#excuse typos in the titles; I just cannot be bothered

[corelliaxdreaming]

WIP Meme

RULES: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Send me an ask with the title that most intrigues you and I’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it! And then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

I ended up with 121 on my list (*cries* and I left out some for various reasons), and can't even comprehend having that many friends. So consider yourself tagged if you see this and wanna do the thing. Also shameless tags for @maryellencarter @virusq and @nerfherdingteleporter who encouraged me to post. :)

The vast majority of these are Star Wars of various flavors, and those that aren't are marked. For those following along at home, "rowboat" is code for Wedge/Tycho and "lifejacket" is code for Wyl/Cal. Don't ask. :P Those marked with asterisks are actually finished but not posted. Some of these have been posted to comment_fic or here on Tumblr before, but shouldn't be on AO3, and I just couldn't bother to cross reference every sinle one. Feel free to send multiples if you like.

LOE Anniversary*

Placiosexual Jordan*

Rowboat Deepthroat Safewording*

Tycho Giant Dildo*

TychoTycho

Hoth Kisses

PaigeTallie Cuddling

Ponies

CamLon cancer

Guilt

Not Alone

Until Then Gives Way to Now

Retirement

Cal I Love You

Dragonology

SonogariNasi afterlife

Wedgetrospection

Inquisitor Wyl

Ghost Cal reader insert

WylSonogari reincarnation

CalQuin

Rogue hangout

CalWyl sex

QPR wedding

Self Insert

Rogues Lost

Nonbinary Tycho 2

Contextless Rowboat HC Bullshit

My Episode VII

The Split au

Cal project # who even knows

Hard Days and Long Nights*

agender Yaz (gen:LOCK)

Aromantic Dean (Supernatural)

aspec Cammie (gen:LOCK)

Corran and Wedge switcheroo

Exhausted Wedge

Firestorm aftermath

Isard fucking with Tycho

Ace Ezio (Assassin's Creed)*

Autobigraphy*

BD-1 project*

I want to go home*

In This Together*

Limb Loss*

Loss*

Night before Endor*

Rebel Redheads*

Rowboat AU Ficlets

Rowboat AU Sentences*

Shara goodbye*

The Call 2*

TychoPash post trial*

TychoPash testimony*

WylBlink*

Big Nope

Hypnosis

The More You Love

Tycho Shoots Wes

Scars

Dirty Talk

Ace Cal discoery

Again (I know putting a note is cheating, but this is the most innocuous name for 8k of one of the darkest AUs I've ever written)

Bad Master Kestis AU

Cal overwhelmed

Lifejacket Snowboarding

Merrin reincarnationverse

Reasons for love

Welcome to the Fray

Blanket Cuddle*

Hair gel fic*

Tycho joins the OT4

WedgeHobbie confession

Wedge sick

LukeTycho

TychoHobbie Distraction

TychoCorran

Like Ships in the Night

Death Star II Apocalypse

Haruka and Cheriss (SW/Sailor Moon crossover)

Hand Me Down

Bleeding Out

post I Jedi

Ton-Hobbie

Angsty Public Sex

Tycho and Madine

Fantasy (cw: mpreg)

Adumar

Concussed

WedgeTychoNyiestra

Quesy

Alderaan Memories

Spark

Hobbie Overstimulation

Phanan and Hobbie

CamLon

PacRim Triad (Pacific Rim au)

Arranged Marriage

Birthdate

Chalet

Ghosts of Rogues Past

You Never Looked Like a Derek

FacePhanan reincarnation meeting

Accidentally Hurt by Friend (Hell Divers)

WedgeWes Kissek

WedgeWes Reunion

Winter pregnant

Crocodile

President husbands assassination attempt

The Pillow Project

Single Dad Tycho

Loved and Lost

He Can't Be Mine

First I Love You

Hypothermia

FaceTon Sleep No More*

aspec Rey and Kylo*

Rogue Squadron letters to past selves

Wedge burning TIE icon commentfic

CorranTycho Corran death AU

Corran dies while Tycho watches

[blueprint-han]

[Image ID: A black picture with the title “HOW TO SUPPORT FANFICTION AUTHORS” written in bold caps lock, colored with a winter forest picture. End ID.]

Well, this post has been made countless times, but I’m making one too because I’ve seen a lot of people say they’re new to tumblr and don’t know the whole “reblogging is better than liking” rule and other stuff. So without any further ado, here are ways YOU can support the fanfiction authors. Now keep in mind this applies to almost every author out there, not just the stayblr fandom, so if you’re a silent reader (or even if you aren’t), I advise you go through this post. Warning, this is a fairly long post going into detail, so yeah. I still expect you, the readers to read this, and if you’re a writer, feel free to lmk if i’ve written smth wrong or if you want me to add something! ^^

In this post I’ll go into thorough analysis of the pros and cons of each of the methods listed here and how YOU as a reader can show the authors whose fics you read more love and motivate them to produce content.

WARNING; LONG POST! GOES INTO A DECENT AMOUNT OF DETAIL. NOT EDITED, EXCUSE ANY TYPOS.

#1 : LIKING !

I think this is basic common knowledge, and a lot of people tend to do this. When you like the post, the author sees it, you see it, and if the author has their liked posts accessible (which majority of the time they don’t), and if someone deliberately goes to check it, then they see it. See why so many authors say just liking does nothing? Only liking says “Hey, I’m gonna tell you your story is not that good by simply liking it and not sharing it with other people. :D”

♯ PROS:

You’re telling the author that you've read their fic, and either you’ve enjoyed it to a certain extent, or you’re just saving it to read for later.

Likes are seen by you, the author and anyone who has access to your likes (which, most people don’t).

♯ CONS:

If you ONLY like, you’re not really helping the author’s work reach a wide audience because this site isn’t Instagram. Reblogging is the only way people can SEE our works. I’ll cover more on that in the next section.

In a nutshell, liking is good! But you should most likely use it in a combination with the other stuff I’ve listed below, because just the like itself doesn’t really do much in giving the author any feedback or interaction on their fics.

To clear shit up; I’m not talking about those people who don’t read the story or appreciate it in the first place. I’m talking about those who appreciate the fic, like it, but don’t leave any sort of feedback to show that.

#2 : REBLOGGING !

This is SO, SO important. I cannot stress on this enough. Let me explain WHY so many writers stress on reblogging content: 

Tumblr’s tag system is inherently fucked up, and has grown more so over the year. I’m not kidding, at first, the fic either used to show up in the tags or it didn’t, but now, sometimes your fic can be REMOVED from the tags because of,,, idk tumblr tag shit. Anyways, as you can see, it’s very demotivating for authors at that point, because the major way for people to find their content and expand their blogs has been blocked.  

Due to this reason, tumblr authors need to RELY on you, their followers to help spread their works to a wider audience. Now again, before you get me wrong, I’m not saying you ae forced to rb our works regardless of whether you like them or not. BUT, that being said, if you DO infact like the story, there’s no harm in reblogging, right? By doing this you’re indirectly telling the author — “hey! :D I liked your fic! Which is why I am gonna share it to my followers so they can read it too :D” Trust me, you’re doing nothing but helping the people who produce content for you to read. Seems like a worthy cause to hit the reblog button, right? It’s only a one, or maximum two step procedure.

Leave tags in your reblogs! Trust me, as an author myself and as much as I know from all my author friends, we oft check the tags of your reblogs to see if you found any part amazing or even if you have anything to say about the writing we put so much hard work into. Even a key smash or a “This was so [insert adjective] 🥺” is enough to leave a smile on your authors face. 

♯ PROS :

You’re !! Sharing !! Your authors !! Works !! This leads to them getting more recognition, so for the content they’re so graciously providing for free, you’re promoting their blog and helping them expand it.

If the tags are being a shit, which majority of the time they are, then you’re literally making an author’s day by reblogging! You’re showing them that you, a follower and appreciator of their works are willingly sharing their content because it deserves to be seen by more people. Again before any dumb people decide to attack me, i am talking about people who like the fic but don't bother reblogging and are silent/ghost readers. I am not forcing anyone to read anybody’s work.

YOU’RE MAKING YOUR AUTHOR SO HAPPY WHAT MORE REASONS COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT !! 🥺

♯ CONS :

Literally none, because as far as I remember no author is against reblogging of their works. It’s quite literally the way this platform functions. Reblogging is IMPORTANT.

#3 : COMMENTING/SENDING FEEDBACK !

This kind of overlaps with the previous section, but THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT STEP !! When you leave feedback, you are directly giving the author something so much more valuable to them than high follower/note counts or money. Your feedback is literally our serotonin. I kid you not the number of times I’ve received a positive comment and smiled and it has made my day. There’s a reason youtubers (though not the best example, bear with me here because it was the only one I could think of) ask people to subscribe, like and COMMENT. The subscription is like a follow, the like is ofc like a heart, and the comment is equivalent to an rb with comments in the tags. 

You might argue and tell me that a comment is basically like an ask so the reblogging step isn’t necessary, but I’m sure 99% of you use YouTube and you know that more comments leads to people’s videos boosted in the stream/trending charts. This is what reblogging does. Reblogging shares the piece with other people like minded, which leads to a boost in reads. You are literally helping your author grow.

It’s quite literally the same thing as youtubers. Youtubers NEED validation to keep their content creation going, so do writers, so do other ccs on this site. This post is however, focused on WRITERS, so keep that in mind.

♯ PROS :

By doing this, you’re giving author valuable feedback! It’s similar to what you do in rbing with tags. Interactivity with their fics boosts their note counts and helps expand their audience, so srsly, now think of it: your one comment is playing such a massive role to help ccs create more content.

Imagine how much of a difference the note counts will be in when every person who simply likes after reading the fic, reblogs, leaves a comment and sends an ask. the note counts would be high on each and every fic, which is validation in itself, but your comments would inspire the writer so much more! Please, don’t skip the commenting part. Even a simple one like: “this is so cute!” is wonderful. 

♯ CONS :

Remember, if you’re gonna give constructive criticism (which I’m sure you all are smart enough to know if different from hate), make sure the author is okay with it. Authors need to be in a specific mindset and must be ready to accept criticism, so if you’re gonna give constructive criticism to them when they’re at a low point, it may demotivate them.

Just commenting, instead of reblogging and commenting in the tags/ reblogging and then leaving an ask in their inbox, while it gives validation in plenty, will not lead to the author’s work being spread. Therefore I suggest either reblogging and commenting in the tags or reblog and then leave an ask, or comment under the fic!

!! reminder; I am not saying that if you don’t rb and just leave feedback, your feedback has no value. We authors truly appreciate every bit of feedback, but this post is aimed to help you learn how to interact with and support authors, and make them feel more motivated, because the current scenario of liking and scrolling is taking a toll on their creative abilities. Take it from a person who’s been writing for a year.

#4 : COMMSIONING VIA THEIR KO-FI/OTHER APPS !

Before any of you attack me, let me tell you that this is not a step that is 100% necessary to do. ONLY donate if you can and if you genuinely want to, and if anyone is forcing you to pay for something against your will, you need to get yourself out of there.

Regardless, if an author has a kofi and you’re able to and you want to donate, you definitely should! It’s also a valid form of support.

#5 : ADDING THEM ON REC LISTS/ RECOMMENDING THEM TO REC BLOGS

This is such an underrated option, to be honest. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen my fic was recommended onto some rec list and it’s made me smile so hard. If you like some fics, create a rec list! They’re oft very popular amongst the fans too. Making rec posts is such a great way to share your favorite stories with others. 

Rec blogs! I’ve seen a couple going around, and needless to say they are a great way to get someone else to read your favorite author’s work whilst also giving them your own feedback. These blogs oft accept recs via a form or ask box, and they leave your feedback along with their own, or else they’ll oft tag the author in the feedback post, so look! You’re basically helping your author share their fic to many more people, because you’ve given them feedback and a reblog.

♯ PROS :

Validation! Feedback! Reblogs! More exposure! Helping a blog grow! Spreading love! basically a run down of the stuff I’ve said before!

♯ CONS :

Literally no con of this. Unless, a one in a million case, this author says they don’t like receiving feedback/being tagged, and I’m sure NO person has said this before, at least none that I’ve heard of.

#6 : FINAL COMMENTS; MISC !

When an author points out about how the interactivity is drastically reducing, don’t just give them blind apologies. Yes, you feel sorry for not interacting as much, we understand, but rather show that you’ll become a better content consumer through your actions. We need to see that we’re not just throwing words into a void and that people are actually trying to be better content consumers. 

Understand the fact that authors don’t get paid for this, and 99% of the time, these authors don’t take commissions either. They’re giving you novel worthy writings for free. Take Percy Jackson: You think the author would have felt motivated to write the subsequent parts, let alone two whole series based off of it if literally no one showed that they were interested? Rick Riordan has sales, he is being paid, there are millions of people and big agencies who provide him feedback. Now take that huge amount and simmer it down to an audience of maybe 10000 people This is what fanfic authors want. They don’t want your money, nor are they telling you to risk your lives for them. All they want is, a reblog, some tags, some feedback, some INTERACTIVITY.  A sign that they aren’t throwing fics into the void and that people actually like them, some motivation to continue. Seems fairly easy to throw an rb with some tags, right?

Don’t bother to tell me that we do this for ourselves and we shouldn’t ask for likes and reblogs and feedback, because 1) you are consuming the content that we “write for ourselves” and 2) writers post their content here for interactivity and feedback. We could just not post and write and save our fics in our dungeon drafts for years. But we choose to post to entertain the readers, the consumers. And we aren’t even asking that much in return.

Don’t give me the whole “I’m scared that authors feel that comments are annoying” excuse either because seriously this has been DEBUNKED SO MANY TIMES. Istg, in the nicest way possible, if you still think writers are annoyed by interaction and feedback, after so many posts, long rants have been posted as to how we’re not, then you must truly be living under a rock. There, I said it. Please stop thinking this way, I’ll say it again, AUTHORS ARE NOT ANNOYED OF FEEDBACK, COMMENTS, TAGS, REBLOGS. WE LOVE IT. Saying this is like saying that the audience in a theatre play shouldn’t clap when the play ends because the actors would find it noisy. 🤡

I’ve seen some people saying they have anxiety issues and such, so pls note that I’m not invalidating your condition. If you’re trying to be more interactive, I really appreciate it! If you can’t, that’s fine too. You’re trying.

But for the people who have no reason other than feeling lazy to rb and comment, your lack of interactiveness is not excused. Please. Tumblr is a reblogging site. If you’re gonna consume content like authors are some sort of machines, I encourage you to go get some more perspective.

This site is not Instagram or the satan bird app. Your likes are appreciated but frankly speaking, they do nothing to the author except tell them “Hey i read ur fic but i'm not gonna support u :D” and honestly, that is detrimental to their creative capabilities and mental health. 

DON’T FOLLOW AN ACC JUST TO MINDLESS RB THEIR SIGNAL BOOST POSTS AND THEIR REBLOGS OF GIFS AND NOT INTERACT WITH THEIR WRITING AT ALL ! Trust me, authors prefer a lower amount of interactive followers than a high count that doesn’t even give them any feedback. Again your follows are appreciated, but when you’re following, you know the type of content the author creates, so the author expects that the more followers, the more interactivity. These days, this is just becoming the opposite. So don’t do it! If you’re gonna follow to read, interact with their works. I promise, this will make both you and the author happy. A win-win situation.

In conclusion: SUPPORT YOUR FUCKING AUTHORS! THEY ARE NOT MACHINES THAT HAVE NO FEELINGS TO PRODUCE CONTENT FOR YOU! FICS TAKE DAYS AND DAYS OF PLANNING, PLOTTING, OUTLINING, WRITING, EDITING, MAKING TEASERS. SO JUST SHOW THEM YOU APPRECIATE THEM WITH AN RB. IT’S THE L E A S T YOU CAN DO.

I will be liking this post here written by the lovely @chaninfused​ and @scriptura-delirus​ . Please take time to read it because if you weren’t convinced by my arguments, you will see how much frustration we as writers face on a daily basis. Please, just show support. Here is the post by @stayndays​ about how to get more people to read your work, because it also has a note on reblogging. Please educate yourself, and put an end to this mindless consuming culutre and bring up some interactivity.

If you’ve read this far, I want you to go to two of your favorite authors and leave some feedback in their inbox, and tag me in it (either tag me yourself or ask the author to do so, they won’t mind). Show your writers that our words are taking effect and you are becoming better consumers. I mean it. I’m serious. I want every single one who reads this post to do this. besides valid reasons, if you’re lazy to do this, you’re a part of the problem. PLEASE get more perspective.

Also, feel free to add to this post! I’d love to read your thoughts too, remember to be kind though. And, if I think your rb is somehow contradicting my points and is bringing down the reason I made this post, I will politely ask you to delete your comment, because this post is about being truthful about the harsh reality of tumblr consumers and how we can change it. I’m sure none of you will let it get to that point, though. <3 love you guys. 💓

And, just a reminder, don’t just blindly like this too. Do what I said before, and while I am not forcing you, I’d appreciate your reblog, because seriously, it took me 3 whole days to write this, plus, I’m sure this will help more of your followers understand the fault in consumer culture. haha, that’s it! This post was way too long uff.

also, this is ur cue to not be stupid in my inbox. You have something to say? Think I worded smth wrongly? I’m sure it wasn’t my intention to do so, point it out with manners. 

[foodieforthoughts]

Hopeless - Song Fic

Summary: There's always an end to a love affair.

Pairing: Chris Evans x Reader

Word count: 1339

Warnings: Angst, infidelity

A/N: I was watching Defending Jacob (again) and had also heard this song after which somehow spurred this tiny fic. Not beta-ed so mind the typos.

Tagging: @mariestark @henrythickcavill @killjoy-assbutt-1112 @infinite-shite @madbaddic7ed @toomanyfandomsshreya @mary-ann84 @the-soot-sprite @geralt-of-baevia @klaine-92 @henryobsessed @agniavateira @luclittlepond @hlkwrites

gif credit: @reveriemind

Title: Hopeless

"It has to be the last time, Chris. I can't keep lying to him."

The instant these words left your mouth, you saw Chris's smile falter and his eyes cloud in gloom. The grip of his hands on your arms loosened, until he let go completely. Running a hand through his hair, he turned away from you.

"Fuck! Why are you doing this to me?" You trembled as his voice came out loud and angry. Chris never screamed at you, he never even raised his voice. You watched as he grabbed a hold of his hair in his hands, sitting down on the couch clutching his head.

"Chris," You took a step forward, reaching out with your hand towards him.

But when he looked up with tear filled eyes, you stopped. His eyebrows were knitted together and his mouth pressed in a thin line with nostrils flaring. You had broken up with him before but this was different.

The last time, there had been at least a hope of getting back together. But this time, the break was going to be permanent. Your ring felt heavy on your finger, making the skin itch as the face of your fiancé came to your mind.

"Do you love him?" He croaked, breaking you from the inside.

"It doesn't matter. You know I cannot break this marriage." You took another step towards him, slowly and cautiously. Your eyes glassed with unshed tears as you got closer to him and saw the absolute state of mess he was becoming.

You remembered Chris from years ago when in high school he had claimed that one day his name will appear on the big screen. You had been supportive of everything he had decided to do in his life, even if it meant he would have to leave Boston and fly out to LA as his career bounded forward. The strain of staying separate for long periods of time and the numerous rumors of him being romantically involved with several actresses was wedging a gap between you two.

When he became a household name after he bagged the role of Captain America, his fan following grew ten fold and your relationship reached its precipice. You wanted him to settle down but he wanted more from his life. Chris had asked you to move in with him at his LA house but your career was only just beginning. The realization never struck you before that while you had been pissed at him for asking you to leave your life behind, you had been doing the same to him.

On a cold winter night, you both had fought over the phone. You had been a crying mess by the end of it and had angrily told him that your relationship was over. It had taken months for you to gather yourself and remove yourself from the life that you had woven around Chris. While he had moved on to become famous, you had moved on with your life. You had no energy to invest in love again, too drained to even try, and only because of this sole reason when your parents had set you up with the son of their friend, you had agreed.

Only you hadn't realized that you would be engaged to be married to him. And that in your first six months of engagement, you would bump into Chris while on a business trip to LA.

It had been like a dormant fire had reignited within you. You had felt like you had been endowed with heaven on earth when you heard his voice, stared at his captivating eyes and felt the youthful energy radiating from him, reminded of all the things that you loved about him.

When Chris had invited you for dinner at his house, you had accepted his invitation without a second thought. A few glasses of wine and a trip down the memory lane had you both grabbing at each other before either of you could think coherently.

It was like Chris had memorized every part of your body all those years ago, remembering the perfect spots that could make your toes curl. You had missed your flight the next morning on purpose and had spent the entire weekend curled up with Chris, reaquainting yourself with his body. You noted how he had become more attentive, careful to keep your needs before his.

And had thus spurred on the saga of your secret love affair.

You would fly out to LA frequently, giving an excuse to your fiancé that it was work related. You would spend hours tracing the curves of Chris's body with your fingers while he ran his hands through your hair. It bothered you when he would leave you alone in his house for an impromptu get together since he couldn't risk letting the media into his private life. It is then that you would imagine your life in the future with him, the lies and the pretending you would have to endure.

It made you question if what you had with Chris was even real.

"Do you want me to leave this all behind? If I promise to settle down with you, would you leave him?" You watched as his lips trembled, barely able to complete his sentences.

You kneeled in front of him and took his hands in his. You couldn't control the tears anymore and let them fall past their barrier and flow down your cheeks.

"It wouldn't be fair to you, my love." You felt your heart shatter as Chris looked at you pleadingly. He slid down the couch to kneel on the floor with you. He turned his hands around to entwine his fingers with yours.

"I should have never...let you go."

You pursed your lips from letting the sobs take over. Chris's unshed tears, welled in his eyes and threatened to break the dam. He brought his hands up to his lips and kissed them softly. You watched with glassy eyes as he stared at your engagement ring for a moment, knowing for a fact he resented your fiancé even without knowing anything about him.

It had been your fault too, you had never wanted to talk about the other man in your life. You had never wanted to end what you had with Chris. You were too hung over reliving the lost years, those times when all you had wanted to curl in Chris's embrace and forget the real world.

"I'll always love you." He looked at you, the tears finally breaking free. They cascaded down his cheeks, streaming down to his beard. "And I'll always regret choosing my career over you. Because now I'm all alone."

You pulled him towards you and wound your arms around him, enveloping him in your embrace. Chris crumbled in your arms, sobbing as he held you tightly. You hated yourself in that moment for you shouldn't have subjected him to such pain. You should have walked away when on that faithful day in the bustling street of LA he had entered your life again.

Moments stretched like hours as you both provided each other with the last remnant of your time together. But you had your flight back to Boston to the man who was going to be waiting for you.

When you tried to stand up to leave, Chris caught your hand and pulled in for a last kiss. You closed your eyes feeling the slow, soft movements of his lips against yours. You memorized this feeling for it was to stay with your forever. You breathed in his scent to remember him by. You could only imagine that Chris was doing the same, trying to embed the feeling in his mind of being with you.

"I love you, Chris. I always will." You whispered one last time before you stood up and grabbed your bags. You hurried out his door without turning to look at him.

Because if you would have looked at him again, you would have never left.

[love-loser]

midnight ( hawks / f.reader )

surprised my first fic isn’t too yandere but here it is, adapted from an old slash fic i wrote a long time ago for a friend, based off cardlin audio’s asmr video about cinderella. feedback is much appreciated! praying to GOD tumblr doesnt mess up formatting pls pls pls, also lmk if there are any typos i missed! masterlist

2.9k words ↬ “There hasn’t been a ball this month where I couldn’t find you out here by yourself,” Keigo says, forlorn, “The when was easy… hm, as the night grew darker, sure enough, I’d find you here, beneath the moon, and all her stars. No… for you, it was always the other questions that bothered me. Who are you, mysterious girl, who bewitched me so? Why do you stand out like… like a rose among a field of daisies? How do you manage to get me to speak in such pine?”

“Stare as long as you wish, my dear, at all the stars the heavens have to offer, I promise you will not find one that shines quite as bright as you.”

The sudden words have you stiff, before you turn your head away from the view of the expansive front yard of the palace to rest your eyes on the unexpected visitor. The shock you feel when you see it’s the one specific royal that you’ve been pining over for months has you completely frozen.

For a moment, you think maybe the prince is drunk, or has you mistaken for someone else, or even both, but the next litany of words (you’d never imagined the prince’s voice to drawl so nicely when speaking to you of all people) prove both those assumptions to be wrong. 

“I’m sorry, your highness, you must have-”

“My apologies. I did not mean to scare you,” The prince, Keigo Takami, takes a step closer, then another, until he’s leaning on the balcony railing alongside you, close enough for you to feel the ghost of his body heat. “I had a feeling you would be out here on the balcony easel,” Before you can question just what the prince wants to do with you, or even how he knows you, he continues on, “How did I know?” 

A small chuckle, then a sigh.

“Why, there hasn’t been a ball this month where I couldn’t find you out here by yourself,” Keigo says, forlorn, “The when was easy… hm, as the night grew darker, sure enough, I’d find you here, beneath the moon, and all her stars. No… for you, it was always the other questions that bothered me. Who are you, mysterious girl, who bewitched me so? Why do you stand out like… like a rose among a field of daisies? How do you manage to get me to speak in such pine?”

A pause tells you that yes, you can reply.

“Your highness, I am only a mere civilian.” You’re too shy to spare a glance towards the next king of your country, so you settle for staring off into the comforting sky, “You must be mistaken. I am only here, after all, to grant the wishes of my… godmother.”

How ironic, that your words were really more truthful when spoken the other way around. After all, it was your wish to attend the balls, granted by a certain (fairy) godmother. 

“But not a single woman back in that ballroom can garner even a peck of my attention, no matter how desperately they may try, and… perhaps, most importantly of all, where do you run off to every night, as the clock strikes midnight? You look surprised. Did you think I didn’t notice how you excuse yourself at the exact same time during every ball?”

“I-I’m sorry, Prince, but I do think you’ve the wrong person.” you fluster, peeling yourself from the stone railing and making for the double doors behind them. What you don’t expect, though, is Keigo’s handsome features suddenly coming into view. The sight sends you into a fit of stuttering heartbeats and bated breath, and you can’t help but flick your eyes to a space just above the prince’s right shoulder. you feel steady hands come up to rest on your waist, just on the delicate, slight curve of hips, too tight to be called gentle. 

“I assure you, I notice a lot more about you than you might expect.” Keigo sighs, seemingly perplexed, “No matter. I will find out soon enough.”

“What do you mean by that, your highness?” You were already in a compromising position, and the last thing you wanted was for the prince to throw you in a dungeon because of your previously assumed well hidden affections for the royal figure.

“Hm? Oh, I didn’t mean anything by it. It was nothing more than the prattling of one who considers himself to be your biggest fan,” for the first time that night, Keigo gives you a warm little smile, an expression you never thought you’d be on the receiving end of, “Well, I would think it’s your turn to humour me a bit, wouldn’t you say? I’ve been craving the soft lilt of your voice since two nights ago.” 

“Well… What is there to admire?”

“What is there to admire? Why, my beautiful you, what isn’t there to admire? That… faraway look in your eye when you gaze out over the city each night, the way you move with a grace unlike any lady in this court, not quite floral, but fluid and vibrant in a way that is all your own,”

You can feel a warm rosiness settle onto your cheeks at the words, the heat on your skin battling the cool night air. Keigo is so close, you’re almost afraid the prince can feel you overheat. “And what about that forlorn touch to your smile that turns even the most candid of our moments together… bittersweet, as if you knew it wouldn’t last?”

“You are making a hassle over nothing, my prince,” You try to deny, shaking your head and wiggling out of his grip, or at least trying to.

“I admit, at first I thought you were intimidated by my station,” Keigo laughs, almost in disbelief, “The bachelor prince sought by every eligible lady in the kingdom. Who would he choose? Of course, even I am aware of such titles in my name.”

“But, no, there is more to it than that… You don’t fear that I may be too much for you. If I may be so bold, I think the sorrow and your sigh is that you know… I’m just right for you. And yet, you cannot have me.” 

You turn your head, feeling a breeze dancing along the strands of your hair, and the folds of your clothes. There’s a certain stinging on all your nerve endings, and it all pumps back to your heart, where you feel pain and longing course through your veins.

“Nonsense. Your highness, surely, the crowd is waiting for your presence. Leave me be and go tend to your guests.”

“Something tells me the answer to that riddle lies within the reason you dash off every night as the clock turns over,” Keigo continues, unaffected by the denial and stepping forward to brace you against the railing with his arms and body, “You are the only guest I care about… And yet, I don’t even know your name.”

“(y/n),” you answer, shrinking back. The prince had a way with his words and mannerisms that just made you feel that much smaller in his demanding and touchy disposition. 

“(y/n)… Though we’ve talked like this at every one of these balls so far, trading wits and flirtations as duelists trade blows, I find myself walking away each time somehow knowing… even less of you. But I’ve got a feeling, then, I’ll have all the answers soon.”

“What-”

“What makes me say that? Call it a lucky guess.” Keigo looks over, past you, before uttering a mutter, “Why, would you look at the time? Is it that it struck early? Or is it that time flies when you’re having fun?”

“Already, my prince? I-I’m so sorry, I really must be going,” you sucked in a nervous breath through your teeth, eyes showing just a hint of panic at the thought of revealing what would really happen once time was up.

“No, I know, the time has come and you must leave me. How did the bard put it? Parting is always such sweet sorrow. Farewell, (y/n), I’ll see you soon.”

And like that, you felt the warmth radiating from the prince taken away as quickly as it came. The bite of the cold night air snaps at you almost immediately.

“Yes, ah, I’ll see you soon.” You knew, though, that you’d let the encounters go too far and swore to your wavering self that this would be the last one. You stepped past the prince, tried the cold knob, once, twice, before giving it a hard jiggle in a sad attempt at escape.

“Are the doors locked? But… however could that be? Why would that happen? Could it be a faulty lock or… is it instead that they were locked on purpose? Perhaps by a, curious prince, made impatient by the constant abandonment. He endured whenever the girl of his dreams would whisk herself away from him every night. Imagine the agony beyond power of speech and frustration when this vixen, this succubus stalks his vision at night and his thoughts every day.”

Your heart quickens, finding your once again pliant in the prince’s hands, “Imagine, how maddening that must be to have something taken away from you again , and again … just when  you’re finally about to,” Keigo leans in, warm, minty breath kissing your lips, “Get a taste of it. Yes, my dear, I did lock those doors, and now, my sweetness, I can’t let you leave.”

“But believe me, when I say that if you felt for me the way I feel for you, you wouldn’t let yourself leave either. You’ve a secret, do you? One you need to tell me? Well, I have a secret of my own, in fact. I have several, the first of which is that there is a hidden passageway, not easily seen from the balcony… and that, of course, is by intention.”

Keigo drew back the slightest bit, reaching up to pull a particular curtain draw- one that didn’t differ much from the other braided ones to Taehyung’s untrained eyes. A loud clack had you flinching, before you turn and a wooden ladder makes itself known. 

“Follow it up, and it leads to my room. Come with me now, and we’ll… share our secrets.” You just about lunge for the base of the ladder, just a bit breathless.

“I really should be taking my leave, Prince.”

“Well, well, suddenly, aren’t you in a hurry, hm? Let me lead the way.” Keigo takes the first step, all too experienced as he climbed up the ladder. You found it hard not to look down, considering they were on the second floor and scaling between balconies.

By the time Keigo is off and you are just about to make it, the prince offers a hand, and takes your hand in his, clasping it gently and loosely.

“You know, it’s odd... I never let anyone up these stairs, let alone a stranger.” Keigo muses, “First you managed to get me talking and now you managed to get me to reveal some of my deepest secrets. Remind me to get my revenge. Oh, I’m not- my god, your clothes!”

Oh. So that’s what happens when you stay out too late. Out of all the possibilities, you had to end up naked in front of your longtime love.

“What has happened to you? Your clothing seems to be ripping to tatters more and more with each passing moment- Here, take my coat,” you appreciate how fast the prince sheds his outerwear, and you graciously accept for once, happy that the only other living thing in the hallway to witness this debacle is the poor potted plant in the corner.

A turn of a key, the click of a lock, you poking his head out and then getting flustered when he sees Keigo smiling fondly at the gesture. Yes, a very normal day for a common person like yourself.

They’re out of the hallway and Keigo is sneaking you into his room, a stark change in tone from the sultry air of the younger night.

//

“Here we are now. Now, sit down on my bed. Wait here. I’ll find you some proper clothing. While I admit that I have dreamt quite often as of late of having you in my room, it wasn’t like this. It wasn’t meant to be… perfect. It was meant to be… right . I’ll return shortly with some clothes. No- stay. I promise you, I won’t be long-”

Though flustered and a tiny bit flattered at the lewd admission, you stood, far too uncomfortable to stay alone in the prince’s room, naked. “Please, let me, prince.”

“Ah, alright, if you insist. The blankets do look good on you, yes. Well, here we are,” It’s a short walk to his expansive closet, and you find yourself in a shirt that’s just a little too loose that feels like heaven on your humble skin. 

“My prince… I think I am ready to tell you about myself,” You admit, playing with the sleeves of the soft, fabric shirt, “If-If you’re willing to hear, of course.”

“I would give nothing more to hear anything you wish to tell me,” Keigo pulled you to a seat on the bed, your thighs touching, shoulders brushing.

“Well, I… I come from a wealthy family, though they are not kind to me. My stepmom, she runs a fabric shop, along with my two step sisters-”

“You- what? That old widow… but she only has two daughters… Everyone knows her husband and her stepdaughter died in that tragic accident, which as, sorrowful as it was, might have been a welcome escape from that frigid woman.”

“Well, yes, but I am here… I was kept as a maid all this time, and haven’t known many amenities in my life thus far,” you look up from his hands, which are nestled between the soft lines of your thighs, “But it could be worse, so I do not complain.”

“But, if you’re her stepdaughter, then… you’re the rightful heir to your father’s estate… But that does not explain how you came to wear such… niceties if you were kept as a maid.”

“A fairy godmother answered my pleads, as irrational as it may sound…” you gathered up the last ounce of courage you had, and looked into the prince’s understanding, sharp eyes, “I understand if you don’t believe me, Prince.”

“Of course I do, my love,” Keigo cupped your cheek, thumbing at the soft skin, “Please, call me Keigo, or any variation of that as you wish.”

“And how about yours, then… Keigo?” You tried, experimentally. Though foreign, the name was not completely unwelcome on your tongue.

The man smiled, humming at the sound of his own name, before nodding, “My secret? After all of that, you still wish to hear mine? Well, I suppose you’ve earned it, and how can I deny the wish of an angel lying in my sheets?”

 “All right, in retrospect, my secret isn’t quite as elaborate or cunning, nor as thrilling or shocking, in face, if you’ve been watching my eyes and reading between the lines of my words, dear, I’m sure you must already know my secret…”

A heavy pause, before he sighs and finishes, “Is that, I’m in love with you. I teased myself with the idea after the first night, toyed with it the second… fought with it the third and came to accept it on the fourth. And ever since then, I found myself madly, wholey, and helplessly in love with you.”

“But you must know that, right? You must feel it in your heart as I do, resonating ceaselessly since the moment we met. I love you, because you are beautiful, in mind, action and appearance. Or, are you beautiful because I love you? I do not know.”

You bit your lip, leaning into the man’s touch and shifting closer to fit snugly in his side, “(y/n)... You… You don’t have to go back, you know. The clock is struck midnight, but you’re still here. Surely, that has to mean something. You can leave that life behind. No more scullery and cinder sweeping.”

“Instead, you have opulence and wealth- every extravagance you could want, ever delicacy, but crave every possible pleasure you could ever long for. Say a word, and it’s yours- give all of you to me, let yourself be mine, no one else’s, and it’s yours, (y/n). And in return, I will also give myself to you.”

“Y-Your highness, I- I can’t possibly,” you turned your head away, at a loss for words. If the title bothers him, he doesn’t show it.

“You could spend the rest of your life swaddled and pampered, appreciated and adored, loved by the kingdom, and worshipped by your prince. But… That’s not all you want, is it? No, I can tell now. Seething within you, there’s a desire for something, more than just comforts. You have a darkness in your heart, a heavy stain left by the indelible touch of that wretched stepmother of yours. Have they healed? Can they ever?”

“Whatever she and her have done to you, I promise you, we can return upon them tenfold. My word is law, and if you would be mine, then you would have my word to wield like a sword. I will be your knight, and all of the kingdom’s strength shall be my power, all of this can be yours. The wealth, the power, the prestige, and the vindication, and in exchange, I would ask you but for one simple thing- you. All of you.” 

“If you say yes, you will be mine until eternity ends, and we can rule this kingdom together- happily ever after. We will seal our vows here now on this very bed and I promise to make you long only for more of my touch, to erase the thought of anyone else from your head. If you say no, I will leave your clothes on the bar of the doors, and you can return to your life of injustice. Let’s say, my dear, what life will you choose?” In hindsight, maybe you should’ve known he wouldn’t let you have much of a choice anyway.