#everytime I close my eyes all I see are book designs and stars

[melit0n]

I made a little comic based on a convo a few friends and I had.

Time taken: 6 hours and 5 minutes.

What took the longest? Slide 7. Those book designs brought me to the brink of insanity (1 hour and 44 mins).

(Notes under the cut)

Before anyone asks, yes, I know Canus Major typically appears behind Orion, however, I was running out of space, so please forgive the inaccuracy.

For anybody wondering what on Earth the third drawing is, it's a interpretation of NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft's Pale Blue Dot, which was taken on February 14th, 1990.

Slide 8 represents the red string theory. In most literature, the red string is attached to two people, typically romantic lovers, who are intertwined by fate to meet. However, it can also just be a string that connects a person and all the people they'll connect with in life. It's an embodiment of fate; everybody is interlinked.

Slide 10 is one of my own photos taken from my bedroom window. I originally planned on drawing it out, however, after two hours of fiddling about and trying to make it look right, I gave up and just put the photo there; I hope it fits in fine.

@moonchild-in-blue @tonguetyd @hookedhobbies @branches-in-a-flood thought you four might like this!

[akingdomofswordsandstories]

Unrequited

azriel (acotar) x reader

Summary: takes place during acofas, you and Azriel are mates but he doesn’t know it yet, angst, fluff, and everything in between

*Also this is my first imagine ever so I'm sorry if it sucks lol! There will be a part 2 to this, but I am still working on it!!

word count: 3927

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The winter solstice was in a few days and you weren’t sure what to get some of the inner circle. You walked briskly down the streets of the Rainbow, chilled to the bone due to the wind. You had made the dumb mistake of rushing out of the townhouse - to avoid any questions of where you were going - without taking your scarf. Your current outfit, which was a chunky knit blue sweater with leggings and boots, wasn’t enough to keep the chill away. But the cold wasn’t the most important thing on your mind. You had already bought presents for Rhys, Feyre, Amren, and Elain, but that left Cassian, Mor, and Azriel. Mor and Cass would be pretty easy to buy for, but you put it off knowing they would look through your room trying to find their solstice gift. But Azriel, that would be much harder.

Every waking hour, the shadowsinger haunted your thoughts. Something you had come to conclude was unrequited.

You had realized the mating bond between you two before he did.

It had clicked a few months ago while on a diplomatic mission. The aftermath of Hybern had left things chaotic, and if you were being honest, it still was. Rhys decided to send Cassian, Mor, Azriel, and you to travel to some of the other courts to bring back reports on the recovery after the war. However, traveling did have some dangers. While you were on your way back to Velaris from the Winter Court, your group was ambushed by a group of Hybern soldiers who had been hiding out in the mountains. Had it not been for Azriel’s wings shielding you from the initial arrows, you would’ve surely been dead, and that’s when it clicked for you. But like an idiot, you didn’t say anything.

You had thought if the bond had clicked for you, it would've clicked for Azriel too. You realized your mistake when Azriel hadn’t acknowledged any change between you two. You hoped that he would figure it out in the coming weeks, but he didn’t. You knew the same sort of situation happened with feyre and rhys so you still held out some hope. But as the months went by, and you realized the bond still hadn’t clicked for Azriel and it felt too late to tell him.

At least that was the excuse you made up. Truly, you were also afraid of the rejection that could have followed. You weren’t a fool, you knew him and Elain had some sort of connection, and that shattered your dreams even more. The possibility that he wouldn’t accept the mating bond to be with the fair skinned, doe eyed fae. Everytime Azriel was in the same room as Elain, she was the only thing he would pay attention to. During gatherings, you would plaster on a smile and act as if you were happy, but Cassian and Mor, your best friends, could sense your discomfort. They tried to ask you about it, but seeing as you would shut down anything they said, they decided not to pry too much. Amren ended up figuring out the source of your discomfort had to do with Azriel, but kept your secret until you would be ready to share it.

You came to the conclusion that distancing yourself from him would be the best option, so that's what you did.

You walked down the street till you got to one of the finest seamstresses is Velaris. Since you were an artist like Feyre, you decided to draw out a dress and have it made for Mor. The color was blood red, her signature. It was a silk slip dress that would come down to her mid-lower calf and it would be embroidered with a brilliant gold thread. You drew out a pattern of the sun, stars, and moon, which you hoped she would like. To go along with Mor’s dress, you got a jeweler to make a custom necklace and bracelet set to go with it. You designed more dainty jewelry that had gold stars with diamonds, since she was a dreamer.

You decided to design Cassian’s gift as well, creating a beautiful silver and black dagger with a moonstone on the hilt. It was a beautiful dagger, but you also made sure it was usable, because you would hate for it to go to waste. To add onto the combat theme, you also decided to buy him new fighting leathers with touches of red embroidery to match his siphons. Lastly, you bought Cassian a bottle of fae wine, which definitely wouldn't last long.

The last thing you got for all three of you was a friendship necklace. Although that sounds corny, the two of them had become such a positive force in your life and you couldn’t imagine life without them. Keeping with the celestial theme for the friendship necklaces, you bought a sun, a moon, and a star. The sun for Cassian, the moon for Mor, and the star for you. Although they are opposites in some ways, all three need each other, just like the three of you needed each other.

Now that you had gotten Mor’s and Cassian’s solstice gifts figured out, it was onto Azriel’s gift. You honestly had no clue what to get him. Due to distancing yourself, you weren’t sure if there was something that he wanted. You were positively stumped. Lucky for you though, you ended up spotting Mor in another shop a few stores down from where you were, most likely getting the rest of her solstice gifts. You decided to sneak up on her as a friendly prank. Grabbing her shoulders, you yelled in her ear, making her jump.

“Oh mother above, it’s just you, y/n! You scared the life out of me” Mor said.

“Doing some last minute shopping?” you asked. “I could ask you the same thing”. Giving her a playful smack on the arm, the corners of your mouth curled upward, even the simplest remark from her could make you smile.

The two of you were currently standing in front of a jewelry shop, looking at the collections of necklaces and earrings through the window. “Wow” you breathed out “These are all so beautiful”

“Indeed they are, although they’re quite pricey”

“How pricey is pricey?”

She whispered the amount in your ear and you stopped breathing for a second, “Holy Mother wow, that is quite the price tag. At least we can admire it from a far”, you laughed out. Even though you got a very generous salary from Rhys, you still felt guilty spending so much money on materialistic things.

After a moment you said, “Actually, since you’re here, I do need help finding a solstice gift for Azriel”, softening your voice at the end, “Any ideas?” you asked, drawing out the syllables.

“Well, I always get Azriel some cool towels, clothing, or a dagger!” Mor said. A small scoff came out of my mouth as I shook my head and raised my eyebrows. “Fine!” she exclaimed, “I may have overheard him needing a new leather sheath for Truth Teller.” grumbling towards the end. “Oh that sounds great, thank you for the help! Now let’s go off to the closest leather goods store and find a sheath!”.

“y/n! I still have shopping to do” a scowl appearing on her face. “Fine, I guess I’ll just call Cassian, cause his judgement might be better than yours, when it comes to knife related things of course” you said, baiting her.

“Ugh, I hate you y/n”

“I hate you too Mor”

“Fine, let's get going before I change my mind” she grumbled. Then we took off down the streets of the Rainbow to find a sheath.

The task was easier said than done, for you at least. Being indecisive and a major over thinker, you had looked through close to 100 sheaths, but none of them seemed good enough to hold the blade that Azriel never let anyone else touch. Except Elain.

While you were lost in your thoughts, you laid your y/c eyes on the perfect sheath. It had a bright cobalt blue stitching to match Az’s siphons. Along the tip and lining the top of the leather was a thin coat of silver plating with little sapphires embedded in the metal. You quickly snatched it up and paid a hefty price for it, but it was perfect.

“Thank god you finally picked one, it felt like we were in that store for centuries”. Mor sighed, probably a sigh of relief for getting out of the store, “But y/n, it’s perfect, I know Azriel will love it”

“Do you really think so? I just want it to be the perfect gift and I’m scared he won’t like it because what if it’s too simplistic and what if-”

“Hey! It's perfect! Don’t stress too much y/n. And for the record, I think that you’re an amazing gift giver - the amount of thought you put into gifts make it all the better.”

You could feel a blush creeping up your cheeks and mumbled a small thank you.

“Anyway while we’re here do you need to get anything to go with your solstice outfit?”

“Oh Actually, I was so stressed about getting everyone’s solstice gift that I forgot to buy my dress” your voice falling off at the end. You felt yourself being yanked to a harsh stop and the saw Mor’s face staring at yours, mouth gaping and eyes wide.

“Are you crazy?? Solstice is in 3 days and you still don’t have anything??? Oh honey, our shopping isn’t done yet.” And with that statement you found yourself being pulled into the nearest dress shop. After trying on nearly 20 dresses you finally found the perfect one, which Mor approved. It was a light blue silk dress that was more fitted at the top but flared down at your waist. It had a cowl neckline, a slit going up the side to the mid upper thigh, and accentuates your curves beautifully and has a slight shimmer to it. You looked ethereal in it

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

After your exhausting day of shopping, you couldn’t wait to get out of the cold. You swiftly walked back to the townhouse. Once inside you made your way to your room to set down the gifts, change your clothes, and grab your book. Then you quietly headed down to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of tea and sat on the couch to read. The house was quiet since all of the others decided to go to Rita’s tonight. You decided to stay home for some much needed relaxation. You opened your book and started reading. After a few hours, you felt your eyes drooping and eventually, sleep consumed you.

The loud noise of the front door caused you to stir and your eyes fluttered open. You were too exhausted to look so you just laid your head back down and tried to go to sleep. You could hear Mor whispering something and then felt yourself being lifted off the couch and being held close to a chest with your blanket still draped on you.

“Cass?” you whispered hoarsely along with a string of incoherent words

You heard a slight laugh “Not Cass but It’s ok, go back to sleep”. Then you felt yourself being gently placed on your bed and the sleep hit you before you could mutter a thank you.

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

The sun was setting towards the sea as you sat in the sitting room of the town house. You were in your blue silk dress with a glass of wine in your hand. Rhys and Feyre were by the mantel, quietly talking while Mor and Amren were across the room. Near the window I saw Elain, and from the corner of my eye I could see Azriel making his way towards her. My face fell but I quickly plastered on a smile, not wanting to concern anyone. Especially since today was also Feyre’s birthday and we had planned a surprise for her. Feyre thought she could slip her birthday past us, but we hadn’t forgotten. After a few minutes, Cassian made his way from the kitchen with the enormous cake.

You floated towards Feyre and gave her arm a light squeeze. “Happy Birthday, make a wish before the candles melt!”

She blew out the candles and then we ate cake before opening up the presents.

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

Rhys snapped his fingers and piles of brightly wrapped bags and boxes filled up the sitting room. Amren was the first to open her presents. Naturally, everyone got her something jewelry related. Amren opened mine and you saw a wide smile set across her face, she picked up the diamond necklace and nodded a ‘thank you’ your way. You returned the gesture back, a small smile forming on your face.

Next, Cassian handed Mor her present from him and she pulled out a-. You couldn’t believe what you were seeing. He bought her red lingerie. Your face turned slightly red, but the Mor said “Don’t let him fool you: he couldn’t think of a damn thing to get me, so he gave up and asked me outright. I gave him precise orders. For once in his life, he obeyed them.”

Then, you heard one sharp knock at the door.

Nesta.

You saw Cassian tense up a bit. Nesta walked in, linking arms with Elain. She got a glass of wine before heading to sit in a chair in the back of the room. The silence was deafening. Finally Varian started talking and the present opening resumed.

From Amren, you received a new calligraphy set. It was so beautiful and you loved it. From Rhys, you got some books. It was perfect since you loved to read, and they were ones that you had been wanting to read for a long time. From Feyre, you received a painting as well as a new paint brush kit.

Cassian made his way to you and set a gift down in your lap. You opened the dark blue box that Cassian had placed in your lap. He had gotten you a sky blue hardbound journal with a gold embossed star on it. You desperately needed a new one, and this was perfect. You walked over and gave him a hug, whispered “Thank you, I love it.”.

Next you opened Mor’s present. You nearly choked when you saw what she got you and your whole face heated up. She got you a matching navy blue lingerie set like the one Cassian bought her.

“Yeah, I wasn’t too sure what to get you so I thought we could twin”. You looked around the room and saw the others holding in their laughs. You could’ve sworn you saw a tinge of red on Azriel’s ears. You just smiled and mouthed a silent “I’m going to kill you, but thank you” at her.

There wasn’t anything from Azriel. Your heart twinged. Had you not been important enough? It was just a present you reminded yourself, fixing your composure before handing Cassian his present.

He ripped it open like an animal, squealing when he saw it. A promising reaction given the amount of thought you put into it.

“Did you design these? They look amazing!”

“Yeah, I’m glad you like it. It took a long time to figure out what to get for your dumb ass”

“You mean my cute ass”, you smacked his arm and then got up to give Mor her present.

You closely watched her reaction as she opened her dress and jewelry, a large smile spreading across her face.

“You really buy the perfect presents y/n, I love it”.

“Oh Cass, Mor. One more thing.” You pulled out the small boxes with the friendship necklaces and bracelets handing it to them. “This was just a little something extra I thought of, I hope you like it”. You knew you would have started stuttering and crying if you had said the meaning to them, so you just handed them notes instead. They read over them, eyes glossing over, and pulled you into a hug.

“This is the only time I’ll wear jewelry” Cass stated, causing you to chuckle

Then Mor said, “I am never taking this off” causing you to laugh again.

Finally, Azriel opened up his presents. He had opened up all the others. All that was left was yours and Elain’s gift to him. He found his way to your present first, opening it.

“A new sheath for Truth Teller. I heard you needed a new one” you quietly said.

He held your gaze and smiled, “Thank you, it's great”. Suddenly feeling exposed, you quickly gave him a nod.

Then he went to open Elain’s gift. “It’s a powder to mix in with any drink.” she said.

Silence.

Elain bit her lip and then smiled sheepishly. “It’s for the headaches everyone always gives you. Since you rub your temples so often.”

Silence again.

Then Azriel tipped his head back and laughed.

You hadn’t heard him laugh before, and mother above it was gorgeous. You had never heard a sound so deep and joyous, a sound which made your heart clench. A part of you wished you were the reason he was laughing. You forced on a smile and spent the rest of the night drinking away the slight pain in your chest.

You were exhausted by the end of the night, sitting on the couch with Cassian and Mor, Azriel and Rhys seated on the opposite side of you.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw movement towards the door, and craned your head to see what was going on. It was Nesta making her way to the door. You felt the couch lift next to you.

Cassian. He had swiftly pushed past Feyre and went after Nesta. This wouldn’t end well.

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

Cassian had come back quiet and brooding, walking straight to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of liquor. You got up off the couch and followed him straight into the kitchen.

“Cass, let’s take a walk, yeah?”

“I just took a walk”

“It wasn’t a question”. You grabbed a white shawl and his hand and led him outside. “What happened?”

“What’s there to talk about? It was like all the other times. Why did I have to fall in love with someone who doesn't even love me back. Who looks at me like the Illyrian born bastard I am. Who hates the idea of being in the same room as me.”

You grabbed Cass’ hand, lightly squeezing it. “Don’t say that. Nesta, she,” your voice stopping for a second “She’s different. The way she handles pain and copes is different. Give her time. She just needs time. I know how much that may pain you, but you can’t rush healing”

You pulled him into a hug

“And for the record, I know the feeling more than you know” you quietly said “unrequited love”, head pointed at the ground.

Cassian tilted his head down to look at you, his face painted with confusion. You could tell he wanted to know more, but didn’t want to pry too much.

You hesitated before continuing, not sure if you wanted to reveal your closely guarded secret. “I-“ your voice faltering, “I found my mate”. The words seemed to have rushed out of your mouth and tears pricked your eyes as you said that. After months of hiding it, you had finally gotten it off your chest.

Cassian stood shocked, staring at you. “You found your mate? And you didn’t think to tell any of us? How long ago was this”

“I-, I found out who he was around the same time Rhys sent us on that diplomatic mission. And I didn’t tell anyone because he doesn’t even know yet.”

“That was almost 6 months ago, and you didn’t say anything?”.

The tears had started flowing at this point, “I thought he would figure it out. But by the time I realized he wasn’t going to figure it out, it was too late. He had already set his eyes on someone else. And I know I could never compete with Elain, even if I am his mate.” the last part slipped out without you realizing.

“Elain? What does she-“ his eyes widening “Does that mean Az is-“

You slowly nodded, tears welled up, threatening to spill out.

“Oh, mother…”, he pulled you into a tighter hug and that’s when the gates broke. You couldn’t hold back your tears as you sobbed into Cassian's chest, his hand stroking your back.

you must have been there for 15 minutes before you realized the other might start getting suspicious. Regaining your composure, you dried your tears and tried, to the best of your ability, to hide that you had been crying.

Looking back at Cassian, you gave him a slight smile before muttering, “Thank you. I’m sorry for dumping that on you, but please promise me you won’t tell anyone. Please.”

“Of course y/n, and don’t apologize, if it makes you feel better, it helped to take my mind off of Nesta and my own problems, which I desperately needed” he chuckled out.

With the smile still on your face, you linked arms with Cassian before saying, “Oh mother above it’s freezing, let’s get back inside before we turn into popsicles!”

He let out another laugh before the two of you made your way back into the house.

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

You walked into the house and your sliver of happiness was crushed as you saw Az and Elain sitting at the table smiling and laughing quietly to themselves. Elain had her sketchbook out, showing Az her plans for the garden.

Your distraught had been clear to anyone who saw your face, and you were too tired to realize you weren’t able to hide it fast enough. Not being able to view the scene anymore, you quickly got up, muttered happy solstice, and grabbed your coat and purse before heading out the door to your apartment.

While walking home, you were consumed by your thoughts. You hated the pangs of jealousy that coursed through you. You often found yourself jealous of her soft spokenness and kindness. You also found yourself jealous of her effortless beauty. It was something that kept you up at night. She was so likeable and easily approachable, something you wished you were.

You were so drowned in your own thoughts that you hadn’t noticed a male following you till it was too late. One of his hands clamped on your mouth while the other grabbed your waist and pushed you into the nearest alleyway.

The male pulled out a knife and your tears started to fall. You were terrified about what he would do to you. This could be the last time you would have seen your family. You were struggling and kicking against him but it was no use. Your senses were groggy from the alcohol and drowsiness.

You had been so stupid to walk home alone at 2 in the morning. No matter how angry you were, you should’ve just stayed at the town house.

Before you could realize what was happening, you felt a sharp pain shoot through your side.

The sound of a clatter.

Receding footsteps.

A crimson stain blooming.

Your body crumpled to the ground and your vision started blacked out. This was it. Nobody could hear you and nobody could save you.

[fluffglass]

Imagines - Dating Logan Lee 11

I'm back with the part 2 and @shady-swan-jones ❤️ is the beautiful soul who gave me ideas for this one. Thanks. Please continue to read my works and keep suggesting me ideas. 😊

I would suggest you to listen to 'kiss me more' by Doja Cat ft.SZA while reading.❤️

Category - fluff, smut.

People are suspicious of Logan everytime they see him. You always want to laugh at them because if they see what you were looking at right now, they would be disoriented and wouldn't believe their own eyes. And right now all you are looking at is the perfect Logan Lee struggling to make breakfast who looks pretty much a meal himself. You chuckled in a low voice so that he wouldn't hear, you didn't want to discourage him. After all, he wanted to impress you with his cooking and you really wanted to try it. You looked at him with satisfaction, his hair was all over the place, eyes just noticing the sun now, dark grey sweatshirt hugging him from his sleep, hands looking so beautiful, you could hold all day, even his face with the aggression looked so adorable you would have to control yourself to not hold his face with your hands and kiss them. Although you liked watching him working, you were becoming impatient with the going time so you tiptoed to the kitchen and sweetly asked,' do you need help?', to which he replied,' no....uhm......I'm fine actually', in a not so confident voice which was not Logan-like, you could see in his eyes. You were a few years older than him and he loved your caring and responsible nature. You didn't want to interrupt but you didn't want Logan to brawl with the recipe.

So you walked behind him and began instructing him while giving him a back hug, holding him, trying to kiss him till he starts laughing.

'Stop, the food is ready! '.

'I don't want to, I can eat you instead'.

'You've become quite brazen, haven't you?'.

'The only one thing Mr. Logan Lee can do except cooking'.

He would be lost in words with questioning eyes, you would start chuckling with yours sparkling like stars. He would lose to you every time if he could see your smile. He held your face with his right palm on your left cheek, fingers in your hair, thumb grazing your ear, your cheeks were getting slightly warm, same action with his left hand. Then he tilted his head, closed his eyes, you did the same, touching your lips with his, in a way reminding you of the dark chocolate you eat slowly to treasure it for a long time. Softly, taking time to feel and memorize each other's lips, kissing till you you took breaks to whisper things you wouldn't say to each other on daily basis.

'I love you Logan'.

'I you you more y/n'.

You tucked on his sweatshirt from back. Giggling at each other and continuing to smolder his lips when he slowly licked your lips in a making you lose your senses, leaving you yearning for more. You let him enter your mouth with his smooth actions, reciprocated with your own. You were becoming hungrier for Logan's kisses with the passing time, you could feel the dampness down and were figuring out if he was feeling the same. The room was never this quiet, all you both could hear were the noises of your lips dancing together. This was making you blush red as this is the first time you don't want to talk but keep feeling​ this euphoria. Logan was also unexpectedly quiet, his hands were doing the talking, touching you in places you could end up throwing yourself on him.

But good things take time and this wasn't a good time. Because Logan's phone just rang reminding you of the time and how were actually going to be late for work. Both of you stopped and looked at different directions looking like cherry tomatoes. You got up to get ready, he looked doe eyed at you walking away. While Logan was talking on the phone you got ready, then walked towards the door when he came running and called. 'Y/n!', you looked behind when he just came and hugged you tightly for few seconds, then he said,

'Are you free this evening? '.

'Yes '.

'I'm coming to you then '.

'Okay, I'll call you'.

'Bye y/n'.

In a needy voice where he didn't want to let you go.

'Bye Love'.

He smiled. You smiled.

You entered your workplace looking like a boomerang fitted in your mouth. People who are looking at you are puzzled at your reason for this beaming happiness.

This boy is such a gentleman, you can't even hate him properly. One of the things you love him for. You thought about how just a few months ago you thought Logan would be this rude rich dude and now you look at this soft furball you wanna cuddle and kiss all night. He was constantly growing on you.

Here you were having sweetest dreams about him and on the other side Logan was getting anxious with the going second, about how he should have pulled you for a hug or a peck or a smooch, how he should have talked to you more, how he should make it right, how much he fears to lose you. He was turning shy by each time you were becoming bold. He was smirking with the thought that he would go crazy in love with you. And he didn't want to be the only one left amazed, he was planning to go all the way to thunderbolt you with his feelings.

So he was going to finish what started this morning. He texted you,

'Did you have lunch?'.

'Yes, I did. What about you 😘?'.

'I did, but I was missing you'.

You smiled reading the message.

'I miss you too'.

He blushed.

'How about we meet at 5pm ?'

You look at your phone smirking and type,

'Okay, I'll be waiting for you in the lobby.'

'You won't have to wait, I will reach you before it'.

You were trying to hide your smile in case someone saw you, but Logan was making it so hard for you, you were imagining him in your daydreams.

You finished your work before 5pm, arranged your belongings, looked at your mirror if your hair was alright, retouched your makeup and took the elevator to the lobby. You reached in a few seconds and kept walking but could not see him. You thought he might be on his way so you called,

'Logan, I'm h....'. He cut you mid sentence and said,' On your left, y/n'. You looked at the direction, lost for words as what you saw at that moment startled you to the core. If angels exist they might be looking like Logan was what was going through your head. Or you could say that he was your prince whose princess you wanted to be forever.

Logan wore a bright yellow coat and you were sure of the fact that no one can pull off. The smooth colour looks like it is hugging Logan's body in a way making him look so tempting to eyes. You can't even think of someone who would look good in yellow. His hair colour perfectly complementing his coat like frosting on a cupcake. And his blue scarf with white design went along with the coat perfectly. Logan has a scarf for every occasion. Scarfs make him look very sophisticated, unique, no man can compare.

You smiled at him. He smiled at you. You both kept your phones in your pocket. Standing opposite each other as if time had stopped, looking at each other's eyes trying to read the feelings you hold for the other. He was fighting his urges to not hold you tightly against his chest. You wanted to pull him and kiss him then and there till your lipstick comes off.

He was standing with a bouquet in left hand and waving with his right hand smiling. You walked towards him in a normal pace with a smile and upon reaching to him, you pull him for a peck on lips taking him by surprise, making his eyes widen, increasing his heartbeat, make his cheeks warm, shy, making him forget what he wanted to tell you but he retreated by giving you a smirk.

'You look breathtaking'.

'Less than you'.

'Being modest aren't you?'.

In the end both of you chuckled and you took his hand, fingers entangled, walking outside till he remembers the flowers in his left hand and gives you. Taking it you say,

'The smell is so soothing, I love these so much'.

'And I love you y/n'.

Sudden confessions like these make you lose your composure. And he loves that.

He takes your hand in his hand making a boxy smile to a restaurant he booked for dinner.

After dinner you slowly walk to a nearby park watching the trees, flowers, leaves, water and his eyes. Being quiet like this beside him felt so intimate and secure. Looking at him while walking so closely, talking about each other's day, occasionally giggling is something you want to do everyday. Your Haven.

'Y/n?'.

'Hm'. You looked with doe eyes.

'The moon is beautiful, isn't it?'. He says it in a playful tone.

'Yes it is'. You said smiling.

At the next second slowly,he came closer to you, looking at your lips giving a peck, holding your face with his hands, closing his eyes, in return you closed your eyes as well,putting your arms around him, pecks turning into soft nibbles, nibbles turning into long kisses. All happening so slowly you could feel every movement, you kissed him back to make him feel the same tingling feeling you were getting.

Logan would talk in between to regain his breath,

'You will make me go crazy'.

'I'm already one'.

You would continue kissing till you felt burning from head to toe. He felt so fiery, passion was filling his body.

'Y/n, I think we need to go home to continue this'.

In a bold voice where he was ready to feast on you.

'I think so too, let's go I can't control myself anymore'.

He smiled and took your hand.

The End.

[nemycchi]

Delusion

A Childe X Lumine Fanfiction

Rating : Not Rated

Tags : Psychological, Mild Angst, Character Death

----

During moments of utter silence, Childe recalls that which Lumine once told him about a book she had read from a far away land. 

"It is of utmost importance that those who seek to fight monsters must not become one in the process." 

He likes to think that perhaps, by mentioning it, she had once hoped that he would be reminded of his main aspiration—to conquer the world that is, and not to simply bathe in the blood of his enemies. 

It has its merits, he admits—for he finds himself fighting alongside her during the turning point of the war, the darkness in him dampened by the white light she emits—cleansing the corruption that has resided in him for the longest time. 

This too though, reminds him of another of her words. 

"The deep dark abyss—stare for too long and it would stare back to those who dare." 

It is true, for he knows that ever since he dropped down that hole in the world, he emerged as a monster that is only tamed by bloodshed. 

And from the moment he knew Lumine, perhaps by her as well. 

He has always carried a portion of that so-called abyss, feeling its vines wrapping inside his very being. He is a monster, that much is true, but tamed as one can be, he became a tool under her commands. 

He does not care, for it is times with her when the whispers of the dark become muted—turned into nothing but echoes of the past. 

"Childe? Breakfast?" 

The man spies her slender form by the doorframe of his bedroom, sees her domestically ushering his sleepy person into the kitchen and he feels as though he had achieved that which he desires, with her by his side. 

To conquer the world. 

They did. They won. And it was all that he could ask for. 

Celestia is no more. The abyss is no more. It is just him, Lumine and the rest of the world. 

He smiles as he sits down at the table, reaching for her hand as she places the bowl of steaming Calla Lily Seafood Soup before him. 

"Oh, my favorite. What's the occasion, girlie?"

"Mhm, nothing in particular. Just wanted to cook something special for you." she smiles back and he thinks he saw the glimmer of stars beyond her eyes. 

Or perhaps it was nothing but an illusion, masking the deeper end of the void he is familiar with—if such end even existed. 

Childe shakes his head for he believes that that is not the case. Lumine is here with him. And the abyss is no more. It is no more. 

And if the calling of that dark bud inside him grows too strong anyhow, he knows she is here to defeat it for him. 

For she is also perhaps a monster in her own rights. 

 

--☆☆☆--

 

The bags under his eyes, and the haunted looks in his face tell everyone that he is far from recovered but everytime someone comes to ask him how he is faring, he will do nothing but face them with a smile before answering. 

"I'm very much fine! Lumine takes good care of me." 

If there were curious glances sent his way, he does not care. They must be seething inside—jealous that it was him who conquered her heart by the end of it all. 

The savior and the reformed harbinger.

What a perfect love story—great as a tale to pass down from generations to generations. He sighs at the thought. 

"Childe, pardon my query but I must ask—how have you truly been?" 

He already lost count of how many times the same question had been asked of him. 

He stops walking—to face the former Geo Archon a few steps behind. 

"I do not understand why everyone keeps on asking the same question. I already told you i'm fine, didn't I?" 

Oh how he hates it when they ask—as if they were doubting his princess' ability to care for him, for it was her who has been on his bed, in his kitchen, in his very house ever since the world achieved true peace. 

They do not understand just how capable Lumine is. 

And they will never know, if he has anything to say. 

"Though we are but friends, I must express my deep concern. The dips on your cheeks beg to differ from that which you uttered." 

The blue in his eyes shift into something malicious, to that belonging to the beast he keeps inside. 

"With all due respect, Mr. Zhongli. I do not appreciate the implications of what you just said. You asked and I answered." He pauses. 

The abyss is no more for Lumine is with him. 

"I shall be going now. My wife is waiting for me at home." 

As he walks away, he ignores the burning gaze on his back. It's fine. That former god does not matter. 

What matters is him and Lumine while the rest of the world could go crash and burn, he thinks. 

 

--☆☆☆--

 

"Tough day at work?" 

Childe sidles up to her side, wrapping an arm around the apron-covered waist of his beloved. He kisses her temple with reverence—for it is what she deserves. 

"Not really. It was just Mr. Zhongli. And others. Being annoyingly repetitive as always." He grumbles, tucking her head under his chin. 

The small hand resting atop his chest tightens against his clothes. 

"Do they... not approve of me?" She asks almost inaudibly. 

He was quick to deny the preposterous thought. 

"Don't listen to them. They do not matter, girlie." 

Childe feels her shift and he looks down at her. 

Golden pools decorated by the glittering of stars—of tears, he realizes, meet his abyssal depths. 

"Are you... are you going to leave me?" 

He brushes the hair out of her forehead and tucks the strays behind her ears before promptly brushing away the tears that cascaded from her eyes. 

"Never. You are mine, Lumine. As much as I am yours." 

Even the sweetest wine cannot compare to the smile that adorns her face after his declaration. She buries her head on his chest once more, arms crossing behind him, bestowing him with nothing else but warmth. 

Childe thinks for a second, that this moment is perhaps the best there is in the world. And he knows he is ruined for anything else.

It is impossible to feel anything akin to this feeling and he strongly believes that the desire to even experience it from others aside his princess does not exist anymore. 

 

--☆☆☆--

 

The sound of deliberate knocking at the door rouses the harbinger from his sleep. Childe growls in annoyance at whoever is behind that piece of wood as he untangles his limbs from the goddess laying beside him. 

He kisses the top of her head before deciding to rise and check who their visitor is. 

He stills when the one in front of his humble abode makes himself known. 

Zhongli, of course. 

"Mr. Zhongli, why the early visit?" 

The man only hums before crossing his arms, pinning him with a serious gaze. 

"May I come in, Childe?"

"Ah, of course." 

He lets him in and ushers the former archon to the couch. Upon sitting, the latter immediately scans his surroundings with vague concern in his eyes. 

"I must say, your house is surprisingly empty and devoid of life, Childe."

"What do you mean? I think it's pretty homey. Lumine designed it by herself when she first got here." 

A frown makes its way to the other man's lips. 

"Childe, can we talk?" 

He stiffens, tone changing into a defensive one. 

"We are talking, are we not?" He spats.

"Why don't you ask Lumine to come down here with us?" 

He summons one of his water blades. 

"Why exactly are you here, Zhongli?"

"Call Lumine, Childe." 

In a flash, the water blade comes in contact with the polearm that materialized in front of the visitor. 

"Why. Are. You. Here?" He asks, hostile in every way as he accents each word with a swing of his blade—all thankfully parried. 

"I need you to understand, Childe." Zhongli calls forth a jade shield that rattled even the sturdy walls of the other man's home. 

A water spear slams against the shield. 

"That Lumine..." 

Yet another side step, perfectly timed to avoid the beast cloaked in water suddenly crackling with electricity. 

"Stop it!" It yells. 

But Zhongli is not known for being gentle. The wrath of the rock and the harsh truth—both must be laid out for him to save the monster disguised as a man. 

"Is no longer with us." 

A beat passes.

"She's gone, Childe. And you must accept that fact."

"No!" 

And like that, the man surges forward with the fury enough to fuel wars. 

The walls crumble and the terrified shrieks of townsfolk in the immediate vicinity sound off but Childe could no longer care. 

Him and Lumine. The rest of the world does not matter. 

His mind goes blank with nothing but white hot anger, and he brandishes his weapon with renewed vigor. 

"Take it back." He quietly demands, voice distorted. 

Instead of complying, multiple stone steles rise up from the pavement, obscuring the two men from prying eyes. 

"Everyone grieves for her departure, I assure you. We are hurt as much as you are." A water blade makes contact with the archon's cheek and he winces as response, "but she chose to sacrifice herself for this world's peace and she will not be happy if she sees you rotting away to your demise, Childe."

"You—you don't know anything! Do not lie! Lumine..." A crack in his composition and Zhongli is quick to take advantage of it. 

All at once, like a puppet with strings cut off, Childe falls forward when Zhongli's polearm strikes down his chest. The accumulated hunger and fatigue from weeks of barely holding on to her memory suddenly come crashing down upon his person. 

Empty plates and sweet nothings. 

Cold bed and pristine kitchen. 

Unused scarf with the color of the skies and the clouds—like the view he's witnessing right now. 

Stare into the abyss, and it stares back at you—its remnants staying within, slowly consuming that which it latches on to. 

The abyss is no more—or so he believes. 

"Lumine... she promised me." he whispers into the wind. 

The rustling of cloth distracts him from his thoughts. 

"Do not lean too close to that edge, Childe. I beg you, not as your friend, but as Lumine's—please, do stay with us." 

Before his eyes closed, he heard the call from the deep dark abyss of the waters. 

The sea is calm. And he couldn't care less about the rest of the world. 

Him and Lumine, he thinks. Him and Lumine.

[galactichen]

work of art | seo changbin

prompt #51. “Please stop rolling your shirt sleeves up, it’s terribly distracting.”

description. seo changbin, your tattoo artist of a boyfriend, is a work of art (and he knows it).

pairing. seo changbin x reader

genre. romance, tattoo artist au

word count. 1.0k+

author’s note. hello! starting up a brand new series where i work through a list of 100 prompts, writing up little drabbles or whatever comes to mind. mostly using these to introduce and perhaps develop some au’s and muses that have been running around my head.

warning. gets slightly suggestive bc tattoo artist changbin is a cocky piece of shit.

Changbin’s room was always fascinating to you.

Everytime you walked in, there was always something different about it compared to the last time you visited. Whether it be a different poster on the wall, a new arrangement of post-it notes with blueprints of his next design, or a new record on his desk for inspiration—there was always something to look forward to seeing.

Today is no different.

As you lay on his bed, eyes scanning the room, you take note of the new rock posters plastered on the wall—ones that you recognize as bands he’s recently taken a liking to based on his recent purchases at the record shop you worked at. They take up nearly half of the wall and would have kept going if not for the tall black shelf that is home to many of Changbin’s vintage records. They’ve been neatly arranged like books on a shelf, save for the few larger ones that have their own display stands, as well as his personal favourites. Rush, Led Zeppelin, and even The Beatles are among the albums that you could see from your perch on his bed.

One of the records in his collection has been taken off the shelf and now leans against the wall at his desk before Changbin himself, quiet humming coming from the boy as he sketches away, his chin in his other hand as he works.

His left arm that faces you is decorated in countless designs of black ink—some of his own, some from his friends, and some even from you. They swirl across his skin, curling across like snakes from his fingertips all the way up to his biceps before disappearing beneath the sleeves of his t-shirt. It’s a work of art, much like Changbin himself, with his sharp eyes that are accentuated by his eyebrow slits, his other brow pierced with two little studs. His hair is messier than usual from the day’s work, exposing his undercut as well as the many piercings on his ear. And if you looked close enough, you could see another tiny tattoo of minimalistic stars behind that same ear.

It’s evident that Changbin viewed his body as, quite literally, a canvas, and took pride in his accessories and the art that trails across his skin. And not a day goes by where he’s not dreaming up more designs not only for himself, but his clients as well—just what he was doing right now.

You, on the other hand, had your laptop in front of you playing the latest season of one of your current favourite shows, your boyfriend’s beloved Munchlax plush toy clutched in your arms. It’s funny, really, how Changbin treasured this little toy—nobody (not even you when you first met him in your shop a year ago) would have guessed that an intimidating guy like him would own such a thing. It was literally almost as precious to him as his all-time favourite records.

A movement in your peripheral catches your eye, and you’re quick to notice Changbin lean back in his chair slowly, arms stretched over his head as he stretches out the kinks in his back. He lets out a sigh, dropping his arms back down before beginning to roll up his sleeves, exposing the rest of his tattoos as well as his biceps.

You struggle to keep focussed on your show, your eyes subconsciously trailing back to Changbin’s arms as he shifts his attention to his other sleeve. The way the muscles in his arm move is captivating, and it makes your insides turn to literal mush just watching him.

“Please,” you say, pausing your show. Changbin turns to you with a raised brow, arms paused in the air. “Stop rolling your sleeves up, it’s distracting.”

Changbin only grins at your words, turning in his swivel chair so he’s facing you. He spreads his legs, leaning forward so his elbows are resting atop his knees and god—he knew what he was doing.

“I didn’t quite catch that,” Changbin tells you with the absolute cockiest grin on his face. “What did you say?”

You sit up with a frown, still clutching his Munchlax—Gyu, you should call it—in your arms. “Don’t make me say it again,” you mutter quietly.

The way he sits in his chair, sleeves rolled up to expose his inked arms and hair tousled from constantly running his hands through it made you want to squirm in your spot, legs pressed together—but you don’t, because your boyfriend was a cocky piece of shit who thrived on things like that.

But then he opens his arms with a much warmer smile this time, and you find yourself on your feet before your brain can fully register it, his hands wrapping around your wrists to pull you onto his lap like second nature. Gyu gets temporarily squished between the two of you, so Changbin quickly tugs him out of your grasp and places him gently (wouldn’t want to abuse the poor thing now, would he?) on his desk.

“Am I a distraction?” Changbin whispers as you bury your face in his neck, the scent of his cologne bringing a familiar warmth to your chest. His hands slip beneath your shirt, sliding across your skin and the feeling of his cold fingers against you makes you shiver slightly.

“Unfortunately.” Your voice comes out slightly muffled and Changbin chuckles. “I was trying to watch my show, ‘binnie,” you whine quietly.

“What if we watch it together, hm?” he responds, his lips trailing light kisses down your neck. His hands begin to wander elsewhere, but you’re quick to lean back and catch them before they wander too far. He only gives you an innocent look when you glare at him, as if he was saying, I didn’t do anything.

“But what about-” you start to say, in reference to his work, but he cuts you off by pressing his lips against yours.

“It can wait,” he murmurs against your lips that move in rhythm with his. “My baby needs attention right now, doesn’t she?”

Cheeks flushed, your breath hitches when his hands wander again. This time, however, you don’t stop him.

[dekus-afro-pic]

How you confess to them UwU

Includes: Kaminari/Bakugo/Amajiki/Kirishima/

A/N: Day 3 Of Fluffvember UwU. Also I know that they weren’t in dorms during Bakugos kidnapping but, bear with me.

Denki Kaminari

You two have been best friends since the day you were born so it was no shock to you when you started developing feelings

You planned to confess when you both passed your entrance exam to UA

But you never did. You were so excited about getting into your dream school with your best friend

Now the two of you were in your 2nd year and closer than ever. Your feelings grew everytime you two were together.

You asked the Bakusquad to help you with your confession and they happily obliged. Well Bakugo just grunted but you know he was happy.

They set up fairy lights in your room and Bakugo made hamburgers (Denki’s fav food) now all you had to do was wait for Kaminari to show.

“Hey Y/N I got your message what’s...up-?” He said walking into your room. “What’s this?”

“I really wanted to tell you something.” You smiled nervously “I really really like you”

You felt a heavy weight push you back onto your bed. You wrapped your arms around his torso as he kissed all over your face.

“I like you too Y/N. Ever since you told me not to eat that sand sandwich when we were kids” he smiled goofily

Katsuki Bakugo

Bakugo’s attraction to you started at the sports festival. When you two were chosen to fight against eachother you were more than nervous.

He was impressed that you lasted so long in the fight. If it wasn’t for you getting stuck to your own glue then he thinks you would have beaten him.

Ever since then the two of you have been inseparable. Whenever people saw Bakugo they saw you right on his side.

One day you texted him to meet you under the cherry blossom tree on the hill at lunch. He was confused as he made his way to the designated spot.

Once he reached the top of the hill he was met with the scent of Japanese curry

“I know it looks good but let me tell you now. It doesn’t compare to yours” you joked

“Hah of course it doesn’t dumbass”

He sat and started to eat. His eyes widened as he swallowed the cousine. How could it be so good???

He started to stuff his face with the food as you sat there laughing at him.

“Ok slow down Baku before you choke. I wanted to tell you something”

He stopped at stared at you while he continued eating.

“I have a big crush on you. Like super duper big” you said quickly.

He starred at you with wide eyes at your confession. He swallowed the remaining food in his mouth and gave you a sly smirk

“About time you confess dumbass”

Tamaki Amajiki

Oh my sweet sweet baby🥺

You two met through Nejire. She thought your soft and kind nature and Tamaki’s shy nature would mix

But the poor baby was so anxious. He was starstruck by your beauty to say the least. He froze when you introduced yourself.

How could someone be so sweet and soft spoken?

Overtime the two of you became so close. You introduced him to your pet bunny and you genuinely thought he was going to explode.

One day while he was playing with her you decided it was time to confess.

“Hey Tamaki” you spoke softly

“Y-yea Y/N?”

“I love the way you handle carrot” you smiled. His face turned deep red at your compliment. “And I really like you”

Tamaki.exe has stopped working

He looks down at carrot and smiles “I like you too”

Eijirou Kirishima

This boy fell for you as soon as you walked into the classroom. He thought you were a complete GOD/GODDESS

Everyday he would hold your books to your next class, give you some of his lunch, and even spent time in your room with you.

The two of you were connected by the hip.

But when he went on that rescue mission with Bakugo you felt like your whole world collapsed. You didn’t know if you were going to see him again. You couldn’t live with him dying and you didn’t even tell him how you really felt.

That night you stayed in the common room. Waiting for him to return with you guys’ blonde best friend.

When they walked through the door you jolted awake. You didn’t remember dozing off but that didn’t matter right now. You ran towards Bakugo and hugged him tightly despite his protests.

“LET GO OF ME YOU DAMN NERD”

“NO.”

You let him go and said your hellos to everyone. When you got to Kirishima you felt a huge weight leave your shoulders. You crashed into him and wrapped your arms around him.

“Oh I gosh I was so scared. I thought you were gonna get hurt. And I wouldn’t have the chance to tell you I like you. Then we couldn’t go on dates and-“

The red head cut you off with a kiss. He pulled away and looked into your tear filled eyes.

“I’m ok. I’m with you now”

Fin

[bimormondisaster]

If anyone wants to draw this I'd love you forever

Disclamer; I don't ship Kell and Vin *gags even thinking about it*. And I've only read The Final Empire but everytime I listen to this song I picture this but I don't have the skills to make it happen.

(The song is Come With Me by Chxrlotte)

On the day heaven tried to take my soul

Vin getting beaten by the guy at the beginning of mistborn, lifted off the ground by her shirt all bloody and bruised. His fist cocked back ready to punch

You came down like in fairytales of old

Kell standing in an open door. Masked by the shadow of the light behind him but you can see a faint smirk.

I said open your white wings for me

Vin noticing his scars and Kell pulling his shirt sleeve down to hide them (I don't think this actually happened in the books but ya know)

And you said close your eyes and just believe

Kell offering Vin the metal to drink when they first met

You're made of darkness and fire my friend

Kell looking powerful doing someting caotic probally smirking.

I think the world may be coming to an end

Kell telling the team about the new job

But when heaven and hell do collide Know that I'll always be there by your side

Kell puts an arm around Vin

You know I'd follow you through hell and fight off demons as well

Them entering the spire thing where Vin almost died.

You beat your wings and cast a spell I'll run away with you

Vin getting pushed back by Kells coin bag to get her away from the inquisitors

And I said Hallelujah, running to you

???

They won't find us, you and I can watch the stars fall from the sky

Back to them on the first night. Vin looks up and the sky is filled with stars

All clothed in white, my shard of light

??? Maybe Vin getting ready for a ball or something

Let's go together, we'll be free

Kell jumps off the wall

The world ends eventually, so come with me

Vin jumps off the wall

Take my hand and we'll face the end of time

The scene where Kell says that Vin has a lot to learn about friendship

Let's take a stand against fate's design

Kell facing the Lord ruler

I said I can't bear to see the end

Vin rushing to his body crying and screaming. Ham holding her back

And you said close your eyes and count to ten

Kell's ghost over his body looking at her getting pulled back sadly

[amoveablejake]

Well, Here We Are

It is time for the obligatory year in review piece, I know, try and contain your excitement. 

Well, here we are. The end of another calendar year. 2020 is drawing to a close and so like many, if not all, journalistic outlets I too will be doing my year in review. Do I count as a journalistic outlet I hear you ask? Yes. I’ve decided that I do. This is my column and I’m going to to pretend that I am a columnist here. And I can’t hear your eye rolls because I’m busy hiding behind my clicking keyboard. 

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about how I wanted to structure my year in review, for instance did I want to go through each category in a classic way and also would I also only speak about things that came out this year. The answer to both, is a no. Instead I am going to present to you my alternative awards for the year. There will still be runners up but the categories may be a little bit all over the place so if you were planning on counting on  a sure thing award winner that might be out the window now. That being said, shall we dive into perhaps the most chaotic awards show you’re going to experience this year. 

The album that I listened to literally on repeat for a week whilst I was working and as result now know ridiculously well. Perhaps too well - Winner: Pink Floyd ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ 

Right. So. Back in April one rainy Monday afternoon I put on ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ to listen to it through in its entirety for the first time. I had heard songs from it before and I was familiar with Pink Floyd’s music before this but this was what sent me down a spiral of their discography, so much so that Spotify have dubbed them my artist of the year based on playtime. Whilst I would not consider them to be my artist of the year, I can’t deny how deep I’ve gone into their library and in particular ‘Dark Side of the Moon’. I quite literally had it playing on repeat for the entirety of that week and now, now I simply don’t know if I ever truly existed before that album. Am I the album? Is the album me? I’m in too deep. 

The best representation of Seattle in a post apocalyptic video game - Winner: ‘The Last of Us Part Two’

Honestly, I know that this category makes it pretty clear that Last of Us was always going to win but that is because if it wasn’t on this list somewhere I think it might have indeed been a federal crime. This year I played both editions of Joel and Ellie’s story pretty much back to back and boy oh boy was that quite the ride. Part Two is a gruesome, grueling, revenge fueled ride that in all honesty is some of the best storytelling I have ever experienced. In any medium. It’s narrative is phenomenal, its game design is unparalleled, the voice acting and soundtrack are both out of this world and the way it looks is breathtaking. It is a game that continuously left me speechless and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I put it down. The fact that Joel looks like my Dad did and wears the same clothes only partly adds to the emotions it makes me feel. Although I won’t pretend the bit where Joel is talking to Ellie didn’t hit me quite hard. But hey, thats the game’s point. Its a story designed to make you feel and oh boy does it achieve that. 

The football player who came out of nowhere to bring life back to my club - Winner: Bruno Fernandes 

It has been a lot ol’ time since I’ve seen a player that I instantly fell for. Bruno Fernandes arrived in Manchester with an already strong reputation but he has completely transformed a team and shows no sign of slowing down. His first twelve months have been unparalleled and the comparisons drawn with a certain other Portuguese player who was worn that red shirt are not only warranted but deserved. 

The band who I’ve been missing all my life: Winner - Niteflyte 

Quite frankly, this is a very hard award to give. There were quite a few front runners however, it has to be Niteflyte. I got introduced to Niteflyte via a podcast about the CIA’s involvement with the soundtrack of the Berlin wall coming down (’Wind Of Change’, listen to it now. Well after you’ve finished reading this piece that is). The podcast only played Niteflyte because one of the figures it was investigating used to manage the band. It was a thirty second sound bite if that and it stopped me in my tracks. I was walking in my old city at the time and I had to stop on the street and find the album the song was from and put it on straight away. I have previously written about Niteflyte and their self titled album on the blog so go back and read that for a more in depth look however, if you take one thing from this it might be that if I was going to give an artist of the year award, lets just say I think I know who it would go to. 

The best motion picture handling of a father that has passed away that I have seen. Ever - Winner: ‘Onward’ 

When I first heard what ‘Onward’ was about I was, hesitant. Any film where a parent particularly a father comes back to life always makes me filled with trepdiation and this was the case when I went to go and watch ‘Onward’ back in March (the last film I saw in the cinema before all of this). Instead, what I found was an incredibly moving and sensitive film about losing a parent that had at its end the best handling of a reunion between father and son that I have ever seen on the big screen. I have watched it a second time since and I still found it to be incredibly well done. ‘Onward’ might well be my film of the year because of it, I’m that impressed. It is also a great film in its own right but hey, I can’t deny why it sticks out in my head. 

The show that keeps on getting better and better: Winner - ‘The Mandalorian’ 

Sigh. Everytime I think that that ‘The Mandalorian’ couldn’t possibly get any better it goes and proves me wrong. This year started off with the finale of series one and it has ended with the conclusion of the second series. It is a masterpiece and for that I don’t want to ruin its ending here. Instead I will say that it does get better and better each week and for this life long die hard Star Wars fan, hell, it might be my favourite Star Wars property. And I know that won’t mean anything to you, but to me, that is saying something. 

Okay, so, I could keep going on and on with these awards however, its the festive period and I don’t want to keep you hanging around too much so instead I am going to include below some honourable mentions with a little sentence about each. 

‘Anxious People’ - If I was to give a book of the year award winner this would be it. In fact its one of my top ten books ever. Its perfection. Read it. Now. 

‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ - Released at the perfect time and all these months later it still captures my heart everytime I go on it. 

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ soundtrack - Look. I don’t need to make my feelings about this album any clearer. We know I love it and I hope that you’ve listened to it by now and you do too. 

Diego Maradona - The greatest of all time. There’s nothing more to say. 

‘The Prestige’ - Oh boy. I had heard about this film a lot from the IGN UK podcast over the years and it did not disappoint at all. Especially who plays a certain Mr Tesla. That reveal blew me away. 

Joe Exotic - Watching ‘Tiger King’ really felt like event viewing and came along at the perfect time like Animal Crossing. Joe Exotic, I don’t know what to say but he has earned his place on this list thats for sure. 

‘I’ve Got My Second Wind’ - I heard this on one of the early days in January, maybe the second or third and I’ve been listening to it ever since. My song of the year. 

Philippe Auclair - Football journalist and singer. Auclair who features on the Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast regularly is an incredibly articulate speaker and is never afraid to hold the more questionable footballing authorities accountable. One of the writers and figures in football that I look up to the most. Oh and hes an excellent singer. What a man. 

Napoli FC - This was the year that I fell in love with Napoli. Theres no looking back now, I finally found my own team. 

‘Uncharted Four: A Thief’s End’ - The game that showed me, truly, how good games can be. I felt like it was a crime that this game is so perfect. It feels like the inside of my head and I never wanted it to end. 

My brother, James - Look. I know you’re reading this and you more than deserve your place on this list. I was going to give you a proper award but I couldn’t quite get the wording right. Anyway, the point is you’re on the list as you always will be. (And yes, you’re in the same section as Joe Exotic, quite the compliment I know) 

So there we have it. 2020. Hopefully the above gives you something to think about and some things to consume over this festive period before we go again for the new year. This won’t be the final piece for the year but all the same, I hope its a bright 2021 for you, see you in the future. 

- Jake, a man who is immediately re assessing the awards, 27/12/2020

[kanene-yaaay-o-retorno]

Just like any other night

Kanene’s Notes: Sugar! /0/

Spice! \0\

And everything nice! \0/  

To create the perfect fluff

But Kanene accidentally (unless...)

Added an extra ingredients to the concoction--

Angst!!

*Explosion*

*Evil crackling*

Warnings, fun facts, random things and stuff:

* This characters don’t belongs to me! Good Omens belongs to the incredible Neil Gaiman and  Terry Pratchett; Aaaand the characters of this fic (and AU) themselves belongs to @10yrsyart

* Read here to know the AU Ducks and Dolphins and click here to see everything cannon about the D+D. It’s  f a n t a s t i c! Reaaad!  ^w^)s2

* I didn’t really asked a permission by myself, but this post kind of give permission to write about the AU? (I really hope so xDDD), so, if you also want to write about them please don’t be ashamed ! (And give credits, pleaaaase! :D)

* Something around 1.200 words. -w-)b.

* Sorry for any spelling, pontuation and grammar mistakes! Any and every advice is very very welcome! \(-w-)/

* This is not cannon. This idea just came because everytime I thought in a fluff, plots of Az cheering up Crow were all that appeared, soooo I tried to challenge me a little and make the opposite. I hope I managed to demonstrate even a little bit of their personality (and don’t have misunderstanding them) well!

* Fanfic em português brasileiro daqui á pouco Thankys for reading, my lollipops! I hope you enjoy this day! Hug a demon, hug an angel and don’t forget to drink water!! Byeioo!~

                                     [~*~]

Aziraphale is calm, stoic, precise, bold, moralistic, firm, direct and ruthless if necessary. He is also sincere, generous, comprehensive, limpid and kind. He is as a pillar, a base. Something concrete, someone who you can lean on for support, trust, belief.

He knows very well how separate his work from his personal life. His feelings from his mind. He is rational, leaded primary by his brain and not-

And n-not-

(Come on. Control your breath. Control yourself. One… two…three…)

In any way, under absolutely no circumstances by his feeli-

(Focus. Focus on something, something, some- a book! Take one of the books. Right. Very well. Focus!)

…

Damn.

His breath came out a little weaker, shaking. He tightened his grip in the fabric of his pants, closing his blue eyes and trying to focus on his own heartbeat, which seemed to reverberate in his dry throat,  attempting to correct his breathing with its.

Inhaled and exhaled. Inhaled and exhaled. Rested his head against the couch, sinking a little deeper into it. Some part of himself was thankful that it was already night, which meant the bookstore were closed and there was no danger of an incident.

There was no danger.

He settled back a little more on the furniture, held the book again, with a little firmer grip than needed as he readjusted it to a more comfortable position where there would be no danger in his thick, warm tears researching its pages, eventually falling and blurring the words of its lovely sentences.

At least it was night, a night just like any other night bathered in a weather of every other nights where there would be no incidents.

“Angel…?”

… Damn.

Crow approached closer to the upright, perfect posed form, seeking his eyes and staring deeply into them, their gold glittering in the night pitch. Az didn’t tried to hide these vulnerable moments, at least not anymore, but neither did he showed them when they became present. His voice came out a little faltering, yet in the calm and characteristic tune he always had.

“Crow, dear, I thought you were already sleeping.”

“I just woke up for a cup of tea.”

They both knew this was a lie, still none of them really mentioned such information when the one with dark hair as the ebony of the night, a night just as any other one, removed the book of his carefully manicured hands and held them for a moment, intertwining their fingers as he got closer enough to finally entwining him in a hug. He loosened the hold for a brief second, only to position the angel’s head on his shoulder, and then tightly hug him again. It was as he was trying to  show that nothing, on Earth, Hell or Heaven, would be able to hurt the angel without going over him, first.

It might seemed as any other previous hug, if it wasn’t for the fabric of his pajamas getting gradually wetter and the slight shivers and sniffles that slipped from the mouth of the one with blonde, almost white, hair. His cry was silently, and for a light of moment, Crow remembered his own cry, which could be described as any other, just a bit louder and with rumpled clothes.

He shook lightly his head, focusing in the present, in the possibilities, the sentences and words that would be said after the storm. His mind felt lethargic and yet running in full speed almost at the same time. Crow combed Az’s hair and gave small, but big in meaning, pecks in his neck without even noticing.

The time itself lost meaning in this piece of time.

A hand tapped softly his back and his head slightly lifted. It was the signal to break the touch, and it was promptly obeyed.

“Do you want to talk about this?” His voice was a special whisper, packed, designated and delivered to just only one being in the entire universe.

“There is nothing to be said.” Even with everything, his voice still lacked major flaws or slips. It was made of a calm, sad nature. “It is just…” And the owner of hundreds of books, reader for thousands years and maestro of words ended up losing himself in them.

‘It’s just…’  Crow wondered if even the humans, at some point of their existence, could understand all the feelings and sensations between the lines that this phrase could possess.

Probably.

Everyone does, in some way or another, doesn’t it?

The black-haired never paid much attention to time, especially after such thing already fulfilled its basic function of lead him as far as possible from that particular century. However, this day, he almost could see the sand of hourglass pouring grain-by-grain as he let the angel running his fingers through his hair, pressing his back on the blonde’s sweater and stroking the back of the other’s hand with his thumb. His warmth and presence were the necessary reminders that Az needed to focus on the here, in the Bookstore rocked by this ordinary night, and now, with the best company he could ever wish to be.

A piece more of time was spent. Maybe two, three, and perhaps a little more.

…

“We should go out.”

“What are you rambling about, Crow love? We always go out.”

“No. I mean… for something different! Not just a lunch.”

“A day to just wander, you mean?”

“Maybe.” Shrugged, pondering, his tongue absently wriggling in the ar. Az tightened a bit more the touch, feeling lighter as allowed his mind travel and dance between some possibilities for the future meaning of this conversation. “We should make a picnic!”

“A picnic?’

“Yes! In any place, nearby or far away! We could take the food or milacre it there. I can give you a ride.”

His head turned, his heart floating and expanding when he saw that the trail of tears had faded from his husband’s face, and now the red was also beginning to gradually leave his skin.

Az pondered for a few minutes, eyes gleamming.

“I don’t think I’ve ever married at a picnic before.” Smiled, and part of his soul melted with the beauty in the other’s happy expression, along with the smile that also was painted in the demon’s face, he was absolutely sure.

“Let me tempt you, then.” Crow hissed, carrying on their internal joke, since they, after their last wedding-lunch, decided that from now on there would be no more dates, only weddings.

Az raised an eyebrow, giving him a playful disbelief look. Their foreheads met. The angel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a light, which came neither from the stars, cars, poles and nor the living room lamp, little by little filling his being.

“I love you, Aziraphale.” Their eyes met.

“I love you too, my husband.”

Perhaps they had spent some time like this, in silence, enjoying themselves. Perhaps they had slowly moved away right after the talk, holding hands, a warm feeling in their chest. Who really knows? It is a moment only for them, so let it be.

“The preparations should be started, then!” The one with blue limpid eyes, now up, excitedly leaded to the kitchen. “Milacre a massive amount of food certainly would alert your side just as mine, so, I believe the best option we got is cook by our own.”

Crow scowled, which evolved to as annoyed expression as received the lightly incisive and inquisitive look from the other, puffing up his cheeks and deviating the glare as he dispirited followed his steps into the other room.

“Fffffffine.” Gave up of the dream to sleep that night. However, deep inside, he knew worth it just to watch the blonde-haired angel calmly, excited walking his eyes and fingers through the Recipe Books were under his care. Urg. The sacrifices that must be made. “But I’m not using a patterned apron!”

And the cars drove through the streets, the stars hardly glowed in the sky and the worlds kept not an even bit silent during that sunless hours, just as any other night of any other day. Nevertheless, on that store, more specifically a Bookstore, at that moment and for those two, maybe this wasn’t a common night anymore, and would definitely lead to a day not even a little ordinary, either.

A recipe book was open, some bright smiles (maybe trying to help the stars?) too.

“Sure, my dear. I would never…” replied Az, trying to decide which color would most highlight Crow’s duck patterned pajamas.

[smooch-that-bot]

Howdy!! May I request MTMTE Megatron crushing on a human poet/singer? Tysm I'm the big gay for him

{We’re all big gays for this big man}

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

You’re the new liason from Earth. Sent to the Lost Light to restore relations between humans and cybertronians. As you enter the room a smaller red and white bot rushes over and the first to greet you; asking a whirlwind of questions before Ultra Magnus pulls him away to let you breath. Everyone has questions about the status of Earth wondering how humanitys fared after all those years dealing with the war on earth. Everyone except Megatron. He stands in the back and watches everyone crowd around you. When your eyes meet he quickly looks away before leaving the room. 

Eventually the excitement dies down and bots slowly trickle out of the room. Soon it’s only you and the bot you now know as Swerve. He looks like he might explode from not being to talk. “Hey..um it’s Swerve,right?” He nods and puffs up his chest. 

“Swerve’s the name,serving drinks is my game! Oh,I’m also a metallurgist.” You chuckle at his outburst and before you know it the two of you are walking back to Swerve’s bar chatting up a storm. “So Y/n what do you get up to when you’re not… ya know restoring peace?” Swerve stands behind the counter polishing glasses and making sure the energon is in stock. You sit on the edge of the counter;kicking your legs back and forth while thinking. 

“Oh well I- I sing and write poetry. Kinda dorky right?” You hear clinking and turn around to see Swerve fumbling with a glass before putting it down and staring at you.

“What! No that’s awesome! Ya know you should...oh primus! You should perform at my bar.” Swerve smiles widely. He’s almost vibrating in excitement. You bite your lip and fidget with your clothes “Swerve I don’t-” “Please Y/n this place is in desperate need of entertainment.” Swerve tries to pull out the puppy dog eyes or at least you think that’s what he’s trying to do. “Oh fine how could I say no.” You grin at Swerve as he pumps his fist in the air. 

“I’ll see you later tonight superstar!” Swerve sends you a wink as you hop off the counter and exit the bar. You playfully roll your eyes and wave goodbye.

“See you Swerve. Try not to talk some poor bots audials off.” 

You wander off towards where Ultra Magnus said your room would be but the ship is so large and the hallways begin to blend together. Before you know it you’re lost and tired. Your feet throb with every step you take and your stomach rumbles loudly every so often. “Ughhh why does this ship have to be so huge, who designed this thing?” As you complain there’s the thump of someone walking up ahead. A spark of joy flares up inside of you and you run toward the sound. You round the corner and run smack into the back of some bots peds. “I’m so sorry I got excited and uh guess I didn’t have time to stop.” You stand back and look up at the bot you ran into. 

Megatron’s red optics stare back “It’s quite alright...erm excuse me but I don’t know your name.” He almost looks nervous to speak to you. He constantly shifts his eyes and hesitates to get closer to you. “I’m Y/n. I saw you in the back, you didn’t say hi or anything.” Megatron crinkles his eyes and sighs. 

“I apologize Y/n. I didn’t think you’d want me to say anything.” 

“Ahhh because of you and your history with Earth.” 

“I’ve done many terrible things to your planet and brought unnecessary conflict to innocent people.” He clenches his fists. Trying to shift further away from your gaze. 

“We’ve been able to rebuild. The wars on Earth are now our past. Many people have moved beyond that; we look to the future now. All that happened millions of years ago; people just want to move on.” Your lips curl into a gentle smile. You look at Megatron,his mouth is agape slightly but he quickly shuts it. 

“I see.” There’s a long pause between the two of you. With only the slight hum of fans to provide alleviation from the silence. “Well enjoy the rest of your night.”He takes a final glance at you before beginning to walk away.

“Megatron wait I- well I’m lost. I was trying to find my room.” He pauses barely turning his head to face you and nods for you to follow him. 

As you trail him you find yourself having to jog to keep up with his long strides. At some point Megatron takes notice. He kneels before you and lowers his hand.

“It’s easier this way.” You hear the hum of fans starting up as you gingerly step into his palm. You shake as you try to keep your balance while Megatron rises and starts walking.  “Thank you, this is easier.” Megatron grunts in acknowledgement.  

Soon after you come to a stop in front of a large door. You look down and see a smaller door was built into the existing door. Megatron carefully lowers his hand down allowing you to hop off. You turn to him and pat his hand “Thanks again. You should stop by Swerve’s bar I’ll be performing poetry later.” Megatron’s optics widen slightly before he regains his composure,

“I’ll see if I can make it.” With a curt nod he turns on his peds and disappears down the hallway.

You check your watch and realize there’s only a few hours before you have to be at Swerve’s. You change into more casual clothing and grab your poetry book. You quickly rehearse what you wanted to perform then skid out the door in a hurry. From where your room is it’s a straight shot to the bar and you arrive with just enough time to talk to Swerve.

“Hey superstar, ready to dazzle the crowd?” Swerve greets with a fist bump then leans in to whisper to you,“I’d been practicing my fist bump.” He grins as you groan at his utter ridiculousness.

“Great job Swerve really knocked it outta the park.” Swerve ushers you to the stage and helps you onto a stool then places a microphone in front of you. He scurries back to the bar counter and gives you a thumbs up.

You look out to the crowd and many glowing optics look back. You fumble with your poetry book a bit before opening to a bookmarked page. You take a deep breath closing your eyes and letting go of the nerves that rack your body. When you open your eyes there in the back you see Megatron and for whatever reason your body relaxes and you shoot him a smile. 

“This poem is called Nothing Gold Can Stay.” You see Megatron’s interest peak as he shifts his body to face the stage and leans in to listen. “Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; but only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief,so dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.” Swerve claps loudly and soon others follow in suit. Your eyes meet with Megatron's he smiles and claps then gets up heading out of the bar. Offering a glance over his shoulder. You climb down from the stool and rush out of the bar, careful to dodge bar patrons peds. When you get out of the crowded bar you find Megatron staring out a nearby window watching the passing stars. 

“That was a lovely poem. Perhaps we could write something together.” He softly glances at you from the corner of his optics. You turn to the window a smile growing on your face.

“I think I’d like that.”

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

(Okay that was long here’s some headcanons: 

- Megatron is really supportive of your songs and poetry. You both like to just sit and write together it’s very calming

- Eventually after your relationship becomes a more public thing on the ship he would sit up front to watch you perform every time. If you ever got extremely nervous he would offer you gentle words and reassure you that you’d do spectacular.

- If any bot dared to insult your art Megs would almost flip his shit. His voice gets oddly calm but his aura radiates danger. He tells the bot off with a gentle voice but with an iron grip on their shoulder.

- He likes when you sing to him especially after a long and stressful day. He places you on his chest near his spark so you lay can relax as well. And he just lets you hum and sing a few tunes before powering down into a blissful rest.

- Before you got together he really thought he was being slick by writing romantic poems and having you read them

- You somehow started sending poems back and forth to each other through data pads. Everytime you’d send him a new poem Megs would feel hopeful and happy which he even though he didn’t think he could still feel that way anymore.

- Through his poems you got to know him better and he trusted you enough to even show you his darkest works and his poems about his grief and his esteem. 

- Basically y’all are the cool poetry nerds of the ship 

[hellishvu]

Imagine BTS: (Hyung Line) - when you two become a thing

A/N: i want to update as much as i can this week because this friday!! i’m going to see bts so i will probably be too busy with that, then I have to go to state literally a day later that i come back so please! be patience with me :D

-star

Yoongi:

— yoongi finds out about a new artist underground and he finds his muse but the problem is, he’s never seen the face of the man he can’t help but find inspiring.

Being an underground rapper the most important thing was 3 rules.

Keep battling others to show your title.

Keep your reputation high.

Be able to handle the audience.

For years Yoongi worked hard, every night to become one of the best rappers on the scene. Yoongi came and conquered to find his throne.

So when a new rapper starts to raise the ladder at a impression rate. Yoongi had to see the man himself. Yoongi preformed his regular nights calling them “Fire Friday’s”

Yoongi waited at the back of the club, hearing the announcer talk about this new rapper. The crowd was screaming almost deafening but it was the thrill of that crowd that made your heart run quick. The way adrenaline was pouring through your blood as you gave it your all.

You had came out, a rather outfit that didn’t show your face. You wanted them to hear you rather than look at you. You spoke through the words you rapped from your soul not the way your face looked. Yoongi had appreciated this the most. The craft was the most important part of a rapper’s career.

So when he was finished watching your show, you had inspired so many things within himself and since the backstage people knew him so well he could just walk into the backstage.

Yoongi searches through the many acts, trying to find that familiar outfit. Yoongi asked workers and rappers if they had saw you. Not an answer, Yoongi sighed in frustration as he walked to the back door.

The city breeze of a Friday night was relaxing as Yoongi looked at his phone seeing texts from his 6 friends. Yoongi replied telling them he had some business to take care of.

Yoongi walked back in and decided to call it a day as his friends were waiting for him so they can all go home.

Yoongi came back the next week, to the same event. Fire Friday being shown across the stage, Yoongi writing about you about how the greatest artists are unknown till they are found.

Yoongi got off stage as he stayed near the stage to wait till he heard the same voice. The flow was the same. “It’s him.” That’s all Yoongi could process as he waited and listened to the lyrics and the music.

Yoongi saw you get off stage as he stopped you immediately which shocked you at first never being approached so forceful.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be all over your shit, but I have to- I mean do you have time to talk?” Yoongi said as he partically begged. He’s been rather drained out of inspiration so meeting you was like a breath of fresh air.

You agreed as you both walked out of the same alley way Yoongi was last week. Yoongi stood awkwardly as he cleared his thought.

“Do you- I mean what is your story?” Yoongi asked as you had shared it with him. Yoongi listened and you took note of that as you smiled. You finished as Yoongi decided to tell you information that he rarely shared with new strangers.

You two kept in touch after that meeting, never shared your face as he never really asked. Yoongi had gained a liking to you wether he saw your face or not, he liked you. It was almost like a highschool crush. Waiting at his phone for you to text him and act all gushy.

“Do you want to maybe meet again? No masks? No club shit?”

You two would agree on a time and day and once Yoongi arrives he has trouble finding you. So he texts you and once he looks up he sees you waving at him and holy shit was all that was on Yoongi’s mind as you were like eye candy. Yoongi felt his heart race as he walked towards you, sitting down on the booth at the small restaurant.

“You’re gorgeous.” Yoongi thought out loud as he almost immediately apologized trying to save himself from the little stability he has.

“If you say that, I guess this is a date now?” You smirked as you got your lyric book giving him a page that you wrote naming it “Yoongi” it was a song all about him.

Namjoon:

— namjoon being known to be one of the biggest flirts and he usually plays around till he meets you. the problem is you’re a flirt yourself and he can’t help but become a mess.

Namjoon was probably the biggest flirt. He was a C.E.O and all his employees knew that he was joking half the time and it was just his personality to flirt.

So when he needed a new assistant due to one taking maturity leave. Namjoon would look around almost everywhere to find a new one. Once he laid eyes on your profile and your experience in this department he hired you on the spot. Probably a rather wreckless decision but in the end it was probably one of the best ones.

Namjoon would meet you and trying to get close would invite you to a coffee to know how you two can work together.

“Is that a date Mr.Kim?” You asked as Namjoon widen his eyes as shock ran through his body.

“I-No, of course not!” Namjoon would stutter through his sentence.

Two flirts... but one of them not knowing how to handle being flirted with. It’s only a disaster waiting. Namjoon had no one really flirt with him even if he is good looking for himself.

“Let’s keep it professional, alright Mr.Kim?” You winked as Namjoon looked back at your boxes of papers helping you unpack.

Namjoon... didn’t realize the mess he got himself into. The meetings you two would have and the typical flirts you would throw his way as the presentation was given making him stop focusing and tap his pen. You laughed thinking he knew you were joking right?

Namjoon spent nights in his bed thinking if you were joking or if you wanted something more. I mean... even if you two flirted you would get closer and share things just because you two were always seen together. Meetings, in his office, and you two had similar hours.

Namjoon was invited to a business party and requested that you joined him. Namjoon having help with his designer to pick a unique fashionable suit since this was an annually event.

You and Namjoon arrive at the event together looking stunning to the gods. You realize this was for a business point of view to make company with people and to get friendly.

You announced you were going to talk to companies and see if you can get some partners. Namjoon appreciated your way of thinking and set you off.

Namjoon walked to the bar wanting to get a drink and as he walked towards you, he saw you flirting with another male. I mean yeah you two weren’t dating persay but it still stung but he wouldn’t admit it.

He grabbed your arm and you waved goodbye, as you tried to hide your confusion of why Namjoon got so angry all of a sudden. You went into a guest room as Namjoon realized what he had just done and there was no turning back on this.

“Why did you drag me here?” You asked as you raised an eyebrow.

“Why are you flirting with that man?”

“What do you mean? I was doing business?”

“But- I- Are we a thing or not? I’m always so confused, you catch me staring all the time. You see me blush and fluster when you’re around!” Namjoon admits as his eyes start to gloss. The burning sensation in his eyes.

“Oh god- Namjoon I didn’t mean to.”

“So do you not like me?” Namjoon asked as you grabbed his wrists. Pulling him closer, you kissed his forehead.

“I like you Namjoon, a whole lot.” You snickered as Namjoon smiles.

Hoseok:

— hoseok being obsessed with a street artist, but turns out he catches him in the act and you propose a deal so you can keep your identity a secret.

Hoseok would see beautiful street art around Korea, the rise of street art would make him want to meet an artist someday. In his mind it would be a bucket list.

There was one artist that Hoseok just fell in love with. His initials would be on every piece so he could tell who did it. The instagram was full of pieces that Hoseok has seen around or new ones that he wanted to find.

Hoseok walked home one late night, seeing that he had stayed late for taking his friends shift due to them having a family emergency.

Hoseok walked through the streets at night with his earplugs in. His favorite chill music filling his ears as the cold wind blew.

Hoseok turned the corner to see a male spray painting. Hoseok’s stopped like deer in headlights as he came closer to the male. Seeing that his mask was off since he was finishing the last touches of the pieces.

Maybe Hoseok should learn his situation on how it’s very late at night and sneaking behind someone’s back was probably not the best idea.

“Why don’t you have your mask on?” Hoseok asked causing the spraypainter to jump. He turned around as Hoseok noticed the signature, it was him... WAIT HIM?

“Oh shit” He said before grabbing his backpack wanting to leave in a hurry. Hoseok pleased that he can explain.

“Wait! I didn’t mean to like see your whole identity. I just got off of work!” Hoseok pleaded with you as you put back your mask trying to have him forget your features.

“Well what do you want?” You asked as you quirked an eyebrow taking off your earphones, to hear Hoseok more clearly.

“What do you mean? We could just never speak of this again.” Hoseok said rubbing the back of his head.

“No, what if you leave here. Tell everyone and I’m exposed for the rest of my lifetime.” You said exaggerating with hand motions.

“Okay probably not a li-“

“That’s not important! Anything? Want me to teach you how to spray paint? Want me to draw a piece for your girlfriend? Anything?”

“Okay first off, if anything it will be a boyfriend. What about if we just hang out together! Call me when you spray!” Hoseok cheered as you sighed realizing asking for anything was a mistake... maybe.

You two exchanged numbers and everytime you would finish a piece with Hoseok watching. He would always compliment it. No matter how long or how short the piece took. Hoseok would run from work when he did have a late shift to see you again. Talking just face to face when you two met only turned into texting and wanting to actually hang out outside of the “deal”.

You realized compared to your older pieces without Hoseok. They were darker, and your followers noticed it and assumed you got a boyfriend as a joke. Nowadays pieces were full of color, Hoseok choosing the main color of reds and yellows.

You did sense that Hoseok was beganing to grow a bit distant. You would text him the address and he would arrive later than usual. In reality, Hoseok began to have a massive crush on you. Hoseok took so long to get ready because he changed outfits at least 3 times. Looking in the mirror before he just took off to see you realizing the time. Hoseok wouldn’t look at the piece anymore. He would just look at you, the side views of your face, and just your aura was addicting.

The next day, Hoseok sent you an address and you were confused but he said to “just come before I regret this.” You grabbed your backpack and headed his way.

You walked to the alleyway, Hoseok sent and you saw him standing with flowers, full on blush across his face as you chuckled. You turned the corner and you saw it.

“I like you a lot, will you go out with me?” with spray paint.

“You stole my black!” You said as Hoseok realized what you had just said.

“Really? You’re worried about your black! You know how long-”

“Oh shut up and let me take you out my treat.”

Seokjin:

— seokjin has been pressured to date by his friends and to bring someone to their romantic outing so when he sees you on tinder he begs you for this favor till he actually starts to like you.

“Seokjin you need a date! Just find someone, we don’t want to go without you there” Seokjin’s friend explained as he sighed once again. This wasn’t the first time he was somehow pressured into finding someone. He knew his friend didn’t mean harm but it was tough.

“I will. Don’t worry, I’ll have a date tomorrow.” Seokjin smiled as he waved goodbye catching his bus to go home. Seokjin looked through the apple store finding the classic dating app.

Tinder, had been one of the most popular ones. Seokjin made a profile and saw through matches. Switching left and right till he landed on someone that met his eye.

“Y/N” was his name as Seokjin right swiped as the match was set immediately. Seokjin was sent to a chat room.

“I’m going to be honest. I need a date for a friends date. I’ll even pay you just for one night please?”

“wow straight to the point I see.”

Somehow you agreed to this because Seokjin seemed like a nice guy to you. He told you the place and the time and you showed up 5 minutes late seeing Seokjin looking around the cafe saying “He’ll be here soon”.

You greeted them as Seokjin widen his eyes... you looked a lot better in person then on your profile. Your photos did not do you justice compared to real life. Seokjin had to get himself together as he nodded and smiled. Seeing his friend have a great reaction to him, you looking put together.

“Oh yes, so how did you two meet ?” Panic was all over you and Seokjin’s face as you two looked at eachother. You covered the awkward silience with a laugh. Hoping Seokjin can take one for the team and explain.

“I meet him through a Beyoncé concert.” Seokjin said as you agreed trying not to show any panic on your face.

“Oh really? Wow that was so long ago. You’ve must have known eachother for quite some time.” You laughed as you hit Seokjin with your elbow queuing him to laugh.

You two acted all lovey dovery all night due to one: just for the acting of being a couple for Seokjin’s friends and two: you two actually started to enjoy each other’s company.

You told stories about your life while they assumed Seokjin had heard these already, he hadn’t so he was so intrigued in the stories almost looking at you like you were the only person in this restaurant. You would look at him while explaining and everything would go in slow motion for Seokjin. His heart raced as he felt more flustered as you stared at him.

“Alright, thank you! For inviting us out we have to go since Seokjin has work tomorrow.” You said as you offered Seokjin your hand to get up from his chair, Seokjin hestitated before you gave him the okay.

You walked Seokjin to your car. You opened your car door and Seokjin sat down seeing you actually had a nice car.

“I assumed that went well?” You snickered as you turned on the engine.

“Can we go to the park?” Seokjin asked as you were taken back by how late it was but you did look up to see stars shine.

“Yeah, that sounds nice.” You agreed.

The two of you would walk around and you would check in on Seokjin seeing him shiver as you took off your coat to give it to him. He would delcine it at first but you insisted. The warm cozy feeling in his gut as he wanted to confess right then and there.

“Do you maybe want to go on a real date?” Seokjin asked as you snickered.

“I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that all night.”

[albionscastle]

Mistletoe Kisses

Just a little imagine based on an anon request for cuddling with Jack on Christmas Eve.

So fluffy I actually want to be sick. 

Apart from the anon certain parts of this are specially dedicated to @flowerthroughdisarray   you know what you did.

FIC MASTERLIST

MISTLETOE KISSES

It was 8pm on Christmas Eve and the snow was coming down hard. You stood at the window watching, the full moon illuminating the crisp white landscape outside. Behind you, Jack shuffled around in the kitchen, finishing with the dishes from dinner. You could see his reflection in the window where he couldn’t see you watching him.

His flopped over his forehead, soft and fluffy when it wasn’t full of product. He bit his lip in concentration as he stretched to put away a casserole dish in the top cupboard, his t-shirt riding up to bare an inch of skin above the waistband of his sweatpants. In a bit over three years you never got tired of looking at him, though he still apparently couldn’t figure out why.

“Are we watchin the movie, luv?” he called as he slung the tea towel over the dish rack.

You turned from the window, smiling. He stood by the couch, blanket in one hand, dvd in the other.

“Of course we are babe.”

It was tradition, one started your first holiday together, your first in the UK. You had been feeling lonely, missing your family, but also happy to be with Jack. He’d taken it in, sent you shopping in the city with his sister and turned the flat into a Christmas wonderland. He’d held your hand when you teared up Skyping your mom, hung mistletoe in every room so he could kiss you everytime you walked by and made you laugh with his ridiculous commentary on your favorite Christmas movie.

Since then you’d alternated holidays with your families but he’d kept those traditions alive. You walked to the kitchen to make some popcorn, sensing him behind you. Deliberately you passed under the mistletoe he’d hung, smiling to yourself when you felt his hand gently on your hip. You stopped, letting him step up behind you, flush with your back.

Jack brushed your hair aside, pressing his lips to your neck.

“Merry Christmas Mrs Lowden.” he whispered.

You turned, your arms sliding around his slim waist, lifting your face up to grin stupidly at him. You absolutely loved it when he called you that.

“Merry Christmas Mr Lowden.”

He smiled before he kissed you, eyes bright as he pulled away.

“You’re an awfully good looking man, you know.” you grinned.

“Stop tha’.” he muttered, cheeks turning red.

You laughed, grabbing a bowl for the popcorn. Jack might have been a hotshot movie star, but underneath he was still a bit shy, still blushing whenever you made your attraction to him so obvious. So naturally you went overboard, often, just to see him squirm.

Turning from the microwave you giggled as he bent over at the fridge, his sweats pulling tight over his thighs and rear.

“Nice ass.” “Quit!” he was bright red, even his ears which you thought was absolutely adorable.

“Quit what?” you asked innocently, sauntering the few steps to where he stood, placing your hand on his hip as you circled around him. On your tiptoes you nuzzled your nose along the back of his neck, your hand sliding from his hip to his rear as you moved around him, squeezing.”

“Jesus woman, I thought ye were makin popcorn, not grabbin me bum like I’m a piece o meat.”

He was smiling though.

“But it's such a nice bum, babe.” you squeezed again, laughing as you moved off to get the popcorn.

Jack went into the lounge, muttering under his breath and shaking his head. He might act like he was bothered, but he loved it and later, as always, he would show you exactly how much.

“Get a move on lass! Movie’s startin!”

He sat on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table, your favourite throw blanket beside him. This was your favourite part and you gleefully flopped yourself down, head in his lap as he pulled the blanket over you. As always, for the most part, the popcorn remained untouched as the movie played. Jack kept one hand playing with your hair, the other you claimed, splaying out his fingers and tracing them with your own. You loved his hands with their long, tapered fingers and large palms. You loved to watch them when he talked, to touch them in these moments, to feel them on you in others.

The movie played through, Jack’s usual commentary causing you to guffaw loudly and roll your eyes. His jokes were always overly corny and bad but you loved them, just as you loved him.

The movie over you sat up, one more part of the yearly ritual completed, the one you were looking forward to most still to come. You sat cross legged on the floor by the tree, lights twinkling and reflecting off the tinsel. Jack joined you, a mug of hot chocolate for each of you and a ridiculous looking santa hat perched on his head.

“Ohhhh sexy Santa!” you giggled when he shot you a dirty look.

“Who open’s first?”

“I do, it was your turn last year, remember?”

You clapped your hands with glee when he reached under the tree for a small package, wrapped in his signature style.

Messy, like a drunken elf had been let loose in the wrapping room.

He tried though, he really did, and it was endearing how proud he was of himself.

You tore into the wrapping, revealing a box made from leather and designed to look like an original edition of Persuasion.

“Oh Jack, it’s gorgeous!” you loved it, and you loved how well he knew you.

“Ye haf tae open it, silly goose.”

Of course. With Jack a gift was never that simple.

Inside the box was a purple velvet pillow on which lay a perfectly preserves stem of heather.

“It’s the same one ah gave ye the first time ah brought ye tae Scotland.”

He looked so damn pleased with himself, so hopeful and eager, like a giant puppy.

Your eyes welled.

“God dammit Jack, how do you even exist?”

Wiping your eyes with the back of your hands you leaned over, smooshing your face against his chest. Your hands rested on his knees, his ran up and down your back soothingly as you sniffled against him.

“I cannae tell if ye like it or hate it.” he murmured.

“I love it, you romantic goob.” you managed to sob, wrapping your arms around his waist and squeezing.

He laughed, extracting you from him and looking at you expectantly.

“My turn.”

That fucking smile of his got you every time. You literally could refuse him nothing or stay mad at him when he smiled at you. And you’d tried, a lot.

This Christmas Eve tradition of one gift had started with a bet the November of your first year together. He’d brought back some cheesy, meaningful gift from his press trip and you’d quipped about it. He’d bet you that you couldn’t out cheese him, that no one was as over-the-top romantic as he was. So far he’d won, all three Christmases, and this was the best yet. You had to hand it to him, the man knew what he was doing.

But you had him this year.

You giggled as he tore into his package like an excited child, wrapping paper flying around him.

He pulled out a small scrapbook, a project you’d been working on in secret for weeks. You watched him over the rim of your mug as he opened it, eyes scanning the pages you’d worked on meticulously.

“Ohhhhh wow.” he whispered, running fingers over pages filled with photos of your story from your first meeting to now. “This is amazin.”

You watched his Adam’s apple bob the way it only did when he was trying not to cry. There were letters from you to him on every page, your memories and feelings about each event, along with little souvenirs. It was as sappy and as cheesy as they came.

He closed it, blinking his suddenly very bright eyes before pulling you over to curl into his lap.

“I love it lass, and I love ye.”

You smiled, knowing what was coming. It was a draw right now, but you were about to take it for the win.

“You should check out the last page Jack, I left something extra special there.”

His brows rose, a smile on his lips as he opened his book again, flipping through to the end. You knew what was there, expected a reaction. Your husband didn’t disappoint. His mouth fell open, hands started shaking, tears welling up in his eyes.

Gotcha babe.

“Really? This is…….really?” he whispered incredulously.

He looked at the page again. It only contained three things that you’d managed to sneak in the already wrapped book the day before, while he was in the shower. There was a picture, black and white, fuzzy and labeled and underneath, two words written while you’d been crying.

“Hi Daddy.”

[kanene-yaaay]

A night just as any other

 Sugar! /0/

Spice! \0\

And everything nice! \0/  

To create the perfect fluff

But Kanene accidentally (unless...)

Added an extra ingredients to the concoction--

Angst!!

*Explosion*

*Evil crackling*

Warnings, fun facts, random things and stuff:

* Thank you all very much for all the support, reblogs, heart and kinds words that you give to me. I can’t call this a christmas gift, but I really hope that you like it and this small oneshot is able to light up your day! ‘w’)s2

* This characters don’t belongs to me! Good Omens belongs to the incredible Neil Gaiman and  Terry Pratchett; Aaaand the characters of this fic (and AU) themselves belongs to @10yrsyart

* Read here to know the AU Ducks and Dolphins and click here to see everything cannon about the D+D. It’s  f a n t a s t i c! Reaaad!  ^w^)s2

* I didn’t really asked a permission by myself, but this post kind of give permission to write about the AU? (I really hope so xDDD), so, if you also want to write about them please don’t be ashamed ! (And give credits, pleaaaase! :D)

* Something around 1.200 words. -w-)b.

* Sorry for any spelling, pontuation and grammar mistakes! Any and every advice is very very welcome! \(-w-)/

* This is not cannon. This idea just came because everytime I thought in a fluff, just appear plots of Az cheering up Crow, soooo I tried to challenge me a little and make the opposite. I hope I could demonstrate even a little bit of their personality (and don’t have misunderstanding them).

* Fanfic em português brasileiro (Portuguese Version) Thankys for reading, my lollipops! I hope you enjoy this, festive or not, day! Hug a demon, hug an angel and don’t forget to drink water!! Byeioo!~

                                      [~*~]

Aziraphale is calm, stoic, precise, bold, moralistic, firm, direct and ruthless if necessary. He is also sincere, generous, comprehensive, limpid and kind. He is as a pillar. A base. Something concrete, someone who you can lean on for support, trust, belief.

 He knows very well how separate his work from his personal life. His feelings from his mind. He is rational, leaded primary by his brain and not-

 And not ngk-

 (Come on. Control your breath. Control yourself. One… two…three…)

 In any way, under absolutely no circumstances by his feeli-

 (Focus. Focus on something, something, some- a book! Take one of the books. Right. Very well. Focus!)

 …

 Damn.

 His breath came out a little weaker, shaking. He tightened his grip in the fabric of his pants, closing his blue eyes and trying to focus on his own heartbeat, which seemed to reverberate in his dry throat,  attempting to correct his breathing with its.

Inhaled and exhaled. Inhaled and exhaled. Rested his head against the couch, sinking a little deeper into it. Some part of himself was thankful that it was already night, which meant the bookstore were closed and there was no danger of an incident.

 There was no danger.

 He settled back a little more on the furniture, held the book again, with a little firmer grip than needed as he readjusted it to a more comfortable position and so that there was no danger in his thick, warm tears researching its pages, eventually falling and blurring its words of the lovely sentences.

 At least it was night, a night just like any other night with a weather of every other nights, where there would be no incident.

 “Angel…?”

 … Damn.

 Crow approached closer from the upright and perfect pose, seeking his eyes and staring deeply into, the gold glittering in the night pitch, when found them. Az didn’t tried to hide these moments, at least not anymore, but neither did he show its when they became present. His voice came out a little faltering, yet in the calm and characteristic tune he always had.

 “Crow, dear, I thought you were already sleeping.”

 “I just woke up. I came for a cup of tea.”

 Both knew this was a lie, still none of them really mentioned such information when the one with dark hair as the ebony of the night, a night just as any other one, removed the book of his carefully manicured hands and held them for a moment, intertwining their fingers as he got closer enough to finally entwining him in a hug. Separated the hold for a brief second, only to position the angel’s head on his shoulder, and then tightly hug him. As if he tried to show that, nothing, on Earth, Hell or Heaven, would be able to hit him without going over him, first.

 It might seemed as any other previous hug, if it wasn’t for the fabric of his pajamas getting gradually wetter and the slight shivers and sniffles that let out the mouth of the one with blonde, almost white, hair. His cry was silently, and for a light of moment, Crow remembered his own cry, which could be described as any other, just a bit louder and with rumpled clothes.

 Shook lightly his head, focusing in the present, in the possibilities, the sentences and words that would say after the storm. His mind felt lethargic and yet running in full speed almost at the same time. Combing Az’s hair and gave small, but big in meaning, pecks in his neck without even noticing.

 The time lost meaning in this piece of time.

 A hand tapped softly his back and the head slightly lifted. It was the signal to break the touch, and it was promptly obeyed.

 “Do you want to talk about this?” His voice was a special whisper, packed, designated and delivered to just one being in the entire universe.

 “There is nothing to be said.” Even with everything, his voice still lacking major flaws or slips, it was of a calm, sad nature. “It is just…” And the owner of hundreds of books, reader for thousands years and maestro of words ended up losing himself in them.

 ‘It’s just…’  Crow wondered if even the humans, at some point of their existence, could understand all the feelings and sensations between the lines that this phrase could possess.

 Probably.

 Everyone does, in some way or another, doesn’t it?

 The black-haired never paid much attention to time, especially after such thing already fulfilled its basic function of lead him as far as possible from that particular century. However, this day, he almost could see the sand of hourglass pouring grain-by-grain as he let the angel running his fingers through his hair, pressing his back on the blonde’s sweater and stroking the back of the other’s hand with his thumb. His warmth and presence were the necessary reminders that Az needed to focus on the here, in the Bookstore rocked by this ordinary night, and now, with the best company he could ever wish to be.

 A piece more of time was spent. Maybe two, three, and perhaps a little more.

 …

 “We should go out.”

 “What are you rambling about, Crow love? We always go out.”

 “No. I mean… for something different! Not just a lunch.”

 “A day to wander, you mean?”

 “Maybe.” Shrugged, pondering, the tongue absently wriggling in the ar. Az tightened a bit more the touch, feeling lighter as allow his mind travel and dance between some possibilities for the future meaning of this conversation. “We should make a picnic!”

 “A picnic?’

 “Yes! In any place, nearby or far away! We could take the food or milacre there. I can give you a ride.”

 His head turned, his heart floating and expanding when he saw that the trail of tears had faded from his husband’s face, and now the red was also beginning to gradually leave his skin.

 Az pondered for a few minutes, eyes glomming.

 “I don’t think I’ve ever married at a picnic before.” Smiled, and part of his soul melted with the beauty in the other’s happy expression, along with the smile that also was painted in the demon’s face, he was absolutely sure.

 “Let me tempt you, then.” Crow hissed, carrying on their internal joke, since they, after their last wedding-lunch, decided that from now on there would be no more dates, only weddings.

 Az raised an eyebrow, giving him a playful disbelief look. Their foreheads met. The angel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a light, which came neither from the stars, cars, poles and nor the living room lamp, little by little filling his being.

 “I love you, Aziraphale.” Their eyes met.

 “I love you, my husband.”

 Perhaps they had spent some time like this, in silence, enjoying themselves. Perhaps they had slowly moved away right after the talk, holding hands, a warm feeling in their chest. Who really knows? It is a moment only for them, so let it be.

“The preparations should be started, then!” The one with blue limpid eyes, now up, excitedly leaded to the kitchen. “Milacre a massive amount of food certainly would alert your side just as mine, so, I believe the best option we got is cook by our own.”

 Crow scowled, which evolved to as annoyed expression as received the lightly incisive and inquisitive look from the other, puffing up his cheeks and deviating the glare as he dispirited followed his steps into the other room.

 “Fffffffine.” Gave up of the dream to sleep that night. However, deep inside, he knew worth it just to watch the blonde-haired angel calmly, excited walking his eyes and fingers through the Recipe Books were under his care. Urg. The sacrifices that must be made. “But I’m not using a patterned apron!”

 And the cars drove through the streets, the stars hardly glowed in the sky and the worlds kept not an even bit silent during that sunless hours, just as any other night of any other day. Nevertheless, on that store, more specifically a Bookstore, at that moment and for those two, maybe this wasn’t a common night anymore, and would definitely lead to a day not even a little ordinary, either.

 A recipe book was open, some bright smiles (maybe trying to help the stars?) too.

 “Sure, my dear. I would never…” replied Az, trying to decide which color would most highlight Crow’s duck patterned pajamas.

[inara-sensei]

Winter Storms, Chapter Five

Chapter Five

I bow again to the imperial family and hurry out the smaller side door a servant clad in black gestures for me to go through. Natalia stands on the other side of the corridor. Her cheeks are pink like she ran here. She smooths her cloak, the blue fabric like water against the air. The embroidery on it, I note, is a lighter blue, and the intricate detailing shimmers in the candlelight.  

“How was your summoning?” I shrug. It was...confusing. And the tsarevitch wouldn’t stop staring at me. I wonder what it would be like to confide in someone about this. “Come on, give me more than that.”

“If you haven’t noticed, we barely know each other.”

“That’s true. I’m Natalia, a water sorcerer. We’ll be taking some classes together, and maybe you’ll be my new training partner. And I know your cat. She’s very sweet.” I shrug.

“I can’t control my powers,” I warn. “Only suppress them until I have to let them out.” One year, when they had been bottling up, I’d accidentally frozen the lake beside Mistress Katya’s summer home. I ran inside and hid upstairs for an hour, pretending I had a headache.

“How you managed so long, I’ll never understand.”

“Why not?”

“You can’t just bottle up magic. Eventually it has to come out.”

“I know.”

“It can make you sick.”

I stop walking. Sick. I’d always been a sickly person, and just a little too thin. Mistress Katya blamed the orphanage’s lack of food and spent many nights instructing dinners for elaborate meals, including the time she convinced the cook to make chocolate cake every night for a month after I had arrived. Other than a sweet tooth, things hadn’t changed much in terms of my health except that any illness was met with a fleet of servants doting on me, as per my mistress’s orders.

“Oh.”

“It really isn’t so bad here.”

“So you say.”

“It’ll be an adjustment. But we have plenty of fun. The ball is in a few months. I’m sure your mistress will be there.” I nod. Mistress Katya would be in attendance and fabulously dressed. She never missed a chance to dazzle at a ball. When I was small, I loved watching the buzz of preparations. Mistress Katya would let me come and talk to her while her maids did her hair and makeup, and she would even let me help her pick her jewelry to match her latest gown. She would always bring a small plate of sweets home for me and tell me stories of the costumes and the performance of the court sorcerers. Now I would be performing.

“This is the Sorcerer’s Garden,” Natalia explains. She gestures to the exotic plants, still green and untouched by the snow. The glass and gold dome is etched with elaborate designs, with an eight pointed star above. Golden swirls glitter above us, the stars shining in on the frosted glass. Warmth fills the room. “It’s similar to the Winter Palace’s gardens. We can come here whenever we’d like. One of the past tsars had exotic plants brought here for us to enjoy and practice with. Some of us create medicines or experiment with them. And it’s always warm, which is nice if you want to escape the winter for an hour or two. And it’s close to the banya, if you prefer walking after classes and training to hot baths.” I pull off one of my gloves and reach out my hand in the air. My palm is already sweating. Dew drops roll off of fat green leaves. Summer has exploded in a world of winter.

“Are there any rules here?” I ask. “Other than obey.”

“Plenty. But the perks are well worth the rules.”

“What kind of rules?”

“No contact with the outside world, no leaving the palace or academy grounds, no using magic for any selfish purposes, just to name a few.”

“That isn’t so bad.” There must be a catch.

“It really isn’t. In exchange, we become members of the court, like your mistress. And we serve the tsar in various places, and one becomes the Imperial Sorcerer.”

“Imperial Sorcerer. Irina was one, right?” Natalia pauses. She stares at a pale pink flower, stroking its petals with reverence.

“You know of Irina.”

“The tsar mentioned her. Her throne was empty.”

“Irina passed a few years ago. Didn’t you attend the service? She was buried like a member of the imperial family!” I shake my head. I’d had a headache, and Mistress Katya had insisted I stay home. But a few days before, I’d collapsed in the library. The doctor that Mistress Katya rang for said nothing was wrong, and I was most likely overworked. The feeling though, of something tearing at my soul, something deep within me I’ve never felt...I shudder. I can’t forget that. I could never forget that.

“My mistress insisted I stay home. I’d collapsed a few days before and when I woke up, I’d had a terrible migraine for a few days after.” Natalia spins on her heels to face me. She strides forward and plants her hands firmly on my shoulders.

“Don’t tell anyone that.”

“What?”

“Don’t tell anyone that you collapsed after she died. Don’t ever mention it! Not everyone will be so understanding. I won’t tell anyone, but you can’t.”

“I don’t-”

“You might be one of them, and competition is already heating up.”

“I don’t understand!”

“Good! Come on, it’s getting late. You must want dinner.”

She storms toward the other side of the pathways and I follow.

***

“This is the entrance to the academy and the headquarters to the Sorcerer’s Guild.”  

The towering white and gold structure seems to be made of snow. Onion domes are painted red, gold, blue, green, gold, and silver. They spin above us, elegant and bright against the white building with its gilded doors. Two guards are posted at the door, but they do not respond to us moving toward the doors. A small dish sits by the doorknob, golden outside but stained black inside. A pin prick stands above it. Natalia sticks her thumb on it and pulls away. Blood pools on her finger. She lets it drop into the dish. Light swirls through the doors. The ornate curls and garden designs seem to shine brighter. Two guards grasp the doors and pull it open.

“It keeps us safe. Only sorcerers can enter this way,” Natalia explains. “It keeps us safe, and it makes sure we can’t sneak out.” Or it keeps us in for their use. I bite my lip. Nothing about tonight has felt right.

“I see.” But still, the grandeur of the great hall sprawled before me was a sight to behold. My eyes tried to absorb everything. The intricately carved wooden table with a jeweled vase against a table holding white lilies, the glittering floors, the paintings on the ceiling, the portrait of the imperial family and Irina hanging above the table. It sticks out in its golden frame, the only decoration to adorn the halls. I walk to it. She is beautiful, long dark curls tumbling down her shoulders. She’s wearing a white silk gown embroidered with gold and silver swirls and the bell sleeves of the Russian court. A wide red sash lays over her right shoulder, and a golden pin sits at the shoulder bearing the double eagle of Russia. Her jewelry is expensive, all diamonds and rubies set in gold and a matching tiara to show her status. But it is her eyes that captivate me most. I have never met the Grand Imperial Sorcerer Irina and my entire family is dead, but she and I have the same eyes. I can’t tear away from her painted stare, and my fingers twitch to touch it.

“This is why my mistress never had me at court,” I whisper.

“Probably,” Natalia replies. “If anyone had seen you, they would have taken you away.” All those times I begged Mistress Katya to take me with her to balls and ceremonies, weddings and state funerals and she refused my requests. Everytime she did, I was deeply upset. When I was younger, I would hide upstairs in my room and sulk. When I got older, I tried to hide my disappointment. Eventually, I stopped asking. She tried to soften the blow with books and treats, but it never quite made up for the fact that it felt like everyone my age was doing something so normal and I couldn’t. Natalia places a hand on my shoulder. “She really loves you.”

“I know.”

“Come on, I’ll show you the best way to get from your room to the dining hall. And I’ll show you the library. You like books, right?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Because...” She shrugs. “Because you’re my friend. Or, we could be friends, if you wanted. Everyone needs friends. I know how scary the academy can be when you’re alone. When you’re different. Not everyone has normal magic, some of us...stick out more.”

Friends.

I’d never really had friends. People always thought I was odd before I was adopted, and the other kids avoided me. After my adoption, being the ward made some not like me and made others avoid me. It suited me fine. I liked being alone with my hobbies, and I liked my private tutors. All the servants at home had always been there for me. And I always had Mistress Katya. But true friends were out of my grasp. I had never given the idea much time to play in my mind. It could be nice. I extend a hand.

“Ok. Friends.”

“Wonderful!”

***

“And this is the grand hall!” A hall of small circular tables draped with white table cloths and plush velvet chairs cover the hall. Imported carpet covers the floor with tiny rosebuds. Tall white walls rise up, with inlaid opals at the beginning of an ornate painting. A canopy of trees, small birds, There’s ample walking space between the tables. I pause. The halls have all been empty except for the occasional shuffling servant with something carried by.

“How many students are there?”

“A hundred in total, but there are even more of us. There are rooms for each graduate once they finish at the academy in the palace, and we all retain rooms here. It’s kind of a sanctuary.” I shrug. It’s certainly opulent. We had never wanted for anything in Mistress Katya’s house, but this was extreme. The opulence fills the halls like we are part of the Winter Palace itself.

“It’s beautiful.” Mistress Katya would call it tadry and an overt trashy display of wealth. Being here, standing in this hall, made me feel like the little boy who had just been welcomed to Mistress Katya’s home years ago. Small, and insignificant, like an orphan who doesn’t belong. But even still, after all of my mistress’s luxury, I can’t deny how luxurious this place is. I have to fight to keep from gawking.

“Come on, I’ll show you everything else.”

“What else is there?”

“The grounds, the training areas, the classrooms, the labs. Oh, and the dorms! I think you’ll like your room. Your little cat is already settled.” I sigh. Of course Zoya is. She never took long to move into a new place.

“Yeah, Zoya is like that.” No doubt she’s already sleeping in the middle of my new bed, expecting me to contort into an uncomfortable position just to sleep around her.

“And your wardrobe is already stocked.” We walk down a different hall, with paintings in golden frames of the different tsars. “This hall will lead you to our classes.”

“I have a wardrobe?” I ask. Natalia laughs. The paintings seem to stare at us.

“That’s what you focus on?”

“You didn’t let me bring any clothes with me,” I point out. “I can’t exactly be seen wearing the same thing twice.” Mistress Katya would kill me on the spot, if social decorum didn’t first.  

“Everything but your cloak.”

“Do you really wear those daily?”

“Of course. We get fancier ones for ceremonies and parties. Those are always fun. Every member of the sorcerer’s guild sees a fair share of courtly fun.” I groan. I hated parties. They were always loud and always isolating. Mistress Katya had to bribe me with books to attend when I was younger. And I knew next to nothing about court, except for the parties Mistress Katya would throw, and her weekly tea circle’s gossip. “I take it that you’ve been educated?”

“Of course I am!” Hot indignance pulses through my veins, suppressing even anger. How dare she think I’m an uneducated serf! I may have come from a low background, but my mistress saw to it that my education was wide and varied. “My mistress saw to it that I knew everything I needed to know. French, German, Latin, Greek, history, literature, reading, writing, politics, economics, piano, violin, flute, voice, drawing and painting, math, fencing, tennis, religion, geography. Even some of her business practices!” Natalia laughs.

“I was kidding.”

“It wasn’t funny.”

“I know you came from an orphanage.”

“How?”

“You call her mistress. Besides, everyone knows of Grand Duchess Katya Fedorovna Lanstrevona, the widow of Captain Peter Lanstrev, the astute business woman who took in an orphan from a village her husband destroyed in a fit of madness.” Oh no. “Everyone knows that story. It was all everyone could talk about for months. We’d all thought she’d gone mad like her husband!” She laughs like it was a fun memory.

“She loves me.” I don’t know why, but I need to defend my mistress to this girl I barely know. This girl who could be my first friend. “She treated me like I was her son!”

“Um..Nikolai-”

“What?”

“The floor...” I glance down at it. My firsts are curled at my sides, knuckles white, but the area around me is completely frozen, ice spikes up to my knees. The air is dry, and something hot runs down my face. Oh no. Oh not again! Hot shame runs through me. This awful...thing.

“I didn’t mean to.”  

“I know.” Natalia fiddles the hem of her white shirt. She traces the navy embroidered flowers on her shirt like she’s weighing her next words. “Do you know how to turn it back to water?”

“Not really,” I admit. “I’m usually better at keeping it under control.”

“Well, calling your power and using it gets pretty easy. We have great teachers here. They’ll teach you how to control it. It’s a snap.”

“How?”

She shrugs. “It’s part of us. Do you want to try and fix it? If not, I’ll call a maid.” I hold out my hands. Making ice is easy. I should be able to give it back to the environment. I shut my eyes and imagine the ice melting and returning to the air. Instead, it turns into a puddle at my feet. Great.

“It’s a start,” Natalia offers. She raises her hands and the water rises.

“Can you make ice?” I ask.

“I’ve tried, but I’ve never been very good at it. Only two others can do it in the academy, and only one other girl in our year.”

“I’ll be studying with all of you?”

“Yep. Advanced studies are great. Guild history, advanced magic, magical theory, LatIn and foreign language, combat, military strategies, dueling, and court history and etiquette. Things we can actually use.”

“Well...that’ll be different.” Already, I miss my tutors coming to the house and working with me in the library. There was at least some peace in it.

“You’ll like it. Open the window for me?” I open the window nearest. Natalia throws the water outside. I shut the window. “It sounds like your mistress had you well prepared for any situation.”  Not this situation.

“Education is important for her.”

“Then you’ll love it here. All these rooms are various classrooms.” She walks down the hall and pushes open two large doors. I follow after her.

Plush green carpet covers the floor. Tall bookshelves line every wall, filled with more volumes than I thought possible. A tall ladder on wheels is perched at each shelf. Tables with plush green armchairs sit and wait for us to read and learn at. A curled golden dome is on the ceiling, inlaid with opals with a fresco of sorcerers summoning the main magical tenants. “We’re always welcome in the library. Most of the books are in Latin, Ancient Greek, or Russian. But we have quite a collection in French, German, Italian, and English...and a few others, too.”

“What kind of books are they?”

“All sorts, but most of it is for magic or research. You can explore it in your freetime, though. Come on, it’s getting late, and I haven’t even showed you the training grounds!”

***

The training grounds, evidentially, are outside and far away from the palace and academy. They’re enclosed with magic shielding them from view and keeping any magical disasters from hitting St. Petersburg. The training grounds are enclosed in another frosted glass dome, though the temperature is colder. It’s a trip through another set of gardens and pathways, including smaller domed classrooms for individual lessons and walking paths. All are guarded with magic barriers meant to keep others out. I look around the expansive space. A lake sits to the left. Green grass covers the ground and a wall tree towers over the lake. I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot of time here, probably not being very productive. Magic never quite worked the way I wanted.

“You should come with us once you feel comfortable summoning your power. Everyone would be happy to have you. We haven’t had a strong ice presence in our winter ball performance before.” I groan. Of course, the ball.

“Do I have to participate in that?”

“Of course! It starts the entire ball.”

Great. Just great. “Do we have to stay at the ball?”

“What else would you do?”

“Read in the library?” I suggest. My voice quirks up at the end, almost like I’m trying to tell a joke. Natalia tosses her head back and laughs.

“That is the funniest thing I think I’ve heard you say.”

***

“Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

“I’m sure.”

“The cook makes a lovely soup-”

“A tea tray and something for Zoya is more than enough, after that nice tour. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome. I can wait with you, if you’d like.”

“It’s fine, really. I should be getting ready for bed soon.” Natalia hesitates, then nods.

“I can show you to breakfast tomorrow?” she offers. I bite back a sigh and nod.

“That would be much appreciated.”

“Just ring the bell or open your door if you need anything else. Maids are always available.”

I thank her and bid her goodnight, then close the door to my new room. It is far too opulent. A large four poster bed sits in the middle of the room, with curtains I can draw around it. A large window takes up a large part of the wall, with heavy scarlet drapes embroidered in gold. Dark furniture fills the room. My book sits on the table, but both chairs remain untouched except for my traveling cloak tossed over it. A bathroom rests on the far side of the room with a clawfoot bathtub and soaps that smell like lavender. Plush carpeting covers the floors. Zoya is the only one of us who looks at home, curled onto the blankets and sleeping contentedly in the center of the bed.

“At least you’re happy,” I say. She raises her head and blinks her gold eyes at me, then settles back onto the blankets, a little oasis of calico in a sea of dark blue and black.

Touching anything in this room feels wrong. Nothing here feels like its mine, and moving in seems like sacrilege against Mistress Katya. I move toward the wardrobe. A dressing divider waits for me with a new dressing robe draped over the edge of it, this one black with ice blue embroidery. I flick its sleeve. This all feels ridiculous. I pull open the ornate wardrobe. Inside, stacks of black, white, grey, and navy clothing wait inside. Two pairs of shiny black boots and two pairs of matching dress shoes sit at the bottom. Pajamas take up the other side in the same color scheme. Even a pair of slippers waits for me obediently, black and embroidered in ice blue. There are four suits, but most of the clothing is strange. It all looks similar to peasant cuts, clothes I grew up wearing. Of course, the fabrics are finer and the clothes have no embroidery. But we might as well be dressing like they did when the Romanovs came into power. The only thing missing is a sorcerer’s cloak and I’ll be indistinguishable from the others here.

I shut the doors. This is all too much. I sink onto the floor, my back against the cool wood. At home, I’d be having my third cup of tea in the library, while Mistress Katya planned her ball. I can see home so clearly in my head that it tugs at my heart and leaves me feeling like there’s a hole where it used to be.

Zoya jumps down off the bed and meows softly. I gather her up in my arms. “It’s just us now, isn’t it?” I ask. She meows softly and headbutts my chin. Laughter bubbles up in my throat. She’s been doing this since I was a child. I smile and stroke her fur. Things may change, but Zoya never has. She is my rock, my guide. She curls into my arms and paws at my arm.

There’s a soft knock at the door, followed by a maid entering. She carries a silver tray and tea service. I stand, and she steps back. “Oh! I’m so sorry, my lord. You startled me,” she explains.

“It’s no trouble, really.”

“Your cat is darling.” I look down at Zoya.

“She is. Would you like to pet her?” Zoya blinks at me. She’s not used to me offering to allow others to touch her. I wonder if it’s bothering her. The maid clasps her hands.

“Oh, may I, my lord?”

“If she’ll let you.” She places the tea on the table and approaches us. She gently strokes Zoya’s head. “She likes it when you scratch behind her ears,” I offer. I glance at the tea tray. There’s more than enough for one person, and here’s a second tea cup.

“Why did you bring enough for two?” I ask.

“Oh, well...” The maid shifts, adjusting her plain white dress. “I was ordered to, my lord.” She kneels down and pours some water into a saucer for Zoya, who approaches her saucer carefully.

“Nikolai is fine, really. I’m not a lord.”

“Grand duke then,” she corrects. “Are you not the ward of the Mistress Katya?”

“I...well, yes,” I admit. Titles. I always forgot they were a part of life outside. Formality never pervaded our home, where I was simply, “Nikolai”.

“Will you be requiring anything else? I can draw you a bath if you’d like,” she offers.

“Maybe later,” I say.

“Well, please ring if there is anything I can do for you.” She curtsies and leaves me to my tea for two. I place Zoya back on the carpet. I pull out a chair at the table and pick up my book. Maybe some reading will help. I pick up the tea pot when there’s another knock at the door. Loud and barely gentle, nothing like a servant’s. I frown and move to the door. When I open it, a figure darts inside. I slam it shut and try to focus on calling my power, but it dies when I see the person.

The Prince.

Tsarevich Alexei Romanov, crown prince to all of Russia.

[sending-the-message]

A drawing by my 10 year old son is driving me crazy by has_permission

I come from a family of long artistic tradition. My father was a writer and my mother a painter. I love art, but I’m actually pretty lame as an artist, so I guess that’s why I ended up working as a paintings conservator in one of the biggest museums of my country, Spain. And that’s also the reason why I encourage a lot my 10 year old son to draw, listen to music carefully and reading. I don’t know if that’s what made him a lonely kid.

Anyway, I was really happy when a week ago a “friend from school” telephoned. My son was having a bath, so I asked the kid “do you want me to give him a message or tell him to call you back?”. He just said something like “Tell him I’m Jaime. And tell him i don’t know how to reach the door”.

I guessed they were talking of a videogame or something similar, so I just passed my son the message. He just said “ok”, and we had dinner. I’m always happy to see he has friends, but I don’t want to push him with this. So whenever I see he makes progress, I keep the party inside.

The next day I was plain surprised because, when I went to school to pick him up, I saw him surrounded by a lot of kids asking him questions in a friendly mood, like if they respected his opinion on (whatever the subject was). I kept the distance and waited until the crowd scattered.

Walking home I asked him, “hey, what were you guys talking about?”. He told me “you know when you rub your eyes and you see things?”. “Yeah”- I said- “Phosphenes”. He smiled. “Phosphenes, that was the word. We were talking about phosphenes”. “Oh” - I said- “how’s that?”. “I’m making a map of the phosphenes we see”. “A map? That’s awesome, maybe you can show it to me later”. “Yes - he said- I’ll show it to you”.

That night was when things started to get a bit weird.

When he was in his bed and I was finishing some paperwork, the phone ringed. It was the mother of the kid I talked to the night before. She was anxious and wanted me to wake up my son, “to have a few words with him”. I told her my son was in bed, “what’s the problem?”. It turned out his son had spent the afternoon rubbing his eyes and now he refused to go to sleep because “something my son had told him”. I was figuring out what to tell her when I heard my son’s voice behind me. “It's ok, dad, give me the phone”. I was then surprised with how adult my son looked dealing with the crisis, telling the mother that he needed to talk to his classmate and promising her it’ll be fine. And it was. He told Jaime to relax, because it was pointless to get anxious with something that would be always available at the closing of his eyes. “Tomorrow in school I will show you how to get through the door”.

I was surprised, but also a bit scared. It seemed like my son had actual power on his school partner. But I didn’t want to panic. I told him I was proud he was able to calm his friend, and also asked if he could explain things to me a bit. “Can I see the drawing you made?”.

He went to his backpack and picked up two A4’s glued together. It was big.

I was...well, shocked.

I never imagined the drawing like that. It was a complex, detailed depiction of the evolution of the shapes that you see when you close and rub your eyes.

It was indeed beautiful. It started with the usual shapes I remembered from when I was a kid and i closed my eyes after looking a bright light source: geometrical patterns, circumferences, rays (or veins), tiny molecule-like shapes... then the evolution went with more intricate designs to reach a point where the shapes were somehow figurative. Also, there was a name for some of them. There were things like “el indio” (the indian man), “la ciudad junto al lago” (the city by the lake), “la mano con la llave” (the hand with the key), “la cerradura” (the lock) and also “la puerta” (the door), the silhouette of a door which contained a door and inside it, another door.

My ex-wife says my face is like an open book. I think my son saw my surprise. He said, pointing exactly where i was looking “you only see these if you are relaxed, after 15 or 20 minutes”. It felt like i was talking not to a kid, but to an authority in a strange matter I never thought could exist. I needed a glass of water. And also, to be careful.

“Ok... this is... fascinating. It really is. Look, you have a powerful imagination, and I’m proud of you. Hmmm you know what? this reminds me a lot of an artist named Jean Dubuffet who worked a lot to reach an art who was close to the authenticity and uniqueness of the drawings of some children of your age”. (Now that I write it, i realize how pedantic I sound sometimes, but my son asks me a lot about art so I feel like I’m free to be a bit scholastic with him). “BUT THE THING IS… people who have a strong imagination have also a great responsibility, because his images can be inspiring or can hurt people.”

Shit. That sounded a bit strong.

Luckily, my son smiled. “Dad, I’m not hurting anyone.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry, i never meant to say that. I’m just saying that if you are turning this into a game, which is fine, you’ll be like the referee, and you have to take care of your friends.”

My son looked thoughtful. Christ, he seemed so adult. (proud dad mode now off)

“You’re right. I haven't seen it that way.”

So we went to bed.

Next day was intense at work. The barnish of some paintings from the XVIII is rusting and that’s giving us a lot of headaches at the museum. I needed to take a break, so I went to my office. I laid in my chair and rubbed my eyes a bit. Then, I recalled the phosphene thing. I smiled and rubbed my eyes again. I remembered some geometric patterns my son drawed were almost exact depictions of things that I saw when I was a kid.

But… nothing happened. Plain darkness. I rubbed my eyes more.

…

Just some blurry shadows in washed colors.

Its childish, but I felt frustrated. I turned off my lamp, looked directly to the light, closed and rubbed my eyes. Nothing.

Maybe if I waited some minutes…

… …

Fuck! Nothing. Just that vague darkness, green like a dirty ocean. How was this possible? I recalled a feast of kaleidoscopic forms just at the closing of my eyes. When was the last time I saw that? A year, or years ago? Maybe… a decade, maybe more?

I was about to lower the curtains and turn off all the lights to try harder when

KNOCK KNOCK

(Work person wanted to ask work thing)

Although I was a bit embarrassed, I kept thinking about it the rest of the day. Like our hearing decays, may be that I progressively lost the ability to see the richness of the phosphenes?

That day, when I picked my son at school he was also talking with a lot of kids, but he wasn’t the center of attention, which I don’t know why but made me feel better. This time I got closer. They weren’t talking about phosphenes, or “doors”, but about cowboys, sheriffs and that stuff.

In the way back home we talked about homework and a videogame he wanted to buy. Normal things. In some way, I was relieved. I didn't wanted to be called that night by the mother of Jaime and tell me his son hurt himself chasing lights and shapes.

But on the other hand, strangely, I felt like I needed to ask him about my frustrating experience. Why I couldn't see anything, when I vividly remember things very similar to those drawn by him? I tried to be an adult and kept my mouth shot.

The urge grew in the late hours of the afternoon so when I went to bed I was determined to work on the matter. I thought maybe work stress and anxiety didn’t go well with the phosphenes, so I got myself a homemade sleeping mask and added some relaxing classical music in a low volume. I closed my eyes.

N o t h i n g

N o t h i n g g gg

Just that blurry, dark mess. I tried to FORCE me to see patterns, visualize things in there. But it was impossible. It was all messy, flabby, vague.

Maybe-- maybe if I got the “map” of my son… But what I’m thinking? I’m a grown man, If I can’t get to see that shit, fine, I should go to sleep and forget it.

My son was sleeping when I opened the door of his room. I silently got his backpack and took it to my bedroom to examine it.

Fuck! No map for you, stupid 40 year old peter pan. But just when I was about to close the zipper I saw something. A small piece of paper, like the result of tearing off a bigger one. In it, you could still see a spiral.

NO!

But yes, my son had destroyed the map.

That was the time when a normal person would have returned the backpack. But besides my growing obsession to see something, I always keep the drawings of my son. Funny, he loves to destroy them, so he doesn't know I keep a folder full of them, some of them glued together out of pieces found the trash. but he will thank me when he grows up and discovers his father kept some testimony of his art.

And that’s what I did. I went to the kitchen, and there, in the trashcan, i found A LOT of pieces of paper. It took me some time, but I had practice, so i began separating what seemed like homework from the drawings. Fuck, this time the job is well done. It's like he really wanted to obfuscate a possible restoration work. After half an hour I managed to put together some parts. Not the full work (it was like 20-30% of the original), but at least it was something.

"Phosphene Map"

That sense of victory helped me to sleep. My life is not very exciting (movie-exciting I mean), so these moments when I furtively recover my son’s drawings out of the trash are a rush of adrenaline, because I know if he found me doing that he would be very angry. Wow. Ehem.

So, what’s the big deal with this story? Why I decided to register and post it here? (besides because I’ve been an anonymous reader for two years and finally I had something to post).

Well, because today I rubbed my eyes a bit. I swear it was just by accident. But I kept my eyes closed. Just in case.

And then, it happened exactly like I saw in the map.

First, patterns. Stars. Shapes.

And now... I see the door.

Everytime I close my eyes and look at the phosphenes- there’s ONLY that “door”.

I know is stupid, but I’m afraid of it.

Also, I’m afraid of being afraid. What kind of adult am I? How am I supposed to take care of a child if I react like this to what can be simple suggestion, pareidolia or patterns that could really exist and (some say) maybe even inspired prehistoric art?

Maybe what scares me the most is that I know I can easily get through that “door”, just like I went through the “nest”.

I guess I wanted to share the story and ask if someone has experienced something similar.

If so, what’s the deal with the "door"? Why do I find it so frightening?

How’s that in the first place I wasn’t able to see any of this, and then it came of a sudden?

PS. Sorry for my terrible english.