#despite working all day i stayed up late again to finish this just so i'd have it out as soon as i could. omg.

[wulfwynne]

part of the pack 🌙

[stellas-et-abyssum-vincite]

Come Home With Me ~ *Neuvillette*

Summary: It's Wriothesley who has to tell you that Neuvillette is sick. You know he's stubborn and won't want to leave work despite feeling under the weather. Still, you have to try!

Pairing: Neuvillette X Fem!Reader

Genre: Fluffy Drabble

Word Count: 946

Warning: Neuvillette is only OOC because he's sick

Masterlist

It was Wriothesly who came to see you, which was a surprise in and of itself.

“Hello?” You called out from your office when you heard you had a visitor.

“Miss Y/n?” He sounded a little nervous as he entered your office, making you stand up from your desk with concern.

“Hello, Wriothesley. What seems to be the matter? It's not like you to come in unannounced, not that I mind of course. I'm just surprised, that's all.”

Surprised was putting it mildly.

He hesitated once more, before he sighed and said, “It’s Neuvillette. He’s sick, but he refuses to leave his office to rest. I was wondering if maybe you could come and convince him to take care of his health?”

“Of course." I nod before gathering my things. "Will you escort me please?"

"I'd be delighted to." He nodded before offering you his arm. He then added, "Thank you again. I've never seen him this sick before."

You shook your head. "I should have noticed sooner. He seemed to be under the weather as of late. I should have asked him to stay home when I knew."

"Ah, he's stubborn." Wriothesley chuckled. "I'm not even sure you'll be able to get him to rest now. But the Melusines wanted me to ask you anyway."

"Well I'm glad they did. I will certainly try my best!"

It didn't take you long before you found yourself at the Palais Mermonia. Wriothesley escorted you all the way to his office where you found him working at his desk. A group of Melusines were crowding around the open doorway, where you could hear him sneezing and coughing.

Sigewinne gasped when she saw you before bouncing to your side. "Monsieur Wriothesley! Mademoiselle Y/n! It's good to see you again! Are you here for Monsieur Neuvillette?"

You nod and pat her gently on the head. "Of course, my dear. I hear the stubborn lawyer is sick and refusing to leave his work. Is that right?"

She nodded, a serious look passing over her face. "He's been ill all day! We've tried to get him to go home, but he refuses to listen."

"Well, we'll see about that." You mutter under your breath. "Now if you'll excuse me, my dear."

"Come on, Sigewinne." Wriothesley beckoned for her. "I'll take you and the Melusines out to get some sweets."

Her eyes lit up at his words. "Really Monsieur Wriothesley? Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you, thank you!"

As he led the Melusines away from the door, you entered Neuvillette's office and quietly shut the door. He didn't seem to notice your presence, completely enraptured by the documents on his desk. He looked awful, and it made you all the more determined to pull him away from work so he could rest.

Kneeling next to his desk chair, you placed a hand over his unoccupied one. This caused him to jump in his seat before staring at you. “When did you get here, my darling? What are you doing here?”

You smiled. “I’m here to take you home, my love. You’re sick. Let me help take you home so you can rest and take care of yourself, please.”

He shook his head and turned back to the papers before him. “No, I can’t. I’m behind enough as it is with these cases. I need to stay and finish all my work.”

“Not like this you can’t.” You squeezed his hand. “Please, Neuvillette, my love. Please come home with me.”

Again he shook his head, his hand shaking as he tried to write some more. “No, I really can’t. Please, let me stay and finish this paperwork.”

With a sigh, you stood, with your hand still on his. Taking your free hand, you gently leaned his head against your abdomen. “You’re tired, my love. Please, come home with me. I’ll help you with your work when we’re at home, I promise you.”

Neuvillette’s eyes had fluttered closed from your gesture and he hummed in response to your words, “Are you sure?”

“I’m absolutely sure. Now, please, let’s go home.”

“Okay. We can go home.”

Carefully, you helped him to his feet, his body still leaning against yours. Slowly, you let him out of the Palais Mermonia, with the other lawyers and Melusines staring at the two of you in surprise. They had never seen the Iudex like this before. But he was too tired to notice their stares. And you weren't going to tell him, because you knew he would just be embarrassed by the events of the day. You just let him cling to you as you left the Palais Mermonia.

When you were on the streets of Fontaine, you found Wriothesley, Sigewinne, and the other Melusines to tell them that he would be right as rain in a few days. Sigewinne commented about how sweet Monsieur Neuvillette looked in your arms. Wriothesley joked about you being his mother, which earned him a smack from you. Still you asked them not to get sick themselves before leading Neuvillette home.

On your walk home, he snuggled deeper into your neck, making you giggle. “You’re too good to me.”

“Is that so, my love?”

He nodded. “I still can’t believe you agreed to marry me, my darling.”

“Well, who else would take care of you like this? We all know it's not going to be Wriothesley, he's too busy. And Sigewinne means well, but she'd need help too.” You kissed his cheek. “Now, enough talking. Let’s get you home and into bed. We need to break this fever of yours.”

“And do my paperwork?”

You rolled your eyes. “Sure, my love. Whatever you say.”

[mdhwrites]

So if Dana said she didn't have any original season 3 ideas, why did she also say on Twitter that she wanted 10-20 half hours for season 3?

Now apparently from the transcript and the like, what was said that there were like one sentence pitches for episodes but nothing concrete or the like. That I believe. After all, it's like taking sticky notes and using them to jot down passing thoughts. But... Ideas don't mean anything. You need to have an actual coherent thought as to how you are going to use those ideas as a creator.

So when she says she wanted those episodes, I believe her. But... Instead of it being so she could have coherently finished her story, something you can feel isn't exactly happening during S3, it would have been to explore her ideas and let it be her mouthpiece. Even as far back as S1, you can clearly see this conflict in the show. The First Day lets her take potshots at modern education and saying kids should have more freedom... At the expense of everyone forgetting that multi-tracking is literally illegal. But the idea was more important than the overall story so in it went.

Besides, when asked about your work that you cherish so much, are you going to tell people you wanted LESS time to do whatever you wanted? Or are you going to say you wanted as much time as possible? Especially since without a solid plan, you can't be like Matt Braley who straight up went "Nope. Amphibia wasn't shortened. It was always planned to be three seasons."

I still stand by the idea that Dana actually wanted to just keep going WELL past S3. Even now, she wants to do a spin off and one of her greatest regrets for what was missed was not being allowed to do more teenage Raeda stuff in the show. A second episode in the past. Expanding on what? Who knows but it's more time spent with the ship that Dana clearly loved.

I am not saying Dana was lying or a bad person but the question that is worth asking is if that time would have been spent actually wrapping up plot threads or exploring characters as they are now. Otherwise, it would end up being like the S2B and S3 we got where we are still getting elements added, refusing to wrap up story elements, and having to drag back plot points from almost entire seasons ago (Willow and Amity's friendship), if not MULTIPLE seasons ago (Willow's lack of power control) just to do something with these characters despite it being way too late to treat those elements as relevant. There is a reason why if I hear that Dana is the lead for another cartoon, I'll probably be staying away. Not when I don't want promising statements to never have a plan behind. Not again.

Expected this to be shorter. I'm rambly though. Also just wanted to clear this out. Admittedly, it's stuff like this that makes it so that if anyone ever told me they didn't trust me as a writer, I'd understand. Not because of me wasting time but because my mental health gets in the way and can cause ideas to die as my brain just refuses to write them. How we as writers use our time with the audience is important. It leaves an impression and for me, Dana's impression is incredibly negative because I care about story, even if characters come first to me.

Sigh.

======+++++======

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead. If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

A Twitter you can follow too

And a Kofi if you like what I do and want to help out with the fact that disability doesn’t pay much.

[phantomspren]

I've been watching LotR the last few days (cause why watch something I haven't seen before from my incredibly long list of things I need to watch when I can watch something I've seen before a ton) and I just want to talk about radical hope.

The story of LotR is bleak. Just. So incredibly hopeless. There are so many points where the characters just genuinely have no hope that they will live, let alone save the world.

During Return of the King, there is a literal darkness that covers the world for days. The only hope there is for success is a couple hobbits. Who are walking through enemy territory. With one thing that would instantly guarantee success to the enemy.

And in the end Frodo fails.

Despite all of this

They kept hoping.

Frodo failed and all was lost.

But it wasn't.

They saved everything.

They didn't make it through unscarred. Many people didn't make it through at all. But they did make it.

But they wouldn't have if they'd given up.

Sam's speech at the end of The Two Towers left me in tears. (It normally doesn't.)

Lately I've been feeling incredibly hopeless. I'm at the point in my life where I'm trying to figure out what I want to do for a living, and I'm currently working towards something that I have so little chance of succeeding in. I'm paying so much money to go to school for this.

Beyond just me, I'm terrified for the upcoming election for obvious reasons. I live in a country where we already have a maternal mortality rate that's way too fucking high and people are actively working to make that worse. I live in a country where there are people who don't think I and the people I love deserve to exist. I live in a country where the highest cause of death for children is guns.

I live in a world where there is an active genocide going on and no one gives a shit. I live in a world where the deadliest disease has a cure, but why would we give them access to that? The people dying from it are poor. They're poor because of us. I live in a world that those in power are slowly destroying.

But I'm here. We're all here. And there's so much bad. But there's so much good.

I went to a convention last month, and it was the most fun I'd ever had. I want to do that again.

I got invited to go to a pumpkin patch with a friend next week.

I just finished rereading Hamlet.

I have motivation to write and tell stories for the first time in years.

I made a new friend this year.

I still haven't finished listening to Welcome to Nightvale.

Alecto the Ninth isn't out yet.

I had a friend help me out yesterday.

I helped out a different friend.

There are stars in the sky.

The leaves are turning colors and falling and it's so beautiful.

I watched a movie that I've seen at least a dozen times before and it made me cry.

It feels so hopeless.

But that's not a reason to give up hope.

We gotta fight for what we've got. I'm going to fight tooth and nail even if all it means is that I get to see one more sunset, read one more book that changes me, meet one more person who gets me.

I don't care if you can donate a thousand dollars to a charity, or if all you can do is just stick around for another day because you know that you will feel joy again at some point, that's what you gotta do.

It might get worse.

We might not see things get better.

But it will get better again. And before it does, there will still be moments of joy. And the chance that we'll see everything get better, the chance that we'll see anything get better, that's worth sticking around for.

That's radical hope.

Sam: It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.

[leggerefiore]

May I ask for ye old misunderstanding trope of reader being somewhat afraid of Ingo and thinking he actively despises them because he just always looks … like that?

I love myself some art where Ingo just has a downturned mouth, but I LIVE for the fanartist that make him look just completly intense and extremly angry all the time. I would just love something with reader insert realizing hes actually a sweetheart despite his absolutely intimidating glare.

cw: fluff, short

▲▽▲▽▲

He was a busy man.

A busy, busy man with a stern face to match. His lips were always frozen into a harsh pout and his eyes narrowed into something like a glare.

Every time you seemed to encounter him, he looked as if he had just left an annoying conversation with someone he certainly didn't like. Not to mention his stuff body language and quick strides, letting him move through the area as quickly as possible. You flinched as he approached you, an assistant brought on board due to their administrative work overload. Ingo gazed at you with his stern expression. What was he going to do?

“… Ah, are those the incident report documents?” His tone was polite, if not a bit too loud, “Thank you. I was just coking to retrieve them.” You politely handed the sheets over to the man, who's firm expression remained unchanged. It felt like an odd confliction. Angry face, yet kind manner of speaking.

You felt faint still.

~

It was another few days before you encountered him so personally again.

You had ended up staying late to ensure that there would not be a backlog of paperwork to finish tomorrow. Another yawn left you as you drank a sip of your beverage, hoping it would give you the energy to finish everything. It was then that the twins' office door opened a door and out stepped Ingo, his coat laying off his arm as he gazed around the area reserved for Depot Agent desks.

His stern expression landed on you. You watched as he tensed up and used his fast stride to approach you, eyes zeroing in on what must have been your soul. Would you start yelling at you and berating you? It was nerve-racking. A soft hand was laid on your desk as he cleared his throat. “It has become quite late, no?” The usual loudness was there, but a certain gentleness was in his words, “I'd feel uncomfortable leaving you here alone. Want to walk out with me?”

Your heart raced, but for different reasons.

~

You decided to broach it.

Stepping toward the older twin sitting at his desk scribbling away at documents, you approached him. His head carefully came up, eyes harsh and frown even deeper than usual. It almost made you want to turn away and run. You would not.

“... You're really kind, you know,” you tell him easily, “Thank you for being so nice to me.” You place a take-out coffee from one of your favourite cafés in Nimbasa before him. Ingo gazes blankly for a moment before his eyes shift into something much gentler and sweet.

“No, thank you,” he turned up to you with an odd smile playing at his lips, “This is a favourite shop of mine. How did you know?” You wanted to gasp.

“It's actually my favourite,” you reply eagerly, “We should go there together sometime!”

Ingo eagerly nodded and quickly gazed over your schedules in the system to see when you'd both have some time off at the same time.

It seemed you had a date.

[moochi-daisies]

2015.02.

- 18+ Minors DNI

- Warnings: Yoongi's gf is a bit of a mess, a smidge of a drunk fight, reader is down bad for JK but is it just a distraction from Yoongi?, JK bein a lil bit of a tease

- Length: 2.6k words

- Sidenotes: merry christmas :) the christmas chapter is gonna be late but i finished this at least haha reader + jk wasn't planned at all for this story but they're pretty cute together and fun to write so there's more of that than i expected. hope everyone has a good day and thank you for readin if you do!

Find the rest here!

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     After Yoongi called me, we sent some short texts back and forth. It wasn't the same as it had been but, it was better than the year and a half of radio silence. He would usually stop responding if anything required an emotional response. Some excuse involving Lacey always followed, so I learned to steer clear of anything deeper.

     Despite the awkwardness, I was downright giddy over the fact that they were moving to the same city as me. I wouldn't have to depend on dreaming to be around their cozy magic again, to spend more time with them. My mom had left her boyfriend and moved my sister and I into a two bedroom apartment. It was tense with the 3 of us in such a small living space and I frequently daydreamed of introducing my sister to the guy's, of having a safe place to go again.

     The thought that Jungkook and Yoongi would both be there, so close to me and each other, was difficult to comprehend. I pushed the thought away whenever it found it's way to the forefront, shaking my head side to side until it left me alone.

     I had to do this often, as Jungkook was incredibly excited to be close together again.

     He'd started video calling me in the morning, staying until one of our phones would die. Even if I had to work, a lip ringed pout would take over the screen. Soft round eyes and worried brows slowly making their appearance as he'd tilt the phone up and let out a "pretty please.".

     I couldn't ever say no to him.

     It would've been easier if he had a terrible personality.

     I grumbled this at him often, normally while perching my phone in precarious positions while he complained about not being able to see me.

     "Well, lucky for you I have a great personality. Don't I?" he'd start the sentence smugly, giving way to concern by the end of it.

     Whenever I'd look back at the screen to retort, I'd be stunned into silence. I never got used to how handsome he was.

     The way he'd lift his shoulders when he smiled, dimple deepening and cheekbones lifting. The scrunch of his nose. How perfectly round his eyes would get when he'd get lost in thought-

     He was a beautiful boy. Being sweet, caring and attentive only made it all the more gut-wrenching.

     If it weren't for the fact that Yoongi would also be there, I would've been just as excited as Jungkook. Whenever I'd temporarily forget about that fact, Jungkook would have me smiling so hard that my cheeks ached.

     There was even an evening where my jaw locked and I couldn't open my mouth for almost an hour. The nervous giggling escaping through my clenched teeth had Jungkook rolling on the floor, his high pitched and breathy laugh pinging around the living room.

     I hung up, trying to relax my jaw, only for him to call me back immediately. A fierce pout on his face as he scolded me for not saying goodbye first. I wanted to wrap myself around him. To cover his face with kisses and tease him for being such a big baby.

     I was, infatuated. Enamored with him.

     He had started working with Jimin at the dance studio as his teaching assistant. He'd bring his phone to class so I could chat with Jimin and watch them dance. I was not immune, sadly, but highly susceptible to how attractive Jungkook was while he danced. More often than not I'd catch myself crossing my legs, gnawing at my lip and holding my breath. Transfixed as I watched him. He never missed the chance to gloat whenever he'd come back to his phone. He'd glance at me, panting and lifting his shirt to wipe away sweat, while I all but whimpered and tried to hide my expression. The look of pride on his face was always well warranted, but it never stopped me from attempting poorly constructed defenses for why I looked the way I did.

     I got caught watching him at work one day, a coworker letting out a "Whooooo is that?" behind me. I reflexively chucked my phone onto the ground, choking on my words to get out some semblance of "he's my friend.". One eyebrow lifted, she crossed her arms and sunk down on one hip.

     "Ok, suuure. He's quite a sexy friend. Someone's gonna try to snatch him up quick I bet.". The smirk on her face bore into me before she turned on her heel and click-clacked away.

     When I picked my phone back up, Jungkook's face was covering the screen and he was wiggling his eyebrows like a lunatic.

     "I heeeard that." He said gleefully.

     Mortified, I tried to play stoic.

     "I'm just a friend, am I? Gimme her number then, maybe she wants to snatch me up." I knew he was joking but the idea of it flooded me with jealousy.

     "You're not available to be snatched up!" I cried out, nearly stamping my foot as I said it.

     Jungkook's crinkle nosed smile was all I saw, "Yeah, I know. I'm all yours, don't worry.".

     His response made me blush.

     "I'm yours too, you know." I threw my hair over my shoulder as I said it, trying to hide how weak his words made me feel.

     It was the end of October when I got a call from Hobi. He told me that they would be moving within the next week.

      After excited giggles, a somber tone took over and I gulped in preparation for whatever was coming next.

     "Look, between you and me, Yoongi isn't happy with Lacey. But she's got her hooks in deep this time, I've never seen it this bad before." The words were still soft despite Hobi's stern voice.

     "Jungkook has been a giddy idiot lately, which is great for you two. But I'm assuming you aren't completely over Yoongi right?" He didn't wait for me to answer, he knew it as well as I did.

     "I hate having to warn you of things like this but I just wanted you to be prepared for when we're there. Yoongi would never cheat, but I don't think he's as willing to let you go as he's pretending to be." Hobi finished with a sigh.

     "Have I mentioned you're an angel Hobi?". The care behind his decision to share this with me dampened the dull ache that flared whenever I thought of Yoongi. I felt like, maybe, it would be okay. Hobi believed in me, and I wouldn't be facing this alone. I didn't want to let him down.

    Hope fluttered at the possibility that Yoongi didn't want to let me go, balanced delicately on top of the churning complications that came from our relationships with other people.

     "I just care about you all. You're emotional pains in the ass but we all are, in our own ways." Hobi's words were refreshingly direct, similar to what my sister had said during venting sessions, and I snorted in response. Hard stuff out of the way, he filled me in on what the guys would all be doing once they got here.

     He had gotten a job producing for a local music company. Jimin and Jungkook would be working at a dance studio nearby. Namjoon would start teaching English at an International School and Tae was working on his first gallery installation. He didn't mention what Yoongi would be doing.

     When I asked, Hobi tsked to himself and gave a strangely vague answer.

     "Well you know, music is his life. He's working on stuff.".

     I decided to leave it at that, the countdown to their arrival hanging over my head.

     A few days later, I got a call from Jin. He briefly explained that he had gotten a job at a radio station in my city but had to finish out the month before his replacement would be able to take over full time.

     He brushed off my remarks of being happy to see him before continuing, "I wanna see you guys being good to each other when I get there. This is gonna be a minefield, think about where you're stepping.".

     Why did he always have some bridge troll riddle to give regarding relationships?

     I thought I knew what he meant, but the fear of missing something got stuck in my chest like a rusty nail.

     Jin threw out a quick, "miss you" before hanging up.

I peeled off loose hangnails and winced as one tugged off. A bright spot of blood bubbled up in the dent where the skin had been.

     They would be here in four days.

     The second to last night before they were due to move, Jungkook and I were Face-timing. He was stretched out on the couch in oversized grey sweatpants and a giant hoodie. The hoodie had lifted up over his hipbone and I was taking sneak peeks (I thought) at the bits of skin I could see. He was propped up on an elbow and his hood was hiding his face from me.

     "What do you think of that baby?"

I heard him say the words but nothing registered properly.

     He had reached an arm up under his hoodie to rub at his chest muscles, exposing his toned upper body and confirming that he was indeed not wearing anything under his sweatpants.

     "Uh-huh." Was the best reply I could muster. I felt my head nodding but was focused entirely on not blinking.

      Jungkook stopped rubbing at his chest and hooked a thumb into his sweat pants, tugging down ever so slightly.

     For the first time in my life I let out an "eep" before darting my eyes to his face to check if he had noticed me staring.

     All confidence in my sneakiness deflated as I looked at the biggest shit-eating grin I'd ever seen from him. There was even a goddamn twinkle in his eye as he lifted the hand from his sweats to push his hood back away from his face.

"You didn't hear a word I said huh?" he said mischievously. My mouth opened and closed to no avail, I'd been caught, it would be pointless to argue. But I refused to admit defeat.

"No, I heard you. You're just so pretty." I frowned before puckering my lips, trying to twist them away from a pout.

Jungkook was enjoying himself thoroughly, swinging his legs off the couch and leaning forward with his arms on his knees spread wide. Peering at me through the screen, he lowered his voice gently to ask me, "Then, what did I say?".

The neck hole of his hoodie was large enough that it fell open, the light in the living room making it easy to look down into.

"Yes. I mean- wait. Shut up! Do you even know what you said?" The teasing had me flustered, hell, he had me flustered without even teasing me. This was ridiculous.

The same person who cried when I didn't want to stay on the phone while going to the bathroom (because, "We could mute ourselves. At least I'd know you were still there."), was now looking at me like I was the silly baby.

"You know, we'll be together in person soon. In like, less than 48 hours." Jungkook's spontaneous seriousness always came at surprising times.

His eyes were intensely searching for something in my expression and I tilted my head.

"I'm gonna kiss you, even if Yoongi is standing right there." He didn't blink as he said it, maybe looking for a sign that I would turn him down or refuse him.

I cupped my hands around my mouth like I was leaning in to share a secret, loudly whispering, "Not if I kiss you first." back at him.

Relief visibly washed over his face, sharp darkness fading from his eyes as the usual softness replaced it.

"Well good baby, cause allll of this is-" he had started to goofily roll his upper body, grabbing the bottom of his hoodie before a loud crashing sound interrupted him.

Shrieks from Lacey pierced my ears, followed by loud stomping and Yoongi's voice desperately calling out "wait, wait- fuck, WAIT!" behind her. Jungkook dropped his hand and froze, scanning my face to check my reaction.

I had been laying in bed, and pulled my blanket up so that only my eyes were showing. Both of us deer in the headlights, unable to move.

More footsteps came, followed by the front door slamming and muffled yelling.

Jungkook grimaced, "That's been the new norm around here since she moved in. She's...she drinks a lot." He rolled his eyes at the end, tentatively monitoring how I responded.

"Is she- are they, um, does it normally end ok?" I asked, feeling timid. Jungkook and I had been on the phone together every day, most of the day, for at least the past month. How he must've worked to keep me from seeing them fighting battled with my worry for Yoongi's well being.

"Oh, uh, I mean, she apologizes and sweet talks or cries until he gives in. So, kinda. I'm sorry you had to see that, are you ok?" Jungkook was nibbling at his bottom lip and I was overwhelmed by the frustration of being at a distance.

"I'm not leaving your side for at least 3 days when you get here." I declared instead of answering his question. No, I wasn't ok. The limitations of the situation were trapping me in a thick glass case. I had learned way more about Lacey and Yoongi than I had ever cared to know. It was in front of my face and there was nothing I could do but observe it or bang against the glass.

Jungkook's chest swelled up as he inhaled deeply. Eyebrows pulling together while he looked at me as sternly as he could.

His gaze permeated through the glass case, and I could feel him in there with me.

"Well I'm not leaving your side, EVER." he said before blowing kisses at me. He whipped his hand at the screen, like if he threw them hard enough, they might make it across the space between us.

Not wanting him to stop, I tried hiding my smile until it broke free.

"I think you were showing me something?" I said with an air of innocence, looking up as if deep in thought.

Jungkook flopped down onto the couch with a yawn, "I think YOU were gonna read to me like we've been talking about baby."

"Oh! Is that what you were saying earlier? I'll grab it, hang on." I reached onto my side table to grab On Love, by Alain De Botton. Jungkook had no personal interest in reading it but we had a bet going to see if he really needed to hear my voice to fall asleep or not.

When I turned back, Jungkook had his eyes closed and was humming to himself. He insisted he didn't need a blanket, claiming that he only liked how I tucked him in and wouldn't do it any other way.

Only one more night until I could.

I started reading to him, continuing until I saw his head fall forward slightly. Pouty lips twitching as he slept. Smiling to myself, I switched my light off and propped up my phone so I could curl up to sleep.

Sleep didn't come until a few hours later however, not until I had heard the front door open and a single set of footsteps fading away towards Yoongi's room.

[lvrboy-inc]

I Lost My Mind in the Sakura Flowers ꫂ ၴႅ

“Covet” - The Basement

꒰: Précis | A first person POV, dipping into the mind of a melancholic young man who is just a bit..off. Is he really above all of the chaos that is his life? Or is it all just another façade in which he’s also fooled himself this time..

꒰: Disclaimer(s) | This act contains strong language, heavy sexual depictions, triggering topics [mild mentions of homophobia, pornographic material + manipulation] Tread carefully~!!

꒰: Word Count ; 5.6k

꒰: Sakura Flowers—All Acts ; Here

Act 2

The sunlight crashed through my window blinds as what was meant to be an inviting and warm awakening seemed more like a mockery. My phone's alarm hadn't gone off..I found that strange, checking to see I'd woken up just 2 minutes before it did. I hated it when that happened. So, sliding off the alarm and silencing it for the morning, I got up, stretching my arms up to high heavens and letting a series of cracks ring throughout my spine in a refreshing symphony.

From there, I showered, brushed my teeth, all the usual morning routine bullshit and then opened up my closet. I’d always been a perfectionist and looking through my closet that fact was apparent; every article was freshly washed, ironed, and organized by brand rather than color or type of garment. But, that only applied to my casual clothes. My uniform shirts and blazers were all lined up in a repetitive fashion that brought me a sense of control. Even if subtle.

I took up an ironed out white button down and navy blue slacks all tied together with a corduroy pinstriped blazer that just barely went past the bone of my wrists.

As always, I checked myself out in the mirror for a minute. Less out of vanity and more just to make sure I hadn't fucked up any part of my routine. This was the final pitstop I made every morning before having to face the world. Face people. God, the thought of it already gave me a mild migraine.

Scanning over my features, my eyes landed on the several bruises and the rawness of my knuckles from the fight that went down a few days previous. Remembering how sorely I had lost, a grimace plastered on my face, quickly brushed away as I ran a hand through my hair and gathered my crossbody school bag, making my way downstairs.

Like most mornings, the living room was empty. The house was eerily quiet but that was expected. My mother usually slept in due to her working from home most of the time and staying up well into the night to finish just ‘One last report’ before she found herself burnt out at her desk.

As for my father, he always left for work before me. Thank God. If I were to put up with his sour attitude every morning before school I probably would've had several felonies before the first bell rang.

But, dismissively, I made my way to the door, slipping on my dress shoes as I adjusted my tie and sighed. Calling an Uber for myself, I waited patiently, tapping my foot at the corner for a bit longer than I would've liked. Finally, a young blonde pulled to the curb, to which I held up my phone and she gave an affirming nod.

Climbing into the backseat, I thanked her for her punctuality (despite her 2 minute lateness) and she already had the address for the school put in.

The ride went in silence as I had far too much on my mind to engage in the frivolous shallow conversation with a stranger for a literal 10 minute ride. So, we sat in silence. My mind wandered as I watched the familiar streets go by; the mundane nature of it all seeming like a taunt to the whirlwind that went on behind my eyes.

Upon my arrival, I gave the woman a generous tip, not only on the app but in cash as well, then dismissed myself out of her vehicle without much else. Staring upon the tall building, I took in a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose and gritting my teeth again. Here we fucking go. I thought before walking up to the doors.

In the main courtyard of the building I saw Allison mingling with her small clique. They weren't characters worth mentioning; not to me at least. And as she saw me, her face lit up with sparks. Throwing a raise of my palm to acknowledge, I watched her dismiss her friends and run up to me, wrapping me up in her embrace promptly.

The truth of the matter was, I hated this. She was so fucking touchy and I wished it wasn't apart of this whole façade that I threw on for the masses. But, I digress.

Barely skipping a beat, I hugged her back, tilting her chin up as I let our lips meet in a tender but brief kiss. “Good morning, Ali. You smell different. New shampoo I'm guessing?” I feigned my interest in her bathing habits or what gave her that new scent with a soft smile.

She eagerly nodded, her face alit with a crimson blush as she twirled a strand of hair around her index. “Mhm! It's this new brand my mom wanted me to try out so I threw it into my shower routine.” her words were followed with a coy giggle to which I gave a soft wry.

“That's wonderful. It suits you. Vanilla and strawberries, something along those fragrance notes, right?” The bland conversation continued as she took up my hand and we began to walk into the school building where I was still getting a few stares. Ali was oblivious while my eyes scanned the halls like a fucking CIA agent on the clock.

Then, within all that scanning, I caught the familiar gaze of..Marko. With haste, I quickly averted my eyes and poured my focus back into Allison who had kept droning on; throwing shade at this girl who her friends had been having trouble with. I interjected a bit as we lingered in front of her classroom, me standing above her and leaning in against the lockers whilst she spoke. “She sounds like a raging bitch. Frankly, I'd deal with her myself.” I reasoned with a shrug of my shoulders.

Allison waved off the proposal, nudging me lightly in the arm. More contact.

“You're such a kidder. Girls aren't as quick to anger or violence as you guys..” her voice trailed off for a second. I caught her gaze lingering on the bruise located on my left cheek. “Speaking of which–”

I wasn't ready to talk about it. I didn't want to talk about it. The bastards who did it already got their blows in and speaking on it would just cause me to be more pissed off. I felt the impending inquiry, swiftly changing the subject. “Ah, look. 3 minutes ‘till the bell. Go on, I'll be waiting here after class for you.” I assured her, planting an empty kiss on her forehead before walking off briskly.

There, with that out the way, I got to make my way to first period; AP Calculus. Surprisingly, it was one of the more tolerable subjects I had. I liked math. It was simple, straight, and to the point. And it was based solely on numbers and facts. No other variants besides the differentiating equations.

So, taking my seat in the class, mere seconds before the bell rang out, I set my things down, gathering my textbook from my bag and taking out my notebook for the subject.

It went by with ease, the numbers, formulas and whatnot flying around, distracting my mind from what awaited me next period; Marko. Unluckily, the subject was also AP English, frustrating to me but not impossible. The main thing that fucked me up in it was the tone. I was tone deaf to most emotional senses. A reason I preferred explanatory and argumentative over freehand writing about a subject that I had no goddamn interest in.

The hour ticked by, the last 30 minutes a blur as I packed my things and left for Allison’s classroom, walking with her to the next before departing. I made my way to my own class rather slow..definitely not dragging my feet to avoid having to see that prick’s smug face.

Not to add salt into the wound but, majority of his friends were in there; meaning they were still clinging to his, ‘Boy who cried gay’ narrative about me.

Feeling the eyes on me as I entered, I sauntered over to my seat, dropping my things as I let out an exasperated sigh, trying to relax my shoulders before having to dive into the typing portion of this 5 page essay. The week or so prior we'd been writing down our drafts, planning things out, getting feedback from the kindhearted teacher, Ms. Shalm and making sure that we didn't make any baseline mistakes in our work. Once everyone was cleared, we had begun typing it up; today was day 3 of it.

As I sat, my phone pinged. It was an unknown number. Looking back over my shoulder a bit, I caught the eyes of Marko who casually held his phone up; a gesture that would've been missed by anyone it wasn't directed towards. With that, I turned back around, swiping open my phone.

The message flew back on top as another one came in. Tapping on the next, I saw the texts:

Unknown: Did you know they made a tape?

Unknown: Your dad's kind of a fucking idiot.

My mouth hung slightly agape for a fleeting second before I closed it right back up, my thumbs working at breakneck speed.

You: Am I just supposed to take your word? Get it, send it to me.

The next response came quick.

Unknown: I have it.

Unknown: But you've given me nothing but a smart mouth so far.

With a groan, I rolled my eyes. The fuck was he so cocky for? We’re working towards the same fucking goal so why play hard to get with info that needs to he shared in the first place? I really did loathe him.

You: Oh yeah? Let's try bank statements. Several different large sum transactions to your mother's account.

You: Sent 4 attachments.

And after that, the classroom fell silent, the teacher commanding our attention as I turned my phone off and set it down on the desk. I looked over my shoulder, giving Marko a knowing smirk before directing my eyes back to Ms. Shalm who went over the agenda mindlessly.

The rest of the class went on with the simple muddled background noise of Ms. Shalm drowned out as she retreated back to her desk, leaving the rest of us to our own devices. With that, I picked up my phone once more, seeing that Marko had shot me a few more texts.

Unknown: No wonder you act so spoiled. This much cash thrown around without batting an eye?

Unknown: I don't recommend watching it, but keep it for a later date.

Unknown: Sent one video.

Smirking, I watched as the thumbnail of the video slid up onto my screen. Without much hesitance, I saved the clip, making the conscious effort to not look directly at it.

For everyone else in the class, this was just another boring English lesson. But if only they knew the gears grinding and the cogs falling into place behind the drab scene. It wasn't long before the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson and therefore, the class.

Lingering for a bit, I watched as Marko also stuck around, allowing his friends to walk off before him, leaving us relatively alone in the classroom. He broke the silence, cocking his head to the side a bit. “Gotta give it to the old man, he knows what he's into.” he gave the vulgar remark, making my face scrunch.

“You're unbelievable.” I muttered, slinging my strap over my shoulder and my phone into my pocket. “But, I'll be damned if he makes me do dishes now.” Giving into the playful banter, I gave a look of off-put nicity.

I was beginning to head for the door as he grabbed onto my wrist, to which I quickly yanked it away, turning to meet his gaze as I shoved my hands deep into my pockets. “What? You expecting a ‘thanks’ or something?”

Marko gave a look that proved that he was genuinely searching for it. Studying his face, I scoffed, shaking my head in slight disbelief. “There's actually no fucking way. Listen, I don't think you understand what this is,” I began, gesturing my finger between him and I. “The only reason I haven't fucked you up or even bothered to cuss you out is because I need you. More or less, what you can give me. So don't expect any gratitude for this.”

Stepping closer, I got up in his face, my expression cold and contorted in a mockery. “You're still the dumb fuck who made it look like I sucked dick on the low. I outta slit your throat for it.” I sneered before backing up and adjusting his tie a bit before turning on my heel.

“Till next time.” The farewell lingered as I left the classroom, leaving him there to fester with my words. I felt wildly irritated with the whole encounter. But then I had to save face because Allison was waiting on me. I arrived at her class later than usual and she lightly scolded me for it before taking up my arm, talking my ear off.

The remainder of the day was tame, not much exciting me or even peeling my attention away from the video Marko had sent. This was only one. There was definitely more.

Under my desk, I watched the 34:47 long video over and over. I analyzed every little thing. Most people would have such a problem with doing so, but me, devoid of much care at seeing my ‘father’ sloppily fucking this woman, I simply studied it. There was not only sick fetishes at play but frankly, he was lazy. If anything, watching it repulsed me. Not from the obvious aspect but as he couldn't even satisfy a woman properly and yet wanted to have more than one. Greedy pig.

My every move was calculated from then on, keeping my focus on it, making mental notes about everything I witnessed. The school day had ended, the loud bell snapping me from out of my clouded thoughts. Unlike the rest of the day, Allison was waiting for me when the last class let out. She was eager to spend the night with me as I'd promised her we would.

Promises. They were so immature and thrown around so recklessly that the word had lost all meaning to me. A long fucking time ago. But with Allison, she hung onto my every word. So, every promise I made to her, she happily accepted as truth, even when I couldn't keep them. Despite how academically smart she was, she had little to no street smarts.

It made it easier to keep her coming back. To keep her mind running in entertaining circles for me. Like..a treat being dangled for an obedient dog. All to be left waiting for it, sitting all docile and happy to please. It was pathetic, pitiful, even.

But, tonight, I disregarded that.

The two of us took out to the town, going from small shop to shop; racking up a few bags and enjoying sweets, meals and the like. It was fun how all I had to do was wave a card around and look at her with my tired, baggy eyes to make her melt. Too fucking easy. I mused to myself, watching as she shyly enjoyed her icey treat from the ice cream shop.

Once we left, I leaned in, pulling a bit of her hair back as I whispered into her ear something that made her face light up red. “Tonight, let's go all the way.” Those simple words left her a bit choked up on her breath before my fingers let her hair cascade back down her shoulder. We continued walking as we found our way through the streets and finally back to her parent's place.

Her mother was content in the kitchen, the scent of a home cooked meal wafting through the air. She already knew me, and so did her father. They were almost as naïve and easy to impress as she was. On the first night she brought me home, all I had to do was flaunt a few academic achievements, plus my student council status and they were hooked on me.

Noticing us slip in, her mother turned from her cutting of vegetables and gave a beaming smile. “Well, well, well! What a pleasant surprise, Azura. I see you two had fun.” she teased, pointing at the small bags we'd gathered on our outing. I slipped my shoes off at the door, glancing back at her. With a nod and a slicking back of my hair I flashed a few teeth her way.

“Yes, Mrs. Yasan. Ali here is quite the shopping addict.” I made small talk, wrapping an arm around Allison as she pouted lightly. “Dinner smells delicious. Please, do let us know when it's finished, yeah?” My voice was smooth as silk as I politely dismissed her and led Allison up the stairs with a lacing of our fingers.

Upon getting to her room, I gently sat down the bags that we had acquired in the corner. Most of them were hers anyways so I disregarded them with ease. She sat on her bed, scrolling on her phone a bit before looking up at me as I took my school blazer off. “Damn this thing's uncomfortable..” The words a light curse on my lips as I set it on the back of her desk chair, joining her on the bed.

The sun was still relatively high in the sky so I offered to watch a horror movie. A simple gesture whilst I settled into her comforter.

We turned on one of the older 90s horror flicks, a supernatural film. If I was among most, these types of films would've gotten to me. Made me tremble a bit and flinch whenever an unexpected loud noise or entity popped up on screen. But, alas that wasn't the case.

From a young age, the world of supernatural and horror didn't appeal to me. Why get scared over the fake when the harsh, cruel world was right at our fingertips? Gruesome murder, overdoses, gore, and other earthly horrors already existed and there was nothing that could replicate the real thing. And why would you fear some false specter when humans were the most terrifying things to exist? It was so idiotic.

Despite this, I held Allison close, her head laid on my chest, listening to the subtle beat of my heart as she whimpered with each startling image and bloody scene. Looking out the window, I saw the sun making itself scarce. It was time for me to make my move.

“Allison,” I cooed softly, lifting her face up off of my chest and holding eye contact with her for a bit longer than necessary. “May I kiss you?” The question posing as more of a formality as my lips practically ghosted over hers, my breath warm as I spoke.

She swallowed, her eyes studying mine a bit before she gave a slow nod. The uncertainty in her eyes was such a turn on. So, without much else to say, I leaned in, watching as she closed her eyes, letting myself hover a bit before sealing our lips together. Starting off slow at first, I simply made contact with her soft skin, soon moving my tongue to press through the seam of her lips and allow me to explore her mouth more.

Now, don't get me wrong. I despised physical touch. Hugging, handholding, cuddling, the allure of it all escaped my senses but I indulged in them nonetheless. But, when it came to more intimate and sexual advances, that's where I began to understand the appeal. All the foreplay could go to hell if I could feel that moment, that instant that my partner gave themselves up to me. It was intoxicating. And as Allison and I began to french kiss, I could feel her melting like clay in my hands.

She welcomed my tongue with ease as I propped myself up more, keeping the angle I had above her as our tongues twisted together in a sticky cacophony. I bit on her lip, just enough to allow a small output of air to leave her mouth.

“You're..the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.” Another bold face lie on my part. Sure, she wasn't bad looking but there's a few girls that I wouldn't put past myself becoming infatuated with. She breathed a bit heavily, leaning so close into me as if she wanted me to take her right then and there. Despite this, I refrained. “Ali, tell me..do you like kissing me this way?” I inquired, my voice a low purr as my hand wandered down, tracing light circles on her leg.

My question hung in the air as I awaited her answer. “Yes..yes, I do.” she breathed out, the simple response causing a smirk to play on my lips.

“Do you want me to kiss you..anywhere else?” The question was innocent, but laced with the possibilities that lie beneath my words. The next confirmation she said allowed me permission to kiss her once more, unbuttoning her blouse with my fucking eyes closed. Picking the buttons off one by one, I pulled away from her lips, leaving a thin trail of saliva as I kissed down the side of her neck.

The light contacts I made with her skin were met each time with a low whimper and a slight shudder from her. With how easy it was to get her like this, I expected someone to come out and say I'd been pranked.

But, as my lips descended, I made my way down the center of her chest, my hand unclasped her bra, letting it slip and fall, exposing her silky skin to me. My fingers grazed over her sensitive buds, drawing out more audible noises while I looked up at her, a grin on my face as I worked my way lower, then positioning between her thighs. Not directly between them, but in the middle.

With care, I latched my finger into the waistband of her wettened fabric, sliding it down her legs in a seductive manner before kissing up from her ankle and then lingering between her thighs, leaving wet marks along them. “If I bit you, the state you're in now, would it hurt?” I husked against her warm flesh, my teeth grazing her skin in a teasing manner.

She gave a flustered shrug of her shoulders, her hands giving a slight veil to her eyes that she peered through curiously.

Chuckling softly, I took it upon myself to test it out, licking and sucking at her thigh just before sinking my teeth in. I held my mouth there, letting the pain seep through. As I did so, I held our eye contact.

She took a sharp intake of air, before whining and squirming a bit. Great, it had its desired effect. And as I left that singular mark, my lips trailed up, closer to the heat between her legs. “Tell me to stop if it gets to be too much.” I instructed, her fingers tangling through my hair as I began the lustful dance between us.

The next 30 minutes or so were filled with the soft, strained and frankly, badly kept down moans from Allison, her voice reverberating against the four walls that enclosed us, kept us in this moment.

I slyly lapped at her until I felt her legs quiver around my face and her core leak out onto my tongue. Withdrawing finally, I leaned over top of her still dazed face, pulling her into a kiss, allowing her to taste herself after the fact. It was so lewd and vulgar it spurred me on.

Before I knew it, I wiped my mouth off, helping her get dressed in..a newer set of clothes for.. obvious reasons. And we descended from her room; her legs still trembling and my face smug and calm in the afterglow. Like nothing had happened prior, we sat down to eat with her parents. She was clearly still flustered, barely looking her father in the eye whilst I conversed easily with them.

The night wore on, and I wasn't planning on staying. So, as she pouted, asking me to stay, I gave her a tender kiss goodbye, my voice entailing a promise for our next encounter. I'd done it again; broke my promise. I told her I'd go all the way but..oh, God knows I wouldn't lay it down that easily. So, the next best thing already had her buzzing and ansty for our next meeting.

“I'll see you tomorrow, yeah? Go on and get some rest, you've had a bit of a workout, no?” My tone was dripping with innuendo as I put up two fingers and flicked my tongue in between before chuckling, leaving out the front door.

The walk home was refreshing; night air enveloping my senses and allowing for some semblance of peace whilst I mulled over the last few hours. It was almost comical the way she was ready to do anything that I asked. With that came a small voice that wondered, ‘How far is she willing to go?’. Thinking about it brought a tinge of red to my cheeks. Even the idea of having someone be so beneath me and eager to cater to my every whim proved rather exciting.

My slightly elated mood subsided as I saw the lights of our house on. From behind the curtains I saw the silhouettes of my parents in the living room. With a heavy sigh, I unlocked the door, walking in with an air of standoffishness that lingered.

Turning her attention from the TV that spat out a shitty romcom, my mother greeted me with her tired eyes and a soft smile that contrasted with her exhausted features. “Azura, how was your night out, dear?” she inquired curiously as I slung my blazer over my shoulder.

“It was.. okay. Ali and I just indulged in the town.” I said calmly. My eyes couldn't help but slither over to my father who hadn't even acknowledged my presence. Once he casted me a sideways glance, I found myself in a staredown.

Through my piercing, almost pitch-black eyes, I hoped I conveyed my message. The knowledge I held over him. I wanted him to feel how the playing field had shifted and molded in my favor. But, as if he didn't feel or notice anything he just let out a grunt, gluing his eyes back to the bland broadcast that the TV spat out.

In that moment, I wished I could spill out everything right then and there; the video, Marianne, Marko, and how my dad was the eye of the storm. Yet..I stayed silent. With a low clearing of my throat, I walked past them and up the stairs swiftly. My mother wished me a passive goodnight as I ascended, trudging up the stairs as if my body weighed a thousand tons.

Soon enough, I found myself lying face up on my bed, eyes staring up at the ceiling as if I was in the Sistine Chapel; except the difference was that no religious paintings stared back at me..only the empty expanse of the roof and the ceiling fan that spun endlessly.

Upon staring at the fan, watching it spin and spin on a loop, I wondered briefly what it would've been like. Doing the same task every single day until it finally loses all its fastened screws and crashes down. What a mindless concept.

Dragging me out from my thoughts, there was a ping from my phone. Checking the name, I groaned. ‘Unknown’ was read at the top of the concealed message. So, unlocking it, the bright screen briefly blinding me as my eyes adjusted, I read out the message in my head:

Unknown: You're quite the fierce one. But, that's to be expected.

Unknown: Not gonna bother with small talk, tomorrow night, meet me at the park. 9:45 sharp. Don't be late.

The instructions were ominous to say the least. Yet, even with that, I gave no response, simply letting the ‘Read’ be an indicator that I'd gotten the message. To be fair, I was already tired and tomorrow was a day away.

Tossing my phone to the side, I rubbed my eyes and yawned, getting up to strip down and throw my clothes into the hamper as I got settled under my sheets. It was frankly refreshing..the contrast between my tired, worn body and the coolness of the sheets that covered me. It served as an equilibrium that allowed my brain and muscles respite.

Slowly, but surely, I drifted. Unlike some people who needed white noise, a TV in the background or even some music to fall asleep, those all proved to disturb my thoughts beyond comparison. The only thing that proved to work for me, to ease me into the realm of temporary death was complete and utter darkness and silence. Anything else and I'd be wide awake.

Whilst I slept, the night bled into day. Due to my rude awakening before, I made a conscious effort to keep my curtains drawn so that my alarm could do the job that sunlight threatened to steal when it dripped through my window.

Today, I was awoken by the series of vibrations and subtle chirps from my alarm. It was a nice way to start my day, a light sort of nudging awake rather than being blinded by vitamin D first thing. Leaning over, I swiped my finger across the screen, making sure to not hit snooze and completely dismiss it.

Sitting up, my hair was scruffy and my eyes still riddled with sleep. I yawned, my morning breath hitting me a bit as I cracked my neck.. must've slept on it wrong. Even with that, I got up, the cool air hitting my skin as a second wake-up call. Then, I fell back into my routine.

Water raced down from the top of my head and my hair, down to my ankles and pooling under my feet before slipping into the drain. I washed up and finally got out, where I brushed my teeth and then leaned up to stare myself in the face.

Sometimes..when I looked there, the mirror, for too long, it'd seem like..it wasn't even me who I was looking at. Not someone I wished I was or wasn't just..a stranger. But, before I could let my mind drift too far, my eyes threatening to burn holes into my reflection, there was a sharp knock on my door. From the other side I heard my mother's voice.

She called me over softly, causing me to snap out of it and give a disgruntled shake of my head, walking over to the door as I secured my towel around my waist. Upon opening it, my mother seemed to be in a buzz. Leaning against the doorframe, I leaned my head into it. “Morning mom..need something?” I asked in a weary tone, laced with the slumber I'd gotten out of.

She was dressed up a bit, her smile genuine. “Azura, your father and I decided to..take a bit of a trip. We know you're more than capable of staying on your own, so we left extra money for you on your card.” she scrambled a bit before handing me a piece of paper; a pamphlet.

Scanning over it, they were headed to what seemed like a nice getaway spot. Pretty views and gracious hotel rooms that looked over the water. It was a place that was about 3 hours from us. Looking at it, then back up to her, I gave a soft smirk.

“Ah, well. You know I'll be fine, mom. Go on, have your fun. You've been working yourself to the bone lately..you deserve it.” My voice, although just seeming congratulatory and whatnot, was actually my way of conveying this would probably be the last time her and my father got to do any sort of outings such as this.

There wasn't even a set plan yet for how I was going to deal with my father so, there was no reason for me to bring it up now and ruin what would be my mother's breath of fresh air.

She shot me a bit of a gushing look as she hugged me tightly. I had grown taller than her a bit into my teenage years but even so, she had that motherly embrace down pact. Returning it, she pulled away a bit, cupping my face as she placed kisses all over it. “Mom..” I groaned, her excessive display of affection causing me to roll my eyes.

Once she stopped, she giggled, keeping her close proximity as she spoke with a somber tone, “You're..already getting too old for me. No matter how much you grow just make sure to..leave your heart open. Don't become bitter. Stay the kind hearted boy we know.” She put our foreheads together before retreating back to her and my father's room.

Her words left an air of unease with me. She always had this view of me that trumped everyone else's. Though, I suppose that's what mothers do. Even if their children turn out to be shitty human beings; murderers, rapists, druggies, or anything else..they still see them as the innocent little babies they held and watched take their first breaths.

It was such a sad reality.

But, brushing off the encounter, I fell back into the repetition of my morning, getting dressed, spraying on my cologne and finally descending downstairs. Once again, it was empty and quiet. Making my way to the door, I slipped my shoes on and got ready to face the world once more.

A/N: Second installment of Sakura Flowers!! Delays are probably going to be a constant but I’ll try my best to remain active (easier this week for fall break 🥳). Do y’all think Azura likes ice cream? What flavor you think he would go for.. 🍦🫧

[understand-that-i-love-you-not]

[Context, after learning about the decay of angels' plan to annihilate in 10 days, Ango comes home to his wife's presence.]

Warnings: slight angst due to Ango overthinking, but very fluffy, very descriptive kiss part, author's first time writing.

Ango came home from work, very late as usual. His mind playing events of the DOA'S annihilation, trying to come up with ways to think 10 steps ahead.

10 days...10 days and the continent of Japan will no longer roam of human lives...10 days left for people to be alive 10 days left...and people dont even know what's coming for them

10 days and....

Ango halted the car he was driving as he realized he drove past your shared home.

Ango sighed taking his shoes off and let out a sharp exhale, he didn't even know how shallow his breathing was, until he recalled what Mushitaro said at Anne's playroom...again...

"Welcome home! i've prepared a bath for you, do you want dinner?"

Ango's thoughts dissipated, it was his wife...

"..."

"...are you good? You look like you just saw a ghost"

"..."

"Ango- eh? Uhm..."

Without a second thought he rushed to wrap his arms around his wife's frame, with his head leaning on top of her's, his arms locking to her torso. His wife attempted to sneek her arms out to reciprocate, sharing their warmth.

After what seems to be 5 mins, Ango lets loose, and cups his wife's face to his warm hands.

"Ango...what is this?" His wife was confused, yet she was greatful

"What is what?"

"All this?" "I don't get what you mean my love"

"Oh uhm...its just that usually when you get home, you finish you reports and go to bed from there"

It just now occured to Ango, after 3 years of marriage with his wife, he never got to cherish his love for his wife much, he was too busy saving the world.

"Ah, I undestand how busy you are, so don't fret about it ok?" His wife reassured, bringing up her hands to touch Ango's that are supporting her face for him to cherish.

This was the women he trusted most, the woman that loved him, accepted his flaws, stayed with him despite his dangerous occupation, and was always there to tend to him after his hectic work and sleep less nights of working.

...and this woman was gonna be taken away from him in 10 days...

"...i love you, do you know that..." Ango asked

"Of course I do Ango, I love you more did you know that?" His wife followed now rubbing circles on his hand using her thumbs.

"What would you do if you had 10 days of living left?"

"What!?"

"Sorry...nevermind that..."

"..."

"..."

"Well...I would say goodbye to my family and friends, then..." She came closer putting Ango 's hands off her face. She then wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling their bodies closer.

"I would spend the remaining days with you..."

Ango flushed red, you can almost compare him to the tomato juice he drinks back with Dazai and Oda.

But despite his bothered apperance he coudnt help but feel rather...sad

"But my love...what if in those days im working? I cant tend to you..."

"Oh its ok im not asking you to take 10 days off, I simply want to wait for you home and cook for you and ready a bath for you, then you're gonna do your reports while I wait for you to join me in bed, thats all, like usual, I'd spend 10 days left with just that, and you." His wife answered.

Ango felt something in his heart, as if something heavy was exhaled out of his lungs. He was grateful of his wife, being content with his mere presence.

"This is very... new of you today" The wife added

"Right... I'm sorry"

"You must be very tired asking questions like that"

"You're right"Ango then locked his eyed to his wife's lips and gave very gentle and sweet peck , he missed doing that to you.

"One more" His wife demanded, and so Ango complied

"One more pleaaase" Ango complied again

"One more pleeease" and again

"One more one more" and again...

"One mo-" Before his wife could ask he kissed her again, this time more passionately, and longer.

He moved his hands to her waist, then arms slid from his chest then clinging to the back of his neck

It was getting more passionate while Ango slightly tilted his head to feel her lips on his more, slightly and just gently adding his tongue

to the kiss.

"Mmm- wait I might burn the pastry I'm baking, ill come to it before it burns our house down haha" His wife pulled away to prevent her baking getting burnt.

Ango sat down on the sofa to loosen his tie. He must admit he missed the most intimate moments him and his wife go through, instead of recalling his dilemma from work, he takes a moment to recall their lovely memories together.

Although it was 10 days left, he suddenly had more hope and motivation to save this home of his, which is his wife from the doa's twisted plans.

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

Its actually my first time writing hehe oops, just a scenario I wanted to share so it was very sudden

[weilongfu]

Hey I was so glad to see that your prompts are open!!! I suddenly realised that I missed your writing and your galaxy brain!!!!

Anything Hao ting and Xi gu!!! Whatever strikes your fancy(hopefully happy tho) Please!!! I miss my babies!!!!

Thanks in advance 🥰

"It was a nice reception, don't you think?" Xiang Haoting said as he walked down the hotel hallway towards his room with Yu Xigu. "Boxiang's been insufferable about it all month."

"You're his best man, you chose to carry that burden." Haoting looked to the side to see Xigu smiling despite the bite of his reply. "But yes, it was a good reception. Zhigang-ge looks happy. And I'm happy for him."

Haoting took Xigu's hand in his own and pressed a kiss to the back of it. "I like it when you're happy."

"Then get into less trouble with your professors," Xigu said as they finally reached their room. With a swipe of the key card, the door unlocked and Xigu dragged his larger boyfriend inside. "I saw those emails, you're late on two assignments."

Haoting groaned as he fell back into their bed. "Yu Xigu, are you invading my privacy?"

"It's not privacy if you leave the email client open while shoving your laptop under my nose to see your new high score on a video game." Xigu turned around to continue chastising Haoting only to be greeted by his puppy dog eyes. "None of that, I'm not helping you finish all that work again."

"Xiiiiguuuuu-ah!" Haoting lurched up to hug Xigu around his waist and nuzzle the starched cloth of his dress shirt. "Your boyfriend is simply struggling for a moment! Just a little help would go miles! I won't ask you to do any of the work, just check it for me? Please?"

"After such a busy and happy occasion, you still have energy to beg like this?" Once again, Xigu's words were harsh, but Haoting continued to bury his face in Xigu's side for his boyfriend's tone was fond and not mad and Xigu's hand was calmly carding through Haoting's styled hair. "Fine, I'll check it for you, but you better finish it a few days early so I have time."

"Mm, I promise," Haoting said as he pulled away. "I should give my lovely Xigu something in thanks."

"You can thank me by not doing it again," Xigu said as he turned to take his suit jacket off.

"But, I already got you something!"

Xigu turned around again to see Haoting fumbling with a small box. "Xiang Haoting! You-"

Haoting popped open the box and held it up proudly to display the two rings inside. "It's not a proper proposal, not yet." Haoting pulled out the smaller ring before taking Xigu's right hand. "It's a promise. I know I'm still a little immature and still not as bright as the stars you like to look at..." Haoting slipped the ring onto Xigu's ring finger and looked up at him. "But please stay with me. I'll help you search the stars by your side soon. I promise."

Xigu blinked and before he could move himself, Haoting's hands were already cupping his face, brushing away tears. "Xiang Haoting, you really are the worst! Stealing thunder on the day of your best friend's wedding."

"This isn't stealing thunder," Haoting said as he stood up to kiss Xigu's forehead. "I'd be stealing thunder if I proposed in the middle of his ceremony." Another kiss was pressed to Xigu's cheek. "So, will you promise me?" Haoting asked as he holds up the larger ring.

Xigu snatched the ring from Haoting's hand and slid it onto Haoting's ringfinger. "Yes, I promise." Xigu kissed the ring and then frowned. "But this still doesn't mean I'll help you do the work on your assignment."

"I wasn't going to ask that next!"

[frxncisbelle]

Welcome to Aurora Bay, FRANCIS BELLE! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like COLIN FARRELL. You must be the FORTY-TWO year old SOMMELIER/WINERY OWNER. Word is you’re SUPPORTIVE but can also be a bit GLOOMY and your favorite song is I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY by AL GREEN. I also heard you’ll be staying in CRYSTAL BAY CONDOMINIUMS. I’m sure you’ll love it! (@aurorabayaesthetic)

CHARACTER INFO

full name: francis emmanuel belle nickname: franny (by loved ones) // sad guy (by everyone else) age: forty-two birthday: june 28th gender: cis male��sexuality: homosexual

p e r s o n a l i t y

positive traits: supportive, faithful, communicative, selectively patient

negative traits: gloomy, pessimistic, fearful, persnickety

l i f e s t y l e

birthplace: cincinnati, ohio

hometown: los angeles, california

education: university of california, berkley

occupation: sommelier / winery owner (kinda sorta a ha ha)

religion: agnostic (catholic)

languages spoken: english, spanish

hobbies: pretending that everything is fine when, in fact, it is not; starting new hobbies and then pointedly deciding to not finish them; vinyl-record collecting; trying new tik-tok recipes but forgetting that every time the phone locks he has to go back and find the video again (he did not, in fact, bookmark the video).

f a m i l y

parents: adam belle (divorced/re-married), elizabeth belle (single/preferrably widowed)

siblings: bebe belle (divorced); chloe belle (divorced); alyssa belle (divorced), gabriel belle (separated); gavin belle (divorced); julian belle (separated); alfie bonas (step-sibling)

children: imagine

pets: one tabby cat and one chihuahua

BIO

born to a father with an impossible dream and a mother with a xanax prescription, francis learned, at a very young age, that people are impossible to please. when he held his mother's hand as she pushed out his first sister — a task typically reserved for a father or father-like-figure — and, subsequently, asked her 4-year-old-first-born-who-could-barely-say-one-word-let-alone-two to name her second-born, francis also learned that people are impossible to know. these unshakeable principles have not only guided him throughout his forty-two years, but they have also cemented him as a perpetual worrier.

his childhood, adolescence, teenage-years, and young adulthood were about as constant and stable as the los-angeles metro system. somehow, despite the years spent desperately trying to cultivate a family dynamic that could make everyone happy, he got caught up in his father's plans. one-day, his father sat him down and uttered two unforgivable phrases: "i plan on divorcing your mother" and "i'd like you to take over the family business one day." the business in question was more of a miracle than a tried-and-true american success story. the finer details are irrelevant (indeed, francis likes to pretend he does not remember the years his father spent unloading burden after burden upon his tender head), but the important bit is that adam belle made a very successful name for himself as a winery/business tycoon.

in his late thirties and early forties, francis found himself realizing that the life he led was not the one he thought he was leading. he's faced with several (believe me, several) options, and he has thought up an innumerable amount of contingency plans, but he just cannot bring himself to do the unimaginable: ruin his family's past, present, and future by giving it all up. possibly, one day soon, he will realize that all he needs to be happy is his own approval and his own peace... but that will likely never happen.

HEADCANONS & FUNNY BITS

...has given SEVERAL grifters a [REDACTED} amount of cash money to avoid conflict.

listens to embarrassing europop before/after work to feel something.

to be updated gradually !!

WANTED CONNECTIONS

to be updated soon !!

i apologize for being scum. as i write this, it is currently 9:45 pm and i gotta go to bed. i will be updating this in the coming days as i have ideas.

[pannman]

Hey can you please do a two shot where Valentino instead of making Angel Dust get Charlie to leave the studio after she accidentally sets the set on fire, makes a 'deal' (read: Blackmail) with Charlie, he will allow Angel Dust to stay at the hotel but she will need to do Angel Dust's job in his place.

for anyone not aware this is part 2 here is a link to part 1

Once A Deal is Made part 2

CW: Angst, Mentions of Cannibalism, Violence, Mentions of Abuse

ok, this one is in Charlie's POV.

Despite growing up in Hell I was exposed to very little of it. I know I couldn't initially tell what was going on when I first stepped into that studio. I knew that Angel's line of work was run by that Valentino guy and that he was an overlord. But I had no idea what he was really like. And no idea what position I was about to put Angel in.

I got Angel hurt. It was all my fault. I should've listened to him. I had to make it up to him and get him away from that guy. I decided to talk to him myself. I overstepped before and although I was worried I was about to do it again at least now I knew what I was walking into and to be more careful. Angel's safety will be my number one concern I thought.

I didn't go in planning to make a deal with him. I didn't hide my desperation very well unfortunately. He told me it would just be for a couple of months and I could still run the hotel. I would just have to write lesson plans and have Vaggie implement them whenever I couldn't be there. What was I going to tell Vaggie? Knowing her she would come in like a knight in shining armor ready to slay him where he stands but if anything went wrong then Angel would pay the price.

I needed to talk to her myself first. I could talk her down. Besides It's only temporary. I'd just work on a plan to free Angel in the meantime. you know while I ran the hotel and... did Angels job... at the same time. Angel was visibly upset but bit his tongue since Valentino was still present.

"please don't tell anyone. Especially Vaggie. I need to talk to her myself. I'll be back late tonight" He agreed. At least I thought he did. I spent the day and into the night learning Angel's job and I don't know how he does it. I'm so exhausted. Valentino puts so much pressure on his workers and I don't know how Angel deals with all this stress. Breaks were practically non existent and the amount of coffee I had to drink to power through was probably enough to kill an ordinary human.

But I was getting ready to leave finally and thinking of just what to say to everyone when I got to the hotel. That's when I got a text from Vaggie. "Can we talk?" I texted her back "Can it wait till I get back to the hotel?" She responded "No" It DEFINATELY sounded like she knew. She continued. "Can you go somewhere private and call me?" I said yes and went into the bathroom and called her.

"Hey babe" there was nothing but care and concern in her voice. "How are you doing?" She asked. "I'm ok" I answered. "That was a very selfless thing you did" Vaggie didn't beat around the bush. "Angel told you?" I was surprised but it was good to hear her voice. "yes. He explained the situation to us" Vaggie sighed over the phone "Listen, where are you?" She asked. "In the bathroom" I replied. "good, stay there and don't come out until you hear 3 knocks. ok? no matter what else you hear." I was bit worried but I agreed.

I sat on the toilet hugging my legs while I heard a crash sound, then screaming, then gun shuts loud enough to vibrate the walls then screaming again. It was probably only minutes but it felt like hours before I distinctly heard 3 knocks and came out.

Vaggie was right there. Behind her was Alastor in some twisted demonic form feasting on someone's remains. Husk was there with a gun and Niffty was randomly stabbing bodies. "It took a bit to get up here but I'm here now" Vaggie said. But I had one worry. "Where's Angel?" Vaggie nodded "He's fine. He wanted to come but we insisted he stayed at the hotel and hold down the fort with Pentious" I was still worried. "What about Angel's deal?" Alastor chimed in. "Let's just say I was persuasive" He pulled the contract out of his coat. "I'd figured we'd let Angel do the honors of ripping it to shreds." I was at a loss for words. I hugged Vaggie and we left at once.

"How did you get Alastor to help?" I questioned. "you didn't make a deal with him did you?" Vaggie reassured me. "Of course not. His job is to protect the hotel and the hotel is nothing without you. But promise me one thing?" I was ready to do anything for her. "What's that?" Vaggie wrapped her arms around me like she was afraid I'd disappear. "That you'll never do anything like this again" I smiled in her embrace "deal"

[the-idols-story-thesecretbase]

【𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 → 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆】

1. Describe the first date.

Kou:

“I remember it was at an amusement park. Though at the time we didn't really do much since someone was too nervous to get on most of the rides~ It was more of an unofficial first date in that sense.”

Kuron:

“...It was just a moment relived of one of the unofficial dates back then when we were still in some kind of situationship kind of thing—like what he said, the first hang out together, specifically. ”

2. Who wakes up early/Who sleeps in late?

Kou:

“I wake up earlier to prepare..most of the time. But Kuron sleeps in later, since he's always working on things so it's rare to see him go to bed earlier.”

Kuron:

“More like I go for the '5 more minutes' nap before jolting awake to prepare myself a few minutes later before I'm actually late for work—By that time, Kou is most likely all prepared waiting for me in the limo that we used to travel to work every morning.”

“As a teacher, I tend to stay up late to finish my school duties, it's simply inevitable as part of a responsibility that I signed up to harbor.”

3. What was your first impression on each other?

Kou:

“In a few words, a good looking but very odd teacher that came out of nowhere. Though that was before we properly interacted.”

“He was just the kind that at the time...looked weird, talked weird, dressed weird and acted so snobbish and almighty then just butted in on everything I did....at least that was what it seemed like back then hehe~ ”

Kuron:

“If you mean by when we first met...he was that blonde little boy resembling of a doll, beautiful yet abandoned by the world that had saved me during my weakest moment, thereon as I start to view him as my little young master, that I'd like to always be there next to him to protect, cheer up and make sure he never feels lonely with my presence by his side. ”

“Then the next time we encountered each other again...by then, we've both grown up, and he seemed to not recognize me upon my changed outlook. He was cocky, stuck up, narcissistic, conceited, and especially hostile towards me since I was that sudden unannounced new comer inhabiting his house. Though, despite all of that...I still remain to see the existence of the young master and friend that I'd known of in the days of yore, regardless the outward change of attitude and behavior. To me, he'd always been the same existence of light, the hero that had pulled me out of darkness and brought back a meaning to my life, and I could never bring myself to hate him. ”

4. Who initiates affection? Why does the other not initiate affection as much?

Kou:

“I think we do it equally. There's no saying who does it first all the time. Maybe one of us does it more than the other but there's no fix saying who goes first.”

Kuron:

“Its pretty mutual. It's more of a habit than anything since we are both touchy and affectionate when it comes to each other. I like hugging him out of nowhere while he enjoy giving me pecks and kisses anytime he finds the position convenient.”

5. Do you argue often? If so, what are the arguements about?

Kou:

“Ohh there's definitely arguments. But I wouldn't say they're anything serious. More like bursts of fits that we just argue about over the smallest mundane things.”

Kuron:

“They're mostly about serious matters like work, our personal projects and professional case businesses. Kou isn't the most sharpest person out there I don't care what the love struck fans think— So at times of his blanked out moments when I need him to concentrate, it simply strike a nerve or two and I'd end up ranting on him which...would sometimes get a little more nasty than needed, especially during the times when I'm coicidentally more stressed out on that day.”

6. How do they make up/apologize after an argument?

Kou:

“Okay well...for me since when Kuron gets angry, half the time, I'd be buying him tiny gifts, or snacks, or get him a rose...or by acting cute to gain his forgiveness.”

“The other half there's not much I could do since Kuron can be scary when he's mad, so I'll just wait until he calms down and then he likely will take over on his own before I can do more...I would just apologize over and over and cling to him and do whatever he wishes.”

Kuron:

“Simply put, I handle all the work when it comes to comforting and making things right again. Isn't that right, hun? ”

“Meanwhile, I'll do so by doing almost the same thing, since act of gift is one of my prior love language and it just doubles the level if its for comforting someone—well, Kou.”

“Its rather easy to make up to him as all he needs after an argument is to feel wanted and loved again. Most of the time I would excuse myself from work or immediately after a concert to get home or to his place just to comfort him by the form of expected approaches. By hugging him and caressing him in my arms, apologizing and reassuring him again and again that I'd not leave him and that everything will be okay since I'm here now—”

“Once he's calmed down enough, then comes the act of gifting, I'd usually get him an undying bouquet, cook or get him some food, or just spoil him with little gifts and whatever that he wants to do or like.”

7. How often do you say “I love you”? to each other

Kou:

“More times than I can even count. A day doesn't pass until someone says those three words, either vocally or text ~”

Kuron:

“Indeed. To put it simply we never miss a day without saying that to each other—Though more often than other times, I'm the one that initiate it first since I like seeing his reactions whenever I blurt it out of the blue during any kind of moments at all. He's usually quite taken aback by the sudden confessions, but it follows with a soft smile and sometimes a sheepish giggle afterwards, it's cute. It usually comes along with hugs and kisses, I'm general during afternoon or night time cuddling most likely.”

“At other times it happens through casual texting, it's like a habit from me actually—whenever I'm stressed out at work my mind would just randomly thinks of him, and all the stress seems to dissappeared at that instance, so I'll just proceed to send him a random xoxo text of 'I love you' as a way to thank him for appearing in my mind on the jiffy of moment, heh.”

8. What do you love most about the other? Why?

Kou:

“In terms of physically, those beautiful eyes, marbly, reflective...shiny... beautiful. Ohh and Kuron's body is extra warm to snuggle~” “As for non physically, he's the most caring, loving, spoiling and drop dead amazing lover that always goes above and beyond expectations and of what's even normal just to show he cares and loves someone...as much as I don't like him showing that to other people, it's not a bad thing either, because I know all that extra love and care is only exclusive to me in the end anyway ♪ Kuron's just simply the best lover to me and he always makes me so happy...treated like a baby with everything he ever wants~”

Kuron:

“...Hah well...I simply love his eyes, they're the most captivating part of him, looking into them is like looking into different weather of sky, full of life.”

“His hair is also another trait I like, it's fluffy and soft to touch and ruffle, and the bang ponytail trademark of what I call it...the wheat grass, it's cute, I can never get tired of looking or touching it, and the best part is it's only him that has such a weird hairdo like that, this its exclusively part of him.”

“Then...I love...how he can be so unexpectedly gentle...and openly possessive, territorial, flexibly dominant, hardworking, passionate, fun and cute personality. Especially the fun personality, it's so unique and I love that, I love how open he can be when it comes to expressing. I love how he seeks for my pamper and attention, it's cute. I love the fact he loves being gifted and that he'll always openly appreciate it. I love that...he let me be there for him, and always let me love him by my own way without complaining that it's too much or too little...but through the looks of his reactions, just right.”

9. What do they dislike most about the other? Why?

Kou:

“Well I wouldn't call it dislike but it's up there...like his temper. And his insatiable need for perfectionism. It would drive any other normal person crazy or mad just from how much he just pushes things and forces it. Not to mention that he gets angry about the tiny details so easily. He really is the living definition of 'Why so serious' ”

Kuron:

“Eh...I dislike how he can be so forgetful sometimes, or just fail to grasp an important point, it makes me so annoyed...”

“But I guess I can't blame him much for the forgetful part, he's hardworking and got tons of work related matters storaged in his mind just like mine—only that I have a bigger storage and always jot down the more important things because frankly...I'm even more forgetful than him, I'm a mere goldfish due to how much plans and ideas that pour out keep stored and end up overloading my brain to function efficiently.”

“Ah...for just a little bit, I don't really enjoy listening to him grumble and curse under his breath whenever he's upset, it just riles up my anger more and I'll end up making him feel worse than he already was. He can be a little too narcissistic and become inconsiderate of others’ cases, and that's one of the traits I detest about him, though that's no biggie.”

10. Do they share any hobbies or interests? How do these things bring them together?

Kou:

“I guess we have the same passion for music, and cats above all things. We like to travel to see things and foods. What else do you think dear?”

Kuron:

“I like dancing, he enjoys it too. It's one of our hobbies that are mutually favored. Let's see...what else—oh and stage and off stage performances? That's one of the things that we enjoy doing together and bring us together too. Actually when it comes to filming a movie or drama, we often partake on it as a collab project and had fun through all the makings~”

—𝒯ℴ 𝒷ℯ 𝒸ℴ𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝓊ℯ𝒹—

[the-tzarina-alexandra-paracosm]

Vote based on the design AND the backstory

Otto

(The 5 Books of the Immortals - 2015-2016)

Role: side character

He is desperately searching for his lost teenage son, Günther, who ran away because he was ashamed of his being expelled. The only problem is that the boy in question ran from home in the middle of the war. Otto grabbed his bags and set out on a very dangerous and seemingly pointless journey, but he always believed he would find his son again ons day. He endured a lot of hardship and even physical injuries, but he didn't lose hope or faith, and after years, he finally saw his son again (now almost 20).

Vs

Ainārs

(The Land of Eternal Winter - 2019-2020)

Role: side character

He is a teen orphan who never got adopted, și he decided to get a grown up occupation sooner, thus joining the revolution. He befriends Melanija, who's his age. He manages to keep up with the others, until his pretending to be more grown up than he is gets him into extremely reckless and dangerous situations, leaving permanent damage. He ends up wishing he had stayed a child, but it's too late.

Additional info

The 5 Books of the Immortals - 2015-2016

Status: completed (Romanian, typed)

Form: novel

Genre: war story, drama

Lev is a very bright chemistry student. He has the time of his life in college, making close friendships (and meeting the love of his life, Alyona), but the fairy tale is cut short with the announcement of WW2. He goes to war, but Alyona, how his wife, volunteers to join the war, just to stay with him (she's now a medic, being a medicine graduate). Lev's best friend is Zephyr, an uptight straight A student who learned to loosen up thanks to him.

The found family vibes are strong with this one. At some point they find a teen boy who was pretending to be 18 and they all but adopt him. The story has many very dramatic and heart wrenching moments, but also many heartwarming moments. For example, at the end, the boy is finally reunited with his father. It's not a very mature or that logical of a story, but it's my first "masterpiece", and I still find it very beautiful, especially the characters (they all love each other so much!!!).

(I changed the names and details for the purpose of this poll because there were some things that were just plain inaccurate or just that I changed after having finished the novel).

Vs

The Land of Eternal Winter - 2019-2020

Status: complete (draft 1: English, typed, draft 2 in the works)

Form: novel

Genre: mild steampunk, kinda post apoc but mostly drama (and court drama)

Anatoliy is a prince whose beloved father just died, so he assumes it was an assassination. He suspects the neighbouring king and has him killed, only to later realise he was innocent. He is almost completely overcome by guilt and despair, but ultimately fights to do whatever in his power to not only fix the consequences of his crime, but to also mitigate the effects of the much larger conspiracy at work that he found himself an unwitting pawn in. There are very many side characters, each with their own complex stories, which all tie into the idea that ones desire to change the world may be futile, or even become evil, but we must still strive to do good here on earth despite no rewards in sight. I'd say this is my 2nd "masterpiece" work in terms of writing

[thegoddessprose]

Tag Game

Tag 9 people you want to get to know better. I was tagged by @caesarflickermans (Thank you for giving me something to do for today :p)

Three Ships

I'm also honestly "meh" about a lot of ships lately but surely I could pull a few out.

I guess I'll stay on theme the lovely person who tagged me and list an OC/Canon... Not only that, but my own Plutarch/OC ship:

Plutarch/Chiasa: This was not a planned ship, like at all, I even thought of it as crack in the very beginning because these two seemed so different without any deep dives, but now it's a comfort ship for me. I guess because it is centered around them giving one another hope (For her, that there are people brave enough to fight against the status quo and for him, that there are still a handful of people who are good without an ulterior motive), and that they are each other's safe space in a hellish time. It develops over a fairly short time, but at the risk of sounding cliché, they ended up being what the other lacked and needed in life. I do have an AU where she's actually part of the rebels, and thus they're together for a longer time, but I'll stick to the main story in a nutshell, otherwise we'd be here all day.

Now for some others:

Bensler: I love a good ride-or-die, and Benson and Stabler were it for the first 12 seasons of Law & Order SVU. I loved their relationship, I loved their chemistry, I loved how comfortable they could be with each other, what they were willing to do for one another, like, get someone like that. I was devastated when he left the show, and honestly, it hadn't really been the same since then. I was so hyped when I heard he was coming back, and that they were going to cross paths again. Now, I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of Organized Crime, and killing off Kathy was unnecessary (Like, there were a bunch of ways it could have opened... And they could have just been split up, it's happened before), but it was amazing to see Olivia and Elliot back in the same circle and I'm very excited to see if they get together for real. (I'm behind, don't spoil me)

Hayffie: Honestly, I can't really explain this one. Maybe it was their chemistry in the movies? Or maybe it's the dynamic in general that's interesting to me? Or how hilarious Katniss's reaction to them would be? I don't know, I just like these two together. I guess a few things need to be acknowledged, like Effie's line of work literally being to escort innocent kids to a death match and her being okay with it for who knows how long, but it's hard for to vilify her for it for the same reason it's hard to vilify a good amount of Capitolites; this is all they knew, having propaganda thrown at them left and right, and most were kept unaware about what the Districts were really like. The more Effie learned, it seemed the more she turned to the rebels' side, so in my eyes, maybe it could work, whether it's right after Mockingjay or even a few years ahead.

First Ever Ship

I'd have to say Kataang. This was before I knew what shipping was or even the word for it. I think back then, I just thought it was cute, they meshed together pretty well, and not much else.

The first ship I really got into after finding out what it was had to be TamaHaru. I loved the way they snarked at each other, I loved how they genuinely cared about one another despite poking at each other. It was funny how Tamaki had all this wonder surrounding Haruhi's "commoner" life, and Haruhi growing to like a few things about the bizarre world of rich people. I love how they form a genuine relationship despite their clashing backgrounds and personalities and bring out the best in each other; her bringing him back down to earth for a bit, and him teaching her there's a life outside of the grind and she's allowed to have a joie de vivre. Hell, I love them so much, I have an OC/OC pair that's pretty similar to them.

Last Song

Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag by Renee Zellweger

Last Movie

At the time of this writing, I literally just finished watching Chicago

Currently Reading

Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen by Alison Weir. I wouldn't give it points for historical accuracy, but I like a lot of content relating to the six wives and all around just the way these books are written. I also like how Katheryn is portrayed as naive rather than oversexualized like she seems to be everywhere else... There more than likely was some truth to that, at least.

Currently Watching

Ghosts (CBS). I don't really have the energy for a lot of heavy stuff right now, so I decided to start something a little more lighthearted. I have seen the BBC version, which I enjoyed. I wondered how this would go, what kind of ghosts there would be since the US is a much younger country, and I wasn't disappointed. There are a few things I like better, such as deeper lore on how being a ghost works, the husband not being completely useless, and overall a little bit more character growth. Overall, it's a nice show if you want to laugh and like the idea of historical figures discovering the modern world.

Currently Consuming

I had some chips (Or crisps for the Europeans) a little bit ago, will start dinner in a bit.

Currently Craving

Happiness, at the very least some hype. If we're talking food, seasoned fries and a chocolate shake from Red Robin. The one nearby closed a while ago... Maybe that's why I want it so bad.

Tagging: Whoever wants to do this because most of the people I want to tag have already been tagged :p

[blccdiedkisses]

I miss your lore dumps and Drabbles can we get something about Matteo and Hannah and James pleeeassseee 🥺🥺🥺🥺

i'm feeling a bit angsty, so perhaps they see someone from the past...

hana didn't always pick james up from work, but liked when she did. there was something so domestic about it. even more so when matteo had dinner or freshly baked cookies waiting for them at home. plus, it prevented james from staying any longer at work since she showed up to turn heads. nothing 'scandalous,' but a vintage chanel set paired with dark framed sunglasses despite the late hour, was enough to stir the attention of any macusa employees staying overtime. she usually would just wait in the car, but this time hana wanted to make sure james wasn't filing reports a second longer. a smile was all she needed to get past the doorman and up to his floor. after much bickering, and taking her to actually packing up his things, did hana finally get james out the office and into the elevator. she happily listened to his yap and blab about his day, interested to hear all the intricate details he always threw in.

as they exited the elevator, they brushed past someone that hana didn't even notice at first, it wasn't till he reached over her hand, stopping the vampire in her tracks and tugging her close against his chest. "hana."

the touch was familiar, too familiar, as was the set of red eyes staring back into her own. the man grinned and moved to remove the sunglasses from her face with his free hand. "bogoshipda."

he moved her hands to his lips and pressed a cold kiss to her knuckles. without a beat later, hana swung fast and hard into the man's face. she tore her hand away and stumbled back towards james' side. he only laughed, his fingertips brushed over the blood that start to seep out from the split lip she gave him. "strong," he said in english, "just like your mother."

hana's mind was spinning, if she needed to breath she would have been hyperventilating at his point. without a second to pass, she grabbed james' hand and pulled him close as she sped to the car, not caring who saw. she was practically trembling as she struggled to get the key into the ignition, before finally starting up the car and flooring the accelerator. hana weaved in and out lanes, going well above the speed limit. she didn't even notice james holding on for dear life in the passenger seat, and frankly she didn't care to. the only thing she thought about was getting as far away as possible from him and to matteo.

when they finally did manage to get home, thankfully in one piece, hana ran inside and immediately collapsed into matteo's arms. her usual calm and collected attitude was stripped away as she sobbed. he was confused, but just held her tightly, one hand stroking her hair while the other was firmly wrapped around her. she was hysterical, unable to even get one word out. matteo had never seen her like this before.

afterwards, her cries were now replaced with sullen silence, as hana lied in the lukewarm water that was scalding hot earlier. it took matteo prying her hands from scrubbing her skin off, till she eventually settled down from the emotional exhaustion. matteo had left her alone for the time being where he was greeted by james, awaiting an explanation no doubt. he sighed, knowing there was no beating around the bush with this one. not after hana's breakdown.

"the man you two saw, that was hana's creator...her abuser. he killed her mother and friends, turned her and kept her and he..." matteo couldn't even finish his sentence without feeling sick, "hana was only 16, she had no one and nowhere else to go. after a few decades together, he just kicked her to the curb to find a new girl...hana thinks its dangerous, but i promised myself that if he ever touched her again, i'd kill him. the question now is: are you gonna help me?"

@just-asimple-brunette

[lemonbalmgirl]

I tried to finish working on my website on Thursday, but quickly realized that of the things that still need to be done, I need my web mistress's assistance for everything. So, that's on pause until Sunday. 🤞

The rest of Thursday involved donating plasma (which took way longer than necessary because the center was short-staffed, so only having 2 phlebotomists on the floor meant that only 8-ish people could donate at a time), grocery shopping, and having dinner with my mom. Although she picked me up at 2:30pm, I didn't get home until almost 9pm. Which means I stayed up stupidly late because I needed relaxing/being-a-lump time, which is different than actually sleeping.

Friday, I let myself sleep in until I woke up, because despite not having a traditional job, I don't *actually* get to do that as much as one might think. I ended up taking a long nap later, because why not, and then staying up late again. Carpe diem, yo.

Then, for the first time in the not-quite-month that I've been using them, I took a full dose of sleep gummy before bed, just to see what would happen (I've been taking a half-dose, both because that's what a friend recommended and because I have zero experience with cannabis products aside from these gummies). I went up to THC 5mg:CBD 2.5mg from THC 2.5mg: CBD 1.25mg, which isn't a lot, but I DEFINITELY noticed a difference.

I definitely felt sleepier when the effects finally hit and it kept me sleeping deeper well into the morning, whereas a half dose has usually worn off by the time I get up around 6am for a morning bathroom break (I often have trouble getting back to sleep quickly, especially if Roommate is up by then). I'm not sure if I had more trouble than usual hitting snooze on my alarm, but I think it felt like I was getting more out of the snoozes than usual?

Anyway, I'm glad I finally had a chance to try a full dose - I'd been waiting for a few clear days in a row for an opportunity - but I think I'll stick to my regular half-dose going forward. Unless I know for a fact that I'll have more trouble than usual sleeping or KNOW that I need to pass the fuck out for a while.

Side effect of sleeping better/in later this morning: I totally forgot that I needed to go donate plasma today until it was almost noon. And I still haven't let to go do it yet (it's nearly 4pm) a) because I'm writing this, and b) because I tried to get the better of my ADHD and decided to make the pasta salad that I bought ingredients for on Thursday before they started getting bad. Yeah...that took a lot longer than I thought. And while we're not having a heatwave this week, I wanted pasta salad all last week as an easy, cold thing to stuff in my face. Now I have it, but I'll be leaving for plasma shortly, during the hottest part of the day. GO ME.