#i admit that this song sounds nostalgic and gentle

[gremlinsbooty]

24th of July. It is important yet underrated date for VOCA history, since It is 20 years since the release of "History of LOGIC", which is contained the first commercial render of VOCALOID vocals (MEIKO and KAITO).

Even LEON and LOLA has not been released yet. This song used the prototype VOCALOID from VOCALOID as the main vocal.

Currently, major releases of CDs sung by Hatsune Miku and VOCALOID and collaborations with professionals are not uncommon, but the first VOCALOID song recorded on the major CD was this song that goes back to before the official release.

In my opinion, it brings me a smile, knowing that no matter how much time will goes, there will always were and be people, who love VOCALOID and sharing a piece of their soul with creating music and/or art with these singing fellas..

[ikkyfics]

Where the Sun Meets Love

Finnick Odair x f!reader

Summary: During a quiet night, Finnick finds a song and, without thinking twice, invites you to dance in the living room.

Warnings: fluffy, modern!au, est. relationship

Masterlist

The night gently fell over the wooden house, which seemed even cozier under the warm glow of the lamps. The salty smell of the sea came through the slightly open window, mixed with the sound of waves crashing in the distance. You were sitting on the couch, holding a cup of hot tea in your hands, while Finnick fiddled with an old record player he had insisted on fixing that week.

“It’s going to work, I swear,” he said for the third time, his tongue between his teeth as he adjusted something on the needle.

“You’ve said that for the last fifteen minutes,” you replied, laughing, but not taking your eyes off him.

Finnick always had this way of making simple things seem extraordinary. He wasn’t just fixing a record player; he was bringing something to life, as if every little detail mattered to him. That’s what you loved most about him: his ability to see beauty and meaning in everything.

Suddenly, the music started playing. It was a soft, nostalgic melody, the kind of music that felt made for slow dancing. Finnick stood up, smiling like a child who had just won a prize.

“I told you it would work,” he announced, triumphant.

You just rolled your eyes, hiding a smile behind the mug.

But before you could respond, he crossed the room in two quick steps and extended his hand to you. “Let’s go.”

“Go where?” you asked, suspicious.

“Dance,” he replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Finnick…” You laughed, placing the mug on the coffee table. “I don’t know how to dance.”

He raised an eyebrow, his smile turning into something more challenging. “Of course, you do. Everyone knows. You just have to get up.”

“I’m a disaster,” you insisted, but he was already holding your hand and gently pulling you up.

Finnick led you to the center of the room, where the music filled the space with a magical atmosphere. He held your hand with a gentle firmness, the other hand resting on your waist.

“Trust me,” he said, his green eyes shining with a warmth that made you forget any argument you might have had.

You sighed but couldn’t resist. It was impossible to resist Finnick Odair, especially when he looked at you like that.

“Alright,” you murmured, allowing him to guide your steps.

At first, you stumbled more than you’d like to admit, stepping on his feet and letting out nervous laughs every time it happened. But Finnick just laughed along, holding you more firmly and whispering encouraging words.

Slowly, you began to relax. He guided you so effortlessly it felt like you were floating. Your steps became more natural, and the sound of the music and his presence filled every corner of your mind.

“I told you, you know how to dance,” he murmured, his voice soft and full of affection, like a wave whispering as it breaks on the shore.

You felt his words drifting through the air between you, so close that it was impossible not to notice the warmth emanating from him. Finnick’s skin was warm, heated by the day’s sun, with a slight hint of salt and sea breeze. His scent was an intoxicating mix of the sea and something citrusy, maybe orange or lemon, fresh and irresistible, as if summer had chosen to live inside him.

His fingers intertwined with yours were firm, but the hand on your waist brought a delicate contrast, as if he feared you might disappear if he didn’t hold you with such care. With every small movement, you felt the texture of fine sand still stuck at the edges of your shirt, a reminder of the day you’d spent together at the beach.

You looked up to meet his eyes—green so intense it felt like they contained the ocean itself. The smile Finnick wore now wasn’t the usual playful, teasing one. It was calmer, more intimate, as if he was seeing something in you that the whole world would never understand.

“You only say that because you love me,” you replied, your voice so soft it almost got lost in the music.

“Exactly,” he said without hesitation, his lips curving into a wider smile, one that warmed you from the inside out.

The music continued playing, but it wasn’t about the steps anymore. It was about the way he slightly tilted his head, as if he wanted to memorize every detail of your face. It was about how you swayed together, in a rhythm that had nothing to do with the song and everything to do with what you felt.

Finnick leaned in, and you could feel his breath, warm and soft, brushing against your skin. His fingers slowly slid from your back to the exact point where your waist curved, and the touch was so light it felt like a whisper.

"You're so..." He stopped, as if trying to find the right word. But before he could continue, you saw the spark in his eyes, and it was as if he didn’t need to say anything else. The silence was more eloquent than anything that could come from his mouth.

You stayed like that, slowly swaying in the center of the room. It didn't matter anymore what was around you; the entire world seemed to have been reduced to that small moment. His forehead gently pressed against yours, and the warmth of his skin mingled with yours.

His fingers traced a light line from your temple to the curve of your jaw. It was a touch almost reverent, as if he wanted to map every piece of you carefully, so he would never forget.

"I could stay like this forever," he whispered, his voice so quiet that it seemed meant only for you to hear.

His words carried a soft weight, as if they were woven by hand, each syllable imbued with something you couldn’t name but felt deeply. The warmth radiating from his skin seemed to envelop you completely, like the sun kissing the sand on a summer day.

You tilted your head back, your eyes meeting his. There was a light there, a mix of adoration and tenderness, that made your heart beat in a way that almost hurt. He didn’t look away, as if he were submerged in you, navigating through every emotion that passed across your face.

"I feel the same," you replied, your voice almost faltering—not because it was hard to say, but because the truth of those words filled every corner of your being.

Finnick smiled, that light smile, but so full of meaning it seemed to carry the world. His hand, still resting on your waist, applied a subtle pressure, pulling you just a little closer. The music playing in the background now seemed distant, almost irrelevant, replaced by the constant rhythm of your two breaths, so close it was hard to tell where his ended and yours began.

"I need to..." He started, but the words died on his lips, replaced by an action. Finnick tilted his head, the tip of his nose brushing against yours, a caress so light it made your eyes close reflexively.

His hand slowly moved up, leaving your waist to rest on the side of your face. His thumb traced a slow, almost hesitant path along the curve of your cheek. You felt his touch, warm, with the slight roughness of someone who had spent the day under the sun, yet still so gentle, as if it was made just for you.

"You make me... so lost," he whispered, his lips hovering just millimeters from yours.

And then, slowly, Finnick closed the distance. The kiss began soft, almost shy, as if he wanted to savor the moment in pieces. His taste was a mix of sea salt and something sweet that seemed inherent to Finnick, as if it were impossible to separate him from everything warm and tender.

The hand on your cheek slid to the base of your neck, and you felt his fingers gently intertwine with the strands of your hair. He pulled you closer, the movement as natural as breathing, as if he needed it to exist.

The entire world seemed to disappear. There was nothing left but the heat you shared, the sound of his breath mingling with yours, and the way your bodies moved lightly, still swaying to the rhythm of the forgotten music.

When Finnick finally pulled away, it was just enough to look at you again. His eyes were shining, so green and deep that you could swear they held the entire ocean.

"I didn't know I could love someone like this," he murmured, his voice thick with a raw honesty that made your heart tighten.

You smiled, feeling the tips of his fingers still resting on the line of your jaw, as if he needed to keep the contact. "I think you just stole my words," you said, your smile softening into something more intimate.

Finnick laughed, a low, satisfied sound, before resting his forehead against yours again. "Then we’re even," he whispered, his lips brushing yours in a light touch, like a whisper against your skin.

You stayed like that, your bodies so close it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. The sound of the music blended with the distant waves, but none of that mattered anymore. Everything you needed was rig

[he4dlin3]

“ A quiet night in — L.T “

Pairing ; Louis Tomlinson x Reader

Synopsis ; After a long, exhausting day, you and Louis unwind with a warm bubble bath surrounded by flickering candles and soft music. As the soothing water eases your tension, you share stories about your day, exchanging laughter and heartfelt moments.

Navigation | Material List

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The day had been long—filled with chaos and endless to-dos that left both you and Louis craving nothing more than peace and quiet. By the time evening rolled around, the sky painted in hues of soft pink and navy, the two of you were desperate to unwind.

“I’ve got an idea,” Louis said as you both kicked off your shoes by the door. He shot you a mischievous grin that already had you intrigued. “Stay right here.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Should I be worried?”

“Only in the best way.” He winked before disappearing down the hallway.

A few minutes later, the faint sound of running water echoed through the flat, and curiosity got the better of you. Following the sound, you found Louis in the bathroom, sleeves rolled up as he adjusted the water temperature in the tub. A collection of candles he’d scavenged from around the flat flickered softly on the counter, their warm glow bouncing off the tiles. The scent of lavender and vanilla began to fill the room.

“Romantic, are we?” you teased, leaning against the doorframe.

He glanced back at you with a proud smile. “Only for you, love.”

The tub filled with frothy bubbles, and soft music drifted from the speaker Louis had placed on the windowsill—a playlist you both loved, filled with mellow acoustic songs.

“Come on, then,” he said, tugging at the hem of your top. “Clothes off.”

You laughed. “You’re very forward tonight.”

“Just trying to help you relax,” he grinned cheekily. “Pure intentions, I swear.”

With playful banter and stolen kisses, the two of you undressed and eased into the warm water, the heat instantly soothing your tired muscles. Louis sat behind you, his legs framing yours as you leaned back against his chest. His arms wrapped securely around your waist, and for a moment, neither of you spoke, simply breathing in the serenity of the moment.

“This was a good idea,” you admitted, your voice soft.

“Told you,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to your damp shoulder.

The music hummed in the background, blending seamlessly with the faint crackle of the candles. You traced idle patterns on Louis’s arm, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest against your back.

“How was your day, then?” he asked, his voice low and soothing.

“Long,” you sighed. “Meetings dragged on forever. But it’s better now.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hmm. You always make things better.”

He smiled against your skin. “Flattery will get you everywhere, love.”

“What about you? How was your day?”

He let out a dramatic groan. “Madness, as usual. Studio was a mess. They couldn’t get the levels right on this one track, and I swear I was about to lose my mind.”

“But you didn’t,” you teased.

“Only because I knew I’d be coming home to you.”

You tilted your head to look up at him, your heart swelling at the sincerity in his eyes. “You’re sappy tonight.”

“Always for you,” he said softly, brushing his nose against yours.

The conversation ebbed and flowed, touching on silly anecdotes and future dreams. You laughed as Louis recounted a ridiculous moment in the studio, your laughter mixing with the music and filling the room with warmth.

“Remember when we first did this?” you asked suddenly, a nostalgic smile tugging at your lips.

“How could I forget? I nearly flooded the bathroom trying to surprise you.”

“You were so proud of yourself, though.”

“Still am,” he grinned.

Time seemed to stand still as the water began to cool, but neither of you were in any hurry to move. Louis’s fingers traced gentle circles on your arm, his touch grounding you.

“You’re my favorite person,” he whispered, the words barely audible but heavy with meaning.

“You’re mine too,” you said, your voice equally soft.

The candles flickered as the playlist looped back to the beginning, and you knew this moment was one you’d tuck away in your heart forever.

Eventually, Louis pressed a kiss to your temple. “Come on, love. Let’s get out before we turn into prunes.”

Reluctantly, you both stood, water dripping onto the floor as you wrapped yourselves in towels. Louis grabbed one of the candles, leading you back to the bedroom where fresh sheets awaited.

As you climbed into bed, Louis pulled you close, his arms a familiar fortress of warmth.

“Thanks for tonight,” you murmured sleepily.

“Always,” he promised, his voice steady.

And as you drifted off, tangled in soft sheets and the lingering scent of lavender, you knew there was nowhere else you’d rather be than right here with him.

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[dorcas4meadowes]

could you do a luke fic where an apollo kid reader teaches him how to play guitar?(and maybe sing together) also i love your works🫶

Taught Strums

Pairing - Luke Castellan x Apollo!reader

W/c - 1.5

Master list

A/n: you are so sweet ml <33

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Attempting to engage a handful of demigod children proved to be tedious. It was more tempestuous than a quest ever could ever be. You were exceedingly grateful for your students' inherent abilities to produce music, but it sounded as pleasant as a group of seven could on untuned guitars.

This was the most demanding part of your mornings, seeking out gratitude amongst the ringing noises. You woke with the desire to teach and would leave feeling mildly accomplished, but mostly drained. You loved your siblings, but they had demonstrated to be rather difficult.

You moved your brother’s grip to grasp a chord and allowed a gentle note to caress your ears.

“When can I learn a song?” He asked, strumming gently against his instrument.

“You keep this up and maybe by the weekend.” You replied with a soft smile.

“Really!?” The small blonde you assisted, beaming at his success.

You wouldn’t admit to favourites amongst your siblings, but the Solace boy raised your spirits.

Your sister called for your assistance and you were once again whisked away to help, oblivious to the eyes that remained on your applicable frame.

Your boyfriend was at the dining pavilion playing a distracted game of cards, his gaze gently on you. He watched you lean forward, the beads around your neck slipping over your shirt, his sight set on an additional emblem that graced the thread around your neck and his. Few campers had nostalgic pieces adorned to their threads, Annabeth had her fathers college ring, a few of the demeter kids had resin pressed flowers, but you and Luke shared a small stone carving a Lyre. It represented your gift, your love and the ever dreamt of Elysium. The charm is a constant affirmation of who you belonged to and who he would seek out in the depths of Tartarus.

“Luke,” Chris gestured, having to repeat his name to gather his attention, “your play man.” He mindlessly set out a card and let his gaze return back to your attentive grasp, soaking in your warmth. He couldn’t help but dismiss the meaningless game when you were near, he was like a moth to a flame, your fire slowly making his other priorities melt.

“Dude just go.” Connor took the pile of cards back and began to shuffle them, a few of them floating on the ground.

Luke didn’t have to be told twice and let the invisible guide between you tug him to your presence, to your sweet smile and gentle hands. His inherent nature was dependent on you, he was forever reaching out.

“Hi Luke,” a few of your siblings chorused, your head turning at his arrival.

“Bad time?” He asked.

“Just a minute,” you replied, turning to your sister. While you assisted the girl your siblings instantly flocked to Luke, asking questions about swords and fighting, the real world and about anything that came to their small minds.

As to your promise you salvaged him from your pestering - loving - siblings, explaining that practice was to be finished later, leaving them with a guitar’s neck in your grasp.

“Where to, ‘Lucy Gray’?” he asked, his calloused hands finding yours.

“You’ll see.”

The sun followed wherever your feet trailed, an ever glowing halo making your skin warm to the touch, Luke forever in the palm of your hand. You led him towards the lake, just to where the stones met the lush grass and blanketed at the base of an Oak tree, a seat woven from the flora and roots.

The plants saved you from your troubles and moulded around you, sculpting against your body and Luke’s alike, your guitar resting in your lap. Your eyes flickered to the splash of Naiads who retreaded under the rush of waves, the women’s tails snapping against the tension of the water, and letting it ripple against the tide. You turned your gaze to Luke, who’s never left yours. Your boyfriend had a tendency to stare, his mind would buzz and his head would tilt a little, but you couldn’t sustain contact for as long as he could, so you turned to your instrument.

The notes your fingers strum were pure and resonant and echoed through the stillness. Your fingers pulled across the strings with ease while you let a soft hum leave your lips, a whisper to the passing breeze.

You had a gift, distinguishable from your siblings. Children of Apollo had a tendency to lean towards the liberal arts, but you could manipulate sound like none of your siblings. The gift came after a rather uneventful evening in Olympus, Apollo was feeling bored and after your generous offerings he decided to grant you with the ability to hypnotise through your music. Your art tempted people, it made them forget their own names, it was a temporary trip from their troubles and had them craving your sound, fumbling under your voice.

Luke was not immune to your gifts and he adored them greatly. With you beside him he could appreciate his surroundings, the music pushing his stresses into the background.

“Can you sing?” He asked, his tone gentle. This was his request any time an instrument was in reach.

You smiled at his question, he still made you feel needed after years of people’s pleading. Your fingers smoothly eased between chords and began to play a song which plagued your mind, the lullaby which kept you at ease and proved your love is yours, all yours.

Moon a hole of light

Through the big top tent up high

Shinin’ down on me

The words rolled off your tongue with ease and were sent directly to Luke, slipping through his entire body. You fingers continued to toy with the strings and he continued to lean towards your presence, becoming completely in awe with you once again.

My baby, here on earth

Showed me what my heart was worth

So, when it comes to be my turn

He felt as if the words were crafted for him, each strum and pluck had him in mind, that the choreography of your fingers embraced him. It felt that way at least.

'Cause my love is mine, all mine

I love mine, mine, mine

Nothing in the world belongs to me

You lingered on the last note and then changed your grip and speed, confusing the brunette. Your hands trailed up the instrument then stopped looking over to him, setting the guitar beside you and nearing closer to him, resting your legs over his and pulling the instrument into your grip once more. You pushed the head in his direction which he graciously took then plucked at one of the strings, a painful sound from his flicking.

“Here.” You took his hand and settled it above the strings, his arm resting against the pure wood waiting for instruction. Your fingers climbed over his and delicately plucked at the string closest to him, pulling at it in a repeated manner. Once he grasped it you leant over to his other hand to linger between a few frets, the pattern continuous and difficult for his feeble fingers.

“Mhm, just like that,” you praised, your words lightening his view. He continued to pluck the strings and move his other hand, occasionally forgetting his next move which he picked up easily.

Once he became comfortable with the pattern he noticed your hands underneath his, playing a more complex tune. The two sounds - out of time - familiar to him.

You had shifted so you were practically in his lap and spoke “Ready?” To which he nodded, he would always be ready for you. You started, him following sourly after you, you slowed a little gaining motion with him.

“What is it?” He asked, his fingers messing up, his lips letting out a soft hum.

In your response you sung the chorus in time lowly.

I heard he lives down a river somewhere

With six cars and a grizzly bear

He's got eyes, but he can't see

Well he talks like an angel, but he looks like me

He smiled sweetly, still out of pace, but his dimples showed for your accomplished work. His soft curls fell over his gaze, obstructing him slightly, but he didn’t mind, he enjoyed the simple pleasures as your hands brushed against one another, his lips buzzing a soft sound.

I heard you sold the Amazon

To show the country that you're from

Is where the world should want to be

You both choked out verses and let your voice guide his. He was not a child of Apollo - his voice cracks were questionable - but it was sweet being amongst one another with no other priorities.

When Luke’s fingers became numb he relaxed into your side, his curls tickling your neck and soft breath hitting your skin. You continued to toy at the strings and drifted between a piece you’ve been working on and trying to memorise.

You were a ballad and he was dyslexic, your relationship was a constant blur.

✧༺༻∞ ✧༺༻∞ ✧༺༻∞

Tag-list

@prettyinsatiable @daisydark @creamsweets @auttumnsayshi @ashr0 @y0urm0m12 @2hiigh2cry @niktwazny303

[ticklygiggles]

Miya&Mia's 12 days of Tickles Day 6: Singing

WangXian

A/N: this fic turned out a little different from how I usually write, but I hope y'all enjoy it hehe

During each change of season, a delightful melody from Lan WangJi’s Guqin would fill their small space in the Cloud Recesses. Each of these melodies so different from one another and also different from those of past years, but each and every one of them had something in common: the unconditional and undying love Lan WangJi felt towards Wei WuXian. 

Lan WangJi thought that Wei WuXian hadn't noticed this, but Wei WuXian was no idiot, of course he noticed and he had to admit it, He looked forward with excitement to each change of season. 

He simply couldn't wait to hear the beautiful melodies Lan WangJi wrote and his exquisite voice filling his ears, warm and deep. So when one particularly cold night, Lan WangJi sat upon his Guqin, Wei Wuxian knew he was about to hear his husband's new masterpiece. 

He immediately sat down beside Lan WangJi and smiled from ear to ear, almost vibrating with excitement like WangJi's strings. 

After a sigh, the notes began to flow, softly and slowly like snow falling lazily from the sky. The melody was melancholic, an almost sad, nostalgic tone. The Guqin sounded like the wind whispering through the trees, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and beauty.

Soon after, Lan WangJi’s voice filled his ears and pleasant chills ran through Wei WuXian’s body as his husband sang about the winter arriving again and the hope of walking hand by hand through the snow again this year. 

Wei WuXian's heart was pounding with excitement inside his chest, focused on Lan's beautiful music, so he was very shocked when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by Lan WangJi's qi, little orbs of energy dropping to the ground like actual snow while little blue energy bursts stirred their long hair. 

Wei WuXian saw with amazement the beautiful spectacle Lan WangJi had for him while he sang and played his instrument with light fingers. At some point the blue energy entangled around Wei WuXian's body, warm and gentle and quiet ticklish.

Wei WuXian gasped, feeling his skin cover in goosebumps as the energy filtered through the openings of his clothes and caressed his weak spots playfully. A silly smile pulled at his lips, he wanted to laugh, to ask Lan WangJi what was he trying to do, but he couldn't, he just couldn't stop his beautiful play like that! 

However, the energy was relentless, it brushed against his ribs and under his arms. Across his stomach and circled around his hips, nearly making him buck. The corners of his mouth turned upwards, showing his perfect teeth as he tried to keep himself from laughing, but as the music reached its crescendo, the tickling became more intense, as if light fingers or a bunch of feathers were gently tracing his sensitive skin. 

He couldn't take it anymore and fell back on the wooden floor laughing loudly, kicking and wrapping his arms around his torso, as if that would stop the tickling. As his laughter became more chaotic and vibrant, the melody accompanied him, sounding cheerful and bright, but warm at the same time. 

Wei WuXian couldn't even say his husband's name as he laughed wildly, sweet tears of laughter shining on his eyelashes. He couldn't believe he was being tickled silly like this!

When the melody reached its outro, the tickling started to slowly fade, causing Wei WuXian's loud guffaws to turn into soft giggles and then cute chuckles and so the beautiful song came to an end. 

The only sound in the room now was Wei WuXian's rapid breathing and the last vibrations of the Guqin strings. 

“Lan Zhan~,” Wei WuXian said softly and Lan WangJi laid beside him. “Husband, that was such a pretty melody, but was it really necessary to tickle me like that?!” 

His eyes widened when the sweetest of smiles curved Lan WangJi's lips; if Wei hadn't been breathless in that moment, that smile would've left him gasping. 

“Mn. It was part of the song.” 

Wei WuXian blinked, feeling his cheeks flushing. How could his husband say such things with such a straight face? 

“You're so mean, Lan Zhan!” Wei WuXian whined, but he was smiling, wrapping his arms around Lan WangJi's neck and pressing a loving kiss to his lips. “Thank you for the song, Lan Zhan. For all of them,” he grinned playfully, giggling when Lan WangJi widened his eyes slightly and his ears turned bright pink. 

Lan WangJi, “did you… know they were for you?” 

Wei WuXian, “of course I did, husband! Please write them all for me so I can keep them forever, okay?” 

“Mn. If that is what Wei Ying wants.” 

Wei WuXian giggled happily, hugging Lan WangJi tightly and kissing him deeply. Was it too soon to be excited about Spring?

[chuuuvi]

Cyn’s Top 10 Kpop B-sides of 2023!

The sequel no one asked for but I couldn’t help myself. I love ranking things!

10. Melting Point by ZB1 - It basically interpolates Hush by Miss A which is just absolutely iconic. I applaud them for that. Keeping 2nd gen kpop alive. It’s a great song. I’m going to be telling you that with every one of these explanations lol. I love how it’s so light and fluffy sounding but then the chorus comes in so hard only to go back to the sweet sounding “touch touch blush blush” post-chorus.

9. Wonderland by TRI.BE - Ya’ll are sleeping on these girls! To be fair though so was I. I only knew them for that blow a little blow a little kissss song but I learned this year that they’re one of those groups with really good b-sides. I was so sad when I realized that In The Air (777) came out in 2022 instead of 2023 bc it was going to top this list. Instead though we have Wonderland which is almost as good! It’s just a super fun poppy song and the english version is great too.

8. Blue Wave by NCT Dream - This song is so easy breezy wonderful. It’s light and refreshing. Random comparison but it reminds me of that snapple rain drink? Have y’all had those? They taste like what this song sounds like to me. Lol I should rank my gas station beverage picks next. Got a little sidetracked there but yeah I love this song!

7. Eve, Psyche, & The Bluebeard’s Wife by Lesserafim - Absolutely iconic. Theres a reason this song got like a thousand remixes. Theres a reason it went viral! It’s really really good! I don’t know how to explain why it just slays. It’s cunty as the kids say. I will in fact be getting it like boom boom boom.

6. Tape by Kep1er - Potentially the most Kep1er-y sounding song they’ve ever made despite the fact that it’s a subunit song. Like it’s just the perfect encapsulation of their charm. It’s fun and quirky and catchy and I love it. One of my favorite songs for walking around campus. It just puts me in a good mood!

5. Next Page by IVE - I don’t have any complicated reason for liked this so much. It’s just a pretty and sweet sounding song! The chorus is so cute!! Baby, 난 이 다음이, 다음이 궁금 해 Oh, I love you so, l love you so ♡♡

4. Enhanced Flower by tripleS EVOLution - I admit this is a weird one to put so high because its more of an outro than anything. I love the atmosphere of the song though. It’s so peaceful and dreamy but also vaguely menacing? It’s just so captivating to listen to. Also I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Bae Shannon (Sungyeon of Pristin) has a writing and composing credit! Of course the song she worked on would be my favorite. Once a HIgh always a HIgh ^_^

3. Will I Ever See You Again by Red Velvet - I loved this song from the first moment. That little piano part is so lovely and then when it came back in the chorus with the synths I ascended! The vocals are insane too! The whole thing is so beautiful. It manages to feel gentle and dreamy but it also has so much forward momentum the whole way through.

2. Here We Go Again by JINI - Imma be honest I don’t stan NMIXX so I had no familiarity with Jini before this. I was drawn in though by the badass album title (An Iron Hand In A Velvet Glove) and ended up absolutely loving this solo debut. I really would have made HWGA the title track though. The lyrics are so perfect for her situation, like it’s practically a song about her redebut after leaving her former group. It’s almost too on the nose but I love that! Plus it’s just super fun and punchy and danceable.

1. Back To The City by Kep1er - I’m so glad that people are giving this song attention now because I knew as soon as I heard it that was THE Kep1er song. When they disband this is the one we’ll be crying to. (Well this one and tOgether fOrever and I’ll be getting emotional to Daisy too.. okay so lots of tears lol). This song is just nostalgic feeling. It feels like running in a field catching fireflies with your best friends. Just pure innocent joy.

Also heres a tangent, despite the fact that she has like 3 lines, back to the city BELONGS to Yujin in my book. She brings such earnest emotion into every performance. The fancam of her dancing to it with a big smile and visible TEARS in her eyes?! I love her so much T-T

Honorable Mentions Time!! - Lemonade by BBGIRLS (formerly Brave Girls), Kill Shot by Itzy, nevertheless by Billlie, agit by Purple Kiss, Cool As by KEY, The Feeling by Shinee, New Jeans by New Jeans, Touch by tripleS, New Kidz On The Block by ZB1, Ludid by Odd Eye Circle, Addicted by Heejin, Newtopia by Loosemble, Attitude by fromis_9, Chaconne by Enhypen

[dameronology]

knowing me, knowing you {steve rogers}

summary: breaking up is never easy - but it's the best thing you can do (yes, it's based on the song by abba and no, i have no regrets)

warnings: mentions of drinking, swearing

i don't even know what possessed me to write this but? i've been neck deep in angst rn and sometimes, it's nice to explore a healthy break up bc shit happens. enjoy!!

- jazz xx

In the middle of Brooklyn, about twenty minutes away from the Bridge, there was an unassuming townhouse. It stood between several other identical brownstones, with a messy garden and unkempt tangles of bushes - you nor Steve never had the time to tend to do it, with your jobs and your lives pulling you in a thousand different directions. The inside, though? That was what had mattered. It was filled with years of memories - photos of you on the fridge, ticket stubs from your trips to the movies, clutter from so many Christmases and birthdays - that were all contained between the four walls. Home had been important to Steve, given how often he'd moved around. And it couldn't have been that home without you.

Now you were stood at the foot of the front garden, a pile of collapsed boxes resting in your arms. The last time you'd been here was when you and Steve had tried to talk it out -- it had ended with the door slamming behind you. The conversation had ended badly, but your relationship had ended even worse. And even though you had both tried to hard to blame one another, finding fault had been hard. You'd just...fallen out of love. It wasn't something either of you could help, nor was it something you could force. Your frustration and anger, and the shouting and fights, had never been at Steve, but rather the situation. He had always said that finding you, and simultaneously loving you, had come out of nowhere; it was something he had never sought out. You were just there one day, and it changed everything.

Sighing to yourself, you headed up the path and towards the front door. You'd been dreading this day for months -- moving out years worth of stuff, and trying through bleary eyes not to look at the photos on the wall or the millions of little reminders that your relationship had left behind in its wake. There was a dent in the hallway, from your first Thanksgiving in the house when Steve had gotten a little too drunk, and the massive crack in the kitchen floor from where you'd managed to drop the kettle. It was littered with memories and callbacks and evocations. The house was haunted with the ghosts of what was, and what could have been.

You could at least take comfort in the fact that you'd tried - several times, actually. There had been couples counselling and forced, romantic getaways in a last-ditch attempt to trigger something, anything, to get back your dying spark. It made it better and worst - better, because you knew that you'd done everything in your power to salvage things, but worst, because it had all been a waste. A sign that your relationship had gotten so bad that it had crossed the point of no return.

Sometimes, breaking up was the best thing to do. It hurt now, but it hurt much less in the long term compared to what could have been if you'd stayed together.

Placing the boxes by the door, you shut it behind you and quietly crept inside. There had been no communication with Steve other than a few horribly formal emails - after all, you did still work together - detailing your plans to sort the house out. It had been sitting derelict for months, your former home collecting dust. He'd sought refuge at Bucky's loft across the River, whilst you'd been hiding out in Natasha's spare room.

It felt odd being back; nostalgic and painful all at once. So much had happened in these four walls - good and bad, memorable and mundane - and you were feeling it all at once. It was seeping in through the cracks of your mind, the same way the tension had slipped through the cracks in the old walls and questionable foundations. It didn't matter that the place had been falling apart, because it had been so loved.

"I...I didn't realise you were coming today."

You froze at the sound of Steve's voice. He was stood in the kitchen, navy bomber jacket slung over one shoulder and a box of his belongings in his free hand. Hadn't you said that you coming today? Tomorrow was meant to be his moving day.

"Yeah," you swallowed. "I said in the email."

"Sorry, I must have misread it." He sheepishly admitted. "I was just gonna get my stuff and go."

"Me too," you nodded. "Figured it might take a while though."

"You do own a lot of crap," Steve gently smiled. "I just put the kettle on. Do you want a coffee?"

"Uh," your eyes fell to the floor, "I should probably just-"

"- it's just a coffee." Steve cut you off.

"Yeah, okay then."

You awkwardly took a seat at the breakfast bar beside him. God, was this really what it had come to? This time last year, you would have just been waking up and strolling into the kitchen, greeting your super soldier with a kiss as he prepared breakfast. You had a routine - you had a life. But that was exactly it, wasn't it? Life. You and Steve of all people knew how fucking unexpected things could be; how many curveballs and challenges could be thrown your way. In an odd way, your break-up had been even less expected than Ultron and Loki and HYDRA.

"It'll have to be black coffee," Steve said. "We only have coffee out the jar. No-one's been here for months."

"I know," you nodded. "I did used to live here, remember?"

"I think I'm having a hard time not remembering, to be honest," He said. "Being here is harder than I thought it would be."

"Yeah, I get that." You took the mug out his hands, giving him a small nod. "All this feels a lot scarier than aliens and robots."

"Ah, well," Steve tried to brush it off. "I never noticed how badly we beat up the place."

"Do you mean the dent in the hallway, or the crack in the floor?" You found yourself smiling.

"I meant the hair dye stains in the bathroom and the smashed window in the basement," he shot back.

"That was both of us. You wanted to play football inside, remember?"

"Only because you had got me drunk," he countered. "I don't think we'll get our deposit back."

"Y'think?" You quirked an eyebrow.

An odd silence fell over you. It was the first time in months that you were talking - and now that the pressure of being in a relationship was suddenly off your shoulders, some of the tension had faded away. When you took a step back and brushed aside the ashes of what had once been, there was still...something. Not love, and not a relationship, but the same common ground and interests that had brought you together in the first place. It was worth holding onto.

"Do you remember that time that your parents came to visit and you forgot to tell me?" Steve recalled with a soft smile, "and your dad just strolled in on me in the shower."

"It's not any worst than the time you gave Bucky a spare key and he broke in in the middle of the night to get milk for his fucking coffee," you chuckled.

"It was a good few years."

"It was," your eyes fell down to the dark bubbles of the coffee in front of you. "Pride and all that aside, I'm sorry it ended how it did."

"Hey, it's okay," Steve gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze, "it's no-one's fault. These things happen."

"I know," you said, "I just...we had a good thing going, didn't we?"

"We did, but we also did everything we could to try and fix things." He replied.

"And we couldn't," you recalled. "I know that breaking up was the easy thing-"

"- it wasn't," Steve cut you off. "But it was the right thing, wasn't it? Because we made each other miserable."

"As partners, yeah," you nodded, "but what about friends?"

Your eyes met again, and he smiled. "Yeah. I think we can manage that."

Admitting defeat was hard, but if it was what you needed to do in order to stay in each other's lives? It was the best you could do.

tags: @agent-catfish-kenobi

[evermoreholland]

The Birthday Girl | Charlie Gillespie

Pairing: Charlie Gillespie x Fem!Reader

Summary: Charlie wanted to make your birthday unforgettable.

Warnings: Steamy scenes (but nothing graphic), lots of kissing, FLUFF

Word Count: 3.3k

A/n: I definitely think that this is my favorite fic of mine. I hope that you enjoy it too! Please leave feedback. Thanks!

Charlie wanted to make sure that everything was perfect. With your parents being out of town for an emergency business conference, you were left alone on your birthday without any plans, or so you thought. Charlie had heard about your parents’ getaway and wanted to make your birthday unforgettable.

First, he’d wake you up with breakfast in bed, since he was staying at your house while your parents were away. He made chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes, along with eggs and an assortment of fruits, and a large cup of tea to drink.

You were sound asleep while Charlie got your breakfast ready. He placed everything neatly on a tray table and put flowers he had gotten for you on the tray as well. He tiptoed to your bedroom to avoid waking you up and he opened the door to find you sleeping peacefully. You were curled up in your white duvet while your head faced the window. Charlie walked towards you slowly and placed the tray on your bedside table. He crawled into bed with you and wrapped his arms around your middle. He pushed the duvet off of your arms and placed gentle kisses on your bare shoulder. He felt you stir awake and Charlie kissed his way up your neck, and then finally, your earlobe.

“Morning, gorgeous,” Charlie whispered in your ear and then nibbled on your earlobe. The action sent tingles down your spine. “Happy birthday.” You turned your body out of his grasp so you can get a good look at your handsome boyfriend of five years.

“Good morning, Charlie,” you said. You pressed a kiss to your boyfriend’s cheek. “Something smells good.”

“I made us breakfast. Are you hungry?” Charlie sat up so his back was against the headboard of the bed and he grabbed the tray from the bedside table. You sat up as well and mimicked Charlie’s position. You looked at the arrangement of food on the tray and your mouth began to water.

“Charlie, this looks so good. Thank you,” you said. Charlie put honey and sugar in your tea just like you liked it and handed you the warm mug. “Aw, you even made me tea. You’re so sweet.”

“Anything for my precious girl,” he cooed. He picked up a fork and then picked up a piece of the chocolate chip pancake. “Open up,” he said. He fed you breakfast and made small talk in between bites of food. Once you both finished, Charlie went to the kitchen to do the dishes. He came back to your room and went to the attached bathroom to get the shower ready for the two of you. He came back over to you and kissed your forehead.

“I was thinking that we could shower together,” Charlie suggested.

“To save water,” you winked. You got out of bed and wrapped your arms around Charlie’s neck to bring him down towards you for a kiss. You kissed his lips gently at first and then pulled away slightly. “I love you,” you said.

“I love you, too,” Charlie said and captured his lips with yours. His lips were warm and soft.  They parted slightly, allowing your tongue to slip inside. Your bodies pressed together heatedly against the wall near the bathroom, breathing heavily as your lips pressed together over and over again. You could feel the thud of your combined heartbeat as you fumbled to take off each other’s clothes. Once you were both undressed, you both went into the warm shower. You both cleaned each other off, giggling throughout the process. Charlie washed your hair and would occasionally press warm kisses to your shoulder. Once you both got out of the shower, Charlie wrapped you up in a big fluffy towel and carried you to your bedroom to get dressed. Charlie grabbed a towel for his lower half as well.

“I bought an outfit for you to wear today,” Charlie said and then made his way to your closet to grab the outfit for you. It was in a bright pink box and he placed it into your arms for you to open. In the box revealed the light blue sundress that you had been eyeing at the store for weeks now, but didn’t have the money to buy, along with a pair of new wedges.

“Char, you shouldn’t have,” you said as you picked up the dress from out of the box. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

“Anything for you,” he said as he squeezed your knee. “Go get dressed. We have a date in two hours.”

“You have a lot planned for today, don’t you?” Charlie always went all out for your birthday. It was the sweetest thing.

“You know it.” He pressed a kiss to your forehead. “I’m going to get dressed and I’ll be back to pick you up for our date, princess.” Charlie left your room and you couldn’t help but feel giddy and excited for what’s to come.

By the time that you got dressed, did your hair, and put some light makeup on, Charlie was back to pick you up for your date. Even though he had the key to your place since he was staying there for the week, he still knocked on your front door like a true gentleman. You ran to open the door for him and you couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. It felt like you were going on your first date with Charlie all over again.

You opened the door to reveal your beautiful boyfriend holding a bouquet of roses. “Ready for our date?”

“Yeah. Charlie, these are beautiful,” you said and took the roses from his hands. You made your way over to the dining room to put the flowers in a vase. Charlie couldn’t help but stare at your figure.

“Checking me out, Gillespie?” You asked once you turned back to face Charlie.

“You look beautiful, Y/n. As always,” he said and then kissed your cheek. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” You both got into Charlie’s car and he drove the two of you to your destination.

“Where are we going, Charlie?” You asked. Charlie placed his right hand on your thigh, something that he always did when he drove with you. “I was thinking that we would go strawberry picking.”

“How romantic,” you gushed. The rest of the drive consisted of you and Charlie listening to classic rock, along with a couple of pop songs. You arrived at the orchard many minutes later and you went to go pick some strawberries.

“I love strawberries!” You exclaimed as you ran around the strawberry field. Charlie looked at you in adoration. He was so in love with you and he loved seeing you so happy.

“That’s why I brought you here, babe,” Charlie said and he tried to keep up with you, especially because he had the basket for the strawberries.

After the two of you picked strawberries, Charlie wanted to take you to the local fair to go on a few rides. He was also planning on winning you a teddy bear at one of the fair games. Once you two got back to the car, Charlie asked you if you wanted to go.

“Ready for what’s next?” Charlie asked and you nodded excitedly. “Wanna go to the carnival?”

“Oh my gosh! I would love to!” You exclaimed and then took a big bite out of a strawberry. Charlie thought that you were the cutest person to ever live. You were a little kid at heart and Charlie loved that about you. Charlie began to drive to the local carnival and you couldn’t help but feel excited about your date at the carnival with Charlie. He was such a romantic, no matter how much he’d hate to admit it.

Once you got there, you were basically dragging Charlie out of the car to get your tickets. “Slow down, baby. We got all day,” Charlie said.

“I’m just really excited. We haven’t been here in so long,” you stated and then you made your way to the ticket counter. Charlie purchased tickets for some of your favorite rides.

“I was thinking that I could go win you a teddy bear at the darts game first,” Charlie said.

“Aww, Char,” you said and then grabbed onto his bicep. He led the way to the game and he paid to play one round. “This one’s for you, baby.” He pressed a kiss on your cheek and then began to play. He managed to pop all of the balloons with the darts and got to pick out a teddy bear for you. He picked out a big pink bear with a tiara sitting on the top of its head.

“Here you go, birthday girl,” Charlie said and then handed the stuffed bear to you. You wore a large smile on your face and that immediately made Charlie happier than ever before. You were all he ever needed.

“Thank you, lovebug.”

“I was thinking that we could go on the carousel,” Charlie suggested.

“As long as I’m able to ride the pink horse, then we’re good,” you grabbed his hand and made your way to the Merry Go Round, a carnival classic. “You’re such a diva, but in the most adorable way possible,” Charlie said and then pinched your cheeks.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.” You both got on the carousel and found the pink horse you had been looking for. Charlie helped you get on and buckled you in. “Safety first.”

“Get on the horse that’s next to me.” Charlie hopped on and the ride began shortly after. It was pretty tame for Charlie. He was very much into rides with more of an adrenaline rush, but you were having a good time and that’s all that mattered to him.

Once the ride finished you were dragging Charlie to go get some cotton candy. “Pink or blue?” Charlie asked as you both made your way on the line. “Is that even a question?”

“You’re right,” he paused. “Pink!” You both said at the same time. Charlie bought a pink cotton candy for you and a blue one for himself.

“Char, is there a difference between pink and blue?” You asked. “Or is it all for the aesthetic?”

“Oh, Y/n. You’re so cute,” Charlie said and then took out his phone from his back pocket to take a photo of you eating your cotton candy. “Smile.” You posed for the picture and Charlie took many pictures of you. “You don’t have a bad side, Y/n.”

“Anyway, wanna go on the ferris wheel?” You turned your direction to the lit-up wheel and smiled. On your second date over five years ago, Charlie took you to the fair and kissed you when you reached the top of the ferris wheel. You went to the line and Charlie gave his tickets to the worker. Charlie whispered something to him that you couldn’t quite catch but you shrugged it off. You both got in and the ride began moving. You loved this ferris wheel in comparison to others because the workers would often play really good music. As you made your way up to the top, Chariot by Jacob Lee began to play. It was the song that you and Charlie claimed as yours. It was your relationship song.

“It’s our song, babe,” you said and then kissed his cheek. “Did you arrange that?”

“I also asked if we could be the cart to stop at the top.”

“You didn’t have to do that, Char.”

“I wanted to. It is your birthday after all,” Charlie said and then pressed his lips against yours. Every time you kissed Charlie you felt sparks, no, fireworks. He was so passionate and loving. You couldn’t believe that such an amazing man was all yours.  

“I can’t believe that you’re all mine,” you mumbled against his lips.

“Forever, baby,” he said and then pressed his forehead against yours. “Get used to it,” he teased.

“I love you, Charlie.”

“I love you more, Y/n. You’re my everything,” he said and then kissed you again. Charlie couldn’t get enough of your kisses. He loved feeling his lips against yours. It made him feel like he could do anything. The ride ended a couple of minutes later and you went to Charlie’s car.

“Please don’t tell me there’s more, Char,” you giggled. You appreciated everything that Charlie did for you, but you didn’t want to be spoiled too much.

“Y/n, do you know who I am?” Charlie questioned in disbelief. “I’m treating you like a queen today, so of course there is more. I was thinking of going out for lunch?”

“Maybe takeout?” You suggested an alternative. “I kinda want to go home and cuddle.”

“What my queen wants, she gets.” He began to drive while you called the local cafe that you loved so much and ordered to pick up. You picked up the food fairly quickly and you made your way to your house.

You laid all of the food out on the coffee table in the den while Charlie tried to pick out a movie for the two of you to watch. “Babe, what movie do you wanna watch?”

“Maybe a Marvel movie?”

“Perfect,” Charlie said as he selected one of the Avengers movies off of Disney Plus. Charlie grabbed a blanket for the two to both cuddle up under. You two didn’t really watch the movie that much at all. Instead, after you ate, Charlie spent the afternoon showing you how much he loved you. He worshipped every inch of your body, by kissing you and holding you.

“So much for the movie,” you laughed as you saw the ending credits on the screen. Charlie got up to turn off the television while you cleaned up the takeout containers.

“Background noise,” Charlie joked.

“Very funny, Char,” you said as you made your way over to him. You wrapped your arms around his neck and looked at him lovingly. “This has been the best day ever. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you’re having a good day, angel.” Charlie pressed a kiss to your forehead and wrapped his arms around your waist. “You deserve it.”

“You’re the love of my life, Charlie.”

“And you’re mine,” he said as he swayed the two of you back and forth. Next thing you knew, the two of you were dancing in the living room. “Dance with me, babe.”

After your impromptu dance session, Charlie sent you to your room while he set up the last birthday surprise of the day. “I’ll call you out in 15, okay?” He kissed you and sent you off. You waited in your room in excitement. You scrolled through your phone and answered some happy birthday texts while you waited.

“Y/n!” Charlie shouted. “Come here.” You entered the living room and there revealed Charlie strumming his guitar. Rose petals were scattered across the floor and champagne was in a bucket of ice with two flutes next to it. The lights were dimmed and the room smelled of your favorite mahogany candle. “Charlie, this is wonderful.”

“Can I sing to you?” Charlie said as he stepped closer to you. “Of course you can.”

I found a love for me Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

Charlie began singing Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, one of your favorites. The song always made you tear up but hearing Charlie singing it almost made you sob.

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love Not knowing what it was I will not give you up this time But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own And in your eyes, you're holding mine

You reminisced about the time when Charlie first asked you out. You were both seventeen and you remember Charlie being so nervous but so charming at the same time. You couldn’t believe how far you’ve come since then.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

“I love you,” you mouthed to Charlie.

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets To carry love, to carry children of our own

The lyrics hit close to home because you wanted everything in life with Charlie. A home, marriage, children, everything. You wanted it all with him and only him. Forever.

We are still kids, but we're so in love Fighting against all odds I know we'll be alright this time Darling, just hold my hand Be my girl, I'll be your man I see my future in your eyes

You saw the future in his eyes too. You saw the world in Charlie’s eyes.

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song I have faith in what I see Now I know I have met an angel in person And she looks perfect I don't deserve this You look perfect tonight

He finished the song with one final strum to his guitar. He placed his guitar on the stand and looked at you with watered eyes. “How was that cover?”

“Beautiful,” you ran over to Charlie and wrapped your arms around him. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, Y/n. You know that.”

“Well, I appreciate everything. This is beautiful,” you said as you pointed at your surroundings.

“Y/n, can I ask you something?” Charlie asked nervously. You could sense his nerves immediately and a part of you felt scared. “Yeah, of course. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just nervous,” He said as he grabbed your hands. “You’re incredible, Y/n. I have never met anyone like you in my entire life. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m so lucky that I met you all of those years ago. These past five years have been the best years of my life.”

You had a feeling of where Charlie’s speech was going, but you couldn’t help but ask him. “Charlie, what are you trying to say?”

“Just like the song said, Y/n. I want to make memories with you that will last a lifetime. I want to have children with you. I want to grow old with you.” You were both fully crying by now.

“I want all of that with you, too.” Charlie kneeled in front of you and reached for something in his back pocket. “Char, oh my gosh,” you gasped. He pulled out a velvet box and opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.

“Will you marry me?” Charlie popped the question. You nodded your head frantically, words unable to leave your mouth.

“Words, babe. Words,” Charlie said.

“Yes, of course, I’ll marry you,” you said and kneeled to meet him with a kiss. “I love you,” you mumbled against his lips.

“I love you, too.” Charlie took the ring out of the box and put the ring on your finger. “So much.”

“Wanna go drink that champagne, fiancé?” You asked, motioning towards the bottle. “Maybe kiss a little.”

“It would be my pleasure, birthday girl.”

[xiaomoxu]

Lucien’s Rumors & Secrets – Season 2: 暗蚀 “Eclipse (Internal Erosion)”

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

Latest Rumors & Secrets from CN server which hasn’t been released in EN server. Contains detailed spoiler from the main story. It comes with Lucien’s Karma for Chapter 10-13 Season 2.

CHAPTER 1

Part.1

"Lucien, are you really anxious to go back?"

"Sorry, Professor Ren, I do have important matters in China."

"Then at least, let’s go for dinner after this.”

"I appreciate your kindness, but the time may be a little tight." Lucien smiled apologetically, "When you want to go back to China, let me do your favor. The research I mentioned earlier, I will start as soon as possible."

Part.2

Professor Ren watched him neatly put the things on the desk into the cardboard box, and sighed softly. From studying to becoming a member of this institute, Lucien is his most proud student. Both academic and work are hard to fault. He believed that Lucien could do well from scratch after returning to China, but...

"Well, I can't hold you back, but there is one more thing I must ask you."

Lucien stopped his hand movement, "You said."

Part.3

"We have known each other for several years, and I found that you are always alone no matter what. You are indeed much better than most people, but have you never thought about trying to let others into your world?"

"I understand that many things do depend on the strength of the team.”

Professor Ren shook his head, "I mean something outside of work, about yourself."

"Thank you for your concern, but for me, this is great now."

Part.4

After Lucien finished speaking, he continued to bow his head to pack his things. Professor Ren looked at him for a while and suddenly smiled.

"Forget it, I can't figure out what you young people are thinking, Lucien, in fact, everyone is a very good subject on their own, and you can study it if you have time.

Professor Ren smiled and patted Lucien on the shoulder, without saying more.

Part.5

The plane flew smoothly in the night sky, the lights in the cabin were turned off, and Lucien closed his book and closed his eyes to take a nap. In about ten minutes, light suddenly appeared in the pitch-black vision. Lucien fixed his eyes to distinguish it, and there seemed to be a field of flowers in front of him. The fine rain was lightly tapping the flowers. When he was about to turn around to take a look, a mass of warmth hit his back, and soon some kind of cool liquid was soaked his clothes. He turned his head and saw a girl burying her head on his back and whispering. The flower field behind her was stained with color because of her presence. The blue and purple hydrangea clusters trembling in the light rain, like a girl's intermittent breathing.

The plane bumped and awakened Lucien from his dream. He slowly opened his eyes, as if he could still smell the faint fragrance of flowers.

Part.6

It was the kind of lucid dream that he couldn't refuse. Even in light sleep, he would find a gap and get into his mind. He should have felt irritable, but the real color and temperature in the dream made him a little nostalgic.

Lucien subconsciously stroked his heart, waiting for his heartbeat to stabilize. It seems that there are some emotions that are rarely experienced. He wants to catch but can't catch it, so he can only try to figure it out a little bit patiently.

However, in a few hours, those familiar street scenes in the dream will appear in front of him.

He believes that he will find a way to solve the mystery here, or meet the girl in his dream who bring color.

CHAPTER 2

Part.1

The first independent research paper of the institute was successfully published. The researchers breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to celebrate. As the initiator of this research, Lucien naturally couldn't escape the celebration wine. On the way to the bar after work, the young researchers couldn't help whispering: Professor Lucien, who is always immersed in scientific research, has been to the bar, what is the amount of alcohol, and how will he deal with the girls who strike up?

Lucien followed the group of people and walked into the bar. The boss behind the bar saw him sharply, raised his hand to greet him, and then personally led everyone to a deck.

"Please sit down. It's quiet here. Professor Lucien specially asked me to reserve a place.

Part.2

Lucien motioned his colleagues to sit first. However, everyone hadn't recovered from the surprise, so he had to take a seat first and briefly explained.

"When I was not busy before, I would come to sit and chat with the guests here."

The boss handed over the wine list and followed Lucien's words smoothly.

"Who can you talk to Professor Lucien? I don't know how many people come to me every day to see him."

"The boss is joking, what really makes you linger is your special tone." Lucien handed the wine list to the colleagues around him. “Today, I invite everyone to drink whatever they want. "

Part.3

After a few glasses of wine, the researchers who usually don't drink much were a little drunk, Lucien also leaned on the back of the sofa, letting him relax for a while. In fact, he has no thoughts of celebration. This paper is just to make the research institute appear in a wider field of vision. It will be more convenient to be noticed by some necessary people in the future.

It was getting late, and Lucien found an excuse to leave temporarily and was going to settle the bill in advance. The boss was changing discs in the operating room, and the gentle jazz was flooding the bar. Lucien realized that the noise tonight had ended a little early.

Part.4

“It is raining heavily tonight, and it is estimated that not many people will come to play." The boss settled the bill quickly, and didn't forget to help Lucien get a discount. "A Foggy Day, Professor Lucien played this song when he first came here, did I remember correctly?"

Lucien smiled and nodded, and subconsciously looked at the glass window that was not far away. Late at night, the rain came quickly and violently. As long as someone opened the door, the wind that penetrated into the house would blow a string of aluminum film ornaments on the window up and down. The shattered reflections and the rain marks on the glass windows made the scene in the aftermath blurry.

The boss took out a paper towel for the guests to wipe off the rain, Lucien thought about it, and took one and folded it easily. An "experience" that had never been experienced before dragged his fingers, and soon folded out a paper crane.

Part.5

The boss caught a glimpse of what was in his hand and was about to say something, but he saw Lucien quickly take the paper crane apart again. On the recovered tissue, there was nothing but a few creases, but he stared at it for a long time.

"Professor Lucien?"

The boss's voice rang in his ears, Lucien finally recovered and withdrew his gaze.

"Sorry, I may have drunk a bit too much today."

Part.6

"Don't be greedy, you should rest early for scientific research."

Lucien nodded and thanked the boss, walked to the bathroom, and took a deep breath into the mirror. The moment he folded the paper crane, he suddenly thought that someone had left a wish related to him in it, and that was exactly what he wanted. He opened the paper crane and tried to capture the traces of this wish, but found nothing.

Some kind of hot and inexplicable pain wrapped his heartbeat. Is it drunk, or is it a lucid dream?

Part.7

At this moment, he really wanted to sleep, but it was not for rest, but for the dream to complete the broken picture. He had to admit that no matter how vigilant he was, he still couldn't ignore the existence in the dream. But chasing such a unknown thing is too risky, should I bet on it? The phone in his pocket vibrated suddenly, interrupting Lucien's thought. The girl's name appeared on the screen and congratulated him on his successful publication of the paper. He looked at the name and typed a few words almost without thinking. "where are you?"

Part.8

She responded quickly, saying that she was at home, and then asked him if he was okay. Lucien's fingers paused, and she quickly covered up her gaffe with other topics.

If there is any sign of reality in the nothingness in the dream, it is "color". He has only seen such a color in one person. Lucien put away the phone and made a decision quickly.

He wants to be closer to her, maybe it would be a good choice to be a neighbor.

CHAPTER 3

Part.1

On the second day, the atmosphere of the institute was a little bit wrong. Lucien greeted his colleagues as usual, but found that everyone's sights were a little dodge, only the intern Pete came over and asked him in a low voice

"Professor Lucien, do you have a headache?"

"It doesn't hurt, what's the matter?"

"That's good, we don't know how much you drink, and we are worried that we persuaded you to overdo it last night"

"No, I know my limit."

Part.2

He looked around the people in the office, probably because of a hangover, everyone seemed a little slouched. Lucien sighed lightly, turned and walked into the office.

Half an hour later, the researchers received Lucien's puffs. Professor Lucien ordered puffs, which sounded as weird as "Professor Lucien went to the bar". After looking at each other for a while, Pete was appointed by everyone again and sent Lucien's share into his office.

"Thank you."

Part.3

Lucien looked up from the information, took the paper bag that Pete handed him, and saw his hesitant expression.

"what's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing! It's just a bit of a surprise. For the first time I know you like sweets."

“At this time, energy needs to be replenished quickly to make follow-up and less mistakes on works." Lucien smiled faintly, took the pile of materials on hand and gave it to Pete after he finished eating, “copy it for me and send it to everyone."

Part.4

Pete hurriedly picked it up and was about to leave the office. Before closing the door, he glanced at Professor Lucien, who was full of energy behind his desk, and his admiration increased.

Lucien opened the paper bag only when Pete left.

The rich aroma burst into the nasal cavity instantly, making Lucien feel strange for a moment, but the choice just now did not make him feel unreasonable. It seems that this kind of sweets is also a "frequent customer" in this research institute.

Part.5

Lucien hesitated, took out the puff and tasted it, frowning slightly.

It's too sweet, not his favorite taste.

...But what kind of flavor does he like?

Obviously he doesn't eat sweets very much, but inexplicably preset the sweetness. Even when he sees tears, he also knows what kind of saltiness it is because he has felt it in the scenes that suddenly appeared.

Part.6

Lucien had long understood that they were not ordinary illusions, but he did not expect that he would even be influenced. He experienced many things he had never experienced before in these untouchable pictures, like a mirror image of a certain fact.

He suddenly realized that maybe he didn't have any favorite taste, but the tip of his tongue remembered the taste he tasted for the first time, which has since defined his cognition.

Once the taste is developed, it is difficult to change it.

CHAPTER 4

Part.1

Lucien stood under the lush camphor tree again.

This is the place he visits most often in his dreams. Perhaps it overlaps with the experience in reality. He once thought that the picture here would never change into a big snow, wheat field, camphor tree, and waiting alone under the tree little boy. But this time, the picture didn't unfold as he knew it: the white snow dissipated, revealing the golden wheat field, and under the camphor tree, besides myself when I was a child, there was also a little girl. She folded a colorful paper crane like a magic trick and gave it to him. He stretched out his hand to take it, and the colorful colors leaped in his pupils.

He heard the girl ask him in an expectant tone if he would come here to meet her tomorrow. It sounded like an appointment to ask a question, but he didn't hear his answer.

Part.2

The dream stopped abruptly, Lucien opened his eyes and moved his sore neck. The finger subconsciously stroked the inner pocket of the jacket, and the red peace knot was still placed there. He seems to have become accustomed to such subtle deviations, which has become a way for him to distinguish between dreams and dreams.

In the gloomy laboratory, the Dream Recorder was hibernating quietly, and Lucien's face was reflected on the darkened screen. This machine has been secretly tested for four years. No matter how fragmented the dreams recorded each time, Lucien will print out the records and keep them. Today these records have been very thick, but there are still no clues that can reveal the secrets of dreams.

Part.3

Lucien opened the piece of printing paper at random, which recorded a dream not long ago.

He remembered that in that dream he was sitting next to a hospital bed, holding one hand

Holding a girl’s hand, and holding a book in the other hand. The book reads "Dreaming and madness seem to have the same substance. Their mechanism is the same..."

Part.4

The emotion that always follows the girl in the dream is once again wrapped in the chest. It is a desire to understand, almost desperate, but there is often pity and contradiction. He can assume that these scenes are real, but he maintains constant doubts about such emotions.

No matter how difficult the predicament is, Lucien seldom feels fear. He doesn't understand what is worth standing still under that urgent will. Lucien sorted out his emotions and turned on the machine in front of him again.

In the face of a huge unknown, everyone has a moment of madness due to being overwhelmed, and perhaps his current state is also like this. But he did not deny these dreams, because they just proved that something irreversible had happened.

CHAPTER 5

Part.1

When Lucien handed the record to Hypnos, the latter's gaze stayed on him for a while.

"Ares...no, Professor Lucien. Your recent experiments seem to have become more frequent."

"I just want to improve efficiency."

"Do you really think these fragmented dreams are useful?"

" If you want to form a perfect picture, a piece of fragments can't be missing.." Lucien met his gaze. "At present, it seems that only I can help you spell out the perfect world you want.”

Part.2

Hypnos raised his mouth slightly, "Your style is still more like Ares."

"As long as the purpose can be achieved, identity does not matter." Lucien looked at the subway station not far away, and walked towards that side first. "I also look forward to your efficiency, Hypnos."

The empty subway moved slowly, carrying its first passenger to the spring that has yet to come.

Part.3

Lucien got out of the car and stepped into the familiar wheat field. There was a lonely figure under the lush camphor tree with a kite in his arms. Lucien looked at it for a while and walked over and sat beside the little boy. The little boy didn't seem surprised by his arrival, he didn't even turn his head. The two people sat side by side in silence for a long time, and the little boy finally spoke.

"Have you found the person in your dream?"

"Not sure yet."

"Can I see her again?"

“We will see it.”

Part.4

Confirming that the dream was stable enough, Lucien stood up with the trunk behind him, his vision suddenly lit up.

He raised his head and found that the snow in front of him was gone, leaving only an endless wheat field. Several kites were raised high, like carefree birds. This was not what he had seen in his dreams, so he stood there and didn't move.

The wind started, Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly, and suddenly felt his little finger hooked. He turned his head and saw a clear smiling face-- was his neighbor, "rival", the girl who always wanted to be vigilant in front of him and often did stupid things.

Part.5

She didn't seem to mind Lucien's dazed expression, she still looked at him with eyebrows and shook his fingers.

Is it her... Is it her? Is she making an appointment with him?

Lucien eagerly wanted to grab her hand, but before touching her, all the scenes in front of him suddenly disappeared.

The fragments of spring remained in his eyes, and were washed away by a blank white. The heavy snow still didn't stop.

Part.6

Lucien looked up at the luxuriant camphor tree on his side, feeling that it looked like a kind of solemn guardian. Before he found the key, he would never open the secret door to him easily. However, at this moment, he seems to see a certain corner of his heart that has been in the dust for a long time, so that the complex emotions born from dreams can be traced slightly.

He has always wanted to know where these pictures came from, how they are related to the deviation of the world, and who is the person in the unclear dream; and behind all these desires, it is hoped that these pictures exist for a long time.

Perhaps when he didn't realize it, there were already people visiting in his world. He will also want to place something on a certain person, such as an agreement that will not miss an appointment, or a watch over the sky.

Part.7

Lucien left the dream. When he opened his eyes on the subway, Hypnos was sitting not far away.

"How, is it the effect you want?"

"It's very stable, but there is still one area that needs adjustment." Lucien turned his head and looked at the train door. "In this dream, there is always a part that cannot be opened. I suspect that will be the key to the whole dream."

"I just restored this dream based on your records. If you can't open it yourself, I can't help it."

Part.8

"This is not my own dream. Someone will help me open it."

"What do you need me to do?"

Lucien pondered for a moment, raising his eyes to look at the person opposite.

"Create a condition where the door can be opened to welcome guests."

Hypnos raised the corners of his lips slightly, "It seems that Professor Lucien has already chosen someone in his heart."

Part.9

Lucien lowered his eyes, and some interesting memories flashed in his mind.

The shadow under the desk, ten boxes of "small syringes" that disappeared, and "Miracle Finder"

Whether intentionally or not, the girl had given him many excuses to approach her, and invited her to step into this illusory dream.

He is looking forward to what kind of new world she can open up.

---END---

I swear, every time I translate Lucien’s part, my heartache is getting worse. Please let him be happy for once!!  (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)

Notes: I’m not planning to take another R&S after this (*/ω＼) Hope you guys enjoy reading this translation. Let me know if there’s a mistake ^^ THANK YOU~

[supimjustwriting]

Housewife like S/O Vice Dorm Leaders Edition

Vice Dorm Leaders x Reader

Author’s Note: Epp!

Reading over the Dorm leaders version. I feel like these two are quite similar.  They also seem platonic more than anything else. I’m looking at you Jade. My deepest apologies for planting similar flower patches. I still hope these are to your liking.

Trey Clover

- Look out! We gotta power couple over here!

- Unanimously agreed mother and father of the Heartslabyul dorm. The two of you even get called ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ by the first and second years while you ask them if they’ve eaten anything today or if they need help with homework.

- You two are the King and Queen of the kitchen during an Unbirthday Party. Tarts need to be taken out of the oven but Trey is busy with a different sweet? Don’t worry because he now has a second pair of hands helping him. Watching you two bake is oddly satisfying like two souls becoming one.

- People like to joke how you two act like a married couple already. Doting on the younger students and sneaking kisses when no one is looking. 

- Trey is embarrassed to admit it but he has had dreams of marrying you in the future. The only thing he’s waiting on now is graduation, a stable job, and for you to say yes. 

Ruggie Bucchi

- Please pamper this good boy. He deserves it.

- Ruggie always appreciates when you make lunch for him or accompany him when doing errands for Leona. He was afraid that you’d get in the way at first but he quickly learned that two heads are better than one. The cherry on top? You are his partner in crime.

-�� This hyena tries his best to provide for you as you do for him. Usually he’ll show his gratitude with simple gestures. Such as stealing a kiss between classes or bringing you your favourite snack/food for lunch.

- He feels like it’s not enough at times but every little bit counts. Hopefully these small gestures, plie up high enough to show off his love for you. 

Jade Leech

- Your doting behaviour made him raise an eyebrow at first. Did you possibly want something more from him? When he found out it was simply your nature to take care of others. He was slightly intrigued. Just how far could this kindness go?

- He watched you deal with unruly students, reminding them of the rules much like a certain goldfish his brother came to adore. Sometimes he’ll linger behind you, grinning at the students just for that little extra push. Though most of the time he stands back and simply observes you curiously.

- Jade finds your personality endearing, chuckling at your fruitless attempts to get his brother’s uniform in proper order. It made him nostalgic in a way. ‘Everything stays, yet everything changes.’ He thought to himself once, watching you with a curious glint in his eyes.

Jamil Viper

- Jamil always feels like he can be more at ease with you around. The sound of your voice, your gentle touch, and the way you’re willing to lend a hand with his duties is more than anything he could ask for in a S/O.

- The raven haired male is grateful to have another pair of eyes to watch over Kalim. What he didn’t expect was to be cared for as well. Being used to serving others. It took him by surprise the first few times you offered to help him out.

- Being a perfectionist. He was hesitant to accept at first. It was quite the relief when he saw how you two worked harmoniously together. Jamil almost felt as if he was finally allowed to take it easy for once. Even if it’s just for a night or a few seconds. Every bit of help is a blessing when it comes to you.

Rook Hunt

- Everything you do is like a fresh breath of air for him. The sound of your voice is how angels sing. Each moment you make is that of a ballet dancer perfecting their best performance. Just every little thing you do is beautiful and it’s all wrapped up in such a kind personality.

- Rook praises you every chance he gets. Writing you love letters, poems, and sonnets as thanks. Even with two languages under his belt. He doesn’t have enough words to describe what a blessing you truly are.

Little dove, surrounded by famished beasts You shall never dirty your wings for you’ll always be with me

My beautiful song bird The love of my life

May someday you’ll become fully mine Through thick and thin, my soul is yours

Just simply be yourself And I’m forever yours

- Nights spent together are just filled with snuggles and whispers of sweet nothings. He truly never met someone who was so beautiful inside and out.

Lilia Vanrouge

- Being used to being the caretaker. He also likes the change of pace you give him. Though, please don’t underestimate him simply because of his age.

- Like Trey, you’re seen as the mother and father of the Diasomnia dorm. Though Lilia is more like that fun-loving uncle that gives you wonderful life advice when he feels like it.

- It doesn’t happen often but sometimes Lilia imagines a future with you. You two living in a quaint cottage in the woods, raising children of your own as the others visit from time to time and he’ll leave you because of work. Always coming back to your warm smile and the sound of laughter. What a wonderful image indeed. Sadly, all things must come to an end. One day you’ll grow old and he’ll stay the same. The laughter will slowly fade and it’s a coin flip whether the children get his lifespan or yours. As much as he’d love to take another child under his wing. The burden of a long life isn’t something he wishes upon those he loves.

- Pushing aside his rare daydreams. He dotes on you as much as you dote on him, cherishing each moment as if it’ll be your last.

[deberiaestarescribiendo]

The Tragic and Magic about You. Modern day bounty hunter Din Djarin x F!reader #Writer Wednesday 05/12/21

Summary: You’ve been running away, and trying to start a new, but suddenly you’re captured in a car with a mysterious bounty hunter that has to deliver you to your old boss. But the road can be a dangerous place and the journey will change both your fates forever.

Words: 4,6

Warning: swearing, guns and murder. “there’s only one sleeping bag” trope. Fluff at the end.

A/N: Hi! Another week another thank you to all the amazing writers that participate and everybody that read, comment, like, reblog etc. And of course to @autumnleaves1991-blog for creating this and bring a platform to smaller blogs like myself. Sorry for any bad grammar, misspelling etc and excuse my zero imagination to create fictional names for characters. This is vaguely inspired by Hozier “From Eden” song and specifically the video.

The Tragic and Magic about you

“So you don’t talk much huh?” you say, it’s been a few hours since he’s taken you and he hasn’t said a word. His dark brown eyes fixed on the road and he doesn’t even react when you talk.

“Can I turn on the radio?” before he answers you’re already touching the buttons. A few notes escape from the stereo and in a second it’s gone, he has reached the device and has turn it off. “Not a big fan of music, gotcha” you reply with a huff. Bored, you observe his profile, his hair is disheveled, a chocolate brown as his eyes; he has a striking beauty you think: strong jaw line, aquiline nose and a stern expression. Gosh, you always on the look for bad men and you laugh at yourself for being as simple as to being attracted to the bounty hunter that has finally catch you.

“So you’re kinda nostalgic? Cool car” you brush your hand over the beige leather inside the silver blue Cadillac. “And expensive, you must be really good at this bounty hunt thing, well, you got me and I’ve been running for a few months. I really thought I was safe to be honest, it’s been a long time since somebody got close so I became a little bit too comfortable, I must admit. God! I’m going to miss my apartment” you pout” I had plans for the weekend, and even bought all the ingredients to make a cake. I was almost there! Shit! Now my flat is going to stink with all that food expiring and probably my landlord is going to steal all my stuff, fucking prick, I hate him so much” The bounty hunter reaches for the radio and turns it on. You smirk watching as he has adjusted his posture and his index taps rapidly on the steering wheel.

“Oh I love this song!” you turn it up to the maximum and start singing clearly not knowing the lyrics you just mutter the final syllables of each word, watching him intently as his eyelid trembles and he’s breathing deeply now, his knuckles white holding the wheel so hard that you think he’s about to break it “Isn’t it beautiful this country? look at this, we really don’t appreciate it much, look at the red and oranges of these mountains, the vastness, the sand and how you cannot reach the horizon with your eyes. You must love this, just riding solo with your cool car just doing whatever you want. Real freedom”

For the first time since he arrested you, he turns to you giving you a warning look and you bite your lip, he’s intimidating, a big man and you know if he’s in the business he’s capable of anything, but here you are pressing all his buttons until, if it works, he’s going to snap.

“What’s your name?” He sighs deeply and keeps on driving ignoring you once more “I mean you know many things about me, it’s only fair”

“Mm, let me guess” you tap your finger over your chin “Tom?” no, too posh for you. Jack? you could be a Jack but no. Oh! oh!” you move nervously on your seat and slap on his arm with both your hand handcuffed together “I’m going to call you Clint. You know why?” you wait a few seconds “Clint Eastwood, my friend, a man of a few words. You know who he is, right? Dirty Harry? All those westerns? They’re really not my thing, but he’s a legend, you surely must know him”

The few following hours you asked him about many things and you don’t know anybody this strong, if you were in his place you would be already dead or inside the trunk.

The sun is getting down and the desert starts to be submerged in a violet light and there’s nothing around. You wonder if he’s really going on until he has to give you up without stopping. You’re hungry and thirsty (after too much talking) and you really could use a bathroom.

“So Clint, we ain’t stopping just for bit? I really need to pee, and it would be great if you take this off for a bit” you shake your handcuffs close to his face, and finally you have achieved his limit. He stops the car abruptly and opens his door without saying a word. You follow him with your eyes and when he comes to your door you think of begging mercy knowing that you don’t deserve it, poor guy must have had it.

You turn on your seat and face him. Clint bends down a little and grabs you by your hip taking you out of the car by a swift movement.

“Careful!” you scream

“Shut up” he doesn’t raise his voice. It’s the second time he has said something. The first time being when he stopped you on the middle of the road and after confirming your identity, he had caught you and handcuffed you but he hadn’t said a thing, until now. His voice is deep and low and you wish to hear more but he opens the door to the back seat and throws you on it. He reaches for his jeans and you actually freeze thinking he’s reaching for his gun but he takes out a black bandana and comes close to you. His large broad body occupies all your space, his leather jacket making his shoulders look stronger than you had thought at first glance.

He’s surprisingly gentle, his big hands circling your head while he adjusts the fabric over your mouth “Really it’s not necessary” you say before he reaches your mouth with two fingers and pushes the black bandana between your lips. He ties it a little bit tighter. Your head is on his chest over his white shirt and you scold yourself when you feel you have closed your eyes smelling him: leather, fresh soap and something else that it’s entirely his, once the knot is done on your nape he looks at you and raises one eyebrow “Too tight?”

“i-f not nefecessary f-really” you say and he stays too close to your face for a bit, probably thinking if he should just shove the thing inside your throat and shut you forever. You feel your cheeks burning because you’ve been looking straight into his eyes, they’re surprisingly gentle, there’s warmth in them that you haven’t seen in anybody in this kind of business.

“Just be good and stay quiet for the rest of the journey. We will arrive soon” Clint then proceeds to grab you by your legs and puts you in a more comfortable position on the seat and takes the precaution of fastening your seatbelt. He is extremely careful on his movements and he barely brushes his hands on your hip while doing it, but his neck is so close, shining in a thin layer of perspiration and you are lost again thinking things any sensible person would never have in mind while you’re been taken against your will to answer for messing with the wrong people.

You moan in disappointment when he gets away and closes the door. Then you are left there alone, his scent lingering over your body and you think about how your life had come to this but then...

You feel the air hitting your right side first and the projectile breaking the sound close to your ear second, then the million small pieces of the glass. Some other gunshots hit the trunk and you’re already screaming and trying to get down but the handcuffs and your trembling hands don’t find the way to unlock the seatbelt.

Clint is pressed against the car, you see the top of his head and he’s firing back to whomever is attacking you. You throw your body on the back seat and in the second your back hits the leather, two gun shots blast both windows and many sparkling bits of glass hits your face.

“Release me!” you shout “I can f-helpf” your chin is covered in your saliva but who fucking cares when you’re about to die. Clint raises and you see through the door how he’s attacking back with two guns, his face contorted and sweaty and then you hear the sound of tires screeching the road and your captor lowers his guns.

“Are you okay?” he says through the broken glass on the door

He opens it and what was left of the glass windows crashes to the ground. Clint looks at it for a second; his cool vintage car is destroyed. He climbs over you and takes out the wet fabric out of your mouth

“Are you okay?” he asks again, with the gentlest touch of his fingers he shakes off of your face the small crystals

“Yeah” you whisper. It’s sad that this is the kindest anybody has been to you in a long time.

He reaches for your hands and turns them softly seeing that a red line has formed on your wrists. Clint then lowers the collar of his shirt to reveal a long silver chain with what looks like a skull with horns and one small key to the side, he takes it out and you hear the small clic sound once you’re free.

“Come on we have to go”

When you get out of the car, you curse seeing that they have completely destroyed the tires and the smell of gas and the dark puddle on the road assures you that the car is useless. But there’s nothing around and zero traffic. The vast desert is now covered in the blue shadow of the night and the temperature is beginning to sink.

“So what’s the plan?” Clint has taken a big duffle bag on his shoulder and pushes you from your lower back to the side of the road

“We will spend the night here, if we stay in the open they could find us easily” he says walking towards the darkness where only the shadow of the sharp bushes and cacti cover the space.

“Who are they?” you ask and try to fix your feet on the ground but he still pushes you towards the emptiness of the desert

“Probably competing bounty hunters, you have a big price on your head, you know?” he responds

“But spending the night in the desert, we will be dead by the morning” you protest. The few lights on the road are getting farther and farther away as you both walk towards some indeterminate point. He walks slowly by your side, actually not paying much attention to you, his hand now lies lazily on his side and so you decide in a rush to run away towards the only thing you deem safe, the road. You hear him sigh before he starts running behind you

“Stop, please” he shouts but you go on. You feel your legs as if they were made of iron, heavy and stiff. You gasp the air in your lungs exiting all at once, once he catches you and raise you over his shoulder. You become a little dizzy with your head upside down grabbing the belt on his jeans for your dear life

“Let me down!” he ignores you and keeps on walking, his hand are strong lock on your thighs and the other in your calf so you cannot kick him “I said let me down!”

“Are you going to run again?” he stops

“No” you sigh

“Great” and he bends down so your feet can touch the ground.

He gave you a bottle of warm water and some energetic cereal bar while he prepares a small camp. He knows his ways in all this, searching for a specific place in the wilderness where you two could be safe. Two tall red rocks shield you from the night and he is now cleaning the ground so he can lay down the sleeping bag.

“I guess you did well in the Boys Scouts” you comment, he’s been silent again

“I’ve never been one” you open your eyes widely; it’s the first time he has answered one of your stupid comments.

“It comes with the Master Degree in Bounty Hunt, huh Clint?” you laugh

“My name is not Clint”

“Alright, so what’s your name?” you cross your arm over your legs waiting for an answer but he doesn’t give you one. He sits opposite you with his eyes on the road far away

“You know we could talk a little, we have a bond now with this near death experience”

“Rest in the sleeping bag, I’m going to stand guard” he cuts you

“I’m not that tired” even in the dark you see his eyes glaring at you, and you obey. The bag is on his right side and you get inside it feeling the hard ground on your back. Your muscles protest feeling all the tension going away and even if you try not to your eyes begin to close begging for a few hours of sleep.

You curl and make a ball out of your body, when you open your eyes is a dark pitch nothingness in front of you and you tremble for a second until the stars and the moon cast enough light to see a few meters away. It’s so cold now, your jeans and basic cotton shirt are not enough and even the fabric of the sleeping bag couldn’t protect you from this. So you turn and watch your captor’s shape huddled down pressed against the stone.

“Aren’t you cold?” you teeth chatter and he doesn’t answer and the worst possible scenario begins to form on your head “Clint tell me you’re not dead for fuck sake! what would I do in this shithole?”

“I’m not” he simply says, you see that he has zip up his leather jacket, his hands protected inside his armpits

“Come here, we need to stay warm” you get your arm out and blindly trying to reach for his body

“I’m okay”

“Come on, I’m freezing, do you really want to bring me in dead?”

“They actually didn’t care, I could bring in you in cold or I could bring in you in warm”

“Well, be kind and bring me warm” you guess he’s thinking about it or actually it’s going to be brave and spend the night like that, but you hear him moving towards you and lie down against you with a huff.

“Don’t be shy, Clint” you say pressing your body against him. He tenses for a second but then agrees to put his arm around you and his warm breath brushes the hair on your neck

“My name is not Clint” he mutters

“Then why don’t you tell me your name and we will be over it, Clint?”

“I don’t tell anybody, especially those who I catch and deliver”

“I bet you’d never lied down spooning with anyone you caught in the middle of the desert, Clint, but here we are” you whisper

“You never shut up, right?”

“I bet your tongue must be tired for all this talking, Clint” he exhales deeply and moves a little. His big body is surprisingly warm and you think that maybe he could have survived the night out in the open, but you’re thankful that he did join you. You relax your body feeling how tense it was once the temperature lowered “I guess it must be a very horrible name and that’s why you don’t want to tell anybody. But I don’t judge, I mean if anything it’s your parents fault and I will never judge a parent, I’m a very shitty mum myself”

“You are a mum?” his voice sound surprised

“Yeah...I was young when I had him” you feel a warm tear rolling on your otherwise froze cheek

“Wh-where is he?” he tentatively asks

“Far away, with a family I thought would take good care of him, but they’re assholes” you cough before actually starting to cry

“You cannot get him back?”

“I was trying to, that’s why I took the money from my old boss. To start a life with him far away from all this shit and the things I did in the past” you feel how he turns abruptly and raises his upper body to look over at you

“You’re not making that up to get yourself out of this, right?” his words are harsh and the moonlight hit his serious face “I take very seriously anything that has to be with children, it’s part of my creed”

“I’m not lying” you mutter he doesn’t move for a bit but then you see him fluster when he’s aware that you’re very close and he’s on top of you.

Then you’re both in silence you press your eyelids shut trying to regain sleep or maybe to control the urge to cry.

He was actually right. The gas station was not far away, he looks at you from the payphone while you devour a doughnut he has paid and a cup of coffee.

“One of my associates is going to pick us up in a bit” he leaves the duffle bag over one of the gas pump and searches something until he has taken a black plastic clamp “I’m sorry I have to” he takes your hands and brushes his thumb over the marks, you hiss and he looks at you with warm eyes “it would be loose, but don’t do anything stupid” when he ties it, it barely touches your skin “Is it okay?”

“Yes, thanks”

While in the car, with the other man driving, Clint doesn’t say a word and he’s back to the brooding and mysterious bounty hunter. You want to ask him a million questions, know his name, what his creed is or what the collar he hides is and you know that time’s up. You will be delivered to Mr. Horzag and then...you actually don’t know what he’s going to do to you. You have been avoiding those thoughts but now it’s time to face your fate.

His club looks completely different in the daylight. The liquor and the suspicious stains on the velvet couches are visible and the dark paint is chipped, all the frames and lamps dusty, you think that you’ve been lucky the time you’ve worked for him not catching anything bad from touching this sticky place.

“So you are as efficient as they told me” he says with that slow and deep voice of his

Clint nods and softly grabs your forearm bringing you towards the table where the old man smokes.

“Oh, my sweet runaway, it’s a pleasure to have you back” he smiles and you shiver

“Unfortunately I can’t say the same”

“Where’s the money?” he changes his fake smile to a violent expression

“I don’t have it” you shrug

“That’s inconvenient you know that, don’t you?”

“I told you I needed the money, I deserved it for many long hours in this shithole and doing jobs you never actually paid for. I told you I needed it as soon as possible and you ignore me. I just took what I was owed” you replied

“Oh! Yes! To finally play the mummy you actually never wanted to be. How sweet!” he laughs. The two men by his side laugh with him but it sounds faked. Everybody dances at the sound of Mr. Herzog music in this hell; you must always do what he does. “And if you needed the money to get your baby back, where is he? Oh! Maybe you got lost on your way as always, right? And actually expended it on yourself, poor baby is better off without you. Who would want a hoe like you as a mum?”

Again the sound and the air hit you first before you could even process what’s going on. Clint has his two guns out and he has hit Mr. Herzog just in the middle of his forehead, the faster man of the two lies dead with a similar shot and the other, being slower falls down to the ground with his gun on his hand that he hasn’t had the chance to use.

“What?” you shout

“We have to go, is there any other way out? The men at the entry will arrive soon” he says and grabs your arm to rush you when you are still gasping looking at the scene

“Over there” you point to the bathrooms

There was a small door, with a warning claiming that behind it there was just the electric panel but it was actually a door out to run away in case of police raids. You grab Clint‘shand and run through the dark corridor knowing your way in the dark

“We will arrive few streets away” you announce

You try to catch your breath once you get out but he doesn’t give you that time to rest and grabs you and keeps on running gathering insults and screams while you bump into people. He doesn’t stop until you’re on a parking lot on some supermarket; he walks casually until he stops beside the door of a car.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting us a transport. Go to the other door” he covers himself with his body, and you hear the clic when the doors unlock.

A few miles after, you have already caught your breath but still your body is shaking

“Why did you do it?” you mumble. Clint looks at the road, his face is dirty and his jacket dusty, he looks at you before he answers, his eyes glow and you can see tears forming at the corner of his eyes. “A child should be with their parents. They should be loved and taking care of” he says and nods “Where’s your son?”

The neighborhood is dead silent; you drive slowly watching the white fences, white painted houses.

“That’s the one” you say

“Let’s go” he stops the car in the middle of the road and you follow Clint not knowing exactly what is he planning to do.

“We should wait until the morning and ask for him”

“They tried to blackmail you into paying them for getting your son back, what do you think they’re going to do?” he mutters and you sigh knowing it’s true. They didn’t even let you see him after hours of driving if you didn’t gave them something.

He works his magic hands again as he did with the car and opens the door without a sound. He turns his head to both sides until he finds the small panel of the alarm. “Go to his room, I will work the alarm. Don’t make a sound”

You climb the stairs and they creak a little but you’re swift and enter the small room where you know he will be on his crib. You have to cover your mouth to prevent you from crying.

He has a white shirt too big for him and he is cuddling the soft frog plushie you bought him last time you visited him.

“Sh, sh, I’m here, ranita” (little frog) you take him with the small white blanket he has over him, and press his small body to your chest. He protest a little and holds tight his soft toy but doesn’t make another sound or wakes up. So with all the care in the world you climb down and Clint is at the door and waves his hand to rush you.

“Probably the alarm will go off in a few minutes. C’mon”

You could sleep, your body and mind begs you for it, but you can’t take your eyes off of your precious baby. His small lips parted in a relaxed slumber, in a way he knows his at home, his with you and that makes your heart beat faster and bring tears to your eyes. “Thank you” you say, he drives slowly, the light from the cars illuminates his smiling face “It’s a beautiful baby”

“Greg, that’s his name, told you I will not judge if you have a horrible name. I should have thought about other but I wanted to please my boyfriend at the time, just for him to run away...fucker”

“It’s Din” he says

“Din?” you say back and repeat it a few times loving the way it sounds on your lips “It’s beautiful”

“Thank you”

All the waitresses stop to smile and say a few sweet words to your son and you feel proud, in this horrible and ungrateful life you made something so pure and beautiful, he smiles at them once he’s awake and one of them even makes the effort of pressing some fruits to make something for him to eat. Din has his arms crossed over the table eating his breakfast but keeps his eyes on you. You see him observing you and the baby from the corner of your eye and when you get him he blushes and keeps on eating.

“Say hi to Din, ranita. He saved us” you grab his chubby hand and waves it to Din that smiles back at him. Greg opens his toothless mouth at him and laughs “Oh you like him! Enough to lend him your froggy, huh?” you ask the baby and he smiles while eating another spoon of his purée “Take the frog and look inside” you motion to the soft toy that is over the table. Greg actually pouts when he takes it but doesn’t cry.

The toy has a small white Velcro slot where normally there would be a small battery to make sounds but inside there’s a plastic bag with a thick bundle of bills.

“Your payment. I guess it’s only fair. I went to those fuckers’s house to get my baby but they asked for more money. So I looked for a job, a proper one, to pay the rest and well, the rest of what I’ve stolen couldn’t be in a bank and what’s a better place for hiding than a place in plain sight, huh?

“I cannot accept it” he says pressing the Velcro “You have to provide for your baby” he shakes his head and puts the frog back to its place much to Greg content.

“And what would you do? You cannot possible be back to bounty hunting”

“I can move to other place, start somewhere new. Nobody really knows me” he shrugs

“We do, I do” you whisper and then there’s silence between you two, and it feels the cafeteria is silent, there’s nobody around except for you and the invisible string that ties you together, a string full of dreams and longing for a home, for love and acceptance, to truly belong somewhere. “If you starting a new, and I too...I...well”

“That’s no life for a baby...” his voice shakes and he’s back to fix his eyes on his plate

“A baby deserves to be love and taking care of, you said it. And Din, you’re the first person that has cared for us”

“I guess I could protect you until you’re both safe and settle” he says softly like he’s trying to convince himself “For a bit...”

You smile and nod tears gathering on your eyes. It’s the happiest you’ve been since forever “For a bit” you agree.

(As you saw I have zero imagination for names and called baby Grogu, Baby Greg and Mr Harzog is the name of the actor for The Client in The Mandalorian 🤦)

[beelsnack]

Obey Me! Boys and the Hidden Talent You Wouldn’t Expect Them To Have

Lucifer: Honestly, they had thought it was just for decoration.

Considering how little the brothers actually used anything in the music room, they had just assumed most of the instruments in there were just for show. The only reason they were proved wrong was by sheer accident.

Their insomnia had been a hindrance back in the human realm, but now that the constant darkness of the Devildom had taken a hammer to their circadian rhythm, they found themselves wandering the halls of the House of Lamentation more and more frequently in the middle of the night. While they knew they weren’t the only one awake at this hour (they had made the mistake of wandering too close to Asmo’s room and discovered that his nights were very active) they typically were the only one out of their room.

It was their second pass around the first floor when they heard it. A faint, unfamiliar melody ringing softly down the hall. Before they realized what they were doing, their feet had brought them to the music room. When they peeked through the doorway, the sight made them freeze.

Lucifer was seated on a bench, eyes closed in an uncharacteristically serene expression. The soft candlelight shone behind him, making him look every bit like the angel he once was as his long, graceful fingers plucked skillfully at the strings of the harp. The song was hauntingly beautiful, much like Lucifer himself, and something about it made the human’s breath catch in their throat.

They hadn’t thought they made a noise, but demon hearing was something else. Lucifer’s eyes snapped open, hands halting over the strings as the two of them made eye contact. 

At first, it seemed like Lucifer was preparing to scold them, and they felt themself reflexively tensing. Instead, Lucifer’s expression softened.

“You should be in bed.” his voice betrayed how tired he was, even if he appeared just fine.

“I couldn’t sleep.” they murmured. Speaking too loudly might break the spell, and this gentle illusion would shatter.

“Hm.” he motioned them forward, patting the spot next to him. The bench was small enough to when they sat down, they were shoulder-to-shoulder with Lucifer. “I couldn’t sleep either.”

“I didn’t know you could play the harp.” they blurted out. Lucifer, caught off guard by their bluntness, stared down at them for a moment before sighing. A nostalgic smile pulled at his lips, and they found themself wishing he would smile like that more often. 

“A skill left over from the Celestial Realm. Playing always put me at ease.”

“Will you keep playing for me?”

He chuckled softly. “Of course. Shall I play a lullaby for the two of us?”

Mammon: “Are we done studying yet? This sucks!”

They didn’t even bother looking up from their textbook. Mammon had done more complaining than studying at this point, and they were honestly too worked up about passing this test tomorrow to worry about entertaining him.

“You can be done if you want, I’m going to keep going.” they mumbled. They talked big, but they had been reading the same sentence over and over again without taking in a single letter. They knew that it wasn’t really helping, but they were convinced that if they didn’t spend every last second studying the material, they were going to fail spectacularly. Honestly, after one semester of Potions, they were never going to complain about chemistry every again.

“You’re gonna ruin your eyes, at this rate.”

They nearly jumped out of their skin. When had Mammon gotten up? How had he gotten behind them without them noticing? Shit, maybe they did need to give it a rest.

“Alright, alright,” they sighed. “I’m not retaining any of this stuff anymore anyway - ow, fuck!” 

“What’s wrong?” Mammon sounded unnecessarily terrified, the big worrier.

“Nothing, nothing, sorry.” they brought a hand up to the back of their neck. “Been hunched over for too long, my neck and shoulders are mad at me.”

“Damn, human, you had me thinkin’ you were dyin’ or something.” he breathed out. “Here.”

“What are - “ they cut themselves off as Mammon’s warm hands settled on their shoulders. His thumbs worked soothing circles on the column of their neck before sliding down to work on their shoulder blades.

They felt their eyes slipping close without their consent. “Holy shit, Mammon.” they probably should be a bit more concerned with how breathy their voice sounded, but he was working wonders on their stiff muscles.

He knew just how much pressure to apply, just how to move his hands. The warmth of his palms seeped through their shirt, and they let out a sigh that might have sounded a bit like a moan.

“Hey, you can’t go makin’ those noises while I’m doin’ this.” his voice had gone just a bit lower. “You’re gonna make it awkward.”

“Sorry.” they muttered. “But you’re really good at this. You should open up a massage parlor. You would make a killing.”

“Heh, I thought about it.” he pulled his hands away, and they almost whined at the loss of contact. “But I don’t want to have to rub my hands over some crusty old bastard.”

“Oh well,” they shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to just keep you to myself then.”

Leviathan: “Hey, normie, open up!”

They considered ignoring him in favor of finishing up this very intense Pokemon battle, but it was pretty rare that Levi came to their room without texting them first. With a sigh, they shut their DS and hopped off of their bed to let him in.

“What’s up?” they leaned against the doorway.

“Didn’t you hear? That new MMO is having an exclusive pre-release event. Only the first 300 can get in! Go get set up, people have been talking about this new totally OP armor they’re going to - “

Levi cut himself, peering over their shoulder and wrinkling his nose. “What’s that?”

At first, they thought he was talking about their DS, but when they looked behind them, they realized what he meant.

“Ah, yeah.” the walked over to their bed and picked up the old stuffed dragon toy. They creadled him gently to their chest and frowned a little. “He got a little roughed up on his way to the Devildom. I had to get creative.”

The toy was clearly well loved, but the real attention-grabber was the piece of duct tape holding its front left leg to the rest of it. Little bits of fluff could be seen beneath the tape and it was clear that the repair job wasn’t going to last for much longer.

Leviathan clicked his tongue. “That’s never going to hold. Bring him over after the event tonight.”

“Why?” the human tilted their head, clutching the dragon tighter like they were afraid Levi was going to mercy-kill him.

“I’m going to fix him for you, duh.” there was a faint dusting of pink high on his cheekbones, and he looked away quickly. “I don’t like to bring my sewing stuff out of my room, I’ll lose it for sure.”

“You can sew?” they sounded incredulous. “Since when?”

“Th-there was a contest a while back. Whoever made the best TSL cosplay got to have a meet and greet with the cast of the movie.” Levi looked like he was about to catch fire now. “Of-of course, I couldn’t just go buy stuff, everyone knows the handmade stuff is better, so I learned how to sew.”

“Levi, that’s amazing!”

Levi blinked. “I-It is?”

“Duh!” they beamed up at him. “I could never do anything like that! I definitely owe you one if you can fix him up for me!”

“It’s not that big of a deal,” he muttered, staring down at his feet. How was he supposed to handle getting compliments like that?

“It is!” they placed their toy back on their bed in favor of wrapping their arms around Levi’s middle. “Thank you so much!”

“Whoa, hey! You can’t just d-do that all of a sudden!”

Satan: They quite enjoyed their study dates with Satan. The two of them could sit in amiable silence for hours and just focus on getting their work done. It was peaceful, and Satan never minded if they took a rest on his shoulder

As they struggled to keep their eyes open (a coffee break might be in order soon) they caught sight of something in the margins of Satan’s notebook.

It started as idle pencil marks in the corner of the page. Little spirals that slowly transformed into vines  winding their way down the side. Delicate little flowers soon began to bloom at random intervals until finally, in the bottom corner, Satan was in the middle of doodling a lotus flower.

“That’s so pretty.” they felt Satan jump as they broke the silence.

“What?” he blinked, refocusing. “Oh. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it.”

“I should have known you were a doodler.” they laughed. “I read somewhere that people who doodle in class actually retain more information.”

“Is that right?” Satan muttered, more to himself than anything. “That explains my notes in class. I wonder if there’s a reason I enjoy drawing outside of a learning environment?”

They nudged him before he got too deep in his own thoughts. “You’re allowed to just have a hobby, Satan. There’s no need to psychoanalyze it so much.”

Asmo: When they had admitted that they had never gotten their nails done, Asmo had wasted no time in whisking them away to his room. He insisted that everyone should have a manicure at least once in their life, sat them down on the chaise lounge in his bedroom and set to work.

Admittedly, they probably should be taking care of their nails better, and it was nice to have someone pamper them a little bit. They hadn’t really been expecting the hand massage at the end.

“Oh, you have earth hands, darling.” Asmo said as he worked his thumb into the center of their palm. “Reliable, stubborn, practical. Fits you to a T!”

“Huh?”

Asmo ignored them, continuing to analyze their hand. “Your love line starts under your index finger. Well, with seven partners, I should hope you’re content with your love life.”

“Asmo, what the hell?”

“Hm? Oh, sorry, darling.” Asmo laughed, tracing his finger in a circle in the center of their hand. “I suppose I should ask before I read your palm.”

“Is that what that was?” they asked. “I didn’t know you could do that.”

“Mm, there’s plenty of things I can do, my dear.” he practically purred. “An old lover of mine was a practiced chiromancer. I always thought it was fascinating, being able to read a person just by the lines on their hands, so I had them teach me. If nothing else, it’s a neat party trick.”

“Wow...” the human murmured, staring at their hand. “What else can you tell?”

Beelzebub and Belphegor: It had been decided long ago that Beel could not be trusted with cooking duty on his own. So the twins always had joint cooking duty.

It had also been decided that Belphegor couldn’t be trusted with waking up for cooking duty, so Lucifer tacked the human on as well.

None of them particularly minded it. Well, Belphie minded it a little, seeing as Beel had to literally fireman carry him to the kitchen. But all three of them worked well as a team.

It wasn’t terribly uncommon for Beel to hum to himself when he cooked. The kitchen was his element, and cooking always seemed to put him in a cheerful mood. It was uncommon, however, for Belphie to join in.

They hadn’t really been paying attention, simply registering the twins as background noise while they focused on their task. But soon, Beel’s humming turned to lyrics in a language that the human didn’t understand, but sent a shiver up their spine anyway.

Beel sang in a smooth baritone voice that they could feel thrumming through their chest. The human found themself closing their eyes and listening, nearly forgetting that they were supposed to be chopping up mandrake root.

They almost chopped their finger off when Belphie joined in.

When they turned around, the twins had their backs facing either other, but they had paused in their work. Both of them wore identical expressions of nostalgia - eyes closed, lips tugged upwards in a soft smile. Belphie’s soft, clear tenor mixed with Beel’s low timbre, and, despite not understanding a single word, the human felt goosebumps rise up their arms.

When they finished the song, the twins opened their eyes and looked at each other over their shoulder. Beel honestly looked like he was going to cry out of sheer joy. 

“It’s been a while since we sang together.” Beel grinned.

“At least a century.” Belphie nodded, shaking his head. “I’m surprised my voice hasn’t broken.”

“I feel like I’m intruding on a family moment, here.” the human muttered. They honestly hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but by the time they realized, it was too late. The twins had turned their gazes on them like they had just stood on the table and started screaming.

“What’re you talking about?” Belphie drawled.

“You are family.” Beel smiled, crossing the kitchen in three strides to ruffle their hair. “So you can’t be intruding.”

They stuck their tongue out at Beel, ducking out from underneath his hand. “Can you two teach me that song?”

[bitterfrosts]

Xingchen sings to himself sometimes in his sleep.

Song Lan doesn’t think he’s aware he does it. But he does. Song Lan has heard him do it. Softly, breathy, half asleep and exhausted from travel or fighting, he sings to himself. Song Lan never recognizes the tune to any of them. The words don’t feel familiar to him. He wonders as he lies stretched out next to his partner in the grass in the night if they are songs from the mountain, taught to him by the legendary Baoshan Sanren. He closes his eyes and listens to the songs as they lull him to sleep too. 

And one day, as they walk past a field of bright yellow wildflowers, going only the gods know where, Song Lan hums one. 

“Is it a local village song? Xiao Xingchen asks, voice as light and bright as the flowers. 

Song Lan hadn’t known he was humming. The various little lullabies Xingchen sings to himself when he’s half a world away and drowsy at night have wormed their way into his head. He hadn’t known he was copying them. 

“Do you know where it’s from?” comes his reply.

Xingchen’s brow furrows as he thinks. It’s one of the few times Song Lan can watch his expression change to anything other than its usual calm tranquility. 

“I can’t say I do. It does seem... familiar somehow.”

“Did Baoshan Sanren teach music on her mountain?” he asks. 

Xingchen’s lips curl up into a nostalgic smile. 

“Teacher would be the first one to admit she wasn’t one much for singing,” Xingchen says, the ghost of a laugh on his lips. “It never stopped any of my elder brothers and sisters from trying it themselves though. But as I recall, they somehow all inherited Teacher’s lack of talent.”

Later that night, as Song Lan turns to face Xingchen as the embers of their campfire die slowly, Xingchen sings again. The words come out soft and half formed, from the slightly parted lips of his sleeping partner. This time, Song Lan listens. 

It’s an old rural song, he realizes. It comes from a land neither of them have ever passed through on their travels; a land where the soil is rocky, the farming poor, the mountains are so high they touch the heavens, the air is dry, and the riverbeds dead. 

Song Lan realizes the song is one from before Xiao Xingchen was Xiao Xingchen; before he was the Cool Moon and Gentle Breeze. A childhood song, perhaps; one of the last subconscious vestiges of the little boy Xiao Xingchen was before his teacher took him in. 

Xiao Xingchen remembers nothing from before Baoshan Sanren took him in. Xingchen had told Song Lan this himself before, many times. Perhaps it is only when his stream of consciousness slips and sleep overtakes him that he can even try to remember who he was before cultivation. 

Song Lan listens to Xiao Xingchen try to finish the song before it tapers off into nothing and is replaced by the sounds of Xingchen breathing deeply in sleep. If Xiao Xingchen can no longer cherish the part of himself he lost before, then Song Lan can. He tucks the tune away inside his heart, and vows never to forget it. 

[staticscreenwriting]

Wonderful tonight // F.M.

Synopsis: Reader is Pope’s sister and her and Frankie have been dancing around each other for years. Now Pope is getting married and emotions are running high and Frankie and Reader are both single at the same time for the first time ever. It’s all about the longing, the yearning. 

A/N: This entire thing was inspired by that picture of Pedro in the header and how handsome he is. This is my first time writing for this fandom and I rewrote this story about 5 million times. If you like it let me know if you don’t then you can also let me know if you want. I did run this through spellcheck but it’s not really edited. I don’t have the time, honestly. Just ignore mistakes, please and thank you. Hope you enjoy.

[additional note: I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.]

“ One day I’m gonna stand right over there. I’m gonna wear an expensive suit and shiny shoes. I’m gonna get my hair done real nice, and probably have a flower pinned to my jacket. My hands will be clammy and my heart will be racing. There will be flowers, lots of them, all over the garden. We'll have a musician playing acoustic guitar. All my friends will be there, and — and our entire crazy family. And I’m gonna get married to the love of my life. Right here. And things will be good. People will be happy.” 

“ Mom will probably be crying. “ 

“ Oh for sure. “ 

As she steps out into the garden, (Y/N) can’t help but let her mind wander back to that one summer night a long time ago. Pope was fresh out of high school then, about to move out and start the rest of his life, away from home. Nights like these, sitting in the garden of their childhood home and sharing silly stories and hopes and fears, were numbered. That’s the thing about having siblings, it really only occurs to you how important they are to you when you’re faced with the idea of a life without them. So they sat there, on the steps of the porch, ice-cold cans of coke in hand and hearts open and vulnerable. Pope had never shared any of his dreams with her, not like this at least. But maybe him leaving home made him feel nostalgic too. 

Her eyes meet his across the aisle and he smiles at her with his signature Santiago Garcia smile, the one that’s gotten him out of so much trouble when he was younger, the one that looks so much like their mother’s. An ocean of flowers surrounds him, just like he said it would. And their entire crazy family has taken their seats, ready to watch him get married to the love of his life. (Y/N) has always been proud of her brother's achievements, in and outside of the army. But she’s never been more proud than today. 

Will softly links his arm with her’s as they walk down the aisle to take their respective places as bridesmaid and groomsman. The air is filled with the soft melodic strumming of an acoustic guitar and the perpetual scent of peonies. The rational part of (Y/N)’s brain knows that life isn’t like the movies but maybe, she thinks, sometimes life grants us a little moment in which we get to relish in a bit of that magic that makes those films so enchanting. 

Just as she’s predicted all those years ago, her mother is crying. Big happy tears roll down her blushed cheeks. If we’re being entirely honest, neither (Y/N) nor their mother had really believed they’d ever see Pope up there, wearing an expensive suit and shiny shoes and waiting for the love of his life to walk down the aisle so he can marry her and start their happily ever after. Then again, ever since he was little Pope always found a way to get the things he wanted if he only set his mind to it. The sky was and still is the limit for her brother and that is something (Y/N) is infinitely envious of and wonderfully amazed by at the same time.

As they reach the front, Will lets go of her arm and walks right to stand with Pope and the groomsmen and she walks to the left stepping up beside the maid of honor.

It all goes so fast from then on, one more bridesmaid and groomsman, the flower girls, then the bride. She looks gorgeous and she’s smiling the biggest smile. It’s one that just radiates with pure unfiltered joy. And there’s love in her eyes. So much love. The way she looks at Pope leaves no doubt about her feelings for him. It’s the most basic of all human emotions and yet the most complex to grasp though at that moment, in her eyes and his, it’s so clear to see and so easy to understand. 

(Y/N) feels her heart do a little stutter as she allows herself, for the first time that day, to let her eyes wander towards the row of groomsmen. This is, by all accounts, a bad decision that’s only gonna hurt. Self-destructive behavior is something she’s pretty good at though.

Frankie stands next to Pope like a rock, sturdy and determined and ready to catch him if he were to stumble or fall. That is something so enigmatic about Frankie. As flimsy and unpredictable he can be when it comes to himself, he’s incredibly loyal towards his friends and loved ones. He does not falter, does not shake. Not for his loved ones, never.

The dark blue suit looks good on him, it fits him like a glove and it must’ve been expensive. Though (Y/N) can’t help but feel like something is missing. This isn’t the Frankie she knows. The one she —. Granted, it’s been years but still, there’s something funny and peculiar about Frankie in a fancy suit. 

His lips are pulled up in a small, gentle smile. One that makes a comfortable warmth settle in (Y/N)’s heart. This man is both so familiar and yet so complicated. He’s been a constant in (Y/N)’s life for a long while now, ever since the first time Pope brought him around for dinner. Even without any blood relation, those two are brothers through and through. Will and Benny too. Those four, forever bound to one another by the horrors they’ve seen, the pain they’ve felt, and the family that developed along the way. 

(Y/N) loves those boys, they are as much a part of her family now as they are of Pope's and yet, something about Frankie always felt different. From the first moment, their eyes met, the air filled with a strong magnetic pull. Invisible but palpable. It was always special. Always. Frankie is the kind of guy one can call at 3 am because you’ve heard a scary sound and don’t feel safe and he’ll jump into his car and come check it out for you and protect you, no questions asked. And he never wants anything in return. He just gives because that’s what his heart tells him too. The world, (Y/N) thinks, needs more people like Frankie.

He’s not without his issues, far from it really, and (Y/N) can acknowledge that. But the sum of his faults does not undo the size of his heart. Somewhere along the way of their friendship things changed. It was a gradual change, slow and steady like water down a stream. Glances lingered, hands kept brushing more frequently and the air held a perpetual sizzle of static. Though neither of them ever admitted it, they both knew it was there. Hell, even the boys, foolish and naive as they could be, noticed. It was a well-known secret.

If life really was a movie, the two of them would’ve gotten a happily ever after by now. A dance on a rooftop, a kiss in the rain, a soft indie song leading them into the end credits. A gentle epilogue to a slow burn romance.

But life really isn’t a movie. Everything seems to be working against them. Mostly time and cultural conventions. This man is her brother’s friend. Her brother’s brother. You don’t date your brother's friends, that’s like an unwritten rule. But time is probably the worst of their enemies. It never seems to be on their side. They’ve never been single at the same time. Frankie went through several more or less serious relationships and while (Y/N) hasn’t found anyone to settle down with permanently, there’d been men she lent her heart to.

Last year, just a few weeks before Pope swept his band of merry men off on their suicide mission to Colombia, (Y/N) moved back home after ending a 3-year relationship. Dave was — he was nice. Nice and secure and stable and boring. Something about him felt too squeaky clean. That night, looking at old pictures of herself and the boys that were proudly displayed on the fireplace in her parent’s living room, it became abundantly clear to her that Dave wasn’t the problem. The problem was that Dave wasn’t Francisco. She’d really set her mind to it then, to pull herself together and muster up the courage to finally seek a conversation with him about the elephant in the room they both had refused to acknowledge for so long. She’d been determined. Then Pope dropped a bomb on her.

“So Frankie and his girl are having a baby.” 

And from that moment on she refused to let herself entertain any thought of her and him having any kind of future that went beyond being friends. It hurt, god it hurt like hell. But dreaming of things that could never be wasn’t doing her any good either.

Seeing him now, looking all snazzy in his suit and smiling, it sends a familiar shive through her body and makes the moths in her stomach go crazy. If only life was a movie. If only.

The ceremony passes in the blink of an eye. There’s happy tears, lots of them but love shines brightly through it all. Every glance, every touch, every word spoken. As her brother and his new wife make their way down the aisle, (Y/N) dares to take another glance towards Frankie and, for the first time that day, he’s looking back.

The world doesn’t shift or shake right then, doesn’t spin out of its axis. Nothing fundamentally changes but the air feels different. The electricity is back. The magnetic pull. The undeniable attraction. Just like that, they are both thrown back into this everlasting limbo of what-ifs.

(Y/N) looks away before her heart can break further, knowing what could’ve been and what can never be.

Weddings have this strange side effect of making you think about your own romantic entanglements. It’s not necessarily a bad thing or a sad thing. It’s just a fact. Seeing other people’s love being displayed so prominently, being celebrated, it makes you wonder. Will I ever find this kind of love? 

“ You know, I think you and I gotta have a talk.” Pope’s voice holds a certain edge to it, a teasing tone she’s heard so many times growing up.

“ About what? Shouldn’t you be dancing with your wife right now? “

“ Ah, she got caught up in a conversation with her aunt, something about corgis. Once that woman starts going there’s no stopping her. It’s — it’s a lot.” 

“ And you left your wife behind to fend for herself? What a way to start life as a married couple.” 

Pope gives her a chuckle and their silly banter makes (Y/N) feel like a kid again.

“ So I’m gonna need you to talk to Fish. “ 

“ Huh? “

“ Oh don’t play dumb. I’ve known you your whole life, kiddo. I know when something’s going on with you and something is definitely going on.” 

“ What’s my emotional turmoil got to do with Frankie?” 

Her older brother raises his eyebrow in mock offense. As if to say “you really think I’m that dumb?” 

“ You two have been throwing looks at each other all day whenever you think the other isn’t looking. Subtlety really isn’t either of you's strong suit. “ 

That, (Y/N) thinks, must be absolute nonsense. Frankie’s got a girl and a baby, there’s no reason for him to sneak glances at her. Clearly he’s gotten his happily ever after already and it doesn’t involve her. Pope must be delusional. Must have a head filled with cotton candy and all things rose-colored.

“ You’re on a wedding high, my guy. There have been no looks. “ 

Her words are met by Pope shaking his head in frustration. “ Look, I just — just please go talk to him. This dancing around each other is very high school drama and I love you both which is why I can’t watch this going on any longer. “ 

“ What are you saying?” 

“ That if there’s something there worth um — worth exploring, you don’t have to worry about me or my opinion on it. “

If anyone had ever told her those words would ever leave her brother’s lips, she would've called that person crazy. Not that they change anything, he’s still got a woman at home and a baby. But still — it’s nice to know that if things had worked out differently, Pope would approve.

“ Are you saying that if I wanted to date Frankie — which I don’t, but like let’s pretend I did. Hypothetically. You’d be okay with that? “ 

“ (Y/N), “ Pope says and his voice dips lower as his expression grows more serious “ I love both of you. I just want you guys to be happy. “ 

Before either of them can continue the conversation, the bride steps up beside them, throwing her arms around Pope’s middle and facing (Y/N) with a big, radiant smile on her face.

“ Sorry I had to interrupt but I needed to get away from aunt Lisa and her Corgie stories.”

“ Nah it’s okay, don’t worry I uh — I gotta go talk to someone. “

Pope smiles at her in return and a silent understanding passes between the two. Maybe the story wasn't all that hypothetical after all.

Much to (Y/N)’s delight, Frankie sits alone at the table. His suit jacket is lazily thrown over the back of the chair and the sleeves of his shirt are rolled up to his elbows. This looks more like the Frankie she knows. The one she loves. Effortlessly cool and yet so undeniably charming. 

Sliding onto the chair next to his, she can feel her heart speed up with anxiety. She shouldn’t feel this way around him. Underneath all the feelings, this is still her Frankie, one of her best friends, a member of her little family of misfits.

“ Hey, you. “ her words are soft, delicate, almost as if she’s afraid of saying them. And maybe she is. A little bit at least.

“ Hey, stranger. Long time no see.”

His voice is dark and soothing but there’s an edge to it, a hint of teasing. 

“ Mmh. It’s been a while. “

“ Yeah, and with the way you’ve been avoiding me all day today, it makes me wonder if I did anything wrong. “ 

Oh god.

“ Dude, what’s it with everyone thinking I’m avoiding you? I’m not. “ 

“ You sure about that? “ Frankie asks and raises his eyebrow in question.

“ Yup. Just been a — a busy day. I’d never avoid you, I missed you. “ 

At least the last part of that statement is factual. She’s missed him terribly. 

“ I missed you too “.

There’s a truth in his eyes, a grounding honesty that is so hard to come by in people. Whatever words fall from his lips they are deliberate and he means them 100%. It’s something (Y/N) has always admired and appreciated about him. 

“ Sooo … I was hoping you’d bring a plus 1 today. “ 

“ Huh? “

“ The baby ! “ 

“ Oh. Oh, I think it’s way past her bedtime by now. She’s uh — she’s with her mom. “ 

“ Do you have a picture? “ 

Frankie scoffs, “ One? I got a bunch of ‘em. How much time have you got? “ 

As he pulls out his old battered leather wallet, (Y/N) can’t help but let a smile take over her face. It’s so fitting that he would carry the pictures around in his wallet instead of having them saved on a phone. Frankie was never the guy to get all obsessed with having the newest technological gadgets. Though he was smart as hell and good at navigating any and all electronic devices, he never felt the desire to own a smartphone himself only having caved and bought one a year ago when his old phone died on him. 

“ That’s her. Just celebrated her first birthday. “ 

The girl in the picture is undeniably Frankie’s daughter. She’s grinning up at the camera with his exact smile only she’s missing a few teeth still. Her eyes are the same soothing shade of brown and are rimmed by the same thick black eyelashes. She’s gorgeous and something about seeing her sends a pang straight to (Y/N)’s heart. What if …

It was one thing knowing that he was a dad but actually seeing his baby and realizing that’s his new reality, it’s strange. And while (Y/N) is happy for him, a part of her has a hard time coping with that realization. What if things had worked out differently, could that have been her life too?

“ She’s adorable. “ 

“ Yeaaah, “ Frankie replies and shrugs his shoulder casually, “ guess I did a pretty good job there. ‘s the first time in my life. Only thing I ever did right. “ 

Though he tries to shake it off and veil his words with a tone of mockery, (Y/N) can see right through him. The self-depreciation has always been a point of contention to her. How he can not see how wonderful he is, how loyal and sweet and loving, is beyond her.

“ Shut up, Frankie. Except for my brother, you’re the only guy I know that would drop everything to help me paint my kitchen at 1 am on a Tuesday. You’re so sweet and funny and I have not a single doubt in my mind that you’re an amazing dad. Stop selling yourself short. “ 

For a moment a quiet settles upon them that is neither comfortable nor awkward. It just is. And then Frankie looks into her eyes again and the moths are back going haywire. If only her future lay in those eyes, oh how wonderful yet foolish of a thought. 

“ Ah, I don’t know. Her mom doesn’t seem to think so. Left just before her first birthday. I mean — “ he sighs and takes a sip from his bottle of beer “ things between us hadn’t been good for a while and a breakup was inevitable. It’s just that I wish I could see the kid more. She’s my heart. She’s my everything. I want to be good enough for her, you know? So one day she can be like that’s my dad and he’s a pretty alright guy. Not that’s my dad, the ex-addict unemployed pilot. “ 

“ Frankie. That kid's gonna love you so much, now and forever. Because you love her. That’s all that matters. When you think about your childhood, do you think about your parents’ jobs? No. You think about how much they loved you and the good memories you had with them. “ 

Frankie stays silent for a moment, just looks at her with his big brown eyes, and then — then he smiles. 

“ Can I tell you something? “ 

“ Always.” 

“ When she was born. When the doctor let me see her and hold her for the first time. I wanted to call you. You’re the first person I wanted to talk to about her. I was so fucking terrified at that moment because she was so tiny and the world is so big and scary and I don’t know how to not fuck things up for her and how to protect her from it all. And you, when I’m with you I never felt scared, ever. You’re so good at making me feel like I can do everything and at making me forget about my own shortcomings. I wanted to call you so bad. “ 

“ Then why didn’t you? “

He averts his gaze for a moment, as if it’s a secret that weighs heavy on his heart. One he hasn’t told anyone before. One he isn’t sure he’s ready to share.

“ Didn’t wanna bother you. “ 

That’s not the truth. She can tell immediately. Frankie is a lot of things but he’s not a very good liar, at least not to the people that know him very well. Though she doesn’t push the situation any further. 

“ Pffsh. Bother me …” 

“ Didn’t think your boyfriend was gonna be okay with me calling you in the middle of the night. “ 

“ Well fuck him. “ 

Frankie raises his eyebrows in surprise. “ Huh “

“ Yup. “ 

“ Didn’t work out? “

“ Nope. “ 

“ Why’s that? “ 

Cause he isn’t you. That’s what she wants to say. That’s what rests on the tip of her tongue just waiting to be spoken. She doesn’t say it though, doesn’t have the guts. There’s an overwhelming sadness about getting your heart broken at a wedding and it’s not something she wants to experience today.

“ Just didn’t work out. Realized he wasn’t who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. “ 

“ So you’re not gonna be the next one inviting me to a wedding and making me wear a stupid fancy-ass suit? “ 

“ No way. First of all, you look hot in this suit and you know it. Second of all, nah. I feel like this isn’t in the cards for me. I want —  I want a guy that I can call at 3 am to get chocolate chip pancakes at the diner and that will run through the garden sprinkler with me when it’s hot outside and that will ask me to slow dance at a wedding even though the song that’s playing is super cheesy and overplayed. Dave was sweet and he was secure but I always felt like something was missing. I loved him but we were never friends. I think that’s what I was missing. “ 

Their eyes meet again and a shiver runs down her spine. There’s a tension in the air so thick one could cut it with a knife. And for a moment, just a fleeting moment, one that passes in the blink of an eye, there’s the courage she’s been looking for for so long. The one that helps her push the words from the tip of her tongue and speak them. For the first time. Finally.

“ Frankie, he wasn’t y— “ 

“ (Y/N), Darling. It’s time for your speech. “ 

At that moment she wants to strangle her own mother. That courage? It’s never gonna come back. This was her one chance and it’s not gonna come back ever. Oh god, what is Frankie gonna think? What’s gonna happen to their friendship ?! 

“ Yeah. Yeah, okay. I’ll just. Okay yeah. I’m coming. “ 

She doesn’t dare even as much as glance back at Frankie. Though before she makes her way over to her seat where the mic is already waiting for her and the speech she’s so meticulously planned, she hears him call out to her.

“ (Y/N)! “ 

“ Hmm…? “ 

“ I lied. I didn’t call you when the baby was born because I thought It was extremely inappropriate to call the woman I’m in love with while the mother of my child is recovering from giving birth. “

The moths in her stomach are gone now. There are bats now. Maybe a swarm of birds. Something bigger than moths for sure. Her whole body feels like it’s on fire and simultaneously being splashed with ice-cold water. Her heart is beating faster and her hands are clammy and all she can do is stare and get lost in his eyes and his smile and this moment that seems unreal.

“ Honey? “ 

Her mother’s words break the spell and (Y/N) follows her to take her place at the table. The mic feels heavy in her hand though everything else feels weightless. Maybe, she thinks, this is what love should feel like. Weightless. Easy. Magical.

There’s a piece of paper in her sparkly clutch with a long and sentimental speech written on it all about love and finding your soulmate and all that stuff that, until today, she always felt like she didn’t really know anything about except for what they tell you in the lovesongs on the radio or the rom-coms on tv. And yeah maybe it’s still too early to feel like the world is an entirely different place now but those words he said, she’s been waiting for those words for over a decade. If there was ever a moment to romanticize her own life, to relish in the feeling of being loved, and to celebrate her own successes, it’s today.

The pre-written speech stays in the purse. Instead (Y/N) takes the mic and starts talking. Straight from the heart.

Across the room, her eyes meet Frankie’s and all she can do is smile, for it’s the first time in a long time where her future isn’t so scary. It’s exciting. Maybe everything else that came before was just the prologue and her story is just now about to really begin.

“ Hi. I’m (Y/N), I’m Santiago’s sister, and uh — I wanna talk to you about love. “ 

Weddings are hectic and busy affairs. There’s something going on at all times and it’s impossible for (Y/N) to find even a second to have a proper conversation with Frankie about — well everything. So much time had been wasted between them, on keeping their feelings locked up and trying to find the right moment. Now the moment is here and the conversation doesn’t seem so scary no more. Now the only thing that stands between them is this wedding. There are speeches then food then cake then more speeches then a picture slide-show one of the bridesmaids put together then then then. It’s never-ending and though it’s fun and (Y/N) enjoys celebrating her brother’s love, she wishes time would pass quicker right then. If only for once, time could be on their side. 

Only when the newlyweds have left the venue to spend their wedding night at a fancy hotel nearby and most of the guests have cleared too, (Y/N) finally finds time to sit down and just relax for a moment. No speeches to listen to, no uncles who insist on getting one dance with her, no bride who needs help holding up her dress while she pees. Just calm and quiet and —

“ Can I have this dance? “ 

His hand is reaching out to her and there’s a nervous smile playing on his lips. There’s something quite intoxicating about it all now that she knows he feels the same. All the anxiety is gone and replaced with hopes and dreams of a future that now seems like it might actually happen. One that’s been a “What-if” for so long.

“ It would be my pleasure. “ 

Neither of them is a particularly good dancer but it doesn’t matter right then. All that matters is that they get to exist together at that moment and in their little bubble. That they get to be close and sway left and right as Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful tonight” echoes through the room.

“ That song is so cheesy and overplayed, “ (Y/N) exclaims, “ I love it. “ 

Frankie places a soft kiss on the top of her head and it sends her heart into overdrive. Is this what the lovers in a Jane Austen novel felt like when their hands locked for the first time, just a fleeting whisper of a touch?

It feels exhilarating and (Y/N) feels alive and like nothing is missing. Everything and everyone is right where they’re supposed to be.

“ You ever thought Pope was gonna end up actually getting married? I didn’t see that one coming to be honest. “ 

(Y/N) leans her cheek against his chest as they keep softly swaying to the song. A tiny content smile settles on her lips.

“ Actually, yeah. It was always part of his plan and you know him, if he sets his mind to something he usually ends up succeeding. “ 

Frankie nods in response. “ Talking about your brother, we had a uh — a conversation earlier.” 

“ Now why in the world would you do such a thing? “ she jokes though not for a second does she lift her head off of his chest. He’s warm and soft and she can just about make out his heartbeat. This feels too comfortable to disrupt it for even a second.

“ He kinda implied that he wouldn’t mind if you and I — “ 

He stops, considers his words, rearranges them. 

“ If we what? “ 

“ Started dating? That sounds wrong, that makes us sound like teenagers. “ 

“ You know, it’s funny because he implied something awfully similar when I talked to him earlier. “ 

“ Huh. weird. “ 

“ Ya think that maybe this, “ she says and gestures between the two of them “ is also part of his plan? “ 

Frankie shrugs and moves his hand to her jaw, softly stroking her cheek with his thumb.

“ He always gets what he wants, guess we can’t break the chain, huh? “ 

“ Guess not. “ 

They’re so close. So unfathomably close. His warm breath falls onto her skin and he can smell the flowery scent of her perfume. The air around them sizzles with electric anticipation. 

Back when she was a kid, (Y/N) was obsessed with the Disney Cinderella movie. Everything about it felt so magical and wonderful and life held the sweet bliss of childlike wonder and innocence. And then she grew up and witnessed her heart breaking over and over again. 

Now that she’s standing here, in the arms of the man she’s loved for so much longer than she can remember, she thinks that maybe the movie wasn’t all wrong. Yeah, maybe it’s an overly sugar-coated fairytale where happy endings are guaranteed and things get fixed with a song and the help of some critter sidekicks. But the underlying message of them all, the most fundamental truth of them all is that love is worth believing in even when life gives you so many chances to lose hope. 

Just like the fairy godmother has said: Even miracles take a little time.

This kiss, warm and gentle and passionate, is a miracle in itself. If only for the fact that it has taken over a decade for it to finally happen. His lips meet hers and the world spins faster and slower all at once. If this was a movie, they’d probably show a montage of all their happy memories throughout their years of friendship, all the longing glances, and flirty touches. But this isn’t a movie. This is real life. She’s really dancing with him. He’s really kissing her. 

She doesn’t have to imagine any of it anymore because it’s happening right here and right now and life is so much better than any movie or romance novel or cheesy pop song. They can never live up to the real thing.

Neither of them wants to pull away though eventually their lungs demand oxygen and they reluctantly detach their lips. 

“ You think we should, give this thing a chance? “ 

Once again there he goes being so casual. As if this is not a decision that’s been in the making for such a long time now. An accumulation of years of longing and wishing and hoping and constantly missing the right moments and bottling up feelings.

“ Francisco Morales, I’ve loved you for a long ass time now. I am not letting you go anytime soon. Ain’t no getting rid of me, buddy. “ 

“ Good, I’m not planning on it. And I love you too, by the way.“ 

They seal it with a kiss and life feels like it always did only — better. Everything feels so damn right. The what-ifs are gone and in their place now stands a future worth looking forward to. One filled with adventure and happiness and love.

“ Hey, (Y/N)? “ 

“ Hmmm ? “ 

“ You wanna go get pancakes at the diner around the corner? “ 

“ With chocolate chips? “

Frankie scoffs “ Duh. What a question. “ 

There’s a lot of comfort to be found in romantic media though as they walk outside the venue, hand in hand and matching smiles on their faces, (Y/N) thinks that every once in awhile life itself makes for the best movie, the most magical moments and the greatest love stories. 

[artificialqueens]

Ain't No Doubt About it, I'm in Love (Taywhora) - Pinkgrapefruit

hi! i hope this satisfies your yearning on this fine day.

happy valentines day loves.

you’re enough all on your own xoxo

*

The phrase ‘and infinity in her eyes’ has always seemed a little far fetched to Georgie.

She’s a hopeless romantic, yes, always obsessed with the idea that a woman might romance her off her feet and straight into bed with a rose between her teeth and something sinful on her lips. But despite all of this, she’s never been one for open-ended exaggerations.

They feel empty - like platitudes you throw at a wall and hope stick - the stuff of cringy romance novels publishers put out by the dozen. Hence, she has a complicated relationship with valentines day.

Like everything, it is worse in a pandemic.

She’s an extrovert by nature and while she loves her alone time just as much as the next gal - she has a propensity towards loneliness rather quick. The valentines days she has spent not in a relationship have been comprised of a significant amount of red wine and some chick flicks she will never admit to having watched and the slightly less tragic ones have ended with the contents of her stomach in Bimini’s toilet.

Last year, she remembers quite vividly.

She was going to go to this club down the street - it’s red flashing lights reflecting off the flats across the road - with Bimini and Asttina. They’d been begging her to let A’Whora out and she was all ready to do it until Tayce’s slim fingers wrapped around her wrist.

“Fancy a lonely Chinese tonight,” She’d asked and something in the lilt of her accent had made Georgie feel a little weak. She never told Tayce that she’d cancelled plans for her but they’d had a lovely night nonetheless.

The wine had been white, the stories were nostalgic and funny and the yearning was - strong.

Then there had been the whole saga with the wedding mixed in with a global health crisis and it never quite seemed like the right time to address the burgeoning tensions between herself and her very tall, very attractive roommate.

And then somehow, they addressed themselves.

And Tayce has surprised her as a closet romantic which has her head in a tizzy.

Because while she’s always wanted to be swept off her feet - the several inches Tayce has on her mean that she could quite literally be swept off her feet and she’s not sure how she’s meant to not swoon at the thought. She feels like a frail victorian woman who would have fainted at the sight of a pasty ankle (and then she reminds herself to tan before bed so that Tayce won’t have to see her pasty ankles.)

Heading into the bathroom she makes quick work of shaving her legs and exfoliating, giving Tayce a peck as the tall girl comes in to brush her teeth.

“Can you get out that new invisible tan thingy babe?” She asks, batting her eyelashes even though she knows her girlfriend is whipped.

“Course you little gremlin,” responds Tayce fondly, thumbing away the toothpaste foam she’s spat onto the mirror in a way that makes Georgie sigh. She comes back in with a canister of tanning foam anyway, “better not stain the sheets love,” she jibes before heading into the bedroom to wait.

Once she feels less akin to the second coming of a polar bear she slips on her pyjamas and slides into bed next to Tayce, her head coming to lay on the taller girls chest.

“You better not cook tomorrow,” She jokes, snuggling into the soft skin even further when she feels a gentle pat on her head. “I’m kidding, well, not really.”

Tayce’s cooking is historically awful but she’s really been trying.

“I’ll ‘ave you know I’ve been practising,” she replies sounding indignant and Georgie lets out a snort of amusement.

“I’ve been eating it, honey.”

There’s another gentle pat on her head and then gentle fingers combing through her messy blonde hair. She doesn’t realise when she falls asleep.

There’s the smell of sugar in the air when she wakes up - the winter sun, warm on her skin as it filters through the window but the other side of the bed cold and empty.

She can hear Tayce humming to herself through the door and the sound makes her roll onto her back and sigh happily. Blearily, she rolls out of bed and pulls on one of Tayce’s grey hoodies - one that falls to her mid-thighs leaving her newly tan legs exposed. If it’s on purpose (and of course it is) it only ‘cause she knows Tayce has a particular weakness for her legs.

She finds Tayce in a worn button-down flannel and pair of cotton boxers flitting around their box kitchen. The table is already set with syrup and plates and a mug of tea is waiting on the sideboard which Georgie grabs readily. She sips it and watches her girlfriend, letting a smile crawl across her features unencumbered.

“Morning love,” Tayce chirps, surprisingly chipper for before lunchtime. She drops a kiss on Georgie’s forehead which the blonde keens into.

“You didn’t have to do this,” replies Georgie, her eyes wide and her voice soft. “I love you so much.”

They eat pancakes which are surprisingly well made (and if they’re not, there’s enough syrup to make anything taste good) and then Tayce grabs her hand and pulls her into the small space between their table and the living room.

“Stay,” she commands and sticks her tongue out as Georgie goes to protest that she’s not a dog.

“Fine,” the blonde grumbles but she quirks an eyebrow curiously as tayce comes back with the record player from the bedroom, sitting it on the counter and plugging it in before pulling the plastic off a new record and gently placing the arm on. There’s the characteristic crackle and hum which fills Georgie with excitement and then she’s back in Tayces arms as The Nolans ‘Who’s Gonna Rock You’ comes on.

She melts into her, letting Tayce sway them both to the music, fingers gripping soft flannel.

“It’s our song,” she mumbles, “you remembered.”

She remembered the wedding, the dance that made them.

“Of course I did,” Tayce replies, her lips brushing the top of her head. “I could never forget anything about you.”

[lauwrite1225]

Somebody to die for.

Finan x OC; The Old Guard inspired Alternative Universe

Summary : Victoria’s life is rather simple until she has a car accident from which she ends up miraculously unscathed. A series of weird events animates her daily life, everything seemingly bringing her to a strange man. Until this very man knocks at her door.

Spotify Playlist • Masterlist

A/N : Happy Finan Friday dear readers!! So this chapter we have more of Finan and Vicky getting to know each, and god I love them. Anyway! I'm having fun finding song lyrics for my chapters titles, it makes them look ✨cool✨

Warnings : blood and death (again lol)

Chapter 3 : We've opened the door, now it's all coming through

Victoria couldn't help but develop a real fascination for the way she's now so easily healing. Most of the time it's only accidental, she drops a glass and cuts herself when she throws the debris or cooks and burns herself. Each time, any wound has disappeared in a matter of minutes. She's still not used to it, but she realizes it doesn't affect her everyday life at all, in fact, she's even starting to like it and finding it pretty useful. She even contemplates talking about it with Rebecca, there’s no secret between them, and this is definitely a big secret. 

And in matters of secrets, Rebecca doesn’t forget that Victoria didn’t talk about the person who was in her apartment a few days ago. “Are you going to tell me about him?” She asks before bringing her frapuccino to her lips while they are sitting at a Starbucks table. 

“About whom?” Vicky raises an eyebrow, feigning misunderstanding.

Becca rolls her eyes, leaning back in her chair. “The boy that was at your flat.”

“There was no boy.”

“A girl maybe.”

“Neither.” Rebecca narrows her eyes, she’s always been hard to convince. And in all honesty, it will be very hard to convince her that there was no one, because when it comes to Vicky’s love life, she’s tough. “I just have plumbing problems.” She lies, looking down to her own coffee.

“Oh, of course, my bad.”

Her friend doesn’t search further, but Vicky is pretty sure she won’t give up and will ask again and again. When she goes back to her place, she doesn’t expect to find Finan sitting on her staircase. She stops a few stairs below, staring at him with wide surprised eyes, waiting for him to raise his nose from the book he is reading.

“The hell are you doing here?” She finally asks, upset by his lack of reaction.

He looks up to her and smiles, pointing at a small plastic bag next to him. “I came to return ya the sweater.”

Vicky frowns, climbing the last stairs to unlock her door while he is closing his book and standing up. “You know, it was my ex’s, I didn’t particularly want to see it back.”

She can feel Finan behind her, looking down to her. “Ya got a point.” 

She watches him for a brief moment above her shoulder. This time his beard is shorter, which undeniably suits him in her opinion, even if she never had a particular thing for bearded men before. Her ex couldn’t grow a single hair on his chin. “Have you been waiting here for long?”

“Two hours.”

“Creepy.” She replies, opening the door. “Do you want something to drink?” 

“If ya’re proposing.” He shrugs. 

Once again, they were both standing in her flat, though this time she hopes Finan wouldn’t end up dead on her parquet. She comes back from the kitchen with two glasses of water, handing one to Finan before leaning against the table. 

“So…” She begins, determined to know more about the strangest man she has ever met in her life. “I guess you're not living in London, right?” 

He takes a long sip of water before shaking his head. “No, in a small house lost in Ireland.” 

“Alone?” She asks curiously.

“Yes.” He answers after a pause. “Believe it or not, but I try to not make myself too known.” He says slowly, agitating the water in his glass by moving his hand in small circles, his gaze fixed on it.

Vicky tilts her head. “Because of the theorists?”

“In part.” He looks up to her for a brief instant, his deep brown eyes meeting hers. “Before the Second World War, I could live in some place for ten or fifteen years then just move away.” Then he sighs, almost nostalgically. “Now, it’s more complicated, with all the technology.” He meets her gaze again, but this time it’s more intense and severe, making her feel nervous. “No one must know about it.” 

“It’s hardly something I can hide.” Vicky replies, trying to keep the atmosphere light, but she can already feel the unpleasant outcome of this conversation. 

Finan is silent for a long moment, walking to the table to rest his empty glass on it. He’s now close enough for her to have to raise her chin to stare at him, but he avoids her eyes. “That’s why ya’ll have to leave too.”

“What?!” She gasps. “No! I have my family, my friends…”

“Ya don’t understand.” He cuts her off and meets her eyes. “Your family, your friends, everyone is goin’ to grow old and suffer and ya…” He pauses to take a deep breath. “Ya’ll still be yourself and won’t be able to do anythin’ for them.”

Victoria is breathless, both because of what he has just told her and because of how she can read in his eyes that he knows what he is talking about. Though, letting everything behind, all her life, doesn’t sound like an option to her. She straightens, as if she could tower him, but she’s still a head smaller. 

“And where would you want me to go? I’ve not been living on my own for a century, if I disappear, it won’t go unnoticed.” She replies, her arms tightly crossed over her chest.

Finan sighs. ��Listen Victoria, maybe ya're family is wonderful and will accept it. But nowadays, one person knowin', and it's potentially the whole word who would know.”

Victoria frowns, understanding the warning behind. “Do you think people could want us bad if they knew?” 

“It wouldn't be the first time.”

She bites her lips, her teeth sinking into the tender flesh as she looks down to her glass. She has to admit it, if the knowledge of their existence ever fell into the wrong hands she doubts scientists, politicians or whoever could find interest in their abilities would let them live freely. It feels so surreal, she’s always lived a rather simple life, not that she’s ever complained about it, but since she let Finan step into her apartment a week ago everything has been shaken out. 

“Ya still have time.” He adds, his hand resting on her shoulder in a gentle way.

Victoria nods. “Are you going to stay around? Or go back to Ireland?”

Finan hesitates, his palm leaving her shoulder to rub his face. “I don’t know yet.”

“Well…” She says and he stops scratching his beard. “I still have a lot of questions. So if you could stay around for a short while.”

Vicky is surprised by how endearing she finds the smile that grows on Finan’s face, small wrinkles appearing in the corner of his eyes. “If ya want me too.”

And so, Finan remains in London, spending his time in the mediocre hotel, of what Vicky has seen on TripAdvisor, that he is renting. The rest of the time he is with her in her apartment, answering every of her questions. She enjoys learning about his life, usually over a beer, and it seems Finan does as well. In the course of a few days she learns that he was born in Ireland sometime during the ninth century and that he left for England where he fought for a saxon lord, during Alfred the Great's time. He’s easily the most interesting man she’s ever met. But he also has the talent to make every story more interesting than any of her history teachers ever succeeded. He describes each battle he took part of with so many details Vicky wonders how he can remember everything. 

“Fightin’ was the only thin’ I was good at, so I kept doin’ that.” He says after she has asked why he devoted his life to fighting.

Vicky uncaps a new bottle of beer and sits next to him on her sofa. “But you don’t fight anymore.”

“Nah…” His eyes darken in the same way as when he remembers a sadder part of his life, which Victoria is getting used to having only brief explanations of. “After the Second World War, I felt like I needed some peace.”

“I can understand.” When she was small, she remembers her grandmother talking of how the war changed her father from a lively and smiling man to a silent and constantly gloomy one. Finan had fought in more wars than she can count and to know that this one has signed the end of his warriors life reminds her of how it was a war like no other.

But her time with Finan isn’t only about morbid battles, the warrior had his share of travels. When he’s talking of them, it doesn’t sound like the world she knows. He describes places still untouched by the desire of humanity to build its own tower of Babel.

“Have you been to America? After Christopher Colombus discovered it.” She asks curiously another day.

Finan chuckles. “Nah, I’ve never liked the sea. So crossin’ a whole ocean for some lands...” 

“Some lands? It’s like one of the greatests discoveries in history!” She answers feigning offense, her hand pressed to her chest. “You’ve never been curious about all the gold you could have found there?” She leans back on the couch, bringing her bottle to her mouth. “Maybe you’d have been rich.”

“Pity.” He smirks, being rich clearly being the least of his ambitions. 

Besides their discussions about Finan’s life they also have normal conversation. She lends him books from the shop, crossing her fingers that no one would notice some of the books are disappearing for a few days. The second time she does that, she adds a phone to the small pile of books she hands him. Finan frowns at it and then at her. He slides the books in his bag before studying the cell phone. It’s the simplest and cheapest she has found, just a screen and a keyboard, it only cost her 10£.

“Why are ya givin’ me that?” He mutters, doubtful. Vicky finds it amusing, despite having lived through all the evolution of modern technologies, Finan seems to be as comfortable with it as her with administrative paperwork.

“Well...” She starts, putting the groceries she just bought in her refrigerator. “I just thought it would be easier for me to send you a text when I’ve finished work. Not that it bothers me that you wait for me in the staircase, but I doubt it is comfortable.”

“I was getting used to it. I haven’t bein’ waitin’ in front of a Lady’s door for ages.”

Vicky looks at him from above her shoulder and can’t help the redness rising in her cheeks when he grins amusingly. She immediately looks in front of her again when his gaze travels from the phone to her. “I doubt I correspond to your definition of a Lady.” 

“I’ve got a very broad definition.” She could hear his smirk as he speaks, the one that she has started to notice being so characteristic for him and all she can do is to answer with an awkward giggle.

When she’s done, she turns around and crosses her arms against the counter, Finan standing at the other side. “Have you… Have you had many relationships since you first died? I mean, serious ones.” She’s almost certain he won’t answer this question, but living eternally without anyone to love has been scaring her for a few days.

“One.” He answers surprisingly fast. “It didn’t end well.”

Victoria nods slowly, his answer being enough and understanding it isn’t a subject he wants to dwell on. Apart from the arrival of Finan, her life doesn’t change at all. She keeps working at the bookshop, drawing in her sketchbook when there are no customers. Vicky has always loved to draw, a passion she has inherited from her mother. Sometimes, she wishes she had the guts to apply to art school after high school instead of getting herself into business studies that she grew to dislike. When Finan asks her why she didn’t follow her dream, she answers that did it to stay with Rebecca. Her best friend has always been better than her when it came to school, and her parents always felt the need to compare them. Doing the same studies as her was more to prove to her parents she could do it too. At the end it has been an absolute failure, Vicky giving up her studies and finding a job in the bookshop.

One day, she has a call from her mother while she walks back to her flat. 

“Do you think Rebecca would still like to join us for dinner one night?” Vicky’s mother asks through the phone. 

“Sure, especially if you make her lasagna.” She smiles.

Her mother laughs. “Rebecca loves beef stew.”

“True, but I crave for lasagna.” Vicky justifies herself, the simple idea of her favorite food creating a hole in her stomach.

“Alright sweetheart. This weekend then?”

“Great! I’ll tell her.”

When she hangs up, her attention on her phone, she doesn’t realise she’s walking into someone until two strong hands grip her shoulders to stop her. She jumps and looks up in surprise, about to step back until she recognizes the man with sunglasses and a hoodie as Finan, whom she texted earlier when she walked out of the bookshop.

“Watch out, lass.” He warns, smiling anyway.

“Sorry, I was texting Rebecca.” She explains, easing under his grip. He removes his hands, his fingers lightly grazing her arms. They walk together to her flat together, Finan silently following her while she finishes her text. When they reach the building and climb up the stairs she finally starts to talk to him. “I won’t be here on Saturday.”

“Oh?”

“Family dinner.” She unlocks the door and Finan answers with a low hum. 

Their evening goes as usual except that this time, Victoria proposes to him to stay for the night. 

“I mean it’s late, and it’s raining. I would be a really bad friend if I kicked you out.” She says, waving her hands while he stares at her with a raised eyebrow.

“So we’re friends now?” He grins, leaning over the table. 

Victoria looks away. “I still consider you the creepiest man I’ve ever met. But if you’re the only person I’ll have to support for eternity, I guess I’d better consider you as a friend.”

When she finally dares to look at him, he has the broadest smirk pulling at his lips and she has to admit it, he really is handsome, with his dark, however sparking, eyes. “Friends we’re, then.”

After she has prepared the couch for Finan to sleep, she joins her bed. As usual, since she had her accident, Victoria struggles to find sleep, and knowing that Finan is sleeping in her living room isn’t helping. Not that she fears him, but she can’t help but overthink about her reaction around him. It’s been a while since she’s found a man truly attractive, not only physically, but his whole being. And in all honesty, with how awkward their meeting has been, it definitely is not a feeling she expected.

She finally falls asleep listening to a Florence + the machines playlist. But much to her dismay, her sleep isn’t peaceful. Since she has met Finan, the dreams have seemed to disappear, but tonight is different. Victoria is back in the forest where the Irishman died, she can even see him from the corner of her eyes, but her attention is mostly focused on the young blond man she has drawn. He is fighting as well, until he is hit by a shield. He stumbles, falling on the floor and catching his breath after the rough impact. And Vicky can feel his fear when a Dane, of what Finan told her of this night, slices his throat in a sharp blow. The young man chokes in his own blood and she shakes in horror as she can feel the life leaving his body as she did with Finan. 

A/N: Ehehe So what do ya'll thing this dream means 👀 ?

Also, for the great fans of TOG that would read that, I am taking liberties regarding how dreams works during all this fic, I haven't read the comics, only seen the movie and to transcribe such thing is kinda hard. I hope yall won't mind and appreciate how work with them 🤷

Tag :​ @for-bebbanburg ​ @naps4bats ​ @osferth ​ @maggiescarborough ​ @finansarms ​ @dumbledoreisnotmyhubby