#it doesn't even take all that much effort

[kbb306]

1. No, but she would have liked one.

2. She has a little sister and first aid training. She'll be fine.

3. ".....tall."

4. Eh, maybe maroon?

5. She would absolutely give a speech defending her father. He's....not the brightest and they both know it, so she overcompensates.

6. She trusts her best friend Ellie Otten unconditionally. She doesn't have any hard "no" for this, except when it comes to asking her dad about romance.

7. Impulsive, yet stubborn./"Only three words? What kind of question is that?"

8. There's a whole thing about puzzles with her family. Best not to ask.

9. Depends what your definition of "non-sentient" is.

10. A few years ago, she'd have said "old enough for medical school." Now that she has a little sister, she's starting to miss childhood.

11. "I would pay for a medical scholarship."

12. Romance weirds her out (unless it's Jay)

13. "Never let a bully know they've gotten to you."

14. Jay Pinkerton (she's still struggling to accept she falls as fast and hard as her dad once did), singing.

15. Playing nice with people she doesn't like

16. Michigan is near constant sweater weather. Not a lot of concern for fashion in a small town like Eaden anyway.

17. She'll protect children with everything she has. It kills her that ABIGAIL actually wants to stay in That Place.

18. "Tongue? How would that even- ew!"

19. "It doesn't matter how much I study. Logarithms will never be a thing that people actually need, and they will never make any sense."

20. Jazz music (or at least, the town's reaction to jazz music)

21. If anyone actually knows her father and STILL thinks he could be dangerous, that's a deal breaker. I almost wrote a scene like that.

22. Not really a pet name, but her dad's nicknames for her are a treasured memory.

23. Yearns for novelty, knows they need stability. Her family has a big secret to keep.

24. Doesn't spare anyone's feelings but her family's (usually)

25. See #23

26. Effort, all the way. You think a five year old who just fell out of a tree has any real talent for medicine? Dr. Dillon patching her up back then is what *inspired* her, but the skill was all worked for ever since then.

27. Understanding. Forgiveness is earned.

28. If Wheatley's opinion of Jay counts, yes.

29. Aperture. More recently, that time she accidentally shut her own life support off.

30. If taking GLaDOS down wouldn't devastate the little girl She somehow adopted, Sophie would *destroy* Her on behalf of the whole family.

Read more about Sophie here:

https://archiveofourown.org/series/3192879

oc asks that reveal more than you think

Do they sleep with a stuffed animal? If they have multiple, who’s the favorite?

Can they take care of a plant? What about a pet? What about a child?

Ask them to describe their love interest.

Do they look good in red?

Speech! Speech! Speech! Speech! Will they give one, and what about?

Who will they take advice from, no matter what it is? Who won’t they take advice from, no matter what it is?

Describe them in three words. Now let them describe themself in three words.

Do complex puzzles intrigue or frustrate them?

Do they empathize with non-sentient things (dolls, plants, books…)?

What age do they most want to be right now?

They’ve won the lottery. Spend, or save?

Do they like romance in the books they read (or in the book they’re in)?

Name one thing their parents taught them.

Would they agree with the term ‘guilty pleasure’? Do they have any?

What would they consider a waste of time– other than school or work?

If money wasn’t a limit, what would they wear?

Do they like children?

Kissing: tongue or no tongue?

Do they study before tests? Practice before job interviews?

What do they like that nobody else does?

What would it take for them to break up with someone? What would be the last straw?

Do they like being called pet names? Do they call other people pet names? What’s their go-to?

Stability or novelty?

Honesty or charity?

Safety or possibility?

Talent or effort?

Forgiveness or vengeance (or…)?

Would they date a fixer-upper?

What recurring dreams do they have?

What would they do if they knew it would be forgiven?

[itelya]

divorced but.. ex-husband! nanami kento x fem! reader

synopsis: your ex-husband fvck you months after your divorce.

warning: MDNI (NSFW), sad s€x, fIngering, creampIe, cvm, pvssydrunk, fatdIck, tears, love, mess, saliva, beg, i think its all

words: 2737.

a/n: tysm for the 500 followers ilysm💗☀️ and I will be posting oneshots on thursdays throughout may😋🤭 you will eat well-

You divorced Nanami a few months ago because he was becoming more and more distant, neglecting you without explanation. Every time you confronted him about it, it only made things worse. His apologies, although sincere, sounded more and more like empty promises.

When he confessed to you, in a last desperate effort, that he truly loved you and wanted you to stay, you understood that his words no longer touched you. You no longer believed them. That's what broke your heart even more.

Even if you had decided to leave, even if you thought his words no longer made sense, you found yourself there, on your bed being fingered by your ex-husband. You blamed yourself for being so weak but you had missed his thick and long fingers so much.

His fingers found their natural habitat. Nanami knows your body better than you do. He finds your g-spot so easily. His fingers curl inside you to tease your g-spot. It feels so good.

You couldn't help but instinctively close your trembling thighs but Nanami opens them again. "Don't think for a second about closing them, honey." Hearing him call you 'honey' made you palpitate but the memories of the past make you sad.

You moan and look at him, your eyes slightly blurred by the little tears. You look like an angel to him, you are so beautiful like the first day. Your hungry pussy swallows his fingers and doesn't let go. He wants to be inside you. Your pussy is heaven.

Your hands already hanging on his shoulders, pull him towards you and kiss him. It was clumsy, confused but passionate. His fingers sink further into you and his thumb still tickles your clitoris.

"Ken-! I.. Imgonna cum- hmh- soon!" You moan his name and incoherent things. He looks at you and smiles softly. The nickname you gave him at the beginning of your relationship. He missed it.

He leans towards your breasts still covered in his old t-shirt that he gave you, you hadn't managed to throw it away. It makes her smile then he looks at you. You understand that he wants you to take it off. You put it over your head and throw it into the room.

He gently licks one of your nipples already hardened by the excitement and the air of the room then bites it lightly. The slight pain mixes with the pleasure and makes you moan even more. You are slightly masochistic but you couldn't help it.

You feel like you are on the edge of the precipice. Your walls squeeze Nanami's fingers even more. You moan incomprehensible things and tears run down your pretty cheeks. "I- fuck imcoming! Ken’ ken!-"

A few moments later, you cum like you haven't done in months. Your lower body trembles, you scream his name and cling to him and dig your nails into his broad shoulders. Your juices squirt against his hand.

"Ken! Kento..", you look at him still overwhelmed by your orgasm, your eyes whimpering. He removes his fingers from you and puts them in his mouth. He had missed your taste so much. Your juices taste like heaven.

"You taste so good.. I missed them. I'm sorry my love, I didn't mean to hurt you." His words were sweet in your ear. He removes his fingers from his mouth and a light trickle of drool connects them. It was so sexy.

He takes a handkerchief and wipes his fingers then throws it away. He completely removes his shirt which was half open. He is still as fit as ever. His torso seems even more toned than before.

"Do you like what I see darling?" He smiles slightly. You don't answer and look away. He lets out a small laugh. He removes the rest of his clothes. When he removes his boxers, his cock straightens up, patting his abs.

It's so perfect, big and thick and sexy veins all over its length slightly curved upwards. You can't even close your hand around its thick girth. You need your second hand. You love so much his dick.

His cock looks so angry like it hasn't been touched in a long time. His head is red and leaking precum. You want it in your mouth but now you just want his cock in you.

"Do you have any condoms love?" He looks at you as your gaze was on his dick. His fingers place themselves under your chin and lift your head. You shake your head.

"No, how could I have predicted that my ex-husband was going to show up and fuck me?" You laugh a little, you are sarcastic.

Your remark makes her smile. "That's right.." Her hand rests on his cock and begins to gently move back and forth. A vein appears on his forehead, that's when he's frustrated. So hot.

"Fuck me without Kento," you say. He looks into your eyes searching for any hesitation but there was none. You're sure. You couldn't stop there. You need him in your pussy, now.

"Are you sure, sweetheart?" You nod, sure of yourself. He smiles again then his big firm hands turn you over to put you on your stomach. You reposition yourself as you wish.

Your ass is in the air towards him and your upper body is against your pillow. You feel the weight of his cock against your ass. You can't help but throb in anticipation. His firm hand rests on one of the cheeks of your ass and kneads it.

Nanami removes his hand and his two thumbs spread your soaking lips. His cock rubs against them. You're so wet that he doesn't really need any lube. He leans towards you and speaks:

"Are you really on, love? I don't want to make you uncomfortable..", his voice is low but soft against your ear. You nod shyly. You really want it. He understands and smiles. He gives you a light kiss on the shoulder and begins to enter you. You can't help but let out a small cry.

"Ken.. mh- fuck", your voice is weak and trembling. The intrusion was slightly painful but so good. You haven't done much in months, you missed it.

His big dick stretches the tight walls of your cunt rarely touched in months. Shit, the stretching was so good that small tears escape from your eyes. He starts hard and deep hip thrusts into you.

"I missed this pussy so much... you are made for me aren't you?" He pulls your hair back forcing your head to come out of the pillow. You are already a complete mess. Your mouth is swollen and red and drool is coming out. And your eyes are filled with tears.

"You are so beautiful, I'm sorry honey.. I don't deserve you. I was such an idiot.. shit." He seems sincere. He leans towards you and turns your head towards him and kisses you. He starts pushing into you slowly and picks up the pace.

The kiss is still as messy but passionate. You close your eyes and moan into the kiss as he continues these hip thrusts. On the contrary, he doesn't close his eyes. He looks at you and regrets even more what he made you go through.

You are so beautiful, you are his universe, his landmark in this world that he finds shitty and boring. He worked hard so that you could settle down together in your dream country, but along the way, he lost you.

He detaches himself from your lips. His lips stay close to you and whispers sorry to despair. You wanted to tell him it was nothing but that would be lying. He hurt you even though you know it wasn't his intention.

His hand slides between your legs and makes small circles and lightly pinches your swollen clit. Your walls tighten around him. The sound of your ass against his hips filled the room. It was such beautiful music with your moans for him.

"I- I.. nghh! kentoo I feel like Imgoing to…", you stutter without wanting to under the intensity of nanami. He is so wild at the moment but you appreciate it so much.

"I know love." His voice seemed deeper, almost hoarse. Your pussy is heaven. She swallows his cock without restraint and squeezes him. He feels that he is soon on the edge too. "Let's change position baby."

You nod and feel him pull out. The disappearance of his cock in you made you cry a little without understanding why.

Nanami lies down and makes you understand that he wants you on him. You place yourself in front of his cock soaked with your juices and you move back and forth on his length with both hands. You hear some deep moans escape from Nanami.

Your gaze rises to him and you see his face a bit of a mess. He is so cute like that. It reminds you of your first time together. A small smile forms on your face.

You finally decide to put yourself above his big dick and enter inch by inch in your tight and wet entrance. You moan at the sweet intrusion and Nanami lets out a grunt of satisfaction. Your muscles tighten around him.

After a few moments of adjustment, you start moving. Nanami places his hands on your hips and lets you follow the rhythm. Your hands rest on his big hard chest and caress it.

You move up and down slowly, feeling every pulse of his cock inside you, every shiver that runs up your spine. Your head tilts back as the cream between your bodies clings to you.

Nanami grips your hips a little tighter, groaning with every movement of your pelvis. His thumbs trace slow circles on your skin, as if trying to encourage you to go even faster, even deeper.

"You're as beautiful as an angel... I'm so sorry, my love," he breathes, his voice husky, almost broken by the mixture of pleasure and remorse.

His burning gaze pierces you, rekindling something inside you you thought was buried. It makes you tingle even more. You unconsciously pick up the pace, your clit rubbing against his blond hairs at the base of his stomach.

Nanami leans back and captures your mouth in a wild kiss, a mixture of raw desire and adoration. His tongue dances with yours, your ragged breaths mingling.

When he breaks the kiss to place light kisses on your jaw, you hear him breathe, almost desperately, "I missed you..."

You don't answer right away, unable to speak as your body craves more. You continue to roll your hips more eagerly, feeling his cock pulse, vibrating violently inside you. Your nails dig into his broad shoulders, marking his skin, as the wave of pleasure approaches dangerously.

Nanami, half-closed, looks at you as if you were his only reason for living, his hand sliding towards your stomach, down to your swollen bud, which he teassed with an almost cruel slowness.

In a whisper, barely audible so he wouldn't hear it: "Ken... I missed you too..." Your confession slips between you, fragile, like a shameful secret you wished you hadn't.

"I'm really going to... ngh- to cum... Ken—" Your body can't resist anymore. It trembles violently against him as the orgasm sweeps you away in a hot wave. Your walls tighten around him, squeezing with such force that Nanami groans, losing control too. You're squeezing him so hard.

With one last thrust of his hips, he unleashes himself deep inside you, filling you with his hot, viscous cum. A low moan escapes his lips, echoing in your ear.

You stand there, panting, your forehead pressed against his sweaty chest, your bodies still intertwined, your hearts pounding, unable to fall back down just yet.

Nanami runs a hand through your disheveled hair, caresses the nape of your neck with painful tenderness. He lifts your chin, searches your gaze, and without a word, he kisses you again, languidly.

The kiss is slow, desperate, full of nostalgia and everything unsaid between you. When he finally releases you, he looks at you for a long time, his thumb brushing your cheek.

You lie on top of him, his hot breath sliding against the nape of your neck. His cock, still inside you, hard, throbbing gently inside you, as if he refuses to leave you, to truly let you go. His hands continue to slide down your back, slow and trembling. A long silence falls, broken only by your heavy breathing.

"I- I want you again," he murmurs against your skin. His voice is hoarse, imploring. He pulls back and straightens slightly, tilting you onto your side without withdrawing from you. Your heart skips a beat as he repositions himself above you, his torso brushing against your bare chest.

His hips roll slowly, bringing his cock back, hardening against your thigh and sliding against your still-sensitive clit. A plaintive moan escapes you despite yourself.

"Can I? Please, my love..." His words are a desperate breath against your mouth before he kisses you again. This kiss is slower, more painful too. You feel all the guilt he's trying to stifle. You nod and suddenly feel him inside you.

His thrusts are slower but still just as deep. He wants to take his time this time. With each thrust is a silent declaration, an "I'm sorry," a "forgive me," that he didn't dare say out loud before. You feel his hand slide into your hair, tugging gently to expose your throat, where he leaves a trail of feverish, wet kisses.

"Why... why was I such a jerk..." You hear his voice break against your skin. You don't answer. You don't have the strength, but your body speaks for you, arching under his touch, welcoming every inch with desperate hunger.

Nanami presses his forehead against yours, his eyes fixed on yours. He slowly rolls his hips, keeping you both on the edge, just on the edge of pleasure without ever completely tipping over.

"I want you to come for me again... I want you to scream my name, like before," he moans against your lips. He pushes a little harder, a little deeper. A high-pitched cry escapes you, your body already ready to buckle under the pressure.

You beg him with your eyes. He knows that look, you want him to go harder. He's unable to resist you, so he speeds up, his thrusts becoming more urgent, more devastating, as if he wants to mark you with his love in your gut.

The obscene sound of your bodies mingles with your muffled moans. You feel your stomach tighten, your clitoris burning with the friction of your movements.

"Ken- phf.. Kento..!"

You cry out his name in a strangled moan as your orgasm explodes suddenly, almost painfully. Your body arches beneath him, your walls squeezing him so tightly that he has no choice but to follow you.

With a guttural moan, he slams into you a second time, gripping your hips so tightly you're sure to see marks tomorrow. He's come a lot, you can feel it. He pulls out, and you feel his hot cum leak from your lips and drip onto the rumpled sheets.

You lie there, bound, breathless, trembling, eyes closed. Silence falls again. A bitter silence this time, a little ashamed. Nanami strokes your cheek, his fingers trembling with pent-up emotion and hesitant.

"I still love you," he finally breathes, so quietly you almost think you imagined it. You feel a burning sensation behind your eyelids, but you refuse to cry now.

"Ken-... don't ever leave me again... or I'll kill you." You raise your arms and pull him closer. You snuggle against his shoulder without another word, listening to his warm but gentle breath. A small tear escapes you, out of sadness or love? You don't know.

"Never again. I promise." He pauses and smiles slightly against your damp hair. "Marry me again, please... Give me another chance. Let me spend the rest of my life with you, my love."

masterlist

requests: OPEN.

© 2025 itelya. All work belongs to @itelya. Do NOT repost, modify, translate or plagiarize in any way on ANY platforms.

[fyuyushia]

Capture target: You

Sung Jinwoo realizes messaging first is a surprisingly difficult thing to do. While searching for the most natural message to send, he gets sidetracked and gets beaten to the punch by you.

Masterlist for the series wawiwu

Sung Jinwoo hums, staring at your number aimlessly.

Saved on his phone, was your number kept as your name.

It's been well past 10 minutes since he's been staring at it. His fingers linger on the keyboard but no words were typed, unable to find the right words to say. This was the first message you'd exchange with him in a while, it had to be meaningful. Somewhat.

"Hey, did you get home safely?" He literally walked you home. Erase.

"How are you?" What is this, a get to know party? Erase.

"Are you free this Friday?" Too blunt. It needs to be more classy. Erase.

He rubs his chin with a hand, eyeing his phone critically. What would be the best opening statement? Something that isn't too casual but isn't too formal either. A message that hit just the right balance.

He racks his brain, tapping his head with a finger repeatedly in hopes of reaching eureka.

There's nothing. Absolutely nothing that seems fitting in his mind.

He doesn't notice as his shadow soldiers begin to pool around his shadow, taking a peek at their troubled monarch. It wasn't often, far from a common occurrence, and so they were worried. Who would've thought that their almighty monarch would be at a loss for words, acting so...humane like this?

"My liege," Beru breaks the silence that encompasses the room. "Perhaps it would be best to simply be honest."

Jinwoo stiffens at the ant's sudden intervention. His posture straightens, and he's immediately glaring daggers at the presumptuous shadow of his. (Not really, he was just surprised and didn't expect to be caught overthinking a simple message)

"It's not as simple as it sounds." He says after releasing his glare.

He leans back on his seat, a sigh leaving him in a fit of exasperation. Beru shrinks, settling with watching his liege struggle in the background instead. Despite his inclination to help, Jinwoo didn't seem to appreciate it, he could get that much.

Wait. Why is he thinking so hard about it? It's just a message.

Jinwoo sits up straight again, elbows resting on his desk and this chin on the back of his hand. It's just a message. It's not like he particularly liked you or was fond of you anymore. Why was he so pressed on what message to send?

He clicks his tongue. Old habits die hard. He surmises. He was always cautious of what to text you, ensuring every word was made to your liking. Now that he was past his highschool years of stupidly crushing on a friend, there was no need for him to be so cautious. No need to worry too much.

But then again this reunion wasn't just any other reunion. If he came off too strong or too weak then your affection points might go down. Can it even go down? He doesn't know, and he's not willing to know either.

It would be a waste of effort.

Indeed it would. It's a matter of convenience. Not anything else. (He ignores the part of him that panics at the thought of you being weirded out.)

He clears his throat. This isn't working.

Clearly he's not the best at making the first move.

What a dilemma.

He slumps in his seat, head up and eyes staring at the ceiling as if it had all the answers to all the problems he had difficulty solving.

He exhales through his nose. This is stupid. There's no reason to be this finicky. It's just a text message.

Indeed. It's just a text message to be sent to you. A capture target. A person he knew from the past. Nothing to be nervous about. Yes, you're just a person from his past who somehow came back to his present.

He sighs. Heavy. Tired. Exasperated. Baffled.

This is all so foolish. He can clear dungeons with ease but somehow a text is making him lose his marbles? That's impossible.

His thoughts spiral. You were his friend once. A good one. The kind who made rainy days feel like sunlight, who filled silence with laughter and warm glances across cafeteria tables. Back before he knew what power felt like. Back when his only real concern was if you’d notice the way he always saved you the last bite of his lunch.

Sung Jinwoo's not the type to worry this much about what other people would think. He might have once, especially when it came to his crush, but that was once. This was now. And Jinwoo right now was no longer a pushover with no power to fight back. He also didn't have a crush on you now either.

It's just the system. Definitely. It's just the system forcing him to think things through. If he was too careless about this matter then he'd lose affinity points, and he can't have that because it's a pain to build things up again.

So he does what he does best: think. Strategize. What would be the most efficient way to wooing you with one text message? Which one would leave the most impact?

It's now been twenty minutes and he still has nothing to show for all his strategizing.

Instead he sits in silence, as if staying still would miraculously give him the right combination of words to use.

[Hint: Struggling?

        Why not look at the past where it all began? You might've missed something.]

[Hint: Item "old phone"]

He nearly flinches at the system's sudden intervention. Keyword: nearly. He doesn't actually flinch, but he is pretty surprised by its timely appearance.

Jinwoo narrows his eyes, reading through the window's words. He scoffs. Him? Struggle? No, not really.

He had it handled. Cool.

He hastily closed the pop up. He didn't need help;  he had it all handled. It's just one possible love interest(his heart races at the thought of it alone but he pushes it down. It's been so long, he thinks himself to be incapable of love. Especially someone free of sins like you.) just another quest he had to follow through.

Staring at his phone again, his eyes twitch when he sees the empty text box haunting him. No, this is a trivial matter, he wasn't so helpless that he'd need a system to help him out.

He hasn't sunk into such levels of patheticness yet.

[Hint: use "old" phone]

His inventory practically opens itself upon a moment of inactiveness, pointing to his old phone he somehow has in the inventory despite not remembering putting it there for some reason with a glowing outline.

He parts his lips slightly in surprise. When did that get there? How did it end up in his inventory even?

He looks at the system window with a troubled look. Why was the system being so pushy about it?

Well, it's not like he can't handle it on his own. However, since the system's being very insistent on lending a help, then might as well accept.

Swallowing thickly, he mentally takes the phone from his inventory. He watches as it manifests on his hold, as broken as it was before he gave up on it.

He deadpans. How was he supposed to get help from this?

[Item: Old phone(broken)

         Repair? (-200 gold)]

Of course. How convenient. He thinks with a doubtful stare, what was the system's plan and how do you fit in the grand scheme of things?

It doesn't occur to him that it might've just been because it picked up on his feelings and urged him to act them out.

200 gold? A measly amount. But was he willing to spend such luxury just for the sake of bettering if messaging skills?

No. No it's not worth it.

...

[-200 gold]

[Brand new! Old phone(repaired)]

He looks at the now repaired phone. It was fascinating how easily they fixed such an ancient product. There were no cracks on its screen, as if it was brand new despite its already decade old model.

He questions how it could do that, but he doesn't linger on the thought. It was the least of his problems right now.

Pressing the power button, he coaxes the ancient phone back to life. He understands that it should've retired by this time and be allowed rest, but he needed whatever wisdom was stored inside the phone.

It takes a little more coaxing before it finally comes back to life. The screen flickers, as if protesting about its sudden resurrection.

He mentally apologizes, but quickly moves on to type his password that somehow someway still lurked in the back of his mind.

The phone opens up to your chat threat immediately, providing no other option to skim through anything else. Again, he wonders how the system could do that, but the system had always been mysterious like that.

Skimming through chat logs of his past, he lets go of his more modern gadget in favor of reading through everything this old(kind of) edition had to give.

And oh, it had a lot to give. Too many memories to read in one sitting, matter of fact.

At first, the messages were all mundane, expected. Assignments, casual questions, meet up plans, thoughtful check-ins with your personality shining through every message you sent.

As the messages grow warmer, more relaxed, the snarkier, the softer your messages become. Witty comments, playful banter, inside jokes, feigned squabbles—and then Jinwoo laughs.

Not a full blown chortle, but a quiet chuckle. His lips twitch upwards, and he does little to fight it. His shoulders shake as shame fills him. Unguarded, his cheeks turn the slightest bit red as he reads through the chats.

It's all there. His horrible jokes, your dramatic reactions, your teasing, his playful annoyance, his horrible flirts that never did lead him anywhere, and all the memes you sent to him in a passing once.

Sweat drips down his back as he reads through every message. Goodness, he was so obvious back then. So stupid and so...youthful.

He furrows his brow in half amusement half embarrassment. The him of the past was no laughing matter.

Failing to even realize it, Jinwoo's already immersing himself in every text, fascinated by how close the two of you grew, and how it reflected on the messages you sent. He doesn't even notice the time, too busy chuckling or getting the urge to bang his head as he reads through everything.

He finds a meme he sent you called 'unfunny but still endearing'

He finds a chat of you crushing hard on a certain character. (He then used it as the basis for your ideal type. Tried to build himself around that archetype, only to fail spectacularly and be laughed at by you, who then assured him he was fine as is)

He finds plans for an outing (he deluded himself into thinking it was a date) done by the two of you so late at night.

He finds a string of messages leading to him complimenting your new look, to which you follow along with a "took you long enough, I've been waiting for you to notice." (He remembers the blow you:'ve done to his heart just with that message. He was a fool who was hopessly inlove, overjoyed with such a simple sentiment. Now's different, though.)

He finds a thread of the both of you complaining about exams and sending your prayers in hopes you don't get kicked out of your house(s) upon seeing the results.

Everything's light hearted, playful. He himself can't stop the smile from forming on his lips as he scrolls through the history he once participated in with you.

He doesn't even notice the time passing, only snapping out of his immersion when he hears his more recent phone ping and blink open to get his attention.

Ding.

Jinwoo blinks, a smidge surprised after getting interrupted midway his backreading session. Acting similarly to a kid caught stealing from the cookie jar, he looks around discreetly and clears his throat.

Casting the phone aside, he picks up the newer edition.

You:

Did you get home safely?

He eyes the time, eyes widening just a fraction as he notices the time. An hour had already passed, and he still has yet to send a message. Realizing this, an awkward grin takes its place in his features.

Whoops.

Ashamed of how sidetracked he got when he was given the opportunity to backread, he pockets the old phone and saves the reading for another day. Or maybe later. Those text messages made for good entertainment(Only if he disassociates  himself from this past version of him and pretends it was another person entirely)

What was supposed to be information gathering for what would be the best thing to message ended up becoming him marathoning the chat threads you and him created during the years.

You:

Sorry stupid question

You definitely got home safely

He stares at the keyboard for a few moments, seeing your message immediately. A small smile curves up, and he lets it linger as he stares at your contact.

Gingerly picking the words he assumed would be safe, lithe fingers type out a coherent message for him to send.

Jinwoo:

I did.

Thanks for the concern

His thumb hovers over the send button for a moment, hesitation creeping back up again like an old friend he never truly outgrew.

His text is simple. Straightforward. Safe. Typed like how any other person would reply.

But after scrolling through all those old messages, Jinwoo knows something simple won’t cut it.(It would, but you deserve better. For higher affinity points, of course.) Not when you were always the one adding color to his grayscale world. It's blunt and to the point, to send it would be to end the thread before anything could even begin.

He exhales, low and slow, before backspacing the whole message.

He stares at the empty text box again. He's been staring it for a good amount now. He thinks it's a bit crazy how worried he is about this. He forces the feeling down, this is normal, he just wants to get the quest over with quickly.

Before he can overthink, he closes his eyes for a moment and lets his fingers move on their own, sealing his face.

Jinwoo:

I did. 

Thanks for worrying about me. 

...It's kind of nostalgic, seeing you worry.

He stops, frowning a little. Is it too much? Too emotional? No—it was honest. Beru’s words, as annoying as it might've sounded, echo faintly in his mind: Perhaps it would be best to simply be honest.

Before he can continue to talk himself out of it, Jinwoo taps send.

The message flies off, sent, and now irreversible. He slouches back against his chair, letting out a sigh and tossing the phone(coolly) onto the desk like it personally wronged him.

Seconds pass, turning into a full fledged minute, and then a minute becomes two. Still, there was nothing.

He taps his foot—not anxiously, just a way to pass the time. His eyes remained glued to the screen despite himself.

Ding.

You:

Hahaha!

I guess it is nostalgic huh? 

Old habits die hard

Guess some things don't change.

He lets go of the breath he unconsciously held.

You:

Except, I guess, you’re a lot cooler now. 

Way cooler than I remember, honestly.

In all aspects.

I feel like a peasant talking with a bigshot now ToT

He closes his parted lips. Fingers achingly frozen. He's not usually this pathetic, he's really not—it's just the joy of catching up to an old friend getting to him. And the system at work too.

You:

...Anyway!!

How did Jinah like the shortcake?

Sung Jinwoo stares. Again, he took one too many seconds long thinking of a reply (defending himself from no one) and you're already moving onto another topic before he can reply.

Taking his time reading through your messages, his mind scrambles to recall his younger sister's reaction.

"I'm home," Jinwoo's voice echoed throughout the living room.

Jinah, currently curled up on the couch, her eyes glued to the TV as she watches a new episode of the soap opera she recently subscribed to these past weeks.

"Welcome home." She replies without skipping a bit, refusing to take her eyes off of the drama.

Without any warning, Jinwoo set a small box down on the table in front of her without ceremony and with the nonchalance of a cool guy, bluntly said;

"Eat it."

Jinah blinked, parting from the tv for once and staring at the box in question. "What is this?"

"Cake."

That got her attention. She put her phone down and cautiously opened the lid. Inside was a perfectly neat slice of strawberry cake—not homemade, not store-brand cheap either. Actual bakery cake.

Jinah stared at the cake, then at Jinwoo, then back at the cake.

"...Why?" she asked, the gears in her head beginning to whir.

Jinwoo shrugged. "No reason."

"No reason," she repeated slowly, voice flat. "Are you sure?"

He headed for the kitchen without elaborating, leaving her holding the suspiciously luxurious dessert.

"Where's mom?"

Jinah narrowed her eyes, but answered his question nevertheless. "Out on the market."

Jinwoo hums, expressing his acknowledgement even without words. Jinah takes this as an opportunity to push for more information.

"You don't usually bring cake," she states. Her tone cool, low, suspicious.

"I did today," Jinwoo said, sounding way too casual.

Jinah pokes the cake with her fork like it might explode. "Did something happen?"

She gasps dramatically. "Did you...commit a crime?"

"No." Jinwoo deadpans.

"Are you dying?"

"No." His brows twitch.

"Are we dying?" His lips curl.

"No," Jinwoo repeated, sounding faintly exasperated now.

Jinah narrowed her eyes further. "You went on a date, didn't you?"

There was a beat of silence from the kitchen. He thought to ignore her and hope for the best, but clearly it wasn't the greatest action to take as she took it as a yes.

She gasped. Loud. Dramatic. "You totally did!"

"Eat your cake," Jinwoo says, voice muffled by the sound of running water.

"No wonder you were dressed so nicely today!"

He turns off the faucet, glaring half heatedly at his younger sister. "If you keep asking questions I'm taking that back."

Jinah gasps, offended, and hugs the cake close. "No way! I've been eyeing this bakery for so long now!"

"Then just be quiet and eat it."

She huffs, glares, stabs the cake with a fork and menacingly eats it—all the while without blinking an eye.

"You win this time." She begins, pointing two fingers at her eyes and then pointing it to him. "But I will be finding out more about this."

Jinwoo rolls his eyes. "Sure sure, you'll find nothing though, so you're just wasting your time."

"As if I believe you."

Yep, he thinks. Jinah liked it. Definitely.

Jinwoo:

Yea

She was happy about it and wouldn't even share

You:

LMAO TT

That's a relief

I was worried my recommendation would be outdated

Did you say hi to her for me?

Jinwoo:

...

Jinwoo pauses. Oh, he forgot. He couldn't tell her now either—it would only further encourage whatever delusion was going on inside her head. If Jinah found out he was out with an old friend, he definitely wouldn't hear the end of it.

Jinwoo:

Yes

She said hi too

He lies without skipping a beat. Just a small white lie until Jinah forgets about this incident. He'll tell her about you later, just not now. She's already suspicious enough as is, and he wouldn't want to give her more material to work with.

Especially since he didn't like you anymore. He doesn't want to get in any misunderstandings with you.

Taglist: @minh907 @daiyanomochi @soft-dots @snowy-violet @kokominari @ssolarsystm @2dmenfr @baby-bread-in @awwwia @coffeeisbehindyou @rai-xxx @sanchann @ilovestarwholock218 @simpingpandas @smellysluna @tanspostsblog

[purplesaline]

Just to note there is a difference between effort and energy. If you've got POTS, for example, you may not have enough energy to do more than one thing even if it wouldn't usually feel like much effort to make a more complicated meal.

Don't be hard on yourself if you can't accomplish more than putting a frozen thing in the oven and taking it out again. Or ordering takeout.

Something else you can do to start making more complex dishes is learning some cooking techniques. You don't have to do it all at once of course, just start with one and once you feel comfortable with it you can pick up another.

Boiling

Sauteeing

Browning

Baking

Roasting

Broiling

Sweating (your food, not you)

Steaming

Wilting

Grilling

Using a double boiler

Making a roux (this one is magical for folks that like pasta or gravy)

Proofing (for yeast breads)

Using a crock pot

Using a rice cooker

Using a stick blender

Using a food processor

Making a reduction

Just a few things off the top of my head. Soup is an incredibly easy thing to do from scratch. It takes time but very little effort. Start with a bunch of bones (for example the remains of a bone-in ham or a chicken carcass) and any saved up vegetable ends and peels (you can collect them in a bag in the freezer until you have enough) and toss them in a big pot of water. If you want you can also add some fresh herbs. Just toss them in whole! No need to get fancy and chop anything.

Turn the heat up to around medium and check on it throughout the day. Add more water if it starts getting low. You can leave this for a few hours or all day if you want, just so long as you keep adding water so it doesn't boil dry. At any point after it starts smelling really good you can take it off the heat and pour it into another pot through a strainer or sieve, or even some cheesecloth if you have patience (the smaller the holes the better). If you're really patient you can start with the strainer and work your way down to the cheesecloth to make it easier.

Congratulations! You have broth! Now you can season it however you like (if it smells like it would taste good it probably will but if you're unsure sticking to herbs rather than spices is a good rule of thumb), make sure to add salt and pepper, and then you can add whatever ingredients you want to make a soup.

It might feel like a lot to read all that but the TLDR is "put things in pot, add water, cook for long time, now you have flavoured water!"

the really crazy thing about cooking is that once you practice it enough (for all the gamers reading this: "grind enough exp") your threshold for wuat counts as a low effort / depression / I Dont Really Want To Cook meal rises steadily and you can feel yourself becoming the kind of person whose "chill dinner" takes 1h45 and involves three pans

[en-lov3r]

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫! | 𝐩.𝐬.𝐡

Pairing— teacher!sunghoon x fem student!reader Sypnosis: Your handsome teacher, Mr. Park, is very disappointed in the truancies and tardies you developed over the past year, especially for his class. He gives you detentions every so often, thinking you would learn your lesson. Then one day, he complained and just had enough, all until you can't make him take your eyes off of you. Genre: Angst, Smut, forbidden love/romance, teacher x student, age gap (Sunghoon in mid 20s, while reader is barely 18) Warnings: unprotected sex, dirty talk, fingering, throat fucking, overstimulation, orgasms, creampie, huge cock warning, oral, classroom sex, cheating, infidelity, adultery absent parents, phone sex, dick riding, verbal sex, not proofread, teasing Word Count: 3,294 words Note: Thank you so much for 200 followers! Like and repost if you enjoyed this.

It was a dark cloudy morning.

The day was yet to come. You started getting ready for school, dreading every moment. You were a failing student, barely passing any of your classes. You knew that your teachers won't even care to help, they tried to, effortlessly until they stopped putting in the effort. You sighed as you changed your clothes and unhastily took the bus to school. When you went out of the bus, you started to walk slow, not even caring about showing up for your first period, being history, you did show up on your seat, arriving late.

"Y/N. If you show up late or be absent once more, the school's going to take action against your parents, do you understand?"

Your eyes were fixated on the floor until you heard footsteps approaching, now black sleek shoes and pants appearing within your field of vision. You slowly turned up to gaze upon Mr. Park. His eyes looked a bit stern, as if he was going to each you alive. As much as all the students having a crush on him, it's surprising someone as stoic as him interacted with you more than anyone else at the school, well made sense considering your chronically almost present at his class.

"Call my parents. They're not even at the house anyway." You said

You rolled your eyes. You didn't care about him at all. All you cared about was going home. Your parents went off to vacation and they always send the money to take care of the bills and to pay for groceries. It was nice having to have time with only just yourself leisurely. Mr. Park then lowered his head and stared directly at you. You met eye contact, his expression looked a bit irritated, as if he wanted to slap at you.

"Your getting detention. again, after school." He replied

He then strutted as he calmly sat down on his chair.

Mr. Park always picked on you the most. A mad expression doesn't suit his handsome face at all. The rest of the students in the class quietly gossiped in loud chattering about you, as they turned their back once they saw the teacher sat down. You knew that it was only you that would make him feel like this. If only he wouldn't complain, then maybe, just maybe you would've enjoyed the sight of seeing him, just like the rest of the other students that have him as a teacher. You then continued with the rest of your classes, until the school day ended.

But it wasn't over for you just yet. You entered his class as you tried to avoid his gaze upon you, with such hard intent you felt like he was shooting knifes to you when he wasn't. When you sat down, Mr. Park started coming towards you, until he stopped.

"Y/N." He forcefully said, slapping a paper with his hand onto your desk, "do you know how many times you were absent or late?" he says with a stern look.

Shocked by his approach, you averted your eyes as you slowly saw your attendance on the paper he showed. You didn't know what to feel, guilty?

"And?" You responded back

He looked to be disgusted. Part of his eyes twitched while he bit his lips in fustration.

You stare up at his face blankly, not moved by his sudden outburst. This was almost a normal routine by now. But you were only like this with Mr. Park. The way he stared at you during lessons, or the numerous amount of times he caught your eye while staring, and looked away. Did he have a problem with you? Maybe he liked you. It was the only thing that made sense. He picked on you often, gave you deadly smirks that made your legs weak and your heart race, but you forced yourself not to fall for him. He was your teacher after all.

"Sorry" you muttered. He deeply sighed as he leaned his head back and combed his hair, taking his glasses off. He propped himself on the desk, giving you fustrated glances. You knew he was disappointed, but he did look hot stroking his hair as he took a a deep breath and exhaled deeply. You then noticed a wedding ring on his finger, you forgot that he had a wife and children. You never paid much attention to his class so you never bothered to know much about him. You saw a photo with his loving wife and children, he looked to be smiling in the photo, his face brightening with his cheeky fangs.

"You know, I could've been at home with my family, but I yet have to discuss this problem with you, why are..."

You didn't pay attention to a word he's saying. He's repeatedly talking as his words went to one side of your ear, and quickly out the other, not processing the information he had said. Maybe you could test this theory. Maybe if you teased him enough, he would break, it would be fun to try it out anyway, the room was kind of stuffy to begin with in the first place.

Slowly, you brought your hand up your chest, carefully undoing the first button of your blouse. You never really showed cleavage at all, so that should get his attention. Just when you expected him to look at you, he did, as his eyes went directly straight to your chest. His eyes looked wide open, in awe, as his mouth was open in shock, not knowing what to do.

"Y/N, what are you doing? Please stop tha-"

You then continued. He started to now swallow, sweat a bit, allowing you to see his Adam's apple bob and clear his throat, trying to divert his eyes to your face, but he can't help looking at your now almost exposed chest, devouring you with his eyes as he was asking to show more.

As his eyes were still on you, you undid the next button, cleavage almost popping out of your blouse through the thin cloth, your nipples perking through the fabric, showing erotically from the outside. Mr. Park started to drool and salivate a bit, he wished he could tear that blouse right off you and fuck you senseless on his desk. He realized the problem in his pants was starting to get worse and as you walked over to his desk, he was trying to hide his boner. You almost let out a giggle, stopping yourself before he spoke.

He cleared his throat once again, "You can't be doing this."

"So what?" You said with pleading eyes

"I have a wife and kids, no no, I can't be doing this."

You were right in front of him, his hot slickback hair, his bushy eyebrows, his light pink tinted lips, as his body was beginning to tighten out of the dark black fabric, his thighs so big it can squish your head, his bulge began to grow, his crotch almost suffocated, as his long stallion legs almost reached the floor.

Just when he was about to get up, you instantly stopped him with your hands, smirking. He looked back all flustered. You knew what you were doing.

"We can't be doing this, I'm a teacher with a family, and your just a student."

You took the wedding ring off of his ring finger, his veins showing through his big hand, as you plopped the photo frame of his family flipped down.

"C'mon, right now, now you're just a teacher, nothing else." You stared at him so seductively

Mr. Park pushed you, as he went to the classroom door, and locked it. You couldn't believe it, you finally won over him. You smiled back at him.

He now let his thoughts go wild as he locked the classroom door and gave into his own pleasure and yours. He kept moaning your name and thinking about you naked as he sprawled onto you on his desk.

"Ha..." He started to fling all his stuff on his desk to the ground, panting that he has you.

"Something changed your mind, Mr. Park?" You smirked

"You know, if you keep tempting me like this, I might just have to-"

phone ringing

You stared at him, anticipating whether he would pick up the phone right now. He did. He sat down on his chair, but as soon as he did, you went under his desk, your hands on his thigh, unbuckling his belt.

"Hey."

He pays you no mind, leaning back in his chair, sighing, his cold hands touching your soft barren face.

"I'm not sure what time I'll be back baby."

You picked up the idea he was calling his wife, a female voice started speaking at him, so soft.

Suddenly, you took off your pants, he saw. You were now almost fully naked. You grew wetter as you continued, your legs shaking with anticipation of what you thought Jungkook has in store in his crotch. You spreaded your legs as you started to unbuckled his belt and undo his pants, already feeling his horse cock hardening.

"Yes honey. Don't worry, I just have some thin- ngs!"

He had to hold the phone away from his face so his wife doesn't hear him attempt to compose himself by taking a deep breath and letting it out.

"Mhm y- yeah, damn baby, can't wait to get home." He let his head fall back, as you pull his cock out, wrapping the shaft of the head around it, stroking it a few times. His jaw began to drop, as you swipe your thumb over the tip, spreading some precum around, teasing him by running your tongue along the underside of his cock before wrapping your lips around the tip.

He clears his throat a few times, asking his wife a question and then later responding back. "Yeah, fine." He said so deep, trying to calm himself down as he can feel your juicy lips sucking his cock away, smiling into a struggle.

You kept sucking on it so hard. Moving your head up and down as you can hear him slightly moaning. "Fuck yes." He mouthed. As he began to ram your mouth with his cock, the crotch of his pants already staining with your saliva as you began enjoying the moment, the smell of his cock lifting your nose, sending you into a chokehold as you deepthroat his cock until it reached back. His eyes rolling back.

"Mmm yeah, tell the kids I said hi."

He had to hold the phone away from him again when you started bobbing your head, his own fleshlight doing it all for him. Suddenly, you felt him push your head down the length, making you gag even more.

"Take that cock deep into your mouth. F-fuck! Your mouth so good."

You faintly heard his wife, while sucking on her husband's cock. "What was that?"

"You didn't hear anything, don't worry that was the sound from outside, probably a water error in the pipes they're fixing." He was such a liar. You knew it. He started feeling it, his face scrunching up when he takes his hand off your head, coming up for air and letting his cock fall from your mouth. "Your mouth so good~" He mouthed. You knew his wife was getting a bit suspicious, asking him where these glug sounds coming from, he smirked as he wiped your mouth with the back of his hand. "No worries, that was just the outside." He then mouthed to get on top of him. You did. as you pulled his pants down the ground, then his boxers, his dick still out, just to reveal his hairy-ish legs, it was so fucking hot appearing from up down that you slowly climbed yourself on top of his lap. He then tilted his head as he put the phone on his shoulder, still talking to his wife.

"Yeah, I'm just watching over the student right now. Y/N is doing perfectly fine right now, more than what I can ever ask for." With a little grin over his face as he began to lick his lips. "You sucked me so good, fuck." His eyes started to struggle focusing between you and his phone. His hands started caressing your neck, tracing your jaw as he kissed you full ham. His heated kisses, his hands trailing over your body, as he began leaving love bites on your neck, chest, feeling his hot sloppy wet kisses all over your body, you began to kiss him back. Wanting more as you began gasping for air, but he leaned in once more, a string of saliva connection each other's lips.

"Kiss me again, -mphh"

Thud.

His phone went down the floor. Mr. Park didn't notice at all but you did. You knew his wife was waiting for him to respond. But all you did was kiss him once more, cupping his cheeks as you stared into his eyes with a grin, his hands curling around your neck.

"h-hello? "

His wife's voice was so faint. Mr. Park was in real heat, his eyes dilating when he first started kissing you, the room so stuffy your guy's bodies began to heat rapidly, sweating with as your hands buried in his hair,, pulling him to your face kissing him more frantically until his mouth went to your chest and started to kiss your nipples, sucking on them as if milk was going to come out.

"Am I better than your wife?" You said so naughtily

"You are, I can't wait for this mature cock to ram your young pussy." He growled

He soon started to assert his dominance. Your hole started to twitch. You were so horny. And he was too.

"I wasn't able to have sex for 2 weeks. All I ever did was masturbate" He said so haughtily

He began venting to you, his kids, his wife. Running away from his problems. You enjoyed this time with him.

"I need your hole right now baby." He ordered while looking straight dead into your eyes.

"As you wish teacher. Anything for you." You replied back

You slowly sat down on his hardened cock. But before you were, he jammed in two fingers inside you, playing with your insides as if you were a toy.

"You like that? You slut!" He grunted

You couldn't help it as he kept dipping his two fingers between your folds and in and out, teasing your entrance, so wet his fingers were drenched.

"This just from sucking my cock?"

"Yes," you breathily answer, saliva spilling out your mouth, drenched onto the floor

"Such a a good girl~"

You moaned softly, as he tuts at you. "Be quiet for me baby, we can't having the whole school knowing what we're doing here, so shush~"

"Yes Mr. Park."

You obeyed him and you began to be more quiet.

"Good." He replied throgh gritted teeth.

As he kept toying your insides more and more, you couldn't bear it. You let a hiss of pleasure grinding on his cock, until his dick pushed through your pussy walls and fuck you deep into the core. Mr. park groaned as he entered you.

"Oh fuck baby, your so fucking good, you deserve an A+ for this class."

"God, your dick feels so good inside of me." You moaned

"You've been waiting for this all along huh?"

"Yeah, all these other students can't compare for what I'm doing for you, right?"

"Yeah." He took a breath and grinned

"Sliding into your wet pussy feels so amazing. Keep bouncing, y-yeah~... just like that..."

The way he talked turned you on even more,, moving your hips in slow circles as you whimpered a bit at the touch of his hands grinding through your body from your back. His moaning and groaning made your clit throb.

"You fuck better than my wife, your so fucking good at this."

All of a sudden. He carried you and pushed you against the classroom board, your hands now on the wall as your facing it, and his tall lean figure towering over you, his manly build and husky voice now whispering into your ears.

"Fuck!~ I've got myself a student that can take care of my needs now ha..." He smiled as he kept hitting so aggressively from the back, repeatedly thrusting his cock inside you. He matched the rhythm with you and fucked you even deeper. His moans and groans getting louder, as well as yours as your pussy walls began to contract from his dick.

"Feels so good." You mewled onto his back as he grabbed you from the neck and turned your head a bit to kiss you right on the lips, his tongue entering your mouth, swirling inside as you intertwined your tongue with his, swapping saliva from this hot makeout session.

Your breathing went faster as your hips began rocking back and forth even more. His hands romaed your body from your hips and groping your chest. He continued to do so as he put his hands on your hips and made you ride him faster.

"Oh yeah? You like that? You slut! I never could've guessed you would satisfy me, ha..."

"Fuck me harder, more better than your wife."

"Oh yeah? You do fuck better than my wife. You want me to put a baby inside you?" As he whispered into your ear, now starting to lick it, shivers going down your spine in pleasure.

"I want you to cum inside me, take me to the edge Mr. Park, make your cock cum for me!"

"Right there, right there!" He clawed his hands on your breasts, groping them with his fingernails as you feel yourself getting to the edge faster.

He then stopped, as you thrusted even more harder before you realized. You glared back at him.

"Ride my dick, baby. Make yourself cum with this hard hung cock of mine."

You complied as you slid his dick into your juicy lips of your pusssy as you bounced faster, reaching thee climax even faster than you already had in your previous times of masturbating. His hips continued to meet yours.

It was until you couldn't move. Your legs started to shake, convulsing from each passing second, all tensed up, ready to orgasm.

"That's it. Y/N, I'm cumming, I'm cumming!" He proclaimed

"Don't stop. Please don't s-stopp!" You then started to jolt from your intense orgasm, fluids mixing with his thick load of cum as he pulled you to the side as you two sighed, mixture of cum dripping down your thighs and from his crotch too. The phone began to murmur loudly, until it ended.

Beep!~

"Oh shoot. My wife is going to be mad at me!" He voiced out, still exhausted from fucking

"It's okay, my parents are gone, you can just be at my house." I said smiling

"H- ha.." He pulled you in with your waist as he looked down to kiss you once more, so heavily he wouldn't budge, but you didn't resist.

"Want to fuck at my house?"

His cock started to become rock hard once more.

"I take that as a yes." Glancing at his cock.

"F-fuck. You made me like this now." He declared

The moonlight was hitting at the windows, you guys began to look outside.

Mr. Park looked at you, "How about round two while we're at it?"

His hard cock began throbbing so hard.

"You'll be receiving a lot more detentions now." He affirmed with a smirk

"Just what I need~ it'll be more fun now." I giggled

"You will never be absent or late from my class once more." As he jerked his dick off in front of you. Having your hand touch it.

You guys then began to hit it off for the night. Mr. Park's wife calling the phone repeatedly as you guys kept fucking until the next school day.

[therekinperson]

-REBIRTH-

Prologue comic: here

Word count: 1K

Borders by @lambouillet

Narinder jolts awake as a hand pulls his conscience to the surface, his chest heaving with breaths.

His body has a wave of numbness to it, like he's wearing a heavy suit that mimiced how he looked before getting decapitated. Breathing in cold, thin air.

But in Narinder's head, he shouldn't be breathing right now. His fate predetermined by the bishops, sending him to a crude, weathered axe.

So the way he's taking in new breath feels wrong--or at the most, impossible.

Narinder pulls his damaged hands from the bandages they're wrapped in. They sting less then how they were beforehand, but ache as sharp pangs strike his joints and travel down his arms.

Back in the prison, the warden would break his hands to make sure that he wouldn't 'get any smart ideas.' Narinder presses the knuckle of one of this less damaged fingers against his neck, trying to focus on the odd tension clenching around it.

It feels meaty, fleshy, like if he so wanted to, he could just pull his head off his shoulders. Or if he spun around his head would fall right off his shoulders (more than how its spinning right now) It doesn't answer how he's still alive. If he even is alive.

Eternal captivity. So this is what that's like?

"Hello?" A voice echoed. Narinder's tail stands on edge. "Come forth; I am quite lonely."

Narinder couldn't see much with all the fog, but he limps forward. His injured right leg slides his foot through the dust.

It feels futile considering how far the figure seems and all the fog blocking his way. Mindlessly hopping to... something. What if he runs into the fabled Bishop of death? Or worse he could run into someone from the past, now coming to the conclusion that this is likely the afterlife.

This head tilts down lost in thought, but immediately the fog dispurses and he is left with a grandoulous sight.

A large chained wispy sheep stands with two armed panthers beside them.

They stand taller than any bishop Narinder had seen.

Their wool, long and misty, blends into the cloudy surroundings. As well as some of it resting on their face.

Their worn face. The creature's horns had wrapped so far back into their head that they extruded from their eye sockets. Black liquid stains the tips of their horns and their cheeks.

Narinder is shocked that the sheep can still smile after being in what seems to be a lot of pain.

Blood soaks the top of the creature's fleece, growing lighter with each descending layer. The blood sticks clumps of the tassles on their fleece together.

"Who are you?" Narinder asks.

"Nothing but a prisoner." They chuckle. "I have been incarcerated simply for living. Isnt that fun?" The prisoner tries to pull their binded hands together to their face, yet the chain holding them down prevents them.

The 'prisoner' continues on. "But unlike me, I believe you have a way out." They adjust themselves up straight as they were leaning down. "You can break from your own chains." The creature's ear flicks when the bells around their neck jingle.

Narinder narrows his eyes at the sheep. "Should this be spoken with... them here?" He points to the two panthers with weapons in their hands who have been trying to look like they werent listening.

"Don't worry about them." The sheep excessively shakes their wool, and a crown falls out. Narinder's eyes widen. They try to hold it in their bound hands. "A crown," they explain. "I smuggled it off one of the wardens here. It grants its wearer's wealthy and powerful abilities. Strong enough to slay any foe that comes across it."

Narinder's mind flashes to one of the bishop's crowns; though close, none of them looked like this.

"Though in my own efforts..." their smile still doesn't move. "I wasn't able to make it work."

The crown stares blankly into the literal white void.

There's an aura that extrudes from the crown. It's calling. Reverberating. Thumping like a song that begs to be heard.

The crown flies up from the sheep's black ichored hands and onto Narinder's head.

It phases through Narinder's entire being in waves. Igniting a flame in his body that waited to be lighted. Each of his three eyes glows in a red hue.

A fire engulfs his body, burning the old layer that was rotting away by time, replaced by a new, eternal form.

The rags on his body get burned off and replaced with white robes with red accents. A hood gets thrown over his head and his robe gown falls down to his ankles. The bloodied bandage on his thigh unwraps from him.

From the rebirth, the bandages turn into a dark red sash and wrap themselves around Narinder's waist.

And a tassled veil completes his new form.

Narinder, regaining consciousness, blinks. He sees with new eyes. Breathes new air. Lives a new life.

"...Oh how I missed my hands!" He stretches out his arms and starts bending his fingers around. He does this for too long, and the sheep clears their throat. Narinder gets pulled from his distraction.

"Injustice still runs rampant, and bending your hands isn't going to make their unjustness stop." Their smile strains in a failed attempt to hide their annoyance.

"Oh, sorry, my 'equal.'" Narinder does a bow. "I will serve your wishes well."

The crown on their head levitates and morphs into a scythe, and Narinder's eyes widen. They quickly cut in before the vessel starts to get distracted by more minuscule things.

"Crowns feed off devotion; devotion pours from followers," the sheep lectures before sheepishly adding in with, "Or that's what I've heard." They clear their throat, but before they could continue, a loud ring echoes in the distance. "Ah! The warden! You must go before they catch us!"

The sheep panickedly incantates.

The floor glows red, and before Narinder realizes it.

He's gone.

"I'm proud of the two of you's preformance this time." The two panthers run back to their spots.

-

The worshippers sigh as the ritual is finally concluded.

Most rookies would think that after the bishops leave, the ritual is over, but it's actually when the executioner leaves. Which almost had one of the less experienced their heads.

Tasked with corpse collection. One worshipper looks at the dead body in front of her. She bends down to pick up its head, but when she kneels, the summoning pedestal glows.

Before all whos near, the circle glows aggressively. Beaconing from the heavens and hells. The sacrificed's body gets pulled upright, standing, and its head falls back on his shoulders.

A red flame burns off what was, and Narinder stands with scythe in hand.

[kesujo]

I got to ask, would OT9 SNSD sleep with men younger than them?

Hmm...

(ALSO SORRY THIS IS LATE I WANTED TO PUT SOME EFFORT INTO THIS 😭)

EDIT: added Jessica. SORRY, FORGOT TO MENTION HER :'C

Taeyeon

So Taeyeon has sorta proved that she's willing to go younger, but also, Taeyeon has 182349014810% dommy mommy energy tbh. Like...

...yeah...

That's the face she gives you before she rides you for the entire night and drains you completely dry. Ma'am. Respectfully. Or, actually, disrespectfully. To me. Please disrespect m--

I mean.

...

:)

BUT ANYWAYS, Taeyeon's a switch in my headcanon; she doesn't mind being sub, but if she learns that she's older than you, esp. if the age gap is like, >3years, then she'll use that to her full advantage. She gets off work at 12am and calls you, and despite being asleep, the special ringtone she has set for herself on your phone wakes you up, and when you pick up, groggy and barely awake, Taeyeon demands that you come over to her house, now. You try to protest, citing the time, but she just sends you one picture of two of her digits knuckle-deep inside her pussy, along with the caption, "this could be your dick right now", and you jump out of bed and are tripping over yourself to get out the door. And when you get there, Taeyeon makes sure to make it worth your while and spoil you like the good mommy she is.

😌

Sunny

So, Sunny has long expressed a disinterest in romantic relationships, but I guess that doesn't exclude sexual relationships. I feel like Sunny wouldn't care too much about age, as long as it's not like, too much...?

But someone who can look like that isn't someone who would limit herself to just older guys, I feel. I could see her sorta liking having a puppy-like guy scrambling to worship her.

Jessica

Out of all of SNSD OT9, Jessica gives off the 'rich girl' vibes the most. She also rocks that look tbf

Idk if I'm stereotyping too hard, but it also gives me the impression that Jessica also tends towards older men - also, pretty sure she's still with Tyler Kwon, who's older than her?

BUT, I feel like if the younger man sorta gives off like, mature-beyond-his-years kinda vibes, I feel like Jessica might fw that. But like, damn. Sica sorta packin, huh. That Tyler guy has it good.

Tiffany

Honestly, I feel like Tiffany wouldn't want younger guys. I feel like she's the type of woman who absolutely does not want to feel like she's taking care of her partner. HOWEVER, if it's just sexual, then...?

^Tiffany sends this over to you with a message like "feeling kinda bored ... kinda empty ... if you know what I mean ;)" ... :dumjj:*47123984172459

TIFFANY IS CHRISTIAN THOUGH. So I feel like she wouldn't really partake in casual sex that much? Maybe she'd make exceptions, but I feel like Tiffany is the type of woman who wants to be exclusive to her man and doesn't really like the idea of sleeping around, or even sleeping with someone she doesn't feel she's exclusive with, so I sorta doubt there'd be many men who can get Tiffany to make himself an exception for her.

Hyoyeon

Sweet, innocent Hyoyeon. I think the order of introverted-ness goes Sunny/Taeyeon > Hyoyeon? Honestly, I sorta initially thought Hyoyeon would be an extrovert when I learned she liked going clubbing and whatnot, but I guess that doesn't always mean they're extroverts.

I can imagine Hyoyeon not really being the type to ask for the man's age and gets right into it, while I can imagine Taeyeon/Sunny might want to know if they're older so they know if they have, like, 'permission' to act as the noona. Although, tbh, even if Taeyeon was younger than me, I'd still call her mommy.

Yuri

I feel like it's hard to tell with Yuri ... I feel like she, like Hyoyeon, might not be the type to really ask about the age, or in fact may even tell the man to not tell her his age?

Def. seems like the type to want to just get on with it. No fluff or casual conversation, just, "come on already, tear off my panties and fuck me until I can't walk tomorrow".

:dumjj:

Sooyoung

Well, Sooyoung's been in a relationship for ... how long? 12 years? And her boyfriend is older than her, soo I'd say that it's pretty clear indication that, at least, Sooyoung does seem to prefer older men. Sooyoung seems like a very dedicated, loyal type of woman, SO IF SHE WEREN'T IN A RELATIONSHIP -

Tbh, I feel like Sooyoung wouldn't really wanna deal with a younger man either LOL. But man, is that a shame because just FKING LOOK AT HER. WHAT THE FUUKCKKKK

Yoona

Getting into the maknae line of SNSD. Despite Yoona being the 2nd youngest though, recently ...

... she's been giving off mommy energy ... and I will happily bark for her if she

What?

Never mind.

Point is, she can tell me (a younger male) to do whatever she wants me to do. She commands me to bark, I ask how loud.

Also respectfully. Mom--Ma'am. 😌

Seohyun

Seohyun too ... she's the baby of SNSD and always will be, but FK is she less conservative about showing off how sexy she is recently.

And MAN am I glad she has. She probably has like a nude-colored shirt or something underneath that dress, but I can also just imagine that it's like, see-through and that she's sorta practicing some hidden voyeuristic tendencies in public, right?

No? She's too baby?

You still gonna tell me she too baby?

... man, gotta get working on that Seohyun chapter for 'The Pet of Kim Taeyeon', huh...

...

:D

But to answer the prompt, I also feel like she, like Tiffany, does not want to deal with a younger man. As she said in an interview, she has very high standards in men and desires a man that has lived as well as she has, which I think will generally exclude a lot of men younger than her. Maybe, if the younger man is exceptional, then Seohyun would perhaps make an exception? Or maybe she'd want to just let go for just one day and get railed for an entire night by a younger man with endless stamina. 🤔

[bahrtofane]

yearner

in which carlos cant escape his nature after his move to williams, but its not too bad with you

word count - 1.5K+

watch it - angst but with a positive ending. carlos is a yearner

first actual carlos x reader woho!!

Carlos is a sore loser. He supposes it was born out of competition, the drive and desire to be the best. The pit in his stomach when he realizes his position, the bile that claws at his throat when he rewatches his crashes and stupid mistakes. Knowing he can be better, settling for what he has and battling the past. 

He’s a sore loser the way he takes it out on himself. 

He bites his tongue, accepts the points on days when he gets them, does his interviews. He smiles at the cameras, tossing his hair back in the way he knows will get the attention off the far look in his eyes. Something to distract. 

He sighs when he closes the last door, the last barrier between him and the cameras. Sighing as he finally reaches his motorhome. 

His eyes sag, lips pressed in a thing line, mind racing. He chooses to scrub the thoughts away with a shower, impossibly hot and turning him red but he doesn't care. Tomorrow he will be forced to relive his poor performance and smile while everyone looks at him with pity. 

Sleep comes to him much later than it should, and he can only promise to do better. 

—--

Carlos is a sore loser, but even more so he is doomed to circumstance, his own mind. Mulling things over on his own, brushed with a shade of blue that's one shade too sad. 

You know this well, as well as you can with a man like him. He is hard to figure out and hard to remove yourself from. You have become in a way transfixed into understanding more. The way a dog follows a line of treats. You just hope the big bag of treats at the end is getting close.

He has these big beautiful eyes, but the only things they see to capture is his own suffering. You asked him why he keeps doing it, why does he keep suffering in something that has a way out. “Its all I know how to do,” was all he could say. 

It's true you suppose. But this sport will never love him the way he loves it. You see the way people treat him, the way his words fall into silence when every word he speaks is sincere. He gives so much, carving chunks out of himself just in an effort to remind those that he is alive. As if saying, look at me, I'm still here. And it still doesn't seem like enough. 

You met him on a whim, completely by chance rushing as the may sun blasted against your skin. Miami has its perks but the weather in the summer is not one of them. 

You were in Miami for a new job, working for a team and sport you were unaware of. But a job is a job and you booked the flight to Miami the second the email came in. You were late for your first official day, rushing into the hotel the meeting was set to be at. Begging for the elevator to stay open. A single man was inside, back turned, so you spirited. Heel slipping just as you made it inside, crashing right into his back, a slew of what you assumed to be spanish curses followed. 

The rest is history. 

Carlos liked that you were new to his world. That you had no expectations of him, nothing to hold over his head, no promises you forced him to make. You knew only the man in the moment. Not the man in all the races before this. And he adored this. 

—-

Carlos calls you the following day, as he’s gathering his things to head to the airport. 

“Morning.” you mumble out, voice cracking through the speakers. 

He snorts, “good morning. Did you see what I sent?”

You make a garbled noise, the sound of sheets coming from the other end as you battle your phone to dig through the notifications. 

“What am I looking at?” 

“Tickets to the next race.” Carlos says, half like a question unsure of his own words. 

“For me?” you say clearly now. Fully awake.

“Yes. if you want. No pressure.” he adds the last part quickly.

“No, I want to. Thank you.”

You don't bring up the race from yesterday. You rarely bring up racing on your own. Carlos hopes you stick around, for his sake, his sanity. 

—-

You come, dressed in blue for williams. Carlos can't help the smile that spans his face. You blush, taking his hand gingerly. He shows you around, introducing you to people while you give timid waves and quiet hellos. 

And then the time comes for him to leave your side and be back in the belly of the beast. God why did he pick such a ridiculous job. 

—-

He doesn’t place, no points, no podium. He can't face you and the disappointment he knows will be impossible to hide. So he hides. Doing what is needed, showing his face where he must and escaping. He doesn't pick up your calls, jumping into the boiling shower once more and scrubbing like a ritual that will purify him. It wont. But he still does it.

When he sits on the all too clean bed of the motorhome he looks at his phone. Please call me when you can, I care about you. From you, an hour ago. Hm. 

He settles for a text. 

Hey, sorry I just got busy. Sorry for having you come out here for nothing.

You reply immediately.

You have nothing to be sorry for. 

I came for you, not for anything else. 

He looks at the text for much too long before sending his location and asking you to spend the night with him, if you want. Ditch the hotel and bring your things. 

—-

Security gives you a hard time, so he goes to collect you himself. You stand, brows furrowed, in a much more casual outfit. Glasses on your head while you try to plead to be let in. 

You make it through when Carlos waves his hand, taking your suitcase and bags, leading the way. 

It's much quieter when you get inside. The space is almost unnaturally clean. Whites and creams everywhere. You notice the drop in his shoulders, a stark comparison to the way he held his head high earlier. 

He goes into the bathroom, peeling off the casual clothes for pajamas. Giving you a weak smile as you get your things up. 

“Would you still see me if i quit?” he mumbles out, words fraying at the seams. 

You give him a look, “Carlos, I'm not interested in you for any other reason but the fact that it's you. You could take up crab fishing for all I care.” 

He doesnt look up, “they gave me an out, if I want. Anytime I can stop. There's always a replacement.”

You pad over to where he slouches on the bed, placing a gentle hand to his shoulder. “You're too in your head. It's late. Someone once told me never to trust how you feel about yourself past 9 pm.”

“I always feel like this.” he whispers, eyes glassy as he looks up at you.

You now understand at the root of it all, Carlos remains just a little boy who wants somewhere to belong. To feel wanted. A place to do something he cares about and do it well. Where he can be given the chance by people that genuinely believe in him. 

Carlos is more than just a sore loser, a sore loser. He’s a yearner. 

—--

You don't talk about that night. But you do stick around. He asks to be official a few weeks later, over dinner at a restaurant you can’t even pronounce. You tell him what you think and he mulls it over.

He has an out, but doesnt take it. Not yet. He still has a hunger to prove himself. Even if he doubts he can do it. You know he can, you’ve seen the way he works, the passion that fuels him the hunger. He still chases like a wounded dog. 

For Carlos never really knows when to call it quits does he.

—-

It takes almost half way through the season but he makes a podium. P3 in a williams. He wants to cry, shout from the rooftops that he can do it. He is worth it. He belongs here in f1. 

Charles is on the podium, of course he is. A step above in p2. Carlos tries not to tell the red blind him. A reminder of the past and what once was. He says his wonders of thanks to the team, gives Charles a hug and tries not to fall into the routine they used to have.

He instead goes to you, smiling wide while you mouth the words ‘i believed’. 

Carlos is a yearner, and it strings him along endlessly. Tugging at his heart and wrapped around his mind. But he hasn't stopped just yet. Your soft kisses and the way your eyes twinkle at him under the lights make it that much easier. Who knows maybe he can win driving this thing. 

[lemotmo]

This person did not help the counter argument 🤣

Q. I do think it's super insulting for the media and many fans to basically say well we can all pretty much see where this train is heading and if you have a problem with it then you're sexist and homophobic. No. They're written as best friends, strong bonded, life long best friends, but only friends nonetheless. Oliver and Ryan skewing the acting towards the narrative they think the show should take is not the same thing as writing them with romantic undertones. I need people to be so serious right now because you all look ridiculous. They could both have other relationships if the actors stopped sabotaging their other relationships. Lou tried, he tried hard, but he got zero help from Oliver. Fox clearly wanted Taylor to be Buck's endgame, but once again they got zero help from Oliver. Ryan didn't even bother trying with anyone not named Devin so what did they expect to happen?! They could have chemistry with other people if they would allow themselves to put even half the effort into their other onscreen relationships as they do with the Buck and Eddie thing.

A. Listen, and this is me being so serious right now, your argument is non-existent. People are saying it's sexist or homophobic or biphobic or bigoted because it is. There is not a single valid argument that exists within the narrative of the Buck and Eddie storyline that supports the weakness of 'they've only ever been written as friends'. That's a non-existent, non supported by the facts argument. Chimney and Hen have only ever been written as friends. Chimney and Eddie. Chimney and Buck. Only ever written as friends. And no one ever confuses those relationships as anything else. The problem with your argument, anon is that it's disingenuous. You're not mad that they're written and acted with romantic undertones. You're mad that Oliver and Ryan just allowed their natural chemistry to be what it is without forcing 'bro code behavior' on it to make it more heteronormative. That's what really bothers you all. Just own that. If you truly believe you're valid in that belief then own it. Say it out loud. Their relationship makes you uncomfortable because you don't understand how two men, who have not publicly identified themselves as not straight, could be so comfortable being open, vulnerable, playful, and flirty with another man because you yourself would not be comfortable doing those same things with a member of the same sex. That's why people call your argument bullshit because it is.

We don't know how long Buddie was in the works before FOX ultimately stepped in and stopped it. We have no idea how long they were building towards that initial get together. So a lot of the acting choices from seasons 3 and 4 could, and in fact probably are, most likely tied to that initial relationship build up. Everyone loved that Jennifer came in and immediately declared that Maddie should be with Chimney. Jennifer and Kenny get a voice. Everyone loved it. Everyone loves that Angela and Peter get a say with what happens between Bobby and Athena. Aisha and Tracie get the same treatment with Hen and Karen. Everyone loves how they all get a voice. Why should Ryan and Oliver not get an equal voice in their onscreen endgame? Why do you believe they should have to play by a different set of rules than the rest of their cast mates? None of you all can answer that question. That's why your argument gets dismissed. It's not coming from a valid place to begin with. Lou did not try to sell the ship because he had a deep love for the ship, don't even try to make that statement. He tried to sell it because he liked the attention it brought him. Period. Any chance he got he made sure to emphasize his straightness, and he was clearly uncomfortable filming anything remotely intimate in nature. So that argument is also disingenuous.

Chemistry is tricky. It either exists or it doesn't. It's hard to fake. Yes, both Oliver and Ryan have far better chemistry with each other than they ever had with any other onscreen love interests. But they did have chemistry with a few. Oliver and Meagan had great chemistry when Taylor first showed up, it absolutely fizzled out before the end but they initially had lovely chemistry. Oliver and the actress who played Ali had nice chemistry. He even had cute chemistry with Connie in season one. He had no chemistry with Lou, no matter how hard you all try to declare otherwise. They were clearly uncomfortable with one another. Ryan had great chemistry with Devin (Shannon). He played the Ana stuff perfectly because she was supposed to lead to his initial gay awakening. He had no chemistry with Edy, their first few scenes, much like Oliver and Lou, were nice but once they paired them together it didn't work. That's okay. It doesn't mean Oliver and Ryan sabotaged anything. Do I think there's a genuine conversation to be had about how long Oliver and Ryan have been playing it a certain way, sure. But there's nothing wrong with playing up the chemistry. Their chemistry naturally exists. They don't have to put effort into it. It's the same when they do interviews. It's just what exists between the two of them and that's the real problem you all have with it. Instead of bro'ing down and over correcting, they allow it to be what it naturally is. And that makes you uncomfortable. Well that's a you problem. I would argue that Peter and Kenny have a similar kind of chemistry for that matter.

Thank you Nonny!

Well, what an utterly nonsensical question was that? Garbage filled with terrible ideas and opinions from beginning to end.

You cannot just 'force' to have chemistry with someone. Natural chemisty is one of the greatest things two actors can have. It's either there or it isn't. All the great 'will they won't they' ships had great chemistry. Some of them weren't even supposed to end up together, but the chemistry was so good they decided to change the writing for the characters and put them together.

I honestly don't think Buck and Eddie were ever planned to end up together, but because Ryan and Oliver had such great on screen chemistry the writers recognised 'lightning in a bottle' and went with it until FOX told them to stop.

Anyway, I agree with Ali.

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If you are interested in more of Ali’s posts, you can find all of her posts so far under the tag: anonymous blog I love.

[rivereverie]

All excellent points. It's extremely impressive how well he's able to maintain a new relationship and care for someone else given all he has going on at the time, and its a testament to his heart, in my opinion.

I often see people push back against the idea that Astarion can be sweet and soft because of his harsher facets. He's allowed to be both. His bloodthirstiness does not erase his gentleness. His anger and bitterness do not negate his playfulness and caring. Nor is the inverse true; he's not a passive little kitten who has never done anything wrong. He's a complex person, but beyond that, he's just a person, period. People are never one thing.

All this is one of the reasons I love him so much; going through the hell he endured does not make someone kind. It's the sort of crushing conditions that can easily make people so bitter and toxic to the people around them. The fact that he maintained the light within himself through all those decades where Cazador tried to systematically crush every last good thing in him... that's a miracle. He's a miracle. Because despite having every reason not to, his life experience stacked against him, he still has so much kindness and softness inside. He still cares. I don't think he's exactly well-adjusted, even by the epilogue. I'm sure it will take him the rest of his life to heal, and he and his partner will have a lot to work through in their relationship. These things take work and effort, and though I'm sure Astarion would struggle with many parts of being in a relationship, he would put in the effort necessary to work on it. He's shown numerous times that he cares and is surprisingly proactive about the relationship. He's willing to self-examine and change, like OP said in regards to his behavioral checking and minding old habits. I'm sure he'd have plenty of bad days where he pushes his partner away and says hurtful things he doesn't mean when he's triggered or overwhelmed, but that doesn't mean he's not loving and willing to work on things. I also think his reaction to his partner becoming illithid is completely valid and realistic. The fact that he's so willing to even try to make it work honestly shows how he open and accepting he is, even in the face of you become one of the things your party has been fighting against and hating for the entire game. The man is going through a lot, and dealing with his love becoming a tentacled beast is just one more item in his list of things to process, and I'm sure it hurts. Let him have time to grieve and process. I've said this before, but Astarion is arguably the least judgmental of all the companions, which seems at odds with his nature. Until you realize it's just proof of how caring and empathetic he has the capacity to be, deep down, despite his best efforts to pretend otherwise. Anyway, it bothers me when people argue against portraying his softness and caring as being non-canon or unrealistic, just because he has a harsh, bloodthirsty, vengeful, self-serving side as well. Both are canon. Both are true. Both are equally important to his identity. He contains multitudes and that's exactly what makes him such a compelling character.

just thinking about astarion is SUCH a sweet partner? like this man was barely an adult elf when he was turned, and spent the next 200 years being abused by cazador, but like

- as the durge character, he'll be accepting and talk about your mental health and reassure you

- he'll insist on staying with your half illithid character, saying you shouldnt make his choices for him if you try to leave to protect him

- also just the dichotomy of him being explicitly vain and also explicitly not shallow is very sweet

- in that one lathanders light scene, he'll tell you he appreciates you trying to fix your mistake after you caused him IMMENSE pain

- he'll empathize with and support you if you swear your body to haarlep, noting how he's been through similar and is sorry you're going through it

- hes not jealous, his issues with sharing seem to largely come from if he thinks the other party would be okay with it (like he thinks lae'zel would spear him lol), and when someone like halsin comes along he'll happily consent

- on that note, he grows enough to be comfortable asking for support and reassurance instead of possessiveness/jealousy (not that these are the only options for that scenario, but astarions seen a lot of possessiveness in his life and its wonderful how much he avoids replicating it)

- he will always attack cazador in the final confrontation if cazador starts verbally abusing you instead of him

- he puts in the work to set boundaries that allow him to engage in an intimate (emotionally, physically, but not sexually) romantic relationship with tav and apologizes for "using" him before, when his behavior was SO understandable. and also he manipulated tav by having... consensual enjoyable sex lol. he might have ulterior motives but he never actually tries to use his sexual relationship with tav to manipulate him into doing anything

- you learn how astarion felt for Sebastian and how tender he was

- you learn about the first boy astarion couldnt bear to bring to cazador, the one he called soft and sweet (or something like that) and then was punished horribly for a straight year for it

- even when you turn to a half illithid, his main concern is you losing your agency

- if you are a full illithid, at the end of the game, some people complain about him not being ride or die, but i think he shows REMARKABLE willingness and support. what he cares about most is that you are still you, and how is he supposed to know for sure? i think asking him to stay with a type of being known for manipulation and mind control after everything he went through with cazador IS A HUGE FUCKING ASK. and he doesnt even write you off immediately? thats a lot of love right there

- if you arent illithid, he will double-check you want to plan a future with him still, and only once you affirm this will he express how badly he wants it. he's actively avoiding trying to manipulate you even

and probably more stuff im just not thinking of off the top of my head. obviously this is about the spawn route vs. ascended, but im just constantly amazed that despite EVERYTHING astarion has gone through, probably centuries without a healthy, loving relationship or even examples of that nearby, he still defaults to being kind, empathetic, and caring as soon as he gets the chance

like sure, he might be minorly evil and self-serving but personally i think thats the least he deserves

more importantly, the boys from astarions past give us a rare window into what he was like before turning into a vampire—he was gentle, empathetic lover. he was kind, he was protective. and as soon as he has the space to start looking for himself again, he goes RIGHT back to that behavior. he even self-checks for his "manipulation" and tries to correct for it

it just shatters my heart and then puts it back together hes such a wonderfully written character. astarion is allowed to be lovely AND furious and vengeful and maybe its just my raised-catholic ass, but its SO cathartic to see that a forgiveness arc is never pushed for his abuser

[reverie-tala]

I'am to Blame [OG!Nice & Reader]

Can be read either romantic or platonic

OG!Nice, Wreck, GN!Reader

This is written before Nice/Lin Ling story fully conclude/before episode 4

====================================

When Nice and Wreck wanted to become heroes you wholeheartedly supported

Even when the role Wreck was given is to be Nice nemesis to help elevated Nice ranking, you still supported them as long as they want to

Everything was fine for all three of you, until Nice started to act more distance, the constant tired look you see in his face before turning away from you and to the crowd with a wide and reassure smile

Yeah... reassuring...

When Nice had the chance encounter with Moon, neither you or Wreck really phase by it until the public demand grow and the agency Nice work for use this opportunity

Wreck... was a mess at first until your visit to his tower room that you manage to have talk a with Moon and relay what you learn to Wreck which help him calm down but he still seems bother about Moon and Nice relationship status

The hurt look at Wreck eyes and the tired look at Nice eyes

But what can you do to help them without ruining what they build, the most you can do it offer an ear to listen to their worries and give them any helpful advice when asked

"I'll protect everyone smile... Including your's and his"

.

.

.

You didn't understand at first, but after that last meeting Nice hasn't answered any of your text or calls, Wreck growing desperate for a response even sent out a emails to Nice and even contacted their manager Ms. J

Same as you, no response

And then the True Love Recipe aired, the host? Eye of Truth, Enlighter and thanks to Enlighter abilities Nice laid out his love for Moon in the fullest truth

"Huh?"

At this point you don't know what to think about any of this, it heavily contradict on what you already know

Nice.... his eyes doesn't look tired like before or is it just because your seeing it through a screen?

.

.

.

The wedding of Nice and Moon was something... You really don't know to comprehend it anymore, you just feel empty, her death doesn't really bother you much given that you and her are basically strangers

But after that you haven't heard from Wreck as well, you knew he was assigned to play as Nice nemesis who would crash the wedding but the way he move is more aggressive and more desperate. You couldn't even blame him taking advantage of the script to question Nice but why haven't you heard from him since

It's happening again, you start to relentlessly texted, called and even emailed those two but all left to being unanswered

And in one last desperate act you contacted their manager and of course Nice was busy but as for Wreck, they didn't answer anything related to him

.

.

.

You were frustrate beyond belief and it's driving you mad, and Nice words from your last conversation starting to hunt you

It made you a mess, why couldn't Nice answer any reach you made and what exactly happened to Wreck, you doubt that Nice would let Wreck died or accidentally killed him

That's be too much... but the possibility of it...

You were a mess and it took multiple relatives to get you out, dragging as far from that place and dragging you to their vacation they plan

You were greatful for their concern and effort to help, it manage to clear your mind a bit but the tumour of your thoughts

And there you saw

Moon who is much very alive

You rush towards without thinking, your relatives calling out to you. Moon heard the commotion and when she turn her head, she was meet with a desperate friend already manage to grip her wrist

"I won't tell anyone"

You were panting as you try to gather your breath

"Do you know what happened to Nice and Wreck?!"

Moon genuinely caught off guard and felt a pant of guilt for you

Yes being forced to play as Nice girlfriend was awful but unlike her, you have genuine relation with the Real Nice

When you notice your relatives coming closer you loudly called out

"Ah! Don't mind me and enjoy your moment! I'm just catching up with a friend!"

With a cheerful voice it was enough to convince them and have them head back

Now looking back at Moon, she let out sign

"Promise you won't freak out"

"I'll try"

With that Moon lay out all what she knows, the Real Nice suicide and being replaced by someone who resemble him and as for Wreck, all she knows that Wreck fall out the edge during their fight and haven't heard anything about him since

You let out of Moon wrist and thanked her, she look guilty somehow but you reassure her and left

Of course noisy relatives are always a thing so the moment you came back to the cabin you were bombarded by questions and it took you playing dead and straight up collapsing to the ground for them to stop

.

.

.

"So you and Nice are gone now...."

Your words are more like an empty statement than a question

You couldn't afford to make a proper grave for both of them and even if you could, it may effect and ruined what they have build over the years even what they build is the same thing that took away

You just poured down towards the makeshift tomb with their real name engraved their favorite beer before giving them a short prayer and left

.

.

.

If you saw how predatory the hero industry was and how it can ruined, even killed them.

Would you have supported their dreams of becoming a Hero?

If you saw Nice tired and resign eyes

If you talked more to Nice about what he said back then

If you comforted Nice instead of turning a blind eye in favor to support his hero endeavour

Would he still took his own life? Where it spiral Wreck which lead to his death

"What's the point of these thoughts....

Their both gone now and I'am to blame..."

OG!Nice P.O.V

Me and Wreck always wanted to be heroes and so we did everything we could and when NAME made a discovery about how heroes gain power, we manage to make a solid lead to path of heroin

Of course getting popular isn't easy, when Wreck suggest to be influencer or content creator NAME shut down does idea, gaining popularity through being an influencer or content creator is hard

And then they gave us an idol business card

"Being idols is faster, yes it's still hard work but it's still faster"

They explain how the agency will manage the advertisement which will help us reach more audience than hoping for people find our content in the internet

Both me and Wreck follow through their advice and even start to practice dancing and singing with NAME help

Their honestly like our manager

"Why I bother??? I'm your friend Wreck! It's natural I want to support you two as best as I can!"

Their really a supportive friend and is honestly concerning sometimes how they neglect themselves in favor to support us

It even reach to the point we're popular enough for Treeman offer a contract and of course I have to learn from someone named Ms. J that NAME made a great presentation with straight to the point facts and benefits for them to reach out a contract

.

.

.

But Wreck role was to be a villain, a nemesis, my nemesis

Of course NAME was worried and already at it making a bargain when Wreck reassure his fine with it, he even convince me to convince them that the arrangements are fine

How easily they resign and continue to support us

.

.

.

I was venting my frustrations again to them

They deserve better than this

They deserve to focus on themself instead of worrying and prioritizing me

But I couldn't stop the words that keep vomiting from my mouth and still I have to hold back mention about Wreck

Oh Wreck

He deserves something much better than being my stepping stone

He wanted to be a hero too back he couldn't, he needs to continue playing as my nemesis or else

And if I mentioned this to NAME they will surely do something about it to make it possible

But I know it impossible, impossible without destroying what they both sacrifice for

I have to hold back my tears or else

.

.

.

Did they notice?

Will they do something about it?

No. Even if they notice, I don't want to destroy what he and they build for me... what they sacrifice for me

All I can do is... I turn away from them, but without mastering my bits of sanity and give the crowd a bright smile

Yeah... bright...

.

.

.

I have a chance encounter with the Teleportation Hero, Moon

I saved her when she was falling, many saw it and it didn't take long for the public to demand for us to be a couple

And . . .

A couple did we become . . .

She hate it . . . I hate it . . . but what can we do, we sign a contract, the public already acknowledge us a prefect couple and my ranking will be affected if we broke up with no good reason or the truth was reveal

Moon will suffer the consequences as well

Oh how he wants to yell the truth

'Wreck is my friend! Not my nemesis!'

'Moon and I aren't in love! We don't want to be a couple!'

'NAME you should focus more on yourself than worrying and supporting me!'

But he couldn't, without destroying everything they built

.

.

.

"I'll protect everyone smile

Including your's and his"

.

.

.

Goodbye

Wreck I hope you can become a hero now without me in the way

Moon I hope you're free and can freely travel to your heart content without me in the way

NAME I hope you can now prioritize yourself and focus on what you want now without me in the way

And...

For you stranger, I'm sorry you have to witness my final moment

I hope this won't hunt you for the rest of your life

Goodbye and I hope for you all freedom

====================================

OG!Nice & Me(currently):

[theredcuyo]

After the little emotional moment i wrote, here's some fun for the demonic Bros au

This is, Lwj and Sqq disguising as middle court officials to go with Xie Lian whenever he gets called to heaven, because if you think you're bullying their A-Lian on their watch you better think twice

"Are You sure about coming with me?" Xie Lian really doesn't want them to be harassed for association with him.

"But of course, what would you do if you need some spiritual energy? Chengzu can't come up here to help out and they could spot the... origin of the energy on you, we don't want you to get into trouble" Sqq explained simply, not that he was lying, but it certainly wasn't his biggest reason. "But..."

"His highness should not worry" Lan Wangji assured, because well, of course he was the one to come, they really didn't want to get Xie Lian into trouble and Wwx had also already been posing as a middle court official before, they weren't taking their chances. "I'll take your word then, but please don't take it to heart if i'm too careful"

Sqq, of course knew why he was so hesitant, ah, really, he was too kind for his own good. "It's alright, let us go then"

Lwj and Sqq walked side by side to Xie Lian, unlike it had been in the past when other two walked behind him, they seemed happy to stand on the same place, part of their reasoning for this was, of course, that they had to shield him for whatever could come, Lwj had been particularly focused on this topic, since Xie Lian had been called about his encounter with Qi Rong, the same one he had helped to calm him from.

Xie Lian was lightly concerned as to why it seemed so quiet, that was, of course, until he noticed the barrier around him, only him. He didn't know wheter to laugh or cry, what was being said out there that they couldn't let him hear? He appreciated the effort, tho.

The murmurs had started as soon as the trio came into view with others, who were this two with his highness? Where did they come from? Surely not another fake skin from the generals...? And why so handsome?

Of course, Sqq couldn't put them at fault for the last one, Lan Wangji was, after all, the most elegible bachelor back in his home and he was also a main lead, of course he was handsome! Not as much as his Binghe, of course, but that could never be a fair comparisson. "Senior Shen"

Now, he wasn't as good at reading Lan Wangji, but if some of the tips he had gotten from Airplane-bro about Mobei-Jun were to be belived then... Sqq shaked his head. "Not for now, keep listening"

"Eavesdropping is forbidden"

Sqq opened his fan, a light smile, full of disdain hidden behind. "Is not eavesdropping when they're not trying to hide that they're talking about you, Hanguang-Jun"

"... Gossiping is also forbidden"

"Ah, i take there's a severe punshiment for that?" Lwj nodded. "We'll have to make sure to use it, then, since it's such an important rule. Don't worry i'll make sure everyone who dares talk about his highness receives what is worth."

"Undeserved violence is forbidden"

"What is undeserving, anyway?"

After all, to Sqq, all the people who were laughing at Xie Lian's third ascension, because of the whole Banyue incident, all that were making assumptions about the prescense of both of them and making judges of character so far from the truth, everyone wondering ill about their friendship, they deserved what he was planning for them. "Shen-Ge?"

Xie Lian calling for him got him out of his thoughts, he had just recently convinced to call him by a more familiar term of address, thanks to Hua Cheng. They both walked closer. "Yes, your highness?"

"I... It's okay not to address me like that"

"His highness is his highness"

"Hanguang-Jun, i appreciate it, but i haven't been a crown prince since long ago"

"Ah, that's true, that's true, it should be his majesty now, after all he's a king's-"

"No, no! I-I didn't mean it like that either, we're not even... We're not even that close!" Xie Lian didn't need Sqq also teasing him about being 'Hua Cheng's sworn brother', and Sqq sighed, it was enough teasing for the day. "i'll stop, i'll stop, A-Lian"

"... Thank you"

"However, you are still a god, A-Lian, how can you imagine our Hanguang-Jun here being anything but respectful?"

Lan Wangji nodded. "Ah, then... Gongzi is just fine?"

"Xianle-gongzi?"

"Hanguang-Jun please don't use the tittle" Sqq corrected, Xie Lian was actually always a bit hurt whenever he heard it, not a nice reminder, and usually he wouldn't voice that but in this case, there was no point on trying to deny it, somehow, Sqq always knew, because of course he did. "Xie-gongzi?"

"That is fine, thank you Hanguang-Jun, ah, should we also change how we address you?"

"Hanguang-Jun, would you like to match Wuxian?" Maybe Lan Wangji would've had more qualms about this, but one of them was a god and the other definitely older than him, and Sqq's offering just sealed the deal. He nodded. "Alright, Wangji it is then, that's also how Zewu-jun calls you, isn't it?"

"Mn"

"Then, Wangji, Shen-Ge, would either of you be so kind to lift the barrier?"

They looked at each other guiltily, but with a movement of his hand, Lan Wangji lifted it, all it did was prevent Xie Lian form hearing anything within certain range, hence, he hadn't heard them before they came closer. "Thank you"

Before Xie Lian had time to question either of them, Sqq's eyes catched the stares from a pair of generals just up ahead of them, still far away but with their kin senses, he was sure they were hearing and seeing them, see, this are the things he actually came for. While he knows the story, he holds both generals to a similar standar to that of the original goods, they may have their reasons, but he doesn't particularly like them. So, off to his favorite thing to do, be a hater with class, he started with a warm and soft smile directed to the god. "A-Lian, there's nothing to thank for, but i'm rather sorry about doing it, i just didn't want you to feel unfomfortable around here"

"Ah, but, Shen-Ge, this isn't my first time coming over? I'm used to it" If Xie Lian had catched anything in those malevolent eyes of his, he didn't tell. "Nonsense! You shouldn't have to become used to such thing, A-Lian! You are a god deserving of respect, not only for status but has no one taught manners to those around here? You are older than them!"

"Shen-Ge..."

"Xie-gongzi shouldn't be treated in such impolite way" Lan Wangji contributed, although mostly unaware of Sqq's plan. "See? Even Wangji agrees! You are far too forgiving with this people, A-Lian. They do not deserve your kindness"

"Everyone deserves kindness, Shen-Ge" Sqq huffed, as he opened his fan. "Some more than others, and some openly less than what You give, trust this Master on that"

Xie Lian, however didn't really agree to that, after all, sometimes all it took was one person, and he decided to be that person whenever possible. "Don't give me that look, ah, really, our A-Lian is far too kind for his own good, what shall i do with You?"

Xie Lian only had a moment to akwardly laugh before Shen Yuan patted his head, usually, he has far more self restraint, however right now, he was not only moved by his fondness for the god, but also by spite, and boy was spite a powerful motive indeed, specially when he could see the stupified looks on two of the three faces for the people said spite was directed at. "I..."

"It's alright, that is what we're here for, be as kind as you want, we'll make sure it doesn't go to waste however necessary. We'll be with you for whatever it is to happen"

Lan Wangji put a supporting hand on his shoulder. "Mn"

Xie Lian nodded, truly, the kind one here was Shen Qingqiu. "Thank You..."

Sqq snapped his fan closed, as he made them walk ahead again. "Now, let us go, we'll be late at this rate, and i don't want to miss on dinner"

"Ah, Luo-ge would get upset if we're late for cooking, i promised to help tonight"

"Promised as well"

The mention only added fuel to the fire that Sqq was slowly burning, domesticity was good to make jelousy "A-Lian will be on the kitchen today? We should hurry then, can't miss out on that! But take no offense, A-Lian, you still have a long way to reach my Binghe"

Xie Lian nodded, a light smile on his face. "I know, but San Lang said the last time was pretty good"

Neither Sqq nor Lwj addressed that because Hua Cheng's imput on Xie Lian's cooking was not only biased, but not to be trusted since he was the only person capable of eating it without getting sick, who knew even ghosts could get sick?, Wwx surely didn't. Hell, who knew that Xie Lian's cooking was so bad that it beat up Binghe's protagonist halo and heavenly demon blood making him sick? "A-Lian should try sticking to Binghe's instructions next time, and ignore Wuxian when he talks about spice"

"Ah, San Lang did say it was quite spicy"

"See? I think we should also have another class about condimentation herbs, i fear you might've used some that weren't for cooking"

"Really?"

"Yes, why else would it have made noise?" In reality, Sqq was pretty sure Xie Lian used only edible things, but he could not bring himself to be directly mean to him, it was like telling a kid that proudly showed you their drawing that you didn't know what it was, well, to him it was, Xie Lian perfectly knew what he was doing. "Oh, that would make sense"

"It does, it does, and we don't want to accidentally make another cake to bite Wuxian, do we? He might deserve it"- Lan Wangji stared at Sqq with a murderous aura that he rarely exhibited, so he backtracked-"When he misheaves, but not most of the time"

That made Lwj go back to normal, and Sqq sigh with relief internally, yes, sometimes he forgot that this is the same man that took Wwx out of nightless city and fought a murderous giant tourtle as a teenager. "Ah but he did eat it afterwards..."

At that, Xie Lian couldn't help but laugh a bit, a genuine although tiny, laugh. It just was a funny memory. "Wei-gongzi did eat it, while saying it was revenge in every bite"

Ah, there it was! Sqq had been trying to get a laugh out of Xie Lian this entire time, not just to spite the idiots who disguised themselves to hang out with him like the cowards they were, and not just to try and give Jun Wu a Qi deviation, but he really wanted him to feel better, ah, really, old age was making him more and more sentimental. "Wei Ying got sick and blamed the cake"

Xie Lian turned to Lwj, still a soft smile on his face. "Ah, he did?"

Lwj nodded. "Mn, said it became a vengeful spirit"

Another small but honest laugh came from the god. Meanwhile, Sqq put on his best bitch fake smile on and directly shielded Xie Lian's right side, as they were passing by two generals that couldn't utter a word but that were surely drilling holes into him with disdain and disbelief. One of them was dumb enough to try and talk tho, but Sqq was having none of that. "Your highn-"

"A-Lian, have you thought of where to go when the meeting is over?"

"Scrap collecting as usual, Shen-ge" Xie Lian's expression didn't betray anything. "Is it alright if i accompany you? We can get things for dinner on the way back"

Mu Qing and Feng Xin were far more interesed in the answer than they'd like to admit, just who was this man and why did he think that Xie Lian would let him accom- "Surely, if Shen-Ge doesn't mind, ah, Wangji would you like to come too?"

They turned to stare to the other misterious man that was by Xie Lian's side, he nodded politely and slowly. "Will do, Wei Ying asked before"

Both of them sighed fondly, of course that's why. They couldn't put him at fault tho, the other day they had found a few things that Wwx reused for some inventions, including some glass that he used to make something very akin to a modern lamp with a few talismans.

-----

Was i too mean to Feng Xin and Mu Qing by not letting them talk to Xie Lian? Maybe, but Sqq won't let them until they prove themselves to him, you're not hurting Xie Lian on his watch, you're also, not allowed to be an idiot on his watch

Lwj is just being nice, he likes his in laws and he is being supportive on his own way, while Sqq was busy being petty, he was silencing people left and right with he Lan technique

On the other hand, Jun Wu is this close to having an anneurism, excuse you who are this two???? Why doesn't he know anything about them and why can't he track them down either? How did they meet his Xianle?! Most importantly, who dares do good to his mental health?!

[curiostars]

can i interest you in mob psycho roleswap au. (close-ups and notes under the cut)

Reigen is not a conman in this au, but a real deal esper. Not that he knew for most of his life. He actually did start Spirits & Such under the impression he'd be running a scam business

A few months into the endeavour, he's visited by Touichirou, who proves to Reigen that a) real psychics exist, and b) Reigen is one. Reigen has actually been subconciously using his own powers without realizing- plain table salt actually can work in an exorcism, if one uses it to channel their own psychic power!

Reigen's abilities speficially have to use objects as a conduit, and while he doesn't have an overly large amount of power to draw from, the way he uses it is extremely energy-efficient. It's how he could use them without even noticing, it took so little effort he couldn't feel that he was doing something

Reigen joined Claw because he saw it as his way to finally become someone, but slowly he realizes that the organization is terrible. He can't see a way out and has nothing left if he leaves, having sold the office and packed up his life to join, so instead he doubles down and tries to convince himself he's okay with it all

Serizawa doesn't have psychic powers, so he also didn't spend most of his life locked in his room. Just a regular, sorta-awkward, very nice guy

He got dragged into the whole fake-psychic bit because he helped his neighbour out with a problem that they thought was a ghost but turned out to just be a minor electrical issue. His neighbour is convinced he exorcised a ghost and doesn't hear out Serizawa trying to explain that it wasn't

That neighbour recommends his help to a friend of theirs who also thinks they have a ghost problem. It's not really a ghost again, but she was so scared of ghosts and so happy to be safe that Serizawa didn't have the heart to tell her that he didn't exorcize any. Just a harmless white lie, right?

This spitballs by word of mouth and becomes a whole side gig for him. He gathers a reputation without even trying to. He is just too damn nice to turn people down when they ask for his help and has given up trying to convince people that he's not psychic, when what they want is help from a psychic

One day he helps someone who happens to be a real estate agent and extremely enthusiastic about helping him make a whole business. He is offered an office at an extremely discounted rental rate in one of the buildings they manage, and encouraged to take his business pro so that people can find him for help easier. It's a great idea! Serizawa doesn't agree so much as fails to refuse. Looks like he has an office now!

The office was formerly Reigen's, not that Serizawa knows it. It still has the sign up for Spirits & Such, so Serizawa keeps that name because he has no idea what he's doing but that sounds professional and legitimate, right?

As a small child, Teru was very difficult, and more importantly he was an esper. His parents mistook him floating objects during tantrums for possession, and brought him to an exorcist recommended by a friend of a friend

Serizawa, who can't exorcise a kid who isn't possessed in the first place (and couldn't anyways, not psychic as he is), ended up striking a deal with Teru to teach him control his powers. To the parents, he fakes dispelling a demon and claims it left Teru with "residual" power that Serizawa can help him learn to manage. Serizawa takes a fake-it-until-you make it appraoch with Teru's "apprenticeship", but it works

Teru, about a year into this arrangement, realizes Serizawa isn't even a little bit psychic. Teru is good and attached to him now anyways, and throws himself into helping Serizawa maintain the charade. Quite often this ends up causing more problems than it solves

Teru has a solid sense of morality thanks to Serizawa's mentorship, but he's extremely stuck up about it. Very holier-than-thou attitude. Would he truly be Teru without that self-centeredness?

Mob is the Shadow Leader of the Salt Middle School delinquents

Without Reigen's guidance (or Ritsu's presence as a role model, see below), he has much less of a moral compass, and is instead motivated by the small circle of friends he does have

He's not any less compassionate than canon, but only to a select circle of individuals. He doesn't care about anyone else, so long as it doesn't affect him and his friends

His characterization is closer to what he's like in Mogamiland, right before he remembers the real world. If the people around him made him who he was, who would he have become without most of those people?

The Telepathy Club are among the delinquents of Salt MS, having failed to keep their club room and turning to more drastic measures to find time to goof off and do what they want, and they're Mob's closest friends, hiding in his social shadow because no one wants to mess with him

If you threaten their freedom? So help you, Mob will not have mercy

Ritsu was kidnapped by Claw at about 8 years old, and forcibly awakened by them. He turned out to be an incredibly strong esper, powerful enough to catch the attention of Touichirou directly

He's scared out of running away by the threat of Claw finding his family, especially he's worried about them realizing Shigeo is also an esper

Like canon Shou, he's plotting to go against Claw, and biding his time for the right moment to start open rebellion

He's not quite Touichirou's son, but he's his "heir" so to speak. The secondmost authority in Claw

Shou didn't awaken any psychic powers as a little kid, and was more or less replaced as soon as Ritsu showed up

He was sent to live with his mother, and grew up more or less normally

Being abandoned by his father, understandably, gave him some harsh self-esteem issues

He's an over-achiever, a straight-A student and the student council vice president. He's compensating for his greatest failure: his lack of psychic power, which he wants more than anything

A part of him still hopes that one day his dad will want him back if he does ever get powers

[aureatescars]

Sasha is thankful for Leon taking over when he gets a little too caught up in his own thoughts again. Leon doesn't have to do it and Sasha would be able to manage on his own, but rather than being irritated by Leon taking over a task for him he feels nothing but relief. It makes the heavy thoughts and feelings less stark, softens the edges that cut deep into his mood. And when he finds Leon's gaze gentle with understanding and sympathy Sasha feels a little more warm and a little less like he made yet another mistake.

Still, it's no surprise that the memories and the regrets that come with them don't fade immediately even as the two of them settle at the table. Leon is the one to break the silence, pulling Sasha back from trying to pinpoint the exact day he last had any sort of contact with his mother.

He doesn't expect Leon to ask about her again, half expected him to stir the conversation somewhere else, quip at him, tease him about putting all this effort into making this dish and then not immediately digging in. But this isn't anywhere near that, it's not him being pushy either, he's merely giving Sasha an opportunity to speak about her if he really wants to.

"I—" He hesitates at first, but finds that despite the guilt and regrets he really wants to tell Leon about her. "Yes," he says then. "Closer than most from what I understand." Much like Leon he goes about stirring his stew with his spoon, but then pauses to grab a bit of bread to cut into smaller pieces with his knife to eventually dip it into the stew. "I don't have any siblings, and my father..." Sasha winces. "That's a whole different story." And one he doesn't want to get into right now. "Let's just say it was just me and her from my early teens on. She tried to be there for me best she could, but her working hours as a nurse meant I was left to my own devices a lot."

He shakes his head. "In hindsight that clearly wasn't the best thing... I was an angry teenager, lashed out at just about everyone, and in general got myself into a lot of trouble." He sighs and thinks of J.D., always loyal, always at his side no matter what. Yes, he'd been a troublemaker, but Sasha was just as bad, if not worse. He pushes the thought of his late best friend aside. "But still, she always believed in me. I can see that now." He makes a dismissive gesture with one hand. "However, back then she was disappointed I didn't live up to my potential of course, but no matter how angry she was with me, she'd always be there when I needed her." He looks down at his knuckles, a few small scars, old ones, draw taught over them as he flexes his fingers. "There was this one night..." He considers whether or not he really wants to tell Leon about it, but realizes that the other has seen far worse sides of him by now. "Worst fight I've ever gotten into as a teenager was because some lowlife was harassing Irina."

Worst not because Sasha was heavily injured, but rather because he almost did something back then he could never have taken back. Christ, Irina and him had barely been seventeen. "Broke his nose, and his jaw, a few ribs, too, probably..." He remembers that night very vividly, even after all these years. Not because of the pain, but because of the way Irina had to pull him away before he could do something stupid, the way she looked at him, full of fear, was something that twisted his entire perception of himself. He tells Leon as much now, although it rings hollow given all that he has done since.

Once again he is grateful that Leon doesn't point out his hypocrisy, but rather just keeps listening to his tale. "I took Irina home, but we didn't even say goodnight." He sighs, remembers how it had stung that she didn't even glance back at him before entering her parents' house. "I don't even really remember how I got home after that." He looks up from his food then, both of them having slowly made their way through dinner. It helps with the nostalgia somehow, eating something so familiar. Memories slowly clear away before his inner eye until he's no longer looking at fragments of his past, but at Leon. There is no judgment in his eyes, no pity either, he simply listens, and for once in his life, Sasha in turn can't stop talking. "I just remember that when I opened the door my mother was right there waiting for me, she took one good look at me, and before saying anything she got the first aid kit, sat me down and started cleaning my busted knuckles." He smiles slightly, but has to swallow around a lump that formed in his throat throughout recounting these events. "And then, after wrapping them up, she said: 'I'm sorry.' As if she was the one to blame for what I did."

His tone turns exasperated and he has to blink away a bit of moisture from his eyes. To his surprise it's easy to admit to the next thing. "I broke down and cried like a child for the first time in years." Saying so is accompanied by a shrug, but Sasha remembers the anguish he had felt, any embarrassment about it he has long since made his peace with. He was a child back then. Lost and afraid.

"I straightened myself out after that, for her, for Irina, but also for myself." He leans heavily against the backrest of his wheelchair, it creaks quietly. A reminder of his most recent, most cutting mistake.

He lowers his gaze back to the bowl. "But I guess I haven't really changed after all, have I?" All it took was a catalyst and he fell right back into that anger he felt as an adolescent. Only now it was a raging fury fueled by grief and without Irina there to rein him in, he spiralled completely out of control and took J. D. down with him.

He pushes the remaining bits of his food around with his spoon. "Maybe it's for the best if she thinks I'm dead."

There is a hint of sorrow around the smile Sasha gives Leon in turn, but he bites back the self- deprecating comment that sits on the tip of his tongue. I used to be. He still thinks quietly to himself as he turns back around in order to not give Leon enough time to decipher the emotion he's sure to be present on his face. Leon has developed quite a way of reading him these days, or maybe Sasha has become less guarded, either way, he doesn't want this to devolve into an argument, so he simply takes the compliment. He isn't sure that after everything he's done he could still call himself that, but hearing Leon say so has him think that maybe, despite never being able to amend the wrongs he did, he can still do better than before.

It's not long until dinner is ready after that and the genuine excitement in Leon's expression and tone when he comes to check up on the food has Sasha's pensive mood from before dissolve into something more mellow, almost content. Smiling suits him Sasha thinks, not for the first time, as he looks up at Leon. Then, because he cannot help it, he nudges Leon in the side again when he, once again, manages to stand right infront of the cabinet Sasha needs to open.

"She did," Sasha says as he pulls out a bowl. "I'm not half the cook she is, but you'll have to make do." There is no bitterness there, but his tone is a little wistful now that his thoughts stray back to simpler times. He pauses in his actions of filling the food from the steaming pot into the bowl. "I haven't talked to her since Irina's death." He says quietly, not really meaning to, but he's taken aback by the realization that the words fall from his lips unbidden. He wonders if she is doing well, and then, within the same breath, he wonders if she thinks he died in the war.

The wave of guilt hits him hard as he stares down at the pot of steaming stew, taking in the familiar smell, nostalgia mingles with regret. If he reached out to her now would she even want to speak to him? Would she recognize the man he'd become?

Would she forgive him?

The touch of a hand to his shoulder has him startle from his thoughts and he looks up at Leon, his own hands still frozen mid-action. "Sorry." His voice cracks on the word. He clears his throat, then attempts to get back to the task at hand without spilling food everywhere. "Just getting lost in my own head." Again.

[frankenfran]

sometimes the ephemeral nature of cooking can make me feel a bit... listless? maybe? today i was on my feet almost all day cooking and prepping and cleaning dishes. i made us a pork shoulder noodle soup for lunch with the leftovers from last night, chopped the remaining pork finely to use for gyoza or something else, made kimchi, and fried up some ma hua for the first time. i was extremely "productive" but ultimately the end result is that all of that will be eaten, as is the point.

there's no meaningful way to stretch a food out forever that doesn't either render it inedible (permanently frozen or preserved in acrylic) or get into ship of theseus territory. a sourdough starter is close i suppose. if taken care of properly you can keep feeding it and using it to make bread indefinitely, and a perpetual jar of pao cai is similar. i saw a video recently on instagram where a woman was talking about how she inherited her family's heirloom pickles that (i think) went at least 100 years back. obviously there's not 100 year old cabbage scraps in there and im sure if you did somehow manage to date the contents the oldest it would get is maybe a couple years? im not entirely sure to be honest. im still getting into picking myself and i have to admit it feels really nice to have kimchi i made a month or so ago still around. there's still a couple servings left from my last batch and by now it's so perfectly fermented and tasty that it's almost a shame to see her go.

i guess it's kind of a... well, im not sure if it's the right word but somewhat materialistic mindset? to want to preserve something you've made with your own hands. i grew up drawing and even just taking a pencil to paper was less ephemeral. somewhere out there you can find increasingly worn and faded drawings i made in elementary school of original characters and other things and just recently i discovered a couple extremely low-res and borderline inscrutable drawings i made in 2008 and back in my old photobucket account. in a couple years some of those drawings will be 20. there was a period when those old drawings might have made me cringe but, much like a pickled vegetable, they've only gotten better with time. at least in my heart.

i don't have much of a point that im getting at. i love cooking and ive been thinking a lot about things like passion and creativity and drive lately. i think to some my life might seem dull. i spend a lot of time cooking and thinking about food and cleaning up after myself. because of the ephemeral nature of cooking it's easy to feel like im not doing much at the end of the day despite the effort that goes into it. im not drawing or programming or playing an instrument or anything like that and i cook so much that it might even look so effortless as to be trivial... maybe? you can always go back and read your own writing or look at your own art but unless you take a photo or REALLY leave an impression you can't really do that with cooking.

i guess it's not that i necessarily feel like im taken for granted. i live for the satisfied noises my girls make when they really enjoy a meal and that alone makes it worth it. frankly when im on my own im even less motivated to make something nice and often resort to really lazy meals. i just spend most of my time doing something that ultimately ends up being shat out and it's kind of funny that way i suppose.

[digiflora]

SUMMER LOVIN' ◟⊹ 𖧧. ָ࣪ ◝. EPISODE⁰³

Ꮺ prev. masterlist. next. Ꮺ

TONIGHT ON LOVE ISLAND ...

the cheeky greeting uttered mere moments ago still rings in your ears, and you're almost hesitant to swivel your head to see the face that comes with the voice.

hu tao's beaten you to it, her excited gasp which she makes no effort to conceal giving you that little last push of equal parts courage and curiosity to turn around and look at the newcomers.

it's two men, one tall and ginger, the other somewhat shorter with some pale blond hair pulled back into a half updo which looks rather nice, you must admit. they couldn't be more opposite of each other- the taller one practically swaggering his way towards you and the rest of the islanders, taking his sweet time all with a million dollar smile plastered across his face. you'd bet your bottom dollar that it was him who called out that greeting.

the other guy trailed slightly behind, not necessarily shy, but certainly paling in comparison to the other bombshell.

the ginger comes to a stop at the edge of the sofa, right by where you're sat, sandwiched between hu tao and alhaitham. the latter had his arm haphazardly thrown across the back of where you were sat, though you can't help but notice the almost imperceptible twitch of it against the back of your head as alhaitham's gaze scours over the newcomer.

he's dressed to impress, in a deep red buttondown that fits him just right, slightly unbuttoned at the collar and rolled up at the sleeves. even with the man sat next to you, you'd have no trouble admitting that this bombshell is hot.

he's got steely blue eyes too, ones that briefly shine with mirth as he meets your gaze, then hu tao's.

"y'alright, darlings?"

oh, it was definitely him who called out that greeting.

"my name's childe, i'm sure you won't be forgetting it any time soon." a flirty wink from him that somehow manages to direct itself to both you and hu tao- it's impressive. and it's working, which is arguably an even more impressive feat.

you can feel yourself flustering under his gaze, and from the brief glint in his eyes he can tell, but he decides to take pity and start introducing himself to the other islanders.

"nice to meet you, mate." he extends a hand to alhaitham, one which is gingerly accepted and very gruffly shaken.

"likewise."

the other bombshell also pipes up, a more timid smile on his face.

"i'm albedo, it's nice to meet you too." you give him a quick smile and a wave. he seems nice enough, but he was very much a different type of person to childe- one which didn't have you feeling suddenly hyperaware of your appearance and sitting up that much straighter.

they make their way through the islanders, saying their greetings. no words need to be exchanged between the girls, a quick exchange of glances and rosaria's daringly mouthing "oh my god" as childe hugs her bringing everyone to a unanimous verdict that this bombshell is hot.

interestingly, ganyu seems to go pink when albedo introduces himself to her- a fact that doesn't go unnoticed by ayato, as he swiftly tries to put an arm around ganyu, that she expertly removes.

they eventually settle down, squeezing onto the curved sofa aroubd the firepit, and the laidback interrogation begins.

"so," jean starts, a slight slur to her voice. she had mentioned offhandedly how she was an absolute lightweight, but with the minimal drinks that were handed out tonight, this was a whole new level.

"which one of you's chemistry and which one of you's men at work?" it takes you a second, but you realise that she's talking about those hashtags that were in the text sent to hu tao's phone earlier. you can't help but giggle into your drink a little at the question, though it seems to be taken in stride.

"i'm a biochemist, if that's what you're asking?" albedo says uncertainly.

"and i work in construction, so i guess i'm the man at work." childe's voice alone makes it sound like an innuendo, let alone his more than knowing smirk.

jean's question seemed to get the ball rolling, the new arrivals quickly settling in.

and just when things started to feel alright, albedo's phone buzzed. he scrunched his brows at it as if he couldn't quite believe it made the noise, before gingerly reading out the text.

you were pretty sure that all the islanders were half expecting a text like that to make itself known tonight too, though its impact doesn't seem to lessen with that in mind. looking around, it was clear that the first power shift, so to speak, had been felt in all the male islanders. even the ever-so-cocky ayato had an imperceptibly smaller smirk on his face, the fleeting glance he sends to albedo as he downs the rest of his drink giving his true feelings away. even the stoic alhaitham next to you seemed slightly more on edge, if the less than 24 hours that you had spent with him were anything to go off of.

the carefree nature of the party not even an hour ago was hard to be found now, and with the all clear from production, it was only the natural next move to call it a night.

it was a mild surprise to see that names had been assigned to the beds- you're surprised to see your name next to alhaitham's in a bright cursive font on one headboard, with the same for each of the other couples. much to your amusement, the same had been done for childe and albedo, designating them to share for this first night at the villa.

you find yourself naturally straying over to the dressing room with the rest of the girls, all of you collectively getting unready before turning in for the night.

hu tao and jean were quick to turn in, barely getting the makeup off of their face and their pyjamas on before diving into bed. ganyu is next, already yawning and hair up in a bun, a dreamy little "goodnight" escaping her lips before she glides back to the bedroom.

rosaria isn't quite as tired, taking the time to do her skincare routine thoroughly before turning in, leaving you with a little wave.

you're almost done yourself, except for one last thing

it was such a trivial matter, though you found that those were the matters that you spent the most time deliberating over. and deciding what to wear on your first night was about as trivial as it got.

on one hand, you could go the sexy route- you had some silky matching sets with a tasteful amount of cleavage to show. or you could play it safe with the comfier (but still arguably cute) route of sleep shorts and a t-shirt. you're staring at the options in your suitcase so hard that you can feel your eyebrows beginning to crease, before you startle at the door to the changing room swinging open suddenly, and rosaria flashing you a quick smile.

"forgot my water bottle." she snags the thing up, eyes casting over your hunched figure and your suitcase in front of you.

she's quick to figure out your earth-shattering dilemma, chuckling to herself lightly.

"i say wear the sexy ones, and get your little nerd all hot and bothered so he'll be crazy about you." that's enough convincing for you, and you quickly finish getting ready for bed.

by the time you make it back to the shared bedroom, the lights are off, and everyone seems to be making some attempt to sleep. it's a slightly annoying fact, considering that a) the whole point of wearing the sexy pyjamas was for alhaitham to see them, not use his imagination, and b) you're going to have to navigate your way into bed in the dark.

you're vaguely aware of where your bed is, on the far side of the room someplace in the middle, and you wander in that general direction as quietly as possible.

your eyes are still adjusting to the dimly lit room, nondescript lumps of bodies under the covers being all that you can really use to tell whether you've reached your destination or not.

you think that you're there, feet shuffling across the cool tile floor as you make your way to the edge of the bed. your eyes strain, not sure if they're playing tricks on you or if you can really hear the slightest noise of giggles under the covers. you shudder briefly, someone clearly having a better time than you are.

you try cast your mind back to earlier- back when you had the aid of light to be able to tell which bed was yours- was it the second from the left? or the third? you try to be as surreptitious in your investigation as possible, not wanting anyone to see you shuffling around the beds and squinting at the people in them.

you hear the rustle of sheets, then see the vague silhouette of someone sitting up, eyes still not adjusted enough to have a clue of who it was. nevertheless, you freeze like you've been caught doing something wrong, stuck in some odd standoff with this person.

"...y/n?" even as a whisper, you recognise alhaitham's rather distinct voice.

"....yeah." it's a sheepish admission, and there's another pause before the sheets ruffle again, and you hear the vague sound of alhaitham patting the space next to him.

"the bed's here." the auditory cue helps more than you expected, and you decide to take the less graceful route of crawling into bed from the foot of it, not wanting to risk tripping on anything by walking round to the side.

as careful as you are, you aren't devoid of any further embarrassments, as your hand lands itself somewhere on what you would guess was his arm on your way to your pillow.

"sorry." you're as quick to retract your hand as you were to place it down, and save for the slightest of exhales when you did it, alhaitham made no sign that he had felt it at all.

"it's fine." as soon as your fingertips graze the pillowcase, you're quick to assume a semi-comfortable sleeping position, curled on your side with your back to alhaitham, too mortified to face him. you can vaguely sense him lying there, something in your gut telling you that he wasn't trying to sleep.

you're not sure how to break the silence, though. for starters, anyone else in the room could potentially hear you, and rolling over and asking are you awake felt like setting yourself up for public ridicule.

the seconds feel like hours as you lie there, tense and very much awake. the room is surprisingly cold, partially from the aircon which you're sure you'll appreciate a lot more in the day, and partially because of what little coverage your skimpy pyjamas had to offer. damn you, rosaria.

to your surprise, you don't have to break the silence, instead hearing the slight shuffle of alhaitham, before he whispers again.

"...did you forget where the bed was?" it didn't sound like a question of judgement, rather one of disbelief. either way, it doesn't help your embarrassment.

"um, yeah... i did." another beat of silence.

you're almost scared that he'll leave you hanging like that, but then you hear another little exhale from him that sounded very much like a snort.

"you know you can just call out next time instead of fumbling your way through the dark."

"oh, yeah. sorry."

another pause, and you're not sure if it's that same disbelief or if he's thinking very hard about what to say.

"you don't have to apologise, i was just suggesting an alternative."

"oh, sorry."

that garners another snort from him, and you can't help but laugh into the pillow too at how absurdly this conversation was going. decidedly braver now that your eyes have adjusted and that you've managed to laugh your nerves away, you slowly roll over to face alhaitham.

you're a bit closer to him than you expected to end up, though it's still a far enough distance that you're not immediately regretting your decision.

you can make out the planes of his face, just about, the slightest reflection of his eyes as he looks at you with a mild curiosity and something akin to mirth.

"hi." you smile at him sheepishly. a fresh start to that awkward conversation.

"hi." he echoes your greeting, the slightest smile tugging at his lips. even in the minimal lighting, you do your best to remember the sight.

"so, um, are you a blanket hog?" your brain was definitely just spitballing at this point. it seems to be working, though, as the easy smile on alhaitham's face didn't let up, and he shook his head.

"i'm not. do you sleep on top of the covers the whole night?" you had been too shy to even properly get into bed, merely assuming the foetal position as soon as your head hit the pillow.

"i don't, no." it's an awkward dance of arms and legs to get the cover out from underneath you and then getting underneath it, but you manage it without any further snorts from alhaitham, much to your relief.

it's still a bit chilly under the sheets, enough to make you shiver, and you rub your legs together to speed up the warmth generation process.

"are you cold?" curse alhaitham's astuteness. it's a hesitant nod, one that alhaitham sees anyway in the dim light of the room. there's another almighty pause from him, and now that you can see his expression you're sure that it's because he's thinking very hard about what to say next.

"we could... um.. cuddle, if you like?" he says it all quiet like it's a dirty word, and you think you've now been made privy to the shyer parts of him. your stunned silence must have been read as a rejection, as alhaitham's regular expression of a furrowed brow and rather discontent face returns, and he begins to move away from facing you and onto a more conservative position of lying on his back.

"forget i said anything, never mi-"

"-wait." your hand latches onto his arm under the covers, a move that you weren't anticipating to do. it takes you both by surprise, if the way his bicep tenses against your fingers is anything to go by. you try to swallow around your suddenly dry throat, still whispering out to him in the dark.

" that ... would be nice."

there's a few beats of silence, the both of you processing what you just said. of what's to come. it's a rather wordless progression, alhaitham coming back to face you. you shuffling your hips closer to him, meeting in the middle of the bed. there's still a respectable amount of space between the two of you, this careful dance of not wanting to come across as too eager being choreographed by the two of you.

there's a gentle hand at your waist, the lightest of pressures reminiscent on when you were first coupled up. you had melted into his touch then, and you do the same now, letting yourself shuffle just a touch closer. his hand resting across your waist is still the only real point of contact between you, but you could practically feel the warmth radiating from his body, a delightful realisation that had you wanting to close the gap so very badly.

"is that better?" you could swear that the roles were reversed now, what with alhaitham sounding so tentative. you smile to yourself, deciding to crack first and get what you really wanted, dance be damned.

you let your hand drift down to the one on your waist, fingers wrapping around his and guiding it to rest more naturally on your back, effectively embracing you now. alhaitham follows your directions without any complaints, even shuffling himself forward to accommodate for it. with the home stretch in sight, you let your own arm now wrap around him, pausing for the briefest of moments when your fingers meet bare skin rather than a tshirt.

perhaps your eyes hadn't completely adjusted, after all.

nevertheless, you take it in stride, enbracing alhaitham properly as well, letting yourself finally melt against his warmth with a content sigh.

even with your pyjamas on, there was still a decent amount of skin to skin contact- enough for this to feel delightfully intimate. you're close enough again to be able to smell alhaitham properly, the pleasant scent of him one that you were still trying to put your finger on. something woody, slightly earthy. but also sweet. the thought makes you smile as you finally shut your eyes, your lashes fluttering somewhere near alhaitham's collarbone. you feel him shiver in response, the slightest of twitches of his back muscles against your fingertips, and you file that tidbit of information away somewhere in your head.

alhaitham seems to be curious about you, too. he keeps his hands where you placed them, remaining respectfully north of your ass, though you feel his thumb skim under the hem of your pyjama top. at least they were serving you well now. you feel his thumb and forefinger experimentally rub the fabric of your top before he hums lightly, then returns to his original spot against your back, his thumb now rubbing small circles into you.

the sensation, the tiredness of the day setting in, and his very comforting warmth are all more than enough for you to feel your eyelids begin to droop.

"much better."

gia's notes ㌐ ₀₃ reader who gets less shy during the interaction x alhaitham who gets more shy YESSIRRRRRR 🫠🫠🫠. sorry that this chap took so long last term finished me OFF and i had to take a breather

taglist ㌐ ₀₃ (let me know if you would like to be added!) @arraxthatsonjah @nebsisdead @voasprofile @bunnychiffon @dainsleif-when-playable @meigalaxy @0lives10 @klancification