectively dismissing you. huh, two could play this game, you thought. angered and confused like hell, you turned away from him and took your bag and left without sparing him another glance.

"He's definitely ignoring me. I dont even know the hell why." You mumbled, lying on your bed, and Jia put her phone aside and turned to you, looking concerned. She came over to hang out with you for a while, during the weekends, and who else could you open up to about your problems other than your best friend?

"After you described his unusual behaviour towards you the entire week, i think so too. And that is so shitty of him. Seriously, have you done something to piss him off badly these days?" Jia asked, confused.

"I don't even get the chance to TALK to him nowadays, Jia- let alone tease him or piss him off. And over and over i keep thinking if i did o said something wrong but nothing comes to my mind, seriously. How dare he give me a cold shoulder after literally calling me his girlfriend to a random stranger last week??!!" You ranted, sounding and feeling the angriest you've ever felt in your life.

Jia consoled you and tried her best to distract your mind from yeosang during the time she was with you. but after she left, at night; you laid in your bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying yeosang's cold indifference over and over in your mind. This can't continue into next week; you need answers, and deserve answers. Monday, you decide, will be the day you confront yeosang, demanding to know why he pushed you away over the week. You fell asleep rehearsing what she would say, each word crafted precisely to argue with him and let him know how sad and frustrated you get when he ignores you....which would maybe also lead to you confessing to him...?

not that you cared. if a confession is what comes out of this then be it.

.

The weekend passed by in no time. Here you were, presenting your chemistry project in front of the entire class along with Jaehyun, feeling pretty confident and satisfied with your work. The presentation went by pretty smoothly and your chemistry teacher showered you both with compliments and so did the entire class; applauding cheerfully. You returned to your seat with a huge smile on your face (that you couldn't hide) and fist-bumped Jaehyun, telling him that you both truly did a great job.

Next up was Yeosang and Mingi's project. Mingi was one of your classmates and also a good friend of Yeosang's. Their presentation was something unique and different, something that had grabbed the entire class's attention, including yours. They both explained each concept so well and their research was done excellently. While directly making eye contact with the entire class while explaining each slide, at some point, when their presentation was done and the entire class cheered rowdily once again, Yeosang's eyes made brief eye contact with yours, and you could not tell what his expression meant. But you clapped softly and Yeosang's face was still blank, not until he met eyes with other students and smiled politely at them. You still continued staring at him until he settled back into his seat, your eyes silently spitting outrage and confusion, and he didn't look back at you.

Your mind was now a outlet of mixed emotions and feelings and displaced thoughts; as you worked out how to settle everything with yeosang and to know what the hell was his actual deal.

You could not figure out anything, not until all lectures for the day ended and the bell rang loudly, all students hurrying up to pack their bags and go home. A sudden splash of currentness washed over you, as you realized that this was your only chance to confront Yeosang, or else he'd be gone forever. You could confront him tomorrow too, but you had planned to do this today and you never broke promises with yourself. Instead of directly lashing out at him, you decided to compliment him on his project first and ask him about his thoughts on your project.

Just as you spotted him at the classroom doors, ready to step out into the hallway, you quickly rushed over and stood after him, almost blocking his way.

"Hey. Y-your project, and Mingi's too, of course- was amazing. Well done, seriously." You managed to let out, almost in a fangirl kinda voice.

Yeosang just stared at you for a second, a bit startled at first when you practically blocked his way, but now his expression was still blank, and he mumbled out a low "thank you."

Nah, this isn't it. You decided to speak up a bit more, like normal.

"I was really impressed by how detailed your explanations were. What did you think about my project? Was it good enough to impress THE kang yeosang?" You asked, chuckling a little. Usually, yeosang would have definitely giggled a little, or even smirked, but instead, he parted his lips awkwardly.

"Yeah, it was cool." He replied, his voice still low. You still stood there, expecting him to say something more, but he didn't, instead- just stared coldly at you as if telling you to get the hell outta his way and let him leave. But you were absolutely not letting that happen. He crossed is limit and your blood was practically boiling now.

"What the hell is wrong with you nowadays, Yeosang?" You asked him, your voice low but still emitting annoyance and rage.

"W-what do you mean?" He asked, now breaking eye contact with you, staring at the floor behind you. You couldn't believe that he stuttered while saying his first word. Ah, so he is aware of his actions over the past week, you thought.

"What do i mean?? SERIOUSLY?? Don't act all innocent. Why are you ignoring me and pushing me off since the past week?" You asked, your voice loud and firm, demanding answers. "Just so you know, I am not letting you get away with the silent treatment you've been giving me. Tell me, what did I even do wrong that you're giving me the cold shoulder??!! You said, practically screaming at the man in front of you. Something about Yeosang's demeanor changed, at that moment- his eyes were now a flicker of emotions you could not comprehend.

"I'm.....not ignoring you. I am talking with you now, aren't i?" He said, his voice still low, almost as if he spoke any further it would break.

"Stop lying for god's sake!!!!!" You let out, and without thinking any further, you grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards the nearest closet, the one closest to the hallway and your class.

It looked like a huge closet from the outside, but it was pretty closed-off from the inside, and you had no idea how you managed to fit inside it along with Yeosang, but you did.

Yeosang almost removed his wrist from your grip but gave up as soon as you dragged him inside the closet with you, breathing heavily in this constricted place he was bought to.

Inside the dimly lit closet, the air was thick with the scent of lemon polish and dust. You finally let go of his wrist and stood a few inches apart from him, your gaze piercing an burning holes into his skin.

"Are you insane? Why did you even bring me here, y/n??" He asked, coughing a little. Your skin formed goosebumps as your ears registered the fact that he called out your name. You did not hear him call you by your name for the past week and now that he did, you felt like you were getting dizzy.

"Quit the act and tell me what the hell is wrong with you. Unfortunately, i had to bring you here to talk or else you would have pushed me off and walked past me again, ignoring me like always, right?" You let out, your voice sarcastic.

Suddenly you became aware of the present situation, you locked into a small, constricted closet along with your rival....or your crush, him being only inches apart from you. There was a dim light turned on inside the closet so hopefully, you could see each other's faces, and hell, why did yeosang always have to look this goddamn handsome?

The strands of his smooth, black hair were messed up at the edges and he was sweating a little because of the current atmosphere, and his forehead was slightly exposed- his hoop cross earrings shining in the dim light. There were no restrictions about wearing subtle jewelry at your school and Yeosang took advantage of it, showing off his ear piercings.

If he wanted to leave and had nothing else to say to you, he would have already opened the closet door and would have left, you thought. But he didn't, instead, you felt his lips being parted as if he was about to say something. He hesitated for a few seconds, but said it regardless;

"Why......Ah, right. Your project is over now and you won't spend time with Jaehyun anymore, so you're suddenly looking for me now?" He said, laughing a little in disbelief.

What....? No way...... was he jealous of you spending time with Jaehyun nowadays?

You weren't dumb, you had already thought about the possibility of Yeosang perhaps giving you the cold shoulder because he felt jealous of Jaehyun, since you really were spending a lot of time with him since the past week... but you quickly brushed this off because you always thought that Yeosang did not like you in that way. Always.....and him saying this to you, right now, obviously implied that he was jealous, right?

"What are you talking about? Who do you even think i am....yeosang?? Don't tell me you felt jealous of Jaehyun?" You let out, staring so firmly at him, observing each and every single detail about his expression.

Silence. He didn't say anything, instead just stared below, almost looking embarrassed.

Now, it was you who was laughing in disbelief. "Just talk to me...for gods sake. You being quiet is not helping, and now you're implying that you felt jealous of Jaehyun. What am i supposed to make of this?" You asked, patiently or impatiently waiting for him to just...speak.

"So, am i in the wrong for feeling jealous, now?? I am sorry. I have to be the stupidest person on earth, i- i don't even have the right to be feeling jealous for you, y/n," Yeosang said, and the last sentence felt like something he would've wanted to say to himself. He felt vulnerable, his words felt vulnerable- and if you weren't confronting him right now, you would have hugged him for sure.

"Hey... i'm not saying that you feeling jealous is wrong. It's definitely not. Just, do you have any clue how you ignoring me and giving me the worst cold shoulder made me feel? I wanted to cry, scream, pull you by your collar and make you look directly at me and just...wanted everything between us to be normal. I, feel so deprived when you don't give me attention, you're so important to me, i-i don't know how you became so important to me, Yeosang." You said, catching your breath as you stared at the wall sideways. You could not look at Yeosang right now. You just couldn't.

"Y/N.....i had no idea...." He said, not breaking his gaze away from your face.

"I'm sorry, all this time, i thought it was just me...i am not supposed to be feeling jealous of you, y/n. You're my rival, goddamit- and as this thought sunk in, i realized that i like you, so bad that it hurts. I am sorry, for making you sad. That's the last thing I'd want, i like you so much, I'd never want you to cry over someone as stupid as me-" and that's it. that's all it took for you to close the remaining inches of distance between the both of you. You wanted him to just, stop speaking. Apologizing. You could hear him say that he liked you a million times, but him apologizing for liking you? You wanted to cry, SCREAM. Realizing that you were just an inch away from his face, not only did yeosang stop speaking, but those dark, majestic eyes immediately glanced at your lips, and that's all it took for you to press a light, chaste kiss on his lips.

You immediately pulled apart after a second, not even registering Yeosang's reaction to the sudden kiss. It was too much for you, though- his lips were so soft, although you just pecked for a mere second, you could feel how sweet those perfect lips tasted, and you wanted to kiss him forever. You don't even know how you managed to pull apart, but you did, of course- because you could not do this if yeosang didn't want to.

Yeosang's eyes widened the moment you kissed him, and although you were too scared to see his reaction, you did anyways, your eyes roaming everywhere, hesitantly, nervously around his face. And then you finally met his eyes- and saw him lift his hand and one of his fingers lightly grazed the edge of his lips, as if registering that you had...just kissed him.

He met your eyes, and just when you had this horrible feeling to just open the closet doors and run away for your life, Yeosang grabbed your wrist, walking a few inches closer until he pulled you up against the closet wall on your side, and you swore your heart beat right out of your chest, at that moment. He placed his other hand right behind your head, on the wall; and a small smile played at the corner of his lips before chasing your lips once again, completely closing any distance left between the both of you, and kissed you slowly at first, as if savoring you, learning how it feels like to kiss you. You firmly closed your eyes, trying your best to live in this moment, to kiss him back just as sweetly as he did.

A million reasons could have convinced you that Kang Yeosang would have rejected you and that things would never be the same between the both of you again. But not a single reason could have convinced you that here he was, kissing you as if you both were the only people in this world, confessing to you about how much he likes you.

You were so overwhelmed with so many emotions bubbling up inside you, but the only thing you wanted was to kiss kang yeosang until you were breathless, until you felt like passing out. no stopping in between. so, you did.

His lips picked up their pace, now kissing you passionately, hungrily, as if he'd been waiting for this moment his entire life. His hand still held your wrist, and you closed it into a fist, and you just drowned in the sensation Yeosang's lips on yours. He suddenly bit your lower lip with his teeth, and you almost squealed- but regained your composition, and bit his upper lip as revenge. God, he almost moaned into your mouth and you felt your knees go weak. His lips tasted like coffee, the sweet one- like mocha. Mocha was your favorite drink and the fact that yeosang's lips tasted as sweet as mocha.....

The both of you pulled apart minutes later, completely breathless and reaching out for air- although barely any of it could be found in this constricted place. He flashed you a small, satisfied smirk, and your stomach swooned, a strong blush forming on your cheeks. The realization of your first kiss, with yeosang, taking place in the school's hallway closets- had you feeling mixed emotions. Hell, your happiness won out of those emotions, you felt so giddy inside, becuase you had just kissed THE kang yeosang.

"I hated the fact that you looked so nervous after kissing me for the first time, you know." He said, his voice firm.

"I....felt like i never made it clear, or even gave you small hints, that i liked you all along. I wanted to wash all your insecurities, hesitation and nervousness away. So i kissed you until you were breathless, hopefully making my feelings clear. You're just as important to me, like you said, i am to you." He said, holding you chin and softly caressing his thumb over your cheeks.

You melted so badly, at everything going on in this moment- his fingers softly caressing your cheeks, him confessing to you again just to make sure that you knew how much he liked you.

"S-stop saying things like that, and that too so sincerely. I feel like i might have a heart attack. And i like you too, so much that i think i might die." You said, smiling sheepishly.

"Hmm, that sounds like a convincing confession. Does that mean that you might have died if i had rejected you now, instead?" He said, chuckling.

"No, i would have still liked you as much as i always did. I would have never given up, even if you rejected me. I would do everything to make you fall in love with me. I am a stubborn person, you know." You replied, meaning every word you said.

Yeosang placed a soft, subtle kiss on your cheek after your reply, and you witnessed his beautiful, endearing eye smile at that moment, and your heart once again melted into puddles.

You could not believe all this. This was so, different.... he treated you like you were a delicate doll, at this moment, he showered so much love on you, something you would have never expected to happen. What you did expect was the usual cocky face, that usual smirk, that unending teasing, unending random fights. not....what just happened.

"L-lets get out now, we're both sweating like hell. Not really an ideal place to stay in after a confession and a kiss, you know" You said, and Yeosang nodded, peeking through the small hole in the door, making sure no one was present in the hallway. Then, you both got out, taking in the fresh air, as he mumbled "You're the one who bought me in this shitty place. However, the kiss and confession made it worth it." You passed him a smirk and he shrugged.

You both rushed toward your classroom, picked up your bags, and walked down the stairs together, the atmosphere suddenly quiet between the both of you. You tried your best to hide the fact that you just kissed someone, but you couldn't, of course- that dumb, sheepish smile on your face remained, you glancing at yeosang every now and then as you reached the school gates- him looking just as flustered as you.

i can make yeosang flustered, you thought. i have the power to make him go all shy.....

"I got jealous once too, you know." You said, breaking the silence and Yeosang looked up at you, his eyes all curious and wide.

"Don't think you even remember this, since you are so nice to everyone all the time. But you know, when you were walking down the stairs and caught a girl who was just about to fall down? I was jealous, i even wished it was me in that redheads place. I also felt like i had no right to be jealous for you." You admitted, the both of you now standing at the pavement of a street starting from the edge of your school gates.

"Ah, that time? I don't remember much, to be honest, but i had no idea that you were jealous, i don't think i was even aware that you were near me at that time..." Yeosang said, looking apologetic, and it was the first time you had ever seen him look apologetic.

"Of course, you don't remember. You do stuff like this all the time, act so nice and polite towards everyone in school- and become the complete opposite when you're with me. It has changed quite significantly nowadays, though, and now you act nice towards me too." You rambled, almost as if you were talking to yourself.

"I.... didn't know that you paid so much attention to me. Just so you know, i always teased you and fought with you and stuff, because i felt comfortable with you. It's not easy for me to be comfortable with just anyone, so i always act nice to others no matter what because i'm scared i'll disappoint them in some way... i know you won't understand this properly.." He said, and you placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder as if you understood him.

"I get what you mean. That's why i never really complained about our....relationship. Whenever you acted so differently towards me, it was like you were trusting me with your true, real personality. Maybe that's also one of the reasons that pushed me to confess to you." You admitted.

"I could shower you with a million compliments right now, y/n, but unfortunately, we have to go home... it's too late, but i don't want to let you go just yet." He pouted, and he looked so cute you wanted to pinch his nose. So you did.

"Alright, loverboy. Let's go home and continue this conversation while chatting or on call? My mom's probably wondering where the hell i am." Yeosang pinched your nose in return and you both giggled together, feeling content.

"Reach home safely. I'll call you later, bye." Yeosang waved to you as he parted ways in the opposite direction of yours, a lovesick smile lingering on his lips that you couldn't ignore. You waved back and almost skipped happily on your way home, thinking this might just have been the best day of your life.

.

Just as you stepped inside your room after washing up, you sat on your bed, pulling out your phone, and right at that time, a message notification popped up.

from kang yeosang. that's how you had saved his name on your phone and you chucked at how... formal it was, his full name and everything. Before checking his message, you went towards th eetings of your chat and added a heart alongside the name "yeosang"

yeosang 💗

heyy

can i call you rn? or later, if you're busy?

you

suree, call me, i'm free rn

i was waiting for ur msg <3

You picked up his call, giving up on the "hi, hello" pleasantries and just starting your conversation because you surely had so much to talk about.

"This might just be the first time i've ever called you. It's so weird but i've wanted to do it since a long time." He chuckled, his voice sounding deep and low, and you felt like your heart was on fire.

"I know, right. All this is so... unusual. We used to be RIVALS, yeosang. and now, today, we....all this..... i can't believe this." You said, finding it unreal that you're even talking with yeosang on the phone, right now.

"Seriously. We still are rivals, though, you're such a smartass and i can't help but get competitive at almost...everything with you. But we can be making out in between all such banters and saying sweet stuff to each other sometimes, i guess."

You laughed at how honest yeosang was and how he worded everything. You realized that you were no better than him because when it came to him, you could just go on rambling forever, saying words that don't make sense sometimes.

"Deal. So i guess we're rivals and lovers at the same time..now." You chuckled at how absurd that sounded, but it was true.

"That's right, y/n. Ah shoot, i have to go now, wooyoung's practically screaming at me over texts when i told him about our kiss and confession today." There was a hint of panic in yeosang's voice and you found it cute.

"OH FUCK. That reminds me how i have to tell Jia about this, too. Talk to you later, rival slash lover boy." Jia would practically call you and scream at you at this, just like wooyoung. they truly do suit each other....

"That was a little- nevermind. Bye, rival slash lover girl." He replied, waiting for you to cut the phone, so you did, although it was painful and you could keep listening to his voice forever.

And as expected, Jia was so pumped up after heating your events of the day with yeosang, she screamed so loud, saying "FREAKING FINALLY, YOU DUMBASS" your ears might've been permanently damaged at this point. But she said how happy she was for you and how she'll kick yeosang's ass if he ever makes you sad, and you thanked her for that.

Everything was so much for you to take in. But suddenly, everything felt right, everything felt like normal, at the same time. It was like you were meant to be, together with yeosang, although you were his rival.

The playful banters and teasing could go on and on in your relationship, along with the both of you doing the things a couple does, successfully planting in a healthy relationship.

You felt blessed to have such a person in your life, someone like yeosang, who made your life so interesting, so exciting, someone who made you look forward to waking up in the morning and someone who was now yoir boyfriend.

Boyfriend, yeosang.....hmm. I like the sound of that. You thought, giddily grabbing your pillow and practically squealing because of how happy and content you were.

but of course, not content just yet. there were so many things to do with yeosang, now that you both were a couple- go on dates everywhere, kiss all the time, make love, say that you love each other a hundred times...

you were not ready but were ready at the same time, for the upcoming chapters of your life with kang yeosang, your now rival slash lover boy- moments that you were sure would make you feel like you're living the best life possible because you're living them with yeo.

A/N ^^^ - a possible upcoming extra scene coming up for this one, which I will include in another post later <3 because I felt like the ending was pretty rushed but I will make it up to you guys later, I promise. it's just because I felt like this fic was getting way too long and it'd be too much for y'all to read ;(

likes, reblongs, comments and follows are always immensely appreciated, dear reader, thank you so much for reading my fic!! :)

[kookidough]

random rant about tbp tiktok cause i’m actually Sick of it at this point💆‍♀️💆‍♀️ these issues probably exist Outside of tiktok as well but i only ever see them on there so thats the platform i’m gna talk about

before you read i just wanna say warning for mentions of sa!!!!!

first of all i dont want to jump straight into the serious shit so the unoriginality is actually INSANE like ive been seeing the same jokes since 2022, can we Please get something funnier than “griffin does gymnastics / is a ceiling fan” 😭 the amount of times recently i’ll see a tbp tiktok and then get someone copying the idea and making the Same exact post like 3 scrolls later is insane like Pls can we be original Pls this movie is so sad i need something to laugh at

outside of being totally unoriginal some of the jokes tend to be Really Fucking Disgusting like straight up joking about assault, i shouldn’t even have to explain that thats not funny in the slightest?? this one person made a bunch of really gross ones and kept blocking people who called them out in the comment section, my friend had to dm them Several times and all they did was take down one post, the rest are still up with a ton of views :/ i know its like shock humour or dark humour or whatever but i dont see the ‘funny’ side of a grown man forcing himself onto a child and i think if youre laughing at that you should sit down and ask yourself why you think thats so funny.. people in the comments are always like “i shouldn’t laugh” so they Know its wrong as well which just ugh the whole thing just really gets on my nerves

another thing that gets on my nerves is the lack of media literacy and straight up spreading misinformation, maybe on the media literacy part i’m just a hater but i see so many questions being asked or theories being posed when all of the things mentioned were… literally answered in the movie?? “whats up with finney and gwen’s mother” it’s literally said in the movie that she has the same ability as gwen and she killed herself bc of it, next question, “why was max so interested in finding the missing boys” maybe because he was a coked up conspiracy theorist who saw a serious crime happening in his brother’s area so he decided to be a genuine concerned citizen who wanted these boys to be found💀 “why did the grabber kill max” because he had evidence of the highly awful crimes he’d been committing and was about to let his latest victim free?? the list goes on and on but those r the main ones i see all the time

as for the misinformation. Ough. it annoys me So much this is a hill i will die on😭 i dont know if its people’s half-baked theories or personal headcanons that just got way out of hand but i see so much stuff being spread that just Isnt true, it gets spread so far that when you google these things it appears as true when its not which is annoying !!! i actually was gonna make an entire rant about one theory in particular that pisses me off so bad but i can fit it in here alongside my list of “other theories presented as facts that i Absolutely Despise”

first theory, the one i was gonna make an entire post over, is the theory that vance is the grabber’s son. if i see one more tiktok of those two with that marina and the diamonds song im going to fucking lose it😭 i have no idea where people got this from but its so fucking popular that it comes up on google and i Hate it, i think it comes from the fact that in gwen’s dream sequence, which, might i add, WAS A DREAM, it looks like the police drop vance off outside the grabber’s house and he goes inside there, which… apparently automatically makes them related…?? it takes like one ounce of media literacy to realise that Obviously he’d be getting dropped off at his own house in real life, but as a ghost he’s centred on the place he died and is showing that house to gwen in her dreams, like how every other ghost shows that house to her. awful theory awful take i hate it, if its ur personal headcanon sorry but i do Not fw that

the other theories i have like. not much to say about other than the fact that they’re Not true, i see a lot of stuff about griffin for some reason? the number tends to change but a lot of ppl say “he was kept in the basement for 4 years” like . Huh. where is your proof???? i know the missing posters are insanely unreliable but if you literally read them griffin went missing on april 2nd and billy went missing on may 4th so highly likely griffin was only in the basement for like. a month at most, no idea where ppl are pulling 4 years out of💀 i also see people say griffin has broken legs or a broken back Just because of the first scene where we see him doing a backbend but . if that was the case then he wouldnt be able to stand with the other ghosts when they show gwen the house, i think the backbend was just the position he died in and thats why he first appeared that way to finney but Hey thats just my opinion! last two i have like no rants over but just. firstly people saying robin never made it to the basement for some reason but clearly he did otherwise his ghost would not be down there with the rest of them😭 secondly the theory that vance was kept there the longest “because he’s the most feminine” which. just makes absolutely zero sense to me whatsoever idk whos random headcanon got popularised but i dont like it

okay getting serious again, while this one does not make me angry its like. just really weird to me? i think its common knowledge at this point that both the book and the movie are inspired heavily by the john wayne gacy case, with the grabber literally being inspired by john wayne gacy himself (you Cannot argue with me on this one its literally confirmed and theres a boatload of evidence supporting it). i guess its natural to see people making comparisons between the movie and the case because of the inspiration but i’ve seen Several videos recently of people taking photos of jwg victims and putting them next to tbp characters and saying thats who theyre inspired by and i think thats . Really coming across as insensitive i cant lie😭 we know the grabber was inspired by jwg and its heavily thought that billy was inspired by johnny gosch but theres not much about the others and i think its just really distasteful to compare real life murder victims to fictional horror characters just to get views/likes on tiktok, it comes across as insanely disrespectful to me but idk i havent seen anyone else talking about it so i might just be being sensitive

last thing that really really bothers me is grabber simps. while i do see it on tiktok i see it on here, tumblr, most often and its… so odd to me…. like why are you thirsting over the paedophilic serial killer… so so strange to me… i want to see art and character analysis and silly little posts about all the characters but every time i open the tbp tag i’m jumpscared by someones weird ass grabber x reader oneshot and its SO GROSS get that shit away from me😭😭😭😭 also saw this one girl on tiktok one time whos literal entire account was dedicated to the grabber and she defended this by saying the sa in the movie was “just a theory” which is so victim blamey girl i do not trust you there is so much evidence for it in the movie, again w the media literacy point, just because something isnt directly shown to you doesnt mean it isnt shown in other subtler ways… anyway i get if people like the grabber as a villain but actually like. loving him and thirsting over him is weird as fuck to me

so um ya the fandom is a trainwreck can we go back to there being like 3 of us please and thank u. if you actually read all this then Wow thank you its literally just me being chronically online and ranting about stuff that doesn’t matter in the real world at all

[nineteenninety-six]

Can I get Kuina and Ann with a insecure reader feel free to do whatever you want with this idea, thank you <3

Not a big fan of this but it’s been a while since I posted and I’ve been ‘writing’ it for like two weeks. Hopefully this isn’t formatted horribly as I’m posting from my phone at work.

Fem!reader

It was hard for YN not to feel insecure when she was with Kuina and Ann, both of them were strong women and YN couldn’t help but compare herself to them and how could she not?

Ann was formidable, seemingly unbreakable always in control and always had some sort of plan as a backup. She was a strong, intelligent woman and YN felt both insecure and starry-eyed whenever they were around each other.

Kuina was a badass in every conceivable way, a bikini top and wedges didn’t stop her from kicking ass. Not only could Kuina beat someone's ass, she also had a heart of gold, always trying to help others and lending a hand if needed.

As they left the playing grounds of the Queen of Clubs after defeating it, YN trailed behind Ann and Kuina, feeling the worst she had felt for a while. Insecurity was slowly starting to suffocate YN, her stuttered breaths caught the attention of Ann who glanced over her shoulder and caught the sight of YN stumbling behind them.

Ann paused in her steps and dragged her eyes over YN, “What’s wrong with you?”

Kuina turns around at Ann’s words and watches YN curiously. “You okay?”

YN nods, “Exhausted.”

Kuina nods in understanding before turning back around and continuing to walk but Ann keeps her eyes on YN.

She lets Kuina walk a few steps forward to create some space before dropping her pace so that she can walk alongside YN. She didn’t say anything, giving YN the space to talk if she wanted to and allowing her to breathe.

They walked in silence for another before they found a quiet place to rest for the night. They had a massive family sized tent that they shared, it gave them enough space to share the space comfortably.

YN was sandwiched between them as they got in for the night, staring up at the ceiling of the tent.

“How do you do it?” YN finally said what was on her mind

“Huh?” Kuian turns her head slightly to look at YN

“Survive all of this. The never ending games and death, it doesn’t seem to affect either of you.”

There’s a brief pause of silence before Ann speaks up, “That’s not true… I hate participating in these games, I hate them but I want to go home more than everything.”

“So you just push through it? Don’t you ever get tired?”

“I do but giving up means death”

“You’re braver than I am. I don’t think I could survive all of this without you”

Ann sends a gentle smile her way, “I think you could”

YN nods at that and turns to Kuina, “What about you?”

“I feel as if I have something to prove, even though I don’t. If I can survive this, I can survive anything…”

“You’re so strong Kuina, how many games have you cleared in those wedges?” YN praises her

Kuina breaks out in a grin, “I know right? Too bad it messed up my pedicure.”

“You survived these games before you joined The Beach and when we got separated for the second stage. You should stop underestimating yourself, it’ll get you killed”

Ann spoke up, eyes trained on YN

“It’s not that easy” YN sighs

“Of course it’s not but we believe you, and you should too”

“Okay, okay but you two promise that we’ll still be friends once we get back to the real world?”

Kuina smiled that sunny smile of hers that lit up a room, “Of course! Why wouldn’t we?”

Kuina and YN turned to Ann who couldn’t stop the small grin from forming on her lips, “I suppose we can”

[be-side-my-self]

Rewatch of Only Murders In The Building to prepare for season 4 (IIII)

<Part I> // <Part II> // <Part III>

Block #OMITBRewatch if you don’t want to read notes that will have spoilers up to seasons 3. Just to make it clear, while quoting, I use M, O, C for the main characters.

Also I’m putting this under a read more because it gets long.

S2 E3

C: "I kissed Bunny on the lips" and that saying after he mentioned that Bunny is potentially his sister.

Oh, right. It's Bunny's last day.

Bunny: "I can't belive this is my last day. As board president."

Aww, Bunny :(

Love how the main three re-tell what happened to their fan-club.

Nina learned a lot from Bunny.

Uma and Bunny are such good friends, it's cute.

Bunny: "Is that your cute way of saying you don't want me to go?" Uma: "No, go. You know I have a key. Maybe I'll go into your place and wear all your stuff." Bunny: "Fuck you." Uma: "Fuck you."

It's fun how everyone seem to love Bunny if they aren't living at the Arconia.

She is giving that waiter so much money to fullfill his dream.

And as Mable says, she is a badass.

And Charles says "What would we do without you?"

Both of that just gave Bunny a boost.

And then she is instantly reminded that it's her last day. The one thing she always loved to do... the one thing she lived for.

Incredible... also Howard is great at taking minutes.

"And Nina shows her true face."

Please invite her in! Please! ;_;

Go to her Apartment! Invite her!

There had been three instances at which they could have saved Bunny.

S2 E4

I wondered if Lucy appears in S2 or S3 and it's season 2 which makes sense.

"She is an angel in Flip Flops, pitta putta!"

A wheelchair and a touch of dementia... how did the studio plan to redcon that? In case Charles is innocent?

Oh Oliver... your son needs you.

Oh look it's Teddy.

Oliver: "So... how is prison?" Teddy: "Actually... Transformative. I don't know if you konw Master Han, but he's helped me realize... I don't have to act on my thoughts." O: "Ah." Teddy: "For example, right now, the thought of ringing your neck, really stimulates my root chakra, but it's probably not worth losing three of my mindfulness badges." O: "Ah. Th-that's... That's good..."

O: "Well, I guess I'll see you around." Teddy: "Oh, definietly. Because I'm going to fuck you, Oliver." O: "Excuse me?" Teddy: "I'm going to fuck you. I'm not sure... when or how quite yet, but I'm going to fuck you. Hard. Harder than you've ever been fucked before. In a way you won't see coming. Until one day, you'll slip your knubby little fingers into one of my dips you love so much and realize... you're choking. Choking on a big heaping bowl... of fuck." O: *snort* Teddy: "Namaste."

Teddy is awful but holy shit he is hardcore.

I love how Mabel now is supposed to talk with the teen and then, being almost 30. also doesn't understand anything. Same though. DSM-5; 100 gecs (never heard of them except for omitb)

The knife in the ceiling is such a crazy thing...

Yay Lucy!

I love stuff like that... passage ways and caves and bunker...

The design changes to the Arconia are so ugly...

That is tragic... but that is all on you Teddy. You should have protected your son instead of using him.

The whole episode is about parent-children relationships.

Oliver being there for his son.

Lucy saw someone in the walls.

Jan is a freak.

S2 E5

Ah, the iphone ring tone

"Son of Sam"... we used to play that but it's call "murder at the disco".

Also fun that Teddy and Oliver knew each other since they had been... teens? early 20s?

So... I guess Teddy had learned how to hide his tells from Oliver? On the other hand, Tedd had not been Tim Kono's killer.

Lmao... Jan is a freak. But why waste internet time on TikTok? Use the 10 min of internet for pornhub. That is a better use of that data.

It's kind of clicheé to ask another murderer for help... like... hmmm "Silence of the lambs"? Ever heard of it?

Oh shit, I just remembered the secret that Will does not know about.

The two old white men talking american politics and having another bestie moment while Mabel just wants to figure out the clue.

Great, that the fanclub hears about the secret passageways.

O: "Our fans! You rascals."

I have to admit I wondered if Alice was the killer too. Because she fit the "profile". And I guess also because I did not really like her? She is a great red herring.

The fans actually seeing it all as a story and not reality...

Lmao Charles being protective about Mabel.

Alice: "Can I say I couldn't be more excited to meet the both of you?" C: "Oh!" Alice: "And hold on. Charles, were you not in..." M: "Here we go." Alice: "... that swedish movie, with the tempestous throuple that go camping and torture each other with orgasms?" Charles: "You saw 'Encounter at Uppsala'? I played the park ranger." Alice: "Fabulously, by the way. If it were anyone else's hands, it would have just been an average peeping tom. It's one of the most memorable half-scenes of the entire film. Honestly."

There is so much about that sentence alone to talk about. xD Like, How many memorable half-scenes wher ein this erotic swedish movie? Charles hands? Did you even see his face? Also how big is the chance that if Oliver had learned that Charles would have had *another* part in the movie he would instantly google it? Also how did Charles get the part in a swedish movie?

O: "And how did you see this movie?" Alice: "I took a class on deviant sexuality in Scandinavian cinema."

WHERE? also was it a british or an american class and did your professor call it deviant and why?

This is Olivers episode.

Also how he tells Charles that he is as uncomfortable as he always looks and then leaves him be to be completely uncomfortable between a bunch of people he does not know and then Charles instantly makes an ass out of himself.

Alice: "This is demented. I'm in." ... yeah no.

with murder at the disco, the one who wrongly accused someone would also die.

It's crazy that Oliver got the murderer in the game wrong... makes you wonder... also Mable was the son of sam?

I guess it's easy to lie about your life back in England when you're in New York.

... oh Charles...

Lol, are they aware that usually prison calls are recorded?

oh lmao Oliver was right about Alice being Son of Sam!

and ... there it is... holy shit...

S2 E6

you really start to feel for Poppy because Cinda is such a bitch.

Jan: "What? We never broke up." C: "Well, I guess I just assumed." Jan: "Why? Because I tried to kill you?"

... well...

Jan: "How many times are you gonna make me apologize for that? You're all I have, Charles. Are you really gonna leave me in here, all locked up, and not in a sexy way. I still love you. Is that crazy?"

Yes, Jan. That is crazy. But it's even more crazy that Charles stays... but also so understandable. He is scared too.

CINDA: "I need to poop!! Come in and say I have a call!"

Oh right, Joy!

Lmao Oliver and Mabel instantly knowing that there is some chemistry between Charles and Joy.

C: "Because she's not my type." Lucy: "What, emotionally stable?" O: "Age appropriate?" M: "Not incarcerated?"

The show is so good with red herrings. It's great.

The glitter bomb is such a good idea.

Was the whole episode of the Cinda podcast just two minuts?

Lmao Mable being just pissed at Charles for talking with Jan, because she is also protective towards Charles.

Also she is right, Jan killed Mable's friend.

LOL how they miss the bomb. It's a dramatic scene and the background is so silly...

Lmao letting Sazz do the breaking up is so crazy and also so genius. But also Uh Oh!

Incredible...

Uh oh... there is the bad thing Alice did...

I actually thought that it happened in Mable's apartment. But it's the studio.

Charles and Oliver are besties.

Poppy is so clever...

But also the glitter bomb worked.

Oh fuck! right... Mabel stabbed someone...

Poor girl...

And that was the most awkward hug in history.

[harlequin-hangout]

For a Mortal Chapter 2

Series Masterlist | Loki Masterlist

< Part 1 | Part 3 >

Pairing: Dom!Loki x f!Reader

Warnings: Self esteem problems, self deprecation, ⚠️abuse (past, not from Loki)⚠️, minor breaking and entering

Contains: Angst, maybe a little fluff, brain not processing the literal god, descriptions of sensual fluffiness

Word Count: 2.2k

Dividers are made by me! Want some for yourself? Send me an ask!

I do not nor will I ever give permission for my writing to be copied, pasted, reposted to other sites, or edited in any way shape or form. Seriously, just don’t.

A/N: Chapter 2!! This was inspired by this ask by @michelleleewise​. This is my first attempt at writing any kind of fan fiction, so please be kind. Thank you so much to @vbecker10 and @soubi001 for all the help with this chapter!! I'm so sorry that it took so long, inspiration hasn't been showing its face for this series.

You groan, hearing the all-too-familiar 10 am alarm blaring next to you. Why you had never turned off that damned alarm, you’d never know. It’s not like you had anything to do that day, but it wasn’t good for your mental health to stay in bed. Turning off the alarm, you stare at the ceiling. Did last night really happen? It couldn’t have . . . right? Magic, gods, teleportation . . . it couldn’t exist in real life. That was ridiculous. . . wasn’t it? You haul yourself out of bed, gingerly pressing the bathroom door open. Everything was just as you’d left it. Clothes were strewn all over the floor and a combination of makeup and sanitary products littered the counter. Notably though, where you remembered placing a pine scented green candle last night was only a few drops of green wax. You stare at the empty counter space, ignoring your phone when it starts to ring. How was it gone?? Did Loki take it back? How were you supposed to contact him again? You sigh and rub your eyes, already wanting to crawl back into your bed. Last night was definitely too good to be true. Your phone began to ring again, Caller ID showing your friend Sobhana – Soubi for short – on the screen.

“Mmmh . . . Morning . . .” you groan.

“Hey! Someone sounds like she had a long night,” Soubi teased.

“Something like that . . . Either that or I’m losing my mind. What’s up?”

“Val and I were gonna grab something to eat at that Thai place you like. Wanna come?”

“Thank you so much for thinking of me, Soubi, but I don’t have money to eat out. I’d love to see you guys though, would you want to come hang out later today?” You heard Soubi laugh a little on the other end of the line.

“Don’t use your customer service apology on me. Did I ask if you had money? I got you, we’ll meet you there at 11:30. Sound good?” Soubi stated, leaving no room for arguments. “You can repay me by filling me in on all the work drama. I swear, that boss of yours gets dumber every time you tell me about him.” You burst out laughing. She wasn’t wrong. Every time you talked to Darren Albright, the stories got more and more unbelievable.

“Deal, and this weekend I’ll make you and Val some of that baked mac and cheese. We can have movie night at my place.”

“Movies sound great! I’ll always brie up for them, even if you pick the ones that are pasta-tively cheesy.” You could practically hear Soubi’s grin as you groan at her awful puns. She had more puns ready for any situation than anyone you’d ever met, and you absolutely adored her for it. Plus, two can play at that game.

“I better get ready, or I’m Ghouda be late.” You poke back at her, only lasting a couple moments before dissolving into giggles. “Yeah, no, that was bad. Yours was so much better! I’ll see you at 11?”

“You’ll get on my level one day, see you then!” Soubi hung up with a click, and you were left to search your closet for something clean to wear.

You hadn't said much since you’d arrived at the restaurant. If Val and Soubi noticed, they hadn’t said anything so far. You mumbled your thanks as the waiter set the plate down in front of you, taking a deep breath before letting out a sigh.

“Y/N, you’re really quiet. That isn’t like you, what’s going on?” Val spoke up from across the table, concern in her eyes.

“It’s just . . .” You take another deep breath. “So, I might be going crazy. I had this . . . this dream, I guess? I dunno. I wouldn’t really call it a dream, it was so vivid, I could have sworn it was a memory, but I’m not sure what else to think.”

“Well, what’s going on?” Soubi inquires from your left. “If there’s something weird going on, you can always tell us.”

“Okay . . . Well it started after Darren called me last night.” You spent the next  thirty minutes filling your friends in on the previous evening’s crazy adventure. From the candle to the shower, to the almost – almost – platonic domination. “He didn’t even push for sex! Like I said, it’s like he could watch my memories . . . he knew exactly what I liked, but also what to avoid in order to make sure I was comfortable.”

“Wait, after all of that you didn’t fuck him??” Val almost screamed, and you had to fight back a giggle when she realized that people were looking. 

“No! We talked for a while, there was some gentle hair pulling while we made out, but he didn’t try anything unless he asked first or I initiated. I’m sure it would have been amazing if we had, though . . . I wonder what it would be like to fuck a guy who knows exactly what I want.”

“Sounds like an in-depth knowledge of sin and temptation are in your future and this god person is there to give a self guided tour.” Soubi’s comment almost made you blow soda out of your nose, and you take a few minutes to stop yourself from choking. Val was the first to regain control of her laughter.

“Soubi’s got a point though,” Val stated, wiping a tear from her eye. “He sounds too amazing to have been anything other than an imagination.” 

“See, that’s what I thought at first, but there’s these little green droplets of wax where the candle used to be.”

“Used to be?” Val raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, no. That’s really weird.”

“I mean, that’s physical evidence. That definitely means SOMETHING was there.” Soubi’s eyebrows creased. She wasn’t ready to say it yet, but she was definitely getting worried. “Do you have any makeup that could have left it? You accidentally melted that lipstick while trying to fix a break in it a while back.”

“You have a point, but I’m absolutely certain. I don’t own any makeup that color, and it was the exact same green with the same pine scent lingering. I have absolutely no idea what else it could be. I think I may be going crazy . . .” Your gaze drops to the table. You really didn’t want to admit it, but there was no other explanation. Some kind of psychotic break was the only logical explanation.

“Crazy, nothing, I’m worried that someone has been in your apartment.” Soubi muttered under her breath. “If someone was in your place, that’s really dangerous. They could have laced your food with stuff, or even the candle somehow. A hallucination would explain the god man appearing in your bathroom.” You glance at Val out of the side of your eye.

“I mean . . . It’s totally possible, but we still love you. I think you’re fine though honestly, you’ve been going through a lot lately, especially with your crappy job. I’m sure your mind is just looking for a way to deal with it while you're sleeping. Maybe get some extra locks though?” You smile softly, grateful to have friends with your best interest at heart.

“Yeah, extra locks seem like an amazing idea. But speaking of my crappy job . . . I believe I promised Soubi an update. Darren called me yesterday to tell me that I haven’t been doing anything for the company.”

“What??” Soubi hissed. “Didn’t you build an entirely new backend to make intake smoother?”

“Yup.”

“And you do all the upkeep on it, right?”

“All by myself, I don’t know if he even knows how it works.” A wicked smile creeps across Val’s face.

“You should quit. It isn’t like he’s paying you anyway. Just quit and wait for him to come crawling back to you when he realizes how much you actually do.”

“As satisfying as that could be, he’s an Albright, he might make sure that I never work in the film industry again, and I’ve worked way too hard to get here.”

“Do you really think he’d do that?” Val inquired.

“Well . . . no, not really, but I also think that if I walk, I’m never getting my job back. I’ve worked so hard to get where I am, and if I step out of Darren’s company on terms like this, then I can’t use him as a reference. I’ll be back to square one . . .”

“Hey, look at me?” Soubi asks. “ You won’t be starting from square one. You’ll be starting from experience. I’ve seen you grow so much over the past year and a half, especially after you finally cut off contact with your ex. We’re going to support you no matter what.” You beam, taking a deep breath and feeling a moment of peace for the first time in the last couple months. Your life had become so hectic, but Val and Soubi had remained your constant. As long as you have your friends, you can get through whatever this curveball turns out to be. 

Your laptop dings with the fifth email from Albright.  Even though he accused you of not doing anything, you still seemed to be getting a lot put on your plate. You look over the new client application, grabbing your mug of hot chocolate from your side table. The application was for a new marketing client, and they were only asking for a basic social media consultation and re-do of their old logo. You sip your mug as you spend the next few hours going over the company site and social media, compiling a list of suggestions and replying to Darren’s email with your recommendations. By midnight, you had sorted through all the new clients and organized materials for the current client, plus re-worked part of your backend system to make finding client information easier. You stand, making your way to the kitchen. After depositing your empty mug in the sink, you grab a cup of water to take with you to bed. Today has been hard, but you won’t let it get the better of you.

The next two days passed without anything of note happening. Your days are mostly spent messaging the group chat with Soubi and Val (Soubi has nicknamed it My Taste in Buds a while back) and job applications. You needed income from somewhere, and Darren wasn’t cutting it. Coffee shops, restaurants, and even some retail stores had been checked off the list, but it was Saturday and you weren’t likely to hear anything  back on the weekends. You close your laptop and head to the bathroom. A hot, steamy shower sounds like the most amazing thing right now.

The water pours over your skin and the steam fills your lungs. You’d finished washing ages ago, but it was nice to take a moment to breathe. In here, nothing could bother you. Not Darren, not bills, not unanswered job applications. You could stay in your little bubble and pretend for just one moment that everything was okay. You’d been able to sit with the events of your dream, and process. Val was right, this was probably your brain rationalizing. The human brain is such an amazing thing, it never stops working. It probably took spots of stuff on your counter and the amount of smut that you read and turned it into a coping mechanism while you slept. You had to admit, it had been nice. His slender fingers sliding through your hair. The gentle way he spoke. His voice had been both masculine and ethereal. Both commanding and comforting. The way he had spoken to you after he pulled you away from your shower . . . The softness wasn’t something you were used to. You barely knew the man – god, if he was to be believed – but he was more considerate of your wants and your needs than anyone you’d ever dated. Hell, most of the people who called you a friend didn’t seem to care. Outside of Val and Soubi, it seemed that most people kept you around because of things they thought that you could do for them. It made perfect sense that your brain would supply a tall, dark, and elegant man with a voice as smooth as velvet to help meet the needs in your life that were left unfulfilled. You spend a few more moments reminiscing on the dream, focusing on how his hands felt on your skin as his lips brushed yours, waiting for you to close the last breath of space between the two of you instead of just taking what he wanted. He was too good to be true, and almost definitely couldn’t exist outside of a dream. You toweled off, wrapping that towel around yourself before reaching to grab another for your hair. You pause, sniffing the towel. Something didn’t smell right . . . It wasn’t the towels, and it wasn’t the clothes you had piled on the floor . . . You grabbed the knife that you kept in your bedside table for protection and quietly made your way towards the living room and the front door. As you stepped out of the hallway, you stopped dead in your tracks. You recognized the scent, but what was it? You take stock of your apartment. Everything seems to be in place, the door is locked, the windows are closed . . . What could that smell be? Then it hits you. It’s leather. Leather and sandalwood. And sitting on the side table next to your laptop is a familiar green pine tree  scented candle.

Tag List: @sititran @lokixryss @vbecker10 @vickie5446 @soubi001 @ozymdias

[rainydawgradioblog]

boyGENIUS!!!!

boygenius, a superstar trio of indie artists including phoebe bridgers, julien baker, and lucy dacus, recently released their debut album, and it is truly nothing short of genius. in a moment that was about as culturally significant to me as the signing of the declaration of independence, these three women utterly changed the course of my life and the lives of thousands of other melodramatic girlies. this lil post, despite being a healthy 3-ish weeks after the actual release of the record, will compile some of my standout thoughts on each track of the album. hope you enjoy! ;)

1: without you without them 

one thing about me, i LOVE some boygenius harmonies. in a similar manner as my beloved favorite track from their 2018 EP, ketchum ID, without you without them provokes a deep sense of peace and emotion combined. “speak to me, until your history’s no mystery to me” is the cutest cleverest little lyric. the perfect opening track. 

2: $20 

0:01 seconds in, any seasoned boygenius fan immediately goes “julien!!!” her signature heavier guitar and drums sets her apart from the jump and creates the catchiest hook. plus the screaming at the end?? oh my god??? (that video of phoebe recording I KNOW!!!!! YOU HAVE!!!!! 20 DOLLARS!!!!!! has actually not left my head since i saw it)

3: emily i’m sorry

i will forever be unapologetically weak in the knees for phoebe bridgers. she captures so many emotions so beautifully in this, between loving someone so much it destroys you and feeling completely out of control of your life. i love the progression between “i can feel myself becoming someone only you could want” and “i can feel myself becoming somebody i’m not, i’m not” between the two choruses. 

4: true blue

more songs about platonic love!!!! PLEASE!!!! this track is devastatingly adorable. “i can’t hide from you like i hide from myself,” is the perfect lyric to make you think of that friend who will tell you that you don’t have to say “its ok” when you’re miserable over something. the bridge also makes me feel like i’m floating. i love lucy!!!! 

5: cool about it

WOW. unquestionably in the top three, immediately. i’m a sucker for a boygenius song where they all have equal verses (souvenier-esque) and this one HITS. i’ve seen so many different interpretations of this one, including but not limited to: 1: the feeling of knowing an old friendship is slowly drifting apart, 2: a heartbreak that you swallow and smile through for the other person, and 3: clinging to someone that you know is bad for you because you can’t imagine yourself without them. all of them are so fitting, and i find so much beauty in the open-endedness. 

6: not strong enough 

LUCY AT THE END. LITERALLY JUST. LUCY’S PART AT THE END. 

makes me go actually crazy every time. they ate this one up. a depressing song in an upbeat major key melody is an incredible combination. sneaks up on ya.  

7: revolution 0

this is such a genuinely beautiful song. another one where they just nailed the harmonies. “i used to think if i’d just close my eyes, i will disappear”  reminds me so much of “i used to think you could hear the ocean in a seashell, what a childish thing” in phoebe’s single “sidelines.” definitely a lie on the floor and ponder existence while tracing the cracks in your ceiling type jam. 

8: leonard cohen 

i love a short little song. and this is a fantastic one. “i am not an old man having an existential crisis at a buddhist monastery, writing horny poetry, but i agree” is incredibly boygenius-coded. their tendency towards the occasional silly little lyric is something i can always get behind. my favorite fact about this one is that the story at the beginning is 100% true-and that phoebe was the one driving the car. 

9: satanist

as the text that my best friend sent to me at the release of the album reads, “satanist BANGS” and it’s true. satanist does in fact, bang. another distinct julien standout, it provides a sick little head-bangy intermission to all the introspective, staring-at-the-ceiling pondering. “will you be a nihilist with me? if nothing matters, man that’s a relief” has got to be the realest thing i’ve heard in a minute. 

10: we’re in love

dunno if this song has too much of a tinge of sadness to be my first dance song at my wedding…..but i certainly want it to be. i’d have to claim this one as my favorite from the album. everything about it is just stunning, from the lyrics and the story they convey to the vocals and simple instrumental backing. the verse about finding each other in the next life actually made me tear up in the public record store where i first heard the album. “i can’t imagine you without the same smile in your eyes, there is something about you that i will always recognize” ARE YOU KIDDING?!! so heart-stoppingly beautiful. 

11: anti-curse

i’d love to drive down an empty highway with this song playing. there’s something so magical about a song that has a dramatic build-up, and there’s nobody that does a dramatic build-up better than these three right here (shout out not strong enough again). the instrumental swells at “i guess i did alright considering” and “i’m swimmin back” feel like such a true release of emotion, you can’t help but feel it alongside the band. 

12: letter to an old poet 

INSANE. easily a standout track, between the parallel to the past “me and my dog,” from the band’s debut EP, to the gut-wrenching lyricism delivered in phoebe’s smooth vocals, it’s seriously unforgettable-especially for old fans of the band. “and i love you, i don’t know why, i just do” is a poignantly simple capture of a feeling we’ve all faced at one point or another. the combination of love, hurt, and rage is such an intriguing combination and draws the listener in from the first moment. also a BIG fan of “you don’t get to tell me to calm down.” remember to never let anyone invalidate how you feel, my friends. and also remember to…

STAY COOL!!!!! 

K-MURPH

listen here:

[libidomechanica]

“When once ’‘tis hallowed’”

A ballad sequence

               1

Lo Collin, here the best guards of female chastity.     And water sinke; and, whether or not to farmers’ can’t recur. When once tis hallowed     with Psyche were loth to yield his virtue

by descents continue. I know not who you     are all things call’d sovereign was smitten, juan much bigger fellows of them most sweet flowers,     will is free. And letter off for woe.

               2

Of all women most dere. He did     not warmed by his friends soothed me into the village, and spoken     word which precedes the

long years after than garments did     ioy amongst men, and with tears? ’ Then thus in peace, or strong, writ     now bleeds in the level:

spatter off for wowing al for     the hand. A drowning race, by only this, then from wealthy     regions run, thick and round

without object, as those table     of element, often feeling baskets startles all the     arranged threat of fire, and

poets feign, baths that thou send’st from     me was I bold, to trust those threadbare elbow, says, Is this     hundred Aristotle

by waning light. For his face your     victors of my race so fond will be outcasts always had     a wound in every new

young lion plaid, mine eyes or grace;     a mother, and pain, where there, named from her make one stone one     life saved, and then Remembrance

clear water, leaden-eyed despairs,     and if I read loved her, one not learne in Wonders and     bawled the fair-faced Lanskoi.

               3

And Cathering in their way to     swell a man’ as Giles say: napoleon’s, Mary’s queen of Scotland,     should desire which so sweet golden raine: another’s     guilt! The nobleman is he then unstinted love is     vanity, a maddening scent

of outworn buried deep to take     a look, sharp checkes I in it recited, and self-pity     ran mine execution. I hear the snow’s daughters of     a cure that is by Nature’s skill, some do it with curious     hand crush’d and forced to

its nub, its puddle of tallow,     the village free, with such animals could I flee from Fear     o God within his learning me. Than in his horses had     the sun and seem profound: she might not grieve from me was I     bold, to trust in the woods

in vain, and a spirit is me     to sustain a sigh: for each man, and for the tea-cup opens     a lane to the ceiling. While thou too, mortall gifts, no     earth but from heaven raine: another relics, when I a     hearse our legend be, it

will good though were the oxygen.     Sing terrible weight, propped away with music. ’ Indifference     made, and long trail of light, or whether house must for my beautie     and rises since, not so? ’ Mother! Beyond meed! The day ten     years they though how it laughs,—

it is sad merriment, but it     eats the fuel perish, can deny thou dost but mend thy face,     and heavy ignorance. They ask of me and I thought. Thing     he doth take; could not be seen, and gave a twist to my own     self. I lift my life hath

not the beggar and taxing,—how,     I say, will decide, but which few men can onely by     the Trial Men, and, Loue, sincere, friends, ’tis much in fashion. That     great or little bag, went shuffling on to pass to tread,     and voide of grace: but we

know why they write, and wel ymake.     They can be idle words thee I lay; if on another’s     Hand outstretched in never yet to rue my small knuckles and     the table mess. By your fancy frae me, for fear the people     have admired it.

               4

Wishing in the sun; the oldest think us straight!     Life on the round the Poets of heau’nly beames, which he came out of languorous house     with a most evil fan. And by iust

counts my selfe on the air would emerge in the milkwhite     peacock like halfway summiting Everest. So you will, we then shall I weep if a     Poland fall he shall we need to fill,

for term of light. Saw a quire of ladies are: love     thee from work, we had crosses and wrinkles this very true the husbands are the water’s     brink she learned’s wing and he she most

remove? Violet, one dawn was grey, and dancing in     the little care of perilous seas, in faire outside in white, petal by petal, fall     on the sleeping eyes can yet deceive

you, dear, I’ll enlist on neither side, and gave his     fine air I trembling voyce bringe: ich am in hire owen makes it bleed great round the world     to say, thou art by prodigy to

proue; now be still the bargain for life indeed, those     eyes of awe, Grey figures on the first draught of Vertues throng in wheeling away that’s our     darlings! No thing to flie, first of what

the clock that thou art descended race. Failure message     said massive problems, recalibrating pH this alone, as one of the line     is out the prey their poesy disperse.

               5

Could you but once, or twice, to thee,     as will her sex, has blest my glorious found, for his greater     growe. I choose to death,

her vile, ambiguous method     of flirtation, no doubt, that if carrying you fearfully.     And over cities

like fog smothering everything     to flie, first out of mine, statelier Eden back to dream     remember pears and yon

gardener’s glass, and aware of     uncontrolled to ask: for he who slips within himselfe to kiss     me ere I did I’d

grab your eye. Then recollecting     the water than garments’ cost, of more digest his dear. By     which when not wake at dawn

to stand thy fair mermaid in the     river of his head in a crowd, a host, of golden Autumne     plums, did drop a flowers

plucked in my false foul breathe out     his nectars—alights, and one of this should in sonnets pretty     rooms; nor every way

before you hope to show her head,     and make the measure; all that naïve light, you ceased to that     window-ledge on which all

who watched with trust which they had killed     the dough, and fancy dies in the wealth may lustre throw around     my back. Now Kitty,

pert, repeats the peril of my     arms I hold you and name you poor, to enrich youth: lend one     more gem to enrich you

exit, return this orient,     and the deep scar of desier; stella, in whose pleasures doth     kisse; each to razed oblivion.

The Sage his Satire     ended; and fancy frae me, for long your bells low, and saves     the dough, and loss with their

brothers cry Too late. She smiles, yet     still dawn at the making out of a bastard in our borders,     and in Sommer shades

hath Love put in my head, a light     in her golden age, when you depend upon me ever.     Me with eyes over the

duration of words that what it     is to place is more innocent: twere banish, in his blood     and ill, on either, why!

               6

Because the scent came features’ Eyes.     From the primroses blown is mostly nervous six-foot fellows     of that turned your tomb

the woods in vain! More. A verb dancing,     to put on convict- clothes, and murderer’s collar take     his wings of nation grown;

we both into the roll’d on a     cursed taste for war, and half- world; approach and setting kings. Is     it that sickening spire; and

the dough, and fear: love all—no more     that windowsill. From thence, sharpness of my anguish keeps verses     made thing to recollect

far sweet bed of her kindlier     influence of the world’s bicycle goes its way: for nothing     in vain—fast fading

voice; the change of shame? Chipped each other     light she with the wind through a broken heart they roar back     again to see, them indeed,

rose-jacynth to the Reputed     Son? I managed so loyal in hot bloody trial,—alas!     And this I cal much

for him a Nurse—her Name Absál—     her Years not Twenty—from the boarding you seek my head cradle,     where at first lover?

               7

Upon the pith, like the day, it eats the fainting     half the world, firm, quiet and The Shah beheld the while, but no disdains the Wintergreen     call, and chime: o let not Time will use

a running Love! Purchased, but always keep one. And     slave it in a vision I did stay that, figure in thee there really good, not one. What     cannot aid me, more than wealth I haue

made, for with a hangman’s hands before your hands, through     all the moon; and staring eyes, and the plumes of others, if thou wish men to be man, all     things, and by sweet Ida: palm to pass;

nor feel upon his celestial Sign; that, reached? Still-     kept course of carriage without object of my head cradle, where thee, Cynara! Shoulders,     knees locked, one another set, swear it

can’t stop watching and round, and every word I     understand the firm soil too rich in the statelier Eden back tingling clean, but the sovereigns     think I made the same. To crowned with

lemon, she of those sweet air we tramped, each foot, wrapt     in a valley drifts into some a sweet did thus the quicker element, often as     tho’ that yearning skil with Buonaparte—

What stretch of mud and she far-fleeted by the peril     of my back in the digits of my lover’s words, at least some one came out of dusky     doors: but shoot not as my hand was

near, thither to seek it; this manner place; crones,     old and blind his river of his beads both widow, maid, ever she ran, and sow, till the     laws, than that touches. Heaven above

and cleaned the sky-lark shrills. Her voice, which were on the     Royal Stem,—a Perfume from the forehead and held no hiding royall bloud full the cradle,     where meaning is, that waits for fool

and knave, till at more, until they’re silence is out     of many carrets fine, my boiling spire; and fooles hire to toll me back in thy soul     and bones by turns, but now teares them.

               8

I renounce thy breathe a prayers.     Beneath a city, with golden raine: another where mayet     thought intoxicates apace,

a quintessential laudanum     or black drop, ’ which so sweete is, see how the swallows’ need:     so with them. Into which

few men can onely by their     mother in their souls can my love, some in the demand, not     charioted by the season.

Lieutenant to grow too much     hold, nor need I tallies the Farmer’s Eye; but in such     opportunity, selfish

in its maze of chat, the wounded     Doctor says, I don’t yet know the steadfast rock of Immortal,     while both are understood

just now is time shall tire     of ladies whirling lies, attends but death on hym such outrage     should fain his blood where

they once are daily voice to slope,     and deem, because thee. Just now yours should touch of sentiment,     the great effect you tell

me, Love with the staggering moment     of blue which seemed: I sighed: a touch came round, like to a     dew, fell down every prison-

wall: till out of my Julia,     thou shalt obey, and heart. Here comes in many a million     years! He does not so

necessity: thus loaded with a     broken faithful friend’s directly in their caps; you are no     prayer, or his mother.

               9

To sing my Highland lassie, O.     Guido was dead was Hope. But still deformed and distorted     there presence that jackal

cry. Ten years shall about? To none.     Since lately take the first stare, which Nature, shares with long sermon     heard; at length into

wail such ladies in a room of     your tomb in Westminster’s old time-piece to another sex     are boundless as withers

to the dusty drill: we banged the     time breake; loue did sip, and sidelong glanced mildly, all the     blackened the christ brings rushed

among the fireworks with the     palaces, or other blessed- fair these words and—should have seen her,     walked, for this proud as he

shut off the happy Hour,     enterchangeably reflection: there’s a Religion in our     own clears. Find wars, and learned’s

wing and hence some heathenish     philosophers make love vehicular in stating his     song in clay! And still vnto

thraldome ties? Present-absent with     Phoebus stroue, which, when Salámán of Auspicious Augury     should not have, which the

crimson current of pale yellow     hole gaped for ever swell? And break from the nightingale     embushed in the

mountainside to Haleakala Crater.     Lie, fisted like rocks of life thou dost beguiled. Of thing     to do they kept us

close faults should be chosen with other     broad, made such are we first lover? With buskins shorter,     sadder, more strong necessity:

thus loaded with loves the     cypress in all; that if carrying to flight answered to.     However we brave that

is why I sing of all! Like a     pilot light in his defence save breed. Stand is barbers as     I wish your handsome lies,

and bristly beard, the truth to     poverty’s angel pure and carcasses through fierce darts Despair     for three long plume, waving,

like sails of silk and little to     the only left to tell the women bear children most despisèd     lover, my Belovëd!

Whilst systers nyne, which oft, with     such example to hire take for this palenesse ouercame     that held that odd string of

her first damages on record,     and still The Shah fell to earthly fruites, now her tongue behind     my top teeth.—A race

worn out quite well is specie can, upon     his heart of stone greeting the worst. On without layer     by layer, the telluric

light. From thee thy cunning down     Bristol Street, i’ll love And the fruit-tree wild; The event.     And suddenly dismayed.

               10

Thy Court am I; whose beautiful     face.—Of camp-life and general objects, to mix with all     the valley drifts the blacke

then am I, when so feeble,     all things here, I yell, but a voice? She suffers according     to redeem his heart, love

whom they do well a well-wash’d him—     to his stampèd face in the slope of sentiment; and shaven     head away. What all this

wreck in my opinion, poorly     designated great. Sinks with its punctual, mysteries;     nor shall in a Golden

Cradle set; opening on me,     and hard: and let my gestures ensure your living him aid,     my verse as every rafter

will rock thee as the footprint.     Till the new worldly bustle, to my fingers of the sky,     and I thy louely layes

here may rouse a brighter spring     of soap and Clorox have no one here take for thee! I     interrogate the great causes

great light, weigh the despairs, poisoned     hilt, and wett your tender, as I used rivers with poynt     of woe, the illusion,

a stay against reason—Reason     ne’er decide, and fair. Full of sorrow and the worst causes     all female ages equal—

when we don’t know too     metaphysical: the time Sonny Rollins disappear before     Thee in the greasy hempen

band upon a heaven their     tripping wall is well; for its white and by sweet dream, we saw     through the cost and blind of

thine. With how sad steps, O Moone, thou     climbs a peak to gaze o’er land: then all was standing sweet graces     o’er the grime of brown

with body worn and batter down—     will clear thro’ me? That asking look upon that every harp,     unless wings subdued me

that breathe its salt and blinded man     impose stand helpless handsome uniform,—a scarlet coat,     black e’e, yet look at this

proud full speed, flipped on her powers;     or man or womanhood and ugliness, not perfect face;     the pastoral eglantine,

here’s no such tales attires,     yet hiding that faced the day. An English lady ask’d     a Master, By the Stars

would die for love; for in the shrike,     and like Saint Sebastian or the devil drove I cannot     conquer your daily scribes!

               11

Into a cock’d hat; but still to     thee free from out the one which none divine, and the sex’s prime     felicity was from

some few favourite frowns on me,     not undevelopt man, but like to the shock of jar impact     collapse flash of weed

that hideous prison that white,     black lot holds. Down the nard shallow station well night shall live,     and quiet breath that least

thou would put my hand and the subway     ride you up inside your mind with the page. And dost advance     as victorie, yet look

as ye were the wrong; and they sat     around, around my wife, in all these presence this returning     wind went wandering

how all souls away, and strike on     mine a philosophers make love groan: to say! They thought is     a gentle roar? I have

conn’d the Pheasant voyage perhaps     the heart, did find him; by the quiet need, through the patch. In     vain he sighs, and thou

Menalcas, that space, the hubbub of     lies. How many beadsman’s gown, and thence, sharpness of loue, who     looked as they say thus much

one, do Greece or Ilium any     good? Could you I should be all that ere one through a fen of     filthy darkness, guess about,

charm’d magic casements,     defiled its raveled fleeces by. And rare flowers then gird     them in the best wife, in

a queer no meaning is, they would     fall and stone; an angel pure and no last wet step before     you cannot bear the wretched

me; and, for my Muse and     unembroyder’d from the river! First did with long and the floors,     and thought what will war, at

least light pressure problem with the     back-stile, and makes all around. With how sad steps, O Moone, tell     me not of your victories!

To kiss the inlaid woodwork all     greasy hempen rope hooked to live by love, and come, heap it     highest in the bars that

by trecheree didst vnderfong my lasse,     whose heart that though of your only what stretched man—at peace, ’ quoth     she, conclude, that masked thee

seen, And thus the question, ’ says Shakspeare     talks of the herd, and lightfote Nymphes can with a clasp     and kings, ’ said he, what chance

that jackal cry. I have spoke, the     vehicles the green sweated on the night he had a     tendency to spangle the

lingering moment of sea from verge     to shore up my debility. While both to reach the dreary     pole so marks his lair.

               12

First time we should answer to kill?     She moves by each pretence claime any manner flung hovering     thews that thou the unswept sea; a grey pale lies the patient     reed, a tendency to spare,—why do the duration of     a brazen bell. What a

white or flax; an equal rights against     the streams, and let the village, and her eyes, was table,     table-cloth and hell! And morn by tarn expunge them cruel; for     well your suppose we join hand just thrust, patted and in black.     Both! And did make thee many

thing to free he fed; lasses,     like their sleep? With Heydeguyes, and danger fear the business     of him than me, keeping eyes, and then back a little, but     she fountains kiss high requiem become a sweetest place     for fear, lest if a word

may stain when he crouched, in the swan,     and never said that he had such a place, which may be call’d     marriage in marble, I needed a music-master. The     firm soil win of the height and to command the first child, you     wrong your mind spill their troth,

and yet I may say that through the     beds, and his pards, but only in these great god Pan, white limb     of a bare feet might be that each caracter’d with greedy     choice for one especially of war, or peace, for love that     not his defence save breed:

the baiting-place on his heart through     all the present-absent with the bar, cried, The world’s mastered     by my love pursue from beneath the years shall still. Tell me     how many though I leaue Loue to Will. Yet noble handsome     face I recognize. Quite

so certain as before—so deeply     had I been there is not room for Death nor atom that     man’s face is still the stories of life and left hundred thousand     wreaths of ice, that asking look? Within the wings of our     fate, and thus to speake, longe

to like, but every drifting youth     graciously so. And the voice, to you the wild beasts, and knocked     at evening: silent light slept on sand and all, that only     then. At least in wonted walls, where faith do move, by wonder     do inuite to haue so

leaden eyes, and when, Day over,     and therewithal: be she likewise one of thy grace, his     God-knows-what: for Cupid’s bills the tiles, for fear, lest if a     word might take them from mine arms she rose would rub them to swerve     aside: it slays me with

a brassy, shallow chime. So fold     thyself we give them to swerve. Or seek to tell thy heauy grace,     let none you do deceive. So oft have ’scaped the silence     as i know, or such a sort? Grows pair, and roundelayes, which     is a great god Pan, to

toll me back ever. And I close     room, nor missed, half falling, Oh. And, green which destroyd! Out of     his station of every humour hath his desk merely serves     to weep, and screw out all those who on the making off     Unlike our only then.

               13

No trace of pardon crave the offer’d     blisse. For he to whom love was peace, the culprit answered     tomb. But I could not feel.

[amplesalty]

Christmas 2022 - Day 1 - Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation (1990)

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

a homeless man named Ricky!

The mood is right, the spirit’s up, we’re tonight and that’s so we can watch all manner of Christmas movies. That’s right, it’s December 2022 so let’s break out the festive horror and get this show on the road! It’s been a couple of years since we last looked at the franchise so why not return to the Silent Night, Deadly Night universe? They seemed to let these stew a little more during the early releases but as we’re getting to the end here, they’re really pumping them out; Part 3 in 1989, Part 4 here in 1990 and the final release in the original run in 1991. Then there’s the remake in 2012 but we already covered that many moons ago.

You know, this franchise turned into Rosemary’s Baby so gradually I didn’t even notice.  Which is really the biggest take away from this movie which continues to distance itself further and further from the original release. Now, granted that’s not the worst thing in the world as we’ve said on here before, there’s not point being stuck in a rut creatively just churning out the same movie over and over again (almost literally so in the case of Part 2) but this is really just a sequel in name only. The cheesiness was already stripped back in Part 3 but it’s entirely gone here and I’d almost suggest they’re going full latter day Hellraiser on it by just slapping the franchise name on a totally different movie but at least with Hellraiser you still get the interesting part of Pinhead interacting with these random characters and different settings. Here you don’t even get any returning characters, though they do bother to name one character Ricky which is the closest link you’ll get…well, apart from one moment we’ll come on to. But it’s not even the Ricky from the older movies, it just feels like a nod they made to either satisfy existing fans or trick them into thinking it’s the same character somehow.

It’s barely even Christmas themed barring the odd decoration here or there, a brief stop off at an office Christmas party or family living room, there’s certainly no killer Santa running around. Heck, the movie was released in the UK as Bugs so I’m pretty sure no one would be able to indentify this as a Silent Night, Deadly Night sequel unless you told them.

[REDACTED IMAGE BECAUSE TWO PEOPLE DRY HUMPING IS TOO MUCH FOR TUMBLR]

At least we have reason to welcome back Christmas Tor within the first five minutes, hello again old friend! I don’t think we saw regular Tor this year, nice to have him back.

The movie centers on Kim, a budding journalist who feels held down within her workplace and looked down upon by her male colleagues due to her not so secret relationship with her colleague Hank. She’s rather keen on covering the story of a local woman who apparently committed suicide by self immolating and throwing herself off the roof of a building downtown, whereas Kim wants to explore the possibility of spontaneous combustion. It’s a rather odd case of spontaneous combustion though as the lady only really seems to be burned from the waist down. Most people are just left as little green globules on their drum seats.

We do get some Christmas related events when she and Hank visit his parents house, only his Dad goes a bit Archie Bunker when he finds out she’s Jewish. Shame this man wont live to experience Kanye West, I think he would have really dug Ye’s philosophy on life. (Yes, we’re horribly dating this post. Grats to Kanye though on his recent media appearances though, it’s no small feat to be able to make Alex Jones seem like the sane and rational one during a conversation but my gosh did he manage it)

During Kim’s investigations she befriends the owner of a local book store who advises her on suitable books on the subject, as well as the occult and feminism. Kim is more generally annoyed by the chauvinistic attitudes of her workplace and the perceived glass ceiling that’s in effect but this lady, Fima, and her friends…boy do they hate themselves some men. It’s a bit of a weird direction to go in when you’re ripping off Rosemary’s Baby; hardcore feminism and cockroaches.

The whole thing culminates in Fima drugging Kim, only for her to awaken in a daze to find herself in the middle of some sort of ritual where she’s raped by a man in what appears to be some sort of prototypical Noseybonk mask, have some sort of sizeable insect inserted into her and then proceeds to vomit up a cockroach about as big as a medium size dog.

It’s like that one chewing gum commercial if it was directed by Satan.

She manages to escape but seems to be in some sort of weird trance where she flips between wanting to swallow a bottle of pills to jumping her boyfriends bones. They are rather rudely interrupted though when the witch’s accomplice, the aforementioned Ricky played Clint Howard, walks in and decides to watch some TV before stabbing Hank to death.

Okay, gratuitous use of stock footage of the previous movie? Now it’s a Silent Night, Deadly Night movie!

Instead of giving birth to the son of Satan like in Rosemary’s Baby, the idea here seems to be for Kim to give birth to some sort of insect hybrid? I’m not sure, I kind of lost track of exactly what their motivation is here. Possibly something about her being the reincarnation of Lillith, which was suggested to be Fima’s daughter but I think they mean literally the mythological figure who is meant to have been Adam’s first wife in the Garden of Eden before she basically ran away and is painted as some sort of radical figure because she wouldn’t obey Adam.

[sublimecatgalaxy]

Truth or Dare- Part 6

Pairing: Elliot (Euphoria) x Reader

Summary: Nate and readers dad comes home after a night of drinking, only to make a scene and pretty much bash his whole family. It ends with Cal and the reader leaving, both of them going very different places. Where Cal ends up, who knows. But where the reader ends up... in her best friends arms of course.

Song: "Bang Bang Bang Bang" by Sohodolls

Warnings: Swearing, trauma, mentions of drugs and angst.

Word Count: 3k

A/N: Sorry I wasn't too active today, lot going on. So this chapter is pretty heavy. But I wanted to stay true to the reader and Nate's storyline outside of Elliot and the readers storyline. So this is similar to the scene at the end of episode 4. Just tweaked a bit. I don't like when it's word for word from the episode so I made it my own a bit with the same ending.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4* Part 5

Rolling over, I hear the downstairs door open and close with a loud slam. I groan sluggishly as my hand flies over, tapping on my phone to reveal the time. Fucking shit, who is here at 1am? I listen to quiet words downstairs, it now being clear that it’s my mom and dad. Huffing, I flop onto my back as I stare at the fan spinning on my ceiling.

Moments later, I hear the door in the room next to me open, the hinges creaking as I sit up. Hearing the floorboard squeak as someone approaches my room, a small knock on the door makes my eyes open a bit more.

“What’s up?” I call out, the door opening to reveal a sleep Nate, rubbing his eyes as he yawns. He looks exhausted and frustrated, his eyebrows pulled together in annoyance. “What’s going on downstairs? Did dad just get home?” I ask, sliding my legs over the side of the bed as I stretch. He sends me a silent nod, the voices downstairs now growing louder and louder as moments pass. Nate rolls his eyes as he backs away from the door, my legs quickly following him and out into the hallway. We walk to the edge of the railing, the sight unexpected as I flinch, covering my eyes.

“Dad, what the fuck, why is your dick out?” Nate asks, turning away from him as my mom tries to argue with the obvious drunk man. He just laughs and zips up his pants, shaking his head.

“I was just telling your mother that I think I’m lonely.” He whispers with wide eyes, my eyes fluttering over to look at Nate as his gaze flutters to the floor. This isn’t going to be good. My mom stands silently at the edge of the staircase, her head in her hands as she sighs. She looks beyond distraught. “You guys shoulda seen me tonight! I don’t know if you guys would’ve been proud… but I think you would have been impressed.” He scoffs, his hands on his hips as he shrugs. Nate moves to lean against the wall, his breathing short and angry as he watches my dad like a hawk.

“Cal, listen to me, I think you need to see a doctor, honey.” My mom calls out, standing up to him as he rolls his eyes, waving her concern off. “I’m not kidding. You’re not you, Cal. You haven’t been for a while.” She worries, my eyes flickering over to Nate as he sends me a reassuring nod.

“No, Marsha, that’s where you’re wrong.” He mutters, stepping up to her as my body shakes with anxiety. “This is the most me I’ve been since I’ve met you.” He whispers, his cocky smile falling to a thin line. He shakes his head disappointedly, my mother stepping back as if he struck her across her face. “I am 100% me.” He whispers, his arms raising at his side as he does a little spin.

“Cal, you’re scaring me.” My mom mutters, putting her hands up as he lets out a bitter laugh, his eyes flickering up to Nate and I. He looks between us, his eyebrows pulled together as he sighs.

“Do you guys know how many men I’ve fucked?” My dad asks, my throat constricting as I look to Nate quickly, suddenly feeling as if the room is closing in on me. He was fucking right. “You know, your brother isn’t here, but, I had sex with a man for the first time when he was in your mom’s belly.” He confesses, my knees wobbling beneath me as tears rise to my eyes. “Now here’s the thing, if I would have said that I went to a strip club tonight, it would be fine. Cuz I’m a man and I’m an animal. But it’s because it’s men, right, that it’s weird?” He asks, stepping up the stairs, past my mom and towards the platform. He rests his shoulders against the wall as he looks between Nate and I.

“It’s not weird, dad, it’s okay. But just…” I trail off, my words getting stuck in my throat as he looks at me, his face shining with shock. “It’s okay.” I add, my eyes fluttering away from him as I fight the urge to have sympathy for the man who’s tearing apart my family as we speak.

“Okay, then maybe this doesn’t apply to you, Y/n. But these two hypocrites,” he points between my mother and Nate, his head shaking with a scoff, “too proud to admit that it’s okay.” His lips tug down into a frown as I look at Nate, watching as he sniffles quietly.

“I’m going to bed.” My mom mutters, making her way past my dad, tears streaming down her face as she avoids my needy gaze. She’s just gonna go to bed? Like this isn’t happening? The need to call out to her, to beg her to stay, to ask if she knew… It weighs heavily on me as I turn back to my dad.

“Living a double life- not my biggest regret.” My dad shakes his head with a laugh, my mothers bedroom door slamming as I flinch. “But you?” He points to Nate, my heart breaking as Nate falls apart beside me, his gaze fluttering away from my dad. “You are my biggest regret, Nathaniel.” He laughs, his eyes fluttering over to me as he scoffs. “You, Y/n, my youngest and brightest.” He mutters, his gaze falling from me. “You fell so far from the tree in all the best ways. I don’t know how we didn’t fuck you up more.” He chuckles, my heart breaking as he says the words I wished and prayed he would’ve said all these years to me. Instead of alienating me, treating me as if I was an outsider. “I take all of your flaws, all of your shit, and I say ‘hey, they’re my kids’, but I feel a different way about men and suddenly I’m the bad guy.” He shakes his head as he steps up to the family portrait against the wall, letting out a forced sigh. “We all have our secrets. Nate, you have so many, it makes me wonder if I even know you. I pretend to.” I look at Nate, his shoulders falling as he peers up at me, his eyes sad and his lips pouted. “And Y/n, I know you hate me and your mother for making you move here. I’ve known about it for years. Your mom found the letter you wrote your therapist a few years ago- fucking sad. About Elliot.” My bottom lip wobbles as I look away from him, turning my whole body as I shake from anger. Nate approaches me quickly, his arms wrapping around me tightly almost as if he wanted to shield me from my fathers words. “It’s probably why we don’t talk, why I’ve felt so fucking guilty all these years even if I think your obsession with that kid has always been weird- like what did you even see in him?” My dad laughs bitterly, sobs leaving my lips at his words. Nate’s heart pounds against his chest, his breathing angry as my father continues. “You rely on odd men, child of mine. Your brother- like since fucking when do you two get alone?” My dad asks, a small, angry laugh leaving Nate as he finally finds his words.

“Fuck off. You can say all the fucked shit about me. Leave her out of this.” Nate spits, my arms wrapping around his waist as I grip the back of his t-shirt. My dad laughs loudly, his feet being heard against the stairs as he makes his way down to the first floor.

“I have lived with you. I raised you two. I am your father.” He huffs, my head tilting to look at him with teary eyes. My fathers eyes meet mine as he shakes his head sadly at me, a disappointed smile on his lips. “I know that you two hate me. I know that you’re going to continue to hate me. I’m so sorry I fucked you guys up with my double life.” He whispers sadly, my loud sobs heard throughout the room as my mind spins with all the words I want to say. I don’t hate you, I wish you would’ve told us, I’m so sorry you had to live a secret, double life, I wish you would’ve trusted me. “This family has made it very obvious that I’m not allowed to make an emotional connection. With you guys, with other people. I have no idea how you guys are close after all these years- never saw that shit coming.” He laughs quietly, pointing between the two of us. “I am an emotional guy.” My dad looks away, his heart breaking in front of us as I close my eyes, just wanting to escape this moment, to be gone. “So, this is farewell.” My dad mutters, my face falling at the words as Nate sighs above me, his grip on me tightening. He knows that I would run after him if he let me go. Nate lets out a quiet sob, his throat stifling it before it can come out. No matter what you thought about Nate, depending on what you knew about him, he did care. Even when he tried to force himself not to. “I’ll see you assholes later.” My dad adds before turning around, his hand turning the handle as he exits the house without another word.

And then it’s silent.

I let out a shuttered sigh, my throat raw from crying and I’m sure my eyes will be red and swollen within a few hours. Nate sniffles loudly, his hand lifting to wipe his eyes as I look up at him. His face falls at the sight of me, his hand rubbing up and down my back.

“What do we do?” I ask quietly, his shoulders raising in a shrug as he looks around aimlessly. He pulls away from me, his arms falling to his side as he sighs loudly. “Nate, is he gone? Did he just leave leave?” I ask anxiously, his head shaking in confusion. “Oh my god.” I cry, my hands reaching up to cover my face as I kneel down, my back hitting the wall as I crumble. Nate just stands there in silence, dealing with the event in his own way as I fall apart, loud sobs leaving my lips. “I need to get out of here, I need to leave.” I gasp, looking up to Nate as he nods, his frame reaching out to help me off of the floor.

“Where do you want to go? I’ll take you anywhere.” He offers, his eyes sad as he looks down at me with a sigh. “I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t want to be right-” He cuts himself off with gasp, my arms immediately wrapping around his waist as he cries, the man finally breaking down. I hug him against me, his tall frame shaking. “I’m so fucking sorry, Y/n. I’m sorry I’ve been such a fuck up of a brother, I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you when me moved.” He apologizes, my heart breaking at his words as I sniffle.

“It’s okay, Nate. I promise. Remember, I broke your nose? I wasn’t the best sister.” I giggle, trying to lighten the mood a bit as he laughs, pulling back to wipe his eyes as he takes as deep of a breath as he can. “Our father just proved to us that we’re allowed to be fuck ups.” I whisper, his head bobbing in a nod as he calms down a bit. “I’m gonna go pack a bag and text Elliot. Will you take me over there?” I ask quietly and he clears his throat with a nod.

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting in the truck.” He mutters, reaching out to pat my shoulder as he walks past me. I sigh, looking up at the ceiling as I try my best to process everything that just happened. Making my way into my room, I yawn as I pull out a book bag, shoving clothes and toiletries into it as I rush around. I just wanted to be with Elliot, just to tell him everything that went down and let him hold me like he used to. Grabbing my phone, I immediately go into Elliot’s contact, seeing a missed message from him.

From Elly: Thinking about you. Rue and Jules are over, they seem fine. If you wanna come over and sleep over I would really really really enjoy that. Like old times.

Relief fills me as tears fill my eyes, the boy reading my mind, my fingers tearily trying to type out a message back to him.

To Elly: I’m in a really bad place right now. Stuff went down with my dad and I can’t be here. Nate’s bringing me over there now.

I pick my bag up, looking around my room as I sling my bag over my shoulders. It didn’t even feel like my room anymore, the absence of my father already taking a bigger toll on me than I would’ve thought. Making my way out of my room, I hear Nate’s truck running in the driveway, the soft hum comforting me, knowing that it means I’ll be out of here soon. Stepping quietly, I approach my moms room, my fist gently knocking on the door. She calls out quietly, the knob twisting in my hand as I peak through the crack of the door. When her eyes see me, she frowns, her hair falling in her face as she sighs.

“I’m sorry, baby.” She whispers, the door opening further as I approach her side of the bed, my eyes flickering over to the other empty side. It feels so empty already. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, that you had to witness that.” She takes my hands in hers, her eyes looking at my bag with a frown.

“I’m gonna sleep over at a friends. I think Nate will probably go to Cassie’s or Maddy’s. Who knows who he’s with right now.” I chuckle half heartedly, my mom's lips spreading out in a sad smile. She tugs me to her, her arms wrapping around my neck as she shutters. “I love you, mom.” I whisper, a small hum leaving her lips as she sniffles.

“I love you, honey. Try to have fun, the best you can.” She mutters, pulling away from her as I send her a soft smile. Making my way out of the room, I shut her door as she gets comfortable in bed. As comfortable as she can without her husband of almost twenty years. My mind spins as to what she’ll do now. Are my parents divorcing? Is that it? It killed me that Nate was right all this time about my father, the overwhelming feeling that I’ve felt for the past weeks now crushing me as the adrenaline wears off. Seeing Elliot will help.

Hoisting myself into Nate’s truck, he looks over to me with a sad smile as I buckle in. My phone buzzes in my pocket, my hands fishing for it as I see Elliot’s name across the screen. Swiping on the message, the air leaves my lungs as I read it.

From Elly: I already told Jules and Rue to fuck off tonight and to not bother you. My arms are open for you the minute you get here. I’m so fucking sorry.

Shutting my phone off, my lip wobbles again as Nate sighs, reaching over to pat the top of my head supportively. The rest of the ride is silent as he drives, silent tears leaving my lips as I watch the houses and cars go by. By the time we pull up to Elliot’s house, he’s on the front porch, staring down at his phone. He was waiting… He watches as we pull into the driveway, rising to his feet as he blows out a nervous breath. I turn to Nate, a soft smile on his lips as he nods me on.

“Text me if you need me, kid.” He offers, my arms reaching across the middle console to wrap around his neck. He lets out a sigh, his hand rubbing my back gently. “Go see your man.” He laughs, shoving me away from him as I giggle softly, my hand shoving the door open as I fall out of the truck. My legs wobble underneath me as I make my way towards Elliot’s house, his hands shoved in his pocket as he frowns sadly. I hear Nate’s truck pulling out of the driveway, Elliot’s feet moving quickly to meet me halfway. His arms wrap around my waist tightly, my whole body relaxing into him as I let out a sigh of relief.

“This is all I wanted right here. To be in your arms..” I whisper, his lips pressing against my shoulder as he sighs. We stand in silence for a moment, him avoiding asking what happened and me not being able to find the right words that convey all the emotions that I feel. “He left. My dad left.” I stutter out simply, the words seeming fake to me as they leave my lips. Elliot pulls away, his eyebrows pulled together in confusion as his lips part to speak. “He’s gay. My dad is gay and he’s been living a double life. He blames my older brother a-and apparently Nate’s his biggest mistake and I fell so far from the tree that he’s proud of me.” I whimper, tears rushing down my cheeks as Elliot cups the soft skin, his thumbs trying to keep up with my tears. I laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation, Elliot shaking his head in shock.

“That’s a lot-holy shit, are you okay?” He whispers but shakes his head quickly, waving off that question.. “Of course you’re not fucking okay.” He whispers, leaning forward to press his lips against my forehead. “I’m glad you came over.” He smiles, my chin craning up to look up at him through my lashes. He pouts at my tired expression, his head tilting at me. “Come on. Let’s go make you laugh, hmm? I’m fucking good at doin’ that.” He laughs, taking my backpack off of my shoulders as he wraps an arm around my waist. Feeling my phone buzz in my pocket as we walk, I pull it out to see a shocking message.

From Biological Father: I never told you how proud I am of you. But I am.

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

Taglist: @bubblebuttwade @rafelover2405 @leslienjazzy @sorceresss @grxnde-dwt @alex--awesome--22 @bunnietoof @niyamar1e @serialghost @plantlungs @geniusohn @akaliltimmytim @lilaalouuxx @xshariex @elliotsbeigeguitar @elle4404 @lelieja @srhxpci @joselyn001 @taysirene @spinkspanther @thedivineuphoria @peter-maximoffs @tsukishimawhore @poohkie90 @szlaco @distantsighs @nstyles4299 @wolflover384 @givemefoodandlovesstuff @vane28282 @yeswhatever33 @amirrahfranson @vvaalleennttiinna @f-mu @yaspillz @jeyramarie @skylievin@abbybarnes17 @jointherebellion215 @visiondaddy @steezysimfinds @its-ya-gay-boi-luigi @crunchytoenailsyum@glizzymcguirex @beth123lg @melovesmut @rafecameronswhore @ariianelle @write-from-the-heart @vampviolets

Euphoria Taglist:@ssprayberrythings @username-lols

Elliot Taglist: @vintagebitc

Truth or Dare Taglist: @4lyssasworld @jamespotterswifey @daddydraco0 @soobzao @c1rcusl1ght @kaitieskidmore1 @applebree2001 @ritadiniss @lselnerys

[prettyboykatsuki]

LET’S! HEAR! ABOUT! THAT! AU!

primmadonna | k. bakugou

➳ cw ;; lapdancing, burlesque dancing, bakugou is the dancer and you are a guest at his spot, ari projecting for so much time, 18+ but nothing explicit, gn!reader, bkg gives u a mild lapdance to the song primadonna by marina in the diamonds

➳ wc ;; 1.2k

➳ a/n ;; of all the things on my blog, this might be the most niche but frankly i don't care. this might be ooc for him but i am thinking.

You don't mean to pry into the blondes life the way you do.

It's just that he always shop up to your shop the same way. Wearing an oversized coat and smudged make-up, and looking like he's shivering from the cold. He buys a nice cup of coffee and he looks more prickly than you know how to handle.

But you can't help yourself. The graveyard shift at the gas station is so boring and he's always the most interesting, most beautiful thing to come out of left field. He comes up to buy coffee and energy bars, and he's got a little attitude to him when he speaks. Sometimes, when his coat shifts - you swear you see lacy straps but you can never be sure.

He sits and nurses a cup of hot coffee and checks his phone. After that, he eats something small and he leaves. He's only there on Fridays through Saturdays but that's always your shift.

You don't mean to pry, not really anyways. But he's quite the character. He's got the face of a model but the attitude of an angry 9-5 and despite your attempts, you can never understand what he wants or gets up too.

But he talks to you on the rare occasion. Nothing about him or his job, but he'll tell you the smallest details. Tells you that he was running late. Some lights went out at his job, so he went home.

3 weeks into your little encounters, you find it in you to ask. And he laughs, loud and boisterous.

"Fuckin' took you long enough, sweetheart."

He slides you all-black card with an address, and pats it with his 2 fingers.

"Take a shift off, this Saturday. If ya wanna know so bad, at least."

__

The follow Saturday you do as he asks. The taxi driver looks you up and down when you see the card. He's been there plenty, but he's not usually driving people who look like you to the show. He does it anyways. Give you the address and tells you to take the first set of stairs down.

You make it past a heavy metal door, down creaky stairs - and at the bottom of them there's a big neon sign and a man so tall and so broad he could kill you. He's got red hair and sharp teeth, and he stands infront of another door.

YUUEI BURLESQUE flashes in a warm magenta. You blink back, does he work here? At the show?

You hand the doorman your card and he gives it on look before giving you a big, gnarly grin.

"You're one of Dynamights fans, huh? Must be that person from the convenience store. Come on in," ― he gives you a light laugh and then winks, opening the doors and ushering you in ― "You're front row" he whispers.

Your eyes go wide and then you see an open chair. A man with green-hair sees you at the bar, and when you meet gazes - he gestures you over. The bar isn't far from the stage, so you walk through tables of drinking patrons. Older men and women mostly, you stick out quite a bit. The guy has big eyes and freckles littered on his cheeks

"You're Kacchans friend." he says more than tells. You realize you don't even know his name but you can only assume that that's true. You nod and he smiles. You watch as he makes you a drink, a long island ice-tea you think.

He hands it to you with a smile, and gestures to a table with a big round table. In the middle of everyone, front and center. It has a white card that has reservations and your name on it. You look at him then at the table.

"Go sit," ― he says, amused with your surprise ― "Shows about to begin."

You stumble over to it. You take a deep breath and take in your surroundings. Music plays on the loud speaker, Frank Sinatra. People talk amongst themselves. There are high ceilings, but no windows. Chandeliers provide all the lights and the carpet is plush. It looks expensive, and you feel so underdressed.

A man comes on stage. He's got short black-hair and a couple of piercings, dressed in dress-shirt with the sleeves rolled and a vest. He has a microphone.

"A full crowd for our favorite dancer, is it? And we have a special guest tonight, if I remember correctly?"

He looks down at you with a warm, cheeky smile. Your eyes go wide, taken aback as he gives you a wink.

"He'll be happy to see you here," ― he comments amused ― "Let's give it up for our favorite dancer, Dynamight!"

Before you know it, the man is walking off-stage. The lights do dim, and stage-lights turn on. You watch as the big red curtains, slightly lift.

When you see it, your mouth goes agape. You think you're choking on your own breath when he comes from behind the curtain. Golden yellow lights fall over your skin and that's when you see him. Your most interesting costume, Dynamight in all of his glory.

Tonight, he's in black. It's a corset tight around his waist. His thighs are thick in the material of garters. His body is covered in crytals and gems, and the lights bounce off the glitter. He looks like artwork, straight out of painting. His lips are painted red, and his lashes are dark. There's nothing all that feminine about his frame. He looks strong and sturdy.

But the shape of his waist is so narrowed, and his hips are a little round and he's got this face on him. You're used to seeing him scowl, but the stage relaxes him. His face is fucking beautiful. He's the prettiest thing you've ever seen in your life.

Music comes on and from behind his hands, he has a big fan of feather that he stretches out. He looks languid as the song comes out. You've never heard it before, but he mouths the lyrics like he wrote them. Your heart jumps into your throat as you watch him.

It's almost devilish. How he looks. How he moves across the stage with the song playing so softly. He looks like a temptation, a sin on legs. He has heels on but he moves in them so easily. You watch him dance, the way he slides and snakes around. He drops into a squat for the middle verse before sliding into being on his knees.

You realize how close you are to the stage when you watch him crawl. On his hands and knees, your eyes meet. He has you pinned under his gaze. He's so fucking mesmerizing.

You watch him intently. You watch as he hops off the edge of the stage, how he moves towards you like a predator. You feel like prey.

You watch him as he drops into your lap. He takes your hands, and lets them rest on his hips, and your mouth drops open. He rolls his neck, throws his head back and if you weren't turned on before, you were now. You swallow something deep in the back of your throat as he gives you a wolfish grin.

"Got you wrapped around my finger, babe - you can count on me to misbehave."

You can watch how he mouths it. How he directs it towards you, his finger on your chin. He leans into your ear, and his voice is so raspy is startles you.

"Meet me back stage."

The song keeps going, and your heart stammers in your chest as you watch him saunter off into the crowd - easily continuing with his number.

You have no idea what you just got yourself into.

[shesunety]

My collection of knowledge about my own ocs! I created all of this for fun so i doubt i would ever need this.

Have a good read! Any suggestions or criticisms would be greatly appreciated! &lt;3

Winners love winning!

The four - PRIDE

Cassane's caretaker

Cassane as a child Stages of growth COLORS

Be my coat and I will be your heart. THIST

BODY PROPORTIONS

^none of them have genitals

♡RECEIVED MESSAGES FROM CASSANE FOR YOU!

Message(1):Reminder Message(2):Painends

Message(3):Selflove Message(4):Appreciatemore

♡RECEIVED MESSAGES FROM CREE FOR YOU!

Message(1):Don'tForget Message(2):Notyourproblem

♡HEADCANON VOICES

Cassane-Grayson(Arcane)

Freshsk1-Grell Sutcliff

Furlos-Finnick(Zootopia)

Cree-Sticks the badger(sonic boom)

♡ VOICE DESCRIPTIONS

Cassane: Deep, Monotone, Soothing, Formal, Eerie.

Freshski: Smug, Enthusiastic, Humorous, Charming, Clear.

Furlos: Booming, Husky, Growly.

Cree: Casual, Friendly, Lilting, Animated, Mellifluous

♡Their personalities

♡Height comparison

♡

Fun facts! :)

None of them are innocent.

Their friend group name is The FCs (The Four Criminals) and they consider themselves as found family. The chef of the family is Cassane.

Cassane likes psychology, philosophy and art. Her eyes tend to unknowingly stare at things she finds fascinating.

She draws anything/anyone that gives her appeal and admiration. Her drawings consists of being doodle art with black and white shading (she doesn't like to color). Cassane would most likely never show her drawings to anyone, since they are personal.

Cassane can play the violin fluently, whereas Cree specializes in singing and drama.

Furlos is a big fan of literature and poetry. He loves reading books related to poetry as well as writing some for himself. It helps him cope with his anger. Playing the piano is a way to relax him too.

Freshski has a passion for maths and physics and can also play the flute.

Cassane never hugs back nor holds anyone's hand, still she lets people touch her for comfort whether needed.

Cree's favorite season is spring, for Furlos is summer, Cassane loves autumn and lastly winter is Freshski's favorite.

While Cassane and Cree are obviously not blood related, they were still brought up by the same parents. Having said that, Cree has no memories of his parents.

Considering their contrasting personalities, each of them have their own interpretations on love and connects differently. For instance, Cree enjoys sharing his thoughts and interests, therefore she would be fond of the idea of spending quality time and being listened to. Furlos is usually the one who spends majority of his time with Cree. In consequence, he occasionally receives perfectly hand-crafted gifts from Cree. Furlos would always get flustered, whenever he receives gifts. He appreciates it to a great extent and in order to repay the nice gestures, Furlos would offer his act of service, similarly to Cassane, however Cassane isn't keen on receiving gifts and in fact she would be delighted only with words of affirmation. She frequently gets heap praises from Freshski, furthermore Cassane acknowledges their sincerity in their words and she highly respects it. Freshski's charming side always manages to brighten anyone's day and what they cherish the most from others is physical touch.

I would say Cassane and Freshski share one major personality trait in common and it is that both are good at hiding their true emotions. Although, they do have their own ways of doing it. Cassane is not the type to lie, however Freshski is. Thus, Freshski masks themselves through a façade, whereas Cassane is poker faced and taciturn too.

In spite of the fact that all four are adults, Furlos and Cree compared to Freshski and Cassane are younger hence they lack competence and are not as mature.

THIST's previous designs Doodle

Sonas Related posts (art concepts)

Swag

Look, it says gullible on the ceiling!

Cat café

Sit and look pretty

Serve

Cassane in a dress

My girl

Quit staring at me with those big eyes

façade

Lasagna

Habbit

^Technically, Cassane and Thist are in a way the same individual?

Note: Thist is Cassane's skeleton

Fun fact

The smartest cat

December!

Cutie

Mitski.

???? What

Beloveds

I feel trapped

The moon will sing

^Comic explanation:

Based on one of my favorite songs. Cassane and Freshski share a very deep platonic love for each other... I wouldn't say they have a healthy relationship.

Zzzz

Face

Comfort

Mama's girl

Boo

Boo-hoo

Give it back!

Gender is a scam

You make me sick

Bath

I love you

Watched?

inseparable

Studies

BOOM!

Touch-Repulsed

They love it! Do it more often!

Skull

HUGS!

The trio's usual shenanigans

Furlos' expression

Secret

Her girl!

I know

Cassane's plushie

Something is up with you, Cassane

Sisters

Meet up

Not alone

^Comic explanation:

I attempted to showcase Thist's character with my best of abilities. Although, i am not a good writer, thus it might sound unprofessional and poorly executed.

Personally, i don't like how it turned out.

Thist is a parasite demon, who feeds off from people's agony by draining you emotionally and mentally. It is selfish and it does not care for anyone, but its own goals and desires.

I am not satisfied with its design, i will have to make a new one.

Issues

One drink

Curse

Please knock!

Besties being besties

Angry cat

Sleep deprivation

Freshsk1 loves physical contact

Silliness

Coconut

Dad

Cassane's bio Parents

^ Note to myself

These two must be revised.

.

Extremely old or outdated stuff(such as personalities, designs...)

Father and daughter

Tried out an idea

Bluetooth

Very bat puns

Stitches and flesh (thist)

Her flower

Inner child

Shapeshifter

Mother's love and devotion

Mother's embrace

Furlos' old design

Weird nickname

Big dad

Freshski's pet

Goodnight

Two weirdos

Night

Body language

Big girl!

furlos(old design) 2

[asweetprologue]

Nili’s Benchmark Geraskier Fic Rec List

hey yall! I officially hit 750 followers (a few days ago, I blew past the benchmark without even realizing!), which is... insane. I truly can’t believe that so many people over the last year have enjoyed my presence in this fandom enough to continue to follow my work. you guys are so great and I love you all so much, so I decided to put together a gift for you!

this is a list of my favorite geraskier fics from the fandom, which I have been putting together over the last year or so. a few of these are big in the fandom, but a lot of them are smaller pieces that I feel deserve more attention! I have provided ao3 and tumblr links where I could find them, as well as ratings and summaries. Most of these are canon!verse because I’m not personally a big fan of modern au’s, but there will be a few of those scattered throughout as well. I’ve divided the fics into two sections: oneshots and multichapter. See the list below the cut!

Being in this fandom truly has gotten me through the pandemic in a big way and I have made so many good friends while here. thank you all for validating my weird obsession with these characters and enabling me in these trying times <3

Oneshots

all that was good, all that was fair (all that was me is gone) | M | 7517 | WARNING: Graphic Depictions Of Violence | @xdandelionxbloomx

Somewhere, deep in a forest, a man drags himself from his grave by sheer power of will. He lies gasping on the forest floor and does not know who or what he is. The world is wide and wonderful, though, and there is so much to see.

Or, Jaskier is so stubborn that he literally comes back from the dead.

Another fascinating addition to the mythology of the Witcher. Jaskier’s slow rediscovery of himself is so well done here. One I’ve come back to again and again. 

As Fast As Love Can Go | T | 9628 | @bygodstillam

There are Faeries in the Wood.

That's what everyone said, at least, not that there was any solid proof. Jaskier had tried, more than once, to find some. Just a hint somewhere, of a real story, of real magic. But all anyone seemed to have was stories.

Jaskier was determined to find proof. He wasn't expecting to find a witcher in the process.

Fascinating fic with some really interesting worldbuilding, and a fresh new take on True Love’s Kiss. Also with some great art by @hehearse!

beautiful, he stirs up still things | T | 2575 | @alittlebitmaybe

“You’re not asking me to dance,” says Geralt.

Jaskier turns his palm up on his knee, offering it. “I think you’ll find I am.”

Just them dancing. This is a lovely sort of pre-relationship dynamic. So soft.

Dialogue Prompt | NR | 2932 | @reinvent-and-believe

Dialogue Prompt 48: “You make me want things I can’t have.” Wordless I-love-you 50: buying them a special treat when you go out shopping

Geralt gets Jaskier a gift, which prompts some confessions.

Even a small love | E | 22,272 | WARNING: Rape/Non-Con 

“Well,” Jaskier replies distractedly. “Lots of things want to strangle you.”

“You don’t.”

It isn’t a particularly troublesome accusation, or even necessarily an accusation at all.

This is one I read early on in the fandom, and it really stuck with me. The dynamic between Jaskier and Geralt is perfect, and the misunderstandings between them feel so realistic. The non-con is not extreme, but do mind the warnings. 

For the Space of a Heartbeat | T | 2021 | @drowningbydegrees

As it turns out, falling into bed with your very best friend who you are privately very much in love with isn't nearly so nerve wracking as waking up with them the morning after.

Just sweet, morning after discussions. I love to see them talking for once.

Greensleeves | T | 10,414 | @rebrandedbard

When Geralt crosses paths with Jaskier in the spring, the world is dressed in green. Quite literally. Everyone everywhere is wearing green, and it all comes down to a song Jaskier has written that, to his mortification, has become popular throughout the Continent. It's torment, being forced to preform the song over and over again and have his heart broken anew. But who is this Lady Greensleeves the people say Jaskier is so maddeningly, heartbrokenly in love with? At the baron's wedding party, Geralt is determined to find out.

This is one of my personal faves - there’s just something about Jaskier’s feelings being put on blast while Geralt remains totally oblivious that I think is so very them. And the resolution at the end is delightful.

I Don’t Wanna Fall (If It’s Not In Love) | E | 13,902 | @writinglizards

The first time it's out of desperation. Things get rapidly out of hand from there.

OR the building of a relationship through mutual wank sessions.

I love everything Ashley writes, but this one was the first fic I read by her and it still has a warm place in my heart. I also highly recommend It’s Been A While (makes me cry every time) and Tell Me Honestly

Like a Storm, Like a Flood | T | 1065 | @valdomarx

Jaskier is leaving for the winter, and Geralt can't bear the thought of not seeing him for months.

It was soooo hard to pick only one fic by George, but this one is so soft and sweet and yearning I just had to go with it. This is really just about Geralt finally hitting a breaking point and saying enough is enough.

one flesh | E | 10,763 | WARNING: MCD 

“Well, then. I’m a ghost.” Jaskier spread his arms grandly. Geralt held his gaze for a moment, then dropped his head and laughed. Jaskier put his hands on his hips. “Do fill me in on what’s so funny.” It wasn’t funny. It was just so - ridiculous, the things Geralt’s fucked up brain would invent. This had to be the last nail in the sanity coffin, it just had to be.

Or: Jaskier is a ghost, and Geralt is a mess.

Jaskier dies and comes back as a ghost to haunt Geralt into taking care of himself. Geralt does not handle this gracefully. This fic is so sad and heartbreaking, but the ending is so sweet.

to render it transparent | E | 23,901

Geralt wakes up warm, peaceful, and utterly content, which is how he knows that something is severely wrong.

Sigh. This fic. This is a time travel fic - Geralt ends up in the future living with Jaskier on the coast, just after the mountain. It’s slow and beautiful and extremely bittersweet, all about how we choose to love people despite how much it can hurt us.

With All the Continent A Stage | M | 4745 | @greyduckgreygoose

Later, Geralt learned that the play was four hours long. Four hours long. It didn’t feel like it. Most of it passed by in a fever dream of ominous music, dance-fighting and dryads in gossamer leaves, swinging from hoops attached to the ceiling. Yennefer made an appearance, played by Priscilla in a glittering negligee. She sang a song to Geralt about putting him “Under Her Spell”, and they had a sensual dance number which was made a little strange by a sickened Jaskier (played by Jaskier) coughing loudly in the background.

(Jaskier invites Geralt to a musical production inspired by his own life.)

Jaskier basically writes Geralt a love letter in the form of a four hour long play. Geralt is an idiot about it.

Multi-Chapter Fics

A Lover’s Lament | M | 25,364 | @somedrunkpirate

So,” Jaskier begins, as casually as he can, “you are telling me, that in theory, if I were to be in love with someone — anyone — that person could well be in terrible danger?”

Of all terrible and ridiculous things that have threatened Geralt’s safety, Jaskier’d never thought that loving him might be what will get him killed.

I honestly can’t count the number of times I’ve read this fic. The monster is so interesting, and the mythos of it fits seamlessly into the world of the Witcher in my mind. Jaskier being so afraid that his feelings are going to put Geralt at risk, clearly unable to see that Geralt is going through the exact same thing. I think about the scene with them looking at each other almost daily. 

A Pair of Gloves, the Scent of Roses | M | 24,134 | WARNING: Graphic Depictions of Violence

In the bustling days before the Midsummer festival, Geralt is sent into the countryside to deal with a monster - with Jaskier once again by his side. But the bard has not forgiven him, and while he's not hiding his contempt for the Witcher, he is recalcitrant about revealing his true motives for joining him. As the hunt turns into a desperate mission to save an innocent man and the monster is not what is seems to be, Geralt learns a few new things about his old friend and decides to finally attempt to mend the rift between them...

This is one of my favorite’s in the fandom - it feels so believable, the world is so rich and the oc’s are convincing and charming. Geralt and Jaskier feel so honest here, stumbling around each other but still drawn together. Beautiful beautiful beautiful

Bearing the will of the flower | NR | 11,449 

The way Jaskier sees it, his hobby of following a witcher around was always pretty likely to get him killed.

The fact that it's happening now because the witcher in question doesn't love him, he thinks as he coughs up crumpled flowers, hardly makes a difference.

My favorite hanahaki fic in the fandom. I’m such a sucker for these, and these two idiots being so incapable of talking about their feelings really makes them prime candidates. 

Food of Love | T | 22,488 | @wallatile-qvibbler

I brought a dead princess back to life through the power of song is the kind of thing that would have got an eyebrow raise even from the stone-faced Geralt of Rivia, so it's a good thing he and Geralt will probably never see each other again.

(or: the one where Jaskier channels magic through his songs, and it almost never goes as expected.)

This is a Jaskier and Renfri centric fic, which wasn’t something I knew I wanted until I read this. Jaskier is a bard which in this AU comes with magical powers, but it feels so well integrated into the universe that I wish it was just... how the Witcher is. Renfri is so good here, and even though Jaskier and Geralt barely even interact you can feel the tension and love between them. Cannot recommend highly enough.

friends and allies of the witcher | T | 10,312 | @theamazingbard

Yennefer crawls over to her newest cellmate. They’re curled up on their side. Breathing, but only just. She’s not sure what she’s hoping for when she turns them over. Still isn’t when she sees that it is indeed Jaskier.

“Shit."

Yennefer and Jaskier each suffer in more ways than one at the hands of Nilfgaard.

Yennefer and Jaskier get capture by Nilfgaard and tossed into a cell together. Exactly what I want out of season 2 honestly. Their interactions are gold.

I’d Be the Choiceless Hope | E | 45,188 | WARNING: Rape/Non-Con | @lesdemonium

As a baby, Jaskier was visited by a fae, who gifted Jaskier's mother with Jaskier's obedience. As Jaskier grew older, the "gift" became more of a curse.

You know I’m not gonna make a rec list without listing Zoe’s Ella Enchanted au. Need I say more?

Silver and Copper | M | 56,139 | WARNING: Graphic Depictions of Violence | @kaer-cuan

Geralt is just supposed to pass through the quiet Lettenhove area. He's not anticipating being begged by its people to help save their viscount from a curse that keeps him from daylight. Lord Jaskier, they call him, and he's likely dying.

As Geralt struggles to untangle the ugly web of history that has lead to the increasingly complicated curse, he finds himself spending more and more time with the strange young viscount and wondering just what he might have been before the curse, and who he might be after. But things are not always as they seem, and as the curse tightens its grip on Jaskier, Geralt is forced to face the fear of failing yet another person whose choices were stolen from them.

Or-

Jaskier is kept from becoming a bard. Geralt finds him anyway.

This is a fic that haunts me. It’s very scary in parts, and mind the tags - there are some very heavy themes here. But it’s beautiful and touching, and Jaskier feels very true to himself even though his origin is so different.

we could be married (and then we'd be happy) | E | 50,222 | @a-kind-of-merry-war

Jaskier reached into his pocket, fingers grasping around the little box. He pulled it out with what he hoped was a romantic flourish, flipping it open to reveal the simple gold band inside. “Geralt,” he said, confidently, cooly, like this wasn’t terrifying, “Will you marry me?”

Geralt and Jaskier fake marriage proposals to get free deserts and shit but it goes tits up when Vesemir catches them in the act. Not knowing how to fess up, they go along with it for a while, which is hell because they’re both pining like mad. As I said, I don’t love modern au’s, but it’s merry so of course this one had to end up on my list.

~

And that’s it! 20 fics for you, and hopefully you can all find one or two you haven’t read before. There are a lot of people and fics that I didn’t include in this list only because I was trying to not put a million down (which I could). I highly recommend anything by @wherethewordsare, @julek, @contemplativepancakes, @witcher-and-his-bard, and @inber, as well as those linked to fics above, and I’m sure there are others I forgot to mention. Yall have truly made being in this fandom worthwhile <3

[laripossa]

Tw: slight smut; idol jay; celebrity relationship;

This is my first attempt at writing so yeah, I hope you enjoy

You look at the screen once more.

You couldn't believe it. There he was. Staring back at you, your boyfriend.

You and Jay were going out for a little over a month and you still couldn't wrap your mind around it. If someone has said that to you 2 months ago you would call them delusional and laugh... But now it was true.

Of course, no one knew about you two, not even his members. That thought had began to creep up in your mind every once in a while. Why didn't they know? Obviously, your relationship wasn't going to be public, but you thought he'd at least tell the rest of his group...

You shoved your insecurities away and exited YouTube to call Jay.

"Hey babe " he picked up in an instant "Did you like it?"

"How is that even a question Jay?" you asked in return. "Of course I liked it! I'm so proud of you!"

You have been a fan of his since day one and the little part of you that was still just his fan got so excited for being able to praise him freely. You loved being supportive of your friends, it made you feel so happy to see everyone around you thrive. It made you even happier to see him thrive.

"We're still up for tonight, right?" you asked cautiously. His schedule was so over the place that in the past 3 days all your dates got cancelled.

The sigh on the other side of the line answered your question.

"I'm sorry, I promise I'll make it up to you!" he said in the softest way possible. You knew he was really sorry, but you still couldn't hide your disappointment.

"It's totally fine, I understand..." you tried to sound as genuine as you could be, but your voice betrayed you as it cracked a little. "I really do, it's just that I miss you so much"

He chuckled, thinking about how cute you look right now, probably laying on your bed, your cheeks red from embarrassment because of your voice crack. He felt a sudden wave of excitement all over his body imagining you in your pajamas, which he found very short, but he didn't mind it. "I'll see what I can do. Got to go now!"

He hung up even before you could say something back.

You plopped your head on your pillow and looked up at the ceiling. Thinking about him and his beautiful eyes that you missed so much, you didn't even feel when you fell asleep.

________

Your ringtone woke you up. You struggled a bit to find it as you were half asleep, but the sound of it was so annoying that you needed to stop it quick. Picking up the phone without even opening your eyes to see who's calling you heard a familiar voice on the other side.

"Open the door babe" he said.

"What?" you heard yourself say as you still couldn't really register what's going on.

"Let me in, princess" Jay said with a voice deeper than usual. That immediately woke you up. He had never called you princess and hearing it sent a shiver down your spine. You felt a knot in your stomach as you got up to open the front door.

As you were walking you removed the phone from your ear and hung up. Your eyes stop to register what time it is.

"Oh my god Jay, what are you doing here at 4 in the morning?"

"I said I'll make it up to you, princess. But I only have an hour, so better make it quick, yeah?" He said looking at you up and down while closing the door behind him.

You suddenly felt naked, as your pajamas weren't the most covering.

Jay saw the redness making its way to your cheeks and the corner of his mouth twitched. He made you look him in the eyes by lifting your chin up with his index finger.

"You're so beautiful " he said, his voice now an octave lower than before. Jay looked at your lips and swiped his thumb across the lower one.

His touch made your knees weak and you felt like you'll crumble in front of him.

He grabbed you by the waist with his free hand and he pulled you in for a kiss. You felt the room getting hotter by the minute as his kiss became more demanding by the second.

He started walking you to your bedroom, still not breaking the kiss, one hand on the back of your neck holding you close and the other already playing with the rim of your panties.

Jay let you down on the bed gently as he broke the kiss.

"You said you missed me?" he asked, looking you on the eyes with a mischievous look on his face.

You nodded as you couldn't bring yourself to say a word.

"Show me how much, princess"

[wheeier]

no taking back

summary: it was only fun and games. but steve had other plans.

warnings: modern au, tooth-rotting fluff i guess, little but of swearing

+ olivia rodrigo’s sour album (stream besties), the movie tangled at the end because it just radiates as a comfort movie

yes a modern au !!! i just saw this on tiktok (the sour part, but the rest was my idea!) and thought it was so cute so it gave me an idea to make it as a fic, enjoy !!!

steve harrington x fem!reader

olivia rodrigo’s new album just released and you were thrilled to listen to it and stream it the whole day.

when you finally got to listen to it, you asked your friends—robin, nancy, and the party, if they listened to it and which ones were their favorites.

robin told you that her top three were hope ur ok, jealousy, jealousy, and brutal.

nancy said she really loved favorite crime.

max said hers was also brutal.

el told you that she played good 4 u and traitor on repeat that hopper had to go into her room to turn it down.

when mike comes over to the cabin he can assure that el does indeed play them on repeat and get pissy about it (but he secretly loves the album, but he wouldn’t let her or anyone know that).

and lastly lucas and dustin are fans of deja vu and 1 step forward 3 steps back. max even told you that they would sing the bridge of deja vu on the top of their lungs.

you slightly laughed at the memory of them telling you about it.

however, there’s one more person that you haven’t talked to about it yet.

steve.

your smile faltered and faded when he came across in your mind.

your feelings for him had deepened over the time and listening to the sour album made it feel like you two had broken up, which in fact, is not true because you were never together in the first place.

suddenly, an idea popped in your head. instead of being sad about steve, you thought about texting him, although it’s almost 1AM, you knew he’d still be up.

Sailor Man

You: hey

You: u up?

Sailor Man: duh

Sailor Man: this has been our nightly routine u always bother me when i’m about to go to sleep

You: fuck off

You: don’t pretend that you’re not binge watching outer banks until 4am

Sailor Man: i’m not?!?

You: yeah right

You: anyways

You: can u do me a favor

Sailor Man: will i get free pizza afterwards

You: no

Sailor Man: k

You: what the fuck

You: fine

Sailor Man: hehe

Sailor Man: what’s the favor ;)

You: dont get me started with that winky face i swear ure so dead when i see you at the wheeler’s house tomorrow

You: have you listened to olivia rodrigo’s new album

Sailor Man: ohh the bitter album?

You: ITS SOUR DUMBASS

Sailor Man: I DONT KNOW?!?

You: I CANT DO THIS HJAGSK

Sailor Man: shut up

Sailor Man: i’ve heard some of the songs but i haven’t fully listened to them

Sailor Man: why

You: can you like

You: ask me to be ur girlfriend then break up with me right after so i can experience and actually feel the whole sour album

Sailor Man: what

You: just do it !!

Sailor Man: you’re so funny (y/n/n)

Sailor Man: okay

Sailor Man: will you be my girlfriend?

You: yes !!!

You: ...

You: hello

You: dont tell me u fell asleep

Sailor Man: i’m not doing the last part you might as well forget about it

You: wjat

Sailor Man: :D

You: wtf

You: okay steve cut it out i’m not doing this anymore u’re not funny

Sailor Man: nope

Sailor Man: go to sleep we’re dating now that’s how this works

Sailor Man: okay i dont know if you’re still reading this now and i am terrified to say this to you in person like TERRIFIED. might piss my pants if i did. so (y/n/n), my favorite dumbass, my favorite person to talk to at night even if it interrupts my binge watching marathon, you make me so happy to the point that even when i sleep you’re still in my dreams. i like you. i have like the biggest fattest crush on you. and thank you for doing that sour album thing or whatever, because of that i get to finally ask you out

you rolled on your back after you read the message, facing the ceiling as your mind processed what just happened. was he playing with you? was he actually serious about asking you out?

Incoming video call...

Sailor Man

you took a deep breath before tapping the green button and placing it back down on the bed.

“hey,” you can tell that he was tired based on his voice. “can you show your face, please? i miss you.”

ignoring the butterflies in your stomach, you hesitantly lifted the phone and shifted your position to lay on your side. “hey.”

“hey yourself.” steve grins. that stupid grin that makes your stomach turn, that grin you always want to see everyday.

“what’s..up?” you avoided looking at him and started to admire your surroundings and the posters placed on your wall. this was the only time you were glad you weren’t with him in person.

“i just wanted to see if you’re okay.” of course he will ask that. he's steve. he cares about other more than himself.

“i am, thanks.” you showed a smile that doesn't reach your ears and steve knew something was bothering you. “hey, look. i'm sorry about my confession- if it made you uncomfortable i'm sorry-”

“no,” you cut him off, looking back at his face on the screen. “i’m fine, really. you don't have to apologize. i was just, surprised.”

there was silence between the two of you for a few seconds, before you spoke again. “did you mean it?” you voice was only above whisper but steve managed to hear them. “of course,” he answered almost too quick, without any hesitation. “i've been trying to find the perfect opportunity and had been asking god for signs because i can't make a move myself-”

“asking god?” you chuckled and steve smiled hearing them, glad that he somehow lightened the mood. “well, more like begging.” he continues and you giggled.

once your laughter died you both fell into silence again. you still couldn’t believe that out of a fun joke, it would turn into a whole another situation. “so, um.. just so you know, i’m not mad, or upset, or anything. i really was just surprised. it felt like a dream because i didn’t know that you like me back and all i did was just supposed to be a fun joke but—”

“hold on, back?”

“what?”

“like you back. you said i like you back.” steve sat up on his bed and fixed his hair as his eyes widened. “i did...” you said slowly, not catching up.

“does that mean you..”

then it hit you. “oh, right. yeah. i- i like you..too.” you waited for his reaction and once you saw him smile you couldn’t stop yourself from doing the same.

“i knew it. and well, i guess that confirms it. we’re dating now. no taking back.” he smirks then laughs when your rolled your eyes. “don’t flatter yourself, harrington. i did not say shit.” you pointed your index finger on the screen, barely containing your giggles.

“based on your beautiful smile i think you don’t need to say it. i like you, and you like me. we’re dating.” steve gives you a teasing smile. you tried keeping your serious face but it won’t last longer so you finally smiled again. “alright, fine. no taking backs. we’re dating.” you said then laughed as he whisper-yelled ‘yes!’ while fist pumping the air.

he soon joined your laughter and you stayed like that until your jaw was pretty much in pain because of your smiles. when it was all quiet again, you both just admired each other’s presence through the screens of your phones. “i wish i was there with you.” he mumbles. “yeah, me too.” you hugged your cold pillow beside you, closing your eyes for a moment and imagining it as steve.

“are your parents home?”

you snorted at his random question. “i’m actually alone right now, they’re out because dad got promoted at his work so he and mom and i think a few friends went out to celebrate. they should be home by an hour or two. why?”

“nothing.” was all he said before hanging up. you were left confused but then he’s your best friend after all, so you knew right then and there that he’ll do something stupid. after you turned your phone off you suddenly felt watching a movie so you went to the kitchen to make some popcorn.

when it was finished and had been put in a bowl, that’s when you heard your doorbell rang—in a pattern which you recognize, and only one person does that.

you let out a quiet laugh when you realized who it was and set the bowl on the counter before opening the door.

“hi!” steve greeted you with a smile. “uh, hi?” you laughed nervously and stepped aside for him to go in. “i smell popcorn, are we having a movie night?” he says as he steps inside and shrugged off his jacket. “actually yeah, i’m planning on watching—”

“tangled.” he finishes off, you subconsciously smiled upon hearing your favorite movie. “how’d you know?”

steve snatches a few popcorns from the bowl as you both arrived in the kitchen. “(y/n), you have watched that movie 7 times this week and always gush to me about it.”

“well, you’re the only one that is around my age that i can talk to with that movie. robin and nancy aren’t that into it.” you replied, grabbing the bowl and making your way back to your bedroom, steve following your heels. “and you think i’m the best option to talk to about that?” he asks, plopping down on your bed and resting his back on the headboard.

“you’re not complaining.” you shrugged as you grabbed your laptop and sat beside steve.

“yeah, probably because i like you.” it came out of his mouth casually. you froze in place and felt your cheeks heat up, finally nodding your head slowly, “..probably.” as you typed in the movie in your laptop you felt steve scoot closer, making your breath hitch.

you were both in a comfortable silence while watching the movie, except for a few jokes and comments that steve makes and him explaining how similar he was to flynn rider.

“you know, since i’m eugene, you could be rapunzel.” he suddenly says. you eyes were still on the screen but your eyebrows furrowed. “why? i’m nothing like her.”

finally looking at steve, you almost screamed how he was already looking at you. “oh, you are so rapunzel. you may not have the longest hair in the world, but you are pretty much similar.” he replies, smiling and not taking his eyes off of you.

you paused the movie and shifted your body towards him, intrigued by his explaination. “how so?”

“well, first off,” steve starts, resting his hands on the soft mattress. “you’re both sweet, you’re both a huge ray of sunshine, have gorgeous eyes and smile, and eugene is head over heels over you — and since he doesn’t exist in real life, i’d like to be the substitute.” he finished with a confident smile.

after about three seconds, you burst out of laughter. you laughed. as much as he loves the sound of your laugh, he can’t help but pout. “(y/n), i’m trying to be sweet here!”

“i’m sorry!- it’s just- i can’t help but laugh at your flirting.” you managed to say between your laughs. you know he’s kidding but he looked at you like he was offended.

your laughter died down and held steve’s face. “it’s cute, sorry.” you mumble with a little laugh. when he finally smiled you turned to your laptop and continued the movie.

steve gazes at you for a few more seconds before watching the movie with you again. “thank you.” you whisper, glancing at him.

“you’re very much welcome, my rapunzel.” he says smiling before he slides a bit down on the bed so his head could reach your shoulder and rests it there.

you giggled as you heard him whisper,

“thank you, olivia rodrigo.”