#except that it’s only useful for the scholarship as far as I know and that was out of the question already

[naimypineapple]

I drew a lot today.

[dabisqueen]

College Touya x fem!Reader

⇢ word count: roughly 11K

⇢ plot: getting into one of the most prestigious universities comes with a (literally) huge surprise

⇢ warnings: 18+, minors DNI, childhood friends to enemies to lovers, lots of dialogue, bantering and bickering, use of alcohol, Keigo is being a spoiled rich brat so he's not getting any ass but Tenko is finally getting his d*** wet and Touya as well, a bit of yelling, some kabedon action, steamy kissing, dry-humping, unprotected consensual sex, multiple orgasms, creampie

⇢ personal note: this was just another AU I was dreaming about. First time writing this kind of trope. Thanks to @/dreamy-collective for being my beta!

***

Moving away from home and starting your first year at a university was a challenging act on its own. So it was given that you were busy trying to adapt to the new college life, learning the campus layout, and establishing a daily routine. In other words– beginning to experience life as a university student.

But not only that. The university you had managed to get into was one of the most prestigious ones in the country and with the priciness of its tuition, you were glad to have landed several scholarships that needed extra effort.

Therefore, starting classes not only meant trying to cope with the pretty busy schedule change but also putting in your highest effort to keep your grades among the best. So you barely spent time socializing with people in the tight-knit community of the college campus. And a week into the semester, you still hadn't made any real friends yet, except for your roommate. 

Still, even though you didn't belong to the social circles on campus and you never cared for gossiping, certain rumors spread so far that even you heard them. About these three guys, all seniors belonging to the privileged elite of the university, stirring quite the fuss– especially the raven-haired and the blond one. 

It was the second week and your roommate and you were approaching the main entrance to your college building, ready to go to classes. But you stopped dead in your tracks, an all too familiar sight ahead of you. For a moment you questioned reality, having not seen him in almost a decade. 

"What's he doing here?" You asked, stunned. 

Of all places in the country you had to meet him here. Life has its shitty ways of fucking with you.

"Who?" Your roommate asked, her gaze following yours to some guys standing across the yard by the wall, smoking.

Staring straight ahead, you would've recognized him anywhere– hands lazily stuffed in the pockets of his dark ripped jeans, the usual bored expression on his face. That all too familiar mop of raven hair with bangs falling over his brows, those broad shoulders—

—and those incredibly piercing blue eyes that just now flicked up to look at you.

Shit, you tried to calm yourself, No need to panic. He won't recognize you after all these years.

But that hope was thrown out the door as quickly as it arose when he aimed a wickedly seductive grin right at you, his strikingly blue eyes continuing to observe you.

Damn, he knows.

"Ok, we gotta go. Now!" You swung around and swiveled around your roommate who struggled to catch up with you. "We're gonna take the back entrance."

"Hey, what was that just now?" She breathlessly asked.

"Nothing." You grumbled, reluctant to get as much distance between you and those mesmerizing blue eyes.

"Oh, don't you dare nothing me!" She took a few wider steps to catch up with you. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"You might be right about that," you muttered under your breath. "Let's go, we'll be late for classes."

***

A sound stirred you from your work assignment late at night. "You're not telling me something."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Looking up, you saw your roommate standing at the door of your bedroom.

She cocked an eyebrow, kicked off the door frame, and walked towards you.

"The raven-haired guy. This morning." She continued, "I saw him looking at you– and then you freaked out."

Oh no.

"It's Touya Todoroki." She stopped in front of you, placing her hands on her canted hips, "The hottest guy on campus, according to what I've heard."

"Don't know what you're talking about." You mumbled, the tips of your ears turning scarlet as you kept yourself busy counting the dust specs on the screen of your notebook.

"C'mon! I know you're hiding something," she sat down next to you, batting her pretty, long lashes at you. "You've got to tell me."

Inhaling deeply, you pinched the bridge of your nose, trying to calm your tired and overworked nerves.

"Alright." You sighed. "But this stays between us ok?"

"Pinkie swear!" She beamed at you, offering her smallest finger and you locked it with yours.

"Touya and his buddies Tenko, and Keigo—we used to be childhood friends. We grew up together living in the same neighborhood." You pulled your hand back and tugged a few loose strands of hair behind your ear. "We also went to the same elementary school."

"Aw, that's so cool!" She giggled, urging you to continue. 

"Yeah, really sweet–" you huffed and looked straight at her. "Did you know he calls me Cheeks?"

"No—but that's adorable!" She smiled.

"You know what it stands for?" Cocking a brow you waited.

She shook her head.

"Buttcheeks." You inhaled deeply before continuing. "In second grade, he pulled my pants down in front of everyone - even the teachers. I was the laughingstock of the entire school for weeks."

"Oh sorry," Your roommate was visibly afflicted. "That's not so adorable."

You continued, picking up a few pieces of lint off your pants. "A year later, my parents and I had to move away to another state. That's when I saw him last."

"Mhhh, maybe he was a jerk back then," she pointed out, "But did you ever think about him having changed?"

"Nope. People like him don't change." You added bitterly. "I need to focus on my studies now, ok?"

"Yeah, sure." She sighed.

And with that, you ended the conversation, your roommate straightening up to return to her room and leaving you to finish your essay.

***

As you were leaving your classroom, you stopped dead in your tracks seeing Touya with Keigo and Tenko, leaning his back against the building wall, observing you, hands buried deep in the pocket of his pants. 

Touya just rocked the hottest-guy-on-campus look. Even though his frame was lean, he was well-toned, his body reeking of masculinity. He was wearing a plain black long-sleeve shirt, tight black pants, biker boots, and rings on his hand as well as piercings in his ear. 

But it wasn't just his physique. His presence alone took up space and dominated like nothing else and you had to take a few moments to catch your breath. A few moments that were over too quickly when he started to strut over into your direction, his eyes strikingly light blue.

You instantly turned to make an escape, but at that same moment a door to a lecture room opened and a crowd of students poured out, crushing your plans to get away.

"Well well well, if it ain't Cheeks," an arm slung around your neck. "Of all places, I've never expected to run into you here."

The subtle scent of expensive cologne surrounded you and his own scent, warm and masculine at the same time. He smelled amazing, and it left a feeling in you that you couldn’t place your finger on.

Shit.

"Fuck off, Touya…" you mumbled, a bit of color rising to your face.

"Why so rude?" He chuckled and leaned in closer. 

A group of students had stopped to watch the two of you talk, chattering behind raised hands.

"What are you doing here?" You tried to get away from him but his embrace was too tight. 

"Could ask you the same." He hummed back with a curious grin on his face.

"I'm enrolled in classes, duh." You remarked, trying to keep your tone flat.

"Heh, I'm a Senior." His free hand came to pinch your cheek.

"Did your dad bribe the University Board to get you in?" You looked sideways at him, shamefully breathless at his close proximity. 

His eyes seemed so captivating—more than they used to when he was a kid.

"Naah— got in here myself." He grinned, icy blue eyes flashing. "Excellent grades."

"Doubt it." You hissed at him.

"You're hurting my feelings, Cheeks." He gave you a light chuckle that you felt way too much in your chest.

Rolling your eyes at him, you finally managed to shrug his arm off as he loosened his hold on you—when you heard another voice closing in. "Hey, Touya, who's that Hottie here?"

It was Keigo, narrower and shorter in build than Touya, with windstrewn ash blond hair swept messily backward. He was blatantly showing off his wealth, wearing luxury label clothes, and sporting a huge Breitling aviator watch on his wrist. 

"Don't you recognize her?" Touya glanced at him over his shoulder.

The blonde looked at you with a slight arch in his eyebrow. Then his golden eyes lit up in surprise. "Shit, it's Cheeks!"

"Damn, it is," Tenko muttered, who just joined the three of you. With the long tangled hair and the simple, black hoodie pulled over his head, he seemed more innocent than the other two, which was a welcoming change. The only thing giving him away was the rather geeky expensive Devon Star Wars watch at his wrist.

His cheeks reddened behind his pale bangs when your eyes met and he muttered a shy, "H-Hi Cheeks…" before averting his gaze, awkwardly scratching his nape with his fingers.

Keigo however, stepped even closer, his golden brown eyes mustering you as he leaned in, flirtatiously. "So—you got a boyfriend?"

"Nice move, but– no." You groaned. "Not interested in one as well."

Just as Keigo was about to say something Tenko interrupted, looking at his watch. "Guys, we need to go now if we wanna get to class in time." 

"Yeah, we're coming." Touya looked at you with an amused glint in his azure eyes before turning to leave.

"See ya, Cheeks." He waved goodbye as they strolled off.

You couldn't help but follow him with your eyes, when suddenly Touya stopped to toss you a look over his shoulder, grinning when he caught you staring, before continuing on his path.

Shit, you felt your cheeks burn. Shit, shit, shit.

Your roommate, who had stood off to the side unbeknownst to you now stepped close, letting out a deep sigh, "Sorry, didn't want to interrupt. But damn, are you lucky."

You bit your lips as you continued to watch him. "Jerk. I hate him."

"Oh, are you sure? You blushed there quite a bit, I'd say." She sheepishly added.

"Thin ice, girl." You pursed your lips at her, "Very thin ice."

She only giggled in response.

"I would give everything to be fucked by that guy." She gazed at where he was walking off with Keigo and Tenko. "C'mon, just look at him!"

You leveled her with a flat look and folded your arms under your chest. She sighed. 

"Girl, he's rich!" She wiggled her hand in his direction, "His dad is fucking loaded!"

"I don't care about all that, you know me" you commented nonchalantly.

"But—I heard he's even going to graduate summa cum laude."  Her eyes became dreamy, "If you land with him, you hit the jackpot."

"Oh, s'that so?" You picked up your bag. "You can have him. I'm not interested"

"You should be. I heard he also fucks like a God."

"Good thing I'm an atheist then." You winked at her and turned to walk away, trying to ignore the wet stickiness in your panties that wasn't there before.

***

The following weeks were absolute torment. Even though Touya was a senior and the paths you crossed were rare, he was constantly around, repeatedly seeking you out in the crowd, his little naughty grins always catching you off guard and making your face heat up. He was smooth, you had to admit, and surprisingly persistent– despite your constant rebuffs.

So it wasn’t long until your name unwantedly became the talk on campus. People were staring at you, muttering behind your back, wondering who that normal girl was that managed to get Touya Todoroki's attention. You weren't used to the looks that everyone was giving you, and felt utterly uncomfortable.

Whenever possible, you avoided large groups of people while on campus. Still, it was unavoidable that some girls' stares always followed you, their whispers behind raised hands a constant backdrop in your head.

It was frustrating, in more ways than one. Because even though you tried to deny it, you started catching yourself having constant thoughts about Touya. And they weren't exactly innocent ones. Whenever you saw him from afar, your chest tightened and your heart thundered a thousand miles a minute. You couldn't shrug off this feeling of wanting to be close to him, to hear his sultry voice, and to run your hands through his raven hair. 

Albeit your own feelings – or rather to deny them – you dedicated yourself to your studies for the next few weeks. So it was no surprise that when midterms came around, your relentless studying paid off, walking out of classes with the highest grades of all.

***

It was late spring and a sudden heat wave had hit your area, making everything unbearably sticky and gross. You opted for a midday walk as some sort of a stress reliever when you heard steps approaching and a familiar voice saying "Hi Cheeks–"

Touya came to a stop right in front of you, dressed in a short sleeve shirt. Intricate black and blue flame tattoos decorated both his arms, complementing his natural looks perfectly. 

After reaching inside the pocket of his jeans, he took a cigarette out of the box he had retrieved, and placed it between his lips. He lit it up, a cloud of smoke billowing up in the air as he exhaled deeply. His smoldering turquoise eyes dragged up your body and stopped at your lips.

"Wanna go eat something, Cheeks?" His gaze continued to linger on your lips.

"Sorry, I think I just lost my appetite." You deadpanned.

"Cmon–" He tilted up his chin, looking at you, smirking.

"Touya, I'm not interested."

"But I'm hungry…" And his eyes flicked back to your lips. 

"Go eat alone then." You mumbled.

Looking up at him, you noticed his rapturous looks, something wicked and flirtatious flickering behind the azure hue of his eyes. Your stomach somersaulted and you knew it was lust in his heavy-lidded eyes when your gazes locked.

"I'm not hungry for food, Cheeks—" his voice was husky, successfully making your spine tingle. 

"Oh for God's sake," you tried to swat his chest but he dodged gracefully, a playful smile on his face, taking another drag of the cigarette he was holding between his fingers.

You couldn't help but stare at his sinfully seductive lips, the way they urged to be kissed—

Okay, let’s not go there, you mentally slapped yourself.

But you were caught already as he observed the way your cheek reddened and cocked his head, eyebrows raised. “Bet you're thinking about me right now, Cheeks.”

"Excuse me?" You lied, the spreading blush reaching your ears, “F-Fuck off Touya!"

You felt like you were seconds away from exploding, with your heart rate blasting through the roof. 

"I think I'm making you nervous." He grinned, 

"God, you're so full of yourself–" you started.

Luckily a high smooth voice interrupted your little bantering. 

"Hey Toto, been looking everywhere for you!" a stunning girl approached.

Touya didn’t even pay a glance as she got close to him, manicured fingers trailing up his arm.

"Missed you, baby" she pouted her plush lips at him, "Why haven't you answered any of my calls?"

Touya sneered, his usual bored expression back on his face, "Should be self-explanatory."

He placed his cigarette between his lips again, sucking in his cheeks, his hooded gaze not leaving yours. 

The girl was stunned by his rude reply but then seemed to brush it off. Moving her face close to his, she purred, “What’s with the attitude, baby?"

"Told you, I have other plans..." Ignoring her completely, his eyes continued to be trained on you as smoke billowed around his face.

Even though he was clearly not interested in that girl, it still left a pinch of bitterness in your heart. You felt disappointed. You'd heard that he had gotten around quite a bit– but seeing the girl just being so much better looking than you made you feel so inferior, so ugly, so—

—you had to get out of here. Now.

"I think you should satisfy your hunger with her," you pointed out and before he could reply, you shouldered your bag and left down the path to the library.

You heard Touya call after you but then the high-pitched voice of the girl interrupted, followed by rough cussing on his behalf before you could get out of earshot.

Serves him right.

***

This irritating, depressing sting of jealousy had been gnawing away at your heart ever since the scene outside with the girl and left you almost sleepless at night. Let's face it, you weren't exactly a virgin anymore either. But your experience had been rather—bleak, to put it nicely. With some random guy. For a whooping ten seconds. Leaving you beyond unsatisfied.

But Touya– he must have been in bed with so many girls, must have gathered so much experience that the thought alone made the bile of jealousy rise in your stomach. And as it was apparent to you, all the girls he had were all pretty and perfect and you couldn't help but feel inferior to them. And you hated yourself for thinking this way.

But that wasn't the only thing keeping your thoughts occupied– no. You couldn't quite shrug off the idea that – even though he served her off, or maybe just because of that – each girl was just a joke for him. As were you.

You had just finished your last lecture for today and, grabbing your iPad from the counter you winced, a stinging pain shooting through the tip of your finger. You pinched it between your thumb and index finger, seeing a splinter stuck in it. You knew you had to wait till later to get it out with tweezers at home.

You sighed as you exited your classroom ready to head outside—when you felt a soft hoodie sleeve slide along your neck as an arm draped around your shoulder, the subtle scent of expensive cologne and cigarette smoke starting to engulf you.

It was familiar, comforting—

—and yet still so unwelcomed.

"There you are, Cheeks, missed ya." Touya's low, sultry voice close to your ear sent instant shivers up your spine. 

Your step faltered and you spun around only for another arm to coil around your waste. Dragging your gaze from his chest up to his face you instantly shrunk beneath the intensity of his stunning blue eyes. Your mouth opened but nothing came out, too struck by how inexcusably handsome he looked up this close.

"That really hurts, huh?" He said with his husky voice, looking down at your finger.

"Let go of me, Touya" you shivered under his touch and tried to shake off his arm.

His eyes never left yours as his hand wrapped around your hurt one, bringing it close to his face. Breathlessly, you watched as he latched his lips around your fingertip and flicked his tongue over the wound before starting to suck.

You inhaled sharply, as a piercing pain shot through your finger, his eyes heavily lidded with lust and desire when you locked gazes.

Shit.

Suddenly, the pain was gone and he released your finger. He stuck out his tongue, the splinter sitting on its tip. He turned his head to spit it away and let go of you, smoothing his hair back. He watched with an amused grin while your cheeks went slowly ablaze.

"D-Don't do that, Touya," you stuttered.

He leaned close, propping himself against the wall next to you. There was that smirk again— the one that made your heart skip a bear. His hand came up to tug a strand of hair behind your ear and his light warm touch had your stomach flutter.

"Don't do what?" He cooed.

"D-Dont touch me." Your tongue felt heavy in your mouth and you could hear your heartbeat in your ears. 

Damn.

You hated it. You hated how he made you feel inside, how he made your body react to him. You felt heat rising inside of you again and your resentment towards him increased.

“I'd say you like my touch,” he smirked a bit wider seeing the rosy blush spread on your face. "It's more than obvious."

“You wish,” you retorted, shifting to the side, further away from him.

"And I need to go now, I need to work on my scholarship project." You mumbled as Touya watched on with his lazily lidded eyes.

As you took a step away from him, you felt him hold you back by your arm.

"Wait!" He called out and you stopped, staring straight ahead.

“Listen, Cheeks. I want to apologize,” he sighed, sounding pensive. “You’re busy and here I’ve been, like, keeping you from your work."

Turning around you took him in. He seemed apologetic. And honest.

"I really like spending time with you." He cocked his head, slowly releasing his hold on you. "Why don’t you tell me what the assignment is about so I can make up for distracting you by helping out?"

This was unexpected. His honest expression caught you off guard, and, hesitating for a moment, you told him about your assignment. Not before throwing him a glare–out of mere spite. 

"Well, come to think of it," he mused, "That's a topic I aced last year. I could help out."

Of course, he did, you mentally slapped yourself.

"Ok, here's my offer," his smile became wider. "I'll book a quiet room at the library and help you out."

"Ok, but we only study." You scrunched your nose cutely at him.

"Aw Cheeks, I'm hurt that you think so lowly of me." He chuckled, "Of course, we will only study—promise."

His cerulean eyes were lit up beautifully, bright, with a glint of his usual mischief in them, but also integrity. It brought back memories of when you were kids, of how he used to look at you back then. Full of contentment and—

"Ok," you declared defeat. "Three o'clock. Library. For studying."

He whipped out his phone, asking for your number and typing it down in his contact list.

"Yup, just for studying." Placing his phone in the back pocket of his jeans, he leaned in and pecked your cheek before you could even register his actions. "See ya at three, Cheeks!"

And then he strutted off, hands lazily stuffed in his pockets. As you watched him leave, you noticed the whispers from your classmates as he passed, some eyes even trained on you. It made the heat in your face even more obvious and you quickly turned to walk away.

***

It was half past two and you were sitting at one of the reading tables aligned along the wall in the basement of the library. Touya had texted you that he had successfully booked a room down there. As you were trying to kill time, you were reading in preparation for the meeting. The supportive stone pillars served as dividers in between the tables, yet not as any kind of soundproofing.

At the table adjacent to yours, two girls had been keeping you from studying, irritating you with their endless gossiping. Finally, it sounded like they were gathering their stuff when—

"Have you heard the latest news about Touya?" The first one whispered.

"Spill the beans, bestie!" The other urged.

Oh no, here we go, you thought, clearly annoyed by the fact that every girl seemed to know something about him.

"A girl I know from a party said she slept with him recently." The first one started.

You rolled your eyes. This was the worst conversation to listen to. You tried to focus back on the book, starting to read the first line when—

"You know, she claimed they did it here — in this library."

Oh for Christ's sake, you slammed your hand on the pages. You were close to standing up and leaving. But the desperate urge to want to hear where this was heading took control.

"No way, that's so hot!" The other girl gushed.

"Yeah, can you believe it? She said he invited her for a study session." You heard her shifting in her seat.

You froze, all blood starting to drain from your face.

"What, really?" The other girl's voice was high with excitement. "That's so treacherous. And naughty—"

"He signed up for a quiet room and then they fucked—" there was the sound of fabric rustling as the first one stood up.

You didn't listen any further as all sounds around you started to disappear. The pen you had clutched between your fingers slipped away from your grip, clattering onto the table.

Your heart pounded in your ears and your throat constricted. With your stomach churning and tears starting to form, the world seemed to spin as you slowly rose on your wobbly feet, snatching your belongings.

As you started walking, it felt like gravity had been turned up as every muscle in your body suddenly felt too heavy to move.

God, why did you fall for this…

***

"Please!" 

"No." You scoffed.

"Pretty please?!" Your roommate tried again.

"Still no."

Considering for a second, she continued, "I'll do the dishes for the entire next month."

Contemplating your answers for a second, you exhaled heavily. "Still no." 

She groaned out loud, but then offered with a mischievous smile on her face. "I know secrets about you that I'm not gonna hesitate to spill."

"You wouldn't dare—" You let out a harsh breath, eyes flicking up to meet hers.

"Try me!" She boasted.

You turned your attention back to your studies.

"Ok, dishes and groceries. For a month."

You let out a deep sigh, closing your book with a loud clap. "Fine."

***

So, this is how you ended up at Keigo's birthday bash - organized and hosted by none other than Touya Todoroki. 

You wanted to leave before you had even arrived. Ever since you walked out of that library a week ago, you had successfully avoided Touya and ignored every one of his calls or messages. And now you were here, able to run into him at any minute.

The party had been the talk of campus for quite a while and everyone had taken desperate measures to get their hands on the limited tickets. Even though Tenko teued to convince you to attend, you kept refusing. That was, until your roommate came into your room, fanning her face with two of those most sought-after invitations, courtesy of Tenko, and bribed you into joining her.

The party took place in an opulent suite at the noblest hotel in town, owned by none other than Enji Todoroki, Touya's dad.

Standing against the wall in a corner of the spacious two-story living room area, you took a glimpse around to take in the scene. There was a huge bar and a professional flair bartender currently doing a performance flipping his mixers and bottles, perfectly emphasizing the sleek contemporary furniture.

The entire room was filled with pro lighting effects tailored to the music of a professional DJ playing off to the side. A huge luxury buffet with an assorted arrangement of foods - all masterfully prepared - was placed against the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. It wasn't only a feast for the eye, but also one to spoil the palette.

Your roommate had already excused herself to approach some of the Seniors standing at the bar, leaving you to yourself sipping on your gin & tonic. Sliding your free hand along your dress, you nervously tugged at its hem, trying to pull it down further. Your roommate made you buy it earlier this afternoon and it felt way too short and way too tight for your liking. 

You sighed and stepped towards the well-endowed buffet table when an arm wrapped around your waist from behind and pulled you around.

"Hey, Cheeks!" A voice whispered close to your ear– but it wasn't Touya's. Blond hair tickled your cheek as Keigo dipped his head against the curve of your neck, his warm soft lips grazing your skin.

"Keigo, let me go."

"But you feel so nice." He slurred, a hand starting to wander lower. "And warm."

"Keigo–" You tried to free yourself from his embrace, "Let. Me. Go!"

"Sorry, not happening," holding you with one arm tightly, he quickly chugged a glass filled with whiskey he was holding before placing it carelessly on a catering table nearby.

You tried to push against him but years of being on the Varsity Team had obviously paid off – he didn't budge an inch.

"Lemme kiss you..." He whispered against your neck, tongue dipping out to taste you.

An uncomfortable feeling spread through you, his breath hot against your skin, heavy with the scent of whiskey. 

"Keigo, keep your hands off me–" You kept struggling against his hold as his hand slid down from your waist to your ass. “I swear to God, I’ll punch you."

Just that second you were pried out of Keigo's grip. You lost your footing and stumbled back against a warm body, a strong arm keeping you from falling. Seeing Tenko casually restraining an obviously drunk Keigo, a suspicion arose as to whose arms you were in. As you tilted your head up, a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes glanced down at you, a mischievous glint in them.

Yep. Touya.

"Please don't punch him." Touya chuckled, making sure you had safe footing before releasing you and sending you an apologetic smile. "He's just a bit drunk."

The blond man swayed in Tenko’s embrace, grinning stupidly at you, "Pfff, I'm not drunk! I'm sexy…"

"Well, you better keep restraining me or else I'll punch his pretty face nonetheless…" You growled in return.

"Ha! She said I'm pretty," the Blonde beamed, obviously delighted about your description of him.

"Tenko, please take Keigo over there," Touya nudged his head towards the other side of the room, "I saw a bunch of sorority girls looking for him."

"Yeah Tenko," Keigo's face turned bright and he slurred, "Let's go get some ass!" 

And with that, he raised his fist and stumbled off through the crowd, with Tenko rushing after him but not before rolling his eyes in annoyance.

Trapping your chin between his thumb and index finger, Touya angled your face upward as he raked his eyes over your features. "You're OK there, Cheeks?"

His scent was intoxicating. It numbed your mind and sent heat straight down between your legs. Embarrassingly enough, you noticed how just this subtle gesture of affection had your panties stick wetly to you in an instant.

"Thanks, Touya," you muttered and tried to push past him, trying to get away from him. 

But he was quick to wrap his arm around you, keeping him close to you.

"Nuh-uh, you're staying with me." He grinned, picking up a nearby fresh glass filled with amber liquid from a table. "You keep disappearing on me…"

"Oh, so what—you need me to punch you as well?" You cocked a brow at him.

"Worth the risk." A smugness settled on his face as he took a sip of the amber-colored drink from his glass.

The liquid glistened on his lips and your eyes flicked unconsciously to them before he licked it away. They were the most alluring feature, soft and slightly parted—and again you couldn't help but fantasize how they would feel pressed against yours.

You were quick to avert your gaze again. But an unwanted desire grew in your chest, and you clenched your thighs in an attempt to stop the heat from spreading.

But Touya's mouth quirked suspiciously at the corner, having seen your wandering gaze. 

You took a deep breath to keep your annoyance at bay. "What are you smiling at?"

"Hmmm let me think…" he tipped his head and added with a cheeky expression "You, staring at my lips?"

"No, I wasn't," you braced your hands against his chest in an attempt to free yourself.

Heat bloomed in your cheeks when you felt him, all the firm muscles under his soft shirt, warm and solid, his strong heartbeat pounding against your palm.

Shit.

It stirred something inside you, making you aware of just how attractive he was, how close you were to him, feeling the heat radiating off his body, his sweet breath fanning your face. The blush kept spreading to your ears especially when you noticed something else that was solid as well. And it was pressing against you. 

Just lower.

Your body felt hot all of a sudden and you tried to blame the little alcohol you had consumed so far. But the thought of how his chest would feel, bare underneath your skin, how it would feel to press your lips against it clawed its traitorous way into your brain.

Luckily the train of thought was cut short.

"I'm pretty sure you were staring at my lips," He fought back a grin as he raised an eyebrow. 

Bastard, you cursed inwardly a few times for having been caught red-handed.

"No, I wasn't," you answered, wincing inwardly from sounding so weak.

A pleased sound rumbled deep in his chest. "I think you're lying, Cheeks."

Why is he so infuriating, insufferable and so–

– goddamn attractive.

"Touya, please–" it came out as a mere whisper while you swallowed nervously.

“Please what?” He tilted his head, looking amused. “You don’t have to be shy, you know.”

He was obviously having a blast with your reaction. He has always been like that. One second he was nice and sweet and the next second his blatant cockiness annoyed the hell out of you. 

“I’m not shy.” You tried to defend yourself. "You're just annoying, that's all."

His eyes slowly dropped down to your mouth and you felt it straight in your belly. It took over your senses and clouded any coherent thoughts.

“And you’re pretty." Touya whispered, leaning in further.

“What do you want from me?” You trembled beneath his gaze, suddenly feeling so vulnerable.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Tilting his head to the side, he angled his mouth above yours. “You."

You could feel his warm breath on your lips, the tip of his nose tickling yours. Maybe he did change. Maybe he really was interested in you. So without thinking any further you let your lids flutter shut, parting your lips when–

"Oi Touya!" A guy shouted at him over the noise of the crowd and the music, "Am I interrupting something?"

Your eyes shot open as both turned your heads towards a young man with short auburn hair approaching, wearing a black shirt and white tie.

"'Course you fucking are, dipshit!" Touya growled at him, obviously not happy about the guy's appearance.

The other took you in before asking, wearing a stupid grin on his face. "What happened to the cute blond girl from before? No wait, she was brunette, wasn't she—?"

"Shut it," Touya hissed, loosening his hold on you as he was ready to approach the other man.

Memories of the conversation between the two girls at the library flooded your mind and it churned another feeling inside you— one of betrayal. And suddenly you felt so dumb for thinking that he'd ever change. He would always be the guy who humiliated you and would do it again without thinking. And with that last thought, you dove under Touya's arm to start digging your way through the crowd toward the exit.

There was a loud cuss as your dark-haired admirer picked up the pursuit. But even though he was larger and stronger, you were quite agile, twisting and diving around and under people.

"Cheeks, stop!" Touya called after you.

But you didn't think of it. You almost reached the door when fingers clamped around your wrist and pulled you back.

"Fucking stop running!" Touya glowered at you, his tone aggravated. 

"Let me go!" You dug your fingers under his to try to free yourself from his grip.

"Hell no," he hissed and turned around to drag you up the stairs with him. "We're gonna have a talk."

"I don't want to though." You continued to struggle.

"I don't care, I'm sick of this!" He didn't even look at you as he arrived at the mezzanine floor.

"Touya please, you're hurting me," you whimpered, his grip on your wrist relentless as he kicked open the first door.

Touya shoved you into the room, booting the door shut behind him and you stumbled, catching yourself on the couch. Turning around you visibly paled. Touya stood in the doorframe, you'd never seen such a serious expression on his face. As he started approaching, you backed up, shrinking away under his intense glare.

"Touya, let me go–" Your voice sounded too shaky to be strong.

"No, you're not leaving until we've talked." He answered while approaching.

"You're scaring me—" You stepped further back until your back hit the wall. 

He was taking another stride until his body was directly in front of you, slamming his hands against the wall next to your head, caging you in.

"Touya—" You sniffled, "What's gotten into you?"

The blue of his eyes was dark, pointed sharply at you. 

"You're asking what's gotten into me?" His voice was dangerously low and rumbling. "Should ask you the same! Every time I wanna talk to you, you run away."

You cringed at his harsh words, his mouth pressed to a thin line, its corners angrily twitching.

"I want an explanation" He lifted his hand to slam it against the wall again, giving his words ample support.

"You pulled down my pants!" You yelled at him.

There. You said it. 

His expression turned puzzled, seriously taken aback.

"You're still mad at me for that?" His tone turned more aggravated.

“You ridiculed me!” You glared back at him, feeling your eyes watering up.

"That was ages ago!" He slammed his palm against the wall again. "I was a fucking dumb kid!"

Your bottom lip was trembling when your eyes locked. Frustration and anger clawed their way up your chest and without thinking you blurted out, "And what about the girl you fucked in the silent room? Were you gonna pull the same stunt on me?"

Your entire body was trembling by now, tears sitting heavy at your lash line.

"What the—no! Who told you that bullshit?" By now, he seriously seemed confused.

"It's no bullshit!" You spat back, "Some girls talked about it while I was waiting for you."

"So, that's why you left…" his eyes darkened, "Listen Cheeks, people say a lot of shit about me. If you would've just asked–"

"And what about that blond–" you cleared your throat, trying to suppress a sob, "No, brunette girl earlier on?" 

"Oh for fucks sake!" Touya's anger was palpable by now. "Kai hates me and always makes up shit like this just to get at me."

"I don't believe you." You turned your face sideways to avoid his gaze.

He stared at you in disbelief for a moment, before—

"You don't believe me?" He almost yelled at you. "I've been honest with you the entire time and you have just been so—aaahhh!"

He slammed his palm against the wall again. You flinched at its impact, a single tear freeing itself from your damp eyelashes, making its way down your cheek. Another one quickly followed. You choked on a gasp and noticed you had held your breath. Slowly, you breathed through trembling lips.

A heavy silence settled between you, the only audible sound being his heavy breathing and your silent sobs.

There was a subtle touch to your cheek as a warm hand gently cupped your face, turning it towards him. 

"Look at me," he said, his voice much softer.

You did, your gaze slowly rising to meet Touya's eyes. All anger was gone from his features, another expression instead passing over his face, one that was almost... tender. And affectionate.

His azure eyes took you in, the way you sniffled softly, another tear rolling down your cheek. His thumb brushed the tiny drop of salt water away as he continued gazing at you.

"Never made a girl cry like this before." His voice was low and made your heart pick up a beat, "Except for in my bed underneath me."

You giggled, sniffling, and leaned into his comforting touch. "You're such a dick…"

"I know," he chuckled and shifted forward, subtly eating up the space between you.

You could feel his warm breath fan over your skin. Then his lips ghosted over your cheek, the tip of his tongue dipping out to lick away the salty warmth of a single tear.

"Please forgive me?" He murmured against your skin, moving lower, following the trail of your tears, licking them up, one by one.

It was hard trying to formulate a response with his warm lips on your skin. You tried to say something, tried to push him away but you had forgotten how to speak – how to move.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," he breathed and adjusted his direction, going lower, and lower, his tongue flicking out to lick the corner of your mouth.

You sucked in a little breath of surprise and he took the small advantage to move his mouth over yours, dipping his tongue inside.

You let your eyes flutter shut, your entire brain short-circuiting as it hit like a lightning strike. You forgot yourself, forgot everything else except for the tip of his tongue on yours. 

Your mouths started to sensually and slowly work against one another as were your tongues, leaving you lightheaded and knees buckling as you moved your hands up to steady yourself on his hips.

He smelled and tasted like the best thing you've ever tasted, with warm skin, and a hint of smoke. You kept kissing like that, his hand cupping your face, sliding behind your neck, to cup your nape, to angle your face and pull you deeper into the kiss.

You felt his thigh slip between yours, pinning you in place. The unmistakable press of something stiff against your hips caught your attention, making you gasp into his mouth. Goosebumps cascaded up and down your body and you felt each hair stand on end.

With each roll of your tongues, he humped his clothed erection against your core. A small whimper spilled past your mouth and it earned you a quiet hum of approval in response.

You were starting to lose your mind as you continued to intensify the kiss, mouths working against one another. He groaned at the way you ground your hips forward, meeting his in a desperate attempt to feel more of him.

His movements became erratic before he pulled back, panting heavily, eyes dark and hooded with lust.

"Jesus fucking–" his words came out hoarse and breathy.

Then his hands swept along the back of each of your thighs to lift you off the floor and onto his hips.

You squealed his name against his lips as he swung you around and laid you down on the soft sheets of the queen-sized bed in one swift motion, his mouth not once leaving yours.

Fitting himself between your legs, he spread them easily with his body, grinding his pelvis against your clothed heat, making sure you felt just how huge he was and how much he wanted you. 

With each rut, he pressed his throbbing cock directly against your sensitive nub. It had your blood boiling, your core clenching and you canted your hips to meet his, the coil inside of you tightening by the second.

"Touya–" you panted into his mouth, nails digging into his shirt.

It felt better than anything you could've imagined. The pressure in your guts increased, the coil wound tighter and tighter, a white heat starting to blister, and with the next press of his hips against your mound—

“Touya, wait!" you gasped against his mouth, but it was too late.

Your orgasm exploded and had you moan into his mouth, back arching off the soft mattress, pressing your breasts against him.

His movements stalled and he looked at you with a puzzled look on his face.

"Did you just…?" A surprised smirk spread on his face.

You just laid below him, trying to catch your breath, cheeks bright red and lips raw and swollen from the intensive kissing.

"Yes, you did!" His soft chuckle vibrated through you, making you squirm underneath him.

"S-Shut up," you muttered, your hand raising to cover your blushing face.

"I think it's cute." A hand slid into your palm, fingers interlacing with yours as the other rose to brush a piece of hair away from your eyes.

"I'm just sensitive." You tried to explain, your face warming.

"I love that about you," he said, his warm breath fanning against your skin. "No need to apologize."

"You're just messing with me" you murmured, eyelashes fluttering shyly.

"I'd never," you heard him say under his breath.

You both stayed like this for a few more moments, warm bodies pressed against one another. 

Then he asked, tentatively, "So, you want to stop here?"

Carding your fingers through his messy hair you laughed, "You better not--”

He buried his face in your neck and groaned deeply. "God, why do you have to be so perfect—?"

"Trying my hardest," you giggled.

He started nibbling against your pulse, making you writhe underneath him. You could feel him smirking against your skin at your reaction, lips finally brushing yours and you untangled your fingers to pull at his hair. You started kissing, deep and longingly, darting your tongue between his lips to get a better taste of him. He kept kissing you, deep and messy, just pausing to nip at your lips before shoving his tongue in your mouth again.

Without breaking the kiss, you propped yourself up on your elbows. Touya wrapped his arms around you, grabbed the zipper of your dress, and slowly pulled it down to its bottom. Hooking his fingers under your straps, he pulled the dress down over your bare breasts and you helped get your arms out. Leaning back, he gently guided you back onto the mattress. When the dress was at your hips and you lifted them, allowing him to glide it over your butt and off your legs. 

The kiss never broke, eyes closed with lust, until suddenly he straightened up, eagerly taking you in with smoldering turquoise eyes. "Shit, you look more beautiful than I imagined." 

"You imagined—?"

"Oh, you don't know how often I dreamed about you." Tracing his fingers around the curve of your completely exposed breasts, "Ever since I first saw you on campus."

With that he sunk down, latching his warm lips around your erect nipple. You sucked in a breath, a blistering heat shooting right through your body as it ripped a loud moan from your mouth. As he continued, running his tongue over your nipples, alternating between swirls and flicks, you gasped for air. His mouth closed in on one, then the other, sucking and biting lightly, while Touya hummed in approval and continued his ministrations on the other breast. 

When he stopped, you looked up at him. There was so much heat between your legs, and you were dripping wet.

“Can't believe that after all these years I finally have you in bed with me." He breathed out heavily, eyes glazed with lust as he peered at you below him. 

And If it was possible to fuck you with a look, this was it.

You swallowed your breath, heart thrumming loud against your chest. “What are you waiting for then?"

“Atta girl,” he said and hooked his thumb under the hem of your panties, pulling them down and off your legs.

Grabbing your thighs and spreading your legs apart, his breathing became faster, seeing your glistening folds, all that arousal seeping out.

"Cheeks, let's skip the foreplay." His face took on a pained expression as he gulped. "I think I'll bust a nut in my pants if I wait any longer."

Tilting your head, you took in the huge, twitching bulk in his pants, urging to be released. "Y-Yeah, go on, I'm ready."

"Thank God." He growled deep and low, hooking his fingers under his shirt.

Pulling it over his head, he threw it carelessly across the room. When he started unbuttoning his pants, you gasped as you saw a neatly trimmed black happy trail leading up to—

Sitting on his knees he pulled his pants down. 

—his pierced cock. 

Jesus Christ. Figured he was pierced– and went fucking commando.

You realized you were holding your breath when he had his eyes on you, asking with an unexpectedly low voice of his, “Ready?”

You nervously nodded when Touya was settling himself back between your legs.

Grabbing his cock at its base, he positioned it against your shimmering folds, sliding it back and forth over your slick pussy instead of putting it in. Precum mixed with your slick, his gaze transfixed on your face, waiting for approval.

The way you tentatively bit your lips was all he needed.

His cock started pressing hard against your entrance, and after a bit of resistance, the head popped in with a burning stretch.

Simultaneously, the both of you moaned out loud and tried to hold your composure. With gritted teeth, Touya pushed further agonizingly slow, groaning, each piercing slightly resisting before finally slipping in.

You felt split open, so sensitive that you struggled to last as he pushed in further, deeper. When he was finally inserted, you couldn't help but cry out again. It wasn't only the length that was impressive. The thickness and piercings were what got your head spinning. 

“Fuck,” Touya hissed through his teeth, desperation in his voice. His head dropped against your neck, his hand tapping out on the sheets.

"I-I think I need a moment here," he panted against your skin, his stiff cock wildly throbbing inside your pussy, close to painting your insides white with his creamy release.

"Whom are you telling," your breathing was labored, trying your hardest not to cum on the spot. 

"Shit, you're so…" he gulped, "Why are you so fucking tight—?"

"Cause you're huge!" You gasped sharply, clenching even harder down on him.

His breathing was still strained, his face still buried in your neck.

"So, do you need me to distract you?" You wheezed. "Pinch something or maybe—punch you?"

"Don't you dare," he chuckled, playfully biting the skin of your shoulder.

“I would never---” You giggled, close to bursting out into laughter over him.

Noticing the tension inside you slowly subsiding, you placed your warm palm on his back, gently running it up and down his stiff back, hoping he’d finally relax. Feeling the muscles slowly soften under your touch, his nether regions calmed down as well. 

"Ok," he finally breathed, "Ready?" 

You only nodded and he—

Holy shit.

You weren't prepared for this at all. Your hand was clutching onto Touya's shoulder for dear life as he began to slowly pull out. All nerve endings were on fire instantly and one hand darted up to clasp over your mouth. 

It felt amazing, his piercings adding just the right friction, his girth to the heavenly pressure. Touya grunted as he stopped, only the cockhead still buried inside your wet warm walls.

Then without a warning, he leaned his weight onto you, sinking his entire length into your pussy again, all the way to the base. He started a hard and deep pace, knocking the breath out of you.

“Touya—” you hit your head against the headboard from how urgently he thrusted forward.

“Cheeks,” he uttered between heavy breaths as he continued to slide his cock in and out of you. “How the fuck do you feel so good?"

"Y-You tell me—" You moaned.

Placing his hands on your hips and wrapping his fingers under your back he suddenly sat on his knees, lifting your butt off the mattress. Forcefully, he pulled you off the pillows and towards him, onto him, and slung your legs over his shoulders. 

Oh! was the last coherent word that your brain came up with before he started fucking you in earnest now.

Fisting your trembling fingers into the bed sheets, you bit your lower lip at the feeling of the steady push and pull, making you gasp and clench around him harder.

Touya muttered feverishly, “Fuck, you’re so wet,” under his breath, dropping his head out of pleasure. "You're dripping down my balls–"

He leaned closer to you, knees at your arms, chest pressing against your breasts as he kissed your lips while continuing to move his hips. His mouth was warm and wet and eager against your own and you clutched your hands around his nape for stability.

You slowly started losing your composure, struggling to hold back your orgasm. Still, you begged for more, more– and he delivered, thrusting into you deep and raw, faster and much more forceful than before, stimulating that special spot in you, brutal and quick.

And you couldn’t help but sob at how good it felt. Never in your life had you experienced anything like this. He hit all the right places, his piercings adding perfectly to the friction. You felt the coil inside you so close to bursting again.

Oh my god, you were gonna cum again.

You honestly never thought that sex could bring this much pleasure, with it feeling raw and amazing at the same time. Your orgasm hit you like a tsunami, squelching sounds mixed with your incoherent sobbing and his low groans, while Touya's heated gaze drank up the lewd expression on your face as you came.

“Wanna fill you up with –fuck– my fucking cum, Cheeks.” He emphasized each word with a hard thrust, making you moan even harder around his length.

You could barely speak at that point, couldn’t even find the energy to move so he slid his hand between your legs, talented fingers starting to rub your clit. 

His mouth found yours again and he kissed you– hungry and sloppy– muttering under his breath, "Do you want me to fill you up? Do you want my cum inside of you?"

"Oh god, yes." You whimpered breathlessly into his mouth.

He started to give you deeper, harder strokes now. You were close to crying, with it all being too much. Your vision became blurry from all the tears in your eyes and your body trembled, legs shook as his thrusts prolonged the orgasm and unearthed another one right behind it.

It made your eyes roll back and toes curl, losing all control as you felt the tingly feeling begin to unwind in your abdomen. You were a mess below him by then, pleading for him to go faster, harder, voice wracked with sobs of ecstasy.

The pleasure coiled, tighter and tighter. You couldn't hold back anymore, with him sliding in and out of you at this insane speed, his cock pounding into your G-spot with every thrust forward, working you both towards your shared high.

Your cries and the wet, squelching sounds of your messy unity echoed off the walls. You didn't care if people at the party downstairs could hear, too lost in each other's pleasure to think about anything else.

“I–,” he slurred, completely out of control. “I’m gonna cum.”

And then Touya’s head dropped against your shoulder, hot breath coming out in rough pants from the exertion. His eyes rolled back and he shuddered — pounding deep into you, erratic and needy. 

The sight of him being so close to bliss, the feeling of him slamming his dick into you— you couldn't handle it, and it had you falling over the edge again. The tension burst, another intense wave of pleasure racking your body as you gushed around his length. It felt like you shattered into a million pieces and then he pulled you back together again.

With his rhythm becoming sloppy and one last thrust, he came deep inside of you. sharing this moment of all-encompassing pleasure with you. 

You felt Touya toppling on top of you almost immediately, chest rising and falling fast as he tried to pump back some air into his lungs.

“Holy—,” he said, breathing heavily at the juncture of your neck.

"Yeah—" you wheezed, trying to get your heart from racing in your chest.

You both stayed like that, drunk on the endorphins rushing through your system. His hair gently brushed over your skin, his soft lips alternating between nibbling and kissing your skin while you ran your hands across his back.

He eventually got soft inside of you and then slipped out, each piercing slowly popping out. Your combined release gushed out, dripping warm and creamy down your ass and onto the sheets below.

Bit by bit, the muffled sounds of the party came back, filling the room. 

"Sooo—" He glanced at you from under his dark bangs. "Are we good now?"

"Touya…."You scolded, shuddering under the feeling of his warm lips against your neck.

"I love how you say my name." He was nosing your skin, "'Getting hard again."

"Imbecile" - you groaned when you felt his soft cock starting to twitch against your dripping folds again.

He chuckled at that response, rubbing his slender nose into your pulse.

"But since you asked so nicely— I'll think about it," raising your arms you weaved your fingers into his hair, earning you an appreciative hum.

"You're so mean, Cheeks" he cooed, continuing to cover your skin with little kisses.

"Just paying you back for years of torture," your lips curled into a soft, satisfied smile before you turned your head to meet his lips for another passionate kiss.

***

The constant talk of the professor made for a monotonous backdrop. You sighed, looking at the digital clock on your tablet. Still a few more minutes to go before class was over and you could enjoy the rest of the day off.

You paid little to no mind to the professor's words, thinking about the weekend and all that happened. After you spent the night with Touya, you both woke before anyone else. He offered to drive you home, but not without buying you your favorite coffee on the way there. After a goodbye kiss at the door, he drove off. 

To your surprise, your roommate had spent the night with Tenko and apparently would stay at his place. It was a turn you'd never anticipated but were pretty happy about. And– it left you alone in your apartment, having enough time to ponder the endless possibilities of what that night with Touya meant for you, with it occupying your mind more than you anticipated. Because even though you knew he was probably busy with getting the cleanup organized, it still ate away at you that he didn't even call once.

So needless to say, doubts were nagging at you. You weren’t sure what this meant, what his intentions were. There were a million other girls in the world he could have chosen. So many hotter ones, prettier ones. So, were you just a phase, just another girl in the line of all the others he's had?

The pain in your chest rose as you kept thinking about this. And you finally concluded that he had to have teased you, that you were just another trophy on his wall of girls he fucked.

You hated this. You hated feeling like this, these thoughts making the turmoil inside you grow. You covered your face with your palms, feeling your eyes turn hot and your lower lip starting to tremble. 

Luckily, you were ripped from your thoughts by the shuffle of the people in the room and realized that the lecture was over. You took a moment to steady your pulsating heart, sighed, and stuffed your belongings into your bag, standing up and shouldering it. 

As you headed towards the door of the lecture room and stepped outside, you only took a few steps before someone was by your side, slinging an arm around your shoulders, and pulling you close.

Looking up with wide eyes, you saw Touya, effortlessly handsome as always, grinning at you, "Hey, Cheeks, missed ya."

You didn't know what to say, noticing how people stopped in their tracks to stare at the both of you, whispers starting behind raised hands.

"W-What are you doing here, Touya?" Your cheeks blushed as the wetness of your lashes reminded you of your recent doubts.

"I'm here to see my girl." He circled one arm around your waist, rasping, "I'm sorry, but my dad kept me busy yesterday so I couldn't talk much."

"Oh," you replied as his hand slipped behind your nape, pulling you closer.

"I'm gonna make it up to you, ok?" He leaned his forehead against yours, his perfect turquoise eyes glancing right into yours. "Let's spend the rest of the day together."

You only nodded, brain empty, just filled with his scent, his warmth, his low seductive voice in your ears. It made a certain heat rise inside of you again and you clenched your thighs, secretly cursing him for having such an effect on you. 

Then Touya dipped his head down to press his warm lips against yours, not caring about the increasing number of onlookers. All thoughts left your brain when the wet tip of his tongue flicked across your lips, demanding entrance. His hand moved to your cheek to tilt your head so he could kiss you even deeper. With the rasp of his warm tongue against yours, you tangled your fingers in his hair, making him moan into your open mouth. His kiss, his touch, had your stomach in knots within seconds.

When you both pulled away for a brief moment to breathe, he groaned "God, I missed this." 

He tugged you back towards him, his tongue plunging into your mouth. You felt hot all over, your skin tingling in anticipation, as your desire for him built inside of you. He shuddered slightly when you worked your hand under his shirt, not thinking about anything but wanting to touch him, feel him.

Being in his arms again, feeling him so close, felt heavenly. 

You shivered, wetness pooling in your pants again, “Touya—”

"Bro, what the fuck?" An all too familiar voice interrupted over the whispers of the surrounding onlookers. "You kissing in public?"

Touya groaned and broke the kiss, straightening up. "Got a problem with that, dumbass?"

"Maybe," Keigo approached, raking his manicured hand through his blond hair.

Coming to a stop in front of you, Keigo hooked his thumbs into his expensive Gucci jeans as he took both of you in. "So Cheeks, can I have a kiss as well—?"

"No, you fucking can't." He hissed, his arms circling protectively around your figure. "Don't even think about touching her."

"Touya, I'm sure he didn't mean it like that." You tried to intervene.

Touya looked straight ahead at Keigo. "Oh yes, he did."

"Yep Birdie, I would love to have a taste of you…" Keigo winked at you.

You blink twice, taking a moment to process his words.

“Piss off, Keigo." Touya hissed.

But the blond man wasn't phased at all by the threat.

"Why not?” Keigo smirked, ruffling his hair. “Are you, like dating or what? Cause, you never date---”

You froze and averted your eyes, afraid of his answer because you still weren't sure what this meant to him.

“Of course we are,” Touya said, unfazed, drawing you closer to him.

"W-We are?" Your stomach somersaulted, heart rising to your throat at his words.

"Sure Cheeks, what else did you think?" Seeing you with disbelief in your eyes he rolled his eyes at you. "That this was just a one-night stand? You disappoint me—"

"Her reaction doesn't surprise me at all." Keigo's teasing smirk split into a full-blown grin, "Never took you for a relationship type of guy."  

Touya’s head spun around to face his friend.

"Me on the other hand," Keigo mused, grinning suspiciously at you, "I am all for a serious relationship, just saying."

"Shut it, Keigo," Touya growled upon his words, visibly irritated. "She's mine."

Looking at Keigo you noticed the corners of his mouth wobbling suspiciously, as his eyes flicked to yours before focusing back on Touya.

Oh. Ohhh—

You found yourself holding back your giggles, watching the scene now unravel in front of you from a different perspective.

"Well, ok," Keigo wiggled his eyebrows at you, "My offer's still up though."

Touya growled deep and threatening. "Keigo, I'm warning you—"

The blonde shrugged at the threat before continuing with a big mischievous grin. "So, was he any good? Cause I'm much better—"

"You motherfuckin–" Keigo barely dodged Touya's fist and spun around to run off cackling, only for your boyfriend to take after him.

"I'm also much bigger than him!" You heard Keigo yell, followed by Touya's angry howl.

You couldn't help but burst out laughing looking after them running down the hall like two little children. Needless to say, this was the best start to college for you after all.

[sunshine-theseus]

Put Your Head On My Shoulder | Jessie Fleming x Reader

Words: 4k Summary: you and jessie go through many ups and downs but things work out in the end Warnings: angst, fluff, mentions of depression and taking medication for it, covid didn’t happen, pretending the game vs real madrid was at Stamford bridge not in Spain

Jessie Fleming and I met at the 2015 world cup, both freshly 17 and competing in our first big tournament. Despite the fact we didn’t play each other, I found myself stumbling into her on the sidelines of Canada’s game against The Netherlands. Words were exchanged but we didn’t see each other again until the next year.

We knew we were both on athletic scholarships for the Bruins at UCLA and promised to try and meet outside of training to keep in contact without sport. It was surprising however, when my box was knocked out of my hands as I crashed into the young Canadian, both of us trying to enter the same room. She was clearly struggling to see over her own stuff, stumbling over words as her cheeks flush a very familiar red, trying to apologise.

“J, if you say sorry one more time I’m asking for a new roommate. Which I had no idea we were until now.” I crouch to pick up my books and writing equipment that was in my box as Jessie tries to manoeuvre to her decided side of the room.

I give up and rush to help her when she stumbles over her own foot and nearly goes flying.

“Jessie! You’re going to break something before the season even starts Jesus Christ be careful!” my hands gripped her waist tightly to stop her from tilting forward, then I grab the top box so she can actually see. The same red blush covers her cheeks.

“Sorry, my mum just insisted I try to take all my stuff in as little trips as possible, which is proving to be difficult. I’m sorry about your books.” With her stuff firmly on the ground she finally looks as me.

“They put the Australian and the Canadian in the same room knowing we just basically kicked you out of the Olympics?”

“You did not!” the joke was rare coming from her. She was funny and kind but still rather serious and shy, preferring studying statistics and players over team bonding or spending time with people after a game.

I understood that, I felt that, and that’s how we worked. Us against the world. We trusted our team and confided in them, but we’d really only want each other in times of need. Obviously there were people like Sam or Christine, who were like our big sisters for our respective national teams, but Jessie and I were just drawn to each other.

-

After UCLA came Chelsea. Both of us were about to start our last year of uni when her offer came through, far before mine.

By this point we’d been inseparable for four years, so I worried we’d be split; her making the move to England and me stuck in our dorm. Except it’d be much emptier and lonely, or filled with some stranger’s things.

And it was just like that. Time zones caused issues with keeping in contact. Eventually that became other things. Study, because she still had to finish her course. Team bonding, practice. What would be a call once a day became once a week until it filtered out, and her texts would be answered in seconds while mine sat in wait for whenever she decided she was free.

My offer came in the January transfer window. Emma had been in contact with me for a couple months, clearly trying to convince me, and 6 months ago I wouldn’t have even thought about it. But when I stare at the ‘merry Christmas’ and ‘I got the offer’ messages left unread and think about seeing the girl I thought would never leave me, I take the time offered.

And a week later I find myself sliding into Sam’s spare room groaning into the pillow as she fusses over the Australian snacks I did manage to get through customs.

“What’s got you in a mood chickadee?” I feel the bed dip beside me and her hand rubs my back.

“J.” the older Australian lets out a hum before taking a moment to reply.

“She talks about you all the time. About how much she misses you and everything you got up to at uni. All of which I already know because I hear it every camp.” I can feel the joking eye roll despite not seeing it.

“She talks about me but doesn’t talk to me. That means nothing. And I know she’s busy but so was I. Just because I was captaining a university team instead a stupid professional team doesn’t mean I wasn’t busy or doing something important! And I still kept in contact!” by now I’ve rolled over onto my back and started fiddling with Sam’s tattooed fingers, trying to distract myself from the pit of loneliness and despair that’s been slowly eating my stomach.

I dare not mention to anyone the decline in my mental health or the required psychology sessions Emma was going to provide for me once every few weeks. Everyone knew I was sad and that’s all they needed to know. But once upon a time, Jessie would have known everything, holding my hand tightly the whole way.

“You should sleep, big first day tomorrow. I’ll make you breakfast. Alarm-”

“8:30, I know. Every day, same time. Thank you Sam, really.” She smiles and pats my head before leaving.

-

To say my first day didn’t go well would be somewhat of an understatement. At exactly 8:30 my alarm went off. At 8:32, the pill bottle rattling at the bottom of my bag was fished out and 1 was being washed down by water. At 8:43, Sam was banging on my door calling for breakfast and I was rushing to make sure the pill bottle was hidden after changing. No one needs to know I’m taking anti-depressants, including Sam.

When we pulled into Cobham, I started to feel sick, and I told Sam just that.

“I’ll catch a train home.”

“It’s just nerves, you’ll be fine.”

“No-”

“You stay until at least lunch time, then we’ll see.” A pointed finger is shoved into my face, but I begin to stroll alongside her anyway.

I do almost book it for the nearest train station as soon as I enter the locker room. Sitting in the cubby next to mine, tying her shoelaces, is Jessie Fleming. During the chaos of the move and my first day, I manage to forget the way our numbers are right beside each other.

“You’ll be okay. You don’t even have to talk to her.” Sam whispers as she makes her way to her own cubby, greeting people on her way through.

So I try. Placing my bag in the nook and beginning to change into my training kit without the Canadian even looking up. It’s when I place down the same styled Tiempo Legend 8s I’ve been wearing since they released, that I can see her head turn from the corner of my eye. I don’t acknowledge it, continuing to slide the boots onto my feet and tie them up. But that doesn’t stop her.

“Oh my god! Hey!” there’s a lightness in her voice that I used to be so familiar with and it makes my heart clench.

I take a moment before deciding replying would be too rude for my liking.

“Hi.” Short and simple, and quite blunt.

“I didn’t know you signed, or that you even got the offe-” forget being nice.

“You would’ve known if you bothered to keep in contact with me.” With that I slide out of my seat beside her and make my way to Sam.

-

It gets worse when Emma splits us into pairs for dribbling drills, and she slides me toward Jessie.

“Of course.” I sigh but accept my fate as a ball rolls our way.

“What’s wrong?” a phrase that, coming from her mouth, used to have me spilling every small emotion I was feeling.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Come on Beans, tell me.” The nickname had been created in our first year of university. She learnt I loved green beans and I’m rather tall, so the name fit. But she didn’t feel like the same person who I let make the funny name.

“You don’t get to call me that anymore.”

“What? Because I moved?”

“No! You left for Chelsea and I was happy for you, we had a plan to stay in contact until I followed along to somewhere in England. But you stopped trying. You stopped answering. You left me alone when I needed you the most. I would’ve done anything for you to have the career you deserved but you got it, without me. I just thought I’d still have my best friend when it happened.”

To say that training was tense from then on wasn’t a stretch. Emma never paired us up and any time one of us entered the locker room, everyone else would wait in silence for a burst similar to the one on the pitch. It never came.

It was after my first session with the psychologist that things began to change.

Because the psych was only here for me, Emma was kind to lend her office to us for the 50 minutes while she did other work around the grounds. I assume the girls were grateful to escape the tension for the moment.

“Same time, 2 weeks from now! It’s good you’re making progress!” The rather lovely lady shouts just as I’m closing the door, waving and smiling in thanks.

But as I turn around, I nearly bump into a small figure. A rather familiar one at that. Jessie begins to fall backwards but I grip her waist, holding her in place. It’s a familiar scenario, the feeling of my hands on her waist and her burning red cheeks are something I struggled to ever forget.

“T-thanks” her cheeks burn that same red.

“No worries.” I mumble in reply as I remove my hands, taking a step back.

“Who were you talking to? That didn’t sound like Emma. And what are you making progress on?” the questions don’t come rapidly but I still struggle to process them. Jessie’s smart, she can put two and two together, so I should tell her. But what if she laughs? There was a time where the thought wouldn’t have even crossed my mind, she’s not that type of girl. But things change.

“I- I-” Jessie places a gentle hand on my arm and nods, confirming it’s okay to take my time, but please continue. I sigh.

“She’s a psychologist.”

“A sport psychologist?”

“Well yes and no. I… I’ve been diagnosed with depression, and Emma wants me to have someone professional to talk to.” Her grip tightens but I know it’s in concern.

“When- when did you…”

“A couple months ago. Don’t worry, it wasn’t just because of you, a lot of things happened.”

“But it was partially because of me. I wasn’t there for you when I should’ve been. You’ve always been there for me and I got here and treated you like shit. Discarded you like you were nothing. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” tears well up in her whisky brown eyes, but I smile.

“J, if you say sorry one more time, I’m asking for a new roommate for the away match against Man City. Which I did know we are… for once.”

“You can’t just forgive me.”

“I’m not, it’ll take time, but I want my best friend back. Sprout.” Jessie charges forward and wraps her arms around my waist.

“I’d do anything.” Her voice is muffled as her head presses into my chest, but I smile.

~~~~~

Things changed once again a few months after that. The 2020 Olympics had been delayed due to natural disasters, but we still found ourselves milling around the Olympic village together in our very little spare time. I also found myself admiring her for every little thing, every detail. Eventually I had to admit to myself that I’d developed a crush on the girl.

“What’s going on in that busy brain of yours?” Jessie had been by my side every step of the way with my mental health after she found out, and this question wasn’t uncommon, but the answer would be.

“I know this could ruin things, I’m very aware of that, but I have to tell you now otherwise I don’t think I’ll ever have the courage to.” Gaging her reaction was difficult, Jessie was a very stoic person.

“I-, I’ve found myself growing feelings for you. Feelings that surpass best friends, or how I feel when you show up for me. I like you, a lot. And I need you to know that. Standing in the middle of a pathway surrounded by half naked athletes in Olympic Village, I like you.” I look her in the eyes. Those burnt umber eyes, so warm and comforting, that always draw me in.

“I really like you too. Everything about you. I want to care for you and be there when you need me. I want to wake up in your arms and be able to admire every feature as the sun beams down on you like the miracle you are. I would even go as far as saying I desperately want to be your girlfriend.” I barely let Jessie finish what she’s saying before I lean down, a significant way, and kiss her with everything in me.

~~~~~

2 and a half years later and Jessie hasn’t left my side since. Most of our quarrels are just that, silly fights that are solved by the end of the night. We moved in together after 3 months and were rarely been seen apart.

That included tough games.

Real Madrid was our first game of the Champion’s League season, and we knew it was going to be hard. They were physical most importantly, so we had to play to that. We knew that when we were up 2-1 in the 78th minute.

“Jessie Fleming challenges Athenea Del Castillo, barley missing the ball and clipping Athenea on the foot! Oh, and the ref is calling for a penalty. I’m certain first contact was outside the box.” Is what would be heard by anyone watching the match through a screen, but you didn’t need a commentator to know the ref made an unfair call.

The contact was clearly outside the box and yet we’re forced to line up and watch Olga Carmona take the wrongly rewarded shot, me grasping Jessie’s hand in my own as a way to reassure her.

It’s obvious the referees are against us when Niamh makes a shot on goal, the ball sliding in, but it’s claimed offside. Something to do with Sam supposedly messing with the defence, another false claim. There’s nothing we can do when the final whistle blows and we’re tied, all of us dropping to the ground in exhaustion and disappointment.

After shaking hands with the Madrid players and briefly talking with Hayley to catch up and talk about things that happened between our last camp and now, I travel toward Jessie.

My girlfriend stands solemnly with her head in her hands. I managed to pull them away momentarily to see the tears drifting down her cheeks, but she’s pulling her hands away and turning around before I can ask what’s wrong.

“Darl, it’s not you’re fault.” I don’t want to invade her space while she’s upset so I walk around her and simply stand, hoping she’ll reach for me.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Jess-”

“Leave me alone Y/n.” not another word is uttered as she turns toward Fran and Niamh and walks away from me.

I similarly turn to Sam and Erin, with a shocked look, jaw hanging and rejected tears looming on my water line.

“She probably just needs to be alone.” As Erin tries to comfort me, we all turn to look at the subject of the conversation, only to see her being comforted by Fran, Niamh and Ashley, despite her effort to insist she’s fine.

“Maybe I didn’t push hard enough?”

“No you should never push when they clearly need space.” Sam places a reassuring hand on my shoulder

“But why is it only me she needs space from? I’m supposed to be the one she seeks comfort in. That’s what girlfriends do.”

“I don’t know chickadee.”

-

I expect Jessie to already be back at our apartment by the time Erin drops me off. Our shared car had been taken from the parking lot at the stadium and Jessie had disappeared, so those dots connected themselves. But our designated parking space is empty as I stroll along the bitumen.

There are no familiar white shoes next to the door in the same exact spot she puts them every day, no kit bag hanging on a hook, waiting to be washed tomorrow. No Canadian waiting in our bed, curled up in one of my already oversized shirts or hoodies and shorts, begging me to hold her.

I try not to worry when I call her and she doesn’t pick up. Maybe she went the long way and there was traffic? So I call Niamh to ask her if she knows where Jessie went. She doesn’t have an answer. Then I try Fran, and Zecira, and even Emma.

I ask everyone to try and call her too, Sam offering to take Kristie and search every corner of London, Erin offering the same. It’s midnight by the time I give up trying to contact her, asking Aggie if I could borrow her car tomorrow to look around if she wasn’t back, her living down the road from us. The young forward is insistent on joining me if it comes to it.

When I wake up the next morning and find Jessie curled up against me, in one of my hoodies and shorts, relief washes over me. Her brown curls are messy, her soft pink lips cracked open to allow air into her lungs. The sun trickles in through the curtain and lights up her face, freckles looking like bursts of light against her skin. Her eyes are still puffy from last night and tears have dried upon her cheeks, and I can’t resist the urge to reach up and lightly wipe them away.

As my thumb drags across her tan skin, tracing her face, her eyes flutter open, and I remember how easy it is to get lost in them. So warm and inviting.

“Mornin’ honey.” I press a gentle kiss to her nose, her cheeks, her forehead and her eyelids.

“I’m sorry for last night. I just felt horrible, if only I didn’t make the tackle.”

“I know darl, but that’s what I’m here for. I love you, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you yeah? I was bloody worried though.” Jessie nestles her head into the crook of my neck and nods, pressing her own kisses on any skin she could reach.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her up until she’s laying on my chest instead. My cold hands sneak under her hoodie and she jumps from the shock, swatting at my hands beneath the fabric.

“I reckon I make us some tea and brekkie and then we can do whatever you want all day. How’s that sound?” I flip us over so Jessie can go back to sleep for a while, but she clings onto me, pulling me down aggressively by the front of my old Chelsea travel shirt. Her lips press against mine with energy and love and I get caught up in the feeling. A moan slips past someone’s lips, which of us I’m not quite sure, but I slowly pull away, trailing kisses down her neck until I reach her collar bone.

“Let’s save that energy for later yeah?” I swiftly wink as I finally roll off the bed.

-

I’m making scrambled eggs when I feel Jessie’s arms wrap around my waist. She presses soft kisses across my back as I sway us back and forth to the slow jazz song spewing from the record player.

The next song comes on and I abandon the meal completely, turning off the stove and twisting myself in Jessie’s hold so I can face her. I take one of her hands in mine and rest the other on her waist, her spare landing on my shoulder.

“Put your head on my shoulder; Hold me in your arms, baby” the lyrics continue as we follow along, her head resting against my chest, my chin balanced on top. We dance slowly through the kitchen, the music carrying throughout the house.

As the song finishes, I dip Jessie, leaning over her as her leg kicks out. My gaze flickers between her eyes and her lips and within seconds I’m kissing her again, still in the dip. When I pull her back up, she jumps into my arms and pulls my lips to meet hers for more, the force making me stumble back into the counter behind me.

“I want to slow dance with you around our house when we’re old and can barely kick a ball anymore. Our kids and grandkids playing around while it just feels like the two of us. Because it’s always been the two off us and I never want that to change.” Jessie whispers against my lips. My heart clenches with love as I take her in.

“Will you marry me?” The words escape both our lips almost in complete synchrony. I almost drop her, but my grip on her thighs upholds as I kiss her again, and again, until I can’t kiss her anymore.

-

“I stole this video from Y/n’s phone not long after Jessie and her broke the news of their engagement. Y/n had texted me that morning saying she wanted ideas for a ‘day in the life of a woman in love’ video she planned on making that very day, and I knew that she would have forgotten all about the phone while she and the love of her life shared a special memory together.” Sam takes a pause to look at Jessie and I, sitting side by side at the front of the room.

“What isn’t shown in the video, is the ring that was sitting in the pocket of Yn’s shorts, waiting to be place on the only hand it was made for. The ring went with her everywhere for at least a month before this cute dance proposal. Every day in training, Y/n would tell me a new plan she had come up with to ask Jessie to marry her, and I always told her ‘you should do it when the moment feels right. Don’t force it.’, as I clearly had experience with this sort of thing… And she told me that was a bunch of absolute bullshit.” Our friends and family laugh while my wife’s face drops in shock, her elbow lightly nudging my side. I let out a snicker and kiss her cheek, wiping off the lipstick residue that is left behind.

“Well it turns out I was right. As always. And I’m honoured to be standing here as a best woman in front of two of my best friends, the most amazing young players out there, two people who were made for each other; sculpted by the stars and the earth, to be in each other’s lives, celebrating that love. You’ve both overcome a lot, personally and as a couple, you deserve this love.” A tear escapes my eye as I stand to hug Sam.

“Now can the two nerds please make their way to the dance floor for their first dance?” I take Jessie’s hand in mine and pull her along.

Her suit coat is left on the back of my chair and her waistcoat is unbuttoned and she looks fucking good. Her hair rests on her shoulders and her slack pants fit perfectly around her thighs. Jessie holds part of my dress train, so we don’t trip as we hold each other in similar fashion to the day that led to this, the same song playing on the large speakers in each corner of the room.

“Put your head on my shoulder Whisper in my ear, baby Words I want to hear, tell me Tell me that you love me too”.

Jessie stands on her tippy toes, my heels not helping our height difference.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[avaetin]

I had a Jasico idea.

In which Jason is the new kid, and Nico is one of the popular kids.

“There’s a few things you should know if you want to survive here,” Dakota informed him, his tone serious.

Jason limited his reaction to raising one of his brows in incredulity. Somehow, he doubted playing by the pre-established rules was a matter of life or death as his fellow sophomore was making it out to be. Nonetheless, he listened out of courtesy.

“First of all, stick to the status quo. Don’t ever upset it. You said you’re here on a scholarship, right? Academic or sports?”

“Academic. But I play sports as well,” Jason replied vaguely.

“If you’re good, stick with the jocks. If you’re average, stick with either the jocks or the brainiacs. If you suck, stick with the brainiacs,” Dakota cut straight to the point. “It’s cool if you want to hang out with Reyna since the two of you are friends. But, for your sake, unless you’re joining the student council, try to keep her at arm’s length. She’s the president of the student council; you’re the new kid. You’re going to draw unwanted attention to yourself just by being close to her.”

Jason didn’t like that. It explained a lot of things he observed so far, though, like how every group of individuals he encountered seemed to either belong from the same club or share a common interest. Even Reyna, for her part, was hanging out with her people from the student council. It was like everyone was subconsciously being careful; that one wrong move could potentially tip some carefully constructed societal balance they established.

How disappointing.

Jason was looking forward to making and having a diverse group of friends. To be told that he could only choose one or the other was very upsetting.

“There’s an exception though, which brings us to my second point: If you’re part of the Royalty, you’re free to mingle with anyone you like,” Dakota continued. “However, we’re not allowed to speak to them aside from school-related reasons.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m not related to any royal family,” Jason answered.

“No, you got it wrong. The Royalty is a group consisting of the most popular kids. There’s Luke Castellan and Silena Beauregard, the seniors. Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase, the juniors. Last, but definitely not the least, Nico di Angelo, the sophomore,” Dakota explained, his voice sounding almost reverent.

“Nico di Angelo?” Jason looked surprised. The odds of someone else having the same unique name was unlikely. It had to be that Nico. “He’s popular?”

“What are you insinuating?” Dakota questioned, his eyes narrowed as he regarded Jason in a little less friendly manner. “Of course, he’s popular. He’s our precious prince. Have you ever seen someone as beautiful as him?”

Well. Now that Dakota mentioned–

“You know what, nevermind,” the sophomore dismissed whatever Jason had to say with a wave of his hand. “Whatever it is, I don’t care. Just so you know, each of them have their own fanclubs, so you better be careful about what you say from now on. Some students get pretty hostile when you badmouth their idols. You’re lucky it’s just me this time.”

The longer they had this conversation, the more Jason was getting convinced that playing by the rules was a matter of life and death. Jesus, what school did Thalia dump him into?

“Since you don’t like our prince, this seems redundant to mention, but just in case: Don’t get involved with Nico,” Dakota warned him.

Jason frowned in response, “What do you mean? Is Nico into some shady business?”

“What? No,” Dakota denied immediately, his tone returning to normal. “Don’t get involved with him in that way,” he tried again, awkwardly wiggling his eyebrows to get his point across. Jason got his point the second time around, his cheeks burning at the implication.

[k-looking-glass-house]

SAM and his familiar~ When you wish upon a star~

Gah I’m still shy to share those concept, but it truly made me wonder why the "star wish" event didn't have alternate outfit~ Except our little Ortho (precious, best gear each time)! Anyway let's follow again our dear Sam in his scholarship journey!! He came from the Disney which is literally related to "the famous Disney star wish"!! It definitely has an important place for him~ Also thank you for all your feedback for Sam!!! I am happy for him!! You little one are so lovely!! Thank you!

They're celebrating the star wish event at the Mystery's S shop, Sam didn't belong to any dorm as his scholarship is similar to student exchange, he resides either at his grandpa's shop or at Ombrorio (just like Yuu and Grimm)~

Being far away from Jubilee port they still celebrate the event like they should in their home fashion way, singing, dancing, grooving and praying for "Evangeline".

Being outcast from others students (as they declared that Sam was cursed and brought misfortune) noone came to ask for his wish.

Sam couldn't care less as "a better wish is to stay a mystery", making his friends on the other side worried about him not having human friends.

Eventually K with Sam's grandpa's help could sew some outfits, get some star wish crystals and decorate the shop backyard to enjoy with everyone. They enjoyed their night and waited for shooting star praying for "puppet becoming true little boy", "lost boys fighting pirates from the second star" and "Evangeline being with her lover"!

The next morning K and Sam were recycling their outfit and jewelry as lucky charm fortune to sell to others students, like a "lucky shot only work once"! Smiling and laughing that human are so naive...

SAM (NRC STUDENT)~ SR Evangéline wish suit

Summon Line: “When you wish upon a star...Makes no difference who you are!” Groooovy!!: Please, please, pleeasseeeeee Evangéline! Yes that's how you ask for a good wish! Home: It was a surprise that grandpa and K could afford such an event in our shop! Well he's Mister S after all, gnee hihi! Home Idle 1: Must be good to share your wish with others. Oh no I am not sad, I've got friends on the other side! Home Idle 2: You noticed too! In a lot of fairy tales they talk about the famous star who shine the brightest! Yes right! Home Idle 3: Star wish crystal work when you put either a random wish or your deepest wish! The more you want it, the shinest it is~ But be careful... I saw some crystal crumble from horrible wish... Home Idle - Login: Hn, hmm hmm, I see, I see, no sorry I was listening to my friends wish! Home Idle - Groovy: My wish? I am not going to tell you! It's supposed to stay a secret! Home Tap 1: I saw Trein-sensei being quiet sad when looking at his wish crystal. Lucious went for some headpatting shortly after... Home Tap 2: That school is weird....they believe it's odd fashion but still wish for LOVE, girlfriend, boyfriend!! Are they delusional! They obviously should use a love charm at our shop gnee hihi! Home Tap 3: I know K since I'm 7, yes it's been 10 years by now! They didn't change...except well that humanoid form...They still have the same wish from back then~ Home Tap 4: The headmaster is truly implicated in this event and tradition,....suspicious we must investigate!! I am sure it will be of good use in the future! Home Tap 5: I wonder if the star listen and look after us... Pffff I am not romantic... Home Tap - Groovy: Everyone should have their wish fullfil! IN STOCK NOWWW! Special lucky charm for a limited edition try your luck!

K. OSWALD JUNIOR 101~ SR Evangéline wish suit

Summon Line: "Anything your heart desires will come to you♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ" Groooovy!!: Evangéline!!! Pleashe pleashe pleasheeeee! Home: Yay ah ah ah!! Those crystals are shining bright! Home Idle 1: Well it got the Jubilee port countryside's vibes you know! Home Idle 2: I know all the shong!! let's shing! Home Idle 3: I peeked at Cruella's outfit......for inspiration of courshe! Don't tell him.... Home Idle - Login: Sham has a lot of friends in the shadows!!.... But not so much as humans.....hn *pouting face* Home Idle - Groovy: My wish?? It ish the shame from 10 years ago! Home Tap 1: Cruella ....I mean Mister Crewel took a lot of star wish crystal like about 9!! Sam's grandpa said he is desperate, like the wine auntie! Home Tap 2: Those students...my master is not cursed!! Stupid brat!! Ahh....agrwwggg.....hn nooo nuuuh my voice didn't change at all!! Home Tap 3: You know Sham grow so fast...like a bamboo!!! Poof ! he was so tiny and cute back then! Home Tap 4: I heard shomething from the royal sword academy's headmaster! It's a secret how!!! Buuuut the headmaster ish apparently in loveee with the Blue star fairy!! hihihi!! Crows are very romantic! Home Tap 5: I am sure we all look at the shame star... Well...that's what boook says! Home Tap - Groovy: Hmmmm my outfit is kind of heavy.... I made Sham's one lighter!

-Credit-

Sam (nrc student) star wish concept with K done by me

Lol I tried some "Clamp" design jewelry

[perpetualexistence]

Sea Monster AU: First Meetings

I'm still getting a heehoo giddy feeling with all the interest for this AU! I haven't even properly written things yet and you're all being very welcoming! I'm seeing likes from people I've been following in the TD fandom! I got my first reblog from someone else who understands the joys of big monsters and monster x human tropes! Aaa! It sparks joy in me.

I promise to use this joy exclusively to give Noah a Bad Time. He's one of my favorites, so he must suffer. That's the rules. (Don't worry, Alejandro will get to suffer too, we just haven't gotten that far yet.)

I'm going to start with how the two meet and their relationship up until Alejandro decides to reveal his true colors. So no real content warnings for this part except for manipulation and intimidation, especially regarding size. Given the premise, and the fact that Alejandro is Alejandro, this is going to be true of most of this AU.

Now let's see if I can properly use the Read More button to get into the juicy deets.

<- Start/Prev | Next ->

Noah lives in a small town on the coast of Lake Wawanawka. In days long past the town was a major shipping port. It was fighting with a rival city for dominance in the region. A massive storm set the town back, and now it only exists as a place to stay that's cheaper than the big city up the coast. The town government has been trying to revitalize the town by turning it into a tourist trap, but that's only resulted in tourists trashing the place at night while they spend most of their time and money in the big city. Still, money is money, so the townspeople have little choice but to put up with it.

Noah's recently been accepted to the one community college in town that's kind of helping to keep the town afloat. He plans to coast through an associate's degree with ridiculously easy classes. Then he's going to use his intelligence to get a scholarship to a private university and will never look back on this town. Only exception would be to come visit his family, though at this point only a few of his older sisters still live at home. Some have already left the nest just like he plans to.

Noah doesn't have many friends, so he tends to go off on his own. He's managed to find one spot on the beach that's inaccessible to most. It requires a tight squeeze through rocks. It's the one thing his wiry frame is good for. Tourists don't know about it so they can't ruin it. Townspeople who do know about it typically don't bother. He's taken measures to make it look as unappealing as possible. Can't have people taking away his best spot to get away from a rowdy house and read in peace.

That is, until a particularly bad storm hits. He returns to his reading cove, ready to complain as he has to either deal with or ignore the debris that's sure to be littering the place. It's while he's kicking away debris that his foot comes across something soft, small, and....tan? He moves the debris away to see something that would look like an eel if not for the top half being a human that looked around his age.

He reacts calmly when this thing groans and looks directly at him asking "¿Qué pasó?" He takes a second to breathe, and think rationally about what he's seeing in front of him.

He certainly doesn't scream like a bitch, fall on his ass, and attempt to crab walk away.

Once Noah actually calms down and accept the fact that this is not a psychotic break on his part, he and who he learns is Alejandro get to talking. Fortunately in English. Alejandro reveals that he swam too close to the surface and got swept in the storm. He doesn't know where he's ended up. He took a really nasty blow to the head too because he doesn't even quite remember where he came from. Alejandro would greatly appreciate if Noah could tell him where he is.

Noah's got some questions about all this. Ignoring the fact that merfolk apparently exist (a phrase he never thought he'd utter), Alejandro's an eel. Literally. Eels aren't native to Canada. So there's no possible way he could be from Lake Wawanakwa. Noah suspects he's an electric eel, which would place him somewhere in South America. When he points this out, he swears he sees a spark of electricity in Alejandro's tail. It confirms Noah's suspicions. It also confirms that Noah's not about to touch Alejandro with his bare hands. Alejandro commends him for being smart enough to help jog his memory. He remembers humans referring to the name 'Peru' in the waters he comes from.

He reveals that magic does exist in this world, as is evident by his very existence. There must have been magic in the storm that brought him here. Sadly, he doesn't know how he can use it to get himself back home. Not that it matters much, he can adapt to living here. Still, he begs for Noah not to tell anyone else that he's here. Noah has been so kind to him, but Alejandro isn't quite so sure how other humans will react to seeing him.

Noah's still quite suspicious about Alejandro. But the alternative is either A) a townsperson finds Alejandro, sees him as their ticket out of this town, and does who knows what to him for fame and money. Or B) a tourist finds Alejandro, and either does like the townsperson, or flips out and calls the cops, leading to who knows what kind of military experimentation assuming the cops don't just shoot him on sight.

So curse Noah's bleeding heart, he tells Alejandro that if he's going to stay in shallower waters, he'll be better off staying here. He warns him about the tourists and the townspeople. If he's going into deeper waters, then he's going to have to watch out for the fishermen, the cargo ships, and the ferries that go across the lake. Alejandro just grins and promises to repay Noah's hospitality in full one day.

And thus, Noah begins to meet Alejandro in secret. Mainly because he refuses to concede his favorite reading spot. Noah does some research on electric eels, and comes prepared with rubber gloves any time he wants to get close with Alejandro just in case. Alejandro isn't always there, but when he is he insists on interacting with Noah. He gets interested in the books he sees Noah reading and reveals that he doesn't know how to read. Noah can't just allow for that, so he teaches the Peruvian how to read English. He tries to teach him how to write too, but that's more difficult given the size difference and Alejandro constantly being wet. Noah will take to reading aloud to Alejandro, and when Alejandro learns how to read, he takes to slithering his way in between Noah and his book so he can read along, taking care not to touch Noah's skin.

Their relationship continues to grow as they talk about their respective lives. Noah tells him about humans, and Alejandro will tell him things about merfolk. When Alejandro goes to deeper waters, he comes back and describes the old shipwrecks he's found closer to the bottom of the lake with a certain wonder in his eyes. He'll even start to bring little treasures back from them, first for himself, but eventually for Noah as well. They get to make fun of tourists together and watch them from afar. Noah's dog Ark comes in at one point, and Ark loves Alejandro. Alejandro doesn't feel the same way about Ark and complains about the slobber. At a different point, a stray cat makes its way to the beach and Alejandro learns that he loves cats. And that cats don't feel the same way about him. To them he smells like a fish and looks like a snake, so they'll either try to claw at him or flee on sight. This saddens the Alejandro. He vows to one day successfully pet a cat.

Then, things take a turn seemingly out of the blue. Alejandro reveals that he has a surprise he wants to show Noah. It's a skill he'd lost for a while due to the nature of his arrival. He's been practicing it in private, but he thinks he's finally recovered it fully! He begs for Noah to indulge his theatrics by covering his eyes. It will be the last time he asks like this. He promises. Noah rolls his eyes, but begrudgingly agrees to do so.

Noah hears a lot of shifting. Of rocks. Of waves. He hears something scraping the ground around him. He feels the air around him grow charged. The hair all across his body is standing on its end. He can't help but remember those initial doubts he had about Alejandro.

"You may open them now." a familiar voice rumbles. The accent is as thick as ever. It's louder than a tiny body should be able to produce. It's coming from the wrong direction.

It had been so nice to be wrong. If he keeps his eyes closed, he can keep being wrong. Schrödinger's idyllic beach life. He's smart, and he has a friend with no strings attached. He's smart, and he knows patience is not one of Alejandro's virtues.

Noah opens his eyes to gaze at the massive beast staring down at him.

Were his teeth always so sharp? Alejandro spoke of hunting, which implied he needed teeth sharp enough to rip into flesh. Noah had never really paid attention until he was looking at a full set of teeth, each the size of his hand. They grinned in a facsimile of a warm and inviting smile he was accustomed to.

Noah forced his gaze further upward to check if Alejandro's smile met his eyes. He recognized those eyes. When Alejandro had first started bringing his treasures, he would talk about them nonstop. Noah had tried to grab one of them to get a closer look. Alejandro had immediately retreated to the water, holding onto his treasure as if his own life depended on it. He'd felt an odd sense of something he later recognized as jealousy. Which was strange because it was jealousy over an object. But it was an object that had commanded Alejandro's full attention, full protection, full possession.

What a fool he'd been to feel jealous of something he was now the target of.

"What do you think?" Alejandro asked like a dog that had just brought home a dead cat and was now begging for praise. He closed the distance between them by bending down and slithering back to meet closer to Noah's level.

Noah's throat closed. He felt his face betray him as his ears and cheeks began to flush red. This is fear and a confused and conflated mixture of adrenaline and oxytocin brought forward by an intense situation, nothing more.His feet remained loyal. He backpedaled, only to be stopped by a soft wall that hadn't been there a second ago. He pressed a hand against the wall while maintaining eye contact with Alejandro. That was what you did with wild animals wasn't it? Certain ones at least. He didn't if it would work with eels. An electric eel will wrap itself around its prey, ensuring that there are at least two points of contact for maximum effectiveness. Once established, it will send a shock to incapacitate its prey before consuming it. If he wheels through facts he picked up about eels to prepare himself for this situation, he doesn't have to acknowledge that the wall that dwarfed him from behind was a hand.

"Noah, por favor." Alejandro purred. "We're amigos. I haven't forgotten the times we've spent together. They've been delightful! And so very informative."

Noah had been too concerned about protecting Alejandro from humans. He taught him how to read. He warned him where the people frequented. He taught him how modern ships run on electricity. Alejandro shared that he wished he could have met the ships he'd visited before something else had sent them to the bottom of the lake. All of these red flags only served as the pins and needles holding Noah in place.

"And more importantly, I made a promise to you! A Burromuerto never breaks their promises. Not even to humans." Alejandro suddenly tilted his hand forward, forcing Noah to stumble backwards into a cupped palm. He pulled Noah closer until his face engulfed the entirety of Noah's vision. He let out a breathy sigh right onto Noah. "It truly is a shame that you're a human in my new hunting grounds. I could allow you to simply stay if you weren't. I have no doubt you would enjoy literally ripping apart los estúpidos turistos with me just as you enjoy verbally ripping them apart."

Noah felt an index finger ruffle the top of his hair. On instinct, he moved his hand up to smack it away. His eyes widened as he realized what he'd just done, but Alejandro only chuckled. "See what I mean?" he continued. "But, sadly for both of us, I can't let it be known that I let a human go without a fight. I have a reputation to uphold. However, I will reward your hospitality with something I will never offer to another human again. Porque eres tan precioso para mí."

Alejandro carefully placed a thumb under Noah's chin to keep his gaze focused on the former. His claw rested against Noah's right cheek. The sharp tip faced away from him, but that could change at a moment's notice. "You have the privilege of convincing me why you deserve to live."

And Noah knew he would have to choose his next words very carefully.

[cressthebest]

okay! another story about me:

i go to a boarding school. yes those exist in america, no it is not private school. yes, i chose to come here, no i was not forced. no, my head is not shaved. no, it’s not military school. yes, the cafeteria food is still nasty. no, we don’t have prefects like hogwarts. yes, all of our teachers are either professor or Dr.

it’s a public highschool (about six hours from my home) and i live there most of the year, except for breaks and summer. i do not have to pay tuition, only for housing and meal plan. so about 2000 a year. for those of you who don’t understand how much college costs, for college, before scholarships, i’d have to pay 32,000 a year. (so yeah, it’s hella cheaper). but also, this school helped me get great college scholarships, so it’s a pretty good deal.

this boarding school does NOT require uniforms. we have a dress code, which is pretty much just to not wear crop tops. it’s really lax. we can even dye our hair.

now, even though this sounds like a great deal so far, lemme tell y’all about the absolute HELL of academic life we go through. to apply, you have to submit an ACT (standardized testing) score, your gpa, and complete a big application, along with an interview. this school is for NERDS. not everyone gets in.

i got in to this school for my junior and senior year (11th and 12th grade). this school only offers sophomore, junior, and senior. no freshman (thank god).

i live in a dorm room and up until recently, lived with three other people. it’s set up that i share a room with one person, and then there are two people in the room over, and all four of us share a bathroom (two sinks, one toilet, one shower). we were randomly assigned roommates, but after the first two months, if we didn’t get along, we could move somewhere else and we get to choose who we want to live with

these classes are HELL tho. i’m in high school, and all these courses are COLLEGE LEVEL. :/ talk about stressful.

the experience is honestly great. and really fun.

if y’all still don’t understand, basically picture college. it’s exactly like college. except i’m in highschool.

ALSO my cousin came here the years before me, and recommended it to me and convinced me to go. all he had to tell me was, “everyone there is gay.”

i applied so fast yall. everyone is smart and gay.

this is all just preface for some of my other stories to make sense. this is also why sometimes i talk about being in senior year, while other times i talk about being in college. telling people i’m in college is easier than explaining boarding school.

i will answer almost any questions you have about this is you wanna know more

[targaryen-realness]

The secret History-chapter 1

Title: The secret History

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Reader modern!au

Warnings: Toxic family realtionships, mention of scars, mention of blood, smut and other nsfw themes, Reader uses They/them pronouns but mention of female anatomy, Not canon compliant, Reader has tattoos, academic rivalry. (more will be added with time). Reader is from no particular house but has family in Westeros and Essos. 

Summary: Aemond is a private person. He likes being surrounded by his family but also wishes he could be free of the pressure that comes with being who he is. When he met you, you became his only distraction, the fact that you are stubborn and incredibly smart does nothing to push him away. But being who he is, he knows that nothing can happen between the two of you. It does not help that sometimes he still thinks of another. 

Notes: Hope you all enjoy it! You can just leave a comment there or send me a private message if you want to be added to the taglist! 

Tags: @yearninginpages

It was the smell of coffee and the prospect of a day far away from his family that got Aemond Targaryen the necessary motivation to leave his house in the morning. The strange thing was that he actually liked college. He loved reading, he loved learning and the deep feeling of validation that came with excellent grades was always a plus. There were just too many people there. He might not have been bothered by it if he was not a Targaryen, second son of king Viserys, third sibling of the heir to the crown, Rhaenyra Targaryen. In his young years Aemond had lust for the crown, everything he was doing in life was in prospect of one day being king. He felt he was the most worthy. Those years were behind him, and except for a deep sense of melancholy and the feeling of having no purpose in life, he had grieved the hope of one day being king. This is why he was now on his way to class, finally finishing his philosophy degree. Class bore him to death, and all he wanted truly was to write his final memoir and be done with it. What he would do after, was still a mystery even to himself. It did not help that he and his family members were very easily recognisable. White hair and purple eyes, everyone recognised them. The fact he was the one wearing an eyepatch and a scar on his face did not help his case. Aegon, his brother, relished on it, Helaena couldn't care less, he on the other hand, could not stand it. He appreciated the distance it put between him and the others eventually. The other students gossiped, but in the end, he was out of reach for most of them. His friend group was very restricted, consisting of his sibling, Helaena mostly, and his nephews, Luke and Jace who also intended this school. King’s Landing college was the most prestigious and private university of Westeros. Only the richest could attend, or very hard working students that succeeded in getting the scholarship. 

-It’s okay.”

-It’s okay.”

-It’s okay.”

He nodded simply and left before you could say anything. He did not stand around to see you still standing here in shock. His heart was beating fast and suddenly he regretted his poor social skills. He turned around to see you were already gone. The look on your face plagued his mind for the remaining hours, so much that not even hours in the library helped him forget you. He had no idea why. He had no idea who you were if he was being honest. He was sure he had never seen you anywhere. Why his mind could not let go of you was a mystery. His brother even came to see him during lunch, having heard of his little encounter this morning. 

“First day since summer break and everyone is already talking about you”

Aegon was smiling and Aemond thought for a moment that his brother just loved seeing him suffer. 

“So, were they pretty at least? 

-Who?”

It was Helaena that just arrived with her own lunch. 

“Someone ran into Aemond this morning, according to the witnesses, it was rather intense.

-This is ridiculous, I was just walking, they ran into me, said sorry and that’s it. 

-Seems pretty normal to me”, said his sister, and he looked at her, grateful. 

“He never had contact with anyone till now, of course people are going to talk about it.

-I have plenty of contact, thank you very much. 

-Maybe it’s you that has too much contact”, said Helaena, taking a bite out of her food. 

Aemond smiled watching Aegon put his hands up in surrender. None of them talked about the stranger from this morning again and Aemond was finally able to eat his lunch in peace. The fencing classes did not start until next month, so he had plenty of free time until his last class of the day. His day had gone so fast he did not know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. As he was slowly getting outside in one of the courtyards to smoke a cigarette alone he let his mind wander. He growled at himself as the stranger’s face popped in his mind again. He was not the type to think of people that much. His brother was wrong on a lot of things though. Aemond had dated before, he just was more subtle about it than Aegon. His last girlfriend, Alys, had not been from King’s Landing, and he did not meet her at college, which definitely helped with privacy. They had stayed together for two years, until he broke it off. He still could not really put words on the reasons for the separation, he just did not feel like pursuing this relationship. He had been single for a year now and he was happy this way. He was free and for someone who felt like maintaining relationships was sometimes a chore, it was perfect. 

The thing was that when you were a Targaryen, that the entire country was looking at you constantly, and that your family was also looking at every step you took, it was difficult to even think of casual hook ups. His last was probably dating from last halloween. Not that anything really happened with the person  but gods he had wished for it. The thing was, he could not even really remember the face of the person. He was drunk not enough that he did not remember what happened, but enough so that he did not even think of asking for the person’s name at the time. It was weird it had happened twice but it just proved it was not out of character for him. What did not help was that the stranger was wearing a mask, he did not even remember what of, and while they were making out they just had lifted the mask up to their nose. It was hot, at least that’s what he thought at the time. His mind had wandered on this precise moment ever since, their lips, their scent, and the feeling of their skin under his fingers. He will remember forever the sight of their back too. As they were pressed together against the door of the bathroom in the house of someone he did not really know, he had a good peek at their back. The black ink that adorned their skin was something that had haunted his dreams for weeks after and he even found himself still thinking about it recently. Just like now. Maybe it was the way their back was arching that made him able to see the part of the tattooed sword so low on their back. Maybe it was also because of the dragon wrapping itself around that sword, its large wings spreading on their lower back. He thought he should thank whoever once made pants cut so low. For sure it was something he would never forget. Maybe it was because his family and dragons were linked since the dawn of time. He found it quite amusing now that he thought of it. It might have been also because it was his first real contact with someone in this way since his break up with Alys. He still thought he had fallen in love instantly in that bathroom. He had abandoned the prospect of one day finding them again, as he realised it would simply be impossible. The sexy stranger would stay a fantasy he thought of at night alone in his bed. It was better this way. 

He arrived at his last class in advance and took the same seat he took last year. He liked the routine. This class was actually a favourite of his. Ancient Valyria History. He did not need it at all, he knew everything he needed to know about it, his entire childhood he had taken private lessons about it. He knew high valyrian like it was his mother tongue. Maybe it was him being lazy, knowing it would be an easy class. Maybe it was just an escape from his other classes that were all about politics and philosophy. 

People were now arriving, pulling out their laptops, and as the professor started talking he started tapping on his computer. He heard the door behind him open but did not look back until the person walked past him. He recognised you almost instantly. It was that sweater you were wearing, and that bag that looked way too heavy for you that he recognised first. He did not realise this morning that you had the same taste in matters of clothing as an old man but it made him smile internally. You did not seem to have noticed him as you took a seat in front of him. The lecture went swiftly and soon he found himself packing his bag, barely paying attention as the professor was announcing the final project for the semester. 

“A pair work. You can choose an ancient valyrian source and study it in depth.”

Aemond felt his body tense. The fact he was going to have to work with someone, talk to them and actually trust them enough with a part of his grade stressed him out. You turned around to grab your bag and your eyes met. Your mouth opened slightly but you ended up smiling at him, simply. You left with the others, and as he watched you walk up the stairs, an idea germinated in his mind. He packed his bag and tried to find you in the corridor. He saw you talking with one of the girls that was seated in the front of the class earlier. He could not hear what you were saying but he saw the way your shoulders dropped as the girl was talking. She waved at you and you waved back, still standing there, obviously defeated. He approached you, the noise of his shoes on the floor tiles made you lift your head. You seemed surprised but still waited for him to approach you. He was going to talk but you cut him before he could utter a word. 

“I’m sorry about this morning. I wasn’t looking really”

He was wondering if you were overly polite or if he was just that terrifying. Maybe you just did not want to make an enemy out of him, which was smart, but he would never hate someone for something so trivial. 

“I told you it’s alright. I was actually wondering if you already had a partner for the class.”

You genuinely seemed surprised by his question. 

“No. Actually I don’t have anyone yet. Are you asking me because you would like to work with me? 

-I do indeed”

He smirked at your doubtful expression. For a second he thought you would reject his offer but he saw you take your phone out of your pocket as you simply said:

“I can give you my number. So we can discuss the source material, if you have any idea yet, or anything.”

He was surprised, if he was going to be honest with himself, he did not expect you to react like this. In his mind you would either be terribly disinterested or too into it. You looked calm and composed. Ready and determined to work. 

“If you just want us to talk about it in class it’s okay”

He realised he had not answered your question just yet. He shook his head and simply said:

“I don’t usually give my number to people. 

-Yeah that’s why I am giving you mine. I only have one request, don’t give it to your brother”

He snorted at that comment. He probably should defend his brother but honestly, that was a logical concern on your part. 

“I won’t.”

You gave him your number and you did not ask for his in exchange, he also appreciated that you did not ask him why he was so wary of that. You parted way after that, him with a simple node, but he simply turned around before you could go too far. 

“I did not even ask you your name?”

You smiled, and he felt his heart skip a beat. 

“You could just have checked the contact name you know?”

He raised a brow still waiting. 

“Y/n. I’m Y/n.

-I’m Aemond”

Your smile became even wider. 

“I know”

And with that you turned around and left. This time he stayed until you disappeared at the corner. He looked at his phone, a little smile stretching his lips, and left. 

Saying that you were in shock would be an understatement. You did not know by what miracle you had not embarrassed yourself in front of him, but you thanked the gods you had not. It started this morning when you bumped into him. You were listening to some music and really were not paying attention. When you lifted your head to see Aemond Targaryen, your brain fried. You prayed for a moment he would not remember you, and you did not think he did. You excused yourself, probably sounding like a madman, but he simply dismissed you and you took this as a sign to get the hell out of here. So you did. You ran out, hoping no one would think too much of this encounter. At your lunch break, you found yourself with a friend of yours who immediately told you that an idiot rushed into a Targaryen this morning. You took a bite of your sandwich but you were not very angry anymore. 

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

-It was me.

-What?

-It was me!”

She looked like you had just said the most ridiculous thing ever. 

“Of course it’s you! It’s always you!” She laughed, abandoning her lunch too. 

The rest of your day was calm compared to the beginning. You had gone to work, leaving college to go to your job. Your part time job was actually being a barista in a cosy cafe not too far away from university. It was in the centre of King’s landing, in the old part of the city, still called flea bottom to this day. Everything was supposed to go smoothly, except today was not your lucky day. The end of your shift was very close from the beginning of your last class. Generally you were just on time for your history class, but today was not one of those days. You had been asked by your boss to stay later to finish cleaning tables. You speed run through the task before jumping into the bus back to college. You ran to your class, trying to compose yourself before entering but you knew you looked like you had just run a marathon. You took notes, trying to get your mind out of the gutter and you were doing better until the professor announced that you will have to do some pairwork. The idea of having to work with someone on such a project was just making you even more tired. You were packing your things when you met the gaze of Aemond Targaryen. You had never seen that man as much as you did today, or at least not since last year. You smiled at him, trying to act as calm as possible, as if your mind was not plagued by this man. Everything had started with him. He was the original start of your bad luck streak. You left as fast as you could, trying to catch up with a girl you knew with the intention of asking her to be your partner. Sadly, she was already paired with someone. 

“Sorry Y/n, I did not see you. I would have said yes but I already have someone.

-It’s okay, don’t worry.”

You waved her goodbye, and as you turned around you saw Aemond walking towards you. You felt yourself hold your breath as you watched him approach. You tried not to look too intensely at the way he walked. He always looked so elegant and arrogant if you were being honest. Maybe it was his perfect posture, his perfectly ironed clothes. The way he dressed like a dark academia lover wet dream. It was also the way his beautiful hair looked so silky, even when they were tied up into a ponytail like today. Your fascination with ancient Valyria may explain the way you looked at him, but to be honest he was just hot. And he looked mean, which was, if you looked back at your exes, exactly your type. 

“I’m sorry about this morning. I wasn’t looking really”, you said, surprised that you sounded so confident. You did not want him to think you were an asshole, and even if you already had apologised, you did not know if his majesty needed to hear it again. 

“I told you it’s alright. I was actually wondering if you already had a partner for the class.”

His voice was melodious and the way he spoke, he sounded confident and not in a bad way. You could not contain your surprise at his question, and it probably reflected on your face, because you saw him raise one of his brow. 

“No. Actually I don’t have anyone yet. Are you asking me because you would like to work with me? 

-I do indeed”

You were doubtful but when you saw his smirk, you felt your aloofness melt like ice in the sun. 

“I can give you my number. So we can discuss the source material, if you have any idea yet, or anything.”

It was his turn to look surprised and you almost smiled at his expression. 

“If you just want us to talk about it in class it’s okay.

-I don’t usually give my number to people. 

-Yeah that’s why I am giving you mine. I only have one request, don’t give it to your brother”

He probably thought you were some crazy fangirl that just wanted to sleep with him. You were not a fangirl for sure. The only thing you loved that was remotely linked to Aemond’s lineage was that you were graduating in ancient Valyria history. You understood the sentiment though. Some people were obsessed with the idea of getting with one of the Targaryens, or even their cousins the Valaryon. It was almost a fetish for some. 

“I won’t.”

You entered your phone number in his contact list and handed him back his phone. You told him to text you when he was ready to divulge such a prized information to a stranger and left him. He said goodbye but before you could leave you heard his voice again. 

“I did not even ask you your name?”

You turned around again and smirked. 

“You could just have checked the contact name you know?”

He did not answer so you said:

“Y/n. I’m Y/n.

-I’m Aemond”

You almost laughed at this. Of course. 

“I know”

You went home this day with your mind full of a certain Targaryen and a very specific day from last autumn. You ate and went to bed, a smile on your lips as you saw that an unknown number had sent you a message. 

[rainbinni]

Published books recommendations 📚

Here are some of the best books I’ve read so far. I have a lot more to read so I’ll probably made other posts. Let me know your favorite books so I can read it ;)

!! All of those books content strong and mature language !!

Off campus serie - Elle Kennedy [5 books] (Young adult)

The deal (Garett & Hannah) [400 pages] The mistake (Logan & Grace) [336 pages] The score (Dean & Ally) [384 pages] The goal (Tuck & Sabrina) [384 pages] The legacy (everyone) [337 pages]

Follow the stories of four hockey players roommates and their sex/love life. Each books are about one of the roommates except the last who reunited everyone.

Briar university series - Elle Kennedy [4 books] (young adults)

The chase (Fitz & Summer) [368 pages] The risk (Brenna & Jake) [408 pages] The play (Hunter & Demi) [400 pages] The dare (Conor & Taylor) [336 pages]

This four books are the following stories of the off campus series. It’s about four roommates (2 girls 2 boys) who moved in the house of the off campus roommates (who leaved after graduation)

Twisted serie - Ana Huang [4 books] (young adults)

Twisted love (Ava & Alex) [343 pages] Twisted game (Bridget & Rhys) [438 pages] Twisted hate (Jules & Josh) [504 pages] Twisted lies (Stella & Christian) [558 pages]

Those books follow the stories of four best friend and their love life. You can find tropes like e2l, s2l, best friend brother/ brother best friend, bodyguard…

Devil’s night serie - Penelope Douglas [6 books] (Dark romance)

Corrupt (Micheal & Rika) [499 pages] Hideaway (Kai & Banks) [522 pages] Kill switch (Damon & Winter) [638 pages] Conclave [100 pages] Nightfall (Will & Emory) [727 pages] Fire night [95 pages]

30th October. Devil’s night. Their night. Every year the four horsemen put their masks on and pull the best prank on the city without fearing any consequences. Having rich family make them untouchable. Or at least that’s what they thought…

A million kisses in your life time - Monica Murphy [554 pages] (young adults)

At Lancaster Prep, the girls love her. They all want to be her friend. Only Crew see Wren for who she really is. A repressed little virgin who keeps her feelings locked up so tight she’s probably close to bursting. She thinks she’s above us all. Even him. She’s not his type. Until they’re forced to work together in class and realize they might have more things in common than they originally thought. Soon enough he find himself completely obsessed. He will do anything for this girl to make her fall in love with him.

Icebreaker - Hanna Grace [414 pages] (young adults)

Anastasia Allen is a competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win. No exceptions. Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders. When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one. The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?

[lazzarella]

Okay, I LOVED this week's ep! Like, this was almost everything I love about this show and I felt like it had a really good balance between Dee's life and Yak's and their life together 🥰🥰🥰

Anyway. Note time!:

- Yak resting his head in Dee's lap <33 I like that it's kind of a parallel to the first night Dee stayed over at Yak's, except it's not to show off to anyone, just for themselves

- he's fully charged! lol gosh, Yak is such a baby with Dee and I love it

- "Thank you, boyfriend" followed promptly by a forehead flick XD they're both tenacious and stubborn! lol but Dee isn't denying anything verbally now—progress!

- and some boxing...

- Team Yoryak! Yay!

- hi there, Ice Bear! I love that he's almost like a background character in this to me <3 always there with a :\ on his face

- several days later and Yak is still at Dee's—I love how he it's like he lives there at least half the time, if not more

- THEY ARE CLOWNS! JFC. Lmaooooo at them putting each other's noses on while gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. I can't XD

- you know what, cute is not the word I'd use right now, but Dee is very much in love, so...

- actually, okay, they are still cute, wtf lol

- THEIR CLOWN NOSES TOUCHING! I'm wheezing

- anyway, it was obviously going to be them dressing up for the kids at the hospital, but I'm glad they took the time to get a little weird about it lmao

- ahhh! Cher and Yei are there too! <33

- aww! Yak has flowers for Dee! And the kids are cheering! And lol ofc Ter walks past at that moment haha

- ahhh, Yak called Dee teerak <333

- poor Taem! I still find it kind of weird how I guess she likes Yak now, but even if it seems out of left field to me, I feel bad for her!

- and now the vending machine isn't working! What a day!

- argh, stay away from Taem, Ter! At least she looks put off

- (...that height difference, though! 👀 are they in anything together as a couple, because I would watch)

- I'm so glad we're getting some hospital stuff this ep! I was worried it was going to become the Yak show completely lol

- awww! The kids giving Yak stuff in support is so cute!! Of course they love him, he's a sweetheart

- "Let's have one of our own" aww! Saw that coming lol

- omg, Yak worrying about disappointing the kids if he loses! Damn! That boy is just a bundle of muscle and insecurities with a big big heart <33 I love that Dee told him to stop worrying about disappointing other people, though

- "You're making me blush" hehe

- seriously, though, I know most people are going to hate that Dee hasn't said they're boyfriends yet, but he's no longer saying they aren't—he's deflecting but not as vehemently

- back hugs! Yay!

- that whole bit where Yak says he's scared of not getting Dee's love if he loses and how they've only had good days so far—it's interesting how he's more open about his insecurities than Dee and I think I had something else to say but I slept since I wrote these notes

- all the kisses! Ahhh! What a cute scene! Yak is SO demanding, but that's kind of their thing—Dee pretends to be reluctant (with some things) while Yak pouts and coaxes XD

- hey! an update on the scholarship! Finally lol

- aww, a head pat from Kao! That was sweet :3 I do wish we had more scenes with him

- KAO HAS A DATE! HUZZAH!

- omg, Title looks SO handsome! Love his styling here <3

- hehe, Yak speaking English :3

- I like that the nightmare theme continues because it's not something that goes away easily

- but DAMN! He really thinks it's his fault his mum died?? Is that what his murmuring was meant to indicate? And the flashback dream where he says he never did anything right—bloody hell. I'm glad he has Dee to hug him because he needs it

- I need a hug from Dee too tbh

- "I want to be with you more" awwwwww

- okay "waiii" (sp?) is such a cute sound XD I love the different...I think the term might be paralinguistic sounds? But I love the different sounds different languages have to convey meaning without words. Thai has some fun ones!

- "This is enough for me" aww! <33 not for me, though lmao jk, but I wouldn't mind one more raunchy scene... Just saying. But they're so sweet, I'm happy to watch them just stare at each other

- that whole bed scene was lovely and I wanted to note everything down, but I also didn't want to miss anything

- also I love that there was more repetition in this scene again!! Going around the spiral

- Yak's bosom is SO distracting

- also, damn, he's a stubborn boy lol

- oh no, what if the operation is the same date as the match??

- ...and of course it is! lol

- Dee chucking Yak under the chin!!! I'm so weak for that gesture!

- anyway, Dee will obviously either not get there in time or make a dramatic entrance at the eleventh hour like Yak did at the ball lol

- "My power levels are off the charts" hehe

- CHER! OMG! He's so funny lmao his 'shipper heart' 🤣🤣

- "Follow him, son" lmaoooo

- hee, the little sound when Yei pulled Cher's stool toward him <3 I do love when he manhandles Cher 🙈

- Ah, I love a splitscreen moment!

- oh no! The brothers are making me cry again! 😫

- Lots of brown and beige clothes this ep...

- meh, operation stuff bores me too XD

- lmao, I love how I totally forgot that the beginning was a cold opening (with Yei and Cher looking for Yak) and the rest is a flashback until we see them looking for him again

- lying to your psych! Nice one, Yak! (We've all been there, right? ...right?)

- (Actually, IDK. I've withheld plenty, though, that I wasn't ready to talk about but that's actually fine—like literally fine, my psychs have all said so lol)

- okay, Mr Nazgûl/Grim Reaper is kind of freaking me out haha I still think it's Yak under there, like that Kermit meme—like it's just IDK a manifestation of his guilt and stuff

- oh! Dee's mentor/supervisor/senior was Yak's mum's doctor!

- lmao! Car troubles! Of course!

- Ter to the rescue? Hmmm

- "This feels like a sitcom" haha I love Yak

- Run, Dee, Run!

- I just want to take a moment to say I love Dee so much <3

- TAEM! Yay!

- DEE MADE IT! Phew (of course he was going to haha)

- "I'm here, Big Bunny" kljsdflksjdflksjflksdjfkldsjfd

- Yak crying because he thought Dee wouldn’t make it and Dee gently cradling his face Omg 😭😭😭

- KISSIES! And everyone cheering!

- Oh! It's the end lol

- I guess they won't be official boyfriends until the end haha that's going to annoy a lot of people, but I love it! And, like, I did partly expect he was going to say something about Yak being his boyfriend when he showed up at the match, but I also think that would've distracted Yak too much? But, either way, I like things getting dragged out like this XD

- anyway, looks like we're getting the Yei/Cher wedding next week like people predicted—maybe in the time skip?

- bring on next week! I'm not sure if I'm ready for this to end, or not, though

[jcs-study]

Thinking About JCS Too Much, Vol. 1: "Jaded Mandarin" - Lost in Translation?

Intro

In my second attempt at an introduction for this blog, I pondered aloud, "Ever wonder if you’re too big a fan of your favorite piece of entertainment?" Suffice it to say, that is far from the only time that thought has crossed my mind.

You see, unlike many faded celebrities attempting to jump-start their careers afresh by "finding religion," I followed the opposite path. I don’t remember hearing about God, Jesus, or anything like that before a certain age. I was about 4 when I first started becoming aware of religion. Something related to Christendom spawned a cover story in Time magazine, and they had this beautiful traditional artwork of Jesus on the front that caught my eye. I became obsessed with religion in general, and the Christ story in particular. (Even today a lot of my extracurricular reading is devoted to religious fiction and non-fictional religious studies, and the shelves of my film collection are strewn with biblical epics, both Old Testament and New. I’m by no means invested in the Abrahamic faiths -- in fact, I'm now an avowed atheist -- but I won’t deny that I’m very knowledgeable about them.)

This obsession led me to Jesus Christ Superstar, and so my life as a show biz professional, and my switch from a special interest (yay, spectrum!) in religion and the surrounding scholarship to one in a single telling of a story that happens to deal with religious subject matter, began.

Naturally, this has led to a few embarrassing incidents of over-thinking where I nerd out just a little too much, primarily from a literary perspective. (Case in point: my answer to a recent question posed to this blog about the lack of a detail from the biblical story in the show. Did I need to go "all in" on whether or not Jesus was actually prophesying that Peter would deny him three times by the time a rooster crowed? Probably not. Did I anyway? Oh, c'mon, you've read it by now, don't make me relive it.)

So, in a similar vein, I'm going to periodically write about those moments where I nerd out too much, in hopes that my immense nerdiness will maybe give someone a deeper understanding of the show, even just a small part of it. You've seen one, thanks to an inquiry from an anonymous fellow fan; after the jump, here's another.

Translation vs. Adaptation

Among the many unique features of JCS, it was one of the first musicals of its kind to be widely adapted into the local vernacular when presented internationally, rather than merely importing an English-language cast as the custom used to be.

Besides its mother tongue, JCS can (theoretically) be heard in:

Czech

French

German (anecdotally, it has been reported that the German translation is not the best, which is why many productions in German-speaking countries opt for the English instead; however, that might be about to change, as the production at the Luisenburg Festspiele Wunsiedel this summer is supposed to mark the debut of a new authorized one -- we'll see how it goes!)

Hungarian (there's two Hungarian ones, actually)

Japanese

Polish

Portuguese

Romanian (in a translation recently debuted in, of all places, Chicago)

Russian (there are several, both official and unofficial; we will deal with all of them today)

Spanish (both the European variety and two Mexican ones)

Swedish (at least two that I'm aware of, the original and whatever Ola Salo uses for productions involving him)

(And those are just the ones I know about.)

While I appreciate JCS most in its original language, being a native English speaker myself, I realize translation and adaptation are important, for all the reasons that they usually are: not everybody speaks a foreign language with dexterity, or is capable of processing it at the pace a play or musical is performed; almost without exception, people respond better to the language they grew up speaking, especially in a piece of entertainment; and, most importantly, translation allows ideas and information to spread across cultures, sometimes changing history in the process. (After all, no matter what your religious belief, part of the reason the Bible -- the show's source material, as if you needed a reminder -- has had such an impact on history is the sheer number of translations, which, at last count, is 531 languages.)

However, translation into any language (pro or amateur) is a delicate art, especially where a play or musical is concerned. As Don Bartlett, who has translated Danish, German, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish books into English, put it in a piece where several translators were interviewed for The Guardian, “There’s always a tension between being true to the original and being readable.” On the one hand, translating the meanings of words and phrases in a literal way maintains fidelity to the text; on the other, translating sense-for-sense, taking into account the meanings of phrases or whole sentences, can improve readability. And that’s just books… imagine doing this for theater or film!

Personally, I subscribe to the assessment of Edith Grossman (also interviewed in the aforementioned Guardian piece), who once said: “…the most fundamental description of what translators do is that we write — or perhaps rewrite — in language B a work of literature originally composed in language A, hoping that readers of the second language — I mean, of course, readers of the translation — will perceive the text, emotionally and artistically, in a manner that parallels and corresponds to the aesthetic experience of its first readers. This is the translator’s grand ambition. Good translations approach that purpose. Bad translations never leave the starting line.”

(Or, to tie this back into our topic somewhat more closely, I'm mashing together two quotes from two different interviews with the late Herbert Kretzmer, the adaptor of such popular foreign musicals as Les Misérables, Marguerite, and Kristina: "Words have resonance within a culture, they have submarine strengths and meaning. If I wanted a literal translation, I would go to the dictionary. Translation — the very word I rebut and resent, because it minimizes the genuine creativity that I bring to the task. [...] I offer this advice to any lyricist invited to adapt or translate foreign songs into English: Do not follow the original text slavishly. Re-invent the lyric in your own words, remembering that there may be better ways of serving a master than trotting behind him on a leash.")

Nowhere is this job harder than JCS, especially in Russian. As languages, Russian and English are just too different from each other, each very rich in emotional shadings that the other language lacks (or at least conveys differently), to a point that nearly every new production of JCS over there has led to a fresh translation. Tim Rice's unusual wordplay, masterful (at times) in English, is very difficult to convey in a foreign tongue, especially when it can be safely argued that the expression in question is hardly common to its native audience.

The Piece We're Evaluating

As if the title didn't give it away, I speak, of course, of a certain insult Judas hurls at Jesus during their climactic argument at the Last Supper, calling him:

A jaded mandarin A jaded mandarin As a jaded jaded faded jaded jaded mandarin

That's a doozy in English, to say the least. I may have written on this blog previously that I’ve heard enough jokes about the Last Supper being at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant or Jesus’ penchant for citrus fruits to be tired of them all.

In case you missed Tim's actual meaning: mandarin is not just a variety of orange, a form of the Chinese language, or a term for an official in any of the nine top grades of the former imperial Chinese civil service (or clothing characteristic of what they’d allegedly wear or porcelain objets d’art depicting them). The root word for mandarin in Hindi means “counselor,” and – unfortunately, given this definition’s origin in unkind Asian racial stereotypes – the term came to refer (in colonialist British parlance) to a powerful official or senior bureaucrat, especially one perceived as reactionary and secretive. When he calls Jesus a “jaded mandarin,” Judas is saying that Jesus is corrupt, washed up, and useless as a leader.

Could Tim Rice have found a better way to say that? Probably. But this is the method he chose, and for better or worse, it has gone down in history ever since, including a recent parodic reference in the second season of the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! to a “sour macaroon.”

Now, it took all that explanation to convey its meaning in English. How well do you think it crossed over to Russian? Well, no less than 16 translators decided to try; some were official, others fan translations that were used in little-known productions. (The number should not be surprising. This is very much the viewpoint of an outsider looking in who lived long after that time, but when an album is banned by the government, bootleg copies change hands for huge sums "underground," and the music on that album is in a style also banned by the government… well, let's just say something "forbidden" is going to attract a lot of people. After that initial burst of enthusiasm, then it's like any other piece of literature which is translated a number of times by multiple people -- someone who thinks they can do a better job of conveying the foreign meaning in their native tongue, perhaps in a more modern dialect or a more relevant way.)

Inspired by a conversation I had on ye olde JCS Zone Forum (RIP) with Russian fan Pasha Levcovetz, we're going to take a look at all of them, evaluating them for literal vs. poetic accuracy and also offering opinions on which might have even -- dare I say it -- improved on the original. For the sake of most of my readership, I'll render the Russian in (literal but accurate) English so you can understand what the adapted lyrics intend to say. (Special thanks to Pasha for his help!)

Translating "Mandarin"

As one might expect with a phrase that is not exactly common linguistic currency, and the number of jokes made about Tim's choice of words, the first problem Russian translators might encounter is "mandarin" -- more specifically, whether or not it is a literal reference to mandarin fruit.

Much to both my dismay and my amusement, two of the official translators and three of the fans decided that the lyric indeed referred to the fruit.

In the Teatr Mossoveta production in Moscow, which has been presented numerous times from 1990 to the present (and which made much larger departures that I've previously written about in response to a question from @nemoverne), Yaroslav Kesler rendered it like so:

Like a pitiful tangerine Like a pitiful tangerine Like a pitiful, pitiful, pitiful, pitiful, yellow tangerine!

For the more faithful version recorded on CD in 1992, Vyacheslav Ptitsyn traveled in a similar direction:

Squeezed lemon! You are a squeezed lemon! You are a pathetic, petty, pathetic, petty squeezed lemon!

Lastly, for something that is not a variation on either of the above, fan translator Yevgeniy Susorov gives us:

You are a withered fruit You are rotten, tasteless fruit You are a withered fig tree that will die in the flames!

I can see their intention, and, in my opinion, both Ptitsyn and Susorov improved on the original line, although this was probably coincidental in the former's case.

As far as Kesler is concerned, it's more of a vague fruit comparison that sort of makes sense. A yellow tangerine is overripe, and as tasty as overly ripened fruit can be, it's prone to developing patches of mold, and goes bad when left uneaten for too long. The meaning here when Judas applies it to Jesus as an insult should be clear, as he's been saying something like this about him -- metaphorically speaking -- for the entire show. (In the fan category, Vadim Zhmud makes the same choice and is even more explicit about his intentions, rendering the fruit as a "lethargic," "well-fed" tangerine. Mikhail Kokovikhin's take also chooses "tangerine," but gets caught up in trying to use it in exactly the way Tim uses "mandarin," repeating the word for emphasis and relying on the fact that Russian has three different synonyms for the word "rotten" to pad out the stanza. There's nothing wrong with trying to match Tim's choices as closely as possible, but just calling someone a rotten fruit in all the ways one can is a little weak.)

Ptitsyn's is more intriguing, partially because of a (likely) unintentional double meaning. If you recall, he refers to a pathetic lemon that has had all the juice squeezed out of it. In American English, in addition to referring to the fruit of the same name, "lemon" is also used to refer to a product, usually an automobile, that has flaws -- like manufacturing defects, in the car's case -- too great or severe to serve its intended purpose. (To cite a more abstract usage, the late Jim Steinman aptly used the "lemon" analogy in the Meat Loaf song "Life Is a Lemon And I Want My Money Back.") In Russian, the phrase "squeezed lemon" similarly refers to someone very tired, a person who has lost their strength or abilities. Poetically speaking, Judas calling Jesus a "lemon" at this moment has an extra layer of meaning that works really well in either language.

Lastly, my favorite (if only as an atheist theologian) is Susorov, who doesn't just spin the line into a much better fruit metaphor -- he even gets biblical with it, referencing both Jesus' teaching about "trees bearing bad fruit" and also one bad tree in particular that figured into Jesus' final week in the original Passion narrative.

Quoting loosely from the King James Version of Matthew's Gospel (an incident also recounted in Mark, chapter 11): "And seeing a fig tree by the wayside [Jesus] went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, 'May no fruit ever come from you again!' And the fig tree withered."

In Susorov's text, Judas is not only condemning Jesus as the tree bearing bad fruit against which he preached, but also comparing him to a specific, very recent failure that might still sting.

(Susorov's choice is made even more ironic by the fact that Lloyd Webber and Rice intended to musicalize this moment in JCS themselves, but ultimately decided to cut it from the original album when concerns of length were raised, as previously discussed here. If that scene was still in the show, this would be quite the burn!)

Getting at the Meaning

Moving away from the poetic toward conveying the lyric's literal intention without getting bogged down in language, both official and fan translators seem to settle for general insults, so it becomes a different question: whether they are just that (i.e., general insults) or they convey the same meaning as intended by "jaded mandarin."

The latter is achieved adequately by Viktor Polyak (Yaroslavskiy Gosudarstvennyy Teatr Yunogo Zritelya, 1989-1994):

You are a crashed idol You are a crashed idol You are a crashed, broken, dirty idol!

It works. The show is called Jesus Christ Superstar; a fallen celebrity metaphor is far from out of place. Maksim Samoylov, in the fan department, goes for a similar take, having Judas call Jesus a "little, fallen star."

Svetlana Peyn, whose translation has appeared at Stas Namin in Moscow from 2011 to the present, is on a similar wavelength:

You are a pompous hero You are a pompous hero With poisonous loud glory you are a self-important pompous hero

Ouch!

Mikhail Parygin, a fan translator, is in the same boat, going for "a [...] pathetic, petty, pompous king." Likewise Andrey Voskresenskiy, with "a [...] surrendered, fallen, finished prophet," and Vera Degtyaryova, who settles for "a miserable [...] former leader." Also rather close is Aleksandr Butuzov, who has Judas call Jesus "a loser" and "a mediocre, brainless, stupid leader." Though Russian fans I've spoken to don't especially care for his choice of words in their own language, it's on the mark as far as literal meaning goes.

Another official translation is not quite in the same realm, but close enough to make sense. Specifically, Grigoriy Kruzhkov and Marina Boroditskaya, holding the pen for the St. Petersburg Rock Opera State Theater in an adaptation which has been produced since 1990, provided:

Like a rebel! Like a simple rebel! Like a deceiver and a thief! Like a self-proclaimed king!

Metaphorically speaking, if you squint at it, it looks similar; full-bore insults that at least fit the plot.

Things get a little more interesting when translators move farther afield. For example, on the official front, Valeriy Lagosha's version for the "Free Space" Theater in Oryol, which ran from 2003-07, is:

No, I do not want this, prophet I do not want this, prophet After all, in this life I was able to do much more

It's an interesting idea to follow Judas' suggestion in "Heaven On Their Minds" that everyone would be better off if Jesus had not become famous and reinforce that point.

On the fan front, Kirill Sukhomlinov chooses to turn Jesus' biblical language about the religious authorities back on him:

You are a pathetic hypocrite You are a pathetic hypocrite You are a pathetic, pathetic, pathetic, pathetic, nasty hypocrite!

And Maksim Zakharov doesn't really hit on the exact idea, but manages to create something that at least fits the character and situation:

You are a dark person You are a terrible person I am glad that you will end your life in prison!

Conclusion

Will there ever be a perfect translation? The jury's still out, especially -- it would seem -- in Russian. (There are more examples just from Russian translations to talk about that I will contemplate in future posts.) But it's always fascinating to view a piece from someone else's perspective, isn't it?

[pure-ablution]

You HAVE to tell us how she bagged a Persian billionaire

The fiancé’s net worth will remain undisclosed, mostly because I don’t actually know and Zoya won’t tell me. I don’t think he’s a billionaire, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if I was proven wrong on that front.

First up, Zoya is the exception, so jot that down. Her existence constantly reminds me that I’m not the exception, and neither are you. She’s stunningly beautiful, fiendishly clever, charming beyond measure and mildly unhinged. She’s ruthless, she’s not afraid of roughing it in times of trouble, and she’s followed some of the most creative and unconventional paths in order to get what she wants and feels she needs. Zoya isn’t afraid of taking risks, and she never has been, right from when we were both kids, because she knows that she’ll always get away with it.

Zoya fits into a niche, and she’s perfected it. She used the boys back home for practice, so that when she arrived in France, she already had enough experience and connections to be able to hit the ground running and work with what she already knew to be her home turf. She dated within a niche and she did very well for herself, she knew how to be the perfect Persian princess from the Old Country and play up to parental pressure, and she never once dabbled outside of that niche because it would mean changing up what was proven to work so, so well for her. She embodies traditional beauty standards and she knows every last line of the Shahnameh, she can cook all the best dishes and dance in the old way, and she gives diasporan men a taste of what they never had, a romanticisation of the roots they’ve never once reached.

Zoya spins the truth, but she rarely lies. She takes risks, but she knows just how far to take them. She ignores all of the modern-day bother surrounding Iran and claims her homeland as the Shah’s country. Even though we’re actually from an entirely different province, and several hours away from Alasht, it doesn’t stop her telling stories of a childhood on the coast of the Caspian. She pulls on the nostalgia for a country that never really was, and she does it so well that I catch myself half-believing her. Zoya has always taken risks and climbed higher than the rest of us; she applied for scholarships abroad and she got them, she used every last connection she had to get herself to France, and once she was there, she just pressed play. I don’t think that she would have done as well anywhere else—anywhere else in Europe wouldn’t have worked for her, and America would have put up too much of a fight—but I’m sure that she knows this much better than me. Nothing Zoya does is without extremely careful, calculated consideration.

Zoya protects her reputation with her life. She’s much more careful than I am. She left home and she left that life completely behind; she doesn’t keep in contact with her old friends spare for a card here and there, and she’s never breathed a word about what it was like for her growing up. She’s also a supreme gatekeeper, and even I don’t know half of her secrets, or exactly what work she’s had done. She’s kept herself in her own apartment and refuses to move in with him until after the wedding, she meets with him on her terms and often fails to pick up his calls, she tells everyone that she’s a virgin and a completely natural beauty, and she refuses point-blank to even look at the press. Zoya loves to treat them mean to keep them keen, and I have to say, it’s worked for her; her man runs panting after her, and he’ll do anything for her if she’ll only ask.

It hasn’t been a typical path for Zoya, and she’s had to deviate from the playbook quite a bit in her time, but at the end of the day, she knows that she’s won and so does everyone else. She’s 24, engaged to be married to someone who is utterly besotted with her, and exactly where she wants to be at this point in time. She has a hell of a career under her belt and she won’t be giving it up for anyone, and she’s living exactly the life that she’s always dreamt of. Zoya doesn’t believe in settling for anything less, and she’s one of the rare few who are actually entitled to do that, but for the rest of us mere mortals, I don’t think that looking to my big sister serves as anything except a reminder that we’re not her. I know for a fact that I’m not; I’m nowhere near pretty, intelligent, or just plain hard enough to take on what she’s taken so readily, and frankly, I don’t think I’d want to. Zoya has sacrificed love for the sake of what she believes to be greater things, and although I respect her for that, I know, deep down, that I couldn’t hack it, and I’d probably never be given the chance.

[rotationalsymmetry]

Morning catching up on golden enclaves (spoilers): (also Gideon the ninth spoilers):

Well. If Fortitude is London, then what is Patience? Is Patience the Scholomance or is it New York or what? Gah.

But I guess that explains why something was off with London but it didn't fall. Although I have no idea how El is identifying it as Fortitude specifically.

Anyways. More fun stuff. Orion is basically Harrow. I'd be craving a fic of them talking about it (absolutely fascinating to imagine Harrow's reaction to someone else having a higher conception body count) except neither of them would under any circumstance talk about it. Nor would El talk about anything. The only time El talks about anything is when she's narrating. As far as I know, Orion still doesn't know that she took out a maw-mouth in book one, and her mum still doesn't know the first thing about El's graduation. El, spending an entire trilogy grimly refusing to acquire catharsis about anything.

I do like Ophelia as a villain. We've only seen her once and she's absolutely terrifying, and also has a great self-justification talk. (I do like moral ambiguity and...not sure what word to use, reversal of expectations? So I was open to her being right about using malia being potentially the more ethical option in context, but then I thought about it for two seconds and her obvious comfort with deception convinced me that that was not where the story was going, making that just a classic villain justification speech. And I think there's a nice parallel between what Ophelia says to El and Liesel trying to recruit her, earlier in the story El's difficult choices are about selfishness and survival and taking personal risks, now they're about resisting the idea that she can help other people better if she makes compromises.

I want to say something about climate change and Ophelia's speech. That thing where she's so insistent on blaming independent wizards' cheating and not large scale enclave malia usage. Kinda the pay attention to individual carbon footprints (and not corporate consumption) thing. I really like how many aspects of the story nod at real world social justice/political/environmental issues, without being heavy handed and with having some fluidity. Mana/malia is about money and mana/malia is about sustainable energy/fossil fuels and enclaves are about class and enclaves are gated communities and enclaves are about private schools where some kids' parents pay their way and some are on scholarship and everyone knows who's who, and the "maintenance track" thing is about having to work while you study because you can't afford not to and both that and the mals outside the enclaves are about how physical labor wrecks people's bodies.

It's pretty cool.

And there's this tension where it's a chosen-one fantasy story but chosen-one/superhero fantasy stories intrinsically don't map that great onto how to solve these problems in the real world, where we have neither chosen ones nor superheroes and have to make do with crazy stuff like protests and unions and advocacy groups, and I do appreciate that Novik is going out of her way to create situations where El cannot do it alone and needs substantial help, but there is still a tension there. And I'm kind of not sure what to make about malia. Wage theft or general exploitation (or like...owning a private jet) doesn't make you super healthy and attractive right until you collapse in on yourself, you just get all the health benefits that being rich can provide until you die. It kind of feels like there's this religious moralism, sin or karma or something, weaseling into an otherwise relatively hardnosed down to earth story about inequality.

I do like the...I mean, it's nightmare fuel, but the way the enclaves are founded, the horror under everyone's feet that they can't feel and don't know about but it's there. Chef's kiss. Perfect metaphor, for growing up and being told your world is good your society is good, and then you find out about things like slavery and colonialism and let it sink in for a bit. But you still have to live. But also your society might end up eating you.

(Plus also maybe you were told that you have a good life, but you're weirdly miserable for someone who has such a good life, and have never had a way to make sense of it.) (I mean. I know where I am in this story. I'm not El. Social location wise, I grew up in an enclave. So. It's a different experience than El's is, where her struggle isn't about figuring out what to do when the thing you've materially benefitted from but psychologically endured agonies for turns out to be evil.)

[thepariahcontinuum]

A cape with superfast running, where their visibility, audibility, and tangibility increase with speed.

While unmoving, they are invisible, inaudible, and intangible. While moving very slowly, they have some presence in the world, but can still do stealth and slip through some materials. While at a fast-walking pace, they are normal. While at their top speed, they are so visible their colours are oversaturated and seem to emit blindingly bright light, so loud their footfalls can shatter glass at short range and their yell can be heard across several kilometres, and so tangible they have a minor brute rating.

This power extends to whatever they're wearing and carrying.

They don't have to be at top speed. For example, half-speed is very bright, loud, and present, but not damaging to those around them.

Sorry for taking so long to get around to this, I had ideas as soon as I saw it; but it was a busy day.

Okay so it's a Mover with a Brute sub-class (Also arguably a pseudo shaker/blaster depending on range and application) but something about this made me think of a mental trigger, the kind of stresses that would normally create a Thinker.

I'm thinking very specific mental stress that was tied to and during a physical activity.

Specifically, this is a Ward age cape; a black mid growing up in Brockton Bay and an athlete (They might even know Sophia outside of the Wards if they go to Winslow).

Brockton Bay is not safe for them and they know that, it's proven every single day and there's no black gang that's really a competitor for E88 or ABB offering protection....Not that this kid would take it. They're poor, a star athlete for whatever teams they're on and straight A student raised by parents who are controlling and demanding who routinely reinforce the idea that it will never be enough because they will have to work twice as hard as a white kid to get half as far and the sad part is that they're parents are right and they know it.

There was a chance to get out, full scholarship through a sports team and talent scouts were watching; everything was riding on it....And they just couldn't deliver, they were more nervous than they'd ever been in their life and they cracked.

Their power is a manifestation of two conflicting needs: To be seen being incredible and exceptional, but also to just get away

They joined the Wards, because of course they did. Anything else would be letting their family down; transferred to Arcadia (Pissing off Sophia and leaving her as the only Ward in Winslow again) and managed.tk find their niche within the team really well despite the limitations of their power, they're fit enough to keep moving so that they're never actually fully invisible or intangible....Also fuck it, the team they were on was the basketball team, just because Dean introducing them to Victoria would be great.

Costume wise.... Something that's a cross between classic cape and team jersey (Also, definitely hi-tops, sponsored....Maybe go full Miles Morales and give em some Jordan 1s) in colours that are deliberately muted, but also an homage to a team in Brockton Bay; the dull pallette makes the moment they kick their powers into gear all the more eye-catching.

Outside of the usual patrol duties that Wards are limited to as much as possible they're used as a rapid response heavy hitter that's sort of a mix of Triumph and Glory Girl in a weird way.....Come in screaming and glowing to disorient them and then shoulder-check the nearest brute or striker at high speed, but then they need time to build it up again, provided they're not out of breath or stunned from an impact that left them open to a counter.

Also they combo really well with Vista with a trick they call the "Infinite runway".

As for their Cape name....A glowing mover who was a Basketball team "All-Star"

[clairelsonao3]

📖 WIP (Re)Intro and Masterlist: Good Slaves Never Break the Rules

Genre(s): M/F Romance, Slavery Whump, Alt-History

Target WC: ~200K?

Rated: M for mature. NSFW. Only intended for those 18 and older.

Summary

Louisa Phillips, daughter of a once-rich family in an alternate version of our world where slavery is an institution, is scrambling to save her university scholarship before she’s thrown out on the street. The only one who can help her is the nameless golden-haired slave downstairs, who, despite his surprising knowledge of organic chemistry, is stuck scrubbing toilets and building fences for her father.

Amid intense study sessions and long nights full of secrets, his wounded amber eyes, rippling whip-scarred body, and infuriating boldness draw her in like a lightning rod. But she’s forbidden from even being touched by him — as if there's any way she can stop at a touch.

The boy may have been whipped and beaten a thousand times, but it didn't stop him from pulling the strings to get here, find his missing sister, and take his revenge on those who stole her away. And though the last thing he needs is an attachment, if he has to use his master’s spoiled daughter to get that revenge, fine.

Except — damn — Louisa’s far from spoiled. She has a heart, and she’s learning to be brave. But as the two of them continue to collide, the only question is when they'll ignite their world — and whether they can help each other pick up the pieces when they do.

General CWs (these are NOT exhaustive): Institutionalized slavery, physical abuse/whump (the majority guy whump -- unfortunately for him! -- and a comparatively small amount of lady whump, with both male and female whumpers), consensual smut including light dom/sub, sexual assault of a male by a female, dehumanization, forced to watch, attempted rape/noncon and references to rape/noncon; references to underage sex, child sex abuse, and underage sex trafficking/exploitation; references to past kidnapping and murder; addiction and mental health issues.)

NO ABUSE/NONCON IS BETWEEN THE MCs. This is not that type of story. In fact, I like to think of this as a slavefic that has much more in common with mainstream romance than it does with most slavefics you might have come across. (In other words, it's a slavefic for people who think they don't like slavefic.)

Other tropes and elements, major and minor: Mutual pining, strangers to lovers, forbidden/secret love, touch her and die, forced proximity, medium burn, sexual tension, flirtatious banter, physical and emotional hurt/comfort, angst, LGBTQ+ rep, found family, fluff, dark and light humor, light academia, scientific and literary themes and discussions, plot twists, mystery/thriller elements, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

The tags on Ao3 go into much further detail so please read them before diving in, as well as the notes before the story and any chapter-specific CWs, which should give you a very good idea of what to expect.

Vibes

Cages, whips, and shackles vs. fuzzy pink pillows, perfume, and jewelry boxes

"How dare you talk to me that way."

Oops, turns out Daddy's newest investment property is actually a person — a really attractive person

Stealing glances and forbidden touch

Light academia in the desert

Power dynamics shifted and played out in the bedroom

Discovering new aspects of sexuality

Cactuses, mountains, palo verde, hummingbirds

Rocket science and chemistry labs

Gambits and speed chess

Shelves full of hardcover classical literature

"I don't need your help."

Eyes opened to the cruelty of the world

Red brick campus buildings among palm trees

"I'm not going anywhere."

"I wish you could see yourself the way I see you."

Desert wildflowers pressed into chemistry textbooks

Short, sharp shocks of pain

"I know what you want."

Burned, bruised, and bloodied hands

"How can we ever have a future?"

Learning to trust, confessing traumatic memories and showing scars

"You plan, I execute."

Forced to choose between everything you ever wanted and the person you love

Series

This is the first in a planned romance series, tentatively titled NEVER BROKEN, set in the same universe and starring different but connected characters.

Masterlist

At least until it's complete, the main story will remain exclusively on Ao3, but starting in October 2023 (and coinciding with my first Whumptober), I started cross-posting some selected GSNBTR bonus content on Tumblr, featuring the two MCs seen through the POVs of secondary characters and new characters.

These stories can also stand alone as they require no knowledge of the main work.

Aveline

A slave girl wistfully recalls an afternoon she spent with her master's son.

From the Moment I Could Talk, I Was Ordered to Listen (Whumptober Day 26)

A renowned professor of chemical physics visits a discount slave auction, looking for something very specific. But what he finds there is not quite what he had in mind.

With a Guarantee of Company (Whumptober Day 30)

A slave girl is caught in a compromising position with her master's daughter's crush and is forced to pay the price for it.

Tag

GSNBTR for responses to tag games, answered asks, teasers, art, and other miscellaneous content related to the story and its characters. Someday I hope I'll get around to cataloguing it all here.

[idontunderstandchemistry]

Indecent Proposal (An academic rivals to lovers fanfic) - Tim Drake x Latina!Fem!Reader.

Sinopsis: Being a scholarship student at Gotham's most expensive school is not easy, especially when your academic rival, your nemesis, who coincidentally is the owner's son, decides to make you a rather usual proposition.

Tropes: Academic rivals-to-lovers, contract/bet, he loved her all this time, everyone else sees it except them, opposites attract, etc.

For those of you that want to read some chapters ahead, feel free to acess my AO3 account here.

Warnings: Nothing bad, just feelings of frustration. Also, references to minors using "light" drugs (I don't believe in the existence of light drugs, but I guess weed is classified like one by most people)

Wordcount: 3089.

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve: Disaster

Alysanne Taylor Lewis was the most stubborn person to ever set foot on this earth.

That was one of the first things you discovered about them when you met. Throughout the years, you've learnt how to deal with it. However, this week Aly was being more stubborn than you could support. They decided to throw a “pre-party” at their house, only inviting the people on their birthday’s invitation list they knew you’ve met. Detective Aly was probably the most annoying person you know.

— Did he do anything? — Aly asked as they helped you with your make up 30 minutes before the party — You’ve been so… sad, these last two weeks. Did you guys break up?

— Aly, we are not a couple. Therefore, we can’t break up — You answered, laughing a little — But I promise you, my emotional state has nothing to do with Playboy.

Although you hated to admit, Aly was right. The last two weeks were very melancholic for you. You constantly asked yourself if you’ve done the right thing sending Red Robin away like that, and he permeated your mind even more frequently now. Another damn boy in your life. 

Tim noticed too, so much so that for most of the time you spent together he made a point of trying to make you feel better. He would caress your back and play with your hair. The times that you did meet, you just lay together in a hug, exchanging innocent caresses. Even on the bathroom floor he made sure you were comfortable. The last two weeks, though agonising for the lack of news from Robin Red, were the most intimate you've had since the beginning of the arrangement, and you didn't even do anything more saucy than a few kisses.

— Hm… For real? — Aly asked, suspicious — You know I’m your ride or die, Y/N. If you need me to teach him a lesson, just let me know.

— I know, and I’m very thankful for that. There’s nothing to worry about, Aly. 

— ‘Kay then — Aly said — Now tell me… how does your Playboy look?

— And ruin this little investigation game of yours? No fucking way — You answered, laughingly.

The party was great. You loved more intimate parties, probably because you were used to parties with your family, that, even big, were so intimate that you never felt like a wallflower. Most of your classmates were here, some students from other classes too. You’ve chatted with most people, played beer pong and even participated in some Tik Toks, especially Aly’s, that loved to exhibit you to their followers. You had so much fun before Duke and Tim arrived that when the Wayne boys set foot on the Lewis’ Parlor it felt like a completely different night. 

Aly took no time to start chatting with Duke, and that was the distraction Tim Drake needed to take you far away from everyone. Okay, he just followed you, actually. Some of your classmates started to smoke a certain weed in the room, so you went out, towards the pool. You took your shoes off and put your feets into the cold water, sitting on the edge of the pool and laying with your back on the ground, looking at the stars. You were completely alone and as the feeling started to crush your ribs, Tim Drake arrived with the legs of his jeans rolled up and his shoes on his hands. He sat by your side and put his feets into the water.

— Damn, Y/N — He exclaimed, looking at you — The water is so fucking cold. How are you so comfortable?

— I’m used to cold water — You said with your hands laying on top of your stomach — Its healthier for the hair. 

The silence took a seat beside you and for some minutes, you just enjoyed each other’s company. 

— I like this dress — He said, one of his hands carefully touching the hem of your dress — Your legs look very nice in it.

— That’s because I have very nice legs — You laughed. He rolled his eyes.

— Can’t you take a compliment and be flustered, like any other person?

— Why would I? I thought you liked me because of my amazing personality — You mocked him and he approached you for a kiss.

— That’s one of the many things I like about you — He said and kissed you lightly. 

— Tell me what else you like about me.

— I love your hair — He said, kissing your cheeks — It’s so pretty and shiny. And your skin… it is like touching the softest of the pillows. I could literally sleep in your thighs — He said, kissing your neck — And your smile, it is the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. When you smile at me I am practically your slave.

— Good to know — You said, smiling at him, that buried his face in your hair.

— Your scent — He said — It is amazing. I go nuts everytime you walk past me on the school corridors. 

— Thank Aly for that. They gave me this perfume as a birthday gift — You said, feeling his hand caress your waist. 

— I’ll give them the most expensive gift I can find — He said, kissing your collarbones — And I like how stimulating you are to me. Both physically and intellectually. It’s like having caffeine injected directly on my veins. I’m addicted to the feeling.

You felt your face getting warmer. 

— Hm… so using fancy words is the way to fluster you? I’ll remember that next time we share a bed.

— We should probably get inside now — You said, sitting again. He leaned on his elbow in an incredibly funny pose — Your brother and Aly will miss us.

— Just if Aly hasn't swallowed him already — He said, helping you to stand. 

After putting on your shoes, he was the first to go back inside.

You got inside just in time to hear Aly exclaiming, as they sat their eyes on you — Let's play never have I ever!

The ones that chose to play gathered at the centre of the room and sat on the ground. The rules were simple:

The verbal game starts with all players forming a circle. The first player starts by saying a simple statement about something they have never done before starting with "Never have I ever". Anyone who at some point in their life has done the action that the first player says must drink. Then the game continues around the circle, and the next person makes a statement.

Simple, right? Except this party was filled with some of the richest kids in Gotham. It's like playing truth or dare with the Kardashians. You weren't really excited to play, but Aly knew that they could get you to do anything with their puppy eyes. At the other side of the room, Timothy Drake saw you being dragged to the circle by Alysane, and, for him, that was enough to convince him to play.

Aly, as the host, was the first player.

— Hmmm, let's see — Aly started — Let's start easy. Never have I ever... Gone out with a friend's ex.

Aly's definition of "starting easy" was something like "I'm gonna ask something I know most of you have done". Almost half of the players drank.

— Never have I ever stolen anything — Someone said and, impressively, more than half of the players drank. You were surprised, these kids were rich as fuck, why the fuck would they want to steal something?

— Never have I ever spent more than 3000$ on a night out — Everyone of them, except for you and the other two scholarship students of your class, drank. Tim laughed with mockery. Of course he would laugh, you doubted he had ever spent less than 3000$ on a night out.

— Never have I ever run out of a meal without paying.

These and other questions went by, some stories were shared and many laughs filled the room with each of them, and your drink started to warm up on your hand. You were so different from them that it was worth pity. Only Duke seemed to be in the same situation as you. Realising this, Alysane looked at you with a suggestive look in their eyes. Oh fuck.

There was only one person in this world that knew your sins better than you, and they had a name: Alysane Taylor Lewis.

— Never have I ever — Aly started with a malicious grin. You knew they weren't saying anything that made you look bad, but you were worried. Gossip spread among rich people like lice in the nursery school —  Kissed a vigilante/superhero.

You closed your eyes slowly as everyone in the room complained. Who in this world would be that lucky. You sighed and tried to take a sip of your drink hiddenly. Of course, Tim Drake wouldn't let it pass unnoticed.

— Y/N, Y/N... who would have guessed. Now, that's a story I'd like to hear — He said, attracting the room's attention to you, that you still had your cup close to your lips. Beside you, Duke’s jaw dropped — Vigilante or superhero?

— Vigilante — You answered, trying to look confident while Aly smiled trying to cheer you up.

— Which one of them? Gotham has plenty — He asked again. Bastard. He was smart enough to add two plus two and know the answer.

Your gaze to him meant only one thing “Are you fucking serious?”. He looked at you with a grin, and then you started to suspect he knew something.

— Yeah, tell us — Aly said, adding fuel to the fire — we want to know who was the lucky masked man.

— Red Robin. But it was years ago, I don't remember much of it — You said and Duke was even more surprised, like this was the most incredible thing he has ever heard.

— Liar! — Aly exclaimed — You talked about it for weeks, I would put my hand on the fire if you didn't remember.

— Now, isn’t that interesting? — Duke said, looking directly at his brother. Timothy Drake, you bastard.

You rolled your eyes and a girl, Amanda Silvester, put a hand on your shoulder. — Don't be embarrassed. I would talk about it for weeks too. Tell us how it happened.

— Hm.. he just appeared around my house last year, all bruised, and I asked my mom to patch him up — You explained, trying not to blush. You've been simping for him for the last 13 months, that kiss popping on your head whenever you were doing something like brushing your hair, studying or making a sandwich. The only thing that made you feel close to the kiss Red Robin gave you was the kiss Timothy gave you on your first "date" at your house, and he seemed to know this — After my mom had finished, she went back to bed and I stayed up waiting for Nightwing to pick him up. We chatted a bit, he kissed me then left.

— Is he a good kisser? — A boy asked and you realised that almost everyone was looking at you. Good, now 40 people looked at you like you’re some kind of exotic bird. 

— Yes. No. I don't remember. It was a while ago — You answered, nervous.

— How good looking is he? Do you think you could recognize him if you saw him?

— No... it was very dark, he insisted for us to keep the lights low, so we couldn't really see details of him — You said, trying to not let Aly realise you’ve seen him more times after your first encounter — But he has really nice hair. Soft.

Now the crowd was starting to dissipate and only Amanda kept talking to you, making several questions.

— What did you talk about? — She asked, mesmerised.

— Many things, but mostly nothing about him — You answered, remembering the warm feeling of someone wanting to know you genuinely. More than that, he wanted to be yours — I only know he is about our age, but I don't really know how old he is.

— That's so romantic! — She exclaimed with her eyes shining — Was he the last guy you kissed?

You gulped.

— No — You answered, feeling kinda guilty — But there's no comparison, maybe I have something for men in uniforms, I don't know — You said in a lower tone, for Tim not to hear. You knew he was around. 

— Well, if that's the case, I can always introduce you to my brother, he is in the army.

— Thank you, Amanda, but I'm trying to focus on myself right now — You answered, smiling, with a hand on her shoulder.

After chatting a while, you said goodbye to Amanda and Alysane and went outside to call an uber. Okay, your parents probably didn't expect you to go home, but right now you just wanted something that could revive the feeling of the minutes you spent beside him in your living room. Something that wouldn’t make you feel so guilty for turning him down.

— It looked like you've got a crush on him — Tim said, appearing out of nowhere, as you tried to call an uber — Should I get myself a Robin costume?

— Well, i don't — You said, trying to not look upset by his mockery — It was just a kiss. And even if I had a crush on him, you have nothing to do with it, you're not my boyfriend.

— I didn't want to upset you — He said, his voice a bit hurt — I'm sorry. What are you doing out here?

— Trying to call a stupid uber so i can go home.

— I can give you a lift — He offered, getting closer to you — I'm heading home too.

— I don't know if you realise it, smart boy, but we live on opposite sides of the city.

— Well, it's not like i cannot afford to take you there — He said and you sighed.

— What about Duke?

— I don’t think Aly will let him go until the sun rises.

— Fine. But keep your hand off of me.

— I wont do anything you don't ask me to.

— Good.

You were distracted on the way home. You were trying to get over that last night, after all, it was just one real kiss, a year ago, and you probably weren't going to see him again after turning him off. You sighed as Tim parked in front of your house. There wasn't a single light on.

— Thank you, smart ass — You said, starting to get out of the car.

— Hey, can I ask you a favour?

You looked at him with an annoyed face. Obviously a man simply couldn't do anything nice without asking for something in return.

— It depends. I would have to take off my clothes?

— No, gosh. What do you think of me? — He asked, offended — I was just wondering if I could use your bathroom. Beer is very diuretic.

— Hm. Sure. But don't wander around the house. My parents are there.

You both got in as quietly as possible and then you led him to the guest bathroom. As you waited for him to leave, you sat on the sofa and rested your head on its backrest. With only moonlight to bring some light into the room, you could almost smell the mix of perfume and bloodscent he exhaled that night. You felt the sofa seat beside you sink a little and you knew Tim sat there, but you simply couldn't disturb your fantasy, not when Tim's presence worked so well to enhance it. He sat with his legs touching yours and your arms touching as well. It was almost perfect. The only thing disturbing you was that, no matter who sat beside you, you would never know if it was really him.

— Can I kiss you goodbye? — He asked in a whisper. The same five words Red Robin asked you.

You felt ashamed. You wanted it, you wanted it with all your whole heart: to recreate the scene that has been living in your head rent-free for the last 13 months, but you would not do this to him. No matter how much you wanted, no one deserved to be treated like that.

— No — You said, feeling hot tears starting to roll from your eyes to the backrest — I'm currently imagining him. I wouldn't do this to you.

— I don't mind being someone else in your mind — He said and you opened your eyes, looking at him surprised — I want you to have a good memory of tonight.

— You sure?

— Yes.

His hands cupped your face gently, almost perfectly mimicking Red Robin's movements from that night. With your eyes shining, he approached your face and brushed your lips to his, lightly, and then, he kissed you. Inherently, it wasn't really different from any other kiss you've shared, but somehow, it was more intense? This kiss had something the others did not have. Some kind of feeling, you wondered as, without knowing, your hand run to his hair and, FUCK, they were so soft you almost fainted. Tim was really putting the effort in so you could have an unforgettable kiss. Another unforgettable kiss. He was the right amount of gentlemanliness and the right amount of roughness, his thumbs lightly caressed your cheeks and you could almost feel the heat coming from his body.

You simply couldn't hold back anymore. Without breaking the kiss, you managed to get up to sit on his lap. Your hand ran over his chest and got to the edge of his shirt. Just when you were about to take his shirt off, he held your wrist gently.

— No — He said, breathing heavily.

— You did something nice for me — You said, kissing him again while rolling your hips lightly on his already hardening cock — Let me do something nice for you in return.

— No, I didn't do it because I wanted something from you — He said, trying to resist, but you were determined to convince him.

— I know. And I appreciate that — You said and his hands reached your face again, pulling your head gently away from his neck — Allow me, please.

— No. Not today — He said, looking deeply into your eyes — I've gotta go.

— Okay — You said, getting up and fixing your clothes — I'll take you to the exit.

You led him to the kitchen door and saw him getting inside his car. Before he left, he smiled and waved to you. You smiled back to him, despite feeling your heart hurt. It was like seeing Red Robin leave you again, and, somehow, it felt even worse now.

You cried yourself to sleep tonight.