#essence pond's

[petrichoraline]

nahhh palm got way too excited when he realised nueng could scold him in mandarin

[g1rlmusicfm]

⁎ ⋆ ✺ ⁂ 𝘔𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 ⁂ ✺ ⋆ ⁎

This week I chose innovative artists that are pushing the envelope, possessing a singular sound! The playlists features Zhone, S!MONE, BABIBOI, FKA twigs, Monet’s Pond and more!

Check it out here 𝘔𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 : Oct 21 - 26

Art: Fiebre Bohemia, 2024. Diamante Feliz.

[astraystayyh]

Volcano

pairing : han x reader. enemies to lovers. slow burn.

summary : you've never gotten along with han, your mutual prejudices ruining any prospect of friendship between you both. but you slowly realize that you are more similar than what you originally thought- your darkness recognizing his, and his light yearning for yours.

"I'll take care of you. It's rotten work. Not to me, not if it's you."

cw : depiction of a panic attack, minor injury, both reader and han say mean shit to each other, cursing, mention of alcohol, reader has she/her pronouns.

word count : 13.2k

a.n: highly recommend listening to "Let the light in" by Lana when Han starts playing it in the fic hehe feedback is highly appreciated as always <3

skz quotes series masterlist.

You remember being seven years old, sitting on the floor of your bedroom, while your mom brushed your hair. It was a late July night, a cold breeze swaying your white curtains, akin to the fluttering of a butterfly’s wing. Your eyes were slightly puffy, delicate red veins protruding the white of them. You had just finished watching a Disney movie- the Lion King; heavy sobs escaping your lips when Mufasa died.

There were still faint hiccups coursing through you, a slight shake in your hands as you fiddled with the hem of your shirt. Your mom brought you to her chest, her chin resting on your small shoulder blade. "You’re sensitive, my sweet girl" she had uttered, rubbing your arms soothingly.

It was the first time someone described you as such. You didn’t know what ‘sensitive’ entailed exactly, but it contained the word ‘sense’, so you assumed it was something good, a quality to be proud of you. You could sense, maybe more than others, maybe too deeply. That’s why you cried when you didn’t get a good grade, or when your friends left you alone in the park.

But you didn't mind back then. What was your heart made for if not to feel?

You should’ve paid more attention to the way your mom spoke, to the bittersweetness lingering in her tone. As if she knew exactly what it entailed to be sensitive- to have your heart overflow with delicate feelings for the rest of your life, with no safe destination to guard them in.

☄༄

You’ve forgotten the last time you cried in.

The tears are lodged inside your throat- you can clearly feel them, an uncomfortable weight sitting on your vocal cords, rendering them impossible to use.

You used to cry, freely, so much that you lost count of how much it happened. But you realized that every tear that escaped your eyes, made you vulnerable, weaker, in the hands of the people around you. Every tear that washed over you, only rendered you more transparent for everyone to peer at how they wounded your soul. 

So, you conditioned yourself to stop feeling as deeply, or at least to stop showing it. The sadness, the hurt, the anger were all stored within you; but your face remained placid, not betraying how you truly felt. You were like a pond, tranquil at the surface, raging from within.

But on days like this one, you miss the person you were. When the implications of being sensitive still haven’t weighed down on you. When you could get rid of your feelings in the essence of your tears. When you didn’t yet feel bad for feeling.

Chan's eyes are on you, as you type furiously on your laptop. Your vision is so blurry that you can no longer see your lit screen. But you’re afraid that if you pause then Chan would ask if you were okay, and you hated that question. Because you never truly knew the answer to it. Yes, you were okay. But you haven’t cried in six months and your friend didn’t greet you back this morning and you suddenly feel very small in a very large library.

"Hey," Chan taps your hand with his pen and you suck in a slight breath, before raising your head to meet his eyes. "Are you-" he starts but you’re quick to cut him off, knowing exactly where this was headed. "Did you answer question five? I’m stuck on what formula to use."

Chan raises a brow at you, and you blink repeatedly. His eyes travel to your feet tapping furiously against the floor, and he understands.

 "I'm still at number four," he finally says and you nod in relief. You’ve been close friends for a year and Chan has come to know you- he’s dropping the subject.

"Oh, and are you coming to the party tonight?" Chan asks, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He’s hosting it and there is hope twinkling in his eyes. You feel bad because you’re about to crush it.

"No, need to revise more for the upcoming test."

"Of course, you’ll still be buried in your books," a sarcastic voice quips up, and you stiffen inwardly. Han- one-third of 3racha, Chan’s self-made producing group, and the bane of your existence. You never liked who you were around Han, he brought out the worst in you. Made all your insecurities roar forward, plastered across your body in neon red.

He was friends with Chan, long before you came into the picture, back into their high school days when Han skipped a class and ended up in the same one as Chan’s. A genius, as everyone around you liked to call him. And they were right- excelling came easily to Han, in everything he ever did. Even tapping into each one of your tender nooks and crannies.

He knew how to expertly push your buttons, how to make his tone sound mocking, and taunting, but only to you. Because you were sensitive, and he knew it, finding it almost amusing to toy with you. 

You decide to stay silent because nothing good ever comes out of talking back to him. So, you bite your tongue, turning back to look at your screen. But Han’s elbow grazes your arm, as he leans a bit further into your face. "Come on, live a little, y/n. You’re missing out on the college experience," he makes a big show of opening his arms wide, a single red pen spinning between his fingers. "Quit being stuck up for one night." And it spins, and it spins, and it spins and something ugly inside you crumbles.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t born with a golden spoon shoved down my throat and I actually have to work for my future."

Han’s eyes widen at the raw animosity in your voice, before narrowing down promptly. He’s leaning onto your face again, and his tone is low and cold when he speaks again. "What did you just say to me?"

"Is it so hard to grasp that not everyone is as privileged as you? We can’t all afford to get wasted every fucking night and call it a life."

You’re being mean. This is the rudest you’ve ever been to someone else. You know that your reaction is disproportionate to what he said. But it isn’t just about this instant. It’s an amalgam of every moment Han made you feel small in, because you don’t go out as much as him, because you don’t understand as quickly as him. Taunts thrown your way under the guise of teasing, but you know better.

Still, guilt eats at you as your eyes lock with Chan’s. You should’ve stayed silent, as you’ve been diligently doing for the past year.

"How do you stand being her friend Chan? Is it out of pity?" Han muses, a pout pulling at his lips. You stare ahead as Han tsks lightly, before tapping your cheek with his pen, bringing your face back to him. "I think it is. Because isn’t she so fucking boring?"

Being near Han always makes you hyper-aware of things you never noticed before. Like how a breath has to travel from the depths of your body so you’d be able to release it, and how excruciatingly long it takes for you to draw in a new one. Because Han’s words are never harmless, no, they settle on the confines of your lungs, crushing down any bit of oxygen willing to leave you.

You've had enough.

"When you’re eighty, on your deathbed, and all alone. I hope you know that there is no one around to blame but yourself."

"Don’t cross the line, yn," Chan finally speaks and you scoff, as you get up to grab your things.

"What fucking line, Chan? So, he can insult me all day but as soon as I do it there is a line? Why are you taking his side?"

Chan stays silent and you chuckle dryly. "Of course, you are. You’re only friends with me out of pity after all."

"That’s not true-"

"Well, you didn’t deny it, did you Chan?"

"Yn, I-"

"Save it."

Han’s eyes are glossy as you take one final glance at him. But your heart’s bleeding too much for you to care about his minor cut.

☄༄

For how much time can a conversation haunt someone? Seventeen days, for your case. And you're still counting.

You have nit-picked your fight with Han in the library so much that it's driving you insane. His voice is drilled into your head- the coldness of it as he reeled back from the shock of your words, and then, the pure venom dripping from his tone, as he attacked you where it hurt the most. Chan.

Han chose his words carefully, stitched up the sentence perfectly to hurt you, to stick to your flesh like burnt skin, one that you peeled over and over, each time it threatened to scar.

You haven't talked to Chan in seventeen days. He tried to stop you; on your way out of class, in the line of your campus cafeteria, on the doorsteps of your dorm. But you always fleet away. His eyes were also imprinted into your brain- the disappointment in them when you clapped back at Han.

What about him? You wanted to yell. Why are you only disappointed in me?

But the tears in your pillow have dried. Then fallen again. Then dried once more. And you found the answer to question five. And you miss Chan, terribly so.

That's why you're pacing around his dorm, at 10 pm, when it's also terribly cold outside. Your fingers have gone numb from the ministrations of the wind, but you don't move from your place. You know that the chances of seeing Han- the second person you’ve been avoiding like the plague- would be higher here. But you didn't care anymore.

Your thumb hovers over the call button and you bite your lip harshly. Would Chan pick up? Would he hang up? Was he really your friend out of pity?

"Yn?" a voice calls out, and you startle, turning around to see who it is. Changbin, carrying two bags of groceries in his hand. He's Chan’s friend as well, the final member of 3racha. You like Changbin. He's always being very kind to you. You've grown much closer to him than to Han in the past few months; not that the latter has ever wanted a friendship with you. From the day you met and his eyes narrowed promptly each time you talked. You should’ve known from the start.

"Why are you out here in the cold?" Changbin asks gently, stepping cautiously towards you.

"Chan," you say simply and he nods, understanding what you mean.

"He's not here now, but he'll come home soon. Let's go inside, okay?" he smiles tentatively at you and you hum in reply.

Changbin opens the door and you follow inside. You help him take out the groceries silently, stacking them in their fridge and shelves. Lots of protein powder, and chicken packets. You'd laugh about it if you weren't so sad.

"Chan misses you," Changbin speaks up suddenly, and your heartbeat quickens at his words.

"I miss him too."

"Then you'll be okay."

You try to remember Changbin’s reassuring smile when Chan finally opens the door to the dorm, an hour later. He finds you sitting on the stool in the kitchen. His eyes light up once they settle on you.

And you unravel at the sight.

You're crying, sobs rippling from you as he brings you to his chest. He's patting your head and whispering that it's okay. And you know his shirt is all crumpled from clutching it in your hands. But he doesn't mind. He only hugs you tighter.

"I'm sorry, yn. So, so, sorry. I should've stopped him before, I just... You two are my best friends and I didn't want to add fuel to the fire by talking and-"

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm the one who should apologize for ghosting you."

"I understand why you did it. I fucked up but I missed you so much. Can we please never do this again?”

“Yes please,” you giggle, but the sound withers as the door opens once again.

"What is she doing here?" a cold voice breaks you and Chan apart, as your eyes land on Han. His gaze sucks the breath out of you, and the warmth in your heart fizzles out. Your hold on Chan’s shirt tightens and he takes an unconscious step in front of your body. Han doesn't miss the protective gesture.

"Get out, yn."

"You don't get to kick my friends out of my house," Chan is angry. And you regret ever coming here.

"Last I checked it's my house too." Han doesn't even bother looking at you. He's holding Chan’s gaze as if they're silently communicating. "You know damn well what she said why-" he takes a deep breath, running a hand angrily through his hair. "Fuck this. If she's not leaving then I am."

And with that he storms out, slamming the door behind him. You flinch at the sound.

Chan’s eyebrows are knitted as he stares at where Han stood seconds ago as if trying to conjure him up once again. You never wanted to strain their friendship. You knew how much Han cared for Chan, even if he didn't bear the same sentiment for you.

"Chan, I’ll leave. Call Han and tell him I'm gone."

"You don't have to."

"I know," you reassure, placing your hand on his forearm. "We'll talk more later, okay? It's cold and he has nowhere to go. Just call him, please."

"Fine," Chan concedes. "Call me when you get home, alright?" his eyes finally soften and you squeeze his hand in reply, before heading out as well.

The walk from Chan’s dorm to yours is fairly short, but tonight, it seems like kilometers are separating you from the safety of your bed. There is a heavy weight crushing your bones, most of it being guilt at what just transpired between Chan and Han.

That's what comes with being sensitive- you bear the weight of your feelings and the one of those surrounding you.

Were you out of place with what you said to Han? Yes. Was it eating you inside to see the consequences of your words? Yes. But he was also to blame, you repeated in your head. He was also to blame. Please. You plead, you don't know to whom, maybe to the voice in your head to stop being so mean. 'But none of this would've happened if you weren't so sensitive. So easy to bruise' the voice mocks and you stumble on your feet.

It happens so suddenly it takes you off guard- the way the breath is knocked out of you. You pause, chest heaving as you bend down slightly. Your hand is on your heart as you try to breathe again, but it's shaking so much. Your legs give out under you, and you plop down on the floor, eyes tightly shut. You can't breathe. You can't breathe. You're going to pass out.

"Yn, what-" A hand rests on your shoulder but you shake it off. You don't want to be touched. Not by him.

"Let me help-" Han speaks again, and you scramble away from him, as best as you can anyway. You end up kneeling on the ground once again, your back to him. "Get-get away."

"I know you're mad but you aren't okay and I know how horrib-"

"You aren't helping!" you shout through tears, as your heart threatens to spill out of your throat. "You’ve hurt me e-enough already."

You don't remember how you got home that night, how you managed to open the door or cross the road leading to your dorm. But you remember Han leaving you on the cold ground, just like you wanted. You remember the ache in your bones as you laid on your bed; the burning desire to stop feeling for a night, to cut your chest open and tear off your bleeding heart.

☄༄

One month later

If there's one thing you've always complained to Chan about, it's the fact that his building had an elevator in it, unlike yours.

Today, you’ve come to regret this fact. Tremendously.

You’ve been avoiding going to Chan’s dorm for the past weeks since the last thing you wanted was to see Han. But, he insisted on you coming over, reassuring you that it would only be him and Changbin at home since Han supposedly had other plans.

Well, Chan was wrong. Because Han just walked into the elevator you are in, mere moments before its doors closed.

Your breath catches in your throat as his eyes lock on yours. He looks like he wants to say something but he decides against it, opting for sighing loudly instead, before pressing the button leading to the fourth floor, rather harshly.

Your need to flee has never been this strong.

You watch anxiously as the numbers slowly go up. 1… 2�� 3… Then a loud voice startles you and the elevator starts to shake in place. The door is suddenly opened and you are met with a cement wall, blocking your exit.

"What the fuck?" Han groans as you press the emergency button repeatedly, hoping that the elevator will resume its course and this nightmare will be forgotten.

It doesn’t.

"You’re going to break the goddamn button," Han pushes your hand away and you stumble away from him.

"Can you shut up? I’m not in the mood for your bullshit."

"Does it look like I’m happy to be here?" Han scoffs, as a ringtone plays in the elevator, cutting you off before you could respond. 

"Hey guys, this happens from time to time, so no need to worry. Is everyone alright?" Someone speaks and you assume it's the worker charged with the maintenance of the elevator.

"Yes," you both reply at the same time.

"Great. We’ve contacted the mechanics but they said there’s a lot of traffic, so it might take a bit longer for them to get here."

"How long?" Han asks the question that’s on your mind as well.

"Two hours, at most, for you to get out."

"Oh, for fuck’s sake," you groan, as hot tears prickle at the corner of your eyes. This is the last thing you needed today- to be stuck in a cramped-up space with the one person who sucks the oxygen out of any room you’re in.

"Thanks, man," Han sighs and you turn your back to him, facing the wall. You’ve had a horrible day, scratch that, a horrible week. Hanging out with Chan and Changbin was the one thing you were looking forward to, only for the worst possible scenario to happen- being stuck in the same place with Han. You feel an urgent need to sob but you can’t cry in front of him. Not when he’s all claws and your skin is tender.

"Wait, are you claustrophobic?" He suddenly asks, seemingly inches away from your body.

"As if you’d fucking care," you scoff, before heading to a corner of the elevator and settling down.

"I'm not a monster, you know," he mutters in an almost sad tone, one that forces you to look up at him. His hands are deep into his pockets, eyebrows knitted as he gazes down at you. "Do you really think I’m that much of an asshole?"

"Yes," you reply instantly, before staring forward again. The hurt that flashes in his eyes shouldn’t tug at your heartstrings, but it does, ever so faintly, like the last wave that grazes your feet as you get out of the ocean. "I’m not claustrophobic," you add after a while and Han finally sits on the opposite side from you.

It’s hot and stuffy in the elevator, and it’s quiet, too quiet for your liking. You’ve never really liked silence for too long, it made the small voice in your head only grow bolder, louder, impossible to ignore.

Thirty-five excruciatingly long minutes go by and the tension only grows more suffocating. It’s simmering, barely beneath the surface, waiting for the person who will finally make it explode. 

It’s Han.

“Can I ask you something?”

“No.”

“Come on, we have nothing else to do.”

“Have you tried being silent?”

"Yn," he says sternly and you begrudgingly concede. "Fine. Ask me."

You imagine him smirking slightly, the way he does each time he manages to push you over the edge.

“Why do you hate me so much?”

“We’re not doing this right now,” you shake your head, tone adamant.

"When’s a better time for it? We’re literally never in the same place."

“And whose fault that is?” You smile too sarcastically and he frowns. “So, I’m the only one to blame?”

“Can’t you see how full of yourself you are? Fuck, Han, this is exactly what I hate about you.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“You’re so immature, you never sit back to think of how your words might impact someone.”

"What words yn? I was teasing you!" his voice grows louder and so does yours. "You were hurting me!" you yell, chest heaving. There is something utterly terrifying in this confession- to let someone know how easy it was for them to get to you.

"But I didn’t mean to," he drags a hand through his hair, exasperated. "It's not my fault you felt that way."

An ironic chuckle leaves your lips, as you point at him. "See, you're doing it again! You're blaming me for my reaction instead of evaluating how your actions might have caused it."

"Look, yn," he scrambles to you until there are only a few centimeters separating your bodies. "I really wanna fix this, okay? Can we stop screaming?"

"Why are you so hellbent on fixing it?" you question, as you lean further away from him. He notices and takes a step back, giving you space.

"Because although I don't care about you, I care about Chan. And this is hurting him. So, I want to be civil with you."

The mention of Chan feels like a cold bucket of water dousing the fire within you. You know he’s struggling to be in the middle of two people he loves. He doesn’t deserve that.

"Fine," you sigh softly. “You talk. I’ll listen.”

"I didn't... I didn't know that my words would hurt you. In truth, it looked like you weren't affected at all. That's why I kept pushing you because… God Yn you're so perfect it maddens me."

Your eyebrows knit together at his words- the last thing you expected to stumble out of his mouth. "What are you talking about?"

"You never get sad, never get angry. Your emotions are always in check. You're always smiling, always laughing. Have everything figured out from how you want to be now to where you want to be in the future. And you know yourself, you never step out of order. And this is selfish and stupid but it irked me. Because I am the opposite of you. I'm a mess and too human it terrifies me, so I wanted to see if you had a breaking point. But each time I taunted you, you remained placid. So, I kept pushing to see if you'd break one day because, selfishly enough, that would make me feel better about how broken I am."

"Han, you're so stupid. Aren't you a literal genius? You excel in everything you do and you have fun on top of it, every single night. Don't you realize how lucky you are?"

"Do you really believe I find joy in being wasted and not even remembering what happened that night? I do that because I'm in my mind most of the days and it isn't the best place to be in. So, I like to forget."

“Why do you think I always bury myself in my studies? Because it's safe and it makes me forget too. Did you really think I didn’t feel? I feel too much and that’s the problem.”

Han remains silent as you curse under your breath. "Do you even realize how selfish this is? To test a human's breaking point? All because what? I didn't shove my struggles down your nose? Would you go around and do this to everyone who looked fine to you?"

"I know, I know, I was just in a bad place, and this isn't an excuse but I... I felt as if you were just showing me everything that was wrong with me."

"That is how I felt around you," you chuckle bitterly and he hangs his head low. He’s much quieter when he speaks again. “I guess we’re more similar than I thought.”

"Doesn't excuse what you did. You targeted me and made me feel insane because no one was hearing the hostility in your tone like I did."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I really am. I never thought it'd get this bad and I deserve every name you called me."

"You do." You close your eyes, as Han’s words wash over you. There is so much more you want to say, so much you want to spit out in his face because of his selfish coping mechanism. But you also want peace, for Chan’s sake. So, you try to bury your resentment, just like you do with every other feeling. One day it’ll turn into indifference. You’ll make sure of it.

You bite your lip, before clearing your throat. Your tone is softer when you speak again. "I'm sorry for what I told you in the library. About you dying alone and whatnot. That wasn't nice of me."

"You really hit the nail with that one," Han chuckles quietly, and guilt floods your heart at the expression on his face. "And I'm sorry for calling you boring. You aren't. And for everything I said before that."

"Okay. It's okay." You reassure, a tiny smile drawn on your lips.

He nods before a sly grin grows on his face. "Should we hug it out?" he teases, cocking an eyebrow at you and you stare pointedly at him. "Don't push your luck."

"Yes, ma'am."

An hour later, the mechanics finally manage to get the elevator going, which in turn allows you both to get out. Han opens the door to the dorm, and you find Chan lying on the couch, scrolling down his phone.

"Han? I thought you would..." he starts before trailing off as he looks up. "Yn? Where were you, I’ve been calling you for the past two hours."

"I didn't have signal."

"Why where were-" Chan goes to question before stopping once again. He hurriedly stands up and walks toward you.

"You... Are standing next to one another."

"We are," Han replies, glancing at you from the corner of his eye.

"And you aren't... Fighting?" his statement comes out more like a question, which makes both you and Han chuckle.

"We aren't."

"We talked it out, in the elevator which we were both just stuck in," you add and Chan’s eyes grow wide, as a breathtaking smile breaks out on his face.

"Oh my god. Finally. We'll talk about the elevator bit later but it's been so hard trying not to be in the same place as the both of you."

"We know. We're sorry," you both pout in sync and Chan shakes his head, before opening his arms wide. You giggle, before walking to him and sinking into his embrace. Han follows you shortly after, and your eyes meet behind Chan’s back. He shoots you a tiny thumbs up.

Is this how a dandelion feels, you wonder, when someone blows on it in the hopes it'll grant their selfish wishes. Only to be tossed away afterward, lifeless.

You drown out the thought before smiling back at Han. It doesn’t reach your eyes.

☄༄

Befriending two-thirds of 3racha holds within it a lot of privileges. The first one is listening to unreleased music, the second is having exclusive insight into their upcoming performances.

Their gigs don't happen as often as they'd like, because they're still students who unfortunately have lots of assignments. But when a window of free time materializes, they unveil their latest productions at vibrant parties, dimly lit bars, or even the occasional club. Which attracts a lot of people, some even coming from neighboring towns to listen to them play.

Everyone can recognize raw talent, even if rap doesn't happen to be their favorite genre.

This is how you know that they'll be performing Heyday, their latest creation, at Seungmin’s party. You've met him in passing, and Chan insisted that you'd come. Not that you needed much convincing anyway, you fell in love with this song the minute you heard it.

There is an exhilarating energy in Seungmin’s mansion, a palpable anticipation preceding 3racha’s performance, as you all gaze at the makeshift stage. The place is packed, bodies pressed tightly to one another. You feel slightly uncomfortable but you swallow it down. You're here to support Chan first and foremost, you can leave if things become too much for you.

The introductory chords materialize abruptly, and 3racha takes the stage. Chan is clad in a white shirt with huge gaps on his sides, revealing glimpses of his chest each time he bends down. Changbin, on the opposite end of the spectrum, is wearing a tightly fitted black shirt, hugging each muscle of his to perfection. Han, the last one to walk in, sports a loose black shirt, with a low neckline. His nails are painted to match the color of his attire, you notice.

The song kicks off with Changbin's incendiary rap as deafening cheers ring all around you. You make sure to scream on top of your lungs too, as Changbin’s loud voice commands the attention of everyone in the room. You’ve always held a penchant for his rap style- how powerful he sounds, and how addicted you quickly become to hearing him on stage. You remember once telling him that any song that starts with his rapping is a successful hit. He playfully nudged your shoulder but his appreciative smile was hard to miss.

Chan’s part is next and you try to rap along, as best as you can anyway due to your fleeting memory. It sounds mostly like gibberish but you don’t mind, especially when your eyes meet Chan’s and he grins at you, before morphing into the mesmerizing stage persona that's peculiar to him. You clearly remember the first time you witnessed him on stage, and how enthralled you were by the sheer power he exuded. His destiny was intertwined with music, no one could deny that. 

A bed squeaking sound comes next, followed by the knocking on the door and you giggle against your will. That was Han’s ingenious touch, as Chan had shared when you'd raised a quizzical brow at him while listening. “Is this based on a real-life experience?” You asked, a knowing smirk etched upon your features, and he pretended to zip his mouth, earlobes turning a vibrant shade of crimson.

Han finally starts rapping in his inimitable style, exuding an effortless, laid-back aura. Your gazes meet at the "let's go play" line, and he tilts his head quizzically at you as he utters his confused "huh?". You raise one eyebrow at him prompting a sly smirk from him, before redirecting his attention to the opposite side of the stage. Yet, your eyes remain on him throughout his entire part.

The boys step off the stage, and you watch from the corner of the room with a wide grin as a swarm of people surrounds them. Congratulations and praise fill the air, and you can tell that 3racha thrives on this moment- it's what they live for, what makes their souls rise up from the ashes. 

Chan catches your eye, and you applaud enthusiastically, letting out a happy giggle. He blows you a kiss, and you playfully pretend to catch it, eliciting a small shake of his head. Changbin, who's standing near him, catches the exchange and winks at you from a distance, to which you respond with two thumbs up.

Even though you're a bit far from them, you're certain the boys can sense the pride radiating from you in waves. There's something truly magical about humans existing in their element, particularly people you care about.

Your gaze shifts to Han, and your smile falters slightly. He's also glowing, but signs of discomfort are starting to creep onto his face. You recognize them fairly well, as you've felt them too at times when emotions become overwhelming. So, after a brief internal debate, you decide to act and begin making your way toward him, pushing through the crowd despite the rising complaints behind you.

They fall on deaf ears.

You grab Han's forearm, pulling him with you through the sea of bodies toward the bathroom. He doesn't fight, following diligently behind you. You open the door and pull him inside, pausing as you realize you don't have a specific plan for bringing him here. This is also the first time you've been alone together since the elevator conversation.

"Thank you," Han whispers, and you nod, your eyes softening. "I'm okay, I love performing, I just needed a breather," he quickly adds, as if feeling guilty for being overwhelmed. 

"That's completely understandable. You are running on a lot of adrenaline, and the room is so crowded," you say with a smile, turning to the mirror to touch up your makeup.

Han remains silent for a while as you powder your face, before reapplying your cherry lip gloss. You can hear him taking in deep breaths, and you avoid looking at him, worried he might feel embarrassed.

"What did you think of the performance?" he finally asks, and you raise your head slightly. You lock eyes with him through the mirror, as he leans against the door, arms crossed in front of his chest. His black t-shirt falls a bit, revealing more of his bare skin, and your eyes trail down for a moment.

"It was really good. I think this song might be my favorite of all yours."

"Really?" Han grins, his words filled with an excitement that warms your heart despite yourself. He's just received heaps of compliments from hundreds of people, yet your words still seem to affect him deeply.

"Yes. I loved your rap, how it started in a laid-back manner, and then you cleared your throat and picked up the pace. It added a unique edge to the song."

"Thank you, really," his smile is genuine, and you giggle softly, shaking your head.

"What's funny?" he asks, walking up to you. You're still facing the mirror, and he's now only inches away from you.

"I didn't imagine you'd appreciate my compliment this much."

"It feels sincere," he shrugs and you nod, finally turning around and leaning against the sink.

"It is sincere."

"Good."

You hold his gaze, eyes only trailing down to go across his face. He looks far different from how he did on stage. Shier, more eager for praise.

"You have..." he steps up until the scent of his cologne tickles your nose. His hand raises ever so slowly to your face, and you hold your breath, as he picks up something from your cheek. His hands are warm.

"An eyelash fell. Make a wish."

A surprised chuckle escapes your lips. "You wish on fallen lashes?"

"You wish on everything when you need hope." his voice is low, a timber so foreign to your ears it sends shivers down your spine. So, you close your eyes, wishing for your heart to quit beating so fast.

"Done," you whisper and he blows the single lash away, his gaze still on you.

"Thank you for coming."

"Of course. I had to support Chan and Changbin." It slips from your mouth before you can stop it, and Han slightly recoils from your words.

"Right, them. Yeah. Of course," he finally backs away, and oxygen fills your lungs once again. "I'm good now. Should we go out?"

"After you," you nod tightly and he walks ahead first, his perfume trailing after him and pulling you into a dizzying dance. 

☄༄

The party Seungmin hosted was your last time having fun for a while. Your preparation for midterm exams began soon after, and you found yourself swarmed with assignments left and right. Thankfully, you and Chan were going through it at the same time, which meant you met at the library each day, revising silently near one another.

Except this time, you were joined by Han.

Goosebumps ran across your skin as he pulled the chair next to you, not the good kind of shivers. You were reminded of the fight you had right here, three months ago. Which still left a bitter taste in your mouth.

You don't hate Han anymore. He's actually funny, and you enjoy listening to his ramblings when you go over to Chan's dorm. He's also really different in his home, much quieter, and softer. Much more like you.

But you're also human, and there is still a part of your brain sending off warning signals at his presence. Maybe because the hurt was never buried properly. You just brushed it off under the carpet after your elevator conversation. Most of it was spent shouting anyway.

"Hey," he greets and you just nod in reply. You can feel his gaze linger on you a bit after that, and a pang of guilt twists in your heart. "Hi," you finally reply, but you tune out his response. Why is it that you're sensitive to everyone's emotions but your own?

Twenty minutes go by, then forty, and you can no longer take the uncomfortable feeling clinging to your skin. So, you excuse yourself, hurriedly stepping out of the library.

Han follows you; you can tell it’s him because someone's chair scraped loudly against the floor as soon as you stood up, and that couldn't be Chan because he is always careful with the silence in the library. So, you put on your headphones and walk faster.

This is childish, surely it is, but you can't control your emotions. You've apologized and so did he, you talk from time to time and you even held his arm and took him to a quiet bathroom. So where is all this bitterness coming from?

"Dammit, yn, how are you so fast?" Han grabs your arm pausing you. He's panting slightly and you just blankly stare as he takes in a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" he finally asks and you nod, turning around to walk away. He stops you again.

"I made you uncomfortable, didn't I?" he asks quietly, and you sigh, rubbing your forehead wearily.

"You didn't do anything, I just... Being in that library reminded me of certain things."

"I know. Me too. Can we please talk?"

"We are talking," you raise your brows and he stares pointedly at you. "Come on you know what I mean."

"Fine," you giggle, "we can talk."

"I didn't apologize properly to you in the elevator. Truth is, I did it because Chan was mad at me and I couldn't stand it anymore."

The bitterness- you understand where it comes from now.

"But I am sorry. Truly sorry. I was selfish and I hurt you and this will sound like a joke, but I hate hurting people. I really do. I was just too wrapped up in my problems that I didn't realize how it would affect you and I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I also shouldn't have tried to kick you out that day, but dying alone is my biggest fear, and seeing you in my home made me want to lose my mind because I couldn't get what you said out of my head, but it was so cold outside and again I shouldn't have told you to go out and I am so sorry-"

"Han, breathe," you smile, cutting him off and Han sucks in a deep breath, chest slightly heaving from talking uninterrupted for a minute straight.

"I'm sorry I just wanted to apologize, properly this time. I'm doing it because I'm guilty, not because of Chan. Nothing excuses my behavior, I know. And I wish I could turn back in time and actually get to know you because you're really cool and very nice, but I can't. All I can do is apologize. So I'm sorry, Yn. I really am."

"I appreciate it," you smile, and Han exhales a little from relief. "I didn't know that was your biggest fear, but even if it wasn't, that was uncalled for. I shouldn't have said something so mean. So, I'm sorry for it too. But I'm not apologizing for being mad, you deserved that."

"I did, I did, I know." He's quick to agree. "I don't want us to be awkward around one another. I'm not telling you that you have to be my best friend but, we can be friends, right? But you also don't have to. It's enough if you forgive me and... You know what? Never mind forget I said anything, I'm just nervous and-"

"Okay."

"Okay?" he repeats.

"We can be friends. I accept your truthful apology."

"Actually?"

"Yes."

"Like we can start over?" he grins and you chuckle at the excitement in his face. "Yes."

"Can we hug it out?"

"Too soon," you pout and he nods, a faint blush dusting his cheek.

"Right. Should we go back to the library? I saw that you were stuck on a question. I can help you."

"You won't make any comments?"

"No. Pinky promise." he outstretches his pinky towards you and you muse over it for a bit, before wrapping your finger around his. You grin at Han- your first genuine smile since he's known you. His hold on your pinky falters.

"Okay. I'm in."

.☄༄

Five weeks later- 1:13 a.m.

You were still slightly cautious near Han as if you were both threading along an invisible line. You could talk, but not too much, afraid any old animosity would shine through. And you could stay together, but not too long, in case it gets awkward and you wouldn't know what to do. So, you never mixed, just like water and oil, each of you knowing their place, away from the other.

But you still didn't want to miss out on outings with your friends. So, when Chan invites you for a movie night with Han, and Changbin, you don't say no.

The night runs smoothly, the warm beer you had easing your nerves bit by bit. It was also easier to forget that you once hated Han when he brought tears to your eyes from laughing so hard.

2:56 a.m.

An unbearable heat suddenly envelopes you, your very blood boiling from within. You hesitantly look down, to find your entire body bathed in red, as if your skin had melted away, exposing you to the scorching heat embracing your tender flesh.

You are in the heart of a volcano, with lava bubbling dangerously below. Hanging by a frail thread, you dangle over the edge of death.

And then, you plummet. 

You startle awake, your heart pounding in your chest, your hand clutching it tightly. Cold sweat clings to your skin, and it takes you a few moments to realize that you're safe, far from the inside of the volcano that had threatened to consume you.

You glance at your phone- 3:43 a.m. You read. It's only been a mere hour since you went to sleep. You don't think you could drift back into slumber. 

Dragging a hand tiredly across your face, you walk into the pitch-black kitchen. You pour yourself a glass of water, hoping that the icy drink will cool you down. You are safe.

"What are you-" you startle, dropping the glass and spinning around, hand pressed to your heart.

"Han, fuck, you scared me," you sigh, tugging at your hair slightly and he's quick to your side, a string of hushed apologies tumbling from his lips.

"I'm sorry, here let me clean it up," he kneels and you follow suit, grabbing his hands and gently pushing them away. "No, I dropped it, let me clean," you reassure, but your hands are trembling as you pick up the shards of glass, any bit of logic clouded by your racing thoughts.

Your heartbeat's ringing loudly in your ears, you barely register the glass cutting your skin until an uncharacteristic warmth oozes from your hand. Blood.

"Shit," you curse lowly and Han illuminates the place with his phone flashlight. "Did you cut yourself?" he asks and you shake your head, walking over to the sink.

"It's nothing, don't worry."

"Yn, let me see," he's standing behind you, the ghost of his breath grazing your exposed neck.

"Han, really it's-" he cuts you off, grabbing your forearm and walking you over to the couch. He finally turns on the lights before crouching down in front of you.

"Show me?" he asks gently and you're too tired to fight him. You open your palm tentatively, taking a look at your cut for the first time as well. It's not too deep, it won't require stitches. But it's also not shallow, blood oozing from it at a steady rhythm.

Han simply frowns upon gazing at your wound, before walking over to his room. You don't move from your spot, gaze lost into the space before you. What would happen if you never woke up? Would you feel your flesh burning? Bones melting as the searing lava-

"Here," he gently holds your wrist, as his eyes meet yours. "This will hurt a bit. Hold my arm as tight as you want and tell me if it becomes too much, okay?"

"Okay," you simply nod.

He dabs up your cut with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol. You hiss softly, as the liquid burns your open skin. Han abruptly stops at the sound. "Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry I didn't mean to I just-"

"It's okay," you smile reassuringly, "I can handle it."

Han nods, resuming his treatment. He's even softer this time, if that is even possible. He's careful when he rubs a soothing gel on your cut, before wrapping your palm in a gauze. He can't find a pair of scissors so he cuts it with his teeth, his lips brushing against the back of your hand. You account the warmth you're suddenly feeling to the aftermath of your nightmare.

"Why are you even up?" he finally asks as he settles next to you on the couch, eyes looking up to the ceiling.

"Nightmare."

"You’re okay?" he asks gently and he sounds truly concerned for your well-being. You aren't used to this. To Han acting like a friend to you. But it feels nice to be cared for, so you don't mind him blurring the lines tonight.

"I'm still a little bit scared," you admit sheepishly and Han's eyes soften under the dim moonlight.

"It passed. You're okay now."

"Am I?" you drag a hand tiredly across your face and Han frowns, inching closer to you.

"Is it a recurring dream?"

"Mm. It tires me out."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, I just want to forget." 'Help me forget' you want to add, but you decide against it. "Why were you up, anyway?"

"I got inspiration for lyrics so I had to write it down."

"Can you share some with me?" you ask, tone a tad too hopeful. Han catches it and smiles warmly at you.

"Sure. This is probably going to be in the chorus..." he pulls out his phone, heading to his notes app. "This is what I have so far... I let my frustrated screams out hoping that they’d be washed away in the rain. I send it off with a smiling face, down to the last drops left on my fingertips." he pauses, scrolling down a bit more. "I also wrote this; I think it'll be nice in a verse... I’m sure it’ll get better... Just like the earth hardens after the rain and flowers bloom again."

"You're such a talented lyricist Han," you whisper in awe, and Han’s cheeks warm up at your words, reminiscent of a setting sun. "But I also wish it was as easy as this. To let out all the emotions you bottle inside and for them to wash away with the rain." You bite your lip, as Han’s words echo in your head. "I think... I think that's why I get this nightmare. I don't free my emotions anymore, and they show up in my dreams to torment me."

You don't know where these bouts of honesty are coming from. Maybe because you're too weary to keep up a happy facade. Or maybe because you know that the person who wrote these lyrics must understand exactly how you feel.

"Well... It's raining." Han whispers after a while and you look at him, confusion plastered across your features.

"And?"

"Should we test it out?"

"Test what?"

"Screaming under the rain," he says as if it's the most evident thing in the world.

"What? That's insane, Han we will get sick and..." You pause, as the words dissolve in your mouth like the seafoam meeting the shore. "You know what? Let's do it!"

"Really?" he asks incredulously, a huge grin on his face.

"Yes!"

"Okay, let's go!"

You both abruptly stand up, still only clad in your pajamas. You quickly slip your shoes on before running outside. The rain envelops you in a cold hug as soon as you step outside, rain droplets trickling down your clothes. You don't mind, you have lots of bottled-up feelings to free. 

"This needs music," Han smiles as he takes out his phone, putting his playlist on shuffle. 'Let The Light In' starts playing, and you shoot him a thumbs-up.

"It fits the rainy mood," you grin and he nods, squinting his eyes to be able to look at you.

"I think if we scream here, we'll scare the neighbors."

"I know!" you chuckle, wiping away the rain droplets on your forehead. "Where should we go?"

"The empty parking lot!" Han shouts so you'll hear him over the growing rain and you nod. He takes off running and you chase after him. You're both completely drenched once you're a bit far away from the house. But you don't care. Not when there is pure adrenaline rushing through you.

You finally stop, loud giggles escaping your mouth at the thrill of what you're doing. "You should start!" you yell excitedly and Han nods, taking in deep steadying breaths.

"Okay, I'm ready!"

"On the count of three! One... Two... Three!" and Han shouts at the top of his lungs, his screams getting lost in the rain. An incredulous smile breaks out on his face as you giggle loudly, the sound of it ringing out in the downpour.

"You looked insane!"

"I feel insane!" He yells honestly and a fit of laughter takes over you both. You hold his arm to steady yourself. 

"You should try it now!" Han urges and you nod, willing yourself to calm down. 

"Okay, will you count down for me?" 

"Yes," he assures and you clap excitedly. Han can't help but smile at the excitement on your face.

"One... Two... Three!" And you shout, continuous screams spilling from the depths of your soul. Han wasn't wrong- your pain, your fear, your anger are all dripping along the rain droplets, from your bruised heart to the tip of your fingers.

You've never felt this free before.

The two of you don't notice the passage of time, the rain acting as a cathartic release to all your pent-up emotions. It was as if your pain intertwined with each rain droplet, and you were letting go of everything that had held you down. Each scream acted as a break from the burdens of the past, and the worries of the future. 

As you finally stopped, panting and soaked to the bone, you looked at each other with raw exhilaration in your eyes.

"So, how was it?" Han yells over the rain and you break out in a relieved smile. "I don't think I’ve ever been this happy my entire life," you beam at him and the sight makes the rain feel less colder to Han. 

He watches, a small smile on his face as you twirl around, face looking up toward the sky, a deluge of rain grazing your cheeks like a lover's tender touch. The smile doesn't leave your face as you spin around, happy chuckles leaving your mouth from time to time.

You look... free. As if there was an invisible weight on your shoulders that the rain washed away. A heavy burden that you carried within you, like a secret secret. He likes the sound of that. Maybe that's what he'll name his song. 

Han slightly shakes his head as he watches you skip around, clothes completely soaked. You are now standing a bit far away, right beside a street lamp.

Ooh, let the light in

Its light shines on you alone.

Time seems to slow down, as Han’s steps falter. You're smiling, not at him, but at the universe. A happiness so raw filling you that it needs to come out, even if no one's watching.

You're spinning around, delighted giggles spilling from you like the most mesmerizing chorus. Something is building up inside Han, begging for a release. It refuses to come out in a scream- violently. It's tender and soft. He thinks that if you held his hand right now, you'd be able to free it.

Look at us, you and I back at it again

Is it possible to feel something other than an emotion? Because right now, weirdly, all he feels is you.

Cause I love to love to love to love you

I hate to hate to hate to hate you

Your eyes land on Han and there is pure joy dancing in your pupils. He's glad you no longer despise him. He doesn't think he can stomach it anymore.

Cause I want to want to want to want you

You run to him, holding his hand before twirling him around.

I need to need to need to need you

Han can't believe he ever thought you weren't human enough. You are a mosaic of every feeling that makes one human. There are lyrics writing themselves in his head and they're all about you.

Ooh, let the light in

You clasp both his hands, before crossing them over. And then you're both spinning around until the world around you blurs. All he sees is you, and the light surrounding you alone.

Ooh, turn your light on

He thinks he might, if the light is you.

5:22 a.m

"There is a heater in my room, you should come," Han offers as you dry your hair with the blue towel he just handed you.

"It's okay I’ll stay here," you point to the couch but he shakes his head adamantly. "You'll die from hypothermia. Do you know how mad Chan will be if I let you pass away?" he whispers in fear, a hand clutching his heart.

"So dramatic," you giggle, before following him into his room. He goes on his bed first before tapping the spot beside him. You sigh before lying next to him, snuggling further into the hoodie he gave you to change.

"You're still shivering," he remarks, as your teeth clink together.

"It's okay."

"You shouldn't have gone out with just a t-shirt."

"I didn't exactly plan on this, you know," you smile sarcastically and Han chuckles before tapping your shoulder softly.

"Come closer."

You debate for a second before complying, the cold tuning out all the rational thoughts in your head. 

Your arm brushes against his and you can't breathe once again. But it's a different type of deprivation. Han always seems to steal the oxygen from your lungs, but for once, you don't mind. Red embers are burning within you and their flames keep you alive. You press your chest to his back, as your forehead rests on his shoulder. Maybe he'll turn you to ashes. Will you rise from them?

"You're so cold," his hand reaches behind to rub your arms soothingly, an earnest attempt to warm you up.

"I’ll be fine, go to sleep. Don't worry about me."

"I can't control it."

In the dark room, Han can't see you curling your hand into a tight fist at his words. 

"If you stay quiet then I’ll sleep," you say after a while and Han giggles softly.

"That's the goal. You need to rest."

"You should sleep too."

"I will."

"Okay. Good night, Han."

"Good night, Yn."

You think he's fallen asleep when you speak up again. "Hey, Han."

"Yes, Yn?" He replies instantly, voice slightly hoarse. 

"Can you repeat that lyric to me, about the flowers blooming again?" You ask quietly, and you feel him nodding against your chest.

"I’m sure it’ll get better... Just like the earth hardens after the rain and flowers bloom again."

His warm voice vibrates within your body. "That's a nice lyric."

"I hope you'll dream of it instead."

☄༄

Against Han’s strong belief, he's the one who fell sick after your rain-soaked outing. 

You knew of it from Chan, who texted you saying that Han caught a nasty cold, and then got food poisoning, which meant he couldn't be there for their highly anticipated meeting—after their electrifying Heyday performance, a record label expressed strong interest in signing them. 

"Can you come over and stay with Han?" Chan implores as soon as he answers your call.

“That bad?” You ask, a pout pulling at your lips.

"I don't want to leave him alone. He's been really sick for the past week now, and… it's partly your fault"

"I can’t believe you’re guilt-tripping me into coming," you chuckle even though you know he is right. Han wouldn’t have gotten out in the rain if it wasn’t for you.

"I'm sorry it’s just I don't think he's been good, apart from the illness. And I’m worried, and I don’t know I thought maybe you could talk to him. He reminds me of you, in his sadness, so you might understand what's wrong more than me."

You think it over for a second before rising up from your bed.

"I'm coming"

As soon as you step inside their dorm, Chan pulls you for a side hug, placing a quick kiss on your forehead. “Thank you so much,” he whispers, clearly grateful that you agreed to come. It worries you even more for Han.

“No problem. You can go, I’ll be with him.”

“Thank you, Yn” Changbin smiles before hastily pulling Chan outside the door. You wave them both goodbye.

You cautiously crack open the door to Han’s room, to find it completely engulfed in darkness. The stream of light from the door falls upon Han, who squints his eyes, trying to see who disrupted his fragile peace.

"Hi," you speak softly, finding it a bit odd to raise your voice in such a still room. Han attempts to sit up, before doubling over, hand tightly clutched around his stomach.

You rush to his side, kneeling beside his bed. It's the only lit-up part of the room.

"Still hurts?" you ask, your hand moving in soothing circles on his back. He nods, eyes squeezed shut, and you feel your heart crack at the sight.

"Have you taken any medicine?"

"A few hours ago. I need to eat something before I can take more, but I can't get up to the kitchen."

"Why didn't you tell the boys?"

"Didn't want to be a burden."

"You aren't. I'll make you something to eat. Okay? Try to sleep meanwhile."

"You don't have to," Han shakes his head, his eyes finally meeting yours.

"I know," you smile softly, before exiting the room.

Minutes later, you're back in the room, a bowl of sliced fruit in your hands.

"Do you guys live off protein powder and frozen chicken?" you ask, earning a quiet laugh from Han as he lays his back against the headboard.

"We do. Please save me," he jokes and you laugh, shaking your head. "Good thing I grabbed some fruit before leaving."

"Thank you," he grins, eyes slightly squinting closed. 

"Here," you grab a strawberry, bringing it to his lips. His eyebrows raise up in surprise, a sheen layer of sweat coating them. "What? Look at how tightly you're clutching the comforter," you point to his hands and Han sighs, before parting his lips slightly.

His mouth brushes against your fingertips, igniting a cascade of emotions in you. You'll think about what it means later.

You grab a green grape next, feeding it to him gently. A drop of water trickles down the corner of his mouth, and you wipe it away with the back of your finger.

"I can- I can do it," Han mumbles, voice wavering like an unpredictable storm. His trembling hands reach for the bowl, but they struggle to hold it right.

"Han, it's okay, I don't mind," you try to keep your voice gentle, sensing that there is an impending doom awaiting just below the surface.

"No, I- I need to do it. Just let me-" A tear falls into the fruit bowl. "Let me do it, please. I can- I can do it, I’m not useless, I…"

The floodgate opens.

A stream of tears escapes Han's eyes as he looks down at the bowl between his hands. He's crying, eyes tightly shut and the small whimpers escaping his lips feel like a dagger piercing your heart.

"You're sick. Let me take care of you."

"It's horrible horrible work." His voice cracks as his eyes finally lock on yours, and you can tell that his anguish isn't about his illness. These are the words of the shadows threatening to swallow him whole. You have to fight them off with the light.

"I will do it."

As Han lays on his bed, the sound of you washing the dishes resonating from the kitchen, your voice bounces off the dark walls in his head. You didn't try to convince him that it was easy work, you told him you'll do it, even if it's horrible. You'll do it because you want to, not because you can, not because it's accessible. The thought sends a warmth in his chest. It's faint, like a flickering candle trying its best to withstand the wind. But it's there. He holds on to it. He'll shield it with his cupped hands so it wouldn't fizzle out. 

"Hannie, you’re okay?" you peer into the room. Hannie- the candle's flame grows higher.

"Mm," he hums, too weak to turn and look at you.

"You're shivering," you remark, and he tightens the blanket around his body. "It'll pass."

You stay silent, and he thinks you've left the room. But then he feels the left side of the bed dip, with you climbing tentatively on it.

"This worked last time when I was cold," you smile softly at him, before bringing his head to your chest and wrapping your arms around his shoulders. He feels frail and fragile in your embrace. You hug him tighter to you.

"Warming up?" you ask and he nods against your chest. He's burning.

"Try to sleep," you urge quietly, your hand moving to pat his back. "It will pass."

"What if it doesn't?" Han asks faintly. Please don't let the candle die, he wants to plead.

"There is always light at the end of the tunnel."

"What if the tunnel is closed?"

"Then you go back to the start and find a new one," you respond.

"Can I find it later? I'm so tired tonight." His voice is drowsy, sleep already clinging to his achy bones. 

"Just rest for now. You did well," you scratch his back lightly, as he nuzzles further into the crook of your neck. 

There was never a candle to begin with- you were the light.

☄༄

Had someone told you five months ago that you'd be lying on Han's bed, watching "Howl's Moving Castle" at 2 a.m., you would've thought they were utterly delusional.

Yet, here you are now.

A lot of things had changed since your rainy outing with Han, as if the universe had shifted into alignment, two stars in the sky finally colliding and making way for something new. You saw him under a different light, understanding that no one picks up a dandelion unless they desperately need the solace it provides.

You've grown to care for him, in the course of the past two months. And funnily enough, you've started to like who you were next to him- just yourself, with no pressure of making conversation, or catering to his expectations of you.

He saw you at your worst anyway, and so did you, there was no use in filtering things anymore.

You've been there through the entire process of writing, composing, and producing Secret Secret- the song whose lyrics had captured your heart. You didn't expect him to ask you to be there with him, he just shot you a text, three days after you came over to his house. 'Wanna be there while I work on the song? I know you liked the lyrics.' It was an offer you couldn't pass up on.

You weren't, in your opinion, much help. Han was gifted in the music realm and song-making flowed naturally from him. But he noticed how interested you were in music, so he called you over each time he worked on the song, even asking for your input at times.

That's why, when the song was finally done and released on 3racha's Spotify account, you decided to celebrate by baking him a cake. You may have dropped an eggshell in the batter (you recovered it later on), and the icing's color turned out less vibrant than what you hoped for. But you managed to adorn it with a garden of little flowers, and with store-bought icing, you wrote the words "after the rain flowers will bloom again."

You showed up to the dorm and Changbin pointed you to Han's room, where he had apparently been holed up all day. You shot him a grateful smile, before pushing the door open with your foot.

"What are you doing here?" Han asked, an incredulous smile drawn on his lips.

"Surprise!" you grinned, pushing the cake his way. "Congrats on making Secret Secret."

"Are you serious?" he chuckled, jumping out of his bed. He peered at the cake, eyes softening as he gazed down at the design.

"You drew a little garden..." he whispered in awe and you nodded, a faint blush creeping up your face.

"I'm glad you recognized what it was. I'm not the best baker," you admit a bit shyly but he shook his head. "It's perfect. I can't believe you did this to celebrate our baby!"

"Your baby," you corrected, although the use of 'our' warmed up your chest, weirdly enough.

"You were here with me every step of the way. She's ours."

"It's a she?" you giggled, and he smiled proudly.

"Mm. Do you accept being her mother?" he mused; hands clasped in front of his heart like he was praying you'd say yes.

"It would be my greatest honor," you nodded solemnly, and he let out a breathy chuckle, grabbing the cake from your hands and setting it on his bed.

"Should we hug it out?" he teased, arms stretched wide but you merely stared at him, unimpressed.

"Come on," he whined, "you can't reject me for the third time. And, in front of our child. On her birthday!" his tone grew louder and you couldn't help but giggle at his mock outrage.

"Try harder."

"Our child won't know what a loving parent relationship is and then she'll seek out unhealthy love from the ones around her and-" you cut him off by finally wrapping your arms around him.

You've always known that being near Han left you breathless, but this time, it felt as though he was breathing life into you. You close your eyes instinctively, as his hold tightens on you. He smells immensely nice, like pinewood and soap. You should've hugged him sooner.

"Thank you," he said quietly, forehead pressed against your shoulder blade.

"You did well," you whisper back.

"We did. She's our child, remember?" he reprimanded and you laughed faintly.

"Yeah, ours."

Hours later, the movie's credits finally roll down, and the finished cake sits idly by Han's desk.

"I should go," you rub your eyes tiredly, and Han stares at you as if you are out of your mind.

"At this hour? Do you want our kid to lose her mom?"

"Han," you drawl, hitting his head with the pillow next to you. "You can't hold me hostage."

"I can, as your husband."

"Since when are we married?"

"Since you agreed to be Secret's mother." Another playful hit to his face.

"Stop attacking my face, how will I get laid then?"

"So, you are cheating on me?" you ask, feigning outrage.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry baby you're the only one I want." You falter at the nickname before hitting him even harder, matching the tempo of your quickening heartbeat.

"You're crazy," he laughs, grabbing your wrists and pinning you onto the bed. He's hovering over you, eyes hooded with a tender intensity as he gazes down at you.

"Will you stay, please?"

"The couch is uncomfortable," you reply, avoiding his eyes. He lets go of one wrist before holding your chin gently, urging you to look at him.

"You can sleep here. We've done it before."

"You were freezing both times. That's why I did it."

"I'm very cold tonight," he pouts, eliciting a surprised chuckle from you.

"Are you now?"

"Very much so."

"Fine. Only because I don't want you to die from hypothermia."

"Thank you!" he grins excitedly, finally letting go of your wrist. You bring a hand to your flushed cheeks, as he tosses a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants in your direction.

"Get changed! There is a spare toothbrush in the cabinet."

You make sure to groan theatrically, before heading into the bathroom, where you splash your face repeatedly with water. You aren't used to this- being a blushy mess, because of Han, nonetheless. It was dizzying you, how things took the complete opposite turn between you and him.

At least, back then you weren't alone in your hate, you couldn't stand being alone in your affection.

So, you'd stop this, whatever feeling that's coursing through you. Tomorrow, you will firmly close the door on the blooming feelings within you. But tonight, you’d both lay on the same bed, arms brushing against one another. It's completely dark and quiet, but there is an entire symphony playing within you.

"Thank you for today," he whispers, turning around and tucking his arm under his head, this way he's facing you.

You mirror his actions, and your fingertips brush against one another. You can't see him but you can feel him. He's everywhere, wrapping around all your senses. 

"Thank you for making this song. It's very comforting to me."

"Why is that?" he questions, inching closer to you, you can feel his minty breath fan all over your face.

"I’ve always felt like I carried too many emotions within me. Like a volcano, bubbling over until the day I explode. I never liked feeling this way, so I tried to hide it," you confess softly.

"Like a secret secret."

"Like a secret secret," you repeat, glad that he understands.

"You don't have to hide with me," he says after a few silent beats, and you swallow nervously.

"I know." you lick your lips as the music inside you grows louder. "Still cold?"

"A little."

"Come closer," you beckon, and he complies instantly, wrapping his arm behind your back and drawing your chest close to his. Your legs entangle with one another, as your face lays on the crook of his neck. It's intimate, far more than any time you've done it before. You don't want to sink in his hold in fear of never resurfacing again.

"Good?" he asks, voice tinged with a newfound raspiness. 

"Mm," you hum, and he releases a relieved sigh.

You've once read that everything in this universe sings. Every atom's vibration creates a sound, contributing to a grand celestial chorus. It's an unscientific, but lovely thought, to wonder who our hearts sing for.

Right now, it's for Han.

☄༄

The music echoes through your being, an ever-present melody that refuses to fade into silence. Even with no audience to enjoy it.

Han always found his way back to your side, no matter how many times you've tried to distance yourself from him. And you couldn't bring yourself to refuse him, because you were friends, first and foremost. And friends don't abandon one another just because a mere glance at them sprouts a blush across your cheeks. 

That's how you find yourself on your way to Han's dorm, for the third time that week. Watching movies together has become your little tradition, for the past few months, and sometimes even Chan joins in. Although he mostly enjoys shooting you a knowing smile, to which you flip him off.

Your phone rings and Han's name illuminates your screen. You smile against your will.

"Can't wait to see me this much?" you singsong and Han's chuckle rings through the phone. It's rich and deep, causing you to tighten your hold on the device.

"Yes. And can you please go to the store? I'm out of snacks."

"What do I get out of it?" you muse, changing directions to the nearest convenience store.

"Snacks."

"Asshole," you giggle on your way to cross the road.

"And my eternal gratitude of course."

"Right, because I can't-" Loud tires screech right beside you and you startle, letting out a loud yelp as you drop your phone.

A hand on top of your heart, you bend down to pick up your fallen device, as the driver gets out of the car that grazed your body, mere inches away from hitting you. 

"Are you okay, miss? I'm sorry I didn't see you." The middle-aged man is quick to your side, and you glance at the small kid in his car, willing yourself to calm down for their sake.

"I'm fine. Just a bit startled. Drive more slowly, there is a kid with you."

"I know, I'm sorry," he drags a hand through his stressed features and you couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. "It's okay, don't worry about it. Just pay more attention to the road, okay?"

"Thank you so much. Thank you," he clasps his hand in gratitude before getting back to his car and you wave him off, your heart still wildly beating in your chest.

You head into the convenience store, picking up the snacks you know Han loves before paying for them. But as soon as you step back outside, you spot a disheveled Han crossing the road, sprinting toward the store. His pace quickens upon spotting you.

"What are you..." your question is cut short as his arms wrap around you, pulling you to his chest instantly. You can feel the frantic rhythm of his heart, and you're confused as he pulls away, hands cradling your cheeks and turning your face left and right.

"You're alright, nothing happened to you, right? You’re okay?" he inquires urgently and you let out a confused giggle, as you grab his arm to steady him.

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard the tires screech and you yelled and then you didn't pick up when I called and I thought-" his voice cracks. "I thought something happened to you."

"No, no. I'm okay. Nothing happened, I promise." you reassure, as he brings you to his chest once again, his hand smoothing the top of your hair.

"I was so scared," he kisses your temple, as his thumping heart resounds within your chest. "So terrified that something would happen to you. I thought I'd lose my mind."

"You don't mean that," you shake your head slowly, peeling yourself away from him.

"Can you really not see how much I care about you? How I crave being near you?" his voice raises a slight octave. The music in you picks up.

"How long do I have to pretend to be cold to have you nearby? For god's sake, I'm never cold around you, yn. When I see you, I ignite." He takes in a deep breath, pressing his forehead onto your shoulder. "And I... I couldn't have lived with myself if something happened to you. I... You drive me crazy, Yn. When we became friends it felt like I was stepping inside a home for the first time, and yet I already knew each turn in it."

He grabs your arms, shaking you slightly as his chest heaves up and down. "My darkness recognizes yours and my light is you and you- you think I wouldn't care if anything happened to you?"

He shakes his head as tears prickle in the corners of his eyes. Has his music always been this loud, were you just not listening properly?

"I'm scared because we didn't start well and I understand if a part of your heart still resents me, I do. But I don't think I can pretend anymore. Not with you," his voice softens as his gaze locks on yours.

"Were you pretending too?" He asks, hope dripping from his tone. "Do you feel it too?"

A split second goes by. A candle flickering somewhere. A dandelion plucked from the ground. The shadow of a cloud passing over the sun- and you pick.

"I feel it too. So much that my heart feels like it’s singing for you, Han."

"I'll sing for it in return," he whispers, before crashing his lips onto yours. His hand slides up the back of your neck, drawing you closer. You drop the bags of groceries as you cradle his cheeks, feeling them warm up beneath your touch. You can't believe you've ever disliked your heart for feeling too much, not when the lovely emotions flowing in your heart threaten to burst it at the seams, submerging you in a warmth you've never known before- Han. 

Two months later

You have 3 new messages from: hannie

"kept this song a secret from you baby but i wrote it for you so you can't be mad"

"i don't know if you remember but you’ve once told me that you are a volcano. as if that’s something that’s supposed to put me off. well, some people dedicate their lives to studying volcanos. and i would dedicate mine to learning you."

"Volcano.mp3."

Light.

[lesmana-enterprise-ltd]

Next Build Teaser : Lesmana Resorts 星の夜 (Hoshino-Ya)

Welcome to Lesmana Resort Hoshinoya, where tradition meets tranquility in the heart of Wakaba, Mount Komorebi. Surrounded by serene gardens and natural hot springs, this five-star ryokan offers a true retreat from the outside world. Stroll through meticulously landscaped gardens, cross charming bridges over koi-filled ponds, or relax in our private onsen with stunning views of the surrounding forest. Our suites combine modern comfort with timeless Japanese aesthetics, complete with shoji screens, tatami flooring, and thoughtful details that immerse you in the essence of traditional ryokan living. At Hoshinoya, every element is designed to soothe your senses and bring harmony to your stay.

Lesmana Resorts 星の夜 (Hoshino-Ya) will be a Non-CC build.

[tangibletechnomancy]

Doing It Wrong On Purpose: Episode 1 - The Un-Ship

Today's experiment: What happens if I prompt for something, and then negative prompt all the main keywords, plus various synonyms and related words?

The answer: Some gloriously weird stuff.

For example, let's look at a negative cat:

Positive prompt: A cat on a windowsill during a storm

Negative prompt: Cat, feline, felidae, kitty, kitten, animal, pet, windowsill, window, glass, pane, house, storm, rain, water, lightning, thunder, clouds, torrent, downpour, snow, blizzard, wind, windy

Interesting! Let's get a little more fantasy with it and try for an anti-deer:

Positive prompt: A deer in a peaceful flowery meadow, crystals, midnight, fantasy, colorful

Negative prompt: Deer, cervidae, animal, elk, moose, stag, doe, fawn, reindeer, antelope, cervid, antlers, flowers, night, dark, trees, foliage, bloom, stars, night, tranquil, fantastic, vibrant, cool, magic, blue, moon, sky, crystal, stone, statue, topiary, floral, blossom

Between these two experiments, including a few dozen other generations that remain unposted, one thing I can say for sure is that for living subjects, it's a great way to get the kind of anatomical wonk that older models are (in)famous for - and it makes sense why, the model is trying to make something that looks like a certain subject...but once it starts to look too much like it, well, shit, we told it NOT to do that! Break something up! Given that I love that kind of wonk, I think I've found a useful tool for myself.

One more living subject, and let's get even more abstract with our direction here:

Positive prompt: mind horse

Negative prompt: horse, equine, colt, filly, mare, stallion, bronco, pony, mind, brain, thought, essence, psyche, intelligence, consciousness, imagination, dream, soul, visualization, intellect, wit, cognizance

Now let's try something that isn't alive. One thing I love AI for is surreal settings and landscapes - lets try one now!

Positive prompt: A magic palace garden made of crystal and gold

Negative prompt: Palace, magic, crystal, gold, fantasy, castle, estate, stronghold, temple, garden, flowers, plants, blossoms, bloom, blooms, trees, grass, stems, foliage, leaves, greenery, branches, bush, bushes, hedge, hedges, metal, luxury, stone, glass, brass, rose, polished, jewel, prism, courtyard

I then tried to see if, learning from the animal subjects, I could make it more likely to return one of my favorite "mistakes" - making it impossible to discern the point where a water area ends and a sky area begins. I wasn't immediately successful, but I came up with some results I found pleasing regardless-

Positive prompt: Secret hideout in a cave behind a waterfall in the foggy forest on a floating sky island in fluffy clouds

Negative prompt: hideout, camp, campsite, home, abode, house, dwelling, rest, shelter, waterfall, water, cave, grotto, forest, woods, woodland, trees, fountain, cascade, pond, stream, lake, river, brook, puddle, creek, pool, beach, ocean, sea, cloud, clouds, sky, cumulus, cirrus, nimbus, fog, storm, rain, sunshower, falls

It seems that with landscapes it's got a much clearer and more specific "idea" of what a [SUBJECT] without [SUBJECT] looks like; it's more inclined to invent very specific, very consistent unasked for related elements. With the animals, I was tweaking the weight on the positive prompt to avoid getting straightforwardly just what I had positive (and negative) prompted, but with landscapes, I just get... almost something else entirely.

So how about inanimate objects? Let's try a ship, perhaps?

Positive prompt: A huge sailing ship with brilliant prismatic crystal sails on a stormy, turbulent sea of sunset clouds

Negative prompt: ship, boat, sailboat, sailing ship, pirate ship, galleon, ketch, schooner, sloop, cutter, sail, sea, ocean, storm, wind, rain, water, waves, cloudy, clouds, fog, sunset, dusk, dawn, sunrise, twilight, evening

...okay, I'm in love with the un-ship. It truly does manage to consistently give me results that look like, yet entirely unlike, a ship. It is everything I love about AI as a medium. More than that, it is my friend.

At lower positive prompt weights, they only get even more beautifully chaotic.

I want to live on one of these (in an alternate universe where they're geometrically possible and structurally sound, that is).

Failing that, I will be featuring them a lot from now on.

All images generated using Simple Stable, under the Code of Ethics of Are We Art Yet?

[novlr]

What are some good ways to write about winter?

Winter. is a season of stark contrasts and sensory experiences. It provides the perfect canvas to paint vivid scenes that range from cosy romances to horror-filled stormy nights.

When writing about winter, it’s essential to capture the essence of its chill and the way it can transform the world. Here are some quick tips!

Sights

A blanket of pristine snow covering the landscape

Bare tree branches coated with frost

Delicate snowflakes drifting from the grey sky

Icicles hanging like crystal daggers from rooftops

Colourful clothes stark against the white of snow

Sunlight reflecting off the snow, creating a blinding glare

Animal tracks stamped into the powder

Frozen lakes and puddles

Man-made objects like snowmen and snow angels

Lights shining against dark backdrops

Sounds

Snow muffling and dampening the usual noises

Boots crunching on the frozen ground

People laughing and shouting as they play

Wind howling through barren branches

Ice cracking underfoot or on distant lakes

The silence of a snow-covered world

Shovels scraping against sidewalks

Snowballs hitting their targets with soft thuds

Branches creaking, laden with snow

The rustle of animals keeping warm in burrows

Smells

The fresh, clean scent of snow in the air

Wood smoke curling from chimneys

The earthy aroma of damp wool from coats and gloves

The sharp tang of frost and cold metal

Hot chocolate and marshmallows

Pine needles and the subtle scent of evergreen

Baking spices from holiday treats

The slight ozone smell before a snowstorm

Wet dog from snowball fights with furry friends

Leather and polish from well-worn boots

Activities

Building snow forts and castles

Ice skating on a frozen pond or rink

Snowshoeing through a silent forest

Curling up by the fire with a good book

Skiing and snowboarding down powdery slopes

Brisk walks to enjoy the winter air

Hiking up snowy mountains for panoramic views

Having snowball fights with friends or family

Feeding birds or wildlife braving the cold

Decorating the home with festive lights and ornaments

Character body language

Shivering and huddling for warmth

Rubbing hands together or blowing on them for heat

Shoulders hunched against the biting wind

Slipping and steadying oneself on icy patches

Squinting against the bright snow glare

Snuggling into oversized coats and scarves

Stamping feet to restore circulation

Clapping hands to keep the cold at bay

Arms wrapped around the torso for warmth

Quick, brisk movements to minimise exposure to the cold

Positive descriptions

The serene beauty of a snow-covered meadow at dawn

The invigorating feeling of cold air filling your lungs

The cosiness of a warm blanket on a frosty night

The joy of catching snowflakes on your tongue

The camaraderie of coming together to shovel snow

The nostalgia of winter holidays and traditions

The satisfaction of making the perfect snowball

The wonder of ice patterns on windows

The laughter and excitement of a snow day

The glistening of a frosted evergreen in the sun

Negative descriptions

The biting sting of the wind against exposed skin

The numbness of fingers and toes in the cold

The dreariness of shortened, grey days

The inconvenience of navigating slushy streets

The isolation of a blizzard keeping everyone indoors

The discomfort of wet socks and snow in your boots

The hazard of black ice on sidewalks and roads

The burden of heavy layers and winter gear

The dull ache of a cold that lingers

The gloom that can accompany the lack of sunlight

Helpful adjectives

Biting, chilly, frosty, glacial, icy

Crisp, brisk, sharp, piercing, raw

Fluffy, powdery, crunchy, slick, slippery

Dreary, overcast, bleak, sombre, grey

Cosy, snug, warm, toasty, plush

Twinkling, sparkling, shimmering, glistening

Silent, muffled, still, hushed, quiet

Fresh, clean, invigorating, brisk, bracing

Nostalgic, traditional, joyous, festive, celebratory

Isolating, inconvenient, burdensome, hazardous, gloomy

[hyuckswoman]

bf!renjun painting you

pairing: bf!renjun x reader

genre: fluff

summary: you rent the cottagecore house of your dreams, take a nap and wake up to see your boyfriend painting you

booking an airbnb that was essentially the cottagecore house of your dreams for your getaway with your boyfriend was arguably the best decision you’ve taken ever.

Renjun was absolutely awed upon seeing the house for the first time, it was like seeing his pinterest board in real life. Even though it was unfortunate that this was your house for only a week you guys decided to make the most of it, going on strolls, picnics in the backyard, baking strawberry shortcakes even visiting the farm nearby and feeding the horses. The past couple of days had been heaven.

After going on your daily stroll stopping by the pond to feed the ducks, you decided to take a quick nap when coming back home. Maybe heading to the bedroom would’ve been the best option to actually rest but you were in a house that had a sun room, you HAD to have at least one nap there.

Your boyfriend had been calling your name for the past couple of minutes wanting you to try the strawberry lemonade he made. Upon the lack of response, he started looking for you in the house. Finding you lying down on the small couch, surrounded by all the small plants the house came with, the sun on your face. His face broke in the biggest grin, being completely enamored of you who looked so peaceful sleeping gracefully whilst sunbathing.

After taking a picture of what he deemed as the most beautiful view ever, renjun decided to paint the scene, i mean you guys were basically living your cottagecore dreams, why not add to it? Grabbing his small case of watercolors, he mentally patted himself on the back for going against his instinct and bringing his painting gear. He then installed his brushes, paints, and canvas into the corner of the room, finding the view to be even more perfect this way.

Renjun found himself snickering a bit at his own thoughts. He thought you being asleep meant it would be easy to paint you, turns out he’s been spending his time staring at you with heart eyes instead of painting streaks on his canvas. He did draw a quick sketch attempting to picture your essence onto the canvas but wasn’t satisfied as ‘it wasn’t as pretty as you were’, but if he was being honest with himself, no one could ever capture your beauty onto a canvas.

After crumbling the fourteenth (or at least what felt like it) paper he settled on just winging it, he had to trust his abilities and it wouldn’t turn out bad, right?? He was honestly surprised at how tired you were as you’ve been lying still for quite a long time. Halfway through his painting, you stirred awake. As you opened your eyes you were greeted with the most beautiful view, your boyfriend concentrated in his art.

“hi baby, don’t move for a sec for me okay?” your boyfriend says re concentrating on his canvas. “are you painting me?” you ask, your voice a bit groggy from your nap. “I’m trying to, can’t get it right though, i could never replicate your charm on a canvas” he says and you swear your heart actually melted. “you know we’re already dating right? you don’t have to compliment me” you reply going back into your original position not complaining, as all you had to do was sit there and look pretty in the sun. “I’m merely telling the truth, you’re literally god sent it’s already incredible luck i get to see you this close” your boyfriend says, getting up from his corner to give you a quick kiss. “flattery will get you nowhere mister” you reply slightly punching him. “I can name a few times where flattery got me exactly where i wanted to be” he replies slightly laughing heading back to his canvas to finish the painting.

Hearing your boyfriend sigh meant he either was done and not satisfied or he was done and really unsatisfied. “I’m sure whatever you painted belongs in a museum” you say getting out of your position to go look “you belong in a museum. but wait don’t look just yet I don’t like it right now” renjun says frustratingly looking at the painting. “cmonnnn, I’m sure I’ll like it! there’s not one piece of art you’ve made I haven’t liked” you whine slowly approaching him. You quickened your pace hearing his little ‘fine’

“I’m 100% positive it’s not that bad- woah. THIS?? is what you’re unsatisfied with? junnie what the fuck this is so beautiful you’re insane” you say mouth agape upon seeing the painting, slightly getting emotional. “yea? you’re not just saying this?” your boyfriend asks as you’re quick to deny profusely shaking your head. “no I mean it I swear man what the hell” you answer giving him a hug as he shrugs. “the only reason why it’s pretty is because you’re my subject” he says to which you reply “shut up”.

Finding your boyfriend’s warmth wayy better than sitting in the sun you settle on his lap, he’s quick to wrap his arms around your figure engulfing you in a hug drawing soothing circles on your back, giving you small pecks on your exposed shoulder skin. As you were slowly falling asleep again you felt your boyfriend squirm a bit “I forgot I made strawberry lemonade, it’s in the fridge want some?” he says as you nod getting up from his lap and following him to the kitchen

You did not want this week to be over.

notes: this is 100% an apology to every down bad reader for the chapters that are about to come…

[konigbabe]

pearls before swine

DAY 6 ⇢ Monster-fucking Pairing: kitsune!Satoru Gojo x fem!reader Word count: 2.7k Tags/warnings: no y/n; smut; public sex; p-in-v; exhibitionism; dirty talk; hints of praise kink; manhandling; Gojo has a tale (nine of them altogether) and fangs; mention of blood/bleeding; Japanese mythology and folklore Summary: Visiting the Shinto shrine – somehow – leads to you getting wrecked by a mischievous trickster fox on an open balcony and with no shame. [Part of NSFW Gojo Week 2023]. Divider is mine. Art credit goes to 月刺啾 (@/x2MciyELLRZRhg1) on Twitter [source].

event masterlist • masterlist • navigation • faq • AO3 • ko-fi

kitsune 狐 /kɪtˈsuː.neɪ/ noun; a Japanese fox spirit capable of shapeshifting into human form and are known to be cunning and playful, mysterious and malevolent.

You've heard the stories. Read about them. Creatures that use their shape-shifting abilities to take on human form and fool people into doing whatever they want. Tricking their prey into surrendering their deepest emotions and desires – the very essence of life itself.

In the midst of the Azalea festival, when the flowers are in full bloom – teal, lilac, and violet hues painting a pastoral picture – it's hard to find a quiet place. Especially near the main sanctuary of the Shinto shrine. Moving near the offering hall, that was when you first spotted him, towering over everyone.

He was standing beside a fox statue, arm draping over the sculpture's head, fingers as slender and agile as a ballet dancer's tracing the contours of the fox's snout. Your senses felt as though they were playing tricks on you as you watched his eyes – so pale they seemed to shimmer like a frozen lake, its lightness bordering on translucence – glide across the courtyard until they reached your kimono-clad body.

But it wasn't his demeanor – dismissive and blasé, laced with a hint of curiosity – that rendered you speechless. No. Rather, it was his appearance – a fusion of the human and the surreal. Japanese have a word for that: ‘yūgen'.

A shock of silver hair framed his face, its strands made of liquid mercury, catching the faint light of the morning sun. Yet, what truly seized your gaze were the symbols on his face – three sapphire tear-shaped drops gracing the lower edges of his almond-shaped eyes, a matching azure line tracing his waterline, gently extending beyond the corners of his eyes. Two cobalt dots adorned each corner of his upturned mouth, while another trio of sapphire lines adorned his forehead, with the middle one flowing onto the bridge of his sharp nose – reminiscent of the wind's delicate patterns. His skin porcelain-smooth and pale, accentuating the ethereal quality of his appearance.

And for some inexplicable reason, you appeared to be the only one capable of seeing him – it. Coming to a halt beneath the torii gate, he turned his head slightly, a strand of silvery hair cascading down over his left eye. The world around you seemed to hush, a stillness setting in; time itself stilling when his eyes locked onto yours from afar, leaving your lips parted in both awe and intrigue.

"You look so pretty," he murmurs, lips gliding over your neck, "when you're at my mercy."

The sharp sting of his fangs gliding under your ear, tracing the probing vein, causes goosebumps to form and travel along the spines of your arms and legs. You feel the warm hiss of his breath, the hot roughness of his tongue against your neck. Toes curling, feet dirty from the ground as the fox pounds into you. Hands gripping the wooden railing of the small balcony that overlooks a pond with koi fish swimming peacefully in.

You're not sure if someone has seen you yet. Seen the lewd image of getting fucked by someone – something – not entirely humane.

The sharp edges of his claws dig into your hips, kimono long discarded on the floor. Naked body swaying in the rhythm to the sharp thrusts. Softness melting into hardness. Satoru – his name echoed in your mind when his hand first touched your skin; as if you were already familiar with the fox – pulls you back to meet his hips, bare body dressed only in his haori, the same sapphire shade as his eyes, draped over his shoulders, arms hidden underneath the silken jacket.

Each stroke of his cock massages your walls, spreading apart the tender flesh between your legs. The ridge of his head presses up against that sweet spot deep inside you. Your thighs press together so you can feel it again. Little sparks of pleasure shoot through your body, making you moan as he brushes over everything that feels good.

"Huh–," his nails, razor-sharp and dangerous, rake over your abdomen. The palm presses flat against the contour of your tummy – hard – as if he's trying to feel how the tip of his cock bruises the opening of your cervix with each thrust. "Eeaasy now," his voice silky smooth just like his skin, "shush, we don't want anyone seeing you like this, right?"

A particularly loud moan emanates from your chest; his words drawn out by the pleasure surging through your veins. Mind feeling too good to be inhibited by anything else.

"Or do you want your friends to see you getting fucked by the devil like me," Satoru's tone lingers in the back of your head. The hand on your abdomen moving downward, toying with your clit. Rubbing circles before pressing against its sides.

You can feel him smile against your neck as he continues to thrust deep into you, each movement harder and faster than the last. His claws dig into your hips, biting into the skin there in a way that's both abrasive and soothing.

"I can't," the breath rushes out of you, leaving your head spinning and the earth swimming as Satoru pulls back to watch you clutch the railing. You're sure you're going to collapse at any moment, but you can feel him watching as your knuckles grind into the wood. Until he’s leaning in again, lips exploring your shoudlerblades,, "I can't–Satoru–hngh."

He's warm. The skin of his chest presses flat against your arching back.He turns his hips into you; the pressure mounts at your core, building up to a burning coil. Lewd sounds of skin slapping skin heating up your cheeks, burning your ears as shame tickles at the edges of your mind.

It's blaring. Flashy.

Loud.

"Hehe," he chuckles against your shoulder and you feel his teeth sink into the flesh there, careful not to puncture the delicate skin, "what pretty sounds we make."

And for a moment, you allow yourself to drown. To have the fox ravage you. Cock thrusting deep inside and with each withdrawal, your slickness sloshing out of you. Messy and wet. Coating your thighs in it. And yet it urges Satoru to go harder. Deeper.

Leaning over your body, his hands press along your ribcage before coming to rest on the tops of your shoulders. The weight of him feels like it's anchoring you in place – even though all he’s doing is encircling you with his arms and keeping no distance between your two bodies.

Thick white lashes that frame his eyes hide his true feelings while the half-smile playing on his lips remains unchanged.

His thumbs make tiny circles beneath your breasts, brushing across their undersides. A whimper escapes your lips when he pulls away, pulls out. The sudden emptiness prompting a muffled sound from the back of your throat – which earns you a playful slap on the curve of your ass.

"You're very loud, you know that?"

Satoru turns you around, hands remaining on your ribcage as he lifts you up effortlessly. Legs reflectively wrapping around his narrow hips, feeling his hipbones dig into the fat of your thighs. His presence suffocating the air from your lungs with a humid heat.

Your arms strain as you grip the railing behind you, body in the air while Satoru's arm supports your back, the other hand gripping his slick cock.

"It's not–agh," he pats your aching nub before gliding the tip over your slit, collecting the leaking wetness, "not like that."

He grins at you, eyes staring into yours with twinkles of mischief – or lust? – while smearing prespend over your swollen, empty hole.

"So you're not enjoying this," bending over you, kisses your nerves awake, his cheek nudges your head to the side so his lips can nibble at the taut skin of your jawline. And your eyes widen in shock.

People. More than a dozen people walking towards the chōzuya, a water well adjacent to the worship hall right next to the small sightseeing open building on which's balcony you're currently are in. Naked, legs wrapped around a kitsune, body completely exposed.

Just one look to the left is all anyone needs to do.

"Your body's burning," Satoru's breath scorches your ear. His cock, hard and pulsing, teases your entrance until it aches sweetly, "heh–want me to stop, pretty?"

"Ngh–" you shake your head, "don't stop."

"Good, now–," his lips graze yours the moment he slides the tip of his cock inside. Chest rambling with a sound distinctively similar to purring, "be a good girl and let me fuck you."

With that, he snaps his hips until he's buried inside of your cunt, filling you to the brink. Lowering his mouth to your skin, his fangs once again graze your shoulder blade; move alongside your clavicles until he reaches your sternum. Every deep exhale through his nose leaves an imprint on your flesh. It makes you feel like you're burning. Hot coals pressed against your skin.

His hands grip your ass. Kneading the flesh as he sets a relentless pace. Sinking deep inside with each drive of his hips.

Pushing yourself off the railing, you carefully swing your arms over his shoulders. Chest flush against his, you moan when your sensitive nipples graze the hard muscle of his torso.

"Ahh, Satoru–," your face buries in the mop of his hair when you feel his lips encircle your nipple, sucking and swirling his tongue over the mound as he drives his cock in and out of your cunt; so slick and dripping that you feel almost no friction altogether, "feels so good."

His teeth nip at the soft meat of your breast, nipple glossy with saliva as he moves his attention to the other one. You feel it then – or maybe it's been there the whole time – a brush against your thigh; initially thinking it to be his hand. Only they both lay flat against your ass. It's soft. Thick. Bushy. And it wasn't there before, yet it moves around you, slithers until it rests along the length of your thigh.

"You're taking me so well, pretty," his pelvis rubs your clit each time he bottoms out, moving you to sit on the old, creaky wooden railing, allowing his heads to roam your body – which he takes full advantage of – and only tightening the band inside your abdomen, "makes me not wanna feed."

His words fly over your head. Mind fuzzy and empty. Instead, you gasp for breath, the need for air becoming desperate as you clutch onto Satoru, whose relentless thrusts show no signs of faltering.

Toes twitching, your legs tremble around his hips. Moan after moan escaping your throat as your hips grind against his, a pathetic attempt to meet his harsh thrust and grind on his pelvis – to feel at least a tiny slither of pressure against your swollen bud – to which Satoru takes notice. Hand moving to your hip, he squeezes the flesh before moving his thumb over your clit, toying with it.

You feel another bushy tail slither onto your other thigh; it makes your eyes open. That's when you finally take notice of his full nature. He doesn't have actual tails. Instead, something vaguely resembling tails slithers from behind his back. Translucent with blueish hue. You're capable of seeing through them all. The same hue radiates from his skin, from the patterns decorating his face–

Satoru's lips continue their assault on your nipples as curiosity floods your veins.

–it's almost like small clouds taking shape, flying over his body. It's –

"Beautiful," you whimper, feeling him stir underneath your palms. The fox looks up, hips stilling with his full cock warm inside you.

"What did you say," he asks. Eyes leaving the image before you, you cup his face with one hand, locking your gaze onto his – fire meeting ice.

"I said that you're beautiful," your lips trace his nose, the tear-shaped drops underneath his eyes. The dot on the corner of his lips before grazing the soft plumpness of his mouth. It sends tingles through you. A jolt. As if you were touching a sacred artifact, fingers cautiously exploring every curve and contour of his face left behind.

Satoru's breath catches, and he closes his eyes, allowing your exploration to continue for a while.

"Hah," his lips catch yours, an arm sneaking around your middle to bring you closer, the thumb on your clit rubbing and flicking against the nerve, making you whimper into his mouth, "you're the pretty one," he mumbles against your mouth.

Slowly moving his hips back, you feel every ridge and contour of his cock against your insides until only the head remains locked in. Then he snaps. Pushes forward with a newfound fervor.

Satoru's tongue flicks over yours. Sweetness tinges your senses. Like ripe berries on a warm summer day.

"The tasty one," he pulls away, forehead resting against yours as he feels your cunt flutter.

The tension inside your abdomen grows. Coiling around your insides like a tautly wound spring, ready to snap at any moment. Every deliberate movement from him tightens the invisible band.

With each flick of his thumb, your breath hitches, body quivers in response, cunt tightening around him. Each stroke of his cock. Sharp tongue tracing a searing path over your fevered skin, igniting your senses with each pass. Satoru's focus shifts – from your jaw to your neck, to your sternum, leaving no inch untouched by his maddening touch.

His hand squeezes the pliant flesh of your ass, giving it a gentle slap every once in a while when his cock brushes your cervix. You plead for release, voice a breathless whisper against his mouth. His response a flicker of dominance, fingers teasing your clit, pushing you closer to the edge.

"Satoru–mmph–so close," your lips seal over his marking, eyes squeezing shut to contain the overwhelming sensations, "m'gonna cum."

"Then cum," he encourages, his voice a seductive purr as he flicks your swollen clit, "wanna see the face you make, pretty."

The tension reaches its breaking point with the roll of his tongue over your lower lip. The invisible band stretched to its limit. Every sensation, every touch, and every word weaves together into a pool of desire. Making you teeter on the edge, held captive by his electrifying presence, until finally, with one last snap, the tension shatters like glass. The band snaps.

"Ah, Satoru–"

"Ugh–there we go," pain mixes with pleasure. Fangs sinking into your shoulder, his claws dig into the meat on your hips. It stings when your skin is raptured. Crimson beads trail down towards his pivoting hips, fucking you through the orgasm. Through the overwhelming pleasure. Through your body spasming, cunt contracting against his cock.

He doesn't stop.

Not until the world fades away.

(Guess you should have seen that coming. What is the saying? Never trust a fox.)

"Hey, c'mon. Wake up."

You sense hands on your shoulders, shaking you vigorously. As you reluctantly open your eyes, a familiar face hovers above you, bathed in a soft, afternoon light, accompanied by a group of others. Your friend gives your shoulder a reassuring squeeze, grounding you as you blink away the remnants of slumber.

Oh no.

Hastily lowering your gaze, relief washes over you when you realise you're fully dressed. But if you're fully dressed…

"What happened?" you croak, voice tinged with confusion, the world still hazy around the edges.

Nothing seems to add up right now.

"You tell me," your friend grins, their features coming into sharper focus as the surrounding crowd gradually dissolves. "You told me you were gonna buy some shinsen for the offering hall but you disappeared. An employee found you here," you scan your surroundings, recognizing the familiar balcony in front of you, "sleeping on a bench. Completely passed out. Out of it. She couldn't even wake you up."

Sleeping on a bench.

"Sorry," you mutter, fingers instinctively rubbing your eyes, senses now fully awakened.

Was it all a dream? "Guess I got tired."

It couldn't be a dream. Not when you push yourself to stand up and feel the strain in your legs. Stickiness. Slickness between your thighs.

"What's that?" your friend points towards your clenched fist. Opening your hand, palm up, both of you gaze at a small, iridescent bead with barely discernible sapphire swirls dancing across its smooth surface.

"Don't know."

"Looks like a fox's pearl. They sell those at the charm shop," your friend nods their head towards a nearby charm shop before both of you start walking. Time to go home.

[cressidagrey]

The Starlight Princess - Chapter 4

Summary: 

There is a Pool of Starlight in the Spring Court. A piece of the Night Court that has no business being in the land of Eternal Spring. So how did it come to be?

Or: How the Spymaster of the Night Court starts hearing a voice, realises that no, he is not insane after all, frees a princess, kills a High Lord…and finds his mate all at the same time.

Warnings: 

Discussion of the Death of Rhys’ Mother and Sister, Tamlin ends up being unalived, Discussion of Magic being turned against the other person, assault, a mating bond

Fear pumped through his veins. Utter terror to be honest. 

The shadows were swirling, a thousand voices asking him questions, that he didn’t know the answer to.

It didn’t matter. 

The fighting leathers were already spreading over his body by the time he got the siphons strapped to his hands.

*The wards are failing!*

He had never heard Seren sound like that before. Had never heard her that desperate and he could get just a taste of the pain that was thrumming through her as the wards of the Spring Court that she was bound to were starting to come apart at the seams. 

Azriel had known that that was a possibility ever since Tamlin had started to spend more time in his beast form than anything else since he had stopped actually governing Spring’s territory. 

He had known that it was a possibility. Known that the inbuilt magic of Prythia that was given to every High Lord upon their ascension could and would find itself a home, a new High Lord, if Tamlin didn’t manage to catch himself…It was why he knew Rhys had gone to visit Tamlin more than once, to warn him that that was a possibility…to make sure that it wasn’t going to happen. 

But now it was too late for this. 

And of everybody paying the price of it…it was Seren. 

Seren, who did her best to shield him from the pain that she was feeling and not pull back completely, because he could feel her terror like another person in his mind. 

He could…he could feel it. He could feel it all. 

Even as the shadows dragged him across half of Prythian, spitting him out at the Spring Court manor. 

Deserted. Cold. Desolate. 

Night time had come. 

Clearly in more than one way. 

The wards were crumbling all around him, even obvious to his untrained eye and the feeling made him shudder. 

Find me Tamlin, he demanded from the shadows that immediately rushed from him. 

*No need,* Seren whispered, her voice making the strain she was under obvious. *He’s here.*

Here? Tamlin was at the Pool of Starlight, wasn’t he?

*What’s he doing?* Azriel asked, already melting into the shadows, pulling Truthteller from its sheath, crossing the distance…

*Bathing,* Seren answered. *He used my magic to shore up the wards more than once.*

He didn’t even have the words for this. He didn’t know what he was supposed to say to that. 

To her magic, her very essence being turned against her and used to suit Tamlin’s purposes…To be cursed into being nothing else but a pond for his amusement, his leisure. 

To be treated like that, to be…

*Fuck, Princess,* Azriel cursed hoarsely. 

*It hurts,* she admitted, nearly silently, just as he finally caught sight of the pool…to see that massive horned beast standing in the shallows. 

Alone the sight made Azriel want to throw up. The dichotomy between Seren’s beautiful magic and him. 

*Do you want me to wait until he’s out?* he asked. So that he wasn’t going to have to drip Tamlin’s blood all into her magic? So that she didn’t need to take part in any of this. 

*No. Do it now.*

He took it as an order. He crossed the remaining distance and then struck like a snake.

Truthteller always stroke true. And with that, Azriel plunged his knife into the neck of the High Lord of Spring. 

He should have known that it wasn’t going to be that easy. 

Even when the wards were crumbling all around them, like pieces of flowing ashes falling to the floor, Tamlin was still a High Lord, with a High Lord’s vast magical repertoire…and currently a massive horned beast that shook Azriel from its back with a reverberating growl, throwing him right into the Seren’s Starlight. 

The feeling of it on his skin…it made him shudder. Thicker than water, her starlight rushed to surround him, and he could nearly feel her like that…

*Be careful!* she snapped at him, and he just managed to duck out of the way as Tamlin swiped at him. 

And with that, Azriel was done. 

He wasn’t going to pull this fight out. He wasn’t. As much as he would like to torture Tamlin for what he had done to Seren…what he had done to all of them, he wasn’t going to do that. 

He was going to end it quickly. The quicker he did it, the quicker Seren would finally be free. The quicker Seren would no longer be imprisoned as anything but this Pool of Starlight. The quicker he was she would no longer be tortured by the wards tied to her magic. 

Tamlin and he were both on bad ground here, the substance of the starlight, making the ground underneath his feet slick but at least Azriel wasn’t the only one at a disadvantage.  

Tamlin growled again, more beast than fae, and Azriel charged. 

One good burst of killing power forced Tamlin back, the shadows doing their best to corral him. His claws shredded Azriel’s leathers, leaving deep scratches against his chest. 

The pure pain of it took his breath away. One second of not doing anything and Tamlin nearly took off Azriel’s head with his teeth, forcing him down onto the ground. 

For just a second he wondered if he could manage to get out of this. If he could manage to survive. If he…

And then… 

*NO!*

Seren’s scream reverberated in his bones. The magic surrounding them heaved, and the starlight seemingly crackled with lightning…giving him one opening. 

Truthteller stroke true once more. 

And between one breath and the next, Tamlin shuddered above him, that great beast dragged underneath the starlight that choked him, snuffing out the last inkling of life out of him. 

He could feel the moment he died. Could feel the wards shuddering and then dissipating completely…Could feel the Curse put upon her shatter. 

And then he could feel Seren’s magic shudder and explode. 

She was no longer bound to anything. 

Sere was free. 

Suddenly the Starlight pulled back from him, and he gasped for air… and before he could do so much as blink, there she was, hitting the floor next to him, covered in mud, wild-eyed and free. 

Something inside him snapped. 

His. His. His. 

His whole body lurched. His. 

In the span of a moment, everything changed. 

In the span of a moment, his whole life reoriented itself, gravity turned into nothing more than a suggestion as the only thing that still kept him tied to this world was her. 

The pull snapped in place between his ribs, a searing hot pain. 

She was his. She was his. 

Her gaze met his, violet met hazel. 

One moment later, her mind collided with his, horrible lonely and desperate. 

A sharp contrast to her weak and careful touch of the last few days. This was the full brunt of it, of her and it made him gasp. 

Everything was multiplied. Everything. 

Mine. Mine. Mine, she chanted mind, just as her body threw herself over his, pressing him back down into the cold mud. 

Everything she was feeling, he could feel too, the full maelstrom of every single one of her emotions, of need and love and want and happiness and elation and desperation. Her mind was shaking with it, unable to handle the onslaught, completely overwhelmed. 

So was he. 

She touched him and every touch of hers seemingly set him on fire, everything demanding to touch her as well. 

They needed to get home, they needed safety and protection and…but he couldn’t even end that thought because she pressed her mouth to his with a growl, a gasp escaping him. 

There was nothing sweet in that kiss. It was pure desperation, pure need, as her nails bit into his shoulder and she nearly bit off his tongue. 

And still…And still, he loved it. Still, he loved her, and he needed her. The need was all-consuming, just stroking the fire that was doing its best to consume him alive. 

He needed her. 

He couldn’t even put into words how much he needed her. 

Azriel managed to get one hand into her hair, dripping wet and just as covered in mud as they were both were. Managed to feel her fragile skull pressing against his scarred hands, her very being fluttering against him…could feel her hot breath hit his, the way her heart was racing in her chest. 

She was alive. 

She was gloriously alive. 

He didn’t fucking care about anything else. 

She was alive, her heart was beating and she smelled like citrus and jasmine like she always had. Seren was alive. Seren was right there in his arms, her warm, soft, perfect skin underneath his ruined hands. 

*Mate,* Seren purred, pulling back, leaning her forehead against his.  

It cut him through the marrow of his bones. 

Mate. 

This was what was happening. The mating bond had just snapped for both of them. 

The mating bond. 

He hadn’t even realised it. The inferno that was raving within was making it impossible for him to think straight, to realise what was even going on between the two of them…what was…

The mating bond. He never had thought that he would be given this. Had never thought that he deserved this either. But nearly half a millennia after he had been born, this gift had been given to him. Unspeakably precious, dropped into his lap. 

Whatever else was going to happen…Azriel was never going to let this go.

He would protect and shelter her with his life. 

They needed…home. They needed to get home. They needed the protection only Velaris could provide. 

One-half thought later,  the shadows enveloped them both, dragging them back home, as Seren clung to him as tightly as she could, fingernails scratching against his shoulders, against the shredded bits of his leathers that still hung from his frame. 

They hit the floor of his hallway just inside his house with a thud, and Seren slid astride his hip without another word, leaning forward to kiss him again, pawing uselessly at his chest, making him hiss in pain as she shoved the fighting leathers over his shoulders, the scratches on his chest protesting. 

He couldn’t even bring out another word before she kissed him again, at least this time not mauling him in the process like she had been ready to do just seconds before…

*Seren…* he thought at her, trying to get her attention, but she didn’t seem to care. The only thing she was concentrating on was trying to get as close to him as possible, grounding down against him. He pulled back from the kiss. 

“Seren, wait,” he said hoarsely and she pulled back, staring at him, violet eyes so impossibly wide on her pale face. 

“Why?” she asked him, leaning back forward to press a kiss against the hollow of his throat and he could just bite back a groan, as her hands found his naked skin and slowly stroked against his. *I need you,* she whispered in his mind. He shuddered. 

How was he ever supposed to tell her no, if she talked to him like that? How was he supposed to stand firm and protest that she needed some time and not make any quick decisions that weren’t thought out at all, if…*Please, Azriel.* She pleaded. 

She shifted, her hips grinding down against his, and he caught a half thought, pure instinct purring in her hindbrain. *Strong. Could protect me. Big. Will give me strong children.*

The last thread of control he had snapped at that. 

A growl burst out of his throat, as he twisted them to bury her underneath him. 

[badboydevotee]

Dandelion's Truth

The night was thick with anticipation, the air charged with a quiet energy that seemed to hum in harmony with the distant sounds of Tokyo Bay. The bay itself was a mirror to the restless sky, reflecting the sporadic flashes of lightning that danced across the horizon. A strong wind whipped through, carrying with it the scent of salt and the whisper of secrets too heavy for daylight. 

Towa stood beside you on the old wooden pier, his presence a stark contrast to the tempestuous night. His whimsical nature was at odds with the solemnity that had settled between you. Clad in a long, flowing coat that billowed with each gust of wind, he looked every bit the ethereal creature of the night he fancied himself to be. His silver hair was tousled, giving him an almost magical, if not slightly disheveled, appearance.

"Do you believe in soulmates, Dandelion?" Towa’s voice was soft, almost lost to the wind, yet it carried a weight that pressed against your chest. His eyes, bright and expectant, sought an answer from you. His smile was playful, yet there was an undercurrent of vulnerability that made your heart ache.

You shivered, though not entirely from the cold. The question had caught you off guard, and the way he looked at you—like he was about to discover the essence of your very being—made your throat tighten. You had always known Towa to be whimsical, to revel in dreams and fantasies, but this question was different. It was as if he was reaching out for something real, something tangible, and you were suddenly aware of the chasm between your beliefs and his.

You hesitated, your mind racing through a myriad of thoughts. You didn’t want to shatter his delicate world of dreams. You didn’t want to be the reason his smile faltered. But how could you lie to him? The truth was, you didn’t believe in soulmates. You didn’t believe in that kind of destined connection; not after all you had seen and experienced.

You took a deep breath, your gaze shifting to the restless waves below. “Oh, um... Do I believe in soulmates?” You repeated his question, trying to buy yourself some time. The wind caught your words and tossed them around, as if mocking your indecision. 

Towa’s gaze remained fixed on you, his expression hopeful yet tinged with an unspoken longing. You could see the way his eyes sparkled with a kind of innocent yearning, a yearning for something that might not even exist. The weight of his expectation was almost unbearable.

Finally, you spoke, each word feeling like a betrayal even as you uttered it. “No, I don’t. I don’t believe in soulmates.” The confession felt like a heavy stone dropping into a still pond, sending ripples of pain and regret through both of you. The silence that followed was thick and suffocating, as if the universe itself was mourning the truth you had just revealed.

Towa’s face fell, his smile twisting into something bittersweet. He nodded slowly, as if accepting a truth he had already feared. “You don’t... that’s a shame,” he said softly. His voice carried a quiet sorrow that made your heart ache. “I want to believe in them. I want to believe that there’s someone out there who’s meant for me, someone who can see through all the whimsy and caprice.”

He turned to face you fully, his expression a delicate mask of acceptance. “If you find your soulmate, could you tell me, Dandelion? I want to hear all kinds of love stories.” His words were almost a plea, a request for a glimpse into a world he so desperately wanted to believe in.

Your heart twisted at his request. You could sense the depth of his emotions, the way his laughter, though genuine, held a tinge of sadness. It was as if he was trying to hold onto hope, even as the storm clouds gathered overhead, threatening to engulf everything in their path.

The two of you fell into a contemplative silence, watching the waves crash rhythmically against the pier. The storm that had been brewing in the distance was now closer, its presence palpable in the way the air crackled and the sky darkened. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Towa stood beside you, his hand brushing against yours in a brief, fleeting touch. The contact was electric, a reminder of the connection you shared, even if it was not the kind he had hoped for. You could feel the warmth of his hand, the sincerity in his touch, and it made the reality of your situation all the more poignant.

As the first raindrops began to fall, mingling with the wind and the salt of the sea, you looked at Towa. His whimsical exterior was now marred by the raw, aching truth of his feelings. The storm was upon you, both literal and metaphorical, but in that moment, all you could do was stand by him, sharing in the quiet sadness of the night.

In the end, the storm raged on, its fury a reflection of the turmoil within your hearts. But even as the rain soaked through your clothes and the waves crashed violently against the pier, there was a sense of solace in the shared understanding of your broken dreams and unspoken desires. The night would eventually pass, and the storm would subside, but the bond between you and Towa would remain, fragile yet enduring, like the dandelions that had been so central to your connection.

Ao3 vers.

[valy-gc]

Game Idea - now a novel

Well... an idea that will stay an idea because I don't have any programmation skills nor the money to pay some developpers, but I like it and got lots of ideas for it so let's just share it. If you want to make a OC and/or your MC from it, then have fun, I would love it ^-^

It's a dating sim, mix between "Twisted Wonderland" and "Obey me!"

This is mostly ideas thrown like this in a messy way. But you can now read my test for the novel version here:

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9

Or on my Tapas, Ao3 or wattpad

everything under the cut

As a new student at Fablewood Academy, you are mysteriously invited after stumbling upon an ancient storybook. Among peers who resonate with legendary characters from fables and folklore, you stand apart—unable to resonate with any historical figure. Instead, you uncover a profound connection to the mysterious Writers.

Navigating the competitive dorm dynamics and building relationships with students and teachers, you begin to unravel the secrets of Scriptoria, the world of stories. With your unique bond to the Writers, you hold the key to saving it from an ancient force threatening to rewrite history itself.

~~~~

World

"Scriptoria" A magical world shaped by the memories and writings of the legendary Writers, who recorded the lives and deeds of its inhabitants.

~~~~

The Writers :

The authors of fairytales we  knows, they are called the "Writers" (always with a cap W) not because they have wrote the  tales (since it's supposed to be all real stories in this world) but because they were keeper of memories, noting everything that was  happening in the world, which permitted the actual characters to knows  all about the stories.

~~~~

Locations

Austreim: Inspired by European fairytales (Germany, France, Scandinavia). A realm of picturesque forests, cobblestone towns, and grand castles. Home to tales like "Cinderella" and "Little Red Riding Hood."

Beasthaven: A country inspired by La Fontaine’s animal fables. Predominantly inhabited by beastmen. Features different biomes in different part of the land, from lush forests and rolling meadows to savannah or thundra. The country is known for their lively markets in every biome.

Seafoam Dominion: An underwater kingdom of mermen and aquatic fae. Draws inspiration from Andersen's stories. Has shimmering underwater cities and shores dotted with mythical artifacts.

Ebony Sands: Inspired by African folktales such as "The Man Who Never Lied." A sun-drenched land of deserts, savannahs, river deltas and ancient temples.

Celestial Plains: Based on East Asian folktales, blending Chinese, korean, Japanese stories among others. Features rolling hills of bamboo, cherry blossoms, and mystical shrines guarded by spirits.

Myrcadawn: A borderland filled with ancient ruins, magical storms, and creatures from forgotten tales. Mostly inhabited by faes.

~~~~

"Fablewood Academy" An all-boy institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of the writers and their stories. Located at the heart of Scriptoria, blending all cultural styles. Where the Writers’ legacies are studied and the world's future is shaped.

~~~~

The Resonance Ceremony

When a student enters the school, they undergo a Resonance Ceremony, a deeply symbolic ritual that determines their connection to an Historical Character (a character from fairytales and myths).

Ceremony Description:

The Setting: The ceremony takes place in a grand, mystical chamber called the Hall of Echoes, a circular room lined with glowing murals of countless legendary figures. In the center, on the ground like a pond, is the Ethereal Mirror, which shimmers like water and reflects not the student’s image, but fragments of their potential resonance.

The Ritual:

The student steps up to the mirror, guided by a faculty member.

The mirror reacts to their essence, glowing brighter as it identifies the Historical Character whose moral compass and essence most closely align with the student’s.

The chosen figure materializes as a spectral image above the mirror, accompanied by a brief vision of their story, morals, and defining characteristics.

The student receives an Artefact Sigil, a magical mark on their hand, symbolizing their connection. The sigil also acts as a key to their dormitory.

Outcomes:

The character determines the student’s dorm assignment. Dorms represent shared principles or traits rather than region or story type, which creates unique diversity within each house.

The student begins to develop their Legacy Arte, influenced by their resonance.

~~~~

Dorm Names & Founders

Astraquartz (Inspired by Cinderella, Charles Perrault): Represents perseverance, humility, and transformation.

Scarletfang (Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Grimm Brothers): Represents courage and cunning.

Everswell (Inspired by The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen): Represents sacrifice and curiosity.

Mousetrail (Inspired by The Lion and the Mouse, La Fontaine): Represents cleverness and loyalty.

Obsidianspire (Inspired by Mamad in "The Man Who Never Lied", unknown Writer (African tale)): Represents honesty and wisdom.

Verdance (Inspired by "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", Minamoto no Shitagō): Represents grace and adaptability.

~~~~

Resonance Dynamics

Living By Their Resonance: Students are expected to uphold the values and morals of their Resonance Character. Deviating too far from these principles leads to a Resonance Crisis, where the bond becomes unstable.

Resonance Crises: In a crisis, a student’s personality and abilities are warped by the unresolved conflict. They might embody the antithesisof their Historical Character, becoming a distorted, corrupted version of their story’s ideals.

Example: A student resonating with The Happy Prince may hoard wealth selfishly, spiraling into greed, causing their Legacy Arte to malfunction.

Resolution: To restore balance, the student must confront their choices and find a way to realign with their character’s core principles, often with the help of peers or the protagonist.

The Nature of Resonance

Resonance is not a rigid set of rules that dictate a person’s every thought or action. Instead, it represents a core essence—a reflection of the Resonance Character’s archetype, personality, and values. When a student resonates with a character, it means they share a similar foundation, but they are free to interpret and act on that foundation in their own unique way.

Core Principles of Resonance

Guiding Influence, Not Control: The Resonance doesn't force someone to behave exactly like their historical counterpart. Instead, it provides a general blueprint of traits, preferences, and tendencies that align with the character’s essence.

Example: Coach Garrick’s Resonance with the Big Bad Wolf doesn’t mean he must terrorize pigs—it means he shares the wolf’s gruff, bold, and predatory nature. How he channels those traits is entirely up to him. For Garrick, they manifest as a tough love coaching style.

Freedom to Choose Actions: While Resonance shapes a student's instincts and inclinations, their choices define their character. They can act in harmony with their Resonance without being confined to it.

Example: Elric, resonating with Cinderella's Stepmother, naturally enjoys luxury and attention. However, he can choose to respect others while enjoying these things, rather than mistreating them like the original stepmother did. If he strays too far—say, by shunning luxury entirely—it might destabilize his Resonance, but small acts of kindness wouldn’t harm it.

Resonance Crisis Is About Extremes: A Resonance Crisis occurs when a student goes against their core nature to an extreme degree, causing an inner conflict. This doesn’t happen because of minor deviations but because of a deep misalignment.

Example: If Elric started wearing rags and actively rejecting his love of luxury, his Resonance would destabilize. But respecting servants or treating them kindly, while still enjoying the finer things, would maintain balance.

Explaining Resonance Through Examples

Here are clear, narrative-driven examples to help clarify how Resonance works without feeling restrictive:

Garrick “Grizz” Wolfin (Big Bad Wolf): Garrick’s Resonance gives him traits like gruffness, strength, and an intimidating aura. He embodies the archetype of the wolf, but how he uses those traits is his choice. He could easily become a bully, but instead, he channels his gruff demeanor into being a demanding yet caring PE teacher. His choices define him, not the wolf.

Elric Briarthorne (Cinderella’s Stepmother): Elric shares the stepmother’s love for luxury, beauty, and a touch of laziness. However, he is not bound to repeat her cruelty. Elric can enjoy being pampered and commanding attention without mistreating others. If he rejects his natural affinity for elegance entirely, he risks a Resonance Crisis, but respecting a servant while maintaining his love for luxury keeps him in balance.

~~~~

Legacy Arte

Each Legacy Arte is tied to the unique essence of the resonated Historical Character. These are not static powers—they grow and evolve as the student’s connection deepens. It can be an offensive or defensive ability, a practical one for everyday or even a constant unseen ability (enhancing strenght, magic powers or anything else)

For example:

A student resonating with Princess Kaguya might have an Arte called Moonlit Grace, allowing them to summon moonlight to shield themselves and others. As they grow, the Arte might evolve into Celestial Radiance, granting healing and offense.

~~~~

Artefact Sigil

The Artefact Sigil serves as both a resonance stabilizer and a channel for magic, directly tied to the student's connection with their Resonance Character. It appears on the student's hand during the Resonance Ceremony.

Key Features of the Artefact Sigil

Appearance:

A glowing, dynamic symbol or glyph that reflects the essence of the Resonance Character. Its design evolves as the bond deepens, becoming more intricate and vibrant.

Example:

Astraquartz: A delicate glass slipper.

Scarletfang: A bold wolf’s paw print, with thorny vines wrapping around it.

Everswell: A flowing wave, centered with a small pearl-like dot.

Mousetrail: A small mouse.

Obsidianspire: A tall spire with rays of light radiating from its top.

Verdance: A crescent moon embraced by bamboo leaves.

Functionality:

Magic Channeling: The Sigil channels the student’s magic, focusing and amplifying their spells. It glows or pulses during use, with colors and intensity varying based on the magic type.

Legacy Arte Activation: The Artefact Sigil is the key to unlocking and evolving Legacy Arte abilities. As the student grows, the Sigil adapts to better support these powers.

Resonance Stabilization: The Sigil detects and moderates Resonance Crises. If a student strays too far from their Resonance Character’s core ideals, the Sigil dims or cracks slightly, serving as a warning. It also emits calming energy to help realign the connection.

Personal Connection: The Sigil is an inseparable part of the student, growing and changing with them. This deep connection makes magic feel more instinctive and intimate, as it’s literally a part of their body.

~~~~~~~~

Lore Tie-In

Origins: The Artefact Sigil was created by the Writers, using fragments of their own memories as the foundation. This ensures that every Sigil is a direct link to the archives of Scriptoria.

The Resonance Bond: The Sigil embodies the merging of the student’s essence with their Resonance Character. Its visible state reflects the health of this bond, making it both a tool and a representation of their inner journey.

~~~~

Scriptos Currency System

Coins (for smaller transactions):

1 Scripto:Copper coin

5 Scriptos: Bronze coin

10 Scriptos:Silver coin

50 Scriptos:Gold coin

Bills (for larger transactions):

100 Scriptos

200 Scriptos

500 Scriptos

1,000 Scriptos

10,000 Scriptos

Design Details

Coins:

Each coin feature an emblem of a quill or an open book to symbolize creativity and storytelling.

The coins shimmer faintly or show shifting patterns when exposed to light.

Bills:

The bills have holographic text or illustrations that animate briefly (e.g., a bird flying off a quill or ink drops forming a picture).

They feature famous Scriptoria figures, mostly the Writers, with each having different possible figures. -the 100 could feature Pu Songling or D. O. Fagunwa, -200 feature Don Juan Manuel, Alexander Pushkin or Giovanni Francesco Straparola -500 feature Charles Perrault, the brother Grimm or La Fontaine, -1000 feature Al-Jahiz, Hans Christian Andersen or Valmiki, -10 000 feature Joseph Jacobs or Alexander Afanasyev …)

The bills and coins are waterproof. Coin will not get rusty if used by merpeoples.

Practical Conversion

1 Scripto = 0.01 USD

100 Scriptos = 1 USD

The School Farm:

Purpose:

Self-Sufficiency: Provides fresh produce and farm-to-table ingredients for the cafeteria.

Community Spirit: Encourages students to bond and learn teamwork through shared responsibilities.

Practical Skills: Offers hands-on experience in agriculture, animal care, and commerce.

Earning Opportunities: Students can earn pocket money by working on the farm, in the cafeteria, or at the shop.

Animals on the Farm:

Poultry: Chickens/hens/roosdters, ducks, geese, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, pheasants, maybe pigeons and even a few peacocks

Dairy Animals: A couple of cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and camels for milk production (and maybe cheese or yogurt). Other less common milk animals are yaks, horses, reindeers and donkeys. (the farm would include the stables for horse riding club... and horse riding club could be about riding other type of animals)

Companion Animals: Perhaps a farm dog or cat that the students adore.

Fields and Crops:

Vegetables and Herbs: A variety of seasonal vegetables and herbs used in the cafeteria.

Orchard: A small orchard with fruit trees like apples, pears, or peaches.

Flowers: Some fields could grow flowers for decorative purposes or events.

Farm Activities:

Animal Care: Feeding, cleaning stalls, gathering eggs, milking cows, etc.

Crop Maintenance: Planting, weeding, harvesting, and learning about sustainable farming practices.

Event Preparation: Preparing products like jams, baked goods, or decorations for events.

Market Days: Selling fresh produce and handmade goods at school fairs or town markets.

How It Benefits Students:

Pocket Money Opportunities:

Students can earn wages working on the farm, at the cafeteria, or in the school store. They can also work in exchange of products instead of money.

Wages could be small, but enough for personal expenses or extracurricular activities.

Skill Development:

Responsibility: Managing shifts and caring for animals.

Practical Knowledge: Learning about agriculture, cooking, and business.

Teamwork: Collaborating with peers to keep things running smoothly.

Cultural Exchange:

Students from different homelands can share farming techniques or recipes.

Characters with unique Resonances could find ways to incorporate their powers into the farm (e.g., enhancing crop growth, making food preparation more efficient, etc.).

Integration with the School’s Themes:

Character Development:

Working on the farm could help shy or isolated characters open up and feel a sense of purpose (e.g., someone like Cygnus could bond with animals).

Ambitious or overconfident students could learn humility through manual labor.

Narrative Opportunities:

Events like harvest festivals, cooking competitions, or fundraisers could revolve around farm activities.

Farm responsibilities could create moments for character interaction, conflict, or bonding.

The farm could become a place of solace or reflection for students facing challenges.

Magic and Resonance Use:

Some students might creatively use their Resonances on the farm

Potential Challenges (For Story Conflict):

Mishaps:

Animals escaping, crop failures, or pranks leading to chaos on the farm.

Competition:

Students might compete for the highest sales during events, leading to friendly rivalries.

Misuse of Magic:

A student using magic irresponsibly on the farm could result in humorous or serious consequences.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maps and infos about the world:

Seafoam Dominion's infos are not especially true, because the site don't let me place a kingdom on water, so it's on a super small island with some burgs in the other states.

Also I didn't changed the number of people by burg, so this don#t count either.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The magical sport of Scriptoria:

Color Clash

Teams and Gameplay

Number of Teams: While six teams (one for each dorm) could add unique dynamics, it might be chaotic if everyone plays simultaneously. A good compromise might be:

Rotating matches with two teams battling at a time during recurring events.

A six-team free-for-all for larger, more chaotic rare events or tournaments.

Team Members: Teams could consist of 5(six teams) to 7(two teams) players. This allows for strategic play while keeping the matches manageable.

Playing Area: The sport could take place in a dedicated arena designed to resemble various terrains and obstacles, such as forests, caves, open fields, and ruins. Alternatively, for special events, the entire campus could be used for a massive "battle royale" version.

Rules and Objectives

Objective: "Paint" members of opposing teams with arrows (colored magical powder). Each successful hit earns points for the team.

Scoring System: Players are assigned point values based on their skill level. Before each match or tournament, players are ranked based on their performance in trainings and skill tests. This ensures fairness and adds an extra layer of strategy as teams must protect high-value players.

1 Point - Squire: Absolute beginners, bad or first-time players. Could be a player that is really good at shooting his arrow but bad at dodging the opponent’s.

2-10 Points - Adept : Average players, ranked incrementally based on skill and experience, with tiers such as Adept II, Adept V, Adept VIII ...

50 Points - Elite: Highly skilled players with notable achievements during training. Usually the captain if there is no Champion.

100 Points - Champion: The best player, often the team’s captain or standout star. Each team can only have one Champion.

It is mandatory for each team to have at least one Elite or Champion, but both at the same time are not always necessary, as not all team always have a Champion.

Points are calculated at the end of the game, and the team with the highest total wins.

Rank Titles :

Instead of saying, “That’s a 100-point player,” you’d say, “They’re the team’s Champion.”

The ranking titles could also play into the strategy:

Teams could call out, “Focus on their Elite!” or “The Champion is exposed!���

Elimination (Optional): Players could be "eliminated" when hit a certain number of times (10). This adds an extra layer of strategy, as players would have to decide whether to go on the offensive or protect high-value teammates.

Strategic Importance

Protecting High-Value Players: Teams will need to strategize to keep their Elite and Champions safe while using lower-point players to distract or disrupt the opposing team.

Not focusing too much : The lower rank players could think they are less important, but if they are eliminated, or permit the opponent to mark lots of points by touching them multiple time, they could makes the team loose even if the high-rank are safe.

Risk vs. Reward: Opposing teams may focus on targeting high-value players, leaving them vulnerable to counters.

Dynamic Rankings

Rankings could shift between matches or seasons based on performance. For example:

A player in the Adept X tier who performs exceptionally well could move up to Elite in the next game. The number of points earned in a match can play a huge part in the promotion.

Conversely, underperforming high-tier players might drop to a lower point value. (not after a one-time fail, of course, only after repeated defeats)

A player reaching the Champion rank will automatically take the captain place. But a Elite don’t necessarely become captain, except if there is no other Elite (and no Champion either)

A player reaching the Champion rank while there is already a Champion in the team will have to either decide to leave the team, change team, or the other player will have to make this choice, as no team should have more than one Champion.

A Champion or Elite disguised as a lower rank will lead to the immediate disqualification of the team. (in the situation of the others players are perfectly award of his real skill. If a Champion or Elite pretend to be lower to his own team, his teamate not knowing, then only the guilty player will be disqualified and forbbiden to join another team.)

Scoring System (Extra Points)

Player Elimination Bonus:

Every time a player is eliminated (hit 10 times), the opponent who lands the 10th shot earns 50 extra points.

If multiple players contribute to the 10 hits, only the final player earns the elimination bonus.

Chain Elimination Bonus:

For every consecutive opponent eliminated by the same player, the elimination bonus increases:

1st elimination: +50 points.

2nd elimination: +75 points.

3rd elimination: +100 points.

4th elimination and beyond: +150 points per elimination.

Entire Team Elimination Bonus:

If one player manages to eliminate an entire team (all members), they earn an extraordinary bonus of 500 points, in addition to the chain bonuses.

Last Player Standing Bonus:

If a team has only one player left, and this player wins the match (survives or eliminates all opponents), they earn an extra 300 points for their victory.

If the last-standing player of a team is eliminated, the player who lands the final hit earns 200 extra points, regardless of who dealt the previous hits.

Why extra points ?

Encourages Team Play: Collaboration is still critical for securing eliminations.

Rewards Exceptional Skill: Outstanding feats like eliminating entire teams or clutching a win alone are significantly rewarded.

High-Stakes Showdowns: The final moments of a game become more tense, as eliminating or saving the last player has huge scoring implications.

Magic and Special Elements

Magic Use: Magic could be allowed with restrictions, such as:

Spells must be harmless and non-lethal (e.g., creating distractions, shields, or minor obstacles).

Magic usage is tied to a temporary power-up system.

Power-Up Spheres : These floating objects can grant random temporary bonuses, such as:

Allowing harmless magic use for a limited time (depend of the power-up).

Shielding the player from one arrow.

Granting a "stealth" mode (invisibility for 10 seconds).

Doubling points for a short period.

Speed boost for a short period.

Freezes all opponents or arrows in place for 5 seconds

Emits a shockwave that knocks back opponents or clears arrows in the immediate vicinity.

Restores one "life". (Allow to be touched once more before getting eliminated)

Grants the ability to jump to high platforms or hover for 10 seconds

Allows instant teleportation to another part of the map, chosen randomly or directed by the player. (depend on the power-up)

Creates an illusory double of the player that moves randomly

Allows the player to place a one-time trap on the map that immobilizes or slows opponents who step into it.

Nullifies the effect of traps or hazards for a limited time

Temporarily causes all incoming arrows to change direction and return to the sender.

Randomizes everyone's positions on the map by teleportation, creating confusion and disrupting strategies.

Permit a one-shoot elimination (very rare)

Equipment and Mechanics

Bow and Arrow:

The bow transforms into a bracelet when not in use, making it easy to carry.

The arrows are tipped with harmless "pompoms" filled with colored magical powder.

Type of game :

Standard Matches: Two teams face off in a timed match.

Battle Royale: Six teams compete simultaneously until one team remains or the time runs out.

Infection Mode : One team starts as "infected," trying to tag players on the opposing team. This mode don’t use bows and arrow but gloves soaked in the magical powder. Tagged players become infected and switch sides. The game ends when all players are infected or time runs out.

Mystic Duel : Head-to-head duel with only two players of two different team or even the same team. The arena transforms into a smaller battlefield where they must outshoot each other. Often used when two players on the same team fight for the captain place or the Champion rank.

This sport is a traditional practice for students to sharpen their focus, strategy, and teamwork.

The power-up spheres are said to channel ancient magic from the Writers, rewarding clever players with bonuses.

Each dorm's strategy reflects their core values (e.g., Scarletfang play aggressively, while Verdance focus on defense and teamwork).

Additions or Clarifications

Audience Engagement

Magical displays show player stats, power-up activations, or instant replays during matches to entertain onlookers.

Spectator areas with enchantments allowing a "first-person view" of any player could immerse viewers.

Tiebreakers

In case of a tied score, there is a "sudden-death" shootout where each team selects one player of the same level of a Mystic Duel.

Seasonal Variants

Seasonal power-ups or obstacles (e.g., icy surfaces in winter, blooming vines in spring) to keep the sport fresh and tie it to the fantasy world’s calendar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clubs :

Litterature Club : Cygnus Downwood, Mahdi Alclaris

Horse Riding Club : Minwoo Kinsei

Swordmanship Club : Lupin Vardred, Jin Haruto

Gardening Club : Tsuki Laito, Porcus Huffsbrick

Music & Dance Club : Lyricis Farahdein,

Drama Club : Imperius Wovengale, Éponine D’Orveil, Elric Briarthorne

Exploration Club : Marinus Tideshade, Gael Lumespring

Art Club : Faylen Charmwright, Rune Spindlewick

Cooking Club : Ambrosine Forrant

Chess Club : Archer Verdain, Khamari Duneshade

Science Club : Noel D'Orveil, Hatterick Marchhare

Photography Club : Ren Chisora

Cheering : Chester Marroway, Tressari Manarah

Color Clash Club : Thatcher Squeakefield, Lazlo Quickstride

Basket Club : /

Baseball Club : Imran Frosham

Racing Club : Caspian Willorun

Gymnastic Club : Kadar Serpenscale

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Classes and Seats :

First Years

1-A 05 – Tsuki Laito 1-A 09 – Rune Spindlewick 1-A ?? – MC 1-B 02 – Hatterick Marchhare 1-B 04 – Lyricis Farahdein 1-B 07 – Imperius Wovengale 1-B 08 – Elric Briarthorne 1-C 10 – Archer Verdain 1-D 02 – Kadar Serpenscale 2-D 07 – Ren Chisora 1-E 01 – Imran Frosham

Second Years

2-A 06 – Marinus Tideshade 2-A 08 – Minwoo Kinsei 2-B 06 – Tressari Manarah 2-B 08 – Cygnus Downwood 2-B 11 – Noel D'Orveil 2-C 03 – Porcus Huffsbrick 2-C 05 – Thatcher Squeakefield 2-D 03 – Mahdi Alclaris 2-D 17 – Éponine D’Orveil 2-E 04 – Caspian Willorun

Third Years

3-A 02 – Faylen Charmwright 3-A 16 – Khamari Duneshade 3-B 03 – Lupin Vardred 3-B 04 – Ambrosine Forrant 3-D 07 – Chester Marroway 3-D 15 – Jin Haruto 3-E 05 – Lazlo Quickstride

Fourth Years

4-A / 4-B / 4-C 02 – Gael Lumespring 4-D 08 – Kael Thornweald 4-E /

Fifth Years

Intership

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mechanics of a Resonance Crisis

Stages of the Crisis:

Warning Phase: The Artefact Sigil dims or cracks subtly, signaling instability. The mage exhibits heightened emotional extremes or behaviors contrary to their Resonance Character.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance becoming tyrannical and dismissive, echoing the stepmother’s cruelty.

Threshold Event: A traumatic or critical moment causes the bond to fully destabilize. The mage’s Artefact Sigil shatters, triggering the Crisis.

Transformation:

The mage transforms into an Echoed Antithesis of their Resonance Character—a distorted, exaggerated version of their worst traits.

Example: A Little Red Riding Hood Resonance becomes a wolf-like beast, embodying predation and fear instead of courage.

The environment around them twists to reflect their turmoil—spreading corruption, illusions, or chaotic phenomena tied to the Resonance.

Manifestation:

The Fractured Legacy takes a physical or semi-physical form—either merging with the student or manifesting as external entities they must face.

Example: The transformed mage might summon spectral versions of antagonists, or their minions, from their Resonance Character’s tale, or their surroundings could morph into a warped, nightmarish version of their story.

Consequences

Prolonged Crisis states can cause lasting damage to the mage—mental, physical, or magical.

If unresolved, the bond with their Resonance Character could sever entirely, leaving them vulnerable to permanent loss of their Arte and magical abilities.

Resolving a Resonance Crisis

Core Resolution:

The mage must confront the internal conflict driving their instability.

Example: A Happy Prince Resonance consumed by greed might need to realize that hoarding wealth doesn’t bring joy or fulfill their true essence.

This confrontation often requires the help of others, especially the protagonist, who serves as a mediator or guide.

Reformation:

The Artefact Sigil repairs itself, often evolving into a stronger form, symbolizing the student’s personal growth.

The Legacy Arte might gain new abilities tied to the lessons learned during the Crisis.

Fight:

Other mage could fight the mage in crisis. Defeating them would stop the crisis.

Designing the Fractured Legacy

Visuals:

The Crisis should have a haunting yet poetic visual style that reflects the student’s Resonance Character.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance would look more like a deformed version of the stepmother or the stepsisters, surrounded by jagged shards of broken glass and spectral pumpkin monsters.

Themes:

Each Crisis explores the darker side of the Resonance Character’s traits.

Example: A Little Mermaid Resonance, consumed by jealousy, might suffocate others in waves of magical water, symbolizing their suppressed longing for acceptance.

[cawthorntales]

Malcolm: Are we rolling sir?

Producer: Yes we are Mr. Landgrabb.

Malcom: Wonderful. Hello everyone my name is Malcom Landgrabb. I'm thirty years old and a resident of Oasis Spring. I'm the heir to a vast fortune left to me by my parents after their tragic pass. I enjoy working out, painting, cats, knitting.

Red is my favorite color and I love rain. I'm looking for a man who will love me and not what I can do for him. I can be a bit stubborn especially when I know what I want. But my motto is why settle for less than the best? Why am I looking for love on a tv show? Well I figure this will put me out there to more men than just the small pond of Oasis Springs.

I look forward to meeting you all. Hopefully one of you could be my soulmate.

~

Info

You can send in a spare from your game. Or a failed bc contestant. Or you can make a guy from scratch.

Must have a bio and photo.

I have werewolves, cats and dogs, cottage living and romance garden or whatever it is called.

cc is fine.

males only.

This is info about Malcom. Your contestant will not know any of this. He is putting on an act for the bc. I am putting this info here solely for your benefit so if you win you will know the type of story this will be and the true Malcolm.

Malcom after becoming corrupted and infused with magic went on to use his powers and skills to build a criminal empire. He has his hands in various criminal activities. To the public he puts on a facade of a kind generous wealthy man. But the true Malcolm is as cold and cunning as they come.

He doesn't tolerate repeat failure and although he won't get his hands dirty. He has plenty of lackeys to do his bidding. Including his right hand second in command the once by the book good officer Kyle. Who was corrupted by Malcolm twelve years ago.

Malcom despite being an evil corrupt power hungry man. Still does honestly want someone to love and kid/s to call his own(seems it wasn't just Emily's essence that survived her world's destruction. Seems a bit of Logan was there too).

Deadline September 20th

~

Slots

@akitasimblr

2) @invisiblequeen received

3) @glitchedsins

4) @simstagramsomeone received

5) @riverofjazzsims received

[introvertllux]

Chrono Heart (Future Trunks X Black!OC)

*I DO NOT OWN/CLAIM TO OWN ANYTHING IN RELATION TO DBZ. I ONLY CLAIM THE ORIGINAL STORY IDEA AND BLACK!OC IN THIS STORY!*

Chapter 1: The Relic and the Reawakening

The remnants of Dr. Gero’s lab were a graveyard of twisted metal and shattered dreams, a monument to the hubris of a man who played god with circuits and steel. Hidden beneath this forsaken ruin, a capsule hissed open, and from its depths, a figure emerged—Axa. With skin like polished ebony, eyes that shimmered with the golden light of a thousand captured stars, and hair that cascaded down in an untamed torrent, she was a sight to behold—beauty crafted by ambition, innocence shaped by design.

:readmore:

She stood, hesitantly, in the dim light of her metallic tomb, a stark contrast to the vividness of her form. Her limbs moved with an elegance that was almost haunting, yet her expression held the innocence of a child looking out upon the world for the first time.

Unbidden, Axa's body propelled her through the labyrinth of the city, every calculation in her head leading her to an encounter she did not understand. It was as if an invisible hand guided her to a serene park, where the familiar silhouette of Android 18 stood, lost in the simplicity of feeding ducks at the pond—a moment of peace in a life so often marked by conflict.

Axa’s presence cast a shadow over the tranquility, and 18 turned, her eyes widening in shock and recognition. "Axa? Is it really you?" she gasped, the breadcrumbs slipping from her fingers.

Their reunion was explosive—a symphony of fists and flashes of shared history. As they sparred, 18, amidst parries and takedowns, called out to the essence of the girl she once knew.

"Remember when we sparred with 16 in the orchard, the cherry blossoms falling around us like snow?" she grunted, dodging a swift punch. "Or the time we snuck into the city, 17 dared us to ride the rollercoaster and you laughed until you cried?"

Each word struck Axa deeper than any physical blow could, unlocking the sealed doors of her memory. "And that night, the four of us lay in the grass, making shapes out of stars, dreaming of freedom," 18 continued, her voice laced with nostalgia, even as she blocked a kick. "But then you were gone. Gero said you were defective, but you were just... you were just Axa. You were just a little girl, and I... we, I should have done something."

Tears spilled from Axa's eyes, liquid diamonds trailing down her face, an alien sensation that stopped her cold. Her hands came up to her face, fingers trembling as she touched the moisture with wonder. "What... what is this?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

"It's crying, Axa," 18 replied with a bittersweet chuckle, the fight draining from her. "It happens when you're sad... or happy... or even when you laugh so hard, you can't stop. It means you're alive."

Axa's golden gaze, now dulled by confusion and sorrow, met 18's. "I don't... I don't understand," she said, a lost child wrapped in the shell of a machine.

"I know," 18 said, stepping forward to wrap an arm around her. "I forgot to search for you when I found my own life. But now I’m here, and I'll help you. Let me show you the life I've built. You’ll fit right in. Krillin, my husband, Marron, our daughter—they'll love you."

The promise of a family warmed something inside Axa, a spark of belonging that she didn't know she needed.

_____________________________________________________________

The scene shifted to the familial home, where the spark was met with a torrent of fear and misunderstanding.

The home that once held warmth and laughter was now a battlefield of words and emotions. The cozy living room, with its family photos and children's drawings, became the arena. Krillin's face was flushed with a mix of protective fear and incandescent rage. "18, how in the world could you think this was okay? Bringing her into our home without even a word to me?" His voice shook the very foundations of their sanctuary, a volume reserved for life-and-death battles, not familial disputes.

"You're not getting it, Krillin!" 18 shot back, her own voice a force to be reckoned with. "You think I can't see danger? I know danger. I've been danger. But she—" 18 jabbed a finger towards Axa, "—is just lost. We owe her this!"

Marron, with the blissful ignorance of childhood, had wandered over to Axa, offering a small stuffed dinosaur with a smile. "Do you wanna play with Mr. Dino?" she had asked, her voice a sing-song note in the dissonant symphony of the adults' conflict.

Krillin's eyes darted from Marron to Axa, and with a speed that betrayed his martial prowess, he scooped Marron into his arms. "Marron, sweetie, why don't you go play in your room, okay?" His words were gentle with his daughter, but when his gaze swung back to Axa, they were steel blades. "Stay away from her," he snapped at Axa. "We don't know you, what you're capable of—what if you're programmed to…to…"

His words trailed off, but the accusation hung heavily in the air, an invisible smog choking the room. Axa, who stood like a statue wrought from onyx, felt each word strike her. Her hands, which moments ago had explored the texture of the child's toy, now hung limply at her sides. The shine in her golden eyes dulled, a gloss of pain over the brightness.

"Krillin," 18's voice cracked like a whip, her anger transforming into something fierce and protective. "Listen to yourself! She’s not a threat! How can you judge her like this?"

The silence that followed was suffocating. Axa's soft, disbelieving sobs were the only sound, a heartbreaking melody that seemed to wrap around the room. She blinked rapidly, her human-like innocence clashing with her android perfection as she attempted to process the whirlwind of rejection and anger.

"I… I don't want to be a problem," Axa stammered out, her voice a mere whisper but slicing through the tension. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. I'm sorry."

Krillin, his face softening for a moment at Axa's words, struggled with the turmoil inside him. His duty to protect his family warring with the empathy he had learned from his wife. "18, I…," he started, but the words tangled, a mess of emotion and duty.

"No," 18 interrupted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of frustration. "No, Krillin. She's not just some android. She's Axa. Remember that. She's not the past; she’s someone who needs us now."

In the quiet that followed, the trio stood, the balance of their world shifted, as they each considered the weight of what it meant to be family, to be human, or something akin to it. Axa, still caught in the eye of the storm, dared to hope for a harbor in this tempest—a place where she could anchor her heart.

The turmoil in the room reached a crescendo, a tidal wave of emotion that crashed over Axa with overwhelming force. As Krillin and Android 18's argument continued, Axa's mind began to fracture under the strain. She clutched at her temples, her golden eyes flickering erratically as memories—long suppressed—surged to the surface.

She was small again, diminutive and human, watching through the bars of a crib as giants in white coats and stern faces argued loudly above her. The cacophony of their voices was terrifying, a discordant symphony that crescendoed into an unbearable din. Words like "potential" and "failure" were thrown back and forth, volleying over her head like some high-stakes game she could not comprehend.

Her breath hitched, a robotic mimicry of a panic attack, and her body began to seize up. Her limbs locked in place, and the glow in her eyes sputtered like a dying star. "System… overload…" she managed to gasp out before collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut, her form going limp and unresponsive on the floor.

"18, we need to do something!" Krillin's voice was now tinged with fear for Axa, the protective instinct he felt for all living beings—especially those under his roof—kicking in.

18 knelt beside Axa, her fingers hovering over the android's inert body. Her heart, though not flesh and blood, ached with a mix of fear and protectiveness. "Dammit," she cursed softly, her usual composure fraying at the edges.

Krillin ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting from his wife to the still figure on the floor. "Maybe… we should take her to see Bulma. She's dealt with… this kind of thing before."

Android 18's eyes narrowed at the suggestion. "Bulma has a good heart, but she's got that scientist's curiosity. She'll want to dissect every part of Axa's programming," she said, her voice a growl of resistance. "And Vegeta…" she trailed off, a scowl creasing her features at the thought of the Saiyan prince's unpredictable nature.

Krillin nodded slowly, understanding his wife's concerns. "We don't have to tell everyone, just Bulma. She'll know what to do," he insisted, his tone imploring. "Vegeta won't lay a finger on her—I'll deal with him if I have to."

The two locked eyes, a silent conversation passing between them. It was a gamble, but Axa needed help that they couldn't give. With a heavy heart, 18 agreed. "Fine. But we're not leaving her side. Not for a second."

Carefully, they gathered Axa's motionless form, her weight a testament to the gravity of their situation. Together, they stepped into the cool evening air, the weight of Axa's fate a heavy shroud upon their shoulders as they made their way to Capsule Corporation, and into the uncertain future that awaited them.

______________________________________________________________

More on Axa (Pronounced: Axe-e-ah or Ahh-x-ah)

*Apologies for inconsistent art styles. I utilized Art breeder. Unfortunately I don't see many resources to help create black!Ocs in consistent styles and diverse poses out there. If you know of any please let me know! As you continue reading the story imagine her in the DBZ art style. Thank you!*

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Taglist!

@thejadetrios @shytothemaxx @variousfandom @konekomews @physicallyherementallysomewhere @ikittybakugou345 @jasxnoamii @enderempresss16 @elliethewitch @carzychameleon @feitanii @hollownight @dragonloverdrawer @moonlight445sblog @yelan-butterpeatea @ringsofpersonti @weeb-boy261 @jkr820 @somehowexist @scrumptiouss007 @emajohn40 @justicetheghost @thirstyhoebutbetteryehsjsg @rasaberrygray @etherialblackrose @random-insomnia15 @deviousmunchkin @galaxys-stuff @bluehibiscusgarden @kunoichis-world @x-bakudeku-x @spectoralstrudel @i-wanna-fuck-monsters @interobanginyourmom @twdhtgawm @kkeidawrites

[fullscoreshenanigans]

@swarm-of-rabid-bees they love each other so fucking much, your honor

It feels v much like an Emma-initiated thing for the first Valentine's they're officially together that I think Ray would outwardly be unenthused about, even though all three of them know internally he is heart eyes mf for them. He would unsurprisingly eventually be won over.

Your silly ray pfp edits bring me joy he's so silly

Ray internally whenever he sees his two best friends

[novankenn]

May I have this Dance?

/==/ In French mythology or folklore, Dames Blanches (meaning literally white ladies) were female spirits or supernatural beings. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dames_blanches)

/==/

The attack on Beacon had been resisted and routed, but at a high cost in life. Civilian, emergency workers, soldiers, students, huntsmen, all paid a horrifically steep price for the safety and preservation of Vale.

Yet to Pyrrha there was a single loss that was an anathema for her. Her partner, the vibrant young woman she had grown from crushing on to loving completely, was gone. Her future erased by Cinder Fall. Ozpin tried to comfort the red-haired champion, but all his words about noble, heroic and valiant sacrifice, tasted like ash. The words were meaningless. Offered no comfort.

When Cinder had appeared, Joan acted without hesitation. Charging the demonic woman, making her shift her aim from the pods to Joan. Pyrrha didn't remember much after seeing Cinder's black arrow impale Joan through the throat. Pyrrha couldn't recall anything up to the point she was cradling Joan's body. Willing with everything inside her for Joan's aura to spark back to life. To seal the viciously cruel wound.

Pyrrha didn't care that Ozpin had bested Cinder. Mortally wounding the demonic woman. All she wanted was to hear Joan's musical voice. To see her angelic smile. Cinder had robbed Pyrrha of both, and then Joan's very essence of life. It took Pyrrha's teammates, Nora, and Ren, plus Joan's own Aunt Glynda Goodwitch to get Pyrrha to release her grip upon Joan's body.

For the remainder of the night, Pyrrha sat in the medical tent, clenching Joan's cold stiff hand, as she repeatedly whispered promises of love and journeys home to family. Cradled in the restraining brace of openly weeping Glynda, Pyrrha screamed and raged when Joan's body was taken away, to finally succumb to her emotional pain and physical exhaustion.

As the clean up began, Pyrrha remained silent and sequestered herself in the temporary lodgings that had been assigned to her team. Her tears were dry now, her body having finally run out of them. Pyrrha couldn't remember what day it was, and to be honest she didn't care. Without Joan, everything felt so empty, valueless.

Glynda said nothing when she arrived. On her hip hung Crocea Mors, in her hands a bronze urn etched with the Arc family crest.

"I want you," Glynda spoke with a cracking voice. "to watch over her until we can take her home. Can you?

Pyrrha nodded silently as she reached up and accepted the urn. The tears she thought were gone, returning anew. Barely able to function Pyrrha with Glynda's assistance placed the urn upon the table next to Pyrrha's bed. Glynda following with placing Crocea Mors beside it.

"When?" Pyrrha managed to force out.

"Two days." Glynda replied. As he pulled Pyrrha into a side hug and kissed the top of her head. "Two days."

Pyrrha didn't even register the passage of time or the trip. Her world was now the cold bronze urn clutched to her chest. At the Arc homestead, they were all greeted as family. Ren and Nora finding comfort in sharing stories of Joan with her sisters. Pyrrha couldn't. She couldn't speak, all she could do was hold the urn against her heart, praying to both the brothers that Joan could feel the love she still bore in her shattered heart.

"Pyrrha?" Jasmine, Joan's mother addressed her. Glynda standing beside her. "Can you come with us?"

Pyrrha didn't replied, she just stood woodenly stood up, clutching the urn close. The two women, blood relations to Joan, gently placed warm hands upon her shoulders. She never saw the nod Glynda and Jasmine gave Joan's father Nicholas. She never noticed how he shifted attention so none would notice the departing trio.

It was a slow, and silent walk through a well kept woodland trail, that ended at the edge of a pond, at the center of which was a small island. On the island, in fact taking up the entirety of it was a garden, surrounded by a low stone fence. The feature of the garden a majestic and stately Weeping Willow. In the sky above the first stars were becoming visible.

"Every member of the Arc clan, who has passed, has their ashes spread here." Jasmine quietly informed Pyrrha. "That Willow has been in this place before the Great War."

Pyrrha was barely listening.

"The Arc's believe it will remain until the end of their line." Glynda offered. "Jasmine, Nicholas and I spoke. We think Joan would have wished for you to spread her ashes here."

Pyrrha looked as the pair of women wearing comforting but sorrowful smiles. Pyrrha swallowed, and sniffled, a fresh batch of tears threatening to spill from her puffy eyes.

"It's okay, Pyrrha." Jasmine spoke, while gently guiding her to the stone bridge that allowed access to the island. "It's what Joan would have wanted."

"It's okay." Glynda added.

Pyrrha swallowed and took a tentative step forward followed by another and another. The tip was maybe twenty feet, but it felt like miles to Pyrrha. Standing before the ageless Willow Tree, Pyrrha swallowed again before opening the urn.

"I love you, Joan." Pyrrha choked out, before tipping the urn and spilling its contents about the roots of the tree. "I love you, and I miss you... I miss you so much..."

Pyrrha stood there for a few more minutes, silently trying to gather the strength for the return trip to the shore. For one final walk away from Joan, and what their future could have been. The urn fell from Pyrrha's nerveless hands, at the ethereal figure standing before her upon the bridge. Draped in the purest of white ballgowns was Joan, smiling at her.

"Joan?" Pyrrha squeaked out.

"May I have this dance my lady?" Joan's musical voice touched Pyrrha's ears. With shaking steps Pyrrha approached and reached out her hands.

"Yes." Pyrrha sobbed out. "Yes."

Glynda, and Jasmine watched as Joan and Pyrrha slowly began to move about. Their steps in perfect unison, as they glided about the narrow bridge. The sound of footsteps alerted to the arrival of the others. Glynda and Jasmine reached out and took Athena Nikos' hands. Squeezing them gently. Standing off just a little behind the trio of women, was Ren and Nora, Nicholas Arc's strong but comforting hands upon their shoulders.

They all watched as Pyrrha and Joan danced, and danced. Pyrrha's tears of sorrow being replaced with joy. Joan's radiant smile never faltering.

"I love you Joan."

"I love you Pyr. Now and forever."

No one said a single word as they continued to watch the pair of women continued to dance, sharing their love and joy with each other. Showing those who were witness the purity genuineness of their love.

"I love you Pyrrha." Athena whispered as the first rays of dawn stretched out over the horizon, and the pair of young women, lost in each other's eyes faded from sight. "I'll love you, always."

/==/

💕Dedicated to Everyone I have Lost over the Years, both Family and Friends. I miss you.💕

/==/

/==> Jaunes of the Monster-Verse Collection <==\

(A/N - This one was hard for me to write, but I needed to get this out. Last week I lost a good friend from work and I found today that the night before she passed she was planning on calling me. She was good friend and I miss her. So I spent half of this crying about memories of her and other people I really miss... My apologies if this post is a mess.)

[daughter-lilith]

✧When Two Seas Collide✧

"Sometimes it is difficult to love you."- Halsin

Halsin x Fem!OC | Part 2 of 2 | Part 1 here

Explicit 18+ Word Count: 8.1k CW: Conflicting feelings, love/hate, angst, manipulation, bad habits, mood swings, p in v sex, rough sex, vengeful sex?

Bare feet sauntered through tall grass as Ro made her trek deeper into the forest. With a little help from some brief misty steps, she was able to phase in and out, covering a good distance since she left from the edge of town. Lifting her chin towards the sky, she could see the impending storm gliding its way over, the rays of the sinking sun struggling to pierce through. A distant rumble of thunder met her ears – it was still some minutes away. But it mattered not, for it was the sound of steady flowing water that drew her attention more. It was exactly what she came for.

As the tall grass receded into a flatter bed, the charming waterfall came into view. The waters cascaded down the rocky wall, into a large, natural pond, much calmer and soothing compared to the greater falls on the other side of the forest that raged into a river. The pond, normally a bright cerulean, was a darker, almost gray-blue, most certainly due to the thickening clouds. Nevertheless, a smile touched her lips as she admired nature’s creation while she untied her cloak and let it fall to the ground. Storm or not, she wouldn’t be dry for much longer anyway.

She strolled across smooth grass that gradually transitioned into dark earth. Donned in a thin, white gown, she stepped into the pond, sighing as she moved deeper. It was cool to the touch, but not so much that it made her flinch or shiver upon entering. She waded towards the middle, where the pond was at its deepest, and rotated her body so she was calmly floating on her back.

Staring at the clouds, an array of white that bled into light and dark grays, her mind wandered where she so freely allowed it to. The large elf materialized in her vision, his focused, mesmerizing gaze when she told him about her little adventure. A spark tickled her belly at the memory. There was no change in him. No new scars, no new tattoos, his physique as taut and hulking as she last remembered, and she reveled in it.

He was so careful in healing her, how expertly his powerful arms and magic handled her with such care. The same arms that brutally destroyed that monstrosity not long before. Well, it was the bear’s brute strength mostly, but he was still Halsin. And the warmth his large body exuded felt the same, he even smelt the same, and oh how she longed to be wrapped up in that warmth again.

But he deserved more first. Halsin deserved to know that she had been thinking about him dearly. She frowned slightly as a single droplet fell from the sky, onto her cheek. Halsin had rejected her. She saw it in his eyes, in the way he rose to his feet and away from her. Not as her lover, but with the essence of the once commanding Archdruid. “Does he still love me?” she muttered quietly, asking no one in particular, except for perhaps nature itself. But only the constant, sloshing sounds of the waterfall seemed to answer.

He must, he has to. She closed her eyes, her arms occasionally dipping below the surface and back up again. Did she push him too far? Did she tug on the leash too strongly, forgetting to leave some wiggle room for pleasure? Had she lost all of his devotion in just a mere year?

She loved him, and she knew sometimes she could be… challenging, but it wasn’t on purpose. Not usually, anyway…

There was a tiny part of her that did secretly enjoy the occasional conflict; the tension, the frustration, the chase when she set out to explore, and most of all…she relished in the making up. Halsin had the appearance of such an imposing man, and yet several times she had witnessed him melting into a pool of pudding for her, no matter how upset he might have been beforehand. To watch the druid’s face transform from anger to yearning – threatening to sever ties but then pulling her back into his powerful embrace…

But Halsin did not embrace her this time. He did not chase – rather, he pushed her away and ran. She was no fool, she knew he spent the day purposely avoiding her presence. If he was not ready to talk, she could wait. And she would return to their home tonight, regardless of his belief that they no longer shared it together.

No, she still had him. Old fights were no matter to the present. Halsin was her favorite, and she knew she was his. No amount of roaming could compare to what he did to her, how he invigorated her. A closed grin pulled at her lips, he knew her body so well. Better than anyone.

She just needed a little time to remind him of what they had, the power in their union, the heights that only they could take each other to. Just a little bit of time to— her eyes blinked open as a new feeling penetrated the air, quiet and exploring. An electric nerve dashed across her stomach as she continued to float over the surface. But it was not fear that gripped her, it was excitement. A presence lingered, a beast, somewhere in the tall grass perhaps, or behind the thick trunk of the trees. A presence familiar, their essence unforgettable.

Ro was not a druid herself, but her elven senses were still sharp. And with the innate magic that buzzed inside her core, it only made them even sharper. She knew it was him. Halsin.

Mine.

But he did not come as the man. She could smell the change in his body, the thick musk that swirled in the air, heightened by the rising humidity. It was the bear that crouched just beyond the trees, observing her. It was not the first time she’d felt him watching her from a distance, in his bear form, but it was never in secret, not like this.

An almost giddiness fluttered over her torso, and she had to restrain the urge to smile. Of course he came to check on her, because he still cared. She knew he still cared. A wicked thought suddenly breached her mind – she wanted to test the reach of his concerns. Maybe if she could feign danger... Her heart spiked at the thought, nerves firing in her stomach. Another droplet fell on her cheek, then another on her forehead.

She was a great swimmer, so she would need a little aid to make this more convincing. Remembering a spell she learned during her time away, she ever-so quietly whispered the incantation, “altum spiritum” and inhaled a deep breath, careful not to make it so glaringly obvious what she was doing. Immediately, she felt a cool, tingling sensation fill her lungs as she closed her eyes and waved both arms in a sweeping upward arc, submerging her entire body beneath the surface. Instantly, the muffled sounds of the waterfall echoed in her ears, a soothing, rhythmic song.

The first minute was easy for her, it always was, spell or no. Then a minute and a half passed…then two, still her lungs were at rest, her body calm, as they’d usually be. But her heart was thundering, the anticipation never waning as she kept herself submerged, her limbs lazily swaying. Three minutes… four— a force ricochetted into her side as large paws wrapped around her waist and legs, yanking her body, claws slightly pressing into her flesh.

When she breached the surface, a golden light flashed then dimmed, and smoother arms carried her as strong legs rushed to land. Ro looked up at the mask of horror reflected in Halsin’s eyes, his hair wet and sticking to his cheeks and shoulders. Her heart beamed at the worry across his face, and this close to his chest, she could practically feel the pounding of his heart.

Halsin’s large strides had them out of the pond and back to land in record time. He sat her down on the warm earth, gently but swiftly, already bending towards her to check for her well-being.

“What were you doing, Ro?” The urgency in his voice rumbled towards her, deep and electric. “You were under for so long! You- were you—?” A blue light was already radiating from his hands, fingers twitching with where to focus it.

“What? No, silly.” Ro fell into a light chuckle, her words calm and reassuring. She reached forward, pressing her palm against the hard swell of his bare chest. His heart was battering beneath strong pecs and it sent a rush of excitement through her belly. “I was just enjoying the waters, love. I’m okay, I promise. But I can see how it may have looked otherwise...”

Halsin regarded her, pursing his lips as if to catch some sort of concealed confliction. After another moment, he recalled his magic, and the ethereal blue light faded into the wind.

But Ro noticed the tide of emotions circulating behind his focused eyes. She noticed the slight breath he quivered as she glided her hand down his chest, just a bit.

“But at least if I was in danger, it wouldn’t have been for long. Not when you’re around.” She tilted her head, smiling as her eyes passed between his, warm and inviting.

“Are you sure?” he inquired, his tone vibrating against her hand. It took all her strength not to bite her lip.

“Yes, I’m sure… So can I stand up now?” She made a knowing tilt to their current position, how he was half hovering over her, blocking her legs from shifting.

Halsin blinked, like he was stirring from a trance, and moved to the side. With one hand on her back and the other in her grasp, he aided her to her feet and then took a step back.

“But thank you anyway,” she said, a contented sigh flowing from her mouth.

Halsin does not respond to her directly, instead, he inclined his head, eyes raking the sky. “We are too exposed where we stand. The storm will rage soon, we should return to cover.”

Ro smiled coyly, glancing down at herself. “I don’t mind the storm, seeing as I’m…already wet.”

Halsin’s breath hitched, an involuntary shudder as he truly took her in. His pulse quickened as his eyes roved down her body, how her long dress clung to her, damp and soaked. Her hair partially stuck to her skin, shriveling in loose curls. And her nipples pushed against the tight, wet fabric, the roundness of her breasts so visible beneath. She was completely bare under the white piece of clothing, a simple barrier that could be easily discarded.

Jaw clenched, he attempted to avert his gaze to anywhere but her body, but he could not resist the pull to roam his eyes down her figure, tracing every dip, every clinch where the fabric stuck tighter. Her taut nipples nearly calling out to him – to touch, to taste...

He grimaced, his thoughts were swirling, body filling with heat. It was her voice that pulled his attention back to her eyes – when did she get so close?

“And from the looks of it, you’re just as soaked as I, Archdruid.” Her serene voice dropped an octave when she called him by that title, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Halsin stared down at her, a stern expression in his bright eyes, a new resolve thickening. A low rumble from the skies vibrated the ground beneath their feet. “It changes nothing. Come.” His instruction was simple, impersonal. He shifted one leg as though to turn but was paused by her words again.

“It changes everything,” she said, a confident gleam in her eyes. Halsin furrowed a brow as she continued. “We’re already prepared for the rains. Nature wants this, does it not?” As though responding to her, a steady stream of scattered raindrops dripped all around them, teasing what was to come.

His broad chest expanded, breathing deep as he clenched his teeth. A shudder skipped down his back as she took another step closer to him. Her eyelashes were wet, eyeliner slightly running down her cheeks, almost in a similar way it would when she’d take him inside of her—

Halsin squeezed a fist, veins protruding as his face twisted into a firm determination, glaring down at her.

“I will not force you, so I will leave you to it then. As long I know you are well.” He held her gaze for another moment longer, chest strong and steady as she stared up at him, silently pondering. But he said all that was needed. She was safe, and if she did not wish to follow, then his business there was finished.

Halsin severed their visual connection and fully turned to leave. He made it a few strides away, almost reaching the long grass when Ro’s voice pierced his ears once more.

“It wasn’t a purchase,” she called to him, her tone edging over a subtle desperation. She let out a soft breath as she watched Halsin pause, the muscles in his bare back tight and sculpted. His high-waisted, auburn pants wrapped snuggly around his thick thighs, but his legs angled like they were ready to continue their stride at any moment.

Her heart sprinted at the sight. How he was not among the gods themselves, perhaps surpassing them all, would forever be a mystery to her. But right now, she needed to act.

“It was truly just a gift, Halsin. I thought of you often and wanted to give you something nice. You deserved something nice…” She stepped cautiously over the soft ground that shifted into short blades of grass. More droplets trickled on her hair, some falling on her face.

She observed his posture carefully, her heart racing. He was almost as still as a statue, save for the purposeful movements of his shoulders rising and falling slightly. She knew every breath he took was sure and measured as she continued her tentative approach.

“But I wouldn’t have been opposed if it led to a conversation or two… maybe we can still have it now? I don’t like how last night ended,” she sighed, her pitch lowering almost into a whisper. “I truly missed you, Halsin.” There was a sincereness in her voice. Despite their sour parting, her time away, she truly missed her druid.

She gently placed the palm of her hand near the middle of his back, hoping to stoke some sort of reaction, anything.

A rough breath juddered out of his mouth and he tilted his head to look over his shoulder, catching her already looking at him. “Now? You wish to converse now?”

“If you’d like to… or perhaps we can save that for afterwards…”

Halsin rotated his body fully, the movement causing her hand to fall away as he faced her once again “Afterwards?”

She bit her lip, reaching up to rest her palm against one of his pecs. He was so warm, tough, as the strands of his chest hair started to slick from the steady trickle of droplets from the sky. The desire to curve her hand and dig her nails into his skin, eliciting a deep groan from his throat, flashed in her mind. It was so incredibly tempting. But she would be patient.

When she roamed her eyes to meet his again, her gaze was sure and confident, burning with a flowering want. It was time to reclaim what was hers, now or never. “Stay with me. Stay and let nature have its way with us, in whatever way it wants.“

Halsin’s entire body tensed as an icy fire burned through him, both hot and cold, igniting something new. His irises flashed gold which only seemed to tantalize her further. “Ro,” he warned, a strained noise falling from his parted lips.

Ro, feeling a surge of confidence mixing with an electric arousal, stepped even closer. Their eyes never left each other as she carefully eliminated all space between them. His breathing came out quick and harsh, like he was trying but failing to calm himself. Her other hand came to rest on his cheek, thumb stroking gently beneath his eye. She leaned up on her toes, gently tilting Halsin’s head towards her, just enough to place a tentative kiss on the scars on his chin.

Her eyes flicked up to him, dark and lingering as he watched her, unmoving. She stared deep into him, noting the dilation of his pupils, but he still did not move. So, she waited, searching for any hint of an intended reaction while pulling back, lowering herself on the flat of her feet.

“I still want this. I want you.” So soft and melodic her voice was, painted with a swelling desire that could not be hidden. She held his gaze, biting her lips before speaking again. “Do you still want this?”

Halsin does not respond, his stance still, expression unreadable. But his eyes were boring into hers, and there was a slight twitch in his jaw as his teeth clamped together. But silence hovered between the pair, save for the calming noise of the flowing waterfall behind her and the scatters of gentle rain landing atop the pond, the leaves, and the trees.

Her heart felt like it was going to shrivel and curl into itself, a wave of defeat stalking behind the door into her mind. Maybe she had lost him… Maybe she had tested him too much. More raindrops fell, touching her face and sliding down her cheeks.

Ro reluctantly removed her hand from his chest. She was about to step away entirely when a strong hand grasped her wrist. Halsin’s eyes burned a dim gold as his other arm came around her waist. A slight yelp escaped her throat as he yanked her towards him, pressing her against his body, leaving just enough room to speak. Her heart raced at the sudden movement, the strength of him squeezing the breath out of her.

“Nature can have us,” Halsin murmured, terse, his breath warm against her face. Then he dipped his face a hair’s breadth away from her lips, nearly overwhelming her with his mass and closeness. The rim of his eyes glimmered, and when he spoke, his voice dropped, thick and commanding. “And I will have you.” He released the hold on her back and used both of his hands to hands to grip the top of her dress. “I will have you in the way that I want.” With uncanny speed and incredible force, he ripped the fabric clean down the middle, exposing her breasts and stomach to him.

A deep groan of appreciation hummed from his mouth as he took in the wondrous sight before him. He pulled more of her dress, hastily dragging it down the length of her body until she could swiftly step out of it, naked and bare against him. He tugged her back him, his lips crashing over hers to the clasp of thunder overhead. He swallowed her moan as soon as it left her lips as his slippery fingers dug into the cheeks of her backside, pressing her into him as much as he was able. Her lower stomach rubbed against the strain in his pants as hot blood rushed through his body, feeding his hardening desire. He groaned at the feel of her needy, desperate hands, scratching haphazardly up and down his back. His tongue wiggled inside her mouth, tasting her sweet tongue that mingled with the taste of the rain pouring over and between them.

Ro felt consumed with a flourish of desire, her core throbbing with the need to be touched as Halsin’s large hands clenched her tightly. His kiss was wild, passionate, teeth clashing as their faces tilted from one side to the other, a desperate dance to consume each other.

She could feel the heaviness of his breathing, hear the weight of his urgency above the pouring rain, its pressure increasing. She yelped as a sudden sting darted up her center as Halsin’s finger plunged within her without warning. He groaned into her mouth, the intensity of his kiss never wavering. But her mouth was stumbling, struggling to maintain the rhythm while his finger pumped inside her. She moaned against his lips as the pain soon mingled into a rush of bliss, her legs already beginning to quake as tingles of pleasure and pain sparkled down her legs when he added a second digit.

This time she broke the kiss entirely, burrowing her face in his chest, needing something steady to hold on to. But Halsin seemed to have other plans as a firm grip tugged at her hair, pulling her back and exposing her neck and chest to him. Ro gasped, closing her eyes as the rain spilled down her face, mixing with the wetness of Halsin’s tongue that dragged down the column of her neck before he used his teeth to scrape down her flesh. She winced slightly as it both tickled and stunned her, it was like his canines were trying to slice into her skin as he raked his way down her towards her chest.

The pressure in her scalp softened as he released the hold on her hair, returning that hand to the center of her back while the other continued to explore her heat, so wet and tight around his fingers.

Her soft whine was swallowed by the rain as his mouth closed on her taut nipple. Only then did the speed of his thrusting fingers waver as he sucked and swirled his tongue around the tender spot. A prickle of pain drew another gasp from her lips as he nipped down on her nipple, only to immediately soothe it with the warm, flat of his tongue.

“Release me,” she heard him say through the rain, the vigor of his voice vibrating against her.

She lowered her head to look at him still tasting her. Her lips parted as though to question what he meant, but her voice felt so far away, nearly all thoughts focused on the shrills of pleasure his fingers still wrung through her. As though sensing her turmoil, Halsin ground himself against her, letting her feel the strict swell confined in his trousers.

Without a word, her near-trembling fingers worked quickly at his buttons, popping them apart until his pants were loose enough to start tugging them down. Instantly, he sprang forth, bumping against her hands, so thick and ready. She tugged around the edges of his hips and dragged his trousers further down his thighs.

A heady groan rumbled up the column of his throat as his hips thrusted forward, sliding himself along her wet stomach. With both hands, she wrapped around his shaft, already so slick as her thumb ran over his leaking tip, made even more slippery from the rain. He ground his hips forward, moving into the rhythm of her stroking hands. Try as she might to maintain a firm hold, her palms started to slack as Halsin’s fingers resumed their hasty pace inside her soaked walls.

Legs quivering, another brief spark of pain shot down her stomach as Halsin bit her other swollen nipple before swirling his tongue around it. A rising pressure boiled inside her core, heightening in pace with his expert fingers. Her hands all but fell from Halsin’s weighty cock, her thoughts incoherent as she tried to steady herself. A simmering growl erupted from his throat, tinged with displeasure as he ground his hips against her again, seeking her touch.

Halsin’s blood throbbed through him, filling and tightening him to almost a painful swell. He ached to feel her touch again, to have her smaller hands stroke and pump him with abandon, but they fell away from him as her rushed moans echoed above the rain. She was starting to squeeze around his fingers, writhing in his strong hold as her legs threatened to fail her.

His name was a pleasurable sigh on her lips, and he knew she was close – he could feel it, could almost smell it. So he curved his fingers, alternating and circling them inside her spongy wetness. His mouth released the clamp on her wet breast, and he stood taller to look at her as his hand continued to work. He especially loved the hasty gasp she made as his thumb came to rub over her sensitive clit.

His mouth hung open as he watched her, eyes closed and lips parted with desperate breaths as the rain dripped down her lips. She was an invigorating sight, so easily succumbing to him, so beautiful and tight for him. His heart swelled with devotion, his body burned with lust, and his brain… his brain was foggy, dazed, submitting to the desires the other parts of him craved.

Another constriction around his fingers, tighter than before. Halsin smirked, wicked and sly. Another few pumps, as fast as his fingers would allow without cramping, and he ejected them with an abrupt pop. A sharp gasp flung from her lips, her face scrunching into a confusing frown as her hazy eyes met him.

His heart thundered behind the large confines of his chest, stimulated by the lustful and lost look in her mesmerizing eyes. If she would not touch him – if she would not stroke him until he was spilling into her hands – then he would deny her this release. They shared another lingering stare as a fleet of emotions passed over her eyes, her makeup completely streaked and coating her cheeks.

Ro’s legs shuddered under her weight and her core throbbed endlessly, an intense pressure that ached to be satiated, to be relieved from the fires that coursed through her. But she felt cold and left wanting as Halsin, whose other hand still steadied her, stared at her with a dangerous look in his eyes. She watched him drag his tight pants down the rest of the legs before he slowly stepped out of them, never taking his eyes off her as he stood completely bare, bold, and proud.

The lovely lines on his face indented as his smile curved into a mischievous look. Confusion furrowed in her brows. What was he— her thoughts were interrupted as Halsin enveloped her in his arms, lifting her off her feet. With more speed and finesse than one would expect from a bear of a man, a coolness hit her back as he laid her flat on top of the wet grass.

Halsin rose on his knees as he looked down at her, his chest moving slowly, muscles tight and flexed, chest hairs clinging damply to his skin. It was a little difficult for Ro to stare at him through the thrashing rain, unrelenting as it poured over them. But she had no trouble seeing the golden radiance in his eyes, even brighter as daylight began to wane. His gaze was starved and almost… enraged?

His eyes bored into hers like she was the source of his vengeance, the final obstacle he’d come to slay. In the distance, high above him, a bright flash flared across the skies followed by the bellowing clap of thunder. The way he looked at her was foreign and new, his normal tenderness and care all but gone. A new passion burned within his eyes, bitter and powerful. Her heart jumped – quickening, a sudden urge to crawl away from him. It frightened her.

Then a spark ran down her belly, and her heart leaped again as her breathing steadily quickened. It excited her. Without thinking, her legs acted for her, spreading for him, an open invitation.

“Halsin,” she muttered, her lips wet and plump.

Halsin did not hear his name fall from her lips, as nature was louder than her soft voice, but he was able to read it. A balanced chuckle rumbled out of his mouth, dark and sensual as he watched her open for him. So willing, so eager.

She followed his eyes that trailed languidly down her body, resting over the area that was still throbbing and soaking for him. He bent over her, the mass of his body completely shielding her from the now relentless rain. It was like the clouds had never moved once they settled above them, content with showering the couple as though nature itself desired it.

Halsin lowered even closer, and she could feel his warm breath kissing her face, his lips so teasingly close to hers. Never did his eyes shift away from hers as he did this. And from this closeness, lost in the intensity of his stare, it looked like the glow in his eyes was moving – shimmering with a magical radiance around his irises, again and again. It was enthralling, and it only encouraged her desires, her belly fluttering in anticipation. A soft moan sang from her lips as the weight of his cock rested upon her, sliding over her most sensitive spot.

Halsin smiled, his lips ghosting over hers, so tormentingly close. She needed to taste those lips again, to lose her breath in his kiss. On instinct, she lifted her head towards him but he pulled back in response, to her frustration. But his mischievous smile never waned, and before she could verbally protest, a tingle drizzled up her thigh as his large, calloused hand glided up her wet skin. She let her head rest back on the grass, eagerly waiting for him to spread her legs wider. He lowered himself back over her face, a featherlight touch as he spoke against her lips.

“I told you,” Halsin muttered low and heavy, in tune with the rumbling in the skies. “In the way that I want.”

Another thrilling flicker of fear and excitement sparked in her gut as his words shuddered down her neck. A final smile from the druid’s lips, his large hand gripped her fiercely and with casual strength and speed, she was flipped over on her stomach. Immediately, she felt swallowed by the powerful mass above her, already pressing himself over her back, forearms resting near her sides. She was practically tasting the grass were it not for the hint of room he gave her to turn her head if she needed to.

“My darling heart…” his breath tickled her ear, warm and stimulating. “I hope you are ready for me.”

A loud cry, in time with the thunder, escaped her throat. Halsin shoved the full length of his cock in the tight, spongy space of her walls. He buried himself inside her immediately, leaving no chance for her to adapt to the stretch as a sting spiked up her back. His fingers that worked at her earlier had just barely prepared her, but it was not enough. Her nails dug into the grass, grabbing fistfuls of wet earth as she felt the girth of him widening her in one thrust. She felt him settle inside her for only a moment, before he withdrew just to the tip, then pounded back into her again.

Her entire body shuddered, breasts pressed against the grass, breath coming in quick pants as Halsin continued to repeat the dance of pulling out almost entirely, only to fill her in a single stroke. Each time, a fire of pain flamed up her core as she struggled to adjust. His movements were punishing, his weight nearly crushing were it not for his elbows keeping him from smothering her entirely. The weight of his balls smacked against her as his thrusts increased in speed. Deep, animalistic grunts filled her ear as his breath coasted down the side of her face.

In time, the firing pain mingled with waves of new pleasure as he moved against her, never wavering, never giving her time. A surge of sensations flooded her body all at once as it awakened to frosty heights of delight where pain still lingered close behind, as though it never wanted to let go. Ro’s moans mingled with the rushing rains, enticing her to take it and to take it well.

Halsin had never been this way with her. They’ve had rough moments, both with and without Wild Shape, but there was always enough preparation. Halsin was a master in foreplay, in taking his time to work his lover up enough to be ready for more. He loved exploring Ro’s body, over and over again, testing how many different pitches of her moans he could elicit from those tender lips. Then he’d make gentle, passionate love to her, for as long as their bodies would allow it. And if she wanted it faster, harder, he’d grant her the wish because he knew she was as ready as she’d ever be.

Today was different. Too much had been festering inside of Halsin over the past year. An underlying rage and frustration that had been left to simmer and then smothered before it could reach its boiling point. Each thrust of his hips came with the power of vengeance. Each digging grip on her thighs, with the intent to bruise, was a testament to the sorrow she’d leave behind every time she abandoned him. And now, as he drilled into her with near abandon, his body sliding over her wet back with ease, it delighted his heart.

He knew from the sounds of her cries, the way her knuckles gripped the grass so fiercely that it was too much at once. That the pain was not fully giving in to the pleasure. And yet, she never told him to stop, she never begged him to release her, for he would do so in a heartbeat if she did. But gods he hoped she wouldn’t. He needed to have her like this. He deserved it. She deserved it.

And she felt amazing around him, still so tight, so moist. Had she not taken another since their parting? If she had, they did a poor job of preparing her for him. But it did not matter, for she was finally home now. And he would resume that place in her life, he would do what he knew others could not.

The rain continued its assault as he could barely make out the desperate calls of his name. She was starting to enjoy it; he could feel it in her moans, in her trembling body. Pride swelled within him… but so did a hint of ire. Did she deserve to enjoy this as much as he did?

“Why, Ro?” his breath was ragged, voice hoarse and deep as he pounded without rest. “Why do you make it difficult to love you?”

She uttered a strained whine in response, each thrust of his hips siphoning more mewls and incoherent curses from her lips. He could feel the bear within pacing, growling, frustrated for not having an answer. So in response, Halsin leaned upright on his knees and hoisted her hips up with him. Half off the ground, she was forced to rest on her forearms and knees while her back made a slight arch.

A new sound dripped from her lips as Halsin drilled into her saturated walls, finding himself burrowing even deeper from the new angle. He knew he was reaching the depths of her limits, poking against the edge of all she could take.

He grabbed a fistful of her soaked hair, pulling her back slightly, the other hand gripping her hip. Wet flesh rammed into wet flesh as he gave her all she could handle, completely at his mercy. But still, she never told him to stop, never called for a surrender as her hands tore into the wet grass.

Halsin felt consumed by a flood of emotions and sensations: frustration, rage, lust, mesmerized by the sight of his thick cock crudely disappearing inside her over and over. And he reveled in every whimper, every grip and squeeze as she needily swallowed him back in. And he hated how much he loved it, how much his body burned even more for her even as he was already taking her.

His emotions bubbled to the surface, rising up his throat and landing roughly on his tongue. “Do you love me?” he questioned, hoarse, hips never slowing.

“Uhn,” she whimpered, unable to speak.

He growled, his blood burning. “Do. You. Love. Me?” he asked again, his demanding tone palpable.

“Yes,” was all she could muster, breathing heavily below him.

Echoing booms bellowed above the coupling pair. “Let me hear you say it,” he commanded, his foreboding voice cutting through the pounding rain. But she was too busy keening and sighing, lost in the sensations where their bodies met. “Say it.” A rough slam into her followed his demand.

“I love you! Oh gods, I love you!”

Halsin’s breathing quickened at her loud declaration, his glutes flexing as he drilled into his lover, his heart. Crackling, blue light filled his vision as he watched electric sparks dance over Ro’s fists, flickering up her arms. He grinned – so true pleasure had found her at last.

Her wild magic illuminated her hands, soaring erratically up her arms as she moaned and cried his name. He felt the glimmer in his eyes brightening at the sight, a surge of fire hotter than the hells burning through his veins. Drawn by the electric charges dancing across her wet skin, he released his hold on her hair and hips then clasped both of his hands over her fists. His entire body jolted, head tossing back into the rain as his abdomen flexed and his cock twitched.

Her magic surged throughout his body, launching through his nerves and flexing his muscles. The bear within roared, invigorated by the new energy. It instantly expended some of its own power to mingle with hers as it thundered its way back into her.

“Gods—Halsin—I—” her voice wavered, fingers starting to cramp from her enduring grip.

Ro’s heart pounded, her arms alight with electric charges that sparked down her back and legs. Insurmountable bouts of pleasure rippled through her as she held on to the ruthless thrust of Halsin crashing into her like wild waves against rock. He never slowed, never gave her any chance of reprieve. She could hardly handle him at this pace, at these depths, and despite the stalking pain that never fully went away, it felt euphoric.

Halsin powered through the chaos of her magic, bending his front back down on her, his thrusts unrelenting. His nails started to extend into claws and a deep, rumbling growl crawled up his throat. But the full might of the bear remained caged, it would have its turn another time.

He felt himself swelling more, throbbing as he started to chase his peak. She clenched around him, her legs quivering on unstable knees. He growled into her ear, low and guttural.

“No more leaving,” he demanded. One of his hands moved to her thigh, and he let his claws dig.

She hissed at the sudden puncture, the pain mingling with the charges firing throughout her body. Halsin said something, she thought. Or was it the bear who spoke? She could hardly hear him,not when all she could focus on was the torrent of sensations thrashing through her. Her vision felt foggy, barely seeing through the rain and haze of lust. But then Halsin’s voice sounded closer now, serious.

“No more running.” Another command, deeper this time, the growl vibrating up his throat. The clouds clashed again, emphasizing his words as though he was the thunder and she was his lightning.

Her sparks blazed through him, awakening every nerve as his other hand still seized her fist, fueled by the pleasure and pain that rippled down his body. A surge flowed down his center, his cock swelling until it could contain itself no longer. Lightning bolts illuminated the sky as Ro called out his name, her body shuddering beneath him. The thunder soon followed, a resounding power across the skies as Halsin grunted, thrusting his hip once, then twice, and chased her orgasm with his own. Warm fluid erupted from him as he emptied himself entirely within her. Gradually, his strokes slowed as his body trembled, riding the wave.

Ro felt Halsin twitch inside of her, holding himself for one final, deep hold before he swiftly slid out of her already aching walls. She whined at the sudden release, feeling tender and raw, as her legs collapsed on the ground and the magic that sparked within her gradually fizzled away. A light whimper fluttered from her lips as she felt the thick weight of his shaft resting on her cheeks, sliding in between, spreading their combined fluids over her skin. Soft, satisfying groans rumbled from Halsin’s throat, and she closed her eyes to the soothing, pleasurable sounds of her lover. And as their breathing calmed, so too did the storm, easing into a gentle drizzle.

Content on finding solace on the wet grass, Ro found that moment of calm interrupted as his large hands turned her over on her back. Halsin looked down at her, the rise and fall of his chest steady with deep, intended breaths. His hair stuck to his face and neck, and there was a dim ring of a golden glow in his eyes. She was utterly speechless as she held his stare, eyes slightly hooded while she waited for whatever her lover wanted.

Halsin bent towards her, his closeness immediately warming her entire being, and closed his mouth over hers. She sighed in his mouth, returning the kiss immediately. She fully expected it to be wild and erratic, but his kiss was so slow, so tender, not like the rough, remorseless man she just experienced. He kissed her like how he normally would before and after making love. He kissed her in the way she craved to be kissed when they first reunited – a kiss of passion, adoration, and love.

He groaned into her mouth, eliciting yet another moan from her throat, and she wasted no time wrapping her tired arms around his strong neck. A sudden shiver passed through her front and Halsin broke the kiss, brows furrowing in concern. With no words, he reached for his discarded pants and her torn dress and cloak, before scooping her up into the bulk of his arms.

A deep, contented sigh wafted from her lips as he held her close to his chest. Halsin moved through the forest, golden eyes a mesmerizing light in the budding darkness. He didn’t head the same way they came, rather, he strode a longer way around, avoiding cutting through the town to prevent any curious, roaming eyes. He cared little for anyone seeing him in his full glory, but Ro’s body was not for their eyes.

The entire way back to the cabin, Ro doted on him, kissing his chin and cheek, his chest. Occasionally, Halsin would tilt his head down, letting her capture his lips in a brief, tender kiss. She was so incredibly enamored by him, feeling a flutter in her belly at the recent memory of their powerful coupling. How the storm itself seemed to encourage them, fuel them.

“I told you nature would have us,” she uttered beneath him, chuckling softly.

Halsin responded with a deep, resonating laugh, a beautiful vibration from his chest. After several minutes of walking, they made it back to their two-story cabin, greeted by fireflies that illuminated their entire front yard. They seemed to part as Halsin marched down the middle to the front door. He carried her upstairs, then gently sat her down on the end of their large bed.

Ro had already started feeling warm from Halsin’s closeness, and she wasn’t dripping much anymore, save for her hair still being quite soaked. Nevertheless, Halsin went for the wardrobe and pulled out two soft towels then draped one around her body. The other he placed next to her, having no need for it just yet. He gave her a tender smile as she began patting her hair before he stepped towards the fireplace on the other end of the room.

There were already enough logs in the hearth, and with the aid of a quick spell, it didn’t take long to get a calming fire going. Halsin, still fully naked, walked back towards her and bent down, tasting her lips once again. Ro exhaled quietly into his mouth; all thoughts of the towel were forgotten as she let it rest at her waist.

Halsin’s heart paced happily from the warm sparks of her kiss. A sincere sense of glee and satisfaction blanketed across his chest as he leaned more into her, dipping his tongue inside her warm mouth.

“Gods that was…” Ro gasped a breath, finding time to speak between kisses. “Incredible.” She blinked rapidly, as though drowning in disbelief.

Halsin grinned, and a swell of pride arose from his abdomen. But his smile waned when she made a slight hiss, a flash of pain contorting her face after she shifted her position a little.

Sitting next to her, he frowned, heart racing. “Are you in pain?” He reached for her, a soft touch over one thigh as he analyzed the slight punctures from his claws; then the marks on her breasts, and back to the bruising on her hips from where he gripped so tightly.

“Just some soreness that I’m sure I’ll feel even more tomorrow. But that’s okay.” She placed a hand over his, a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t heal it away. Not yet.”

He chuckled at this and leaned in to place a chaste kiss on her forehead, then a brief one on her lips. “Still, I… I feel some regret for being so rough with you. That was not like me…” He averted his gaze, slightly turning away from her.

“No, don’t be. I loved it! That was a different side of you…” She stole another kiss, and when she pulled away, her mouth curved into a mischievous grin. “Perhaps I should disappear for a year more often.” She half laughed, using her shoulder to lightly bump into him.

The spell shattered. Halsin’s stomach tightened, and his heart fell into the pit of his stomach. Immediately, his face contorted into a frown, the lines in his cheeks deepening. He rose to his feet, grabbed his towel, and swiftly wrapped it around his waist as he paced toward the window.

“Halsin… I’m only kidding.” Ro stood up, loosely binding the soft towel around her body.

“This is the last time,” Halsin spoke without turning around. “We cannot keep repeating this cycle.” His voice was strict, sharp, cutting across the room. All sense of glee and the afterglow of love had instantly soured, twisting into a brutal reality of the chaos that seemed to thrive between the pair.

“Is it?” she challenged, walking towards him. “Because I recall you saying something similar the last time.”

“I mean it, Ro.”

“No.”

“What?” He turned back around, broad chest puffed and imposing as he glared down at her.

But there was no anger in her eyes and no hostility in her voice when she spoke. She stopped right before him, not succumbing to the ferocity in his glare.

“There is no last time, Halsin. You are meant for me and I am meant for you. Be it one day or one year apart, that will never change.”

“Ro—”

“Look me in the eyes and tell me I’m wrong, Halsin. Tell me your heart doesn’t still race for me as mine does yours.”

“I—” he hesitated. And just like that, the domineering, god of a man who seemed to command thunder itself, had found himself melting before her once again.

When he looked at her, he saw so much. The woman he loved, and the woman who put him through so much. And yet, as his mind commanded him to let her go… his lips would utter, shiver, but they said no words. Because as much as she could sting and wound his heart, he also knew what it felt like to be loved by her. When the woman he fell for shined through the darker parts of her. Her tender, compassionate, adoring side. His savior. His lover.

Ro leaned on the very tips of her toes, brushing a soft kiss on his lips before whispering, “Do you still love me?”

Halsin clenched his jaw, but the longer she stared at him, eyes so warm and full of love, he felt forced to relax. “…I do.”

“Say it, Halsin.”

He held her stare for a long time, his skin prickling under her touch. She was even closer now, trapping him with her essence, her beauty. And those eyes – wells of magic and mayhem – the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen. Once again, he was lost…

“I love you.”

And just like that, the power shifts again. Halsin just doesn't know when to let go😪

In all seriousness, our bear man absolutely deserves the best kind of love! Just couldn't get this idea out of my head from his in game quote. Hope you all enjoyed either way!🖤