#i guessed when he was announced to be in the cast that his experience of being loki would give him a great dickish energy for syldor

[andi-o-geyser]

Oh, I cannot fucking wait to see this prick get the dressing down of the century.

[varpusvaras]

I've had a headcanon for a while that Breha and Fox are really into the romance genre - like, in a way that if the book/show/movie is good, they enjoy it as a good piece of media, and otherwise, they read or watch things together and have fun with it. Bail is...not so much into this, as much as he can also enjoy a good piece of media, but the second part of the experience is kind of lost to him.

He will listen to Breha and Fox talk about them and tries to guess what is going on in any given book/show based only on what they tell him.

(If he is actually a bit invested. Shh. No he isn't. No, he's not watching this- alright, fine, you menaces)

So, there's this relatively new show. It started a bit before the war, and gained a lot of popularity then, and when the show was put on hiatus because of the war, the fans were impatiently awaiting for more. The show is about mostly fictional planets and their high-society, royals and nobility.

Breha and Fox watch the part of the show that came out before the war, and make Bail watch with them as well (Bail watches, because they are asking and he wants to spend time with them, and, hey. He likes looking at them when they are happy and joking around). Then, some time after, the show announces that it will be coming back with new episodes!

The episodes start releasing. Breha and Fox watch them, and make Bail watch them as well (no, he isn't invested at all-). One week, there's a new character introduced. A Princess, who is going to become a Queen soon. She is from a very old and rich planet, that does arts and peace and nature. Breha says that it reminds her of Alderaan a bit, perhaps they have taken some inspiration.

One episode, the Princess meets a nobleman, who is very politically idealistic and believes in equity, and is striving for making the galaxy a more peaceful and unified place. The actor is very tall.

Fox jokes that they kinda remind him of Breha and Bail. Breha laughs. Bail squints his eyes at the screen.

The Princess becomes a Queen, while becoming increasingly close with the nobleman. Then, one week, they introduce another new character. A former soldier, who has now returned from the war, and the Queen and the nobleman meet him when they are in an event, discussing how to make more peaceful solutions.

Bail frowns at the screen. The actor is not a clone, but looks very much like one, with his tanned skin and dark, curly hair.

Fox looks at the character as well.

"Oh", he says.

"Oh", Breha says as well. "I do think...that they have taken inspiration from close by."

You don't say, Bail thinks.

He's not super stoked about this development, but at least the two other actors do not resemble him and Breha too much. He can...sort of understand the choice of casting someone who looks kind of like the clones into the role of the soldier. It's commentary. Easy to understand. It's....fine. They are just drawing inspiration from their overall dynamic, nothing more. There's nothing else that seems too recent.

Then Bail goes for work to Coruscant, and gives statements regarding his views on the clone rights, the war, and his relationship with the clones and how, even though he cannot claim himself to be a part of their culture, he and Breha and Alderaan as a whole have tied themselves into it and consider it to be a part of their culture as well.

It's a good statement. Bail is proud of it and the reaction it causes. The way Fox and Breha look at him after is the best reward he could possibly ask for.

Then, a few weeks later, a new episode comes out. The nobleman gives a speech about the war and cultures and how he relates to them. It's very much the statement Bail gave, but just reworded to fit the world of the show.

Oh, Bail thinks. Oh, it is on.

Bail decides to have his own fun. He starts to make very showy gestures to Breha and Fox in public. They know immediately what he is doing, and go along with it.

Some of the things he did end up in the show. Bail can deduce from what those things are when whoever it is who is gathering material is present.

Bail knows the press. He knows how they dress, he knows how they operate. Once he knows where to look, it is very easy to spot them.

It's a rare occasion that both Breha and Fox are accompanying him to Coruscant. Bail is playing it up, until he notices the person who is very much not press but who is very much recording and making notes, when Bail is not even saying anything to any of the people surrounding them.

Bail turns to look straight towards the camera.

He person holding it stiffens, but doesn't turn away instantly. Not so easily intimidated, then. Bail can respect that at least.

Bail continues to stare at the camera, not saying anything. Just staring. Fox and Breha have caught on to what he is doing by then, and they are trying their best not to burst out laughing.

Bail continues to stare at the camera. He has stared down bounty hunters, separatists, assassins, the sith. He can do this all day.

Finally, the camera turns away. Bail smiles, and clims into their speeder with Breha and Fox.

As soon as the doors are closed and the speeder starts moving, Breha and Fox lose it. They cannot stop laughing the whole way, and are barely able to contain it once they arrive to the Senate.

Unsurprisingly, at least for some, the plotline of the three characters in the show starts to steer to entirely new directions in the very next episode.

[wyvchard]

Phoenix and Party Tricks

When the usual announcer gets sick shortly before the birthday of R&D's Dr. Prism, they went to Agent Phoenix for help in finding a replacement. Plot twist: It's not John Juniper.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You all owe me for this." Agent Phoenix narrowed their eyes as they stared at the crowd in front of them.

"Well, surely we can get a payback for the broken car. As well as the laser incidents. You also experimented with kinesium. We have more incidents, if you want to know."

Phoenix frowned, a subtle red tainting their ears. "I get it. But why me specifically?" They looked at the whiteboard with loathing, their name in loving red marker.

"We know she'll appreciate it more."

"Well, since you all prepared for this, I'm guessing you made sure my handler knows I'll be busy with you?" They turned away from the whiteboard to see their reply.

The nods made Phoenix cover their face with their palm.

"... Just hand me the plans."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It seems as if R&D kept you captive for far longer than usual. Are you alright?" Reginald looked at his agent through the office camera, noticing how disheveled their hair was. Their hat was haphazardly placed on the desk as a thud echoed from it.

They shrugged, choosing to lean back on their chair as soon as they reached it. They combed their hair between their fingers, face grimacing at the texture.

"I'd say, it feels like a miracle they let you off the hook that easily. Some of the technicians tend to be... protective of their projects."

"... They're now making me pay for it in the worst way I can think of right now." They mumbled, soon hitting their face on the desk as they groaned. "They're awful."

"Agent, don't be ridiculous. You're practically the reason all other agency vehicles have auto insurance. You're getting off easy. When I was doing fieldwork, Roxana would make me sit through the damage, one by one."

"Wasn't it an option because of you? It only became mandatory later on. But it started because of how many vans you crashed." They turned to the camera in their office to glare at him through the screen. They grabbed a pillow from one of the drawers in order to find something to scream into later.

A brow was raised when they knew his cheeks started feeling warmer despite the air conditioning.

"Well, some regulations have been said to be written in blood. At least be appreciative that no one's died because of it."

"Yeah. But I still feel like I'm getting gutted here! This is so embarrassing."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You want me to... What makes you think I'll help you?" John Juniper narrowed his eyes at the agent who was awkwardly sitting in front of his desk. He placed the note they gave on the desk on top of his papers, making sure it was neatly arranged.

"Name your price. Just... think of it as one of your casting calls or something." They looked flustered, darting their eyes on the agency handbooks they once read over. Various sticky notes have been peeking out from it, just like his old habits with scripts.

"You're not going to flatter me into agreeing. What are you going to do? Write a three page essay on my ability as a director?"

"... I wrote five pages... back to back."

He merely looked at the agent in complete disbelief as he pondered if he'll get in trouble if he threw the paperweight at them.

"I'll see you after your shift. Your place."

He merely watched as the agent walked away with confidence. He then looked at the pages elegantly stapled together, handwriting from multiple colored pens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John Juniper is highly annoyed that they did manage to flatter him to agreeing. However, he has a way to get payback.

"I know you like eating the most random of things but you're eating your words. Speak more clearly."

After all, they asked for it. If they can thoroughly study his habits as a director, so be it. He can do the same for them. He plans to thoroughly break apart the way they speak until they feel the same level of fluster they made him feel with that essay.

"You're watching my hands and it's making me feel self-conscious." They looked away, choosing to focus on the clock high up on the wall, watching the ticks go by.

"Well, who told you to sign things while speaking anyway? I know you tend to use that during missions but still. You're going to confuse the audience at that rate."

"It's called gestures and you know it." They huffed, raising their hands in protest as they used TK to toss the makeshift script at him. "None of the lines work for me. They don't feel like me at all."

"I can see that much. So, why are you holding back? You're supposed to be the one leading this. The star of the show isn't you but you need to be bright enough to be her spotlight."

Phoenix looked at him for a few seconds and took a deep breath. "You're right. You're... right." They looked at him with a sullen frown. "How could I forget?"

The smile they showed him was familiar to Juniper, yet also distant. It reminded him of the falling back in love towards an art long forgotten. "My name is Agent Phoenix and this is not my first time hosting a birthday party."

There was a brief silence before he flinched at how loud they've gotten, even turning down the volume of the microphone did little to save his ears from their voice. A smirk bloomed on his face as he saw their confidence return.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reginald quietly led Roxana to one of the testing areas, steps slowly leading her towards the reinforced door.

He was holding her key card, gently following familiar movements whenever he wanted to pay a visit to her several years ago. The door opened gently, revealing several balloons and streamers.

The researchers were all holding glowsticks as everyone greeted her "Happy Birthday", earning her a small smile.

"Good evening everyone! Our beloved Dr. Roxana Prism has finally arrived! Let's get this party started! This is Agent Phoenix, your master of ceremony tonight with Agent Robutler! Let this night be a night of rediscovering old ways to have fun!"

The shouts was defeaning as Roxana turned to the source of the voice, only for her eyes to widen at the co-hosts.

Agent Phoenix and Robutler were wearing matching bowties and party hats, playfully jesting with each other as they cleared their throat to gather everyone's attention.

They passed the microphone to Reginald, a mischievous glint in their eyes as he gave the welcome speech for her birthday.

"Thank you for that wonderful speech, Reggie. But I'd say, Robutler, did you notice anything?" Phoenix turned to their co-host, eyes crinkling with glee as Reginald turned a subtle shade of red.

What came next was a series of confused noises from the robot before he turned to her and Reginald. "Their key card holder seems different somehow."

All eyes turned to them and even she felt slight warmth in her cheeks.

Laughter broke their trance as Phoenix told everyone that they're done teasing the two for now, causing more amused glances at their way.

"It was just so Reginald can open the door much easier." She muttered, still refusing to even glance at Reginald's direction.

The accusatory eyes that seemed to shout "suuureee, it's that" from the others still burned into her.

Phoenix cut the tension by making a few of her robots put on a show about how much they and the rest of the department love her, melting her heart even further.

Their steady hand slowly guided her to the cake as she blew on the candles after they sang the song.

Everything flowed smoothly, several teams sharing ideas about their projects as they sat down to eat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're not going to host the games?" John Juniper asked as they sat beside each other at the back of the room, watching everyone else laughing and playing.

"I think my games will be more appreciated by fellow field agents. It usually had something to do with running around." Phoenix ate one of the cupcakes served, one with tiny robot toppings.

The two watched as chaos erupted from the others at the fact someone flubbed the pronunciation of kinesium.

Joking accusations and faked outrage filled the room shortly after, laughter following.

"You did well."

"Thanks. You're not as bad of a teacher too."

"Well, I can say I'm the best."

Phoenix ignored him in favor of watching Roxana dance something the robots are teaching her. A small amused smile graced their face.

"You're usually quiet on missions. You barely said a word when we met."

"I tend to shut up whenever things get dangerous. But we're safe here." They grabbed a small device on the table and got up to approach, counting the seconds before pulling the trigger, confetti raining down on the main stage.

"Phoenix!" Roxana turned to them with a smile as the applause echoed in the room. "This is amazing. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Thank the department. I only got dragged here. If you really want to show your gratitude, please say a few words to everyone." Their hands pointed to the spare microphone, pulling it with their telekinesis to grab it. "Well?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several speeches and stories passed, all about the memories in the department- some funny, others painful, yet no one will have it any other way.

Phoenix insisted on staying behind to clean up, despite everyone else saying they can go home.

"Well, I didn't know you could do that." Reginald approached them with a proud smile. "That was amazing, Agent."

"... This will not reach the EOD. I am not hosting that. We have John Juniper, for crying out loud. Let him do it." They deadpanned, ignoring the indignant yell from him. "It was already draining enough."

"You're a natural at it, Agent."

They refused to look at him, choosing to focus on Roxana, who was recreating the steps of the dance. They counted down the seconds before she started to approach them with haste.

"Reginald, do you think their moves are familiar? Even a little bit?"

"I don't exactly follow."

"If you're asking if they were imitating the little things you do while working, yes. They were doing that."

Phoenix quietly walked away with a grin as they purposely chose to carry the chair, instead of using TK to do it.

"Happy Birthday, Doc. I put my gift inside your house since I knew I wouldn't be able to hand mine to you."

It was the proper time to bail.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you like the fluff.

My Agent Phoenix specifically was forced to host a birthday party once or twice when they were still quite young. They kinda hated it but they can manage. Others say they're decent at it. Don't tell them that though, they're embarrassed.

Tag List:

@phoenix-and-found-family

@the-one-and-only-043

@ghostlystarwanderer

@jellyfishgummy

@definitelyunhingedagentphoenix (Just in case you wanna see this.)

@stellar-collective

@agentpheoness

@tillywunderwing

[adrealucia]

enemies to lovers with sean? 🫶🫶

I am going to be really honest this was fucking hard. I love enemies to lovers but it is so difficult to really bring out the tension in a short drabble like this. But still thank you so so much for the req and I hope you like what I did here :)

Canvas of Conflicts

The sun hung low over the Seattle skyline, casting long shadows through the windows of the art department at Blackwell University. Sean Diaz stood in front of a large canvas, his hands stained with a mix of acrylics. He was deep in his zone, creating a piece that blended surrealism with street art—a signature of his evolving style.

Across the room, you sat hunched over your laptop, typing furiously. Your focus was on an in-depth analysis of Baroque art for your Art History presentation. The sharp clacking of keys was the only sound that could rival the scratch of Sean's brush on the canvas.

The class was a melting pot of creative minds, and your professor often encouraged debates. But when it came to you and Sean, these debates often turned into heated arguments.

“Diaz, you can't just slap some paint on a canvas and call it art,” you snapped, glancing up from your screen. “There's no substance, no historical context!”

Sean paused, turning to face you with a smirk. “And you can't just analyze art to death, Y/N. Sometimes it's about feeling, not just thinking.”

The tension between you two was palpable, sparking almost every class. It wasn't just a clash of specializations—it was personal. You both carried an undercurrent of competition that bled into every interaction, whether it was a classroom debate or a chance encounter at a campus party.

One evening, the head of the department, Professor Henderson, called both of you into her office. Her stern expression was enough to make you both fall silent.

“I’m assigning you two to work together on the upcoming art exhibition,” she announced, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Your task is to combine your skills—Sean’s fine art and Y/N’s historical analysis—to create a cohesive presentation. I expect nothing less than excellence.”

The news hit like a bombshell. As you exited her office, you and Sean exchanged a look of mutual disbelief and dread.

“Great,” Sean muttered sarcastically. “Just what I needed.”

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual,” you replied, rolling your eyes.

The next few days were filled with awkward meetings and forced politeness as you brainstormed ideas. It was clear neither of you were thrilled about the partnership. However, as the deadline loomed, the gravity of the task began to sink in.

One late night in the studio, surrounded by sketches and notes, a breakthrough finally came. Sean was experimenting with a new technique, layering colors in a way that seemed chaotic yet intentional. You watched, intrigued despite yourself.

“Try using a bit of chiaroscuro,” you suggested cautiously, stepping closer. “It might help highlight the depth.”

To your surprise, Sean didn’t snap back. Instead, he nodded, adding a darker hue to the canvas. The effect was immediate, adding a new dimension to his work.

“Not bad, Y/N,” he admitted, a hint of admiration in his voice.

You smiled slightly, feeling the ice between you begin to thaw. “Thanks. And I have to admit, your work has a certain raw energy that’s hard to ignore.”

As nights turned into early mornings, the studio became a place of shared ideas and mutual respect. You found yourself laughing at Sean’s jokes, and he began to listen to your critiques without defensiveness. The friction that once defined your interactions gave way to a synergy that neither of you had anticipated.

One night, as you both sat on the floor amidst scattered sketches, Sean handed you a cup of coffee. “You know, I’ve been thinking,” he said, his tone unusually serious. “Maybe we’re not so different after all. We both want to understand art, just in our own ways.”

You nodded, meeting his gaze. “Yeah, I guess we do. And maybe… just maybe, we can learn from each other.”

The final days before the exhibition were a blur of activity. You and Sean worked tirelessly, fine-tuning every detail. The end result was a stunning fusion of artistic expression and historical context, each element enhancing the other.

On the night of the exhibition, as you stood side by side in front of your collaborative masterpiece, the applause from the crowd felt like a distant echo. You turned to Sean, your heart pounding.

“We did it,” you whispered, a smile spreading across your face.

Sean’s eyes softened as he looked at you. “Yeah, we did.”

In that moment, the competitive tension that had defined your relationship melted away, replaced by something warmer, something more profound. As the evening wore on, you found yourselves gravitating closer, the unspoken feelings finally surfacing.

Later, as you walked together under the soft glow of the campus lights, Sean reached for your hand. “You know, Y/N, I’ve grown to really appreciate your perspective. And… well, I’ve grown to appreciate you.”

You squeezed his hand, your heart swelling with affection. “Same here, Sean.”

And as the night enveloped you both, the journey from rivals to partners, and finally to something more, felt like the most beautiful piece of art either of you had ever created.

[cutiedwaekki]

SKZOO MAID CAFE

kinktober special fic

summary : were chan decide to visit a special maid cafe , highly popular for their special maid

content : feeding , hand feeding , mention of breaking furnitures , SFW , mention of sex in public , tight clothes

i hope this year i'll be able to finish this kinktober lol

Also don t hesitate to tell me your opinion on it i'll be glad to hear it

Enjoy ♡

(^з^)-☆

Chan had often been easily persuaded by his friends to go out, but this time, he found himself in a completely different situation. His friends had been teasing him for weeks about this special café, and now that he stood in front of the "SKZOO Maid Café," he hesitated.

The place was already very popular, known for its curvy maids who embodied beloved animals. It wasn’t your typical maid café. Here, people didn’t come just for the food or the attentive service. No, it was a unique, even unsettling, experience where the maids, all big, fat men, added to the charm of the place.

Chan took a deep breath before stepping through the door. The bell above the entrance rang softly, announcing his arrival. Immediately, the atmosphere engulfed him. The interior was cozy, warm, bathed in dim lighting that gave the place a soft, intimate feel. A few customers were already seated, visibly comfortable in this peculiar setting.

As he moved forward, Chan observed the maids in action. His eyes first fell on Changbin, the maid representing a mix of pig and a bunny. His body was massive, with a large, imposing belly that he clearly took pride in. His muscular arms appeared even stronger alongside his roundness. Changbin was serving a customer Chan immediately recognized: Hyunjin, one of his friends.

Hyunjin and Changbin had a visibly very... tactile relationship. Chan saw them exchange knowing smiles, their gestures more intimate than the usual service in a café. Changbin placed a plate in front of Hyunjin, and at that moment, their gazes met in a way that made Chan blush. He quickly looked away, uncomfortable having witnessed such a private moment, though it didn’t stop him from following them with his eyes.

He was surprised to see Hyunjin abruptly stand up and whisper something to Changbin, who nodded before accompanying him to the back of the café. Hyunjin stopped just in front of the restroom, casting a final glance around to ensure no one was following. Chan, driven by a curiosity he barely acknowledged, discreetly followed them, pretending he needed to wash his hands.

Once inside, he heard muffled whispers coming from one of the stalls. His heart racing, he realized Hyunjin and Changbin were kissing passionately, their bodies entwined in a stolen moment. Chan quickly backed out, wondering what he had just witnessed, and hurried out of the restroom. He hadn’t expected to discover this kind of dynamic when he came here.

Trying to calm down, he returned to his table, but this time, his attention was drawn to another scene. Jisung, the quokka maid, was serving a young man Chan also knew: Seungmin. Unlike the warm interaction between Changbin and Hyunjin, this one seemed much more distant, at least on Seungmin’s side. He sipped his coffee, appearing completely uninterested in what was happening around him.

However, Jisung seemed thrilled to have him as a customer. As he set a large plate of cakes in front of Seungmin, he exclaimed with a wide smile:

“You’re finally back, Minnie! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” he said, batting his eyelashes, clearly delighted to see Seungmin again.

Seungmin barely lifted his eyes from his phone and merely nodded nonchalantly.

“Yeah, I guess.”

Jisung wasn’t discouraged by the cold response. He lightly perched on the edge of the table, his hands under his chin, eyes sparkling.

“You know, you could smile a little. It’d make me happy,” he added, tilting his head almost pleadingly.

Seungmin sighed softly, but a faint smile eventually broke through.

“Alright, alright, I’m glad to be here.”

Jisung burst into laughter, satisfied, and went back to his duties, his belly bouncing slightly with each step. Chan smiled at the interaction. Despite Seungmin’s distant demeanor, he seemed to enjoy Jisung’s company, even if he refused to admit it openly.

Then, turning his head, Chan spotted Felix, the "thinnest" maid, though still with voluptuous curves. He had just finished serving a table and had discreetly retreated to a corner. He sat with a sigh, his hips and thighs clearly outlined by the tight costume he wore. Chan watched as Felix discreetly loosened the strings of his apron, muttering to himself.

“This thing is really getting too tight these days…”

Felix sighed and let out a small amused laugh before standing up again to return to his service. Chan couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for him. Each maid here seemed completely comfortable with their body, despite their roundness, and Chan wondered how they could have such confidence.

But just as he was lost in thought, a soft yet mischievous voice pulled him out of his reverie.

“Can I help you, sir?”

Chan jumped. Felix was now standing right in front of him, a smile on his lips. He must have been watching him for a while, waiting for Chan to notice.

“Oh, uh… I was just looking at the menu…” Chan stammered, fidgeting in his seat.

Felix gave him an encouraging smile and nodded before discreetly walking away, but not without giving him one last playful wink.

With slightly sweaty hands, Chan tried to focus on the menu. He knew he had to choose a maid, but which one? His heart beat faster as he glanced at the four maids scattered around the room. Each had a unique presence, but his gaze kept returning to Minho.

Minho was the most corpulent of the group, a majestic, imposing rabbit with a distinct double belly and thick thighs. He walked slowly, almost deliberately, as if he knew exactly the effect he had on those around him. His wide hips swayed slightly with each step, and despite his size, there was a feline grace in his movements. The more Chan looked at him, the more he felt a knot of anxiety form in his stomach.

He took a deep breath, trying to summon some courage. “I’ll choose Minho,” he finally whispered to himself.

A few moments later, Minho approached, a playful smile on his lips. He leaned in slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“You didn’t look at me much earlier,” he said softly, with a teasing grin. “Are you already ignoring me?”

Chan felt his cheeks flush red and quickly lowered his gaze.

Chan felt his stomach tighten as Minho sat across from him, a mischievous smile plastered on his face. He had always been easily intimidated by people with such confidence, but with Minho, it was more than that. There was something magnetic about him, something in the way he moved, the way he spoke, that left Chan completely disarmed.

Minho rested his elbows on the table, leaning slightly forward, his soft belly pressing against the edge. His gaze never left Chan, and a playful smile still hovered on his lips.

“So, Chan… what brings you here?” he asked, his voice soft but laced with a hint of teasing. “It’s your first time in a place like this, isn’t it? I can see it in your face.”

Chan blinked, slightly caught off guard by the direct question.

“Well… yes,” he replied, glancing away slightly. “I… my friends told me about this café, and I thought that…”

Minho chuckled softly, cutting him off before he could finish.

“Ah, so your friends dragged you here? You don’t seem like the type to come on your own.”

Chan squirmed in his seat, uncomfortable under Minho’s piercing gaze.

“No, it’s not that... I guess I was just curious.”

Minho raised an eyebrow, his smile widening.

“Curious? Curious about what? Me, perhaps?”

Chan’s face heated up instantly. He opened his mouth to respond, but no sound came out. Minho seemed amused by his embarrassment and continued, resting his chin on one hand.

“So, why me then? Why choose me? I’m sure Felix or Jisung caught your eye too, didn’t they?” he asked, casting a glance at his colleagues who were serving other customers.

“I... I don’t know,” Chan stammered, unable to find an answer that wouldn’t give him away completely. “It’s just that… you seem… interesting.”

Minho laughed again, this time louder, attracting a few glances from around the café.

“Interesting, huh?” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. “You like me, don’t you?”

Chan quickly shook his head, too embarrassed to respond directly, but he couldn’t help smiling shyly. Minho seemed to enjoy teasing him, and it wasn’t likely to stop anytime soon. Finally, Minho lightly tapped the menu with his fingers, changing the subject to ease Chan’s discomfort.

“Alright, let’s order something. Have you looked at the menu yet?”

Chan nodded slightly.

“A little... but I don’t really know what to get.”

Minho smiled, then leaned in closer, so much so that Chan could feel the warmth emanating from his large body. He went over the menu with Chan, explaining each dish with a sort of casual expertise.

“So, there’s the big chocolate cake—it’s a classic. Super moist, but if you take more than a bite, you might not be able to move afterward.” He winked. “Then there’s the pancakes, but they’re huge, with way too much whipped cream. Perfect for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.”

Chan listened carefully, but he found it hard to focus on the menu. His gaze kept drifting to Minho, watching the way his lips moved as he spoke, the way his broad shoulders seemed even larger as he leaned in. Every movement Minho made seemed calculated to hold his attention.

“And finally, the pudding,” Minho announced with a certain pride in his voice. “My favorite. Ultra-creamy, perfectly sweet, and so big that no one can finish it alone. Except me, of course.”

He chuckled lightly, and Chan felt a strange pressure build in his stomach. Before he could think too much about it, he nodded.

“Okay, I’ll have the pudding.”

Minho grinned, satisfied, then placed the order. A few minutes later, a waitress brought over the dessert, and Chan was shocked by the size of the portion.

“Oh my God…” he breathed, unable to hold back his reaction.

The pudding was gigantic. It was overflowing with whipped cream, with a mountain of caramelized fruits piled on top. It was a true work of art, but also a calorie bomb.

“Impressive, right?” Minho commented with a smirk. “I told you. Too big for you, but just right for me.”

Chan couldn’t help but look at Minho in admiration. As he took his first bite, he was immediately overwhelmed by the rich, sweet flavor. But after only a few spoonfuls, he realized there was no way he could finish it on his own.

“Minho… I can’t eat all this,” Chan admitted, setting down his spoon.

Minho laughed, clearly pleased.

“I knew you couldn’t,” he said, opening his mouth wide with a playful smile. “Come on, feed me.”

Chan’s heart raced. It was so unexpected, but strangely exciting. His hand trembled slightly as he scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Minho’s mouth. Minho let out a satisfied sigh as he swallowed, his lips slowly closing around the spoon.

“Hmm… perfect,” he murmured. “Keep going.”

Chan obeyed, unable to take his eyes off Minho, completely mesmerized by the way he savored each bite. Every time Chan brought the spoon closer, Minho smiled in that satisfied, teasing way, his eyes sparkling with mischief. With each spoonful, Chan felt his heart beat a little faster.

Eventually, after several bites, Minho patted his round belly, which looked even fuller now.

“Ah, that’s enough... I’m really stuffed now.”

Chan let out a nervous laugh, unable to hide his excitement. He knew the café rules clearly stated that touching the maids was forbidden, but Minho, as if reading his thoughts, took Chan’s hand and gently placed it on his full belly.

“Go on, give it a little rub. I won’t say anything,” he whispered with a playful wink.

With trembling hands, Chan began to gently rub Minho’s full stomach. The warmth radiating from his body, the soft, plush feeling under his fingers... It was almost too much for him. Minho closed his eyes, letting out a satisfied sigh.

“Ahh… that feels good,” he murmured.

Chan’s heart was racing. It was so intimate, so bold. He never imagined he’d find himself in such a situation when he came here. After a few moments, Minho slowly opened his eyes, a satisfied smile still on his lips.

“Thank you, Chan,” he said softly, his voice low and warm.

As the moment came to an end, Minho straightened up slightly and pulled out a small notebook from his pocket. He quickly scribbled something on the bill before sliding it over to Chan.

“I’ll leave the bill with you,” he said with a mischievous smile.

Chan hesitated, but his heart skipped a beat when he saw what was written on it. Just below the total, Minho had written his phone number.

“If you want to see me after work… you know where to find me,” he added with a wink before getting up to attend to another customer.

Chan sat there, holding Minho’s number in his hand, his heart still racing.

Now he understng better why his friend tell him this would be a life changing experience

[jomiddlemarch]

I loved and guessed at you, you construed me

It was not that he was waiting for her as much as that he was most often in the faculty sitting room at this hour and so was she and the staff knew to leave out a full tea service and also a magically chilled bottle of very dry amontillado, the color of her eyes. And then to tell anyone else that the room was occupied and that they were not to be disturbed.

It wasn’t that he was waiting for her, but he did look up when she came into the room, letting the ancient, rare and precious book he held slip out of his hand, an instinctive, wandless spell keeping it from clattering onto the floor.

“You cut your hair,” Draco said. 

Any pretense to eloquence, savoir-faire, or intellectual rigor associated with achieving his Potions Mastery and Mwandamizi kemia had been decimated by the four words, uttered in a tone of complete shock, which given his Pureblood upbringing meant flat, with a hint of scorn. He had spent the past twelve years working to convince Hermione he wasn’t that man anymore, the one who would have meant the scorn, the fault-finding appraisal, cold and superior and not terribly clever underneath it all.

(The one he’d felt doomed to become before the chandelier fell in his family’s ballroom. Before she’d testified to keep him out of Azkaban. Before she’d returned his formal letter of apology with a brief addendum You were a child, Draco an absolution he didn’t deserve.)

Blaise always said he was his own worst enemy. Theo always nodded and offered a glass of single malt Scotch. Neville always shrugged and tried to reassure Draco, meandering through some nonsense about how they’d all had to grow up too soon, let down by the adults, forced to experience trauma that they’d been lucky to survive and a plate of buttered toast would soon set him to rights.

Luna changed the subject and talked about some possibly fictional chimerical creature to take his mind off his shortcomings. It never worked but he appreciated her effort and consistency.

“I suppose that’s better than ‘Bloody hell.’ And “Holy fucking Christ.’ Harry reverts to Muggle obscenity when he’s really surprised,” Hermione replied. “You only told me what I already know, as I didn’t accidentally fall into a Mongolian silver scissor-bush.”

“Is that a thing?” Draco asked. 

He had to keep talking but there was a lot to take in, the startlingly gorgeous line of her bare neck, the angle of her jaw, how her eyes looked enormous, luminous. How her chestnut hair was swept across her brow and came to a delicate little point on the nape of her neck, all these hidden aspects suddenly marvels revealed. Suddenly, astonishingly breath-taking and erotic and also heart-breaking, because he’d wanted so to run his fingers through her loose hair, to stand behind her and draw a brush through her curls. Watching her eyes get drowsy in the dressing-table’s looking-glass, resting a hand on her bare shoulder and feeling the tickling silk of her hair. He’d wanted to cast the spell that ended the charm securing her chignon, to pull out the jeweled pins she used to keep her braids in the coronet around her head. 

“No. It sounds like something Luna would mention though,” Hermione shrugged. It was as if he’d never seen the gesture before.

“It’s a lot to take in,” he said.

“It’s actually not. It’s both literally and figuratively not,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Snape being a double-agent in love with Harry’s mum was a lot to take in. Any Sunday lunch at Molly Weasley’s table is a lot to take in. War and Peace in the original Russian without a translation charm is a lot to take in. I took off a few inches—”

“A few inches?”

“Fine, I got the first professional, Muggle, haircut of my adult life because I was fed up with my hair and charms and Sleekeezy and glamours, so many glamours, and you would think I have announced I am Grindelwald’s secret lovechild,” she said in a tone of complete exasperation, pursing her lips in a matching moué he felt an impossible urge to kiss very thoroughly and until she was gasping his name. 

He was fairly certain that action would not be requited, not now, and potentially not ever.

But definitely not now.

She was now almost glaring at him, waiting for a response.

If this was ever to become something beyond hopeless pining, if he were ever to be allowed to call her sweetheart and coax her back to bed, he couldn’t get the next part wrong.

“Are you happy with it?” he said. It was a gamble, saying anything would have been a gamble, but there was a chance he’d gotten it right.

He’d surprised her, that he could tell instantly, though her face changed very subtly. It meant no one else who’d seen her had asked and considered she might be. No one else had thought about why she’d done it, only what they thought of it. Evidently, both Weasley and Potter had indicated a negative response, Weasley likely driven by his own unrealized Pureblood upbringing, where all witches wanted the long hair associated with power and Potter never wanted her to be anything other than she’d been in their youth, when her unruly hair was her most obvious signifier.

“Yes, I think I am,” she said. 

“That’s good. That’s what matters,” he said. He was supposed to reference the book he’d been reading or follow-up on their most recent conversation about geopolitics or whether Chopin was a Squib or at the very least offer her something to drink, the tea first and then, when she demurred, the sherry. But all of those would require him to look away from her and he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Not quite yet.

“I ought to have done it a long time ago,” she said. She spoke without her usual forthright confidence, but also without any of the regret the statement might have implied. She sounded hesitant, as if she wanted something from him she felt she shouldn’t. Or shouldn’t ask for.

It was tempting to make some sort of declaration, offer reassurance or an argument. But he’d gotten this far by asking her a question.

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t know. It would have been a way to move on. Grow up. Make my life easier, decide it for myself,” she said. She was watching him very closely as she spoke. She liked that he’d asked, though she wasn’t smiling. “It wouldn’t have been grief or some kind of, I don’t know, unhinged trauma response.”

It would very much have been a response to the colossal trauma she’d experienced if she’d hacked it all off after being tortured, and it wouldn’t have been unhinged when one considered the myriad extremely risky alternatives she might have chosen, but Draco wasn’t about to ruin everything. Even as his own worst enemy, he could keep from doing that.

“It could have been just something you do when you’re in your twenties, trying something out. Like, going to the Maldives or studying Norn. Learning earth magic from tribal elders in Namib.”

“Only you would saying learning earth magic in Namib is something you do in your twenties,” Draco said wryly. “Most people just go to the pub and fret a lot.”

“You didn’t,” she said.

“I think it’s well established I’m not most people,” he said.

“No. You’re not. You’re the only person who didn’t tell me cutting my hair was a terrible mistake,” she said. “As if it could even remotely compare to the other terrible mistakes I’ve made.”

“It’s not a terrible mistake,” he said. “And you’re the person I know best whose made the fewest terrible mistakes in her life and we can sit here drinking sherry talking about it because of it.”

“My parents wouldn’t agree,” she said.

“Neither would mine. I wonder how people grow up when they don’t have to discover their parents were deeply, entirely wrong about something absolutely crucial to survival,” Draco said.

“We could ask Blaise Zabini,” Hermione said after very clearly Thinking About It, a little crease appearing between her eyebrows.

“Too risky,” Draco replied. “It’s only the husbands people talk about but people have a way of disappearing when they ask questions about his mother.”

“No one would comment on her haircut,” Hermione said wistfully. “What a bloody icon.”

Draco laughed, startled.

“You’re enchanting,” he blurted out. Stupid, gauche, impulsive—he could go on (and on) about how ill-considered it had been.

“Well, I am a witch,” she said. She did not seem put off. In fact, she smiled at him, a little shyly.  “Goes with the territory—”

“You enchant me. Bewitch me,” he said, throwing caution to the winds. “You don’t want anyone to comment on how you look, so I shouldn’t but you’re exquisite—”

He broke off, fearing he’d broken it all. She was still in the room and he still had all his bits and bobs, when he knew she was a dab hand at wandless curses. It was rather late to decide discretion was the better part of valor, but better late than never.

“I didn’t do it for you,” she said.

“No,” he replied.

“I didn’t do it only for you,” she clarified. “But I was curious to see how you’d react.”

“Did you have a hypothesis? You usually do,” he said.

“Yes. You’ve exceeded it slightly,” she said. There was a gleam in those sherry-brown eyes and when she tilted her head to the side, he understood the vampire’s insatiable lust. 

“I can do better than slightly,” he said, half-dazed with the realization that she was requiting far more than he’d ever imagined. And that she’d imagined his response to seeing her bare neck, had wanted his admiration. He got up from his chair and crossed the room to her, standing close enough to take her in his arms. “I can do a wide margin. Prodigious. Overwhelmingly—”

“I like prodigious,” she said and he leaned in and kissed her parted lips softly, then deeply, one hand at her waist, the other cupping her cheek. The urge to possess her was tremendous, held in check only by an immense and constant tenderness, the moon that could pull the devouring tide back from the shore.

“Can I see overwhelmingly?” she whispered. “For comparison—”

“Of course,” he answered and moved to kiss her neck. He tasted the pulse of her carotid, sucking gently where he wanted to nip her. He moved back up to the hollow behind her ear, grazing her lobe with his tongue, then murmured,

“You cut your hair. I love it.”

[toujokaname]

Ephemeral Festival / Epilogue

Characters: Rinne, Kohaku, HiMERU, Niki

"Basically, what it comes down to is that HiMERU-han just wanted to 'play house' with me ♪"

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[ Read on my site for a better viewing experience using Ois~su ♪ ]

Season: Spring

Location: Abandoned Mine

Days after the "Ephemeral Festival." In an abandoned mine, deep in the mountains.

Rinne: "Emergency project! Chase Nagigon, the mythical giant creature!"

"So, here we are at the abandoned mine! Today, us Crazy:B are off in search of the legendary creature, Nagigon!"

Kohaku: Well now, that's an awfully familiar intro...

HiMERU: —It was so perfectly identical that HiMERU wondered if it was a rebroadcast. Every word was exactly the same.

Niki: Nahaha! Who'd have thought we'd be heading back up this mountain again~

If it's the same as last time, does that mean Ran-kun's already here, playing Nagigon?

HiMERU: Surely, the casting has changed from Ran-san. Last time, the reason was some half-hearted thing like the deputy director venting his frustrations...

Eden is hardly a unit meant for these kinds of low-quality productions.

Rinne: Well, surprise, surprise, Nagi's continuing in the role of Nagigon this time too.

Just like Merumeru said, it seems the deputy director was planning to switch actors, but Nagi refused to step down, insisting on doing it.

Apparently, he's been here way before us, already in place, ready to go for today's shoot.

Kohaku: Nagisa-han sure is fired up...

HiMERU: Just what exactly about Nagigon has stoked his enthusiasm to this extent...?

Rinne: From the moment the last one got axed, up until now, he's been thinking 'bout how to play Nagigon.

So Nagi strongly argued against it when the question of recasting came up.

Kohaku: Ah~ When ya put it like that, I kinda get it. It's like bein' suddenly kicked off a role in a drama you were already cast in, right?

Though I still don't get why we're even reshootin' this dumb show to begin with.

Rinne: Aren't you happy that we're back to doing jobs that feel like Crazy:B?

You said you love doing these ridiculous jobs and having fun with us, didn'tcha? ♪

Kohaku: ...Still, of all the jobs to accept after a long break as Crazy:B, this is it?

Niki: Well, hey. Isn't this just our style?

At least it's better than them throwing us off a cliff for bungee jumping or skydiving right off the bat.

Kohaku: Fair enough, I guess it's a good warm-up.

Alright, shall we begin the search for Nagigon—the artist formerly known as Nagisa-han? ♪

Niki: Nahaha ♪ Kohaku-chan, for all your grumbling, you seem pretty fired up!

Kohaku: Yeah. Like Rinne-han said earlier, doin' silly jobs like this is actually a nice change of pace.

When PBB was at its peak, I was buried in nonstop work for it.

And the usual Crazy:B gigs got shot down 'cause of complaints and whatnot.

The fact we're gettin' more jobs like this now means the Ephemeral Festival announcement must've gone over well.

HiMERU: Indeed. With the official announcement you and HiMERU made, the PBB craze is gradually winding down.

At the very least, one might say that the unusual fervor which was limiting Crazy:B's activities has now subsided.

Although, there are still some who refuse to accept the announcement as it is...

Rinne: Well, that's just the way it goes. Honestly, it's quieter than I expected, considering.

People are selfish creatures who only believe what suits 'em, anyway.

It's normal for trash rumors to fly around, like that the agency forced you two to stop, or that I threatened Merumeru and Kohaku-chan into saying what they did.

Niki: Saying you threatened them isn't exactly off the mark, though, is it? You kept messing with HiMERU-kun and Kohaku-chan to sabotage them.

Seriously, Rinne-kun, for being the oldest, you're the most childish!

Rinne: Maybe you're running your mouth 'cause it's been a while since you've had anything to eat, Niki? You sure you're not hungry?

Lucky for you, I brought somethin' special—a handful of wild mushrooms I found growing around here ♪ C'mon, open wide.

Niki: Uwaah, yaaay! Thankies~♪

Niki: ...Wait, no way! Keep 'em!

Don't just shove random wild mushrooms into my mouth! Get away from me~!

Kohaku: Look at 'em—runnin' around like a couple of kids. Just how old are they supposed to be again...?

HiMERU: In the first place, searching for Nagigon itself feels like something one might expect of bored elementary school children.

Kohaku: You ain't wrong. But y'know, I've learned somethin' important from all this. Bein' too popular ain't all it's cracked up to be.

When you first told me 'bout PBB, I didn't think it'd turn into such a huge deal.

HiMERU: —That said, Crazy:B has never before received such positive popularity.

Thanks to PBB, HiMERU and Oukawa's name recognition has increased significantly.

Since PBB is on indefinite hiatus, that boost won't last forever.

Therefore, while this recognition remains, HiMERU plans to make the most of it to expand his presence as an idol.

And eventually, he wants to broaden the scope of his activities to a global scale. And he plans to use Crazy:B to achieve that.

Kohaku: Koh koh koh, so that's HiMERU-han's big ambition ♪

—And it's for your little brother's sake too, ain't it?

HiMERU: ...So Oukawa and Shiina did overhear that much.

Kohaku: Sorry 'bout that. I get it ain't somethin' you want folks pokin' into too much.

But when I heard you were seein' me as a stand-in for your little brother, I couldn't just let it slide.

HiMERU: —No. Quite the opposite, Oukawa is completely without fault in that regard.

It's just that HiMERU was selfishly projecting him onto you...

Onto that adorable figure, innocently dreaming of being an idol, like a child trying so hard to be loved.

HiMERU: That might be why "I" sought out that pseudo-family life with you, Oukawa.

To happily work as an idol alongside my beloved little brother... Such a ridiculous fantasy.

Kohaku: ...I get it now. I finally understand why you specifically chose JoyLife outta all the jobs.

Basically, what it comes down to is that HiMERU-han just wanted to "play house" with me ♪

HiMERU: —That's technically correct, but being teased about it like that is extremely unpleasant.

Kohaku: Koh koh koh. Just consider it payback for draggin' me into this little family roleplay of yours.

But honestly, I'm glad. I feel like through this, I got to touch a bit of the true feelings you always keep hidden away ♪

HiMERU: —Oh? And what exactly do you suppose those true feelings are?

Apologizing to Oukawa aside, HiMERU hasn't necessarily been telling the truth about everything else?

Kohaku: There ain't no reason for you to deceive me at this point. Well, even then, it's up to me to decide what the truth is.

Like, what kinda feelings you got, bein' here with us right now...

Or why you look like you're havin' fun stickin' around, even for a dumb job like this...

I reckon it's 'cause you love our everyday lives together as Crazy:B, too.

At least, I'll take it upon myself to think of it that way ♪

HiMERU: —Fufu. For the time being, let's leave it at that...♪

[ ☆ ]

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[anashins]

hi mina, happy new year! starting off 2023 good through sending u a request!! i dunno if you have done this but can i request idol!jaehyun x actress!reader? but rather than reader who's fangirling over him, it's the other way around. like jh has been watching reader's works, praised her acting n recommends few of her works n stuff on live. so when they get paired tgt for a drama, they make such a cute couple both off and on screen, constantly giving compliments to e/o, etc., the rest is yours to tell!! thank you!!

(this is my manifestation of actor jaehyun to make a comeback in 2023, hopefully 🥲)

Pairing: idol!Jaehyun x actress!reader

Genre: fluff

Word Count: 1k

A/N: HNY, dear! Let's manifest actor!Jaehyun in a romantic role that makes us all swoon 😍

“You did well - J.”

You twisted the card in your hands, inspecting the front and the back, but not much else information had been sent along with the flowers that had waited for you in the dressing room on your last day of shooting. 

It was normal for actors to get flowers and gifts once they finished filming, but you usually knew who sent them - staff, crew, friends, family members. There wasn’t a person in your narrow circle of acquaintances starting with the letter ‘J’ and not having written their full name on the cards except for the mysterious sender of the pink peonies. 

Out of all flowers, they were your favorite ones, that much they knew.

“Do you know who sent them?” you asked your assistant, but she also only shrugged.

“They got brought in with all the other gifts.” She paused and then widened her eyes as though she got hit by a sudden realization. “I bet it’s Jaehyun! How funny would that be?”

You blinked still in confusion. “Who?”

“Jaehyun from NCT. The one you’re shooting your next drama with? The lead? Hello?”

“Ah, you mean Jeong Yuno. I don’t perceive him as the idol he is. Under his real name, he’s only my co-actor.” 

You were only a casual listener to k-pop, but of course you knew NCT. When you had first gotten casted for this new coming of age drama, you were so happy to finally do something that wasn’t targeted to teens only that you didn’t care much about who the lead was, that was how much you trusted the respectful director. When it was announced that Jaehyun from NCT would do his second drama alongside you in this challenging project, you had been initially doubtful. He was an idol, not an actor, and idol dramas had quite the reputation you didn’t want to live up to. You hoped he too.

“I saw his Instagram live yesterday.” Your assistant was a certified fan with her bias being Doyoung. “He recommended your newest release and encouraged his fans to look forward to this one. He’s certainly such a fanboy of yours.”

“... he did?” You looked at the flowers and the card again. “He certainly got a lot of praise for his first drama.”

“I told you so!”

You allowed yourself to smile, getting caught up in a wishful thought that your assistant could be right and the flowers came from him, although you hadn’t even met personally yet. He was indeed very handsome, and from what you had seen, kind and respectful too, certainly a nice lead to act alongside with.

“Are we getting flattered, y/n?” she teased.

“No way!” you defended yourself. “Could be anyone else too. Quite a few celebs recommend my works, it probably has nothing to do with him.”

“Whatever you say, but that’s my guess.”

____

“Jaehyun, how was your experience working alongside y/n for your newest drama? She’s praised as the greatest actress of this generation.”

Jaehyun looked at the interviewer. He had been booked today for a photoshoot and an article with this magazine, of course questions about his latest work were inevitable. 

“She certainly is,” he answered. “She’s been in the industry since she was a child, so she has a lot of experience and could teach me many things since this is my second drama only. We practiced our scenes together a lot, so that the director would be satisfied and not many re-shoots were needed. She’s a capable and helpful co-actress.”

“What was an incident that stuck with you while filming?”

“One day, I came in sick, but we really needed to close this certain scene at the venue. Y/n waited for me with a thick blanket in which she wrapped me once I finished filming so that I wouldn’t be too cold. Aside from being a great actress, y/n is a great person too, always looking out for others.”

Jaehyun knew the last sentence was probably pushing it, but he got a kick out of it, wondering how much of it could make it through the editing process since he had read through the internet as well. Most of his fans were head over heels for such facts that supported their fictional ship. Truth to be told, he hadn’t expected such a positive reception, especially since they had quite a few kissing scenes too. 

“Okay…” The interviewer raised his brow over Jaehyun’s open attitude.  “You once admitted you were a fan of y/n or better say her works, even before shooting the drama. While filming, it was quite obvious that you got along well, not only during your scenes together, but also privately as you constantly talked and joked around. Would you say the fondness you had developed for each other on screen transferred to off screen? Fans would certainly be delighted. They even refer to you as the next Song couple.”

“This is not an appropriate question,” the manager interrupted. “I would ask you to stick to the questions approved beforehand.”

“Yes, but only this additional one… y/n recently got spotted wearing a shirt you once wore as well that wasn’t even produced by the designer anymore and was a bit too large for her. How can you explain this?”

“Please stick to the approved questions,” the manager chided again, obviously ready to throw hands.

“With an occupation in the entertainment industry, not as an idol but now also as an actor, I wouldn’t have so much time for a relationship,” Jaehyun cleared up. “In the future, I would like to continue concentrating on drama roles while simultaneously giving my best to contribute to the group. Please look forward to NCT’s comeback next month.”

“Thank you, Jaehyun.”

____

When Jaehyun had finished his last schedule for the day, he got into the car. It was already dark outside, but he still pulled out his phone to dial a certain number. She picked up right after the first ring.

“Listen…” he began and sighed, “I know you like wearing my clothes. But can you please not pick out one from years ago that people might recognize? They are sharp-eyed.”

She giggled at the other end of the phone. “I’m sorry, it looked so cozy. Are you already on your way?”

“Yes. See you in a few. I brought a gift.”

On the seat next to him, there was a bouquet of pink peonies.

[nalyra-dreaming]

hello! two things

first, ive been hearing that the show was greenlit many months ago and its confusing me? rolin from the way he spoke at comic con and interviews sounded like they had to rush the teaser and have literally nothing written down yet, just ideas and a lot of talking about music. which makes the official announcement legit. of course just in case rolin was already brainstorming as i said. but if they had months i guess now it is the right time to say "hey actually...", you know? season 2 was renewed so early because eventually they explained it was supposed to be one season, but amc told him "make two actually" and they had to rewrite for more episodes (so thats why assad could do the santiago monologue for his audition). and then they told us afterwards. so why dont tell us now they knew a long time ago? it would be the right time. but in the last interview rolin literally said "this is all bullshit (they were talking about what will happen in season 3) because we havent wrote down ANYTHING yet". so i guess they never lied about the show not being greenlit yet... i mean i cant see it, in months they should already have a full on trailer, not a teaser that rolin said was even rushed. its a confusing piece of information...? i guess when they will start shooting in fall it will include the documentary parts, the ones we saw in the teaser felt more like experimenting with season 3 vibes, "a sort of sneek into a POTENTIAL season 3", quoting rolin. and till then they will do all the music and write scripts and do the auditions. if not, it doesnt make sense. with months available they had the chance to do much more...?

second, (more lighthearted), considering this taylor swift situation (sorry im not a swift listener but i heard there is a feud sort of with lestat? lol?) he didnt have to say justin bieber in that teaser... he had to say TAYLOR SWIFT in hindsight (oh, if rolin knew). just imagine... just imagine. i would love a playful feud between fiction and reality. totally fantastic, in the lines of that vulture article. also like the boys' vought international youtube channel and people in the comments going with it. it would have been mindblowingly hilarious.

Hey!

So I think the season was indeed greenlit for months (I know others knew about it), but they were under gag order, because the focus was on the second season, and they didn't want to take away from it. And, given history, the announcement would have overshadowed it. I think it was a good move.

But in order to have music DONE, and a teaser video?! They have been on this for months. I also think they have been casting, and doing chemistry tests and so on in the meantime. That takes time.

I do believe Rolin when he says he has nothing "written" yet - remembering Sam saying they had only two(!) scripts ready when they started shooting season one, it means that Rolin has a LOT in his head that he then churns out.

As per Justin Bieber... I believe that is a play on an article that happened ages ago, where someone confused Anne Rice with Anne Frank, and Justin Bieber visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. I remember that throwing some waves ... back then (cannot believe the site is still up).

But yeah, I think "The Vampire Lestat" will - maybe has already - breached pop culture beyond fiction... if they really release a double album with music that hits like the first single???? We're in for a ride, baby :))))

[hiejindraws]

Key differences between Hyper Projection Engeki Haikyuu!! and Gekidan Haikyuu!! (+ Review)

Btw don’t ask me for scans of the pamphlet or bromides bc I didn’t buy them. The only merch I bought was a t-shirt and a towel ok BABY’S ON A BUDGET.

• No “hyper projection” and no rotating stage

• Less emphasis on music and dancing, more on acting

• The stage is level and not on an incline. This means the volleyball net could be on wheels and be rolled around on the stage (in fact, most of the set pieces were on wheels)

• No epic opening or closing sequences

• Very few (if any, I don’t remember) musical interludes—really, there was music only during the volleyball matches

• No Seijoh/Oikawa theme music 🥲 or Nekoma theme (for when they’re briefly mentioned in the announcement of the GW training camp)

• More characters! Seijoh actors doubled as Yukigaoka players/all FOUR members of the Karasuno Neighborhood Association, not just Shimada and Takinoue!

• They really fleshed out the Yukigaoka vs. Kitaichi game! Like, Hinata had actual teammates, it wasn’t just him and Kagz 1 v 1 on the court like it was in the first Haisute (although, I guess it wasn’t technically 1 v 1 then either bc Kindaichi and Kunimi were also there)

• They included even more scenes from the series and stayed even truer to the source material. I think leaving out the music and intense dance breaks opened up a lot of room for this

Some callbacks to Engeki:

• Hinata hums the tune to a musical motif from Engeki but I cannot for the life of me remember which one it was even though I JUST saw it today. If I had to guess (bc the scene involved Hinata imitating Kagz), it was Kageyama’s theme from the first Haisute when he whips off his cape and crown.

• Ennoshita (AND Kinoshita AND NARITA!!) do the “SE〜NO” synchronized clap with the audience (and it made me so so SOOOO happy!!)

Review:

Overall, this production seemed less “dramatic” in the sense that the entire performance (the acting, music, and choreo/blocking) felt very subdued compared to its predecessor. There was certainly a different energy in the theater this time around. My blood didn’t get pumping the same way it did when I saw Start of the Giant and The Tokyo Battle in-person. I believe this artistic direction was intentional. I’m just not sure it’s sustainable.

What I always appreciated the most about Engeki was that the stage performances perfectly matched the high levels of energy the anime possessed. In fact, I would argue it brought even MORE energy than the anime did or ever could in large part due to Wada Shunsuke’s memorable musical compositions and HIDALI’s ingenious choreo.

Music and dance have always been core elements of the OG Haisute to the point that each show had it’s own unique opening/closing sequence, each team had it’s own musical and dance motif, and certain reoccurring events had their own identifiable themes (e.g. the starting lineup before any given match). The true magic of Engeki lied in the music and dancing. Obviously, the cast brought their own magic by always giving 150% to their performances, but they were also matching the energy the music brought THROUGH their dancing/acrobatics. It’s all intricately woven together.

OH, not to mention the original production’s partial namesake: the projections! There was always a level of suspended reality when watching Engeki because the light projections literally helped to merge the manga with the stage. They transformed the stage and backdrop into anything and everything the story needed—manga panels, speech bubbles, a sunset, a volleyball net. They also synced with, you guessed it, the MUSIC to give an absolutely outstanding audio-visual experience.

It really hit me hard when I entered the theater to see that it really was… just a regular stage.

That’s why I question if this production (and any future ones they may have planned) is sustainable. Not in the financial sense… but just in the way of retaining interest. It didn’t get me hooked the same way Engeki did, so I don’t think I’m able to give it the same level of enthusiasm. I’m hard-pressed to believe others feel the same way. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed it. It wasn’t bad. It didn’t take anything away from the series… I’m just not sure it added anything to it, either. Sure, there was music and dancing, but it just paled in comparison to what we were gifted by Hyper Projection Engeki Haikyuu. Makes me wonder why they would take so many steps back with this production.

All that being said… I’m glad I went. I truly did enjoy myself and the cast put their all into these characters. And if nothing else, I’m glad to have gone in support of Suga Kenta (OG Hinata) in his Haisute directorial debut.

[mantisfriendd]

FNAF MOVIE NOVEL REVIEW

I just finished reading the FNAF movie novel, and id like to give some thoughts on it

This post will contain spoilers for both the FNAF movie and it's novelization! continue at your own risk!

Overall I would say this is a pretty good adaptation of the movie, and it actually provides some additional context for some of the weaker plot points of the movie. A prime example being Aunt Jane's motivation for wanting custody over Abby. In the book there is a trust fund for Abby set up by her grand parents, Jane wants to take this money for herself and sees getting custody of Abby as the ticket to that money.

Some scenes in the book play out much differently then in the film, but generally things end in the same spots as they do in the movie.

being inside the characters heads allows us to get more characterization out of everyone, and for the most part I really like what they did here.

EDIT: The section on Doug is no longer relevant, Scott has announced that book Doug is non cannon, and new prints of the book have entirely rewritten his character, I don't have a newer print so I can't tell what's changed, maybe I'll buy one eventually to see.

The only character who I think is a direct downgrade from the film is unfortunately Doug. In the film Doug comes off as a hapless lawyer who is being held hostage by his client who is clearly in the wrong, and he still comes off like that in the book but with a clear difference. In the film we feel sorry for him, clearly he's not a bad guy, he's caught up in something he doesn't want to be in. In the book he is barely spoken about, and when he is described he is described as being spaced out and nearly catatonic. Other then not wanting to be there his only other trait in the book is being a creep. The Sparky's Diner scene is seen from Max's perspective in the book, and we get some amazing characterization from her, expressing her discomfort with the entire meeting with Jane and the plan her brother hatches. At some point in the scene she catches Doug staring at her breasts. (sidenote I think this might be the only time the word "breasts" appears in any FNAF book, just a strange inclusion for a series about murder pizza bears)

This is strange characterization for a fan favorite character in the original film, and nothing in the film would lead you to expect this kind of thing from him.

Sidenote here in the book Ness (Matpat's character) is said to be the son of the owner of Sparky's and the book describes him as an "Auburn-haired teen" which is a funny thing to call a man in his 30s.

Minor nitpick aside I think both the movie and the film are acceptable ways to experience the plot, some of the things I thought were weird could just have been my knowledge of the films events changing my perspective.

I also enjoy the reinstatement of some of the elements from earlier screenplays and earlier cuts of the film that we know about from various cast members. The father son relationship of Hank and Carl and Garrett appearing in the archway before The Yellow Rabbit appears being some examples.

The book is also way more gorey then the film was, to my surprise. I was almost shocked at the end of the book where both Vanessa and Mike are in a pool of their own blood, the FNAF books have always gone a little harder with the gore then the games have but I guess I wasn't expecting it because of how much of a blockbuster the film was. You know with all the eyes on everything FNAF movie related, but I'm happy to say the FNaF movie novelization keeps with the tradition of surprisingly bloody Scholastic published books.

I quite enjoyed my time with this book, if you haven't read it and wanna give it a go after watching the movie, I'd say it's a worthwhile read. I also read it pretty quickly, but it might have something to do with me already knowing the plot so I didn't have to let it sink in as much

[travllingbunny]

Loved the Apprentice! Wish they would show more of Peter Fraser and Roy Cohn’s relationship — I know that’s not the focus but it would have created an interesting contrast between Peter’s loyalty and Trump’s treachery. What are your thoughts on Peter?

I'm so glad you asked that! I felt the same, I was glad to see him for those 10 seconds he was in - for the little he was in there, it was a very good and accurate portrayal. If we got to see more of Peter in the movie, I think he would easily become the most sympathetic character for the audience. I also agree that it would be great to have the juxtaposition of Trump and Peter Fraser - maybe one day if someone makes another movie focused more on Cohn, or a miniseries.

Last year after the casting for the movie was announced, I started reading articles about Cohn (who I was generally aware of for years due first to the Citizen Cohn TV movie I watched long time ago and later Angels in America, and always found an interesting figure, but did not know the details of his life), as soon as I read a couple of articles about his last days, I was really moved by reading how Peter Fraser was taking care of him, including during the time when this was really difficult because of Cohn's mental state at the time. Peter comes off as such a sweet, genuine, caring guy, and there's so much emotional strength one needs to be able for that, and in your 20s also and probably with little to no experience in dealing with sickness and dying people, even when the person is not your lover.

Their relationship is really that "innocent boy falls in love with the devil" trope in real life. Now did Roy Cohn of all people deserve that kind of devotion and care? Probably not, but that doesn't really matter when it comes to love, does it - and there's something moving about the fact he got it at the end of his life from someone all of Cohn's high society friends and even his associates at the law firm looked down on as a nobody, someone from the aspect of his life that was seen as shameful, while all those powerful high society friends tried to stay away because he had AIDS. There's a quote from Barbara Walters, one of his closest friends, who said something like, it's interesting how he had such a huge circle of friends and powerful people and then he was alone at the end... well no, he wasn't alone, but I guess Walters and most of the other "friends" did not really think of someone like Peter as a person who matters. I got kind of angry with the way they talked about him in the documentaries about Cohn with either pity or barely veiled contempt, without even bothering to interview him.

Although he's sunk back into obscurity as far as people who write about US politics are concerned, turns out Peter Fraser started working in the Auckland zoo a couple of decades ago and became a Conservation Manager - as you can see in these articles from 2015 and 2017. So it seems he moved on in a healthy way, has lived a life unaffected of any of the Roy Cohn-related political BS and toxicity , and aged beautifully and has been contributing to the world in a good way. The complete opposite of someone else I can think of...

(under the cut: a lengthy compare and contrast of Peter Fraser and Donald J. Trump)

One day maybe there will be another movie or mini series where we do see this juxtaposition of Peter Fraser and Donald Trump. The parallels and contrasts between them and their relationships with Roy Cohn kind of fascinate me. Both met Cohn when they were in their 20s and very impressionable and emotionally needy, both were physically the type Cohn was attracted to (similar to who was probably his first real romantic interest, David Schine), but one was a poor boy who came from a New Zealand farm who knew nothing about the US politics and Cohn's reputation, and that Cohn took on as live-in lover (and 'assistant'), and the other was an ambitious rich boy that, a decade earlier, Cohn took on as a client and student. The personal, sexual sphere, and the public, political and business sphere - which he clearly wanted to keep very separate (at least post-Schine). Cohn's cousin mentioned how he noticed a the time Peter was constantly around Roy, reading his mind and finishing his sentences, and that he was starting to even talk like Cohn, using words like "schlepped". Trump is a much more extreme version of that with how much he's emulated Cohn - which has only gotten worse with years.

And both Trump and Peter Fraser had to stand back with the rest of the public at Cohn's memorial service in the City Hall, while Rupert Murdoch and Barbara Walters and other featured guests were giving speeches, because neither was on the featured guests list - Trump because Cohn and his associates despised the way he had treated Cohn during his illness, and Peter, well - you know why. Imagine how good a scene that would be if filmed one day.

Peter was quoted saying: ‘people would ask me how could I be associated with somebody who did all these awful things… Few people loved me and I certainly loved him. And that’s what’s important" and stress how Cohn "protected" him and was "wonderful" to him, for instance buying llamas and dogs for his farm after Peter told him he was missing the farm animals from back home. On the other hand, some of the quotes by Trump about Cohn are: “All I can tell you is he’s been vicious to others in his protection of me” and "Roy was brutal, but if h e liked you, he was a very loyal guy. He brutalized for you. " And Louise Sunschine, a woman who worked for and knew Trump during those years (1973-1986), told a journalist that Trump loved Cohn, and when asked why, she said it was because "he was ruthless". It fascinates me how both of these men emphasized how Cohn protected them and was great to them and to his friends in general, but Peter tries to stress how Cohn could be tender and nice to his friends in spite of his brutal reputation, while Trump seemed to be drawn exactly to that ruthlessness and get a kick out of the idea of someone doing vicious and brutal things for him.

Trump loves the idea of loyalty, and loves to talk about it - something he heard from Cohn - but he seems to be unable to put it into practice himself, because he doesn't know how to treat other people as real people with needs of their own, rather than something he gets fascinated by or something he needs and/or wants. As his niece pointed out, he is like a big baby in how he views the world. And what's particularly weird but so telling about Trump's personality is that he treated Cohn so shi1ttily when he was sick and dying - but he also has remained obsessed with him decades after his death. We know that he couldn't stop bringing him up to multiple people privately ahead of the 2016 elections and on the election night itself, he infamously yelled "where is my Roy Cohn?" in 2018 when he was ranting about needing lawyers to protect him, many people have noted how he only has been emulating him more and more as he's getting older and since he got into politics, and heck, some people even think that a physical resemblance to Cohn is one of the main reasons why Stephen Miller (who's also noted to have started dressing more and more like Cohn), the architect of Trump's most racist and awful policies, has such an influence on Trump and staying power in his administration. It's so obvious that there were serious articles and YouTube podcasts a few years ago titled things like "Does Roy Cohn rule the Oval Office from the Grave?".

it's fascinating how those two people could have a close emotional relationship with the same person and end up acting and affected by him in a completely opposite ways. It's like love in its unhealthy, unselfish form, vs maximum toxicity in every possible way.

[happy-mokka]

Musical Extravaganza

Yesterday me and my cinematic partner in crime took the opportunity to get tickets for a special evening of "Musical Extravaganza" in our small local arthouse movie theater.

They were screening 2 classic "musical-ish" pieces. So for the interested people out there, if you're always keen on watching stuff both for the eyes and ears, I will share my experience under the cut.

Phantom of the Paradise

USA 1974 Director: Brian de Palma Written by: Brian de Palma Camera: Larry Pizer Music: Paul Williams Cast: William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper, ...

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5 / 5)

What a ride!!!

I, resp. we, absolutely L❤️VED it!!!

When I read "Brian de Palma", I was surprised, since I only know his later work, mostly Thrillers and Gangster movies.

This early work, however, is something...well...completely different, to put it mildly.

It's a wild mix of "Phantom of the Opera" with a liitle bit of "Dorian Gray" towards the end.

Everything in a wild 70s setting with awesome costumes and sets.

The music is brilliant and the whole staging is completely crazy with all actors being comitted to the bit.

I can absolutely recommend this one!!!

Streets of Fire

USA 1984 Director: Walter Hill Written by: Larry Gross, Walter Hill Camera: Andrew Laszlo Music: Ry Cooder Cast: Michael Paré, Willem Dafoe, Diane Lane, Rick Moranis, Amy Madigan, ...

Rating: ⭐ (1 / 5)

Ok. The euphoria of the first movie quickly subsided the longer the second one lasted, I am afraid.

Walter Hill is in my book known for rather hard actioners in the 80s and 90s and, honestly, besides of some music scenes in this one, it is really more an action movie, than a musical - and not a particularly good one at that.

The acting is really B movie quality. I really like what has become of young Diane Lane over the years, but this was not one of her proudest moments. The did good lip-sync on the singing scenes, but did not actually sing.

Michal Paré. One can clearly see, why he stayed a b-movie actor and never made it to the A list of that era. Apart from his handsome looks he basically switched between two facial expressions: stoic staring and wounded staring. His dialogs sounded like that voice announcing the next stop in trains and busses.

Rick Moranis was ok. Less geeky than usual but not really challenged by the meh script.

The only positive appearance was actually done by Amy Madigan.

She played the chummy ex-army gal with enough ease and made the best of her part.

The music was nothing special and sometimes a too wild mix of genres. Besides the opener, nothing really remained in my memory. Sad, since I normally like Ry Cooder's work. I guess he got better with age.

So, in sum, not really a recommendation. Neither as a musical, nor as an action movie.

[her-devils-advocate]

New beginnings

♥. Genre: Fluff

♥. pairings: The Dark Urge (Nell) x Astarion

♥. content warnings: None

♥. notes: Set after the end of the game. Spawn Astarion and my redeemed dark urge have since settled down and have now decided to announce their next step in life to their friends.

♥. Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51921196

♥. Word count: 1,563

Their companion's laughter is loud and joyful as it drifts from the dining room and into the kitchen. Nell's heart had swelled with a love she had yet to experience as they arrived one by one to share the evening with her and her lover.

It had been a year since they had destroyed the elder brain and derailed the horrid plan she had put in motion, a year of freedom. From her urges and the tadpole. 

Getting them all in one place had been easier said than done, even with the promise of a home-cooked meal and a "family" reunion, something Astarion had lightly scoffed at, earning him a gentle elbow to the ribs.

It had broken Nell’s heart to watch them all part ways, going on to make a new life for themselves, or returning to a life they had been snatched away from. But it was still a life away from the constant danger and discomfort that they had previously faced. They had said their tearful goodbyes and parted with a sending stone to remain in contact. 

Yet now they all share a table once more. Nell can hear Karlach’s loud voice telling stories of the trails both she and Wyll had faced upon returning to Avernus, excitedly acting out the more exciting parts as she does. She can hear Gale and Shadowheart gossiping amongst themselves, no doubt trying to find an alternative motive to their small reunion. They would be correct in their suspicion, but Nell takes a small amount of pride in knowing they would never guess the correct reason. 

Amidst all the chaos of chatter, she can hear Minsc’ booming laugh followed by the harsh scoff of a Githyanki. The druids are together at the end of the table, idly speaking together. If Nell strains her ears enough, she can pick up the faint murmur of Halsin casting Speak with Animals, no doubt to gossip with Scratch and the owlbear cub. She hopes the animals don’t begin to share too much information on their private life or the reason they are gathered once more.

Nell idly floats around the kitchen and now that the excitement of seeing everyone has died down, she is left full of nerves. She’s silently fretting while Astarion removes the cherry pie from the oven, smiling proudly at his work.

"For someone who won't even be eating this, I think I've done an amazing job, love." Astarion's smile manages to halt her movements, drawing her to him like a moth to a flame.

She gently places her hands on his chest, taking a moment to slowly smooth out his delicately embroidered shirt. Not that there had been any creases to begin with. Astarion catches her hands, holding them gently before giving them a small, comforting squeeze.

"It smells wonderful, thank you for doing this Astarion."

"Always, you know I would do anything for you." His words are soft as he gazes down at her, placing a small kiss on her forehead before his words take on a teasing tone. "That and I think we both remember what happened the last time I left you alone in the kitchen. Really, for someone who actually needs to eat, you can be quite a horror when it comes to cooking. And before you say anything; no, your amnesia is not an excuse anymore."

Memories of a smoke-filled house, a small oven fire and one extremely panicked and annoyed vampire fills her mind. She huffs before shooting him a playful glare.

"Well, it was a nice excuse while it lasted." She makes a point to ignore his raised eyebrow. It was a horrible experience for them both, her hardly knowing the world around her and Astarion as her reluctant translator in the early days of their forced adventure. But that was long in the past. She had since learnt her place in the world and Astarion was no longer reluctant to give her a nudge in the right direction.

Before she can get too swept up in her mind, Astarion's larger hand slowly takes one of hers and brings it up to his lips. His lips curl into a smirk as he kisses the shining jewel that sits proudly upon her ring finger. 

Nell's heart flutters at the action, nerves and excitement violently dancing within her.

He had given her many different gifts since they had become official; stolen trinkets that a merchant wouldn’t miss, dresses that he had hand-crafted for her, claiming that her old robes were getting tacky. Yet no gift could compare to the ring he had used to propose.

It was the first time he refused to use his deft fingers to his advantage, refusing anything that could make the moment less honest. 

She remembers how he gracefully dropped down onto one knee, his smile both blinding and hesitant as he showed her the ring. The glittering ruby was encased in gently engraved vines that wrapped themselves around the band of the ring. 

It was beautiful and dangerous, just like them.

"How do you think they will react?"

"Hmm, well if I know Karlach, she's probably going to squeeze you so tightly that you won't be able to breathe. So good luck with that dear, do try not to die. Lae'zel will most likely scoff, or voice displeasure for some reason or another. The rest… well, why ruin the surprise with speculation?"

Nell lets out a small giggle, the sound floating around the kitchen and settling within Astarion's heart.

"You do know that if Karlach gets me in a bear hug, she's going to do the exact same to you?"

Before he can grumble out a reply, the ruckus of the dining room interrupts any retort he has ready.

"We should probably serve dessert before it goes cold."

"And before they grow concerned that we've ditched them for more private activities?"

He laughs as his remark earns him a gentle bap with the tea towel before Nell carries out a stack of clean plates. Astarion follows her, placing the pie in the centre of the table with as much flourish as possible.

Jaheira is the first to speak up, a gentle smirk on her face. Her chat with the owlbear had been interesting for them, no doubt sharing stories of their domesticated life with the older woman. 

“Ah, so you had remembered the company awaiting you.”

“Perfection takes time, Jaheira! It’s not like the desert was going to bake itself.” Nell tries to sound stern, only for the permanent smile that has been on her face since the evening started to ruin that plan. Nell’s smile causes the older druid to smile in turn, pride flickering in her heart at how far the bard had come to now be smiling so openly. To see her no longer fearing her every move.

“You say that as if you were the one to lift a finger in the kitchen, darling. Here I am, playing personal chef while you take the credit” The dramatic sigh causes more than one eye-roll to occur around the table, much to Astarion’s displeasure. 

“A vampire cooking treats, I do believe I can say I’ve now seen it all, my friend!” 

“Yes well, I’m sure you will appreciate this pie more than you would appreciate me cooking and serving our dear ex-leader.” Astarion bares the wizard his fangs before Nell lightly drags him over to his chair beside Gale. 

“Alright, enough bickering you lot. We have a small announcement to make first, while the pie cools.” Nell doesn’t miss the way the room quietens, or the raised eyebrow Shadowheart shoots her.

“Oh my gods! You’re pregnant?” Karlach’s exclamation is loud, loud enough to spook the owlbear and cause him to run into the couple’s bedroom, earning a small whine from Scratch. “Do I get to be an auntie?”

The silence is deafening as Nell freezes. Her silver eyes are wide open in shock, mirroring the majority of the expressions on her friends' faces. All besides Astarion, who looks like he’s trying to stop himself from laughing, tears pooling in his eyes as he holds back.

“A vampire and a bhaalspawn, I didn’t even know they could procreate with one another...” Wyll’s voice trails off, going deep into thought and causing Astarion to break.

The group ignores the rapidly increasing giggles, too caught up in their speculation. “Do you think it will be a boy or a girl?”

“Hmm, I would place my bet on a girl. But she would have Astarion’s luscious locks, no offence Nell.

“Good thought Gale! I think she will also take his nose yet have her mother’s eyes. Well, the silver ones. Not her previous spooky mood-changing eyes… No offence again, Nell!”

“Uh, no offence taken…?” Nell is still frozen as she watches the chaos unfold around her, too overwhelmed to keep up with the rapid ideas being tossed around.

“You idiots, she’s not pregnant…yet,” Astarion gives the group a wink between his laughter, causing a few groans and scoffs to bounce around the room as he moves to Nell’s side, lifting up her hand and bringing attention to the ring glittering in the candlelight. A few gasps can be heard from their friends, obviously surprised at the idea of either of them actually settling down in such a way. “I believe you skipped a stage.”

[rabbitenn]

MATCHUP FOR THE LOVELY @yaminohimeyume

hello, dear and thank you for being my first matchup request on this blog! i really hope you like it <3

i re-read the info you had previously sent and i just knew who to pair you with! i hope the matchup is to you liking

your idolish7 matchup is someone you could easily compare to the sun; full of energy and encouragement to give others, yet inevitably succumbing to the cruel voices of insecurity sometimes. like you, there is nothing he wouldn't do for the people he loves. in contrast to your reserved nature, however, carrying a conversation is no problem to him, as he is right in his element so long as talk goes on.

i think with this, you can have a pretty good idea of who i have in mind as your perfect match hehe ~ well, why don't we see who's waiting for you backstage?

♡ IZUMI MITSUKI

There is no doubt that Mistuski is a positive beam of sunlight. I believe that is an aspect of his personality that would help you get out of your shy and not fond of socializing shell. Mitsuki is but pure intentions and honesty, often wearing his emotions on his sleeve, so he could be the one to aid you when memories of past experience cause for you to silence yourself.

With him, you wouldn’t have to be afraid to speak up either. You mention you tend to keep to yourself, only responding when asked directly, but truth is, as much as Mitsu is great at carrying a conversation, he wants to hear what you have to say! Whether it is about music, writing and reading or astrology, he stares at you starry eyed, entranced by the glow in you when you speak about what you’re passionate about.

Which brings us to a point you have in common: voice acting.

And who would’ve thought, you and your boyfriend would end up getting roles to voice main characters in a well known anime…

—

An excited ring on your doorbell pulls you out of your daze.

Hands still slightly shaking, you put down the script you were holding, almost afraid that, if you let it go, the magic will vanish and you’ll find yourself watching as this dream crumbles down right before your eyes.

With a couple of deep breaths, you exit your room, making your way to your apartment’s door.

The moment you open it, it feels as if the sun itself had entered your home.

Calls of your name surround you, as a flash of orange rushes past your vision, before materializing in the form of familiar arms wrapped around your form.

Your widened gaze relaxes, replaced by matching crescents on your lips and eyes, as you return the hug.

“[Y/n]! [Y/n]! Mitsuki exclaims, as he practically jumps up and down, his hands linked with yours. “Guess what? You wouldn’t believe this!”

An airy laugh escapes you, as you pat his head softly, strands of molten sunsets silky against your hand.

“What is it, Mitsu?” You giggle, guiding him to sit on your couch. His eyes are almost aglow, akin to the last stars of dawn reflected over a sunlit pond.

“Okay, okay…” He sighs, lids briefly fluttering closed, as he exhales, one of his hands on his chest, grounding himself. “I’ve been casted in Magical Cocona!” Your lover announces, elation brimming in his tone.

Your widening gaze followed by a bright smile are the first answer he gets.

“Oh my god! That’s great news! Ah!! I’m so happy right now!” You celebrate, before leaving a sweet kiss, fleeting, against his lips. “I told you, you have talent, Mitsuki.” You smile, your faces barely inches apart.

“I still can’t quite believe it!” He laughs, one of his hands tucking a stray lock of hair away from your face.

“Believe it, because it’s very real.” You utter, tenderly tapping his smiling lips. “Now do you want to know what makes me even happier about this?” You grin, a little bashful. “We’ll get to spend more time together, you know… I’ve been cast to voice Cocona!” You announce, with a shy smile.

Then, the most radiant smile you’ve ever seen draws on your boyfriend’s adorable face, as both of his hands hold onto yours.

“Really? We get to work together?” He swings your intertwined hands. “Now I’m even happier!” The idol nuzzles into your side, and as he looks up at you, tears of joy swim at the corners of his vision. “I feel like… a dream has come true…” Mitsuki confesses, as you stroke his bright hair with care.

“So do I, my love.” You whisper, as you lean your cheek on top of his head. “How does practicing together sound to you?”

“Let’s get this show started!” Comes his peppy response.

And so, blue morning skies fade to the coppery hues of early sunsets, as both your voices sway to the symphony of glimpses into a million dawns together.

—

Another reason that makes me think you and Mitsuki are a good match is that he’s your biggest hypeman. No matter what is it you’re doubting yourself about, his radiant energy and sunny demeanor are enough to put your mind at ease. As we all know, he is also skilled with his words, so he always knows how to reassure you in dire situations.

Speaking of which, sometimes he’s not the most confident ever either. And this time around, it is you who can comfort him. You’re a good listener and like helping others, offering Mitsuki a nurturing embrace, a safe haven where he can drop his smile for a few moments and compose himself, until the curve of his lips is genuine again.

Loyalty is another attribute you and Mitsuki have in common. Similarly to you, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his friends and the people he loves, so you two would be on the same page in that aspect.

Mitsuki also sees past your cool and collected facade, he just knows there is way more to it than just your practised poise. He knows there’s a whole world full of emotions that you keep safely stored inside your heart, and he’ll be the one to access it little by little, as you find your mind wandering to memories of his warm smiles more often than not.

With him, you’d never have to be afraid of approaching or bothering him in any way! Shortly after meeting you, Mitsuki just knew he wanted to have more moments with you as time went on. You became the first one he shared any news with; he learned how to cook all your favorite dishes; and he was always asking for your input on other topics, as well as likes and dislikes. Akin to an early summer breeze, his presence began to linger with you, frigid lonely days melting away in the light he offers.

If we focus on both yours and his mbti, well you two are quite compatible. As an enfj, Mitsuki seeks meaningful connections, an example of this is seen when he tells Yamato he doesn’t want “an average friendship” with him. That is a trait, you as an infj share too.

Both you and Mitsuki strive to get a good understanding of what the other needs and of each other’s emotions. In addition, both types are very empathetic, differing in the way to show it: enfjs are more direct and communicative, oftentimes voicing their affection, and Mitsuki is a great example of that; whereas you as an infj show your lover through quiet actions. I can see this as a very good balance between the both of you, given that he deserves to feel appreciated, and like someone’s first choice, while his verbal compliments are the boost that you need when you feel insecure.

You’re an aries and that is quite compatible with Mitsuki’s sign: pisces. Both signs share their generosity and seek their partner’s happiness above all else, making for a romance filled with passion and without a single boring moment.

Considering all the stated reasons, you and Mitsuki would be a very supporting loving couple: you share similarities, but are opposites in some aspects, which ties you both into a healthy and durable bond.

♡ RUNNER UP: YAOTOME GAKU

While he may seem intimidating, the truth is he’s actually one of the greenest flags you can encounter.

He’s honest, just, caring and protective in a healthy manner.

That is why I do believe he’d really pair well with your more initially closed off nature. With him, you wouldn’t have to be afraid to make mistakes or being belittled. Gaku really is a gentleman, and will do everything in his power to make you feel loved and cared for.

He is deeply loyal too; honestly he’d never ever betray your trust. You are his priority, no matter how many fans flock around him or how many rumors circulate, every night he wants nothing more than to come home to you.

He always makes sure to text you or call you too when he’s away for concerts and tours. Hearing his voice late at night, or just seeing one of his ‘I love you, my darling’ texts is enough to make you feel closer to him. He never wants you to feel lonely again, and he tries his best.

You’re very honest, even if sometimes you use white lies to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. And your honesty is something Gaku highly values.

Your relationship with him would definitely be a solid one, built on mutual trust and undying loyalty.

[liugeaux]

Fantastic 3.5

My thoughts on the Fantastic 4 casting announcement.

* Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm 10/10 - Great Choice! Honestly, he could have played Grimm, Doom or Richards. Cousin has range.

* Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm 7/10 - I liked him in Stranger Things and the energy of Eddie should line up well with that of Johnny. This should go over well.

* Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm 9/10 - Finally a Sue Storm we can take seriously! Of this cast, Kirby probably has the most experience performing in high-action sequences, and her resume proves she's not just a pretty face.

* Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards 3/10 - Before you jump down my throat, I do like Pedro, but I've never been impressed with his acting outside of GOT. I feel like Hollywood is giving him a pass because he's handsome and likable. He wasn't good in The Last of Us, or WW 1984, and he's 100% forgettable in The Mandalorian. When I see his face, I don't think super-genius, I think, "That dude has some funny SNL sketches." I know he's kind of the king of the nerds right now, but I don't see where he's really earned it. He's just the center of a VENN diagram whose circles are - Handsome, Unproblematic, and Vaguely Non-White. Talent doesn't seem to be a factor, and I guess that's fine.

That's not me saying an actor has to be white and/or problematic to be talented. It's just Pedro, his background, and persona thread such a specific needle, that his name naturally floats to the top of every casting list. Since he's handsome and seemingly a good dude, being a "good enough" actor is really all he's got to do.

Congrats on the casting Mando, stack that green while you can..