#golden week visa

[visacollect]

Is Golden Week The Best time to visit Japan?

Greetings from Golden Week, one of the most thrilling periods of the year! The week-long celebration, which falls between late April and early May, is when Japan comes alive with celebrations. It's debatably the case for some. However, the Golden Week period may be both exciting and intimidating for first-timers. With the help of this guide, you should be able to completely enjoy and anticipate what to expect.

Golden Week: What Is It?

Four national holidays are combined into one major weeklong celebration in Japan called "Golden Week": Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day. Every year, between April 29 and May 5, people observe these holidays. It is common for them to take time off from work and school to celebrate and explore the nation.

What can one anticipate from Japan's Golden Week?

First of all, get ready for big crowds! One of the busiest times of the year is during the Golden Week holiday in Japan, when many people take the opportunity to travel and relax. Accordingly, it is possible for, and even to be congested. However, don't let it get you down; the excitement and vibrant ambiance of the festivities more than make up for it. Secondly, schedule your hand in advance. In Japan, Golden Week is such a well-liked travel time that reservations fill up quickly for many hotels. Similarly, travel may be congested around this time, so purchase your tickets in advance for buses and bullet trains! Thirdly, design a well-organised schedule. It can be difficult to choose where to go and what to see during Golden Week in Japan because there are so many festivals, parades, and events happening all throughout the nation. To make sure you don't miss out on any sights that are a must-see, take the time to prepare and arrange your schedule in advance. Ultimately, immerse oneself in the culture to really embrace the Golden Week Japan holiday atmosphere. Whether you want to take in the stunning scenery, attend a traditional event, or savour the regional food, there is so much to do at this time. So, make the most of this chance to discover and learn about everything that this amazing festival has to offer.

What should you bring with you to Japan for Golden Week?

In addition to the necessary documents for travel, such as your passport and visa, remember to pack cosy walking shoes. You'll be walking a lot because a lot of celebrations are held outside. Don't forget to pack a rucksack to hold your hat, sunscreen and refillable water bottles. During the day, it may grow hot, and you don't want to become dehydrated or scorched. Finally, keep cash on hand because not all businesses will take credit cards. You should generally travel light because you'll be moving around a lot and don't want your bulky bags to get in the way. You should thus include a few outfit changes that you can wear in different combinations when packing for Golden Week in Japan. Showing respect for their culture means avoiding provocative or exposing apparel.

What are the best things to do in Japan during the Golden Week holiday?

While there are many things to do in Japan, exploring the country on foot is the best way to fully enjoy Golden Week. These are a few of the most well-liked pastimes:

Visit shrines and temples: Seeing traditional Japanese culture in action would be a wonderful experience, as many of the most well-known Japanese shrines and temples host special events and rituals.

Enjoy the cherry blossoms while you still have the chance. Even though the renowned people of Japan will not be in full bloom during Golden Week, you could still be able to see them in Hokkaido! Enjoy the breathtaking surroundings by taking a stroll around one of the numerous parks or gardens in the area!

Attend a matsuri: Throughout Golden Week in Japan, a variety of traditional celebrations known as matsuri are held. For instance, the Sanja Matsuri features vibrant parades, traditional musicians and dancers, and food booths selling regional specialties.

Visit an amusement park: If you're searching for something lighter to do during the Japan Golden Week holiday, you can spend the day at amusement parks such as.

Golden Week may also be a busy time, so sometimes the best thing to do is to just unwind and rest at a hot spring resort or onsen.

In conclusion, Golden Week is an excellent opportunity to travel to Japan and take in the country's diverse customs and culture. There is something for everyone to do during this festive season, from visiting temples and shrines to going to a matsuri. Just keep in mind to wear comfy clothes, carry light, and be ready for crowds. Above all, remember to have fun!

[quinnlarrabee]

Macron's fiery Sorbonne speech targets summering American Millennials

It’s no coincidence that Emmanuel Macron gave a fiery speech about the threats facing Europe the same week that American Millennials in New York, LA, and Miami began talking about booking their one-way flights to the continent. "There is a risk our Europe could die - we are not equipped to face the risks," Macron said, referring to the dietary allergies, alternative milk needs, and tedious conversations of trust-funded, unemployed young adults who will begin their summer in Paris to attend a museum benefit that spills into a large dinner party with several professional photographers before traveling to Puglia, Comporta, or Ibiza where they will subsist on ‘beautiful tomatoes,’ flat whites, and MDMA. 

Europe has struggled with illegal immigration for decades, and there is no more pressing illegal immigration threat than American Millennials who have decided that being unemployed in Europe is less distressing for their parents than being unemployed in Williamsburg. Google searches for ‘how long can I stay in EU without passport’ spiked in late-April among Americans who have not yet bought a Portuguese passport from a guy who used to run a turnkey Burning Man camp who is now running a Golden Visa scheme in Lisbon. “Our Europe today is mortal,” Macron said. “It can die and that depends solely on our choices,” the choices being whether or not to search and detain for ketamine at customs and how to clearly define tipping protocol in restaurants. 

“It used to be enough to spend a couple weeks in Italy in July,” observes Coco, a 34-year-old retired gallery founder who is on the board of several art-related non-profits that she instructed her unpaid interns to start. “But now it gets so hot in Europe in July that everyone is going in June and even like, May.” Coco has several weddings and dinner parties in various coastal destinations in Europe in June, but she has not yet RSVP’d nor has she booked any travel. “I know I’m going to go, but I’ve just been too busy to look at the dates or book anything,” she says, absently picking some kind of beige matter from the left eye of her toy goldendoodle. Macron at one point asserts in his speech that Europe is “too slow and lacks ambition,” referring directly to Coco’s ambivalent European travel plans. 

Uncertainty permeates the vibe in Europe right now, not because of a military threat posed by a giant, angry country with cocked nukes driven by a weak-minded Cold War relic, but because every Millennial in New York, Miami and Los Angeles has expressed their intention to occupy Europe without declaring the targets. 

“Is very stressful,” says Aldo Melpignano, the proprietor of Borgo Egnazia, a trendy boutique hotel in Puglia that for Europeans costs €120 a night and charges 30something Americans visiting from coastal zipcodes $970. “I see the hashtags on the Instagram, like, I’m coming for your @borgoegnazia,” he says. “Va bene, Allison, when you gonna come for us, and are you gonna come with that stupid capello?” says Aldo while making a pinched-fingers emoji with one hand and pointing to his head with the other. Hotel, coffee shop, organic market, and narcotics purveyors all over Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal have echoed this desire for more resolute planning and fewer hats from the demographic that funds the less productive but more desirable EU countries.  

"We must produce more, we must produce faster, and we must produce as Europeans," Macron said, a rallying cry to European DJs to sample only vocals that were recorded in native European languages.  

“Europe must show that it is never a vassal of the United States and that it also knows how to talk to all the other regions of the world," Macron said, refuting the irrefutable fact that Europe has become a summer camp for unproductive younger Americans and suggesting that they be immediately deported to Bodrum or Izmir upon landing at CDG, MXP, and LIS. 

“This is a betrayal of our values that ultimately leads us to dependency on other counties,” Macron said, making an observation about Europe’s frustration with having to work between May and August in order to show American Millennials how to correctly tap their credit card on puzzling European payment terminals.

“Europe must become capable of defending its interests, with its allies by our side whenever they are willing, and alone if necessary,” said Macron, in defense of French baristas who do not like working with oat milk. Taking a hands-on approach to ensuring the EU’s “ability to ensure our security” Macron and his wife will begin their Summer at a wedding in the Aeolian Islands in early June, float around Sicily or Puglia the following week, head to Bonjuk Bay for an appearance of prominent LA-based DJ, RICHE, and then couch-surf in Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera the rest of the summer.

[buckets-and-trees]

"You are nothing but a toy for me to fuck, little lamb. Now open your mouth for me, or I will break your jaw opening it myself."

👀👀👀

Well... as you know, this escalated quickly.

Title: Sacrificial Characters/Pairings: Minotaur!Bucky x Botanist!Female!Reader Word Count: 3.5k Summary: If it seems too good to be true, it always is. Always. Too bad you had to go to the remote jungles of South America to learn that lesson.

Content/Concept Warnings: DARK, lulled into a trap, human sacrifice, dubious consent/fuck or die, public sex/exhibitionism, size kink, monster fucking, face fucking/oral male receiving, vaginal fingering/fisting, breast worship, rough fucking, possessive/pet, praise kink, dirty talk, cum play, marking, cream pie, choking

Additional Notes: Thoty time with @rookthorne... she's only responsible for enabling me when my monster thirst reared its head. Wicked entry for @buckybarnesevents WEEK ONE of Hot Bucky Summer: "What Should I Wear?" and my third square of @buckybarnesbingo K1 "Fuck or Die."

When you told your friends, family, and former colleagues about the research grant and fellowship you had been awarded in the weeks leading up to your departure that it was too perfect, clearly somewhere deep in your bones you had known.

Eighty thousand dollars a year for three years, travel covered, visa approved, fully furnished accommodations provided, and a book deal for the discoveries and research studying flora in a largely undocumented and remote part of the jungle on another continent.

No scientist got a deal like that.

The only downside was the isolation of the location. They had electricity and running water, but you would only be able to go into town for internet every few weeks.

But the part of you that had grown up watching Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, LOST, and the deep space missions of Star Trek who had far too many plants in your apartment and in your tiny office at the university had beat back that downside. It was only three years, and after living through the strange isolation of the pandemic, you knew you could manage this where you wouldn’t be isolated from people, just for short stints from your old life.

And though you had good pieces and good people in your life, you were desperate to get away from the suffocating societal expectations you felt like you weren’t living up to while so many others around you were – marriage, kids, white picket fences, career accomplishments, tenured professorships, promotions, raises, overnight influencers, travel vloggers.

This was something no one you knew had ever done.

Everyone raved about the adventure ahead of you.

Everyone had been impressed.

You had conquered in the accomplishments department with this for the year, no question. Your older sister with her third child on the way and your younger brother and his Premiere League football contract could wallow in your shadow.

This was a golden opportunity for a research botanist still in the early years of their career.

Kneeling on the ground in the middle of the jungle with your hands folded in your lap, head bowed, surrounded by a village of people who all should have known better than to follow ancient superstitions, with a dozen or more guns trained on you in nothing more than lingerie, you were living a nightmare.

All of it had been a baited trap.

No one would even question you falling off the grid before it was too late, and even if they did, these villagers could say one day you never came back from the jungle.

And it would be true.

One afternoon and evening, a good dinner, a sleep you’d yearned for thinking it was the jet lag, and then you’d awoken screaming as the first strip of wax had been ripped from your skin to discover you were naked with a half dozen people attending to all aspects of your grooming, preparing you to be their human sacrifice for the beast that lived in the jungle.

You were past the crying and pleading.

The no WIFI had been a lie, too.

Everyone in this small village looked and acted like they lived in the present day except for this one thing.

The belief that if they did not provide the beast his human sacrifice that they would not survive his terror.

“Then why don’t you just leave?” you had implored.

“This is our home, our loved ones are here, our ancestors are part of this place, and,” their leader and the head of the research foundation paused – almost faltered before continuing to explain, “the sacrifice of one stranger will guarantee us safety for many, many years.”

Everyone else had been instructed not to speak or listen to you from that point on in the preparations.

Nails trimmed, buffed, shined. Luxurious oil that smelled delicate and heavenly rubbed over every inch of your skin from the neck down. Hair partially braided to stay out of your face with the rest left natural. Color applied to your lips. They didn’t bother with eye makeup. No jewelry.

You had been wrapped up in a linen garment that was not quite a robe but not quite a coat to be transported to the ruins of an old stone dais in the thick of the jungle but deprived of it and then pushed onto the sacrificial area, left only in the sapphire silk of a bra and panties delicately lined with lace.

After hours being poked, prodded, and prepared by strangers in a strange land in a state of dread and disbelief, you thought you were numb.

You had endured too much to think you were hallucinating, but that you now all waited illuminated by literal torches with fire made this seem almost like a season of Survivor gone horribly wrong.

But then you heard the hushed wave of whispers at the rustle and rumble of something approaching through the thick vegetation of the jungle and adrenaline shot through your veins. It didn’t inspire fight or flight. You were frozen, fixated on the beast that would finally appear and seal your fate any moment now.

It made no attempt at arriving quietly, and when it finally appeared, there were collective gasps and cries from the people gathered to watch the sacrifice, though no sound fell from your lips.

The reaction was more than warranted, and a whisper of a thought flashed through your head that you were surprised no one had screamed. Maybe they were too terrified to scream, worried they would draw the beast’s attention. You wanted to scream, but your chest was gripped in fear.

The thick, furry legs of a bull, down to the cloven hooves, and a girthy tail with a tuft of dark hair at the end, swishing slightly as he walked. There was a loincloth tied at his waist that – rather than providing modesty – inspired anyone whose gaze lingered there to imagine the bulge nudging conspicuously beneath. Not that anyone’s gaze would linger there for long, for the rest of him was altogether imposing. Only the tallest of the villagers might hope to measure up to the base of his sternum – the sternum that anchored the torso of a man with shoulders more than twice the width of a human. Skin golden from the sun stretched over muscles that burst and rippled over his chest and shoulders, extending down his arms. You could see a litany of angry scars littered up and down his left arm.

Great bull’s horns rose and curled out of his head, possibly longer than your own arms. He had a mane of long, glossy but mostly unruly brown hair, with a couple of braids, that fell past his shoulders. Though the rest of his physique inspired fear, the true terror was perhaps the face of this man beast – it was terrifyingly handsome. Strong jaw, stubbled beard, a crease between his brows, and piercing blue eyes. His expression was drawn into an ominous grin.

He was in no rush as he walked into the ring of the villagers.

“Weapons down,” he growled.

There was almost no hesitation – their purpose had been to keep you in place anyway. Though the fear in the air was palpable, the tone of it seemed to be turning to some sort of reverent fear now for everyone else.

What inspired this unquestioned obedience from an entire people? People you’d seen with smart phones as abundantly among them as any other place on earth, though you’d been advised to shut yours down and leave it behind since it would be of next to no use to you in the jungle. They were right – but had left out the true reason and made it even more believable for you to seem only cut off to those back home, not lost and gone forever.

His enormous legs took the step easily up onto the dais, and his eyes were now fixed only on you. He stopped at the foot of the altar where you were presented for him.

“Well done,” this was meant for the people and their leader.

Then he reached out and the fingers of his large hands traced the strap over your left shoulder, then along your jaw, tilting your chin to look straight up at him. “And your choice is set?”

“My – my choice?” your voice cracked, but you felt it was a miracle you even found it.

Your confusion must have been evident, as his eyes flashed with anger and her rounded on the man who had facilitated all of this. “You did not tell her anything, did you?”

“I thought it best if –“

“It is not your job to think. The thoughtlessness of your people is why we’re here at all,” he snarled. Then he turned back to you.

“No time for stories now. I’m a minotaur called Bucky; a lost soldier cursed long ago to this state. Suffice it to say II must be satiated or the village will be subjected to bloodshed and desolation in the face of my wrath. They’ve chosen you, but you can choose your fate: fuck or die. I’ll take your throat, or I’ll cut it and drink your blood in front of everyone.”

Your chest heaved in trepidation. “How is that a choice?”

“Is it not clear to you?”

“Have others chosen death?”

He nodded. “Or they refused to choose.”

You opened your mouth then closed it again.

“Do you wish to die?”

You thought your tears were spent, but you could feel them welling in your eyes. “No.”

“Then claim your choice.”

You took a shaky breath.

“Say it!” he barked.

You flinched, but managed to spit out, “Fuck.”

“Perfect. Open up.”

“In front of everyone?” your voice was barely above a whisper.

He nodded. “They will remember and mark this sacrifice. It will be the reason they continue to breathe.”

You spread your knees a part so you were still kneeling and sitting back on your heels but his to take like this.

“That’s nice but not what I meant.” He tugged his loincloth and dropped it to the ground. You whimpered, afraid of the enormous size of his cock and ashamed at the lick of heat that flared in your core at the sight of him. He leaned down closer, put a hand at the back of your neck, and slapped the side of your face with his rigid length. “You are nothing but a toy for me to fuck, little lamb. Now open your mouth for me, or I will break your jaw opening it myself.”

This drew a handful of muted gasps from the onlookers. You saw a spark of something new in his eyes at this reaction.

He was pleased at their reaction.

You dropped your mouth open for him, nervous knowing you could not take all of him, embarrassed to be on such display in front of these strangers, but wanting to please him.

Wait, you thought, wanting to please him?

He shoved his cock into your wet mouth, shoving any other thoughts immediately out.

“Suck.”

You did.

“Just like that,” he said. The hand on your neck moved up to cradle and command the back of your head. He slowly began to fuck your mouth but with only a small motion, encouraging you to continue sucking just that first bit of cock as it was in your mouth. He still was in no rush. It felt like a power play – not wanting to show impatience or lack of restraint in the onset of this sacrificial claiming.

As he continued to speak now, his voice was low, intended for you. “Get ready for more.”

You looked up at him and tried to nod your head ever so slightly. He smirked, then he brought his other hand up under your jaw and to your throat, wanting to feel himself using you. He groaned and briefly closed his eyes. His tip hit the back of your mouth, and you spluttered. He pulled out slightly, giving you half a moment to recover, then forced the point again, holding himself there while you adjusted. He opened his eyes again, locking back onto yours, and a thrill of terror shot through you again. That was only the preliminary.

Now he would truly begin.

That look was all you got. Keeping the one hand at your throat, the provided the anchor to begin truly fucking your throat, not in a rush, but he picked up the pace. You placed your hands on his thighs to steady yourself. Your muscles initially gagged in protest, but he persisted, stroking your throat with his fingers as well, coaxing you to relax. Tears spilled down your cheeks. You concentrated on breathing through your nose and the steady gaze he kept trained on you. Soon you were taking more of him than you thought you could. He quickened his thrusts into your mouth. Your fingers stretched into the fur on his hips, mewling as he continued to use your mouth.

A few short grunts with the last thrusts were the only hint before he came, shooting his hot spend in your mouth with an unrestrained howl that shook the crowd to their core. There was no way for you to swallow everything, but, if anything, seeing his cum spilling down your chin made him grin.

Then he raised his head to address the villagers. “Remember that you gave this human to me. I will do with her as I please, and you will never see her again. Hope that you never see me again in your lifetime,” his voice carried, his power unquestioned in the clearing. “If you are lucky, the children you left home today will not see me in their lifetimes either. All of you go now. What happens next is not for your eyes.”

They followed his instructions without hesitation, all of them eager to be gone from this cursed place and their collective and ignored shame.

They left the torches – no desire for a souvenir.

And now you were alone with him, the light of the flames flickering over every inch of your exposed skin – which was almost all your skin, the lingerie only for show.

With the hand that was still anchored at the back of your head, he roughly angled you up sharply to look directly up at him, and tipping his own head forward he loomed in all his height above you, a truly searing heat in this look. “I meant what I said: you are mine, and I will never allow those vile villagers to see you again. You’re mine to do with as I please.”

He stooped down to claim your mouth in a kiss. His large thumb brushed the remaining spend from your chin and then moved down your throat to brush it over your collar bone, rubbing it in. He pushed his tongue between your lips, and you opened your mouth for him again. His tongue was too big for your mouth, too, but the more he subjected your body to the largeness of his being, the more you seemed to seep into him. He used his tongue to wrap around and tangle with yours, stroking it with his, now and then slipping it further down your throat, teasing, choking, mimicking the actions of his cock not long before.

When you were truly gasping, he chuckled darkly and pulled away, you leaned forward, lips chasing his, and then you shook your head, trying to restore some logic.

Failing.

Bucky easily tore away your bra with his brute strength. “Lay back for me, lamb.”

You shifted, legs aching from resting on them in that kneeling position for far too long. He noted the care you took in moving your limbs and rubbed the muscles up and down a few times. Then he pulled your hips to the end of the alter, flush against his cock, which was already semi-hard again. You hummed as he pushed against your still-clothed core.

His hands moved from your thighs up your sides, stoking the desire surging through your body, moving up your waist, thumbs brushing up against the underswell of your breasts, then flicking over the nipples, bringing them to little peaks before diving down to lave one of them with his tongue and suck, rolling, twisting, and pinching the other with his hand. Then he moved his mouth, and as he latched on to the other nipple, his hands worked the lace and silk panties off your hips and down your legs before tossing them away. He rutted up against you again, slow but persistent pressure against your core again, but now with no barrier he felt your arousal slicking up your entrance. When you began working your hips against him, seeking more friction, fisting your hands into his hair, he moved a hand between your legs, stroking over your labia and pushing one of his fingers right into your cunt, making you keen immediately from the force and fullness.

“Going to ruin you, lamb, but don’t want to hurt you.” He was brutal, but only because he was a monster by nature, not because he was heartless. “Gotta work your tiny pussy open so you can take me like you were meant to.”

As before, he was patient, making up for the impatience mounting inside you as he worked his fingers into you, circling, questing, stretching, twisting. When he pushed three fingers in he could tell it was a lot, but he knew he needed you to easily receive four if he was going to get to fuck you on his cock the way he wanted. All through it, he was relentless in overwhelming you in other ways, continuing to worship your breasts, but also murmuring praises against your skin, and threatening and promising filthy things that you couldn’t even respond to.

When you were thoroughly primed, aching for him, a mess with tears and begging for him, he finally realigned his hips between your legs, forcing your thighs wide to accommodate him. He bumped the head of his cock against your throbbing clit a couple of times, making your whimper repeatedly. You were lost as you lay splayed out above him, eyes tightly shut, hands reaching for him, desperately pleading his name over and over. He bent down to you again, relishing the feel of your breasts brushing against his chest for one more moment before sinking his cock into your cunt with a brutal thrust, pushing clear to the hilt, making you scream. It was wicked, and he knew it, but also knew how much he had worked up your body and your mind, and he was rewarded as you arched beneath him, and wrapped your arms around his neck, adjusted your hips, and then rocked against him, clearly seeking more.

Holding you at the precipice of pleasure for so long meant you crashed into your first orgasm very quickly as he pushed his cock in and out of your, “tight heat, little lamb, taking me so well,” he cooed. You buried your face in the crook of his neck, shuddering as he fucked your through it, groaning at the feel of your walls around him. “No one else will ever have this cunt now,” he vowed. “You’re mine.”

“Mine,” you echoed without thinking, not knowing it was exactly how he wanted his pet to feel about him. He pushed you over the edge into another orgasm and then spilled his hot seed inside you not long after. You were beyond spent, at that point, and less than a minute after he scooped you up, tucking your legs around his waist, you dropped out of consciousness, and went totally limp. He kissed the top of your head, then shifted you to sling you over his shoulder for the trek to his lair – your home. He’d secure you there, then go back to the get the wooden crate of the belongings you had shipped ahead of you and the bag you had traveled with – both were supposed to be deposited and waiting in a cave, the final part of his negotiations for acquiring his new human from that village and their foolish leader. Humans were delicate creatures with peculiar needs, after all, and he was determined to keep you content and fucked out until you were devoted to staying with him until the end of your days.

But the last hour had exceeded even his own expectations. He suspected he wouldn’t have to try very hard to keep his little lamb.

NEXT PART: Do You Remember

"haunting thoughts" on Sacrificial for the Dark Forest Fest

brief insight into what reader's life is like now

physical appearance of Minotaur!Bucky

easy and challenging parts of writing the fic

the writing of the story from concept to completion in one night

↠ Main Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

I do not do tag lists, but FOLLOW @buckets-and-stories and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to be updated any time I publish a new work!

[verspia]

—𝐢 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 ����𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭

You frown in thought as you cradle a warm cup of hot chocolate in your hands, huddling a little close to the heat emanating from the fire place, which you’re seated in front of.

Christmas is one of your favorite holidays of, and this year, you celebrate it with your boyfriend, Oscar. Normally, with the end of the season, he would be in Australia with his family, spending the holiday under the blazing sun, not under frosted snowflakes and the biting cold of London with you.

The thought makes you pout a little, guilt eating at you for keeping him away from his family during the holidays, as if he isn’t apart from them for most of the year anyway.

Originally, you both were meant to go together, but with christmas being near, the visa application process had taken a lot longer than you’d both expected and that meant that you were only eligible to travel to down under after New Years.

You had insisted that Oscar leave without you, urging him to spend the christmas holiday with his parents and sisters, but he had resisted, arguing that he would make it up to them and it was far too late to book a flight, what with the rush that came during winter break, and you had reluctantly agreed.

That didn’t stop you from feeling guilty though, but you refrained from thinking about it more, knowing that there wasn’t much you could do about it.

Instead you wondered what you could gift your boyfriend for your first christmas together.

You knew that Oscar wasn’t much of a material person, and that he was happy with anything you would give him, but you wanted to do something meaningful.

Given the fact that gifts were your love language, both giving and receiving, it was important to you that you find the perfect gift for Oscar.

You worried your lip between your teeth as you pondered, when your eyes lit up with an epiphany, and you stood up abruptly, abandoning your hot chocolate on the kitchen top, grabbing your keys and heading out to the store immediately.

You payed no mind to the snow that nipped at your face, staining your cheeks a rosy red as you hurried out, charged with excitement for the gift that you had in mind.

When Oscar awakes on Christmas morning, you are not where you’re supposed to be, cuddled up in his arms, and the loss of your presence next to him startles him awake.

He steps into the living room, rubbing away any trace of bleariness from his eyes and finds you there, still in your pyjamas and with one of his hoodies on, Home Alone playing on the tv screen.

Your smile is radiant, and your zealousness for christmas is almost childlike. His heart warms at the sight of you and he smiles widely, trudging over to you.

“Why aren’t you in bed, love”

You turn around at the his voice, beaming impossibly wider, and your eyes sparkle with delight as you spot him.

“Oscar!” His name on your lips always makes him giddy, but the exhilaration in your tone today is tremendous, and vastly contagious, to the extent that Oscar begins to wear the same excitement you do.

“It’s Christmas! I was waiting for you,” You grab Oscar, pulling him on to couch with you, “We gotta open the gifts, Oh you’ll love what i’ve gotten you!”

Oscar stares fondly at you, “I’m happy with anything you give me, baby, you know that.”

You nod at him, not really paying attention, as you stand up and pull him along towards the direction of the christmas tree that you both had decorated together, weeks prior.

He happily lets you drag him along, and soon, both of you have unraveled the presents from your friends and family.

You open the gift that Oscar has gotten you, and gasp in elation, throwing yourself at Oscar, Thank you’s and I love you’s falling from your mouth as you pepper his face with kisses.

He laughs as he holds on to your waist, and then finally, both of you turn to the last present, that is inside a conspicuous bag, glittered golden.

You move over a little, eyes fixed on Oscar as he opens the bag, pulling out a cardboard box that is too, shimmering golden, with a red ribbon holding it together.

He unwraps it, and the sides of the box fall flat in five sections, each have attached a packet of Tim Tams on it, and another box stands proud in the middle.

Oscar uncovers the lid, and another lid appears, the words Merry Christmas on it and much like the first time, the sides fall into sections, each holding polaroids of you and Oscar.

The pictures are of monumental moments of your relationship, His first sprint win and you congratulating him with a kiss, his first podium as he smiles brightly, you wrapped up in his arms, smiling equally as bright. There’s photos of Oscar surprising you at your graduation ceremony, and kissing you when you win a debate’s competition, as well as a few pictures of your first date, and first kiss.

He pulls away the last lid, and finds a heart shaped letter inside, which he picks up and discovers a keychain for his car.

The keychain is shaped as a heart, and he examines it closely, accidentally clicking it open and finds both his and your initials together in a smaller heart inside.

He breathes softly, a little baffled at the thoughtfulness of the gift, and looks up at you, adoration clear in his eyes.

He’s a little breathless as he whispers I love you to you, and you smile shyly at him.

“Do you like it?”

Your eyes glimmer with hope and a little uncertainty, and Oscar pulls you into his lap, kissing you softly.

He’s not good with words, so he hopes to show to you just how happy you make him, pulling you closer than you’d ever thought possible, kissing you deeper to convey his appreciation to you.

You both are enveloped in a warmth that contrasts the dreary weather outside, but it’s clear that you both have a jolly christmas, under the shimmering pine tree.

This was inspired by this

didn’t proofread so pls don’t mind any errors

[mae-gi-writes]

sweet like nectar | hyunjae . theboyz | (1)

"Run, run, baby, where I go? Closer and closer to you I'm addicted, I'm addicted to you" - NECTAR, THE BOYZ

In which you and Hyunjae only have 24 hours to enjoy life before it's time to grow up and go your separate ways.

Genre: fluff, a bit of angst, slowburn! teasing!Hyunjae. friend!Hyunjae, friends-to-lovers, idiots-to-lovers au. ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

------- part one | part two -------

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"Anything you wanna say?"

You were tired. Every muscle in your system was screaming at you to lie down and get some rest. But the doe-eyed boy before you, it seemed, had other ideas. He gazed down at you unblinkingly, that same teasing smile playing across his lips as he sat, cross-legged, in your room waiting for you to give him an answer that would satisfy him.

It was the last day of university -- your very last lecture had concluded an hour ago -- and you had already packed your bags to head back home. London was beautiful and mesmerizing, but with that beauty came the struggle to get a job, meaning that you had no other choice but to return back to your homeland while your visa would hopefully renew itself. That, or a company would sponsor you.

The latter seemed probably impossible. Not when there were so many other willing candidates with so much better grades than you did.

Which was why your friend Hyunjae was taking it upon himself to act as your makeshift guardian as of right now, having helped you pack your bags for the last two days and ensuring that the rest of your things would be delivered at his flat. He'd keep them for now, was what he'd stated when you protested you'd just be cluttering up his space.

"It's fine," he'd waved away your worries, "as long as I can sell them, right?" and had winked at you, causing you to roll your eyes and huff at the stupidity.

Hyunjae had been friends with you since the start of your freshman year, courtesy of his dorm room being right next to yours. And so due to the fact that your roomate back then had been an unlivable nightmare -- always eating junk food and tossing its wrappers and cardboard takeaways on your side of the room, never doing her laundry and staying up so late you barely managed to sleep -- you'd automatically sought out Hyunjae's room, considering that his roommate was never there. It was the only saving grace from first year, the blessing in disguise that had brought you a friend so special you wouldn't have known how to navigate university if not for him.

And now, in less than twenty-four hours, you were parting ways. Maybe for a week. A month. For good?

You really didn't hope so.

"Do we really have to do this?" you whined as you allowed your spine to rest against the corner of your bed, legs splaying out before you as you watched the sunlight stream through your windows and flicker along Hyunjae's hair.

It cast him in a golden glow, almost making him look ethereal.

Life was unfair. Why was he this pretty? You'd never understand that logic.

"Yes we do," he said firmly, "now come on. You have one chance to let it all out--" he threw his arms out by his sides dramatically, "--before you close this chapter of your university life--OOF!"

His words were interrupted by a pillow -- namely your pillow -- hitting him straight int he face. Hyunjae choked on his breath, falling to the floor and wailing as dramatically as a newborn baby, "man down!" he yelled, "man down! I'm hurt! I'm injured--"

"Shut up Hyun," you rolled your eyes, "stop being so dramatic. Is the driver here yet?"

At your words, Hyunjae stilled beneath the gigantic pillow and mumbled through it, "you're no fun, Y/N. I'm just trying to make your last days as memorable as possible and here you are--rainining on my parade."

"You have no parade going on, hotshot."

Hyunjae growled at you, "and you're no fun."

Giggling and reaching over to pry the pillow from his face, you were greeted with the sight of him, all disheveled and grinning up at you as he pushed himself upright, "so, it's your last day here. What shall we do?"

"Don't you have things to do? I thought you had a shift today."

"I did," Hyunjae held up his phone in triumph, "not anymore. I switched with Kevin."

"I could've accompanied you to your shift."

"And do what? Stare at me serve tables?" then, his lips pulled into a smirk, "actually, I think that's a great idea, you staring me down and appreciatng my--"

You slapped his shoulder and the young man whined in pain, "stop it, you're so not funny. And I was saying that to be nice. You were the one who said that you needed all the money you could get."

"Y/N, one day won't kill me you know," his smirk softened into a grin, "and once I get rid of your sorry ass, I'll be as free as a bird."

You scowled, "you think you can choke on this pillow if I shove it up your mouth?"

"I wouldn't recommend it," a notification pinged and your friend dug for his phone, swiping it open as you laid back against the bed and closed your eyes. Some peace at last. Maybe if you didn't talk, Hyunjae would forget about making the most out of today--

"Right," you heard his phone lock up and forced your eyelids open, "let's go. I know exactly where to bring you."

"I thought you were going to answer that," you motioned for his phone.

Call it imagination, but you swore you spotted something that looked like annoyance flicker through Hyunjae's eyes for a millisecond, before his grin was back on. He was a master at hiding what he truly felt, after all. You'd learnt it the hard way, always having to dig in deep to understand what really went on behind those toffee-coloured eyes that haunted your nights too many times for you to count.

Hyunjae's words brought you back into the moment, "i'll answer it later. Come on," he made a grab for your hand, pulling you along with him towards the door, "we don't have all the time in the world."

This was going to be a long day.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"Oh my gosh Y/N, you should see your face!"

"Shut up!" You wiped at the water droplets coating your skin, trying your best to get as much of it off with the back of your hand and your t-shirt sleeves. Hyunjae could only laugh, his boyish giggles exploding through the otherwise silent room as weird, curious glances were directed your way.

"This is your fault," you were red in the face by the time you managed to wipe all the water off, your scowl so deep that it would've sent anyone running. Hyunjae merely whistled in that cheerful way of his, bumping his shoulders with you before linking with your arm and tugging you towards another aquarium pod, "I think you just got on that sting ray's bad side."

His brilliant idea was to spend some time at the London aquarium, which -- granted -- you hadn't visited despite the four years of living in this place. So far, you were amiably surprised by the variety of animals and species on display and if it weren't for that sudden splashing incident with that sting ray, you would've been quite a happy girl.

"I think you were the one that annoyed it so much, so it decided to take it out on me," you snarled back as you approached the octopus section.

"Nonsense, I'm too cute to be annoyed with," Hyunjae gave you a pout that caused your arm to whack his shoulder in retaliation. He whined in pain, holding onto his shoulder blade and muttering how violent you could be whenever things didn't go your way.

"You're the one being dramatic," you scolded and folded your arms across your chest, your eyes finally diverting towards what you were supposed to be focusing on from the start. The octopus gazed back at you, its tentacles moving in unison like a mermaid under water.

You weren't a fan of anything with tentacles, but even you had to admit that the octopus was beautiful, mesmerizing even. So much research had been conducted on these animals that it was hard not to sympathize with them, with the fact that they were currently holed up in tiny spaces that didn't allow them to grow and flourish as they should've.

"It's really pretty," you murmured out mostly to yourself, though Hyunjae was close enough to hear.

"Yeah," he mumbled back, nose practically pressed against the glass. From this angle, the blue light reflected off the planes of his face and softened his features like a child. Hyunjae looked almost -- almost being the keyword -- angelic, "do you think they know people stare at them all day long?"

"Well I suppose they have eyes for that."

"Yeah but maybe they just like minding their own business."

"I think if you stare at them like you're staring at them, they're definitely going to notice."

"He's so cute," Hyunjae reaches up with a finger, brushing it over the glass pane that separates him and the octopus, "d'you think we can bring him home?"

"I don't have a home anymore, Hyunjae."

His eyes narrowed up at you in a pout, "I meant my home. Why are you being so mean to me?"

"The same reason you're mean to me," you shrugged with a grin, "because it's fun."

You moved on to the deep sea section after having managed to pull Hyunjae off the octopus' aquarium, sending an apologetic smile to a bunch of schoolkids that had been waiting for their turn since the moment he'd decided to stick his nose to the glass wall. The deep sea was scarier, with types of fish that you weren't used to seeing. Together, you and Hyunjae observed the various species, crying out in delight when you managed to match the pictures to the actual creatures swimming in the tank.

After that you moved on to the sharks, where your friend decided that mimicking them was the best sort of entertainment. You couldn't help but laugh as you snapped pictures of him making the same ugly, open-mouthed face as the creatures of the deep end, while Hyunjae urged you to strike a pose so that he could capture memories of you instead.

"Wait wait, don't move--" Hyunjae tipped his head to the side, away from his phone to look at you in annoyance, "Y/N, can you please just smile?"

"Well you're the one taking ages to take one single picture," you'd replied through gritted teeth, a smile plastered on your face with such force you felt your jaw ache with effort.

"I'm just trying to get the best shot of you--"

"Just take the damn picture!"

"Wait--" before you knew it, he'd closed the gap between you, one hand reaching up to brush a few of your hairs back and curling it behind your ear.

The action was so sudden it took you by surprise, causing a small breath to escape your lips. You looked up at him, only now noting the closeness of his body to yours, and Hyunjae did the mistake of glancing down at you only for your eyes to lock.

"There," his voice was loaded with something you couldn't quite explain as he kept on pushing your hair over the curve of your ears. His eyes softened as they met yours once more, the glimmer of a smile playing across his lips, "that looks better."

Your lips parted, "I--"

"Now smile!"

With that, he jumped back and did a pose so comical you couldn't help but chuckle. You held up your hands in a peace sign, grinning at the lens as you heard the shots being taken.

It was just for a brief moment. So brief you swore your imagination was playing tricks on you, getting you to memorize the warmth of Hyunjae's body and the closeness of his face to yours, the gentle brush of his hand. You shoved down all thoughts and feelings that seemed to want to fester, quickly putting it out with logic and rational thought.

Today was just about having fun with your friend, and you were not going to let anything else ruin it for you.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"How long do you think they had to stay like that?"

"It depends," you cocked your head to the side in contemplation, "do you think they'd need the toilet, standing like that for so long?"

"Oh definitely. I don't know about girls. But guys?" Hyunjae scoffed beside you, "there's no way they'd go a whole six hours without peeing. Trust me, I have my sources."

You couldn't help pulling a face at him, "you're disgusting, you know that?"

"Only for you, princess," he winked.

Hyunjae's next stop was the Portrait Museum, which according to you was a complete scam. The Palace was beautiful enough; with curved marble arches, beautiful marble flooring to match and lovely gold-ornated surfaces. The ceilings were adorned with paintings of all kinds of scenes; from jesus's uprising to the european war raging from one end of the corridor to the other. There was nothing to say about the architecture; it was a stunning piece of the work.

The portraits found in it though? You weren't quite so sure.

You walked past one of them now, a gnarly-looking man sitting atop a velvet couch, with his wife behind him looking as dutiful as anyone would in that time period, her hand placed strategically on his shoulder as a way to demonstrate his power, her allegiance to him.

You snorted. This didn't interest you in the least, and you turned to tell that to your friend--

--Only to find him measuring someone's willy with his fingers.

"What the fu--Hyunjae!" you stormed over with barely concealed rage, grabbed a hold of his hoodie before tugging him off it. Your cheeks blazed red as your eyes darted around, glad for once that the place seemed void of people as you shoved Hyunjae forward.

"What in the world were you doing?!" you hissed with narrowed eyes.

He shrugged, "I was just curious! You know, apparently greek gods loved small willy's. It was a sign of--"

You clapped your hands to your ears, "I don't want to know what sign it was," scowling at him, "just don't do that kind of stuff when you're with me."

"Stop being a prude Y/N," he waved you away with a smile, "I'm sure you'd want to know--"

"I do not!"

"Okay okay," he laughed, the sound bouncing against the corridors of the museum and echoing through the room. He clasped your forearm before he pulled you along with him, his hands hot on your skin and sending goosebumps skittering along its surface, "I'll try to be on my best behavior. But! -- No promises."

"Yeah," you tried not to focus on the lingering touches of his hands along your skin, "you--you do that."

You stumbled yet another corridor filled with portrait paintings, this time seemingly of royal families that had taken over the English Court over the decades. Poring over the same boring hairstyles, the same accessories, similar dresses the women donned, your nose couldn't help but crinkle up in distaste as you thought of how uncomfortable the material must've felt. Forget running around in a playground, how were you even supposed to sit in this thing? It looked like it would choke you from the inside out!

Hyunjae found great joy in coming up with all sorts of stories for these paintings. According to him, the picture of a soldier and his wife was that they weren't in love, merely wed by duty, and that the man was actually relived to be heading off to leave his wife alone, knowing that there would be heaps of whores in the vicinity of the battlefield to keep his bed warm.

Another portrait of a woman with her two children had Hyunjae believe they were actually escaping London and that the artist had captured them in mid-action. Their wide, horrified eyes could tell of the fearful stories encapsulated in the aggressive brushstrokes rending the image into reality.

"Aren't you the storyteller," was what you mused, grinning playfully at your friend who seemed all too intent on creating stories out of his head. He was having way too much fun for someone who claimed to find paintings "boring."

"I gotta keep myself entertained somehow," he pulled out his tongue at you childishly before he beckoned you over. This time, it was a landscape filled with lush fields of green. A maiden, seemingly your age, basked in the shadows of an apple tree, her face tilted up towards the sun as she sat underneath by its roots, looking serene and beautiful.

"What's her story?" you nudged Hyunjae's arm.

He hummed under his breath and you took that time to admire him. Sure, Hyunjae was probably one of the most handsome men you'd ever met, there was no denying that. From, the soft bristles of his hair falling into his eyes and the small pucker of his lips to the permanent gleam in his eyes that told secrets held only just for you. He was the perfect package.

How you guys turned out to be friends, you'd never know.

"I think that--" but no sooner had he spoken that his phone chimed. Hyunjae grumbled, reaching for the device from his pocket while you watched his expression contort slightly into one of sheer annoyance.

It was impulse that made you ask, "is everything okay?"

Hyunjae bit the inside of his cheek. His gaze never leaving his phone, you watched his fingers fly over his keyboard.

"Hyunjae?" you prompted in the silence.

"Huh," Hyunjae's eyes flickered back up to your face, "yeah. Yeah everything's fine."

"Are you sure?" you probed as he dropped his phone back into his back pocket with a decisive finality that had you wonder what more he was hiding. His face seemed neutral enough, but you knew him a little more than that, to know whenever something was bothering him.

"Yeah, it's--" he ruffled his hair, a habit of his whenever he was nervous as his eyes quickly flickered between you and the window at the end of the hall, "--it's Jinhee. She's not too happy."

"About us hanging out?" Guilt instantly filled you, mixed in with the pain of knowing that you had to share him. Yes, you forgot for a while; that Hyunjae had never been yours to begin with.

"Yeah, she's...well, we were supposed to go on a date today. You know how tricky it is for her to get days off," he grabbed onto your forearm as he spoke before ushering you out of the museum. It seemed as though your visit had been cut short.

There was urgency in his movements now, a sort of fleeting panic that hadn't been there this morning.

"Maybe you should go back to her," you said as you exited the building. The sun beat down upon your, its midday shine causing sweat to build along your temple, "I don't mind. You've spent enough of your time on me."

"Hardly," he bit back without looking at you, "and we barely have time to hang out. This is your last day here. I can go on a date with her anytime--"

"Hyunjae," you pull at him, making his feet halt along the pavement. Tugging at his t-shirt so that he had no other choice than to face you, you forced your lips into a small, hopefully understanding smile, "it's okay, really. I'd rather you go make it up to her rather than her misunderstanding that--"

"There's nothing to misunderstand. I've already told her countless times that today wasn't going to be possible."

"Then why is she still mad?"

"She's not--It's--" Hyunjae huffed, let out a breath before his hands landed on his hips in exasperation, "it's complicated."

"You're making it complicated--"

"I just want to spend time with you," he cut you off then, eyes boring down into yours with such intensity you felt like you had to make yourself small underneath his gaze, "is that so much to ask? Why are you being like this?"

"I'm not--" you swallowed, "I'm not being like anything. I just don't want you to have a hard time after--"

"I'll deal with the consequences afterwards," and with that, he made another grab for your forearm before tugging you along, resuming your walk down the street, "there are still many things on the agenda, so stop moping and walk with me."

Maybe it was hateful of you to feel a bit of relief, to know that Hyunjae had inevitably chosen you instead of his girlfriend for once. God knew how long they'd been together, having been joined at the hip since their last year of high school, you'd gotten to know Junhee just as much as Hyunjae, though never really managed to get close due to her constant need to steal all of Hyunjae's attention.

Not that you minded. She was, after all, the most important person in Hyunjae's life. There would be no one else that could take that spot apart from their future child.

And yet, part of you was happy that he'd chosen you over her.

Yes, it felt like a cheap shot. You felt like a cheap shot. But it was uncontrollable, the sudden rush of giddiness at the thought that he was yours alone. At least for these few hours stolen under the midnight sky.

For now, that will do.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"This is the best pizza I've eaten in my life."

"No kidding. I still think that the campus pizza was the best one we had."

"That's just because it was one pound fifty a piece."

You and Hyunjae bickered back and forth over which pizza was the best while sharing the ginormous slices offered by the current food stand standing just a few meters away. George's Pizza was what it was named as, its fluorescent green and red letters not providing any comfort whatsoever in its advertising. Nevertheless, after some wheedling and whining, Hyunjae had managed to drag you over before buying two slices under your nose.

The food market was always a busy place, bustling with people, buyers, sellers, the scent of food wafting through the air like a permanent beacon pulling you in all--too--many directions. But that was what you loved about it. There was a certain sense of community, a sense of no judgement, where people loved and just appreciated what others did without hate or complaint. The food market was a happy place indeed.

Currently seated on one of the bar stools paired with a few makeshift wooden tables that seemed to have been made out of crate boxes, you shifted and crossed your legs over the over. Night had fallen and the sky was currently oozing in shades of orange, pink and blues. It extended over your heads, a beautiful midnight sky in the distance bleeding into the evening like watercolors, and the cold air soon seeped into your skin with the night that came with it.

"How much do you think he makes?" you asked Hyunjae as you motioned towards the said pizza guy from George's Pizza. He was red in the face, currently juggling orders like his life was on the line. Sympathy filled your chest at the sight.

"Dunno," Hyunjae's nose scrunched up in that adorable way of his every time he was thinking, "maybe thirty pounds, give or take, every day?"

"Is that a lot?"

"Depends on what you define by rich,” Hyunjae shrugged, “but I suppose he’s happy doing that. He’s doing his thing and it’s—well, it’s working right?”

You let out a soft breath, “yeah, he’s definitely better off than I am. I don’t even know what I’m going to do after this.”

“You’re fine Y/N,” Hyunjae said firmly, “you’re still young. Stop talking like you’re forty-five and past your prime.”

“Easy to say when you’re the one with the job lined up after graduation.”

“Hwy hey, no one told you to go into Engineering when Accounting was a safe bet okay?”

You tsked under your breath, “nerd.”

“Hey watch it,” Hyunjae scowled, “that nerd is going places.”

“Yes, in a ginormous corporation where you’re gonna spend all your youth trying to climb the corporate ladder, only to blink when you’re thirty with no kids, no woman—“

Your friend huffed in protest, “You underestimate me."

Chuckling, you just throw a chunk of tomato you’d picked out from your pizza and he yelped, ducking as the food flew right over his head.

“You’re disgusting.” Hyunjae said.

“Do you really think that you'll be happy being an accountant till the day you die?"

"Yeah," he said it without missing a beat, "why not? You know, jobs aren't like--something that needs to fulfill you. Jobs are just--jobs. They're part of life, and they're tiring. And yes, you'll hate it at some point."

"Yeah but I just want to hate it less."

"Tough luck with that, my friend," polishing off the rest of his slice, Hyunjae wiped at his mouth with a napkin just as you shoved your last bite into yours. He chuckled at the sauce smeared at the corner of your lips and his arm reached out as if on autopilot, brushing at your lips with the said napkin.

The action caused you to jump slightly, having not foreseen such tenderness from the young man. Hyunjae, frowning, was fully focused on wiping away the sauce, "jeez Y/N, you eat like a pig."

Noticing that you weren't saying anything, he made the mistake of glancing up, only to see you already gaping at him like he'd grown an extra pair of eyes.

His hand dropped like he'd burnt it. Looked away.

You cleared your throat, "well, what's next on the list then?"

"Uhm--well--good thing you said that because--" he fumbled a bit with his words, as though this small interaction with you had caused his brain to short-circuit. It was cute, though you knew it's effect wasn't the same kind that you went through with every touch of his searing across your skin.

"We are going to ...drumroll please?" you proceeded to stomp along the table with your hands. Hyunjae joined in with a cackle and burst out, "--we are going to! The! Amusement! Park!"

"What?"

"What do you mean, what? Amusement parks are fun! You said you've always wanted to ride on rollercoasters!"

"That was before I went through that whole Halloween escapade thing where my seatbelt wasn't tight enough and I had to hang onto the rail for dear life," crossing your arms over your chest in refusal, you shook your head at his puppy-dog eyes that seemed to have increased tenfold as soon as the word 'no' came out of your mouth.

"Come on," Hyunjae pleaded, clasped his hands together and looked like he was about to cry, "come on? Pleasepleaseplease. For me? It's our last day? Do you really wanna just--go back to the flat and just--that's it?"

"Hyunjae, it's anything but Amusement Parks," you whirled your hands around to prove your point, "what about cat cafes? Why can't we go there?! Or dog cafes, even better!"

"You know I'm allergic to cats."

"You have medicine for that, stop being a wuss."

"Y/N come oooon!" he grabbed your arm and howled so dramatically a few heads turned your way. Your face flamed with embarrassment. This boy was going to be the death of you. Either that or you'd murder him, "I already bought tickets too! Do you know how expensive they are for foreign students?!"

"No."

"Please."

"No. It's a definite no. Don't you listen to me when I talk? I'm traumatized by--"

"I'll keep you safe from the zombies, I promise!"

"No is a no, Hyunjae!"

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

In the end, you'd had no choice.

Hyunjae was definitely a force of nature, one that collided with every single being and environment and unleashed his magical powers in order to control what and who was around him. He was magnetic, with features so doll-like and beautiful that it was impossible to ignore him across the street. That, paired with that amazingly suave personality, garnered him so much attention back when you two were freshmen that you'd steered clear away from him.

You weren't the type to spend your nights drinking away, unlike most of your dorm mates. Which was probably the main reason why they thought you were weird in the first place. Who went to university and got to bed at nine-thirty in the evening?

No one. No one but you.

So when Hyunjae had accidentally gotten himself partnered up with you for a project in your marketing class -- the only class you had together -- you'd given him a total of ten minutes before he'd start to insult you in that passive agressive way young adults liked to sneer and sneak in comments nowadays.

But Hyunjae wasn't like that.

He wasn't like that at all.

Respectful, friendly and just taking his time to listen to what you had to say, he was the one that prodded you with questions so that you had to answer in order for him to leave you alone. He'd find you in the hallways in-between classes, talking so animatedly about his day sometimes you thought he was just trying to render himself interesting to you, the way baby horses had to make a point about being good stallions. But contrary to what you'd thought, Hyunjae had kept in contact with you even after the project, and when people started snubbing him because he was hanging out with a 'weirdo' and a 'loner', he'd just flick them off with his magical finger, wiggling it in the air for all to see.

You still were curious to know why Hyunjae had been so adamant on being friends with you back then. Of course, growing through university had changed you both. You managed to make some friends with like-minded people you enjoyed hanging out with, and Hyunjae was just the same dazzling young man everyone fawned over. And yet, time had gone by so fast that you were now full adults, already graduated and ready to embark on your new adventure.

Maybe that was the reason you always managed to lose in arguments with him. Maybe that was the reason he was able to push you to do things out of your comfort zone. And you let him. Because at the end of the day, Hyunjae had been there through the darkest nights, where the storm had hit you and broken down every single inch of your confidence.

Maybe that was why you were tolerating him, right here. Right now.

"Come on Y/N! I really wanna get that plushie!"

"You have tons of them already," you wrinkled your nose in distaste at the flurry of bright, neon colored plushies lining the inside of the claw machine that Hyunjae was currently 'oohing' and 'aahing' over. A bunch of primary school kids were just in vicinity, throwing him concerned looks flickering with fear.

You grabbed his shoulder, hauled him away from the claw machine and a five-year-old girl that looked like she was about to cry at the sight of him, "you're terrorizing the children," you muttered under your breath, loud enough for him to hear.

"Nonsense. Everyone likes playing that game," he wriggled out of your grip then, pressing his nose right against the window pane. The small girl had already inserted her coin and was now playing to catch a large pikachu, practically half your size, "you're doing it wrong, girlie. You gotta move towards the left."

The girl looked stricken, blinking up at Hyunjae in fear. Her lower lip trembled, hand shaking on the console.

You slapped Hyunjae across the head, "OW!"

"Shut up Hyunjae, nobody asked for your opinion," you leaned over and pushed him out of the way in the process, "don't listen to him, sweetie. You're doing great. Just make sure to press on that green button."

In the end, she didn't win.

"Right," Hyunjae was first in line to grab the console, "thank fucking god, it took her five entire minutes to press on the button can you believe--"

You swatted him once more and he cried out in pain, "OW Y/N WILL YOU STOP?!"

"You stop, you big oaf. Stop bullying these little kids."

He pouted, "but I just wanted to win a present for you, is that so bad?"

"You could just buy me one and I'd happily--"

"That's not the same thing," his pout deepening, Hyunjae wasted no time inserting a coin. His tongue stuck out unconsciously as he moved the console with practiced ease, eyebrows furrowed in concentration as you watched by his side while trying not to mind the growing queue behind the pair of you.

God, just give him a plushie so we can move on, you begged at whoever was listening out there. You really couldn't stand in the cold any longer than you needed to be. And plus, your stomach was getting antsy without food.

"Alright," Hyunjae rubbed his hands together. He blew on them for good luck and straightened so that he could catch your eye, "this one's for you, Y/N."

And then he winked.

Your heart swelled.

Butterflies erupted through your stomach. You dropped your gaze, cheeks flushing with heat as your friend smacked his index on the button.

What was that? Your brain was rambling, running, scrambling together bits and pieces of thoughts at the wink that was just directed at you.

It meant nothing. No.

It meant everything.

It meant nothing.

It couldn't mean anything.

He was with someone, dammnit.

Get a grip Y/N.

A fucking grip--

"YES!"

Hyunjae's holler burst your thought bubble and before you knew it, a large pikachu was thrust into your arms and you were swung into the air, half-panicked as laughter erupted from the young man holding you up by the waist.

"Wha--Wha--What are you doing?!" your cries were barely heard over the way your friend was twirling you around as bubbles of laughter kept escaping his lips, "Hyunjae!"

"I'm celebrating! Can't you tell?!" he whooped and looked up at you. And you swore that in his eyes you saw stars that made your chest quiver and your heart ache in more ways than one.

He must've noticed your sudden change in demeanor, for his face fell. Setting you down on your feet gently, he blinked as you stumbled back from his hold. You held onto the plushie with both arms as your stomach filled with a tightness that made you want to vomit everything you'd just eaten.

The way he was looking at you wasn't helping. As if there was something more he'd like to say. As if being here with you was something he enjoyed a little too much.

"What's wrong?" Hyunjae asked.

You shook your head, tried hard to keep your lower lip from trembling. When you answered, your voice was a strained murmur, "nothing. I just--I think we should go back."

"Are you okay?" he took a step towards you. You stepped back. Hurt flashed across his face, "Y/N?"

"I'm fine," you replied a little too quickly, "just--it's getting late and my flight's early tomorrow morning."

"What? No no--wait, we agreed that we'd spent the entire night together," Hyunjae was rushing to catch up with you as you started walking back towards the entrance as you felt your heart swell int he back of your throat. It was getting hard to breathe, too hard. So hard that you had to fight against the sudden invisible hand pressing down onto your chest.

"Y/N, just tell me what's wrong. Are you feeling sick? Is that it--"

"No!" you whirled around. The emotions were getting too hard to bear. Hyunjae's face came into view and that hurt even more, to see the sympathy on his face, the echo of worry and concern etched into his features. As if he cared enough. As if.

Chest heaving, you continued, "No Hyunjae. I just want to go back home and sleep until my flight. I--I'm sick of hanging out."

It felt like a slap to him. You could see it in the pain that flickered in his eyes. He took a step towards you uncertainly. He mumbled a few incomprehensible words, before finally asking, "did I do something wrong?"

"No you did nothing wrong," tears suddenly filled your eyes. You turned your head away, "you never do anything wrong."

"Stop--why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what?" you sniffed.

"You're lying to me," Hyunjae took a step towards you, causing you to stumble back, "you're always lying to me and I can't figure it out."

"I'm not lying to you."

"Stop that. You're not doing yourself a favor," his hand grasped your wrist, his thumb finding a soothing spot that he kept brushing over as he tugged you a little closer to his chest. His eyes flickered with emotion, dark and molten like lava, and suddenly you felt like you were a little too close for comfort.

Not that Hyunaje seemed to notice. His other hand reached out to wipe at your cheek and it was only then that you noticed you were crying.

"Why Y/N?" Hyunjae tipped his head to the side so that he could get a look at you, so that your eyes had nowhere else to stray, "why are you crying? Did I say something that upset you?" his nose wrinkled then, "wait--it's not the plushie is it? I mean, you could've just told me you wanted another one--"

"No," you blubbered, laughing despite it all. That was so typical of him you couldn't help but grin, "no it's nothing to do with the plushie."

"Then?"

"I--" you swallowed, bowed your head to the ground, "I don't wanna leave."

It took a moment for Hyunjae to register your words. The silence weighed heavy on your shoulders amidst the screams and excited cries from the amusement park.

When he spoke next, his voice had softened to a murmur, void of any of comedy, "I don't want you to leave either."

You looked up. At him, at the way his eyes shone in the dim light of the park. It was dark now, practically impossible to make out his angular features.

"Look I know it's not that simple to just brush it off. You're leaving after all," Hyunjae brushed away the rest of your tears as they now fell shamelessly, trickling down your cheeks and creating paths of glistening wet crystals as his hand unconsciously wound around your elbow to pull you closer, "but no one said it's the end of the world. You can always come back, apply for a permit. Heck, you can apply to other countries and travel all over the world. You life isn't over yet Y/N. It's starting. Just starting, okay?"

You didn't answer, favoring silence as you allowed yourself to be selfish only for this night. Wordlessly, you wrapped your arms around his waist before you buried your head into his chest. Hyunjae froze for a second. His body tensed up, before he melted and hugged you close to him. His chin came to rest at the top of your head as he rocked you back and forth, ignoring the weird looks and curious glances cast his way. He'd rather allow you to have this moment to yourself, this moment of peace and quiet despite the bustling environment.

It was late by the time you two made it back to the dormitory. The streets teeming with people going out to clubs or parties. You lost count of the number of girls in miniskirts and already-drunk guys that passed you by as you walked side by side in silence, taking in the beauty of London for what it was. Hyunjae was surprisingly just as quiet as you were, as if your tears had subdued him, and impulsively your arms tightened around your plushie at the thought that maybe you had made it weird by hugging him. Friends hugged too right? It wasn't that surprising, right?

You were almost at Hyunjae's flat when his phone rang once more. Spotting the way his face darkened slightly, you didn't protest when the said young man tossed you his flat keys and mumbled something about coming up soon. Something told you that it was probably Jinhee, mad and annoyed that Hyunjae had ditched her, and so quickly trudged up the stairs to avoid overhearing any unwanted conversation.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"I told you I was going to be busy today."

"We've barely had any date nights since the start of semester!" Jinhee's voice boomed from the device and Hyunjae flinched back, pulling his phone away slightly with a scowl. He could still hear Jinhee screeching on the other side, "and--what? you decide it's better for you to hangout with Y/N than your own girlfriend? Don't you think there's something wrong here?"

"Jinhee like I said, it's her last day. Can you cut me some slack?" his jaw tensed.

"As if! She's coming back in a few months. Why are you babying her so much?"

"I'm not babying her," anger rumbled through Hyunjae's chest. He loathed it when Jinhee turned into this crazy girlfriend that obsessed over his every move. That wasn't what had made him decide to date her, and this possessive attitude was starting to piss him off, "she might not get her visa to come back. Who knows what method this stupid UK government is gonna use to kick her out of the country for good?"

"I don't care," Jinhee spat, "this day was supposed to be ours. Why are you--" she choked up in a sob and unease shifted in Hyunjae's chest, 'why are you being like this?"

"Let's talk later," Hyunjae glanced back at his living room where you were currently swathed in a sea of blankets. Yes, it was unfair, that his girlfriend was currently all alone and crying over the fact that her boyfriend was ignoring her existence. But it wasn't like he was ignoring her. He'd asked her to come over so that he could spend time with them both--and yet she had flat out refused, been offended even.

"I can't really have this conversation right now," he continued on through her blubbering protests, "I'll call you tomorrow morning okay?"

"I hate you," he heard Jinhee's blubber. His heart tightened, but he pressed his lips together and said his goodbyes.

The line went dead.

Hyunjae sighed, leaning back against the outer corridor in hopes that you hadn't heard anything. That was the least of your worries right now. You were upset too, for unknown reasons that escaped his notice, but your lips were sealed and he didn't want to give you any more reasons to feel bad.

His fingers flew over his keyboard as he texted Jinhee a small "I'm sorry" before walking back through the flat, closing the door behind him with a gentle push as he went.

The TV in the living room was still playing, its volume turned down low as he entered only to spot you -- or rather, your head -- swathed in a blanket fort.

You glanced up as he approached, and something in his heart squeezed tight. He couldn't help but grin; you looked like a child wearing adult clothes, all bundled up and cozy.

Adorable.

“Everything okay?” Of course you were checking on him. You always did.

“Yeah yeah, it’s… fine.”

“Define fine,” you frowned.

"Honestly, I really don’t feel like talking about it,” he slid onto the couch next to you, careful to keep his distance lest he did something he might regret.

After the small incident at the park, he wasn't going to take any chances.

There had been tension, the kind of tension that Hyunjae had wanted to ignore blissfully, a wound that he'd tried to ignore by slapping a cheap band aid in hopes that he'd forget about it.

There was always going to be that 'what if' popping at the back of Hyunjae's mind now and again. It wasn't like he was blind. You were a girl, he was a boy, and you two had the kind of chemistry that everyone envied. You hated his guts most of the time and he loved nothing more than to harass you till you stormed off, all angry and throwing him the middle finger.

Everyone loved to ask whether you guys were dating. Multiple times during your friendship had others questioning whether the line wasn’t being crossed in more ways than one. Multiple times he’s had to rebute that in fact whatever you two were having was just platonic, and that people should be minding their own business.

But that didn’t exclude his own feelings, or the way his heart felt whenever you looked at him for too long.

It was a curse, was what he thought. A curse that he’d be haunted with for the rest of his life.

He even moved on and got himself a girlfriend. Jinhee was nice and kind, quiet in ways that you were brash, cute in ways where you weren’t. And she never gave him trouble. So sweet, so docile, everything that Hyunjae had been looking for in a woman.

But his mind would always come back to you, no matter what. His heart would always tug in your direction, if given the choice.

And he hated that.

The movie ended at quarter past one and you had succumbed to the call of dreamland at that point, casually drooling onto one of his pillows as he rearranged them all to make it more comfortable. He pulled up the comforter to your chin, gently brushing away a few strands of hair from your face as he let out a soft sigh.

You looked so angelic. Like a dove. Like a kid, someone that he’d never be able to hurt.

And Hyunjae would live with the regret that he hadn’t held on to you hard enough. Because you were surely going to find your own piece of happiness. Out there, without him.

Your plane was at seven in the morning, so when your alarm blared at fifteen-past four, you were more than surprised to find that you had dozed off on Hyunjae’s couch.

“Shit,” you muttered, quickly brushing your hands through your thick locks as you heard footsteps pad into the living room.

“All awake your highness?” It was Hyunjae, freshly washed from his shower and looking like a glistening morning angel even in the dim light of the room, “I think it’s time we get a move on, or we’ll miss your plane.”

“When did I fall asleep?” You tried not to yawn as you joined him in the kitchen. He bustled about, popping two pieces of bread into the toaster and placing the butter on the countertop.

“Don’t know,” he cocked his head as you hopped onto a nearby stool, “maybe around one? You were sleeping like the dead.”

“Sorry. But to be fair, you woke me up early this morning.”

“So that you could enjoy your last day,” Hyunjae replied with a pointed look. The toaster pinged and he took the bread out, sliding it onto a plate before setting it down before you, “so don’t blame me. Anyway, you can sleep all you want on the plane back.”

“You’re right.” Just the mention of the plane had your shoulders deflate.

To think that you’d be back on the motherland after god knew how long. And without Hyunjae. That was weird.

You weren’t sure whether you’d spent an entire day without him, the moment you stepped onto campus. He was probably your strongest pillar in this whole world, and yet you were parting ways with him, with no guarantee of ever seeing him again.

“What’s that face for?”

“What?” You blinked in surprise, only to see a cup of coffee in front of you, from yours truly, “what face?”

“That face,” he squinted down at you, “when something’s not good. Like there’s something bothering you.”

“If I can just remind you, I’m going to be leaving soon?”

“Nothing’s stopping you from coming back though, right?” Hyunjae slid into the seat opposite as you both dug into your breakfast, “just apply as an international working visa the moment you land.”

“It’s such a hassle,” you mumbled through a mouthful of food, “I’m not really sure I wanna go through that.”

“That’s up to you to decide, isn’t it?”

You decided to change the subject when you felt the familiar sting of tears in your eyes, “how’s Jinhee?”

Hyunjae visible stiffened. He looked away, “still upset, it seems.”

“Do you want me to apologize on your behalf?”

“That will just make her even more upset.”

“I’m sorry, Hyun.”

“You don’t have to say sorry,” his face was an impassive mask, and yet you saw through the cracks. The way his mouth tensed just at the thought.

You quickly helped him wash the dishes before bundling up and setting out to the airport. Hyunjae ordered an Uber that drove you straight to the first terminal and you were glad for the lack of people there, for who wanted a crowd to see you breakdown for the nth time that day?

He helped you check in, your heart constricting as you allowed him to move your bags onto the rolling mat while you presented your passport to the desk worker. She babbled on about what you shouldn’t have inside your luggage and which gate you would be posted at, all necessary information that flew right past your ears because you were too busy trying not to let your feelings get the better of you.

Your chest felt tight. Like someone was squeezing you out like a wet towel. It took every ounce of your self control to keep yourself from launching into Hyunjae's arms.

Your thoughts flew back to last night when he'd held you close. He smelled good, had a kind of strength about him that made you feel safe. You'd wanted to burrow closer, to stop time just so that you could bask in it.

"All good?" he asked when you got your printed ticket and exited the queue. The place was still void of activity, the only sounds coming from the comforting thrum of the aircon above.

"Yeah, all good--" you were struggling to shove your passport into your bag and Hyunjae tutted, swooping it out of your hold so that you could unzip it properly, "thanks."

"I don't know about you but I really need a coffee," Hyunjae slid the passport in, carefully closing the said bag as you walked over to the food area. He nodded towards a nearby Costa, "wanna keep me company? You have a bit of time before check-in."

"Sure." as if that would make a difference when your heart was already breaking.

The worker who took your order was clearly smitten with Hyunjae's looks, the way she kept on sneaking glances at your table long after you'd gotten your cappuccino and his double-shot of espresso. Hyunjae seemed to have gotten used to whatever attention he brought with him. You? Not so much.

"Do you have to be this pretty?" you meant it as a mutter but his ears were better than you'd thought, for he perked up and asked, "what?"

You sighed in defeat, "do you have to be this pretty?"

"Are you calling me pretty?" Hyunjae snorted.

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"Can't you just say I'm handsome?"

"Isn't that the same thing?" you sipped your coffee and the taste exploded along your tongue.

"No, no it's not. Being pretty is for girls. I'm not a girl--or haven't you noticed?" he flicked his imaginary hair over his shoulder and you couldn't help the chuckle bursting from your mouth, "you're ridiculous, do you know that?"

"Yes I know. But thank you, I'll take it as a compliment," he took a long swig of his drink and leaned back into his chair, "so what are you going to miss the most about here, d'you reckon?"

You pressed your lips together, "I don't know. I think the food. Maybe the lifestyle. I really like living in London. Everything's just so...lively."

That was when your eyes fluttered up, only to lock on his and realize that he'd been gazing at you over the rim of his cup this entire time. You dropped your gaze like he'd burnt you, holding your drink with two hands and allowing its physicality of it to calm the sudden hammering in your heart, "and--well, I--I think I'll miss you a little."

You said the last few words so softly that it probably came out as a hushed whisper. But it seemed like Hyunjae heard you all the same, for something in his eyes softened.

"I guess I'll miss you too Y/N," he murmured, "who am I going to bother now that my favourite teasing toy's gone?"

"Hey," you narrowed your eyes at him as he chuckled, "I'm more than just your teasing toy."

"You're right," Hyunjae grinned and without warning, reached out to ruffle your hair, "you're much more than just that, aren't you?"

Too soon, it was time for you to enter through the gates. Hyunjae walked with you all the way to the separation panel, shoulders brushing with yours and your bag slung around his other shoulder as you chatted about nonsensical stuff. Anything to try to get away from the reality of it all. It was coming too soon, too fast, and already you felt like you were about to lose a part of your heart.

"Well," Hyunjae stopped a few paces before the security guards before he turned to you, his face unreadable, "I guess that's a goodbye for now."

He had on an easy smile that didn't reach his eyes, and that made your chest squeeze with emotion, your throat tightening as you grabbed your bag from his hold and murmured your thanks.

"You'll come back as soon as possible, right?" he asked, lips quirking up at the corner. Yet, you thought you'd caught a glimpse of restrained emotion in his eyes.

"I'll try," you mumbled out. You couldn't look at him, for fear that you'd burst out crying.

Instead, you found a random spot on his shirt, right along his chest, that suddenly became of extreme interest as Hyunjae continued, "don't forget to text me when you land."

"I will."

"And eat a little, will you?" he nudged your forehead with a finger, causing you to yelp, "otherwise I'll have to fly over and cook for you myself."

You'd want that. You'd want that so much that it made your heart hurt. Swallowing thickly and trying hard to keep the tears at bay, you managed to croak out, "I hope that everything will be okay with Jinhee."

"Oh it'll be fine," something in his jaw twitched, "nothing that can't be fixed. And I'll see her soon. Whereas you..." he trailed off, his words echoing around you with a hollowness that had you suck in a breath.

As if on cue, the call for your flight sounded from the speakers, making you suck in a breath and doing the mistake of looking up at your friend. His delicate features, those eyes that made you feel all warm inside...all these things that you would miss terribly now that you were going to be separated by hours and flights.

You felt like crying.

Was this what heartbreak felt like?

"Alright then," your voice was heavy, muffled with a thickness that couldn't hide the tears glistening at the corners of your eyes, "I guess that's my cue to get going."

Hyunjae nodded. He pressed his lips together and patted your shoulder, "safe flight, Y/N."

"Yeah," you nodded back, threw him one last look to etch his face into your memory, before you turned towards the gates.

You took a step forward. And another, and another.

Your stomach was in knots. You felt sick, your throat burning with effort to keep it all inside.

And then, Hyunjae's voice like a soft melody.

"Y/N."

You couldn't stop yourself.

You swiveled around and threw yourself headfirst into his arms.

It was his scent that hit you at first. Musky with a hint of mint and something else, something that you couldn't quite place as the warmth of his arms enveloped you like a cocoon. You all but buried your nose into his chest as your own arms laced around his back and clung on for dear life. You could probably count the amount of times you'd hugged Hyunjae from the moment you'd first met, and this was probably the first time you had allowed yourself to bask in his presence for so long, letting that selfish part of you -- the part that didn't want to let him go -- take over for just that small moment.

Everything felt right when you were in Hyunjae's arms. As if all the evil in the world was replaced by none other than him, his heartbeat beating against the shell of your ear. The soft breaths tingling along the side of your forehead as he pressed his cheek to your temple.

"I--" you tried to stop the trembling in your voice but it was impossible, "I--I'm really going to miss you."

"Me too Y/N," his voice was a caress against the back of your head. He tightened his grip ever so slightly and your ryes fluttered shut.

You didn't want this to end.

You wanted to stay here until the end of time.

Because this felt like home. This was home.

Hyunjae had become the pillar in your life that you made your way back to no matter what. And now, he was being wrenched away from your hold.

Another announcement about your flight made you pull back ever so slightly, looking up as he did the same. You lost breath at the proximity of your faces, your heart stuttering when his nose brushed yours ever so slightly.

You gazed at him with a question. He gazed back, a swirling mass of emotions on display, tenderness and warmth that made you weak in the knees.

He was so close that you could see all the freckles dotting his chees, the mole along the side of his eyes, the way his lips were parted.

If you were to lean in. Just a little, you could even--

NO.

Your arms took a life of their own, propelling you back before you made a mistake.

Your chest heaved. A sour taste filled your mouth at the realization of what you -- almost -- did.

You couldn't. You can't. This was your friend, and he had someone else.

He loved someone else.

A burst of pain echoed through your heart at that. Something snapped inside your heartstrings and you let out a soft, quiet gasp as you stumbled back a few steps.

"Y/N," Hyunjae was reaching for you but you quickly ducked out of the way as you breathed, "I--I'm sorry Hyun. I--I need to go. I--" you turned, already starting to walk away in hopes that it would calm the mass of feelings roaring through your body like a tidal wave. But the current was so strong it made you short of breath. You were halfway already through the door before you looked back over your shoulder, a lone tear streaming down your face.

Hyunjae was still there, looking like someone had punched him in the gut. It made you want to sob, and you clamped your lips together as you spotted a faint smile, a wobbly one at that, pull at his lips.

"Goodbye Hyunjae," you mouthed.

He raised a hand in goodbye and turning so quick so that you wouldn't feel the guilt of leaving him behind, you walked past the gates without a backward glance.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

part two >>

[cheesy09]

[CN] Kiro's Wrapped in Silk Date

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

Note: This date explores some very suggestive themes, so if you do not meet the game's recommended 17+ age rating, I'd suggest to avoid reading this date.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 1]

The clear night sky seems to have been washed by spring water, and the stars are akin to diamonds against the dark blue gauze.

[MC's Company Name] has recently discussed collaboration with LEEZY, a well-know foreign fashion brand, and therefore I personally made the trip to come to their headquarters in West Asia.

The first reason being because they attached great importance to this collaboration, and second one being because Kiro too was filming in this city.

It's been three months since Kiro came here to film a movie. During this time, all we could do was accompany each other through the tiny screens of our mobile phones every day.

So when this opportunity to "visit work" presented itself, I immediately applied for a visa and flew over.

After several days of meetings and visits, the contract was successfully signed. The other party hoped that we could promote the latest season of their clothing.

I was also invited to attend this charity dinner party being held by the lake tonight.

In my drunken stupor, a slight sense of dizziness floods my head. I lift the shawl of my dress, shake the wine glass in my hand and look at the figure standing close by--

Kiro smiles and talks to the person in front of him, his golden hair shinning brightly in the darkness of night.

Seemingly noticing my gaze, he turns his face slightly, and his blue eyes catch my sight.

I raise my glass, smile at him, and take another slow sip. His eyes flicker for a moment and he calmly looks away from me.

Not long after, he smiles, nods, and comes to me with a glass of wine, lightly touching it to mine.

Kiro: I'm back!

MC: Was that the producer who invited you to the dinner just now? Why don't you chat for a little longer?

Kiro: We've already chatted for quite a bit. He even asked for my autograph for his little daughter.

Kiro: So, from now on, my time is all yours, MC.

Kiro: That being said... how much have you had to drink?

He seems to have noticed the unyielding warmth on my face. He raises his hand and gently touches the side of my face with the back of his hand.

That familiar body temperature departs as soon as it touches, leaving me feeling a little disappointed. I simply pinch his fingertips and take the opportunity to slip my fingers into the gaps between his.

MC: Not a lot, maybe... five or six glasses.

Kiro: That's not a lot...?

He lowers his head slightly and draws closer to me, the glimmer of expectation in his eyes quietly falling into mine.

Kiro: MC, should we run away?

MC: Now?

Kiro: Well~ You're going back to Loveland tomorrow afternoon, and I won't be back in China for another three weeks.

Kiro: There are less than 15 hours left. I don't want to waste another minute.

That reluctance tucked away in my heart is outlined by his words and tugs at my heartstrings.

All the work that needed to be discussed has been taken care of, so I nod. After paying our respects to the organizer, Kiro takes my hand and leaves the venue.

-

The taxi takes us all the way back to the hotel. After getting out of the cab, I stop, shake our intertwined hands and look at him eagerly.

MC: ...My feet hurt.

A smile seems to flash across those blue eyes. The next second, my body grows light and I'm being held in his arms.

Kiro: [chuckles indulgently] Hold me.

Amidst the cool night breeze, the embrace I am nestled in is particularly affectionate. I put my arms around his neck, and from time to time I run my lips across the side of his face, which is now slightly cooled by the night wind.

After entering the room, he bends down and gently places me on the small sofa.

The warmth that came from being close to each other seems to escape. Just as I am about to reach out and hug him, I suddenly feel my clothes tighten. Seemingly pulled by something, he too, falls towards me--

Those slightly wide blue eyes suddenly close in within my field of vision, and a warm softness unexpectedly falls against the corner of my lips.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 2]

The bright moonlight falls on the tip of his slender eyebrows, creating a faint white circle, akin to a piece of fallen snow.

His blue eyes appear deeper than usual. Through the moonlight, I can clearly see myself reflected in that clear spring.

The tenderness lingering at the corner of my lips stays for a moment, then departs slightly.

Kiro: Sure enough, you still smell like champagne.... I'll get you a glass of water.

I don't let go of the hands holding him. All I do is blink my eyes and soften my voice.

MC: ...I don't want to let go.

Noting my retention, he doesn't get up and just gently kisses my ear.

Suddenly, he pauses slightly, picks up the beaded chain on my clothes with one hand and shakes it.

Kiro: Turns out that there was a "trap" waiting for me here.

I follow his line of sight and see that the pearl chain from my clothes had somehow managed to get entangled with the accessories on his outfit.

Kiro: I won't leave. So... there's no need for this.

Those slender fingertips travel along the intricately wound chain and slowly disassemble it under the moonlight. Every now and then the silver chain reflects a cold silver light, like starlight dancing along his fingertips.

The alcohol gradually takes over my brain, and the person in front of me appears to be covered in a layer of mist under the moonlight.

My hands slowly slide along his arms to his back, feeling the familiar contours of his muscles under the thin layer of fabric. And when his tight buttons block the path of my fingertips, I gently undo them--

His white collar falls open a bit, revealing the lines of his collarbone.

Kiro: [Almost breathlessly] ....Why are you still being naughty?

MC: How could I....

When my nails gently scratch his waist, I feel the body under my fingertips stiffen slightly, and the breathing in the air suddenly grow heavier.

I blink innocently, finding some kind of pleasure in this long wait, and gently squeeze along his waistline.

Just as I'm busy enjoying myself, he suddenly grabs a hold of my wrist and then raises it above my head without any explanation.

At some point, he manages to untie the longest chain of beads and holds it casually between his fingertips.

His eyes, which have always been clear, are now stained with a hint of drunkenness, influenced by my own, and even his voice sounds hoarse.

Kiro: [huskily] If you keep making trouble like this, we won't be able to finish undoing this tonight.

Kiro: [x2] Leave your hands to me for now.

A cold touch falls on the skin of my wrist. Along with the slight rustling sound of metal, something wraps around my wrist one after another. Belatedly, my somewhat sluggish brain realizes that it's the chain that was untied from my dress.

My heartbeat inexplicably speeds up.

MC: [blushing] Kiro....

Kiro: [voice soft yet seductive] Don't move, it'll be fine soon.

As he says this, he deliberately slows down and enjoys every minute the peaceful moonlight has to offer.

The cold tassels brush against my skin from time to time, leaving at the first sign of touch. Tiny stimulations flow along my skin and blood vessels, causing my heartbeat to grow a little faster.

MC: Mmn...

I shrink on reflex, and he gently holds me down.

Taking in my state, he smiles softly, supports my knees and raises them slightly, lowering his head and kissing the spot where the chain grazes me.

His overwhelmingly hot breath seems to carry with it a small fire, burning along the blood in my veins.

As time passes by, the body's sensitivity seems to be heightened, feeling the other person with every ounce of strength.

I want to hug that warm back, but I find my hands tied together, unable to move freely. So I simply raise my ankle and gently press it against his calf.

As if eager to occupy the little time we have left, the breath tracing the side of my neck grows more and more rapid.

In the room soaked in moonlight, the tips of my fingers are tightly clasped, as if the vacancy formed during this period of time is being filled.

The overlapping of shadows is reflected on one side, almost blending together, blurring the slowly approaching moment of separation.

This night seems to go on forever, but also seems to pass by in an instant.

And amidst the chaos, I feel as if I'm being held in a scorching embrace.

-

Wanting to turn over a bit, I felt my wrist tighten. And when I open my eyes, I find a familiar metal chain still hanging on my wrist.

The other end of the chain is loosely wrapped around Kiro's wrist. Looking at the bright white pearls, my mind goes blank for a while.

At that moment, the mobile phone screen next to my ear lights up, and a travel information prompt pops up.

"The pre-scheduled flight has arrived. Please arrive at the airport two hours before departure to complete formalities..."

In that instant, the strength against my waist tightens slightly, and a tired warmth presses up against it.

Kiro: [sleepily] ...Is it morning already?

MC: Mm. It's time to get up.

I forcefully turn over and peck him softly on the lips.

He lets out a "Huh", turns over and pushes me under him. Using the grip of the chain, he grabs my wrist and nuzzles my neck.

Kiro: Okay, Kiro is attempting to get up. Progress is 1%, 14%...

Kiro: [sighing in mock defeat] Kiro has failed to get up and has now entered the Miss Chips mode with a five-minute countdown...

The person behind me mutters and hugs me tighter.

-

I don't know how many five-minutes pass before we finally get up from the bed and wash up.

Holding me in his arms, he helps me tie the straps behind my back.

Kiro: You really don't need me to take you to the airport?

MC: No need. Didn't the director give you an "ultimatum" to arrive on set by 1 o'clock in the afternoon at the latest?

MC: You concentrate on filming. I'll contact you when I get to the airport.

Hearing this, he curls his lips in frustration.

Kiro: Sigh... I wish I had a time machine. It could take us back to last night, or take me to 20 days later, when my filming ends.

I suppress the longing in my heart, raise my head and gently kiss his lips.

MC: You can rest for a few days when you get back. There are several new handicraft stores that have opened on Huapu Street. We can wait in line to visit them.

MC: Or we can play games together at home and rest together.

Kiro: Okay, it's settled.

Warm fingertips occasionally glide across my skin through the chiffon fabric, taking their time, fearing that this little time will quietly slip away from our fingertips.

Feeling a sense of comfort in my heart, I change my position and lean into his arms, gazing up at him.

MC: How long will it take you to fasten them?

Kiro: It's a bit complicated. Might take a while.

He looks at me and says earnestly.

Kiro: So, before you get ready and leave for the airport... let me hold you like this for a while.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 3]

After returning to China, I put the new collaborative project on the agenda. And in the storm of work and overtime, three weeks quickly pass by.

Kiro has successfully completed his filming and returned to China. Our reunion lasts for about two nights, but I'm unable to find the time to fulfill the promise I made to him about going shopping together--

The release date of LEEZY's new season of clothing gradually approaches, but I still haven't formulated a promotional plan that I'm sold on yet.

MC: What's missing....

Facing a dozen documents on my computer, I find myself feeling a little distressed.

Just as I am about to pick up my mug and take a few more sips of black coffee to refresh myself, a warm embrace greets from behind.

Kiro: What are you sighing about?

I put down the black coffee, smile, turn around and hug him back.

MC: Did you sleep well?

Kiro: Mm-- I just dreamed that my Miss Chips was being chased by the document monster, and I quickly woke up.

MC: ...Don't tell me. That dream is quite vivid.

Noting my slight frustration, he rubs his chin on the top of my head and looks at my screen.

Kiro: Are you still writing about LEEZY's announcement?

MC: Yeah... Their latest season's clothes were the ones they gave me before, with a lot of straps on them.

MC: I've made several promotional plans, but they all seem to lack a bit of novelty...

Kiro: Generally, brands will focus on a theme when designing a new season clothing line. Wouldn't it better to explore options based on their theme?

MC: Their clothes this season all have a lot of straps and chains on them. Their theme of design is said to be "Entwining".

MC: But this theme has been done by other brands before, so I couldn't find a unique direction to take it in.

Kiro: If you can't get any ideas by just looking at the information, shouldn't you try out some other methods?

MC: For example..?

Kiro thinks for a moment and then snaps his fingers.

Kiro: I've got a good idea. Besides, I've got nothing to do today, so let me be Miss Muse's inspiration-finding assistant!

MC: [excited] What?

He pulls me up from my seat and winks.

Kiro: Of course, we're going to use the method we're both good at - shooting!

Kiro: But this time, let's switch roles. You can be the model.

-

Kiro: Hmm... This angle of the light box should be fine. For the lighting...

I change my clothes, walk into the huge dance studio, and see Kiro adjusting the bracket of the lighting board.

The backdrop has been decorated by him in a simple manner, with various colorful ribbons hanging loosely but not messily. A stool is placed in the center of the background wall.

When he sees me come in, his eyes light up, and he comes over and takes my hand.

Kiro: I want the opinion of a professional producer: What do you think? Is it pretty good?

MC: It's very layered, and the color and backdrop complement each other well!

Watching my eyes light up fills him with a sense of pride.

Kiro: Feeling the theme for yourself might give you different ideas.

He leads me to sit on the stool, guides me to hook my hand on the hanging ribbon, raises his camera and presses the shutter.

After taking a few photos in various positions, we lean in front of the camera and look at the pictures.

Perhaps because of his rich shooting experience, Kiro is very good at guiding postures and states.

Kiro: What do you think?

MC: The composition and lighting are very good, and can be used as a photo album. It's just... I still feel clueless.

I look through the pictures carefully one after another, but I still get the sense that something isn't right.

MC: ....Is it possible that the characters don't fit the environment well enough?

After listening to my words, Kiro also lowers his head and thinks for a while.

Kiro: Wait for a moment.

I watch him drag out a box from the standing cabinet on the side and rummage through it. Then he picks up a large number of differently styled decorative chains and ribbons.

MC: Why do you have so much of this stuff?

Kiro: They were all leftover props from previous shoots. I had a feeling that they'd come in handy sooner or later.

Kiro: Now, let me "transform" the model and scene.

-

After we add some of them to the background wall, we open the stool up wide and I sit directly in the middle of this tangled up scene.

Kiro holds a long ribbon and casually wraps it around my thigh.

The cool silk gently touches my skin, making me shiver and my entire body tenses up.

As if noting my slight nervousness, Kiro chuckles, drawing the ribbon around my waist, and then wrapping it loosely around my wrist.

Kiro: Don't be nervous. Do you still remember the lesson in perception you took before?

I follow his voice and recall that in the greenhouse, he had once taught me bit by bit how to use senses other than sight to feel.

Note: This is a callback to Perception Date :>

Kiro: [voice enticingly soft] Try searching for the feeling of having your body wrapped in ribbon.

Following his voice, I carefully feel the silk wrapping around my skin - soft and thin.

Kiro's mirthful voice is akin to the ribbon entwined around my body. He gently lifts it, leaving my heart feeling a bit itchy.

Kiro: [x2] Raise your right hand a little higher... yes.

The hand holding the ribbon moves, and the soft fabric slowly slides along my skin and tightens slightly. My eyes subconsciously follow it.

"Click"--

The soft click of the shutter occasionally dissipates in the quiet air.

He adjusts the position of the ribbon around my body, arms, neck...

And the soft fabric seems to come to life in his hands, ensnaring all of my thoughts and following in his lead.

Occasionally, he adds one or two thin pearl strands that make a crisp sound every time my body sways.

I think of the chain wrapped around my wrist on that moonlit night.

My heart beats loudly, and my ears are so hot that they are on the verge of bleeding. I can't help but move my body.

MC: ...You - please be serious.

Kiro: Hm? But I am seriously trying to help you find that "entwining" sensation.

His eyes widen slightly, but the curvature at the corners of his lips betrays the cunning in his heart. It's as if he's playing an interesting "game".

I purse my lips, suddenly curious about the "reason" that has captured his interest, and with a bit of force, I grasp a hold of his wrist.

His surprised face gradually enlarges in my field of vision. He stretches out his hand to the wall beside my face in order to support and steady his body, and for a moment, his breathing becomes chaotic.

MC: In addition to being entwined, I too want to experience what it's like to entwine someone...

MC: Can this superstar help me out?

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 4]

There's a hint of a smile present in his brow.

Kiro: Sure.

The hand holding me tightens. He turns me over and my entire body presses up against him.

A scorching body temperature comes from our closely connected skin, and the side of my face and the base of ears are also dyed in a slight warmth.

I prop up my body, and following his example, I slowly pull a ribbon from the side and gently touch it to his ear.

His whole body seems to relax, lazily waiting for my next move.

Kiro: [whispering temptingly] Need help?

MC: I - I want to experience this for myself first.

Even though I say this, I'm unsure as to what to do next. I aimlessly wrap the ribbon around his slender fingers and slowly slide it down...

Stopping on his well-jointed wrist.

I wrap the ribbon in my hand around his wrist, imitating his actions from that night, and tie it into a somewhat clumsy knot.

He arches his eyebrows slightly and glances at me.

Kiro: [I HV NO IDEA HOW TO DESCRIBE HOW SEDUCTIVELY HE DRAGGED HIS VOICE HERE BUT HNNG-] I see... I reasonably suspect that you're trying to "avenge yourself".

MC: I'm just serious about set design!

Another pale yellow ribbon is loosely wrapped around his neck. I hold the other end of the ribbon and trail it across his arms, chest, the curves of his sides...

Then, gently tighten it.

The hair of the person in front of me is slightly tousled, and entangles with the strings of ribbon scattered on the side.

Among these bright and beautiful colors, those blue eyes gazing at me get darker and darker.

Kiro: [temptingly soft again] Does this give you inspiration?

MC: My eyes have captured it... But I also wanted to capture this on camera.

I lift up my camera and capture this scene.

His languid eyes look directly into mine through the lens, like a warm current hitting my chest.

Kiro: [x2] Actually, there's something else that could also help you.

MC: ...What?

Kiro: [x3] Unlike entangling something, untangling these entanglements could also be fun... Do you wanna try it?

He holds my hand, guides my fingers to pick up a ribbon that had dropped onto his skin, and slowly pulls it away.

I look down at him, wrapped in colorful ribbons, and at this moment, he looks as if he's waiting to be unwrapped...

Like a gift.

The memory hidden in the recesses of my mind cause my heartbeat to pound a bit out of control.

Noting the pause of my hand, Kiro raises his eyes slightly, a couple of doubts present in his eyebrows.

Kiro: ...What's wrong?

MC: It feels like I'm opening a gift...

He startles slightly, and then a smile appears on his lips.

Kiro: I've always been a gift belonging to you alone. You can open it at any time.

The black ribbon absentmindedly wraps around his fingers, drawing out lingering memories and taking me back to that Valentine's Day filled with the scent of essential oils.

This time, I take over the role of "signee". I lower my head a bit and approach him, gently tugging on the silk threads in my hand.

MC: You are also the most precious gift given to me by God.

All of this is a call back to Entwining / Unwrap the Gift Date released for the game's first Valentine's day event :>

What answers me is a gentle pressure on the back of my neck and a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth.

The pounding in the left of my chest grows faster and faster, as if mirroring my desire to open this long-awaited gift to see what surprises are kept in store.

One by one, the ribbons are pulled away from him and scattered to the side.

After tearing them all off, I am left confused for a moment. He takes my hand and gently places it on the button of his shirt.

Kiro: [voice dark & husky] You're not done yet.

A burning sensation comes from beneath the thin silk fabric.

Kiro: [x2] Continue.

Bewitched by his gentle voice, my hand slowly travels down from his collar, and with just a slight flick of my fingers, the buttons of his white shirt come undone.

One, two...

Those blue eyes seem to bear an indescribable gravity. Just the way he gazes at me alone prompts me to draw closer and closer.

By the time the last button comes undone, our breaths completely merge.

His slender fingers grasp my wrist unobjectively and he lowers his head a bit, biting the chiffon string on the bust of my dress and gently tugging it open.

His scorching hot breath falls on the skin of my chest, like a falling spark, setting my entire chest on fire.

Kiro's eyes are half-lidded, and his somewhat hoarse voice carries an inexplicable rough quality to it that gently caresses my eardrums.

Kiro: [x3] Did you like that?

His headless and baseless words are so soft that they almost scatter with the heat of his breath, but they fall heavily onto my heart.

MC: Of course I liked it... In this world, I like you the most.

Upon hearing my answer, his breath suddenly surges and almost melts into my body.

Even though it's obvious that there is no pull from any thread, my body feels bewitched. I unconsciously murmur his name.

MC: Kiro....

My fingertips glide over his skin, seeking out his deeper exploration. He deliberately feigns ignorance, however, and tilts his head in curiosity.

Kiro: What's wrong?

His curled fingers tighten a bit, and the breath in my ears makes me feel as though my ears are about to combust into flames.

I bite my lip, unwilling to lose in this silent tug-of-war, and turn my face a bit to the side.

MC: I was just thinking that I do have more ideas... Mmn.

As if dissatisfied with my answer, he lightly nips at my collarbone, causing me to tremble slightly.

Kiro: [with the hint of a sulk] I can't believe you're still thinking about "work" right now, Miss Chips.

Kiro: Looks like I'm gonna have to get even more "serious" to make you think of me with all your heart.

There's a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice, and he presses the tip of his tongue to my collarbone and gently licks it.

He unties the chiffon straps on my chest bit by bit, slowly and carefully, his gaze, now shrouded in desire, still feeling extremely precious.

Due to the time we spend together, this throbbing that almost engulfs me never seems to fade away. It only gets stronger and stronger.

MC: I always think of you with all of my heart...

I close my eyes and allow our interlocked fingers to tightly intertwine.

The last strap of chiffon is finally undone. He gently releases his teeth and the soft strap drops to the floor beside him.

Daylight gradually fades, hiding away all the warmth and turbulence of the night.

[END]

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

More Translations: Here

[xalygatorx]

Death in Pink | Chapter 62, "In the golden hour, it's easy to forget it's over now"

Summary: After running into multiple dead-ends, Adelie gets in touch with an old acquaintance to start forming an entertainment lineup for the gala weekend. Independently of one another, Husk and Angel both request her advice on how to ask the other to be their date.

Word Count: 5.4k

A/N: Back to sporadic updates as I'm able because my fiance's visa's been approved and we're going to spend the next few months coordinating a move and getting married! Thank you for all the kind words these last couple of weeks, they were sorely needed while we were in limbo. ❤️

https://archiveofourown.org/works/54175411/chapters/147432850

[corvid-language-library]

I logged out for like 10 days because I've been wasting my time playing Pokemon and doing Sporcle quizzes instead 😅 Not that it's wasting my time given I've been having fun! And I've been playing Pokemon in Japanese and learning lots of new words, so I'd say it's a pretty productive way to spend my time actually!

Anyway, some updates:

I booked my next trip last week, so during Golden Week I'll be going to Tsuruoka, Niigata and Koriyama! I don't have much in the way of plans yet, although I have a few ideas about things I want to do. We'll see what happens though.

I think I'm acquiring a taste for matcha? I've been sampling the seasonal doughtnuts at Mister Donut, which are matcha flavour, and then I got some sakura/matcha wafer things from the supermarket and they were actually pretty nice. The sweetness of the sakura kinda offsets the bitterness of the matcha. I'm now obsessed with wanting to bake matcha/sakura cupcakes but alas, no oven, boo

I've been trialling an actual physical bullet journal rather than my usual excel spreadsheets because I wanted to take more time away from my laptop but I keep forgetting to use it, oops

I'm still considering/debating my future plans. It's kinda complicated, I might make a post about it. Basically I'm thinking of returning to the UK after my visa runs out and then going on to Norway, but there are lots of things to consider.

[thistransient]

obligatory retrospection 2023

I was holding off on it for a while, but now perhaps it's time for the annual retrospection. (It did occur to me that there is some overlap with the birthday introspection, although that one doesn't usually come with goals or anything). Apparently my main aspiration was to finish reading 天官賜福, with some general wistfulness in the direction of having more physical contact, getting a job, and the cessation of some unproductive infatuation I was suffering. Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad, although the job was kind of the most important one...well, can't win 'em all. (Very amusing in hindsight that I thought the human touch part would involve "massage class or something" and not "exploring the rope bondage scene").

This year was not quite as eventful as the last one. I did travel a bit more on account of the visa runs and people I showed around. Going to Korea again for the first time in ten years definitely had some sort of closure effect on me, and I felt surprisingly changed (for the better) by the experience. I finished Chinese class (mainly on the basis that there was none left to take at my language school and I was too tired to transfer to another one), finally ended things with my tutor (long overdue), experienced the rise and fall of a friendship (which I'm still processing), survived a visit from my father and enjoyed a visit from an old friend. I think I can say I've biked all the Taipei and New Taipei City riverside bike paths (Google maps is not the most reliable for these things, however.) I started going to counseling in a proactive way, not a rock-bottom way, which has been interesting. I had a brief go at the dating app thing, which mainly served to put me off the dating app thing (gonna go back to leaving it up to 緣分). I bought a silly shirt at the night market, and also went to KTV in Taiwan for the first time. I slowly trained myself to go to unfamiliar events and the bdsm bar alone (inspiring confusion in extroverts and envy in fellow anxious people). I got my instant noodle habit down to twice a week at max. I propagated too many plant clippings from the park. It didn't feel like like I was doing much from day to day, but looking back, I think I was getting myself back in order (my persistent headaches and migraines I had for so much of the previous year went away!).

This year my main goal is to finish reading the Chinese translation of 黃金神威 / Golden Kamuy. I'm at 9 of 30 volumes right now, which I get from the library because 1) I have to put them on order (the thrill of anticipation) 2) I have to take a walk to the library to retrieve them (getting out of the house) and 3) there's a due date to force me to finish them in a timely manner (unlike all the other books I own which sit unread in various drawers and corners).

I came to the conclusion that my best chance at employment in Taiwan that doesn't involve teaching children requires getting a graduate degree (which would also serve to get me residency, and perhaps convince my family I'm not going to be a ne'er-do-well forever). I have actually applied for a program- the only one I was interested in that was also manageable to apply for this admission cycle, since I came to said conclusion about a month out from the deadline. Given that it's at one of the most prestigious unis in Taiwan and I think my research proposal is only tenuously related to the department, I'm having very realistic expectations here and steeling myself to take the TOCFL and apply again this summer to programs taught in Mandarin. But at least I have a direction to go in.

I had taken an intro rope class some time during the summer, but honestly I don't see myself pursuing a career as a rigger any time soon. In the name of short-term continuing education, I have entertained the thought of looking for uni classes to audit to make sure I can actually understand them, and I also want to check out taking Japanese classes taught in Chinese. By coincidence I became acquainted with a Frenchman at the bar last night who spoke impressively fluent Japanese as a result of his job in the adult video business (initially I misunderstood this to mean he was an actor, he quickly clarified that he was in the import/export side of things), which felt like a sign (or the final sign of many). I have resisted learning it for many many years, but my trip to Tokyo this fall was just too embarrassing when it came to basic communication (or a lack thereof), and if I ever want to go explore kinbaku at the site of origin I should start working on this sooner or later.

Unrelated to all of these, I also want to consume more protein, have a look for B vitamins the surgeon's office recommended, and learn how to do multi-colour lino printing.

Thus one could say I'm cautiously optimistic about this year, fingers crossed for minimal missile warnings and no more 曖昧的關係s. 加油everybody, 加油.

[roo-bastmoon]

My game-plan going forward...

So Jimin didn't make Hot 100 Top 10. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see where he lands on the charts.

I recommend we emotionally prepare for the possibility that he will break Taylor Swift's free fall record and chart lower than #38, especially if they culled more than 60% of his sales and YouTube and radio are at a near stand-still.

It is extremely obvious this was sabotage. And while that is BULLSHIT and you're entitled to your feelings, remember that Taylor Swift's career and music are doing just fine. These charts need super stars on them--not the other way around.

My game-plan going forward is to focus primarily on quality streaming on every platform and every device, including my smart TVs.

I had one remaining $25 pre-paid VISA gift card that I got from my local grocery store.

I created a brand new email address.

I got my best friend's permission to use her name, address, and cell phone.

I input all those details into the BTS US Store and pre-ordered Yoongi's digital title track and digital album, and I also bought all 5 of Jimin's Like Crazy digitals plus one version of Face digital album.

The best I can do going forward is finish up using a few prepaid gift cards to get Yoongi's 1 digital title track on my extra iTunes accounts.

Then I will be out of resources--both financial and mental. I will have to jockey all my premium free trial streaming accounts until they run out, then keep going with free versions.

But others who have energy and a network of non-ARMY who can help (I imagine at most they might need to tell you a cell phone confirmation text code), please reach out to funding accounts and work with everyone you can to buy for both this and next week.

If at all possible, it's important we try to ease Jimin down on the charts gently within 30 days of debut.

I recommend you don't just rely on a new email address. Make yourself a "new person" this week. Don't steal identities, obviously. But switch up your info and payment methods with folks you trust, enough to look brand new, because we have no idea what BB is tracking to count as a single sale, it's all guesswork right now.

We can work hard. We can work smart. We're ARMY.

And they should be scared.

Because the truth is--radio stations, golden statues, and ranks on a list are not a true gauge of good music.

Fans showing up consistently no matter what is the hallmark of good music.

I strongly urge you to leave encouraging and supportive messages using #To_Jimin on WeVerse today to let him know that no matter what the US Music Industry does, we love his work and are with him all the way.

This is so far from the last we will see of Park Jimin and BTS!

Love, Roo

[secreteviltwin]

another week another terrorist with a golden horseshoe address and a student visa

[joanshomesmiami]

Buy or Rent a Villa in Greece 🇬🇷

Greece has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the South of Europe for many reasons (see my previous post) and with an increase in governmental stability, beneficial corporate tax, the Golden Visa Program, affordable pricing & great rental income, Greece has seen an increase in foreign buyers as well.

Here’s more info on buying & renting a Villa on the best Islands Greek islands 🏝️

BUY

Villas start at €1-2m, Premium Villas start at €5/6m.

• As a foreigner expect to pay cash.

• You pay 10% down at signing, 10% in 2-3 weeks upon completing the survey and balance at close.

• Closing costs are for the buyer which are about 8/9% of the purchase price (includes tax, notary, lawyer, commission).

• The Golden Visa 🇪🇺 this is why many people buy in Greece. If you buy a property over €250k, you can qualify for this visa (you can be a joint owner of the property as well). This gives you a 5 year Greek residency, and you can travel unconditionally to any European country (Schengen) for 90 days per stay per 6 months. Renewable after 5 years.

• There are no rental restrictions. Rental tax is 22% on your profits if rented by a management company or 45% on your income above €45k if rented individually.

• Costs: property tax is about €1-2k per year up to €3k for a premium Villa. Utility fees €6-7k a year and insurance around €2k

• High season in Greece is from April until October (peak June-August).

————————

RENT

• Price🏡💰

=> Our villas start at €10k/w (3-5 bedrooms) with an average of €35k/w. The Premium Villas range from €60k up to €175k/w (8-12 bedrooms) usually with full service included 🛎️

• Most villas have a 7 days minimum and 30-50% deposit.

• Book in advance 📅 (6 months preferred) as occupancy is extremely high during summer.

————————

If you you’re planing on buying or renting a Villa in Greece let me know 🏡 I partnered up with my Sotheby’s colleagues in Greece and happy to assist you here! 🙌🇬🇷

#greece #greeceislands #greekvillas #greecerealestate #mykonos #santorini #paros #antiparos #mykonosvillas #sothebys #sothebysrealty

[newstfionline]

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Protecting children from mass murder has become a $3 billion industry (NYT) The school year was starting in 10 days, and Donald Keegan was a busy man. An associate superintendent of the North Syracuse Central School District, Mr. Keegan had to make sure the bus drivers were trained and the cafeterias fully staffed. He had a tour to lead that afternoon and a school board meeting in the evening. But that late August morning, Mr. Keegan took time to attend a demonstration inside a local factory, where he observed a series of windows being obliterated by an AR-15-style rifle. Of all the troubling aspects of gun violence, among the most dispiriting may be that preparing school administrators for a mass shooting is becoming routine. Rising gun violence, punctuated by massacres like the attack at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas last year and the shooting on Michigan State University’s campus this week, is fueling not only the debate over gun control but also a more than $3 billion industry of companies working to protect children or employees against mass murder. The offerings are numerous: automatically locking doors, bullet-resistant tables, Kevlar backpacks, artificial intelligence that detects guns and countless types of training exercises, like breathing techniques to avoid panic during an attack.

Bias in higher education (NYT) Higher education faculty is predominantly liberal. On this point, there is not much debate among experts. About 60 percent of undergraduate teaching faculty identify as liberal or far left, compared with about 12 percent who identify as conservative or far right. The gap has grown over the past few decades. Professors’ left-wing bias most likely leads to some self-censorship by students and faculty and limits political discussions on campuses. There is a harm to progressive students too, said Amy Binder, a sociologist at the University of California, San Diego. In her research, conservative students told her that they were constantly challenged by liberal teachers and students, helping them sharpen their abilities to think about opposing ideas and debate them. Progressive students generally get less of that experience. The public appears to agree that bias is a problem: A majority have said that campus politics lean toward one direction and that there’s too much concern about protecting students from views they might find offensive, a 2019 Pew Research Center poll found.

Russian birth tourism (Foreign Policy) Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February and the country’s subsequent international isolation, thousands of pregnant Russian women have quietly traveled to Argentina to give birth. Russians can enter Argentina without a visa; any child born on Argentine soil has the right to Argentine citizenship and fast-tracks the path to citizenship for parents, too. An Argentine passport allows for visa-free travel to more than twice as many countries as a Russian passport, El País reported.

Portugal ends Golden Visas, curtails Airbnb rentals to address housing crisis (Reuters) Portugal announced on Thursday a hefty package of measures to tackle a housing crisis, including the end of its controversial “Golden Visa” scheme and a ban on new licenses for Airbnbs and other short-term holiday rentals. Rents and house prices have skyrocketed in Portugal, which is among the poorest countries in Western Europe. Last year, more than 50% of workers earned less than 1,000 euros per month while in Lisbon alone, rents jumped 37% in 2022. Low salaries, a red-hot property market, policies encouraging wealthy foreigners to invest and a tourism-dependent economy have for years made it hard for locals to rent or buy, housing groups have said. Portugal’s 8.3% inflation rate has exacerbated the problem.

A Russian Mole in Germany Sows Suspicions at Home, and Beyond (NYT) A few days before Christmas, a convoy of security vehicles invaded a quiet corner of Weilheim, a quaint Bavarian town of pastel squares and fastidiously kept cobblestone streets. Their target seemed as unassuming as the setting: a local children’s soccer coach. Nothing ever stood out about the man—until he was arrested on charges of treason and spying for Russia in one of the gravest espionage scandals in recent German history. The coach, a 52-year-old former German soldier, worked for Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, or B.N.D., as a director of technical reconnaissance—the unit responsible for cybersecurity and surveilling electronic communications. It contributes about half of the spy agency’s daily intelligence volume. The arrest came shortly after a flurry of raids across Europe that uncovered so-called illegals, or secret Russian agents, in the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. The German authorities are still trying to determine what damage their mole may have done. But the discovery of a double agent has rattled German political circles.

Ukraine war spurs European demand for U.S. arms, but not big-ticket items (Reuters) European demand for U.S. weaponry is soaring, but instead of big-ticket items like jets and tanks, shopping lists are focused on cheaper, less-sophisticated items such as shoulder-fired missiles, artillery, and drones that have proven critical to Ukraine’s war efforts. Countries close to Russia like Poland, Finland and Germany are striking deals to build U.S. weapons in Europe, negotiating new deals to buy arms and looking to speed up existing contracts, according to interviews with military officials and industry executives. Demand is centered around basic weapons and munitions: 155-millimeter artillery rounds, air defenses, communications equipment, shoulder-fired Javelin missiles and drones. The focus on high-volume, less costly weapons underscores how the war in Ukraine has reshaped strategic thinking in European capitals about how future conflicts could be fought.

Earthquakes Weigh on Turkey’s Already Struggling Economy (WSJ) The earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria last week are heaping new stresses on the Turkish economy. The quakes cut a path of destruction through a core industrial region around the cities of Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep, killed more than 38,000 people in Turkey and caused an estimated $84 billion in losses, the equivalent of about 10% of Turkey’s entire economy in 2022, according to a report from the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation. The disaster has deepened the economic turmoil in a country that is already reeling from a cost of living crisis.

Facing anger after quakes, Syrians in Turkey wonder again: Where do we go? (Washington Post) As Turkish rescue teams combed slowly through a gray mountain of broken concrete Wednesday night, a group of Syrians looked on, arms crossed, faces set in hard expressions. Back in Syria, where such scenes are common after more than a decade of war, rescuers usually dive right in, without proper equipment, often at great personal risk. “They would’ve cleared it in two days,” muttered one young man. His relatives grunted in agreement, huddled over an open fire as they waited to learn the fate of their missing family members. Many Syrians in the ravaged Turkish city of Kahramanmaras have already lived through years of aerial bombardment and untold loss. But even for them, the scale of the destruction after the Feb. 6 earthquakes is impossible to process. The temblors leveled whole apartment complexes and killed more than 43,000 people. Already displaced from their country, already accustomed to discrimination in Turkey, Syrians now face new trauma and insecurity, and are left to wrestle with a painfully familiar question: Where to now? Turkey is home to at least 4 million refugees and asylum seekers from Syria who have fled conflict, hardship and government repression, and many of them are concentrated across the southern quake zone. Anti-Syrian sentiment has flared time and again over the years, fanned by nativist politicians who see their former neighbors as convenient scapegoats for Turkey’s problems, including its recent economic downturn. Now, Syrians are blamed for taking up scarce resources at a time of national tragedy.

Israeli law to strip Arabs convicted of terrorism of citizenship (Foreign Policy) Israel passed legislation that would strip Arab citizens or residents of their citizenship or residency if they are convicted of terrorism and have received financial help from the Palestinian Authority. Palestinians say the money is assistance for families with people in prison; Israel says that the stipends encourage violence. The law also allows Israel to deport these individuals to Gaza or the West Bank. Ahmad Tibi, leader of the Ta’al party, an Arab party, noted that the law did not apply to Israel’s Jewish citizens, noting, “An Arab who commits an offense is a conditional citizen. If a Jew commits the same offense or a more serious one, they don’t even think of revoking his citizenship.”

Nigerian cash crisis brings pain (AP) No one in Godgift Inemesit’s family of eight is sure when they will eat each day—except for her three kids, two of whom have malaria. She can’t pay for the drugs they need or feed the rest of her family regularly. Like most Nigerians, the family’s savings are trapped in the bank. A changeover to redesigned currency has plunged Africa’s largest economy into crisis just ahead of a presidential election: There aren’t enough new banknotes in a country reliant on cash. For Inemesit, 28, the shortage of cash means even basics like food and medicine are getting trimmed for her husband, mother, kids ages 4 to 8 and two other relatives. One recent afternoon, only the children had gotten bread and hot drinks. Customers are waiting all day at banks and ATMs to withdraw only enough money—called naira—to last a day. Fights have broken out in bank halls, angry customers have attacked workers and protesters have set financial institutions on fire. Businesses unable carry out transactions have been forced to close, and people are illegally selling new currency notes at higher rates.

An Undercover Investigation Of Underground Operatives (Guardian) According to an exposé by The Guardian and journalists from 30 other news outlets, a shadowy team of Israeli contractors is meddling in elections around the world, including in Nigeria. The organization is run by Tal Hanan, an Israeli special forces operative who goes by the name “Jorge,” and has supposedly interfered with “33 presidential-level campaigns” over the last two decades. Three reporters from the joint project went undercover, posing as prospective clients for “Team Jorge.” They recorded six hours of footage from meetings with the team, learning more about the services offered by the shadowy organization. Their services include the deployment of an automated network of fake social media profiles used to distribute disinformation, a “blogger machine” used to push even more fake news, and hacking services for supposedly secure platforms, including Telegram and Gmail. Team Jorge has also staged fake protests outside corporate headquarters, harassed African politicians on election day by bombarding their personal phones with calls, and meddled in the real lives of political candidates by using Amazon to send a sex toy to a candidate’s house to make his wife think he was cheating. “To be clear,” said Jorge after the report was released, “I deny any wrongdoing.”

The Great TikTok Awakening? (NBC News) TikTok has been used to share viral dances, songs, and memes (and also surveil its users), but now it’s gained another function—spreading religion. Asbury University, a small Christian college in Kentucky, has begun growing its flock of believers through TikTok, with #asburyrevival garnering almost 40 million views on the platform so far. Asbury is now home to a prayer gathering that’s been in session for eight full days, running 24 hours around the clock. The gathering initially began as an informal prayer session after a routine morning service on February 8, but a short livestream and participants’ TikToks of the event have turned the intimate prayer group into a nationwide sensation, prompting worshippers from across the country to head to Kentucky to participate. Footage of the event shows an atmosphere a little less radical than the word “revival” would suggest. But while the vibe isn’t close to that of historical Great Awakenings, Asbury’s revival has sparked similar small nonstop prayer gatherings in schools across the country.

[datauthorress]

Free Fall [Chapter 1: Sherlock Holmes]

Pairing: Sherlock Holmes / Original Female Character

Summary: After moving to London to begin a fresh start and a new journey, Shelby has found it incredibly difficult to find a flat that will take animals, despite hers being a service dog. Upon meeting a fan of her work, she’s introduced to her new flat-mate, Sherlock Holmes, the only consulting detective in the world. Having read his blog, Shelby knows she’s in for an adventure as she becomes Sherlock Holmes’ roommate.

Rating: E

We apologize that this may be an inconvenience to you, but despite the paperwork of your service animal, we cannot allow you to rent with us because of liability issues…

         Shelby sighed heavily as she read through the email that had arrived in her inbox earlier in the morning. With chagrin, she discarded the email and sent it to the trash before closing out of the tab and shutting her laptop. Beside her, Panzer whined softly and laid his head on her thigh, knowing she was upset with the news.

         She had prepared immensely before coming to London.

         She had prepared a PO Box, had prepared her passport and visas and made sure everything had been switched over before moving to London, but she was still having trouble finding a place that would allow her to rent with them. Money wasn’t an issue. She had money, and plenty of it. But because she had a service dog, she couldn’t find a place.

         Panzer had been loyal to her for the last four years of her life. She had another service dog before Panzer, a beautiful golden retriever that had gotten sick with stomach cancer and had passed away at the age of seven. Shelby had been devastated and it had taken her two months to begin looking for a new service dog. Her insurance was, and still is, so good to her with everything she had gone through. The accident that made her a cripple with a bad leg and she had to walk using a cane, taking medications to manage the immense pain. Her heart condition, which she was always careful and took care of herself and the mental trauma that had come with everything since the age of 14-years old.

         The hotel room that she had been staying in for the last week was messy and disorganized, which caused her OCD to peak and her anxiety to rise. She needed to find a place, and fast, because she knew she was technically homeless.

         “Damnit,” Shelby muttered.

         She needed fresh air.

         Shelby took a quick shower and dressed in her usual attire, a pair of jeans that hugged her legs with a tee shirt and her worn, but still in good condition, leather jacket and boots that only reached just above her ankles. She searched through her shoulder bag to make sure she had everything and got Panzer ready, then headed out.

         The park that was near the motel was absolutely gorgeous and Shelby saw people walking about, enjoying the nicer weather. It was June, so it wasn’t too warm, decent enough, but bring a jacket once it cooled down at night.

         As Shelby walked down the sidewalk, she suddenly heard someone calling her by her last name.

         “Miss O’viere!”

         Shelby turned around to see a man approaching her, wearing a tan trenchcoat and carrying a briefcase. She arched an eyebrow, as she didn’t recognize the man before her. “Do I know you?”

         “Oh, no, you don’t.” the man said sheepishly. “I apologize. My name is Mike Stamford, and I’m a fan of your novels, especially Careless Whisper.”

         Ah. One of her shorter books. It had revolved around a doctor seeking revenge after his boyfriend had been killed by a gang. Nothing in her usual supernatural or fantasy style, but something that she had wanted to write with a bit of realism.

         “Oh, thank you.” Shelby smiled kindly. “I appreciate that.”

         “Would you mind signing? It’s not every day I meet one of my favorite authors.” Mike asked politely, bringing out the short book from his briefcase.

         “Absolutely,” she smiled, grabbing a pen out of her bag and turning to the first page, before signing her name in neat-calligraphy style. “Here you go,”

         “Thank you so much.” He beamed. “Coffee?”

         30 MINUTES LATER

         “So you’re struggling to find a place due to having a service animal?”

         “Yeah, and I get it, I do.” Shelby replied with a sigh, taking a sip of her coffee from the plastic cup. “But I need a place fast. I’m going crazy staying in that hotel room.”

         “Well,” Mike began. “I might be able to help you with that. A friend of mine is looking for a flat mate to share a flat with.”

         “Oh?” she asked, glancing over to him. “Well…..I would really appreciate that.”

         “Great! Let’s go, I know where he’s at right now.”

         Fifteen minutes later, Shelby stepped out of the cab that had stopped in front of a building that she easily recognized as the hospital. Mike led her inside and around a series of hallways, before they walked through a set of doors and into a laboratory, where Shelby saw a man sitting at the table, looking through a microscope. He appeared to be tall and lanky, with curly black hair and wearing plain, but decent clothes.

         “Mike, can I borrow your phone? No signal on mine.” The man asked without looking up from the microscope.

         “What’s wrong with the landline?” Mike asked.

         “I’d rather text.”

         “Sorry, other coat.”

         “Oh, um, here.” Shelby spoke, bringing out her cell phone (which was a Samsung 22 Galaxy Ultra). “You can use mine.”

         “Oh, thank you.” The man said and stood – to which Shelby noticed he was tall, nearly a whole head taller than her – before walking over to her and taking her phone, before pulling up her messaging app to start a text. “Afghanistan, or Iraq?”

         Shelby furrowed her brow, confused. Was he talking to her? She glanced over to Mike, who gestured his head back to the other man. “Um, I’m sorry?”

         “Which was it? Afghanistan or Iraq?” the man said, finally turning his attention to Shelby and she was startled by the pair of sapphire blue eyes he held.

         “Um, none.” Shelby replied, shaking her head.

         “Really? You strike me as the type.”

         “I was never in the military.”

         The man arched an eyebrow, before handing her phone back to her. “Car accident, quite deadly, I’m afraid.” He said, and Shelby’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “They tried surgery, tried many different things, but you grew tired of your leg being operated on, so you chose to live with the crippling pain and take pain medications for it.”

         “W-wait, wait.” Shelby stammered, putting a hand up. “How do you-?”

         Before Shelby could finish, a woman with her brunette hair tied back came into the room, holding a fresh cup of coffee. “Coffee!” the man exclaimed, reaching around Shelby to take it. “Thank you, Molly. Wait, what happened to the lipstick?”

         “It…...wasn’t working for me.” The woman, Molly, replied.

         “Really? I thought it was a big improvement – mouth’s too small now.”

         Shelby gaped at the tall man, who sipped his coffee as if nothing was absolutely wrong. She glanced over to Mike again, who just shook his head at her. Molly said a meekly ‘okay’ before leaving the room.

         “How do you feel about the violin?” the man asked, turning his attention to Shelby.

         “Um, just fine. I play violin once in a while.” Shelby replied.

         “Oh. Excellent!” the man said gleefully. “I play the violin when I’m thinking, and sometimes I don’t talk for days on end – would that bother you? Potential flat mates should know the worst about each other.”

         Shelby was extremely confused. She glanced at Mike. “I thought…...you never told him about me?”

         “I’ve never met you until today,” Mike stated. “I haven’t said a word.”

         “Okay,” she muttered before turning her attention back to the other man. “Who said anything about flat mates?”

         “I did. I said to Mike this morning, that I was a difficult man to find a flat mate for.” The man replied. “Now he turns up after lunch with a woman who clearly just moved to London and is having trouble finding a flat due to having a service dog, which you have due to your leg and possibly other issues.”

         “Why….did you ask if I was in the military?” Shelby asked, letting out a light sigh.

         “Your leg and the service dog,” he answered. “But you were clearly not in the military after you said so, so a car accident was the second most likely reason.”

         The man walked around the table and pulled on a long coat, as well as a blue scarf to wrap around his neck. “I’ve got my eye on a nice little place in central London – together we could afford it. Although money doesn’t seem to be an issue for you. We’ll meet their tomorrow evening, 5 o’clock. Sorry, got to dash – I think I left my riding crop in the mortuary.”

         “So that’s it?”

         “Is what it?”

         “I just met you not five minutes ago and we’re going to go and look at a flat.” Shelby said.

         “Problem?”

         “We don’t know a thing about each other! I don’t even know where we’re meeting!”

         The man locked his gaze on her and a tiny smile caressed his handsome features. “I know you were in a car accident that took the use of your leg and now you walk with a cane. You have mental trauma and physical trauma because you have a service dog. You’re originally from America, due to your Mid-Western accent. You’ve got a large family, whom of which didn’t approve your move to London and all are extremely worried about you. You moved to London for a fresh start and need a place that I know will have no trouble taking in your service animal.”

         Shelby’s jaw slightly dropped in utter astonishment. What……what was going on here?

         “The name’s Sherlock Holmes and the address is 221b Baker Street. Afternoon.” The man told her, before sending a wink her way and leaving the laboratory.

         Shelby turned to Mike with an expression of immense surprise.

         “Yeah, he’s always like that.” Mike chuckled.

         “What the hell just happened?” Shelby asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

         “Trust me, you’ll get used to it.” Mike said.

         “Fuck me,” Shelby muttered.

[businessguiderb]

How UAE's Business-Friendly Laws Can Boost Your Startup Success

Introduction

If you’re considering starting a business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you’re not alone. Over the past decade, the UAE has established itself as one of the world’s most welcoming environments for startups. From tax breaks to fast-track licensing, the country’s business-friendly laws make it an ideal place for entrepreneurs to launch and grow new ventures. In this article, we’ll dive into how these laws work in favor of startups and why the UAE’s regulatory framework is uniquely designed to support your business ambitions.

Key Business-Friendly Laws in the UAE

Overview of Startup-Focused Laws

The UAE offers a comprehensive framework of laws designed to foster entrepreneurship. These regulations make it easier for startups to operate and grow by removing some of the barriers that businesses encounter in other regions. From allowing foreign ownership to providing financial incentives, the UAE has made a concerted effort to create a startup-friendly environment that attracts global entrepreneurs.

100% Foreign Ownership

For most entrepreneurs, maintaining control over their business is essential, especially for those based outside the UAE. Historically, business owners in the UAE required a local partner to hold 51% of shares. However, recent reforms now allow for 100% foreign ownership in many industries across both the mainland and Free Zones, providing unprecedented freedom for international investors to fully own and manage their businesses.

Flexible Visa Options

The UAE offers a range of visa options designed to attract talent and entrepreneurs alike. Whether you’re looking for long-term residency or flexibility for a project-based stay, the UAE’s visa policies are highly accommodating. For startups, options like the Golden Visa and entrepreneur visa provide the stability needed to build a foundation, allowing founders, employees, and even family members to stay long-term if needed.

Tax Incentives for Startups in the UAE

Tax-Free Zones and Minimal Corporate Tax

The UAE’s tax structure is one of the most attractive aspects of doing business here. Most Free Zones in the UAE offer complete exemptions from corporate and income taxes, making it a cost-effective location for startups. While the country recently introduced a corporate tax, many startups, especially in their initial years, can benefit from incentives and zero-tax zones that allow them to reinvest profits directly into their growth.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) for Startups

The UAE implemented a VAT system in 2018, but startups and small businesses benefit from streamlined VAT processes. The current rate of 5% is relatively low compared to global standards, and exemptions are available in sectors like healthcare, education, and real estate, making VAT compliance less burdensome for qualifying businesses.

Streamlined Business Registration and Licensing

The process of setting up a business in the UAE is quick and efficient, allowing entrepreneurs to focus more on growth and less on paperwork. The government has simplified the registration process, making it possible for businesses to start operating within weeks, if not days. Startups can choose from a range of licenses, including commercial, industrial, and professional, depending on their business model.

Differences Between Free Zone and Mainland Licenses

Choosing between a Free Zone and mainland license is a crucial decision for any startup. Free Zone licenses offer benefits like tax exemptions and 100% ownership but limit the business’s ability to operate in mainland UAE without a local distributor. On the other hand, a mainland license provides more flexibility in serving the UAE market directly. Each option has unique benefits, and startups can select the one that best suits their long-term goals.

Ease of Opening Corporate Bank Accounts

Setting up a corporate bank account is often challenging for new businesses, but the UAE has made this process smoother by working closely with financial institutions. The government offers guidance on compliance requirements, and banks in the UAE are keen to support startups by offering tailored accounts with minimal setup hurdles, making it easier for businesses to manage their finances locally.

Financial Services and Fintech Regulations

For fintech startups, the UAE offers a highly supportive regulatory environment. Free Zones like the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) provide tailored frameworks for fintech innovation, allowing startups to access funding, partner with financial institutions, and leverage cutting-edge technology within a regulated yet flexible environment.

Access to Modern Infrastructure and Technology

The UAE is known for its world-class infrastructure, and this extends to technology as well. The country has invested heavily in digital transformation, making it an ideal location for tech-driven startups. From high-speed internet to smart city initiatives, startups benefit from a high-tech environment that is often inaccessible in other regions.

Support for E-commerce and Digital Startups

The UAE’s e-commerce market is booming, and the government has responded by introducing laws and regulations that support online businesses. For instance, e-commerce businesses can now benefit from simplified customs procedures and data protection laws that foster trust and security. These laws make the UAE an ideal place to launch digital-first businesses with global reach.

Intellectual Property (IP) Protection in the UAE

One of the top concerns for startups, particularly in tech and creative fields, is intellectual property protection. The UAE has implemented strong IP laws that protect trademarks, patents, and copyrights, allowing startups to secure their innovations and creative assets. This is particularly valuable for companies looking to develop proprietary technologies or brand identities.

Support for Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks

The UAE offers robust support for startups looking to protect their intellectual property. Startups can easily register copyrights, patents, and trademarks, securing their ideas and inventions. The process is straightforward, and the government provides resources to guide entrepreneurs through the application process, ensuring businesses retain full ownership of their creations.

Government Grants and Incentive Programs

The UAE offers various grants and incentives specifically designed for startups, with a particular focus on innovation and tech-based businesses. These programs provide financial support to help businesses launch and grow, covering costs such as office space, equipment, and even R&D. Many Free Zones also offer funding programs to support new businesses, making it easier for startups to access the capital they need.

Collaboration and Networking Opportunities

Networking is a significant part of the UAE’s startup ecosystem. The government and Free Zones frequently organize events, exhibitions, and conferences where entrepreneurs can meet investors, mentors, and other startups. Industry-specific clusters, such as Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, foster collaboration, allowing businesses to benefit from proximity to like-minded companies and resources.

Role of Business Incubators and Accelerators

Incubators and accelerators in the UAE, like Hub71 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Future Accelerators, offer resources, mentorship, and funding to help startups succeed. These platforms give new businesses access to valuable industry connections, making it easier to grow and scale in a supportive, growth-oriented environment.

Compliance Support and Regulatory Guidance

Navigating regulatory requirements can be daunting, especially for new entrepreneurs. The UAE government has established various agencies to provide guidance and support, helping startups understand their compliance obligations. From environmental regulations to labor laws, these agencies simplify the process, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on growth rather than legal complexities.

Conclusion

The UAE’s business-friendly laws have created a haven for startups, offering numerous advantages that make launching and growing a business here both accessible and rewarding. From tax incentives to streamlined registration processes, the UAE has built an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or a first-time entrepreneur, the UAE's policies are designed to give your startup the best possible foundation for success.

[dankusner]

GREECE — Looking to leave the US after Trump’s victory?

Looking to leave the US after Trump’s victory?

That’s it!

You’re mad as heck and can’t take it anymore!

Some people, including celebrities, threatened that they would leave the country if Donald Trump won a second term in office.

And maybe you feel the same way.

Here’s a look at the top destinations for those either wanting to become dual citizens or planning to leave altogether.

Greece:

The Greece Golden Visa program requires a minimal investment of €250,000 or $268,603.75 to secure a resident permit, and six to eight weeks to approve the visa.

Using the golden visa program can also reduce your tax obligations, according to Global Citizens Solutions.

Lower bills, higher quality of life

While living abroad as a digital nomad comes with many perks, a big one is feeling like your paycheck goes further than it does back home in the U.S.

With digital nomad visas available in over 50 countries, American remote workers can live in a place where a strong dollar and lower living costs give them a higher quality of life than they could afford back home.

This idea of living off a higher expat income in a low-cost country is a financial strategy known as geo-arbitrage, and it’s one of the reasons why over 21 million Americans said they plan on becoming a digital nomad in the next few years, according to a recent survey by MBO Partners.

'It’s empowering to have more disposable income for travel, experiences and savings, all while enjoying a rich, diverse cultural landscape,' said Michelle Garabito, a digital nomad and founder of the Lux Nomads, which offers consulting services on making an overseas move.

'For remote workers, in particular, this lifestyle offers the perfect balance of personal and professional growth.'

Here are some countries that offer digital nomad visas and a low cost of living.

Croatia

Croatia’s digital nomad visa allows for stays up to a year, exempt from income tax.

When combined with its endless coastlines, islands, and rich history to take in, the Balkans country is appealing to those who want to stay below budget.

A single person’s estimated monthly costs in Croatia is $785.60 – 32.9% lower than in the U.S. on average, as of Thursday.

Thailand

Thai massages, cheap yet delicious street food and stunning natural landscapes are just a few reasons to apply for Thailand’s digital nomad visa, which allows for multiple entries of up to 180 days for five years.

It’s also 126% cheaper to live and pay rent in Thailand than it is in the U.S., as of Thursday.

Cabo Verde

An archipelago of 10 islands off the coast of West Africa, Cabo Verde is the ideal destination for digital nomads looking for year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches.

The small country offers a Remote Work in Paradise program to live and stay for six months with the option to renew plus a low cost of living, about $689 for monthly expenses, travel insurance platform InsureMyTrip told USA TODAY in an email.

Belize

From waterfall hikes to pristine scuba diving, Belize has endless adventures for digital nomads who participate in its six-month Work Where You Vacation program.

It also offers a low cost of living at about $712 a month, according to InsureMyTrip.

Brazil

Brazil has exploded as a digital nomad destination, offering a digital nomad visa of a year’s stay with the option to be renewed. Remote workers can enjoy the South American country’s vibrant culture, a myriad of co-working spaces and low monthly expenses of around $819 in its capital of Brasilia, according to InsureMyTrip.

Portugal

Portugal continues to rise in popularity among digital nomads and retirees looking for a seaside retreat with a lower cost of living.

Monthly expenses in a city like Porto will run you about $1,500 and around $2,000 if you want to be in Lisbon, according to Garabito.

Romania

'A lesser-known gem, Romania offers a digital nomad visa and very low costs – around $1,200 monthly in Bucharest or even less in smaller cities,' said Garabito. 'With a charming blend of history and affordability, Romania is a hidden treasure in the E.U..' Romania’s digital nomad visa offers a year’s stay, enough time to explore its medieval architecture and historical sites like Transylvania’s mysterious forests

Helping women move abroad

Americans seek better quality of life overseas

A day before the 2024 presidential election, Dee Segler got on a plane and moved to a country she’d never been to.

The timing for her relocation from the U.S. to the Netherlands – her first time living overseas – was coincidental.

Mostly, it’s been a long time coming.

Now in her 50s, Segler has dreamed of living abroad since she was in her teens and went to Europe with her school French club.

“I made a promise to myself at 18 years old, I was going to live abroad,” she told USA TODAY.

“But life just kind of happened. I went to school, got married, had kids.”

Recently, however, she found herself in a place where she could finally seize the opportunity.

She was divorced, and her children were grown and living on their own.

A couple of years ago she was laid off from her tech job and went back to school – but found herself stuck in a junior role, struggling to make ends meet with the rising cost of living in Seattle.

“Do I really want to go back to corporate America?” she asked herself.

She came across a Facebook group with over 10,000 members called She Hit Refresh, a community dedicated to helping women over 30 years old move to Europe.

In June, she attended an online training about European visa options held by She Hit Refresh founder Cepee Tabibian.

She learned how to easily obtain a two-year visa to the Netherlands as a self-employed American under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.

The idea of making the move began to take shape.

“They find that Europe offers a political climate that feels less charged, less divided and generally more tolerant.”

Cepee Tabibian

She Hit Refresh founder

Her decision became set during the summer of 2022 when Roe v. Wade was overturned, erasing the constitutional right to abortion.

“I nearly died after pregnancy complications, and I have two loved ones who nearly died after pregnancy complications, so this is personal for me,” she said.

Shortly afterward, the Supreme Court also ruled on presidential immunity regarding former President Donald Trump in his first term.

Days later, Segler reached out to Dutch immigration lawyers.

Segler is just one of a growing number of U.S. women who are either realizing lifelong dreams to live overseas or deciding that their quality of life could be better – for societal, health and safety, or political reasons – somewhere else.

In 2021, a little less than half of U.S. expats working abroad were women, according to a survey by InterNations.

With remote work on the rise and more countries offering digital nomad visas, relocating abroad has become more feasible than ever before.

She Hit Refresh embraces the idea that for women, moving abroad presents unique opportunities and challenges – but mainly that it’s never too late to make the leap.

‘A very different life point’

She Hit Refresh began as a personal journey for Tabibian, who, at 35, felt ready to leave her tech job behind in 2015.

Born and raised in Texas, Tabibian was eager to move to Spain, where she had taught English years earlier while earning her master’s degree.

But teaching English again felt like “a step backward” at her age, when “everyone looks like they have it all together.”

Moving abroad felt like something reserved for young people fresh out of college or retired people.

“I just didn’t find resources made for me; they didn’t understand the challenges I was moving as a woman who had life under my belt and responsibilities,” Tabibian said.

“There is a lot of information for someone doing a gap year at university – a very different life point. Would I lose my career moving abroad? What if I have debt or a mortgage or children?”

But once in Madrid, Tabibian met other female expats and learned more about visa options for staying in Spain.

In 2017, she started the Facebook group in response to friends and peers asking how she made the move.

Tabibian struck a chord.

In the first year, the Facebook group gained 4,000 women worldwide.

She Hit Refresh started a blog, then ran its first retreat in Morocco in 2019. It now offers a four-day live workshop on Zoom that breaks down how to move to Europe and helps attendees develop a personalized moving plan as well as a monthly membership to fast-track people’s moves, including resources and the ability to connect women to each other for support.

While lots of the women are ready for a grand adventure, many are looking to move to a country that aligns more with their values, ranging from the universal health care found in every European country to fleeing the anxiety-inducing political landscape in the U.S.

This year, 77% American adults said the future of the U.S. was the most significant source of stress in their lives, followed by the economy and 2024 presidential election, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association.

“With the increasingly polarized and divisive political climate in the U.S. since 2016, I began seeking a better quality of life overseas,” said Cindy Sheahan, who backpacked around the world before settling down in Portugal in 2022.

She started backpacking right around the time Trump first took office, although it was also prompted by her divorce.

She picked up and moved to Sicily in October. “Another Trump term was nonnegotiable for me,” she said.

Sheahan found She Hit Refresh when she was looking for a way to permanently live in Europe, ultimately qualifying for Italian citizenship by way of ancestry this year.

In her 60s, she said she feels like she doesn’t fit into U.S. culture and is drawn to the lack of consumer culture, lower cost of living and rich history found in countries like Portugal and Italy.

Safety also plays a big role for many women looking to move.

“They find that Europe offers a political climate that feels less charged, less divided and generally more tolerant,” Tabibian said.

“This is also a big driver for our intersectionally marginalized members, such as our LGBTQ+ members and our Black members, who find more welcoming environments and policies in Europe than in the U.S.”

The 2024 Global Peace Index, which determines the safest countries based on factors like violent crime, political instability, and homicide rates, ranked the U.S. 131st out of 162 countries, while Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands earned spots in the top 20.

Rates for age-adjusted firearm homicide in the U.S. are much higher than in Europe – 19 times more than in France and 77 times more than in Germany, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

‘A different choice’

Drawing from Tabibian’s own experience, the She Hit Refresh community normalizes how relocating to another country looks different for women than for men – not only regarding reproductive rights and safety concerns but even just the societal pressures of settling down.

“There’s that pressure to get settled down and have a family and have your life figured out, and those of us out there who want something else, we can feel other or maybe weird about making a different choice,” Tabibian said.

She Hit Refresh shows that with the right tools and connections, women can navigate the complexities of a fresh start.

“When I made my move, I felt like a lot of questions I got was a double standard, and maybe if I were a man, people wouldn’t be asking me the same questions in terms of safety or would I be able to get married or have kids,” Tabibian said.

For Segler, the Netherlands wasn’t even on her radar until the training session. Just a few months later, her life is now starting a new chapter.

“I am a woman in her early 50s who has tried to do her best every single day for decades,” Segler said.

“I am burned out in certain areas. I want to take care of me.