#i hid some other details in there hehe

[j-aborg]

Balsam?... Balsam✨

So I redid Balsam's sprite

He looked so basic among everyone else and no I don't care if he's just a one off character, he deserved better >:[

There isn't a lot I can do other than make his pants more interesting because eww shirts so now he has chaps/some sort of armor lol with some peculiar keepsakes...

Oh also gave him the body hair he deserves, his chest floof is augh, so floofy 😔Also happy trail :D

Not too sure with how I did on the arm hair tho, but it's...passable :']

Improved both his body and clothes rendering too :3

So uhhh yeah! Das all folks

[asahicore]

treasure reaction :: when their crush kisses them randomly!

pairing. ot12 idol!treasure x reader genre. tooth-rotting fluff and that's it word count. 6.3k a/n. i had gotten a request for this on my previous blog and had only posted the hyung and middle line parts, so this is a repost with the maknae line included as well <3 i had so much fun writing this and i can't wait to write more fluffy headcannons like this in the future.. also some of these are wayyy longer than others don't mind me i got carried away lmao and if u read one of these and think it'd be a good long fic then let me know i'd be more happy to write them out in more detail ok hehe enjoy and don't forget to reblog and lmk what u think please !!!!! xxxx

HYUNSUK. whenever you were around, this man became even more of a giggly mess than he already was. you’d clicked as soon as you’d met and lately, you’d been hanging out more and more, never getting bored of each other but not quite ready to put a label on your relationship just yet. this particular day, you were hanging out at his studio - his flattering excuse to hang out had been that he needed inspiration for his next song and your presence would give him just that. he’d been working on his song for about five minutes when he turned to you, saying he was unable to concentrate with you around. clearly, he hadn’t tried to keep the charade up for long. you told him you’d try to be as undistracting as possible but he shook his head and said he wanted to spend time with you anyway. and that’s how you found yourself engaged in an aegyo battle with hyunsuk, the goal being to make the other cringe as much as possible. you realized right there how whipped you must’ve been for him, considering his aegyo didn’t make you cringe at all, but rather made him all the more endearing to you. so much adoration for him washed over you that, without thinking, you placed your palms on the sides of his face and pressed a kiss to the top of nose. you quickly pulled away, both of your faces turning a deep shade of red as realization of what you’d just done dawned on you. after three seconds of looking stunned, he fell into an umpteenth burst of giggles and asked with a grin, “what was that, y/n?”. you hid your face in your hands and mumbled that it was nothing. “just ignore it,” you said. “i don’t think i want to ignore it,” he said, a smile still playing on his lips, but the lightheartedness of his tone did nothing to hide the meaning behind his words. you felt your breath hitch in your throat as his eyes drifted down from your eyes to your lips, and this, ladies, gentlemen and non-binaries, is how you had your first kiss with choi hyunsuk.

JIHOON. treasure finally had a day off and jihoon had insisted on taking you out for a shopping date. (when he’d called it that, his usual confident facade had crumbled just a bit and his cheeks had reddened as he finally fully admitted to his intentions with you.) you’d told him to spend the day relaxing at the dorms or with his family, but he’d been adamant on taking you out, promising he’d pay for everything and anything you wanted as a thank you for waiting so long to hang out with him. he took you to a shopping mall in the fancy part of seoul and you had one of the best lunches of your life there - you weren’t sure if the food was just that amazing, or if it was because the boy you were with made everything a thousand times better. after that, you’d strolled from boutique to boutique, you too shy to ask for anything, but him making up for that by constantly handing you a bunch of clothes for you to try on. you grew more and more confident as you tried more outfits on, pretending the changing rooms were your personal runway as jihoon clapped for the outfits he particularly liked - although he found you so pretty, you could wear the most disgusting piece of clothing on earth, he’d still think you were incredibly beautiful. by the end of the day, you had a wardrobe full of new amazing outfits, and you wondered how jihoon still had a cent left in his bank account. you insisted on paying for coffee as if that changed anything, and he’d said it wasn’t necessary but he found it endearing how resolute you were about getting him that latte. as you waited in line to order, you noticed how he was carrying all of your bags without a single complaint, and you were just so grateful for him in that moment that you leaned in and pressed a peck to his cheek, muttering a small ‘thank you’ as you pulled away. as soon as he’d felt your lips, his heart had started beating like crazy, but he didn’t want to lose his cool in front of you so he simply looked down at you and said, “i should take you out more often if this is how you’ll thank me.” let’s just say you went on many, many more dates after that.

YOSHI. after not seeing you for a few weeks, yoshi missed you more than he wanted to admit (even though he’d tell anyone who’d listen just how much he missed you). you knew he was busy with comeback preparations and told him you could wait, but one afternoon, he decided to sneak out of practice, knowing he’d get told off by his leaders and managers but missing you too much to care. he made sure you were actually free that day and told you to meet at your favorite hang-out spot, an underground arcade and food court. his heart was pounding at the idea of seeing you again after such a long time, and when his eyes finally found you, arms crossed as you waited for him at the entrance of the building, a huge grin spread onto his face. you could tell something was different by the way he hugged you when he got to your level - the hug was a bit longer, a bit tighter than usual, and you felt your heart swell when you realized that maybe, just maybe, he liked you the same way you liked him. you pulled away after a few seconds, his arms still around you as you smiled at each other. you did all the things you usually did: compete on the dance game machines (he always won) and on the car racing machines (you always won), then tried to win the other a stuffed toy from the claw machines (neither of you ever did), then ate an unhealthy amount of french fries as you sipped on a strawberry milkshake and he on a vanilla one, even though you always stole a bit from each other, and both ended up with a strawberry-vanilla shake. everything you did was the same as usual - but it felt different. his eyes lingered on your face, his hands found a way to sneak themselves around your waist. when you decided to take a few pictures at the photobooth, he insisted that you sit on his lap rather than side by side like usual, and you did, wrapping your arms around his neck as he held you firmly by the waist. after two shots, you decided to take your courage in your hands and finally do something about this tension between the two of you, so you leaned in to press a kiss on his cheek. but he must’ve felt your stare on him, so just as you leaned in close to him, he turned his face, and your lips ended up on his. you both pulled away at the same time, the photobooth taking a picture of your stunned expressions. however, his shock quickly turned into giddiness as he added another coin to start the booth again, and just as the lights went off, he kissed you on the lips, on purpose this time. “that way, we have pictures of our last seconds as friends and of our first seconds as a couple,” he’d explained afterwards.

YOSHI. after not seeing you for a few weeks, yoshi missed you more than he wanted to admit (even though he��d tell anyone who’d listen just how much he missed you). you knew he was busy with comeback preparations and told him you could wait, but one afternoon, he decided to sneak out of practice, knowing he’d get told off by his leaders and managers but missing you too much to care. he made sure you were actually free that day and told you to meet at your favorite hang-out spot, an underground arcade and food court. his heart was pounding at the idea of seeing you again after such a long time, and when his eyes finally found you, arms crossed as you waited for him at the entrance of the building, a huge grin spread onto his face. you could tell something was different by the way he hugged you when he got to your level - the hug was a bit longer, a bit tighter than usual, and you felt your heart swell when you realized that maybe, just maybe, he liked you the same way you liked him. you pulled away after a few seconds, his arms still around you as you smiled at each other. you did all the things you usually did: compete on the dance game machines (he always won) and on the car racing machines (you always won), then tried to win the other a stuffed toy from the claw machines (neither of you ever did), then ate an unhealthy amount of french fries as you sipped on a strawberry milkshake and he on a vanilla one, even though you always stole a bit from each other, and both ended up with a strawberry-vanilla shake. everything you did was the same as usual - but it felt different. his eyes lingered on your face, his hands found a way to sneak themselves around your waist. when you decided to take a few pictures at the photobooth, he insisted that you sit on his lap rather than side by side like usual, and you did, wrapping your arms around his neck as he held you firmly by the waist. after two shots, you decided to take your courage in your hands and finally do something about this tension between the two of you, so you leaned in to press a kiss on his cheek. but he must’ve felt your stare on him, so just as you leaned in close to him, he turned his face, and your lips ended up on his. you both pulled away at the same time, the photobooth taking a picture of your stunned expressions. however, his shock quickly turned into giddiness as he added another coin to start the booth again, and just as the lights went off, he kissed you on the lips, on purpose this time. “that way, we have pictures of our last seconds as friends and of our first seconds as a couple,” he’d explained afterwards.

JUNKYU. this was another normal day for you and your best friend: just hanging out on his bed, laying in increasingly random but comfortable positions, stalking your old classmates on facebook or watching niche asmr videos for hours and ordering your comfort food when your stomach growls became too loud and painful to ignore. this time, you were separately scrolling through tiktok, only ever talking to show the other something you think they’d like. you stumbled upon a new trend, one where two friends sat together and the one making the tiktok kissed their friend when certain lyrics of the song played, hoping they will kiss them back. you glanced at junkyu - maybe he didn’t know the trend, because the sound coming from your phone hadn’t seemed to catch his attention. it painfully reminded you of just how much you’d been wanting to kiss your best friend immediately. how could you not when he was so adorable? wiping the corner of your lips when you ate messily, the way he laughed when you made stupid jokes, his warm hugs whenever you had to go home; it all made you fall more and more for him, but like any person with feelings for their best friend, you knew it was risky to admit them to him. so you stayed quiet - until that day, at least. you thought, “if he doesn’t want to kiss me, at least i can play it off as doing the trend.” so you sat up and asked him to do the same, sitting at the edge of the bed together. you prompted your phone on one of his shelves, making sure the audio and video were cropped right before you pressed play and ignoring him as he bugged you with questions. “you’ll see, just sit there and uh… listen to the audio. listen carefully, okay?” you instructed quietly. he obediently did as told, an excited expression on his face. when he realized he knew this song and what lyrics came next, a huge grin spread onto his lips, and before he knew it, you were leaning in and kissing him. neither of you knew that the other had been waiting for this exact moment, but he kissed you back instantly, even pulling you back in when you started leaning away and smiling into the whole kiss, the tiktok long forgotten as the music played over and over in the background. long story short, this was how make-out sessions became a thing when you and junkyu, your best-friend-turned-boyfriend, hung out.

MASHIHO. finally back home in japan for a month-long break, mashiho was planning on spending as much time with his family and his friend group from high school, which you just so happened to be in. once upon a time, you and mashiho had been very close. it was very obvious to all of your friends that you liked each other, but neither of you had dared to make a move, scared of damaging your friendship, and before you could gather the courage to confess your feelings, he had been whisked away to south korea to finish his training and debut as a member of treasure. this was the first time you saw him in real life and not on a screen in almost two years, but it only took a couple of days for your feelings to come back as if they had never disappeared in the first place - which they probably hadn’t, anyway. it’d been a week since he’d come back, and you were all hanging out at the basketball court of your old high school at 10 pm after having gone out for dinner. most were playing a game of basketball but you and two of your other friends had decided to hang back, saying you’d eaten too much to move around when you really just couldn’t be asked. mashiho, who was used to destroying absolutely everyone on the court, was of course surprised when his friends were able to stop some of his attacks and shoot perfectly even from afar. they took a small break and you told him how they’d practiced during his absence so that they could finally play an actual game against him without being ridiculed. the smirk on mashiho’s face as he said, “alright then, bring it on,” was very unhealthy for your poor heart who started beating a thousand times a minute, the simple action launching a horde of butterflies in your stomach. you watched the game, and more precisely him, with a lot more attention after that, shouting his name for encouragement and clapping when his team won a point. when he winked and waved at you after landing a shot, you really felt like the girlfriend of an american athlete at one of his college games, and you liked that feeling a little too much. you were so invested in this game that when his team finally won, practically all thanks to him, the adrenaline made you jump up from your seat on the ground to run over to him and press a congratulatory kiss to his cheek. this already made everyone cheer louder than the game did, so imagine just how loud your friends were when mashiho, shaking off his surprise, grinned wider, took you by the waist, and kissed you on the lips. 

JAEHYUK. similarly to junkyu, i imagine jaehyuk as being a besties before lovers type of guy, except that he really treats you like his girlfriend but just doesn’t have the guts to actually call you that. he always takes you on ‘hangouts’ that are more like dates, facetimes you at random hours of the day and night, calls you pretty whether you’re dressed up or not; he just does everything right, basically. everything but one thing, which is to make things official, and you’d be lying if you said his behavior didn’t worry a little bit. you’d heard too many stories of girls being led on by their friends who act like boyfriends without the label and then turn around and make her think she’s delusional when she asks them about it. you really doubted jaehyuk could act like that, and in your head the worst-case scenario was that he was just oblivious to what he was doing and thought it normal, even though his friends always told you it was as clear as a sunny day he liked you and was just too scared to make the final move. this was why you had made up your mind that on your next date-like meeting with him, you’d finally gather enough courage for the both of you and act on your feelings, whether that meant straight-up confessing or doing something that couldn’t be seen as ambiguous in terms of where you two stood. it hadn’t even been a couple days since you’d taken this decision when he called you, asking if you were free next sunday, his nearest day off. as always, everything went perfectly, from his compliment on your new outfit, to the diner he’d picked out, to the way he made you laugh and your heart skip a beat. jaehyuk, however, wasn’t the type to flirt just to make you happy, but also so he could hear it back, and so he always found ways to make you compliment him as well - the fun part was to tease him and pretend you hadn’t noticed his new haircut or that you didn’t like his outfit that much just to see him pout and then grin widely when you said you were joking and that, yes, he looked very handsome. “oh yeah? so handsome that you wanna kiss me, i bet?” - this was another one of his favorite lines. you usually dismissed him with a roll of your eyes and told him to shut up, but today, you stayed quiet, thinking this might be your chance. he took your silence as flusteredness and added, “oh my god, you totally wanna kiss m-”, but you effectively interrupted him with a quick peck on the lips, shutting him up for good as you leaned back in your seat and continued eating as if nothing happened. he stared at you blankly, mouth slightly open, and touched his fingers to his lips like the female lead in a kdrama. without a word, he leaned in as you did seconds prior and pecked you just as quickly as you had, making you the shocked one this time. “if you get to do it, i get to do it too,” he said, pouting down at his food. when your gazes found each other, you burst into giggles, and after you calmed down, he very cutely threatened “just wait until it’s the two of us. i’ll show you what a real kiss is.” let’s just say that from that day on, there was no hesitation as to whether you two were just friends or dating (hint: it’s the latter). 

ASAHI. no matter how much he liked you, asahi had a tendency to get very immersed into whatever he was doing at the moment and sort of forget about your presence in the room. in his own somewhat awkward words, he’d tried to reassure you that it was just because he felt extremely comfortable around you and didn’t feel the need to keep you entertained, that he was happy when you just chilled together, each of you simply doing their own thing. you were usually fine with it too, happy to just be with him, but this one day, you’d gone over to hang out at his dorm so you could spend actual time chatting and hanging out with him, not just scrolling through social media while he worked on his latest painting. you’d whined about it when he started painting but he told you he’d be done in ten minutes. ten minutes passed, then another ten, and another ten. you’d call out to him every now and then but he’d always repeat the same thing - “i’ll be done soon.” your complaints barely reached his ears, your whines earned a mere chuckle, so when you’d had enough, you’d gotten up and said, “fine, guess i’ll just go hang out with jaehyuk then,” sure that that would get his attention. but he just replied with an unbothered, “sure, he’s probably in the kitchen.” you scoffed at his nonchalance, and decided desperate times called for desperate measures, so you stomped over to where he was sitting and pressed an aggressive kiss on his cheek. this finally got his attention and when he looked at you with a stunned expression, you were scared you’d completely overstepped your boundaries - it wasn’t like you two were actually dating, even though every member and their mom were telling you to. but his face immediately softened as he took in your small frown and pout, realizing he’d been very negligent of you. “i’m sorry, i didn’t mean to upset you. let’s hang out now.” his words already warmed your heart, but when you saw he’d been drawing a picture of you from when you had gone to a park together, you thought you couldn’t get more in love with him. later on, he teased you about your method of getting his attention, but he definitely didn’t complain when you did it again, practically lending you his cheek (because he was too shy to give you his lips) for you to peck. 

YEDAM. you realized that bang yedam liked to show off, just a little bit, when he invited you to watch practice at his company building for the fifth time. he liked impressing you with the new intense choreography they’d just learned or with his angelic vocals that never failed to make goosebumps appear on your skin. the members teased him about having ten times more energy when you were around, but your smile and claps as you watched him and the praises you gave him afterwards made it all worth it. he’d liked you since he met you at school - you still remember his trembling hands and his deep blush as he asked you if you wanted to come to his practice for the first time - but seeing you getting along with his members, learning the dance from mashiho, copying hyunsuk’s rap and laughing at asahi’s and jeongwoo’s antics, it all made him like you even more; you fit right in. he asked them what to do about these feelings, and they all advised him that next time he asked you out, it should be just the two of you. yoshi, in all his wisdom, told him that having you over at the company like he usually did was a good idea because it was familiar and comfortable, but that it could be at a time where he practiced individually. doyoung added that he should sing a love song as way of confessing, and everybody groaned at the cheesy idea, but yedam, for some reason, thought it was the greatest, most romantic thing ever and thanked his friend, thumb on his phone already pressing your contact, ready to call and ask you out. you said yes immediately, heart pounding at the idea of it finally being just you two after months of hanging out in groups, whether that was with your friends at school or with his members during practice. when you got there, you talked for a bit, the electric tension in the air making you both feel giddy. he warmed up before he got the song ready and told you to “listen to the lyrics carefully” with a very pointed look. you couldn’t contain your smile as you nodded, excited for whatever he had planned. lo and behold, you had the honor of not only being the first to hear the piano, demo, yedam solo version of the one and only darari, but also of being the inspiration behind the song. when it was over, yedam turned to you with a sheepish smile, asking “did you like it?” and being answered with a chaste kiss to his lips. his hands found your waist as if by instinct and, as he looked up at you with wide eyes and you looked down at him with a huge grin, you replied, “i loved it.”

DOYOUNG. nobody will ever convince me that doyoung doesn’t give the biggest university campus hearthrob vibes. i know this whole post was idol!treasure but just for him i’m gonna make an exception cause… yeah. doyoung is that guy in your really boring class that you only go to because he’s there, even though you never speak to him. all you’ve done is gaze longingly at him and look away abruptly when he catches you staring, so you’re sure he must think you’re crazy until one day when your professor announces a group project in pairs and doyoung swings around on his chair, looking right at you and smiling as if you were friends that already knew they’d partner up. you look around and behind you, trying to see if his smile is actually directed at someone else, but everyone’s already speaking to their partner. when your eyes find doyoung again, he’s already walking towards you, grabbing the empty chair beside you and plopping himself down on it. “wanna do this together?” his smile is blinding and all you can do is nod slowly and mumble out “s-sure.” and that’s how you become friends with doyoung, and how your infatuation with him turns into an ever-growing crush. working on a project together leads to meeting at the library for study dates, leads to taking coffee then lunch breaks, leads to texting random things during the day, leads to inviting each other to parties, leads to hanging out outside of school when the project is over, leads to you being head over heels for him. it doesn’t help that along with being ridiculously handsome, doyoung also happens to be a gentleman who knows your coffee order by heart, is easy to work with, makes you laugh, and flirts with you shamelessly. you’d like to say that after a few weeks, comments such as “you look pretty today, y/n” don’t affect you or that you don’t feel anything when he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, but that would be the world’s biggest lie. the fated kiss happens at half past midnight on a tuesday during exam season. there was an essay you had completely forgotten about, and you only had twenty hours to do all the reading, come up with a topic, and write it out - the professor didn’t accept extensions, because they were evil. you had briefly told doyoung about this, but you just thought he’d send you a sweet text of support - not that he’d show up at the library, two cups of coffee in hand. “here, they’re both for you. motivation and comfort,” he grinned, placing them on the corner of your table. “oh my god, doyoung, i could kiss you right now,” you breathed, heading straight for your first cup. you almost spat out the coffee when he replied, “then do it.” you don’t know if it was the deliriousness of having been awake for such a long time, or if it was the adrenaline of having to finish an assignment on time, or the fact that he still managed to look good at midnight under the bright yellow fluorescent lights of the library, but you did it. you stood up and pressed your lips firmly against his for a few seconds before pulling away and returning to your essay. your cheeks were burning and you were too shy to look back at him, the realization of what you had just done hitting you. “y/n?” “yeah?” “is that it?” you can feel his gaze burning holes through your head, but still you can’t bring yourself to meet his eyes.”i don’t have time right now. sorry.” a beat passes and you pretend to read a paper, but none of the words on your screen passes. “then will you come to my dorm when you’re done?” another beat. “yeah. okay.” “okay.” he kisses the top of your head and whispers ‘good luck,’ and your cheeks manage to burn even more. you think you might combust right then and there, but at least you have an even better incentive than a good grade to finish this assignment. ok now who would read this if i turned it into a full fic…

HARUTO. the gods of love and fanfiction were on your side when they made you besties with haruto’s sister. he was back in japan for his break, and on his second day home, his sister asked if you could come over for dinner. you usually saw each other every day, if not at school then at each other’s houses or in town, but that hadn’t been possible the day before since it was her brother’s arrival, and she was already having withdrawal symptoms. their parents gladly agreed - you were like a second daughter to them at this point, much like your friend was to you parents. he hadn’t really thought twice about it at first; he remembered you as his sister’s shy friend that smiled a lot but didn’t talk very much. well, you still smiled a lot but were more talkative now; and either you had changed immensely in the year since he’d seen you last, or he just didn’t have that good of a memory, because when he saw you again, he himself grew shy because of how pretty he found you. his cheeks reddened when his parents coddled him or bragged about his achievements, his head hung low in embarrassment when usually he’d have welcomed the compliments with open arms. “gosh, you need to eat more, son! it’s like they don’t feed you over there,” his mom grumbled, scooping a huge portion of rice in his bowl. he wanted to dig a hole in the ground when you giggled at his mom’s antics. he grew more and more comfortable around you as time passed, considering you were over at their house at least three times a week, but he still found himself unable to get a full sentence out while looking you in the eyes. the way he was around you was so different from his usual personality that it was obvious to everyone that he had a crush on you. you found him extremely endearing, but knew there was no point trying to pursue what might be there, since he’d have to leave soon. it was only on his last night home that you gathered enough courage for the both of you. it was late in the night and you were sleeping over at your best friend’s house, but the coffee you had stupidly had at 6pm was keeping you awake. quietly, you walked out of your friend’s bedroom and into the kitchen to get a glass of water, but sound from the living room distracted you. you took a peak in and found haruto on the couch, watching an action anime. he almost had a heart attack when you called out his name, not expecting anyone to be up at this time. “what are you still doing up? shouldn’t you be getting some sleep before you leave?” you asked, sitting down next to him on the couch. if you couldn’t sleep, might as well stay here. “i can never sleep before i go back to korea. i love being there but i just… i hate waking up and knowing today’s the day i leave home.” it surprises him how easily the truth comes out, but it feels nice to put it out there - he doesn’t want to cause his parents sorrow by telling them how much he wants to stay even though he can’t. “you want to make it feel like your time here is longer or something? so you stay up…” you say, looking at the bright colors of the tv. “pretty much, yeah.” you ask him what anime he’s watching and scooch closer to him, letting a comfortable silence fall between you after he’s answered, the only sound in the room coming from the tv. after a couple of episodes, you feel sleep wash over you, and stretch your arms, letting a big yawn out. “going to bed?” haruto asks, pausing when the next episode starts to play, and you nod. “you know, ruto,” you start, and his heart skips a beat at the familiar nickname - it’s a lot nicer when you say it rather than his mom. “it’s normal to feel sad when you leave home. but it’ll still be here, waiting for you to come back.” you smile at him. “i’ll be here too.” you get up, but before you leave the room, you turn back towards you, and lean down to press a soft kiss to his nose, a feature of his you’d always secretly loved. you grin as you watch his face break into surprise, and wish him goodnight, chuckling. “g-goodnight, y/n.”

JEONGWOO. as soon as he’d stepped into the classroom on the first day back to school and saw you there, jeongwoo knew he’d have the fattest crush on you. your carefree laughter as you talked with your friends, the glint in your eyes, the sound of your voice. he liked everything about you immediately, and that feeling only grew as time passed, even though you’d never had a proper conversation. always the class clown despite his idol status, he never failed to bring attention to himself with his funny comments and reactions, yet somehow managed to stay likable and not become that obnoxious guy who doesn’t know yet to stop. but when he was with you, he grew quiet. if you were on the same group, he’d barely look at you, only talking to you when absolutely needed. naturally, you thought he hated you. but when he found out you lived in the same neighborhood as his dorm, he’d shyly asked his manager if he could walk home from school once in a while rather than be driven home, and then he’d shyly asked you if you guys could walk home together, taking you by surprise. rare were the days he actually got out of school at a normal time, but when he did, he always waited outside the classroom door for you, earning him a few whoops from his friends and hushed giggles from yours. the first few times, he stayed pretty quiet, and you almost wondered why he’d asked you in the first place. but soon enough, his more playful side, the one you’d see at school or on t-map episodes (although he didn’t need to know you watched those), started to come out, and he’d talk with you about anything between the earth and the sun. you found yourself agreeing on the same crazy things, making up insane conspiracy theories, going back and forth on a topic no sane human would talk about and each sentence you uttered only adding to the craziness, both of you egging the other on and nodding as if you had unearthed the planet’s wildest truths. when you got to your house, you were so high on the incredible things you and jeongwoo had discovered that you pressed a quick peck to his cheek, thanking him for walking you home. before either of you could realize what you’d just done, you’d already closed the door behind you, leaving a very stunned jeongwoo to stand at your door for a few seconds, two fingers on the spot your lips had blessed his cheek and a smile growing on his face. his hyungs never heard the end of it that evening.

JUNGHWAN. i have no idea what it is about the three youngest members that give me huge ‘shy-when-in-love’ vibes, but junghwan is no exception. it was your last year of high school and even though you were drowning in homework and college applications, your parents had made you get a part-time job to help with the eventual university fees. luckily for you, your mother had a friend whose hairdresser had a cousin that worked at YG entertainment, and could get you a job as a part-time barista in the building café. he just needed to make sure you weren’t completely unqualified and wouldn’t freak out whenever you saw an idol, and it was set. you can’t lie, the first few times a winner or ikon, or worse, blackpink, member walked in, you had to really concentrate to not spill the coffee everywhere out of nerves. but it didn’t take you long to realize they were just regular people craving caffeine like you, and the fact that your coworkers and the company staff were completely unfazed helped as well. treasure, as the newest and most active group of YG, came by a lot, and you were glad to notice they were always friendly and polite with you - your friend who was a huge teume would be enthralled by the information. however, even if they weren’t all talkative extroverts, there was one member who was particularly quiet: junghwan. you thought nothing of it until one day, walking in for the start of your shift, you saw him chatting with the other barista, but as soon as he saw you, he grew quieter, answering in hums and short sentences, glancing at you in what seemed a nervous fashion. since you were a new addition, you chalked it up to him being shy around strangers. but then, he started coming in in the evening, when the café was relatively empty, and sat at a table after ordering rather than just getting his drink and leaving. he got out his homework and would simply work on it for thirty or so minutes, most of the time alone, sometimes with one of the older members. you didn’t say anything, and after a month, he finally talked to you for something else that his coffee order. you placed his drink (always an iced choco) down on his table, and as you were about to walk away, he called out your name. “yeah?” you said, turning around quickly, perhaps too quickly. the fact that he came in at such quiet hours meant that you had much leisure time to do nothing other than stare at him, unbeknownst to him. you knew he was a handsome guy, but being able to observe him so closely made you notice so many of his cute habits, and before you knew it, you were developing a crush. “how do you like it here?” he asked, and that was it. he forgot his homework as you answered his question, which prompted more from him, which prompted more from you. after that, you got into the habit of talking every time he came in, venting about your problems, bonding over shared interests, laughing at cat memes together. more often than not, this resulted in him being late for practice or never getting around to his homework. since you were in the same year level and he didn’t have as much time to study as you did, you also helped him with subjects he struggled with. you’d spent a week going over a history lesson with him, which had started out with him hopeless but he grew more and more confident about the upcoming test, thanks to your help. he had been really nervous about it, so when he barged in the café, a huge grin on his face and graded paper showing a bright red ‘B+’ in hand, you were so proud that you couldn’t help but run to him and take his face in your hands, pressing a firm kiss to his cheek. his eyes grew wide and he looked down at you in disbelief, but before you could run away and hide from what you just did, his grin found its way back to his face and he took you in his arms for the warmest hug you’d ever received. “i couldn’t have done it without you, y/n.”

© asahicore on tumblr, 2023. please do not repost, plagiarize or translate my works. feedback and reblogs are always appreciated!

permanent taglist: @ozymandia-s @bbujiikseu @lalalalawon @sd211

[cheesy09]

[CN] Kiro's Absolute Match Mind's Quest (Part 2)

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

Note: This date explores some very suggestive themes, so if you do not meet the game's required 16+ age rating, I'd suggest to avoid reading this date.

Part 1: HERE

[CHAPTER 5]

After successfully communicating with the organizer of the charity match, I shared the news with Kiro that I was going to join the cheerleading team.

Of course, he was surprised and delighted. We agreed to supervise each other and continue our "hellish training".

There were more fulfilling things to do in the long summer. While the exercises were obviously boring, they made my mood warm up every day.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day the baseball game started.

MC: Savin, have you seen Kiro?

Savin: He seems to have been called to the other side. Do you want me to find him?

MC: No, I'll go find him myself!

Savin nodded and gave me a thumbs up.

Savin: With the way you look today, I guarantee that Kiro will be looking straight at you!

I laughed twice, pulled on my cheerleading skirt with slight embarrassment, turned around and walked quickly in the direction he pointed.

-

Though this charity competition wasn't such a high-key event, many influential figures were invited, and the backstage area was bustling with people.

MC: Sorry, excuse me, thank you... Kiro! I'm here!

I waved my hand energetically. Kiro looked around after hearing the sound. His eyes lit up instantly when he saw me.

He walked quickly through the crowd and came to me, his eyes full of amazement.

Kiro: Today you, you....

MC: How is it? Youthful, right?

I smiled, raised my pompom and struck a pose.

Kiro: Very youthful!

Kiro: I can't believe you actually hid such a cute appearance and are only showing it to me now. No wonder you refused to let me come watch you rehearse yesterday.

MC: Hehe, of course the surprise must be discovered on the same day the surprise is happening!

MC: Originally, I wanted to wait a little longer and let you see it during the performance, but I was afraid that it would be too late to perform the ritual for you.

Kiro: Ritual?

MC: Did you forget?

I took out the prepared marker, took his hand, and wrote my name one stroke at a time on the inside of his wrist.

MC: You said during the game, that writing the names of important people on your wrist will bring good luck to the game. I remember that.

This is another reference to Kiro's Heatwave Date :>

Kiro opened his mouth and then smiled.

Kiro: Mm, I'll definitely live up to this mark.

He gently held my hand, folded our palms together and covered the handwriting.

Kiro: Then, we agree that we'll be each other's witnesses later on, and that we'll both stand in the most dazzling place.

-

After the lively opening ceremony, the music sounded again.

MC: Three, two, one, GO!

The girls on the cheerleading team jumped briskly onto the sports field with neat steps.

Almost instantly, I locked onto those pair of eyes I wanted to see most in the sea of spectators.

Blue, bright, and only mine.

Whether I was jumping, catching a throw, or even turning my back, I could clearly feel that line of sight firmly locked on me.

My heart felt as full, as if it was filled with air, but my body was lighter than the clouds.

Did Kiro feel the same way on stage every time I looked at him from off stage?

Accompanied by the rapid drum beat, the once extremely difficult movements during practice no longer seemed to be difficult at this moment. I supported my teammate's hand, stepped hard, turned around, flipped, and froze in the final step.

Woah--

I knew that the applause on the field at that moment may not have been because of the cheerleading performance, but a warm up for the next game.

But I also firmly believed that the handsome young man with blond hair and blue eyes in a baseball uniform who stood up to applaud - all of his cheers were only for me.

I took a breath to calm down and watched the players from the two teams appear one after another.

The captain on the left was Carol. He was standing next to Kiro while watching the cheerleading performance. When our eyes met, he smiled and winked at me;

And the captain on the right was of course, Kiro. He tried his best acting like a big star, but the moment he saw Carol making a face, he couldn't hold back from giving him a smack in the face;

MC: Pfft...

I suppressed my laughter and watched the two teams shake hands with each other.

The other members of the cheerleading team all left the field, leaving me the only one still standing on the field. Kiro looked at me with slight confusion.

At that moment, the referee handed the baseball to me.

Referee: Please kick-off the game, miss.

MC: Okay.

Kiro: .....!!

Hmph, how unexpected!!

If there were a comic-like dialog box above my head at this moment, it might have been an extremely big and extremely gorgeous dialog box that I could show off to everyone.

This was the second surprise I had prepared for him.

Kiro: MC...

For the first time, Kiro's eyes were extremely wide. If the referee hadn't order the athletes to get into position, he might have rushed in front of me by now.

In the end, Kiro walked to home plate and raised his bat.

I held the ball in both hands and took a deep breath.

MC: I hope...

I hope the next word didn't need to be said. All of my hopes were in my hands.

I raised my hand, twisted my body as much as possible, and swung the ball hard.

Boom!

-

Referee: Strike out!

Referee: After the end of the first half, there'll be a ten-minute intermission.

Unknowingly, the seventh game had concluded, leaving the score between the two sides very tight. Although this was just a friendly charity match, the competition's intensity was not low. While Kiro's baseball abilities were good enough, he hadn't reached a level where he could crush his opponents.

What's more was that he was facing against Carol.

I clenched my hands and looked at Kiro not far away.

The halftime break was very important, and he was discussing follow-up tactical arrangements with his teammates, a serious look on his face.

When Kiro entered working mode, his eyebrows seemed to be three points sharper than usual, and his blue eyes were astonishingly bright.

Even though his teammates were all leaders in various fields, at this moment, they all listened to his explanation with conviction and admiration.

Six or seven minutes passed, and since the tactics were almost planned, everyone dispersed to take a final break. Kiro also smoothed his sweaty hair and hurried to the bathroom.

MC: Huh?

When he raised his hand, I realized that the name I wrote before going on the field had been smudged by sweat, leaving only a few strokes remaining on his wrist.

[CHAPTER 5: Interweaving Emotions]

The sun shone brightly and the lawn on the court was coated with a fuzzy halo. The cheerleaders were in uniform and exuded youthful vitality under the dynamic music.

Obviously they were all wearing the same uniform, and their formations changed at an almost dizzying extent, but Kiro's eyes never strayed from the girl's body for even a second.

Carol: Hey...

She smiled brightly, and the dangling pompom in her hand was the finishing touch, making her entire body sparkle.

Kiro couldn't help laughing along, turned on his camera, and zoomed in a little bit to try and capture his Miss Chips in the fast-paced dance.

Carol: Kiro, it's all so blurry and you still want to take pictures? Where can I see your partner here?

Carol: .....

Carol: Hey, Bro!

Kiro felt a heavy tap on his shoulder. He subconsciously turned his head and saw Carol, who was seated with him in the stand-by area, raising his eyebrows in depression.

Carol: I've been talking to you. Why are you just looking at your sweetheart?

Kiro: She's performing, so of course I've gotta watch her at all times.

Kiro said, his eyes falling on the girl again, the smile in his eyes never disappearing.

Carol: Then the two of you really match each other.

Carol: When you were practicing, she was in the same state as you, with almost the same expression. Looking without blinking - yes, just like that - and smiling from time to time!

While Carol was describing in shock, there was a bit of envy in his eyes.

Carol: Tsk, no wonder you didn't admit that I was your "soulmate" before. The compatibility between your souls is rare in this world~

When Kiro wanted to respond to his opponent, he found the girl on the court looking at him for a moment, and he quickly straightened up and waved.

After a while, he turned back to look at Carol, who looked even more "haunted", with a hint of apology on his face.

Kiro: Uh... what did you just say? Soulmate?

Kiro quickly went through every detail of his and the girl's daily life in his mind, and unconsciously felt sweetness in his heart.

Kiro: Almost, but the word soulmate isn't good enough.

Kiro: In my heart, she is MC. She is my favorite person.

Kiro: As long as I look at her, I know what's in her heart. Whether she is happy or sad.

Kiro: That's why I'm eager to bring her the best things in the world!

Kiro: But you won't understand, even after I've told you all of this.

Kiro: This is a unique connection between me and her. Go ahead and envy it~

The more Kiro said it, the prouder he felt. Because no matter how good the pronouns were, he couldn't explain the girl in his heart. She was so unique that even the most beautiful words used to describe her would feel a bit inferior.

But as he talked, Kiro noticed that the person beside him remained silent and he turned to look back--

Carol was very dramatically covering his ears.

Carol: Wow, I'd love to see you show off your affection, but isn't this "dog food" a little bit much?!

Kiro: You even know the term "dog food". It's very local~

T/n: The term "狗粮" (dog food) is Chinese slang used to refer to PDA, i.e. public display of affection :>

Kiro smiled and bent his eyes, the little pride in his heart swelling like a balloon. Just as he was about to continue being arrogant--

The music on the field stopped and the performance ended.

Kiro immediately stood up and moved his wrists and ankles, his eyes filled with determination. Then, he turned to Carol and raised his eyebrows provocatively.

Kiro: Chat's over, old classmate. Now, you have to be careful.

Kiro: Because I won't let her down.

Kiro: Today's victory will belong only to "us".

[CHAPTER 6]

Two minutes to go.

I clenched the marker in my hand and looked at the bathroom door anxiously.

The moment Kiro appeared, I immediately rushed over and pulled him into a corner of the stairwell.

Kiro: ...?!

MC: The wording is blurry. Let me make up for it.

I couldn't help but uncap the pen and write more seriously and vigorously than last time. Kiro laughed and carefully wiped off the wet water stains on my wrist.

Kiro: You seem to be extra superstitious today.

MC: I can be as superstitious as I want.

MC: And I have even more superstitious tricks.

I stood up on tiptoes and fiercely kissed Kiro's lips, almost knocking his teeth in my haste. He smiled and gently accepted the tip of my tongue again.

One minute left.

Please, please, pass all my luck today to him through this kiss.

I didn't know if there was such a god in the sky that could grant my wishes, but I would still stubbornly pray for it.

As long as Kiro was fighting everything in this world, I would make this wish.

Thirty seconds to go. An announcement was made outside reminding the players to enter.

I pressed against the tip of his nose, and said word by word.

MC: Because I've see how hard you've worked this month, I really want you to win.

MC: It doesn't matter if he's an MLB super rookie. You're still my superhero.

I kissed those most beautiful eyes in the world again, and then pushed Kiro towards the arena.

MC: So, you can definitely win.

-

MC: Although Carol's "Fire Team" was about to strike out with a beautiful outfield ball to send the game into overtime...

MC: Kiro, the ace player of the "Sunshine Team", hit a perfect homerun, base, and hit in the tiebreaker!

I deliberately emphasized the word "homerun", leaned on the sofa, took a sip of beer, and continued reading.

MC: "Then, in the defensive round, Kiro made another critical hit, completely ending the game and winning the final victory."

MC: "All income and prize money from this competition will be donated to the Youth Sports Development Foundation..."

Kiro: Why are you still reading the report? The game ended long ago.

Kiro's voice sounded from above my head.

After the game, Kiro and I were really tired, so we simply declined most of the subsequent interviews and activities and went home to lie down.

MC: It hasn't been that long. It's only been half an hour since we got home, of course I'm still very excited. Here, look.

I showed Kiro the screen of my phone with a smile. There was a photo of the victors, hugging and celebrating.

--And this time, I was also among the victorious group, firmly captured by the image.

MC: I emphasized to Xiao Zheng and the others that this photo was very important and had to be taken!

MC: This way, we can make up for the regret of not having a celebratory photo at Hitachi High School last time!

Kiro: ! Quick, send me a copy!

MC: Sent, check~

I not only sent him this photo, but also some other photos of the game, as well as bits and pieces of training over the past month.

Kiro: So many...

He slowly looked through them one by one in amazement, and I leaned on his shoulder, smiling contently.

MC: Is it a lot? I still think it's little.

MC: If I were a photographer, I'd take a thousand time-lapse pictures during your competition and pick them slowly!

Kiro: Hahaha!

While we were looking through the photos, we casually drank a bunch of beers. Suddenly, Kiro's cell phone rang and he clicked on the screen.

MC: What's up?

Kiro: It's Carol. He said he's going back to the United States tomorrow morning and wanted to treat us to dinner tonight.

Kiro: Do you want to go?

MC: Hm... after all, he is your friend, so I do need to be there.

MC: But I'm still so tired now...

I pointed at Kiro's baseball uniform and then at my cheerleading uniform.

MC: See, we haven't changed our clothes since we laid down here.

Kiro: Shall we take a shower then?

MC: Let's rest for ten more minutes, shall we?

Kiro: Hmm... No, I'll get sleepy if I lie down any longer.

MC: But right now I'm too lazy to move even a finger--

Before I could even finish speaking, my body suddenly rose into the air, and Kiro picked me up.

Kiro: It's okay, you don't have to move.

-

MC: Wait a minute, Kiro. I seemed to have missed something.

Perhaps it was dopamine, controller of excitement, or perhaps it was the gradually brewing drunkenness. While Kiro was helping me unscrew the liquor, I suddenly pulled him back.

Kiro: Eh? Is it a bath towel, or a change of clothes? Should I go get it for you?

MC: It isn't...

I hesitated and couldn't answer, so I just took two more steps towards him.

MC: It's... something about you.

Kiro: [still clueless] About me? What is it?

I still couldn't answer, but my instincts drove me to seek out for him.

Not on his sleeves, not on his fingers, not on his chest...

The hormones caused by teen sports mixed with alcohol filled my nasal passages, making my head dizzier.

MC: It seems like... It seems like it's here.

Finally remembering, I gently licked the corner of Kiro's mouth.

MC: Yes, I remembered, you missed the praise.

As I spoke, I rubbed his neck again and again, and his center of gravity grew unstable for a moment. I tipped Kiro slightly and we sat on the ground together.

The showerhead slipped from his hand and fell to the ground. The inverted water rolled twice, and fine water droplets began to scatter unscrupulously.

Kiro blinked, and his breathing became a little faster.

Kiro: ...MC, are you drunk?

MC: ...Am I? Maybe so.

MC: Anyway, don't change the subject! You anyways missed it. You didn't say it.

I reluctantly pried open Kiro's lips, as if wanting to get the treasure that a brave man deserved after going on an adventure.

MC: I've praised you for being so amazing on the field, but you haven't praised my performance yet.

MC: Hurry up, or else the peacock who spread their tail and got no response will be angry...

Kiro suddenly raised his hand and lifted up his team uniform.

My hand that had initially been loosely clinging to his arm failed to grasp it, and my entire body suddenly fell into his arms.

Kiro: Don't be angry.

His breath touched my lips, and his voice mixed with the gurgling water.

Kiro: It was an oversight on my part. I should've really praised MC.

Kiro: How about using my entire body as your prize?

MC: Really? It's all mine?

I blinked in surprise and confusion, and my hands suddenly fumbled away indiscriminately.

From his eyes, to his nose, to his cheeks, to his Adam's apple...

Kiro's body continued to heat up under my touch and caress, and the heat captured in my palms spread to my body along my fingertips.

He kept maintaining a posture that allowed me to ask for anything. Only his rapid breathing and tight muscles guided the smoothest path.

Guiding me into opening this gift that was mine.

I couldn't help but confirm it again.

MC: Is it all mine?

Kiro: It was yours from the very beginning.

MC: Huh, if it was always mine, it can't be considered a prize for my hard work today, right?

Kiro: .....

Kiro: I found that Miss Chips is very logical when drunk.

His Adam's apple rolled, and the corners of his mouth curled up helplessly.

Kiro: Then should I tell you some hidden rewards?

He grabbed my hand. But this time, the rhythm of the body was completely dominated by him.

It was like an unimagined arrangement of a familiar piece of music, and the unaccustomed rhythm made it impossible for me to resist.

I could only be passively guided by him, and go with him to open doors that I'd never touched before.

The salty sweat mixed with alcohol filled my mouth with the taste of summer.

Kiro: Particularly dazzling...

I seemed to hear Kiro's dazed murmur, and I opened my eyes in a daze.

MC: ...what did you say?

Kiro: I'm talking about you on the court today.

His eyes were hidden behind his wet bangs, like the most bewildering ocean.

I was immersed in this ocean, but I knew it was about to set off a giant tsunami.

Kiro: And you now.

Unknowingly, the water had flowed along the floor tiles.

Translation Masterlist: here

[ateez-himari]

Hi bb!!!!I hope you're doing greattt I missed youu, hope uni's treating you good lol(I was supposed to start last month and now there's a war in my country but it's whatever I just hope I stay alive and healthy) anywayssss I wanted to ask some more questions related to hima's character😙

Forst up:is there a specific voice claim for hima cause I feel like belle from kiof fits her voice claim cause she's the most amazing vocalist I've ever seen

Second:what has hima gotten for mingi on tgeir anniversaries or his birthdays(I feel like she's the less money more meaningful type)

Third:who does she fight with the least I imagine it to be either sangie or hwa

Fourth:can you by any chance provide some kore background on the himajoong fight you mentioned, in which she didn't inform the members about her injury

Fifth:I love you hehe🤭

Take care bb mwahh💞💞

Hi my sweet Mina, I missed you too!! 🥰 I'm doing okay, a little tired (I have iron deficiency so I get tired very easily 😭) but midterms are slowing down for now! I hope you stay safe sweets! Be very very careful please ❤️I hope my content can help keep your mind off of it at least a bit

• There's no specific voice claim for her since I've never thought about it, but for singing; Suhyun (AKMU), rapping; Yeeun (El7z Up - Former CLC), speaking; Natty (Kiss of Life...her voice is so unique and sweet). Hanzo has I.M's (MONSTA X) voice

• From the time they've been together; 2022 Birthday; She created a playlist containing songs that holds deep meaning to both of them as well as ones that simply remind her of their relationship, the code to which she painted onto headphones 2023 Anniversary; There's a picture of them that he always looks at so she ink painted a shadowy-wispy version onto a scroll canvas which is now hanging in his studio right above his monitors so he can always see it 2023 Birthday; She learned metal working in order to make a ring (since he rarely goes without one) in which she incrusted a peridot - his birth stone 2024 Anniversary; They both enjoy spaces away from people so she rented out a flower garden and set up a picnic on a bridge overlooking a small pond since he asked her out on a bridge where she gifted him personalized art supplies as he customizing more items (by personalized I mean she hand painted the bamboo handle of each one with things he mentioned finding pretty - ex. certain flowers) 2024 Birthday; She bought bracelet that reminded her of him due to the softly shining silver, the comforting weight to ease his anxiety, each link being so closely intertwined like his overwhelming love and the details in them being almost like the fact that you need to look deeply into Mingi to see who he really is exactly

• She's had small disagreements with everyone except Yeosang since they're both just soft babies with each other 🥺She bickers the most with Wooyoung but it's always just friendly banter, she actually hasn't fought with anyone (except some relationships issues with Mingi) since the intense Hongjoong fight

• After seeing her go into cardiac arrest right in front of his eyes, Hongjoong was so scared that he didn’t know how to deal with it, he simply bottled it up until after the concert. The fact that she was so nonchalant when they got back to the hotel, asking what everyone wanted for dinner was the final straw, he snapped because it reminded him that she was almost taken from them. There was also a lot of guilt involved since he was the one who gave the green light for her to perform, which was building up since Kingdom as he suggested she do the final stunt instead of San, which is how she broke her ribs

Hima never hid any injuries but has a tendency to downplay them a lot, which means that she did not tell anyone whenever the pain from the fractures bothered her and just passed it off as something normal for intense choreography. This worried Hongjoong so much because he feels very protective over her well being, always trying to protect her from every single chance of physical harm, checking in on her mental health often (although less nowadays since she's doing much better) so these intense emotions eventually came out as rage, but not against her, against himself for "not being a good enough leader" that his maknae nearly died

It truly stemmed from an innocent question about dinner but it was enough to trigger the day's events in his mind and he started off with; "Food ? Is that really what you're worried about right now ? Sure, let's all ignore the fact that YOU WERE FUCKING DEAD IN MY ARMS FOR 3 MINUTES"

• KWKFWLIEF I love you too!! 😳💕

Again my sweet, please take good care of yourself and your health 💕MWWAH 😘

[logical-grave]

𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕗𝕣𝕦𝕚𝕥 ℂ𝕙. 𝟚

|| Pairing || - Dilf!andy barber x reader

|| Warning || - Some fingering, pet names, infidelity, looots of touching hehe but yes lmk if I missed anything :) and ofc, andy barber himself

|| A/N || - uuum this chapter is kind of filler kinda not, i will not lie but still, im excited for you to read it!!

|| Word count || - 1.7k

It seemed right that we frequent the salty ocean as much as we could this week. A satisfying rest settled on me as we approached the cabanas littered on the sandbank, the sun beaming down on us, the warmth compared to a hug. It was nice, serene even. Of course, I couldn't experience this alone since my father extended an invitation to the Barbers. I didn't want to assume it but they very much could be using us as a distraction. From what I've seen, they all had very little to converse about or want to.

I placed my bag on the white cushion of the cabana, removing myself as far away as I could from the Barbers. “This is so nice, I could get used to this.” Ms. Barber smiled as she lay on their cabana, resting on the recline of the bed. “Jacob, sweetheart, I don’t want you on your device today, why don’t you go play with those boys over there?” She suggested to her adolescent son, a groan emitting from him in annoyance. I hid a snicker in my shoulder, Rose playfully hitting my back as a way to tell me to knock it off. “George, this is good. Where’d you find this place?” Mr. Barber asked, removing the shirt from over his head and I looked away. I wasn’t going to let myself catch the details of his torso, fear that the sunglasses rating on my nose aren't tinted enough to not give away my wandering eyes.

“It’s a ‘locals only’ find, been coming here since she was born,” My father responded, lathering himself with sunscreen, causing me to shake my head since he was never one to properly rub it in and parade around with a sheen of white over his skin. “I’m going to grab a drink, does anyone want anything?” Mr. Barber started stepping towards the restaurant that just sat off the sand with an adjoining bar before turning and asking the question. He mentally took the group's orders before continuing on his way, but not until he spoke again. “Sweetheart, you mind giving this old man a hand?” He grinned an innocent smile, nothing anyone would give a second thought to yet I knew better.

I shook my head, “I was gonna jump in now. I have faith you’re more than capable,” flashing a smile at him. “Don’t be rude. She’ll be happy to help.” My father narrowed his eyes at me and I sighed, digging my feet into the warm sand as I rounded our cabana to catch up to Mr. Barber. I cautiously took my time walking with him, making sure I was lacking just a few steps behind him. He reached the bar just off to the side of the restaurant, the cold tile contrasting the sand we walked away from. I paused as Mr. Barber sat on a barstool, pulling the one to his right closer to him before patting the faux leather as he tilted his head toward me. Sighing, I pushed the glasses on my face onto my head as I reluctantly took the seat beside him.

He tapped the wood counter of the bar, the bartender preoccupied with other patrons. “I studied in Italy during my sophomore year of college. At least that's what I like to say,” He looked over at me and I avoided giving him a response, choosing rather snack on the bowl of peanuts set between us. His hand dropped from the counter onto my thigh, giving it a light squeeze. My hand fell just on top of his, our actions imitating the ones of dinner a couple of nights ago. “What is your deal?” I asked, pushing his hand off my thigh as a smile spread across his face. “Just trying to pinpoint exactly how far I have to push before you open these up.” He trailed a finger up the inside of my thigh, making me do a sharp intake.

“What about your wife? Sorry that I'm not looking forward to damaging the purity of your marriage.” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest as I crossed my leg, causing him to remove his hand. “She got bored. Decided the personal trainer helping her get her ass back after having Jacob entertain her better than I could.” He sighed, looking over at the bartender to see if he was anywhere near taking our order. I couldn't help to give him a small look of sympathy even if he was turned away. Even imagining the one person you’re supposed to trust and love for the rest of your life betraying exactly that and taking advantage of your naivety that was blinded by the love of your partner.

“So your partner's daughter is the best way to retaliate? I’m sure you could have your pick, I'm just unsure as to why you fixate on me.” I spoke softly, my eyes focusing on my hands which now lie in my lap. My attention was grasped as he stood off his barstool, towering over my frame as he extended his hand out towards me. I gave it a hesitant look, my eyes searching for our families on the beach, and was surprisingly relieved to not be able to look for them anywhere. “What if they come looking for us? This is too risky, Mr. Barber.” I pointed out and I could tell the risk passed through his mind. “Come on, Honey.” He spoke.

I took his hand, my heart beginning to beat a little quicker in my chest. Mr. Barber stuck to the wall of the restaurant, the hallway of the restroom coming into view. My eyes looked before me, the structure of his back looking as if something he works to maintain. I resisted my other hand to lift and trace his muscles in awe, the beating of my heart beginning to hammer in my ears as we neared the family restroom, the two of us slipping in before any eyes could catch us. He locked the handle behind himself, and my palms beginning to accumulate some moisture as nerves started to flutter in my stomach.

He turned towards me, invading the little space we had separating us just moments prior. His hand came to cup my cheek, smoothing his thumb over my cheekbone, moving to skim my bottom lip. He caught the tip of his finger on my lip, “open,” he commanded, pressing the pad of his thumb on the surface of my tongue, his fingers grasping my chin. I’m not sure if it was his tone that controlled the reaction to his command from my body but something allowed his other hand to find its way to the small of my back, pushing my hips against his front. “Good girl,” he complimented, his thumb leaving my mouth. “It's the way you react that makes me fixate on you. The way you try to resist and yet give at the moment I tell you what to do.” He whispered, his eyes searching my face, his breath lightly fanning over my lips.

“We shouldn't be doing this, Mr. Barber,” I mumbled, my neck exposing itself more as he began to place chaste kisses on my skin, his hand cupping my breast through my swimsuit, my nipple rising at the feeling of his kneading hold. “Andy, baby. Call me Andy.” He stepped forward just until my lower back met the cold tile of the bathroom counter, his left hand hooking under my knee to wrap around his waist. The feeling of his cock pressed against my clothed cunt, a gasp coming from me at the feeling. “Andy, please.” I softly whined as his hand cupped my breast out of my bathing suit, his mouth trailing to find my nipple between his lips. I tugged at his hair, electricity coating my skin wherever he touched it.

He reached down between us, moving my bathing suit to the side, the strain of the tight fabric circulating my thigh. “Wait, we shouldn't,” I made a small effort to remove him from me and he unlatched my nipple, his touch leaving me cold as he took a step back to take in my image. “Look at you, dripping and ready for me and I barely touched you.” He teased and I instinctively closed my thigh, embarrassment making my cheeks flush. I watched as he approached me once more, using his waist to part my legs and I didn't make an effort to refuse his advance. He maintained his eyes with mine, his hand reaching to toy with my entrance. His fingers slipped in with ease, moans emitting from both of us at the feeling and I arched my back off the surface behind me. “Andy,” I gripped his wrist in shock at the feeling, slightly because if he moved his hand, I’d stop before he could. “Fuck, you’re so warm.” I looked to see his swim shorts had formed a bulge, making me take my bottom lip between my teeth.

I moaned as he twisted his hand, curling his fingers inside me, his thumb rubbing small soft circles over my clit. My thighs felt tight, the nerves he was touching causing me to throw my head back in pleasure. As a rude gesture, he drew his hand away, making me narrowly glare at him but I relaxed as he studied his fingers, my slick glistening in the low hue of the light. With eyes set on my own, I watched as he placed his fingers in his mouth, exposing a deep moan from his throat as he savored my taste on his tongue. My mouth hung open at the lewd image before me, the intimacy of tasting me causing me to scramble any thoughts I had prior. “Nobody is allowed to touch you like this except for me, understand? ”He commanded and I quickly nodded. He reached as if to touch me again but instead, he stretched the fabric of my bathing suit back into place as I recovered the decency for my breast as well.

“We should get back,” I suggested and he nodded in agreement as I moved off the counter. He unlocked the door to the small restroom, stepping to the side for me to exit before him and he proceeded behind me. A blush found my cheeks as he placed his hand on the small of my back, moving to settle on my hip as he was directing us back to the bar.

[aeoki]

Blackjack - Gifts Will Not Arrive: Chapter 10

Location: Underground Family Residence Characters: Shinobu, Mayoi & Hitsugi Season: Autumn

TL Note:

Tokusatsu / 特撮 (lit. special effects) refers to Japanese films and dramas that make use of practical special effects. Examples of these kinds of works include Godzilla, Ultraman and the Power Rangers.

Hitsugi: Have some tea, everyone.

Mayoi: Oh, thank you. My throat is parched after all that screaming in excitement.

Hitsugi: I bet it is. You don’t have an issue with me using the tea leaves and other stuff without asking you first, right?

Mayoi: Please, feel free. I said this to NEGI-san but you can use anything here.

It’ll be automatically restocked once it runs out, anyway – use as much as you like.

Shinobu: This seems like a pretty nice place to live…

I had heard you were captured in a secret place underground, so I imagined you were locked up in a damp place ~de gozaru.

Mayoi: That section certainly exists, though~ No one would ever want to live in such a gloomy place forever.

Hitsugi: That sounds intriguing. I did hold back in asking about the details, but please tell me, Ayase-senpai.

About this place, about you and about the mysteries hidden within Yumenosaki.

I’ll also tell you everything I can.

I don’t want the same thing happening over and over again.

It seems it miraculously went well this time, but I don’t think those reckless things will be possible every time…

I’ll tell you all about the things you want to know. Though, it’ll only be the things I’m allowed to say, of course.

You’ll be alright with that, right, Ayase-senpai?

Mayoi: Yes… There is no other option. In fact, it seems I’ve caused everyone a lot more trouble than I’d thought, so I’d like to apologise.

I see I was more loved and accepted by others than I had expected.

Shinobu: Of course, you are ~de gozaru.

Idols exist to be loved by people. For some reason, everyone might think their companions think differently, though.

Mayoi: Hehe. Our fans only see our good sides, after all.

Shinobu: You’re saying that they’ll come to hate you if you show your true self? It’s natural for a tokusatsu hero[⁎] to look cool after their transformation, but they’re just as cool even before they transform, you know?

Mayoi: That’s different.

Well, it’s alright… Your thoughts made me happy and I’m in a good mood, so I’ll tell you.

But you must never mention what I’m about to say to another soul.

Hitsugi: That applies to the things I say too. There are crazy sorts of information which can get you erased from this world if you know of it.

Mayoi: In my case, the ones disappearing will probably be us – the ones who told you. We’re in unfavourable positions.

We’re lawless people who live in this country illegally, so to speak.

Illegal immigrants, smuggled refugees – that’s the sort of people we are.

Shinobu: Mayoi-dono, you’re from overseas…? There were certainly times where I felt our cultures were different ~de gozaru! No wonder our conversations would feel like they’re not going anywhere sometimes!

Mayoi: I’m not a foreigner. We haven’t exactly smuggled ourselves in from another country.

Just for the record, we did live in this country a long time ago.

We lived underground in this cave which no one knows of – we hid here without making a sound.

But we have no nationality. We don’t belong anywhere.

The laws of this country do not acknowledge us as their citizens, so we exist but we don’t exist.

Shinobu: Exist but don’t exist…? Uhh?

Mayoi: Ahh, Chief looks so cute when he’s trying to understand what I’m saying! I want a job that allows me to pat that crease between his eyebrows!

Shinobu: Please don’t go off the rails out of the blue like that ~de gozaru!

Mayoi: Ehehe.

…But even if that’s what we wish to do, we won’t have the right to find employment.

We exist beyond this country’s laws. So this country has no obligation to protect us.

We don’t even have basic human rights. We don’t exist in this country – that’s how it is, so it’s only natural.

Shinobu: Huh? But you do your idol work normally, right, Mayoi-dono?

Mayoi: I’m just pushing through with what I want… There’s someone who creates fake family registries amongst our brethren.

But once my identity has been revealed, it’s natural that I can no longer continue being an idol. I might even be apprehended.

So that’s why I didn’t want anyone finding out about this.

I always wanted to apologise for pretending to be an idol– no, pretending to be human.

But even when I was about to be laid off in the summer, I thought I was being laid off because my skills as an idol were not sufficient…

But perhaps they were actually suspicious of my identity. 

I’ve been feeling guilty since then.

Under normal circumstances, I’m not a human who can be with you all. 

But I found it difficult to part with everyone.

I knew that I would be chased out like a monster once they found out about my hideous true nature.

But, still, I reached out my hand from within this darkness.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[moon-and-stars-selfship]

HI! I would love to hear about your ff7 ships and SIs 🥺I have two SIs and faves myself (Rufus and Reno fjdhafskj) and am getting super hype about Rebirth hehe :D also maybe our SIs can be friends~

@goldenworldsabound

First of all great taste all around, I absolutely adore them and think they got great treatment with the rebuild! Anyway, I'm still working on my SIs (story of my life but I'm working on it , I promise) but I can spill what I've got so far.

My self-insert is a mechanic class (turrets, explosives, the works) who is part of Avalanche and works alongside the crew. I go along with them for the entire story of FFVII and on top of being madly in love with both of them I'm a dedicated part of the fight to save the planet.

(Very) Brief character summary? Done. Okay. Now for the full thing.

Story time: For Cloud and Tifa I'm going with the classic "teenage friends" route. I didn't know Cloud for nearly as long as he left to join Soldier only a few years later, but I knew what they had was special and had long suspected they would become an item. I stayed in Nibelheim and remained friends with Tifa for years but wound up leaving before The Event. After hearing about the cities destruction I assumed her dead since, supposedly, there were no survivors. I eventually made my way to Midgar. I got by doing odd jobs and eventually I realized how good I was at tinkering and developed a knack for repair/mechanical work. Eventually I heard about the Seventh Heaven and the owner who, by all descriptions, sounded familiar. I made my way to the bar and had a heartwarming reunion and caught up on everything that had transpired, the horror of what happened after her rescue, our respective lives struggling in Midgar, etc. It didn't take much convincing for me to stay, nor for me to join up with Avalanche (especially after hearing Barret talking about mako and the planet dying). I put my mechanical skills to work for the cause, but the more time I spent with them the more I realized I had budding feelings for Tifa. I didn't want to risk what we had so I didn't bring it up but couldn't bear the idea of being separated again.

When Cloud joined up with Avalanche and I realized that, though it was difficult for either of them at first, the feelings were still there somewhere. I backed off, not wanting to get in the way and, being honest with myself, felt something much more that excitement to see Cloud again. Even though I tried to suppress my feelings, and even though I was genuinely happy the two had each other again, I felt myself yearning. It didn't take long to figure out it wasn't just for Tifa and I was...confused. Being in deep for two people, especially ones that I felt deserved each other, was tearing me in half. Still, I hid it both out of not wanting to get between them and because I wanted, more than anything, just to be a part of their lives. I didn't need either of their love as long as I could have both of them in my life.

I still haven't finished FFVII completely so I'm working on the details as I go

Near the end of Meteorfall things came to the surface. Cloud was moody, well, moodier than usual and quieter than he hand been, and Tifa and I were worried. We took some time alone, talked, and we both told each other that we had to admit something: we both admitted that we were in love with Cloud. I don't really know which one of us started crying first, but it was tears of relief from both of us. I didn't know how to explain it wasn't just him but I know she was oddly happy when I said that she deserved him and I wanted more than anything for both of them to be happy. She smiled, it seemed strange, but she made me promise to be there when she confessed to him.

The next night it happened. He was alone on the deck of the Highwind, the stars were out, and we approached him. I expected a tender moment where I smiled for both of them and let them have some time alone, but she said that she had something to say: that we both loved him. She laughed at me stammering with a red face, but when Cloud came up and hugged us both I couldn't help it. I just told them. I was crying and squeezing them, hoping more than everything that wouldn't be the last time I held them, but when Cloud squeezed me back I actively started sobbing. When he pulled back and said that both of us meant more than anything to him, he turned to Tifa and asked her what she thought. "Well, I can't imagine letting only you have him, or letting only you have him,considering I can't imagine me without both of you...If you think it would work." Considering I want to leave things just a little vague for what happens after that, I just imagine all three of us sitting on the Highwind, watching the sunrise, holding hands. Curtain, close scene.

Ahhhh I would love that but I think his "background" might make them friendly rivals. I'd like to see what you think! >:3c

[totiredtowrite]

Wolf In Sheeps Clothing

Warnings - Cursing because angry boy, reader being a cold mf, reader's clothes are described (but kind of vaguely so dw)

Note: I feel like I can hear the gif for some reason :D? Kind of self indulgent so reader is shorter than kyotani. Poor mad dog, always being put in his place by pretty boys. I'll have you know that I consult the wiki everytime I write something for character details by the way. (bragging shamelessly). Reader is also a second year and the student council president because this is fiction and I'm not sure if you have to be a third year hehe

this turned out longer than I thought it would, really popped off with this one

Male Reader

Kyotani Kentarou has a new enemy.

Whether or not you knew he though of you as an enemy didn't matter to him.

Suprisingly, it doesn't happen as often as some might think. His awful attitude and uncooperative nature ensures that he makes more enemies than friends, but most people are too afraid to approach him in order to become one of the two.

His new enemy?

You. (L/n) (y/n), Student Council President.

Kyotani never really though much of you. Not when you campaigned for the spot, (despite being in the second year), and not when you got the position. He's seen you, sure, you made that whole speech when you got the part and you oversaw detention sometimes.

Kyotani, (surprisingly), didn't get detention much. On the one time you oversaw the detention class when he was supposed to be there, he decided not to go.

So, overall, he hardly saw you at all. You were nothing but a passing thought in his mind when he heard people talking about you. He never expected to talk to you, much less consider you his worst enemy.

~~~

It really was a normal day for Kyotani. He woke up, took a shower, ate on his way to school, and slipped into class with his usual "fuck with me and you die" look on.

Practice was cancelled that day as the coach was out sick, so he didn't really have anything to do. Everything was all normal for him, right up until the end of the day. Kyotani was stalking through the hallways, the other second years moving out of his way and giving hushed whispers to their friends as they got ready to leave.

He was used to that, and even liked the feeling it gave him, knowing that these people were actually afraid of him. He was close to his locker when it happened.

He ran right into you, almost knocking you back. He glowered down at you, an angry spark in his eye that would have any other student running far away. You however, just stepped back to be clear of his general bubble, and looked up at him with a frown.

Truth be told, he had never really seen you up close. True he'd overheard some of his classmates talking about how 'intimidating' and 'handsome' you were, but Kentarou didn't expect to actually feel it coming off of you. He didn't expect to point out how attractive you were right off the bat.

The hard glisten in your eye faded as you scanned his face. You know this guy. Your expression changed from 'stone cold dictator' to 'unbothered student council president.'

Somehow feeling the tension, most of the students cleared out before either of you said a word.

"Kyotani Kentarou," you said, "Number 16 on our schools volleyball team. Infamous for your out of control aggression and prowess in your sport." You smirked at him quickly, straightening your blazer and standing up straight.

"The hell," he lifted his head to look down his nose at you, "why do you know me?"

You shrug. "I keep tabs on all the students I think are troublesome. Or interesting." He watched as you casually turned to your bag and pulled out a large binder. "You're on the first page, marked in red." you had a somewhat mocking tone in your voice, that coy smirk returning.

Kyotani growled, the noise sounding surprisingly like an animal. You were much more cocky up close. Cocky and aggravating. He moved closer to you so that your chests were almost touching while you put the binder away, and looked straight down at your face. "I can be much more troublesome," he said lowly.

You barked out a laugh. "Careful there Mad Dog." You advanced, causing Kyotani to step back. "Or I might just think you're threatening me," you continued to move forward. Kyotani took more steps back. The only way he could describe the feeling was like he was being herded like a sheep.

Another animalistic growl left his throat when his back hit the lockers. By now everyone had left, leaving just the two of you. "You aren't leaving a very good first impression on your president," you say dangerously, almost mocking your own title.

"Why do I need to leave a good impression on you," he muttered out. You didn't say anything and instead lifted your arm above his shoulder to slam it by his head. He recognized this feeling. Yet somehow, it felt all different.

Not once had the rumors spoken about the affect you had on people. You scanned his face again, those intimidating (e/c) eyes holding him steady in place. His breath hitched in his throat softly when you pulled your hand back to straighten his tie. "You don't," you said referring to his earlier question, eyes focused on his tie. "And you haven't."

You pulled away from him and stepped back, patting him on the shoulder before turning on your heel to head towards the doors. You turned your head just as you were about to leave, the blue grey light from the cloudy sky making you seem more threatening. "Take care, Mad Dog." You left the school building, leaving Kentarou breathing heavily and on guard at the lockers.

~~~

He really didn't expect that from you.

He had had a similar feeling, when Yahaba threw him into a wall and scolded him during the spring preliminary game against Karasuno. Similar, but not quite the same. It felt like you had him trapped. He still had your words replaying on repeat in his mind.

Those rumors he heard about you didn't do you any justice. He never heard anything about how easily you could make people feel... things. For once, he felt like he was the one being hunted. And oh boy did he not like that. All those times he'd seen you, he thought you looked like a regular goody two shoes who would report even the smallest wrongdoing to the teachers. He didn't expect a calculated, threatening boy who had a binder of 'troublemakers' and a heavy presence.

He didn't sleep more than 2 hours that night.

Maybe it was your eyes that were etched into his mind. Maybe it was your smooth voice, that look that made it seem like there was so much more under your surface.

So naturally he came to the conclusion that you were his rival.

He managed to avoid you all till the end of the week, Sunday rolling around like a saving grace. He didn't see you once for the rest of the week, but it still felt like you were watching him with those calculated eyes of yours. His shoulder still felt all weird and tingly from where you had touched him.

The weekend felt like an asylum to him, a feeling of safety and control returning to him when his older sister sent him out to go pick up some things from the store.

Kyotani had decided to cut through the park on his way back, but now he was quickly regretting his decision. It's not like he was afraid of you, he just thought that avoiding you would be the best option.

The last place he expected you to be was sitting in the park, staring out at the little man-made pond with a few birds at your feet. You had an overcoat on to compensate for the slightly chilly weather, a sweater visible underneath it. Your shoes were tapping the ground rhythmically.

You looked much less intimidating out of uniform. You had a neutral, content look on your face, cheek squished against your palm with your elbow resting on your knee. It was almost cute, he thought, if that was the right word for it.

"Are you just going to stand there forever," you turned your face towards him and regarded him with lidded eyes. "You can sit down you know."

He jumped, standing still for a second before slowly moving towards you. His guard up like a wall as memories of your last interaction replayed through his mind. His breath quickened ever so slightly, and his ears turned pink.

He slid into place on the bench next to you. You turned towards him again and smiled. He went bright red.

It was an actual smile. Not that cocky smirk, but a soft clad cute smile. You focused your attention back on to the pond.

"You live around here," Kyotani inquired gruffly.

You nodded. "I don't go out much. Usually cooped up in my room working on god knows what." You leaned back, draping your arms gracefully across the back of the bench. "Sorry about our little encounter, by the way. I must have come off way scary, right?" You gave him that soft smile again.

He looked away and hid his cheeks with his hand. "Like I'd be afraid of you," he muttered.

You hummed softly. A thought struck him. He regained his composure before speaking again. "You must have known that I live around here, right?"

You nodded wordlessly. "It was in your file."

Kyotani decided not to comment on how creepy that was, and instead muttered out a small "oh."

Neither of you said a word for a few moments.

"We really got off on the wrong foot, huh?" You turned your whole body towards him, watching his movements like a cat.

He just grunted.

You laughed a little bit, and extended your hand. "Why don't we start over. I'm (l/n) (y/n)."

Kyotani eyed your hand suspiciously before taking it. The tingly feeling returned, but this time it felt stronger as both your hands were bare. Your slightly smaller hand gripped his firmly, the slight size difference making Kyotani blush a bit.

You really weren't what he thought, were you? Even so, you were still his enemy. His cute, scary, calculated, calm enemy.

He doesn't even know what hit him.

[cheri-translates]

[CN] ASMR Transcript - Soft Bundles (Kiro)

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an ASMR, 温软团绒, which has not been released in EN! 🍒

Released in CN: 4 April 2022

[ birthday song plays ]

Happy birthday to you~

Happy birthday to you~

Happy birthday to- ACK! Cello!

It isn’t time to eat the cake yet!

Apple Box, you aren’t allowed to use this chance to sneak a bite!

[ Cello meows and Apple Box woofs ]

Eh? Eh? Miss Chips, grab Cello for me! Eh!

[ chaotic noises ]

Huff... finally caught you.

No other cats are as greedy as you.

The birthday song isn’t over yet

And you’re already coveting the cake.

Should we continue singing the birthday song?

Sigh... that’s true.

A bite has been taken out of the cake.

The early segment can be skipped, can’t it?

But the birthday wishes must still be made.

Cello, what do you want to wish for?

[ Cello meows ]

Hm? Can’t you understand its wish?

Sigh. It said... cough cough~

[Kiro mimics Cello’s voice] In this new year, this cat wishes to continue being a gluttonous and lazy little kitty~ Meow~

Why are you laughing this hard?

Was my understanding wrong?

Since its my little kitty,

Of course I can understand its thoughts.

Okay, the wish has been made.

It’s time to cut the cake.

Its favourite sardine, tuna and salmon,

Have been combined to form this incredibly luxurious canned cake.

Let’s slice... this much.

It will get the same share as Apple Box.

[ Cello meows and adorable munch munch noises ]

Looking at it right now

Make me almost forget how it behaved in the studio at the very start.

Huh? I never told you about it?

...I think I've only told you about how I found it in a cello case.

[ Cello meows and purrs ]

Back then, it was incredibly guarded.

After it scurried out, it hid in the piano at one point.

Then hid behind the stereo.

It refused to eat anything

And refused to drink water.

No coaxing methods worked.

It even scratched others.

Look!

Aww. I wanted to show it to you.

But the scar is gone.

Hm? What happened afterwards?

Afterwards, everyone else gave up.

I was the only one who stayed in the studio.

I didn’t disturb it,

And was only focused on practising.

After a few hours,

It slowly appeared from behind the stereo.

It stared at me for a very, very long time.

Then, it came over and nuzzled my hand.

After that night,

Cello and I turned from “enemies to friends”.

To celebrate that day,

I decided to set the day as its birthday.

[ Cello meows cutely ]

Hm? Come to think of it...

Didn’t you say that you brought Cello a gift?

What is it?

[ rustling noises ]

This is... felt?

And there are quite a number of colours.

Wait. This colour...

Why does this look like Cello’s?

And this one.

It’s yellow

And looks like Apple Box...

When did you collect such a huge bundle of cat and dog fur?

Pfft... “Many a little makes a mickle”?

That’s true. During the shedding season,

Its fur and Apple Box’s fur get everywhere.

Which is why you thought of using them to make this bundle of felt?

Good idea.

I’ll do it too.

The first thing to do is grab a bunch

And use a needle to hold them in place, right?

Let me try...

[ very pleasurable jabbing noises ]

Why isn’t my bundle as rounded as yours?

Do I need to sew them a little closer?

Oo...

Like this?

Not bad, right?

Hehe.

My Teacher Miss Chips is a good teacher.

Let me look at yours...

Whoa, yours has already taken shape.

It’s adorable!

I’ll need to increase my speed.

[ Kiro panting ]

Look!

Doesn’t my bundle look - ACK! You!

Did your hand get pricked?

Does it hurt?

You...

You didn’t have to sew that quickly...

Let me see...

As expected, there’s some blood...

[ slurpy slurp noises + heartbeat noises ]

Good, good.

It isn’t a huge wound.

That gave me a fright.

Just to be safe,

I’ll get a band-aid.

[ Kiro runs ]

Hey, Apple Box.

I’m not opening the snack cupboard.

Don’t come over here.

[ Kiro runs back ]

Give me your hand.

[ band-aid noises ]

Okay. Give me this finger too.

Hm? Why put a band-aid even though there aren’t any injuries?

As a precautionary measure, of course.

Let me think.

These give 10 defence points to your fingers.

I’m right, aren’t I?

Done~

Let’s continue then.

[ pleasurable jabbing noises ]

Look at Cello. After eating its fill, it has gone back to sleep.

When it wakes up,

We can give this present to it.

Text: here

[frenzyjinx]

The Watcher (mono x reader)

Chapter 4

Y/N Pov

She slowly nodded at me "y/n... interesting name im six." I raised an eyebrow in surprise wishing I could write down in my notebook all these new details, but unfortunately I think my bag fell down somewhere to be forgotten

'Man all that hard work..' I rubbed my face slowly "your name is definitely more interesting" I spoke calmly devising a plan in my head 'I could always follow them for a bit.. and then disappear when they are resting..'

I could feel a stare on me so I glanced over seeing mono looking directly at me "...h-hey?" I stuttered out, he responded "thats a pretty name, im mono" you nodded 'I already figured that out.. hehe'

Six looked behind her at all the cages being held up by ropes "thats some strong rope" she commented "we should keep moving.. I don't wanna be in this creepy forest any longer" mono stated after looking at the cages too

I hummed in agreement, this forest had always been creepy but I was sorta use to it seeing as I built my shelter here and all, I kept behind them walking slowly I noticed a random shovel sticking up out of the ground.. right next to a bunch of cages

As we continued to travel forwards I heard the hunter in the distance making loud footsteps 'man he is determined to get us' the others heard it has well slowing down the quicker pace

Mono stopped moving watching where the hunter was, he slowly looked back at me and placed his hand out to keep me still 'fine by me-'  There was a small slope that we could slide down, I doubted we would go unnoticed though

We all slid down I accidentally slid against mono's side which caused a tiny pink blush to form on my face but it quickly left when a crow cawed out alerting the hunter where we were

In haste we all hid behind the crate has he aimed his gun shooting it to pieces as wood chunks flew by

Running faster I was just behind them as the hunter shot at the next crate I had been using for cover, I let out a yelp and used my strength to climb up the wood bars of the building, six and mono were already climbing up

A strangely placed TV was on the side but not for long, it was shot at and broken through by the hunter, mono was pulling himself up near the roof through an opening, I hurried up and climbed faster feeling a shot just inches away from my feet

Pulling myself in I noticed that they were both on the other side mono reaching his hand out and frantically speaking "don't worry just jump I have you!" Sighing I mustered up my courage and jumped towards him for the second time that day

And for the second time he caught me once again, pulling me up with ease he latched onto my hand and started running after six who was calling for us to hurry, The hunter was relentlessly shooting below us, blowing holes into the floor that we were running over

Mono tightened his grip on my hand and ran faster taking me with him, we both leaped through yet another opening sliding down the rooftop, he gently grabbed onto my waist and held me against him as we fell

Hitting the mud we both popped up as we heard six speak "over here! Quick!" I waded over under the tiny area of cover just as mono did too, the hunter bursted through the door huffing out in anger using his lamp once again to search

The smell of the mud just wafted into my nose and I almost gagged out, the flies buzzing around eagerly most likely loving the horrid stench, peering over I watched the hunter walked across the dock very slowly

Once he was out of sight I looked to my right at mono and six breathing out in short relief, six was the first to speak "you guys almost didn't make it, stay closer we need to stick together"

Her words made me see her in a different light

At first she had seemed kinda uncaring but now I could tell that she did care under that cold personality, I nodded at her in understanding just as mono spoke up "I had to make sure y/n didn't get shot, the hunter was getting too close to her"

I moved hair out of my face and twiddled with my fingers a tiny red hue forming on my cheeks, six looked over at me and smirked a bit noticing what was going on

I shook away my blush in embarrassment and looked down "uh yeah thanks for helping me.." I spoke to him without looking up, Feeling his stare I peeked up and he nodded "Anytime, lets keep going"

The three of you waded through the thick mud, for some reason they didn't seem that fazed but I felt like throwing up, my h/c hair was getting muddy and I knew it would smell bad, hopefully water would show up soon

Up ahead there was a small opening but nobody could fit unless they ducked under 'oh are you kidding me.. this is gonna suck' taking a deep breath of air I went under and popped up as soon has I knew I was on the other end

Mono grabbed my shoulder gently and pointed to a tree stump that we could see sticking out in the mud, it would make good cover I nodded at him in agreement and glanced to six who also noticed, she already knew what to do

Hiding there we waited until the hunter pointed his lamp away to start wading in the mud once again, I was behind mono and about halfway towards the next stump when the light headed my way

I quickly ducked under the mud once more, moving quickly to reach my destination, I felt someone tug me out of the mud, it was mono he looked at me and wiped some mud away from my face

I was definitely blushing again but thankfully the mud on my cheeks covered it up, six was pulling herself up onto a small chunk of land that had a bigger stump residing on top of it

Mono followed her and turned around pulling me up as well I silently nodded in thanks to him, six hummed in thought and slowly started to push against the bigger stump, Mono and I joined in effectively pushing it over into the mud

But unfortunately the hunter had heard and was aiming directly in the area of the sound which meant that We had to once again duck into the mud to reach what looked like another ladder of sorts

Once arriving in front of it I wiped my face getting rid of all the mud that I could and caught my breath to relax my pounding heartbeat, six started to climb up the ladder 'damn she is always ready to move'

Some crows had flew away and made noise, I awaited for the hunter to notice like he usually did but nothing happened 'strange' I shrugged and followed her up, mono stayed behind me climbing up right below me

This time I turned around and lended a hand down to him, he grabbed on and I pulled him up, maybe a little too hard because he fell down onto me trapping me to the forest floor 'oh- he's super close-'

I was definitely getting too attached to him I needed to remember my plan.. it was just hard to when mono was so distracting.

[imjeralee]

i request that you drink plenty of water and take care of yourself !!! ·o·b after thats done, came i pretty please get headcanons with link, Kaeya and maybe Childe about an s/o who draws them one day as a confession and gives it to them? :) (maybe they already knew and saw them drawing them before ? who knows) thank you in advance!!

Thank you anon! *looks at cup of green tea beside laptop* yep I think i’m doing well in keeping myself hydrated recently hehe but thank you :3

Anyway please see below for the ask! (it’s pretty long)

Link

He was grooming one of the ponies when he saw you standing behind a tent peeking at him curiously and when he turned round properly, you quickly scampered away and he got worried so he followed you to the room you share to see you sitting on the bed with a wine red book propped up in your lap but upon his return, you immediately hid it behind your back, smiling widely at him

He wonders what it was but decides not to pry, but he later discovers it was actually a sketchbook when he’s packing up for tomorrow and you’re taking a bath and the sketchbook drops out of your pack and onto the floor, opening at a random page

He picks it up with the intention to return it to your bag but then he sees the various drawings of him in his Ancient Armour set, Hylian and Snowquill set. They’re fully coloured and it looks like you’ve spent hours on them. He didn’t know you were this artistic and wondered why you hid this from him

The date you wrote on the bottom of the page indicates that you drew all this in one day! He’s super impressed

Then he sees the note you wrote below: “To my Dearest Link, I hope you like my drawings of you. All I can think about is how lucky I am to be able to be by your side, you’ve changed my life for the better and-”

Obv half complete so now he knows why you didn’t want to show him and he respects your privacy, so he puts the sketchbook away 

Outside, he sees Beedle and goes over to see what’s new for sale. Beedle has some cool art stuff (well, it’s more like stuff that can be used for dye but can also be used as paint) so he buys some for you as a present which he will give to you later.

Next day, you get chased by a group of Bokogoblins and the book and all your drawing supplies drops out from your bag. 

You didn’t see it drop and returned to the stable, ransacking your bag like crazy only to find your stuff missing

When you realise everything must have dropped out when you got chased, you quickly leave the stable to go back to the area but it’s thunder and lightning so Link chases after you

“Link, what are you doing? Go back, the weather’s awful.” You tell him but he shakes his head, unable to leave you alone in the rain like this

He helps you with your search and you end up locating your book and your supplies which are lying in the mud

The book has been trampled over and some of the pages have been torn out. The remaining pages are soaked with dirt and grime. Your pencils are snapped in half and your paints have been left to bleed all over the grass. All of your drawings are ruined, too. This is your worst nightmare.

Link observes you silently as tears begins to form in your eyes and you look at him, sniffling slightly.

You’re experiencing a mixture of devastation, frustration, anger and exasperation - from your carelessness to the stupid bokogoblins - and this incident infuriates you so much you throw the book to the ground angrily

Before you can march away, Link grabs your wrist 

Turning round, your gazes meet and he looks at you softly, intently.

‘What’s wrong?’ he is saying. 

“I was going to use those to confess to you!” you end up roaring out by accident. 

Link looks at you, a little stunned

“N-Never mind! Everything’s ruined!!!!” 

You’re about to storm off again when Link suddenly pulls you into his chest and gives you a hug

“!” you’re so shocked you can’t speak

He pulls away though, and leads you to the hollow of a nearby tree trunk where he gestures for you to sit down to shelter from the rain whilst he glances around, then sprints back over to where the ruined sketchbook is

He picks it up and holds it against his chest as if it’s dear to him. That’s not all, you watch as he begins to pick up the remaining pages that were torn out and once he’s collected them all he returns to you, clutching the pages tightly

"Link...” you murmur breathlessly as he he kneels down in front of you before he fishes around in his pockets to reveal a random bunch of paint pots in his hand.

You’re a little confused, but realise he has some spares which he must have bought from a merchant

it’s not much but...

he nudges it to you for your offering

You gawp at him for a few moments before you smile and chuckle and upon seeing you back to your usual self again, Link smiles and helps you back onto your own feet to stand

You thank him as you cradle the paints to yourself. You will need to restart from scratch from somehow it feels ok and something tells you you don’t need to hide it from him anymore

And you return to the stable, sheltering from the rain by sharing a large leaf together

Kaeya

Let’s begin with the fact that alongside you, there is a maid who also likes Kaeya as much as you do and she’s a bit of a sneaky bugger and you don’t show your drawings to anyone or watermark your artwork until they’re complete. You can probably see where this is going

One day, Kaeya finds out you are drawing a picture of him when he comes to your office to inform you that there’s a group of abyss mages outside Mondstadt so you hurry off to dispatch it and leaving Kaeya in your office

He accidentally comes across your drawing when he sees his face on a piece of parchment and his interest is piqued so he heads over to check it out

It’s a really good sketch!!! the amount of detail is insane! he had no idea you possessed such skill and who knew that you could create such beautiful art like this? He also finds some rough doodles and sketches you made earlier on some scrap paper you had also written on so he knows it’s you

Anyway, he puts everything back to join you in battle, but not before passing a maid along the way who is heading to your room to clean up

She comes across your drawing and she’s always fancied Kaeya herself, so for some reason other than just thinking she might be able to get away with it if she’s sneaky enough, she takes your drawing and sets off with it

Meanwhile, you return to your room after the battle, take off your coat and sit comfortably in your chair, reaching for your quill

“Ah, time to get back to my drawing of Kaeya.” you say with a smile, looking at your desk.

Wait a minute.

Something is wrong.

Very wrong.

It’s GONE!

After checking the rest of your office (and its clearly not there), you rush outside, wondering what happened to it when you see Kaeya and a maid talking in the corridor

they didn’t see you, so you quickly hide

“Please accept this, captain Kaeya!” gushes the maid, presenting your drawing to him. “I drew this picture of you to show how much you mean to me.”

What in the Samachurl shit is this? 

You’re about to storm over when Kaeya takes the drawing with a delicate brow raised, studies it intently and goes, “Oh? But I’m not so sure about that.”

“W-what do you mean, Captain Kaeya?”

“There’s no watermark on it,” he points out, “....one could’ve taken anyone’s artwork and claim that it’s theirs.”

“T-That’s - ! Ah, Captain Kaeya, h-how could you think so lowly of me?”

“I’m only just stating some simple facts, that’s all. You won’t hold that against me, will you? And I’m certainly not accusing you of anything...unless you...?”

“Oh....uh....I...I-I’m so sorry, Captain Kaeya, you’re right! I-I....please excuse me!”

The maid’s too embarrassed to proceed any further and leaves, running away.

Indeed, what in the samachurl hell had just happened? 

It goes quiet and you wonder if he’s still there; you step out of your hiding place only to go nose-to-chest with Kaeya.

He greets you with a smirk. “if it isn’t the little kitten, what are you doing here?”

“Um...uh, I....that....that drawing - “

What he said is right, there’s no watermark. How can you prove it’s yours? Would he believe you if you told him?

“Hm? Ah, yes, this drawing. I was going to keep it for myself.”

“No, wait! I mean...er...it’s not finished yet-”

“So you drew this then?”

“Yes, I did. it was me.” Though you wonder if he would believe you after everything you had just heard.

“Why?”

You lamely tell him you really like him and wanted to use it to confess to him.

He watches you for a few seconds, then hands the drawing to you. “I’ll wait until you’ve finished then.”

“Huh?” You gasp. He gave it back to you so easily despite what he said to the maid! “You...you’re not-”

“I knew it was you who drew it. I recognised your style.”

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“If I said so earlier, how else would I get you to confess to me?”

“KAEYA!!!”

(from then on he’ll want you to draw him more often)

Childe

Saw you sitting on the grassy hill near Qingxu Pool drawing earlier and because he is good at sneaking up on people, you didn’t hear him as he casually leaned over to peek over your shoulder and said, “Hey girlie, what’re you up to?”

You’re like “UWAGH!” and quickly close your sketchbook before turning round to see Childe.

“N-nothing!” you exclaim, before you get up and run down the hill, leaving a very amused Childe on his own

Later, when you’ve finished your masterpiece, you nervously approach Childe and tell him, “Um....this is for you, let me know what you think.” before rushing off in a blushing mess and Childe will open the sketchbook to see that you’ve drawn a very nice portrait of him in a battle stance, wielding his bow, surrounded by his hydro blades

Childe stands, staring at the picture

Then he sees the words ‘do you like me?’ scribbled at the very bottom

Childe staring hard now

He’s used to giving people gifts but now that he’s received something so thoughtful, he’s a bit overwhelmed. he can tell you put so much effort and hardwork into this. Ah, what is this feeling? 

He closes the book without further ado and scrubs a hand over his face

he actually wasn’t expecting you to do this. he knew you were drawing him but the result is really....something else

You don’t hear him from Childe in a few days and you are so nervous and worried.

Is this a rejection? Maybe he didn’t like your picture after all...

You’re walking in the streets and sigh and sit on the stone steps of Liyue, staring at the sea, upset and dejected

But then you hear a whistle from behind and throw a glance over your shoulder to see Childe standing on a higher step, a hand in his pocket

“Hey girlie, heads up,” he tosses a paper plane into the air which makes this little loop before you stand to catch it

Looking up, Childe has gone

You unfold the paper plane to its proper size to reveal that Childe’s drawn a little sketch of you in return and he has written: ‘Yes I do’.

[runanadwiddles]

hi!! May I request reader confessing to Kanata? I really enjoy reading ur fics <33 thank you and take care!

Heyhey~ I'm really glad that you enjoy reading what I write! Kanata is just your friendly marine neighbor <33

They say that if you whisper your deepest secret to a sea conch, something good will happen to you that day. Though that's just a myth, you couldn't help but wonder if it's true. A sigh escaped your lips as you held your shoes with one hand as your feet felt the sand slip between your toes. The calm ocean waves brushing past the sand, the gentle breeze blowing through your hair, and the bright and warm sun shining upon you. All of it was music to your ears, your calm space, a safe spot from reality.

You hummed a tune to yourself and kept walking until you saw a strange shell. Curiosity filled your eyes to the very brim and had you quickly change your pace of walking to the odd-shaped shell. In no time, you reached the unique shell, a sea conch. That's when the strange myth hit you. You then dropped your shoes and picked up the conch, "If you whisper your deepest to a sea conch, then something good will happen to you that day," you and another person's voice harmonized together.

"H-huh? Kanata-kun? Phew, you scared me," you let out a sigh of relief, still holding the conch in your tiny hands. Kanata nodded and gave a smile, "Nope~ Just me, puka puka~☆" You gave a chuckle at the boy's usual manner and took your eyes back to the sea conch. You brought it closer to your face as if you could see all the small details of the conch. Strange, this was an odd conch, to say the least.

"Oh? What's this?" Kanata took a step beside you and crouched down to see another conch lying beneath the grains of sand. "Another one?" You gave a curious look and saw a similar conch to yours. "Hehe~ Why don't we whisper our secrets to these conches then?" Kanata suggested and held the conch close to his face, observing all the features of the conch just like what you did earlier. Maybe doing it together wouldn't hurt too much, would it?

"Hmm... Fine, but you go over there, and I'll go over here. We'll meet back at this area after we finish, okay?" You pointed to a small area with some shade and another area by the ocean. Both had a decent amount of distance from the spot where they found the conch so that no one could hear the secrets that you two held to themselves. Kanata took a look at the distance and walked over the wet area, "I'll stay here, and you go over there then!" You nodded and went over to the shaded area as Kanata went to his designated area. Maybe nothing will go that bad, right?

Once you reached the shaded area, you sat on a flat rock nearby a tree. The conch was still in your hand; you slowly brought it up to your lips as you could feel the butterflies in your stomach flutter. You could only get more and more anxious as the second passed by. You shook your head and took a deep breath in and out; you can do this! Maybe. Your lips trembled out of anxiety as you whispered your deepest secret to the conch ever so quietly. The words left your lips, that same warm and fuzzy feeling welling up in your chest just like earlier. Would this be enough?

After the small session of that warm feeling, you decided to make your way back. The sand was soft and powdery beneath your feet, the calming waves clashing against each other, and the presence of a blue-haired boy. You reached back to the meet-up spot to find Kanata there first.

"Oh? S/o, you're back! What did you tell Mr. Conch?" Kanata did a small wave and quickly asked you what you told the small shell. Your face immediately heated up; this guy really knows how to word things. "H-huh? What did I tell the conch? That's supposed to be a secret, you know!" You felt extremely flustered; you definitely weren't expecting him to ask you up front, that's for sure.

"If you tell me your's, I'll tell you mine~☆" Kanata offered, secretly dying to know what you hid from all the other idols that you couldn't possibly tell them. You gave an embarrassed look, "Promise you won't laugh?" You wanted to tell him so bad, but you were worried at the same time; what if it wasn't the same?

Kanata gave a reassuring smile towards you, "Of course, it's your deepest secret, after all~" He sure made it sound easy. You, on the other hand, had to make a choice, what do you do? After a long thought process, you decide your fate, now or never. "I... I told the conch that I like you!" You gripped the hem of your shirt, head looking down, cheeks shaded a cute pink. All was silent between the two of you; the only sound was the gentle waves moving back and forth. Your fate was in the palm of the game of life; would it be unfair or fair?

Kanata gave you a bright smile. Was this a dream? Surely not, he wanted to hug you right then and there, and you know what? He did; Kanata quickly gave a warm yet gentle hug, stroking the top of your head in reassurance. "Fufu~ S/o and I share the same feelings then~ Why don't we go puka puka together?" You gently smiled and wrapped your arms around the taller boy; this isn't a dream, right? Euphoria coated your words, sweet like honey and gentle like a flower, "Mhm, we can go floating together!"

[miraculous-trinity-leo]

Whacky Gotham, Goofy New York, and Chaotic Paris.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8)

Chapter 6: Evade The Bats, and Beat The Crows

•—–—–·†·–—–—•

The girls are in the old living room setting up clues (that are absolutely... useless) around Gotham. One being a picture Harley and Multimouse took earlier that day.

"They might think to look here after they realize the clues are fake." - Steph

"Then where else would they not think to look?" - Maria

"W.E, I can get you and Harley in without them knowing easily." - Barbara said with a confident smile.

"But they'll have to go incognito... especially you Harley, no offense, but your outfit stands out just a tad." - Steph

"Ehhh, none taken, I'm sure I can tink of somthin' else tuh wear." - Harley

"I can help with that, but I'll need some clothes and some sewing supplies." - Maria said already thinking of what she could make.

Cass gave a nod and headed out of the room, after a few minutes she came back with t-shirts, jackets, sweaters, shorts, jeans, etc. and droped the pile of clothes infront of the group. She then handed Maria a sewing set she got from Alfred.

"Thanks Cass. I'll get to work on making our costumes." - Maria

"Let me help yuh wit' dat hun." - Harley said as she picked up most of the clothes for Maria

"Thanks." Maria

•—–·Let's see the Chaos shall we·–—•

"You never told us she could use magic!" - Red Hood looking under the table

"I wonder if she can infuse magic with coffee..." - Red Robin said looking in the cabinets for the third time.

"Stop looking for coffee!" - Red Hood

"She could've hidden in here." - Red Robin said while crabbing a mug

"I haven't had enough sleep to deal with this." - Selina then walked over and flopped herself on the couch and proceeded to fall asleep on impact.

"Maria get your tiny self back here right now or else!" - Tony

"Or else what? She Knows MAGIC! What else does she know that you haven't told us?!" - Red Hood

"... I never told you becuase it's meant to be a secret!" - Tony

"Oh, so now you agree with keeping things a secret?" - Red Robin grabbing the coffee

"What else can she do Tony." - Batman

"Well... she's great with tech, can kick butt in a LOT of different ways, has magic, and if she wants to, she can find and know where everyone or anyone is, but I think she gets massive headaches from a wide search like that." - Tony

"Anything else?" - Batman

(Tony thinkng of all the tiny gods she has in jewelery, and that she keeps Paris/friends and family safe on a daily basis, and that she is the well known designer MDC...)"No..." - Tony

As ivy was listening to them talk, she continued to search her garden, until one of her plants had a message fo her.

"Hello Ms. Ivy, please don't help Batman and Iron Man find us, we promise we'll be careful." - Maria

"Where are you?" - Ivy asked whispering into the plant.

After a few minutes Ivy got a detailed plan that Maria, Harley and the girls came up with to evade The IronBat group (Maria thought that would be better than ManMan group 'But it's Bat MAN and Iron MAN, so it has tuh be The ManMan group.' was Harleys defence, but Maria won that one.) and Ivy agreed to help as best she could.

•—–· Over to the Miraculous gang ·–—•

Plagg is cackling like there's no tomorrow.

"Guys something must be wrong, Plagg won't stop cackling, he won't even touch the cheese I gave him!!!" - Adrien

"There's no time for that, we need to find out where the hell Maria is!!" - Chloé

"Hahahaha, Ti- heheh Tikk- pffhaaaaaaahaha!!!" - Plagg

"He's trying to form words!" Adrien cradling Plagg in his hands "What is it my friend? Don't do this, you're to young...*sniff * you're to beautiful!"

"Hehehehe Shhhh- hahaha, she- she- haha...heheh- I'm so p-hehe-Proud wahahaha " - Plagg

"Proud?! She?! Where?! Who, is it Maria?!" - Chloé

"Hhhhhhhhahhaaaaaaaaaa" - Plagg

"Oh God he's wheezing!" - Adrien

"Hey guys, Peter and I got the snacks, found out where Maria might- oh kwami." - Alix walking into the room to a zombie looking Chloé, a panicked Adrien and the Kwami of death/bad luck/chaos laughing himself to death.

"Has he finally lost it?" - Peter

"She has become a true cat! hahahahahaaaaa heheheheeeeeee." - Plagg

Everyone in the room but Plagg "Oh fu-"

•—–· Over to the Batfam ·–—•

So everyone is panicking because for the past hour none of them could find Multimouse. Robin is sitting on the couch next to a now fully awake Selina, Red Hood and Nightwing are once again feeding each other the worst possible situation she could be in, Tony may or may not be hyperventilating, Red Robin is drinking coffee, and Batman is as stoic as ever... well on the outside anyway, on the inside, it's a warzone. Ivy is drinking her tea, slightly worried, but also hiding a small smile.

"What if we ask Oracle to try and help us find her?" - Red Robin

"... Right... Yes, ok let's do that... Bats you do it, I need to sit down." - Tony

•—–· Back to the girls ·–—•

The girls moved everything to the Bat-cave so they could set the route they would take, then the Bat-Computer started ringing.

"Hide!" - Steph

"Where, dere's nuttin' tuh hide behind!" - Harley

"Quick under the Bat-Computer." - Barbara

As soon as Harley and Maria hid under the Bat-Computer, Batman and the rest of the Batfam was on video call.

"Hey guys, what do you need?" - Barbara acting like nothing happened

"We need you to search for Maria, she's in a dark gray suit with pink accents, and she's with Harley." - Batman

"Ok, no prob, I'll contact you when I've found something." - and with that Barbara exited the call.

"Should we start heading out?" - Maria

"Yup, and here are your ID badges, don't lose them. I'll give our Batfam fake sightings, and lead them far away, then once you reach W.E I'll slowly start leading them closer to you." - Barbara

"Thanks, keep in touch if they decide to split up." - Maria

"Roger that." - Steph said giving a solute

•—–·–—•

Soon Multimouse and Harley are running over roof tops again, doing tricks, and stopping petty crimes, Barbara is leading the Batfam all over Gotham, and then they got to W.E, after Maria transformed back, they entered the building. Thanks to Babs, they entered without any problems and had free roam for the entire building, with some exceptions like new weapons designs, or the roof. They were hiding in the building for about an hour on the 7th floor when Barbara called in.

"Hey girls, you might want to be careful, I spotted some of Scarecrows goons a few blocks away, they seem to be heading in your direction, I'd say about 6mins tops until they reach W.E. Best to find a good room to stay in, or get out of there." - Barbara

"Thanks fawh de heads up Babs." - Harley

"Ok, we'll try to get out, let us know if we should turn back or not." - Maria

"Got it, and be careful." - Barbara

Maria and Harley then made their way back down, they were taking the stairs, because they figured it would be quicker, once they were on the second floor, they started to calmly make their way through the doors of the stairwell. That's when Scarecrows goons busted in, shouting for everyone to get down, Harley made sure to stay as close to Maria as possible as the goons gathered everyone to a wall. They were told to not move, talk, or do anything to anger them, once everyone was up against the wall, that's when Scarecrow came in. As he entered the room some of the employees started to look very scared, when Maria looked over to Harley, she saw her mouth 'it's ok', afterwards the goons had them all tied up and on the floor sitting down. Scarecrow scanned them before speaking.

"One of you will be testing my newest and most potent fear toxin as of yet. We can do this one out of two ways." He said lifting up two of his needle syringed fingers. "1. You can be a hero, and let yourself be my newest test subject, aka the boring way or 2. I pick whoever I want, aka the slightly less boring way. Now, who wants to go first?"

•—–· Over to Batman ·–—•

The Batfam was running around the other side of Gotham, now without Tony, because someone ( ehem Thor, ehem) was making a giant mess at Avengers Tower, and was fighting Loki... again. It was when they decided to call Oracle that things took another turn.

"Oracle have you foun- " - Batman

"They're at W.E. and Scarecrows there, I can't get in contact with them, and I can't get into the cameras at the moment, I need you to get your butts over there now!" - Oracle

"Wait you were in contact with them?!" - Red Hood

"Not the time! Just get over there before someone gets hurt!" - Oracle

"We're on our way." - Batman

They all then kicked it into high gear and were running to W.E, and out of everyone, Damian seemed to be the most visibly panicked, if him running twice as fast as everyone was any indication. At the speed they were going, they would be there in 20mins or less... hopefully.

•—–· Back to Maria and Harley ·–—•

So while Scarecrow was giving his little speech, Maria whispered into a plant to let Ivy know their situation, she wasn't able to get an answer before she and Harley were pulled away from the crowd.

"And what do we have here? Harley Quinn and a child. How interesting, well then, which one of you would like to test my new fear toxin?" - Scarecrow

"Eh, do me, I bet I got a lot o' trauma and fears from my time wit' Mistuh J. dat yuh would just love tuh see." - Harley

"... As tempting as that sounds I think I'll test it on your little friend here, after all, I know better than to mess with one of the Sirens." - As Scarecrow said that, one of the goons dragged Maria over to him. She didn't panic, she was actually really calm, which worried Harley even more because, remember all that emotional trauma she saw Maria had? Yeah, not the best match for the fear toxin.

As Scarecrow grabbed Maria, she locked eyes with Harley, and gave a brief smile before she felt a sharp jabbing pain in the side of her neck. Her vision went hazy, and from Harleys' point of view, she went a little limp from it.

As Maria started to see again she could hear screams, car alarms going off, and explosion in the distance, when she looked up, she saw them, her friends, her team... her family, they were all there lying infront of her... none of them moving, all of them were lifeless, looking as though turned into a gray husk of what they once were, and beside them were all the Kwamis, and their respective Jewelery, broken and shattered. She felt the tears fall as she looked around. Paris, the once beautiful city of lights, was now a wasteland, everything had a gray tone to it, people, animals, everything that had life... was dead.

And then she heard laughing, a sick disturbing laugh that was all to familiar... Lila. When she turned and saw Vulpina, she felt sick just looking at her.

"You have failed Maria, everyone you knew and loved is gone, all because you weren't here." - Lila

All she felt in that moment... was pure anger, she began to struggle, but somthing was holding her. She kept hearing that stupid laugh, and kept struggling harder and harder.

"You were never good enough, you were meant to always be our everyday Ladybug, but you never were, you never cared for us, and that's why, they're all gone, because you weren't good enough." - Lila

The last four words kept playing over and over in her head, until something clicked, she wasn't in Paris, so how did she get there? The last place she was at... was with Harley, she was in the W.E. building, and had fear toxin injected into her. As she came to that realization, she could hear the laughing fade just a bit, she closed her eyes and focused on finding everyone's souls, when she did, she saw that Scarecrow was right infront of her, a goon next to Harley, and a goon behind her, the other goons had left and were on the first floor. She snapped back when she heard Lilas' voice again.

"You always were stubborn and never accepted the real truth, as class president aren't you supposed to just roll over and do as you're told." - Lila

Maria was done listening to her, and decided to kick Lila in the face (since someone didn't think to tie up her ankles.)

"Just go rott in hell already you lieing fox!" - Maria

Maria didn't get any answer, all she knew was that she hit whatever was really infront of her hard. Maria then heard Lilas' voice morph into a heavier, more distorted voice.

"That's a first, guess I'll have to increase the dosage." - Scarecrow

She then felt another jabbing pain in her neck, all she could do was scream from the pain, her head was spinning, and all she could hear was laughing, sickening laughter that came from both Lila, and now Hawkmoth. One thing Scarecrow didn't account for, was the deep hatred Maria held for both individuals he made her see. Because soon after he gave her more fear toxin she got her footing, pushing back into the goon behind her before using the goons' grib on her to do a half backflip into kicking the guys face in, quickly knocking the goon out, when she stood back up she only saw Hawkmoth, surrounded by her lifeless team and family, she only saw red, and charge right at him. She kept punching and roundhouse kicking him, giving one final charge, ramming into Hawkmoth before she felt weightless. She never heard the panicked scream Harley let out, she never heard the shouts that came from the Batfam just reaching the second floor, before she hit something... something rapped around her holding her from falling any further, causing her to start thrashing around thinking it was Hawkmoth, before seeing he was also grabbed by something. She struggled ignoring the slight pain that went through her harms and legs. She slowly calmed down as she felt her feet touch the ground again, she then saw another Hawkmoth that was now mixed with Lila hug her, she tried to break free, but realized that it wasn't Lila or Hawkmoth... It was calming, and her voice was gentle, it was Ivy. She only heard a few words, that's when she felt something blow on her face, and after a few seconds, she lost conscientiousness.

Harley came sprinting down and was by Ivys' side in less than a minute. Ivy could tell Harley was worried and joined her in hugging a now sleeping Maria.

"I'm sawhry Ives, It all just happened so fast, and she was so awesome at kickin' Cranes @ss, I din't get her out of dere quick enough." - Harley said as she looked Ivy in the eyes, with tears threatening to escape.

"It's alright Harley, none of this is your fault." - Ivy replied comfortingly to Harley

As the two hugged Maria Batman came over.

"We'll take it from here." - Batman

"Hell no. We ain't leavin' her side." - Harley

Batman just let out a sigh, after he dealt with Scarecrow and his goons, Batman, along with his sons, Ivy and Harley, all headed back to the Bat-cave where the other girls and Alfred were waiting.

If anyone noticed Robin looking over to Maria with a concerned look, they just ignored it, and continued their way back home.

•—–·†·–—•

Chapter 6 complete! Hope you'll liked it, and are havin' a fantabulous day, stay safe and rock all those positive vibes. !BUG-OUT! 🐞💮🐞

〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜 Tag List 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

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[xiaomoxu]

Lucien’s Mind Quest: Craving

SPOILER ALERT!!

A date from CN server which hasn’t been released on EN server yet. Might contains some spoiler.

🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 

Exclusive Radio

Xu Mo: A Ming, be more concise when submitting reports in the future. Your ability to refine key points needs to be strengthened.

A Ming: Yes, I understand.

Xu Mo: I'm not in the institute next week and will go to another place.

Xu Mo: If you have anything, you can talk to me over the phone.

Xu Mo: Do you have any other questions?

A Ming: Professor, isn't it... from the media who wanted to interview you again?

A Ming: Recently, there have been more reporters outside the Institute, and they all want to interview you about the Kolavo Prize.

A Ming: Even I feel a little troubled

A Ming: Fortunately, you have chosen this period of time for vacation, which is indeed a good thing.

Xu Mo: Not because of this reason.

Xu Mo: I just think that some time ago, I always seemed to be busy with work. Now is the time to give myself a vacation.

A Ming: Do you just want to take a vacation?

Xu Mo: Do you need other reasons?

A Ming: No, no, I just feel a little surprised.

A Ming: After all, from last year until now, professor has almost never been out of the institute except for normal vacations.

A Ming: I feel like you're all focused on work...

Xu Mo: Maybe it is a bit too immersive.

Xu Mo: So this holiday, I want to spend more time with people around me.

A Ming: Oh, I understand why the professor went to another place for vacation.

A Ming: Don't worry! I will never disturb you! Happy vacation, professor!

Xu Mo: You are now very good at refining the point.

A Ming: Hehe...

Xu Mo: Well, it's a date.

🍁

MIND'S QUEST

The traditional style hotel room is warm and dry.

I changed into a yukata, sat on the tatami, took a deep breath, nervously opened the news that popped up on the phone one-

"The announcement of the Kolavo Prize list has been postponed. Can the genius scientist Xu Mo set the record for the youngest winner?"

The bold and enlarged headlines are very eye-catching.

Postponed? I froze for a moment, and hurriedly clicked on the details to quickly browse.

"... Today, the authoritative awards in the scientific community, the winners of the Kolavo Life Science Award, are about to be announced, which has attracted great attention at home and abroad."

"The innovative work done by the scientist Professor Xu Mo in the field of brain science has therefore become the most popular candidate for the award."

"However, according to relevant sources, the selection criteria for

this year's awards have changed compared with previous years, and it is not ruled out that there will be more powerful competitors."

"The Kolavo Prize official also announced just now. Because of the big differences within the jury, the winner list will be postponed to the afternoon..."

I slid the screen, frowning tighter and tighter. Because I was so focused, I didn't even notice that someone was coming towards me.

??: Why are you still watching these news?

Xu Mo said that he put the blanket in his hand on my lap, and his eyes scanned my phone screen.

Xu Mo: A certain someone invited and told me to take vacation and relax....

Xu Mo: But from the way here to now, you have always stared at your phone from time to time.

He paused, with a little dissatisfaction and grievance in his tone.

Xu Mo: Is Professor Xu in this news more attractive to you than Professor Xu in front of you?

I was stunned for a moment and hurriedly turned off the news interface.

MC: Of course not! I just saw this news and clicked in.

MC: And... I mainly watch the weather forecast.

My eyes wide open, try to make your words more convincing.

MC: You see, the snow is so heavy today, the hotel owner also suggested that we can go to the outdoor hot spring again tomorrow.

MC: However, according to the weather forecast, the snow will decrease later. So maybe there is still a chance!

Xu Mo pondered for a moment, laughed faintly, and nodded.

Xu Mo: Well, it seems I misunderstood. It turns out that you have fully considered it

MC: Of course. It is rare that we all have vacation, but I am looking forward to this trip.

This is indeed the truth.

Lately, Xu Mo and I were so busy that we sometimes didn't even have time to have a meal together.

So this time I chose a hot spring hotel specially, just want to stay in the room with him and spend this time peacefully.

I raised my head, took Xu Mo's hand, and shook it lightly.

MC: You have been busy with scientific research some time ago, and you didn't have much time to rest.

MC: Leave the travel arrangements to me this time, you just need to relax and enjoy.

Xu Mo: Alright.

Xu Mo curled his lips slightly. The thin sunlight from outside the house fell on him, coating him with a soft light.

Xu Mo: Then... I'll leave it to you?

MC: Hm! Leave it to me.

I glanced at the time on my phone, my heart moved, and then I gathered my mind and raised my head and said to Xu Mo.

MC: Now that the luggage has been put away, go and change your clothes!

Xu Mo nodded and walked towards the door. I took the opportunity to secretly pick up the phone, intending to continue reading the news that I just turned off.

Xu Mo: By the way, there is one more thing.

MC: Wh- What?

Unexpectedly, Xu Mo suddenly turned around, and I quickly hid the phone behind me with a guilty conscience.

Xu Mo's eyes flicked back and forth between the phone and me. He seemed to have something to say, but he just chuckled.

Xu Mo: Nothing, just want to tell you...

Xu Mo: This trip with you, I also look forward to it very much.

While Xu Mo was changing clothes, I quietly walked outside the door. As I planned, a waiter came here on time with a rectangular wooden box.

Waiter: Miss MC, the lady boss asked me to give you this. Please keep it.

Waiter: As for the other item you ordered, because it needs to be made right now, the snow is too big for the driver to drive down the mountain to get it. Please forgive me.

MC: It’s okay, you've work hard, so please tell my thanks to the boss.

I took the wooden box in her hand and returned to the room, with a burst of complicated emotions in my heart.

This is a gift I prepared before I set off. Originally, I had calculated the time and planned to give Xu Mo a surprise when the results of the Kolavo Prize came out.

But I did not expect that due to changes in the selection criteria, the announcement of the award list was delayed, which disrupted my original plan.

I looked at the wooden box in my hand, and a result I had rarely imagined before popped up in my head, just in case...

The heart sank little by little. It seems that it is still unknown whether this celebration can be conveyed to him...

Xu Mo: What are you thinking?

I followed the sound and felt a little startled.

Xu Mo was wearing a dark yukata with a large collarbone exposed under the loose collar.

He relaxed, leaning against the door frame, and he looked a little more casual and relax.

His eyes fell on the wooden box in my hand, showing some curiosity.

Xu Mo: What is this?

MC: Well, this is...

Just as I was thinking about how to explain to him, a ringtone interrupted our conversation.

Xu Mo: ....Yes?

Xu Mo: ....Hello?

Xu Mo's tone was light, but his expression was a little more serious. The news that I just saw on my phone flashed in my mind, I couldn't help feeling a burst of tension in my heart.

Xu Mo: I'm sorry, I'm on vacation, I'm afraid I don't have time for this.

Xu Mo: Next time you have the opportunity to cooperate again.

After he said this lightly, he hung up the phone. I was caught off guard by the crisp and clean action.

Perhaps seeing me looking at him in confusion, Xu Mo said first without waiting for me to speak.

Xu Mo: It's the call from Huanqiu Weekly.

I opened my eyes slightly.

Huanqiu Weekly is an established weekly magazine in China. It mainly reports on international issues and major events. All have great influence within the scope.

MC: Do they want to cooperate with you?

Xu Mo: Well, they want to give me an interview.

MC: Really?! Isn't that great!

Hearing news that I was not worried about, I couldn't help but let go, and placed the wooden box on the closet next to it.

MC: Such an influential weekly magazine, if you accept their invitation, you can let more people know about your research results.

Xu Mo was stunned for a moment, and the corners of his lips curled upwards.

Xu Mo: Why do you want more people to know?

MC: Because...maybe for many people, your scientific research results are just a bunch of technical terms that seem very obscure.

MC: But I know, a lot of your hard work has been condensed behind it.

MC: Even with the aura of a "genius scientist" above your head, your effort and persistence are no less than anyone else.

As I spoke, the moments that I had experienced with him flashed in my mind.

He will put the experimental reports that have spent months of energy into the shredder one by one just because of a certain data error;

Because I finally got the desired result, I was so happy that I could not hide it, and even some childishly suggested that I wanted to go to a movie with him to celebrate.

I smiled at Xu Mo and said to him in a joking tone.

MC: So, I want to be rewarded for your efforts. This is probably my selfish intention.

Xu Mo looked at me quietly, and a certain soft emotion melted in his eyes bit by bit. After a while, he suddenly chuckled helplessly.

Xu Mo: Silly.

He stretched out his hand and took me into his arms.

Xu Mo: I declined the invitation.

MC: Huh? Why?

Xu Mo did not answer, but chuckled lightly.

Xu Mo: Do you want to know what my selfishness is?

Xu Mo: Although you always tease me about my time and energy as if I can't use it up, in fact they are also limited.

Xu Mo: I have to stay and spend them on the person who are most important to me.

He paused, rubbing the top of my hair with his chin.

Xu Mo: This is our vacation, of course I just want to share it with you.

My heart seemed to be hit by something. Feeling his familiar body temperature, I only feel that the slightest warmth suddenly enters my heart.

I couldn't help but put my hand around Xu Mo's back, eagerly trying to get closer to him and let this moment stay longer.

MC: Yes, me too.

Looking across the wooden box on the cabinet, I closed my eyes and gradually made a decision in my heart.

  🍁

MC: Xu Mo, the belt of your yukata seems a little loose

I saw that Xu Mo had a loose belt around his waist, so I subconsciously reached out to help him tidy it.

MC: This seems doesn’t work...

MC: Let me tie a knot for you again!

After speaking, I undid Xu Mo's belt again, planning to tie it again.

Xu Mo: It seems that you are already very skilled.

Xu Mo's voice with a smile rang in my ears.

I raised my head and met his gaze. Only then did I realize how close we are now.

MC: W-well, when the waiter helped me wear it, I learned a little bit from her.

MC: Moreover, the way that girls wear yukata is more complicated than the boys.

MC: So it's not very difficult to tie your belt.

I lowered my head, trying to hide my blushing cheeks.

Xu Mo: It turned out to be so.

Xu Mo nodded, then opened his arms and let me put his cloth.

Although I tried my best to concentrate on the movements in my hands, the sniffles on my neck still made me a little distracted.

The delicate atmosphere filled us, I pursed my lips, and when I was about to say something, Xu Mo spoke first.

Xu Mo: I didn't notice just now that there are still a few lines written on the hanging paintings here.

MC: Eh?

I looked up and followed his gaze to the wall behind me, where there were traditional paintings one by one.

The red leaves all over the sky fell on the clear spring water, like flames burning in clusters, smeared with warmth and warmth.

I didn't pay much attention when I entered the room before, but now I look closer and realize that there are still words written on it.

Just when I was about to identify it carefully, Xu Mo had already read it out softly.

Xu Mo: " The long-lasting God is acting on behalf you, and I never heard of it"

(“悠悠神代事,黯黯不曾闻” Yōuyōu shéndài shì, àn àn bùcéng wén)

Xu Mo: " The maple dyed the Long Tian River, gurgling and flowing deep"

(“枫染龙田川,潺潺流水深 ” fēng rǎn lóng tiánchuān, chánchán liúshuǐ shēn)

Notes: I put the original sentence of the poem, afraid that there’s mistranslation since I’m not familiar with it.

MC: I seem to have read these sentences before...

MC: It seems to come from a very famous love song?

I turned my face and looked at Xu Mo with a questioning look. He nodded lightly.

Xu Mo: Well, it is indeed a very emotional sentence.

Xu Mo: I think it is probably because Valentine's Day is approaching. In order to set off the atmosphere, the proprietress of the hotel arranged such a hanging picture in the room.

Xu Mo: And look at the writing above, it should have been added not long ago.

Hearing Xu Mo's explanation, I looked at the hanging painting again.

MC: I didn’t expect the proprietress of this hotel to be so careful, I thought it was just a landscape painting.

MC: It turns out that there is such a “careful” chance hidden.

I tried to felt the emotions contained in the lines. This painting, which was originally used for decoration, seems to have a deeper meaning because of this poem.

Just as my attention was all attracted by the hanging paintings, Xu Mo's voice suddenly rang in my ears.

Xu Mo: Although the painting is really beautiful

Xu Mo: But, have you forgotten something?

His gaze fell on the belt in my hand, and I followed along and realized that I was still finishing Xu Mo's yukata.

His yukata was hanging loosely on his body at this time, and it was even more exposed. The low neckline is wider, and the skin is exposed.

The heat on my face couldn't help but rise a little more.

MC: .. I will continue!

After finally suppressing the fast heartbeat and refastening Xu Mo's belt, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

I raised my hand to help him straighten the low neckline, but found that this yukata was actually designed like this.

MC: Is this, this neckline originally opened so wide?

Hearing my visibly smaller voice, Xu Mo first glanced at his clothes, then a clear smile spread across his mouth.

Xu Mo: Well, that's it when I put it on.

Xu Mo: Moreover, as far as I know, the men's yukatas offered by this store are all of this style.

MC: Strange, I saw that the model wears on the official website before...

MC: Is this also what "Valentine's Day Special Offer"?

In order to cover up my inner fluctuations, I deliberately said in a ridiculous tone, and Xu Mo also chuckled cooperatively.

Xu Mo: Well, it is possible.

He blinked, as if thinking of something, then bent down and leaned in my ear and said softly.

Xu Mo: I guess..

Xu Mo: This is probably, a little bit “careful”.

🍁

On the tatami, Xu Mo and I are sitting opposite each other.

He took the sake out of the wooden box, opened the cork, and slowly poured it into a special vessel.

Xu Mo: No wonder today I saw you and the hotel owner whispered a few secretly...

Xu Mo: Why do you suddenly want to give me a gift?

My heart moved slightly, but on the surface, I still took the stubbornly.

MC: It's not a sudden intention, this is part of the arrangement of this vacation.

MC: Take it as a reward for Professor Xu who worked hard this year!

Wanting to get around this topic as soon as possible, I pointed to the Sake bottle and looked at him invitingly.

MC: I heard that this brand of sake is well-known locally.

MC: I was worried that it was too popular, but I asked the proprietress to order it from the Sake store half a month in advance!

A smile filled Xu Mo's narrow eyes.

Xu Mo: In order to live up to your intentions, I have to taste it.

After speaking, he picked up the Sake glass and took a sip.

MC: How?

Xu Mo: It has a slight sweet taste and is delicious.

MC: That's good! A drink in the snow can warm your body.

Suddenly, my mind flashed through the scenes of Xu Mo drinking before and couldn't help but add.

And its degree is not high. You can rest assured that you won't get drunk if you drink in moderation.

Xu Mo raised his eyebrows.

Xu Mo: It seems that I have been underestimated.

He seemed to inadvertently pour some more Sake into the glass, and then drank the whole glass leisurely.

Xu Mo: I have been tried sake before, but I was not drunk.

MC: I remember I heard you mentioned it on the phone.

Hearing him mention it again, a sense of curiosity arose in my heart.

In my impression, Xu Mo almost never drinks alcohol, but prefers tea.

MC: Why did you suddenly want to drink?

Xu Mo: Well... let me think about it.

Xu Mo put down his Sake glass, propped his head with one hand, and looked up at the red leaves in the courtyard behind me.

Xu Mo: It was when I was studying. In order to celebrate the project with the classmates.

MC: Huh?

Xu Mo: Feeling surprised?

Xu Mo's eyes overlapped with me for a moment, and then he continued.

Xu Mo: At that time, I cooperated with my classmates on a very challenging scientific research project. After about a year and a half of research, I finally got the ideal result.

Perhaps thinking of the scene at that time, Xu Mo sighed softly.

Xu Mo: They were so happy that they had to take me to the tavern to celebrate...

Xu Mo said helplessly, but the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously.

I rarely seem to see him celebrating his achievements, and the temporarily suppressed thought in my heart is revivedㅡ

I also want to accompany him to celebrate and witness the moment when his efforts bear fruit.

Chaotic emotions spread across my chest: anticipation, tension, and a little anxiety...

Xu Mo: Wandering again.

Xu Mo tapped my forehead. I recovered, and smiled apologetically at Xu Mo.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, and after looking at me for a while, he suddenly spoke.

Xu Mo: I suddenly remembered that they also taught me a game at that time.

MC: What game?

Xu Mo: I will show it to you.

I watched with interest as Xu Mo picked up an empty cup and put it upside down on the table.

Xu Mo: The game is very simple. We take turns to pat this cup or choose to take it away.

Xu Mo: If the cup is taken away, the other person will make a fist and knock on the table. Knock on the cup or shoot on the table is a loss.

MC: This game seems to test the reaction ability...

Seeing me as if I don’t understand, Xu Mo smiled.

Xu Mo: Well, but it is not difficult. You should have learned it after we played a game.

Xu Mo: Want to try it?

MC: Yes!

I eagerly nodded my head. Xu Mo's eyes turned, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

MC: ....

MC: This unscientific!

I took another sip of Sake in frustration. Facts have proved that the so-called "not difficult" of this game may only be aimed at Xu Mo.

In addition to testing his reaction ability, during the game, he always seems to know what I am going to do next, and foresee every movement of me in advance...

MC: You are almost like "mind reading"...

Faced my complaint, Xu Mo just smiled slightly

Xu Mo: Maybe it's just because I know you too well.

Xu Mo: So sometimes, your every move seems not to hard to guess .

He didn't seem to realize how blushing his words were, so I had to mutter quietly.

MC: This is too unfair...

Xu Mo: Well, you also try to focus all your attention on me, how about it?

MC: Huh?

Xu Mo dragged his face with his hands, tilted his head and looked at me.

Xu Mo: Perhaps this strategy will be more effective.

The heartbeat speeded up uncontrollably, and for a while, I couldn't tell whether he was teasing me or was serious.

But facing the current one-sided game situation, for the slight possibility of a comeback, I decided to try.

The new round soon began. I followed Xu Mo's words and stared at him intensively, hoping to see a trace of flaws in him.

And Xu Mo's mouth always had a slight smile, as if he was in a good mood.

It was my turn to take the cup. I noticed that Xu Mo's brows suddenly wrinkled. With a movement in my heart, I decided to change my tactics and took the cup away.

MC: ...!!

Xu Mo: I lost.

Xu Mo looked at our folded hands on the cup and sighed slightly

Xu Mo: It seems that I was too careless...

Xu Mo: This strategy should not be told to you lightly.

His voice showed faint grievances and regrets, and then he took the Sake and drank it in one go.

MC: Is it really so works?

I was a little dazed by the sudden victory.

Although I'm not sure if there is a reason for luck, I just raised my lips and jumped for joy when I finally caught this flawless person.

Next, the entire game seemed to be exceptionally smooth to me. I didn't expect that one day I could win Xu Mo so many times, and the smile on my face got bigger and bigger.

Until Xu Mo was fined another glass of Sake, looking at his reddish ears and the corners of his mouth, I suddenly noticed something.

I put away my smile and walked up to him, acting as if I was asking my sins.

MC: I almost fell for some big liar again!

Xu Mo's eyes moved slightly, and then he stretched out his hand towards me.

Xu Mo: What's wrong?

He looked at me and blinked a bit innocently.

Xu Mo: Why are you so angry? Did I do something wrong?

I laughed angrily by the way he knew it, and couldn't help squeezing his hand.

MC: Are you letting me win again?

Xu Mo did not answer immediately, but gently hooked my finger, and then wrapped it into his palm.

Xu Mo: Who said I let you?

Xu Mo: I am willing to lose to you.

He stretched out his hand, scraped the tip of my nose, and a smile burst out from the corner of his mouth.

Xu Mo: Finally I can see you smile without burden.

MC: Huh?

Xu Mo: From morning on, you look worried.

Xu Mo: Although I plan to not ask too much before you tell me. But I thought about it, it’s not easy to keep you in my heart

Xu Mo: I guess the thing that bothers you should have something to do with me, right

He thought a little bit.

Xu Mo: Was it the news you saw this morning?

Seeing Xu Mo's determined expression and thinking about his behavior just now, I suddenly understood something in my heart.

MC: So you proposed to play games with me, also to relax me?

MC: I can't hide anything from you

Xu Mo chuckled lightly, wrapped my hand into his palm, and deliberately asked in a joking tone.

Xu Mo: Tell me about it, how did the "Professor Xu" on the news bother you?

I was amused by him. Seeing that what was hidden in my heart had been exposed, I simply decided to confess.

MC: Actually... This bottle of sake was originally a gift to celebrate your prize. But I did not expect that the award list would be postponed.

MC: Although I still want to celebrate with you, but if the result is not good, I worry about you will be disappointed.

MC: So it has not been said.

After saying this, I took a long breath and felt that it was a lot easier.

MC: But now I also think that compared to these, we should cherish our time together more.

In order to show my determination, I picked up the phone on the table and turned it off without hesitation.

MC: Now I can't get distracted!

Xu Mo's eyes flickered, and then he turned off the phone just like me. He put his arms around my waist and raised his head slightly.

Xu Mo: Then we can say that, from now on, don't let anyone bothering us.

Xu Mo: Nobody can.

Seeing him add another sentence seriously, I couldn't help laughing.

MC: However, it is indeed my fault that I was always distracted before. Next, we can make up for this time.

Xu Mo: Hm? How do you plan to make up?

I looked outside and raised my eyebrows at him.

MC: Didn't you notice? The snow outside is getting smaller.

Xu Mo was a little puzzled, but he reacted quickly, and the corners of his lips curled up in a beautiful arc.

Outside the house, the original heavy snow in the sky turned into fragments of snowflakesㅡ

It fell lightly in the hot spring that was continuously rising, and melted silently.

After eating, Xu Mo and I were walking on the stone road in the courtyard. We could hear the gurgling water in our ears.

MC: It seems that the weather forecast is right, the snow is really much smaller.

Xu Mo: Hmm, but are you drunk? Actually, we can come later.

MC: Don't worry, I am fully awake.

MC: And I checked it online before, and two hours after a meal is the best time to soak in the hot spring!

Xu Mo just wanted to say something, but suddenly stopped. He stared at the hot spring pool in front of him, and his eyes flashed with surprise.

I followed his gaze to the open-air hot spring in front, and my eyes widened.

MC: This is...

I was surprised to find that there is no barrier between this private hot spring surrounded by stones.

  🍁

MC: Strange, I clearly remember that the pictures I saw on the website before were separated by wooden boards.

I looked at the hot spring pool, my ears were getting hot. Thinking of two people in the same hot spring, I can't help but feel a subtle sense of tension.

Just when I was about to say something to break the awkward atmosphere, Xu Mo's voice suddenly sounded.

Xu Mo: .. I'd better go back to the room first.

Xu Mo: I'll come back when you finish.

MC: Hm?

I subconsciously raised my head. Xu Mo still had a gentle expression, but his eyes did not look at me.

Is it...

Am I the not only one who is nervous?

Looking at the steaming hot spring, I involuntarily swallowed my saliva, emboldening myself in my heart.

MC: Now that you have changed your clothes... let's go together.

In the hot spring pool, Xu Mo was sitting opposite me, the water just covered our chests

Xu Mo: Does the water feel hot?

I looked up, my eyes swam disobediently from his bare chest to the collarbone, Adam's apple and thin lips, and then I didn't dare to go up again.

MC: No, just right.

I shook my head, suppressed the excessively fast heartbeat, and sat down a little bit, submerged my shoulders in the warm water, and couldn't help but sigh.

The snowflakes fell on the face one by one, bringing icy coldness sense of touch, but the body and mind are steaming hot, and finally melts in the heat.

Xu Mo flicked his hand across the hot spring, and there was a sporadic sound of water. He closed his eyes, raised his head and leaned against the rock wall.

Xu Mo: I suddenly remembered that the last time we took a hot spring, it was the same as today with snow in the sky.

MC: Well, I remember too.

There was a movement in my heart, and I couldn't help but remember the time when I wished Xu Mo's birthday a warm feeling came from the bottom of my heart.

MC: It seems that many of my good memories about the snowy days are spent with you.

Xu Mo slowly opened his eyes, and there was also a layer of chlorinated water vapor on his eyes, and the curvature of the corners of his lips seemed clear and moving.

Xu Mo: For me, it's not just the snow.

The gurgling water and his voice merged together, and fell into my ears through the mist.

Under Xu Mo's gentle gaze, it seems that the distant memories in my mind are being warmed up little by little.

Perhaps he had been watching for too long, and my throat was a little dry. My gaze fell to the side of the tray floating on the water, which was filled with wagashi and hot tea.

Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections that are often served with green tea, especially the types made of mochi, anko and fruits.

I picked up the teacup and took a drink. Obviously it's not alcohol, but it makes me feel a little drunk.

I patted my slightly hot face, trying to stretch my body, but my foot inadvertently touched Xu Mo's leg.

Xu Mo: ....

MC: .....

The breath and heartbeat went wild in an instant. In the pool water, it seems that every part of the body has become more sensitive.

I subconsciously looked at Xu Mo, his eyes flickered, and then faintly looked away, and picked up another teacup on the tray.

Xu Mo: The tea smell is very strong.

MC: Hm..

MC: This opportunities are rare. Why don't we "replace Sake with tea" and clink a glass?

As soon as I finished speaking, I bit my tongue viciously for the proposal I blurted out.

Xu Mo's hand holding the teacup seemed to shake. He looked at my red cheeks curiously and chuckled uncontrollably.

Xu Mo: Well, it's a good proposal, but...

Xu Mo: Clinking glasses is usually for celebration. What are we going to celebrate now?

I was asked all of a sudden. While thinking, an idea flashes over my mind.

MC: To celebrate...

Xu Mo: If you say anything like "Celebrate your winning in advance", I will be a little disappointed.

MC: Ha..

This person definitely has mind-reading skills!

I looked at Xu Mo's smiling eyes through the white mist, and my lips curled up.

The fine snow slowly fell, and the water in the pool was clear, but not as bright as his eyes. I suddenly felt everything in front of me, something unreal like a dream.

Such a good person is now opposite me, right in front of my eyes, drinking a tea with me and sharing the same snowy color.

Until I saw Xu Mo's eyes clearly reflecting my figure. I suddenly felt that this moment has already surpassed everything.

So I said almost subconsciously.

MC: Then celebrate the moment we have.

Under the misty surface of xenon hydrogen, the skin we touched lightly rubbed inadvertently.

The clear touch brought up bursts of electric current, causing ripples in my heart. I no longer stagger my eyes as before, but quietly stare at Xu Mo in front of me.

His Adam's apple slid, and a white warm mist made his dark eyes sparkle with water.

I suddenly had an illusion, as if Xu Mo could look straight into my heart through the hazy mist.

After a while, he chuckled lightly.

Xu Mo: Is it just for now?

MC: What?

Xu Mo didn't answer, but suddenly got up and leaned toward me. The chest that had been submerged was also exposed at this time.

The warm and slightly hot from hot springs steamed his skin a little red, and the water rippled and then fell again.

I touched the ground with my feet a little nervously, but a little unstable due to the buoyancy of the water, Xu Mo held my waist with one hand in time.

I raised my head and slowly looked at the line of Xu Mo's jaw, my fingertips sinking into the tight muscles behind his shoulders.

His hand slid across my back, tightening me up a little bit, and I unconsciously put my hand on his shoulder and against his chest.

MC: Xu Mo..

The light lines of the water wave healed our chest and back. Xu Mo lowered his head, his lips were close to my ears, his voice was stained with a low voice.

Xu Mo: What I want to say is, not just celebrating this moment. But...

Xu Mo: For every moment we have.

There seemed to be a touch of nothing on the earlobe, as if clusters of flames were lit from there.

The tea cups collided with a crisp sound.

Xu Mo took a sip of tea, pinched my chin and pressed it down

Seeing his face getting closer and closer, I can no longer care about the others, I can only instinctively close my eyes

Feel the numb touch on the lips, and the sweet tea fragrance reverberating in the mouth.

🍁

With a splash of water, Xu Mo got up and walked out of the hot spring pool.

Xu Mo: During the meal, our clothes were left out and dampened by the snow. I will go back to the room to get the clothes we changed in the morning.

MC: Wait, I'll go with you.

After I finished speaking, I stood up, Xu Mo stood there, his eyes stopped slightly when he looked at me.

I followed his eyes and looked down, the wet towels were tight clings to my body, clearly outlines the lines, dripping continuously.

A cold wind blew, and I seemed to have noticed something, so I hurriedly sat back.

MC: So cold...

Xu Mo laughed lightly, then nodded.

Xu Mo: Well, it will be a little cold if you just walk back.

Xu Mo: So, wait for me here, okay?

I touched my slightly hot cheek, smiled and nodded at him.

MC: Alright  

When Xu Mo returned with the clothes, I was eating the wagashi on the tray. He couldn't help but smile when he saw me.

Xu Mo: Are you hungry?

MC: A little. You see, these fruits are so delicate.

I pushed the tray towards him, Xu Mo squatted down and looked carefully.

Xu Mo: Well, indeed.

Xu Mo: I once heard a very skilled master say that wagashi can express anything, whether it is natural or human.

MC: Really?

Hearing his words, I put my arm on the rock beside the pool and curiously observed the wagashi in the plate.

MC: This is a special wagashi for Valentine's Day. I don't know if there is anything special.

Xu Mo: I think there should be.

Xu Mo also leaned down slightly and observed with me.

Xu Mo: Maybe we can guess by using our imagination?

He smiled and twisted one of the wagashi.

It looks relatively ordinary among the different shapes of fruits. The round shape is like a small steamed bun, but on the top. Covered with a circle of yellow marks.

Xu Mo: The surface of this fruit should be deliberately roasted to brown

After watching it for a while, Xu Mo handed it to me.

Xu Mo: Did you think of something?

MC: Hmm.. the yellow circle.

MC: Like a full moon?

I raised my eyes to look at Xu Mo, and he curled his mouth slightly, motioning me to continue.

As if being woken up, I looked at this seemingly inconspicuous wagashi, and seemed to understand the intention of the person who made it.

MC: The moon is a very important image in love and can be used to express many kinds of emotions...

MC: So it seems that this fruit really fits the theme of Valentine's Day.

Xu Mo: Have a taste?

Looking at Xu Mo's eyebrows, my heart moved slightly, so I leaned over and bit the fruit in his hand.

The sweetness melted in my mouth, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the red fillings of the wagashi under the white skin.

MC: It's red bean paste...

There seemed to be a trace of surprise in Xu Mo's eyes. After a while, he nodded thoughtfully.

Xu Mo: Specially choose red as the filling...

Xu Mo: Probably because the person who created it wanted to express the sincere emotions between lovers.

MC: It turns out that wagashi can really express people's feelings...

Seeing such an emotional Japanese fruit, a burst of soft emotions creeping in my heart, I subconsciously asked Xu Mo.

MC: You have a bite too?

As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly remembered something, so I immediately changed my words.

MC: But you don’t like sweets so much, so it’s mine!

I stretched out my hand to take the wagashi from his hand, but Xu Mo suddenly pulled his hand

MC: Uh?

Seeing my puzzlement, he chuckled lightly.

Xu Mo: I really don't like sweets very much.

Xu Mo: However, I still want to taste such beautiful food.

MC: But...

Before I finished speaking, I saw Xu Mo's face enlarged before my eyes.

He put his hand behind my head and leaned down. In the blink of an eye, there was a warmth on the lips.

The scorching breath fell on the face, itching and numb, dispelling the coolness in the air.

The thick snow on the edge of the pool turned into melted water droplets and fell into the water, arousing small splashes.

After a long while, Xu Mo released his hand behind my head, with a slight smile on his mouth.

Xu Mo: Well, it's sweeter than expected.

🍁

After soaking in the hot springs, Xu Mo and I walked slowly back to the room. As soon as we opened the door, we stopped in unison.

A fancy "citation cake" was placed in the center of the table.

Under the two big letters "Certificate" written with red chocolate, there are also dark chocolates with a row of small letters one by one.

"Best Scientist Award".

Xu Mo raised his eyebrows and glanced at me leisurely. I coughed slightly awkwardly.

MC: Ahem. If I said that the waiter sent the wrong room, would you believe it?

At this time, the door was pushed open again, and the waiter put two knives and forks on the side of the tray.

Waiter: Miss MC, you are back, is the hot spring still comfortable?

Waiter: This is the special cake you ordered. Because the snow was a little smaller, the driver was asked to go down the mountain to retrieve it. Please enjoy.

The waiter cast a "won't disturb you" look, then bowed and walked out. After a short silence, I heard a chuckle.

MC: Well. This is actually another gift I originally prepared to celebrate your winning.

MC: I always feel that at this time of celebration, we still have to eat cakes to have more atmosphere.

MC: Although the appearance is a bit exaggerate, the taste should be good.

Xu Mo chuckled and nodded.

Xu Mo: Well, I believe this cake must be delicious. and.….

Xu Mo: I am also sure that you really care about this.

He paused for a while, then took out his mobile phone leisurely and turned it on.

Xu Mo: Since you want to know so much, let's watch it together.

MC: What?

Xu Mo: Don’t you really want to know the results of the awards? I remember the news you saw in the morning saying that the announcement should be postponed to the afternoon.

Xu Mo: The time should be right now.

MC: But...

Seeing his calm movements, my eyes widened, but I looked more nervous than him.

Xu Mo: If you don't let you know now, you will keep thinking about it.

As soon as his voice fell, with a few minutes of reminder sound, countless messages flooded into Xu Mo's phone.

Looking at his cell phone that kept vibrating, my heartbeat speeded up. Xu Mo seemed to be a little surprised by it.

Xu Mo: A Ming, sent fifteen text messages and made six calls.

He frowned slightly.

Xu Mo: It seems that I told him to be good at "focusing" things, but he doesn't take it seriously.

MC: ....

MC: I also question the way you "focusing" at this time!

Xu Mo tapped the screen twice until everything was calm again, but there was no expression on his face.

MC: How?

I looked at him with anticipation and ambition.

After a moment of silence, Xu Mo suddenly leaned over to me, buried his head in the socket of my neck, and let out a light sigh.

Xu Mo: ....

My heart jumped suddenly.

MC: No, it doesn't matter...

I just feel my brain is blank, and my words become stumbling.

MC: It may be because the selection criteria have changed this year. They have to take other factors into consideration.

MC: And this is their loss! You are so powerful, they will definitely regret it in the future!

Xu Mo: Is it?

MC: Yes!

I replied categorically, as I was about to continue speaking, but suddenly caught a murmur of laughter, and then I was surprised that something was wrong.

MC: .. Why are you lying again!

I straightened up from Xu Mo's arms at once, but he grabbed my wrist with a smile, and pulled it into his embrace again.

Xu Mo: Where am I lying.

Xu Mo: It seems unfair to say that.

Xu Mo: I didn't seem to say what the result was.

Seeing the successful smile in his eyes, I bit my lip unwillingly. After thinking for a while, I had an idea, pretending to be angrily and got into the blanket beside me.

Although the news of Xu Mo's award made the corners of my mouth almost fly into the sky, I still constricted my smile and adjusted my tone of voice.

MC: I'm so nervous, but you still want to tease me!

MC: Originally, apart from Sake and cake, I also prepared a third gift for you. Now I have to consider it!

The low laughter in the ear was suddenly paused.

I secretly laughed and counted down silently in my heart, 3, 2, 1 until the last number fell, I really felt a pair of hands hugging me from behind.

Xu Mo: Sorry, because you looked so cute just now, I couldn't help but want to tease you.

Xu Mo: So, can you tell me what the gift is now?

Xu Mo waited for a while, but when he saw that I still didn't answer, he suddenly coughed.

Xu Mo: (cough)

Xu Mo: It seems to have been outside for too long and some have caught a cold

I listened to Xu Mo's deliberate coughing. I was startled first, and then laughed uncontrollably. I didn't expect him to think of such a childish way.

Hear my laugh, Xu Mo also laughed.

The arms around my waist tightened a bit, and when he spoke again, his tone became more serious.

Xu Mo: MC.

Xu Mo: Actually, I don't value this award that much.

My heart beats, this is the first time I heard him say that

Xu Mo: Because all the things I wanted to obtain were obtained the moment the research results were published, or even earlier.

Xu Mo: Any praise from the outside world, to me, is nothing but brocade icing on.

His voice paused, as if thinking of something, and then he smiled softly.

Xu Mo: However, everything you did for me today, I am very happy

Xu Mo: Whether it is a gift to me or your sincere words to me, I really feel how important I am in your heart.

Xu Mo rubbed my forehead with his chin across the blanket

Xu Mo: I feel happy, nervous, or even sad from the bottom of my heart

Xu Mo: Probably there is only you silly girl.

The soft words fell in my heart, and there was a drop of water.

Xu Mo: I think the reason why I always can't help teasing you, maybe it's just because I want to see you more and show off because of me.

Xu Mo: In a certain way, I can also be regarded as a special "collector".

Xu Mo: No matter what kind of meal it is, I want to have it.

Xu Mo: With that said, can you forgive me?

The delicate tenderness was sewn on him slightly, I still did not answer, but responded to him with action.

I lifted the blanket and kissed Xu Mo's face with his surprised eyes.

I ran my fingers across his fine hair and stopped on his face. Then I pulled him tightly and tightly toward me.

Heavy breathing sounded in the room, as if confused, I kissed his cheek closely and pressed against his auricle.

MC: I am not angry, you are a fool..

I followed his ear bones all the way down, and after hearing a short gasp, I turned to a thin rub.

I don't know how long it took. When I met Xu Mo's eyes awkwardly, I later realized that I was extremely ashamed of my bold actions, and subconsciously shrank back.

But Xu Mo did not allow me to retreat. He put his hands on my waist together a few inches, pressed them to my forehead, and looked at me deeply with his eyes.

Xu Mo: Is this the third gift?

The thin, hot breath entangled, I panted lightly and shook my head.

MC: ....It is a promise.

I calmed down my breath and slowly said the words that had been brewing in my heart for a long time.

MC: I want to wait for the results to come out, whether you win or not, I will tell youㅡ

MC: In the future, I will stay with you and spend every memorable moment with you.

MC: Remember the flower with crystals you gave me?

MC: I think the same as you, every moment we walked together is very precious to me

MC: Although I can't make such a romantic gift like you, I can only express it in ordinary sounds.

MC: But this is my truest thought.

The evening wind slowly passed by, and behind Xu Mo, the sky full of red leaves fell. I felt in a daze that we at this moment are closer than ever.

Xu Mo lowered his eyes, looked straight at me for a moment, and laughed a little.

Xu Mo: MC's ability to talk about love is really getting better.

My cheeks suddenly became red when I met the narrow gaze in his eyes.

MC: I'm just talking to my heart!

Xu Mo: Yes, I know.

Xu Mo: I don't think what you said is ordinary. On the contrary, it means a lot to me.

Xu Mo: However, although I received such a beautiful promise, I thought about it for a while-

Xu Mo: When you say this, aren't you also sorting me out?

MC: !... I

Seeing that I was speechless for a while, Xu Mo smiled, his eyes moved down, and landed on my slightly opened lips. The emotion in the deep eyes is unclear.

Xu Mo: Sometimes actions are more explicit than words.

He raised his hand and squatted down my lips with his fingers,

Xu Mo: The sincerity contained in the promise, maybe in another way... can make me feel more directly.

He whispered, and suddenly raised his eyes to look at me, dark light circling in his eyes.

Xu Mo: Are you willing to?

The heat surged to my cheeks, and my mind was chaotic. In the next second, Xu Mo clasped my wrist tightly and pressed me on the tatami.

MC: Wh-

The soft tip of the tongue pried my teeth away inch by inch, and grinds together delicately and long. It seems to wear out all the heat and lingering.

While my consciousness was cloudy, I tasted the faint fragrance of tea that still remained in his mouth, but it was like a very high alcohol wine, which made me feel drunk.

His head raised passively. Xu Mo squinted his eyes slightly, and gradually reduced his strength by pressing my hand.

His fingers rubbed the skin on the side of my wrist gently and slowly, letting my body gradually relax

The surrounding temperature rose sharply, and I instinctively caught his neck and responded to his tossing and turning.

Just when I felt a little dizzy, Xu Mo let go of me, a familiar chuckle sounded in my ears.

Seeing that I was a little weak, Xu Mo held my waist and let me sit on him.

I rested on his strong abs with one hand, and grasped his messy clothes with the other weakly.

MC: Xu Mo....

I lowered my head and saw what seemed to be suppressed in his gloomy eyes, so I subconsciously leaned down and pecked his chin.

Xu Mo: ....

The light and shadow in Xu Mo's eyes flickered, his eyes darkened.

Before I could react, his hand that was touching my hair suddenly pulled me towards him and kissed me again.

Unlike before, this kiss was overwhelmingly aggressive.

The tingling sensation of the intertwined lips and teeth ran through my body like an electric current, and the blood seemed to boil.

With warmth in Xu Mo's palm, he shook all the way down my spine.

His senses and thoughts were all occupied by him, and in a trance, I felt the kiss gradually slip and strengthen.

There was a slight tingling pain from my collarbone, and I couldn't help but exhale softly, and there was a warm and humid touch.

A layer of fine sweat oozes out on the tightly adhering skin, giving it an intimate and sticky feeling. I inserted my hand into Xu Mo's sweat-drenched hair and looked down at him.

He closed his eyes, his concentrated face was stained with the color of red leaves.

His sight seemed to be burned to the point of nowhere to rest.

Perhaps because of my tension, Xu Mo's lips bend slightly. He lifted his palm up to cover my eyes.

Xu Mo: Close your eyes .

Extremely strong, but with extreme gentleness.

I slowly closed my eyes and surrendered myself to him. The last image remaining on the retina is Xu Mo deep eyes.

And a brilliant red.

🍁 🍁 🍁 END  🍁 🍁 🍁

I’m sorry if there’s some mistranslation. Kindly tell me if you found some :) thank you for read it~ ^^

[razorblade180]

Interdimensional Moms pt4

Part 3 here! <-

The tales had be interesting. The tales had even been emotionally gripping, yet all of them so far didn’t seem to register at the moment as Ruby’s teammates looked at her with the same excitement she used to give her own mother during story time. Ruby couldn’t help but give a little smile.

Ruby:I take it you’re ready for my turn? You do know it’s not exactly a sunshine and rainbows story, right?

Weiss:We figured as much, but....

Yang:You’re so different! From the moment you showed up I could just feel it in my gut. You have this...presence about you. Not to mention intsene confidence.

Blake:Yang is right. You said you beat your Salem when your seventeen. That’s...scary if I’m being honest. Such a drastic departure from any of our worlds.

Ruby:*red* Hehehe ummm I guess I’m just awesome? Really I don’t think it’s the most outstanding feat. At least by my worlds standards I suppose. I mean sure, I’m consider cream of the crop there too but there’s talented people and challenges all over that would put me through my paces still. I’m just...me.

Weiss:Sigh...honestly, I suppose that means our own skills must pale in comparison to our counterparts.

Ruby:Mmmm I wouldn’t say that for sure. My Yang would kill me if she heard this but there’s something about the one right here that has spark I dig.

Yang:Really?

Ruby:Uh huh. Can’t put my finger on it but I think you take her if you want it bad enough. As for Weiss....couldn’t tell ya. Haha, I know better than anybody to not underestimate the power of mother, and you pumped twins out.

Weiss:Not sure if those are pity points or real ones but thanks either way.

Blake:You don’t even have to tell me I’d lose. Just gave an entire story about me an my condition.

Ruby:Don’t feel too bad about it. I can’t imagine much reason for you two to fight for any reason. You’re both too reasonable to not reason with yourself.

Blake:Aw I’m touched.

Yang and Weiss:We aren’t....

Ruby:Hahaha I’m just saying! So, I guess I take things from the top like you all? From what I learned from all of you our Beacon experiences really are more or less the same, not counting certain interactions between a bookworm faunus and an adorkable blonde knight. Enrolled early, blew up the entrance, Weiss was rude, Yang ditched me, all the same beats.

Yang:There’s no super badass change like you beating Cinder the night of dance and making our entire lives easier?

Ruby:Ha! I wish I was that legit. No, I was very much the young girl tripping in heels that night. Vytal festival came around and was attacked, then Beacon fell. Pyrrha was lost and so was Penny. Difference being that was my last time seeing her, unlike Weiss’s story apparently.

Weiss:Yeah that...that’s a little bit of shock to be frank. Sorry.

Ruby:No worries. Not like you did anything and it was decades ago for me now. After that day is when I started to get a bit more serious I think. I had always taken being a huntress seriously and never slacked of in trying to live my dream. However, my perspective may have honed in on just how do or die life his when you’re the one choosing to walk into unknown danger. Team RNJR’s first and only mission, save the world!

Yang:Sub mission: Flirt with Jaune Arc.

Ruby:*blushing* We do not choose who we fall in love with it. But yes, that may have been a personal pseudo mission for me. He’s my first friend at Beacon for crying out loud and I you know.....thought he was cute then too.

WBY:Yeah that checks out.

Ruby:What does that mean!?

Weiss:Ruby, even my Ruby admits to finding Jaune attractive and having a crush on him back in the day.

Blake:Same.

Yang:I already went into enough detail on how my little sister feels about Jaune. Your just the reality where you pounced on the opportunity and never let go. Struck when the iron was hot and none of us were around; sly fox.

Ruby:Gee you make it sound underhanded. It isn’t like I intended to actively pursue him. Everyone was really sad and stressed traveling to Anima. There was a tension in the air. One that really strained us. I did my best to keep focus, but a leader is only as put together as team. Ren and Nora confided one another as usual and I tried being there for Jaune because seeing him emotionally shut down was rough; so I did my best to be there for him. Then...he ended up being there for me and I was the one who needed comfort. All the airing out and late nights just...led to....*red*

Blake: “Breaking the tension?”

Ruby:I guess that’s one way of putting it. We were lonely. I hid my feelings best I could under the veil of comfort in the moment. Not that needed to. He made it pretty clear that he wanted me in the same way I wanted him. I just the two of us were too scared to ask for promises we weren’t sure we could keep so we loved in the moments we could, so to speak.

Weiss:If it wasn’t under dire situations, all that sounds oddly romantic.

Ruby:Right!? Looking back at it makes the entire thing seem romantic but I definitely wouldn’t wish a similar experience on anybody! I guess it’s what I wished for when I fantasized huntress life huh? Things obviously got better along the way. Our relationship got a bit more serious right before we got to Haven. Then Tyrian and other crazy stuff happened that threw all of us into panic mode again before slowly getting better again by a lot.

Yang:We showed up?

Ruby:Bingo! You and Weiss, met Oscar, and then eventually Blake came back. Things were on the up and up.

Weiss:Uh, Haven attack?

Ruby:We lived, up and up. Yeah you got stabbed but you know...that’s not new I’m sure.

Weiss:Yeah I have the scar and I’m still little pissed.

Ruby:Valid. Anyways, so my Atlas experience was different as hell. There was no formation of Remnants armies like Weiss spoke of or even between two kingdoms like Blake. Yang, what happened yours again exactly?

Yang:Nonsense. Cinder showed up with lackeies but not Salem’s lackies. Those people showed up separately, then Adam came back from wherever the hell he- a lot! A lot of people showed up for different reasons but also the same reason and to be frank, we all almost got shot by the military for being in bases that quote unquote, “didn’t exist.”

Ruby:Man I wish we traded. That at least sounds crazy enough to be fun. Just a rollercoaster in the dark basically. My experience was probably as hectic, but also way more streamlined. We showed up, and then all hell broke loose. Specially a mass grimm invasion lead by Cinder and her annoying associates. We were there for about three weeks updating General Ironwood and getting our barrings together when it happened. I wanna call it a hit and run tactic but it was clearly planned in advanced. Mechs were hacked again, traitors in the military, grimm lying in wait before hand; it was chaos! All for the relic.

Blake:Who was the maiden?

Ruby:Never met her. By the time we got there, Ironwood was panicking because she had vanished, taken right from under his nose. It was some young girl apparently, really young. The attack on Beacon looked like child’s play to this. Mantle got attacked, grimm were on the chains, they tried dropping Atlas to the ground; all a diversion for a relic. We all should’ve died, and yet, we didn’t. Winter and Weiss weeded out traitors, huntsman and military held the line, Yang bested Hazel with Nora, Qrow and I cut down Tyrian! Ren, Blake and Jaune helped the kingdoms while Ironwood struck down Watts. Nobody was in the mood to die that day. There wasn’t gonna be another Beacon. By all means, we were pissed. Even Raven showed up of all people.

Yang:What!?

Ruby:You can’t attack a kingdom without the world knowing. Especially when traitors leak info. Honestly she came for you though, or she never left to begin with. Couldn’t tell ya. Thanks to Maria I had a bit more handling with my eyes. That helped a lot. Without them and Os-

She stopped herself, choking on the words. The zest and excitement of recalling the heroic feats of her friends dimmed slightly with her smile. Her joyful smile became bittersweet like the memory.

Ruby:Then there was Oscar, the real warrior on that flamed filled night. That battle had to have been three days at least. We were so driven, and so tired. I was tired, but Cinder, Neo, and the others with her at the time weren’t; always showing up at the worst time. I managed to push Cinder back in a fight but grimm and others still swarmed. We were at a point that grimm very well might’ve did us in and the villains didn’t have to push any harder. But Oscar changed that. Hehe, what’s it about country folk that makes people like him and I not hesitate to grit our teeth? That dork looked at me, gave me the biggest smile on the the steps to Atlas, and then he left. His hair went white as he twirled the cane and then he left, forever. Oz came out, and he left nothing to the imagination. “Limited magic” my butt. He obliterated grimm and made a barrier aroma Atlas while everyone else cleared Mantle long enough for the world to send reinforcements. Salem didn’t get the relic, but she got the maiden and thousands of casualties. Oscar being one of them. Also, Whitley....he was in critical condition for a very long time.

Weiss:What do you mean...critical condition?

Ruby:Everything happened so fast Weiss. Panic was high, buildings fell....a piece on him. I wasn’t there but when I eventually found you, you were nearly hysterical and banged up. By some miracle he lived even though we could not reach him and he did not get aid for awhile. We thought him dead. It was only after everything we learned somebody got him. Being rich never paid off more than with medical bills. Thanks to youth and medicine he can still walk, but he can only do so much before being tired. He also left Atlas. The cold hurts.

Weiss:So, I run the company because he can’t?

Ruby:I wouldn’t put it that way, but it was one of dozens of reasons that made that goal stronger for you. Relax though, both of you get plenty of time to be witty siblings like I told you earlier.

Weiss:I know. It’s just, I guess it’s hard imagining Whitley hurt like that. I don’t think I could handle it.

Ruby:You definitely teetered in the moment. Knowing that happened though probably gave you anger and grit to fight the entire battle. You were a beast. Scarier than Winter. Anyways, that hollow victory was a real wake up call for the world. They didn’t know about Salem and we never told society in earnest. Cinder and other conspirators were enough to make Remnant work together to boost defense. Relief went to places that needed it and I, became the face of hope. Haven, Argus, Atlas, even people from Vale got to chattering of a particular group of people who always seemed to answer the call for help. Then the towns in between chattered. Yours truly had been carving a name in the history books and was only gain popularity the moment I stepped into Vacou, alone.

Blake:Alone!?

Weiss:What!?

Yang:Where were we!!!!!?

Ruby looked at surprised faces around the table, smiling tenderly. She looked down her dress and pulled out the cross she wore around her neck. Her thumb traced its edges as her mind began wandering down an old path paved with emotions raw to the core.

Ruby:I’ve always felt different. Not just because of my eyes but that there was just...a certain spark that never stopped going off for as long as I remember. There are plenty of people who can’t bare to watch others suffer, but there are fewer people I believe that truly feel the agony of other people’s pain. Beacon, Haven, Atlas, Argus; there was no place I went that I didn’t see the faces of others lamenting, and I didn’t make me want to grieve. Atlas took so much out of all of you and I just felt so....driven to stop that ache. For everyone’s sake, but mine as well. I wanted the world to finally get to the happy ending. Enough trauma had be sowed for a hundred lifetimes, so I went on ahead of everyone. I never doubted you all would follow but I wanted to get ahead of the curve and take on as much of the suffering I could do others wouldn’t. If the world wouldn’t give me a miracle than I’d be it myself for everyone else.

Yang:That’s suicidal! Salem wanted you specifically!

Ruby:It’s not like I went marching up to her door and said “1v1 bitch, I’m here” no, I just chose to move forward quicker than what we were all doing. Believe me, all of you were upset when you caught up, after I had already saved Vacou. *smiles* I really like that place. I told the people it was the next target and all they did was double down on pushing back. I managed to pin down the Summer maiden before the villains and thanks with the city on alert, there wasn’t a shift in the sand that didn’t go unnoticed. I got the jump on Mercury and Emerald, personally paying them back. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. It didn’t take long before they realized how screwed they were with them being outed like this and Cinder having the nerve to retreat before hand. Both of them threw in the total, outing the plan against Vacou. A wipeout of a win. Not to mention they told me the location Salem’s little hiding hole.

Weiss:We missed all of that?

Ruby:That’s what happens when I leave in the dead of night and running on adrenaline. Like I said before, people were tired. As much as all of you wanted to hoof it, other’s were relying on you. Atlas almost dropped for gods sake. Eventually when you all caught up it was at a good time. Soloing was rewarding but difficult. Fortunately Sun, Neptune, Ilia, and a few other familiar faces were close by if I needed an extra set of hands. My little stunt earned the anger of everyone for awhile.

WBY:Yeah no shit...the leader left.

Ruby:Yang was the most upset, followed by Uncle Qrow, and you Weiss. I was ready for the blowback. Jaune and Nora saw me though and bursted into tears. Hehe, wasn’t ready for that. Felt terrible and cried back. To prevent that stunt again, my Yang convinced Raven to link me. A couple days of apologizing and rest smoothed things over. It also gave time for just a few close friends and colleagues to get together for an assault on Salem’s castle. A few were apprehensive about it at first but at the end of the day I was going. That attitude was infectious apparently. You guys, actually everybody, they started getting this hunger to end it all. Maybe it was the high of victory? Regardless, it sent me racing to the end with those that I loved most.

Yang:You’re a real “my way or the highway” kind of Ruby. I don’t get how that explains what made you so...elite.

Ruby:I’m not sure what to say. A fight needed to to fought so I fought it. A cry for help was heard so I ran to it. A grimm needed slaying so I slayed it. People needed me to win so I didn’t dare think of losing. Dying was never option, even when it stared me right into my eyes. I had things I wanted to do and people I wanted see for years to come. I guess...I am strong because of the fact I want things my way. A moment I’m not giving it 110% is a moment wasted. After all, a huntress is all I ever wanted to be.

A single dream she wanted since birth. The never ending desire to be the hero in stories told to her many nights ago. That’s all it ever was. That’s all it’s ever been. Even in meadow of beautiful red roses, one would be the rose that captured the eyes of many, that bloomed stronger than the rest. As simple as it was, that had to be the answer here. Weiss, Yang, and Blake were in front of that flower. The Ruby Rose that simply bloomed stronger than the rest. The one that clung to her dream as if letting go meant dying itself. The devotion was inspiring, yet also overwhelming. If this was Ruby they had lead them that day in the Emerald Forest, could they have kept up? Could she be the leader they followed? No, they couldn’t have. Something deep down inside them gave them that answer. No matter how she looked and how much she loved, this Ruby Rose was cut from a cloth they simply weren’t off. The same as others, but oh so different.

Weiss:You’re....kinda a monster, you know that right?

Yang:Seriously, I’m so...floored. It’s intimidating.

Blake:Not to mention humbling. I used to think I gave it all I had. Now I’m not so sure.

Ruby:Oh don’t be like that you three! You’re all living proof there was more than way to go about life, this war! Everything you gave was enough because you’re done with it! Nobody failed. Besides, I...am far from ideal. The assault was challenging. Getting around hoards of grimm and making it to Salem was hell made real. Neo tried taking another shot at me but Yang held her off with help. Everyone pushed the obstacles in front of me out of the way as I went to Salem herself. Cinder had been abandoned by her and stripped of a lot of her powers. Angry and desperate, she tried killing me again as a way to prove worth. I beat her. However, I let her walk away.

Yang:What!? Why would-

Ruby:Naive, I was...naive okay? She was all spent and though I hated her, I just couldn’t. Not when I looked into her eyes and saw that same hunger I had to claw and scream at my dream until it was in my hands die inside her. We both knew from this point on there was absolutely nothing she could do where this ends her way. All she worked for turned burned to ash. So I gave her the choice to not burn up with it. Cinder swallow her pride and then fled. A part of me couldn’t help but rationalize killing her didn’t solve or justify any of my beliefs or desires. It would’ve done it because I hated her like she hated me. That was the dumb logic of a seventeen year old who never quite learned to take things slow.

Blake:....I don’t think it’s dumb. Naive for sure, but maybe that’s good? Even my Ruby, she never wanted to act on hate. She didn’t. Salem lives.

Weiss:Mine sent her soul to be at piece instead of passing a cruel judgment.

Yang:As a person who’s seen what you looked like with nothing but vengeance inside, I can say it doesn’t fit you. Before that day you had a warmth inside you to even foes that were somewhat admirable. You chose to leave Cinder’s fate up to those who had that hate and Salem was undone by her own doing at the very end. That’s what really makes you special Ruby. That’s why you’re called an honest soul. Good will is your nature.

Ruby:....Hmm, you sure know how to butter me up. *scratches head* I guess that part of me is uni-I mean multiversal. Strangely, that makes me feel better, to a degree.

Weiss:Do we even have to ask what happened to Salem at this point? I doubt the story ends with you loosing and having to retreat.

Ruby:Who’s to say it doesn’t? I could’ve been beaten to death before the gods themselves descended down to revive me with awesome power.

Yang:....Did you?

Ruby:Wh-No! Haha, I made her an immortal statue.

Blake:I-It was that easy?

Ruby:Well I wouldn’t call rushing into hell’s castle easy, or Salem. I lit her up at least a dozen times. My head pounded from each use, I was tossed around a bunch, magic is annoying, and not to mention running out of ammo. I left nothing to the imagination in that fight. If it were easy then I wouldn’t be rooting my horn and my age doing it. I was so tired I blacked out afterwards. I woke days later with a sore body and the title of “Remnant’s Savior.” Apparently beating Salem had weakened the grimm everywhere and all of you made sure who was to be thanked for it. That’s the tale of how I saved the world with my friends. Love, trust, elbow grease, and a lot of bullets. Before the final battle, Ozpin had struck a deal with everyone involved. In return for saving the world, he’d cut ties with us.

Yang:Seriously? What brought that about!?

Ruby:Good or not, he lied and was a schemer. Sure I was gonna try to save the world regardless of his interference but there wasn’t a person alive that didn’t to finally take a step towards the future after all this. All of us finally had time chase dreams and help the world the way we wanted to before all of this. Blake begin mending hate, Weiss took back her company, if Yang wasn’t with Blake then she was seeking more answers to Raven on wild adventures.

Yang:You mean Raven still left after all that!?

Ruby:In her defense, both of you made everything fucking awkward when she was around. It’s like you both wanted to talk about something but knew any subject was a land mine so you all you ever did was...stare, like weirdos. Glad that’s in the past. She just lives with dad now and you two now to hold a conversation. I dare not ask for more. I’d be a granny by the time I did.

Yang:Sigh...I don’t know what I expected. Shit it the fan several times and children were born before mom and I found solidarity and understanding. What did you do afterwards? Your goal was already met.

Ruby:Like hell it was! I started busting my butt traveling around the world, visiting every place to help in anyways I could. Ren and Nora tagged along for awhile before going off to make an orphanage in Anima near Ren’s old village. That left Jaune and I to do our hero thing.

Yang:As well as other things....

Ruby:Hey, what can I say? We were young and going up in the world. By the time I was nineteen, I was now a married to my partner and best friend.

Weiss:Uhhhh-

Ruby:He’s my partner on RNJR and you’re my BFF, gosh did I really need to explain that hehe?

Weiss:I just had to make sure. Crazier twists could happen.

Blake:Wow you married young. Not that there’s a problem but I’m surprised. Then again you also dated earlier than my Ruby. Hehe, weapons were on her brain for a long time.

Weiss:No kidding. When I learned about you crushing on my brother I was shocked to find out you liked anybody in general. Especially a person who isn’t a weapon nut in the slightest.

Ruby:*shrugs* All you’re telling me is I’m clearly the most impatient or impulsive Ruby you all know. Don’t know how that happened. Maybe I was dropped as a baby or had one too many coffees growing up?

Weiss:I’m willing to bet it’s both.

Ruby:Ruuuuude. So yeah, that’s...the story of how I saved the world and married Jaune. We even built a home just outside Vacou, overlooking the kingdom and neighboring town in the distance where Maria grew up. Yeah, that’s me....more or less. All the triumphant parts anyways. Anything later on is......

.......

Blake:R...Ruby? You okay?

Ruby:Nope, not really. *clenches cross*

Yang:......You know, I never really got religion, especially after learning the truth. It just seemed completely hollow when you learn of the real gods, ya know? However, I changed my tune a bit after being a parent and then some more when uncle Qrow died. It was never really about the truth behind if those other gods were real-

Ruby:It’s the piece of mind in believing in a better place for loved ones and having people watch over you. It’s truly based on blind faith in every sense but that’s okay as long as it gives peace of mind, to stay strong. Yeah....that’s why I wear this.

Yang:If that’s the “why” then I guess the unavoidable question is what happened?

The reaper leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. Ruby brushed her hair out of her face while her face went pale. Then, Ruby’s eyes, her teammates watched a pair of stunning silver eyes dim, becoming akin to a clouded mirror.

Ruby:Being a huntress was all I wanted. The plan of having a family and settling down never appealed to me much. I feel, I felt like being in the field was where I was meant to be. It’s where I was most myself in a way. So the day I learned that I was pregnant was more than a little upsetting and terrifying, until dad and time itself filled me with the most genuine joy I may have ever experienced. Dustin Arc Rose, my first born son. He opened a door to a world and life I never knew I wanted to be apart of. Then...that door was shut minutes after, when Cinder and Neo stole him right from my arms. I couldn’t do a single thing about it other than blackout. That single act of good will I showed, it did nothing but kill me inside. The same way I did to her.

WB:.....

Yang:Ru-Ruby....your eyes.

Ruby:Hmm? Are they clouded? Funny, I would’ve thought your Ruby would’ve had a similar change. Maybe that’s a world exclusive thing, or a testament to the will you Ruby has to endure. Clouded eyes on a silver eyed warrior means the person has lost the desire or rather the mindset of persevering life. Be it their own life or wanting to end another’s life out of resentment, strife. My entire world fell apart when I woke up and learned nobody was able to retrieve Dustin. I was in pieces, Jaune was broken, nobody was the same. There wasn’t a soul we didn’t know that hadn’t tried to find a lead, but we never did. He was just...gone; and I couldn’t cope at all.

Weiss:I don’t think any mother could. Ruby, I’m so sorry that happened to you.

Ruby:I’m sorry too. I lashed out in anger, and shut people out. My eyes clouded and I dove into my work for a little over a year doing nothing but searching aimlessly as I took and every job back to back. The more time went by meant the more people eventually had to go back to their own, and it drove me up a wall inside. No one could reach me. I didn’t want anybody to. Not even Jaune. I....*teary eyed* I left him alone in house. There was no part of me that could even attempt to understand his pain because I was drowning in mine. I was told he tried his best to catch them at the hospital. I never hated him for not succeeding but I...he... I just, I can’t. I don’t know what I thought. All o knew was I didn’t even want him to touch me. How cruel is that? *hugging herself* I made him drown in despair in the same way I was. I wasn’t home so often that I never realized he eventually left it abandoned to live with dad. Yang and Blake I didn’t even show up to your wedding. Jaune did that much. Hell, Raven attended. Ruby Rose as a person didn’t exist any more. I was only a wandering huntress looking for answers or the challenge that might’ve ended me.

Blake:What changed?

Ruby:Oz, he did what nobody else dared to do. He fought me. I don’t think he thought twice about it. He was prepared to accept all the anger I kept inside until I eventually broke down into tears like I’m trying not to do right now. Thinking about that time is still, extremely difficult. Oz let me lament, encouraging me afterwards to finally except the fact Dustin was gone and that I needed to process it properly. First I went to you Yang, in order to have a my big sis to lean on. Can you guess how that went?

Yang:With me holding you tighter than I ever had before.

Ruby:*smiles gently* I don’t deserve you. You and Blake then came to patch with me where everyone else waited for me and helped me face Jaune. That may have been the hardest thing I’ve done. Grieving or not, the fact that I left him in such a state. I know what that does to people firsthand and yet I left. For the first time in over a year we embraced and finally grieved together. The next two years were spent trying to heal and cope. During my time away the world had fully acknowledged me. I even got a proper nickname, but it all felt hollow. Imagine that, achieving your dream but not caring? If that’s not salt in a wound then I don’t know what is.

Weiss:What’s your title?

Ruby:I am the person people want to see when evil comes to cut their story short. I am a symbol that their tale still has more to tell. Remnant has named me The Storyteller. Curtsey of Maria, who spread the name around. Healing was slow and most nights I felt a pain in my heart, but then everything changed. One moment made me dare to try again to open that shut door in my life. *looks at Yang* I held your son in my arms. Sweet little Kovu.

Blake:*smiles* Kovu? Now I wonder who named him?

Yang:*red* Huh...how about that? Hehehe, wish I could meet him. I know he isn’t technically mine but I can’t help but feel all warm now. Also I can’t believe I named him that!

Weiss:I can. Veronica’s middle name is Nala.

Yang:Okay, maybe not marrying Blake was a win? Clearly I can’t be trusted to not name my children after other cats.

Blake:The wrong kind of cat too. I’m a panther faunus, not a lion. Even if they’re blonde that’s still false advertising of what they are.

Ruby:Well Yang was the one giving birth so you lost a majority of the option to complain.

Blake:That is fair.

Weiss:You gave birth to Vee, so I think that solves who picked her first name.

Ruby rested her head in her propped up hands that rested on the table. She felt exhausted reliving that chapter of her life mentally. Still she managed to smile, then smile bigger. Her eyes unclouded and a warm feeling filling her again. What Ruby said earlier about what made her different may have reign true, but her friends could since that there was now more to it. Ruby had spiraled into an unimaginable tragedy, yet was able to bounce back thanks to loved ones. To smile as she does, it was truly a strong sight to see. Even if she wasn’t fully aware of that.

Ruby:Carmine Arc Rose, my second born and the first child to call me mommy. Followed many years later by itty bitty Garnet. He’s my little man, five years old while is big sis is seventeen now.

Yang:Damn! That’s a gap. Oh, also congratulations. Almost forgot that part. I’m glad you got to be the super awesome mom that-

Ruby:I am easily C-teir.

Yang:Oh come on! What!?

Ruby:Listen, I know I got on you all for calling yourselves bad parents, but I will hear no debate about me understand!? I flop a lot of times.

Weiss:That doesn’t make you a C-teir. That makes you a new mom, silly.

Ruby:*grumbling* I agree to disagree but thank you. It’s just a lot okay. Too much to dive into honestly.

Blake:Summarize. Give us an abbreviated version.

Ruby:Ummm so Carmine is real special kid. The absolute love I have for her is unbreakable but gods damnit if she isn’t the most... “me” I could be! In a way similar yet different from myself, Carmine has always had this sense of urgency in her and a love for the world around her. She recognizes that it’s a fragile piece we have and just how hard I’ve worked with everyone to make it. I could tell that from her when she was five. I’d sound crazy, but the fact she used her eyes at the age proves I’m not.

Yang:She has silver eyes!? Why didn’t you bring that up?

Ruby:I thought that was obvious. All of my kids were born with then. Unlike her baby brother though, Carmine was a weird little kid. She didn’t socialize well. Still doesn’t, she’s kinda comes off rude and cold because of her bluntness. She doesn’t really express all her feelings or understand others fully. One might call her a little cold but the passion she had to protect life itself is a testament to how much she cares. Carmine is also a genius fighter. To put in perspective, people use the same nickname for her that they used for Pyrrha.

WBY:Oh....

Ruby:Yeah! It’s not hyperbolic to say ever since Carmine is far beyond any skill I was at her age since she turned thirteen. You called me a monster earlier but no, I merely gave birth to a beast. I mean she could pass the huntsman exam at fifteen if I didn’t make her wait. I can’t call her arrogant, she talks with confidence because she has that right by all means. Still, besides her face, that’s where the similarities start separating; besides terrible grades in general stuff. We’ve never been in step completely. To put simply in her own words, “What I am is a hero, while she is a huntress.” That good will and mercy I try to give everyone isn’t how she rolls. It drives a real wedge that has resulted in us not going on missions together.

Blake:Is she...killing?

Ruby:She has before, and it had valid reasons entirely, but I also know for a fact she is more than capable of bringing down people without taking that step. Not all cases are that intense thank goodness. Her overall aggressiveness is the root of the problem. You don’t have to put you back into it when handling thugs. They aren’t Hazel.

Yang:Ooo okay, yeah I’m seeing what you mean now. It’s like that one comic you always read!

Ruby:Sigh...yeah she channels a bit of Batman energy and I need her to not do that all the time. I suppose being an honest soul isn’t particularly hereditary. It always feels like we aren’t enjoying each other’s company these days. I can’t blame her though. So....you know how all of you have had one serious problem that has both destabilized yourself as well as the kids and their relationship to you? *clouded eyes*

Weiss:Wait...you loosing a child wasn’t that?

Ruby:Oh it was. It just so happened that it never ended. It grew day by day. Night by night. Jaune and I were cautious with Carmine. Going as far to give her contacts and giving birth to her off the record and not at a hospital. Just in case Cinder came back. Well, Cinder and Neo came back, with my Dustin.

Nobody said anything. What do you even say to that!? All they did was let out a stifled breath and tried to gauge Ruby’s look of guilt.

Ruby:Yet again we had gotten too comfortable. It happened when Carmine was thirteen. I don’t think Garnet was even one yet. That’s when the cruelest realization hit me. My son had been alive and hearing about how his so called mother being a person who saves everyone, yet she never came for him. She had moved on, letting his eyes become clouded with such seething hate for the world she did save; the children she had after. It’s been four years since the day he attacked Carmine and helped grimm try to invade Vacou. To this day it’s been a life of staying on gaurd, searching for them as they popped up countless places to tear Remna- to tear me down and I can’t decide what part hurts the most. The amount of anger that prevents me from killing Cinder in a blink of an eye, or looking at my daughter who has told me herself that she is going to kill her older brother because I’m too weak to do so. That I’m in no way as good as the world believes me to be. *puts hood up* Like I said, C-teir mom, at best.

Blake:That’s- you can’t- there’s no way for you to reach him? Maybe if you-

Ruby:He looks at me the same way Neo and Cinder do, Blake. They raised him to hate me. Besides, he hurt Carmine. She’s just not gonna let that slide and frankly I shouldn’t either. Carmine acts tough and for the most part is, but gets terrified like everyone else. In many ways she’s still just a young girl that I wish had never chosen to become a huntress. If I had it my way she’d just be a normal girl with normal knees; but her mother’s weakness and inexperience wrapped her up in yet another war. It’s ironic. I barely remember mom and yet I ended up putting my family in very similar situation as if she lead instruction. Happy endings, I’m not sure if I get-

Yang:You’re better than mom....

Ruby:......

Yang:Yeah I said. Look I love Summer Rose but at the end of the day she wasn’t around, not that she didn’t want to be, but it’s the truth. Several years of pleasant childhood memories and a lifetime of grief is what she left me, and all you got were tales you should’ve experienced first hand. Ruby you have spent seventeen years loving your daughter unconditionally and being there for her no matter if it’s for better or worse. Yeah you might not being doing it perfectly and I have no idea how to even fathom your predicament, but at least you are there trying. Take it from me, that’s all a daughter ever wants from their mother. It’s also what makes a pretty kick ass dad. *smiles* Chin up, hero. Your story isn’t over yet after all.

Silence filled the air and Ruby’s throat ran dry. Ruby pulled out her scroll to go to her pictures and displayed one of her favorite photos for everyone to see. It was Carmine’s fifteenth birthday. Ruby didn’t lie about the resemblance. the girl had short blonde hair that stopped halfway down her neck in the back and was longer in the front, reaching shoulders. Like her mother, the tips of her hair transitioned to red. The beautiful young woman tried to her hide her smile but her gleeful silver eyes were practically twinkling with joy as Ruby hugged her tightly from behind and a tall, more solid version of Jaune was smushing one of Carmine’s cheeks with an overly dramatic kiss to it. A tiny child no older than three at most was in his big sister’s arms. Garnet had his mother’s hair and eyes but something about the chubby face definitely showed Jaune’s features. The child had red frosting on his face and was reaching eagerly for more cake somewhere out of frame.

Yang noticed the girl took page from her father and wore some regular cargo shorts, but clearly didn’t lack flair by wearing a red crop top that showed off a fresh tattoo of the Arc crest on her toroso. Knowing her sister, that tattoo was most likely practical. The family looked happy, proud; and the mother of it currently sat across the table crying with her head face down in her hands cwhile Weiss and Blake hugged her from each side. Roses may have thorns, anyone who knew roses knew a simple truth. They’re still fragile flowers.

Yang:(Carmine Arc Rose. For you and your mother’s sake, I hope things go well)

xxxx

Though Carmine seemed cold by nature, people were quick learn the opposite. The most recent learner of this was a scared little girl that held on for dear life. It was nighttime, nothing but the sound of pouring rain and the distant glow of red and the warmth of Carmine holding the girl against her body while she sprinted through a mud ridden forest. The little payed no attention to the pain in her side, but the glow of roses, eyes, and flames through her tear filled eyes.

Beowulves chased frantically but then severed immediately by something the girl couldn’t understand, but it looked like the person carrying her. The dead beasts brought no comfort. Not when more followed close behind.

Girl:I-I’m sc...scared!

Carmine:Don’t look at them sweetie, it’ll be fine. Just keep being a brave little girl.

Girl:M...Mommy was back there.

Carmine:.....I know, she’ll be just fine. Your village, there are plenty of people there that will be just fine! Huff..... You got a name?

Mary:Mary.....

Carmine:Oh that’s a beautiful name, Mary. You know I was almost a Mary? Yeah my grandma was a really amazing person and I almost got named something similar to her. Mary is a very strong name!

Mary:You’re a liar! I’m sad, not strong. I want my mommy! Everything his dark and hurts and I want her!

The girl began painfully crying as Carmine followed her trail of roses to avoid getting lost. Things were getting worse. The storm raged and she could feel this girl burning in her arms. Not to mention the unsettling warmth the mixed with the cold rain against her body and dripped to puddles below. Any grimm near by could only be dealt with by many copies of her nearby, but that would only go so far when fear was out full force. Carmine’s boots felt like cement, but she still ran.

Carmine:Mary, you know what do when I miss my mommy? I sing! Yeah, my mom sings the best lullabies that made me feel super strong when I was little! It’s a magic song that makes everyone strong. How about I sing it you and they can sing it your mommy later okay!? But you have to close your eyes to really focus on the words!

Mary:*sniffling* Okay....

Baby deathstalkers swarmed the path made ahead as small Nevermores dove at her. Out of options, Carmine broke from the path, trying to rely on memory to go towards the safe zone while also singing lyrics to her favorite song.

Dream of anything; I'll make it all come true.

Everything you need is all I'll have for you~

Carmine never wavered. No matter how badly her lungs her or nearly slipped, she kept singing all the way to her destination where several other clones were seen racing towards with more civilians to injured or young to go themselves. An orphanage where Nora and Ren stood outside rushing people in while Jaune was keeping the grimm at bay. The sight brought a little ease.

Don't worry, I've got you; nothing will ever harm you.

I'm close by, I'll stay here; through all things, I will be near~

Carmine finally reached Nora and passed off the girl who’s grip weakened overtime. A few lyrics in and Carmine knew she was singing mainly for herself.

Carmine:Get her medical attention! I’m gonna go and find more! There’s still-

Jaune:Wait, it’s too dangerous!

Carmine:I know! That’s why I have to go! That fire is spreading and there’s stragglers pinned down! Dad.....I’m pinned down!

Jaune tensed up and looked at Carmine. No scraps on her and her clothes only soiled by others. It didn’t take long to realize. The man resisted the urge to run out to the ruined town and stood firmly.

Jaune:Carmine...end it. We’ll worry about the consequences later.

Carmine:....Okay.

Across the woods amongst the flames the real Carmine stood bleeding and bruised in front of two Beringel that charged over the vanishing corpses of their fallen with more grimm, her sword stabbed into the ground supporting her weight. Behind all living people that remained finally managed to flee. All except for a woman trapped by house debris. The woman watched this young huntsman stand proudly again. She wasn’t sure what happened next. All she heard was one sentence.

“Close your eyes...” before everything went white. Next thing she knew, Carmine was lifting debris off her as rain and wind washed away any evidence. A relief she didn’t care about in the slightest. She neither had the strength, or the time too. Much like Carmine, who began to pant and teeter. It was clear to the woman that whatever just happened didn’t come without cost as she watched the girl fall to her knees. Though she tried moving, Carmine was spent.

Carmine:Don’t worry...we’re safe....let’s-

Woman:Go...

Carmine:Huh?

Woman:I...my legs. Everything...I can’t move. Just go. I d-don’t think I’d las-

Carmine:Don’t talk like that! The hard parts over! I can-

Woman:Barely walk. *smiles* It’s okay. I don’t blame you. You fought hard.

Carmine:.....I...I’m sorry. *teary eyed*

Woman:Say, I know that face anywhere. Your Lady Rose’s kid. Funny, I thought your eyes were red? My daughter, Mary, she loves your mother. Makes me kinda jealous hehe, but hey I love her too. *crying* Do you know if Mary made it? She was wearing-

Carmine:A black dress, pink ribbons in her hair...

Woman:Yes! Is she safe? I saw you- one of you carry her off.

Carmine:...She’s just fine.

Woman:Good. That’s all....that.....

The woman never finished her sentence. Carmine’s body fell limp on the ground, facing the rain. Even with the cold downpour she could feel the warmth of her own tears, containing her emotions best she could as she looked through her clones eyes to watch Nora take Mary away from the survivors and out of sight to not stir further panic.

Carmine wasn’t sure how long she layed there, but it was long enough for Jaune to find her. The man didn’t say a word. The town was in shambles. Grimm were still fading and his daughter looked tired, but not in serious condition. Unlike the those who didn’t make it. Jaune put Carmine in his arms, carrying her away to safety.

Carmine:......Does mom ever save them all?

Jaune:No, but that never stops her from trying; or mourning.

She clenched her father’s shirt and let herself be fragile, to be a Rose.

Carmine:Next time. Mom and I, we’ll both get it right next time. A happy ending for all!

Jaune:Yeah, I know you will. Together....

[sabo-has-my-heart]

Okay, you got me sobbing with the First Snow of the season alternative ending 😭

Is it still alright if I were to ask a continuation? After so 3 years passed, Name moved back to her old city as a successful Ceo of a well-known company. Sabo was confused when he got a vall from a unknown number but only to get shocked when it's Name that's calling and telling him to meet her a the airport, her saying that she'll visit her company's branch in her old city for a month or so. Excited, Sabo went to get her from the airport, stunned as he saw the newly reformed Name. After getting her settled down on Sabo's apartment (Ace and Luffy moved out months ago), the two went to reconnect with one another, telling stories that they experienced. Then Name asked Sabo if "they" are still dating but before the latter can answer her, a call from Sabo's company told him that he should head back for an emergency meeting. He apologized to Name for the sudden interruption but she just smiled at him, telling him to go. Smiling dorkily, Sabo went away, his love for Name rekindling. Being left alone, Name went to travel around her favorite places in the city, making sure to avoid her parents/relatives and 'them.' She then went to her favorite Cafe to relax but she saw Ace with Koala, but apparently they are arguing. She went to avoid them, witnessing her furious sister stomping away from the cafe, leaving the irritated Ace behind. And then, Name's and Ace's eyes met. The reader runs out, the male following after her, trying to get her attention.

Sorry for the long description hehe. So here's the thing. After knowing that Name went to another country without anyone knowing, Ace realized how much she means to him. You see, Name and Koala are very different from one another. Koala, apparently, have a superiority complex, always thinking (and secretly boasting) that she's always the better one out of the two. Ace came to learn how bossy and demanding Koala was, getting into arguments with her every other week. So after being in a relationship with her for almost 3 years, he decided to broke up with her, telling her that Name is WAY Better and Kinder than Koala. Shocked, the latter grew furious at him that he's blind and stupid to think that Name is better than her before stomping away out of the Cafe. And that's where the reader's and Ace's chase began.

Angst #3 and 1, if you may! Thank you! Again, I apologize for the very long request details, hehe. Peace ✌️

Warnings: build up to angst

Word Count: 1180

So I had to make this into a two part fic because it was just so… 🤌. I know you put the beginning part in the request, but I wanted to write it as well, so I did. This first part isn’t really angst, but it’s kind of a build up for the later angst.

It had been 3 years since you’d left, the first 2 had been hard for him, he missed you every day for the first year, his heart aching on top of Ace, Koala, Luffy, and your mother being pissed with him for helping you and not telling them. The second had seen their continued anger, but his yearning had died down some. By the third, he was able to go about his day without thinking about you for the most part and everyone but Ace had forgiven him completely. Well, sort of, Koala was still a little miffed, but she usually hid it well. Looking around his apartment, Sabo sighed. It was quiet without Luffy and Ace, both boys having moved out. Ace had moved out in his anger at Sabo and Luffy wanted to share a college dorm with his friends. Fuck, Luffy was in college right now. He’d been about to graduate high school when he last saw you. What would you think if you saw him now, 21, able to drink, looking more grown up than ever! Despite only being 3 years younger than him, it felt like just yesterday the boy was coming home from middle school and telling them about his new friend, Usopp. The sound of an incoming text message drew Sabo’s attention, the blond unlocking his phone and opening the messenger. ‘Sabo, Airport, Thursday, gate 15, 3 PM, -an old friend’. Sabo’s brow furrowed, an old friend? He had a lot of old friends who’d moved away over the years, who the hell was this one? Still, it was clearly meant for him, it literally had his name on it.

Looking around, Sabo tried searching for anyone who might look familiar. It wasn’t until he heard his name that he saw you, eyes widening as you ran up to him, throwing your arms around him in a tight hug. You looked so different yet so unchanged. You were wearing what looked like a very expensive outfit, your hair was done up in a nice, sophisticated style, and you were carrying what looked to be an expensive purse.

“Y-Y/n? What are you doing here?” Sabo asked, stunned.

“I’ve got uh… business here. But that’s not what matters, what matters is look at you! You look great!” you said, grinning at him. 

“Me? I feel like I hardly changed, you’re the one who looks great, those clothes look expensive.” Sabo commented, making you grin.

“They are, but first, my luggage.” you said, grabbing his wrist and heading for the luggage area.

“Oh, so that’s it? First time in 3 years and your luggage is what matters?” Sabo teased, the both of you laughing.

“You know that’s not true. We can talk on the way there and on the way to my hotel.” you said, rolling your eyes.

“Now wait just a minute!” Sabo said, planting his feet, stopping the both of you, causing you to squeak as you came to sudden stop.

“There’s no way I’m letting you stay in a hotel. When you’re in town, you’re supposed to stay with friends and I’ve got an empty apartment and spare room all to myself. You’re staying with me.” Sabo demanded, making you sigh exasperatedly.

“You don’t need to do that, it’s a nice hotel.” you said reassuringly.

“Not happening, besides, it’ll save you money.” Sabo said, giving you a smile. You rolled your eyes at the boy.

“Trust me, I don’t need to worry about that. I’ve got cash to burn.” you said, making the boy cock an eyebrow.

“And how did you manage to get so much cash, huh?” he asked, not quite believing you. You gave him a somewhat devious smirk.

“I finally did it. I finally got what I wanted.” you said, making Sabo stare at you in surprise. You’d only ever wanted 2 things as long as he’d known you. One was Ace and clearly that wasn’t what you were talking about. Meaning that there could only be one other thing it was. You’d outdone Koala.

“How?” was all Sabo could manage as he stared at you, you smirk turning into an ear to ear grin.

“You ever hear of Laughtale industries?” you asked.

“Are you kidding? Who hasn’t? They’re one of the fastest growing companies in the last decade, they’re building a branch here in the city… wait, are you a senior member? Are you going to be overlooking this branch?” Sabo asked, simultaneously excited and floored. You threw your head back and laughed, confusing him.

“I suppose you could call me a senior member, the most senior member, in fact. I was working as part of it before it even existed.” you said, making Sabo’s jaw drop. Before it existed? It couldn’t be.

“But… that can’t be right. The CEO of Laughtale industries is a woman named Lusa and she’s rarely ever been seen at any of the new branches that have been popping up.” Sabo stated, only making you laugh harder.

“Lu-Sa, Luffy, Sabo…” you said. Sabo wasn’t sure he could take much more of this, you were the CEO of one of his favorite companies, your alias was made in honor of him and his brother, you’d…

“HOW!?” Sabo shouted, not caring about the people who turned to look at him.

“I told you, I’ll explain on the way. Now come on!” you said, once again pulling him to retrieve your luggage.

Entering the old apartment, you smiled, it was infinitely cleaner with just Sabo, that was for sure, and you could only guess that the fridge was more well stocked with only one person eating from it now.

“It looks cleaner. Now, I know we already did some catching up on the way here, but there’s still a lot that we haven’t talked about.” you said, flopping down on the couch, smiling.

“I suppose there are a few things. But I’ve asked plenty about you, you’ve got to have some questions for me.” Sabo said, sitting in one of the living room chairs.

“There are… a few.” you said, suddenly looking very serious. Sabo knew that look, he knew what you were talking about and it made the old pain in his heart start up again. He’d remembered why he’d fallen for you, what he loved about you. Talking about it only made the old rage return.

“Are they?”

“They-” a ringing pulling you both out of your thoughts, Sabo quickly answering his phone, arguing with someone for a moment before sighing and hanging up.

“Well, I may not own my own company, but the one I work for needs me. I don’t really want to go but will you be alright if…” Sabo trailed off, watching as you nodded, smiling at him.

“It’s all good, I understand, besides, I could use to look around the city, see some old sights, see what’s changed, no worries.” you said, giving him a comforting smile. Sabo nodded in understanding.

“Here’s a spare key in case you need it. Thanks for understanding. I’ll finish up as quickly as possible.” Sabo said before taking off.