#from what i can tell i might have to drop art for a bit since my most likely career is architecture

[hoshiumiumi]

sorry for only doodling lately im supposed to start classes on september <//3 my luck is bad im on the third floor and have physics and chemistry together. theres also capstone so if i die its because im going off to college after this school year !

[sparklyskies0]

𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐥 ꣑ৎ c.s

( 𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 ) you show chris your halloween costumes

⋆౨ৎ ₊˚ 🦢・₊✧

You had bought a couple of costumes. since you couldn’t decide on only one. you purchased some for you, and some for both you and chris for couples costumes. It’s your favorite time of year and you were determined to find the perfect costume for the halloween party coming up, wanting to look your best.

you had told chris to stay still on the bed as you scurried in the closet to find which costume to try on first. “i dunno why you can’t just change in front of me, ma” chris’s voice called out to you in the closet as he sat impatiently on the bed. His elbows behind hoisting him up as he lent back on the bed. His phone in his left hand for some kind of distraction as he waited for you.

“cus its supposed to be a surprise” you responded. Carefully stepping into the chucky costume you had ordered. Adjusting anything you needed to. “i hate surprises, I w’na see you” you can hear him sigh as he spoke. You knew his patience was wearing thin, but you didn’t care. His pain and suffering will be worth it when he sees you.

you chuckle at his whining, slipping on the knee high white socks with blue and red stripes that came with the costume on. Not knowing what shoes you were going to wear yet you decide to say fuck it and present the outfit the way it is. You grabbed the fake knife and walk out of the closet.

As soon as you stepped out chris’s eyes dropped to the exposed flesh of your thighs. you stand in front of him, Hand on your hip, biting your lip in anticipation as you wait his reaction. Though by the look on his face, you can tell exactly what he was thinking without him uttering a word. “so..” you start

“ya like?” your eyebrows raised, as you scan his expressions. He bit his lip, clearly not having the words right now. The costume isn’t sexy enough, you both knew that. But the way your body looked in it was enough to get him going.

“turn around.” he said simply, his voice low, kind of like he’s holding back a moan or something. without hesitation you turn around, giving him a full view of the back. The way the piece of clothing barely covers your whole ass. Your cheeks very much exposed. If chris wasn’t so hypnotized he’ll stand up and smack it. But he knew there was more to come, he could control himself for now.

“damn ma, you look good” he spoke, his blue eyes roaming all over your figure, taking you in. It was like a sculpture, a piece of art that he can’t help but admire. you belong in a gallery, he always told you that.

“thank you baby, im glad you like it” you smile at his compliment. “next one” you return to the closet. Taking off the costume carefully but quickly.

chris on the other hand let out a strained sigh as you left his sight yet again, his hand going down to his pants adjusting his arousal he got just from looking at you. At first, he was not really feeling the whole surprise costume try on thing, he hated waiting. Especially when it came down to something for you to wear. One of his favorite things is watching you undress and get dressed so for him not being allowed to see any of that till you say so frustrated him. until he saw how you looked in the first costume, now he’s down to wait. Since he gets rewarded with the sight of you.

the next costume you’re putting on has to be on the list of your favorites, it’s your part of the couples costume for you and chris. You’re velma, He’s shaggy. You pulled the orange crop top down onto your body. the circle cut in between enough to show off your cleavage. You slip on the leather red short skirt , knowing that if you wear this in public. Bending down might be a hassle. Finishing the touch with the knee high orange socks you slip on the heels you got to go with it, giving you enough height to manipulate your normally short self.

“ready?” you call out to chris, wanting to hear it from him first. It wasn’t long before you heard an excited yes from him. You step out of the closet, this time with a wide smile on your face. You liked this one a lot. Chris let out a hiss at the sight of you, biting his pink lips once again. “god ma, you driving me crazy here” he said

you chuckle at him “you like it huh” you say, turning around. “the skirts short as hell though” you bent down slightly, to prove your point but not enough to cause chris to get any more hotter than he already is but knowing him he will anyway.

chris nods immediately “yea that might be a problem” he said, a hint of protectiveness and possession in his voice. His eyes glued to your ass. How the bottom of your cheeks were covered just barely. He did take note of the easy access though, knowing that if you aren’t wearing panties he can slip in at any moment no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

“I got you the shaggy costume too, we can match” you said, it sounded like a question but it was a statement. He was going to wear the costume whether it was for the party or not, even just for pictures or something. The concept is too cute to pass up. He nodded in agreement, loving the idea just as much as you. Even if he didn’t, he’d still do it, he’d do anything for you. you both knew that. “bet” he replied

“im ready for the next one” he says, “how much do you got left?” he tried to subtly adjust himself once again. “like one or two left, i don’t remember” you answer. You disappear back into the closet. Changing out of this one.

The next costume was the easiest. It was freddy krueger and you knew you didn’t need to do much besides order a red and green striped sweater and cut rips and holes into it yourself. You refused to let chris see the finish product until now. You already owned a black mini skirt so you were pretty much set. Topping it off with your fishnets and the glove you step out of the closet.

The smirk on chris’s face was priceless, you’re not sure if it was because of how short the skirt was, or the fact that your red lace bra was visible through the hole you cut in the middle for the sexy effect. “i like this one. simple but you look sexy as fuck in it” he says, in a slight mutter

you take that as a victory. “okay the last one I think you’ll like a lot, hold on to your socks” you warn heading back into the closet

You change out of it and carefully step into the dress to your pirate costume, you made sure you got the shortest dress you can find. wanting this to be the one that brings chris to snap and lose his mind. you struggle for a second to strap on the corset on your own but you manage. Focusing on putting everything on correctly as you stand in front of the mirror in the closet. Luckily you had your own gold belt bangle piece to wrap around your waist. You pull your fishnet socks with the bow at the top on and your black high heels. Now this one was your favorite. It was sexy and the perfectly good costume for you, especially to wear at the party. You had more pieces to put the outfit together, like the bandana and a sword. but for now, it’s just the basics.

“okay this one is my favorite” you bit your lip as you step out. Chris’s jaw practically dropped. From your thighs to your waist to your boobs, his eyes roamed . “this is the one im wearing, I think..” you say. You scan his face.

he sits up straight. licking his lips he muttered, “c’mere”

you walk over to him. now stood in between his legs. His hands trailed up and down the back of your thigh. sending a shiver down your spine. The feeling of his warm hands on your body enough to make you moan out loud.

“you looked so good in all of those baby, you’re so beautiful ” he lets out a hum. “but this one…”

“this is the one.” he bites his lip. your hands softly massaged and caressed his shoulders as you look down at him, his eyes admiring your lower half as his hands feel and roam over your thighs and backside. he can feel his pants get tighter as his arousal grows. He’s been in heat this whole time that now it’s starting to hurt.

“the things i wanna do to you in this…” he lets out a frustrated and lusty sigh. he looked up at you, his eyes burning with need and desire. His hands make their way under the dress. Tracing along the fabric of your thong. You moan softly when you feel his finger graze your center.

“take these off ma, ..please..?”

ᥫ᭡ Authors Note

idk how to feel abt this

this was supposed to be a blurb but

I think it’s too long for that 😭😭

anyways hope you like this I tried!!

more halloween content soon tho fr

xoxo paris

[leconcombrerit]

This thing had been rotting in my files for a year (minus three weeks but that's basically a year). It was a redraw of one of my first ever pieces for this fandom, and I still find it quite okay if a little stiff in places, so I thought I might as well share it since I don't draw that much anymore.

And then I had second thoughts, which obviously led to me posting it anyway, as you can see, but I realized I've almost made it a point not to draw anything related to Sasi anymore. As in at all. I can't, and I don't want to, and even sharing old art feels a bit 'meh'. It's too directly linked to my long going art block.

What I mean by that is that if I took all the followers I have out there and asked them what they know me or initially followed me for, you might have a fair amount of Lis 2 and the occasional Desert Bluffs afficionados, but you'd get an overwhelming majority of Sanders Sides. Sanders Sides fashion posts even. I was by no means famous for it or anything, but at my small artist scale, it was the biggest success I had.

And it makes it much harder to go back to it at all now. One, because I don't give a damn about the show anymore. Two, because I haven't been properly obsessing over anything in a while (there was a series early this year but given the actual emotional distress I get thinking about it I'm ruling it out). I haven't had real engagement from my own brain, nor real engagement from a broad audience -which makes sense, I'm not posting for anything that will reach a broad audience. But it takes its toll regardless.

Even when I finally finished writing a long fic, I couldn't help but feel 'all this for what ? Ten people or so and two hundreds have dropped it ?'. Which is a bad way to think about stuff you write for your own enjoyment but, you know, the brain gets happy with external validation even if you pretend really hard you don't care.

And so it feels tempting to go back to the golden goose just the time to get the creative juice pumping back, and I try, and I always end up frustrated and angry and feeling even less like making art that before. I'm not having fun with Sasi. Like an old friend you have nothing to say to and yet you have so much to say otherwise, so you get a bit frustrated, you know ? Not sure I'm making much sense, but that's how it feels. I want to have something like that again, but it won't be with Sanders Sides, and I somehow just want if off my radar.

It was left hanging, then lost its spark, and then I stopped caring altogether and I most likely won't even watch the finale when it does come out. I'm over it. I wish I wasn't though, because it does feel like the artistic spark won't come back all on its own this time, and the buzzing community made it so much easier to bounce back and do shit when your brain got wired all wrong.

It sounds like I'm just bawling after love and likes and stuff, and I guess that's part of it, in a way ? Like I'm in no place to do things for myself, and seeing the one thing I used to use to get back in the flow giving me a bored sense of dread doesn't feel too great.

Yet this drawing is still good ! I find it good ! I don't remember everything, but I can tell from the looks of it that I spent a while on it ! It's nice ! I should celebrate that. So I'm sharing it. I think it will be the last piece of Sasi I ever share, though. I'm not watching the finale when it comes out. I don't care about it. I'll just keep doodling my OCs and characters from cool books every once in a while. I'll write little things.

I just really, really need to stop trying to go back to it when it's clearly not working and not even for good reasons. It was a fun ride though ! So yeah. Basically. A whole ass rant for a one year old piece of art. I'm in my bi-annual depresso mood, nothing too surprising there.

[pdflayn]

I HAVE A CONFESSION

charles leclerc x max verstappen

2.2k words

summary: charles leclerc, born and raised in monaco, a mama's boy, raised to worship the man in the cross who saved us from all our sins. and then there's max verstappen, a man who believes nothing but himself and also a good friend of charles and his family. a man who also made charles crumble into pieces by a mere touch.

warnings: (a bit of) smut under the cut ! mentions of alcohol, religion and beliefs, charles is not a racer in this fic, mention of cigarettes.

note: heavily inspired by false god by taylor swift ! for the past few weeks i have been completely obsessed with it and lestappen are my victims with this brainrot of mine.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

It has only been 30 minutes since Charles sat down but it felt like years, it wasn’t always like this. His mind is clouded and distracted. Distracted with the question of who he worships. Is it the man in the cross? Or is it the man who pinned him against the wall of his bedroom last night?

“Charles! We’re over here!” Max screamed, hoping his voice could be heard against the wild crowd of Monaco’s finest club. It was obvious that the Monegasque did not hear his words, Charles was still wandering amongst the crowd, seeking for familiar faces. Max stood up from his seat, telling the rest of their friends he’ll just get Charles from the crowd.

It was loud. All that can be heard is the upbeat sounds coming from the blasting speakers and chatters of random people kissing each other’s faces. But Charles heard something more than the noise, he heard something calm. “There you are, Charlie.”

He felt Max’s hand wrapped around his arm with a smile in his mouth. He can smell the alcohol in his breath, that’s how close they are. He’s not sure if it’s a right feeling knowing damn well he didn’t have a drop of alcohol yet in his system. His heart was racing, his breathing paced with anticipation. “You’re the last one we’re waiting for at the table, let’s go?” Charles could only reply with a nod. His heart is in sync with the beats from the speakers.

"My god, will they ever stop playing Taylor Swift and start playing proper club songs?" Lando asked irritably while holding a beer in his hand. The rest of the group agreed and laughed. Meanwhile, Charles grabbed another bottle of beer as soon as he finished his first. He was annoyed, unable to sit still. He couldn't forget the warmth of Max's touch from a few minutes ago. They are very close friends, having been together since they were kids. But his touch from a moment ago felt different. His stare, his smile, it all felt different for the Monegasque. It wasn’t right, what he was feeling wasn’t right and the blue and red lights from the club hitting the godly face of the Dutch was not helping at all.

But we might just get away with it

Religion's in your lips

Even if it's a false god

“That’s your third beer already, you haven’t been here for a while. You good, Leclerc?” Max asked when he noticed Charles grabbing another bottle. Charles replied with a chuckle, “I’m good, this beer just tastes good.”

“Anyone wanna go to the dance floor?” Carlos asked excitedly, holding a beer in his hand and in the other is in Lando’s waist. I wonder what it feels to have Max’s arm wrapped around me, Charles asked in his mind. Quickly tapping himself out of his sinful curiosity. Soon enough the table was empty, it was only Charles left.

Charles and Max. In the same table. Drinking the same beer. Blank stares.

We might just get away with it

The altar is my hips

Even if it's a false god

Max chugged his bottle of beer and opened a new one. There was an unusual grin on his face. It was only the two of them at the table.

“You know, we actually didn’t think you were gonna come. You were never really the club type of person, Charlie.” Max uttered, trying to break the ice between the two of them. Ever since Max pursued his passion in racing, the only conversations he had with Charles was the good morning’s and good night’s along with the hi’s and hello’s whenever they saw each other in the streets of their homes.

“There wasn’t anything left to do at home so I decided to stop by. It’s not the usual crowd I like but there’s nothing to lose anyway. Plus, it’s free beer, Max. Who says no to that?” Charles leaned back in the chair, running a hand through his hair, hoping it could ease the tension between him and Max’s stare. He is intimidated, but deep down he loves it. Max noticed Charles’ continuous movements. Charles kept running a hand through his hair, chugging his beer once after every ten seconds, and licking his lips. Max knew it was all because of him. It was an obvious answer, it was only the two of them.

We'd still worship this love

We'd still worship this love

We'd still worship this love

“How’s your racing career? Maman always bothers me with the remote, asking me to switch to the channel that shows your race.” It was true. Charles’ mother loves Max dearly and treats him like his own son as well. They would always watch Max’s races especially when he’s free from work. “I’ve been winning races, I think you already know since you watch me drive.”

Charles chuckled, “I do.”

“Do you still serve at the church?” Max asked when he noticed a glimmer from Charles’ chest when the light struck him. Charles held his small cross and shook his head, “I haven’t been able to serve the church for a while now. I’ve been… busy.”

Max couldn’t help but raise a brow with his response. The religious boy missing church, it’s like hearing about the diligent student cutting classes. He thought to himself as he saw Charles hiding his cross inside his shirt.

I know heaven's a thing

I go there when you touch me

Honey hell is when I fight with you

“Charles,” Max called, earning a small hum from Charles. “Do you want to go somewhere quieter?” Charles smiled and nodded. Charles knew he needed to be somewhere quieter, Max knew the younger was already overwhelmed with the loud crowd. Charles was no stranger to Max, he knew him more than one could ever imagine.

Charles took one last sip from his beer and stood to follow Max leaving the club. They sat down in the cold ground of the parking lot, disregarding the thought that there were nearby benches under the trees blowing cold winds. It was awfully quiet, opposite to when they were inside.

“Do you smoke?” Max asked while holding a stick of cigarette in his hand. Charles shook his head and watched as the older lit up the stick and blew smoke from his mouth. Charles never liked the smell of cigarettes, that’s why he didn’t know why he’s suddenly okay with Max smoking. At some point, he might even want Max to blow smoke in his face. “You’re so quiet, Charles. Are you sure you’re okay?”

He didn’t know what to say. How could he say that it’s him who’s been bothering him since the moment he laid his hand on his arm without making it awkward? “I’m okay, it’s just a bit cold and I have nothing to say since nothing eventful has happened recently.”

“Then what’s keeping you busy to skip church? You’re one of the most religious people I’ve ever met.” Max asked in a curious tone. Charles didn’t know how to answer that question as well. He’s not himself lately, only Max noticed.

“Max,” Charles called. “Hmm?” Max responded.

“Why don’t you believe in religion?” Charles noticed how Max subtly froze from his sudden question.

“What’s with the sudden question about faith and religion, Charlie?” Max chuckled. Charles was already about to speak again, probably to take back his question but Max spoke first. “I wasn’t exactly raised in a religious family like you. My father is almost never home, my mother is also an atheist, and my sister, well, she’s the religious one in our family but we were never really close. No one really guided me in the religious part in life. And besides, I find comfort in what I can see and understand.”

“But still,” Charles started. “Don’t you feel lost at times?”

Max smiled, “I’d rather be lost than have an unknown entity dictate what’s right and wrong for me.”

“It’s not about dictating what’s right and wrong, it’s more like a guide from what’s right and wrong.” frustration was evident from Charles' voice along with his furrowed forehead. Max dropped his stick and stepped on it to kill the light. He gripped Charles’s arm and made him look at him. He felt the younger flinch within his touch.

“Charles, what’s wrong? Be honest with me, Charlie.” Max placed both of his hands on Charles' shoulder, closing the gap between them. Inhaling the intoxicating smell of alcohol mixed with cigarettes. “Max, I-”

“¡Hijos de puta, qué feo su comportamiento!” Both Charles and Max immediately distanced themselves from each other, seeing their friends getting kicked out of the bar, wasted as fuck.

“Ready to go home?” Charles snapped out of his thoughts when his mama tapped his shoulder. The mass had already ended and he didn’t even notice. “I’ll start the car, wait for me in front of the chapel so you wouldn’t need to walk back to the parking lot.” Charles said with a smile as he stood up and made his way outside the chapel. The thing is, he's not headed to the parking lot.

Tipsy. They were both tipsy from all the alcohol they drank. Especially since they decided to continue drinking at Lando’s house after being kicked out of the club. Everyone was already wasted. Charles wanted to be wasted too, but his very high tolerance in alcohol is not helping him. He wanted to drown his thoughts. His sinful thoughts of Max. He keeps on having flashbacks of how Max gripped him and how he sounded when he asked him the simplest question he couldn’t answer.

“That’s enough, Charlie.” Max said as he snatched the beer from Charles hand and moved away all the cans of beer left. Charles groaned, he wanted more. He forcefully grabbed the canned beer in Max’s hand which ended in the worst way possible.

“Fuck!” Max screamed in shock as the cold liquid drenched his shirt. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Max stood up and threw the can of beer in the nearest trash bin. Meanwhile, Charles ran a hand through his hair and left a frustrated groan before standing up and leaving the room.

“Charles,” Max called but to his dismay, Charles ignored him and went outside despite also being drenched with the cold beer.

“Charles, what’s wrong? C’mon mate, speak up-”

“For fuck’s sake, leave me alone Max!” Charles snapped. “Everything is wrong! It all started being wrong the moment you came back for good. I shouldn’t be feeling like this, Max. This is so fucking wrong!”

“Cha-”

“Man is created for a woman, a man is not created for another man. I can’t have these kinds of feelings towards you, Max. I can’t. My faith tells me it's wrong, but my heart... my heart is betraying everything I thought I knew.”

Max froze from where he stood. He didn’t exactly know how to react knowing that the person he craves also craves for him but forbids himself because it’s against his religion. So he stepped forward, taking the risk, placing his lips against the lips he craves for.

A slap echoed in Max’s ears. He felt a sting in his cheek as he once again froze from Charles’ actions. “Max,” Charles was supposed to touch the cheek but was stopped by Max’s tight grip on his wrist. Max’s jaws clenched, still feeling the sting from Charles’ slap as he dragged the younger inside to a vacant room.

“Max, I’m sorry.” Charles’ kept on trying to remove his wrist from Max’s grip, “You’re hurting me, Max!”

Charles was dizzy from the alcohol but it wasn't enough to knock him senseless. He was aware of where he was. He was aware of Max's intentions. He knew why he heard the door locked. And he knew damn well it's turning the both of them on.

“It’s funny how it's forbidden for a man to crave a man because your Jesus said so. But isn't your Jesus also a man?” Max whispered in Charles’ ear. Pinning both of his hands on top of his head while the other hand rests on Charles' waist, gripping it from time to time. “And you people worship him so badly, craving for his attention.”

Max stepped an inch closer to Charles, closing the gap between them. Not even air could pass through them. Charles groaned at the friction caused by their hips touching. Max thrusted into Charles' clothed self, making the younger moan and close his eyes. Max placed his free hand on Charles’ chin, making him look up. “Open your eyes. Let me see those pretty eyes of yours.”

“Look at you, even your eyes crave for me, schatje.” Max buried his head on the younger’s neck, leaving sloppy kisses and bite marks. He can feel his pants getting tighter every time he would hear Charles whimpering against his touch. “Already such a fucking mess for me, sweet one?”

Max freed the younger's hands from being pinned against the wall and slid it down his pants. Charles’ hands immediately found its way to Max’s hair, tugging a handful as he felt Max’s cold hand against his cock.

“You’ve been worshipping the same man for years now, Charlie. Would you go to hell if you'd worship another? Let's say, me?”

“Father, I have something to confess.”

[scaredpigeons]

“Let me look at you.”

kaveh x fem!reader

Nsfw 18+ MDNI. Smut. Pussy inspection, teasing, light oral (fem receiving) Kaveh’s a bit mean, but not really and we like it. Established relationship, childhood friends to lovers, yes you both live in Alhaitham’s house still cuz I’ll never separate my otp

———————

You hear the rattle of a doorknob, unable to open. 

Then a thud, as if something hit the door. 

“Darling?” Kaveh’s frustration leaked into his voice. “Are you in there? I forgot my keys again.” 

You smiled, and rose from the sofa to open the door. Your sweet Kaveh stood in the doorway, shoulders slumped and white knuckling his mechanical toolbox, looking at you miserably through his brows. 

“Welcome home,” you stepped aside, allowing him to trudge into the entrance. “ I would ask how your day was…” 

“You would not believe the day I’ve had. I don’t even want to repeat some of the atrocities I had to witness today, let alone the absolute crimes against art as a whole— and I had to just sit there and let him drone on and on!— AND regardless of my experience and clear expertise on the subject, this—this monster absolutely refused to budge on— seriously my love, who in their right mind requests five inch thick mullions on stunning lancet arched windows?! The man's wife wanted them to be Sumerian rose stained glass— which I already ordered the exact amount for, at double the usual rate so they could have it installed in time for their daughter's birthday— and suddenly the man wants mullions?!” 

Your romantic relationship with Kaveh might have been fresh, but being friends with him since childhood gave you plenty of experience with these kinds of moods. You knew this spiral would only ruin his evening, and if left to fester it would consume his entire month. 

“Is there anything I can do to help?” You asked timidly, not wanting to send him into another rant, but not wanting your silence to convince him you don’t care. 

Kaveh huffed, and turned towards you. “Unless you can tell this imbecile of a client that—“ He paused, actually looking at you for the first time since he walked into the house. 

Since moving in with him and Alhaitham, you’d certainly made yourself comfortable in the space. 

The house had little pieces of you scattered here and there; a lavender throw pillow on your favorite couch, new mugs in the cupboard, a framed photo of the three of you from your last trip to the desert—smiling and laughing in the sun while camped at an oasis, but nothing showed how comfortable you were there more than how you dressed around the house. 

When the two of you became adults, you rarely ever saw each other outside of the akadeymia and Lambads tavern, so respectable formal wear was what you wore often. When you started coming over and rekindling your bond with Kaveh, you wanted to impress him, to be attractive to him, so you always dressed your best, always done up. But now…

He gazed longingly at your thighs peeking out from beneath one of his oversized shirts, buttons only done up halfway so that the majority of your chest was visible, placed to just cover your nipples in case someone came home during the day. Your hair was pinned back away from your face using a multitude of his own hair pins, and your face glowed as if it was recently washed. 

You were the pinnacle of beauty to Kaveh. So comfortable in his life— like you were meant to be there all along. He sighed, releasing his tight grip on mehrak to let him hover in place just beside him. 

“Actually, yes.” He sighed again, releasing the tension in his shoulders as he gestured for you with his arms. “Come here, let me hold you for a moment.”

You smiled sweetly and curled up into his embrace, humming happily as he rested himself at the junction of your neck and shoulder, inhaling deeply and groaning a little beneath his breath. 

“You’re perfect, you know that?” He said wistfully. 

You giggled, dropping your head to his shoulder to hide your intense blush. “Stop that! I’m supposed to be making you feel better, dummy.”

“Just having you here like this makes me feel a bit better, love.” He pulled back a bit. “Come now, let me look at you, there’s no need to hide.”

Despite your flustered state, you unwrapped yourself from him, cheeks warming even more at the way his eyes raked across your body.

“You like when I look at how beautiful you are, don't you?” He said, holding your hand in his with a gentle squeeze. Though his tone was still gentle, there was something burning beneath his gaze that had warmth pooling into the pit of your stomach. 

He grinned then, suddenly a bit mischievous in nature. “You know what would really help me de-stress, love?” 

If you hadn’t seen where this was headed before, you certainly knew now— though that didn’t make you any less flustered. Even after so many months, physical intimacy with Kaveh still worked you up just as badly as it had the first time. 

“I’ll do anything for you, Kaveh. You know that.” You murmured, cupping your own cheek in embarrassment.

You feel a light pressure around your limbs and waist, and suddenly you are hoisted into the air, hands together above your head and legs spread. 

“Wait—what?!” You tried to struggle, but the grip that he had mehrak put you in was unshakable. You’d seen Kaveh use this function with mehrak countless times; to swing his claymore, to move building materials, but never once had you seen it used on anyone else. “K-Kaveh! What are y-you doing?!”

His head appeared between your legs, though he was still standing, and you could see now why he had hoisted you so high into the air. 

“Just stay still for me, yeah? I want to look at you.” 

“B-but—“

You were silenced by his long, cool fingers pushing his shirt from where it covered you, and your legs spread even wider, exposing you in your entirety to him. He smiled as he hooked his fingers into your panties, sliding them down your thighs and onto the floor at his feet. 

You continued to squirm as your face bloomed with heat, trying to look away but entranced to watch him as he spread you apart, looking at your center with intense eyes. 

He wiggles your labia around a bit, spreading you open and watching as the strands of your slick glisten between them.

He’s torturing you. Eyes never leaving your cunt as he gently thumbs at your clit, watching it twitch and relishing the moans you can’t bite back. 

The teasing makes you ache, it makes pressure form behind your glossy eyes and deep inside you somewhere shameful. You can feel yourself clenching around nothing as he toys with you, poking and rubbing here and there as if to make sure his eyes don’t miss a single part of you. 

He sees you struggling, and a laugh emerges— light and airy from his chest. 

“Please… you’re teasing too much this time, Kaveh.” You manage to whimper. 

“Oh?” He says, eyes still unwavering from your leaking hole. “What is it you want, my love?” 

You keened, so frustrated with his not-enough-touches and the fact that he’s making you say it. You tried wiggling from the hold on you once more, but it only served to satisfy him more. 

“Please!” You begged. “Please make me cum!” Your blush burned. You couldn’t take it anymore. You needed him, to feel him. 

He hummed contently at your cries, finally looking up at you. His gaze burned with a lust so intense you don’t think you’ve seen it since the first time you ever shared your bodies with one another. It was an all consuming flame, and unlike the first time— this one didn’t startle you. 

Kavehs passion was one of his best qualities, and seeing it take on this form, this desire for you— to have you, to make you his— was something you came to crave. 

“Not yet.” He said. Tone leaning towards condescending. “I’m busy looking. You’ll let me keep looking, right?” 

His gaze trailed back down your body to your aching core, where he continued to run his fingers along your folds, eyes heavy with lust at the slick he touched there.

“After all,” he said. “You're so very pretty, and you know how stressed I get. And playing with this pretty pussy of my very own helps sooo much, you know that dont you?”

His words were dripping in sex—in demeaning condescension, and you were about to explode because of it. You squirmed and struggled more, moaning and crying out at the weight of his heavy gaze, and the lightness of his thumb across your clit. It throbbed, sending waves of need up your limbs and making your hips buck against his touch.

“I really enjoy playing with you like this,” He said darkly. Times like these were the only moments Kaveh ever spoke down to you. He was typically very doting, loving, and non confrontational when it came to your relationship. But when you hear his voice sink like this, hear him speak as if he owns you, it sends your brain into overdrive. 

Finally, finally he brings his tongue up your center, taking a nice firm lick from your clenching hole to your aching clit. He seems to add just the tiniest bit more pressure as his tongue rakes over your clit, and you squeal. 

A low, shuddering orgasm overtakes you, and you crumple into it, trying to milk it for all its worth. You’re shocked that he keeps his tongue gently moving over your clit when he realizes what’s happening though he never moves to make it more intense. He works you through it gently, drinking up your cries of pleasure. Your clit throbs dully with each wave of your orgasm, and right before it becomes something closer to painful, he stops. 

His large hands grip your thighs, and he watches as you continue to twitch with the aftershocks. He watches your orgasm subside, and laughs when you start to squirm needingly so soon after. 

“Awe, poor sweet thing. Not enough?” 

Your fucked out expression was nearly enough to break him. Tears streamed down your flushed cheeks, your eyelids drooped and heavy from the aftermath, but still sparkling with lust from the need for more. 

Truly, Kaveh never felt more blessed than when in these moments with you, and he truly couldn’t even remember the specifics of what exactly had made him so unhappy in the first place. 

He was sure he’d remember eventually, and go back to having more work to do, but for now, he’d rather just enjoy the fire you’ve brought from within him. 

“Alright, alright.” He smiled. “I wasn’t done with you yet anyways.” 

[byslantedlight]

Hello OFMD Tumblr thingie, and all the amazing people who are out there, and especially the ones who've been making all the posts that have made me so happy over the last few months. 💖💖💖 First and most importantly, thank you, thank you, thank you, to anyone who sees this!

This is my first post to Tumblr (probably pretty obvious from my huge lack of Tumblr sophistication! And the length of this post...) If you don't count reblogging things that I wanted to be able to find again. I've braved up to comment thank you to people a couple of times, but that's been it so far. I must admit it all looks a bit scary from this side of the glass, even though I can also see how friendly people mostly are.

But OFMD fandom is big! And you've been here a long time! I loved Series 1 when I watched it, and knew I wanted to watch out for Series 2, but it wasn't until I re-watched it when the Series 2 trailer came out on BBC iPlayer that I fell veeeery in love with it! And by then you were already here, and there was a language and debates about things I'd barely even noticed, and it's mostly me staring with big eyes thinking wow, and sometimes huh? and... well, you know. Plus there's trying to work out Tumblr, which I definitely haven't actually managed to do yet, and possibly never will, so... I decided to just jump in and post summat. Even just rambling, which is a bit of a specialty of mine... I mean - what's the worst that can happen, right? 😬

So... how come now? Well, I can't make art or gorgeous screenshots or gifs. I do write, but I'm still hanging out to get the right voices in my keyboard... I know them when I hear them, but you've gotta get the right rhythm going, and I'm not quite there yet, I don't think. Although really, I should probably just sit down and try (and stop waiting for work to shut up and give me time - I should be a pirate and take it!)

Anyway (told you about the rambling...) what I'm mostly doing apart from rewatching the eps on a constant loop is reading the fic. I'm picking it according to kudos on AO3, and according to recs that I see on Tumblr, and it's occured to me that alot of the stories I'm loving must have been recced looong ago, and that newbies like me totally missed them, and so maybe I could do my own recs, even if they are of older stories, and someone might find them useful. You know, if I work out how anyone else might ever see my posts. 😁 And if people aren't put off by my probably age-revealing use of emojis. (But I am entirely age-appropriate for Ed and Stede, and if I had to look up what zaddy meant too, well, that just means I matched Rhys Darby's expression in the bts, right? 🤨)

So it's not much, but I'd like to contribute even just a tiny bit to OFMD fandom in return for everything it gives me, so... yeah. That's my plan. I'll start in a bit, but this post is probably already too long since it's just rambling. And kind of dull. I should probably have said tl:dr at the top, shouldn't I, but then maybe anyone who actually saw this wouldn't, so... See, I kind of live in hope. 😊

Okay. Tags next, right? ... ack ... why won't it let me create new tags instead of just using ones from the drop down...? Well, those will have to do for now... maybe someone who sees this will have mercy and tell me how? I'll just be over here being a slight failure at Tumblr... And if you've made it this far (how long is an acceptable post over here?! Not this long, I don't think...) - thank you hugely for just that, and may your dreams be OFMD and joyous!

[otakusheep15]

Flufftober Day 12 - Painting

Content includes: Kalim x reader, reader has a crush on Kalim (implied to be requited), reader is a painter, reader is called Prefect, maybe a little OOC

It has been a long time since you’ve had some peace and quiet. There’s always someone with a problem you’re forced to fix, and you never have any time for yourself anymore. 

But, finally, you have a break. Ace and Deuce have (begrudgingly) offered to babysit Grim for the day, and Riddle had followed up by saying he’d keep an eye on them as well. Normally, you wouldn’t trust those three together, but since Riddle is watching them, you’re sure they’ll be fine. 

Now here you are, alone and at peace. You can actually focus on things you want to do, like painting. 

You’ve always considered yourself a creative person. Painting is a hobby you picked up at an early age, and it’s something you still enjoy to this day. With how busy you’ve been lately, you haven’t been able to work on any projects, so you’re glad to finally have this opportunity. 

Today was a nice, cool day, so you decided the best thing would be to paint outside. You had no classes today, so most students were off campus, either doing something on the island or visiting home, so the school was rather quiet. A couple students lingered around, but no one bothered you as you sat beneath a large tree. 

That was until you heard a voice shouting right behind you, causing you to jump and drop the supplies you were just holding. When you turn around, you’re met with the bright smile of Kalim, and any anger you might have felt instantly melts away. 

“Hi Prefect, Whatcha doing?” He sits down beside you without even asking, but you would have offered anyway, so you don’t mind. You tell him about your plans for the day, and his eyes light up. 

“You paint? That’s amazing! We have a lot of really talented painters back home…” You nod along as he continues talking. If this were anyone else, you would have been annoyed immediately. 

However, you really like Kalim. He’s a good friend, and he’s always very sweet. He can be a bit loud sometimes, but so is everyone else around you, so you’ve gotten used to it. 

While he continues to talk, you organize your supplies, making sure all of it is easily within reach. Your sketchbook sits comfortably in your lap, and you turn to the next clean page. 

When Kalim sees what you’re doing, he quiets down, seemingly entranced by your movements. You pay no mind, a bit happy to be back to the quiet. 

You pick up your pencil first, making a rough outline to start. Kalim watches your hand move, and you don’t think you’ve ever heard him be this quiet for this long. It’s a bit jarring, but you try not to focus on it. 

Time seems to fly after your initial conversation, and your sketching eventually turns into painting. You didn’t have much inspiration initially, but after spending some time sketching, you figured something out. 

You turned away from Kalim as you started painting, feeling a bit embarrassed at having someone watch you work. Kalim seemed to sense this and didn’t mind, turning away and messing around on his phone.

After a couple hours, you’re officially satisfied with your painting, and you place your brush down. You can feel your hand start to cramp, and you stretch it out. Kalim, noticing your movements, turns to look at you, placing down his phone. 

“Are you finished?” You nod at his question. “Can I see it?”

That makes you pause. He asked with such sincerity, but you don’t know if you want to show him. Kalim is so sweet, but he might judge you for your art. You know deep down that it’s just your insecurity talking, but you can’t help it. 

Kalim senses your hesitation, and his smile turns from bright curiosity to more tame and comforting. 

“I didn’t mean that to pressure you. If you don’t wanna show me, that’s alright!” He gently pats your arm, and you can’t help but smile at him. 

You tell him that you’re not really confident in your abilities right now, but maybe you’ll show him one day when you are. Kalim nods, understanding. 

“Well, I should probably get going. I’m sure Jamil is running around looking for me. I may have snuck off while he wasn’t looking.” Of course. You wave as he stands up, and he waves right back before turning around and wandering off. 

You sigh, picking up your sketchbook, which you had placed down earlier. Your painting stares up at you, and you smile fondly as you look at it. 

Kalim’s painted face stares back up at you, almost as bright as the real deal. Maybe one day you’ll be confident enough to show him.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 48 (He Had Him At Hello, Bromance Edition)

Leaving her friends in Old New Henford after dark, Heather, Ash, and Conrad returned to her childhood home with her parents.

They found River and Cassandra still in their work clothes, the two having spent most of the evening trying to get their infant son to sleep. "Doctor Scott says its a phase, it'll pass, but when he doesn't sleep well, we don't sleep well," lamented River. "These days we're thrilled if he sleeps for more than two hours at a time."

Conrad already felt at ease around her siblings, and Heather left them chatting upstairs while her parents showed her the new plants in their always impressive garden. When Michael woke up fussy, she soothed him back to sleep to give his tired parents a break.

Upstairs, River studied Conrad with keen interest. His sister's taste in men had always been a little...off, and he wanted to be sure this one deserved her. "Driving between San Myshuno and Brindleton Bay must not be easy."

"We make it work," said Conrad. "We're waiting for me to get a transfer, but all that driving can be pretty tiring."

"Sometimes I dance just to keep myself awake," said Cass, grooving a little to the music. "Since I left the art studio to help my mother-in-law with her floral business, it's been a bit easier working from home. I never realized the artistry involved in floral arranging, but I can be just as creative with a bouquet of flowers as I can with a palette of acrylics!"

Conrad couldn't relate, but he empathized with their lack of sleep. "I don't know much about raising kids, but Ash likes a story I tell him that my mom used to read to me when I was a kid. The Giving Tree."

"I love that story," Cassandra mused. "I think I saw a copy at the bookstore in the square."

River nodded. "I'll try anything. I'll pick up a copy tomorrow." Despite his fatigue, River's wall crumbled as he got to know Conrad. "What made you think our sister was worth risking your career?"

The question was sincere. Conrad had asked himself the same thing a thousand times. "At first I thought it was because her son needed her more than the Landgraabs needed a win, but then they dropped the charges and I couldn't stop thinking about her. I booked a vet appointment four hours out of the way just to run into her again."

"Why didn't you ask her out, then?"

"River, stop interrogating him," Hazel pushed, but Conrad smiled.

"I wanted to, but I knew she'd been through a lot and I wanted her to be sure she was ready. I sort of knew it would be it for me if I knew she was interested."

"It's a good thing Holly intervened," said Hazel, smiling. "You might still be waiting for her, otherwise."

River grinned. "He definitely would be."

Hazel left to meet Nicola and some friends at the Gnome's Arms, and River and Cassandra finally changed and sat down to dinner. Because they could know no peace, Ash talked their ear off about dinosaurs. "Conerd say t-rex no swim, we safe," he babbled. "T-rex roar!"

"You know there were less scary dinosaurs," River said. "Smaller ones who ate plants. Also big ones. Like brontosaurus."

Ash listened with intense curiosity. "Bront-so-us?"

"Yeah, they were even bigger than your dad's apartment."

Cassandra stifled a laugh. "River, hush."

They were interrupted when Michael woke again from his nap, wailing from the bedroom. With her plate still full of food, Cass left to tend to her son as Heather walked into the kitchen. "We should probably head out. It'll still be an hour on the Simmerloop at this time of night, and we should get Ash to bed before midnight."

Cassandra brought Michael outside for their goodbyes, but the fussy infant didn't last long in the cool autumn air.

River, meanwhile, had found a new best friend in Conrad. "When I found out my sister was dating a cop I wasn't sure what to think, but now I'm pretty confident you've never played bad cop in your life."

Conrad shrugged. "I mean, I don't see the point. It doesn't get me to the truth any faster. But I admire what you and your father do. Building green infrastructure for your community is just as important as what I do."

River laughed. "Please, don't flatter me. You deal with hardened criminals like my sister."

Daisy turned to Heather as they watched River bond with Conrad. "Riv grew up with a house full of sisters, but I think he always secretly wanted a brother."

When Conrad left to get the car, River turned to Heather. "I recognize the way he looks at you, and he's not going anywhere unless you tell him to. I know you like to think you're better off single, protecting your independence, but he's the guy who's perfect for you. You and Conrad finding each other is one in a million, like the day I met Cassandra. He's your Cassandra."

(Can confirm, Jane Simsten's Soulmates mod kicked in for these two way back on the night they ran into each other with Holly and Kris in San Myshuno, but Heather's unflirty and she's been burned in the past, so it's had to be this way. I'm sorry!)

River's beautiful wife gazed at him with love while he spoke. They were so sweet together, and their love used to make Heather feel like she was missing out. Now she had Conrad, who was as close to perfect as anyone she'd ever met, and she couldn't shake her insecurities.

"I know raising Ash with his father isn't easy and you're afraid to get hurt again," River said. "But that is a guy who's waiting for you to say 'I love you' so he can say it, too."

Neal frowned. "Huck, you don't know that. Don't test your sister's emotions-"

"I do know that, and I'd die on Old Mill Hill defending that take!"

"He makes me so happy," Heather admitted. "But what if he moves in and I find out he's a criminal mastermind masquerading as a detective?"

"Then you're even more perfect for each other than I thought."

Heather couldn’t deny her feelings for Conrad, as afraid as she was to put them into words and make them real.

Despite her fears, she was grateful for her family's approval, and she embraced her brother warmly when Conrad brought his car around. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: This got it's own post because Conrad and River literally said hello to each other and were basically best friends (they became official best friends later, when it mattered for Conrad's Friend of the World aspiration. tbh by then I thought they already were but either something glitched or broke with the Lovestruck patches or I never bothered and forgot). Their instant bromance felt so right - River looks up to his older sister and wants the best for her even though he can't help but tease her, and he and Conrad are both responsible guys focused on bettering their communities. It's a perfect match and I loved this development.

[jittyjames]

so kinda want to talk about something that happened in the past few days and an ongoing issue within the ham community atm. i know y'all have seen all of the stuff going around, people hiding behind anonymity to tear each other down, name dropping accounts to get them harassed etc.. the blog was fun at first, and i even enjoyed putting in harmless opinions on women's representation and aaron burr being my favorite character, but it quickly devolved into something concerning. but hey! you can't censor people by deleting or ignoring posts on a confession blog right? that would defeat the purpose. so of course all of this discord will be allowed.

except the moderator had no problem taking down my anonymous post that called out the undermining of harmful slurs being used by the community.

i blurred the person's name i was referring to because although it was all over the confessions blog and they have no problem with airing this minor's name after she's already gotten death threats, i don't want to spread it outside of there for people not involved. so here's the following conversation that took place.

(context for anyone who's had the great fortune of not running into this blog: someone had said a homophobic slur in a derogatory way and there was a question if they could reclaim it or not.) (rebuttal is also not the right word, but my mind was racin and that's what we got. i meant response.)

at first, i thought there was a misunderstanding. that someone had asked them to take something down and they mistook my post for it since they made a post saying they did in fact take down a post by someone's request. but i had a feeling it was something more. clearly, the moderator values someone who doesn't want people speaking out about an issue of homophobia being down played's opinion over an actual member of the lgbtq+ community. it's 2024 and we're still having to have the conversation about if slurs are bad or not, and it's frankly exhausting.

i might have adjusted my original post a bit more in the actual tumblr inbox, but this was the gist of what it said bc i always write down what i want to say first outside of the app (social anxiety says hi 🤪). as you can see it lines up with the conversation at hand— the conversation that was allowed and was still up, i might add— and i was polite about everything— unlike the actual hate mongering on the account. i really don't know where this attitude came from or why my specific post about queerness was targeted out of so many, but as you can see, they did so clear as day. to my knowledge, no other post has been taken down despite there being multiple continued conversations that are vague enough to not specifically be about fandom (like the morality of long distance incest, arguing over which hamilton artist they don't like, and people complaining about the drama going on across the blog.) those were allowed to be up, and i believe they should be if those are the conversations that people want to have about the fandom space. so why the detestation in these responses? it's not even veiled disdain. you would think i was the one bullying random minors just because i didn't like their art style or the one sending death threats. when a marginalized person expresses concern over something happening under your watch, why is the first line of action to be hateful and flippant while making excuses that don't even make sense and referring to rules that aren't even followed. despite all of this, it's my opinion it didn't even break said rules. the conversation at hand was about slur usage in the fandom. why did the posts claiming people were basically dumb for finding an issue with it stay, and mine get deleted?

why has the biggest crime on that blog—by the moderator's standards, the post so horrible they had to step in and delete and tell the person to leave the page—a gentle reminder that some people find the use of homophobic slurs a disrespectful practice when the word is in the wrong mouth. even if someone disagreed with my post, which is their right, why was it erased completely?

but that blog was taken down. and we thought it was over. but strangely enough last night, my anon box was filled with so many hate comments i had to turn off anon, and i have no plans of turning them back on. and it appears the blog was remade with rules but only one specific rule.

now here’s the issue. whore can’t really be compared to homophobic slurs or racial slurs due to the way it’s evolved in culture. and let’s say whore is a slur. let’s go with that. just because you listen to music or consume content that has people reclaiming slurs, it does not give you the right to reclaim them and say them for yourself. that is ignorance. you can't silence a community by saying they can't take issue over SLURS with this excuse used over and over again when it's not even an appropriate once. something that will always stand is people should not be saying slurs they can't reclaim.

you all can keep playing around with that blog if you want. just remember while you're arguing and cursing each other over fictional queer ships, actual queer issues are being censored by the person hosting y'all for no apparent reason other than some unnamed person asking for it's removal and the moderator's apparent disdain for queer people asking people not to use harmful slurs. which makes no sense to anyone if you think about it for more than two seconds.

i'm just a blip in this fandom, and there's so many of you i haven't gotten the fortune of talking to, but you need to sit down and ask why you guys are doing this to yourselves in the first place. why are you continuously feeding in to a bullying platform when you know how it's effecting people? when you know the moderator's intentions have been made clear in just want hatred bred throughout the fandom? why are we so dead set on being mean to each other? maybe you think i'm trying to stir up trouble or be self-important by butting my nose into people's business, and that's your right to think that. but this account has split the fandom in two and made it's fun diminish for everyone involved. you can say that every fandom is like this, but i've been in the fandom since the beginning and active on this account for almost three years and i've never seen anything like this. if you want to see change and for the fandom to go back to normal, stop torturing yourselves and calling it entertainment. the drama was silly and fun in the beginning, but now with specific attacks on minors and disparaging an entire community by telling us to take our "queer concern" elsewhere and saying we can't speak out against people using slurs, it's gotten worrying.

obviously, i'm not going to tell anyone what to do or fault them if they continue to play the intoxicating game of ganging up on someone because they don't know who you are and you know you won't face any repercussions. but just realize it could be you or a close friend being endlessly harassed and silenced. i used to think there was no place in this community for things like this, but there's always something that weasels it's way in.

it's basic and you've heard it from every single adult in your life, but think before you post. think about what the intentions are. think about why you find all of this fun. think about why this person behaves the way they do.

[ikeromantic]

Cruelty

A Chevalier Michel fanfiction. Approx. 4500 words. This scene takes place in Chapter 19 of the main route and is told from Chevalier’s POV. Part 17 of a series.

Chapter List

Chevalier felt an unusual lightness as he sat beside the Belle in his private dining room. He enjoyed watching her enjoy the food and wine. Enjoyed her chatter about the day, he past, her books. This warmth haunted him every day since the Belle confessed her love. 

He knew it was pure foolishness to allow himself to feel this way. A pleasurable nothing. Part of him knew his affair with this uncommon commoner would lead only to tragedy, but the other part, the near-silenced heart of him, wanted her to be right.

“What are you thinking about?” Emma tilted her head, gaze inquisitive. 

Chevalier deflected. “You don’t speak much about your family.”

She nodded. “My only family is Mr. Akatsuki. He practically raised me. I know I had a home before him - parents. But it’s just bits and pieces. A certain smell. A room I can half recall. Sometimes a smell.” Emma shrugged. “What about you? I never hear you talk about the king or your mother.”

“There is no point in discussing it.” 

Of course, Emma wasn’t going to be so easily denied. “Sariel gave me the bare facts. I know it couldn’t have been an easy childhood, so I understand if you don’t want to tell me about it.” She laid a hand on his arm. “But I’m here if you -”

He snorted. “You will worry about it if I don’t say anything more.” The look in her eye confirmed that truth. “Fine. My father had no interest in me. I spent years trying to be the best, to prove myself. But he only cared for the love he’d lost, and the child lost with her.”

Emma took a sip of wine, knowing him well enough to understand that a trite comforting statement would only irritate him. 

Chevalier continued. “My mother yearned for his affection, and missed her home.” He recalled the queen, her cold misery, the silent distances between them. “She found me distasteful. A strange child, an unpleasant reminder of her situation. I only saw either of them at court.” He shook his head. “It isn’t important.”

“It is to me.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, giving him her comforting warmth. “I wish you’d had a Mr. Akatsuki too. Someone to hug you and tell you everything would be ok.”

He gave a mirthless laugh. “I wouldn’t have appreciated the lie.”

“But maybe you would have liked the hug.” Emma glanced up at him. “Can I hug you, Prince Chevalier?”

“If it will make you stop asking me about my parents, then yes.” 

She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest. Despite himself, it felt good to he embraced, and his arms went around her to hold her tight. These moments could not last, but he cherished them. 

Much later, after seeing Emma to her room, he found himself wondering how she might prove their love was anything besides foolhardy. What might he accept as evidence? What outcome could she hope for? She wanted to prove he was more than the Brutal Beast, but there was no way to do so. 

Chevalier knew he would kill again, and sentence thousands to their death if necessary. And he would not regret the life lost so long as the objective was met. The kingdom mattered more. More than a life, more than the lives of any one village - or any one prince. How could a man that believed that be anything but a beast? 

***

Chevalier stepped into her room, intending to gift her a decorative candleholder. He’d chosen it from several gifts sent to him by merchants hoping to curry favor. Fools they were, but this one was pretty and he thought she might like it. The silver was worked in the shape of an exquisite flower, so delicately wrought that it was nearly a work of art.

The Belle sat on her bed, head bent over a history book. She was so wrapped up in the text that she didn’t even notice him come in. “Emma.” She didn’t so much as twitch, so he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out his own book. The candleholder dropped to the bed beside him, largely forgotten.

It was hours later that she sat up and stretched, making a satisfied sound as she worked the kinks from her muscles and joints. “I guess I was too engrossed,” she said to herself.

“Indeed.”

The Belle did a little jump at the sound of his voice. He smiled at her when their eyes met, hers wide with surprise. 

“I did call out to you once.” He gestured toward the book in her lap. “For a simpleton you have considerable powers of concentration.”

“I’m sorry. I completely didn’t notice!”

He chuckled and shut his book. She was adorably flushed with embarrassment, color high in her cheeks. 

“What’s that?” Emma gestured to the candleholder at his side. 

“A merchant who came to the palace left it as a gift. It was in the way, so I’m giving it to you.” Chev tossed it to her.

She caught it with a shout of surprise. “What - whoa!” She examined the candleholder, clearly pleased. “It’s beautiful. Are you sure I can have this?”

He shrugged. “If you don’t want it, I’ll get rid of it.”

“No, no. I do! Thank you.” She smiled and set it on her nightstand.

“If you want to thank me, don’t ask pointless questions.” He couldn’t help but smile at her. She was so happy, deriving pleasure from things in a way that he never could. 

The Belle smiled back at him, then her expression fell. An anxiousness gripped her. He knew immediately why. Her promise to show him the value of this love they shared for each other. The use of it. She was no closer to an answer for him but not ready to give up either. “You really do show everything you’re thinking,” he scoffed.

“What is it this time?”

“Nothing.” He didn’t want to ridicule her for her efforts or explore too deeply why he was indulging in this pointless affection. Spending time together was pleasurable but it would lead to nothing. However, there was a better way for her to prove her theorem, he thought. A tangible outcome of her idealistic notion, should she manage to pull it off. But if anyone could succeed, it would be Emma.

Chevalier stood. “Let’s go.”

“What? Where?”

He stopped and turned to look at her. “Come along and find out. Oh, and I’m sure I don’t need to say this, but refusing is not one of your options.” Chev smiled again, knowing she didn’t want to refuse anyway.

His carriage waited for them outside, and he helped her into it. The ride into the city was pleasant. Quiet except for the creaking of the carriage wheels and the clop of horse hooves. She sat beside him on the padded bench, her leg pressed to his thigh. Chevalier was hyper aware of the sensation, the fabric of her skirts rustling. The slight tensing of her leg at each bump in the road. He enjoyed it, even as it set an odd tension within him.

They finally came to a stop along a backalley. The few lampposts here were not lit, the only light came from the moon above, and the faint flickering of candlelight from nearby windows. 

Emma looked alarmed as he helped her down from the carriage, but Chevalier knew they had nothing to fear. Not here. He led her to the front of a shop where a brawny man stood guard. Interestingly, Emma did not look surprised by this place. Meaning Clavis had certainly brought her here before, as suspected.

The guard saw him coming and his brows drew down as his shoulders squared. Fool. “I’m very sorry but today our shop is completely booked - w-wait! Are you Prince Chevalier?!”

“You’re in my way. Move.”

The guard’s mouth fell open. He might have been ready to challenge the prince again, but Chev brushed him aside as if he were no more than an annoying gnat.

Chevalier paused a few steps inside to survey the room. The crowd was diverse, but none of the faces he knew were unexpected. His gaze found the one special guest he’d hoped would come. Hiding behind a pillar, recognizable even in peasant’s clothes.

As the prince stood there watching them, the anti-war faction’s chatter fell silent and all eyes turned to Chevalier. Tension hung in the air, thick as smoke.

“That’s - no way!” One man shouted.

“It’s Prince Chevalier,” a woman called out.

Beside him, Emma stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, her voice heavy with worry. “Why exactly are we here?”

“This is the meeting place of the anti-war faction.” He gave a small sigh of annoyance. “Apparently they have regular awareness-raising activities with messages like, ‘Don’t allow the second prince’s heinous acts to continue’ and ‘Take up arms.’ ‘Create a revolution.’ Stop the war.’” Chevalier laughed humorlessly. 

Emma’s eyes were wide with fear, but she kept her voice and the rest of her expression calm. “Prince Chevalier, what do you plan to do here?”

He was surprised she didn’t assume he’d come to kill them all. That was certainly the most direct way to deal with their interference. He smirked. “Watch and see for yourself.” He strode forward and the crowd parted for him. 

Chevalier cast an arrogant glance over them. “What is it? There’s no need to pay any attention to me. Pretend I’m not here and talk freely amongst yourselves.” He sat down in one of the chairs and waited for them to make the next move.

No one said anything for a long moment, then a thin, well-dressed man approached. “I never imagined I would see you here, your Highness.” Chev knew him instantly. The baron, Flandre. Despite his demeanor, unyielding rage burned in the depths of his eyes. 

Across the room, Emma tensed. She knew who this was as well, and with what regard he held the Prince. 

Lord Flandre smiled as sharp as a dagger’s edge. “What sort of business do you have with us today? Did you intend to purge us like you did the others?” 

“You catch on quick,” Chevalier held his arrogant smirk. “I’ve come to cut off your heads if you commit an act of treason against my kingdom.” He gestured to the room at large. “Now, why don’t you hurry up and start your little meeting?”

There was an audible rippled through the gathered people. A collective gasp as blood drained from fearful faces. 

“Your Highness, are you being serious?” Flandre took a step back, uncertain now that the Brutal Beast had bared his fangs. 

The prince shrugged. “There’s no sense in letting rabble-rousers do what they want, is there? Even if they claim innocence.” 

Flandre bit his lip, bringing a bead of blood to the surface. Anger warred with fear in his expression, as easy to read for Chev as the Belle.

“All of you have two choices. Loyalty or death.” Chevalier rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “I should tell you that I take your silence to mean you intend to commit treason. You know what will happen if you say nothing, right?” 

Still, no one said a word. Even their breath was held. 

Chevalier stood and drew his sword, holding it aloft. 

Emma stepped forward, no fear in her face now. Only determination and concern. “Prince Chevalier. Please wait.” She stepped between him and the members of the anti-war faction. 

Here it was, he thought, keeping a smile on the inside. His Belle was so brave, moreso than all these pretend revolutionaries combined. “If you get in my way, you’ll wind up as a stain on my sword,” he warned.

She nodded as if this were merely an expected possibility. “Even supposing the people gathered here ARE considering treason against the kingdom,” Emma glanced around the room before continuing. “I think they must have their reasons.”

“And what of it?”

“If you just punish them all without question, without hearing what those reasons are, that’s the act of a mere beast.” Emma’s eyes met his and her lips curved up in a slight, knowing smile. “Prince Chevalier, I know you are not a beast. So please, try to have an open mind tonight. I propose that you talk with them first, and try to meet them halfway.”

He did not reply, only observed her. This steel soul she possessed was on full display now, called into action by this seemingly rash action of his. He wondered if she suspected his full purpose here. 

The Belle held his gaze, unflinching. “If you still insist on cutting down your own people, Prince Chevalier, then I should be the first one to die, as someone who is now openly in defiance.”

Flandre gasped from behind her. “What? Lady Emma!”

The room erupted with gasps and whispers. Shock ran through the faces of the anti-war gathering that an outsider to their cause would place herself between them and the prince. 

“However,” Emma tilted her head, “what I’m offering is a proposal, not treason. If you’re willing to listen to your people, please put away your sword.”

The prince laughed. She really was a remarkable woman. How impossible that she loved him, and saw in him a man worthy of her. “Very well. I’ll at least listen to their explanation.” He sheathed his sword and sat again, waiting expectantly.

Lord Flandre gave a jerk of surprise. He was not the only one. 

Emma stepped to the side, out of the way now that her work was done.

“Well?” Chevalier raised a brow. 

“Thank you Lady Emma.” Flandre gave her a small bow and then turned back to Chevalier. “In order to avoid war, we want Rhodolite to make a bloodless surrender.”

Chevalier’s lips thinned as he pressed them tight before replying. “You would have us surrender to an enemy nation without going to war?”

“Yes. I’m sure you know this, Prince Chevalier, but I’ve lost family to war.” Flandre’s gaze wavered with grief. “I’ll do whatever it takes to avoid going through that again.” He gestured to others in the crowd. “Everyone here bears those kinds of scars.”

Emma looked at him in clear surprise and horror, sympathy evident in her posture. She wanted to ease his pain, but not at the cost of surrender to Obsidian. 

“I understand your motivation, but I have a feeling we won’t be able to come to an understanding.” The prince’s gaze rested coldly on his former knight, a coward willing to sell his neighbors into slavery to spare himself some pain.

Lord Flandre nodded after a beat. “It seems so. After all, you’re a heartless beast, Prince Chevalier.”

“I believe most of you are the same when it comes to not having a heart.” Chevalier relaxed into the seat, letting his gaze drift over the gathering. 

“What do you mean by that,” Flandre demanded.

Chevalier sighed. “You’ve already joined forces with Obsidian, haven’t you?”

The baron took a step back. “H-how did you-”

“When the fort was occupied, the Obsidianite army closed in on our border. Fortunately, the enemy forces quickly withdrew when we showed more force than expected but if we’d taken our time to negotiate with you, we would have lost the fort.”

Several in the crowd whispered to one another, a tide of unrest. 

Emma gasped audibly and stared in horror at Flandre.

“The enemy army was on standby, as though Obsidian knew from the beginning that the fort had been taken. There’s no way they could have known unless they were conspiring with the anti-war faction.”

Flandre looked down and did not reply.

Prince Chevalier continued. “Your faction made a proposal to Obsidian several months ago, didn’t it?” He tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair, a martial beat. “If we help you take control of Rhodolite, you’ll give those who cooperated preferential treatment. You do know how nations who have surrendered to Obsidian are treated, don’t you?”

Again no one replied, and their silence was damning.

“Their people are tyrannized and used as slaves. That is the fate of an invaded country. The choice all of you have made nearly cost our people their peaceful, ordinary lives.” The prince’s icy rage flowed through the small space.

“We don’t care what happens to the kingdom,” Flandre sputtered, finally finding his spine. “If we can just keep our loved ones safe then -”

Chevalier nodded, interrupting. “Oh? So it’s self-deception that has driven you to betray your country.” He was trying to keep a reign on his temper, but the urge to depart this man’s head from his body was strong. Fool. “I tire of listening to this.”

“I know it’s not ideal,” Flandre continued, trying to rationalize. “But even so, we don’t want to lose what’s important to us. You push for was but do you have any idea how much sorrow will come from the inevitable sacrifices?”

The prince did not answer him directly, but rather focused on the fearful faces in the crowd. “I have one question for all of you. I’m sure there are many kinds of people you call your loved ones. Family, friends, lovers. Would it make them happy to see Rhodolite invaded and overrun? To see their neighbors and friends enslaved and abused?” 

He could see his words impact them as they exchanged glances, another rush of whispers filling the space.

“If you think you can enjoy true happiness in the midst of that hell then you are the ones that do not understand the sorrow that will result from that sacrifice.” Chevalier watched the realization settle in. Still no one replied. Even Flandre ceased his pathetic attempts at justification.

Prince Chevalier stood. “If you give up this treasonous plan and follow me, I swear this to you. I will settle things with Obsidian and bring true peace to Rhodolite without fail. I will protect our kingdom so that your loved ones can find happiness.”

Lord Flandre sensed he was losing control of the faction. He turned, flailing. “D-don’t try to sweet talk us! You speak of an ideal you can’t achieve. All you’re doing is ensuring there will be even more victims!”

“It is not an ideal. It’s a future that will happen.” Chev’s reply was so certain that even Flandre looked shaken.”That said, yes. Sacrifice is an unavoidable aspect of war. I can’t guarantee the life of every single person. However, I believe not a single life will be lost in vain for our county. I won’t allow it to be.” 

His implacable gaze swept once more over the room. “If we fight, we will win without fail. Choosing this path will allow all of you to face your loved ones without shame.” Prince Chevalier waited as the anti-war faction considered his words. And then, one by one, they came and knelt before him. There was only one that refused to bend the knee.

“I don’t believe you,” Flandre spat. He glared at Chevalier, so weighed down by his hate and pain that he was insensible to reason. Then he drew his sword. 

Emma leapt forward with a shout. “Prince Chevalier!” She need not have moved. 

As Flandre charged, Chevalier sidestepped the attack. He lashed out with a well-placed kick and sent the knight’s sword clanging to the ground. Flandre could only gasp for breath. “You’re as foolish as ever,” the prince sighed. “I’ll pretend that this disrespect never happened.”

Lord Flandre straightened, his eyes still brimming with hate and unspent anger. 

Chevalier ignored him. He beckoned Emma to follow, and strode to the exit. No good would come from staying longer.

“It doesn’t matter what you say,” Flandre shouted after them. “I’ll never bend the knee to you! Never again!”

The prince didn’t even waste a glance on him. 

Emma, however, looked back and let out a small gasp. She didn’t say anything until they were back in the carriage. Then she asked, “Was that Leon just now?”

“Yes. It wasn’t your imagination. I summoned him.” He watched the street pass slowly out the window, chin in hand. Seeing the peaceful street was a good reminder why he did what he did. This place could only be what it was thanks to the sacrifice of its defenders. 

“What? But why?” 

Chevalier glanced at her. “It’s none of your concern.” She did not need to know the details of his navigating royal conflict. This was a burden Emma did not need to carry, and she would if he explained.

The Belle said nothing for a few breaths, thinking about their tense evening. Then, “Prince Chevalier, why did you bring me to the anti-war faction’s meeting?”

He smiled. Emma was smarter than she gave herself credit for. Many of his courtiers would never have questioned why them, why there. But she knew he did nothing without cause. “This trip was not done in my official capacity as prince. It was personal. I simply wanted to spend time with you, as always.”

Her brow crinkled in puzzlement. “What?”

“You should be glad. You don’t have much time left at the palace, and I’m going out of my way to spend my days with you.”

Her gaze turned inward again as she considered his words. Emma rewarded him with a wide, joyful smile as understanding settled in. “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”

Chevalier chuckled. “If you have time to thank me, why not show me a scrap of this love, hm?”

“I . . .”

“You don’t know how, do you?” His smile grew. She was so ridiculously innocent. He almost felt guilty, teasing her. Almost, but not quite. 

Emma stammered. “I-I can’t show you something that you can’t see . . .”

“Mmm. Then are you going to give up?” He raised a brow. 

“No! Of course not! Absolutely not!” 

The outrage in her voice was adorable. Chevalier was set to tease her further, but the carriage hit a bump and jarred her from her seat. She fell right into his lap. Perfect.

“Ah! I’m sor-” Emma began to apologize but the words died on her lips as he wrapped his arms around her. 

He could feel the wild beat of her heart, the tremor of her breath. 

“Since you’re not giving up, and have leapt straight into my lap, tell me. What is it you plan to do on this long, dull trip back to the palace?” 

“Th-that was an accident!” Her cheeks went hot, and her pulse raced even faster. 

“For an accident -” Chevalier ran a fingertip along the edge of her lips, enjoying the tension desire built in him, and the answering need he could feel in the Belle.

Emma gave a shiver of pleasure at the touch. She had no words for him, only a wanton look.

“You seem to be awfully feverish.” He couldn’t help but smirk.

“Look. If the person you longed for was doing that to you -”

“Pfft. I’ve hardly done anything.” He settled her more firmly in his lap. “For someone who says she’s going to prove the value of love, you don’t seem familiar with it yourself.” He stroked her cheek with a calloused thumb. “You’re going to have a tough time, I think.”

“Ah - I - I -”

His fingertip traced along her jaw and back to her petal-soft lips. Parting them, finding the tip of her delicate pink tongue. He could feel the yearning, the need, coming from her. She was warm to the touch, hot against his lap. 

Emma pulled away, studying his face. “Why are you teasing me like this?”

“I’m simply playing around with a silly woman. After all, I have some free time here in the carriage.” He leered. “Won’t you let me enjoy myself a little?”

Genuine outrage flashed in her expression before the realization hit. “You - ugh. Please don’t start talking like Clavis.” 

Chevalier chuckled. “Don’t compare me to him.” He reached for her again, nudging the tip of her tongue as she opened her mouth to say something else. Her reaction was enchanting. She was so innocent. Not in all ways, but at least in the pleasures men and women took together. He knew she’d never been touched, teased, the way he wanted to. 

“Stop! Stop doing this to me!” She balled her fists and tried to turn away, but Chev caught her chin.

He wanted her to see that this was more than simply taunting her. Would she see what lay in his gaze? Could she, even now, read his heart? “You’ve read so many romance novels, yet you still know nothing of romantic entanglements.”

Emma did not deny it.

“You’ve never been this close to a man before.”

“Th-that has nothing to do with it!” The Belle pouted. “How can I get used to it when I long for you with my whole heart?” She took a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. “That’s why I feel so - so awkward right now.” 

She tried to remove herself from his lap, but Chevalier did not want to let go. “Feel as awkward as you like.”

“I don’t understand.” Her voice was high and small and nervous. 

He considered letting her go then. If she truly was afraid to be intimate, he would not force it. Never that. But her signals were mixed and he wanted to push her a little, to get her to admit what she wanted. What she would like to do. 

“I don’t mind the look on your face when you’re feeling this way.” Chevalier let go of her chin and let his fingers trail down her bare throat to her shoulder. She leaned into his touch with a slight gasp. 

He leaned close, pressed his lips to hers. Gentle as a kitten. Then he nibbled her lower lip, not a full kiss, just a taste. Chev pulled back, gauging her reaction.

Another tremor of pleasure, an audible sigh of pleasure. Her eyes were wide and hot. “What did you -”

“If you’re not a child, you should know.” He grinned.

“Of course I’m not a ch-”

Chevalier quieted her protest with another kiss. He’d meant to only taste again, but found himself indulging in the satin heat of her mouth. He felt greedy for her, as if he could never be satisfied. His tongue slipped the barrier, careening thirstily between her parted lips, teasing and tasting. 

Emma gave a little moan, and it nearly undid him. She gripped his shoulders, pulling herself closer, erasing the little distance between them until only the friction of their clothes divided the two. 

He forced himself to let go. To set her back on the seat opposite him. This was not the time, nor the place for these flames to catch. 

She looked as if she might protest, or question. But she was quiet, only watching him, and thinking. 

Chevalier knew what passed through her mind. Wondering what she was to him, what he felt. Fretting the undeniable cruelty of his tenderness.

“Hurry up and prove the worth of love,” he told her, and did not say because it will kill me to give you up.

[flwoie]

LOVE IN DISGUISE — P. SH.

one : jetpack joyride

contains : profanities, sunghoon getting whacked and abducted twice, him almost dying, him also choosing a jetpack over his dignity.

word count : 969 (not proofread)

Sunghoon quickly ran to his desk after meeting up with his friends. He came back to the dormitory late, but none of his roommates questioned him, especially Junhan. He dropped his bag on the floor and kneeled to open it, pulling out a jetpack.

“Awesome!” He quietly exulted. He was wary of trying it out since his dorm was a bit small and might break the wall, so he shoved it under his desk. He lay on his bed, shocked by the realization of what had happened that afternoon. He couldn’t tell anyone.

Sunghoon wakes up sitting on a chair, his hands tied behind his back, and his eyes blindfolded. He doesn’t know how he ended up here. One minute he was playing basketball alone, and the next minute he got knocked out.

He shakes his head to get rid of the blindfold, the cloth successfully falling off and onto his collarbone. He glances around; the place is dim, empty, and dirty—most likely an abandoned warehouse.

“Very funny, guys!” He yells out. “You got your revenge, Beomgyu!” There are times when Sunghoon pranks Beomgyu, and he always says he will get revenge in return, so Sunghoon thinks this is payback. Except he doesn’t see his friend hiding anywhere.

He hears a faint voice and footsteps echoing. “I think the boy woke up,” the voice said. The steps get louder, and a second voice speaks up, making it clear for Sunghoon to hear.

“Ya think? He’s trying to escape.”

“Uh, hey, mind helping a guy out?” Sunghoon turns his head toward the two, budging his hands. One of them walks up to him, and in hopes of untying him, they tighten the knot. “What do you two even want from me?”

“Tell us where it is,” the other one said.

“What?”

“Don’t act dumb.”

“Dude, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Hey, if you let me go, I won’t ever speak a word about this,” he bargains.

“We’ll let you go if you tell us where the secret formula is. If you don’t, we’ll kill you,” he says, pulling out a gun. Before he can point it to Sunghoon, a plank of wood falls on him, causing him to collapse.

A group of people drop in from the roof, their backs facing Sunghoon. “I wasn’t planning for that to happen, but thanks for stepping on the roof, Red.”

One runs away as some of them chase them, while the other is attempting to get up from the floor, getting knocked out again by one of them and falling back on the floor.

Sunghoon’s eyes widen when one of them turns around and faces him. “Kazuha? You’re a spy?”

And once again, someone from behind whacks him in the face and is covered in cloth until Sunghoon blacks out.

“Beomgyu, I think you killed him.” Sunghoon felt himself lying down on a carpet; his eyes were still closed, but he could hear his friends speaking.

“Trust me, I did the same exact thing to Belle; he’s not dead.” He attempted to rub his eyes, but his arms fell asleep. His eyes crinkled and slowly opened. He was looking at a ceiling that was dark but covered with art.

"See, he’s not dead,” Beomgyu continued. His friends were facing him, watching him regain consciousness. “Goooooooood morning!” He chorused.

Sunghoon gets startled by them and sits up. “Where the hell am I?” He asked irately.

“L/N’s basement,” Minji answered. Sunghoon looks around the huge area; it doesn’t seem like your family’s basement. It was more of a laboratory with more machines and monitors. “Also known as I.R.I.S Team 5 Lair.”

“Lair? What the hell is going on?”

Kazuha sighs. “Dad is a well-known spymaster. Rival spies found out, and they were going to use you to spill the beans. Except you don’t know about the beans, and we didn’t think you’d be conscious by the time we arrived.”

“And you guys?”

“We work for Mr. Lee, the mastermind,” Belle answered.

“Lee? As in Mr. Lee Jihoon from Larkspur High School? Dude, I’m his favourite student! Wait, hold on, so you all are spies?” They all nod. “Guys, trust me, I promise not to tell.”

“It’s not that. Would you like to become a part of the team with us instead?” Beomgyu offers. The silence grew and became louder after his words.

“Hell no.”

Beomgyu scratches the back of his head. “What?! What do you mean 'no'? People sell their kidneys for this kind of job!”

“Too hard,” he deadpans.

Beomgyu is stunned by his responses. “We can train you, and we’ll give you fewer missions!” Sunghoon’s facial expression turns bitter, and he shakes his head. “I know you like jetpacks. How about a free jetpack?” He offers, going on his knees and clenching his fists together.

His face brightens, and he thinks. Should he or should he not join? He’s always wanted to try out a jetpack. “Now we’re talking,” he replied, with a complacent look on his face. Beomgyu sighs in relief and quickly gets up to reach for a contract and a pen on the table near him. He places the paper on the floor and tosses the pen to Sunghoon.

“Just sign here, and you’re free to leave!”

Sunghoon catches the pen and messily signs the contract. He drops the pen, and Beomgyu grabs the contract to look at the meaningful, messy signature. He jumps around in excitement. Sunghoon gets up from the ground and stretches his arms as he listens to Yeojin.

“From now on, when you walk into the halls of Salvia, Not only are you our friend, but you’re a spy—an I.R.I.S spy,” she reassured. Sunghoon smiled. This won’t be so hard after all for him.

“So where’s my jetpack?”

mlist — prev ; next

Secrets are meant to be kept. Sunghoon never keeps secrets though, well except one—his friends being members of a super secret spy team. He finds out on the night he gets kidnapped and is rescued by them. That night, his friend offers him to be a part of the team to stop an organization, SPY-DER LILLIES, from destroying their campus and agency, I.R.I.S (International Resource for Intellectual Spies). And like the goofy goober he is, he joins for a jetpack and to impress his longtime friend and crush, the black cat agent, in order to win her heart before the spiders come crawling up his back. 

spy! sunghoon x spy! f! reader

taglist is open ; send an ask or comment under main mlist

[ 🏷️ ] @hanniluvi @odxrilove @astrae4 @dimplewonie @asteriaskingdom @sakanelli-afc @en-kays @yeokii @kaykay11sworld @haknom (um guys don't ask why the tags don't work tumblr has something against me,.....)

[slugtranslation-hypmic]

Hey slug! Obviously it's a bit older now, but I was wondering if you might be able to translate Sougyaran BAM, from Kuko? I feel like I don't quite understand the TLs I have seen, so I was wondering if there were certain references or concepts I'm missing here lol

I saw the email notification of this request at the perfect moment. Too anxious to do work or anything else productive. Too caffeinated to sleep. Fuck it. Time to look at Kuukou for an hour.

Under a cut for length

Like a lot of Kuukou's... well, everything... this song is an eclectic mix of elements that can all more or less be distilled into these couple of bullet points:

Trying to fight the listener

Dropping powerful life advice or Buddhist teachings

Claiming his music is both a game changer and the kind of stuff that gets your blood pumping

Scatting, rhyming without meaning, or otherwise making wordplay

Outside of the parts that are straight-up nonsensical, the majority of the rap is very casual to the point of being rude. However, it's also interspersed with formal religious language. Again, both of these are how Kuukou talks, but I get why this would make it difficult for someone to translate.

I talk about this a lot whenever I translate anything, but an important (and maybe the most important!) part of any translation is determining the methodology, focus, and goals before you begin. I figure that if someone's asking me to look at song lyrics for songs that have been out for years, they probably care a lot more about the minutiae of what the character's saying than if I'm writing a rap as part of a longer work where readers aren't going to give it much attention. In that second case, it's probably more important to convey the appearance of a rap--rhyme, rhythm, what have you--and make sure I'm hitting the overall meaning rather than translate word-for-word. You know? The issue is, translating word-for-word would produce mostly nonsense on this one, since my interpretation of its meaning is largely coming from reading between the lines. There's also no real meaning outside of the four bullet points above. It's all vibes. So, this is a vibe-focused translation. When Kuukou says something with no meaning (that I can tell) outside of wordplay, I've exchanged it with a fresh wordplay. At the same time, since I assume the audience wants to know the minutiae, I put footnotes at the very end for the most curious souls. Finally, outside of wordplay moments, there is no attention paid to rhyming, rhythm, or line length.

Also I spent like forty minutes on it so it isn't a polished work of art or anything of the sort. Lyrics:

You wanna piece of this? That’s cool, tough guy. Bring it on. ‘Cause I’mma mess you up. Hmm? You’ve had enough? Yeah, bitch, I bet you’re fuckin’ SATIETIED. Who the hell do you think you are? Aw, who I am kidding? It doesn’t matter who you are. I’ve never met an ass I couldn’t kick! And while I’m here thrashing your sorry butt, listen up. I’m Kuukou from Bad Ass Temple, representing Nagoya, yo. And I’m gonna be world champion. Whazzat? Who do I think I am, some kinda fancy-pants hotshot? Nah, dawg. I’m a monk, haha! Get in the zone, do it or go home, this ain’t the scene you’ve known. [1] I’m a rebellious rhymer staging a revolution. C’mon, join me! Let me hear your voices!

“Enough determination can move mountains,” as they say. Yeah, a-a-a-and I’ve got determination for days.

San gha gharan bam! [2] S-S-S-Scatting n’ rapping, rapping with my razzle-dazzle tongue [3] Check, ch-ch-ch-check it, che-wa-watch out Gha bam! S-S-S-Scatting n’ rapping, rapping, BAT’s sexy leader [4] Kick, kickin’ kickin’ killer San gha gharan bam gha gha gharan bam gha gha gharan bam Gha gha gha gha gharan bam

Say what? Rules, rules, rules—who the fuck cares about rules? I’m the ruler now. A ruler and a schooler. [5] Yo, I’ve got that brand new music— When I ring this giant bell, people hear that shit far and wide. Beat it! And lyrics? You already know I spit so much fire they call me a dragon. I’m all about the impulses, the anarchy, let’s fuckin’ go! I’m a breath of fresh air up in this shit. Eight pulls, nine pulls, ten pulls—someone say temples? [6] If you don’t know already, then you oughta listen up. You don’t need any of these options. Go make your own. Paint that shit vibrantly. Go try something new! And if it goes so well you can indulge in some goddamn rejoicin’? Then hell yeah, now we’re talking.

Yo, man. The world’s all in how you see it, as they say, and don’t you ever forget it. A-a-a-and I may be a monk, but I’m not preachin’ just to scold you! [7]

San gha gharan bam! S-S-S-Scatting n’ rapping, rapping with my razzle-dazzle tongue Check, ch-ch-ch-check it, che-wa-watch out Gha bam! S-S-S-Scatting n’ rapping, rapping, BAT’s sexy leader Kick, kickin’ kickin’ killer San gha gharan bam gha gha gharan bam gha gha gharan bam Gha gha gha gha gharan bam

Yeah, life’s got ups and downs. You asking me, “Whatchu lookin’ at?” [8] Your ASS, lol got ‘em. Wassup, wassup, I’m a rhymer. I’m makin’ some good shit up in here. Hm? Ey, dance, dance over days when our hearts are aligned [9] Shoo bidoo doo bidoo Roo bidoo doo bidoo Tickili tickili tackili-tatt-too

Yeah! Haha! My rapping’s freakin’ EXHILARATORY. Hello! Aight, c’mon on, lemme give you some of this and wake you right up. Yo, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, ho!

Gharan bam gharan bam Gh-gh-gh-gh hey! Bring it on, tough guy! R-r-rapping, rapping, r-r-rapping with my razzle-dazzle tongue R-r-rapping, yeah, gh-gh-gh, hey!

Yeah, clear the scene, ‘cause I’mma reinvent the scene. [10] Yo, get outta my way. I’m Evil Monk, the dragon of Bad Ass Temple, you know. Rrrrrrah! [1] This last is literally "clear weather (空)" or "energetic vibes (空)." At face value, it appears to be nonsense for rhyming. However, at the very end of the song, Kuukou talks about "the vibes/the scene (空気)" changing and him changing it (which can also be read as the weather changing/clearing up), which makes me wonder if those two are related. Just in case, I wrote them with a possible connection in English too.

[2] 僧伽藍 (sangharan) is a short form of 僧伽藍摩 (sangharama), a Buddhist temple or monastery. Bam is, of course, the sound of Kuukou throwing hands.

[3] 饒舌 (jouzetsu) is a fairly formal word in Japanese to refer to excessive talking. However, I was surprised to learn in the process of TLing this that it's also Chinese for rapping which appears to be how Kuukou's using it here. Also, if you're curious how English "jazzy" became "razzle-dazzle," I realized near the end of the song that I needed to start this word with the same sound as "rapping" (because he scats the j sound on jazzy and jouzetsu) whereupon I set out to find a good synonym. The issue is, I wasn't sure exactly how the lyric writers were using the term, so I put "jazzy" in an English-to-Japanese dictionary to get "loud, invigorating, eye-catching." Yeah, that's Kuukou all right. "Razzle-dazzle" is similar and starts with an r, so there we go.

[4] The lyrics say "xy な leader" (the な is just indicating that "xy" is being used as an adjective, btw) which I assumed means sexy... ekkusu ii said quickly sounds like sekushii. To be sure I wasn't barking up the wrong tree entirely, I ran a quick Twitter search on that line and found a very large number of Japanese Tweeters thinking the exact same thing I was. (It looks like Kuukou's VA once flashed his collarbone on this line in a concert, delighting scores of collarbone lovers everywhere.) That being said, searching anything on Twitter and finding horny Tweets isn't exactly a novel concept. Well, if I'm wrong about this, then at least I'm in the good company of all the thirsty Kuukou fans. Hahaha. If this seems OoC to you, I feel like it's here mainly for fanservice, not necessarily because Kuukou's trying to get some with the person he's beating up and/or preaching at. Although, idk. If you ship Kuukou with anyone, you could very well see some parallels...

[5] Literally "I'll beat up [everything] including the roulette board." Wordplay on rules (ruuru), ruler (ruuraa), and roulette (ruuretto)

[6] Literally "Terapii (therapy), terapii, terapii, tera (temple)-- Oh, the age of temples?" Wordplay/stupid joke

[7] I don't like how I worded this line, but I don't care enough to spend much more time fussing over it. Kuukou's making a joke that, as a monk, he delivers religious sermons 説法. However, in colloquial terms, a 説法 is a telling-off when someone does something undesirable. Kuukou, as a frequent doer of undesirable things, gets these from his dad constantly. Therefore, he's being like, "This isn't the LAME STUPID kind of 説法... this is the kind that ROCKS! *sick guitar riff*"

[8] These two lines seem like complete non sequiturs because they're paired together in Japanese for rhyming. (nami ga dekiru/nani ga mieru)

[9] I admit that I'm struggling to understand this line because the grammar is very irregular. Japanese Twitter is not being especially helpful here, as most Tweets featuring it are some version of "God, this damn song is stuck in my head."

[10] Literally "[Someone] changes the atmosphere/scene. The atmosphere/scene changes." See note 1

[itsyagurlchip]

Can u tell me more of ur au plz?

you're in luck! I still have a few character ref sheets left! I'll give more characterization and backstory for these lil guys!

also sorry if this comes out a bit late- im taking a break from art for a while and while im typing this (07/30/24) i'm also finishing the visualization ref page for reader.

(current chip) ANON KISSING YOU ON THE CHEEK SWINGING YOU AROUND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ASK!!<3333 MY IDEAS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE CATCH UP OR BE CONFUSED.

It's both an AU, and a fic so I apologize if things get messed up. So when I say "Undertake Sans/Papyrus/Person" it refers to my AU rather than the original "classic". My fic refers to the "6 skeletons, one human" trope and the AU focuses on details from the Undertake universe.

I may have over explained, but I wanted to keep that clear- And most of this post will take the time to talk about the plot and lore of the fic.

As I've said before, Undertake is just a sillier version of Undertale where shenanigans happen all the time on the surface. But I've never explained fully why. Welp! Here you go....

We all know how the trope goes. Sans tries to get his Dad back, and succeeds! Except this time, it's on the surface. And Frisk doesn't feel like...Frisk. Anyways, bringing Gaster back from the Void has caused complications within the universe, about 5 years after monsters resurfaced.

"One time things" turn into regular occurrences, stereotypical situations that would never happen in real life are happening, it's overall stupidity!

But Sans and Reader are the only ones who "know" about this change. Sans just rolls along with it, using this as a breather from past resets. Reader, on the other hand, has whiplash from the whole thing. When did everything change? and why? Something felt wrong in their SOUL. Everyone else seems to fit into this random "normal" and it pisses reader off.

But they're a kid. They don't know what they're talking about, so they ignore them as best as they can.

-

Since every monster is on the surface, and pretty much all need jobs, Sans becomes a scientist of sorts. He represents most monster scientists, and helps humans with the evolution of magic-science. He doesn't work all the time, that's a big role to fit in; something Alphy's would gladly take, and so he mostly works on projects at home.

Integrating n shit, I'll leave those details to the fic.

After getting licensed, transferring his master's degree in physics, and getting all the tools he needs, he decides to re-build gaster's machine to bring him back.

Mind you, this is a year after they get to the surface, so nothing has changed yet. When Gaster came through the machine (I'll draw it so you can get a better representation of what it looks like) he was horrified.

Why was he melting? His face was now stuck in a forever frown. Looking at his hands, you could still see the holes engraved into them from when he was first born.

He began to sign something ancient, a language horrifically nostalgic he almost forgot to catch what he was saying.

But before he could respond, the world went black. There was a wild pulsing in his SOUL before the world went black.

^^reader parallels this btw

I'm not gonna drop too much, because I don't wanna spoil any plans I have for this, but thank you so much for this ask!! I might even start writing chapters in January

here's reader's character sheet btw. (and when you guys read it do understand that you dont have to portray them in the same way i do, nor do you have too be an ass abt it)

©KAL pls don't steal, repost, trace, or whatever an art theif does. you can inspire yourself! just tag me to let me know<3

y'all better clap for me

im on a writing roll

☀︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･(title)☀︎⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ᯓᡣ𐭩(warnings:) ᯓᡣ𐭩(note) ᯓᡣ𐭩 (summary)

૮₍˶• .•⑅₎ა tags: @kittykittyanon @bonefanatic @oleander-nin @towomatos @thealphagirl

૮₍˶• .•⑅₎ა@ziipzeepzop-eez @wheezdostuff @spongejuice @cyb3r-st4r @matteo-hamato

@clown-froggi @acesgarden

if you would like to be added, check my blog. if you would like to be added, check my blog. SEE? I SAID IT TWICE!!

[absolutebl]

hello!!

i honestly think this is a really weird question to ask; but, in your opinion—what age group people should watch bl dramas?

i'm a teen atm who just reads bl fanfics, but lately i've been getting a bunch of bl drama fmvs on my recommendations on yt😭 and it kinda makes me feel tempted to watch the dramas, but i think i'm a bit too young for it, so i'd appreciate if you could tell me what age i should prolly start watching at :D

thank you in advance, i hope you have a good day/night!!

Hum, good question. I'm not sure. I started reading pretty racy stuff very young, so I don't think I'm the best judge.

But there are certainly BLs that if you read fanfic already, just have lite romances and a bit of smooching. So 13 maybe?

I wouldn't necessarily "recommend it," because I can't make that choice for you. You know yourself much better than I do. But there is certainly BL I would classify as YA in a section of a "bookstore," if that helps?

I think you'll want to try to develop a critical eye to the media you are watching/consuming in order to understand some of the messaging it's doing and the cultural leanings it has. Than you'll be fine. If you've waded into this blog, that's a start. It's all I do.

In other words:

BL is not produced in a bubble it's saying lots of other stuff beyond the romance and smooches.

So is all music, books, art.

Please just remember this stuff is for entertainment, not life guidance, and you'll be fine.

That said, since you're a teen, there are certainly many BLs that are very racy and high heat. And some that represent highly toxic relationships. These might be best avoided for now.

If you read BL fanfic or soft yaoi manga then I do have some rec lists that might work for you (stuck at the bottom) but they weren't written with teens in mind. So if you don't feel like your ready, don't watch it, and if you find yourself at all uncomfortable with the show (and I cannot emphasize this enough) STOP watching it.

Please always feel comfortable stopping a piece of media if you feel at all unsafe or uncomfortable or just don't like it.

There is always something else out there you'll like more.

Some quick "YA style" BLs off the top of my head:

My Love Mix Up (either Japan - VIki or Thailand - YT)

My School President (Thailand - YT)

Light On Me (Korea - Viki)

Seven Days (Japan - grey)

I Cannot Reach You (Japan - Netflix)

Wish You (Korea - Netflix)

Semantic Error (Korea - Viki)

Our Dating Sim (Korea - Viki)

Takara-kun and Amagi-kun (Japan - Viki)

Restart After Come Back Home (?)

Cherry Magic (Japan - Crunchroll)

Ingredients (Thailand - YT)

He’s Coming to Me (Thailand YT)

Gameboys (The Philippines - Netflix)

Old Fashion Cupcake (Japan - Viki)

About Youth (Taiwan - Viki)

I think it's no accident most of these are from Korea or Japan (mostly on Viki.)

Korea, in general, is going to be largely better for your age bracket, they specialize in soft BL with lower heat levels (with very few exceptions).

Japan can veer heavily in the opposite direction, so come ask me again if you find one not on this list and you're not sure, I can warn you.

Thai stuff is easier to find but it's all over the place and can get super super sexy.

Taiwan tends to go more adult content.

If you're confined mostly to YT because of your age, than you're mostly asking about Thai stuff. Drop me another Ask and I'll draw you up a specific list of YA Thai BL on YT but that might take me a bit of research.

[anniesannex]

You’re so art deco

Chapter two

Description: you are a struggling college student who needs some cash. Your friend suggests a sugar daddy but you wouldn’t do that. Right?

I’m so sorry it took a bit to get up but here’s chapter two! Also sorry abt the 1975 reference I was listening to that song. -A

“WHAT?!” Grace’s jaw dropped as she heard the news. “But I thought you didn’t want a sugar daddy.”

“I was wrong. And I’m sorry.” You heard yet another ping from your laptop.

“Is that him?” Grace looked baffled as you nodded. “What did he say?” As you looked you had seemed to find a mirror selfie. Of Johnny wearing a nice button up shirt and some slacks.

“Goddamn.” You spoke.

“Goddamn is right!” Grace exclaimed. “What do I even do with this information.”

“Please don’t tell anyone I wanna keep this lowkey.” You pleaded with Grace.

“Okay but only because I love you.” Grace started to get ready for bed herself.

“I love you too I’m gonna send him a pic back do I look cute?” You asked as she laughed.

“Yeah, totally.” She smiled as you took the picture. This was probably the happiest she had seen you since you moved in.

“Thank you so much, you’re literally the best!” You were grinning as it sent. “But we should get ready for bed.”

“I know you might be a little wired with this new sugar daddy but I’m ready to go to bed.” Grace laughed.

“Goodnight Gracie.” You pulled the covers up onto your body. “I love you.”

“Night (y/n/n). I love you too.” Grace smiled as you began to shut your eyes and drift off into sleep.

Waking up you checked your computer.

@johnC95: good morning Doll. Hope you have a good day.

@Y/n: good morning Johnny. You too. Luckily I’m off today.

@johnC95: so where do you go to school?

@y/n: UCLA.

@johnC95: oh cool, I’m not that far from there. Would you wanna do like coffee?

@y/n: sure, when would you wanna meet up?

Your heart pounded in your chest. What were you going to wear? How were you going to do your hair? What if he didn’t like you when you guys met up?

@johnC95: I’m kind of booked for the next couple days. Is Saturday okay?

You look at the calendar. Saturday was three days away. You looked to see if you were working as you typed.

@y/n: lemme check my schedule. I should be good though.

As you doubled checked you sighed in relief

“Thank god.” you said to yourself. “I’m off on a Saturday, for once.”

@johnC95: sounds good! I wanna hear your voice again so bad.

@y/n: maybe we can talk later tonight. Btw what’s your number?

@johnC95: oh I’m sorry it’s (xxx)xxx-xxxx.

You type it into your phone putting it under the contact ‘Johnny <3’. As you text the number you feel a strange sensation in you stomach, like it was being tied into knots. Why was it that you were so nervous to text him?

You decide on a quick ‘Hi it’s y/n :).’

‘Hello doll :).’

You sighed as you start to get out of bed.

‘What are you doing today?’

‘I’m not sure I might lounge around my dorm, do some coursework, just try to relax’

‘Fair enough. I really do wanna hear your lovely voice. Or even see that beautiful face (y/n).’

‘Why don’t we talk right now? Even if it isn’t for long.’

‘I’m going to be with my daughter soon and I want to make sure she’s my first priority.’

‘You have a daughter? What’s her name? How old is she?’

‘Her name is Cassie and shes 16.’

‘Okay awesome!’

‘Sorry gtg she’s here!’

You wonder what she was like. You went to your closet pulling out a baby tee that said ‘reading is sexy’ and a pair of low rise jeans. Putting on socks you lace up your black converse. Then putting on music you decided to do your hair and makeup.

“This has to be a little over kill to just go study.” You laughed to yourself as you put on mascara.

“Bitchhhhhh.” Grace yelled as she entered your dorm. “Hot psych guy wasn’t in class today. I wanna cry.”

“I’m sorry dude.” You turned to her with a frown. “Wanna grab coffee with me before I have to go to the library?”

“Sure. The local one though. On campus. It has such better coffee.”

“Obviously, it’s a local coffee shop. They’re always better.” You laughed. “But let’s go.”

You grab your stuff not forgetting your phone and headphones. Grace opened the door back up.

“Nice shirt.” Grace winked as she held the door open.

“Thanks, my friend got it for me.” You winked back. Remembering when you and her got baby tees on the boardwalk. Laughing she led the way to the shop. You held the door open for her as you guys chatted.

“Dude would you love me if I was a worm?” Grace asked, cackling.

“Are you like a talking worm or a regular one?”

“What the fuck?!” She giggled. “A talking worm! It’s so funny, like ‘help (y/n) I got turned into a talking worm!’ That’s so crazy.”

“It’s a hypothetical in a hypothetical!” You chuckled as you guys got up to the counter.

“Iced coffee oatmilk?” grace asked.

“Dude I asked I can’t let you buy it. It’s on me this time.” You tried, knowing she wouldn’t let you.

“No seriously. Dude, I love you and you deserve this.” She smiled. “Two medium iced coffees with oat milk please.”

“Fine you win, but I’m paying next time.”

“Never going to happennnn!” Graced took out her card. “Thank you so much, have a great day.”

You guys sat down and waited for your coffee as you talked about the whole sugar daddy thing.

“I’m nervous to meet him.” You admitted. “Like what if he doesn’t like me?”

“He’s gonna fucking love you!” Grace exclaimed. “Are you kidding me! You’re literally the best!”

“You’re right. I’m being silly.”

“Oh our coffee is ready!” She ran to grab them “I’ll walk you to the library. It’s a sucky walk without a friend.”

“You’re right.” You agreed as you felt your phone buzz.

‘I think can’t wait to hear your voice again.’ You smiled as you type back.

‘That is really sweet. Thank you Johnny.’

‘Cassie is gonna go out with a friend tonight. Should I come up tonight?’

‘Sure.’

“SHIT!” You yelled. “Grace. We need to go back to the dorm.”

“What’s wrong (Y/n)?” she followed you as you took a break neck pace towards your dorm building. “Stop running!”

You only stopped briefly as you texted Johnny.

‘So what were you thinking?’

‘Maybe we do dinner. How’s Italian sound?’

‘Great what time were you thinking?’

‘How abt I pick you up @ 8?’

‘Perfect!’

“WHATS GOING ON?!” Grace yelled out of breath.

“It’s happening tonight.” You stared in awe.

“What?”

“ITS HAPPENING TONIGHT!”

“Oh-then lets go!” You both started running again. As you reached your dorm you both hastily got inside. “What are you thinking about wearing? Where is it? How long until he picks you up? “

“We’re doing Italian, he’s picking me up at eight and I have no fucking clue!”

“I have an idea how about that black and pink floral dress with kitten heels, my viviennes, that heart pendant and pink floral clutch?”

“You are literally a life saver! And how about a y2k claw clip half up-half down look for my hair?!”

“Let’s do this.” You laughed as Grace pulled out the outfit while you hopped into the shower. As you showered you thought about Johnny and that feeling came back. You cursed those damned butterflies as you calmed yourself down.

Making sure that you were properly cleaned you popped on some of the 1975.

“I like my men like I like my coffee, full of soy milk and so sweet, it won’t offend anybody.” You sang as you put your makeup on and danced around your bathroom.

“Dude I love that song!” Grace yelled out as she pulled you out of the bathroom.

“You’re lucky I was done.” You feigned a serious look. Before cracking up.

“I’m gonna help you get ready.” You stepped into the dress as she checked your messages with Johnny.

“He said ‘I can’t wait to see how gorgeous you look when I come pick you up, doll. And you sent me the right building?’’

“Text him back ‘awww Johnny, you’re too sweet. And yes I did.’”

“Okay and sent!” Grace watched as you put in the earrings. “Don’t forget the pink claw clip! It’ll match better!”

“Thank you grace!” You fixed up your hair and did final touches to your makeup.

“Wow, (y/n/n). If Johnny doesn’t like you, I’ll be your sugar daddy.”

“Gracie!”

You heard the buzzer to be buzzed into your dorm. Looking at your phone you saw his text.

‘I’m here.’

‘Okay buzzing you up!’ As you did so. Soon enough you heard a knock at your door. Letting him in you saw that he was even more gorgeous than on the screen. His perfectly quaffed hair was about to be in silver fox territory as he had evidence of smile lines beginning to form at his eyes. He was tall and muscular. As you could see from the curves of his suit.

“You look- wow.” He stared, face full of awe.

“Thank you Johnny. You look good too.” You smiled, catching a glance at what was in his hand. “What are those?”

“Oh-” his trance had been broken, as he held them out for you. “These are for you.”

“Thank you so much! They’re beautiful!” You took the bouquet.

[pendwelling]

Hello!

Have you seen the art for the new season of the TWSB webtoon?

Someone made a comment about how the new artist made the difference between the styles of Venetiaan and Riester are more obvious, and I remember you mentioned you wished that would happen, so I'm really curious about what you think.

Hope you have a nice day!

YESSSSS ABSOLUTELY

I was outdoors when the chapter dropped (which was additional torture in its own way bc I was literally counting down live hours and minutes till the season launched with some friends LMAO) and went so crazy taking screenshots while walking..... I've seen all the available chapters so far and YEAH. YEAH!! IM REALLY REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THE CLOTHING..... OH MY GOD............... THE ARTIST RLLY KNOWS WHAT THEYRE DOING!!!! They even admitted to being a fan of the original novel and you can tell!!

Jesse has such a distinct fashion and visual culture to his wardrobe that the Riesterians don't have and it singles him out as a foreigner in another country so so so well. When the webtoon was initially announced, the fashion was one of the biggest things I was anticipating and I'm glad the new season is able to tap into this (surprisingly very!) important detail of the novel!

Some minor?? not really but just in case spoilers for future events (im pretty sure? I talked about this subject before BUT IM DOING IT AGAIN BC I JUST LIKE THIS ASPECT OF TWSB SO MUCH LMAO, SORRY IF THIS ENDS UP BECOMING LONG NONSENSE)—but the clothing that characters wear is pretty significant in the story in terms of symbolism, provenance, culture, and/or allegiance, particularly with characters like Prince Jesse Venetiaan and Sir Johann Geens who come from the Divine Kingdom of Venetiaan. The most obvious of the cultural differences between countries of the continent can be seen in little things like how Johann greets Jesse in the style of the Divine Kingdom upon first meeting him [ch69][in ep48 of the webtoon, is depicted as a bow at the waist, with the arm folded at the elbow and tucked near the stomach/torso], which even Jesse remarks is completely different from what is done in the Empire. When they are first getting to know each other, Johann actually switches with how he addresses Jesse, from calling him" Your (Royal) Highness" [(왕자) 전하]—unlike the Riester characters, who refer to Jesse as "Prince-nim" [왕자님] (which is what Johann also uses when he isn't slipping up with his addresses)—which is similarly what Riester citizens would call Cédric, who is their own nation's prince: "Your (Imperial) Highness" [(황자) 전하]. There is a very clear denoting/admission of allegiance and nationality in the way people address important titled individuals (tho Johann is a bit of a peculiar case for very specific reasons), and in the way they DRESS!

When Johann finally becomes accepted as one of Empress Frédérique's men, he notably starts wearing Riester outfits instead of Venetiaan ones [ch121]. Previously, since he came from Venetiaan, he would usually dress in that kingdom's style (the webtoon, however, shows his first appearance in an attire that is a bit more ambiguous..? Personally, it looks Riesterian, but I can give it a pass since he's currently ragged LMAO and also dispatched from the Vatican in the Neutral zone, not to mention theres also the possibility of Jesse's wardrobe just being fancier since he's royalty so he might not be the best example of Venetiaan fashion wkskks [depending on how the webtoon artist will further take this]). But in his character profile from the author, it is distinctly mentioned that he initially starts out wearing Venetiaan-style clothing (until, again, ch121 where he makes his first appearance in imperial attire, ft. a summer coat)!

///ch100+ territory/// — As for Jesse(Yeseo), even when he is granted the title of "Marquis Sérénité", he is still not fully considered part of the Empire due to his extremely complicated position as a friend of the Crown (he even refuses naturalization himself), yet also as the diplomatic hostage from the opposing kingdom. People may call him a Marquis and may respect him as so, but he is still referred to as Prince-nim, and as Moon of the Kingdom (and as other perhaps less than tasteful titles from time to time), and is still generally dressed in what his staff believes to be the familiar clothing of "his" home country. It isn't until much later when [REDACTED IYKYK] happens that this association of "Jesse Venetiaan" with the Venetiaan Kingdom switches over to that of the Riester Empire—to where the style of address used to refer to him then changes to be respectively associated with RIESTER, and his wardrobe also changes to match this.

It might not seem important at first glance, but the clothing in the series is a detail that I really really love and one that I find adds so much more layers and meaning to the world, especially when paired with all these other nuances. It also marks significant shifts in statuses and relationships!! "Jesse Venetiaan" is no longer just a diplomatic hostage Prince from a foreign country, the lone resident of the Cold Palace—"Jung Yeseo" is a dear friend of the Crown, the Marquis of Sérénité, the Palace Lord of Juliette, the Little Moon of the EMPIRE! and his gradual shift in clothing reflects his position in his environment, in his status, in his identity, and in the trust and affection that the people around him have for him.

AND GGHUHAGAHHHHHH DOES THE NEW SEASON OF THE WEBTOON DO A REALLY FUN JOB WITH HIS CLOTHING SO FAR 🥹🥹🥹🥹 I like how DIFFERENTLY he is dressed from everyone else!!! When he stands beside Cédric and Christelle he really sticks out! Jesse is wrapped in long pieces of fabric that drape across his torso, wrapping around the waist and pooling down to his legs—his sleeves are loose but wrapped snuggly at the wrists (large sleeves are particularly a staple of Venetiaan noble fashion [ch447]) and his collars are round and taller like that of a cheongsam (not to be confused with imperial uniform collars tho), without any neckties in sight, and he wears very obvious knotted buttons as opposed to the more simple round ones!!!!! It's neat, it's really really neat! Riester costumes take a more militaresque/uniform kind of look for characters like Cédric and Élisabeth, but outside of formalities, they and other characters clothe themselves in dress shirts, button-ups, vests, coats/justaucorps—and most distinctly THE NECK ACCESSORIES.... The accessories between the Riester and Venetiaan characters are so distinct haha! It definitely comes down to their differences in collars—Venetiaan's round cheongsam-like collars wouldn't pair with cravats and ascots, after all. Season 1 often dressed Jesse in outfits that felt more Imperial than Divine Kingdom, so seeing this new change is very cool. (Oh I feel like I should also note that while I often use Johann as an example, he's admittedly a bit of an outlier bc he's noted to not care for neatness and, like many others in the cast, often leaves some top buttons popped open. He's really suited for Riester costumes in that sense haha!!) Yeseo, unlike the Original Jesse, isn't much one for some excessiveness for Yeseo's fashion, while fancy, is less on the eye-catching side, but I do hope to see some fur robes and hats one day from other characters if not him!!

In all the webtoon chapters for Season 2's launch (ep46~51), Jesse hasn't gone through that many outfit changes (there are about 3), and while it's a small amount, it's still really cool to see how different his attire is from the Riester characters, which really hammers down how much of an "outsider" and foreigner he still is at this point in this story—still trying to set himself apart from the tidal waves that are the Main Characters—where the kids are still getting to know each other and are figuring out what they want from one another. FASHION AS A NARRATIVE TOOL........ I JUST FIND IT NEAT.....

Early TWSB is very fun, and I'm glad I get to experience it all over again through the webtoon!! I hope you're enjoying it too 🥹🥹 And I noticed I really went off on a tangent wkdjkdkd sorry about that.... I'm just so so so excited for the visuals of this season, and knowing that the adaptation team (the artist in particular) is a fan of the original source material gives me some hope that this story will be in safe hands, alongside that of the writer, who I will be cheering on too. Season 1's HGN has a very cute and pretty style that is really well suited for modern-day story settings (evident by the art posted on their socmeds!), and I wish them luck in any future endeavours!!!

I think I'm gonna head to bed soon.... I've been drawing and thinking about TWSB the whole day bc of the webtoon wkdjkkdk and I think it's time to pass out :') Anyway YES CONGRATS ON SEASON 2!!! (I WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT ON THE CLOTHING! IM HAVING LOTS OF FUN!!)

I hope you've had/are having a nice day too!!!!