#i had them in my drafts for ages i forgot to post. oops.

[tackyvillain]

geats fancharacter for a fan-dgp rp/fic @sunshinemoonrx is running... Helio is the future's premier purveyor of desire grand prix cringe compilations and wants nothing more than to ruin the rider's reputations and pit them against one another for maximum embarrassing drama. a truly mean-spirited prick.

[becomethesun]

writing patterns tag game from @bumblepony 💞 (had this saved as a draft but forgot to publish it, oops!)

rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern!

(i only have eight published fics so i guess we'll do eight!)

collaborators: It’s eerily quiet when Joel wakes up on the floor of the motel room on the outskirts of Kansas City.

a heart, a hand to hold onto: Ellie wakes up with the same splitting headache and stuffy nose she’s had since they got back to Jackson two weeks ago. 

the snowy day: The first snowflakes of the afternoon have just started to lazily fall when Joel turns the corner to go home. 

me and my dog (and an impossible view): She names the damn dog before he even knows she found it.

summer’s end: “You excited to go to school today?” Ellie asks, kneeling down to help JJ put on his socks while he sits on the bed.

odds & ends: “You’re gonna turn into a damn horse, living off of oats and apples,” Joel says as Ellie sits down across from him at the dining table, which is way too big for two people, and way too fancy for the two of them.

true blue (it feels good to be known so well): When Ellie wakes up on the first day of summer vacation, it smells vaguely like the house is burning down, but she knows by now that it’s just food burning.

if i could give you the moon: Ellie is pretty sure that being ten years old is probably the worst age a person could be, at least if that person is in FEDRA school.

lmao a lot of waking up and dialogue, which i think are two things they say never to start a story with oops oh well 💁🏼‍♀️ obviously a lot of joel and ellie in those opening lines too

tagging whoever wants to play along!!

[gr1evance]

villian mentioooooon. can you tell me more about him I love the funny bunny

I FORGOT TO POST THIS ASK I HAD IT SAVED AS A DRAFT OOPS LMAO

YEEEES ID LOVE TO. ok so like i've talked about in long posts about starb, his introduction in starb's story was interrupting one of him and russian roulette's spats and saving starb, leading to the two of them talking more and forming a connection. they kind of got romantic first and then did the weird business partners stuff? but it generally all happened around the same time. i've explained the whole stuff with that, he has a big ego and was using starb who already has a history as a decently well known hero to boost his image, starb was unhappy with just being his sidekick and eventually things came to a head and they actually talked abt it yada yada.

he comes from a wealthy white family.. his parents and all other family members are actually entirely human, he just has some weird recessive rabbit genes LMAO. the collaborative universe he's from is of course about people living in a world with superheroes and superpowers and the like so weird genetic shit like that can just happen. mostly he's a rabbit in a human family because i think it's really funny. his father was a semi famous hero before he was born, and he shares the exact same powerset as him. he REALLY really wants to live up to his father's image and puts a lot of pressure on himself for it.. at a pretty young age he developed this kind of walled off ego that he has, a lack of regard for how other people feel, as a result of being spoiled by his family and also a little bit as a way to deal with insecurities stemming from him being a rabbit and also figuring out that he's gay while being surrounded by similarly rich and petty peers.

so back to him and starb- his bad habits of taking advantage of people and disregarding others' feelings has him ending up in a relationship with someone he is actively using... almost like a dress up doll? i mean he literally changed starb's outfit (very integral to his character, mostly he's autistic and doesnt like wearing other clothes) to fit in more with his own and took him from being his own sustained hero to now his sidekick. he doesn't act totally maliciously, often i don't think he realizes he's doing things that hurt people just because he doesn't really think about it. he just acts in his own interest and then faces the consequences later and because of the environment he was in for most of his life he's never really been told No or that what he's doing is wrong. and it takes starb- who usually avoids confrontation as much as possible because he wants to be the most polite person in the room- actually kind of snapping at him to get him to realize what he's doing. i actually have written things about this storyline i may share someday! i've just never been sure how bc its like almost 7000 words and in all my privated stuff on toyhouse.. but i do still think it's good writing.

it's been almost two years since the big stuff with him and starb. starb is incredibly forgiving and also just has weird things in his brain about love and romance and didnt want to break up with villian, so the two of them ended up staying together and it's definitely better and good for both of them. starb is very much trying to like. teach villian how to be a better person and to give others more thought and sympathy and i find their relationship in that way very amusing. villian has a lot of repressed guilt about all the kind of stupid and rude shit he's done in the past and it's built itself up into that old insecurity he was originally trying to run from. it doesn't really help that he's the boyfriend of a man who's already married, which wouldn't really be a problem, but he's kind of like tesla's chewtoy a little bit and it makes him embarrassed. i enjoy examining why he acts the way that he does and how he's going about that guilt and insecurity in ways that aren't using other people to make himself feel better. and also having him examine his own personal like. biases and privileges now that he's dating someone with a weird gender who's openly a communist and known by a lot of people. it's just interesting to me!

i also like playing with his gender mostly in aus, i find him transitioning to be more of a show of confidence and getting over that insecurity than actually him like. Needing to be trans necessarily. he could be happy as anything i just view him transitioning as just him playing around because he actually feels comfortable with who he is enough to do so. i don't really have anything concrete about this there's no real place i'm actually doing it in i just like to rotate it

there's also an au of him in a minecraft roleplay campaign where he's infected with sculk and he's just really depressed and desperate to get back to starb and stuff. fun to play with him in a scenario where he hasn't had the chance to fix himself before being pried away from the one thing motivating him to do so and to watch him try to cling to anything he can

here's some images of him i like also :3

art by apotheoseity, pbjpuppy, sixofheartz, and lame-4-u!!

[dayseternal-blog]

In Memory, Katarinahime. Part 10.

"For Fanfic Writer Appreciation Week, I had started a post that I didn't finish. It was going to be an in-depth review of her 'Serenity Prayer.' I was going to dig into her story structuring, her characterizations, her language...like. It was going to be a long post. And it's sitting in my drafts. And I never finished it. And she'll never see it. [...] I wonder if it's okay for me to just post a bunch of short reflections instead now."

For nhmonth2022, Day 11, Prompt: Serenity Prayer

“Serenity Prayer” by katarinahime - Rated M for depictions of domestic violence, substance abuse, and smut, Modern AU, Multi-chapter, Ongoing. When their fairytale endings smash to ugly pieces, Hinata and Naruto help put each other back together.

Let’s start from the top with this work of art.

She dove on the ground for her phone, pushing it further under her seat so it would take longer to grab. It was a silly move. She couldn't stay down there forever. - Chapter 1, when Hinata sees Naruto walking toward her at the airport.

☝🏼 katarina has an amazing way with throwing in bits of self-deprecating humor into primarily ANGST stories that lightens the load just enough.

"I still have that scarf." He admits, smiling at her like he can't see her wanting to shrivel up and die.

I felt this.  The embarrassment, the simply relatable wording of wanting to shrivel up and die, like it came straight from any mortified consciousness.  And again, another sprinkle of humor here.  AND on top of that, the canon reference in a Modern aged-up AU!

A cracked iPhone 5c that her little sister let her use, matching the outdated MacBook that was thicker than a college text book. At the moment, they are her most prized possessions.

The first chapter is one of the BEST establishing introductions I’ve ever read, and yet there isn’t a single true flashback.  Hinata’s medication, abusive marriage, regrets, shames, they litter her thought process throughout that in no way interferes with the “now” narrative of meeting Naruto in an airport and waiting for a flight on standby.  We get a clear picture of everything she’s been through since high school, as well as worrisome insight into her mental health.

And all through Hinata’s pov, we get a shocking and intriguing glimpse into Naruto’s life.  Quite a few major players in the story are mentioned in the first chapter without any of them having a “spoken” line.  Various complex plot points are laid out that hold across the story - her financial instability, Ino’s business proposal, the unresolved divorce, her unanswered confession,... It’s crazy how well-thought out it is.

katarina develops the romance, character growth, friendships, family relationships, everything beautifully.  All sensitive topics are treated with care, rather than written to entertain a trope.  The fic goes beyond “what if?”, diving into difficult topics like domestic abuse, PTSD, substance abuse, anxiety, etc. without any romanticism.

She bites her lip and nods, leaving that evening without agreeing to anything. - Chapter 2, at the end of Naruto’s and Hinata’s “business meeting” at Ichiraku.

I’ll never get over the skill of this story.  Down to its structure, the layout is masterful.  It has the smoothest scene transitions I’ve ever read.  Ever.  In any fanfic or published book.  In one sentence, Hinata has left Naruto’s date invitation hanging and is working at Ino’s house the next morning.  In Chapter 5, within a few lines, Hinata is at a bar one night and then at Hanabi’s dress fitting the next day.  There are practically no scene breaks in the entire story except for, of course, at the end of a chapter.

"Oh, you forgot your name at the top." Hinata spotted.

"Oops." Shinachiku reached back for his pencil to fix his oversight. - Chapter 7, the first time Hinata babysits Shinachiku.

The CHILDREN.  Feel like real, actual children.  I’ve read so many fics where the children don’t act like children, or are not behaving at a maturity level appropriate to their age.  Shinachiku’s intelligence is off-the-charts, as expected of the son of Sakura, and his personality is spot-on for an only child.  His social awkwardness at a playground, his comfort level around adults, his attachment to routines, his inability at times to interpret admonishments correctly, there are a plethora of details put into this kid.

The details are vivid in every character, from Kurenai and her plant-based diet to Shikamaru and his AA coin, from Moegi with her opinions on pearl succulents to Mirai’s preteen snarky attitude.  There’s a huge cast and each one feels in-character like in canon.

“Yes, the stories are dangerous, she was right. A book is a magic carpet that flies you off elsewhere. A book is a door. You open it. You step through. Do you come back?” -  Jeanette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Did you come back?

I opened the door to “Serenity Prayer.”  I loved her so much I never left, I traced the veins of her words and ordered my own in her image.

When you step through my doors, I hope you recognize her magic.

[ideas-on-paper]

Monster Hunter Tri Diary, Part 13: Rescuing Cha-Cha

For previous entries, search for #monster hunter tri diary

Finally releasing this one after having it in my drafts for ages.

I should add that I will put my MH Tri Diary on hold for a time (probably until next summer at the very least), so this is going to be the last post for the time being.

Disclaimer: Text is paraphrased from my localization and might slightly deviate from the English version.

Quest: Shakalaka Savior!

I didn't take any nutrients this time (we're facing no big monster, so it shouldn't be that hard) but I did bring all of my potions since we have to do quite a bit of fighting, if my memory serves correctly. I don't think it's gonna be anything we can't handle, but still, better safe than sorry.

Also, I munched some Crustbread + Salty Milk for some extra health and defense, so we should be good on that front.

As hinted at by everyone in the village, the Carefree Lad (aka the smart kid) is actually the client this time: “Everyone says I have plenty of imagination, whatever that means, but I swear I saw a pixie in the Moga Woods!” It’s kind of funny that the Carefree Lad is implied to be a bookworm, but he doesn’t seem to know what imagination is. xD (Maybe he prefers to read non-fiction books, though.)

Going into the quest, you can already hear Cha-Cha calling for help - all the way from area 6, that is. Well, either Cha-Cha has an extremely loud voice, or he’s using a megaphone. xD

Also, Cha-Cha’s life bar is displayed next to mine, despite me not even having found him yet.

Having arrived in area 6, we find Cha-Cha unwittingly disturbing the beauty sleep of some Jaggia - and promptly being surrounded by them. (I love how the spotting noise plays when the Jaggia wakes up - nice detail. xD)

I do love the way Cha-Cha speaks - to put it in his words, it’s very cha-charming. ;-)

Anyway, with my new Great Sword, I can take care of the Jaggia without breaking a sweat. So, Cha-Cha, now that I saved you– And he just… goes away. Without as much as a thank-you. Okay.

Only to pop up in area 9 and call for help again. Alllrighty, then…

“Cha?! You again?” What do you mean “you again”? I just saved your butt right there! Some gratitude would be nice. Jeez…

Woah, the Ludroth deal WAY more damage to Cha-Cha, even when he blocks their attacks.

“Cha-Cha peaceful, why do you hurt Cha-Cha?” Not sure if that's technically true given that Cha-Cha does retaliate, but it’s interesting that he talks in third person about himself.

Oops, I accidentally hit Cha-Cha with my Great Sword once - sorry, buddy! ^^’ Well, at the very least he was quick enough to block.

Alright, on to area 2, where an entire pack of Jaggi happens to threaten Cha-Cha. Well, if that isn’t a nice all-you-can-eat buffet for my Great Sword. :-)

Aww, Cha-Cha is calling me “great champion” now? That’s sweet, ngl. :-)

Okay, so Cha-Cha slipped away to the base camp now, very relieved to be safe. Let’s go pick him up, shall we?

“Cha-Cha thought he was dead! Thank you, great hunter! Cha-Cha eternally grateful!” In fact, he’s so overjoyed that he comes running towards me when I enter the base camp. And his little dance when the quest is complete! <3 Ah, I missed this little guy.

Moga Village (day)

I love how the Chief is just completely unperturbed by Cha-Cha. Like this little goblin runs into the village, stops right in front of him, and he's just smoking his pipe all casually. xD

Okay, so Cha-Cha forgot about owing me his life rather quickly. Now he's all like “well, I wanted to hunt those monsters, but then you greedy hunter had to come and throw off my grove!” xD

And he goes on to boast that he's some great Shakalaka warrior, asking if my brain is “hurty-hurty” that I don't know of him. xD Of course he didn't get lost, nooo - he was simply on a journey to find his own mask, a rite of passage among Shakalaka to reach adulthood. (I love how he essentially admitted between the lines that he's just a kid. xD)

After he almost admits that he got lost in the woods, he shares with us that he actually wanted to go to the village because he thinks the best mask is here somewhere. (That has to be the mask in the cave on the farm, if my memory serves correctly.)

“Cha-Cha here until Shakalaka send search party... Cha-hem! Uh, until has found best mask.” It's kind of adorable how badly he wants to play big and tough, though. xD

But because I hunted his dinner, the great Cha-Cha now demands compensation: That I serve him as his servant! How frightening... But he says he's a “fair master”, and I can come to him any time for a “nice chat”. Well, lucky me, I guess... xD

Alright, let's dive into the menu and check out all of Cha-Cha's stats! Aaand... I can actually not display the effect of the dances with the Wiimote (usually, B serves as the “info button” for that kind of stuff). A bit of a pity, tbh.

The description says that the Acorn Mask is a “children's mask that is used in Cha-Cha's village”. That kind of makes me wonder: Do different Shakalaka villages have different traditions? Like the Acorn Mask is a children's mask in Cha-Cha's village, but in other villages, young Shakalaka may wear other types of masks?

“Although Cha-Cha may seem like vegetarian, he loves-loves beast feast.” And we've got yet another meat advocate! (Vegetarians sure have a rough time in the MH universe.) He also explains the benefits of giving him steaks on quests, as “the meat juice will seep into his pores and give him experience”. Not sure how that works (then again, what do I know about Shakalaka metabolism?), but I won't say no to some bonus XP.

Also, one reference that's quite funny: As Cha-Cha explains to you he will get mad if he takes too much damage and not follow any of your commands, he says “you maybe read “Hunting Life” till Cha-Cha's fury fumes-shaka-away.” I think anyone who has played Freedom 2/Unite and bothered to read the info magazines will remember “Hunting Life”. ;-)

Chief: “The creature was a Shakalaka child that got lost… You know what that means… Cook him alive! Haha, just kidding!” Disregarding the Chief’s crude humor, is racism against Shakalaka/Lynians in the MH universe actually a thing? Anyway, it’s a relief that he affirms that all visitors are welcome in Moga, no matter their race.

“I like the little one. He’s got humor! Did you hear that you’re supposed to be his servant? Hu harhar!” Gotta agree that was one was pretty funny, yes.

He closes by telling me to relax and take him hunting with me, since that would be “an unforgettable experience” for him. He also tells me that one could already see we make a “wonderful team”. Well, if anything, the Chief got at least as much humor as Cha-Cha.

“Have you ever encountered bird wyverns called Qurupeco?” Oh, yes, I did - I have nightmares about it until this day. Can attest to the Chief’s statement they are “fast and dangerous”, too.

He tells me that it’s possible to drown out a Qurupeco’s call with a Sonic Bomb, though. I never knew about that - given that the village convos often are lore-friendly phrased gameplay tips, I might actually try that.

The Chief also explains pin attacks, that the monster will regenerate stamina with each bite it takes (just one bite will put them at full stamina, as far as I know), and that the most you can do is throw a Dung Bomb. Well, thanks for the advice, but I can’t help but remember that one time in 3U when a Deviljho pinned me, I threw a Dung Bomb, and it flew right past its head… ^^’ (No joke, this actually happened.)

And the Chief actually tells us some more details about the backstory of the Guild Sweetheart: She always admired hunters, and as soon as she was old enough, she left Moga to work in the city (presumably Loc Lac). She came back to take care with the business between Moga and the Hunter’s Guild, but despite the tons of work the Chief has given to her because of the earth quakes, she takes all of it with a smile. And she’s actually quite resourceful in utilizing her own contacts in the city to gain information, since the Guild tends to forget about far-off villages like Moga. The Chief concludes that she’s a fine girl - well, I can only agree with that.

Meanwhile, the Hunting Fleet Captain is in a bit of a predicament regarding the ship repairs: The Red Spear is scheduled to be the first ship to be repaired, but “normal Ludroth materials aren’t big enough for our purposes”. (What do they mean by that, exactly? Are they using the hides as sails but it isn't big enough?)

Anyway, they need me to hunt a “larger, rarer kind” of Ludroth to get the materials to repair the Red Spear. I guess we’ve got a Royal Ludroth quest incoming. (Interesting that he calls Royal Ludroth a “rarer kind” despite them being simply the males of the species. Maybe that means males are rarer since there just needs to be one for females to form a harem around?)

Fleet Captain: “If we only got all three ships! Hunting a Royal Ludroth would be a cruise trip. It’s a shame!” I assume Royal Ludroth are among the large monsters the fleet usually hunts for the village, then?

“Okay, the Hunter Fleet and hunters are old rivals, but would you help us? Do us a favor and we heroes of the Hunting Fleet will bother with you if everything is back to normal…” Oh, what an enticing reward. I feel like I much prefer the materials you can farm, though.

Red Spear Hunter: “Just the rigging, the Red Spear is ready to go again.” So I assume they want to use the Ludroth materials for the rigging? (My guess would be since it’s waterproof, Ludroth hide makes for excellent ropes.)

“All thanks to you, bud! The Ludroth parts you hunted really helped with the repairs.” Well, at least one of them knows how to normally say thank you. He’s really enthused to go back to his fish again before the Black Spear, too - makes me happy for him, ngl. :-)

The Fleet brought back their first Crown’s Gemstone from their treasure hunt. Can’t do anything with it right now, but it does say it was once part of a crown, I’m gonna keep it. (I don’t precisely remember, but I’m pretty sure you can piece that crown back together.)

Item Vendor: “Hello there, silly! How do you want to learn about new stuff if you never stop by?” What do you mean? I’ve been consistently pestering you for bonus dialogue, just like all other villagers.

About the new Organizer Guide she has in stock: “With this magazine, you get the best out of your object box… And the most stuff inside.” I see the Gossip Lady is writing your advertisements now.

“It’s a bit pricier, but I’d give it to you for a lock of your hair. Or a worn armor? Heehee, kidding!” The real joke is that the organizer guide is actually cheaper than the Book of Combos 3. Well, I don’t have to think twice about buying that. (I usually like to buy all of the improvement items ASAP, if I can.)

”First aid meds are wrapped in paper. That doesn’t hold for very long, so you can’t take them with you from the field. Sounds plausible, doesn’t it? Oh, you just have to accept it…” Or, the Guild is aware of my hoarding habits and doesn’t want to give me too many benefits. (Love how they make fun of themselves for including all the item lore in NPC dialogue, though. xD

So the Item Vendor tells me that “now isn’t the time for special bargains” - when the Argosy is literally in town. Is this supposed to be ironic?

The Chief’s Son: “And I thought all Shakalaka were bloodthirsty beasts! I was wrong. He’s just a stupid little… Um! A lovely little rascal!” Better not let the might Cha-Cha hear that, lest you invoke his wrath. ;-) (I do appreciate it when characters overcome their own bias, though.)

Even the Chief’s Son is of the opinion that Cha-Cha is the “perfect addition” for me. I’m kinda surprised by how fast everyone in the village decided that Cha-Cha and the hunter are an absolute dream team.

The Chief’s Son finds it strange that Cha-Cha is looking for a mask in the village. (This is actually kinda curious; does the Chief’s Son not know what is in the cave at the farm?) He advises me to speak with the Argosy Captain though, since he has visited many foreign lands and might have a mask for Cha-Cha. How convenient that the Argosy just came into port, then.

Speaking of the Argosy, the Chief’s Son tells us about the latest trend among city dwellers the Argosy Captain has told him about: the JEH diet - which, contrary to what you might expect, doesn't stand for "Just Eat Half" but "Just Eat Honey", because they desperately want to gain pounds to pose as rich. xD (Historically, being plump was indeed associated with being rich - just as a fun fact. ;-) )

Anyway, to benefit from this trend, the Chief's Son wants Moga to produce honey for export - and of course I can have my fair share of it as well. To begin farming that sweet, sweet honey ASAP, I gave him the Cactus Flower and Earth Crystals right away. (Not entirely sure what they would need those for when building a bee box; the only thing I can imagine is that they want the crystals to grind the box into shape, and the Cactus Flowers in case someone gets stung.)

Meanwhile, the Argosy Captain informs us that a messenger pigeon brought news that another country wants to trade with Moga: the Hunter Realm, a country of hunters. (I suppose I could’ve guessed that from the name. xD) Thanks to these new connections, the Captain now has some buff items for the hunting fleet (Treasure Trackers + Hunting Fleet spears) and even a dance for Cha-Cha in his assortment. I’d need a 2-star rare commodity for the dance though, and I think right now, we’re doing fine with the Hunting Fleet as it is. Two things I do wanna get though are the improvement for the Fleet Captain’s boat and the Book of Combos 4, so I’ll need to do some Great Jaggi free hunting in the Moga Woods soon.

The Argosy immediately agrees to look out for a mask for the “little boy”. Not sure if Cha-Cha would appreciate being called “little boy”, but you gotta give credit to the Captain’s helpfulness. :-)

BugMaker! Pro: “10 bugs per drop, or we will EAT a bug!” What a promo text. Btw, I suppose this is one of those industrial-produced fertilizers the Felyne was so proud about not using on the Moga Far? Not sure if he’s going to be enthused about me utilizing this stuff…

Bizzy Bees: “Bred abroad, these busy bees never, ever rest.” This kinda reminds me of a thing I once heard, about people introducing European honey bees in Japan for their higher productivity. Still, purposefully introducing invasive species usually isn’t such a good idea…

Today’s Japanese lesson with the Argosy Captain: Yoku kita! (“welcome”); kakujitsu (“certainty”); keikaku (“plan”); Sokonakucha! (“I have to go”); sekinin (“responsiblity”).

Guild Sweetheart: “Who would’ve thought that there indeed was a mysterious creature living in the forest! I am truly moved. Such a pure heart full of trust… Do see the tear at the corner of my eye? *giggle*” While the Guild Sweetheart obviously still finds all of this pretty funny, I’d say she owes the Carefree Lad an apology - there was some truth to the rumors, after all.

Anyway, she informs me that people from all over the country are singing praises to me, and as a result, we’ve now got a new hunting ground: the Flooded Forest. Yay. (My least favorite area, from the 3rd gen, tbh.)

According to the Sweetheart’s (rather incomplete) monster guide, the Flooded Forest is - guess what - a “forest flooded with water”. (I appreciate that the Sweetheart reminds me to bring a towel, though. xD)

Oh, and btw, the Guild wants me to take care of the Qurupeco in the Sandy Plains. *internal screaming*

Meanwhile, the Outfitter goes beating up imaginary monsters with a Hammer and a Great Sword at the same time. Well, they say you should never give up on your dreams… xD

Smith: “Good equipment is nothing without a good hunter that uses it.” Well, I can’t object to that - even if you have the best possible equipment, you can still lose if you’re careless.

“Do you hear that? My hammer is crying! It's begging to create high-quality gear for you! So be sure to come back.” Oh no, not the hammer! ;_; No need to worry, though - your hammer is going to be very busy soon when I make myself the Great Jaggi armor.

But for that, I first need to farm the materials, and to do that, I need to hunt some Great Jaggis. Since we've already hunted a Great Jaggi twice, I'm not gonna cover each hunt individually and get back to continue my diary once I finished the grinding. See you then! ;-)

To be continued

[hypnossys]

for the system ask game!

🌙💫💐

We started answering these the other day and then completely forgot we had it as a draft oops. Gonna do these a bit out of order for it to make a bit more sense!

questions from here

🌙- Who is the oldest?

I am taking this as meaning age wise, and not like. who's been around the longest, so this one is easy but also a little complicated. A few of us have sources that were immortal, and of that group I believe Jonny would be the oldest. -Jasp

💐-Do you like being a system?

This one is also complicated. Overall? Yeah I like being part of a system.

That isn't to say some stuff isn't bad or hard, some parts of being a system are horrible and I could certainly do without. However this is something that our brain did to protect us, and its allowed us to keep living through the trauma we went through, so I don't think I could ever hate it.

That got a little deep there, sorry about that lol -Jasp

💫-Does anyone want to share something from their source?

I am brainmade/don't have a source so I'm gonna pass this off to someone who does. When others are fronting and want to talk about their sources they might make separate posts with this same question, some of them like to talk about their sources. -Jasp

Something about my source, huh? Hmm. In my source the place we lived has these things called octokittens. Cats with tentacles, in basic terms. We have a few cats and they are actually surprisingly similar. Real cats are much less bloodthirsty than octokittens, however. -Nastya

[cinnamon-bunni]

tell me all about them. all of your ocs (or just give me a light introduction to your faves/a few pointers to your past posts so i can learn more about the guys!)

uhhh okay but i'll only talk about my monster prom ones for now, because i have a lot of those, and if i talked about my general ones too then this post would be too long (and it's already gonna be too long with just my MP ones lol)

My one and only "proper" OC (which is that they attend Spooky High and interacts with the main cast) is Azzy! He's species is "Demon But Not Really", which is just to say he is a doll that's being animated via blood magic. I had a whole long draft done for a long-ass fic I was gonna write about him, but I ended up deleting it lol He is an amnesiac demon who Damien just kinda found one day. He just sticks to Damien and begs him not to kill him, and Damien pities him enough to keep him around and help him out to find out who he is. Azzy is small (well not physically, he's kinda tall tbh, but he makes himself look small) and meek, which is very odd for a demon, y'know? On an unrelated note, while I have not written a single thing for Azzy, I have made a whole buncha memes about him and his storyline because I have nothing better to do and I would rather do that then write about him. oops? I could go into why he was created, but I'll leave that for another day <3 I don't have much to say about him, because tbh I forgot a lot of things for him, but's a summary of his character. Also here is a playlist I made for him a while back lol And also here's a picrew I made that generally looks like him (best I could do ^^;;)

omg I actually forgot abotu Lady de Ville. I only remembered her when I was looking for the picew of Azzy. Anyways de Ville is a vampire from way-back-when, back when Liam first became a vampire, and was the leader of what was the Dark Side back then. In all honesty I'm too afraid to talk about her, because while I love to daydream, I get too embarrassed when someone asks; she is apart of the Very Long and Sorta Complicated Past I have given Liam. One day I might write a fic about it, idk. But Lady de Ville is the definition of Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss, and is like pretty shitty and evil tbh. I won't go into her but I will give you a picrew of her! (which is not too accurate but oh well I can only do so much lol)

And finally, I have the seven OCs that were mainly created because I became obsessed with worldbuilding Hell for the Monster Prom universe ^^; and so I made the rulers for each Circle. I posted about them before, but here they are again because they didn't properly show up in the tags lol (so yeah this is copy-pasted and is the longest so I'm sorry lol) (and also sorry no picrews, but it's hard to make demons in many of them TwT)

The ruler of the First Circle, Limbo, is Baron Levy (who is my favorite MP OC and can talk about him for days)! He is the youngest of the rulers, becoming Baron at age 19 (and is currently 27 or so). He is shy and reserved, keeping mainly only to himself. He is also Damien’s glorified babysitter bodyguard close friend, and the two often hang out if the prince ever decides to visit Limbo.

The next circle, the Second Circle of Lust, is ruled by Lord Asmos. He was actually the first one I made, as he is Azzy’s father! Once ruled with great power, Asmos was demoted down to the Second Circle, and hates it with a passion, as he now has very little power or say in anything. He only wishes death and despair onto the LaVeys, but other than that he’s just kind of…there.

The Third Circle of Hell is run by Earl Cerci. As it is the Circle of Gluttony, it would only be fitting for her to be a glutton as well–but, a glutton for knowledge. It was said thirst for knowledge that made her Fall, that made her to be cast out of Heaven, but she learned to get over it. She is close friends with Lucien, who met her when she first arrived in Hell. The two are probably the only few ones who use the braincell out of all of the rulers.

The fourth ruler is Marquess Marlon! Marlon, too, is a Fallen Angel, and being the dramatic demon he is, cut off his wings (which won some points with Damien, because damn that’s pretty fucking metal!). He spends most of his time with humans rather than in hell, because he finds them all so Interesting and Funny (especially Italians, for some reason. He usually frequents Italy). In general he just likes to hang around and have fun, and is definitely a “party-now-work-later” kind of demon.

Ruler of the Fifth Circle is Duke Gordie. A powerful warrior, but also a very sleepy boi. He doesn’t care too much for his work–many don’t in all honesty–but is a powerful demon on the battlefield. Respect is a big deal for him, and people have to earn his respect–in battle, of course. He’s a bit of an asshole with anger issues (hence the Circle of Anger), and tends to either be pissed off at everyone or everything, or…sleeping.

The ruler of the Sixth Circle, the Circle of Heresy, is Grand Duke Faren. She is stern, ruthless, and unforgiving; she holds a lot of power in Hell, and is not someone to mess with. She isn’t afraid to voice her opinions, and is willing to stand by what she says. She truly does believe that she is stronger, and therefore better, than the kings. She isn’t afraid to go against her kings’ orders, even if it’s heresy. She is willing to die for what she believes in.

The seventh ruler of the Seventh Circle is Archduke Bubzeleon III–or just Archduke Buddi! He runs the Circle of Violence, and is a boisterous and loud demon. He is also childhood friends with Stan, and the two worked together side-by-side during the war in the Eighth Circle (he even got to watch the two fall in love!). He’s also given the highest honor of being considered as Damien’s uncle, which is something he wears as a badge of honor. He just loves violence and danger so much, and loves to get into all kind of situations because of it.

If you made it this far, then thank you, it really does mean a lot <333 I usually don't talk about them, but I really do love these guys so much lol I would have to say, Levy would probably have to be my favorite, seconded by Cerci and Marlon <3 I just like to think about Levy and Damien's relationship a whole lot (edit: made each of the lords' parts shorter because i just realized how long they are and you asked for light intros oops lmao)

[artificiallyimplantedmemories]

Repost, don’t reblog! Tag 6 muns you would like to get to know better when done!

Name: Onyx... like the rock, not the Pokémon, though I won’t blame you if you use the other one. It’s not my favorite stone (that’s obsidian actually), but it’s short and sweet and a tough rock and semi-precious so I’ll take it. Some of my really old RP partners also know me as Skirmishes (yes, plural). Age: ~30 yikes Faceclaim: I FORGOT I USED TO HAVE ONE! I still have the icons... Shion from No. 6

Pronouns: he/him or they/them  Height: 5′3″ or 160 cm Birthday: it’s a secret o.o Aesthetics: uhhhh this maybe? (photo by me)

Favourite muse(s) you’ve written: hmmm I’ve written many many many muses over the years, it’s hard to pick favorites. I’ve probably loved Fivey and the TARDIS best before coming to Marvel? I have a massive list of muses and this feels like picking a favorite child, I don’t like it T_T

What inspired you to take on your current muse (that you are posting this on): I wrote Clint Barton for a number of years (still do @arrowedavenger​, but it’s a sideblog rather than a main one now), and during my time with him as my main muse, I met the delightful @tekhne​ (who was @shpixn​ back then) and fell in love with their Natasha. I ended up wading through some of her comics and she cemented into me because Nat and I have so much in common. When Clint’s depression got too much for me to handle (on top of my own) for writing him as my primary muse, I decided to try my hand and Nat, and have had her ever since. Luckily Clint is a little better for me now as well, so I can write them both!

What are your favourite aspects of your current muse: I absolutely adore and admire Natasha’s resilience. She’s been through so much and still steadfastly determined to do good in the world. She doesn’t always succeed, of course, and she’s a deeply flawed person, but she’s often angry for the right reasons, and I resonate hugely with many of her personal issues and mental health diagnoses. Writing her is very cathartic for me sometimes, and the fact that she can face many of the challenges that I do and come out of it standing gives me hope of doing the same.

What’s your biggest inspiration when it comes to writing: This is going to sound cheesy as hell but probably my RP partners? Aside from the fact that many of them are simply incredible writers in their own right, whenever I’m unsure of where to go with things, I can pop in and ask for feedback, or request drabble prompts if I’m not feeling threads, or simply chat about our muses and their antics without the pressure of writing, and that helps unlock actual thread writing. I’ve been pressed for time lately so threads have been a little harder sometimes, but my muse is overflowing.

Favourite types of threads: I really enjoy variety. I find that having a good balance of styles keeps me interested in writing — some action, some hurt/comfort, some straight out angst, some fluff, some smut — I like a well rounded experience. Right now I’m really digging some of my AUs too, for a variety of reasons. Some are intense, some are soft in ways that a normal verse would never allow, some are just fun, and some are... excuses to make myself and my rp partner cry. Oops?

Biggest struggle in regards to your current muse: I’m lucky to say that I don’t have a ton of struggles with Nat these days, though I always waffle on which parts of her canon I really want to incorporate, since she’s been written for so many years and had things retconned so many times. Mostly sometimes she just wants a very specific type of interaction which makes replying to all my drafts a little harder, so I just live in meme central -_-

tagged by: @murdcck​

tagging: uh, all of you? let’s say any of the following only if you want to of course!! and anyone else who would like to steal it and tag me too! @fasciinating @heroicpaths @lostsouldier @fatedfuturist @aviophobic @knowseverythingaboutyou @gloriousxdarkness @shieldworn @saviare @steelhcpe @hellspeed @dracharenae @jenniferwallters @dearlybelovad​@strangcrdoctor @the-mjolnir-owner @apollorise @brokenlilsoldier @agentnineteen @bluedwing @palidinus @magntokinesis @angerbuilt OKAY I’LL STOP NOW ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS, DO THE THING PLEASE

[aximili]

drafted this from @dominocity ages ago and forgot abt it until i was procrastinating just now :0

check in tag game ✅

1. why did you choose your url?

went by axx for a very long time (incredibly this actually had nothing to do with aximili-esgarrouth-isthill even tho i did grow up loving animorphs. i had an OC who used the online handle axolotl.... something... i cant remember.... and i thought it sounded cool so i started using it. wow i had actually forgotten this info until just now! lore!) anyway someone on tumlr reminded me how much i loved animorphs and i wanted a new url at the time. someone just had it saved and wasnt using it so i was like fuck it, why not ask. politely messaged the blog and they were like oh ya i forgot abt this and freed it up

2. any side blogs? if you have them name and them and why you have them.

i have like 6 but i no longer use any of them & havent for years lmaoooo

3. how long have you been on tumblr?

i think its a decade this year. and ive never changed blogs once. im like a fungal infection here they cant get rid of me

4. do you have a queue tag?

i have never queued and i never will. you get my posts when you get em.

5. why did you start your blog in the first place?

a lot of my friends on deviantart (yes dear god) were becoming more active here and i started checking some humour blogs daily until i was eventually like why not just make an account

6. why did you choose your icon/pfp?

Him. (from the cover of #8 the alien, the first ax pov book, which i found in a 2nd hand bookshop as a kid and was soooo excited bc i could normally only read animorphs at the library, they were never in shops. still a treasured possession.)

7. why did you choose your header?

it just really describes my emotional state at any given time

8. what’s your post with the most notes?

unfortunately i believe it's this, which is not even my original content nor even the OP's original content, as it turned out. but "online job application form" dnd joke is probably second

9. how many mutuals do you have?

who the got damn hell is keeping track of this?

10. how many followers do you have?

1439. its been around this number for like 2 years i really just stagnated at a certain point but idm

11. how many people do you follow?

968. to paraphrase lydia, i suppose i should follow 1 more. (im sure that at least half of those are inactive. i have been here for a decade.)

12. have you ever made a shitpost?

by no means. none of my posts are shit

13. how often do you use tumblr each day?

uhhhhhhhh i probably open it and glance at activity/briefly glance at my dash llike 5 times a day? a lot less now that i use locked twitter for socialisation

14. did you have a fight/argument with a blog once? who won?

god no i am incredibly nonconfrontational. a couple times in my younger and more vulnerable years id post some stupid uninformed take and someone would rightfully disagree, and occasionally vice versa, but i honestly can't recall a "fight"

15. how do you feel about ‘you need to reblog this’ posts?

it's good to only follow adults the dashboard becomes a peaceful place

16. do you like tag games?

yes i like talking about myself 😊 but i never tag anyone bc im lazy oops.

17. do you like ask games?

i rarely do them bc i would usually not get any lmao, but they can be fun

18. which of your tumblr mutuals do you think is famous?

alma my friend alma seems to get a lot of nonsense in their inbox even tho they only post abt yugioh. eliza was definitely my most famous mutual but she freed herself from this place to become a real author, godspeed. and logan really blew up with "your dad looks gnc af" most recently

i think i have some more well known mutuals (again. been here 10 years.) but i cant think of them rn lmao sorry if ur a famo and i excluded u.

generally people think i have a lot more followers than i actually have? it's hard to gauge whether that's a compliment or not, but i take it as one.

19. do you have a crush on a mutual?

i have crushes on like everyone i meet it's called being bisexual </3

20. tags?

i tag...... YOU yes you. if u want!

[bravescribbles]

Trouble in Paradise Pt. 2 Power couple pt. 5

Here comes the angst! Dont say I didnt warn you...!! I also made a post before this one about some spotify playlist I made about the pairings in this ship except for Dickinette and Brucinette just cause I don’t have a particular feel for their music amongst my collecetion. But if you want to ask questions or make any suggestions about music choices, please let me know and I will be more than happy to discuss about them. Now here comes the angst 

There was a shooting in Paris at an event that Sabine and Tom were catering at while at the same time Scarecrow attacked the post office where Mari was receiving a care package from her parents.  Marinette was infected with fear toxin that made her hallucinate that her parents died in front of her while having Damian appear and kill her whilst saying that he never loved her and the arranged marriage was a bluff for his affair with Lila Rossi

 While real-time in Paris they were shot at close-range point blank with a muzzled gun in the midst of the shooter rampage. Batman and associates arrived then gave her the antidote for the toxin but in the hospital where she is recovering she sees the news about Paris. 

"Among the fallen were award winning bakers Tom and Sabine Dupain-Cheng owners of Tom and Sabine Bakery which had multiple store locations though their original was here in the heart of Paris on Ducal St., they are survived by their only daughter Marinette Dupain-Cheng- Al-Ghul who is also more commonly known as the fashion mogul MDC This Paris News 7 with the latest update, back to you Paul in New York."

Mari after that loses it completely, she had to be restrained and held in a psychiatric ward for a bit just for the safety of herself and others around her. She had to be placed in a medically induced coma just to let her body heal properly. Damien, on the other hand, is about to destroy anything in his warpath, first his wife was attacked by the Scarecrow and was made to be seen Ra's only knows what terrors. Him not knowing that he, himself was part of the terror that scarred his wife. Second his beloved aunt and uncle was murdered. Though he has his suspicions that it may have been an enemy of the League who killed them. *T’was not*

 Hell was about to rise and no one was safe from his wrath. Once Damian gets to Gotham hospital, the doctors inform him about his wife being in the psych ward and her mental instability. Added punch to the gut she's pregnant. Only about 6 weeks but with everything that has been happening and her body being generally small the safest thing is consider an abortion and try later. Damian does not take the news well. 

There may have been mistreatment of medical equipment added to the bill along with threats of harassment against the doctors...

He finds his disregarded family waiting outside her room and snarls in disgust because how dare they try to show sympathy for his wife in order to gain his trust. Bruce, Dick and Tim are the ones outside of the hospital room with Babs and Cass coming from the cafeteria with coffee in their hands. 

“You have no business being here, this is an Al Ghul matter, which makes it a matter of the League.Not that is should concern any of you, leave now ibn kalb*” dismissed Damain despite protest from everyone. 

He walks into her room and sees all the machines hooked up to his queen, who looks like shes been to hell and more, he grabs her hand tightly and leaves a kiss on her forehead, whispers to Mari’s abdomen

" hello amira*, i am your alab*, your mother is asleep right now, you have to help me wake her so we can be a family together." 

Shes in a coma for about 2 weeks. There’s constant news coverage about her condition from the scarecrow attack along outpouring support from celebrities, actors, and average clients along with her Paris friends. Neither Sabine or Tom have any other siblings or family that collect their body. Gina has unforgettably passed away 3 years ago due to age, and decaying mental health. 

Damain doesn't leave her side the whole time, he’s there during visiting hours every single day, he’s relentless about his search for Scarecrow in order to enact revenge for harming his wife and unborn child. He has lost a portion of his muscle mass due to not working out and lack of nutrition, he also has a growing 5 o’clock shadow growing due to lack of hygiene. 

Though at night, Damian calls a truce with his father to take down the scarecrow, though on the other side of the world he has a secret op group that is hunting down the shooter that killed Sabine and Tom. They were not successful in that mission. 

When Marinette wakes up though, she wakes up in the middle of the night, precisely when Damian and batfam take down the Scarecrow. Though all the boys have to physically hold Damain back from not taking of Scarecrow’s head right off. So she freaks out again though this time due to her scarecrow vision’s making it actually seem Damian ran off with Lila. When Damian finally gets to the hospital, he has to calm her down without mentioning anything about the baby to not further stress her out. 

“Oh beloved I was so scared when I woke up, nobody was there and I thought you had left me alone”

“No my queen, I was taking revenge in honor of you, I’m ashamed that the disgrace of a father denied me my trophy but be rest assured that the enemy is contained.” 

ibn kalb-Son of dog, amira- princess, alab-father) These are the rough translations, i did some research about son of dog, appearantly is an insult, though i can always be mislead, the other translations are from google so in case they are  wrong let me know and I will adjust. 

So this Pt. 2 of troubles in Paradise but by no means is that the end of it. We still have to see about the baby though and who shot Tom and Sabine, what is their motive? Let me know what you think! (I swear I thought I posted this yesterday but my dumbutt forgot to change save draft to post now.... oops

Taglist

@lenamau @fandomfan @vixen-uchiha @vanillacoffee-bean @the-fusionist, @naimena @maribat-2k20girl23 @myazael  @winter-gardenflower @zestyzealot @moonlightstar64 @crazylittlemunchkin @dreamkitty25, @certainmuffinbagelcalzone @alexzandria-747, @damianette-is-life 

[the-last-airbadger]

My 2020

Hey y’all. So 2020 happened. That was a thing. Apparently. I know for a lot of people this year was uhm… pretty shit… but it was still a year that happened so it’s time for my annual reflection post (probably the only time I still post about myself on tumblr lol) and maybe we might even find some good things that happened this year!

 The Beginning of 2020 vs Now

So, a lot has changed since the start of the year. A pandemic happened, for one. I can’t believe that a year ago I could still go to class every day and see my friends and now I’m pretty much stuck at home every day. The year started out pretty normal and then march happened and well, you all know what happened next. The worst part about the pandemic for me personally was probably the fact that I barely see my friends anymore and I can’t go to class every day. Some people may not think that not going to class is that bad, but I really enjoyed university more than I ever enjoyed school and I was really happy going there every day, and I was already sad I’d only have 4 to 5 years to spend there, so when that period got even shorter it made me kinda sad.

On the other hand, I do think that mentally I’m in a much better place than I was last year around this time. Being home this much really gave me time to reflect and work on my issues, and because my sister was stuck in our house for a couple of weeks I got to talk to her a lot which really helped me feel better. I think in general my entire family (my brother, sister and mom) have become a lot more open with each other which I think is great! I guess quarantine can have some benefits.

 The Best Things about 2020

Okay, here’s is where we’re going to get even more positive and go over all the good things that happened (to me) this year! To be honest, most of the year was a bit of a blur so I probably will forget quite a bit, but I’m going to give this a try anyway. At the start of the year (when things were still normal) I was super excited to get into the next semester, as the one before had,,, kinda sucked, and those 6 weeks of class I had at the start of the year were really great. I remember me and my friends having a competition of who could get mentioned the most in our teacher’s powerpoint presentation so those classes were always interesting. I also finally got to dye my hair for the first time with the help of my friends. I’ve been wanting to do that for so long, and I’m so happy I finally got to do it! I even know how to do it myself now, and my hair hasn’t been brown since the start of march! Then, at the start of march, my dad and stepmother moved away and I permanently moved in with my mom. Before, I used to live with both my mom and my dad and I got really really sick of switching houses every week, so to finally live in one house and have all my stuff in one place was a bit of a relief to me, and I’m still really happy with it. After that, things become a bit blurry. I remember that at the start of quarantine in … April? I watched Sex Education or the first time, which is now not only one of my favourite shows ever, but also taught me a lot and helped me with some of the issues I was dealing with. We’ll skip over the subsequent sexuality crisis I had (I think I might actually be straight??), and skip straight to the summer, when I started watching I-Land. I watched every episode as it aired live, and because of this show my Fridays really became the highlight of the week. I don’t think I’ve ever been so invested in a survival show XD. The rest of the year was mostly just me spending time with myself. It got a bit lonely sometimes, but I also don’t think I’ve ever written as much as I have this year, and my drawing has significantly improved (if I may say so myself)! Especially towards the end of the year, when I started making a planning every day to prevent myself from wasting away all my time on youtube, I got super productive, and I wrote a lot, and made a lot of art, and I really felt good. I even started (gasp) working out. Yeah I know. Shocking right.

There was also a lot of good music that was released this year, and, to close this section on a great note, through one of my classes I finally found a group of friends to play D&D with! We haven’t actually played yet, but we will, and I’m so excited to play the game and get to know these people more! They all seem really kind!

 My Resolutions for 2020?

Now, here’s the part where we check whether I actually reached all the goals I set myself for 2020. As usual, I have no idea what my resolutions were, so I honestly have no idea how I did. Let’s see, shall we?

Express my feelings more (as in I get really awkward in any sappy or mushy situation but I would like to be able to tell people I appreciate them without cringing) – UHM way to attack me on the very first resolution jeez. I did get more open with my family but I still can’t tell people I care about them without cringing so this is a fail lol

Again, learn to depend less on other people’s opinion and trust my own – I’ve been working on it, I think I’ve gotten a bit better? So win?

Get my sleeping schedule back on track – did that! It’s a bit whacky again now because of the holidays, but October and November were a big success regarding this resolution

WRITE MORE. This time I’ll make some concrete goals: Either I’ll get my story’s first draft done, or I’ll write 100 pages on a single project – okay, so here’s the thing. I don’t think I did any of these particular things, however this time I am 100% sure I wrote a lot more than the past years. I cannot count all the files and pages and notes I have now, but I wrote a lot, so I’m counting this as a win

I want to try NaNoWriMo (not necessarily in November, but at some point) – yeah, didn’t do that oops

I want to read a lot again but maybe not as much as this year because I want to focus on writing too. 40 books? – 49 books babey

Read all my current unread books (Aru Shah 2, Skullduggery Pleasant 9, Gemina, The Mistborn Trilogy and Call Down The Hawk) and finish my reread of Heroes of Olympus and the Raven Cycle) – Did all of these except Skullduggery Pleasant 9 (the start was so boring I decided not to read it all) and The Mistborn Trilogy (I am about halfway through the first book I think?) so I’m counting this as half a win

Finally read a book by V.E. Schwab (I’ve been wanting to try one of her books for ages) – Did that! Read a whole trilogy. It was good but not as great as I expected them to be. I think my expectations were too high though

Finish Playing Twilight Princess (I promised my brother) – Did that! I’m really proud of myself and so is my brother

Go. Swimming. Seriously. It’s scandalous that I still haven’t done that after waiting so long to be able to – IT’S BEEN 5 YEARS SINCE I LAST WENT SWIMMING WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. I did buy new swimshorts but I still haven’t actually used them… shame on me

Try to worry less about school and not overwork myself – kinda?

Maybe try another drawing challenge somewhere this summer? I haven’t done any of those in a while and I feel like my art needs more attention – okay, so I didn’t do that, but I did at the start of the year make the resolution to make portrait/photoshoot-like drawings for my 8 main oc’s, and I did actually manage to finish that, and they are some of the best drawings I’ve ever made, so though I haven’t actually done a challenge specifically, I did do something

I want to try a 24 hour readathon – Yeah, didn’t do that oops

I kinda want to learn a piano piece as well, but I already have so many hobbies I want to focus on so I don’t know if I’ll have the time ☹ – yeah my dad sold our piano so… fail XD

 Expectations for 2021

Now, after last year I think it’s safe to say we can never really know what to expect. But! I’m going to guess anyway because it’ll be really fun to see next year whether I got anything right.

The first thing that I think will probably happen this year (if I don’t majorly mess anything up) is I’ll be writing my thesis next semester, and then in the summer I’ll get my bachelor’s degree. Honestly I can’t believe how fricking fast those 3 years went, but I guess I’ll just have to roll with it lol. Corona vaccinations will also probably start happening next year, and hopefully this will mean that going outside and seeing my friends will be possible again next year – at least a lot more than it was this year. I hope 2021 will be the year of hanging out with friends and getting to live a little again. Maybe even get to go to class. That would be great.

On to more minor – but no less exciting – things, 2021 will probably bring us a new season of Sex Education! I’m sooo excited for that holy shit. And, in a similar vein, I have high hopes for kpop releases now that SHINee is finally back, and it looks like Haseul is also returning to LOONA! 2021 will also be the year in which ENHYPEN makes their first comeback, and some of the other I-LAND contestants will also make their debut, and there might even be a new season of I-LAND as well in the summer? So there’s a lot of things to look forward to. Oh, and I almost forgot, Dan Howell’s book will be released in May, and there will be a new Grishaverse book, and the Shadow and Bone show will start airing, which I am really curious about. Again, lots of things to look forward to!

 2021 Resolutions

I’m not feeling as ambitious as I was last year, but there are a couple of things I want to try and do, so let’s jump into the resolutions!

I just came up with this today, but I think I want to try and build a bit of a skincare routine? The skin on my nose is kinda flakey, and I think it couldn’t hurt to try and take better care of my skin

Keep up with my daily workouts. I want to work out every day, except when I’m at my dad’s or when it’s a special day, like Christmas or something.

Be able to do either 50 push-ups on my knees, 25 normal push-ups, or both

GO SWIMMING

Keep up with planning daily! It’s a really good way to balance all of my 3195 hobbies and it helps me to not get stressed about school

Write (almost) every day. I need to make it a habit

Draw at least once a week, every other day if possible

Go outside at least once a week. That doesn’t seem very hard but with corona I did not realise how little I go outside if I am not forced to. Sometimes I spend 3 weeks without going out and I don’t even notice it. That can’t be good for me lol

Try to make healthier food choices. Maybe follow the lunch meal plan of the guy whose workout videos I follow.

Get my bachelor’s degree

Grow a beard. I’m getting closer… I know I’m getting closer…

Meet with my frIENDS and give them the alBUMS I have for them

Be more careful with my money, maybe even save a bit of money

Spend less time on social media

Read more educational books

I think that’s it! I can’t think of anything else right now so these will have to do. I wish that 2021 will treat all of you much better than whatever mess 2020 was! Happy 2021!

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@the-official-pentacorn @asiandutchgirl

[gwentoryfics]

Hot for Teacher, Part 6.

Genre | College Student x College Professor Smut AU

Pairing | Reader x Hongseok x Hyunggu (Kino) x Wooseok

Words | 14k

Summary | You never realized how much one drunken night could color the rest of your college experience until you discover that the handsome stranger from your cousin’s wedding is also the new professor at your university.

Warnings | Mentions of abusive familial relationships. Explicit sexual content. Grinding. Penetrative sex. Swearing. And, as always, poor choices.

Parts | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 5.5 • 6 • More Coming Soon

Note | Added Wooseok to the official Pairing list because, let’s be real. He’s earned it. Thank you all for your never-ending patience! I love each and every one of you, and I’ll never get over how much love and support you all give me.

The morning brings with it a throbbing headache and a brief moment of surprise when you realize you’ve woken up in an apartment that is not your own. You remember quickly, however, that you ran into Kino last night and ended up crashing at his place, so you’re not alarmed.

You’re sweaty under the blanket that’s draped over you, and your shirt- er, the one you borrowed from Kino- sticks to your back. Vague bits of a dream mix with faded memories of last night, and you have to take a moment to sort everything out.

You went to the club with the seniors from jazz band. The boys were so supportive, and their performance was stellar, and… and they fucking signed you up to play. Right.

And then you ran into Professor Yang, who sent you home. Your whole body had throbbed with want for him, as per usual. But instead…

Wooseok.

You went to Wooseok’s place, and he fingered you on the kitchen counter.

What was that all about? How did you end up making out with him of all people? Not that he was a bad choice or anything, maybe just an unexpected one.

Desperately, you try to piece together what you feel about the whole situation. So you start with the things you know to be true about him:

Wooseok is tall and attractive, especially in a jean jacket.

Wooseok is an incredible kisser.

Wooseok knows how to use his fingers.

And then you think of things that you know to be true about you:

You’re feeling turned on again just by thinking about Wooseok.

You’re blessedly distracted by something that isn’t Professor Yang for once.

You don’t know what you feel towards Wooseok emotionally, but you maybe wouldn’t mind if something like last night happened again. Maybe.

You puff out your cheeks and let the air rush out in a deep sigh. Somehow, you had managed to make a messy semester even messier. Literally all you had to do was just get your shit together. Is that really such a difficult thing for you to accomplish?

Thoughts of Wooseok’s lips, tongue, and fingers swirl in your brain, and it’s weirdly relieving. It feels like there may be hope for you after all - your world doesn’t have to revolve around Professor Yang. You can move on. You can see other people and stop feeling so hung up on him. 

Maybe the rest of this semester won’t be so bad.

Grabbing your phone off of the coffee table, you check your notifications. Just a message from Nailah - oops, you forgot to let her know you weren’t coming home last night - and an email in your school account. You send off a quick reply to Nailah letting her know that you’re alive and that you’ll make it up to her, and then you check the email.

“_____,

Because you missed our meeting last week, I would like to reschedule. I have set aside time this Thursday afternoon to meet with you. Please let me know if this time does not work for you.

Thank you,

Professor Hongseok Yang”

The email is so formal, it makes you roll your eyes. You get it - your school email is probably monitored and he doesn’t want to at all hint at any kind of comfortability between the two of you, but it doesn’t have to sound like a fucking dissertation. 

You know what? Whatever. You’ll meet with him. It’s not a big deal, anyway, because you’re getting over him. 

Without the slightest hint of sass or sarcasm or whatever else, you genuinely write back: 

“Professor Yang,

Thursday afternoon works great for me. I’ll see you then.

Thank you!

_____”

Sending the message, you feel relieved. You’re turning over a new leaf. All that’s left for you to do is send a quick text to Wooseok letting him know that you won’t be able to tutor him this week, and once that is on its way to him you feel like you’re ready to start the day.

As you sit up on the couch, about to get up and go to the bathroom, you notice a Kino-sized lump on the floor between the couch and the coffee table. Had he slept there all night?

You reach down, lifting the end of the blanket that covers his head. “Psst.”

He inhales deeply and shifts, eyes opening and squinting at the sunlight pouring in from the windows. Passively, you note that he’s actually really cute when he’s so sleepy.

“Good morning, sunshine,” you coo. You ruffle his hair, and he swats your hand away, emitting a noise that sounds like a cross between a chuckle and a groan. 

“Five more minutes.”

“No. I’m up so you should be up, too.” 

“Oh, is that how this works?” He peeks up at you, one eye still squinted shut. 

“Think so. I am the guest of honor here, so you should probably do what I say.”

“Guest of honor, my ass.”

“I’m not the one sleeping on the floor, so I think that puts me a step above you.”

“Please. I’m only down here because of you.”

You laugh. “Why? Were you worried I might have nightmares out here by myself?”

“No, I thought you’d be fine.” He sits up, stretching his arms and back, which are surely stiff from sleeping on the carpet all night. “You’re the one that asked me to stay with you.”

Your cheeks suddenly warm and your eyes widen. “...I did?”

He nods. “Yeah, I was going to head in because I thought you were asleep, but the second I stood up you asked me to stay. So I stayed.”

“Shit, Kino, I was drunk. You didn’t have to do that for me.” You frown. “You’re probably stiff as hell because of it.”

Kino just shrugs. “Well, now you know what I’m willing to do for you.”

“Would you be willing to make me some eggs?”

With a broad smile, Kino stands. “Anything for you, dear.” And then he pushes you back onto the couch, giggling like a maniac as he runs for the kitchen.

“Shithead!”

***

You’re grateful to find Changgu at the reception desk on Monday. You never actually sent the apology text that you drafted, and at this point it’s probably better to just do it in person - no matter how embarrassing it might be.

“Hey, Changgu.” You approach the desk, greeting him quietly. Shyly.

He looks up from the computer, eyebrows lifting in surprise before a smile settles on his lips. “Quite the weekend, huh?”

Oh, he has no idea. “You’re telling me.”

“How can I help you?”

“I wanted to apologize for everything. You guys could have all had a perfectly good time without me. I shouldn’t have lied to you about my age.”

“Yeah, you probably shouldn’t do that too often. But I’m not going to lecture you.”

“Thanks.” You shift your weight awkwardly, not really sure what else to say. “Anyway, I really appreciate you inviting me to the jazz club, and getting me into the jazz band practice. I really enjoyed it. Both of those things.”

“It’s not a problem.” Changgu smiles warmly. What a gentle ray of sunshine he is. Then he grabs a stack of post-it notes and scribbles something down before handing it over. “I’m supposed to give you this.”

“Oh?” You look at the square of paper to find what looks to be a phone number.

“From Yanan. You don’t have to text him if you don’t want to. He can be a little forward sometimes, but he won’t be weird about it if he doesn’t hear from you. He just always has to try, you know?”

“Oh. Okay.” You slip it into your pocket, not exactly sure what you want to do with it. “Um, I should probably get going. Class and all. You know.”

As you turn to head out, he calls your name. “_____?”

“Yeah?” You look back at him.

If you’re not mistaken, Changgu’s cheeks are the most delicate rose color. “Don’t forget that you have my number, too.”

Is he flirting?

You smile reassuringly. If Bad Choices is becoming your middle name, you may as well embrace it. “I won’t forget.”

***

Thursday afternoon, you find yourself in Professor Yang's office, as he requested. You feel surprisingly level-headed, but you do notice just a hint of nervousness in the back of your mind. After all, you’re getting over him - so you’re not quite over him yet. He’s still beautiful and tempting and damn him for wearing such a delicious cologne all the time.  

Professor Yang sits across from you, behind his desk, as always. He’s looking through the two incorrectly-graded assignments you brought in, and he takes the time to correct them.

"I apologize. You were right about my miscalculations." He plugs the updated grades into his computer, and they hardly even affect your total grade. "I assure you that I'll take my time with your midterm and all other assignments from here on out."

"Thank you." You take back your labs and stuff them into your backpack. The midterm you took on Tuesday hadn't been terribly difficult and you're anticipating that you'll get a good grade anyway. But at least you know that he's aware of his mistakes so you won't have to confront him about it again (hopefully). 

You stand, ready to leave now that your meeting’s purpose is complete, but he beckons you. "I need to speak with you about something else."

You meet his caramel eyes, and he's just as impossible to read as always. Begrudgingly, you fall back into your chair. "What is it?"

Professor Yang's tongue swipes over his lower lip, but in such a way to indicate that he's thinking, considering where to start. Still, it catches your attention, and you probably look at his lips a hair longer than you should. Damn him.

"About what you said this weekend..." He searches your face. "I don't have a girlfriend."

Why the fuck did he have to say that, of all things?!

"Okay," you spit out, trying to act aloof even though you're fucking mortified that he would even bring that up. You're sure that your furiously warming cheeks give you away. "Good for you."

Professor Yang looks dissatisfied. "Can we perhaps have an adult conversation about this?"

"I don't have to have anything with you." You cross your arms over your chest, defaulting to your usual sass mode that always seems to emerge around him.

His eyes narrow and he scoffs. "See, this is exactly why I said you needed to leave Saturday night. Do you at all notice the childish fit that you're throwing right now?"

With a roll of your eyes (yes, you realize that's still childish), you uncross your arms and take a deep breath. "Fine. Let's talk. What do you want?"

"I want to know what's going on with you. Why did you tell me to say hi to my girlfriend?"

The thing is, you know that he knows exactly why you said it. He just wants you to admit it out loud. "I was heated." That's as much as you'll give him.

"Is that why you left our last appointment? Because you were heated?" Professor Yang recalls the way you stormed off after seeing that woman in his office last week.

"You seemed busy."

"I wasn't. She was leaving."

"Whatever. I didn't feel like talking."

"Did you think she was my girlfriend?"

"I don't care who she is."

"She's my sister."

Somehow, that genuinely catches you off guard. You shift in your seat, curious. "You have a sister?"

Professor Yang nods calmly. "Two. Both younger than me. The sister that you saw was in town for a conference, and she just stopped in to visit. I don't get to see her very often."

Shit. Well that certainly explains why she was so gorgeous, since they share the same gene pool. You try to remain neutral about it all. "I'm glad you got to see her, then."

"The way you've reacted to her is very concerning." His brow furrows. "I knew this would be an issue if we tried to do a class together."

"This has nothing to do with you and me, okay? This..." you gesture between him and yourself, "...is nothing. You can date whoever you want. I literally don't care."

"You want me to believe that after the way you acted?"

"You think I'm jealous or something?" You scoff, laughing, but it's awkward and forced. He notices, and gives you the look of oh-please. Defensively you say, "I'm not jealous!"

Pause. A lull in conversation. You’re both aware that you’re lying, and it’s obvious that you will never admit to it, no matter what he says. You hold each others' gaze, and you wonder which of you will be the first to look away. And then he speaks.

"I wanted to tell you something else. Something honest. But I need you to not read into it, okay? Just take it at face value. Promise me you can do that."

Faintly, you notice the way your heart skips. "Okay. I promise."

"You obviously shouldn't have been at the club over the weekend, but I just thought you should know that you're a really talented pianist. I was very impressed to hear you play like that."

It hadn't even occurred to you that he was in the audience while you were playing. But now that he's acknowledging it, you feel retroactively nervous about your performance. "Thank you... I appreciate that."

He nods once and then turns to his computer, closing out of the grading screen and generally avoiding your gaze.

"I want to say something honestly, too." You get up the nerve to speak, but you have to hold your hands together to keep them from trembling. How could he affect you so much?

His gaze is so intense, full of warning. "Please be careful with whatever it is you want to say."

He doesn't trust you. You can't blame him. You don't really trust him either. You're both tiptoeing around very dangerous territory even allowing yourselves to be in the same room. But this time you want to share with him something genuine, something that has absolutely nothing to do with whatever may have transpired between the two of you in the past.

"I'm truly enjoying your class. And it's not because you're the one teaching it, I swear. The material is really interesting to me and I'm really looking forward to building my dulcimer."

He smiles, and it's almost unguarded. Like he's relieved that you didn't say something else. "That means a lot to me. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I’m not kidding when I say I've been looking forward to this class since I heard about it last year. And I think you're a great teacher, everything else aside."

"Thank you."

"Can I actually ask you a question? About building instruments and stuff."

He sits back a little, as if he's finally able to relax around you, now that you're actually acting like a student speaking with their teacher. "Of course."

"When did you start building instruments? And did you build that guitar?" You gesture to the instrument resting in the corner of the room, with its beautifully stained wood and delicate detailing around the sound hole. 

“I did!” He lights up and stands, retrieving the guitar. “I built my first guitar when I was sixteen. Didn’t turn out that great because I was not very skilled. But after honing my craft for a few years, I saw more success in the instruments I built. This little lady came along just two years ago.”

“She’s beautiful,” you praise his handiwork. “Seriously. I’m impressed that it’s actually a handmade guitar.”

Professor Yang looks at you like you just sprouted a second head. “Of course it’s handmade. All of the best instruments are. You expect a machine to produce something that sounds like this?”

He strums the strings gently, an arpeggiated chord ringing sweetly through the room. The warm, buttery sound is enough to raise goosebumps on your arms.

“You’re right. No robot could ever make that.” 

“This guitar is my heart and soul.” He smooths his hand over its curves lovingly.

“Can you play that? ‘Heart and Soul’?”

“Why on Earth would I want to play that atrocity on my masterpiece of an instrument? Absolutely not.”

You laugh. “Fair enough. Play something else, then. I want to hear what she can do.”

With no further prompting needed, he dives into a beautiful melody, plucking the strings softly and tapping his nails against the strings to create a beat. The sound is gorgeous, and it’s incredibly special to see him get swept up in the music he’s creating. He’s entirely focused on the movement of his fingers, the swell of each phrase, the gentle groove he’s creating.

Your eyes close so you can hear the music more deeply. It seeps into you, and you can feel him in each note. He is part of the music, giving himself to the melody and turning it into something beyond notes on a page. He breathes life into it.

The song ends, and you wish it never had to. You could listen to him play forever. In the end, all you can manage is a soft wow.

“Nice, right?” Professor Yang grins widely, clearly proud of himself.

“Seriously incredible. And you’re so good at playing it, too.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

You sit up a little more, interested. “The way you were tapping the strings… it reminds me of those people who can, like, play the strings and drum on the guitar body at the same time. Can you do that?”

“I used to. Let’s see…”

He plays something a little more upbeat this time, tapping his fingers, knuckles, and the heel of his palm against the guitar’s body as he strums. It’s not perfect and eventually he stumbles, but it’s still incredibly impressive.

With a short laugh, he gives up. “Like I said, I used to. It has been a while.”

“That’s probably the coolest thing in the world,” you laugh along with him. “I don’t know how you have enough coordination to do that.”

“It’s a skill. Like anything else, you just have to take the time to practice and learn.” Professor Yang drums his fingers against the wood softly. “Clearly I’m a little out of practice.”

“I mean, if you don’t have the time to grade my labs properly, I can’t imagine you have time to sit around drumming on your guitar.”

He cocks his head and purses his lips. “You try teaching a class at a university and we’ll see how easy it is for you to keep up with everything.”

“Hey, I’m not doubting the incredible stress you must be under.” You tease. 

It hits you then how incredibly comfortable you feel with him, how easy it is to be with him unguarded. It’s really… nice.

There’s a knock at the door, then, and Professor Yang glances at the clock on his desk. “Ah. Come in!”

The door opens to reveal another student - a boy from your class. “Hi, Professor.” He notices you still sitting in the office. “Am I too early for our meeting?”

Professor Yang reassures him, “Right on time, actually.”

You nod. “I was just getting ready to leave.” Grabbing your bag, you stand and address Professor Yang. “Thank you for meeting with me today. Really.”

“Not a problem. Thank you for making the time to stop in. I’m glad we got everything sorted out.” He nods once to you. “Have a good weekend and I’ll see you in class.”

“You, too.” 

The two of you exchange a smile, and it feels delightfully innocent. It feels like it means something different, like an agreement to be okay with each other from now on. An agreement to not be at each others’ throats this semester. It gives you hope that you’ve finally broken through into a more peaceful part of your relationship as student and teacher.

This semester is going to be just fine.

***

“_____.”

Your eyes lift from the keyboard to find that the tallest human you know somehow snuck into the R&B Ensemble rehearsal without you noticing. You forgot that he was allowed to rejoin the group this week. “Oh. Hi.”

“...hi.” Wooseok tries to smile, but it’s small and awkward and he looks kind of concerned.

You haven’t spoken to him at all during the week or so that has passed since you made out with him. The only communication that happened was the text that you sent to let him know you had to cancel tutoring. He hadn’t responded, and now that you think about it, you probably should have reached out to him again at some point.

A smile pulls across your lips, although you’re sure it seems just as ingenuine as his. But if it’s ingenuine, it’s only because you’re actually wildly nervous about being in front of him again. From your seat on the piano bench, he towers over you, tall and handsome and… and he’s wearing that fucking jean jacket. It’s devastating.

The silence between the two of you stretches on for far too long, and he eventually gives up on having a conversation as he retreats to the drumset. 

Yikes. You didn’t mean for that to get so weird.

Rehearsal goes much more smoothly now that Wooseok is back, and he drums like he never missed a single practice. Every rhythm and fill is spot on. The whole ensemble falls into a groove that’s just a little bit deeper, a little bit smoother than before. And you can tell that your instructor, Typhanie, is jazzed about it.

After rehearsal, Kino darts over to the keyboard. “_____, your solo was killer tonight!”

“You know I’d say the same to you, but I compliment you every week and eventually you’re going to get a big head about it.”

He pouts. “Nonsense. Compliment me.”

You rise to your feet and pat his head twice. “Well done.”

Kino rolls his eyes, but his smile is bright. He nods his head in the direction of the door, tugging on your sleeve absentmindedly. “Come on, let’s go. I want to ask you something.”

You grab your things and follow him. “Alright. Go on.”

“So, um, two-fold question.” He pushes the door open, and ushers you out of the room. “First, are you free this weekend? Specifically Saturday night?”

“I think so. Are we gonna do something?”

“Yeah, I just wanted-”

“_____! Hold up!” Wooseok’s voice precedes him down the hall as he comes thundering after you. Both you and Kino pause as he approaches. “Sorry, can I talk to you? Please?”

You look over at Kino, who wears a slight frown. As much as you don’t want to do this to Kino, you know you really should talk with Wooseok. “Can I catch up with you later?” 

Kino cocks his head, like he’s surprised you would choose Wooseok over him. But you’re not choosing Wooseok over him, you just… you just have to do this. Kino throws on a half-hearted smile and says, “Sure. Later.”

Wooseok pulls you aside as Kino departs, heading down a different hallway to get you away from the other students leaving rehearsal. You don’t protest, but you tell yourself that you will if he tries anything funny.  

“What is it?” you ask, knowing full well what this conversation is going to be.

“I was kind of hoping you could tell me.” Wooseok expression is unsettled. “I’ve been dying to talk to you, but I thought you might need space, since you just kind of stormed off and then immediately canceled tutoring.”

Oh shit. You didn’t mean for it to come off that way. You canceled because of Professor Yang, not because things were weird between you and Wooseok. Nevertheless, you had run out of his apartment without any kind of explanation, and that is entirely your fault. “I’m sorry I left like that. And I swear, I didn’t cancel tutoring because of… everything. Something else came up. That’s all.”

The gentle giant takes a deep breath, his eyebrows knitting together in concern. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. We were both a little drunk and I shouldn’t have taken it so far. If you don’t ever want to be around me again, I understand. But I just wanted to talk to you about it and let you know that I’m sorry. Honestly.”

Your chest warms. It’s so sweet that he’s worried about you, but it’s also unnecessary. There’s nothing for him to be worried about. “It’s okay. Really. You have nothing to feel bad about. I… I wanted it. And I liked it.” You have to look away from him as you admit it.

It feels like a weight is lifted between you. “I did, too. You’re a good kisser.” He chuckles softly, his hands shyly slipping into his pockets.

“Not so bad yourself,” you chime, still avoiding his gaze. “Um, so even though I enjoyed it, I just felt kind of confused after? I’m…” Go on. You can say it. “I’m getting over someone. So I didn’t know what to feel about all of it. Other than fucking mortified because of your roommate.”

“Don’t worry about him. I promise he doesn’t care.”

Finally, you look up at him. He really is quite handsome, and you fully understand why your drunk self had enjoyed him so much. 

“But I totally understand. I didn’t assume that it meant anything, but thanks for letting me know. Oh, by the way…” Wooseok drops his backpack from his shoulder and unzips one of the small side pockets. “I brought something for you.”

You accept the square of tissue, confused about what he could possibly be giving you - until you unwrap it. He had nicely folded your abandoned underwear to return to you, which is simultaneously embarrassing and sweet.

“Oh my God,” you mumble as you recognize the underwear, a stupid little chuckle leaving you. “I… um, thank you.”

“I’ve gotta be honest, I thought about keeping them.”

“W-what?”

Wooseok shrugs nonchalantly, a goofy grin on his face. “I mean, it’s kind of hot to have a girl’s panties. And they’re cute.”

“You really have no filter.” You stuff the panties into your own backpack, flustered.

“Just wanted to see your reaction,” he laughs. “Worth it.” 

“Glad you thought so. Can we head out now?”

“Mm.” He nods once, and you both head for the stairs. “So, just to make sure we’re both on the same page, I still want to be your friend and I don’t expect anything else from you.”

“Agreed.” You smile, grateful that he’s so considerate about all of this. But against your better judgment, your words don’t stop there. “But if it happens again…”

Wooseok freezes a few stairs ahead of you, turning to face you exactly at eye level. He peers at you curiously. “If it happens again...?”

You shrug, trying to play it cool. You can’t turn back now, so you may as well embrace it. “Then it happens. But I’m not just a booty call, so don’t even think about treating me that way.”

“So…” He moves up a step towards you, regaining a few inches of height. His voice is low as he asks,  “...what exactly are you saying?”

“I’m saying… if it feels right and we’re in the moment, then it is what it is.” You know that you’re still being incredibly vague, but you just can’t bring yourself to say I’m down to fuck if you are. “But no catching feelings because I’m still trying to sort mine out.”

“Right, with the guy you’re getting over and everything.” Wooseok leans in a little, the smallest smirk on his lips. “So I shouldn’t call you up out of the blue. But if we’re both here, and we’re both in the moment…”

He leans in further, and you realize he’s going in for a kiss the second he grabs your hand. But you’re all too aware of the fact that you’re standing on the main staircase of the music building, and anyone could walk past you at any time.

You shake off his hand and put your hand on his chest, holding him back. “Not here, idiot. Someone might see!”

He grins mischievously and shrugs. “Worth a shot.”

After that, Wooseok walks you all the way to your dorm, and he’s a total gentleman. He stands with you in front of your building for a moment, his hands buried in his pockets. 

“Just so you know, you’re welcome to come over to my place whenever,” he offers. “Even if you just want to hang out. We could play games or something. We’re friends, after all.”

“That we are. Thanks.” You hold your fist out for him to bump. “See you at tutoring on Thursday, if not before then?”

“Yeah.” He bumps your fist with his own and smiles sweetly. “Catch you later.”

As he walks off, you’re actually really pleased with the way things turned out. Although you didn’t expect to actually bring up the whole maybe-we-could-do-this-again thing, it excites you that he’s at least open to the idea. Who says you can’t have a fling?

You head upstairs and open the door to your room, and you remember that Kino was in the middle of asking you something when he left - and he didn’t seem too pleased by the interruption. So… maybe you should call him to see what’s going on. You do feel kind of bad that he had to leave on his own.

You’re not sure why your impulse is to call and not text, but he answers the phone before you can really question it too much. “Hey, _____.” 

“Hey, Kino. Did you make it home?”

“Yeah.” 

“Go to your window and look up at my building.”

“...Okay…”

You flicker your bedroom light on and off to catch his attention. “Do you see my room? With the flashing light.”

A quiet chuckle comes across the line. “Yeah, I see it.”

“Now show me where you are.”

A short moment later, you notice one of the windows on the building across the street repeatedly light up and go dark. “Found you!”

“What’s this all about?”

You watch as his silhouette reappears in the window. “You didn’t get to ask me your question. I wanted to know what it was.”

“Oh.” He drags his hand through his hair. “So, I haven’t told you yet, but a piece that I choreographed is going to be performed at the Dance Department Showcase.”

“What? Kino, that’s amazing!” It’s not easy to get work presented at a department-wide showcase, so you know that it’s a huge accomplishment for him. “I’m so proud of you. Oh my gosh, that’s so cool.”

“Thank you! Thank you.” Kino laughs, pleased at your reaction. “So… the showcase is this Saturday night and I’m freaking out. I’m not performing, but I’m still incredibly nervous because it’s like… this project, this baby of mine… it’s being put on display and it’s going to be critically watched by all of my peers and professors. It’s just such a big deal.”

“Can I come?” The question eagerly bursts out of you. You would absolutely love to see what he’s capable of choreographing. If it’s anything like his dancing and singing, you know it’ll be awesome. But then you realize that he’s already freaking out about the people in the audience… maybe you shouldn’t add to that stress. “Actually, would that make it worse? I don’t want to stress you out more by being there.”

“No, no, not at all. That’s actually why I brought it up. I want you to come with me.”

You lean against your window, playing with the hem of your shirt. “I would be honored to go with you.”

He exhales deeply. “I think I’m going to feel much better with you there. Thank you.”

“Of course! What are friends for?”

“Exactly.” Kino’s hand comes to rest on the glass, like he’s reaching out to you. “I’ll see you Saturday, then. Well, and probably before then, too.”

You touch your window, too. “Yeah. I’ll see you soon.”

“Goodnight, _____.”

“Night, Kino.”

***

Your class with Professor Yang has officially moved over to the woodshop, now that your midterms are done. He had gone over standard dress code the week before (no loose, drapey clothing or open-toed shoes), but you hadn’t realized that he would be dressed differently as well.

Up until this point, you’ve only seen him in dress slacks and button-downs. But now that he’s teaching a woodworking class, he’s dressed way more casually than you expected. It makes sense that he would dress down, but it still surprises you to see him in jeans and a fitted t-shirt. His hair is swooped up and back, exposing his forehead and keeping his hair out of his eyes. 

It would be great if you could go a day without drooling over him. Seriously.

Professor Yang goes over the basics of the woodshop with everyone, explaining some of the general tools you’ll all use regardless of instrument. You’ve never used any sort of woodworking tools before, and it makes you a little nervous to think that you’ll be responsible for keeping your fingers intact while sawing away at the body of your dulcimer, but you know he’s there to help if you’re struggling (or injured).  

If nothing else, you and Shinhye can struggle together.

Beside you, Shinhye observes the slab of wood that is to be the neck of her cigar-box banjo. Her calculations are all finished and she knows exactly how far apart to mark each fret along the neck, but she hesitates. “I don’t know man, I’m going to fuck this up for sure.”

“Look, all you have to do is mark it with pencil, and then Professor Yang will come to check your work. Just don’t make any cuts into the wood without his approval and you’ll be fine.” You start marking up the wood that you’ve been given, confident in your math.

As you measure and make your marks, your ears tune in to the music Professor Yang plays throughout the workshop. He’s playing an old rock station, to be expected, and you perk up when a certain Aerosmith song comes on.

A smile grows on your face as Steven Tyler starts singing, and you remember when you sang “Dream On” in Professor Yang’s office.

You glance up to the front of the room to find Professor Yang looking right at you with a stupid grin on his dumb little face.

Oh, he remembers, too.

You struggle to hide your laughter as he breaks into a huge smile. What a loon you are.

“What are you giggling about?” Shinhye questions, still concentrated way too hard on her little pencil marks.

You’re about to respond with a simple nothing, but then she tucks her short hair behind her ear, revealing a purplish mark just under her jaw. “Oh my God, Shinhye, is that a hickey?”

She looks up at you like a deer in headlights, quickly ruffling her hair out with her fingers. “You didn’t see that.”

“What the hell do you mean? Of course I fucking saw that.” With a shit-eating grin, you lean in close. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hooking up with someone? I need to know these things!”

“It’s not important! I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Dude. Fine. I’ll give you a pass since we’re in class right now but you need to dish later.” Shinhye looks disgruntled at your demand, and you try to make her feel better about the whole situation. “Look, I’m proud of you. I never thought this day would come and I just want to know what happened! This is kind of a big deal.”

“It’s really not.” She rolls her eyes.

A third voice joins the conversation. “How are we doing over here?” Professor Yang stands next to Shinhye, looking over her work.

“Oh, perfect timing. I think I’m just about done. Can you check my marks?” Shinhye hands over her wood, seemingly grateful for the change of topic.

He takes a moment to check her math, but not her measurements. “Your math is good, so as long as you measured according to your numbers you’ll be good to go.”

You don’t even have to ask - he immediately picks up your scrap paper to check your math, too. It astounds you that he doesn’t feel the need to pick up a calculator, as if he could do all of the calculations in his head.

“Your math looks good, too.” He sets your paper down. “Go ahead and put your frets in.”

You cock your head, still surprised that he could be so good at math. “You can do all that math without a calculator?”

“I do have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Mathematics, so believe it or not, I don’t really need a calculator.” His voice is touched with sass, as if to say I’m your teacher and I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you.

But you can’t help the question. This man has not one but two math degrees, and he still fucked up your grades? The probability of that being an accident is practically zero - as you’re sure Mr. Math Wiz would agree.

So it must have been intentional. No matter how much he denies it.

It doesn’t seem like he was doing it to punish you, though. It doesn’t seem to have any purpose besides getting your attention.

Getting you into his office.

Getting you one-on-one.

And he succeeded - you sat in his office with him for a solid half hour as he re-graded your papers and chatted. He hadn’t tried to make a move or anything, so why did he want that alone time with you?

Could it be as innocent as just wanting to spend time together?

It doesn’t matter, you remind yourself. I’m getting over him. He doesn’t want anything from me, and I don’t want anything from him. The past is the past and I’m moving on.

You avoid his gaze for the rest of class.

***

Wooseok sits next to you in the practice room, working diligently on the exercises you’ve given him regarding figured bass. Overall, not at all an important concept for him as a drummer, but it’s definitely going to be on his final and he needs to know it for the sake of his grade.

You don’t know if it’s just because the nature of your relationship has changed, but you’ve felt so distracted through the whole session by how cute he looks. His hair is ruffled and he’s not wearing anything different than what he usually wears, but he just looks so damn attractive.

You know you shouldn’t say anything. You should let him work like the good little tutee he is. But since when do you pay attention to what you should and should not do?

“I think tutoring you is going to become increasingly more difficult.”

He pauses, his pencil still in his hand as he meets your gaze. “Why’s that? Because of the material? I feel like I’m actually doing pretty well.”

“No, idiot. Because, well…” Jesus, you never really know what to say in these situations. “Things are different between us now, you know?”

“It’s not that different.”

You can tell by the face he’s making that he’s teasing you. “It is! Don’t make me feel stupid.”

“You’re the one calling me an idiot!”

“It’s a term of endearment.”

“How sweet.” Wooseok shifts in his seat, turning towards you and placing his arm across the back of your chair. “So you’re flirting with me?”

“That may or may not be true.”

His fingers brush gently over your shoulder as he silently watches you, letting the air between you thicken with the thought that it would be so easy to close the gap.

Really, there’s nothing stopping you anyway.

“Wooseok… Have you done something like this before?” You ask before you convince yourself to cross the threshold. “Being friends with benefits and all of that?”

“No, actually.” Wooseok’s fingers reach your collar bone, delicately tracing the peaks and valleys. “I don’t have much experience with girls. I had a girlfriend in high school, but that’s it.”

“Really?”

He nods. “Dating’s not my priority.”

“Is this something you want, though?”

“Well yeah. I probably said it when I was drunk, but you’re really cool and you’re hot, so of course I’m down. This is totally different from dating.” He tilts his head minutely. “Have you done this before?”

Almost instantly, an image of Professor Yang flashes in your mind. “Not technically a friends with benefits situation, but I have hooked up before.”

“How’d it go? Were you okay with keeping it casual?”

Big fat fucking no, you were not okay with keeping it casual. Well, maybe you would have been if he hadn’t turned out to be your teacher. Things might have been so different. But the fact of the matter is that you’ve been an absolute wreck for the last two months because of your failure to keep it casual.

You’re fully aware of the fact that you should be honest about your hookup history. You should tell Wooseok that you most definitely caught feelings the last time you hooked up. It’s your duty to stop this trainwreck before it happens.

But… that means that you wouldn’t be able to hookup with Wooseok. And you really want to hookup with Wooseok right now.

“Yeah, it was totally fine,” you lie through your teeth. “No problems at all.”

“Cool.” He reaches out to cup your face. “Let’s stop talking about it then.”

As if they have always belonged together, your lips meet his. The kiss is sweet and gentle, and his hand is warm on your cheek. It feels so, so good to give in to your urges, to do what you want instead of overthinking. A friends-with-benefits situation is exactly what you need.

You don’t stay in your chair much longer as you continue to kiss. His lap is a much more appealing seat. Without pulling away from his lips, you get up and straddle him, your hands sliding behind his neck. 

Wooseok’s teeth bite down on your lip and his large hands are quick to venture into less innocent territory. His fingers slip down your sides and into the back pockets of your jeans, cupping your ass and giving a gentle squeeze. You roll your hips to show him that you’re pleased, and he lets out the quietest groan.

“Be careful moving your hips like that,” he warns against your lips, “or you’re signing yourself up for a whole lot of trouble.”

You smirk and roll your hips again as you say, “Maybe I want trouble.”

He responds by claiming your lips, his tongue diving deep into the cavern of your mouth as his fingers dig hard into your ass cheeks. 

You feel so alive. And so blissful - especially as you feel him start to harden through his jeans. The extra friction provided by rubbing against his thickness is absolutely delicious, and you shamelessly grind against him.

It’s clear that Wooseok is enjoying himself, too. He kisses you deeply as you grind, and his hand sneaks under your shirt, pushing your bra out of the way so that he can pinch and rub your nipple. 

You moan for him, careful to stay quiet - the sound proofing in the practice rooms isn’t perfect, after all. But you sigh and groan to let him know that you feel amazing and you love everything he’s doing to you. You would be totally content to just stay like this for the rest of your session, and it doesn’t seem like Wooseok would mind.

Unfortunately, though, you know this can’t last forever - you have to leave soon for your piano lesson. But he’s just such a good kisser…

You’re not sure what causes it, but suddenly the mood changes. His hurried kisses and touches melt into something much softer. Wooseok’s hand migrates to the small of your back, pulling you in close and embracing you as he kisses you. 

It’s mind-numbingly sweet, and you hold him tight, too.

With one last kiss, you part, but you rest your forehead on his as you catch your breath and try to process how he could be such a phenomenal kisser.

“What are you doing after this?” Wooseok asks, his voice low - and you know exactly why he’s asking.

“Piano lesson,” you huff quietly.

“Skip it.” Kiss. “Come back to my place.”

“Ugh, I wish. But I can’t. My lessons are important.” Your fingers glide through his soft hair, your gaze connecting with his sweet eyes. “What about tonight?”

Wooseok shakes his head as his fingers drum a rhythm against your spine. “Minho’s having some guys over. Tomorrow?”

“Girl’s night with my roommate.” You sigh. Who knew it would be so difficult to find time to hook up?

“I’m pretty sure Minho said he was going out of town this weekend, so we’d definitely have the place to ourselves.”

That sounds like a blessedly perfect scenario. “I have a thing with Kino on Saturday, but I could come over later that night?”

“Stellar. I’ll make sure Minho is out of the apartment.” Wooseok presses another kiss to your lips before helping you stand up. “You should probably get going though, since you have your lesson. Right?”

You glance at the clock on the wall and realize you have exactly thirty seconds to get downstairs. “Shit. Yeah, I have to run.”

Wooseok helps you gather your things. “I’ll see you Saturday night then?”

You hoist your backpack onto your shoulder and run a finger down Wooseok’s torso. “You bet.”

***

“Remind me why we’re doing this,” you grumble as you follow Nailah and Shinhye through the gym locker room on Saturday morning. Being physically active has never been your favorite thing, yet Nailah has managed to drag you along.

“Cute boy. You love cute boys, don’t you?” Nailah turns, tucking you under her arm and leading you over to the row of lockers. “This is all for you, baby.”

“But whyyyyy…”

“_____, exercising is good for you.” Shinhye tries to boost your morale as you each claim a locker, tossing your gym bags but keeping your water bottles in hand. “I promise it won’t be as bad as you think.”

“Since when have you become such a gym rat? Little Miss I-Live-On-The-Couch.” You tease her. She never seems to be interested in working out, but she looks like a total natural in her mid-calf leggings and moisture-wicking tank top.

She shrugs, touching the outer rim of her glasses to push them further up her nose. “I don’t know, I just go when Nailah invites me. And I think it’s actually pretty fun.”

“Yeah, Shinhye’s a great gym partner. She doesn’t complain.”

You roll your eyes, ignoring Nailah. “So have you seen this cute guy, then? Is it worth the effort?”

Shinhye shakes her head. “We’ve never seen him when I come along.”

“Okay, hold on.” You close your locker, realizing that this mystery cutie hasn’t been spotted in quite some time. “Are you telling me that it has probably been, like, a month and a half since you last saw him? Does he even go to this gym anymore?”

Nailah sighs exasperatedly. “I don’t know, _____. But we’re here now, so we may as well sweat a little.” She lifts her shirt up over her head, so she’s just in her spandex shorts and a sports bra. The shirt gets tossed into her locker and she holds out her hand to you. “Give me your shirt.”

“What?”

“Do it. We’re gonna go out there looking hot so you can seduce cute guy.”

“He’s probably not even out there!”

“Come on. It’s not even a big deal.” She gestures for you to hand her your shirt, and you begrudgingly do as she asks. 

“What about you, Shinhye?” You ask as your shirt disappears into Nailah’s locker.

Her face reddens. “Isn’t it weird to just wear a bra?”

“Not at all,” Nailah reassures her, closing her locker and patting Shinhye on the head as she walks away. “But don’t worry, my little Shinhye doesn’t have to do anything she doesn’t want to.”

You notice Shinhye’s eyes grow wide and her blush deepen, and look at her quizzically. What the hell is that reaction all about? She just avoids your gaze and tails after Nailah.

As you follow them into the equipment room, you try not to feel embarrassed about your lack of shirt. It’s not that unusual for a girl to work out in just her bra and shorts, but you don’t feel particularly confident since you are bound to make a fool out of yourself on the machines, anyway.

The three of you head for the stationary bikes on the opposite side of the room, scoping out all of the other gym-goers along the way. When you reach the bikes, Nailah turns on her heel and pulls you and Shinhye in close.

“Don’t make it obvious, but he’s here. He’s at the bench press.”

What are the odds that he would actually be here today? You take a swig from your water bottle before setting it next to one of the bikes and casually turning around to try to spot him.

Shinhye finds him first. “Oh my God. Him?” She bursts into laughter. “Nailah, you don’t know who that is, do you?”

“Should I?”

“He teaches at our school! _____ and I are both in his class!”

“What?!” You and Nailah respond simultaneously, both for different reasons. Is it really him?

Your eyes scan over the weight machines, and just as you spot the row of bench presses, he sits up and wipes the sweat from his brow with a hand towel.

Fucking Professor Yang is sitting halfway across the room, biceps bulging, a delicious V of sweat forming on the chest of his muscle shirt. 

God, you wish you could just melt into a puddle and disappear from this world.

“No way.” Nailah chuckles. “He’s a Professor? Oh, this is gold.”

Shinhye starts giggling, too. “Yeah, and _____ totally has a crush on him. You should have seen them in class this week.”

“Well just look at her now.”

You finally snap out of your trance. “I do not!”

“No shame, girl.” Nailah smirks as she settles onto a bike. “We’ve all had an innocent crush on a teacher before.”

Oh, if only she knew how not innocent this was.

“Yeah, no shame.” Shinhye chimes, climbing onto the bike next to Nailah.

“Whatever. Shouldn’t we stretch first?” You quickly change the subject. You’re going to spend the rest of this hour pretending like the world’s most handsome professor isn’t over there keeping up his gorgeous physique with which you are unfortunately quite familiar. 

“It’s bad to stretch cold, so we do an easy five-minute ride just to get things warmed up a bit.” Nailah states.

“Alright, then.” 

So you bike, stretch, and tackle a few machines - and you’re incredibly aware of the fact that Nailah’s routine is strategically getting you closer and closer to wherever Professor Yang is stationed. 

You trail along behind her from machine to machine, and next thing you know you’re headed straight for him.

As the three of you approach, you hope and pray that he doesn’t notice you. And when you look over, you’re blessed. He grabs the bottom of his shirt and lifts it to wipe his face, but you’re too distracted by his abs to be grateful for his blocked view of you.

Professor Yang is absolutely chiseled under his muscle shirt, and you shouldn’t even be surprised. You’ve seen him shirtless before, you’ve felt the ripples of his muscles, but you’re still taken off guard by the body that hides beneath his clothes.

The glimpse of his abs is so distracting that you actually forget how you’re supposed to act around him. He drops his shirt and looks up just as you’re passing him, and you unintentionally flash him a coy smile. When his eyes widen as he recognizes you, you realize that you do not want to try to look cute right now. 

Well, you want to, but you shouldn’t.

Somehow that doesn’t stop you.

Professor Yang’s eyes travel down your body, taking in your shirtless state. But you don’t feel shy or nervous - you feel weirdly confident, and you walk with a little extra sass in the swing of your hips. You hope with all of your might that he’s as flustered by the sight of you as you always are by him. 

If your appearance gets to him at all, he certainly doesn’t make it known. Without any hint of what he might be feeling, he gets up and moves to a different machine farther down the row, and he doesn’t look back at you again.

Thankfully, it seems that Nailah and Shinhye did not notice anything that just happened, but you feel suddenly embarrassed about strutting past him the way you did. You need to step out for a second and collect yourself.

“I’m going to grab some more water.” You hold up your mostly empty water bottle for the two girls to see and tear off before either one of them can offer to come along.

That was so dumb. Why did you react that way when he saw you? You know better. You should be avoiding him at all costs, because you’re getting over him. You’ve got Wooseok to keep you entertained now, so you can finally let go of Professor Yang.

He just looked so good… and you want the confidence boost of knowing he thinks you look good, too.

But the thing is, though, you know that he thinks you look good. He’s made it kind of obvious throughout the semester that he’s still attracted to you, so you’re positive that he must have felt something when he saw you in your tight leggings and sports bra. He’s just really good at masking it.

You fill up your bottle and take a sip from it as you turn around, and you accidentally bump into a warm, solid body that immediately fills you with dread.

“_____.”

You’re surprised by the face you see when you look up - this is not the human you were expecting. “Yuto?”

He has a black bandana rolled up and tied across his forehead, and honestly it’s a look. Yuto hardly gives you so much as a smile before his hand comes to rest on your shoulder, gently pushing you aside so he can access the water fountain.

“I didn’t know you worked out here.”

He stands upright after taking a leisurely drink, looking you up and down. “I didn’t know you worked out. Wouldn’t have guessed it.”

“Don’t be rude, asshole.” You huff, stalking off towards the weight room. You don’t need to deal with him if he’s going to be a jerk.

“Hey, wait.” Yuto catches up to you, matching your stride. “I just meant that I haven’t seen you here before.”

“Yeah. Roommate dragged me along.”

“Nailah, right?” He points off to the left, and your eyes follow to that part of the room. Nailah’s hands rest on Shinhye’s hips, guiding your friend into the correct form for squats. You frown, worried about what that could mean.

If she’s starting to crush on Shinhye, she really needs to cut it out before she gets herself hurt. Shinhye’s straight - she’s not going to reciprocate any of Nailah’s feelings. And really, Nailah needs to make sure she’s not making Shinhye uncomfortable by being too forward with her flirting.

“That’s her.” You can’t help your frown as you beeline for them. 

“Wait, wait.” Yuto grabs your arm. “I need to talk to you.”

Surprised, you pause. “What about?”

“Wooseok.”

Your frown deepens. Does he know about your agreement? “What about Wooseok?”

“Be careful with him. He’s a kid.”

“We’re the same age...? What are you getting at?”

“He’s naive, okay?” Yuto looks frustrated that you don’t understand what he’s trying to say. “Just try not to hurt him. He’s a lot more delicate than he seems. He told me about you two, and I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“It’s none of your business what we decide to do.” You scoff. “But yeah, okay, I’m the Big Bad Meanie here so I’ll be ‘gentle’ or whatever.”

Yuto’s voice noticeably softens when he realizes you’re upset. “_____…”

“I don’t want to have this conversation with you.” You brush off his hand. “Have a good workout.”

You stomp back over to your friends, and they both watch you quizzically as you approach. 

“What was that all about?” Nailah asks.

“It’s nothing.” Your first instinct is to just dismiss all of it, but these are two of your best friends. They deserve to know at least a little bit of the boy drama in your life - but you don’t want to spill the tea in the middle of the gym. “I’ll fill you in later.”

Shinhye chimes in, “Professor Yang left while you were gone. We thought you might run into him out there.”

“No, I didn’t see him. Just Yuto.”

“Who’s Yuto?” She asks. “The guy you were just talking to?”

Nailah responds for you, nodding. “He’s our neighbor, right across the hall.”

“Oh.” Shinhye chews timidly on the inside of her cheek. “He’s kind of cute, too.”

“Shinhye! I didn’t know you liked dark, brooding boys.” Nailah reaches out to smooth Shinhye’s hair, and Shinhye blushes.

“Apparently you really don’t know her type, Nailah.” There’s a slight edge to your voice as you say it. It’s just so weird to see Nailah being so forward with Shinhye, and you feel the need to stop it. Shinhye isn’t particularly vocal, so she probably won’t say anything if she’s feeling uncomfortable.

Seems like you’ll have to have a chat with Nailah later.

***

Kino meets you in your dorm’s lobby at exactly 6:15pm. Doors open for the dance department showcase in fifteen minutes, and you can sense the energy bubbling out of him when he arrives.

“Hi.” He bounces slightly, standing still for a moment before pulling you into a hug.

“Hi,” you echo, a small smile spreading across your lips. “How are you feeling?”

“Nervous. Oh my God, I’m nervous. But let’s not talk about that because I’ll literally die before the show.”

“My CPR skills aren’t exactly stellar, so I guess we should probably do what we can to keep you alive before that becomes necessary.”

“Good call.” He places his hand on the small of your back, guiding you out of the building and into the brisk night air. “You look really nice, by the way.”

“Thank you!” You look down at yourself, taking a second to button up your jacket over the burgundy dress and black tights you’ve chosen for the evening. Your heels click along the sidewalk as you walk, and then you realize how Kino is dressed; his burgundy pants didn’t immediately draw your attention, but you have to laugh at the coincidence now that you’ve noticed. “Oh my God, are we actually matching?”

Kino nods, laughing. “Yeah, we are.”

So this is what it feels like to wear a couple’s outfit... Obviously you’re not a couple, but it’s still kind of cute that you’ve got similar tastes in clothes.

Kino is oddly quiet as you make your way towards the theater, and you know it’s just because of his nerves. You speak up to try to distract him. “Is your family coming tonight?”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t invite them.”

“Oh.” That surprises you. “Why not? This is a big deal. I’m sure they’d love to be here.”

“I don’t really want to talk about that right now.” Kino frowns slightly, clearly bothered by the topic.

Has something happened? He never really talks about his family, so you don’t know what his relationship with them is like. 

Wait - he has talked about them before. You remember the first night you talked to him after R&B Ensemble practice, when you both bonded over your unsupportive parents. How could you be careless enough to forget something like that? Are you really that distracted by your own life?

“I’m sorry, Kino. I shouldn’t have brought that up.” You link your arm with his. “I’m here to support you no matter what.”

“Thanks, _____.” He smiles slightly. “And no worries. It’s fine.”

To keep the mood light, you chat with him about your excursion to the gym this morning, leaving out the parts about Professor Yang, of course. Mostly, you just complain about how you have to use the baby weights because everything else is too heavy.

Thankfully you can keep him chuckling until you’re seated in the theater and the lights go down, signaling the start of the show. That’s when the terror sets in - Kino takes a deep, nervous breath, and his leg bounces wildly as the first performers step on stage. His piece isn’t until a little later on in the show, but you know he’s going to feel anxious until then.

Normally it doesn’t bother you when someone else bounces their leg, but his movement shakes your chair and you don’t want to sit through the whole show like that. Without even thinking about it, you place your hand on his thigh, squeezing gently to grab his attention. His movement stalls and he stares at you wide-eyed.

You lean in so he can hear you whisper over the music. “It’s gonna be great, okay? Everyone’s going to love your piece.”

Kino’s gaze flits between your eyes, and it occurs to you just how close your faces are. Then his hand covers yours, and he smiles. “I was right to bring you along.”

His attention returns to the stage and he seems much calmer now, but you struggle to focus on the dancers. Your whole consciousness is alert to the fact that his hand is so warm and secure around yours, and for some reason that makes your heart beat just a little bit faster.

All rational thought goes out the window. When the first performance ends, you don’t want to let his hand go. Kino notices the way you cling to his hand when he tries to let go to clap, and he gives you a funny look - not one of judgment, but one of curiosity.

You’re immediately embarrassed, so you let go and hurriedly clap before the applause ends. 

It’s fine. You’re just friends. Friends can hold hands. It’s seriously not a big deal - worst case scenario, Kino’s just going to tease you a little bit after the showcase. You do your best to shake it off.

But then the applause ends, and Kino places his hand on your lap, palm up. It’s an invitation, and his smile makes it so that you cannot refuse. You interlace your fingers with his, your heart beating happily in your chest.

You don’t know what it means, or if it even means anything. But you’ll sort it out later.

That becomes your routine, your hands letting go only to clap between pieces and then quickly returning to each other. It feels foreign yet completely comfortable, exciting yet confusing. 

And then he squeezes your hand tightly and leans over, whispering in your ear, “This one is mine.”

For just a brief second you think he’s talking about your hand, but then you realize that he means his piece is next. Your cheeks flush because of the way you misunderstood him, but you pretend that didn’t just happen and whisper back, “I can’t wait.”

A delicate piano melody guides the two male dancers on stage, but it isn’t until the lyrics kick in that you realize just how mournful the performance is going to be.

“Don’t know where I am with you Forgetting time and space with you Oh I wish we had a common view You see my red as blue I don’t belong in your universe For better or for worse…”

The dancers move fluidly across the stage, embodying the story of two people - maybe lovers, maybe friends - who want to be together despite the invisible force that’s keeping them apart.

“I’m the same but I’m bolder You get home, but I’m on my way out now Not the same destinations I will stay when you get off the train…”

No, they don’t want to be together. It’s not mutual - you see that now, how one dancer is caught in the other dancer’s world and he is trying to break free. Is this an abusive relationship?

“You’re safe as a mountain But know that I am dynamite Oh, oh, you’re safe as a mountain But know that I am dynamite…”

The pieces come together, and it suddenly makes sense. Maybe you’re making a huge assumption, but you can’t help but think that this is the story of Kino’s relationship with his family.

It moves you to tears, and you struggle to keep your composure. It feels like you’re watching a little piece of Kino’s soul through these dancers, and it’s devastating to think that someone as sweet and gentle as Kino would ever be caught in such a terrible situation. He deserves so much better than that. He deserves a family that loves him.

When the performance ends the whole audience applauds, but you can only look at Kino as he wipes away his tears, a melancholy smile on his lips. 

***

Kino walks you back to your dorm, and you stop just outside the front door. You haven’t said much since the performance because he was immediately bombarded by other students and professors coming up to congratulate him. But now, you finally have his undivided attention.

“Your piece was absolutely beautiful,” you gently praise him. “I think you’re incredibly talented to draw that much emotion out of the audience. Seriously, it was incredible.”

“Thank you.” He looks down, his soft voice accompanied by a shy smile. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you came with me tonight. Thank you so much for being there to support me.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Kino.” You pull him in for a hug, feeling proud of him and also feeling much closer to him than you were before. 

When you pull away, he asks, “Do you want to maybe come over for a little bit? Just to hang out?”

That would be nice, but you remember your plans with Wooseok. For some reason, though, it doesn’t feel right to tell Kino about that. “Ah, I can’t. I told Nailah I’d spend time with her tonight.”

You immediately feel guilty about the lie, but Kino isn’t bothered by your excuse. “Have fun with her, then.”

He reaches out, his hand gliding down your forearm until his fingers interlace with yours. You look down at your intertwined hands, your pulse quickening just as it did in the theater. You’re not sure why you react that way. And then you feel the soft press of lips on your forehead.

Did…? Did Kino just…?

You look up at him, shocked. He had just kissed you. What was that all about?

His eyes scan your face, the sweetest, gentlest smile on his lips. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

You nod, still kind of confused and surprised by what just happened. But he walks off before you can really process it, and you just stand there like an idiot for a minute or two.

Reading into it is probably the worst thing you could do. Kino is a touchy guy, so it shouldn’t seem unusual for him to kiss you on the forehead. It’s just a sweet, friendly gesture, right? He probably doesn’t mean anything by it, so you shouldn’t assume he does.

The last thing you want is to make things weird. He’s a great friend, and you don’t want to lose him. So you’re not going to make a big deal out of this.

Desperate for a distraction, you pull your phone out as you head inside. A few texts from Wooseok are waiting for you, just as you had expected.

Wooseok (8:13pm): Still want to come over?

Wooseok (8:13pm): Minho just left and won’t be back until tomorrow

You respond.

You (9:02pm): Of course. Just got back. Give me 10 to freshen up and I’ll be over.

Wooseok (9:02pm): I’ll give you 5

You (9:03pm): 7?

Wooseok (9:03pm): 6.5 starting now. 

Wooseok (9:04pm): see u soon, short stuff 😘

***

You make it to his place in exactly seven minutes because you’re a glutton for punishment, but you think you’ve devised a plan to help you earn back his favor.

“You’re late.” He greets you at the door to his apartment.

“But I brought a gift.” You try your best to look cute as you hide the small ‘present’ behind your back. “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

He looks suspicious, but he smiles slightly as he does what you ask. Into his large palms, you place the panties you’ve been wearing all day. If Minseo has taught you anything, it’s that men go crazy for a girl in a dress with nothing on underneath.

“You said you wanted to keep them, so these are for you.”

Wooseok’s eyes shoot open as he realizes it’s silky, lacy fabric puddled in his hands. He looks at them with a sly smile. “Are you wearing any right now?”

You just smile coyly and shake your head. Success.

“Christ, woman, get in here.” He grabs your wrist and pulls you inside, letting the door slam shut behind you. You don’t even have time to kick off your shoes before he picks you up, your legs naturally wrapping around his hips to hold yourself up.

Wooseok’s lips crash into yours like he can’t stand the thought of waiting one more second. He’s way too eager, but you could never complain. You love feeling so wanted.

He presses you against the wall and you lace your fingers into his hair, tugging gently as you bite his lower lip. A deep growl vibrates in his throat, and it immediately shoots pleasure straight to your core.

You let yourself moan as you feverishly return every kiss he offers. You just can’t get enough of him, and it’s making you crazy. 

For just a second you pull away, but only because you need more. “Bedroom?” you pant.

Wooseok nods and carries you deeper into the apartment, throwing open the door to the bedroom and dropping you onto the bed.

“Hey! I’m not a doll!” You lecture him, but you can’t help the giggle that escapes you. “Don’t toss me around like that.”

Wooseok just ignores you. “You’re wearing too many clothes.” His long fingers immediately find the buttons of your jacket, fiddling with one after the other until he pulls it off of you.

“It’s freezing outside! What did you expect? That I’d run across the street without a jacket on just so it would be easier for you to strip me? It’s bad enough that I came over without my tights on.”

“I mean… You probably would have gotten here when I asked you to if you hadn’t stopped to put a jacket on.” Wooseok runs his fingers over your bare thighs. “But next time, keep the tights on. They’re hot.”

“You’d like that?”

“Yeah, but you’re hot like this, too.” 

You raise an eyebrow. “You’d be hotter with your shirt off, if it counts for anything.”

“Sassy,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to your neck. Still hovering over you, he grabs the back of his collar and easily pulls the t-shirt over his head.

You’re right - you definitely like him better without the shirt. His torso and arms are nicely toned, and he just looks so good. Even his face is somehow more attractive than it’s ever been, and you know you’ve made the right choice in coming over here tonight.

You touch his cheek, and you can sense the depth behind his irises as his eyes scan your face. He’s fully present, and you just want to live in this moment with him.

“Why do you have to look at me like that?” he asks.

“Like what?”

“Like… I don’t know, you’re just fucking cute.” Wooseok dives in, laying you back onto the bed as his lips connect with yours. His hand starts at your neck and runs down over your arm before transferring to your hip, his kiss overwhelming your senses. Everything about him feels so good, so nice.

As you wrap your limbs around him, you remember what Yuto said to you at the gym this morning.

Be gentle with him.

Try not to hurt him.

Even though it’s none of Yuto’s business, you can’t help but keep his warnings in mind. The last thing you want to do is hurt Wooseok. This is all supposed to be harmless fun, after all.

You press a hand to his chest, silently asking him to stop kissing you.

“You good?” Wooseok asks, concerned.

“Yeah! I just wanted to make sure… You’re totally cool with this, right? Like, with us just being friends and doing this for fun? This isn’t going to make anything weird, right?”

Wooseok shrugs calmly. “Yeah, it’s cool with me. I don’t mind it at all and I promise I won’t get weird around you. You cool?”

You nod. “I’m cool with it. I just needed to know we were still on the same page. I, um, ran into Yuto today…”

“Shit, did he say something?”

“He told me to be careful with you. Like he thought I was going to break your heart or something.” You search his eyes. “Also, not cool that you told him about us. I thought this was going to be a private thing.”

Wooseok closes his eyes, sighing quietly. “I’m sorry. I should have kept my mouth shut. He’s my best friend and I tell him everything. I didn’t even think about it.”

“It’s okay. Just don’t go telling the rest of the school, okay?” You chuckle quietly, not quite realizing how much you sound like a certain Professor asking someone to keep things a secret.

“I won’t breathe a word of it to anybody else. I promise.” He smiles. “And don’t worry, I’m not gonna catch feelings.”

“Okay, I’m going to trust you on that. But if either one of us starts to feel something, we have to be honest and stop. Deal?”

“Deal. But, not gonna happen. You can’t lock me down, woman.”

You roll your eyes. “You can lock me down, tie me up, whatever you’re into…”

Wooseok lowers himself onto you again with a devilish grin. “You’re bad.”

“What are you gonna do about it?”

“Probably just get you naked and plow you into tomorrow.”

Laughter bursts from you and you can’t control yourself. “Did you really just say that?”

He laughs too, never one to take himself too seriously. “Yeah, I think I did. That was pretty awful.”

You slide your fingers into his hair and pull him down to you, crashing your lips together now that your concerns are alleviated. Your body is already aching for release and you’ve hardly even started.

Wooseok’s large hands roam your body, gliding over your curves and massaging your chest. Your fingers trail down his back and the groan he emits is absolutely precious. It feels like it has been ages since you’ve gotten laid and suddenly you’re starving for it.

Every kiss fuels the fire burning deep within you, your core throbbing with want. Your legs are wrapped around his waist and you wiggle your hips in search of some sort of friction. 

Wooseok gets the message loud and clear. His hand glides under the skirt of your dress in search of your folds, which are already delightfully wet by the time he reaches them. Even though you’re more than ready, he teases you, taking his time to caress your most sensitive spot. 

A quiet moan escapes you, and you reach down between your bodies in search of his length. You just have to know what it feels like, what kind of fun you should expect for the rest of the night.

Your fingers brush over the front of his jeans until you find an unmistakable bulge, and he sighs deeply as you pass over it. The sound is actually really hot, and you know instantly that you need to get him naked. 

“Take off your pants,” you murmur against his lips, your fingers already working to unfasten his jeans. You get the button and zipper of his pants undone, and he steps out of his pants and boxers all at once.

Seeing Wooseok naked is both weird and thrilling, and you realize how incredibly sober you are. The last time you were here in his apartment, you were both a little drunk. But this time you’re not inebriated in the least bit.

You definitely don’t need any alcohol to be convinced that you should have sex with this man right the fuck now.

“Condom?” You seriously hope that he has some, because you definitely didn’t think to bring one over.

“Yeah, hold up.” He opens the top drawer of his dresser and pulls out a rubber from his stash.

You pull him back down onto the bed as soon as he’s within reach, and he chuckles at your eagerness. You climb on top of him, kissing him passionately and wrapping your hand around his cock. 

“I don’t want to wait,” you whine as you stroke him. He’s already incredibly hard, and he’s just the perfect size for you. Usually you would insist that foreplay is a good idea, but you are way too impatient at the moment. “I want you inside of me.”

“Then stop waiting.”

Wooseok tears open the condom packet and rolls it on, and you lift yourself up, lining him up with your entrance. 

You let out a slightly strained breath as you slide down onto him, your walls stretching around his girth as you finally fill yourself with his cock. You unfortunately have to take it easy since you completely skipped the foreplay bit, but you slowly rock your hips, indulging in every bit of pleasure even the smallest movements bring you.

Eventually you’re able to increase your speed, and you lean back, helping his cock hit just the right spot inside of you, the spot that you know will leave you blinded with ecstasy. 

You don’t even realize that you’re still in your dress until Wooseok’s hand pushes your skirt back, bunching it at your hip as you ride him. “Lemme see.”

He fixates on the place where your bodies connect, his gaze full of lust. The sight of him beneath you only serves to turn you on more, and it only gets more perfect when his thumb grazes over your clit.

“Oh my God, yes,” you murmur, placing a hand behind you to hold yourself up as you lean back more. Between Wooseok’s touch and the angle of his cock, you felt yourself very quickly becoming unraveled.

Wooseok’s fingers dig into your hip, his cock sliding deliciously in and out of you. Your walls contract tightly around him as you work yourself up, entirely obsessed with the beautiful pleasure pulsing through you. 

“I’m… so close…” You moan for him. “Please, keep going. Don’t change a thing.”

He groans softly. “Already, baby?”

“It feels good,” your voice is absolutely blissful. “Count down from five. Slowly.”

It’s something you like to do when you masturbate - you’ve practiced orgasming on demand because there’s something you absolutely love about forcing yourself to hold off right when you’re ready to explode.

Wooseok doesn’t question. He just keeps rubbing circles into your clit, and he counts. “Five.”

Your chest is already growing warm, your abdomen tight. 

“Four.”

You force yourself to take deep breaths, but they’re littered with moans.

“Three.”

Your pussy swells with pleasure, hot and electric.

“Two.”

“Fuck!” You can barely keep yourself together. “Please please please…”

“One, baby-”

“Oh!” 

You don’t just explode - you burst like a fucking broken dam. Ecstasy overwhelms you as you unintentionally squirt all over Wooseok’s stomach. You’re an absolute gushing mess for him, but you’re too caught up in your pleasure to care. Your whole body feels bathed in sunshine and you’re convinced there is no better feeling than this.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

You’re brought back to reality when Wooseok finally speaks up. He looks absolutely shocked by what just happened, and you realize that you didn’t give him any sort of warning that you might soak him.

Panicked, you apologize. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“Shut up, you’re so fucking hot.”

Wooseok sits up and pulls you to him, kissing you more roughly than ever. You eagerly return each kiss, grateful that he’s not upset like you originally thought. 

“Wooseok,” you smile against his lips at what you’re about to say. “I think now’s the time to get me naked and plow me into tomorrow.”

He laughs loudly, and his smile is adorable. “Hell yeah.”

In no time, your dress is on the floor and Wooseok has you pinned under him. Per his request you’re lying on your stomach, and he straddles your legs. He nestles his cock between your thighs, pressing into your slit with a pleased groan. 

“Shit, you feel good.” He holds himself up on his forearms, and his lips find your shoulder as he thrusts into you. He starts slow but very quickly picks up the pace until you’re both panting.

You lift your hips as much as you can to meet him, your fingers deftly working your clit. A second orgasm is definitely feasible at this rate, but you’re not going to try to force it.

Wooseok leaves a trail of bites and sucks from your shoulder up your neck until he reaches your ear. He sucks your earlobe into his mouth, biting and toying with your earring as he pounds into you. The sensation drives you wild, and very suddenly you crash into another orgasm.

A weird half-squeak, half-moan comes out of you as you dissolve beneath him, and you hear a strange series of noises come from Wooseok, too. He starts to laugh, but it’s strained and broken up by strangled, awkward moans as he finishes - then he collapses on top of you, shaking with laughter.

You know he’s definitely laughing at the sound you made, and you’re definitely laughing at the way he just laughed through his orgasm. It’s just such a drastic change of mood, and it’s absolutely endearing the way he clutches onto you as he laughs.

Wooseok is everything you thought he might be in bed, and it doesn’t even phase you that your hookup ended in a less-than-hot circumstance. How could you be bothered when you’re laughing this hard?

Something about the laughter makes his embrace feel exceptionally warm. And you kind of adore that.

You feel lighter than you have in a while, even though you’re sort of being crushed by him.

“Can’t breathe!” You squeal.

“Sorry,” he chuckles, rolling off of you and onto his back. “Hey, whatever the fuck that noise was, it was super cute.”

“I could say the same about your laughing orgasm,” you retort, scooting closer to him to indulge in his warmth.

Wooseok pushes your hair back, his dark chocolate eyes locking with yours. “It’s your fault I laughed through it. I don’t know how the hell your voice even got that high.” 

Just for fun, you try to recreate the noise, reaching as high as you can through your vocal range to pull out the most ridiculous note you’re capable of. You both laugh at your attempt, and then Wooseok gives it a try - and somehow far surpasses whatever pitch you had managed.

His eyes get so wide you think they might just fall out of his head, and you laugh more hysterically than you ever have in your life. It has to be physically impossible for him to screech as high as he just did, but he succeeded!

“Wooseok, what the fuck?” It’s impossible to catch your breath, but you manage to get some words out.

“I don’t even know.” He shakes his head and shrugs, laughing right along with you.

Eventually you’re both able to calm down. Your arm is draped across his chest, and his hand glides up and down your spine in a way that soothes you. The friends-with-benefits line is a little blurred because you’re not sure if cuddling is part of that package, but as per usual you tell yourself that you’ll figure it out later. You’d rather just enjoy yourself.

“_____?” Wooseok gently breathes your name into your hair, and you prop yourself up on your elbow so you can look at him. He’s gorgeous and you don’t know how you didn’t see it before. “I’m glad you came over.”

You don’t think - you just act on instinct. Your fingers glide up to his cheek and you lean down to kiss him. Wooseok’s lips are warm and soft, and the kiss is sensual and provocative and...

And it melts deep into your heart, lighting you up from head to toe.

It stirs up every romantic thought that you know you shouldn’t have about him.

Fuck.

Post Script | Thank you for reading! Please stay tuned for Part 7.

All Rights Reserved © gwentoryfics. No translations, reposting, and/or modifying of the material is allowed without my direct permission.

[urdnotcadash]

5 Things OC Meme

Thank you so much to @firjii for tagging me! (:  I left this in my drafts & completely forgot about it.. oops. It’s really long and helped me flesh out Sunshine A LOT, so the rest is under the cut!

Sunshine Cadash, 27 y/o, Inquisitor 

Five things that make your OC instantly happy:

1. a relaxing night, either by the fire or in a tavern, regardless she’s calm

2. New equipment to tinker with! Varric & Bianca (not the bow) send her all sorts of things. Especially things to help with a prosthetic her and Dagna are working on, post Trespasser.

3. Animals! She has several favorite around skyhold; like her mabari, Rose. c:

4. Her chats with Dorian. Their banter makes everything better.

5. Water. Whether to swim or bathe she’s v happy. 

Five things that make your OC instantly ragey:

1. Other people’s selfishness

2. & Other people’s anger, she feeds off the feel of the room. If someone is angry she can easily become just as angry if she’s not careful. (hence her reserved nature)

3. needless violence...she’s been known to break up a bar fight or two with a simple glare.

4. Stuck up, selfish nobles.

5. Orleisian parties e.e She’d rather stick with a small and casual party when she can. d:

Five things your OC loves to see:

1. Dragons, holy shit.. i really need to post a story about Bull and Sun’s introduction, bc they were the only ones in their team to notice the Dragon flying overhead on the Storm Coast.

2. the Ocean, she visits more often after Corypheus is defeated- her and her family traveled across the sea only a handful of times, but she loved every moment.

3. Other people relaxing! She likes to “people watch” in relaxing situations. Her favorite moment is the inner circles first game of Wicked Grace together.

4. Sparring matches, whether practice or for betting she loves to watch.  Her father had her and siblings training from a young age, so she’s been known to watch.. and sometimes help with the Inquisitions army. Especially at Haven, when they had a much smaller army.

5. Charity of any sort. She really respected Mistress Poulin for aiding the helpless and tried to use as many of her personal(meaning her family’s position in the Carta) resources as possible to help the people of Sahrnia. && felt completely betrayed after reading she was sacrificing people to the Red Templars.

Five things (words, phrases, or sounds) your OC loves to hear:

1. "kadan”

2. the sound of one of her inventions going off

3. Waves of water crashing. 

4. nicknames, she despises the professionalism of the Inquisition, and appreciates when someone relaxes and calls her “Sun” or “Sunny” or Sera’s favorite “Loony,” (her middle name is Luna, and Sera just loves to poke fun)

5. Tavern music paired with people laughing.

Five scents your OC loves to smell:

1. Most fire related smells: bonfires, fireplaces & forges for example

2. Roses

3. The smell of her mom and grandma’s homemade cooking-- Skyhold kitchen doesn’t have the same smell... (even if it tastes just as delicious).

4. Lavender

5. Rain!

Five things your OC loves to eat/drink:

1. chocolate covered almonds

2. cherry anything... esp wine

3. Jerky- she stocks up any kind she can for traveling

4. the cooks apprentice introduced her to a cheesy bread when she was caught snooping for food one night, Sunshine has been hooked ever since. (only when made by them ofc)

5. coffee

Five textures your OC loves to feel:

1. animal fur

2.  leather.

3. idk if this counts, but she finds turning over small cogs (kind of like coin) while concentrating pretty comforting

4. shaped metal

5. cotton clothing (it makes her feel more at home than silk or richer fabrics ever would)

Five places your OC loves to visit:

1. The Storm Coast

2. The Hissing Wastes- she loved exploring the dwarven ruins

3. Her family in Ostwick

4. The Emerald Graves

5. the Frostback Mountains.

Five things your OC does to unwind:

1. Sparring (esp with her sister,)

2. Reading

3. “tinkering” (as mentioned above )

4. Helping Master Dennet whether with the mabari or horses

5. And relaxing in a warm bath.

Tagging: @commanderlurker @sassylavellen @aveline-the-dragon-slayer && anyone else who wants to!

I’m not sure who’s done this or not so if you have im sorry! feel free to ignore d:

[as-breakable-as-glass]

Monsters of a Different Kind

Two children lay floating on their backs in an inky black expanse of what appeared to be a void. Their heads were nearly touching and the pair almost looked like they were stargazing except there was not a speck of starlight to be seen. Instead a reset button floated above and between them and even that was dark. The light it normally emitted was muted and dull.

They had to wait for the file to reload, again. Who knew how long that would take? Sometimes it felt like only an hour passed before they could reload, other times it was months.

Without getting up or turning his head Chara asked, “Want to tell me why you reset this time?” He knew why, but he wanted to hear it from them.

He couldn’t see them from the position they were in, but he heard Frisk shift above his head. “It wasn’t the right ending.” they whispered.

Chara held back a snort. Not the right ending.

“What, exactly, are you looking for?”

“I told you, I want everyone to be happy.”

“Everyone looked happy to me last time and the time before that and before that etcetera, etcetera…” Chara waved his ghostly hand in a slow, circular motion to make his point.

Frisk was probably shaking their head above him. “It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t what it should have been.” They murmured. “Everyone should get better than that. They deserve it. They are all so kind, each one in their own way. I can do better for them, to return their kindness.”

He dropped his hand. Yeah he’s heard this speel before. This was how the goodie two-shoes planed on repaying them for all the idiots’ kindness and friendship.

“Yes,” he replied, patience wavering, “but what was so wrong with that one?”

His question was met with silence that only stretched the more time that passed.

“You don’t even know what you’re looking for do you.”

“I know I could have done better. I could have done something to make everyone happier.” Frisk had that familiar tone in their voice they always took on when they were filled with determination.

Chara sighed through his teeth and closed his eyes. Why was Frisk so annoyingly stubborn? It had been easy enough to tolerate the first couple runs, but this was getting ridiculous!

It wasn’t like Frisk was taking so long on purpose, but Chara didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. If they were taking their sweet time, then they could be pushed to hurry. But if they weren’t, if they were being methodical, then they were likely to be stuck the way they were for a long, long time. All thanks to that stupid dream of theirs.

It was slow progress, getting the final ending, but Frisk tried so hard to make up to him that it was almost funny. They had gone so far as to promise that he could be part of their happy ending along with their little friends, but Chara didn’t believe that would ever happen. Not because Frisk didn’t mean their word- he was quite confident the sap meant even the most ignorant of their promises- but what kind of future was there for the ghost of a dead kid? Nothing that’s what. He would just follow Frisk around until they died of old age or something equally bland. Chara had no interest of playing chaperone for the rest of his existence.

Forget the ending, Chara had a job to do and he had to get to the surface to do it.

Chara felt his fists clench. The surface. That’s where he wanted to go, where he needed to go. It was like an insistent itch he was prevented from scratching. But rules and resets be damned, once Chara got to the surface he was going to scratch it bloody and no one was going to get in his way.

Cutting down the monsters was fair substitute he guessed. After all that they’ve done, they definitely deserved it, but punishing them lost its appeal after you did it so many times. It’s not like they even remember it; he and Frisk weren’t even making a difference and the monsters never learned.

Chara didn’t realize how much his frustration had built up inside him until he sensed Frisk flinch above him and the words of guilt started pouring from their mind. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry please don’t be mad please please please please I’m sorry we’ll get to the surface don’t be mad please please don’t leave m-

“It’s all Jake, Frisk.” He said briskly. The silence afterward was painful, even for him, so he broke it, softening the edge from his words into a more gentle tone. “It’s fine. I’m not mad at you. You’re only doing what’s expected by trying to make everyone happy.”

Frisk nodded even though Chara wasn’t looking at them. It didn’t seem to matter anyway. He knew Frisk didn’t quite believe him so Chara continued, his voice as sweet as sugar. “It’s just more annoying than anything really. We’ve tried almost everything imaginable, but we still can’t get that ending.

“I almost think it’s time we did another dust run.” Ah there we go. He could tell he had Frisk’s attention now.

“…What? Why?”

“We still have more to learn Frisky-bits. We-”

“But- haven’t we learned all we can from… that? You said the last one would be our final one.”

They really were naive. You know it had almost been endearing before it had gotten so annoying.

Chara poked the top of Frisk’s head with a ghostly finger. “Hey what have I said before about interrupting me?”

He waited patiently for them to mumble a soft apology before continuing.

“It’s fine. Now, we don’t necessarily need to do kill anyone this time around, but we’re just wasting our time repeating the simple stuff. We already know what will happen if we eat Toriel’s pie and what will happen if we don’t, if we complement the Froggits or ignore them, but we still haven’t done all the death endings.”

“Do- do we need to?” Frisk asked quietly. “You speak like this is just a game to you.”

“It’s not a game, but let’s not pretend that this is real either. What we’re doing isn’t permanent unless you decide to never go back. You can just reset to the start and no one remembers what we did. And think of all the new possibilities we get to explore this way. That’s what you want right?”

Frisk didn’t say anything, but he felt their thoughts spiraling out of control again.

“Calm down Frisky-bits remember I’m not saying we have to do it this round, just what if we did? It’s for the best Frisk.”

“I know.” They whispered. “I-I don’t think I can keep doing this.”

“What? I thought you wanted this. You’re the one who wants to find the perfect happy ending. I’m just suggesting ways to find it.

“Just say the word and we can end this. We can live on the surface with everyone like the big, happy family you want.”

Frisk didn’t say anything, of course they wouldn’t. They wouldn’t stop until they knew what they wanted.

Chara carried on. Their conversations usually left him to do most of the talking and this one was no different. “I get it, you don’t want to hurt your friends. It’s alright if the idea of it is too much for you. I’m sure they will be perfectly fine with a plain, old, average ending.” He rolled over to be able to look down and meet Frisk’s eyes. “No one expects you to put your friends before yourself Frisk.”

That hit the nerve he was aiming for, the other flinched. Frisk looked nauseated, but still didn’t say anything.

Chara pulled back. See this was why he was getting so tired of this cycle. Frisk was just too easy to read now. He knew their mind just as well as he knew his own, especially since Frisk made no effort to shut him out.

Slowly he moved back down to lay next to Frisk and took their hand in his. It was a pointless gesture as his incorporeal form couldn’t actually hold anything, but they both curled their fingers around the other’s and pretended they could feel it. The action was only meant to calm Frisk down anyway, Chara knew when he was beginning to toe the line.

“We don’t even need to decide yet. It’s just some food for thought while we wait. There’s still plenty of time before our save file reloads.”

Frisk simply nodded. It looked like they were doing a lot of thinking already. Chara let them be, turning his thought towards the next run.

It wouldn’t be the surface, but it was about time he scratched his itch and serve the monsters some more retribution. Even if they wouldn’t remember it consciously, Chara liked to think a part of their souls did.

Frisk could have their perfect little ending for all he cared, their monster friends too, but not the ones on the surface. No, there was justice to be served for them and Chara was more than happy to be the bringer. There was no good left there anymore.

Admittedly Frisk was a bit of a special case, at least they wanted to do good, but they were still a weak pushover. People like them were mere pawns to be used by stronger demons. Like their parents. The thought of those pigs made Chara sick. He was glad that they were gone. He could take care of Frisk better than those demons ever could.

Chara couldn’t stop a smile from stretching across his face. Oh and he knew he was a demon too. He wasn’t much better than human scum on the surface, but at least he didn’t leave blind destruction in his wake. No, at least he had a reason. He was a demon, but he was also a demon with a calling and sometimes small things like that could make all the difference.

________

Yet again I found a drabble in my drafts that I completely forgot if I already posted :,) If I haven’t, then oops maybe I shouldn’t have been talking about Frisk and Chara like I introduced them already. (Not like it matters since they were never asked any questions, but still)

Anyway, an important thing to note is that resets work differently in Glasstale than to what you might consider canon. For one, resets are not instantaneous. It takes a varying amount of time for Frisk’s reset powers to charge. It’s actually kind of unreliable, ranging to a couple days to a couple months. (I like to think it’s because they aren’t as determined as some of their alternates but shhhh) While Frisk and Chara wait, they are stuck in a part of the void that we see as the save screen. Their void is a different part of the void than the area Gaster is trapped in. They could probably contact him if they really tried though… Chara would find that beyond fascinating.

An interesting side effect of the resets not being instantaneous, is that time moves forward between their runs. That means all the stuff that Glass and Gen have been doing is going to be new to them. If they did something drastic, like Gen quitting the guard, or Glass getting a new favorite jacket, the changes would stick when Frisk and Chara come back and they will have no idea what happened to cause it.

Ha alright so you got a drabble and an info dump hurray for long annoying posts! :D

[meganmazing]

random recs from the drafts

So I started this compiling this list for Fic Rec Days back in February, which... I never finished. I had a whole plan with themes for the days and everything (a plan I can’t remember for the life of me), but then life happened and no post was made. I honestly forgot all about it until I was scrolling through my drafts. Reading my commentary from a few months ago was a Trip, let me tell you. If you have stuff collecting dust in your drafts, go take another look because it’ll probably be an adventure in trying to figure out where the hell your mind was.

No one asked for this, and I don’t remember why I chose to rec out these specific fics, but I’m posting it, so here you go! Current thoughts are in italics. Click the bold titles for links.

It’s Drarry, Johnlock, Mchanzo, and Reaper76 (r76). All fics are really well-known in their respective fandoms, but if you’re new to any/all it might be helpful!

(As always, please read the tags/warnings before jumping into a fic. I’m not into infidelity, mpreg or dub-con/non-con, so you won’t run the risk of seeing them here, but I still advise caution as a general rule.) 

Drarry (Harry Potter x Draco Malfoy) - HP

Bound to You by agentmoppet

Rating: Explicit  Word Count: 28k

Summary: Hag magic is capricious and unruly, and Harry and Draco are bound to stay by each other’s side until they can solve the riddle. In between long car trips, misty rain, and midnight star charts, they begin to understand each other.

I told myself I wasn’t going to rec a fic from the HD-Erised fest which ended in January. Obviously, I lied to myself. In my comment on AO3, I called the author a word wizard, and I standby that statement. This made me feel warm and happy and I treasure it to pieces. I’m a sucker for humor and angst with a happy ending, guys. To save this list from being entirely HD_Erised, I’m just going to point you to the fest’s tumblr and livejournal.  All of the ones I’ve read from that fest I’ve loved.

(I absolutely remember this fic, and wholeheartedly agree with my past self. A+. If you need more of a fix, seriously go check out the tumblr/lj)

Tea and No Sympathy by who_la_loop

Rating: Explicit   Word Count: 70k

Summary:  It's Potter's fault, of course, that Draco finds himself trapped in the same twenty-four-hour period, repeating itself over and over again. It's been nearly a year since the unpleasant business at Hogwarts, and Draco's getting on with his life quite nicely, thank you, until Harry sodding Potter steps in and ruins it all, just like always.

Look. I don’t remember which was the exact first drarry fic that got me hooked, but this was one of the ones that left me with SO-GOOD-NEED-MORE type of feels. It’s the Draco-centric fic I think of when people start talking about Draco, and draco-centric fics feed my soul.

(Everyone needs a time-turner fic in their lives. Let me reccomend this one for you. And Draco fics still feed my soul, go figure.)

Johnlock (John Watson x Sherlock Holmes) - BBC’s Sherlock

A Study In Auto-Signatures, Sniper Dolphins, and Sex Holidays by: cwb 

Rating: Explicit  Word Count: 32.6k

“Mary's signed us up for a sunset boat tour of the bay. Dolphins. Champagne. Moonbeams, etc.

Jesus Christ. SH

No, he won't be there, just the dolphins.”

Yes. You did read that right. Sniper Dolphins. BUT you have to hear me out, because this has everything I love: texting, UST, fluff galore, angst and emotions, and smut. Plus, I genuinely laughed out loud while reading this. And, best of all, no infidelity! I promise.

(I am a little wigged out becasue I reread this like two days ago, and screamed in the bookmark about how much I love it. Coincidences are weird, man.)

To The Sticking Place by blueink3

Rating: Explicit  Word Count: 122.2k

Renowned Shakespearean actor Sherlock Holmes has finally burned all of his bridges in the theatre industry save for his constant director, Greg Lestrade. John Watson has made a name for himself in the musical theatre circuit, but age and injury are working against him. Can they reinvent themselves for an all-male Macbeth without killing one another?

I was hesitant going into this one, just because I don’t know much at all about theater, but I’d read Macbeth in high school so I gave it a go. Safe to say I was hooked by the first chapter. This fic is also really grounded in real-life theater stuff so it feels very immersive, and the integration of the characters is A++. The johnlock fandom has brilliant writers in general, but I love this author’s style. My heart was aching and soaring by turns, and it’s one of those fics I’d kill to go back and read again for the first time.

(also, if you liked Performance In A Leading Role, the go-to movie stars/acting AU, then I think you’ll really enjoy this one)

(Cosigned. I remembered specific parts like scenes from a movie. With over 100k words, you expect description, but I swear you feel everything in this story. Lovelovelove. PiaLR is also fantastic and worth your time.)

McHanzo (Jesse McCree x Hanzo Shimada) - Overwatch

Hang the Fool by AlmaMeDuele (arcanebarrage on tumblr)

Rating: Mature  Word Count: ~231k (a commitment, but worth it)

I can’t talk about McHanzo without talking about HtF. It’s just not done. If you are new to Overwatch, or have only seen fanart of a grumpy Japanese archer with a dragon tattoo and a smirking cowboy/sharpshooter with a robot arm, and suddenly started to ship it a little? Oops, that may have just been how I got started. This is a fantastic starting point for those new to the fandom, and the writing is literally novel worthy. It is so well constructed, and the characters are beautiful and flawed, and I might have almost teared up once or twice. Plus, a happy ending that is just open enough to leave room for future additions, which the author is actually doing!!

(I haven’t read mchanzo stuff in awhile, but this remains at the top of every list. It is one of my favorite stories of all-time, regardless of fandom. The author should work in published fiction, I’d buy everything. Who cares if you don’t play the game. If you’ve got the time and want something fresh that feels like it’s own universe, read HtF.) 

Reaper76 (Jack Morrison x Gabriel Reyes) - Overwatch

When We Were Young by: JudgeCoffee (this is also their ONLY FIC?? i cri)

Rating: Explicit   Word Count: 84,754 (as of Feb 3, 2017) (102k+ as of June 30)

Summary: When Jack Morrison was 18, he joined the military. Fifteen weeks later, he joined the Soldier Enhancement Program, and that was when he met Gabriel Reyes. That was when everything changed.

This fic is a WIP, which I know is taboo in the rec’ing world, but I had to. The story here is a brilliant imagining of what might have happened in the time before Overwatch was formed. The writing is impeccable and I never find myself bored with an update. This fic hurts. The characterizations, and Gabe in particular, blow me away. I even find myself attached to OC’s, which NEVER happens for me. Plus the smut never feels without purpose, or just for the fun of it, (even though hell yes, sign me up for meaningless smut) while still being entertaining. I have two many emotions about my edge-dads as young, still alive, men.

(This is one of the few long-term fics I have kept up with religiously. There’s only one chapter left, to be posted and I am itching for it. Like HtF, this is on a whole other level of fanfic. Only in the Overwatch fandom have I seen work like this, and it’s amazing. My heart aches, becasue you know how it has to end if you’ve know anything about the game’s lore, but you just want them to be happy and love each other and maybe retire early on Jack’s family farm. Too much to ask??)

I’m sure there are many fics I’ve been obsessed with that I’m forgetting, too! If you check any of these out, don’t forget to leave a kudos or a comment. (Leave it to past-me to make myself emotional about mchanzo and r76 again. Thanks, self.)

[icefireeclipse]

Ice’s Annual Post for 2017

Below is a list of cool/important/interesting things that I did during 2017 in order of month. They’re mostly in order by when they happened but a few may be out of order. The list is long so I put a Read More underneath if you’re interested. Enjoy!

January

Played Home is Where One Starts on Steam

Started watching Sailor Moon Infinity Arc

Started playing Pokemon Moon

Finished Jumin’s Route on Mystic Messenger

Had to drive to work at 6am because I forgot to return a button

Finished Seven’s Route on Mystic Messenger

Started re-learning my French just in case I move to Europe

Started considering moving to Europe after I finish college

Started my 2nd semester of college

Saw Hidden Figures in theatres

Met the woman my father began dating (spoiler alert: I like her)

Helped my mom and sister with tearing out the carpeting in the living room so we can get new flooring

Got a Robin Amiibo for an early birthday present

Cooked something for the first time this year that wasn’t ramen or hot chocolate

February

Celebrated my 19th Birthday

Got locked out of my car for the 1st time, coincidentally on my birthday

Got Pokemon Sun as a birthday present as well as a water bottle and some gift cards

Ran into an old teacher of mine from elementary school

Visited the World Market for the 1st time

Tried a candy bar from Britain for the 1st time

Learned how to make coffee

Started rewatching Ben 10 Alien Force

Finished my training at my job

Went to a seminar about refugee’s for my Diversity class

Signed up for a college tour that I ended up not going to because of Mother Nature

Played Awkward Dimensions Redux for the 1st time

Finally got into the main story for Mass Effect

March

Went to see Logan in theaters

Saw Finding Dory and Sausage Party for the 1st time

Got my dad a jar of herring for his birthday

Finally made a playlist on Youtube just for music

Started playing Penumbra Overture

Got my first $2 bill this year, and frankly first one in Many years

Continued to play Mass Effect

Bought a hot chocolate at a gas station for the 1st time

Purchased Mass Effect 3 off of Origin

Got a Origin account just to get this game

Spent the 1st day of spring getting a car wash

Rediscovered my love for Halestorm

Started listening to more music by Set it Off (instead of just 1 song)

Pre-registered for KitsuneKon 2017

Went to a Transgender rally for the 1st time

Went to a rally of any kind for the 1st time

Wacked a pinata for the 1st time in a few years

Played field hockey in a college room

Attended a girl choir concert for the 1st as a member of the audience

April

Finished Penumbra Overture

Started watching Season 2 of Shingeki no Kyojin

Came out as Queer to my Diversity Class (1st time I came out in public not to friends or family)

Decided to minor in Political Science along with my History Major

Joined Reddit

Downloaded  We Were Here and Medusa’s Labyrinth on Steam

Finished Mass Effect for the 1st time

Played through Mass Effect a 2nd time as a Renegade Sentinel

Attempted to use my debit card for the 1st time

Finally visited my great grandma’s grave after 7 years

Started watching Clannad

Got a gift card for Easter

Got free food at work because of Employee Appreciation Day

Started a test draft for The Fire Underground

May

Finally finished Huniepop

Started playing Serena but didn’t like it

For the 1st time, I have a friend of mine who works at the same job as me :)

Finished my (technically) 1st year of college

Played Super Smash Bros in order from 64 to Wii U for the 1st time this year

Redid the floors and got the kitchen walls painted at my mom’s house

Started working on painting and adding new floors in the living room too

Purchased Alan Wake on Steam during it’s Sunset Sale

Watched Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle (Yes that’s important)

Stepped into a Spencer’s for the 1st time (though it was only at the very front of the store to look at posters)

Started planning for my new Yarny cosplay for Kitsune Kon

Watched Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 twice in theatres

Bought a bikini for the 1st time (I usually only wear a tankini while swimming so wearing a bikini is huge for me)

Watched Steven Universe: Wanted and fell in love with Lars all over again

Worked during Memorial Day, but got paid more because holiday :D

Got my 2nd smartphone ever, a Samsung Galaxy S7

Ate a sandwich with a square bun for the 1st time

Updated my blog theme for the 1st time this year

June

Witnessed a felony traffic stop with arrests and everything for the 1st time

Celebrated my cat’s birthdays by giving them catnip

My parent’s divorce was finalized, same day as my cat’s birthday

Played Emily is Away for the 1st time

Returned to Mirai Nikki, an anime I never finished

Only just figured out Patrick Swayze died via a documentary (oops)

Attended my friend’s graduation party

Finished my 2nd and 3rd simultaneous playthroughs of Mass Effect

Started playing Mass Effect 2 and Life is Strange

Finished Episodes 1 and 2 of Life is Strange

Found out what the Grapefruit Technique is for some reason

Donated to Markiplier’s Charity Live Stream for Ablegamers

Kathryn mentioned my name (Icefire), my comment and thanked me for donating! :D

Purchased over $59 worth of games during Steam’s summer sale including Bioshock, Mirror’s Edge & Dragon Age Origins Ultimate Edition

Finished Life is Strange Episodes 3, 4 and 5 in the span of a few days

July

Played Blade Ballet for the 1st time

Played Monopoly and hung out at irl friend’s house for 3rd of July

Purchased Gone in November on Steam

Started watching Big Brother with my sister

Made a Yarny doll for the 1st time

Used an ATM for the 1st time

Attended Kitsune Kon for the 7th year

Almost didn’t make it to the con because I had stomach issues the morning of the con

Bought a lot of buttons, posters and dvd’s, etc from the con

Debuted my Yarny cosplay at the con

Went swimming for the 1st time this year

Continued unpacking things from my dad’s apartment before he moves

Toured the college I’m attending in January for the 1st time

Had to redo my financial aid application

Learned how to transfer funds from savings account to debit card. Horray for adulting!

Discovered the joys of Etsy

Toured my dad’s new house for the 1st time

Attempted to expand my storage on my Mac as I’m starting to run outd

August

Discovered StoreEnvy

Finished Mass Effect 2 for the 1st time

Began my application for transferring to a 4 year college

Finally put my posters up in my room at my dad’s house

Went Up North with my mom’s family for a weekend

Wore a bikini in public for the 1st time

Purchased VIP tickets to the Evanescence Concert

Bought VIP tickets for the 1st time

Found out my dad got engaged

Found and caught my 1st ever Shiny Pokemon (Shiny Haunter in Moon)

Tried VR for the 1st time

Went camping with my dad, his girlfriend and her family for a weekend

Started my 3rd and last semester at the technical college I’m at

Purchased Layers of Fear, Bioshock 2 and Remember Me on Steam

September

Met my dad and his fiancee’s new cats Ying and Yang

Officially got Accepted into the 4 year college I applied to

Finished Mass Effect 2 for the 2nd time

Started Mass Effect 3

Downloaded Origin

Bought tickets to see Diavolo from America’s Got Talent

Suffered from allergies for most of September

October

Attended an Employee appreciation day at my job

Visited a Counselor regarding my transfer to a 4 year college

Ordered a Christmas gift from my job

Finished Mass Effect 3 for the 1st time

Pre-registered for Kitsunekon 2018

Ate a fried egg sandwich for the 1st time

Submited my AP scores to my new college

Found a spring jacket that I lost back in Spring

Found over $20 in said jacket

Got an unofficial tour of the campus I’m going to in January by friend

Went to see Diavolo on tour 

Played The Old City: Leviathan on Steam

My job got a bunch of renovations (paint, appliances, new products, etc)

Purchased Soma, realMyst, Plague Inc, Undertale and other walking simulators during Steam Halloween Sale

Attempted to play Penumbra Black Plague but dealt with screen resolution issues

Started playing Layers of Fear on Steam

Caught Primal Kyogre with just one quick ball in Pokemon Alpha Sapphire

Finally beat Pokemon Alpha Sapphire after over a year of not touching the game

November

Turned in my “final” report for my Technical Reporting class

Went back to playing Pokemon Moon

Signed up for my classes for January

Finally got to see Thor Ragnarok in theaters after 4 years of waiting!

Got my “final” report graded, 96%!

Got back into the Thor fandom

Got my mom some bubble wrap and salt water taffy for her birthday (she loved it)

Started playing Overwatch for the 1st time

Discovered You Suck at Cooking Youtube Channel

Purchased a bunch of games for Black Friday (Overwatch, Dragon Age II and Inquisition, indie games, etc)

December

Had my annual review at the Gas Station I worked at and got a raise!

Went to see Evanescence in Concert for the 1st time since 2011!

Went to Madison for the 1st time in about 4 years (last time was just a few days before I started my Tumblr account)

Tried sweet Sauerkraut for the 1st time, it tasted okay but it was kind of strange eating sweet sauerkraut

Got my best friend some bubble wrap as a gag gift for his birthday

Went to my sister’s holiday choir concert

Finished a final and got a 90% on it (Ethics Class)

Procrastinated on said final and other final project

Got introduced to Round Planet by BBC

Finished Season 7 of Overwatch Competitive with Silver Rank

Started getting invested in Yugioh (abridged and the manga) 

Got the Synthesis (Evanescence) album for Christmas

Also got Pokemon Ultra Sun AND Ultra Moon for Christmas

My dad officially got married so I now have a step-family as of this month

Didn’t get to go to their wedding (it’s a long story)

Worked in Receiving at my job for the 1st time