#i know envy is a thing and i know people write for different reasons but

[rowanisawriter]

you know. thinking like about numbers now, after seeing a few posts about this. if you’re getting a lot of attention on your fics you will still be you, still going to work every day, still hanging out with the same people, still living the same life. and if you don’t get a lot of attention on your fics you will still be you, still going to work every day, still hanging out with the same people, still living the same life. so the only difference between getting a lot of attention and less attention is the answer to this question: Are you having fun writing?

[writers-potion]

Suggestions for a body swap story? They seem harder to write

Body-Swapping Stories: I Understand You In A Particular Way

The high-concept of a body swap story is versatile, with endless possibilities. The main factors of a body-swapping plot would typically be comprised of:

Two people whose souls are being interchanged (the catalyst)

Awkward/funny/dangerous things they encounter by living the life of the other person (main premise of the story) 

A resolution brought about through insight gained by the protagonist about the other person’s perspective/secrets, with a promise to act differently once they’re returned to their original body. (the moral of the story)

Why are body-swapping stories appealing? Among many reasons, the central premise of such a story is to address the theme of: how much do we really know about others? 

As souls living in one body only, we encounter problems due to our lack of understanding about others around us, including external conflict, jealousy, misunderstanding, etc. It is a universal human experience to be curious about what’s in another person’s head and want to be somebody else sometimes.

By forcing the protagonist to experience “thinking inside another person’s shoes” in the literal sense, body-swapping stories tend to be versions of the characters growing up by breaking out of their old worldview to widen their intellectual horizons. 

Here is a list of common story components and patterns for a body-swapping story.

A Body Swapping Mechanism 

The body swap happens out of the blue as a one-time occurrence: a lightning strike, electric shock, supermoon, weird potion, etc. In this case, not much justification is required as there is no magical system or follow-up about why this happens.

A higher power conducts the body swap: a fairy, a disgruntled God trying to teach a lesson, a reputable couple therapist, etc. The rationale here is that this higher power is trying to redeem/punish the protagonists. 

One character actively wishes to have their body swapped: the school nerd who envies the prom queen, a daughter who wants to be a grown-up, a poor man wanting to be the rich man next door, etc. 

A character has the ability to “infiltrate” other people’s bodies. They use this ability in an attempt to solve a mystery, espionage, disguise a murder, etc. 

Only “destined pairs” can swap bodies. In this case, a bit of justification/worldbuilding would be good to convince the readers how these people are paired (bloodline, soulmates?).

Body swaps are conducted through a specific ritual or potion. This can be a candles-and-pentagon type, a magical notebook, a specific dance, etc. 

Body swaps are common in the story world, and everybody (with certification/practice/of age) can use this ability. 

The character(s) do something wrong which sets the swap in motion.

The Relationship Between Two (or more) People Getting Swapped

Relationships with long-standing misunderstanding: busy parent & unhappen child; couples on the brink of breakup; siblings with beef; strict teacher & irresponsible student, etc. 

In a romantic arc, a potential couple who are now going to fall in love as a result of this body swap

A human and an animal/supernatural creature 

Enemy relationships: the head of rival companies; a murderer and his victim, etc. 

If you have a magic system, your choice of people would depend on what the magic system dictates. Ask the question: is this someone my protagonist must learn about? 

Things to Explore

Protagonist(s) exploring each other’s bodies

Them arguing over how the other person should/shouldn’t use their bodies

Them trying to keep secrets from each other.

Them teaching the other person about how they should/shouldn’t act so that the body swap goes unnoticed by others around them. 

Them snooping around each other’s lives and secrets without the other knowing.

Them trying crazy stuff they’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t due to physical constraints.

The Purpose of the Body Swap

Providing the entrance into a new (fantasy) world. Ex) Human swapping bodies with a witch, forcing them to learn about the secret society of magicians.

Teaching the protagonist a hard-earned lesson. Ex) An ungrateful child gets to live a day in the life of her mother which humbles her. 

To resolve a long-standing (romantic) conflict. 

To provide a tool for crime, with unexpected consequences. 

Interesting Ideas

Writing these here just because I can. 

The Living Realm and the Dead Realm are like parallel universes. When someone meets an untimely death, their body gets swapped with their doppelganger in the parallel universe.

The protagonists are living in two separate story worlds. The author who’s in charge of writing stories for them is highly indecisive and keeps switching protagonists mid-story. 

The protagonist and her friend swapped bodies to cheat in an exam. But the protagonist’s friend dies – in the protagonist’s body. 

A magical agency offering to swap bodies for trans people who wish to have the body of the opposite sex. But their services come with a huge price tag…

Hope this helps <3 Let me know if you guys have more questions/ other ideas/ helpful resources below in the comments!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* . ───

💎If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! Also, join my Tumblr writing community for some more fun.

💎Before you ask, check out my masterpost part 1 and part 2 

[biolumien]

Hiiii!!!! 😊👋 So I only just started Kaiju no. 8!!! New to the fandom and not a manga reader. Idk what’s going to happen in the next episode—all I know is that Hoshina better not d*e lol.

Anyways!!! Obviously I am a huge Hoshina fan/simp!!! I really like your blog and I have enjoyed your Hoshina fics!!!!!! 🥹 And since your requests are open, I wanted to know if I could perhaps make one??? 👉👈

If so, I was wondering if you could do something sort of related to your “say it!” fic??? Like where Hoshina (+ reader) somehow bumps into the ex from operations you mentioned in the fic??? And reader gets SUPERRRRR jealous (lord knows I would be especially if said ex was really beautiful and smart) and insecure. Maybe reader acts a bit distant/moody after the encounter but once Hoshina realizes what’s up he immediately reassures reader and let’s them know how much he loves/cares for them???

Sorry if this request is weird or doesn’t make sense to you, I’ve honestly just been thinking about a similar scenario ever since reading that fic of yours 😭😭 anyways thank you so much for your time 🫶❤️ and please never stop writing, your fics are beautiful 💖💕

notes: hihi; thank you so much for your request; i hope that this is okay; you sent this in before the most recent episode but hoshina's a fairly important character to the story of kaiju no 8 overall so he'll be alright... i combined this with a slightly different ask which also surrounded jealousy but with okonogi; it's very briefly mentioned though.

jealousy as the crux

soshiro hoshina x gn!reader no warnings should apply, i think. wc: 837

hoshina always maintained rather easy conversation with a lot of people—friendly conversation that sometimes got the better of your self esteem when he teasingly doted on okonogi or otherwise. 

you’d tried not to bring it up, to not bother him—because envy and jealousy like that was an ugly emotion, of course. it wouldn’t be right to burden hoshina with them–mostly because you weren’t even sure how he’d react. he was plenty envious on his own, you think–key point on think. but it might have been for more reasonable things, surely. like the envious desire to become stronger, or something noble like that.

nothing quite like yours. 

but stumbling on hoshina’s ex was never on your list of priorities at all. 

so the fact that she was here—was her name amaya?—only made you more uncomfortable. you barely knew anything about her other than the fact that okonogi spoke her name with strained reverence, cautious to never bring it up around hoshina. hoshina seemed to be uncaring of it all, even so–as if he couldn’t be bothered to remember. 

she was smoking indoors, her eyes tired and weary. 

hoshina didn’t seem to tense up when talking to her, which strangely irked you more. 

“hoshina,” amaya says, approaching hoshina with a raised eyebrow. she pats his shoulder, and he chuckles.

“you look well,” hoshina murmurs. 

“hm. well as i’ll ever be.” her eyes flit to you, her eyes narrowing. you felt uncomfortable under her gaze, as if you were some unique kind of insect to be pinned up in a collection. “this your new partner? they’re cute.”

“hm?” hoshina laughs. “aren’t they?”

the compliment doesn’t feel good, somehow, as it usually does.

“thought you said you wouldn’t date again,” amaya says, dusting off some ash off the tip of her cigarette, taking another breath before blowing it away from the two of you. “not that we really were.” she snorts. “you were too much of a coward last time.”

“hey,” hoshina says, sounding mock-hurt. “i figured we were better off as friends.”

“hm.” amaya exhales. “whatever you say.”

“i wish you’d sound more enthusiastic about this,” hoshina retorts, laughing again. it’s the same laugh he has when he talks to okonogi, that same doting laughter–but it also wasn’t anything special. it was the same kind of laughter he had when he talked to you, though perhaps it was tinged with more fondness when he spoke to you.

if there was anything hoshina was, it might’ve just been annoyingly consistent.

"it's hard to be enthusiastic surrounding you. your sarcastic energy exhausts me," amaya drawls.

you turn away from the conversation at this point–and yet you can feel amaya staring daggers into the back of your head. 

“i’ll let the two of you finish this up,” you say, and your voice sounds far more obviously strained than you’d like for it to be. 

hoshina was allowed to talk to other people. but why did amaya irk you so much? was it just the irreverent way she spoke, the way she seemed to be watching you so intently for no reason? what the hell was her problem? as you stormed off, your footsteps grew angrier as you continued to mull over it. no, seriously! what was her problem? 

but what was yours, being jealous in the first place? you were being irrational–worried because you wanted hoshina’s attention for yourself but of course it wasn’t right to worry this badly about it to the point that envy would turn your stomach like this, create the brittling sensation in your heart. it wasn’t right, and the fact that you knew it wasn’t right made the whirling sense of bad in you feel worse.

you rub your face roughly, trying to shock yourself into trying to just be fucking normal.

“hey.”

hoshina’s voice is quiet when you turn around, and his face is contemplative, brows furrowed in worry.

“are you done? talking to amaya?” you ask.

“for now,” he says. his eyes focus on your face, concerned now. “are you okay?”

“i’m…”

the words die in your throat.

“i don’t want to be jealous,” you say weakly. “of whatever’s going on. but, i–”

hoshina’s hands are on your face before you can even finish your sentence, squishing your cheeks together.

“mm, i see.” hoshina blinks, humming. “why didn’t you just say so earlier?”

you blink.

“you’re not… mad?” you ask.

“mad?” hoshina raises an eyebrow, cocking his head. it looks cute. “should i be?”

“no,” you say. “i–or, i don’t know. maybe? yes?”

“which is it?” hoshina asks, a teasing smile on his face before his brow furrows a bit. “if you would have just told me earlier i could have easily just told you that there’s nothing going on between me and anyone else but you. i chose you. don’t forget that, okay?”

you blink.

“and i love you,” hoshina says, completely straightforwardly, with sure honesty. “don’t forget that.”

you nod, and he squeezes your face, leaning in to kiss you on the lips.

[ijustloveobeymeok]

but you should write about levi's strength

!!! Bless you for letting me talk about Leviathan with reason.

Let me do it in a list format so it doesn't feel like I'm rambling.

-Let's get the facts everyone knows out of the way first -As we all know the order of the brothers are also a determination of their strength. So Levi being the third brother indicates he is the third strongest demon amongst them. -Although he is one of the physically weaker ones, which makes him being ranked third even more impressive. -Which , I still believe it is justified. -To start off with, he is the Admiral of the navy. You definitely need to have a considerably impressive strength if you want to be an admiral and have a whole army under you. -His love (and talent) for games also suggest high levels of focus and strategic skills which plays into him being a good admiral. -This also plays into him having political strength, as he is able to maintain that position and control while being an absolute homebody. -He is also able to summon Lotan, which in itself says a lot about his overall abilities. -I mean you probably got to be real strong to have an ancient sea serpent as a familiar/summon. -It is a canon fact that each demon can overpower the demon(s) below them, so even though he is physically weak, this implies that he can easily bring down his brothers save for Luci and Mammon. -He is also someone that the other brothers have mentioned avoiding winding up, vaguely mentioning how disastrous things can be if he loses control (this was brought up in one of their devilgram posts, I'm sorry idr which one anymore) -Also it is basically canon that the ranking is based off magical power so let's talk about that a little too. -When it comes to abilities via magical powers I think Levi's abilities are one of the most talked about. -It's mostly to do with water (a.k.a controlling a whole element) -He can summon giant floods, breathe underwater (or hold his breath for a scarily long time I've forgotten), and can even communicate with sea life. -Sailor man you really turn me on- -Lastly, and what I believe is a valid theory; their assigned sin/emotion is a huge source of their magic power -The first three, Pride (Lucifer), Greed (Mammon), Envy (Leviathan), are pretty consistent emotions. They're feelings that more or less stays with you. A prideful person is always prideful, a greedy person is always greedy, etc. -The rest of the brothers, their sins are more commonly a feeling that comes and goes. A person will become angry and calm again, a person will become sleepy and will stop once they've slept (yk what I'm trying to say, sorry I'm doing my best to word this in English) -Which is why, I think Lucifer, Mammon and Levi are the stronger demons. -Similarly it may also be based on how their sins affect the world but that's harder to judge/rank.

Bonus: -I do think Levi's insecurities play a big part in locking up his potential strength. -He's never really interested in talking about or showing off his strength (he's more proud of his gaming prowess) -Overall he may be the most peaceful demon amongst his brothers, which makes him come across as weaker than he truly is. -But we should know by now, peacefulness is not the absence of strength.

So yeah, obviously Levi is not the strongest. And I'm sure he has a lot of people telling him he doesn't deserve to be higher than his other brothers. But I beg to differ.

Leviathan deserves his position as the third brother. And y'all should be glad God didn't give him an ego bc if he did you'd all be screwed.

[xuterboo]

Good day! Or night? It doesn’t matter, today we will have residents of Hades for analysis

Recently I found a person who posted all the (at that time) characters in full size. Why did I find this so late 🥲

However, let's get started

Some of the kings dress differently from their subordinates, but Levi decided to insert his own dress code. In Hades, strict clothing is accepted. With permission for some accessories, similar to the type of chains the King himself had. On the hand of the King of Envy you can see three sixes located in a circle. Honestly, at first I didn’t understand that this was the number of the devil. I thought it was some kind of symbol with deep meaning. But everything turned out to be simpler

Foraz and Valefor share the same clothing style. Apparently they occupy approximately or the same positions at work. The details that are interesting to me are several things: a noose on the neck, which speaks of devotion (applies to all the demons of Hades), different left boots, differing only in color and material (?) And of course capes with ropes on the sides. I don't think I particularly like Hades as a country, but the fashion there is great 😍

Foraz has distinctive details in his image: a chain on his horns and a tattoo on his cheek. What's also interesting is that he doesn't wear the chain because he's imitating Leviathan. More precisely, not only for this reason. According to Foraz, he just likes the look of the chain. And also his tattoo is his own artifact.

Barbados has a fur belt with his signature rose flower. The same pose is on his earring, and the artifact of this character is also a rose. Oh yes. And attacks too. He really loves roses. He even smells like roses. It seems he even eats them sometimes hahaha

Glasyalabolas, (Damn, I hope I didn't summon some creature while I was writing this) altogether a unique case. Judging by the medals and banners, he is a general, or any military figure. This can be judged by the carriages, a special braided rope with peculiar tassels, black and white ribbon and, in principle, more luxurious clothing. Fighters get paid a lot, especially in high positions.

I want to say that his artifact, the raccoon, does not suit him at all. He's a menacing killing machine. What, the hell, a stuffed raccoon??

The name Glasyalabolas is made into 2 words and one French article "La". As we know, people took many things from hell, and France is the embodiment of Abbados, the land of lust (We can judge this by the names of the demons from there). In that case, my question is, what did you forget in Hades? The vibe from this character suits the place though.

By the way, Hades itself represents the architecture of England, somewhere in the Victorian era. Absolute monarchy and complete submission are very similar to this country

[ddollfface]

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸!𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘅 𝗳𝗲𝗺!𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

"Your clothes would look nice on my bedroom floor."

Trigger Warnings; not proofread, pretty sure reader is described as 'girlfriend' or 'girl' somewhere, yandere behavior, extremely toxic behavior, manipulation, rip if you know someone like this irl, abuse of systems, abuse of pretty privilege (can't relate lol), and, as usual, bad writing. If I missed anything, then please let me know ♡ Here 'ya go 💗!Nonny, the second part of your request!! I hope it's to your standards... I'm not proofreading anything I'm putting out rn. I'm way too tired. I hope everyone had a good President's weekend))

Our boy is literally the definition of pretty privilege. He's got everything a girl would ever want, and he's the envy of all the guys on campus. He's sculpted like a Greek god, thanks to his Persian genetics and daily visits to the gym.

Everyone and anyone will listen to what LoveSick!Athlete's gotta say, and they'll do whatever he's asked, if he's saying it in a certain tone with a certain face. This is his manipulative personality coming into play. He understands that people will listen to him, for whatever reason, and he uses it to his advantage, scaring away any guys you may or may not find attractive.

Usually, it's pretty easy to do as they're just one of your classmates that you just find handsome, but you've never thought of talking to them, much less pursuing them. You're introverted personality (in this type of darling) makes it easy for him to keep you all to himself.

The two of you have been together for years, ever since you were little kids, and you trust everything he says, but not for superficial reasons like everyone else. You see him for who he is. You understand that he'd never do anything to hurt you; I'm just looking out for you, yeah? Just take my word for it, he's not worth your time.

In this case, with this darling, the two of you aren't dating, in your eyes at least. And LoveSick!Athlete has been pursuing you for quite some time, but he's patient. The two of you are practically attached at the hip, and that alone scares off any of your suitors, so even if you find someone (guy or chick) attractive, then they're gone before you can even say 'hello'.

Now, I've gone over how LoveSick!Athlete deals with his 'competitors', though he doesn't see them as this, in this post. This post is more geared toward how he deals with jealousy, but I drabble on the idea of putting down other men and making you see them in a bad light.

LoveSick!Athlete don't see these men, no matter how you see them, as a threat to your relationship, nor his ego. The two of you are far too out of reach for them to touch; they can't get to you, but it's different when it's his teammate. Especially since he never shuts up about them, so they know that he's pursuing you or you're in a relationship (depending on the time).

Overall, I think LoveSick!Athlete would treat the situation similarly with his teammate as he would with some random guy, but he'll have a bitter taste in his mouth whenever he sees said teammate now. It's possible that he'll be rougher with them on the ice, pushing them harder, elbowing them, and tripping them. Of course, no one will notice. After all, he's their star player, he'd never do anything to hurt his teammates, never.

He'll bad mouth them, behind their back of course, to his other teammates and you, can't forget about you. He'll go on and on about all the things they've done over the summer while school was out. How they're so aggressive toward girls, especially the ones that say 'no' to him. You wouldn't believe what Sonia told me, sweets. She said...

Once you get him talking, he won't stop. LoveSick!Athlete would never, ever, miss the opportunity to trash on of his rivals. If the guy seems persistent and tries to talk to you, god, let alone he touches you, he'll rain hellfire on the campus. He'll get some college girls to go report him to the campus office, saying that they were assaulted by him. LoveSick!Athlete might even plant some drugs into the guy's bag, causing him to lose his athletic scholarship.

And if the guy tries to tell on him, like a rat, then he'll just be brushed off as "desperate" and "attention-seeking." That he's trying to push the blame on someone else, 'cause there's no way LoveSick!Athlete would ever do something like that.

He's the team's sweetheart, after all.

[seimsisk]

turns out I need to rant about House some more

see I have this friend who hates House because she's a woman with zero patience for asshole protagonists who everybody loves for no reason, which is fine, but then she watched some episodes and came to terrible no good very bad análises of the themes in House and everytime I think about it I get mad and ranty but I have no one to rant to

(like this was some three months ago. but my rant-brain doesn't know how to move on)

my friend seems to be under the impression that the core character trait of House (the character) is being an asshole, and that the episode where he talks about his teenage experience of meeting a genius doctor who everybody hated is some kind of badly written origin story of why he decided to be an asshole. which is a very upsetting analysis because of how unkind it is - it only makes sense of you assume the writing is bad

and it pisses me off first of all because that story was an explanation not of why house is an asshole but of why he's a doctor. totally different thing. and the reason he's a doctor is that he found out that doctors and respected even when they are hated.

so I would say House's core trait is not that he's an asshole exactly, but that he is hated. He's used to being hated, he doesn't try to not be hated, he hates himself even, and he genuinely believes that he is only tolerated because of his skills as a doctor. which is painfully relatable tbh.

house isn't just an asshole, he's a huge misfit who has come to the conclusion that trying to fit in is pointless and painful. he's a genius weirdo in too much pain to give a shit. he's chronically depressed but afraid treatment will dull his mind. he's an addict who argues that he needs his addiction to function (up until he accidentally almost kills someone). he's so obviously Neuro divergent that the show has like three separate episodes based around parallels between House and a neurodivergent and/or mentally disabled patient, and in each of them House is seen low-key envying those patients because they are not expected to behave like neurotypicals the way he is which is also painfully relatable. he's and asshole to everyone and he's extra special asshole to (neurotypical) people with physical disabilities (like he has), but he is genuinely kind and gentle to people with neurodivergencies and mental illnesses. also to whores. I think the thing is, if society hates you for who you are and how you behave, House immediately adopts you like a stray puppy, just like he adopts that sick rat Steve.

I was going somewhere with this but I forgot where. might continue rant later

[merakiui]

i agree with the assignments but hmmm... i think malleus should be gluttony and idia lust! I feel like the same reasons we can confuse idia for pride can be the reasons why he fits lust. Whereas the reasons malleus can fit greed, is why he's gluttony if that makes sense? Also when it boils down to it, i feel like malleus can be in a sexless relationship based on pure love but i can see idia blowing his lid if he gets continually denied. I also feel like malleus has more self control and even with biological ruts, he can hold back and not "make a mistake" where i feel like idia would downright demand darling to take care of his lust. I know we always joke abt shy subby uwu idia, but ppl forget who he represents and just how depraved he can be. It can get rlly dark w him and lust >_<. But malleus, i see more of like gluttony for life and experiences. I think nothing would make him happier than to be at the center of the table, surrounded by food and drink and company and having a ball of a time. Even as the night weighs on and people are exhausted, malleus wont dismiss them as yet because HE is enjoying himself and having a good time, to the point where he is the only one smiling at the table anymore and everyone else is tortured to be there because of his gluttony for companionship. Mal is a spoiled prince and if he lacked any less, he would be envy, but he has everything. He has a lot of pride too, but not infront of player, and when it boils down to it, Idia has desire, but Malleus really just has a hunger to be accepted and loved.

AAAA ANON, THESE ARE WONDERFUL POINTS!!!!! Very thought-provoking!!! I wanted to separate sex and lust for what I have in mind for the fic (and if I wasn't writing about the seven Overblots then Rollo would immediately take the sin of lust for very obvious reasons and symbolisms. <3). I definitely agree that Malleus and Idia fit lots of different sins and so it can be difficult to assign just one to them (as well as the rest of the cast, but it's a little easier for some of them,,, i.e. Riddle's infamous temper grants him wrath by default. Azul's insatiable avarice (when it comes to his contracts) grants him greed. Etc etc.)

I do think there is a solid difference between desiring something and hungering for it, but then they also pair well together from time to time. Perhaps desire gives way to hunger. To hunger for something is to do so out of desperation (in some cases), and since Malleus is such a lonely soul and has never truly had a connection in which someone looks past the lofty title of heir apparent and future ruler of Briar Valley it makes sense for him to hunger so desperately for that sort of connection. It's why he's unable to simply let Lilia go and why he doesn't want to lose him. He can't accept the finality of an ending or parting, which is why he puts everyone to sleep in hopes that they can all find happiness in their dreams.

I think you can also argue that Idia hungers a little in book six. He desperately doesn't want the job he's set to inherit, and even when he was little he wanted to find a way to escape with Ortho. But due to the circumstances and the curse of his lineage there's only so much that can be done, or so he views it as such.

Perhaps these sins are interchangeable with Malleus and Idia depending on how you frame it. They both desire and hunger for things in their own ways. Idia's guilt and stress overwhelms him and his idea of getting what he's always desired is to reset the world alongside Ortho. Malleus's loneliness and desperation to hold onto the bonds he currently has (his unwillingness to let these go, to accept the fact that everyone will inevitably grow old and that life goes on, his desire and/or hunger to be seen and accepted for himself)......... aaaaa it's great!!!!

Rambling aside, I do love the thought of Idia embodying lust and Malleus embodying gluttony. I'm still debating between the two, but now I'm inclined to lean more towards these assignments after reading your thoughts and dissecting my own. They're very fitting from your perspective!!! >w< also,,,, I like a very dark, messed up Idia, so perhaps pairing him with lust will make for very yummy concepts.

[lemonflavoreddishsoap]

Can I request La Squadra x S/O who's taller than them? Thank you.

yes you caaaaaan! Sorry if these are, ironically, shorter HCs.

jsyk i write this with the opinion that Risotto is by far the tallest

------------------------------------------------- La Squadra with an S/O who's taller than them!

Formaggio

"Well yea, it's easy to be taller than me, heh" *insert shrinking...noises?*

The taller the S/O, the more inclined he feels to shrink himself and ride on your shoulder. Get used to it.

Bro gets on his tippy toes to kiss you. he doesn't even have to but he still does. It's kind of cute?

Illuso

"No you're not."

Unless you're taller than him by like. A foot or some shit. He is adamant you two are at least the same height.

He doesn't bring it up unless you do but...he subtly tries to make himself seem taller. It's so fucking petty, you decide if it's annoying or charming :/

Prosciutto

"Alright, and?"

He probably cares the least about your height. Sure, you're taller than him. So what? Unless his head is at like. boob level 24/7 or something somehow, he doesn't care.

Unless you bring it up, or poke fun at him being shorter. You better think his glares are sexy 'cause....

If you're tall enough for it to matter, he'll do the "pulling you by the collar into a kiss" thing

Pesci

"Being near you...feels so secure...."

He loves it!!!! When you hug him it feels like you're completely surrounding him...like, not literally, but the idea is so comforting!

I was going to say you should rest your chin on top of his head but...um...how sturdy is his hair?

If you're happy with your height, he'll bring it up a lot when he compliments you.

Melone

"DI MOLTO"

"Is your whole family like that?"

Excited to know if it's something that runs strong in your genetics. No particular reason. Trust me.

Like Pesci, he doesn't have any issues with having a taller s/o. It's just another lovely aspect about you <3

Ghiaccio

"Okay fine, I get it! For fucks sake!"

This poor guy. To be honest, he really doesn't care that you're taller than him, he thinks its fine. But people won't leave him alone about it

Yeah he's an "angry little gremlin thing" but they gotta stop dragging his s/o into it...it kind of sours the height difference a little.

But like I said, he really doesn't have any issues with it. If you can get past how much the comments annoy him, you can probably see how much he likes your chin on top of his head, or how you look so slightly down on him when your faces are so close....gah sorry what was i doing-

Risotto

"Be nice. They're are not scary."

yes you are. my lactose intolerant ass envies you. what the actual fuck.

I guess that's a pro about him being with someone taller than him, that he can't intimidate his s/o with his height? That's not to imply that he's intimidated by you though!!

Unless people are causing a fuss about it though, Risotto doesn't mind your height. I don't think physical appearance means much when it comes to partners to him? Just my personal feeling.

[sourjinss]

⁀➷ ‎‎YOU STAY ON MY MIND

➼ CHAPTER ONE ⋆ a happy coincidence ⋆ PREVIOUS CHAPTER

➼ PARING ⋆ tattooartist!taehyung! + bartender!fem!reader

➼ PRÉCIS ⋆  after a rough patch in your relationship you and your boyfriend are finally on solid ground but that all goes to hell when his older brother, taehyung comes to visit.

➼ CAUTION! ⋆ cheating sexual themes verbal abuse toxic relations this is pure fiction does not relate to any idol physical altercations fluffy and sweet (yay) angst (boo) slow burn?? side jungkoook story?

APPLE!! - i feel like the first chapter is always hard to do i hope you guys like it though! it took me while and the writing might be ass (mybadd) but heart it and reblog if you do enjoy !! xoxo

PLAY THIS ⋆ come here by dominic fike , talk 2 you by brent faiyaz

TAEHYUNG had an easy life; he would tell you that himself. but his appearance could tell a different story for anyone who was small-minded.

he could feel the stares from miles away a man around his age who expression spoke envy because his seat partner was too close to drooling on her rather conservative skirt, lust written all over her face.

an older woman, who was disgusted with just being in the same space as him, her daughter had looked at him with admiration despite his tattoos and his many piercings.

he offered her a small smile and looked back out the plane window, he liked a routine he put precision in anything that he deemed worthy.

making a trip to his hometown was not in his plans, not that he was complaining he wanted to see how his little brother was doing but in saying that led him where he is now, trying to find as much peace as he could with his seatmate, jeongguk snoring obnoxiously his thin lips parted like the clouds that they flew by. 

taehyung didn't know why jeongguk was so set on following him, without taehyung at the tattoo parlor he could finally act on his crazy ideas. 

he chose not to think about too much jeongguk was already tired of being nagged by the elder.

mingyu, his little brother suddenly came to mind he was much like his apprentice. “kook” taehyung whispered as he reached over and gently shook him on the shoulder

jeongguk ignored him and turned his head the other way his voice coming out slurred and groggy “is the plane going down?” taehyung smirked and shook his head looking at the people passing them both to board off “well fuck off” “m’kay” taehyung leaped up out of his seat happily and grabbed his suitcase, leaving the stubborn kid by himself after a minute he had realized and cursed at taehyung under his breath, running to catch up with him.  

“bitch what?!” 

 noelani looked as if you had a red ball on your nose and a rainbow wig on. “there’s no way you took his bum-ass back” feeling the heavy embarrassment creep up on you like a bad cold you turned around bringing your focus back on the glass you were previously cleaning.

but you knew your best-friend wasn’t having none of that “yn honey are you serious?” “i know you don't have to rub the shit in..” you sighed turning back to meet her ridiculous stare

“what?” she blinked as if she was thinking about the next words to come out her mouth, which you knew she wasn't “is the dick that good?” she said loudly, inside voice never being considered. glaring at her you snatched her glass of liquor “first of all, that’s enough for you”

it was near closing time, there was a few people in the bar and you was almost done with your nightly duties noelani was drunk and you took that opportunity to tell her what had happened with mingyu, praying that she wouldn’t remember the next day if she were sober she would've taken the initiative and attacked mingyu in the  back of your head you kind of wished that she did. you wished of a lot of things lately  

“okay the only logical reason is that you're with child and he's the baby-daddy” noelani suggested, blowing a tight curl off her forehead, chin rested calmly in her palm “i’m not pregnant..i just forgave him” those words felt nasty coming out your mouth

“what- why do you think what he did to you was worth forgiving yn?” she crossed her arms, swaying gently  

you paused, your mouth ajar and before you could answer the bell on the door rung, the cold air being pushed in. two men sauntered inside “fuck its freezing” one of them seethed, combing their fingers through their jet-black hair he was taller than the other, he dressed in all-black attire his hands covered in tattoos, a ring hanging from the corner of his mouth.  the other was somewhat similar, dark attire, hands covered in ink, but he had honey blonde hair his appearance to you seemed gentler in a way “your dumbass wanted to drink in the middle of the night”  

“you didn’t have to come” in response to that the honey blonde smacked the back of the others head “who the fuck was going to drive your sorry ass home?” he looked around and his dark eyes reached yours and stayed that's when you realized that you were staring at them both quickly you averted your gaze but his eyes stayed on you.

“is that like a turn on of yours or something?” jeongguk mumbled pinching his brows together while they walked to the bar taehyung nodded mindlessly his eyes still perched on your silhouette jeongguk followed his eyes

“dude..am i tweakin' or are you eye-fucking someone” with that taehyung finally removed his eyes

“what are you talking about?” he deadpanned and rolled his eyes “whatever makes your monkey jump..” jeongguk snickered and went back to his phone right when taehyung was about to cuss him out you walked over.

standing in front of them making both of them pause in their tracks to look at you “uhm hi what can i get for you..guys?” either of them uttered a word and it was making you feel extremely awkward pursing your lips tightly you provided a small smile “ill come back later”  

“no that’s okay we’re ready” jeongukk vocalized smiling back “can i get a blueberry daiquiri but frozen please”  

you weren’t expecting such a fruity drink from him you thought as you turn around to face the other “and you?”  taehyung’s hands felt sweaty it was freaking him the fuck out

“i’m actually not drinking tonight” you smiled at him and tilted your head “next time then” when you turned around to make jeongguks order he slapped taehyung on his arm and shook him excitedly taehyung pushed him off him but was secretly geeked out because what did you mean by next time “so how long are you two staying in town?”  

taehyung was feeling himself “how do you know we aren’t from here?” he smiled pulling his sleeves up to lean his forearms on the bar staring at your back his eyes trailing down to your ass, which was doing those jeans a favor

“well are you from here?”

that’s when you turned around to face him “i am my friend here isn’t-“ taehyung stuttered, causing jeongguk to laugh beside him, slapping his thigh and sipping on the drink you served him

“what brings you guys here?” wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he grins, hitting taehyung on the back “taehyung here is visiting his baby brother and helping out a fellow artist in the area and i’m here for the ride”  

“jeongguk here is the tattoo’s shop receptionist back where we live and he had nothing better to do so he tagged along.” taehyung interjected straight-faced

jeongguk ‘s knowing smile deflated and went back to his drink dejectedly. you laughed and nodded, putting the drinks back in destinated places taehyung found himself wondering if that laugh was genuine and if the smile you shown was real   

“i figure you two were artist”  

“oh you’re an artist?” jeongguk interviewed in which you shook your head quite flustered “oh no no i only have like one tattoo”

taehyung wanted to know where it was how big it was, how’d it looks on your skin, what it felt like to trace it with his fingers. “i’m close to some artists” that came out like a question out of your mouth.

“really? name some we might know them” 

you were about to tell them about mingyu’s work, in the past you had boasted about how hard he works to create art and bring into life, but something stopped you “there's my friend, noelani she's super talented”  

as if she was summoned noelani somehow managed to stand on her own and came over “yn i’m going to head to the crib” she slurred but tried to give the impression that she was dead sober

“yeah, no” you said as you grabbed your bag everyone but them had left.

 one thing you knew about her is she was really good at fronting, pretending be someone who had their shit together, noelani was one of artist you are close with she is a taller woman with dark red hair tanned skin incorporating many fine line tattoos, color etched in each one she was a few years older than you and both of you were roommates in college and since been inseparable. 

“i am not even drunk-” she leaned her hip on the stool and turned to look at jeongguk who was drinking quietly

“what are you looking at?”

his doe eyes widened and blinked you covered your face with both of your hands and groaned internally “ignore her please”

you sighed while untying your black apron and walking over to your friend, wrapping your arm around her waist

“we’re actually about to close.”

“shit- sorry” taehyung said as he stood up burning a hole in jeongguk’s head who was still in his spot, ignoring taehyung he turned to you and pulled out his wallet “how much do i owe you”  

“don’t worry about it, hope you two enjoy your stay!” you smiled tightly struggling moderately to hold a drunk noelani up jeongguk bit his lip

“can i at least help with your friend?”

  you looked between them “and how do i know you two aren’t like perverts or something?” noelani all of sudden stood up straight and squinted “the tall one is someone i’d still be with if he dogged me out” noelani spilled before going limp into your arms once more 

a-beat passed and you kind of wished you died a quick death right there jeongguk smiled awkwardly and taehyung stared at you in disbelief a look in his eyes you couldn’t read

you looked at jeongguk and carefully offered your friend “i have a gun” you lied swiftly as jeongguk gently carried noelani on his back and in response she rested her head on his shoulder, he blushed profusely.

you and taehyung were left alone behind the duo 

“if me and my friend make it out alive tonight, i truly hope you and him have a nice stay” you humored.

taehyung looked at you and grinned his lips stretched into a boxy shape

you thought it was cute

“i promise we have no intention to do such a thing” you nodded and shyly tucked a stray hair from your ponytail behind your ear, you were both walking slow and it was nice, talking to him was pleasant “how long have you been a tattoo artist?” 

taehyung stuffed his hands into the red leather jacket that hugged his frame and hummed as he pondered

“about five years or so?”  jeongguk and noelani had probably reached the vehicles but he couldn’t find a reason to care.

“how long have you been bartending?” “for 8 years or so..” you looked at his coated arms shamelessly and it was like each piece stuck to his skin perfectly

“it was my mother’s bar; she would haunt me if i let it to waste” you kicked a small rock and smiled to yourself an apologetic expression flashed over his face "way to ruin the mood y/n you thought" and quickly raise your hands  

“i’m fine it was years ago”   

taehyung looked back at the bar, his dark eyes shining with adornment “she would be so proud of you y/n”  

a lot of people said that to and you never really knew if what they said was truthful, taehyung made it seem almost believable.  

Before taehyung could see how thrown off you were by his statement jeongguk yelled from where he was “if you two don’t hurry your asses up!”  

you brushed off the feeling that settled in your stomach and quickly opened the back door to your car helping jeongguk put her in looking at him strangely when he put his coat over her torso.  

taehyung raised a brow and looked at him skeptically.  

jeongguk only shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck “what? she said she was cold” he then circled around and got into the car him and taehyung rode in 

with that you and taehyung was left by yourselves and to be truthful taehyung wasn’t rushing to leave you for some unknown reason you were incredibly interesting to him; the way your hair flowed with the cold breeze, how your arm flexed slightly when you wrapped it around your friend's waist it all drew him in, and that made him anxious hell you made him blush for fuck sakes.  

“so um i guess ill see you guys around?” you say with a sweet smile planted on your lips, taehyung only nodded and licked his lips silently.

you turned your back on him but before you could climb in and drive off taehyung stopped you by gently grabbing your wrist.  

“if you want anything done— tattoo wise please come by, i'm down the street from where your bar is” he suggested shyly and took his hand off your (he noted) much smaller wrist.  

you grinned and climbed into your car taehyung closing the door for you. “that’s nice of you, stranger” he shared the simper and leaned down to your window, his face dangerously close to yours “i have to repay the kindness you showed my apprentice”  

“maybe ill use the favor soon, maybe not” you teased lowkey getting into the little moment you both were having

“i would hope so, i hate leavin’ debts neglected”  

“it was just a drink-” you started  

“i know just lemme repay the favor, ma” he sent his award-winning smile before leaning back up and hitting the top of your car

“drive safe its ice on the road” he offered before going back to his own car, which was much nicer than yours.  

but he never drove off, it took you a minute to realize that he was indeed was waiting for you to leave and that made you smile a little bit and while you drove off you waved a hand out the window. 

jeongguk looked at him and shook his head “I know you fucking lyin”  

taehyung rolled his eyes and drove out the parking lot “what are you talking about?”  

“flirted her head off dude knowing damn well she got a man” he stated and looked at taehyung like he had sticky note on his forehead that said ‘biggest dick walking here!’

“she got a boy and he don’t even deserve all that” taehyung knew what he was doing was morally wrong, but it felt right and- hold up

“didn’t you give her homegirl your jacket?” jeongguk suddenly was very interested in the amazing city lights that flew by “how you think yoongi’s shops doing?" 

taehyung chuckled and reached over to pinch his cheek “nah nah nah playboy you did that smooth as hell, now she gotta see your dumbass again”

 jeongguk grumbled, a warm blush creeping up his neck “if that’s how you flirt i feel bad for her” 

he couldn’t stop thinking about you, about your body filled out perfectly in your work outfit he couldn't stop wondering where that tattoo of yours laid, if it was done on a drunken night or were you feeling frisky due to boredom, he wanted study it like he was testing for his license again and he hoped to see you again, even a glance will do..

"this is bad" he notioned the smile quickly being wiped off his face

you chose not drive noelani home instead you took her to your place, your house was your family home you grew up in it, it was left to you by your late mother she knew how much it meant to you.  

after a failed call with mingyu and about all your dying strength you got noelani situated in one of the guest rooms, knowing she was going to hot in the middle of the night you took off her clothes and tucked her in, not forgetting to put a bucket with a trash bag by her side and water on the stand.  

closing the door you practically dragged yourself to your bedroom, opening to see mingyu sleeping peacefully in your bed, in your room. the same room he fucked another bitch in, the same room you grew up in.  

you heaved a heavy sigh and silently got a tee-shirt and closed the door gently

walking back to where noelani remained and threw off your soiled clothes, residing in nothing but a tee-shirt and your panties, climbing into bed with her and resting your face in the hollow of her back

the last thought crossing your tired mind is how taehyung called you ‘ma’ causing you to sleep with a small smile  

the next morning you awakened by the sound of your annoying ass alarm, waking noelani up too, “ow ow ow” she winced holding her head with her hands, “fucking hell-” she moaned as she got out of bed and rushed to bathroom which you presumed to throw up and shit. 

the winter sun shined heavily into the room, and you founded it irritating, the past few weeks you found a lot of things irritating.   

getting out of bed reluctantly, the scent of eggs and bacon forced itself into your nose  

did mingyu really took the initiative to make you breakfast?  

“mingyu?” you called before walking around the corner, yawning and stretching your arms above your head only to bump into a broad chest.

“fuck my nose-” you whined, now you were not a morning person at all, and you were seconds away from cussing mingyu's ass out for not watching where the fuck he was going  

little problem though, you looked up it wasn’t mingyu it was taehyung like the guy who charmed you last night like the same guy with the pretty works of art on his body and even a prettier smile.  

you both stared at each other in utter shock, and you swore he could your heart beating out your chest.  

noelani came out the bathroom and rubbed her eyes, pausing a few steps away from you both announcing what was going through both of your heads  

“what in the absolute fuck is goin’ on?” 

-

[oswhys]

So, when I played Lucanis’s questline for the first time, I genuinely thought that Illario was going to turn out to also be possessed. I like to try to come up with theories if there's some kind of mystery involved. Obviously, Illario is suspicious from the get-go but if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt you can, after all, grief really does make people act strangely, but not usually immediately after the death. But when he shows up after the defeat of Zara and kills her just as she says “Amatus” upon seeing him there's no doubt he was in cahoots with her. But then something interesting happens, he uses blood magic, some enchanted pin. He still keeps up the act of innocence though. We get further confirmation during the questioning of Zara’s corpse that the two were extremely close, at least from her perspective. But then we get a strange little tidbit from the memories of Lucanis later in his quest line when you're with spite. Lucanis has a memory or maybe it's some warped memory of Zara talking about the cultivation of an Envy demon. 

Zara’s project was to cultivate and bind different types of demons more easily through new techniques. Zara was talented enough to be able to put a demon inside of a non-mage subject, something that shouldn't be possible in the first place, or at least unheard of. She also wanted to cultivate certain types of demons, ones that are more rare and possibly harder to bind. We see the results of most of her test subjects, either walking corpses or bound demons. Let's say she agrees to take Lucanis to be a test subject, thinking the whole thing would just kill him and the terms of her deal with Illario would be met. Let's say shes surprised Lucanis is even able to merge with spite, let alone survive well afterward. Now let's say this gets her thinking, can she replicate this? Can she put demons and spirits into non-mages? Was this a freak accident?

I know I’m speculating a lot here but hang with me. Now I don't know if her scheme is to take advantage of Illarios jealousy and use it to create an envy demon, something rare and hard to bind, but it would naturally be attracted to that much envy in a person. Or maybe it's presented as an opportunity later down the line, that Illario could become an abomination and gain as much power as one, being able to tap into magic even if not in full control would still give him an edge. I don't know, I just think there was a bit more to the story that we don't know about, aside from what we’ve seen in some of the concept art. Which shows something akin to Illario being manipulated by either Zara or some kind of desire demon or??? Just someone in a pool of blood, with horns? But pieces of these ideas got left behind in the game. Fragments of something larger and it drives me up the wall. 

There's an obvious romantic connection between Illario and Zara that is never elaborated upon in conversation, It is a deeply interesting tidbit of information and nothing is done with it. Then there's Zara’s line in Lucanis’ memories of her saying that the conditions of cultivating an envy demon must be perfect (the line that sent me through this spiral). And then there is Lucanis’ log book. His 5th one if you don't save Treviso shares a reading list of books and he writes some notes with his thoughts about each. He says that Spite “trusts nothing to do with envy demons” which to be fair to spite, is reasonable they're… creepy, and envy as an emotion is a huge liar sometimes. 

There's just something there. Obviously, the story got cut up and changed with time but there was a time when I started to think that the reason Illario is so suspicious is that he's a red herring, or he's a patsy, or not in control of himself or being manipulated or SOMETHING. But no he's just… kinda stupid. He locked up his grandmother and kept her alive? IS HE STUPID?

Anyway, I just like the idea of some grander conspiracy or grander narrative and that maybe Illario wasn't all to blame for everything or that he was, and he was actually even more villainous. Being controlled by his own jealousy to the point of madness blah blah blah you see why I’m thinking about this so much now yeah?

[sokkastyles]

I've heard that Azula was meant to be male originally. I wonder how different the writing would be for the character and how different the fans would react to it. I am glad that they made Azula female tho.

I remember hearing that male Azula was also supposed to be the older sibling, which does change the story quite a bit. It makes Ozai's favoritism into a simple issue of succession. Male!Azula would be naturally favored because he would be the crown prince. Zuko would be raised to be subservient to his younger brother and that would be considered normal. Even Zuko being sent on a quest to find the Avatar becomes much more reasonable from that perspective as a practicality. Historically, second sons often went on those kinds of quests because it gave them something to do that wasn't "usurp my older brother for the throne."

Ozai would be even more aware that this was a issue, since he himself usurped his older brother. Actually, now that I think of it, it's really rather odd that Iroh, as crown prince, was the one out campaigning while Ozai stayed home, and that gave him an opportunity to stage a coup against his brother. A politically savvy Azulon would have sent Ozai out to man the siege of Ba Sing Se while Iroh was at home preparing to inherit the throne.

As for how fans would receive Zuko's older brother? I know a lot of people might argue that male characters are more easily forgiven than their female counterparts, and I have no doubt that a male version of Azula would have people ready to excuse his every move (see the inexplicable fandom that has sprung up around the likes of Billy Hargrove), but I also think the ways in which he would be excused would be vastly different.

Because with Azula there's a lot of "oh, she didn't really mean it," especially when it comes to the way she treats her brother. This idea that she actually really loves him, she just doesn't know how to show it, or twisting the things she does and says to him in canon so that they're actually proof of her love. I've been thinking about this a lot in terms of people saying they want to see Azula be "humanized," and what they usually mean is that they want to see her given redeeming qualities. Which to me reeks of a misogynistic double standard because most male characters aren't required to show kindness or be really loving deep down to be recognized as human. Being cruel and arrogant and sadistic are also human traits, and women are just as capable of these things as men.

I also think that because Azula is female and Zuko is male, there's a certain perception that she can't hurt him that much, either physically or emotionally. And the first one can be dismissed because the show takes place in a world where bending eliminates most differences related to physical strength. The second one is just wrong and relies on misogynistic beliefs about boys being less emotionally vulnerable than girls.

I do think that the Ursa blame would still be present if Azula were male, and possibly worse, because there would be that Freudian current about how Ursa damaged her son by not being the perfect madonna figure.

If Male!Azula were still the younger sibling, I think it would flatten the character in a way because it makes his cruelty and resentment of Zuko about envy for the throne. One of the most interesting things about Azula is that the fact that she is younger and girl makes her cruelty towards her older brother less expected, and more personal. And it takes something away from the character to try and excuse it away or soften it.

[perfectsunlight]

summer bummer

𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝘀𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 𝟲,𝟴𝟰𝟵 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱: ✔

𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 - 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘆

being an intern at SM entertainment was a dream come true in itself. you never would have thought that you, as a foreigner, would even have the opportunity to be employed at such an organization. thankfully, you struck the jackpot, and landed a year-long internship position that would be eligible for renewal. 

SM operated like a colony of ants. different people had different roles, and even though some roles may be seen as more important, everyone was needed to help the company operate smoothly. without the idols, there was no SM entertainment. without the employees, there would be no SM entertainment. it was a mutual understanding that came with mutual respect as well.

you learned to respect the idols and their space. you made sure to bow every time, and sometimes even twice just because you couldn’t remember if you had the first time. your work mainly dealt with the production team, so naturally you came into contact with almost every idol signed under the company. 

however, with aespa having a comeback soon, you were told that you would have to work with them more often and more closely. you didn’t know much about the group other than their names and concept. you actually only met aeri once, and that was because she was the one who helped you find your way to the recording room on your first day. 

today you would be having your first meeting with the girls to discuss logistics and other things regarding the title track that you were tasked with producing. it was a big job, but the fact that SM trusted you enough to handle it just gave you the motivation to do your absolute best.

your fingers flipped through the pages of previously scrapped songs, doing your best to analyze the lyrics and what they were trying to portray that didn’t end up showing. you wanted the best for the girls, and you wanted to do your best because your job did depend on it. 

the door to the recording room suddenly opened, and you smiled at the sight of the 4 girls making their way inside. 

“hi y/n,” aeri flashed you a smile to which you mirrored. she stepped sideways before motioning towards her other members. “this is ningning,” she pointed at the brunette who waved. “and that’s karina and winter.” she finally pointed at the two girls whose hands were interlocked with each other.

you had heard about karina and winter being close, so it wasn’t a surprise once your co-worker spilled the beans and mentioned that they were dating. just from the first introduction, you could tell that the two had a very loving relationship.

minjeong and jimin’s relationship was the envy of many. even when they were just merely being shipped together, everyone wanted someone to look at them the way the two women looked at each other. their chemistry on and off the stage proved how much they loved each other. they were perfect for each other.

“it’s nice to meet you all, im excited to work with you and i hope we can create something amazing together.”

the meeting went on without any issues, and each of the girls had mentioned what they wanted in the upcoming title track. eventually, you managed to map out a set schedule for recording and writing. it was a highly productive meeting in your eyes. however, the entire time you could only focus on someone else’s pair. 

for some reason, karina couldn’t keep her eyes off of you. the idol felt drawn to you, even though she had just met you. periodically, winter would often graze her thumb over her hand. she didn’t notice it, really. her attention was entirely set on you. 

from the way your eyebrows furrowed, to the way your wrist twitched when you wrote, karina was analyzing every micro and macro detail about you. the meeting was about their group’s title track, but she would have much rather spent the time talking about you.

you had to be really good for SM to entrust the title track to you. she knew that you were new, but she didn’t think much of it until she walked into the room with you. she wanted to know everything about you.  jimin wanted to know just how special you were. 

by the time the next meeting had rolled around, the aespa members had all decided on their parts for a song you all decided to try experimenting with first. the order of recording went from youngest to oldest, with karina being the last to record. 

the other three had done just fine, not struggling much except for a few spots. surprisingly, the leader of the group seemed to really struggle with her parts. 

“you three can head back if you want, ill head home once im finished here.” jimin called out with her head poking out from the door. giselle and ning nodded and got their things to leave, but you could clearly see that winter was pouting and not wanting to leave without her girlfriend. 

jimin, being ever so attentive, made her way out of the booth and planted a soft kiss on the blonde’s head. “i’ll be home soon, i promise.” she whispered, watching the pout on minjeong’s lips disappear into a smile. 

once winter left with her other members, you were left alone with the aespa leader.

“i think you need to use more air in this part here,” you pointed to the lyric sheet in front of her while you gently tried to explain what she could do to improve. jimin’s eyes were trained on you the entire time, not on the paper. karina was an excellent vocalist, of course she knew what she needed to fix.

 as a matter of fact, she knew exactly how to read her lines. she just wanted–no, needed an excuse to be alone with you. 

“y/n,” 

your ears perked up at her voice, and you turned to face her fully with your head tilted slightly. the sight of your attentiveness to her made heat rush to her face. she prayed you wouldn’t be able to tell in the lighting of the booth. 

“yes?” you asked, a small smile on your face. “do you want me to show you how to do it?” you added, wanting to do anything to help the idol so she could do her best. 

before she could respond, you began singing the lines with ease. jimin swore she felt her entire nervous system stop working once her ears heard the sound of your voice.

if winter’s voice was like air, yours was like water. 

your voice alone could easily pass for one of an idol, and she didn’t notice it, but her jaw had dropped. you took note though, and simply flashed her your signature smile.

“you look like you’ve seen a ghost, karina.” 

a smile mirrored the idol’s lips as she felt the blush on her face heat up again. you were so adorable, and she couldn’t help but feel weak in the knees at the sound of her name rolling off your tongue. 

“jimin,” she said slowly, earning a look of confusion from you. she licked her lips before she continued speaking. “you can just call me jimin.” 

the two of you finished wrapping up her lines after what seemed like forever. it was dark outside, and jimin was starving. she could only imagine how hungry you had been, especially since you mentioned how you had been in the studio all day.

“hey y/n, lets go grab something to eat. it’s on me, consider it a thank you.” karina offered, earning a hesitant smile from you. you had heard that jimin was a kind woman, and practically the epitome of a disney princess, but to feel her kindness directed towards you made you feel shy all of a sudden.

“no need to thank me, jimin. i’m just doing my job.”

a scoff left the raven haired girl’s lips as she wrapped her arm around your shoulder. “come on, i’m not letting you leave just like that. you and i both need to eat, so let’s go.” she smiled down at you, and you couldn’t help but smile back and agree. 

besides, who couldn’t say no to her? after all, she was yu jimin. 

the two of you chatted away, getting to know each other better while you sat on the sidewalk in front of the dorms, eating takeout in the middle of the night. jimin was so caught up in her conversation with you that she didn’t realize how late it had been until you checked your phone and started apologizing. 

“thank you for tonight, jimin. i’m so sorry i didn’t see the time, i didn’t mean to keep you up.” you rambled, immediately scrambling to get your things to leave as soon as possible. 

the older girl stuck her hand out to hold your wrist, giving you the most genuine smile she had probably ever given. 

“i could talk to you for hours, y/n.”

your words got caught in your throat as you stared into her midnight eyes. jimin’s hair was down and undone, blowing softly in the night’s breeze. you would be lying if you said she still didn’t look gorgeous. she was a beautiful woman. you envied winter at that small moment for dating such a woman.

your recording sessions with aespa got more frequent, but your midnight dinners with karina seemed to be happening more often as well. you and jimin had gotten much, much closer. you considered her a good friend, but you two had yet to share any emotional moments. 

however, that all changed after one specific night.

it was technically not your day to record anything, but you found yourself in the studio playing around with a few new tracks. you wanted to potentially change something in the chorus of the title track, but you didn’t decide on anything yet. it was close to 1 in the morning, and you were just about to head home when the door to the room flung open.

you nearly fell out of your chair because it caught you so off guard, but what caught you even more off guard was the person who was standing in the doorway.

“jimin? are you okay?”

the idol closed the door behind her before she sat down on the couch with her head in her hands. she sniffled, and you didn’t bother pushing her to respond. instead, you simply moved over to sit on the couch with her and rub her back comfortingly.

“i didn’t know where else to go, im sorry.” she whispered softly, but from the hoarseness of her voice, you could tell she had definitely been crying. 

“you’re always welcome here, don't worry.” you hesitantly wrapped your arms around her shoulders, but you felt better once she visibly relaxed in your arms.

the two of you sat that way for a while, but the silence was comforting to jimin given the screaming match she just had mere hours ago.

“minjeong and i got into an argument,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. 

your head turned to face her, noticing her tear stained cheeks and the way her eyelashes were wet from crying. “do you want to talk about it?” 

jimin’s head hung and she shook her head, trying her best to keep herself composed somewhat. you nodded in understanding, respecting her decision and the underlying reasons for it.

 “is there anything else i can do for you?” you asked gently, removing your arms from her shoulders and letting them fall in your lap.

jimin turned to look at you, and for the first time that night, she managed to smile. “do you have any soju?”

around an hour had passed and you two were pretty tipsy to say the least. since the recording room was naturally soundproof, you two were able to laugh and talk freely as loud as you wanted. you were pretty sure you were on your second bottle at this point because you were starting to feel a bit more fuzzy than before.

you don’t remember how it happened or whose idea it was, but somehow you and jimin agreed to mess around on the vocal tracks. you just kept pressing the record button while she started singing “black mamba” but the “drunk version” as you two called it. 

karina insisted on you being apart of the song too, which was how you were hugging each other while screaming into the microphone. you couldn’t take her seriously though, and not even halfway through, you couldn’t stop laughing. 

“yah! y/n,” jimin laughed and rolled her eyes playfully. “you’re messing up the song! it has to be good.” she whined while shaking your shoulders. 

“sorry, but i can’t take you seriously when you’re yelling.” you reasoned, doing your best to not start laughing again. 

the aespa member groaned before leaning her head on your shoulder. “you’re lucky you’re cute.”

even in your drunken state, you knew you weren’t hearing things when her voice reached your ears. she had to mean it platonically, right? after all, she was with minjeong. she had a girlfriend. 

“you heard me, y/n.” karina whispered, leaning her head on your shoulder. it was as if she had read your own mind. “i think you’re cute.”

maybe it was the mix of the alcohol and emotions she was on, but jimin couldn’t help but say how she felt about you. relationship be damned, she couldn’t deny the way she felt about you. it was never her intention to fall for you, but she wasn’t going to stop. 

you don’t remember the rest of the conversation that followed, but what you do remember were bits and pieces of jimin kissing you against the wall, as well as some very vague images of her on top of you on the couch. 

still, you didn’t need the full recap to know what had happened between you two. it only made it worse once you had to see the girls again a few days after it had happened.

you couldn’t face minjeong properly, or even stare at her for longer than a few sentences. you felt immense regret, and even though it wasn’t just your fault, you couldn’t help but feel terrible for basically helping jimin cheat on her girlfriend.

thankfully, it seemed like karina and winter made up. however, you had a feeling that the younger girl didn’t know what happened between the two of you. and in all honesty, was it even your place to say anything either?

recording ended early, and you bid the members goodbye before turning to save everything you guys had worked on before hearing the door shut behind you. you nearly jumped out of your skin when you felt a pair of arms snake around your body. 

“hi,” jimin whispered, feeling her body relax against yours naturally. your head turned to face her, jaw agape and eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. was she still intoxicated somehow? 

the black haired girl couldn’t help but laugh at your visible confusion. “what’s wrong?” 

“what are you doing?” you hissed quietly, eyes quickly snapping towards the door as if minjeong or any other one of the members would walk in at any moment and witness the current situation.

“i missed you.” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to your temple. you would be lying to yourself if you said it didn’t give you tiny butterflies in your stomach. however, they were most definitely the bad kind of butterflies. 

“jimin,” you swallowed the lump in your throat. “we can’t do this, you have a girlfriend.”

karina’s dark eyes remained locked with yours, making you seem a bit uneasy at the way she started smiling after. “you’re so adorable, y/n/n.”

she cupped your face in between her hands, running her thumbs gently across your cheeks. she simply admired your confusion laced features, committing them to memory in case you would disappear right there on the spot. 

“do you know why minjeong and i got into an argument?”

you shook your head, recalling that jimin didn’t want to speak about what exactly went down between the two of them. 

jimin’s lip twitched into a wider smile before she leaned in closer to your face, your noses touching lightly.

 she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, “because i moaned your name and not hers.”

ice ran through your veins as you froze on the spot. jimin’s drunk actions were indeed sober thoughts. yu jimin, aespa’s karina, was infatuated with you, despite having her girlfriend. jimin wasn’t lying either. she and minjeong had been in the middle of a makeout session, but all the black haired girl could think about the entire time was how your lips would feel instead. as a result, she accidentally said your name, and the argument that followed was the reason for her running to your studio later that evening.

your silence caused the raven haired girl to grin even more. you didn’t know it yet, but you had been the object of her desires since the moment she met you. somehow, you had managed to make jimin fall so hard to the point where she could care less about her and minjeong. 

their years of history meant nothing to her anymore. sure, she cared about minjeong’s well being, but not in a romantic way anymore. she hadn’t cared about anything regarding her own relationship from the moment you introduced yourself to the group. the way you spoke, the way you sang, the way you wrote, the way you walked. every single detail that made you up, made her more impossibly infatuated. 

your sophistication was enough to make jimin want to leave winter, and as a matter of fact, she had already tried to. 

after the night she ran to the studio with you, she told her managers that she was going to break things off with minjeong. however, they refused to let her. she told them that she was in love with someone else, but despite her pleas and protests, they told her she had to stay with winter. it would be bad for publicity if they broke up, so she had to deal with loving you in secret for now.

your eyes met hers once more, and before you could process everything happening, she pressed her lips against yours. this time, a sober kiss, but she wanted to make sure you knew without a doubt that what she felt for you was real. 

her scent was intoxicating, and the way her chapstick tasted sent shivers down your spine. you knew you felt something towards the other girl as well, but unlike her, you had a guilty conscience about it. minjeong was someone you still admired too, and even though you weren’t too close, you still respected her as a person. 

you pulled away and jimin chased your lips, but stopped once she saw your flushed face. “what about minjeong?” you hesitantly asked, still trying to fully comprehend everything. 

“she’s not the one i want. don’t worry about her,” karina’s nails gently ran down your sides as she pressed her body against yours. “i want you, y/n. not her.”

she kissed your forehead, and you couldn’t help but feel conflicted. on one hand, you didn’t want to play any part of this messed up situation. jimin had feelings for you too, and you maybe had some for her as well, but she was in a relationship. you didn’t want to be that kind of person. 

however, on the other hand, you technically already had played a part in this mess. you and jimin crossed that line already, and you had crossed it together. there was no way you could go back now, so why stop now?

that latter was the logic you kept once things got more serious with karina. it had been over a month and a half since this all started, and truthfully, you still didn’t know how to feel.

you undid your shoelaces, taking your hightops off and setting them by the door before you made your way inside your apartment. the midday summer sun shone through your windows and illuminated the place with natural light.

you began rummaging through your mail, sorting what was important and what was not, until your phone began buzzing.

INCOMING CALL FROM: J &lt;3 …

of course, you answered without hesitation.

“hi, princess.” 

your eyes rolled playfully at the nickname, but a smile formed on your lips. jimin always made you smile, even if she was being extra. “hi, stranger.”

a scoff escaped her lips, and you heard it clearly. “stranger? interesting.”

“when are you coming over?” you asked while you mindlessly threw out some of your junk mail. 

you heard her hum on the other end of the phone before she answered. “she thinks im going home tonight and spending the weekend with my parents, so i’ll see you later tonight once i take her out for dinner.”

at this point in your “relationship” there wasn’t much spoken about minjeong anymore. sure, you knew that she and jimin were still very much together, and that jimin had to make it seem like everything was fine.

except, sometimes it did hurt you a little. you were falling for the other girl in the process of all of this mess, so naturally it made you feel a little jealous whenever jimin would do things with minjeong. 

of course, you trusted the girl, but you also understood that minjeong was very much still her girlfriend regardless. 

a hum in approval was all you gave before speaking. “alright then, i'll see you later.” jimin heard your tone shift but before she could even mention anything about it, you heard the muffled voice of minjeong in the background.

“see you later.”

the call ended, but you knew how this went because it always happened like this. since it was summer, your sessions with the group were not as often since they were filming for their next season of synk road and fulfilling their ambassador duties.

this meant you didn’t see jimin as often as you wanted, but she still called and texted every day because she missed you. you knew she missed you, but for whatever reason, you seemed to feel more insecure about your alleged position in her heart. 

jimin was cheating on minjeong with you, but wasn’t jimin also technically cheating on you too? 

then again, it wasn’t like the two of you had established any formal relationship together. all that you two knew, and had mentioned, was that you shared mutual feelings for each other. nothing more, and certainly nothing less.

you decided to distract yourself by showering and turning on some tv. moonlight crept into your apartment, and as you sat on your couch in your (jimin’s) comfiest clothes, you couldn’t help but notice the sinking feeling in your stomach once each minute passed.

it was already half past nine, and still no sign of the other girl. your scowl only grew more, but there wasn’t much you could do except move in closer to your couch cushion and grumble to yourself. 

as if on cue, not even 10 minutes later, you heard jimin come through the door. she saw your curled up figure, and noticed your attention was on the TV. she was a little bummed that you weren’t seemingly excited to see her. usually, you would run to greet her, especially since she hadn't seen you for a few days. 

“jagiya?” 

karina set her bag down and made her way towards the couch. you were still feeling a bit upset, and she knew something was wrong with your lack of energy, but she didn’t know why. the older girl moved to sit next to you and wrapped her arms around your torso. 

“hi.” you mumbled, keeping your eyes trained on the screen in front of you. 

a small frown etched onto the idol’s face, and she couldn’t help but feel worried about your behavior even more. “what’s wrong, baby?” she leaned down to press a kiss to your lips.

“nothing.” you muttered, but jimin’s frown only deepened once you turned your head and she only managed to kiss your cheek. she whimpered, looking like a kicked puppy at your sudden cold shoulder. jimin didn’t like it, and she didn’t like how you also weren’t telling her why you were acting this way. 

“did i do something wrong?” 

your silence was deafening, and if it wasn’t for the ambience of the random TV show playing, it would have been much more quiet. you didn’t want to potentially argue with karina, but you also were dying to have some sort of reassurance from the idol.

“what are we, jimin?”

the dark haired girl’s head snapped up and her eyes widened a little. she wasn’t expecting to have this conversation with you. maybe with minjeong, but definitely not with you.

“i don’t know what this is, or if this is just some game for you.” you added, fiddling with your fingers while you tried your best to be honest with her.

you were the only person jimin cared about in the world. had she not done a good enough job of showing you that? obviously she hadn’t, considering you were feeling insecure about yourself in the moment. she used her hand to cup your face, turning it to face her entirely. she scanned your face, concern etched into every feature.

 “you’re the love of my life, y/n.”

your gaze softened at her honesty, and part of you felt guilty for even doubting her feelings for you. karina took your softened gaze as an opportunity to continue speaking.

“from the moment i laid my eyes on you, i knew you were special. i knew i needed to have you. everything i feel for you, its real.”

to be honest, this was the most you two had talked about your feelings since her confession. and it did reassure you somewhat, but you had one important thing to get off of your chest.

“what about minjeong?”

jimin’s gaze never faltered, she simply pulled you into her lap and wrapped her arms around your back and waist. she leaned down to press her lips to your temple, and you instantly relaxed under her soft touch. 

“i feel nothing for her. every single time she kisses me, its only you i see. whenever she tells me she loves me, i can only say it back if i pretend its you. as a matter of fact,” she ran her hands up your shirt and caressed your back with her fingertips. the action combined with her sweet words sent shivers down your spine. “i was late tonight because i was arguing with my managers again. i tried to break it off again, like i always do. i’m always fighting for you, for us.”

the power you held over her was beyond her, and you had no idea what it was doing to the young idol. she was entirely in the palm of your hand, and you could do as you wished with her.

“what do you want me to do, baby? tell me, and i’ll do it.” the idol’s lips met your neck as she left the softest and lightest pecks at its base. truth be told, karina would do anything for you. if you told her to jump, she would say how high. if you said to run, she would ask how far. 

“you don’t have to do anything, jimin.” you whispered, not noticing the pout that formed on her lips. 

she stared up at you with her darkened eyes, “no. my baby doesn’t understand how much i care about her, so i  need to do something.”

“there’s nothing that can be done about it.” you said softly, pulling your neck away from her lips. the action made her face fall, but she was able to connect the dots and figured out immediately what the issue at hand was.

jimin’s hands moved to gently, but firmly, hold your waist. “look at me, y/n.” she quietly demanded, and you complied, of course. you would always do whatever she wanted, that was no question.

her gaze never left yours as she spoke, sending a flush to your face in the process. “i love you.”

karina’s lips kissed your forehead, then your cheek, and then the tip of your nose. the realization of her statement made your stomach flutter. you two had never said the words to each other; this was the first time you had heard her say it.

“i only love you, y/n.” 

she repeated herself, emphasizing each syllable as she pulled you in closer to her. she scanned your face for any sign of a reaction. her revelation was something she had always known herself, but she figured that by finally saying it out loud to you it may give you reassurance.

you wrapped your arms around her neck and pressed your lips against hers. jimin reciprocated immediately, letting a sigh escape from her mouth as she melted against you. you were her only true weakness, but also her only true strength. it was a beautiful balance; one that she was hell bent on keeping.

once you pulled away, your foreheads rested against each other. the two of you remained like that for a moment, simply relishing in the intimate moment. karina loved you, and you now knew that without the shadow of a doubt. despite her history with minjeong, she was so certain of her feelings for you. she had told you countless times how winter was not the one she had feelings for, and that it was only ever you.

for her it was always, and only ever going to be, you. for you, it was always, and only ever going to be, her. 

“i love you too, jimin.”

from that moment on, your relationship was more established. you two both knew that you were only each others, despite what the media thought. your relationship had to be secret, especially since minjeong or her other members didn’t know. however, despite keeping everyone in the dark, you two felt no regrets whatsoever.

especially in situations like now, when you two were making out in the practice room that her members had been in just mere minutes before. 

jimin was on top of you again, a sight that you saw often, but you would never get tired of it either. your back pressed into the wooden floor beneath you, which was freezing earlier, but since jimin pounced on you the moment you came through the door, your body felt anything but cold.

the idol’s hands dug into your waist, making you moan into her mouth. your secret lover grinned into the kiss, relishing in the effect she had on you. jimin was in the palm of your hand, but you were equally in hers as well. 

the two of you halted your movements once you heard footsteps echoing down the hall. however, jimin didn’t care about getting caught. she just didn’t want someone interrupting you two right now.

“shh,” she whispered against your lips, pecking them once more before she pulled herself off of you. she still hovered over your frame, but her body wasn’t pressed against yours. her midnight hues scanned your face, something she always had a habit of doing. she loved memorizing your features and committing them to her memory. you were a masterpiece, a true work of art. how could she not admire you?

“beautiful.” 

jimin’s hands intertwined with yours, her lips meeting your knuckles in a sweet gesture. a shade of crimson flushed your face. even after all this time, her compliments seemed to always have the same effect on you. 

“says the idol on top of me.” you replied, chest still slightly heaving as you attempted to catch your breath. you never fully understood how someone like her feel completely in love with you. especially since her relationship with her band member was seen as the epitome of every relationship. however, you never thought too long about it, especially when your lover was always so quick to reassure you. 

the mentioned idol leaned down and kissed your lips once more, slowly but firmly. she was insatiable, naturally. but she couldn’t help herself. you were practically the definition of perfection in her eyes. she would never be able to get enough of you. she wasn’t complaining, though. 

“marry me, y/n.”

she whispered against your lips, but before you could even say anything in response, she pressed another quick kiss to your swollen lips. “marry me and we won’t have to hide. then they can’t force me to do anything anymore.”

“jimin,” you warned, thinking she was somehow joking, but one glance at her and you knew she wasn’t. she had the same attentive expression on her face as always. you could practically see the wheels turning in her head. “let’s not do anything stupid.”

karina kissed the crown of your head gently, treating your body as if it was the most delicate thing in existence. “i’m tired of hiding. aren’t you?”

“your contract would be in jeopardy, my love.” you tried to reason, hoping that you would remind her of her job’s responsibilities. she was bound by her contact to her idol duties, and she was also the leader of aespa. she couldn’t exactly abandon that just for you, and you wouldn’t ask her to do such a thing anyway. 

karina whined and you kissed her temple. “i’ll threaten to leave, then.” your brows furrowed as you looked at her in disbelief once more. “you will do no such thing, rina.” 

the idol groaned once more, but chose to ignore your logical reasoning by kissing you fervently again. you tried to push her away to continue chastising her, but she kept chasing your lips. the older girl was about to attack your neck, but the buzzing of your phone caught both of you off guard.

reluctantly pulling away from your lover, you reached for it and answered without looking. 

“hello?” 

“y/n, what’s with this audio file?”

your brow furrowed as you gently moved jimin off of you. “which one?”

“the one you sent me wasn’t the one for the title track.”

your face met your forehead as you groaned, mentally trying to figure out which one you accidentally sent. fortunately for you, your boss jogged your memory.

“y/n, i don’t know what you…you and karina do…but uh, you definitely sent the wrong one.”

the color drained from your face and your gaze met jimin’s. her brows furrowed, since her close proximity, she could hear the conversation going on. however, she was just as lost as you. the two of you kept everything you did private, including your intimate moments. so how on earth would someone else know?

“ill uh, ill look into it. sorry, again.” you replied, still just as confused. you moved your phone to your other ear before mouthing something to karina. “what is he talking about?”

she only shrugged, standing up and reaching over to grab her phone from her bag. your attention was brought back to your conversation.

“yeah, i don’t know what you’re going to tell the other girls though. just send me the track by tonight.”

he ended the call once you exchanged farewells, but once you turned to jimin, you finally realized what audio file you had accidentally sent.

it was from the night you two got drunk in the studio. you had accidentally left the record button on in the booth, which picked up every single sound and word that was exchanged.

your face flushed red, and as you turned to face jimin, she stared at her phone with a smile on her face.

“what?” she asked, tilting her head at you once she made eye contact. 

you swallowed the lump in your throat, trying your best to calm your racing heart. your boss had heard you and karina, basically reliving the moment you two shared with a front row seat. “jimin, he heard the recording of us from the night we got drunk in the studio.” 

the idol’s smile only grew wider, making you feel significantly more confused. why was she smiling at a time like this? 

jimin held her phone to your face, showing you her screen. it was her conversation with minjeong. 

it was text after text of minjeong cursing at jimin, numerous amounts of “fuck you” and “how could you” messages. the realization suddenly hit you once you read the final message: “we’re done.” and your manager’s words echoed in your mind once again.

“yeah, i don’t know what you’re going to tell the other girls though.”

shit. they heard it.

“we don’t have to hide anymore, baby.” jimin grinned and kissed your face over and over, practically bursting at the seams with energy. you looked at her like she was insane. the smile on jimin’s face was the brightest you had ever seen. she swayed you in her arms, holding you close and forgetting about her phone and her extremely upset ex. 

however, she didn’t care. and truthfully? neither did you. the only thing you cared about was getting the title track sent in by your deadline. 

you suddenly felt a smile growing on your face, mirroring hers. you didn’t have to hide anymore, and with minjeong knowing as well, things would definitely look different with their management. jimin wouldn’t have to threaten anyone, and she would get to have her relationship with you. 

“i’m going to show everyone that you’re my lover, the real love of my life.” jimin whispered in your ear.

your smile never faltered, and you could only feel butterflies in your stomach at the thought of being able to go out and do public dates with your girlfriend. “we can go on dates,” she continued, pressing a kiss to your cheek and then again on your lips. “i don’t care what people will say,” karina’s eyes glinted with happiness. “i’m yours, and you are mine.”

you wrapped your arms around her neck, looking up at her with the same lovesick look she shared with you. “let’s go on vacation somewhere, just you and me.” she proposed as she wrapped her arms around your waist. 

“i’d like that,” you answered with a giggle, feeling ticklish as she nuzzled her nose into your shoulder. with a deep breath, she inhaled your scent and pressed a kiss to your shoulder. “we can leave once the title track is released.” 

“how about hawaii?” karina asked, pressing her lips to your neck gently. “i’ve heard their black beaches are gorgeous.”

you hummed in thought, recalling the numerous times you two had mentioned traveling somewhere together just to get away. but with the comeback preparations and summer ambassador activities, your plans were often squashed. 

“hm, i don’t know jimin. we have a lot to clean up here.”

she groaned into your neck, “come on, don’t be a bummer, babe.”

however, now that your schedules were going to be much more free, you decided now would be the best time to go. 

“fine, lets do it.”

the photos of you two making out on the sandy black beaches in hawaii made headlines the next weekend, but neither of you cared anymore. you didn’t care about hiding, she didn’t care about what people said about her and minjeong. she didn’t care because now she got the girl she wanted, and she wasn’t afraid to show it. 

karina’s face was plastered all over media outlets, and aespa gained a lot of attention from your relationship. even though most people didn’t know who you were, once karina publicly mentioned your name in an interview the amount of attention you received was enormous. she had always defended your name though, making sure to come for anyone that dared taint your name. she was fine with people taking her name through the mud, but yours? 

she would rather burn her own hands than let someone else harm you.

minjeong and the others were still very upset with their leader, but it wasn’t like they could do anything about it. it wasn’t like the two of you were going to stop.

your once secret, undercover love was now in the light, and the only thing that mattered to you was the success of aespa and your girlfriend’s well being. 

but for karina, the only thing that mattered to her was you. that, and what style of ring she was going to buy you after the comeback was over.

after all, weddings were often better in the spring, but this summer was not a bummer at all. the only bummer was how she was going to get her members to forgive her and be her bridesmaids, but that was a problem for later.

-

a/n: to the anon who requested this...thank you so MUCH 😋

[muiitoloko]

Would you ever write something about Alan's character Alfred Blalock?

Title: The Color of Courage

Summary: Set against the backdrop of systemic racism, a surgeon and his nurse must decide if their growing affection can overcome the world's prejudice.

Paring: Alfred Blalock × Fem! Reader

Warnings: Racism and Discrimination.

Author Notes: I hope you enjoy this—I put together something quick for you!

Also read on Ao3

You stand in the small preparation room just off the operating theater, the scent of antiseptic sharp in the air. The sterile gown in your hands feels smooth but sturdy, the material crisp and cool. Alfred Blalock is speaking as you carefully help him into it, his voice low and steady, his tone a mix of focus and anticipation.

"The case is a challenging one," he says, his hazel eyes flicking up briefly to meet yours through the silver frames of his glasses. "The patient is only six, with severe cyanosis. The team is ready, but there's always an element of the unknown."

You nod, your hands deftly tying the ropes at the back of the gown. "You’ve faced harder surgeries before, Dr. Blalock," you reply softly, your voice calm but firm. "You always find a way."

Alfred’s lips twitch, almost forming a smile, though his usual solemnity remains. “Perhaps,” he murmurs, his tone thoughtful. “But each new case carries its own weight. We’re not just saving lives, [Your Name]; we’re changing what’s possible.”

His words resonate with you, and you glance up at him, your own determination reflected in his hazel eyes. “It’s why you do this,” you say, looping another tie carefully. “To push boundaries, to find answers where others see none.”

Alfred nods slowly, his hooked nose casting a shadow over his face in the dim light. “Yes,” he says, his baritone voice softer now. “Though I wonder if ambition blinds me sometimes.”

You pause, your hands stilling for a moment. “It’s not ambition if it’s for the right reasons,” you reply, your gaze steady. “And your reasons, Dr. Blalock, are noble.”

He looks at you for a long moment, as though weighing your words. Then, with a slight shake of his head, he glances away, adjusting his glasses. “You always seem to know the right thing to say,” he mutters, almost to himself. “I envy that.”

A faint smile tugs at your lips, but you don’t respond. Instead, you move to tie the final set of strings at his waist. His voice, when it comes again, is quieter, almost hesitant.

“[Your Name],” he begins, and you hear a shift in his tone—something less clinical, more personal. “Have you ever been to the movies?”

The question catches you off guard, and your fingers falter slightly before completing the knot. “The movies?” you repeat, looking up at him with a curious expression.

He nods, his hazel eyes searching yours. “Yes. Moving pictures. Have you ever seen one?”

You hesitate, sensing the weight behind the question. “Once,” you admit, your voice low. “But it wasn’t… easy. Most theaters don’t exactly welcome people like me.”

Alfred’s face tightens, the light silver in his hair catching as he tilts his head. “That’s wrong,” he says firmly, his baritone voice carrying an edge of frustration. “Unjust. You deserve better than that.”

You smile faintly, though there’s a sadness behind it. “It’s the world we live in, Dr. Blalock. I’ve learned to make peace with it.”

Alfred steps back slightly, his gaze never leaving yours. “You shouldn’t have to,” he replies, his voice softer now. “The things you endure… I don’t—” He stops, seemingly unsure how to continue. “I wish it were different.”

Your heart tightens at his words, at the sincerity in his hazel eyes. “It means something to hear you say that,” you say quietly. “But the world doesn’t change overnight.”

“No,” he agrees, his expression pensive. “But perhaps it can change, piece by piece. And maybe… I could take you to the movies sometime. If you’d like.”

You blink, caught completely off guard by the offer. “You’d do that?” you ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

He nods, his face solemn but earnest. “Yes, [Your Name]. I would.”

For a moment, the room feels still, the air heavy with unspoken truths. Then, with a small, tentative smile, you nod. “I think I’d like that,” you say softly.

Alfred’s lips twitch again, almost forming a full smile this time. “Good,” he murmurs, adjusting his glasses once more. “Then it’s settled.”

The moment lingers between you before he clears his throat, his professional demeanor returning. “Shall we?” he asks, gesturing toward the door that leads to the operating theater.

You nod, stepping back and straightening your own gown. “Let’s save a life, Dr. Blalock.”

He meets your gaze one last time, something unspoken passing between you, before turning and pushing open the door. And as you follow him into the bright lights and controlled chaos of the operating room, you feel a quiet hope take root—a hope for a world where moments like these might one day be easier.

The air was crisp as Alfred Blalock stood beside you outside the movie theater, his hands resting awkwardly in the pockets of his neatly pressed trousers. The warm glow of the marquee lights bathed his face, highlighting the faint silver streaks in his hair and the sharp angles of his hooked nose. He looked down at you through the silver rims of his glasses, a flicker of nervousness in his hazel eyes as he adjusted them.

“Are you sure about this, Dr. Blalock?” you asked quietly, your voice carrying both doubt and a hint of resignation. “We don’t have to do this. There are… other ways to spend the evening.”

Alfred shook his head, his expression firm. “I made you a promise, [Your Name],” he said, his baritone voice steady but soft. “And I intend to keep it.”

You hesitated, the weight of what you were about to face pressing heavily on your chest. This wasn’t new to you—it never was—but the thought of Alfred seeing it, of him experiencing even a fraction of the humiliation you endured daily, made you uneasy.

“Dr. Blalock…” you began again, but he stopped you with a gentle but determined look.

“Alfred,” he corrected, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I think we’re past titles, don’t you?”

You couldn’t help but smile faintly at his attempt to ease your discomfort. “Alfred,” you repeated, testing the name on your tongue. It felt strange, intimate, but you nodded. “If you say so.”

The two of you approached the ticket counter, Alfred stepping up confidently while you lingered slightly behind, your arms folded across your chest. The attendant, a wiry man with a weathered face, barely looked up as Alfred handed over money for two tickets.

“One, sir,” the attendant said curtly, pushing back a single ticket.

Alfred frowned, his hooked nose flaring slightly as he glanced at the ticket, then back at the man. “I asked for two,” he said evenly, his baritone voice carrying an edge.

The attendant finally looked up, his eyes shifting past Alfred to you. His lip curled slightly, his gaze hardening. “We don’t serve her kind here,” he said bluntly, his voice low but unapologetic. “Negroes don’t get in.”

The words hit you like a blow, though you weren’t surprised. You had heard them—or variations of them—countless times before. You stood a little straighter, your face carefully neutral, as you stepped forward and placed a hand on Alfred’s arm.

“Alfred,” you said softly, “it’s fine. Really.”

But Alfred’s hazel eyes blazed with a quiet fury as he turned back to the attendant. “It’s not fine,” he said, his voice sharp and unyielding. “She’s with me, and I’d like two tickets.”

The attendant leaned against the counter, his gaze unflinching. “Ain’t gonna happen, sir,” he drawled. “You can go in, but she stays out. That’s the policy.”

You tightened your grip on Alfred’s arm, your voice low and steady. “Alfred, please. Let’s just go.”

He shook his head, his jaw tightening as he glared at the attendant. “This is absurd,” he said, his baritone voice filled with frustration. “She’s a nurse, a professional, a human being. How can you justify—”

“Alfred,” you interrupted gently, stepping closer to him. “It’s not worth it.”

He turned to you, his expression softening slightly, though the fire in his eyes remained. “It is worth it,” he said quietly. “You’re worth it.”

The words made your breath catch, but you shook your head, offering him a small, sad smile. “This is the world we live in,” you said softly. “You can’t change it by arguing with one man.”

For a long moment, Alfred stared at you, his hazel eyes searching yours. Then, with a deep sigh, he nodded, stepping back from the counter. “Fine,” he said, his voice tight. “But this isn’t over.”

The two of you turned and walked away, leaving the warm glow of the marquee behind. The cool night air was a stark contrast to the heated tension of the encounter, and for a moment, neither of you spoke.

Finally, Alfred broke the silence. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low, his head bowed slightly. “I should have known… I should have done better.”

You stopped walking, turning to face him. “It’s not your fault,” you said firmly. “You didn’t make the rules.”

“No,” he agreed, looking up at you, his hazel eyes filled with guilt. “But I didn’t stop them either.”

The raw honesty in his voice made your chest tighten. You reached out, resting a hand on his arm. “You’re trying,” you said softly. “And that means something.”

He studied you for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a faint, rueful smile, he said, “I still owe you a night out.”

You laughed quietly, shaking your head. “Alfred, I think we’ve had enough excitement for one evening.”

“Perhaps,” he conceded, his smirk growing. “But next time, we’ll find a place that deserves you.”

The warmth in his words sent a flicker of hope through you, and as you walked together into the night, you couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, the world could change—one step at a time.

The quiet night stretched before you as you walked alongside Alfred Blalock, his sharp profile illuminated by the dim streetlights. You noticed the stiffness in his posture, the way his hands remained tucked deep in the pockets of his tailored trousers. The tension from the earlier confrontation still lingered between you, a stark reminder of the barriers the world insisted on maintaining.

You broke the silence tentatively, your voice soft. “There’s a place we could go… if you’re willing.”

Alfred glanced at you, his hazel eyes narrowing slightly behind his silver-rimmed glasses. “Go where?” he asked, his baritone voice cautious but not dismissive.”

“To my community,” you replied, hesitating before continuing. “There’s a restaurant there—nothing fancy, but they serve good food. And…” You trailed off, glancing at him briefly before looking away. “It’s a place I know we’d be welcome.”

Alfred stopped walking, and you turned to face him, his expression unreadable. His pause made your stomach twist, and you quickly filled the silence. “It’s fine if you’re uncomfortable,” you said, your tone faltering slightly. “I understand if you wouldn’t want to be in—”

“I’m not worried about being in your community,” Alfred interrupted, his voice sharp with conviction. His hazel eyes searched yours intently, and you saw a flicker of something—guilt, perhaps—cross his features. “I’m more concerned about… well, would they even let me in?”

You blinked, caught off guard by his question. “What?”

Alfred adjusted his glasses, his hooked nose flaring slightly as he explained. “A white man in a place like that—won’t it cause… complications? I don’t want to put you in an awkward position.”

For a moment, you were stunned into silence. Then, despite yourself, you felt the corners of your mouth twitch as a laugh threatened to escape. You quickly swallowed it down, reminding yourself that this was Alfred Blalock, your boss, and a man unused to navigating such situations.

“They’ll accept you,” you said gently, your voice tinged with amusement. “Some folks might look at you a little funny, but no one will make a fuss. At least… I don’t think they will.”

Alfred studied you for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought. Finally, he nodded, his expression resolute. “Alright,” he said, his baritone voice steady. “Lead the way.”

You guided him through the quiet streets toward a small, unassuming restaurant tucked into the heart of your community. Its modest exterior was bathed in the warm glow of light spilling from its windows, and the faint sound of jazz drifted into the night. The sign above the door read Maggie’s Kitchen in faded letters, and the smell of collard greens, cornbread, and fried chicken made your stomach rumble.

As you stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations hushed briefly as heads turned toward the two of you, and you felt Alfred stiffen beside you. The room was filled with the hum of community life—families sharing meals, couples laughing softly, men playing cards at a corner table. The majority of the patrons were Black, as you’d expected, and Alfred’s presence was immediately noticeable.

Maggie, the owner, a stout woman with a warm smile and sharp eyes, emerged from behind the counter. She wiped her hands on her apron, her gaze flicking to Alfred before landing on you. “Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence,” she said, her voice teasing but kind. “And you brought company.”

You smiled, stepping forward. “Good evening, Miss Maggie. This is Dr. Blalock.”

Maggie’s eyes appraised Alfred for a moment before she nodded, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Doctor, huh? Well, welcome to my kitchen.” She gestured toward a corner table. “You two take a seat. I’ll bring you something good.”

Alfred inclined his head politely. “Thank you, ma’am,” he said, his baritone voice softer than usual.

As you sat down, the faint buzz of conversation resumed, though you noticed a few lingering glances in Alfred’s direction. He seemed unbothered, his hazel eyes scanning the room with quiet curiosity.

“This place,” he said after a moment, his voice low. “It feels… different.”

You tilted your head, watching him. “Different how?”

He adjusted his glasses, his expression thoughtful. “It’s warm. Alive. There’s a sense of… belonging here. It’s something I’ve rarely felt.”

His words surprised you, and you studied him for a moment before replying. “It’s home,” you said simply.

Alfred nodded slowly, his gaze meeting yours. “I can see why.”

Maggie returned with two steaming plates of food, setting them down with a flourish. “Here you go,” she said, placing a hand on her hip. “Don’t waste a single bite. I’ll be watching.”

You laughed softly. “Thank you, Miss Maggie.”

As Maggie walked away, Alfred picked up his fork, examining the plate in front of him with an almost clinical curiosity. “I’ve never had cornbread like this,” he admitted, his hazel eyes glinting with intrigue.

“Then you’re in for a treat,” you said, a smile tugging at your lips. “Go on. Try it.”

Alfred took a cautious bite, his expression shifting as the flavors hit his palate. He nodded appreciatively. “It’s excellent,” he said simply.

You couldn’t help but laugh at his understated reaction. “You’re full of surprises tonight, Alfred.”

He glanced at you, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “And you’ve been full of them since the day we met.”

The warmth in his voice made your cheeks flush, and you quickly turned your attention to your plate. But as the two of you shared the meal, the initial tension faded, replaced by a quiet camaraderie. For the first time, it felt as though the barriers between your worlds were not so insurmountable after all.

The night passed quickly, the quiet hum of conversation between you and Alfred Blalock weaving an unexpected sense of intimacy. Over cornbread and collard greens, he shared glimpses of his life—his childhood in Georgia, his years in medical school, and his dreams of pushing the boundaries of what medicine could achieve.

You found yourself laughing at his dry humor, at the way he hesitated before confessing he had no idea how to cook anything beyond toast and eggs. He was a handsome man, his hazel eyes warm behind his silver-rimmed glasses, his hair catching the light when he tilted his head to listen to you speak. But you tried not to let the thought linger, knowing the reality of your worlds—a white man and a Black woman, especially in 1930s Nashville. No one would ever accept that.

Still, for a few hours, you allowed yourself to forget. In this little pocket of the world, with Alfred sitting across from you and the comforting buzz of the restaurant around you, things felt almost… normal.

When the meal was over, Alfred insisted on walking you home, his gentlemanly manners firm despite your protests that you were perfectly capable of making it on your own.

“It’s late,” he said simply, his baritone voice leaving no room for argument. “And I’d feel better knowing you got home safely.”

You sighed but relented, leading the way through the quiet streets. The conversation flowed easily, touching on lighter topics—books you enjoyed, music he found perplexing but intriguing, and your mutual disdain for overly sweet desserts. The walk seemed shorter than usual, and before you knew it, you were standing on your front stoop, the soft glow of the porch light illuminating his face.

“Well,” you said, turning to face him, “thank you, Dr.—I mean, Alfred. For the dinner. And the company.”

His lips quirked into a faint smile, the corners of his hazel eyes crinkling. “The pleasure was mine, [Your Name]. Thank you for introducing me to Miss Maggie’s. I’m afraid my cooking will seem even worse by comparison now.”

You laughed softly, shaking your head. “Somehow, I think you’ll manage.”

Alfred hesitated for a moment, his gaze holding yours as though he wanted to say something more. But instead, he inclined his head slightly and stepped back. “Goodnight,” he said, his voice gentle. “Take care.”

“Goodnight, Alfred,” you replied, opening the door. You lingered for a moment, watching as he waited at the foot of the steps, his posture stiff and proper, until you finally stepped inside.

The door clicked shut behind you, and you leaned against it for a brief moment, your mind swirling with the unexpected warmth of the evening. But the sound of footsteps rushing down the hallway snapped you out of your thoughts.

“Who was that white man?” your cousin demanded, her hands on her hips as she stopped in front of you. Her eyebrows were raised so high they practically disappeared into her headscarf. “And don’t tell me he’s selling insurance—he looks too fancy for that.”

You sighed, slipping off your coat and hanging it on the hook by the door. “He’s not selling insurance, Clara.”

Clara narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. “Then who is he? The police? Did you do something? Should I be worried?”

“Clara, no,” you said, exasperated. “He’s not the police. He’s a doctor. My boss, actually.”

Her mouth fell open, and then she leaned back, crossing her arms. “Your boss? What’s he doing walking you home, then? Doctors don’t just walk their nurses home. Especially not white doctors walking Black nurses.”

“It’s not like that,” you insisted, though your voice faltered slightly. “He’s… he’s just kind. That’s all.”

Clara gave you a long, skeptical look, and then her lips curved into a teasing grin. “Kind, huh? Kind enough to walk all the way to this side of town at night? Kind enough to look at you like you’re a plate of fried chicken and he’s been starving?”

“Clara!” you hissed, heat rushing to your cheeks as you glared at her.

She laughed, clearly enjoying your embarrassment. “What? I’m just saying. He’s got that look about him. Like he’s trying to figure out how to get himself a little chocolate on the side.”

You groaned, covering your face with your hands. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re avoiding the question,” Clara shot back, smirking. “So? Is he?”

“Is he what?” you asked, exasperated.

“Trying to get chocolate,” she said bluntly, wiggling her eyebrows.

You groaned again, pushing past her toward the kitchen. “I’m not having this conversation with you.”

Clara followed, still grinning. “You don’t have to. I already know the answer. You’re blushing, and he was standing outside like he didn’t want to leave. That man is hooked on you, and you’re just pretending not to notice.”

You busied yourself making tea, refusing to meet her gaze. “He’s my boss, Clara. And he’s white. Nothing’s going to happen.”

Clara leaned against the counter, her grin softening slightly. “Maybe not. But you’re allowed to dream a little, you know. Just because the world’s broken doesn’t mean your heart has to be.”

Her words caught you off guard, and you glanced at her, your expression softening. “It’s not that simple.”

“I know,” she said, her voice quieter now. “But it doesn’t mean you can’t hope.”

You sighed, pouring the tea and handing her a cup. “I’ll think about it.”

Clara smirked, taking a sip. “You do that. And in the meantime, if he shows up here again, I’m asking him straight out what his intentions are.”

You groaned, laughing despite yourself. “Please don’t.”

“No promises,” she replied, her grin returning. “No promises at all.”

[strangersteddierthings]

Fic Masterpost

General Fic Tag Ao3 Account - All fics with [Ao3] next to them can be found here. Reference post for Steve's BMW

Bad News First, Eddie - Completed [Ao3] Part One 🦇 Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Final Part

Shovel Talk(s) - Completed [Ao3] Part One 🦇Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Final Part

Porcelain Steve - Completed [Ao3] Part One🦇Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six🦇Part Seven🦇Part Eight🦇Final Part

What's Eight Plus Seven? - On Going - [Ao3] Part One🦇Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six

The Interview - Completed [Ao3] The Interview (Part One) The Response (Part Two) The Conversation (Part Three) Untitled Song - A The Interview Tie-In Fic [Ao3]

No Regrets - On Going Part One🦇 Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six

Good People - Completed [Ao3] Part One🦇Part Two🦇Final Part

My Default’s Self-Destruct (Oh, I’m Not Used to Normal) - On Going Part One

Envy, Baby. Written for Rustypeoplekillz for the Steddie Summer Exchange 2024. Eddie makes a new friend and Steve spirals about it.

Steve and Robin talk about how Steve wants to be romanced, instead of always doing the romancing.

Eddie's over dramatic, Steve talks him down, and they're okay in the end :)

Steve reflects on how other people make the decisions in his life and decides, y'know what? No. Fuck that and fuck you.

Beg You to Love Me - Steve and Eddie talk for the first time two and a half years after they break up. [Ao3]

Steve pines for Eddie and carves a pumpkin for the first time. He is completely normal about both things. [Ao3]

Eddie left, and has to face the consequences of that

Steve has great parents and goes to therapy. Too bad he forgot to tell his friends that [Ao3]

Middle School Meet Cute? [Ao3]

One sentence and one phone call are all it takes for Steve to realize he needs to go after what he wants [Ao3]

Steve's sad, Eddie's an (accidentally on-purpose) jerk, and the miscommunication gets solved? [Ao3]

Steve gets Vecna'd and a terrible rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody saves him

Angsty Ella Enchanted AU

Steve finds it funny, the differences between him and Eddie.

#81. “We’re in the middle of a thunderstorm and you want to stop and feel the rain?” [Ao3]

#23. “Just pretend to be my date.” and #60. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to seduce me.” [Ao3]

#60. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to seduce me." [Ao3]

#13. "I dare you to kiss me"

Requested by Anon - Eddie catches Billy throwing Steve around in the locker room; it leads to an unintentional deescalation of the situation and a conversation Eddie's surprised to have. [Ao3]

Steddie Week 2023: Day 1: Pining [Ao3]

Anon Prompt - Robin brags about her boyfriend to Steve. He's a little jealous, because he wants to brag about his own boyfriend but doesn't know if Robin is safe to tell that too. Until, whoops, turns out Robin's BF and Steve's BF are the same boyfriend. [Ao3]

Steve doesn't want to be put on a pedestal. Eddie doesn't understand, and tries to reassure Steve. [Ao3]

Eddie's friends try to prove Steve's cheating on him. Eddie doesn't take kindly to them trying to ruin his relationship for no reason.

Plot Idea I’ll never fully flush out or write but gotta get out of my head or it’ll never let me know peace again. It’s basically Steve sent from the future going all John Wick.

Steve-focused ficlet exploring the idea of Steve becoming a Mean Girl because he learned his tactics from Carol Perkins rather than Tommy, and how he regrets the results of that.

Domestic Bliss fluff fic that ends in a loving blow job. Minors DNI. [Ao3]

Childhood Best Friends AU where Steve and Eddie agree to learn the elvish script from The Hobbit so they can pass notes and no one can read them. Things get a little messy when Eddie moves away with no notice but Steve takes it upon himself to learn Elvish anyway. [Ao3]

Steve doesn't think before he all but crawls seductively into Eddie's lap accidentally. There's also not much thinking once he realizes what he's done, or in the aftermath of it. [Ao3]

Steve, Gareth, and Chrissy Are Cousins [Ao3]

Steve, Gareth, and Chrissy are all cousins, and Gareth doesn't want anyone to know that. For his street cred.

The Steve, Gareth, and Chrissy are cousins AU gets sad (Sad AU Part 1).

Steve realizes he's the only adult left In The Know in Hawkins; Gareth wants answers, one way or another (Sad AU Part 2).

Steve doesn't attend a funeral; Gareth goes with Jason&Co to Reefer Ricks (Sad AU Part 3).

The gang arrives at Skull Rock and Steve learns Gareth's now involved. Robin learns the truth (Sad AU Part 4).

Vecna gives Steve the vision and forces him to make a choice (Sad AU Part 5).

Everyone learns they are cousins now and it goes well. Gareth makes his own plan to save the day. (Sad AU Part 6).

Wayne joins the fight and Gareth ensures that Max gets saved (Sad AU Part 7).

The cousins reconcile. Max and Steve don't (yet). It's as happy an end as a Sad AU can get (Sad AU Final Part).

Time Travel Fix It Fic

Class of '85 [Ao3]

Save Max [Ao3]

September Prompts 2023

Coffee Smell ○ Horizon ○ Foggy Mornings ○ Jukebox ○ "Kiss me or leave me" ○ "Did you lie to me?" ○ Bonfire ○ Recipe Book ○ Gas Station

[lady-ashfade]

Like moths to a flame- The deal.

Yandere crows x fem!reader. Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Nina zenik, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Matthias Helvar.

Notes: not much yandere tendency in this one but it’s a set up for the future. I have not read the books. Honestly I hope this okay! (No Matthias in this, because I am trying to learn how to do him-Some way good)

Taglist: @cleverzonkwombatsludge @babyblue-chaos @2234world @missbeeentertainment @multifandomconfusion

Warning: cringy writing, mistakes, but nothing to worry about!

The sound of cards, coins clinking and hitting the table, the smell of alcohol and sweat mixed with hint perfume of the woman in the place. Voices from each part of the place was overwhelming, you couldn’t hear yourself think. It was a good tactic for the place, makes the stress higher.

You could’ve gone anywhere else because surely there were more people willing to help you, but strangely you felt at easy with the place. Maybe it was because it was new to you from your kept any life style. Everyone here was different then you, most bastards and lowlife but you felt envy of them. You felt guilty for wanting the chance to be like them because even you wished for freedom. In their shoes it wasn’t easy and most of them wouldn’t even life to see tomorrow but that’s the similarity between the two. You both had obstacles to over come.

Scanning your eyes you head over to the bar and took notice off all the eyes shifting to you. Well dressed, jewelry that cost probably more then they had seen in their life. The cleanness of your skin and the most noticeable thing about you, the moth pin on the back of your head. “What’s someone like you doing here?” The man behind the counter asked. You smiled at him and held your hands together, “I need to take to your boss- Or the man who runs this place.” It was unusual how kind your voice was, like it had all its innocents intact.

“Hmm, are you sure you have the right place?” He looked you up and down. You nodded your head then reacted into the pocket on your belt and pulled out two coins. “I have plenty of money, if you could be so kind as to maybe tell your boss about me I would appreciate it.” You slipped a note on the table with the money, “And tell your boss what I need done is worth a lot, king of the barrel worth.” Shooting him one last smile and bowing your head.

Walking away from him and toward the door you kept the smile on your face as you look at the the place. “Leaving so soon?” And voice came up behind you. The voice was raspy and deep, like the sound of the night sky or the clouds on a rainy day. Then there was the sound of a few clicks on the floor of what sounded like a cane. Turing around to face the man who you recognized immediately even if you had never seen him before. His pale skin and dark circles, the black outfit and the hat on top of his head, then there was the gloves that gripped the cane. The gold crow on the tip.

“Kaz brekker, a pleasure.” Giving him a slight bow you bent your knee, he watched you with a scowl on his face and what looked like confusion at your actions. “Your business here?” He asked straight away sounding harsh but you had no offense. “I have a job for you if you’re willing to take it.” You whipped your hands on your dress as they started to sweat.

He arched a brow, “What does one of The Five need help here?” You blushed at the recognition because you knew it was strange. Of course you knew you were going to be recognized by everyone, you were one of the houses considered “royal” here. “What you should focus on is that you know I have money,” you smirked at him, “there is a note for you with the bartender.”

He looks at you and tries to read your attitude, it was too sweet, something had to be wrong. “Just think about it?” There was the sweet voice again that for some reason made his mind twist but he convinced himself it was the thought of money. He watched you walk out the bar with grace and almost pure light and he didn’t believe in saints or fate…But there was something about you.

His mind began to wonder about the offer and what he could do for you, surely you wouldn’t need anything stolen. And it couldn’t be killing or then again, you might think this was where to get it done. “Interesting.” He said loudly to himself and looked at the door you walked out almost picturing you.

“Who you talking to boss?” He turned around to see Jesper looking at him with a smirk and he could tell he was being teased. Rolling his eyes at his friend and walked passed him, “Might have a job.” The other man follows him to the bar and watched as a note was given to him.

“What kind of job?” He spoke curiously and intrigued. Kaz took a moment to read the note and the slight change in his face, however small, Jesper could tell it was something off. “What’s it say?” He pressed on and lend on the table for the other to respond. Kaz took a moment to think, “Well?” He looked at Jesper as the man annoyed him. 

“Meeting tonight, tell the others.” And without anything else he limped away with his cane. The shooter threw his hands up and leaned back onto the bar, left with no answers. “Oh, well Jesper since you’re apart of the group I will give you the information.” He signaled the bartender to get him some shots as he talked to himself. “Because you have risked your life time and time again I consider you a friend, and i would never walk away from you.” As soon as the small glasses was placed in front of him he took them quickly.

“Do you this is actually a good idea?” He threw his arms on his hips and pushed his coat out of the way. Kaz kept his eyes ahead and not paying any attention to the talking man beside him. Jesper groaned and looked back at nina and wylan for help. “I mean, it could be a real job.” She sounded like she was trying to convince herself. “Or it could be a trap.” Wylan commented. “See, I told you.” Jesper shouted and made kaz stop in his tracks.

Raising his cane to stop Jesper from walking and then turned around to face his crew. “I am aware this could be a trap, every possibility you have in your heads I have already ran out in mine. We have back up plans. But I will not have you guys whine like dogs because of this, so maybe pictures your pockets being weighed down with money. Just shut it because I don’t want this to be ruined.” He leaned closer to them and the sound of his glove getting tighter on the cane was heard, and his glare getting harder.

“Do I make myself clear?” They all pushed aside their worries and nodded along to agree. Kaz looked up and Inej stood on the roof above, he signaled her and she went away to find a away into the house. The four continued walking and got to the gate where two men stood behind the gate, big and buff. “What’s your business?” The man with the beard asked.

“We have a meeting with the lady of the house, deals to be made.” Kaz spoke with ease, the two guys looked at each other then unlocked the gate. “No funny business, if you make one wrong move we’ll kill you.” The groups looked at him and to each other, wondering if they should laugh or not. The group heading inside the lovely mansion, so shiny and everything thing in it mush be worth more then what they had on them. The colors light and it looked almost like paradise. 

A woman step out of a door in a maiden outfit and looked at them, the woman was older and didn’t looked to pleased to see them. “Follow me please.” And with that they followed her up the huge stairs with golden railings. On each wall, Or carving or almost anywhere they looked they saw some type of moth. Given that was the house crest it was fitting but this was almost over the top, almost. They came to a stopping point and two big hallways were on both side with so many doors and two big door at the end of each.

“She has requested to have a conversation alone and as must as I advised against it, she is headstrong against it.” The woman grumbled. She opened the door and they walked it, “If I hear anything- Dead.” The guard said before the door closed. A giggle distracted them from the comment and looked around the room for the person. She sat in a chair with a light tan color of a dress and a jewelry matching with it, a cup of tea in her hands.

The room big and full of chairs and tables, marble floor and food all around, the smell of fruity perfume was in the air. Huge windows with light curtains draped down but the biggest one was left open and wind blew the curtains. “Sorry about them, they can be quite protective.” They looked at her, this was strange. She look so pure and innocent, the sweet sound of her voice and the smile on her face made them think she was a gift from that saints themselves.

“We’re here, let’s discuss business.” Kaz spoke trying not to waist any time. “Sit, please I have tea and sweets.” She moved her arms to make them sit down and the first one was nina and she blooped down on the chair and took a small cookie. “Hmm, this is delicious.” She praised and took the whole thing into her mouth, “where did you get theses?”

Y/n smiled and became glad she had them made and it filled her with pride, “I have the baker make them, you’re welcome to as many as you want.” Nina looked at the girl and felt her heart softened before grabbing some more from the tray. Kaz watched her with a glare and the group lost all there suspicion and joined the two girls around the table.

“I hope your wraith is okay, I left the widow open so she would have a place to come in- But this is a large place.” Kaz became tense because it sounds like a threat of some sort. But the girl caught onto his body and his face, she knew what he was thinking. “She is in no harm here. I’ve already alerted my staff to not harm her and if they see her they will point her this way.”

Kaz looks at her with no trust but this mind said otherwise, “Get on with it.” The girl smiled at his demand. “We both have something for the other. I on one hand have wealth and a high title, you have a title yourself for being…uh,” she glanced at each other them trying not to sound rude and find a word that doesn’t insult them.

“Devilishly attractive?” Jesper raised a brow with a tone, the girls cheeks began to heat up a bit. But she brushed it off with a laugh, “Talented at what you do.” Their hearts couldn’t understand why they craved to hear those words again, or any praise she had. They all turned their heads at someone coming through the window, “You must be the wraith.”

Inej stood up at took everything in then to the girl in the center who looked like actually royalty. She was beautiful and her voice was sweet, Inej couldn’t handle the gaze from her eyes. “What is it you need done. You have yet to tell us.” Kaz glared at the girl making her look apologetic, the groups looked at him for making her look a bit sad.

“Well I need protection and don’t get me wrong my guards are lovely but I need more. If people heard I have kaz brekker and his crows watching over me then it would lessen the threat. But the same could be said for you,” the girl sat up and went over to a small table and picked up a chest underneath it. She had a problem picking it up but she got ahold of it and brought it over to kaz and placed it down at his feet.

Kaz took a step back like the box was a threat, “If people heard you have a alliance with the L/n’s then your loud would be lessened. People are scared of one of the fives, think about it. You could go to each shop and just say who you are and get things. But, here’s what I think you want to see.” She bend down and opened the chest. Kaz’s eyes trailed down and his eyes glazed over at the sight, it filled to the brim with kroge. His lips pulled up into a very light smirk.

The rest got up from their sets and came over to see, “I could get so many hats.” They heard Jesper say. “This is only a pre-pay.” The girl backed up and played with her hands. She looked anxious and kaz could see that and it made him question why. “What do you need protection from? If you’re house is so feared?” Her face dropped.

“Just something to scared people even more, and then there’s something else want.” Kaz eyed her up and down as did the rest listen to her every word. “I want a taste of your life, I know it sounds strange and maybe it is but I care little of it. I have been kept this house raised to be perfect, I didn’t get to choose. But with you guys it freedom and you get to make your own choices, everything you have is worked for- I was given and taught.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked down like she was ashamed of her words.

“You want to this as what? A vacation?” His word’s harsher then before. Y/n looked down and sighed, “I want something new.” Kaz looked down at the money in front of him then up at his crew, each of them with pleading eyes and he couldn’t deny his body craved to have her in his sights.

“Then little moth, you have yourself a deal.”