#idk but I think they'd at least know each other enough to be able to not think to much of it if they bumped into each other

[discocandles]

more customer service voice Damian hcs, bc it's been a bit.

After learning the "regular citizen" voice, Damian decides he has to master more accents and dialects, in case he's on a mission away from Gotham and needs to blend in. (This is the son of Batman we're talking about, of course he plans for these things). Over the summer Damian travels to large cities around the world, and familiarizes himself with their way of speaking.

Cass found out very early on and decided she's going with Damian, bc I think Cass would enjoy sightseeing. But after they were caught leaving for Moscow(and after Damian explained that he was doing this for research at least 7 times) it was decided someone should supervise them. Dick patrols Bludhaven, so that was a no. Jason and Tim were automatically out. Steph went to supervise them, but was exempt after they were arrested in Seoul. So Duke ended up being supervision, unless Dick was available to go with them.

This doesn't mean they didn't get into chaos bc of Duke. No, it's bc with Duke, they can be invisible and not be caught doing the chaos. Duke does enjoys the trips with them tho, mostly for the sightseeing and food.

One time, Cass convinced Bruce to join them(how, no one really knows. Cass is just magic like that). And they had a good time in Rio de Janeiro, tho Bruce was almost recognized a few times, and he would sometimes try to sneak off and work. Unfortunately, Cass's attempts to invite Babs weren't as fruitful, mostly bc she didn't understand why Damian wanted to actually go to those places instead of learning it through the chatter radios of those areas instead. Damian's only response was that it wasn't the same and being there changes everything about it.(he was actually doing both methods).

Damian, Cass, and Duke do run into Talia at one point. She was intrigued as to what her son was doing in Melbourne with Cassandra, and the newest child Bruce had taken in, but is by no means unhappy to see him. Duke on the other hand, is scared to meet Damian's mom, given her reputation. Damian and cass being so nonchalant about meeting up with her probs didn't help.

There was a small "hi, what are you doing here? Huh, what a coincidence." Type of conversation. And then Duke sticks out his hand and says a (very awkward) "it's nice to meet you, Ms. Al Ghul." Which Talia shakes and says (also very awkwardly) "Uh, Talia is fine. And nice to meet you as well, Duke." Then leaves. Damian was surprised, he's never seen his mother so blatantly awkward before. He's seen her at a loss for words, but she remained elegant as she pondered what to say next. But in that moment, she was shy and dare he say nervous. "Thomas, what did you do to my mother?" "What? I dunno man. I was more worried about her glaring a hole in my skull."

The only trip that Damian went on with someone besides Cass was his trip to England, bc he wanted to go with Alfred. While he knows Cass would do fine, Damian wants to learn as much as he can, and learning from someone who grew up there and is close to him is his best bet. This of course took a lot of work, bc as everyone knows, Alfred Pennyworth is the backbone of the Batfamily, so convincing both him and the rest of the family would take some time and effort. But after a promise from Bruce to not be up to his ears in work while they were gone, Babs noting she will enforce that promise, plus Jason and Duke vowing to protect Alfred's kitchen at all costs, Alfred went with Damian for a week to visit the UK(by far the longest trip Damian went on).

And while the trip wasn't perfect(Damian almost beat a man bloody for insulting Alfred, and lots of bad weather), it was by no means a bad time. Damian picked up the accent and slang almost automatically, Alfred met some of his old friends. By consequence, Damian learned a lot about what his grandfather did before meeting the Wayne family, which he will not retell in a promise to Alfred(but he will say he knows just to mess with the rest of the family)

Did Wayne manor crumble in Alfred's absence? Surprisingly no. For the first couple days, Bruce made good on his promise to take care of himself, but by day 4, Babs had to entirely disconnect the computer when it was time for Bruce to sleep. And if Cass didn't guilt-trip the hell out of him and Steph didn't bully him, he probably wouldn't have fully left the bat-cave. Duke and Jason were able to protect the kitchen for the most part. Jason often made the dinner, and Duke catered to the random cravings of the rest of the family. They did have to call Kate for backup twice, but the smoke alarms never went off.

Overall having to fill Alfred's shoes was a good bonding experience for the family, though not one they would ever try to replicate willingly.

So I think that's all for Damian Wayne's summer world tour.

[thoughtsonkm]

Goodbye, for now

BABY? HONEY? BOYFRIEND SHOT? Jikook you're too much!

This episode was truly the best way to end the show, maybe even the best episode of the series. (Neck in neck with episode 2 of course) The way they enjoyed it so much but were also so sad it was over. The hot tension all around, the soft boyfriends mood who can't stop flirting and name calling each other with the most low-key couple-like sweet names. They could not stop laughing, they could not stop touching and they couldn't stop being hilarious without even trying.

~

SK Spotify daily chart end of November 2023 :

Jimin Jungkook Jimin Jungkook Jimin Jimin

~

It would be such a full circle moment if Jimin posted the boyfriend photo (which won't happen). Would almost be like a soft launch of some sort.

Not the underwear too?? Gosh I love my little gay freaks!! (didn't understand why Jimin would quote their 'yet another inner joke meme' right at that moment but I've learned to not question their inner workings)

~

Sorry but i have to be pretty one last time and say that I kinda had enough of seeing so much from the crew around or even in Jikook's shots and angles. It breaks the fourth wall a little too much and ruins the whole bubble idea. Ok I'm done lol

~

Returning to the issue at hand, the "seeing the beds for the first time" scene keeps getting funnier and funnier. As if they don't already have designated sides of the bed 😏

~

Ah the never ending bickering gives me life. Peep the half korean half english talk when they playfully get on each others nerves 👀😂

I better not speak on the scuzzi jacuzzi shenanigans cause otherwise.. Let's just say the photo speaks for itself..

NO YOU KNOW WHAT IMMA SPEAK. We all know that jacuzzi time is always intimate, relaxing and personal for people that's why I wish Jikook had enjoyed it fully without cameras. Yes I'm pissed on their behalf, that they had to film the whole thing with 382929 different angles. lol

His face is literally saying "oh so you're really gonna make me do it huh? if I was in your place I would've folded immediately and would've never let you go through with it!!" 😂

~

No one ever:

Jikook every 2sec : HONEY OH HONEY

(I was actually listening to the song while writing this and idk why it's so funny to me even tho it's a sad love ballad)

~

They must've loved getting the chance to at least see one episode of the show, plus the idea of watching it together..

Jungkook being so entertained by it meanwhile Jimin being mortified about half of the things that happened. HILARIOUS

HAHAHHAHAHA all parties were concerned if they'd be able to pull it off, I can't

BEST BELIEVE they're always gonna find a way to touch. Consciously or unconsciously.

~

This show made me realize that my favourite thing ever is Jk making food for Jimin, then making him hysterically laugh and therefore getting to hear Jimin's adorable giggles.

~

"Hello it is I the one and only, the only one who can touch Jimin's head ble ble ble ble" - JK

Jk was like: How can you imagine Jimin without me in your dream? Are you crazy? What is this delusional dream world you live in Jin hyung??

~

Tbh it's so meaningful and a huge thing saying that these trips were literally the best trips of your life. I think the statement almost went over people's heads.

I can't get enough of Jimin looking pretty and cuddly and Jungkook's immediate thought being: I HAVE TO FILM YOU

Them saying they can do a reboot when they come back gave me some hope that maybe just maybe this is not the end of AYS 😭

The ending bonus clip left me fulfilled but also sad and with goosebumps all over.

Thank you Jimin & Jungkook for letting us peek into this trip and getting to witness some of your precious moments.

Signing off, J&J 🥹

Ps. So I'm guessing the 52 minute video that comes with the photobook is probably the 3 bts videos combined that they've been reviewing for 48392 months right?

[future--ghost]

I started thinking about Sammy Lawrence again. He genuinely means so much to me because he's such missed potential. The creators of Bendy proved that they COULD write good characters, but just don't. If time constraints are an issue, maybe you should deviate from your formula? Susie/Malice is a good character. She has development throughout the chapters, even if we don't explicitly see her much. Her actions resonate through the studio, not to mention that we can get her audio recordings from the past, each one showing her going from an excited, up-and-coming Alice to an angry, betrayed, bitter woman, who's about to become a victim to Joey. I WISH they'd explore Sammy more as a character. He could genuinely be so interesting. A talented musician who won an award, alongside his old friend and musical partner, Jack. Jack, who was a singer, and the sweeter of the two. Jack who can no longer form coherent sentences, nor can he sing any longer. Sammy, who has a more stable body than the rest of the lost ones, but who has lost himself to madness. One of the first overtaken by the ink. One of the first to be pulled into the depths of insanity by Joey's creations.

He could he so tragic. Sammy's belief in the Ink Demon "saving him from the inky abyss he calls a body" has always been considered dumb. How had he come to that opinion? That's something I'd see every once and a while after the release of chapter 2 of BATIM. After BATDR, I remember seeing a character analysis of Sammy's belief in the Ink Demon and how in BATDR, we saw a more manipulative and egotistical Ink Demon. It could be possible that the Ink Demon took advantage of Sammy's desire for his old body back to return to his former self. It'd be easy, wouldn't it? A sleep deprived musician who's been one of the first victims of the Ink. Spiraling downwards, even writing one last song, before the breakdown that marked the end to his former life. (Lighter Side of Hell was the last song Sammy composed before he broke down and was consumed by the Ink, I think.) I can't find the post, but I really did love that one, because ever since I've thought about him more.

Something I've thought about his character that has definitely sprouted from BATDR is Sammy's ability to compose in the form we see in the game. His body is made of Ink. INK. Ink doesn't hold a stable form. No matter what you do, it won't. It's not like skin. Skin will at least be soft enough to touch things, but inky will ripple at the touch of a string. Why might I mention strings? Sammy's favorite instrument is the Banjo, as he said in the Sammy Lawrence Hot Topic Twitter Takeover in 2017. Banjo is a string instrument, but an ink body wouldn't be able to use a string instrument. Sammy Lawrence physically cannot compose without damaging the ink body. The string would most likely cut through the ink. Not to mention all the other string instruments in the Music Department. He can still use other instruments, like percussion, right? It depends. The frequency might cause ripples in the ink. It depends on how it works. Personally, I'd like to think Sammy has a far more stable body, as his anatomy is not as see-through as the other lost ones. Sammy has a "skin" of sorts. The lost ones are just kind of bones, with ink dripping down. So Sammy may actually have a body under the ink, who knows! But my main point is that both Sammy and Jack are incapable of doing what their jobs and livelihoods were. Sammy can't compose his new body, which hinders the ability greatly. Jack can't sing. He was the more vocal of the two.

That's just a small bit of what they could think of. Idk that's just kinda been what I think about when it comes to Sammy.

[shinjisdone]

I saw you're doing requests and I do not request often but- Take this if you want?

Yandere! Link (Twilight Princess) (Romantic as I think he's an adult in the game? Sorry if not, been awhile. Platonic works too) with Female! Reader Scenario? (One of my fav games, lol)

Do what you want with it... idk what prompts to ask for :/

If you don't want to do this please tell me! I read the rules and picked something simple :) Take your time! 🐈‍⬛

😳 THE yandere-galore panther taking requests from me? Usually its the other way around haha

Prompts are not a must if you really don't know what you want, though I gotta admit I had to ponder a bit since the request has no specifications. Things are pretty general therefore but I had to add a few things to get creative. This turned out longer since I like to develop Yandereness especially - it's always interesting to see from where the sprout stems from and how it'll grow. Otherwise it feels too forced and sudden to me. Have been following for quite a while, hope you like this!

TW: Yandere behaviour, obsession, long pining, idolization, one-sided feelings, obliviousness, stalking, aggression, blood and killing

Yandere! Twilight Princess! Link Scenario with Female!Reader (Romantic)

All your good deeds turned into sin, it seems.

Or at least some form of karma, but you didn't know enough about that to truly tell. It was just a gut feeling.

You are nothing but a wandering traveller. Knowledge of self-defense goes without saying, especially since the land of Hyrule turned so hostile over time. According to old legend a calamity is soon to approach, which only makes you yearn for serenity even more.

Ordon village sounds so tempting. Small and humble, the entire village feels nothing like the rest of the outside. The people certainly looked at you weird for deciding to stay here for a while - the most exciting thing to happen after all are raging goats!

Thus you were saved from one by a quick-witted, local fellow seemingly grappling with the animal before it calmed down and he offered you his hand. His light brown hair and deep blue eyes were welcoming and you took the offer.

"Thank you."

He said his name was Link.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

The children weren't as relaxed as the adults though. Even as their parents called out for them to help in the shop or with the goats, all four of them would stick close to you, each jumping to your side as they asked questions upon questions about 'the traveler lady!' The rest of Hyrule wasn't something they'd see or even hear from often. It was deemed as exciting to be able to go to the castle town to deliver some milk.

How is the town? Have you ever crossed that big bridge? Were you ever up at that Death Mountain? Can you catch bigger fish in that giant lake? Have you met the knights, soldiers and their princess?

All of these things were also asked by Link.

He bashfully admitted to being a regular country pumpkin as you sat beside each other by the river, fishing. He managed to please the kids with a promise to play as they finally left you alone. Rubbing the back of his neck, he couldn't hide the excitement on his face nor the stammer in his voice as you told him of your stories.

"The most exciting thing I'll ever do in my life is probably deliver that milk. Can't lie, I am lookin' forward to it..." He chuckled sheepishly. Shaking your head, you offered a smile.

"You should go out of the village more often. You're old enough now, I'm sure you'll grow to like everything you'll see and meet."

You smiled at him. It cheered him up, admittedly. You looking at him like that felt special too, perhaps because you weren't from here and encouraged him to go, even if it meant leaving the village and his goat-herding duties behind for a while.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

If only he never left.

Though for whatever reason that thing called it a lucky coincidence, a deal.

He ran back towards the forest, rushing by the familiar lake where the children went missing. It happened too fast and even though they adored him, looked up to him, he could barely realize what was happening before the world went dark and darker and darker.

His heart pounded against his ribcage, the shadow tailing after him in high speed which only made his panic grow more. How could this have happened? Where is everyone and are they still well?

His pants turned and echoed in a yelp - then a growl. He couldn't control it, it sank into his brain as he saw the glimmer of a blade shooting up this close to his face.

Gritting his teeth, his blue eyes shot up big. Frozen in place he looked up as the weapon was slowly withdrawn.

"...You don't have to be scared."

Link did not notice he was shaking.

Quickly he realized it was you, the 'traveler lady', as you kneeled down and took a good look at him. The young man was confused on how you kept calm as your hands gingerly grazed his fur. Your hands went down to his chained paw and a frown graced your face. "You poor thing. No wonder you are so terrified."

Link was hesitant but could not deny your guess.

Eagerly you tried to remove the chain, even if it did not affect him. Adamently working on it you suceeded even if it costed you time and tools...your gentle hands soothed the irritated skin with your own oilments that you carried.

"It's best if you don't go into the village. The children went missing...and the parents are distraught. You better go home to your own family, little one."

You gave one last pet and smiled as you returned to Ordon Village.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

You thought this would be last time you saw the curious wolf. Yet here he is, having trouble as he carried a wooden shield and hauling it through the dark. As the villagers investigated the strange sounds coming from him, you were quick to distract them. Swiftly hiding him behind a house, you ducked him down.

You ask him what he is doing here, take away the shield - which he fights against almost pleadingly - and shush him from the worried parents.

"Everyone's drowning in worry." You pet him up and down, whispering, "...I really hoped I could stay here for a while, get away from all this chaos outside. But even such a sweet village like this one gets attacked...kidnapping kids...and the Link fella is gone, too..." You trail off but try to smile as the wolf whimpers. Inhaling deeply and forcing a grin you drown him in pats and cuddles. "But don't worry...! I promised them to get the children back! I don't know where they are or where to start...but I'll get them back. I swear, Wolfie!" You laughed as you petted him more, which only made the animal grin. He had long sat down and listenend to your words.

Link was unsure if you were even real when he first saw you that night. The twilight blinded him as that Midna thing mockingly told him of the possible fate of his friends. The people, the spirits - they all whimpered as his sight, smell, touch and hearing changed. All that he knew was different and he might never turn back into the real Link.

You, this new and mysterious woman, were the only thing that seemed real to him. The blade you shoved into his snout, the paw you healed and your hands that combed through his fur - all of this were the only things that felt warm and familiar in this twilight. He hoped you'd be fine. If only he could turn back to his real self and help you. He'd feel better if he had you as a companion and not that shadow imp.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Lake Hylia is grand, Death Mountain steep, and the castle town empty. It's strange to think that he is right here, seeing all the things you saw and encouraged him to. Though the circumstances turned out to be much more meaningful than a simple country pumpkin such as him could have ever imagined.

Midna was right, Hyrule is so close to its doom. All he wanted was to get back to the children and maybe meet you again as you were looking for them too. Though still as a wolf you left for your quest. And now here he is at Kakariko Village. Here to save the kids but to also have to climb Death Mountain first. It's what he as a 'chosen hero' has to do.

Still, he ignored Midna's request as his blue eyes wandered the dry and sandy place. Link found the children quickly and as they pointed to the an opening door, his face lit up. A familiar woman stepped out and he could see you squint your eyes in confusion while he ran up to you. Holding firmly on your arms you were first startled before the young man explained himself.

"Link? Oh, Link! I didn't recognize you, you're so green now!" You pointed out and he couldn't help but laugh. He told you of what happened and what he had to do.

"Are you sure you must? You went missing too, I mean you must be as confused as the kids. You don't have to force yourself if you were hurt as well." There was your concern again, the same one on that night. Even as he assured you, you offered to help but both of you decided that you stay with the children...even if he would have loved to have your company and spend some time together. He was sure you would be of great help and support.

"Well, Death Mountain is hot and dangerous but if you made it so far, you'll be fine. Might as well finally get to see it." You chuckled sheepishly, trying to lift the mood.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

He thought he'd be free from his curse already, the spirit said so. Promised him so but here he is back on all four paws with Midna dying on his back. His pants grew rapid, panicking as the shadow imp almost fell off when he acted to quickly and too carelessly.

What to do? Where to go? Midna is dying...and he is just some animal again! Stuck in this lake, in this desert! The night grows darker and the people more hollow. With a pounding heart he tried to sneak out of the Kakariko's cave first -

"Wolfie...?"

If it weren't for you again.

You knelt down to him as he anxiously turned his snout to his back. Carefully you took Midna, for who you mistook for some kind of baby. As you nervously tried to make sense of the situation, the wolf jumped at you, his eyes wide and bright with his paws on your shoulders as he barked and barked and barked. Please, please, please, do something as you did in Ordon. You have to, you must.

Link is useless like this.

"...Hey," Gingerly you cupped his cheek and wondered how a wolf could be getting misty-eyed. You wiped the fresh tears away. "Wolfie, Wolfie..." Whispering you lean his head against yours and onto your shoulder. You shush him as Midna lays on your lap, caressing his back as he ceased to shake. "You poor thing." Again, you said that again. Adjusting the creature on your lap, you wrapped your arms around the animal and nuzzled his fur. Your lips met his cheek and lingered there as you whispered; "You'll be fine. Everything's gonna be fine again, I promise you."

Link felt like crying again. You were the only one.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Again, you were the only thing that seemed real as his existance as a wild animal.

Midna was the only one to talk to and her personality and motivation left a lot to be desired. She proved her heart was noble but that wouldn't deter her from her jabs. Link could only show his unrest through growls and yips, which she only brushed off with a roll of her eye and taps to his back to hurry up instead.

Even as he ran through the swamps and forest, the dead castle town and plateus, he could often sniff you from afar. Often you found yourself meeting up with the mysterious wolf and it was delightful after he got better. It was even more delightful for Link.

Whatever happened to the 'baby' was left as an enigma to you.

With a groan Midna would retreat into his shadow, mumbling how much time they are wasting again on his little, favorite human, as the wolf appraoched you with a wagging tail. Small recaps of your own adventures and a round of pats were always included.

You could be focused on a task at hand, fight off against monsters or ride through the meadow but the moment you noticed him you'd turn around and your lovely face would lit up. 'Wolfie!' You'd yell out and Link has grown to love no word more than this one. It felt a bit demeaning at the beginning but that just meant you always liked him from the start, right?

Liked him even while he is stuck in this hideous form. He didn't know how long he'd be stuck in there and if he will ever get his human form back, no matter how much Midna promised him, but at least, at least you were here. This wonderful woman with a smile that could rival the sun.

"You be careul on your way now, okay, Wolfie?" You chuckle as he barked in response, turned in a circle and jumped up on you again. His snout searched for your lips.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

You inhaled deeply. This must be...the third time now, if you aren't mistaken.

Castle town seemed dimmer and more hollow the last time you were here and while it was a firm reminder of how much you wanted to leave in the first place, something more sinister has entered this place recently and you can't shake it off. The town square is brimming with a hopeless crowd but you reckon you always hear a cheerful voice calling out to you. Often you find yourself turning around and seeing the image of a hand waving as green ghosts around and between the merchants. The calls seem to drown between the mumbles and even the bar, the one place still full of superficial but pleasant talks felt suffocating. As if entering the wide space was walking into a pair of arms squeezing you from both sides.

The woman behind the counter often raised her brow when you entered until one day she finally spoke up. Apparently somebody's been looking for their good friend, a beautiful gal and you fit the regular's description perfectly. From head to toe. With a worried tone that you couldn't hide, you told the barkeeper that you travel alone.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Castle town became too asphyxiating, your gut feeling telling you to escape in a hurry to Kakariko village, to familiar faces. You still owed the Ordon elders the promise of returning their children unharmed, after all.

And so you did, pushing Colin out of the way and losing sight of the world as a monstrous goblin took ahold of you with the last thing you heard being aggressive galloping and your name screamed out.

Eyes shot awake as you tumbled to the ground, rolling away from the Elden bridge, coughing. Your arms were too weak as you shakily tried to sit up - the rest of the world blurry and dipped in twilight as more screams echoed about. Squinting, you turned around to see something akin to a giant boar falling down right after Link pulled his sword out of its abdomen. With a squishing sound the blinding blade was torn out of it, creating a bigger hole in its flesh. The cry was cut short as it fell to the ground and a pool of blood quickly tainted the rest of its body.

You let out a gasp and at the slightest sound, Link's ear twitched and he swiftly turned around, his face immediately morphing from a glare to a grin. Swinging the blood off his weapon, he rushed over to you and putting his sword back. He unwittingly created a small trail of blood after him. His bloodied arms shot out for you, supporting you as he sat you up. The young man started talking and gushing while you stared up at him, helplessly leaning on him while still beside yourself.

"...Link...?" "You're safe now." He instantly countered with a smile that was meant to reassure you. You swore his eyes were cold as he gave the final blow but now they are the softest you've ever seen. "I saw what you did, you saved Colin. That was so...amazing of you but you gave me a heart attack." Finally, you were able to slowly go back to your senses. "What? You weren't there..."

"Didn't you hear me call you?" You blinked and again, asked him what he meant. 'At Castle town', he grinned and said he saw you. You didn't hear him though. And when he arrived at Kakariko also you did not hear him.

"W-What...?" You let out but were shushed as your head was put on his shoulder. Closing his eyes as he combed through your hair and pressed you further into his body. "You'll be fine. Everything's gonna be fine again, I promise you." He shushed you again as you attempted to speak up and just nuzzled you.

It felt good to repay a favor, be the one who saved you this time. It felt just as good, if not a bit different, to have you in his arms, with him being your hero.

Not the other way around. Though he does not mind that.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Colin's face soured as you explained yourself.

How could he not? A child that you promised to bring home watching you leave for an 'extended period of time' leaving all of Eldin to go to Ranelle. Far, far away.

The little tent you built yourself in the corner of Lake Hylia should be safe and hidden enough. Close enough for fish and far away from monsters. Yet just as you were about to lay down, you heard unusual bickering and turned around, only to once again meet green.

Letting out a yelp, you dropped your weapon in shock only for Link to bring his finger to his lips and shush you. He pointed to himself again and again that he was indeed Link. "What are you doing here?" You manage to let out as you calmed down, "I have to be here." He answered quickly yet you doubted that. "Why are you here? You just left and," He licked his lips, "I was worried about you!" He took a step closer before you could reply.

"It's dangerous to be alone out here. Especially for you, yer..." He couldn't help the grin, "You...you're a beautiful gal and it's best if you aren't alone...say, since we both are here, why don't we stick together? You offered me your help once and I always would have loved to have you with me for a bit..."

"How did you find me?" You took a step back and eyed your weapon on the ground. Link only looked confused. "I...saw you here on the way to the lake. It's easy to spot you." He chuckled sheepishly but you only shook your head and crossed your arms. "...No, thank you. I came here to...relax a bit. The recent events were...frightening."

"I can imagine," Once again his blue eyes softened and he neared you again, putting a hand on your cheek. He missed the way you twitched. "None of this is your responsibilty...yet you choose to help anyway. You're kind...and sweet as honey. That's so amazing of you." Link almost seemed mesmerized as his eyes narrowed. "But you'll have me...I can look out for you, I can protect you-"

"I won't go." You take his hand off your cheek and distance yourself again, finally having the courage to glare at him - in turn, he only looked more confused. "But why? You love Wolfie but when it comes to me, you vanish. Are you shyer around a human than an animal?" He tried to laugh it off even as he saw your face morphing into shock. Quickly you ask him with a stammering voice how he knows that but he seems to ignore it. "I am no different...you saved me a dozens of times! And I," He hesitates but lets it all go as he takes ahold of your shoulders, "I...I think I fancy you and I have been waitin' for so long to at least spend time with you! The only other times we see each other is when you don't understand me, when I'm just some wild beast!"

"But even then you seem like the only one who understood me, the only real one between all these ghosts! So, as payback, at least let me protect you...let me help you. We could be doin' this together."

Link wastes no time to shove you into his chest, into an embrace. He nuzzles your head and his lips met your temple. "I'll defeat the darkness and then we can see the rest of the world together, okay?"

[humming-fly]

bodyswap but it's just the Creatures Within(tm) switching hosts I wonder how that'd go

well I'm stuck at the airport for a while and could use the thought exercise so let's go with it haha

just for consistency let's assume these pairings take place in the host's universe but with the creatures*tm* abilities, ie. greed gets full control of whatever body he works with while john just gets eyes, ling has his motivating factors of being emperor or w/e regardless of pairing while eddie is a washed up reporter in san fran etc.

Ling + Greed: Canonically work incredibly well together, drift compatible idiots, despite having 0 control of his body ling is still able to get his way in the end and had greed doing him favors within 10 minutes of knowing each other, 10/10 compatibility 10/10 functionality

Ling + Venom: hmmm this one's trickier - right away ling is probably extremely agreeable to murder so long as it's who he wants dead/he gets power out of it, so in that regard they'd get along just fine. I think in terms of personality venom is actually extremely easy to work with with very minimal prodding, like he was ready to betray his entire species within like 24 hours so I think ling could get him on board with his power plotting in no time flat and they'd probably have some fun with it. Longer term they might not last too long together since venom is a romantic at heart so ling might need to pass him off to a more suitable partner down the line, but at least in terms of immediate matchups they'd get on well/would probably eat the emperor or something and have a great time doing it. 6/10 compatibility 8/10 functionality

Ling + John: this one's really funny to me john is so fucked lmao - what really works against john here is the fact that ling doesn't really need his eyes to do anything since he can use the dragon's pulse instead and he's also bizarrely mentally stable so it's unlikely his mind would slip enough for john to grab ahold of anything else, so his ability to make himself valuable is pretty dang limited. John's best bet here is convincing ling that working together could result in some sort of power being made available to him down the line, and just have to hope ling decides that's worth his time more than paying for an exorcism. Given ling was willing to search a random country with nothing more than sand and optimism in his pockets those odds aren’t zero though! Beating up cults and making deals with elder gods is very much in ling’s wheelhouse, I’d say normally messing with those things works out poorly for the person investigating them but ling is god’s favorite so he’ll probably be fine. 4/10 compatibility 7/10 functionality

Ling + Rhaast: I mean it’d be fine let’s be real, if rhaast couldn’t corrupt kayn after X years together then ling will be totally fine. Biggest hurdle is I don’t think scythes are ling’s weapon of choice but he could make it work- realistically he’d probably just gift rhaast to the emperor and hope he’d be an impressive enough boon or that rhaast would kill the emperor for him. Idk as much about how the player characters work in lol but assuming kayn’s blue level up thing is canon I assume ling would have that unlocked and rhaast dead in less than three hours. 2/10 compatibility 3-8/10 functionality depending on if sicko mode is canon or not

Eddie + Greed: so in terms of personality I think they’d either get on very well or hate each other with very little in between haha- I lean more towards the former in that Eddie is a somewhat pathetic wash-up and greed is well versed on that kind of personality via making his living in a dive bar. I don’t think they’d be a good reporter though lol. 5/10 compatibility 3/10 functionality

Eddie + Venom: he’s his right hand arm- man. his confidant. his everything. his best friend. his silly rabbit. 10/10 compatibility 7/10 functionality they’re a train wreck that was made for each other

Eddie + John: so this one does have some interesting promise given Eddie is an investigative reporter and also a little insane/prone to impulsive decisions. With that setup I think they actually have the potential to work pretty well together, it would be fun to see how the cookie would crumble over time haha. 8/10 compatibility 8/10 functionality

Eddie + Rhaast: Eddie picks up the scythe and pawns it 0/10 compatibility 0/10 functionality

Arthur + Greed: okay assuming this is memory wipe greed? Might not be too bad, like they might end up in jail but overall surviving the 1930s is feasible for greed and Arthur is probably decent enough company if things are mellow enough. If this is full memory greed? They go into a bar and never leave it again. 6/10 compatibility 3/10 functionality

Arthur + Venom: extremely funny to imagine this one is fun hahaha - I feel like the “lovecraftian horror setting” is just about perfect for venom I genuinely think the cult-busting by night detective by day crime duo has promise - elder gods are all about tentacles and venom can use that to his advantage to assert dominance. 6/10 compatibility 9/10 functionality

Arthur + John: see this one's funny cause this is the canon pairing but their mileage varies so much by virtue of the fact they are the main characters of a choose-your-own-adventure horror podcast, and thus can never really succeed for longer than a few moments lest their entire reality grind to a screeching halt. that said by this point they're mutual lifelines to one another and I respect the codependence. 8/10 compatibility 6/10 functionality (which is pretty high given their medium)

Arthur + Rhaast: exact same as eddie only instead of pawning it probably ends up taking it to some eldrich historian to find out what's up with it. that said arthur Does have a history of immediately going along with voices in his head so he might be the one guy rhaast could actually take over in which case rip arthur lol - regardless pretty unlikely they'd ever stick together longer than an afternoon, 1/10 compatibility 0/10 functionality

not even gonna bother ranking Kayn pairings since I really don't know enough about that guy (really don't know enough about rhaast either but he's funny enough to include lol)

[ambrosiagourmet]

thistle for ask meme!

Thistle :0

First impression

No joke I was convinced early on that Laios & the party were making like a huuuuge leap in assuming that Thistle was the Lunatic Magician TM like guys you can't just go accusing every random person you find in a living painting of being the manager. Alas... he was, in fact, the manager.

Impression now

He's so jester coded👍

I think Thistle is very interesting and a great foil to Marcille, which I looove. They are both magic elf(-ish) advisors, they both get caught up in wanting to help the people around them live longer, they both become dungeon lords in pursuit of that... I think Thistle's story as it is works well for the narrative and I don't necessarily think he was underutilized exactly, but it is a little hard not to want A Bit More sometimes. Even if I do think it would be hard to add that more in without sacrificing some of the pacing overall :')

Favorite moment

I was initially going to say the ending for them, because I do love it, but you know what? I've got a more interesting answer. My favorite Thistle scene is.... this:

This fundamentally changes the trajectory of the story. In trying to find someone to stop the Winged Lion, Thistle launches Marcille into becoming the next lord of the dungeon. The next victim of the Lion. If Thistle hadn't resurrected Marcille, then the plot would have played out totally differently. She wouldn't have been able to finish unsealing the book. Laios would have been on his own when the canaries came. Would they have just cleaned everything up more easily? Would it instead have become something worse? Would Laios somehow have unsealed the book and become the lore of the dungeon right away?

I dunno. But this action reshaped Marcille's life, and Laios', and so many other people's. And it was done out of a desire to keep fighting. To not give in.

Augh idk. It's good. Their connection is good.

Idea for a story

Thistle & Chimera Laios.

But not just a "Laios gets eaten by the dragon instead," I think it would be cool to explore an AU where for some handwavy magic reason, Laios gets his soul bound up w/ the dragon during Falin's resurrection, and he gets poofed into a dragon form.

There's a note somewhere that says that chimeras start popping up the more the lord of the dungeon starts to lose their hold on things, but having met Laios before might help Thistle eventually realize that something is Off about the dragon. From there... well maybe he starts to ask questions and gives Laios more freedom to actually answer, and things could continue from there as Laios gets enough humanity back to start to understand what's happening, and also Thistle takes more time to question the Lion's plans rather than just continue to act. They'd be stuck together, probably with Laios still under Thistle's control, but maybe as they figure out more of the truth, they'd actually work together? Need to rely on each other? I'd like to see how each of them would deal with that situation...

PLUS then on the flip side I think switching Falin into the group part way through the story (rather than at the start) could be really interesting. So the adventures on that side would be fun too.

Unpopular opinion

umm idk. Is Thistle widely regarded as a Marcille foil? Because if not then why. They are so inchresting. funky little mages.

Favorite relationship

Hmmm okay so like obviously Thistle & Marcille, but also as seen in my story idea I want to explore more of Thistle & Laios bc their interactions were fun, soo... I'll just say the Dungeon Lord quartet as a whole. I like when people draw art of them all together. Let them bond through shared trauma. And also all of them have tried to kill at least one other person there at some point. It's great. They should go on brunch dates.

Favorite headcanon

This post about Thistle's goal to eat a meal with Delgal fundamentally rewired my brain

[ben-marco]

This is such a weird area for me to be in... I stepped away from RAMCOA spaces for some time due to life circumstances. I was glad for stuff like the discord server I got into originally with legion as it's been a place that I actually feel safe taking about my trauma in but a lot of the shit coming out about Legion has soured me to all of this. I did find out stuff about my own trauma, stuff I know is true and have worked through in therapy.

Seeing people talk about worries people were pushing them into thinking they'd been around others or had experienced traumas they didn't makes me worried we may have in part made people feel that way. Anyone who was in a specific area when we were we wanted to know if they saw us because we were so desperate to find others to tell us we were right. And we did eventually actually find someone we had known off and on, but really it was dumb luck- and beyond that incredibly reckless and dangerous. I don't blame any of the people there currently but for a period of time there was just.... sort of a culture around trying to find others and spending a lot of time and energy on that which I understand but should have also been stopped sooner than it was.

I just feel so weird about everything coming out and how things are going I don't know how to feel and I just... idk it's weird. It makes me second guess myself more even when I know that what I did experience in my own case was true. Legion never had any say on my traumas either, because I never was involved in anything she was. But it still makes me worried. It's basically just... anytime conspiracy theorists end up damaging the perception of RAMCOA survivors it further makes me shut down and question myself even when I'm working on starting a legal case. I also now have a large amount of anxiety and paranoia around the idea that it may be possible that Legion could have taken some of our vents since we had been off of tiktok so long we would have never noticed them claiming our life story as their own. And that somehow makes me feel the worst out of all of this.

Hi anon,

I've gone through something similar-- questioning my memories and history after being around someone particularly unsavory -- and I hate that you're going through it too with Legion.

What helped me the most was getting away from social media spaces focused on RAMCOA/OEA/OSDDID, which it sounds like you've already done. I needed some time to myself to truly untangle what was mine and what was not, to get back in touch with my own system and my own experiences without input from others. It was difficult but worth it. And it's good to hear that you were able to work some of this out in therapy!

I think another thing to remember is that echo chambers...are echo chambers. It's really, really easy to get into the rhythm of these spaces and it just becomes this cycle of people convincing each other of things. I think it says enough that you're aware of / wondering about whether you may have pushed someone into thinking a certain way. At least with the way you've written this ask, you don't sound like someone who would have done that intentionally. You sound like someone who got caught up in an echo chamber during a vulnerable time in your life.

As for being worried about Legion having potentially co-opted your vents or your story...I'm afraid there's nothing anyone would be able to do about this and I know, for me, it wouldn't be helpful to worry about whether or not I had missed a TikTok post where they had claimed part of my story or co-opted one of my vents. Sure, you can take it upon yourself to look through all their posts, but they've also deleted so many of them over time, and had other accounts...not sure how helpful or healthy it would be to spend a lot of time thinking about that, although it's understandable that it would be concerning.

I told another anon that their trauma is theirs no matter whether or not Legion is a bad person. Your trauma is yours regardless of whether or not Legion has tried to co-opt it somewhere.

[thewickedbohemian]

Dream Animated Movie Musical Tournament Semifinal Round Match 1

And so we're at the semifinals with four musicals remaining, poetically two more dramatic ones going up against a comedy each and I wish I could say I was surprised that three out of four are the kind of alt that would make Hot Topic jump at the chance to merch the heck out of them (it just depends on if they've changed their art-thieving ways if the teens/young adults take the bait)

Beetlejuice

Why this deserves to be an animated movie musical: its musical deserves a movie (even if that means you'd have to rewrite half of "The Whole Being Dead Thing" for fourth-wall-breaking to a movie audience instead of a stage audience but that just helps it be distinct) and animation would help distinguish it from the existing movies as well as just be able to really amp things up visually from what you can depict on stage (imho movie adaptations of fantasy or sci-fi musicals should always be animated unless you're using a majority of practical effects instead of so much CGI a live-action movie of them might as well be animated)

Ideal animation style (at least imho): Laika Studios's style but I'm not just saying that because of Coraline, I just feel like that visual style would kinda "match its freak" if you get what I mean and we haven't really seen that style with a musical yet

Additional notes: as I said last round I do have a partial dream-voice-cast but I'm completely freaking stuck on who should voice Beetlejuice as I feel like Alex Brightman isn't a big enough name outside certain circles for him returning to be worth it unless everyone else was a big enough name to sell tickets and a lot of the more-mainstream actors I think would work are almost-there-but-not-quite (e.g. while I may love dream-voice-casting NPH as trickster figures I feel like he doesn't have enough edge to pull off Beetlejuice)

Jekyll & Hyde

Why this deserves to be an animated movie musical: it'd be a lot easier on the actor playing the title dual role if they only had to play it vocally and not physically and also the gothic vibes and the setting could translate really cool. Also this is a classic story that tends to get overshadowed a lot by its other spooky contemporaries

Ideal animation style (at least imho): something with the darkness of Batman: The Animated Series (both figuratively and literally though idk how you'd make that translate to 3D I do think the BTAS style of drawn-on-black-backgrounds would suit the tone) and the visual richness of Disney (I don't know what studio should actually do this but imagine how certain numbers would look animated in a Disney-esque style (even their 3D style despite how I wish they'd go back to doing some 2D movies sometimes))

Additional notes: this would have to be carefully marketed because this is definitely not an animated movie musical you take your kid to but the fact that people have to warn that Hazbin Hotel isn't kid-friendly indicates there's still some parents who see animated and think that automatically means they should show their kids

[dirty-osc-confessions]

Coming back to copy-paste my confessions for the background of my anon sona. The concept of an "anon sona" is kinda crazy esp since I can't share it on Tumblr bc my style is somewhat recognizable to those who know it, and part of the name is being anonymous. I guess it's better to have "🫳🫴🦷 anon" be the person tied to my words than my main blog/image.

I've been quietly using that emoji combo for at least a year before I was even on Tumblr though, so if any of my close friends ever get Tumblr and find confession blogs I'm done for.

The only place I think I can safely put the art itself is the main oscconfessions blog's discord, but the link expired, so I'm trying to be patient to wait for the meetup to end so I can beg for a new one. Honestly, it being closed right now hurts rrgfghg.

5 hours on my Freaky Tooth drawing so far. If anyone wants to see it, I can send it in the inbox, and as long as it's deleted eventually, I'm good. The want to show off art is slowly arguing the style recognition argument away

Something to confess while I'm here, the months Airy was gone in hfjone makes less sense the more I think about it.

Food & water are the basics - based on the assumption that hfjone follows the same rules/standard of other object shows, objects need to at least eat to survive. Furthermore, we can see that there are restaurants in the osc version of San Francisco, and if not that, there's at least a bar. Alcohol as a beverage was made through wheat products, which were only harvested for the purpose of food in the first place. There's always the possibility with that that in this alternative timeline, beer/alcohol was made later on in the modern age through experimenting with brain chem's reaction, and in this case, I present water. In the hfjone investigations, much like in a real police questioning scenario, each of those who give testimony are offered water. This is to build rapport, but I don't have time to go into criminal psychology (as much as I'd love to talk abt it, this is an osc confession), so instead I'll say for the sake of argument that water IS essential to an object living.

Where did they get the water during that time??? Sure, there was the swimming pool, but I doubt they'd do that for months without making some form of cup. Slurping up water WHILE SWIMMING IN THE WATER is a terrible idea, you will get another Liam scenario. (Also feel like the water level might've gone down a bit, but who cares.)

Food??? I think at this point, they still had Whippy Creamy, but whipped cream is not a viable source of nutrients. ALSO, there's an issue with quantity. Do you really think one tub of whipped cream could sustain a group of more than even ONE object for that long??? Idk, maybe they just started eating tree bark from those trees we see in the challenge to "run to the tree and back".

I have less of an issue with Airy's version of this. There was probably some wildlife/edible plant life around he could get in a decade.

I mean. You could always just. Moldy is still a piece of bread, and if you cut off the moldy bit, you might be able to last a bit. They didn't do that though, sucks to suck not to resort to cannibalism in basically a stranded island scenario. Speaking of, object anatomy, yeah? Weird stuff, but I'll talk about that some other time.

Still enjoy hfjone. I don't have anything vitriolic to say other than I still hate bfdi with all my heart and soul. Love all the algebraliens, though ♡

I didn't double-check any of my claims here, but I think rewatching all of hfjone/the investigation tapes earlier this month is still fresh enough in my mind to talk about.

I find Pi and Animatic are those I'm most 'down bad' for. Jjjjjesus I didn't plan on this being an nsfw consfession though, and it's already getting quite long as is.

xoxo, 🫳🫴🦷 anon (freaky tooth)

wow, interesting stuff. is there a history of adhd in your family?

[p5x-theories]

In the spirit of P3R, which thieves would get along with which members of the SEES the most?

(...if it's fine, it can just be like, Wonder, Soy, Closer, Cattle, and...idk. There's a bunch of thieves now)

Ooo, good question! Was wondering if you or someone else would eventually ask about SEES, considering the asks for P5 and P4 before.

(Okay, originally I typed "I'll go for one P5X thief for each member of SEES, I think", and then I ended up mentioning at least two for each of them. Yeah, wow, we really do have a ton of thieves now, haha.)

P3 Protagonist

For the male protagonist, it's a little hard for me to imagine him intentionally bonding with anyone, but you might be able to make the argument that, logically, the character he'd be most likely to spend time with outside of combat is Yui, given his own online video game Social Link proves he can and has bonded with someone over playing together online, haha? I do think he'd probably get along with Wonder as well, because especially early on they have a similar vibe of just sort of going along with whatever comes their way.

For the female protagonist, it's sort of the opposite problem- I think she'd more consciously bond with everyone. But I like the idea of her and Kayo bonding because they're both kind of upfront and outgoing? She'd definitely click with Motoha, Tomoko, Yaoling, and Leo too, though, I think, just on vibes.

Yukari

Honestly, Yukari's a little tricky to say, because I think she'd take a bit to warm up to anyone, and there's no one that she has enough immediate overlap to be likely to click with, like Ann. I think Kayo is the closest, but I also think Yukari'd be wary of her because of her issues with her mom. They might eventually smooth things over, but that's not really the focus here.

Really, if I have to pick one person, I think it has to be Leo. They're both interested in acting, and though Leo might come on a little strong at first for Yukari, I feel like she'd warm up to him faster than most of the other members of the Wonder Squad, especially because he's also kind of struggling against his parents (even if his situation is different from Yukari's). I think Leo's conviction in what he wants to do, despite how his parents feel, would also go a long way. There's a bit more similarity between the two of them than either might think at first.

Yukari and Yukimi might also eventually bond over conflict particularly with their mothers, but I think that would be a bit slower than her and Leo, because Leo seems more open whereas Yukimi's mentioned to have a cold exterior that Yukari might not see past immediately.

Junpei

Junpei and Motoha. I believe it. I know it. Baseball buddies. They're also both the kind of "charge in and solve the problem" types, and generally I think their personalities and outlooks are just very compatible. I'm sure they'd still butt heads occasionally, because they both have very strong opinions when push comes to shove, but I absolutely think they'd be friends.

As far as baseball goes, that'd probably also mean Junpei spends a bit more time with Tomoko, too, and I think he'd like her even if they might not quite click the same way as he and Motoha.

Mitsuru

Seiji seems like the obvious person Mitsuru would bond with if they spent some time together, haha? They have similar aesthetics, and based on the limited info we have on Seiji right now, I think some similarities in personality + upbringing as well, even if there are obvious differences.

At the very least, they'd probably spar together sometimes and compare rapier techniques.

Oh, I'm sure Mitsuru would end up spending some time with Cattle as well, given he's the Wonder Squad's sort of leader/strategist (at least as we know him right now). I don't know if they'd click exactly, but I think they'd work together well.

Akihiko

I could see him getting along with Yaoling, as they both seem to have the same sort of enthusiasm, if that makes sense? That might be a bit of a shot in the dark, because there's still a lot we don't know about her (that we'll hopefully fill in a little with the third beta!), but it's just the impression I get. Leo might also get along well with him, considering lots of sparring and general exercise techniques are probably useful training for the field (tokusatsu actor) he wants to go into.

If he's looking for other athletes, then Mont and Motoha also make sense, although I'm not sure he'd quite click with either of them; Mont's a bit more refined/graceful than his approach, and while Motoha has a lot of energy I think he might wear her out, haha. Her sport isn't her entire life, the way his is (That is, "sport". Akihiko's a boxer, but his true "sport" is just always trying to get stronger, I suppose).

Fuuka

I'm between a couple characters on who might get along with Fuuka best, honestly. For one, I could see her and Tomoko getting along, as both of them kind of come across as softer/more shy, but actually have more conviction and skill than people tend to give them credit for? I could see them bonding over that, even if their interests differ, and that might lead to Fuuka spending some time with Motoha as well.

But then there's also Fuuka's conflict with her parents and the pressure they put on her, which I could see her potentially bonding with Yukimi and/or Puppet over, as we know they both struggle with pressure from their parents that they don't agree with as well.

If Riddle's robot Persona reflects an interest in any kind of mechanics or robotics, Fuuka might bond with her over that as well.

Aigis

I'm honestly not sure who Aigis might get most attached to, given in P3 canon she's always most attached to and protective of the protagonist because they're the one she sealed Death away inside of. That said, she might like Wonder, if he reminds her of them?

I am curious what she might think of Riddle and her robot Persona as well, but right now we know so little I can't really extrapolate anything from there.

Koromaru

Koromaru would get along with anyone, let's be real. But I could also see Kiyoshi getting kind of attached to him, given the only thing more supernatural than 26 "chosen ones" with psychic powers (wow. SEES + the current Wonder Squad really is a lot of people) is probably one of those "chosen ones" being a dog with psychic powers. I don't know if Koromaru would actually show a particular favoritism with Kiyoshi or not, but I'm sure he'd appreciate the extra attention as long as it came with walks, pets, and tasty food, haha.

Ken

I think Ken might like Cattle, thinking it over. Cattle's eager to teach and do phantom thievery, and in PQ2 Ken was definitely interested in learning. I think it'd also help that Cattle isn't really obviously older than him, the way everyone else is (except, I guess, maybe Riddle), so it'd feel less like there's a power imbalance he's trying to catch up to? He might even appreciate being taller than Cattle, haha.

From what I remember, I don't think Morgana and Ken quite clicked the same way over this in PQ2 (even despite having a Unison attack together), but I think the difference is that Cattle takes a much more serious/levelheaded approach, whereas Morgana's kind of hotheaded and goofy sometimes. As much as Ken deserves to just be a kid sometimes, he's not really going to consciously loosen up about it, so Cattle's approach is something I'd expect to resonate with him even more than Morgana's.

Let's be real, he'd also probably find Leo cool, but would absolutely not admit it.

Shinjiro

Okay, I feel a little bad that I keep grouping him based on cooking, but considering that's one of the main things we know about him right now... come on. Shinjiro and Shun for sure. I feel like they'd butt heads in the kitchen but actually have a really good time. Also absolutely skip school to have a cooking competition.

... Maybe if they team up they'd also have a better shot at helping Fuuka improve her own cooking ability, too, haha.

[mikerooksi]

vent/rant sorry hahagshja throws up and explodes

im a yapper

somwtimes I miss the people who did bad things to me and/or other people because sometimes I feel like they cared for me and/or talked with me more than the friends I have now

and I don't mean this in a way where I'm tryna make my friends rn look bad I love all of yall I really do and honestly it might js be the night time thoughts getting to my head but idk I've js thought abt people from my past for a while and like I try and make myself hate them but then I think abt like oh how I was actually friends with those people/person. like i actually had some. connection to them??

whether it was where we played games together or we just hung out at school or or whatever but I just think about the fact that I had fun with those people, that i felt comfortable with them sometimes. but then I also think about what they've done and I'm like 'damn do I really miss a person who's done all that to me/other people?? that's fucked up' but idk it's really hard to ACTUALLY hate someone I feel like but like IDK there's like multiple opinions rn in my head arguing with each other basically and it just makes me feel kinda weird and gross and 'wtf ur disgusting' ykwim

IDK IDK DUDE like likee I just remember they'd message me way more than my friends do rn but at the same time I think it was js bc like for AT LEAST one of them they were honestly jus tryna get me to be with them/play with them 24/7, which is actually one of the main problems I had with that person but at the same time I've thought abt it before and I'm like 'I wish I had someone like that so I can play with people more often' LIKE not in the way where I want someone who's a bad person but someone who wants me enough to be the like person to ask of they wanna play together but I think that's a me problem so idfk

actually all of this is kinda a me problem HELP dude I sound insane

i meam like back to that part where I mentioned how it's kinda hard to hate somebody even in my life like, right now, present time it's hard for me to really hate someone bc like. there's this person who's a dick ar my school but sometimes I see them laughing or hanging out with their friends and, ik they're a bad person and stuff but like seeing them have fun and still be like, human, makes it hard to really hate them ykwim? but it's not like I like them though. idk emotions are mad weird I don't even know if I'm making sense rn

i really just think it's the night time thoughts but idfk dude sometimes I wonder if I were able to go back and if I had just said nothing or whatever at the time would I have still decided to later on break off our friendship and stuff?? IDKK idk.

maybe I don't miss them like the actual person exactly but I miss the good moments? I think that's what I'm tryna say??? I'm not sure bro ☹️

anyways sorry for the wall of text 🧍‍♂️

[aldbooks]

IDK if you do random prompts but could you do one where Azriel challenges Lucien to a blood duel (Elain doesn't want it/doesn't know about it) and Lucien is like nah, why would I fight a blood duel for someone who doesn't talk to me and peaces out of the NC, etc and then Elain realizes she should've given Lucien a chance and maybe goes after him?

sorry, that was long and a giant mess but I love your one shots and I just had to ask!

Honestly I’d been wanting to write something like this. I have a very rough draft I never published in my cloud somewhere but in that one Lucien’s forced into it and basically everyone and their brother gets involved it’s very messy 😂

Truth be told, I've tried multiple times to write this prompt, and each draft inevitably began to spiral out of control. This is the first somewhat coherent one I've been able to manage

---

His distracted thoughts were the only thing Lucien could blame for not noticing what he was walking into. For not sensing her, for not smelling them together as he rounded the corner in the garden and found Elain and Azriel tucked behind a vine covered wall, hidden from view of the house. There was no pretending he didn't know what was going on with them any longer. It was far too late to turn around and walk in another direction, letting them continue on with their clandestine meetings, thinking he was none the wiser. Not when he was confronted with the scene before him now.

Elain, for her part, blushed crimson and tried to push away but Azriel did not release his hold on her as he turned a cold glare on Lucien for interrupting them. Judging by the redness around her lips and the tousled state of her curls, it didn't take much to determine just how ardent they'd been just a moment before.

The pain of seeing it for himself, rather than simply knowing it was happening, was much sharper than he expected but he kept his face passive as he awaited the inevitable confrontation. Turning away now would make him seem a coward and he refused to be that. 

"My lady," he said, nodding to his mate and then the Shadowsinger. "Azriel."

The male bristled at the use of his name rather than title. A bit juvenile perhaps but was he not allowed to be at least a little bit petty, given the situation?

"Enjoying the fine weather?" he asked, briefly eyeing the sunny skies of early summer that were now leaning towards evening. Elain clung to Azriel now, her face a mask of terror. Wether she expected him to attack her or him, Lucien wasn't sure but he had to swallow down a disgusted scoff at the insinuation that he would resort to violence at all, like some uncivilized brute. That might be how her lover preferred to handle things, but Lucien preferred a more- tactful approach.

"What are you doing here, Vanserra?" Azriel growled, pushing Elain behind him as though he too expected a fight. 

Lucien fought a flinch at the use of his surname as well as the urge to roll his eyes at such dramatics. He was furious, sure; humiliated, most definitely, but he was a courtier. He fought with words, not fists. The fact that even the much lauded Spymaster did not seem to realize this was almost laughable. 

"I was just delivering my latest report to Rhysand and Feyre. They invited me to stay for dinner. I thought to take a stroll through the gardens until then. I had not realized it was occupied," he said dryly as though he were unaffected by finding them here. 

"Yes," Azriel replied cooly. "I'm sure you did expect to find the gardens empty of their usual inhabitant." His tone clearly conveyed his skepticism that Lucien had not come out here specifically seeking his mate who was well known to spend most of her time toiling away in the flower beds. 

He did not point out that the gardens were certainly big enough for them both to avoid each other should they wish. He also did not point out that while he may have been too distracted to not note their location, so too had they. Though, Lucien was a bit surprised his shadows had not alerted him to his approach. He tried not to stare at them, though his mechanical eyes tracked their agitated movements. 

Then again, perhaps they had warned him and he'd simply chosen to do nothing. Perhaps he'd even wanted to get caught. He certainly seem to be all that surprised or embarrassed at having been found out.

Just for that reason, Lucien would not give him the satisfaction of rising to the bait. He smiled blandly. "Given the late hour, I thought it safe to assume everyone indoors. I know ladies prefer to avoid too much sun." At this, he flicked a glance at the freckles scattered along the bridge of Elain's nose that had not been there when he'd last seen her. 

"If you'll excuse me," he said, bowing his head slightly. "Since this particular path seems to be crowded, I'll choose another."

He turned his back on them, knowing it would piss the Shadowsinger off to be dismissed and had barely taken two steps when a low, menacing voice said- "release her."

Against his better judgment, Lucien paused and slowly turned back around, eying the male impassively. "I beg your pardon?"

"Release her," he repeated.

Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know perfectly well, Spymaster that it is not within my power to do so. If the lady does not wish to be bound to me, then she may reject the bond herself, as I'm sure she has been told by now. And in any event, I have made no claim on her, she is free to decide what she wants for herself."

"She doesn't want you," he growled. Behind him, Elain cowered, curling into herself, her face drained of color. 

"Do you presume to speak for her?" Lucien said cooly, holding the Shadowsinger's gaze in challenge. 

Azriel bristled, his massive wings rustling at his back. "She is-"

"Perfectly capable of speaking her own mind," Lucien countered before the other male could finish what was sure to be a spectacular display of male pride. Elain said nothing but he did notice that she'd backed away from Azriel a step or two which gave him some satisfaction. 

"She doesn't want you," he said again, his eyes growing colder with every word. "You know this, everyone knows this. She has never wanted you and never will want you. And you will never be good enough for her."

It was only years of practice in taking thinly veiled insults to his face that allowed Lucien to let this one slide over him and off his back without the slightest change in expression, but he still felt the words sliding over his skin in an oily drizzle that whispered the truth of them. 

"Then she can tell me so herself." His gaze slid to Elain once more. She had backed even further away from the other male, her eyes wide, but still she said nothing.

"I challenge you." The words were snarled out through bared teeth as the Shadowsinger's body seemed to vibrate with fury. 

Lucien stilled, his gaze flicking back to Azriel as something dark began to unfurl in his chest. Some long buried beast he'd almost forgotten about. "Excuse me?"

In a flash of shining metal, Lucien found himself staring down the blade of the famed Truthteller. Elain gasped loudly but Lucien did not even flinch. "I challenge you to a Blood Duel," Azriel said in a voice like death. "If you will not let her go, I will make you."

Lucien laughed. He could not help it, though the sound held no mirth whatsoever. This only seemed to make the Shadowsinger angrier. From the corner of his eye, he could see Elain glancing between them with a panicked expression. "No," he said simply.

Azriel blinked as though he had not been expecting the answer before thrusting his blade at him again. "You will accept. And you will be defeated."

Lucien laughed again, with a touch more amusement this time. "You really are arrogant, aren't you?" he said, casually brushing the notorious blade aside. "You assume that because I prefer not to fight with weapons that I do not know how to use them. Or perhaps, it is that because I chose to use my magic rarely, you think I have little of it? There is a reason my brothers thought me a threat to them. And you seem to have forgotten who trained me. I may not be an Illyrian warrior but I promise, you would not find that battle so easily won as you think."

"Then you are a coward to not accept."

He barked another laugh. "No. I am a smart male who would rather not waste his time, or deal with the fallout that would surely follow," he said disdainfully.

"I am not a barbarian. I will not hold an unwilling female to an agreement that does not exist. The bond was never accepted, she is well able to reject it and I will not force her decision either way. If she tells me she wishes me to go, then I will. I have no desire to fight to the death for a female who has no interest in me. That would be the height of folly."

Lucien flicked his gaze to Elain once more, finding her gaze locked on Azriel.

---

Elain watched in growing horror as Azriel persisted in his attempt to draw Lucien into a fight. That horror was coined by fear and disgust when Lucien revealed that this Blood Duel Azriel insisted upon was a fight to the death. It was utterly savage and she could only stare at the male she had thought of as so tender and kind, threatening to kill her mate over something she realized he had no control over. 

She could reject it. 

The thought swirled through her mind in a tangle of thoughts. Lucien spoke as if this knowledge should be known to her, but it was not. No one had ever told her it was even an option. She supposed it was because none of those around her could fathom rejecting one's mate. Never mind that her sisters had not exactly had easy starts with their own mates. She was quiet certain that at one point, Nesta would've been just as happy to see Cassian dead. 

Azriel did not seem to give much thought of concern to the notion of rejecting a mate. Odd, considering what she knew of the esteem the fae held for such rare bonds. Neither did Lucien, for that matter, if he was able to speak about it so blithely, as though it were a given that he would simply concede should she choose not to accept him.

And that seemed even odder still. 

From what she had been told, both of her sister's mates had been unrelenting in their pursuits, particularly when her sisters had been at the height of their resistance to the bond. And yet, Lucien had never displayed an ounce of the territorial aggression she had expected. A fact she was only just realizing as she watched him bat away Azriel's attempts to draw him into a fight. In fact, he continuously tried to pull her into the conversation that Azriel did not seem to deem fit for her participation. Never mind that she was the subject.

She could feel Lucien's gaze on her, but she could not peel her horrified gaze from Azriel as she began to see the layers of civility he wore like a mask, peeling away to reveal something truly terrifying. So this was the the Shadowsinger? The cruel Spymaster that everyone seemed to cower in fear of? She stared at him as though seeing him truly for the first time. She wasn't altogether sure she liked what she saw. 

"Accept," Azriel demanded, growing visibly agitated by Lucien's refusal to be the slightest bit intimidated by him. Bold, really, for someone with half of Azriel's years of experience and training. 

Lucien sighed, his lashes fluttering as though he wanted to roll his eyes. "First of all, only an Autumn Court male can issue a challenge, which you decidedly, are not."

"You are Beron's son-" Azriel started to argue. 

"And I have not claimed my father's house in over two hundred years," fire sparked in Lucien's eyes, seeming to give even Azriel pause. "As you're well aware. Not to mention that, personally, I find the entire practice archaic and primitive. "

Azriel did not miss the insult, neither did Elain as she watched the male's wings flare wide, heedless that she was only a few feet away. Luckily she had stepped far enough away to avoid getting hit. Silently, she agreed with Lucien's assesment of the situation. 

"Secondly," he continued. "Seeing as the Night Court long ago banned such duels, how do you imagine your High Lord would feel about your insistence upon, and participation in one?"

Gone was the flippant attitude Lucien had been sporting until this moment. He spoke the words with such coolness, the sharp edge of warning evident as he seemed to happen upon the one argument that finally gave Azriel pause. She could see it in the set in his jaw and the clenching of his fists. Rhysand would not like it. And Azriel hated to disappoint his brother. 

If Lucien was right, and the Night Court had banned duels over disputed females, Rhysand would have to punish Azriel if he persisted in this course. He would not have a choice, not if he wished to retain the integrity of his position. She could only imagine what kind of punishment such a transgression would demand. 

"Free her."

Elain tried not to sigh aloud at the relief that flooded her when he seemed to finally give up his quest. Still, she was growing tired of being spoken of as though she were not standing right here, incapable of speaking for herself.... just as Lucien had said. 

"I was not aware she was trapped- at least, not by me," Lucien replied drily, looking in her direction. "I have no wish for bloodshed, and I cannot imagine that you do either." He was still looking at her as he said this. Azriel did not so much as glance sideways at her.

"You don't even want her," he snarled.

Lucien shrugged. "Then you have nothing to worry about. If you're what she wants, then bless you both. I will not stand in her way. Nor will I be drawn into any foolish battles that will only cause more harm." He turned to Elain once more. "The choice is, and always has been, yours, my lady."

With that, he bowed to her, ignoring Azriel entirely as he turned back for the main house.

Stomach roiling, and mind fairly spinning as it scrabbled to process the events of the last few minutes, Elain watched him go, feeling a tug in her chest towards him that, for once, she was not entirely sure she wished to ignore.

Beside her, Azriel's shadows swirled around him as she stormed off, apparently having forgotten she was there and what they'd been doing not five minutes ago, and took to the skies. 

Elain felt power surge up within her, and the now familiar sensation of a vision taking over her senses. She surrendered to it. Before her, was a crossroads with paths leading in several directions. She turned slowly, examining each until she felt a pull towards one in particular and knew where it would lead.

For the first time since she'd been turned fae, and felt the bond snap into place, Elain realized that the choice she thought had been taken from her that day, had been there all along. Waiting.

[bunnakit]

i think tumblr might have eaten my ask (if you got it and just haven't had time to answer yet please ignore this!)

there is a certain, well, let's call it vibe between all of the gang members in not me. which gang members do you think got to know each other biblically before white's arrival? and how did those trysts come to pass? (who started it, was/is it a recurring thing, are they honest about it if asked?)

god tumblr has been eating like half my notifications as well lately, idk why. (i've gotten a big influx of followers lately so idk if its just like, catching up, or if this site is just held together with gum and a dream <- probably that one)

I definitely think Sean and Yok fooled around, mostly Yok and almost everyone. I think he's more free with his affection and I think for him love and sex are very different things. He strikes me as the type that's able to separate them in a healthy way and appreciate sex as just a way to unwind and have fun. So that's kind of my blanket, I think Yok has fucked everyone at some point.

I think Sean and Yok were a one night thing; it was nice but not anything either one needed to repeat. Maybe they were drunk or stressed or whatever. They're honest about it, never really tried to hide it.

I think Yok and Gram was a little deeper, a little more feelings involved. Gram was lonely, mopey, and Yok assured him he was desirable, and showed him just how desirable he was. It's something they've repeated a few times and both feel better afterwards. I think Gram doesn't want to mention it, so Yok respects that.

Yok and Black have NOT fucked. They'd kill each other, I think. And not in a fun way.

We ALL know how I feel about Gumpa Yok but honestly? I don't think they've fucked, at least not prior to White and the events of the show. I don't think Gumpa would want to risk making any of the boys uncomfortable.

I can't really see Sean and Gram happening? They seem distant, like two people who just happen to be fighting for the same thing. We don't really see anything that connects them on any deeper level than the surface.

Sean and Black... There may have been a hate fuck between them, maybe. Depends on adrenaline, inebriation, relationship status, etc. I think both of them agreed to forget about it - especially after Black abandoned Sean.

Black and Gram... I think Gram thinks about it a lot, he wishes he knew what he could do to get Black's eyes on him like that. I'm a BlackGram truther until I die, but I just don't think it's happened for them yet.

Black Gumpa tho?? I think Black is the only person Gumpa MAY have had relations with. Black seems like the kind of person that can separate feelings and sex in a cold way and Gumpa would know it wouldn't get complicated - if anyone was going to get complicated feelings here it'd be him and he has enough control over himself to ignore them. He knows Black a little too well, the fact he knows every callous on Black's hands? Suspicious. They definitely don't mention it, it doesn't mean anything so there's no reason to.

[real-total-drama-takes]

i saw the "I want to see trenterra" ask and that just intrigued me so here's my immediate thoughts on how that cld even work.

Obviously they'd know each other before TDWT because Drama Brothers.

Because Trent's so into what the fans want (to the point where he's chill after they tie him to a bus), I can see him still being genuinely friendly to her even after she does some over-the-top stuff like breaking into their tourbus.

And I don't think Sierra's really had that many fulfilling relationships, she grew up in a house where her mother obsessed over Chris Mcclean, and that's very obviously had a large effect on her. It's mentioned at least once that she didn't really make friends in her childhood. I feel like she followed her mother's actions and turned to the parasocial in its place, forming a deep disconnect that spiralled out of control.

So yeah, having those first few strings of genuine could be good for Sierra in helping her recognise how unhealthy her behaviour is, and what she can do to be better. And Trent's a fairly good person for that, he's sincere, patient (especially in responding to really.. idk how to say it.. intense stuff? i.e. bus again), but still able to put his foot down. He'd be more readily able to sympathise with Sierra because he screwed up in Action in ways that are along similar lines.

And Sierra would be very open to his issues too, I can't see her immediately jumping to harsh judgement when his OCD causes him to act in ways she can't immediately understand, and I can see her as very happy to listen, which I think is something Trent needs a lot.

So yea they gradually develop to allow themselves to be fully open to each other, in a way they haven't really done with anyone else and then eventually they start dating boom trenterra

...okay the dating would actually probably take a fair bit of build-up, I think beforehand these two would be quite eager to jump into relationships due to idealism, but with their relationship shaking them up so much I think they'd kinda be hesitant. I can see Trent worrying he'll make the same mistakes with Gwen. I can see Sierra worrying if Trent truly likes her, or whether she's fallen back into bad habits and is fictionalising his emotions.

It'd be a kinda bizzare romantic relationship (definitely not fitting previous Trent's idealizations of what a romantic relationship should look like), of course they'd play into some of those romantic concepts, I think they're both very into that thing, big gestures, sappy romances, but ultimately the relationship is stable due to that openness and communication, the hidden part of the iceberg.

It probably ends after a few years after they develop enough in their external lives to realise that they no longer need the romantic relationship, and can just go back to friends.

ok after writing this whole thing i went from curious trenterra neutraller to mild trenterra liker. Heck, now i'd want to see Trenterra too.

.

[noblehcart]

what are some of your favorite ships with your oc? -For Liesel and Stefan <3 <3

ORIGINAL CHARACTER QUESTIONS & HEADCANONS @myhiraeth

OKAY SO, I will say this first that what's listed below is in no particular order of most to least. Nor is it all my ships which I adore all of them, but these ships are the ones I get to do/write/talk about most.

SO FIRST OFF WE'RE STARTING WITH YOU SINCE U SENT THE ASK-

JASON & LIESEL- Were our first ship?? AND BOY DOES IT SLAP. I love love Jaseliese for each other because its that sweet niche of misunderstood almost-bad boy and soft nerd girl. They have this fantastic I love you despite what anyone says because we know this love is RARE. I think I will always be able to think of new aus for them because they have new mountains to climb together which make it so much fun and I adore them so much. I feel like they recognize each other's selves in each other (if that makes sense) like if things had worked out differently they could've been each other as well because they're both soft hearted, fierce for those they love and love lit that had things been switched they'd be each other still and value what they see in the other. I just adore them ok ok??

STYXX & LIESEL- ok HERES MY THING THO....how tf did Styxx and Liese meet???? YEAH I DONT KNOW EITHER BUT WE BOTH KNOW THAT THEY WORK. Styxxliese is a match made in heaven. Sheer perfection. What was their first date? IDK. Who kissed who first? IDK? But we do know what their apartment looks like, what their wedding looks like, what they look like together lounging....WE SET UP EVERYTHING ELSE but the beginnings and i fuckin love it. THAT IS WHEN U KNOW IT MESHES. It just *works*. He has enough heart and wisdom and hope in humanity and sees the best of it in her and she sees this kind, wise and hopeful person who has every reason not to be and they just love each other for it.

STEFAN & CERCI- OUR EMOTIONALLY COMPROMISED CHILDREN. Ah, steferci, I could write a thesis about but I won't because this would be a ridiculously long post. Stefan and Cerci had that immediate styxxliese like connection that I'm like 99% certain that within 3x of meeting they were already half in love. Their chemistry is off the charts and they're steely walls just melt for each other. I cannot believe how quickly this came together but I am so here for it. He's just turned this emotionally repressed soldier into a puddle for her. They love each other for their flaws and appreciate their strengths and admire in the other what they do not have themselves and its fantastic- I LOVE it.

@lordofthestrix

TRISTAN & LIESEL- They were NOT supposed to be a ship. I went into their interactions with the full intention of 'i'm lucky that he wants to ship with olga and that's all.' and yet here we are deep into the multiverse of alternate universes for these two. I don't know how that happened and I still don't know how Tristan isn't thoroughly irritated with Liesel yet, but here we are with her ready to destroy an imperial family and revolutionize a country to maintain a timeline to save the future she has with him. If that's note love I don't know what is? Tristliese is this wonderfully fun and complex ship that always keeps me on my toes and has been such an amazing delightful ride of creativity.

@paramounticebound

KHAN & LIESEL- Were absolutely not supposed to be a ship on my end of things IDK about you, but for me I absolutely didn't intend for this ship. Everyone wants to ship with a villain and I thought it'd be much more fun to befriend the villain. To see the push and pull of these two very intelligent characters on complete opposite ends of the spectrum....and yet HERE WE ARE. I was so sURE he was going to shoot her out an airlock and we are waist deep in aus and them being ridiculously passionately gravitationally drawn to each other which is so *fascinating* to me. I loove the sharp contrast of his intensity and her softness, his intention and her caution. They're this fantastic polar opposite spectrum of a relationship that is absolutely WONDERFUL. I cannot wait to see where else we take them.

@holyguardian

AERITH & LIESEL- OKAY BUT....this ship has ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME and its the most chaotic and fun thing. Like I never ever expected Liese to have a girlfriend because she swings 98% of the time for the boys, but Aerith has that voodoo and Liesel adores her. SO MUCH. And I know we haven't talked about them *that* much but its something that lives rent free in my brain 24/7 because I just love all the details we pulled out together for them as a couple. How they dress, how they shop, how they take care of each other and its just so WHOLESOMELY CHAOTIC that I had to throw it here in the list <3

@walkingshcdow

RAHADIN & LIESEL- okay so we have had SO MANY ships over the years and especially with Liesel that I can't just pick one from our bajillion so since I know you're mostly dnd oriented I thought I'd toss these two out here. Rahadin and Liesel have such a fantastic slow burn that I absolutely love no matter what AU its in. I think the only AU where they don't slowburn is Selkie au for obvious reasons. Liesel loves the soft soul that is still there willfully beating in his chest and he admires her for managing to keep that same softness in a world like Barovia where there's little compassion to be had. They're a fantastic couple.

[caracteresolaires]

17-24 for otp asks? :0

Thank you Ren!!! for Tiff and Nick, natch

17. What senses (sights, smells, feelings, etc) remind them of each other?

For Nick: pastry baking in an oven, sharp blackberry tang, wheat-gold, cool marbles in the hand, and soft humming For Tiffany: woodsmoke, raw sugar, charcoal, sweat down the neck, and fire crackling in a hearth

18. What would be their love motto?

Hmm!!! Ultimately, it's "I choose you" - I choose to stay with you, I choose to protect you, I choose to save you, I choose to love you. Choice is an important aspect in their lives, and to find someone they choose and who chooses them back is important.

19. If they could each write a single line in their marriage vows, what would they be?

Nick would just like to hear they're getting married lmao - in all honesty, it probably takes Tiff way less time to say yes than her Gunsmoke counterpart, though marriage is less important to her than it is to him. As for what they would actually add, idk! I think their vows are off-the-cuff anyway.

20. What is a promise they have made to each other?

As stated above, they promise to choose each other - for better or worse, literally. And a promise to never judge harshly, as they're both imperfect and they both know that.

21. How have they changed each other for the better/for the worse?

I think it's all for the better - Nick is a source of courage for Tiffany, meaning she gets less passive and starts speaking out, even sometimes against his ideas. Tiffany makes him want to be better, to act for the good of others as much as himself. If there are any "worse" changes, I would say most stem from how dependent they are on each other; codependency is, admittedly, not great, but it's at least mutual?

22. If their lives were what was originally intended at birth, would they have still fallen in love?

Maybe? They're from the same place, and maybe Nick would have met Tiffany while she was on the road as a kid. I think they'd still have the capacity to fall in love, if circumstances put them in each other's way.

23. Write a ~300 scene between them with no dialogue, only body language.

I'm gonna cheat a little bit because there is dialogue BUT it's only at the end He knew he should just let it go, because he didn’t want her to bolt, but she made him even more reckless than he already was and so without processing much further, he let his impulse loose and reached out, pulling her into an embrace that he’d been wanting — no, needing — for weeks. She let out a sound, and froze. He cared, of course, but not enough to pull away. If this was the last time he would see her like this — in a quiet space, no one else around — he was going to get everything he dared out of the precious few moments they had. He sighed into her, letting everything go except right now, the rough cloth of her coat and her smooth, cool hair against his fingers, the tentative shifts of her shoulders as she moved again and put her arms around him. The clean, hotel soap scent at her neck, the suns’ lingering warmth of her coat under his cheek. Then he pulled away, slowly but with the knowledge he’d never do that again, not in that way, never alone. He made peace with that fact by saying. “Guess I, uh, I should have asked.”

24. What is something they have each had to forgive the other for?

I think there is a constant forgiveness in love - ultimately, forgiveness for not being able to love each other the right way all the time, but having the patience to let the other person do their best, and to help them. They both get distant, they both idolize the other, they're both emotionally guarded.