#i always feel like i'm “making a big deal” if i express disagreement like this

[drop-dead-dropout]

THANK YOU

womanhood is an endless cycle of finding your way back to a younger version of yourself and nurturing them

[uzurakis]

PLS I BEG U, can u do a falling into arguments but this time with nanami?

FALLING INTO ARGUMENTS!?

featuring: nanami kento. yuuta okkotsu. fushiguro toji.

n. yes nonnie, no worries! thank you for requesting ^__^ PART 1 HERE

NANAMI KENTO

the exhaustion from nanami's long day at work seemed to radiate off him, his shoulders slumped and his expression weary.

"you just don't understand," he sighed, his voice heavy with frustration. "i can't keep up with everything all the time."

your heart sank at his words, the sting of hurt creeping into your chest. "i'm trying, nanami..” you said softly with voice trembling slightly. "but i don’t like it when you throw your frustrations on me." nanami's gaze twiched with regret, but his exhaustion seemed to overshadow it. "i know, and i'm sorry," he muttered, his tone lacking conviction. "i didn't mean to take it out on you."

tears welled up in your eyes, the weight of his words hitting you like a punch to the gut. "i just wish we could talk it you instead of you bottling it up," you muttered.

nanami reached out to touch your hand, but his touch felt cold and distant. "i'll try," he said, his voice hollow. "but i can't promise anything. i’m sorry. but i’ll try.”

YUUTA OKKOTSU

tension buzzed in the air as you and yuuta faced one other in the room. the argument had swiftly escalated due to unacknowledged inconveniences and miscommunications.

"i can't keep doing this, yuuta," you said, your voice tinged with frustration, "you always seem to go ahead with whatever you want, regardless of how i feel about it."

yuuta's expression remained impassive, his eyes avoiding yours as he fidgeted with his hands. "i just thought it would be easier this way," he grumbled.

however, easy wasn't what you needed. you needed to be heard, that your thoughts were important. "it's not about making things easier," you said, your tone harder now. "it's about respecting what i feel and not doing things your own way because you feel that’s more acceptable."

he sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "i know, and i'm sorry," yuuta said, tinged with regret, "i just... i get caught up in the moment and i don't think."

for a minute, quiet fell between you, the weight of unspoken words filling the space. and as you sat there, it dawned on you that perhaps this cycle of disagreements and apologies was a pattern neither of you could escape.

FUSHIGURO TOJI

"toji, i really need to talk to you about something," you said hesitanly, your heart heavy with the weight of your concerns.

toji glanced at you briefly, a distracted smile flashing across his face. "hm?" he replied, his tone casual, as if he were barely listening.

you swallowed hard, pushing past the knot of frustration building in your throat. "i've been feeling really overwhelmed lately," you confessed, "and i would appreciate if you’re here for me."

toji's response was a nonchalant shrug, his attention already drifting away from you. "ah, it's probably not that big of a deal," he said, dismissing your words, "you'll get over it."

but it was a big deal to you, and toji's lack of concern only served to deepen the sense of isolation you felt. "it's not that simple, fushiguro toji," you said, more frustrated, "i need you to take this seriously."

his expression hardened slightly at your words, his indifference giving way to annoyance. "look, i'm sorry if you're upset," he said, tone defensive, "but i can't drop everything to deal with your problems right now."

the words stung, a painful reminder of how alone you felt in your struggles. "i'm not asking you to drop everything," you replied, "i'm just asking for your support."

but toji's attention had already shifted, and he continued gazing at the room around you. and while you sat there, the weight of your troubles greater than ever, you couldn't help but feel as if you were dealing with them alone.

@uzurakis — rqs are open ^^

[yrluvjane]

Hello hello hello

may I request a Sirius x fem reader

Maybe they have a small argument on something small but it gets sort of heated and they just give each-other the cold shoulder refusing to relent even tho they’re sick of acting as if they dont care and maybe reader starts thinking she messed everything up and that he doesn’t want her anymore and he’s like??? Hell no?? And just hurt/comfort and healthy communication? <3

The argument had started over something trivial—whether to attend James's party or stay in for a quiet night. It was the kind of disagreement that usually resolved itself quickly, but tonight, both of you were unusually overly stubborn.

"It's just one night, love. We always stay in," Sirius said, frustration evident in his voice.

"And we always go out," you countered, crossing your arms defensively. "Can't we just have one night to ourselves?"

"Why are you making such a big deal out of this?" he snapped, his eyes narrowing.

"Why are you?" you shot back, your own irritation flaring.

"Because, it's not just about this one night," Sirius retorted, his voice rising. "It's about you always wanting to stay in and isolate ourselves. We need to see our friends too!"

"And what about us, Sirius?" you exclaimed, throwing your hands in the air. "When do we get time for just us? Or does that not matter to you anymore?"

"Don't twist my words!" he yelled, his frustration boiling over. "Of course, you matter to me, but you're acting like I'm asking for the moon here!"

"Well, it feels like it," you replied, your voice shaking with anger and hurt. "Every time we go out, you end up ignoring me! You’re always surrounded by people—by James, by Remus, by Peter, by Marlene, by some chick I don't know but you sure as hell do, and I’m left all alone standing in a corner with a bunch of drunks who assume I'm some bathroom tour-guide!"

Sirius looked taken aback, his expression softening slightly. "Tha-that’s not true. I just… I thought you were having a good time."

"Clearly, you thought wrong," you said coldly, turning away from him. "Maybe I wouldn’t feel this way if you paid more attention to me."

Sirius's face fell, guilt washing over him. "Y/N, I didn't realize you felt that way. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I shouldn't have to," you snapped, your eyes welling up with tears. "You should just know."

The room fell silent, the tension hanging thick in the air. Neither of you wanted to back down—with how stubborn you two were it was no surprise—, and so the argument ended with both of you turning away, refusing to look at each other.

The cold shoulder treatment continued into the next day. You avoided Sirius, Sirius avoided you, both of you throwing yourselves into work and other distractions. But as the hours passed, the silence grew heavier, and doubt began to creep into your mind.

What if this fight had ruined everything?

What if Sirius didn't want you anymore?

Oh, God.

That evening, you sat alone in the living room, staring at your phone. The urge to talk to Sirius was overwhelming, but you couldn't bring yourself to do it. You didn't want to seem desperate or weak, but the thought of losing him was unbearable.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Sirius was pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair in frustration. He hated the silence, hated the distance between you.

He wanted to fix things, but he didn't know how, he wasn't good with apologies.

Finally, unable to take it any longer and at the edge of ripping his hair out, Sirius made his way to the living room. He paused in the doorway, watching you for a moment. Curled up in the sofa, you looked so small, so lost, and it broke his heart.

"Y/N," he said softly, stepping into the room.

You looked up, surprised to see him standing there. "Sirius," you replied, your voice trembling.

He crossed the room and sat down beside you, reaching out to take your hand. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice sincere. "I never meant for things to get so out of hand."

"I'm sorry too. I hate fighting with you."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you squeezed his hand. He pulled you into his arms, holding you close. "Me too," he murmured into your hair. "I love you, Y/N. And I never want you to doubt that."

"I just…—I was scared," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "I thought maybe you didn't want me anymore."

Sirius pulled back slightly, cupping your face in his hands. "Don't ever think that," he said firmly. "I love you more than anything. This fight, it doesn't change that."

You looked into his eyes, seeing the depth of his feelings for you. "I love you too, Sirius. I just don't want to lose you."

"You won't," he promised, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "We're in this together."

"Always?"

"Always."

The two of you sat there for a long time, holding each other, and as you lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of Sirius's heartbeat, the evening wore on. And you found yourselves talking, really talking, about everything that had been bothering you. It was cathartic.

"I didn't realize how much you felt ignored when we go out with friends," Sirius started, breaking the silence.

"It's not just that, Sirius," you said softly. "I feel like we don't get enough us time. It's always parties or gatherings, but we rarely have quiet moments together."

"You're right," Sirius admitted after a moment of silence, a sigh escaping his lips. "I get so caught up in wanting to see everyone that i forget that we need our time too. We'll plan a date night."

You smiled sheepishly, "You don't have to do that, I—"

"No I do! I want to clear everything between us. So tell me all that's been troubling you, every tiny knack that you have stored." He assured determinedly.

You gave him an unsure look and he must've registered it as that, because he lifted your chin so that you met his eyes perfectly.

"I want to make sure we're on the same page about our future," he said hesitantly but sincerity was clear in his eyes. "Sometimes...I stay up late, worried we might end-up wanting different things."

"Sirius-"

"No, give me a second." His eyes bored into you as he emphasized each letter in his next words, "I want to build a future with you, and I need to know what you envision too."

"We all have baggage," Sirius said added gently. "I want us to work through it together. I want you to feel secure and loved, always. So please, talk to me."

You heart grew triple it's size at his words and you subconsciously leaned closer to him, "I need you to be more attentive to how I'm feeling, I shouldn't have to always be the one to bring it up."

If you were going to get this out, it will be all or nothing. "Sometimes I worry that I'm not enough for you, that you'll get tired of me," you confessed, your voice trembling slightly.

When Sirius aimed to speak, you asked him to wait.

You took a deep breath, gathering the courage to voice your next concern. "And I think I still have some insecurities from past relationships that I haven't dealt with, and I'm always afraid I may have or will project those onto us."

"And I need some space to breathe and be myself sometimes," you added. "I feel smothered by all the social obligations."

"That's never going to happen," Sirius said firmly, his grip on your hand tightening. "I love you more than anything, you're more than enough for me."

"I know—"

"No, you don't."

Sirius cupped your face in his hands, his eyes burning with an intensity that made your heart ache. "I want you listen to me," he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion.

"You are my everything, my world, my home. I could lose every material thing I own, and it would mean nothing as long as I still have you. Every laugh, every tear, every quiet moment we share is etched into my soul. I will never-ever get tired of you, never find you lacking, because you are the most extraordinary person I've ever known. I love you with a depth and fierceness that scares me sometimes, but it’s the only thing in my life that feels completely right. You are enough, more than enough, and I promise to spend every day for the rest of our lives showing you that, if you allow me too. I promise you, I will never have you doubt my love for you, not even for a single second."

[appolojustice]

I've been thinking a lot. Probably more than I should. About Lucanis' arc and how it differs depending on whether Treviso is saved or not. And maybe I'm just salty but none of the explanations for the romance cutoff or the loss of Inner Demons as a quest or him deciding to split from Spite Definitively and Exclusively in a Saved Minrathous worldstate ever worked for me, because they aren't even consistent with the game's own logic (I don't think it's in-character for Lucanis to be truly angry at Rook for choosing Minrathous, and he's clearly not too broken to fall in love if he dates Neve later on anyway. Wanting to split from Spite makes sense if Inner Demons is not completed, but as far as I can tell the absence of Inner Demons if Treviso is blighted is arbitrary???).

And part of me can appreciate having one big decision that completely changes how a character works. But I just feel like, in this case, it isn't really conducive to letting the player role-play and have agency in the story. Especially considering it doesn't seem that Neve has this problem. Especially seeing as it seems to fuck over Shadow Dragon Rooks, specifically.

And the thing is!!!! We have seen the Dragon Age series itself handle player agency in big decisions like this with more nuance than this. We've seen them gameify complex things like this before and it worked better then imo!!! I'm thinking specifically of earlier hardened companions and of the Divine Victoria choice. Like, when you choose to harden or unharden Alistair, it doesn't automatically mean he's going to become king or stay a warden. It just pushes him more towards one than another. A Hardened Alistair is more willing to become king, while an unhardened Alistair is happier in the Wardens. And in DAI, you don't get to choose who Divine Victoria is, but the game—unbeknownst to you— tracks your choices for hours to determine how that story line will go.

So imagine you have Lucanis. He's had Spite attached to him unwillingly. In the background, the game keeps a running tally of Lucanis' relationship with Spite, influenced by you. Maybe a scale of -100 to 100, with -100 being they are always at odds, they will split at the first opportunity; 100 being they are very in-sync and working well together, they have a deal and plan to stick to it.

You're constantly making little choices that are affecting the numbers. The game gives you the opportunity to express alarm, disgust, fear towards Spite (negative points) or try to empathize with Spite and recognize what he brings to the table (positive points). Certain companions will comment on Spite, how you express agreement and disagreement gains or loses you points.

The thing is, losing Treviso gives you a big old -50 right off the bat. But if you're a shadow dragon rook, it's only a -30, as Lucanis recognizes you needed to help your city. It's a -70 if a crow rook abandons Treviso. (I imagine the opposite holds true for saving Treviso. +50, with extra points if a Mercar steps in for the city and slightly less if De Riva does what's kind of expected of them)

The Inner Demons quest gives you another huge chance to add or remove points from the tally, depending on how it shakes out. If you miss the quest entirely, it's a HUUUUGE hit in the negative direction.

And I picture this running separate from Lucanis' approval and romance, but a Lucanis who has a better relationship with Spite is easier to gain approval from and much more likely to accept flirtations, as he doesn't think of himself as a threat to your safety as much when at peace with Spite.

I'm not necessarily criticizing the game here. I don't wanna fall into the trap of saying that the Devs should have dont thing differently and fucked up by NOT doing it. It's very clear that Veilguard had a lot of road bumps in the development and frankly I think it's sort of a miracle we got a single-player story-focused da4 at all. Also, I have nooooo earthly idea what it would actually constitue to implement somethign like this, but I'm assuming its fucking hard.

But I do think... We can afford to play a little bit more with the canon than I've seen so far. We can add that nuance back in ourselves, a bit. I think it's totally fair to look at Lucanis and just decide. No. This is how I think he'd react here given the circumstances of my worldstate and my Rook. And fic accordingly

[newtthetranswriter]

Hello!

How are you doing?

Can I request a matchup for Haikyuu!, Tokyo Revengers and JJK, please? (Male characters)

I'm an introvert and I prefer staying in my room to draw and listen to music. My hobbies are mostly in the domain of arts and crafts! I'd like to do something related to arts in the future. I'm good at analyzing texts and I enjoy writing. I also like doing improvisation because it requires quick thinking. Other than that I love rhythm games! I also pick up languages pretty quick.

I'm tall but I like wearing heels! Sometimes I have anxiety problems but overall I am confident in my abilities and looks. Not in an arrogant type of way, more like ''not taking unwanted opinions'' about my style or the art I make. Because of that I also like to encourage people around me to follow their own way of life (as long as it doesn't harm anyone!). I dislike when somebody is bossy and dictates how somebody else should live their life, it really doesn't affect the outsider that comments. I believe that unique styles are what makes the world prettier.

I have a short temper but I prefer ''forgiving and forgetting'' solely because:

I am too tired to argue, it takes too much effort to talk

I would rather not allow myself to yell because I really dislike that

I am sensitive to loud sounds and I might get a panic attack mid argument and that would be VERY embarrassing for me. I'd think about it for years.

I'm absolutely bad with expressing my emotions so I show love through giving gifts or writing what I feel. I get shy mid-sentence when I try telling someone I care for them, even if they are my family.

I like to learn! Trying out new things or food is very cool to me and recently I got into drawing whatever I can't draw so I can improve, I like challenges. I tend to push myself to test my limits. I also eat a lot. Which is bad.

I love seeing sunrises/sunsets, snow, flowers in bloom and I adore when it rains! Walking during rain helps me relax. I also like shiny things and all animals!

I am so sorry that it turned out this long!

I hope you'll have a great day 😊🧡

A/n: Hello, thank you so much for being patient. I hope you enjoy and have a great day. And as always remember to hydrate or diedrate

Haikyuu: Kenma Kozume

Dating Kenma is relaxing

Date nights can be going out to eat or just relaxing together with music playing while you draw and he games

He loves that you encourage him to do what he wants and don’t pressure him to put down his video games

He may be on the short side but he doesn't care if you want to go around in high heels, he thinks you’re beautiful no matter what

Kenma also isn’t a big fan of fights or loud noises so if you guys do get in a disagreement it’s going to be a day or two of silent treatment and then cuddles 

He will also try out rhythm games for you so you guys have another thing to do together

All around just a chill time with the beautiful gamer

Tokyo Revengers: Takashi Mitsuya

Takashi is supportive in what ever you want to do

Loves that you are confident and don’t focus on what others think of you

Enjoys having dates that are just the two of you being creative and enjoying each other’s presence

He definitely already plays rhythm games so if you want to do that with him, he’s more than happy to make it a date

Taka understands that even with your short temper you prefer to just move on, so in disagreements he tries to just talk it out and if it looks like talking isn’t working will suggest taking a step back

He doesn't like to leave things unresolved so if something he did upset you just let him know and he will work on it

Now if you get upset with a member of Toman, he will deal with them for you. Just tell him who and he will pull them away and have a chat, tries to keep it on the down low so it doesn’t cause a seen

He’s all about respect, so he will do whatever he can to make sure you feel respected and welcome

Jujutsu Kaisen: Yuji Itadori

While Yuji is very outgoing and loud I feel that you guys would balance each other out

You encourage him to take breaks and relax, while he works to bring you out of your comfort zone

He loves Improve because it lets him just be him, so make that a date, go have fun being silly

Yuji will always be down for walks in the rain

He will bring you random little things he sees that makes him think of you, basically he also has crow brain so lots of ‘oooo shiny s/o would love that’

[theambitiouswoman]

hello, i hope you're doing well ❤️. if you don't mind, i would like some advice/personal opinion on an issue i've been dealing with for a long time (especially as a young adult).

i know assumptions are totally out of our control and something we shouldn't fret about, but i've always been told that my response/reaction to other people can be a bit "strong", "intimidating", and even "brash". the problem is, 99% of the time i'm totally unaware of this. i really do try my best to be kind and respectful to everyone. sometimes i have those days where i'll sound a bit irritated, but i never yell or do anything disrespectful... i always try my best to control negative reactions in a healthy way.

for example, if i'm kinda lost in thought and someone comes up to me, i may sound dismissive but it's totally unintentional. in my mind i think i sound normal so i don't understand why it throws so many people off. i hate making other people feel uncomfortable or less than, so this misunderstanding is driving me nuts lmao 😭.

my question is, is there anything i can do or is this just who i am ? i don't want to micromanage every single emotion or reaction i have because that's definitely something that would stress me out. i know i shouldn't care but i keep hearing this all the time and it's actually getting ridiculous lol. i'm a black girl who is naturally shy and reserved (but outgoing when i feel comfortable) so i know that people expect a certain reaction/behaviour outta me simply because of how i look. i'm just curious if i'm in the wrong or not. maybe i'm just not emotionally mature/intelligent enough yet?

i would really love to know your thoughts! thank you in advance and have a wonderful rest of your weekend !! 💗 (apologies if you've received a similar question like this before)

There is nothing wrong with you.

A good way to look at things is from the perspective of self improvement rather than trying to conform to others' expectations or micromanaging your every emotion for the sake of others. Do not feel bad for being who you are. You have the right to be authentic and true to yourself. It's not about completely changing who you are, but rather refining your communication style to have better interactions.

Now, if you want to tweak your expressions for the sake of more positive feedback, there are some things you can consider.

The example you gave is actually something I can relate to. I am always thinking and in my own space, and if someone interrupts me, in my immediate response, my tonality sounds more aggressive. I realize this and immediately apologize, I laugh, and I repeat what I originally said in a softer tone.

Some people are aggressive in nature at all times and do not realize it. It may not be their intention, they may think they are a big cuddly teddy bear, but this is not how it is perceived by others.

Some ways you can decipher if this applies to you are:

If you frequently find yourself involved in arguments, disagreements, or conflicts with others.

Pay attention to whether you tend to dominate conversations, interrupt others frequently, or consistently steer discussions towards your own point of view without allowing others to express their thoughts.

Consider the intensity of your tone of voice, choice of words, and the overall energy you bring into conversations. If your communication style often feels forceful, confrontational, or overpowering, it may be perceived as aggressive.

Body language, facial expressions, and gestures can also communicate aggression. Notice if your body language appears tense.

If you receive consistent feedback from multiple individuals suggesting that your communication style is aggressive or intimidating.

You can work on your communication style to be less aggressive by working on being more self-awareness, intention, and practice. Try to develop the habit of pausing before responding. Take a moment to reflect on what the other person said and consider your emotional state before formulating your response. This can help you respond more thoughtfully and avoid reacting impulsively. Pay attention to their perspectives, and seeking to understand their point of view. Practice empathy by putting yourself in their shoes and considering their feelings and experiences. Are you giving them the importance they deserve or are you being short with your answers or rushing the conversation?

Practice using a calm and neutral tone, using words that convey respect and understanding. Avoid aggressive or confrontational language, they could come off as intimidating.

Are you actively listening, finding common ground, and using collaborative discussions during conversations without resorting to aggression?

Learn to manage your own emotions and stress levels. This could include practices like deep breathing, taking breaks when needed, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in activities that help you relax and recharge. When you're in a better emotional state, you're less likely to respond aggressively.

<3

[mxpseudonym]

I Can't Wait

Pairing: Luca Changretta x OC? (characterized reader)

Reader Gender Expression: she/her pronouns, mentions of bride to be

Summary: She’s pushed Luca a bit too far this time, and in return he hits a nerve

Length: 1800 words

Warnings: Couple fighting, one partner does yell

Request:

I only just woke up and your Luca Changretta fic was what I needed for morning fluff. 🥺❤️ Now, I do not know if requests are open, but if they are, could you give us a glimpse on Luca hurting the OC (possibly with that insecurity that she gives him a hard time) and her actually crying (because she doesn't seem like the type to hurt easily) and won't even defend herself because her dignity is hurt, so she starts immediately packing up her stuff, then Luca apologizes and tries to make amends?

A/N: I love this couple so freakin much!! Also, I realized when I was almost done with this that you probably wanted something a little more light hearted, but hopefully this is good as well! Also, in the last bit, I could visualize Luca so clearly I wish I could draw it.

--

It was a strange feeling watching Luca yell at her in anger. They were engaged, yet she was still her same self, not giving an inch more in the affection department. Unfortunately, wedding planning exacerbated their whole dynamic.

Luca's mother was just settling for tolerating her, but everything her future in-law said to her face, she knew Luca heard 10 times over behind closed doors. But the worst thing was her fear around just how much she loved and trusted him.

She'd grown up a scrappy in a home where warmth wasn't overflowing. Her parents had rough ways of showing affection: high expectations, strict rules, and catholic traditions. She still had faint scars on her knuckles from nuns at her grade school and emotional ones from spankings she got at home as a result. Acting out, talking back, being difficult had always been her way of dealing with things. Sure it got her smacked time and again when she was younger, but as an adult, it turned her into a dry-humored, smart-mouthed, and witty young woman with thick skin. Not many people liked that.

But Luca did.

Luca was very warm and persistent about extending it to her. He kissed her scars and simply laughed at her attempts to thwart how uncomfortable gentle, uncompromising love like that made her. And now, with this proposal, she was feeling it, uneasy pressure. Didn't anyone understand how scary this was for her? So she leaned back on old ways at times. They'd bicker, and she'd go a step too far, saying something that would make him sigh or get this look on his face like he'd been hit. Or the worst one is when she'd tease him with, "maybe I'm not the one then?" at the slightest disagreement, to which he always firmly told her not to even joke about. The more she got him to snap back, the more she got the kind of love she was used to until they ended up here.

She didn't want to get rid of the big, lovely apartment he'd gotten her, which was fine. But it was when he said he'd move in that she found herself protesting before she knew it. Her ego wanted to keep her walls up, and it jumped out of her mouth to protect her. But the idea of not even living with his own wife was the last straw. It started with him letting her know his mother had predicted this, which opened a can of worms about family, then the wedding, and finally their relationship in general.

And now Luca was yelling.

His arguments jabbed her and stung, but the worst part was that they were true. He did seem to love her more. He did seem to be doing the giving while she did the taking. He did do everything to make her happy. And she wasn't returning it at the same level. On and on until he asked it back: do you even want to marry me?

She was overwhelmed after that, unable to process his words, only able to watch his pained, reddening face twist into something she couldn't stand. How spoiled she must have been to get away with so much without ever pushing him over the edge like this before, she realized. How suffocating it must have been for him to be so patient. The thought alone was enough to turn her vision blurry.

"Are you even listening to me? I'm trying to te-" Luca choked on his words, nearly biting his own tongue when he noticed the first tear. The tears that continued to flow after that made his already racing heart begin to ache. Her trembling hands lifted to her checks as she attempted to wipe away the evidence of her crumbling walls.

"Fine, you're right. Fuck, you're always right about," she began but could only go on until her throat tightened with tears. It was all she could make out, and it was punctuated with a sniffle. She turned and walked to the bedroom with a lowered head, closing the door behind her.

Luca stared at the closed door, and it didn't take long before he could hear rummaging. In truth, he didn't really know what to do. Had he seen her cry before? Technically yes, but never like this. Not because she felt bad or was hurt. Hurt. Had he really hurt her? His legs finally moved until he reached the door and pushed it open. The sight of clothes being tossed into a large suitcase made him sigh. He approached quietly and placed a hand on her wrist, effectively stopping her from continuing her haphazard folding of expensive fabrics now dotted with stray tears that just kept coming. She pulled her wrist from him and sniffled again.

"You don't need to pity me. I know what it must be like to be with someone like me. I certainly wouldn't want to be. I don't even know why you would waste your time."

"Don't say that."

"Find someone more agreeable. Seriously, I'm not," she took in a shaky breath and an even shakier exhale. "I'm not worth-"

"Oi!" Luca swore loudly, making her turn to him in surprise. He grabbed her shoulders, turning her to him before firmly cupping her cheeks. "Nobody talks about you like that, not even you and especially not me."

"Luca,"

"You're upset that I told you about yourself, mm?" He asked. "And now you think because I'm angry with you that you're not the one for me, is that right?" He looked down at her expectantly until she nodded slowly, the ego in her just defeated enough to not give a prickly comeback and instead admit he was the person who could read her best. He raised a hand and pressed his pointer finger to the middle of her forehead. "Then that's just something up here being fussy about not getting what you wanted."

"No, I really am terrible to you," she insisted, nearly whining.

"You're just a brat, that's all." Luca shrugged. Not that she deserved it, but she did take a moment to wonder if this was supposed to make her feel better. "I'm gonna be honest, Blossom, you've been getting on my damn nerves lately. You've got a smart mouth, and you're defiant 'cause you can be. Ma's been giving me an earful. And then this whole thing with the apartment, you out of your fuckin' mind or what?"

"See!"

"So what? When have you ever been a meek, agreeable little thing with good ideas?" He asked a little too curiously for her liking. Her eye twitched, and she nearly snapped back about the ideas comment, but he continued. "Shouldn't have yelled at you, I admit that. I'm sorry, alright? I've been stressed with work and then all this wedding shit, but I don't like to see you cry, and I don't want to hurt you. I'll watch myself." He stroked her cheeks with the back of his hands.

"I'm sorry that I've been tough lately. I think about us and how much you love me, and I want to crawl out of my skin."

"Mmm, I've always wanted to hear that from the woman I love," Luca mused for a moment, and she clicked her tongue. He knew she was getting back to herself if she was in the mindset to do that.

"It's just because I'm scared. This isn't easy for me," She admitted.

"So you're ready to pack it up, just like that?" He motioned to the bag she was packing. "You're a lot of things, Blossom, but chicken?"

"Oh my god," she grumbled, turning from him as she was told the words she'd told him. His arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Don't ever pack up on me again, alright? As you said, we talk about it. Don't go deciding shit like that on your own. I love you."

"I love you, too."

"What was that?" He leaned around her to see her face. She could feel her cheeks get hot, only made worse by his Cheshire grin.

"I love you, too! And I'm sorry about trying to run. I guess you're a bad influence."

"There she is."

—

"I see you got her to see the error of her ways," Mrs. Changretta hummed smugly after hearing that Luca would be buying a family home after all. Luca chewed on his toothpick and looked out the window of the office.

"We'll keep the apartment too. I don't know what we'll do with it, but it'll be there."

"Luca, Luca, Luca, you can't let a vixen like that steamroll over you," his mother tsked. He didn't have to look at her face to sense the way she was frowning and grimacing at the thought of the woman he couldn't wait to marry. It was almost comical. "That day you said you met the woman you were going to marry, I asked you if she was aware of this. You remember what you said?"

In her defense, his mother probably thought she was guiding him to seeing the light. But the memory that he hadn't thought about in a while came back and made him chuckle, a fond smile on his face. His mother scoffed again, likely confused at why her son had never looked more in love.

"I said, I think she hates me, actually."

"And has anything changed? How is she supposed to be a doting wife when she's as hostile and divisive as they come."

"Ma," Luca turned to his mother for the first time in this conversation. "Blossom's probably most of the things you've said about her. But she's got a loving heart of glass, and she's as fragile as they come. If you lighten up, she'll probably give you her secret recipe for red velvet cake and put her life on the line to protect this family, and she'll do it all with an adorable little scowl on her face. Hell, she'll probably scold me when I'm on my death bed. But she'll be there, and she'd have made all my favorite foods." Luca looked up to the ceiling and grinned. "I can't wait."

Mrs. Changretta could have asked a hundred questions about why her son just divulged this to her, but part of her knew. Luca would be the head of the family when his father was out of the way, and by his side would be the woman he gave that saccharine pet name until the day he died in her arms. He was already making his way around the desk to kiss her cheek goodbye when his mother nodded in understanding. Luca's bride-to-be was here to stay whether Mrs. Changretta chose to enjoy herself or not.

[marie-swriting]

Be My Boyfriend - Chrissy Cunningham

Stranger Things Masterlist

Summary : You're Chrissy's best friend so you help her through her relationship problems with Jason, even though you have a crush on her.

Warnings : A little angst but fluffy ending, Jason is a dick, English is not my first language so there might some mistakes you can tell me, if you see them. Tell me if I missed any warnings !

Word count : 2.4k

French version

Song inspiration : Boyfriend by Dove Cameron

The sound of Jason’s party gets quieter as you go upstairs. You start looking for the room where you put your jacket when you arrived. While walking in the corridor, you hear sniffing coming from one of the bedrooms. Worried that someone might need help, you knock on the door.

"Hey, is everything alright ?" You have no answer so you opened the door slowly and find your best friend Chrissy sitting on the floor, wiping her tears. "Chrissy ? What is wrong ?"

"Nothing. Don't worry. Go have fun." She says trying to smile but you don't listen to her. After closing the door, you sit next to Chrissy.

"Come on, tell me what's the matter." In response, she stares at her feet and you understand what's upsetting her. "It's Jason, isn't it ?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, you know I don't particularly like him and lately you two have been having some disagreements, as you mentioned a few times."

"I tried to talk to him, like you advised me.” She starts explaining. “I told him I was tired of him only spending time with his friends and not me, his girlfriend. He just said I was overreacting, that I was trying to make him look bad when he's trying his best." She tells you, she pauses when she sees your facial expression. "you can say it."

"What ?"

"He's a dick. I know you want to say it."

"Can you blame me ? He is ! Like, he doesn't even try to listen to you."

"Actually, he promised me that we would spend this party and the weekend together."

"Yet, he's not with you."

At your sentence, Chrissy nods sadly before looking at her feet once more. You feel bad for your best friend. You hate that she's being treated that way by Jason Carver. He has the chance to date Chrissy, openly, and yet he takes her for granted.

You know you'll never be able to be with Chrissy, even though your crush on her gets bigger with each passing day since middle school. She has never shown any interest in girls, and she has a boyfriend. So, you just accept your role as her best friend. Especially if it means still being part of her life. No matter how heartbreaking it is. You want what's best for Chrissy so you help her through her relationships. The one with Jason is the one you hate the most. You know he doesn't deserve her, but she's decided to stay with him in hope he'll get better.

Chrissy sniffs a little before rambling "You know, I'm starting to think he's right. I mean, he has the right to enjoy his party with his friends, right ? I'm overreacting, I shouldn't make a big deal of this. I mean, we danced a little earlier. It's just, I wished we'd spend more time together, you know. But maybe I'm ruining everything."

"Chrissy Cunningham, you listen to me carefully.” You begin, forcing her to look at you. “You're not ruining anything. He's the one to blame here. He's the one acting like a jerk. You have the right to ask for some time with your boyfriend. With what you told me, I can really tell he's not doing anything to make this relationship work. You're always the one making an effort and not him." You take her hand in yours and she gives you a small smile. You smile at her as well, sympathetically. "Chrissy, I'm sorry your relationship with Jason is going that way, but you have to do something. You clearly can't stay in that situation. He's always letting you down. There are so many ways he can't suffice. I mean, I've always known he was a bad person, so I'm not even surprised he's not a good boyfriend. Everyone could be a better boyfriend than him. Even me."

"You ?" She laughs, hiding her mouth with her hands and you start panicking as you realise what you just said.

"I mean, it wouldn't be hard, you know.” You add before clearing your throat. “But clearly, there's a guy out there who would be better than him. I'm sure there's someone out there who will love you entirely, someone who will take time for you, someone who will do everything for you."

"Maybe.” Chrissy answers, lost in her thoughts “It's just... Jason and I have been dating for six months and I don't want this relationship to go to waste."

"Chrissy, do you love him ?" You ask her, and you're scared of the answer. You know, you may be about to get your heart broken even more.

"Maybe ?... I think ?... I don't know. He can be nice, sometimes. And I had a crush on him for a moment. And when we spend time together, I like it."

"That doesn't necessarily mean you love him."

"I know... what do you think I should do ?"

"You should take some time to think. Come on, let's go to my place." You tell her, standing up and holding out your hand to help her up. "He's probably too busy with the other jocks right now anyway."

"You're right." She says, taking your hand and standing up. For a second, you two stay here, looking each other in the eyes. You wipe away her last tear with your free hand before guiding her out of the bedroom.

When you and Chrissy have your belongings, you go downstairs. You're about to leave the house when you hear Jason's voice calling for Chrissy, completely wasted. "Where are you going, baby ? We're supposed to spend the weekend together, remember? That's what you wanted."

"I- Jason, I need some time to think. I'm going to Y/N's. I'll talk to you next week."

"You're not being serious, Chrissy? You're really leaving ? Oh my god, then you're gonna whine about how we never spend time together. Come on, stay." He says, grabbing her wrist.

"Leave me alone, Jason ! I just want some alone time to think about us." She says as she pulls her wrist out of his grip. She locks her arm in yours and you and your best friend leave the party, Jason being completely confused by what's just happened.

As you haven't been drinking, you take your car to go to your house. Chrissy is being silent on the way there. You say nothing to get her attention, knowing she's lost in her thoughts, thinking about your conversation and her interaction with Jason.

When you arrive, you directly go to your room, trying to not make any sound, not wanting to wake up your parents. Once settled in your bed, you look at Chrissy while she stays silent, staring at you, too. You wait for her to speak first.

"You're right. Jason is not a good boyfriend but I think I have feelings for him."

"How strong are your feelings ?" You ask her, trying not to show the hurt on your face.

 "I don't know. Maybe I just need more time to develop my feelings ? I mean, I'm supposed to love him, right ? That's what people expect of me."

"It's not about what people expect of you but what you truly want. So tell me, what do you want in a boyfriend ?"

"I want my boyfriend to be kind, someone who listens to me, who makes me laugh, even when I'm sad. I want someone who is easy to talk to. I don't want to be scared to tell him if he's hurt me. Someone I could totally feel at ease with." She admits slowly. She keeps her eyes on yours, admiring the beauty of them. "I think I just described you, maybe you should be my boyfriend" she adds, trying to contain her laugh. You try not to show any emotion, pretending you didn't just hear your crush say you'd be her perfect boyfriend.

"Well at least, I could do everything Jason is not capable of" You reply, trying to act cool.

"That wouldn't be too complicated." Chrissy says before yawning. "I'm tired. I better sleep. Thank you. For everything. You're the best" she whispers before kissing your cheek.

Even though this is something that she does every single day, you can't help but feel butterflies in your stomach. Chrissy has no idea of the power she has over you and sometimes, you wish you could tell her. You wish you could tell her that you'd be willing to show her how she should be loved.

Since Jason’s party, Chrissy has been distant with you. You don’t know the reason but you think it’s probably because of your conversation with her. You’re worried she understood your true feelings for her and that she freaked out. By giving her advice, you didn’t mean to act so ambiguous but that’s what you did and now, you’re losing your best friend.

You hate it. You don’t want to lose her. You want to make things right. Maybe, if you’d talk to her, you could make it seem like you were just being a good friend to her and not showing your romantic feeling for her.  

As you are leaving your Spanish class, a class that you have in common with Chrissy, you pack your things quickly to run after her. When she hears you calling her name, she turns around. She smiles, waiting for you to come next to her.

“Hi, Y/N. Is everything okay ?”

“I wanted to talk to you. Maybe you could come to my place this Friday. We haven’t really seen each other this week.”

“Sorry, I’ve been busy.”

“So is it okay for this Friday ?”

“I… I can’t, I’m sorry. I already have something planned with Jason.”

“Oh. So I guess, you realised you do have feelings for him.”

“We could say that.”

“I’m happy for you, Chrissy. I just hope he’ll act better this time, you deserve it.” You say, trying your best not to tear up. “I have to go.” You add before she could tell you anything else.

You start walking fast to leave the school. Once out, you find a place where you can finally let go of your tears. You knew she’d fall in love with him one day. It was predictable and yet, it still hurts. You feel like your heart has been ripped out of your chest.

You lost her forever. You’re sure now. She’ll stay with Jason while you’ll stay alone, because you’ve ruined everything by not being good at hiding your feelings. You can only blame yourself for your heartache.

When the week-end comes, you’re glad to be away from school, even if it’s just for two days. At least, you’d be able to stay locked up in your room, listening to sad songs, wishing things were different.

Ironically, you hid how you’re feeling very well to your parents - if only you had done that with Chrissy - they don’t even know you’ve been crying yourself to sleep for the past two days. They think you’re fine which means they’re not feeling bad leaving you alone in the house as they go on a date at a fancy restaurant.

While you’re reading a book on your bed, you hear someone knocking on your front door. You’re confused, you don’t know who it could be. Your parents have their keys and if it was one of your high school friends, they would have called you.

When you open the door, a shock expression takes place in your face as you see Chrissy in front of you. She seems a little nervous. You can see it by the way she’s fidgeting with her fingers.

���Hi, Y/N. I should’ve called you, but I really need to talk to you.”

You nod before letting her enter your home. You indicate to her the living room and she follows you. The two of you are sitting on the couch, you wait for her to explain what she wants to talk about but only the ticking of the clock on the wall can be heard.

“I thought you were on a date with Jason tonight” You say, gaining her attention.

“It wasn’t really a date.”

“He’s your boyfriend, you guys were hanging out. That’s a date.”

“I dumped him” She admits, looking at you.

“Wh-? You told me you realised you have feeling for him”

“I realised I have feelings, yes. But not for him.”

“I’m confused, Chrissy.”

“Y/N, like you said, Jason is not a good boyfriend. And no matter how much I try, he’ll never change. I’m tired of being in a relationship where he puts no effort in and where I’m not in love.”

“I’m still lost, who do you have feelings for ?”

“Remember our conversation last week ?”

“Yeah, about that I’m sorry if-”

“It made me understand something” she cuts you off. “When I described my perfect boyfriend, that's what made me understand something. I always knew you had a special place in my heart but until last week, I didn’t know how special it was. You’re the only person with whom I don’t feel like I’m acting. I can be the real me with you and you’ve always been caring with me. I like you, Y/N. More than a best friend should. I know how I sound right now and you probably hate me which I would understand-”

“Chrissy.”

“I mean, that’s totally random and you probably don’t even see me that way.”

“Chrissy”

“I just needed to say it, even though I know I just lost you.”

“Chrissy !” you shout, finally having her attention. “Will you, please, let me say something ?” you ask her and she nods. “I like you, too. I always have, even when I didn’t know what it was back in middle school. You didn’t lose me. I actually thought I had lost you. I do have feelings for you, Chrissy.”

“You do ?” she questions in disbelief. You come closer to her and grab her hand while locking your eyes in hers. “So, would you like to be my boyfriend ? Or in our case, my girlfriend ?”

“I would love nothing more.”

Chrissy smiles wildly, just like you. She leans in, nervous before you break the distance and kiss her. Her lips are soft against yours. The kiss is slow and full of love, the love you two had for years but never got to express until today. You’re filled with happiness as you realise you finally have the chance to be the one dating Chrissy Cunningham.

Stranger Things Masterlist

{This is my side blog so I'll be answering comments under the username @marie-sworld}

[love-toxin]

cw: injuries, yandere tohma, gn! reader

"so...how long do I have to play along with this little game of yours?"

the question spills out of his mouth without warning, yet each word is methodical, careful, like he's practiced it a thousand times before. the teapot clutched in your hands nearly slips out and shatters over the table you've laid out for the two of you, but the warmth of the porcelain fortunately keeps you steady enough until you can set it down in the space between you two. Tohma was kind enough to bring you a gift after spending awhile away, tending to his duties--so it's only natural that you would take him out for some tea in exchange. it's courtesy. it's expected.

but his question certainly is not.

"I...I have no idea what you're talking about, Tohma."

"really?"

he's sat cross-legged for some time now, waiting as you ordered the tea and offering you some idle chit-chat befitting a pair that haven't seen the other in a while. Tohma has always been your friend even when you were young, but as is custom in a place like Inazuma, your relationship has evolved throughout the years. there are things you can't say anymore, things that would ruin your life if you were caught doing them...and now, you fear, the glint in Tohma's eyes may be an omen that he's about to commit one of those unholy acts.

"come on now, sweetheart, everybody can see the truth for what it is. there's no need to hide it any longer."

he's purposely tiptoeing around the question, waiting for the pieces to click in your mind. he need not say anything at all, however--the way he looks at you in this moment, and the purpose with which he stands from his place at the tea table is enough to set your jaw tight and your eyes to darken.

"you know that I was always meant to be your husband. to be there for you through thick and thin, to care for you when we're both old and gray-"

he takes a few quick steps around it to get to you, to kneel at your side and reach out his hands to pull yours into them, and it's all you can do not to flinch away and risk the image of impropriety. but you've endured this lecture before, and the only thing screaming inside your head is for you to resist--just resist, don't listen to a word he says, and bite your tongue of any insult until he finally gives up and gets the hint.

"Tohma, stop."

"-to treasure you like no one else will. I understand your point of view, I really do--we're still young, and the world outside of Inazuma seems so big and grand...but you have to realize that the time to settle down is coming for us."

he rubs his thumb over your hand and smiles in your direction, but you can't meet his eyes. and then it's slipping out of your grasp and raising up to your face, and you feel yourself stiffen all over as Tohma gently cups your cheek, his gaze lowering towards your mouth as if he has an idea of what he wants to do. but that would be grounds for you to shriek for a guard, and you're entirely certain that that's the only reason he bites his lip to stave off the desire.

"you were always meant to be mine. you believe in fate, and you've always put your trust in me...so why not let me help you?"

that last part comes as a whisper, the tearoom private but the walls still thin. one of the many secrets you've entrusted to Tohma over the years is your disagreement with Inazuma's strict laws, as well as the etiquette that comes with being a member of the higher class. you've always despised being noble, and Tohma has always understood you, at least you thought so....but ever since he's gotten this ludicrous idea in his head, you've known even less peace than usual.

"I've said it a dozen times, Tohma, and I won't say it again. I'm not marrying you."

you do your best to spit the words out with as much venom as you can muster, yet you still feel the twinge of anxiety at snapping at him so informally. it could spell the end for you quite easily, but when your eyes are drawn back to Tohma's expression, all you can see is bliss written all over his face.

"...even laced with contempt, my name sounds so sweet on your lips. you've so much wit, so much grace, and your beauty leaves me breathless...I know how little you think of me, but-"

fury shoots through every vein of your body, and you know it's the wrong move when you slap his hand away from your face, the smack like a thunderclap in the small space of the little tearoom.

"enough, Tohma! enough. do yourself a favour and stop speaking to me--in fact, I dearly hope you never say a word to me again."

each finger on his hand twitches, only to close in a tight fist and sink back down to his lap. you try to avoid his gaze in this moment, but even turning your head away you can still feel his eyes staring right into your soul.

"you know I can't make that promise. you know that I love you."

that word makes you stiffen, your grip lock on your noble dressings, your blood turn to ice in your veins. you've avoided that for so long but it follows you like a demon, and it's eyes glow a verdant green as Tohma's words melt into your skin and eat you alive from the inside out.

"this feeling of yours....it's not mutual, Tohma. just leave it, and leave me."

you say so, but you're the one that stands from the tea table in the end, and Tohma jumps to get to his feet to follow you. he trails on your heels as you step with purpose towards the door and slide it open, the cool chill of Inazuma city in the night prickling your exposed skin. the blond hurries to get in front of you, and the moment you spot a few other citizens on the path this late at night, you tilt your head down and pray to the gods that Tohma won't force you into impropriety.

"...I see. you won't budge on this, then...I will have to accept that. but may I at least escort you home? I can't in good faith allow you to wander alone in the dark. I still care for you."

he looks down on you with a softness to his features, and you hate how easily you buckle under any sort of pressure from him. you prided yourself on not giving in before, but when you're not alone it's not nearly as easy--you have to piece your words so carefully together, and by the time you think of an excuse it will already be too late for you to reject his offer. so with as subtle of a huff as you can manage, you speak softly under your breath that you suppose that's fine, and grit your teeth as you thank him for the offer. and Tohma is all too relieved to stand beside you as you walk down the hill and leave the prying ears of the city, the silence near unbearable between you as you meander through the path cut down the middle of the farmer's fields.

"seems there's no one around. not a surprise for this time of the night."

it's not a terribly long walk back to your family's estate, but Tohma still evidently feels the need to speak up as you reach the end of the gently sloping hill. Konda village lies within sight in the distance, and you feel the tension weigh heavy on your heart as you count the steps closer and closer to safety. relative safety that is.

you're so focused on paying him as little attention as possible that you don't even take notice to his hand drawing closer to yours and his eyes wandering up and down your figure, practically salivating as the flames in his chest burn hotter and hotter, until the moment he can't take any more and he grabs you by the shoulders to stop you and force you to look him straight in the eyes.

"now, you're going to listen very closely. I'm going to give you a little gift, because I love you so very much. you get a minute's head start."

the shock catches you off guard to the point that you bite your own tongue, fear and panic shooting through you like icicles that make you freeze in place. Tohma's expression is so intense he nearly appears feral, pearly teeth glimmering in the light from the moon as he grins down at you like a predator examining their prey.

"here's the deal, sweetheart--if you can run all the way past Konda village, you win. but if I catch you, I win, and you must uphold your promise and marry me in a month's time. and if you win, you'll get your wish--I'll never speak a word to you again."

terror grips you even harder than Tohma is, and at his proposal you whip your head towards the village in the distance and then back to him. if he's seriously not making some kind of sick joke, then there's absolutely no way you would ever make it. you're not a fighter, you don't even know how to hold a sword much less have a vision, and you've seen the kinds of things Tohma is capable of....he'll catch you before you make it anywhere close.

"Tohma-"

his gaze lingers on you for a moment, before he turns you in the direction of the village and pushes you forward, only hard enough for you to stumble a bit. you want to question him, to try and talk him down from such an insane idea, but once you hear him start counting down aloud your feet move on their own and you take off in a pitiful run down towards your target. the night air whips by your face as you try to sprint as best you can, yet your robes that give away your nobility get caught on your sandals and trip you up enough that it makes your heart jump into your throat. your heart pounds in a cage that feels too tight, the air heavy and raw in your lungs the longer you fumble your way forwards in the night. even your tears feel cold as they stream down your face, and if speaking wouldn't expend your precious energy then you would surely be wailing for Tohma to stop, please, he's scaring you. especially once you hear his footsteps take off, and it feels as though his warm breath is right on the back of your neck.

but even so, you look up within moments to find yourself in the middle of the quiet little village, the lanterns dim and only the glow of the moon casting light on the humble little buildings. the panic ceases but resurges just as quickly when you remember that you're not safe yet, that the entrance to the village is still a few hundred metres away--and you can hear Tohma panting now, at a distance close enough that he'll make a grab for you long before you'll ever get there. but there's something you know that he probably doesn't remember, and it might just be your saving grace as you duck into the shadows and skirt around the mayor's house just as he skids into the path of the village. you fear in the pit of your stomach that getting the top off the well that you used to play near as children would make a great deal of noise, but you hurry forward and find it open--and just as you swing a leg over to climb inside and pray that Tohma doesn't think to look for you here, your foot slips on the stone that's still damp from the rain and your world is overturned as you fall through the air. it's not far enough that you can scream or grab for purchase on something, but when you land you hear the sickening crack of something breaking and pain that shoots through your leg so quick that it almost makes you black out.

but something worse is yet to come, and it's Tohma's voice calling out your name, before you look up to the sky and your heart just sinks as you watch his face pop into view over the side of the well.

"oh, archons--baby, are you all right?! did you hurt yourself?"

he hops over the edge quite easily and falls steady on his feat, not even having broken a sweat from chasing you as he hurries to your side and props you up in the crook of his arm. and despite still feeling that twinge of discomfort and panic from him touching you, the agony sets in so deeply that you cling to him without realizing as tears pour down your face and you struggle to breathe.

"let me see...yeah, that's definitely broken. c'mere, I'll help you up.."

just brushing the pads of his fingers over the rapidly-swelling skin of your calf makes you flinch and cry out with pain, and it's obvious by the deep bruising how bad you've hurt it--you wouldn't be able to climb out of here if you tried. but Tohma finds so little trouble in heaving you up into his arms that it's laughable....it would be funny how sincerely you thought you could get away in the first place, if you weren't experiencing the consequences now. and only now is it starting to sink in that you lost, even though he isn't rubbing it in your face. yet.

"poor thing--that was scary, wasn't it? aren't you glad I was here?"

despite how despairing you look, he rubs his cheek against yours as he holds you tight. you realize now how much he's always wanted to do this, and how he's dragging this all out while he has the chance to do it without anyone watching....it's such a rare opportunity, but you don't feel nearly as lucky as he does.

"I'll always be here, sweetie....in sickness and in health, right?"

he murmurs into the shell of your ear, before pressing a kiss to it right afterwards as he reaches out to get a foothold so he can lift you out of here. all you can think about now is how your chance of escaping him has slipped away....and now, your status is a death sentence in the hands of the man who saved your life, and will ask for nothing in return but your gentle hand in marriage. how romantic.

[neutralgray]

Saw this video in the #goth tag here and it was a very informative take on the concept of "mallgoth" being considered an insult back in the 2000's, when that "era" of style was most predominant. It explained how lots of zoomers look back at my era of youth a decade ago and think that is what goth is. But I did find myself somewhat disagreeing with the person's take.

I didn't reblog it because I didn't really feel like having a disagreement or open debate with someone because I'm far too tired for that and I just don't care for the conflict. It did make me think, however, and I wanted to put my thoughts out there on the concept of "mallgoth" as it's used in modern nomenclature.

My thoughts can be summed up as simply: it's fine. It's not really a big deal. See, I think that it's difficult to define tropes of an era while still in an era. When you lived in the 90's you didn't really analyze what "dressing" like the 90's meant. You didn't analyze what "2000's" style clothing was yet. You understood the tropes of the 60's, 70's, and 80's, but the tropes that define the decade you are living in are difficult to codify when you are IN it. It's only looking back that you really see the primary surviving remnants of what people remember.

"Mall goth" may have been an insult used towards "goth posers" in the 2000's by "real goths" but let's be real. That was just gatekeeping bullshit to keep young goth kids who were enamored with the culture but didn't fully understand it yet OUT of the scene. It's the same bullshit you see in every community on the defensive. Lots of "mall goth" kids were fascinated with the culture and drawn to it and while some grew out of it, many still consider it part of who they are. I still heavily identify with goth aesthetics, culture, and interests despite not openly always appearing as a "goth person."

This is to say while "mall goth" may have been coined as an insult; I feel like it's unfair to reject the term in modern language because, as I said, it's difficult to define a subgenre of style/culture or its codifying tropes while you live through it. It's only after the dust settles on an era that the shining gems of what defined that era really come through. To say "mall goth" wasn't a "real" era of goth culture or that it could never be a sub-variant like gothic lolita seems like a flawed take to me. History is written and interpreted after it happens.

I personally think the term "mall goth" isn't a bad term, and it does describe a lot of that era of gothic pop culture understanding in a very easy catch all term. I personally have no issue with zoomers identifying with it or waxing nostalgic about something from my teenage years. Granted, it freaks me out that kids today are nostalgic for MY youth like a lot of goth and punks from the 90's and 2000's were nostalgic for the 80's era we didn't live through, but that's more to do with the fact that it reminds me I'm "aging out" of things.

When we look at back at that era of cheap chains and black polyester and way too much Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise, I feel there was a certain sense of fun to it. A means of expressing one's self freely for their macabre and morbid interests-- a want to be a part of an interesting culture bigger than one's self. The accessibility of said culture for the youth of that era largely came from stores like Hot Topic and Spencer's-- the "mall" in "mall goth."

I'm completely okay re-appropriating and redefining the word as a specific era of young goth culture with its own distinct style. It's the recontextualization-- the codifying and understanding of the tropes of that era. My era. Fuck thinking of it as an insult.

I personally look back at it fondly, whether I was considered a "real" goth or a "mall" goth.

[floating-mid-air]

The Princess of all Saiyans

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 Masterlist

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Hey Everyone! It's been a while. My life's been kind of hectic the past couple of months. Long story short: I Graduated from Highschool this year, so I was busy with everything having to do with that. Then my summer job sadly prevented me from writing as well. And then I started College, which was a big change for me. For now, there are no more chapters in my life opening or closing. Now I'm finally in a place where I feel comfortable continuing this book again. I could've honestly been writing during all of this chaos. But I wouldn't have been pleased with the quality of my writing. I'm really excited to get back into the swing of things. I don't think this chapter panned out the way I originally planned, but I'm still happy with it. As always, I hope you enjoy it. And if you have any comments or concerns, feel free to let me know. My inbox is always open!

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Chapter 11

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You've been walking for quite some time now, and the experience has been excruciating. You haven't been in this much pain since you and Raditz were on planet Telia, ten-something years ago. Those damn underlings were able to get a good sneak attack on you. Though you can't say, you let them get away scot-free. You made sure to make their entire dreadful race pay for that injury. You and Raditz had covered up that incident, much like you're doing with your current injury.

"So---" You can hear Goku talking to Krillin from just slightly left of you. "Did you guys find the senzu beans?" Wow, Kakarot may be the least subtle creature you've ever encountered.

"Ya." Krillin chuckles. "All four of us were in pretty rough shape." Goku glances at you with a worried look on his face. You glare at him as Raditz eyes the two of you skeptically. He knows something's off between the two of you. Maybe something serious did happen while you and his brother were trapped together. 

A bit more time has passed, and you've been trying your best to keep up with the others. But it isn't as easy as you thought. You're now trailing behind the rest of them, with Raditz turning back to look at you every so often. The largest Saiyan slows down to catch up with your slower pace, now walking beside you.

He turns to you, whispering in a low tone. "Something's off." Raditz can no longer stay silent about his concerns. First, it was the strange vibes between you and Kakarot. And now it's your out-of-character demeanor making him uneasy.

"About what?"

"You. Typically you walk beside your brother, and when he doesn't let you, you make sure you're always only a few paces behind. But right now, you couldn't be more content to trail everyone. Plus, you're far too confident to not be in the very front." Raditz has been around far too long for your liking. Damn him. He knows you far too well, and you hate him for it.

You roll your eyes at him. "So this conclusion of yours is based on the way I'm walking? I'm tired. When I fought, Burter, that physically drained me. And then I got trapped in a ditch with your moronic brother, that mentally drained me. I'm exhausted, Raditz." 

"It's not just the way you're walking. It's your mannerisms as well." He points at your side. "Your hand hasn't moved from your side from the moment I first saw you."

"God, Raditz." You scoff. "Stop overanalyzing everything."

"Getting defensive now? That's your M.O whenever you're hiding something." He looks back and forth between your face and your hand that has remained glued to your side. The gears in the older Saiyan's head slowly but surely turning. " Y/N, are you hurt?" 

"No." You snap your eyes shut, biting your lip hard enough to draw blood in an attempt to suppress a wince of pain. "I'm fine."

He tilts his head at you. "Y/N, I know you claim otherwise, but I'm not stupid. I know you're in pain."

You chuckle softly in a self-pitying way. "Am I that easy to read?"

Raditz shakes his head, smiling to himself. "No, I've just known you for a long time now." He returns to his serious demeanor, his gaze returning to the area of your wound. "How bad is it?"

"I barely feel it at all. Though, climbing out of that ditch must have reopened the cut."

Raditz snickers. "You're a bad liar."

"That's strange. I've been told in the past that I'm quite good at lying."

A smirk spreads across Raditz's lips. "Well, you apparently aren't when I'm involved."

The larger Saiyan glances at the back of your brother's head. You respond with a glare, firmly pulling on a large chunk of his hair. You know what Raditz wants to do, and it's not happening. "Don't even think about it."

"I-I think we should tell him Y/N."

"No." You let go of his hair, tapping his chest with extreme force. "You're going to keep your big mouth shut. Vegeta will freak out. You know how irrational he gets."

Raditz decides to let you have your way--- for now. The man can't help but wonder why you're so stubborn, but then again, his nature isn't much different from yours.

With every minute that passes, your condition only seems to worsen. Your eyes even start to droop. "Y/N?" Raditz turns to you, his features beginning to fill with worry. He places one of his large hands on your forehead. You're burning up. "You have a fever. Your wound must be infected."

"No." You shake your head in disagreement, almost like a child. As your mental state becomes more and more delirious. 

"Vegeta!" Raditz shouts, gaining your brother's attention.

"Fuck you, Raditz! You're such a blabbermouth!" You shout at the larger Saiyan in front of you.

"What's wrong this time? Is my sister trying to pull you into another one of her elaborate schemes?"

"Y/N's hurt--- bad." Vegeta's eyes widen, and not even a millisecond later, he rushes to your side. "She has a fever. I think her cut is infected."

"Where is it?" He crosses his arms at you, noticing your hand placed firmly on your side. He moves your hand out of the way with ease, lifting your armor. "How did this happen?"

"Burter nicked me during our fight. It's no big deal."

"No big deal? It's infected, you stupid woman!" He turns his attention to Kakarot. "Did you know about this?"

You snicker. "Oh ya, Vegeta. I get hurt, and the first person I run to tell is Kakarot." Vegeta's fists clench at your sarcastic remark, turning his fit of rage back at you.

"You know, in certain situations, you're more prone to infections. And a planet like Namek checks all of the boxes! You know you need to be more careful. Damn our mother and her faulty genetics!" Sadly that's a trait you had inherited from your mother. On most planets, you'd be fine, and injuring yourself would be no big deal. But Namek has specific conditions that result in you being more vulnerable. 

"Raditz, pick her up." Raditz picks you up, giving you a piggyback ride. You wrap your arms around his neck, giving yourself better balance. Vegeta glances up at you. He looks even madder than usual. "With the condition, you're in, you will not be fighting. You will stay away from Jeice, and you won't even enter the same proximity as Ginyu. Do you understand me?"

"But--"

"No!" His voice booms, gaining the attention of every creature for miles. "I'm not kidding around. Do you understand me?"

You bite your lip, tilting your head downwards, avoiding your brother's gaze like the plague. "Yes, Vegeta." Vegeta returns to the front of the group, his mood sourer than ever.

As Raditz begins to walk, he starts talking to you again. "Are you mad at me?" You don't verbally respond. Instead, you claw into his shoulders, your nails digging into his flesh. "Fuck. I'll take that as a yes."

"You're a tattletale."

Raditz chuckles. "No wonder why Vegeta babies you. You'll thank me for this later, you stubborn woman. And I've kept your secrets before, handfuls of them, actually. Like what happened on planet Telia----" Raditz realized the grave mistake he had just made, mentioning that incident in the presence of the very being you worked so hard to hide it from.

You slap the older Saiyan upside the head as Vegeta turns backward, a scowl plastered on his face. "What happened on plant Telia?" It was a rhetorical question, mocking both you and Raditz. "Oh, the three of us will be discussing this in length later. Because it sounds to me like you both lied to me on that initial report." You and Raditz gulp, you've heard that tone from your brother millions of times now, and it has never once become any less terrifying. 

"Oh, lighten up, Geta." You groan. "That was like, what? Around thirteen years ago?"

"The amount of time that has passed matters very little to me. As I said before, this is a discussion for later."

A few more hours have passed, which honestly feels like days at this point. And considering Namek's strange day cycle, it very well could've been. "How much farther?" Your question was clearly directed at Vegeta. And at this point, you're not even sure he has any idea where you're headed either.

"I don't know why you're the one complaining." Raditz huffs.  "You're not the one doing all of the walking! And if you ask him that one more time, I'm going to drop you." Ok so maybe, that wasn't the first time you've asked that question today. Or the second, or third, you're very bored. 

"Man Raditz." You roll your eyes, which are barely open at this point. "You sure complain--- a lot."

"You were just complaining." The long-haired Saiyan grumbles. 

"No, I simply asked Vegeta a question. There's a difference Raditz. I know it's hard for your feeble mind to understand." When you're sick, you tend to act, oh what's the word? Bitcher than normal. And that's saying a lot.

Raditz clenches his jaw. "Vegeta. I need a break from your sister."

"That's how I felt ninety percent of the time I was stuck in a room with you, Nappa, and Cado. And you didn't see me running to wine to Frieza about it."

Before Raditz can retort, your brother interjects. "That's enough! From both of you!"

Krillin, Gohan, and Goku have identical bewildered expressions on their faces. Krillin turns to Vegeta, lowering his voice to a whisper. He doesn't want to be the next victim of your wrath. "Do they always fight like this?" The human finds this perplexing. Back on Earth, the pair seemed inseparable. They appeared to be the Saiyan equivalent of what on Earth would be considered best friends.

Vegeta lets out an exaggerated sigh. "Yes, but typically it's more playful in nature. When my sister is sick, she becomes even brattier than usual."

Vegeta's warning to both of you seems to have fallen on dead ears. Because your quarrel has not ceased, in fact, it has only elevated. "I will drop you, you royal brat!"

"I dare you to you second-class runt. I could still kick your ass even in my delirious state. I wouldn't even have to try very hard."

"I'm considering----"

Before Raditz can even get three words out, your bickering is once again interrupted, and not by the person you may think. "Enough!" Gohan shouts. You honestly forgot the others were here for a moment."If you two keep fighting like this, you're going to get all of us killed!" You and Raditz stare at the boy in shock. It's been a long time since the two of you have been yelled at by a child. The last time being when you were children yourselves. Vegeta hasn't changed much since childhood. He's been bossing you around and shouting at you since you were children, but I'm sure that's not very surprising. 

"Ya, and I can take Y/N---- if you need a break." Goku rubs the back of his neck, chuckling sheepishly. "Not that I want to hold Y/N or anything."

"No." You rapidly shake your head. "Raditz, I'm sorry. I'll be good now--- I promise."

A wicked grin spreads across Raditz's lips right before he grabs your hands with his larger ones. He loosens your grip around his neck, moving your body with ease, scooping you up into his arms. Every step Raditz takes toward Goku seems even more antagonizing slower than the last. Until he's standing directly in front of his younger brother. He elevates his arms slightly, dropping you right in front of an unsuspecting Goku.

Lucky for you, Goku has sharp reflexes. That allows the Saiyan to catch you easily. Raditz look's his brother dead in the eyes, his typical arrogant grin still on his lips. "She's your problem now, Kakarot." Raditz gazes downward to look at you. "Stop pouting. Maybe next time, you'll be nicer to good old Raditz."

A low growl echoes in the back of your throat as you glare daggers at the Saiyan standing before you. "Ya, or maybe next time, I'll rip out your tail and strangle you with it!" The only thing that's stopping you from lunging at Raditz is Goku's firm grip holding you in place.

Rather than arguing that the entire group has become accustomed to, the whole area has become dead silent. You're no longer pouting. Instead, you are glaring at the man who continues to carry you bridal style. You've never liked being held like this. It makes you feel weak like you have no control over your own body.

What makes you even more irritated, Is how Goku reacts to your death stare. He just grins at you. Does he just never get angry? What kind of Saiyan is he? It fills you with so much anger that someone as dopey as Kakarot has Saiyan blood flowing through his veins. 

You clench your fists. You just wanna punch Kakarot so badly. He just has such a punchable face. If you could take away his cheery personality, he'd actually be quite attractive. Wait--- what the hell are you thinking? Kakarot is stupid and way too friendly for you to ever think of him in that way.

 You move your fist up, finally giving in to your urges, attempting to punch the man holding you. Probably not your wisest moment, but your brain isn't functioning normally right now. Goku catches your hand with ease. His reflexes are unreal, or maybe this fever has you more sluggish than you believed. You'd prefer to think that it's the second option. He chuckles to himself. He's still not upset. What the hell is wrong with him? "Come on, Y/N. You gotta be quicker than that." He's challenging you. How Saiyan like of him. You seem to always be able to find specks of Saiyan nature in the cheerful man. And those are the aspects you actually like about him. 

Your eyes begin to once again feel heavy as your eyes droop shut, just before you fall asleep in the arms of your enemy. 

Twenty-Something Years Ago:

You're sitting on your bed, sitting crisscrossed, a book laying open on your lap. Since your father is currently off-planet, you can read all you want. You're enamored with your newest book. It's all about a topic referred to as diplomacy. It's fascinating and has many concepts that are entirely foreign to you, yet at the same time, some of these ideas are also familiar. 

As you read, your door slams open, but you pay the interruption almost no attention, not even bothering to look up from your book. Honestly, the unwelcome intrusion has you more angered than anything else. "God, Vegeta." You roll your eyes. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" Something's not right. When Vegeta usually bursts into your room, he's automatically shouting at you.

Out of pure curiosity, you look up from your book. However, standing at your door, you don't find Vegeta. A boy with a very similar appearance but with a much smaller stature stands in your door frame. He's out of breath, desperately huffing for air. "Tarble?" You furrow your brows at your brother, launching off your bed to get closer to him. "What's wrong?" You have this sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Your twin has never behaved in such a manner before. 

"Captain--- Captain Ginyu is here." Tarble is shaking, his eyes watering slightly.

You scowl ever so slightly. "But Ginyu's not scheduled to be on planet Vegeta any time soon." 

"It's--- It's a surprise visit. What do we do, Y/N?"

You contemplate for a moment before your features fill with alarm. "Tarble? Where's Vegeta?"

His lip quivers as he looks down at the floor. "He's with Captain Ginyu."

"Damn it." You mutter under your breath. Diplomacy is a skill you need right now. And Vegeta doesn't have a single quality that a diplomat possesses. Your elder brother is more likely to unnecessarily provoke the Captain, putting your entire race in hot water with the Frieza Force. 

You rush over to your bedside table, rummaging through the drawer. Once you have your scouter in your hand, you run back over to your brother. "Stay in here, and use this to channel our father. Let him know what's going on." You push past your twin, about to leave, before Tarble's voice calls out to you.

"Wait, Y/N!" You turn back to look at him. "Where are you going?"

"I have to go stop our older brother from doing something stupid. Everything will be fine, I promise. Just calm down and do as I said." And with that, you take off, praying that Vegeta hasn't already done something rash.

As you sprint down the halls of the palace, you run face-first into the torso of a large body. "Princess?"

You look up at the bald Saiyan, the one who's supposed to be at your brother's side at all times. Since the future king of planet Vegeta needs to be protected. "Nappa, Where is my brother?"

The imbecile scratches the back of his neck, contemplating much longer for your liking. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen the runt in quite some time. You should probably ask Vegeta." 

You scowl at the Saiyan. "Not Tarble, you fool! I'm asking you where Vegeta is!"

"Oh, Why didn't you just say so?" It's taking every ounce of restraint you have in your body to not viciously attack Nappa. "He's just outside of the palace." 

You run through Nappa, intentionally knocking the large Saiayn onto the floor. His stupidity lost you precious time. It was quite an amusing sight, though. A mere child, being able to take down one of your father's best warriors. 

You arrive outside of the palace, your eyes landing on your target. This is the first time you've ever seen Captain Ginyu. Sure, you've heard stories of the purple man. And much like your people, Ginyu is just as bloodthirsty and just as ruthless. Much to your surprise, the Captain doesn't have an army behind him. This was just before the Ginyu Force had formed. All Ginyu was at this point in time was a captain of one of Frieza's many armies. 

You walk over to them, now standing at your brother's side. "Captain Ginyu." You speak with your hands, an exaggerated smile appearing on your lips. "To what do we owe the honor?"

The man looks down at you, clearly analyzing you with his scouter. "Well, if this isn't a surprise. I think this is the first time I've had the pleasure of meeting you, Y/N." Ginyu extends his large hand out to you, causing Vegeta to feel a great deal of alarm. Your brother's body has gone tense with an apprehensive look on his face. But when your older brother looks over to you, there isn't even a glint of fear in your eyes. You're calm, almost as if one of Lord Frieza's deadliest warriors was not standing before you. You accept the Captain's hand, presenting him with a short but polite handshake. "Your father doesn't like showing you off much, does he?" 

You chuckle softly. "My father likes to hold his cards close to his chest. I'm sure a man like yourself is quite similar." Sucking up to Ginyu is not your favorite pastime, but it needs to be done. And every Saiyan on this planet knows your big brother is far too prideful to do it himself.

Ginyu looks between you and Vegeta carefully. For someone so highly regarded by Frieza, he sure isn't subtle. He's trying to read your facial expressions. Unfortunately for him, your father has raised you both much better than that. A poker face to you feels more natural than a genuine expression. "Speaking of your father, where is he right now?"

"He's of---"

You quickly cut Vegeta off. "He's in a meeting. That's why our father sent me out. He wanted you to know he sends his regards, but his hands are tied at the moment. He will be here at soon as possible. I hope my brother and I can suffice your needs in the meantime."

Captain Ginyu eyes you skeptically, tilting his head at you ever so slightly. "That sounds serious. I hope it's nothing too pressing."

"Of course not. It's nothing my father can't handle."

You're about to continue your schmoozing, but you're stopped by Vegeta aggressively yanking on your arm. "We need to talk-- in private."

You grimace at your brother's words. He just always has to make everything that much more difficult for you. You turn back to Ginyu, offering the man a cheerful smile. "Will you excuse us for a moment? We'll be right back."

Vegeta drags you around a corner, concealing you both from Ginyu's prying eyes. "What do you think you're doing?" He huffs at you in a whisper. "I had everything under control."

You snicker, crossing your arms. "You were just about to tell Ginyu that our father was off-planet. It sounds to me like I got here just in time to prevent you from making a grave mistake."

"I don't see why that matters."

"And that's the issue, Vegeta. Now we don't have time for this. Let's go." You turn back around, walking back over to Ginyu, Vegeta trailing not far behind. "I'd like to apologize for my brother's rudeness, Captain Ginyu." You shake your head but with a slight smirk across your lips. "All Saiyan men are the same, and my brother is no exception. They're incredibly thickheaded and quite savage. I'm convinced they don't even realize what brutes they are." You watch your brother ball his hands up into fists from beside you. It fills you with an immense feeling of joy knowing you're getting under Vegeta's skin for once. You turn back to Ginyu, plastering that disingenuous grin on your face. "Now, how about we give you a tour of our wonderful planet?"  

You and Vegeta have shown Ginyu around almost the entirety of your planet, and you must admit you're beginning to grow worried. Luckily you've managed to hold off any more questions about your father's whereabouts by charming him with various facts about planet Vegeta. But to be honest, you're not sure how much longer you can hold up this charade for. You've exhausted pretty much every idea that you've been able to come up with.

"Captain Ginyu!" Your father's brash voice invades your ears as you turn around to finally see the man you've been anxiously waiting for. You've never seen your father walk in such an urgent manner, and it's pretty funny watching your twin struggling to keep up with your father's pace. 

Your father places himself between you and Vegeta, ruffling your hair affectionately. You look up at him. "How'd your meeting go?"

Your father meets your gaze, catching onto your deception almost immediately. "It went very well. Thank you both for keeping Captain Ginyu company in my absence, but I think I can handle it from here." He directs his attention back onto Captain Ginyu. "Now, how about we discuss you're abrupt arrival somewhere more private."

The two men exit your field of view, leaving the three of you alone. Tarble, in his typical fashion, glues himself to your side. "What the hell was that?" Vegeta spits out with venom. "Where was your pride? You were basically groveling at his feet."

You furrow your brows at him. "I was doing what needed to be done. And if you think our father isn't currently doing the same thing, you're a bigger fool than I thought."

"I know our father is being more agreeable with him, but not at the cost of his pride."

"It's always about pride with you." You step closer to Vegeta, closing the distance between you. "Your pride today would have cost the loss of countless lives today, Vegeta."

"Then so be it. If there are Saiayn's that inadequate on our planet, we should probably just exterminate them now. It'll save us the hassle later on."

You snicker, shaking your head at Vegeta. "Some King you'll be." You turn to your twin. "Let's go, Tarble. I have no desire to be near our foolish brother right now."

The conversation between Captain Ginyu and your father was brief. It was a very anticlimactic ending to the naked eye. The briefness of this encounter only set off more alarm bells in King Vegeta's head. It was clear to the man that Ginyu's excuse for being on his planet was bullshit. He's just not quite sure what the captain's intentions were, but he sure as hell is going to find out.

As soon as Ginyu left planet Vegeta, he promptly set course for his next destination. He's headed straight to Lord Frieza to report his findings, and he's eager to do so.

 Ginyu arrives on the planet in record time, heading straight for the throne room. Ginyu kneels before Frieza, waiting for his boss to speak. "Captain Ginyu. You're sure back early. I trust you were able to gather enough information on the young prince."

Captain Ginyu nods enthusiastically. "Of course, Lord Frieza. The Price was exactly the same as the previous data we collected on him. He's powerful and quite intelligent for a Saiyan. Though, he did inherit that nasty temper from his father."

Frieza sighs. "How disappointing."

"But I did discover something that you may find interesting, Lord Frieza."

Frieza tilts his head at the man. He can't help but feel intrigued. "Go on." It's not that easy for him to find an advantage over those monkeys, so he'll take any information Ginyu can give him, no matter how minuscule. 

"Y/N--- King Vegeta's daughter piqued my interest greatly. She's not even close to as strong as her brother, but she's remarkably clever. She's very good with words, she knows how to manipulate people. I'd say she might even be better than King Vegeta himself."

"Now, that is fascinating. Good work, Ginyu. I'll look into the Princess's abilities more in-depth later. You're excused."

-

This is just something I felt the need to clarify: So in this chapter's flashback, Vegeta is around three, and Y/N and Tarble are about two. In my head, I picture children on planet Vegeta behaving like miniature adults. My idea is once they leave their chambers (the tanks they are raised in to get their basic Saiyan instincts under control), their minds are fully grown, but their physical growth is quite delayed. That's why they curse and stuff. I have a minuscule window of time to squash in all of my plot ideas. So this was the best way to do so.

[itsclydebitches]

I'm confused as to how Yang has no empathy for Tai. Their interactions in Volume 4 (the only Volume they interacted in) were some of the more genuine ones in the show.

Like, what is anon expecting her to do? Even as a kid she tried holding the family together when he was in a depression, and while she hates that she had to she clearly never blamed Tai for it, even as a child.

Yeah, unless there are scenes I'm forgetting about atm (always a possibility lol), the Yang and Tai dynamic isn't one I'd personally use as an example of the characters' lack of empathy. Yang and Ren, yes. Yang and Ozpin, omg yes. Yang and Tai? Putting aside the cute moments they have together that can help to soften any disagreements/mistakes–something we noticeably lack with Ren and Oz–there's too much other context coloring Yang's responses. Things that, importantly, are overtly parts of the text. Like her being a very young kid when Tai went through his depression, trying to hold the family together and help take care of her sister, but absolutely not responsible for either of those things. Like having just lost a limb, grappling with her own depression, and having no one else in the household but Tai to work through those emotions with. Unlike moments where the fans headcanon struggles to excuse the characters' iffy decisions, Yang's struggles are at the forefront of those interactions with Tai. Overall, I'd say they have a pretty well-written relationship, which includes moments where Yang is snapping at him, where he's pushing her, but coloring it all is a series long amount of evidence that they love each other. It feels more realistic to me, rather than many of the group's interactions nowadays that are either a) total agreement and perfect responses all the time (Blake complimenting Ruby) or b) disagreements that come out of nowhere and feel like they're only there because more critical fans asked for it (Yang is suddenly mad at Ruby, only to immediately forget about it). Yang and Tai, given the messiness of their history and the imperfect way they care for each other, feel more like people, at least compared to some of the other dynamics right now.

Do I wish that the girls, including Yang, expressed more worry and longing for their Dad while in the midst of this war? Yeah. More-so than I wish Tai was off searching for them, for the simple reason that the girls are a major part of this story, whereas Tai is not. Having him go on a daughter hunting adventure requires a complete re-working of RWBY's plot and focus, whereas having the girls missing Tai's love and guidance, trying to get a letter to him when they realize they're not coming home, worrying that Patch might experience an increase in grimm attacks after Ruby's message... that can only serve their characters and our worldbuilding as a whole. But the lack of that isn't, to my mind, the biggest compassion issue the show needs to deal with. Not when the group is ignoring people who are actually missing/captured/hurting/in immediate danger.

Yang's relationship with Tai may not be written perfectly by any stretch of the imagination–especially if you're a fan who really dislikes how Tai handled her disability–but those issues, to my mind, are pretty separate from Yang's struggle with empathy. That's seen most clearly in her treatment of Ozpin the moment she arrived in Haven, her complete dismissal of Ren, her indifference towards Oscar (until that randomly changed in Volume 8), her arrogant attitude towards everyone who doesn't meet those high expectations, and the ways in which that spirals into hypocrisy: Ozpin is wrong for keeping the Salem secret, but not us; Ruby is wrong for not fixing things, but not me; Ren is wrong for criticizing the group, but I can criticize whoever I want. I liked Yang back in Volume 4 when her big personality was more carefully balanced with humility and self-doubt. Now, Yang comes across as more cruel than confident to me–another flaw that would make for fantastic character development if the writing ever acknowledged it as a problem.

[theangryjikooker]

(1)I'll start this by saying I'm coming in peace. I have seen all the asks you have received, from those who are angry at you and also those who feel like this is a space where they can share their opinions without the usual convincing that goes around in jikook circles. I also understand the frustrations you had, about not being able to say something without being cancelled. In my opinion, twitter culture is absolute shit, no need to expand more on that.

2) I'm also of the opinion that hyping up all jikook so called moments or making them into a big thing without any possibility for a debate is again, shit. We're all looking at it subjectively and you could be right, or others could be. This shouldn't be a big deal, as long as we all agree that it's fine. You see, unpopular opinions about jikook have been debated in jikook tumblr, without becoming some rage fest. I assume this is not possible on twitter.

3) But from all the angry asks you received, I think the issue is not necessarily (and this is just my opinion, I could be wrong) that there is disagreement on whether jikook real or theories about it, but about the approach. You focused so much on dismissing other jikookers from the beginning, instead of idk, just giving your pov about the moments you don't agree with. Instead, it's a mix of combining frustrations about jikookers and jikook as a ''ship''.

4)The lines get blurred and then you end up with angry people in your inbox, you lash out at them because of how they write and it turns into this space full of unproductive anger. Maybe I'm naive, but if your approach would have been a bit different from the start, things wouldn't have ended up like this. From what I can tell, apart from the usual trolls, jikookers on tumblr are fine debating. So what if they 100% believe jikook is real? so what if they don't?

5) All I'm saying is that this is not a one way street. The experience can get a lot better if you leave your anger at the door due to past twitter stuff and nasty people and just focus on sharing your opinions about the ship. It's all about phrasing actually, not necessarily the content. And I know that I've been giving you unsolicited advice and this is your blog, you can do whatever you want, but it's a shame that a conversation is not possible because of miscommunication.

Okay, hold on.

When have I dismissed other Jkkrs? I’m not really sure where you’re getting this impression. I have repeatedly said before that if you disagree with me and want to talk about it, that’s okay. We’re probably going to end up having to agree to disagree, but if you want to express yourself, that’s fine. I never say that I’m right or all-knowing; in fact, I deliberately mention that I--and everyone else--don’t actually know anything. That’s not something I’m making up. We’re all on the same boat. Do they assume that that’s what I mean? Judging by the things they end up telling me, yeah, and it’s why I’m always asking if people are actually understanding what I have to say in the posts I’m making.

The majority of people who watch my blog actually understand the things I’ve been saying and acknowledge the nuances in whatever it is I’m conveying, so it’s not for lack of clarity. The onus is on the toxic shippers who aren’t turning on their brains and firing before assessing the situation first.

Could I have been nicer in the beginning? On one hand, probably--if these people weren’t the same ones who flipped their shit in the first place where I had reason to come here. Maybe that’s what you would have done, I don’t know. If this has something to do with my aggressive intro post, that’s honestly how I felt. I’m tired of people thinking it’s okay to bully others, and even more tired of those who think this is somehow my doing? Why do you think I’m even here? I wouldn’t be here if my main account wasn’t constantly at risk of being deactivated, purely on the basis that I think differently than they do. 

If you can’t see why this makes me angry--not just for me but for everybody else they did this to and actually pushed out of all their safe spaces--then there’s nothing more for me to say to you.

I’m not here looking for a “better” experience. It’s shitty here as it is on Twitter; the only difference is I have nothing to lose here. And if toxic shippers want to continue to diminish my presence, that’s fine by me. But like you said, it’s not a one-way street, and I’m not going to stay here sitting pretty.

[softrenjunnie]

Me thinking what should I ask: an anon reading my mind and asking it before me :O

Hi hi hiiiii bby! I'll ask for a ship with NCT 127 and Seventeen! (Of it's too much nct 127 is fine sweets~) oh okokok so i can write a lot, let's do this 😎😎😎😎😚

Personality traits: positivE, a bit stubborn and competitive, a closeted cheesy gurl hahahah (I'm not thaaaat open into pda or expressing verbally my feelings buuuut acts of service are my way of showing love- i give bear hugs <3) I'm constantly moving i need to be actiVEEEEE: I'll help with the cooking, workout, traveL, cleaning while dancinG, etc. Of course the quarantine makes me look just videos of travelling ffs HAAHAHA but it's ok, let's learn salsa! I always try to push myself out of my comfort zone! I mean i randomly blush sometimes so i did theater to blush more :o HAHAHAHA I'm afraid of heights likE really afraid~ i did zip line :D i passed out a bit and probably peed myself mwah~ but I did it! how satisfying <3 i love listening to music that can be dance-able and to happy singing! I am an animal lover~ i love meeting people who i can learn from no matter their age or nothing, just their mind <3 (that sound so airy I'm gonna scream hahaahha)

Age: I'm Charlie, 23 years~ I'm 5'1 almost 5'2 but come on, i give cozy hugs lmao 💅

Hobbies: long walks/trekking, travel, learning new stuff (languages, astrology, history, baking recipes, new workouts, errthaaang), basically i don't like routine so if I'm chopping onions everyday I'll look for a way to another form of chopping them hahaha <3

Zodiac stuff: Aquarius ♒ <3 Sag moon, gem rising~ Basically air Dominant with a lot of earth and fire, no water~ if you want my whole natal chart DM me! :D

MBTI: I'm an ENFP-A! And reading about it, it's pretty accurate~ i have my serious moments too of course, if someone needs me or needs a wise advice I'll be there!

What i look for in a bae: someone i can talk about everything! Deep topics (history, politics, humanitarian stuff), random talking if pineapple should be in pizza or why dogs are so cute! also someone i can do new stuff with! Learn from each other and be crazy together? YeeeS! Someone i can look at their eyes and giggle because we don't need to talk to understand each other? Yeah, that kind! So someone who speaks up their mind and can be theirselves around me because we accept each other weirdness in this house <3

Favorite stuff in the world: little details, sarcastic, weird sense of humor; dogs, long walks + good conversations , citric fruits, crunchy desserts not that sugary lol, sunset,clear sky, rain too, nature and mountains, debates, games, ice cream any moment of the daaY any time of the year, going to bed after a hectic day lmao <3

I'm not sure if I'm missing something! (If I'm missing something tho, DM me!! <3) Hope this is enough hahaha thank you 🥰! Mwah~

im so so so so sorry that this is late, i have had a lot to deal with irl so this blog has kinda come in 2nd prio.... but thank you for including so much info !!! makes it much easier for me to write this :)

in nct i ship you with... 

the member with the best hair (🙈), jungwoo !!

he’s an infj, meaning that you and him would be an amazing match!! as you’re both intuition feeling-types, you’re both warm and enthusiastic. you both have your ideas & the possibilities in life in focus, and this is something that would bring you two closer to each other. your types are types with an idealistic nature and you’re likely to agree on most big and important things, even if there of course can be small disagreements between you two on small matters. you’d often help each other, and i feel like conflicts wouldn’t be common as you both would try to see everything from the other person’s side. you’re both likely to approach any problems you have with an understanding and caring approach, and even if you two wouldn’t agree on everything you’d just agree to disagree and try to move forward. 

neither of you like dull or mundane days, so it would be common for you two to do stuff every day, and especially spontaneous things i think! i feel like jungwoo would be the type to wake up in the morning and just go “okay. mountain-climbing. let’s go”, and you’d just agree bc it’s him lmao. and even if neither of you really enjoy the actual activities, you’d enjoy just spending time together!!

since both of your venus signs are capricorns, you will find that you have great respect for each other, aswell as similar goals and needs when it comes to love. he also loves to talk, and (i feel like) esp about more random stuff like pineapple on pizza (you better agree with him when he says he doesn’t like it heh) and why he loves dogs. and he would be very relaxed with you and could go crazy with you (in a good way)!! would feel relaxed around you bc he knows you wont judge him, and he’s very happy that he can just be himself around you. and you bet there would be many nights filled with laughter, games and random ice cream breaks!!

extra: imagine going to a zoo with jungwoo !!! idk just walking around, looking at the different animals, pointing at an ugly monkey and telling jungwoo that it looks like him, getting drinks, jungwoo pointing at a horse saying it looks like you as revenge, buying souvenirs as memories forever, aka just having a rlly good time !!!!!

in seventeen, i ship you with...

the world’s biggest cutie, minghao!!

as he too is an infj, you would fit well together! he might sometimes struggle to keep up with your energy level, but since both of your types enjoy helping and trying to understand others, neither of you would have any issues adapting to each other. as with jungwoo, you wouldn’t fight a lot, and if you really disagree on something, you’re very likely to just accept that your opinions differ and then go on with it, instead of make it a big deal. you might have some differences in how organized you feel like you need to be, both because your types are often different in that way and because minghao likes when things are tidy, but that’s nothing that the two of you can’t handle. he would like how no day would be the exact same with you; it would be spontaneous and fun. he would need a tad bit of structure as an infj but not a lot to the extent that it gets hard to deal with. he maybe wouldn’t be the one to initiate spontaneous stuff, but would enjoy you dragging him along on it!!

as a scorpio sun, he is likely to be good at solving problems that come to him, as he’s very understanding of himself and how he affects others. but if he were to face an issue he feels like he can’t solve, it is common for scorpios to become vulnerable and feel helpless - which is where he would need you to bring him up again and to make him see the positive sides of everything. his venus is in capricorn, which means that he is likely to think of the end goal when it comes to relationships; if the end result is good, then the way there will be worth it no matter the difficulties he may meet on the way.

minghao feels like someone who enjoys traveling and seeing new places, so he’d love to go on trips with you! and he too likes someone who enjoys learning, so you two would not only be able to learn new stuff together, but also learn from each other. he would enjoy that you’re so helpful and he would really appreciate your advice, and he would do his best to help you too through his wiseness and calm and the fact that he’s good at analyzing situations.

he would loooove to talk to you, both about random stuff and about deep stuff. he seems like someone who enjoys a good debate, and he would love being able to say what he really things and just have a real, good discussion with you, without having to be scared that you’ll judge him. he would be both really amazed and proud of you for challenging your fear when you went zip-lining, and he would admire your courage!! 

aND i know i’ve written a lot already but oH MY GOD HE IS TOTALLY THE TYPE TO JUST GIGGLE BY JUST LOOKING AT YOU BC YOU GUYS KNOW EACH OTHER THAT WELL AAAA IT FITS SO WELL WITH HIM !!! IT WOULD BE SO CUTE !!!!!!!!

extra: imagine your regular every-day life with minghao!! like i can see you two like having a cute lil breakfast together, talking about just regular stuff with the smiles never leaving your lips, and then its time to do the dishes so you turn on some music and just enjoy the time and after a while it turns into a dance battle instead sdjfkhfkdsdfgd

[apriorisea]

Hello! I love your writing. I'm always reading the things you write and I want to thank you for that :D It makes my day better ^u^ If it's ok, could you write something about Hobi dealing with his affectionate bff/crush, like his crush is really affectionate and asks him if they could play with his hair because it looked really fluffy, hugs him out of the blue just because they wanted and gives him surprise kisses on his cheeks xD

--You are so darling, thank you!! I absolutely loved this suggestion, and I’m sorry it’s taken so long, but here’s my take on the scenario. I hope you enjoy! 💜💕

You x Hoseok“Unmanageable”

You were Hoseok’s best friend. This was absolutely undeniable. What you didn’t know was that you were also the girl of his dreams. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when he’d developed the crush; all he knew was that it was now all-consuming---and his greatest secret. No matter how much it was killing him, he would never dare risk losing you by admitting to his crush.     You slammed the door to Hoseok’s room open with a groan. “This internship,” you say, flopping across his bed, “Is going to kill me.”    Grinning automatically at your presence, he swivels his chair around to look at you. “Really?”    “Ye-ess,” you whine, reaching for the stuffed elephant you’d won him out of a claw game 2 years ago and hugging it tight.     “Aw.” He gets out of his chair and comes to sit next to you on the bed. “Are people being mean?” he teases.    You hit him with the elephant, then twist to rest your head against his thigh, holding the stuffed animal in the air above you. “It’s just…difficult,” you say more seriously. “On top of all the actual job things I have to do, I’m also the one who’s supposed to get the coffee and tidy the office and run the errands…I’m just…tired.”    He hums sympathetically, but fights the urge to comfortingly stroke the side of your face.    “And I still have 3 months left,” you sigh, bringing the elephant back down to snuggle against your chest. “I don’t know if I’m going to make it.”    “You can make it,” he says immediately. “I know you can. You can do anything.”    Looking up at him, you feel some of your anxiety fade away. The corner of your mouth quirks up in a smile at his concerned expression. “Yeah?”    His face breaks into his signature bright smile. “Absolutely.”    “All right,” you concede with a heavy sigh. “I believe you.”    “That was quick,” he laughs, and a strand of his curly hair falls into his face. “Are you all better now?”    Grinning, you sit up, setting the elephant aside. “Almost. I think what I really need to feel completely better is…..”    “Ice cream?”    “Ding ding ding!” you agree. “Can you take a little break?”    He pretends to think about it. “Well….since it’s a case of life and death, I think I can definitely take a little ice cream break.”    You give a little cheer. “Perfect! Let’s go. Oh, wait—” Leaning forward a little, you reach up to brush the hair out of his face, settling it back in place. “Okay. Now, let’s go!” You miss the way his breath catches in his chest at your touch, bouncing off the bed in excitement.      With a slightly dazed smile, he climbs off the bed and follows you.

---

     The two of you are sitting outside the ice cream shop, at a table under an umbrella, settled in a comfortable silence. You finish your cone while he is still working his way through the first layer of his 2 scoop bowl. “Mmmm,” you say happily. “That was perfect.”     “All better now?” he asks with a fond smile.     You nod, then climb to your feet. “I need to go wash my hands,” you say, holding your palms up for evidence. “Be right back!”     On your way back, you pause just inside the door, your eyes finding your best friend immediately. It’s ridiculous how good he looks, just sitting under a table-umbrella eating ice cream, and, not for the first time, you find yourself surprised that he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Remembering how easily he had calmed you down earlier turns that surprise to gratitude, and you push open the door, eager to be in his warm presence again. Reaching the table, you sit on the round-bench seat next to him, a little closer than you were before. “How’s your ice cream?”    He swallows and nods at the same time, the tops of his cheeks going pink at your proximity. “Really good,” he tries to say around a mouthful of ice cream. “Life-saving.”    “Right,” you laugh.     “I’m almost done,” he says. “What do you want to do next?”    You perk up. “Do you have more time??”     “Yep. I can be done for the day, actually.” The smiles blooms across his face at your little cheer. “Do you wanna go watch some of our show?”    “Yes. What episode are we on?”    He takes his final bite. “7? Maybe?”    “No….” you disagree. “Didn’t we get to 9?”    The playful disagreement lasts all the way back to his apartment and the two of you argue all the way up until the Netflix logo loads. When you discover that you’re both wrong—it was episode 8—you tuck your feet under you on the couch, one of the throw pillows resting against your side.     “So we were both off,” you say with a grin.    He laughs. “No, we were both wrong.” Stretching out, he readjusts the throw pillow. “Ready?”    “Mmhmm.” As the opening credits are rolling, your eyes wander to the soft curls splayed across the pillow. “Your hair is so fluffy today,” you say with a small smile. “Can I play with it, please??”    He goes absolutely still. “My…my hair?”    “Yeah!” You don’t notice his frozen posture. “Seriously, Hobi, it is so fluffy-looking today.”    He laughs, an honest but nervous sound. Clearing his throat, he manages to sound casual. “Sure. …Weirdo.”    “That’s me,” you agree cheerfully and reach for a strand of his hair.     The absolute static electricity he feels at your fingers in his hair is overwhelming. You comb through his curls, occasionally twisting a strand loosely around your finger while you get wrapped up in the episode. He can barely breathe, every fiber of his being humming with pure happiness at the situation. By the end of the episode, he has no idea what happened, but he knows one thing: this crush was becoming almost unmanageable. 

---

    “So….we’re good to leave Saturday night, right?” you ask, frowning a little as you read through the booking confirmation on your laptop.     “Yep.” Hoseok is at the stove, cooking his favorite rice dish for the both of you. “The others are going to meet us on Sunday, I think.”    You hit confirm and sit back. “There! All done.”    He’s grinning. “Perfect. I’m excited for this trip,” he says, reaching for the spices.     “Me, too.” You watch him cook for a second, a fond smile on your face. “I’m really glad we get to go.” Bouncing to your feet, you cross to where he stands in the kitchen and wrap your arms around him from behind, giving him a tight hug. “Plus dinner smells amazing!”    He’s frozen in place, unable to breathe because of the random hug-attack you’re currently engaged in. The blush is creeping up his neck unchecked—but so is the smile on his face. He clears his throat loudly to cover up the way his heart is pounding. “Um…t-thanks.”    You give him a final squeeze and let go, moving to stand next to him in order to inhale the delicious aroma even better. “Mmm…is it almost ready??”    “Yep.” His cheeks are still pink. “Maybe…5 more minutes?”    “Great.” You cross to the fridge, pulling it open and scanning the contents. “We’re out of drinks,” you say, closing it again. “Sprite? Coke?”    He glances over at you. “Um…do we have—?”   “I’m going to run to the store real quick,” you interrupt, pulling on your jacket. “What are you craving?”    “You don’t have to do that…”    You shrug. “It’s no big deal. So?”    He smiles at you, neglecting the food for a second. “Sprite.”    “That’s what I thought,” you laugh. On your way past him to the door, you wrap your arms around him again in another quick hug. “Be right back!” You’re so focused on getting your shoes on that you miss how wide his eyes are, the way he takes an involuntary step after you, already missing your presence.     When you’re gone, he takes just a second to collect himself, leaning against the counter with the goofiest grin on his face. Replaying the two hugs over and over in his mind, he almost lets the rice burn.

----

“Hey.”    You look up at Hoseok’s soft voice. He’s smiling at you gently, trying to pull you out of your worried tailspin. Finding your voice, you finally respond: “Hey.”    “You all right?”    Nodding, you look back at the security checkpoint, feeling your heart race again. Last night, you had been beyond excited about this business trip, thrilled that your boss had finally entrusted you with something so big, eager to take on the world, ready to go. Now, however, surrounded by your carry-on bag and your best friend, you feel like your legs are made of jelly. Your breath catches in your chest, and without thinking, you reach for Hoseok’s hand.     His eyes widen, but he laces his fingers with yours immediately and gives your hand a little squeeze. “It’s okay,” he says calmly. “Remember how excited you were last night?”    “That was last night,” you correct nervously, your gaze still stuck on the line in front of you. “Now...”    “Hey,” he says again, shaking your connected hands a little to catch your attention. When you look up at him, he smiles again. “You’re going to be incredible. It’s going to be such a fun trip. Your boss trusts you, remember? He knows you’re going to knock this out of the park. You can do this.”    It works. His reassuring words zip through you, warming you from head to toe, and for the first time that morning, you feel the anxiety dissipate. “Can I?”    “Of course.” He squeezes your hand again.    You smile, take a deep breath, and look back at the security checkpoint; the line has dwindled to almost no one: it was now or never. “You’ll text me?” you ask, turning to him. “Every day?”    “Everyday,” he agrees.     “And you’ll answer any time I call?” you ask more playfully.    “Mm,” he pretends to think. “Most of the time.” He grins at your faux-outraged expression. “Of course, I’ll answer any time you call.” He grows more serious. “I’m going to miss you.”    Feeling another burst of anxiety, you reach for him, wrapping your arms around his neck and holding on tight. “I’m going to miss you, too,” you agree. “So much.”    His heart is racing, but he holds onto you with steady hands. “It’s just a week,” he says lightly, but he’s unsure whether he’s trying to reassure you or himself.    “Right.” You let go, pulling back and straightening your shoulders. “Okay. Here I go.”    He grins. “You’ve got this.”    And with his support, you almost believe it. Acting on pure impulse, you lean up on your tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. “Goodbye, Hobi,” you say, lingering for just a moment. “I’ll see you in a week!” And then you step back, using the band-aid approach to tear yourself away from him, hurrying to security before you can overthink it.    He stays behind, his face bright red, already longing for you again. As he watches you move through security, something changes in him. “A week,” he repeats to himself, feeling his skin burn where you kissed him. “Just one week.”

---

The first thing you do when you get back is text Hoseok. The second is call for a cab. On your way to your apartment, you hear from him: You’re home! I’m coming over. Ok?    You grin as soon as you read the message, unable to deny the happiness that floods you entire body at the thought of seeing him again. YES. I’ll be home in 10.     His answer comes quickly: I’ll be there in 15.    True to his word, when you get home, you only have enough time to empty your suitcase straight into the washer, brush your teeth, and change into non-airplane-smelling clothes, before you hear him ring the doorbell.     You grab the little souvenir you’d gotten for him while you were away, and hurry to the door. You throw it open excitedly. “Hobiii!”    He’s already smiling. “Hey there,” he says. “I’m so glad you’re back.”   “Me, too!” But your eyes were drifting to what he held in his hands. Unable to hide your surprise, you look back up at him, confusion coloring your expression.    He’s still smiling, though now it’s slightly uneasy. Clearing his throat, you finally see the blush color the top of his cheeks as he readjusts his grip on the massive bouquet of flowers. “I’ve missed you a lot,” he says nervously. “And....I think we need to talk. I have some things to tell you.”

[arreisstorm]

HAPPY SUGA DAY!

Disclaimer:

****I meant to get this post up on Yoongi's actual birthday but due to Tumblr completely deleting my first draft and having to deal with some crap at work, I haven't really been in my right mind to do so, so unfortunately I wasn't able to get it done in time. Even if it's a little late I hope you guys still enjoy this post!****

So I've been thinking all day what I can say about Min Yoongi that I haven't said already and sadly I'm drawing a blank.

 I think everyone knows by now how, underneath that hard and standoff-ish exterior, Yoongi is truly one of the sweetest, most caring members in BTS.

 He may be the designated "grandpa" but he can give Jin a run for his money as the "mom" of the group with the way he dotes on every single member in his own way. So instead of me doing a long winded post that loses it train of thought a million times I think I'll expand on how much Yoongi truly loves his brothers:

▪JIN

So when it comes to the relationship these two share, "opposites attract" is the best way I could describe it. While one is outgoing and loud, the other is more reserved and quiet. This duo loves to annoy each other and you can see that every time Jin cracks a face-palm inducing dad joke, and vice versa whenever Yoongi makes fun of Jin for his "old" age. I mean it's obvious to ARMY by now how extra Jin can be at times, but even through all the cringe-worthy moments and  second-hand embarrassment, at the end of the day, Yoongi still has great appreciation and respect for him.

▪JIMIN

Like Jin and Yoongi, Jimin and Yoongi are also quite opposites when it comes to their outlook on life. Where Jimin sees positivity, Yoongi is more about realism. It's not that he doesn't want to see the world as a happy place, but he also doesn't want to be blind to the truth either. That's why these two work so well together, one is the lifts the other up while the other protects them from harm.

▪TAEHYUNG

It's no secret that Tae marches to the beat of his own drum, but it is because of this fact that Yoongi finds him so endearing. During an episode of BV the two were partnered up to spend time together and even when everyone else said they would never agree on anything, Yoongi had the perfect solution. He cares a lot for Tae and he knows how hard the past few years have been for him after losing precious loved ones, so he's kind of been the one looking out for him behind the scenes.

▪JUNGKOOK

When it comes to emotional vulnerability, I would say Kookie and Yoongi are two peas in a pod. Neither one chooses to wear their hearts on their sleeves, but on the rare occassions when they do, you can guarantee you will find yourself crying along with them. There's a lot of pressure and uncertainty that goes alongside being the maknae of the group, and even more so when you're the golden maknae, and that's why I think Yoongi has taken it upon himself to help shoulder those burdens by taking care of him. Whether it's sticking up for him, encouraging him, or simply offering to buy him a proper meal, Yoongi has always been a great hyung to Kookie. And who could forget the iconic moment of "Friendship is Irish Bomb"? Haha

▪HOSEOK

Ok, so there's a lot with this relationship. We have day meets night, dark meets light, and cynicism meets positivity. These two contrast so much but still connect on the same level in countless other ways. Both are 2/3 that form one of the best raplines I've ever seen. Both are very passionate about what they do (J-Hope: dance, Yoongi: music) and they have worked their butts off to reached the point they're at now. Because Yoongi is such a realist, he is constantly overwhelmed with the state of the world, and he desperately needs to see the happier side that he might be missing...that's where Hobi comes in. There's a reason he was given the nickname he was given, he provides everyone around him with hope and happiness when they need it most, and that especially applies to Yoongi.

 When you constantly find yourself in the limelight it can be hard not to lose yourself within it. You might even forget your sense of self and instead be reduced to nothing more than a preconception told from a cameras perspective; that's when friends are the best cure, and Hobi just so happens to be that friend. These two are important for one another because whenever they're together it seems to be nothing but laughs and genuine smiles. They are carefree and able to be themselves around each other. To have that sense of freedom is probably a rare occasion for BTS in general, but even more so for the one who's know to be the "cold-hearted" and I'm happy he can find it with Hobi.

▪NAMJOON

Finally we have these two: Namjoon and Yoongi.

I've decided to save this one for last because to me they have a bond that completely differs from all others previously mentioned. These two have known each other the longest, have lived together the longest, and have seen each other at their worst points. Before debuting these two would fight constantly, both due to genuine disagreements, and also because of the countless hardships and pressure they had thrown at them. They have grown with each other and have been there to strengthen each other every step of the way.

Yoongi might not be one to express his feelings so openly, but every time I see the clip of him crying with Joon after receiving their first MAMA award It's obvious how much he does care and how much this all means to him.

To be honest, Yoongi never fails to show his love and support whenever his brothers are feeling down, and that especially goes for Joon. With him being the leader of BTS there is so much added pressure and expectations to live up to that it can be overwhelming, and on top of all of it, being the designated translator, writing and producing most of BTS' songs, and also trying to learn the choreography to go along with said song can seem next to impossible; Yoongi sees these struggles and he does all he can to help lessen the weight.

These two honestly do share one of the most profound bonds and I believe nothing could severe it completely. They might still have their fights, I mean they're human, it's bound to happen, but the respect and admiration they have for one another wins out every time.

As much as they love each other, these two also love to screw with each other too. Yoongi constantly makes fun of Joon for his clumsiness and Joon makes fun of Yoongi for his laziness, but in the end these two wouldn't be who they are without the other.

Yoongi once said in an interview that Joon is one of his favorite people he's ever met and if he had to pick a person to spend his last day with he would pick him. Then Joon in a different interview mentioned how Yoongi is basically his mirror and he takes care of the thing that Joon is unable to. These two compliment each other so well, and musically speaking, their backgrounds come from very similar places that they just know how the other runs. If Hobi allows Yoongi to act himself and to let loose physically, then Joon is his emotional release. They know how to have those deep heart-to-heart conversation without worrying what the other might think. Yoongi is able to use his words and is able to open up to Joon about any doubts, fear, or anxiety he might be struggling with, as well as using them to provide Joon with the assurance he needs that he is doing a good job as the leader; and in return, Joon gives Yoongi that sense of comfort and stability whenever he needs it.

Min Yoongi and Kim Namjoon.

Yoonie and Joonie.

Suga and RM.

AGUST D and Rap Monster.

Lil Meow Meow and Killer Dimples.

These boys are one in the same: two overall geniuses who started as underground rappers possessing skills of insane flow and destructive lyrics, then forced to become idols, who eventually helped redefined what idols are, and now are global superstars that have created the golden rapline (with Hobi), are living their wildest dreams yet still remain humble, as well as unapologetic about incorporation crucial social topics into their songs.

There's a reason these two get along so well and that's because of years of being around each other, having the same deep, philosophical thought process, and knowing that hard work, sleepless nights, and finding growth within personal struggles are what it takes to reach your ultimate goal.

The point is, if you're still with me that is haha, is that Suga tends to have this reputation that he is cold-hearted and aloof when it comes to the rest of the members, but honestly who wouldn't be exhausted and not wanting to participate in different events after having not slept for days on end and pouring their blood, sweat, tears (not intentional btw) into their creations?! Suga is one of the hardest working, passionate, individuals out there and if he didn't sacrifice so much for us, far beyond what this post can tell you, then BTS would not exist the way we know it now. It because he is willing to put his own health and well-being on hold --despite ARMY and the boys wishes-- and take on this almost altruistic behavior that I have so much respect and admiration for Yoongi. And anyone who says that this man is cold or that he hates his members...Have you not seen this man's precious, gummy smile when he's having the time of his life with his favorite people? There's a reason he chose to call himself "Suga" and that's because underneath that hard outer shell, deep down Min Yoongi is nothing but pure sweetness who isn't afraid to dream big and wants to see those he loves succeed to their fullest potential.

He is our resident grandpa, a musical genuis, and can spit fire while roasting people with the highest level of savageness you can achieve. He is the 2nd oldest, the hyung who tends to show his love when the cameras aren't rolling, and he is the backbone of BTS who slaves away in the recording studio to produce these insane tracks we all love so much. He is the only one that I've noticed who mirrors and compliments Namjoon's own thoughts and feelings and he is a huge reason why BTS has been so successful like they are.

We love you

Min Yoongi

Suga

AGUST D

Lil Meow Meow

Grandpa Yoongs

I hope you had a great birthday and thank you for everything you have done for BTS in the past, everything you're doing in the present, and everything you will do in the future. You are one of my biggest inspirations and I wish you all the best!

화이팅! 💜