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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 2 years ago

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By: John McWhorter

Published: Mar 8, 2023

I have argued recently that a useful and inspiring history of modern Black America need not be dominated by discussions of white racism. And having done so, it seems reasonable for me to explain, to at least a limited degree, what I would envision as a potentially better approach.

Specifically, I wrote about a draft curriculum of the College Board’s Advanced Placement course in African American studies. So what other topics might it have included, to counterbalance topics — clearly worthy, yet incomplete — such as reparations, Amiri Baraka and the Black Lives Matter movement?

Let’s try, for one, the notion of Black power. The good word would seem to be that we never really have any. But that isn’t true, and any valid chronicle of the history of what’s been happening to Black Americans since the 1960s must not pretend otherwise.

We have now had a two-term Black president, two Black secretaries of state, one Black (and South Asian) vice president and a Black secretary of defense. These were all borderline unimaginable goals a generation ago.

Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., was elevated in 2020 to become the Catholic Church’s first Black cardinal. He was the first Black president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as far back as the early 2000s — a time at which Dennis Archer was also the first Black president of the American Bar Association.

Lowe’s and Walgreens, two of the nation’s largest retailers, are run by Black chief executives. The reason you probably didn’t know that is because there are now enough Black chief executives to bypass the notion of firsts. This contrasts with 2000, when there were only two prominent Black chief executives of Fortune 500 companies — Franklin Raines at Fannie Mae and Lloyd Ward at Maytag — although that, too, was awesome progress over what had come before.

Successes of this kind should be held up front and center, not dismissed as footnotes or all but buried in equal coverage of remaining disparities — although those should of course be covered elsewhere in a curriculum. The question is how people like this achieved as much as they did despite the obstacles, largely but not exclusively racial, they all faced. We might ask why there isn’t more focus on that question.

I often sense that we are supposed to think of people like this with a certain formulaic admiration. They are what are sometimes called “Blacks in wax” (after, presumably, the museum in Baltimore): nice to know about but ultimately fluky superstars irrelevant to what some might say Blackness is really about. Is the idea that, because they have not usually dedicated themselves to political protest in deed or gesture, it somehow makes them less impressive or less important? That itself would be a radical proposition.

Something else: A modern history of Black America should include how Black English has become, to a considerable extent, a youth lingua franca since at least the 1990s. It is absolutely a fact that attitudes toward Black English can be influenced by racism. However, this is neither the most important nor even the most interesting thing about the dialect. Beyond its awesome grammatical structures, it is fascinating that such a dialect primarily confined to Black usage just 50 years ago now decorates the speech of countless Americans who are not Black at all. And that is because how Black people talk has become an integral part of how America talks.

In Black English, “I’m going to” can be rendered as the marvelously terse “Ima,” as in, “Ima go downstairs.” Thirty years ago, I overheard a white undergraduate woman use this phrase with Black male friends. Then, white people using it were generally ones especially identified with and situated within Black culture — i.e., with a substantially Black friend group. Today I hear white and Asian young people use “Ima” all the time; it is no longer interesting. A student of South Asian heritage wrote a paper for me recently chronicling how his texting with friends, most of whom are not Black, was couched considerably in Black English, as a default medium with no performance or ridicule entailed.

And dismissing this as cultural appropriation won’t do. It’d be like Jewish people complaining that non-Jewish people say “klutz,” “schmooze” and “shtick.” Black English’s transformation of mainstream English has likewise been inevitable, harmless and cool. It’s something great that has happened since the 1960s.

A true and healthy history of Black America should also cover, with the same ardor that it does the L.A. riots of 1992, the efflorescence of Black film starting in the 1980s and continuing into the 2000s. After the Blaxploitation film flame burned out rather quickly in the 1970s, Black movies came out here and there. But starting with the electrically odd, goofy, plangent and true “She’s Gotta Have It” by Spike Lee in 1986, and Lee’s titanic oeuvre of films in its wake, it started to get hard to see every Black film that was released. (I had to give up around 1999.)

The comedies were often of a kind that both taught and amused (“Barbershop”); the romances gave Black women especially equivalents to movies like “When Harry Met Sally” (“Love Jones”); the dramas gave us our forms of movies like “Terms of Endearment” (“Soul Food”); and the gangster pictures finally gave us our James Cagneys and Lee Marvins (“New Jack City”).

A line one often used to hear in response to the idea of progress in Black film was that there existed no Black producer who could greenlight a movie alone. But that’s no longer true, now that Tyler Perry rules his own filmic empire. Some think Perry does not really count because most of his films appeal more to the gut than to the intellect. But then the vast majority of films always have, and I for one have never seen a film of Perry’s without at least one immortal performance of some kind, including, frequently, his own. And they are indeed often damnably funny.

That Black movies are now ordinary is something our historiography should chart and celebrate, much as it should a two-term Black president. The prospect of a film like “Black Panther” even getting made on such a lavish budget, much less being an international sensation, would have sounded like science fiction as recently as the 1990s. The prospect of a high-budget sequel with a mostly Black cast being made even after the star of the original had died? It beggars imagination.

One last example: From the Florida A.P. draft, one might suppose that the thing most interesting about hip-hop is its usage as protest music, given that in the draft music is so dominatingly associated with social and political purposes, advocacy and empowerment. Certainly, protest is part of what the music is; its confrontational cadence is fundamental to the genre. But as to the idea of a hip-hop revolution whereby the music was always supposedly about to unite Black America into some kind of radical political consciousness: How has that panned out?

Hip-hop has been a glorious revolution, indeed — in music, period. Be it party music, protest music, political music, obscene music or Dr. Octagon, a genre that started as street fun in the Bronx has transformed the musical fabric and sensibility of America — as well as that of the whole world. (I once watched a teen rap in Indonesian in New Guinea.) No one denies this, of course. But it is this basic triumph that should center its coverage in a course and be offered as a topic of engagement to curious young people.

I suspect that the idea that a Black historiography would not just wave at but stare at positive developments will rub some the wrong way. But the idea that our history must elevate protest as the most interesting thing about us is peculiar.

It’s worth noting that not that very long ago, Black American movers and shakers were of a similar mind in celebrating the victories more than the — very real — obstacles. In 1901, an issue of the Black newspaper The Indianapolis Recorder listed all of the city’s businesses owned by Black people and crowed, “If after reading the facts and figures as succinctly presented an inspiration comes to any who may be considering embarking in some business enterprise or renews hope in those who are now struggling to attain success we shall feel gratified.”

If a Black man could write that in the era of Plessy v. Ferguson, surely today our curriculums on Black history can recognize more clearly what Black people have accomplished, continue to accomplish and accomplish more with each passing decade. Just because time moves more slowly than we wish it did doesn’t mean we should not recognize its motion. Relaxing the impulse to hold the spotlight on what white people are doing — or not doing, or should have done — can be, among other things, a way to recognize what Black people have accomplished in a nation that brought them across an ocean as slaves.

The protest-focused perspective is rooted, it seems to me, in a take on being Black that was memorably articulated by the writer Ellis Cose in the 1990s in “The Rage of a Privileged Class,” his widely discussed book about middle-class Black people’s sense of alienation: “Hurtful and seemingly trivial encounters of daily existence are in the end what most of life is,” Cose attested, in what he described as the story of what it’s like to be Black in modern America.

Cose’s Weltanschauung is one especially prevalent among academics, artists and journalists. But most people — and most Black people — are none of those three things. I have lost count of how many Black people told me back in the day that they did not share Cose’s take on what we now call “microaggressions” as the very fabric of our existence. Many do share it, to be sure, but their positions share space with those of the other millions of Black Americans who feel closer to the way I do.

The story of Black people in America is much more than the story of what’s wrong with white people. To pretend that this isn’t true, to downplay or ignore decades of progress and accomplishment and to portray political activism — however important and necessary, and it is both — as Black Americans’ main form of accomplishment, is to suggest that white people have already won.

Reminder: Critical Race Theorists believe that progress hasn't been made, that nothing has gotten better, and even that it's only gotten worse. How do they justify such a remarkable claim? Through the religious apologetic of "interest convergence," which they believe operates as a form of plausible deniability.

At bottom, it functions akin to "the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." You can know the racism is even worse, because now you can't see it. "But the US has had a black president, black Supreme Court justices, black military commanders, a long list of black cultural heroes - entertainers, artists, athletes..." See? That's how deeply ingrained it is, that's how concealed, pervasive and permanent it is.

[Critical] movements initially advocated for a type of liberal humanism (individualism, freedom, and peace) but quickly turned to a rejection of liberal humanism. The ideal of individual autonomy that underlies liberal humanism (the idea that people are free to make independent rational decisions that determine their own fate) was viewed as a mechanism for keeping the marginalized in their place by obscuring larger structural systems of inequality. In other words, it fooled people into believing that they had more freedom and choice than societal structures actually allow.

-- Ozlem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo, "Is Everyone Really Equal?"

Instead of the endless nihilism of inevitable black hopelessness and inescapable white guilt, why not positivity around progress, success and how people feel about life?

[ Source: Gallup ]

The answers aren't that complicated.

Firstly, a key pillar of Critical Race Theory is a "Critique of Liberalism." That the entire liberal order - and particularly the color-blind, "content of their character" approach espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - has failed. To admit to progress, and especially to admit that black Americans are a world away from where things were 100, or even 50 years ago, undermines the proposition that the liberal order needs to be torn down.

And secondly, wokeness is not capable of creating nor solving problems. Its only function is to deconstruct: to pick, pick, pick, to scrutinize power dynamics, root out hidden oppressions and expose them. The only thing it produces is activism, programs to create more activists (DEI, schools), demands to forcibly redistribute resources (equity), and division through greater paranoia and fixation on differences. Like how those who study "Gender Studies" are unqualified for any vocation other than teaching "Gender Studies." It's not possible to create a society based on wokeness, not only because it has no coherent vision, but also because it will always eat whoever is claimed to be at the top with the most power, through competitive resentment. You therefore can't make progress with it. But you're not supposed to notice or talk about that.

#John McWhorter #antiracism #antiracism as religion #neoracism #nihilism #victimhood complex #victimhood #victimhood culture #cult of woke #woke #wokeness #wokeness as religion #wokeism #progress #civil rights movement #civil rights #black positivity #religion is a mental illness

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kyogre-blue · 10 months ago

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Ei story quest 1 done. It's so short!

Also, I have the voices set to JP now, and Ei has my favorite voice actress... I can't get mad at her now, it's awful.

Jokes aside, if you take only act 3 and this quest, they have a fairly consistent progression. Ei ends act 3 by confirming that, since she was defeated by the collective ambitions of Inazuma's people inside the statue, she's going to repeal the Vision Hunt Decree. But in regard to what Inazuma's future should be, what eternity means and by extension whether to enforce Inazuma's isolation via Sakoku, she's going to have to think about it. And in her first story quest, she is indeed thinking about it.

Parts of the quest are quite... facepalm-worthy, for sure. The light novel stuff is just so weebie, and they obviously play up how naive and inexperienced and lonely and cute Ei is. But if you ignore acts 1+2, her progression in trying to consider what eternity should mean and how to govern Inazuma is... fine. There's a certain banality in her noting that the shops have all changed since she last walked the streets, but that's also part of the inevitability of change. It's not just the big changes but also the small ones. (The thing with the photograph is quite silly though. The Shogun is very much not Ei but a separate entity and a photograph is just a very realistic picture. Ei, an ancient god, not understanding this concept, when Yae knows about circuitry and Ei herself has created hyper-advanced sentient puppets is... lol.)

The issue that people ran into back when this quest launched is the "ignore acts 1 and 2" part.

In fact, acts 1+2 are extremely different from act 3, to the point that they really do feel like remains from an earlier draft of the story that the writers couldn't or didn't bother updating to match the new conclusion. Acts 1 and 2 are pretty much entirely focused on highlighting how bad the situation in Inazuma really is and how much the people are suffering. But act 3 and all subsequent story quests almost aggressively refuse to acknowledge any of it. Ei never once expresses her opinion on the war. I mean this literally. The traveler doesn't directly ask her if she was aware of the war, she gives only vague statements about her knowledge and the mistakes "the Shogun" made in governing Inazuma, and every concrete instance of suffering we've seen is just kinda quietly swept under the rug. Even Teppei gets reduced to "well, he sought power, and that's what did him in (it's his own fault)."

It's very notable that Genshin never again really goes in the the direction of any serious discussion of societal issues. Sumeru's issues within the Akademiya, the uh racism, etc, everything is not really discussed and then once we have the rightful ruler Nahida in charge, that's just gonna fix everything eventually. As I understand, Fontaine gets swept into "actually there's no issues, just the bad prophecy" too. I wouldn't really say that I consider stories as needing to address societal issues, but they also can't really do conflict between characters, so... what is even left?

All that aside, it's a very Genshin standard story quest. In retrospect and separated from the expectations set by the first half of Inazuma, I would even call it among the better ones since it focuses on Ei in good part and she even develops a little in the process. I can't recall too many others where that happens. Tighnari certainly never outright acknowledges being wrong about mechanical beings having no emotions, Nilou and Cyno don't change, Ayato, Yae and Kokomi don't either... etc, etc.

You learn to appreciate the small things, I guess.

#playing genshin

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loudtravelerlight · 4 months ago

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Advocacy for Animal Rights: A Call for Compassion and Change

Introduction

The movement for animal rights has gained momentum in recent years, advocating for the protection and welfare of animals across the globe. This advocacy goes beyond mere compassion; it challenges societal norms, calls for legislative reform, and emphasizes the moral responsibility humans have toward non-human beings. In this article, we will explore the fundamental principles of animal rights advocacy, the current state of animal welfare legislation, the role of activism, and the importance of education in fostering a more humane society.

Understanding Animal Rights

At its core, the animal rights movement asserts that animals possess intrinsic rights similar to those of humans. This philosophy argues that animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, joy, and suffering. As such, they should not be subjected to cruelty or exploitation for human benefit. The foundation of this movement is rooted in ethical considerations, advocating for a world where animals are respected as living beings with their own interests. advocacy for animal rights

The Ethical Imperative

One of the primary arguments for animal rights is ethical. Philosopher Peter Singer, in his seminal work "Animal Liberation," posits that the capacity to suffer should grant animals moral consideration. This principle challenges the anthropocentric view that places human needs above those of animals. Advocates argue that just as society has progressed to recognize the rights of marginalized groups, it is time to extend similar considerations to animals.

The Current State of Animal Welfare Legislation

Globally, the legal framework for animal rights varies significantly. In some countries, laws exist to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation, while others lack basic protections. For instance, the Animal Welfare Act in the United States provides some safeguards for certain animals but leaves many, including farmed animals, inadequately protected. In contrast, countries like Germany and Switzerland have implemented stronger legal protections that recognize animals as sentient beings.

Despite these advancements, enforcement remains a challenge. Many laws are underfunded or poorly enforced, allowing cruelty to persist. Advocacy groups are essential in pushing for stronger legislation and better enforcement, working tirelessly to close loopholes that allow for animal suffering.

The Role of Activism

Activism is at the heart of the animal rights movement. From grassroots organizations to international coalitions, activists employ various strategies to raise awareness and promote change. These include:

Protests and Demonstrations: Public demonstrations can effectively highlight issues of animal cruelty, drawing media attention and public support.

Education and Outreach: Many organizations focus on educating the public about animal rights issues through workshops, campaigns, and social media outreach.

Legislative Advocacy: Advocates work with lawmakers to draft and promote legislation that protects animal rights, such as bans on puppy mills and factory farming practices.

Corporate Engagement: Engaging with corporations to adopt humane practices, such as cruelty-free testing and sustainable sourcing, is crucial for systemic change.

These efforts are often met with resistance, particularly from industries that profit from animal exploitation. However, the relentless pursuit of justice for animals has led to significant changes in public opinion and policy.

Education: The Key to Change

Education plays a vital role in the animal rights movement. By informing individuals about the realities of animal suffering in various industries, advocates can inspire compassion and motivate action. Educational initiatives can take many forms:

School Programs: Integrating animal rights education into school curricula can foster empathy in future generations.

Community Workshops: Hosting workshops on humane treatment and ethical consumerism can empower individuals to make informed choices.

Digital Campaigns: Utilizing social media platforms allows for a broader reach, enabling advocates to share stories, statistics, and calls to action with a global audience.

The more people understand the issues surrounding animal rights, the more likely they are to become advocates themselves.

The Intersectionality of Animal Rights

The animal rights movement intersects with various social justice issues, including environmentalism, human rights, and public health. The exploitation of animals often goes hand-in-hand with environmental degradation, as factory farming contributes significantly to climate change. Moreover, the systemic oppression faced by marginalized communities often mirrors the exploitation of animals. By recognizing these connections, advocates can create a more inclusive movement that addresses the root causes of injustice.

Conclusion: A Vision for the Future

The advocacy for animal rights is more than a campaign; it is a moral imperative that calls for a reevaluation of how we perceive and interact with non-human beings. As awareness grows and activism continues to thrive, there is hope for a future where animals are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. By promoting compassionate policies, engaging in educational initiatives, and fostering a culture of empathy, we can create a world that champions the rights of all living beings.

In this ongoing journey toward justice, each individual has a role to play. Whether through direct action, advocacy, or simply making more humane choices in daily life, every effort counts. Together, we can build a society that recognizes the inherent value of all animals, paving the way for a more compassionate and just world.

#Advocacy for animal rights

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personalinjuryclaimsbylawyers · 2 years ago

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Why Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer for a Prenuptial Agreement?

Divorce is one of the most challenging periods of your life. But it is even harder to think when you are about to get married. Hire Texas divorce lawyers for the prenup agreement before marriage.

Contrary to popular opinion, prenuptial agreements are not just for the wealthy couple. Many lawyers are seeing an increasing number of couples seeking to sign prenuptial agreements before marriage. Probably because most Millenials get married later in life, and if someone has already collected some property before the wedding, they do not want to share it if the marriage does not work out.

Most importantly, the prenuptial agreement must legally get drafted by the family lawyers in dallas texas for the prenuptial agreement; otherwise, the court may declare it null and void in the event of a divorce. With a prenuptial agreement, the divorce attorney confirms that the prenuptial agreement is valid if the court requires it in the future. It is why hiring a prenuptial agreement lawyer works for your benefit.

What is a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract that explains how you and your spouse will separate the assets if you divorce later. You can include many other financial issues before marriage, including whether any spouse will pay maintenance (spousal support) in the event of a divorce and whether you will be liable for each other's debts.

Usually, you will need to prepare a complete list of your assets and liabilities, and your future spouse should do the same. If you want to keep your property separate, you can ensure that each property remains with the actual owner. Prenuptial agreements are especially beneficial if you have a business or other assets you own and acquire before marriage.

All states have different rules for prenuptial agreements. If you are unfamiliar with the law of your country and are not comfortable with interpreting laws, you should hire a lawyer. In fact, in some states, each of you may need to have your attorney review your prenup.

One of the best ways to hire a qualified Texas divorce attorney is to ask family and friends for a referral in your area. Your state may have resources to help you find lawyers who can help you.

The attorney ensures that the agreement meets the required essentials

A prenuptial agreement must meet certain conditions for the court to consider it valid. It is crucial to note that family law varies massively from state to country, but even prenuptial conditions are consistent irrespective of differences in one's place of residence.

One of the conditions is that both parties must disclose all assets, financial obligations, and income when signing a prenup. Another condition is that both parties must be provided with sufficient time to review the prenup before signing.

The court also requires that each party obtain legal representation during the process. A Texas divorce attorney makes it easy to understand the conditions you must meet in the prenuptial agreement depending on the state you live.

They help you to understand what you are agreeing to and signing to

Another benefit of contacting a prenuptial agreement attorney when signing a prenup is that they help you understand the effects of what you are signing.

Sometimes a prenuptial agreement may have negative consequences for one of the parties. Also, wandering into a prenuptial agreement without legal advice can cause you to overlook other important details.

Also, you cannot ignore that some prenuptial agreements have been declared invalid by the court because of negligence or when one party fails to disclose the amount of their property.

One of the best divorce attorneys in Texas eliminates that concern and helps you better understand the terms of the agreement. It is best if each party has an attorney for the prenuptial agreement.

Verify the validity of your prenuptial agreement

A prenuptial agreement is essential in the event of a divorce and the court considers it carefully, so it is crucial to have an independent lawyer. While not all courts need that, the absence of independent lawyers can create uncertainty for the judge.

Additionally, negligent mistakes in a prenuptial agreement may make it invalid. Before signing a contract, a lawyer with knowledge of a prenuptial agreement is crucial.

Knowledge of family law is the key to writing a prenup

The prenuptial agreement indicates how you would like your marriage assets to be divided in the event of a divorce. It knows how the court will separate the property, but you want to do it differently by signing a prenup.

The family lawyers in dallas texas with knowledge of family law understands what rights you may be violating and can help you understand the full consequences of a prenuptial agreement.

Conclusion

A couple agrees to separate their property if the relationship breaks down

by arranging for a prenuptial agreement. The aim is to avoid the costs and inconvenience of involving the Family Court.

A prenup can also be relied upon if one partner dies and their executor shares their estate. If the prenup is valid, the executor must follow the agreement.

Choosing a pre-up attorney or a lawyer who is well versed in drafting and interpreting prenuptial agreements will be best to help you file a contract or represent you in a dispute. Your attorneys will help you submit your wishes to the appropriate legal form so that your state recognizes you as a valid contract.

#law #lawyer #legal #newjersey

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smithpatrick · 2 years ago

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Why Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer for a Prenuptial Agreement?

Divorce is one of the most challenging periods of your life. But it is even harder to think when you are about to get married. Hire Texas divorce lawyers for the prenup agreement before marriage.

What is a prenuptial agreement?

One of the best ways to hire a qualified Texas divorce attorney is to ask family and friends for a referral in your area. Your state may have resources to help you find lawyers who can help you.

The attorney ensures that the agreement meets the required essentials

They help you to understand what you are agreeing to and signing to

Another benefit of contacting a prenuptial agreement attorney when signing a prenup is that they help you understand the effects of what you are signing.

Also, you cannot ignore that some prenuptial agreements have been declared invalid by the court because of negligence or when one party fails to disclose the amount of their property.

One of the best divorce attorneys in Texas eliminates that concern and helps you better understand the terms of the agreement. It is best if each party has an attorney for the prenuptial agreement.

Verify the validity of your prenuptial agreement

Additionally, negligent mistakes in a prenuptial agreement may make it invalid. Before signing a contract, a lawyer with knowledge of a prenuptial agreement is crucial.

Knowledge of family law is the key to writing a prenup

The family lawyers in dallas texas with knowledge of family law understands what rights you may be violating and can help you understand the full consequences of a prenuptial agreement.

Conclusion

A couple agrees to separate their property if the relationship breaks down

by arranging for a prenuptial agreement. The aim is to avoid the costs and inconvenience of involving the Family Court.

A prenup can also be relied upon if one partner dies and their executor shares their estate. If the prenup is valid, the executor must follow the agreement.

#law #lawyer #legal

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beels-burger-babe · 4 years ago

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There and Back Again - Epilogue

GN!MC TW: Spoilers for Lesson 16, Mentions of Murder and Violence, Trauma, and Panic Attacks/PTSD Summary: What if MC hadn’t been seen by everyone after watching their death and went back to their original time line?? Pt. 1 HERE, Pt. 2 HERE, Pt. 3 HERE, Pt. 4 HERE - PODFIC The lounge of Purgatory Hall was always a peaceful area. Solomon could often be found lounging there as he read through one of his many ancient, arcane texts. Simeon would sometimes sit at the small table near the window with a hot cup of tea and begin drafting his next work. While Luke preferred to spend his times in the kitchen, but there was always those moments after he finished baking where he’d rush into the lounge excited to show everyone his latest creation. After living in the Hall for a month, you were nearly certain that the room itself possessed a magical quality that soothed all who entered. All of this made the fact that you couldn’t get your knee to stop bouncing or your heart rate to slow down all the more distressing. You weren’t the only one who was upset. In your time at Purgatory Hall you had gotten close with the other exchange students in a way that you never got the chance to when living with the brothers. So given the current...situation, all three of them now sat with you as you waited for your guest to join you. “Are your sure you want to do this?” Luke asked for the hundredth time. “You don’t owe those mean demons anything! Certainly not him.” Simeon sighed and shook his head at his fellow angel, “Luke, you know that it was MC’s idea to meet with Belphegor. This is their decision, and all that we can do is support them through this visit and remain by their side.” Solomon hummed in agreement, “Exactly. Lucifer himself has reassured us that Belphegor appears to have calmed and changed his opinion on the human realm since learning the truth about Lilith. He has been quite eager to see MC, apparently.”

Luke let out a worried whine as he stood from his chair, “But that’s the problem! He’s eager to see them!!! What if this is all just an act to get close to MC again so that he can-” “Luke that’s enough,” you firmly cut him off as you repressed a shiver from his words. “It’s true that this could all be an act. Just because I’m willing to face him does not mean that I trust him by any means.” You sighed and ran a through your hair, “But I can’t just keep running away and hiding from him. I need to face him. I need to confront him. I need answers if I’m ever going to fully heal and move on from...from my death.” Solomon gave you a sympathetic smile as he placed a hand on your shoulder. “We won’t let anything happen to you. Lucifer and Mammon will be escorting and supervising Belphegor for the entirety of his visit. The three of us can remain in the room as well, if that would make you more comfortable, and just in case,” Solomon’s hand glowed for a moment as you felt a warm sensation flow within you. “That was a protection spell. Just as extra precaution I’m sure, but at the very least you can feel safer knowing that you are protected.” You nodded in thanks towards the wizard and took deep breath as you glanced at the clock. “They should be here any moment-” As if in on cue, you were cut off by a loud voice filling the hallways.

“No touching. No yelling. Definitely no hugging. And I swear Belphie, if ya so much as look at them the wrong way-” “Wow. Thank you for this fantastic vote of confidence, Mammon. It’s great to see that you’re still holding something that I literally didn’t do against me.” “OI! Watch it, Cowboy! You’re in no position to be mocking me right now! I am being serious. If I see any signs that you’re making them uncomfortable, ya ain’t even gonna get a chance to say goodbye. Got it?” “Mammon. Shut up. You’re not helping. He knows the importance of this meeting and the consequences should he step out of line. Isn’t that right Belphegor?” You couldn’t hear the response. There was a knock on the door before The three brothers came walking in. Mammon taking the lead, Lucifer guarding the back, and sandwiched between them was Belphegor. Purple eyes flashing in mania as a loud psychopathic laugh filled the room. Pale hands, made into weapons with dangerously sharp claws, digging into your skin as his thick tail wound it’s way around your tighter and tighter as he mocked you. “Does it hurt? Finding it hard to breathe? I’m sure it must be very unpleasant.” “MC!” You yelped as a hand landed on your shoulder. Mammon quickly pulled his hand away and growled as he turned back to face Belphegor and Lucifer, being sure to keep you behind him. “See! I knew this was a bad idea! They ain’t ready for this.” “Yes, I am,” Mammon whipped back around to face you in shock; you offered him a hesitant smile. “Am I scared? Yes. But, Mammon, we’ve talked about this. I need to do this. We’re just going to talk nothing else. If something does happen, I know that I have the Great Mammon here protecting me.” He looked down at you for a moment, his inner conscious fighting between his fear of you getting hurt and his knowledge that you were right. Eventually, he sighed, shooting Belphegor a warning look, before moving to sit beside you. Silence filled the room as Belphegor looked at you. You couldn’t read his expression. It was as calm, bored, and collected as usual. He rose a single eyebrow at you. “So...you’re Lilith’s descendent?”

You nodded. “And apparently you traveled back in time so that Diavolo would release me?” You nodded again. “And in that time, I killed you?” You tensed and pressed you lips into a tight thin line. “Yes,” you finally spoke, “what I need to know is if I need to worry about you doing it again?” Everyone in the room tensed at the question. You could see Mammon shift beside you, as though he was readying himself to jump in front of you if needed. Belphegor chuckled, and felt your blood grow cold. You reached behind you and grabbed onto Mammon’s hand; the demon was quick to squeeze it in reassurance. You shuttered as Belphie’s eyes met yours.

“In all honesty, that had originally been the plan. I wanted to hurt you as the angels hurt Lilith. I wanted you and the rest of humanity to pay for her innocent blood that you shed.” His voice was filled with such raw anger and grief, so similar to his voice as he mocked you in your final moments, that you couldn’t help but lean back against Mammon. Lucifer growled as he noticed this, “Belphegor...” The youngest could clearly hear the warning in his brother’s tone and sighed. “You said to be honest. I’m just fully explaining myself. If you’d let me finish, I was about to say that I’ve realized that anger was misplaced and...” He stared at you with a sad expression, “I don’t want to miss out on my chance to get to know the last part of Lilith that we have left. The truth is that you helped me, time and time again. You didn’t need to do that, but you did, and you put your safety at risk a number of times to do so. I...I never thanked you for that. Because of you, I got my brothers back. I get to be with Beel again, and that means more than you could know, so thank you MC.” You sat there for a moment, running over his words in your head. You couldn’t explain it, but you could feel some kind of lingering anger boil within you. He got to be with his family and his brothers. While you had to move away from them because they could no longer ensure your safety. He got to sleep peacefully knowing that he was by Beel’s side again. While you awoken every night by nightmares of what he did to you. And now he’s here, not asking for forgiveness, not apologizing for the pain he put you through (even excluding your murder), and saying that he wants to get to know you. You glared at him as you felt your hands curl into fists, “I didn’t do it for you.” Your voice was calm, but low and calculated with the risk of danger. You didn’t dare say anymore than that, in fear of ruining whatever slim chance of reconciliation that stood between the two of you. You felt Mammon place a hand on your shoulder as he leaned down to your ear. “I can make him leave if ya want, MC,” you simply shook your head in response. Belphie didn’t seem to know what to think of the situation as he cocked his head to the side. “You’re...angry?” He raised his hands up in defense as you shot a glare in his direction. “Okay! Yeah. That’s understandable,” he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Look, what do I have to do for you to trust me? What happened in that timeline wasn’t me. I mean, yeah I had the potential to do that, but I’m not that person anymore. I want to get to know you like my brothers have. I want to know the person that they’ve all follow around like a bunch of lost puppies and who somehow managed to convince nearly all of them into forming a pact with them.” His eyes widen as he thought of something and he took a step closer to you, “Is that it? Do you want to make a pact with me? Do you want me to give myself to you?” “Stop.” Solomon cut in frowning as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is your first time meeting them since all of this happened, Belphegor. You can’t just ask them to move on and forgive you right away. Yes, it wasn’t you who did that to them, but the person who did looked, sounded, and behaved exactly like you. Not to mention you admitted yourself, that you had prior intentions to repeat the actions of your past self,” he spat. “Yeah!” Luke stood directly in front of you and growled in an attempt to look intimidating. “You’re the last person who gets to make any demands from them! You demons have caused nothing but trouble for poor MC, and I for one will not stand by it any longer!” he began marching closer to Belphegor. “Leave. And don’t you dare show your face around here again you rotten, no-good, twisted-” “Down, Luke.” Simeon chuckled as he placed a hand on the smaller angel’s shoulder and pulled him over to him. “That’s a little too extreme. If MC wishes to cut ties with the demons, that is their decision. Thank you for trying to protect them, but let them have a say.” Luke huffed and crossed his arms as he looked away from the group. All the attention shifted over to you. You had remained silent and pensive during all of this. Not saying a word as you looked at Belphegor through analytical eyes. “I’ll make a pact with you, for the sole reason that should you change your mind and betray me once more, I’ll have the power to stop you.” You stood and approached Belphegor, causing Mammon to make a small noise in complaint. “I do not trust you. I will not allow myself to be alone in the same room as you for a very long time. I will never let you touch me without specified permission. I do not how long it will be, if ever, before I can even call you a friend.” Belphegor’s eyes widened as you spoke. His lips parted slightly in shock, and hands curled into fists in an obvious attempt to hold back whatever argument sat on the tip of his tongue. You raised an eyebrow at the observation and stuck out a hand. “If you want any chance at getting to know me, as you claim, this pact is the first step. So you’d be wise to accept it. I usually wait until you guys are more willing to make a pact before striking the offer, but I can’t afford such niceties with you.” The room fell quiet as Belphie stared at your hand. You could see the wheels turning inside his head, as he battled with his past prejudice and his desire to connect with the only surviving piece of Lilith. Finally he took a deep breath, and placed his hand in yours. A surge of magic washed over the two of you as the pact formed; Belphegor couldn’t suppress his wince at the sensation. The moment the pact was made, Mammon quickly pulled back away from Belphie and into the safety of his arms as Belphie looked down at his hand. Lucifer cleared his throat from behind everyone as he placed a hand on Belphegor’s shoulder. “I think that that’s enough excitement for this visit.” He gave you a soft smile. “Should you wish to arrange another meeting with him, just send a message to myself or Mammon. I will see you tomorrow for our social visit?” You nodded in affirmation, making Lucifer’s smile grow just a little bit bigger. He began to make his way towards the door with Belphegor in tow. “Come on, Mammon,” he called out without even looking back. Mammon didn’t move. He just stayed exactly where he was and rested his chin on top of your head. “Nah, I’m good. MC and I are gonna have sleep over tonight. Makin’ pacts are probably pretty drainin’ and as their first, it’s my duty to make sure they’re okay.” He paused before quickly adding in, “Not that I’m worried or anything! J-just doing my job! That’s all!” You giggled and leaned back into Mammon’s arms as Lucifer sighed and Belphegor scoffed. Seeing no harm in the statement, Lucifer allowed Mammon to stay. As the two brothers made their way out of the Hall, Belphegor glanced over his shoulder and smiled at you. “It was nice to meet you again, MC. I look forward to us getting to know each other.” And despite everything, you still couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down your spine as the Belphegor walked away ****This took WAY longer than I meant for it to, OH MY GOODNESS!!! Thank you so much for staying with me on this crazy journey and for all the love and support you’ve given this series! I hope you enjoyed it! Love, B

#obey me fic #obey me luci #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me belphie #obey me belphegor #obey me solomon #obey me simeon #obey me luke #purgatory hall #obey me undateables #there and back again #shall we date obey me #angst #epilouge #I can't remember how to tag wtf #Lesson 16 spoilers #Lesson 16

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linghxr · 3 years ago

Text

Characters Merged by Simplification

See also: Variant Characters You Should Know

Whoops! I accidentally published a draft of this post early a few weeks ago, and some people liked and reblogged it. If you saw it...pretend you didn’t.

I’ve kind of inadvertently started a Cross-Strait series on this blog comparing Mandarin Chinese in Mainland China and Taiwan. This post is a continuation of this unofficial series. It is NOT intended to be comprehensive. For example, some of the characters below can be surnames but are not marked as such because I’ve never encountered them (meaning they are likely very rare). More obscure variants aren’t indicated either.

Definitions are from MDBG. Please let me know if you notice any errors.

發、髮 → 发

发 | 發 fā - to send out / to show (one's feeling) / to issue / to develop / to make a bundle of money / classifier for gunshots (rounds) >> 发送 | 發送 fāsòng - to transmit / to dispatch / to issue (an official document or credential)

发 fà | 髮 fǎ - hair >> 发型 fàxíng | 髮型 fǎxíng - hairstyle / coiffure / hairdo

只、隻 → 只

只 zhǐ - only / merely / just / but >> 只要 zhǐyào - if only / so long as

只 | 隻 zhī - classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc >> 一只猫 | 一隻貓 yì zhī māo - one cat

游、遊 → 游

游 yóu - to swim / variant of 游 | 遊 >> 游泳 yóuyǒng - swimming / to swim

游 | 遊 yóu - to walk / to tour / to roam / to travel >> 游览 | 遊覽 yóulǎn - to go sightseeing / to tour / to visit

塗、涂 → 涂

涂 | 塗 tú - to apply (paint etc) / to smear / to daub / to blot out / to scribble / to scrawl / (literary) mud / street >> 糊涂 hútu | 糊�� hútú - muddled / silly / confused

涂 Tú - surname Tu >> Actor 涂松岩 (Tu Songyan)

噹、当 → 当

当 | 噹 dāng - (onom.) dong / ding dong (bell) >> 叮当 | 叮噹 dīngdāng - ding dong / jingling of bells / clanking sound

当 | 當 dāng - to be / to act as / manage / withstand / when / during / ought / should / match equally / equal / same / obstruct / just at (a time or place) / on the spot / right / just at >> 相当 | 相當 xiāngdāng - equivalent to / appropriate / considerably / to a certain extent / fairly / quite

当 | 當 dàng - at or in the very same... / suitable / adequate / fitting / proper / to replace / to regard as / to think / to pawn / (coll.) to fail (a student) >> 适当 | 適當 shìdàng - suitable / appropriate

別、彆 → 别

别 | 別 bié - to leave / to depart / to separate / to distinguish / to classify / other / another / don't ...! / to pin / to stick (sth) in >> 离别 | 離別 líbié - to leave (on a long journey) / to part from sb

别 | 彆 biè - to make sb change their ways, opinions etc >> 别扭 bièniu | 彆扭 bièniǔ - awkward / difficult / uncomfortable / not agreeing / at loggerheads / gauche

胡、鬍 → 胡

胡 hú - surname Hu / non-Han people, esp. from central Asia / reckless / outrageous / what? / why? / to complete a winning hand at mahjong (also written 和) >> 胡说 | 胡說 húshuō - to talk nonsense / drivel

胡 | 鬍 hú - beard / mustache / whiskers >> 胡子 | 鬍子 húzi - beard / mustache or whiskers / facial hair

面、麵 → 面

面 miàn - face / side / surface / aspect / top / classifier for objects with flat surfaces such as drums, mirrors, flags etc >> 面对 | 面對 miànduì - to confront / to face

面 | 麵 miàn - flour / noodles / (of food) soft (not crunchy) / (slang) (of a person) ineffectual / spineless >> 拉面 | 拉麵 lāmiàn - pulled noodles / ramen

乾、幹、干 → 干

干 | 乾 gān - dry / clean / in vain / dried food / foster / adoptive / to ignore >> 干脆 | 乾脆 gāncuì - straightforward / clear-cut / blunt (e.g. statement) / you might as well / simply

干 gān - to concern / to interfere / shield / stem >> 干扰 | 干擾 gānrǎo - to disturb / to interfere / perturbation / interference (physics)

干 | 幹 gàn - tree trunk / main part of sth / to manage / to work / to do / capable / cadre / to kill (slang) / to fuck (vulgar) / (coll.) pissed off / annoyed >> 树干 | 樹幹 shùgàn - tree trunk

余、餘 → 余

余 yú - surname Yu / (archaic) I / me / variant of 余｜餘, surplus >> Author 余华 (Yu Hua)

余 | 餘 yú - extra / surplus / remaining / remainder after division / (following numerical value) or more / in excess of (some number) / residue (math.) / after / I / me >> 多余 | 多餘 duōyú - superfluous / unnecessary / surplus

于、於 → 于

于 yú - surname Yu / to go / to take / sentence-final interrogative particle / variant of 于 | 於 >> Singer 于文文 (Yu Wenwen/Kelly Yu)

于 | 於 yú - in / at / to / from / by / than / out of >> 对于 | 對於 duìyú - regarding / as far as sth is concerned / with regards to

后、後 → 后

后 hòu - empress / queen / (archaic) monarch / ruler >> 皇后 huánghòu - empress / imperial consort

后 | 後 hòu - back / behind / rear / afterwards / after / later / post- >> 后悔 | 後悔 hòuhuǐ - to regret / to repent

台、檯、臺、颱 → 台

台 | 檯 tái - desk / table / counter >> 台灯 | 檯燈 táidēng - desk lamp / table lamp

台 | 臺 tái - platform / stage / terrace / stand / support / station / broadcasting station / classifier for vehicles or machines >> 舞台 | 舞臺 wǔtái - stage / arena / fig. in the limelight

台 | 颱 tái - typhoon >> 台风 | 颱風 táifēng - hurricane / typhoon

捨、舍 → 舍

舍 | 捨 shě - to give up / to abandon / to give alms >> 不舍 | 不捨 bùshě - reluctant to part with (sth or sb) / unwilling to let go of

舍 shè - residence >> 宿舍 sùshè - dormitory / dorm room / living quarters / hostel

志、誌 → 志

志 zhì - aspiration / ambition / the will >> 志愿 | 志願 zhìyuàn - aspiration / ambition / to volunteer

志 | 誌 zhì - sign / mark / to record / to write a footnote >> 标志 | 標誌 biāozhì - sign / mark / symbol / logo / to symbolize / to indicate / to mark

裏、裡、里 → 里

里 | 裡 lǐ - lining / interior / inside / internal 里 | 裏 lǐ - variant of 里 | 裡 >> 里头 | 裡頭 lǐtou - inside / interior

里 lǐ - ancient measure of length, approx. 500 m / neighborhood / ancient administrative unit of 25 families / (Tw) borough, administrative unit >> 公里 | 公里 gōnglǐ - kilometer

範、范 → 范

范 | 範 fàn - pattern / model / example >> 模范 | 模範 mófàn - model / fine example

范 Fàn - surname Fan >> Actress 范冰冰 (Fan Bingbing)

並、併 → 并

并 | 並 bìng - and / furthermore / also / together with / (not) at all / simultaneously / to combine / to join / to merge >> 并且 | 並且 bìngqiě - and / besides / moreover / furthermore / in addition

并 | 併 bìng - to combine / to amalgamate >> 合并 | 合併 hébìng - to merge / to annex *合并 also exists as a variant

丑、醜 → 丑

丑 chǒu - clown / 2nd earthly branch: 1-3 a.m., 12th solar month (6th January to 3rd February), year of the Ox / ancient Chinese compass point: 30° >> 小丑 xiǎochǒu - clown

丑 | 醜 chǒu - shameful / ugly / disgraceful >> 丑陋 | 醜陋 chǒulòu - ugly

松、鬆 → 松

松 sōng - pine >> 松树 | 松樹 sōngshù - pine / pine tree

松 | 鬆 sōng - loose / to loosen / to relax / floss (dry, fluffy food product made from shredded, seasoned meat or fish, used as a topping or filling) >> 放松 | 放鬆 fàngsōng - to loosen / to relax

准、準 → 准

准 zhǔn - to allow / to grant / in accordance with / in the light of >> 不准 bùzhǔn - not to allow / to forbid / to prohibit

准 | 準 zhǔn - accurate / standard / definitely / certainly / about to become (bride, son-in-law etc) / quasi- / para- >> 标准 | 標準 biāozhǔn - (an official) standard / norm / criterion

曆、歷 → 历

历 | 曆 lì - calendar >> 日历 | 日曆 rìlì - calendar

历 | 歷 lì - to experience / to undergo / to pass through / all / each / every / history >> 历来 | 歷來 lìlái - always / throughout (a period of time) / (of) all-time

吁、籲 → 吁

吁 xū - sh / hush >> 吁吁 xūxū - to pant / to gasp for breath

吁 | 籲 yù - to implore >> 呼吁 | 呼籲 hūyù - to call on (sb to do sth) / to appeal (to) / an appeal

須、鬚 → 须

须 | 須 xū - must / to have to / to wait >> 必须 | 必須 bìxū - to have to / must / compulsory / necessarily

须 | 鬚 xū - beard / mustache / feeler (of an insect etc) / tassel >> 胡须 | 鬍鬚 húxū - beard

表、錶 → 表

表 biǎo - exterior surface / family relationship via females / to show (one's opinion) / a model / a table (listing information) / a form / a meter (measuring sth) >> 表面 | 表面 biǎomiàn - surface / face / outside / appearance

表 | 錶 biǎo - wrist or pocket watch >> 手表 | 手錶 shǒubiǎo - wrist watch

臟、髒 → 脏

脏 | 臟 zàng - viscera / (anatomy) organ >> 心脏 | 心臟 xīnzàng - heart

脏 | 髒 zāng - dirty / filthy / to get (sth) dirty >> 脏话 | 髒話 zānghuà - profanity / obscene language / speaking rudely

刮、颳 → 刮

刮 guā - to scrape / to blow / to shave / to plunder / to extort >> 刮痧 guāshā - gua sha (technique in traditional Chinese medicine)

刮 | 颳 guā - to blow (of the wind) >> 刮风 | 颳風 guāfēng - to be windy

困、睏 → 困

困 kùn - to trap / to surround / hard-pressed / stranded / destitute >> 困难 | 困難 kùnnan - difficult / challenging / straitened circumstances / difficult situation

困 | 睏 kùn - sleepy / tired

緻、致 → 致

致 | 緻 zhì - (bound form) fine / delicate >> 细致 | 細緻 xìzhì - delicate / fine / careful / meticulous / painstaking

致 zhì - to send / to devote / to deliver / to cause / to convey >> 导致 | 導致 dǎozhì - to lead to / to create / to cause / to bring about

儘、盡 → 尽

尽 | 儘 jǐn - to the greatest extent / (when used before a noun of location) furthest or extreme / to be within the limits of / to give priority to >> 尽早 | 儘早 jǐnzǎo - as early as possible

尽 | 盡 jìn - to use up / to exhaust / to end / to finish / to the utmost / exhausted / finished / to the limit (of sth) / all / entirely >> 尽头 | 盡頭 jìntóu - end / extremity / limit

*There are some words like 尽量 where 盡量 and 儘量 are both possible.

制、製 → 制

制 zhì - system / to control / to regulate / variant of 制 | 製 >> 控制 kòngzhì - control / to exercise control over / to contain

制 | 製 zhì - to manufacture / to make >> 制造 | 製造 zhìzào - to manufacture / to make

注、註 → 注

注 zhù - to inject / to pour into / to concentrate / to pay attention / stake (gambling) / classifier for sums of money / variant of 注 | 註 >> 注重 zhùzhòng - to pay attention to / to emphasize

注 | 註 zhù - to register / to annotate / note / comment >> 注定 | 註定 zhùdìng - to foreordain / to be bound to / to be destined to / to be doomed to / inevitably

了、瞭 → 了

了 le - (completed action marker) / (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) / (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) >> 为了 | 為了 wèile - in order to / for the purpose of / so as to

了 liǎo - to finish / to achieve / variant of 了 | 瞭 / to understand clearly >> 了不起 liǎobuqǐ - amazing / terrific / extraordinary

了 | 瞭 liǎo - (of eyes) bright / clear-sighted / to understand clearly >> 明了 | 明瞭* míngliǎo - to understand clearly / to be clear about / plain / clear * Can also be written 明了 in traditional Chinese.

Further reading: More Than You Want to Know About Simplified Characters 現代漢語常用簡繁一對多字義辨析表- 附錄

Thank you everyone for 2500 followers <3 I haven’t been posting as much lately because I’ve been busy. But this post is quite long and took a long time to write, so consider it a token of my thanks.

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daydreaming-in-letters · 3 years ago

Text

Assumptions

10/01/2021

Pairing: Manuel Neuer x fem!reader (3rd person)

Word Count: 6,018

Warnings: rpf, mentions of age gap (not between reader and Manu and nothing illegal) and strong opinions on that, banter, jealousy, infuriation, fluff and cuteness

Summary: The reader finally catches her long time crush Manuel Neuer alone on her uncle's birthday. Things are quickly starting to get heated—sadly it's not the kind of heated she would have liked it to be.

A/N: Most of you probably don't know Manuel Neuer. He is the goalkeeper and captain of Bayern Munich as well as the German National Football Team and every once in a while I find my thoughts drifting towards that adorable and amazingly talented manchild. This story has been sitting in my drafts for far too long and I wasn't sure whether I felt comfortable with publishing it in case it ever got finished. But I found that there is an intolerable lack of Manuel Neuer x reader fics on here, so here it is. I tagged everyone from my general tag list, but I understand if this is not what you signed up for. So sorry in advance and please feel free to ignore this story at your leisure.

Picture found on Pinterest

If you like my story, you are very welcome to like, comment or reblog. Please don’t copy, repost or share my work on other platforms.

It was only a few minutes to midnight and still the dance floor was as filled as ever, an enchanting mixture of young and old people alike. The bass rolled deep in his stomach, making him even queasier than he already was, and the lights, flickering across the mass of moving bodies in sync to the rhythm of the music, didn’t help either.

Suddenly a figure broke through the outer wall of bodies and made her way over to his table. A small smile crawled over her lips, a little shy but genuine, yet he didn’t feel like returning it. He had hoped that she would change her mind upon the disgruntled look on his face, but much to his dismay, she did nothing of the sort and sat down right next to him, just as a waitress passed the table with a tray of colourful shots. The woman next to him stopped her, before she turned to him.

“Care for a drink?”

Did he care for a drink? He yearned for one.

“No, thanks. I’m not really fond of drinking.”

“Shame,” she shrugged, her smile growing a bit wider when she took two shots from the tray anyway. For a second he thought she might actually force him to drink with her, but then she placed down the two glasses in front of herself. Raising her first glass to him, she gulped it down in one swig, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand afterwards.

“Do you care for a dance then?” She nodded over to the dance floor, her eyes and body inviting him to take the offer.

He found that he somehow couldn’t hold her gaze when he answered, “I’m afraid I’m also not very fond of dancing.”

Her forearms resting on the table, she leaned closer, obviously not taking the hint that he just wanted to be left in peace and quiet.

“Then what are you fond of?”

“I think you know pretty well what I’m fond of.” To his own surprise he sounded even harsher than he had attempted to, but the last thing he needed right now was an eager fan trying to engage him in a conversation.

“I do,” she retorted undeterred, “but that’s not what I wanted to know. See, you might not have noticed through all your sulking, but I was actually interested in you as a person, not as a footballer.”

He huffed, although he wasn’t sure she had heard him above the music.

“And you might have noticed that I am not interested in talking about private stuff to complete strangers.”

Sure, he was being massively impolite, but at least he hoped that this would do the trick now. But instead of finally leaving him alone, she shot him an amused look.

“Ooooh, grumpy, aren’t we?”

Now it was him who leaned in closer, making sure she could hear him properly. “Look, it’s nothing personal, okay? I just...it wasn’t such a great evening for me.”

Unintentionally his eyes wandered over to the dance floor for a split second, where a very young, very blonde girl was dancing happily among his teammates and their wives and girlfriends. Cursing himself, he looked over to the woman by his side carefully, hoping she hadn’t noticed. But of course she had, her eyes still fixed on the girl.

“Ah, I see.” She turned to him and the glint in her eyes made his stomach turn. “Puberty is a bitch, eh?”

“Excuse me?” he spat, equal parts bewildered and stunned.

“You heard me alright.”

Who did she think she was? Impertinent woman.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” The volume of his voice must have slipped his control a little, as he noticed a group of elderly men standing nearby turn into his direction. Still the woman’s smile never left her face, appeasing the men who turned away again.

“Really? After all I have to sit here with a pissed thirty something man who refuses to acknowledge he let his hormones get the best of him.”

“Whoa! Okay, first of all, it was you who decided to come and sit at this table and second, again, none of your goddamn business.”

Her answer was a simple grin, still not fazed by his anger in the slightest. It almost felt as if she was enjoying to get him riled up.

“You’re right.”

“And?”

“What do you mean ‘and’?”

He rolled his eyes heavily. Why couldn’t she just leave?

“You know, that phrase usually goes with an apology. Like ‘You’re right. Sorry I assumed you’re having a mid-life crisis and bang a chick that is 15 years your junior to boost your fragile ego.’”

“Do you?”

Inhaling deeply, he tried to calm himself a little. After all, he couldn’t afford to yell at her again, not that he didn’t want to, but causing even more unwanted attention was not in his plans for tonight.

“I didn't say that.”

“Well actually,” she looked at him triumphantly, “you kind of did. I never said you were having a midlife crisis or that you need her to boost your ego. Those were your words. And seeing that my assumptions caused a reaction like that, I’m afraid I can’t really say I’m sorry either.”

All right, that was it. Enough was enough.

“Look, I think I have an assumption for you too, lady. I’m starting to assume that you only came over here to rile me up further. And guess what, mission completed. So why don’t you do us both a favour and head off to pester someone else now?”

She was quiet for a moment and for the first time, the cheeky smile left her beautiful, burgundy lips. He had expected her to be a bit shaken at least, maybe even as pissed as himself, and yet the next words were spoken with such dignity that he couldn’t help but admire her a little for it.

“Oh, I would love to say you’re right again, but I’m afraid I can’t this time. And since we seem to have warmed up to each other quite a bit by now, I feel it’s okay to be completely honest with you.” She paused a second, simply for the effect, he guessed and her warm eyes never left his. “I came to sit with you because you looked miserable. Still do, by the way. And I thought you might need an actual grown up to talk to. But it seems I was wrong. You’re just a pouty manchild, like the rest of them.”

She waved her arm, pointing over at the dancing crowd of his friends and their spouses. His eyes followed her gesture and when he laid eyes on the heart of the matter, a hot flush of rage began to swirl through his veins, making his hands clench into fists. Fully set on giving her a piece of his mind, not caring who might hear him at this point, he turned to her again. But the familiar figure that had somehow entered the picture without his notice made him stop in his tracks.

“Here you are, sweetie.” The man cooed, laying his large hand on her shoulder in a protective gesture. “I almost got the feeling you were hiding from me since I made you promise to dance with me tonight.”

She twisted her slender neck to look up at his gentle face, her attention making him smile sweetly at her.

“You know I’d never do that to you, Uncle Hans, especially not on your birthday. I just thought your no. 1 goalkeeper here was in need of some mature company, but clearly he is perfectly happy with the way things are.”

Bewilderment flickered behind the coach’s gaze as he looked between his niece and one of his best players and Manuel was sure that this might not be the last time they would speak about this matter.

“So then, may I have that dance now, sweetheart?”

“With pleasure.” Manuel watched almost transfixed as she gracefully took her uncle’s hand and stood up. It was only now that he noticed how perfectly her dress showed off her voluptuous curves. He was almost certain that she would leave without another word when once again she proved him wrong. Turning on her heels, she grabbed the remaining shot and gulped it down in one large swig before she looked down at him, almost as regal as a queen.

“Have a pleasant evening, Mister Neuer. I’m sorry I can’t say I enjoyed our conversation more. Oh, and just in case you should ever feel in need to talk to a grown up, don’t call.”

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She could still feel his piercing look on her back as Hansi led her through the crowd and away from him. They had just begun to dance when the song changed and a much slower tune echoed through the large room. With a smug grin, her uncle pulled her closer, bringing his hand to the small of her back. Cheek to cheek he swayed her to the beat and she could feel that her mind was almost beginning to slow down, when he decided to pick up a conversation.

“Will you tell me what that was all about?”

She bit her lip like a little girl that was about to be scolded. “Do I have to?”

He chuckled deeply, the vibration rumbling against her chest and she could easily imagine the self-satisfied grin on his face.

“I’m certainly not going to force you. It’s just, you know, I always thought you kind of liked him.”

Instantly, she could feel her face heat up. How could he possibly know that?

“True. Liked, as in past tense. And besides, it’s not that I actually know him, personally, I mean. You could perhaps say I admire his talent, at most. And he also may be kind of easy on the eyes.”

She had become more and more quiet while she spoke, merely mumbling the last sentence. But he had heard her nonetheless, her silliness making his lips twitch in amusement.

“Hm. I clearly remember your aunt begging me to invite him over for a barbecue party last summer, telling me that you wouldn’t shut up about his quiet reserve, his amazing performance on the field and his stunning smile. Sadly he didn’t have time.”

She gulped audibly, tensing up a little in his arms, which made him enjoy their little talk even more. “So, what changed your mind?”

“He did,” she said a little too quickly, before she sighed so heavily that her uncle almost regretted bringing this topic up after all. “It’s just, I don’t understand his choice in women. I mean, he could choose literally anyone, so why her? I mean, she clearly doesn’t make him happy.”

“And how do you know that? You have spoken to him for what? Like five minutes?” He turned them around, making her face the gloomy goalie once more, before he went on. “I might be wrong, sweetheart, but I think you’re just jealous.”

Over his shoulder her gaze met Manuel’s for a split second before his eyes shot to his right, where the blonde teenager stepped into the picture, blocking him from view. She sat down on his lap, her arms dragging around his neck possessively, as her lips met his in a feverish kiss. Averting her gaze immediately, her eyes darkened and her heart clenched heavily in her chest.

“If by jealous you mean disenchanted, you’re right.”

Her bitter words made him loosen his grip on her so that he could see her face, and the hurt in her eyes pained him more than he cared for.

“I know you probably won’t believe me, but he really is a good person.”

She scoffed while her incredulous eyes landed on her uncle’s soft, blue orbs. “Well, he certainly hid that pretty well.”

He gave her a tight lipped smile. “I think he’s just lost his way a little at the moment.”

“So you think I’m right then?”

The excited sparkle in her eyes made him regret his honest words a little.

“I didn’t say that.” He protested strongly. In the end it was not for him to judge his players’ private lives. “After all he is a grown man and he can decide for himself.” He could see her face fall again and so he was quick to add, “Nevertheless, I don’t think you’re completely wrong either.”

He was very pleased to see that his words had caused a small smile to crawl back to her pretty lips. He almost felt like a proud father and when she finally leaned back in a bit closer, her forgiving gesture almost made him a bit bold.

“So, uhm, one more question, sweetheart. In the unlikely event that he should after all need a grown woman to talk to, can I give him your number?”

“Certainly not,” she insisted with a steady voice, but when she looked at him, the adorable grin on her face left no doubt that this was the biggest lie she had ever told.

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Manuel was furious as he watched her leave towards the dance floor with the coach. How could she dare call him out like that and then leave without giving him the chance to set her straight? His eyes fixed on her, he watched as Flick pulled her closer, his eyes following her uncle’s hand to the small of her back. Being the gentleman he was, his hand had found the only spot on her back that was actually covered by the dark red fabric of her dress. And for a second he imagined what it might actually feel like to let his hand wander upwards until it covered her bare skin. Or maybe he could let it slip down a few inches, until his fingers would grasp the soft flesh of her behind. He had just been able to fully picture the exact feeling of her body pressed up to his when he could feel the man who actually held her in his arms catch his indecent look on his niece’s back. Immediately he sat up straight, averting his gaze, completely missing the amused smile on the other man’s face, and when he turned back to face him, he almost lost it when he found her sparkling eyes instead.

He was still trying to figure out what had happened, when he heard a familiar voice calling him.

“Hey, babe.” The high pitched noise made him flinch and instinctively his eyes shot to his right, just in time to pull his arms away before she slumped down onto his lap clumsily. She laid it on thickly as her arms wrapped around his neck.

“I missed you on the dance floor, honey bun. Why don’t you come dance with me?”

And before he even had the chance to answer, her lips crashed down on his mouth almost painfully, her tongue forcing his lips to open. The stench of alcohol filled his mouth and he pushed her drunken form off of him determinedly. Before she even had the chance to protest, he lifted her up and placed her in his chair.

“I don’t think dancing is a good idea in your condition.” She glared at him, but then she seemed to have forgotten what for and her lips turned up into a sheepish smile.

“Whatever you say, babe.”

“Look, why don’t you just stay here and I get you a nice, big glass of water to sober you up a little?”

She began to nod, but then her eyes lost focus und she stared past him at god knows what.

“All right, I’ll be back in a sec. Don’t go anywhere.”

Quickly he made his way over to the counter and ordered a whole bottle of water, when he felt the slap of a hand on his left shoulder.

“Wow, you look even more frustrated than after our knock out at the World Cup in 2018. What happened?”

“Don’t ask.” He sighed as he turned around to face his friend. Manuel hoped that he would accept his wish, but when he saw the apologetic look on Thomas’ face, he instantly knew that he wouldn’t drop the topic.

“Too late. I just did.”

With a dramatic roll of his eyes, the next words were spoken more to himself than to his teammate.

“Great, just what I need. Another pain in my ass.”

“Another? Who was the first then?” Obviously Thomas had taken no offence and sounded a bit too cheerful for Manuel’s liking.

“She.”

He looked over at the dance floor, where the impertinent woman was just sending her uncle the most beautiful, cheeky grin he had ever seen.

“Who? Y/N?” his friend asked incredulously.

Y/N. So that was her name.

“You know that annoying woman?”

“I do, although I can’t really say she’s annoying. Met her at the coach’s home once. She seemed rather sweet and intelligent to me.”

“She certainly hid that pretty well,” Manuel growled under his breath, earning him a surprised frown from Thomas.

“Are you gonna stand here and stare daggers at her or are you gonna tell me what she did to make you throw a fit?”

“She approached me out of nowhere to tell me that I’m dating a teenager to compensate my inability to commit to a partner on eye level.”

Thomas let his words sink in for a while.

“That doesn’t really sound like her. I mean, what reason would she have to come at you like that? She doesn’t even know you.”

Manuel sighed, thinking about the way she had somehow coaxed the statements from him instead of making them herself.

“Well, she might have phrased it differently,” he admitted meekly. That seemed to spark Thomas’ interest even further and he could feel his expectant look on him, pressing him to finally tell the whole truth.

“Actually she didn’t say it like that. She only made an allusion and made me somehow say those things myself.”

“Mhm. And exactly what allusion did she make?”

Manuel rolled his eyes again, his ego still fighting to repeat her words out loud.

”She said puberty was a bitch, clearly hinting at the fact that she thought my girlfriend was too young for me.”

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when Thomas’ roaring laughter filled the air.

“Now that does sound more like her.”

He needed a bit to contain himself when he suddenly looked up at Manuel with an unusually serious expression on his face.

“And I have to admit, Manu, she kind of has a fair point there.”

“What?”

Manuel could not believe his ears.

“Come on, man. It’s what everyone thinks. She just said it out loud.”

“Fuck you.”

But instead of rising to his expletive, Thomas just looked at him sympathetically. Pushing himself off of the counter, he pat his shoulder in an attempt to encourage him a little, ready to leave him to his self-denial.

But then he stopped. “You know, I personally didn’t have a problem with it. You’re an adult, you can make your own choices. As long as you’re happy, right? But the truth is, Manu, I don’t think you are. Not anymore.”

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“See, I told you he wouldn’t be here. No need for all the panic beforehand.”

She narrowed her eyes at her cousin, shooting her a dirty look.

“Yeah, and I hope it’ll stay that way. Oh, and for the record: I wasn’t panicking at all, it was just you and your sister’s sudden eagerness to lure me here that got me suspicious and nervous in the first place.”

“We didn’t lure you here,” her other cousin piped up a little offendedly. “We simply wanted to spend some time with you. Come on, it’s been what, like 4 months now? Since you moved to Munich three years ago, we hardly get to see you anymore.”

“You and our father,” her sister added quickly. “So it seemed the best option to kill two birds with one stone and bring you along. After all it’s called a family day, right?”

Y/N sighed, not fully convinced, but finally ready to let the topic go.

“Right. Let’s just hope for your sakes that there will be no surprises today that might prove your guilt after all.”

“How are my girls doing?” she heard a familiar voice from behind her back, turning towards her favourite uncle with a beaming smile. What she didn’t see, however, was the brief look that was exchanged between her cousins as soon as she had turned her back, proving exactly what she had suspected all along.

“We’re good, dad. Actually, we’re more than good, we’re excellent,” the older cousin chirped.

“Great.” He paused a moment, but it was clear that he had more to say. Rocking back and forth on his feet, he looked from one woman to the other. “So,” he began carefully, before a huge Cheshire grin spread across his face. “I hope you all reserved a dance for me tonight.”

“Oh, no, daddy, not again.”

“Please, don’t make us do this.”

“There will be dancing here? If you had told me that beforehand, I certainly wouldn’t have come.”

“Of course there will be dancing. I thought that was obvious.” He had to try very hard to look a little slighted, while he actually drew a horrendous amount of amusement from their antics. “Remember, girls, we have a tradition to uphold. Whenever there is some dancing at a party, you have to reserve at least one dance for me. That’s the rule.”

And with that he turned and left them on their own again.

“Ugh, why does he always have to do that to us?” her younger cousin whined.

“Oh stop it, silly. You’re the one who likes it the most and everyone knows.”

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She had been the first to pay tribute to the family tradition and after a very exhausting Discofox dance session, luckily one of her cousins had taken over from her. Kicking off her heels, she welcomed the feel of the cool grass underneath the soles of her feet. Walking over to one of the empty tables, she slumped down heavily into one of the comfortable looking chairs. With a contented smile she let herself fall back against the backrest, closing her eyes and breathing in the mild air of the warm summer night.

“Care for a drink?”

His voice made her jump, sitting up straight immediately, eyes shooting wide open. And there he was, two shot glasses in his large hands and grinning down at her, obviously very satisfied with the slight scare he had just given her. He looked amazing, the smug bastard, in his casual jeans and white shirt, two buttons undone, topped with a sporty black jacket. She highly doubted that she had ever seen a finer man in her entire life. Luckily that didn’t make her lose her sharp tongue.

“And here I am thinking that you weren’t fond of alcohol. What happened?”

He smiled sheepishly, only one corner of his mouth tugged up, when he handed her her drink. He took his time, grabbing a chair and positioning it opposite hers, then sitting down carefully, not wanting to spill the shot all over his chest. She had already come to think that he was trying to avoid her question after all, when he locked eyes with her and finally began to speak.

“Hm. It’s been a while since I last saw you. A lot of things happened, you know. Maybe it was finally time for me to grow up.”

“Hear, hear.” With a mischievous smile she raised her glass. “To your coming of age, then.”

He rolled his eyes playfully. “If you insist.”

His magnificent blue eyes never left hers while they chinked glasses, and a second later she could feel the more than welcome liquid moisturising her suddenly very dry mouth.

With a thud, their glasses landed on the table, both of them chuckling like giddy children when their eyes found each other again and then, for a moment, there was nothing but silence. The world seemed to have zoned out, leaving behind nothing but his aquamarine orbs and the wild smile on his face.

Just gradually, the world seemed to set back in again. There was the monotonous clitter of the crickets, overlaid by the muffled sound of the music that was carried over by a soft breeze, and loudest of all she could hear the beating of her own heart against her chest.

“What else has changed now that you are a proper adult?” she heard herself ask, not having the faintest idea where those words came from and how the hell she managed to deliver them so smoothly when her whole body seemed to have gotten out of control.

He took a quick look over his shoulder, his thumb pointing in the same direction.

“If you mean the dancing, I’m still not very fond of that.” Her face must have fallen a little because he was quick to add, “Except...”

“Except what?”

His eyes landed back on hers and she almost choked on her hitching breath.

“Except I think I could make an exception for the right partner.”

From the corner of her eye she registered a movement between their bodies, but she was hesitant to let her view stray from his captivating appearance. At last it was something in his eyes that looked at her expectantly which finally made her snap out of her trance.

Looking down at his hand sheepishly, it took her a while to fathom that he was actually asking her to dance with him.

Slowly her eyes wandered up to his again, asking a silent question, which he answered with an almost imperceptible rise of his eyebrows. And before she knew what she was doing, she laid her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet.

He had just turned towards the source of the music, when she suddenly held him back.

“No, wait.”

With a puzzled look he did what she asked of him and let her twist him back around.

“Why don’t we just stay here? The music is loud enough anyway.”

A gentle smile curved his lips. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”

She nodded softly, her teeth biting down on her lip in excitement.

And before she knew what was happening, she found herself secured against his chest by his firm grip. It felt like being pressed up to a hot furnace which she would usually have appreciated any other time, but on a sweltry night like this and in a place she had wanted to be in for so long, it was pure torture. And as if this wasn’t bad enough already, his strong fingers pressed down on her lower back, threatening to scorch her even through the fabric of her blouse as he pulled her an impossible inch further into him. He was so close now that she could sense the heat radiating off his cheek as well, bringing along a whiff of his enticing scent and she couldn’t help but close her eyes as she inhaled deeply and her head began to spin. It was odd, but her mind was completely blank by now, blank except for one thought and her lips spread into a blissful smile as she repeated it in her head again and again, relishing in the feeling that if either of them moved just the tiniest bit, their cheeks would inevitably touch.

Slowly they moved and despite the unhurried shift of their bodies her heart was beating so violently that she thought it pondered jumping out of her chest to meet his. There was no chance he wouldn’t be able to tell from the way he held her, and when he finally drew away a tad to look at her, she fully expected him to call her out for it.

But he didn’t. Instead his sinfully soft lips curled into a reassuring smile before he spoke.

“You were right.”

“I beg your pardon?”

A cute chuckle escaped his mouth, leaving the corners of his eyes crinkled in the most beautiful display of amusement.

“About what you said at your uncle’s birthday party.”

“Oh.” She had said a lot that evening, words that she had come to regret later and remembering them now set her cheeks on fire. “About what exactly?”

“About everything,” he admitted without hesitation, yet he couldn’t hide the spark of misery that flitted across his sea blue orbs. “Didn’t take me very long after that night to finally see things clearly.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” It was true. Although she knew that she probably sounded like a madwoman after everything she had confronted him with back then, at least the frown on his forehead seemed to confirm that. “I truly am. I really would have liked to see you happy.” Even if it was with that girl.

She was glad she had managed to keep that last bit to herself. She had no idea why she had said that she was sorry in the first place, but judging by the wild smile on his face it must have been the right words after all.

“Well, I certainly am happier now than I was that night.” He shrugged. “So, thank you, I guess.”

She huffed. “For what? Making absolutely inappropriate remarks on your relationship? I shouldn’t have done that. I know that now. So it should be me who is sorry here, don’t you think?”

She could feel his fingertips press into the soft flesh of her back.

“Don’t be. I guess you were exactly what I needed.” It took him a second before he realised what he had just said. “I mean it. It was exactly what I needed.”

His eyes snapped to the left and she was thankful that he couldn’t see the grin that decorated her lips as she watched the treacherous colour creep into his cheeks, spreading all the way to his ears. For a while he didn’t say another word, probably still trying feverishly to figure out a way to take back his slip of the tongue. And when he finally spoke, she wished he hadn’t.

“There is one thing though that I have gone over and over in my mind. But no matter how long I think about it, it just won’t make sense.”

She already knew that she wouldn’t like where this conversation was heading now, but she found herself asking nonetheless.

“And what is that?”

His head turned without a warning as his eyes searched her gaze and for the blink of an eye his lips came so close that she couldn’t say if they had actually brushed along hers or if her needy heart had just imagined their brief touch. He didn’t answer her question right away, his breath blending with her own in the narrow space between their faces and suddenly she wasn’t so sure anymore if she had really only dreamed up their fleeting foretaste of a kiss.

“Why did you do it?” Panic rose in her chest. She hadn’t done anything. After all it had been him who had turned his head. But as he went on, she realised that he wasn’t referring to that at all and the suffocating distress eased away bit by bit. “I mean, we didn’t even know each other when you decided to come at me like that.”

Now it was her who had to avert her gaze.

“I think I don’t really want to answer that question.”

“Why not?” His voice was so soft and gentle, making it even harder to answer him.

“Because the truth might be kind of ugly.”

“But the outcome wasn’t, so I think I’ll take that risk.”

Her feet stopped their mechanical movements as a violent shiver ran down her spine. So this would be it then. It would be over before it had really begun. Pity. But at least she would have the memory of these few minutes, of his genuine smile and the way he had held her tight against his chest. With a deep sigh she bid their daydream of a dance goodbye.

“I could tell you now that it was for some noble reason, but at the bottom of it all I think it was nothing more than jealousy that drew me to your table that night. I had been unable to ignore you all evening — ignore her. The way she behaved like a spoiled brat, drinking and losing control, not caring in the least that she not only made a fool out of herself but of you as well. God, I hated her in that moment, for having everything I ever wanted and riding roughshod over it. And when I saw you sitting there, looking so utterly crestfallen, somehow I couldn’t help it.”

An undefinable silence settled between them and the only sound that remained was the beat of the music wafting over from the party that went on behind his back. The faint whisper of the melody seemed to push itself up between them and tear them further apart, exactly as she had expected. And just like the bass, her heartbeat slowed until it died away completely.

It was over and everything she wanted to do was let go of his hand so she could do him the favour of leaving, but to her astonishment he refused to set her free. And rather then releasing her from his grip, he squeezed her hand, briefly and just once, but it was enough for her to find the courage and face him. But instead of finding a frown or a scornful pair of eyes, his blinding smile made her forget to breathe for a moment.

“I had hoped you might say that.” And with that he pulled her into his arms again and continued swaying her to the music as if she had not just revealed her repulsive self to him. Her brain still a step behind, she couldn’t do anything but stare up at him stupidly.

“What? Why?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” And when she shook her head like a petrified imbecile, an amused chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Because even though your behaviour was extremely infuriating, I have to admit that I like you. And asking you out on a date will be so much easier now that I know you like me too.”

With a violent jolt, the useless muscle inside her chest started to beat again, its heavy pounding filling her ears with white noise as the world around her started to spin. Unable to stop the motion, she felt herself leaning in, her nails digging into the undoubtedly expensive fabric of his jacket as she desperately tried to gain control over her unruly body.

“So, will you go out with me?”

It seemed like an eternity until she finally mustered the strength for a mechanical nod. Neither had she noticed in her struggle that he had stopped dancing, nor that the priceless look on her face had made his eyes and heart go soft for her.

“Great. That’s settled then. When are you free?”

It was only when he took a step back, taking his warmth with him as his hand slipped out of hers, that she snapped out of her trance.

“Now.”

“Now? Like right now?”

More like now as in before she could screw everything up again.

“Yes, why not? I know you have a busy schedule, so finding a date when we are both free might be tough. And above that, it is a beautiful summer evening.”

Had all those words really fallen from her mouth right now? Embarrassed about her lack of composure, her hand flew up to her mouth, making him smile again.

“I guess you have a fair point there.” And just like that, his hand was there again, fingers entwining slowly with hers like they had never been meant for anyone else. “All right then, let’s get out of here.”

***

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xxxavo · 4 years ago

Note

Sin getting upset bc he see’s Kouen flirting with his s/o (I mean they both already don’t like each other).So sins getting all alpha dog and is trying to get him to bck off

Requested by: anonymous

Warnings: A hint of verbal NSFW towards the end? (better known as...LIMEy) Not swear words but a few rude words? Idk

Suddenly getting back into Magi so might be a few imagines being thrown around here and there, depends on how long this lasts!! Feeling a NSFW scenario manifesting itself into my drafts after writing this, I won't lie, but no actual NSFW content today my little imuchakk's! Hope you enjoy!

Sinbad had always liked banquets, weather they be ones held in the kingdom of Sindria, or at his biggest rivals, the Kou empire. There was something exciting about the prospect of consuming alcohol in foreign lands after an important political meeting that made Sinbad feel on top of the world. It was rare for things in Sinbad’s life not to go his way, or to not end up leading towards something better then what he had lost. For this reason, King Sinbad was to an extent, a go-with-the-flow kind of man. Especially with loyal followers such as his generals and his beloved wife!

His beloved was of course very loyal, incredibly so...but, there were people who did not care for that loyalty of hers. This included a certain Kou empire red head who went by the name of Kouen.

“No need to look so sour, Sin.” Ja’far commented beside him, though he was enjoying the fact his King was abandoning his poor drinking habits to instead stay sober and focused, even if he was focusing on his wife and Kouen Ren flirting. “You told her to be pleasant and friendly towards Kouen to gain his favour. I don’t understand why you’re so jealous.” That was enough to make Sinbads eyes flicker from the generous laughter of his wife to the smug face of his right hand man.

“Me!? Jealous!?”

“Hmm.” Masrur agreed from the other side of Sinbad. The King’s neck practically snapped to the fanalis.

“Why would I, of all people, be jealous?”

“Because you’re wife is a smart, sophisticated lady who could do a lot better than a man who drinks sake and shamelessly prances around woman as if he was a young teen in his glory years.” Golden eyes met red ones in a baffled expression of offense.

“That’s a low blow, Ja’far.”

“Hmm.” Again, Masrur voiced his opinion rather humbly. Unlike the other two, Masrur had not taken his eyes away from the Queen, curious to see how her little game would play out; He loved how cunning she was.

The Queen, unlike Sinbad, was sensible. When he was busy hiding from Ja’far she was busy doing the work for him and cleaning up all his messes. Masrur liked how through thick and thin she stayed by Sinbad’s side whilst being the role model his country needed. She may as well have been a general. However, that didn’t mean she didn’t find herself sick of him sometimes.

Unfortunately old habits died hard. Sinbad was an infamous lady killer, flirting and charming any woman he deemed beautiful. No longer did he take it any further but Masrur could always see it in the Queen’s eyes whenever she got upset or jealous with his ministrations. As much as she tried to hide it, Masrur was a man who saw much, yet said very little.

The fanalis saw the way the cogs in her head turned the moment Sinbad had told her to “Gain Kouen’s favour in any way you can! I’m sure he’ll be much more linient with me if he enjoys the company of my other half” and the way she made sure her corset was on tighter and her breasts were pushed up higher only confirmed his supicions. Sinbad was about to get a very bitter taste of his own flirtatious medicine.

The Queen was, despite being middle aged, very beautiful. If she wasn’t married to King Sinbad, Masrur was certain many men would be throwing themselves at her feet. Kouen would possibly be one of those.

The next thing Masrur knew a grumpy Sinbad was pulling on his cheek, his gaze in the same direction as his. “What is it Masrur? What are they saying!? Surely you will stick by your King! Unlike this traitor—“

“Tsk.”

“Please Masrur. My wife could be in danger.” Sinbad dramatized. Masrur practically had to stop himself from commenting on how pathetic the King looked. “I need those fanalis ears of yours...”

“Fine.”

“Did you know, you’re my favourite?”

“I swear to Solomon Sinbad if you—“

Drowning out the advisor and the King, Masrur honed his attention on the Queen and Kouen who sat sharing a bottle of red wine.

“Oh no. No more for me please.” Just as Kouen was about to tip some more of the red liquor in her glass, the Queen politely bowed her head, fluttering her lashes. “My tolerance for alcohol isn’t the greatest thing in the world.”

“Oh?.” Kouen hummed, nodding in response before filling up his own. “I expected you to perhaps be a little more like you’re husband.”

“An old drunkard?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“But is it not what you meant?”

“I—“ Kouen seemed at a loss for words for a second, perhaps embarrassed, but saved himself rather quickly without a hint of emotion on his face. “What I meant was, a lover of a banquet. Sinbad has attended many, I assumed you would have been more on par with him when it came to drinking and party games.”

The Queen watched Kouen take a sip of his wine, her lips pulling up into a soft smirk. “Something tells me Kouen if I was anything like my husband you wouldn’t want to be sat here with me.” Kouen was slow to place down his drink, his sharp eyes meeting Sinbad’s wife’s.

“Would you rather me sit elsewhere?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“But is it not what you meant?” Now, it was his turn to smirk.

“I—“ With a soft laugh, the regal woman before Kouen grew flustered, picking up her glass and swirling the remaining wine contents around to allow her to look elsewhere. “You really are as they say Kouen. Quite an interesting man. I enjoy getting to know you.” Lifting up her head, the Queen rose an eyebrow, a smile now residing on her face. “Every word I say sinks in doesn’t it?”

“Your highness. If any man does not listen to you, does he really deserve to be in your presence? If my sisters were simply cast aside, I wouldn’t be so forgiving to the suitor who was to do that.” It was a lie, the Queen had heard of Kouen and his family sending off the young princess to he married to a King who wanted nothing more then a pretty face. Was there more to the story? Most likely. But was that the gist of it? Yes. However, to indulge both Kouen and continue to gain the nervous attention of her husband shuffling in his seat, the Queen sighed out gently.

“You’re close to your family...?” It was hard to hear the rest, Sinbad practically chewing off his own hand right beside Masrurs ear.

“What are they saying!?” Simply, Masrur shrugged. “Something about family.” It was no fun telling Sinbad everything. Groaning, Sinbad flopped back into his seat, picking up his wine with a pout.

“It doesn’t taste the same knowing at the end of the night she’s not going to be dragging me back to our room...”

“Who? Her highness?” The three men all turned abruptly to face Kogyoku, who smiled sheepishly. “I’m awfully sorry...” she stuttered out. “I didn’t mean to pry, I just came to say hello and over heard you talking."

Knowing that any ill intentions towards Kougyoku’s older brother would harm his reputation with the Kou empire, Sinbad put on his best charming smile, acting as though he wasn’t emotionally conflicted on the inside. “Ah Princess. What a pleasure to be seeing you again. Are you enjoying the banquet?” With a smile, the pinkette nodded her head.

“I am very much your highness. I hope you’re also enjoying yourself.” With that, her eyes flickered upwards to the Queen of Sindrian and the most influential man in the whole of the Kou empire. “It seems her highness is enjoying herself to. I’ve never seen Kouen so invested in somebody. It’s a real testimony to your wife.” Kougyoku was of course NOT JEALOUS. Not once had she imagined herself sat on Sinbad's lap as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear! Nether the less, she continued her façade, knowing that after all it was her duty.

”They’re so deep in conversation, I wonder what they’re talking about.” Her words aren’t helping the purple male.

“As do I...”

“Kouen seems so relaxed around her highness. They really do get along don’t they?” Was she trying to give him a heart attack?

With a delightful laugh Sinbad nodded before finally rising to his feet. "They do indeed. In fact I feel a little bit left out. Perhaps I should pau the two a visit. Excuse me Princess, I do hope of seeing you again soon." Lifting her hand to his lips, Sinbad placed a soft kiss to the back of her hand before walking towards his wife and that thing trying to take her away. The King of Sindria looked at peace with all around him as he strode over, all intentions of causing havoc and disrupting the calm atmosphere completely gone for his being. At least it looked that way. If it didn't, he wouldn't have been a good King.

The two at the table saw him coming before he arrived and where as Kouen greeted him with a cut nod, seemingly displeased he was interrupting his time with his wife, who simply sent him a passive smile.

"Ah Your highness." Not Sin, not Sinbad, not my King, not my love. Just your highness. "Me and Kouen here--" Yet they were on first name basis? "Were just discussing-- Hmmph!"

As done many times before by the womanizer, Sinbad encased the back of his wife's head, bringing her face towards his own and then slamming their lips together in a rather mighty display right in front of the red princes eyes. He made sure it lasted. And his Queen? Who was she to deny Sinbads advances? As usual she practically melted into his affectionate assault, fragile hands moving to clasp at Sinbad's robes in an attempt to lull him closer...but two could play at that game. Pulling back from his beloved, Sinbad made sure to smirk, staring into her eyes for a brief moment. It was his way of saying "I'll get you back for this".

The sexual tension was undeniable and Sinbad had hoped Kouen could sense her thighs rubbing together like he could, because that was the closest Kouen would get.

"Hm? Talking about what? I didn't quite catch that my Queen."

Meanwhile, back at Sinbad's table, Ja'far sighed in aggravation as he watched the scene Sinbad caused in absolute horror. "Honestly, this man really does test my patience! Can he not just let his wife butter up Kouen! If anything it benefits us!"

"Hmm."

"Just for one second, can he think about anything else other then his-"

"Dick?"

"I was going to say pride but that works too."

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