#he's so damn dramatic and flamboyant and pretty

[kasmirkozel]

Iyami, an innocent maiden, a fortune's fool.

[sosa2imagines]

Misunderstanding. Part 5.

Warnings- Angst, Fluff.

The silence in the abandoned building was punctuated, only by the rhythmic hum of the bomb. You and Matt sat side-by-side, both tense but determined. Your combined weight kept the pressure plate off, the only thing preventing a city-wide catastrophe.

But that didn’t stop Nat from laughing and Matt being kind enough, not to directly laugh at you.

You had burrowed Nat’s phone to send, a whole-hearted voice message to Steve. After you were done, you looked at them, little very proud of your speech. What you didn’t expect was them to laugh.

“Ha ha! Very funny.” you scoff, with a serious look.

“You are really adorable.” Matt says, trying his best not to laugh, but failing miserably. “She is adorable, I mean that voice message though, chef’s kiss.” Nat laughed. “You do realize right; Rogers might not check the message sent through my phone?”

You glare at her, she raises her brow daring you to glare, which you immediately replace with a scowl, though she was right. “If things go in the wrong direction…” you motion with your hands to the current situation, “you can tell him…to check…” you pout.

“What happened to, I trust everyone and we’ll be safe Matt?” Matt reminds you, with that damn adorable smile. “I still trust everyone, but” “She is being dramatic” Nat cuts you, rolling her eyes. “Why don’t you kids, get to know each other, while I look around more.”

“Sounds good to me, not like we can do much here…” Matt says. “Behave you two” she winks at you and heads out.

“So,” you began, your voice a low murmur, “Lawyer by day, vigilante by night, huh?”

Matt chuckled; the sound surprisingly warm. “Just doing my part. You seem to handle yourself pretty well too.” “Just another day at the office,” you replied, the words laced with a hint of a smile. “Though I wouldn't mind a few more gadgets and a flying suit right now.”

You both lapsed into a comfortable silence again. You stole a glance at Matt. He seemed calm, almost serene, despite the ticking bomb beneath him. His face, etched with the faint scars of past battles, was surprisingly handsome. There was a depth in his dark eyes though hidden through his glasses.

You spoke again, breaking the silence, “care to share, what’s the issue, between you and Tony?”

Just then Nat comes back, “My senses told me, we are about to gossip.” Matt chuckled, blushing slightly, as he begins to tell…

Flashback-

Tony Stark, scowled as he watched Matt Murdock walk confidently into Stark Tower. The lawyer, Pepper's choice for handling the legal aftermath of the Iron Man reveal, had become a thorn in Tony's side. It wasn't Matt's legal prowess that bothered him, it was the way Pepper spoke of him.

“He's so calm and collected, Tony,” Pepper had said, a genuine smile on her face. “He handled the press conference beautifully, even with you throwing curveballs.”

Tony had grunted, the jealousy twisting in his gut like a malfunctioning arc reactor. Matt Murdock, with his quiet demeanor and kind eyes, was everything Tony wasn't. He was the grounded lawyer, the responsible one, the complete opposite of Tony's flamboyant billionaire persona.

“Mr. Stark,” Matt greeted, his voice a low rumble. “Pepper said it was urgent.”

Tony gestured to a chair, the tension in the room thick. “Yes, well, there's been a slight... disagreement with a certain Captain America, and I need you to clean up the mess.”

Matt listened patiently as Tony ranted about the disagreement, his words laced with sarcasm and barely concealed bitterness. When Tony finished, Matt simply raised an eyebrow.

“Mr. Stark,” he said, his voice calm, “you're asking me to fix a situation that primarily stems from your own actions. Captain Rogers is not entirely unreasonable.”

Tony scoffed. “He's a relic from a bygone era, clinging to outdated ideals.”

Matt leaned back, his gaze unwavering. “Perhaps, but he's also a man who fought for what he believed in long before you donned a metal suit.”

Tony's jaw clenched. He hated the way Matt spoke, the subtle challenge in his voice. He was a good lawyer, Tony grudgingly admitted, but the man was starting to grate on his nerves.

“Just fix it, Murdock,” Tony snapped, his facade slipping. “That's what I pay you for.”

Matt stood, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I'll do my best, Mr. Stark. But perhaps a little humility wouldn't hurt in the future.”

He left the room, leaving Tony fuming. Humility. The word tasted like ashes in his mouth. He, Tony Stark, the genius billionaire playboy philanthropist, needing humility?

He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the sterile room. It wasn't just the disagreement with Captain Rogers that bothered him. It was the way Matt, with his quiet confidence, seemed to effortlessly win Pepper's admiration. It was the way he made Tony feel...

He watched Matt leave, the jealousy still lingering, but something else stirring within him. Maybe Matt was right. Maybe a little less arrogance and a little more understanding wouldn't hurt. He glanced at Pepper, who was working on her tablet, of course he is not going to accept that. How dare he impress Pepper!

“Woah” you and Nat said in unison.

“So you were his lawyer...and he has a problem with you...because you gave some advice?” Nat asks, narrowing her eyes. “Yeah, I guess so...I mean, I don't have any other reason, why he would have a problem with me...” Matt replies.

“Wait what problem, did he have with Steve?” you ask in curiosity. “You should ask him…” Matt said, rubbing the back of his neck, giving you a sheepish smile.

Before you could push him further, suddenly, Tony clad in his Iron Man suit, stormed in, his helmet retracted. Relief washed over you.

“Took you long enough,” Natasha remarked, a hint of relief in her voice. “Traffic” he smirks, before looking at you.

“Kid, are you okay?” he asks, as his gaze landed on Matt, he gasped. “Murdock? What are you doing here?” Tony's voice boomed through the helmet.

Matt raised an eyebrow. “Good to see you Stark.”

“He's with me,” you interjected, “helping with the bomb.”

Tony shot you a glare. “He's a lawyer, kid! Lawyers don't defuse bombs!”

“He's not just a lawyer,” you defended. “he is a vigilante.” Tony scoffed. “Right, because Daredevil is known for his expertise in explosive ordinance.”

Yes, Tony knew who he was. He had done his homework on Matt. Another reason why he had a problem with him.

“Well, if either one of them, gets up, none of us can survive…” Natasha chimed in, her voice calm amidst the chaos. “Murdock's and Y/n combined weight has kept it off.”

Tony hesitated. Pepper had always spoken highly of Matt, his legal prowess and unwavering moral compass. It irked Tony, a strange mix of admiration and resentment. He sighed, “Alright, fine. But if he blows us all up, I'm blaming you.”

Matt chuckled again. “Fair enough.”

Matt was kind enough, to put his arm around your shoulder, to make you comfortable. You did blush and as a reward you got a glare from Tony.

“Traitor!” he mutters to himself. “Kid we are setting some serious ground rules for you...” You narrow your eyes, giving him a questionable look, “What did I do? Isn't this a part of the job?”

“Young lady, don't make me ground you!”.

“To ground the ‘young lady’ Nat rolls her eyes, “we need to save her!” she reminds him.

For a few minutes, which felt like hours, Tony kept glaring at Matt who was unaffected by it. After couple of minutes, Tony snapped out of, mentally doing whatever he was doing to Matt, addressing back to the current problem.

“Care to tell me, how you got in this situation?” even before you or Nat could answer, Tony speaks again “I want the truth, nothing but the truth, don't even try to hide a tiny detail.”, he looks at Matt before looking at you again “or else I'll get FRIDAY to get me all the cctv footage, across town!”

If you thought hiding something from Natasha is hard, meet Tony Stark, who has access to everything. With a big gulp, you tell Tony, every single thing.

“This is getting ridiculous, Murdock!” Tony growled. The lawyer's calm demeanor, the way he held himself with an unwavering confidence, it all grated on Tony's nerves.

Tony knelt beside you, his scanners analyzing the bomb. “Looks like a basic pressure-sensitive trigger. We need to disarm it without lifting either of you. These wires are connected in different places.”

“What does that mean?” you ask. “It means we need to cut these wires at the same time, as soon as I figured out the code system.” Tony tells you. “Thankfully, Rogers is here too… he can”

“Steve? He’s here?” you ask in surprise. “Yeah, he tagged along...he” “Where is he?” you cut him off, desperate to see Steve.

“What the hell?” You all turn to the direction of the voice, Steve was standing, looking extremely furious, not at the situation, but you and Matt sitting together.

Part 4 - Part 6

Taglist- @blackhawkfanatic @ordelixx

@sapphirebarnes @differenttyphoonwerewolf

@vicmc624 @thezombieprostitute

@lillyxlillian @nekoannie-chan @ashley202

@lovely-geek @redbloodedgurl

[scaredpigeons]

Reincarnation Theory; an attempted breakdown on Alhaitham and Kavehs relationship that will never come to fruition because Hoyoverse are cowards— by Pidge.

When I finally got my hands on Alhaitham, I was ecstatic. Not only because damn, I finally get to play as this hunky, genius know-it-all pretty boy who would surely never give me the time of day if we were in the same room, but because attaining his character in game gave me first class tickets to learning more about him.

Up until his release as a playable character, we didn’t really know much about Alhaitham. He seemed cocky and aloof, sure of himself and had the knowledge to back up those attributes. It was honestly a little frustrating to see a character who acted so much like one you’d want to hate, but you simply just…. Couldn’t. Because seriously…? He’s not wrong. Dig a little deeper, and a lot of players found his actions and personality type to be extremely autism coded, and honestly refreshing for a lot of neurodivergent players like myself, so used to never seeing “undesirable” personality traits in characters who are designed with the intention for you to love them.

Working on building up Alhaitham to be my main Dps was entertaining, and in doing so I ventured more into the desert, learning more and more about the mysterious King Deshret and his seemingly abandoned society.

The symbolism found within ruins and relics had me jumping to conclusions so quickly. Rushing to message my best friend and fellow genshin impact enthusiast, Kier, to tell them of my theory.

Alhaitham has to be a reincarnation of king deshret! There’s so much symbolic mirroring in his design, his constellation, everything! Even if he isn’t, he has to have something to do with this ancient society, I mean c’mon, look at him.

And Kier, ever the seemingly nihilistic critical thinker brushed me off.

I’ve not payed much attention to the desert lore so far, they’d said. It’s sort of boring and white washed, and I’m focusing on the archon quest line right now. But whatever you say, kiddo.

Of course being in the throes of a questline involving the dendro archon herself, and the questionable nature of the beloved scaramouche becoming a playable character, (I could write a whole essay on the problems of that story’s narrative alone, but I shall save that for another day) was enough to distract me from this thought process, but then he arrived.

Alhaitham’s story quest caused every cyno x haitham shipper to do a collective and dramatic record scratch, because who was this stunning blond bombshell and why is he so hot despite nagging at our boy?

Kaveh stole my heart immediately. One look at that little open back panel on his shirt and I was done for. And as the drip marketing started, and the leaks were sucked up the fans straws like a sugary drink on a hot summers day, I went digging.

Alhaitham has multiple voice lines dedicated to his flamboyant roommate, and several that mention him in passing. They have matching animations for when they are standing idle in game. Their signature dishes mimic foods from each others referenced cultures, even items within their Teapot gift sets are representative of each other in some way. For a game that so seemingly discourages relationships between adult playable characters (in favour of keeping an open ended relationship with the beloved traveller of course,) these two are seemingly more connected to each other than any two characters we’ve seen before.

So with my theory that Alhaitham is a reincarnation of King Deshret, that would make Kaveh the goddess of flowers, yeah?

That was my initial thought too, until I looked deeper and found the mirrors.

Mirror symbolism is extremely important to Alhaithams character. He is literally named after a prolific contributor to our understanding of vision, optics and light— Al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham, born around a thousand years ago in present day Iraq. Alhaithams elemental skill and burst involve mirrors of dendro energy, which fly off and bounce off of each other when his burst is activated, much alike to how light bounces off a mirror.

Alhaithams character story lines mention that despite their seemingly tedious relationship, he really respects Kaveh and his intellect. Kaveh helps Alhaitham to look outside of his comfort zone, and Alhaitham helps keep Kaveh’s feet on the ground. He says they are excellent mirrors of one another, and takes their relationship as an opportunity to observe and learn things that he never might have without him.

Here’s where my blatant romanticism comes out to play. What if Kaveh is not the goddess of flowers, but the reincarnation of King Deshret himself? What if the two deities wanted to be reincarnated as perfect mirrors of one another, while still retaining qualities the other loved so dearly?

KD was very clearly an architect himself, the ruins and buildings of the desert are no small feat, which is what drew me to the idea that perhaps Kaveh is the king. Kaveh is an extremely skilled architect, literally known as the ‘light’ of his darshan. KD naturally would retain that love and devotion for aesthetics in design. But he loved the goddess of flowers, so why not reincarnate as someone she might love? Someone thoughtful and emotional, someone who cares, someone beautiful and full of life.

The goddess of flowers loved KD as well, for his undying will in his search for truth, for his strength, intelligence and ability to lead. Hell, she sacrificed herself just so he could get closer to his goal. But of course, she’d not be able to be rid of some of that care-free nature, that free will that lead her followers to love her so, hence her reincarnation into someone that Deshret would have loved, a person who dedicates their entire being to the truth, to the pursuit of knowledge, even if that means seeming self absorbed in the eyes of others (when in reality he’s only going to put effort into what is interesting to him, such is his own use of that free will.)

The GoF still roams the sands for her love, even though she’s not a fan of the sands that destroyed her in the first place, (Alhaithams ascension materials are found deep within desert caverns, “*tsk* there’s sand in my shoes”

And the mourning king still searches for his flowers that represent the love he lost so long ago. (KAVEHS ASCENSION MATS ARE MOURNING FLOWERS????)

Of course, this theory may change and grow as we learn more about Kaveh, as at the time i am writing this, he is still locked away in Hoyo’s basement. But rest assured, as soon as i get my hands on him i will take another deep dive into the lore behind these two morons, and we can further discover how connected they really are.

[argumate]

so I finally watched Dune (Villeneuve's) and it was entertaining, pretty much what I expected, I'm glad I watched it.

it has some good visuals, some decent actors, a dramatic score, possibly over-dramatic but that's appropriate.

the space scenes were excellent, cold and inhuman like 2001, vast geometric shapes moving in unnerving ways.

I liked the blocky solidity of the palaces, the theatrical effect of the empty spaces and the subtle decoration in the rooms.

that damn bull though -- they kept cutting back to it but what did it really signify? it represents the cruelty and capriciousness of the Old Duke, a trace of which should be visible in Duke Leto, but I don't think we see that at all in this film, perhaps it just represents another bold gamble taken and lost.

I imagined the fief on Caladan as being more like the Mediterranean, Aegean, or Indian Ocean in character, more suited to the Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Persian influences that you imagine would describe the Atreides, but somehow it ended up more... Scottish?? the Atreides legions fight like a (distressingly undisciplined) hoplite phalanx but march out to bagpipes, maybe it's supposed to be an example of traditional Greek bagpipes, I don't know

at any rate the cliffs over the sea are dramatic and it's fun watching Paul stalk about dressed like a goth Victorian schoolboy as his father comfortingly tells him that he doesn't need to take on the burden of the family legacy if he doesn't want to (while the tombs of a dozen generations of his ancestors watch on in silent reproach)

I felt that the drama and pageantry of the introduction faltered a little when they reached the city of Arrakeen, which was a disappointing muddle of generic computer generated dusty metal that seemed very slapdash and poorly thought out compared to all the other settings, undermining the battle over it which was to come.

(and the battle was uninspiring, watching the feared Atreides legions run out in their pyjamas in disarray to face foes they didn't even notice were coming until after they arrived)

I'm quite familiar with the Dune books so it was interesting watching the movie and seeing how the sheer number of characters made it impossible to give many of them any meaningful characterisation or emotional development.

I was very pleased to see Chang Chen playing Doctor Yueh, but he is given no time to demonstrate his affection for Paul and Jessica nor the helpless compulsion that drives him to betray them, while Gurney and Duncan chew the scenery as best they can but can't quite convince you that they actually serve any purpose in the story (Paul's son is going to bring back a thousand clones of Aquaman?) and the Reverend Mother does a good job but has lost the nuances she had in the book ("I must have wanted you to fail").

"the Beast" Rabban portrayed by Dave Bautista (love that guy!) was one stand out I thought, mostly because this brute of a man comes across as nothing but a scared child next to his uncle, providing an excellent contrast for the nihilistic menace of the slug-like baron.

the baron is-- absurd of course, I mean he's even more absurd in the book, a corpulent flamboyant cackling caricature of a man, you could say this take is boringly toned down or you could say it's ludicrously over the top (he bathes in black sludge? seriously? you have to admire his commitment to the aesthetic, even if that's a Shrek move) but it's basically impossible to film a guy like this in a believable way and you just have to go for it.

the scene that sold the baron for me is when he's tucking into a solo banquet with his semi-conscious cousin Leto draped naked over a chair at the other side of the crazy long table, then when Yueh is brought in he activates his suspensors and silently rises into the air like a squid and drifts across the table towards us in a ghostly blur, all while the camera stays fixed on Leto's frozen rictus; the lack of focus echoes what Leto must be experiencing and is devastatingly effective.

the Fremen and Atreides and Harkonnen and Sardaukar have their own languages which is very cool (and Yueh speaks some Mandarin!) but why do the bad guys sound like they're using bad voice filters, they're being portrayed like literal orcs to the point that it begins to feel weird.

ornithopters are stupid but you have to admit these dragonfly contraptions do look pretty cool.

the worms get a lot of build up -- and I was surprised they preserved the harvester scene from the book almost verbatim, it felt like it consumed a lot of time -- but it's very satisfying when you finally see them rippling through the dune sea, it brings home the shifting danger of the desert sands in a way I wasn't expecting.

Paul has visions of the jihad but he never says the word "jihad".

splitting the movie in two is obviously necessary but the split is awkward, and it's really not helped by clunky lines like "this is only the beginning".

Chani gets a lot of vision time but what can you even say when you meet the teenager with whom you can precognitively remember several decades of future marriage?

still, bookending the movie with Chani is consistent with the book, that begins and ends with the women in Paul's life: Chani, Irulan, Jessica, something that always seemed like an interesting choice.

there is a lot more I would say about Dune but it would mostly be about the book rather than movie; this was a decent adaptation given the constraints of the medium, hopefully it won't be the last.

[nirikeehan]

Thalia, Samson and Pravin, crime sentence starters: ❛ i don’t think you fully understand the situation you’re in. ❜

Okay okay, so this really is just the start to something, but I wanted to see Pravin and Samson facing off so badlyyy and I'm sure I'll continue it in some form soon.

For @dadrunkwriting

WC: 525

CW: Samson is a creepy sad sack, you know the drill

---

“I don’t think you fully understand the situation you’re in.” 

The dagger stabbed the wood in the table between them. It was a fine piece, well-made but not ostentatious. A dagger made for stabbing, not ornamentation. 

Samson looked from the glinting metal blade and the wrist that twisted it to the face of the man opposite. One of those insultingly handsome men, who had no right to walk around looking as good as they did. Dark-skinned: Rivaini or Antivan at a glance, piercing green eyes, a flamboyant sense of style and flair for the dramatic, if he was willing to mar the wood to make a point. 

“Not sure I know what you mean.” Samson had no intention of giving the fop what he wanted, whatever it was. Play it cool, close to the chest. Admit nothing. “The Lady Inquisitor is most generous. She offered me quite the deal; I took it.” 

“Yes, though I am told you led her to believe you were dying at the time.” 

A close friend, then. At the least. The girl came to Samson in secret, all teary and looking for a soul to save. He doubted she would have told just anyone about it. And here this bloke was, cross enough to drag Samson from his cell and lock him in this windowless chamber, strewn with bookshelves and covered in cobwebs, for an impromptu confrontation.

Wasn’t there an Antivan on her small council? No, two Antivans. There was the pretty one, Josephine Montil-something. This must be the other one. The bard. 

Samson flashed a grin. “Figured I ought to give her a show. Something I’m sure you know something about, Messere Talavera.”

The cough overtook Samson then, a theatrical flourish if there ever was one. Pity he couldn’t control it. The hacking left his throat raw and his chest aching. 

Talavera’s eyes narrowed. They were a tad darker than the emerald leaking from Lady Thalia’s hand. Samson’d had a damn good look at that during their talk in the dungeon. The anchor’s gash across her dainty little palm had sung to him, a song almost as sweet as the red lyrium. So much work down the drain, all because the little miss had snooped in the wrong room at the wrong time, and now paraded the consequences around for all to see. He could have reached through the bars and snatched her wrist. Caressed it, maybe. She was a compelling creature. He’d had prettier, but there was something impish about her face that he liked. 

“Am I supposed to be impressed that you know my name?” Talavera deadpanned. “It’s been public for quite some time.”

“And a good deal less ridiculous than Fidencio Frye.” Samson guffawed. Yes, he remembered the intelligence reports now: Sister Leliana, Josephine Montilyet, Cassandra Pentaghast — and Cullen, of course — and Fidencio Frye, real name Pravin Talavera. Third cousin to Lady Thalia Trevelyan. Aha. 

“I see how it is,” Samson said, wagging his finger at Talavera. “This is some familial intervention, ain’t it?” 

“Not sure I know what you mean,” Talavera retorted, throwing Samson’s Lowtown accent back at him. “This is an interrogation, Messere Samson.” 

[apurikottotii]

march song recs!

this month passed way too quickly. i finally put confronted the thing that has been plaguing me for the past few months. it saddens me that it turned out the way it did, but to be honest i don't have enough energy to care anymore.... so! i also did some things that scared me a lot (which were easier than i realized), got some really good scores on a couple of tests (i'm very proud) and realized that i need to continue improving on myself in various aspects. i cannot always hold other people to my standards, since we are all so different.

--- fight or flight - conan gray

my friends were shocked to see me listening to a "normal" artist for once. smh. ngl i did find this song from a ship edit- a DAMN good one at that, it tore out my heart. i seriously love the lyrics of the chorus and how "i'd rather lie" and "i'd rather die" contrast each other. it's. so. good. my second favorite part is the part that goes "they've got eyes like mine...". the way he sings is also so amazing.

--- 一笑江湖, this december

i've featured these songs before haven't i??? i'm surprised to see them so high again lol.

--- If I Could Ride A Bike - Park Bird, Chevy

i first found this song in 2020 (of course i did), from a ship animatic (of COURSE i did) so it brings back lots of very nostalgic memories listening to this song. i don't always love romance songs, but this one is super cute and ends on a terribly sorrowful note. it's always a easy listen with its cafe ambience vibes and simple metaphors. "but, I will never be, able to do these things", and the whole slow section, always hurts.

--- William Shamsphere ~ Back Alley Bard - Yasumasa Kitagawa

listen. do not get weirded out by the guy's name. this theme absolutely slaps. the castanet sounding like percussion in the background are so satisfying to listen to. it's so flamboyant and dramatic... like the guy himself. i've been on a dgs rewatch lately, so maybe more of its music will show up.

--- Being low as dirt, taking what's important from me - TUYU

okay i have no idea what this song is about, i don't even know the lyrics, but i wanted to try listening to some tuyu because i have a friend who really likes them (and i LOVE song titles that are extremely long and specific), and this song really stood out to me. it's so catchy and raw, vocally. also a very easy listen. i will check out more tuyu in the future.

--- rabbit hole - deco27

i don't know why this song is so popular right now. it released a while back... is it because of the animation? i only listened to it because i decided to click a random deco27 song, not because i was recommended it, so i was surprised at its current popularity. all i'm gonna say is that deco27 needs to stop making soulless music that sounds good on the surface...

honorable mentions: harrow, magic (milgram project), ghosting (mother mother), it's not like i like you (static-p). every time i listen to inlily i lose a bit of my soul from cringe but it's regained by the end of the song because its honestly pretty sweet.

[tickly-trashcan]

Hashira Headcanons

ahhh I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now!! finally getting around to it hehe so I hope everyone enjoys these! I had a lot of fun with them~ They’re also pretty long so they’re under the cut! I’m still working through headcanon requests I’ve just been really into demon slayer lately and wanted to get something quick out~

Giyuu Tomioka

he’s surprisingly ticklish?? like not screaming at a poke ticklish but more ticklish than one would expect

He’s also good at hiding it so not many people find out

That is, not many people knew until Shinobu found out and decided to point it out in front of all the other Hashira

When he was still training, he got tickled by Urokodaki a lot when he was training, and then by Sabito and Makomo when they were resting

He would always tickle Makomo and Sabito back (even though he ended up losing the eventual tickle fight anyway) but now he doesn’t really tickle people

He’s seen a lot and doesn’t laugh much, let alone smile

That said, some of the other Hashira tickle him sometimes, though it’s mostly Shinobu and Uzui, occassionally a poke from Mitsuri

It’s normally not enough to get him laughing, just enough to embarrass him though

Shinobu has gotten him to chuckle once and she’s never let him live it down

His most ticklish spots are probably his knees, sides, and his ribs

He almost never tickles other people, like he’s tickled Tanjiro once and it was very brief and accidental

I think he needs to laugh more though so like,,, get him Shinobu >:)

Shinobu Kochou

She’s really ticklish omfg 

She also has the prettiest laugh? it’s so elegant waaaa

Her tickle spots are her tummy, sides and waist!

Not many people know she’s ticklish, aside from Mitsuri and a few people at the Butterfly Estate

When Kanao found out she was ticklish she flipped her coin and it was tails, so she decided to tickle Shinobu a little bit and she just let it happen because she knew that Kanao didn’t have any ill intent with it

Giyuu tickled her once because she was tickling him and she wasn’t expecting it and squeaked it was pretty funny

She has the MEANEST teases omggg

“Surely this doesn’t tickle, hmm? It does? Oh my... but you’re a demon slayer right? What if a tickle demon came after you~?”

She’s just,,, ruthless man

She also love love lovesss those gentle tickles when she’s dishing out on people

She can find peoples bad spots easily and just go after them with her NAILS

She and Mitsuri get into tickle fights on occassion, but Shinobu normally wins because she can fluster Mitsuri easily and combined with the gentle nail tickles, Mitsuri’s a goner

She has lost sometimes though because Mitsuri’s really damn strong and when she gets on Shinobu’s sides her chances of winning go down dramatically

Kyojuro Rengoku

Rengoku, my beloved

He’s really not that ticklish, like he can get laughing or chuckling but it’s not easy

He only has a few spots, and I feel like one of them would definitely be his underarms

Like some of the other Hashira like Mitsuri or Shinobu have come up behind him and tried to tickle him and he’s like “Oh? A tickle fight? Cool!” and just pounces on them lmao

He’s definitely more of a ler than a lee, and he’s a really nice ler!

He compliments his lee, teasing on rare occassion and is just overall really fun and gentle too

Sometimes he can get a little rough but he always knows when to tone it back a little

He’s tickled the trio a little bit, especially Tanjiro who’s basically like his apprentice since he uses a similar breathing technique

He also tickles the other Hashira sometimes, mostly accidentally but other times just because he wants to

When he tickles people it’s mostly Mitsuri (which he gets glares from Obanai because of) and Shinobu, Obanai on occassion because of said glaring and just generally wanting to hear him laugh

He’s super playful in general but he’ll stop when asked to because he respects peoples limits

Tengen Uzui

Okay another one that’s not very ticklish unless you get really specific spots lol

He’s ruthless as a ler, and he’s seldom the lee so he doesn’t understand peoples limits and stuff

He has the LOUDEST laugh once you get him going though, part of it is just him being overdramatic though

His tickle spots are his hips and his ears, two spots that are harder to get oof

Similar to Rengoku he’s pretty playful, but most of that is because he’s just generally flamboyant

He doesn’t tickle people too often, but he has definitely put a target on people like Giyuu and Sanemi lol rip them

He’ll tickle people until they’re hiccuping or in silent hysterics, he’s one of the people that doesn’t really register the word “stop”

That said he’s nicer with people he likes, such as Mitsuri or Rengoku because of their upbeat nature

He likes people he deems flamboyant enough, and since those two meet the requirements he’s nicer to them when it comes to tickling

Muichiro Tokito

SWEET BABY BOY

okay so he’s actually really ticklish?? it’s so cute pls

He deserves gentle, sweet, and loving tickles, not the evil rough ones from Uzui lmao

Lighter tickles get him better than rough tickles anyway and he prefers when people are more gentle with him because he’s not a huge fan of being touched unless he really trusts the person

He’s ticklish pretty much everywhere, but some of his worse spots are his ribs, underarms and his neck

Teases don’t work on him, he’s completely oblivious to them lmao

He has the sweetest little giggle awww the other Hashira love to tickle him every so often just because he’s so cute and his face gets a little red too

He doesn’t really like being tickled unless it’s his friends or the other Hashira because he has respect for people closer to him

Mitsuri and Rengoku tickle him the most often, sometimes even together just to make him at least smile

He doesn’t tickle people very often because he knows if he initiates it with any of the other Hashira he’ll end up getting wrecked lol

He’s tried it before with Rengoku, never again

Mitsuri Kanroji

MITSURI KANROJI MY BELOVED

Super ticklish, absolute baby, deserves it just for being so cute

Her tickle spots are her tummy, hips, and her ribs!

She’s generally very ticklish and just loves tickling, both dishing it and taking

She likes to tickle Obanai and Muichiro especially, but she’s tickled pretty much every pillar or at least tried to

She has the CUTEST laugh it’s like,, a bit squeaky and snorty but in the most endearing and adorable way? idk maybe i’m biased because I love her but she’s definitely got a cute laugh

She’s really teasy and she doesn’t even mean to be, she just loves to laugh along with her lee and watch their face go red

She’s very squirmy and giggly when people tickle her and she’s the type to start laughing when people just wiggle their fingers at her

her favorite person to tickle is probably Obanai because she just thinks his reactions are really cute and she loves his laugh, but Muichiro and Shinobu are also people she likes to tickle hehe

If she has access and is close enough with the person she’s definitely the type to give people raspberries

Obanai Iguro

grrr this is gonna be so biased i love him too much

He’s very ticklish but he’s really good at controlling his reactions as long as he’s not caught off-guard 

His most ticklish spots are his hips, thighs, and his knees ouuGH

He has a really raspy laugh if anyone manages to get him to that point, for the most part he just gasps and chuckles occasionally

He’s not tickled very often and not even all the Hashira know he’s ticklish, only Mitsuri, Rengoku, and Gyomei really know that he’s ticklish and even then only Mitsuri and Rengoku actively tickle him when they’re not around the other Hashira

He’s really embarrassed with how ticklish he is so he doesn’t like people knowing, and the three that know respect that and don’t tell others

He doesn’t like being tickled either but he doesn’t seem to mind when Mitsuri does it but you definitely didn’t hear that from me hehe

Kaburamaru doesn’t mean to but sometimes he will like slither on Obanai’s neck and DAMN that tickles more than it should but he’s gotten a little bit more used to it as time has gone on

that said he still jumps a little bit if Kaburamaru does it really suddenly or quickly, or flicks his tongue near his ear or neck

Gyomei Himejima

He’s not very ticklish and doesn’t tickle people very often, so he’s left out most of the time when it comes to tickle stuff :(

There was one rare occassion, it was probably because Muichiro had been tired from a mission but Gyomei picked him up to help him to bed and accidentally tickled the poor boy 

Of course, that led to a few gentle tickles as well, not enough to make him hysterical but just enough to make him giggle a little bit before falling asleep

Gyomei’s probably ticklish on his feet and his knees, spots that others normally don’t tickle and he probably doesn’t even know he’s ticklish

Mitsuri and Rengoku, even Uzui have tried tickling him before but they don’t get much of a reaction so they’ve kinda given up on tickling him

Of course they invite him to help tickle someone else, like if they’re ganging up on Giyuu or Sanemi, and every now and then he’ll join in

He’s very gentle, he’s almost over concious of whether or not he’s hurting someone so his touches are very soft and people hardly ever feel them sometimes

Sanemi Shinazugawa

Not ticklish. at all

Even after he’s been tickled to tears by multiple people, he’ll never admit it

He hates it, he’s never liked it and definitely doesn’t like it now

He never initiates it and doesn’t tickle other people very often, but he’s like a toddler when he gets tickled he just turns into putty

He kicks and flails and throws threats out left and right, but he never acts on them because he’s too tired afterwards from kicking and screaming and laughing to actually enact any of his threats

His spots are under his arms and his ribs, specifically his upper ribs

He falls into hysterics pretty quickly just because he’s a drama queen but we still love him lol

He’s a bit,,, vengeful, but he doesn’t like to tickle other people that much

That said, the demon slayer code says that you can’t attack another demon slayer so he kinda has to tickle to get back

He’s a really hard tickler, he’s not good at it and it kinda hurts sometimes and he’s picky and choosy with who he actually gets revenge with

sometimes he’s really mean and gets revenge on someone who was walking by and is like “This is what you get for not helping me!” and its like what did they do?? literally nothing chill out Sanemi pls

He does target Giyuu sometimes though just because he’s an asshole lmao and he has like a vendetta against Giyuu for, again, literally no reason

That’s all I have for now, thanks for reading! 

pspsp if you wanna request any other demon slayer headcanons my requests for headcanons are open heheh~

[twst-bs]

TWST Vice Dorm Leaders and a Stressed-out MC

I couldn't leave out the Vice Dorm Leaders! I'm just used to working in chunks of seven because of my Obey Me! writing. I'll do a piece for all of the other characters as well!

Note: I wrote most of these to be ambiguous, but Ortho's in meant to be read as platonic. I just wanted to give the little dude some love.

-----

Trey: "Do you not like it?"

They only just barely managed to catch their fork before it clattered against the plate. With everything going through their head at a mile a minute, they had completely forgotten what they were supposed to be doing.

“No! I mean, yes, I like it!” they stumbled over their words, pasting a hopefully-convincing grin on their face.

“Really?” Trey fixed them with a knowing look and they felt themselves wither beneath it. “Because you only took one bite before staring off into middle distance.”

“Oh,” their grin turned sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“Something on your mind?” he asked, taking a seat on the stool across from them. “You’re awfully quiet.”

Damn it, they had really hoped Trey wouldn’t figure them out. Or at least take more than ten minutes.

The pressure had been mounting lately. Trying to stay on top of impossible classes, watching over Grimm, the ever-looming problem of them not being able to go back to their own world and the moral dilemma of if they even wanted to go back...they had a lot of things on their mind, and they didn’t even know where to start.

This was supposed to be a light-hearted little night in. Trey had found a new recipe he wanted to try out, and they were always willing to be the taste-tester. But, of course, good old anxiety had decided to drop in and ruin the fun, and the cute date night had turned south before it had even really begun.

“Hey, easy,” Trey’s voice cut through the fog that was slowly descending over their brain. “I know that face. Will talking about it help or hurt?”

“...I don’t know,” they mumbled, setting their fork down. “I’m sorry, Trey, I -”

“Nope.” he reached across the kitchen island and gently slipped his hand beneath theirs. They squeezed it back, letting him run his thumb over their knuckles as they tried to fight down the panic that threatened to burst from within. “No apologies are necessary. Take your time.”

“But I ruined our date,” they sighed, shoulders slumping. “Just because I couldn’t get out of my own head for a few hours.”

“Riddle couldn’t get out of his own head for almost two decades, and I’m still friends with him.” Trey chuckled. “Your mental well-being is more important than a silly date night. You can talk to me about anything, any time, anywhere, and I won’t be angry with you, promise.”

“...Can I still have the cake?”

“Yes, you can still have the cake.”

Ruggie: It had been another long night.

Sleepless nights were a pretty common occurrence for the Ramshackle Prefect, unfortunately. Even if they were dead tired at the end of the day, they often tossed and turned the whole night, managing maybe a few hours of sleep at best. Which often led to days like this.

They could barely keep their eyes open, even as they walked to their next class. They were on autopilot, going through their daily motions. The books in their bag felt like they might as well be boulders, and the thought of climbing the stairs made them want to cry. Their legs felt like lead.

“Gotcha!”

They definitely didn’t scream when a pair of lithe arms wrapped around their middle. No way, you have no proof.

“Sheesh, herbivore, you’re loud.” Ruggie snickered, hooking his chin over their shoulder. “You could wake the dead like that. Is that how you wake up the ghosts in your dorm?”

“Ruggie, you scared the hell out of me!”

“Your fault for not payin’ attention!” He gave them a fond squeeze around the middle before letting them go. “I’ve been walkin’ behind you since you left your class. You wouldn’t survive a day in the Savannah, walkin’ around with your head in the clouds like that.”

“Why didn’t you say anything, instead of stalking me like a creep?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ruggie cackled. However, his snarky grin dropped from his face when he got a good look at them. “Hey, you aren’t lookin’ so good.”

“Didn’t sleep very well,” they shrugged, readjusting the strap on their bag so it wasn’t digging into their shoulder. Ruggie scowled, eyes narrowing.

“Again?”

They stuck their tongue out at him. “It’s not like I do it on purpose.”

The hyena stared at them for a little bit longer before sighing. “I guess it can’t be helped. Come on.” he grabbed their wrist, tugging them in the opposite direction of their next class.

“Hey, where are we going?”

“Back to Ramshackle,” Ruggie said lightly.

“Oh, but you scold Leona when he skips?” they poked him in the side with their free hand, and he squirmed away.

“Leona doesn’t need three afternoon naps,” the hyena sniggered. “You look like you could use a coma.”

Jade: “Thank you again for helping out.”

Their arms felt like jelly. Their legs were about ready to fall off. Their face hurt from having to put on a fake smile for the past few hours.

“No problem!” they said brightly. The fake smile could last a few more minutes. “I guess Floyd can’t give you guys more notice when he decides to skip his shift, huh?”

“No, Floyd does what he wants, when he wants.” Jade chuckled lightly, wiping his hands on the towel draped over his arm. Friday nights at the lounge were always busy, so of course that was when Floyd decided he didn’t want to work. Mostro Lounge didn’t have that many options, so Jade had called and asked them if they would mind helping out.

Honestly, they should have said no. They were tired, they had a lot of homework to do, and they honestly just needed a night to themselves for once. But, the thought of letting someone down triggered a deep and primal fear in them, and before they even really knew what they were doing, they had agreed. And here they were.

“...would you like?”

They had to stop themselves from physically shaking themselves out of their trance. “What? I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

Jade raised an eyebrow, but politely decided not to comment. “One of the rules at the Lounge is that those who work that day get a free meal after their shift. I asked what you would like.”

“Oh! Um, I’m fine, really, I wouldn’t want to -” their stomach chose that moment to disagree, grumbling loudly in protest of not being fed. How long had it been since lunch? Had they even eaten lunch?

“Both I and your stomach insist, it seems.” Jade pulled out his waiter’s pad. “You’ve earned a meal for your hard work.”

“But -”

“You aren’t troubling anyone.” Jade cut in, seemingly more in tune with their thoughts than they were. “And I wouldn’t have been angry with you if you had turned down my request for help.”

“How did you -”

“Now, what would you like to eat?”

The two of them stood at an impasse for a moment.

“...the tomato basil bisque and grilled cheese sounded good.”

Jamil: “You’re going to chop your fingers off.”

They almost hit the ceiling when Jamil’s hand covered their own. They hadn’t even realized their hands had been shaking until his warm palm steadied theirs.Gently, carefully, he brought the knife down onto the vegetables they were chopping in a nice, clean cut.

“You don’t have to help if you aren’t feeling well.” Jamil took the knife from their hands, setting it down on the cutting board. Kalim had spontaneously announced another one of Scarabia’s famous parties, and of course that left most of the prep work to Jamil. Although Kalim was at least handling the decorations this time. Baby steps.

When they heard the news a few days prior, they had offered to help, and Jamil had practically deflated with relief. Every time Kalim held a party at the dorm, Jamil felt like a zombie for at least the next day and a half. They had personally seen him take a basketball to the face because he had been so tired. Although that might have been Floyd messing with him.

But, of course, when they woke up the day of the party, something had felt off. Nothing in particular had caused them to feel strange, but it could have been a bunch of little things. Regardless of the cause, it was a day best spent alone, dealing with the random anxiety. But, they had made a promise, and even though they wanted to back out, said anxiety also wouldn’t let them for fear of inconveniencing someone even a little bit.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” they grinned, shaking their wrist out. “Just spent a bit too long working on Trein’s homework. I’m pretty sure you get better grades if you write long paragraphs.”

“The trick is to make them long and unnecessarily fancy,” Jamil’s lips quirked upwards as he hip-checked them out of the way. “And don’t think you can distract me.”

“Damn it.”

Jamil shook his head. “Don’t push yourself so hard.”

“Pot meet kettle, Jamil.”

“I’m serious.” he leveled them with a steely look that had them feeling like a child getting scolded. “Honestly, with all of the stuff you do for everyone, I’m surprised you haven’t cracked yet.”

“...Me too, honestly.”

“See? Give yourself a break every once in a while.”

“Only if you do, too, Mr. I-Don’t-Need-Any-Help.”

His stern look softened until he was smiling fondly at them, warmth in his eyes. “Deal.”

Rook: “Non, non, this is unacceptable.”

They had heard Rook’s footsteps as he approached, which meant he wanted them to notice him. Otherwise he would have been completely silent.

Hand still on the spine of the book they were attempting to ease out of the tightly-packed library shelves, they turned to look at him. “What’s unacceptable?”

“The hunch to your shoulders, mon bijou.” the hunter swept dramatically into the light. “The sallowness of your skin. The shadows beneath your eyes!”

“Rook…”

“You look very tired, my dear.” Rook dropped his usual flamboyant act, approaching them with concern shining in his eyes. “Are you alright?”

“Just��” after a moment, they turned to him and rapped their knuckles lightly against their head. “A lot going on up here, you know?”

“I do,” Rook nodded. “You have many things to be worrying about, don’t you?.”

He stepped forward, grasping both of their hands in his. They were trembling lightly, since when had that started?

“You know I pride myself in being a protector of all things beautiful,” Rook gave their hands a squeeze. “And seeing your beautiful heart burdened so...it is my duty to ease it’s weight. So please, if there is anything I can do to help, tell me.”

Ortho: “Sorry for bothering you like this, Ortho.”

The little robot-boy smiled. “It’s no problem! I’m glad to help! Something as simple as a body scan is no trouble.”

The two of them were sat in the Ignihyde lounge. It was late enough that most of the dorm members had holed themselves up in their rooms - Ignihyde wasn’t known for its social butterflies, after all. But Ortho had still been up and about when the Ramshackle Prefect came knocking.

The infirmary closed around 5pm, although there was a nurse on-call for emergencies. So when something was wrong with a student, but not necessarily life threatening, they went to NRC’s resident robot. Ortho could scan for most problems in seconds, and more than once the nurses had asked to borrow him.

The little scanner on his chest opened up. The blue light swept over the Prefect’s body for a few seconds before Ortho beeped and the light disappeared.

“Heart rate: 102. No physical cause detected.” he reported. “It looks like you’re a little bit stressed.”

“...Yeah, that tracks.” they sighed. “I guess there’s nothing you can do for general anxiety, huh?”

“I don’t think so.” Ortho shrugged, looking sad. “I’m sorry, I wish I could help more.”

“It’s okay!” the Prefect smiled. “You did help! I was worried I was sick or something.”

Ortho still didn’t look satisfied. “But...ah!” he hit his fist against his palm. They could practically see the lightbulb go off in his head. Actually, they were a little surprised Idia had not installed that feature yet. “There is one thing I can do.”

“What’s that?”

The Prefect made a soft “oof” sound as Ortho darted forward and wrapped his arms around them. He was a little cold, being made of metal, but the thought was there.

“Internet research says that sometimes a hug can make people feel better. Does it work? I hope it works.”

They felt like they were going to cry. Or explode. Or both. “Yeah, I think it works.”

Lilia: “You don’t need to look so stressed, you know.”

Lilia laughed when the Ramshackle Prefect jumped, fangs poking out. “You’ve wound yourself so tightly, I wonder if you’ll break.”

To be fair, the Diasomnia lounge could be quite intimidating. It often took first years a few solid months to be comfortable in it. So Lilia wasn’t surprised that the human was ill at ease sitting there as Lilia served the two of them tea.

“That old story about being trapped in the Fae world if you eat their food isn’t true, you know.” Lilia sat down on the couch opposite of them, taking a sip of his tea. “At least, not that I’m aware of.”

The human squirmed slightly, and Lilia sighed. “Go on, drink. This is the type of tea I used to give to Malleus when he couldn’t sleep.”

The image of a baby Malleus being soothed by Lilia was so ridiculously cute that it brought a smile to their face. Lilia hummed happily in response.

“There’s the smile I was looking for.” he set his cup down. “Now, what brings you here so late? Nightmares again?”

“...Yeah…” they sighed, the tension in their body falling away like someone had cut the strings of a marionette. “I just wish they would stop so I could sleep.”

“Do you want to talk about them?” Lilia asked.

“It’s the same one, it’s always the same one.” they groaned, reaching for the tea cup. It smelled of chamomile and lavender, a perfect sleeping concoction. “I’m being chased, but I can’t tell by what, and every time I turn a corner the thing gets closer, and - and -”

“Hush, don’t work yourself up.” he moved from his spot on the couch to sit next to them. “Take a drink, there’s a good child.”

They took a sip of tea, focusing on the feeling of warmth down their throat as a way to ground themselves to the present. “I’m sorry.”

“You needn’t apologize,” Lilia murmured, reaching up to pet their hair. “Drink your tea, now, and I’ll make sure you get some sleep.”

[cordria]

Trope mash-up request, Danny/Valerie (GreyGhost) 63 (everyone knows/mistaken for couple) + 99 (magical accident), Thanks in advance!

I didn’t get my days off. Boss said if I were that hurt, I needed to see a doctor. I didn’t want to go to the clinic, because Reasons, and he didn’t budge when I tried the worker’s comp angle. (dramatic sigh) Damn having a boss that doesn’t mind having a totally legit worker’s comp claim filed against them. I totally coulda gotten two free days off at my last job.

Anyways. 

15 minute story snippet. Unedited, sorry for mistakes.

-

GreyGhost 63 + 99

-

“Hey, wait up!” Danny yelled, jogging up the street.

Valerie paused, watching him get closer, a ghost of a smile on her face. She watched his long bangs flop in front of his eyes as he skidded to a stop next to her, then reached out and twitched them out of his face. “Hi, Sir Needs-a-haircut,” she said. “Got out of detention, huh?”

Danny rolled his eyes and batted her hand away. “Lancer is… um… He’s dealing with an unfortunate supply closet situation.”

She narrowed her eyes a bit, confused. “And he just let you leave?” 

“One too many unhelpful comments, I guess.” He shrugged. “I have to make up the detention tomorrow. Where are you going?”

“Work, obviously. Walk with me?”

“Will I get some free fries at the other end?” 

Valerie sighed and started walking, Danny falling into step next to her. “Sometimes I think we’re only dating so you can get free fries.”

“It’s a perk, for sure.” 

Cool fingers brushed against hers and wove between her fingers. “Yeah?” Valerie asked, pulling him close so they bumped shoulders. “What other kinds of perks are there?”

“Warm fingers,” Danny said. “Pretty view. Nice company-” He cut off with a shiver.

“You okay?” 

“Yeah,” Danny said, but his eyes were narrowed and his body was stiffer. “Um… why don’t you go ahead-

There was a flash and a bang. Valerie ducked, pulling Danny down with her. “What the-” she yelped, head whipping around. 

As the smoke cleared, a ghost was standing not ten feet from them, feet planted on the road. The ghost was decked in a flamboyant wizard robe, complete with a staff. “I am the office supply wizard!” the ghost shrieked. “Feel my wrath!”

“Office… supply… wizard?” Danny muttered. “That somehow explains something and nothing at all at the same time.”

“Let’s get out of here,” Valerie said, already locating the nearest alley and setting her feet on a scuttling course. “We can hide-”

Cold washed over them as the ghost picked up its staff and pointed it towards them. “Zoom-ba-la-glue!” it yelled.

“Watch out!” Valerie shouted, tightening her grip on Danny’s hand. Light slammed into them. Valerie slammed her eyes shut, waiting for the pain to hit.

She felt Danny tugging at her hand, and she opened her eyes. The light was gone. Danny and her were still crouched on the road, unharmed. Danny was glaring at the wizard ghost with a strange, angry set to his face.

The ghost laughed and twirled in a circle. “That’ll keep you busy, I should think, while I plot my revenge!” Smoke swirled and flashed, and the ghost was gone.

“What did that mean?” Danny muttered, going back to tugging at her hand. “You can let go of me now.”

Valerie scowled at the vanished ghost. She’d be late for work now, needing to spend time tracking down that… thing. “I’m not holding on.” She pulled back, realizing Danny’s hand was following hers. “Danny…”

“Aw, shit,” Danny said, his shoulders dropped. “Seriously? Zoom-ba-la-glue?”

Valerie caught the last word and groaned. There’d be no tracking down the ghost with Danny literally glued to her. Pulling their stuck-together hands closer to her, she studied the connection. The little bits of glue she could see were glowing an inhuman green. “Do you want to come with me to work?”

“I’m sure my parents will have an anti-ghost-glue something-or-other,” Danny grumbled. “Let’s head there first. Maybe my sister can get you a ride so you’re not late.”

Valerie nodded and glanced towards the town. Hopefully Phantom would be able to keep the thing busy until she got free of this.

[amazingmsme]

Lets See A Smile

AN: My first Hazbin fic! There’s not nearly enough fics for it so here I am! Had a blast writing it, hope y’all enjoy! Angel and Alastor have such a fun dynamic!

Angel sighed in relief as his shift finally came to an end. You'd think a hotel with virtually no patrons would make for an easy work day, but when one of those guests was none other than fucking Sir Pentious of all people, you might as well jump off the highest cliff in hell. He kicked open the door to the break room, eager to vent to his friends.

"You would not BELIEVE the day I had! Next time you need someone to deal with Sir Penis get someone else to do it 'cause there's no way I'm going back up there to pick up eggshells and 20 feet of snake skin," he exclaimed dramatically, eyes closed with an arm thrown over his face like a damsel. Alastor popped his head up from where he was laying on the couch.

"I will be sure to let Charlie know of your complaint," he said. Angel's eyes flew open as he pushed himself away from the wall. 

"What, you? Where's Charlie? Or Vaggie?" he asked, not too pleased to see the radio demon when he was expecting his gal pals.

"Don't you remember? Tonight is their anniversary!" Alastor said in a cheery tone. Angel crossed his first pair of arms and rested another hand on his hip.

"Oh yeah, forgot about that," he said dismissively. Alastor sat up fully now, resting his feet on the floor instead of taking up the whole couch. He tilted his head quizzically, taking in the other demon.

"What, you got some fuckin' problem?" Angel asked, noticing his intense stare. Alastor shook his head, looking away.

"Not at all Angel, but from the sounds of it, you do." Angel rolled his eyes.

"Yeah and he's on the third floor," he said with a huff. Alastor scooted over and patted the cushion next to him invitingly.

"Why don't you sit?" Angel's face lit up as he strolled over.

"Hey don't mind if I do," he said before plopping right in Alastor's lap. He blushed and faltered.

"Wha- Not on me!" he exclaimed and shoved him off. Angel Dust chuckled, settling into a proper seat.

"Sorry, you didn't specify," he smirked. Alastor glared at him with a small growl.

"You know damn well that's not what I meant." They fell into a slightly awkward silence. Alastor sat stiffly while Angel sprawled across the sofa, taking up most of the room and not seeming to care. Alastor liked to pride himself in his ability to read other people, and right now it was obvious that Angel was not himself. Oh sure he would try and act like his usual flamboyant and snarky self, but apparently their customer had really gotten under his skin. He didn't like seeing the other demon so upset. He tapped his fingers on his knees, letting out a low whistle that mixed with the smallest whine of microphone feedback.

"Soooo..." he started. Angel only raised a brow. "Would you care to talk about it?"

"Eh, not really. That slithery prick's already eaten up too much of my time," he dismissed. After a brief pause he let out a long suffering sigh, arching his back over the arm of the couch and just let himself hang there. This caused Alastor himself to sigh.

"Well you're obviously upset about it, and normally I'd dump you off on Charlie but she's not here right now, so you're stuck with me. And while I may not be very good at this, I would like to cheer you up. Is there, um, anything I could do to maybe help?" Angel raised himself up, a little skeptical.

"You serious?"

"Yes! After all you're never fully dressed without a smile! And you sir are lacking the appropriate attire," he justified.

"Yeah well, I'm a slut, so what do you expect?" he asked, though he allowed himself to relax a bit. "Can you, no ya know what, never mind," Angel stopped himself mid sentence. And was that a blush creeping up his face? Needless to say Alastor was intrigued.

"No do go on!" he encouraged. Angel waved a hand as if to brush him off.

"Naw you wouldn't like it."

"Nonsense! And if I don't like it, I'll just talk about it behind your back to Husk like a normal person," he admitted. Angel considered this and shrugged.

"Well at least you're honest. So, what I was gonna say was, uh, can I have a hug?" he asked sheepishly. He reached up and rubbed a hand behind his neck, "It's just I'm a little tired and upset, and I'm kinda used to it with Charlie around. Hehe, look at me, goin' soft..." he trailed off. Alastor- didn't really know what to say. So instead he just leaned back into the sofa and held out his arms. Angel broke into a shy grin and cuddled against him. Alastor rested his arms around him, not allowing himself to fully relax into the hug. Not yet at least. Affectionate touch was still kinda new for him. But he had to admit, it did feel nice. It gave him a warm kind of comfort he hadn't felt in forever, and he let himself sink into the feeling.

"Ya know what Al? You actually give pretty good hugs. Heh, better not let Charlie know, am I right?" he joked with a poke to his side. Alastor went completely rigid, his hold on Angel tightened ever so slightly. This didn't go unnoticed.

"Al, you okay there buddy? Didn't hurt ya, did I?" he asked. He doubted he could even hurt him if he tried, but he wanted to make sure.

"W-what? You hurt me? Oh please," he tried to play it off, hoping he would just drop it. But this is Angel Dust we're talking about, he's not one to simply "drop" things. Not to mention, he's had years of experience in his old line of work. He's learned all there is to know about the body and it's various reactions to touch. Which is why it only took him a second to figure out what had happened.

"If you're ticklish you coulda just said so, I woulda left you alone," he said casually. Alastor's jaw dropped in mild horror and shock, pushing the other demon away.

"I am no such thing!" he adamantly denied. Angel raised a brow, a sly smirk creeping onto his face.

"Oh please, big scary tough guy like you? Definitely ticklish," he said, watching Alastor's reactions from the corner of his eye. Despite his best efforts to keep it at bay, a blush rose to his cheeks. As Angel spoke, he let one of his hands wander closer to Alastor's side.

He was just about to snap at him, a sharp retort on the tip on his tongue, when Angel's hand connected with his side. He let out a startled noise, jerking away and snapped his head to look at Angel. The smile he gave the radio demon was completely predatory and feral. Alastor found himself scooting away.

"Now Angel, don't do anything you'll regret," he warned, but his voice wavered with nerves.

"Trust me, I ain't gonna regret this," he said, lunging forth and straddling a very shocked Alastor. He wasn't used to people not taking his threats seriously and was a bit stunned. He tried to grab Angel's hands to block him, but he countered by pinning his wrists with his first set of arms. He chuckled, wiggling his fingers above his stomach. Alastor struggled, trying to free himself.

"What's the matter? Forget I had these?" Angel asked. He emphasized his point by skittering his fingers all along his belly, making him burst into staticky giggles.

"Stohohop this ihihinstant!" Alastor demanded through his laughter. Angel Dust leaned forward, grinning widely. Alastor could see his own hysterical reflection shinning in Angel's eyes, so he looked away, too embarrassed to see the giggly mess he'd become.

"Nah, I don't really feel like it. Besides, I think this is the first time I've heard you laugh! I'm having way too much fun to stop!"

"Thahahat's nohot true! Ihihi laugh ahahall the time," he tried to speak through his manic giggles.

Angel shrugged, "Yeah but laughing at your own lame jokes don't count. Kinda pathetic actually." He added another pair of arms to the mix, reaching behind him to squeeze and scratch at his knees. Alastor drummed his legs on the couch, his laughter increasing in volume and pitch. Radio static mixed more frequently with his laugh, making Angel coo.

Dohohon't patronize mehehe!" Alastor cried.

"I'm not! But you gotta admit Al, your laugh is adorable," he teased, making his voice a higher pitch and using the same tone that he normally talks to Fat Nuggets with. He brought his third pair of arms up to squeeze at his sides, the second pair starting to crawl up his ribs as he sang.

"The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water spout." Though he thought it to be impossible, Alastor's laughter increased even more. "Down, came the rain and washed the spider out." He raked his knuckles down his ribs, making him arch his back with a cackle. As he finished the nursery rhyme, he let his fingers walk back up his ribs before attacking his exposed underarms.

Alastor squealed before his voice faded into the high pitched screech of a microphone. Angel jerked back in shock at the loud noise, covering his ears as he fell back on the couch. His eyes were squeezed shut as he fell into a giggle fit, clutching his stomach with his many arms. He brought a hand up to wipe away a few tears as Alastor recovered.

His breathing was already beginning to return to normal, but his face was still a burning crimson. Angel patted his leg comfortingly before he rose from the couch, stretching as he spoke.

"Oh man, that was fun. Never knew ya could laugh like that Smiles," he said, settling back onto the cushions. Because he was so tall, Alastor was taking up most of the space, causing Angel to huff and kick his legs with his boot. "Skooch over, you're takin' up the whole damn couch," he grumbled. Alastor finally sat up, seemingly recovered. His cheeks were still sporting a decent flush and he brushed himself off, trying to scrap together his remaining dignity by straightening his crumpled clothes. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"You have ten seconds," he stated calmly. Angel raised a brow.

"Ten seconds to do what?" he asked.

"Why, to run of course," Alastor stated as though it were obvious.

"Hell no, I ain't runnin'! I just got comfy," he said, gesturing to his already lounging position. Alastor shrugged, his residual smile widening into something more sinister.

"Very well, it is your funeral after all." Angel's eyebrows furrowed together, beginning to connect the dots. He opened his mouth to protest, only to be cut off.

"Nine."

Angel's eyes widened and he scrambled to get as far away from the radio demon as possible. In such a rush, his legs got tangled and he stumbled over himself before rushing out the door. Alastor was already down to six. He rushed down the hall and into the lobby, looking for cover. There was no way he could out run him, so his only chance was to hide. He only hesitated for a second before his eyes landed on the bar and he sprinted towards it.

Husk saw him coming and shook his head. "Oh hell no, you already used up all your points," he said casually. He jumped back with a hiss, fur standing on end when Angel made a move to dive over the bar.

"This ain't about that, you gotta hide me!" he pleaded, gripping onto his shirt. Husk shoved him off.

"What the hell did you get into now?" he asked, running a hand down his tired face.

"No time to explain, just go on about your business and act like I ain't here," he said, crouching down underneath the bar. "Oh and if Al asks, say you haven't seen me."

Husker's eyes widened, shaking his head. "Sorry, but I'm not covering for you. This is your mess, you deal with it. I don't wanna get caught in the cross hairs of whatever you did to piss him off," he said, trying to drag Angel Dust out from underneath the countertop. Angel cursed as he struggled to stay put, already forced halfway out. It was then that Alastor himself leisurely strolled into the lobby. His eyes fell on Angel, and he twirled his microphone stand gleefully.

"Oh Angel there you are!" he exclaimed. Angel let out a small scream before leaping back over the bar, much to Husk's annoyance. As he ran out of the room, he used two hands to flip Husk off.

"Wow thanks for bein' fucking useless!"

Husk cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled after him. "I'll be sure to remember that next time you ask for a drink!" He sighed in defeat, bending down to arrange the various glasses and bottles he had knocked over. Alastor came up and leaned against the bar.

"I'll take a glass of water real quick, if you don't mind," he said. Husk complied, filling it up with tap before sliding it over to him.

"The hell he do to you? Kid was so desperate to get away you'd think he was fleeing for his life." Upon hearing the question, Al's ear twitched, another blush dusting his cheeks as he looked away. Husk looked him up and down and spoke once more. "Then again maybe he is."

"Mm. If you'll excuse me Husker, I believe I must enact some well deserved revenge." The bar tender chuckled.

"Alright, but don't rough him up too much. Charlie'll have your head if you hurt him."

Alastor waved a hand lazily as he made his way in the direction that Angel ran off. "No need to worry, our friend shall be in good hands." He sent his shadow in search of the fleeing man, rolling up his sleeves in preparation. In his time alive, one of the things he adored most was the thrill of the chase. The adrenaline rush that came with hunting down his prey was nearly more enjoyable than the act of killing. Almost. But oh how he relished in the fear glistening in their eyes and their labored breath as they were inevitably trapped, watching as he closed in. He found he was eager to see that look in Angel's eyes, though for a completely different reason.

Angel was close to his room now. He had had a few close calls, turning down halls that suddenly lead to nowhere, catching the glimpse of a dark shadow from the corner of his eye. He knew Al was fucking with him, but he was determined to make it to safety. He was almost there; he could see his door at the end of the hall. He ran that much harder, only to find he wasn't getting any closer. He looked down at his legs that were running in place and felt dread sink to the bottom of his stomach. He heard a deep, staticky chuckle from behind and gasped, trying with all his might to get to his room.

"Oh c'mon!" he yelled out in an exasperated tone, looking over his shoulder only to see the grinning deer. He gave a small wave, tilting his head to the side. Whatever magic Alastor had him trapped with vanished, and he let out a victory cry as he threw himself at his door, opening it before slamming it shut and locking it behind him. He let out a deep sigh of relief, shoulders slacking as he leaned against the door. The wood felt cool against his cheek, and he smiled to himself, finally knowing he was safe.

A slow clap sounded from behind him, and his breath hitched and caught in his throat. He whirled around to see Alastor, sitting on his bed with a stupidly smug grin as he applauded.

"Splendid! You put on quite a good show I must say, but I'm afraid the previews are over." Angel reached for the knob, only it was locked by his own doing. He pressed his back against the wall, smiling sheepishly as the man stood and slowly made his way closer to him.

"Look, A-Al, no hard feelings, right? I won't tell a soul I swear! You got my word, I'm sorry," he tried to plead.

"Did you really think I'd let you get away without having my revenge?" he asked calmly. Angel shrugged.

"Well I mean, yeah. I mean- I was hoping for it," he corrected himself, rubbing a hand behind his neck with a chuckle. Alastor snapped his fingers, opening a portal in the floor. All of a sudden, tentacles reached out and grabbed Angel and forced him onto the bed, pinning all of his limbs.

He blinked in shock before smirking. "Can't say this isn't what I'm used to. Been in worse bondage situations than this, let me tell ya," he mused, trying to mask his growing fear with his usual flirtations. Alastor sat next to him on the bed and he tried to squirm away, not getting very far. Angel shrunk in on himself, feeling very exposed underneath Alastor's gaze, and not in the way he would've liked. He gulped and spoke. "So uh, I normally ask this question with a lot more enthusiasm, but- what are you gonna do to me?" he ventured to question.

Alastor answered gladly. "I would've thought you were smart enough to know but clearly I overestimated you." Angel let out a cry of protest only to be cut off.

"I'm sure you know the phrase "an eye for an eye,"" he said, casting a sly look his way. That alone made Angel's chest shake as he fought to force down his chuckles. He tugged at his bonds but they held strong, not allowing any leeway.

"Ahahal I'm sorry! I won't do it again, promise!" Alastor smirked and rested a hand on his stomach. Angel jerked at the touch, barely holding back a squeal.

"Oh I know you won't, but I have to make sure the lesson is ingrained in your thick skull so you won't even think about trying it again." He looked down at him, smirk growing as he drummed his fingers along his stomach.

"Nohohooo," Angel whined through his giggles, trying to suck in his stomach to get away from the touch.

"Laughing so soon? Oh this is going to be fun," Alastor practically growled through static. "So, are you willing to speed things along and tell me your worst spots? Or are you going to do this the hard way?"

Angel was already in deep, he knew he shouldn't say it but the guy gift wrapped a perfect chance for a dirty joke and gave it to him on a silver platter. He couldn't help himself. "Oh you know I like it hard," he all but purred. Alastor's eye twitched and he flicked an ear. Angel's flirtatious smirk quickly fell flat as he saw his life flash before his eyes.

"Nonono wait I take it back-"

"Too late Angel. I'm delighted to say that you just dug your second grave." He dug his claws into his stomach, grin growing as he watched him writhe underneath his touch. Angel bit his lip, trying to contain his titters. Maybe if he held out long enough, Alastor would grow bored and give up. Angel always was a dreamer.

"Hm, I wouldn't have thought you of all people would play hard to get," Alastor mused. Angel screwed his eyes shut biting his lip so hard he began to taste blood. "But you'll crack sooner or later," he said. Angel was wearing a loose t-shirt, so it was easy for him to slip his hand underneath. The reaction was instantaneous; he burst into frantic cackles, tugging on his wrists weakly. Alastor gave him a lazy, nonchalant smile. "See, I knew you'd come around!"

"Nohoho you cahahan't do this to mehehe," he cried out.

"Oh but I can! In fact, I'm doing it right now!" he said with a flourish, followed by a laugh track that could barely be heard over Angel's mirth. He let out an annoyed huff when the baggy shirt slid back down over his stomach due to his squirming. "Why don't we get this out of the way?" he asked. Before Angel could question him, he snapped his fingers leaving Angel's chest bare.

"Hey that was my favorite shirt you asshole!" Alastor didn't dignify that with a response. Well, not a verbal one anyways. The thin pink line trailing the middle of his stomach caught his eye, placing a single finger on the pattern. "Whoa hey, if ya wanted me to take my shihirt off all ya hahad to do was ask nicelyyyy," his voice raised in pitch when Alastor pressed down ever so slightly. Fuck this wasn't good, his pattern was way more sensitive and he really didn't need Al of all people to figure that out.

"By now you should know that I don't ask nicely," he said, a completely sinister look in his eyes. He drug his finger up along the pink line, making Angel arch his back with a squeal, much to his delight. His finger made its way back down the same path, and Angel shook his head back and forth, squirming in the tentacles' hold.

"Nohohot thehehere," he pleaded. Alastor hummed in thought.

"You see, when you say that it really makes me want to focus all my efforts on this exact spot," he teased.

"Bihihite mehehe!" They both froze, Alastor's grin stretching across his entire face. Angel realized his mistake and even though he knew it was futile, he kicked his legs out for purchase so he could scoot away. Alastor moved to straddle his waist, leaning in closer as sharp teeth glistened. "A-Al Ihihi didn't mean it like that! Oh shit, you're not gonna eat me, are ya?" Nervousness gave way to fear as he had no chance to escape.

"Why, what an excellent idea Angel Dust! I am a cannibal after all." He lunged forth, head diving towards his stomach. Angel screamed in terror which soon gave way to hysterical screams of laughter as Alastor nibbled and nuzzled against his stomach.

"Fuhuhuhuck it tihihickles so damn muhuhuch!" he yelled, trying to curl in on himself, but Alastor's magic held firm. He rose his head back up from the fluff, sputtering before picking a few hairs from his mouth. Angel gasped for breath during the break he knew wouldn't last long.

Alastor wiped his tongue on his sleeve to rid his mouth of any excess fluff. "Suddenly I've lost my appetite!"

"Greheat, so can you lehehet me gohoho?" Angel asked, fearing the answer. Alastor tapped his chin in thought, studying his form before answering.

"I suppose I could, but there's one spot left I want to try," Alastor said, eyes falling on his exposed hollows. Angel followed his gaze, eyes going wide with realization as an excited sort of panic flooded his body. Giggles bubbled out of his mouth that was stretched in an anxious smile, gold tooth gleaming.

"No please, anywhere but there," Angel begged, his efforts to escape doubling but still yielding the same results. Alastor smirked as he rested his hands right below his second pair of arms. Just doing that made him jerk and let out a small squeal. Alastor tilted his head, a devious look on his face.

"Oh Angel, you don't really get a say in the matter," he said, and then he attacked. He was completely lost to his laughter as Alastor scratched and skittered in his underarms, switching rapidly between them all to keep him a jumpy hysterical mess. He drilled his thumbs into the fur and kneaded around the sensitive area. He had to hold back his own chuckles once Angel started hiccuping amongst his cries of laughter. He finally granted him mercy, snapping his fingers and releasing his hold on the other demon. He sat beside him as Angel's giggles trailed off, interrupted every once in a while by another hiccup. Alastor notes that he hadn't moved at all, arms still raised and laying on the bed.

Angel glared up at him. "Damn you, you fuckin' prick. You're a fucki- fucking monster," he said, having to restart the word when another embarrassing hiccup broke up his speech. Alastor just smirked, narrowing his eyes.

"A tickle monster," he felt the need to correct. Angel groaned, a bright blush growing on his face. He covered his face with his lower set of hands, hoping that Alastor would at least be nice enough not to comment on it. "I hope it goes without saying that none of what happened is to leave this room," he threatened in a nicer tone, though it was a threat none the less. Angel sat up, waving a hand at him.

"Yeah yeah, trust me I don't want anyone else to know." Angel perked up, head snapping to look at Alastor. "Hey what'd you do with my shirt?" Alastor pointed around a pile of clothes in the corner, the soft pink shirt laying on top. He walked over, slipping it over his head. He noticed him staring at him, a smug, knowing look on his face. Angel narrowed his eyes.

"What?"

Alastor glanced down at his nails nonchalantly. "Nothing, just noticed something rather peculiar."  Angel flopped onto his bed, making him bounce with the mattress.

"Mind sharin' with the class?" he asked, even though he had a feeling he would regret it.

"I don't recall hearing you tell me to stop," he said with a sly smile. The curious grin on Angel's face immediately disappeared, cheeks heating up. He refused to meet his eyes as he struggled for a comeback.

"I- you- well- how could I, I was laughin' too hard!" he justified.

"You didn't seem to have any trouble saying other things," he beamed, holding up a hand when Angel grabbed a pillow and started beating him with it.

"Shut the hell up!"

"You like it!"

"SHUT UP!"

Alastor's static filled chuckles rang through the air. He even had the audacity to pinch his cheek before standing. "Glad to see you're feeling better. Laughter is the best medicine after all," he said.

Angel crossed his lower pair of arms, trying to hide his smile behind his hand. "Heh, I guess so."

Alastor was at the door, hand on the knob before he looked over his shoulder at Angel Dust. "Don't be shy to come find me if you ever need any more cheering up," he teased with a wink. Angel's face was practically on fire, and for once he didn't have a witty comeback. Alastor gave an amused huff before closing the door, leaving Angel alone to think about all that just happened.

[marmolady]

Homecoming: Part One

Read PART TWO here!

Main Pairings: Estela x (f)MC, Graleister

Summary: Endless Ending. Estela and Taylor spend one last night in San Trobida before returning to La Huerta and facing their future. This was going to be a two-parter, but I got all long-winded, so four-parter is more like it.

Word Count: 3342

Chronology: After 'The New Taylor' and 'A Ride to Remember', sort of midway through 'Inheritance'.

Tagging: @saivilo, @edgydepressedchoicesthot, @sceptilemasterr, @greengroove @mauvecatfic​

Thanks for reading!

Parrying the blows of her brother’s sword with the easy grace of a well-honed professional-- she had been doing this since her early teens-- Estela seemed to dance across the basement floor, totally in her element. Then Aleister lurched forward, and she jumped back, effortlessly dodging his attack. But in the landing, she found herself, finally, unstuck. Under the sudden weight of her whole body, her wounded leg gave way, and she stumbled. In a split second, Aleister’s cautious approach fell away and he pushed his advantage before Estela could recover. With a final flick of his blade, she was disarmed.

Estela laughed at the look of plain shock on Aleister’s face at his own victory. “Not half bad,” she commented, impressed that he hadn’t fumbled around taking advantage of her weakness. Her healing leg injury had been a source of great frustration-- despite regular massages of the Vaanti-made ointment concocted using the leaves from The Celestial’s roof, improvement had plateaued. The last thing she wanted was to be babied. “You’re still wasting too much energy with flamboyant gestures. This isn’t ballet-- it doesn’t have to look pretty.”

“Well, it certainly doesn’t appear that ‘pretty’ has hindered my performance,” Aleister panted, recovering just enough to be rather pleased with himself.

Offering a hand to take Aleister’s sword, Estela grinned. “Like I said, not half bad. Come on, hermano. We’d better give Tio a hand in the kitchen; it sounded like he had a big spread planned.”

Brother. That was still new. Only in the lead-up to his hand-fasting to Grace a few months prior had Estela gone so far as to utter that word in relation to Aleister. He reacted as he always did, a double-take, then his cheeks going immediately pink. It had been so long he’d craved that acceptance… now that it was there, it seemed it would take him some getting used to.

All attempts at helping Nicolas out with the farewell dinner were met with strong resistance. Some butting of heads later, Estela realised it really wasn’t a hill worth dying on; if her tio wanted to do something special for them all, she’d just have to step back and let him. After all, it could well be some time before he’d have this opportunity again. Come the next day, she, Taylor, and their friends, would all be on their way, and Nicolas would once more be left to an empty house.

As much as she tried to join in the energetic conversations over dinner, Estela found herself distracted. With her return to La Huerta, she’d be taking steps to move on with her life; to come to terms with the grief she’d suffered and get some closure. And then… she was faced with working out what the hell kind of life she’d forge for herself; something that had been made all the more complicated since Aleister had seen fit to bestow upon her half of everything he’d been left after Rourke’s demise. She’d made good progress on coming to peace with that connection, but she was not fool enough to be under any illusions… she still had a long way to go.

The subject of conversation turned to the case against Lundgren-- and the subsequent clearing of Jake’s name-- and Estela shook herself back to the present.

“The evidence is fairly damning,” Aleister was saying as he loaded his fork with beef, egg and plantain. “Certainly, the prosecutors were pleased. That we have access to every file my father ever touched, and a wealth of video and audio recordings, it would be difficult indeed to look at what’s presented and not come back with a guilty verdict.”

Jake smiled wryly, the grin failing to make his eyes. “I’ll give ya one thing, Malfoy, your old lady ain’t a dame I’d want to get on the wrong side of. I guess… we’ll see. Worst case, settlin’ down out here wouldn’t be half bad.”

“We won’t rest until you’re home,” Grace declared resolutely, her dark eyes shining. “That awful man isn’t going to be remembered as anything other than a power-hungry conniving brute. I’ll stand up and make a witness statement in court myself!”

She had, Jake knew, her own haunting personal experiences of seeing that exact brutality at close quarters. It made him sick. “Hey-- I won’t have you dredging up all that. Not for me--”

Grace spoke across him, calmly but firmly. “It’s my stand to take. I had quite enough of being helpless as Rourke’s prisoner; I need to take my power back.”

Jake’s mouth snapped shut. He wasn’t about to argue with that. “The poor defense won’t know what hit it.” The words rang hollow as exchanged a subtle dark look with Estela. The optimism was nice and all, but experience had told the both of them that the world was a corrupt place and ‘fair’ barely counted for squat.

“I know you think I’m naive,” Grace said, “and maybe I am, but the fact remains that we’re not giving in.”

Taylor grinned, confident because she had to be. “I didn’t offer my life force to some crystal alien only for you to not get back to your family. This is a matter of ‘how’ and ‘when’, not ‘if’.”

Beside her, Estela nodded. “Look, we’d be crazy if we just go in assuming this is gonna be a cakewalk. But Pollyanna here is right; we’ll make it happen. We’re not the kind of people who just roll over to injustice, and anyone who thinks they can force us is in for a painful lesson.”

“Dang, Princess… I think you broke Eeyore. She’ll be a motivational speaker at this rate….”

“It’s Katniss, cabron. Y vete a la mierda.”

Jake sniggered into his beer. So, motivational speaker was a little stretch.

With dinner over, the group started disperse. As Estela made to make a start on clean-up, Taylor gently turned her around.

“I’m pretty sure me and Al can handle this. Make the most of tonight.”

Estela looked out through the window to the front porch, where Nicolas had settled with his flask of rum. She took a deep breath. Taylor was right; she couldn’t just let this time pass her by.

Cold beer in hand, she pushed open the front door and stepped out. “It seems like Aleister and Grace’s first bandeja paisa was a hit.”

Nicolas beamed at the sight of her, and clinked her bottle as she sat down in the other chair. “Of course. Either that or they are exceptional actors.”

“No chance,” Estela laughed. “You’ve seen the looks he gives poor Taylor’s cooking. Her confidence has been shot since they’ve been here. At least Grace is polite about it.”

“You must be excited. I’ve said for so long that your potential was being wasted, and now… the world is your oyster. I never thought I’d see the day.”

Estela shifted in her chair and took a long drink.

“What’s that look for, mija?”

“Well, yeah, I’m excited. Terrified, but…. If I finish this degree, I really should think of what I want to do with it. And, well, all that money Aleister’s pushing on me.”

“That gilipollas. You poor thing.”

“Actually, I’m almost getting used to the idea. As much as it freaks me out, Mom would have been so happy to know I’ve got a leg up.” A small smile crept to Estela’s face. “I keep seeing so many things I could help with. Like the schools and universities-- how much could recovery be accelerated if people had better opportunities to learn? Or physically rebuilding so much that had been destroyed, or actually protecting the wilderness of this beautiful place?” She blushed as she caught herself getting passionate. “Rourke International has the capacity to do so much; we could actually have tourists coming here. That hasn’t happened in my lifetime!”

Nicolas chuckled, looking at his niece with clear affection. But he saw the cloud of doubt across her face.

“I…,” she continued, “I just don’t know that I have the right. We just got rid of one dictator, and Mom was collateral damage to a would-be dictator.” A would-be dictator who’s inescapably part of who I am. “Money comes with a lot of power. Even if I’m using it for what I think is good… I could cause a lot of harm.” By the time she finished, her voice was but a murmur.

“True. Alternatively, you could be one of those misers who sit upon their millions while the people around them starve and suffer, buildings crumble, and forests burn.”

“So, you’re saying I can’t win?” Estela demanded.

“I’m saying, the enemy here is ignorance. Ignorance of what greater impacts of your generosity might be, and ignorance of what suffering might go on if that generosity is withheld. The fact that you are even having these doubts tells me that you are not ignorant to the consequences of your actions.”

Estela huffed thoughtfully. “I don’t suppose,” she grumbled after a little while, “that you’d let me be, even for a second.”

“Of course not! I might be getting on a bit, but I am by no means past letting you know when you ought to unstick your head from your own backside.”

Again, Estela fell quiet. She was not going to be existing in an echo chamber. She’d surrounded herself with people that she trusted, with strong opinions and varied perspectives; people who would not balk from challenging her when necessary. If she tried, she couldn’t become a tyrant, regardless of what blood coursed her veins. At any rate, she’d simply be-- for the most part, at least-- channeling funds to others better placed to make the change she wanted to see in her world. She could be as anonymous as she wanted. Perhaps… perhaps it would not hurt to put some faith in herself.

“I take it from your silence,” Nicolas said, “that you’ve realised that once again I’m right. Now, go back to happily daydreaming about all the good you will do.”

Estela sighed dramatically, but smiled at her uncle. “I’m really gonna miss you….”

“I can’t pretend I’ve been looking forward to waking to an empty house again. But the missing you will be temporary; that’s more than I could have dared to hope for not so long ago.”

The same was true for her. And there was no way in hell she’d let goodbye be forever, not now. “Yeah. You’ve got a good point.”

“Again?”

She snorted. “Shut up, Tio.”

_________________________

The night wore steadily on, and Taylor eventually had to retreat from socialising with Nicolas’ other guests to start making headway on her night-time routine. ‘Self-care’ was something she now had down to an art; she even made a point of noting down the steps taken each night so she could easily track what was most effective. By this point, she had a fairly solid schedule. Yoga was followed by a calming cup of mint or chamomile tea, sometimes accompanied by a hot bath-- though tonight it was too late for the nice long soak she’d prefer--, and then she’d wind down even further with a half-hour’s guided meditation. Jake teased her mercilessly, but she really didn’t give a damn. If she could de-stress just enough to keep the seemingly never-ending stream of horrifying nightmares at bay, he could laugh all he wanted.

Slowly, Taylor wiggled her fingers and toes, bringing herself back to the land of the living with a long exhale. Fifteen nights without being woken up by visions of her loved ones’ deaths was the best run she’d ever had, but if those nightmares were triggered by stress, then the imminent return to La Huerta might just be the trigger that would throw a spanner in the works.

The little dog, Fenix, stretched forward and licked Taylor’s toes.

“Okay, okay, I’m back! Was I ignoring you for too long? Thanks for not interrupting my meditation, I guess,” Taylor chuckled. Having the pet had done wonders for grounding her during her regular existential crises. Fenix had come a long way from the mangy worm-ridden creature they’d taken in; still scruffy even with a full coat of hair, she was now bright as a button, and with a tail that never seemed to stop wagging.

“You’d better enjoy having me to yourself while you still can, Nixie-- this time tomorrow, we’ll probably have Furball sleeping on the end of the bed as well.”

Happily oblivious Fenix rolled and tumbled in her human’s lap. Foxes with ice powers were far beyond her frame of reference, but she could sense that whatever Taylor was talking about made her happy, so naturally there was every reason to be in a good mood.

The door creaked, and a just-showered Estela entered the room, clad only in a towel.

“Hey. I heard you talking to Nix-- figured you’d finished your meditation.”

“Hey,” Taylor cooed, feeling herself practically melt as her wife reached down to stroke her hair. “I just finished; went pretty heavy on the self-care tonight, just to be safe. You ready for bed?” She let herself be helped to her feet, and wrapped an arm around Estela’s waist. “Last cuddle in your little single bed for a while.”

Estela smiled. “Last cuddle in our little single bed.”

Taylor changed into her pyjamas and nestled under the covers, waiting and watching in quiet contentment as Estela slipped into a singlet and a light pair of shorts.

“You are so, so beautiful, you know that?”

“Taylor, you tell me that ten times a day.”

“Just making sure you’re aware, lover.” Taylor pressed herself against the wall, making room on the tiny mattress.

“You ordered a cuddle, yes?” Estela kissed and nibbled along Taylor’s jaw, feeling a tremor of an exhale, then sat back to look into the sapphire gaze of her adoring wife. Beautiful just wasn’t big enough.

“So… how are you feeling about tomorrow?” Taylor ventured.

“A lot of things,” Estela admitted. “Getting on that plane to La Huerta is going to bring back a lot of stuff. And saying goodbye to Tio… well, let’s just say, we’d better have a lot of tissues packed.”

Taylor squeezed her tight. “It’s not forever this time. And I think he knows that-- otherwise you’d be leaving again over his dead body.”

That made Estela give a little snort of laughter, but then she shook her head, sighing. “I know the guilt I’m feeling is irrational. Tio is just so happy to see how much things have changed for me. He wants me to go out and live my best life. But that doesn’t mean I can stop myself feeling it, just like that.”

Taylor didn’t have a lot of life experience, but guilt? That, she knew all about. “We’re just going to have to keep talking to that irrational part of your brain, then. Honey, your tio thought you were dead for so long-- you coming back every now and then, smiling, on your way to healing… that’s just the most amazing gift you could give him. And maybe… it’s going to help him move on too.”

“Yes.” Man, I hope so. Estela knew that her uncle had closed himself off to the world. That he’d seen that he’d done his part in life, and then retreated from it. He joked around, but for so long he’d been broken inside. Now, they could make strides towards something better, together-- even if there was a distance between them. Now, Estela had hope for them both.

Taylor snuggled close, spooning her wife from behind, and leaving  lingering kisses upon her neck and shoulders.

“What about you?” Estela asked softly, turning in the warm embrace so she could meet Taylor’s eye. “I guess this will feel like going home.”

“Yeah, I guess it will be. Something like that. It’s a very… it’s a very weird feeling, you know?”

“I can imagine. It’s going to be strange to be back on La Huerta without everyone. The village is gonna be like a ghost town.”

A small smile tugged at Taylor’s lips; in spite of her own worries. Estela sure was perceptive. “It’s kind of freaking me out.” Of course, Estela already knew that, but it had never hurt to actually put the words out there. It was quite clear that they both had to look forward to a crash course in moving on. But that they were alive, and together, and free to do so… it was everything they’d fought for. “I’m bursting to see Diego again, though. It must have been so much weirder for him these past months.”

There was a grumbling, grunting sound as Fenix settled herself into a nest made out of the clothes Taylor had left on the floor. Both women chortled. Nothing like a funny little dog to keep the mood light.

Estela tenderly stroked Taylor’s hair, loving her. “You’ll have a lot to catch up on. It’s gonna mean a lot to him to have you there.” She blushed. “It… means a lot to me to have you here.”

“Good. Because you’re stuck with me.”

“Taylor, we all are. And you’re stuck with us. There’s nothing that can change that.”

As she looked into Estela’s soft gaze, Taylor’s heart swelled. If she knew anything at all, she knew that much. All she had to do was trust in that sweet certainty.

[starlocked01]

Second Glances

AO3

Masterpost- Previous- Next

Summary: Roman has spent years making his aesthetic Gay TM and yet his soulmate's first impression of him is that he's straight. What has he done so horribly wrong? Nothing, but first impressions often are wrong.

Day 18 Prinxiety- Your Soulmate’s first impression of you is written on your skin somewhere

Damn it all the cute ones are straight

The mark appeared on Roman’s 18th birthday at midnight and frankly, he was mortified. He had been out and proud for the past two years and almost always had a rainbow flag somewhere on his person or belongings. How in the world could his soulmate get such an incorrect idea of him?

He interrogated all his friends at school to see if any of them had crushes on him and had thought he was straight but with no luck. Apparently they all had better gaydar than his soulmate.

Roman didn't have much time to worry about soulmates though because in just a few weeks he and his twin were moving into the dorms for freshman year of college. They packed up their entire room and wondered what their roommates would be like.

"I don't know Ro, what if they don't accept me or get uncomfortable with me?" Remus ran his fingers through his hair. He'd been growing it out almost a year now.

"Then I will kick their ass and get you a new roommate. Simple," Roman reassured Remus.

"Heh, thanks Ro," Remus smiled, still visibly nervous.

Roman grinned, "no one hurts my sibling and gets away with it."

On move-in day everything was a whirlwind. The car was packed past full and Roman was a ball of nervous energy.

"Remus, are you ready?" he called up the stairs.

"It's Renee today!" she called back down, appearing at the top of the stairs.

"Oops! My bad. Ready to go, sis?" Roman smiled broadly as she walked down, fussing with her skirt.

"Yeah!"

"Let's go! College here we come!"

Renee was unusually quiet during the drive. Roman spared as many glances away from the road as he could.

"You okay, hon?" He asked gently.

She nodded slowly, "are you sure I won't get funny looks during move in? Should I change into something masc before we get there?"

"No, you will do no such thing. It's a co-ed dorm, Ren. And I'm literally right down the hall," Roman shook his head.

Renee glanced down at her palm, "do you think I'll meet my soulmate today? I mean there's gonna be a lot of people there and it is a fem day…"

Roman smiled, "anything is possible, sis. Just keep being your beautiful self."

Thoughts of soulmates reminded Roman of his own frustrating mark. He kinda wondered what his soulmate’s mark said. Guess he'd think it sooner or later.

After the slightest confusion at sign in, he and Renee were ready to move into their dorm rooms. He decided to help Renee with her stuff first (and to make sure any roommate would know who they had to answer to). They were carrying in their first boxes and found her roommate already unpacked and chilling out at a desk with a book on existential philosophers.

The boy looked up and Roman and smiled extending a hand as he and Renee set down their boxes, "you must be Remus. I'm Janus. Nice to meet you."

Roman glared and opened his mouth to reprimand Janus but Renee spoke up first, "actually, I'm Renee!" she took Janus’ hand and shook it, "Remus is my legal name."

"Oh. Oh, my apologies! You would think I would know not to assume," Janus laughed uncomfortably, "sorry, Renee. It's charming to meet you."

"I'm Roman, her twin brother," Roman's mouth twitched. He was ready to cause a scene if things went south.

"Well, actually this is rather fortunate," Janus looked between the two twins, "I get the feeling you two will be understanding. I'm nonbinary and go by sie/sier pronouns. Again, I apologize for assuming. I hope we can get off on a better second impression."

Renee giggled, "that's so cool! I'm actually genderfluid. We can talk more later though, Roman and I still have to unpack all his stuff too."

Roman sighed in relief and turned to go get the next load of Renee's stuff.

After moving all her boxes from the car, Renee and Janus both helped Roman move his stuff into a room just down the hall from them. Even with moving Renee first, Roman’s roommate was nowhere to be found and he wondered if he lucked out with a no-show roommate and accidental single dorm room.

Renee was bubbly and excited, talking about her roommate and sier interests and opinions. Renee was already pretty infatuated with sier. Roman started to unpack his clothing.

"Ro, this is going to be the best! I'm so excited I can't contain it!" she started bouncing on the bed. Roman chuckled and pulled her into a tight hug.

Just then he saw a boy drowning in a purple and black hoodie stop at the door, double-checking the door number. He was so skinny, the only thing Roman could think was Tim Burton Reject but like Cute. The boy caught sight of Roman and Renee hugging and Roman almost thought he saw the 5 stages of grief flash through his eyes.

"Uh, should I come back later? I think this is my room…"

Roman grinned and walked over to the door, "come on in! Virgil right?" Virgil nodded, "hi, I'm Roman! This is Renee. Need help with your stuff?"

Renee waved and Virgil set his box down, "um sure, thanks."

Renee fiddled with her skirt, "Ro, I'm gonna go change."

"Okay, cool. Name when you get back?"

She skipped out of the room, "Reagan! Thanks Ro!"

Roman chuckled and smiled at Virgil, "you'll get used to them. They're genderfluid and switch kinda frequently."

Virgil nodded and started back down the hall to his car, "how long have you known each other?" His voice was tinted with barely noticeable jealousy.

"Since the day we were born. Reagan is my twin," Roman followed his roommate, oblivious to the confusion on his face.

"Wait.. siblings… ohhhh, oh thank god," Virgil was wide-eyed.

"What?"

"I thought Renee was your girlfriend. That would have been awkward," Virgil flushed with embarrassment and Roman broke out laughing.

"Wow, that's a first! I've never been told my sib looked like my S.O.! You're funny Virge!" Roman hit Virgil on the back in a friendly pat that sent the smaller boy stumbling forward.

They quickly moved the few boxes Virgil had brought into the room and both boys started unpacking. The room was tensely quiet until Reagan came barreling back into the room with their roommate in tow.

"Oh my God! You guys!! Janus is the sweetest bitch," their eyes were sparkling with excitement.

"All I did was offer to help with classwork," Janus mumbled. Sie looked at Roman and Virgil and could feel the awkwardness in the room that Reagan was oblivious to, "so, anyone know a good ice breaker?"

Roman and Virgil replied at the same time, "polar bears."

Janus snorted, trying to contain sier amusement, "not quite what I meant, but A for effort."

"Ooh, have either of you two met your soulmates?" Reagan grinned at Virgil and Janus.

"My birthday is in a couple of months, so I have no idea," Virgil shrugged, taping up an MCR poster.

Janus rolled sier eyes, "no, I'm not really trying to find them either. Their first impression of me is disappointment anyway and you know how impossible it is to correct a bad first impression."

Roman laughed, "I feel like I'm looking for the impossible! My soulmate’s first impression is that I'm straight . How?" he held up the pride flag that he was preparing to hang above his bed.

"I could imagine it if the first time they saw you, you were… I don't know, hugging your sister," Virgil coughed suspiciously.

"Well, I will quickly correct them. Shoot, I forgot to ask. Virgil are you okay with queer stuff all over my side of the room? Because if not we have a problem," Roman smiled nervously and Reagan snickered at him. He supposed he should have figured this out before outing Reagan to Virgil but better late than never.

"You're good, Princey. I might not be flamboyant but I'm definitely gay," Virgil smiled softly.

"How lucky you're rooming together," Janus smirked, "should we dismantle one of the beds now?"

Reagan howled with laughter as Roman and Virgil both vehemently denied that suggestion, faces redder than strawberries.

"Give it a month, Jan," they snickered, wiping a tear from their eye.

"Indeed, bet?"

"20 bucks says you're on."

"We're right here!" Virgil protested.

"Shut up, you know I love you guys," Janus replied smoothly.

"No. No, I don't know that," Virgil flipped up his hood to hide his face from the others and pulled out his DVD collection to sort it. Roman glanced over and gave a triumphant shout.

"I knew it! Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland, Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice? I knew you'd be into Tim Burton!" Roman grinned happily, "fantastic movies!"

"How? We've known each other for like an hour…" Virgil was confused.

"Ah, I think it was the hoodie. You just look like one of his characters, you know?" Roman's grin turned sheepish.

"Fair enough. That is my aesthetic," Virgil shrugged.

"So should we leave you two future love birds alone now or…?" Reagan chuckled. They could tell Roman liked his roommate a lot, even if he wasn't outwardly flirting.

"Excellent idea, Reagan. We can cause more mischief elsewhere," Janus turned to leave with Reagan following close behind sier.

The first semester of classes went chaotically fast. True to Reagan's prediction, Roman and Virgil started dating within weeks. Despite outward dissimilarities, the two made for a good couple, balancing each other's sweetness and snark and flair and dramatics.

Roman couldn’t help but feel nervous as the clock ticked closer to midnight. Winter vacation had been hard enough with Virgil on the other side of the country, but tomorrow was his birthday and Roman was anxious to figure out if the connection he felt with his boyfriend was as deep and as fated as he wanted it to be.

They were facetiming when the alarm Roman had set for midnight went off.

"Happy birthday, my chemically imbalanced romance!" Roman grinned as Virgil shook his head at the nickname, "where's the mark?"

Virgil chuckled, "can't I enjoy being legally adult for two minutes?"

"Virgillllll please?" Roman pleaded, puffing out his lip.

"Fine. I think it's on the back of my neck though. Hang on," Virgil turned off the camera to take a photo while Roman waited impatiently.

Roman couldn’t see his face but he could hear Virgil’s soft gasp, "what is it, love?"

"Did you really think that about me, Roman?" Virgil sounded upset and Roman wished he would turn the camera back on.

"I don't know, V, what does it say? Please turn the camera back on," Roman prodded gently.

The camera flicked back on and Roman could see the back of Virgil’s neck with a single line of shiny scarlet text, "Tim Burton Reject but like Cute."

"Your first thought of me was that I was a reject??" Virgil brought the camera back to his face and Roman could just make out the line of a tear cutting through his makeup.

"Virgil, it's not like that-"

"Well, it sure looks like it! Either that was your first impression of me or we aren't soulmates! I have to live with this on my skin for the rest of my life I deserve to know!"

Roman glared at Virgil, "quite hypocritical considering I have to live with the fact you thought I was dating my own sibling written across my ass!" Roman took a deep breath before continuing, "yes, my first thought of you wasn't the kindest phrasing. First impressions are so often very wrong. People aren't static pictures, they're living art. Just look at Remus; he's constantly changing. And I've seen you change in so many ways the past four months, Virgil. I would never call you a reject now. I'm sorry I did back then."

Roman watched Virgil’s face as he finished his apology. To his surprise, Virgil started to laugh, low and quiet at first but quickly growing.

"You were right though. I was so skinny, so dark, and so edgy- I think just about anyone would have agreed with you. I think you got the short end of the soulmate stick, Ro, because now you're stuck with me, the Tim Burton Reject," Virgil's smile was wide and genuine and Roman clasped his hand to his chest in relief.

"Oh my goodness, you scared me. I thought I was going to be single! Who knew your birthday was the actual nightmare before Christmas," both of them laughed at that, "goodnight love. Text me when you open your present."

Roman smiled as Virgil saluted and ended the call.

Thank the stars they actually were soulmates.

Tag List: @stoicpanther @ifrickenhatedeverythingaboutthis @idontgiveafuckaboutshit @tsshipmonth2020

[sugar-petals]

why do you think Baekhyun from exo is a flamboyant gamine and not soft gamine? I think he tends more towards fleshiness than a flamboyant gamine would. I think he has some yang (broad and blunt shoulders, large hands, small face, sharp facial features, long legs) but his yin (short arms, short height, fleshiness on the face, delicate nose, curvy hips and fleshy limbs) strike as much as the yang. He also reminds me of felix and lee know who are soft gamines.

i went by the sharpness of his face and limbs, but i can see why soft gamine is not off the table. the issue is: baekhyun is hard to pin down since he diets a lot to achieve yang characteristics. taut jaw, streamlined torso, prominent cheekbones. and since all gamines have both yin and yang, he can transform.

if we’re talking early pictures, SG is a pretty good typing. then again: that was before baekhyun turned the age where kibbe says that a person is typeable (22+). 

so what i based the flamboyant gamine idea on was his best style moments as follows. baekhyun’s bodily impression fluctuates, so it doesn’t give his type away straightforwardly, but his most popular looks tell us.

i think baekhyun is in his element with futuristic, close-fitted, angular fashion. aka the typical black/white of yang.

below, even better: everything sleek, straight hair, sharp lines, asymmetry. he doesn’t even need a line break or color block. he’s petite but still has enough impression of height (because of the proportion of the head as you mentioned) to pull it off which soft gamine has a harder time with.

double-check: he looks great and cute but still not as memorable in more playful and less angular soft gamine styles. which would be an nct dream type of concept. something really colorful, and less stiff in fabric:

it does work but it’s at the limit and detracts attention from him. rather than the person’s overall impression, you become interested in the garment itself:

something so busy is much more fitting on a soft gamine. playful styles actually give them a mature and sexy slant that doesn’t overshadow them. because it’s perfectly their type. felix’ face is perfectly on par with the sweater:

in the meantime with baekhyun, it’s a bit funny when you fluff the hair up and decrease structure (=yin), and add a print sweater that emphasizes roundness. tell-tale sign for me that he tends more towards yang. he needs his stylings to be much more ‘crisp’ as kibbe puts it: flamboyant gamine thrives with shape and tailoring.

look... this doesn’t work. he’s barely recognizable in this tousled hair. it brings out everything that’s yang (slim cheek, sharp nose and lips, jawline) in a way that seems unnatural.

a soft gamine can easily make feathery bed hair more casual and adorable. it’s not 200% their groove since messy hair is for natural kibbe types, but it’s very dynamic on them.

glossy curls/waves with volume, also not much of a problem. it picks up on how wide and voluptuous the face is. felix pulls it off.

meanwhile, you can dress and stage a flamboyant gamine like a small dramatic. which i think baekhyun achieves without looking strange at all:

you can put him into stuff sehun (D) would look fantastic in with a high neckline. it even makes him look a bit taller. because the styling brings out the yang undercurrent that’s present, otherwise it wouldn’t work:

soft gamine could never go this far toward yang. their frame is not angular and large enough to fill/shape out the clothes. the eye desperately needs a line break, they suddenly look smaller and younger than they are. soft gamine also can’t go without some waist emphasis while baekhyun has no problems without. yang is oversized on soft gamine, not delicate enough.

it’s just like FG not being able to go ‘towards yin’ without the outfit stealing the entire show. yin is too overpowering: below we only see the head piece and how metallic the coat is but not the person behind it. 

the random observer would rather ask “damn, what designer is this!” first and not “so who is this guy baekhyun?”. your true type always prioritizes you. yin is too oversized on flamboyant gamine.

i bet felix could put this on and we’d still look at his face first. we see it when he wears such shiny yin-style fabrics, it’s not making his head fade into the background. and even if the seasonal color of his hair is off, it blends with him way more.

baekhyun’s lines crave a more geometric impression than this. you can see why he shares types with mark — even if they look very different and mark is taller! same concept idea working out almost perfectly here (sans his glove, you can put that one on say a natural because it’s too bulky. also, mark has a more fitting hairstyle since as i said flamboyant gamine can’t go too fluffy).

so much garment structure. amazing on baekhyun!

that’s why resemblance doesn’t necessarily mean the kibbe type is the same. taehyung and baekhyun often had their similarities pointed out, but they’re in completely different categories. it’s more about the yin yang balance within the person’s own lines. 

e.g. mark’s yang gives him some extra height and great cheekbones, while baekhyun’s extra yang gives him slender fingers and a narrow jaw, and that sizzling nose bridge. it’s what you see first, while with felix you’d see the soft lips and cheeks.

second last point, you know the drill: SM and surgery + weight control infamously go hand in hand. baekhyun might have had more yin features, yet the sharp or blunt yang look is still their company ideal, you can tell by how every group center has it. so, bear that in mind.

last but not least: baekhyun being flamboyant gamine explains why he loves eyeliner and the eyeliner loves him 😄 it’s yang makeup: sharp, smoky, and dark-colored. soft gamine has more problems working harsh lines and contrast. it’s better to blend lighter colors and add sparkle:

[molachaka]

bonding (1/3) - pillars (crack)

When the pillars decided to have a slumber party; everything became... questionable.

"Oh my kami." Muichirou couldn't. He couldn't. Who is this person in front of him – this is not natural. This is disrespect.

He silently dragged his fingers down his face - the make-up not even moving an inch away from the beautiful woman that he’d stare at for a dead minute in front of that mirror.

The way his long hair pinned in a shimada style made his head ache, but it ached even more at the sight of the proud motherly look emanating from the insect hashira besides her. That, and the whole set of eyes staring (judging) him down at this transformation.

"Everyone." The mist pillar hid his face with his kimono sleeve; denying others to see the glorious flower he’d finally become. "Please, don’t."

"Muichirou have finally accepted who he is." (Name) dried her tears with a handkerchief - too genuine to even call her reaction as fake. "Beautiful, isn't he?"

Everyone, except for the few males in the room, nodded in agreement. The poor mist hashira's temple bulged a vein at her statement.

"Why do I feel violated?" He blurted out loud, wanting to break down at this mockery he's forced to be in.

"Yeah, no shit." Obanai remarked besides the boy. The snake pillar put a hand on Muichirou's shoulder, making the poor mist jump on his seat at the sudden contact. "We will celebrate your loss."

Muichirou was this close to punch his comrade but he stopped himself when he realized wasn’t even looking at him, but rather – below him.

Why... why is the snake pillar staring at his groin like that.

"He was so young--" Tengen cried besides Obanai, tears streaming down on his face as he cups his mouth in despair. "Now, he'd became a beautiful-" pause, cue tear falling down dramatically; "-flamboyant girl."

"Uhm…"

"They grew up so fast." Gyomei stated in the background, he too, drying his never-ending tears. "So, so fast. I pray for his soul in their safe descent."

"HAhahahHahhahHahahaHa!!!!" @ Sanemi.com.

"Q-quit acting as if I've died!” Muichirou’s embarrassed form flushed in anger, before turning to Sanemi and throwing a sake battle at the wind pillar – who dodged it miraculously by rolling on the floor chortling. “And stop laughing!"

He defended himself, stubborn crystal appearing at the edge of his lids - capturing every girl's attention in the mess hall as they rush towards him as if they're mother hens trying to protect their gender-confused chick.

"Don't bully our beauty! That's unkind!" Mitsuri berated the men in the room, pouting as she does. Tengen want to say shit, but Shinobu raised an ominous glowing lipstick in warning, shouting him up.

Everyone would shut up in the face of a glowing lipstick, mind you.

Muichirou looked up at his female companions in epiphany, the torture they have bestowed on him slowly being forgotten as they protect whatever dignity is left on him.

Could they be? A trail of tear fell on the floor from shaky mint eyes. Are they really concerned for him?

"You…" The mist hashira sniffled in joy, feeling protected despite the condition he's in. (Name) came by besides their jeweled geisha and dried his upcoming tears with the handkerchief she used before.

It was stupidly wet, but the boy couldn’t argue about it as he hugged her daintily – the woman squealing inside her mind as her heart kept plunging down a nonexistent knife in her chest.

She took him in her hands and patted his head – careful not to ruin the wonderful hair style that matched the goddess in her arms.

"Shh, my baby girl, don't cry." Okay, the mist hashira want to cry because of that. "Your beautiful make up would be ruined."

Muichirou was about to let his tears flow like unbridled waterfalls, but only managing to choke at the loud voice announcing that his back.

Kyoujurou bursts in the room with a steaming bucket of large sake bottle in in his hands - hair unruly as his yukata, which is falling off from his frame – exposing almost everything if it weren’t for the obi tied snugly on his waist. Beads of sweat are rolling down on his chiseled frame, almost as if he just got out from a work out that consists of fetching alcohol from the kitchen.

Tengen choked on his sushi at the sight while Obanai made sure to cover Kaburamaru’s eyes – of which the snake just slithered around to stare at the hotness that entered the room.

(Name) gasped loudly before hugging Muichirou to her chest, making the poor hashira embarrassed beyond compare from being squeezed in the valley of nirvana. “Have some decency!” She cried, throwing her haori on the glistening man who caught it with his head. “We have a maiden in here!”

The flame hashira just chortled at that and used the haori like towel around his neck.

"Whose thirsty?!" Kyoujurou screeched happily. (Name) raised her hand in lightning speed, but the expression her face was another term for being thirsty – and it was soon replaced with a sheepish laughter when everyone gave her a gloomy look.

“That’s the spirit!” Kyoujurou pumped, giving (Name) a bottle of steaming sake but what’s steaming is her resolve not to touch that fleshed masterpiece, damn it. “Who else’s thirsty?”

Hunched with his abs defined like that, Tengen couldn’t help but stare with a sharp expression, slowly raising both of his hands to which Sanemi and Obanai quickly slapped down.

After the alcohol was evenly distributed to everyone – except for Muichirou because his innocence must be protected always - the scream of Kyoujurou’s father shook the frame of the house, echoing on the walls of the Rengoku estate as the little Senjurou shouted to his father with words of crying comfort.

“Where did you get the sake from Kyoujurou-san?” Giyuu appeared in the corner all of a sudden, giving half the room a scare: Mitsuri holding on Shinobu with a frightened scream and the insect pillar grabbing on the love hasira’s boobs in reflex and was about to use it to throw on the intruder (until she realized that this is not a weapon of war but a weapon for bed) and just groped it instead. Sanemi did not let out a girly scream, he’s pretty sure Obanai did.

Obanai is looking at Sanemi and is pretty sure that girly scream came from the wind pillar. Tengen is staring at the both of them down with a look of constipation because he just heard the two pretty much scream like a girl.

"These?” Kyoujurou raised the half-empty bucket. “I got these from my old man's reserve so they're bound to be good!" There was not even an ounce of guilt on his face. Everyone gave him undivided respect, except for those who fear the wrath of the older and uglier Rengoku.

"That's really bad Kyou-kun!" Mitsuri stated with both hands on her hips – Shinobu’s hand is still latched on her boobs - not reading the atmosphere of the room looming at the act of theft. "Do you even regret stealing from him?"

Kyoujurou blinked at the love pillar with an eerie grin - making her uncomfortable - before laughing boisterously at the question. "Nope!" He then added with a broken stare, "Why would I when these sake came from my allowance?"

"..."

…well, no one should complain about the free drink in the first place.

"Wait." (Name) gestured at Muichirou - putting a blanket around his shoulders – whose pretty much nose bleeding. "Do you want some alcohol, baby girl?"

“He’s too young to drink.” Giyuu reminded everyone because the poor mist hashira pretty blanked out from getting boobified. Kyoujurou let out a gasped akin to a katana scratching glass. “We got an Okama entertaining us?!” He then turns and looked at the area where the male hashiras gathered. “You all got weird tastes!”

Sanemi raised his hand and threw an empty cup at Kyoujurou’s head, Obanai and Tengen joining. Gyomei coughed out his sake, Giyuu on the other hand, missed his mouth and ended up drinking with his eyes.

“What?” Mitsuri crouched besides (Name) and grabbed unto the unconscious hashira, nose still bleeding as she tried shaking him awake. “He’s our entertainer?”

“Tengen was supposed to hire some courtesans to entertain us.” Gyomei soured his expression. “We don’t need any of that.”

“Exactly!” Tengen turned to Gyomei and pointed at the four female in the room. “We have pretty girls to stare at,” He gave them a charming smile. “Don’t you say so ladies?”

Of course, (Name) and Mitsuri giggled happily, but Shinobu and Muichirou is having none of it. The former knowing that Tengen’s just a cheapskate while the latter's waking up from the absurdity of the flamboyant man.

“You’re just pretty damn cheap.” Muichirou sneered, to which (Name) hushed. “Sh, you don’t talk to the adults like that, baby girl.”

Muichirou pretty much lost his face at that.

"You have a child, (Name)-chan?" Warm wide eyes of the flaming hotness landed on the transformed lad, brightening at the sight of them and effectively making the mist hashira blush away from the stare.

Kyoujurou basically forced his face on the mist hashira and nodded. “I like this new lipstick trend they have on!” The Rengoku pointed at the trail of red below the mist’s nose. “Boy, the Shimabara’s growing fetish is pretty wild huh?” Tengen wheezed, but nodded nonetheless. “It’s a new trend called despair.”

Kyoujurou looked down at the boy-turned-girl and put his thumbs up like a life motivator. “Pretty accurate!”

Muichirou choked on his nose bleed and asked the lord, why.

“Don’t joke about my child like that, Kyoujurou.” (Name) scoffed, slapping the man’s ass because that’s what they’ve been staring at for the last few minutes. Giyuu raised his hand on his mouth from that ministration, blushing on his corner. “O-oh.”

“Don’t ‘oh’ that stupid stunt, scum” Sanemi bashed, throwing his palm behind Giyuu’s unmoving head. “It’s disgusting – right Obanai?!”

Obanai was nowhere on his cushion beside Sanemi, but rather, kneeling down besides (Name) with his ass up. “Do me next, Mitsuri. (Name).” He turned his head towards the two female.

“I don’t know.” Mitsuri sighed and patted the presented bum and patted Kyoujurou’s thick one. “It’s pretty flat…”

“Slap me!” Obanai screamed with resolve, a battle cry that is more fitting on a love hotel than Kyoujurou’s mess hall.

“Well… a butt is a butt.” (Name) was about to do the honor in Obanai’s excitement but of course, Shinobu took the prestige away by kicking that pancake away from them. “We’re not your damn mother, fool.”

Gyomei is literally questioning what’s happening in this room right now…?

Kyoujurou laughed, before turning to Muichirou and (Name). “Is he really your child?”

Muichirou shook his head, and she nodded hers. Of course, flame hashira is biased so he took her agreement over Muichirou’s dejection. "They're as beautiful as you! They must have taken their features from their father!"

The mist hashira is asking the Buddha what earthly sin have he committed to face this injustice.

"Oh, you!" (Name) could not help but put both her hands on her cheeks, gushing at that compliment. "Of course, they'll take their beauty from me!"

What is it so he can repent.

"Please." Giyuu spoke up in the corner of the room; his expression looks akin to one bearing the death of a loved one’s pet. "This is unbecoming of us."

“Why didn’t you say that when (Name) slapped Kyoujurou’s ass.” Uzui scoffed as he sipped on his drink with a knowing smirk to the water hashira.

Giyuu’s cheeks turned pink, but it ended when Sanemi gripped his stomach and started laughing like an escaped mental. Something inside the water pillar snapped and looked at his companions in utmost seriousness.

"It's unbearable to watch."

"No one asked you." Shinobu snapped. Giyuu was quickly forgotten by everyone. Invisibility seeped in his body as he committed 'depression'.

Kyoujurou kept on gushing about the beauty of Muichirou and how great of a mother (Name) is even though she's really not the mother because of how young she is what the fuck is wrong with this.

"Can you shut up, dimwits." Obanai palmed his face at the repetitive exchange while Mitsuri gasped in the background. "Obanai!"

The snake pillar ignored her in favor of correcting what must be corrected. (Even if he felt guilty that he ignored his number one waifu. (Name) being number two, but that because he liked bullying her as Shinobu does with Giyuu.)

"Kyoujurou, that's Muichirou."

The way the flame pillar's reacted was too much - it's as if you told him that his father finally became a good man - it was full of utter disbelief.

"And (Name) can't land a boyfriend much less a child." The (hair color) woman broke down at that statement. Being called out like that broke her nonexistent pride. "Let me dream, you fool."

"Holy kami above." Kyoujurou stared at Muichirou in new light, his eyes basically twinkling. "Is that really you, Muichirou?"

"Yes." The mist pillar replied with a sniffle - blowing his nose at the kimono sleeve of the woman crying on his lap. "Regretfully."

When Kyoujurou did not answer or even reacted - the room fell silent at the sudden shift of atmosphere. Even Sanemi passed out from laughing all of the comedy he just ingested. (Giyuu’s pretty sure he also ingested something else because the wind hashira is foaming on the mouth.)

Their host raised himself up from the tatami mats and stared at his comrade with a serious expression, striking fear in their soul.

Giyuu didn't want to say he didn't warn them but…

"Do me next." Kyoujurou started stripping much to Uzui and (Name)’s delight and everyone else’s horror. (Gyomei is just looking at each direction of the room confused.)

Giyuu did warn the- what. No.

His face paled. What the fuck is that shining between the flame pillar's legs?

part 2 of the bonding trilogy

[binaryaltar]

Complex feelings

Annnd... it's been so long since my last update.

Apparently the whole year of 2020 is crazy for everyone on the earth. Pandemic is still going on in nearly all countries, and as someone who lives the very few countries left not affected, it's still nasty to watch all travel bans every time some cases pop out in somewhere.

But...just like lots of earlier posts, the main reason I decide to update is...girl problem, again.

Actually last year was crazy for myself as well, as I was set up by former colleagues who were involved in some big case which shut down the previous company I worked, and I had to face - the law. Now looking back at the whole case, I'm not even able to tell if it's really justice, or just another a priori accusation synchonizing with some political movement/propoganda going on back then. Maybe I should thank pandemic, which delayed all kinds of processes and help me dodge the bullet in the end, staying away from punishment.

But because of this thing as well, I think I missed a girl last year because I'm just afraid that the possible bad record would be a disadvantage in taking furthur steps. So I was kinda evasive until my own bullet was finally dodged.

But it's just too late to go back.

So I'm updating it right now because last night my mom told me that that girl has recently found a new fella whose condition sounds so much better than mine. And all of a sudden I'm getting super emotional. And the feeling is...complex. Am I regretful? Or jealous？Or self-loathing? I have no fucking clue.

Come to think about it, it's hilarious because she's so far the only girl that knows things about video games. And I like video games. And she's tall, and active at the beginning while I have to be passive. And good diploma & job I think?

Damn, now when I look back, maybe that's just all chemistry there. Nothing more. Her looking is even not THAT good.

Well, being in the largest city in the world, I think I have to face the fact that probably all uber rich fellas can appear here. Nobody ever knows. Already looked for consult last night and the feedback is - get used to it.

This year I've been introduced to more girls, and after all dramatical shits cease, I do realize that all standards I've set for the future partner are just me being arrogant.

The one and the only standard that works is mutual attraction.

However I think most of the girls I've known so far are more arrogant to ever be active. Not sure if their conditions are better than mine, or they think they are. It's true that I may need some career breakthrough right now, and most assets I've got are just houses. But I honestly don't consider material stuff that much - I mean I still care to some point cos the base determines the superstructure, and my standard is actually above lots of girls' conditions including the game loving girl last year, as she was still renting with others while I'm moving into my own house, but it's not like I ever give shit on flamboyance or luxury.

I just wanna hide in the plain sight - so Aaron Burr of me to some point.

Now I just feel like I'm ridiculous to look for a spiritual fit rather than a material fit in a material world. Goddamn it maybe my ultimate career choice shall be a hermit.

So, after all the crazy talks above, I gotta say there are hopes ahead. There are 3 more girls in this month, and one of them is pretty active so far, as I've already been asked to go out together AGAIN this weekend after only meeting her once earlier this month.

And to be honest, I think it may be the end of all. Although she's a bit shorter than I expect, and her diploma doesn't matching mine (which now as I think of it, really doesn't matter at all. My current supervisor at work gets a worse diploma than mine, but I think he's great at work and clearly get lots of respect in my company), I don't really think there are more concerns. And she looks better than the girl last year. Ha!

Well, just let the water flow and see where it ends then.

[h1ddentrolls]

Technicolor Beat.

Poppy had been planning Branches' birthday party for months now, and the day had finally come. She had made sure everything was perfect, it should all go well. If of course, her present to him didn't ruin their friendship.

(Also posted on my Ao3)

   Nerves  bubbled  up  inside  Poppy  as  she  made  her way  to the  now not-so-hidden  secret  bunker  that  Branch  so  proudly live  in.

   Her eyes glanced down to the small blue box clutched in her hands. She sighed, releasing some pressure in her chest that she hadn’t noticed was there.

  She  honestly wasn’t  sure  where  this  sudden anxiety  came  from.  She  had been  planning  this  for  months  now,  and  all  she  had  felt was  excitement. Branches’  birthday  had  been  fast  approaching and  the  pink  queen  had  made  it  her  goal  to  make  it perfect  for  him.

   After  all,  it had  been  21  years  since  he’d  had  a  real  one.

    Branch  had agreed  to  let  her  plan  something,  on  two  conditions. One:  No surprises. (It’s  not a  surprise  if  you  point  it  out Branch,  duh.)

    And two:  No big  crowds.

    Okay,  Those are  doable,  although  a  little  disappointing.

   Poppy  was  just happy  that  Branch  was  letting  this  happen  at  all.

  She  recalled the  last  time  they  had  tried  to surprise  Branch  with  a party.  Poppy  had  planned  everything perfectly.  At  least  she thought  so.  She  hadn’t  really  considered  the  idea  that perhaps  the  paranoid  hermit  of  her  village  might  have several  (painful)  traps  laid.  Uhg,  the  memory  made  her grimace.

  No  one  had dared  to  try  again,  until  now,  of  course.

    So,  Poppy  had agreed  to  his  terms.  It  would  be  a  small,  scheduled party, with  just  herself and  the  Snack  Pack.  A  quiet  affair to  be  shared  among  friends.  He  had  also  said  that  he really  didn’t  need  any  presents,  but  knowing  the  Snack pack  (and  the  small  box  she  was currently  caressing.)  He  was getting  gifts  whether  he  wanted  them  or  not.

   Branch  had actually  been rather  excited  about  it,  which  at  the  time made  Poppy  bubble  with joy.

    Poppy  smiled, leaves  pleasantly  crunching  under  her  feet  as  she  reached the  entrance  to  the bunker.  Was  she  nervous?  Absolutely.  Was that  gonna  stop  her  from  having  an  amazing  time?  Absolutely NOT

  Poppy  knocked three  times,  on  the  trapdoor  that  was  hidden  as  a  welcome mat.  As  if  Branch  would  ever  welcome  anyone  in  his  bunker. She  tapped  her  foot  impatiently,  fiddling with  the  palm-sized present.

   It  took  a beat  before  the  familiar  sound  of  Branches’ (Surprisingly well-crafted)  elevator  rising  up  from  the  underground  made itself  known.

  The  pink  troll took  a  breath,  trying  her  hardest  not  to  squish  the  small wrapped  box  in  her  hands.  ‘Showtime.’  She  thought. The  trapdoor  slowly  creaked  open,  with  Branches’  dark  mane emerging  from  the  door,  his  brows  raised  as  his  eyes  met hers.

  The  queen couldn’t  help  the  grin  that  spread  across  her  cheeks  in that  moment.

     She  breathed in. “Hey  there’s  my  special  birthday  boy!”  Poppy  yelled, with  admittedly  the stupidest  smile  on  her  face.

     When  Branch rolled  his  eyes,  Poppy’s  rictus  only  grew. “Ready  for  the best  birthday  bash  a former  sour-patch  could  hope  for!?”

    He  scoffed, eyebrows  lowering  with  annoyance,  but  his  smirk  showed  he wasn’t  serious. “There  will  be  no –”  He  brought  two fingers  up  and  flexed  them. “–  ‘Bashing’  in  my bunker.” Branch  snarked.  Poppy  only  hummed.

    He  held  out his  hand  to  her  to  take,  which  she  accepted,  helping  her down  into  the (kinda  cramped)  elevator.

     Poppy  stuck the  present  she  had  (hopefully)  not  crushed  in  her  hands, into  the  pocket  of  her  dress.  The  two  stood  there  in silence,  the  only  sound  being  the  rattle  and  grinding  of the  makeshift  lift  bring  them  deeper  underground.

  It  did  nothing to  settle  the  mysterious  anxiety  swishing  in  her  chest cavity.  She  opted  to  examine  the  birthday  boy  while  she waited.

   He  looked good,  really  good,  she  admitted.  He  was  sporting  a  dark green  button  up  folded  up  to  his  elbows,  under  a  black vest,  tied  together  with  a  pair  of  fashionable  black  dress trousers.  Rather  handsome,  and  put  together  for  him.

           ‘Must be  Satin  and  Chenille.’  Was  a  thought  that  crossed  her   mind,  but  something  in her  wondered  if  Branch  just  secretly had  a  good  sense  of  style.

       She’d have  to  raid  his  closet  sometime,  just  to  be  sure.  After all,  half  the  time  he  walked  around  in  a  vest  and  shorts.

    Branch  stared at  his  knuckles,  rested  on  the  contraption’s  handle. “Everyone  else  is  already here.”  He  rolled  his  eyes,  as if  something  in  his  mind’s-eye  was  already  stressing  him out.

      “You  don’t know  how  hard  it  is  to  keep  those  guys  from  touching every  damn  thing  in  there.”  He  grimaced.

  Poppy  giggled, picturing  Branches’  utter  panic  while  the  Snack  Pack  ran amok  in  his  precious  underground  fort.  “Sorry,  they’re charismatic!  I  can’t  change  that.”

    Branch  let out  a  laugh  that  sounded  more  like  a  bark.  “No,  you’re charismatic.”  He  waved  his  hands.   “They’re crazy.”  He  crossed  his  arms.

       “They tried  to  hang  up  my  bear  traps  as  decoration.  Said  they’re ‘Pretty’”  The  blue  troll  shook  his  head,  utterly unable  to  understand  his  friends  sometimes.

   The  girl shrugged  at  him,  somewhat  apologetic,  but  not  really.  She poked  his  arm.  “You  at  least  let  them  decorate  a  little, right?”  She  stared  expectantly.

 His  ear twitched,  as  it  often  did,  and  his  lips  puffing  into  a pout.  “A  little,  but  it’ll  take  forever  to  clean  up anyway.”  He  complained.

   Poppy  waved her  hands  back  and  forth.  “Nonsense,  we’ll  help  you!”

  Branch  eyed  her for  a  moment,  then  grinned.  The  cute,  kinda  crooked  one that  she  really,  really  liked.

   She  did  her best  to  ignore  the  unexplainable  warmth  in  her  cheeks  and butterflies  that  appeared  whenever  he  smiled  like  that.

    Branch continued.  “Anyway,  I  guess  it  looks  nice.”

   Poppy  raised both  her  hands,  peace  signs  framing  her  face.  “Oh  of course  it  does!  Only  the best  from  my  pack.”  Branch grunted  in  response,  a  contented  smile  drawn  on  his  face.

   As  they finally  reached  the  ground  floor,  Poppy  was  greeted  with  the familiar  scent  of  the  bunker.

     Moist  earth, various  dried  herbs,  and  something  else  that  Poppy  couldn’t quite  place.  She  just  called  it  the  ‘Branch  Smell’ since  he  seemed  to  carry  a  similar  scent.

     The  new smell  of  very  sugary  fruit  punch,  and  lots  of  pastries,  was also  present.  Poppy  couldn’t  decide  if  all  of  the  various smells  married  together  was  pleasant,  or  really,  really gross.

   She  was  happy to  see  that  Branch  was  correct.  The  shelves  that  usually just  held  supplies  and  preserved  food  were  now  colorful  with frilly  steamers  and  decorative  lights.

  When  Poppy  took a  few  steps  onto  the  cold  ground,  she  realized  the  floor was  dusted  with  glitter.  Guy  diamond,  no  doubt.

  Two  tables  were set  up  in  the  middle  of  the  main  room,  one  with  food (And  a  cake  that  looked  almost  too  good.)  and  another  with several  assorted  drinks  and  a  big  bowl  of  fruit  punch.  

    Upon  further inspection,  there  was  also  a  small  table  against  the  wall to  the  left,  with  presents  of  all  shapes  and  sizes.

   The  queen  was charmed  at  the  big  banner  hung  up  above,  with  the  words   “Happy  birthday,  Branch!”  beautifully  painted  on  it. Harper  had  done  an  amazing  job.

  On  the  end  of each  table  stood  half  of  the  Snack  Pack,  all  grinning ear-to-ear.  Upon  spotting  her,  a  chorus  of  “Poppy!!” came  from  them.  Poppy  winked.

  “Amazing  job guys,  as  always!!”  She  trotted  closer  to  the  group,  eyes still  admiring  her friend’s  handiwork.  Branch  followed  her, following  her  gaze.  He  seemed  impressed,  despite  clearly  not being  thrilled  about  the  cleanup.

   Biggie  smiled, meeting  her  and  giving  her  the  warmest  (and  tightest)  hug. “The  streamers  were  my  idea!”  He  announced.  Poppy grinned.

   “Excellent touch  Bigs!”  She  said,  slightly  winded  from  the  gravity  of the  embrace.

   Somehow  Guy had  appeared  and  slid  his  arm  over  Poppy’s  shoulders, directing  her  gaze  to  the  ground  with  his  hand. “I glittered  the  place  up,  obviously.”

   The  queen nodded. “Obviously!”

    It  seemed  to be  time  for  every  member  of  the  Pack  to  share  what  part of  the  party  had  been  their  personal  idea.  Poppy  giggled, they  were  as  excited  as  she  was.

  She  managed  to get  away  from  them  for  a  moment  to  wander  over  to  the present  table.  The  box  was  light  in  her  hands  when  she slid  it  out  of  her  pocket.

  The  girl  stared at  the  small  gift.  Blue  wrapping,  with  a  simple  pink  bow taped  on  top.  It  was  probably  the  least  flamboyant  gift  she would  ever  give.  Still,  this  gift  might  have  the  most meaning.

  Poppy  huffed, placing  it  back  into  her  pocket.  She  wasn’t  ready  to  part with  it  yet.

   The  queen turned,  trotting  back  up  to  the  group,  who  were  now absolutely  flooding  Branch  with  attention.  He  was  smiling, but  something  about  his  stance  screamed   ‘I  love  you guys,  but  you’re  totally  crowding  me.’

   Poppy  hummed, getting  everyone’s  attention.  She  did  a  rather  elegant (and dramatic)  spin,  landing  perfectly  with  her  arms  raised.  “Well ladies  and  birthday  boys,  the  party  can  finally  begin!”

  The  Snack Packed  cheered,  Suki  and  Cooper  doing  a  goofy  dance  around each  other.  Branch  crossed  his  arms,  clearly  a  little excited,  and  possibly  very  relieved  that  all  of  the attention  was  no  longer  on  him.

   Biggie  nodded, grabbing  a  remote  out  of  what  seemed  to  be  nowhere.  At  a press  of  a  button,  the  very  pink  stereo  that  rested  on  the edge  of  the  food  table  began  blasting  music.  Everyone quickly  fell  into  place,  finding  their  respective  dance partners  and  moving  to  the  beat.

  Poppy  swayed, in  rhythm  with  the  music,  humming  as  she  let  her  body  take control.  She  hardly  noticed  when  Satin  and  Chenille  had started  dancing  in  step  with  her,  not  until  they  spoke.

    “Hey  girlie!” They  said  in  unison.  The  two  were  wearing  matching  outfits (as  usual.),  a  crop-top  and  Bootcut  jeans.  Well,  they  were almost  matching,  the  colors  were  reversed  between  the  two  of them.  It  was  very  stylish.

  Poppy  would always  be  a  little  jealous  at  how  they  could  pull  off anything.  They  looked  good.  “Hi  ladies,  you  look  soo pretty!”  Poppy  spun  to  emphasize  her  point.

  The  twins snickered.  “We  know!”  Satin  replied,  Chenille  continued. “We  came  over  to  tell  you  how  pretty  you  look!” They  both  took  her  by  her  hands  and  spun  her.  Poppy giggled.

    “That  dress looks  so  much  better  then  what  we  hoped!”  Satin  finished.

    Poppy  paused, processing,  and  almost  falling  off  beat.  She  had  almost forgotten  that  she  was  wearing  the  dress  that  Satin  and Chenille  had  specially  designed   for  her.

   The  girl  had many  dresses  that  the  twins  had  made,  but  they  had  insisted she  wear  this  new  one  to  the  party.

   Poppy  let  go of  the  twin’s  hands  to  do  a  cute  curtsy,  holding  the dresses’  skirt  delicately.  “I  know!  I  love  it,  you  two are  so  talented!”  She  complimented.

  Satin  and Chenille  shared  a  look.  “You  know,  I’m  pretty  sure  it’s pretty  enough  to  impress  a  certain  someone.”  Satin hinted.   The  twins  shared  a  knowing  smirk.

  “I  think  he’s already  noticed.”  Chenille  finished  in  a  sing-song  voice, the  twin’s  eyes  now  settled  on  a  rather  awkward  looking Branch,  their  grins  growing  ever  wider.

  Poppy  turned  to share  their  gaze.  Branch  was  rocking  back  and   forth  to the  music,  not  quite  dancing  like  they  were,  but  he  was perfectly  on  beat.

      He  was  also not-so-subtly  staring  at  her.

   Poppy  was  a little  uncertain  as  to  why  she  felt  her  stomach  tie  itself in  knots  under  his  gaze.  The  queen’s  eyes  returned  to  the two  girls  before  her.  “Well  I  mean…  it’s  a  nice dress!”  She  managed  a  grimace.

    The  sisters looked  to  each  other,  shaking  their  heads,  disappointed. “She’s  not  getting  it.” They  said  in  unison.  The  two nodded  in  some  silent  agreement,  both  linking  their  arms around  hers  on  either  side.

   Poppy  looked between  the  two  of  them  helplessly.  “Uh…  What’s happening  here  ladies?  What  am  I  not  getting?”

  The  two  were almost  dragging  her  across  the  dirt  floor  now.  “I  wonder how  long  you’re  gonna  be  clueless.”  Chenille  wondered,  a sort  of  sad  smile  present  on  her  face.

  Poppy’s  ears wiggled  as  she  struggled  to  decipher  what  her  twin  friends were  being  so  vague  about,  and  keep  herself  from  tripping on  the  floor.  She  hardly  had  any  time  to  ponder,  they  had already  dragged  her  over  to  Branch,  who  for  some  reason  was blushing  ear-to-ear.

   The  sisters unlinked  their  arms  from  hers,  then  pushed  her  forward. Poppy  propelled  forward  and  almost  tripped.  Luckily  (or unluckily)  Branch  caught  her  before  she  fell  face-first  into the  dirt.

   The  twins snickered,  already  dancing  away.  “Happy  birthday  Branch!” They  said  together.

  Branch stuttered,  steam  practically  rolling  off  him  now.

  Poppy  blinked, realizing  she  was  still  hanging  in  Branches’  arms,  pressed against  his  chest.  They  stared  at  one  another  for  a  beat.

   “Uhh… “ Was  all  Branch  was  capable  of  saying.

   Poppy  was finally  able  to  find  her  footing,  jumping  to  her   feet  with little  grace.  Another  awkward  silence  found  it’s  way between  them.  That  was  happening  a  lot  lately.  Which  was weird,  since  Poppy   usually  had  no  problem  talking.

   Branch  cleared his  throat,  seemingly  having  found  his  voice  again.  “Well… This  is  weird.”  His  ears  wiggled  a  little.  Heh…  Cute. “I  guess…  Wanna  dance?”

  Poppy  nodded aggressively,  desperate  to  end  this  strange  tension  between them  now.

  The  song  had changed  to  something  a  little  slower  now,  which  Poppy couldn’t  help  but  feel  like  was  fate.  Branch  gently  took her  right  hand,  placing  his  other  hand  on  her  waste.

  Oddly  enough, the  contact  sent  something  that  could  only  be  described  as electric  jolting  through  her.  That  was  weird,  that  didn’t normally  happen.

  They  started  a slow  waltz,  Poppy  was  used  to  a  quicker  tempo,  but  she found  something  oddly  calming  about  the  simple  dance.

   It  helped  that Branch  was  actually  good  at  leading.  Why  had  he  waited until  they  were  about  to  die  to  show  off  how  good he  was  at  being  a  troll?  She  was  a  little  bitter,  Poppy had  missed  20  years  of  dancing  with  Branch.  

       She’d  have to  make  up  for  those  20  years.

“Hey,”  Branch broke  the  silence,  stirring  the  girl  out  of  her  reverie. She  met  his  eyes.  What  a  piercing  blue.  “Uh…  You  look really  nice.”   He  huffed.  “Pretty,  you  look pretty.”  He  blurted,  twirling  the  queen  around  so  she wouldn’t  see  how  utterly  purple  his  face  had  gone.

   Poppy  finished the  spin  gracefully,  smiling  at  him  as  they  fell  back  into step  easily.  “Thanks  Branchie!”  She  leaned  forward  just  a bit,  which  seemed  to  startle  Branch  since  his  eyes  widened. “You  look  handsome!  I  knew  deep  down  you  had style.”

  Branch  rolled his  eyes,  her  compliment  breaking  him  out  of  his  awkward stupor.  “I’m  full  of  surprises.”  He  smirked  at   her. Poppy  was  utterly  baffled  at  the  heat  she  felt  rush  to  her cheeks,  maybe  she  was  getting  sick.

   A  deep  breath helped  cool  her  down,  thankfully.  She  would  not  be  getting sick  tonight,  anytime  but  tonight.

    “You’re having  fun,  right?”  Poppy  questioned,  Branch  raised  a  brow quizzically.  “I  know  it’s  only  been  like  ten  minutes  but I  just…  I  want  it  to  be  perfect  for  you,  yknow?  Don’t wanna  give  you  a  bad  first  impression  of  birthday  parties… Or  is  it  a  second  impression?  I  know,  but-- “

   Branch interrupted.  “Poppy,  I’m  having  a  great  time  with  y--” He  choked  on  his  words.  “Having  a  great  time.”  Having gained  an  odd  sense  of  bravery,  Branch  leaned  closer  to her.  “Just  dance  with  me.”

   Like  some  sort of  magnet,  Poppy  drew  closer,  too.  Drawn  to  his  very essence.  Why  this  was,  Poppy  was  still  clueless.  She  simply nodded.  “Yeah,  ok…”  Poppy  conceded.  She  let  her  eyes slide  closed,  letting  the  music  wrap  itself  around  her  and take  hold.

  Jump  into  the heat,

 spinning on  our  feet

 in  a technicolor  beat,

 you and  me

 Caught  up in a  dream,

 in a  technicolor  beat,

 Beat,  beat.

  And  the  song was  over,  just  like  that.  Poppy  had  let  a  haze  wash  over her,  not  noticing  sh e had  let  her  forehead  rest  on Branches’  chest  as  they  danced,  utterly  entranced  by  the music.

   And  her  dance partner.

   Branch  sighed, helping  Poppy  to  shake  the  mist  from  her  mind.  She  was going  to  let  herself   stay  there  for  just  a  moment  longer, then  Branch  pulled  away.  He  didn’t  meet  her  eyes,  but  he had  a  pleasant  smile  on  his  face.

   “Uh…  Thanks for  the  dance.”  Branch  laughed,  which  felt  like  fireworks in  Poppy’s  chest.  It  was  so  cute.  “I  forget  that  you actually  know  how  to  slow  dance.”

   Poppy  scoffed. “You’ve  danced  with  me  before  Branch,  you  know  that  when the  time  calls  for  it,  I’m  an  excellent  slow dancer!”  The  queen  bragged.

   Branch shrugged.  “Well,  it’s  a  good  birthday  present.”  He smiled  at  her,  so  sincere  it  took  everything  in  Poppy  not to  smother  him  in  the  tightest  hug.  She  found  herself yearning  for  the  contact.

   The  boy’s ears  twitched  when  a  new  song  began,  much  more  upbeat  than the  previous  one.  Crushing  Poppy’s  surprising  urge  to  dance again.

   Poppy  forced  a grin,  letting  a  breath  escape  her  mouth.  “Well  then… Happy  birthday!”  She  did  a  curtsy  and  quickly  made  her retreat  to  the  punch  table.  It  was  a  rather  curt  way  to leave  the  birthday  boy,  but  Poppy  found  herself  desperately needing  a  drink.

   She  glugged down  an  entire  cupful  of  the  pink  liquid  before  she  saw Guy  gawking  at  her.  She  slammed  the  cup  onto  the  table  and leaned  against  it.  “What?”  

   Guy  scoffed, crossing  his  arms,  looking  between  her  and   Branch  who  was now  dancing  with  a  very  enthusiastic  Suki.  “What?  What  do you  mean  ‘what’?”  He  took  her  by  shoulders.  

   “Poppy,  what was  that?  You  had  him  in  your  arms!”  Guy  shook  her  a little,  enough  that  she  almost  lost  her  balance.

   “Yeah  I know!”  Poppy  smiled  sweetly,  oblivious.  “We  danced!  He’s pretty  good,  I  mean  the  last  time  I  danced  with  him  was when  we  were  almost  eaten  by  Bergens!  So  I  didn’t  really get  the  chance  to  like  actually  enjoy  it –”  Guy shook  her  a  little  harder.

  “No  no  no Poppy!”  He  let  her  go,  slumping  a  little.  “That  was your  chance,  to  make  your  move!”  

   Poppy  raised her  brows,  confused.  “Why  are  so  many  people   talking  to me  like  that  today?”  She  crossed  her  arms,  squinting.  “Is there  something  I’m  supposed  to  know  that  you  guys  do?”

   Her  glittery friend  slumped  against  the  table,  shaking  his  head  in disappointment.  “Oh  Poppy,  how  are  any  of  us  supposed  to find  closure  when  you,”  He  gestured  wildly  around  the  pink troll.  “Don’t  even  know  your  own  feelings!”

   The  queen  was getting  a  little  annoyed  at  the  running  trend  of  her  being the  only  one  in  the  room  who  didn’t  know  what  was  going on.  Her  frown  was  drawn  long  on  her  face.  “I  am  very  in tune  with  my  feelings,  thank  you  very  much!”

   Guy  scoffed. He  stared  at  her  for  what  felt  like  the  longest  minute  of Poppy’s  life,  then  let  out  a  strangled  breath.  “You’ll get  it  eventually  Poppy,  and  it  will  be   as glamorous  as ever!”  

    He  pat  her  on the  shoulder,  as  if  that  would  help  her  finally  understand. The  troll  stole  the  last  swig  of  Poppy’s  punch  and  danced away,  his  swagger  almost  nullifying  the  anger  Poppy  felt  at his  betrayal.

   Poppy  frowned into  the  punch  bowl,  not  pleased  to  see  the  upset  wrinkles in  her  face,  but  doing  nothing  to  remedy  them  for  the moment.  Her  friends  obviously  had  some  divine  revelation about  her t hat  she  hadn’t  figured  out.

   Which  sort  of made  her  angry.  This  wasn’t  even  her  day!  If  anyone should  be  getting  weird  and  vague  messages,  it  should  be Branch!

   Resolving   to fix  this  obvious  shift  in  attention,  Poppy  cleared  her throat  loud  enough  to  get  everyone’s  attention.  Biggie  made a  dash  for  the  stereo,  almost  shoving  it  off  the  table when  he  aggressively  turned  it  off.

   Poppy  gave him a  satisfied  nod,  seeing  everyone’s  eyes  now  on  her.  “Okay guys!  Executive  decision!  It’s  time  for  cake,”  Her signature  grin  growing  ever  wider  as  she  continued.  “And then  my  favorite  part,  presents!”  She  finished

   The  box  still resting  in  her  dresses’  pocket  got  a  little  heavier.  A tightness  formed  in  Poppy’s  chest.  Her  present  was  risky, and  could  easily  backfire  on  her,  she  knew  that.  She  knew that  Branch  didn’t  really  want  any  presents,  but  this  one, she  felt,  would  have  meaning  to  him.  Whether  it  was  good or  bad  meaning  was  yet  to  be  seen.

   The  anxiety the  had  been  fighting  with  ever  since  she  arrived  was quickly  rushing  to t he  forefront  of  her  mind.  It  formed into  a  twisting  ball  In  her  chest  that  left  her  feeling  a little  nauseated.

-------

      Cake  had  been relatively  painless,  much  to  Poppy’s  relief.  It  was delicious,  obviously,  she  had  commissioned  it  herself,  paying a  little  extra  just  to  be  perfectly  sure  it  was  the  best cake  any  of  them  had  ever  eaten.  

   Branch  had been  moved  by t hem  singing  the  birthday  song  for  him.  Much more  than  the  queen  had  expected.  The  sweet  smile  he  had given  them  once  they’d  finished  had  brought  a  flush  to her  face.  A  smile  that  came  from  finally  allowing  himself to  celebrate  his  own  birth  after  so,  so  long.

   He  deserved  a cake  that  was  so  delicious  it  melted  in  your  mouth.  Poppy mused.

   But  now  it was  at  last  time  to  pile  altogether  too  many  gifts  onto Branch,  and  Poppy  still  hadn’t  taken  the  small  wrapped  box out  of  her  dress  pocket.  Poppy  had  to  give  her  friends some  credit,  they  had  actually  managed  to  get  Branch  small gifts,  rather  than  something  big  and  flamboyant  that  he absolutely  would  never  use.

   Cooper  had given  Branch  a  nice  set  of  blue  baking  trays,  Poppy  was almost  jealous.  Poppy wondered  if  Branch  even  knew  how  to bake.  Knowing  him,  he  probably  had  some  secret  magic cookbook  that  had  the  secret  to  make  delicious  strawberry muffins  with  nothing  but  eggs  and  some  grass.

   Secret  cook  or not,  Branch  had  appreciated  the  gift.

   The  twins Satin  and  Chenille  had  gone  the  extra  mile  and  made  him what  had  to  be  the  nicest  handmade  blazer  Poppy  had  ever seen.   It  was  rust  colored,  with  a  bronze  shine  to  it, sleeves  (sparingly)  embroidered  with  blue  flowers.

Definitely  not the  most  colorful  thing  the  sisters  had  made,  but  picturing it  on  the  birthday  boy  had  still  made  her  blush,  for  some reason.

   Guy  had  bought Branch  a  hand  mirror.  It  was  a  gift  that  was,  well,  so very  Guy.  It  had  been  bejeweled  to  death,  but  still oddly  had  it’s  charm.  Poppy  could  tell  that  Branch  wasn’t too  impressed  with  that  one,  but  had  put  on  a  nice  face, accepting  it  gracefully.

   Biggie  and Suki  had  actually  worked  together  on  their  gift.  It  was  a very  sweet  present.  Biggie  had  actually  found  a  picture  of all  of  them  together,  and  made  his  own  frame  for  it.  Suki had  then  added  some  sort  of  soundbox,  that  played  a  song when  turned  on.

   Poppy  could tell  Branches’  heart  had swelled  with  appreciation  In  that moment.  He  pressed  the  button  once  more.

      Do you  remember

  The  21st  night  of  September?

  Love  was  changing  the  minds  of  pretenders

     While chasing  the  clouds  away

     Our hearts  were  ringing

   In the  key  that  our  souls  were  singing

   As we  danced  in  the  night,  remember

  How  the  stars  stole  the  night  away

   Ba de  ya,  say,  do  you  remember

  Ba  de  ya,  dancing  in  September?

  Ba  de  ya,  never  was  a  cloudy  day.

     Poppy  would make  sure  she  would  never  forget  the  face  Branch  had  In that  moment.  Something  in  her  had  screamed  at  her  to  just rush  up  to  him  and…  And  do  something,  whatever  it was  she  didn’t  know,  but  whatever  it  was,  she  had suppressed  it.

   The  pink  troll didn’t  know  if  she’d  ever  seen  Branch  so…  So contented.  What  she  would  give  to  make  Branch  this  happy all  the  time.

   All  the  eyes were  once  again  on  her  now,  it  was  her  turn  to  give Branch  his  gift.  Poppy  forced  a  grimace,  the  time  had finally  come  and  she  wasn’t  prepared  at  all.  “Right! Saving  the  best  for  last  huh?”  She  did  her  best  to remember  how  to  breath  like  a  normal  person  as  she  reached for  her  pocket.  Then  she  stopped.

  This…  This wasn’t  right.  She  looked  around  at  all  of  her  friends, and  sighed.  “Actually,  I…”  Her  eyes  focused  on  the dirt  floor.  “I  don’t  think  I  can  give  you  this  gift with,”  She  looked  up,  gesturing  to  the  Snack  pack.  “With all  of  you  here.”

  Branch  raised his  eyebrows,  caught  a  little  off  guard.  “Wh…  Well…” Poppy  didn’t  miss  the  look  that  the  Snack  pack  all shared.  To  her  relief  they  didn’t  seem  offended,  instead all  shared  some  sort  of  knowing  smirk.

    Branch  cleared his  throat.  “Well  ok,  I  guess  we  can  go  up  for  a second.”  He  pointed  to  the  ceiling,  meaning  she  could  give him  his  gift  on  the  surface.  He  looked  to  his  friends. “Is…  Is  that  ok  with  you  guys?”

   The  Pack  was quick  to  answer  with  vigorous  nods  and  ‘Oh  totally!’. Poppy  thought  that  they  might  be  a  little  too  okay  with Poppy  asking  for  alone  time.

   With  that,  the two  trolls  got  up  and  shuffled  awkwardly  to  the  elevator. As  Branch  pulled  the  lever,  and  they  began  ascending  into the  now  moonlight  covered  surface,  Poppy  realized  that  this lift  must  have  gotten  smaller  since  she  was  last  in  it.

   Just  sharing the  same  air  with  Branch  made  her  heart  beat  at  a  rate that  was  possibly  unhealthy.  Her  hand  firmly  gripped  the gift  that  still  rested  in  her  pocket,  possibly  ruining  the wrapping,  but  she  couldn’t  be  bothered  with  it  now.

   Their  trip  in the  lift  was  way  too  short  for  Poppy’s  liking,  already they  had  reached  ground  level  and  Branch  was  opening  the trapdoor,  leading  to  the  world  above.  He  climbed  out  first, being  perfectly  gentlemanly  and  helping  her  out  next.

   They  stood there  for  what  must  have  been  a  few  minutes,  caught  in some  sort  of  staring   contest.  Branches’  expression  filled with  anticipation  and  confusion,  clear  even  under  the darkness  of  night.  Huh,  Poppy  had  never  noticed  that  Branch almost  glowed  under  the  moonlight,  his  blue  eyes  somehow glistening  in  the  night.

   Eventually Branches’  face  shifted  to  slight  annoyance,  which  helped Poppy  realize  that  she  had  been  staring  at  him  for  5 minutes  now  and  had  said  absolutely  nothing. The  queen  almost laughed,  this  was  probably  the  only  time  Branch  would  ever be  annoyed  that  she  wasn’t  talking.

   She  inhaled, forcing  herself  to  get  her  nerves.  “So…  This  is  your first  birthday  party  In  a  long  time,  huh?”  She  started.

   Branch  raised a  brow,  not  sure  where  she  was  going.  “Yeah,  I  guess  it is.”  He  scratched  the  back  of  his  neck.  “Haven’t  had one  since…”  Branch  wilted  a  little.  “You  know.”

Poppy  nodded, smiling  at  him  sweetly.   She  continued.  “Yeah,  so  y’know, I  wanted  it  to  be  perfect.  To  be… “  She  glanced  at her  pocket.  “To  be  special.”

   The  troll followed  her  gaze,  seemingly  understanding  what  she  meant. “It  has  been  special  Pops,  the  best  birthday  I’ve probably  ever  had.”  He  reassured.

   The  queen snorted,  pausing  her  speech. “Okay  yeah obviously  but it’s  not  like  you’ve  had  that  many.  I  mean--”

 “Don’t  ruin your  sappy  speech  now  Poppy.”  Branch  interrupted,  his  lips turned  up  in  an  amused  smirk.   Poppy’s  cheeks  went  red.

   “Right, sorry.”  Poppy  apologized.  She  huffed,  finally  pulling  the blue  gift  out  of  her  pocket,  maybe  with  a  little  more force  than  necessary.  Branch  stared  at  the  present  currently clenched  in  her  palms.  

    “So  I wanted  my  gift  to  you  to  be  special,  something  that  I think  only  I  could  give  you.”  She  grit  her  teeth,  holding it  out  to  him.  With  some  hesitation  he  took  it.  “Don’t open  it  yet,  I  just…”    

   Branch  let  out a  little  laugh,  which  knocked  the  wind  out  of  her.  “I’ll love  whatever  you  give  me,  Poppy.”

   Poppy  almost melted,  but  forced  herself  to  continue.  “It’s  just… We’ve  known  each  other  for  like,  ever,  but  we’ve  been like  personal  friends  for  almost  a  year  now  and…”  She bit  her  lip,  words getting  stuck  in  her  throat.  Seeing  how the  light  of  the  moon  made  his  eyes  shimmer,  Poppy  found the  courage  to  continue.

   “You’ve  had your  colors  for  a  year  and  I  just  thought…  I  mean you’ve  been  amazing  Branch…  Really  amazing.” Branches’  entire  face  turned  a  shade  of  purple.

   “And  you’ve made  me  really  happy,  happier  than  what  I  thought possible.”  She  smiled,  pointing  a  shy  finger  to  the present  that  Branch  was  holding  delicately.  “And  I  wanna share  that  happiness  with  you.”  She  finished,  then  nodded, a  signal  that  told  Branch  it  was  ok  to  open  the  box.  

   He  lifted  the lid  carefully,  a  mixture  of  anticipation  and  anxiety  making Poppy  almost  puke.  Branch  let  out  a  soft  breath  once  he saw  the  boxes’  contents.

      It  was  a  dark green,  seemingly  handmade,  hugtime  bracelet.  He  stared  at  it, frozen  in  awe  for  a  little  too  long  for  Poppy’s  taste. Finally  Branch  looked  to  her.  “Pop--”

  “You  don’t have  to  wear  it  if  you  don’t  want  to.”  Poppy  quickly interrupted.  “They’re  not  hard  to  make  so  if  you  don’t want  it…  It  won’t  hurt  my  feelings  it’ll  be  totally fine.” The  corners  of  Branches’  mouth  slowly  turned  up, watching  Poppy  quickly  get  carried  away.

   “I  just wanted  to  give  you  something  close  to  my  heart,  and  I think  you’re  ready  but  like  if  you’re  not  then--” Branch  placed  a  finger  over  Poppy’s  mouth,  effectively shutting  her  up.

   He  took  it away,  taking  a  breath  as  he  continued  to  examine  the bracelet.  Poppy  was  comforted  by  the  pleasant  smile  resting on  his  face.  “This  is  perfect,  Poppy.”  Branch  looked  to her.   “The  perfect  party,   the  perfect  dance,  and  the perfect  gift,  what  about  you  isn’t  perfect?”

  Poppy  crossed her  arms.  “I’m  pretty  sure  if  I  actually  let  you  answer  that  question  you’d  find  a  lot.”

  Branch  shook his  head,  taking  a  small  step  closer.  “Not  right  now.” He  took  the  bracelet  out  of  the  box,  tossing  the  box   away carelessly.  He  handed  the  bracelet  to  her,  holding  out  his wrist.  “Let’s  not  have  another  birthday  without  hugtime.”

  Poppy  stood there,  paralyzed  for  a  moment.  His  eyes  so  brilliantly  blue, rocking  her  to  her  very  core.  The  utter  relief  that  he   too  believed   he   was  ready  for  this  making  Poppy  feel  like she  might  be  able  to  fly.  Carefully,  Poppy  took  his  hand, sliding  the  green  band  onto  his  wrist.

   The  queen smiled,  holding  his  hand  with  both  of   hers  now,  just staring  at  the  bracelet  now  anointing  his  wrist.  She  looked up  to  him,  they  were  so  close  now  that  she  had  to  crane her  neck  to  meet  his eyes.  

       Branches’ smile  widened,  sending  jitters  up  and  down  her  spine.  He pulled  his  hand  from  hers,  moving  to  wrap  his  arms  gently around  her.  Poppy  quickly  returned  the  embrace,  relishing  in his  warmth.

  That  was  it, Poppy  was  convinced.  She   didn’t  need  to  give  Branch  a crowd,  or  huge  presents  to  make  the  perfect  birthday  party. She--  Uh,  He  just  needed  this…  Whatever  this, was.  They  stood  there  for  probably  too  long,  but  made  no move  to  let  go.

   Poppy  sighed, breaking  the  silence.  “Happy  birthday,  Branch.”

   Branch chuckled.  “It  is,  isn’t  it?”