#i think that's a part of why i am so enamored with this show

[thestraybunny]

As long as I am with you||K.SY

Pairing: Choreographer!KwonSoonyoung x AFAB!reader WC: 8.5K Genre: Non-idol AU, Romance, established relationship Rating: M (18+, MDNI) Warning: Drinking, Smut, Fluff, Cute Hoshi, Cheesy Pet Names, funny, Sweet moment, oral (both receiving), protected sex, a little gagging, a little crushing between the thighs, cute, So in love it's stupid, dancing, snow, Hoshi just being amazingly adorable.

Summary: You two just fit together, six months together and you both are crazy for each other. Its the first snow, and Soonyoung wanted to share something special with you.

A/N: Part of my Seventeen K-Series and is written similar to Mingyu's. I had this idea since November, but didn't get to write this out until now. And really a week late too, but as I mentioned in my pinned post, I work full time and a mom. But it's finally out and I'm proud of it. I adore Hoshi, and wanted to write something cute for him but also something dirty. I think this is a good balance. *minors and no ages in bio will be blocked* Thank you to @gam3bo17 for beta reading and helping me with this.

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When Soonyoung first started bringing you around, it was honestly a surprise to his friend group, treating your new presence like it was biggest event at the time. According to them all, mainly Seungkwan and Seokmin, he had been habitually single for a few years before you two had met. It wasn’t from the lack of trying on his part, he had protested, he was just shy around women. Especially romantically.

Though the two younger men, or anyone from the group for the matter, wouldn’t say it was completely that. He did well once he got to talking to them, able to get dates and even was able to get one to go home with him for the night sometimes. He was a great guy and treats the women he dates well, but they all chalked it up to his obsession with tigers since they couldn’t think of anything else. Or the belief that he is an actual tiger. While he said it was a joke, no one else was too convinced of this. Probably because they all had proof that would say otherwise too.

It tended to be the dealbreaker for many, but not you though.

It actually was something you found endearing, and it didn’t at all take from the sweet man that swept you off your feet. It just made you adore him more, and made you feel a little better about your own two little obsessions. Like your love of leopards and the color purple.

Ones he also found endearing, adorable, and didn’t stop him from becoming so enamored by you. Simply because Kwon Soonyoung adored you and everything about you.

You were his little leopard, as he was your tiger.

This relationship the balance you both needed.

“You two are so adorable, it’s sickening,” Wonwoo’s girlfriend spoke up, her words nothing but a sweet tease by her giggling, and nothing negative. She had been leaning against her boyfriend’s chest in their seats, watching at the two of you went off into your own little world for a moment. Giggling over something he had whispered in your ear, and kept sneaking kisses, as if you haven’t been sitting at a table full of other couples. Taking a sip of her water, she cast a glance toward her glasses wielding boyfriend. “Why aren’t we like that?”

“Anyone want another round of BBQ?” Wonwoo didn’t miss a beat, looking around the table of the remaining couples, playfully pushing her head to the side in the process. This earned a round of laughter, even from his girlfriend herself, and he made sure to kiss her on her temple. His way of showing public affection.

“They’re still in the honeymoon stage of their relationship.” Kaiya, Jihoon’s girlfriend, answered with a bored tone. Her attention was mainly on whatever she was doing on her phone, while Jihoon’s hand just rested on the back of her chair, with his attention actually on the group. “Just wait, they’ll be out of it in no time just like the rest of us.”

“We’re still very much in our honeymoon stage, trust me,” Wonwoo answered, everyone but Kaiya could see the sharp look he shot her, even though his voice didn’t give away his annoyance with her. His girlfriend nodded in agreement with him, “I’m just not the type that displays it publicly.”

“You guys are just as adorable,” You return her compliment with a smile, your hand reaching across the table to give her wrist a small squeeze. Choosing to ignore Kaiya’s cynical attitude. Your shoulder then shot up when Soonyoung had decided this was a good moment to nip at your ear with a growl. “Soonyoung!”

“Let’s get out of here,” He murmurs into your ear, maneuvering so he still was able to get to your ear to nip at it again. It was only loud enough so you could hear, “I wanna get you home and in bed.”

“We’re going to have to pass on that next round. I have an early morning, and I need my tiger to escort me safely,” You were the one to announce your departure, covering your mouth while feigning a yawn. Though it wasn’t very convincing since Soonyoung was eagerly poking you to leave quicker, giving away the real reason the two of you were leaving.

“I really hope that you both don’t actually roleplay as animals in the bedroom.” Mingyu said from behind his pint of beer, him and his own girlfriend sitting in a similar manner as Wonwoo and his.

“We wear costumes too. Wanna see mine sometime? It’s a tiger striped thong with ears.” Soonyoung shot back while the two of you stood to leave, putting on your jackets to face the cold air. You desperately shook your head toward the youngest of the couples. Refuting your boyfriend’s claim as his hand latched onto yours. You could feel your skin burning as there was a few chuckles over the table.

“I don’t need that visual,” Jihoon shook his head, closing his eyes to press his fingers into the corners.

“I can give you more than just a mental visual baby,” Soonyoung puckered his lips out in a kiss and wink toward his friend, and the shorter man made a gagging sound.

“You guys should stay a little longer, at least to see if those two finally kill each other or not,” Mingyu gestured his head toward a couple arguing on the other side of the restaurant window. Seungcheol and his fiancé had to excuse themselves and appeared to now be having an intense argument. Your table wasn’t that close to the window, so their raised voices only seemed to come through like mumbles. “It’s going to amaze me if they actually make it to their wedding day.”

“I am sure it’s just wedding planning stress. They’ll be fine after the wedding,” Gemma, Mingyu’s girlfriend, shrugged.

“If I didn’t know how shitty Meg and their relationship is, I would agree with you.” He argued, and then had a thoughtful look, “Maybe I should start taking bets.”

“We’ll be staying for another round, Woo.” Gemma chose to ignore the taller man, looking to their best friend.

“Excellent.” Wonwoo raised his hand to let someone know they wanted another round of meat and side dishes.

“If you are taking bets, let me know, I’ll throw in,” Soonyoung turning his attention to Jihoon, who had pulled out his phone to not take part in the current conversation, “We still on for the gym tomorrow afternoon, or should I text you in the morning?”

“I don’t know if I can. I got a last minute recording session with an artist, apparently tomorrow is the only day that works before he is back on tour. So I am not sure what time I will be done,” Jihoon gave his friend an apologetic smile, and Soonyoung gave a nod in understanding. He was in same business as his friend, just a choreographer instead of producer, so he understood the last minute scheduling all too well. “I’ll text you once I know more.”

“Doesn’t matter the time, just text me. If not, I can drag one of these guys to the gym with me.” You both were quick to give your last goodbyes before he was whisking you out of the restaurant and out into the cold November night. The sharp cold nearly took your breath away after being sitting in warmth for the last few hours.

On one side of the restaurant front, there was Seungcheol and his fiancé, Meg, still arguing. You didn’t bother listening into what they were saying since Soonyoung’s arm wrapped around your waist to pull you to his side. His warm lips pressing against your cheek.

“You guys heading out?” Seungcheol called out, ignoring the dirty look coming from Meg for cutting her off, his attention now on the two of you.

“Yeah, this pretty lady has an early morning, and I gotta make sure she is home and tucked safely into bed,” Soonyoung answered, not making any moves toward to oldest of his friend group for a hug. Not like he normally would, mostly out fear of Meg and her anger issues.

“Alright! You guys have a good night! Text me when you get home,” Seungcheol was able to wave before his attention was pulled back to the angry woman in front of him.

“Let’s get out of here before Meg has a reason to include us,” Soonyoung whispered, as if the wind was magically change directions and his words would filter toward the arguing couple, pulling you toward the small parking lot next to the restaurant.

“Okay,” You giggle, leaning into his thick jacket to bring a little extra warmth to you, while trying to readjust the scarf around your neck. Completely ready to get back to the warmth of your place and spend the rest of your night with just your boyfriend.

“Do you really have an early morning? You didn’t tell me you did,” Soonyoung asked, leading you right to his car, briefly removing his warmth from you to open the passenger door for you. The two of you had opted out of drinking that night, Soonyoung being the one driving and you just didn’t feel like it. Neither of you were really drinkers anyways, with you less then him, so it had been easy for you both to pass up the offer.

“Not that early of a morning, I don’t work until ten. I was just trying to not make it obvious the real reason we left, but you were making it obvious.” You tell him when he was in the driver’s seat, making sure that he saw the glint in your eyes and the way your tongue touched your bottom lip. Doing all this while saying with the very serious tone, “To get you in that tiger thong of yours.”

“Knew you couldn’t risk the tiger thong,” He laughed as you reached out to stroke his hair before running the tips of your fingers down his neck, “Maybe we can try that tail plug tonight too..”

“Not tonight,” You tell him, and a pout graced his features, “You know sitting here pouting like that prolongs us getting back to my apartment, and that also prolongs something very important.”

“What’s that?” Soonyoung asked with a little confusion, and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes.

“On how fast you can get me naked to fuck me,” You tell him like it was obvious, your attention now on taking off your gloves. When you looked at him again, the excited smile was so wide that you were sure every tooth was on display and his eyes seem to completely disappear cause of his cheeks. “While I am in love with that smile, you should stop because you need to see to drive.”

“You watch it. I am not above marking you where everyone can see.” He told you with a tease, trying to relax his cheeks. Even if you told him to stop smiling like that, you were disappointed to see it go away. He then makes a growling sound to back up his threat.

“You do that, and I will give your tiger plushie you leave at my house to Latte the next time I see her.” This earned a fake gasp from your boyfriend, turning on the car to get the heater going at least, and you burst out laughing.

“How dare you say something like that,” He whispered, his face was in another pout, but his tone showed he was holding back his own laughter. “My Latte would never do that to me, anyway. Nice try.”

“Wanna test the theory again?” You raised a brow, trying to put on your best try me face at the empty threat, but your own smile couldn’t be held back. It was impossible for you to not smile around him.

“Let’s go,” He reaches for your hand to kiss before letting it go to focus on driving, his smile not as big, but still very much present. Both of you fell into a comfortable silence during the drive, Soonyoung focusing on the road as you looked out the passenger side window. Taking in the buildings, cars, and people walking around as you pass by.

Every so often, Soonyoung’s hand would brush over your thigh before giving it an affectionate squeeze; mostly when he would stop at a light. Softly humming along to the song playing over the car speakers. You were starting to close your eyes for a moment when you caught a glimpse of something falling from the sky.

“It’s… it’s snowing,” You say out loud once you realized that it was in fact snowing.

“Holy shit, it is!” Soonyoung exclaimed, with sudden excitement to his voice and another wide smile started to spread across his face. You sit up in your seat, out of the slouched position you found yourself in, to get a better look out your window to admire the snow.

Not taking notice that he had changed directions, driving toward a new destination, but became very aware of the way that one of his hands had reached out to grab yours to hold. His palm warm against your own. It wasn’t until the scenery started change, the familiar buildings that lead to your apartment changed for ones that were more spaced out, that you realized he was driving somewhere else.

Soon the buildings were gone, giving way to small fields and clusters of trees before you turned your attention toward Soonyoung.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere that I been wanting to show you, but was waiting for the right moment,” He confessed, giving you an apologetic glance, “I know I am springing this on you, but this was the moment I was waiting for.”

“For it to snow?” You ask, and he nods. You had started dating earlier that year, just hitting six months earlier that month, so this was your first winter together. And that made this your first snow together.

“Yup!” He confirmed, pulling off the main road and onto a small dirt road that lead to a secluded clearing that overlooked part of Seoul. Where he had parked his car, it gave you a perfect view of the city below you.

“Wow…” You gasped, looking out over the lit city as the snow started to fall heavier as Soonyoung was quick to cut the engine. Undoing his seatbelt, he then reached for yours to undo it as well.

“Come on,” He orders you, opening his door to get out while you turn to give him a look of surprise.

“Wait, we’re getting out of the car?”

“Duh, that’s why I said come on,” It was his turn to roll his eyes, getting out of the car. Before you knew it, he had made his way around the front of his car to open the door for you. With an outreached hand, he offers you another dazzlingly wide smile, “Come on my sweet little leopard, humor your tiger.”

You didn’t need him to call you by your little nickname, you were going to get out of the car anyways, but it still filled you with a giddy feeling. Slipping from the car, you made sure your beanie (purple and leopard printed) was pulled comfortably over your ears for warmth. Pulling your thick jacket tighter around you, you looked up toward the sky to watch the snow falling from it.

Slowly closing your eyes, feeling the cold flakes hit your still warm skin from the car heater, not noticing that Soonyoung was just watching you. His phone out to open his music app but instead switching to his camera so he didn’t lost his moment before him. You all bundled up, the snow falling gently onto your face, and it was more breathtaking to him then the city being covered with the first snow.

Something he never wanted to forget.

“Come on, let’s dance,” He then said, turning on a song to play, and this was when you finally opened your eyes. You watch with a little confusion as he slips his phone into a shallow pocket, the speaker sticking out, and a melody of a song started to fill the snowy air.

With a small bow Soonyoung stretched out his gloved covered hand for you to take. This movement made you made you giggle before taking his hand again.

You were then pulled into his arms, Soonyoung making the first few moves a little exaggerated, twirling you around and dipping you dramatically, before moving to a slow waltz. One hand resting firmly at the small of your back while the other kept holding onto your hand tight, his eyes gazing into yours. There was no words exchanged between either of you, he just lead the dance, and you followed his lead. He was the expert after all, and you were lucky that you could put two steps together.

If felt like a scene right out of a romance.

The song changed, still keeping to the soft slow melody to continue your slow waltz, your body flushed against as he kept you in his arms. Neither of your gazes breaking from the other, and you ignored the way your finger started to get cold, since you didn’t think to grab your own gloves. You didn’t want to stop dancing, you didn’t want him to stop looking at you like you were the answer to everything he was looking for and more.

“Where did you find this place?” You were the first to break the quiet moment, cutting through the music but not unwelcoming. It brought a soft breathy laugh from him.

“I had just caught my last girlfriend cheating on me, idiot left her phone open and to his messages. It was like a punch to the gut, but instead of sending the SOS to the group chat, I just drove around. I wasn’t ready to face them, because I felt embarrassed.” He started breaking his gaze up to the sky, the snow now hitting his face. “I found it when I needed to pull off somewhere just to scream. I was filled with so much frustration, but being out here, it was like…it was healing.

I ignored all calls from the guys, turned off my location, and sat out here for hours. Eventually I had to go back because Kwan threatened to use Hansol’s drone to find me. I didn’t want them to find this place, it kind of felt like my own hidden paradise. Where I can go and escape to just enjoy the silence and the beauty.”

“Your last girlfriend was three years ago?” You mused, the words meaning to be more of an inner thought that left your lips instead. That had been the last relationship he had been in, and not from the lack of trying on his part. He had his share of one night stands, maybe dated someone for a few weeks but would fizzled out before a title could be put on it. You had been the first one since that had stuck around.

“Yeah…”

“I’m surprise you were able to keep this to yourself that long.”

“Hey, I can keep a secret. I’m keeping what’s going on with Magnetic a secret. Chan has been up my ass for the details.” He retorts back, a fake look of offence playing over his face, making you giggle more. You didn’t have the heart to tell him that the Magnetic thing wasn’t a good example, since you knew about it too. “I thought about showing it to one of the guys. Any of them would appreciate this view, but I wanted to share it with someone special. At first, it was to show myself that I was over her and with someone new who wouldn’t hurt me like that, but then the reason changed. It went from wanting to show I’m over her to…”

“Let that someone special in on something that means something to you.” You finish his statement for him, and he nods. You then leaned in to kiss him. “Something that’s special to you.”

“I wanted to bring you sooner, but it wasn’t the right time.” He whispered, capturing your lips again in another kiss, slow and sweet before finally pulling back. His face and ears turning red from the cold.

“What’s better than the first snow of the season.” You thoughtfully, and he nods. “And the dancing?”

“Another thing I imagined doing here, not necessarily in the snow. It’s just a paid actor really.”

“A paid actor, huh?” Raising a brow at him.

“Totally. I just had to sacrifice Kwan and Chan at payment. It was hard but for you, it had to be done.”

“I think you got away cheap,” You both stopped dancing as laughter started to take over, Soonyoung pulling you into a tight hug in the process. “You think we can take a small pause on dancing so I can grab my gloves? My hands feel like they are about to fall off they’re so cold.”

“Oh, shit, of course.”

After you grab your gloves, Soonyoung spends a few minutes pressing your hands between his gloved ones to help warm them up some before you slipped the gloves on. He had given you an apologetic look, but you waved him off with a kiss. Not wanting him to fuss over you anymore.

Your gloves were barely on when he was sweeping you back into his arms to continue to dance, even with the snow falling thicker onto the ground. Your feet leaving imprints as you move. Your breath coming out in small clouds, and neither of you were exactly dressed for snow, your skin pricking from the cold. Neither of you seemed to care though, lost in laughing and talking softly with each other as you continued to dance.

“Soonyoung,” You voiced after you both slipped back into another comfortable silence, the soft melodies of the music now the only thing you can hear. Truthfully, you didn’t know how long you were out there, but the snow was finally started to get you.

“Yeah?” He responded, leaning his forehead against yours.

“I’m freezing,” That was all you needed to tell him, and Soonyoung had pulled back to look at you. Nodding in agreement, he caught your lips into one more slow kiss. Both your lips cold, near freezing, but you felt instant warmth spreading through as they moved against each other.

“Let’s get you out of the cold then.” Pulling you toward the car, Soonyoung opened the passenger door for you before rushing around to the driver’s side to get the vehicle turned on. Hot air blasted through the vents as you both shivered, both of you a lot colder than you thought. “Maybe we should have dressed better.”

“Well, I wasn’t exactly expecting it to snow tonight, or that we were going to take a detour out here. I think it’s my lack of having foresight that’s to be blamed.” You tease shivering, as he leans over to brush the snow off your beanie.

“Damn, you need to get on that. Can’t catch you lacking.” He laughs, though his face did look a little guilty. “Maybe I should have planned better.”

“I don’t know if this is something that can really be planned.” You shrug.

“I actually could have been prepared, because unlike you, I actually check the weather. I just didn’t know it would snow sooner than they predicted.”

“Now it’s you who is lacking.”

“You watch it, little leopard.” He warns you, and you stick your tongue out at him. This made him lunge playfully across the center console to pull you as close as he could. The console stopping him from just pulling you into his lap.

“No, you watch it.” You smile before connecting your lips with his for one more kiss, this one deeper, “But in all seriousness, thank you for showing me this place or that you feel I am special enough to show me it.”

“You’ve been special since day one.” The comment made your heart swell and flutter, feeling truth behind his words that was backed up by one last kiss. A long lingering one that left you breathless and wanting him to kiss you again like that. “Let’s get you home and all warmed up.”

The drive back to your apartment was not as silent as the trip to his secret spot, both of you just finding yourself creating chatter over different topics. Some that you talk about all the time, some topics that were randomly thought of, and Soonyoung was even making sure you were still wanting him to stay or not. He was able to pick up from the way you sleepily stared at the window that you were growing tired.

“Even if I am tired, what makes you think that I wouldn’t want you to stay with me?” You asked him, which earned a chuckle and a nod, “Cuddling my body pillow is great and all, or even TamTam, but I much rather be cuddling into my boyfriend instead.”

“Okay, Okay, I get it.” He shot you a quick smile, this time his hand reaching across the console to take yours and didn’t let go until you were at your apartment, and you refused to climb over the console, so you didn’t have to let go. Nor did you let him either. It didn’t take long until you were in your small one bedroom apartment, and he was fussing over you. “Are you still cold? Would a nice warm shower help?”

“I am fine,” You roll your tired eyes, removing your scarf and jacket on the coat rack, and kicked off your snow covered shoes, with Soonyoung following suit. “I am not as cold as I was earlier, and the heater is on. Let’s just get ready for bed.”

It wasn’t long after the two of you started dating that Soonyoung had his own drawer and a toothbrush in your bathroom, so he didn’t have to worry about wearing the same thing the next day or needing to remember an overnight bag. The same had gone for you at his place, you had a drawer and a toothbrush. Not enough to be like you were moving in, neither of you nowhere near that, but enough that if neither of you wanted to go home, there was a change of clothes and at least a toothbrush.  

The original idea of getting to your place was now just a thought in the back of both your minds, both tired and focused on getting changed and into the warmth of your bed.

“Mine,” Soonyoung announced to no one as soon as you slid under the blankets, his arms wrapping around your waist to pull you against his body, burying his face between your shirt covered breast; throwing a leg over you as well to latch onto you like a koala. Making sure you weren’t moving. “All mine.”

“Me or my breast?” You laugh when he starts to make a motorboat sound into them, though it was muffled from your shirt.

“All mine,” He repeated, looking up from your breasts with furrowed brows and a small pout. Sitting up onto his side, he leans forward to kiss the top of your head before trailing kisses down your body, “From head to…”

“I swear Soonyoung if you try to kiss my toes,” You start to laugh when he reaches your waist, not caring that he was kissing more clothes then your skin. Popping his head up, he gave you a teasing smirk with his dark eyes shining with mischief. “Soonyoung…”

He didn’t do what you thought though, which was grab your ankle to act like he was going to kiss your toes, instead he moved to kiss your lips instead. His mouth warm pressed against yours with a cool hand touching your cheek, already starting to warm against your skin. Heat starting to spread like a wildfire over your body, his hand tilting your head to have better access of your mouth, your body remembering that you were wanting him to not just sleep next to you. You wanted him to do so much more, leave you panting and desperate for more. Both of you whining for more.

“All mine,” He repeated with a growl, the words muffled and nearly lost in your mouth, adjusting so you were now under him. His hips slotted against your thighs, while his other hand held him up.

“Only yours.” You whimper when he moved to pepper your jawline and neck with kisses, your hips pushing up against his. His cock already hard and pressing against the fabric of his underwear and sweats, begging to be freed. Your own hands now moving over his back, pulling at his shirt to reveal the body that was underneath so you could trace the clear cut muscles over his torso. To trace each dip, follow the familiar paths the tips of your fingers had visited so many times in the last six months. “Only mine.”

“Say it again.” The groan that left his lips was music to your ears, desperate and needy for not just your body but your words. You both gluttons for these words of claim, words that always lead to you both tangled up somehow. “Please, say it again.”

“Only mine,” You have no issue telling him that again, and it only lead him to capture your lips in a near bruising kiss. The warm pajamas you were wearing were no longer on you, tossed over your boyfriends shoulder with his mouth leaving faint red bite marks over your body.

“We need to stop wearing clothes to bed,” He complained, after your underwear were gone and so was his shirt. Even with the heat going, there was still a small chill through the apartment making him shiver and leaving goosebumps over both your skin. Reminding him why you were clothed in the first place. “Fuck, it’s cold.”

“That’s why,” You giggle at him before that giggle turned into a loud moan, Soonyoung not wasting time to find his place between your thighs. His tongue already dipping into your soaked folds to taste you, leaving your whole body buzzing. Your hands reached for his hair, your eyes already rolling back when a finger joined the way his tongue teased you. His middle finger teasing your entrance while his tongue rolled over your clit. The deep groans leaving him at your taste vibrating against you. “Soon…”

“Hmmm,” was the only sound you would get from him as a response, the middle finger that was teasing you dipping in, your inner walls clenching around it eagerly. This reaction from you earned a second finger quickly, his middle and ring finger now moving inside you while his tongue started to expertly work your needy cunt.

Your hands were in fists in his hair, your eyes slightly rolling, mouth falling open with a waterfall of whimpers, moans, and sighs. Body already burning up from desire and pleasure, with the knot starting to tighten deep in your core. Each flick of his tongue, each gentle suck, each curl of his fingers to hit the sensitive nerves, and the hungry sounds that were sending extra vibrations through you all brought you closer to your first release.

“Soon…Soonyoung… I…please…” You didn’t know why you were asking for his permission to cum, knowing full well by the way he was enthusiastically licking up your arousal that was seeping out quicker from his fingers fucking into you that you didn’t need to. He wanted it, he was working to bring it out of you. Needing to watch you come apart from just this before, before doing it all over again with his cock.

Soonyoung didn’t bother answering you, knowing perfectly well that you were just speaking nonsense at how quick he had gotten you to the edge. Instead his small sharp eyes shines when his mouth latched over your clit, suckling at it as his fingers moved so quickly that you could hear the echoes of the wetness that surrounded them. Your legs that were bent at the knee, with your feet planted on the mattress were now wrapped around his head. Your thighs pressing his head between them, pushing his face more into your cunt almost suffocatingly.

Through your heavy lids, you could see the way his eyes rolled at the feeling of your thighs against his head, the suckling starting to become harder sucks, and it was enough to cause explosions behind your eyes. The knot that was rapidly tightening snapped, and your vision almost went white. Your legs shaking and squeezing his head, all while the he lapped up your gushing release as much as he could. Not caring that he could suffocate from this, instead moaning and pushing for another orgasm with his mouth.

“Too much, too much!” You gasped out, your legs untangling from around him and your hands pulling at his hair to detach his mouth from you. You had it in you for another orgasm before he fucked you, but it didn’t stop your body from becoming almost too sensitive. Also you didn’t want to be the only one to have something before that. Knowing full well he was rutting against the mattress as desperately as his hands and mouth moved.

This earned a whine from Soonyoung, who was still working his fingers inside you even if his mouth wasn’t on you. Your inner muscles clenching around the slick digits.

“But you taste so good, my little leopard. I can eat you all night and be satisfied.” He told you trying to move to run his tongue over you, but your hold was firm. “Come on, you can cum again. Let me make you cum.”

“You can make me cum again on your cock, right now I need you down my throat.” You managed to pant out, and it was almost comical how fast he was pushing his pajamas and boxers down; the fabric now resting at his knees. Freeing his already hard aching cock, thick, heavy, and already dripping. Ready for your eager mouth, and soon your cunt.

Just the sight of him sent another wave arousal through you and wanted to just pounce on him. His blonde hair sticking up in several directions and mused from your fingers, with his skin flushed from the heat radiating off you both and the cool air of the bedroom. Dark eyes blown out and black, with nearly his entire bottom half of his face shining from your release, his beautiful plump bottom lip between his teeth. His body was something of another world. Muscles cut annoyingly perfect, defined showing off the hours he spent dancing and at the gym with one of his friends. Muscles that gave you a perfect map to trace with your fingertips and tongue to where you want to go. Even after a night full of BBQ didn’t take away from the perfectly sculpted frame.

Kwon Soonyoung was built like the Greek Gods wished they were.

You made quick movements, sitting up and moving so you were resting on your own knees, unable to stop yourself from pulling him into a kiss. Tasting you off his lips and leaving a faint layer over your own, teasing each other’s tongues. He pulls you closer to him, pressing your naked body against his, one arm around your waist while the other gripping the back of your hair.

“You are so fucking perfect,” His voice was soft when you separated, and it caused you to faulter your quick decision to start trailing your lips down his throat. He has told you this so many times, but this time it felt different, laced with deeper meanings than ever before. Neither of you had actually said those words yet, neither of you ready to say them, but it was clear that you were in love. You both may be gluttons for words, some words were not ready to be uttered, but that didn’t mean that the feeling wasn’t there.

The words will come in time, and that moment will be worth the wait.

“I think it’s you who’s the perfect one.” You challenge back, your voice just as soft, your hands were still trailing down his body to grasp his cock. Earning a soft hiss from him at your touch. “Perfect for me.”

“And you are for me,” He breathes out, your hand providing a few soft gentle jerks before returning to your original task. Your mouth trailing over his skin with ease, leaving similar marks like he had done to you and tongue trailing the dips between his muscles. Soft sounds coming from him, until he watched as your ass lifted slightly so you could lean forward.

He resting on his knees on the bed, and you resting low on one arm, so you were level to his cock. It was rock hard under your touch, twitching and tip leaking. With a ginger flick of your tongue, you also didn’t waste any time taking his tip into your mouth. Tasting him with eyes flashing up toward his face; meeting his eyes. He was fighting the urge to drop his head back at the sensation of your mouth, but he kept his gaze trained on you. The hand that was originally gripping your hair back to holding it tight in his fist. The angle you had him at giving him a way to fuck down your throat with a simple thrust forward.

Soonyoung doesn’t do that either, able to fight that urge as well, but his hand didn’t let go of you. It stayed firm while you moved your mouth over his length, taking more of him with every movement. You tongue pressed up against the underneath of his cock, against a sensitive vein of his, stroking what you didn’t take yet.

“Yes, baby, yes. Fuck. You look so pretty like that,” Words were falling from his lips with every moan, both hands now holding your hair back, his hips jutting forward. Nose nearly pressed against his abdomen, gagging slightly.

Dropping your hand to his thigh, you hollow your cheeks to give a generous suck, and it earned a whole string of curses from Soonyoung. Then you relaxed your jaw and throat, your eyes shining with a silent begging and letting him know that he had full control over how he used your mouth. The groan that left his mouth sounded more like a growl when the realization hit, finally dropping his head back for a moment.

When he looked back at you, his bottom lip between his teeth, keeping you in place with his hold Soonyoung thrusted forward in. Pushing him as far down your throat as he could go, your nose pressed against his body, cutting off your air. He pulls your head back the same time he does his hips, letting you take a few breaths before returning his cock down your throat.

Using your throat as his own personal toy, Soonyoung watched with a glazed expression the way your drool started to drip from the corners of your mouth. Coating you both with it, and the way your lids were fluttering gave away that you were not just enjoying him fucking your throat but that you had also snaked one of your hands between your thighs to touch yourself. The sight was enough to make him want to coat your throat with his cum.

“I need to fuck you, or I am cumming down your throat.” Soonyoung panted out with one more thrust to your throat before releasing his hold on you, taking in how you were looking to him. Resting on your arm with your ass in the air, perfect for him to slip behind and fuck you senseless. Or push you flat onto the bed and take you that way. His mind racing in all the positions he could throw you in as he got off the bed to retrieve the condom and finish removing his pants while he made his decision. With the foil package in his hand, Soonyoung pushed away the pillows to climb onto the bed behind you. “Move a little forward.”

You did as you were told, moving your body so you were where he wanted you, but went to move to lift your upper body when you felt his hand press against you back. Stopping you from moving, and you just rested your cheek against your bedsheet. You could hear the foil tearing from behind you, and he made quick movements to slip the condom over his cock. It was disappointing to say the least, but he was going to be deep in you no matter what, and it wasn’t going to take away from how good he fucked you.

His hands then moved to run up your thighs and over your ass, gripping at the meaty muscles, and you were expecting to feel the head of his cock pressing against your ready hole but instead you felt the flat of his tongue. Leaving you suddenly gasping, his tongue dipping into you from this angle only briefly, because if he didn’t, he would keep going until you were trembling again.

“So pretty,” He started repeating, having straightened up to position himself. The thick head of his cock slipping between your folds, before pushing forward. Stretching you in a tantalizing way, keeping hold of your hips to stop you from pushing back eagerly to pull him in further. Taking his time to bottom himself out, making sure you feel every inch of him.

“Soonyoung… please…” There was a whine to your voice, not wanting him to take his time, needing him to completely fill you with him.

“Please, what?” He urged, stopping only halfway in, his grip on your hips only tightening to keep you still when you started trying to wiggle your hips back.

“Don’t tease me please…” You whisper out, your knuckles going white as you clung to your sheets, suddenly being full of him. Normally he would tease more, but he had also found himself impatient to be in you. With his hips flushed against you, he leaned his chest against your back.

“Is this what you wanted?” Soonyoung’s tone was a breathless husk, grinding his hips into you as a moan left his own lips. One that was almost louder than you, you nod against the bed turning your head enough to be able to catch him watching you. “Is it? Or is it this?”

You barely were able to register him pulling out of you before his hips were snapping forward, nearly flattening you against the mattress, but one of his arms had wrapped around your waist to keep you up. You mouth fell open to moans and cries with each thrust into you, maneuvering just right to find the bundle of nerves. The fabric of the sheets rough against your sensitive nipples, sending more jolts through you.

Soonyoung’s forehead pressed between your shoulder blades, his breathing coming out in pants and loud moans of his own. The only other sounds other than your voices is the sound of skin hitting skin and the lewd sounds coming from it.

“Made just for me,” He panted into your skin, feeling his teeth starting to graze your skin. “Mine. All mine.”

“Only yours,” It was the first words you managed to get out since he stopped teasing you, your voice hoarse and gasping. Your eyes slightly rolled, and a hand found its way into your hair. Controlling how he turned your head when he pulled it back, so you were looking at him.

Skin flushed and wet from sweat, his eyes completely black and blown out, and hair a complete mess. With his lips looking inviting and you wanted to press yours against them. Letting his mouth swallow your breathless gasps and yours swallow his throaty moans. It would be enough to push the pressure building inside you closer to snapping, muscles clenching greedily with each of his thrusts.

“That’s right,” Instead of catching your mouth, he pressed a kiss against your jaw, relishing the heat radiating off your skin and how close he could see your fucked out face with each of his thrusts. “Mine and only mine. Like I am only yours.”

“Fuck…” You gasp out, the words did what that kiss you wanted did, and more. Catapulting you off the edge, with your body shaking from the pressure bursting. Inner walls spasming and clenching around him, and your legs shaking. There was his own string of curses that fell from his lips, and you suddenly felt empty as he removes himself from your body. Leaving you to wither in this orgasm without him, but not for long.

Soonyoung rolled you over onto your back, finding his place back between your legs. Pushing his cock back into you, groaning how even though your muscles grasp tight around him, but slid in with so much ease. Your body snug around him like a glove. With his knees bent and pressing against your hips, your legs moving to wrap around his waist, Soonyoung rested his upper half on his forearms. Now hovering over you to take the way you looked better, to take in the way your body couldn’t stop shaking from the orgasm he pulled from you. Or the way your eyes fluttered and your mouth begging to be kissed by his.

Which he couldn’t resist doing, your lips just as addicting as every part of you. Still slightly swollen and a tongue that he loved to tease with his own. Swallowing any sounds that left your lips. Your body hot and covered in a sheen of sweat, mixing with his own, as your bodies moved and pressed up against each other. The new angle had it so he could get deeper, the soundless gasps and moans starting to turn into higher pitch whines, another orgasm quickly washing over you.

Each muscle tense, locking your legs around him by your ankles, arms around him so you were clinging to him. Every moan and high pitch whine mixed and lost with his own, and you could tell by the way his thrusts were started to become a little sloppy, and harder into you, that he was close. That he was trying to hold back, long enough to maybe pull another one, but he wasn’t going to last that long. He was too close to his own release to hold back any longer.

“Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,” Soonyoung started repeating, between pressing his forehead against yours and kissing you. “Cumming…”

“Soonyoung,” You whimper his name, over stimulation started to set in when he hips falter. Coating the inside of the condom with stripes of his cum. You both stayed there, allowing him time to empty himself and you stop spasming. Soonyoung wouldn’t stop placing soft kisses over your skin, making sure not leaving a single spot on your face untouched by his lips. With eyes shut, you relish in the feel of his body still pressing against you and the way his lips brushed over your sweat soaked skin. Then he runs the flat of his tongue over your temple causing you to smack his arm. “Soonyoung!”

His laughter rang through the bedroom, pulling himself from your swollen and well fucked cunt to discard the condom and get you both cleaned up. He tries to insist to let him clean you up, but you also needed to pee, so you waved off this offer. The two of you both cleaned up together, changing into a fresh pair of clothes, and after sex munchies started to set in.

“I’m hunnngggrrryyyy,” Soonyoung’s whine made your eyes roll, dropping the ramen into the pot before moving to cut the extra ingredients to add to it. Were you really going through this trouble at near two thirty in the morning to make him a nice meal after fucking you into the mattress? Yes, because he deserved it, and he would do the same in a heart beat.

“Gotta let it cook first.” You tell him before letting out a small squeal when you feel his arms snake around your waist and his mouth pressing against right behind your ear. You started squirming when he nuzzled his nose into your skin. “Kwon Soonyoung, you were the one who wanted this and now you aren’t going to let me cook?”

“I want to kiss on you more instead,” He murmured against your skin, pushing back the strands that were trying to fall back into place.

“Then you shouldn’t have asked for this,” You tell him, when his hand reaches out and stops you from cutting up pieces of kimchi to add to the ramen. He gently nudges the knife free to drop onto the cutting board, to turn you toward him. Not giving a single shit that your hands were covered in the red.

“You are just as hungry as I am,” He retorts, his hands grasping the counter sides, pinning you between him and the counter. You go to roll your eyes when you stop at the sudden serious look on his face.

“What?”

“I love you.” It was like time stopped and you stared at him, trying to read anywhere on his beautiful features that he wasn’t being serious.

There was a rush through you, a mixture of emotions. Shock, excitement, worry, but most of all love for him that took over everything else. You thought he was going to wait longer, that he wasn’t ready to utter the words that you both obviously felt, but here he was telling you with no issue. With so much seriousness, to make sure what you didn’t think he was trying to be silly or funny.

Kwon Soonyoung never has, would never, or will ever joke about those feelings for you. He loved you more than the phrase could justify, and he couldn’t hold it any longer. Especially after that night.

“I love you,” Soonyoung repeated, your name falling from his lips after, making sure the words sunk in. Allowing you the time to process his words. But what he wasn’t expecting was you to fling yourself at him, your arms wrapping around his neck and your lips smashed against his. He was quick to melt into your kiss, his hands resting on your hips.

“I love you, too.” You tell him breaking away from his kiss to say it, “I love you.”

It took everything in you to pull away from your boyfriend after that, to finish making food, which proved difficult with him clinging to your back, kissing your neck and repeating those three words in your ear. Neither of you able to stop smiling as you giggled and fed each other ramen, not able to go to sleep until the sun started to peak over the horizon.

These two will be back! You'll see them in the other fics, and I have another fic planned for him. I hope you enjoyed!

[specialtysacrifice]

starting a collection. a normal collection. because I am normal

[anxious-witch]

I think the reason why there are so many amazing ships in Dead Boy Detectives is because the show manages to show different versions of love/lust/devotion through different relationships all characters have.

Like, love triangles have been doing the whole "a girl has to choose between two guys who each being out a different side of her" for over a decade in popular media, some more, some less successfully. But the pitfall they often fall into is that those differences seem very shallow and often ignore the other aspect of the main person who have to choose between the love interests.

Dead Boy Detectives makes sure to not do that.

When we look at how Charles is with Crystal vs how he is with Edwin, we can clearly see the difference. In the beginning of his and Crystal's dynamic, he is flirtier and puts more if a bravado, but he pretty quickly opens up to her. Because he sees that she very quickly sees past his facade he puts up with his constant happy-go-lucky persona. Only when he starts opening up to her and showing his emotions does their relationship progress. Because after David, Crystal needs someone who can be emotionally vulnerable with her and in turn, Charles offers her the same, and offers her a safe space.

In contrast, we see that Charles is more at ease around Edwin. They know each other deeply, and are also woven into each other at this point. It's easy, like breathing. One thing it doesn't do is challenge either of them from the status quo they have built over the years. But there is a sense of ease there, and such devotion. There is no question about what they would do for each other because the answer is everything.

That said, while they both bring out different sides of Charles, those sides of him feel intricately linked to one another! Which is why Crystal coming into the pictures begins changing Charles' relationship with Edwin as well! It brings to light things they have ignored. And in turn, Charles' clear and unwavering devotion and loyalty to Edwin prompts Crystal to learn it herself. To quote Jenny in ep 8, "you were about to leave and never see these boys again, but now you are going to save them"? And yes, she does exactly that.

This even has influence on Edwin and Crystal's rs directly, which I can't recall ever seeing in a love triangle before, at least not in a positive sense. But it's so clear that Charles loves both of them that the other learns to love them too, and they realize their own similarities through it, too!

As for Edwin and his many love interests, well. I know there has been a lot of debate, especially around Cat King vs Charles dyankics with Edwin, but the thing is-you are comparing apples ajd oranges here.

The Cat King is enamored, fascinated by Edwin, and yeah above all, attracted to him. This dynamic serves to challenge both of their characters' beliefs and shake up the power dynamics between them. Whenever you like the Cat King or not Edwin clearly reciprocates the attraction part, at the very least.

Charles loves Edwin and is devoted to him and Edwin to him turn, as discussed above. What is difficult about their relationship is that it became stagnant due to lack of communication, which is why they needed other relationships to shake up that dynamic.

But to address the most prominent comparison I saw, which is the Cat King saying he'll wait for Edwin vs Charles going to Hell to save him.

Both are types of devotion, is the thing. A profession of love, if you will. To this day, we consider Penelope a faithful, loving and devoted wife for waiting for Odyssey for 20 years. Cat King saying he'd wait for Edwin isn't any small confession, given he is aware it could take decades, if not more.

Don't get me wrong, Charles going to literal Hell to save Edwin and succeeding where Orpheus and Eurydice failed is an enormous success and a way to show you love someone. I am not minimalizing that at all.

I am just saying that, for who these characters are and given their rs with Edwin, they did exactly what they were supposed to. They expressed in which ways Edwin had influenced them and what they can offer him if that dynamic becomes romantic.

Cat King represents experience, patience. As an immortal he has all the time in the world to wait for Edwin to return from hell, because he believes Edwin is strong enough to return on his own.

Charles represents love that breaks all obstacles in their way. He goes to save Edwin because he believes Edwin deserves to be helped in the way he helps others. He deserves to be saved.

My point is, there is no better of worse way of loving someone. The character in the love triangle choose the person that better alignes with who they are and who they wish to be as a person. So yes, you are absolutely allowed to say "I think this character would choose person a because it alignes better with their character development" but comparing the two as one being superior is kinda pointless imo? Exploring different dynamic of a character is the goal here, right? Either through canon or fanon.

...I was gonna talk about Crystal/Niko and Edwin/Monty too but this post got away from me to uhh. Might do another one if anyone is interested but in their way! I adore the way DBDA explores different sides of characters while still making them feel like a fully rounded person and doesn't shy away from letting one rs influence other rs character has.

[babyangelsky]

My Favorite Performances of 2024 💖✨

Welcome to Babyangelsky's 2024 Wrap Up! To commemorate my second year of watching QL dramas, and my first year of actually talking on my blog, I've compiled a series of lists to celebrate all the QL things I loved this year!

Please feel free to take my categories and make lists of your own and tag me in them if you do!

💜 All the lists can be found here! 💜

AKA, the "I Love Everything You Do With Your Face" awards. I mostly mean that figuratively but I also mean it literally because expressions are my favorite part of acting. However, it isn't only expressions that make a performance stand out to me.

♡ Chris Chiu & Kurt Huang (Unknown)

It's been months and I can still hear Chris' scream in this scene. It was gutwrenching. It hurt. Some actors are great with expressions, some with line delivery, but Chris is all-rounder. He acts with his entire body. The control this man has over his microexpressions and his body language is incredible to watch.

And Kurt is no slouch either. This man can create tension by simply entering a scene. He draws focus even when he's in the background. There's this intensity to the way he uses his eyes that almost makes you hold your breath. He's mesmerizing.

♡ Benjamin Tsang & Liu Dong Qin (The On1y One)

The sheer number of times I had to pause every episode of this show to have a breakdown about how much I loved this man's face and what he was doing with it. I'm obsessed and in love with him and his microexpressions.

The effect that Benjamin's face has on me can only be matched by the effect this man's voice has on me. He's so careful with his line delivery. He injects the perfect amount of emotion and nuance and breath into everything he says and keeps you hanging on every word.

♡ Fort Thitipong & Peat Wasuthorn (Love Sea)

I was so enamored with every single little thing that Fort and Peat did with their faces as Mahasamut and Tongrak that from the second episode onward, I posted about my favorite expressions every single week starting with this scene.

So much of acting is in an actor's expressions and body language and the two of them embodied these characters so well that you could always tell exactly what they were feeling and thinking.Their acting in Love Sea was leaps and bounds ahead of where it was in LITA and I am so proud of them both.

♡ Kim Nu Rim & Lee Sun (Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo)

I truly believe that there are only really two reasons why something is difficult to watch: either it's done poorly or it's done well. This show is an example of the latter.

Everything is done well. It was done so well and acted so beautifully, in fact, that it was brutal to watch almost the entire way through. Do Hoe's expression upon seeing his reflection in the mirror as he contemplated killing his father is something that's going to stick with me for years.

As is Ju Yeong taking off his cross necklace so he could confess to Do Hoe through the wall. It's absolutely insane to think that this was Lee Sun's first lead role. He did a spectacular job.

♡ Kamimura Kenshin (Our Youth)

This. Man's. Eyes. The way he can go from showing the most devastating, heartbreaking vulnerability to being the sultriest little minx you've ever seen would piss me off if I wasn't so delighted and impressed by it. He's intoxicating to watch. I've thought about that popsicle scene and the "infect me" line every single day since I first watched them.

♡ Becky Armstrong (The Loyal Pin)

Becky's portrayal of Anin was rich and nuanced and complex and I loved it. She was able to strike such a great balance between being so bold and ballsy when Anin was standing up for herself, being soft and loving with Pin, and being regal and intimidating when the situation called for it.

That scene at Pin and Kuea's engagement? Hoooo boy. Magnificent.

♡ Bible Wichapas & Fuaiz Thanawat (4 Minutes)

I waited so long to have Bible back on my screen and he did not disappoint. Great was a character that experienced a lot of fucked up things and complex emotions about those things and Bible was able to portray all of them beautifully. The way he carried himself as both versions of Great and how he interacted with his environment and other characters was a delight to see.

As for Fuaiz, every time I see him his acting gets better and better and I have a feeling that's not gonna stop any time soon. We got him in two roles this year and seeing him go from sweet innocent White in DFF to tormented, grieving, seductive Tonkla in 4 Minutes was a treat. He shined so much in this series. He drew you in, made you feel for him, made you root for him. Just an incredible job all around, I'm genuinely so proud of him.

♡ Lee Tae Vin (Love for Love's Sake)

From the very beginning of this show, it was so clear how much care Lee Tae Vin put into his portrayal of Myung Ha and how important it was to him to do it well, especially considering his past experiences. This is an actor who loved the character he was playing and there was never a second he was on screen where that was in any doubt. He bodied this role.

♡ Top Piyawat & Mick Monthon (Every You, Every Me)

Top and Mick each played several different characters in this show, all with different dynamics between them, but X and Namping were by far my favorites. Top's portrayal of Namping was so delicate and alluring with such an undercurrent of sadness beneath it all. The POV shots were a gift.

And Mick's X was so helplessly and hopelessly entranced by him. The way he looks at Namping like he's the most breathtaking work of art he's ever seen and also like he wants to devour him with his eyes is fantastic. I love the choice to let the silence and tension simmer between them because it was in those moments that you could really feel what they felt for each other.

♡ Yin Anan & War Wanarat (Jack & Joker)

The way Yin and War tore everybody's hearts out in episode ONE and then put them back and ripped them out again and continued in that cycle for eleven more episodes is insane. These two men are spectacular criers. They're spectacular with their eyes and body language. The Jack and Joke we saw pre-time skip may as well have been different characters entirely from the Jack and Joke that existed post-time skip.

And then on top of that, War had the extra challenge of portraying different characters every time his character took on the Joker persona and they ALL FELT DISTINCT. You can always tell when an actor puts their all into a role and Yin and War did that and then some.

♡ Namtan Tipnaree (Pluto)

I will always be impressed by someone who can not only play twins but play them well and man, can Namtan do it well. The styling obviously does a lot of the heavy lifting to help distinguish the two characters but she's got the mannerisms and microexpressions down so cold that even if the styling wasn't distinctive enough, you'd still be able to tell Ai-oon and Ob-oom apart easily. Even her voice changes between the two characters. Phenomenal job all around.

♡ Kim Yun (See Your Love)

Because the character that he's portraying is deaf, Kim Yun's performance relies entirely on his expressions and body language and he is doing a beautiful job. The fight he has in the hospital with Raiden's character where he breaks down and the conversation he has with his parents are his two best scenes so far. You don't have to hear his lines to feel the emotion he puts into them.

♡ Up Poompat & Poom Phuripan (My Stand-In)

You know what I really admire? When an actor can make me want to throw a character in front of a train and then turn around and put me in all my feelings while I still hate them and then slowly make me love them. That's what what Up did with Ming and I enjoyed every moment of it. This man plays toxic SO well. Ming was the worst the entire time and I still fucking loved him because Up is just that good.

Meanwhile Poom was over here doing devastating and wonderful things with those beautiful expressive eyes of his and hurting and delighting me in equal measure. He's insanely, insanely good at acting with his eyes but there were also so many little body language moments I deeply appreciated.

♡ Force Jiratchapong & Book Kasidet (Peaceful Property)

Force and Book were really only in one part of one episode of Peaceful Property but their story made such an impact that it left everybody watching crying on the floor. Their performances as Phoom and Vicha were incredible. The brought those characters and the love between them to life in such a beautifully poignant way.

I'm so excited to see them in Melody of Secrets next year. I know they're going to do great things with a more challenging script.

[laurentidal]

Break the Cycle

Angela was a product of her upbringing. Harsh and cruel were the only parenting styles she knew. Her father had beaten her. Her mother had belittled her. And so now, in her mind, that is what being a parent looked like.

So when she'd had Lily, she behaved in the way she'd been shown was effective. After all, she'd grown up just fine, hadn't she? Of course, if you asked Lily, no. Angela hadn't grown up fine. She'd grown up cruel and cowardly and incapable of warmth. She'd never taken the time to imagine a world where her own daughter didn't need to feel the shame and hurt that Angela had felt growing up.

She couldn't fathom it. Her mind was just too closed off to other experiences. But as Lily grew up, she could imagine it. She saw a whole alternate world where her mother had looked inward and learned. Lily resolved to break the cycle. When she had a child, she would be warm and kind and forgiving.

Lily is great that way. Ever since we started dating, I've seen that determination to change the things she can and accept that her mother cannot. Me? I'm a little more ambitious. I think we don't need to wait another generation to break the cycle. I think anyone is capable of change. Even Angela. Even now.

That why for Christmas this year, I bought her a meditation kit. A candle with an exposed flame. A couple sticks of incense. And most importantly, a CD loaded with subliminal messages. She was always into this kind of stuff. And so when I smelled the incense burning and heard the music playing, I knew I had her.

An hour passed before I let myself into her room. We were set to leave in the morning, so it had to be now. Her eyes were glazed. Her breathing was shallow. I asked if she could hear me and she nodded slowly.

For the first time, I realized how sexy she was. The malice I felt at the way she'd treated my Lily felt secondary to the incredible way she looked so peaceful and relaxed. So open to my suggestions. All I'd intended to do was change her attitude a bit. But now, seeing her so vulnerable...

I pulled off her nightgown. No bra underneath. And I knew then I'd made the right choice. Her body was beyond compare. Better even than that of her daughter's. And so I began to tell her about her new desires. She would be kind. She wouulld be open-minded. She would be forgiving. All part of the plan. But she would also be flirtatious. She would be seductive. And she would be completely enamored with me. She'd do anything to get me in bed. She'd do anything to keep it secret from Lily. And she'd do anything I asked her to.

"I will be available to you anytime, anywhere," she said flatly as her vacant eyes stared ahead. "I am your hypnotized mother-in-law slut. You command, and I obey."

This Christmas I'd intended to give Lily the gift of a second chance with Angela. I'd ended up giving the best gift of all to myself.

"Lay back and wake up, Angie. It's time to show me how much you've changed."

[sgiandubh]

As a woman who devoured 6 seasons of Outlander in 3 months

I find that Sam was very brilliant in his performance in the first season

Look at him here, even his voice was different and masculine

I don't know why in the following parts he was pulled into the artificial performance style

Even his tone of voice was changed to a ridiculous tone

I find that Sam's creativity was killed and Jamie character was made ridiculous as they presented him to us

Yes they succeeded in that.. But they couldn't change him, he is the crazy chemistry between Sam and Caitriona behind the scenes .

Dear Creativity Anon,

Bearing in mind I distractedly watched the first episode of 7B and not at all the second one, I think this calls for a more nuanced approach.

I do agree with you S was stellar all the way up to Season 4, when things started to spiral downwards, somewhat. I think it's obvious and I don't think we do him - or ourselves, morally speaking - any favors trying to put on a brave face and ignore facts. While C was, in my humble opinion, the weakest link in Season 1, she slowly started to be more comfortable with Claire and have a better understanding and intuition of that character from Season 2 onwards, only to accompany S down the drain at the same above mentioned point on the show's timeline. I am sorry if that sounds brutal to some - blind, enamored fangirling never quite did it for me, but constructive critic is always my cup of tea.

We could probably spend the rest of the night debating reasons and consequences, Anon, much of which are well known - and carefully denied - by many in this fandom. And while many might ascribe the 'new', later seasons S to an older JAMMF character he doesn't seem to master as perfectly as young, fresh faced JAMMF, I agree with you that he looks perfunctorily disinterested too many times for my liking. But then so does C, a woman her Stans worship the earth she's treading upon all day long, while nastily belittling her co-star and - remember, ROFLMAO - Partner Everyday. In a nutshell, the older JAMMF is a formulaic shadow of the fascinatingly versatile younger self and the older CEBRF is a frowning matron, with a passion for ether and terrible, terrible pitch. This is why I have always said I would like to see them both being offered the opportunity to create totally new characters, in totally new projects that would send them out of their respective acting comfort zones. That would be the real litmus test, Anon: not the feisty matriarch in Belfast, nor the endearingly stolid paramour in Love Again. They can do better, that much we know and they deserve better.

When a good, gifted actor suddenly starts to mix things up and lose it, there might be other reasons at play. And I know I will irritate many and I don't care if I do, to be honest. I am still amazed at the complete lack of discernment of this fandom's Stans. They seem to ignore the crucial accountability of that increasingly ineffective army of scriptwriters, producers (we both agree them being Exec Producers is little more than an incentive, with little real leverage on creative decisions) and directors - Matt who? directors XYZ who? And God forbid we'd bring into the mix Gabaldon's increasingly verbose, mediocre output and questionable narrative choices. Her complete lack of historical sensitivity: painting a dull Paris background while she was sitting on a cultural goldmine. Her obsessively cheap sensationalism: raping and uselessly traumatizing ALL of the main characters (why? is happiness that boring? and if so, what does this tell us about their creator?). Her abusively interspersing the intrigue with uninteresting, obscure botanical references, while forgetting to properly tie in the narrative lines. So much so, that I began to increasingly find disagreeable to continue reading the books, from The Fiery Cross onwards. Throw rotten tomatoes at me, if you wish, but I think life is too short for bad literature. So many other formidable things to read, so many other worlds to discover - why would I, as a reader, give this contemptuous, megalomaniac lady my time and my patience, when I have Tiziano Terzani's wonderful travelogues begging for my attention, on my nightstand?

You might ask, with good reason and common sense, why am I still committed to watch the show. And the answer is simple, Anon: when I start something, I strive to properly or at least decently finish it. And despite all the #shitshow, the cruelty, the childish lies, the gaslighting, the traculas and xenas and trolls, I am still here for that love. This, Anon, is something that nobody could ever take away from Those Two, spare perhaps their lesser selves (and that is nobody's business). But I am not worried, in that department - just aware and perhaps a bit cynical, too.

[biblio-smia]

“i’m falling in love with you.” + Mike Schmidt please! congratulations — you’re such a talented writer and we all truly appreciate you! :)

thank you so much 🥹 | part of v’s 800 follower celebration!

mike has a staring problem. it's especially noticeable early in the mornings and late at nights, when he's only really half-awake and half-aware of what he's doing.

he's even less conscious on the effect it has, especially on you. you start stumbling over your words when you realize his eyes are fixed on you in such a concentrated way. you know he's just focused, probably engrossed in what it is you're saying, but you can't help the little patter your heart does.

and, you won't deny, you have a problem, too. though it's usually because you're enamored - captivated by the way mike's eyes have reflected the sun, or completely distracted by the way his eyes crinkle at the edges.

but when mike catches you staring, you tell him exactly why each time, sending a soft flush to his face.

tonight, however, mike's eyes will not leave yours, no matter how many times you've caught him. you'll catch him, look away, look back a few minutes later and still see him staring. you're starting to think he's fallen asleep with his eyes open when he reaches over, pressing a quick kiss to your lips.

you're a little stunned, immediately forgetting the story you were telling him about a coworker. but he's back to staring, his head propped up on his hand, his elbow sinking into the pillows, waiting expectantly for you to continue.

you turn, scowling now, to face mike.

"you've been staring at me all night," you frown.

"really?" mike says, his voice low from the weariness, but you can't tell if he's being sarcastic. though, usually, his capacity for that clocks out around nine p.m.

"and you just interrupted me."

"sorry." at least that one's genuine. "didn't mean to." mike kisses you again - this time, you can't say he interrupted you.

"do i have something on my face?"

"yeah," mike replies softly, reaching up to hold your face. but he doesn't continue.

"mike."

"hmm?"

you look at him expectantly, but if he picks up on it, you can't tell.

mike doesn't stop his staring, or his holding of your face. he's begun to swipe his thumb over your cheek now - slowly, delicately.

"i'm falling in love with you."

it's quiet - but it's certain. you're sure you haven't misheard and the edges of your mouth curl into a smile.

"really?"

"mhm."

"why's that?"

mike does his best to shrug. "just am."

you wish you could keep this image of mike forever - a certain softness around him that only shows in his most vulnerable hours.

"are you falling in love with me?" mike asks, his eyes still wide despite his clear exhaustion.

you grab mike's hand on your face, pushing his fingertips to your lips. you hold him, steady, laying him down till he's holding you to his side.

there's no ounce of apprehension behind your answer, a truth that has been floating around without the proper words to express it.

"yeah," you say quietly, wondering if mike is still awake to hear you. "i am."

[respectthepetty]

Pride Petty Watch - LiTA (Sky/Prapai) 3/3

I'm watching Love in the Air for the first and ONLY time as part of my Pride Petty Watch, so I'm recapping my suffering experience. The previous recaps can be found here, here, here, and here. I made tea from Long Island *wink* and even though I am not mentally prepared for what's about to happen, I'm ready to finish this, so I can have a break from The Whores Horrors™.

*sign of the cross*

If I wasn't so upset at everyone but Sky and Sig, I think I would have really enjoyed the colors and the ways characters' positions showed power dynamics, but here I am, Bird Box-ing my way through the visual rhetoric.

Love really is blind because I feel Sky would stab Prapai if he heard Prapai call him "gentle" but Prapai has proven to not let reality get in the way of his vision.

I will keep repeating that when Prapai is good, he is the best. He is enamored by Sky picking out stationary. He is happy Sky remembered what he likes to eat. He is worried about Sky at school and his health. His flirty banter works in this setting. Everything is perfect (except Sky's shirt which I refuse to show because it got enough screen time without me adding to it).

How about we just stop here? Just like with Rain and Payu's story, this is a clear point that the story could end, and it would make sense, but noooooooo. The story needs TWO kidnappings because unlike telenovelas, apparently one was not suffice.

To think that Don't Say No was a choice for my Pride Petty Watch, but I'm here, suffering for my actions and watching Prapai forget who he slept with from his former roster. It happens to the best of us, 'Pai.

This is an odd comparison, but this is Last Twilight all over again for me. They just told each other how they feel with big declarations, and one hour later it all goes up in flames simply because the narrative demands it without it making any lick of sense.

AND WE ARE BACK IN THE RED!!!! This show gives me no peace and no relief, yet this time was less jolting because I felt it coming, and somehow him crying in the car repeating that it is happening again is more upsetting.

Get in, Slut for Christ! We're going to confessional, so you can pray for the sin of not taking no for an answer in a show full of people not taking no for an answer.

Not to stereotype, but you are wearing a holographic butterfly shirt, my dude, so what in the Lisa Frank bullshit are YOU doing in sex trafficking? You are not allowed on the Pride float this year, and if you dare to step on it, I will push you off of it and make it look like an accident AFTER I take the shirt off your body because you don't deserve nice things.

Prapai, you are better than this. You have displayed a mild sense of awareness regarding Sky, so having Sky breaking down right next to you without you acknowledging his pain is not your fault, but the story's, and I'm getting real salty about the way this plot wants me to like you yet simultaneously does everything to make me hate you. Was MAME fighting with herself when she wrote this?

Perfect example! Prapai has consistently followed up after the party because he knows something is off from Sky's responses, so he immediately questions if HE did something wrong instead of assuming it's Sky. He still sends Sky food. He goes by to check on him once. Then he brings out the burner cellphones.

As much as I complained about this behavior, it makes sense in this situation because it aligns with exactly who Prapai has been shown to be, a stalker (affectionately here, derogatory in previous episodes).

SO WHY WOULD HE BREAK INTO SKY'S APARTMENT AND READ THE JOURNAL?!

It's not even about the *thing* for me. It's about the lack of consistency for the sake of, what? drama? Prapai talked about swindling a key from Joy, so I'm not surprised he made his way into the apartment without Sky's knowledge, but for Prapai to use the key for this doesn't make sense with his previous behavior. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but Prapai has been desperate before and he consistently showed up at Sky's apartment to bother him. He tricked Rain into giving him information. He showed up ON CAMPUS to hound Sky. He sent flowers. Yet he does none of that here. Payu went to Rain's mama's house to hunt that boy down, yet Prapai doesn't get the same treatment. Payu got the opportunity to lock himself in a bathroom stall with Rain and sniff him after making a surprise visit to campus when Rain was avoiding him, yet Prapai must commit a crime to get to "I love you"?

And on that topic, the long break between Prapai stating he no longer liked Sky - while Sky was bursting with tears and started to cry harder - and Prapai saying he loved Sky was unnecessarily long. In fact, it was cruel. And as much as I hate Prapai's aggressive tactics and crass flirting, he has never been intentionally cruel to Sky, so Prapai ignoring Sky repeating "please, stop" again and again only to end with "I love you" doesn't work for me because that "please, stop" will rear its ugly head again when the ex enters the plot. Having Prapai do something very harmful to Sky who slowly crumbled down to the floor begging Prapai to stop, only to end with him doing something very loving and them smiling on the couch is an emotional beatdown that makes telenovelas jealous.

My boy Sig wasn't perfect because he defaulted to telling Sky to cheer up, but he asked the good questions, he let Sky stay with him as he worked through his feelings, he told Sky that Prapai loved him, and he told Sky to cry. He is a saint among cockroaches, and even though I do not believe in the institution of marriage, I would marry this man in a heartbeat and fully commit to the bit.

UNLIKE RAIN WHO IS NOW TRYING TO PROTECT HIS FRIEND AFTER HE WAS THE ONE WHO OFFERED UP SKY'S NUMBER AND APARTMENT KEY! I'm glad the story acknowledged that Rain's stupidity was pivotal to making this ship happen, so I'll acknowledge that both ships shift around yellow and blue as their love story develops.

---Episode 13---

I thought we were past this lighting and coloring, but this is a reminder that I'm in hell.

I completely forgot about the whole "Wipe Down" controversy in this show, and now I am fully judging y'all because out of all the SHIT that has happened in this show, especially in episode 13 so far, this is what y'all was upset about it? This was the battle y'all picked? The hill y'all wanted to die on was this moment? Y'all was mad because we were shown Prapai wiping down his partner as a basic form of care after sex? Prapai who stalks and breaks into apartments? THIS is the behavior of his that got y'all so riled up that you chose to write 2,000-word think pieces on and lower the show's rating on MDL with the long-ass comments?! THIS?! I hope your cardigans always snag, your soup always burns your tongue, and your glasses always have smudges on them because some of y'all do not deserve small joys or everyday whimsy. Shame on you, shame on your ancestors, and shame on your cow.

Prapai is checking that his helmet didn't hurt Sky when he hugged him, and I'm quickly coming around to the fact that "I don't hate you because you're problematic. You're problematic because I hate you the story hates you"

RAIN, NO!

I refuse to show this man's face or any of these scenes, but he is wearing a cross earring and the Sluts for Christ would like the record to state we do not know this man nor claim him, so we will be handling this situation promptly. However, we only need the ear, so if any other members of the delegation need anything specific, please add it to the Gay Agenda, and we will make sure to get those requests fulfilled in a timely manner. Thank you, and have a blessed day.

HE HAS A BRAIN CELL! HE'S GONNA PASS THIS COURSE!

Prapai just yelled at Sky, and I'm not even mad. This is where I'm at in the plot. Prapai ripped out the eyebrow earring, and I'm cheering him on. Payu stopped him, and I pissed. Prapai is rich. He will not go to jail. LET HIM MURDER!!!! He has already committed other criminal offenses, so what is murder to the list?! Mostly murder under these circumstances! THE CHARGES WON'T STICK!

SOMEONE BRING ME TAN SO WE CAN MORTAL KOMBAT THIS SHIT AND FINISH HIM!

"I'll cry for you" - My therapist will be sending you an invoice, LiTA

Chai, I knew I liked you. Your name is "Tea" and as a tea drinker, you have provided me the same level of comfort I get from a nice warm cup of spiced chai and I would also like you in my mouth. I fear you and respect you, so I know the sex will be fire and as the spokesperson for the Sluts for Christ, we have something you want, well . . . pieces of it anyway, so if you would like to exchange numbers, I can share with you any information I know perhaps over drinks . . . or under you. Whichever you prefer. I'm open to suggestions.

And commands.

Oh, thank God, I'm done! I am free. There is no more trauma to witness. Slytherin earned a point and passed the course. I never have to see him or these weather boys ever again!

*special episode pops up*

FUCK!

[bittenbyyou]

Inferior Flames (1)

MCU!AU | MCU!Peter Parker x Stark!Reader | MCU!Spider-Man x Stark!Reader

genre: enemies to lovers, angst, slow burn, lil cute moments

description: Your father wants you to knock Peter down a peg. OR Peter is bitter because you’re an Avenger and he’s not.

word count: 3.6k

warnings: Tony Stark being your father is already a warning as to how ridiculous he could be lol, mentions of Spider-Man: Homecoming, references from Captain America: Civil War, idk where this would fit in the MCU timeline per se b/c I’ve only recently started watching all the Marvel movies. 

a/n: maybe it’ll be a series? idk, if you like it, lemme know!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

“Firefly, I need a favor.” Your father plopped onto the couch next to you, so you paused your show with the TV remote.

“What is it?” you asked, turning your body to give him your undivided attention.

“You know Spiderling, Spider-Boy?”

“Peter Parker, Spider-Man? Yes. How do you still not know his name?”

“My names are better.”

“Uh huh. Wait, he’s the one that rejected your proposal to become an Avenger.” You nudged him with your elbow, flashing a smirk.

“No, no. I don’t do rejection.”

“But he did turn you down.”

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose to alleviate his frustration. “Sure. Whatever. Anyway, the kid wants to be an Avenger now. Been texting Happy nonstop about when’s the next mission and he’s wanting to see me tomorrow.”

You blinked twice and stayed quiet, a blank stare on your face as to why this was an issue. When he didn’t say anything, you gestured for him to elaborate.

“I don’t think he’s ready,” he added, crossing one arm over the other.

“You’re serious? Dad, you’ve never shut up about him ever since you gave him the suit. Even when I was abroad, I’ve seen what he can do. He’s amazing. You wanted him to be an Avenger.”

“I’m aware. But he said no and now… the ball is in my court.” The shit-eating grin on his face was soon replaced with a chuckle that sounded almost sinister.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, he turned me down and now he wants me back. God, I’m making him sound like an ex-girlfriend.” He shivered in disgust and you rolled your eyes. “Anyway, I get to turn him down now. It’s great.”

“So you’re turning him down because he turned you down first. Petty much?”

“Hey, that is not what’s going on here.” He turned his attention to the paused TV screen instead of meeting your judgmental gaze.

“Dad, that’s exactly what you’re doing. You’re really letting your pride stop you from recruiting someone as amazing as Spider-Man? Let Peter join.”

“What, are you in love with him or something? You think he’s so amazing?” he asked while doing jazz hands at the word “amazing.”

You wouldn’t call it love; it was more along the lines of admiration. During your time abroad, your father filled you in on all his adventures and antics so if anything, it was his fault as to why you were somewhat enamored with Spider-Man. Deep down, you knew your father adored Peter, so it was only natural you did too.

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“You can’t date anyone until you’re 21.”

“I’m telling Mom you’re being ridiculous.”

“I already told your mom and we’ve already established that I’m ridiculous,” he said proudly, as if it was a badge of honor.

“You told me you were proud of his decision to lay low.”

“I am. I was. But now the tables have turned and what kind of person would I be if I let him in so easily? The others think I’m crazy recruiting a 15 year old.”

“16 now actually,” you corrected.

“God, this is like deja-vu.”

You giggled. “I’m the same age as him and you’ve been wanting me to join too.”

“Don’t remind me. You were the first person to ever turn me down and I’m still recovering. I’m waiting for you to crawl back and beg me, saying ‘Dad, please! Let me be an Avenger!’ Like the kid is doing now,” he said, using a high-pitched voice when he was imitating you.

“Good luck with that. I have no interest in being an Avenger.”

“See,” he said, pointing his index finger at you, “that right there is why I need your help.”

You crossed your arms in the same way he did, skeptical of where he was going with this. “Go on.”

“I want you to pretend to be another recruit who wants to be an Avenger. I’ll tell him there’s only one position and make him work for it.”

“Dad…” you said sternly.

“What? He doesn’t know you’re my daughter. And I’m trying to protect him too. The kid’s been going off doing things on his own and not thinking clearly. He can wait on becoming an Avenger.”

“He stopped Vulture. He kept looking for those weapons when no one else would.”

“He’s reckless.”

“You’re using me to make him jealous.”

“A little,” he said with a shrug. “But I’m also looking out for him.”

“Uh huh.”

“He’s coming here tomorrow and I want you to battle him. If he beats you, he’ll get to join.”

“This is so stupid.”

“It’s genius, really.”

“You’re making a kid fight for something that you already want to give him.”

“No. Not yet.”

“You know he can’t beat me.”

Your father leaned in and pecked you on the forehead. “Exactly. Him losing will help him work harder to be better. This’ll give him that push he really needs. So will you help me?”

“Let me get this straight. You want me to fight Peter Parker and make sure he loses just so he doesn’t get to become an Avenger even though deep down, you want him to be one?”

“Precisely.”

“That’s the stupidest idea ever. And it’ll hurt his feelings.”

“No, it’ll build character. He needs to understand it’s not that simple. You can’t ask to become an Avenger and get it.”

“... But he can… because that’s what you wanted in the first place.”

“He turned me down so it’s only fair that he proves to me how much he wants it. Like a test. I’m testing him.”

“No. Dad, I’m not doing that.”

“I’ll enroll you in school right now instead of waiting for the following year.”

You sighed, contemplating his ridiculous proposition. He had adopted you when you were 10 on one of his missions overseas and has kept you a secret from the public. As much as it pained him, he could not bring you home right away because you required guidance on using your powers responsibly. You had to remain abroad for a while longer until the adoption forms went through and your mentors felt you were ready to leave the tiny village where you resided.

However, he and his wife Pepper, kept in touch and always checked in. He showed up every birthday and made it his mission to be a part of your life. Now that you were in high school and your powers were restored, he flew you into New York City right away.

It’s been a few months since your transition and you absolutely loved it. The Avengers who resided in the compound were very welcoming and so far, they were the only ones who knew of your existence along with your mom. Your father had yet to announce your identity to the world because he didn’t want the spotlight to overwhelm you. Originally he planned on having you relax a bit and then enroll you in public school next year, but going earlier was enticing to you.

“... Which school?”

“Spider-Man’s.”

“... Fine.”

“You do have a crush on him.”

“Shut up, Dad.”

The next day…

Upon entering the foyer of the Avengers Compound, Happy led Peter to where Stark was. The man stood in the middle of the main entrance hall, sporting a classy suit and sunglasses. Peter clenched his fists in determination, carefully reciting the words he wanted to say in his head since the car ride over.

“Hey kid. What do you want?”

“Mr. Stark,” he squeaked. He shut his eyes in humiliation, clearing his throat and lowering his voice a bit to sound more confident. Once his eyes fluttered open, he puffed out his chest and said, “I changed my mind.”

“You changed your mind,” Stark deadpanned.

“Yes. I want to be an Avenger.”

“You understand why I’m skeptical.”

“Um… yes, but—”

“Look, you turned me down last time and am I used to rejection?” Peter opened his mouth to answer but was immediately cut off. “The answer’s no, but I respected your decision. All that talk about looking out of the little guy—great—so what changed?”

“I’m ready for more than that now.”

“No, you’re not.”

“That’s not what you thought when I took on Captain America,” Peter argued.

“Trust me, kid. If Cap wanted to lay you out, he would’ve.”

Peter furrowed his eyebrows at the realization that he got off easy, questioning his entire existence.

Stark pressed his palms together and pointed at him. “You really want to be an Avenger?”

The boy nodded eagerly. “Yes.”

He inhaled sharply through gritted teeth. “See, here’s the thing: there’s someone else.”

Peter’s face fell, heartbroken at the thought of being replaced. “What—What do you mean there’s someone else?”

“Well, after you turned me down, I recruited someone else. If you really want to be an Avenger, prove to me you’re better than her.”

“Wait, her?”

“Yeah. You think you got what it takes?”

“Well it’s rude to attack a lady—”

“No. Gender equality’s a thing, right? You beat her up, she beats you up. You both end up in casts—”

“Casts?!”

“Suit up and let’s go.”

With no other choice, Peter obeyed and did what he was told. His thoughts were racing at the thought of battling someone to prove his worth. But this was his dream and he had to get out of his own head. After he finished suiting up, Happy led Tony and him to the outdoor training area that featured a wide-opened space with reinforced surfaces.

It had strategically placed obstacles to encourage agility and tactical thinking during battles. Additionally, the area incorporated holographic projectors to create any virtual landscapes to simulate specific scenarios for the Avengers to train in.

And that was where Peter’s eyes landed on a figure in the distance. You, who was practicing your combat skills with a large kung fu spear. The way you moved was calculated, graceful, like a beautiful yet deadly dance. You performed many high kicks and flips, mesmerizing Peter as your hands maneuvered the spear so flawlessly around your body. Your father and Happy watched you, proud smiles plastered on both of their faces.

“That’s who you’ll be battling today,” Stark said, clapping his hands together once to catch your attention. You stopped what you were doing and landed in a perfect split with the spear parallel to your body, noticing your father and Happy’s presence. You got up and rushed over, your eyes quickly finding its way to the boy in the iconic red and blue costume.

“Hi D-... Mr. Stark. Happy.” You turned to Peter, loving the fact that he didn’t have his mask on yet so you could finally meet him as him. He was far cuter in person, you weren’t going to deny that. “I’m [Y/N].”

Your dad wanted this “test” to be authentic, so you couldn't tell Peter you were, in fact, a Stark. Plus you didn’t look like a Stark anyway, with you being adopted and all. It’d be a cinch.

“P-Parker, Peter. Parker Peter—I mean, Peter Parker,” Peter said softly, shaking your hand. God, you were so pretty that it made him a fumbling mess. He wondered if you two were the same age.

“Great. Now that both you kiddos are here, you both know what you have to do, right?”

You and Peter looked at each other and exchanged awkward smiles. “Mr. Stark, I’m not comfortable battling a… um…”

“Girl?” you finished. “I’d be more worried about yourself, darling.”

The way the word “darling” rolled off your tongue caused Peter’s face to redden like a cherry.

“I’m not saying girls can’t battle, I’m just saying I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Are you going to hold back if the enemy is a woman?”

Peter opened his mouth to say something but to no avail.

“You said you wanted to be an Avenger. There’s only one position available, so we’re going to be testing you both. Happy will launch the simulation sequence and then you two will be fighting one-on-one,” your father explained.

“Good luck,” Happy said, trying hard not to laugh. The two men walked a safe distance away where they could observe you both.

“What’s the simulation sequence?” Peter called out before putting on his mask.

“We’re going to be launching drones at you,” Stark called back from afar with cupped hands.

“Drones?!”

“Yeah, we want to see how much you’ve improved!”

“In 3, 2, 1!” Happy shouted as he pushed some buttons on his phone.

You and Peter both stared up at the sky as a swarm of drones lined up in a similar fashion as the game Space Invaders.

“May the best Avenger win,” you said, sending him a wink. He laughed nervously as you immediately launched yourself in the sky. Peter gasped in awe.

“She can fly?!”

Hovering in front of the drones, you closed your eyes and pressed your index and middle fingers together, forming a "V" shape. Bringing the fingers perpendicular to your forehead, it felt as if you were beckoning an unseen force. With unwavering focus, you opened your eyes, and the spear you held multiplied tenfold, floating effortlessly beside you. Extending your arm forward, you pointed confidently at the drones, issuing a resolute command for the spears to launch their attack. Explosions scattered throughout the sky as you managed to wipe out half the drones with one attack.

“And she can multiply things. Great,” Peter huffed, launching a web at one of the drones to join you.

“She’s going to destroy him,” your father said, chuckling to himself.

“Kid, come back. Don’t be such a sore loser.”

Peter shook his head while removing his mask, muttering self-deprecating thoughts to himself at his performance. You watched as he walked away, rubbing the back of your neck.

“Did I go overboard?” you asked, a tinge of guilt eating away at your conscience. Your father chuckled and waved off your concern with a flick of the wrist.

“No, you did great. He’ll be fine.” He went after Peter and placed a hand on his shoulder to prevent him from going any further. “Hey. You put up a good fight.”

Peter spun around, exasperated and using his hands to express his frustration. “I lost. There was no way I was going to win. She can fly, she can multiply things, she can use telekinesis, she can breathe fire—is she part dragon? How was I supposed to compete with that?!”

You saw him pointing at you from afar, giving him a small smile but was only reciprocated with a frown.

Tony put on a contemplating face. “Is she part dragon…?” he mumbled. “Anyway, I told you that I had to find someone else after you said no. And she’s earned her place. I’m sorry you’re disappointed, but you lost fair and square.”

“But—”

“No buts. You aren’t ready. So lay low, be a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and work your way up. Go to school, focus on classes, and finish that homework you’ve been putting off.”

“I don’t need to go to school.”

“Yes. You do. Even she goes to school,” Stark said, pointing over in your direction.

You went over to where Happy was, your eyes still glued on your father and Peter. “Happy, he looks so heartbroken.”

“I know. But it’s for the best. Kid’s too eager and knocking him down a peg might do him some good.”

“I feel bad.”

He patted your back and gave you a reassuring smile. “He will be okay. Your father appreciates your help.”

You immediately straightened your posture when you saw Peter come over with your father.

“Anything you want to say to [Y/N]?” your father asked, giving Peter a gentle nudge from behind.

“Congratulations,” Peter said, mustering up as much strength as he could to give you a smile. Because he really was happy for you, but it hurt for him. The smile didn’t reach his eyes and the pitiful gaze in yours wasn’t helping.

“Thanks. You did really well.”

“Yeah, but I have all the bruises,” he joked, pointing at his face in a circular motion. You took a step forward and placed your palm out in front of his face.

“May I?”

His eyes widened in confusion, but he nodded anyway. An ember glow emitted from your hand and all his bruises healed in a matter of seconds.

“You can heal people too? What on earth can’t you do?” Peter was both fascinated but also very annoyed at your perfection.

“I can only heal minor bruises,” you said quickly.

“Of course,” he muttered.

“Happy, take him home for me.”

“Got it. Come on, Peter.”

“Bye Peter,” you said, giving him a shy wave. He only gave you another meek smile before walking away. You glared at your father, who only let out a sigh of relief.

“Great job, kiddo.”

The next day at school Ned practically crashed into Peter, who was at his locker minding his own business.

“Dude, dude, dude!”

“Whoa, what is it, Ned?!” Peter said, a hand on his chest from the sudden heart attack that was his best friend.

“There’s a new girl and she’s so cute. Have you seen her yet?”

Peter closed his locker shut, wracking his brain for a moment when he saw an unfamiliar face today. “No, I haven’t. What’s her name?”

“Uh… I can’t remember. Was it [wrong name]? Or maybe [another wrong name]?”

Peter looked down the hall and somehow amongst a cluster of students, he spotted you walking towards him. Like a moth to a flame, his eyes somehow went straight to you and only you. Irritation overcame him as he remembered the battle from yesterday. How you beat him so effortlessly, so ridiculously cool and being all perfect. And now you’re at his school? What, were you mocking him?

“Ned,” Peter said, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Is that her?” He pointed at you and nodded his head in your direction.

Ned looked over in your direction and snapped his fingers. “Yeah! That’s her.”

“Dude, that’s the girl,” Peter muttered.

“Huh? What girl?”

He thought about how he sulked on the apartment balcony, venting to Ned about you. “The… girl… remember what I told you over the phone yesterday?”

It took a few seconds, but Ned’s brain finally clicked. “She’s the one that beat you? Her? Oh my god, you didn’t mention how cute she was!”

“Will you keep your voice down? She’s coming this way!” Peter opened his locker again and hid his face behind it. Ned shook his head in disapproval.

“Are you embarrassed? Come on. Challenge her again.”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll do it for you.”

“No, dude, stop. You aren’t supposed to know about her. Mr. Stark will kill me.”

“But she goes to our school.”

Peter hid his face in his locker until you finally passed. He let out a huge sigh of relief, feeling like he had dodged a bullet. That was, until Ned shouted out, “Hey! New girl!”

You stopped at the familiar label people were referring to you as. Once you turned around, you saw Ned’s huge smile while Peter still cowered in his locker. The boy you were walking with scoffed at Ned’s boldness.

“You don’t need to engage with them. They’re nobodies.”

“That’s not very nice, Flash,” you said, frowning at his poor choice of words.

“If we’re nobodies, why is she friends with Peter then, huh?” Ned exclaimed loudly. If a black hole could open up and swallow Peter whole, now would be the time.

“What, you know Penis Parker?” Flash asked you, incredulous at the new information. Peter carefully pulled his head out of his locker enough to take a tiny peek at you. He wondered what you were going to say.

“Yeah. I know Peter, Flaccid Flash,” you replied, bumping into his shoulder deliberately as you made your way over to Peter and Ned. The entire hallway filled with laughter at your stinging remark.

“Hi. I’m [Y/N]. I think we maybe got off on the wrong foot. How about we start over?”

Peter looked at your extended hand as if it was a foreign object, standing still as a statue. When his brain finally registered what you said, Ned had beat him to it, shaking your hand so fast like he was in the presence of royalty. “We would love to start over. I’m Ned. Peter’s best friend.”

You let out a laugh. “Hi Ned. It’s lovely to meet you.”

Without thinking, Peter grabbed your other hand. “Come with me.”

You didn’t have time to react and he led you to the nearest empty classroom, thankful class hadn’t started yet.

“What are you doing here?” he interrogated, letting go of your hand. You leaned against the wall, crossing one foot over the other.

“I go to school here now?”

“But why here?”

“Because… it’s a nice school?”

Peter placed a hand on his forehead, his jaw clenched as he thought of what to say next without sounding like an ass. “Look, you beat me and you’re an Avenger fair and square. I’m happy for you, really.” His words became soft and broken towards the end. “But seeing you reminds me that Mr. Stark will never be impressed with me. So can you give me space?”

His voice was frail but sincere. You got off the wall and gave him a nod. “Okay. I’ll leave you alone.”

“Thank you.”

Before Peter could leave, you asked him one last question. “Sorry, but could you tell me where gym class is? I have it first period.”

It took everything in Peter not to curse out loud. He had to fight back his bitterness and said through gritted teeth. “Yeah. I have it first period too.”

You smiled to yourself, trailing closely behind him as he led you both to your first class. Together.

Reblogs and thoughts are appreciated! Thank you!

Update: I might be in the middle of writing a part 2. :) Your support means a lot!

[crazystargirl]

hi! can I request that u write something that has to due with fem!reader who works at the local movie theater and ethan met her when going to see a movie bc shes a cashier or something and he becomes obsessed with her and starts to show up all the time to watch her and learns her schedule by heart? the she begins to notice but thinks it's really cute and when she finally mentions it, they exchange numbers and go out and stuff?

lots of love, lexie <3

lil movie stalker ♥︎

pairing ♥︎ - ethan landry x reader, ethan landry x fem!reader

word count ♥︎ - 0.9k!

a/n ♥︎ - HELP THE ENDING SOUNDS SO SHITTY AND CHEESY, AND THE TITLE I COULDNT FIGURE OUT ANYTHING GOOD FOR BUT ANYWAYSSSSS, lexie i am so sorry it took so long to write this, i started writing this but ended up stopping due to writers block but here it is! Also kae i promise im working on yours now!!

Ethan had first spotted you when the friend group had dragged him to go see a movie that they had all been wanting to see in theaters. He thought seeing a movie in theaters was kind of dumb since why pay extra and buy snacks and drinks when you can just wait for it to come out and watch it at home or get it illegally. 

It wasn't as bad as having to go to one of those frat parties Chad dragged him to but it was a movie he didn't want to go watch. At least seeing you made it bearable. 

You were gorgeous to say the least. Ethan is pretty sure he's seen you somewhere other than here before.

"Hey isn't that the girl from our english class?" Chad asked Tara, with a nudge to the shoulder.

"Yeah I think she is!" Tara replied.

"Isn't she also dating that idiot jock who wanted to fight you Chad?" Mindy asked, leaning over to join into the conversation.

Ethan frowned at hearing this until Tara said something else.

"No that's a rumor I think, the jock, Steve I think, is dating that idiotic airhead."

"Oh yeah! Y/n, i think that's her name is single or something."

Sam gasps dramatically and looked back at Chad, "You better not be planning to take her out because if you break Tara's heart, I will go Billy Loomis on you."

Everyone laughed and Chad put on a shocked face as they walked up to the ticket booth to get the tickets. Sam bought the tickets and Tara, Mindy, and Ethan went to the concession stand to buy popcorn and drinks.

"Hey y/n! I didn't know you worked here!" Tara said with a bright smile

You looked at her and grinned, "Yeah! I work here part time afterschool and on the weekends cause I'm trying to be more independent"

"Ohhh makes sense, maybe I should get a part time job too, to help Sam out."

"Please don't, then Sam will feel like she's not needed," Quinn said, coming up behind Tara with Sam and Chad. 

"Hi Sam, Quinn, Chad, and boy I do not know" you said looking at Ethan, not noticing him before.

Chad came up next to Ethan and put an arm around him, "This is my best man, Ethan Landry, I don't think you guys have any classes together right?"

"I don't think we do but it's nice to meet you anyway." Ethan said with a smile.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too! Alright guys you better order now since there's a line waiting behind yall"

The group ordered and you gave them their food and drinks and waved goodbye to them. Little did you know that this wasn't going to be the last time you saw Ethan, especially not with the way he looked at you while leaving.

After that day, you hadn't seen him but he definitely saw you. He came everyday after school to watch you.

Ok that sounds a bit fucked up but hey there's no harm in just watching someone…and maybe even learning their work schedule.

After a week or two of watching you, Ethan becomes somewhat enamored. Unfortunately for him, this did not go unnoticed by you.

The first time you actually noticed is when one of your coworkers nudged you and told you something that you didn't quite like…

"Y/n, y'know the guy who always comes after school?"

"What guy?" you asked puzzled

She pointed to Ethan who quickly looked away and looked at his phone.

"Oh yeah i know him, he's friends with some people i know"

"Well i think he's pretty cute and has been coming here almost everyday. I think he might like me"

You frown at the thought, you may or may not have developed feelings for the guy and were praying your coworker wasn't going to ask him out

"Im gonna ask him out"

There goes that

You watch as she goes up to Ethan but start giggling once you see that Ethan shakes his head and looks back at his phone

"Damn he didn't like you huh?" you say as she returns huffing

"Yeah like what the fuck, he literally said he liked someone else"

You laugh and continue working, you want to ask him out or something but you're unsure on how to.

After a few days you decide to go up to him and just ask him why he's always at the theater

You come up to him with a drink

"Hey ethan!"

He looks up and smiles at you

"Hey y/n, what do i owe the pleasure?"

"Well I've noticed you're always around so i decided to just bring you a drink"

"Oh thanks! You uh noticed?"

"Well not immediately but one of my coworkers pointed it out to me, she's the one who asked you out"

"Oh yeah i remember her, i actually don't like her, i come here…well dont take this the wrong way but to watch you" ethan says looking down embarrassed.

"Aww that's actually really cute, do you wanna maybe go see a movie this weekend?"

"Yeah! That would be great, could i get your number?" 

You hand him your phone and he gives it back shortly after

"Alright I'll see you then eth!"

"Yeah cya" he says with a grin

You're probably smiling like an idiot right now but you're too happy to give a shit. You just scored a date with the guy you liked, why wouldn't you be happy? 

taglist ♥︎ - @xyzstar, @ourloveisgod23, @dizscreams, @kaesworldxx, @bhk1234uwu, @nonniesworld, @athenalive, @lanaslittletwinkie, @beccajoestar

if your name is crossed out it's bc it wouldn't let me tag you

©crazystargirl 2023 || do NOT translate or repost my work without my permission

[funficwriter]

A Wolf and A Snake (Wriothesley x Reader)

Letters' Interlude - 1

A/N: So these aren't official chapters per say, just an extra to the story that explores the yandere dynamic I'm trying to put forth! Also, I love listening to romantic music while writing for this 🩵 Until I finish Chapter 2, enjoy!

Synopsis: Being a noble meant that marriage was a chess game, not an affair of love. Unfortunately for the pristine Balthazar family of Fontaine, Y/N has long been enamored with love and sought it out before their priorities. After her grey, boring time of courtesy and fake niceness, she meets Duke Wriothesley, who makes her yearn for the first time in her life, and it's the same for him. Threatened by the idea of losing this first, it seems they'll stop at very little to be together...

Warnings: Obsessive yandere language, graphic details in Wriothesley's.

Tag: @yue-caelum

From: Lady Y/N Balthazar - Balthazar Vacation Manor, Belleau Region, Fontaine

To: Duke Wriothesley of Meropide - Fortress of Meropide, Liffey Region, Fontaine

Dearest Duke,

I am not quite sure how to begin or structure my thoughts, so I hope you forgive me if this letter turns out messy. It's barely been 24 hours since our fateful meeting and I finally got some privacy. I should interest you in the fact that today's tea is Earl Grey. I'm having it right now, accompanied by a chocolate and strawberry mille-feuille. If you're ever feeling bold, I'd recommend this combination. Quite the contrast on the taste buds.

I realized that even with our cadence and how we enjoyed chatting together, there's still so much to know. How have you been doing? I'm presuming you're at the Fortress. How is life there? How do you spend your days there? Is it a lot of work? You told me a bit of the nurse. Sigewinne, if I recall correctly. Does she have a lot of patients? And what tea do you drink when you're feeling so tired and done with the world? (I'm partly asking this one for myself. Some days are like that.).

Though I must say, since Liffey is a bit far from Romaritime or the Court's region, you must have a good teleportation waypoint. Belleau is far, too, but by Focalors' name it is enjoyable. It's quiet, lush and lovely. The water is so nice to swim in too. I find that regular swimming is one of the most beautiful parts of my day. I might be heading into more dangerous territory saying this, but I believe you'd enjoy it a lot if I took you with me. If you had a day off and I showed you around, we could then swim in one of the lakes. It's so refreshing and fun, and a good break from the city.

Don't get me wrong; I love its bustle and life. But I know when we return, I'm going to have to look over these boring nobles' declarations, and meet with them more often. Speaking of which, I'm sorry to sound so forward, but... Well, are you interested in carrying this further?

I'd like to tell you something about my worldview. As you know, I read a lot, but last night I couldn't get into the 'why' due to mother's timing. As a child, I felt strangely bored with existence, maybe to a worrying point. That would explain my parents' fretting. I liked the dance and violin lessons, but there was something about my books that gave my gray life a bit of color. Unfortunately, having to come back to real life was a painful must. There were times where I thought to myself: "Is this really life? Boring, plain, and feeling wrong for watching everyone's intense reactions while I derived joy from so few things?". I didn't even want to think about my future as I become a woman. This was all before we met.

Ah, Wriothesley! I've been imagining it over and over in my head! I even stood outside in the cold and closed my eyes and pretended you were right next to me... Imagine my pain when I confronted reality, mixed with the excitement I felt remembering you! Even now, I can't stop kicking my feet as I write this. For the very first time, I was proven wrong. I was mistaken about life, and who said mistakes were bad? After years of chasing perfection, believing it was beauty and goodness... Why, I might have committed the most beautiful fault in existence!

Will you please prove me wrong again? I know I might get greedy and stick to my old worldview, just for it to happen again. But I swear, I'll be good and I'll stop. I just want to feel my entire body and soul rattling in excitement once more. And you're the only one that happens with.

Mother and Father are planning another social, soon after we return to the Court's region. My understanding says you're not often social, so if you don't want any part of it (or even, if I'm being too intense), discard this letter. I must go now, but if you're as invested as I, I will be awaiting a response. And if Celestia is kind, I will be open for more. I'll be open for anything if it's with you.

Yours truly,

Lady Y/N Balthazar

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Duke Wriothesley of Meropide - Fortress of Meropide, Liffey Region, Fontaine

To: Lady Y/N Balthazar - Balthazar Vacation Manor, Belleau Region, Fontaine

To my cherished Lady,

I would like to start off by expressing my most feverish thanks, for reasons beyond enumeration. You taking the time to send me this lovely letter is the least of them. It is generally good form for a Duke to answer quick when he can, but I was so overjoyed with your letter's contents, I re-read it many times to take in all the joy you graced me with. I was also very touched with your personal confiance in me, so I'm also writing to return the favor.

First off, do you know how much I yearn to hear about your day, down to the little details? You talked a good deal about Belleau. I didn't care much about that region before, but now? All I've been thinking about is those fresh waters and woods you praised so highly. The only imagination I entertained was you, holding my hand, whispering that there were no nosy gossipers or greedy parents. Just the two of us, and the lake was all ours to swim in until we couldn't.

If it makes you laugh, I thought about it so much, I almost mistakenly wrote some prisoners' region tab as Belleau. Had Sigewinne not been near, the administrative mistake would have been a pain to fix. Are you laughing? I hope for it with all my heart.

And I want to know more. I want to know whether Earl Grey is your favorite, or you're only taking it because it's been brewed at that time. I want to know which chocolate you like best. Which books you're currently reading, and why you're so interested in lycanthropes without a hint of discrimination. Will you tell me more? If we get the chance to talk with less barriers, will you enlighten me with you?

After getting to know your old worldview, I question just how alike we are. It's easy for two people to share superficial interests. But when one feels so dissected, so naked knowing about another's deeper life and secrets, you can't help but question whether Celestia really does link souls. Whether you once knew them, or whether fate can be so perfect to send such a person your way. I'm sure you felt terrified writing it. Your mailbox may be private, but who knows when your family feels nosy and reads it? You know of the risks that come with such correspondence, especially as a maiden. Despite that, you didn't throw it into the trash. You wrote it, and sent it to me, letting me know about you. You may have just intoxicated me, and now I feel like I might die if that is all I know of you.

As respect to this, I'll confide in you, only it may be a little graphic. "If you feel queasy after this, feel free to end our correspondence here."... Is what I wish I could say with full honesty, because after that night, I'm not sure whether I can really be okay with that outcome.

I used to commit crime, both petty and serious. Such was the life of an orphan at the time. Being little fish wasn't an option; You had to be the top dog or get eaten alive. I opted for the first, even if it landed me in prison later on. My convictions range quite a bit, but once I grew up, I renounced crime. Even insignificant things. I wanted to leave that behind me.

Forget the obvious stealing sweets from the kitchen. When I saw that slimy Duke Arya talking to you, touching your shoulder, acting as if he always knew you and your wedding was tomorrow, I never felt the urge to murder as much as I did that night. The reasons behind my old violent crimes felt so small next to the ugly sight in front of me. You clearly didn't want him, but he kept going, as if you'd magically change your mind and be into slimeheads like him. How dare he be the reason you were pulled apart from me? Where does he get the gall to take you, act like you're owed to him if your parents decided?

How I wanted to end his pathetic standing, laughing, breathing. How I wanted to use my vision and punch his head out into an ice block, then freezing his wrangling body so he wouldn't mess up the carpet. How I wanted to lunge at him, bite, claw and make a bloody mess out of him. What did it matter if I perpetuated half-wolf stereotypes, when he was doing this? Which would hurt him more? Only one idea stopped me: You might not react to a show of violence so well. Oh, if I traumatized you, I'd never forgive myself. Being sent back to jail would be too light a punishment for a beast like that.

Please don't worry about transport, or ask about my attendance. I'm determined to attend that social. I'm so happy you told me about this in advance; I'm going to be seeing you, in all your radiance and beauty that make the world pale. So long as that happens, all is well for now. In the meantime, I'm adding some final touches to my declaration, and eagerly waiting for our next meeting, and hopefully the time I can freely take you into my arms, kiss you and prove the both of us wrong about everything.

With all the love I can hold,

Duke Wriothesley

[hoshizora-the-yume]

I am really happy and grateful to be the first one to request here ehehe

I would love to see the short romance story of the duke paxley aamon x my oc😋... which will be about my oc being stalker who follow whereever he go.. but He knew about it and wanted to tease her ✌

𝐀𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐎𝐂

A/N: This is rather lighthearted in tone since I thought it would fit your request, Anon. Honestly, this is my first time doing requests so I hope this didn’t turn out too bad

SFW, Oneshot

Nonchalant as they come, Delrae was a girl who appeared as though she had not a care in the world. With an inscrutable face and a vacant gaze, she barely, if ever showed interest towards anything… All except for one thing, or in this case, person.

Aamon Paxley, the strikingly ice cold Duke of Shards. Like a rose surrounded in thorns, his beautiful visage belied a sharp tongue and sometimes, callous disposition.

This man had a certain mystique to him that even Delrae couldn’t resist. At first, it was mere curiosity, a slight urge if you will. But as time went on, it grew stronger and stronger until it evolved into an obsession.

Despite that, Delrae was too bashful to actually face him herself. Perhaps, it was a fear of rejection but she would always stand back in the shadows as she admired Aamon from afar. 

“T-There he is…” While hiding behind a tree, Delrae let out a small squeal at the sight of a certain duke. A certain duke was out and about on his daily morning walk, just minding his own business as he got his daily sunlight in the forest. 

Delrae was trying her best not to get caught, though the burning desire to just jump out and introduce herself was hard to suppress. If just for a second, she could reach out and touch him…

“Is someone there?” Aamon turned around to take a look.

In a panic, Delrae dived into a nearby bush, falling on her stomach. Before she could let out a yelp, she bit her lip to keep her voice from escaping. 

“Huh… Must have been a woodland critter.” 

Had Delrae not hid herself just in time, she would have been spotted for sure. If Aamon saw her, how would he even react? Just thinking about that made her heart rate shoot up.

Amidst a myriad of anxious thoughts, Delrae failed to realize that Aamon was already gone. By the time she did, she became frantic. “Where is he now?”

Although it took quite a while, Delrae eventually did find Aamon. As usual, he was attending to his duties as a Duke. 

From a distance, Delrae observed Aamon as he talked to an elderly woman. It appears that the Duke showed up to dismantle a conflict between neighbors. 

Despite being an outsider to the nobility class, Delrae knew enough about their responsibilities. However, most nobles didn’t own up to these duties. Thus, she found it unusual that Aamon would go out of his way to show up at a commoner’s house. 

Seeing a side to the man that she had never seen before, Delrae felt herself become more and more enamored with him. Her heart raced quickly, as heat rose to her cheeks. 

Delrae was, however, saddled with slight guilt. Whenever she thought of Aamon as merely a cold-hearted man, she didn’t feel as bad about what she was doing. But after she saw a more earnest, soft side to him, it allowed her to see him in a different light. 

That’s why… When Aamon left the place, Delrae just let him go this time. Instead, she walked away and towards the town square where she sat on the ledge of a fountain. 

Although Delrae ultimately decided to steer clear of Aamon, a part of her wanted to see him again. Regardless, she was afraid to face him as she was, leaving her to sigh and ponder. 

Delrae was about to leave until she heard a voice. When she turned to see who it was, she was filled with surprise—though her expression didn’t show it.

“What are you doing here all alone, young lady?” Before her, Aamon seemed to be speaking directly to her. “This fountain is a bit decrepit, so I advise you not to sit there.”

The Duke emanated an aura of authority. As if on cue, Delrae removed herself from the ledge of the fountain. “Sorry.”

“You didn’t answer my question yet.”

“Oh yeah. I’m just, well, thinking.”

“I suppose I can accept that explanation.”

If Delrae wasn’t frozen in place from nervousness, she would just get up and run away right now. It was almost as if Aamon’s gaze was the one keeping her frozen.

“Your name is Delrae, am I right? Young lady.” At the mention of her name, Delrae’s poker face broke. 

“How did you know that…?”

“Asking me questions like that when you’ve been stalking me these past days… What audacity.”

Now, Delrae was really sure that she’s cornered. Aamon knew all along, he was just feigning ignorance. 

“I-I…” She scrambled for any sort of explanation, but to no avail. Giving up, she just said this. “You knew?”

“I’m no buffoon, of course I would.” Aamon shook his head. “However… I let it be, because you were intriguing to me.”

“Intriguing? What do you mean by that?”

Hmmm… I can’t put my finger on it, but something about you is rather cute.”

“C-Cute?”

“Delrae, I want to know more about you.”

[yahoodarling]

Diluc X GN Guardian Angel Reader (Snipbit)

Diluc X guardian reader whos a little late on the whole ‘helping out’ part. Expect some good ol angst from both parties, enthusiastic reader and Diluc in denial. Reader gives off ‘dad thats been absent for your developing years and shows up in your 20s’ vibe. 

Word count: 3k (full fic around 10k)

Warnings: none in this extract but warnings will be added in the final fic

You are holy. You are divine. You are perfection incarnate. You have a duty. 

In your hands held the fate of a mortal, someone desperate and in need of your guidance and as an official of Celestia it is both an honor to guide them and an honor bestowed, to be favored and seen by the gods for their struggles and in turn given the gift that is yourself. Admittedly you filled the application for this position a little late but surely your mortal is just fine as they are, you were just… a little preoccupied is all. You smile as you think of the future journey ahead, a new start of healing and recovery for a poor soul. Your… your new mortal…

Mondstadt, you haven't been here for a while but the smell of fresh brew in the air and tugging of the wind in your hair will always welcome you. You set off to find your dear human, your existence tied to his the moment you fulfilled the proper application of acceptance. He's in the city, a short distance away. The night was crisp, winter is around the corner but with your light you shall guide this mortal through and reach the warmth he so desperately needs. You open the door to a tavern, a further welcome of cheer and joy from its patrons and there standing in such joyous potential is your dear! Crimson hair bundled high, gaze focused and frown evident, such ache surely lies within him. 

“Greetings Diluc of Mondstadt! Its a pleasure to finally meet you!” you speed walk up to the counter and lay on your finest smile, first impressions are important if you'll be spending the rest of his life together. 

He didn't seem pleased with your manner, perhaps you were too much? Either way he sighed, “Right, and what would you like this evening?”

“You~☆”

His frown further lowered and brow crinkled, lines all too familiar with this exchange. 

“Order a drink or get out, i am not accepting courting attempts” 

“Courtship? Oh no no no! Haha you're mine in a different way! I'm here to give you a surprise alright?” You stood up straight, opened your arms out wide to him, beamed a smile as welcoming as possible and with as much joy and enthusiasm as possible declared,

“Diluc of Mondstadt I am your official Guardian Angel! Tremble no longer! Fret no fear for I as one of Celestians chosen have come to bring you peace in your times of need!” 

…

He looked at you with blank tired eyes, not the ones of enlightened hope you were expecting

“Right well i think this joke has played its course. I'll ask you either leave or buy something.”

Huh? That's not what you were expecting. Shouldn't he be enamored? Shouldn't he be fulfilled with hope and respond in such a manner befitting of a life changing event? What's different here? What have you done wrong? You've done what you usually do, introduce yourself, have a good first impression, positive attitude, state your position as an official of Celestia, your previous mortals were overjoyed when you first met but this one is different, he doesn't look happy or relieved he just looks… tired. 

Perhaps it's because the situation isn't right. In the past when you met your previous mortals it was in an immediate sense of danger whilst here he's just at his job but would something like that really affect his response? He still needs you after all, why isn't he overjoyed? 

“Haha, there is no humor here other than the joyful future we are to embark on! Umm- haha, ah, you aren't in awe or anything right? This is the start to a new life for you! No more suffering or pain, you have I, your benevolent guardian, to guide and support you! Haha- um, you don't look all that greatful haha, i'm not usually this uncomposed it's just you don't seem very grateful and, yeah…” he's really throwing you off here, its like you don't even exist with the way he looks at you. 

“Diluc! We need another round of 8 ales for the second floor!”

“Coming up Charles.”

He turned away and got on preparing the drinks. How awkward. You stand unmoving, simply blinking along and watching your mortal- Diluc, right, Master Diluc of Mondstadt, get glasses and fill them. Eventually your legs felt a little odd having to stand, you sit down on an available stool and continue to watch the men prepare drinks. 

Is this really the reception you get for being a little late? Nothing serious could have happened in the time so why is everything so different now compared to how it's meant to be. 

Your mortal finished his task and returned to his position, when his gaze laid on you he had to sigh but still approached.

“Will you order something now?”

“Oh no, i need not drink.” 

“Right then what are you doing here other than to play this prank of yours?”

“Prank? Oh I'm serious about my position, Diluc of Mondstadt i am serviced to guide you.”

“I don't need any ‘guiding’ but if you are indeed of any i can help guide you out the door if we are done here.”

You can't help but laugh, he's being rather silly, of course you don't need help walking out the door but maybe he's confused or doesn't believe that someone could be blessed an angelic guardian. 

“Diluc of Mondstadt-”

“‘Master Diluc’ is just fine, thank you.”

Oh? Weird, you could have sworn you read that he introduced himself as ‘Diluc of Mondstadt’, it's his title right? 

“Right! So Master Diluc, going forward i will be joining you in you daily-”

“No you will not.” oh how blunt! You cringe a little inside, being treated like this is so odd, your previous mortals were never like this. 

“ahaha- um yes i will, its my job. Worry not! I do not have to be physically present like i currently am, i just figured our first introduction would be best if i took a mortal form, you lot find great comfort in those you can identify yourself with and i will respect that! See!” you lift your arms out and display your form as if he hadn't taken a good look of it, you were rather proud of your visage, you always received praise from your fellow guardians when it comes to your human designs. “See, I put quite a bit of effort into this one! Haha but again, I can take on a spiritual form in the times you need to be ‘alone’. Not alone alone, you'll never be alone! But rather when you need other humans to perceive you are alone. I can do my duties both in and out of form! There is more to guidance than just protection after all! I am here as your new voice to lead you down your-”

“Okay that's enough.”

Please! Dear mortal, stop interrupting me! This is important! you shut your eyes and release an unseen tear, this hurts. 

Diluc of Mondstadts’ frustration seemed to grow, his appearance did not change, his eyes still narrow and frown rested easily on his cheeks like before but you could easily sense his annoyance. How. HURTFUL! 

“I'm done with your ‘guardian of celestia’ nonsense. Please leave my tavern before I have to escort you out, and I will so do not take this statement lightly.” 

“Oh you couldn't even if you tried haha, different phases of mass and all that. I know it may seem ‘annoying’ to you for whatever reason but I am here with you for the rest of your life. It may be different from what you are used to but i can swear on my pledge that i will do all i can to accoustum into your life in a way befitting of your personal needs all whilst helping you out your sadness!”

He sighed, pressed his fingers to his brow and took a moment to recompose. Once he was done his frown wasn't so harsh but he still looked tired. 

“Right well, I cannot deny you are a Celestial being. I've had all manner of entities in my tavern but none have gone so far as to claim they are supposedly my ‘guardian’. I do not know why you claim this, if you take a look into my life you will see I am well settled and content with my present so I am not indeed of your services. I thank you for your offer but please, take it to someone who may actually need it.”

“ha… haha silly, it's not an offer system, that's not how things work, haha. I am tied to you now. I can't just leave and you do need me! Your submission wouldn't be in the files if you didn't. Celestia knows when a mortal is deserving of their attention and you are! I'd say you are especially special considering you have a vision as well. Well done! Good job! You are already on the path of healing! Now with my help you'll reach a lovely new future.”

“Well I'm rather happy with what I currently have. Enough of this talk, you will confuse my customers.”

“oh? Oh you are worried about confidentiality? Not a worry! Our discussion is filtered, they cannot hear information they are not allowed to. They are likely hearing us chat on about the weather haha.”

“What?” his frown turned into confusion, how cute. 

“oh yes! Being your guardian means dealing with personal stuff for you, it wouldn't be right if someone could just listen in to our conversation. There is also the fact that I hold knowledge that should not be heard by mortal ears and luckily the filter works to block it all! No secret spilt or your personal feelings uncovered.”

He looked concerned for a moment before huffing out and directing his attention elsewhere. 

“Of course the gods work in ‘mysterious ways’”

“oh, I'm not a god, I'm an angel.”

“I'm not talking about you.”

“ah…”

He simply ignored you after that, tavern goers came and went and when he wasn't attending to them or greeting familiar faces he busied himself checking lists, stock and otherwise keeping things in order. You found your spot on the bar bench and hadn't moved since, only watched, you tried to start up another conversation but he had shut you down rather quickly so you were once again left in silence to sit. It had been a while since you surrounded yourself with mortals and the distinction was clear, they easily made merry and got on with life none the wiser of the world yet still all too eager to enjoy their lives, it was refreshing. Their simple lives were so cute, it was moments like this that made you fall in love with your job all over again, only pity is your current mortal doesn't seem as pleased. Humans are both simple and complex and your dear mortal was complexing to the core. You felt the hurt in him and yet he did not want help, you stated you were of Celestia and he refused you, why? Perhaps you'll need to try out some different methods to get close. 

The early night turned late and Diluc finished his tasks leaving the few stragglers for Charles to close up after. He took his coat and disappeared out the back door. It took a moment for you to register he had left, so engrossed in your own thoughts and your surroundings you had actually stopped monitoring your mortal, not that you'd admit to doing that of course. Quickly you got out of your seat and ran after him, a few moments later you were at his side as he trudged on Mondstadts roads. 

“soooo~ Mondstadt huh? Pretty place.”

He said nothing

“Last time I was here was ages ago, the winds really have flattened out the hills, it's nice!”

...

“I'm still not so happy about the smell in the air, you'd think that would have cleared out by now.”

“What?” he finally looked at you and it was in total confusion. “What are you going on about?”

“oh haha! I was just thinking aloud, I actually can't say. Hmmm… how could i word this… you've killed people right?”

All you saw was his back as he sped walked forward, eyes ever on his depressed past and not on you, his future. 

“Diluc of Mondstadt halt! I did not mean to be offensive, I just wanted to link a connection you would recognise. That smell of death lingers in- it-” haha filters… you need to recompose yourself. “Haha nevermind! Topics of the past are not fun. How about we talk about you? You work at a bar? Oh no i believe i read you owned a winery, very impressive. But it being your fathers is no achievement of your own, we shall create your very own success in our journeys to come!”

“What?” his speed walking stopped, he held his stance firm, much like the form you need to take in the scene of battle, no sign of weakness displayed even in a simple action such as standing. Too bad for him you knew he was just playing, there is no way he could actually hold himself so well when he's so in need. And yet it didn't feel that way and he looked genuinely angry for some reason, you've only been encouraging.

“What right do you have to claim The Dawn Winery is not an achievement of my own?”

“Well simply you're not the one who developed it but that's okay! We have other chances, we can-”

“Not ‘we’, ‘I’ and it has always been ‘I’. I am the one that has gotten myself up to this point and have no need for a ‘we’. I do not need your confirmation nor your support which consists of empty notions and insensitive remarks. Leave before I force you to.” He took out his blade. He actually took out his blade on you, proof he'd follow through with his words. 

What have you done wrong? Why is he so confusing? The others weren't this confusing. They were just sad and depressed and you comforted them but this one is just angry, your comfort feeding the flames but he wouldn't have had an application made for him if he wasn't in despair. Just what is this mortal's problem? 

“Diluc of-”

“Do not even speak my name if you cannot say it correctly. I understand you may be an inhuman being but that does not exempt you from working by human standards when speaking with one. And typically human standards will not have one creating a false narrative of some guardian angel you are trying to play. Again, leave me be. That is your final warning.”

“But- but I am! It is not a false image, I am an official of Celestia, i am here to help.”

He lowered his blade but still his eyes remained sharp. His claymore could never harm you anyway yet the sting of his look was felt. 

“Then tell me, if you truly are sent from Celestia why is it that you come now once my life is content? Why now when your ramblings prove nothing but eer and not in the time when I truly could have needed Celestia's help?”

It hasn't been that long though…

“I cannot answer that. See-”

“If you cannot answer, it means I cannot accept. To say Celestia sent help yet failed means to lose all respect for the gods. It is easier for me to say the gods work in unknown ways, that I faced my hardships without their guidance for a reason then to be told they failed, that I could have had an easier past if not for the incompetence of others whom are meant to be superior to us mortals. It is for that reason that I hold some semblance of respect for them that I cannot accept you as an agent of theirs.”

How? But that's not- what? His words held no meaning, no meaning you could understand anyway, they were only a collection of words that could not fit together. You could not understand them, you could not comprehend them. Is this how mortals feel trying to comprehend the higher plane? But his words are not a superior entity to you, you are superior, you should understand! But his words… What could he mean? Of course he respects Celestia but how does that differ to accepting you are one of theirs? It's not like Celestia could do anything wrong to garner disrespect. Right? No, it's unquestionable. Its- its-

You feel the strange tingle, you should move on from this subject. Right! Yes, move onto a new subject and respect the mortal, feed into their understanding if it means they can progress.

“haha i see i see. Well you do not have to see me as an official of celestia then! You can see me as a helpful spirit that has decided to join you in your adventure!”

“i refuse”

DAMN HUMAN LISTEN

“ahaha ha… um how about as-”

“The only thing I see you as is a malignant being whom pesters me for their own satisfaction.”

Ouch… but you could work with this!

“I see! Yes yes, your dismay gives me joy so in order for me to not ‘pester’ you you must not fall into dismay but rather develop and progress a more healthy future, yes okay! Human! I shall follow you and ‘pester’ you from this point onwards!”

He did a physical rolling of the eyes, rolling his body along as well as he turns himself away from you and continues walking. 

“If you do so quietly I might reconsider impaling you on my blade.”

Its progress! Okay, you need to listen to him.

“right right, i shall only speak when absolutely needed oh or to say something to agitate you considering i am a malevolent being. In all honesty though, I find it hard to say disparaging things. I usually work as a supportive and helpful being but I will try to be vexatious.” You hear a faint ‘you don't even have to’ come from him, silly human, you can still hear him even at this distance.

A little bit more of a filler introduction to the fic im working on! If the dialogue feels awkward, good, its meant to be. As always angst shall follow but i find the dynamic rather fun. Let me know your thoughts and opinions of what youd like to see in the future!

[nurselynn]

A Fascinating Forest Friend :: Part One

Deep in the forest, in the middle of a dreary Cascadia autumn, an unlikely bond blossoms between the sun and the moon.

pairing :: tamarack baumann & pran taylor word count :: 2.6k notes :: very loosely inspired by canon, but does not contain spoilers or any actual events. ♡

read on ao3 :: all parts

The first time Tamarack saw the boy, she had been crying.

It was a damp, dreary day at the beginning of autumn. The leaves were soft underfoot as Tamarack trudged through the forest, familiar to her now as well as her own backyard was. It was a comfort to her, to have all this space to herself, all this room to explore and wander and just be to herself. To just be.

She wasn't the crying type, usually. Of course, if Tamarack was feeling something, she wasn't one to suppress or hide it. But she usually didn't have anything that made her feel like crying, really. Honest.

Until her mother called.

It was the first phone call she had gotten since she had last seen her parents in the summer. That had been... what, three or four weeks ago now? Tamarack hadn't noticed it at the time, too busy in the forest or with her new friends to really think about it. The passage of time seems so separate from yourself when you're young.

But when Omi passed her the phone, saying it was her mother, Tamarack felt a swell of emotions in her heart before she ever even took the phone from her grandmother. Excitement, a strange sadness, and beneath it all, a perplexing amount of fear that should couldn't quite explain.

The call had been... short. Tamarack had tried to recount her adventures to her mother, tried to tell her about her new best friend Franky, her time with Opa and Omi, the amazing outside world she had become so enamored with... But all her mother seemed interested in was school, and whether Omi was being nice to her.

And Tamarack supposed those were good things to ask about, too! But after she answered those things (school was fine, Omi was the best grandma anyone could ever ask for), her mother seemed to lose interest. The call became clipped, full of "mhm" and "oh, interesting" interjections as Tamarack tried her best to speak. Finally, her mother cut the call short, saying that she had to get back to work.

"Oh, but what about Papa?" Tamarack had asked, fingers gripping the little flip phone a bit tighter. "Is he there?"  "Tamarack, you know he's even busier than I am," her mother had replied with a sigh, and Tamarack frowned.      "Just for a second? I wanted to—"      "Tamarack, baby, he's busy. I'll get him to call you when he has the time."      They exchanged clipped goodbyes. Tamarack realized she hadn't said 'I love you,' but just as she began to get the words out of her mouth, the little chirp of the call ending sounded in her ear, deafening.

It had sent her into tears instantly.

Without telling Omi the call had ended, Tamarack pushed the cell phone back on the kitchen counter and sprinted outside, forgoing everything in her haste, even her beloved messenger bag.

The world was blurred by tears, but Tamarack knew her backyard and the surrounding woods so well that it didn't matter. She took herself deeper into the forest as fast as her shaking little legs could carry her, her mind a blur of emotion and hurt too big for a ten year old to even handle.

Her jog slowed down to a trudging walk as she came to the denser part of the woods, the part where the trail disappeared into long grass and ferns. It was dark, early evening, and the moon was peeking out from behind the clouds. It wasn't raining, but it seemed it recently had, with the ground sloshing slightly as she walked. Tears were still streaming steadily down Tamarack's own face, though, and showed no sigh of stopping, either.

Why were the things her parents had to do so much more important than her? 

Tamarack tried to be understanding. They were busy people, and so was she. She couldn't always be around every time someone else wanted her; she had her own things to do. But... she always found time for Franky and Qiu and Omi and Opa. She always made time for them when they wanted her. And... they made time for her, too. Mama and Papa never... they never...  

Soon, whether because of emotion or because she had walked so long without a break, Tamarack realized she was exhausted. She just wanted to lay down and hide from the world, to sleep this off and not have to worry about who made time for her and who didn't.

Tamarack didn't mind getting dirty; not usually, and especially not right now. So when she found a spot near the base of a tree, thicketed by ferns and free of branches or rocks, she let herself lay down without hesitation. She wished she had brought her messenger bag to cushion her head, but her arms worked just fine. She curled up, half way on her side and half way on her belly, her arms folded beneath her head so she could rest her cheek on them, and just let herself cry.

Was there something wrong with her? Had she done something to make her parents mad, and that was the real reason she had to stay here instead of with them? She knew that sometimes, she could be annoying without meaning to. She could be too loud and get in people's faces and wasn't a good listener sometimes. Her face burned as she remembered the first time she met Darren, how she had been so excited to meet one of Qiu's friends that she had unintentionally made everyone mad at her. Or when she tried to ride Baxter's bike and embarrassed herself by nearly falling off and causing a scene. That happened with her parents sometimes, too, where she would be too loud and "rambunctious" that it messed up their stuff, or irritated them, and they didn't want her around anymore... 

Another wave of sniffles and tears hit her. She couldn't help but let out loud sobs as the hurt took over.

Tamarack's sobs were so overwhelming, so loud, that she almost didn't hear the rustling of branches just near her. But as she steadied herself, trying to breathe, she could definitely hear the slow, muffled sound of steps drawing closer to her.

Breath still stuttering, she pushed herself up into a half-sitting, half-laying position to see what was near her. She didn't even have to blink the tears from her blurry eyes to see a mostly pale figure a few feet from her, half obscured by bushes and the trunk of a tree.

...huh?

Tamarack blinked, sitting up fully and rubbing at her eyes to see better. When she could see more clearly, she was relieved to see that it was thankfully not a ghostly apparition come to visit her, but just a kid.

Their hair was all long and white, curling down their shoulders almost to their elbows. It shone in the darkness of the forest, almost silver in the moonlight. It blended in with their pastel and white clothes, giving off the impression of being ghostly, especially against the backdrop of the dreary autumn forest. But Tamarack was sure this was just a kid, especially with the soft baby face that gazed unsurely at her from behind the tree.

Tamarack sniffled, unable to stop crying completely, but her woes were mostly pushed aside at the appearance of a new person. Someone she had definitely never seen before.

"Hi," she said with a wave of her hand. She wanted to smile, but she didn't have it in her heart right now.

The kid remained where they were. From what Tamarack could see, their dark, thick eyebrows were creased in the middle, and they had their own sad frown on their face. It was almost like they mirrored each other.

"I..." She sniffled again, wiping her face with the back of her hand. A tendril of sadness coiled in her gut, tightening almost painfully. She was being loud and obnoxious again. "I'm probably bothering you. Being loud and stuff."

The kid didn't reply to that. But Tamarack could see them moving ever so cautiously, slowly revealing more of themself from behind the tree. She could see more of the pattern of their sweater; pastel pink and yellow and blue, almost like an Easter egg. There were cats and pretty flowers on it, too.

"I really like your sweater," Tamarack said, the compliment no less sincere just because she sniffled through it. "It looks really nice on you."

That made the kid pause. They glanced down at their sweater before looking back toward Tamarack. Their hands came up, twisting their fingers together in front of their chest, almost nervously.

They hadn't spoken the whole time, but that didn't deter Tamarack. Really, the fact that they hadn't already walked away from her yet was encouraging to her. Maybe they were just shy, but they were still here, still looking at her, still with her. That was something, at least.

Tamarack stood up from her spot on the ground. She had dirt on her side and on her hands, but she didn't mind. It would brush away or wash off eventually.

"My name is Tamarack," she said. Her voice was steadier, more sure than it had been when she first spoke. "What's your name? I've never seen you here before."

She had hoped that the kid would at least give her an answer to that, but they didn't. They stood next to the tree, fingers wringing together still. There was a good ten feet or more between them — she couldn't tell for sure — but now that they were both on their feet, it became clear to Tamarack that this kid was way taller than her. Taller even than Baxter or Darren, but they didn't look any older than those boys. Not with that baby face.

Hm. This was tricky. How could she find out stuff about them if they wouldn't answer her? But Tamarack was not so easily deterred. This kid intrigued her, and she would crack their shell for sure.

"Do you live around here?" she asked after a moment.

To her delight, they nodded. Oh! Maybe they just couldn't say words. That was fine — Tamarack could definitely work with this.

"That's cool! I've just never seen you out here, is all. That's why I asked." She took a few steps forward, but when she saw the other kid hesitantly take a step back, she stopped. She remembered meeting Darren, remembered being scolded for getting in his personal space when he hadn't wanted it. So she stopped, not wanting to scare this new friend away too.

She rocked on her feet for a second, thinking.

"Are you a girl?" she asked just to say something. In her own mind, she really thought they might be. 

But that got a slow shake of the kid's head, their long white hair swaying with the motion. Oh. Hm. 

"Are you a boy?" she continued, and though there was a longer pause between her words and their answer, she did receive a small nod of their head. His head. A boy. 

Admittedly, Tamarack had been interested in the idea of having a girl friend around here. Qiu had his boys' club, and Franky was, well, Franky. But even if this kid was a boy, that was fine with her. A friend was a friend, no matter what.

"Okay. I'm a girl." Tamarack smiled. "And my name is Tamarack. Did I say that before?" She wasn't sure, but it didn't matter now. All of her negative energy had thankfully dissipated, her mind solely occupied by this mystery of a boy before her.

The boy just blinked at her, a tiny nod at her mostly rhetorical question, and that got Tamarack giggling. "I like you already," she said decisively.

That was the first thing that she had said that got an actual reaction out of the boy; it was one of pure shock. Those thick eyebrows made a retreat for his hairline beneath the wispy white bangs, and his eyes widened almost comically. His mouth fell open, and Tamarack thought for a brief moment that he might actually speak to her, before it snapped back closed in an instant.

But then, Tamarack realized, that reaction might not have been just for her.

Behind her, she could faintly hear the muffled sound of leaves being stirred up. She spun on her feet, excited to have two unexpected visitors to the woods today, and very distantly, with enough squinting, she could make out cranberry colored hair down the way, coming through the trees.

"Tamarack!" came the familiar voice of Franky when they spotted her. They waved their hands above their head, and Tamarack jumped up, mirroring their motion with a bright grin.

"Franky! Franky!"

Her best friend took very little time to catch up to her in the clearing. When they reached her, Tamarack grasped onto their hands, swinging them with a little squee.

"What are you doing out here?" Franky asked, still swinging Tamarack's hands slightly. "I heard you talking. Are you playing a game or something?"

Tamarack shook her head. Her golden auburn hair swayed around her face, bouncing effortlessly back into place. "No, no, I just met him. I was asking him questions and—"

"Wait, huh?" Franky said, interrupting Tamarack with a confused look on their face. Their eyes darted around the forest, befuddled, before settling back on Tamarack. "Who is he?"

"He's a new boy I've never seen before," Tamarack explained. She stepped back from Franky, holding her hand out to gesture behind her. "I don't know his name, but—"

She turned her face to get another look at the kid, before realizing there was no one behind her.

...huh?

The bewilderment was evident on Tamarack's face. She turned her whole body around, swiveling her head multiple times, before realizing that there really was no one here in this clearing with them.

She turned back to Franky, her eyebrows up and her eyes wide with surprise.

"Franky, I swear, there was another kid here!" she said with an emphatic wave of her hands at the empty air near her, as if insisting upon it would make the child rematerialize before them. "He was tall, taller than Qiu's friends, and he had long white hair and sad eyes, and he had a cute sweater with kitties on it." She gestured to each part on herself in turn for demonstrative purposes.

Franky watched this all with a raised eyebrows, their hand resting contemplatively on their chin as they tried to decide whether they believed her or not.

"Hm. Okaaay." They glanced around once more, then looked back down at Tamarack. "Then where did he go?"

Tamarack's shoulders slumped defeatedly. "I don't know. He seemed nervous. Maybe us being loud scared him off..."

A sad, cold pang of hurt shot through Tamarack's belly once more, and she tried not to pay it much mind, though she visibly deflated after the words left her mouth. Of course. Of course she would scare off a new friend by being weird and obnoxious.

She looked up at the sky, as if searching for answers. It was getting darker now, the moon completely hidden behind heavy clouds.

Before she could dwell on her thoughts for too long, though, she felt the comforting, familiar weight of Franky's arm around her shoulder.

"Well, if he can't appreciate our hilarious loud selves, who needs him?" they said, face adorned with that playful grin that never failed to brighten Tamarack's day. "Come on. I wanted to show you something I found in my backyard! Something only us cool, awesome kids get to see, okay?"

And so, with a tentative, bashful smile, Tamarack let Franky lead her back to the cul-de-sac, taking only a fading memory of that sad, quiet boy with her.

all parts :: next

[lifesizehysteria]

A Mother's Blessings | A Bridgerton Fic

Part 2: Hyacinth

Fandom: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: Gen Pairing: Violet Bridgerton/Marcus Anderson Characters: Violet Bridgerton, Marcus Anderson, Hyacinth Bridgerton, Kate Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton Summary: A collection of moments through Violet and Marcus’ courtship in which Violet seeks the blessings of her children. AO3 Part 1

Violet fanned her face, still desperate to cool herself from the oppressive summer heat, despite having moved inside. It seemed they had chosen the worst day possible for a family game of pall-mall; the sun was relentless and there was not a breath of wind nor a single cloud in the sky. The shade provided by the covered seating by the lawn offered little relief from the stifling temperatures, so they had sought refuge inside, filling the hallway with their usual raucous joy as they did so, before settling into a quieter cacophony in the drawing room.

“It is a shame Lord Bridgerton was unable to join us,” Marcus said.

“Yes, well…” Violet began, but found herself unable to provide any further excuse as to why her son had, once again, found a reason to avoid Lord Anderson’s company.

“He is quite busy preparing for our departure to India, I am afraid,” Kate supplied without missing a beat, though Violet caught the quick glance her daughter-in-law sent her direction. She offered her own smile in gratitude, patting the perspiration from her brow with the back of her hand.

“It is probably for the best,” Benedict said. “Our brother has a competitive streak unlike any other. He would have died of heat stroke before ending the game early.”

Marcus laughed. “Is that so?”

“It is true. I do not know where he gets it.” Violet shook her head, secretly grateful Anthony had not been there to insist the game continue. While the weather had been the excuse, Violet was sure it was really mercy that ended the game early. When Hyacinth had suggested they play, Marcus had agreed to join on the condition that Violet play, too. Despite her efforts otherwise, she had not been able to resist him or the children’s insistence. With reluctance, she joined the game, only to thoroughly humiliate herself, despite Marcus’ attempt to throw the game in her favor. They were all laughing so hard by the time they called it off, no one could have continued playing anyway.

“Ah, yes,” Marcus said, the richness of his voice sending a shiver down Violet’s spine. “I believe it is a trait shared by all eldest children. You have met my sister.” He flashed her a dazzling grin, his eyebrows arched knowingly.

“Indeed, I have,” she conceded with a laugh, fanning a new wave of heat from her cheeks and averting her gaze from his shining black eyes.

“Well, I think you could beat Anthony, Lord Anderson,” Hyacinth declared.

“Thank you for your vote of confidence, Miss Hyacinth. Though, if he is anywhere near as formidable an opponent as the Viscountess, I would not stand a chance.”

“I assure you, he is not,” Kate said, making everyone laugh. 

“Anthony certainly did meet his match in you, Sister,” Benedict said. 

“As we should all hope to do,” Marcus said, his eyes finding their way to Violet, who bit back a smile while her stomach did a somersault. 

Conversation continued to flow, but Violet grew quiet, watching. Marcus looked completely at ease among her brood, the portion of it that was present, at least. There was a noticeable camaraderie between him, Benedict, and Kate, their playfulness rather enjoyable to witness. And with the younger two, he was attentive and kind, including them in conversation and listening to them with genuine interest. Hyacinth was clearly enamored, and although he was a bit subdued, Gregory was receptive to him as well. 

“Lord Anderson, are you staying for lunch?” Hyacinth asked, pulling Violet back into the moment. 

“Hyacinth!” she chastised, though her daughter did not show an ounce of embarrassment at being so forward. “Please forgive my daughter’s lack of manners.”

Marcus held up a staying hand. “It is quite alright,” he assured her, then turned towards Hyacinth. “Thank you for the invitation. Unfortunately, I have already committed to lunch with my sister, so I cannot join you today. It is my sincerest hope that the offer may be extended for another day.”

Beaming, Hyacinth opened her mouth, but Violet cut her off before she could speak. “I am sure we can arrange something soon.”

“A picnic, perhaps!” Hyacinth jumped in, ignoring the wide-eyed look of warning from her mother. 

“Oh, a picnic would be lovely,” Kate agreed, barely concealing a smirk as Violet’s mouth dropped open.  

Marcus leaned closer to Hyacinth, dropping the volume of his voice to a whisper that was more than audible throughout the room. “I do love a picnic.”

When he grinned at Violet over his shoulder, she was caught between wanting to throw her arms around him and wishing a hole would open up beneath her feet and swallow her alive. If he and her children were already conspiring against her, she was not sure she would stand a chance at winning anything ever again. She stubbornly pursed her lips against a persistent smile and cleared her throat. 

“Well then, I suppose we’ll see what can be arranged. As long as the weather cooperates,” she added, if for no other reason than to feel as though she had not lost complete control. 

“Oh, goodie!” Hyacinth cheered, clapping her hands together as her curls bounced around her shoulders. Behind her, Benedict silently clapped as well, a teasing smirk directed at his mother. She narrowed her eyes at him, which he returned with a wink. He was bordering on impertinence and if she didn’t love him so much, she thought she could have killed him. 

“Until then,” Marcus said, standing up and addressing the room, “I am afraid I must take my leave. Anyone who knows what’s good for them does not make Agatha Danbury wait for her food.”

After a chorus of goodbyes, Violet sat back down on the settee, nestling into the corner. Kate came over from her spot by the window, managing to look as graceful as ever lowering herself onto the settee across from Violet, despite her ever growing belly. At the same time, Benedict wandered off without a word to anyone, leaving Gregory alone at the table. Hyacinth appeared beside her mother, kneeling on the cushion, her large green eyes bright with enthusiasm.

“Mama?” she asked, taking hold of Violet’s forearm in both her hands.

“Yes, dearest?” Violet patted her daughter’s hand, the affection in her voice unwavering despite a hint of weariness sneaking in. 

“When are we going to have our picnic with Lord Anderson?”

Violet let out a little laugh of surprise. “I do not know. I will arrange it and send him an invitation soon.”

Hyacinth beamed at her, turning to sit properly and leaning into her mother’s side. Violet wrapped her arm around her, pulling her in against her. 

“I do hope it is very soon. It will be such fun!”

“You seem to hold a great affection for Lord Anderson,” Kate pointed out. 

“Why shouldn’t I? He is kind and funny. He does not treat Gregory and me like small children who should not be allowed to speak. And most importantly, he makes Mama smile in a way I have never seen before.”

Violet’s eyes grew wide, her face suddenly hot again. 

“Are you going to marry him, Mama?”

Her eyes, widening even further, flew to Hyacinth, finding herself at a loss for words. After sputtering for a moment, she finally managed to ask, “Why ever would you ask such a question?”

Hyacinth straightened and tilted her head to one side. “Is that not the purpose of courting?”

A flutter of panic began to rise up the back of Violet’s throat. “Who told you we are courting?”

“It is quite obvious, Mama.” She looked at her mother, then over at Kate, then back again, doubt causing her face to fall. “You are courting, are you not?”

“I don’t…” Violet huffed, waving one hand in the air as if it would conjure the words she could not find. “To be quite honest, I do not know,” she finally said, her face twisting with unease.

Hyacinth’s brows knitted together. “It seems like you are courting,” she said.

Violet blinked and tipped her head to one side, acquiescing. “Yes, I… I suppose it does.”

“Do you want to be courted?”

Diverting her eyes again, Violet fidgeted with her skirt and offered a tight-lipped smile, wishing for the second time that the Earth could somehow swallow her whole.

“I, uh… I am, not sure,” a strained laugh escaped her throat. Part of her felt that this was not an appropriate subject for her daughter of just twelve, but she also understood that her decisions would ultimately affect Hyacinth’s life as much as they did her own, so she felt obliged to answer. She just wished she had had a bit more time to sort it out privately first. She cleared her throat and blinked hard before making herself meet her daughter’s eyes.

“I enjoy Lord Anderson’s company very much. You are right; he is kind and humorous, and I greatly appreciate how well he seems to get along with all of you. And even more so, there is a… companionship I feel with him that I have not had since your father died. It has been an unexpected joy to feel that again.” A small, unconscious smile turned up the corners of her mouth.

“And yet you have reservations?” Kate inquired gently.

“Yes.”

“What sort of reservations?” Hyacinth asked. 

“Well, dearest,” Violet spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully. There were so many layers to her feelings, and not only were they not all appropriate for her young daughter to hear, but she also wanted to avoid becoming too emotional. Hyacinth was rightfully curious, and while Violet wanted to answer her questions, she did not want to burden her with problems that were Violet’s alone to resolve. “The purpose of courting, as you are clearly aware, is to marry. And I had not ever imagined marrying anyone but your father. I am not sure that I want to marry again, even someone with whom I share… affection.” She looked down at her daughter, picking nervously at the lace on the cuff of Hyacinth’s sleeve and took in a deep, slightly shaky breath. “It feels a bit like a betrayal. To him, and to the love that we shared, that I still feel to this day.”

Hyacinth studied her mother’s face, noting the worry lines that appeared between her brows. She wrapped her arm around Violet’s waist and laid her head against her chest, hugging her tightly for a moment while Violet returned the gesture by pulling her in closer. “I do not believe Papa would think it a betrayal,” Hyacinth said, sounding confident. 

Curious and a bit surprised, Violet’s eyebrows lifted. “Why not?”

“Because to think so would be selfish. I may not have known Papa, but I know that everyone says the two of you shared a true love. And if you have taught me anything, it is that love is not selfish.”

Violet felt tears prickle behind her eyes and she blinked them back with great effort. How could a child who had never even met Edmund sound so very much like him? With a lump in her throat, she pressed a kiss into her daughter’s hair and whispered, as much to Edmund as to Hyacinth, “You are right about that, my love.”

[sketchy-the-changeling]

Megatron gets the best moments in that movie. There's a bit of a trend in Western animation where revolutionary characters are villainized to promote a pro-status quo narrative that privileged people are enamored with, do you think this is the case? I personally only think it's like 5-10% true for this movie. I don't wanna sound like a centrist, but I kinda feel like both Optimus and Megatron make good points. Tho seeing Megatron dealing with Sentinel was pure satisfaction. What do you think?

This was what I mentioned earlier when I said there was something I wanted to marinate on with the film: does Megatron fall into that trap of making a villain that has so much of a point that you're questioning why they are even framed as a villain to begin with?

The conclusion I've come to is "no." Here's why.

Note, I will be referring to Orion/Optimus and D/Megatron as both of their given names depending on what part of the story I am discussing.

Also spoilers.

The moment Sentinel is revealed to be a fraud, there is no ambiguity that he needs to be dealt with. Sentinel is the real villain, and the film does not let up on that. Neither Orion nor the film itself ever suggest that Sentinel can be negotiated with or reasoned with. ALL of the protagonists are in agreement that he needs to be rid of because Sentinel sold out his people and manufactured a need for a lower class of Transformers, and the movie ends with the heroes eliminating the need to mine for energon, thus eliminating that need for a lower class, so the film is DEFINITELY not pro-status quo.

While there is one moment where Optimus tells Megatron not to kill Sentinel, it is only AFTER Sentinel is exposed as a fraud and the public knows the truth. I still wish Optimus didn't play the whole "this doesn't make us better than him" card cause his actual argument is "it's over. We already beat him. Our job is done."

And the movie still gives Megatron the satisfaction of killing Sentinel anyway and exacting his retribution even though he (Megatron) is ultimately exiled, so he isn't robbed of his rightful closure.

I think the movie does a good job of showing that the problem with D/Megatron's praxis isn't the fact that he is pro-retribution. It's that he has no long-term plan for the people, and a revolution has to be about the people. D's focus on self can be noted from the beginning of the movie. He often thinks about the consequences of things, but only as far as how they can harm him and his only friend, Orion, which isn't inherently evil so you don't really clock it.

Conversely, Orion is always thinking about uplifting the people, but at first his approach to that ideal is very unrefined and somewhat self-serving. However, you can see him refining his worldview in real time and realizing that it takes a communal effort to bring about change, rather than appealing to the current powers that be. The writers did their best to work around the fact that the maguffin is literally called the Matrix of Leadership to get this point across and while it's not perfect, I think it does its job.

All this being said, it's been less than 24 hours since I've seen the movie, so there may likely be some blind spots in my analysis, so my thoughts are subject to change, but that's where I'm currently at, as of this posting.