#i swear the traditional art looks better in person

[catemons-blog]

Dude I love land of the lustrous so much.

[mjtheartist04]

Wanted to redraw on some traditional art🥲 first one is from July other one is the redraw

YEAH IMPROVEMENT🎉

[orangjoe]

Mackerel

[egghead7enthusiast]

Silly goofy Riddlebird sketch from that one scene in Gotham!

Also this is like my second time (attempting) to draw a background with characters :,) And my phone is like, ancient, so the camera quality sucks (sorry about that)

but I tried :)

[cygnus-is-tired]

It’s (one of) our favorite unethical scientists!!!

Miss Victoria Frankenstein, forever trapped in a hell of her own creation. Who would have thought that her actions would have consequences?? Not her, that’s for sure

[liesofserendipity]

I normally don't post traditional art online since a) I tend to struggle with the colouring process and b) somehow it never shows up well on camera but I ended up liking this one a fair amount & I crave validation so it gets a pass.

There's no theme here, I just ran with whatever I felt like drawing and added in some anatomy and perspective techniques I've been working on. I'm so happy to see the practice paying off!

Good luck to anyone else also going through their art journey :)

[dixidin]

DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY LIKE I DO??2??

Anywho happy Friday the 13th!! Woe. Wolverine Voorhees be upon you

[hoomanexploded]

Finally finished an old WIP!!

Without filter ver:

[a-random-packet-of-noodles]

I had an ink monster phase (click for better quality)

[neverchecking]

Hey again, thank you so much for the banana (haha) it was nice of you. And ever since we started talking about Wild and Sage, I couldn’t help but draw them. (Lowkey sorry, I couldn’t put much detail into them since I use a cheap app and it doesn’t like to do much, but I’m more of an traditional artist anyways, I’ll make a better one.) I want to join in on the “request train” but I’m not too creative with what I want like the others, but I’ll try.

So female reader had met both Wild and Sage but thought they were the same person. So she gets invited to their house and realizes.. twins… You can make it NSFW if you like, and you can use any kink that you would see fit… I’m not to good with kinks. But enjoy my drawing and have fun. 🍏

“Prepare for Trouble!”

“And make it Double~”

OMG THAT ART IS SO GOOD THE GERUDO FIT AHHAHHH NAD SAGE MY BELOVED LOOK AT HIM JUST WANNA MONCH ON HIS FACE softly and with love bc he deserves it.

So the way this is worded makes me think you wanted Poly, so I went with these two as poly. Even though they hate each other.

Remember. They are not in love with each other, as that is Linkcest and I Will Not write that, but they are in love with Reader. Thank you!

I love the team rocket bit, cracks me up-

I am monching my second apple and offer you 🍌 *to the Zelda tune when you find a chest* BA-NA-NA-NAAAAAAAA

I am so funny I swear

Yall can thank @fanfic-fairy-fountain bc that picture of Sage is absolutely SENDING ME- I cackle every time I think about it

Sage is TotK Link!

Smut so MDNI, 18+!

Smut CW: Double trouble, threesomes, AFAB reader!, they turn it into a competition.

A Tick

Could he honestly say that he was one hundred percent okay with the way things have played out?

...No.

He was still weighing his pros and cons actually. While he adored you and wanted to show you off to the world, he probably should've thought this through just a touch more.

But the fallen hero had a way of just getting under his skin. Like a tick. Staying there and eating away at him over and over again. It was infuriating. The competitive streak in him wouldn't let him just let this go. He had to prove to this...creature, to Wild, that he was better in every single way.

Every. Single. Way.

So he introduced you to him, against his better judgement. Just to rub it in his face. You were the light of his life and Wild deserved to know that Sage had won. Just this once he had beaten the odds, gave Hylia the middle finger, and had won you.

He did not account for Wild taking as great of an interest in you as he did.

Whenever Sage turned his back, there was that failure. He started off slow and timid, like prey poking at a snare trap, but soon grew cocky. What was once just handing you a single flower that they had found on the trail soon turned into Wild handing you a bouquet of flowers that he had obviously gone out of his way to get. What was once just offering you an apple or a handful of wild berries turned into hand-crafted snacks catered to your semi-specific tastes.

And thus the tick was back.

Only it had evolved. Feeding off of him and his actions, mannerisms tuning themselves to an echo of his own just to impress you. Which just would not stand.

You were his. Mind, body and soul, you belonged to Sage. You two had a house together, had talked about getting a pet, threw around the idea of marriage, had gotten as close as two individuals could get. He had felt the way your muscles moved under him as you clawed marks up and down his back. Had felt your teeth dig into his neck in a way to muffle your cries despite the fact that they were music to his ears. Had held you as your clenched and quivered around him, dripping onto his lap as your broke beneath his touch.

Sage just had to prove this to Wild.

Wild would never amount to what Sage was. Sage was just better. Faster, stronger, smarter, he had the failure beat in every way.

Including this way.

You were hanging onto his, arms locked around his neck, as your thighs shook from where he held them. He was standing, already nestled deep within you as he glowered down at Wild. Every second he wasted was another second you were left growing more and more nervous. You were already unsure about the idea, but agreed nonetheless. Because you were oh-so benevolent and oh-so kind. Perfect in every way.

Still, you pushed you face further into his neck, panting heavily against his ear. Your fingers clenched into fists against his neck before they released, knotting themselves in his hair. He could hear your silent plea all too clearly.

"Hurry up." He snapped, watching Wild flinch. What the hold up was, he had no idea. Wild just needed to get the fuck over it. "Hesitate any longer and I won't need to worry about showing you up."

Wild bristled, but remained silent for a second, coating his shaft in a clear oil before stepping behind you. His hands hesitated before landing on your hips. He stepped closer, fiddling with something Sage couldn't see before you were gasping. Your grip tightened and he immediately hushed you, cooing soft nothings into your ear.

People called him an asshole, a heartless lunatic, maybe even a rat bastard, which was probably all true, but he would be damned before he treated you as anything other than the divinity you were.

"Keep breathing, sun flower. You're doing so well." Sage hummed, rubbing his thumb up and down your thigh. Your entire body clenched, making him suck in a breath, before you were relaxing and Wild was lowly groaning behind you.

It was an uncomfortable feeling, feeling Wild so close-- something he never thought he'd have to put up with-- but he had a point to prove.

Sage was the first to move, gently pulling out and making both you and the Tick hiss before he was pushing back in. His whispers never stopped as he spilt praise after sweet praise, all for you.

"You're doing so well, my light. Taking us both like this? Truly impressive."

"Goddess-" Wild cursed, head falling to your shoulder as his bangs fell in front of his face.

He made it too easy sometimes. Sage smirked. "Gonna burst already, road rash?"

The nickname made the other growl under his breath, lip lifting in a snarl. "You wish, No-name."

Sage's movements went from a slow and languid pace to his hips suddenly snapping against yours. Your entire body jolted as you cried out, pulling at his hair. He gently cooed at you once more. "I'm sorry, I know. I'm sorry, princess." His attention turned to the other. "I can tell just by the look on your virgin face that you're practically bursting at the seams."

"Ha-ah-" Wild quivered behind you, knuckles turning white against your hips as he moved back an inch. "'doing just fine."

"Sure, you are." His rhythmic tempo picked up once more, only tempered by Wild slowly gaining confidence with his own thrusts. "Take one of her legs."

Wild did as told, freeing one of Sage's hands so it could move to thumb at your clit. You squeezed around them once more, making both males freeze as low groans growled out of their throats.

While he wanted to prove Wild wrong, so fucking badly, you came first. Your pleasure came before either of theirs. You were his goddess, and Sage made sure Wild understood that before letting him anywhere near you.

One look over your shoulder told Sage all he needed to know about the matter and where the Tick stood on it. His eyes blazed with a familiar lust, but not one driven by the want to see how far he could push. No, this was a need to feel you cry around him, coming undone as nothing but pleasure ran like fire in your veins.

For a parasite, Wild was a quick learner. Not as fast as he was, but fast enough, as his other hand took your other thigh from Sage, freeing both of his hands.

Sage knew your body, and he knew it well. He was able to play you like a fiddle and make you sing for him, doubly so now that you couldn't close your legs to keep him out.

Sage would never like Wild. Of this he was certain. However, there was a certain amount of respect he could lend to someone just as dedicated to treating you like the Goddess you were.

Just as long as he understood who had the upper hand.

And it wasn't a measly little tick.

[color-craz]

Good game and good fight everyone! This is another compilation of all the artworks I've made since my Midweek Post + Artist commentary. A significant less amount than last time because I got hit with that Burnout Special soon after. Speaking of that, everyone give a Huge Thank you to @mouwuma for doing the lineart and coloring of my sona!! (I owe them bigtime b/c I was NOT drawing that complicated ass outfit for a third time). Please give them some love or financial compensation! Without further ado, let finish this!

@twidaisi I had to get Twi back for that attack of Compact!! So I decided to do the character that was on my bookmarks as revenge!! I went a different route on him than I usually do (The neckless style again) because I thought it would fit his build better than if I did give him a neck. It was fun doing this cartoony lad who totally isn't committing fraud and medical malpractice!! (That license is totally valid I swear)

@goatpaste I always loved loved loved Sammi's fan JJBA part with Holly and just have been a big fan of his in general, so when I realized he was on AF I knew I had to draw at least one of them!! I picked Roxanne because she is just so pretty and her lore is just really really neat! Fun fact, I sneaked in a I.M.P at the last minute because the top half of the canvas was feeling empty and then remembered stands can partially show themselves. Overall a lovely design so such a neat character!

@salezmanradioz Polyblank was actually in my bookmarks since the beginning of AF! I ended up seeing them right before it started and saved it until now. This also another character that I read into the lore for him and god it's really really intriguing! I had to hold myself back from putting more people into this one because I had other things I needed to do. Polyblank is such a lad and I liked doing their face + colored lineart. (P.S Check out this character playlist it's BANGIN)

@lovelandfrogofficial A little backstory here, once I logged back into AF after posing the Midweek Roundup I found myself hit with four attacks!! Two revenges and two surprises! Cryptid's being one of the surprises, so I felt like I had to give some art in return. I picked out Valentine because he had very few attacks and I had an idea from reading his character desc (A kid like him would definitely dramatically pose inside of a coffin). It was an experience doing the lace and adding the roses (Which was actually a last minute decision, thank godness it turned out so well) but overall I like the look of this one!

SunshineCo225 Their attack of Underscore was my second surprise attack of this year, so I chose Elie of Dicey Dungeons to revenge with! I actually do quite enjoy DD so I went with a location I personally liked from it, which was the library stage. It ended up working out well since Elie's greens and yellows give a wonderful contrast to the reds and blues. I gave her a hammer since her daggers can transform into other weapons which is really cool :>. Honestly the contrast, pose and lighting makes this attack my favorite out of this batch.

@prizebubble A friend of mine attacked one of Nep2ne's charaters, which inspired me to do one of my own as well. A double whammy if you will! The idea behind this one is Kit ripping through AF to cause chaos so this one is transparent. It was lovely doing the patterns and stitching on Kit, it was like I was decorating her myself! Overall just a nice quick one with such a rambunctious looking character.

@mouwuma Me going "Oh I can't participate in AF this year" and then hitting you with an attack should be tradition at this point, it's happened like twice now. Anyway, this one is a Double Whammy of Dop & Ninian, they come from completely separate universes but Dop is a gigantic, pretentious nerd. And I thought it would be funny for them to be rambling about Ninian, a Pokemon fan character of theirs, and make up a fake amiibo pose for him. I felt like I had to do one for how much I pestered you to put Dop on AF so here it is!! (Fun Fact, Pokemon doesn't have an official amiibo line like Mario does. All the Pokemon amiibos are exclusively for the Smash Bros line. Nintendo is losing out big time here.)

@skittisketch My final attack of the year! This one almost didn't get made at all (So thank Jesse next time you talk to him). The ref described Skitti as a "wandering artist" so I thought her walking around a park for inspiration would fit her nicely. I could've simplified the background but god dammit I had sketched it already I had to go all in! (Even if I was on a bit of a time crunch). Overall a good work to finish of this year's Art Fight with!

Honest to god I didn't even expect myself to get out as many attacks as I did for this second half. So I'm quite proud of myself for that one! This was an ArtFight of trials and tribulations, but I finished this year off with 862.75 points! Thank you to everyone who gave me art this year and one more Thank you to mouwuma for doing the art for me (And for being such a good friend!)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to collapse before school starts ;-;.

-Gappy, A Very Tired Witch

[thenightfolknetwork]

Helloooooo!!! I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been listening for a while now, but I haven’t written in before.

So! I’ve done ballet for a little over ten years. I started when I was six and a half, and I’m almost seventeen now. I probably won’t dance professionally, but I love it. A lot. The culture surrounding ballet has a… history of mistreating the liminal community—I mean, aside from the obvious body-based exclusion, there’s also the horrible appropriation in the so-called “romantic” period—but luckily, the ballet school I attend is founded and run by a fellow person of the night, and it’s very accepting of all sorts of creatures. People tend to assume that I’m Sapio when they first meet me anyway, but it’s still nice to be able to talk to the mice and cockroaches and not get strange looks, y’know?

And, two years ago, I finally convinced one of my best friends to start taking ballet classes! It’s been great. We review choreography together, help each other with different skills—I’m a jumper, she’s a turner—get enlisted by the costumers to do what we like to call “grunt work” (I am an expert at sewing buttons)—we even go to the library to check out books on stuff like "the use of physical motifs in ballet" and "creature traditions in classical repertoire." It’s really, really wonderful getting to be with someone who’s as excited about the art form as I am.

That’s not my problem. My problem is that she’s… she’s better than me now. Despite starting at 14 in something where being 9 is considered old, she has incredible turnout and gorgeous lines, never gets winded, is picking up épaulement far faster than really anyone ought to be able to—I could go on like this for a while.

You see, she’s a shapeshifter. Proud of it, too. One time when we were 12 or so, our painfully Sapio history teacher very nervously asked if anyone knew what it was like to be from “a genus with so-ma-tic var-i-a-bil-i-ty”—I swear he was looking at notes on his hand—and my friend kicked her scuffed converse up on the desk, said, “No, but I can tell you what it’s like to be a shapeshifter,” and then gave herself extra teeth while smiling. That’s the kinda control she has over it.

And she has a lot of options when it comes to which shape she wants to take on any given day. Since ballet is easier for certain bodies, she, very understandably, chooses a form for class that’s naturally flexible and strong and has exactly the required musculature and is easy to balance with and that’s fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her being comfortable and confident in her identity, and, by extension, her body. She doesn’t rub it in, or act like she’s better than the rest of us, or anything like that.

To be clear, she is a hard worker. I don’t want to dismiss that. She writes down notes after class and helps the teachers with the really young groups and takes the lower level’s class on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on her technique and is generally doing everything right. But so am I! I do all of those things with her, heck, I'm the one who taught her how to seek them out! And I’ve been doing this for ten years! And when you come from a genus that rarely lives past 100, ten years isn’t something to sneeze at. It’s not fair. It’s not anybody’s fault that it’s unfair, but it’s still not right! Please help. I love my friend, and I want to be happy for her, but whenever I see her do a freaking quadruple pirouette in pointe shoes and then balance (because of course, sure, why not, it’s soooo easy) before landing, I just feel furious.

Oh, reader. This sounds extremely difficult and frustrating. You've worked very hard over the last ten years, and as you rightly say, that is not something to sneeze at – especially when you take into consideration how young you were when you started.

You talk a lot towards the end of your letter about what is and isn't “fair” or “right”. I would like you to take a moment and consider the alternatives. Would it be more fair for certain genuses to be prohibited from taking part in your classes? Would it be more right that your friend should sublimate her natural abilities in order to take part?

Or perhaps you would simply not allow anyone to participate at all if they seem to be more naturally flexible, or have better balance, or a stronger core than… Well, here is the other question. What is it we're comparing to? The national average, the average ballet dancer – or simply, you?

Did you know, in the world of professional cycling, there is one trait which is most likely to affect a cyclists chances to reach the upper echelons of their chosen sport? More than height or weight, more than time spent training, more even than their genus. This trait is: being born at high altitude.

But that's not fair, you say! It isn't right, that a simple accident of one's birth should lend such an advantage. Perhaps we should set a cap on natal altitude in such competitions. And what of the second most impactful trait – the wealth of one's birth country? Do we have different leagues for rich and poor, high and low altitude?

I hope you can see how ridiculous that sounds. Life is not a mathematics equation. You can't just add time and effort and get success. There is so much luck involved – lucky births, lucky bodies, lucky brains and lucky bank accounts.

You aren't doing anything wrong by happening to have been born into a family that supports your interests. So too, your friend isn't doing anything wrong by happening to have a body that makes ballet more accessible to her. It is simply the luck of the draw.

Furthermore, 'being good at ballet' is not a finite resource. Your friend isn't taking anything from you by doing well, and her accomplishments in no way diminish your own.

These feelings of jealousy are natural and normal. But they are not healthy emotions, or helpful ones. Acknowledge them, then let them go. Concentrate instead on what you love about ballet, what you love about your friend, and in taking pride in your own achievements. You have worked hard and accomplished a great deal in your own right, and those accomplishments deserve to be celebrated in their own right – not only in comparison to someone else.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[mxnkeydo]

so scarlet (it was maroon) ✧ sokeefe

✧ ship: Sophie x Keefe

✧ what to expect: it all went down went a book went soaring across the classroom but sophie never expects it to end the way it does. acrylic smeared on cheeks, pigment-stained clothes, and a whole keefe sencen later, maybe she never despised him as much as she thought she did.

✧ genre: romance, fluff, humor, sarcasm - enemies to lovers trope, human au, and a love triangle to torment you guys 😈

✧ word count: 2.5K

✧ warnings: slight swearing

✧ link to masterlist

✧ taglist: @swans-chirping-in-the-distance @somerandomhuman080 @foxglove-and-foxfire-lover @carolineforbae @yourtwistedlies (lmk if you want to be added!)

✧ A/N: been a long time since i updated so its probably trashy but here you go!!

***

CHAPTER NINE

In the mornings, Foxfire academy was a hustle of frantic students getting ready for class, their bags like heavy boulders stuffed with binders and papers and whatnot. Amongst all the students, Sophie Foster paced in front of her locker, waiting for a certain someone to show up. And by “someone”, she meant Keefe Sencen.

Keefe was never late. Not once in the time that she knew him was he ever tardy to anything (except for when he ditched classes; then he was absent entirely). So when the bell rang and he still didn’t make an appearance, she sighed and dragged herself to her first class–math. Walking her to AP calculus was a routine–a tradition, even. Afterwards, Keefe would go the same way they came to his physics class in another hallway. Sophie used to insist he didn’t have to go through all that trouble, but now, his absence was jarring. It had her thoughts racing.

He didn’t make it to school late either, which only spiked her worry. Fitz tried to ease her anxiety, but something was wrong, she knew it. She could feel it. After lunch, she walked to art alone, settling in her seat with a frown. The desk next to her would usually be filled with Keefe’s slender figure and he’d be constantly pestering her with sarcastic remarks. Sometimes, she even wished he’d simply just go away. But now that he really was gone, Sophie wished he’d be back again.

Something was wrong, her gut was telling. Something was really wrong.

Art passed by in a blur, and when the final bell rang, Sophie absentmindedly rose from her chair and made her way towards the exit. She was one step away from leaving when–

“Miss Foster? A word.”

Sophie startled and made her way over to Ms. Clarette’s desk, shoving her hands in her hoodie pockets.

“Yes?”

“How are the sessions going?” She asked, resting her chin on his hands.

“Oh. Yeah, they’re–they’re going good. Great, actually.” For the first time, Ms. Clarette smiled genuinely. It turned her into a whole different person from the strict teacher she normally knew.

“Yes, I can see that. Your artwork has been getting better, Sophie. Are you and Mr. Sencen still at each other’s necks?”

Sophie raised her eyebrows, surprised at the question. “Um- no. We’re–we’re good now.” Ms. Clarette smiled as if she’d anticipated that answer.

“Good.” She looked down at the stack of papers on her desk with a red pencil in hand, ready for a long afternoon of grading. “I’m glad. You may leave, Miss Foster.”

Sophie released the breath she’d unknowingly held, sighing deeply as she made her way down the hall. Usually she’d stop for a chat with Linh, maybe admire another one of Dex’s contraptions, but she had no time for that now. She had somewhere to be. 

Exiting the school through the main doors, she turned right instead of the usual left to her house. It wasn’t a long walk to Keefe’s place, but every second she had to wait made her more restless. Another left and a right turn later, she arrived in front of his house. She looked at the dead plants in the front yard, the oval windows on the building, and then–

Sophie’s gaze wandered to the sky, and when she saw a black, hunched figure on the roof, she squinted, blocking out the sun’s glare with her hand. Sitting on the roof somberly was none other than Keefe himself. Sophie thought about calling out, but she’d only succeed in pushing herself farther away from him. Instead, she opened the front door of the house and carefully walked in. The main hall was dusty and lifeless. An antique vase on the kitchen counter held the remains of withered flowers and their rotten stems. Paintings hung on the walls, but they were veiled with white cloths so their contents weren’t visible to any passerby. It was eerily pristine. Ghostly, even. It was as if no one had lived here in a while.

Sophie walked past all of that and climbed the stairs, skipping two steps at a time. She burst into Keefe’s room at the end of the second floor hallway, and was immediately hit with his familiar scent, that same cologne he’d started wearing along with his natural smell of musty books. It was strange when Sophie really thought of it, but it was oddly comforting. His room was more of a mess than usual; scattered books, stray pen and brushes all over his unmade bed, clothes strewn over his cluttered dresser. Sophie could barely even make it to the other side of the room without stepping on anything. She  tiptoed around the bed to avoid kicking or destroying anything on the floor, but–

Spohie hissed quietly as her something sharp dug into her foot, something under the bed. She glanced down at the sharp, blue edge poking out from beneath the satin valance. Snooping was probably not the best idea, Sophie knew that, but her curiosity won her over and she gingerly pulled the object out from under the bed.

It was painting, Sophie soon realized as she marveled at it. A beautiful painting, maybe even more beautiful than the ones hanging in Keefe’s secret art room. But if it was one of his best pieces of art, why was it under the bed? Shouldn’t it be up on the wall somewhere? Sophie ran one hand across the painting, its texture bumpy against her palm. If he closed her eyes, she was sure she could imagine the scene in the painting – the white lilies at the bottom of the canvas, the faint caws of the birds overhead, the meadow of tall grass that would graze her bare legs as she walked. The clouds drifting in the sky, the pink and blue and purple trokes of the sunset. It would be a lazy day, where she would run through the expanse without a care in the world.

There was only one thing that rattled her mind.

Keefe had painted a girl standing in the grass. A girl with blonde tresses and a pink sweater and a white skirt, staring off at the horizon. And was she losing her mind, or was she wearing that same exact outfit when she and Keefe had their first tutoring session? 

She was probably insane. Hell, she was definitely insane.

But…she had quite the reason to believe that it was her. It was her, standing in the field, with a faint smile playing on her lips. In the painting, she was more beautiful than Sophie could ever wish to be.

The thought popped into her mind with no warning.

Do I really look like that to him?

It evaporated as soon as it appeared, but it had Sophie reeling. As much as she wanted to sit down and stare at it for forever, Sophie carefully stuffed it back under Keefe’s bed, her heart beating in her ears like a deafening drum.

The real question here was, how did Keefe get onto the roof? His bedroom had no openings other than the main door. No windows, no chimney–nothing. It was impossible, Sophie had concluded, when she realized there was more to his room than one could see.

She stepped over to the mahogany bookcase, shoving her side against it, praying it would budge. To her luck, it began to move with every push, slowly but surely revealing the same door Keefe had opened for her with a flourish when he first tutored her. She barged in like a woman on a mission, but then stumbled back as she coughed, dust rising all around her. It took a while to clear, and when she could finally see, Sophie studied the room keenly. Everything was just as she remembered; dark, homey, and incredibly messy. But the difference? There was a cold draft coming in through somewhere. Sophie perked up once she felt the wind dance across her skin, raising goosebumps on her arms. Surging forward, she threw open the curtains at the far side of the little room.

The round window was wide open, allowing Sophie to see the colors of the vibrant sunset. She peered down and immediately regretted it, groaning. Her fear of heights was most definitely not helping this situation.

But what if Keefe was in trouble? Based on Cassius’s disappearance and his son’s absence, Sophie could only guess what he was going through. Besides, she saw the way Keefe flinched when he flexed his shoulder a while ago. She could’ve asked, but she hadn’t wanted to pry into personal issues. But if they affected him like this—isolating himself, not responding to any of her concerned texts, maybe it was time she stepped in. 

With a shallow breath, she poked her head out of the window again, this time with caution. Maybe there was a ladder somewhere that she could climb. But as far as Sophie could see, there was no ladder. Only a large, black pole in arm’s length. 

It hit her like a lightning bolt. Of course Keefe had climbed up the pole to the roof, being the daredevil he was. And now she had to do the same.

Gulping, she sat down on the windowsill, trying her best not to look down. Once both hands were planted on the pole, she jumped and wrapped her legs around it, yelping. After letting herself get comfortable, she began to make her way up.

Idon’twannadiepleasedon’tletmedie, Sophie thought frantically, wondering if God could hear her from above. She hugged the pole for dear life as she climbed higher and higher from the ground. About halfway, she almost lost her step and let out a strangled cry as she tried to regain balance. The next half of the climb, she scurried up as fast as she could, deciding to get it all over with.

Finally, finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, she neared the edge of the roof. Eagerly, she reached out for it and pulled herself up, grunting.

Sophie clambered up onto the roof, careful not to make any noise. Keefe was on the other end of the roof, and if she didn’t startle him, maybe he’d open up.

It was bound to happen; she took only one step forward but the sole of her sneakers slipped against the shingles. Sophie shrieked, falling forward on her knees. She lay there, panting. Because if she’d fallen just a little more to the left, she would’ve plummeted to her death.

Keefe’s lean figure whipped around at the commotion. Damn it, Sophie, she berated herself, staring at his wild, bloodshot eyes.

“Sophie?” He breathed, a wrinkled appearing between his brows.

“Keefe.”

“Sophie…” Keefe’s voice broke halfway and he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. He frantically wiped the tears from his face. “You’re–you’re not supposed to be here.”

“You’ve had quite the influence on me, then.”

Even in his miserable state, he broke into a soft smile. “Guilty.”

Sophie carefully walked to where he was and sat down beside him as he cleared his throat and fiddled with a lock of his hair. “You weren’t at school today,” she said. “You’re always at school. I was worried.”

“I’m in one piece,” he joked lamely. But seeing Sophie’s serious expression he sobered immediately. “No, seriously. I’m okay, just–” He sniffled dramatically. “Allergies.” He winced as the lie fell from his lips, knowing it was a shitty excuse.

“Spring started back in March, Keefe. It’s May now. Don’t you think I would’ve noticed your ‘allergies’ back then?”

No response.

Letting the silence settle around them, Sophie took Keefe’s hand with both of hers. “Talk to me, Keefe. Please?” She nudged his shoulder playfully. Consequently he groaned, clutching his arm. 

“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry,” Sophie let out in one breath.

“It’s fine,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Wait… but I thought it was your left shoulder that hurt?”

At her comment, he turned and gave her a strange look. “What?”

“The last time I saw you. It was your left shoulder, and now it’s your right? What’s going on?”

“You noticed?”

“Of course I did.”

Keefe looked away and at the sun, which was sinking lower and lower every second. Streaks of orange and red were painted on the sky in rough strokes, as if an angry artist had been in a rush to complete his piece. Regardless, it was beautiful. The fading light shone on Keefe’s face, and Sophie’s heart skipped a beat as she studied it. She knew the thought was wrong as soon as it entered her head: sure, he looked like a wreck, but…he also looked good. Handsome, even. Tears glistened on his dark lashes. His lips were parted slightly. But those ice-blue eyes, normally full of life, were now dull. Empty. Vacant. 

“Just so you know, I’m here,” Sophie said gently. “You can talk to me, or not, but I am here.”

“I don’t deserve you,” Keefe breathed. “I don’t deserve any of this.”

“Shut up, you deserve the world.”

Silence again. His eyes widened and then welled up. 

“It’s just hard when you feel so fucking unwanted.”

“Not by me, you aren’t.”

She felt his touch burn through her clothes and into her skin where he’d let his arms rest on her waist, pulling her close. For a moment she held him close too, and he let himself sink into her warmth. And when the floodgates opened, there was no stopping it.

Sophie let this boy, this wonderful, sweet, broken boy, cry into her shoulder. Shh, she wanted to assure him. Everything will be okay. You’re okay. But now was not the time, and she didn’t—couldn’t—make any false promises, especially not to Keefe Sencen, a stranger who had quickly become one of her closest friends.

“I’m sorry,” he said at one point, his voice muffled.

“You don’t have to be,” Sophie had whispered back.

Now, the two of them sat on the roof together, Keefe’s eyes bloodshot, Sophie holding his hand like she’d never let go. Dusk turned to night, and neither of them moved. Vaguely, Sophie thought of how worried her parents—ahem, Grady—would be, but being there for Keefe was important. So she stayed.

Keefe snorted after a while and she shot him a look, wondering what was so funny about this. “Name a more iconic duo than my fear of abandonment and my instinct to self isolate. I’ll wait.” Sophie swatted him on the shoulder disapprovingly and he laughed slightly. “Humor’s my coping mechanism. I can’t help it.”

It went quiet for a minute while Sophie went deep into thought. Her hair fluttered in the chilly winds, and she shivered slightly before answering, “You and me.”

“What?”

“You asked to name a better duo. You and me.”

Keefe really looked at her. And then he shot her his million-dollar smile and— god, Sophie’s knees would have gone weak if she was standing up. He squeezed her hand.

“Yeah. We really are something, aren’t we?”

[noemilivv]

I saw that you were doing matchups and was excited to know who I would get!

So about me

I am Hispanic and 5'3 ft. I have (elbow length) dark brown hair and hair, glasses and tan skin.

Pronouns are she/her. I'm an ISFP Ravenclaw. I'm introverted and recently learned I have social anxiety but honestly? Not surprising.

I have a sorta mean resting face and am seen as a very serious person? I tend to accidentally scare people even if I'm doing nothing. I'm a hidden sunshine person to those who I'm super close with and a listener.

I'm omnisexual as well. I have a preference for men but it's not the deciding factor in choosing a partner.

I have two dressing moods. Hermit (old anime T-shirt and sweatpants looking like I haven't seen the sun in ages) or professional work dress code.

My love languages is words of affirmation and physical affection. I love giving hugs, being close, and telling those I know that I love them. I once told a girl that I loved her cuz she gave me juice. I know when to respect those who aren't used to my love languages.

My hobbies include: art (traditional and digital), watching anime, writing, reading, baking, running.

I love kdramas, One Piece, cartoons, cats and dogs, strawberry milkshakes and milk tea, learning a new recipe, sewing, poetry, just creating things in general.

I'm not fond of swearing but I won't stop someone from doing it if that's what they're comfortable with. I just feel like there are other better, more elegant words to express excitement, shock, any other emotion, or to plain insult someone. There's more creativity to it. More often than not, no one seems to understand my vocabulary because of this.

Some random tidbits about myself are I enjoy sunshine and slightly cloudy days, I tend to smile very easily, I love the colors green, blue, black and white, and I get lost so easily.

hello hon!! i decided to pair you with…

Vaggie !!

Vaggie understands you as you both have quite a bit in common, between the RBF and the tad bit of seriousness and all that jazz

She tries not to swear around you, but sometimes it slips, it’s just her nature but she knows your not a major fan of curse words

I can easily see you both baking together, and probably making a bit of a mess but that’s okay haha

You’ve probably told her you loved her after she got you a juice. She was very confused.

[k4zushi]

100 reasons to live.

to finish your goals

to conquer your fears

to see your family again

to see your Favorite artist live

to listen to music again

to experience a new culture

to make new friends

to inspire

to have your own children

to adopt your own pet

to make yourself proud

to meet your idols

to spend time with friends

to laugh until you cry

to feel tears of happiness

to eat your favorite food

to see your siblings grow

to pass school

to get tattoo

to smile until your cheeks hurt

to meet your internet friends

to find someone who loves you like you deserve

to eat ice cream on a hot day

to drink hot chocolate on a cold day

to see untouched snow in the morning

to see a sunset that sets the sky on fire

to see stars light up the sky

to read a book that changes your life

to see the flowers in the spring

to see the leaves change from green to brown

to travel abroad

to learn a new language

to learn to draw

to tell others your story in the hopes of helping them

Puppy kisses.

Baby kisses (the open mouthed kind when they smack their lips on your cheek).

Swear words and the release you feel when you say them.

Trampolines.

Ice cream.

Stargazing.

Cloud watching.

Taking a shower and then sleeping in clean sheets.

Receiving thoughtful gifts.

“I saw this and thought of you."

The feeling you get when someone you love says, “I love you."

The relief you feel after crying.

Sunshine.

The feeling you get when someone is listening to you/giving you their full attention.

Your future wedding.

Your favorite candy bar.

New clothes.

Witty puns.

Really good bread.

Holding your child in your arms for the first time.

Completing a milestone (aka going to college, graduating college, getting married, getting your dream job.)

The kind of dreams where you wake up and can’t stop smiling.

The smell before and after it rains

The sound of rain against a rooftop.

The feeling you get when you’re dancing.

The person (or people) that mean the most to you. Stay alive for them.

Trying out new recipes.

The feeling you get when your favorite song comes on the radio.

The rush you get when you step onto a stage.

You have to share your voice and talents and knowledge with the world because they are so valuable. 64.Breakfast in bed.

Getting a middle seat in the movie theater.

Breakfast for dinner (because it’s so much better at night than in the morning).

Pray (if you are religious)

Forgiveness.

Water balloon fights.

New books by your favorite authors.

Fireflies.

Birthdays.

Realizing that someone loves you.

Spending the day with someone like you.

Opportunity to create meaningful and lasting relationships.

Potential to learn, grow, and evolve as a person.

Joy and happiness in the little things.

The power to inspire others.

The ability to create art, music, and other forms of self-expression.

To explore different cultures, traditions, and ways of life.

Help protect the planet.

Experience the joys of parenthood and raise a family.

Learn new things and develop new skills.

Create a legacy that will outlive you.

Being wrapped up in a warm bed.

Cuddles

Holding hands.

The kind of hugs when you can feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders.

Singing off key with your best friends.

Road trips.

Spontaneous adventures.

The feeling of sand beneath your toes.

The feeling when the first ocean wave rolls up and envelops your toes and ankles and knees.

Thunderstorms.

Your first (or hundredth) trip to Disneyland.

The taste of your favorite food.

The child-like feeling you get on Christmas morning.

The day when everything finally goes your way.

Compliments and praise.

to look on this moment in 10 years time and realize you did it.

this was for everyone, i mean it, anyone who sees this, bc ily, i rlly do, and i hope you don’t even think about doing harsh things to yourself. take a break, drink some tea, have a hot bath, spend time with friends, just.. relax.

ilove this sm bc i just realized i haven’t been stargazing yet which rlly sucks bc it’s on my imaginary bucket list

[boomie-123]

100 reasons to live.

to make your parents proud

to conquer your fears

to see your family again

to see your Favorite artist live

to listen to music again

to experience a new culture

to make new friends

to inspire

to have your own children

to adopt your own pet

to make yourself proud

to meet your idols

to spend time with friends

to laugh until you cry

to feel tears of happiness

to eat your favorite food

to see your siblings grow

to pass school

to get tattoo

to smile until your cheeks hurt

to meet your internet friends

to find someone who loves you like you deserve

to eat ice cream on a hot day

to drink hot chocolate on a cold day

to see untouched snow in the morning

to see a sunset that sets the sky on fire

to see stars light up the sky

to read a book that changes your life

to see the flowers in the spring

to see the leaves change from green to brown

to travel abroad

to learn a new language

to learn to draw

to tell others your story in the hopes of helping them

Puppy kisses.

Baby kisses (the open mouthed kind when they smack their lips on your cheek).

Swear words and the release you feel when you say them.

Trampolines.

Ice cream.

Stargazing.

Cloud watching.

Taking a shower and then sleeping in clean sheets.

Receiving thoughtful gifts.

“I saw this and thought of you."

The feeling you get when someone you love says, “I love you."

The relief you feel after crying.

Sunshine.

The feeling you get when someone is listening to you/giving you their full attention.

Your future wedding.

Your favorite candy bar.

New clothes.

Witty puns.

Really good bread.

Holding your child in your arms for the first time.

Completing a milestone (aka going to college, graduating college, getting married, getting your dream job.)

The kind of dreams where you wake up and can’t stop smiling.

The smell before and after it rains

The sound of rain against a rooftop.

The feeling you get when you’re dancing.

The person (or people) that mean the most to you. Stay alive for them.

Trying out new recipes.

The feeling you get when your favorite song comes on the radio.

The rush you get when you step onto a stage.

You have to share your voice and talents and knowledge with the world because they are so valuable. 64.Breakfast in bed.

Getting a middle seat in the movie theater.

Breakfast for dinner (because it’s so much better at night than in the morning).

Pray (if you are religious)

Forgiveness.

Water balloon fights.

New books by your favorite authors.

Fireflies.

Birthdays.

Realizing that someone loves you.

Spending the day with someone like you.

Opportunity to create meaningful and lasting relationships.

Potential to learn, grow, and evolve as a person.

Joy and happiness in the little things.

The power to inspire others.

The ability to create art, music, and other forms of self-expression.

To explore different cultures, traditions, and ways of life.

Help protect the planet.

Experience the joys of parenthood and raise a family.

Learn new things and develop new skills.

Create a legacy that will outlive you.

Being wrapped up in a warm bed.

Cuddles

Holding hands.

The kind of hugs when you can feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders.

Singing off key with your best friends.

Road trips.

Spontaneous adventures.

The feeling of sand beneath your toes.

The feeling when the first ocean wave rolls up and envelops your toes and ankles and knees.

Thunderstorms.

Your first (or hundredth) trip to Disneyland.

The taste of your favorite food.

The child-like feeling you get on Christmas morning.

The day when everything finally goes your way.

Compliments and praise.

to look on this moment in 10 years time and realize you did it.