#i saw a post the other day that linked a study I really want to refind

[entropyvoid]

Y’know before things went to shit a popular topic amongst jewish users on this site was about cultural Christianity, and a large part of that discussion was pointing out that certain ways of talking/acting/thinking were rooted in Christian culture, and were not culturally neutral, and the expectation of Jews (and people from non-culturally-Christian backgrounds in general) to conform to them was an expectation to assimilate and abandon our own cultural ways of talking/acting/thinking.

And this collective conversation has largely been abandoned as Jews on this platform now have much more loud and blatant forms of antisemitism to worry about

But I can’t really stop thinking about how ostracization, public shaming, guilt, conversational shut-downs, harassment, and throwing ad hominem buzzwords at various people to not have to engage directly with opposing ideas enough to form an actual counterargument have all been a serious issue with how people operate in left-leaning online spaces for a long time now, and how those things are also very common methods of group control in a lot of the more… well, controlling and loudly bigoted sects of American Christianity, with roots in American Puritanism.

And I think a lot of people who want to think of themselves as leftists or even activists should really take a step back and more deeply analyze their methods/praxis of realizing their ideals and how they interact with other people, whether or not they’re actually willing to be constructive about things, etc.

Like is burning bridges, shutting down conversations, refusing to engage intellectually with things you don’t like, callouts, etc… actually helpful and useful? Why is this the method so many default to, and where does it come from?

[excalculus]

I saw some mentions of rabies going around again and have no clue what's set it off this time, but given recent scientific developments I want to revisit the idea of curing symptomatic rabies.

First things first: there is still no practical way to do this. The famous Milwaukee Protocol fails far more frequently than it succeeds, and even the successes are not making it out in anything like a normal state. It's been argued that it should no longer be considered a valid treatment [1] due to these issues; any continued use is because there's literally nothing else on the table.

However. There are now two separate studies showing it's possible to cure rabies in mice after the onset of symptoms. The lengths you have to go to in order to pull this off are drastic, to put it mildly, and couldn't really be adapted to humans even if you wanted to. But proof of concept is now on the board.

long post under the cut, warnings for animal experimentation and animal death. full bibliography at the end and first mention of each source links to paper.

Quick recap - rabies is a viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. From a contaminated bite wound, it propagates slowly for anywhere from days to months until it reaches the central nervous system (CNS). Post-exposure vaccination can head it off during this phase, but once it reaches the CNS and neurological symptoms appear it's game over. There will typically be a prodromal phase where the animal doesn't act right - out at the wrong time of day, disoriented, abnormally friendly, etc. This will then progress to the furious (stereotypical "mad dog" disease) and/or paralytic phases, with death eventually caused by either seizures or paralysis of the muscles needed for breathing.

That's the course we're familiar with in larger animals. Mice, though, are fragile little creatures with fast metabolisms.

In the first study's rabies infection model, lab mice show rabies virus in the spinal cord by day 4 after infection and in the brain by day 5. Weight loss and slower movement start by day 7, paralysis starting from the hind limbs from day 8 on, and if not euthanized first they're dead by day 10-13. [2]

This study (fittingly conducted at the Institut Pasteur) had two human monoclonal antibodies, and wanted to see if there was any possibility they could be used to cure rabies after what we think of as the point of no return.

Injecting the antibodies into muscle saved some mice if done at days 2 or 4, and none if done later, even at high doses of 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of each. Conclusion: targeting the virus out in the rest of the body is no use if it's already replicating in the CNS.

Getting a drug past the blood-brain barrier is, to use a highly technical term, really fucking hard. It's the sort of problem that even the best-funded labs and biggest companies in the world routinely fail at. And that's for small molecule drugs, which are puny compared to antibodies.

But this isn't drug development for a clinical trial. This is a very, very early proof-of-concept attempt, which means you're willing to ignore practicality to see if this idea is even remotely workable. So you can do things like brute force the issue by cutting through the skull to implant a microinfusion pump, which lets you deliver the antibodies directly into the normally-protected space around the brain. Combine this with the normal injections, and you can treat both the CNS and the rest of the body at the same time. Here's a survival graph of treated mice. X axis is days, Y axis is percentage of mice in that group still alive.

Figure 2A from reference 2, accessed February 2024

The fact that the blue, green, and purple lines did anything other than sink horribly to zero is unheard of. When the combination treatment was started at day 6, 100% of the mice survived. Started at day 7 (prodromal phase), 5 out of 9 mice recovered and survived. Started at day 8 (solidly symptomatic, paralysis already starting to set in), 5 of 15 mice recovered and survived. And when they say "survived", they kept these mice all the way to day 100 to make sure. Some of them had permanent minor paralysis but largely they were back to being normal mice doing normal mouse things. So, success, but by pretty extreme means.

Enter the second paper [3]. This was a different approach using a single human monoclonal antibody against Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV - closely related to rabies, similar symptoms in humans) to try for a cure without needing to deliver treatments directly into the CNS. They also made a luminescent version of ABLV that let them directly image viral activity, so they could see both where the virus was replicating and how much there was in a live mouse.

Figure 1 from reference 3, accessed February 2024

Mice infected with ABLV start showing symptoms around day 8. You can see in the figure that at day 3 there's viral replication in the foot at the site of infection, which has shifted into the spine and brain by day 10. So what happens if you give one of these doomed mice one single injection of the antibody into the body?

Done at day 3, the virus doesn't make it to the brain until day 14, and while disease does set in after that around 30% of the mice survive. Days 5 and 7 are much more interesting. Those mice still develop symptoms at day 8, but the imaging shows the amount of virus in their spines and brains never gets anywhere near the levels seen in untreated controls, and within days it starts to decrease. Around 80% of day 5 and 100% of day 7 mice survive.

Okay, sure, you can stop another lyssavirus, but technically you did start treatment before symptoms appeared. What about symptomatic rabies?

The rodent-adapted rabies strain CVS-11 starts causing symptoms as early as day 3 after infection, and untreated mice die between days 8 and 11. The same single dose of antibody saved 67% of mice treated on day 5 and 50% of mice treated on day 7. Without making the luminescent version of the virus there's no real-time imaging of the infection, but you can still track symptoms.

Figure 2 from reference 3, accessed February 2024. CVS-11 is the name of the rodent rabies strain and F11 is the name of the antibody.

Disease score is a combination of several metrics including things like whether the mice are behaving normally and whether they show signs of paralysis. In untreated mice it goes up and up, and then they die. If one of those lines starts coming back down and continues past day 10 or so, that's a mouse that recovered. The success rate isn't as good as against ABLV, but again, this is a rabies strain specifically adapted to rodents and treatment wasn't started until it was well-established in the CNS.

So how on earth is this happening? The antibody neutralizes both ABLV and rabies really well in a test tube, but we've already established that there's no way a huge lumbering antibody is making it past the blood-brain barrier without serious help. Something about the immune response is clearly making it in there though. And it turns out that if you start trying this cure in mice missing various parts of their immune systems, mice without CD4+ T cells don't survive even with the treatment. By contrast mice without CD8+ T cells take longer to work through the infection, but they eventually manage it and are immune to reinfection afterwards.

To grossly oversimplify the immune system here, CD4+ are mature helper T cells, which work mostly by activating other immune cells like macrophages (white blood cells) and CD8+ T cells (killer T cells) against a threat.

Normally, T cells are also kept out by the blood-brain barrier, but we know that in certain specific cases including viral infection they can pass it to migrate into the brain. In the brains of the infected mice for which antibody treatment either wasn't given or didn't work, you can find a roughly even mix of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells along with a whole lot of viral RNA. But in the brains of those successfully fighting off the infection, there's less viral RNA and the cells are almost exclusively CD4+. So the antibody doesn't work by neutralizing the virus directly - something about it is activating the animal's own immune system in a way that gives it a fighting chance.

Again, neither of these proof of concept treatments is really workable yet as a real world cure. The first one is almost hilariously overkill and still has a pretty good chance of failure. The second is less invasive but careful sequencing still shows both low-level viral replication and signs of immune response in the brains of the survivors even at day 139, so it may not be truly clearing the virus so much as trading a death sentence for life with a low-level chronic infection. But now we know that 1. curing rabies after symptoms begin is at least theoretically possible, and 2. we have some clues as to mechanisms to investigate further.

Not today. Not tomorrow. But maybe not never, either.

References:

Zeiler, F. A., & Jackson, A. C. (2016). Critical appraisal of the Milwaukee protocol for rabies: this failed approach should be abandoned. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 43(1), 44-51.

de Melo, G. D., Sonthonnax, F., Lepousez, G., Jouvion, G., Minola, A., Zatta, F., ... & Bourhy, H. (2020). A combination of two human monoclonal antibodies cures symptomatic rabies. EMBO molecular medicine, 12(11), e12628.

Mastraccio, K. E., Huaman, C., Coggins, S. A. A., Clouse, C., Rader, M., Yan, L., ... & Schaefer, B. C. (2023). mAb therapy controls CNS‐resident lyssavirus infection via a CD4 T cell‐dependent mechanism. EMBO Molecular Medicine, 15(10), e16394.

[urgardenandmine]

crushes and beats ☊ - m. lee

summary: you have a small adventure in SM's building and meet a cutie genre: fluff pairing: m!reader x mark lee word count: 2.1K

the weather was NOT in your favor on this summer day. well, not just the weather but the whole week itself.

this week was your first week within the SM building after winning what seemed to be a total scam considering you saw the ad to attend a once a year producer group session with a bunch of others from other countries. 

you received the news in your college dorm, while you were aimlessly scrolling on your x feed, just reposting a bunch of mindless posts on what a hippo would look like crossed with a watermelon. as you were scrolling on your phone, you saw the ad plastered in the usual pastel pink they would always use to market their stuff.

"CALLING ALL PRODUCERS!

Want to be a part of SM’s producing session and possibly be chosen to compose a song for our artists? Here’s your chance!

Go to our website and click the form!"

it looked inviting but what if it wasn’t real? (even though you still did it so it was real considering you were now here in their branch in korea.)

while in your dorm, you were procrastinating on your homework. though you had asked for an extension, you were already approaching the extension deadline but i mean everyone deserves a fun small break now and then.

hopping out of bed, you slid into your soft and cozy koala slippers as you took five steps onto your classic off-white rolly chair. opening up your silvery blue laptop, you typed in the link below in the post you had seen earlier. clicking enter, you were taken to a google doc form that was headlined with the official SM logo. the title read “PRODUCER SUBMISSION.” it looked promising but you didn’t have high hopes of getting in. nonetheless, you clicked out the tab and opened up your drive of beats you had made. 

the requirement was the sample be at least a minute long, which was easy considering you had full song lengths of beats. looking at each one you had in your drives, you closed your eyes and clicked on one. opening one eye, you had saw that you clicked it yet the name wasn’t shown (which was somewhat concerning since most of your files were named with the most absurd names like “cocomelon’s rival.”). you shrugged it off, somewhat confident in your skills yet not so cocky you would just automatically book a flight to korea. 

fast forward to a day later, you had received an international call and was told by their marketing team that you won! except you were like literally in the middle of school and like you had to tell your friends, family, pets, the school itself and like whoever else was involved in your life that somewhat needed you nearby. you had received the call during a small passing period between your classes, choking on your apple while surrounded by your friends as you all ate under a tree. you immediately ran to your dorm, your friends close behind as you started to pack for the weekend to get onto the paid flight to another country. 

another fast forward, you were kinda not expecting this rocky ass start in korea where you had to keep up appearances. korea was apparently dealing with a small heatwave this summer, and by small, it was literally 38C (or 101F). you were dressed in long sleeves, not really thinking much on what you packed considering you were packing every ten minutes after every ten minutes of studying last weekend. it wasn’t a good system but you did ace your sociology quiz with a 45/50. 

you were racing through the concrete halls, seeing a bunch of staff walking in the other direction as you had your laptop nestled in one arm, also filled with a binder, papers and your lanyard dangling off your hooked index finger and a single iced sweetened americano in the other hand. in retrospect, you shoulda brought your bag but didn’t want to look like a newbie in front of people who were great composers. 

scanning the glass doors, you read the labels on them except one issue, you struggled to read korean. you squinted your [e/c] eyes, looking at each door as you slowly began to walk passed the doors. one door had said “recording room/(1)녹음실,” which looked familiar since you saw that in the syllabus you were given with your other companions. standing in front of the textured glass door, you took a sharp breath in and let out a relaxed breath out. this should be a piece of cake. you already braved a flight to another country, braved talking to the security guard since you were an hour late and spoke no korean, braved asking for a sweetened americano even though you forgot the word for sugar and ALSO braved wearing a big baggy long sleeve in this weather. 

looking down at your hands, you gently squatted down and placed your cup down at your feet. inching forward with your now one free hand, you turned the handle and turned a small 90 degrees, using your behind to keep the door open. you bent down, grabbing your cup as you then turned back around and pushed your way through the door. it was heavier than you expected but you came for a music workshop, not an actual wood workshop. 

the recording studio was huge, almost the same size as your dorm. to your right, there was an L-shaped black leather sofa. the walls were a soft beige, which differed from the color of the booth as the booth itself was an eggshell white. in front of you was the equipment you had researched beforehand. 

you stepped closer, amazed at all the technical buttons and other mechanics the sound technicians had to work with while the famed idols you have heard of. realizing you were too lost in thought, you shook your head and checked the time on your watch. 1:27 PM. the session should start soon, but it was weird considering you were the only one here but maybe even producers were sometimes a little late.

making your way to the couch, you sat down and placed your equipment in your lap. setting your drink on the carpeted floor, you smiled as you took the whole room as well as the experience. this was real and happening. you were here to show off your talents. 

the door soon slowly opened, causing you to shoot up and look at the one in charge of the session. as you slowly centered your focus, the person you expected wasn’t the one you were met with.

in front of you stood a somewhat lanky and built man, adorned in a grayish tame impala hoodie. he had baggy navy blue sweatpants as well, paired with zebra adidas. as well as that, he had black messy bed hair by the looks of it and rounded frame glasses. 

“(2)아, 안녕하세요.” the man spoke, extending his right arm as he bowed. you looked at him, bowing back and trying to reply with the same greeting he had said to you. standing up straight, the man eyed you as he raised his right eyebrow, smirking.

“you speak english?” he asked, his small laugh making you feel a bit more at ease.

“yes, thank god. i mean-!” you groaned, smacking your head gently as you placed your hand into your palms trying to hide your embarrassment as you spoke before you could even think. hearing a small hearty laugh, you looked up as you saw the man chuckle and hold his stomach.

“nah, no worries! that was me before coming here too.” he said, staring at you, shifting into a more comfortable stance.

“i’m mark, nice to meet ya.” he introduced himself, extending his hand as you reached for a firm shake. the name sounded familiar but it wasn’t so close to ringing a bell. 

“sounds kinda familiar.” you spoke, making him place a hand over his heart, feigning a hurt act.

“wow~, welp, hate to break it to you but i’m kinda known here. i’m in a group called NCT.” he explained, making you nod as you finally realized where he was from. NCT. they sounded familiar but your music taste was all over the place. you solely remembered NCT as the group who basically claimed the color green. you smiled at him, showing him your pearly whites as you chuckled.

“nice to meet you, mark. i’m [y/n].” you introduced yourself, giggling softly as you did a small wave at him. looking at him, a small blush creeped onto his ears as he cleared his threat and looked away. you tilted your head, seeing him blush. you blinked, feeling your own neck get warm as your cheeks were slowly getting more color. turning your head away, you coughed softly. 

mark looked back at you, then seeing beside you your equipment as he pointed. 

“what’s all that?” he asked, walking a bit closer as he stood a foot from you. you turned your head to your laptop and papers, smiling gently as you got closer to them.

“oh! i’m here from winning the SM producer/composer competition.” you explained, looking at him as he scratched the back of his neck. his smile had faded, causing you to look at him and be a bit confused.

“i kinda hate to break it to you but the producing session was at 11:30 AM.” he revealed, causing you to feel your heart break a smidge. looking down at your feet, you could feel your energy shift the mood in the room. you couldn’t believe that you misread the rubric time. how could you have misread “11:30” as “1:30?” granted, you were also trying to do an essay overseas from your college. letting out a somewhat exasperated sigh, you looked up at mark and smiled.

“well, thanks for letting me know! i’ll be on my way.” you forced a small smile onto your face, bending down to slowly grab your things. as you reached down, you felt his hand placed onto yours. looking to your right, your eyes met as he began to smile at you.

“well, i mean you’re already here so why not just show me what you got?” he suggested, causing you to blush harder than ever. mark smiled widely, grabbing you stuff as he placed it onto the table and opened your laptop for you. he sat down on the chair on the left, reaching down to grab a cord and plugged it into your laptop. as he turned his head, he had still saw you standing there, lost in thought. he had patted the chair across from him, signaling you to sit down. 

snapping yourself out of your trance, you shook your head and made you way to the chair. mark had scooted closer to you, causing you to relax from the nerves you felt as you stared into his eyes. you opened your files, searching for one to show him. as his brown eyes read every file, he chuckled and leaned into your personal bubble, pointing a finger at one file.

“can you play this for me?” he asked. your eyes trailed his finger, seeing the file he wanted to be played. you froze, the file being named the absolute most dumbest thing ever. 

“you want me to play this?” you reiterated. you didn’t even remember what this beat/sample sounded like. you were somewhat tipsy when making this (if drinking about almost ten moscow mule during a frat party was “tipsy”). 

“yes. i would like for you to play “daddy won’t lemme see the ice king.”’ he read, laughing between each word. you groaned, smiling as you shrugged it off and clicked on it. shutting your eyes tight, you prayed to god that this file was an actual work of art. to your surprise, it kind of was. the cord mark plugged into your laptop had played the file on the surround sound speakers above you. the sample was one that was more of an r&b vibe. the sample was similar to that of jazmine sullivan or lucky daye. 

looking to your left, mark was beaming. you chuckled, looking at him as he looked towards you. you immediately paused it, now remembering you weren’t sure if you were allowed to be in here. he slowly touched your hand, reassuring you. your eyes met, making you both feel comfortable enough with one another that you could drop each other’s guards. 

“i’ll make you a deal. you and i make a sick song out of this and i won’t tell if you won’t.” he proposed. furrowing your eyebrows, you looked at him a bit confused. he laughed sheepishly.

“i’m not really supposed to be here either.” he said, looking around as if he was a school boy that got caught pranking the teacher. you smirked, leaning forward. taken aback, mark looked at you as you bit your bottom lip.

“i won’t tell if you won’t.”

⋆｡°✩

(1) = 녹음실 = recording room/studio

(2) = 아, 안녕하세요 = ah, hello

i hope this story is good for y'all nctzens! i was a part of the group but not gonna lie, jeno's my favorite but no one heard that from me...

[nawoken]

Ơ v Ơ

Thanks for liking my post guys, I appreciate it. So I will start spreading my mind when I don't have anything better to do from now on then.

Hm, today will be... a reader from Gravity Falls, who got transported into TWST world. Oh, reminds me of those good old days, when we still had a bunch of good-quality cartoons.

(T vT)

You can be a friend of Dipper and Mabel, who joined them on their trip to Gravity Falls. Or the town's resident, who has always known about this place's weirdness but most of the time, when you bring it up, no one actually believes you. You can even be the twins' sibling, or well... Lil Gideon's dogsbody (no one want this right?)... That's your choice.

I want to build a reader who has enough understanding of those mystery creatures so it's better if you have a few links with the main cast :")))

After the defeat of Bill Cipher, a few years went by in peace. Until one day you wake up in a whole different world that has magic. Great, it's cool, you're fine, nothing too bad yet, it can be worse, right? After all, you used to encounter many more strange things than this.

Maybe, after not being able to contact you for a long time, Dipper will realize your disappearance and find a way to help you. Or..., the headmage in front of you can do something like he said.

Nope, you're wrong, he is useless, that's what you realized after staying there for a while. That biscuit doesn't even care about finding a way back for you! So, you have to find another way while facing a bunch of other overblots.

You've never really told anyone else about stuff you used to face back in your world, mystery creatures, monsters, and a Dorito from different dimensions.

Mostly because when they asked why you can face all this "transport to another world" or "fighting some gooey inky monster" things so calmly. Or why did you act so aggressively about making a deal with Octoville Housewarden. You told them how you used to fight this triangle entity from different dimensions, that planned to destroy your world, but they would just brush it off or say that you have a wild imagination.

You feel a bit sad when it happens, but you get it. Some magicless people can fight off a Dream Demon that can control space, matter, and even time? That must be hard to believe. So you just let it be.

~~~

But, out of nowhere, mystery creatures start to appear around the Isle of Sages.

What do you mean you saw Gnomes with a red cap and blue outfit running around in the jungle? And there is a whole island that suddenly appeared overnight?! Some scientists tried to approach it and it arose from the river, appeared to be a freaking giant head?!

It's all too familiar to you. After all, you had gotten into a bunch of trouble with them during your stay at Gravity Falls. It must be that this island has some kind of connection with that town!

Then, you just have to find that connected point to open the dimensional portal, and come home, right? Maybe, the twins with their uncles will get to you before you even have to do all that.

So, you just acting like normal. But your friends don’t want that. Mostly Grim, Aduece, Epel, and Ortho when they took an interest in the mystery thing that recently appeared inside NRC. Jack and Sebek tried to protest, saying that it was stupid but got provoked by “Why? Are you scared?” from the others.

You got dragged in, mainly because you worry for them. Even when they have magic, you still have more experience with this than them. You don't have the Journals with you but you used to spend quite a lot of your time studying and understanding them alongside the Pines twins. So, you’ve memorized most of it, if not all.

~~~~~~

The moment your groups step into this strange part of the forest, with some big red mushrooms with dots and some floating shiny orbs come straight out of a fairytale. You know this is a "Gnome Forest".

Before you can get everyone out of this place to avoid meeting those creepy creatures that have an obsession with finding a Gnome queen. You see Jade, observing and taking note of the mushrooms.

Jade: What a pleasure meeting you guys here.

Deuce: J...Jade-senpai?! What are you doing here?

Ace: Ye, and where is Floyd, is he sneaking also around?!

Jade: Fufu... don't you think it a bit rude to ask questions without stating your reason for being here?

Jade: But, as you can see, I'm studying these delightful mushrooms. And, no, unfortunately, my brother isn't into this kind of thing so there's only me.

Jade: ... Then?

Epel: W...what? Oh, we're here for the mystery creatures that been lurking around.

Jade: Oh, from the rumors?

Epel: *Nod* Yes.

Ace: Hm, you must be here for a while, have you seen anything yet?

Jade: Sadly, no. However, I do hope that I can encounter one of those, Azul might take an interest in them (For business thingy, I guess). Hm,... do you mind if I join you guys?

Deuce: Uh, no...

Jade: Great! ^v^

(Okay, that is, I'm out of brain juice for that conversation. Hope that is not too Ooc (XvX))

You stood aside, looking around worriedly while Ace bickered with Deuce due to letting Jade join. Jack felt your restlessness, mistaken that you're scared so he tried to comfort you. Sebek saw it and loudly said something about how weak humans are.

That's when some shadows dash by, Jade, Jack, Ortho, and Sebek become more alert while the others are a bit startled. Grim screaming something about not wanting to be eaten and clinging onto Ace's face though.

Looking back and forth a few times just for you guys turned to Epel, and saw a Gnome right next to him with a flower in hand. You know that shoot, Jeff! And! seeing his action, you also realized what come next.

Epel: ...For me?

Jeff: Yes, for you, my... future queen! (I can't, this is too much, I'm dying)

Gotta say, your friends have a good laugh except for Epel, who looks about to explode and Jade has this amused smile. If not for how bad the situation actually is, you might laugh as well.

Y/N: Guys, we should go.

Jeff: WAIT!!! Let me introduce myself first, I'm Jeff, Gnomes' leader. And, we are looking for a new queen...blah blah... (sorry)

At some point, Epel blew up, and he started throwing spells and that's when they knew what Jeff meant by them. 1000 Gnomes running out from God know where merged into a huge Gnome then chased them after their fail attempt of fighting it.

Ace: WTF is that?!

Deuce: How can we fight it if it keep merging?!

Grim: Wroahhhh, It's so fast!

Ace: You should just accept their marriage proposal!

Epel: WHAT DID YOU SAID?!

Jack: Why did I agree with this...

Sebek: I KNOW THAT I SHOULDN'T LISTEN TO YOU GUYS!

Ortho: This is quite fun, isn't it?

Others: NO!

You are tired of running, Jade has already gone out of sight the moment that thing compiling. You tried to reach inside your backpack, you were prepared for this after all! Your dog whistles. You just need to find it from the pile of things you quickly stuffed into your bag.

Finally! You quickly told everyone to cover their ears, mostly for Jack and Sebek due to their sharp hearing, and blew the whistle. That giant Gnome started to fall apart, and those Gnomes quickly ran away, far from the noise that hurt their ears.

Ace: Uh... What was that?!

Epel: Prefect, h..how can you do it?!

Grim: Haha, good job my henchman, I know you can do it.

Y/N: Gnomes, they have enhanced hearing so they can't bear high-pitch noise.

Deuce: But, how did you know that? Did you read about it somewhere?

Ortho: I don't think so, I've scanned them and I don't find any research about those creatures. So, prefect, where do you study about it?

Jade: I also want to know. (^v^)

Sebek: Where are you coming from?!

Y/N: Guys, just calm down. About those creatures, of course, I know about them. It's from my world after all.

Others (minus Jade): What?!

Jade: Oh... that's really interesting.

Deuce: Why have you never told us this story?!

Y/N: *stared back at him unamused*

Ortho: Hm... I do remember they used to say something about fighting supernatural entities.

Ace: But, I thought that just some jokes!

Y/N: Well, now you know it not.

Epel: Wait, so you did fight those?!

Y/N: Yes.

Sebek: Hm, maybe you're not as weak as I think, human.

Jack: Is that why you're worrying then entire time?

Y/N: Yes, I just don't know how to warn you guys since you're not gonna believe me.

Others: Sorry...

It can be said that everything ends happily. You guys talked to Crowley and he has to start doing some research about your theory of the connection between Isle of Sages and Gravity Falls (Ramshakle dorm).

You become a storyteller for the first-year gang, Jade (he wants to know all the information), and you might not know but also Rook, who observed your groups from afar the day of the exploration. Telling them about those creatures that you've faced, the journals, the Pine twins, their uncles,... and even about Bill Cipher.

You tell them, they tell the others. The famous magicless Prefect used to fight paranormal and supernatural entities that have been lurking around lately?! Only your friends actually believe in it, but that's enough for you.

Until they started to find you for more information, so Ortho helped you create a blog to spread some, not every single of them though. Should start some business by solving mysterious things. Talked to Azul and he might help you, you used to help him so he wouldn't trick you with his deal,... right?

Well, who knows? You know quite clearly the consequence of making a deal without thinking right?

______

EBIIL LIA COFBKA

JFPP JB?

Why is it this long?! I just want to type something fun and spread some idea but then it turns into a whole ass rambling :')

I still have more for it, but I'm lazy, my brain might or might not die at this point and I can hear light, see noises... I should sleep but I'm hungry. :'))))

English is my second language so there might be some confusing things in my wording, let me know if you feel there is anything that needs to be corrected, thank you.

I also haven't had a chance to finish Gravity Falls' series and it also has been a while since the last time I saw it. I've tried my best to gain more information about it when wrote this but if I am wrong about something, please tell me.

Anyway, I might do part 2 for this if I'm in the mood. See ya!

Oh, Also, Idia found this CD. It's old, yes. But it's an old game CD! Might be worth a ton this day. But, most importantly, he wouldn't say no to ancient games. An otome game about dating a pink-haired high-school girl... (I changed her ending a bit I guess).

[mirroredmemoriez]

With my other poll coming to an end in a day, I thought I’d make another because I may even implement these into a one of my character study type posts!

One thing I’ll state first is that there isn’t really a correct way to handle grief. The way people deal with it and show it can differ from person to person! However wording that for a poll is quite long winded…. I also want it to be a bit open so there is room for discussions.

Moving on- I think that Lynn may be the one to sweep this poll. But at some points I believe this is due to the fact that people will only be looking at these characters through the lens of what happened during their run in with Jigsaw.

Which I don't think really is where people should hone in on, because it's imbalanced. Lynn does not have to come face to face with her grief within her test like Jeff does. We have no real basis to know how she'd handle that besides assumptions based off of her as a character. Other things to remember is the fact that Jeff actually WITNESSED Dylan get hit by the car. This isn’t to say his grief is more powerful than Lynn’s, but it is a factor to dwell on! Witnessing your own child’s death right in front of your eyes is a very heavy thing to deal with.

Moving on! Here’s some snips off their Saw Wiki’s…. I'll get it out of the way that both neglect Corbett and one another.

As individuals? Jeff has depression and an obsession with vengeance in regards to those involved and linked to his son's death. We see him drunk and threatening himself with a gun, picturing his reflection to be Timothy Young- But we also get to see how he let's this grief impact his daughter and the disregard for Corbett's own feelings.... At the end of the day she did lose a sibling, yet Jeff's focus is on a plush pig being missing from Dylan's room. On to Lynn. She also has depression and is constantly taking anti-depressants to try and stabilise herself. Lynn is having an affair with a man named Chris and her job performance is slipping, which in her line of work can mean life or death for a patient. We never get to see her interact with Corbett.

Anyway, I’ll stop the rambling here… Below are some of my previous little Denlon studies.

[weirdkpopgirl]

Belong | Mark Imagine #5

Title: Belong

Genre: Fluff

Warnings: nothing really

Word Count: 610

Author's Note: This is part two of the previous Mark story I posted a while ago. It's unnecessary to read the first part to understand this one, but I'll still link the story below if you want to check it out. But yeah, I'm happy to be posting more for Mark since I don't very often. Hope you guys like it and thank you for reading ^ ^

part one

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In the cozy warmth of Mark’s living room, the vanilla scented candles you had bought him a while ago were neatly arranged on the coffee table, casting a gentle glow that added a layer of intimacy to the atmosphere. Following a day of long classes and the subsequent hours dedicated to studying, you both lounged comfortably on his couch, nestled in each other’s embrace.

Throughout the year, you had fallen into a routine of driving back to his apartment after school to study. Unlike some people, the two of you managed to get a decent amount of work done, if not completely most of the time. But once the two-hour mark was reached, cuddling sessions became inevitable.

Mark always tried to savor these moments with you. Lying on the couch with you, one arm wrapped around your waist, while your head rested on his steadily rising chest. He couldn't help but reflect on how far the two of you had come since that cold day in the parking lot. At first, you weren’t completely ready to let him. But through patient conversations and shared insecurities, you gradually opened up to him fully. Slowly, you found yourself becoming happier with him by your side.

With a playful glint in his eyes, he fondly reminisced about that day and couldn’t resist bringing it up to you. “You know,” he began, the corners of his lips upturned into a teasing smile. “I was just thinking about the first time we officially talked.”

Your cheeks flushed as the memory resurfaced in your mind. That was definitely not your best moment, and you had hoped Mark had forgotten about it. Unfortunately, much to your dismay, he hadn’t.

Instinctively, you buried your face further into his chest. “Ugh, please don’t remind me. I must’ve looked like a crazy person.”

Mark chuckled softly, his fingers running through your hair. “Crazy isn’t the word I’d use to describe you. I’d say you were more breathtaking, even in tears.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” you cringed in embarrassment. 

He pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “No, I mean it. In fact, I fell in love with you that day.”

“Oh... really?” You glanced up at him in slight surprise. 

About a month after that fateful day, Mark officially asked you to be his girlfriend. However, even during that interim period as just friends, both of you knew that your relationship was bound to change. You believed that you were the first to fall, as his emotional support that day had made you grow attached to him over time. So, discovering that he fell for you first came as news to you.

Mark nodded, his eyes soft and filled with affection. “Yeah, I saw strength in your vulnerability and it drew me in. Seeing you made me want to become someone you could lean on.”

Blushing once more, you subconsciously played with his fingers. “Well, I'm grateful you didn't turn away from the girl crying on the street. I don’t know what I did to deserve someone as sweet and kind as you.”

“You didn’t have to do anything to deserve it. Sometimes, you just meet someone, and everything falls into place,” Mark replied, simply. “I’m lucky that happened to us.”

The two of you locked eyes for a moment before he tenderly cupped your face and leaned in for a kiss. Your lips met in a gentle dance, a silent acknowledgment of the love that had blossomed between you. Cradled in each other's embrace, both of you came to the profound realization that you had discovered where you truly belonged.

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[letomills]

The "requests are paused until I'm done with the current ones" thing was wishful thinking (a bit like the closing statements in my last yt video 🤓) and I am once again thoroughly overwhelmed with everything.

Requests are firmly closed until further notice. I said yes to the FtM hairs for anon and the Tiggerypum tunics & iamliz13 alpha dresses for children & toddlers for the other anon (I did get the links you sent to the meshes), so I still intend to complete both.

A novel's worth of life updates under the cut (content warning for struggle with bipolar type 2, including questionable choices which should not be taken as advice).

Well over a year ago I shared that my mother was going through a really bad bipolar type 2 depression episode (looking back, mention of it in that post was very euphemistic, I must have been hopeful). The reason why I didn't give any updates after a while is that there is no satisfactory narrative that I could easily spin into words. She's not all better, she hasn't died or lost her mind for good, things have just been evolving at a snail's pace through a whole spectrum of very bleak colors. She's not fully hospitalized anymore, she lives at home with my brother and me, with day hospitalisation activities several times a week. The myriad psychiatrists that she's seen have not been able to find the "right" treatment for her, but hey, after lithium sent her into such a state of confusion that we thought she might stay mentally disabled for the rest of her life, at least now we know that's not an option. A couple days ago her psychiatrist prescribed a new antipsychotic to replace the one she'd been taking. She started the transition, and today confusion started showing its terrifying face again so she's not taking that pill tonight, or to be honest ever again unless her psychiatrist somehow manages to convince us otherwise (she'll report her symptoms and get counsel at the hospital tomorrow). Her cognition is already impaired, her short-term memory and ability to focus especially. She can't live alone, I keep and manage her pillboxes, make sure she's eating right and the stove is off, that sort of stuff. But at least, until the introduction of this new drug, she'd made considerable gains compared to when she was at her worst last winter. No way we're going back to that again.

On a more positive note, about a month and a half ago I started work at a grocery delivery place just up the street (yes that's what I'm doing with my degree in Mandarin and my master's in English-French translation studies). It's intense physically, kinda stressful, and not very well paid, but I think I like it and the people are very nice. What scares me is that my trial period ends in about 2 weeks and I'm not entirely sure that they'll want to keep me, considering I've made several mistakes and they don't seem to think that I work quite fast enough (I know I said the people were very nice, they are, that's just the job). They keep saying the work load is gonna get crazier starting in September. The way they're saying it may suggest that they do envision me as still working there in September, but maybe they're trying to push me to work faster now and if I can't prove that I'm able to they won't keep me? Well I'm already doing my best, even if sometimes I end up finding myself crying over clients' items because my brain isn't able to focus anymore and I'm messing up and wasting time.

Emotional control has been harder because I unilaterally made the decision to taper off my antidepressant. Now before you facepalm, let me flood you with all of my best questionable arguments: • I do have an appointment with my psychiatrist, the earliest date I could get was October 1st (and I may have to postpone, depending on my work hours that day which I don't know yet). • I was already on the lowest dose that you can be on. • I tapered off very slowly. • I recently talked about it with the nurse that I saw for the mandatory medical visit I had to go to because I got the new job (idk if you have that outside of France). Naturally she was alarmed that I'd been weaning myself off on my own and she convinced me to see my GP asap and not change my medication without at least his input (which yes, I know). • the reasons I did it despite knowing that it's inadvisable are: 1) obviously I haven't been feeling depressed for a while or I wouldn't have done it, 2) the amount of endorphin-producing physical exercise I get from the new job felt like it could maybe do the trick so it was worth a try, 3) seeing how much my mom's medication has messed up her cognition over the years is scary. She's been taking way higher doses of antidepressants than me, along with other stuff, over a way longer period of time, but still. I don't want to be on it if it's not strictly necessary, so I wanted to try off. • I'm still taking my antipsychotic religiously and have no intention to stop that (I can't anyway or I won't be able to sleep and I'll definitely lose the job).

My plan with the antidepressant was to space out the doses and eventually get off it entirely for several weeks before reassessing, but after seeing that nurse, I started upping again to one dose every other day. I will admit, I was having suicidal thoughts after several days off, and now it's gone. Maybe I should find having suicidal thoughts more alarming than I do, the nurse's phrasing when she asked if I did - something that could translate to "no suicidals thoughts, riiight?" - was a good reminder that suicidal thoughts are really bad to have oh no. Of course I said no, why would I want her to interfere (leave me to make decisions for my own self thank you). Anyway, the appointment with my GP is in two days. He's gonna be useless on psych stuff but I guess getting his unqualified, predictable input is the responsible thing to do in polite society. More relevantly, the nurse also told me to go see him because my blood pressure is a bit low, or at least it was at 9/6 when she saw me, so I need to have it retaken and see what's up with that if anything.

And so yes, I have a ton of CC plans as always, I am positively drowning. Beside the two requests I mentioned above the cut, one of which I need to do a lot of learning for, I picked up work on Celestialspritz's beta Vincent skins and started converting afbodykimono for the usual roaster of breasted body shapes, like I did with afbodyqipao here and would like to do with more Happy Holiday Stuff outfits in the future. Although I told myself that I would stick to the body shapes that I've already done stuff for, I now also want to make a set of clothes for Lady Apple. I also have an idea about a set of scrawny body shapes for TU-EU inspired by Mrs Crumplebottom's body shape. I know Melodie9's slim family exists but to be honest those shapes creep me out and I want to see if I can do something less uncanny (it may end up looking too similar to the Androgyny body shapes, or to Faerie Gal, or it may not pan out at all, so don't hold your breath). I also want to do a ton of hairs in FakeBlood's palette + Naberius (tbh I'm still not 100% sure if I like Timebomb or Naberius more for my aliens, I need to figure that out once and for all). And of course I want to do more FtM & MtF hair conversions once I know how to do it well enough. There's a billion smaller projects I'd like to insert in between those, outfit conversions for one or a couple body shapes, repurposing of older meshes, a set of nude "outfits" for all the body shapes I do, etc.

[factcheckingmclennon]

hey! making a pinned that will for now hold some basic info/disclaimers & may in the future have a read more with a guide to deep dives

navigation

james/lorraine, they/he/she, 24. BA in religious studies/history, going back for a MA in history in january (that's relevant okay that's my CREDENTIALS for this silly blog)

my main is @menlove

I am indeed a shipper! no hate is meant at all by this blog existing, I'm just a historian that is going crazy trying to sort out fact & fiction in this fandom. there's a lot of both and I think a blog like this could be useful

and in that vein, I will never, ever directly come after or @ anyone who shared that misinformation. if you send me a request and start it with "I saw so and so post x, is this real?" I'll make a post without your ask in it. I don't want to send hate anyone's way. if it's an older post, i'll probably link the source of the misinformation for the sake of clarity, but if it's a blog that's still active i won't & i'll just screenshot. (maccaswife1978 is not a real person btw dgshdhshs. as far as I know! sorry if anyone's ever had that username)

I'm always open to correction. I have 0 way of knowing or finding everything, so if you have a credible, reliable source that I didn't find in my deep dive of something I rated fake/neutral, please let me know! I'd love for some of these to be real

I also take requests! feel free to ask me about anything that you want fact checked. just know sometimes I might not be able to find an answer or I might be bogged down & not be able to answer just then. I'll do my best to get to everyone, but inevitably my mental health and life Will come first so......

rating system

fake- this is a source that, from everything I can find, only loops back to other mclennon blogs/forums. again, I'll take correction on these.

neutral- this is a source that is fake in some way but real in others. maybe it's a quote taken wildly out of context, or the quote passed around is fake but the content really did happen & has a more grounded source. or maybe it was written in a biography that didn't use citations and I have no idea where that author got that information, so you should take it with a grain of salt. or maybe it's something that isn't necessarily fake, but there's not enough evidence to definitively prove it one way or another (i.e. did anything happen in india?) whatever the case, this source has ended up neutral in the grand scheme of mclennon.

real- happy day for us all, these are for ones that turn out to be real! these are ones that are backed up by one or more reliable source & have hard evidence

source reliability

what do I mean by "reliable source"?

for me to count a source as "reliable" and count it towards a fact/quote being real, it has to be one of these things: first-hand (interviews, auto biographies, etc), recorded (video/photographic evidence, basically), or a well-sourced/respected biographer.

sources that fall into the in between category and might still earn a "real" rating but should be taken with a grain of salt are things like: second-hand sources (& who they are is important in determining how big that grain of salt should be), biographers who are allergic to sourcing, and things like lyrics/poetry/short stories which rely heavily on interpretation unless explained by either john or paul themselves. none of these automatically mean a "neutral" or "fake" rating, but they're taken into account.

and sources that will earn a fake rating once they're found to be the original source: tumblr blogs, deviantART pages, fan forums, gossip columns, etc. basically, if all I can find is someone writing out "slash beatles quotes" on a page in 2011, it's getting chucked in the bullshit pile unless someone else can find a source that predates it.

[jacobsbadwig]

I saw your tags on the other post and pls rant about Jessica Stanley being the main character. Kthankbye ✌🏻

I was trying to find a post on my blog that imagined Jessica as the Main character Twilight.

But frankly it all boils down to Smeyer using Bella as a self insert. Now a lot of people hate that criticism, but it’s not a criticism rather than a statement of fact. Her crime isn’t basing a character on herself (or a young version of herself) it’s refusing to kill her darlings. Bella’s book description is the same description of Stephenie Meyer. (See @panlight or @fuckmeyer for more information)

As for Jessica, it’s hard to figure out what Bellas (and Stephenies) beef with Jessica as a character. I would argue because we don’t get an inkling of how Bella’s friend group was in Arizona (or if she had many friends) that Jessica is another character foil how girls shouldn’t (I will link that post here) act. Of course this is a subconscious point that the narrative makes.

Jessica is this determined high schooler who likes boys (as far as we know) who is focused on her grades but is a bit of a gossip. At least from Bella’s prespective. Also, Bella is an unreliable narrator although the narrative and the author don’t treat her as such.

I think Jessica Stanley makes more sense as the main character mostly because she has more to lose than Bella, a character who doesn’t want to make connections and is only in town because of her self sacrificing mindset. (I will not go into Bella’s mother mostly because my interpretation is that she (her mother) only got worse because the narrative needed her to and then it didn’t really matter because she got to keep her family around anyway). (Also mini rant- It’s strange that a girl who was born in that town and spent summers there until she was 13 Doesn’t know any other teenagers before moving back there especially being the Chief’s daughter. I would assume she would know everyone since she wouldn’t have been left home alone. Whatever Steph)

Jessica has a family. She’s grown up in the town. She has worked so hard for her grades. It would be interesting to see all of that come crashing down because of her involvement with vampires.

@humans4vampires just made a post pointing out the adrenaline caused by Edward’s presence and its masking via Bella’s attraction to Edward. Who’s to say that couldn’t happen to Jessica in their initial meeting.

The narrative would be the Cullens moving to Forks. Jessica gets rejected by Edward. Yes, she’s heartbroken by it, but that’s the new boys problem she’s on a mission to get all A’s. Her tight knit friend group keeps her distracted. Then one day, she’s walking around in the woods taking a break from her studies or just for some quiet time and comes across Edward hunting and covered in blood.

Edward, of course, hearing her thoughts, panics. They just moved to Forks. He can’t just let her get away, but she’s well known in the town. It’s small. He can’t kill her. So (like a dingus), he runs off.

Jessica having seen something so frightening rushes home to calm down, and she plays sick for the next week.

Anyway, I just think Jessica has more to lose, and it will be real push and pull of narrative as she is not only protecting this secret from the rest of her friends. She has to get through high school without dying until she realizes that she won’t be able to live her dreams because she will be a vampire or be killed.

[fdelopera]

reading your response to the ask about Elohim, i found it so fascinating and really wanted to learn more about jewish history. but im kinda scared to try and dive into googling it because like, for obvious reasons there is a lot of antisemitic misinformation out there. where's a good place to start learning about it all from a historical standpoint, aside from taking a college course? i hope this is okay to ask, i really don't want to stumble upon/consume revisionist history out of ignorance

Hi Anon. Thank you for your kind message. I really appreciate it.

I'm glad that you enjoyed my post about the origin of Elohim as one of the names of G-d in Judaism. Studying Jewish history and Jewish religious practice gives profound understanding and context to Abrahamic religions, as well as to the last 3500+ years of history, since at least the Late Bronze Age.

And thank you for wanting to learn more about Jewish history, and for reaching out to a Jewish person to ask about it.

My answer to your Ask is based on this answer about Jewish history, which I posted a few days ago. Not a lot of people saw it, so I feel okay about posting these links here again.

This past month especially has made me realize just how little most gentiles (non-Jews) know about Jewish history. It's been eye-opening, for sure.

And ... you're right, unfortunately. I've seen a metric shit ton of Jew-hatred going around. And so many antisemitic conspiracy theories that originated with the Neo-Nazis and the KKK.

Some people have been spreading this Neo-Nazi rhetoric intentionally, but many others have been spreading it because they don't have the context to understand that they are repeating Nazi dogwhistles.

In talking to gentiles, I often find that their knowledge of Jewish history extends to a few facts about the Holocaust. Some gentiles who have studied European history and political science may also have a general understanding of Hitler’s rise to power.

But that’s only the past several decades of Jewish history! And it's limited almost entirely to Europe!

Jews are a Levantine people. We are indigenous to Judea (the area currently called Israel/Palestine), and our history goes back thousands of years to the Late Bronze Age.

For a good overview of Jewish history, from the Late Bronze Age to the present, I would recommend two YouTube channels. That’s a good place to start. There are many history books on the subject, but a lot of them are quite dense, and the videos from these two historians will give you a good general overview if you want to learn more.

Sam Aronow:

Sam Aronow covers the span of Jewish history, from the Late Bronze Age to modern times. It is an ongoing Jewish history project that he’s been producing for the past three years, and it is in chronological order. He is currently in the early 1900s, and he comes out with a new video every month or so (he's just released a new video this month).

Click here to go to Sam’s YouTube channel, and then you can scroll back to watch his videos from the beginning, or you can decide what time period of Jewish history you’re most interested in learning about first.

Useful Charts:

Matt Baker, PhD runs the YouTube channel "Useful Charts," and he often works with Sam Aronow's channel. He has a PhD in education and religion. Matt has a very interesting story. He converted to Judaism as an adult; when he was a young man, he escaped a Christian doomsday cult, which he was born into. This gives him a unique understanding of Jewish history, especially how the "Old Testament" is often weaponized by Evangelical Christians to advance specific right-wing agendas. (As I explain below, the Old Testament is NOT the Hebrew bible. It is a chopped up, reordered, edited, and mistranslated version of the Hebrew bible.) Matt's videos on the history of Judaism are well-researched, and he breaks down different aspects of Jewish history into easy-to-follow segments.

I) Jewish History series:

Which Bible Characters are Historical.

Kings of Israel & Judah Family Tree.

Maccabees & King Herod Family Tree. (by Sam Aronow)

Classical Rabbis Family Tree.

Judaism and Jewish Denominations Explained.

Jewish Streams (Denominations) Re-Explained. (by Sam Aronow)

II) Who Wrote the Tanakh and the New Testament series:

NOTE: The Tanakh (the Hebrew bible) is an acronym that stands for Torah (Instruction), Nevi'im (Prophets), Ketuvim (Writings). It is NOT the same as the "Old Testament" in the Christian bible. The Christian editors of the "Old Testament" cut up the Tanakh and reordered it in a way that doesn't make any sense for Jewish practice. Many Christian bibles (such as the King James Version) also intentionally mistranslate the Old Testament to advance specific religious, political, and social ideologies of their time.

Who Wrote the Torah.

Who Wrote the Prophets.

Who Wrote the Writings.

I am including links to Matt's series on who wrote the New Testament, because many people who were raised Christian were never given a historical context for the people who wrote the books of the New Testament.

Who Wrote the Apocrypha. (The Apocrypha are later-written Jewish books that are not included in the Tanakh, but do appear in some Christian bibles, like the Catholic bible)

Who Wrote the Epistles. (Paul's Epistles were written before the Gospels, which is why the Epistles are linked first.)

Who Wrote the Gospels and Acts. (The Gospels were all written long AFTER Jesus' lifetime, and AFTER the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. They were NOT written by the people they are attributed to.)

Who Wrote Daniel, and Who Wrote Revelation. (Matt includes Daniel from the Nevi'im [Prophets] as well as Revelation from the New Testament in this video to discuss apocalypticism in Jewish and early Christian tradition.)

[fearecia]

Putting this in a pinned post to make it easy to find/share. We all know how Tumblr is about things (and to be fair, I'm terrible and inconsistent as hell with tags).

Link to the "shoulder release" document:

Notes about this guide:

This is a WIP, and still very much in the rough draft phase. Please forgive typos/errors. I literally haven't done a single edit yet.

The document focuses on releasing shoulders as a way to treat neck tension and migraines. Seriously, just trust me. It helps.

Carpal tunnel? Tennis elbow? Golfer's elbow? AC (acromioclavicular) joint injury? Rotator cuff problems? Tight upper back? Sporadic numbness in your arm? Seriously, just try the muscles already listed. You'll likely find at least some relief. Like, if it involves the upper body, release your shoulders.

I've done my best to make this able to be understood by people without massage training. So if it seems like it's covering really "obvious" info, that's intentional. Just skip the section if you already know things.

A lot of massage therapists may balk at me telling you to dig around in your own armpit. We're taught in school to avoid the area. Why? Because there's a crap ton of nerves and blood vessels there. *Which is precisely why releasing this area is so powerful.* There's also a ton of muscle (on yes, basically everybody) here that will protect all those structures. It's honestly really safe so long as you stick to "In pain, refrain!" And read the other rules too.

90% of the time, the culprit is one of the four muscles listed (or any combination of them). If you are someone who exercises a lot/does yoga/is otherwise pretty physically active, you are more likely to fall into the 10% of people who will have their issue somewhere else/it will just be really hard to find. So bear that in mind.

Sadly, this sort of thing will probably never be a "one and done" type of deal. Most of the things we do every day steadily build up to cause problems, and you have to constantly work to undo that entropy. So save these notes for future you.

And just in case you want to know what the hell qualifies me to make this sort of document, here are my "quals."

My first career attempt was nursing. While this did not go well (doctors don't really appreciate autistic students willing to question their authority) I learned a shit ton about the body. I became a student teacher for the anatomy and physiology class because I was so good at it (and that professor used to teach the pre-med students). A&P is now literally one of my special interests.

8 years as a licensed massage therapist focused exclusively on injury therapy. I studied Rolfing techniques, and primarily used trigger point therapy, structural integration, and myofascial release as my tools. Clients liked to joke that going to see me was like seeing the physical therapist (they weren't wrong).

Some of the stuff I share is literally self taught through "following the tension" in clients bodies. Like, I developed some of my protocols. And then practiced and refined them over 100s of bodies. The goal was always the most efficient and least painful way to achieve lasting release.

I eventually destroyed my shoulder doing massage (which was injured long before this career due to an AC joint sprain gotten when I was 20). Bonus, this means I'm *very* practiced at releasing my own shoulders.

I'm now a mechanical engineer, which just means I now have the engineering knowledge to understand to the force transferrence patterns I saw in clients all the time. Kinesiology is the same thing as statics and dynamics.

Hopefully that helps put perspective into things. I'll update this post as new versions of the document come out. I have a ton on my plate right now (who am I joking; I always have a ton on my plate), so please be patient waiting for updates.

[spaceless-vacuum]

It's the same anon that send in the previous royal! Reader ask with reader being betrothed. I saw that your requests were open and I wanted to see if you could write headcanons regarding that same topic. I didn't want to put it in the previous ask because it got a bit too long.

The whole royalty reader idea gets more interesting depending on which zelda/link you're with. 

Give me a duo who had an arranged marriage with you before the calamity. Spending so much time with their sweet bride and refusing to let you even think about helping out in the war. You can try to fight them about how you're capable and able to do more to defend their country and cry you might but they refuse to let you do anything about it. To them you're so much better suited to waiting the war out while they take care of it. Zelda often takes you to the springs with her, just knowing you're there while she prays alleviates her anxiety. The goddess has to hear her cries when youre by her side. Who could ignore such a sweet soul?

Link likes this as well. Being able to watch both of you helps him relax. Having you away from him not knowing if any yiga rats might hurt you tears him apart. It is his duty to protect you and his princess. Keeping you close by is the best way to make sure you're safe. Even if the lack of privacy may hurt your feelings it is absolutely necessary. Tying the knot between you and Zelda helped with relations between your two nations. The extra help with the war was sweet but having you as her prize was the real victory- even if no one ever heard how badly she wanted to just have you.

Zelda loves it when you help with the guardians. She can't spend all of her time studying them so having you do it and talking about it over tea and while travelling really makes her happy. Listening to your sweet voice go over the numbers and talk about how her plans are going along well just sounds so much sweeter when coming from your lips. The extra help with her other more mundane tasks like hair braiding and just the slow sweet domestic moments are her greatest pleasure. The way you help with domestic affairs was the whole point of the marriage after all.

Link feels a bit off while witnessing those moments but the way Zelda smiles when she looks at you makes up for all of it. He loves seeing the two of you being so happy. He smiles and finds that even your aura is enough to bring out the best in him. It's hard for him to keep such a cold demeanour when you're breaking down all of his walls.

. . .

Post calamity these two would be a handful. For multiple reasons. I didn't mention it much before but you are always at Zelda’s side or in a location they are ok with you being at, such as the castle. After the calamity it's hard to keep you pent up in one house all the time and even travelling with them isn't safe. Plus it's been one hundred years and they're not the same people they once were.

Flora lost you once and was convinced as she sent Link to the shrine of resurrection and as the two of you were separated that you were dead. She used the memory of who she was fighting for to help fuel her energy in the fight against holding the calamity back. Fighting the years away she awoke and found the most beautiful sight waiting to greet her. Her heart was so over flowing it felt like everything that happened up to this point was all worth it. Losing you was too much to remember most days. Yet here you were. Wild taking up the mantle of guardian you again. 

The new hero is certainly different. That much is easy to tell. He doesn't really remember you and his tendencies to always have to keep you in his line of sight are gone the first time you meet. He truly doesn't remember you. After such a long time, who can blame him but it still hurts you a bit. All Wild can recall is that you were a visiting royal who stayed at the castle. How you managed to live for so long, you explained it was all simple luck (magic, being put in the shrine of resurrection with link, Purahs anti aging device, idk maybe love or the calamity did it in hopes you would fall to the malice but you never did).

You spent your time adventuring and travelling with Wild. Hoping to rescue the princess and put an end to the calamity that you witnessed destroy everything ages ago. The dynamic changes a lot. You and Wild have spent a lot of time together and even after rescuing Flora he isn't willing to let go of you. The Link who died had to stand by because he couldn't mess with the royal wedding but there's no need to keep himself away anymore.

There was a time seeing the two of you being so close would have made her jealous, now however? She found seeing the two of you quite calming. Wild's yandere tendencies make her feel secure. She doesn't have to worry about your safety as Wild has obviously gotten ground rules set down that you follow. They're both so overprotective of you but it's clear to see why. Flora can get a bit jealous of the two of you; but who wouldn't be after seeing the way you smile? The jealousy never lingers but it does make her feel sorry about what happened. The life she promised you, the kingdom she was going to rule with you, and all of the plans for the future. It's all gone. She can no longer give you what she once was going to.

As the two of you spend more time together and rekindle what was there it only fuels her love for you. It cements the fact that you married her for her. Not for her title, not for the kingdom, not any of it. For her. You want her. You went so far as to help Wild save her. All for love. She considers the two of you still married and would love to redo your vows.

. . .

Age of calamity Fauna and Calamity. This link is far more stern. There's a literal war going on. He can't spend his time always on the lookout for you. He needs you to stay put as far away from the front line as possible. Fauna lets Calamity do the stern talking but she gets in on it as well when you start to pull the royalty card to try and regain some of your freedom. It's not like you're going far, but it's still so dangerous and they can't bear to lose you. Once Fauna unlocks her powers she gets an aura around her, in truth though she couldn't care less about unlocking her powers. All she wants is for this war to be over a day sooner. She can't wait until this war is behind her so she can just live a normal life with you.

Keeping you by her side all the time and spending her days in the castle while you share stories with her is all she truly wants. Calamity’s goal is the same. He just wants to put this all behind him so he can finally figure out who he is without all of this hero business. Fauna has no issues with sharing you between the two as they have spent so much time together that there's really nothing he can hide from her, and her from him. Your life after the war is much like it was before just with two very needy yanderes who have to have your attention at all times.

. . .

Time would love for nothing more than to take you away. He loves to have you visit him at work when hes with the knights or at the farm. Seeing your down to earth and kind personality as a royal makes him feel secure in the kingdom's future. Due to this part of the timeline being the one where he was sent back to a kid before Ganon betrayed Hyrule. The hero wasn't needed and Zelda never let Ganon into the sacred realm so he feels… sort of odd. He enjoys your company and adores being able to talk about being a hero around you without feeling strange about the whole ordeal. You're so hypnotising he's always at such a loss for words around you. In a sense he knows he's the one who should be treating you like royalty but there is one small issue. You Are to be wed to Lullaby.  He knows you're more than friends but he can't just take you away because to do so would upset your marriage; and he can't stretch the truth to Malon and say he kidnapped the princess. That's what Ganon did; but he can't live in this fantasy world while wishing you were his. He lets this eat him up inside until he eventually talks to his Zelda about it but it's a hard topic.

Lullaby seems loyal and regal and in royal gossip there is this air of her being holier than thou but it's all air. An aura. She doesn't do anything like that at all. In fact part of what drew you to her was how down to earth she is. She's a very multilayered person. She works day and night both as princes but mostly as a sheikah warrior. While exposing Ganon as a traitor she can't be sure his influence is fully gone. She needs stability and power and she has about ten different jobs to get down and they all need to be done by now. She needs someone all the time. Someone who can help her. To comfort her when she cries, to rub her back when she's sick, to be there with her when she prays, she needs a friend and ally and someone to help her spar. She sees how willing you are to help and she latches onto that. The love of her life just showed up out of the blue and now everything feels so much easier. The problems fade away as the hours pass when you're by her side.

Once you've started to help her she's already planning to get her claws in you and never let go. Deals and money exchanges hands all the time and if she gets her own a bit dirty who can prove it was really her and not Sheik? Lullaby is the type to not realise how far gone she is in her obsession with you until she's already planning on how others might need to die and realises “oh, this wasn't on my schedule yesterday.” and she snaps out of it for a moment and it hits her like a ton of bricks. She LOVES loves you. It hits her how much she can't stand to lose you. The light of her life is not even the gods could keep her from you now. As long as you're married your bond will be eternal but she can't help but want more to do with you. She lets Time in to help protect you and watch over you, and to keep you busy when she's not around- but she has to come first in the relationship. She can share but not when she wants you, only when she can't be there right now. She’ll let him in when she's not there and sees it as thanks for keeping you safe but Lullaby can't bear to see how close you are if you two haven't done something together yet. She can't stand to feel like second best.

. . .

Artemis is a troublemaker. Not because she is by heart but because she wants a domestic life but she just cant afford it. She is wealthy enough, but her kingdom just suffered from a war. Your marriage was chosen just as much for political gain as it was her hope for a loving partner. She is a hopeless romantic and often vents to Link and Impa and has them weigh in on who they think would be a good choice. She is very picky and settles on you after a few tests and invites you over only to realise you have such a good heart. You don't act like those other nobles and you care a lot for the people. Is it meant to try and test you by setting up scenarios to fall into your hands? Even as she does so she watches from the corner as a spy does it for her and she just prays seeing you prove yourself time and time again.

Although Artemis wants the picture perfect life nothing in her Hyrule is picture perfect right now. No matter how hard she works there is always something else that needs to be done. TWhen she meets you she's caught off guard. It all seems too soon for the perfect person ever to walk in while she's still trying to recover. She built up her walls so much that when she meets you and you're perfect she realises she's now a major red flag. More so as she starts to plan on how to trap you into marrying her. Suddenly she's nervous and wiping sweat off of her hands and trying so hard to act casual but she cant be after seeing how your eyes look and you're so gorgeous, is it too soon to take a bite out of you? Handling her is handling seven different bombs that are all going to go off at different times and cause six different sized explosions. A lot of fun for people who enjoy that type of chaos but unfortunately she makes peace with the fact that you two will never have a picture perfect relationship on the inside. She craves you too badly to play nice.

Warrior is just as bad as Artemis is sometimes. He has seen far too much war to feel ok and the thoughts and feelings of everything he saw and went through weigh heavy on him. He needs comfort and finds so much of it in you. When on his late night walks he finds himself at your door. Having walked to you without even realising it. Artemis is jealous of him at first but she softens as soon as she sees the way he relaxes around you. She can't be mad at him; she just can't stand to see the two of you alone. As long as she's there to comfort him as well she doesn't mind, although Link would like some alone time he can't push her on this. The two of them both want you but can't stand to let the other just have you without a fight, and neither of them are up for anymore fighting.

. . .

Ok that's all the ones I have for now, I wish I could have written more because there so many small details that I think would really shine in a long form writing or a one shot but I don't have the time for that my lunch break is almost over... I loved this so much I hope it makes sense. I focused more on how the dynamic plays between the two rather than them both sharing you, but that's because I think its so much more interesting! I would love to write more about this soon

[bokettochild]

came back wrong sounds like a very wild thing

and maybe twi could have obedience? something about wolfie and training could be angsty.

If no one suggested that one for Wild, I wanted to do it anyways LOL

Since I already posted Day 4 elsewhere, I'll give you Day 16 personally <3

Rating: Teen

Wordcount: 8,047

Summary: Coming back changed the Hero of the Wilds, and he's known it for a while. he's not sure how much changed, although he's happy to let Zelda and Purah try and find out. He does know though that there's a certain sort of power that lurks under his skin now, one capable of many things, but it comes with one great disadvantage: he doesn't know how to make it stop once he's started to employ it.

(This is set in the Inner Hero AU, so there are references to the other fics of that series, so consider this your warning!)

-

  It’s no great secret to anyone in Hyrule that there’s something Wrong with their hero. Since the shrine of resurrection, he isn’t what those who once knew him remember, and even those who’d never met the him from Before can sense that their hero isn’t exactly like the rest of them. Most of them accept that oddness as just another quirk or some such, just something intrinsic to Link, the weird kid who wanders the kingdom and somehow is also the hero that defeated the Calamity. 

  The Zora accepted it as a change brought by time, much as their own selves have all become altered in the hundred years since last they saw him. Maybe they know too; maybe they’re just too polite to say, but they never fuss about it. 

  Zelda knows though. She’s told him plainly that she knows he’s not what he used to be. He’s still him, she assures, because she knows the smile he spares for his mounts and recognizes the little habits he’d never have suspected she’d caught before the Calamity occurred. He’s still him, she says, but he’s More now too. 

  He came back different. 

  Purah and Zelda have looked into it, with his permission. He's sat and watched his girls sit with their head’s together over tests and papers and results as they try to understand how he’d changed. It’s nice, in a way. He's not very involved and, in many ways, he feels as though they forget at times that he’s able to hear them and the clinical way they refer to their study of him, but it’s not with any ill intent that they do so. In fact, it’s sort of nice to slip into the background of their minds and watch them at their most natural, see their bright smiles and hear them talk over each other and cut each other off in their excitement as they come to similar conclusions 

  He treasures the time spent up at the tower above Hateno, He treasures the time where he can simply exist as he is beside those he cares about, watching them bustle about doing what they love while he can finally rest in peace, knowing that his work is done, that nothing calls him out and that he can linger there as long as he pleases, without guilt. He can see what he was denied; Zelda’s joy, her eagerness, her freedom, and enjoy his own as well. 

  It’s good. 

  Returning to the rest of the world though, he’s always reminded again of how illy he fits among them. Magic has faded from the land of Hyrule, but he is steeped in it. Those around him walk with only the slightest bit of the power of heaven in their veins, yet his body overflows with magic that seeps out of the cracks left by his death. Zelda has compared him to the broken pottery he leaves across the kingdom, cracked and damaged by his adventure, and from those cracks, the power that twisted up with his own to bring him back from the brink now ekes out into the world, twisting and strange. Hylians aren’t meant to understand the feeling of Death’s touch, she says, eyes solemn and wary, lip pulled between her teeth as she’ll scan his face for signs of pain or sadness at her words. He knows she means well to do so, but he understands, and there’s really no need to be sad over such a thing. 

 He’s not normal, but it’s not their fault, and as they still accept him, still treat him with kindness, he feels little hurt for the changes that occurred to bring him to their sides. It’s a sacrifice he’d make again, even knowing what it will do. Watching Hyrule flourish in the wake of the Calamity, watching their victory paint the world anew in life and prosperity for their people, it’s worth dying and being pieced together again for, even if what holds his once drifting soul to his broken body is a magic no one can explain to him. 

  Life is good as long as he learns to hold back the worst of the magic, keep it tamed and keep his temper in check, which is hardly any struggle around most people. There are a few, certain people who drive him crazy and make him want very much to do things a hero ought not, but he holds himself back, and when Zelda really wants him to test himself, to see how much he can restrain the twisting Thing that has become part of him, she’ll challenge him to deal with those people. Really, they make it a game, so even if those people do drive him mad, seeing Zelda beam and mumble to herself at what they’ve learned from such encounters makes it worth it. 

  For her, he’d do anything. After all, he’s already died for her, what worse is there? 

  Well, as it would seem, leaving her behind for the sake of undertaking a new journey is worse. She’s happy in Hateno, capable of defending herself with both her magic and the archery her family is renowned for across the ages. She’s not as good as he is with a bow, but it’s a near thing, and he has no doubt that one more trip to Rito village, one more study session with Tulin and Teba, is all it will take before his princess can out-do him with his own preferred weapon.  

  Even knowing she can handle herself just fine doesn’t make leaving her behind any easier though. He’s still not sure how he’d managed, but he had. He had and he’d stumbled across the other heroes, joining them in their quest. It’s not perfect, not by any means, they’ve found peace in their new team. While there’s still some settling and sifting to be done before they click together like a real team, they are getting there. 

  He may have thrown a wrench in that process though. 

  See, since meeting the heroes, his magic has been rather well behaved. None of them rub him the wrong way, and while he isn’t exactly friendly with them all, they’re not the sort of people who push his boundaries or upset him either. He can co-exist beside them, and in many ways they remind him of the champions. He’s not sure how Time would feel knowing that in many ways he makes the cook think of Chief Urbosa, but he thinks Twilight might get a laugh out of being compared to Daruk. Of course, not everyone has similarities to the champions; Warriors isn’t like anyone he’s met before and he doubts he’ll ever meet anyone like him again, but it’s there for the rest. It's mostly just small things; they are, after all, their own persons, but finding something familiar to define them with makes approaching and working beside them easier. Four possesses the same quiet strength as Riju, Legend the certainty and experience of Teba, and Sidon’s wit and charm peeks through the traveler’s smile at times. Using what he knows about other people, about those he knew before, he can navigate the group with some decency. There's hiccups and there’s snags, but fortunately, they rarely if ever involve him, and never his magic. 

  Until now. 

  He sits back and tries to learn when he finally realizes that the others have magic spilling out from their cracks as well. Warriors is fire and Twilight is rich earth, Somehow, Legend is the force that quiets both, and despite a harsh outwards demeanor, the man holds a surprising amount of sway over the group as a whole. 

  In many ways, Legend reminds him of the Zelda from Before. There’s a potential for something bright and warm and rambling, something that would flourish if left alone and free to its own will, but like his princess, the vet restrains it for some reason or another. Duty drove Zelda, and he thinks something similar leads the vet, because no other factor has yet appeared. It’s there though, that warmth and light, mixed with a strength that is regarded and respected even if it isn’t followed. Legend is no leader, but his word has power, and they all listen to what he has to say in regards to what it is that they face. Not only that, but the vet’s magic is a twisting, free thing that is embraced and clung to by those in their gathering. 

  Warriors and Twilight seek its peace, and Sky urges it forwards with bright smiles and open arms as he somehow slips past the thorns of trailing magic to get at the hidden blossoms beneath. Time, in his own way, accepts it, although he does little with it. Wind seeks it, and Hyrule, whether the traveler seems to realize it or not, has tuned himself to it.  

  Wild may be clueless as to how people work normally, but he can understand magic. He can see how Hyrule’s flickering and dancing light embraces the magic of the veteran, and while he doesn’t grasp where the older ones do, he does linger and bask in it. 

  Wild doesn’t blame him. Legend’s magic feels like safety, like the goddess statues across Hyrule, the ones that quiet his soul and the twisting of his mind to grant him peace and rest even when he’s at his worst. Hylia, they say, is a goddess of Life, so it’s natural that her light would ease or even erase the darkness of Death. He's not sure how Legend’s magic echos that of the goddess, like the moon reflecting the suns rays even once the bright star has faded from view, but he welcomes that warmth and light all the same. 

 Losing that light affects them all. They are, after all, all beings of light, so losing the source that travels with them, having it snuffed out or hidden, leaves all antsy and ill at ease, and he doesn’t blame them. He still doesn’t appreciate Hyrule’s approach to fixing it though. 

  They’d talked, and maybe he'd let his own worries and insecurities spill over. Maybe he’d not correctly portrayed what he thinks he’d seen in the face of their brother when the vet had had Claims explained to him, but what really bothers him is how quickly his words were cast aside, how quickly Hyrule had returned to twining his magic with Legend’s own, laughing and chatting like nothing had happened and he hadn’t tried to tie down a ray of light itself. 

  He’s seen people try to tame light, bend it to their will and force it to linger rather than shine over the world as intended. His princess was never meant to stay locked in a castle, hidden in dark rooms to pray for power she wasn’t allowed to seek on her own terms; to find within herself what had always been. Seeing her free now, riding where she will and doing what she wants, he sees that light realized, knows the same could be found if Legend is allowed to do the same, as he’s expressed wanting. Light doesn’t belong to anyone after all, but to everyone, although they can’t hold it or keep it. Legend feels the same, at least with their group, and he wishes Hyrule would understand that. 

  The problem is, he’s not sure how to talk to vet about it. 

  Twilight, Warriors, Sky and Hyrule all feel free to approach, but Wild has never had anything with which to connect himself to the vet, no foundation for a friendship. They're such different people, and he’s not so blind as to have missed how the vet recoils when his own magic flares and hisses along the edges of the others in camp. His magic, the twisting, festering, darkness of it, entwines with Zelda’s like second nature, both dimming each other to the point of being null. In contrast, he lacks the familiarity with the vet to do the same, and instead, Life’s light flickers and hides when he loses control of the darkness of Death. 

  He wishes it wasn’t so, but it is. 

  How does fire that burns and earth that tends to smother have such a way to twist up with light, yet the un-named otherness of his own soul can’t find a harmony of its own? 

  “Wild, hey, focus.” 

  He shakes himself, staring up at Twilight where the other is standing next to him with a worried look on his face. “Huh?” 

  “You good?” The rancher asks, “you drifted out again.” 

  It wasn’t a memory, but it strikes him that he has, in fact, been sitting here unmoving for the last twenty minutes or so, and that’s probably just a bit worrying to the others. “Yeah, just lost in my head.” 

 The man frowns, settling himself down slowly on the loam underfoot so he’s sitting at Wild’s side, dark stare searching over him as though for an injury of some kind. “Anything on your mind?” 

  Does he tell? He can’t help the way his eyes drift to where the vet and captain sit back to back by the fire, Hyrule so close his knees are almost touching the vet’s as they face each other and chat, busy at work with their sewing and magic even as the captain writes what’s probably a report to his princess. They look at peace, somehow already over the latest hiccup of their group and already resettling into place as though it never happened, as though the subject of Claims never came up at all. How can do they do it? 

  He shakes his head. “Just thinking is all.” The doubt on the face of the other is soothed with a smile, dark gaze softening at the sight of flashing teeth. “Not memories or anything, I promise.” 

  “If you’re sure...” 

  “I am,” he says again, chuckling slightly for extra good measure. “At worst, I’m a bit homesick, at best, just confused, and considering this is me,” he laughs again, watches the face of his brother relax into one of those easy smiles they are al so used to, “I’m pretty sure that’s just normal.” 

  A heavy hand claps down on his shoulder, squeezing slightly, and despite the lingering concern in the rancher’s face, he is smiling. “If you’re sure. Remember though, pup, I’m here if ya need me.” 

  “I know.” He smiles in return, but beneath, his magic seethes just a bit. Twilight is great, Twilight is amazing, Twilight is there if he needs something and always offers a shoulder to lean on, and he’s incredibly thankful for that. But the rancher is also against the idea of using most magics, and despite the fact that he knows Twilight would never resent them for their own use of the stuff, his choice being personal preference rather than a hard belief about it in general, it does still mean he’s rather...ignorant, at least when it comes to magic. He can’t help here, and he probably wouldn’t even understand half of what Wild would need to explain. No, because unlike certain people, he doesn’t have a mastery for teaching. Good grief, he wishes Zelda was here, or even Purah, they could explain this mess to him, and maybe help him find a solution. He’s good at fighting and exploring and making things, not magic. He’s not qualified for all of this! 

  At the other side of camp, he sees Wind sit up abruptly, eyes scanning the world around him, wary. He's not the only one either, for Warriors is grabbing his sword as he scans the trees, Legend’s ears are flicking about, seeking something. He doesn’t feel or see or hear anything though, and it’s only when he sees the fiery glow of Hyrule’s gaze on him that he realizes he’s lost control again. 

  His magic really doesn’t do any of them any favors, does it? 

  He needs to gather it up again and tuck it away in a neat little box, watch guards relax again as the heroes puzzle at the sudden disappearance of whatever they’d felt or thought they’d sensed. Warriors gets up and starts patrolling the camp, leaving his own magic twisting here and there, like a spider casting a web, but predictably, he finds nothing to indicate that they are in any danger, even after he and Twilight have checked the forest around them. 

  Honestly, the longer they look, the more he wants to shrink in on himself and just... bang his head against a tree or something. 

  He feels like a threat to those he cares about, and they have no idea, because they don’t know it’s him that makes them jump to an alert and drop what they’re doing to instead prepare for a fight. 

  It’s worse in a fight though. 

  The next time they’re on a battlefield, Warriors leading the charge with Time and Sky, Legend and Four covering their asses and darting around the field to take out the threats that creep up upon the others, it slips loose. The problem is that it’s his monsters they’re fighting, recognizable by the fact that they’re not nearly as horrific to look at as the creatures from nearly all the others’ eras. He knows them, and they know him, and its sort of his habit when fighting in his own world, where the likelihood of other people being around is basically null, to just... let go. 

  Magic surges around him, a twisting, snapping thing that creeps and twists and twines over and around the enemies, driving them into a state of frenzy at the threat of something, something that their senses can’t pick up, but their souls can feel all the same; feel creeping over them, ready to snatch, to grab, to destroy. Death is scary to the creatures that aren’t familiar with its touch, and even those that act as it’s messengers tremble when the focus of Death is turned from their prey and onto themselves. The bokoblins run about attacking anything that moves, including each other, and it makes sweeping in and slaying them so much easier than if he was just fighting like the others do. 

  It helps that the monsters have come to know to associate the creeping presence of Death with his face, and they know, even before his sword slips across their throats or through their chests, exactly what’s coming. The ones that have met him before, brought back by red moons and dark malice, only fear it more with experience, and it’s sort of...satisfying, unleashing it all and watching the enemy panic, half knowing what’s coming to them and the other half unaware but just as panicked. 

  Once they’ve all fallen though, there’s always one little problem, one he’d sort of forgotten about. 

  “What the heck is this?” It’s Legend calling out, eyes wide, stance wide, sword gripped in one hand and fire rod in the other as his gaze flicks across the field; searching, looking.  Similarly, Warriors is staring about with that glinting look in his eyes, teeth bared, and ears pricked back, a dragon ready to surge out and rip something apart the moment it reveals itself. All the heroes are still looking about for the final threat, and Wild- 

  Wild can’t control the magic. 

  It happens, sometimes. If he leans into his magic, he can’t tame it so easily. It’s like a particularly eager stallion; plunging ahead no matter how he leans back in the saddle or tries to turn the creature off course, turn it, slow it, circle until its energy dies and it listens to him again. Magic isn’t an animal he can slow down though, and despite their efforts, neither he nor Zelda have found a way for him to get it under control by himself. They just have to wait until it calms of its own accord, for now. Purah said she’d try and help him find a way to control it, since it’s his, it's part of him, so reasonably he should be able to control it, just like a limb, a muscle, another part of himself physically. Zelda says it’s because it’s still new, still unfamiliar, still something he’s adapting to, so he’s still learning how it’s part of him, like a pup discovering its own wagging tail, although far less innocent because puppy tails don’t have everyone around you preparing to fend off a death blow. 

    Warriors snarls something he can’t make out, something that has the twisting darkness around them surging back in kind.  

  Wild isn’t trying to threaten, he swears. If anything, there’s something in the magic, in himself, that hears the dragon’s threat and eagerly bounces forwards in response. Now is not a good time though, in fact, it’s probably the worst of times. 

  Hyrule’s eyes are turned on him, harsh and just slightly scared, like they had been in the inn room. Still, the other hero darts to his side and, under his breath, unable to be heard by the others past their own panic, the traveler hisses at him. “Can it, champ.” 

  “I can’t,” he hisses back. He’s trying, but he’s fighting against a part of himself that he still can’t understand, and he’s not sure how to bind it back when it’s strong, only when it’s just beginning to peak out and is just the slightest of strains. Now it’s a howling force he can’t keep back, and all attempts are failing badly. 

  “Are you trying?” The embers in those eyes are flickering, but Hyrule’s voice isn’t harsh so much as straining, worried. The gaze of the traveler is trailing over the rest of their group, aware of their panic and doing his best to try and quell the source, but unwilling, Wild realizes, to reveal it. Hyrule has no interest in exposing him, just making him turn it off. 

  The problem though it he can’t. “Yes! It’s not working!” 

  Some very harsh words slip from the tongue of the other, but it’s not hylian. It’s not fae either, which he’d recognize, but something smoother and less lilting. Legend would know it, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t suppose it matters either. 

  Flames rise against his darkness, a raging force that shrieks and screams. Hyrule’s ears are pricked back as far as they can go, too many teeth glinting in the fading light of the setting sun, light that sets his face aglow as magic surges in a silent battle around them, one that has Warriors tensing, Twilight balking. Wild can feel the wings of the dragon flaring, the lash of the tail, can almost see the rise of the wolf’s hackles. There’s a crackling energy around their chosen hero, a surge of light from their vet, shields rising against the unseen threat, but Hyrule’s magic surging against his own, lashing and licking along the darkness in a roaring flame that reaches to consume and destroy, has his full attention. 

  He doesn’t try and fight it. Hyrule is pushing back what he can’t handle himself, but the boundaries thrown up around his own power, boxing it in and forcing it back, won’t last, and he knows it. The strain is clear on his brother. He’s not sure how strong his own magic is, but the color is draining out of the traveler’s face, his breath quickening as the whipping and shrieking of the fae’s magic pushes back against the hiss and shadow of Death, steadily pushing it back and bottling it up within some confines the traveler must have forged himself, because it’s not just tucked back into the spot within him that he usually pulls it from. The hand on Hyrule’s sword is turning white with the effort of actions unseen, but he sees the guards of the others lower, sees the strain flow out of their shoulders as, at long last, the magic is bottled up and away, still writhing and twitching, but unable to break free. 

  Honestly, it’s terrifying. He didn’t know Hyrule could do that. 

  The traveler sags beside him, breathing hard as he stumbles, but when he reaches out to catch his brother, Hyrule stumbles back. “No, just....” dark lashes flutter and Hyrule’s lips are slightly grey, “Don’t.” 

  So, he doesn’t. 

  Not too far away, Legend is creeping up into the space of their captain, voice low and wary, like he’s approaching a spooked animal, and like any other time in the past, the moment clarity returns to eyes the color of holy flame, Warriors is dropping his sword and grabbing ahold of his brother, hunching over him as Legend sighs and let’s himself be clutched close, huffing words the rest can’t hear but which have short little ears twitching slightly out of their pricked back position. 

  Similarly, Twilight is checking in with the rest, reaching to touch, to self-assure. Clapping Wind’s shoulder and brushing against Four. Time reaches out to the rancher first, but the touch lingers, both comforting each other and themselves before turning to Sky, who’s sheathing the Master Sword and happily accepts the worry of the others, assuring with a smile and a light nudge to Twilight’s shoulder, eyes bleeding warmth that Wild envies. None of them approach the captain, but Legend calls something to them, huffing and half laughing past the arms wrapped around him, an promise that all is well as his magic soothes twisting scales and quells flames. 

  The warmth of Life surges, like a balm, around all of them. Legend’s reach touching the rest even despite the fact that they seem as blind to his efforts as they had been to the source of their previous fear. 

  “You alright, boys?” Time asks, Twilight at his side as the both move to the sides of their wildlings. Their leader’s eyes linger on Hyrule, and when he reaches out, the traveler lets himself sag against the man’s touch. 

  Hyrule doesn’t like touch, Wild reminds himself, trying to excuse the denial he’d faced at a similar offer. Only Time seems exempt from that rule, and it’s probably only because of the fairy magic that lingers faintly over the other, the remains of an old Claim resting about the edges of his magic to mark him as something not quite fae, but treasured by them all the same. If the traveler reaches for that magic, he doesn’t say anything, and Time doesn’t seem to notice either. 

  “I’m okay,” he answers honestly. The worst effect his own magic had had on him was fear at not being able to control it; not the overwhelming terror that seemed to grip the others that they would fall victim to it. 

  Twilight’s eyes linger on him shortly, but drift away after, apparently accepting his words as truth and determining that the others, still shaken and, in Hyrule’s case, trembling with exhaustion, require his attention more. Still, the rancher grips his shoulder briefly in passing, assuring himself and offering brief comfort to the champion in the process. 

  It’s nice, but as he moves away, leaving their leader and his mentor to tend to the exhausted half-fae, he can’t help but watch the others. Specifically, his gaze trails to where Warriors is sagging against their vet, making the smaller man stumble with a cut off laugh as he pats broad shoulders, magic still twisting and entwining with flames as easily as though they’re naught but harmless air. 

  Life pours across the group of them, a heavy weight that settles across their shoulders with the grace and warmth of a cat climbing up to greet it’s master, its presence a comfort that he wants so bad to catch ahold of and nestle into, like he once had curled at the base of goddess statues when his own power wouldn’t quiet, letting the power of Hylia soothe him when he couldn’t do it himself. He wishes there was a goddess stature here too, because as much as Legend reflects that same power, his arms are rather full of their captain, and the hold of gloved hands in red fabric says that he won’t be free for at least a while more. Not that Wild could ask anyways. He and Legend aren’t close to begin with, asking for the same welcome as is granted to the dragon that has slowly been tamed to his brother’s presence isn’t realistic by any means. Still, it’s easier to hide the writhing presence bottled up by force when he’s slinking closer to the source of comfort in their camp, so if he settles closer to the vet and captain than he normally would that evening, after finishing with making dinner, well, Hyrule’s the only one who really seems to take notice. Warriors is distracted with teasing their sailor, and while Legend’s dark gaze lifts to greet him as he moves over, the man says nothing at his choice of seat, just keeps eating his dinner quietly. 

  Hyrule is staring, a warning look in those eyes when they’re on him, but worry when they turn to the veteran. He doesn’t say anything from where he’s slumped against Time though, across the fire and picking at his food. The traveler is exhausted, and reasonably so. The others don’t know why, so it’s natural that they’re worrying, and the cave dweller hasn’t elected to explain himself either, so they probably will continue to do so for a good while. 

  Despite the camp-fire between them, Hyrule’s magic, weak and tired, has still managed to entwine with the vet’s. Legend answers back with flickers of his own power to the embers that scatter themselves at his feet, assuring and fond, even if there’s confusion in the flicker of his ears, the twitch of his hands and the gaze of starlit violet that turns from time to time to meet faintly glowing embers. 

  Wild doesn’t dare try and sneak his own flickering, snapping power out to try and reach, knowing far too well what the reaction would be, but also wary of the escape of the still writhing power that surges against the wall of flames raised around it. 

  How Hyrule bottled back his strength, he doesn’t know, but it feels dangerously like a weak seal; like golden power meant to keep back evil. He isn’t sure of a lot right now, but the idea of that makes him uneasy and definitely bothers him. He’s not a monster or demon that needs restraining by holy power, but the fact that he’d failed to hold himself back enough that Hyrule would feel the need to take such measures at all is just as pressing a pain to his pride and soul as the action itself. 

  The magic holds though. His soul doesn’t creep and screech against that of the others after that. Doesn’t even surge when his emotions run hot. If anything, it thrashes within its confines, but it doesn’t escape to twist like a net around those he considers friends and brothers. Unfortunately, that also means that it doesn’t emerge when faced with enemies either. 

  The next time they’re in battle, this time against something Legend calls a ‘gleeok’ and which he desperately hopes will never appear in his own world, he somehow can’t summon his own magic at all. It’s there, he can feel it, but trying to bring it out, even just the smallest amount, proves to have no results. Every prod, every call, every little hiss of his soul to push and pull and just get his magic to respond, has it only thrashing more, wild within its confines but not breaking past them. 

  His sword plunges and stabs, and the heroes around him do the same. Warriors is a whirlwind of power and ferocity as he charges in head on, the vet’s magic raising in a shield and Hyrule’s own likewise surging across the field in strikes that leave their foe howling and screaming in anger, flames licking across the ground in response, but his own power can only beat at the bounds created around it. He can’t break them, but he’s trying. He’s trying and surging, biting his lip with focus to the point he knows there’s blood trailing across his face from his own efforts and not any wound dealt by the dragon like monster they’re pitted against, but it isn’t working. 

  He hisses as a tail rises up to thrash at him, drops and rolls to avoid the impact of it hitting him, all the time pushing at the seal on his own magic in a valiant attempt to summon it, only to still be met with no results. He could ask Hyrule, if the other wasn’t on the other side of the enemy and currently absorbed with trying to stop the head firing at him with flames that surge and lick around a magic shield thrown up at only the last of moments. Still, with the amount of effort it took to raise the seal on his power, he doesn’t know if the traveler could even summon the strength to undo that same work, not when he’s so busy currently trying to avoid getting killed. 

  It’s driving Wild mad though. 

  Before, he was the knight of the princess who had the power to topple an army of lynels. He'd lost some of that to Death, but in return had been granted something he’s used like second nature since, letting it ruin and destroy and tear apart and terrorize anything and everything that dared rise before him as he’d worked across the kingdom in an effort to rescue the one who’d called him back out of Death’s hold. He can’t control it once it’s free, but he’d at least been able to employ it before, and being without it in the first time in his memory has a fear he hates bubbling up from within, anger surging at the bonds of magic to snap and hiss and cry with a wildness he hadn’t known he possessed. 

  He wants free. He wants to unleash the wildness he’d been named for and let it at the very least leave their foe cowing, if only slightly, as the imminence of its own fate is made clear to it. 

  He can’t. 

  He can’t because Hyrule bottled it, and he hates that. 

  Not Hyrule. He doesn’t hate Hyrule. The traveler had done him a favor by rendering him tolerable for the others to be around again without leaving them straining themselves to understand the threat they’d felt slipping about them. What he hates is the bounds of the seal closing in around him like the walls of the shrine he’d woken within time and again, aching pains all over from half healed wounds that had been strained over and over by efforts to push free from a prison of stone. The shrine had felt as though it was closing in on him and keeping him sealed, leaving him only to awake and fight and pass out, water filling his lungs and straining his body as he’d tried to escape from his confines only to fail yet again.. He’d healed long before he’d escaped, and since letting on the truth to Purah (but not Zelda, he could never tell her about that), she’d started looking into why it had kept him so much longer, but so far, they have had no results. Still, the feeling of being trapped, sealed, shut off from his own strength, it drives him mad. There’s a writhing and snapping, a hiss and a scream, a howling of something in his soul as it tears at the bonds. 

  Slowly, they give way. 

  It’s like a dam breaking. Just a crack, then a hole, then the rest comes crumbling down and, from the other side of the battlefield, he hears Hyrule’s breath shudder, catches ember eyes rising, wide and terrified. And then he’s free. 

  His magic sweeps like a fierce current, a mighty wave, a shadow that plunges over the field and has the gleeok before them screaming, turning its heads for a source of the threat it feels, and thus missing the approach of the captain who’s own surging flames rise beside the shadows, a pulsing, pounding force as the man severs a head and sends it falling towards their waiting leader, who dispatches the thing before the creature can do more than cry out in pain. Writhing darkness twists, twining and trapping and sharing the feelings that only moments before had overwhelmed him; now wrapping themselves around their foe and leaving it frenzied and panicked as the rest of the heroes, despite their own obvious awareness of the new presence, surge forwards. 

  In a strange way, he thinks the flames and scales of the captain are surging stronger as well, pushing back with a hiss against his own magic, one he can’t help but respect, power surging away to let the older man take charge and wreak havoc on their foe while he focuses instead on keeping it on edge. The captain’s magic isn’t stronger than his, but it’s not something he has a wish to reckon with either, and like so many times before, he finds that even the twisting of Death finds something to admire in the lashing of the war hero’s own power. 

  Their foe falls quickly after that. 

  Once the gleeok lies dead, dissipating into black and purple smoke and leaving only the barest remains, he feels able to breathe again.  

  The others though, are not. Wariness marks their features, save Hyrule who looks so, so tired; desperate and weary as though the idea of trying to push back the force of their brother yet again, especially after it had somehow broken through his last attempt, is a far worse fight than the creature they’d just felled. In a way, Wild thinks it must be, because trying to push it down himself is far more a struggle than simply felling something tangible and mortal that fears it. 

  This time though, there’s a surge of another magic, a familiar one, one that pulses and creeps, seeking, against his own. It recoils, as if by instinct, but still presses back against his magic, not pushing so much as following, and light against crypt like darkness which has him looking up in time to catch the gaze of indigo eyes that have lifted to focus on him, sharp and piercing. 

  Legend’s breath shudders, lips pursing. He knows now. 

  Wild tries, tries so hard, to make his face do something, say anything to indicate that he’s sorry, he’s trying, he really isn’t doing this on purpose. It’s hard though when something warm curls up inside of him. It's not his magic, not the cold death touch he knows and has learned to view as an extension of himself. It’s a steady gleam of warmth, not harsh and burning like Hyrule’s, not fierce and violent like Warriors’, but a gleam of light rather than heat, one that curls around some innermost part of him, like it’s wrapping around his very heart. 

  Legend’s eyes glint curiously, stars blazing within. 

  The vet’s feet step towards him. 

  Hyrule whips around to stare, something on his lips and magic surging, throwing up walls and shields and warnings- protective, wary, guarded, begging. The urgency that flings itself at their vet has the other stumbling slightly, but not stopping. Their traveler looks like he wants to scream, ember gaze trailing between them, panicked, worried, wary. 

  Wild tries not to let it bother him. Hyrule is just worried for their vet, their light, his friend. If Zelda trailed into something he felt was a risk, something that made his senses recoil as violently as his power makes the others do, he’d feel the same way, he knows it. Still, the wariness of his brother isn’t helping anybody right now. 

  “Wild,” the same low, even tone that the man uses to ease Warriors own of his own head rises to play in his ears, “what’s going on?” 

  He opens his mouth to answer, but no words come to mind, just a panic, a wish to assure, to apologize. 

  The warmth curled around his core flickers. Light, pure, unaltered by death-touched power, presses around him. The vet steps closer and then, like stepping before a goddess statue, he feels the surge of his own magic quiet. The rest of the heroes ease, looking about in confusion for the threat they’d felt a moment before but there’s nothing there. Nothing that isn’t twisting and twining, muted by light that itself is dimmed to their senses in an echo of his own quieted power. 

  Hyrule is gaping. 

  Legend is just looking utterly confused, stopping only a pace or so away, ears flicking between a curious forwards tilt and a wary press back against his skull. Violet eyes search his own, flickering golden with power that’s familiar, that’s safe, that’s Hylia’s hand in a gentle caress to quiet his own soul and tame the Wrongness that came back binding him to the body that ought to have perished a hundred years ago. 

  The vet sighs, eyes slipping closed and shoulders sagging with the motion. “The heck, champ...” He doesn’t say anything more though, just raises dark eyes to stare, something crooked in the smile that’s offered to him, tired and weary but bright like the magic that pulls his own inwards again and eases it back where it belongs; nestled beside his heart and twining and twisting, crackling at the edges but not in ire as before. No, he reaches, and despite the twitch of the vet’s brows, the warmth of holy magic answers with a press that his own grasps and clings to. 

  He shouldn’t grab, try to grasp, shouldn’t set off the same ire that Warriors has triggered before, but with the alternate option being to scare the wits out of his brothers, he thinks Legend might understand. 

  “You good?” 

  He nods, and this time he actually means it. “Yeah.” 

  “Good,” Legend shakes his head, that weary little smile still on his face. “Honestly, you guys...” 

  “Sorry.” 

  “I should have seen it coming,” violet glimmer, twinkling oddly as they catch his own, the glow of the shrine still lingering in wild blue. “Just don’t make Wars and Twi lose their shit, ‘kay? I’m not keen on dealing with that again.” 

  He promises he won’t.  

  He doesn’t either. Yes, he trails after the vet as the other moves back to the rest of their group, but he’s wary of leaving the immediate presence of the power that quiets his own. Still, he doesn’t get in the way of their usual post battle arrangement. Doesn’t get in the way when Warriors drapes himself over the smaller hero with a huff, soul still seeking the presence it had felt before but finding naught of the force that surged alongside his own. He doesn’t deny Twilight’s wary check over as the man seeks injury among their group, or Time’s verbal call for them to report on their condition. 

  Injuries are treated, and camp is made. Hyrule’s eyes are burning into the back of his head, gaze confused and magic seeking, pushing, looking for that presence he’d strained so much to contain before, yet finding silence in it’s place. 

  He doesn’t stray far from Legend for the rest of the evening, but by morning, he’s got the courage to risk it, and it’s like he’d never released the terrible creature within to begin with. 

 Even so, all this doesn’t mean that, next time that they make camp, Legend doesn’t have questions. Ringed fingers catching his arm and the vet’s steady voice calling to Time that the two of them will do a quick round of the area to check for threats are his only warning before being dragged out of earshot of their brothers and having an answer demanded of him. Legend has questions, and while he doesn’t have answers for all of them, he does his best to give them. He owes that much after the trouble he’s caused. 

  The vet’s pinch of his brows, tired sigh and sinking shoulders are becoming quite familiar. “So, your magic is death-touched, and you scare the shit out of others with it.” 

  “Yeah.” 

  There’s something between a scoff and a laugh that puffs out from the chest of the other. “Dragons, wolves, fairies, now Death herself, good grief.” 

  “I’m sorry.” He’s not sure why, but he feels he ought to say it. 

  There’s the smile again, Legend’s shoulders shaking and pink hair swishing as he shakes his head once more. “Not your fault, champ. Magic’s screwy, and if there’s anything I'm learning with y’all, controlling it’s always a pain in the arse.” 

  Still, he feels awful for adding to the mess that the vet is already caught in. 

  “Okay,” a clap of the hands and a lifting of glittering stars to focus their light on him, “here’s the deal. Your magic quiets around holy magic. I have holy magic. You need it to shut up, you can come to me, but for the love of all holy, please, I am begging, do not mess with the captain, and whatever your beef with Hyrule is, don’t get me involved, deal?” 

  He blinks. “Deal. I wasn’t...I-” it takes a moment, but the vet waits, although his foot taps the ground as he does, nervous maybe, or just impatient. He can’t tell. “I know better than to mess with the captain,” he finally manages. “Hyrule... we’re working on it.” 

  “Good,” Legend sounds, “but again, I don’t want a part of it. Whatever tiff you two have, settle it yourselves. If you need help with your magic, I’m here, but I don’t stand for funny business, comprendo?” 

  He blinks. 

  The vet rolls his eyes, sighing. “Do you understand?”  

  “Understood.” He wishes people would just speak Hylian to him instead of switching mid conversation. 

  “Good. Now, anything else I should know?” And it’s not harsh, it’s not cold, its’s said with the tilt of the head in a way that almost reminds him of Wolfie in their early days, that same half-amused look in dark eyes as the one that had followed him as he’d acquainted himself with a new world, freshly brought back into it. There’s nothing more to share though. Not for now, but he promises to tell if there’s anything he thinks of. Legend accepts that answer too, nodding and setting out again to continue their patrol. 

  He doesn’t get it, but he supposes that’s not the point. How the vet handles the nonsense they throw at him, he can’t fathom, but that he does at all is a blessing. They may laugh and jest about sharp tongues and scathing remarks, but the vet has the patience of a priestess to handle all of them, and he’s thankful for that. 

  He came back wrong, twisted and death-touched and terrifying to those who don’t understand why he is the way he is. It's not fun to explain and it’s tricky to live with, but at least he has a way to control it, even if it does mean asking for help. Still, he doesn’t hate it. His magic is a tool to terrify and harm the enemy, and he values that tool. He doesn’t cherish it, doesn’t adore how it affects those he cares about, but he’s glad he has it. He's glad he has it and he’s working to understand it, to control it.  

  Maybe having someone who understand these things, who knows magic because he’s steeped in it and has lived with it forever- not just unlocked it in a moment of desperation and without proper guidance to master it- will help. Who knows, maybe he can learn something from the vet, maybe even something help Zelda! That would be nice! Being able to return to her and teach her even just the smallest bit about her own power- help her in the way she’d begged the goddesses for, the way he’d wished he could for all the time he’d spent at her side unable to offer more than protection- it’d be nice. 

  Magic is weird, but maybe, maybe, he can get a handle on his Weirdness. 

  At the very least, he can make it shut up now when he needs to. So that’s a start! 

[morgan-angel]

Day 26 of my art challenge. ⚔️

#morgan challenge

The un-zoomed version :

Twenty-sixth day of september (September theme's is finding my art style. I've got a lot of references for this theme, I want to be confident with an art style. So here am I !). 🌱

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Okay so, late post right here. I did continue this piece today but I'm counting it for yesterday only. Today I'm starting the "big illustration" and I'll not share anything until I finished it. Like a big surprise for us !

So, I will describe everything like it was today's drawing. Btw, go check my others drawings/posts if you want to and have the time ! Thanks y'all ❤️

Sooo, you saw the first steps of the process last post ; here is the final illustration. It was not supposed to be an illustration at first but here you go. Today's was about digital painting, color studies, anatomy, and art-style. I know it's a bit "static" and not anatomically correct but y'all... I'm actually in love. The vibe and the coloring, the HAIR ? That's it. That's my style. It's a very good end to this month, before the big illustration (see the ping post in my profile for context).

Like I said, no post 'til end of the month with the big finale drawing. I hope y'all will like it, I'm currently working on it. Thanks for all of the support during this month. I love y'all sm ❤️

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Go see the pin post on my profile if you need some context :)

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Working on opening a lil shop on Kofi tho. I really want to do some commissions. If you want to just follow me, here is the link : https://ko-fi.com/eishi_h

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Also, if you want some better quality photo or just want to see more of my art, go on my insta : https://www.instagram.com/eishihashimoto1?igsh=N2MycDh6NnE4cDMw :)

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See y'all in 3 days !

⚔️

[tagthescullion]

Feelings I Once Had

Fandom(s): Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Summary: After years of not even an Iris Message, Percy catches up with Nico in one of his sporadic visits to the US. They've come a long way from who they once were, but have they really changed that much?

Based on @yonemurishiroku's post!

Rating: T

AO3 link

It was ironic, Percy thought as he saw Nico play with his cat, Moncho. He’d spent years thinking of him as his young, troubled, weird cousin. He had no right to appear out of the blue, after years of almost no contact, looking strikingly handsome in a dark blue sweater and jeans.

His face had got longer, but it suited him well, together with his straight nose, he looked like a Roman emperor. Level-headed, powerful, and just a slight trace of irony in his barely quirked lips.

He was alone. He’d brought nobody back with him. A detail Percy was surprised to have noticed, and even more surprisingly, it had given him a weird sense of satisfaction.

“It’s been a while,” he told the boy –man now, Nico was in his mid-twenties, he’d come far from the antisocial 14-year-old Percy remembered—. “Where have you been?”

Nico, who had shrugged after his first remark, smiled. “Italy. I went back to my family’s home in Veneto.”

Percy had heard about that. “Annabeth mentioned you were making it a home for demigod children across the Atlantic.”

“I already have!” He grinned then, a cheerful expression he couldn’t remember in his cousin after Westover Hall, ages ago. “The structural work was finished a couple of years back, and now I’ve seven children living there already!” His face turned serious after a second. “I’m sorry about you and Annabeth, I only found out the other day. Hazel told me.”

Percy gave him a rueful smile. “It’s okay. We loved each other, but we’ve changed a lot. She’s still fun to hang out with, anyway.”

“Yeah, I don’t doubt that.” Nico nodded. “She helped me out with some of the remodelling. She couldn’t stay long, though, she was doing that doctorate-master’s-whatever-it-is…”

“Harvard loves her,” Percy agreed. Still, he didn’t want to talk to Nico about his ex. He put a hand on his shoulder lightly, ready to let go if Nico reacted badly, but he didn’t seem to mind. “So, what brought you back to the US?”

“I was visiting,” Nico said. “It’s been a while since I saw Hazel. Her little girl’s grown so much!”

Percy studied his face while he talked. He looked proud, Percy knew he loved his niece to hell and back. He’d spoiled her rotten back while he lived in the country, and he didn’t doubt Nico had brought a suitcase full of presents for her, now that he’d returned.

He squeezed Nico’s shoulder, then let go.

Nico looked around Percy’s apartment. “Nice place you’ve got here.”

Percy gave him a half-smile. “The landlady certainly thinks so, she’s charging me rent as if this was Hudson Yards.”

Nico scoffed. “Landlords are shit.”

“ You are a landlord,” Percy reminded him.

He frowened. “No, I’m not.” Then his expression relaxed. “A bit, but I don’t really rent out my family’s properties. There are tenants –who, by the way, live there for free—, and they mind the place, that’s all.”

Percy didn’t know whether that was reliable information or not, he knew Nico was adept at twisting the truth to his benefit, but for whatever reason, him speaking about tenants in that way gave Percy an impression of what Nico could’ve looked like in the past. An earl, perhaps, or one of those rich fancy people in his mom’s shows who were called ‘my lord’, and ‘your grace’.

For an embarrassingly long moment, Percy had a very vivid daydream of calling Nico ‘my lord’ as he pushed him against a wall and kissed him hard.

He waved that thought aside.

What the hell was happening to him? Since when did he want to make out with Nico di Angelo of all people?

Nico must’ve realised Percy was staring at him strangely because he looked uncomfortable.

“Sorry,” Percy said. “You just reminded me of that guy in Downton Abbey.”

Nico rolled his eyes, but seemed relieved.

Percy made a conscious effort not to frown. It wasn’t that he usually enjoyed being observed with intension , and to be very, very honest, he was still a little bit bemused about this sudden attraction he was feeling, but Nico had had a crush on him for a while, was Percy’s interest really that unwelcome?

Percy shook that train of thought away. He was overthinking things. Nico had no idea what had crossed his mind. While he had many talents, mind reading was not one of them.

“Let’s go get something to eat,” Percy suggested. “I’m starving.”

“It’s like half past six,” Nico pointed at a clock in the wall. “You can’t be hungry already.”

“It’s dinner time,” Percy argued.

“If you insist.” Nico shrugged. “But let’s go somewhere they serve coffee, I don’t feel like having a real meal yet.”

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In the end, they decided to go to a little sandwich place that had takeaway coffee and some pastries left from the afternoon.

They must’ve looked like strangers forced to share a table, Percy with a gigantic kebab sandwich with fries, and Nico with a monumental cup of coffee and two caramel croissants.

They chatted about what they’d missed, straying from the topic of Annabeth, which Percy was glad for.

Nico had wandered around his childhood neighbourhood, and his grandparents’ estate. He’d learned a bunch about his family, he’d got their affairs in order –made easier by Hades, who, despite being a sociopathic bastard, appeared to have kept things running smoothly on the di Angelo estate —.

He was happy, Percy thought. Not at all upset about being single, or so Percy guessed, since Nico hadn’t mentioned a boyfriend at all. He wondered whether being alone bothered him because he’d got used to having Annabeth beside him for everything, or if he really wanted a partner.

Regardless, his hope that his fantasy had been a passing fancy hadn’t been heeded by fate.

Every time Nico talked, Percy’s mind got caught in the slightly raspy undertone of his voice. When he spoke of things that made him happy, Percy felt as if the sun through the window melted the brown in his eyes into a puddle of warm joy. At one point, he’d sucked caramel off his thumb, and Percy had felt himself blush.

Blush. He was a 31-year-old man! Men didn’t blush.

Nico had caught his expression then, and had blushed himself.

“Sorry,” he’d said. “Not very elegant, I know. But this croissant is surprisingly good, considering the place.”

Percy would’ve defended Santi’s Sandwiches with his life, but the way Nico had pronounced ‘croissant’ had brought forward the kissing scene in his mind, so he’d let it drop.

The worst part was that it wasn’t just a physical pull.

Nico had turned his life around. He’d taken all that hurt and despair, and grown strong from it. Strong and kind. He wasn’t resented, or jealous about people having it easier than he had. He was fighting to make that happen! To have children be spared the atrocities he himself had faced. 

Percy asked, at some point, whether it bothered him to keep helping the gods, when they’d done, frankly, so little to deserve it.

Nico had shrugged.

“It’s not for them,” he’d explained. “It’s for their children. It’s hard being like us. They need a place to call home, where they can be understood and looked after. Away from the streets, and all that emptiness one feels when you think nobody cares.”

Percy couldn’t believe this was the same boy who’d wanted to exchange Dedalus’ soul for his sister’s. To him, Nico had turned from spiteful goblin into a Disney princess, full of hope and optimism. 

Although, thinking about it as Nico kept telling him or his wards, Percy couldn’t recall a time when Nico had been purposefully cruel. He’d lied, omitted the truth, manipulated, but he’d never had bad intentions. 

Even as a child, Nico had cared about fairness, despite having had very little of it himself. 

They were walking back to his place now, but Nico said he wanted to walk.

“Let’s go to Central Park,” he decided. “I’ve never been a tourist here, I deserve it.”

Percy would rather eat his own shit than pretend to be a tourist in his own city, but he could always pretend to be a kind stranger taking a photo for a nice Italian young man, so he accepted the detour.

“It’s so pretty when there’s not a war going on,” Nico said. “And huge. How can there be such a big park in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world?”

“Lots of people come here to exercise,” he replied, unsure of Central Park’s history.

“Can you talk to the fish in the lagoons?”

“It’s a lake,” Percy corrected him. “I’ve never tried to talk to the fish.”

“There’s ponds at my grandparents’ place,” Nico said. “You should visit them someday, see if you can talk to those .”

He’d spoken in a good-humoured way, with the beginning of a smile that Percy couldn’t help but appreciate. But there was a trace of sheepishness in his posture too, as if he wasn’t sure of what he was suggesting.

“I’d love to go,” Percy told him honestly.

“Do you think the fish would talk in English or Venetian?”

Percy rolled his eyes. “Sea creatures don’t talk in English , or any other language, Nico. They… I don’t know, they communicate, I guess.”

“Che figo!” Nico said. “I wish I could communicate with Cerberus, he’s such a nice dog.”

Percy wasn’t all that sure. Yes, the dog had tried to play with a rubber ball, but it was also a line of defence in the Underworld, and Grover had said it had wanted to kill all three of them, back in their first quest.

There wasn’t much to say until Nico decided to take a selfie.

Percy couldn’t believe he even knew what a cellphone was, much less how to use one.

“I’m so not taking a photo in Central Park,” he said.

“Come on,” Nico insisted. “It’s just for Cleo, she wanted to come to visit Brooklyn House, but she was dealing with some people trying to rob a tomb, or something of the sort.”

“No,” Percy repeated. “It’s not dignified for locals.”

As he spoke, a couple of runners crossed their path, going the other way. They slowed down so they wouldn’t run them over.

“They could’ve seen me,” Percy said, once they’d gone out of sight. “What if they heard me speak, knew I was a New Yorker, and saw me take a picture?”

Nico pushed him lightly with his shoulder and muttered, “You’re so dramatic.”

“You wouldn’t go around taking photos if I strolled around Venice with you, would you?” Percy asked, turning to return to their path.

Nico thought for a second. “Depends.”

“On…?”

“Not in the Canałaso,” he admitted. “That would be undignified. But anywhere else? Yeah, why not? It’s a beautiful city, Venice. It’d be a waste not to take photos of its prettiest spots.”

Percy thought the real waste was not having visited Nico in Venice yet. He wondered if he’d be more relaxed there, in his childhood city. Percy guessed he would. He liked visiting other places, he’d even lived in New Rome for a memorable term and a half, but there was something so nostalgically comforting about coming back home. 

“Your grandparents’ house isn’t in Venice, though, is it?” Percy asked when the silence had gone on for a while. 

Nico shook his head. “It’s a small town North of the city. Not too far, specially for somebody used to American distances. Around half an hour by car.”

“If I were to visit you,” Percy decided. “I’d have to see that town, too.”

“Of course!” Nico grinned. “That’d be fun. There’s not much to do, if you like a social nightlife, but the children would love to meet another demigod! They’ve heard a lot about you already.”

“You told them about me?” Percy was surprised. 

Nico gave him a perplexed look, “Of course, I did.” Then he blushed. “I mean, you’re one of the most powerful demigods alive. You’ve gone through so much, and yet here you are, living your adult life: a university degree, a stable job, father to Moncho, the most unstable cat I’ve ever met. It’s motivating.”

His words were candid. The awe in his voice filled Percy with pride, as if owning New York’s most fuzzy cat was a feat on its own. But Nico looked embarrassed, so Percy thought of something to say to put him at ease.

“I was worried you had warned them about me,” he told Nico. “But it seems you’ve sold me better than I’ve ever managed to do so myself. You should write my CVs!”

It had the desired effect, Nico rolled his eyes with a rueful smirk. 

“I’m rather good at bullshitting,” he said. “I could write exquisite CVs if I needed a job.”

“I keep forgetting you’re a trustfund child,” Percy said. “Even after a whole afternoon talking about your grandfather the marquess and your inherited properties.”

Nico pushed him with his shoulder again. “Let’s go back to your place, I’m getting dinner hungry now.”

Percy laughed. “You should’ve had a real sandwich.”

“Unfortunately,” Nico replied grimly. “You might be right.”

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Percy didn’t have much to offer at his apartment.

At least, not something that counted as a real dinner, so he made Nico a couple of pre-made meat patties, and a lettuce and tomato salad.

“My compliments to the cheff,” Nico said. “For this gourmet cuisine.”

Instead of replying, Percy laid the salt and pepper shakers in front of him with a little more force than necessary.

“Bon apetit,” he told Nico. “If you want me to cook for you, you should warn me of your arrival more than three hours in advance.”

Nico shrugged. 

“My bad,” he said between bites of vegetables. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it today. The babysitter didn’t arrive until a couple of days ago.”

Percy raised an eyebrow, sitting in front of Nico, with a plate of patties of his own.

“Oh, Will was going to get some days off,” Nico explained. “From the clinic, you know. But human resources took ages to get back to him, and he had to get the plane tickets to get there… and not everybody’s made to withstand the highs and lows of Trenitalia.”

The mention of Will Solace felt like a slap to Percy. 

Nico and Will hadn’t been together in ages. That is to say, Percy had heard some rumours about them sleeping together a couple of times shortly after they’d broken up, but nothing serious. The fact that Nico trusted his wards to Will meant they’d stayed in contact much better than Percy had.

“Highs and lows of Trenitalia?” He asked to keep the stab of jealousy at bay.

Nico waved a hand dismissively. “They’re not the best trains, I guess. But Will’s been there before, he should know that already!”

Had he? 

Percy thought of a subtle way to ask, but couldn’t come up with something quickly enough.

“Are you two a thing again?”

Nico frowned. “Jesus, no.”

“No need to sound so defensive!”

Nico sighed. “No, sorry. It took me by surprise, that’s all. Will and I haven’t been anything in years. He’s seeing an intern in the clinic he works in.”

“Right, yeah…”

“You look relieved.”

Percy blushed. “I’d hate to be the only one whose teenage relationship didn’t work.”

Nico smiled. He looked so sympathetic it made Percy guilty about lying.

“That’s fair,” Nico told him, putting a hand over his reassuringly across the table. “But if you ask me, it’s way more common to grow in separate ways than to have a happily ever after with the person you were dating at sixteen.”

Percy nodded, hoping he didn’t look too enthusiastic about Nico’s cool hand over his. He gave it a light squeeze, as if thanking him.

Luckily for Percy, the topics strayed away from exes and other lovers. Nico asked about his mom and Paul, and was glad to hear Paul had been made viceprincipal, and his mom was on her way to publish her third book.

“I read her mystery novel,” he told him cheerfully. “Absolutely incredible. I didn’t know who the murdered was until way past half the book! But when you read it again, it’s plain obvious!”

He told Percy whatever gossip he knew about their friends. About Reyna’s travels, and Piper’s art. 

When it was time for him to go, Percy felt a sudden sense of loss. 

“You could stay, you know,” he told Nico.

“That’s all right,” Nico said, patting his arm. “I’ve a hotel booked already. I’m only staying today, then Camp for a couple of days, and then back to Italy.”

Percy took a deep breath.

“I don’t want you to go.”

Nico frowned. “You’ve lived without me for years, I’m sure you’ll be fine once I’m gone.”

His tone was light, but Percy could see the puzzlement in his eyes.

“I—” How could he possibly put it in words? He hated talking about feelings. “I like guys now. Not now. Always? I mean, I’ve realised I like guys too.”

Nico gave him a funny look. “No offence, but people have known this for quite a while.”

“What?”

“That is to say,” Nico backtracked. “You once described Luke as ‘the handsomest fucker I ever had to fight’, that wasn’t very straight.”

“Yeah, no, I see…”

Nico’s face softened. “I know it’s confusing. Trust me, I know well. But it’s okay,” he put a hand on Percy’s arm. “If you need to talk, I’m an IM away. Or a WhatsApp, they’re less trouble.”

Percy put his hand over Nico’s. “Thank you. But that’s not— Urgh, that’s not what I wanted to say.”

“No, it’s fine,” Nico said. “Sorry I ruined your coming out moment, I really thought we knew this collectively. I really need to stop speaking over people when they have important information.”

“That’s okay,” Percy started, but Nico was on a roll.

“Remember when Hazel was pregnant?” He shuddered. “Gods, it was embarrassing, I mean what kind of brother says, ‘Yeah, I know, you’ve been craving rhubarb and you hate rhubarb’? If God doesn’t send me to Hell over that one…”

“Nico…”

“But at least I didn’t ruin Reyna’s moment,” Nico continued. “I had no idea asexuality had a name although—”

“I like you ,” Percy blurted. “I mean, I think? I just…”

He wasn’t particularly articulated in his speech today, but at least it had shut up Nico.

Then again, not only had he become silent, Nico’s expression had closed off, too.

“What?”

“I don’t know!” Percy said. “I didn’t know you’d become hot, when did this happen?”

Nico blushed. “Listen, Perce, I’m flattered and all, but…”

“But what?” Percy said. “But you can’t because you’ve got some secret sexy Italian waiting for you at home? Because it’d be way too weird after our past? Because—?”

“Because I don’t feel that way about you anymore.”

Right, well… that didn’t go as planned. Which was just fine because there hadn’t been a plan to begin with.

“It’s too late,” Percy said. “Is that what you’re saying?”

Nico’s face —far from looking stoic, as Percy expected, or repulsed, as he’d feared— was anguished.

“It’s been almost fifteen years,” Nico said. “I don’t— I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I don’t know how to feel as I once did.”

Percy could accept that. Had to accept that.

“It’s okay,” he said, although he felt anything but. “I’m sorry I threw that at you out of the blue.”

Nico still looked upset. “I wish I could say something different.”

“You don’t have to feel guilty,” Percy assured him, hoping he’d make a joke about Catholic guilt and leave it at that.

But Nico shrugged.

“You’re the person I admire the most,” he stated. “Always have and always will. You’re so many things to me, Percy. But… I don’t— I don’t think I can ever love you again.”

Love you again.  

There was a bitter taste to those words. 

Again.

Percy felt as if he’d been told a joke and only caught the punchline a decade and a half later. 

“It’ll be all right,” Nico told him, his eyes clear with honesty. “It hurts at first. But then… then you see there’s a whole lot to the world than just one person.”

Percy nodded. There wasn’t much else he could do. For the first time that evening he wanted to be alone. 

Nico nodded back, but avoided touching him, which Percy appreciated.

“I’m sorry,” Nico repeated in a low voice. “I really am.”

With a last scratch behind Moncho’s ears —silly cat had appeared just to witness Percy’s embarrassing confession—, Nico was gone.

[atiny-piratequeen]

𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝔂 𝓗𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓒𝓱. 𝟑 (𝓟𝓽.𝟏)

𓆩⟡𓆪Summary: Wooyoung is a culinary student and he and two of his best friends have been brought along to Namhae to learn and study the farmers out in the countryside and disconnect a bit. Reluctant at first, he just wishes he could've been back in the city and close to his long-time crush Yeosang. Things change when he lays his eyes on the dimpled country boy staying with them that show them around and teach them more about Namhae's way of life, all with a spine-tingling Satoori.

Maybe things aren't so bad out here in the sticks, after all.

𓆩⟡𓆪Pairing: WooSan + Endgame WooSanSang

𓆩⟡𓆪Genres/Aus: Non-Idolverse, Fluff, Romance, Humor, Smut, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Fish Out Of Water Tropes, Au, Mutual Pining, Country Boy San, Culinary Student Wooyoung, Poly Endgame

𓆩⟡𓆪Tws: Swearing, Miscommunications, Jealousy, Mentions of Homophobia, Light Instances of Unwanted Advances (from non mcs)

𓆩⟡𓆪Sws: Wet Dreams, Threesomes, Blowjobs, Handjobs, Risky Sex, Biting, Scenting, Hair Pulling, Praise Kink, Creampie, Cock Sharing, Dirty Talk, Bareback Sex, Riding, Doggystyle, Cum Swallowing

𓆩⟡𓆪Rating: Explicit/Mature (18+)

𓆩⟡𓆪WC: 21k

𓆩⟡𓆪A/n: This is the first of two parts of the final chapter of @schone-lie's commission! Thank you so much my dear and Thank you everyone who has enjoyed this little series. Tumblr did not like that the original document for this was 37k words long. I had to split it up into two parts, but the archive link has the entire chapter all in one. I worked very hard on this, especially given the wait between posting so...If you like it, please make sure to reblog it as well, so that other folks may see my works come across their respective dashes, too. Have a good time zone~

𓆩⟡𓆪AO3| Taglist Form (Please make sure your urls are updated and able to actually be tagged) | Commission Sheet𓆩⟡𓆪

𓆩⟡𓆪Network Ping- @kwritersworld | @kdiarynet | @k-vanity | @cultofdionysusnet𓆩⟡𓆪

𓆩⟡𓆪©atiny-piratequeen. do not repost, translate, or use my works𓆩⟡𓆪

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 (Pt. 2)

“Are you sure you’re okay?” 

Yeosang snapped out of his daze when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back, smiling at Yeji as she quietly observed him. She and the others had returned a few days ago, clearly enjoying their time reunited with their significant others, if the fresh marks on her neck were anything to go by. 

He forced a smile and opened his mouth and she narrowed her gaze suspiciously. He caught the look and lowered his shoulders, rubbing his neck. 

“It hurts like a bitch. But it's alright. That’s just how things are. As long as Woo is still in my life, that’s all I care about.” 

Her eyes softened and she gently rubbed his back, frowning. 

“Do you think…?” He began a sentence and then paused, brows furrowing. Did he want to know the answer? She waited patiently for him to gather his thoughts and his words before he ran a hand through his hair, pushing his bangs back before they fell back into place. 

“Do you think he’s happy?” He questioned quietly, thumbing the book in his hands. She looked at him, her heartbreaking gently as she took in the expression on his face. 

He…really loved Wooyoung. Just, not enough to put their friendship at risk and potentially lose him forever. 

She considered not answering him, but instead, she gently nodded, rubbing his back when she saw him take a shaky breath before exhaling. 

“Good. He deserves it.” He squared his shoulders and picked up the other books on the table before them, turning away from him. Yeji’s eyes followed him as he began to walk down the aisle of the bookstore he part-timed in on days he didn’t have school or his training classes. 

“He comes home in a month. What will you do then?” She inquired. Yeosang gently slid the books back into their places and turned to her, a soft smile stretching across his lips. His eyes didn’t mirror them, but she didn’t call him on it this time. 

“I’ll do what I always do. No matter what, I’m always going to love him and he will always be my best friend as long as he still wants to be. I don’t need to do anything unnecessary to jeopardize that.” His words hung in the air between them before he rolled his neck and found other ways to busy himself. 

Yeji sighed and began helping him out, cracking jokes here and there until she could see him smile. 

 《☆》★《☆》★《☆》★《☆》★《☆》

When San stepped foot into his home that day, he noticed a distinct lack of his favorite (and only) three siblings running up to greet him. He frowned, his shirt splotched in dirt and sweat from the day. It had rained before and he’d taken a fall or two while out in the field. 

That's beside the point, though. 

“Gahyeon? Eric? Jongho?” He called into the home and heard the sound of screaming and the pitter-patter of feet rushing toward him. 

Gahyeon appeared first, her face flushed as she stormed into his space with her hands on her hips. 

“Oppa! Wooyoung can’t leave! He has to stay and marry you!” She huffed. San blinked and looked over her shoulder, finding Wooyoung kneeling, cooing to Eric and Jongho as both toddlers threw tantrums. 

“If you go away, Hyung is gonna get sad!” Eric protested. Jongho sniffled and held out the chunky dragon plushie in his hands. 

“I-I’ll give you Mingi, please don’t go? Hyung doesn’t go to the city, he’s gonna get sad and cry.” His hands shook as Wooyoung gently pet his head, brows pulled up. 

“I’m sorry, Jongho. I have to go home but that’s not for another month. I can’t take Mingi from you.” He gently declined. Jongho’s lip wobbled and he held up his plushie higher.

“Take Mingi. And stay, please.” He tried again. Wooyoung looked distraught until a calloused, yet gentle hand landed on his shoulder, drawing the eyes of the two boys. 

“That’s not nice, boys. You can’t force someone to do something like that.” He gently scolded before meeting Wooyoung’s eyes. 

He looked torn. 

San chuckled, kneeling beside him and kissing his nose until he scrunched it up. 

“Just trust your big brother, it’s going to be okay.” San reassured. Wooyoung blinked at him before something seemed to click in his brain, his lips parting as an excited look sparked in his eyes. 

Gahyeon looked between them before turning to her brothers and smiling. 

“Okay, Oppa said it’s going to be okay and Oppa doesn’t lie. We have to find Mama and Papa and see if they wanna watch Pororo with us!” She pointed proudly down the hall and her brothers perked. Eric bounded down the hall and Jongho trailed slightly behind him before looking back at the men, hugging his stuffed animal close to his chest. 

“I think…I think Hyungs look happy and should stay together…yeah.” He nodded and toddled down the hall, his bare feet slapping against the tile as his bangs bounced with every step. 

Wooyoung watched them go, his shoulders relaxing before he glanced at San. The slightly older man hummed before putting his hands on his knees and pushing himself up to stand. 

“Wanna go on a walk?” He inquired. Wooyoung looked at his hand as he extended and nodded, rising to his feet and following San. 

They walked in silence for a while, though neither of them seemed like they were in a rush to break it. Wooyoung glanced to his left and reached to hold San’s hand, smiling when he felt his fingers lace between his without hesitation. 

By the time they finished walking, San had led him to a railing that overlooked the lower level of the village. Night had begun to fall. San leaned on the railing, the wind sweeping his bangs as Wooyoung stood beside him, staring out at the town. 

“I wanted to clear my head.” 

Wooyoung looked at him out of the corner of his eye. 

“Did the little ones upset you?” 

“Not at all. I knew the night you asked me, I’d happily leave this place behind for you.” 

Wooyoung’s lips parted in shock. San smiled softly, a fond half-lidded look in his eyes. 

“It’s been a while since I’ve been up here.” 

It seemed like a change of the subject, but Wooyoung liked to think he’d gotten very good at reading San’s body language during their time together, so instead of addressing the first part of their interaction, he put his hand at the small of San’s back, gently rubbing. 

Waiting. 

San exhaled after a long beat of silence. 

“When I was rejected at the festival by the boy I had a crush on, he told me to meet him here a few days later. I never skipped school or anything because of it, but he made a point to slip a note in my desk and ask me to meet him here.” San, rolled his shoulders before standing straighter, his eyes staring out but not focused on anything in particular. 

“He told me I was a freak. Asked me why wasn’t I ashamed. A man with another man? What was wrong with me? He told me I didn’t belong here in Namhae.” 

Wooyoung’s fingers tensed along his back and San let out a humorless chuckle. 

"Ever since that day, this hasn’t felt like home. Once I step foot out of Chae-noona and GD-hyung’s home, I’m an alien alone in a foreign planet.” He drummed his fingers against the pole of the railing and then turned to Wooyoung. He slowly pivoted on his heel, turning his back on Namhae and instead facing Wooyoung completely, holding his hands in his own. 

“Then you all came. And I wasn’t looked at weirdly, even after you found out about me.” he continued. Wooyoung didn’t interrupt him, gently rubbing his knuckles as he talked. 

Of course, he wouldn’t treat him differently. None of them would. They understood the hardships well. 

“When you asked me if I’d come to the city with you with that bet, I already knew my answer. Wooyoung,"

San pressed their heads together, staring into his eyes. Wooyoung let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding. 

"I think anywhere you are will feel like home to me. If the offer is still on the table, can I live with you back in the city?"

Wooyoung smiled, kissing San as if he was the only person in the world. San smiled and held him close, unbothered by being out and in the open. 

Wooyoung laughed in disbelief when they pulled away from one another, wiping his eyes of tears he wasn’t aware he’d shed. 

“Of course, the offer is on. Are you sure ? I won’t take any offense if you decide to wait for a bit longer or-”

“Wooyoung. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” 

San put their heads together, gently rubbing Wooyoung’s cheeks and tilting his head. Wooyoung held his gaze and then pulled him in for a hug, pressing a prolonged kiss to his cheek, right on his dimple. 

“You have no idea how giddy I feel right now. I feel like I’m in one of those romance novels or something.” He sniffled. San kissed his head and held him close, tucking him in his arms. 

“I think I have an idea. I feel the same.” He whispered into his hair. He looked down at the village as the streetlights turned on and the sun began to set. His apprehension was gone and the fear he had of the great unknown of the city was replaced with an excitement that shook him to his very core. 

“I think we should celebrate,” San suggested, holding Wooyoung’s hand without a care in the world as they slowly made their way back to the house. Wooyoung nodded with his head on his shoulder, squeezing his hand. 

“How about we make that dish your grandparents used to make? I memorized the recipe and taste when you made it for me.” He offered back. San smiled at him and nodded, unlocking and opening the door. 

Three, small heads peeked around the doorframe of the kitchen and three sets of boba-shaped eyes locked onto the two and the honeymoon-worthy smiles on their faces. 

“Operation: ‘ Get Wooyoungie Oppa to marry Sannie Oppa’ is a success,” Gahyeon whispered. Eric squinted, tilting his head. 

“But they don’t gots the ring like Eomma and Appa do.” He muttered back. Jongho squeezed his dragon plushie and gathered his courage, waddling out of his not-so-subtle hiding place and heading over to the two men as they toed off their shoes. 

“-I’ll mince the garlic and you can start prepping the breadcrumbs-Oh hi Jjongie.” San smiled down at his brother and Jongho looked at the two of them with wide eyes full of wonder. 

“....Hi hyung.” He wanted to say more, but found his voice failing. 

San knew his siblings well, and bent down, picking Jongho up before kissing his cheek. 

“Wooyoung-ah is going to be here in Namhae for a few more weeks, Jjongie. Will you help us pack when its time for us to go back to the city?” He inquired. Jongho looked at him, almost seemed upset for a moment before he blinked. 

“Us? Both of you?” 

San simply smiled, bouncing the toddler on his hip. 

“I don’t wanna make Mingi sad, right?” He grinned. 

Realization crossed Jongho, Eric, and Gahyeon’s faces, and instantly all three children burst into tears. 

Chaerin came running at the sound of her babies crying, stopping short when she found the trio tightly holding onto both San and Wooyoung, bouncing excitedly. 

“Will you let us visit? Can we come over?” Jongho questioned excitedly, talking even though San tried to wipe the tears from his cherub cheeks. 

“Are you gonna get a race car bed? Do they make race car beds for big kids like you hyungs? WAIT! Hyung!!!! Do you have a race car in the city?!” Eric gasped, pointing at Wooyoung and catching the Oreo-haired man off guard. 

Gahyeon twirled and bounced around them, her ponytail swinging as she hummed the infamous fanfare for marriage ceremonies. 

“Oppa’s gonna get married~ Oppa’s marrying Oppa~ Oppa’s marrying Oppa, and I’m gonna bring flow-ers!” She sung to the beat. Cherin’s shoulders relaxed as she looked over at the men, finding San and Wooyoung smiling from ear to ear as they humored the energetic children. 

“I guess their night walk went well.” her husband’s voice came from behind her as Jiyong placed a hand at the small of her back. She crossed her arms and watched them a bit longer. 

“I guess it did. It’s about time he got the hell out of Namhae.” She nodded in approval, looking over to Wooyoung. 

“I just hope wherever he goes, he’s happy. He won’t be too far from us, anyway. C’mon, my little rascals. You need to tell us what you three want to be for Halloween so we can start buying the fabric.” She turned and pulled him away, letting the new couple entertain the excited children.

After dinner and washing up, San and Wooyoung found themselves curled up on the couch in the living room. Jongho, Eric, and Gahyeon slept soundly sprawled out in their laps while Changbin watched the screen with rapt attention. Yeonjun played a game on his phone, the screen illuminating his face as his half lidded gaze looked it from top to bottom. 

San looked at Wooyoung out of the corner of his vision, his gaze softening as he took in the city man’s kind gaze. He ran his hand through Gahyeon’s hair, adjusted Eric’s arm so he wouldn’t hurt it with his position, and pressed Jongho’s dragon plushie into his arms before he settled himself. 

In the calmness of the living room, San felt a smile come to his face. 

He’d known he’d made the right decision.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

August 30th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“Okay, do you have all of your things? We can go back and check the house and-”

“Noona-”

“What about your new bank card? Do you have your new bank card? Ji, did you give him his card? He can’t buy anything without-”

“Noona-”

“Oh wait, hold on, I have a basket with some goodies coming, let me just double-check the address-” 

“Mom!”

Chaerin paused in her fretting, looking at her eldest ‘son’ as he stood before her, his bookbag tossed over his shoulder and a teary smile on his face. She bit her lip and stood straight, collecting herself as she met San’s gaze. 

“I’m going to be okay, Noo-mom. Mom . We don’t live too far from here. If I need anything or missed anything, I’ll call. Besides, it’s not like I'm going anywhere drastically different. I’m going to help out in the restaurant with Kibum hyung.” 

Chaerin cupped his face and smiled softly. 

“You know, that’s the first time you haven't corrected yourself when you’ve called me Mom. Not Noona, not Miss Chae. Mom.”

San blushed and kissed her cheek, patting her hands. 

“You’ve been nothing less than that since you took me in. It’s long overdue.” He whispered as she fixed his magenta bangs. 

“Go on. You still have a lot of unpacking to do.” She shooed him off, hugging herself as he waved and jogged back to the car waiting for him on the curb. 

Wooyoung bent down until she could see him, sending her a million-dollar smile as he waved at her. 

“I’ll take care of him, Noona!”

“You better, if you don’t want my foot up your ass, Jung Wooyoung!” 

Wooyoung laughed nervously as San got in the car, taking his hand in his as the Namhae native waved one last time. Wooyoung pulled off, rubbing San’s knuckles as he drove, unable to wipe the smile off of his face. 

“I called everyone over to help us unpack. Did you want to stop off and get breakfast first?” Wooyoung inquired after twenty minutes of navigating through the city traffic. San looked around the city with eyes filled with wonder. 

“....Maybe some other time. I think it would be nice for me to meet up with everyone and thank them properly for welcoming me….Oh, unless I should get gifts. Hell, I didn’t even think of that-” San began to fret as Wooyoung laughed, turning down a street and watching him out of the corner of his vision. 

“I don’t think that’s usually the order of operations, my love. You can give them thank you gifts after you’re settled in.” He told him. San pursed his lips, leg bouncing. 

“Are you sure? I want to make a good first impression with the lot of them.” He sighed, sitting back and watching the houses as Wooyoung drove past them. 

“What’s not to love about you? Plus, everyone’s heard nice things about you from me and the others already, there’s no need to be worried. You have met most of them already.” Wooyoung cheerily told him. San smiled and rubbed his sweaty palms against his pants. 

Right, he hadn’t done anything to make anyone dislike him. 

He had a nagging, persistent feeling like he had forgotten something, though. 

It was replaced with an overarching sense of anxiety when he noticed Wooyoung pulling into a home where several cars had already been lined up outside of. 

The front door opened before he could even put the car in park and a familiar face appeared in the doorway.

Yeji smiled from ear to ear as she locked eyes with the men.

“You were late, so we helped ourselves inside!” she answered the unasked question and put her hands on her hips, looking over at the two of them with a smile on her face. 

San stepped out first, his hair lightened over the past month to a soft bubble gum pink. 

“Sorry, my mom was fretting and-”

“Oh, don’t apologize. We all know what it’s like to leave the nest the first time. I hope Chaerin-noona is doing well.” Changbin said from the door, stepping out into the warm August sun with the others. 

Wooyoung popped his head out of the car, scanning the group before some sort of realization hit him and his smile slightly faltered. 

“Where’s Yeosang?” He inquired. Soobin and Yeonjun exchanged a look before Yeonjun piped up, crossing his arms. 

“He said things were a bit backed up with the training, so he wouldn’t be able to make it today. Something about there being an influx of new training classes for him to lead and another trainer being on maternity leave.” He told them, shrugging. Yeji sighed quietly, but didn’t say a word. 

San couldn’t see Wooyoung’s face, exactly, but he was certain the news wasn’t very favorable to him given the subtle change in his tone when he replied with a simple; ‘Oh, really? That’s too bad, then.’

Chan came around the side of the car and greeted San with a fist bump as he popped open the trunk to Wooyoung’s car. 

“We’ve already unloaded the desk and the dressers from the moving van that came by earlier. You don’t have very many items, do you?” He questioned, changing the subject and picking up two suitcases in an instant. San barely had the time to offer help before Chan was marching up the driveway. 

“I didn’t wanna take up too much space in Woo’s home. Namhae doesn’t really have a shopping district like this place where you can get all kinds of things and I don’t have like, a huge wardrobe of clothes and such.” San admitted, waiting for Wooyoung to exit the car before the two of them grabbed the last few armfuls of boxes and headed inside. 

“It’s your home too, now. I say the first big paycheck you get from working in the restaurant, we go on a big shopping spree for you.” Wooyoung grinned, the bounce back in his voice and step as he lead the way back inside. San laughed, happy the hiccup in his mood didn’t persist longer than a few moments. 

“I’m not sure about that, but for now let’s just get settled in. I wanna make everyone a big, hearty Namhae dinner as a thank you for helpin us out.” San muttered. The moment he stepped into the home, the scent of cooking food hit him full force. 

“Oh please, did you think we were gonna let you come home on an empty stomach? You can cook some other time. Get settled in, take some time to yourselves and go put your clothes away.” Yeonjun pointed to the stairs and San smiled, taking one of suitcases out of Chan’s arms, while Wooyoung grabbed the other. 

When San first stepped foot into what was to be his and Wooyoung’s new shared room, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 

It was so overwhelmingly Wooyoung that he needed a moment to let it sink in. 

He was here. This was his home. 

Wooyoung rustled about behind him for a few seconds before he felt his arms wrap around his frame, his breath fanning over the back of San’s neck.

He shuddered and leaned against Wooyoung, playing with his hands where they stayed around his waist. 

“You did it.” Wooyoung whispered, his lips making the hair at the nape of San’s neck stand on end. San simply purred in response, squeezing Wooyoung’s hands. 

“We did it. I wouldn’t have made that step without you.” He admitted, turning in Wooyoung’s arms and draping his arms over his neck. Wooyoung smiled, looking up at nothing in particular. 

“I know, I am pretty damn convincing, aren’t I?” He teased. San rolled his eyes and kissed him, bringing the room into a comfortable stillness. 

When they broke from each other, Wooyoung ran his hands lower, lightly squeezing his ass. 

“We could make the room more ours, if you were feeling daring.” He smiled lazily and San felt heat rise to the tips of his ears. 

“Your friends are all downstairs.”

“ Our friends can busy themselves, they do it all the time. Is that a no? Because we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” 

San looked at the door behind him for a moment before looking back at Wooyoung. 

“Nothing that’s too much, I don’t want them knowing.” He cleared his throat and Wooyoung sent him a devilish smile. 

“It’s fine. I can find a way to keep you quiet.” 

Wooyoung was nothing if not a man of his word. 

That’s how San found his head hanging upside down from the edge of the bed, his mouth occupied with Wooyoung’s cock as he slowly rolled his hips. Despite the occasional gag when Wooyoung hit the back of his throat, San was proud of the fact he could take him completely, his arms woven around Wooyoung’s thighs. 

Wooyoung’s hands had been splayed across his own thighs, kneading and massaging as he placed contrasting kitten licks and kisses to San’s cock, smiling at the near-desperate way his boyfriend lifted his hips in anticipation. 

“You gotta be still~” Wooyoung whispered along his heated skin, licking up a pearl of precum that beaded at the head of San’s cock. 

San whined in frustration below him, but swallowed sharply when he felt himself being enveloped with the heat of Wooyoung’s mouth. 

Predictably, his hips kicked up at the sudden change, but Wooyoung pushed down on his thighs, surprisingly stronger than before thanks to his time helping out on the farm. 

San’s eyes fluttered, trying to keep his noises down as Wooyoung bobbed his head, his hands trailing up San’s thighs as he worked his hips, gradually thrusting faster into San’s mouth. 

‘Oh so he can thrust but I can’t?’ San pouted mentally, though his cock throbbed at the treatment, squeezing Wooyoung’s thighs in encouragement. 

Wooyoung smirked around his cock, tilting his head and deepthroating him without a single gag, moaning and purring around San. 

The muffled moan that had brought forward made Wooyoung lift his head, laughing softly as he stroked San’s cock. 

“You gotta keep it down, my love. Who knows who could hear us if you can’t.” He purred. San had half a mind to half-heartedly pinch his thigh at the teasing, but he heard a cap open somewhere between his legs and perked. 

“Remember, Sannie. Keep it down for me.” Wooyoung urged, squiring lube into his hand and licking up the length of San’s cock once more. San’s thighs flexed when he felt Wooyoung swallow him down once more, cool fingers rolling against his rim teasingly. 

San would be lying if he said the action didn’t make his heart rate increase. 

He was the quieter of the two of them, that much was for sure, but the looming possibility of them being found out, even if it was just through the door, made him excited in a way he couldn’t describe. 

San was convinced this city boy currently using his mouth and playing with his ass and cock had corrupted him in more ways than one, but there was honestly no place in the world he’d rather be than right here in this moment. 

The pink haired man gently moved his roughened hands up to Wooyoung’s ass, encouraging him to thrust faster as his legs subtly inched further apart, welcoming his fingers deeper. 

He was met with a purr of approval and Wooyoung curling his fingers ever so slightly inside of him. San swallowed sharply, eyes rolling back as Wooyoung began massaging his prostate with two persistent fingers. 

“M-mmfnn- mmnnn-”

Wooyoung held himself down on San’s cock, letting him buck his hips freely as he alternated his fingers between stretching him and toying with his prostate. He was careful not to put his full weight on San as he felt himself getting closer to his climax. 

The two came only a minute or so apart from one another, and Wooyoung was careful when he pulled away, immediately kneeling to check on San as the man panted, a dazed expression on his face. 

“You alright, baby?” Wooyoung inquired, helping him right himself from the upside-down position. San nodded, drool making a mess of his lips. Wooyoung grinned and placed a messy kiss to his lips before pressing their foreheads together. 

“ Welcome home. ” He purred. San smiled at him, opening his mouth to respond before a voice startled both of them. 

“HEY! YOU TWO BETTER NOT BE FUCKIN WHILE WE’RE HERE! THE FOOD’S DONE, GET YOUR ASSES DOWN HERE!” Yeonjun called up to them from the bottom of the staircase. 

San blushed and haphazardly wiped his messy face with his own shirt while Wooyoung stomped to the door, opening it and calling down to him. 

“NO ONE IS FUCKING, WE SAID WE’RE GONNA PUT SOME STUFF AWAY.”

“IT’S BEEN AN HOUR, ASSHOLE.”

“DON’T RUSH US, JACKASS.”

The two bickered and San laughed behind his hand. 

Yeah, he was certainly in his new home. 

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

    September 1st

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“San moved into the house yesterday, by the way.” Chan brought up casually. The sound of feet running on a belt beside him continued, pounding away. 

“Is that so? That’s good. Glad it went well.”

“Wooyoung was looking for you.” He continued, eyes watching carefully. 

He was met with nothing more than the sound of those feet on the treadmill, running. He sighed softly, watching Yeosang run beside him. 

“Yeji said something about you having more classes?””

“Something like that.” Was the brisk response, followed by the beeping of the treadmill being turned up a few more speeds. 

“We’re all trying to set up a big dinner or something soon.” He carefully brought up. Yeosang kept his gaze fixed on the wall across from them in the gym, bangs bouncing as he ran. It took him much longer than usual to give him a response. 

“I’m really busy. It may be better to go ahead without me for a bit.” 

Ah, so that was what was going on. 

“Yeosang, are you avoiding going anywhere near Wooyoung?”

Yeosang cut him a glance before looking forward again. 

“I just need some time to collect myself. It’s not fair to him or his boyfriend to have me be…like this around them” 

Chan sent him a sympathetic look. It had been over a month but the news of Wooyoung not only finding a boyfriend in Namhae for his studies and then bringing said man home to live with had clearly hurt Yeosang more than he originally let on. 

“Do you want some company? I can set up something, just us, Yeji, and Binnie?”

Yeosang shook his head, sweat rolling down his brow as he carefully turned the treadmill down, slowing to a stop, putting his hand on his hips as he panted harshly. 

“There’s no need to do that. You guys go, have fun. I’m going to be busy with work, anyway.” He sent Chan a smile that was as fake as they came, walking past him after he’d hopped off of the machine. 

Chan watched him go and sighed, lips pursed. 

He hated seeing his friend like this, but he had no idea where to start. Heartbreak was one of the trickiest things to heal from. 

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

   September 13th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

San had expected working in the kitchen in Kibum’s restaurant to be one of the most daunting things he’d ever have to do. 

After all, a fancy restaurant full of students who spent their college years to get here, now having some country bumpkin come along and encroach on their territory? He thought he’d get eaten alive-

Instead, he was adored as soon as he’d walked through the door. 

“San, can you accompany Jiwoo outside? This is for table number three and there’s a full party.” 

“One of the waiters called out, San, do you mind helping on the floor?”

“San, do you have any suggestions for a new menu option? We’re workshopping a rotation of some dishes to change things up.”

San wasn’t a religious man, but in these moments, he couldn’t help but to feel blessed. He’d found somewhere he’d fitten in and was not only useful, but able to still be who he wanted to be. 

“Hey,” Wooyoung snuck a kiss as he passed him, an armful of freshly washed vegetables in his possession before he rushed to the other side of the kitchen to prep them. 

All of this, while working alongside the man he loved. What else could he ask for? What else could he need? 

The cool September air helped him clear his head as he walked, pushing a cart of supplies toward the restaurant. 

“I should visit mom and tell her about things once we’re done today.” He mused before he heard the sound of wheels on concrete. 

They're going…rather fast, huh?

He turned his head to the right, blinking as he watched a man come skateboarding down the block with a giant dog on a leash in front of him. 

San was startled. The dog looked huge , like a bear. Without thinking, he pushed the cart faster and swiveled it off to the side, eyes wide as he watched the dog barrel towards him. 

“Yunho, heel.” 

The dog stopped in an instant, sitting politely with his tongue out, staring at San from beneath a mass of hair as the man on the skateboarding man skid to a halt just shy of colliding with the cart. 

San held his chest, looking at the man in surprise. 

Oh, he was…well, he was rather attractive , wasn't he?

San felt a panic rise in his chest at the passing thought, unable to speak first. Thankfully, the man did it first

“Are you okay?” he inquired, glancing back and forth between him and the giant bear of a dog looking at him curiously. 

At least, he thought he was. He couldn’t exactly see his eyes.

“I’m fine. Sorry about that. Normally there aren’t many people out on this street so late at night. Did anything fall? Are you alright?” the man inquired, looking at the cart San had yanked aside. San looked down, swearing when he saw he’d flung off some of the delicate items sitting at the very top of the cart off with his hurried movements. 

“Shit, Kibum-hyung is gonna be pissed.” He ran a hand through his freshly dyed black hair. There was a small look of surprise on the other man’s face before he cleared his throat and knelt down to pick up some of the ingredients. San looked at his side profile, watching as he sighed quietly. 

“I’ll go and apologize properly. We were being reckless.” he ignored the confused and concerned noises coming from San’s lips, looking at the dog and offering his skateboard. 

“Yunho, hold.” 

Yunho took the board carefully in his mouth, standing and following the man as he walked towards the restaurant. San frowned and gathered his bearings, following him from a decent distance so he didn’t accidentally hit the man or the dog. 

Something about him was oddly familiar. 

“Excuse me, you don’t have to do that, I was the one who dropped it.” 

“I was the one that startled you. I’m responsible for this, too. I’ll just apologize so you don’t get in trouble.” 

San began chattering in a panic, but the man with the fluffy black hair didn’t respond to him, knocking on the back door of the restaurant. San pursed his lips. He hadn’t gotten much of a look at the man’s face, maybe he was a worker he had yet to meet? He was awfully familiar, though. 

“Hm? San, are you back-Yeosang?” Wooyoung looked up in surprise and San felt that last puzzle piece click into place. 

So that’s what was so familiar.

“I knocked over some of these. Ask Hyung to send me the bill, it’s not San’s fault it fell.” He told Wooyoung. The slightly shorter man narrowed his eyes at him, pointing a finger in his direction. 

“Where the hell have you been?” He completely ignored the sentence, huffing at him. Yeosang looked at Yunho, seemingly giving him a command with a gesture of his hand before he stepped inside and placed the destroyed ingredients on the floor. Yunho patiently waited outside, sitting politely with his tail wagging to and fro.

Wooyoung followed Yeosang’s every step with his eyes until finally, the older man spoke.

“Working.” Was the simple response. Wooyoung narrowed his gaze. 

“Every day for nearly two weeks since I’ve come home?” 

“Yes.” 

“Yah! Kang Yeosang, are you out of your damn mind?!”

The two bickered, with Yeosang’s voice calm while Wooyoung wore his displeasure on his sleeve. San glanced back and forth between them, unsure if he could (or should) interrupt their squabbling. 

“You could’ve stopped by and said hi or something once you got off!” 

At that, Yeosang finally broke eye contact, pressing his lips together before he sighed. 

“.....You’re right, I’m sorry. I figured I would be bothering you so late.” 

Wooyoung’s eyes narrowed for a moment before he took a look at the man, gasping and cupping his cheeks, yanking him down. Yeosang hardly blinked, though a small, tired smile came to his face. 

He was used to Wooyoung’s over the top fretting.

“Your eyes have bags under them, are you not sleeping?!” 

“I’m fine, Wooyoung.” 

“You are not, I’m gonna kick your ass, you’re gonna make yourself sick again. Do I have to come over and take care of you again like last time?” Wooyoung half-heartedly glared into his eyes. There was something…sad in Yeosang’s eyes for a moment before he gently took Wooyoung’s hands off his face. He gently set them at his side and sent Wooyoung a tired smile. 

“I appreciate you. But it’s alright. It’s a busy patch at work and then once it passes, I can take a vacation or something.” 

Wooyoung furrowed his brow in worry. Yeosang never did so unless someone forced him to. The man was practically allergic to taking time off. Finally, San found his voice from beside them. 

“How about you come over for dinner?”

Both of them turned their heads over to look at him, Yeosang met his eyes and then glanced away, all while Wooyoung’s eyes lit up as he perked. 

“That’s a great idea!” Wooyoung cheered, hooking an arm into a startled Yeosang’s. 

That’s how they ended up here, hours later, with Yunho pressed against Yeosang’s side, licking his jowels as he waited for Wooyoung to fish out the extra bowl he kept in his house for the hound’s visits. 

San came up to them, softly smiling at the man he’d only heard about through the others. Yeosang turned his gaze from Wooyoung and looked at him as San bowed slightly in greeting. 

“Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name’s Choi San.” 

Yeosang bowed back, running his hand through the fur at the top of Yunho’s head to busy at least one of his subtly shaking hands. 

“Kang Yeosang. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

There was a silence that hung in the air, something unsaid hanging in the air after the end of the sentence and San wondered if he’d left a bad impression on the man. 

If so, he didn’t mean to! From what San could gather, Yeosang is Wooyoung’s closest friend, and the two had been attached at the hip since elementary school. The whole reason Wooyoung had moved into this particular city was to keep close to Yeosang, after all. 

San reckoned this was around the moment some people would try to size up the ‘competition’ or something of the sort. Yeosang was Wooyoung’s first love, San knew this well. 

And here he is, standing in front of his current love and boyfriend. 

San still felt this odd, mystified feeling looking at the quiet dog trainer. It was familiar, yet foreign, and San combed through himself to see if he could pin down exactly what that emotion was. 

“I got it!” Wooyoung cheered, startling him out of his thoughts as he victoriously knelt on the counter. At some point, while they were talking, he must have jumped up onto it to reach a dog bowl with Yunho’s name engraved on it. He wobbled ever so slightly as he attempted to move into a more neutral position. 

San startled, jerking to attention. 

“Wooyoung, get down!” He moved towards him as Wooyoung tried to dismount himself but Yeosang let out an exasperated sigh and picked him clean up, holding him bridal style with an unimpressed look on his face. 

"Now, if you crack your ass on the floor and I laugh at you, I'm in the wrong, hm?"

Wooyoung seemed perfectly comfortable, deadweighting in Yeosang’s arms. 

"You wouldn't do that~"

"I absolutely would. After making sure your stupid ass isn't concussed or sitting on the floor in a dead roach position."

Yeosang put him down and then moved around him to set up the bowls for a patiently waiting Yunho. Wooyoung made his way over to San, leaning into his space and startling him into focusing his gaze back on Wooyoung instead. 

"Are you okay?" He whispered, sending him a curious look. San glanced at Yeosang as the trainer stepped into the next room to set up and then nodded once. 

"Yeah."

Wooyoung caught the glance, though, and the smile on his face flickered. 

"Oh…I'm sorry. Am I being too much? I'm always this clingy with Yeosang but I…I guess it's not really appropriate-"

San shook his head and put his hand on Wooyoung’s forearm. 

"I'm not bothered. I'm actually really happy you were able to see him. He's your best friend, he's important to you." 

Wooyoung slow blinked in surprise, his lips parted. Eventually, he let out a small laugh and wrapped his arms around San, kissing him once as the country-born man wrapped his arms around him instinctively. 

"You'd be 100% valid if it did bother you. Not everyone is comfortable with that kind of stuff with their partners and other people…be it friendly or flirty. Are you sure? I wouldn't be upset if you told me you weren't comfortable with it." Wooyoung whispered. San sent him a kind smile. He truly did not mind. 

"I don't lie to the folks I love," San told him, tenderly massaging his hips. Wooyoung smiled and stole another kiss from him before both of them shifted away from each other in a flustered hurry as Yeosang came back in the kitchen to wash his hands. 

"Sorry-" San began to apologize, but Yeosang shrugged, sending him a small smile. 

"It's your house. I'm gonna sit in the living room with Yunho and stay out of the way of you two so you can cook in peace.” Yeosang excused himself without conflict, moving to sit on the couch while Wooyoung rolled his sleeves up. 

“C’mon, San. I know exactly what we should make.” 

In the living room, Yeosang let his head thump onto the back of the couch, a deep exhale pushing past his lips as he tried to calm the chaotic storm of emotions in his mind. 

Seeing Wooyoung was good. He couldn’t keep avoiding him. Yeosang missed him dearly and he felt like a bold-faced liar for telling Yeji he wouldn’t change how he was acting towards his best friend. 

But at the same time…Yeosang wasn’t sure he liked the tightness in his chest every time he saw the tender look in Wooyoung’s eyes when they landed on San. He’d felt punched in the gut when he walked in on them kissing. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be around Wooyoung and San yet. 

And that was the other piece to the equation. San. 

The country boy who had stolen everyone’s hearts with a dimpled smile and a purred satoori. 

Yeosang had ignored all the times the pink haired man had been staring at him when he thought neither he or Wooyoung were paying attention. Yeosang had good senses for things like that, especially when being in charge of mischievous dogs when training and preteens trying to sneak into the section of the book store that held the adult reading material. 

Even when he wasn’t looking back, Yeosang knew the feeling of being stared at well. 

Which begged the question, why? 

San had no doubt heard about him while Wooyoung was away. Yeosang’s first thought was that he was being sized up or something of the sort and San took offense to Wooyoung’s particular brand of…clingy affection. 

But that didn’t seem to be the case. He’d caught San’s gaze softening several times during Wooyoung and Yeosang’s (many) playful bickering bouts throughout the evening, and if Yeosang didn’t know better, he could have sworn he’d seen San let out more than a few sighs of relief when he seemingly realized the two of them were not, in fact, at each other’s throats for real. 

So, why? 

Yeosang hadn’t realized his leg was bouncing until a warm mass of fur set itself directly in his lap. He laughed and looked down, running his hand through Yunho’s fur as the mastiff cuddled close to him, clearly resisting the urge to jump on the couch for the full cuddle, if the way his back legs kept shifting were anything to go by. 

Yeosang smiled. Yunho always knew when he wasn’t doing to well mentally or emotionally. 

The trainer moved himself to the floor, accepting a few kisses from Yunho as the giant canine shifted to make room, seemingly happy with the development. Yeosang nuzzled Yunho’s abdomen, eyes closing as he enjoyed the comfort from his canine best friend. 

Resting his eyes, that’s all he was doing. 

Idly, he wondered if he would have an easier time with all of this if San was someone he could hate. If he was ugly, if his personality was rude, if he was overly vain, something.

Instead, Yeosang was left with this heavy feeling in his chest and the reluctant realization that Wooyoung’s boyfriend, at least from what he could tell right now, was a good match for him. 

Resting…just resting. That’s all. His eyes, resting.

Wooyoung poked his head into the living room an hour later, a hand on his hip and an amused smile on his face as he watched Yeosang. The slightly older man was fast asleep on the floor, with Yunho sitting as still as a statue with his head resting beside Yeosang’s, occasionally lifting up to give his owner a small, grooming lick to his face or his hair. 

Wooyoung made his way over, kneeling down after grabbing a blanket that was on the couch. 

“You’re not getting enough rest, stupid-” He muttered under his breath as he covered Yeosang up. Yunho lifted his head to sniff Wooyoung’s hand before relaxing, giving him a small lick to his knuckles before closing his eyes. Wooyoung laughed and kissed the top of the dog’s head. 

“You be a good pillow for my stubborn ass friend, okay?” He whispered into his fur. 

Yeosang stirred slightly, but Wooyoung only pet his head, fingers running through deep conditioned silken locks. 

“And you settle down. It’s not time for you to wake up yet.” He scolded the unconscious man and Yeosang ended up relaxing his muscles, the momentary furrow of his brow evening out. Wooyoung lingered for a moment or two longer than he had intended before he finally moved away from Yeosang to finish cooking with San. 

They woke him up once they were done, with all three men seating themselves on the couch, watching a comedy to go along with their meal. 

“It’s delicious.” Yeosang quietly complimented, eating his chicken with an impressed hum. Wooyoung smiled from ear to ear, settled between the two of them. 

“Thank you~ We took back some of the garlic we harvested back in Namhae and San helped me tweak the sauce. I think it tastes a lot better.” He smiled while San shyly rubbed his neck with his clean hand. 

“It’s not really much of a change, yours was great already.” 

Yeosang glanced at him over the top of Wooyoung’s head. 

“....but it does have more of a lingering aftertaste now. I’ve eaten plenty of Wooyoung’s food in our years together. The garlic chicken is always my favorite. I do like your addition to it. Good job.” He complimented with a small approving nod. 

San felt a flicker of heat settle in his cheeks as he bashfully nodded and looked away. 

“No problem.” 

“Yeosang~ Praise me more too” Wooyoung teased, earning him an elbow to the ribs and a half-hearted ‘ nevermind, I take it back ’ from his best friend. 

The two bickered for a bit more before settling into a comfortable near silence, only interrupted by chewing and the occasional sip of someone’s drink. 

San felt his eyelids getting heavy, and apparently, he wasn’t the only one. Wooyoung’s head had made its way to his shoulder, and he’d cuddled in almost instantly, falling asleep minutes after San put an arm around him. 

Yeosang stood, collecting the plates and cups before San could sleepily protest. Yunho followed him into the kitchen, and San could pick up the sound of the dog trainer washing dishes inside. 

He finished minutes later, strolling into the living room again and taking the same blanket Wooyoung had draped over him and setting it over San’s shoulders and part of Wooyoung’s body. 

San perked ever so slightly, feeling soft fingers brush over his bicep with the motion. He lifted his head, watching as Yeosang hooked his leash back into the loop of Yunho’s harness. 

“You’re leaving…?” He drowsily inquired. Yeosang glanced over his shoulder at San, his eyes drifting down to Wooyoung for a moment, and then looking back into the country man’s eyes. 

“Yeah. I appreciate you making dinner for me. I’ll lock the door after myself, so don’t worry. You two should move somewhere more comfortable to sleep so you don’t hurt your necks, by the way….whenever you want.” Yeosang nodded and began making his way to the front of the house. 

San called out to him as he was sliding his shoes on. 

“Come back soon! You’re always welcome.” 

He missed the way Yeosang’s jaw tightened, his fingers lacing his shoes a bit tighter than he’d needed them to be. 

“Thanks. Have a good night, San.” 

Yeosang left quietly, and San looked to his side. Wooyoung had been undisturbed by the movements and talking above his head, completely content with his cheek squished against San’s chest. 

San kissed his head softly and shifted, picking him up and carrying him to their bed. Wooyoung shifted deeper into his arms the moment he laid him down and San smiled softly, finally letting sleep pull him under, as well. 

Yeosang rode his skateboard down the block with Yunho easily pacing him with long gallops. The wind blew his hair across his forehead and the chill of the night shocked him awake, seeping into his bones through the light jacket he was wearing. 

“Come back soon! You’re always welcome.”

Yeosang sighed as he rolled down the block. 

Why couldn’t that Namhae guy have been an asshole? Everything would have been so much easier.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

   September 15th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“Okay~ So we’re both off today and I think I’m gonna take you out for a shopping spree.” 

San squinted at Wooyoung from across the room, fresh, dark red circles littering his neck and chest as Wooyoung began preening in the mirror. 

They’d had…a very long and energetic night that carried into the early morning. San was normally the very first to rise out of the two of them, a circadian rhythm carried over from years of early rising to farm. 

However , today was different. Today San was tired. 

“I’m goin’ back ta sleep.” San grumbled, closing his eyes and letting his head thump back onto the pillow that smelled like a mixture of him and Wooyoung’s preferred colognes. 

Wooyoung glanced at him before smiling devilishly. 

“Aw~ Is my handsome baby tired?”

“Wooyoung, you made me cum three times and edged me between the second and third time. Yes, yes I am tired.” San grumbled. As muffled as his voice was from the pillow, Wooyoung heard him loud and clear, laughing as he walked up, kissing his shoulder. 

“I’ll treat you to coffee~”

San didn’t move for a moment before finally lifting his head, eyes half-heartedly narrowed at him. 

“Bribery.”

“It absolutely is. I’ll even throw in some kisses if you hurry.”

“You’ll kiss me anyway.”

“Of course I will.”

San rolled his eyes and got up, kissing Wooyoung’s nose before he set off to get dressed. He appeared half an hour later with a pair of comfortable jeans and an overgrown hoodie, a pair of glasses settled on his nose as he watched Wooyoung rush back and forth. 

“Too cold for this…this is faded…. is that a tear? ” Wooyoung muttered under his breath, rummaging through his clothes. San arched a brow and stood, making his way over and extending an arm, catching Wooyoung around the waist one of the times he moved to rush by. 

“Just wear something comfortable. You look good no matter what.” He lightly scolded. Wooyoung paused for a moment before seemingly recalibrating, dipping back into the closet and emerging moments later with his pair of comfy jeans, accompanied with a low cut v-neck sweater that showed off his own marks he’d gotten from San in return last night. 

“Thank you, darling. C’mon, we gotta get there early. There’s this place I want to take you to specifically.” 

San tilted his head, his curiosity peaked, but didn’t ask. He liked surprises, and if the look on Wooyoung’s face was anything to go by, he probably wouldn’t get any answers even if he did ask. 

They headed out together, and San realized this had been his first time getting to walk through and window shop in the heart of the city since they came here. 

They’d moved and he practically spent all of his time settling into his new job and new home. 

Everything here was so… big . It was kind of overwhelming at first. Crowds of people so dense he’d had to constantly shift to and fro beside Wooyoung so he didn’t bump into anyone hustling by to get to their jobs. 

Wooyoung laced his fingers into San’s, sticking his hand in his boyfriend’s hoodie pocket and pressing himself close to him. 

The tension San hadn’t noticed gathered in his shoulders melted away in an instant. He smiled, running his fingers over Wooyoung’s knuckles. 

“So, we’re heading to the mall?”

Wooyoung smiled. 

“After somewhere else.”

There it is. San knew Wooyoung had something else under his sleeve. He squeezed his hand and chuckled quietly. 

“I’m already up and about. Take me wherever ya want.” 

Wooyoung smiled triumphantly and continued pulling him along, making idle conversation about the ins and outs of their kitchen and the upcoming plans for some changes as the holidays began to roll in. 

San listened with rapt attention, curious to try some of the food Wooyoung had mentioned. The telltale rumble in his stomach as they stepped into a building reminded him that he hadn’t eaten yet, either. 

Before he could voice this, he realized they’d stepped into a building with giant, sprawling murals of aquatic animals, hand painted just behind a smiling and waving team behind the counter in front of them. 

San’s lips parted. 

An aquarium?

Wooyoung let his hand go long enough to practically skip over to the woman at the middle register, leaning on the counter. 

“Two tickets, please. I’d like to include the Orca Diner package, too.” 

The woman smiled kindly and nodded, her hands flying over the keyboard in front of her. San appeared beside Wooyoung, looking at the giant sea turtle panting behind her on the wall. Wooyoung pressed his hips back, settling down when he felt San’s solid form behind him. 

“You’ve never been to an aquarium, right? I wanted to surprise you. It's early on a weekday, so we don’t have to worry about a big crowd just yet.” Wooyoung explained, smiling as he handed his card over to the worker. 

San felt his gaze soften, his hand subtly rubbing his hip. 

“No, never. Thank you, Woo. I’m excited.” 

Wooyoung looked pleased, taking the card and the two wristbands they were given. He fastened the clasp on San’s wrist before letting his boyfriend put his on. Once done, he led the way down the left hall, a bounce in his step San found absolutely adorable. 

“The Orca Diner has such good food and the package I paid for has a special view. I’ve always wanted to go on a date here.” He mused, flashing his wristband at the worker stationed outside. He checked the design on the bands and then guided them to a room. 

When he opened the door, San felt his jaw drop. 

The room’s ceiling and wall was all glass, and as they settled at their table, they watched as schools of fish and even a lemon shark swam past them. San looked up, the blue of the aquarium water making his face light up as he watched the animals in wonder. 

Wooyoung propped his head on his palm, watching San with a smile. He felt warmth bloom in his chest as his boyfriend placed his palm on the cool glass, his eyes darting left and right, up and down, unable to focus on just one creature, smiling so wide it made his dimples pop. 

Wooyoung felt his heart flutter, pride welled in his chest. 

San had worked hard, he had only wanted to treat his beloved. He was glad it had worked out this way and San was enchanted by the beauty around them. 

They both ordered themselves a hearty breakfast meal, and finally San tore his gaze away from the glass to look at Wooyoung. 

“Did you plan this date?” 

Wooyoung’s lips curled upwards proudly. 

“Of course I did.”

San smiled softly and leaned over, kissing him softly. 

“Thank you. I’ve never seen anything like this.” San sounded as if he was in a dream, casting glances back at the fish as they swam by, paying them no mind as they went about their aquatic day. 

Wooyoung smiled. He’d always wanted to go on an aquarium date. As weird as it may sound, he often found himself getting design and decorative ideas when looking at the more outlandish and flamboyant animals their world had to offer. He found peace going to places like this in his free time-and he’d been here several times, knew this place to be a rehabilitation center for wildlife release, as well-and he’d breathed a sigh of relief knowing San also was enjoying himself. 

They’d gotten their food and ate while making light conversation. Wooyoung told him between bites where he’d like to take them in the aquarium. San leaned over, eyes twinkling excitedly as he listened to Wooyoung with rapt attention. 

“-and then we finish off with the seals. Seals are my favorite, next to the otters.” He told him triumphantly. San smiled and kissed his nose, setting his chopsticks aside. 

“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll follow ya. We should take pictures, I think Mom, Dad, and the little ones would love to see.” 

Wooyoung smiled and nodded, standing and heading out after he’d finished paying. The two walked hand and hand through the aquarium, walking nearly in sync as they took in the sheer size of the facility. 

Wooyoung always found places like this to feel so much bigger inside than out. 

San couldn’t hold back his quiet, amazed ‘woahs’ and ‘wahs’ as he looked around, taking time to read nearly every informational plaque on the animals they happened to pass by. 

“Oh, they’re so smooth, seriously, come feel this, Woo!” San gasped as he ran his fingers over the back of a baby ray in the handpool. Wooyoung couldn’t hide the sheer joyous smile on his face as he obliged his boyfriend, running his fingers gently and politely over the ray as it swam past him. 

The two took pictures of nearly everything, taking turns on taking pictures of the animals, then each other near the animals, and then them together with the glass walls of the aquarium behind them for a stunning backdrop. 

By the time they’d reached the seals, both of them had sore cheeks from the smiles and laughter. They watched as a trainer explained the story of the one-eyed seal they’d had in a particular tank, her rescue and recovery story, all while the excited mammal hobbled about beside her, eagerly patting her own belly and waiting for a fish she was so generously rewarded between the trainer joyously explaining everything. 

San looked down at his arms, full of souvenirs and plushies from the aquarium by the time the duo popped out of the facility. Wooyoung grinned and opened the bookbag he’d purchased inside, taking his time to arrange every purchase they made nearly inside before he zipped it up and slung it over his shoulder, sending San a fox-like smile. 

“You look so cute, I never would have thought you’d like whale sharks so much.”

“They’re pretty!” San pouted, following him down the block. Wooyoung snickered to himself before he nudged him. 

“Don’t get too comfortable, my love. We still have all the other shopping to do.” he reminded him before hooking his arm under San’s and taking off running, both of them speeding off towards the subway.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

     October 12th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

-“Your brother’s birthday is coming up.” 

San looked up from the basket of laundry he was folding. He had one of Eric’s race car hoodies in his hands as he peered over it at Chaerin. 

“Do you have any big plans? Are we going to do another pumpkin patch thing or go to a petting zoo?” He inquired with a smile, folding Gahyeon’s dress next. Chaerin stirred her food on the stove thoughtfully before she turned to look at him over her shoulder. 

“He wants to spend it with you…and Wooyoung. The others, too. He says you all are his ‘bestest friends’.” She hummed. San’s gaze softened as he glanced into the next room, finding his three siblings sleeping together under a blanket Jiyong had sewn for them. 

She added a sprinkle of spice to her mix, the chopsticks occasionally tapping along the sides of the pan. 

“Eric started kindergarten and we found a daycare that will accept Gahyeon and Jongho, but Jongho is worried about making friends, so he wanted you all to come over. Feel free to tell them to bring their partners, just all of you bare in mind he’s a bit of a sensitive boy.”

San smiled and nodded, finishing up his cleaning before he dried his hands and got to work sending a mass text to all of his friends.

At the very least, he and Wooyoung would be there, he just hoped the others would come along with them.- 

“Thanks again for letting us come over, Noona!” 

Well, this went…better than expected. 

Chaerin put her hands on her hips, watching as Wooyoung and San’s friends filtered into the home, each in pajamas and holding some kind of snack.

Jongho held her hand, his eyes lightening up as he saw everyone setting down snacks and at least one present each. 

There were people there he didn’t know, but the comfy pajamas Chaerin had instructed them all to wear for the party helped. 

Wooyoung smiled and knelt down, opening his arms. 

“Is that my birthday boy? Happy birthday, Jongho!”

Jongho smiled and rushed out, throwing his arms around Wooyoung’s neck and smiling as he peeked over his shoulder. 

“Hi..I’m J-Jongho.” He quietly introduced himself, hiding moments later as the other adults smiled at him.

“Hi Jongho! I’m Yeji!”

“Happy birthday, sweetheart. My name is Chris, but you can call me Chan, if you want.” 

They went down the line, introducing themselves and handing off high 5s and gentle ruffle’s of Jongho’s hair while passing off their gifts. 

San stood off to the side, taking the gifts and smiling from ear to ear while Gahyeon and Eric balanced on his hips. 

The very last person to arrive was Yeosang, who stayed close to the door, talking with Jiyong while the others were giving their greetings. 

Once Jiyong smiled and nodded, pointing behind him, San saw what they were talking about. 

Yunho was with him, a sleeping hat on his head and a set of fluffy dog booties on each of his paws. All three of the children locked eyes on the massive canine and Yeosang stopped, making a motion with his hand and having Yunho do the same. 

“Sorry we’re late. This is Yunho and my name is Yeosang. Happy birthday, friend.” Yeosang smiled softly. Yunho’s tail wagged, a bag held in his teeth. 

Wooyoung looked at Jongho, checking for any signs of fear. Yunho was bigger than him by a significant amount, after all. 

Instead of apprehension or even tears, he found Jongho wiggling trying to climb down, and as soon as he did, he toddled over to Yunho and Yeosang. 

Chaerin watched like a hawk, her body tense, while both Eric and Gahyeon wiggled free of San’s grip, coming over to the dog, as well. 

Yeosang kept an eye on the situation, kneeling once they got close. Before he got the chance to inform them of how to greet dogs, Jongho looked up at him, shifting from one foot to the other. 

“Can…can I pet the doggie, Yeosangie-hyung?” 

Gahyeon nodded eagerly, looking from him to Yunho and then back again.

“Is it okay? He’s so pretty!”

Eric was practically vibrating. 

“And big!”

Yeosang felt his heart melt. What a good set of kids.

“Yes. How you greet a dog is like this-”His voice was tender as he instructed the children, his hair pulled back into a low, fluffy ponytail while some of his bangs framed his face just right. 

Wooyoung couldn’t take his eyes off of him. 

San wasn’t much different, watching as Jongho reached his hand out. Yunho sniffed his cherub fingers and set the bag in his mouth down, lowering his head and licking at the birthday boy’s arm while he and his siblings began to gently pet his head and ears. 

“Well, that’s settled. Everyone is here so we can actually get this party started!” Chaerin beamed, moving to pour cups of soda for the lot of them while her starry-eyed children asked Yeosang a million and one questions while sending loving glances at Yunho. The canine was patient, calmly giving dog kisses and cuddled whenever the children called to him or offered their hands again for sniffing.

“Here, let me help, Unnie!” Yeji offered. Wooyoung was in the kitchen in an instant, grabbing some plates so he could help pass snacks. 

Chaerin smiled and began directing the younger adults while San walked over to Yeosang. 

“You can set up a water bowl and food bowl over here. We have sliding doors that lead outside, so if he needs to go on a walk, it can be close…thank you for coming.” He smiled and bowed to him and Yeosang rubbed his neck, noticing San had approached him without Wooyoung at his side. 

Part of him was still expecting the man to pull him aside and show him a different side of himself regarding Yeosang and Wooyoung’s closeness. 

There was nothing of the sort, and instead, San extended his hand to Yunho, voice kind and eyes soft. 

“Hey there, Yuyu. Thank you for coming, too. My siblings seem to love you already.” He beamed. Yunho happily licked his hand and walked closer, nuzzling him to entice him to scratch his neck. 

It worked, and Yeosang felt some of the tension he was holding onto relax as he moved to set up Yunho’s little corner by the back door while San scratched his throat and eventually his stomach when the large dog flopped over to the side. 

From across the room, Chan watched the two interact subtly, his arm around Changbin’s waist. There didn’t seem to be any conflict, and the man was pleasantly surprised at that. 

“Oppa?”

Chan blinked into focus and looked down, finding Gahyeon staring up at him with wide eyes of wonder. He tilted his head and bent down to her eye level, smiling at her. 

“Yes?”

“Is Binnie Oppa your boyfriend?” she inquired. Chan laughed, the sound rich and soft as he nodded. 

San’s head perked as he looked back to the kitchen, brows furrowing. Usually, his siblings minded their manners when it came to prying into an adult’s life, but they were still kids, at the end of the day, and sometimes they lacked a filter all the same. 

“Gahyeonnie, let’s not get all in othe folks’ business-”

“Isn’t Yejie Unnie also your girlfriend? I saw you two smooch.” 

Chan blinked owlishly while Changbin choked on his drink above them. Somewhere behind them, a howl of a laugh came from Yeonjun and Yeji snickered behind her hand, more amused than anything, while Chaerin was less than pleased. 

“ Lee Gahyeon! You do not ask people that!” 

Gahyeon pouted and Yeji smiled. 

“It's okay, Unnie. That’s why we let you know before we came. Chan and Changbin are both my boyfriends, Gahyeon.” 

Gahyeon looked up at them, lips parted before they began to shimmer. 

“You can do that?! Woah!”

Chaerin scolded her daughter, apologizing profusely to the trio while Wooyoung handed Eric his juice and some of his snacks. Eric thanked him and whispered. 

“Would you date someone else with our big brother?” He inquired. Wooyoung’s lips parted in surprise and despite himself, his eyes instantly landed on Yeosang, who was looking towards the kitchen due to the chaos. 

Eric stared at him for a moment, tilting his head as he noticed Wooyoung’s lack of a response. He went to ask again, when he suddenly felt a ruffle to his head. 

By the grace of some higher power, Jiyong appeared, steering his son away with a gentle scolding tone. Wooyoung’s shoulders relaxed a bit, and he immediately moved to busy himself with setting up the game console in the living room, unaware of the curious eyes following him.

San’s, Yeosang’s. 

Once the two older children got a stern talking to regarding ‘boundaries’, the group migrated to the living room, eager to play the party games Wooyoung and San helped prepare on Jongho’s behalf. 

Said birthday boy sat beside Yunho and Wooyoung, big eyes focused on the screen while some of the others took their turn customizing their karts. 

“Do you wanna race, or do you wanna watch, baby bear?” Wooyoung inquired. Jongho looked up at him, one of his hands petting Yunho in repetitive, short motions. 

“I’m not so good at it…” He murmured. Wooyoung smiled and picked him up, setting him in his lap and scooting closer to Yunho so Jongho could still reach him for pets. 

“Your Hyung is gonna win every single match for you, so go ahead and customize our kart!”

Jongho looked at the controller and smiled, gently taking it and fumbling around to get the kart the way he wanted, uncaring of stats. 

Wooyoung smiled softly and looked on the other side of Yunho, at Yeosang watching the screen while everyone got settled. He’d already gotten his kart ready in the meantime. 

“Thank you for coming, Sangie. I know you’ve been busy with work, so I really appreciate you and YuYu stopping by.” He smiled. Yeosang looked at him and sent him a quiet smile that made his heart flip. 

“I see why you insisted so much. They’re sweet kids.” He looked over at Yunho, seeing his companion so comfortable in the environment that he’d closed his eyes, his head on Jongho and Wooyoung’s thigh as he enjoyed the attention. 

“And I think Yunho has made some new friends today, too.” he chuckled. Yunho’s tail wagged subtly, an indication he wasn’t actually asleep, and that drew a laugh from Soobin’s lips as he walked by with some trash to discard of. 

“This is the best birthday ever.” Jongho muttered, looking at Yunho and kissing his head, between the eyebrow-like markings there. Yunho’s tongue swiped out for the briefest of moments, licking his own nose before he settled back in. 

Yeosang’s eyes softened even more, feeling warm and fuzzy at the gentle interaction.

“I’m glad.”

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Jongho, surprisingly warmed up to all of the new faces fairly quickly, thanking and hugging everyone when he got to open his gifts. 

By the time 9pm rolled around, San had two out of three of his siblings unconscious and dangling from his arms, sleeping without a care in the world. He moved to grab Jongho, bur a different hand eclipsed his vision, and he watched as Yeosang came to pick up the birthday boy himself. 

“Oh- you can put him on my back, I’m used to carrying these three around all the time.” 

Yeosang shook his head. 

“I can help out. Besides, all that weight on your back isn't good for you. Just tell me where to go.” 

San sent him a grateful look as he told him to follow him down the left hall. It wasn’t a far walk to get them where they needed to be, and the gentle, off-beat sound behind him told San that Yunho was close in tow. 

Yeosang helped him open the door to Eric and Gahyeon’s rooms, respectively, standing aside as San tucked them in, giving gentle kisses to their heads and placing their favorite plushie in each of their arms. 

“Jongho’s room is across the hall.” San informed him, moving to close Gahyeon’s door and then opening Jongho’s moments later. Yeosang followed his lead, setting Jongho in bed and tucking him in. San handed over Jongho’s favorite dragon plushie and kissed his head, slightly leaning over Yeosang to do so. 

The older man didn’t move a muscle, simply glancing up, his breath fanning over San’s neck momentarily as the man tucked his sibling in and then moved away, sending him an honest smile.

“Again, thank you so much for coming. I hope you got to unwind and enjoy yourself.” He sent Yeosang a dimpled smile and beckoned for him to follow him back out. 

The two walked in a comfortable silence, joining the others as they helped pack up the leftovers, distributing it in plates to take home and some getting stored away in Chaerin and Jiyong’s fridge. 

“You all have my thanks. My babies are going to have to learn how to make friends their own ages, but for now, It's nice to see my family grow.” Jiyong put a hand on his hip as he looked over all of the people in his home. 

“As a thanks, you all are invited to a Halloween party I’m throwing later in the month.”

Wooyoung nearly tripped over himself, he spun so fast, eyes lighting up. 

“Wait, really?! Is it like, some really fancy, high-end costume party?!”

Chaerin snorted quietly and Jiyong hummed, shrugging a shoulder. 

“I suppose it can be considered as such. But its more of a gathering between friends, so think nothing of who else might be there and have fun as you would at any other party.” He instructed, smiling softly as he saw San and the others chatter amongst each other. 

“You have some time to think about it. If you’d like to come, just let San or Wooyoung know to tell me and I’ll update the headcount I have.”

They were met with a collection of eager nods from most of the group. Yeosang didn’t respond verbally, using the guise of packing up Yunho’s bowls as an excuse. 

It's not that he didn’t want to go and be with his friends, he swore he wasn’t some sort of antisocial person. 

He just-

Healing was taking it’s sweet time. He was truly grappling with being able to wrap his head around his own emotions. 

That’s what happens when you spend entirely too much time hiding from them, suppressing them, even. 

But it was fine, Halloween was on a weekday this year, so he could just make up some excuse, say he had work or picked up a shift from someone and-

“Yeo, are you going?” 

If you were wondering, no , Yeosang did not squeak when Wooyoung appeared at his side. He simply…exhaled in a particular manner, that’s it.

Seriously.

Regardless of his status as a squeak toy, Yeosang glanced at his friend, finding Wooyoung crouching, petting Yunho as he held his gaze. The trainer flushed slightly, biting the side of his tongue to remind himself to keep his calm. 

Wooyoung was Wooyoung. He was always this close to him. He always looked him in the eyes when they spoke. 

Why is keeping his cool such a struggle nowadays?

“I don’t know if I can, I probably have a class and-”

“Can’t Jungkook or Hyunjae take over the class? Just this once? I wanna wear matching costumes!”

Yeosang blinked at him. Once, twice, Yunho’s bowl dangling uselessly in his fingers as he stared at the energetic man, listening as he listed off different outfits they could do. 

“Angels…? Hm. Sirens! No, we don’t have enough time for a good quality one and those scales are a bitch to do makeup wise…pirates?...Oh, might workshop that a bit-”

Yeosang watched Wooyoung’s brain take off running down the block, firing off suggestions left and right. Yunho had made himself comfortable, his chin settled on Wooyoung’s thigh. 

At some point, a well-worked hand settled on Wooyoung’s shoulder and San appeared, smiling softly down at the two. 

“How about some kind of modern animal thing? We can use somethin’ in our closets and just need to worry about the, uh, ears and tail, I guess.” He offered, seemingly trying to save Yeosang from Wooyoung’s active imagination. 

Wooyoung perked and stood to his full height, grinning like mad, pointing at each of them. 

“Rabbit, Fox, Cat!”

Yeosang blinked. 

“Why do I have to be a rabbit? It's the smallest out of the three of those and I’m not even the shortest here.” Wooyoung sent him a devious look. 

“Because you’d look cute in bunny ears?” 

Yeosang stared at him, jaw slack, and his brows only twitched in interest when he saw San look in his direction, nodding quietly, lips twisted as if envisioning the sight. 

Whatever that weird flutter in his stomach was just now needed to stop immediately.

“Well too bad. I want to be the cat if this is what we’re doing.” He cut in, trying to get some of the control back in the situation he was quickly careening towards. Wooyoung pouted, clearly, he’d wanted that one. 

“How about you be the fox, Woo? I know you were probably going to make me the cat, but I can be the rabbit. Cats and foxes are super close, anyway, I’m sure ya won’t have to tweak your vision too much, right?” 

Two sets of eyes turned to San, then to the top of his pastel pink head, and whether they noticed or not, both of them nodded in unison, clearly agreeing with the idea of a set of rabbit ears situated atop the country man’s head. 

Yeosang cleared his throat, cheeks flushed, and stood to his height. 

“Right, should I go looking for what this ‘outfit’ should be or should I leave it to you?” He inquired. Wooyoung’s eyes lit up and a devious smile came to his face. 

“Leave it to me, just tell me your clothing sizes.”

Oh goodness, this wasn’t going to be a simple closet fit, was it?

San, as if reading his mind, sent Yeosang a sympathetic smile, letting out a small amused huff as Wooyoung began rattling off about matching and not being ‘basic bitches’.

Yeosang cleared his throat and made his way to the door, taking his skateboard out of Yunho’s mouth and zipping up his coat. 

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then. I’m headed out. Thank you again for inviting me, it was nice to be able to hang out with everyone and Jongho looked like he had a lot of fun today too.” He bowed and was met with a collection of goodbyes and waves. 

“Hey, call me when you get home, alright? So I know you’re back safe.” Wooyoung called to him one last time, standing a few feet from the door as Yeosang laced his shoes up.

“I’ll text you as soon as I’m home.” 

Wooyoung narrowed his eyes at him half-heartedly. 

“ Call me when you’re home so I know you’re safe.”

Yeosang had half a mind to be a little shit and repeat himself, too, but instead, he settled for putting a hand on his hip and nodding. 

“Yes, yes. Anything else, darling?” 

It slipped, honest. The two of them used terms of endearment with one another all the time before…Wooyoung came back from the summer and it truly was a slip of the tongue-

“I love you, darling. Bye.” Wooyoung met him halfway, grinning once again, his body language a bit looser. San smiled from his side, waving without a care at him. 

“Goodnight, get home safe.”

Yeosang cleared his throat and nodded, muttering a quick ‘you too’ before he disappeared into the night with Yunho. 

Chaerin and Jiyong watched on from the kitchen island, eventually exchanging a look with one another. 

“....do you think they know yet?” She mused to her husband. He snorted, leaning against her. 

“Those three goofballs? No, not at all. Why do you think I pulled a Halloween party out of my ass?” He muttered into her ear. She snickered and watched Wooyoung and San move back to the rest of their friends, exchanging hugs and plans to set up upcoming hangouts. 

“Think it’ll work?” She inquired, brow arched. Jiyong shrugged. 

“Dunno. That’s up to them.”

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

     October 18th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“My love, do you want to plan a picnic sometime?” Wooyoung inquired as he rolled up rice balls. San looked up from the small mason jars he had lined up on the counter, blinking owlishly. 

“Where did that come from?” 

“Well, you haven’t really gotten to sit down and relax at all since you’ve moved in and I feel bad. We immediately threw you into the hustle and bustle of work instead of letting you relax and explore…” Wooyoung trailed off, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. San smiled at him. 

“Is it that much different from when you all came to Namhae? The very next day, you were out in the fields with Hyung and I. Besides, I’m used to keeping busy like this. My only off time was when I was home with my family. We have been relaxing when we’re here. And there was the aquarium date! That was fun!” He reminded him, humored by the pout that settled on Wooyoung’s face, clearly not thinking it was enough. 

“Well, it’s not exciting if it’s just the same as Namhae!” He huffed. San arched a brow at him, pouring drinks into the mason jars. 

“Then we can set up a date night. How about next weekend? We have a long weekend because of our schedule.” 

Wooyoung perked and nodded, smiling from ear to ear, a bounce in his step as he began packing away the rice balls he’d made.

In front of the two, lay a spread of lunch boxes for their friends. San had come up with the idea after seeing how tired Yeosang was the other day and worrying about their other friends in their circle.

After adding a side of veggies and protein and letting Wooyoung customize each little box with a small ‘mascot’ made from the ingredients he used, the two were off for the day, making light conversation as they decided to walk through the city. 

“First is Soobin and Chan, they’re the closest. If we’re lucky, we can catch Changbin working out at the gym. He’s not working until later tonight.” Wooyoung brought a finger to his chin as he worked out their game plan. San simply adjusted his grip on the box that held the mason jars, worried he’d drop them. 

The two made light idle chat as they walked, eventually making their way to a spacious fitness gym just a few blocks out of the heart of the city. 

The receptionist looked up, her eyes brightening as they landed on the duo. 

“Oh, Wooyoung~ Good Morning! I don’t think I’ve met you, love. What’s your name?” she smiled at San, leaning on the counter and seemingly sizing him up. The dimpled man blinked in surprise. 

“Oh, good morning, Miss. My name is San-”

“He’s my boyfriend, Noona.” 

Her smile fell immediately and she sent Wooyoung a flat look. 

“What did I tell you about coming in here with ‘off-limits’ cuties? First Yeosang, now him. What’s a girl to do?” 

Wooyoung smiled casually, shrugging a shoulder. He seemed to take no offense, though San perked at the ‘off limits’ comment. 

Of course, Wooyoung was in love with Yeosang, after all. 

“So, does this mean I can bag Yeosang now that you have this cutie for a boyfriend?” She whispered, though San heard her clear as day. She hadn’t been trying hard to keep her volume down. 

Wooyoung rolled his eyes half-heartedly. 

“Not a chance in hell. Anyway, we’re going to find Chan and Soobin, byeeee.” Wooyoung beckoned San with the tilt of his jaw and San fell in step with him, catching the receptionist huffing playfully under her breath. 

“Oh, so you get TWO boyfriends? Life is unfair-”

San blushed and looked over at Wooyoung. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen ya get snippy with anyone like that in regards to me before.” 

Wooyoung hummed, leading him down a hall. 

“You’re hot, I can’t let just anyone think they have a chance with you.” He puffed his chest out proudly, grinning when he saw San blush down to his ears before glancing away.

“Wooyoung? San? What are you two doing here?” 

The pair looked up as Soobin jogged down the hall to greet them, covered in a light sheen of sweat, though San felt like the man’s kind smile made him glow even more. 

“Just one of the handsome men we wanted to see~ Sannie and I made lunches for everyone since we were off anyway, so we figured we’d make sure our lovely best friends are eating properly.” Wooyoung explained, fishing into the large tote he had brought along and handing Soobin a pastel blue bento box. Soobin looked touched, peeking inside and smiling at the bunny Wooyoung had made out of the food inside the box. 

“That’s so sweet…thank you both so much. I’ll go grab Chan and Changbin. They only just started their arm and chest workouts, but it’s in Chan’s private room, so I won’t be interrupting too much, I think.” He mused. Wooyoung scoffed half-heartedly and nudged San. 

“What did I say? I told you Changbin would probably be here. Yeji not being here means she’s working at the bookstore, so we’ll go there after we make sure her other two-thirds are eating.” 

San watched Wooyoung march forward with a soft smile on his face. He really had a way of taking charge in a myriad of situations, and this was no different. San could tell he felt back at home in his own skin since they were back in the city, though. 

Wooyoung was, by no means, a quiet man, but being back in the hustle and bustle of the city only made the man bloom fully into what he assumed was his full nature. San needed a bit longer to adjust to his surroundings, and found himself being a quiet observer more often than naught. 

Soobin glanced over at the man and gently pat his back, turning up the watts on his smile when San turned his attention back to him. 

“How are things doing? Are you adjusting well? We didn’t get to talk much at Jongho’s party about life.” He sent him a genuine smile to ease San, as if reading the man’s wandering thoughts. San flushed and nodded, smiling at him. 

“I am. Everyone is so kind. I just hope I’ve left a good impression on everyone.” He adjusted his grip on the box nervously and Soobin looked down the hall to where Wooyoung had poked his head in. 

The man had clearly caught Chan and Changbin giving each other ‘reward kisses’, if the teasing was anything to go by as they approached. 

“I don’t think you have to try too hard at all. You’re a very likeable and down-to-earth guy, San. I’m excited to spend more time with you and everyone else. Has everyone been welcoming you in well?” He inquired. San nodded. 

“Yeah, everyone’s been so kind. I’m looking forward to the party. Wooyoung’s been working hard on his, my, and Yeosang’s costumes.”

Soobin’s smile faltered ever so slightly, seemingly waiting to see if he had a bad experience with the somewhat elusive dog trainer. When San only met his worried gaze with a curious one of his own, Soobin blinked. 

Once, twice, then he relaxed his shoulders. 

“Oh, is that so? Things are going well?” 

San had gotten good at reading people. Soobin was trying to feel out if there was any tension between the two men. Understandable, given the circumstances, but San’s expression didn’t sour in the slightest. 

“Yeah, he’s been over a couple of times for Wooyoung to take measurements before he and I get kicked out of Wooyoung’s, and I quote; ‘creative room.’” He laughed softly, though there was a fondness in his voice that caught Soobin off guard. 

Yeosang was not, by any means, a disrespectful or confrontational man, so the lot of them didn’t expect him to throw a fit when he was with San, but it was still a surprise to know he had made such an impression on the man who was with Wooyoung. 

They all knew how Yeosang felt about their energetic friend. 

“Well then, I’m really glad everything is going well for you! If you need anything, please let me know. Of course, friends get free passes to the gym, just let Chan or I know when you’re coming.” Soobin told him before looking into the room. 

“I appreciate the bento box, but do you have to be so obnoxious? We were in the middle of working out.” Changbin huffed, standing with his arms crossed. Wooyoung looked back at him like the cat that ate the canary. 

“Of course. If no one else is going to give you shit, who will? I wanna know what workout you two are doing that involves so many kisses in the gym~” He teased, yelping and dodging the slap Changbin aimed at his arm. 

Chan stood beside the two with a small, patient smile on his face, seemingly more than used to the shenanigans of the two. He looked up when he saw San and Soobin and made his way over to the two while Changbin and Wooyoung bickered. 

“Thank you so much for the lunch. It came at the perfect time. I didn’t bring one today because we were running late this morning and I almost called Yeji to ask her if she could stop by with some on her break. I appreciate it.” He bowed to San and took the mason jars San had offered with a subtle lift of the box and a smile. 

“Of course. It’s nothin’ too crazy, but I hope it’s at least filling until lunchtime.” 

Chan smiled at him and finally cast a look over his shoulder when Wooyoung let out an unruly shriek. 

“Alright, that’s enough, you two. Changbin, my love, let him out of the headlock and give me your box so I can put it in the fridge in my office.” Chan scolded. Immediately, the two of them froze, looking at Chan like a pair of deer in headlights before they pouted and pulled away from each other. 

“ Anyway, thank you. Both of you. I’ll pay you back next time I have time.” Changbin smiled as Wooyoung fixed his hair and stood to his full height. 

“Asshole, do you know how long it takes me to do my hair?” He muttered playfully before picking up the tote. 

“Don’t mention it. We’re gonna go head to Yeji now. Have a good day, tell us if you like it. I tried some new things with San’s advice, so I need the feedback.” Wooyoung fixed the men with a stare until they all agreed with either nods or half-hearted ‘yeah yeahs’ (courtesy of Changbin).

Satisfied, Wooyoung stepped out of the room, kissing San’s dimple before he headed down the hall. 

“C’mon baby. We need to make sure all of our lovely friends eat. Where would they be without us?” He lamented dramatically. Soobin laughed, Changbin rolled his eyes, and Chan watched the trio leave with a hand on his hip. 

The two engaged in light conversation until they came across a cozy-looking bookshop with an hourglass depicted on the blade sign outside of it. Wooyoung smiled and stepped up faster, opening the door and smiling flirtatiously at San. 

“After you, my love~” He winked, his chest puffing up proudly at the flustered way San cleared his throat and hustled in. 

Immediately, he’s met with the scent of cinnamon sugar and vanilla.

The bookshop appears bigger on the inside, and as much as everyone has told him it was ‘small’, San was still blown away at how many different sections there were to walk through and he almost didn’t hear Yeji come over to them. 

“Good morning, Binnie and Chan told me you were coming. You two got here fast, though!”

San and Wooyoung looked over, finding Yeji jogging over to them, peeling some gloves off of her hands. 

“It wasn’t too far but uh-what are you doing?” San blinked owlishly as he watched her take off her apron, which had been speckled with all kinda of color smears. 

“I was doing some demos for our upcoming arts and crafts day. We’re going to make some spoopy soap for Halloween and give out candy to anyone who stops by in costume.” She grinned, hands on her hips as she watched Wooyoung rummage around before handing her a bento. 

“Here’s lunch!” 

“Thank you~ You two are like, a pair of house-husband saviors~” She smiled and moved to a counter, glancing over at San when she saw him looking around in interest. 

“Go ahead, baby boy. Look around my little shop. Let me know if you wanna check anything out.” She grinned and waved the curious man off. San smiled and nodded in thanks, moving to walk through rows upon rows of colorful books. 

There were a few people littered around here and there, but given the time of day, there wasn’t a high concentration of people in the area that would make things claustrophobic. 

He ran his fingers over book covers, spotting several books with beautifully crafted covers that drew his attention. 

Some of them were a bit larger in size- ’That one Against the Tide thing on the table has like 3 volumes and the small paper sign says its not done?’- while some were significantly smaller. San glanced over to see Wooyoung and Yeji leaning on a counter, talking and laughing as she ate her bento. 

San didn’t want to disturb them and interrupt them speaking, so instead, he plucked the closest book he could find, missing the fact he’d wandered into the section of the shop with the more explicit works. 

He’d found a spot on a nearby cat-shaped bean bag on the floor and settled in, opening his book. 

He was unsure how many minutes had passed, his eyes combing through the pages. He found himself engrossed in the story, though he found a bit early on that he’d grabbed not only a book from the queer adult section, but that it had also contained very vivid material on the inside. 

-”Tilt your head up, I want you to look me in the eyes, Hyunjin.”

Minho is met with a slow smile stretching across his love’s ruby-red lips, the lipstick smeared at the corner. Hyunjin obliges, purring as Minho crossed the room, running his fingers through Hyunjin’s silken hair. 

Then, his eyes drift down to Jisung, spent and panting, still buried deep inside of Hyunjin, the evidence of their lovemaking making a mess between their legs. 

A smile stretches across Minho’s face as he leaned close, stealing a kiss from Hyunjin before he caressed Jisung, kissing him too and reveling in the man’s soft moan as he pressed Hyunjin flush against him in an attempt to feel them both. 

“There’s no need to rush,” Minho chuckled, moving to settle himself in a chair just beyond their bed’s reach. 

“I'd like to…savor it a bit more. Every beat of your heart, every thrum of excitement in your blood. I can taste it from here. I'm enjoying the show.  Continue. I'll join when I'm ready for a bite.”-

San stared at the page slack-jawed and beet red. 

Two vampires and their human lover. All of them, sharing kisses and whispers of love, standing by each other in a love story that had been…oddly domestic despite the vampiric nature of two-thirds of the main characters. 

Maybe throuples like this are more common than San could have guessed…

"Whacha reading?"

San jolted and nearly hurled the book, clutching his chest with wide eyes as he looked at a mischievous Wooyoung. His boyfriend nearly cackled behind him, covering his mouth to keep himself from laughing as San gave him a half-hearted shove, standing up.

"Don't do that!" He huffed, glaring at Wooyoung. His boyfriend put his hands on his hips, proud of himself.

"Yeji and I are all done babe. We just need to drop Yeosang’s off since Yeonjun is out of town."

San glanced down at the book in his hands and cleared his throat. 

"Gimmie a second. I'm gonna, uh I'm gonna buy this real quick." He shuffled along while Wooyoung hummed and moved to peruse the books himself. 

"No problem, call me when you're ready, my love."

San nodded and headed off to Yeji, sheepishly putting the book in front of her. She smiled at him, glancing down at the book before humming, her brows going up just a margin.

San felt his cheeks darken even more.

"This is a pretty good series. This is the second one, though. I recommend you read the first one before you continue this. It makes their relationship feel more impactful.” She advised, smiling sweetly at San as she scanned the book regardless of his decision. He shifted from one foot to the other, worrying his lip between his teeth for a moment before he moved back to the section of the bookstore he had been in, coming back once he found the aforementioned first book. 

Yeji smiled and added that one, applying an employee discount before she put them in a paper bag with a cat on the front of it. 

“If you have any questions on the book or…anything similar, let me know.” She added the last part in a whisper, glancing at Wooyoung before looking at San once again. 

“I- N-no it’s nothing like that. I-”

“San, I’m not assuming anything. I’m just saying…if you ever want coffee and to talk about some books, I’m your girl.” She beamed and tilted her head, smiling at him. 

San looked at the bag and cleared his throat, nodding. 

“Right..thank you, Yeji.” He bowed and headed back to Wooyoung, finding him pursuing the manga. He perked and smiled at San, adjusting his grip on the tote with the last bento and mason jar. 

“Got everything you wanted?” He inquired. San nodded, kissing his head as they stepped out of the shop, a melodic chime following them as they went. 

They had to walk significantly farther to get to the dog training facility, and San could tell it was after lunch despite their efforts to deliver the food and drink to their friends by the noon hour.  The streets, while still bustling in their own right, had less suited men and women rushing to and from food shops, and San had enough room to walk side by side Wooyoung comfortably without worrying about accidentally brushing into anyone. 

They still kept their hands unlinked, just in case they needed to maneuver apart as a wayward office worker or a teenager in a hurry came darting down the middle of the sidewalk, but overall, this time of day proved to be more flexible than their earlier runs. 

When they finally got to the dog training facility, San could hear a cacophony of barking and yipping coming from beyond a set of heavy, tinted doors. 

Wooyoung took the lead, checking first before pushing the door in, making sure no dogs were trying to make any great escapes the moment he did so. Once the coast was clear, he guided San all the way in, and the two walked up to a man and woman standing by the front. The man smiled jovially at them, his piercings shimmering in the light while the petite woman at his side rubbed her belly. 

Ah, she must be the one that was heading off to her maternity leave soon. 

“Kookie-hyung~ Jennie-noona~” Wooyoung practically sang, smiling ear to ear at the two. Jennie smiled back before glancing at San curiously. 

“I can’t ever get you to visit with a dog, but instead, you bring a new friend?” She teased. San blushed and bowed, 

“My name is San. I’m his boyfriend.”

Both her and ‘Kookie’s’ eyebrows shot up. They exchanged a look with one another before some kind of silent realization dawned on them, if the small ‘ah’s they let out was anything to go by. 

San fidgeted. If Yeosang worked here and they had that kind of reaction, clearly they’d heard of him in some capacity. 

“Are you looking for Yeosang? He’s started a class but Jungkook-ah can bring you to the sidelines. Just try not to distract the dogs, okay? He gets really upset when his classes are interrupted.” She advised them. Jungkook nodded and kissed her head before beckoning both men to follow him down the hall. 

“Thank you, sorry for intruding.” San humbly apologized while Wooyoung waved, puffing his chest out. 

“Bah, don’t worry! Yeo Yeo has a nasty habit of not eating properly when I’m not cooking for him, so we’re doing him a big favor.” 

Jungkook only smiled, listening to the two before stopping outside a room with a fox painted on the door. 

“Alrighty. Follow my lead, keep your voices a bit down if you can, and try not to distract him, I can see he’s already started in there.” He instructed, guiding them into a room that had a big, circular area in the center with turf. The area outside of it had raised walls so (most) dogs couldn’t get out with ease, and as asked, the two of them silently filed into the area where there were seats, opting not to stand too close to the walls, for fear they’d become a distraction for what was assumed to be a beginner class. 

They were far enough that they believed they could eat their own lunches, despite the lateness, so they began rustling about as quietly as they could to eat as they watched Yeosang’s class. Once they were settled, Jungkook left them to their own devices and they watched on as Yeosang scanned the group in front of him. 

His long, fluffy hair was secured under a cap and his tanktop was tucked into his pants as Yunho stood dutifully at his side. He looked more like a military drill sergeant than what San had expected a dog trainer to look like. 

It was quite…quite an impressive look, if he was being honest.

“When you are here, it is not just the dogs that will be trained. You yourselves, as their owners and companions, will be training alongside them. That is the most important thing here. During my classes, you and your dogs are equals , and I will train you both as such. A dog can be as well-behaved and wonderful as can be, but the moment they are put around reckless people, gradually, over time, that behavior switches. It changes. And it does not take much of a dogs bad behavior before society deems them a risk and I'm sure you all know what happens then." The black-haired man made a gun motion with his hand and Yunho immediately flopped onto his back, tongue out as he stayed still, playing dead, 

Yeosang strolled past the dog before he patted his own thigh, giving him a treat as Yunho immediately rolled back onto his paws and appeared at his side.

“The best thing that can prevent a dog biting or fighting incident is proper training of both the owners and their canines. And that’s why you all are with me.”

San watched, chewing quietly as Yeosang walked back and forth past his class. He could see some people listening with rapt attention-he was one of them-while others rolled their eyes, surely thinking the trainer was "over dramatic". 

Wooyoung took a sip from his mason jar, leaning on San as he spoke quietly. 

"Yeosang really loves dogs. Training is his passion. It pisses me off that some of them think this is a game." He muttered. San chewed thoughtfully and watched as Yunho sat dutifully in the same spot, despite all of the dogs and people in the training ring. 

At one point, the giant dog’s eyes move towards them, there is a subtle wag to his tail, but he remains unmoving. 

The two watch while whispering, not wanting to disturb the dogs or their owners. Yeosang’s face remains calm, yet authoritative as he trains, never raising his voice over a certain volume, every movement and instruction precise and to the point. 

San found himself unable to tear his eyes off of him. Wooyoung is the same. 

“Today’s lesson is over. Report cards will be sent out by the end of the day for the lesson’s progress, along with ‘homework’. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions between now and our next lesson.” 

Wooyoung finally stood as the group began to filter out, leashing up their dogs and dispersing while talking amongst themselves. San is right behind him, though both of them hang back as one of the trainees walked up to Yeosang, smiling handsomely at him. 

“I really appreciate your lesson, Yeosang-nim~ With your help, Coco and I will be just as impressive as you and Yunho in no time.” He grinned, holding a pomeranian under his arm. Yeosang glanced and then crossed his arm. 

“Remember my lesson about the detriments of carrying your dogs unless necessary, Lee-nim. You do not want to give Coco a complex by always carrying her just because she is small.” 

Lee nodded, though he didn’t seem too interested in what Yeosang was saying, rather, his eyes subtly combing over his face, and chest, and even darting down to admire his abs once he stood back up after setting Coco down. 

San pursed his lips, a small nagging in the back of his mind as he watched the two. 

Agitation. 

“You’re the best teacher I’ve seen in this place, Sang-nim. Could I ask you out for dinner as a thanks?” He inquired, his eyebrows going up flirtatiously. 

Yeosang blinked, the calm expression on his face shifting ever so slightly to one of surprise before suddenly Wooyoung tossed an arm over Yeosang’s shoulder, dangling off of the man’s side and smiling with a tilt to his head. 

“Sorry! We have some food for Yeosangie already. Dinner too, we’ve already made plans for him.” 

Yeosang looked at him, his face didn’t betray the confusion he felt, and Wooyoung was grateful, his eyes never leaving Lee’s face. 

He could see the way the shorter man’s eyes narrowed subtly before he sniffed, wiping his nose. 

“Oh, next time, then, Sangie-nim .” His voice dripped in the untold challenge, and then he turned and headed out of the training ring, his Pomeranian following at his side with hurried footsteps. 

Wooyoung didn’t take his eyes off of him until he was out of view, muttering in displeasure. 

“I don’t like him.” 

“Since when did we have dinner plans?” Yeosang inquired, the neutral expression of his face changing into a more casual, expressive one now that he wasn’t teaching. 

“Since just now because that guy is a creep. I mean, who asks out their tutor?” Wooyoung began rambling, never moving from his spot leaning on Yeosang. The slightly older man let him speak, calmly watching him with a smile on his face until San moved closer, drawing his attention. 

He held up the box Wooyoung had left behind when he moved to his side, looking Yeosang in the eyes and smiling softly. 

“You must be hungry. We made bento boxes for everyone. Even Yunho.” He offered, keeping his hand extended. 

Yeosang looked at it for a beat longer than the others had, but then he took it, smiling softly. 

“I see. That’s sweet of you. I appreciate it. Yunho-” Yeosang made a motion with his hand, and in a flash, Yunho’s massive form appeared, licking at both Wooyoung and San’s hand before sitting in front of his owner. 

Yeosang gently moved away from Wooyoung, making sure he did not lose his balance before he crouched down to set up the food they had made for the canine first. 

Wooyoung bent down, petting Yunho and cooing to him, eyes half-lidded. 

“Yeah, Yuyu. That guy is stinky, anyway, you don’t want him taking your papa out to dinner either, do you?” He talked to the animal as if he were human. Yunho blinked at him, head tilting before he licked Wooyoung’s hand, as if that were the response to a command he hadn’t quite learned yet. 

Yeosang-and San-glanced at him at the comment, yet neither said a word.

"I appreciate you for making a bento for me and including Yunho. Thank you, both of you." Yeosang bowed slightly, sitting with his legs crossed on the ground beside Yunho as he inspected the bento, a genuine, big smile coming to his face when he saw the small character they'd made out of the bento's contents, the floral-themed 'Hethetmon' staring back at him.

Wooyoung smiled triumphantly and watched as Yeosang ate. 

"I knew you'd be more focused on training your classes than eating properly-again-so we put extra in yours."

Yeosang chewed thoughtfully, humming. 

"I guess I did forget."

San frowned and put a hand on his hip, looking at the man in disapproval. 

"You can't forget things like that, Yeosang-ah. Your health is important. Please take care of yourself." 

Yeosang’s gaze shifted to him, calm, yet doe-like and for a second, San could swear he felt a sound akin to a fax machine struggling to work in his brain.

He and Wooyoung have such pretty eyes.

San panicked, tripping over his own words as he quickly added; "Besides, who's going to take care of Yunho when you get sick?"

Yeosang hummed quietly before nodding, petting the canine as he finished his dog-safe bento. 

"Probably Soobin."

Wooyoung let out a scandalized gasp.

"You didn't even hesitate! What about me!?"

"Wooyoung, I don't trust you with my plants , I damn sure aren't trusting you with my dog."

Wooyoung clung to his chest, falling to his knees dramatically. 

"See that, San? We make him a beautiful lunch, and he wounds me! Blasphemy! Gimme back my damn food, then!"

Yeosang smiled, and it reached his eyes, a spark of mischief in it as he started eating noticeably faster. Wooyoung narrowed his gaze and lunged at him half-heartedly, though he tumbled a bit too far forward, falling on top of Yeosang and nearly knocking the food out of his hand as he moved to catch him.

The two lay on each other in an awkward heap. Wooyoung went beet red to his ears, his face entirely too close to Yeosang’s as he tried to gather his bearings. 

What San had believed to be Yeosang’s "normal" deadpan calm around Wooyoung’s shenanigans was broken in an instant, his face dark red as he stared at him, mouth agape. 

The two stared at each other like deer in headlights, and San was certain neither of them were actually breathing .

Hell, he didn't know if he was.

But he recovered first-naturally, he wasn't directly involved, after all-and he spoke first. 

"Are you two okay?"

Wooyoung swallowed thickly, sitting up and clearing his throat. 

“Y-yeah- sorry I didn’t mean to knock you over-”

Yeosang cleared his throat, sitting up and speaking quietly. 

“I’m okay…don’t worry.” He muttered, eating with his head down. Wooyoung bit his lip and looked at San with an almost sheepish expression. 

“We’ll go on ahead. I’ll make a big dinner. You can stop by if you have time. Okay?” he offered, pausing to wait for an answer. He got a small nod in response, as Yeosang found his gaze transfixed on the meal in his slightly shaking hand. 

Wooyoung laced his fingers in with San’s, and the countryman couldn’t help but to notice the small amount of clamminess to them. 

San waved goodbye, pulling him outside. 

The two walked in silence until they got home. 

Wooyoung came to a stop before they got to the door, his eyebrows pulled up. San looked back at him. 

“Wooyoung?”

“I’m…sorry.”

San felt the heaviness in his tone and turned his full attention towards him. 

“Why?”

“I…God, I’m such a horrible boyfriend, aren’t I? It looks like I’m throwing myself at him and I…I swear I’m not trying to be disrespectful to you, I love you, I just-I have these habits that die hard and around Yeosang I-”

“-you still love him.” 

Wooyoung’s fingers twitched in San’s grip. He didn’t meet his gaze, but San could see the storm settling on his face. He didn’t deny the statement, and while his gaze was fixed on the ground, tears welled up in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I’m such a shitty boyfriend.”

San pursed his lips and gently twisted his hand out of Wooyoung’s grip. Wooyoung took the action as a rejection and slumped his shoulders. 

San didn’t want the miscommunication to escalate, so he wrapped his arms around Wooyoung, pulling him into a strong hug. 

“Please answer me honestly. Do you love me?” 

“Of course I do! I-”

San pushed forward. 

“Do you love Yeosang, still?” 

“.....”

“Wooyoung, I need you to be honest with me. I have never told you a lie since we met, just answer me.” 

“...yes.”

San caressed his cheeks as he sobbed, holding his wrists. Wooyoung looked torn up as he stood in front of him, hiccuping as tears ran down his cheek. The empathetic part of San felt his own eyes water at seeing him like this. 

The other part, felt relief. 

San kissed the top of his head. 

“So, what’s wrong with that?” 

Wooyoung nearly didn’t hear him. Between his hiccups and sobs, San’s calm voice was nearly drowned out. 

“W-what?” 

“So what, you love him. You also love me. And I have never doubted that from the day you told me for the first time.” 

Wooyoung looked at him, still crying, though he’d been shocked out of saying anything further. San ran his thumb over his eyes, humming quietly. 

“A…aren’t you mad?”

“Wooyoung, I have had a lot of time to think about this since we got here, hell, since you told me back in Namhae. And you know what? No. I’m not. It’s not such a scary concept, you loving him as well. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Wooyoung’s eyes flooded with tears as he squeezed San tight, sobbing into his shoulder as they stood in the doorway of their home. 

He felt selfish, he felt anxious, he felt like he was stabbing his love in the back.

And yet, those few words, they calmed the chaotic waters of his mind, a lifted weight from his chest. 

Wooyoung loved San. He loved Yeosang. He’d convinced himself long ago that he’d never get to truly share his love with Yeosang as deeply as it ran, but this alone, brought him solace. 

San ran his hands through Wooyoung’s hair, kissing him softly. 

His boyfriend was plenty overwhelmed right now. 

San didn’t feel it appropriate to mention the other thing tumbling around in his mind. 

That he also felt a subtle pull he’d felt before. 

With the boy he’d invited to the festival, with Wooyoung. 

Now, with Yeosang. 

The undeniable tug at his heart; yearning. 

Instead, he guided Wooyoung into their home, the chill of the October air reminding them that they were, in fact, still outside. He brought him over to the couch, sitting him down and pulling him into his arms once more, just rocking with the man and letting him cry. 

Wooyoung ended up laying in his arms, the energy expelled from his episode leaving him asleep in San's embrace, cheeks still red. San carried him upstairs, tucking him into bed with a kiss to his head before he sighed and moved downstairs to cook on his own. 

He made a quick stir fry, thankful for all the cooks he had in his immediate circle that he got to study from. San was sure he wouldn't be able to do half the technical things he'd learned to do from them on his own. 

San headed back upstairs once he was finished, casting a small glance over his shoulder at the front door. 

Yeosang hadn't stopped by. 

San pushed back the sadness he felt and instead focused on not tripping with him and Wooyoung’s food on the platter the two of them bought for their home. 

Wooyoung perked when he entered the room, the scent waking him in an instant.

"San…? Oh- shit, I fell asleep? I was supposed to help, I'm sorry!”

“Shh, it's not much but it should be enough to get a full, happy belly,” San told him, handing him his plate first. Wooyoung tiredly ate, for once not filling the silence with any animated talking or anything of the sort.

San didn't press him on it, eating just as quietly and cleaning up shortly afterwards. 

When he came back to the room for the second time, he found Wooyoung dozing, looking at him with half-lidded eyes. He reached for him, making a small noise as San laced their fingers together and climbed into bed with him. 

He stared at San for a while, his blinks getting noticeably longer as his breathing began to even out. 

"I love you." He tiredly muttered, finally closing his eyes to rest for the night. San kissed his head and held him close. 

"I love you too." San chuckled softly and nosed his hair, just listening to his heartbeat and breathing. 

They stayed like that until San felt his own eyes getting heavy, and soon he, too, fell asleep.

Despite the high-strung emotions of the evening, he found that his mind wasn’t quite done running amok.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

   . . . .   .

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“Show me your face, beautiful.”

San moved closer to the bed, cupping Wooyoung’s face lovingly. Wooyoung looked up, lips stained ruby red. 

They’re smudged, right in the corner. 

Bite marks trail down his neck, and he leans into San’s hand, keening as he kisses his palm. There’s melted love shining in his eyes as he sat up higher on his knees to kiss him. San caressed him, pulling him flush against his bigger body, making sure he felt how excited he’d become in the time they’d spent in there. 

Then, another voice. 

“Starting without me? You’re really spoiling him.”

San cracked his eyes open, exhaling sharply when his eyes locked onto another’s, a chin suddenly resting on Wooyoung’s shoulder. 

“Yeosang,” he breathed, eyeing the man with an undeniable want rumbling in his voice. Yeosang smiled, a calm devilish vibe to counter Wooyoung’s needy squirming and panting between them. 

His lips were swollen from kisses, a telltale smear of red on them. 

It went without question where they came from, as he got his answer to the unasked statement moments later when Wooyoung turned his head, his neck bared as he kissed him. 

It was needy, near desperate, and San felt himself throbbing with need, grinding on Wooyoung’s thigh. Wooyoung moaned into his kiss, flexing his thigh one moment and pressing his ass back the next. 

Yeosang broke the kiss and pushed him forward just enough to press him flush against San, catching the slightly younger man’s attention before he pulled him in for a kiss, capturing his lips with the same hunger he did Wooyoung’s. 

San felt a spark run up and down his body. His hips jerk and he buck as Wooyoung teased his nipples with his thumbs, mouthing at his neck and creating more ruby-red smears. 

He was melting. San felt like he was going to slip through the sheets in a puddle, especially when they switched positions, and suddenly he was in the middle, with both Wooyoung and Yeosang grinding and humping his thighs. 

“Sorry for the mess~” Wooyoung half-heartedly apologized, leaving a glistening trail of precum on San’s thigh as he hugged his waist. San opened his mouth to respond, but was met with the sound of his own jerky moan as Yeosang wrapped his hand around his cock, stroking him. 

“Oh, I’m not. I’m going to make sure you make an even bigger one.” he promised, looking him in the eyes. San gasped and bucked into his hand before whimpering when his chin was grabbed by the man. 

His hair was down, fluffy and wild as he looked him in the eyes. 

“Hang on a bit longer, darling. After all, we have to keep you nice and hard for our Woo-ya, don’t we?” He purred into his ear, nipping his lobe as San nearly came in his hand. Wooyoung keened in excitement beside them, trading kisses between both of their chests before he moved to their lips, hovering over them both. 

San wondered what it would feel like to share a kiss. It probably would be messy between the three of them. 

He wanted it. Found himself leaning in for it. 

He’s so close-

“Sannie?”

San jolted, eyes opening in an instant before he hissed and shut them, feeling the sunlight stream directly into them. He groaned and opened them back once he’d raised his arm, squinting to find Wooyoung peering up at him.

His eyes were still puffy from crying, and his face a bit swollen, but San was happy to see he’d gotten some color back to his cheeks. 

“Good morning.” San groggily muttered. Wooyoung glanced down between them without saying a word before he looked up at him once more, slow blinking. 

“I bet it is. Did you sleep well?” 

It took San a moment to realize what he meant. He got his answer mere moments later when he felt the telltale throbbing between his legs as Wooyoung raised his thigh between them. 

He went beet red and Wooyoung smiled softly, kissing his nose. 

“Do you need a hand? Is it okay if I help?” He inquired. There was a hesitation in his tone that made San sober up from his flushed state for a moment. Wooyoung had certainly been worried still, and it was to be expected. 

San didn’t like all the apprehension his boyfriend was beginning to feel around him, however. 

Instead, he cupped his face, looking into his eyes. The same ones that always looked at him so full of bold love and mischievous energies now held a worried edge to them as Wooyoung put his hand over San’s, waiting. 

“I don’t want to do anything like that while you’re worried about me being mad at you. If we do anything intimate, it should be because we both want to feel good, not because you feel you have to or need to.”

Wooyoung’s lips parted as if he was going to protest the notion before he stopped, thought about it, and nodded. He seemed to think about it in earnest before he scooted closer to San, kissing him gently. 

“I want to.” 

San fixed him in place with a heated, half-lidded stare, before he pulled him into his lap, stealing a kiss and squeezing Wooyoung’s ass until there was no space left between the two of them. 

Wooyoung’s arms wrapped lazily around his shoulders, kissing him with a slow, almost methodical pace. San didn’t mind, nor did he rush, sighing into the kiss and leaning against the headboard. The two of them messily pushed their pajama pants down, haphazardly discarding it elsewhere in the bed. 

With freedom of movement now, Wooyoung placed his palm on San’s chest, lightly raking his nails down his pectoral as he kissed down his neck, rolling his slender hips down. He could feel San’s cock smearing precum over his own and a thrum of excitement ran up and down his spine when he chanced a glance up, finding San leveling him with his signature feline narrowed gaze. His jaw locked ever so slightly as big, calloused hands cupped his ass to pull him flush against him once more and control their pace and movement. 

Wooyoung held his gaze, though he felt the heat creep up his neck as San tilted his chin up ever so slightly, eyes combing over his frame before landing back on his face, lips quirking ever so slightly at the shiver the simple motion caused in his boyfriend. 

“When you look at me like that, I lose my train of thought.” 

“I’m more than happy to take over, then. You can sit back and let me do it.”

Simple, it was so simple, yet those words made Wooyoung shudder even more as he licked suddenly dry lips. He rolled them until San was on top, his hair splayed around on the pillow like a silken halo. 

San kissed down his neck and torso, pushing his thighs apart and making him hold them open as he fished around for the lube in their nightstand. He made a mental note they needed to buy more later before he coated his fingers, teasing his rim as he nipped his pelvis. 

“You're trembling in anticipation.”

Wooyoung looked away, cheeks strawberry-tinted as he fumbled in his attempt to catch his breath. San smiled and got in his face, turning his face so he met his eyes. 

“Don’t look away.” 

Wooyoung shuddered and rolled his tongue over the inside of his cheek. Neither man said anything and eventually, Wooyoung tilted his head up, lips brushing over San’s jaw. 

“I won’t, then.” 

He didn’t keep his voice down the second time around, moaning as San meticulously stretched him open, leaving love bites and kisses all over his shoulders and neck. 

San stopped when Wooyoung’s hand flew down to his wrist, gripping tight as he shuddered, meeting his eyes as he panted. 

“I can’t- I’ll cum-”

San smiled, rewarding him with a kiss, slicking himself up. 

Wooyoung wiggled in impatient anticipation beneath him, eventually wrapping his arms around his neck as he felt San finally press against him, both of his palms pressed at either side of his head. Wooyoung nearly bit back the moan of delight that tumbled out of his mouth as San pressed into him. His mouth fell open instead, a moan of wanton abandon rumbling out of his throat as he rolled his hips down, urging San deeper. 

The slightly older man fisted the sheets near his head, hips rolling down with slow, practiced motions. He’d knew Wooyoung’s body better than his own in this regard in the very short time they’d had together. 

The wicked little devil on his shoulder reminded him of flashes of his dream, a certain dog trainer’s hands running up and down his body as he thrusted into Wooyoung. 

Maybe it was heat of the moment, maybe it was the fog of his somewhat sleep-riddled brain, but San found himself slipping up as Wooyoung moaned for him. 

“San~ San, faster, please -”

“So fucking pretty for us- ”

Wooyoung looked up at him, blinking in confusion before he choked on a moan as San’s cock curved just right. 

“W-what-”

San felt his cheeks growing hot, but he bit his lip, leaning down so Wooyoung’s couldn’t see his face-hypocritical, he knew, but he worried if he held his gaze, he’d falter in his words.

He already slipped, might as well continue letting his thoughts freefall.

“Do you want to know what my dream was about?” He growled, sucking at a yet-to-be-marked part of Wooyoung’s neck. He whimpered and gasped, trying to look at him. San sped up instead, distracting him with every pleasurable brush to his prostate. 

“S-San-? Fuck! Wait fuck, I c-can’t think straight if you’re-fucking hitting it so much, shit -”

San slowed to a stop, growling and swearing underneath his breath as he looked at Wooyoung. The young chef panted, eyes glazed over and slightly frustrated at the loss. He looked up at San, searching his eyes. 

“What did you d-dream about that was so good you’re bringing it up now?” He huffed, partially teasing him and partially urging him to take the hint and keep thrusting. His hand moved up to cup San’s cheek and instead, he felt him wrap his fingers around his wrist, kissing his palm as he looked into his eyes. 

“Yeosang was there. The way he touched both of us was addicting.” 

Wooyoung’s eyes widened, his lips parting as he clenched slightly. San’s eyes narrowed as he ran his teeth over his palm. 

“You clenched. Does it turn you on that I had that kind of dream? With both of you in it?” 

Wooyoung shuddered, searching San’s face for any signs of dishonesty. Naturally, there were none, and San took the time to resume thrusting, keeping his pace deep and slow so Wooyoung could hear everything he had to say. 

“I never…mm, minded you liking him so much but I can see why you do. You two have good chemistry, darling.” 

Wooyoung’s fingers flexed along his cheek, his other weaving into his hair as the words made his cheeks darken San’s satoori bounced around his head like a hymn, and Wooyoung felt his mind swirl, a spark of hope and desire in the muddied thoughts. 

“Do you think you’d try to hide your moans more or less if he was here too, touching you with me? Do you think you’d try and talk back to him while you kiss, only to crumble mid-way because my cock feels too good and you can’t focus?” 

“San, oh my god- ” Wooyoung clenched again, tugging San’s hair to ground himself as San suddenly sped up, growling in need. The bed rocked below them, the headboard hitting the wall at an off-tempo pace as San’s hands ran all up and down Wooyoung’s body. 

“Keep moanin’. You sound so pretty like that, baby. You’ll drive us crazy.” 

Wooyoung clenched tighter, closing his eyes. The room had begun the spin from how hot he was, his thighs shaking as he listened to San purr his fantasy out to him. 

It made him throb, his cock red and hard as a rock against his abdomen as he imagined Yeosang’s soft fingers all over his body, contrasting with San’s rough work-worn ones.

Wooyoung looked up at him, eyes begging, though all that fell from his lips were disjointed and desperate pleas for more. 

“S-San-! San I c-can’t, I-I need to cum, please, please- ”Wooyoung’s voice was airy and desperate as his eyes rolled back, the lube making a slick mess between his cheeks. San laced their fingers together and kissed him, claiming every inch of his mouth as he rocked forward, hell-bent on making him fall apart first. 

“D-Do you think Yeosang would go wild listening to you moan like this? Mm?”

That seemed to do it for Wooyoung, and he threw his head back with a shaky gasp and moan, thick spurts of cum making a mess of both his and San’s abdomens. San kissed him, languidly mapping out every part of Wooyoung’s mouth as he came inside, purring sweet nothings against his lips. 

It took the two longer than usual to come down from the adrenaline of their lovemaking, but when they did, Wooyoung pulled back first, looking up at San with flushed cheeks and a curious slow blink. 

“So that was…something.”

San cleared his throat and blushed, looking back down at him. While a moment ago he spoke with a deep satoori purr and a seductive smile, now he was speaking airily and softly as the reality of their encounter sunk in. 

“I think I like Yeosang too.” 

Wooyoung blinked at him, lips parting. 

“...wait that wasn’t just you teasing me?”

San flushed darker and hid his face in Wooyoung’s shoulder, muttering incoherently. Wooyoung combed his fingers through pastel pink locks and kissed San’s jaw, his heart fluttering. 

“How about we get cleaned up? We can talk about it when you’re ready…?”  He left the sentence open-ended and waited for a moment, smiling and laughing quietly at the small nod that followed a few moments later. 

“Breakfast first?” San muttered. Wooyoung laughed, his eyes crinkling with joy. 

“Breakfast first.”

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T a g l i s t

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