#i remember trying to make strawberry shortcake when i was younger but didn’t have a mixer and didn’t realize that i needed one…. i forgot

[vellichorsdesire]

f/o’s birthday was last month but i still kind of want to bake a tiny cake for her and it won’t ever get out of my head. want to make those korean(?) lunchbox cakes specifically like this

[quibbs126]

I decided to do some more sketches of Witch Hunt characters, since that original picture was just a small part of the canvas

So I already mentioned Glaive and Arcana, so I won’t repeat myself (I will put a link here). So let’s get on to the other two here, Inferno and Ruby

So Inferno is the fire witch, as you can probably guess. For her personality, instead of like a raging fire, like I usually see with fire based characters, she’s closer to a warm fireplace, being comforting and someone you feel safe around. However, this was definitely not the case when she was younger, as she was a pure wildfire. This is how she would be in the prequel game. She lives on a very cold and snowy mountain, and her fire’s proven very useful, especially during the cold winters.

I’ve actually drawn Inferno quite a bit before, so I think I could get a handle on her design, and I like what I got

Also, if you notice that she looks sort of out of place in a snowy mountain, with her extremely tanned skin and bright hair, you would be correct, as she’s not native to the place, she’s only been there the past 15 years or so. She’s actually from the desert, and feels far more at home in the scorching sun, she cannot stand the cold. If you’re wondering why she’s living there then, it’s because of her adopted daughter Rime (who happens to be the ice witch), who is native to this place. The problem was when taking her in, since she has no real experience with heat, she’d probably quickly die of heatstroke if they went back to the desert. Inferno figured with her fire powers, it’d be much easier for them to just move there, so that’s what they did

Oh yeah, another random thing about Inferno, she likes to make baked goods, particularly cookies. This part I did add because of Cookie Run, because I thought it was funny. Thankfully Inferno is not bringing her desserts to life, and if they were alive, she wouldn’t eat them

Inferno happens to also be happily married (and a lesbian), to the character right next to her, Ruby

I was originally going to draw one of the other three older witches, particularly Cascade, but I couldn’t get the design to work. This is always what makes me stop drawing these guys, because I can’t figure out the designs for these four. But then I realized “hey, I don’t have to draw the other witches. Why don’t I just draw Inferno’s family instead?” And so yeah. I’ll get to the other three when I feel like it

Now Ruby is part of a group of warriors that go all around the world, helping people where they can. Ruby happens to be a veteran member of the group. Everyone in the group has gem names, and they all wear white/light colored armor with their respective colors. Also, a random weird quirk, but their armor is all scented. Nobody knows why it’s scented, including the members themselves, but they just choose not to question it. Ruby’s armor smells like cherries. Also, for some reason the scent never fades, so Ruby has been smelling of cherries for over 25 years. I think I chose to do that because I remembered having toys when I was younger that had fruit scents (I think it was Strawberry Shortcake?), and it sort of just stuck with me to do that for them. Also in my mind, their armor is almost toy or plastic like, rather than typical metal armor. Or like a color coded gundam team

Unlike Inferno, who I’ve drawn before, I’ve never drawn Ruby before, and to be honest, I’m not entirely satisfied with her design. Given everything about her, all I could think was that she was just like Hollyberry Cookie (despite the fact that I first made Ruby nearly 2 years ago), and I both tried to incorporate some elements of Hollyberry, but also try to make her not like Hollyberry. But I think I also just didn’t get what I wanted. I really wasn’t sure what I was doing with her armor, and I think I need to play around with the armor design before I get something I like. Also, I feel like I didn’t get across her body type. Ruby is supposed to be BULKY, large and muscley. She’s supposed to be nearly 7 feet tall, and it isn’t all just vertical either, she’s got width too. By comparison, Inferno is barely over 5 feet, and she’s relatively skinny. Granted her body type is more lean and she does have muscle, but she looks like a small twig in comparison to her wife. But to be honest, she doesn’t look much different from the other characters. I think that’s a limitation of my style, as it’s hard to show different body types. I think I’m going to have to rework my style more so I can better incorporate that.

Also immediately once I finalized the sketch, I saw the weapon and went “she should have an axe instead”. Unfortunately I just couldn’t be bothered to go and change it, as I had already merged all the sketch layers. But yeah, I’m changing her weapon to an axe

In the prequel, we’d meet them as only a small group of around 5-6, Ruby among them, and they’re all siblings. And Inferno has a massive crush on Ruby. Inferno’s type is “women who can snap me like a twig” (which Ruby can absolutely do by the way. But she wouldn’t do that to her firecracker). But it wasn’t just physical attraction, they actually were able to get along really well, and fought quite well together, and along the way they properly fell in love and eventually got married, later adopting Rime after taking a job about strange happenings in the snowy mountain

In the first game, Glaive would meet Ruby during his quest. Originally she was just supposed to be going about doing her job, but now I realize she should probably instead be trying to help her wife and daughter. But regardless she’s an ally to Glaive, and is probably the introduction for Glaive (and the players) to the warrior group (that I don’t have a name for yet). Also when they first meet, Glaive doesn’t know that she and Inferno are married, but they might make references to it. He’d either find out later when they all meet up, or we’d only find out in the credits, when we see them together

I think that’s about it, I hope you like them!

[cinnaminsvga]

Sweeter than Strawberries | Jungkook

→ summary: at euphoria bakery, seasonal changes also bring seasonal menu items. when you find out that your favorite strawberry shortcake milkshake was phased out after the end of summer, it takes only one puppy eyed look from you for jeon jungkook to make it for you anyway—just don’t tell his boss about it, alright?

→ genre: bakery!au, s2l, fluff → warnings: none unless you count the fact that i’m writing shy!jungkook again :^D, we love mutual pining in this house ex dee → words: 4.5K → a/n: this was commissioned by @ihatemathanal​!! i was super stoked to write this bc it’s really cute and sometimes it’s nice to just write happy fluffy things every once in a while (aka zee is turning into a fluff writer jfc) it got a lil longer than it was supposed to, but that’s bc i got carried away lol anyway i hope you guys enjoy!! (ps: this also works for the bgw bingo so... tyg for s2l fics!! let’s get it!!)

For the most part, the beginning of autumn is usually your favorite time of the year. When the tree leaves begin to yellow and the air gains a significantly colder bite, this signifies the end of pit stains and sweaty thighs and the start of sweater paws and chapped lips. Above all, you are most excited, of course, for an excuse to gorge yourself on steaming mugs of hot chocolate, paired with delicious mountains of warm gooey brownies.

For the most part, these are all things that often get you excited for the coming chill. What you do not think to remember, however, is that while these seasonal changes bring more good than bad, there still remains a little snag: a small oversight, if you will. As businesses all over the world begin the annual transition to the colder months, so does your favorite bakery across the street from your university. After all, summer ingredients grow scarcer as the year nears its end, so it’s understandable for bakeries to switch up their menu to keep up with both the supply and demand.

What does any of this have to do with anything? Well, long story short—

Your favorite strawberry shortcake milkshake is about to get phased out. No, scratch that—it’s already been phased out, right from under your very nose, no less!

You shouldn’t have been surprised, really. You have always known it was a specialty drink; your best friend had even been the one to introduce it to you just near the end of your summer classes:

“This is Euphoria Bakery,” Namjoon had said with a smile, waving cheerily at the two boys manning the till. You heard him chuckle in amusement when your eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, staring longingly at the sweet treats and baked goods lining the display case.

Namjoon had stolen your attention away, however, when he pointed to the chalkboard menu on the wall. As it turned out, the bakery also doubled as a cafe, serving the usual coffees and teas while also making the occasional specialty drink for different seasons or holidays. The chalkboard was decorated beautifully, the menu items written out in neat cursive with tiny little doodles littering its margins. On one of the boards, there was a new drink item being advertised in bold pink letters—a great summer treat!—or so it said.

“Jungkook-ssi, can you get me and Y/N a strawberry shortcake milkshake? Extra whipped cream for me, please!” Namjoon called out to one of the boys, startling the younger of the two. The boy, Jungkook, must have been busy fiddling with the cash register that he hadn’t noticed your arrival.

“N-Namjoon-hyung? Sorry, I was just busy counting the money—” Jungkook stopped short in his speech, his tongue getting caught in his mouth when his eyes landed directly on you. He had made a strangled sound, like he had swallowed his spit too quickly and was struggling to regain his composure. “H-Hello?”

You realized belatedly that he must have been greeting you, as you had been distracted by his fidgetiness. His nervousness was cute, if a little bit contagious; you couldn’t help feeling anxious too, like your heart was missing every other beat, even though you had no reason to be. “Hello! My name is Y/N. It’s my first time coming here, but Namjoon says your new summer menu item is really good? I wanted to try it out for myself.”

Jungkook nodded, still staring wide-eyed at you as if in a trance. You expected him to start... well. You weren’t an expert on how bakeries or cafes are run, but you were pretty sure he should’ve started doing something after you had spoken, perhaps ring up your order on the register, or start working on your drinks. Instead, he’s still frozen in place, like he’d somehow short-circuited within the last two minutes.

It seemed you weren’t the only one who noticed his odd behavior because the man working with him suddenly pushed Jungkook to the side, a brief smirk flashing across his face before it was quickly replaced by a more subdued, professional smile.

“Sorry about him. He’s usually my best baker, but sometimes he can get a little... distracted when he’s confronted with sweet things,” the man said nonchalantly, but it seemed that his innocent-sounding comment had embarrassed Jungkook greatly.

“Jimin-hyung!” Jungkook whined, stomping his foot not unlike a bunny. If you squinted a little bit, you could definitely see the resemblance.

Namjoon, who had been quietly watching everything unfold, chose that moment to pipe up. “Oh, I see. I didn’t know you had a type, but after thinking about it—” Namjoon shot a surreptitious glance at you, before turning back to Jungkook with a teasing grin, “—I can definitely see why.”

At the time, you had no idea what was going on, mostly confused as to why Jungkook had suddenly become so red-faced while Namjoon and Jimin giggled like a couple of high school girls. It seemed like you were somehow the main reason for his embarrassment, so you were quick to poke Namjoon in the stomach, effectively silencing him.

“Hey! Stop teasing the poor boy. He’s just being nice,” you said, pointing a soft smile back at Jungkook. “Sorry about him. I’m sure you’re an excellent baker, judging from how wonderful and cute all these cakes on the display look.” Somehow, your praise had only made Jungkook’s cheeks brighten even further. He cleared his throat as if to say something in response, before changing his mind and scuttling away to the back room instead.

“I’m going to start making your milkshake! D-don’t mind me!” He called out from behind the door, causing Jimin to finally break down into raucous giggles, nearly doubling over from his own mirth.

“Aish, that kid. He never learns, huh…” Jimin sighed, but the smile on his face is kind—the sort of fond look an older brother might have for his kid brother. He turned back to you and Namjoon with that lingering softness as he rang the two of you up, before chatting idly with you as you waited for Jungkook to finish making your drinks.

“I’ve never seen you around, Y/N-ssi. Jungkook—sorry, I meant I definitely would’ve noticed you if I did. You go to the same university as Namjoon-ssi, right?” Jimin asked, flipping a pen between his fingers with incredible dexterity. You were slightly distracted by that, faintly jealous of how his short fingers could somehow manage such a feat.

“I—yeah, I do. I’m assuming you’re also a student?”

“Yep. I actually met Namjoon-ssi when we took that one music theory class together. I was handing out flyers for this bakery after class and he happened to be one of the first people to actually come,” he said, winking at Namjoon. You watched with much interest when your friend turned a faint shade of pink, his hand coming up behind his neck—a signature tick of his whenever he was feeling shy or nervous.

“I-It was nothing… I mean, your seasonal drinks are always so good! I remember your old snowman-shaped donuts with the raspberry filling? I still dream of it sometimes,” Namjoon sighed, eyes going glassy for a moment.

Jimin laughed, his eyes crinkling into cute little crescents. “Oh, stop it! I remember how you’d come here even after we stopped serving that donut and you’d beg us to make them again.”

“And yet you never did, even though I know you have the ingredients to make them,” Namjoon pouted, but there’s endearment dancing in his expression.

You chuckled, shaking your head in disbelief. “I never pegged Namjoon as a sweet-tooth guy, so this is honestly all a very big surprise to me. I should be pumped for this milkshake then, huh? Hopefully, you aren’t just hyping it up and I’ll end up disappointed.”

Before either Namjoon or Jimin could retort, Jungkook had reappeared from the back room with two large cups in hand, almost tripping over his untied apron string but managing to get to the counter in one piece.

“Here you go. I hope you won’t be disappointed when you try it,” he said, gaze averted downwards when he hands you your cup. Your fingers grazed each other for a second, nearly causing both of you to drop the drink like it was on fire.

“S-sorry,” you laughed it off, feeling your ears get a little red from your blunder. You pointedly ignored Namjoon’s arched brow, no doubt enjoying your sudden shyness. Without waiting for him to get his own cup, you casually tear off the straw wrapper and take your first sip of the drink.

“So?” Jungkook asked after a while, watching with bated breath as you take a good gulp of the milkshake. “How is it? Is it worth the hype?” You don’t speak for a moment, further aggravating the two bakers as you carefully chewed on the bits of strawberry in the drink.

“This—” you said, speaking slowly for increased dramatic effect. You could hear Namjoon groan beside you, used to your need for unnecessary anticipation. Even as you paused for a moment longer, you could already feel the smile creeping up your face, unable to completely hide your giddiness. “—is fantastic. Show-stopping. Best thing since sliced bread! I could live on this shit alone.”

Jungkook released a breath he didn’t know he had been holding, chuckling in relief as you began to completely devour the treat in mere minutes. “I’m… really glad you like it,” he said with a wide, toothy grin. You were so immersed in your drink that you missed the way he sighed softly, hand gently cradling his chest where his heart would be.

Namjoon had taken his own sip as well, sighing dreamily as the creamy and sweet flavor overtook his palate. “Truly the best drink in existence. If I was a Twitch streamer or some shit, I’d promote this regularly for free.”

His comment made Jimin giggle softly, but his gaze is trained on something else entirely. “I’m flattered, but maybe don’t promote Y/N’s cup, over here. We don’t typically have strawberries and hearts doodled all over our cups,” he said, smirking slyly.

Lo and behold, your cup did have small doodles littering its sides whereas Namjoon’s was just a plain white paper cup. “Oh,” you said, blushing furiously when you finally noticed. Your flush was nothing compared to the one on Jungkook’s cheeks, however. The two of you refused to make eye contact after that, both of you trying (and failing) to silence the amused snickers of your respective friends.

Despite that slightly embarrassing (and heartwarming) experience, that had marked the start of your love for the tiny bakery and their special strawberry shortcake milkshake. You returned to Euphoria Bakery as often as you could throughout the summer, even going to visit it without Namjoon most of the time. You would even occasionally go out of your way to visit the bakery, even after your summer classes had ended and there was really no reason for you to be around the area.

It also didn’t hurt that the boy behind the counter was especially cute, with his big doe eyes and melodic laughter that always got your heart beating erratically in your chest. It hadn’t taken long for you to admit to yourself that you had a not-so-tiny crush and every visit to the bakery only made you fall deeper for him.

Namjoon has assured you that Jungkook clearly has a crush on you too, but you’re quick to shut him down. It is one thing to be shy and awkward around a girl and another to have a crush on the aforementioned girl. As you visited the bakery more and more, you do notice that Jungkook is more reserved when it comes to other female clientele, although, dare you hope? He does seem a little bit more… nervous, when he talks to you, but that could be your lovesick eyes playing tricks on you.

Never mind the fact that he only ever seems to leave cute doodles on your cups alone, but that could just be a coincidence, right? After all, he can hardly hold a conversation with you when you try to speak with him, always eager to rush to the backroom to make your drink.

Your visits usually consist of making idle chit chat with Jimin after greeting both him and Jungkook. The younger boy often dips the moment he sees you through the glass door, automatically going to prepare your favorite summer treat without even having to ask for your order. He never stays to stick around long enough to make conversation, as he eventually excuses himself to do some chore or another. During one of your trips, you tentatively asked Jimin if Jungkook was avoiding you, to which the blonde boy just laughed heartily at your query.

“Don’t worry about it, Y/N. He’ll come around eventually; he’s just nervous. Don’t tell him I told you this, but…” he trails off, peeking over his shoulder to make sure Jungkook wouldn’t accidentally overhear him. When he turns back to you, the smirk on his face is equal parts amused and mischievous. He looks a little impish, though you aren’t sure if he’d take that too kindly. “Jungkook always stares out the door, waiting for you to arrive. I’ve caught him red-handed far too many times for it to be a coincidence.”

Your cheeks flush warmly at his words but don’t say anything after that. You suppose all you can do is wait for him to start warming up to you eventually, and you hope the day comes sooner as the summer days grow shorter and shorter.

Of course, that day does come eventually, but probably not on the day you wished it would happen.

Like all good things, summer comes to its close and so does the summer menu options offered at Euphoria Bakery. Jimin had already told you a week beforehand that your favorite strawberry shortcake milkshake would get phased out as soon as July hit, but you refused to listen. You had hoped that as his regular customer and friend, perhaps Jimin would make an exception and prolong the milkshake’s lifetime for your sake, but it seems that Jimin has made it clear that friendship and business are two separate entities that he will not allow to coincide.

“Please Jimin? Just one more time? I’ll even settle for a small size,” you beg, your entire body draped over the cashier counter like the pathetic plebeian that you are. Thankfully, since you have made it a habit to pass by the bakery when it’s close to closing time, there aren’t any other patrons left to judge your pitiful display. Unthankfully, that also means Jimin is free to flick you on the forehead with no holds barred, leaving a large red welt where his finger hits.

“I already told you that I won’t budge, not even if you licked my Balenciagas. Besides, we’re out of strawberries anyway.” Jimin huffs, rolling his eyes at your pained whines as you grasp your head in agony. “Oh stop it, will you? I didn’t even hit you that hard.”

“I beg to differ, hyung.” Jungkook pipes up, startling both you and Jimin. Jungkook is usually content to wiping down the glass displays or tables while he passively listens to the two of you bicker, humming occasionally to indicate that he’s still listening, so it comes as a small surprise whenever he does decide to speak up. He must have noticed this too, as his ears quickly begin to redden as he scrambles to finish his sentence. “I-I mean, hyung might have small hands, but his finger flicks are no joke. You could break someone’s skull with that thing.”

“Who are you calling small, huh?” Jimin growls, but the playful smirk on his face tells you that he’s just teasing. He pulls Jungkook in a headlock, who surprisingly doesn’t seem all that bothered by the fact that Jimin is actively trying to block his windpipe with his strong forearms. “Take it back!”

“Never,” Jungkook wheezes, effortlessly removing himself from Jimin’s grip. He dusts himself off, not even breathless. “Also, why’d you lie to Y/N like that? We still have strawberries in the back. How else would we make our strawberry jam tarts?”

Jimin squawks indignantly, folding his arms. “How dare you sell out our company secrets! I could fire you for that!”

Jungkook scoffs, bumping Jimin with his hip. Jungkook must also not know his own strength, because he accidentally causes Jimin to stumble a few steps back, nearly toppling over one of their bread racks. “You’re joking. If you fired me, no one would be able to make the bagels in the morning because you never know how to proof them correctly.”

“Slander!” Jimin hisses, pinching Jungkook’s side in retaliation. You and Jungkook laugh at his childish pouts, but the older boy can’t hide his own mirth for too long. “Fine. You can stay. But you,” he points at you this time, eyes narrowing with suspicion. “You better not seduce my boy over here to make your strawberry shortcake milkshake. I have eyes and ears everywhere.” He drags his finger to the corner of the walls, where there is—

“There’s nothing there?” You follow where he’s pointing, but all you can see is a stray cobweb that Jungkook must have missed while dusting this morning. “Am I supposed to be looking at something?”

“Jimin is thinking of installing surveillance cameras soon. He’s convinced that someone is trying to steal his banana cream pie recipe.” Jungkook shrugs. He slings an arm around Jimin’s shoulder, glaringly delighted when their height difference becomes even more apparent while he stands close to him. “Anyway, I promise I won’t get ‘seduced’ by her, or whatever you want to call it. Why don’t you head home early for tonight? I’ll close up and I’ll try to convince Y/N to try our other pastries as a replacement.”

You open your mouth to try and protest, but Jungkook sends you a cheeky wink, making sure that his boss doesn’t catch him in the act. Bemused but interested to see what he’s up to, you decide to keep quiet and wait for him to continue.

“Don’t try and think you’re being slick here, buddy,” Jimin says, closing in on Jungkook’s personal space by pressing his chest against his. “If I see that you break the bakery code and serve her that drink… There will be consequences.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes, sighing dramatically as he gently pries the smaller man away from him. “Yeah, yeah. I got you. No funny business, I promise. Now get out of here, hyung. Leave the rest to me.”

Jimin gives him one last firm look before squinting warily at you, lips pursed tightly. “No seducing,” he repeats, wagging his finger at you. He unties the apron around his neck, throwing it haphazardly at the coat hanger on the back door where his jacket was hanging. He folds it over his arm and points at the corner of the ceiling with his free hand once more before exiting through the front entrance, the soft bells hanging above the doorway tinkling in his wake.

When he’s gone, you release a breath that you hadn’t realized you had been holding. “Well, that was easier than expected. I didn’t think you’d be able to get him to leave. He must trust you a lot, huh?”

Jungkook shrugs. “Nah. He’s just lazy. He hates closing the bakery and will jump at any opportunity to go home early.”

You nod. “Seems like him.” There’s a beat of silence. “So… How much seducing am I gonna have to do to get my milkshake, huh?”

Like you guessed, Jungkook immediately turns red at your words, spluttering and stammering over his spit for a few seconds before managing to come up with a reply. “O-oh, there’s no need for that. I was gonna make the drink for you anyway.”

“But what about the quote-unquote consequences?” you ask, still worried that you might be getting Jungkook in trouble. You’d rather have your arm cut off than have him get punished, no matter how small it might be.

“No need to worry about that. Jimin might pretend to be a prickly old man sometimes, but he’s mostly just full of hot air,” Jungkook snorts, shaking his head in amusement. “He’ll just make me treat him to some skewers or something. He’s just teasing.”

“If… If you say so? I just really don’t want him to get angry with you…” you say, voice turning small as you tried to reign your embarrassment in. “I know I made a fool of myself just moments ago and begged like a baby for the milkshake, but I was just exaggerating…”

“Something tells me that you aren’t, but let’s pretend for your sake that you are,” Jungkook says. You huff indignantly at his teasing, but you’re more overjoyed by the sight of his cute bunny smile. You had only seen it in passing a few times in the past, but seeing it directed at you is an entirely different experience. Because of you, your mind helpfully supplies.

He heads over to the backroom to begin preparing your drink, but he keeps the door open this time so you can see him even from behind the counter. You can mostly only see the large industrial ovens and bread racks filled to the brim with all sorts of pastries proofing for the night, but you do catch a glimpse of the sole blender near the back. Jungkook grabs the glass jar first and then walks over to the fridge just out of your sight, most likely to grab the ingredients needed for your milkshake.

The bakery is mostly silent, save for the sound of Jungkook moving and assembling everything. You rack your brain for some sort of conversation starter, as the atmosphere between the two of you has begun to return to its usual awkward state as you skirt around each other, unsure of where either of you stands. You might have known him for a while now, but today is the most you’ve ever spoken to him and the tension is palpable.

“So.” You clear your throat, heart beating a mile a minute in your chest. “I… guess this is going to be the last time I have this drink, huh?”

The sound of Jungkook chopping on the cutting board pauses for a second. You can only see his left shoulder from where you’re standing, but you can see it tense even then. “I… I mean, will you stop coming over to the bakery if it is the last time?”

There are so many things you want to say all at once, but the words somehow get caught in your throat. You want to say that you love coming to the bakery to see them (though it’s mostly Jungkook if you’re being honest) and that the strawberry shortcake milkshake had just been an excuse to visit for a while now. You want to keep visiting for as long as they’ll have you—but you don’t know how to say it without hot humiliation running down your spine. You don’t want to weird him out by confessing to him all of a sudden. And so, you clam up, not knowing how to respond.

When Jungkook throws in all the ingredients in the blender, he doesn’t turn it on immediately. He tilts his head to the side, not fully looking at you but giving you a view of his beautiful side profile. You see his Adam’s apple bob for a moment, his tongue poking out to wet his lips before he speaks. “Because… If that’s how it’s going to be, then maybe… buying a couple of skewers for Jimin won’t be so bad.”

You freeze. “What? Are you saying that...”

“I’ll keep making the drink for you, even if it’s not on the menu anymore?” Jungkook finishes, turning fully to face you. There’s a shy grin on his face, coupled with the ever-present pink flush high on his cheekbones. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. We’ll have to be sneaky about it, though. You’ll have to come to the bakery only when I’m closing so that he doesn’t catch us but otherwise…” He scratches the tip of his nose, looking embarrassed. “If… If you’re fine doing that, I mean.”

It feels like an eternity before you can remember how to function like a regular human being again. Your insides feel like molten lava and you’re certain that your internal organs have begun to self-destruct right after that super-effective hit from Jeon Jungkook, super baker boy extraordinaire. It’s mind-blowing how effortlessly cute he can be, making you realize belatedly that his quiet demeanor over the past few weeks had been a blessing and not a curse. If he had been this sweet with you from the get-go, you’d surely be melted butter on a sidewalk by now.

“I would love you—I mean, I would love it if you did that for me, actually.” You stammer, resisting the urge to punch yourself in the tit. You’re thankful for the lack of mirrors at the bakery, for you are positive that you must look like the devil’s blazing red testicles at this point.

“Great,” Jungkook smiles softly. He turns the blender off, pouring your drink into a paper cup. “Oh, before I forget…” He grabs a marker from the small tin can near the cash register, and you watch as he quickly scribbles a few hearts around the circumference of the cup. “There we go. Now it’s done.”

As Jungkook hands your drink to you, you’re hit with a moment of déjà vu when your fingers brush just like the first time you had met. You sense the same familiar shock of electricity when you touch, but instead of pulling away like before, Jungkook surprises you for the third time that day.

When he’s sure that you have a secure grip on your cup, he grabs your free hand with his, unfurling your fingers until he can get a hold of your pinky. He curls his pinky into yours, linking them together with a bashful smile on his lips. “There. Now we pinky promised to each other.”

“Y-yes. Of course,” you mumble, giggling lightly when he still refuses to let go. “I pinky promise.”

.

.

.

Five minutes away from Euphoria Bakery, Jimin sits quietly in his parked car, his figure hunched over the small screen of his phone as he chuckles loudly to himself. There is a tiny video of two people, a boy and a girl, with their hands held together. Despite the quality being grainy and warped, Jimin needs no confirmation as to who those people are; he’s always known, after all.

“All according to keikaku.” He whistles happily, already salivating at the thought of all the skewers Jungkook will have to buy for him.

[winterwolf0916]

Batboys with a Short S/O

Dick:

Such a cheeky bastard when it comes to your height

“Dick help me with this!” And you’re just bouncing to get the object from the top of the fridge.

“Nah I prefer to enjoy the view.”

He’s not the only one who enjoys the view. 

Before the two of you were dating, you would sometimes stare at his bubble butt which he’ll feel like someone was staring, turn around, and then you would just avert your eyes.

You never get caught.

He’s punny too

When people mention your height he just gasps and...

“She’s not short! She’s just fun-sized.” 

Don’t get me started with stores.

If he’s paying for the groceries and you’re next to him, he’ll just look down into his wallet and be like-

“I believe we’re $3 short.”

Oh how much you wanted to smack him for embarrassing you like that

Forehead Kisses

He also loves to pick you up.

Throws you over his shoulder, places you on his shoulders in crowds, and places you on his lap at home.

At the end of the day, unlike his brothers, he’ll help you up the shelf.

But on patrol, he would check up on you to see if you’re safe on your nightly trip to the store.

If someone is going to try something, he tends to handle the situation by snatching the offender in silence so you don’t have to worry about anything.

Jason:

Type level 1 asshole

When you’re struggling for something on the shelf

-remember Jason is the tallest out of his brothers-

He would take that object...

“Aw thanks Jay-”

And place it a shelf higher.

“-Oh Screw you!”

He likes to see you mad

Oh I’m sorry

He likes to see you...

FIESTY

Like Dick, he throws you over his shoulder

Cuddling and fitting in one bed is never a problem

Hehe

You and Jason winning against his brothers in the game Chicken Fight

Make fun of him when he’s hitting his head against the door frame when he’s entering a room.

Him adoring you when you’re in his jackets or hoodies.

His clothes + your tiny physique = absolute perfection to him.

Best ways to mess around with you is by smacking your ass then run off as you chase after him with your short legs. 

Like Dick, he checks on you during his patrol.

But if he isn’t there, he knows you can handle the situation.

I mean, he trained you so hard that you could actually flip him and catch him off guard when he’s not going easy on you.

But if something bad happens, like a villain decides to kidnap you and you can’t take them, then you click an alert on your phone that’ll not only notify Jason but also the Batfamily that you’re in deep doo doo.

Let’s just say, you’re in for a show. 

You being more worried about the villain’s well being than your own because knowing your boyfriend…it’s not going to end pretty.

Jason will get very, I mean very angry and he won’t hold back to the smartass who decides to take his loved ones. 

He might as well leave a message for the other villains....

Tim:

Aw you’re so adorable

but he’s SUCH

A 

TEASE

Like when you both were ordering some food

“And what would the lady like?” The cashier asked.

“A small fry.” You facepalmed.

“Ok what about dessert-”

“-Strawberry shortcake.”

“TIM.”

When you’re helping Alfred cook meals, Timbo just pops in, takes a cookie, and stare at you.

“Do you want a stool hon?”

You throwing your wooden stick at the laughing boy

EVEN when you’re giving him a kiss he had the AUDACITY to even- 

“Do you need a ladder?”

You pushing him and walking away all angry while he rushes to your side to apologize while chuckling.

He sometimes leans on you and make you an arm rest but you just elbow his dumbass to stop.

Gives you piggyback rides

Stays close to you in crowds. 

When he loses you, he’ll always find you since he’s one hell of a detective.

But if you’re ever kidnapped, he’ll get a slight panic attack but always find you.

The funny thing is that he doesn’t give a shit when cornering the crook that decides to lay a finger on your hair.

He also trains you and gives you amazing spy gadgets for self defense. 

You used to have peppers pray but now you got a penny in your pocket that you take out, click, and ta-dah! A bo-staff that comes with optional electricity currents.

Damian: 

When you both were younger, you were taller than him by a mere 3 inches.

But believe me when I say this

When he is at the age of when his growth spurt ignites

He starts to make fun of your height.

“Oh I didn’t see you there L/n.”

“I was right in front of you, you troll.”

“Oh is this the last Caprisun you were trying to get from the self?”

“Yeah, can you give it to me, ple-”

“Finder’s keepers.” 

But once he becomes 19 or so...he’s huge.

Taller than Jason and his dad.

Someone help your poor soul that you only grew a couple more inches while your significant other is tall as a mf mountain. 

For arguments, even when you're right, you would shiver a little from him hoovering over you. 

But don’t worry, he backs down when you’re right...sometimes...

Does he still make fun of your height? 

Ofc!

It runs in the family, he’ll say something about your height here and there. but not as often as he did in the past. 

Observe:

“Beloved.”

“Hm?”

“I didn’t know you could stoop so low for pickpocketing that dwarf back there.”

“What? I didn’t pickpocket-Ooooh...You think you’re so funny.”

He really loves you but he doesn’t like to do PDA.

The sole reason why doesn’t do it often is because you pull him down to your level. 

If that ever happens he would glare at everyone around the perimeter to mind their own business.

When you hug him you can hear his heartbeat.

People are so confused of how you, a bright smol bean, is dating a tall, cold-hearted, and stoic man.

But if they are very curious for the answer, they prefer to ask you.

When you and Dami are both are outside on a sunny day, his shadow is your shade. You would tease him about that and he just walks faster so that you would suffer with him.

Like his brothers, he trained you to self defend and gave you emergency devices that you can activate if ever in tough situation. 

But he still worries about you, he checks up on you from time to time.

If anyone dares to bring harm to you, he’s going to pull a Batman move. 

Like if you’re walking back to your car and someone decides to hurt you or make a wrong move then Damian will legit dive down, grab the person in silence, and pull them back up to the roof for a “friendly” interrogation or leave them to hang upside down while the police finds them. 

You getting kidnapped is pretty rare. 

Considering the fact that he scares the hell out of Gotham(more than his dad),he hides any tracks of you interacting with him as batman, and most of the time you’re in the Manor.

[k-writer1998]

Hidden Meanings

Prompt fic: cafe owner! lee know x barista! y/n

fluff

w.c: 1.8k

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

“So hear me out. What if we blew him up? Poisoned him? Maimed him a little?”

“For fuck’s sake, no? He’s our boss.”

“Not even one punch? Come on Jisung, you can’t tell me he isn’t a vexing person.”

“He’s… peculiar but he still pays us so we, as in you, cannot assault him. Plus I thought you were happy with the job.”

“I am. It’s just… he’s so confusing! Sometimes he just pleasantly minds his business ordering whatever here and there and other days he has me all over the place ordering ungodly amounts then having me help him finish them!”

“... He’s just like that y/n. After working for him for 6 months I thought you figured that out.”

“I’ve long figured that out, doesn’t mean I like it though. I’m just getting some serious whiplash from his constant back and forth and taking him out would give me one less headache with my thesis coming up. You’re his friend Jisung, do you know how to keep him in a good mood?”

      As I let out a frustrated sigh, Jisung gave me a smile which made me narrow my eyes at him. Why does he look like he knows something I don’t?

“I think Minho’s been in quite a good mood for a while though.”

“In what world do you call him randomly screaming in the middle of closing a “good mood”? It made one of the new part-timers drop a mug at how terrified he was.”

“Like I said, he’s peculiar plus we’re a cafe. We have tons of mugs. You’re bright y/n, you’ll figure things out… eventually.”

“Excuse you, just cause you're the manager doesn't mean you can talk condescendingly to me you’re still a year younger than me.”

      I rolled my eyes when suddenly the front bell jingled. I got up from the seat I had taken on the edge of his desk, and made my way to the front.

“Oh no I got this, Manager Han,” I mocked as he didn't even bother to get up.

“Yeah yeah yeah. It's around the time Minho comes, don’t keep him waiting.”

      He gave me a wink which I returned with the finger as I headed out, to make it worse of course Jisung just had to be right. Minho stood at the register with a smile which turned teasing the moment his eyes landed on me. All I could do was give a polite one in return.

“Afternoon boss. Do you want your usual or do you want to change it up again?”

"Let’s change it up, you should know my tastes by now right? Surprise me." He smirked and if this were an anime you would see the little anger symbol on my head.

"Will you drink it still if I get it wrong?"

"Hmmmm, maybe?"

      With a sigh I turned my back to him as I moved around to make him a drink, rolling my eyes when my face was safely out of sight. Or so I thought.

"I see that y/n," he chuckled before walking away.

      He took his usual seat at the table with the most sunlight by the window. Maybe because I'm like a cat and get sleepy with direct sunlight like that, I don't know how he can sit there unfazed. Mentally cursing at myself for getting caught, I went to actually make his drink this time. Thinking back I've noticed he's tried most of our strawberry flavored items, both drinks and treats. Please don't let this flop. I placed the drink in front of him with a slice of strawberry shortcake, in case he didn’t like the drink.

"Hmmm, strawberry?" He thought aloud after taking a sip before a smirk pulled at his lips, "So you have been paying attention to me."

      I prayed that my face felt warm because of the sun and not because of the blush that totally isn't burning my face right about now… come on y/n don't let him get to you, pull yourself together!

"Of course sir, you're a regular. It's hard not to when you come so often."

"So you remember all of the regulars' tastes?"

"The ones I've ran into often enough, yes."

       For a moment his smile twitched slightly, as if he wanted to say something but didn't. That's odd. Minho usually says what he wants, literally. He's said gibberish to me before without batting an eye. Silence passed between us as the air began to feel uneasy, back to my station at the cash register it is. As time passed he just continued to sit there with his order quietly… Once the new part-timer Jeongin came for his shift, and Jisung came out to supervise, I went to take my break after casting my god-knows-what-number concerned look at Minho who just stayed in his daze. Going out the back door, I went up the side alley towards the front of the cafe but made sure I was still out of sight as I took my rightful place on an old crate that has been deemed my break time spot for months now. That is because of a certain black furry four-legged reason who’s familiar meow echoed down the alley as soon as I took out my food, his blue eyes looked at me as he approached.

"There you are Siren. You only come when you smell my food you little bugger," I smiled.

      I pulled some cat food from my lunch and placed the opened can in front of him. For a moment we ate in peaceful silence Minho’s behavior kept floating in the back of my mind until I could no longer focus on eating. Putting my half-eaten sandwich down triggered Siren to look up from his food curiously.

"You know my boss came in again. He didn't quite seem himself today, even more so after I made him a personalized drink. He acted like I got it right but maybe I got it wrong?"

"Meow!"

"Why are you getting mad? It’s not like you know his tastes either. Okay, if he isn't upset over that then what could it be? He started acting like that after I mentioned he's like other regulars-"

"Meow."

"Don't use that flat tone with me. What was I supposed to say? "Hey you're kinda cute so I can't help it"? He's also annoying and misleading, remember?"

"Hssssss."

"Wow okay. Fine, I'll  go talk to him and maybe make things clear, MAYBE, okay? Happy?"

      At that Siren purs before going back to his meal. With a shake of my head I went back to eating my sandwich. I mean it wasn't the most conventional conversation, and if anyone saw or heard they would think I'm crazy, but hey it cleared my head.

"See you tomorrow, One day we won't be having these conversations in public, got it? Just a bit more saving and then you're coming home with me buddy."

      I gave Siren a little love as I rubbed his head before going back inside and back to my shift. After washing my hands Jisung ushered me back to the front cause we got busy and it wasn’t until things slowed down that Minho motioned for me to come over and he ordered two more drinks. Nothing else said. Setting the two drinks in front of him I assumed he wanted to be left alone again since he seemed to be in a bad mood today but at the small tug at my wrist I stopped. My eyes trailed down to catch his hand firmly around my wrist.

"Sit with me."

"But I'm on the clock and-"

"And I'm the boss. Jisung and Jeongin will be fine for now so sit with me."

      This new serious and charismatic side of his threw me off and I could do nothing but oblige to his wishes. Sitting in the chair across from him, he pushed one of the drinks to me and I realized it was one of my favorites. Not really complaining, although a bit unsettled with this weird air around us, I eagerly took the drink. His question was abrupt and blunt that my immediate response may not have been the best.

"Do you know why I come here so often?"

"Just to torture me?"

      I had intended it to be a joke, thinking my sarcasm was evident, but the slight hurt look on his face cut my heart. He's being so serious about this, I feel shitty for trying to joke around… I'm just not used to interactions like these between us.

"Hehe... I was joking… well you come here a lot cause you own the place right?"

"That's not the only reason… Then do you know why I always sit here?"

"Because you like the warmth from the sun?"

"No, it's because I like the view from here."

"The view of other buildings? Minho what’s going on, why are you asking all these questions?"

      At my responses he just smiled at me and shook his head. This smile wasn't like the playful ones he often gave me, this was different, there's something softer about this one.

"Okay fine, last question. Have you realized that you're the only one who services me?"

"Huh? I may be here more often cause I have more availability but-"

      As I spoke this my mind raced through my past time at this job. Every time Minho came in I helped him and when I asked others when I came after a day off they never mentioned Minho coming in… 

"Wait, why is that then? Did someone mess up your order before so you stick to one server?"

"You know y/n for a student working on your grad thesis you aren't bright in other areas."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

      My temper started to flare but the minute the words fell from his lips any fire was immediately put out, the warm smile didn't help my beating heart either.

"Let me take you on a date, preferably not a coffee one."

"Wait so you…"

      All he did was nod. The pieces began to fall into place in my brain but one didn't seem to fit. I snapped my head and scanned his general view from this spot and was confused why this was his favorite until I noticed a flick of a black tail. Looking closer, from this angle you would be able to see into the alleyway. My head whipped back to the boy in front of me.

"Have you been-"

"You never answered my question," he cut me off.

      Remembering my short conversation with Siren at lunch, I nodded my head. His smile grew bigger and I had to look away before my stupid blush reflex acted up again, his smile is quite the trigger. This was definitely not the direction I thought this conversation would go but I'm kind of not complaining.

"Good. Then on the date I can tell you about how I fell for a girl in an alley who fed a stray cat."

[mysteira6]

IkeRev Loki Genetta - Like a Cat

Hi I’m obsessed with Loki Genetta and @maedayo’s art of him has inspired me to write these little scenarios with Cradle’s local Nyandere Cheshire Cat. Enjoy~!

(This will be in your POV, btw! I also tried my best to write this in a format similar to the game’s script. You’re welcome. :3)

                                          ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

No matter how you look at him, Loki still looks like a cat.

I chuckled at the thought as another breeze blew by the meadow, brushing the fuchsia hair of the man beside me and drawing a laugh from me. His mismatched eyes were sparkling with joy as he poked the strawberry shortcake on his plate with his fork and took another bite of it. 

“Mm~ Your cakes are always the best, Alice!” He smiled at me warmly. A blush found its way to my cheeks as I watched Loki take another bite of the vanilla-coloured cake, the unmistakable glee clear in his voice. “You should really think about opening a sweets shop in Cradle,”

I scratched my head sheepishly. “That sounds really ambitious, Loki,” I shrugged at the thought of competing against all the current confectionaries in Cradle. “There are already so many talented bakers in the Central Quarter… I highly doubt that my desserts would stand out compared to them,”

“But your sweets are all so good!” Loki replied with a grin. “I bet everyone in Cradle would love them~”

“You’re too kind,” I muttered to myself, hoping that he wouldn’t hear me. Despite my earlier response, my mind began to wander along the thought of actually working in a desserts shop in Cradle. Considering that I used to work in a confectionery in London, it wasn’t a completely foreign experience to me. I could still remember all the recipes that I used time and time again back then, so maybe-

“Loki!!!”

In the midst of my thoughts, Loki had sneakily snatched the slice of cake that was on my plate, and was now happily munching away at it. “Haha, you didn’t even notice a thing, Alice! This cake is mine now!” He laughed wholeheartedly as he placed another strawberry covered slice of cake into his mouth, grinning at his success.

“Hey, that was my slice!” Placing my utensils gently on top of the picnic mat, I glared at Loki, crossing my arms. He didn’t seem to catch onto my anger, however; instead, he leaned close to me and lifted a piece of cake towards my mouth with his fork with an alluring gleam in his eyes

“Do you want me to feed you instead?”

My cheeks instantly heated up at his words, my heart suddenly beating very loudly in my ears. I was frozen by Loki’s gaze, his burnt caramel and topaz gold eyes staring back at me. It felt like a whole minute passed before my boyfriend finally broke the silence.

“Hm? You don’t want it?” He asked with a cheeky grin. I remained silent, unable to utter a single word.

“Well, I guess more cake for me then~” He said with a sly smile before redirecting his fork back into his mouth, moving away from me as he continued savouring his treat, the white icing on top of the cake smearing the side of his mouth a little. I found myself letting out a long sigh that I had been holding ever since Loki asked me that question. This guy…!!

One minute, he was innocently relishing my shortcake, the next minute he managed to steal my slice like a little devil, and now he was acting like a playful flirt. There were just so many sides of Loki that would pop out of nowhere, casting their spells to draw me deeper in love with him…

I found myself smiling warmly while fishing out a napkin from our picnic basket to wipe the extra icing on his cheeks. “Loki, you got a bit of cake on your face,” I giggled.

He quickly grabbed my hand just as I finished cleaning his face, startling me enough to drop my napkin. He closed his eyes as he affectionately nuzzled my palm, purring like a cat at my touch. “Hehe, I love it when you touch my face, Alice~” He murmured.

I sighed, though I was still smiling. “Loki, I need my hand back...”

“Aw~ But your hand is so warm!”

The cheery smile encased on his lips was enough to win me over. How in the world could anyone be so cute?

                                         ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

I mean, even his carnivorous diet is like a cat. Or was it more like a child’s?

“Bleh… Yuck…”

I turned my attention away from reading to the sound of Loki’s gags. He was sticking his tongue at the green flowered vegetable stuck in his fork, clearly not wanting to eat the broccoli from lunch.

Seated in front of him was Harr, Loki’s guardian and mentor, and to say that he was unamused was an understatement. His one eye that wasn’t concealed behind a mask narrowed at the pouting boy. “Loki, you need to eat your vegetables. I’m not going to tell you twice,”

“But I hate them…” The pink-haired teen groaned with a frown, his heterochromatic eyes drooping at the sight of his plate, mostly clean except for the cursed green pieces. “And why did it have to be broccoli, Harr? You know that I hate those the most!”

“All the more reason why you need to eat them,” The wizard replied with a deadpan look. “Look, they really aren’t that bad, Loki. And you’ve got to eat them for nutrition,”

The younger magic-user refused to listen. “I already eat a lot of fish! And fish has loads of nutrients too. I’m full--Thank you for the meal!”

Loki was about to stand up and lift his plate to the sink before Harr’s eyes glowed red, his powerful magic forcing Loki back on the chair no matter how much he squirmed. “Hey! No fair, Harr! I thought you told me not to use magic for trivial matters!” Loki yelped indignantly.

“Eat your broccoli!”

“No!”

“Loki…!!”

As I sat on the sofa in their living room, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. From this angle, Harr really looks like a father trying to get his son to eat his veggies, though he really wasn’t making any progress on the matter.

At that moment, a cheeky idea popped into my head, cueing the ends of my lips to turn upwards and form a smile. After slowly placing my book on the coffee table, I trotted over to the dining table, where Loki was pouting and Harr was crossing his arms in frustration. “Still not eating your vegetables, Loki?” I asked with a short sigh.

He immediately brightened as soon as I got close to the table. “Alice! Tell Harr to let me go!” He cried for help like a child while Harr shook his head in disappointment.

“I was thinking that he would mature a little after meeting you,” The older wizard mused, pinching his nose bridge. “But it seems that his refusal to eat vegetables hasn’t changed at all,”

I laughed light-heartedly at his words. “It would seem so,” I agreed with a sheepish grin before turning back to the stubborn man who was glued to his chair, ready to enact my plan. If Loki won’t eat his veggies willingly… Maybe I should give him some incentive…

Leaning in close to Loki, I cupped my mouth and whispered to him in the sweetest voice I could muster. “What if I give you some kisses after you eat them, hm?”

The pout on his face instantly disappeared. As Loki slowly turned his head towards me, I could see that his cheeks had turned pink and his eyes were widened at my words, his mouth agape as he stared at me. Despite my heart pounding wildly in my chest, the sweet smile on my face didn’t falter as Loki blinked at me, seemingly shocked at what just happened.

There was a short silence in the room before the Cheshire Cat let out an audible gulp and turned back to his food. The frown on his face from before returned, though it was visibly fainter than earlier.

“ … Fine,” He huffed as he picked up his fork, this time actually picking up the pieces of broccoli and chewing them in his mouth. He didn’t gag or complain, and I grinned at the sight. Success!

On the opposite side of the table, Harr’s cedar-brown eyes widened in astonishment. “My goodness…” He muttered to himself as he slapped his hand onto his forehead.

                                         ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

Loki can get pretty possessive like a cat, too…

I hummed a little tune to myself as I packed some books into the trusty bag Seth gave me earlier. Sirius was right; Harr really did have a lot of cookbooks lying around his house and he wouldn’t hesitate to lend me them if I asked him about it. Though I could remember most of the dessert recipes that I used back in London, I figured out that it would do me some good if I learned how to make other dishes for meals. And considering how amazing Harr’s cooking was, it was only natural that I’d try to learn from him.

Beside me, Loki leaned against the armrest of the sofa, nodding his head to the song I was humming. “What song is that, Alice?” He asked inquisitively, tilting his head. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it before… Did it come from the Land of Reason?”

I nodded. “I can’t remember the name of it, though,” I replied with a shrug as I zipped up my bag, lifting the straps around my head to rest on my shoulder. “I just remember listening to it a long time ago back in London,”

“London?”

“Ah, that is, the Land of Reason,” I explained with a smile as Loki’s eyes lit up. For a number of times now, he has asked me about my world, known as the Land of Reason to everyone in Cradle. A polar opposite to this wonderland that I’ve fallen into, the Land of Reason progressed and functioned on scientific logic, machinery and phenomena instead of magic. I wonder how I would ever explain how to use a telephone to anyone here, especially Loki.

Meanwhile, the man that I was just thinking about had his gaze trained on the bag slung across my shoulder. The shades of pink and yellow in his eyes shimmered like stars, and yet I could feel them piercing through me. The lack of response from the usually vocal Cheshire Cat made my heart worry.

“Loki?” I timidly asked, not realizing how soft my voice had become.

He didn’t reply. Instead, he stood up from the sofa and walked towards me like a predator catching his prey. As he advanced to my position, I could spot his eyebrows drooping in disappointment. The tense expression in his eyes reminded me of the day he casted a spell to force me into a deep sleep.

“You’re leaving… now?” He finally murmured in a low voice, upset that I was preparing myself to head back to the black army’s headquarters.

Oh boy, here we go again… 

“Is Loki stopping you from heading back home again?” Harr let out a long sigh in a tone mixed with embarrassment and disappointment as he stepped out his room, catching the sight of Loki staring down at me with pleading eyes.

I unfortunately had to nod in reply before turning my attention back to the pink-haired man before me. “Loki, I need to get back. You remember what I told you right? It’s gonna be Luka’s birthday soon and I need to help Ray and the others practice making a cake for him,” I explained in a matter-of-fact tone. I was already used to the many episodes of Loki trying to stop me from heading back to the other black army members, after all.

He turned his head slightly at the mention of Luka, his lips curving into an annoyed frown. “I don’t like that you have to go back to their headquarters all the time,” He complained as he reached for both of my hands, holding them tightly as if I would disappear if he let go. “I wish you could just stay here with me instead,”

I let out a short sigh. As possessive and dramatic as he was now, I had to admit that there was always a small sorrow in my heart each time we parted ways. There was always the promise of seeing him the next day, but there was also the miniscule yet present uncertainty that I couldn’t do so. It was a fear I could not deny no matter how hard I tried.

I looked up at Loki with a warm smile on my lips. “I’m sorry that I can’t stay today, Loki. But I promise I’ll come back tomorrow, and then we can go out on another date in Cradle-”

“But I still don’t like seeing you leave me,” He replied, seemingly unwavered by what I’ve said, the expression on his face barely changing. If anything, his grip on my hands only strengthened.

“I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise-”

“But if you go, that means I won’t get to cuddle next to you tonight…”

His suddenly bold words caught me off-guard and I couldn’t stop the redness from crawling up my face. In fact, my cheeks weren’t red because of what Loki said; they got red because Harr was literally right there watching us!! There was no way to really stop his possessiveness, wasn’t there?

From the corner of my eye, I could see the wizard standing by the dining table with another disappointed expression on his face. “For the love of…” He mumbled, shaking his head. It seemed that as far as he was concerned, this routine of me getting won over by Loki’s charm was never going to end.

                                         ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

And he’s always demanding attention! If that part of him didn’t resemble a cat, then I don’t know what does!

“Hey, Alice~”

“... Alice, look at me~”

As tempted as I was, I managed to steel myself not to look at Loki, my focus not leaving the work in my hands for even a second. When he sneaked into my room earlier this afternoon, he took the liberty of lying on my bed for a little ‘cat-nap’. Now in the evening hours leading to dinnertime, he was up and clearly desperate for my attention.

… Actually, I take that back. The more I consider it, the more I realised that regardless of where we were, he always would be demanding my attention. It was petty, sure, but I couldn’t deny that I still love him for that.

Today, though, I couldn’t afford to be swayed by his pleas for attention. “Not now, Loki,” I proclaimed firmly. “I need to finish making this present for Edgar’s birthday tomorrow,” My mind floated back to a few days before when Loki had tried to stop me from going back to help Ray and the others make a birthday cake for Luka. Thankfully, Harr came to my rescue, convincing the ever clingy cat Loki to let go of me. Back then, I hopelessly fell victim to his boldness; I couldn’t afford to repeat that same mistake today.

… Huh…? Why… does my ear suddenly… hurt…?

I was so absorbed in my work that I had not noticed Loki’s stealthy advance towards me, him leaning over me as I sat on my work desk. As my attention was better tuned to his presence next to me, I could feel the short silky strands of his hair tickle my ears, accompanied by… something sharp?

It was only when his hands landed on my shoulders did my mind finally register what was going on. He… bit my ear… 

… Oh my god..!!!

“L-Loki?!” I involuntarily yelped as my whole body froze. Whatever was working on before now landed on the desk as my hands remained in the air, unmoving as an all-too-familiar warmth travelled up my cheeks, extending to the edge of my ears. I could practically feel the electricity coursing through my veins as his warm breath hit my skin like a piece of red-hot iron.

“Hm?” He whispered with a seductive smirk on his face, clearly ignoring the deep scarlet blush on my face. “What is it, Alice?” He continued in a somewhat innocent tone as he continued to nuzzle the back of my ear affectionately.

No matter how hard I tried, no words would come out of my mouth. All I could do was gasp as Loki’s slender fingers swept some of my hair away so that he could nuzzle my neck. I let out a high-pitched yelp at the warm sensation, my head tilting to the side as if it was second nature and my two hands automatically reaching out and searching for his, and he chuckled at the sight.

“You know, I really have to wonder…” His alluring voice returned as his hands finally met mine, lulling the sudden need that had culminated within me. “Why do you tend to think of other men while I’m here?”

“Do you need me to remind you of who you belong to?”

The heat from my face instantly spread across my entire being at the sound of his deeper voice. I couldn’t halt the quiet moans coming out of my mouth as Loki grazed his teeth against my neck, his tongue following after as he licked my skin. My heart is beating so fast… I barely registered the sensation of my chair being lifted slightly as I was spun around in midair, my whole body now facing my boyfriend.

In my half-lidded vision, I spotted a red and surprisingly seductive gleam in Loki’s eyes. He flashed his signature Cheshire grin as he raised his hand to my chin, keeping me focused on him. “I belong to you, Alice. That means that you belong to me too, right?” His grin widened as he pulled my face towards him, his lips capturing mine in a sweet kiss.

I melted into the sensation immediately, my arms wrapping around his neck as I leaned closer to him, closing my eyes to savour this feeling. Loki’s hands soon cupped my face as he tilted his head to deepen our kiss, his fingers framing my jaw so very gently, as if I was fragile porcelain. A few minutes passed before I felt Loki pull away from me, and I internally whined at the loss of his warmth against my lips. “Loki?” I asked quietly, surprised at how soft my voice was.

He just smiled at me, his heterochromatic eyes telling me that he was content. “I’m glad,” He said randomly as he interlocked his fingers with mine. The gesture, although sweet, confused me, and I blurted out my question before I could even consider its aftereffects. “Glad about what?”

He chuckled at me again as a cheerful smile found its way to his face. “I got your attention now, Alice~”

I blinked at the realization that he was right. Oh no… I fell for his charms again just like last time…

At this rate, I’ll never get any work done…!

                                         ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

… Then again… I suppose the same can be said for me, to some degree…

Loki found himself smiling widely at the little doll in his hands, her appearance looking so much like his Alice. Her long brown hair, her cute white dress, her pretty blue eyes…

The pink-haired wizard let out a small giggle. He made a mental note to thank Harr later for teaching him how to sew. Though it took him a long time to make this doll look like her without using magic (even when the urge to just flick his fingers at the doll was so tempting), Loki was still very pleased at the final result of his practice.

“Loki!!” A melodious voice rang through the air, cueing the man in question to quickly pocket the doll in his jacket before she noticed it. He couldn’t afford to spoil the surprise… not yet, anyway.

Instead, he waved at the chestnut-haired lady as she sauntered over, a picnic basket in her hands. “Sorry that I’m a little late. Were you waiting for long?” She bowed once, making Loki laugh.

“Not at all, Alice,” He shook his head politely as he reached for her free hand and raised it to his lips, kissing the back of it gently. “By the way, you’re looking very cute, as always~”

A pink blush spread across her cheeks as her face shifted into a flustered expression. Loki’s heart warmed at the sight of Alice looking so embarrassed. Her honest reaction to everything was the cutest thing about her, after all.

So adorable… Loki mused to himself before lowering his voice as he spoke. “Hey, hey Alice. Before we go on our date, I have something to show you,”

She tilted her head at him. “What is it?”

“Close your eyes,” He teased with a smirk, to which Alice logically raised an eyebrow at, but the serious look in his own eyes reassured her otherwise. Deciding to go along with his plan, she obliged. With her eyes closed, her now hypersensitive ears heard the sound of cloth being rubbed against, as if someone was searching through their pockets.

“Okay, you can open them now,” Loki’s voice brought her back to the present as she followed his words, her eyes now catching the sight of a quaint little doll resting in Loki’s hands. He was holding it with both of his hands, his fingers wrapping around the doll’s waist, right where the start of her navy blue skirt was.

Wait a minute… a navy blue skirt?

“This doll…” Alice blinked at the sight. “It looks like me…”

“That’s right!” Loki nodded excitedly. “Isn’t she adorable?” He continued, lifting the doll’s hand to imitate her saying hello.

Alice giggled at the gesture. “How did you make her, Loki? With magic?” She asked as Loki passed her the petite toy, her hands and eyes looking all over the doll and inspecting its quality and detail.

“Nope,” He replied with an unexpected answer, which cued Alice to gaze at him quizzically. “I made her from scratch,”

“From scratch?”

“Yep. She’s made from nothing but thread, cotton and cloth,”

“ … No magic?”

He grinned as if he was crossing his heart. “No magic at all,”

“Wow…!” Alice beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with awe. “That’s really impressive, Loki!”

The smile on her face was more than enough of a payment for his efforts. He could feel his heart soaring at the sight of her happiness. Oh how he’d love to capture that pretty look on her face forever…

… Oh, right.

“There’s a reason why I wanted to show you this doll, Alice,” Loki began, lowering his voice mysteriously. Alice turned to him quickly, curiosity in her gaze. “You see, the last time I came to your room, I noticed something,”

“You tend to keep a lot of dolls of me in your room, Alice,”

Alice’s sapphire eyes widened like a child would have if she was caught eating candy. “I-!!” She uttered a single word as her embarrassing side resurfaced. How… Didn’t she keep those dolls in her closet when Loki came over?

… Or did he find them by himself?

“I don’t know where you found so many dolls of me, though,” Loki mused, a playful tone in his voice as he continued his explanation. “I mean, I don’t mind you keeping dolls of me. In fact, I find it rather precious of you~”

Precious? The fact that she always cuddled a Loki toy to sleep everyday… was precious to him? Alice could not believe her ears. Had she fainted in embarrassment already? Was this just a dream?

Behind her back, she pressed a fingernail into her thumb, the stinging pain from it as real as the basket in her hands. Yep, definitely not a dream.

“It’s kind of unfair though,” The younger man pouted, a frown appearing on his face. “You have the chance to cuddle me to sleep every night, but I don’t…”

Did he just read her mind?

“So…” He said slowly, reaching out to the doll in Alice’s hands as he tenderly took the doll back, holding it in his two hands. The young magic-user then turned to the woman in front of him, a light pink blush across his cheeks and his gold-and-pink eyes shining in adoration and affection.

“You wouldn’t mind if I have a doll of you then, would you, Alice~?”

                                         ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

Hm... How would you reply to him, Alice? :3

Thank you so much, maedayo, for blessing my day with Loki fan art. I desperately need more Loki content~♥

Also, the song that Alice was humming to in the third scenario was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGmk_F3F0Lw

I’ve been listening to it the whole time I was writing this. It’s super sweet~ Also, I realise that some of its lyrics really REALLY fit Loki’s route. Like I want to make an animated video of it with Loki, ahhh-

Anyways, thank you for reading!

(P.S. time to start writing another Loki fanfic since maedayo just posted more art of him and Alice ahhhh-)

[find-your-sunspot]

Chapter I - 3:30 PM

Chieko opened her eyes in a groan of fatigue. Oh, I fell asleep ... I wonder how much time has passed. The realization that someone had come in her sleep to light another incense made her blood run cold. A thousand and one scenarios swirled around in her head, as she straightened up to look around. What  happened ?? What did they come to do ? After spending several minutes frantically touching her body, she finally calmed down with a sigh. Nothing had been done to her in her sleep ; and that was enough to reassure her.

The sky, which was still very pale before, had seen itself covered with a veil of cerulean blue, dotted here and there with clouds. Surprisingly gray clouds for the season ; the month of June had been mild and pleasant. Maybe a summer rain will fall soon. I hope, it is always enjoyable. The landscape is so stunning afterwards !

Without letting her smile fade, Chieko retrieved her phone, which she had left on the nightstand, to open the RFA app. It was three-thirty, and the Minister was hungry. The thought of a good snack made her stomach growl ; and even more so when she began to smell a faint smell of strawberry cake. I don't think it's in their best interests to poison me. I should go and see where the smell is coming from. I can't remember the last time I ate.

No sooner had she left her room than she found herself in a hallway decorated like a castle. Marble floors, fresh peonies, thick curtains tied with pretty golden ribbons, but most of all chandeliers hanging on the wall at equal distance from each other. While in awe of all the decorations, she took some time before noticing a young man with blackish hair waving to her. He doesn't seem mean, just... a little funny ? I don't know, he looks nice. Well, that doesn't mean I'm going to trust him.

<< ...Yes ?

-If you want some cake, you better wait in your room for them to come and give them to you ! >>

And, without saying anything more, this funny young man gave her another wave before disappearing at the junction of the hallways, chasing someone running. But what is their problem, anyway ? Why are they behaving like this with me ?

Still, Chieko decided to trust him on this one and reluctantly returned to his room. He is probably right. It's not a good idea for me to get out of here. I'm pretty sure this Saeran would kill me if he found out. However, I remain convinced that it is not him who is in charge of this place.

Back in her princess bedroom, she pulled one of the two armchairs around the pedestal table and sat down in silence. Thinking about how to get out of here, she remembered the information she had obtained about this place, as Minister of Justice. I am probably in the headquarters of this cult called "Mint Eye". Obviously, I was kidnapped here, but not because of my research. And judging the reactions of the members of the RFA, no announcement concerning my disappearance was made… But I should have expected it. I can only count on myself to get out of this.

As she was about to continue torturing her mind with those, her phone vibrated and a notification popped up on her screen. "New Chatroom" ! A slight smile curved around the corner of her lips, and she finally opened the app.

Yoosung 🌟 : Oh, hi, Jaehee, Chieko !!

Jaehee Kang : Hello, both of you.

Chieko : Hi ! :) How are you ?

Yoosung 🌟: Good ! Finally, I’m super restless. I couldn't concentrate at all in class. Too excited !

Jaehee Kang : Is it because of the Minister coming to our chatroom ?

Yoosung 🌟 : Yes ! I mean… Someone who knew Rika that we weren't aware of ?? It gives me so much hope to know more about her..!!

Jaehee Kang : Ah, theoretically, Mr. Han knows her. And from what I could understand, Luciel and V do too.

Chieko : Yes, that's right… I knew Luciel when he was younger, and I had the opportunity to meet V before I parted ways with Rika.

Jaehee Kang : If you are comfortable enough, would you mind telling us how you got to know Rika ?

Yoosung 🌟 : Oh, I was going to ask the same question ! She never told us about you.

Chieko : Of course. We left each other on… Bad terms ? Well. We got to know each other at church. We lived there for a few months.

Yoosung 🌟 : Living there ??

Jaehee Kang : I heard that homeless people can take refuge in church, yes.

Chieko : That's right. Oh, now that I think about it, I probably got the photos back on my phone. Just a second, please..

Jaehee Kang : I didn't know Rika had lived in church, to be honest.

Yoosung 🌟 : Me neither… I thought she had moved from her parents' place to V's directly.

After searching for a few moments in her phone's gallery, Chieko finally found the photo she was looking for. She, Rika, and another girl, holding hands right outside the church door. All three looked tired, but mostly they wore shy smiles. Nothing of the Rika that the RFA knew ; but also nothing of the Chieko that South Korea knew. Rika kept her hair plaited, and played nervously with one of her locks, while Chieko struggled to stand up because she was too skinny. And she, who always made a point of keeping her hair maintained, had let it go, in such a messy way, but also and above all as white as her sickly skin. The other girl, meanwhile, was also not in great physical shape, and wore a poorly executed bob cut.

Chieko : No, she stayed… Almost a year there before she met V and left.

Jaehee Kang : … Wow, this photo is odd to look at…

Yoosung 🌟 : How come Rika is like that ?? She does not look alike ....

Chieko : That's what I told you, she was such a strong woman. She has changed so much since the last time I saw her.

Jaehee Kang : … So you too, I think. I don’t know more about you, but... If you went from being a refugee in the church to being a justice minister, you had to work a lot.

Yoosung 🌟 : It is true that it is impressive !! You are a role model for a lot of people here!

Chieko : Ah, really ? I tend to see what the people blame me for...

Jaehee Kang : Ah, I can relate. ;-;;

Yoosung 🌟 : Waaah, you scare me for the future life.

Chieko : Don't worry, you'll be fine ! You seem like a young boy with lots of potential.

Yoosung 🌟 :… Oh, that's super flattering from you ! ^//^

Jaehee Kang : It is true that you can feel honored, Yoosung... It is very gratifying.

Chieko :  Ha, it's no big deal... That is just my opinion. I don’t have any special qualifications to say that, I’m just telling you how I feel seeing you. :)

Yoosung 🌟 : Thank you then ! :D

Jaehee Kang : Well, having that cleared up ... Yoosung, you said you couldn't concentrate in class, is that right ?

Yoosung 🌟 : Yes… I'm spending time on my phone, hoping not to get caught. QwQ

Jaehee Kang : Yoosung, it's a bit... ;-;;

Chieko : Ha, even if you need to follow your class, feeling low one afternoon isn’t going to fail your schooling. Try to drink some water and get out for some fresh air ! It looks like it's going to rain soon. I don't know about you, but I find the summer rains soothing. :)

Jaehee Kang : … It is going to rain, you say ? However, the sky is perfectly clear in Seoul.

Yoosung 🌟 : That's right, the sun is burning my eyes and my teacher won't close the shutters ;-;

Chieko : … Oh, that's weird then. Excuse me. Either way, the intent remains the same. Just hanging out in your school grounds might relax you a bit, Yoosung.

Jaehee Kang : It is true that just for an afternoon it'll be fine… You obviously won't be able to concentrate today, so you should at least pay attention to your sanity. :)

Chieko : And I'll try to answer as many of your questions as possible so that you can concentrate in class tomorrow !

Jaehee Kang : It is true that it would help us a lot... Even if you already have the trust of Mr. Han, I would like us to be able to get rid of all the suspicions about you as soon as possible.

Yoosung 🌟 :… I was going to say something about V, but I think I'll take your advice and hang out for a bit ! ;-;;

Chieko : That's the spirit, Yoosung ! Don't think about what hurts you, and take some quality time for yourself.

Yoosung 🌟 : Thank you girls… have a nice day ! :D

Yoosung has left the chatroom.

Jaehee Kang : It is nice to see Yoosung active again… He had been in a lethargic state since Rika's death.

Chieko : Were they that close?

Jaehee Kang : Yes… Rika was her cousin, and I think he was the person she was closest to, after V, of course.

Chieko : … I imagine the distress he must have felt, indeed. But as tragic as her death is... We have to help him move forward. We cannot let him lock himself in mourning. Neither do you, either.

Jaehee Kang : … It is nice to want to do such a thing, but it's also very daring. We were all greatly impacted by her death, but it's nothing compared to V… Well, time is the answer, I guess.

Chieko : Time doesn't cure everything. Sometimes you have to agree to get help.

Jaehee Kang : … That is probably true. Thanks, Chieko.

Chieko : Thanks to you, Jaehee ! I enjoyed our conversation. :)

Jaehee Kang : I enjoyed it as well. If you will excuse me...

Jaehee Kang has left the chatroom.

Chieko has left the chatroom.

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard a knock on her door. Chieko then turned her curious eyes in the direction of the noise ; and  discovered a frail young girl advancing to the pedestal table. Without saying a word, she carefully came to deposit a piece of an appetizing strawberry shortcake in front of the Minister. But it was with even more special care that she made sure not to meet Chieko's gaze.

Still, what beautiful eyes she had. Mint blue, just like Saeran. Maybe it's his little sister ? They look a lot alike, and it's not her white hair that makes me think otherwise. What struck the little Minister the most, however, was the young lady's thinness, which was still apparent, despite the loose tunic she wore.

<< … Miss ? >>

After what seemed like an eternity to both of them, the young girl finally raised her head to stare Chieko straight in the eyes. A gaze so deep it almost seemed to be probing the entirety of her soul. And this sensation made her shiver all the more ; definitely, she felt helpless in front of such an unsettling pair of eyes. But ironically, she didn't think them as threatening, on the contrary. They were just blessed with disarming sincerity.

<<… You are in danger here. I will come back as soon as possible. In the meantime, do not accept food or drink from anyone other than me.

- ... Wait, why is that ? >> Chieko felt her throat tighten into a lump that choked her own voice. << Why would I believe you, anyway ?

- ... I can't take any longer than that now. I will come back at night. I count on your discretion. >>

Chieko thought she could discern, for a fraction of a second, a sympathetic smile burning the lips of the young girl. No, I must be dreaming. I'd better wait to find out more before rushing to conclusions. A poorly mastered curtsy and a brief wave later, she had already left her room, going out of sight, even from the hallway.

Who was she ? How many are there here ? Were my sources about  this cult reliable ? Or are they well over a thousand ? These questions danced in a loop in her head. Like a three-beat waltz. Calculated, repeated, endless movements. Movements that would continue indefinitely if she did not end them herself. Which she finally did, firmly planting her spoon in the cake. Yes, maybe this cake is poisoned. But if I ask myself too many questions, I will not eat, and I will starve sooner or later. 

[cheryyori]

No. 1 FAN - K. TH SM AU

pairing(s): indie singer!taehyung/oc

genre: social media au, utaite/anonymous singer au, youtuber au, non-idol au, friends to lovers au, fluff, crack

summary: Kim Taehyung is an amateur artist and singer that posts his songs and covers on youtube. He also happens to be a huge fan of the anonymous singer Jae. Like any other fan, he hopes that one day she’ll notice him, so what happens when he runs into his old childhood friend who just happens to be the same anonymous idol he looks up to.

author’s note: Taehyung is a hopeless romantic mess in this and it shows. Sorry for taking a while to post this I was trying to figure out what to write for the drabble below, which I think is cliche but oh well.

MASTERLIST

01. shoujo manga style cliche | >>>

Drabble Under Cut

"Are you ready?” Jungkook’s voice called into Taehyung’s apartment, the older male frown as he saw the other outside of his apartment with the door wide open. His arms crossed as he leaned against the wall behind him, “We were supposed to go to the convenience store 10 minutes ago!”

“Alright, alright!” Taehyung sighs are he grabbed his jacket and keys. Jungkook let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, making Taehyung playfully hit his shoulder in response as he locked the door to his apartment behind him, “Shut up, stop being so dramatic!” He says as the two of them rounded the corner of the hall to the stairs. 

Other footsteps could be heard from above, but Taehyung paid no mind as he was in his own conversation with Jungkook, talking about what they needed to get from the convenience store. They stood near the stairs, going over what they plan to do when Jimin and Namjoon arrive but they stopped as they heard three loud voices and the sounds of running from above.

“Hurry up!” a voice echoes.

“Alright, no need to rush, I’m going at my own pace, shortcake,” another replied quietly. Taehyung’s eyes turned to see a young woman with dark brown hair pulled into a messy low ponytail and wore round glasses perched on the bridge of her nose being tugged by a shorter man with brown hair swept to the side. The first thing that crossed his mind when he saw her was that she was pretty. Very pretty.

“Can you stop pulling on Jaehee’s arm, Shin! If you keep doing that while running one of you is going to fall─” another woman’s voice said. The girl with the ponytail glanced up at the other, her eyes were focused on her friend that she didn’t notice her foot missed a step. A short shriek was heard as she almost tripped down the stairs.

Taehyung’s first reaction was to catch the girl. With arms held out, he caught her before her face could make contact with the concrete. Mistake number one. He let out a small cough as her body slammed against his chest, knocking the wind out of him.

“Oh god, Jaehee! Are you alright!” The other feminine voice asked. Taehyung glanced down to check if the girl he caught was alright when he felt his breath hitch.

Fuck, he thinks as he stared down at her. She was really fucking pretty. Mistake number two.

“Uh,” the girl suddenly speaks, “Thanks for saving me, but you can let go now,” she said. Taehyung blinks, his mind currently in a blank daze.

“Huh?” was all he managed to say before he realized that his arms were wrapped around her waist. With a flushed face, he lets her go and took a step back, avoiding her gaze out of embarrassment.

“Jaehee, are you alright?” the same voice from before asked as two others appeared. Jungkook made his way over to Taehyung before his eyes were glued onto the other girl that appeared beside the other his friend saved.

“I’m fine Kanao, just a bit startled,” she said turning her attention to Taehyung. He nervously glanced back at her and felt his cheeks redden again, “Thanks again for saving my clumsy ass,” she said with a small laugh. He couldn’t help but flash her his boxy grin at her. Cute, he thinks as he hears her laugh. The girl blinks, wondering why that boxy grin seemed so familiar.

“I-it’s fine,” he stutters, “I’m glad I caught you,” he backtracks, realizing how that sounds and the shorter boy behind the girl narrows his eyes at him, not that Taehyung noticed since he was wallowing in his own embarrassment, “I-I mean I just glad you didn’t end up hurting yourself,” he says nervously. Behind him, Jungkook sighs with his face in his hands, cringing from Taehyung’s flustered state.

“Right,” the shorter male drawls out, raising a brow at him in his suspicion, his eyes scanned Taehyung for anything fishy. The other girl gave him a pointed look as she pulls him back missing the small pout on Jungkook’s face.

“Y-yeah,” Taehyung said, “U-uh my name is Taehyung by the way,” he says. Why did he felt the need to tell her his name, he doesn’t know himself as he continues. The girl’s brows furrowed together, eyes suddenly widening.

“Oh! Taehyung?” She asked. Hearing the sound of his name rolling off her tongue, made his heart suddenly jump. “As in Kim Taehyung?” 

“Huh?” He blinks, wondering how this pretty girl knew his name. “Y-yes...?” He says. Suddenly she smiles brightly, and god did he felt his knees go weak.

“Woah! Really! It’s me, Jaehee! You know Choi Jaehee!” She said. Taehyung took a moment to process her words. Choi Jaehee, the only Choi Jaehee he knew was the small girl next door with the toothy-gap smile that loved jelly beans─oh wait.

“Wait, Jaehee?” He blinks. Holy shit, he thinks as he racked his mind over how this pretty girl here was the same girl he knew as a child. Damn puberty hits hard, he would know. “H-hey, wow,” he breathes taking in her appearance again, Jungkook groans behind him, and Taehyung felt his face flush again, “Y-you look good, like wow, it’s been like what? Five years?”

“Yeah, and thanks,” Jaehee replied with a smile, “You look great too!” She added, “Are you still close with your grandma? I haven’t seen her in so long!”

“Yeah,” he smiles, remembering how when they were kids, they would head over to his grandmother’s for freshly picked strawberries they would pick out. The sudden wave of nostalgia washed over him as he started to remember other things they did as kids.

“You two know each other?” The short male asked, pulling Taehyung out of his own thoughts. Jaehee turned her attention to her friends, remembering what they were doing before they stumbled into Taehyung and Jungkook.

“Oh, right! Shin this is Taehyung, we were neighbors and friends when we were kids,” Shin stares at Taehyung, making him shift nervously under the short male’s gaze. Noticing his apprehension, the other girl elbowed Shin in the side before speaking up.

“Nice to mee you, my name is Kanao,” she said. Jungkook’s eyes lit up as the other girl spoke up, saying her name. 

“I’m Jungkook,” he said suddenly, his voice cracking slightly as he had a small blush on his cheeks. Taehyung gave the younger boy an odd look as he watched him moved from his spot and in front of Kanao to shake her hand.

“Nice to meet you Jungkook,” Kanao smiled and Taehyung swears he had never seen his friend blush so fast. He knew that Kook wasn’t the most socially adept person when it came to girls, but he had never seen the youngest so flustered before either, “Alright, I hate to cut this nice reunion, we do have somewhere to be,” she said.

“Oh right,” Jaehee said, “Thanks again for saving my ass, Taehyung! It was nice seeing you again!” Just as she was about to leave, he panicked suddenly as he blurted out the first thing on his mind.

“Can I have your number?”

“What?” Her eyes were wide as she turned to stare back at him. Shin pursed his lips together and narrows his eyes at Taehyung, beside him, Kanao could help but snicker.

“Uhh,” he flounders, trying to think of an excuse for his sudden actions as Jungkook was cringing from secondhand embarrassment next to him. “I mean, it’s been a while since we last spoke, so I thought we could talk, to you know, catch up over the years.” Smooth Taehyung, smooth.

“Okay, sure,” she agreed, not thinking much on it as she gave him her number, “Alright, I have to go now, places to be but text me whenever!” She said before leaving, her form disappearing as she headed down the stairs with Kanao dragging Shin by the arm.

“What kind of shoujo manga style cliche was that?” Jungkook asked, smacking Taehyung’s shoulder. The later winced as he rubbed his shoulder.

“What?” He asked, raising a brow at Jungkook who gave him a look as he brushed him off, “It’s nothing, we’re just friends from back then. It’s been five years and I wanted to catch up with her, where’s the harm in that?” He asked.

“Uh-huh, Taehyung we all know you’re a hopeless romantic with your secret self-insert fanfics with Jae,” Jungkook replied nonchalantly making Taehyung choke on the air suddenly, “You don’t ask a girl that looks like that for their number because you wanted to catch up even if you two were friends in the past.”

“I-I do not have self-insert fanfics!” He choked as his face turned red again, “And it’s true, Guk! I just wanted to keep in contact with her after all these years!”

“Hm, okay sure, lover boy,” Jungkook rolls his eyes as he started to make his way down the stairs with Taehyung following behind.

“Ugh, I’m serious!” Taehyung huffs, “Forget it, let’s just hurry to the convenience store and grab some snacks before Jimin and Namjoon-hyung arrive,” he sighs out.

“Oh speaking of the others, wait till I tell them about this!”

“Jeon Jeongguk, I swear to god if you tell them, you can say goodbye to your limited-edition anime figurines and your collection of Kana’s albums!”

“Taehyung, you heathen! You wouldn’t dare!”

“Try me, bitch!”

[of-all-irrelevance]

Traditions

Self-Para 002

September 1st came around faster than he was expecting. Fane wasn't sure how he felt about his birthday this year. Usually, he enjoyed his birthday, and while he never made a big deal about it, it was still a special day. This year was different.

His Ma wasn't around to make the strawberry shortcake she always made. It wasn't a traditional birthday cake, but she'd been doing it for so long for him that he was sure his birthday wouldn't be the same without it.

This year, his dad wasn't there to ask him what he wanted for his birthday dinner. The question was superfluous. He'd asked for the same dinner every year since he was nine-years-old. Boxty, bacon, and that potato cheddar soup his dad made.

His birthday was different this year, without his family to spend it with. Instead, he'd gone home to Bay Ridge, sheepishly asking Win for a ride. He thought about asking the other boy to stay with him, but right now, he thought he was better suited to being alone.

He'd ordered pancakes and bacon from the local diner to go, bought a container of potato soup from the deli, and packed it all up before getting on the train.

He kept his head down as the R thundered through stop after stop, trying to keep the tears held at bay. He wanted to cry, but like hell was he going to be someone that cried on the subway. Hell no. Instead, he dug his teeth into his lower lip and kept his focus on the containers of food held on his lap.

Fane got up at his stop, stepping off the train and moving out into the light. He sighed at the cloudy skies, glad that it wasn't raining, but thinking the rain might have been suitable. It would have matched his mood.

Stopping at the gate of the Green-Wood Cemetery, Fane took a shaky breath. He didn't want to go in. He wanted to call Win, ask his friend to come and pick him up. He didn't want to be alone right now, but he couldn't help but remember that he was alone. He was the only one left.

He took that first step.

Then his feet moved on their own, taking him to Sylvan Cliff, to the shared headstone bearing his parents' names. He stopped when he reached the grey, Celtic cross that marked his parents' graves. Sitting before the stone, Fane set out his meal.

He looked at the lily carved in the centre of the cross and felt the tears slide down his cheeks. "Hey Ma, hey dad," he said softly, eyes moving over the words carved on the shield-shaped base.

'In loving memory of Seoirse and Darina O'Fannaín. 

Died January 4, 2020. 

Beloved father and mother. 

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

Until we meet again.'

He opened the container with the soup, stirring it lightly with the plastic spoon. "It ain't your cheddar potato soup," he said, taking a bite of the soup. "Doesn't even have cheddar, but it was the best I could find…"

Fane sighed, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "You've missed a lot," he said quietly. "I graduated high school, missed you both at the ceremony… I'm starting college real soon. I got into the new Luxor University. We're doing an exchange program. I get to go to France soon."

He stopped talking for a moment, focusing on eating the potato soup. It was far from his dad's recipe, wasn't even that great. There was a fleeting moment where he wished he'd told Win about his favourite birthday meal. Win could have made something that tasted better. But then… he didn't want to bring Win down with him. He just wanted to be alone right now.

"Oh, you'll never guess who came back," Fane murmured, finishing the last of the subpar soup. "Win's back. He came to finish his school with me. He got into Luxor University too. I think he might be even more excited about going to France then I am. Bet you guys woulda loved to see him again…"

He trailed off as a soft sob wracked his frame. He opened the box of pancakes and bacon, letting a soft, watery laugh. "I couldn't find good boxty on short notice," he admitted, using the plastic fork to separate a bite of pancake. "But I have diner pancakes and bacon."

He took a bite of the pancake and shook his head slightly. "I should have told Win about the birthday meal tradition," he admitted, chewing on a piece of overcooked bacon. "He likes to cook. He'd probably have loved to learn all your recipes, both of yours. I wish he'd have gotten the chance…"

Fane swallowed, teeth digging into his lower lip. "According to Kenzie," he began, a watery smile on his face, "you both probably knew this already, but I love him. I'm in love with him. I just… don't think anything's going to happen. I think he sees me like family."

He shook his head slightly. "I know you both raised me not to be scared," Fane admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I am. I know Kenzie thinks I should tell him, but I'm scared. What if I do, and Win decides not to stay friends with me? That scares me more than anything… I can't… lose anyone else. I don't think I'm strong enough for that."

The tears started anew. Fane knew he was disappointing his parents with his cowardice. He had to be. They never wanted him to be afraid, least of all of his own feelings. But he was. He genuinely did not think he could handle it if he lost someone else. Losing his parents was hard enough. He couldn't lose Win or Kenzie or Sutton. He just couldn't take that.

"I made a new friend though," Fane told them, lower lip trembling slightly. "You'd like them, I think. They're called Sutton. They feel like a little sibling. I think they look at me as their brother too." He couldn't help the smile as he thought about the almost accidental meeting with Sutton, sent to find someone that Win texted thinking that Fane would be a better suited to talking to the younger student about virginity and sexuality. "Next year, I'm gonna take them to Pride with me. They're like me, and I think they coulda used someone like you guys…"

Fane sighed softly. "I miss you," he said softly, hunching in on himself as he started to cry steadily. "It's my birthday… I'm nineteen today, and I miss you today more than I've missed you in a while. I'm doing okay though, I think, just trying to keep on going, try to make you both proud.

"I'm going to school to get a teaching degree," he went on, just babbling at this point. "I want to be a music teacher and teach kids about music."

"I–" His words failed him as a soft sob escaped him. He curled in wholly on himself, just letting himself grieve. He hadn't cried like this since the night before graduation. It felt good.

He stayed there for god knew how long, crying. He was shaking when he felt a hand on his back. Turning his head, he saw a familiar head of blond hair and felt the other boy settle next to him, arm moving around Fane's shoulders. Fane didn't say anything, just leaned into Win's frame, and let the tears fall freely.

He felt warmth in his chest. He'd felt so alone earlier. It was nice to remember that he wasn't alone. He had family, even if he'd lost his parents. Fane turned slightly, rested his cheek on Win's shoulder. "Can you…" he trailed off, swallowing back more tears. "Can you make strawberry shortcake? Instead of regular cake?"

Win’s voice responded, softly in the quiet of the cemetery. "Yeah," the blond murmured, "of course, I’ll make strawberry shortcake."

[annoyinglyjovialbird]

Voltron: Next Generation

First Encounters: III

Word Count: 2822

"Cake!" A chorus of voices yelled. Allie mostly screamed as she flew to the furthest fall, but she would also join in.

"I'm on it!" With nothing but his dad's yellow suit, Cake ejected himself into the darkness. Shiro seriously underestimated how the teens were trained.

On camera feeds, the teens watched the blasts slow and stop at the sight of the yellow-clad teenager. With a few flashes from the Balmeran ship, it went around the Coeus and its sheer size. They were approved for entry. Kova was going to murder someone and it wouldn't be Caleb.

Landing on the Balmera, Cake was the first off the ship, running towards a tall woman. At least, they thought it was a woman.

"Hey, where are you going?" Shiro asked Kova, who was suited up in his old paladin armor. The black and white outfit made her brown eyes impossibly brighter. Her helmet was held like a basketball under her arm.

"I have to ask if the Balmera is willing to give me a crystal." Her eyes met Shiro's for only a moment, then she turned and put on her helmet. Even if the atmosphere on the Balmera was safe for humans to breathe, Kova wasn't risking anything. She was better off safe than sorry.

"Be careful," Shiro called out, but Kova was too out of reach to hear a thing. Allie decided to go along, only because it was her team. Caleb and Liz were helping Kenny with the teleduv, something the Coeus had! Even if some of the lenses were cracked and others were broken, the system itself seemed to be okay. Thank Allura for that, because they couldn't possibly recreate Hunk's lens recipe up here.

"Hey!" Cake called out, his helmet off. The Balmeran he was embracing was only a few inches taller than he was, with rough green and yellow skin and completely yellow eyes.

"Hello." The Balmeran looked up at the pair, who were still wearing helmets.

"The air is safe to breathe."

"Kova's just taking precautions," Cake separated himself from the Balmeran and walked over to the girls. "Cut her some slack."

"Kova!" A shriek pierced the air and Kova had to brace herself, but even the armor didn't protect from Talia's bone-crushing hug. "Are Mom and Uncle Rax giving you a hard time for keeping your helmet on?" Kova was being lifted by Cake's older sister, who was as tall as Cake and looks to match. Her sclera was much brighter than Cake's, with a thin dark slit instead of Cake's round iris and pupil. Built like a body-building ectomorph, Talia was as hard as a rock (pun not intended), much to Kova's dismay. "Oh, I missed you, my strawberry shortcake!" Kova was kicking her legs, but it was useless in Talia's grip.

"Hello, beautiful sister." Cake crossed his arms.

"Issako." Talia stopped shaking Kova from side to side to glare at her younger brother. Her grip loosened enough to let Kova escape. She imagined Caleb was laughing up a storm.

He was, and Liz was sure he had stopped breathing a few minutes ago.

"Talia." The Balmeran from earlier scolded the overexcited half-human. "What brings you back?" The Balmeran, who Allie and Kova had assumed was Cake and Talia's mom, directed her question at Cake.

“It's a long story." Walking alongside his mom, Cake led the way for Kova and Allie. As Allie walked forward, she was pulled back by the collar of her outfit. Looking up, Kova's face was unreadable, even through the helmet.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you," Kova said, earning her more eyes than she could count. There were maybe ten Balmerans on the surface, only three directly interacting with the teenagers. "But I have a few questions and I don't wish to further interfere with your family reunion." Shay met the eyes of another Balmeran, the one who Kova thought was Cake and Talia's uncle. What did she say his name was again?

"I am called Rax." The Balmera approached the teens. "What are your questions?" Kova sighed, letting go of Allie's collar.

"First, I ask for a confirmation. Has the Fire of Purification returned in full force?" Rax nodded his head, solemn. At least Kova had the information to relay it to her dad. "Second, I wish to ask the Balmera for a few crystals. Would it be alright?" The ground shook after Kova's question. Rax stood by unfazed, while Allie hung onto Kova's arm. Behind Rax, a grove of crystals grew from the ground. They all varied in size, some the size of grass blades, and others were the size of small trees.

"The Balmera has answered your question. Any other questions?" Allie wandered past the foreboding Balmeran into the crystals, exploring each crystal. Kova wanted to ask the last question, but she was almost afraid to.

"Do you have any information on the Voltron Lions?" She differed to instead. They were dead, she chided herself. Even if they were alive, at least one more other than Uncle Lance should have made it back. Rax studied the teen, who couldn't be more than ten inches shorter than he. "We found Blue in a trash nebula not far from here." Her voice was low, meeting the Balmeran's eyes. Rax nodded his head, holding his hand out. Kova gave him her left arm, which had a screen on the piece. On the screen, he wrote in a code Kova hadn't seen in years: 010110010100010101010011

Hunk, Cake's dad, must've taught it to them.

Shutting her screen, Rax nodded. Kova responded with a nod of her own and stayed in the same place as Rax turned around to walk towards the stairs that led to the system of tunnels where the Balmerans lived. With steps, so much calmer and steadier than they had ever been, Kova walked towards Allie and pulled out her knife.

Cake was being showered in so many compliments and praises, he didn't notice how far he had traveled. He was told he looked handsome in his father's paladin outfit, to which he looked at his mom for confirmation.

She didn't even look at him.

The deeper they went, the more Balmerans stayed behind, going into their caves as they passed by. When they stopped moving, Cake found himself alone with his mom and Talia. They were staring forward, but Talia stole glances between him and the wall ahead of them.

The cavern was about twice as high as the bay doors and two football fields long. Inside, the Yellow Lion was inside its protective yellow dome, its eyes following Cake around.

He could barely believe the yellow lion's coordinates were here when he saw the map of the Lions' locations, but standing here and looking at the huge metal beast before him, it didn't make any sense. Maybe he passed out at the Garrison and this fever dream was his subconscious giving him a piece of his dad after his absence. He wasn't supposed to return to the Balmera until after he graduated from the Garrison, and the inclusion of his mom and sister are just homesick reminders.

Turning to both of them, he only had to look at Talia's face to realize she wasn't a dream. Talia would've known about this earlier.

Heck, he didn't know Talia's nickname for Kova was strawberry shortcake. Her face was priceless.

With careful steps forward, Cake approached the Lion. It didn't move at all, waiting for Cake to react. With a hand on the shield, Cake looked into Yellow's eyes. The faint roar in the back of his head scared him, but not as much as the shield dissipating in front of his eyes. With careful steps, he approached the base of the Lion, where a hatch door had opened.

Riding the elevator up, he remembered the stories and adventures his dad used to tell as treats for Cake's good behavior. After the cake incident, he wasn't allowed to help at the restaurants. When the elevator doors opened again, he found himself in a back room. Approaching the door at the end of it, he found himself in the Yellow Lion's head. Taking a seat in the chair in the middle of the cockpit, he brought his legs up the chair moved to suit him. Reaching his hands out to hold onto the controls, the panels came to life in front of him in matching yellow colors.

His helmet had rolled onto the floor, and Cake seriously wondered if he should put it on. No one else had a Lion, he thought to himself. Then he remembered what they found in the trash nebula. Suddenly, he couldn't reach his helmet fast enough.

"Allie!" Cake shouted, earning him a yelp from the tween. They had boarded the Coeus, with a makeshift sack filled with the materials Kova was going to make the satellite with when Allie got the terrifying message. "Get to Blue!" Cake was so excited, he was bouncing in his seat with joy.

"Kova said I wasn't supposed to fly it without proper training." Her right eye was shut, trying to comfort her ear on her shoulder through the helmet. It didn't work, but it didn't hurt to try.

"Get to your Lion and when I say go, take off!" Cake was starting the Yellow Lion, getting a feel for the controls. It would be completely different once they were airborne.

"Alright! I'm going, I'm going," Allie muttered as she wandered off to the Bay. Kova had an eyebrow raised, but she had taken off her helmet earlier. She couldn't hear the conversation between the two. "Just stop yelling."

Kova had dragged her bag 'o' parts to the bridge, where they had begun to fall out of holes in the tarp. She didn't mind. Caleb looked at her with an eyebrow raised. Kova shrugged her shoulders, sitting on the floor cross-legged to begin. Caleb and Liz had joined her, sitting in their now completely assigned seats, and Shiro and Kenny trailed Kova and picking up pieces along the way.

Allie was in the cockpit of the Blue Lion, hands on the controls watching everything come to life. Most of it was foreign to her, but she seemed to understand the basics when Cake's enthusiastic voice came over her earpiece.

"GO!" Cake yelled, causing Allie to wince but she pressed her controls forward. Blue stood, roaring to life as he stood on all four legs. With the bay door opening, Allie took off before Kova could stand up and stop her. Truth be told, everyone's eyes opened wide but no one made moves to stop Allie.

The Blue Lion was flying around the windows of the Coeus as the Yellow Lion emerged from a hole in the Balmera's surface. Kova looked on, not sure whether to be jealous that her team had their lions or proud that her team found their lions first. Allie was having a hard time flying the Blue Lion, while Cake took to it like riding a bike. Then again, his dad was the former pilot. Maybe the Lion sensed that.

Now alone, Kova was tacking a few pieces of the scrap metal together. It was harder than she would have hoped, her makeshift arc welder likely not up to any safety code. A few hours ago, she sent Caleb and Liz to check off the list of repairs the ship needed. Caleb glared at Kova, but Liz was happy to do it.

They had managed to properly set and reconfigure the wires that caused the malfunctions at the Garrison, finished the seat covers for the chairs, and were currently in the process of dying them with the help of the Balmerans. Shiro had decided to head down too, leaving Kova and Kenny alone on the ship. Albeit, on different sides and levels, but that was beside the point.

Pushing loose black strands back, she sat down on the floor. She had been hunched over for almost an hour, her back aching.

The Balmerans were kind enough to let the Coeus stay on the Balmera for as long as they needed, Cake's mom and uncle recognizing Shiro almost on the spot.

Kova was nearly done, the dome of the satellite coming along nicely. It would be large enough to transmit the signals necessary, but small enough it shouldn't be noticeable by other ships. When the frame was done, it was only a matter of connecting it to a functioning power source. The crystals from the Balmera should be more than enough.

Blue and Yellow raced past the windows of the Coeus the umpteenth time that day. Allie was getting better with every pass she made, although now it was a matter of beating Cake than it was practicing anymore. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Kova got back to work. If she finished the frame by dinner, she would take a break. Maybe a shower. Maybe both at the same time. She didn't care, as long as her brain had a break from the onslaught of thinking.

"You shouldn't be thinking about the Fire." Shiro stood at the base of the stairs. Whenever Kova was thinking about something, she punished herself for thinking about it and either started a new engineering project or finished a previous one. It almost always got her mind off of it. The more serious issues she had to spar out of her system, but those were extreme.

"There's a reason they demanded a half-galra be on board." Her voice was muffled from the welding helmet, sparks flying as she started her work again. Tacking is only supposed to be a temporary weld, but Kova had to make sure the pieces were in the right place.

"You shouldn't be thinking about it," Shiro repeated. Kova stopped her current bead, tore the helmet off her head, and glared at Shiro. Her black hair was falling around her face in strands besides the braid down her back.

"I'm half-galra. I have the right to be worried."

"You didn't have to say anything."

"And risk everyone dying?"

"No one was going to die, Kova."

"You're right." She stood up, ignoring the stiffness in her knees. "We'd be prisoners."

"Kovalia."

"Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Kovalia, this isn't just on your shoulders." Kova was still glaring with intensity, but Shiro kept his calm. "Patience yields—"

"Don't." Kova raised a hand. "Don't say it."

"I don't want to leave you alone." Kova scoffed.

"Like they did?" Shiro didn't say anything. Instead, he watched Kova lower herself to the floor and put the helmet above her head again. "Just let me work." She bent over the pieces of metal and began tack welding once again. With a sigh, Shiro left Kova to her own devices, knowing that nothing will take her mind off the Fire of the Purification and its new goals.

The Yellow Lion stopped at the base of the Coeus, waiting for Blue to catch up with them. They never came. A deafening roar came from the other side of the Coeus, and Cake jumped in his seat.

Allie was cackling in her seat, tears flowing down her cheeks. She had managed to sneak up behind Yellow and unleashed a roar on the poor boy inside. In their seats, Allie and Cake could barely see Caleb on the ground getting closer to the giant robotic beasts, but they could sure see his sweater.

Caleb had changed into a mess of a black and red tie-dye sweater over gray jeans and matching red sneakers. Either Kova packed for him, or Caleb learned how to match his clothes. Allie and Cake blanked before exploding into fits of laughter at Caleb's horrible sweater.

Caleb, unfortunately, couldn't hear them laughing. Otherwise, he would tell them about the prank Kova made when they were tie-dyeing their clothes. Kova sadly outgrew her shirt (cough boobs cough), but Caleb had grown into the sweater.

Caleb motioned for the gigglers to come down from their cockpits, to which they reluctantly did. Allie and Cake tried so hard to meet Caleb's blue eyes, but their eyes wandered to the horrendous splatters of black and red that made up the entire sweater and could no longer contain their laughter.

"Yuck it up." Caleb rolled his eyes. This was always the reaction he got with the sweater, swearing off casual clothing until he graduated or was in space. Guess which one came first. "Are the bayards in the cockpits?" The two were taking deep breaths, trying to relax their breathing. Allie held up a finger and walked back to Blue.

She was in the cockpit, staring at the blue and white weapon in the dash. She hadn't noticed it before, but before she could grab it a white streak of light flashed in front of her eyes. Looking into the sky, her face blanched. She couldn't get out of the Blue Lion fast enough when the blast struck the Balmera.

[frickmeupkpop]

Coffee Queen

Day6/YoungK

Reader/YoungK fic

Author: actual-chaotic-mess

Prompt: I work as a barista in a coffee shop you frequent and I tried to make a leaf design on your coffee but it ended being a dick instead

Summary: Working in a coffee shop, Kang Younghyun often visits at the end of your shift. You try to draw a cute leaf on the top of his coffee one day, but it ends up looking a little off, and not at all what you planned. He likes it anyway.

Part 1.

The day had been long, and you were pouring another Half Fat Macchiato All Whip Extra Cream No Sugar for one of the last customers of the day. You sighed as you called out the almost illegible name scrawled in permanent marker on the paper take out cup, a name you barely remember. You do recall the drink disappearing from the counter and the door closing. Busying yourself for the last hour of your shift, you cleaned down the coffee machine and surrounding counters, lined up the cakes in the mini fridge and tidied the tea boxes, arranging them so that customers could see clearly the titles of the flavours.

The bell above the door jingled and you braced yourself, turning to deal with a customer you weren’t ready to serve as the day had drawn on longer than usual. The face was familiar to you, someone who came in often. He never ordered the same drink, always trying something new. A smile spread across his face as he greeted other staff. He never spoke impolitely to anyone, whether they be younger or older than him. He seemed respectful. Sometimes he had a friend or two with him, but usually he was alone. He was a very attractive person. You’d never really looked at him, you’d just had polite customer/service staff conversations with him, but he was a positive type of person. Bringing in the cheer for some of the staff. A few of the girls you worked with had a crush on him because he was ‘hot as heck, why doesn’t it affect you?’ You’d always shrug and say you didn’t really look for what someone’s face was like. Though the one time you did really look at his face, you agreed that he was a very attractive person, both inside and out, which was rare.

Regardless of the fact that you were feeling drained, you stood up straight and put on the best smile you possibly could.  

“Hi,” you began, “What can I get for you?” You offer in the politest tone you can muster. His smile never faded as he continued to examine the board and tell you he would just be a moment longer. You nodded, and tidied around the till in front of you.

“Can I please get... a Magnificent Mint Mocha. With all the condiments. Along with a Strawberry Shortcake Shrimp, please?” His eyes dropped from the menu to meet yours, smile still stretched across his face. You hit the buttons on the screen. The shortcake didn’t actually have shrimp in it, it’s just when the owners were thinking of something that started with the same letter, shrimp was what they decided worked, so they designed the biscuit to be in a shrimp shape.

“Anything else, sir?” You offered him, still using your customer service voice. He shook his head and handed over his payment card. You took it and scanned it in the machine before handing it back. “Are you taking it away?” You asked him kindly. He shook his head.

“I’ll be sitting right there, where I can see your lovely face.” His smile widened as he winked playfully. This was a new development. He had never acted like that before. You frowned a little but then smiled, even so.

“I’ll bring it over to you once it’s ready.” You told him, turning to the freshly cleaned machinery, switching it ON to brew his selected drink. You plated up his shortcake biscuit and returned to check on the beverage. The machine hissed, whirred and spat its contents into the ‘pretty’ cup. Once it had finished, you collected both items from the counter and headed to the customers’ table. After you placed them in front of him, he thanked you. You nodded in response as he called out to you.

“There is one more thing you can get for me,” he stated. You stood, staring at him, awaiting his continuation. “Your name.” He finished. You smiled and pointed to your name tag. He smiled again. “I’m YoungK. But you can call me Younghyun.” He informed. You bowed a little. “Can I call you Coffee Queen?” He added.

“Pleasure to meet you, Younghyun. I’m not really a ‘queen’.” You answered him politely. Since you didn’t know his age, you bowed formally, just in case he was older. Though, regardless of age, it was the polite thing to do. Hearing his laugh ring around the coffee shop, you stood upright again, looking at him. One of the most striking things about this man’s face were his strong cheekbones and sharp nose.  

“I would call you a ‘princess’ but I feel like that isn’t a strong enough word to match your power in the Kingdom of Coffee.” He told you, chuckling lightly. You supressed the urge to roll your eyes. It wasn’t often that people attempted to make light hearted banter, a few jokes here and there, but every so often, they would try. Always coffee related humour. It pained you, but you always gave your best fake laugh. This time though, you didn’t. You just let a small smile spread along your face.

“I still feel that it’s not an apt phrase, but if you wish to call me that, please, feel free.” You muttered. His head bobbed up and down as he nodded thoughtfully. “Is there anything else I can get for you?” You offered him. His head shook from side to side, hair flopping freely. You nodded your head and returned to your till.

[goldenscript]

Uhm would you write a drabble with the title "a slight smell of strawberry shortcake" about nct's jaehyun working in a bakery? I noticed you haven't written anything about him yet and I am interested in how you portray him 😶💞 thank you for your effort!!!!! I'm always amazed how you come up with such high quality content and I'm always waiting eagerly for updates from you 💕💓💘

pairing: jung jaehyun | readergenre: slice of life au / fluffword count: 2,948author’s note: i’m so elated that you sent such a lovely request in! i’ve been meaning to write about him, so i’m super happy you’ve given me this opportunity. i definitely have a few portrayals in mind for him, but i decided the soft, adorable route would be great for this one! i’m just… thank you. it really makes me happy to know that you think my work is high quality and you wait for my updates ;w; you’re a high quality reader, and you gave me so much motivation for this!

You wondered if he remembered you.

If somewhere deep down, he has you etched into his memory like you have him etched in yours, forged by the seldom chance meetings in the hallways and occasionally met glances on this very same street. If somewhere deep down, he actually remembered that day. It was a silly thought, of course. But when you peered out the large expanse of glass with the fleeting view of vagabonds and the beckoning shop across the street where he manned the frontline with a smile as warm and inviting as the bakery itself, you found it hard to forget him even after all of these years.

“You could actually try talking to him, you know,” Ten pointed out. He snickered when you jumped at his close proximity and sudden appearance, only letting loose a single sharp peal of laughter upon your display of nearly dropping a rather hefty volume on self-help about mindfulness onto the carpeted floor.

You scowled slightly in response. The only sound emitting from you was the book getting placed carefully in its slot, punctuating your meager embarrassment with an unintentional thwack.

“How long has it been since you’ve giving him the love eyes, Y/N?”

“I have not—!” you paused. Your frown deepened at his amused stare. “What?”

“You’re absolutely bullshitting! Why don’t you actually try talking to him? This isn’t high school anymore, y’know. You can actually go up to a man and ask him out.”

You guffawed at the sheer prospect of doing that. Of course, you could. But would you do that? Hell no. You liked to think that Jung Jaehyun was part of a time where nothing really mattered besides letter grades and grade-point averages.

High school in itself was a fleeting moment in time that you both cherished and kept at a distance, though he made himself an exception just by existing; you just didn’t know what to expect if you decided to open up that can of worms. He was perfect, really. A basketball point guard, top student in English, music, and most obviously, home economics, and kind, invigorating, and enigmatic all the same. You didn’t know him like you wanted to, nor did you really know him very much at all (unless you counted that one meaningful conversation you shared with him). To talk him again would be nice, to catch up over these past couple of years, to finally have a moment that lasted more than just a couple minutes in between classes. God, that would be a dream.

But that was all it was, wasn’t it? He probably doesn’t remember me like I remember him… You shook your head, hoping that was enough to will away the thoughts and the very faint memories prickling the back of your mind.

Ten deadpanned and met your gaze, “So, you’re going to spend your entire time back in town just staring at the love of your life through windows instead of actually pursuing him like you’ve been dreaming of for God-only-knows how long?”

“I don’t love him,” you retorted, rolling your eyes as you went back to stocking up the bookshelves. This time shifting the large cart between the two of you for easier access, and to create a barrier for whatever he was trying to insinuate. “I’m back to help out the shop, not stroll down memory lane with some guy I talked to like once in grade school.”

Naturally, it was a failed effort.

Just as he grabbed a book, gaze flickering over the title to put it into place, he said, “Perhaps letting you know that he stopped by the store a few times to ask about you wouldn’t mean very much then, huh?”

You paused. Your eyes narrowing from the silver font of the title to the silver-haired man beside you.

“Hm?”

“What?” he blinked his stupid, cat-like eyes in innocence. “Did you need me to repeat myself?”

“When did he—?” you paused for a second time, already knowing you fell right into Ten’s trap. “Stop messing with me! There’s no point in getting my hopes up when I know he has never thought of me like that.”

“So, you do care then?”

“I don’t,” you responded stiffly.

“Are you sure?”

You shook your head. Of course, you fucking did. You just didn’t want to give that little shit the satisfaction of being right, again.

“When have I ever led you astray when it comes to Baker Boy over there, Y/N? You were so sure he had no clue who you were back then, but can you remember what I told you and what happened after that?”

Your lips formed a small thin line, almost a pout but without the playful pretenses as you’ve always flashed at him.

Of fucking course you remembered. It was one thing to know Jaehyun knew your name, but it was another thing to actually talk to him about your writing and hear him read his favorite poem to you aloud. You didn’t know why or what possessed him to do this, but it was senior year. And it was all you could think about even now, returning for summer break, back to where you got to see him without the crowd and watchful eyes of peers.

“C’mon, Y/N. Was he really just some guy from high school?”

“Shut up,” you sighed, sideying him as you put a few more books up onto the shelves. “It was ages ago.”

“And somehow you’re still thinking about a what-if with him.” Another thwack punctuated the statement.

You didn’t like where this was headed. And you stated so with a grumble, “Or you’re pulling some wizarding bullshit on me just so I’ll do what you have planned in that evil, little brain of yours, demon.”

“Actually, I prefer being called Cupid.”

He laughed as soon as he turned back on his heel and met your perturbed expression. A part of him leaned on the entryway toward the reading room, where a few passerby congregated. Some of which appeared to be couples of different tiers—the old-timers, the honeymooners, and the just-beginners.

The feigned discomfort on your visage faded while one of longing took its place. You didn’t particularly care for relationships now, but you remembered wanting one so badly when you were younger. You remembered a time where you only dreamt of interacting with Jaehyun, somehow only seeing him at the far distance most people saw any idol of a sort, before that day in Miss Calinao’s classroom. You remembered talking to him and watching the crush fade into something else, a possibility that perhaps you weren’t a stupid kid secretly chasing (read: ogling) a guy after all. You knew now that you didn’t need a relationship, really, that if you were to engage in Jung Jaehyun, then it was simply to catch up and reminisce, nothing more.

But what if there is more? The voice asked, sounding more like Ten than what you would’ve preferred. He was off finishing the rounds for strays on the coffee table, returning some of the teacups to the kitchens for later washing. You had drifted from that area to break room after double checking your checklist and found nothing else needed to be done to your relief, though it left more room for your mind to drift than you preferred.

A small wave of a hand blocked your focus, while the bemused titter of your coworker snickered at you once more. Instead of saying what you heard in your head like part of you expected, Ten asked, “Did you hear me?”

You shook your head before letting a loud sigh loose. “What do you want now, demon?”

“You’re on your fifteen, right?”

You glanced at your watch and then nodded slowly. It hadn’t occurred to you until then. Perhaps you could wander around the street… maybe glance at the bakery on your way to ShareTea. You had no actual reason to walk inside anyway.

“Do me and Nana a favor—!”

You blinked, “Wha—” What’s he up to…?

“—and grab us something from across the street.”

Goddamn demon.

/

Your own heart trembled as you walked toward the cream- and sky blue-colored building.

The very path was familiar.

Each step taking you back to a simpler time, where daydreams were less about your future job and more about ways in which you could bridge the acquaintance gap with Jung Jaehyun and become something. It was purely innocent back then. Always a hope and a scenario that brought you two closer; after all, you were both workers to neighboring establishments. How cute would it have been if you two had gotten closer back then and gone to work together? Left for home together? Maybe he could’ve walked you home. He seems like the type—

You cracked a small smile at the thought and felt your cheeks burn as soon as you got to the sidewalk. There were hardly any people around, a result of the summer heat, that made the prospect of entering both frightening and actually quite relieving. There wouldn’t be any possible familiar faces trying to engage either of you in conversation, or, well, engage Jaehyun in conversation. You could see him at the cash register and a few others scurrying in and out of the kitchen, but the sight wasn’t what beckoned you forward. It was the smell.

Even from the entrance of the book shop, you could smell the vanilla extract wafting off the assortment of sponge cakes. Some of them came in small and stout, tall and long, and somewhere in-between, each in a vast variety of colors and designs that made your stomach ache for a taste of the familiar softness and warmth only they could elicit above all other desserts. The most popular and your favorite, hands down, was the strawberry shortcake.

It reminded you of him the most.

You knew he decorated that one the best. Each one a work of his, right down to the way the dollop of cream perfectly stood beside the carefully sliced strawberries to the carnation circle wrapped around the middle. The scent was like a blast from the past, taking you right back to the days when you stopped inside for a few treats for your coworkers at the bookstore and when Ten decided to push you inside in hopes of giving you the necessary push that you always needed when it came to your highschool crush. But what gets you was the scent, because that was very much Jaehyun as well.

His smile was exactly like the dessert he was best at—soft, sweet, with just the right amount of warmth. And the moment you met eyes with him after the chime of the doorside bell, you were greeted with that very smile.

Truthfully, he looked very much like his high school self. Still handsome as ever, with his features much more filled out and prominent. His head of chestnut locks fell atop his forehead in haphard array, cropped at the bottom so the top was the fullest; dark brown eyes still alight with interest and invitation; and, small dust of flour brushed across his nose and near his cheekbones.

He said your name with a greeting. You realized it was with a hint of surprise and an undeniable twinge of happiness that you have only ever been privy to once a few times before, but you couldn’t deny your own swell of happiness as you walked up to the counter with a smile of your own.

“Hey, Jaehyun.”

For once in a very long time, you were saying his name to him directly, and it felt like a flutter off your lips. Almost so casual it was unreal.

His smile matched his eyes as he asked, “How’ve you been? I take it you’re back for summer break as well?”

You nodded, “I’m helping back at the shop across the street. Like old times.”

“Old times,” he repeated, giving an appreciative nod. “Well, I’m glad. It’s nice to see such a familiar face these days.”

Glancing around, you could definitely see the lack of people. A part of you hoped that his statement meant more than just seeing anyone from high school, but the realistic part of you knew that that was a silly, high school-like desire.

“I see that. Seems like baked goods aren’t very popular in this heat huh?” You tilted your head at him, “you really haven’t seen anyone from high school?”

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many people from high school. The ones I don’t talk to as much, I mean.” An interesting look passed over his face, something akin to fondness you would say. But you didn’t think that meant anything. Even if he did say that not many people he talked to stopped by… all things considered, you should be in that category, really.

“Well, I hope I’m not part of that unfortunate high school bunch,” you laughed a little. Part of you already expected some change in his expression. Maybe something that would give away his true feelings, but he merely looked alarmed and shook his head quite fiercely.

“No, no. I promise you, you’re part of the best bunch. In fact, I was hoping to see you around.”

You blinked hard, wondering if you heard him correctly. He gulped immediately upon your lack of response.

“I—I—I mean, well, yeah. I stopped by the bookstore a few times—for books, of course—and to see if you were around. And I did see you a few times not too long ago, I’m sorry for not stopping by myself. I, truthfully, have been working some courage to do just that.”

“What? Really?” You couldn’t even stop to mask the astonishment, and your cheeks paid the price for it.

“Y-yeah,” he laughed nervously. “It’s just… I feel like we didn’t talk as much as I hoped we would in high school. I know we got to before graduation, but I wished it had been sooner. I’m not sure if you remember, but what you said about my recitation really meant a lot back then. Gave me quite a bit of courage to go off of these past few semesters.”

“I—um—I’m really glad to hear that. It’s a pretty big surprise for me, honestly. A wonderful one at that. I’d like to thank you for what you said about my work, too. It’s helped me with all these writing workshops I’ve had to do for class. I think back to that day and it keeps me going forward with everything, even when it feels like writing is the bane of my existence.”

“I’d like to hear about how those are going, maybe see what new things you’ve cooked up since you last shared your work with me… if you don’t mind, of course.” It was like him to be considerate. And, the soft velvet tone of his voice only accentuated this.

Even when your heart was trembling with nerves that it may actually fall out of your chest and onto the tan wooden floors, you told him you didn’t mind at all.

“Really?” His eyes lit up when he asked, and you nodded with a smile.

“Yeah, I’d love to catch up over lost time with you sometime. I’m free in a few hours actually… if that’s alright with you.”

He nodded, “It’s perfect. I’m done at four. Have you tried that one poke place on Anderson yet?”

You shook your head, “I’ve been meaning to, though!”

“Would you like to go there with me then?”

“Sure, I’d love to.” You paused, letting out a sheepish laugh before asking. “Today at four, right? I just need to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

He laughed as well, allowing some of the dust on his nose to fall just a little.

“At four,” he said to reassure you. “So, I totally side-tracked you from whatever made you come in here but anyway—what can I help you with?”

“The usual, if you can remember.” You added, “It’s alright if you don’t—”

“—Two strawberry shortcakes, a three cookies, and a mocha log, right?”

“O-oh, yeah. Wow,” you said, a little dumbfounded. “You remembered.”

“Of course, I remember all the orders of my favorite customers,” he said this so casually, yet you could see the hint of flush becoming prominent beneath the flour.

You snorted, hoping to mask your own bout of embarrassment. “Now I find that a little hard to believe. But that’s cute.”

“It’s true! I promise, it was a pleasurable pastime to have you come in for my strawberry shortcakes. Even before I was actually any good at them.”

You remembered that, though this “rough” period hardly lasted a few weeks before he got the hang of the inner-workings inside the bakery. You still loved them to this day. Probably would’ve loved them even if they were terrible anyway.

“They were… decent.”

“Well, I appreciate you for enjoying my decent shortcakes, and I hope they’ve gotten better with time.”

You handed him the cash as soon as he handed you the bag of goods, and received the necessary change before walking toward the door.

“Well, I’ll let you know at four.”

“I can’t wait.”

Both you and your inner high school self smiled to yourselves, Me neither.

/

(When you returned, you found Ten’s attention fully on you, with eyebrows raised and an awaiting smile. You knew what he was waiting for, but you simply shoved his mocha log his way before grumbling and short and sweet—

“Shut up, Cupid.”

“Don’t you mean dem—you know what, I accept this. You’re welcome, by the way. Thank me at your wedding, okay?”

“Demon.”)

[rozezor]

Better care ocs

@r95irth

Koyuki Kojima

Her personality in five words: extroverted, jokes lover, curious, independent, stubborn

Her Quirk: allows her to remember every seen open space places, from her room to an immense land. She can projects them in people’s mind, giving them the illusion of being there. As long as nothing changes in her illusion, she can use the same imagine again and again. Sometimes after using her quirk she enters in a confusing state: she mistakes places and even people.

Her mother doesn’t like when she uses her quirk at home and Koyuki doesn’t really know why; however, she loves her quirk and when she discovers a new place she always shows it to her friends by projecting it in their minds.

Likes: Koyuki really cares about her appearance, especially her clothes. She is obsessed with korean fashion, both female and male, and her closet is full of male’s pullovers and korean’s long skirts. She is trying to drag her brother Hideki in this “world” but he prefers more his “boring standards t-shirts”, as she says. She likes milkshakes, at Mc she always takes vanilla milkshake with french fries, and love the gross expressions that her friends do when they see her literally drown the fries in the milkshake. Sh isn't a genius at school but she adore studying and she tries to do her best every day. She may have a secret passion for aliens theories.

In general she loves her whole family and life. She tries to find the good side of everything and this may brings her to trust people too easily.

Dislikes: She can’t stand cats, she might be the only girl in the world. It’s not like they are ugly or because she prefers dogs - well, she does really like dogs, but that’s not the point - it’s just that they hate her so why loving someone that hate you?

Koyuki loves school but waking up early is something she can hardly handle, especially because she goes to sleep late and the next morning she has two big eyeshadows. Despite being an open minded girl, she gets angry when someone points out that she might being wrong on something.

Her family: Koyuki is the second child of Chiyo and Kenichi Kojima, a strange couple that was bad seen when they were younger. Her mother, Chiyo, is a strict and yet beautiful woman that lived her whole teenage life fighting for her rights. On the other hand, her father Kenichi is a easy going man, with always a smile on his face. Her father has a sort of villain past: her grandfather was part of a villain group in the city of Nagasaki and he used his son for many purposes. After his death, however, a police officer named Taro took away Kenichi with him.

Her parents are very different and the fact they are still together despite all their fights is very shocking for the neighborhood. However, Koyuki is not worried about their relationship: she knows they love each other endlessly.

Both her parents are quirkless; she took her Quirk from her grandmother and her brother Hideki from grandfather - both parents of Chiyo.

Her big brother Hideki is a serious and hardworking young man. His Quirk is “Quick learning” that essentially allows him to understand and remember things really quickly; not casually he was the best student during his school’s days. He isn’t very talkative and at a first sight he even seems to hate people because he avoids them. The reality is that people from his past bullied him for being homosexual and this still hurts him. He isn’t the biological son of Kenichi but he loves his step-dad - and Koyuki, of course. Koyuki and her brother share a strange yet beautiful relationship: they often fight during the day and sleep in the same bed in the night.

Secret Past: Koyuki had a beautiful childhood, so she has no secret or dark past of sorta.

Saddest Memory: During his teenager days Hideki has a very tough moment because of the bullying. At the time Koyuki was just a child and didn’t really understand why her big brother cried every night or why he was always covered in bruises. Her parents were agitated; Hideki and Chiyo often fought and Kenichi was forced to become a wall in order to divide them.

Koyuki could feel her brother suffering - all her family's suffering - and from that moment she hates bullying and sadness.

her relationship in class: in general she goes along pretty well with everybody; her love for life and people doesn’t allow her to notice if someone doesn’t like her. She isn’t very picky but tends to avoid “i know it all” and big-headed type of people.

Ryota Himaruyo

His character in five words: adaptable, artistic, quiet, honest, untidy

His Quirk: “Livin’ Ink”. His skin secretes ink he uses for drawing is 3D dimension things such as everyday life objects, weapons and animals. If he wants to have a total control over an animal he needs to know its typical behavior and limits. The stains of ink on his skin can’t be washed away: he basically has tattoos.

Likes: Indeed he likes a lot of things, but  few people really care for them because Ryota isn’t the type of guy that shows off his preferences. He adapts pretty well.

He likes animals, especially dinosaurs - and yes, he knows they are all dead thank you very much -, sweet things and watermelons. Drawing is his number one passion and he’s currently trying to do some portraits of his sister and classmates (without them knowing of course). He and Kussan share a passion and they eventually bounded over it: both love Celtic and Viking inspired music. During lunch time Ryota puts on his headphones and takes a nap while his friends eat and chat.

Dislikes: despite being a quiet boy, the silent isn’t his best friend. In fact, he hates when no one around him talks so he tries to break the silent with music or letting things fall on purpose.

He is also scared of the sea - he doesn’t know how to swim for a reason - and storms. Everytime it rains he becomes moody and nervous, like a cat. He is always afraid of passing for the guy who doesn't care about anything and anyone because of his lay down personality: he's just with his head on the clouds it isn't really his fault; when others throw shades about it he prefers isolate himself for a bit and then come back with a grunt on his face.

Short pencils? He hates them. A clean bedroom? What is it?

His family: Ryota’s parents are divorced and he and his sister live with their father. His name is Jean Gannarie and he works at home as a journalist for a french newspaper that has a settlement in Japan. He moved in Japan twenty years ago thanks to his work and he met his future wife during an interview. At that time Kameyo Himaruyo was the right hand of an important stilist; the two got together three months before Kameyo was nominated as her successor. After the birth of their children, whom took Kameyo's surname, she became more and more busy with her career, letting her husband always alone with Ryota and his sister, the little Julienne. Ryota and Julienne didn't have a bond at all with the mother and the parents fought every night. The two eventually divorced and now the mother is one of the most requested stilist in Asia.

His father's quirk allows him to print his thoughts on his and others skin with just a touch. This is very useful to his job and he also uses it to remember his son important events and/or tasks. This is the reason why Ryota's skin is covered in his ink and phrases such as "remember to wash YOUR dishes", "cousins for dinner tonight", "stop drinking orange juice in the shower".

Ryota is really thankful to his father that always took care of him: the two share a peaceful relationship even though he doesn't appreciate Jean's dad jokes.

Julienne is a little demon but he loves her with all his heart. Her quirk is similar to his even though her ink is red. She is learning French from their dad, while Ryota is just incapable.

His relationship in class: he enjoy the company of big groups, even more if they are extra, noisy and with a good sense of humour. He also talks and interact with more shy and conservative people, of course, but you will always find him in silent in the middle of a pillow fight or something. Noises are a good company and a fine background for his thoughts.

He can bond over music and film tastes, as well as midnight snacks because he is that type of person.

People who watch other people up and down freak him out a little.

He and Kussan don't really talk: they share a silent friendship listening to music.

Kunio (Kussan) Musaware

Their character in five words: mysterious, sarcastic, diligent, introverted, tired

Their quirk: the pores of their skin secret a non lethal gas called Diphenylchlorarsine (say it five times). This gas causes sneezing, coughing, headaches, salivation and vomiting. Kussan need to cover their nose if they don't want to fall in their own quirk.

It is a quite dangerous quirk that needs special precautions in order to not harm his classmates; Kussan and Midnight work a lot together.

Likes: being a very awkward kid, Kussan have special interests and their tastes are sometimes questionable. First of all, everything dark and emo contribute to their aesthetic, from clothes to phone's lockscreens. They find black and purple two “neutral” colours.

They often stay up late at night to watch the moon and write poems; this is why they are always tired though, but it's worth it. They are a music and musicians lover - they can become all crazy inside when they see someone famous on TV.

Kussan is a diligent student and in general like to have everything tidy and clean. An hair out of place, a lost sock and ink on their notebook are not tolerated.

Like sweet things, they have a soft spot for children, birds and strawberry shortcake. Sigh a lot without a context.

Dislikes: Kussan don't fit with gender: they don’t believe in the whole thing “male and female”. People are just people; even talking about them as a transgender make them uncomfortable because it is unsaid that they acknowledge the existence of two genders. They get really annoyed when in presence of feminist and misogynist behaviours and tend to snap a little. They don't like to share their feelings because of their introverted nature and trust issues. Kussan also have a hard time every time they don't get the honours they deserve: they work hard in order to stand out, to be respected as a human being and to be just like the others and everytime people cover their attempts is like a knife in the back.

Really bad tastes in fashion.

Their family: Today, Kussan consider as their family just their grandfather, Jun Masaware, a former doctor. They live with him for about six years now, but before they lived with who gave birth to them.

Their parents were two strict politicians. When they had Kunio were so sure that their kid would have become one of them but they were wrong: since they were a kid, Kunio rejected the “boy education” they were given and even the environment around the kid. They wanted to do as they liked without restrictions of sorta. At the age of eleven they came out as non binary and it fucked up parents minds. Kussan eventually went to live with their Grandpa, the only one that truly loved them since the beginning. Kussan's rare smiles are just for their strong and funny old one. Jun easily get along with everyone thanks to his quirk that gives him a charming personality.

Saddest memory: their relationship with their parents was the worst: always fighting, shouting, throwing things over the room. They wanted the perfect puppet and au contrarie they got a rebel and “strange” creature. Kussan was disgusted by their nonsense speeches about how they were useless and disgusting. They fell in a depression state at such young age and sometimes they harmed themselves.

Fortunately those times are gone but the scars remain.

Their relationship in class: Kussan isolate themselves from others in order to not get hurt in the future. They are truly afraid of get affectionate and then get stabbed in the back; their quite and sarcastic nature sure don't help the situation. They hardly stand everyone because their mind refused to open.

Deep inside they are just a lost kid that needs help.

There you finally go the personalities of my OCS! I hope you like them and sorry for the errors!

[koichiidesu]

Fucking Glasses

Summary: “Wow, aren’t you a sight for four-eyes?”

This is for the Kurotsuki Gift Exchange this year. My recipient was @damnitmoonshine. I was supposed to do the soulmate au but it got angsty so I did fluff instead. I hope you like this one! :) @kurotsukiexchange here’s my fic. This is alternating POVs so please don’t get confused. Lol. XD

Long live KuroTsuki! :D

“Tsukki?”

“Yes, Kuroo?”

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for my fucking glasses. It seems that I have misplaced them somewhere,” Tsukishima replied without bothering to look up. He was currently in the living room of the apartment he shares with his three friends, crouching down the floor and looking for said spectacles under the couch, the coffee table, the bookshelf, and all the other places he could think of, when Kuroo found him. It was a Saturday night and everyone were out (well, at least he thought they were) and since he wasn’t too fond of parties and socializing, he decided to spend the whole weekend watching the movies his best friend, Yamaguchi, graciously downloaded for him.

But apparently, by some work of Fate (or just his rare moment of carelessness), he couldn’t find his glasses – the very thing he needed for his weekend movie marathon.

“Why are you looking for it in Akaashi’s flower vase?” Kuroo asked, his tone mildly amused as he leaned against the door, intently watching the blond go around the room. “Need help? You won’t be able to find it if you can’t see a fucking thing.” A chuckle escaped the older male when Tsukishima let out an annoyed grunt at his subtle teasing.

Scowling, Tsukishima turned to look at Kuroo, getting even more annoyed at the fact that all he could see was a blurry image of him and his infamous bedhead. “Thanks for the offer, Kuroo-san,” he sarcastically said, his words accompanied by a mock bow. “Now go make yourself useful.” He crossed his arms over his chest, golden eyes narrowed. Try as he might not, he’s already getting too annoyed without his glasses. He couldn’t see a damn thing and he feels so helpless without them.

The last thing Tsukishima wanted to feel was the feeling of uselessness.

Kuroo, sensing Tsukishima’s waning patience, pushed himself off the door and slowly approached the blond. The younger male’s brows furrowed in confusion when instead of immediately searching for his glasses, the cat-like male stopped in front of him, the two of them toe to toe. “So demanding,” the older male drawled as he placed two fingers under the younger one’s chin so he could get a better look at the blond. “Wow, aren’t you a sight for a bloody four-eye,” he commented, his own amber eyes roaming all over Tsukishima’s face for a second before stopping at the narrowed eyes of gold. So pretty, Moonshine.

Tsukishima blushed furiously despite himself, eliciting another amused chuckle from Kuroo. The scowl on the blond’s face deepened as he finally slapped the older male’s hand away. “Stop the teasing, Kuroo. Why don’t you just help me so you could leave and I could watch my movies in peace?”

“I’m actually not going out again, Tsukki, so I have the time in the world to find your glasses, Moonshine.” The shit-eating grin appeared when Tsukishima huffed. Honestly, when he learned from Bokuto and Akaashi that Tsukishima was all alone at the apartment tonight, he didn’t hesitate to head back immediately. Everyone, well almost everyone, knew his feelings for the salty blond. Ever since the training camp back in high school, he’d been smitten with Tsukishima Kei. Watching the blond emerge from his shell and develop into an awesome player only deepened his feelings to the point that Kenma got tired of hearing him whine about his possibly unrequited love for his kouhai and bluntly told him to confess.

Three years passed since then, and here he was, still silently pining after this beautiful blond.

Tsukishima sat down on the couch and squinted up at Kuroo which the latter secretly found to be adorable. “Why aren’t you going out? I thought Oikawa-san was throwing a party.” The Grand King, as it turned out, also goes to the same university as them and is the official setter of their school’s volleyball team where Kuroo, Bokuto, and Tsukishima are all members. Tsukishima wasn’t really fond of the brunet back in high school but, surprisingly, they’ve become quite good friends in uni. However, much as he considered (secretly) Oikawa as a friend, he’s not really fond of watching the brunet shamelessly flirt with Kuroo. And with Kuroo flirting back, he automatically assumed that the cat-like male likes Oikawa more than as a friend. “And it’s Oikawa-san. How could you refuse the love of your life?” he sarcastically asked, refusing to think that he just sounded like a jealous girlfriend.

Kuroo shrugged before he turned away from Tsukishima. “I could never refuse the love of my life, Tsukki,” he said quietly as he began his search for the blond’s missing glasses, silently hoping that the younger male would let the conversation end.

Tsukishima, however, have other plans. “What’s that supposed to mean? Didn’t you just refuse Oikawa-san?” Okay, he’s getting confused. Sometimes he just wished that Kuroo would stop talking in riddles and just be straightforward like Bokuto and Hinata.

“Did I say that Oikawa was the love of my life?” Kuroo asked back instead of giving a proper reply to Tsukishima’s query. The former captain of Nekoma grinned once more when he spotted the familiar pair of black-rimmed glasses just by the windowsill.

“Huh? It’s not Oikawa-san? But you were always whining how good-hearted he was despite the disinterested front he puts up, how he’s so strong yet so fragile, and how he’s most beautiful when he’s not pretending to be someone else.” And it hurt to know that Kuroo was talking about another person and not him. It would’ve hurt less if the older male had fallen for a girl. That way he would’ve found it easier to move on knowing he didn’t really have a chance in the first place.

But this, Kuroo falling for someone like Oikawa. What in the world does Oikawa have, aside from his pretty face, that Tsukishima doesn’t have?

A lot, apparently, he bitterly mused, secretly grateful that his default expression effectively hid what he was feeling as of the moment.

“Wow, you remembered all that?” Kuroo looked awed, his cheeks a bit flushed. He didn’t really think that Tsukishima was listening to his ramblings. He figured that the blond tolerated him at most. “You’re awesome, Tsukki.” Amber eyes widened when the blond flushed at the compliment. Whoa, he silently awed as he casually slipped the glasses in his pants’ pockets. He knew that he wouldn’t possibly get any other chance like this so he better make good use of it. Hopefully, Tsukki won’t get mad at him later.

“Of course,” Tsukishima said with a scowl. “I have a good memory, Kuroo.” And it was proven to be both a blessing and a curse, for there are things that he wanted to forget but couldn’t do so.

“Good that,” Kuroo said pleasantly as he sat beside Tsukishima on the couch, sitting so close despite the fact that there was so much space for the both of them. “Then you must remember that I didn’t mention Oikawa. Not even once.”

Tsukishima was silent for a moment, recalling all that was said, before nodding as his face dawned with realisation. “Yeah, you’re right. How could I have ever missed it?” he asked himself, before he turned to look at the still blurry figure of Kuroo that was now even closer to him. He subconsciously bit his lower lip before he dared to ask the question whose answer he dreaded and anticipated the most, “So who is it then?”

Kuroo stared into those narrowed gold eyes instead of answering, loving the fact that he was probably the only one in university that have seen Tsukishima without the thick-framed glasses covering those beautiful eyes of his.

And he would make sure that no one else would see the blond like this starting tonight. No one but him should be able to see this beautiful person in his vulnerable, yet totally appealing state.

Kuroo’s gaze then fell onto Tsukishima’s lips that were slightly red from being bitten by the blond, causing him to swallow hard. It was a now or never moment. Gingerly cradling the blond’s face with both of his calloused hands, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against the younger male’s. He felt the other freeze in surprise for a moment but he wouldn’t have any of it. One of his hands moving to Tsukishima’s nape to hold him in place, he licked the blond’s lower lip, silently asking permission for entrance. He was secretly delighted when he was granted access seconds later. Pulling the blond closer, he deepened the kiss, exploring every nook and cranny of the other’s mouth, savouring his taste which was unsurprisingly reminiscent of the strawberry shortcake he had for dinner.

The two of them parted a few moments later when the need for air became apparent. Tsukishima was blushing so hard as he covered the lower half of his face with the back of his hand, his wide eyes of gold staring at Kuroo who was also panting and blushing. “W-Why… Why’d you do that?” he murmured, tone lacking the usual sass and saltiness it possessed. He didn’t want to keep his hopes up that Kuroo might actually feel something for him but it was hard not to after that not-so-innocent kiss.

Oh, Tsukki.

“I love you.” Gold eyes widened even more at the words that came out of Kuroo’s mouth. The older male sighed as he ran a hand on his slightly tousled hair. “I always have. Ever since the training camp in high school. I thought it was just a crush but even after three years it didn’t go away. I didn’t want to tell you, to be honest, because I’m worried about your reaction. You do tend to overreact sometimes, you know.”

Tsukishima huffed at that which made Kuroo laugh lightly. “But why tell me now?”

“I like seeing you happy, Tsukki, and that alone would’ve been fine with me even if you don’t know about my feelings for you. I thought I could just be content with what we have right now but after seeing your vulnerable side earlier? I guess I just snapped,” Kuroo replied, flashing Tsukishima a genuine smile. “It hurt so much seeing you everyday, especially when you’re with Yamaguchi. You two were so close and he seems to know you very well. And I bet Yamaguchi have seen you like this already and I realised that I didn’t want him to again. In fact, I don’t want anyone else other than me see this side of you. Call me selfish or greedy but I don’t really care. I only want to be the one to see you like this and to be the only one whom you’ll ever look at.”

“You’re an idiot, Kuroo,” Tsukishima said which made Kuroo hung his head in dejection. Okay, here comes the part where he’s gonna get rejected. “Yamaguchi and I are just best friends. He’s straight and he likes Yachi.” He laughed at the loud groan that the older male suddenly emitted, silently wishing he could see his dumbfounded expression right now. “It was so obvious with the way he’s blushing around Yachi, didn’t you notice it?” He huffed again when Kuroo shook his head. “Why am I not surprised? You do have the tendency to be oblivious to the most obvious things around you despite yourself.”

“I’m not oblivious,” Kuroo protested weakly.

“Oh yeah?” One eyebrow raised as Tsukishima stared Kuroo down through his nose though the both of them knew he really couldn’t see anything clearly. “If you’re not oblivious, how can you not tell that I love you, too?” The blond’s vision may be blurry but he was certain that he caught the former Nekoma captain off guard with his revelation.

“You… You love me, too?” Kuroo repeated, his voice thick with emotion. Is he dreaming or is this real? Tsukki loves him, too?

Tsukishima rolled his eyes at that. “Of course, I do, idiot,” he replied with a laugh as he wrapped his arms around Kuroo and laid his head on his shoulder, therefore surprising the older male once more. “For your information, Kuroo Tetsurou, I never let people kiss me. Especially not that way if I don’t have feelings for them. Never.”

Kuroo laughed, relief was evident in his voice when he spoke again. “Omg, Tsukki loves me!” He laughed again when Tsukishima just squeezed him in reply. “Ah, I’m glad I went back.” He smiled. “Wanna make out, Tsukki?”

“No,” Tsukishima pulled away from Kuroo and hit the older male on the shoulder when the latter groaned. “I have a pair of glasses to find and movies to watch.”

“Here,” Kuroo said as he immediately handed the glasses to Tsukishima, thankful that it wasn’t damaged in his pants. “I found this a while ago actually but decided to hide them so you can’t run away after I confess.”

“You’re really an idiot. I wonder why I fell for you, what with your stupid hair.” Kuroo squawked as he rubbed his hair, whispering soothing words to it as if it was breathing and could hear Tsukki.

“Don’t be mean, Tsukki,” Kuroo said with a pout as he continued to pet his hair. “Don’t listen to the bad man, baby,” he told his hair which had Tsukishima snorting. “He’s just jealous you’re always with me.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Tsukishima said with a roll of his eyes.

“But don’t worry, Moonshine.” Kuroo pecked the blond on the cheek which made the latter blush again. “I still love you even if you’re a mean little shit.”

“I’m not little, Kuroo.”

“Oya oya oya?”

“S-Shut up.”

[theintuitivewildflower]

How to embrace your authentic self:

An Intuitive Wildflower’s Story of Becoming

April 2018, will mark a big life event for me; my one year anniversary of the beginning of this Blog! It has been a life changing endeavor for me and I’ve been asked to share some of my story.   Upon giving some thought to how I learned to embrace and love my authentic self, unconditionally I came up with a list; this made me realize how much work I’ve done on my own self over the past two years. This blog has  helped hold me accountable to my personal development goals. I am so very thankful and proud that I didn’t let anyone talk me out of this dream because I made it a reality. It’s empowering to be able to say that I went against the grain and didn’t give up.   Here I am, at 41, still growing; and while starting to write my story recently, I discovered that there are 10 main ways that I was able to embrace being myself. This is my story.

A lot of family members, obviously unsure of where I was going with this ‘blog thing’, as many of them call it, wanted to know just how I had determined that I am, in fact, a Wildflower. “What’s this Wildflower stuff all about?” they’d ask. I think a few even phoned my mother about it, possibly hoping she might shut it down; I’m guessing they were worried about how it might reflect on the family. However, mom, knowing me best, knew that would only fuel the fire.  When I started this blog, I was smack dab in the middle of my awakening to purpose, the fire was already burning hot!  

Sadly but gladly, I have learned that family isn’t always the most inspiring support team. I’ve discovered that sometimes family is who you need to prove wrong, declutter from your life and if often who you needs to be inspired the most. If it weren’t for my mother’s unconditional love I probably would have quit blogging within the first month. However, her acceptance of me is what allowed me to push forward when I wanted to quit; when it was scary and uncomfortable to be putting myself out there. The lack of understanding and support from others caused me to really put some thought into the following questions:

“How long have I been this intuitive wildflower?” I wondered.

When I consciously try to think back into my childhood and try to remember as far back as I can; I ask myself “how long have I  been  feeling this way; feeling like I  understand most human being’s; often more than they know or understand of themselves but to personally feel very misunderstood by most  people.

“When and where did I first begin to notice that in a field full of pink roses; I was a Wildflower?”

I blended well with the roses and fit in just fine socially but there was something just a little different about myself; I noticed this as early as first and second grade. I always wondered why my classmates didn’t care so deeply about things like me. I would ask questions and they would ask me why I cared or why it mattered to me. I couldn’t answer that; I just knew that everything mattered to me.

When thinking of myself as a child and how I was perceived by those around me these are the thoughts that come to mind.  I was the youngest child, a daughter with an older brother, a daddy’s girl, a tom-boy, an athlete, inquisitive, bright and full of energy.  That would be me, as a kid, described in a nutshell. However, when I try to think as far back as I can about my own perception of myself as a child, I remember much more.  This is some of what I remember:

…..you could find me as a school-age child, outside, climbing trees with the neighborhood kids on my block in Grandview, Missouri.  I could usually be found playing kickball, collecting bugs, having lemonade stands or playing cops and robbers! You might also find me playing Barbie or using my imagination to play games such as; “teacher”, featuring myself playing teacher to my Strawberry Shortcake figurines (my class). I vividly remember that I liked to delegate tasks and tell people what to do, my friends usually. I feel this was because I was the youngest child and was usually the one being delegated to and bossed around at home.  I was also competitive from the jump with my cousins and friends; I remember being very fond of contests and competitions and not just in sports or school.  Where ever my friends and I were headed I would be the first to say “let’s race”….and off we’d go.  If we were doing cartwheels, I was challenging everyone to see who can do the MOST; if jumping rope, I was announcing that we were timing who jumped the longest. I feel this competitive edge was something conditioned in me early on by my families traditions, beliefs and high focus on competitive sports. This brings me to the start of my list of ways I embraced my authentic self.

1. I realized that this very characteristic, being “bossy”, that might have been annoying to others when I was younger, is now, the very thing that allows me to help others find their own purpose.  Learning to encourage and coach rather than boss and delegate has allowed me to be an accountability partner to others.  It is precisely the way in which I am able to inspire, empower and push others to their personal limits while being true to who they are. This gift was always there it just takes time to sharpen our skills and gifts sometimes.  I was aligned with my purpose before anyone ever had an opinion; I believe this to be true for us all.

For much of my childhood and into my awkward adolescent years, then, through high school and into college; I was playing some kind of sport, competitively. There were times, growing up, when I felt like my value to the family was directly related to my performance or achievements in competitive sports. I was a good kid and I did what I thought all kids did; obey your parents. However, even though I could play several sports very well, my favorite thing to do as a child, teen, young adult was to write. Still to this day, my favorite past time is to creatively write. As a young girl, I carried pens, pencils, notepaper, coloring books, markers and loose leaf paper with me almost everywhere; to church, to visit family and in the car on trips. Writing is what I was doing on a rainy, boring Saturday; poetry, song lyrics, lists, brainstorming, practicing my signature or writing a story of some kind. Creative writing was “my thing” but I wasn’t really encouraged to do it; but it was allowed. Any chance I got to put the glove, bat, balls, cleats or kicks away and replace them with some poetry, a story or a picture to give someone else; I took it.

2. I kept this love for writing from childhood to now and it has been my life line more than once. When I found myself in a toxic relationship after a divorce, writing was what kept me sane. As isolated as I was, writing kept me grounded somehow.  It seemed to keep me tethered to my soul even when the tether rope seemed more like a frayed tiny thread about to break; it kept me hanging on; proving to me again that writing is aligned with my purpose.

After my son Noah was born in 1998, I was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. This is when I discovered my passion for gardening; more specifically wildflowers.  I wanted to have my own field to let wildflower’s grow wild on. When Noah was 5 years old, we bought a five and a half acre, mini farm and transplanted all my plants from Grandview to the farm yard and watched over the years as they spread by seed, becoming larger patches of color in the yard each year.  I was amazed to learn how wildflower’s spread by seed and each year there are more to enjoy or share. I have this obsession with daisies, cosmos, primroses, sunflowers and just about any perennial plant. I love seeing a field next to a highway that has been taken over by wildflower’s during the Spring or early Summer, in Missouri. That is truly a beautiful sight to me; I will drive around on a lazy Sunday just to find some to admire!  As I have gotten older it has been so cool to visit friends and family that got starts from my first house years ago and they can now, years later, give me starts back to begin in a new yard. When I got divorced and was starting over I was able to go get starts from friends who had started their own patches of wildflower’s from starts I had given them!  It is residual beauty; proof that planting one seed can start a whole garden and then many more gardens; even more amazing is that, one wildflower can spread many seeds!

3. I never wanted the perfect potted plants lined up neatly. I wanted the messy, colorful wildflowers in my garden.   I liken Wildflowers to people.  I don’t want to know people just like me; that think like me, dress like me and share opinions with me.  I see beauty in diversity and always have. I do no not understand judgment of others. I believe one of the best ways to learn who we are, is to know and have relationships with people that are different from us. Again, it became clear to me that Wildflower’s don’t care where they grow and that this too shows I am aligned with my purpose.

In 2006, my daughter Abi was born and she is my miracle baby. Her father and I experienced 5 miscarriages between our two children. When she arrived we were so happy to have a healthy baby girl. She is my baby wildflower, no doubt. She is opinionated and inquisitive like her mother. She amazes me with the way she thinks every day!  Late one winter night, when she was sick, we watched my favorite Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland.  Anyone remember the snotty roses that were whispering and judging Alice for being different?  "Do you suppose she is a Wildflower?” they said.  The wildflower connection resonated with me again!  I realized, I’m Alice, so-to-speak. It was here I really started to embrace that was a human wildflower. I had been through some painful experiences and those seem to make you a little more empowered to be true to yourself.  You start realizing that you have been your very own best friend a lot; you start to appreciate yourself for it.  

WHO WANTS TO BE IN THE STUFFY THORNY ROSE GARDEN TIED UP TO POSTS OR A TRELLIS AND CONDITIONED IN HOW AND WHERE TO GO?? NOT I!

I prefer to grow old being wild, free, still learning and raising hell when I want to. I try to always stay mindful about being aligned with my purpose, helping others; I can do that just about anywhere.  I’m about as battered and bruised from the strong winds of change that one wildflower could be but apparently God made me super resilient. I’ve loved hard, gotten hurt; even caused some pain of my own. I had to learn to let go of my own guilt and shame that I was carrying and then, forgive myself. Only then, could I forgive anyone else.  Finally releasing negativity that I’d been holding inside until it was toxicity flowing through my veins,  allowed me to move forward and feel worthy of fulfilling my purpose. The negative self-talk had to go for me to get where I needed to go.  

4. Learning from our past rather than living in it, is one of the best ways to apply lessons we learn along the way to our authentic self. I had to forgive myself before I could truly forgive anyone else.

I always loved music from my parent’s generation.  As a teen, I felt they wasted their lives by missing Woodstock. They shake their heads when I mention this, as that is so not their style. If reincarnation happens I am pretty sure I was there dancing somewhere in the crowd with a sundress and tambourine. I have always done things differently than my family has. I have no problem thinking outside the box especially now that I have embraced my authentic self.  Wildflower would have been my hippie name at Woodstock and for that reason and the others that I am sharing with you today, it became  my social media name for my blog as well.  

Today I am 40. I still don’t fit in but I don’t want to.  I kind cringe at the thought of it now. I’m not one to worry a lot about what people think of me because I’m usually worrying about someone else. New people I meet do not know what to think of me. I think much deeper into things than most; typical of an INFJ personality type. Less than two percent of the population are INFJ, which explains why we feel so misunderstood all the time.  We try to see every side and angle and for an INFJ personality type there are at least 8 sides to everything; INFJ’s will entertain each and every one.

5. When no one seems to understand me or where I’m coming from, music always does. I love and express gratitude for it on a daily basis. Music has kept me going when no one else cared or even knew I had a need. Music has a healing power to it and I have always related to various artists and genres. Just like people, my taste in music is diverse. Music connects people, music touches the soul, speaks in frequency and word; MUSIC HEALS!

At 40, I discovered I am an empath after being in a relationship with a narcissistic personality type. I finally understood why strangers want to tell me their life stories and why my intuitions are so strong and annoyingly accurate. I can often feel a person’s vibe right away; their pain, sorrow, joy and love. When there is hate in the room I can feel that too; it has a strong energy. A lot of folks just need someone to be there and the empath friend is usually that person. We get drained carrying our energy around plus yours and whoever else we walk by at Wal-Mart or church or anywhere else. However, once I began to see it for the gift that it is I began to express gratitude for it and I began to use it to fulfill my purpose. When I discovered this about myself I also became a sponge for information about this gift and what it means to have it.

6. I’ve been able to gain strength in knowing that my purpose it to help people. I have just had to learn the hard way that you cannot push a rope uphill. You are no help to someone who rejects your help, won’t help themselves, meet you halfway or is focused on what they can TAKE from you. I have had to face the fact that I am NOT Jesus and everyone is not meant to be saved by me.

Another reason it seemed natural to refer to myself as a Wildflower in my blog or to write as #theintuitivewildflower is that I have been saying since about 1995 that I belong among the Wildflower’s thanks to a Tom Petty song, Wildflowers.  It just touched my soul in a way that I don’t think any song ever had before or has again to this very day.  I always felt just like the song says, still do

“You belong among the wildflowers,

you belong in a boat out at sea.

Sail away, kill off the hours;

you belong somewhere you feel free….”

It resonated very deeply with me as a Senior in High School,  I was making big decisions about my future, my career and my life within my own head. Meanwhile, my folks were also making their own plans for me. Eighteen is that age when you are ready to execute your independence and leave home but you are still a little uncertain about your ability and the opinions of those who love you most, still play a big part in your decision making.  

7. I wanted to declare at 18, that I knew who I was but I hadn’t yet embraced my authentic self. I also realize if I had, that I wouldn’t have been ready to fulfill my purpose the way I am meant to.  I would not have had the many life lessons that prepared me for my calling. My purpose was literally born from my pain, mistakes and hurt.  Therefore, when I finally mustered up the strength and courage to start sharing my story at 40, I had to get really comfortable with being uncomfortable.   When I realized that my message, my story and my pain were all part of my purpose; amazing things began to happen in my life! Empowerment came to me when I embraced the fact that there was a purpose to my pain and so I began to write about it and my healing process.

 The original blog title was  ‘Where the Wildflower’s Grow’ and was started partly to hold myself accountable to my personal growth after ending a toxic relationship; to keep my promise to myself that I would not go backwards in my life anymore!  It was a way for me to help heal myself, to get my voice back, to stay no contact with the ex and to help other women in similar situations begin to heal too. I had been held down emotionally for several years. I recognized the fact that I was in no way a model, public persona or public speaker. I knew  that everyone was going to see me at my worst if I chose to move forward with this and thankfully, the empowered me, dove in head first; knowing it was now or never!  I’ve discovered that the more I write and meet people through my blog; there are so many people in need of empowerment, inspiration, love and healing. They have a variety of hurts that I want to help or encourage to heal, then, find and fulfill their purpose. I can’t limit it to just one group or one type of trauma; I just know my purpose is to help people when needed in some kind of way and that is my “WHY” for continuing my Adventures of a Wildflower blog.

8.  Self-belief and recognizing that my story mattered was the result of choosing to focus on personal growth and healing!  I stopped noticing my flaws and noticed this new empowered woman I had become.  When I decided other people and their healing were more important than my frizzy hair, adult acne, crow’s feet and past; I evolved. I got closer to my authentic self and I started to shine!  I knew  that everyone was going to see me at my worst if I chose to move forward with this and the empowered me dove in, head first; knowing it was now or never!  This started to empower others.

It was the most major and empowering milestone move of personal growth, the day I started this blog experience! What I realize now, at 41 years of age, is this; growing up, it wasn’t that I was so different in anyone else’s eyes, I was the average, active, sporty type and participated in the usual activities youth are usually offered to choose from. I felt different within myself because I was always thinking so deeply and feeling so deeply everything around me. I asked questions about everything and remember thinking, as young as 8 or 9 years old, that my friends were just plain wrong for thinking “I don’t know” was an acceptable answer to anything I wanted to learn more about. I wondered why things that mattered to me didn’t seem to matter to anyone else. I was pretty confident and I’ll praise my parents for that. I wasn’t really an introvert early on, I was fairly outgoing and often comical if comfortable enough in the crowd around me.

9. KNOW THYSELF- C.G. JUNG…. To be committed to learning and knowing who I am was the best advice I ever took. A good friend told me to do this the year we both turned 40, as we discussed our birthdays and the feeling that there was something that changed for us both then; we felt as if we wanted to chase whatever was missing! He recommended I take the Meyer’s-Briggs personality test to begin the process.  Now, knowing I am an intuitive empath and an INFJ, the rarest of personality types; it all makes sense! I now understand why I grew up feeling like the black sheep of the family or the big yellow daisy in the middle of all the dainty pink roses. Had I not discovered these traits about myself I may have mistaken them for anxiety or OCD or another mental health issue. On the contrary, I learned that I had been gifted these traits and they were directly aligned with my purpose and calling! I would never want to numb them.  

Lastly, my blog was created to prevent suicide and raise awareness for the need of empathy, compassion, understanding and acceptance regarding Mental Health Issues and Disabilities; to provide education, inspiration and a place to discuss these topics peacefully.

On my facebook page, you will see that I offer my time. I know what it feels like to feel different, misunderstood, judged or taken for granted, to be mentally drained from feeling so deeply and caring so much; also to fail more than once.  My time is for you: the other wildflowers that are always out there spreading sunshine and planting seeds of love in a hateful world. You are so strong but on weak day there is no one to give you sunshine or water to grow. It’s not because they do not love you. They don’t understand the depth of your love and kindness.  So whether you are drained empath in need of boost or an empath unaware that just read this and thought, maybe I’m an empath too. Maybe you are an eccentric free-spirited Wildflower in need of some sun; if you feel alone come here. You are always welcome and I promise to have something posted up to uplift, motivate, encourage or empower you to keep going every time you visit.

10. Putting a plan to purpose! It doesn’t matter how or where you start putting a plan to your purpose. Once you discover it, you will feel obligated to start practicing things towards fulfilling it. That’s just what you see me doing here!  I know what it is like to be so strong that no one would believe you could be weak! I know you need the kind of friend for YOU that you are to everyone else. I feel you friend, I do. If you need to reach out and just don’t know where to go…….come here! If my shoulder or words are not enough I will personally assist you in finding a resource that provides just what you need!

In the blog, I discuss the importance of positivity, self-development, business, healing, mental health and the healing power of music. As an amazon affiliate I share this link with you and you can find some of my very favorite resources, books and music pertaining to topics such as this! https://amzn.to/2DQKVc2my  

I hope you will follow along with me on these Adventures of a Wildflower as I just totally put myself out there in hopes to find some other wildflowers that need a garden​ to grow in; a safe place to come and recharge or relax so you can remember:

YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE AND YOU HAVE A PURPOSE JUST AS SPECIAL; IN FACT, YOU WERE MADE FOR IT!  

Peace, good vibes and One Love,

Karyn Dee     #theintuitivewildflower

Dedicated in honor of John Michael Dutcher

who was, without a doubt, a very strong and most beautiful wildflower with the most precious soul!

#theintuitivewildflower :  tumblr, pinterest, G+, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and linkedin

#theintuitivewildflower FEED YOUR HEAD!! (with help from Amazon)

In my blog, Adventures of a Wildflower, I discuss often the lack of readers we have in the world today. As an adult, I have had people say they haven’t opened a book since high school. That needs to change. Rediscover something good for you today. Feed your head with Amazon’s kindleunlimited package. https://amzn.to/2DQKVc2my

[oopsbirdficced]

@therealgranyl asked may I have holiday #12, “You're covered in flour.”, with Deathmask and Shiryû as friends/rivals?

(I'll admit, this was a tough one! I've never written this dynamic with these two characters. Good challenge, hope you like it! Also, have a canon-divergent AU, utilizing my personal headcanon that Deathmask/Mephisto was possessed by a demon, and that Saga was possessed by Ares, God of War! Also I can never remember when Shiryû is supposed to be blind and not? So he can see in this. The KFC and strawberry shortcake thing is a real thing they do in Japan, fun fact!)

Shiryû pauses at the door of the Cancer Palace living quarters, reflecting. He honestly never thought he'd be comfortable around the Cancer Saint, even with his role in removing the demon possessing him. When Deathmask had flung them both into the Praesepe, it had revealed itself somehow to him as the demon it was, parasitically feeding off of the real Cancer Saint, Mephisto.

With the help of the Cancer Cloth, Shiryû had been able to drive the demon out, and he and Mephisto had killed it, before racing against time to stop the other Gold Saints without killing them. They had all been under the brainwashing influence of the God of Conquest- Ares’s- power, amplifying all of their most negative traits, until that oilslick was stripped from their Cosmos. Ares himself had possessed the Gemini Saint, and it had nearly killed the man to get the invading God out of him and out of Sanctuary.

Now Shiryû has a very strange friendship with the Cancer Saint. As though the still abrasive, somewhat awkward, foul-mouthed man considers him a younger brother in need of guidance. He had invited Shiryû over for an early morning workout, and Shiryû had accepted, though he still isn't sure why. Apparently early morning, in Mephisto’s parlance, means before the sun has even risen, though, because that's when Shiryû had received an extremely startling telepathic wake-up call.

He knocks, and the door creaks open creepily. Even though Cancer has been exorcised and purified, the fact that the living quarters of all of the Zodiac Palaces are apparently semi-psychic pocket dimensions freaks him out. He goes in, looking around for Mephisto, leaning his umbrella in the entryway, the winter rain coming down hard outside.

“Kitchen!” He calls, and Shiryû peers in.

“You're covered in flour,” he observes, bewildered. The Cancer Saint glances up, eyebrow raised, before putting the lump of dough he was just kneading into a mixing bowl and covering it with a kitchen towel.

“That happens when you make bread, yes.” Mephisto agrees, somewhat sarcastically as he cleans up. Shiryû sighs slightly.

“I didn't know you could bake.” He tries instead, an idea coming to mind. Mephisto hangs up his floury apron, wearing workout clothes beneath.

“There are lots of things you don't know about me, kiddo.” He jibes back, and Shiryû can't resist rolling his eyes. It's disrespectful, which grates at his nerves, but Mephisto seems to take joy in getting him to be disrespectful. It goes against everything Rôshi taught him, but the part of him that's still just a thirteen year old boy thrills at it.

“Ah yes, you're full of mystery.” Shiryû mutters. “Are we exercising, then, or not?” He asks more loudly. Mephisto nods.

“Jogging laps up and down the hill. I want to see how your stamina is.” He orders, and Shiryû wilts a bit, braiding his hair quickly.

“It's raining,” he mutters, not quite whining. Mephisto raises an eyebrow.

“Does it look like I give a shit? Get moving, kiddo, or I'll start getting inventive.”

They run, and it's moderately awful, but an admittedly good workout, running up and down the stairs in the pouring rain. Once Mephisto is satisfied and Shiryû is exhausted, they go back to Cancer, where Mephisto is kind enough to lend him some clothes and let him use his shower while he puts bread in the over and wet clothes through the washer and dryer. Then he generously feeds Shiryû a bizarrely fantastic breakfast, and makes him drink coffee, of all things. He makes it sweet and milky, calls it a caffelatte. Shiryû discovers not all coffee is horrible.

“Mephisto?” He asks, once he's down to a piece of bread and butter, and his hunger is mostly sated. Mephisto grunts in acknowledgment. “Will you teach me how to bake? The winter holidays are coming up, and I'd like to give my friends something sweet for Christmas.” He says. Mephisto raises a barely-visible white eyebrow.

“You're Japanese, thought you'd be Buddhist or Shinto or what the fuck ever. Whatcha doing celebrating fuckin’ Christmas?” He asks, but he hasn't said no yet. Shiryû shrugs.

“I don't know, it's a cultural thing, if I remember right. We used to get KFC and strawberry shortcake.” He replies, trying to recall if they'd ever done anything else. Mephisto looks thoroughly incredulous.

“Oookay then.” He drawls. Shiryû shrugs. He's not sure why either, he is actually Buddhist. “Okay, kiddo, I'll do you one better. I'll teach you how to and help you make actually good fried chicken and strawberry shortcake for Christmas, for all your little friends. But you keep up running with me, okay?” He says, looking weirdly serious. Shiryû contemplates feeling this exhausted every morning, and consoles himself that he'll probably work up his stamina really fast like this.

“Deal.” He nods sharply.

“I gotta ask, though. Fried chicken and strawberry shortcake?” Mephisto looks genuinely confused.

“I don't know why. It's just traditional.” Shiryû shrugs vaguely.

“You're all bizarre.”

“No weirder than you.”