#i would have loved to introduce my peers to the prince since it's a new show that they're much less likely to watch on their own

[agentravensong]

reread rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead this afternoon in prep for movie night (so i can pick up on what stuff got cut in the adaptation) and. man. man man man.

[adorerdraco]

Good Enough ✧ Draco x Hufflepuff!Reader

Request: hiii i love your writing!! can you write about a sweet hufflepuff and how everyone thinks they aren’t a good pair together so one day Pansy bullies the reader into breaking it off with Draco because she feels like she’s not good enough for him then draco finds out and he’s really mad at Pansy?

Another seventh year AU where Voldermort never existed !

Warnings: bullying, slight angst, crying, cursing (barely), sad!draco, angry!draco, implied smut towards the end (also extra mean slytherins for the purpose of this imagine but i have nothing against them i <3 them as much as any other house)

Words: 4.5K

A/N: hiii thank youuuu 🥺💗 !!!!!! but ahhhh omg im a hufflepuff so i hope i delivered good hufflepuff energy in this oneee :’))) i think this might be my new favorite thing ive written omg but i do not own gif 

There was truly no explanation how you, a kind Hufflepuff, managed to become friends, let alone a couple, with the proud and arrogant Slytherin Prince, Draco Malfoy. 

On the outside, your relationship to everyone seemed uncanny and plain wrong. Even your friends and housemates had looked down on it for a while but eventually came around and just let you be. You couldn’t say the same for the Slytherin’s, however, because if there was one house they disliked more than Gryffindor; it was Hufflepuff.

They berated you and Draco for weeks after they found out he had started a relationship with you. They scowled at you when you would walk by them sometimes calling you names depending on whether or not Draco was by your side. He always defended you and you did your best to ignore them, but they were relentless. You had only been dating for about a month now and the tantalizing comments from Slytherin’s and anyone else who wanted tear the two of you down were right now seeming endless.

“Why can’t people leave us alone,” you said sadly to him one night. You were lying with him in a patch of grass outside the castle, head against his chest as his hand lazily traced patterns onto your bicep.

“They’re only jealous,” he sneered quietly. “People get mad at what they can’t have or what they can't understand.”

Draco’s patience with people was worsening each and every day. His housemates, regularly, would corner him in the common room and interrogate him with questions that made him want to rip his hair out.

“Is this some sort of prank you haven’t told us about, Malfoy?”

“A Hufflepuff? Have you gone mad?”

“Is she blackmailing you with something, mate?”

“Haven’t you thought about how that makes us Slytherin’s look?”

“She’s a blood-traitor!”

The questioning would always lead to him yelling and threatening everyone aggressively before he locked himself in his Prefect dorm or would leave the common room altogether in a fury. Those were the days he would find you after he calmed down and would hug you tightly, pressing kisses all over your face as he praised you with everything he adored about you to how happy you made him and how perfect you were for him. 

You, on the other hand, were dealing with much worse. You never told Draco some of the awful things people would say to you when he wasn’t around. You would stand up for yourself very rarely, confrontation not really being your first approach to handling things but when the insults were bad enough, you were forced to.

You would always hear a variation of the same things said either directly to you or from obvious whispering, majority of them being from Slytherin and the occasional judgmental comment from others.

“Filthy Hufflepuff!”

“Can’t believe one of them is dating one of ours.”

“What does Malfoy even see in her?”

“You’d think someone who’s supposed to be kind wouldn’t want anything to do with such an arse.”

More than ever, Draco found himself giving you an excessive amount of compliments and reassurances that he thought would balance out the insults and criticisms you would tell him about or he would witness. Everything he would tell you was true, of course, but you always felt like he said them out of pity or like he had to.

“I appreciate you trying to make it better, but you don’t have to keep complimenting me, Dray.” You’ve said to him countless times.

And he would often respond with, “but I need you to know how I feel about you.”

Despite the constant uphill battle, your relationship with the platinum blond was everything you hoped for and more. Considering your friendship had started on rocky beginnings a year ago, you would have never thought you’d be with him now.  You couldn’t thank the stars more for when your aged and nearly blind owl had flown straight into the back of his head, pecking at him while he tried to swat it away which then led to him giving you a piece of his mind and trying to hex your owl - causing you to try to hex him just as McGonagall happened to be passing by the fiasco that landed both of you in a months-long detention for reckless magic usage. It was in detention when the two of you were forced to spend time together and realized that the other wasn’t as bad as they thought.

Draco, much like everyone else, always believed Hufflepuffs to be weak and cowardly, too kind for their own good - but he quickly learned how common of a misconception that was the longer he knew you. You always fought for what was morally right, defended those you love and are loyal to courageously, and were sweet and friendly with everyone you talked to whether you knew them or not.

He gravitated towards your kindness and empathetic approach to everything. He loved to see the smiles you put on people’s faces or the way animals would randomly come up to you and immediately trust you enough to give them gentle pets that they always leaned into. He even loved the way you talked to everyone as your equals, something he rarely saw in his environment. Everything you did was a vast difference to what he saw on the daily from his cold and aloof peers, but it was a difference he enjoyed. He wished so deeply that everyone could see and understand how amazing you were to him and he was determined to make it happen.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” You asked shyly as he held your hand tightly in his, walking you slowly over to his large group of his closest Slytherin friends that were all gathered around a bench under a tree in the courtyard.

The Prince of Slytherin believed that if he could get his friends to at least tolerate you, then everyone else would follow in suit. He only associated himself with the best and most influential of his house so if there was anyone that could improve his current situation; it would be them. You were a little uneasy about his plan, but later agreed when he had convinced you that his idea couldn’t and wouldn’t fail.

“Of course it is!” He exclaimed encouragingly. “Plus, I’m Draco Malfoy, they’ll like anything I tell them to like.”

“Okay,” you sighed, rolling your eyes slightly at his boast.

The closer you got to them, the more you felt your hands begin to sweat and the heat crawling up your face. They all began to turn towards the two of you, their eyes focusing on you and you only with a pointed gaze. You started to realize how greatly you underestimated how intimidating they looked. Especially the one girl who made it her mission to bother you every chance she could get - always from afar while she pointed at you and whispered something into her friend’s ears while they laughed or when she would pass by you and say something rude under her breath.

“Look what Malfoy’s dragged in!” Pansy Parkinson called out with a malicious smirk on her face as she eyed you.

“Give it a rest, Pansy,” Blaise sighed, “If Malfoy wants us to meet his little friend then so be it.”

“Not my little friend, my girlfriend,” Draco corrected angrily as the two of you finally reached the group. “This is Y/N and I wanted you all to meet her since I plan on having her around for a long while, so you might as well get used to it.”

“Long while? Poor thing can’t even introduce herself,” Pansy laughed tauntingly.

“I think Draco introduced me just fine right now but if you want, I’ll do it again to make you feel better,” you smiled a big fake toothy grin at her. “Hi, I’m Y/N.”

Everyone snickered at your response, watching for the girl’s reaction as her nostrils flared in irritation. Draco smiled to himself and gave your hand a quick squeeze, feeling proud that you found a way to talk back to her in the nicest way possible.

“Right, well, I’m sure you know this is; Goyle, Crabbe, Zabini, Pike, Flint, Nott, and...” Draco pointed to everyone, trailing off when he reached the only girl in the group, “I don’t think that one needs an introduction, she rather do it herself, right Parkinson?”

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, giving the blond a false squinty-eyed grin with attitude.

“So, you want us to be the nice to the Hufflepuff then?” Zabini questions, pointing a finger towards you.

“Yes, I want you to be nice to, Y/N,” Draco corrected again, his hand getting tighter in your grasp as he spoke. “That goes for all of you and everyone else in this bloody house. I don’t want to hear anything bad about her or us coming from anyone ever again or you’ll have me to answer to. I don’t care how friendly we are.”

“So he has to defend you too now?” Pansy spoke again, “Merlin, it’s a wonder how you Hufflepuff sort even survive in this world.”

Before anyone could say anything, you mustered up all the courage you had and stepped forward towards the irked girl in front of you.

“Listen, I don’t want any more trouble with you or anyone,” you rushed out. “I just want to go about my day without having to hear how disgusting and weak I am.”

She opened her mouth to retaliate but Blaise put a hand in front of her and pushed her back before she got any closer to you.

“Alright, we’ll try,” he answered for the group quickly in an annoyed tone, “but I can’t promise that for the rest of Slytherin. They really don’t like you guys together, thinks it makes them look bad. Eventually, they’ll get tired of it and move on to the next.”

“That’s as good as its gonna get,” Goyle guffawed, Crabbe and Pike snickering alongside him.

You sighed, looking up at Draco and slightly tugging at his hand while you silently begged him to take you out of there but he didn’t catch the hint and instead did the complete opposite when he had turned towards the only boy in the group who seemed to have brains.

“Zabini, can I talk to you really quick?” He asked gruffly. Blaise deeply sighed and nodded, the two boys breaking away from the group and stopping a few feet away before talking in angry hushed voices to each other.

You - all of a sudden felt very small and sick, your eyes frantically bouncing around the group as they watched you squirm. Pansy took this as her chance to step closer towards you, stopping a few inches away from you while a smirk made its way onto her face.

“Since you obviously don’t see the bigger picture, I’ll paint it for you,” she began contemptuously, “you and Draco really don’t belong together, at all. Sure, you might think everything’s fine right now, but what’ll happen when he gets tired of defending you and proving you to everyone. You think Hogwarts is your problem? Just wait until you meet the Malfoy’s. Do you really think his father would like or even tolerate a filthy blood traitor like you?”

You gaped at her, taking a few shaky steps away from her as her words hit you like a truck.

“Think about it, Y/L/N,” she gets in your face again, her hand reaching up to grip your shoulder tightly to hold you in place. “He needs to be with someone of his status, a pure-blooded Slytherin who comes from a good wealthy family who holds all the same beliefs as the Malfoy’s. If I were you, I’d end it before you ruin his life any more than you already have and end up leaving him without a family or his inheritance.”

“Are you trying to say that ‘someone’ should be you?” You question through gritted teeth, shrugging your shoulder hard out of her clawed grasp.

“I never said that,” she smiles, “but who am I to say it shouldn’t be?” 

Pansy tauntingly walked away from you, a smug look on her face as she noticed just how obviously she had hurt you. You wanted to run away and cry, but you held it together for the sake of your last remaining dignity and so that you wouldn’t please your assailant even more than you already have.

Draco turned to stroll back towards the group with Blaise, his eyes landing on your shuddering figure and the broken look in your eyes as they met his. He looked around at the rest of the group who were talking amongst themselves, unknowing to them that Parkinson had just ripped a new one on you. She stood around them, looking at her nails with an uninterested look in her eyes and when she felt Draco’s eyes on her, she looked up and smiled at him innocently. 

‘Bitch,’ you thought.

He slowly walked towards you, taking your hand and deeply frowning when you immediately slipped it out of his.

“What’s wrong?” His voice dripped with concern, his sad gray’s searching your face for any answer as to why you were suddenly acting so cold.

“I need to talk to you,” you breathed out. “Alone.”

He nodded, instinctively reaching out for your hand only for you to reject it again. He felt queasy at the response, his heart falling to his stomach as you turned around and began walking away. His legs were moving hastily behind you, a dooming tension had fallen between the two of you and he couldn’t for the life of him find a reason why.

Pansy’s words were like a game of pinball on a constant loop in your mind. Your thoughts were bumping and flying haphazardly as you tried to make sense of them and what you were about to do. And as much as you hated to admit it - the wench was right. You would never be able to offer Draco and his family anything that would ever be close to enough. You were just a sweet, regular Hufflepuff, someone far from who his family expected to date. And what if you did end up staying with him? You figured you would end up breaking up years later when he would be forced to marry someone else. Or in the slight chance, he fought against that, there was no way you’d forgive yourself if he lost his family and his future because of your own selfish needs.

You stopped at an empty corridor, sitting at one of the windowsills you regularly sat at with the platinum blond when the two of you snuck out at night to meet each other. Your head fell into your hands, your thoughts raging louder in your head and now through your body as you began to unwillingly shake. The held back tears had finally broken out in a waterfall of sadness, frustration, and grief.

Draco only watched, his heartbreaking at the sight as he kneeled in front of you, his hands resting on your knees while he tried to figure out what to say.

“Darling, please tell me what’s gotten you like this,” he pleads sadly. “If it’s about what Blaise said, I made a deal with him so he would try and help.”

“No, it’s not that,” you answered, choking back the lump in a feeble attempt to try and get yourself calmed down enough to talk to him.

He sat back on his heels, his hand running down his face in distress as he racked through his brain for anything else that might have gotten you like this. He let you cry for a bit, feeling useless as he watched you go through an internal battle he had no clue about.

“Then what is it? Tell me and I’ll fix it,” he says softly when he saw your tears had finally been reduced to stray droplets on your face.

“You can’t,” you sniffle. Your hand weakly brushed over his paled slender fingers that were holding your knee gently. He turned his palm upwards for you and you placed your shaking hand in his while you basked in the final moments of his warmth. You regrettably slipped out of his grip before you spoke the words you couldn’t take back. “We can’t be together anymore.”

Draco blinked, his stomach dropping as soon as the words left your mouth. “What?”

You stood up, backing away from him as you shook your head. “Everyone was right - I’ll never be good enough for you, for your friends, for your family. You deserve to be with someone who makes your life easier, not harder.”

“Where did all this come from?” He asks incredulously, standing up from his spot on the floor as he painfully watched your slowly retreating figure. “It’s all rubbish is what it is. You’ve never made my life harder.”

“Draco, look around you!” You exasperated, your arms flailing around you. “You had to make a deal with your own friends for them to even be nice to me. Your house can’t stand me and they take it out on the both of us! And what about your parents? You know for a fact they would hate me, don’t even try and deny it.”

Pale hands ran through his hair, his fingers pulling at the platinum strands in frustration.

“I thought you didn’t care about all that,” he said woefully. “I thought you’d know by now none of it matters.”

“Well, I care now,” you answer back gloomily. “And you should too.”

There was a spinning and nauseating feeling in the pit of the Slytherin’s stomach, his heart violently jumping around in his chest as he let you storm away from him. 

He let his back fall against a pillar, a deep and burning exhale falling from his trembling lips while he stared at a live painting across from him. It was of three women, the chalices in their hands supposed to be joined in a toast above them while they smiled gleefully in celebration, 3 of Chalices, it read in the caption below the frame. Instead of being in their usual position, they stared at him with pity in their softly painted eyes as they slowly raised their cups towards him in a way of showing their condolences.

He nodded curtly at them before he kicked himself off the wall and dragged himself towards the Great Hall where they were serving dinner and where he would undoubtedly find his so-called friends. He prepared himself to break the news to them, knowing they would be over the moon about it and as much as he wanted to join them in their delight, he couldn’t push away the large ache that had settled itself in his chest.

“We’re done,” he muttered dreadfully to himself, “it’s over.”

He was testing out different ways he could tell everyone the long-awaited news but they all left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I think you’ll all be delighted to know, Y/N-” he tried again but he lost his train of thought when he spoke your name. It was like taking an invisible kick to his heart as if Peeves the Poltergeist had somehow crawled into his body and was wreaking his usual havoc on his insides. 

The second he stepped into the Great Hall and saw his group sitting there, eating and laughing amongst everyone else, he felt sick all over again. There was no way he could stomach the triumph they were about to unleash, but he sucked it up and drudged towards them anyway.

“You look ghastly,” Pansy snickers, already having a feeling as to why he looked so rough. He stopped at the bench, hesitating to sit down because he knew he’d want to dash the second everyone started to relentlessly bash you.

“Deal’s off, Zabini,” the blond spoke lowly. “I’m not with Y/L/N anymore so it doesn’t matter.”

“You’re better off without her, Malfoy,” Blaise said delightedly. “Can’t believe you nearly had us associating with a blood traitor. It’s better that she’s gone.”

“Yeah, we ought to thank Pansy for that,” Crabbe laughed loudly through a mouthful of food. Pansy kicked his shin under the table, and he recoiled too fast, the food in his mouth getting shot in the wrong direction as he started choking.

“Pansy?” Draco repeated, his eyes falling towards the shying girl. “What did Pansy do?”

“What?” Crabbe coughed roughly, “did no one else see her talking to the ickle Hufflepuff?”

Pansy kicked him again and he wailed out a “stop kicking me, you donkey!”

Any ounce of sadness Draco had in his body was immediately washed out in rage. He wanted to flip over the table and scream at everyone in his path, but he only turned towards Pansy again and asked her calmly.

“What did you say to her?”

“I only told her the truth!” She said coyly, holding her hands up in defense.

“What” his fist had slammed onto the table making everyone sitting near the contact jump in surprise, “did you say to her!”

“The truth! Or are you too blind to see it too?” She sneered at him. “Do you honestly think the two of you would last? Look at who you are, Draco!”

“Talk to me ever again and I swear I’ll hex you,” he spat, turning hot on his heel as he stormed out of the Great Hall, his friends staring at his retreating figure in shock at the outburst.

Draco found himself rushing through stairs and corridors, his heart racing as he searched for the place he just knew you’d be. Now that he knew the full story, he needed to talk to you. Even if you didn’t change your mind, he wanted to at least try to fix what had been broken. The tall and bronzed doors were ajar, a small light filtering through the dark corridor he was nearly running down. 

A mop of bright silver hair had peaked through the crack in the doors of the Hogwarts kitchen, worried gray eyes following in suit as they searched the room for its target. He found you hunched over a small dessert plate, a half-eaten cake being drenched in your tears that never seemed to stop. There was a house-elf next to you, looking up at you from the floor in concern while they patted your leg. 

“Mister!” a scraggly voice croaked out from below him. He looked down to find a rugged looking house-elf staring up at him with furrowed eyebrows and hands on its hips. “Students are prohibited in the kitchen.”

“There’s a student right there,” he pointed towards you.

“She’s an exception!” the elf exclaimed wildly.

Draco shook his head before walking past the small creature, power walking straight towards you while it ran behind him.

“Wait till Gonpy tells the Headmaster about this!” The elf calls, “Gonby asks your name, sir!””

“Vincent Crabbe,” Draco answers mindlessly as he continued walking towards the far end of the room that very closely resembled the Great Hall and its vastness.

The familiar accent rang through your ears, your glassy eyes shooting up in surprise when you see the reason for your tears hurrying towards you.

“Before you say anything, you need to listen to me,” he starts desperately once he reaches you. “I know it was Pansy who put those thoughts into your head. I know you think you’re not enough for me. And I know you think I was always complimenting you out of pity, but you couldn’t be more wrong about any of that. I say all those things to you because I mean it. You are everything to me. You are more than enough for me just by being you. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been and sometimes I wonder if I’m even good enough for you. But you need to understand how much I love you.”

“Draco,” you breathe, heart leaping in your chest at his rambling speech, “I love you too. But what about everyone else, how are we even supposed to be with each other in peace?”

“To hell with everyone else,” he responds quickly, walking around the edge of the table so that he was now only mere centimeters away from you. “Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes, of course,” you blink at him, “but do you really think your parents would let this happen?”

“We’ll deal with them when the time comes,” he mumbles, his hand finding its way to your puffy cheek where he let it rest. “Besides, my mother likes anything that makes me happy, so I know for a fact at least she will end up loving you just as much as I do.”

You nodded happily, a new hope bubbling in your stomach as you lurched towards him and hugged the stressed boy against you tightly. The both of you let out a breath of relief at the same time from the contact, finally feeling back in balance after the short-lived sorrow. 

He pulled away from you and leaned down into you, his lips capturing yours in a tender and passionate kiss. That was when the elves you had forgotten about had quickly stopped eavesdropping, scurrying themselves away from the table as they went to start cleaning up the kitchen. 

It was minutes before you had finally pulled away, looking dreamily into the happy gray’s that gazed back at you. You admired him for a couple seconds, feeling very content before you reached up towards him again, tangling your hands in his hair and pressing another kiss onto his now swollen lips. He moved needily against you, pushing your body flush the table as he held you tightly against him.

“Ahem,” a small voice uncomfortably called out from below. It was the same elf who had chased Draco down the kitchen when he walked in, a frown on his face as he stared at the two of you. “Gonpy and the house-elves make food here!”

“I’m sorry, Gonpy,” you hurriedly apologize, ripping yourself away from a ragged breathing Draco as you bent down to shake hands with the elf. “Thank you for making me cake and letting me cry here, you’re a Hogwarts hero.”

“Gonpy thanks you, Miss Y/L/N! The truest, kindest Hufflepuff!” 

Draco bit back a smile at the interaction. You stood up and reached your hand behind you for the Slytherin to take and as the two of you walked away, he yelled out a quick, “Thanks Gonpy!”

And once the two of you were near the exit, he wrapped his arms around you from behind and pressed his body against your back, lowering his mouth towards your ear and kissing the skin right below it before whispering, “do you want to go back to my dorm?”

You nodded eagerly, giggling loudly as the two of you stumbled out of the door underneath his hold and into the dimly lit corridor before pulling apart and racing towards the direction of the dungeons with his hand interlocked in yours.

[delacyrose224]

A Sky Full of Stars

-Pairing: Dad!Jin x Mom!Reader

-Premise: Your daughter asks for a bedtime story, and Jin tells the story of how the two of you met...as a fairy tale.

-Genre: This is just straight up domestic fluff, y'all. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

-Word Count: 2.2k

-Warnings/tags: SFW, tooth-rotting fluff, reader is pregnant

-Author's Note: This is based on A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay...this type of domestic fluff is not usually my thing, but @hyungieyoongi is an enabler and too many ideas took hold that I needed to get out of my brain. Who even am I, writing a dad fic? Hope you enjoy!

“Lemonade, it’s time for bed!” Jin singsongs down the hallway. You smile to yourself in the kitchen as you hear the pitter-patter of tiny socked feet echo across the living room. You turn to see your five year old daughter, hiding behind the curtains, her toes peeking out and wiggling in excitement as she hears her dad coming down the hallway behind her.

“Now where can my daughter have gotten off to?” Jin stands in the middle of the living room, seemingly perplexed. He begins to look behind furniture, lifting couch cushions to call into the dust and crumbs that have fallen by the wayside, as if the five year old would suddenly appear. You hear her giggles again when he opens the coat closet.

Jin turns to you instead of towards the noise. “Excuse me, pretty lady...have you seen a small girl about this high-”, he motions just above his knee, “-dark brown hair, answers to the name of Lemonade?” He grins at you, just as the girl in question bursts out from hiding, flinging her arms around her dad’s knees in a giant hug. He quickly scoops her up in his arms amongst a flurry of giggles from both you and her.

“Daddy, that’s not my name!” She laughs, smacking Jin’s chest with her small hand.

“What’s not your name?” He responds, pretending to be clueless.

“Lemonade...it’s Adelaide, Daddy.” She rolls her eyes at him.

Jin chuckles. “Well, you could’ve fooled me...I thought you were named Lemonade because you’re so sweet.” He smacks his lips against her cheek in a wet kiss and puts her back down on the ground.

“Can you tell me a story before bed, please?” She tugs on the hem of his shirt as politely as she can manage, though you can tell by the look in her eyes she’s desperate for your husband to say yes.

“Since you asked so nicely, I’d be happy to...Adelaide.” She grins widely and runs off to go brush her teeth and change into her pjs.

As she leaves the room, you turn back to the dishes you were cleaning from dinner. It’s not long before you feel Jin’s hands on your waist as he peers over you at the dishes you’re working on, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Hi, you.” he mumbles into the crook of your neck, rubbing his hands soothingly up and down your sides.

“Hi yourself, handsome.” You smile as you twist your head to give him a peck on the cheek.

“You need any help? I’m sure you’ve been on your feet all day...I’m happy to give you a massage later after Lemonade goes to bed.”

You let out a small laugh at his nickname for your daughter.

“I would love that...but when are you gonna stop calling Adelaide that?” You shake your head.

“Oh, never...it’s too funny, and you know she secretly loves it. You do too, I think.” You look up to see him smirking at you.

“You know, whenever we have another kid, I’m going to give it the weirdest nickname ever, no matter what you name them!” You threaten, turning around to face him once you set the last cup out to dry. Jin raises an eyebrow at you.

“...whenever? I think it’s a little too late for that one, love.” You can see a mix of mirth and warmth in his eyes as his hands slide from your waist over your stomach, which in the last week or so has started to show signs of a bump, much earlier than in your pregnancy with Adelaide.

“You know what I mean, Seokjin!” You glare at him, even as you bring your hands over his.

“You can call them Tteokbokki for all I care, I still get to name them. Both, if my hunch is right and you’re having twins,” he caresses your stomach as he leans forward and kisses your forehead softly.

Before you can reply, Adelaide is shouting for Jin from her bedroom, impatiently awaiting her bedtime story.

“You coming to storytime, Mama?” He asks, clearly hoping you’ll say yes.

“I’ll be there in a minute, just let me go change into something more comfy,” you reply, heading for your bedroom as Jin smiles as your retreating figure.

After throwing on a pair of sleep shorts with a ratty old hoodie of Jin’s, you head over to Adelaide’s room, where Jin is on his tippy toes, retrieving a book of fairy tales from the top shelf of Adelaide’s bookcase.

“Not that one, Daddy...you’ve read those like a hundred times!” She exasperatedly proclaims, arms crossed.

“Okay-”, he goes on tiptoe again to place the book back on the shelf, “-what kind of story do you want to hear, then?”

“A new one, that’s all!” She smiles as Jin sits down on the bed with her, burrowing under his arm for warmth.

“Hmm...okay, I think I have one you’ll like.” He smiles sideways over at you in the armchair across the room. Where he’s going with this, you’re not sure.

“Once upon a time, in a kingdom not too far from here, there was a beautiful princess. Her parents, the king and queen, wanted to make sure that she was married to a prince that was worthy of her. For you see, not only was she the most beautiful in the land, she was also very smart, and very funny. Not just any prince would do for her.” He looks over at you and smiles fondly. You smile in return, realizing he’s telling your daughter your story-how the two of you ended up together, thinly disguised as a fairy tale.

“One day, a prince from a faraway land arrived on a visit. The king and queen thought he would be an excellent match for their daughter, and so they arranged a meeting between the two of them. The princess got along with the prince, and they became friends quickly. The prince also introduced the princess to his court jester, who traveled alongside him for entertainment. The three soon became inseparable.” Your smile grows bigger the more the story goes on...you realize that the prince is Jungkook, and the jester is your husband.

“However, the princess didn’t show any interest in the prince other than friendship-”

“I think you forgot a part of the story, babe,” you interrupt before he can get much further. Adelaide looks across the room at you in wonder.

“What did he forget, Mama?” she whispers, clearly enthralled with the story. Jin raises his eyebrow at you, interested in what you have to say.

“The prince did ask the princess to go on a date with him, and it was very romantic,” you start. Jin’s eyes go wide, this information new to him. “He prepared a picnic for the two of them, and they went on a stroll through the neighboring town. The prince told the princess of all his foreign travels, and they talked for hours. When the night grew dark, he walked her home and kissed her goodnight.” Jin makes an indignant sound, quickly covering it up with a cough.

“Are you okay, Daddy?” Adelaide’s little hand pats his back as he continues to choke.

“I’m...fine, fine. Where was I in the story? Oh, yes. After this date-”, he makes pointed eye contact with you, letting you know he will be asking about details later, “-the prince was called to go on an important trip far away from the princess. The court jester had to go too, to make sure the prince never became too sad while he was away. The princess was sad that they had to leave, but they promised to come see her when they returned and said they would exchange letters while they were gone.”

“Did they come back? What happened?” Adelaide pipes up, wanting to know what happened next. You begin to speak again, picking up the story from Jin.

“The three kept their promises to each other. They all wrote to each other while they were separated, but a funny thing started to happen...the princess started to realize that she missed the court jester more than the prince. She missed the way he would make her laugh, how he would make fun of her for small, goofy things, and she missed his smile when she managed to make him laugh.”

Jin lets out a breathy laugh at this, the sound sending serotonin through you, and you can’t stop the smile that takes up what feels like your entire face.

“The jester felt the same way. He missed the princess’s laugh, her wit, her...everything.” Jin looks at you with such fondness, your face starts to heat and you have to look away.

“So what happened?! What about the prince?” Your daughter demands, and Jin pulls her in closer.

“When the two returned from their trip, the jester shared with the prince his feelings for the princess. The prince understood, and had begun to notice the jester’s feelings himself. He gave the two his blessing, and the jester and the princess shared their feelings with each other and kissed. They eventually got married, and they lived happily ever after.”

Jin smiles down at his daughter. “How’s that for a bedtime story?” She grins sleepily up at him.

“That was good, Daddy...the princess reminded me of Mama.” Jin leans down to press a kiss to Adelaide’s forehead as he tucks her in.

“Well, your Mama has always been a princess to me,” he smiles over at you as he straightens up and takes your hand as the two of you walk towards the door.

“Night, Mama. Night, Daddy.” Adelaide calls softly from her bed.

“Night, Adelaide.” “Night, Lemonade.”

As you pull the door closed gently, Jin pulls out his phone and begins to FaceTime Jungkook.

“Jin, what-” Before you can finish your sentence, Jungkook appears on the screen.

“Jin hyung, Noona, hi! What’s up?” Jungkook smiles brightly through the screen.

“Did you, or did you not, take my wife out on a date and kiss her?!” Jin whisper yells through the phone, careful not to disturb your daughter.

Jungkook’s face scrunches in confusion. “What? Hyung, she’s your wife, that doesn’t even make sense-”

“Before we started dating, did you take her on a date and kiss her?!” Jin repeats.

Realization dawns on Jungkook’s face, and he starts to laugh. You can’t help it, you join in as well.

“Yeah, we did. It was a nice date, if I remember right, Noona? I made us a picnic and we talked a lot. And yeah, I did kiss her.” Jungkook smirks at the memory.

“And you just neglected to tell me this, all these years? What am I to you, nothing?” Jin is incredulous at Jungkook’s nonchalance.

“It wasn’t that important, hyung. It became very apparent soon after that that she was swooning over you, not me. Can’t see why with all the dad jokes, but to each their own. Speaking of dad jokes, how’s Addie doing?”

You chime in before Jin has a chance to respond. “You can see for yourself, I’m sure she’d be happy to see Uncle Kookie for a sec.” You push Adelaide’s door open again, calling her name softly to see if she’s still awake.

“Yeah, Mama? What is it?” She sits up in bed slowly as you turn on the lamp on her bedside table.

“Someone wants to say hi to you,” you smile as you turn Jin’s phone around to face her.

Adelaide’s face breaks out in a smile when she sees Jungkook, as well as her cheeks turning slightly pink. You’re pretty sure that she might have a tiny little crush on her Uncle Kookie...and who could blame her? You used to think he was cute too, once upon a time-before a certain jester stole your heart.

Speaking of the jester, he has sat himself down in the armchair across the room, a slight pout on his face. As Adelaide hangs up the call with Jungkook, he speaks.

“Aigoo, what have I done to deserve this? The women in my life all love Uncle Kookie more than they love me,” his pout becomes more prominent as he talks.

“No, Daddy!” Adelaide pipes up from the bed. “It’s like in that song you always sing to me and Mama about all the stars...Uncle Kookie’s great, but in all the stars, we see you.”

You both look over at your daughter, recognizing the song she’s referring to as A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay. Jin had begun absentmindedly singing that to her as a baby as a sort of lullaby, and it had stuck. He now sang it almost every day to the two of you in some form or fashion.

“We see you. Forever.” Your daughter adds emphasis, trying to convey how much she loves her father.

Jin walks over to her, the partial darkness hiding the mistiness in his eyes from Adelaide.

“And I see you forever, Lemonade. I love you so much, and your Mama so much, never forget that. Ever.” She laughs and nods in agreement, before burrowing down in her covers again.

You turn off her lamp, and the two of you walk out to the hallway, closing your daughter’s door for the second time that night. You turn to your husband.

“You know, we do see you forever. Me, Lemonade, and Tteokbokki.” You laugh while gazing into his eyes, placing his hands on your bump again.

He leans forward to place a gentle yet firm kiss on your mouth.

“I know.”

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

Taglist: @alpacaparkaseok @hyungieyoongi @derinxfam

Check out my other stories here!

If you'd like to be added to the taglist, let me know! Feedback and song requests also accepted. :)

[addictedtomanga]

Classic shoujo mangas

1.       Skip Beat – ongoing

Sixteen-year-old Kyouko Mogami followed her childhood friend and love interest Shoutarou "Shou" Fuwa to Tokyo to support him while he works toward his dream of becoming a top idol in the entertainment industry. But after finding out that Shou considers her as little more than a mere housekeeper, she swears to enact revenge by entering the entertainment industry herself and beating him at his own game!

However, Kyouko's revenge plan suffers a setback almost immediately when she is rejected by the talent agency of her choice. Fortunately, the president of the agency gives her a second chance, and places her in the newly made "Love Me" section. Kyouko then begins her long journey to stardom, cultivating her skills as an actress and forming relationships with new friends along the way.

! I always loved this one, but it has really REALLY slow-pacing, and its ongoing, so if you haven’t started it yet, I’d wait ‘til it’s done.

2.       Ouran High School Host Club

At Ouran High School, an academy where only the children of the rich and powerful attend, there exists a club consisting of the most elite of the student body: the legendary Host Club. Within the club's room, six beautiful, bored boys spend their time entertaining equally beautiful and bored girls.

Haruhi Fujioka, a poor scholarship student, has no interest in the Host Club—until she breaks a valuable vase in their clubroom. After being mistaken for a boy, Haruhi is forced by Kyouya Ootori to work for the Host Club to repay her debt. Tamaki Suou, the princely leader of the club, eagerly takes her under his wing to teach her the ways of the host. Things, however, are never quite so simple with the Host Club around. Even the most mundane events can turn into huge spectacles with the likes of prankster twins Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin, stoic Takashi Morinozuka, and sweet Mitsukuni "Hunny" Haninozuka. The crazy adventures of the Host Club are just beginning, and Haruhi must learn how to survive in the glitzy world of the hosts.

3.       Kimi ni Todoke

Kuronuma Sawako is completely misunderstood by her classmates. Her timid and sweet demeanor is often mistaken for malicious behavior. This is due to her resemblance to the ghost girl from "The Ring," which has led her peers to give her the nickname Sadako. Longing to make friends and live a normal life, she is naturally drawn to Kazehaya Shouta, the most popular guy in class, whose "100% refreshing" personality earns him great admiration from Sawako. So when Kazehaya starts talking to her, maybe there is hope for the friendships Sawako has always longed for. Maybe...there is even a little hope for some romance in her future.

! A bit too long in my opinion, but its sweet.

4.       Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

It's a gorgeous, spacious mansion, and four handsome, fifteen-year-old friends are allowed to live in it for free! There's only one condition—that within three years the guys must transform the owner's wallflower niece into a lady befitting the palace in which they all live! How hard can it be?

Enter Sunako Nakahara, the agoraphobic, horror-movie-loving, pockmark-faced, frizzy-haired, fashion-illiterate recluse who tends to break into explosive nosebleeds whenever she sees anyone attractive. This project is going to take more than our four heroes ever expected: it needs a miracle!

! This is super frustrating. I loved everything, except for the ending. Honestly, I don’t recommend reading it with great expectations, just enjoy the story. 

5.       Dengeki Daisy

Teru Kurebayashi is left all alone in the world after the death of her brother, Souichirou. Well, all alone except for "Daisy," someone that she can always talk to and who never hesitates to cheer her up. However, Teru has never met Daisy, she has no idea what he looks like, and her only means of contacting him is through a cell phone that her brother left for her.

In stark contrast to the kind words and encouragement Teru receives from Daisy, she gets nothing but grief from the rude school janitor, Tasuku Kurosaki, who forced Teru to work for him after she accidentally broke a window. But while Kurosaki seems like a lazy good-for-nothing who only enjoys making her miserable, is there more to him than meets the eye?

6.       Kaichou wa Maid-sama

Seika High School was an all-boys school, but it has since turned co-ed. Misaki Ayuzawa is the first female student council president of the school, eventually earning the nickname of the "Demon President" due to her mastery of Aikido and imposed iron rule.

However, Misaki harbors an embarrassing secret—she has to work at a maid café to support her family. If anybody from her school was to find out, her reputation would be utterly destroyed. And after Takumi Usui—the most popular boy at school—discovers her secret, that might just happen.

7.       Special A

Have you ever known someone who was better than you at everything you did? Hikari does. She's known Kei since they were both six years old and he's surpassed her at everything. Now they are the top two students in an extremely prestigious high school, with Kei holding firmly to that number one position, and Hikari is still determined to beat him, no matter what it takes.

8.       Black Bird

Misao Harada has been able to see demons since she was a child and has vague memories of a boy who protected her from these troublesome creatures, vowing to come back for her someday. Now in high school, Misao wishes she could be normal and have a boyfriend. As she returns home one day, she notices a gorgeous stranger has moved in next door. To her surprise, he introduces himself as Kyou, her long-lost childhood friend and first love.

The next day, on her 16th birthday, Misao is suddenly wounded by a classmate. Exposed as a demon, he plans to eat her in order to gain eternal youth. When all hope seems lost, Kyou saves her, revealing himself as the leader of a Tengu clan. Since making Misao his bride will bring prosperity to his clan, he offers her a choice: sleep with him and become his bride, or endure more attacks from other demons drawn to the power of her blood.

! A bit dramatic to my taste, but overall I really liked it

9.     Last Game

Nothing is beyond Naoto Yanagi, heir to the Yanagi business conglomerate. Idolized for his athletic and intellectual competence, looks and wealth, Naoto lived like a king during his elementary school days—then entered Mikoto Kujou, a plain, gloomy-looking transfer student.

Due to her low financial status, Naoto was initially apathetic towards Mikoto. But despite having just arrived at his school, she completely eclipsed him in everything by consistently scoring top marks in exams and placing first in athletic events. After a brief confrontation with her that left him shocked, Naoto vowed to outdo her no matter the cost.

Ten years later, they are now students attending the same college. Having failed to defeat Mikoto throughout middle and high school, Naoto decides they will have one last game: if he can make Mikoto fall in love with him and then break her heart, it will be his victory. However, he finds himself falling in love with her instead...

! One of my favorites! 

I love this one, but beware, its slow-paced

[mobagehelllocal]

“the tale as old as time”

The dorm leaders’ reaction to Beauty and the Beast.

-- from @shayclov391

A/N: It was mentioned on this blog a few... weeks ago? How Ai (i, heh geddit) lived under a rock because I haven’t seen Hamilton, Coco and Nightmare Before Christmas. So @shayclov391 (who had originally requested for Hamilton and Coco) asked me for Beauty and the Beast instead. Luckily, I HAVE WATCHED BEAUTY AND THE BEAST! It’s my sister’s favourite Disney Princess movie so... I watched it. A lot. 

So how I did this... I sort of picked the parts of the movie where a certain character would react the ‘most’--if that makes sense. So this isn’t arranged how I normally arrange it. ALSO! This interchanges between the animated and live action version. Why? You’ll see! 

Please enjoy!

-

You were lucky that you somehow managed to have your phone from your world with you. You couldn’t communicate with the people from your world, nor did you have your world’s internet connection--but at least you had all the stuff already downloaded on your phone... Including a bunch of movies from your world. After hearing you out, Crowley took you to Idia who managed to transfer most of the data on your phone into a new one made in Twisted Wonderland.

Thanks to that, you often watched and, or rewatched some movies from your home world. 

You also decided that watching a couple of movies from your world, with your boy wouldn’t hurt... right? 

You had easily convinced Leona to relax with you and watch a movie from your home. He was never the type to say no to lazing around after all--and when you had proposed this for a date, he agreed pretty easily. 

You had hooked your phone up to the television in Leona’s bedroom. When you turned around to look at your boyfriend, Leona had pushed all the pillows up against the headboard and leant against it. He blinked slowly at you, and raised his arms. You giggled lightly, before you slipped onto the bed, and rested your head against his chest. He wrapped one arm around your waist as the opening dialogue of the movie began. 

You peered up at Leona as the narrator told the story of the selfish prince. He glanced down at you as it talked about how the prince turned into a beast.

“Were you trying to say something by choosing this movie?” he said dryly. 

“Actually, no. I just really like this movie. Grew up with it.” you said, chin on his chest.

“Huh.” he rubbed aimless circles on your back with his thumb as his gaze shifted back to the screen. You pressed your cheek against his chest, and turned your gaze to the movie too. 

As the opening transitioned to the song ‘Belle,’ you felt Leona’s tail twitch around your hips. 

“Bonjour~”

“This is... the language that Hunt uses.” You could feel Leona growl, and you--amused--moved your hand to pat his toned stomach (you mentally cursed him too--I mean, how could he have such a nice body, but laze around most of the time?). 

“There, there.” you soothed, amused. Leona grunted in response. 

“So they think she’s weird because she reads?” He asked, and you nodded your head. “Well that’s stupid.” he grumbled under his breath and you giggled lightly. 

However, when a certain hunter was introduced, you quickly turned your head to gauge Leona’s expression. 

“She’s the one! The lucky girl I’m going to marry.” 

His expression turned from curious to serious. His brows furrowed slightly as he seemed to give a little more attention to the movie. 

“She’s the most beautiful girl in town. That makes her the best--and don’t I deserve the best?” 

Leona scowled. 

“I don’t like him.” 

“Uhuh.” you said, your lips quirked up in an amused smile. Leona’s ears twitched backwards, and his tail was thumping in the way it normally did when he was irritated. 

When Belle made a disgusted expression at Gaston appearing at her door, Leona looked pleased--you could tell by the way his brows smoothened--and his ears perked up. His eyes narrowed again however--with the way Gaston kept moving to cage Belle. 

“I’m very sorry Gaston... but... but... I just don’t deserve you.”

“She’s smart.” Leona smirked as Gaston was thrown out of the house and into mud. 

“That’s why she’s my favourite.” you mumbled. 

“Me, the wife of that boorish, brainless... 

Madame Gaston, can't you just see it? 

Madame Gaston, his little wife, ugh!” 

Leona snickered at the song, and you laughed too. You always enjoyed ‘Belle Reprise’--especially with the way Belle exaggerated her eye roll and sarcasm. 

You turned back to Leona.

“How is it so far?” 

“I like Belle.” Leona nodded, “she’s not the same type of strong that Afterglow Savanna has--but her wit is one type of strength.” but then he added--

“Gaston... I’ll kill if he isn’t dead by the end of the movie.” 

“Leona!” you laughed. 

--

You and Azul decided to snuggle up and watch a movie. Azul offered to put on one of the movies from Twisted Wonderland, but you told him Idia finally finished with your phone.

“We could watch something from my world.” There was a spark of interest on Azul’s expression, and he easily agreed. 

Azul had seemed to be enjoying the movie so far. Originally, he was interested because it was a movie from your world--however he began to enjoy it in gusto when the musical number at the beginning happened. 

“Are there more songs?” He asked you, his tone eager. 

“Yup.” 

Azul looked back at the screen, with a glitter of fascination in his eyes. He expressed a little of his disgust at Gaston’s actions, but went silent again as the movie went on.

“Gosh it disturbs me to see you Gaston... 

looking so down in the dumps!” 

You turned to look at Azul, who had a difficult expression on his face as Le Fou started to sing. He whipped his head to look at you.

“That irritating human... has a song about him?” 

“That’s not the worse part.”

“Holy carp is he going to sing?” 

“As a specimen, yes I’m intimidating!~” 

Azul immediately recoiled into the couch as Gaston began to start singing.

“He’s singing.” Azul exhaled, and looked at you with the cutest confused expression--ever. “Why am I watching this abomination, sing?”  

“Well... his vocals are pretty good...” You said, with an amused smile. 

“No way. His voice isn’t that good. It’s disgusting.” Azul looked insulted, “I can’t believe I think there’s someone whose singing is more irritating than Rielle’s.” 

“Who?” you asked, amused. The name seemed familiar but you couldn’t put a finger to it. Azul waved his hands dismissively as he focused on the film again.

“I’m exceptionally good at expectorating!~” 

“He is sickening.” Azul had a disgusted look on his face. “No wonder the girl refuses to marry him.” 

When the song finally finished, Azul paused the movie, and you looked at him with an arched bow. 

“Tell me he dies. Please.” 

“... I refuse to say anything.” you snorted into your palm--way more amused. It was absolutely refreshing to see someone’s first time watching Beauty and the Beast. Who would’ve thought you’d experience it? 

“He’s a bully.” Azul’s lips curled downward. “I also feel pretty bad for Le Fou.” 

“You do? You like him?” 

“Well, not really. But I also don’t hate him. I think he should meet better people.” Azul sniffed haughtily, and you giggled. You figured Azul might actually enjoy the live action because it tried to give depth to Le Fou. (Tried being the keyword. Whether or not it was successful, normally depended on the person watching it.)

“Tell me at least if he’s going to sing again.”

“He won’t. I think the next song is actually pretty fun.” 

“Oh thank the Sea Witch.” Azul exhaled, as he slumped back to your side, before he suddenly had a thoughtful expression and turned to you.

“Is it just me, or does Professor Vargas resemble him?”

You immediately choked on your spit and starting coughing. You could your eyes well up as you begin to laugh.

“Hey! Are you okay?” Azul yelped.

‘Don’t... tell him... I shouldn’t... say anything.’ you squealed to yourself as you hunched over. 

--

It had been pretty easy to ask Kalim to spend the evening just watching a movie from your world. 

And as expected of Kalim, he quickly got super invested in the story of Belle. He would frown when Gaston would appear on screen, but he especially seemed to enjoy Maurice’s personality. He looked uneasy at the sight of the Beast but other than that... He would happily dance in his seat during the musical numbers--he was so precious when he did that, that you found yourself watching him instead of the movie.

In fairness, it was very fun to watch the first time reaction of someone who hadn’t seem Beauty and the Beast. 

"The Dining Room proudly presents... your dinner!” 

You remembered how amazing it was to see ‘Be Our Guest’ when you were a little kid. The concept of moving dining ware had been so fascinating and hilarious at the same time, that you were slack jawed for most of it--and laughing the other half.

When you tuned to look at Kalim, you can’t help but remember the first time you watched Beauty and the Beast too. 

Kalim was slack jawed, his eyes were wide and sparkling happily as watched the animated dining ware began to dance around. 

“Try the gray stuff it’s delicious~ 

Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes!” 

Kalim laughed boisterously at that.

“The dinner here is never second best!” 

“Since Jamil isn’t here, I have to defend his honor. I’m pretty sure Jamil cooks better!” Kalim told you, with a wide grin. You laughed at that, you’re sure Jamil would definitely love hearing that. 

When Lumiere would begin messing around with Cogsworth, Kalim turned to you with a shine in his eyes.

“I think Lumiere is my favourite character.” 

“I can see why.” you said, with a grin, as your boyfriend turned back to the television and kept watching the musical. 

“If you’re stressed, 

it’s fine dining we suggest!”

“Lumiere is definitely right! A sure way to cheer up someone is to have a banquet!” Kalim cheered, his smile wide. As he turned back to the television, he began a running commentary on what he thought--about each of the named dining ware. 

“Wait... they used salt for snow? Hahah! That’s so unique!”

“You know... Cogsworth is actually pretty funny!” 

“Mrs. Potts is cute! You look gorgeous Mrs. Potts!”

“So is Chip! I would be friends with Chip. I would protect Chip with my life.”

You couldn’t help the smile that spread on your face as you see the way that Kalim was just enjoying himself.

You were glad you suggested this movie first. 

“I wonder if Jamil could get dishes to move around like that during the next banquet.” Kalim wondered out loud with glowing eyes. 

You immediately winced, and apologized mentally to the Vice Dorm Leader. 

You had told him to take a break, and that he could leave Kalim to you... but you could just imagine Jamil’s reaction when Kalim would ask him to make the dining ware dance around with him.

‘Okay... so maybe I shouldn’t have done Beauty and the Beast?’ you thought. 

‘Whoops...?’ 

--

"So this movie has two versions. One is animated, and the other is live action. Since you wanted a film with some fashion--I thought looking at the live action one would be better.” You explained when you had plugged your phone into the television in Vil’s room. “It’s a fantasy story, so the clothes reflect some historical fashion--but they’re not exactly accurate.”

“Naturally.” Vil nodded, his legs crossed, and a glass of freshly squeezed juice in hand. “Let’s see it.” 

Majority of the film was Vil just watching, and criticizing some of the fashion choices used. 

“The Prince is hideous. Why is he wearing that type of make up?”

“Is that painting how he normally looks? He actually looks fine. He ruined it with the use of make up.” 

“Oh, the girl is quite pretty. Is this the same actress from the other movie we watched together?” 

“So they made her be the only one dressed in that shade of blue? That’s nice little attention to detail.” 

“Red is such a basic color for the bad guy but... go off I guess.” 

“Gaston is hideous.” 

“Those three girls are hideous too. Why are they dressed like that--nothing is flattered properly.” 

“Oh those roses are beautiful. I’ll give them that.” 

“The Beast is hideous.” 

“Gaston is hideous.” 

You sweat dropped as Vil kept making these type of side comments about the film, while gently swirling his cup of juice like it was a glass of wine. 

As the plot thickened, Vil did get slowly caught up in the story. 

“You’re making everything look so beautiful, we should have a dance tonight.” 

You could see the interest in Vil’s eyes grow as the plot moves into one of your favourite scenes--the dance. When the animated objects began to put make up on him, Vil’s eyes twitched. 

“Why are they doing that? He clearly has fur? Make up won’t help him.” 

“Oh my god, Vil.”

“I’m only telling the truth.” Vil huffed, before he concentrated again. 

When the gold floated from the ceiling, and moved to decorate Belle’s dress, Vil made an appreciative noise. 

“The detailing is quite nice.... the tiers of the skirt are very pretty too.” 

“I think I saw an interview, and they talked about how they wanted the dress to dance beautifully.” 

“Well, I’ll be the judge of that.” Vil’s lips curled up. 

When the ballroom comes into view, Vil hummed. 

“Now that is a ballroom.” He looked at you thoughtfully. “Do you have balls back at home?” 

“Nope. I’d love to go to one though.” Vil tilted his head, eyeing you up and down. “I think I can bring you to one.”

“Really?” the excitement on your face made your lover laugh.

“Of course sweet potato. Everyone should experience a grand ball once.”  

“Tale as old as time... 

true as it can be...” 

Once Belle was twisted--her skirt flowed, turned, and seemed to bloom again around her with every single step. Vil’s breath hitched, and you turned to him--to see his eyes were wide.

“Now that is beautiful.” he exhaled. “the way the skirt moves around her... Alright I want one.” You giggled in surprise and he looked at you seriously.

“Sweet potato, I’m going to make you a dress that will beat anything you dreamed off.” you blushed furiously in response.

“I’ll... look forward to it.” 

--

"Let’s watch this movie together!” you had told him with a bright smile.

Never able to resist you, Malleus immediately agreed. 

“I thought this was one of your favourite movies?” Malleus chuckled as you softly snored away on his shoulder. 

“Mal... I love this movie...” you slurred out in your sleep, and he smiled softly. 

“I’m sure you do.” he told your adorable sleeping face. Carefully, he moved your head to a pillow on the bed, and he stood to turn the television off. 

“It was an interesting film.” Malleus mused, but just as he reached forward to unplug your phone--

“I let her go.” 

His head snapped up and he saw that the Beast had decided to let Belle go back home to her father. 

As Belle got on a horse to rush back to the village the Beast began to sing as he gazed at the cursed rose. 

“I was the one who had it all... 

I was the master of my fate... 

I never needed anybody in my life...” 

Malleus tilted his head, to him these lyrics...

He could understand the Beast very well. 

“I close my eyes but she's still there... 

I let her steal into my melancholy heart...”

His eyes flickered briefly to your sleeping form. 

‘Another thing we share.’ Malleus acknowledged, ‘We both have someone who stole our hearts out of nowhere...’ 

“Now I know she'll never leave me... 

Even as she runs away... 

She will still torment me... 

Calm me, hurt me... 

Move me, come what may...”

He righted himself and moved to your side. He tucked your hair behind your ear--and you nuzzled unconsciously into Malleus’s familiar touch. His smile grew melancholic in response to that. 

“Now I know she'll never leave me...

 Even as she fades from view...

 She will still inspire me... 

Be a part of everything I do...”

“One day... you will leave me.” Malleus murmured softly. “As all mortals do...” 

“In the first place... I should’ve steeled my heart against you... but I am powerless to your light...” 

“Wasting in my lonely tower... 

Waiting by an open door...

I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in...” 

"Yet... when you leave me... I’ll spend the rest of eternity waiting for you again.” 

“And as the long, long nights begin... 

I'll think of all that might have been...”

‘Mortal... so painfully mortal.’

he mused.

‘Do you know what you dangle in front of me? The true impossibility of what we share together...’ 

“Waiting here for evermore...”

He doesn’t move for a long time, as he quietly watched you sleep, peaceful--unknowing of Malleus’s conflicting thoughts. 

--

Idia originally hadn’t been very interested in the film you were trying to show him. He kept getting distracted in the beginning, before he got hooked because the castle looked pretty cool to him.  

By the time Belle had gone back to the village to save her father, Idia had clutched a pillow tight to his chest as he watched in anticipation--about what was going to happen next.

“Show them the mirror! The mirror!”

“Show me the Beast!” 

“Yes!” Idia fist pumped into the air, “she’s giving them proof--” 

“The Beast has her under a spell!” 

“Wait, no!” Idia gasped, his hold on his pillow tightened. “Noooo! Lord damn it! Gaston shut up!” 

On your end you clutched a pillow to hide the lower half of your face--because you were desperately trying not to laugh. At some point you had straight up stopped watching the movie--and instead decided to watch Idia’s reactions instead. 

You never thought you’d meet anyone who had never watched Beauty and the Beast, and now you were seeing Idia’s very honest reactions to it.

You almost want to make him watch the original Star Wars trilogy too...

“He’s not a monster Gaston! You are!”

“Yes! Tell him! TELL HIM!” 

You inhaled sharply as you tried not to laugh. Idia was really into this. He leant forward as the ‘Mob Song’ started. 

“Kill the Beast!

Kill the Beast!” 

“Oh my Lord, yes!” Idia exhaled in relief as he saw the castle occupants push to keep the castle doors closed. 

“I know what to do.” 

“OML... What is Lumiere gonna do...” Idia chattered to himself. When he saw that they had decided to pretend to be inanimate Idia cheered.

“[Name]! This is so cool! They’re so cool! That’s so amazing--!” when Idia whirled to you, he paused because you had clutched your pillow to hide half of your face.

“Why... what are you doing?” 

“I am definitely engrossed in the film.” you lie through your teeth, as you struggled to hold back a laugh. Idia eyed you suspiciously, until his attention was caught by Mrs. Potts shouting.

“Grandmother? Attack!”

“You get them Mrs. Potts!” 

When Madame Garderobe proceeded to attack that one villager.

“Oh hell yes! Gg! You dead!” Idia cheered happily. 

Without Idia knowing, you were just... smiling while staring at how enthusiastic he was being while watching the movie. You began to think of other movies that you think Idia would enjoy. 

‘Note to self, see if I can get Idia to watch some more of the movies from back at home... maybe he’ll like Wreck it Ralph? Big Hero 6?’ 

‘Either way...’ your eyes flickered to your boyfriend as he gave the appropriate reactions at the right time for Beauty and the Beast. ‘I like seeing him relaxed enough to be emotive around me~’ 

--

“Fight back.” Riddle clenched his teeth and his hands as he stared at the depressed Beast. “You have to fight back.”

‘He’s surprisingly into this.’ you mused. 

“Did you honestly think she’d want someone like you, when she had someone like me?”

“Die Gaston.” Riddle hissed underneath his breath. 

“It’s over Beast! Belle is mine!”

“No she isn’t!” Riddle gritted his teeth, his knuckles white. When he sees that Beast finally fought back, and was winning--his shoulders slackened briefly. “No... don’t turn back on the enemy... Please...” 

“Belle... you came back.” 

“Is it over? Is it really over...?” Riddle frantically muttered underneath his breath, and you couldn’t help the smile that spread on your face at how adorable he was. 

That is until Gaston stabbed Beast in the back. Riddle’s face turned crimson in an instant.

“Coward!” he yelled at the television screen. When Gaston fell backwards to his death, Riddle angrily muttered underneath his breath how his death was too nice. 

As the scene focused on the injured Beast however, Riddle’s mutter fell away as he concentrated on the scene. 

“Of course I came back... I couldn’t let them... Oh... this is all my fault... if only I’d gotten here sooner.” 

You peered at Riddle as he stared, concentrated on the film, his eyes wide--wet and you were sure he was ready to start crying. 

“Maybe... Maybe it’s better... it’s better this way...”

 “Don’t talk like that. You’ll be alright. Everything’s going to be alright... You’ll see.”

“At least... I got to see you one last time.” 

Beast let out one last breathe-- 

Riddle started to sniffle.

“I’m not crying.” he choked out. “I’m not crying.” 

“You’re not crying.” you pretended to agree, but your lover was shaking as he saw the last petal of the rose fall to the table.

“Please don’t leave me...”

“I love you.” Belle whispered, softly, sadly--

Riddle was for sure crying now. 

To think he had originally scoffed, and said he wasn’t interested in a children’s movie...

You had convinced him after telling him how it was considered a classic and was your favourite film--regardless of age. 

When lights started shooting from the sky and surrounding Beast, Riddle looked up in awe with red eyes.

“Wait, did she make it? Did they make it?” he croaked out, he looked at you--and you gestured for him to watch. 

The Beast--Prince Adam--now transformed back, turned around to show his human face.

“Belle, it’s me.” 

Riddle watched with a bated breath as Belle drew closer and looked the man in his eyes. When a glitter of recognition passes through Belle’s eyes, Riddle exhaled in relief.

“It is you!” 

“Ah, they did it.” Riddle smiled, relieved as the the other characters changed back into humans and the castle returned to its former glory. When he turned his head towards you, you shot him a grin. 

“...”

“...”

“Okay... it’s not bad.”

“Not bad?” you teased lightly, and his cheeks flushed red again--except this time with embarrassment. 

“Okay fine--it was really good.” 

“Yay!” you hopped up onto your feet and shot him a grin. “I have a bunch more, wanna watch?” 

“...Sure.” Riddle said grudgingly, but when you beamed up at him--what he originally thought was a childish waste of time...

became a precious moment you could share together. 

--

[cupidhaos]

What is Love? (48/?)

pairing: lee seokmin x reader

word count: 3975

warnings: mentions of death, blood, killing

genre: historical au, royal au, friends to lovers, slight fluff, major angst

a/n: my god i really went all out for this chapter LMAO ok listen i know this is rly long and stuff but pls bare wit me its a whole love story fit into one chapter this is basically what they had to read in the book in the last part so ya LOL

tales of the lonely cupid:

the beginning and the end: an unforgivable act

[ set in the goryeo dynasty ]

“seokmin - please formally introduce yourself.”

after hearing this, nine year old seokmin grimaces. he looks at the girl in front of him with a slight look of disgust.

“she’s the princess?” he asks, not realizing how rude his comment was. the girl in front of him gasps and narrows her eyes into a glare back at the boy.

the older man standing next to seokmin looks down at him, smacking the back of his head. seokmin winces at the hit and whines, grabbing the back of his head in pain.

“behave. or else.”

seokmin pouts at the comment as he begrudgingly obliges. bending his head - he formally bows down to the girl in front of him “lee seokmin. i am the new guard in training.” he grumpily introduces. the girl just continues to glare at him though.

“how are you gonna be a guard? you’re just a kid”

he rises from his positions to glare back at her. “how are you gonna be a princess then?! you’re the same age as me!”

the two kids continue to glare at each other as the adults standing next to them just laugh. “y/n, that wasn’t polite was it? the general chose him for a reason. besides, maybe it’ll be good to have someone else around who’s your age - don't you think?” the king tells the younger girl.

y/n huffs in frustration as she crosses her arms across her chest. “no! what good will that be?! i bet he doesn’t even know how to fight!”

the annoyance in seokmin slowly rises at the comment. seokmin tightens his fists angrily at his sides as the man standing next to him chuckles underneath his breath. “i understand your concern princess, but i can assure you that seokmin will be a fine guard in no time. as the leader and general of the -”

“okay! okay! i get it!” y/n interrupts, covering both of her ears with her hands. she glares once more at seokmin, as well as the general, before letting out a frustrated noise. turning around, she beings making her way back towards the palace.

both of the older men look at each other before letting out a laugh. the general looks down at seokmin who glares intensely at y/n’s back. “for your first order, go and follow the princess”

a noise of disbelief leaves seokmin’s mouth as the general just looks back at him with a raised eyebrow. seokmin stares at him for a while before letting a defeated sigh - shortly running after the princess moments later.

“stop following me!”

“stop yelling!”

“well then stop following me!”

in all honesty, he didn’t even want to leave the palace in the first place. yet for some reason, y/n was very insistent on checking the vendors out today. the only way that she’d be able to leave was if a guard was with her, and the only guard that would even remotely agree was -

“seokmin, don’t you think this clip looks pretty on me?”

thirteen year old y/n asks the young guard. seokmin just shrugs in response though as he leans against the vendor’s post. “i don’t know, you look the same as always”

frowning at the comment, y/n removes the clip from her hair. after placing it back down into the original display, she turns towards the same-aged guard. “pay attention to me! do your job”

seokmin frowns at this comment as he meets her eyes. y/n just pouts at him at him and seokmin sighs.

“what do you think i’m doing, princess? i’m obviously standing guard - i don’t have time to play as your silly consultant.” he explains to her. “why did you even want to go out today in the first place? you have plenty of hair clips back at the palace.”

y/n blushes at this comment and turns back quickly towards the vendor’s display. she mumbles something underneath her breath which causes seokmin’s eyebrows to furrow together.

“what was that?”

“i SAID… prince jisoo will be visiting us soon and i wanted to look good”

the guard’s eyes widen at her words.

‘prince jisoo? prince jisoo?! why was she trying to look good for him!’

the feeling of jealousy rises inside of him and a look of disgusts covers his features as he watches the blush on y/n’s face spread. a small smile plays on her lips and seokmin just huffs.

“ha! and you think a clip will make you pretty?” he asks with a loudly obnoxious laugh. the smile on y/n’s face quickly vanishes and is replaced with a deathly glare as she looks towards him.

“you have no manners! you’re so rude! i want another guard!” y/n begins with a string of complaints as she hits his arm. seokmin rolls his eyes with a huff before standing up properly. she continues hitting him as well as the continuous line of insults as seokmin walks around her.

her eyes are are shut as she angrily hits his back, but is stopped once she feels something clip onto her hair. her eyes immediately stares into seokmin’s once she opens them. a light blush covers seokmin’s cheeks as he brings his hand down from her hair.

“wear the sunflower clip - it suits you the best.” he explains, quickly diverting his eyes away from hers. y/n slowly reaches up to gently touch the clip - the blush on her face creeping up slowly.

“well we got your clip - lets go back already.” seokmin huffs, walking past her as he begins his path back towards the palace. y/n shakes herself out of her thoughts before quickly paying and thanking the vendor. she scrambles to catch up with seokmin who just continues to walk ahead of her.

y/n looks at him with a smile and he doesn’t even dare to turn his head. “what is it?” he asks after a couple moments, a hint of embarrassment in his wavering tone.

“did you pick this because you think it looks pretty on me?” she lightly teases.

seokmin scoffs at the question despite his ears visibly turning red “yeah right! i picked it because yellow is bright and irritating to look at just like you!” he huffs. the death glare that was on y/n’s face earlier appears as she glares at the young boy.

“whatever! … but do you really think prince jisoo will like it though?”

“well maybe if he’s into ugly girls!”

“take that back!”

“seokmin, did you hear? we’re getting two new guards today.” sixteen year old y/n asks the guard in a hushed town as she trails behind him. seokmin just nods as he continues to walk across the courtyard with a straight face “of course i did - why wouldn’t i?”

y/n’s lips turn into a pout as she continued to follow him despite his passive demeanor “why didn’t you tell me then? i had to find out from the general you know”

seokmin just shrugs as he just walks towards the training field “i didn’t realize you wanted to know so badly since you’ve been so busy trying to win over prince wonwoo” he comments grumpily.

“seokmin!” y/n hisses out in embarrassment. seokmin just ignores her though as he watches the other guards train the two newest recruits. y/n grabs onto his sleeve, trying to gain his attention as he continues to watch over the field.

“lee chan! vernon chwe! come here.” he calls out. two young boys look up from where they were training before scrambling over towards seokmin. y/n stands slightly behind seokmin as she grabs onto his arm, peering over curiously at the two unfamiliar faces. the young guards in training bow curtly to them as they introduce themselves.

“hello! good afternoon your majesty! i am lee chan! i am currently the youngest and one of the news guards in training! i will do my best to protect you your highest majesty!” the younger of the two, lee chan, greets. y/n gives him a sheepish smile at his introduction “you don’t have to call me majesty or anything like that… y/n is fine... really…”

chan looks up at her with an incredulous look on his face as if she just threatened him. he shakes his head at the comment “i could never say something so disrespectful!”

y/n was about to say something else before the other boy next to chan begins to speak “i am vernon chwe. i’ll do my best and i look forward to working alongside with you princess y/n.”

as the two boys stand back up, y/n takes a good look at their faces. the expression on chan’s face was filled with determination while vernon’s face was stoic and serious. opening up her mouth to make a comment, it was now seokmin’s turn to cut her off.

“y/n. these are the two newest guards. see, now you’ve met them. you two are dismissed.” seokmin explains as he waves the two of them off. they nod curtly at the pair before running back towards the training field.

“i wasn’t done talking” y/n scowls which cause seokmin to shrug in response.

“they’re busy boys. besides - i bet you just wanted to stare at their faces a bit longer”

the comment causes y/n to lightly hit seokmin’s arm, making the taller boy laugh at her. her face turns red, and seokmin wasn’t quite sure if it was out of frustration or embarrassment. its silent between the two of them as they continued to watch the other guards in training. y/n was the first one to break the silence.

“how did the two of them end up becoming guards?” y/n asks curiously as she looks at seokmin for an answer he turns his head at the question with a quirked up eyebrow. he then turns back towards the field with a bittersweet smile on his face.

“i mean it wasn’t like the two of them had a choice really. from what i heard their parents had died from an attack from another kingdom and they had ended up becoming orphans. it’s not that uncommon really, nearly all of the guards are put in a training class to see who’d survive before becoming part of the royal guard. it looks as if these are the two that passed this year.”

a grim expression falls on y/n’s face as seokmin explains what the guards had to go through. a shocked look fills her face though as another thought popped into her head.

“seokmin - does that mean that you had to go through that also?” she asks, her tone filled with worry and concern. seokmin just smiles at her though as he shakes his head “no - my situation was a lot different. the general took me in personally since he had known my parents.”

y/n’s shoulders relax once seokmin had explained his situation. annoyance filled her up quickly though once seokmin had decided to open his mouth again.

“why? were you worried about me princess?”

seokmin laughs as he then turns to walk away from her. he continues laughing at the thought even once he had made it to the corridor. it was shortly cut off though once he felt a hand grab onto his sleeve. y/n turns him around which causes to back himself up against the wall in shock.

“of course i worry about you! i care about you! i love you! do you think that i don’t?” she asks him, disbelief laced in her tone. seokmin stares down at y/n with wide eyes, surprised at the sudden question. his expression softened though as he reached up to lightly pat her head.

“i didn’t mean it like that y/n - i apologize if you thought i did. i care a lot about you also” he tells her, which seemed to calm the young girl down.

“i bet you that i love you more than you love me”

“ha! yeah right! it’s my job to protect you y/n. theres absolutely no way you could ever prove that.”

“- and in order to keep peace between the western and the eastern nation, i propose to arrange a marriage between prince mingyu and princess y/n.”

eighteen year old y/n’s eyes widen as she holds back a gasp once she heard what the royal advisor of the eastern kingdom had suggested. her hand covered her mouth in shock as she listened in on their meeting, standing outside of the room that they were in.

she knew that something was off when the eastern kingdom had decided to visit suddenly. they’ve never been on good terms with their nation and had been constantly at war with each other. she had never quite gotten along on terms with prince mingyu in the first place, so to hear that she may have to marry him was something that was just not possible. especially since her heart already belonged with somebody else.

“i think that may be a great proposal.”

the princess couldn’t believe what she was hearing - her father out of all people, had agreed to marry her off to someone that she didn’t even really like. turning towards the door, she nearly interrupted their meeting - but was stopped when she felt a hand cover her mouth while another grabbed onto her wrist.

“i told you not to come here” a familiar voice whispered in her ear. y/n’s breath hitched and she felt her heart begin to race. seokmin turns her around, hand still covering her mouth as he stares at her with a serious look in his eyes. y/n’s eyes widened as seokmin leaned in close so she could hear him.

“you know, i won’t be there to help you out each time you get into trouble. they’re having a serious meeting that decides the fate of two nations right now - so i suggest that we take this conversation someplace else, okay?” he asks, to which y/n obediently nods in return. the two quickly leave the area without a sound.

“an arranged marriage, huh?” was all seokmin could come up with. y/n stares at him expectantly as she waits for his reaction. “yeah… what do you think?”

seokmin just raises an eyebrow at her and shrugs his shoulders. in all honesty he wasn’t sure what to think, he knew that there was never a chance that he would be the one to be with her - but he didn’t expect for it to come so soon.

“i mean, if it’s what will bring both the nations peace then -” “what! that’s it?!” y/n explodes, an upset look on her face as she stands up quickly to look at the royal guard. seokmin’s eyes widen at her sudden action as he places his hands up in defense “calm down! why are you so upset!”

y/n gives him a look of disbelief at the question “why aren’t you! so you’re just fine with me marrying prince mingyu then?!”

seokmin’s eyebrows furrow together angrily as it’s his turn to stand up. he grabs onto both of y/n’s arms as he looks right at her.

“of course i’m not fine with it! why would i be okay with seeing the woman i love marry somebody else!” seokmin exclaims, his words not sinking in until after he said it. y/n looks up at him with a shocked expression as seokmin was able to feel his heart stop.

“i - just forget that i said anything.” he lets go of her as he quickly turns around to leave. y/n snaps out of her shocked trance though once she realizes what was happening.

“seokmin wait” y/n calls out. she quickly runs towards him as she wraps her arms around his waist, desperately trying to stop him from leaving. “please - don’t go”

seokmin freezes from where he stood, his hand about to grab the door. he wasn’t able to comprehend what was happening.

“y/n -”

“i’m not going to marry mingyu. i won’t - i refuse to marry him! so please seokmin, don’t go.”

he couldn’t move for a while as he listened to her words. after a few moments, all he was able to muster up was an airy laugh. grabbing her hands from around his waist, he turns around to look at her. y/n looks back up at him with eyes filled with distressed. he wraps his arms around her as he pulled her into a warm embrace.

“okay, i won’t go. i’ll never leave your side.”

happiness always comes at a price.

after refusing to marry prince mingyu, the eastern kingdom became filled with rage. their attacks against the western nation had become more violent than ever. this behavior had lead to the eastern kingdom ambushing the palace.

“look out for one another. make sure no one from the eastern kingdom enters the main hall.” seokmin, the nineteen year old commander had ordered to the other guards as they head out towards the courtyard where eastern kingdom soldiers lined up.

at the forefront of it all, was the eastern kingdom’s royal advisor, han sung soo, who was placed next to prince mingyu who had a stern look on his face.

seokmin glares right back at them as the royal guards lined up protectively in front of the main hall of the palace. “leave now. you have no reason being here.”

“i’ve come to speak to the princess. where is she.”

the frown on seokmin’s face deepens at the comment that the prince had made. vernon steps up in front of seokmin as he raises his sword protectively. “he said to leave now.”

the eastern kingdom’s royal advisor just rolls his eyes as he signals one of the guards to attack. vernon had no time to process the attack against him as he was shoved out of the way. seokmin quickly draws out his sword as he protects vernon from getting hit. soon enough, both the eastern and the western soldiers are engaged in a battle.

unbeknownst to seokmin, the guard in front of him was merely just a ploy to distract him, and the real threat was creeping up behind him. he heard vernon call out to him, but by the time he had turned around - mingyu was already there.

as he was prepared to fully risk his life to protect the person he loved and cared for the most, something that seokmin wasn’t expecting had happened.

seokmin’s eyes widened along with mingyu’s as they both looked at y/n in shock. her back was turned to seokmin as he saw the sword pierce through y/n’s chest. mingyu quickly draws the sword out of her in shock and y/n’s body quickly fell to the ground.

seokmin quickly makes his way over to y/n, tears spilling out of his eyes as he holds her close to him. he presses his hand onto the wound to stop the bleeding, yet the blood continued to spill out no matter how hard he tried.

“you idiot! what are you doing out here! i told you to stay inside! it’s supposed to be my job to protect you!” seokmin yells out in frustration. y/n just shakes her head at him though as she grabs ahold onto his hand.

“i told you - i loved you more” y/n teases with a light laugh, her eyes slowly opening and closing. so many thoughts ran through seokmin’s mind as he held her close to him, trying his best to keep her alive.

he wasn’t able to do his job, he couldn’t protect her - in the end it was him who got her killed.

“don’t forget me - that’s my only wish. who knows, maybe you’ll find your way back to me in the next life.” was the last thing that he heard her say, he felt her place something in his hand as the tears continued to stream down his face.

the last thing he had saw before he was striked by the royal advisor’s sword - was a sunflower hair clip.

seokmin opens his eyes groggily before he sits up. after a few moments, he then recalled back his memories. from the eastern kingdom attacking, to holding the love of his life while they died in his arms from trying to protect him.

looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings, he wasn’t sure where exactly he was.

“so, you’ve finally woken up?”

quickly turning around, he finds a woman pouring tea into a cup. she was kneeling in front of a small table as she wore a long red robe as she asked the question. seokmin just scoffs at her as he goes to get up and leave.

“i wouldn’t do that if i were you. i mean - you’re technically dead.” she comments. seokmin stops in his tracks once he hears those words “... what?”

the mysterious woman just nods as she places the kettle down onto the tray. “right now, you’re in the space between the living and the dead. you’re well on your way into being reincarnated once you step through those doors.”

“why am i here? what do you want from me?” seokmin interrogates and the woman just tsks at him, gesturing for him to sit down to which he hesitantly complies.

“that girl’s dying wish. i’m the one to fulfill it. you’re the reason she died - am i right?”

seokmin tenses up at the question before nodding.

“yes. it’s my fault that she died - i was the one supposed to protect her but i -”

“you failed.”

he nods again.

“you were in love with her - right? yet you knew that the two of you weren’t supposed to be together. your fates aren’t intertwined like that. yet you tried to be together anyways. she was never meant to be with you.”

he felt his fists clench up at her words. he knew she was right, but it didn’t hurt any less to hear. his love was what got both of them killed. he was the reason she died.

the woman raises a finger and point towards him.

“you, lee seokmin, have went against fate. and for this, you will be punished.”

seokmin looks at her with a confused and worried expression on his face “what do you…”

“in order to fulfill y/n’s wish, along with your punishment, no matter how many lives you go through - you will have to remember each and every one. you’ll play the role of cupid in a way. your existence relies on others falling in love. but you’ll forever be lonely despite this.”

“what!”

“since this is a punishment for letting her die - if you fail, you’ll be forgotten.”

it’s quiet for a moment as seokmin tries to process all the information. all he could do was nod and accept the punishment. as he goes towards the door to his next life, he stops himself.

“will anyone be able to remember me? even if i fail?”

“only someone who truly loves you would be able to remember you. along with another cupid. but most cupids are reborn as cupid, or their love for someone that they knew in the past is so strong that they begin to regain memories of that life.”

seokmin slowly nods before thinking of one last question.

“is there any way for me to get rid of the punishment?”

the woman stops, pausing from taking a sip of her tea.

“the only way is if someone else takes on the role of the punishment for you. but if someone did that, everything from that lifetime would be reset. meaning you would have to restart all over again.”

and with that, seokmin hesitantly opens the door to his next life.

summary:

seokmin never expected to fall in love with a human - especially one that was supposed to be with somebody else

previous // next

masterlist

[hooniee]

   — ꒰‧⁺celsia *ೃ༄

↷ jungwon x reader  ⋯ ♡ᵎ: 

↷ genre: romance | mystery ⋯ ♡ᵎ

↷ warnings: mention of blade to cut open book! | not proofread!⋯ ♡ᵎ

↷synopsis:  (y/n)’s boring life gets a little bit better, finding a mystery journal⋯ ♡ᵎ

⇢˚⋆ ✎ author note: hello! this is for @enhypenwriters​ event of the month! strangers to lovers <3 this one out of the three stories i made! this one was definitely fun to write and maybe i’ll expand on it later! enjoy!ˎˊ-

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .*

“celsia’s kingdom was-”

the abrasive scraping of white chalk on the chalkboard had come to a halt. the bell chimes, the more petite hand of the clock was precisely striking 3:00 pm.

ms. jeon glimpses up before allowing a long-awaited sigh, laying the chalk in its corresponding place. dusting off her hands of residue, she concluded our class.

“alright, guys! let’s stop there, we’ll proceed where we left off tomorrow.”

the class arose from their seats, bowing to her before she exited. classmates exalt their breath and stretch their bodies from being restrained in a desk for the prior eight hours.

the rackets of shuffling books being shoved in bags and hurried footsteps came from every corner of the school. chatter goes throughout regarding how dull ms. jeon’s history lesson was.

“who even cares about the past anymore?”

“the princes were never found right?”

“you guys up for some norebang? at han’s?”

while your classmates debated on what karaoke place they intended on hanging out at, you hastily shove the remainder of papers in your bag, not minding if they would be creased.

readjusting your hair slightly, you rise from your seat and attempt to quickly boot it to the door.

“(y/n)! don’t you want to come with us?”

someone seized the end of your sleeve. you turn around to see shin ryujin, the class president, and someone you could view as a friend. 

her freshly tinted grey hair nevertheless had a shock factor on you.

“sorry ryu! i have to get to the library,” you warmly took her hand and squeezed it, before dashing off.

“this girl,” ryujin sighs

"where is (y/n) going?" vice president asked ryujin

"library again"

you had quietly forced your way through the masses of people before having a hand tug at your blazer, causing you to lightly tumble back.

you turn to see heeseung.

“(y/n)! where are you going in such a hurry? i was just about to try to find you to ask you if you wanted to come to the arcade with us? we invited some of our friends from saebom as well,” heeseung interrogates.

sunoo pops up from behind him, “come on (y/n)! i’ll be so much fun, please it’ll be so much fun.”

sunoo was your classmate while heeseung was your upperclassman. sunoo and you were selected to be lab comrades last year and have been friends ever since. that's where he introduced you to his remaining friends, heeseung and underclassman, ni-ki.

as much as you desired to accept their proposal, you remember the library and time was ticking before it closed.

you bowed your head, “i’m sorry guys! but i have to do something important. what about we all hang out tomorrow? you can invite your friends from saebom and i’ll treat all of you guys to a meal? how does that sound?”

sunoo pouts, “alright then”

“get there safe,” you bowed your head.

“see you-” before heeseung could complete his sentence, you had already fled off.

“where is she in a hurry too?” ni-ki abruptly enters the discussion, studying your disappearing silhouette

“OH MY, don’t give me a heart attack ni-ki” heeseung holds his hand above his heart.

“whatever grandpa,” ni-ki snorts before sprinting

“what did you just say to me? get back here,” heeseung commences chasing after him

“i wish (y/n) would have come,” sunoo shakes his head before attempting to catch up with them.

you eventually arrive at the library, catching a few breaths in and noticing ms. kim sitting down in her normal spot.

you take a deep breath, before entering the library. the tiny bell above the door executes a noise, gaining ms. kim's attention.

she glances over to see you and smiles widely. she gets up from her seat to welcome you, “(y/n), you’re here just in time! the new books are on the back table, left side.”

“thank you ms. kim!” you bow to her, with a big smile on your face.

glimpsing round, the library was moderately bare except for two or three students that were distributed from tables.

you headed back to see the fresh heap of new history books that rested on the small birch polished table.

these weren’t unspecified history books, they were royal books.

ms. kim was a historian before a librarian so she was capable of getting her hands on some books about the disappeared royal family from centuries ago.

you smiled at the collection that grazed your eyes. you choose a book that was nearly the measurement of a binder.

you had tenderly dusted off the cover, as you open it. you slightly cough at the quantity of dust the books have garnered 

the publication titled read, “celsia, the royals”

the backbone of the book had been fastened back together, implying you must be cautious when reading.

turning each rusted paper sparingly, you could observe the old castle in which the royal family had occupied before it grew abandoned. 

it was a beautiful interior, built out of the most luxurious rose quartz that anybody could fancy of in that era.

the chandelier that draped in the main room was constructed in the purest gold that was handcrafted by only the best chandelier.

their disappearances were continuously something that was whisked beneath the rug.

we studied briefly about it in history class but we always end at a set point because there was nothingness beyond that.

there remained no traces of foul play at all, it was like everything had vanished inside the castle. all belongings of the families were taken and the only items they could find were some rings that showed to be discarded.

there were three rings, made for the three succeeding crowned princes.

sapphire; purity, wisdom, and chastity

assigned to the oldest of the sons as he was waiting to be the next crowned prince, a face and personality that reflected purity

ruby; nobility, purity, passion

assigned to the middle son, fascinated about archery. the desire to be the greatest hunter in the kingdom. a soul abundant of passion

and lastly,

emerald; wit, eloquence, and foresight

assigned to the youngest son with a voice that could put the whole town to slumber. though the youngest could wield the responsibility like the oldest son.

you softly caress the pages while browsing through the information. it was practically always the identical facts but you couldn’t help but learn how each historian put it in their own words. 

you had gingerly closed the book before proceeding onto the next one.

this book, strangely, didn’t have a name.

the cover was made of brown leather, with J, engraved on the silver button that fastened the book closed.

matter a fact, it wasn’t like a textbook but as a diary

‘who has diaries like this anymore?’ you thought to yourself.

you shrug the thought aside and undo the clasp.

brushing at the pages, you could scarcely obtain any of the words. they were inscribed in cursive and it seems that the ink has smudge.

flipping through the so-called journal, you could gain some phrases.

“castle”

“my older brother”

“rose quartz”

to you, the messages didn’t correlate with anything considering the smudged ink left the words in ruins.

flipping to the end of the diary, you scan the back of the cover.

if you happened to not spare a secondary glance, you wouldn’t have noticed that petite tear that was sliced into the leather.

peering closer, you could see the incision that was nearly flawlessly adhered together.

you were further too curious to place it down, so you went to ms. kim to check it out.

“is this all you want to take home (y/n)?” ms. kim inquiries, scanning the book and your library card.

“yup! that’s all for now,” you chirp.

she pauses for the receipt and fixes it on top of the diary.

“see you (y/n)!” ms. kim waves.

you bow before hastening home, diary in hand. you quickly fish out your keys from the backpack.

the door unlocks before you barge in and toss your bag on the floor. you slide off your shoes and quickly speed to the kitchen.

“where are they? where are they?” you ransack around the cabinet

“ah! there they are,” drawing a sharp box cutter.

setting the diary on the countertop, you open it to the back page. you mindfully compose the incision larger beginning from where the adhesive is and all the way down.

“got it!” you shout, placing the box cutter down.

you thoroughly unfold the slit a little wider to see a piece of something in there. you pull it out to reveal a photograph.

you smile, thinking it was probably a journal of someone’s life story and this photograph has special meaning to them.

you glance over and your eyes widen as you examine it. 

"that's not-"

you squint your eyes at the worn photograph and go straight to the lamp, shining light to see more precisely.

your mouth drops wide open when you realized it was true, clasping your left hand over your mouth.

though the photograph’s colors were faded, there stood the three princes wearing suit colors that matched their rings.

it was a miniature photograph that could comfortably fit in someone's wallet.

sapphire; puppy-like, doe eyes that are filled to the line with love

ruby; the fairest skin, plump lips that were painted red like his passion

emerald: sharp eyes that won’t deceive, dimples that mark his cheek

‘did i just find one of their journals?’ you question.

no photographs of the princes or royal family were ever recovered. it was rumored that they had a significant family portrait, but even that was nowhere to be found in the castle.

holding tightly to the photograph, you hasten to your laptop. there was no rush but the adrenaline that was elevating in your heart said otherwise.

you had opened a new browser tab and started typing swift.

“photograph on the missing three princes”

“celsia’s crowned princes”

“celsia royal family photos”

no matter how much scowering on the internet you did, you couldn’t find any traces of this photo anywhere.

you were gazing at the screen for hours, working to find any data you could.

your eyes became weak as the room grew dim but yet, you still didn’t budge from your spot.

‘maybe i should try the news tag’ you thought.

you clicked on the tag and the first article that popped up

“belongings of the three princes are being found after centuries"

browsing through the article, the grip on the photo became tighter.

it didn’t make sense to you. for centuries, they’ve never attained anything in the castle or anything about the castle. now suddenly, items of the three princes were coming into play.

it appeared like they were planted there on purpose, but it would be impracticable. the whole royal family would be deceased by now.

you looked at the photo one more time to admire the handsome princes. though all were handsome in their own way, emerald caught your eye.

sharp eyes and sharp jaw, yet the eyes hold so much sweetness and the smile holds so much grace. he caught your eye the second you studied the photograph.

emerald was someone interesting.

you cried, “only if guys looked like this in my school.”

the clock ticks, making you look up at it. it just became 8 pm.

you yawned. you desired to do more investigation but tomorrow's test in history was retaining you back.

that clicks in your head.

‘i’ll just ask ms. jeon! maybe she’ll know something’ you made a mental note, as you had just physically printed it on your brain.

you decided to call it a night, eyes dropping down from the intense amount of looking at the computer.

the next morning, you were depleted with your brain being over-exerted last night. you made sure to get up a bit earlier to study on your way to school.

you were ready were putting your shoes on, the photograph caught the corner of your eye. 

you debated whether you wanted to keep it at home or take it with you.

‘it would be safe here but what if someone tries to break into my house?’ 

irrational thoughts came to mind and in the end, you decided to seal it in the journal and bringing it to school with you.

before any second-guessing, you shove the journal into your backpack and rush your way to school.

you wanted nothing other than history class, last period. your mind was tingling with problems that needed solutions.

you hardly made it when the bell went off. you rushed up the stairs, to study hall, seeing ryujin already there.

ryujin sees you and flashes a smile, signaling to you

“(y/n)! over here,” ryujin pats down the seat next to her.

you smile, heading over and sitting down.

"sorry for leaving so suddenly yesterday, the library got new books! you know? the usual" you acted cool

"no problem. i know you well, book nerd," she snorted.

letting out a big sigh, you bring out your history textbook to aim to recall as sufficient information as you could in this brief 25 minute period.

ryujin resumes playing on her phone before she peers over to you. she corks her eyebrow in puzzlement.

“what are you doing?’

now it was your turn to be confused, “studying for our history test for ms. jeon?"

“ah you didn’t hear? ms.jeon isn’t here so that means no test, isn’t that amazing?” ryujin cheers.

the news disheartens you ever so little.

thought you didn’t have to cram information, your heart sinks a little with your curiosity raging as a furnace overflowed with gold.

why did this tug at your heartstrings? it was simply because you were curious right?

“yeah that’s amazing!” you shakily cheer.

you restlessly bounce your leg and illogical reasoning surge your brain.

‘i need to ask her now! but why do i? why do i feel so anxious? my heart feels like it’s beating out of control’

and your head wouldn't stay still even when ms. jeon class rolls around, the time ticks by way too slow. 

“and make sure-”

the bell jolts you out of your seat and you immediately gather up your things. if people were to see you, they might think you were being pursued.

you were strained as is and you try to bolt out of school before someone clutches your wrist.

“where are you going?” 

you turn around to see heeseung clinging onto you

“home?” you cork an eyebrow.

why was heeseung asking an impractical question? it was a wednesday, where else would you be going?

“home? aren’t you coming with us to the arcade? we invited our friends from saebom as well,” heeseung asked, troubled

your mind clicks. you have plans with heeseung and his friends today. you weren't in the best headspace and entirely blanked.

“ah right! i’m sorry, i forgot. let’s go,” you stiffly smile.

“you’re fine. sunoo! ni-ki! ready?” heeseung calls them over, swinging his arm over your shoulders.

sunoo rushes over while ni-ki trudges behind. ni-ki yawns while sunoo squeals at your presence.

“is (y/n) coming with us today?” sunoo cheers linking arms with you.

“yup, and she’s treating us to a meal,” ni-ki smirks

“you boys are going to be the death of me,” you groan, recognizing the deal you presented yesterday.

heeseung laughs and you make your way to the arcade. you guys, the disordered and noisy quadruplets, stumble in.

the arcade was a generous size than the ones you've been to previously. they had more selections of machines and the building was coated in bright colors.

it’s jammed with students in diverse uniforms from all around town with their friends. probably trying to shake the pressure of exam season.

“heeseung hyung!” someone calls out.

“jay!” you glance over to see a boy with bleach blonde hair with silver, swaying earrings, coming over with three followings behind him.

they do a bro-shake, asking each other's day before jay’s eyes land on you.

“oh i don’t think we’ve met before, i’m jay,” he stretches his hand out to you

jay was a few inches shorter than heeseung, stocky rings on both hands, a few piercings on his ears, and someone who was attentive to his fashion.

“i’m (y/n). nice to meet you,” you softly shake his hand

the three boys jostle jay aside before speaking.

“we haven’t met her either, let us,” a soft voice intervenes.

you glance up and at that moment, you assumed your eyes were playing tricks on you.

meeting with the pair of doe eyes that were meant to be captured into a photograph.

your heart sinks to your abdomen, blood drawing through your veins so harshly, causing your whole body to flush.

'there was no way that this was them?' you soothed the uneasy thoughts.

sapphire

“i’m jake! it’s nice to meet you”

his gummy smile reflects the happiness from his tone

ruby

“park sunghoon,”

he bows his head, fair skin that gleams that only princes could accomplish

emerald

“i’m jungwon, it’s nice to meet you”

his sharp eyes turn into small crescents, dimple prominent.

you glance around at the three boys.

"jungwon or jake?"

you vaguely remember the notebook, having the engraving of J on the button of the diary.

"the book addressed his older brothers. that indicates it would be jungwon since he was the youngest and jake was the oldest"

you bow to them, wanting to see if getting a glance of their hands would lead to anything. 

no rings on

right, the rings were founded in the castle. they wouldn't possess it on their body.

“it’s nice to meet you too, i’m (y/n)”

glancing at them, you see capture something from the arcade light. on all of their left ears, hangs an earring that correlates with their colors

gold chain with a small, round sapphire on the end

silver chain with a small, triangle ruby on the end

rose gold chain with a small, heart emerald on the end

it was them. this couldn't be a coincidence.

emerald or jungwon was standing directly in front of you

“let’s go play some games guys!” sunoo shouts before he drags you.

sunoo breaks our introduction. grabbing your arm, he pulls you away to an air hockey table.

sunoo plays against ni-ki as you watch. jay and heeseung verse each other on the basketball game.

you watch around the arcade, observing the happy smiles of people. you smile too before feeling a tap on your shoulder.

you turn to see jake, sunghoon, and jungwon. the three princes.

it became quiet for a minute as you look eye contact with jungwon before sunghoon talks up on the behalf of his younger brother.

“um, jungwon has something he has to tell you,” sunghoon says before bumping jungwon ahead.

“u-um,” jungwon stutters out.

you smother a laugh. one of the crowned princes of celsia kingdom was in front of you, stuttering and reddening.

“don’t be nervous jungwon! i don’t bite”

“can i have your number?” he blurts and now it’s your turn to be startled

'that was unexpected'

“s-sure,” you stutter out as he hands you his phone.

his phone wasn't anything out of the ordinary. an iPhone 8 plus and there was nothing that symbolized he was a prince. the home screen packed with several games.

you enter your phone number and hand him back his phone.

he bows and the three princes are about to leave before you stop them.

this could be awkward if this was synchronicity but you were practically sure it wasn't. reactions will tell the truth.

“jungwon! i need to say something to you, can you come closer?” you smile.

he's confused but complies, leaning into you.

you whisper in his ear, “ whether this applies to you or not, i’m onto you, emerald prince”

he lets out a choked sound, alarming you. you smirk, bowing and heading towards jay and heeseung who were near to destroying the basketball machine.

'bingo'

jake tugs jungwon back and the three of them head to one of the secretive corners of the arcade.

“what did she say?” jake questions

"yeah, what made you choke up like that? you never get surprised like that," sunghoon examines. 

“she’s onto us,” jungwon grunts.

sunghoon and jake look at each other, eyes widening in the process.

“b-but how? we made sure no traces of us would be found-”  sunghoon rambles.

the three princes grew anxious together, questioning how they could meet you again. 

this was the secret that they were expected to remain to the three of them and now an added person knows.

“i don’t know! but she somehow knows and we can’t let her tell anybody,” jungwon groans

"we have to do something," jake sighs.

you felt holes being pierced onto your back, generating an unsettled vibe within you.

“i’m keeping an eye out for you (y/n) “ jungwon flashes.

[twh-news]

To land ‘Loki,’ Kate Herron had to pull out all the stops. How she won over Marvel

As a teenager, Kate Herron was obsessed with the “Lord of the Rings” films.

In particular, she recalls heading to theaters repeatedly with friends who shared her passion to see “The Two Towers” (2002), the second installment in director Peter Jackson’s trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel. She even wrote “Lord of the Rings” fan fiction.

“It was very silly,” the British filmmaker insists, revealing that one of her stories saw the heroic Fellowship traveling through a magical fountain and getting trapped in New York. “Honestly, I was just writing the stories to make my friends laugh. I guess it was kind of that first foray for me: ‘How do I tell a story?’”

Years later, Herron is again involved in telling a story about a protagonist displaced from the world he knows. But this time, her audience is much bigger.

Herron, 33, is the director of “Loki,” the Marvel Studios series that follows the adventures of the titular god of mischief after he has been plucked out of time by an agency charged with maintaining the sanctity of the timeline. Thus, the six-episode series, which premiered earlier this month on Disney+, features a slightly different version of Loki than the fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have grown to love since his first appearance in “Thor” (2011) through “Avengers: Endgame” (2019).

“I love villains,” says Herron during a recent video call from Atlanta, where she is putting the final touches on “Loki.” “I think that if a villain’s done right, you don’t necessarily have to like their actions, but you have to understand them. And I think that Tom [Hiddleston], in the last decade, has brought such empathy and wit and pain to a very real character for so many people. I just wanted to be part of whatever [Loki’s] next chapter was going to be.”

The series, on which the self-described Loki fan also serves as an executive producer, is Herron’s highest-profile project to date. Her previous credits include directing on Netflix’s “Sex Education,” as well as “Five by Five,” a series of short films executive produced by Idris Elba.

While growing up in South East London, Herron never considered filmmaking as a career. Her love of movies manifested as the aspiration to become an actor, and she often goaded her peers into putting on plays or making movies using a friend’s father’s camcorder. It wasn’t until some astute and encouraging teachers at Herron’s secondary school pointed out that she seemed more interested in storytelling that she changed course.

By introducing Herron to new texts, these teachers — as well as a film studies class that covered films directed by Stanley Kubrick and Akira Kurosawa — helped expand her perspective.

“I just didn’t know that you could have a voice and an authorship over a film, which probably sounds a bit silly. But I just hadn’t really thought about films in that way,” says Herron. Soon enough, she was on the path to film school at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, England, where she graduated with a degree in film production.

Herron laughs as she remembers how she believed she would just go off and find work in film straight out of school. “Obviously that did not happen,” she says.

With no post-graduate roadmap (or job offer) to help her break into the industry, Herron eventually started writing and directing short films with “no money” while juggling a day job as a temp. Both experiences provided Herron with material for “Loki,” which introduces a new bureaucratic agency called the Time Variance Authority to the MCU.

“I’ve worked at a lot of random places, which weirdly has influenced ‘Loki’ in some ways because we have this office culture kind of running through it,” says Herron. “I’ve worked in a lot of offices.”

In order to give the retro-futuristic offices of the TVA “a real lived-[in], breathed-in office” feel, Herron incorporated details that viewers could recognize from the real world — from paper files to the posters on the walls — and gave them a fantastical twist befitting the superhero series.

“One of the most exciting things to me about Kate is she has this amazing attention to detail,” says “Loki” co-executive producer Kevin Wright. “That was something that we saw on her very first pitch [and] it works its way into every frame of the show. Every monitor, every piece of paper in the TVA … she has looked over and approved everything you see.”

In an email, “Loki” star Hiddleston described Herron as “a dream collaborator” who possesses “a unique combination of extraordinary diligence, stamina, energy, respect and kindness.”

“Her affection for and understanding of Loki was so deep, profound and wide-ranging,” Hiddleston wrote. “She built a new world for these characters to play in with incredible precision, but she was also acutely sensitive to their emotional journey.”

Herron’s affinity for outsiders is apparent throughout the course of our conversation. There is of course her love for Loki — the heir to the king of Frost Giants raised as the prince of Asgard who has become one of the MCU’s most beloved villain-turned-antiheroes. Herron’s first introduction to the world of Marvel as a kid was through “X-Men: The Animated Series,” about the superhero team with mutant powers that set them apart from average humans. Herron cites Lisa Simpson — the overachieving, opinionated middle child from the animated sitcom “The Simpsons” — as the reason she is a vegetarian who can play the saxophone.

And although Herron describes herself as shy, it’s no match for the passion she brings to discussing film and television.

She calls Wes Anderson’s 2001 film “The Royal Tenenbaums,” co-written by “Loki” actor Owen Wilson, “a perfect movie.” In addition to being obsessed with “The Simpsons,” Herron gravitated toward genre shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” the updated “Battlestar Galactica” and “The X-Files” when growing up.

As Herron enthusiastically dives into “Loki’s” influences — which include “Alien” (1979), “Blade Runner” (1982), “Brazil” (1985), “Metropolis” (1927) and, yes, even “Teletubbies” — it’s easy to see why Wright knew she was the right person to bring “Loki” to life from their very first meeting.

Upon learning that Marvel was developing a show about Loki, Herron tasked her agents with calling Marvel every day until they would meet with her. And it worked.

“I was just so excited that somebody was chasing the project,” says Wright. “Which sounds crazy, that Marvel would be excited somebody’s chasing us. But it was the early days of us trying to get this Disney+ streaming stuff off the ground, so people were very hesitant … they didn’t know what it was yet.”

Herron’s enthusiasm for the show landed her a video meeting with Wright and executive producer Stephen Broussard. Believing it might be her only shot at the project, Herron came armed with so many stills and clips to illustrate her discussion of the scripts she’d been sent that a simple meet-and-greet turned into a four-hour conversation.

“Over the course of the next week or so,” Wright explains, “it was really figuring out how to set Kate up to succeed when we got her in front of Kevin Feige to pitch this.”

Herron put together a 60-page bible of ideas for the characters, the story, the visual references and more. The rest is Marvel history.

She learned not to wait for permission, she says, after graduating from film school and becoming involved with improv and stand-up to both develop her comedy chops and to meet funny collaborators to be in her short films.

“I think I’d always find excuses, almost, [to not do it],” says Herron. “It was that thing of being like, ‘Oh, well, I’m not ready. So I’ll wait. I’ll wait until I’m perfect at it and then I’ll go do it.’”

Taking inspiration from Robert Rodriguez’s “Rebel Without a Crew” and a SXSW keynote speech by Mark Duplass, Herron realized that she just needed to start making things. She told herself it was OK if the films were messy. If a short was bad, nobody had to see it. If a short was “halfway to good,” she would submit them to festivals.

It’s this tenacious creativity that connects the dots between her early fan fiction, her short films, her pitch presentations — and now “Loki” itself. It’s a trait that has helped her navigate the industry to her current success, even during the periods it’s been most frustrating. As a female director, “I got asked crazy stuff in interviews sometimes,” she says of life on the festival circuit. “I remember being asked, ‘Are you sure you’re ready? Are you sure you’re ready?’ And male colleagues of mine were never asked that in interviews. I think that’s probably why I was so driven to just go out and make stuff.”

[purpleradfeminista]

"Why is this kind of treatment never even CONSIDERED for a trans person?" cause dysphoria sufferers are considered non-responsive to talk therapy unlike BDD/anorexic patients who can enter remission. Maybe if you actually stepped out of the radfem bubble where y'all theorize out of your butts and did actual reading about older writings on transition you would know, duh. Read about John Money, Harry Benjamin, Magnus Hirshfield, Havelock Ellis, Virginia Prince, Lou Sullivan. If you truly care ofc

Ok sure I'll bite.

John Money: was a New Zealand psychologist, sexologist and author known for his research into sexual identity and biology of gender and his conduct towards vulnerable patients. [bolding mine] He was one of the first researchers to publish theories on the influence of societal constructs of gender on individual formation of gender identity. Money introduced the terms gender identity, gender role and sexual orientation and popularised the term paraphilia. He spent a considerable amount of his career in the USA.

Recent academic studies have criticized Money's work in many respects, particularly in regard to his involvement with the involuntary sex-reassignment of the child David Reimer, his forcing this child and his brother to simulate sex acts which Money photographed and the adult suicides of both brothers.

--I haven't read any of Money's work directly, but I have read the book that is about his patient victim David Reimer, who was surgically "turned into a girl" shortly after birth and used by Money to try and justify his opinions about gender reassignment. Reimer reports that "when living as Brenda, [he] did not identify as a girl. He was ostracized and bullied by peers (who dubbed him "cavewoman"), and neither frilly dresses nor female hormones made him feel female."

Harry Benjamin: seems to at least not have been a pedophile, and I suppose is best known for his treatment of Christine Jorgensen, but I find it significant that he only stepped in to help patients after other therapies had failed.

Magnus Hirshfield: I'm sort of puzzled as to why he's on your list, as his major body of work is about sex, and gay sex in particular, and his only contribution to what you're talking about appears to be some vague writing he did about "transvestitism".

Havelock Ellis: worth first noting that he was a eugenicist....but aside from that he appears to have been the first, or one of the first, to acknowledge that autogynephilia exists and is often a factor in the male desire to "transition".

"Aware of Hirschfeld's studies of transvestism, but disagreeing with his terminology, in 1913 Ellis proposed the term sexo-aesthetic inversion to describe the phenomenon. In 1920 he coined the term eonism, which he derived from the name of a historical figure, Chevalier d'Eon. Ellis explained:

On the psychic side, as I view it, the Eonist is embodying, in an extreme degree, the aesthetic attitude of imitation of, and identification with, the admired object. It is normal for a man to identify himself with the woman he loves. The Eonist carries that identification too far, stimulated by a sensitive and feminine element in himself which is associated with a rather defective virile sexuality on what may be a neurotic basis.

Ellis found eonism to be "a remarkably common anomaly", and "next in frequency to homosexuality among sexual deviations", and categorized it as "among the transitional or intermediate forms of sexuality". As in the Freudian tradition, Ellis postulated that a "too close attachment to the mother" may encourage eonism, but also considered that it "probably invokes some defective endocrine balance"."

Virginia Prince: I am honestly surprised that current TRAs even want to claim this person, as she seems to be like....completely saying the opposite of everything that TRAs claim to believe about their "gender identity".

"Prince helped popularize the term 'transgender', and erroneously asserted that she coined transgenderist and transgenderism, words which she meant to be understood as describing people who live as full-time women, but have no intention of having genital surgery. (bolding mine) Prince also consistently argued that transvestism is very firmly related to gender, as opposed to sex or sexuality.Her use of the term "femmiphile" related to the belief that the term "transvestite" had been corrupted, intending to underline the distinction between heterosexual crossdressers, who act because of their love of the feminine, and the homosexuals or transsexuals who may cross-dress. Although Prince identified with the concept of androgyny (stating in her autobiographical 100th issue that she could "…do [her] own thing whichever it is…"), she preferred to identify as Gynandrous. This, she explained, is because although 'Charles' still resides within her, "…the feminine is more important than the masculine." Prince's idea of a "true transvestite" was clearly distinguished from both the homosexual and the transsexual, claiming that true transvestites are "exclusively heterosexual... The transvestite values his male organs, enjoys using them and does not desire them removed." (bolding mine)

By the early 1970s, Prince and her approaches to crossdressing and transvestism were starting to gain criticism from transvestites and transsexuals, as well as sections of the gay and women's movements of the time. Controversy and criticism has arisen based on Prince's support for conventional societal norms such as marriage and the traditional family model, as well as the portrayal of traditional gender stereotypes. Her attempts to exclude transsexuals, homosexuals or fetishists from her normalization efforts of the practice of transvestism have also drawn much criticism.

Lou Sullivan: was an American author and activist known for his work on behalf of trans men. He was perhaps the first transgender man to publicly identify as gay, and is largely responsible for the modern understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity as distinct, unrelated concepts.

Sullivan was a pioneer of the grassroots female-to-male (FTM) movement and was instrumental in helping individuals obtain peer-support, counselling, endocrinological services and reconstructive surgery outside of gender dysphoria clinics. (bolding mine) He founded FTM International, one of the first organizations specifically for FTM individuals, and his activism and community work was a significant contributor to the rapid growth of the FTM community during the late 1980s.

From what I've read I don't know, it kind of sounds like Lou might have agreed with me that counselling should be a first step before handing out hormones like M&Ms. But unfortunately I can't ask him since he had the misfortune to decide to live as a gay man at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

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

Ok I spent some time researching all those folks you mentioned. None of them seem to say, or have the opinion, that counselling is useless for people with gender dysphoria. So my question remains......why is it not considered as an option? You are telling me that it "doesn't work", but not one piece of the "research" you told me to do bears that out, and there is actually quite a LOT of research showing the reverse, that many folks who identify as transgender, especially young children, will eventually desist if supported with counselling but not given a social or physical transition. So. My question is still hanging out there. Thanks for providing me some interesting reading, however!

[rolyatswonderland]

When you wish Upon a Well

(story under the cut)

It was a calm day on the campus of Night Raven College, but perhaps oddly calm would be a better way to describe it. The nice breeze carried with it a pleasant silence, something rare for the rowdy school since it was always hustling and bustling with some sort of commotion. But Rolyat didn’t mind this new found quietness, she took it all in as she swept the sidewalks of the courtyard. Despite her no longer being the technical ‘janitor’ of the school, she would still help clean up from time to time. Finding the times where she would clean to be oddly calming and therapeutic in a way.

“Fyaaa, I don’t know how you can just sweep all day, I’d die of boredom honestly.” Grim said, sighing as he watched the girl sweep the leaves and dirt off the path, munching down on some fish shaped crackers that she had gotten for him at Sam’s shop.

Rolyat simply glanced at him and chuckled, continuing to sweep, “Well I don’t really mind it. Cleaning up can be nice sometimes” She smiled, sweeping away at the last pile of leaves and pushing them onto the grass. “Hmm, perhaps I should grab the rake next and put all the leaves into a nice little pile.” Rolyat stopped sweeping to observe her work, tapping a finger to her lips as she thought up what else it was she could do, but she could hear Grim groan from his sitting spot on the well.

“Ugh common Roly you’ve been cleaning for like, ever now...can’t you take a break for a second?” He slumped over, his head being held up by his paw as he stared at her, just watching her clean was making him tired, and he wasn’t even doing anything.

“Hmm” Rolyat looked between the scattered leaves and Grim before smiling with defeat “alright, alright, I’ll take a break” She smiled, making her way over to the well as she leaned the broom by a nearby bench. Grim sighed with relief, laying down on the brick edge of the well as Rolyat simply giggled, leaning against the brick’s as she gently patted his stomach, watching his tail swish in enjoyment.

There was always something about the well that felt oddly calming to her, watching the water down below ripple ever so slightly and the nice echoing sounds that came from it filled her with a sense of nostalgia. Resting her chin in her palm she leaned forward, glancing down at Grim who still laid there as if sleeping, her mind began to run with all sorts of thoughts and she felt as though she remembered something. Before she could even think to consider it, the words came falling out of her mouth anyways.

“Hey Grim, wanna know a secret?” Royal poked the cat gently.  Grim opened his bright cyan blue eyes as he stared at the girl curiously. “Promise not to tell?” She held a finger up to her lips with a smile, and that seemed to get more of his attention, Grim loved secrets.

“Yeah yeah! Tell me! What is it?” Grim beamed, sitting up and scooting closer to the girl and nodding his head, eager to listen.

“Well, we are standing by a wishing well~” She sang the words with a smile on her face, and Grim didn’t seem surprised by it as he peered down into the well. “Make a wish into the well, that’s all you have you do, and if you hear it echoing, your wish will soon come true~”

“Whoa, really?” Grim’s eyes sparkled as he looked back up at her with a curious and eager expression. Rolyat simply nodded, mouthing the word ‘watch’ as she pointed down into the well and leaned over slightly.

“I’m wishing~ For the one I love, to find me~ Today~ I’m hopping, and I’m dreaming of the nice things, he’ll say~”

The words echoed back from out of the well, causing Grim to jump back a bit in surprise at just how loud the echo was, but he stared in wonder as Rolyat nudjed him slightly to try for himself. He looked as though he were focusing all his confidence in his words, “I’m wishing, for lots of tuna~! Albacore, Bluefin, and Skipjack!” The expression on his face as he heard his words bounce back out of the well was truly priceless, totally full of wonder and amazement. But that expression was soon replaced with an unsure one as he looked back up at Rolyat.

“Hm?” She looked back down at him curiously, a kind smile still on her face.

“So, how do we know when the wishes will come true?” Rolyat quietly hummed back in response, Grim was far from being a child, at least she thought so, so of course he would question such a silly method of echoed words granting wishes. She tapped her chin in thought before smiling back down at him.

“Well we might just have to wait and see, wishes take time after all, but if we’re patient then hopefully they’ll come true.” She gently patted his head, and this seemed like enough of an answer as he simply grinned back in response.

“Well common! Let’s wish some more so they’ll definitely come true!” He shot back up, fully determined now to make his wish come true as he peered down into the wishing well with absolute focus.

“Haha, alright alright” Rolyat couldn’t help but laugh and agree, singing a few notes into the well and hearing them echo back along with Grim’s own singing. And even if he were off key, she did her best to harmonize with his voice.

As they sang though, a passersby who had been quietly walking through the courtyard, almost sneaking in a way, stopped at the sounds of a gentle singing voice. He was curious to be sure, not simply by the fact that someone was singing, but by the fact it sounded like a girl's voice in an environment he knew very well to be an all boy’s zone.

Carefully he made his way to the source, seeing a figure standing by the well, he smiled as he made his way over. Hearing what he could only assume was the song coming to its end, he decided to make his grand appearance. Rolyat continued to peer into the well, singing the last few words of the song as she watched her reflection in the water below.

“I’m wishing~ for the one I love, to find me~ today~” Rolyat sung.

‘Today~!” Suddenly another voice sang along with her as a new face appeared next to her in the water, causing both she and grim to yelp in surprise.

“Oh-!”

“Fynaa!” Grim toppled over in shock at the sudden voice that appeared, his body falling off the rim of the well and onto the ground. Rolyat seemed just as surprised, glancing down to where Grim had toppled over but had her focus mainly fixated on the stranger that had suddenly appeared.

“Oh I’m awfully sorry, did I frighten you? I didn’t mean to” The young man smiled apologetically, taking off his black sailor cap as he held it close to his chest. He tilted his head curiously as he waited for a response, but Rolyat simply stared back at him in quiet shock.

His appearance was awfully cute, if not a little handsome, with short black hair and brown caramel eyes. Though with the soft appearance of his face, it made his tall stature all the more alarming. He looked almost around Trey’s height if she had to guess, or perhaps a little shorter?

Though it was at this point that she realized that she had probably been staring at his appearance for too long that she forgot to say anything. She felt her face become slightly warm, trying to glance away but she could still feel the boy’s gaze on her, she knew she would have to say something soon.

“O-Oh um, you sort of did yes- but, oh it wasn’t that, it’s just that you’re a- uh-” She seemed to grow perplexed the longer she stared at him before finally finding her words. “-A stranger.”

“A stranger?” The boy blinked his eyes in surprise.

“Mhm” She nodded, shyly humming out a small simple response.

It had been such a long while since anyone could look at his face and call him a ‘stranger.’ Did this girl really not know who he was? But he could see so obviously on her darling little face that there wasn’t a single ounce of a clue. That she truly did not recognize him as Neige Leblanche.

Perhaps it helped that he wasn’t wearing his school’s bright white coat, but instead a simple navy blue pea coat, but her obliviousness brought a bright smile on his face. Thinking to himself that perhaps to today he could play the role of ‘a simple stranger.’

“Ah I see, I’m really sorry for scaring you, I just heard such a pretty voice that I wanted to see who it belonged to.” Neige put on his best princely smile, tilting his head to place his cap back on his head. When he looked back up his eye caught her as her cheeks looked more pink.

“O-Oh I, I see.” She seemed to fidget in place, glancing away from him and trying to look off in some far off direction. He continued to smile though, seeing such a genuine pure reaction out of someone like this was really peculiar. Grim however seemed to watch warily from behind the well, seeing as the boy hadn’t noticed him yet as he had his attention solely on his dorm leader, but there was something about this guy that was rubbing him the wrong way.

“Ah- I see I’ve forgotten to introduce myself, pardon my rudeness but I’m a representative from RSA, I came to see how preparations for the VDC were coming along and seem to have lost my way, haha, I was looking for the gymnasium?” He gave an awkward laugh and an apologetic smile, watching her expression go from shy to surprised at the mere name of his school. White lie’s weren’t all that bad

“Oh- RSA? I see, uhm, right now they’re having a lesson so it might not be best to go in there right now..but I can show you where the teachers office is if you’d like.” She knew full well how the students of Night Raven thought of anyone from Royal Sword Academy, and she knew if she told his boy where to go he might get ripped to shreds for sure, so showing him to where the staff was would be far more safer to him.

“I see, I see, how kind of you!” He smiled, placing a hand on his chest as he sighed with relief Rolyat simply smiled and nodded in response.  ‘Ah what a cute smile too’ Neige thought, but he sensed the coming silence might become awkward so he was quick to say something to keep the conversation going. Putting on an act, he stared at her curiously and leaned in as though he were examining her features. This sudden change made her blink back with confusion as she tilted her head, but he quickly leaned back and lightly pointed at her.

“Oh I see! So you must be the ‘flower in the den of thorns’!” His smile became brighter, seeming proud as if he had solved a mystery.

“P-Pardon?” Rolyat tilted her head at his sudden declaration, the flower in the den of thorns? Did he mean her?

“Ah- Haha sorry, that’s just the nickname some students at RSA have given you is all, you’re actually quite the topic of conversation at my school” He chuckled, hand on his chin as he thought about it. “We didn’t know your name, but given your situation, many of us viewed it like it was like a delicate flower in a den of dangerous prickly thorns.” He glanced back again to see her tilt her head in confusion, like she was still having a hard time processing the situation.

‘People at RSA...talk about me?’ She couldn’t help but feel that it was strange, how did people from that other school even know about her? Maybe it was all those times she ended up having her photo taken, or even perhaps..Chenya? He was the only other person she had meant from RSA so that seemed to be the only logical thing to explain it.

“Oh my- speaking of names, I don’t think I’ve asked you for yours yet have I? My apologies” Now it was his turn to tilt his head, giving her a worried smile like he had made a mistake, but she simply looked flustered as she waved her hands at him. Everytime he smiled she felt something flutter in her chest, perhaps it was his appearance or how kind he was but it almost felt as though she were talking to a fairytale prince.

“N-No no it’s fine! Uhm, my name is-”

“Ooi! Rolyat!” A sudden voice in the distance called out to her, turning her head she could see both Ace and Deuce jogging over to them, but they were still a bit far away.

Neige however felt his eye twitch in annoyance as he kept his smile up, oh dear, there were always people showing up just to get in the way wasn’t there? Even when he had just found someone so interesting, but oh well, he could deal with this for now.

“‘Rolyat’ huh? Well that’s quite the pretty name” Not like he had ever heard that name before or knew what it meant, but it got her attention back on him and got him just the reaction he wanted out of her as her cheeks dusted pink. “Well you can call me..hm '' Neige thought about it for a moment, he didn’t want to out himself as the ‘Neige Leblanche’ so soon, he was having far too much fun as a ‘mysterious stranger.’

“You can just call me ‘Snow’” He smiled, gently taking her hand in his and planting a delicate kiss on her knuckles, causing her whole face to blush a cherry red as she was rendered speechless. “Haha, I hope we get to meet again dear Rolyat” and with that Neige let go, waving goodbye to her as he walked away and behind the pillars of the courtyard, completely out of sight.

Grim sighed, jumping back onto the rim of the well, he crossed his arms as he stared off in the direction where ‘Snow’ left. “Geez that guy sure was weird huh Roly? Eh- Roly?” Grim turned to look at his dorm leader who seemed completely dazed, not even the sounds of Ace and Deuce panting and walking behind her even caught her attention.

“Haa, there you are, seriously, you can ever stay in one place can you?” Ace sighed, hunching over with his hands on his knees in exhaustion after having looked around nearly the whole campus to find her.

“Huh? Rolyat are you okay?” Deuce asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, surprising her with the sudden touch she looked surprised at Deuce.

“E-Eh?” She blinked back at him, totally unaware of what kind of look she had on her.

Ace stood back up as he walked around to see her face, nodding in agreement with Deuce. “Yeah, you're not sick or something are you? Your face is as red as one of Riddle’s tarts” Ace snicked, poking at her cheek in a joking manner.

When she realized just what they were talking about she felt her face grow warmer with embarrassment, turning around and shaking her head as not to look at them. “I-It’s nothing! Let’s just go!” Flustered she began walking off in the direction they came from, causing Ace and Deuce to look at each other in confusion as they simply shrugged their shoulders.

“Grim? Did something happen with Rolyat?” Deuce looked to Grim who had a bothered expression on his face, but Grim just sighed as he jumped onto Ace and hung onto his shoulders.

“Hrmm well, honestly I don’t even know what happened, she just ran into a really weird dude I guess” Grim grumbled. It wasn’t like he had been fully paying attention to whatever she and that guy were saying, he was too bothered by the strange vibe the guy was giving off in the first place.

“Huh? A weird guy? Did he do something to her?” Deuce seemed alarmed, his energy totally starting to shift into his delinquent side at the idea that someone had been messing with their friend. Grim even felt Ace’s energy spike up in alarm as the boy squinted his eyes, but Grim shook his head which got them to calm down a little.

“No, no, gosh calm down you two, I’ll you about it later but if we don’t leave now you two are going to lose sight of her again” Grim pointed out, the duo turning to see that Rolyat was nearly out of sight, causing them to jump in alarm as they began running to catch up with her.

Meanwhile

“Ufufu, how interesting, how very interesting indeed.” Rook, who had seen the whole interaction between Neige Leblanche and the delicate Fleurette, his little nickname for ‘miss Rolyat’, chuckled as he watched the group of first year’s leave the courtyard. It was not like he had been purprosely spying on them in the first place, it was all happenstance, just a simple beautiful coincidence that he had been resting in a tree in the courtyard and heard the girl’s singing voice which in turn drew in his dorm leader’s rival.

Rook hopped down from the tree, dusting off his uniform as he looked around the area before feeling a pair of eyes watching him. He looked up towards a window and smiled, as though blissfully unaware of the expression they wore, at the sight of Vil who was glaring down at him.

Vil’s angered expression glanced to watch the troublesome troupe of potatoes leave before he focused his attention solely on his vice dorm head. He knew Rook had surely heard all that had transpired down by the well, and he knew he would likely have to interrogate Rook about the matter. Vil was sure Rook would ask him some ridiculous question, maybe even throwing the word ‘jealousy’ in there.

No he was not ‘jealous’, what an ugly word. He was not jealous over that distasteful scene of affection he had witnessed from high above, he was not jealous at how that snow white brat just waltzed in and charmed that oblivious potato and even went as far as to kiss her hand.

No he was angered by the mere fact that his rival had the gaul to show up to his school, on his territory, unannounced like that, and just walked around like he owned the place, like he already won. ‘How repulsive, so utterly ugly and repulsive’ Vil’s thoughts swirled with utter disdain.

He turned away from the window, making his way down the hallway with an expression that made others feel as though hell had erupted. He was Vil Schoenheit, he was far above such childish and unsightly feelings like jealousy. But just even recalling the sight of her smiling so brightly at his rival had him grit his teeth in irritation.

“To think I’d allow myself to become so frustrated over something so ridiculous” He huffed, storming down the hallway and not paying any other student and heed.

“Ah, hi Vil-! E-Eh?” Think of the devil and they shall appear, the moment he heard her voice and caught sight of her oblivious sime did he force himself not to look at her, the irritating thumping in his chest grew louder, only continuing down the hallway and leaving the first years confused.

“Haah? What’s his deal?” Ace muttered on his breath as he raised an eyebrow, his eyes staring off in the direction that the Pomfiore leader had stomped off to.

“I’m not sure, but I hope whatever it is that’s put Vil in a bad mood won’t have any effect on our dance practice” Deuce sighed back, still feeling the soreness in his shoulders and calves.  

“I wonder if something bad happened..he looked really mad” Rolyat stared worriedly at Vil’s back the further he went down the hallway. Her friends just shrugged it off and ushered her to hurry on down the hallway.

Nodding she followed them, not even noticing that the moment she turned around Vil stopped in his tracks to glance back at her fleeting form. He felt that bothersome feeling in his chest but quickly shook his head in disgust and stalked off, muttering under his breath.

“Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.”

[writing-freak]

British Transfer Student hcs

(GIF credit to its owner :) ) 

Request: @oof-she-needs-therapy​

oof-she-needs-therapy asked:

i saw the headcannons you did for the american transfer student and i never see them for a british one, so i was wondering if i could get some headcannons for a british transfer student in class 1a?

A/N: This was also so fun, I love the platonic class 1-A fics!! Thanks so much for this request - I really hope it was what you wanted! Thanks for reading everyone, and have a great day! :)

Masterlist

when you transferred to UA high, you wanted nothing more than to fit in

the school was known all across the world for its famous hero course, and your admission had been amazing news to your family, who could not be prouder of your accomplishment

you were excited too, of course you were, how could you not?

but that didn’t make moving all the way across the world any easier

so you hoped for a smooth transition among your peers, that way you wouldn’t have to think about the fact that you were so far away from the home you’d known all your life, the family and friends who you were familiar with

but when the first day of classes came around, and Aizawa introduced you as the new British transfer student, you knew that smooth transition you’d hoped for was far from reality

for nearly twenty faces lit up at the mention of your home country, and half of them were nearly bouncing in their seats

“do you drink tea?”

“of course I drink tea, Mina, and so do you, I saw you drinking some this morning.”

“use your accent!”

“use my accent? what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

the girls beg you for pictures of all the places back home, and the boys trail you after class pestering you about various British stereotypes

“for the last time, just because I’m British doesn’t mean I like the Beatles!”

“but you like the Beatles, don’t you?”

“of course I like the Beatles, everyone likes them, that’s not exclusive to people from the U.K.”

the trio of morons (that would be kaminari, sero, and kirishima of course) are the most intrigued by you, and even long after many of the others dropped the ridiculous stereotypes, they’re still following you in the halls, throwing questions your way

“have you ever been to a pub?”

“do you know the queen?”

“how about prince Harry?”

“do you read Harry Potter?”

“have you been to a castle?”

“ooo, do you like James Bond?”

“Monty Python?”

“The Rolling Stones!”

you finally snapped, spinning around to glare at the trio

“do you have the United Kingdom’s Wikipedia page memorized or something?” you hissed, and the three boys froze in their tracks

“n-no,” denki said, but he not-so-secretly stuffed a stack of papers behind his back

you rolled your eyes

“I’ve had enough of these ridiculous stereotypes,” you say, your voice otherwise firm save for the slightest crack at the end.

you hope the others didn’t hear it

they did

Kirishima’s eyes go wide, and denki takes a step back

sero tightens his fists

“I just wanted to be normal, is that too much for someone to ask?” your voice is an octave higher now, and you’re trying your best to hold back tears 

sero is the first to speak

“of course not-“

“I’ve spent the last few months trying my hardest not to think about the fact that I’m so far from home, and it’s so difficult when everyone keeps rubbing my face in it every two seconds!”

your voice has risen to a yell, and you stop immediately when you realize where you are - all the way in the dorm’s common area, surrounded by the rest of your peers, who are staring at you in shock

you had focused so hard on tuning the boys out, you had tuned out your surroundings as well

before the tears could leak out, you apologize to the room

but before you can leave, Mina jumps on you in the biggest hug, and sobs out her own apology

soon everyone in the room is surrounding you, apologizing for all the times they’d spent teasing you since you’d moved

and then uraraka convinces everyone to chill for the evening and watch a movie together, as a whole class

people are piling on the couches, and you find yourself sandwiched between the idiots who spent the afternoon teasing you

kirishima pulls you in for his own little hug, and denki sobs into your shoulder on your other side

you find yourself comforting them instead of the other way around

momo and iida are chastising them for pestering you so much, but bakugou interrupts them with something that surprises everyone

he swats the three on the back of the head as he walks by 

“idiots”

but before you can thank him, he’s swatting your head too

“learn to stick up for yourself earlier next time, idiot”

he then plops himself down on the floor, joining the class for the group movie

denki turns to you sweetly, just before uraraka puts the disc in

“would you like some tea while you watch?”

Taglist: @anything-and-everything-here69​ @crystal-lilac​

[ikeromantic]

Not Alone

An Ikevamp Leonardo da Vinci story. Approx. 700 words. Fluff!  

**Diane de Poitiers was the mistress of Henry II from 1534 to 1559 - since none of Leo’s potential suitors are mentioned I thought she’d do ^_^ 

First: That First Night

Previous: Designing Men

Leonardo’s carriage pulled up at a palatial estate. He stepped out and spent a moment looking over the place. It was a bit much for his taste, but he couldn’t fault the design. The courtyard and gardens were hung with colored lanterns, already lit by an army of servants. Ribbons hung in the trees, and flowers bloomed across every vista. There were even peacocks and doves to add to the pageantry. 

The interior was more extravagant yet. The entrance was a gilded archway lit by crystalline candelabras. Discreet servants carried goblets and delicacies on ornate silver trays. Music floated on air thick with perfume, covering the quiet conversations of those already arrived. It was overwhelming, overdone, and claustrophobic to Leonardo, but he took a breath and sauntered in with his usual confident swagger. 

He passed several groups of chattering aristocrats and more than a few wealthy merchants. Leo planned on finding a quiet spot with a good view to watch for cara mia’s arrival, but he stopped when a pair of golden eyes peered at him from a nearby clique. A woman, a pureblood.

“Leo? Is that you?” 

He turned to hurry away but she caught his arm. He knew this woman. Diane de Poitiers, a hunter of kings and princes. 

“Leonardo. It is you!” Her voice was pitched low, her smile sultry. “I didn’t think I’d catch you at one of these parties. Much less . . . alone.”

“I’m not alone.” He pulled his sleeve from her grasp and gave her a warning glare. Leo knew he should be pleased to see at least one of the hounds in person. It would make it easier to cement his position as a taken man, no longer on the market for these baying harridans.

Diane looked to his right and his left, then back at him. Her red lips glistened wetly. “You look alone. Unless you’re escorting a ghost?” She tittered. A false laugh that fell like lead on his ears.

“As it happens, I’m waiting for my compagna. A friend of Monsieur le Comte.”

“Oh? A new lady love?” She tilted her head to the side, gaze predatory. “Anyone I know?”

Leo snorted. “No. She’s outside your league. A legendary beauty - and a foreigner here. I’m lucky Comte introduced me. She’s completely taken my heart.” The words came out a tumble, but they were genuine. It was somehow easier to be honest about how he felt when his cara was not near. 

“Pish.” Her golden eyes flashed. “I’ll still be here when your little fling ends, Leonardo. I set my cap for you long ago. I haven’t given up yet.”

“I’d die first.” Leonardo’s low growl got the attention of a few nearby guests.

Diane waived them away and turned back to her quarry with a playful pout. “You are always so dramatic, Leo. Well fine then. Go and have an evening with your new toy. I shall observe her closely to see how she’s tied strings around your heart.” 

Leonardo didn’t respond. He walked away. Gracefully. Grinding his teeth.

It took him a bit to find a spot from which to observe the entry. He leaned up against a thread of gold tapestry and lit up a cigarillo. The sweet smoke calmed his nerves, and thankfully no one else approached him. He needed to clear his head and to relax.

The sun outside set and the moon rose. Inside, the light from the candles and lanterns was so bright it may have as well been noon. Leonardo estimated an hour or so since he’d arrived, though it was hard to tell the passage of time. He was beginning to feel drowsy, but a certain sweet voice brought him fully awake.

The dulcet tones of his cara mia. His joy and sorrow. 

Leonardo spotted her then - standing in a little eddy of moving figures. Beside her, they paled to nothing. Shadows in the light of a noon day sun. The dress hugged her frame perfectly, the color set off the tones of her skin as if she’d been made for it. He’d known she would be beautiful, but seeing her took his breath away. 

With an eager step, he moved toward her, pushing past the crowd to reach her side. 

She turned as if sensing his approach. Her brilliant eyes caught his and Leo found himself unsure what to say.

“. . . Hey there, cara mia . . .” 

Next: Good Times

[dany-is-my-queen]

Born To Be Yours | Part VII

Sansa Stark x Fem! Baratheon! Reader (Daenerys Targaryen x Fem! Baratheon! Reader eventually)

Season 1-8

Word Count: 1,496

Note: If you’re enjoying the story leave a comment, it means so much! <3

Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.4 Pt.5 Pt.6 Pt.8 Pt.9

It was a lovely day. And you chose to spend it with your best friend. At least you can keep each other company without anyone disturbing you.

“Let’s have a walk in the gardens.” You invited Sansa after knocking her door. She opened it revealing her divine hair done in a southerner style.

“Why such a beautiful princess would want to waste her time with someone like me? I mean... of course I’ll go-“ she bit her lip and flushed. You giggled.

“Not a waste at all.” She shyly smiled.

“This flower... is gorgeous!” It doesn’t compare to your beauty. “I’ve never seen one like it. They don’t grow in the North.”

“Yes, they are rare yet special. They are called The Middlemist Red. Actually, there’s only two of these left in the world, as far as I know. The other one is on Highgarden.” You commented gazing at her.

“You also have vast knowledge in botany.”

“I am familiar with the topic. I have friends who live there. They taught me.”

“Ser Loras?”

“Indeed. He is one of my best. Now he’s with my uncle Renly, they have always been closer, I can’t blame him. His sister is married to him.”

“Do you want to marry a handsome lord?”

“Sure. Just not now. Or anytime soon. First I want to travel. Meet people. Have adventures. So when I’m old and grey I have a lot of memories.”

“Arya wanted that too. Robb and you would have made a good match.” Sansa’s stomach twisted at her own words. She didn’t know why.

“He was a gentleman. I respect him and I understand his position. He wants justice. I know the last thing you desire in the world is to marry my brother.”

“I was so stupid... a stupid girl with a stupid dream of marrying a handsome prince.

He turned out to be my worst nightmare.”

“Hey hey, you are not stupid. Every girl would dream that. The circumstances didn’t play in your favor. But daylight will always come. It’s not your fault. Nothing’s gonna hold you down for long.” You sympathetically reassured.

“Thank you, Y/N. You are so good with words.” You resumed your steps and continued talking about the flowers.

“I want to introduce you to someone. Dear Y/N. This is Shae.” Tyrion said. The young woman clumsy bowed.

“It’s a pleasure, Princess Y/N. Your uncle always speaks about you.” Her accent sounded foreign.

“Nice to meet you, Shae.”

“I was planning to make her your new handmaid but since you don’t really need handmaidens I’ll be giving her to your beloved friend Sansa Stark.”

“I’m sure she’ll be pleased with your service, my lady.” Shae left. “Are you in love with her?” You playfully inquired once you were alone.

“Shae is special.” He looked quite smitten to her, the way he looked at her gave him away.

“If she makes you happy then I’m happy for you, uncle.”

“I intend to keep her safe. If your mother, my father, or someone finds out it’ll be a mess. Just Varys knows and now you.”

“I won’t breathe a word.” You crossed your heart. And you would never betray his confidence, he was the one to comfort you when your mother and Joffrey were unkind.

What a consideration of Cersei to host a dinner for your two younger siblings, the northern girl and you. You tried to keep a good face so your mother wouldn’t be scolding you for her own falseness. You seated next to Sansa. Myrcella and Tommen in front of you and Cersei at the top of the table. The room was awkward and quiet.

“When will Joffrey and Sansa be married?” Myrcella suddenly asked.

“Soon, darling, when the war is over.” Cersei answered.

“Mother says I’ll have a new gown for the ceremony and another for the feast. But yours will be ivory since you are the bride.” She joyfully announced but the tall girl didn’t reply back.

“The Princess just spoke to you.” The lioness peered at Myr and then at Sansa.

“Pardon, your grace. I’m sure your dress will be beautiful, Myrcella. I’m counting the days until the fight is done and I can pledge my love to the King in the sight of the gods.” She staged a very pitiful smile.

“Is Joffrey going to kill Sansa’s brother?” Now the little prince asked.

“He might.” Sansa took a big sip of her cup, hiding her fear and pain. “Would you like that?” He frowned.

“No. I don’t think so.”

“Even if he does, Sansa will do her duty. Won’t you, little dove?” You bit your tongue. Seeing her like that broke your heart. She was on the brink of tears.

“We can’t be certain of anything. The food was delicious.” Changing the topic was the first thing that came to your mind.

“It’s a pretty ring, where did you get it, little dove?” Cersei glare landed suspiciously at her finger. She opened her mouth but didn’t utter a single word. You put your hand on Sansa’s to calm her anxiety.

“I gave it to her so she can remember her home, mother.”

“The home of traitors.” She bitterly laughed.

“I lost my appetite. Excuse us.” You gestured Sansa to stand up and left the place. “May I escort you to your chambers, my lady?” She nodded lowering her head.

“Your brother and your sister are just as friendly as you, Y/N.”

“They like you. I apologize for my mother’s behavior. Have a lovely night.” You bid her goodnight, she gave you a quick hug and then you couldn’t help but kissed swiftly her cheek, the torches were burning low so you didn’t quite see her reaction. You hoped you didn’t make her feel uncomfortable.

The following day you chatted with uncle Tyrion. He told you some news you weren’t expecting.

“Your sister must go. She will be promised to Prince Trystane of Dorne. I tell you before you learn from your mother.”

“She won’t like that. She’s so young, uncle... I don’t know.” It was true, giving her to strangers and people who despise your family didn’t sound like a good idea.

“She’ll be safer there if the city falls when one of the self-proclaimed Kings come.” He had a point.

“You are right.” Still, you feared for Myrcella.

You walked to the throne room just to find the King humiliating the Stark girl and shouting things at her with all the lords and ladies contemplating the scene. She was on her knees, with her garments all ripped out.

“If we want Robb Stark to hear us we’re going to have to speak louder!” Ser Meryn was ready to strike her.

“Stop it! What do you think you’re doing?” You furiously yelled.

“Are you crazy? What kind of knight beats a helpless girl?” Tyrion intervened.

“The kind who serves his king, Imp.” Meryn responded.

“Careful now. We don’t want to get blood all over your pretty white cloak.” Bronn added looking at him, a hand on his sword.

“Here, my lady.” You took off your cape. Luckily you were wearing one today. “What did I told you about treating her like this? She did nothing wrong. Have you no regard for her honor, brother? She is going to be your queen!”

“I’m punishing her.” He complained.

“For what crimes? She did not fight her brother’s battle, you half-wit.” The youngest Lannister repressed him.

“You can’t talk to me like that. The king does as he likes!” Joffrey whined.

“The Mad King did as he liked. Has your uncle Jaime ever told you what happened to him?”

“No one threatens his grace on the presence of the kingsguard.” The awful knight spoke.

“I’m not. I’m just educating my nephew. Bronn, next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him. That was a threat. See the difference?”

“Come.” You helped Sansa got up.

“Tell us the truth. Do you want an end to this engagement?” The throne room followed you with their glances.

“I am loyal to King Joffrey. My one true love.” You shook your head to the short man. Sansa walked out just as if nothing had happened. You knew too well she had to keep pretending, the wrong people might hear if she said what she really wanted to say.

Late at night you found yourself staring at the ceiling of your room. You were thinking about Sansa, oh how hard you were falling for that smile and those blue eyes... she was perfect, but of course she’ll never feel the same way, considering the possibility was silly. She deserved to be loved, you could love her, would she let you do it? No, you were also a girl. Being around her was enough, protecting her and keeping the promise you made to Lady Catelyn. Your little sister is going off to some strange land, gods, life is getting harder...

[brujahinaskirt]

@missn11​ says:

Ask and ye shall receive, fellow neonate! <3 Bear with me, because I’m about to hammer out 2000 words very quickly...

This massive rant by its topic nature is sort of Nines-critical, so lemme start by saying that, in my own way, I love Rodriguez. (I was partially self-burning in the shitpost that ignited this rant because I SEVERELY exaggerated Nines’s canonical shadiness levels in my ancient fanfiction, and for no other reason than because I was a teenage edgelord. I am appropriately embarrassed, but only by my excess and melodrama, not by Troika’s characterization. I think the writing behind VTMB’s Nines is superb.)

When it comes to Bloodlines, I think he’s one of the most psychologically interesting profiles in the game. In fact, I could never get into LA by Night because they so de-toothed Troika’s vision of him. Not to say LA by Night’s Nines was a poorly-developed character in his own right, ‘cause he wasn’t at all, but “my” Nines will always be unapologetically and only Troika’s: boiling angry, viciously pragmatic, a survivor who doesn’t let anyone too close lest they see through him, whose over-the-top confident façade cracks a little more every time his back’s against the wall. Troika’s Nines is the epitome of greater VTM’s “fallen rebel” archetype, and even though we don’t get to see it on all playthoughs, that makes it even better and more believable.

But as with all characterization in Bloodlines, we have to read between the lines and between our own play styles a bit to piece the truth of the puzzle together...

Besides the direct evidence Troika gives us—i.e. the music cues, which are a bit overbearing if I’m honest (sorry, Troika! ilu); the absence of Nines in Rosa’s prophecy re: people you can trust; and the overt warnings Camarilla-aligned characters give us about him—the biggest red flag about Rodriguez, imo? It’s twofold:

the way the characters he surrounds himself with talk about him and the type of vampire he chooses to fill his den. Namely: Nines exclusively recruits angry, spurned, mistreated people who are younger and far less experienced than he is

those messy, ugly, fleeting moments where you see his toughguy everyman personality crack

So! Starting with point one:

THE PERSONALITY CULT ITSELF

We can’t deny that Nines does not surround himself with peers. He surrounds himself with followers—people who don’t challenge him in any way, who are fanatically loyal, who openly profess their worship of him and their conviction he could never/would never do anything wrong. If you listen to how Damsel and Skelter talk about him, it’s with frightening adulation, often repeating Nines’s lines word-for-word without truly understanding the argumentation behind them. (Damsel’s the main offender here with her “IT’S A PYRAMID SCHEME… it just makes sense, you know? It just makes sense!” And then, of course, she gets pissed and refuses to speak to you when you push her into elaborating.)

Nines has clearly made himself much more than just a friend-figure or a Sire-figure to them. He’s utterly and completely mythologized by the LA Anarchs, held up next to other politically mythologized names like George Washington and Ho Chi Minh. His followers love him… but there’s a pecking order, and like good body shields, they believe their lives don’t matter as much as he matters. And they love that, too. They want to die for Nines. They’re not just willing to or resigned to it; they’re eager to die. Damsel will volunteer this information the first time you meet her. She just can’t wait to prove herself by taking a bullet for goddamn Nines Rodriguez. It’s literally how she introduces herself to new people.

And yet Nines deliberately withholds his attention and time from his followers. He uses his attention as a reward, as incentive. He rations some care and reassurance and help—makes you feel good and gives you reason to crave his attention—and then he pushes you away, back into his adoring ranks until the next “two minutes” you earn from him in which you’re special enough for such an exceptional, important, cool guy to talk to. That’s a classic manipulation tactic, and a classic personality cult tell.

And Troika is so damn fuckin’ brilliant about it because they don’t stop at showing us that an Anarch-aligned fledgling might feel this way—no, they make the PLAYER also feel this way. On our first playthrough of Bloodlines, we’re desperate to talk to Nines. We want the reward. “Let me finish the plaguebearer quests… let me run to the Elizabeth Dane… I hope Nines talks to me again now! Quick, to the Last Round! Maybe if I say the right thing to make him like me, he’ll give me another free EXPERIENCE POINT!” (iirc he’s one of two characters who will do so, and the only one who gives multiple points.)

But at the end of the day, Nines is indisputably the leader of the Anarchs, and even fledgling figures that out. (“Sounds like you’re the Prince of the Anarchs.”) He’s very much the Baron of Downtown LA, even if he won’t use that language. As for the grating day-to-day management and leadership stuff that might make him somewhat unpopular among the Anarchs, though? He fobs all that stuff off on Damsel!

Damsel, his Minion No. 1—whom a lot of players will hate on their early playthroughs, because she assigns tough missions with little to no reward. Damsel, who has no real power role in the Anarchs and functions only to serve Nines. You help Damsel, and you do Nines’s work—i.e. you do the work of the Barony of LA—and he doesn’t even have to take the admiration hit by having to ask you himself.

There’s only one non-follower of note around Nines. It’s Jack, and by his own words, he’s not one of Nines’s people; he disparages them, in fact. And we’ll notice that Jack—who is stronger, older, and wiser than Nines—very much doesn’t talk about Nines the same way Nines’s followers do. While Jack doesn’t directly insult him and occasionally defends him, Jack also has a downright shocking response to the announcement of the Blood Hunt. When fledgling desperately asks what they can do to help Nines—Jack says, word-for-word: I could give a damn.

Something ain’t quite right about this place.

Moving right along:

NINES IS A FAKE ALPHA MALE WHO KNOWS HE’S GOING TO DIE

Part of why Nines is so attractive to someone scared and weak like our fledgling (or Skelter or Damsel) is that he seems utterly fucking untouchable—like nothing scares him, and that must be reassuring when two of your age-old enemies are moving into town. But Nines’s tough, cool, Devil-may-care persona outs itself as a protective shell, too… and this is another thing I think Troika handled so subtly and so well.

You’ll notice that even Nines’s voice is dramatically different in a couple different situations: when Ming Xiao is borrowing his body, when he’s afraid, and when he’s distracted or deeply disturbed. (A successful Malkavian mind read will really slam a crack in his coolguy persona. For a second, the nonchalance shatters and he childishly screams SHUT UP!)

But whether you Malk him or not: In those isolated moments, the Coolguy Nines Rodriguez we normally see frays. Physically, even! His accent loses its burr (that ballsy rural American everyman accent), shoots up to a higher register—and reveals a much softer voice than the one he uses in front of other people. No wonder; part of Nines’s charisma comes from his performance of masculine confidence, and even if it’s not a toxically patriarchal masculinity in the way we often picture it, the fact this performance cracks at all shows it’s not his genuine self. He’s acting. In the way a lot of toughguy men do—but for Nines, whose survival depends upon attraction now, he’s acting toughguy for his very life.

I think those little fray-under-pressure moments are the “real” Nines, or as close as we’re going to get: scared, desperate, worn-down, and very aware of his doom.

Now, all that said…

BLATANT FALLEN REBEL CONCEPT APOLOGISM

I don’t think we can quite throw Rodriguez into the same Mean Monster Morality Dungeon for Evil Vampires as other Big Bads in LA. This is where motivation comes into play, at least for me. We know Nines can be merciless and violent, and he doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice his own soldiers (namely, um, US!) to protect his holdings. But he does seem to have a twinge of genuine anger over injustices wrought upon “little people” (look no further than Nocturne)—one that seems like it stems from a sense of right v. wrong rather than sheer pragmatism. This stands in stark opposition to the rationed pacificism of characters like LaCroix, who simply doesn’t want the headache of cleaning up a pile of dead humans on his nightly to-do list.

Nines also, of course, just doesn’t have the same kind of disaster reach other Bloodlines Big Bads do in how much harm he can cause. When LaCroix gets up to some bullshit, he crashes the national economy. Nines, like, crashes a car into a corporate office window or takes over a street or something. Can’t really compare the two when it comes to the scale of damage done.

And even Nines Rodriguez is, for all his strategy, still an honestly angry person. Not all of him is fake—what’s troubling about him is what he’s willing to sacrifice and do to satiate his anger-passion. It’s the standard Brujah emotional-moral struggle. Even though I agree with much of what he says about bloodsucking late capitalist vampires (tbh he seems to hate vampires in general!), one wonders if it’s not partially the anger-passion that’s warped him into the façade of a noble leader he’s become. It’s not a pure anger anymore; he’s weaponized it in selfish, unhealthy, destructive ways.

But if he’s a fallen rebel—and since he is still apparently capable of some genuine anger and sadness—then we can infer he wasn’t always like this. He fell, and narratively, that’s key to understanding Clan Brujah. Maybe he fell in a way all of us angry rebel-types risk falling if we let our hatred of the bloodsuckers in real life outgrow and consume our care for the real-world little people.

I think we also have to appreciate that—as far as we know—the shady shit Nines does, he primarily does to prolong his power. But for a threatened Anarch like Nines, power doesn’t mean expansion or accumulation as it might for an ascending Ventrue; it primarily means survival. The Camarilla and Kuei-jin incursions into LA have numbered his days, and he can’t possibly have any delusions about this, no matter how much he swaggers. So he does what he can do with the skills and limited resources he has. He corrupts vulnerable, angry, abused people by giving them the appearance of friendship, family, and hope they can become stronger—much like effective gang leaders do.

If he’s morally nastier than other power-players like LaCroix in some way, imo, it’s here. It’s the intimacy with which he manipulates the people around him. LaCroix may lie to you; Strauss may withhold information from you; Ming Xiao may double-cross you. But none of them ask that you love them. That’s not their goal; that’s not how they operate. None of them expect or encourage anyone to happily die for them of their own free will. If they get you killed, you’ll die resenting them—resenting that you had to die, at all.

But when you die for people like Nines Rodriguez, you do it willingly, if only because you believed he cared somehow and that he’d fight tooth-and-nail for you, too. You believed that you were a member of his little outcast family—or that you would be, if you just proved yourself a little bit more. If you just fought a little harder. If you were just a little happier about having the chance to die for the cause. Maybe if you die for Nines, then Nines will love you, too.

I don’t think he does. I don’t think he will. If he’s a true fallen rebel archetype, I don’t know if he can anymore.

That’s enough Anarchs for now! I’m gonna peace out with some copy/pasted lyrics from the theme song of Nines’s den: the ballad of the charming and vengeful Lecher Bitch. Stay sharp, my little Bloodlines fanatics!

Tell me your story Don't worry, I've been there Crown me your savior Don't worry, I'll be there

[Chorus] I said hey You're coming all the way I've got some hell to pay I'm diggin' all the way All the way down I said hey You're coming all the way I've got some hell to pay Gonna rip you every way On the way down again [Bridge] Don't belong lording above me Won't be hard to pull you underground It won't be long 'til you love me And I'll be coming at your back To break it down

[lovelysnake1994]

Tony grinned excitedly as he watched his step father leave the house. He had been waiting to sneak off for the entirety of the morning.

Howard was his greatest concern, with the help of Wanda he could manage to sneak out unnoticed by her sister Natasha.

Tony was Howard's late wife's son, Howard seemed to accept him early on into their marriage. However, soon after their wedding Tony's mother fell ill. After a year of fighting for her life, she lost. Leaving Tony with Howard and his two sisters. Tony then found out Howard wasn't who he had originally appeared to be, he was vile, and cruel.

Upon Maria's death he made Tony his servant, denied him basic necessities, and forbade him from attending any events they went to as a family.

Natasha made Tony's life even more miserable with her jeers and taunts. Though her sister, Wanda, was kind to Tony. She brought him meals after Howard refused him the right to eat, and occasionally helped him with his labor tasks. She had been the only good thing in his life, that was until Tony met a mysterious guy in the woods.

He had been on a short trip to pick up Howard's new tailored suit, and on his way back he took the nearest shortcut through the woods. As he was walking he heard the snap of a twig and turned around to see a handsome guy struggling to get up. Tony offered him help and he was instantly infatuated.

He assumed the man was a peasant too, judging by the clothes he wore. "I'm Steve."

Tony smiled sweetly and shook the blonde's hand. "I'm Tony."

Tony headed to the garden where Wanda awaited him. "Natasha is occupied, and Dad will be arriving home before sundown." Tony nodded gratefully and took off, his mind far away.

***

Steve changed into his casual clothes hastily, he was beyond late for his escapade in the woods. His royal duties had kept him occupied all day, and he feared that Tony would take his absence the wrong way.

He hadn't told Tony that he was the prince, because over time he had found that it ruined his relationships before they even started.

He wanted someone to be interested in what he had to offer, not just his royal status.

The day he met Tony he had gotten lost in the woods and had scuffed up all his clothes. He found Tony and was immediately immersed in the brunettes beauty. It had been a few months since Steve and Tony had been seeing each other, and they were both smitten.

Steve mounted his horse hastily and took off. His thoughts consisting of the brunette beauty that had stolen his heart.

***

Tony had waited patiently for Steve to arrive, it was getting dark out and Tony was beginning to head home. He was disheartened that Steve hadn't bothered to show up, but was also concerned for his well being. He knew Steve, he must have had a good reason to not come.

Just as Tony was starting to head back to the Manor, he heard leaves shuffling nearby. The initial panic he felt soon turned into relief as a familiar face came to view.

"Hey." Steve sounded breathless, and that's exactly how Tony felt as he gazed into the other man's eyes. "I'm sorry I'm late, I lost track of time while I was fulfilling some- erm tasks."

Tony looked at Steve uncertainly before nodding.

"No worries, I understand. Though you must know I can't stay for much longer. I have to head back to the Manor before sundown."

Steve sighed in disappointment.

"Well at least let me walk you through the woods."

Tony agreed, and the two set off. They talked the whole way, their chats always came naturally.

Talking with Tony didn't feel forced like it did when he spoke to the women his father insisted he marry.

Their easy, lighthearted conversations were one of the many reasons Steve was actively pursuing Tony.

Steve wasn't sure how his parents would react to his choice of partner, but he hoped that his happiness would assure them that Tony was the one for him.

When they neared the end of the road Steve kissed Tony's hand gingerly. "When can I see you again?"

Tony blushed, and struggled to think under Steve's gaze. "I'm able to see you this Thursday."

Steve shook his head dejectedly. "The ball is on Thursday." He muttered

Tony looked at Steve, surprised. "You're attending the ball?" Steve cursed his stupidity.

"My master is going, I'm attending to provide him assistance." He lied easily, Tony cocked his head.

"Isn't it a ball to provide the prince with eligible bachelors? Is he attending as a worthy candidate?" Tony chuckled. "I suppose he is." Steve smiled.

"Well I've heard the prince has rejected every candidate he has been introduced to, so I hope your master isn't expecting much." Steve laughed, he hadn't known the public was aware of his selective nature when it came to a love interest. "I must go now, surely we'll run into each other again. There's no need to set a date anymore." Tony grinned brightly, and Steve nearly melted. "May I kiss you before you leave?"

Tony's hands wrapped around Steve's neck. "I don't know why you insist on asking my permission, I'm yours."

Steve's knees suddenly felt weak, Tony was his.

Hearing those words come from Tony made Steve oddly giddy inside.

Steve captured Tony's lips in a searing kiss. He knew that his heart would forever be Tony's, and though that excited Steve for the future, it also made him fear that a life with Tony wasn't written in the stars

after all.

***

Tony sighed dreamily, as he always did after seeing Steve. Wanda watched Tony in amusement as he sunk into her bed and hummed a cheerful tune.

"I'm absolutely dire to know about your time in the woods." Wanda smiled and joined Tony on the bed.

Tony smiled as he remembered how wonderful Steve made him feel, regardless of the amount of time spent together.

Tony told Wanda about his kiss with Steve. The kiss had certainly not been their first, yet it made Tony feel like it had been. Every moment Tony spent with Steve made him feel like he was falling all over again.

Tony and Wanda chatted lightly for a moment when something across the room caught his eye.

"What's that dress for?" Tony asked, eyeing the elegant creme colored dress with great interest.

Wanda grinned. "It's for the ball." She had a far away look in her eyes, as if she were imagining herself dancing the night away already.

"You wish to try your luck with the prince?" Tony looked concerned, he didn't want her to get too hopeful only for her to be let down in the end.

"Well yes. Admittedly it was my father who was the one that insisted both Natasha and I attend the ball, but I'm growing very excited as the day nears."

Tony was glad to see Wanda so excited over something other than his own love life.

She had spent so long hearing Tony's romantic stories, and it spurred her on. She longed to experience all the things Tony had shared, Wanda filled with anticipation at the new possibility.

"I'm glad you're pursuing something, or rather someone, that you want." Wanda blushed.

"I only advise you not to hope for too much, I've heard the prince is exceedingly hard to please."

Wanda nodded understandingly.

"Steve's also going to be attending the ball." Tony fell into his dreamy haze again and Wanda rolled her eyes affectionately.

"Maybe I'll see him there, I'll be sure to look for a 'dashing man with stunning blue eyes and a breathtaking smile.'" Tony laughed as Wanda recited Tony's description of Steve.

"I better head back downstairs before Howard finds us here." Tony picked up the broom he had previously abandoned and started to walk off.

"Wait" Wanda called, Tony turned his head and regarded her with a puzzled look.

"Why don't you go to the ball?" A beat.

Tony busted into laughter, tears rolled down his eyes as he clutched his stomach. Wanda frowned at him and watched as Tony fell to the ground and continued laughing. She even felt like joining in, but her pride was far too big.

"I haven't laughed like that in a long while." Tony said once he sobered down.

"Assuming you're done with your childish antics, I feel the need to tell you that I'm serious."

Tony looked at Wanda, confused. "Wanda, you know Howard won't let me go. He doesn't want me to represent the Stark family in any way."

Wanda pursed her lips in thought. "But there must be a way to get you to the ball, don't you want to see your own prince?" Tony nodded, he thought that Steve being called a prince was fitting, he was Tony's dashing prince after all.

"Then let's find a way to get you to attend the ball, without my father's knowledge." Tony agreed hesitantly, if Howard found out about their plan it wouldn't end well. Yet, Tony found that it was worth it if he could dance the night away with the man he loved.

***

"Tony." Wanda hissed, Tony peered around to see if he was being watched before he met Wanda in the garden. "We're going to the ball, wait half an hour before you take the horse." She gestured to the elegant horse next to the stables.

Tony agreed before wishing Wanda luck, she certainly needed it if she wished to captivate the prince. With that, Wanda set off towards the carriage awaiting her.

***

Steve eyed the dancing people disinterestedly, he had a partner after all. He would tell his parents about Tony soon enough, for they were growing frustrated with Steve. He knew they wanted him to marry, he could only hope that Tony would find it in his heart to forgive him.

Though Steve had lied to Tony, he was absolutely certain that he was the man he wanted to spend the rest of his days with.

Steve's parents were looking at him encouragingly. "Go ahead, son. Dance with some of the people here, after all you've been in search of a spouse for far too long now." Steve resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"I'm in no rush to find a spouse father, though you're most certainly eager."

Joseph was torn between amusement and helplessness. "I worry about you son, I encourage you to lead with a partner by your side, you are to be king soon."

Steve looked out into the dance floor warily, he decided that he wouldn't put off the inevitable any longer.

Steve wandered around, socializing with the guests. He hadn't asked anyone to dance yet, and it had mostly to do with the fact everyone seemed to be eyeing him like a piece of meat.

Steve met a pair of kind eyes across the room, he could tell the girl was modest, and he appreciated her simplicity. She wasn't flashy, for she hadn't worn any expensive jewelry, yet she carried herself elegantly. Steve went to greet her, he thought speaking to a genuine person would be a nice change.

"Hello." Steve smiled at the girl, she hurried to bow down. "Your majesty." Steve regarded her with an amused look. "There's no need for formalities, it makes me feel like my father." Steve grimaced, it made the girl laugh.

Steve smiled at that, he decided he liked her laugh.

"Would you care to dance?" The girl took his hand and nodded, with that Steve swept her off onto the dance floor. "I'm sorry for being so terribly rude, I never asked for your name."

"Wanda"

***

Joseph and Sarah watched as their son danced with the mystery girl. "Do you reckon she's the one, darling?" Sarah asked as she continued to watch the dancing couple, Joseph shook his head firmly.

"His heart is not in it, perhaps it is a possibility that he has already given his affections away."

Sarah eyed her husband suspiciously. "Are you suggesting he's been seeing someone?"

Joseph shrugged. "It would explain his unpredictable absences." Sarah considered the possibility, though the turmoil in her stomach didn't allow her to do much thinking.

Joseph looked at his beloved son sadly, he hoped he had been right. All he knew is that his son deserved to be happy, and that would accept any suitor Steve chose into the royal family.

The two parents weren't the only ones that had been watching the dancing pair, Howard smirked at the sight of his youngest daughter dancing with the prince, his night was going much better than he had expected.

***

Wanda felt like she was in a dream, she never wanted the magical night to end. She looked up at the prince dreamily, they were bound to be married soon if he felt for her as strongly as she did for him.

Wanda was so blinded by her desire for love that she hadn't noticed the respectful distance Steve kept between them, or Steve's friendly nature.

Steve started to lead Wanda into another dance, when he caught sight of a certain brunette.

Tony looked confused when he saw Steve on the dance floor with Wanda.

Steve cursed himself and pulled away from Wanda abruptly, he didn't know what to do, Tony wasn't meant to be there. Wanda grinned when she saw Tony, and she dragged Steve along to greet him.

"I'm glad to see you could make it, don't worry, Father is out in the gardens."

Steve and Tony looked at each other as if they were complete strangers. For once, they were both dressed nicely and not in the usual attire they wore  they met up. "Tony, this is Prince Steven."

Tony blanched. "Prince?" Wands nodded, unsure of the reason why Tony looked so crestfallen.

Steve reached out to clasp the other man's hands into his own. "Tony.." He pleaded, Steve knew it would be difficult to get Tony to listen to him.

"I don't understand." Tony stammered.

"You're not the prince, are you?" Steve swallowed thickly, he couldn't lie himself out of this problem.

Steve's silence spoke volumes and Tony snatched his hands from Steve. "You've been lying to me!"

People were starting to watch the scene that was unfolding.

Wanda's confusion rivaled Tony's, what on earth was Tony on about? "Please, let's step out into the gardens to talk." Tony scoffed.

"There's nothing to talk about, this is complete madness!" Tony raved. "This ball was thrown for you to find your future spouse!"

Steve was very aware of the people who were now watching the spectacle. "You know I deny every marriage request, you told me so yourself."

Tony backed away slowly. "That doesn't change anything, I can't deal with all of this right now."

Wanda was still painfully confused, did Tony and the

prince already know each other?

"What is going on?" She demanded, Wanda's question went unnoticed as Steve tried to explain and apologize to Tony all at once.

It was all so overwhelming, the crowd's murmurs, Wanda's questions, Steve's sudden revelation, so Tony ran. He weaved his way through the crowd of people and ignored Steve's pleas for him to return.

The only thing he knew for certain right then as he ran out of the castle, was that he hadn't ever felt as betrayed as he did in that moment.

[thestraggletag]

Creature Comforts, a Dragon!Rumbelle Sequel

Summary: The morning after the storm. Sequel to Creature Instincts.

Rating: PG-13

He woke up some time during the night, disoriented from having fallen asleep somewhere other than his bed. He noticed idly that there was light coming from the kitchen, which meant the power was back. But the heating would take time warming up the house, big and old as it was, so he tried to disentangle himself from Belle to tend to the fire. 

“Let me, I’m closer.”

Belle rose, unselfconscious of her nudity, and pecked him on the cheek before reaching out to the neat stack of firewood and tossing a couple of logs into the dying embers of the fire. He watched in fascination as she reared back, taking a deep breath before blowing a steady blue plume of fire, setting the wood aflame. He noticed her eyes shone greater as she breathed fire. He had noticed his do the same. He marvelled at how small she was, how dainty and fragile-looking, and yet how it was all a ruse, well-crafted lie. She was a creature of power, with more strength and stamina that a human could ever hope to have.

‘A perfect match for us.’ The creature inside him was curled up, still seemingly satisfied by their recent rough coupling. It had never felt so before after sex, quite the contrary. It disliked being constrained and limited, being told to hold back, to be softer, or gentler or altogether less. He hadn’t had to hold back with Belle, with her thick skin and brute force. His muscles ached in a way they never had before. She had given him as good as she got and it felt wonderful, to be so tired, so spent.

“You look at me like I’m unreal, it’s very flattering, but strange. Haven’t you met any of our kind before?”

Belle shifted till she was draped over him, arms folded on his chest and chin propped up over them, peering at him curiously with sleepy eyes. She felt soft and loose above him, not an ounce of tension in her body. 

‘We tucked her out. How lovely.’ The creature purred, pressing against the edges of his consciousness. ‘Let’s do it again.’

It was possibly giddy, like a child, and it made him giddy too. He shook his head, telling her his only encounters with those of his kind were from far away and long ago, people in passing that had smelt a bit like him from a distance. 

“I’ve heard tales, and tracked down stories. I have come across antiques that were obviously once part of another dragon’s hoard, by the smell and feel of them. But that’s about as close as I’ve gotten.” He stroked her back, loving the sleek texture of her scales, and how warm she was. A furnace, just like him. “What about you?”

“Mom died when I was little, but her family kept in touch, helped me growing up. Introduced me to a small community of dragons in Australia. Mostly male dragons, I think everyone was hoping for a bit of matchmaking since females are rare, or so I’m told. Didn’t quite work out. I wanted… love. Settling for ‘someone of my own species’ felt like short-changing myself. Gave in to my urge to see the world partly to get away from a persistent jerk who didn’t know the meaning of the word no.” She wrinkled her nose, which he found adorable. Vaguely he tried to make himself adopt a less dopey expression, but his face would not budge.  

Suddenly she frowned, as if a new, puzzling thought had crossed her mind.

“Did you even know I was like you?”

He shook his head, seeing no point in lying, as much as it embarrassed him that he had not put the clues together before. Her eyes softened even more, a dreamy expression in them.

“I thought for sure you knew. That it was why you first paid attention to me, why you enjoyed sparring with me. It’s a very traditional courting practice amongst our kind, and it was the first time I found myself wanting to participate. I found our fights… stimulating.” The heated look in her eyes, coupled with her words, sent a jolt of sudden, scorching pleasure down his spine.

“Oh, it is safe to say I enjoyed them as well. I just didn’t know how much. My son and my daughter-in-law, I’m afraid to say, cottoned on to my interest in you before I did. The creature in me always knew, though, tried to tell me. I wasn’t listening. We… we don’t always get along.”

It was an understatement. Growing up inhuman had been difficult. He had been alone in a world full of people. He had had to figure everything out on his own, about what he was, and what it meant. How to survive. How to live around people without hurting them, and without them hurting him in return. He had never quite figured that part out, truthfully. It had been hard, and painful, and… lonely. So, so lonely.

“I’ve seen it looking at me.” Belle smiled, reaching out to pet his hair. “I would be fighting with you over extra funds to expand the selection of Latin American authors at the library and it would flash across your eyes. It always thrilled me.”

The creature preened, clearly not immune to flattery. It was strange but pleasant to feel in sync with it, it happened so rarely. Her look darkened, her own pupils becoming slits as her eyes shone unnaturally blue. He had but a moment to brace himself before she pounced on him, her inhuman strength still taking him by surprise in spite of it all, thrilling him as if it was a new discovery. They were rougher with each other, more comfortable now that they knew without a shadow of a doubt that they could not hurt each other easily. It was the sort of uninhibited, passionate coupling he had always restrained himself from and it felt wonderful. She had certainly ruined him for other women. And he hoped that her loud moans and her many orgasms meant he had had a similar impact on her.

When they woke up again it was close to eleven o’clock, a shockingly late hour to be waking up. Reluctantly they left the comfort of their improvised nest and donned their clothes, if only to keep themselves in check long enough to eat something. It was Saturday, as rent-day always fell on a Friday, and though he usually opened his shop for a half workday he always took off Saturdays after rent-day, usually to recover enough to don his human facade again. It was a day he usually enjoyed, with a hearty breakfast and, if the weather permitted, some time outside lazing in the sun, or if not taking care of his treasures, and browsing antique websites to see what caught his fancy.

It was strange not to feel a frisson of excitement at the prospect of growing his hoard, but he reasoned that greater biological impulses were at play. Instincts he had never had a chance to explore. 

‘And given how she’s looking at us we’re not the only ones with a one-track mind.’

The creature thrilled happily, its unbridled joy mixing with his own as they both stared at Belle, who was idly whisking a few egg-whites into a merengue and shooting covert looks their way. In the light of the morning her silver skin took a soft pink undertone, barely perceptible. He was fascinated by it, by the sleek feel of her scales and their warmth. She was so tiny, and so kind, and so gentle. He had seen her interact with children, soothe irritated elderly library patrons who could not find the book they were looking for, and evade the advances of slimy men like Keith Nott a couple of times at Granny’s. And yet there was this whole other part of her, a part she didn’t show others, could never show. He alone would know her, all of her, and the possessiveness he felt at the prospect was heady.

‘Ours. Mate.’

The creature rumbled, clearly pleased, and nudged Rowan forward, telling him that surely food could wait for later. He was about to reach out and snag the librarian about the waist, her smell letting him know she would not shoo him away, when he caught the sound of his Facetime ringer. Bae sometimes called on Saturday mornings to check on him, if rent-day had seemed like it had worn him out a bit much, and there was a chance he might have heard about the blackout from Emma’s foster sister, who lived in Storybrooke. He whispered against her lips that he would be quick and moved the tablet to face away from where Belle was, swiping to take the call with the practiced ease of someone used to manipulating touch technology with claws.

“Hey, Bae. How’s everyone?”

“Hi, pops! Emma is still asleep, she came home only a few hours ago. Little Henry is watching The Dragon Prince on her tablet. Keeps him quiet.”

It seemed to amuse Bae a little bit too much that Henry’s favourite TV shows usually were about dragons, as before he had been obsessed with Jake Long and Dragon Booster before that. Rowan had learned to pretend he didn’t notice, though he had to admit that it did please him a bit. He was hoping to let Emma in on his secret so it would be easier to tell Henry, when the time came.

“I heard about the blackout from Emma, and wanted to check in. The storm yesterday was pretty bad, and that old Queen Anne gets cold really fast without electricity.”

He couldn’t help but be warmed by Bae’s worry, even and he cursed his timing. He assured him that he was alright, having spent the night by the fire in the living-room, and that the power was back on and the house was properly heated once more.

“I’m glad, pop. Hope your favourite librarian is okay too. Perhaps you could go over to her house with a bottle of wine and check up on her.”

He waggled his eyebrows, which Rowan was glad Belle could not see. She could, however, hear everything, made all the more evident by the amused smile on her face, and her raised eyebrows. Fucking Baden.

“Let’s not start this again, I-”

“No, pops, come on. You’re gaga over that woman. You talk about her so much I sometimes feel like I know her more than I know my own wife. Emma agrees. Hell, even little Henry could name at least three of her favourite outfits. Including her heels, which I gotta tell you gives me a glimpse into you that I would rather not have.”

He was too busy turning an almost orangey shade of gold out of embarrassment to register at first that Belle had broken into peals of laughter, which she tried in vain to suppress. Bae, however, heard right away, his eyes turning round and panicky on the screen.

“Oh my God, pops, is someone there?! Is Belle there?! Do you know that you’re-I mean, that you look-”

Bae had gone through a terrified phase in adolescence after he had become acutely aware of the danger his father faced if his nature was exposed. It had broken his heart to see it, but he had thankfully grown out of it once it had become clear that it was unlikely to happen. Clearly, though, he wasn’t as unbothered by the notion as he seemed. He was trying to figure out how to reassure him when Belle took a few steps towards him, pausing to give him a significant look. At his surprised nod she crossed the remaining distance until she was snuggling against his side, smiling shyly and looking distinctly non-human.

“Hi, I’m Belle. Rowan has told me so much about you. Can I call you Bae?”

From inside the tablet his son let out a surprised “eep” that his sensitive ears objected to loudly. He looked at Belle, clearly taking in her silver skin and glowing eyes, and then at his papa, going back and forth with an air of shock and surprise that was almost insulting. Then, slowly, a lopsided smile formed across his unshaven face.

“Pop, you lucky dog!” He started slow-clapping, which made him wish the earth would open up and swallow him whole. “I mean, what are to odds! And the implications. I wanna know everything. Well, not everything. Definitely not everything. Like, please, no. But still, I have questions. So many questions.”

Rowan eyed the end call button, trying to imagine just how mad Bae would be if he pressed it.

“Buuuuuut I can see I interrupted something so I’m just gonna get Henry dressed and go with him to the park. You know, give you two crazy kids some time.” Okay, perhaps Bae was not the worst son ever. “But I will be expecting a call later. And for you to send Emma a message confirming the relationship so she’s forced to fork over the fifty bucks she lost. Don’t forget about that, pops, love you, talk to you soon!”

He was gone a second later, leaving him feeling Belle trembling with laughter against him. He marvelled at how at ease she felt, even though he knew exposing one’s true nature to someone was a huge thing. A sign of trust, of intimacy, of-

Commitment. 

‘Yes. Ours. Always.’

The creature said it matter of factly, as if he was stating the obvious to a particularly thick-headed individual. He shushed it, though half-heartedly, and pressed a kiss against Belle’s hair, whispering a quick “thank you” before going over to where his French press was, determined to make a mockery out of Granny’s lattes. The sooner Belle saw the benefits of breakfasting at his house the better.