#hes trying to be a good kid but he doesn't understand how to

[cheapshrimpysheep]

Dating in a Dream - Ruggie Bucchi

SUMMARY: What would his dream be like, exactly the same as in the original story, but with the small detail that he is dreaming that you two are dating?

CHARACTERS: Ruggie Bucchi x Reader 🍩🦐

TAGS: Fluff; GN Reader; In a Relationship (kinda); Kiss; Flirting

WARNING: Spoilers from Book 7 and Ruggie’s dream (Eng Server)

WORD COUNT: 3.360 words

COMMENTS: This was written as a companion piece to the original dream story, so the parts that are the same as the game are just summarized.

I try my best to write dialogue for characters like Ruggie well, but since English isn't my first language there are some forms of speech and abbreviations I'm not familiar with. But I hope I've done him enough justice.

By the way, it was while I was writing this that my keyboard started failing, and I had to buy a new one. I hope I've fixed all the typos.

I hope you enjoy 🍩

Dating in a Dream: Idia / Epel / Rook / Vil / Kalim / Jamil / Floyd / Jade / Azul / Jack / (Ruggie) ...

“Aether signal tracking successful.” Ortho announces. “We have arrived at the designated coordinates.”

You, Grim, Silver, Sebek, Ortho, Azul, Jack and Idia’s tablet reach the next dream, but you don't land anywhere you recognize. It looks like a new country.

Checking on the others, Jack said he was fine and Azul said the medication he had taken had helped him, but the heat of that place was worse for him than the crossing between dreams. According to Ortho's analysis, everything indicated that you were in Sunset Savanna, more specifically in the capital, Sunrise City.

After you all changed into your school uniforms, and how long it took because Jack was embarrassed to use Idia's spell, you start chatting to try to understand whose dream it could be. Everything indicates that the dream is either Leona's or Ruggie's, since they are both from Sunset Savanna. They exchange information they know about that country to have a better idea of where you are until you hear someone approaching running.

“Oh crud, oh crud! I overslept!” You see Ruggie pass you by. “If I'm late, I can kiss my perfect attendance record goodbye! Outta my way!”

He was wearing what looked like a school uniform, but not the black one of Night Raven Collage, this one was light brown and yellow. And he was wearing glasses too. Azul comments that he had never seen Ruggie wear glasses and Jack adds that it doesn't make sense because he's supposed to have some of the best eyesight out of anyone in Savanaclaw. But that was definitely Ruggie's dream because he had the dreamer's silver bird around his head.

You follow him.

You follow Ruggie to the market.

“What's the hurry, Ruggie?” One of the vendors calls him. “I've got chilled hibiscus juice here! Have a drink.”

“Thanks, ma'am, but I'm running late!”

“My, that's rare for a model student like you.”

“I was up late studying for a test and overslept.”

“You can't study on an empty stomach, Ruggie.” Another vendor says. “Have some steamed bananas for the road!”

“Whoa, that's a lot! How much for the bunch?”

“Don't worry about it. Your grandma did a lot to keep me fed back when I was a kid. Once you graduate and get a good job, you can treat me to a dinner at the Sunset Villa.”

“Ah, yeah, I'll pay you back when I'm rich! Thanks!”

Other vendors continued to offer him food and talk about his grandmother and comment on how his father had returned home rich after working away from home. Now his grandmother was comfortable retire.

You had to try hard not to lose Ruggie in that crowd. That, and it was difficult to move around among so many people. Meanwhile, Ruggie was dodging and weaving through the crowds at top speed.

“(Y/N)!” You hear someone call you with happy surprise, when you look it's one of the vendors. “Oh, I almost didn't recognize you in those clothes. Why aren't you wearing your uniform?”

“My uniform? Well, I...” You try to make up some excuse, but it's not necessary.

“And you're also late on top of that!” The vendor continues, friendly. “Ruggie is late as well, he just passed by. You must have missed each other. You look hungry. Here, take some steamed bananas with you.”

You accept the bananas, thank them and say goodbye when the vendor says that you had better go as you are already late and wishes you a good day at school. Grim ends up convincing you to give him most of the bananas, while Azul and Ortho comment on the fact that the people there know you. But how?

You continue following Ruggie until you reach a new place, which appears to be a school. You see Ruggie meeting other students wearing the same uniform as him.

“Judging by the ears and tails, it seems to be mostly beastfolk here.” Silver notices.

“There's a lot of hyenas...” Jack adds. “Actually, I think most of the people I'm seein' are hyenas.”

“There's no school at these coordinates in the real world.” Ortho informs. “It must be something that Ruggie's imagination came up with.”

Then your attention goes to the statue in the center, which depict three hyenas. Jack says they’re the legendary hyenas, the ones that served the King of Beasts. He had heard they were considered heroes around Ruggie's home region.

Meanwhile, Grim draws your attention to the trees laden with fruit, even after he has eaten almost all of your bananas. You see Ruggie and the other students picking the fruits and eating them, showing that it is allowed to eat the fruits from those trees. This is enough for Grim to help himself too and start picking up a bunch of fruit.

“Whoa! What's the-?” One of the students who was with Ruggie sees him. “Oh, it's just Grim.”

“Heeey, take it easy.” Ruggie says, amused. “You don't want to get indigestion like last time.”

“Last time?” Grim wonders to himself.

“Well, if you're here, then that means...” He looks around with a smile until he finds you and his smile grows even bigger. “There's my dandelion! Don't tell me grammy forgot to-”

You get closer, along with the others and he notices your clothes.

“Um... What are those clothes?” He asks still with an awkward smile. “Where is your uniform?” When he realizes that you're wearing the same clothes as the other boys you were with, his smile turns into a pout, cute and scary at the same time. “Um, (Y/N), who are your... friends? And why are you wearing the same clothes as them?”

So Ruggie knows you and Grim, but not the others and doesn't seem to know about NRC either. It's intriguing and confusing, but Azul still manages to join the conversation smoothly.

“Allow me to introduce everyone. My name is Azul Ashengrotto. This is my fellow sophomore Silver, and this is Ortho, Sebek, and Jack, all freshmen. We attend an arcane academy in the Land of Dawning called Night Raven College. We're here on a student exchange.”

“And (Y/N)'s uniform?” Ruggie asked, focusing on Azul.

“A spell that hit the wrong person.” He answers as if it were the genuine truth. “(Y/N) was the one who greeted us when we arrived here. When we tried to help Jack with a spell to change his clothes to better adapt to the climate, we ended up accidentally hitting (Y/N). And since we're not familiar with your uniform, we couldn't change their clothes back. My apologies for the misunderstanding.”

Ruggie was silent for a moment which made you question whether he really believed that or not. But Azul was good.

“Okay. Strange, but sounds plausible. Sorry for the suspicion.” Ruggie smiles friendly again. “Let me do it then.” He uses his magic to transform your black NRC uniform into the same light brown and yellowish uniform as his. “Much better.” He comments before turning back to Azul and the others. “I'm Ruggie Bucchi. Please, call me Ruggie.”

At that moment, Sebek's stomach growled while he was arguing with Grim about him picking too many fruits.

“Ahahaha! If you're that hungry, take all you want.” Ruggie said, laughing. “Here at Ivorycliff Academy all the food on campus is fair game for anyone to eat.”

Silver says they aren't students there and Ruggie says that's not a problem, that the local kids go there for food too. At that academy they share food with anyone who's hungry in honor of the hyenas' spirit of solidarity, whether or not they're enrolled there. Jack is shocked (and maybe you are too) seeing Ruggie offering food for free.

You all chat a little and Ruggie offers you even more food besides fruit. There was a stall by the school entrance that had freshly made donuts. He recommends that they get a plain donut, drizzle on some chocolate sauce, then add some sliced nuts, then add custard cream and whipped cream, and top it all off with some tart berry jam like so.

But for you, he offered your favorite, or a mix that would be your favorite. He didn't even need to ask you anything, it was as if he already knew your tastes by heart.

Meanwhile, you hear the Donut Vendor talking to the other students and commenting that they should all be grateful to Prince Leona for establishing that school. Ruggie explains that he heard Prince Leona studied at an arcane academy abroad, then graduated last year and came back home. And he was been establishing schools and spelldrive teams and stuff all over the country. He even comments that the younger generation there likes Second Prince Leona way more than First Prince Falena. But he himself never met Leona.

Then, the school bell rings.

“Oh crud, class is about to start!” Ruggie says. “Gotta go, bye!” He takes your hand and takes you running with him.

The others stayed behind, probably because they knew nothing bad would happen to you since Ruggie liked you so much. And Grim would rather keep eating than go to any classes.

Ruggie and you arrive at a botanical garden hand in hand. Everything indicated that it was a theoretical potionology class, probably focused on the ingredients that were planted there.

The students sat on the ground and despite the idea of a model student that Ruggie was trying to convey, he didn't sit in the front. Instead, he told you to sit with him further back. You sat down first and then Ruggie sat so close to you that your hips were touching and he put an arm around your waist.

“Hey, sorry about that with the visiting students.” Ruggie tells you in a low tone, while the professor spoke up front. “You... aren't mad at me, right?”

You say no and that in fact his pout was actually cute.

“Well, in that case they were lucky.” He smirks.

“What do you mean?” You ask. “And what exactly are you apologizing for?”

“Well, you know...” His ears go down. “You showed up with a bunch of handsome guys and you were even wearing the same uniform as them. What did you expect me to do? They're lucky I still give them the benefit of the doubt before...”

“Before?”

“Do you really want me to finish that?” He smiles mischievously. “What do you think I would do if someone was really trying to take you away from me? Hum?” He brings his face close to yours, brushing his nose against your ear. “You've already seen me break a bone with a bite, haven't you?” He whispers in your ear, a threat not directed at you.

After a while, he covers his mouth to yawn. Next to him one of his friends snored so loudly that it made Ruggie straighten up and let go of his waist, startled. Upon hearing this, the professor called the student's attention and made him move from Ruggie's side to the front row as punishment.

“I can't blame him.” Ruggie tells you in a whisper and leans back against you. “After eating so much and with this sun so nice and warm... it really is relaxing...”

His arm goes back around your waist and he rests his head on your shoulder. He was clearly dreaming that he was in a romantic relationship with you. And it wasn't like you weren't enjoying it..

“If you're not careful you'll be called next.” You say.

“Aww. Are you worried about me, dandelion?” He says in a sleepy voice. “You’re always so cute.” He straightens up to kiss your cheek and lays his head back down again. “I'm really lucky to have you...”

After classes ended, you and Ruggie walked hand in hand with his two friends towards the gate. You see the others in the distance, now in their dorm uniforms. Had they gotten into a fight with the darkness while you were with Ruggie?

“Whatcha wanna do now that school's out?” One of Ruggie's friends asked. “We could see if any cafés in town have new drinks to try, or catch a movie.”

“Yeah... sorry guys, but (Y/N) and I already had plans.”

“Oh, don't worry, it's ok. What are you guys going to do?”

“We're going on a safari!” Ruggie says excitedly. “I heard that some hyena clans had cubs and (Y/N) really wants to see the little ones.” But then, he seems to have heard something that put him on alert and made a strange sound.

“Whoa! Why'd you whirl around like that, Ruggie?” One of his friends asked.

“I dunno, it just... felt like I was being called.”

“Someone called you? Who? I didn't hear anything.”

“Maybe I'm hearing things... HUH?! Where'd that sound come from?! Was it under the bench? I know I'm not hearing things!”

“Huh? What are you talking about? What's gotten into you, Ruggie?”

“Sorry, guys. You can go. I just can't leave until I figure out what that sound is!” Ruggie separates from the NPCs and you and gets on his hands and knees, rummaging around under benches and in the plants. “What is it? What's making that sound? It's like a bell... Except more beautiful and exciting!”

You look at the others, more specifically at Azul and see him drop a coin on the ground with a smug smile.

“AH! That sound... It's a little - no, not a little. It's 20 times more thrilling than before! What IS that beautiful sound? Reveal yourself to me! I just HAVE to find you!”

You see Ruggie searching for the coin, focused and with his tail wagging a little. You can't help but laugh.

“Are you laughin’ at me?" He says with a sly smile. “Why don't you help me instead? That Safari has a set time to start, you know?” He keeps looking, whether you help him or not. “Where are you? Where's the one that entices me so...? AHA!”

Entices him? Even dreaming that he’s dating you, it still seems like he likes money more.

“There's something in front of that trash bin...” He hurries to get there. “Huzzah! That's a free one-thaumark coin for me! Score!” He finally gets up. “Wait... Huh? Why am I getting so giddy over finding a little loose change?” The dream begins to distort. “Urgh, my head...! Why? I've got no reason to care about random coins on the ground...”

“Heh heh heh... I had every faith you would pounce on that.” Azul says, approaching you along with the others. “Do you see this, Ruggie?”

“Is that... a five-thaumark coin?!”

“What's the matter? You're looking a bit pale... And you seem to have a cold sweat.”

“What... are you gonna do with that?”

“I was thinking of tossing it into the water over there and making a wish to come back here again.”

“Five thaumarks?! You're not seriously about to throw that much mone away!” Ruggie said shocked. “Wait, no! Five thaumarks is barely anything at all. It's just spare change... Hrgh!”

“It's the only coin I have on hand. But... it's just 'a little loose change', right? Here goes!”

Azul tosses the coin and Ruggie jumps into the water to grab it with zero hesitation.

“Self-restraint isn't healthy, you know.” Azul tells Ruggie, in a way that is too villainous for someone who is supposedly helping him. “Just admit it... You want it more than anything!”

“Urgh, I... I... Argh, my head...! Ah, aaah... AAAAAAAAAARGH!”

The dream breaks and Ruggie wakes up.

“Ah... Ahaha... I remember everything now... Why was I... ?”

His NPCs friends approach him and ask what happened for him to jump into the water and Ruggie says it was because of 5 thaumarks. When they start saying that it was nothing, Ruggie lists the things that can be bought with only that. He also notices the discrepancies of that academy and remembers why he doesn't like light-colored clothes like the uniform he was wearing, because they stain too easily, exactly what just happened to him while he was looking for the coins.

The NPCs try to convince him to go back to sleep, saying that he will never go hungry again in there. They also say they are on good terms with the king, but Ruggie says he prefers to decide who is his king himself.

After fighting those darkness figures, he asks what in the world was happening because he was beyond confused. Ortho shows him the video.

“So... This is all a dream?”

“Yes.” Ortho confirms. “More technically, it's all part of an arcane realm that Malleus Draconia established.”

“But that... Aaah...” Ruggie drops his glasses from his face, drops down on all fours and burst into tears.

You instinctively crouch down beside him to comfort him and are surprised when he clings to you and continues to cry on your shoulder.

“A dream? You're telling me all the food I've been eating wasn't real?! I got ZERO calories from eating all those donuts I loaded with toppings?! And the six thaumarks I just picked up? And my dad coming home, and him buying my grammy a new car? And (Y/N) and I...”

His sobbing stops suddenly. He straightens up to look at your face and jumps away from you, his face red with blush.

“I-I-I-I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T WANT... I DIDN'T KNOW... I-”

You try to calm him down, telling him that everything is fine, that he didn't do anything wrong.

“Oh, come on! Don't be so understanding and kind!” He tells you, a little annoyed. “You can be honest. You can say that I creeped you out.”

“Why would I say that?”

“Well, you know, when I...” He starts to say, blushing, but then looks at the others around you. He stands up, determined. “Come with me.” He asks you. “You stay here.” He told them as a warning.

You get up and follow him to a relatively more secluded place.

“Listen, I'm sorry, okay?” Ruggie tells you, his ears down, embarrassed and sulking at the same time. “I know I was kinda... clingy... and jealous. Like when we were in that potionology class. You don't have to pretend everything is fine. I'm not an emotional wimp.”

You stay silent for a second, but decide to confess to him that everything really is fine, because you liked him too. You even enjoyed the time you spent with him and how he treated you.

“Y-you... LIKE ME TOO?!” He repeats, incredulously. “Wait... you're the real (Y/N), aren't you? You...” He takes a step back and places himself in a defensive and threatening position. “You're not one of those darkness things from my dream... are you?” He looks at you menacingly and growls at you.

You insist and try your best to convince him that it really is you as you slowly walk backwards. Not even when you hit a wall does he stop walking slowly towards you like a predator preparing to attack. When he’s finally just inches away from you, you flinch, turn your face away, and he attacks you... with a loving kiss on the cheek. And then he tickles you.

“Relaaax~” Ruggie tells you, holding you by the waist, and with that sly smile “I believe in you. Shyeheehee.”

He sees you sulking, but flustered. This makes him smile sweetly, like you've never seen before.

“Aww, don't be mad at me...” He says in a poor-me voice. “I've been through so much here. You saw what Malleus did to me. *sniff* I want to cry so much...” He smirks again. “Doesn't that make a kind soul like yours want to comfort me?”

He rests his forehead against yours and starts rubbing his nose and cheeks against yours. Maybe it'll even tickle you a little. But then, he starts kissing your cheek, continues kissing you until he gets closer to your lips and, perceiving that you want that too, he kisses them. He starts by kissing you softly, but then he intensifies the kiss to an almost starving one. Hungry for the love he so desperately needed but was afraid he would never have.

If you would like to read more from me, you can find it in my pinned post: INDEX

[vxnillabxn]

hiii can I request parents!zaynemc dealing when their baby gets sick for the first time time? like, would zayne freak out? finally understanding how the parents of his little patients feel :(((

btw thanks for your work! I’m sure you make a lot of people happy 🥹❤️

𐙚˙⋆.˚ zayne x gn!reader ꒰੭

𐙚˙⋆.˚ hurt/comfort-ish! ꒰੭

𐙚˙⋆.˚ sfw! ꒰੭

𐙚˙⋆.˚ do not translate/copy/repost! ꒰੭

﹙♡﹚thanks for requesting, angel! i can't believe i posted fifty pieces already, but here we are (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ and also, sorry for taking so long! i am working on all the requests as fast as lighting because i love your ideas so much ♡

he knew it was bound to happen.

all kids get sick; a common cold, a fever…

but why did it have to happen to his little boy?

it all started when your baby sneezed.

you took some videos, gushing about how cute it sounded, while zayne just looked.

hm… yeah, the first three times were cute.

the fourth one? worrying.

then, your baby was fussy. he didn't want to eat, he didn't sleep at all… and his chubby cheeks were hot to the touch.

zayne knew the baby had a fever right away. after all, he's seen these symptoms thousands of times, so it was only a matter of time before he started packing the things to leave.

as you tried to quiet your baby down, he went upstairs and prepared everything.

…

and then, he started overthinking.

what if it was more than a fever, though?

what if your baby had something else going on, something causing the fever itself?

what if they discovered something or asked to run some tests on him, just to make sure?

would his baby have to stay in the hospital?

…no, he has to sleep in your arms, with him protecting you both.

safe and sound; away from harm's way.

away from pain.

as a doctor himself, he knew how this goes.

your baby gets there, the pediatrician takes a look, they either send you back home with clear instructions, or ask you to stay with your little boy just to make sure the fever goes down.

and the idea of his little penguin being examined, lying on a warm yet strange bed doesn't sit right with him.

even when he himself always asks parents to bring in their little kids at the slightest fever.

his inner turmoil gets interrupted when he hears your baby wailing downstairs, despite your attempts to soothe him.

right, you two have to go.

he brings down everything you two might need and drives you to the hospital right away.

…

it is just a fever, it is just a fever.

he paces around, repeating those words over and over.

your baby is being examined, with the pediatrician checking the heartbeat, the breathing, and the ears, in case it's an ear infection.

sure, the doctor was careful and playful enough for your baby to stare up with curious, teary hazel eyes, seemingly calmed down.

though zayne couldn't help but wonder if the doctor would treat your baby boy as their own.

after all, when zayne had to check on little kids, he never truly saw them as his own.

of course, he was always careful and gentle, trying to cheer them up with a lollipop or a balloon he'd bought on the way to the hospital.

but he could never truly comprehend why parents would refuse to leave their children's side, even when they were in good hands.

or why parents wouldn't stay calm after leaving them under the doctor's care —when it came to light fevers or minor injuries, obviously.

until now.

he refuses to stay calm until the pediatrician specifically says what's wrong.

if he has to go back and forth sixty times, he'll do it.

but he'll stay close, vigilant, observant.

because he knows no one, no matter how professional, would treat his little love with the same tenderness his father —or you— would.

eventually, the pediatrician says it's just a common fever. your little boy can go home; he has to stay hydrated, try to eat, and rest. since your baby is almost turning one, the doctor recommends medication, but only if the fever gets worse.

zayne is the first to approach his baby, whose little arms are reaching for him.

now that you're both a bit more at ease, zayne guides his loves outside.

but that feeling lingers.

the feeling of self-reflection, of doubt, the memories of all the times he had to rush a little bit when taking care of little kids; not because of uninterest, but because of the many cases he had to attend.

because doctors, naturally, lack the time.

parents, on the other hand, have all the time in the world when it comes to their kids —especially when they need it the most.

and now he gets why the parents would desperately ask him for more insight, for him to check again, for him to stay a bit longer.

because they, as parents, wanted him to have the same compassion and worry they have for their little one.

and he's come to realize, he selfishly wants all his little boy's doctors to have the same compassion.

the baby is growing up with nothing but tenderness, love, affection and attentiveness, provided by you both.

so, even when it's not the pediatrician's duty —or any doctor's, for that matter— to show the same, zayne needs for it to happen.

because your baby penguin knows no pain, no dismissal, no neglect.

and he wants it to stay that way, wherever —and whenever— it is.

[fiendsgf]

Soulbound

V. Siren's Song

sylus x reader, rafayel x reader

Summary: You didn’t mean to be seen. But Rafayel was already waiting. A quiet beach, a slip of truth, a hand that shouldn’t have felt familiar. Back in the N109 zone, Sylus doesn't push–but he waits. You tell yourself nothing changed. But the air feels different. Like something important has already begun to unravel.

content: non!mc reader, angst if you squint, isekai, love triangle(ish), shady raf, it’s a lot going on tbh

1 2 3 4

Dinner had come and gone, but the heaviness in your chest hadn’t. You’d smile when Luke cracked jokes. Tried to laugh when Kieran handed you a drink with an exaggerated wink. But your mind wasn’t in the safehouse anymore.

When the dishes were cleared and the rooms grew quiet, you slipped out. No one stopped you.

You made your way down the slope barefoot, the wind cool on your skin. The sea stretched wide and quiet, its breath steady against the sand. You walked until the water kissed your toes and the dunes were a blur behind you, then sank into the damp shoreline, pulling your knees to your chest.

The silence felt good.

You stared out at the horizon, letting the tide lap closer. Letting the thoughts come.

Then–

“Cutie, you always sneak off this quietly, or am I just lucky tonight?”

You’re kidding.

You flinched, startled. Turned.

Rafayel stood a few steps away, barefoot, boots dangling from one hand. His coat hung open, and the sea breeze played at his hair. The moonlight caught on the pale skin of his collarbone and the gleam in his watercolor eyes.

He gave you a crooked little smile.

“I’ve been accused of showing up uninvited,” he said. “But I prefer to think of it as good timing.”

Just pretend everything is okay.

He won’t know.

You huffed softly, looking back toward the water. “How did you know I was here?”

“I was wandering,” he said, coming closer. “You happened to be where I ended up.”

Without asking, he lowered himself onto the sand beside you, elbows resting on his knees. Not too close – but closer than anyone else had dared to get lately.

“You okay?” he asked after a moment. “You seemed kind of… far away earlier.”

Don’t panic.

You didn’t answer right away. The tide crept closer, dark and slow.

He looked sideways at you, his voice softer this time. “You don’t have to talk about it. Just felt like something was weighing on you.”

Something about the way he said it – not prying, not performative – cracked something open in your chest.

You wish you could tell him.

You sighed, eyes on the ocean. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Try me.”

A pause. You bit the inside of your cheek, trying to fight the instinct to stay silent.

“I just feel… out of place,” you said finally. “Like an imposter, I guess.”

Very subtle.

What are you doing?

He didn’t look at you. Just nodded slowly, like he was waiting for more.

“It’s like…” You exhaled. “I don’t know… sometimes it feels like,” You paused. “I’m not where I’m meant to be.”

He let the quiet sit for a moment before answering. “Yeah,” he said. “I know that one.”

You blinked. “You do?”

He shrugged, almost to himself. “Sure. Doesn’t matter where you go or how long you’re there. Sometimes it feels like there’s another place, calling your name. But you can’t hear it clearly anymore.”

You didn’t respond right away. His voice had changed, still calm, but no longer playful. Like something had shifted just under the surface.

Of course he understands. He’s not supposed to be here either. Not on land.

You swallowed. “I didn’t mean to take someone’s place. I didn’t even ask to be—” You stopped. Realized too late how close you’d come to saying the wrong thing.

He looked at you, still and steady. “Someone’s place?”

You didn’t move.

“I meant…” you scrambled, “...sometimes it feels like someone deserves my place more than I do. Imposter syndrome, I guess.”

He didn’t press. Just studied you for another moment, then looked back out toward the sea.

“You know,” he said after a while, “some people spend their whole lives trying to make sense of where they landed. Trying to make it feel right.” He shifted, leaned back on his hands, letting his legs stretch out in front of him. “Maybe you don’t need to understand everything yet. Maybe it’s enough to just be. It’ll make sense eventually.”

You glanced at him – the cut of his jaw, the light in his eyes, the ease with which he sat in his own body.

You two are talking about entirely different things. He doesn’t even know who he’s really talking to.

But you feel seen.

“You make that sound easy,” you said quietly.

He smiled faintly, still not looking at you. “It’s not.”

The waves pulled closer again. You didn’t move. Neither did he.

You weren’t sure what was happening, only that it felt strange and quiet and important. And that there was something about Rafayel that made your skin feel warm in places you hadn’t felt human in for days.

He didn’t ask anything else. Just sat beside you like he’d been there before. Like he’d known this exact kind of silence.

And for now, that was enough.

You weren’t sure how long you sat there. The moon rose higher, dragging the tide with it. At some point, your hand had dipped to your side, fingers trailing faint lines in the sand. You hadn’t even noticed how close he’d gotten.

Then, Warmth.

Rafayel’s hand brushed lightly against yours, just enough to nudge away a bit of wind-scattered grit from your knuckles. His touch was casual, unhurried. But precise. Like he’d been waiting for the exact moment you wouldn’t flinch.

“Sand’s got a mind of its own,” he murmured, almost to himself.

You glanced at him.

He didn’t meet your gaze. Just let his fingers linger a second longer than necessary before pulling back.

Your heart stuttered.

It wasn’t the touch. It was the way he made you feel like he already knew what you were feeling, before you’d even figured it out yourself.

And the worst part?

You didn’t hate it.

You stood a few minutes later, brushing the back of your legs off. Rafayel rose with you without a word. The air between you felt... heavier. Not in a bad way. Just full – like something unspoken had passed between you and was now hanging in the salt-heavy air.

“Don’t disappear cutie,” he said, voice quieter now, but still with that amused edge. “Or at least leave a trail.”

You tried to laugh, but it came out soft.

“Alright.”

He gave you a lazy two-finger wave, then turned back toward the dunes, disappearing into the shadows like he’d always belonged to them.

You didn’t follow right away.

You stood there in the dark, waves lapping at your ankles, your heart still tangled in the warmth of a hand that shouldn’t have felt like home.

The walk back from the beach felt heavier than before, even though the night air was cool and the stars were scattered like secrets overhead. The sand under your shoes shifted with each step, but your mind was miles away, twisting and turning on itself, unable to settle.

You shouldn’t have let yourself stay out that late. You shouldn’t have let Rafayel get that close. You shouldn’t have let yourself pretend, even for a moment, that you were someone else. 

The truth gnawed at you–sharp and relentless–that she was out there somewhere, and you were an impostor tangled in her life, her people, her world. The thought made your throat tighten and your chest ache. You wanted to run back, to undo what had already happened, but there was no rewind.

Back at the house, the quiet felt different now. Thicker. You slipped inside, careful not to wake anyone. The creak of the floorboards underfoot was the only sound accompanying your restless steps up to your room.

You collapsed onto the bed, the weight of your own thoughts pinning you down harder than the mattress ever could. You clenched your fists at your sides, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

Why did I let it happen?Why do I feel like I’m betraying her – or worse, myself?

What else could I have even done?

A part of you longed for something steadier, something honest. Sylus.

You wanted to see him, to tell him everything. The fears, the guilt, the confusion tangled in your chest. Maybe with Sylus, it would be easier to breathe.

But for now, you lay there, caught between the truth you carried and the secret you couldn’t share.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

The elevator hisses open, and the cool, familiar air of the base spills out into the corridor. You’re carrying your shoes in one hand, the faint scent of salt water still clinging to your clothes. The silence is comfortable–but only just.

Luke is the first to break it.

“If I find a single grain of sand in my bed, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

You glance back at him, lifting a brow. “We all shared the same beach.”

“I didn’t roll in it like a happy seal.”

Kieran grunts behind him, shifting his duffel over his shoulder. “We get it. You’re delicate.”

Their voices fade into the upper level as they split off toward their rooms, and you linger in the hall for a breath longer than you need to.

You’re not ready to be alone with your thoughts.

Not yet.

Your gaze flicks toward Sylus’s quarters. 

You pad toward his door and hesitate.

Then you knock softly.

A beat.

“Who is it?” His voice is low, muffled through the panel.

You crack the door open and step into the dim light.

“Can I talk to you?”

Sylus turns slightly from where he’s standing at the edge of his desk, arms crossed. His eyes narrow, just barely. “What’s wrong?”

You shift your weight, trying to keep your voice steady. “It’s about Whitesand.”

He motions for you to come in. You cross the room and sit on the couch, fingers lacing tightly in your lap.

“I ran into someone,” you begin, heart already beating too fast. “Rafayel.”

Sylus’s brow lifts, but he doesn’t speak. Just waits.

“I wasn’t looking for him. I was panicking when I found out where we were going, told myself I wouldn’t see him.” You take a shaky breath. “He bumped into me in some shop.”

You glance up at Sylus, then quickly away.

“He called me ‘Miss Bodyguard’ and I realized he thought I was her. I just played along and tried to stay calm.” You swallow. “But then he grabbed my phone. Sent himself a message before I could even say anything.”

Sylus’s jaw tightens just slightly.

“Then he just left.” You exhale hard, pressing a palm to your forehead. “Later that night, I was sitting on the beach. Alone. And he found me again. Like he knew I’d be there.”

Sylus finally speaks. “What did he say?”

You hesitate. “He said I looked like I was far away. That I seemed off.”

“And?”

“I don’t know why I did it, but… I told him he was right.” You laugh once, bitter and breathless. “Not the whole truth, obviously. Just enough that he thought I was her, having a rough week.”

Sylus is quiet, eyes unreadable.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” you say quickly. “I was just…so tired. I feel so guilty. I shouldn’t have let it go that far.”

“Did you tell him anything else?”

You shake your head. “No. But he got my number. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes something is wrong. What if he already knows I’m not her? What if I made things worse?”

He moves closer, sits next to you. “Take a breath.”

You do. Barely.

“I can’t stop thinking about how easy it was for him to look at me and assume I was her,” you whisper. “And I just… let him. I played along. It wasn’t even deliberate, but it happened. And now I feel like I betrayed her.”

Sylus’s gaze flicks over your face. “You didn’t betray anyone.”

“Yes, I did.”

“You’re not impersonating her.” He pauses. “At least, not with bad intentions. There’s nothing else you could have done.”

You bite your lip, trying not to let it wobble.

“I should’ve said something. I should’ve shut it down.”

“But you didn’t. And you can’t undo that. So let’s just figure out what’s next.”

His voice is calm, even. But you can sense something under the surface. Tension, a flicker of emotion he’s swallowing down.

You search his face. “You seem… tense. More than usual.”

He leans back slightly, folding his arms.

“I went on a mission with her.”

You go still.

“It was fine,” he adds quickly. “Nothing we couldn’t handle. But something felt off. She was quiet. Followed every order to the letter.”

Your brows furrow. “What felt off?”

He takes a deep breath, eyes unfocused. “Our resonance. It was weak.”

There’s a weight behind his words that makes your chest ache.

“Maybe she’s dealing with something,” you offer. “It might not mean anything.”

He nods, but there’s doubt in his eyes.

You move before thinking, heart fluttering as you reach out and place a hand over his.

“You’re right.”

His fingers curl gently around yours.

“It just…reminded me of where we started.” He sighs. “How she saw me.”

You frown. “You’re a good man Sylus. She knows that. She’ll see it.”

He huffs, a small sound of amusement and disbelief.

He squeezes your hand slightly. “...Thank you.”

The corners of your mouth tug a bit.

“Course,”

And for a moment, there’s nothing else. Just the quiet hum of the base and the heat of his palm against yours.

A part of you wishes that he was reaching for you the same way he reaches for her.

But you don’t have the right.

The comfort lingers longer than you expect.

And when he lets go, it’s with the softest kind of reluctance.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

Your hand still buzzes with the lingering touch as you lay in bed, eyes fixed to the ceiling.

You want to run.

From Sylus. From this world. From the way everything keeps getting more complicated.

But where would you even go?

You really thought you could handle it. That staying close to Sylus wouldn’t affect you. That you could exist near him without feeling anything.

And for a while, you believed it.

When fear and confusion still ruled your every thought – waking up in a foreign world, overstepping and ruining the story, accidentally wearing her face and name.

But time passed. You settled in. Fell deeper into Sylus’s world. Saw the man beyond the screen.

And what kind of fool would believe they’d never feel something?

He’s gentle. Kind. Far more human than anyone gives him credit for.

You tried to get away. Thought the ocean would clear your head, center you again.

Instead, it handed you a new problem.

Him.

You looked at Rafayel. Talked to him. Let him believe you were her.

Everything you promised yourself you’d never do.

And now? Now you can’t stop wondering what’ll happen if–when–he finds out. Will he hate you? Call you unwell? Think you’re some delusional girl chasing a fantasy? 

Will he think you wanted this?

You think about your world again. How quiet it was. How safe. How ordinary.

You weren’t thriving, but at least things made sense there.

Here? You’re starting to feel like you’ve long overstayed your welcome.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

You wake with a dull ache behind your eyes, like your thoughts were fighting through the night.

You roll over and grab your phone, expecting some nonsense from Luke and Kieran.

But it’s not them.

Maybe: Rafayel

hey cutieeee

dun tell me you forgot to call again :(

im working on a new painting, need inspo

come take a walk w me?

Fuck.

Fuck.

It’s fine. Just tell him you’re busy.

Or ignore him.

Yeah. Ignore the man with abandonment issues. Great plan.

You sigh and type quickly:

Hey. Sorry, a bit busy today. Association is swamped. Maybe another time?

You watch the typing dots form.

booooo

ill just come to u then

see u at work cutie

Well. That was the worst possible response you could have hoped for.

No need! My captain actually just said she’s letting me off early today! I’ll come to you.

yay

meet me at [location sent]

You groan, tossing the blanket off. You drag yourself out of bed, half-limping toward the hallway. You don’t even look in the mirror.

You make a beeline to Sylus’s study.

“Sylus, help me.”

He glances up from the tablet in his hand, one brow slightly raised. A corner of his mouth twitches.

“What happened? Did Mephisto steal your earrings again?”

You shoot him a flat look.

“No. This is serious,” you huff, stepping inside. “Rafayel texted me. Asked to meet. I panicked. I said yes.”

You drop your face into your hands.

Sylus leans back in his chair, exhaling through his nose. “So much for laying low.”

You glare at him through your fingers.

“He said he’d go to the association! What was I supposed to do? He gave me no room to back out. I didn’t want to agree, but–”

You cut yourself off with a groan.

Sylus doesn’t laugh. But there’s something fond in the way he looks at you.

“I know you’ve been careful. Trying not to stir things up,” he says. “But… maybe this isn’t the worst thing.”

Your hands fall to your sides.

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe if you meet him, it’ll be enough. Might buy us time to figure out the rest.”

“Or it might make things worse.”

Sylus shrugs gently. “Possibly. But I trust you’ll handle it.”

You hesitate.

“…You really think I can?”

His gaze holds yours for a beat too long.

“I do. And I don’t think you have much of a choice, either.”

You sigh.

You steel your nerves and brace yourself like a prisoner awaiting their verdict.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

You walk through the park Rafayel said he’d be waiting in. You try not to look nervous as you search for his figure between the willow trees.

“y/n!”

You spin around.

“There she is,” he says. “Cutie, I was starting to think you bailed on me again.”

You give him a half-hearted glare, hands clasped behind your back. “I should have.”

“Too late now. You’re stuck with me.” He closes the distance, hand outstretched to you. “C’mon. Walk with me.”

The streets are warm, the late sun setting everything in gold. You fall into step beside him, letting the quiet stretch. Rafayel doesn’t fill it with needless chatter, just swings his hands loosely at his sides, occasionally nudging you gently with his elbow when the silence gets too heavy.

It’s weirdly… relaxing.

You’re still on edge, every cell humming with what you know – what he might know – but he doesn’t press. Doesn’t interrogate. Just walks.

He leads you toward a small gallery nestled into the side of a stone building. There’s no sign, just a copper door and a quiet hum of music bleeding from within.

Inside, it’s cooler, dimmer. The scent of varnish and citrus cleaner lingers in the air. Paintings line the walls – coastal landscapes, abstract shapes, portraits that seem to watch you as you pass.

One catches your eye.

It’s a person, maybe a woman, but blurred, almost dissolving into her surroundings. Something about the way her shoulders tilt, the way her eyes are fixed just slightly left of the viewer. She looks… lost.

You stop walking.

“She looks like she doesn’t know where she is,” you murmur. “Like she stepped through the wrong door.”

Rafayel stops beside you. His voice is softer now.

“Maybe she stepped through the right one,” he says. “She just hasn’t realized it yet.”

The words settle in your chest like an echo.

You glance at him.

He’s already watching you – not intensely, not like he’s waiting for a reaction. Just watching. Calm. Present.

The moment stretches.

Then he breaks it.

“Come on,” he says, slipping his hand into his pocket. “I wanna show you something.”

You end up at the beach.

The sun’s long gone, and the sand is cool beneath your shoes. Rafayel kicks his off immediately, padding barefoot toward the waterline like he’s done it a hundred times. You follow, slower.

It’s quieter here than the gallery. Just the waves and the occasional cry of a distant seabird. You can hear your pulse in your ears.

You try to keep your guard up. Try not to let your steps betray the way your thoughts are racing.

“I knew,” Rafayel says suddenly, voice low, just above the hush of the tide.

You freeze.

You blink. “Knew what?”

He glances at you, half-smiling. “That you weren’t her. From the start.”

Your breath catches. You stop walking.

His tone is too casual – like he’s talking about the weather. That only makes it worse.

“Then… why did you invite me out?” you ask, voice wary. “If you already knew?”

He shrugs one shoulder. “I don’t know. Maybe curiosity. Maybe instinct. You looked like someone who needed a night off.”

You stare at him. “How could you tell?”

“There’s something about the way you looked at me,” he says, raising a brow. “Not like a stranger. But not like her, either.”

You don’t answer. You’re too busy trying to figure out if this is a setup – a test – a trap.

He turns his gaze to the sea, hands slipping into his pockets. “I told myself maybe she had a twin. Or I’d hit my head. But when I called your name earlier, you didn’t flinch. Didn’t hesitate. That’s when I knew.”

You look down. The sand shifts beneath your feet.

“I’m not–” you begin, then falter. “I’m not trying to fool anyone. I didn’t ask for this.”

“I figured,” he says gently. “Still. I had to know who you were.”

You glance at him, wary. “Why?”

“No reason that matters,” he says. “Just wanted to understand. For myself.”

A pause.

“Where did you come from?” he asks.

Your chest tightens. You didn’t want this conversation. Not like this.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” you admit, voice low. “It feels impossible.”

“Try me,” he says, softer now.

You hesitate. Then you exhale, slowly.

“I’m from a different world,” you say. “A different reality.”

He doesn’t react.

After a beat, he says, “Really?”

You nod.

“Guess that explains the way you looked at everything,” he says, like you just confessed to being from out of town. “You’ve been walking around like nothing quite belongs to you.”

You blink at him. “That’s it? No freak out?”

“I mean,” he gestures to the waves, “weirder things have happened. Probably.”

That earns the smallest smile from you.

He looks at you again, head tilted. “But you knew who I was. Back at the shop.”

You sigh. “Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

You hesitate. Then: “In my world… you were part of a video game.”

He blinks, then grins. “That’s a new one.”

“I know it sounds ridiculous. When I first ended up here, I thought maybe I’d been dropped inside it. But this place – it doesn’t feel like a game. It feels real.”

“Maybe it was a window,” you add. “Or a trick. Or I’ve just completely lost it.”

He hums, thoughtful. “You don’t sound crazy.”

“You sure? Because I definitely feel it.”

He glances over at you, amused. “Cutie, I talk to the ocean and name my pigments after sea creatures. If you’re losing it, at least you’re in good company.”

You laugh – small and breathy – but it’s real.

“I could’ve just ignored it,” Rafayel says. “Pretended I didn’t notice. But you looked like you could use someone who didn’t ask you to explain yourself. Someone who didn’t expect answers.”

You swallow. “Why would you want to help me?”

He shrugs. “Because you’ve got that look.”

“What look?”

“The one people get when they’ve been carrying a planet on their back.”

His words hang in the space between you, unspoken weight meeting quiet understanding.

A breeze brushes past, lifting your hair. You hear the soft retreat of waves against the shore.

Rafayel reaches his hand out to you.

“Come paint with me.”

His studio smells like salt and turpentine and rain-dried wood. The ceilings stretch high above you, and the walls are crowded with half-finished canvases. Strange, lovely things, some turned away like secrets.

Rafayel moves through the space like it was built around him.

He sets two stools before a blank canvas and hands you a brush.

“No rules,” he says easily. “Just paint whatever’s stuck in your head.”

You hesitate. “That’s the problem. I don’t even know what’s in there anymore.”

He grins. “Perfect. Start with that.”

For a while, neither of you speaks. The brush feels awkward in your hand, and the colors run too fast, but it doesn’t matter. Rafayel hums something tuneless and soft, flicking pigment across his own canvas in sweeping arcs of color.

Eventually, he breaks the quiet. “So… you said you knew me from a game?”

You glance over at him.

“What was I like in it?” he asks, voice light but curious.

You try not to smile. “Honestly? You weren’t that different from how you are now.”

He hums like he’s pleasantly surprised. “What kind of game are we talking about?”

Your face warms. “…A dating game.”

Rafayel laughs, leaning back with exaggerated delight. “A dating game? Cutie, you’ve been holding out on me.”

You bury your face in your hands. “Don’t make it weird! It’s not like I chose it just for that. You were just–part of it.”

“Part of it,” he echoes. “So I wasn’t your favorite?”

You groan, trying to dodge the question. “You were the favorite. The face of the game, actually.”

He smiles, a little smug, and turns back to his painting. “Mm. Glad to hear I had good taste in timelines.”

“You knew about her too, was she in the game?’

You nod to yourself. “Yeah, we create her. Play the story as her.”

He hums. “I see. Same name, same face, makes sense now.”

You huff. “Does it?”

He chuckles. “I’m trying to be understanding here, cutie,”

You laugh despite yourself. For a while, you both return to your work, the silence between you easy now.

Then, more softly, he asks, “So. How long have you been here?”

“A few weeks. Maybe longer. It’s hard to tell.”

He nods like that makes perfect sense. “You remind me of myself,” he says. “When I first left home. Everything felt too loud and too far away.”

You nod. “It’s been… strange.”

He leans his elbow against the edge of the canvas, watching you from the side. “Where’ve you been staying?”

You hesitate. “I… ended up in the N109 zone.”

His head turns fast. “Seriously?”

You can’t help the laugh that slips out. “Yeah. I didn’t exactly get a choice. One of the love interests lives there.”

Rafayel blinks once, slowly. “One of the–wait.”

You nod. “Sylus. He’s the one who found me.”

There’s a flicker – a shift behind his eyes. His fingers pause mid-stroke on the canvas.

“Ah.” His voice is still smooth, but quieter. “So you’ve been with Sylus.”

“I sort of talked my way out of being seen as a threat. I’ve been staying at Onychinus since.”

He presses his tongue to the inside of his cheek, then smiles again, easy. “Cutie,” he murmurs, “you might be the bravest person I’ve ever met.”

You grin, a little bashfully. “It’s not that crazy.”

“If we made a movie out of it, no one would believe it.”

You pause, your brush lingering at the edge of the canvas. “Do you think I’m… awful? For not saying anything? For pretending to be someone I’m not?”

Rafayel sets his brush down.

“I think,” he says, “you did what you had to. No one drops into another world with a guidebook.”

You glance at him, surprised by how gentle his voice is.

He leans back on his stool and gives you a quiet smile. “Besides… I was pretending, too.”

You blink. “What?”

“I acted like I didn’t know. But I saw it in your eyes. You weren’t confused, you were trying to protect yourself.” He shrugs. “I get that.”

A pause.

He adds, “And now that I do know a little more… well, you’re still here. That has to mean something.”

You’re not sure what to say to that. But your chest feels lighter than it has in days.

You look back at your painting – the chaos of it, the strange colors, the way nothing really fits – and for once, that doesn’t feel so terrible.

The paintbrush starts to drag in your hand. You don’t notice until your strokes turn uneven.

You blink, realizing how heavy your limbs feel. “I should probably go,” you murmur, setting the brush down. “It’s late, and Sylus is probably wondering where I am.”

You don’t catch the shift in Rafayel’s posture.

He leans back slightly, elbows on his knees. “Back to the N109 zone at this hour?” His voice is casual, but his knuckles flex once, slow and deliberate. “You’d only be halfway there by sunrise.”

“I’ll be fine,” you say, though you’re not sure you believe it yourself.

“You just got comfortable,” he says, glancing toward the wide windows, the ocean glowing faintly beneath a fractured moon. “No one’s going to mind if you take one night off from survival mode.”

You hesitate.

“I don’t want to intrude,” you offer, though your body’s already aching at the thought of making that long trip back.

“You won’t,” Rafayel replies gently. “I’ll take the couch. You can have the bed, clean sheets and everything, promise.”

You glance at him.

He lifts a hand, mock solemn. “Swear on my best brush.”

A beat.

“Okay,” you say softly.

“Good.” He stands, stretching. “Bathroom’s down the hall. The door with the chipped koi on it.”

You nod and step away to wash the paint off your hands.

When you’re out of sight, Rafayel runs a hand through his hair and exhales, slower than necessary.

The studio feels different now. Like something in the air shifted.

He moves quietly, dimming the lights, rinsing off brushes, setting canvases to dry. It’s muscle memory by now, the motions smooth, effortless. But his thoughts aren’t as still.

You said Sylus was probably waiting for you.

Of course you’d say that. And of course he is.

His fingers press briefly against the edge of the worktable, a knuckle whitening before he lets go.

He casts a glance toward the hallway where you disappeared, then to the couch.

You’d been exhausted – trying so hard not to show it. The weariness in your voice, the weight in your shoulders… he’d seen it. Felt it, like something echoing in his own chest.

Offering you a place to rest had been instinct. But there’s more to it than that. And he knows it.

Still, he doesn’t say it out loud. Not even to himself.

This isn’t the time.

Not yet.

For now, he leans back against the counter and closes his eyes, letting the ocean breeze slip in through the cracked windows. It smells like salt and clean air and the faintest trace of the citrus soap you used.

He stays there a long while.

Just listening to the waves.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

The study is too quiet.

Sylus leans back in his chair, arms folded, eyes unfocused as the soft hum of the base’s systems fills the silence. The time glows steadily on the screen in front of him.

You’ve been gone for a while.

He told himself not to hover. You weren’t stepping into danger – just meeting someone. Someone familiar. 

Still… his fingers tap restlessly against the desk.

No message yet.

He eyes the comms panel. Mephisto’s idle. He could send him, just a quick check-in.

But he doesn’t move.

Rafayel wouldn’t hurt you. He knows that.

Probably.

He grabs his phone, thumbs hovering for a second before typing:

Everything alright?

The reply comes fast.

he knows.

His jaw tightens. He barely has time to process it before the next message follows:

but it’s okay. i think. turns out you’re not the only understanding man around here?

i’ll be back in the morning

Sylus stares at the screen.

His first reaction is relief, the kind that hits too hard, like a wire pulled too tight finally snapping loose.

You’re safe.

You’re not panicking. You’re joking.

It should be enough.

He sets the phone down but doesn’t look away from it. There’s a strange pressure behind his ribs. Something unsettled. Restless.

He tells himself it’s concern. Simple as that.

You’re not exactly predictable. And Rafayel… well, Sylus doesn’t know what he wants.

He told you to go.

He said it might buy time.

But now that you have – now that Rafayel knows – he can’t quite shake the feeling that something’s shifted. That something slipped out of his reach before he realized he’d even been holding it.

His fingers curl slightly against the armrest.

He’s just concerned. Maybe you’re too trusting.

He just wants to make sure you’re okay. That’s all.

He exhales quietly, then picks the phone back up.

Be safe.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

The morning creeps in quietly, slow sunlight filters through the linen curtains, casting soft golden bars across the paint stained floorboards. It smells faintly of ocean air and drying pigment.

You wake curled beneath unfamiliar sheets, the bed bigger than it looked the night before. It’s too quiet. Peaceful in a way that makes you hesitate before moving.

You sit up slowly, the comforter sliding off your shoulder, and pad into the studio barefoot.

Rafayel is already awake. He’s perched on a stool by the open balcony, sipping something from a chipped mug, one leg folded beneath him. His hair is slightly tousled. The wind lifts it from his face.

He glances over when he hears you. “Morning, cutie.”

Your voice is hoarse. “Didn’t mean to sleep in.”

“You needed it.” He nods toward the hallway. “There’s coffee, if you trust my taste.”

You find the cup waiting in the kitchen, not perfect, but warm, and kind. You sip it quietly beside him.

After a moment, he speaks again, gaze still on the ocean.

“If you ever need to get away again… you know where I am.” He taps a loose rhythm against the railing with one finger. “The door’s always open. Doesn’t have to be a crisis.”

You glance at him.

He meets your eyes briefly. No pressure. No insinuation. Just… calm.

“Thanks,” you murmur. “That means a lot.”

“Good.” He gives a crooked smile. “Now go before the vampires start wondering where their sunshine went.”

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

The N109 zone feels darker than usual when you step back into it – all the steel and shadow, the buzz of faint neon against the gloom. Your body still carries a lingering warmth from the coast, a calm you’re not used to.

You make your way inside the base. The twins are arguing over a drone part in the hallway. Kieran offers you a lazy wave, Luke flashes a grin.

You don’t see Sylus right away, but when you step into the common room, he’s there – arms crossed, standing by a massive digital map spread across the wall. He turns when he hears you.

His expression doesn’t shift much, but his eyes skim over you like he’s scanning for bruises.

“You’re back,” he says simply.

“Didn’t mean to stay out so long,” you offer. “We ended up painting. I lost track of time.”

A pause.

Sylus nods, slow. “You seem… relaxed.”

You blink. “Yeah…” you trail off. “It was nice, I was so worried going into it, but it went better than I expected, I guess.”

Another pause. His gaze sharpens just slightly.

“He seemed trustworthy?”

You catch it – the way his voice dips half a degree, the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

“Yeah,” you say. “Honestly, it was nothing dramatic. He was just nice.”

He looks at you a second longer than necessary.

Then: “Good.”

You move past him, toward the hallway. “I’m gonna drop my bag off and go change,”

He doesn’t stop you. But you feel his attention linger like a pulse at your back until you’re gone.

Your room is just as you left it – dim, cold, a little impersonal. But after the surreal calm of Rafayel’s studio, it’s grounding.

You drop your bag on the side table and sink onto the edge of the bed, exhaling slowly. For the first time in days, your pulse isn’t clawing at your throat.

It went better than it should have.

So much better.

You had imagined every worst-case scenario: confrontation, exposure, betrayal. But instead, Rafayel had just… listened. No tense interrogation. No fear. Just that easy warmth of his, disarming without even trying.

You shake your head slightly.

Strange, how simple it felt to be around him.

Not safe, exactly – you know better than to believe that already – but seen. Like you didn’t have to fight for every piece of yourself to be understood.

You stretch your legs out and lean back, glancing toward the small window. The skyline of N109 looms jagged against the artificial dark.

But in your chest, there’s still a faint echo of wind and sea air.

Maybe it makes sense. You’ve always sought the ocean when things get heavy. The salt, the endless blue, the quiet rhythms, they’ve always steadied you.

Of course you felt calmer there.

You hum softly to yourself, some tune that's lived in your mind longer than you can remember – airy and strange, like a half-forgotten lullaby.

You don’t hear the footsteps outside your door.

Sylus hadn’t meant to stop.

He was just passing by. 

But the sound catches him. That humming, faint and familiar, threading through the air like a memory.

And just like that, something in him breaks open.

The hallway dissolves.

He’s somewhere else – somewhen else.

A chapel. Shadowed and quiet, filled with the scent of stone and herbs.

He’s on the floor, barely conscious, blood drying along his ribs. The pain sharp, but distant.

That tune – that same tune – floats to him through the haze. Hummed softly, steadier than his heartbeat. A balm against the ache.

And then another detail,

The smell. Something sharp and herbal, like salve pressed into a wound with trembling hands.

His chest tightens.

He’s not alone.

There’s someone there.

He feels them – kneeling beside him, smoothing his hair back. He can’t see their face. But they’re humming. And they’re warm.

Sylus exhales sharply, blinking hard.

His hand is braced against the wall, jaw tense. The humming has stopped.

Reality seeps back in.

He stays there for a moment, heart beating fast.

It was clearer this time. More vivid than any fragment before. Not just a dream. Not some trick of memory.

But even now, he pushes it down.

Is she remembering?

Why do these memories keep coming back to him?

Why now?

He leans against the wall outside your door, still caught in that strange whirl of memory and tension, when suddenly a pair of energetic footsteps come barreling down the hall.

“Boss! You gotta see this!” Luke’s voice echoes, a little too loud and urgent.

Kieran follows right behind, grinning widely. “No, seriously, you have to check it out.”

Sylus exhales sharply, pushing off the wall and straightening up as the twins approach.

“What is it this time? The vending machine finally decided to eat your money?” he asks dryly.

Luke chuckles. “Better. Some dumb kid in N109 tried to rob a corner shop with a plastic knife.”

Kieran snorts. “The shopkeeper chased him down with a broom. Epic defeat.”

Sylus can’t help the small smirk that tugs at the corner of his mouth. “That’s… hardly critical.”

Luke grins. “Can we go check it out?”

Sylus shakes his head. “Not necessary. Let them learn their lessons.”

Kieran elbow-jabs Luke. “Come on, boss, you love the chaos.”

“Love it or not,” Sylus says, voice low but steady, “I’d rather not deal with it right now.”

Luke and Kieran exchange a quick look, sensing his mood, and then fall back into their usual banter as they walk off.

Sylus watches them go, then lets out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

He leans back against the wall, the sound of their laughter fading behind him, and quietly runs a hand over his face. 

If she does remember…

If that’s true… it changes everything.

He turns away from the door and disappears down the hallway, footsteps quiet in the dim light.

a/n: godddd this chapter was hard to write omg. i hope u guys like it… <3 everyone is avoidant… who knows wtf raf is up to… at least the twins are having fun. i have so much planned for this story, i have to think like 40 steps ahead for every line i write lmao. everyone pray i stay hyperfixated on this before i fumble🙏🏻

🏷️: @paper--angel @leftpoetrymoon @istolepeanuts @rjreins @freeprincesslove @3fg7 @mariahuchiha90 @beaconsxd @poptrim @hon3yydew @pinkpastelbabygirl @rafayelridesfisheatsfish @yannew @peachystea @cms399 @marinenox @cottagedumpling @nightmarewasteland @mitskunicheesecake @katyeongs @shadowypeachsweets @saybeyonce @napforalifetime @bubera974 @moonlight-inthe-sea @xvilluis @potania @demon-master-zero @antonneva @fairestofnrc @orianakira

[autumn-foxfire]

In your Closeted Besties AU (I love you for it, by the way. Its healing for my soul), do Ran and Shinichi ever bond over being attracted to dangerous people? Ran has her canonical little "problem" of blushing at women who turn out to be the murderer of the week. Meanwhile, Shinichi has his equally conanical homoerotic obsession with KID, who even the gods cant convince me isnt actually very morally gray and dangerous person despite Gosho clinging to his so called "comedy" interpretation. Like I understand he is a high school student and not a professional with years under his belt, but the some of the things he does through the series do paint him a particular way, after all...

Oh definitely.

Imagine Ran's smugness when Shinichi told her he might like Kaitou KID because Shinichi has lorded it over her for a long time about how every girl she likes ends up being a murderer or criminal and look who is talking now!

Shinichi: He's not that dangerous...

Ran: Doesn't he knock people out with spanners? I know one of those officers had a pretty nasty concussion afterwards and had to stay in the hospital overnight.

Shinichi: ...

Shinichi: It's not like we haven't done worse?

Ran: ...

Shinichi: And Sera once knocked a person out with her motorcycle.

Ran: ...

Ran: I think we all need to go to anger management.

Shinichi: Probably.

But despite this, Ran is still wary of KID for Shinichi's sake because she doesn't really know KID outside of his costume and is aware of the amazing actor he can be. What if KID is pretending to be a good person to get close to Shinichi in order to hurt him?

Not on her watch!

But when Ran meets Kaito officially, she sees a young man who is as traumatized as all of them, who is trying his best despite the shitty hand life has dealt him (or rather parents) and yes, the stunts he can pull are dangerous at times, and she might not always approve of his methods, he does care about Shinichi.

And she finds a friend in Kaito eventually as well. Someone who sits with and helps her in the kitchen as they discuss recipes while their detective nerds are too busy trying to solve a puzzle from their latest case! Someone who goes shopping with her and helps her pick out nice clothes for her date nights as they regale each other with stupid stories of their significant others!

Someone who has become a natural part of her found family with Shinichi and Sera and who she'd fight tooth and nail to protect as well.

...I need to write more for my closeted besties AU. I love it so much haha!

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

So, what do you think of that frog plushie with Gabriel's voice? The idea is heartwarming, but it was only introduced after Gabriel died a terrible father.

For those not watching season six, the scene in question comes at the start of El Toro De Piedra. Marinette and Adrien are going through a box of items from when Adrien was six which leads to this:

Adrien: Woah hey Froggy! (He pulls out a frog plushie from the box) I love this plushie! (Adrien squeezes the plush it plays a sound mimicking Gabriel's voice) Froggy (toy): Knock knock. Adrien: Who's there? Froggy (toy): Papa. Adrien: Papa who? Froggy(toy): Papa corn. Adrien: I forget it did that. Marinette: That was your father's voice? Adrien: Yes. When I was a kid he could always make me laugh and then he started travelling... Thank you Marinette it's nice reminiscing about Papa corn.

Frankly, the plushie thing just confused and annoyed me because it's another example of season six's baffling writing around Gabriel. When they decided to have Marinette lie and present Gabriel as a hero to everyone, I assumed that they were going to lean into that and have Adrien view his father as a hero, too. That's not what they're doing though. The episode starts with the above scene and ends with this:

Adrien: Yeah, I'm fine. It's just...things were so hard with dad in recent years. How did he go from Papa Corn to father....I wish could face him like Ivan said and understand, but when he was still here I didn't try and tell him anything and now it's too late. Still I'm glad I got to remember Papa corn today thanks to you.

So the plushie is used to allow Adrien to remember what Gabriel was like before Emilie got sick leading to a scene where Adrien laments that his father drastically changed, causing them to have a strained relationship that never got resolved. At no point does Adrien talk about looking up to his father or viewing him as a hero. He even compares Gabriel to Ivan's father Raul who is a known supervillain. I look at that and go, "Why are we bothering with the lies if the writing is going this nuanced route with Adrien? Why let him have these complex feelings about his father if you're keeping him in the dark on the supervillain stuff? What's the end game here?"

Seriously, look at the above and ask yourself what would need to change if Adrien knew the truth. I think Adrien would need to be more conflicted, but that's about it as far as changes go. You could still have him remember good times with his father, be sad that those good times ended, and wish that he understood his father better. He's processing the Gabriel trauma just without the full picture and - as a viewer - it's both bizarre and upsetting! Seeing Adrien go through the grieving process knowing that it's all going to reset when he finds out the truth is aggravating!

Of course that's assuming that he learns the truth and grieves again which are big assumptions. I genuinely have no idea what this show is planning to do with the lies because the writing around them is so baffling! I also don't really care anymore. It's all so stupid and pointless that every new twist in canon just makes me go, "Sure, why not. Throw that BS in the mix, too. It makes about as much sense as the rest of this nonsense."

Speaking of BS, the plushie reveal annoyed me for another reason! A while back, I talked through the flashbacks in Werepapas and how they massively retconned the timeline for Emilie getting sick. El Toro De Piedra takes that retcon and seems to retcon it again because the plushie is explicitly from when Adrien was six and Adrien says:

Adrien: Yes. When I was a kid he could always make me laugh and then he started travelling... Thank you Marinette it's nice reminiscing about Papa corn.

But in Werepapas a young Adrien says:

Adrien: Does that mean that daddy doesn't love me? Émilie: Why would you say that? Adrien: Because we never see daddy. He's never here.

Oh, and just for fun, it doesn't fit this line from Origins either:

Adrien:(gets up while still holding Plagg) My dad's pranking me, right? Wait, he couldn't be. He has no sense of humor.

Or the fact that Emilie was supposed to be the one with the sense of humor or at least so said Feast:

Adrien: Mom's the only one who could make me laugh like that. Thank you, Plagg.

Consistency!!! (Yes, I'm salty that they're not embracing Emilie as the jokester. It's one of my favorite headcanons that I only have because of the scene from Feast. It was a nice way to hint at her having an actual personality plus I loved the idea of the mom being the funny one instead of the dad.)

Moving on!

My main point here is that we don't know Adrien's age in Werepapas, but it can't be much older than six, but now we're being told that Gabriel was an active father when Adrien was six which means that I'm once again totally lost as to what the timeline is for the Agreste plot. I also no longer care. I'm not putting more effort into this than the writers.

[sokkastyles]

One of the most ridiculous examples of Azula stans trying to prove that Ursa neglected Azula is when they use the scene where Ozai is presenting Azula to Azulon, Zuko tries to show what he knows, too, and both Ozai and Azulon react in anger. Zuko is upset and humiliated, and Ursa comforts him and praises him for trying.

"But she didn't praise Azula!" The argument goes. "Aha, this is neglect!"

Except that...it's not. Ozai and Azulon are already praising Azula, for one. Second, Azula put down Zuko to prop herself up. Ursa isn't going to, and shouldn't, praise Azula for being a bully. Especially not when her husband and stepfather are encouraging this behavior. And if Azula noticed this at all - which she doesn't seem to, by the way - then the reason it would upset her is because her mother is challenging the bullshit her father has fed her about how being the best is more important than being a good person.

A lot of the Azula defenses often claim that Azula doesn't understand this distinction, except that she clearly does. Azula knows what her mother expects of her, and we see her in the same episode pretty skillfully lie to her mother using those expectations, when she suggests to her mother that she should let her play with Zuko because it's good for them to play as brother and sister. The way the scene is framed makes it pretty clear that she knows that Ursa wants her to be nice to her brother, but Azula clearly has other intentions.

By the way, I've also seen people say that Azula seems like an autistic kid who doesn't know how to mask, but that's also contradicted by her knowing how to manipulate her mother in the previously mentioned scene. In fact, we repeatedly see Azula try to keep her bad behavior a secret. There are a few times she openly says things her mother disapproves of when Ozai is not present, but this feels more like she's aware that her mother has no real power over her.

Which is also another reason Ursa probably didn't say anything to Azula in the scene with Ozai and Azulon. If they were alone, Ursa might have reminded Azula that she and Zuko should help each other, not compete. But since Ozai and Azulon are encouraging this behavior in Azula, Ursa is in a place where she doesn't actually have much power to do that. I'd point to the scene from "Azula in the Spirit Temple" where Ozai is pressuring Ursa to praise Azula for destroying a toy, and saying something neutral is Ursa's only form of rebellion. Which also comes to mind Zuko's surreptitious defense of the Earth Kingdom people in the book three war meeting, when he can't say what he really wants to say to his father.

I also have issue with autistic Azula in other ways, such as the idea that Azula's cruelty comes from autism and not, you know, being cruel. But back to the idea that Azula does not know how to mask, she actually does try to hide her behavior in several places. She's being pretty covert when she tells Zuko that he'll never catch up, and in the scene following the one where Ozai presents the children to Azulon, she also drags Zuko along to observe a forbidden conversation between Ozai and Azulon. Zuko is uncomfortable with breaking the rules, but Azula is getting a thrill from this, and knows very well that she is doing something she is not supposed to do, and knows how to hide her behavior.

This is also an interesting point because it's behavior that goes against what Ozai and Azulon expects from her, not just Ursa. Another common Azula defense is that she can't go against Ozai, but this is proven false not just in this scene when she is blatantly spying on a conversation she was forbidden to observe, but in the places where she lies to Ozai, interrupts him and is, most noticeably in contrast to Zuko, assured that she will be in Ozai's good graces no matter how closely she follows his expectations.

Azula also lies to her mother in the scene following this one when she is threatening Zuko with what she heard about his imminent murder. She's not the type of kid who suffers from an inability to conform to social expectations. Rather, she is shown to be manipulative, aware of what's expected to her but also capable of using those expectations to her advantage, and comfortable with lying to both her parents.

This was supposed to be about Ursa, but I find that there's just not that much to say. The idea that Ursa was wrong to comfort her son when he's upset because his father, sister, and grandfather are all ridiculing him for not being skilled enough, and that this is unfair favoritism on Ursa's part, is just an incredibly dishonest argument.

[winterlsoldier]

Sam and Bucky each bring so much to their relationship and from Bucky's perspective it works so well because Sam got to know him as the person he is now and not who he used to be. Bucky's history, pre-winter soldier in particular, doesn't influence how Sam sees him and it must be incredibly refreshing for Bucky to be treated not as a lingering part of a lost person, or without any sugar coating or pity, or an immediate threat analysis. Sam knows when Bucky is dangerous and he knows when he's not, he knows when Bucky needs a push and when he needs picking up. Sam doesn't see him as the winter soldier nor does he see him as the kid from Brooklyn/the howling commando/the ww2 hero - Sam sees Bucky, just as he is.

I think it's a factor in why Bucky is so comfortable with Sam because Sam is genuine, he's honest, he's good to the core and he treats Bucky as a human being, not a tragedy or a bomb ready to go off.

Sam consistently demonstrates his ability to see the good in people, to try and understand different perspectives and motivations and to try and connect with people in order to find solutions to a conflict - he's exactly what captain america should be and it's who he's been the whole time

[ferrari55lover]

No longer a second choice (Part 2)

Oscar piastri x best friend reader Face claim for y/n- random girls on Pinterest PREVIOUS

(3 days after the party) Y/n's POV

Its been three days since the night of my party, that night was supposed to be fun but ended up making me feel like jumping out of my window to my death. im not sure why, maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the way Oscar looked at me that night. I don't remember much from the night of the party but what i do remember was when Calum walked in and the way Oscar looked at me when i introduced them to each other, it was the same look he used to give me as a kid when he dropped his ice cream or when another kid stole his turn on the swings, it was the kind of look that gave you that heavy feeling in your chest, that heavy feeling is what I've been feeling since that moment, Me and Oscar haven't talked much since then and im not sure what to do, Usually i can take one look at Oscar and know how he's feeling but lately i cant read him at all. i wonder if he can still read me, i wonder if he knows that i think about him all the time, I wonder if he thinks of me too.

Monaco. Updates singer Y/n L/n was seen in Monaco walking and eating with new mystery man. is it the same guy from her birthday post??. liked by y/n fan page and 50,000 others

y/n fan page NOO THATS NOT OSCAR

User324 That's supposed to be Oscar and her

User227 her and oscar haven't been seen together in weeks what is going on?!

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A few hours after i had dinner with Callum i was laying in bed doom scrolling through TikTok when i see a notification pop up at the top of my screen, it was Oscar, he had texted me for the first time in three weeks. he's supposed to be my best friend so why had we gone three weeks without talking to each other. and if he's just a friend why did it hurt so bad when we didn't talk.

*2 days later*

*Y/n's POV few minutes after texting with oscar*

*Oscars POV*

Around twenty minutes ago i arrived at y/n's place when i got there i didn't bother knocking i just grabbed the spare key from under y/n's doormat, unlocked the door and walked. When i walked in i saw y/n sitting on her couch with her face buried in her hands, she was crying i couldn't see her face but i knew she was crying and it made me want to cry too, i hate seeing y/n like this i wish she never had to feel this way i wish that i could protect her from guys like him. i start to walk over to y/n and then sit down next to her, she still doesn't look up so i just wrap my arm around her shoulder and then speak up "he didn't deserve you, you know that right" i say then she looked up at me and said "I just don't understand he was so good to me until then, how could he just switch up like that" i nodded and reply with "I know i know he was but i also know that you deserve someone so much better than him" she then let out a laugh, not a full one just a small sad laugh and then she said "sometimes i wish i could just find a guy like you" that sentence made me want to die, someone like me why not just me, i wish she wanted me instead.

Me and her just sat there for a while, her crying on my shoulder and me comforting her and trying to pretend i didn't notice how holding her felt. a few hours later i leave her apartment and return to mine, when i got back i went straight to bed but i couldn't fall asleep so instead i just stared at my ceiling thinking of y/n.

*A few weeks later*

Yourusername Just some pics from the last few weeks to go along with a big announcement. Unsent letters out on Monday. I hope you guys like it!. liked by oscar piastri, y/n's friend (chloe) and 50,000 others

User300 y/n in her sad girl era?

Yourusername Unfortunately yes i am in my sad girl era

Oscar piastri cant wait im sure its gonna be great

Y/n's friend (Chloe) WE LOVE YOU Y/N DONT BE SAD

Yourusername I LOVE YOU TOO, BUT I AM SAD STILL

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[devinescribe]

hiccup x plus size / chubby reader headcannons? (maybe spicy!!) plz and ty!! 💞

Okay, so, I'll try spicy headcanons which will be marked before they start so if you don't want to read them you can scroll past of click away :) I LOVE BEING CHUBBY/PLUS SIZE AND WRITING FOR GIRLIES LIKE ME MWUAH MWUAH MWUAH

Theres wayyy more SFW than NSFW though just a warning 😭

Warnings: cussing, smut, suggestive content, uhhh yeah

SFW

- Hiccup genuinely thinks you're the most gorgeous girl to ever walk the earth. You fight like a war goddess, but love like the sun loves the sky.

- Hiccup isn't weak and I think a lot of people forget that. He worked in a forge for years 😭 he punched Snotlout with his non dominant hand and KNOCKED HIM TF OUT. He's strong contrary to popular speculation. He can definitely pick you up. In fact, his favorite thing to do is pick you up and spin you around before kissing you. (Yes the Disney princess kiss)

- His love language to give is physical touch. He loves holding your hand, or having his hand on your back.

- Honestly, he just loves being yours. He always makes jokes about you being a goddess or nymph sent to him.

- Now, in Norse times, you would be considered the pinnacle of beauty for your plush figure. But there's always that one person. That one person that makes a comment. (They're the odd one out everyone else compliments your wide hips and soft tummy) and Hiccup? Loses it. He doesn't crash out often, but when he does it's either extremely valid, or defending you.

- Loves sleeping next to you and holding you. Sometimes Toothless tries to sleep in between you both because he feels left out. You never complain, in fact you always make space for the dragon.

- Always says you smell good, which is true. Extremely true.

- Has imagined what you would look like at a wedding. Sorry, not A wedding. Your wedding. With him as your spouse.

- Loves when you give him a lil fashion show, showing off what you got from trader Johan(before... y'know...) He thinks it is the highest honor he could receive from you.

- speaking of, he's an inventor. Of course he loves you to the point of invention. Loves you above it. You complain about how hot you get? He makes you a hand fan. Complain about how your thighs rub together when you walk and it hurts or they run so much to the point there's holes (has happened to me😔 it sucks)? He's making pants that are reinforced there and if you wanna wear a skirt? He finds a way to make something for under so they don't touch.

- He's not a guy to show off, but he's not embarrassed of you. Quite the opposite, he's so proud he bagged you. He shows you off in quiet ways. “My girlfriend gave me this…” or “She’s my beloved of course she’s amazing” and stuff like that.

- Will never admit to your face that he loves walking behind you… cuz… yeah. He says it’s to watch and make sure you’re safe. Nah. He’s a man with taste.

- Always reassuring, but never pushy. If you think something looks bad on you, he’ll say he thinks you look gorgeous, but if you genuinely feel uncomfortable, that you should change into something you’ll feel better in. To him, your best look is when you feel confident and comfortable in what you wear.

- if anyone flirts with you he’s like… uh… no. Ew. She’s mine. Just kidding, he glares at them until they leave you alone. His silence is scarier than any yelling.

- Didn’t think a literal goddess like you would ever like a guy like him. Like… ever. He seriously thought you were into ANY other guy in the village. ANY other guy.

- When he asked you to be his, he was a stammering… nervous wreck. Like he was shaking. It was all worth it when he got your enthusiastic answer, and a kiss on the cheek.

- Keeps every promise.

- Kisses every stretch mark, and every insecurity you may have. Because the things you hate about yourself are the things he lives the most. He doesn’t understand how you look at yourself and see anything other than perfection.

- If traders don’t bring things in your size he’s like… “UNACCEPTABLE!” He would pay triple the amount of it meant you had quality clothes that fit you. Hel, he’s commissioning Snotlout to sew for you at this point 😭

⚠️NSWF⚠️MINORS DNI AFTER THIS POINT⚠️

- A giver. He says he could spend hours between your thighs and he means it.

- Speaking of which, he loves your thighs. Grabbing them, squeezing them, leaving hickeys on them…

- Has definitely fantasized about using your thighs to get off.

- The first time he saw you naked he, and these are his own words,

“Gods you’re so hot I almost just-“

“H-hiccup!”

“What? I’m serious. Almost finished just from that… you’re so gorgeous my love…”

- Remember I said he kisses all your stretch marks? Yeah I meant it. That’s how most of your lil sessions started.

- He loves praises, both giving and receiving, but loves to praise you.

“You’re so pretty under me baby…”

“You take it so well…”

“My pretty girl…”

- Oh, uh he loves when you ride him. The way he can see everything… your thighs on either side of his hips… how your body moves while you’re on top of him…

“Gods you’re so pretty… look at you… riding me like that. You’re incredible…”

- …Secretly he wants to ask you to sit on his face but is to nervous to actually do it so he’ll stick to being a munch for now, until he gains the courage to do so

[raileurta]

“Find a safe alternative that didn’t involve killing bots” I’m wondering how???? Can you, like…tofu burger a spark somehow????? (Lowkey would the kids not consider it as good as the bot killing source? like how some people don’t like veggie burgers lmao. Not because of the lack of killing but just cause it’s just…not the same, if that makes sense?)

If Jack is now optimus’ sworn enemy (even if he doesn’t want to be) what happens? Does Optimus keep quiet about it to see if Jack really does operate under unicrons influence? Does he choose to just quietly observe and try to figure out how Unicron did this to try and prevent it from happening again? Or does he just come out with it? Tell him to his face what this means? Would Jack have to leave? I can’t think of a scenario where Optimus tells him of the new enemy status and the two just hang around each other. Where would he even go? There aren’t many places of his size either, I doubt he’d try hiding with the cons after all that lol

What about the others? Arcee is definitely one of, if not the, most attached to him. Would she try to quietly visit him or would she leave outright? Would wheeljack and bulkhead have a moment where they compare what they’re doing for Miko and realise they’re probably not as firmly on Optimus’ side compared to the kids? What about the kids? They’re not oblivious, would they worry Optimus might think they’re a risk too and just leave with Jack? What if it acts as a sort of catalyst for the other two to become messengers somehow? Idk how but the self fulfilling prophecy angst while trying to avoid it is ooog >:)

On the flip side: If they actually followed unicrons orders, how would a messenger go about spreading word of him? Just walking into town and preaching doesn’t sound very feasible lmao

Optimus is very… well optimistic about a way to keep everyone safe and fed. This is what he thinks.

Tofu sparks are an interesting idea though.

When it comes to conflict Optimus will try the diplomatic solution first if he can do so. Jack hasn't proven to be hostile yet or show any intention of hurting any of the Autobots. He will try to figure out how much influence Unicron has over the boy and the potential threat he poses. Since Jack is in charge of “Freedom” that is what he will try to spread. Which Optimus is not opposed to at all, but he is waiting for what constitutes “Freedom” and if there can be too much of it. As remember Messengers invoke every negative and positive for the side of chaos they're a part of. The prime will be upfront about the implications of Jack’s new status. Optimus will assure him that he wishes not to harm him but if push comes to shove he will defend himself or anyone else from Jack. Regardless of Jack's intentions for the sake of safety he will be accompanied by at least one Autobot at all times while Fowler sets up another location for Jack to stay at. He's quite mature so I feel like he would understand.

Arcee is still Jack's wine aunt/second mom and she cares for him deeply. She however is quite loyal to Optimus and knows he would NEVER raise a hand against Jack unless absolutely forced to. In which case she knows Jack has been lost and or is dangerous. Which will make Arcee reluctantly fight him; until that day comes however she will be fighting tooth and nail to keep him safe.

Wheeljack is much more loose about his loyalty, especially since Optimus is an authoritarian figure and he's always been the loner. Miko on the other hand is his daughter that he found in the trash which Wheeljack loves more than life itself. The kid didn't ask for this (Maybe? Idk it's Miko) and he doesn't hold any resentment for her diet. He's ready to do anything for her.

Bulkhead on the other hand loves Miko oh so much but he is loyal to Optimus and sees him as a good friend. He's feeling lots of guilt for what he's doing and hiding it from everyone else. If it did come down to it he….. would choose Miko every time. He's not going to enjoy it but he will do it for her.

Jack is half aware of what Wheeljack and Bulkhead are doing, he doesn't have the details but he knows. He isn't paying it much mind currently as he's got his own problems to deal with. He's conflicted about Optimus. This much more than he is used to dealing with. He's in that awkward space of waiting to do something badly but doesn't know what to do.

Raf doesn't know what the Wreckers are doing but he knows something is up with them. He is very anxious about what is going to happen and what it means for them. He's far too nervous to ask Optimus so he turns to Bee for insight. The mech is also not sure what the next moves are and is in much of the dark as Raf is. So for the time Bee is just going to comfort the boy for now.

Miko is deeply aware of what is happening with her two dads. She doesn't feel much remorse for the decepticons, as they are quite literally trying to kill her and her friends everyday. She does feel some anxiety though on Optimus' reaction. While she is not as attached to him as the other Wreckers she still is close to him. Miko will drop him if he tries separating the other kids from the Autobots though.

Hmm. 🤔

There are many ways to do that. Lots of very creative ways. That I will talk about later.

[neerons]

-Kei Soejima's Life Chronology-

✦ This chronology was created for clarity, reference, and to help readers—even those unfamiliar with the route—better understand Kei’s layered backstory.

Louis St. Alfans (son of a duke) and a nun fall in love and she becomes pregnant with illegitimate twins. They become parents at a young age.

Kei and Kai are born and get separated after their birth.

Kei is sent to the orphanage/church and grows up there for 8 years along with his friends Joshua Cillian White, and Sophia Morgan. Along with the other children, he endures SA from the church benefactors, starvation by the priests, as well as bullying from the older kids (especially by one named Nathaniel) during these years.

Kai is kept by the St. Alfanses, publicly known as Louis' younger brother, and grows up there for 8 years.

After believing his friend Josh had died, Kei set fire to the church on a windy night, and ran away in the forest.

Kei was found in the forest and taken in by a family. A man (drunkard) and woman (drug addict) led Kei to their small house, where they kept other orphans like Kei. There were 8 other children with him, living with the bare minimum. One day, the couple tried to exploit Kei by making him wear a dress to sell him to someone who would pay more if he looked like a girl. Kei ran away again into the forest after that event.

Kei collapsed in the forest after escaping from that house, suffering from thirst and hunger. He thought he was going to die and hoped to meet Josh again.

Kei wakes up in the Romleys' residence and meets Chad (Earl) and Anne (Countess) Romley, who rescued him. Anne reveals that they're his official godparents, and that they knew he was raised at church, but didn't know it was in such poor conditions.

Kei tried to run away from the Romleys multiple times, but they always found him and brought him back (since they're legendary agents), which made Kei ultimately trust that they'll always come to find him, and started thinking of them as family.

He's officially adopted by Emma and Cyrus Romley (archaeologists), but ends up living with his adoptive grandparents, guardians and godparents: Chad and Anne.

Kei meets and starts appreciating Caleb Townsend (Marquess), an acquaintance of Chad and Anne (secretly their ex-colleague at the MI6).

Caleb goes on vacation in France with Chad, Anne and Kei at Kei's request. They go to the Romley's winery in France and meet Libre, Chad's white horse that Kei loves a lot.

At night, Kei can't sleep and discovers Caleb has secretly killed Libre in the stable, which horrifies and traumatizes Kei. Right after, Caleb pushes Kei to have dinner with him. Caleb cooks Libre as their main menu at that dinner. Kei forces himself to chew one piece of the meat to avoid offending Caleb, all while wanting to throw up.

Caleb reveals that night that he also ate Kei's father (Louis St. Alfans). Later, he invites Kei to come to his personal residence to show him what remains of his "father". Kei then sees one crystal blue eye in a sort of liquid. Kei believes his father to be dead.

One day, Caleb kidnaps Kei from the Romleys and Kai from the St. Alfanses. The twins meet each other for the first time that day, at 8 years old.

Knowing that Caleb is a cannibal, the twins try to escape once he's gone, but with how strong he is, they knew they stood no chance if they both left. Kai tells Kei that he had a good life unlike him, and to run away. Kei doesn't want to leave him behind, but is pushed by Kai to switch their shirts and escape. After getting out of the house, Kei trips on something and hits his head hard on the ground, leaving a scar on his forehead.

Kei's memories become hazy as time goes by because of his traumatic experiences triggered by Caleb, and possibly because of how hard he hit his head. He forgets his memories linked to Caleb and Kai entirely, as a protective mecanism. The only things he remembers is being raised at church, losing Josh and being adopted by the Romleys after running away.

Kei finds his way back to the Romleys, goes to boarding school and goes on with his life until he becomes a young adult.

He studies at Oxford at 20 years old, and meets Kazuomi and Yuzuru in his first year. They soon become more than just partners-in-crime, and develop a long-lasting friendship that lasts 15 years.

When Kei happens to be in Japan one day, he receives a letter and gift from "Chad". The gift was a golden choker, a family heirloom. "Chad" tells Kei to give this to a lady he might be interested in, since he's at the age to marry. However, Kei finds out way too late that the person who sent him that letter and choker was actually Caleb.

Kei meets MC for the first time at 35 years old, at Masquerade.

Kei gives MC the choker he received from "Chad" as a sign of his domination over her, and because he simply thought it might suit her. And so begins the story of their complex romance.

[nenoname]

Stan and Soos' sorta-Dad and Sonployee relationship

We of course have Soos assigning Stan as his father figure the moment he got hired

But Stan holds that moment dear too, with Soos becoming his main source of company after the Mystery Shack, his first big success, was starting to hit rock bottom. And he made sure to keep the screwdriver that led Soos to him for a decade which unfortunately gets stolen by a certain time traveler...

(Their meeting being a paradox of Soos' family leading him to them is super sweet too!)

Playing one game of catch with their dads still was a dream for both of them, even when it was clear that it'll never happen, even when Soos knows that the Pines are his family and he shouldn't care about that biological deadbeat, even when Filbrick threw Stan away like trash.

But both of them end up finding closure with each other anyway.

Along with Stan likely teaching him how to fix golf carts (to the point that Soos is pretty skilled at it now), he also taught him boxing and tried to do something about his birthday, which is another sore spot for the both of them.

In the Sooscast, we have Stan continuing with the podcast despite learning this horrifying truth/not understanding what the hell is going on.

Noticeably, we see that Stan is a lot more lenient on Soos in comparison to Dipper, mostly because Stan doesn't project most of his issues onto him. (Not that he's immune from chores or shitty tasks but that's the burden of being a sonployee...)

And in NWHS, Stan trusts him to guard the lab with no questions asked (even if that ended up being foiled by Soos loving Mabel and Dipper too)

The comic story is Soos helping Stan regain and continue one of his childhood dreams, with the website having Stan continuing to draw on the Stan o' War.

And while unfortunately most of their father-son relationship content is at the end or after the series, Alex still said a lot about them in the commentary and interviews!

Before they met, Soos was someone who appeared to only really have his Abuelita and cousin, while Stan had.... a baby goat. And a disappearing frilly lizard.

We have Stan claiming that the reason why he never had children was because of his own dad and that money is basically his child (which just loops around back to his money obsession being his desire to get back his family)

But even still, he passes down the Shack and fez to Soos with barely any pause, the fez in particular being tied up with a lot of complex emotions. But Soos getting his own suit fitted just for him and not being pressured to wear a girdle to hide his weight kinda symbolizes to me that the role of Mr Mystery is now free from that baggage.

And whenever we'd end up getting Stan o' War stories, I'm sure the two of them are gonna get way more father-son moments

(Filbrick's impact on Stan post, Stan projecting on Dipper post)

[spotaus]

Hey i am back with a thought.

I know we already mentioned like. The future future plans concerning kids in the New Age storyline.

I was thinking. Who would carry/get the kid in the couples? (Yes this implies mpreg. If this aint your thing no worries you can just ignore everything else :3 )

As you mentioned before. Nightmare and error would most likely adopt.

Between dream and blue i think blue would end up carrying the kid. Dream would feel too locked up and locked down if he had to take it easy. Also. Let this man pamper Blue. He deserves that.

Ccino and Killer. Ccino wouldnt want kids for a LONG time and even just the idea would be slow going. But killer has his soul situation (is that also a situation in this story?) And he is a knight being out and about. Ccino is safely at home and would be the safer option. But they would need a long time before ccino would feel comfortable with the idea.

Horror and Crop. Crop. Hands down. Horror with his work and Crop has help on the farm. But i doubt thwy would get a kid because they have along distance relationship.

Cross and Lust it depends on who wants it more. I can see both being the one who does it mostly because i can see pros and cons for both sides.

Reaper, Geno and Dust. Only one option. Reaper. Dust doesnt have a healthy enough soul and that with his spell around it? No way he can carry a kid. Geno meanwhile only has a soulshard so he isnt healthy enough to carry a kid either. Leaving only Reaper as an option.

Okay that was it. :D

Haha! Omg I keep forgetting this is smth I can think about! Usually it's not my scene so it might not cone up much in-stiry but it IS how I picture the cast having kids in this one, so!!! We're diving in!!

Like u said, those boys are adopting hehe-

With Dream and Blue it's a bit hard, because I think that Dream would be really really worried about Blue the entire time. Like, terrified his magic would accidentally trigger the whole Twin thing. But, ultimately, yeah, probably Blue! Dream *would* get too restless, and Blue rlly does deserve to be pampered hehe- (I just think Blue would have to really really talk Dream into it. Dream does NOT want to be like his mother anymore.)

Killer and Ccino... let's go with a yes on Killer's soul situation, so Ccino would be their only option. But, like you said, it would be ages before they even thought about discussing the idea, let alone actually having a kid.

Ohhh yeah. I see Horror and Crop as the ones least likely to have kids (as u said, long Distance relationship, but also they just have to much on their plates? They're practical guys and focus on their work and existing families first. Plus, someone has to be the cool uncles to their nieces and nephews!) But definitely Crop. Especially because Horror is pretty low on natural magic as-is and even though his soul is healthy, his body might not even be able to form a firm ecto, let alone anything safe to harbor a forming soul. (Unlike Ccino, Horror was born that way, and the injury didn't help lmao-)

Cross and Lust? I think they'd both regularly get baby fever, but neither of then would be ready to settle down for a *while* in that way, so I think they'd push off the question until years later. Then when it comes up, they 'fight' over it. Insisting that they should carry- I think they'd end up choosing Cross though! As much as Lust seems like the more convenient option, as he's not a knight, Cross is just built different and insists that if anything goes wrong he wants to be the one it happens to. Which, ofc, leads to him doing training whilst in the early stages until someone (probably Killer or Dust) notices he's a little off and then Cross admits he's got a soulling. He did not expect to immediately get horrified looks (because they were fighting someone with a lil guy inside them, not because he has a lil guy) or to immediately get ushered out of training and to his room because??? Idiot??? What were you thinking??? Cross is the worst at staying off his duties, but his brother's have him covered, thank god-

And yep, put perfectly! Reaper is so genuinely the only option! It leads to some odd interactions, since Reaper can't exactly stop being King, but he manages shockingly well and has Geno there to help him (and probably later on Dust, since Night isn't about to leave Dust out of that due to work-) And. I like to think these three in particular have multiple kids perhaps, Kane and then another, and it's kinda a running joke that Reaper's the one hauling them around lmao- (Also very convenient! Because Reaper is the one with death magic in his soul, the kids are effectively immune to it! They were made from that stuff basically, so ofc they're fine!)

[iamnotlookingidonotseeit]

fascinating revelations out of my dad's professional coaching of the whole family today

my mom scored astonishingly high on empathy and caring for a woman who seemed to find it next to impossible to express that to me

my dad has done an insane amount of work to be so warm and personable considering that his natural inclination is towards strong reserve rooted in anxiety (just like me!!)

my sister shocked - SHOCKED 🙄 - to learn that she scores almost zero in empathy AND very high on manipulation

actually shocking reveal that my sister always knew she was my mom's favorite. like I kind of assumed she was mean to both of us but apparently most of the biting comments were for me

[sskk-manifesto]

\\

[teyrnacousland]

ooo 21, 23, and 29 for Illario?

Yay, Illario! I will take any excuse to ramble more about Illario ♥

(ask list)

21. When do you think they were at their happiest?

This is an especially fitting question for Illario, since his name means happy!

I think the answer is probably before his parents died. Before he learned about all the weight and pressure the world would put on him, and before his every relationship became tainted by the fear of the pain of loss, or of disappointment. I think that event and everything that happens after it haunts even the happy memories.

I like to think that he finds new happiest memories in one way or another post game, either by reconciling with Lucanis or by making friends/finding love/finding a purpose, whatever.

23. Future headcanon

I like to think that after they rebuild some trust again, Illario ends up being Lucanis'... not secretary, because I think he'd hate that, but basically the person who meets with people on Lucanis' behalf. They both claim it's because the First Talon is too busy to attend meetings himself, but really it's just that Lucanis doesn't want to go and they both know Illario is better at it.

I like to think that this grows into collaborating more until eventually, they end up as unofficial Co-First Talons, unless one or both of them leaves the Crows. They each handle the things they're good at and they argue about Crow politics behind closed doors.

(Also Teia and Viago are there too, and possibly Rook. The title of First Talon is still officially Lucanis', but unofficially it's basically a group project at this point.)

29. How do you think they would be as a parent? (and if they are a parent, how do you think they would be if they weren't?)

Oooh, you really did pick the best questions for Illario, hm? I think he'd be... complicated? But I think he'd want to be better than Caterina was to them. He resents Caterina, and he says in The Wigmaker Job that if he was in charge, he wouldn't do the things Caterina did. He wanted Lucanis to retire. He wanted Lucanis to be safe and away from the dangers and pains of life as a Crow.

I think that desire would apply to his child, too. I think he would look at his child and resent Caterina more for it, because he couldn't imagine treating his child the way Caterina treated him. I think he'd be fiercely protective and that spoil his children with the best luxuries money can buy. He obviously has his own issues, and I think it'd be naive to say none of that would affect how he is as a parent, but I think he would want to try.